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City Spotlight: Boston
Written by noiZe Staff
Home of America’s first bad boys’ costume tea party, once you get past the stiff collars, this historical New England hub is a great place to play.
Boston may be best known for its many universities and its key role in the American Revolution, but gay visitors shouldn’t be fooled by the city’s stodgy (and outmoded) reputation. Underneath the three-button suits, stiff-collared shirts and Puritan origins lies a hotbed of homos ready to tear off the uniforms from their day jobs and get sweaty. Contemporary Boston has become a major center of education, finance, high-tech and biotech during the day. But at night the story is much different—and the guys are hardly Puritans!
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the birthplace of America. The history of the U.S. began on the ancient streets of central Boston, where you are surrounded by four centuries of history: from Boston Commons to the Public Gardens; the Old North Tower to Boston Latin School. The nation’s most prestigious university, Harvard, and the world’s premier science college, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, are just across the Charles River in Cambridge, along with more than 50 other higher education institutions in the area. There are world-class museums, the Freedom Trail, and Boston Harbor, home to that famous Tea Party, where patriots dressed in Native American drag and had a grand time.
There’s no more potent symbol of the progressive nature of the inhabitants than the 2003 legalization of gay marriage—the first state to do so. More recently, its State Legislature effectively became the first such public body to ratify such unions.
Today, Boston continues to dominate New England as its cultural, financial and social hub. High-end shops and outdoor cafés have made Newbury Street the “Rodeo Drive of New England.” As for nightlife, the Hub (as it’s been known since Emerson dubbed it the hub of the universe) has seen a recent resurgence. A burst of new chic, swank, and sophisticated restaurants, bars, and lounges are popping up all over the city. If you’re looking for down-and-dirty, you’ll find that too—although you might have to dig a little harder. And with all those college boys, this is Paradise if you’re young—or like them that way.
WHERE TO EAT
Club Café
209 Columbus Avenue
617-536-0966
http://www.clubcafe.com
A gay Boston institution, this is a great place to start your evening. You might end up staying awhile though, because aside from a restaurant and bar, it’s also got a popular lounge and more recently has become a great place to dance.
Icarus
3 Appleton Street
617-426-1790
http://www.icarusrestaurant.com
Located at the Chandler Inn Hotel, this restaurant is mentioned among the best in Boston by Zagat and others—and also one of the most expensive. If you’re looking to impress, this is it.
South End Buttery
314 Shawmut Avenue
617-482-1015
http://www.southendbuttery.com
Named Best Coffee Shop 2008 by Boston Magazine, this establishment recently expanded with the addition of the Buttery Bar-Bistro, serving a full and fantastic dinner menu nightly.
Francesca’s Espresso Bar
564 Tremont Street
617-482-9026
For a quick coffee or a bite to eat when shopping in the South End, this is the place to go.
The Dish
253 Shawmut Avenue
617-426-7866
http://www.southenddish.com
A fabulous neighborhood bistro, they’re known for their eclectic menu and wood-oven pizzas. The food is great and the service excellent.
Petite Robert
480 Columbus Avenue
617-867-0600
http://www.petitrobertbistro.com
If you’re looking for an authentic French experience, you’ll enjoy true Parisian bistro-style fare—although the service can be wildly unpredictable.
Cafeteria
279 Newbury Street
617-536-2233
http://www.cafeteriaboston.com
When you need a break from shopping, this new restaurant stands out among a sea of classics for both its lack of pretentiousness and inspired menu of re-imagined, gussied-up American diner dishes.
Geoffrey’s Café
4257 Washington Street
617-325-1000
http://www.geoffreyscafebar.com
Once known as the “gayest restaurant in Beantown,” this venerable institution may have less of a Q-factor at its new location, but it’s still pretty damned faboo. Yes, the famous Sunday brunch goes on, but every day of the week provides inexpensive yet upscale comfort food.
Franklin Café
278 Shawmut Avenue
617-350-0010
http://www.franklincafe.com
A true neighborhood restaurant, it doesn’t get more inviting than this. Plus, they serve a full menu until 1:30 a.m.—a rarity in town. Fabulous modern American cuisine with a great wine list and microbrews on tap.
Pho Republique
1415 Washington Street
617-262-0005
http://www.phorepublique.net
Serving much more than just suddenly-super-popular Pho soup (although theirs is fantastic), you’ll find boys from the South End eating here before, between, and after going out.
Finale
One Columbus Avenue
617-423-3184
http://www.finaledesserts.com
The list of awards this place has received would require another four pages. Put simply, it’s the be-all, end-all of desserts for carbing up or just pigging out.
