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BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE, RESTAURANTS

Hotspot Update: Woodward, Ames Hotel

Margarita Cocktails Closeup by dotw from Flickr

Last night I braved subzero temperatures to check out Woodward, a modern tavern located inside the new Ames Hotel.  I’ve been wanting to try Woodward for what feels like ages (it just opened in November 2009), and was not disappointed.

Savvy Tip: Ask the host/hostess at Woodward’s entryway to check your coat – they will give you a coat check ticket and whisk away your bulky outerwear.  It’s not obvious that they offer this service, but I’m thrilled that they do.

When we arrived (about 9:30 p.m.), the downstairs bar was very crowded, so we ventured upstairs.  I highly recommend checking out the upstairs bar.  Not only do they have more seating available (bar chairs, plus several tables allocated for the bar crowd), but I enjoyed looking at the display cases filled with antiques alongside the staircase.

Once upstairs, we ordered two vodka tonics ($17), which is standard for a high end lounge/bar in Boston.  A gracious host helped my friend and I to snag a bar table, and we enjoyed two rounds of drinks.  By 11:00 p.m., the upstairs bar was packed!  It was a late 20s and up crowd, all dressed in a Saturday night city chic style (e.g. mix of jeans/blouses, dresses, and men in sweaters, button ups, jackets).

Overall, we enjoyed our time at Woodward.  It was a great spot for two friends to catch up, and had potential for those looking to mix and mingle with a nice looking Bostonian crowd.  I also found the second floor of Woodward cozier than the other scene-y spots around town, mostly because of its smaller size.  I wouldn’t mind going back for dinner, or to try some of their speciality drinks.  Upon reviewing the amazing drink menu, I’m slightly embarrassed that I drank a simple vodka tonic and not something with more personality!  ‘Till next time….

Woodward is located inside The Ames Hotel, 1 Court Street, Boston, MA.  For more information, please visit their website: http://www.woodwardatames.com/#/main

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE

Improper Bostonian Rocks Foundation Room at The House of Blues

Last Thursday I attended the Improper Bostonian’s bash at Foundation Room, a member’s only club inside the new House of Blues on Lansdowne Street. Not to be confused with Foundation Lounge in the Hotel Commonwealth, Foundation Room is an upper-level restaurant and lounge space. The interior is warm and inviting with an eclectic (perhaps Moroccan?) décor. It has a nice balcony overlooking Lansdowne Street and a private entrance into the House of Blues concert venue.

While I really enjoyed Foundation Room, I heard rumors that membership fees start around $2,500, which means that this Savvy Bostonian will not be joining their elite ranks. It’s too bad, because if this club was open to the public as a lounge, it would be extremely popular with Boston’s trendy young professional scene.

Although I may never walk into Foundation Room again, I must give Kudos to the Improper Bostonian for giving us a glimpse into a hot new venue and attracting the hip twenty to thirty-sometime crowd that attended. As if you would have expected anything else from the Improper Bostonian! I’ve been to a few Improper Bostonian parties in my day, but this was my favorite one to date.

House of Blues Boston – 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston

Improper Bostonian – http://www.improper.com/

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE

Bond Restaurant and Lounge, Langham Hotel, Boston

I’ll admit it, I was a bit skeptical when my friends wanted to get drinks at Bond on a Friday night at 10:30pm. While Bond was getting praise as a new nightlife spot in the local papers, I couldn’t imagine Boston’s Financial District drawing crowds post happy-hour. I couldn’t have been more mistaken!

Bond has its own entrance along the side of the Langham Hotel, near the PO Square parking garage/park. After walking up a brief flight of stairs, you enter into a grand room, marked by high ceilings and dramatic chandeliers. The lounge floor is dotted with tables and comfortable chairs, perfect for sharing with a group friends. Cocktail servers attend to these tables, but there is no requirement for bottle service. The drink menu looked great and is on par (if not slightly more expensive) than the other lounge bars in town.

Overall, I enjoyed the stylish crowd, which ranged from 20-somethings and up. They also had a great DJ who spins atop the balcony, which we were lucky to gain entry to (it’s their VIP area). Bond offers food, but I just went for drinks this time around. The only downside I would highlight for Bond is that they do not have a restroom inside the lounge – you have to walk over to the hotel lobby, and it’s a twist & turn away, which is confusing. I hope that they can add facilities inside in the future.