Browsing Tag

Lounge

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE

Au Revior, Foundation Lounge

When local nightclub Foundation Lounge closed on Saturday, April 17, it was not without its controversy.  According to a statement on the Foundation Lounge’s website, the Kenmore Square hotspot’s demise is attributed to being, “A victim of its own popularity and success.”

Adding fuel to the fire, the Boston Herald’s Inside Track is reporting that owner George Lewis, Jr. tried to take a jab at the closure by parking a hearse outside of the Foundation Lounge for the “last rites,” event over the weekend.  Apparently the setup for the Boston Marathon put the kabosh on those plans.

Controversy aside, I know that many Bostonians will be sad to see the Foundation Lounge close.  Stylish with a modern interior, an excellent weekend DJ and a tiny street-level patio on Comm. Ave., I’ve enjoyed quite a few fun nights there.  Though the closure has already occurred, let’s hope that Foundation Lounge is replaced with another chic lounge, or restaurant with a great bar scene like neighbor Eastern Standard.

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE, RESTAURANTS

On the Town: The Beehive

The Beehive by Amanda K. from Yelp

With its eye-catching entrance reminiscent of a vintage theatre, funky bohemian decor and live jazz, walking into The Beehive instantly transports you into an eclectically hip party. Located inside the historic Cyclorama on Tremont Street in the South End, this multilevel venue caters to the dinner, drinks and weekend brunch crowd.

Unless you have a dinner reservation, try to visit The Beehive before 10:00 p.m. on a weekend evening, or you may find yourself stuck in line outside. Once inside, there is a smaller upper level bar, but I recommend traveling downstairs, a vast former boiler room which has been transformed into a boho chic space.

Beehive Julep by sushiesque from Flickr

Once settled downstairs at the bar, be sure to grab a drink menu before ordering. In addition to its hip atmosphere, The Beehive boasts an innovative drink menu, from six different champagne cocktails, to my personal favorite – The Beehive Julep (all $10.50/ea).

The Beehive is easy to locate at 541 Tremont Street in the South End alongside the Boston Center for the Arts (BCA).  Open seven days per week from 5:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m., check The Beehive’s website for special weekend brunch and afternoon hours by clicking here.

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE

On the Town: Minibar

Photo from Yelp, http://www.yelp.com/biz/minibar-boston-boston

True to its name, this small yet chic lounge offers a fun atmosphere to satisfy your nightlife cravings. Located on the ground floor of the Copley Square Hotel, Minibar has a trendy, modern interior with ample seating, making it an ideal spot for a casual date, meeting friends, or rubbing elbows with someone new.

I’ve been to Minibar more times than I can count and each time I enjoy trying a new cocktail, from the Tuscan Pear (Grey Goose Pear, Limoncello, Canton, Orange Juice), to the Mojito (Ron Matusalem, Mint, Ginger Beer, Lime) and the Bonaparte Bellini (Rain Lavender Lemonade, White Peach Puree, Champagne). I haven’t tried many of the mini cuisine menu items, but think its adorable that classic mini bar snacks and accessories are sold, including altoids, mixed nuts and playing cards. You never know when they’ll come in handy, especially the altoids!

Once Boston finally warms back up, try to snag a seat on Minibar’s coveted patio. Minibar is located at 51 Huntington Avenue, alongside Exeter Street in the Back Bay. There’s no cover. For more information, please visit: http://www.minibarboston.com/index.php

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE

On the Town: City Bar, Vox

Photo by City Bar Boston, http://www.citybarboston.com/

This past Saturday, I met up with a friend for drinks to celebrate her brand new apartment.  We decided to meet at City Bar, a small, cozy lounge inside the center of the Lenox Hotel.  Although I was there to catch up with a friend, the dark, soft-lit interior also makes for an ideal date spot.

SavvyTip: With its proximity to MiniBar, Saint, and Vox, CityBar is a great spot to start your night.  To avoid wasting valuable time in line, arrive well before 10:00 p.m.  Celebrate your savvy-ness by indulging in one of their delicious specialty cocktails – I personally love their champagne drinks.

After City Bar, we took a short walk down Boylston Street to Vox.  In contrast to City Bar, Vox is a much larger space spread out across two floors, and gets very packed on the weekends.  It’s not a lounge bar, or a place for dancing, but it attracts a lot of young professionals, many of which are looking to socialize.  I can’t say that I’ve ever met the man of my dreams there, but my friends and I always have a fun time.

Savvy Tip: While the drink menu at Vox features a lot of tasty specialty martinis, I don’t recommend ordering one when the bar is crammed to capacity.  You will inevitably get bumped, causing your drink to slosh around precariously.  Nobody likes getting a drink spilled on them!  Try to snag a table with a cocktail server if you’re craving a martini later in the evening.

For more information about City Bar, in the Lenox Hotel, please visit: http://www.citybarboston.com/citybarboston/

For more information about Vox, please visit: http://www.voxboston.com/

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE

On the Town: Clink at the Liberty Hotel

I never tire of taking in the sights at the Liberty Hotel – from the gorgeous interior design, to what my fellow Bostonians are wearing.  To celebrate the beginning of a long weekend, I met several friends this past Friday for drinks at Clink.

What a way to kick off the weekend!  This past Friday at Clink was especially great for people watching, as the Europeans in Boston facebook group was hosting an event on the third floor, which attracted a larger group to the venue than usual.  If you’re looking for more events to attend in Boston, I recommend joining their facebook group, as Europeans and non-Europeans alike are welcome.

Savvy Tip: Anytime you have an opportunity to attend a private event on the third, fourth, or fifth floors of the Liberty Hotel — do it!  I always gush about how beautiful I find the hotel, but seeing it from a higher floor left me with a greater appreciation of the hotel’s uniqueness.

The Liberty Hotel is located in Beacon Hill, next to the MGH T-Stop and Mass. General Hospital.  For more information about the hotel, and Clink and Alibi, the hotel’s popular nightlife venues, please click here to visit their website.