Looking for a unique Boston restaurant to impress your date or have a fun night out with friends? These are 19 fun Boston restaurants and bars where the atmosphere is as great as the food! I cover themed restaurants, cool dining experiences, and hidden speakeasies (including how to find them).
Last Updated: May 9, 2024
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1.) Double Chin
First on the Boston fun restaurants list is an Asian fusion restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown. Double Chin puts a creative spin on Hong Kong-style dishes.
Popular dishes include the spam & taro fries and Hong Kong fried chicken sandwich. The spam & taro fries are exactly what you’d expect – the grilled spam and taro slices come with a mayo and sriracha aioli dipping sauce. And, interestingly, the fried chicken sandwich uses sweet bao bread as the bun.
The alcoholic drinks are creative and quite strong. You can get boozy boba (soju or sake mixed into bubble tea), capri “funs” (mixed drinks in pouches), and sake & soju flights. For larger groups, I recommend their fish bowls or giant watermelons filled with mixed soju drinks. For dessert, try their famous cube toast!
Double Chin’s atmosphere is quite laid-back, making it the perfect place for a pregame or a meal after a night out. (They’re open until 4AM!) See more fun Boston Chinatown restaurants in this Youtube video:
86 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111 / Website
2.) Versus Barcade
Looking for an unconventional activity for a night out in Boston? Versus is a barcade (a mix of a bar and arcade) located in Boston’s Downtown. The cover is only $5 for unlimited gameplay all night!
There are plenty of games to choose from, including retro arcade slots, pinball, skee-ball, and modern gaming systems like Xbox and the Nintendo Switch. They also have physical board games like Giant Jenga, Connect 4, and cards. My favorite game is Connect 4 basketball.
Their menu features typical gastropub foods including stuffed pretzels, flatbread pizzas, and various wing flavors. The cocktails are expensive at $15 per drink, but I think it’s worth it for the unlimited gameplay.
Versus hosts special events each day depending on what day of the week it is. For instance, there’s Free Play Friday (meaning FREE ENTRY) and Super Smash Bros. Tournaments on Sundays! An alternative bar-cade option is A4cade in Cambridge.
42 Province St, Boston, MA 02108 / Website
Further Reading: 25+ Best Boston Indoor Activities
3.) Yume Wo Katare
Next on the Boston fun restaurants guide is Yume Wo Katare, Boston’s first dream workshop! Before I get to that, I’ll tell you about the food. They serve one thing only – ramen. Each bowl includes handmade ramen with fatty, garlic-infused broth, bean sprouts, and thick cuts of char-siu pork. You have the option of adding fried garlic and extra meat. The ramen is rich, flavorful, and perfectly salty. Check out my Boston Japanese restaurant guide & Boston ramen guide for more.
The main draw of Yume is their “dream workshop” concept. Once you finish your meal, you’re given the option to announce your dreams and aspirations to everyone in the restaurant. It’s a wholesome and inspiring experience!
Afterward, the chef rates your ramen bowl depending on how much of the meal you’ve finished. If you eat the entire ramen including the soup, you’ll get a “perfect”. If you only eat noodles and meat, you’ll get a “good job”. I find the ramen broth too rich to drink, so, unfortunately, I’ve only ever gotten a “good job”.
Yume has limited seating, so go when they open to avoid long wait times. Trust me, there’ll be a line. I’ve been in the dead of winter and people willingly waited an hour in 20-degree weather!
The unfussy dining experience makes Yume ideal for solo diners and introverts. Phone usage is discouraged in order to fully enjoy the meal, and you’re expected to eat and leave.
1923 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140
4.) Shore Leave
Located in Boston’s South End neighborhood, Shore Leave is a hidden downstairs tiki bar. Upon entering, it feels like you’ve been transported to a different world. The bar is tropical-themed with tiki wood carvings, green string lights, and wood shingles along the walls. The inside of the restaurant is dimly lit, so all the lights look even more extravagant.
Shore Leave sells all your typical tiki bar drinks, including rum-based and tropical juice cocktails. Their signature drink is the Shore Leave, which has tropical juices, local and Jamaican rums, madeira, molasses, passion fruit, and angostura. I especially liked the water gun cocktail (it’s a summer special). You can order their drinks without alcohol, too.
Shore Leave’s food menu is Asian-inspired with sushi and bar bites. My favorite items are the miso-teriyaki Shore Leave burger, okonomiyaki tater tots, and karaage chicken sandwich.
