Paradise Rock Club
No venue in town outdoes the 'Dise, where stellar acoustics and a wide-open layout ensure that music lovers get both an earful and an eyeful from just about anywhere on the floor. National indie acts like Tapes 'n Tapes and the Kooks frequently pop up on the bill, alongside buzzy local bands such as Bon Savants and Aberdeen City. The fact that bona fide legends (Blondie, Tom Petty, the Pixies) have performed here certainly doesn't hurt the vintage-cool, never pretentious, vibe. 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA thedise.com.
Game On
If you're like us, you can't stand watching sports without the benefit of booze and high-def. At Game On, two bars amply stocked with top-shelf hooch get fans out of the Coors Light rut while they take in their choice of competition on one of the 90 televisions. The burgers, too, are excellent, and almost as diverting from the on-screen action as the people-watching parade that streams in before and after Sox homestands. 82 Lansdowne St., Boston, MA .
The Liberty Hotel
Photograph by Jesse Burke Scenesters flocked to the soaring lobby of this former prison seven years ago when it was transformed into a sleek hotel. While most assumed the jail-themed venue wouldn’t have staying power after the novelty wore off, strategic event programming—art, music, fashion, and so on—has continued to lure a coterie of on-the-pulse twenty- and thirtysomethings looking to eat, drink, and mingle, securing the Liberty’s status as the go-to gathering place for young professionals. 215 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, libertyhotel.com.
Zona
If the soothing Aveda products and complimentary herbal tea aren’t enough to invoke tranquility, the lengthy shampooing and blissful scalp massage certainly will. This South Shore salon has been in the Zona family for generations, so whether you’re looking for a quick trim or a complete hair overhaul, you can rest assured that your locks will be in seasoned hands. 65 South St., Hingham; and other locations, zonaprofessional.com.
Petite Étoile
Whether you’re looking for a mini Stella McCartney dress for your toddler or a sophisticated Roberto Cavalli button-up for your nephew, Petite Étoile has every fashion accessory your little trendsetter needs. And because Mom deserves a treat every now and again, owner Nicole Ablitt stocks a fashionista-approved Fendi diaper bag as well. 318 Derby St., Salem, MA 1970, petiteetoile.com/childrens-clothing.html.
Flair
Despite some fierce new competition (BHLDN in Chestnut Hill, we’re looking at you), this boutique still offers the most swoon-worthy in-store frock selection in the area. No matter how picky or size-diverse your bridal party, the associates here will help you find dresses from designers like Jenny Yoo and Lynn Lugo that’ll match your vision and keep your ’maids happy. 140 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, flairbridesmaid.com.
Les Zygomates
Gleaming, deep-cup Island Creek oysters. Salty-sweet Wellfleets. Fleshy shrimp and crab so tender, they go down in one gulp. This is the ocean's bounty as originally interpreted by way of French brasseries: an icy onslaught of shellfish that is mostly raw (of course), but occasionally cooked (as with the Jonah crab claws). Everything is so fresh, the sauces and mignonettes ought to be superfluous—and yet they're so damn tasty, you can't leave them alone. 129 South St., Boston, MA 2111, winebar.com.
Deluxe Town Diner
Fanatical loyalty to one's local diner isn't based on food alone: It's the atmosphere, stupid. At the Deluxe, which cooks up solid fare with a twist (e.g., sweet-potato pancakes), we're completely won over by the charming bedlam of the place, with its clattering plates, sizzling grills, bustling waitstaff, and din of dozens of conversations at once. It's no surprise that come the weekend, the lines stretch halfway back to Cambridge. 627 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, MA 2472, .
David Ives
The president of WGBH will do anything to solicit a buck for Channel 2; luckily for his audience, he's got a class act. At a Boston Pops fundraising special last spring, Ives took on Gilbert and Sullivan, singing innumerable verses of "I Am the Very Model of a Public TV President" to the tune of "Modern Major General"; it was a high point in the history of panhandling. MA
Esperia Grill
A Greek restaurant can be measured by the quality of its tzatziki alone, and at this Brighton spot, it's first-rate: flavorful, not too yogurty, and delivered in huge portions. The keftedes (Greek-style meatballs) and spinach pies are also tasty, but it's the gyros—overflowing with perfectly cooked meat—that are the menu's true heroes. The only thing that makes them better? A large dollop of tzatziki, of course. 344 Washington St., Brighton, MA esperiagrill.com.
El Centro
Boston isn't known yet for great Mexican fare—perhaps we're a little too far north of the border for the spicy stuff. But things are looking up now that El Centro has rolled into town. Our go-to order? The deeply flavored ;carne asada and fish tacos, followed by ;al pastor sopes (doughy corn tartlets). Top that off with a couple glasses of jalapeño-spiked sangria, and you'll easily silence any naysayers. 472 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 2118, elcentroboston.com.
Jo Jo Taipei
Photograph by Anthony Tieuli One bite of this Allston beauty's crisp, pillowy scallion-and-roast-beef pancakes, and you'll never order those sad, green-flecked cardboard slabs from your local Chinese takeout joint again. Here, it's all authentic Taiwanese dishes—like three-cup cuttlefish, spicy beef-noodle soup, and dry-cooked chicken with three peppers—and none of that greasy cream cheese-stuffed crab rangoon or gloppy General Gao's chicken you get elsewhere. 103 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 2134, jojotaipei.com.
Avery Bar
Perhaps because of its proximity to turndown service and plush robes, the luxury hotel bar is expected to be both swish and discreet. This formula is executed just so at the Ritz-Carlton's relaunched cocktail den (previously Jer-Ne), complete with caramel-hued finishes, burnished wood, and, most important, plenty of nooks and crannies for hiding away with a sparkling ginger Negroni and a plate of salumi. 10 Avery St., Boston, MA 2111, ritzcarlton.com.
Jerry's Custom Tailoring & Alterations
To find Jerry's, look for the door between Uno Chicago Grill's two patios. Push it open. Walk down the hall to the slide-gate elevator. Take it up to the fourth floor. There, you'll reach Jerry, who will hem, shrink, or overhaul your prized suits, dresses, and jeans until they fit like second skins. In exchange, he'll expect cash or a personal check, and a minimum of talk. 729 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Pawsh Dog Boutique
Photograph by Jessica Scranton If Vidal Sassoon and Karl Lagerfeld opened a pet business together, it might look a good deal like Pawsh. This swanky boutique specializes in beautifying furry Bostonians—from shampoos and blowouts to sleek body cuts—while also stocking fashionable accoutrements like natty jackets and sweaters and top-of-the-line collars. And Pawsh has a new treat for owners, too: a delivery service that brings gourmet pet food right to your door. 31 Gloucester St., Boston, MA 2115, pawshboston.com.