Boston Public Market Launches a Weekly Beer and Wine Garden

The Massachusetts Wine Shop. / Photo provided by the Boston Public Market

Believe it or not, a pop-up beer garden at the Boston Public Market last month was a success. The special, two-night event marked the Public Market’s shift to a seven-day schedule, but it was also a test to see how such a feature was received. With about 1,000 commuters and neighbors stopping by over two days, the Public Market Association has decided to host “Local Libations” every Thursday evening through the fall.

CEO Cheryl Cronin said the beer garden was successful not only among fans of the Boston Public Market, but it was also a great way to introduce new visitors to the Market and its local vendors. The first pop-up beer garden featured draft beers from Newton brewery Hopsters, which also operates the market’s all-local package store, Hopsters Alley. Local Libations will rotate among a selection of local draft beers, curated by Hopsters, and wines, courtesy of market vendor Massachusetts Wine Shop.

Wine—red, white, and rosé options—is up first, this Thursday, August 18. Each Local Libations event will have live music, too. Note each week is weather-permitting

“We’re excited to be filling the need for an outdoor feature like this, and we plan to explore how ‘Local Libations’ can be a long-term part of Boston’s growing Market District on the Greenway,” Cronin says, in a press release.

Aeronaut Allston Olympic Village. / Photo provided

In other beer garden news, Aeronaut Allston rolls on every Wednesday evening through September, and the Somerville brewers are also using the Harvard-owned “Zone 3” space for Olympics viewing parties this weekend. The indoor/outdoor Allston Olympic Village has the games projected on a big screen, and each party is themed—Friday night is “Little Rio,” with a samba DJ and dance lessons. There will be food trucks, and other fun happenings in addition to the selection of beers and cider.

Plus, Boston Main Streets has extended its Beer on the Bricks with Mayor Martin J. Walsh. The August kegger (of sorts) on City Hall Plaza was rained out, but the next one is coming up Wednesday, September 14, with tipples from Idle Hands Craft Ales, Aeronaut Brewing, Downeast Cider, and 90+ Cellars wine labels. There are also local food options, live music, and party games—though it, too, is weather-permitting.

All events are limited to ages 21 and up.

Local Libations at the Boston Public Market, Thursdays beginning August 18, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston, bostonpublicmarket.org.

Aeronaut Allston Olympic Village, Friday, August 19, 5-10 p.m., Saturday, August 20, noon-10 p.m., Sunday, August 21, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., 263 Western Ave., Lower Allston, Facebook.