The bar is really easy to miss. You’ll need to maneuver through a series of stairs to get to the basement where it is located. During the summer, they have a cute outdoor tropical-themed patio with fun drinks.
11 William E Mullins Way, Boston, MA 02118 / Website
5.) Tiki Rock
Tiki Rock is another tiki bar located in Boston’s Financial District. The restaurant’s atmosphere is vibrant with loud music, a large bar area, and bright strip lights illuminating the dark space. There are plenty of regular tables as well as lounge seating. It’s the perfect spot for a birthday party!
There are over 15 cocktail options, many of which are rum-based with tropical fruit flavors. Some drinks come in tiki-carved containers.
Tiki Rock’s food menu includes poke bowls, rice bowls, and a raw bar. I like the grilled steak tips in their homemade Korean marinade. I do want to note, however, that this place is better for its atmosphere than its food.
2 Broad St, Boston, MA 02109 / Website
Further Reading: 25 Fun Things To Do in Boston for Young Adults
6.) Mariel
Mariel in the Financial District is undoubtedly one of the coolest restaurants in Boston. It’s elegantly decorated with high ceilings, plush sofas, and chandeliers. Its decor is a tribute to pre-revolutionary Cuba.
Not only is the restaurant very picture-worthy, but the food and drink are also spectacular. Top items on their dinner menu include pork empanadas, fufu gnocchi, and steak churrasco. For drinks, their daiquiri and margarita “trees” have a beautiful presentation.
If you get dinner at Mariel, you’re also given free entry to Mariel Underground. It’s a lounge with a club-like atmosphere.
10 Post Office Square #120, Boston, MA 02109 / Website
7.) Citrus and Salt
Citrus and Salt is a trendy Mexican-inspired restaurant in Boston’s Back Bay. It’s the PERFECT spot for a girl’s day out, birthday celebration, or date night. First off, the interior of the restaurant is perfect for Instagram pictures. The decor is modern with pink walls, plenty of sugar skulls, and twinkling lights. There’s also plenty of natural sunlight.
Citrus and Salt serves both brunch and dinner. For brunch, a fan favorite is the fried chicken and waffle tacos. The dish comes with moist boneless fried chicken wedged in between blue corn and tequila waffles in the shape of a taco. Other notable brunch options include the hot Cheetos street corn and tres leche french toast.
There are a variety of cocktails to choose from. The soft-serve mimosas are a fun treat – a pineapple dole whip and mimosa in a cup.
142 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116 / Website
Further Reading: 27+ Unique & Fun Boston Date Ideas
8.) Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar
Similar to Citrus and Salt, Lolita Cocina is an upscale Mexican restaurant with a trendy vibe. The inside is dimly lit with grand, gothic-style decor.
They don’t skimp on the free stuff here. Once arriving, they serve you cotton candy, an alcoholic “palette cleanser”, and chips with dipping sauces. (December 2023 Update: the chips with sauces are now around $4!)
For drinks, I love their strawberry “Frolita”, which is a frozen margarita. It’s super refreshing and sweet, making it the perfect option if you don’t like the taste of alcohol. You also can’t go wrong with their mojitos.
Try their habanero chicken ranchero quesadilla and the steak tacos. The chicken quesadilla has so much flavor from the bacon bits, Oaxaca cheese blend, and rancho fresca drizzle. The tacos are made with juicy, melt-in-your-mouth prime skirt steak.
The prices at Lolita are steep at around $20 per dish, but I think it’s worth it since they use high-quality ingredients. Read more about Lolita in my best tacos in Boston article.
I LOVE visiting the Lolita Seaport location in the summertime! They have outdoor seating along the waterfront, complete with music and fairy lights. It’s the restaurant I visit most regularly on this Boston fun restaurants list.
253 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 / Website
9.) City Tap House
Located just the down street from Lolita in Seaport is City Tap House. The new American restaurant has an extensive selection of craft beers, shareable plates, and full entrees. I like the Cloud Candy IPA, which comes in a huge glass.
For food, I always opt for the pulled pork nachos and Nashville hot cauliflower. The nachos are piled high with layers of pulled pork, sour cream, cheese, beans, and a dollop of guacamole on top.
