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BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE, RESTAURANTS

Boston: Snapshots From a Fantastic Easter Weekend

Though I’m often out of town for major holidays, Easter is the one special time of year when my family descends upon Boston for a fun-filled weekend. My parents are probably savvier than some locals, given the amount of time they’ve spent in the city over the past 11 years. This is both a pro and a con, as it’s great that they know the city so well, but challenging in the sense that I’m tasked with planning the perfect mix of fun activities, both new and cherished favorites, for them to enjoy. If you were to ask them, they’d probably tell you that I think about these things too much, but I can’t help myself. I have a reputation to live up to (in my mind at least hehe)!

Inspired by our fun weekend, here are a few highlights from our favorite meals and activities. Feel free to take these ideas for when your family is visiting Boston, or when you’re trying to cater to a larger group of five to seven friends!

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BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE

On the Town: A Fabulous 29th Birthday at 28 Degrees

Photo Courtesy of 28 Degrees

Sometimes you don’t find the right birthday party venue, it finds you. Case and point with my 29th birthday celebration last month. I had what I thought was the perfect birthday celebration planned. A nice little soiree at The Beehive. I imagined being surrounded by friends savoring Beehive Juleps, live jazz and good conversation.

The reality? The Beehive is typically all of these things – and then some (do try the mussels for dinner sometime). Unfortunately, on the night of my birthday it was overcrowded with a long line outside on a very chilly night. Add in an unsympathetic door man and frozen friends and you have a not so happy birthday girl.

The solution? 28 Degrees! One phone call to 28 Degrees to confirm that there was no line or wait, and I was whisking my friends down the street. Inside, we found great music, delicious cocktails and plenty of space to command. C’est magnifique! In the end, I got exactly what I had wanted and then some. I couldn’t imagine a better venue to host a birthday party at than 28 Degrees.

The moral of the story? If you’ve got a large group gathering, don’t waste your time on a bar that has the potential to be overcrowded. Look for a venue that’s easy to get into with good music, good drinks and plenty of space to hang. I know I will from now on!

28 Degrees is located at 1 Appleton Street in Boston’s South End. 

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE, RESTAURANTS

Closed! Three Hotspots I’m Missing in 2011

Rocca by SoWa Sundays from Flickr

As I look forward to many nights on the town in 2011, I can help but feel a twinge of sadness that three of my go-to hotspots – Rocca, Vox and Ginger Park – are no longer open.

Ginger Park closed in early December and according to the Boston.com blog Dishing, chef/owner Patricia Yeo is reportedly scouting out another space for a new restaurant concept in May.  What I’ll remember is the incredibly cool space framed by arched wood panels, fantastic drinks and a chill bar scene.

Following a New Year’s Eve dinner, Rocca surprised local foodies by closing its doors.  Adding to the buzz was whether the restaurant’s celebrity chef Tiffani Faison may be interested in opening her own place.  We can only hope that a fun new restaurant concept takes its place, because I’ll remember Rocca’s free parking lot, swanky interior and affordably priced menu for making it a great venue for meeting friends from all corners of the city for a workweek dinner.

Last, but certainly not least, Vox on Boylston Street has also closed.  Unfortunately, googling has not generated much background as to why the fun nightspot closed, but we can only hope that its prime Back Bay real estate will result in another fun bar/restaurant before we know it.  I’ll remember many lively happy hours and nights out on the town!

Got any scoop about soon-to-be restaurants and hotspots filling these venues? Leave a comment below and let me know!

BOSTON, EVENTS, NIGHTLIFE

Friday, December 3: Social Boston Sports Hosts 3rd Annual Ugly Holiday Sweater Party at Bleacher Bar

SBS Ugly Holiday Sweater Party 2009

On Friday, December 3, embrace the spirit of the season with Social Boston Sports (SBS) as they host their 3rd annual Ugly Holiday Sweater Party at Bleacher Bar.  Kicking off at 9:00 p.m., wearing sweaters adorned with an unnecessary amount of sparkle, puff paint, bells, or bows will make you the star of this soiree.  You may even win a prize for outshining your fellow revelers!

Tickets to the event cost $15, though one third of all party revenues will be donated to several local charities, including Hospitality Homes, Starlight Foundation, and Play Ball!  Tickets can be purchased at www.socialbostonsports.com.

As someone who attended last year (I’m the 2nd from the right in the photo above), I can attest to how fun and festive this party is!  You’ll see ugly sweaters that will boggle your mind – so tacky, yet kind of a work of art in their own right.  Plus, if you don’t have an ugly holiday sweater, fear not – just wear something that showcases your holiday spirit.  Think cheesy, gaudy or sparkly – or a wacky Santa cap, or reindeer antlers!

Adding to the fabulousness of the event will be Smuttynose brews, live music from local cover band Pete From Last Night (PFLN), plus Bleacher Bar’s cool window peeking into Fenway Park.

Bleacher Bar is located at 82A Lansdowne Street alongside Fenway Park.