Queeraoke at Midway Café
Covered in vinyl stickers and rainbow string lights, J.P.’s Midway Café looks like a classic dive bar, but it’s also the spot to sing your heart out every Thursday starting at 10 p.m. A favorite of Boston’s younger queer crowd—but welcoming to everyone—the evening starts with regulars crooning to ’90s and early-aughts hits and ends with wild dance parties. 3496 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, MA midwaycafe.com.
Glamour Cosmetics
No caked-on foundation, overly rouged cheeks, or clumpy mascara here: Makeup artist Garineh Ashjian’s bridal portfolio abounds with natural looks, showcasing the technical abilities and careful restraint that put the Glamour Cosmetics founder in a league of her own. Of course, if your tastes run bolder, the L.A.-trained pro can certainly oblige; her editorial experience, to say nothing of her work with celebs such as Bethenny Frankel and Nikki Bella, means she can skillfully doll you up any way you please. glamourcosmeticsofficial.com.
Mr. Sid
When you finally get to strut your stuff down the aisle, you want guests to remember the smile on your face—not the ill-fitting suit on your back. With locations in Newton and now the Seaport, Mr. Sid offers private consultations for made-to-measure bespoke tuxes (plus high-end lines such as Brioni) that will make even the most reluctant shopper feel—and look—special. A fortifying cocktail before or after a fitting doesn’t hurt, either. 49 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 02210, mr.sid.com.
Willowdale Estate
You picture a quiet dinner for immediate family; your partner imagines an all-night rager with 400 guests. Plan your happy medium at the always-crowd-pleasing Willowdale Estate, where a range of magical ceremony and reception spaces allow for a longer invite list without sacrificing the intimacy of a tinier fete. Our personal fave? The greenery-filled courtyard garden, which looks downright enchanting with strings of lights. 24 Asbury St., Topsfield, MA 01983, willowdaleestate.com.
Encore
Looking forward to the safe return of crowded dance floors? Whether you’re after disco or Motown, throwback ’90s hits or Top 40, this energetic group — part of the well-respected Wilson Stevens family of artists — has what it takes to keep guests of all ages on their feet. Choose between an eight- or nine-piece ensemble, both led by a powerhouse vocal trio featuring two Berklee alums, and prepare to party like it’s 2019. wilsonstevens.com/bands/encore-band.
Eye & Eye Optics
If you want an expert eye — or two — to help you pick the perfect specs, look no further than the father-and-son duo behind this optical shop. The deeply knowledgeable, eminently affable (and fashionable) pair know that all the coolest frames are sunglasses, and will happily make your regular glasses out of any pair you find in their well-stocked cases. 2271 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124, eyeandeyeoptics.com.
Emily Scott Surette, E. Scott Originals
So you’re looking to invest in that next piece of jewelry — but you want something that feels a lot more like you and a lot less like something out of a catalog. Consider commissioning a handmade piece from Emily Scott Surette, who prides herself on a personal-yet-casual approach to custom work. The designer’s off-the-rack options are just as unique, ranging from nautical cuff links and money clips to delicate crystal pendant necklaces. 199b Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143, escottoriginals.com.
Polpis Bike Path
Looking for a post-quarantine quad challenge with the best views on the island? Stretching from the Old South Road rotary all the way to ’Sconset, this 9.5-mile paved route is it. Once you’ve cruised past the sky-blue inlets of oyster farms and mile upon mile of emerald-green moors buzzing with songbirds, soothe those achy muscles with an icy drink from the Sconset Market, or refuel with an ice cream (or two). An easy and quick pedal from there to the Sankaty Head Light offers an unforgettable view of the Atlantic. Nantucket, MA
Showroom
The master closet deserves as much consideration as the living room and kitchen, and while custom built-ins may look nice, few builders can match the innovative kit of parts offered by the Italian furnishings company Poliform. Wooden and glass doors, pullout trays for shirts and slacks, shoe racks, and LED lighting are just a few options available in this ultra-sexy modular system, available exclusively at Showroom.
240 Stuart St., Boston, MA 02116, showroomboston.com.SoWa Vintage Market
If the thrill is in the hunt, then giddiness springs eternal at SoWa's weekly conglomerate of throwback merchants. Clothing hawkers come and go throughout the year, but you're always guaranteed a healthy stock of vintage couture, bargain furs, broken-in cowboy boots, Peggy Olson party dresses, Eisenhower-era cardigans, and outré scarves and costume jewelry. A springtime move from the drafty power plant to cozier digs beneath the galleries has reinvigorated the scene and attracted a host of new vendors. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, sowavintagemarket.com.
Local Root
Yes, Local Root sells the requisite Le Creuset Dutch ovens and essential cooking bibles from Bittman and Waters. But you'll also find more-obscure culinary gadgets, from muffin tins that come in "American" sizes, to ice molds that produce spheres worthy of the city's swankiest cocktail lounges, to microplanes in every size imaginable. 221 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, localroot.com.
C Salt Wine Bar & Grille
In the land of beach bars and clam shacks, C Salt is a breath of fresh (salt) air. This tiny house looks more like a ski chalet than an oyster bar, but the locals who pack the dining room don't let that distract them. From an open kitchen, chef Jonathan Philips turns out root-beer-braised short ribs and a spicy tuna tartar tostada with avocado-cilantro aioli worth bottling. The clincher: the coldest, stiffest martini we've ever enjoyed. 75 Davis Straits, Falmouth, MA 02540, csaltfalmouth.com.
Stacey Kuehn
Whether you’re after soft, side-swept curls or a play on the classic French twist, your locks are safe in traveling stylist Stacey Kuehn’s hands. Kuehn, who’s worked with such celebrity clients as Taylor Swift and Gwyneth Paltrow, draws from years of editorial experience to create wedding-day ’dos that look like they came straight out of the pages of a fashion magazine. staceykuehn.com.
Concord
Over the years, boutiques like Sara Campbell and French Lessons have brought splashes of sophistication to this historical paradise. Newer restaurants run by Boston-area chefs (80 Thoreau, Bondir Concord) have moved in, too. There’s even a serious coffee shop, Haute, which will soon expand to Cambridge. Meanwhile, beloved landmarks like the Concord Bookshop and the Concord Cheese Shop still look the same as they have for decades, much to the delight of proper locals (and those who wish they were).
Helena’s
Need an offbeat frock for a party? Don’t go to the mall; just dash over to Helena’s. Salespeople are helpful; designs are trendy but accessible (look for gems from designers such as Prairie Underground, Nally & Millie, and Wooden Ships); and the selection changes regularly. 397 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, 781-483-3055; 453½ Common St., Belmont, 617-484-2550. 397 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 02474, ilovehelenas.com.