4 Best Nightlife in Boston, Massachusetts

This collegial, cavernous microbrewery is the oldest brew pub in the greater Boston area and has been the happy haunt for MIT techies and craft-brew geeks since its 1989 founding. They push the boundaries of beer, from bourbon barrel-aging an imperial stout to creating the first true solera aging process in the United States for beer. Order CBC's Cambridge Amber, Charles River Porter, and Blunderbuss Barleywine fresh in pints, or go for a "tower" (an 83-ounce glass "yard"). In warm weather, try to nab a coveted patio table, a catbird seat for people-watching across bricky Kendall Square. Cheerful staff serve above-average pub grub, even at weekend "beerunches."

Aptly overlooking its namesake's statue, the 15,000-square-feet Sam Adams Boston Taproom boasts three floors, including a rooftop terrace with views over Faneuil Hall. Drink like a local, by choosing a flight of innovative styles and rotating experimental beers from the nano-brewery as well as fan favorites such as Boston Lager and seasonal brews like Summer Ale. Suds occasionally sit secondary to fun events like yoga, drag shows, and comedy nights. Thursday translates to newly introduced drafts on the menu.

You can feel like you're in Dublin here, sipping well-poured pints, eyeing the dusky atmosphere with wood paneled walls, and eating black-and-white pudding or rib eye roasted in Guinness. Musicians jam Wednesday evening, Saturday late day, and Sunday afternoon.

This genuine Irish pub has doubled as a bohemian oasis since 1969. Drink Guinness and Bass on tap and many Irish whiskies; hear light rock, Irish, or country music nightly, usually by 10:30 pm. Narrow and cozy, The Plough is a comfy, noisy den for locals and students, yet a fine place to have lunch alone. The cover charge varies, but the popular weekday beer and burger specials remain the same. Fun fact: literary magazine Ploughshares was founded here.