Exploring Chinatown & South End
Morning
Walk down Essex Street, ducking into Oxford Place to see the mural, Travelers in an Autumn Landscape, based on the famous scroll painting by the same name at the Museum of Fine Arts. Stroll along the aisles of
Cheng Kwong Market
if you are looking for exotic produce, Chinese teas, and imported Asian foods. The distinctive and colorful Dragon Gate
to Chinatown stands at the corner of Edinboro Street and Beach Street,
along with picturesque pagoda-style phone booths. Continue to Kneeland
Street to peruse the contemporary couture of
Kim’s Fashion Design
. Then stop for a delicious lunch at Shabu-Zen.
Afternoon
Walk down Tremont Street to
the South End, or hop on the “T” two stops to Back Bay Station. Go west
on Columbus Avenue to see the elaborate bronze sculptures that tell the
story of escaped slave Harriet Tubman, who led many others to freedom
on the Underground Railroad, a series of hiding places in non-slave
states. Back at Tremont Street, take a coffee and pastry break at
Garden of Eden Cafès
. Visit the
Boston Center for the Arts
to get a snapshot of local contemporary art at the Mills Gallery. Then, if you have extra time, take a spin around Union Park Square. Make sure you have dinner reservations to enjoy a sumptuous, romantic meal in the artfully decorated
Icarus
.
Shops
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Tadpole
If
there was ever any doubt that young families are colonizing the South
End, then Tadpole’s cheery selection of clothing, toys, and accessories
for children dispels it.
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J. M. W. Gallery
People
come from miles around to this antiques dealer specializing in
furniture in the Arts & Crafts and Mission styles as well as
exquisite New England art pottery from the early decades of the 20th
century.
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144 Lincoln St
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Closed Sun & Mon
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Lekker Home
Contemporary
Italian, Scandinavian and German home design are the highlights of this
emporium for accessorizing the sleek townhouse in the latest style.
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Kim’s Fashion Design
Designer
Kim Pham has been creating timeless ready-to-wear and custom-tailored
Asian fashion for more than two decades. Embroidered silks are a
specialty. Also the place to get scarves and bags.
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Silky Way
This all-purpose martial arts store carries robes, belts, books, magazines, videos, plus a few swords and other weapons.
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Aunt Sadie’s
Whimsical
housewares fill this shop known for its hand-dipped and scented
candles. Aromas include root beer, popcorn, and “home” (which smells
like apple pie).
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Motley
A
constantly changing assortment of goods reflects the tastes of the
moment in this trend-setting South End store. Browse for a personal
indulgence or a gift.
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Cheng Kwong Market
This compact market offers vegetables, tropical fruits, and packaged foods essential for cuisines from Singapore to Seoul.
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Vessel
Innovative
and stylish contemporary design products for the office and home shine
in this Chinatown boutique, owned by designers Stephane Barbeau and
Duane Smith
Vessel
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Syrian Grocery Importing Company
Harking
back to the South End’s days as a Middle Eastern immigrant
neighborhood, this grocery sells southern and eastern Mediterranean
essentials, from preserved lemons to rare Moroccan argan oil.
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270 Shawmut Ave
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Closed Mon
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Unless otherwise specified shops are open daily
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Nightclubs & Bars
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Gypsy Bar
The colorful and sophisticated bar up front becomes a glamorous dance scene in the back.
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116 Boylston St
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617 482 7799
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Closed Sun–Tue
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Adm
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Roxy
This massive two-story dance hall occasionally morphs into a live-performance concert venue for touring acts.
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279 Tremont St
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617 338 7699
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Closed Sun–Thu
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Adm
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Wally’s Café
Exhale
before you squeeze in the door at Wally’s. This thin, chock-full sliver
of a room is one of the best jazz bars in Boston, and has been since
1944.
Wally’s Café
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The Estate
Theater
District alley’s largest dance space throbs with the beats of house DJs
and twice-weekly girl-band performances. Sunday night is a raucous gay
scene.
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Delux Café
Cheap
drinks and an Elvis shrine lend an edge to the trendy scene here. It’s
good clean fun for hipster grandchildren of the beatniks .
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100 Chandler St
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Closed Sun
Delux Café
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Aria
The
lush life: sugar daddies and their stunning trophies get on down amid
red velvet and goth art. Admission on a busy night may depend on just
how hot you look.
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246 Tremont St
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Closed Sun & Mon
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Venu
Music
varies each night of the week, but it’s always the same
Prada-Armani-Versace clad crowd. The Art Deco bar makes for a beautiful
look.
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100 Warrenton St
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Closed Mon & Wed
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Jacque’s
This two-level pioneer drag queen bar features female impersonators on weekdays and edgy rock bands on weekends.
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28 Degrees
Small plates and big martinis fuel this stylish South End spot where the electronica never stops.
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Caprice
Weekend
Latin nights are the signature sets at this South Beach-style
bar-restaurant-club with its extensive cocktail menu. For a calmer
scene, escape the crowds at the downstairs Underbar.
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Most bars stop serving at around 1am from Sun–Thu, around 2am on weekends
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