The Boston Camerata
A major reason for Boston's eminence in the world of early music.
The Boston Eagle
The bar-of-the-moment for the after-midnight local crowd. This small bar with a friendly clientele has recently become a trendy stop after a night on the town. 520 Tremont Street, Boston, MA .
The Boston School
The sensational Institute of Contemporary Art show of work by Nan Goldin, Jack Pierson, Mark Morrisroe, and other artists who all attended art school in Boston in the late '70s and early '80s, and turned their lives into lovely, lurid photographs.
The Newbury Boston
The picture-perfect Public Garden views alone are enough to justify a staycation at this iconic address, which reopened as the Newbury in 2021. But add in the buzzy on-site restaurant, in-room afternoon tea service, and a “fireplace butler” to build a cozy wood-burning fire in your suite after a day of shopping, and you have the makings of a truly luxe getaway in the place where everyone wants to be. One Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, thenewburyboston.com.
The Boston Athenaeum
This venerable institution reopened last November after a thorough $17 million renovation at the hands of Annum Architects’ Ann Beha, with a mission to shed its stuffy reputation as a Brahmin redoubt and to become a resource that’s inclusive and welcoming to all. Now even the hoi polloi can entertain at one of the country’s oldest independent libraries and art museums: The elegant space is available to rent for first-class events like private dinners, weddings, and other celebrations. Everybody’s welcome on the guest list — just don’t bump into that priceless marble bust. 10½ Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108, bostonathenaeum.org.
Flair Boston
Bridesmaids should never upstage the bride on the big day, but at Flair, they’re the star of the show — at least for the duration of your appointment. Here, associates pull from a collection of beautiful fabrics, trendy hues, and contemporary styles to find each ’maid’s ideal dress. The upscale yet casual setting, meanwhile, makes it easy to sit back, relax, and have a fun day with your gals. 140 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, flairbridesmaid.com.
Laugh Boston
Okay, so Laugh Boston may be smack in the middle of no man’s land (has anyone ever actually been to the convention center?), but we promise it’s worth the trek—and so do plenty of big-ticket comedians. Jimmy O. Yang, Leslie Jones, and Dulcé Sloan have all hit this Seaport-ish establishment, as has cult-favorite storytelling series “The Moth.” So grab some pals and an Uber—a belly-laughing night awaits. 425 Summer St., Boston, MA laughboston.com.
Flair Boston
You’ve chosen your leading ladies, now let Flair Boston handle the rest. Trust these pros to select the trendiest bridesmaid attire, including floral gowns by Alfred Sung and shimmering jumpsuits by Dessy. Do your gals live across the country? No problem. Have a procrastinator in the bunch? Totally fine. The boutique offers hundreds of dresses online and can “super rush” orders so you can rest assured that your ’maids will be dressed to impress. 140 Newbury St., Boston, Massachusetts 02116, flairboston.bridesmaid.com.
Figment Boston
Other festivals may showcase art, but they probably don’t turn you into the one making it. Come July, the local edition of this global arts event lets you sculpt, jam, act, and more. boston.figmentproject.org.
Boston Shaker
It’s the little details that make Zoom happy hours seem like the real thing. (Kind of.) Beyond its quirky collection of tiki mugs—because a daiquiri always tastes better in a porcelain seahorse—this Somerville shop stocks glasses for drinks big and small, from highballs and juleps to martinis. And because no mint shall go unmuddled, lemon unpeeled, or olive unpicked on the Shaker’s watch, you’ll also find all of the tools to go with them. 69 Holland St., Somerville, MA 02144, thebostonshaker.com.
The Boston Shaker
Those hoping to impress long-awaited houseguests with perfectly stirred martinis or mai-tai-filled ceramic tiki mugs need only visit this cozy boutique. With inventory ranging from highball glasses and stainless steel bar spoons to absinthe fountains and jugs shaped like shark heads, the shop’s whimsical wares are perfect for getting the party started — no matter your tastes or how many people you’re hosting. 69 Holland St., Somerville, MA 02144, thebostonshaker.com.
“Boston Strog”
It was meant to revive the slogan that got us through another difficult time, the marathon bombings. What it became was viral gold, and a goodhearted laugh when we all needed it most. Instead of running the Boston Marathon on Patriots Day as she’d planned, MGH nurse Lindsay Devers set out to spell “Boston Strong” on her phone’s GPS app by zigzagging through the Back Bay along her own 26.2-mile route. But in her sweaty haste, she left out the “n,” leading to one of the funniest typos in memory: “Boston Strog.” Though the moment spread far and wide on the Internet, in a rare bit of mercy, commenters gave her an out: Maybe the missing “n,” they offered, stood for “nurse.”
Boston Hairnista
Healthy hair is owner and lead stylist Andrea Sealey’s main goal—and it shows in every masterful style she creates inside her chic Dot. Ave. salon. Sealey’s recently expanded list of services makes the space a one-stop shop for everything from kinky twists and micro-link extensions to always-silky silk presses. Her braids, meanwhile, are true works of art—no surprise given the Roxbury native has been at it since she was 10 years old. 1690 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02122, bostonhairnista.com.
Boston Chops
This venture from Deuxave's Chris Coombs and Brian Piccini is billed as an "urban steak bistro"—shorthand for "not your grandparents' steakhouse." Start with daring small plates like oxtail croquets with red pepper mostarda, then tuck into an order of steak frites, which combines your favorite cut with a house-made sauce and heaping piles of greens, as well as fries served tableside from large copper bowls. 1375 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118, bostonchops.com.