LAWN ON D PLAYING UP UPGRADES
Space offers more games, full bar
South Boston’s Lawn on D officially opens May 4 for a fourth season that will include a new full-service bar and updated menu, the ability to make table reservations and more games.
Live music, movie nights and other events are slated for the 2.7-acre, interactive outdoor space on D Street, next to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
“The lawn will again feature food and drinks from Rebel Restaurants, plus a full slate of innovative programming, games, art and activities to deliver a memorable experience for every guest,” Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Executive Director David Gibbons said.
While lawn gates open May 1, food service begins May 4. A Cinco de Mayo fiesta follows that weekend with mariachi and Gipsy Kings-style bands and Mexican food and drinks. Boston’s Rebel Restaurants, the lawn’s food and beverage provider since last year, now has a liquor license allowing it to serve spirits as well as beer and wine. It also plans a more diverse food menu.
Lawn on D attendees this season will be able to reserve tables starting the second week of May. Two seatings, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, will be available, with eight tables each seating eight people. Details on making reservations will be posted on the lawn website prior to opening weekend.
The lawn’s iconic Swing Time 3.0 public art installation — 18 interactive, LED-lit swings — will have new colors this year, changing from green to white when in motion. New Lawn on D games will include giant chess, lawn checkers and a large Connect Four game.
The MCCA has been trying to make the lawn selfsufficient, cutting a $2.3 million deficit in 2015 to about $250,000$350,000 last year. It brought marketing and management in house, increased food and beverage sales commissions, signed a sponsorship deal changing the venue’s name to the Lawn on D Powered by Citizens Bank, and created a separate Signature Pavilion that hosted nearly 90 private and corporate events.
That pavilion space has been expanded this year to 2,400 square feet by adding 1,000 square feet from a smoking area. Citizens, meanwhile, returns as title sponsor and will host Friday Community Days and Friday night cornhole tourneys starting May 19.
Other public festivities include a family festival on May 13, a Friday lunch series with Berklee College of Music performers that returns May 19, and Massachusetts Fallen Heroes’ second annual Patriot Fest, a ticketed, 21-plus event on May 20 that will feature country music performers Tyler Farr and Eric Paslay.