The big list of Boston residents’ favorite bars and clubs

A women dances and smiles in a crowded nightclub surrounded by people. — Bostonians dance through the night at Mariel Underground, a nightclub in downtown Boston on June 24, 2022.

Senior Digital Producer, Equity and Justice unit. Feedback? Questions? Story ideas? Reach out to Meghan at meghan_smith@wgbh.org.

August 30, 2023

Updated September 12, 2023

Boston may not be a 24-hour city yet, but that doesn’t stop city residents from finding a fun night out. A collaboration between GBH News and Axios has been taking a closer look at the highs and lows of nightlife in Greater Boston, and we asked our audience where they like to go out, from Allston to Faneuil Hall to Dorchester. Here’s what they said.

This post is being regularly updated as our audience shares new bars and clubs. We want to know: What’s missing from this list? Email Meghan Smith at meghan_smith@wgbh.org or fill out the survey below.

Downtown/Faneuil Hall

Some of Boston’s most popular spots for both locals and tourists are collected around its historic buildings Downtown, where you’ll find Irish pubs, cover bands and karaoke.

More Music & Culture

Theater District

Located in the heart of the city, the Theater District is where you can dance at nightclubs, and find rowdy bars filled with concert-goers and college students.

Cambridge

Cambridge attracts an eclectic crowd of grad students and locals around Central and Inman Squares for live music and late night dancing.

Cambridge Common and Lizard Lounge | Bar and live music club (Wednesday through Sunday) | 1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | 617-547-1228 | Open until 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 12 a.m. Wednesday to Sunday
The Cantab Lounge | Live music, weekly open mics, game night and poetry | 738 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | 617-714-4278 | Open until 1 a.m. Sunday to Wednesday, 1:30 a.m. Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday
La Fabrica Central | Latin restaurant, live music lounge and nightclub on weekends | 450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | 857-706-1125 | Closed Sunday to Tuesday; Open until 12 a.m. Wednesday, 1 a.m. Thursday, 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday
ManRay Club | Nightclub, themed events each night of the week | 40 Prospect St., Cambridge | 617-864-0400 | Closed Sunday to Tuesday; open until 1 a.m. Wednesday, until 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday
The Middle East | Live music, concerts, restaurant, nightclub | 472-480 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | 617-864-3278 | Closed Monday and Tuesday; open until 1 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, until 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday
Middlesex | Nightclub | 315 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | 617-714-4831 | Closed Sunday to Wednesday; open until 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday
The Phoenix Landing | Nightclub with rotating DJs and one of “America’s best soccer bars” | 512 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | 617-576-6260 | Open until 1 a.m. Monday until 2 a.m. Tuesday to Sunday
Roxy’s Arcade | Speakeasy style arcade bar, food available | 292 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | 617-714-4858 | Closed Sundays; open until 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday
State Park | Bar and restaurant, shuffleboard, live music Sundays | 15 Hampshire St., building 300, Cambridge | 617-848-4355 | Open until 1 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Toad | Neighborhood bar and music club | 1912 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | Closed Sunday to Tuesday; open until midnight Wednesday to Saturday
Wusong Road Tiki Bar | Restaurant, bar and lounge | 112 Mt Auburn St., Cambridge | 617-528-9125 | Open until 10 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday, until 12 a.m. Thursday to Saturday

Allston/Brighton

This college student-packed neighborhood is home to casual pubs and bars.

Back Bay

You’ll find tourists and shoppers all day in Back Bay, and upscale hotel bars for a classy night out.

South End

The historic neighborhood has a little bit of everything, from dive bars to cocktail lounges to jazz clubs.

Seaport/South Boston

While the Seaport’s new developments offer swanky cocktail lounges with waterfront views, Southie is home to lively neighborhood bars filled with young people dancing late into the night.

Somerville

Home to hip areas like Davis Square and Bow Market, Somerville offers a wide array of options for a night out.

Fenway-Kenmore

This neighborhood buzzes with activity on Red Sox game days, when fans spread out to continue the fun at bars and restaurants around Fenway Park. Even without games, you’ll find plenty of fun.

North End

Boston’s Italian neighborhood is known for its food, and you can also find the perfect late night spot for an espresso martini.

Dorchester

From bowling to breweries, Dorchester’s diverse nightlife scene has something for everyone.

Jamaica Plain

Cozy bars or karaoke — you can find it all in JP.

Chinatown

Late-night Asian food and creative cocktails can be found in lively Chinatown.

East Boston

Just across the harbor from Downtown, East Boston has plenty of waterfront nightlife.

Tall Ship Boston | Boat lounge | 1 East Pier Drive, East Boston | 617-307-7714 | Open until 11 p.m. every night

Senior Digital Producer, Equity and Justice unit. Feedback? Questions? Story ideas? Reach out to Meghan at meghan_smith@wgbh.org.

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Nightlife in Boston