Best Bars in Boston: Where to Drink with the Best Views This Summer

Boston has always known how to celebrate. Whether you’re a local looking for your next favorite spot or a first-time visitor ready to experience the city in style, the bar scene here does not disappoint. From sleek rooftop lounges in Back Bay to buzzy neighborhood staples in Seaport and Fenway, there’s a perfect pour waiting around every corner, or, in one unforgettable case, 750 feet above it.

This summer, the city’s cocktail culture is hitting new heights. Here’s our guide to the best bars in Boston, featuring the spots that are raising the bar all season long.

Stratus Rooftop Bar at View Boston — Boston’s Highest Rooftop Bar

No list of the best bars in Boston would be complete without Stratus Rooftop Bar, and no bar in the city sets the scene quite like it. Perched 750 feet above Boston atop the Prudential Tower, Stratus is the city’s premier rooftop bar and one of the most stunning places to spend a summer evening.

This summer, Stratus has launched an all-new craft cocktail menu built for warm-weather sipping. Expect bold, sun-drenched flavors designed to match the golden-hour views: signature drinks like the Golden Hour Glow, Cloud Blossom Spritz, Pink Skies, and Limoncello Spritz are just some of the tasty and refreshing menu additions. Each cocktail is crafted to complement the sweeping 360-degree panorama sprawling out in every direction, alongside beautiful Boston views.

As a true outdoor rooftop space, Stratus captures everything that makes Boston summers special. Open daily from 3PM to 10PM, it’s the perfect spot to watch the sun dip below the skyline with a cocktail in hand. Whether you’re arriving for golden hour on a Thursday or heading up for a full night out on a Saturday, your visit is sure to be one to remember.

The vibe is vibrant but relaxed, dressed-up but never stuffy. Stratus draws date nights, birthday celebrations, bachelorette parties, and curious solo visitors alike. And here’s the best part: Stratus is included with your View Boston general admission ticket, making it one of the most impressive and best-value rooftop bars in the city. Want to go all in? Upgrade to the Sips & Sights Experience for one complimentary beer, wine, or signature cocktail included with your visit.

Pro tip: Buy your tickets online in advance and time your arrival for late afternoon to catch both the immersive observation deck experience and golden hour at Stratus. Two unforgettable experiences, one incredible evening.

👉 Buy Tickets Now

Row 34 — Seaport’s Seafood and Cocktail Staple

Anchored in the heart of Fort Point at the edge of Boston’s bustling Seaport District, Row 34 is a beloved neighborhood institution for craft beer lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike. Set inside a beautifully renovated 1908 textile warehouse, the bar buzzes from open to close with a lively, unpretentious energy that feels distinctly Boston. Pull up a stool, order a round of oysters from the raw bar, and settle in. The cocktail and wine list are well-curated, the vibe is convivial, and the crowd is always inviting. A perfect warm-up stop before heading uptown to end the night with a view.

Cisco Brewers Fenway — Island Energy in the Heart of the City

Bringing Nantucket’s legendary “happiest place on earth” energy straight to Boylston Street, Cisco Brewers Fenway is one of the most exciting new bar destinations in the city. Steps from Fenway Park’s Gate D entrance, this year-round beer garden features an outdoor space with live music, Cisco’s classic craft brews on tap, cocktails from Triple Eight Distillery, and garage doors that swing open on warm days for that perfect indoor-outdoor feel. It opens two hours before every Red Sox game, making it the ultimate pre-game hangout.

Marcelino’s Seaport — Craft Cocktails with a Mediterranean Soul

For something truly distinctive in the Seaport, Marcelino’s is a standout. This award-winning cocktail bar brings the bold, layered flavors of the Mediterranean and Middle East to every glass — think inventive concoctions inspired by owner Basel Badawi’s personal culinary journey, with live music, guest mixologists, and an outdoor patio right on the water. It’s intimate, creative, and unlike anything else in the neighborhood.

Lolita Back Bay — Bold Flavors in a Moody Setting

If you’re in the mood for something darker and more spirited, Lolita Back Bay brings bold, mezcal-forward cocktails and a moody candlelit atmosphere to one of Boston’s most walkable neighborhoods. Their agave selection is among the city’s best, and the food is just as good as the drinks.

Make This Summer One to Remember

Boston’s bar scene is packed with personality, creativity, and no shortage of great pours. But if there’s one spot that captures everything that makes this city extraordinary, the history, the energy, the views, the craft, it’s Stratus Rooftop Bar at View Boston.

With a brand-new summer craft cocktail menu, sweeping open-air views, and an atmosphere that feels truly unlike anywhere else in Boston, Stratus is where your summer night out belongs.

👉 Buy your View Boston tickets and experience Boston from the top.

View Boston is located at the Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199. Stratus Rooftop Bar is included with general admission. Open daily 3PM–10PM.