WHERE TO DRINK
Club Café
209 Columbus Avenue
617-536-0966
http://www.clubcafe.com
One of the most popular bars in town, there’s always a good mix of people—both locals and out-of-towners—and hot DJs. Nightly events include Karaoke Wednesdays, Campus Thursdays (sponsored by MANHUNT), EDGE Fridays, Hunt Saturdays, and Sunday Brunch.
Fritz
26 Chandler Street
617-482-4428
http://www.fritzboston.com
If Boston’s TV bar Cheers existed in real life and was full of gay guys, this would be it: a cozy, friendly neighborhood bar. If you’re looking for twinks though, keep looking: the crowd tends to skew a bit more mature, especially on weeknights.
Ramrod
1254 Boylston Street
617-266-2986
http://www.ramrod-boston.com
Part of the Machine complex, Ramrod is known for friendly bartenders and a sometimes-active backroom. You’ll need to be in boots and leather or denim to check out any potential action, although beer and pool tables are available to all.
The Alley
14 Pi Alley (at 275 Washington Street)
617-263-1449
http://www.thealleybar.com
Boston’s bear bar, nightly events include a Pool Tournament on Thursdays, Bear Central on Saturdays, and Karaoke Sundays.
Eagle
520 Tremont Street
617-542-4494
Every city seems to have one, and this is exactly what you’d expect: pool tables, denim and leather, and cruising. Not pretty or upscale, but get-down, dirty, and rough—exactly what you’d expect. If you don’t mind the occasional grope by an older leather daddy, the people-watching here is great fun—and the cheap drinks don’t hurt either.
Jacque’s Cabaret
79 Broadway
617-426-8902
http://www.jacquescabaret.com
If you like your cocktails with a side of entertainment, this is your place. The “ladies” of Jacque’s put on a show 7 nights a week, 365 days a year. Not strictly gay, Jacque’s is also popular among the bachelor, bachelorette, and “straight but not narrow” office crowd for birthday parties and the like.
28 Degrees
One Appleton Street
617-728-0728
http://www.28degrees-boston.com
Although not officially a gay bar, when you add up the campy drinks, Sunday drag shows, and hot guys sipping cocktails every night… well, you do the math. This place is as chic as it gets. Stop in for a martini before dinner, or stay and enjoy a great menu of bar food.
WHERE TO DANCE
When it comes to high-energy nightlife, Chris Harris and partners Raffael Sanchez and the Gay Mafia have a near monopoly on Boston, with three major weekly club events. Check out http://www.chrisharrispresents.com for more info.
EPIC at the Roxy
279 Tremont Street
617-338-7699
http://www.roxyplex.com
One of Boston’s biggest clubs, the Roxy goes gay every Saturday night for EPIC, a killer party from local nightlife promoter Chris Harris. Check the website for special events other nights as well.
Underbar
275 Tremont Street
617-292-0080
http://www.underbarsuperlounge.com
Another hot party night from Chris Harris, Hot Mess Sundays are just that—the hottest mash-up of old and new music, and lots and lots of hot guys.
The Estate
1 Boylston Place
617-351-7000
http://www.theestateboston.com
Rounding out his trio of Boston dance institutions is Chris Harris’s Glamlife, Thursdays at the Estate.
Machine
1254 Boylston Street
617-536-1950
http://www.machine-boston.com
Machine is a Boston institution, known for go-go boys and twinks—and those who love them. If you get sick of dancing, just step into the adjoining Video Lounge, with half a dozen pool tables, and on Sundays, a piano bar. There’s always something going on, including Dirty Sexy Mondays, Karaoke Thursdays, and Disco Diva Club Classics on Sunday.
Rise
306 Stuart Street
617-423-7473
http://www.riseclub.us
Boston’s biggest after-hours club, this is home to some of the best DJs in the city. Rise is a members-only club, so you need to be “sponsored” by a current member to join (memberships start at $50/year), or brought in by one as a guest ($20 entrance fee).
Venu
100 Warrenton Street
617-338-8061
http://www.venuboston.com
A straight bar most of the week, Venu turns queer on Wednesdays with the popular Latin Club. It’s Boston’s longest-running gay night, and brings a good crowd of hot papis, banji boys and their admirers.
Paradise
180 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
617-868-3000
http://www.paradisecambridge.com
This is where the college crowd hangs out, in part because of the cheap drink prices; of course, strippers 7 nights a week doesn’t hurt either. Saturdays are especially popular.
