Where to start
It is date-night territory, with a few LGBTQ+ rooms among the hotel bars.
Cocktails with a view or a secret. Blind Duck sits on the 17th and 18th floors of Raffles. Weekend entry is particularly difficult, so go early in the week.
Hecate sits below Krasi. It keeps later hours than most of the neighborhood, Tuesday to Saturday until 1:00am. OAK Long Bar + Kitchen is the pre-show choice, with last call at 11:45 p.m. daily, so it suits an early drink more than a late one.
A beer bar that skips the liquor. Bukowski Tavern is a beer bar with an extensive craft selection. It also serves wine. Liquor is off the menu: its FAQ says we don't serve liquor. Weeknights it is open 4pm to 1am, Monday to Thursday.
LGBTQ+ nights. Club Cafe bills itself as Dine Drink Dance. On Friday it stays open until 2:00am.
Dani's Queer Bar advertises no cover events like drag brunch and karaoke. Karaoke runs 10pm to 2am on Thursday. The kitchen is still sending out Brazilian bites until 11:30 pm.
Getting there and home
Back Bay station has the Orange Line and commuter rail. The Green Line serves the neighborhood too.
Check Last Train and the MBTA Trip Planner on the night.
Late food
Back Bay kitchens close early. OAK's last food order is 11 p.m. daily. Bukowski's kitchen runs to 11:30pm, so it is the later of the two. For later meals, see Eat Late.
History and background
The neighborhood is known for its Victorian brownstone rows, but you will spend the night behind them.
Cannabis
Adults 21 and over only. Back Bay shares a Cannabis Index area with its neighbors, Downtown / Back Bay / Seaport / Fenway / South End: 7 licensed stores, an eighth runs about $30. See the Cannabis Index. Data: Glass (glassintel.xyz). Consume only on private property where it is allowed, and do not drive afterward.
.jpg){kind=link}