Must-see nightlife in New England

  • Liam Maguire's Irish Pub & Restaurant

    Cape Cod

    The perfect Irish pub: good food (from beef and Guinness stew to fish tacos), good craic, a good selection of draft beers, Irish bartenders, live music…

  • 21 Bar & Grill

    New Hampshire

    Martinis are the house specialty at this narrow neighborhood bar a few steps from Main St. You'll have to move quickly to snag a table on Friday…

  • Trinity Brewhouse

    Providence

    This microbrewery in the entertainment district, one of Rhode Island's pioneering brew-pubs, turns out terrific British-style beers, served by the pint,…

  • Dark Lady & Alley Cat

    Providence

    Alley Cat is the bar and Dark Lady the club, but they're both under one roof and welcome men and women of all persuasions to kick off their heels, make…

  • Wayfarer Coffee Roasters

    New Hampshire

    Clean wooden lines and a plethora of compass symbols keep the vibe maritime at this chic coffee shop where the beans are roasted in-house. The mini…

  • Yellow Kittens

    Rhode Island

    Just north of Old Harbor, Yellow Kittens attracts bands from around New England and keeps rowdy patrons happy with pool, table tennis and darts. It's been…

  • Chatham Bars Inn

    Cape Cod

    Drink in the seaside views from the veranda of this refined resort (built in 1914), or join the fun at the Beach House, where cocktails, clambakes and…

  • Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall

    Boston

    Take an hour-long tour ($5) to see how the beer is made and to sample some of the goods. Or just take a seat at the bar in the beer hall and watch the…

  • Coffee Obsession

    Cape Cod

    At this lo-fi cafe, you can buy global beans by the pound or a toasted bagel to accompany your quality espresso, cappuccino or latte. It's a welcoming…

  • J22 Tap and Table

    Rhode Island

    Jamestown's most popular bar (due to a veritable lack of competition) also tries its hand at upscale Modern American food. Our tip, drink here and dine…

  • Paddy Barry's

    South Shore

    No food, just friendly folks, inviting atmosphere and perfectly poured Guinness. You might catch some live music, but the good craic is guaranteed.

  • Shannon Door Pub

    White Mountains

    We hear the Mt Washington Observatory crew likes to relax in this convivial pub after a week atop the mountain. Look for the green house on the hill.

  • Rasputin's

    Burlington

    A popular UVM student hangout with pool tables, oodles of TVs, regular DJ nights, occasional live music and dirt-cheap Thursday drink specials.

  • The Stable

    Providence

    Not as rough as the name implies, the stable caters to a classier, older crowd, with an intimate outdoor patio and an excellent cocktail list.

  • Poor People's Pub

    Rhode Island

    Poor People's Pub with its barbecue, beer and bands is a hit with everyone, not just the handful of visitors who actually have a budget!

  • Portsmouth Brewery

    Portsmouth

    Classically set with tin ceilings and exposed-brick walls, this airy brewpub serves excellent homegrown pilsners, porters and ales.

  • Mocha Joe's Cafe

    Southern Vermont

    Before your eyes spy this ultrahip, subterranean space, your nose will locate the exceptionally rich brews and excellent pastries.

  • Concord Craft Brewing

    New Hampshire

    The Kapitol Kolsch is a standout at this small-batch craft brewery, where you can play Connect 4 or Jenga while sampling a flight.

  • Back Bay Grill

    Portland

    The lounge area at this swank, off-the-beaten-track restaurant is a good spot for 25-year-old scotch or fancy gin cocktails.

  • MB Lounge

    Massachusetts

    Depending on the night, this gay lounge runs the gamut from casual neighborhood karaoke bar to bass-thumping dance club.

  • The Wharf

    Newport

    This rustic waterfront tavern frequently features live music and serves seafood (including a raw bar) and comfort food.

  • Seafood Shanty

    Martha's Vineyard

    The upstairs deck at this harborside seafood restaurant is the place in town for drinks with a view.

  • Jax Food & Games Bar

    Vermont

    Combines an indoor game-room-bar with live music, burgers, a good beer selection and an outdoor deck.

  • Ego

    Providence

    One of Providence's bigger gay clubs with drag queens, disco and 'Twerk Fridays.'

  • Barn

    Martha's Vineyard

    Not far from Oak Bluffs' main drag is this all in one new-American bistro, hipster bar and family-friendly bowling alley. It's important to note that this…

  • Tangierino Lounge

    Charlestown

    First and foremost, it's a hookah lounge, with plush furniture, ornately carved woodwork, nightly belly-dancing shows and sophisticated flavors of tobacco…

  • Bill’s Bar

    Kenmore Square & Fenway

    Once the unofficial 'Dirty Rock Club' of this strip, Bill's Bar is still an obligatory stop if you're clubbing on Lansdowne St. Not your first stop,…

  • Middlesex

    Cambridge

    Sleek and sophisticated, Middlesex brings the dance crowd to the Cambridge side of town. Black modular furniture on heavy casters moves aside when the…

  • Willimantic Brewing Company

    Southeastern Connecticut

    The Willi has been serving up a long list of tasty home brews in this converted post office building since 1997. The beer's good, and the menu dominated…

  • Vena's Fizz House

    Portland

    The folks at this painfully hip spot are really into their cocktails – and mocktails. Seasonal cocktails might run the gamut from apple brandy, orange and…

  • Four's

    Boston

    Boasting all sports, all the time, the Four's makes a great place to appreciate Boston’s near-fanatical obsession with sporting events. The large two…

  • Brahmin

    Back Bay

    You may have never heard of Nightclub & Bar Magazine, but they once named this Back Bay original the best lounge in the country! That seems like a stretch…

  • West End Johnnies

    Boston

    West End Johnnies is a grown-up sports bar, with black leather furniture and retro sports paraphernalia adorning the walls. On weekend nights, it's also a…

  • Whisky Saigon

    South End & Chinatown

    Whisky Saigon is among the hottest dance spots in Boston at the time of writing, and with good reason. Who can resist bubbles and laser lights on the…

  • Bin 26 Enoteca

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    If you're into wine, you’ll be into Bin. Big windows overlook Charles St and wine bottles line the walls. The extensive wine list spans the globe,…

  • Boston Beer Works

    Boston

    Boston Beer Works is a solid option for beer-lovers and sports-lovers (conveniently located near the city's major sporting venues). The excellent…

  • Minibar

    Back Bay

    Located in the posh Copley Square Hotel, Minibar is much more enticing than your typical hotel bar. It’s a swank space with cushy couches, sexy people and…

  • 6B Lounge

    Beacon Hill & Boston Common

    Most nights of the week, this is a pleasant but innocuous cocktail bar with forgettable food. But come Friday night, the bar morphs into a wildly popular…

  • Charlie’s Kitchen

    Cambridge

    Charlie’s is a three-in-one. Downstairs is a lovable greasy spoon serving burgers and bargain-price lobster rolls late into the night; upstairs is a much…

  • City Bar

    Back Bay

    For an intimate atmosphere and sweet selection of cocktails, this swish bar in the Lenox Hotel is not exactly a destination in and of itself, but it’s…