When describing Boston’s bar scene, you wouldn’t be totally off base if you characterized it as some dude in an Irish pub drunkenly choking out the last few verses to a Dropkick Murphys song before getting on the T at 11 PM. It’s a city dominated by sports bars and college kids nervously touting IDs from the state of Ohio, but there are a few true hidden gems across Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston if you find yourself in need of a bite or a late-night drink.
One of those hidden gems (literally, it’s an unassuming door behind a hipster German wurst shop, which is apparently a thing) is backbar. If you’re a creature of habit but can’t fight the subtle nausea you feel after ordering your umpteenth Old Fashioned, the bartenders at backbar have a knack for whipping you up something totally unpredictable and off-menu. Backbar’s co-owner Sam Treadway channels that creativity in his recommended spots for Boston’s late-night scene, which includes everything from burgers to sake.
Eastern Standard
If he’s going out, Treadway will head to Eastern Standard, a favorite spot in Boston’s Kenmore neighborhood (and one where he used to work many moons ago). Eastern Standard stays open until 2 AM every night, 364 days a year –– they only close on January 1st. “People who don’t have a home to go to treat Eastern Standard as a home on Thanksgiving, or Christmas. It’s pretty awesome.” If he gets there early enough in the night, Sam will opt for the raw bar, and check out the rotating specials written up on the big mirror inside. “I love that I don’t feel obligated to drink one thing or another. If I’m in the mood for a wine, or a beer, or a shot, I’ll do that. They do everything pretty darn well.” Right now, he’s obsessed with their mezcal tiki drink.
528 Commonwealth Ave, Boston
Hojoko
Hojoko is a Japanese Izakaya-style restaurant near Fenway, connected to the Verb hotel. At the end of a late night, Sam recommends the Godzilla Dog, sushi, or their super-comforting ramen (no night is a bad night if it ends with ramen; this is canon). “That place is just pure fun. They’re kind of taking the concept of tiki-esque drinks that accompanied [American] Chinese restaurants in the 1960s, and they’re pushing that concept with Japanese flavors in their cocktails instead.” He says he was once told that Hojoko has the largest single-pour sake list in the city—but maybe don’t quote him on that.
1271 Boylston St, Boston
Drink, followed by Tavern Road
This is another spot Sam used to work at, and a great place to eat, as it’s owned by Boston’s much-beloved restaurateur Barbara Lynch—his old-time favorite is their lamb sandwich. After grabbing a cocktail at Drink (the spot is famous for its off-menu cocktails, and bartenders who are excellent at feeling out the right drink for you), he’ll head over to Tavern Road, which is open one hour later than Drink for those in search of a true nightcap. “It’s super fun to see what Tenzin [the beverage director at Tavern Road] is playing with. He really carried a torch of keeping that place fun, and the cocktails are amazing, but not in a pretentious way.”
348 Congress St and 343 Congress St, Boston
Kendall Square has a pretty industrial and academic vibe, as it’s home to MIT and a bunch of pharmaceutical offices during the day—not the most obvious spot for grabbing a late-night drink. If you do find yourself there, Sam prefers State Park, which he calls the perfect pseudo-dive bar. He used to order Rolling Rock until they took it off the menu (he’s very upset about this, and would like management to take note). “State Park was the last stop on my birthday night this year, and at last call, I ordered a magnum of Champagne and five shots of Fernet. Which is either a great choice or not a great choice. You decide.”
One Kendall Square, Cambridge
The Independent
Backbar is right around the corner from The Independent, and Treadway has gotten to know the staff there by swinging by for a drink after he finishes up at work. “One of the things I love about Boston is the community of bartenders, and how if I go into any of those bars it’s like going to a friend’s house.” But you, a non-bartender, can still enjoy this friendly atmosphere! If Treadway heads over hungry after a shift, he goes for the grass-fed burger and fries (which are also a great way to soak up whatever you’ve been doing before arriving here.). It’s more of a no-frills pub feel, which fits right in with the locals as part of a cozy neighborhood like Union Square.
75 Union Square, Somerville
Yvonne's, followed by Ruka
Both of these spots are under the same management, and are located fairly close by each other in Downtown Crossing. Both are typically very busy and put out some of the best drinks in town. On late weekend nights, patrons treat it more like a club. “You have people calling for vodka sodas right next to the person calling for a super classic cocktail. They handle it beautifully and can churn out a lot.” At Ruka, Sam says to try out the Morning Star, which combines beet juice, apple cider vinegar, Palo Cortado sherry, Cocchi Torino vermouth, and Toki Japanese whiskey. Just a regular old Boston drink.
2 Winter Place and 505 Washington Street, Boston