Somerville doesn’t have many secret, tucked-away, hush-hush, wink wink, cocktail bars that also serve dinner. There are, after all, 81,000 people here. You think there’s going to be a speakeasy that only you and your friends know about? One that serves barrel-aged Negronis with complimentary deviled eggs as well? That, my friend, is just your basement with a cocktail shaker.
Backbar
$$$ | (617) 249-3522 | WEBSITE
Once you get past the unassuming entrance, a visit to Backbar is about as rewarding as it gets. In this Somerville spot, you’ll find a cozy cocktail haven that’s been transformed into a full-on mixology destination. Glasses of perfectly balanced drinks are crafted with care and the bar snacks are tempting. Come evening especially, this place is a gem.
The Jungle Community Music Club
$ | (617) 718-0204 | WEBSITE
The Jungle Community Music Club, a Somerville cocktail bar, is so authentically local-meets-community, it feels like a membership to the neighborhood should arrive with the well-crafted drink. While the main room feels like you’ve stepped into the last true venue in the Boston area, the atmosphere is more classic Pac Man machine and friendly staff. Not every visit features a parking spot, but when the bands are playing, the intimate setting makes it worth navigating the narrow driveway.
Avenue kitchen + bar
$$ | (617) 764-0879 | WEBSITE
The walls of this Somerville neighborhood gem are covered with warm wood accents, the staff emit a friendly professionalism that you’ll want to absorb via osmosis, and the drinks flow inside the restaurant and their bustling dining area. The menu at this Avenue Kitchen + Bar spot spans crispy Detroit-style pizza with its flavorful red sauce, to kale and avocado salad and grilled shrimp, to burgers and fish and chips.
Don’t miss the Detroit-style pizza: gloriously crispy corner crust with good cheese that you won’t want to share.
Southern Kin Cookhouse
$$ | (617) 764-5966 | WEBSITE
Southern Kin Cookhouse is a taste of the South in the heart of Somerville, where shrimp and grits and lemon-kissed fried catfish are served all year long. Inside, it’s all warm lighting and a welcoming single-floor layout, but it can get pretty busy. Which is where the consistent pacing comes in. It’s straightforward—essentially a cozy space with rustic touches—but that’s all part of the appeal. Keep an eye on their specials for details about when to try the grilled cornbread.
La Posada Restaurant & Tequila Bar
$$ | (617) 776-2049 | WEBSITE
A night at La Posada Restaurant & Tequila Bar is best described as a much-needed fiesta. Warm light spills into the cozy room from its inviting outdoor seating and the vibe is like a Mexican cantina meets a modern cocktail lounge. During warmer months, tables and chairs are brought outside to the relaxed, welcoming surroundings.
Friends clink glasses at this Somerville spot and dig into delicious authentic dishes like generous steak nachos and Mini Jalapeño Pupusas, along with unique tequila drinks like the Barbie and Passion Margaritas. The accommodating staff and cool atmosphere make every visit a pleasant experience.
Parla XXI
$$ | (617) 764-3370 | WEBSITE
The bar at Parla XXI is so inviting that you risk never making it to the dining room, which would be a mistake. Beyond the lively front area at this Somerville spot is a vibrant space where guests sit at cozy tables, enjoying standout dishes like the tender Spanish octopus and sipping creative cocktails like the espresso martini.
Premiere on Broadway
$$ | (617) 996-6838 | WEBSITE
If you’re seeking a memorable night out, then look no further than Premiere on Broadway. The cocktail-focused spot in Somerville has a vibrant atmosphere that hums with live music and special celebrations. It’s got a must-visit-for-occasions feel (and occasion-appropriate prices) and although it may not literally transport you to a five-star event, their banana bread martini does a pretty good job.
Nook
$ | (617) 764-0170 | WEBSITE
Nook is a cozy, living-room-feeling cocktail spot in Bow Market. And like all the best intimate, relaxed evenings, the best place to be is upstairs. Tucked away above the market it’s a snug, mid-century-inspired space with a gentle water vapor fireplace and friends perched on limited stools, toasting with $14 cocktails.
Masala Square Indian Kitchen
$$ | (617) 666-9770 | WEBSITE
Warm spices, vibrant murals, and the scent of simmering curries—Masala Square Indian Kitchen is a North Indian restaurant with one of Somerville’s most comforting atmospheres. The dining room has a convivial hum that thrives on friends and families sharing generous plates. Tomorrow’s worries can wait, and nothing is safe from being passed around the table here.
Get the malai kofta and chicken tikka masala, which is code for The Classics—as far as Indian feasts go, this is one of the most satisfying in town.
Saloon
$$ | (617) 628-4444 | WEBSITE
In a bustling corner of Somerville, this speakeasy-style restaurant and cocktail bar has a sophisticated, heavy wood-paneled interior. But on any evening, Saloon’s bar area calls to anyone who enjoys cocktails for the craft of slowly savoring rather than just a quick drink. Spend a few hours at the bar, tucking into their inventive menu of things like truffled mushroom toast and roasted octopus.
It’s one of the best spots in the area for creative drinks that don’t make the Old Fashioned their only personality trait.
Rosebud Indian-American Bar & Kitchen
$$ | (617) 629-9500 | WEBSITE
Rosebud is a bar that teases curiosity before quenching it. Step into this downtown Somerville spot at dinnertime and you’ll find a chic, warm, and wood-accented space with a scattering of content-looking patrons. Up front, things get even better, with a tucked-away bar that has creative cocktails and big mango-lassi-margarita potential.
Order one of the tandoori chicken sliders dripping in mint yogurt sauce, follow with the butter chicken mac and cheese, and if the mood is right, a creative cocktail for the evening just makes sense.