Boston – Around Town : Downtown & the Financial District (part 2) – A Shopping Spree, Bars & Clubs, Restaurants for Luxury Dining

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A Shopping Spree


Morning

The “T” will deposit you at Downtown Crossings, where you can peruse the fashions and accessories at Macy’s. Then check out H&M (350 Washington St) for the latest Euro styles and DSW Shoe Warehouse (385 Washington St)
for fashion shoes at discount prices. The route to Quincy Market down
Franklin Street takes you past the skyscrapers of the Financial
District. Stop at Whippoorwill Crafts (93 Franklin St), which shows the work of 200 craftspeople. Turn left at Post Office Square for lunch at Milk Street Café (Post Office Park). At Water Street, detour left to Borders (10 School St) for a selection of Boston-oriented books and souvenirs.

Afternoon

Stop to enjoy a short rest outside
Quincy Market
 before you begin your spree in earnest. Numerous name-brand shops such as Victoria’s Secret await. For a more local flavor try the Bill Rodgers Running Center (Quincy Market Pl),
which is operated by the champion Boston marathon runner. When you’re
eventually all shopped out, have an early dinner and make new friends at
the communal tables at Durgin-Park (North Market,
617 227 2038). Order the gigantic prime rib and the Indian pudding (a
cornmeal-molasses dish) for dessert. After dinner, laugh it up at the Comedy Connection (2nd floor, Quincy Market, 617 248 9700), where comics perform every night.

Bars & Clubs






A pint of Guinness

  1. Good Life Downtown

    This retro lounge lizard bar-restaurant jumps after work and on weekend nights with downtown execs. Cocktails are top notch.

    • 28 Kingston St

  2. Mojito’s

    This
    vibrant Downtown Crossing nightspot has a lively, Latin music and dance
    scene on the weekends, and an enthusiastic international crowd.

    • 48 Winter St

  3. Times Irish Pub & Bar

    You can usually get a table at this large pub. Settle in for a night of live music and taste some of the 20 beers on tap.

    • 112 Broad St

  4. Felt

    With
    urban-chic style plus 14 pool tables, a club, and a restaurant spread
    over four floors, this is as smooth as it gets in the trendy Leather
    District.

    • 533 Washington St




    Felt

  5. Silvertone Bar & Grill

    This
    surprisingly unpretentious, contemporary jazz bar and casual restaurant
    makes an excellent place to sip good value wine, kick back, and engage
    in intelligent conversation with your neighbors.

    • 69 Bromfield St

    • Closed Sun

  6. Parris

    The
    strobe-lit hardwood nightclub floor beneath the Quincy Market rotunda
    is always heaving at this popular club. Don’t miss the extensive martini
    menu.

    • 1 Faneuil Hall Market Pl

  7. Office Bar & Grill

    The
    testosterone levels are tamped down a bit at this congenial bar near
    Faneuil Hall, where downtown office workers often gather for a pint.

    • 5 Broad St

  8. Parker’s Bar

    It’s
    posh, it’s civilized, and it’s expensive. Relax in a brocade chair, sip
    a single malt, and warm up by the fireplace on a winter’s evening.

    Omni Parker House Hotel

    • 60 School St

  9. Julien Bar & Lounge

    Easily
    the most exclusive watering hole in Boston, the Julien exudes old
    money, which is fitting for the former Governor’s Reception Room of the
    Federal Reserve Bank.

    Langham Hotel

    • 250 Franklin St

  10. Black Rose

    This
    pub has all the good points of a bar in Dublin’s Temple Bar – Guinness,
    Harp, darts – along with the shortcomings (loud music and too many
    tourists).

    • 160 State St




    Black Rose


Unless otherwise specified, all clubs and bars are open daily; most close around 2am

Restaurants for Luxury Dining




  1. Locke-Ober

    Chef-owner Lydia Shire champions rich foods. Boston Brahmins frequent Locke-Ober for the re-imagined American fare.

    • 3 Winter Pl

    • 617 542 1340

    • Closed Sun & lunch Sat

  2. Radius

    Chef and co-owner Michael Schlow creates some of the most explosively sensual New American dishes in town.

    • 8 High St

    • 617 426 1234

    • Closed Sun & lunch Sat

  3. Blu

    Light,
    fresh, delicately nuanced, and artistically presented international
    cuisine is complemented by soaring post-modern architecture.

    • 4 Avery St

    • 617 375 8550

  4. KO Prime

    A contemporary steakhouse in the Nine Zero hotel with over-the-top cuts of prime meat, which are often basted with melted bone marrow.

    • 90 Tremont St

    • 617 722 0202

  5. Mantra

    Indian flavors fused with French technique are found in this hip restaurant where the fine food makes up for the gimmicky decor.

    • 52 Temple Pl

    • 617 542 8111

    • Closed lunch Sat

  6. No 9 Park

    Hobnob
    with Beacon Hill high flyers in this bold bistro over-looking Boston
    Common, where Mediterranean flavors meet an imaginative wine list.

    • 9 Park St

    • 617 742 9991

  7. Teatro

    A glamourous hipster scene prevails at superchef Jamie Mammano’s flashy trattoria, which boasts a killer wine list.

    • 177 Tremont St

    • 617 778 6841

    • Closed lunch

    • No reservations

  8. The Oceanaire Seafood Room

    This former bank retains its marble glamour in its new role as an outstanding seafood restaurant.

    • 40 Court St

    • 617 742 2277

  9. Umbria

    One of star chef Marisa Iocco’s venues, Umbria brings the heart of Italy to the glitzy surroundings of the Financial District.

    • 295 Franklin St

    • 617 338 1000

    • Closed Sun

  10. Grotto

    Hearty
    Italian dishes, such as sweet potato ravioli with roasted chestnuts,
    make for luxury dining on a budget in a brick-walled underground
    setting.

    • 37 Bowdoin St

    • 617 227 3434