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Bars + Clubs
Editors' Picks
By Dig Staff
del.ico.us
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Get Your Sox On
Daisy Buchanan's
We've profiled Daisy Buchanan's in the past—it's a favorite—covering the late night scene, as well as profiling the who's who of the Red Sox Nation that calls this place home. After all, this is the place to sit next to a Gold Glove, or soon to be, and find nothing star-struck about it. From first base to pitcher, outfielder to second base, the place down-under is a go-to respite for the go-to guys we root for. But this is also a bar that commands a certain decorum for your fellow bar mate. Respect that, and they'll be glad to see ya; disrespect that, and well, wouldn't wanna-be-ya ... [240 Newbury St., Boston. 617.247.8516]
Stimulate that
Union Street
Main Street's swell and all, but everyone knows that, come sundown, Joe Six-Pack takes his stimulus package to Union Street for some real action. After watching the game and coupling off, head to the bar's outdoor, heated patio, where the foliage and soft light make for a non-threatening ambience—plus you can bring your drinks outside. [107 Rear Union St., Newton Centre, Newton. 617.964.6684. unionst.com]
Dive that will never jump shark
Whitney's Cafe
Although there are certainly gems in the city stewing beneath the radar, most "dive" bars that people actually go to are usually anything but. The more places bequeathed that humble label increase the chance of diminishing that inimitable townie spirit. But Whitney's Cafe, smack in the heart of otherwise squeaky-clean Harvard Square, remains an enigmatic head-scratcher. Has anyone really gone in there? Yet with Buck Hunter, cheap beer and darts, we're betting one of you will and shall emerge fairly alive. [37 JFK St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. 617.354.8172]
Economic nostalgia
The Celtics
The early '90s were the Celtics' last glory days and the dot com bubble kept us blissfully unaware of the impending financial disaster. Everything was so wonderful back then, thermal shirts that highlighted your sweat stains seemed like a good idea. Well, now you can pretend it's the good old days by seeing the glorious team in action (yeah, good luck) [TD Banknorth Garden, One Fleetcenter Pl., Boston. 617.624.1050] while wearing a thermal shirt from American Apparel [47 Brattle St., Cambridge. 617.661.2770. amapparel.com].
Public bathroom without risk of herpes
Holyoke Center Arcade
There are several strategies one may employ when you have to use the loo as you're out and about town: Slinking into a restaurant or store and sheepishly asking to use the facilities, navigating a hotel lobby, sneaking elsewhere without asking permission (consequences be damned), busting a random PortaJohn (not recommended). But when you're not in the mood to deal with human interaction, the seldom-crowded Holyoke Center Arcade's bathrooms are a bladder's godsend. [1350 Mass. Ave., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. Copious potty reviews at thebathroomdiaries.com]
New Hotel Bar that MattersCity Bar
"Sexy" and "chill" are two words we thought of while attending the recent launch party for City Bar, the new lounge side-saddled off of MJ O'Connor's in the Westin Hotel. Complete with comfy seating and a dark, hidden sensibility, this is one place you could climb into and not come out until the tab is closed and the bartenders are locking up. Still a very new place, there's no doubt it still has something to prove, but with a great location and a great hotel to wrap itself into, we're sure it's a hidden gem. [425 Summer St., South Boston. 617.443.0888]
The Stimulus Package
District
With an ultra-swank VIP section, complete with custom drink mixers (not your average soda, OJ and cranberry) including lychee cucumber puree and raspberry blueberry, District is poised to put the stimulus back in the package. They also have a Moët & Chandon VIP bed with curtain for privacy. Sounds like a kinky night with bubbles, if you ask us. At a time when so many are downsizing, writing down and, in general, feeling down, this place is sure to lift just about everything up, including the economy. [180 Lincoln St., Boston. 617.426.0180. districtboston.com]
Bar with THE View
Bleacher Bar
Unlike a lost tomb buried deep within centerfield, latent for future generations to revisit on some far away afternoon, Bleacher Bar is a hidden treasure for Sox fans to unearth today. With a killer view tucked beneath the bleacher underbelly, patrons feel the foot-stomp chants of "Here we go Red Sox! Here we go!" while watching outfielders chase down hits. The bonus to this amazing experience is that they may have one of the best Reuben's in town and the Sam Adams flows fresh and clean. [82A Lansdowne St., Boston. 617.262.2424. bleacherbarboston.com]
Non Social-Network Hook Up
Hurricane O'Reilly's
In a world destined to relegate us all to Second Life, Spore and the obligatory make-believe world of your real-life "friends" on Facebook, MySpace and every other social net in the sea, it's nice to know there are still a few places to catch face time within the crowd. Wrapped into the fabric of Canal Street is just such a place: Hurricane O'Reilly's. Yummy in its non-pretention and plentiful in its warm bodies, not to mention great pub food and quality drinks, the dancefloor is one of the best places in Boston to hook up, old school. [150 Canal St., Boston. 617.722.0161. irishconnection.com]