WHERE TO SHOP
The South End
http://www.southend.org
Although it has become much more gentrified in the last decade, the South End is still Boston’s gayest neighborhood—and therefore one of the most exclusive and expensive. The two main thoroughfares, Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street, are lined with gayola restaurants, cafés, and shops. Further south, Shawmut Avenue and Washington Street have become the latest “in” spots, with lofts, galleries, shi-shi restaurants and bars.
Motley
623 Tremont Street
617-247-6969
http://www.shopmotley.com
Clothing for men, women, and kids, and the best gifts and tchotchkes you’ve ever seen. If there’s something that you don’t yet know that you need, it’s here.
Aunt Sadie’s
18 Union Park Street
617-357-7117
http://www.auntsadiesinc.com
With so much more than their famous candles, plan an hour for this store because you’ll want everything.
Newbury Street
http://www.newbury-st.com
Copley Place
http://www.shopcopleyplace.com
The Shops at Prudential Center
http://www.prudentialcenter.com
Start at the west end of Newbury Street at Massachusetts Avenue and head east. Cafés, restaurants, and boutiques abound—both well known and unique, in every price range. Take a right on Fairfield and head up to the Prudential Center, a Boston landmark and decent place to shop. The big boys await however, and after you pass through the middle-class mall you’ll get to Copley Place a.k.a. “designer heaven.” With stores like Neiman Marcus, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Barney’s, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, and Christian Dior, you’ll know you’ve arrived.
WHAT TO SEE
Boston Duck Tours
617-267-3825
http://www.bostonducktours.com
As amusing as they are popular, everyone should do these amphibious tours at least once in their life, if only for the great overview of the city’s history. Departure points include the Museum of Science, and the Prudential Center in Boston’s Back Bay.
Freedom Trail
617-357-8300
http://www.thefreedomtrail.org
Offering slightly more history than the Duck Tours, this 2.5-mile path through Boston takes you by more than a dozen of the most famous sites in the city, including the Paul Revere house and the Old North Church, where the famous lanterns were hung. The red brick path ends at the USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”), the oldest ship in the U.S. Navy. Go online and download a map and audio tour first.
The North End
http://www.northendboston.com
Boston’s version of Little Italy, this is one of the most famous neighborhoods in the country. Among the maze of narrow, crooked streets and 19th-century brick tenements, you’ll find authentic Italian restaurants and bakeries, trendy boutiques and lots of colonial history.
Boston Commons and Public Gardens
One of the nation’s most famous urban green spaces, Boston Commons and Boston Public Gardens offer some of the city’s most beautiful natural scenery and mark the northern end of the “Emerald Necklace,” a string of parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (who also designed New York’s Central Park). In summer months, the grass in the Commons is overtaken by picnicking students and lovers, while the lake and Public Gardens maintain a more formal feel. If you’re feeling adventurous, and weather permits, go for a boat ride in one of the famous swan boats before checking out the various sculptures.
WHERE TO STAY
Chandler Inn Hotel
26 Chandler Street
800-842-3450
http://www.chandlerinn.com
Primarily gay, this inn/hotel offers excellent accommodations with surprisingly great rates, especially given the location.
Newbury Guest House
261 Newbury Street
800-437-7668
http://www.newburyguesthouse.com
Slightly less gay than the Chandler Inn, but very gay-friendly and a great location.
Oasis Guest House
22 Edgerly Road
800-230-0105
http://www.oasisgh.com
Nine Zero
90 Tremont Street
866-906-9090
http://www.ninezero.com
Hotel Marlowe
25 Edwin H. Land Boulevard, Cambridge
800-825-7140
http://www.hotelmarlowe.com
Onyx Hotel
155 Portland Street
866-660-6699
http://www.onyxhotel.com
SPECIAL EVENTS
Boston Marathon
http://www.bostonmarathon.org
This legendary event takes place on Patriots’ Day (or, as it’s known in Boston, “Marathon Monday”), a holiday that’s only celebrated in Massachusetts, in mid-April. It draws thousands of runners and even more supporters.
Head of the Charles Regatta
http://www.hocr.org
Another huge sporting event that draws thousands of athletes and spectators, this one is in mid-October, and takes place on the famous Charles River between Cambridge and Boston.
Taste of the South End
http://www.aac.org
A fabulous food festival benefiting AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, this event runs a week and generally takes place in mid-March. Planning a trip around a food festival may seem crazy to some, but for foodies and gourmands, this is heaven. All of the best Boston restaurants are here, and their chefs show off their culinary creations with no holds barred.
Boston Pride
http://www.bostonpride.org
Boston Pride usually takes place the first full week of June, and is New England’s largest Pride celebration. It has become as much an all-inclusive family event as it is a party, and includes all the standards—parade, block parties, concerts, dance events, etc.
