Plan ahead before going out to East Boston’s hidden cocktail bar, Next Door: The Pazza on Porter sibling and neighbor books up quickly, thanks to its dramatically presented cocktails and a seafood-focused menu of shellfish towers, caviar, crudo, and more. Those who do get in can work their 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.

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 prepaid 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 Caribbean-themed winter menu included a Smoking Zombie with “lots of rum” and “lots of mezcal,” and an espresso “tiki-tini” with clarified pineapple syrup. Reservations are highly encouraged.

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.

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 mai tais and Remember the Maines — to fresh, including one with tequila and cuttlefish ink (Helena) and a rum concoction spiked with so much caffeine you can only have one per visit (Rise & Grind). Champagne, big bowls of punch, and snacks like lobster-topped pancakes round out the package.

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., when he joins Cusser’s bar manager Jay Patterson (also an ArtScience alum) on the scene.

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.

Owner Elizabeth Georgantas, along with business partner Shahrokh Reza, 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 Charlestown’s Chattermark Distillers.

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 olives and bread and butter complement cocktails from the Gentle Forehead Kiss (Irish whiskey, green Chartreuse, creme de cacao, lemon, and soda water) to the Golden Cadillac, a nightcap with Galliano, creme de cacao, and Amarula.