While I enjoy the nachos, the Nashville hot cauliflower appetizer is the star of the show. It’s generously coated in a buffalo-style hot sauce (that’s not too hot!) and is satisfyingly crunchy. It comes with a side of creamy ranch to offset the heat. I didn’t expect much, but it’s seriously so good.
Besides the food, City Tap has a large outdoor patio popular with corporate workers in the evening. In the warmer weather, there’s even a seating area with a fire pit.
Even though City Tap is a chain, its lively atmosphere and nice outdoor patio make it belong on any Boston fun restaurants list.
10.) The Beehive
Looking to accompany your meal with some live music? The Beehive is a classy music venue with amazing food. Downbeat Magazine even named it one of the top 100 jazz clubs in the world. Genres of music they play include jazz, blues, R&B, electronica, reggae, Latin, country, and more! Check out their music and events calendar to plan your visit.
Onto the food! My go-to drink here is the Queen Bee ($16). It comes with Skyy vodka, elderflower, grapefruit, and sparkling wine. Their food menu is always rotating, but I especially like their beef short ribs and whipped ricotta. Don’t skip their fries either – they’re perfectly seasoned and crispy.
Given its eclectic decor, classy music, and upscale food, The Beehive is an ideal choice for a date night. More details on the Beehive can be found on my TikTok.
541 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116 / Website
11.) Loretta’s Last Call
Loretta’s in Fenway is another live music venue slash restaurant, specializing in American southern food and country music. They have weekly line dancing, bluegrass brunch, and a build-your-own bloody mary bar.
For a bar, the quality of the food here genuinely surprised me. If you’re only going to choose one dish, GET THE BBQ pulled pork mac and cheese! The pulled pork is tender, saucey, and adds a subtle sweetness to the cheesy pasta.
1 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215 / Website
12.) Offsuit Speakeasy
Up on the list of Boston fun restaurants are speakeasies! If you don’t know what a speakeasy is, they were illicit establishments during the prohibition period. Since alcohol is no longer illegal, nowadays it refers to a hidden or “secret” bar.
Offsuit in the Leather District is one of the best Boston hidden speakeasies. It’s located behind a door in an alleyway and you need to call the number on the door (not knock!) to be let inside.
Fair warning: it was VERY difficult for me to find the entrance the first time I went. The alleyways all look the same and there is no signage. To help you out, the location is on 5 Utica Street and it’s right around the corner from the restaurant Troquet on South.
The inside of the speakeasy is intimate and dimly lit. There’s a small bar, a few tables, and vintage decorations along the walls.
The menu includes creative cocktails and small plates. The cocktail menu is ever-changing, but I genuinely enjoyed each drink I tried.
For food, the double burger is surprisingly good. Also, DO NOT skip their chocolate chip cookies with boozy milk! It’s a satisfying and fun dessert.
For more details on Offsuit, check out my TikTok video review here.
5 Utica St, Boston, MA 02111 / Website
Note: Offsuit is a great spot to finish an itinerary for one day in Boston!
13.) Next Door Speakeasy
Next Door is another upscale Boston speakeasy. To get in, arrive at Pazza on Porter in East Boston and check in at the front desk. They’ll tell you a password and direct you through a greenhouse area to a door. Once you approach the speakeasy entrance, you repeat the aforementioned password to be let in.
The coolest thing about Next Door is the presentation of all their drinks. Some drinks come in a small treasure chest with smoke coming out, while others are literally lit on fire.
It’s a raw bar, so they have a variety of seafood-based dishes including mini ahi tuna “tacos”, salmon crudo, salmon tartare, and lobster sliders. From the ambiance, cool cocktails, and food options, this is a great spot for a night out.
103 Porter St, Boston, MA 02128 / Website
14.) The Wig Shop
Located on a side street in Boston’s Downtown, this is a speakeasy where the storefront is quite literally disguised as a wig shop! Once you enter, the space is dimly lit with a comfortable lounge atmosphere. They have a curated cocktail menu and snacks ranging from truffle fries (which I ordered, a great choice) to wagyu sliders.
27 Temple Pl, Boston, MA 02111 / Website
15.) Burro Bar
You’ve heard of bottomless mimosas, but have you heard of bottomless BRUNCH? Since Boston doesn’t allow bottomless drinks, Burro Bar improvised with a brunch buffet! For only $25 per person, you can eat as many brunch entrees as you want for an hour and a half. Their Mexican-inspired entrees include huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, french toast, and pork barbacoa benedict.
