Head outdoors
ENJOY SUMMER DRINKS ON ROOFTOPS, PATIOS OF THESE COOL SPOTS
The harddrinking, sun-loving Bostonian will find plenty of places these days to enjoy a tasty view and a cool buzz here at the height of the summertime drinking season.
Take, for example, the red-hot 2-year-old Lookout Rooftop and Bar at the Envoy Hotel.
“It must be the selfie capital of the world,” raved Envoy bartender Dan Donoghue. Almost all guests seem compelled to capture a picture of themselves drinking chilly rose, frosty craft beer or breezy cocktails above Boston Harbor with a dramatic backdrop of downtown high-rises.
The Lookout makes our completely subjective list of 10 great places for outdoor drinking.
Alba Restaurant (1486 Hancock St., Quincy, 617-376-2522, albaquincy.com) — Alba's festive roof deck has been an urban oasis and summertime hot spot for a decade,
offering fine wine and cool cocktails in now-gentrifying Quincy Center. What you'll see: colorful flower boxes and a lively music scene. What you'll drink: red, white or rose sangria. The Baseball Tavern (1270 Boylston St., 617867-6526, baseball tavern.com) — The roof deck at this Fenway watering hole retains rowdy beer-soaked street cred in a 'hood now filled with trendy cocktail bars. What you'll see: celebrity Boston sports blogger Jerry Thornton in a “Free Brady” T-shirt taking selfies with fans. What you'll drink: Bud Lights with your buddy Sully.
Charlie’s Kitchen (10 Eliot St., Cambridge, 617-492-9646, charlieskitchen.com) — Iconic Harvard Square burger joint with small sidewalk patio and breezy neighborhood beer garden. What you'll see: future presidents and titans of industry gorging themselves on triple cheeseburgers. What you'll drink: tallboy cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
KO at the Shipyard (256 Marginal St., East Boston, 617-418-5234, kocateringandpies.com) — KO helped launch Eastie's now-trendy culinary status (hip new Cunard Tavern debuts tomorrow) when the Aussie meat pie shop opened a mini beer garden on the industrial waterfront five years ago. What you'll see: hipsters and young families playing cornhole or giant Jenga. What you'll drink: Coopers Sparking Ale straight from Down Under.
Lookout Rooftop and Bar (70 Sleeper St., 617-338-3030, the envoy hotel.com) — A hot, hip scene with seasonal cocktails and gorgeous big-city views. What you'll see: Boston Harbor and the city's best close-up of the glittering nighttime skyline. What you'll drink: the Elevation, a lemony gin-and-tea cocktail topped with prosecco.
Jo’s Nautical Bar (125 Main St., Hull, no phone, josnautical.com) — Charismatic seaside shanty and hidden-gem dive bar offering “cold beer and tall tales.” The interior is packed with nautical memorabilia; the patio sits on the edge of Hull Bay. What you'll see: the sun set over the Boston skyline. What you'll drink: ice cold Budweiser.
Publico (11 Dorchester St., South Boston, 617-622-5700, publico boston.com) — Open-air atrium in the new 11 on the Dot development wedged between Southie and the Seaport. What you'll see: piano shaped bar, couches and pergola covered in greenery. What you'll drink: frozen rose, an icy mix of sparkling rose, lemon juice, strawberry syrup and grenadine.
Sky Lounge (65 Seaport Blvd., 617-377-4747, yotel.com) — Oneweek-old Yotel, a travel-inspired Seaport hotel, boasts a 12th-floor glass-walled lounge with terrace bar serving local beer and seasonal cocktails. What you'll see: a 360-degree view of Boston Harbor, city skyline and surrounding neighborhoods. What you'll drink: the M Street Mojito featuring coconut rum and fresh raspberries.
The Pour Yard (210 Washington St., Quincy, 617-481-9667) — Innovative new space that opened earlier this month with 50-seat patio, wine-box herb garden, fruity cocktails and Greater Boston's only cans-only craft beer list. What you'll see: oak casks from Barrel House Z brewery that double as high-top tables. What you'll drink: tallboy cans of Barrel House Z Sunny & 79.
Trillium beer garden (Atlantic Avenue at High Street, trillium beergarden.com) — Cult-favorite Trillium brewery made a huge splash with the opening of its Rose Kennedy Greenway beer garden early this month. What you'll see: a patriotic downtown tableau with the American flag gently blowing in the Rowes Wharf Hotel courtyard across the street. What you'll drink: Double Dry Hopped Fort Point Pale Ale with Citra and Columbus hops.