Bristol Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel
The Bristol is a refreshing respite from the cigar-chompin' clubbier bars around town, yet it still manages—with its white-coated waitstaff, marble bar tops, and Vose Galleries art—to maintain a stately feel. Maybe that's why visiting celebrities (Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jordan, Billy Joel) flock to its sofas and armchairs. Or maybe it's the signature martinis (stiff and serious, even in the more frivolous forms such as the green apple) and warm nut mix that keeps them coming back for more. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA fourseasons.com/boston/dining/the_bristol_lounge.
Waggie Walk Dog Walking Service
Ten bucks an hour and your retriever will sleep all night. 362 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Lucky’s Lounge
Strong pours, live music, and a mostly local crowd make this retro basement bar the quintessential after-hours hang. 355 Congress St., Fort Point/Waterfront, MA 2210, luckyslounge.com.
Supercharged Entertainment
When you need a place for your kiddos to get their energy out, but the weather just isn’t cooperating (isn’t that basically every weekend now?), this expansive Wrentham entertainment center offers hours upon hours of indoor fun. Beyond the standard trampolines, you’ll find bumper cars, laser tag, axe throwing, a “Ninja Wipeout” course, and more. We especially love the kid-friendly on-site restaurant and tavern so we can have a quick-and-easy answer to the unavoidable question at the end of every play session — “where’s lunch”? 40 Commerce Blvd., Wrentham, MA 02093, superchargedma.com.
KitchenVisions
Photo by Michael P. Lefebvre If your design dreams are lacking inspiration, one peek at this Natick firm’s sophisticated kitchen projects should do the trick. You’ll find cocktail hour–ready bar areas, oversize islands for prepping and entertaining, mahogany pantries with storage galore, and majestic marble backsplashes — all of which, combined with the team’s thoughtful layout decisions, come together to make the heart of your home anything but cookie-cutter. kitchenvisions.com.
Porter Square Books
Can your Kindle feed you while you browse? Porter Square Books does, at its on-site cafթ serving delicious Iggy's pastries. Does your Kindle help out with the kids? Porter Square Books will, with reading groups for teenagers and preschool story hours. This place is constantly reminding us why bookstores still matter. 25 White St., Cambridge, MA 02140, portersquarebooks.com.
Katrina Hess
Pump up your pout with
help from makeup
artist Katrina Hess. / Photograph by Jim Brueckner, styling by Taylor Greeley A stalwart of the Boston beauty scene, Katrina Hess has always been a go-to for special-occasion makeup. But she’ll also transform your daily makeup routine with private two-hour lessons at her Newbury Street studio. Bring along your own cosmetics bag, and she’ll even weed out the duds. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, katrinahess.com.
Brooklyn Boulders
Photograph by Bob O'Connor With a café and lounge space and late-night hours, this 40,000-square-foot oasis of rock-climbing walls is a tempting way to break free from your Friday-night routine. If the upper-body burn and primal joy prove addictive, Brooklyn Boulders offers regular classes to help build your skills. But don’t be intimidated: Beginning climbers are also welcome, and there are knowledgeable instructors to help you get acclimated. Next stop Everest, or at least the Blue Hills. 12A Tyler St., Somerville, MA 02143, brooklynboulders.com/somerville.
WaterSpot
By the time you're ready to pick a vanity, medicine cabinet, and towel warmer for your new washroom, it can feel like you're drowning in options. This expansive Natick outpost, however, makes choosing easy, thanks to knowledgeable consultants who take the time—up to two hours a day, if needed—to discuss all of the options that fit your budget and aesthetic. (Call in advance to book an appointment.) (Multiple locations.) 575 Worcester St., Natick, MA 01760, water-spot.com.
Images & Frames
The unusually warm welcome is your first clue to this store's stellar service. The patient and skilled staff takes the necessary time (a good half hour) to discuss how to achieve the exact look you want, or will hang back when you'd rather make your own decisions. That, along with the store's good lighting, selection of diverse and colorful prints, and meticulously finished end products, all add up to one thing: a picture-perfect experience. 1089 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Kelly Nezat
The man has magic hands! Nezat, a recent transplant from the now-defunct Spa on Newbury, not only releases any stress-induced tension knotting your body with the fundamental Swedish massage, he can also pinpoint problem areas and offer sweet relief with more advanced techniques. With his strong yet gentle touch, you'll leave feeling like a wet noodle. And he'll do it for a whole hour longer than your Significant Other's brief obligatory poke-and-prod. Candela Laserspa, 28 Arlington St., Boston, MA .
Panopticon
A step of evolution beyond your average one-hour photomart, Panopticon is a true custom lab—it will develop your film in the developer you need, at whatever temperature you request, for as long as you like. The friendly staff are also happy to make suggestions (recently they told a hapless editor how to "push" standard film for use in poor lighting conditions). Despite the painstaking work that earned it its reputation, Panopticon is also fast enough to offer same-day servic 187 Bay State Road, Boston, MA .
Linnea Tangorra
Linnea Tangorra and her staff of three can help both brides who know exactly what they want and those who have no clue. Services range from soup-to-nuts planning to hourly consulting with no minimums. Tangorra is quick to respond in any situation, whether she's answering your late-night e-mails, fielding your future mother-in-law's incessant questions or averting weather-related reception disasters with a well-orchestrated plan B. Tangorra Wedding Planning, 251 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, linneatangorra.com.
Linnea Tangorra
Linnea Tangorra and her staff of three can help both brides who know exactly what they want and those who have no clue. Services range from soup-to-nuts planning to hourly consulting with no minimums. Tangorra is quick to respond in any situation, whether she's answering your late-night e-mails, fielding your future mother-in-law's incessant questions or averting weather-related reception disasters with a well-orchestrated plan B. Tangorra Wedding Planning, 251 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, linneatangorra.com.
SoundBites
Open 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Now here's a concept: buttery but not greasy breakfast. SoundBites may be a little out of the way for your day's start, but the restaurant gives up as delicious and fresh an omelet as you're likely to find. The mashed home fries, Wonder Waffles, and serve yourself coffee are so good that they take the guilt out of loading all your calories and caffeine into the morning hours. 708 Broadway, Somerville, MA .