Where Should I Go for Drinks in Boston?
Boston City Guide -
Short answer: start with these four. A Sonoran speakeasy, a Black-owned rooftop, a Beacon Hill art deco hideaway, and a neighborhood gastropub with one of the best espresso martinis in the city. Long answer — exactly what to order and why each one earns the trip — right below.
The Answer
The best places to grab drinks in Boston right now:
Hecate— Back Bay, Sonoran speakeasy with mythology-driven cocktails
Apex Rooftop Bar and Lounge— Downtown, Black-owned rooftop with skyline views
89 Charles— Beacon Hill, art deco speakeasy, the espresso martini of the year
Louis Corner— neighborhood gastropub, unbeatable bar design, sweet espresso martinis
Why trust this list: this is a first-person, tried-it-myself roundup, not a scraped "best of." Every stop below is a real night out, several of them inspired by finds from local Boston food account @cornersofboston.
01
Hecate
48 Gloucester St, Boston, MA 02115 (tucked behind a discreet alley door)
A subterranean speakeasy that's an intimate, candlelit sanctuary of gold accents, where "spirit guides" craft theatrical, mythology-driven cocktails. Bartender Orlando Parra grew up in Sonora, Mexico, and the menu carries that all the way through — down to a bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dog that's practically a religious experience.
What to Order
The Quintessencee — Citadelle Rouge gin, safflower, annatto, sappanwood, Chartreuse, pear, rhubarb, champagne acid — alongside the El Yaqui Sonoran hot dog.
Good For
Date night, or any night you want a little theater with your drink.
▶ Watch the video recap — Hecate
My TakeThe Sonoran hot dog is not a gimmick — it's the best bar snack I've had in Boston this year, and it makes the whole night feel like a trip somewhere else.
02
Apex Rooftop Bar and Lounge
150 State St, Boston, MA 02109
A Black-owned rooftop speakeasy with a retractable roof that makes you feel right up against the downtown skyline. It's an intimate space for a rooftop — closer to a living room in the sky than a sprawling bar scene.
What to Order
The Channel Orange — Uncle Nearest 1856, blood orange, simple syrup, bitters, Starlino cherry — or the espresso martini.
Good For
Golden-hour drinks, small groups, cityscape views without the crowd.
▶ Watch the video recap — Apex Rooftop Bar and Lounge
My TakeThe highlight was meeting bartender Oumou, who steered us straight to the espresso martini — sweet, balanced, and now on my short list for best in the city.
03
89 Charles
89 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
Boston's newest speakeasy, tucked into Beacon Hill and designed by Erica of Assembly Designs. It's intimate and cozy, capturing the roaring '20s with art deco decor, deep blue velvet booths, antique brass touches, and candlelit tables throughout.
What to Order
The Charles Si Sopresso — Plantation Cut & Dry rum, espresso, cacao, whipped coconut cream — plus the Wagyu hot dog with black truffle chimichurri.
Good For
A proper night out, with dessert built in.
▶ Watch the video recap — 89 Charles
My TakeThe coconut whipped cream on the Charles Si Sopresso is no joke — this is the espresso martini riff every other bar on this list is quietly competing with. Save room for the warm chocolate chip cookies, and don't skip the bathroom.
04
Louis Corner
552 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118
A neighborhood gastropub with a bar design that's hard to walk past without stopping in — warm wood, brass fixtures, and a genuinely cozy, intimate room. It's open until midnight, which makes it the easy answer for a nightcap when everywhere else has closed the kitchen.
What to Order
The Emerald Espresso ($16) — vanilla vodka, crème de menthe, crème de cacao, espresso — plus a side of fries if you're making it dinner.
Good For
Late-night nightcaps, or a casual "girl dinner" at the bar.
▶ Watch the video recap — Louis Corner
My TakeOne of my favorite espresso martinis in Boston, full stop — sweet in exactly the right way. This is the spot I keep coming back to when I just want one good drink close to home.
Key Takeaway
If I only had one night, I'd start at 89 Charles — the Charles Si Sopresso and the Wagyu hot dog make it the most complete stop on this list, and that coconut whipped cream is worth the trip alone. But the real move is turning this into a proper crawl: golden hour at Apex for the skyline, Hecate if you want a Sonoran hot dog and a cocktail with a story behind it, and Louis Corner to close out the night with the sweetest espresso martini on the list.
Common Questions
FAQ
What is the best speakeasy in Boston right now?
Hecate in Back Bay and 89 Charles in Beacon Hill are two of the buzziest speakeasies in Boston in 2026, each known for theatrical cocktails and standout snack menus.
Where can I find a Black-owned bar in Boston?
Apex Rooftop Bar and Lounge, at 150 State St downtown, is a Black-owned rooftop speakeasy known for its retractable roof and close-up skyline views.
Where can I get the best espresso martini in Boston?
89 Charles and Louis Corner both make strong cases, with sweet, well-balanced riffs — 89 Charles adds whipped coconut cream, while Louis Corner leans into crème de menthe and crème de cacao.
What's a good rooftop bar in Boston?
Apex Rooftop Bar and Lounge offers an intimate rooftop experience downtown with a retractable roof and views of the surrounding skyline.
Where can I get late-night drinks in Boston?
Louis Corner stays open until midnight and is a reliable neighborhood stop for a nightcap after other kitchens have closed.
Boston drinks round-up