Charlie's Kitchen
The contagious only-in-a-karaoke-bar camaraderie at Charlie's has crooners of all ages forgoing television remotes in favor of their own version of American Idol. During the always entertaining Tuesday night ham-fests, gleefully off-key patrons cover everything from frizzy '80s power ballads such as "Don't Stop Believin'' to campy oldies like Peggy Lee's "Fever." There's no prize for the best cover at this diner-bar; thankfully, there are no incoherent ramblings from Paula Abdul, either. 10 Eliot St., Cambridge, MA 2138, charlieskitchen.com.
Truro Beach
This gorgeously untarnished world of sweeping dunes and fresh Atlantic air is about as idyllic as nature gets. That may seem to be true of many Cape shorelines, but this one stands out from others for its spectacular and endless stretches of perfectly undisturbed white sand. With nary a touch of human architecture for miles, this slip of coast also provides a view of the sunrise that approaches the sublime. Rte. 6, Truro, MA .
Brookline Booksmith
In an era when you can access millions of titles on a single screen, the Booksmith still draws throngs of hungry readers. They come for the lovingly selected staff picks. The A-list author events. The Used Book Cellar, with more than 25,000 titles to choose from. In other words, they come for the things the Internet can’t give us: a sense of IRL community (the handmade journals aren’t too shabby, either). 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, brooklinebooksmith.com.
Trina's Starlite Lounge
The H-word may be ill defined—something about young, vaguely cool people having fun in a place where you're not. Unless you happen to be at Trina's. Equal parts dive bar, cocktail lounge, diner, and comfort-food joint, it has the type of lived-in authenticity the you-know-whats can't resist. 3 Beacon St., Somerville, MA 02143, trinastarlitelounge.com.
The Wauwinet
This is the place to truly get away from it all. Located on the idyllic (and blissfully quiet) northern side of Nantucket, here you can indulge in an Atlantic seaweed wrap or wildflower-and-herb-infusedmassage at the spa, get refined with port and cheese in the library, explore the quaint town of 'Sconset on bikes, or simply relax on the hotel's private beaches. And if you're for some reason missing the crush of day-tripping tourists, you can hop the complimentary water taxi to downtown Nantucket. 120 Wauwinet Road, Nantucket, MA 2584, wauwinet.com.
88 Supermarket
This is where shoppers from both the 'burbs and Chinatown buy their lime leaves, shrimp balls, bok choy, and soy "pork," in a Star Market-sized store crammed with tidy isles of Asian goods. Bilingual signs and a friendly staff make 88 accessible to the uninitiated; 10 minutes of wandering, and you'll be ready to fire up the wok. No wok? Buy it here. 50 Herald St., Boston, MA .
Oleana
Oleana's candelit garden feels a world away from the bustle of Cambridge. Tucked at a table under the vine-laden trellis, you could easily be in the Greek isles, Turkey, or Morocco. Ana Sortun's eclectic Mediterranean food—don't miss the fried haloumi and the flambéed asparagus—won't necessarily help you pin down a particular region. But wherever the experience takes you, we're sure you won't want to leave. 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA oleanarestaurant.com.
Silhouette Cocktail Lounge
The recipe for a superlative dive bar is simple: cheap drinks, good music, and a feeling of belonging for every sad sap who saunters in. The Silhouette Lounge delivers all of these ingredients, with a few grubby-but-great enhancements: dartboards, free popcorn, and stools so tattered they look like they've endured a natural disaster. If you're looking for panache, look elsewhere. If you're looking to drink away the blues and talk to strangers, sidle up to the bar at 'the Sil.' 200 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 2134, .
The Wellness Atelier
Maybe you’re yearning for stronger nails, a boosted immune system, or more energy. Heck, maybe you’re just hungover. Whatever the case, Dr. Daniela Winston has a cure for you. As the founder of the Wellness Atelier, she offers a galaxy of make-you-healthy IV infusions, from the “Glow Up” (which packs in water-soluble vitamins and antioxidants that promote skin, hair, and nail health) to the “Hydration IV” (a saline infusion to restore hydration after workouts, viral illnesses, or long flights). 36 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, thewellnessatelier.com.
Mistral
Unlike at many chichi restaurants, chef-owner Jamie Mammano's entire critically acclaimed menu is served at Mistral's bar until quite late, freeing barflies to sidle up to that sexy someone without having to forgo their real beloveds: the beef tenderloin pizza with mashed potato and white truffle oil, or the glistening, Asian-spiced tuna tartare. 223 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA mistralbistro.com.
Limelight
There are two kinds of karaoke-goers: traditionalists "just in it for the music" and Axl-style mike hogs. Limelight suits both. More than 5,000 songs provide variety, and an always appreciative, largely tipsy audience supplies the right amount of Idol-esque egging on. (Those suffering from stage fright can "Sweet Child o' Mine" it up in private studios modeled on clubs in Tokyo, where subtitled singing is practically a professional sport.) The food may be greasy and the drinks can be weak, but never having to share stage time with "Sister Christian"-loving frat boys is more than a fair exchange. 204 Tremont St., Boston, MA limelightboston.com.
Mistral
Fiery martinis, seductive lighting, chef Jamie Mammano's Mediterranean flavors, alluring bartenders—whatever drarws them there, the beautiful people who sidle up to Mistral's long, intimate bar wind up in the mood to shake and stir long after the last call. The barflies come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and present a decent cross section of the city's professional landscape along with well-heeled out-of-towners looking for a good drink and possibly a good time. The come-ons can be so smooth that on a recent night we actually overheard this imaginative opener: "Hi." And it worked. 223 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA mistralbistro.com.
Soul Cake
If you need another excuse to get married, look no further than Soul Cake’s Instagram. A casual scroll reveals masterpiece after masterpiece, thanks to pastry chef Gayoung Kim’s myriad textures and toppings: monstera leaf plastered to a pink-marble surface, blue watercolor fondant interrupted by flashes of gold, and sugar peonies placed by the bucketful. But of course, looks alone do not a wedding cake make—not only are Kim’s creations gorgeous, they’re also can’t-put-it-down good. Why double-tap when you could order one IRL? Woburn, MA 01801, soulcakeshop.com.
Kitty O'Shea's
It's tough for a newcomer to stand out in a city that already has more Irish pubs than Ireland. Kitty O'Shea's, though, is like a trip to the Emerald Isle. The bar was fashioned from a church pulpit in the Old Country, the fireplace was brought from Dublin, and even the floor-boards are 200 years old. Stained-glass windows of Irish scenes filter out the bustle of the Financial District. Guinness and other Irish beers run from the taps, and the staff is off-the-boat Irish. The only thing that doesn't seem true to the authentic Irish pub theme is the food. It's good. 131 State St., Boston, MA .
The Porches Inn
Fleeing the city seems an idyllic notion, until you find yourself bunking down among doily-strewn antiques and overpowering potpourri at a B&B advertising bucolic "charm." A rare exception is the Porches Inn, set in a row of renovated multi-colored Victorians in North Adams. Its 50-odd rooms are done up in modern décor and feature high-speed Internet and smart service. Out back are a pool and sauna; out front, the stylish Mass MoCA complex. Those still craving a little countrification can kick back in one of the dozens of rocking chairs that sit on the inn's verandas. 231 River St., North Adams, MA 2147, porches.com.