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Five cocktails lined up on top of a wooden countertop.
A lineup of drinks at Borrachito in the Seaport.
Andrew Sokolow/Borrachito

Boston’s Hottest New Cocktail Bars, Summer 2023

Drink up

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A lineup of drinks at Borrachito in the Seaport.
| Andrew Sokolow/Borrachito

Welcome to the Eater Boston Cocktail Heatmap, highlighting the hottest new drinking destinations around the Boston area. (The focus is on cocktail bars, hence the name, but other drinking destinations such as wine bars and taprooms are occasionally included, as well as new restaurants with intriguing bar programs.)

This map is updated regularly throughout the year and typically features bars and restaurants under a year old. New additions in the June 2023 update: Borrachito, a Seaport taqueria and hidden cocktail bar, and Barlette, a quirky Brookline spot where you bring the booze.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Next Door Speakeasy & Raw Bar

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East Boston’s hidden cocktail bar, Next DoorPazza on Porter’s sibling spot and neighbor — is an excellent choice for dramatically presented cocktails and a seafood-focused menu of shellfish towers, caviar, crudo, and more. Work your way through drinks that are visually appealing but also expertly made — the smoke bubble toppings, flames, and such aren’t just gimmicks. Try the “Lock and Key,” a take on a pina colada made with clarified milk.

A spherical glass punch bowl is filled with an icy cocktail garnished with a lime skin on fire, fresh limes, banana leaves, and more.
The Castaways, a punch bowl at Next Door.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

Farmacia

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Tiny cocktail bar Farmacia, located next to its sibling spot Ciao Roma in the North End’s North Square, seats just a handful of people at a time for its pre-paid cocktail experience. Parla and Wink & Nod alum Phillip Rolfe is at the helm, leading visitors through a customizable journey of classic cocktails supplemented by bar snacks. Rolfe rotates the offerings every few months — a recent menu centered on natural elements included a pickle-infused vodka cocktail with tomato water and savory spices, and a smoky rye whiskey number. Reservations are highly encouraged.

A place setting on a marble bar is emerald green and gold.
Farmacia.
Chris Vela/Farmacia

Birds of Paradise

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Located within the Charles River Speedway in Brighton, Birds of Paradise is the latest cocktail escape from Blossom Bar’s Ran Duan and his star-studded bartending team. The menu is split into two sides: On one end, there’s an anchor “global” drink set that includes cocktails like the Kingston to Milan, a riff on the Kingston Negroni. On the other end, there’s a “destination” set that will change with the team’s travels. Right now, the destination is Guadalajara, and the drinks to get include the Big Apple in Lil’ Jalisco, a carbonated cocktail that ties together tequila and green apple cordial.

A yellow carbonated drink in a champagne flute with a grape and lemon peel garnishing the side of the glass.
The Big Apple in Lil’ Jalisco.
Malakhai Pearson/Eater Boston

The Wig Shop

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From the team behind jm Curley and Bogie’s Place comes equally intriguing next-door neighbor The Wig Shop. This Downtown Crossing cocktail lounge, an homage to predecessor Wig World, is simultaneously playful and poised, with wig gags galore amid opulent blue velvet couches and gold drapes. It’s a fanciful setting for impressive drinks ranging from classic — like Bergamot spritzes and Remember the Maines — to fresh, including one with bourbon and sesame oil (Soy Boy) and a rum concoction spiked with so much caffeine you can only have one per visit (Rise & Grind). Champagne, wine and beer, and snacks like lobster-topped pancakes round out the package.

A hand gripping a whipped cream canister sprays the cream on top of a teacup filled with a cocktail. A tiny croissant is on the side.
The Wig Shop’s Rise & Grind.
Malakhai Pearson/Eater Boston

LTD Bar at Cusser’s

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The downstairs bar at Mooncusser isn’t new, but it’s freshly exciting to visit, having recently welcomed local bartending legend Todd Maul (Clio, Cafe ArtScience) in for a residency. As Maul fans know, he loves to play with technology; watch for him to create clarified juices using a centrifuge, quickly freeze liquids with a Snapchiller machine, and torch things. Catch him Wednesday through Saturday, starting at 4 p.m.

A long stemmed martini glass with orange liquid inside, garnished with a fruit peel.
An unnamed cocktail — Maul also enjoys making new concoctions up on the spot — in a frosty glass.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Borrachito Taqueria & Spirits

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Borrachito’s storefront is a taqueria at the Seaport, but duck through a freezer door and head down a hallway to find bartenders slinging drinks from a hip hideout adjacent to the restaurant. Grab a seat and dig into the fun, cheekily named cocktails, including the Credit Card Roulette at the Steakhouse (rye whiskey, soy, caramelized demerara sugar, allspice, spiced pear, and angostura bitters) and the California Snowstorm (gin, pistachio, coconut, cucumber, and lime).

