Hilton's Tent City
Who knew the Hub's ultimate collection of camping gear would be found in a never-ending warehouse hidden away among bakeries and pizzerias on a West End side street? Packed with rough-and-ready labels like Marmot, Atlas, Sorel, Vasque, and Black Diamond, this four-floor emporium offers everything that outdoor adventurers might want to wear, pack, or carry for their trip, be it a weekend by Ponkapoag Pond or an assault on Everest. 272 Friend St., Boston, MA hiltonstentcity.com.
Gary Parker
A class-A PGA pro who's done teaching stints at the Legends Club of Tennessee and Stow Acres Country Club, Parker gives duffers a 21st-century swing at his high-tech indoor training center, outfitted with state-of-the-art practice bays and virtual rounds at St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. Free advice: "Most golfers slice to the right, and think they should align their feet to the right to fix it. But it's the opposite—align to the left. If you're a slicer, aim your feet to the shortstop and swing to the second baseman." CityGolf, 38 Bromfield St., Boston, MA citygolfboston.com.
Wine Gallery
This standout vino peddler has always put up a broad range of bottles and good advice. But the wine jukebox—a nifty contraption that doles out samples for free—at its Brookline location has officially taken the mystery out of wine selection by making the whole process as easy as taking a sip and seeing for yourself. If further guidance is required, both shops boast well-educated clerks and intelligent tasting cards. Best of all, the markups are low and the discounts high, something that's sure to please, no matter your taste. 375 Boylston St., Brookline, MA wine-gallery.com.
Brick Loomis
Loomis is the anti-sommelier (a fact that may or may not be rooted in his past as a punk rocker). He's not patronizing, despite knowing all the details on 600 labels and more than 6,000 bottles; his favorite wines are cheap French vintages. In fact, as far as we can tell, the only thing about Loomis that's remotely sommelierlike is his passion for the romance and culture of wine, and his ability to pick the perfect bottle for your meal. Aujourd'hui, Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA fourseasons.com/boston.
Tangierino
Morocco could teach us all a thing or two about romance. At Tangierino, groups gather at intimate booths shrouded by gauzy curtains, while couples sit side by side on plush benches—no awkward tables to lean across here. Start with a sweet, phyllo-wrapped chicken b'stila and rich lamb tagine, then finish with a trip to the next-door hookah bar. Unless, of course, you're ready to move your date somewhere more private. 83 Main St., Charlestown, MA tangierino.com.
Bukowski Tavern
A great pub is measured not only by its pints, but also by the quality of the food it offers to absorb all that booze. Bukowksi's, for its part, offers plenty of delicious ways to fortify yourself for the myriad varieties of stellar frosty brews it pours. The burgers are large and messy, just as they should be. And the array of "barfly food"—the White-Trash Cheese Dip, a rib-sticking plate of barbecued chicken tenders—is sure to sate late-night appetites. 50 Dalton St., Boston, MA .
Pigalle
There's a good chance the preshow stop at Pigalle will prove more satisfying than the show itself. (Especially if you're going to see Riverdance. Again.) Chef Marc Orfaly transforms simple ingredients into stars, from the hazelnut-crusted goat-cheese cake with tomato and watermelon to the crispy half duck with bright cherry glaze. And whatever you order, the efficient servers understand you need to be on your way before the curtain goes up—and will have you out the door with time to spare. 75 Charles St., Boston, MA pigalleboston.com.
New Jumbo Seafood
Last year a new owner added "New" to the name of this steadfastly excellent Chinatown joint. Happily, that appears to have been his only real change. The spicy salt calamari remains one of the city's best takes on tricky-to-cook squid. The XO sauce is still a house specialty, as are the dishes served in citrus-tinged Yu Hsiang sauce. And you will continue to find no fresher fish than the ones pulled from the large tanks that greet you at the door. 5 Hudson St., Boston, MA .
Zaftigs Delicatessen
Past reviewers have taken pains to note the name (or actually zaftig, without the s) is Yiddish for "pleasingly plump." No doubt that's how they, like countless other satisfied customers, walked out feeling. Seven mornings a week, this Brookline institution plates up ginormous portions of whatever you're in the mood for, from the usuals—such as pancakes and French toast and pillowy three-egg omelets—to Jewish faves like potato latkes with lox and dill sour cream. 335 Harvard St., Brookline, MA zaftigs.com.
Pigalle
Always up for a challenge, chef Marc Orfaly is taking on the notion that bar food has to be cheap and greasy with a Malaysian-themed menu culled from his recent trip to the Far East. Pigalle's bar seats just six, but the small plates of duck fried rice, baby-back ribs with sweet and sour kumquats, and shrimp shumai with ponzu dipping sauce make the fight for a spot one worth waging. 75 Charles St. S., Boston, MA pigalleboston.com.
Dbar
It's tough to find a hangout that appeals on this many fronts. If you're hungry, an outstanding full-service menu is available until 10 p.m., with mouthwatering entrees ranging from duck confit to diver scallops. If you're thirsty, the wine and mixology lists, punctuated with drinks like the Go-Diva (a martini made sinful with Godiva white chocolate), are sure to satisfy. And after the kitchen closes, Dbar transforms into a nightclub replete with a frenetic light show, pumping house music, and wall-to-wall beautiful people. 1236 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA dbarboston.com.
Middlesex Lounge
The vibe, the feel—that's what you're looking for when you're with friends and dressed for a Night Out. It's also what the Middlesex does best. The intimate space is minimalist sublimity, with low-slung lights casting shadows in exactly the right way. Music is spun by DJs who bump everything from French pop to roots reggae. The signature touch: the lounge's benches on wheels, which allow you and yours to create a personal alcove. 315 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA middlesexlounge.com.
Green Dragon Tavern
Picking Boston's best Irish pub is a little like picking the loveliest clover in County Kildare. Still, the Green Dragon manages to stand out from its many worthy rivals. Set on a cobblestone street by Faneuil Hall, this 350-year-old pub once played host to Paul Revere and the Sons of Liberty, and now rallies a bustling after-work crowd that comes for well-poured pints of stout, excellent fish and chips, live entertainment seven nights a week, and one mean Boston cream pie. Slainte! 11 Marshall St., Boston, MA somerspubs.com.
Jackson Cannon
Settle into Eastern Standard's plush, cozy bar and let Cannon welcome you with an easy grin and quick, imaginative recommendations: an old-school cocktail he's revived (such as his signature Jack Rose), or maybe a little-known bottling. His obsession with fresh ingredients makes Cannon a true bar artist, though one mercifully free of snobbery—which means if you're looking to throw back something a touch more pedestrian, he'll pour that light beer and serve it with a smile. Eastern Standard, Hotel Commonwealth, 528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA easternstandardboston.com.
Foundation Lounge
"Pickup bar" may evoke images of oily, used-car guys with thatches of chest hair bursting from half-buttoned shirts, but you won't find much of that here. With its mood lighting, sleek furniture, and slinky hip-house music, this Kenmore Square spot promises a sophisticated setting for meeting new people and sharing a drink (or whatever else you might manage to broker). Hotel Commonwealth, 500 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .