Best of Boston

This well-stocked bar overflows with wines from around the world, and liquors ranging from single-malt scotch and specialty bourbons to sipping rums and tequilas. There are also 20 microbrews on tap, including local favorites Stone Cat and Mr. Pickwick’s Ale. The popular Newburyport hangout also has everything else a North Shore bar should: blue-and-white-collar patrons mingling and munching on free pretzels, and bartenders who treat both equally well. And, of course, there’s also the spectacular view of the water. Black Cow feels like an exclusive yacht club, with an open fireplace, a polished mahogany bar, and regulars on a first-name basis. There’s even a separate bar for the alfresco crowd—and for those who arrive by boat and tie up to the nearby dock.