Why eat in when you can go out(side)?
WORDS BY | HEATHER VANDENENGEL | @HEATHERVANDY
PHOTOS BY | ANDREW NGUYEN | @GRANDPA_NGUYEN
Forget swan boats, tulips, and daffodils, the true first sign of warm weather in Boston is when the chained-down chairs and tables start appearing on sidewalks around the city: patio season. It starts the first day it’s warm enough to justify sitting outside drinking a cold beer with only a light cardigan and jacket, and keeps going until the last day the breeze is refreshing, not biting.
Because whether it’s brunch or a round of beers, it just tastes better outside.
CURBSIDE COCKTAILS: THE CITIZEN PUBLIC HOUSE AND OYSTER BAR
While Citizen’s whiskey list may have kept us warm all winter long, it’s time for daiquiris and coladas to step up to the plate, or heated patio rather. Perfect for a pre-Fenway outing, their sidewalk tables offer a solid people-watching perspective while slurping oysters and tiki drinks.
OUR PICKS:
Chartreuse Strawberry Daiquiri, $9
Fernet Colada, $9
Braised Rabbit, $9
Hangar Steak, $19
[1310 Boylston St., Boston. @CitizenPub. citizenpub.com]
FOR MORE COCKTAIL LOUNGING
Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks [528 Comm. Ave., Kenmore Sq., Boston. @ESKDBoston. easternstandardboston.com]
West Bridge [1 Kendall Sq., Cambridge. @WestBridge02139. westbridgerestaurant.com]
Russell House Tavern [14 JFK St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. @RussellHouseTav. russellhousecambridge.com]
Dbar [1236 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester. @dbar. dbarboston.com]
CRAFT BEER AL FRESCO: AREA FOUR
Showing off that standard Kendall Square entrepreneurial spirit, Area Four is part café, part bar/oven, and even has a food truck roaming the streets. Sip on a local craft brew on the patio out front and pick up a game from their secret stash of lawn games: bocce, Frisbee, croquet, and more. Bonus points if you don’t put down your beer during the whole game. Loser buys next round.
OUR PICKS:
Crimson Berry Tea, $3
Rhubarb Almond Tart, $6
Backlash Convergence, $7/16oz
Hawaiian Pizza, small $16.50
[500 Technology Sq., Cambridge. @area_four. areafour.com]
FOR MORE BEER GARDEN BASKING
Cambridge Brewing Company [1 Kendall Sq. #100, Cambridge. @CambridgeBrewer. cambrew.com]
Atwood’s Tavern [877 Cambridge St., Cambridge. @AtwoodsTvrn. atwoodstavern.com]
Deep Ellum [477 Cambridge St., Allston. @EllumBarBoston. deepellum-boston.com]
Lower Depths [476 Comm. Ave., Kenmore Sq., Boston. @LowerDepthsBOS. thelowerdepths.com]
HIGH LIFE LOUNGING: THE REVERE HOTEL BOSTON COMMON
For city dwellers, roof decks are an oasis—when you can’t go wide, you can at least go up. Then add a few strong cocktails, a plate of ceviche, and a heavy dose of sunshine for beach vibes without sand in the suit. Now open, the rooftop at Revere Hotel offers all that, plus poolside lounging and art to ogle at by the !ND!V!DUALS Collective—beat that, sandcastles.
OUR PICKS:
Frida, $11
Gin Gin Mule, $12
Hibiscus Punch Pitcher, $44
Scallop Ceviche, $14
Black Angus Beef Sliders, $5/each
Lobster Rolls, $7/each
[200 Stuart St., Boston. Free entry through end of June, 4pm-10:30pm. $30 entrance fee (includes towel, water bottle, and access to pool) for the hours of 11am-4pm, July 1 on, free after 4pm. @RevereBoston. reverehotel.com]
FOR MORE ROOFTOP RELAXING
Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake [384 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston. @Poes_Kitchen. rattlesnakebar.com]
Cityside [1960 Beacon St., Cleveland Circle, Brighton. @Cityside. citysidebar.com]
Daedalus [45 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. daedalusharvardsquare.com]
Legal Harborside [270 Northern Ave., Boston. @legalseafoods. legalseafoods.com]
PATIO AND A SHOW: THE SINCLAIR
Right in the heart of Harvard Square, The Sinclair’s newly opened patio provides a space for a pre-show sunset dinner, or post-show cocktails and snacks while you cool off and let the sweat dry. Twinkly lights line the deck and wide umbrellas provide shelter from sun, and the assorted sun shower. Now if only you could convince the band to play out here …
OUR PICKS:
Grilled Tuna Nicoise, $15
Tuscan Kale + Farro, $9
Dandy Hombre, $11
Rhubarb Daiquiri, $10
Rosemary Lemonade, $3
Duck Confit Tagliatelle, $33
[52 Church St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. @TheSinclair. sinclaircambridge.com]
FOR MORE PATIO PRE-GAMING:
Great Scott [1222 Comm. Ave., Allston. @GreatScottROCK. greatscottboston.com]
Church of Boston [69 Kilmarnock St., Boston. @ChurchBoston. churchofboston.com]
The Beehive [541 Tremont St., South End, Boston. @BostonBeehive. beehiveboston.com]
Precinct [70 Union Sq., Somerville. @PrecinctBar. precinctbar.com]