Natale's of Hanover
Natale Agostino reminds his customers that clothes off the rack are a curiously American phenomenon. And he should know. Natale spent 11 years as a tailor's apprentice in Reggio Calabria, learning to meticulously cut the garment to the man. These days, although he sells some ready-made clothing along with the suits he custom-tailors, he still wanders the floor of his Hanover store seven days a week, on the prowl for slacks that are just a bit too long on one customer, or the jacket that could hug the shoulders of another just a little less. 2001 Washington St., Hanover, MA natalesclothing.com.
Square Cafe
What may be the South Shore's most fetching dining room (white tablecloths, cherry hardwood floors, plaid banquettes, soothing antique prints) now sports an equally alluring menu. Chef Andrea Schnell, an alumna of Duxbury's Windsor House, whips up newfangled, delectable New England favorites. The sweet, juicy tuna with chile vinaigrette alone is worth a visit. All's not perfect: The service here still needs work, and on some busy nights delivery can be slow. But between the convivial atmosphere and the pretty room, there's no better place to kill those extra minutes. 150 North St., Hingham, MA thesquarecafe.com.
Gypsy Bar
The average reveler out on the town cannot avoid certain pitfalls: long lines, jerk doormen, megaexpensive drinks. And so we mean this in the most complimentary of ways: At Gypsy, a bumpin' dance haven full of celebs (both quasi and real), the line isn't as intolerable, doormen aren't such jerks, and drinks are only mildly overpriced. There's a huge dance floor and a separate lounge, plus mesmerizing jellyfish-filled aquariums, all worth admiring if you can—or even care to—see past the haze of beautiful people bathed in red light. 116 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, gypsybarboston.com.
Avalon
Even after all the new additions to the roster of Lansdowne Street clubs, Avalon remains the life of the dance party. It's consistently packed, spotlights an endless supply of internationally renowned DJs, and pours some of the city's most potent cocktails. Things heat up around midnight when some 2,000 clubgoers, ranging from the techno-hungry to the daytime professional, hit the dance floor. The incomparable sound system and light show will pound your senses, whether you're there for a wildly themed Saturday night, Sunday gay night, or the VIP lounge. 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, MA .
Jan Gleysteen Architects
Perusing Jan Gleysteen’s portfolio, one word repeatedly comes to mind: timeless. With nearly four decades of experience under his belt, the Wellesley architect knows his way around traditionalism, dreaming up classic abodes—such as a grand suburban homestead with coffered ceilings and dramatic archway—that are built to last. 888 Worcester St., Wellesley, MA 02482, jangleysteeninc.com.
Jason Burke
In Burke's hands, a round brush is a magic wand. With it, he could do evil (a pageant bouffant, perhaps?), but he inevitably chooses to do good: not too big, not too flat, just soft and smooth. As for staying power, our Burke-blown mane remained fresh-looking for four full days. Kent Newton Salon, 1315 Washington St., Boston, MA 2118, .
Dropkick Murphys
Okay, a crushingly obvious choice. But consider that the Dropkick Murphys were able to get Bruce Springsteen on their first new studio album in four years—a kickass, heartfelt record that hit number six on the Billboard Hot 200. And now they're headlining at Fenway next month. dropkickmurphys.com.
Hot Mess
When you hear the phrase “hot mess,” you might not have high hopes — after all, the phrase traditionally isn’t used as a compliment. But this nine-piece ensemble will surprise and delight you — and your guests — while getting everyone on the dance floor. Not only do they boast five lead vocalists and offer powerhouse performances that make every wedding memorable, but their set list also includes an expansive catalog of pop, rock, soul, and more featuring songs from the ’60s up to the Top 40 tunes of today. hotmessrocks.com.
Ayanna Pressley
If we thought Ayanna Pressley had nerves of steel for challenging and taking down one of our longest-serving Democratic congressmen, it was only because we hadn’t yet seen her take on the Trump administration. In her first speech on the floor of the House in January, she delivered a scathing rebuke of President Donald Trump and the government shutdown. More recently, in an exchange that went viral, she scolded Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson for interrupting her and evading her questions. As a result, Pressley’s take-no-prisoners approach has made her a star on the national political stage. Read more
The Big Quiz Thing at Oberon
Picture a funnier Alex Trebek holding court on the dance floor of Studio 54, and you’ll have a close approximation of the shtick at the Big Quiz Thing, a cabaret-style trivia night held monthly among the disco balls at Oberon. Comedian Noah Tarnow provides multimedia clues (film clips! sound effects!) and sports a sparkly jacket, adding flavor to the proceedings. Teams win luxe prizes like gift certificates to spas and restaurants, and tickets to The Donkey Show at the A.R.T. It’s also completely free. 2 Arrow St., Cambridge, MA 2138, americanrepertorytheater.org/oberon.
Bella Santé
Some say visiting a good day spa is so therapeutic it's tantamount to regular trips to a shrink. If that's the case, the relaxed, blissful feeling you'll leave with after an afternoon at Bella Santé will seem like a breakthrough. Perched in a second-floor sanctuary above Newbury Street, the spa has a soothing beige décor and wonderfully quiet atmosphere (cell phones are verboten)—your first signals to relax. Then there are the treatments: facials so effective they're like mini-facelifts, massages that melt away even the peskiest knots, body buffs, herbal wraps, and pedicures that last for months. The unassuming, easygoing staff is professional and subdue, just like the spa itself. 38 Newbury St., 2nd floor, Boston, MA bellasante.com.
James Joseph Salon
Gushing is not usually our style, but in the case of William George's smart Newbury Street salon, we can't help but go on. Men and women alike will feel comfortable here, because each stylist establishes trust before attempting any 'do. The unintimidating decor is part of the appeal: blond wood floors, exposed brick walls, and brushed steel furniture provide a pleasing backdrop. Plus, the price range for various services, $16-$175 (haircuts $30-$60), is reasonable, which means that you can and should come often for some low-key pampering. 168 Newbury Street, Boston, MA jamesjosephsalon.com.
Mario Russo
It's smaller, quieter, and more discreet than the flagship at 9 Newbury. All of which works to the benefit of the other Mario Russo salon, tucked away on Louis Boston's third floor. Like Russo himself, who spends Wednesdays here, the close-knit team is as welcoming (even accepting walk-ins if there's down time) as it is talented: Scalp massages, for instance, are of the same top quality as the highlights. It should be noted that some of Boston's most particularly coiffed locks—including celebrity chef Ken Oringer's perfectly messy mop—are maintained here. Louis Boston, 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 2116, mariorusso.com.
Grill 23 & Bar
It's hard to root for a champ, but when it comes to steakhouses Grill 23 has an overwhelming advantage. Why? Because this is not your traditional steakhouse: There isn't sawdust on the floor, worn-out Laz-E-Boys for chairs, or sirloins so big they fall off the plates. Replacing those beef temple staples is restrained, refined elegance courtesy of a large, airy dining room, an extravagant wine list, and fastidious service. At Grill 23, the experience is as important as the steak: The prime-aged beef is reliably excellent, and the ambiance takes the steakhouse experience to an opulent level. 161 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA grill23.com.
Arclinea
You know the scenario: (1) Every pot crashes to the floor as you reach for that little-used cake pan. (2) You swear you'll reorganize the kitchen as soon as you're done baking. (3) You never get around to it. (4) Repeat during your next cooking attempt. None of that would happen with an Arclinea kitchen, because those Italians have thought of everything: deep, customizable drawers instead of awkward, traditional cabinets; hidden but oh-so-useful electrical outlets; and, of course, a look that will make you the envy of every foodie in town.