A red and clear cocktail with a large cube of ice sits on the edge of a wooden table.
On to Cincinnati, a clarified milk punch cocktail with rum, coconut, prickly pear, aperol, and orange liqueur.
Andrew Sokolow/Borrachito

Swanky cocktail bar Hecate is tucked away under its big sibling Krasi, the popular Back Bay Greek restaurant and wine bar. Named for the Greek goddess of magic, boundaries, necromancy, and more, Hecate is meant to feel mystical and otherworldly, filled with details like intricately artistic menus and creative, beautiful cocktails. Yes, it’s tough to get in; there are no reservations, and the maximum party size is four. Check out the bar’s “tenets” here, and give it a try.

An orange cocktail is in a tall, narrow glass, embellished with a branch, photographed in front of a dark background.
The Strophalos cocktail from Hecate’s opening menu.
Adam Detour/Hecate

The Kartal

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Owner Elizabeth Georgantas has taken over former South End institution the Boston Eagle — one of the city’s oldest gay bars, which closed its doors in 2021 — and opened the Kartal in its place. The bar is named after the Turkish word for eagle, a deliberate homage to the old space, and a two-headed eagle presides over the front door. Creative cocktails, both alcoholic and non, line the menu here, and the bar sources its house stock of gin and bourbon from nearby Chattermark Distillers in Charlestown.

Fool's Errand

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When restaurateur Tiffani Faison opened boisterous Fool’s Errand in 2018 in Fenway — on the same block as siblings Sweet Cheeks and Tenderoni’s — the venue was standing-room-only; returning from a pandemic hiatus, the European-leaning “adult snack bar” now has seating. Small bites like marinated olives and bread and butter complement cocktails from the Emotional Support Napkin (gin, aquavit, absinthe, carrot, and both acid-adjusted grapefruit and grapefruit bitters) to the Oh! She’s Power Walking! (rye whiskey, Swedish punsch, Bénédictine liqueur, yellow chartreuse, and cherry bark vanilla bitters).

Barlette

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Okay, you do have to bring your own booze to this particular cocktail bar. But stay with us: Barlette, from the team behind the tiny, award-winning tasting menu spot Cobble in Brookline, is quite the interactive cocktail experience. The bar supplies all the mixers, tools, and garnishes, and then, with the help of a knowledgeable bartender, you can mix your own drinks that are fine-tuned to your preferences. Each pre-paid ticket includes three mixers, a couple of plates of bar snacks, and all the glasses, ice, garnishes, and mixing tools you need.

Martini glasses and mixers on a reflective gold platter.
A tray of glasses at Barlette.
Allison Sepanek/Barlette

Next Door Speakeasy & Raw Bar

East Boston’s hidden cocktail bar, Next DoorPazza on Porter’s sibling spot and neighbor — is an excellent choice for dramatically presented cocktails and a seafood-focused menu of shellfish towers, caviar, crudo, and more. Work your way through drinks that are visually appealing but also expertly made — the smoke bubble toppings, flames, and such aren’t just gimmicks. Try the “Lock and Key,” a take on a pina colada made with clarified milk.

A spherical glass punch bowl is filled with an icy cocktail garnished with a lime skin on fire, fresh limes, banana leaves, and more.
The Castaways, a punch bowl at Next Door.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

Farmacia

Tiny cocktail bar Farmacia, located next to its sibling spot Ciao Roma in the North End’s North Square, seats just a handful of people at a time for its pre-paid cocktail experience. Parla and Wink & Nod alum Phillip Rolfe is at the helm, leading visitors through a customizable journey of classic cocktails supplemented by bar snacks. Rolfe rotates the offerings every few months — a recent menu centered on natural elements included a pickle-infused vodka cocktail with tomato water and savory spices, and a smoky rye whiskey number. Reservations are highly encouraged.

A place setting on a marble bar is emerald green and gold.
Farmacia.
Chris Vela/Farmacia

Birds of Paradise

Located within the Charles River Speedway in Brighton, Birds of Paradise is the latest cocktail escape from Blossom Bar’s Ran Duan and his star-studded bartending team. The menu is split into two sides: On one end, there’s an anchor “global” drink set that includes cocktails like the Kingston to Milan, a riff on the Kingston Negroni. On the other end, there’s a “destination” set that will change with the team’s travels. Right now, the destination is Guadalajara, and the drinks to get include the Big Apple in Lil’ Jalisco, a carbonated cocktail that ties together tequila and green apple cordial.