I’m not much of a buffet person, but if you’re looking for an affordable and fun brunch option in Boston, check Burro Bar out!
16.) M&M BBQ & Dorchester Brewing
M&M in Dorchester is one of my favorite Boston hidden gems. It’s a casual, counter-service Southern BBQ spot in conjunction with the Dorchester Brewing Company.
My favorite item here is the Dumpster fries ($13). It’s a box of fries with your choice of pulled chicken, pulled pork, or brisket as the protein. They generously coat it with smoked cheese sauce, scallions, BBQ sauce, and ketchup. The combination of sauces gives the fries the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
It’s located in a warehouse building, so there’s plenty of space for larger groups. There’s also a cool area for retro arcade games & basketball machines. In the summer, they have a lovely rooftop with overhead views of the Boston skyline.
NOTE: You need to be 21+ with a valid ID to get in.
1250 Massachusetts Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125 / Website
17.) Crazy Good Kitchen
Looking for over-the-top burgers and milkshakes? Next on the Boston fun restaurants list is Crazy Good Kitchen, a newly-opened burger shop on Newbury Street. The thing I love about this place is they aren’t afraid to make crazy-flavored dishes without sacrificing quality.
To start, try one of their sugary, topping-loaded milkshakes. I’ve tried the “I’m Crazy For Cookies” and strawberry shortcake. The I’m Crazy For Cookies (my preference) comes with a cookie-infused vanilla shake, whipped cream, an assortment of cookies, and a generous chocolate drizzle.
Onto the entrees: the burgers and fried chicken sandwiches are both GREAT! If you LOVE cheese, the hot mess and cheese is the dish to get. It’s basically a melty, American cheese-covered burger. If you REALLY love cheese, you can even get an extra cup of cheese on the side.
My last recommendation here is their buffalo chicken fries.
268 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116 / Website
18.) Pinky’s Cocktails & Drinks
Also located on Boston’s Newbury Street in Back Bay is the newly opened bar Pinky’s Cocktail & Dreams. The basement-level bar serves unique cocktails, globally-inspired small plates from patatas bravas to potstickers, and an upscale atmosphere. The inside of the space is pretty cool, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, funky decor, and an eclectic mix of multi-patterned wallpapers on each wall. It’s one of the latest best Boston fun restaurants to check out on a date night or with friends!
269 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116 / Website
19.) Wusong Road
Last on the list is a spot located just outside of Boston in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Wusong Road is an Asian-inspired tiki bar and restaurant with fun tropical-themed decor and a lively ambiance. Cocktails come in tiki-themed cups and they have photo-worthy food options like animal themed bao buns.
112 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138 / Website
Honorable Mentions: Boston Fun Restaurants
Although this list is for the most fun restaurants Boston, I’ve included some a bit outside of the city that are worth a mention.
In A Pickle –> This breakfast/brunch spot in Waltham is famous for its over-the-top sweet dishes. Unique options include M&M pancakes, Reese’s pancakes, and cookie dough pancakes. Find more brunch options in my best Boston brunches article.
Sugar Factory –> Newly added to Boston’s Faneuil Hall, this is a chain with inventive food and desserts, extravagantly decorated rooms, and giant fruity “goblet” drinks topped with candy.
Liyoushou Hotpot –> This is one of my favorite hotpot restaurants in Boston! At Liyoushou, you cook your own meat. I also like that you can make your own sauce at their sauce station. It’s a fun, interactive dining experience that deserves a spot on the Boston fun restaurants list. Check out my best Chinese food in Boston article for similar restaurants.
Other Fun Boston Food & Drink Activities
If you’d rather someone show you around Boston fun restaurants and bars, here are some popular food tours in 2024:
- Boston’s North End: Secret Food Tour
- North End Experience with Pizza, Cheese, & Meat
- History Pub Crawl Along Freedom Trail
- Guided Seafood Tour
- Boston Harbor Champagne Sunset Sail
- Underground Donut Tour
Wrapping Up: Boston Fun Restaurants in 2024
This concludes my complete list of the BEST Boston fun restaurants and bars in 2024. Did I miss your favorite restaurant? Send a message to my contact page and I’ll check it out.
Once you eat through Boston fun restaurants and bars, check out other Boston spots:
- 17+ Best Cheap Eats Boston
- Best Chinese Food in Boston (By an Asian)
- The Best Breakfast in Boston: 27 Must-Try Spots
Or, find other things to do in Boston:
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