Farmacia
A cocktail at Farmacia. / Photo by Chris Vela This buzzy bar has just nine seats — so be sure to book your prepaid ticket far in advance. It’s well worth the effort to take a journey around the world through several cocktails. Whether it’s flavors of the Caribbean or the American South, the theme changes every few months, which means you’ll probably want to set a reminder to book a seat for the next, and the next, and the next. Light snacks accompany the drinks, but we recommend padding your stomach with a carb-y North End dinner beforehand. 5 North Sq., North End, MA 02128, farmacianorthend.com.
European Watch Company
Photo by Bruce Peterson/Styling by Laura Nero It’s not just the real estate market that’s hot, hot, hot; it’s also the luxury watch market. And when it comes to buying, selling, servicing, or trading the highest-end tickers, this Newbury Street boutique’s expert squad clocks in as the very best. Particularly impressive recent “gets” for serious collectors include an F.P. Journe Chronometre Resonance with brass movement and a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (among the world’s first dive watches) in white gold. And that’s just the tip of the chronometer iceberg. 137 Newbury St., 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02116, europeanwatch.com.
TrillFit
Whether you’re a hip-hop newbie or consider your dance skills to be on par with Megan Thee Stallion’s, TrillFit welcomes everyone to join its squad. Led by Heather White, the boutique fitness studio has managed to create a community through its virtual “workout parties,” which range from sweaty sculpting classes to more-restorative sessions that incorporate slow-flow yoga and meditation. And who knows? When you do decide to return to in-person classes, you might just impress your pals with those dance moves you’ve been perfecting in your living room. 1484 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02120, trill.fit.
Ice House
You'll probably be underwhelmed by the squat, nothing-special exterior, but trust us when we say your reaction to chef Job Yacubian's Mediterranean cuisine will be quite the opposite. In fact, it's the whole diamond-in-the-rough appeal that makes the BYOB meals her—spring pea pudding, potato gnocchi in Parmesan broth, bacon-wrapped yellowfin—so spectacular. Judging by how hard it is to get a reservation and Bittersweet's celebrity clientele, it's safe to say this ever-changing West Tisbury spot (formerly the Red Cat, then Ice House) has hit its stride. 688 State Rd., West Tisbury, MA 2568, .
The Museum of Fine Arts
They had the sense to book the Gund show. 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA .
The Channel
Smart booking policy for live music, and an on-the-water location. 25 Necco St., Boston, MA .
Reading International
Many specialty books, many languages, much fun. Cambridge, MA
Harpers Ferry
A gritty Chicago-style club with the best blues bookings in town. 158 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA .
Springfield's
On Thursday nights they book rarely seen national acts. And sell the place out. 1369 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA .
The Shepherd and the Lamb
One-stop source for books, music, toys, cards, and cunning cotton clothes. 449 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA .
Ryles
Makes a serious effort to book the best music. Watch for Bellevista. 212 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA .
Mitch Shechtman
A good trainer knows how to get people in killer shape. A great trainer is part fitness expert, part therapist, part motivational speaker, and—let's face it—part drill sergeant. Mitch Shechtman amalgamates all of the above, and adds to the mix a solid dose of humor that takes the edge off that grueling last set of squats. His understanding of just how hard to push clients physically and mentally is a sixth sense. None of which is particularly surprising when you consider that Shechtman is head trainer at BodyScapes, a fitness center dedicated solely to the notion that bodies benefit most from one-on-one time with an expert. Just as important, though, is Shechtman's other dedication: to make workouts tough but fun. One Huntington Ave., Boston, MA .
Roberto Echevarra
Usually heavily booked, Roberto excels at intricate, hip, time-consuming dye-jobs a la W magazine. The Salon at 10 Newbury Street, Boston, MA .
Henry Bear's Park
Classic toys, dolls, and children's books. Enough to bring out the Peter Pan in anyone. 361 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Johnny D's Uptown
Here's a place that has it all: good food, cheap drinks, friendly surroundings, and a knack for booking the great, the near-great and the soon-to-be-great. 17 Holland St., Somerville, MA .