A yellow carbonated drink in a champagne flute with a grape and lemon peel garnishing the side of the glass.
The Big Apple in Lil’ Jalisco.
Malakhai Pearson/Eater Boston

The Wig Shop

From the team behind jm Curley and Bogie’s Place comes equally intriguing next-door neighbor The Wig Shop. This Downtown Crossing cocktail lounge, an homage to predecessor Wig World, is simultaneously playful and poised, with wig gags galore amid opulent blue velvet couches and gold drapes. It’s a fanciful setting for impressive drinks ranging from classic — like Bergamot spritzes and Remember the Maines — to fresh, including one with bourbon and sesame oil (Soy Boy) and a rum concoction spiked with so much caffeine you can only have one per visit (Rise & Grind). Champagne, wine and beer, and snacks like lobster-topped pancakes round out the package.

A hand gripping a whipped cream canister sprays the cream on top of a teacup filled with a cocktail. A tiny croissant is on the side.
The Wig Shop’s Rise & Grind.
Malakhai Pearson/Eater Boston

LTD Bar at Cusser’s

The downstairs bar at Mooncusser isn’t new, but it’s freshly exciting to visit, having recently welcomed local bartending legend Todd Maul (Clio, Cafe ArtScience) in for a residency. As Maul fans know, he loves to play with technology; watch for him to create clarified juices using a centrifuge, quickly freeze liquids with a Snapchiller machine, and torch things. Catch him Wednesday through Saturday, starting at 4 p.m.

A long stemmed martini glass with orange liquid inside, garnished with a fruit peel.
An unnamed cocktail — Maul also enjoys making new concoctions up on the spot — in a frosty glass.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Borrachito Taqueria & Spirits

Borrachito’s storefront is a taqueria at the Seaport, but duck through a freezer door and head down a hallway to find bartenders slinging drinks from a hip hideout adjacent to the restaurant. Grab a seat and dig into the fun, cheekily named cocktails, including the Credit Card Roulette at the Steakhouse (rye whiskey, soy, caramelized demerara sugar, allspice, spiced pear, and angostura bitters) and the California Snowstorm (gin, pistachio, coconut, cucumber, and lime).

A red and clear cocktail with a large cube of ice sits on the edge of a wooden table.
On to Cincinnati, a clarified milk punch cocktail with rum, coconut, prickly pear, aperol, and orange liqueur.
Andrew Sokolow/Borrachito

Hecate

Swanky cocktail bar Hecate is tucked away under its big sibling Krasi, the popular Back Bay Greek restaurant and wine bar. Named for the Greek goddess of magic, boundaries, necromancy, and more, Hecate is meant to feel mystical and otherworldly, filled with details like intricately artistic menus and creative, beautiful cocktails. Yes, it’s tough to get in; there are no reservations, and the maximum party size is four. Check out the bar’s “tenets” here, and give it a try.

An orange cocktail is in a tall, narrow glass, embellished with a branch, photographed in front of a dark background.
The Strophalos cocktail from Hecate’s opening menu.
Adam Detour/Hecate

The Kartal

Owner Elizabeth Georgantas has taken over former South End institution the Boston Eagle — one of the city’s oldest gay bars, which closed its doors in 2021 — and opened the Kartal in its place. The bar is named after the Turkish word for eagle, a deliberate homage to the old space, and a two-headed eagle presides over the front door. Creative cocktails, both alcoholic and non, line the menu here, and the bar sources its house stock of gin and bourbon from nearby Chattermark Distillers in Charlestown.

Fool's Errand

When restaurateur Tiffani Faison opened boisterous Fool’s Errand in 2018 in Fenway — on the same block as siblings Sweet Cheeks and Tenderoni’s — the venue was standing-room-only; returning from a pandemic hiatus, the European-leaning “adult snack bar” now has seating. Small bites like marinated olives and bread and butter complement cocktails from the Emotional Support Napkin (gin, aquavit, absinthe, carrot, and both acid-adjusted grapefruit and grapefruit bitters) to the Oh! She’s Power Walking! (rye whiskey, Swedish punsch, Bénédictine liqueur, yellow chartreuse, and cherry bark vanilla bitters).

Barlette

Okay, you do have to bring your own booze to this particular cocktail bar. But stay with us: Barlette, from the team behind the tiny, award-winning tasting menu spot Cobble in Brookline, is quite the interactive cocktail experience. The bar supplies all the mixers, tools, and garnishes, and then, with the help of a knowledgeable bartender, you can mix your own drinks that are fine-tuned to your preferences. Each pre-paid ticket includes three mixers, a couple of plates of bar snacks, and all the glasses, ice, garnishes, and mixing tools you need.

Martini glasses and mixers on a reflective gold platter.
A tray of glasses at Barlette.
Allison Sepanek/Barlette

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