Boston's Best Secret Bars
Champagne Lounge @ Rumba
Intercontinental Hotel
510 Atlantic Ave
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 747-1000
www.intercontinentalboston.com
The Champagne Lounge at Rumba is literally a secret within a secret; the sort of place that makes the visitor feel like Alice through the Looking Glass with its out-of-the-way charm. The Rumba bar serves the International Hotel guests and city clientele fabulous rum and cocktail drinks from all over the world, but the bar's hidden Champagne Lounge is an even more exotic experience. Located behind two sumptuous mahogany and gold encrusted doors is where you'll find this lounge. Draped in red and embracing a "Moulin Rouge" theme of lovely decadence, the goddess Venus emboldens all of the lounge's romantic charms as the location's official mascot, welcoming intimate conversation and flirtatious laughter long into the night.
Related: Boston's Best Single Bars
The Lower Depths
476 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 266-6662
thelowerdepths.com
Although The Lower Depths is located ultra-close to the historic Fenway Park over on Commonwealth Avenue, don't expect any sort of Cask n' Flagon shenanigans here, but rather a more subdued post-ballgame brew spot. Offering plenty of beers and specialty hot dogs for the hungry sports fan, The Lower Depths also benefits from being a cheaper alternative to many of the tourist spots and sight-seeing options, ensuring that your money can be used toward bigger, better and more important things, such as another round of drinks. IT'S CASH ONLY!!! So hit up the bank or ATM before you visit. Loud music is the norm here, so make sure you're ready for a down 'n dirty good time when you hit up The Lower Depths.
Bleacher Bar
82 Lansdowne St.
Boston, MA 02228
(617) 262-2424
bleacherbarboston.com
The Bleacher Bar is yet another go-to Fenway neighborhood destination that still has enough local charm to classify as a "hidden gem," simply due to its neat little location. Tucked beneath the Green Monster bleachers on Lansdowne Street, the Bleacher Bar boasts ice cold drinks and mouth watering burgers as its claim to fame, while also standing out as an ace stand up comedy destination. Carved from the former away team batting cages, the Bleacher Bar may be cramped quarters at times, but it's totally worth the intimate, Fenway Park experience. Little to no major advertising has earned the Bleacher Bar a top spot as one of the city's smartest secret gems.
Related: Boston's Best Batting Cages
Jose McIntyre's
60 Milk St.
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 451-9460
www.josemcintyresboston.com
With a name like Jose McIntyre's Mexican-Irish Restaurant and Bar, you just know that you're in for one heck of an original good time. Located within the city's Financial District, Jose McIntyre's specializes in two things: the aforementioned Mexican-Irish fusion, and collegiate dancing/drinking/flirting shenanigans. Jose McIntyre's is a two level facility, which means plenty of place to get your swerve on without worrying about whether or not you'll bump into a co-worker on Saturday night. Instead, Jose Mac's is the perfect place to live or re-live that college day carelessness in secret, without the stress of a high profile Bostonian hang out.
Durty Nelly's
108 Blackstone St.
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 742-2090
www.durtynellysboston.com
Proudly proclaiming dive bar status amongst its list of accomplishments is Durty Nelly's, the uniquely named pub which also doubles as one of Boston's down 'n out secret gem destination for those seeking to embrace their inner pub crawl adventurer. Intimate and Irish in setting, Durty Nelly's has found a welcoming audience in the Faneuil Hall area, due to the friendly and attentive bar staff and prime, understated location. A mere hop, skip and jump away from the farmer's markets nets you a legit, dyed-in-the-wool dive with plenty of sass for those willing to dig deep and uncover some of Boston's city secrets.
