Top Boston Nightlife Destinations

Best Boston clubs, sports bars, night clubs, comedy clubs, and more!

Boston nightlife is plentiful, diverse, and fun. 

You'll find a large a huge number of Boston sports bars, dance clubs, comedy clubs, boston music events, movies, and other entertainment options. 

But here's a heads-up:  Boston nightlife shuts down early compared with other large cities.  Last call happens at 2am or earlier, while most restaurants serve their final meal long before then.  The T (Boston's subway) stops running between midnight and 1am, depending on the station. 

However, you'll find plenty to do before the city goes dark! 

Boston Nightlife Quick Links : Boston Bars near Fenway   l   Boston Bars near TD Garden   l   Historic Boston Bars and Taverns   l   Boston Nightclubs  l  Boston Irish Pubs  I  Boston Sports Bars   I   Boston Cocktail Lounges   I   Bars with Live Music   I   Boston Dance Clubs   I   Boston Comedy Clubs   I   Boston Movie Theaters  l  McGreevy's   l  House of Blues Boston

Recommend your favorite Boston nightlife spot

Boston bars near Fenway

Best Boston bars near Fenway Park for a beer and a meal before or after the Red Sox games - plus some top sports bars where you can watch the game on the big screen or play a few games yourself.

You'll even find one bar located on sacred ground - right in Fenway Park itself.

And while you're checking out these Fenway bars to figure out which is your favorite, drop by House of Blues Boston, a favorite live music club right across from the famed ball park.

Boston bars near TD Garden

Great Boston bars near TD Garden for drinks and a bite before watching the Boston Celtics or Boston Red Sox play, including a few super sports bars, places that morph into dance clubs later in the evening, and a couple of Irish pubs.

Boston nightlife in historic bars and taverns

Here are the historic Boston bars and taverns where Patriots like Paul Revere and Sam Adams enjoyed some brew and great food before and after the American Revolution. 

You can, too!

Enjoy Boston nightlife in Irish pubs 

You'll almost feel like you're in Ireland in these warm and welcoming Boston Irish pubs. 

What are you likely to find?  Usually live Irish music on at least a few evenings, some Irish food along with American bar food favorites, a congenial ambiance, and of course some great Irish ales, beer, and stout.

Experience Boston nightlife in the best sports bars

Boston sports bars - Best places in Boston for watching games on the big screen.  Some of these Boston sports bars display so much sports memorabilia that they could pass as sports museums. 

To squeeze in a little history, visit McGreevy's, birthplace of Red Sox Nation.  You may even find current Red Sox players as well as part-owners Dropkick Murphys chilling out there. 

For the best Boston nightlife laughs, find a comedy club

Laugh the afternoon or night away in one of the top Boston comedy clubs.  Some have family-friendly shows, while others are strictly 18+ or 21+. 

Whether you enjoy stand up comics, improv, ensembles, open mic nights, or even comic theater, you're sure to find something to enjoy in Boston's rich comedy scene.

Boston nightclubs 

Here's where you can relax, with or without a drink and food, and listen to live music performances.  Save your conversation for between sets.  Some of these Boston nightclubs are family-friendly, while others are strictly 21+.

Boston bars with live music 

Want live music in the background while you talk and laugh with your companions?  Here are some top Boston piano bars and jazz clubs that feature live music on an occasional or regular basis.

Cocktail lounges for grown-up conversation

Tired of the college scene?  Try a Boston cocktail lounge.  These are grown-up bars, places where you can enjoy a quiet drink and conversation - and perhaps some good food and music as well.

Boston dance clubs

With DJs spinning everything from Top 40 to hip hop to reggaeton, these Boston dance clubs are the places where you can dance the night away.

Boston movie theaters

Spend a night at the movies, by yourself or with friends - a long-time favorite Boston nightlife choice.  Although a couple of these Boston movie theaters show first-run commercial flicks, most specialize in foreign, indie, or other genres. 

You'll even find some options that aren't actually movie theaters, but they frequently show interesting movies so you'll want to check out what they're offering.

Boston nightlife insider tips

Since the days of the Puritans, beer and ale have been favorite drinks here.  The Puritans thought that drinking water was dangerous - and maybe it was back then - so men, women, and children quaffed beer all day long.  A lot of Boston nightlife takes place in bars, pubs, and taverns, which also usually serve food ranging from good to excellent. 

If you prefer not to drink alcoholic beverages, just order something non-alcoholic like seltzer and lime, orange juice, or coffee. 

If you do drink wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverages, don't drive. Take the T, call a cab, or walk back to your hotel or home at the end of the evening.

Minimum drinking age for Boston (and the rest of Massachusetts) is 21.

What's Your Favorite Boston Club or Bar?
Tell us all about it!

Do you have a favorite Boston nightlife spot to recommend? If you've discovered a great bar, comedy club, a dance club, a pub with great music, tell us about it, especially why you like it. And if you have a photo, please share that too!