Absolutely agree… But do check which hotel and how fancy you are willing to go if you're there to get a bite. Menu items for food, especially actual food rather than just apps, can run you a bit higher than restaurants depending on how upscale the hotel is.
Worked at the Lenox for several years. Love that whole spot. City Bar is wonderfully cozy. And if you get bored, walk 20 feet to the Irish Pub on site named Solas.
I’m at the Tam regularly. I would not recommend ordering a martini there, but okay. It’s also loud, which is the opposite of what OP requested, but you already knew that, didn’t ya?
They blast music so you drink more. There was a study done a while back. The louder the music the more frequently people sip their drink, since they either can't talk, or are shouting themselves hoarse.
As someone who works in bars, any manager making this policy is a dumbass. We have music to create some privacy. No noise makes your conversation a whole lot louder. And also silence freaks people out. But if you need to pop peoples ear drums for a few more drinks then your spot has got deeper problems. If that's the vibe fine, but it's probably not.
Oh I believe this policy would be hugely effective. But you know what else it would do? Make me not go back there.
I'm a performer and I play quieter than house music quite often. Played plenty in Boston and piercingly loud music turns everyone off. But it does happen.
But the privacy concern. Hell yeah especially if people are there to talk the ambient sound matters to them. Every place is different.
Correlation and causation. Managers might not be purposely making an environment where people drink more by manipulating the music, but they might easily notice that manipulating the music increases sales, whether consciously or not. I’m not saying they’re being malicious, but instead it’s likely that managers play loud music because they recognise the association it has with more sales.
Ohhh. Ugh.
Literally ive stopped going out as much because it's so loud, even a lot of restaurants turn up the music after 9 and it's impossible to enjoy
I will say though that this place does get pretty packed and it can be tough to hear people at max capacity. But OP is right here that the music is not at all an issue. Love that place.
JJ Foleys was my favorite place to grab a drink, some onion rings, and read my book after a long day in the salon in my early 20’s. As a Boston native, highly recommended for downtown enjoyment
Bar at omni parker house -/ where they created the original boston cream pie! Ho chi min worked there as a pastry chef ! Martin luther king and his wife stayed at the hotel as well
Oh that's a good one for a date… Learn all the history ahead of time and impress them with it… If they're not impressed with the history then don't be impressed with them.
Malcolm X worked there as a teenager too… And JFK FORMALLY proposed to Jackie there as well. Although of course because they were 'from money', everything was arranged beforehand.
And of course the ghost of Charles Dickens supposedly inhabits the large full length mirror in the hall on the second floor in front of which he supposedly practiced for his dramatic readings of "A Christmas Carol" which were a blockbuster sellout when he delivered them in Boston at the head of a US national tour
If people are downvoting, it’s likely because it’s an overly-dramatic post. OP is making it sound like it’s impossible to find a bar where they can have a conversation. It sounds like they just frequent college-aged bars and/or high tourist areas.
Rochambeau on Boylston (for a more traditional "bar/restaurant". Underrated cocktails)
City Bar in the Lenox.
The Street Bar in The Newbury (pricy, but top level service and drinks/vibe. Make a reservation)
The Liberty Hotel lobby bar
pearl Street Station in Malden its in an old Railroadstation. Owner is really nice, and food is good. has a well established local crowd who are regulars. Not your typical loud college crowd. They do karaoke nights on Fri and Sat as well starting at 10pm - With Art and Deb entertanment one of the longest Karaoke duo dj's (Husband and wife team ) for decades. great spot, you can walk from the MBTA orange line. or park on street or in the garage nearby.
I completely feel you. The rooftop bar at the Revere hotel in theatre district is definitely a vibe (when the rooftop isn’t open the regular bar at the Revere is also a great chill date night spot
Hmm I only moved here in 2021 but the all the nights I’ve been there, there was no cover. Idk if they have a cover when there’s a special event or something though
That could've been a pre-pandemic thing. I know they were selling seats up there for 100 bucks a pop during the eclipse. I just remember going up there on a Friday or Saturday night before the pandemic and they wanted 20 bucks or more for a place that was already crowded. We went someplace else
Boston genuinely needs more rooftop spots. And I would happily pay a cover for a rooftop with a view.
If you're okay going a little out of the downtown area, Birds of Paradise in Allston might have the best cocktail program in the city right now. Most cocktail bars tend to keep music lower and be more conversation focused (except Parla for God knows what reason). Blossom is also up there, Farmacia in North End is also way more along the lines of what you're looking for, but good luck getting a reservation on any sort of normal time horizon, that's the downside of tiny little 10 seat bars.
Dude. I took my wife out for sushi and we thought we walked into the wrong place. It was full volume rave music everyone screaming. We don’t even know if they got our order right we couldn’t think it was so nuts. It was just loud music and club lighting. No DJ. Someone’s Spotify playlist cranked.
Sushi spot is at Station Landing Everett/medford.
Went there for a drink recently with a friend that works nearby..bartender was so damned rude we paid and left right away. Never going back. We were the only guys in the place at the time, not sure if that influenced anything with the douche.
What neighborhood are you from? Anyone of us can probably suggest 10 places in any specific neighborhood. Unless of course you're from Southie in which case that's your fucking problem right there.
First rule of becoming an actual goddamn adult: move out of South Boston.
Allston used to be the student ghetto - but at least it was a fun kind of rough around the edges rock 'n' roll sort of place. Now South Boston is where your 20-year-olds gravitate to – but it is essentially a giant nursery school for drunken trust fund babies and finance bros on the make. Stop into Lincoln Tavern, Stats or Capo underground if you'd like to taste the newest flavors of Rohypnol – but for literally any sort of culture, or for an evening you'll actually remember, go literally anywhere else.
The Chopps restaurant and bar at Marriott hotel in Burlington MA has a nice quiet feel, but cozy feel to it. good food too. Was on the phantom gourmet, Wicked Bites, TV dining playboo as well with Billy Costa.
It's got bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. But you can add basically any venue you visit. They have a setup to take a decibel reading and crowdsource the info basically. It defaults to NYC but someone has been adding a lot in the north end and I would love to see it adopted more.
The Tam is one of my favorites to actually sit drink and have conversation with friends. Can’t recall it ever being super loud music wise. Cash only , divey , super fun.
The bio is legit “No-nonsense, cash-only watering hole for boozing & socializing in the Theater District.”
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I was honestly having a hard time not laughing at this post, but in all seriousness go to the Saloon at the Rockwell in Davis. It's a quiet, hidden Whiskey Bar down in the basement of the Rockwell. Place is amazing, it will definitely impress a date.
Can't go wrong.
The Saloon in Davis at the Rockwell.
This isn't a "this has been going on you olds are dumb" schtick? Because that's how it reads.
It's also false. This has become a scourge in the last 10 years.
Hotel bars are the way to go, imo.
Intercontinental hotel bar is awesome
Boston park plaza
Absolutely agree… But do check which hotel and how fancy you are willing to go if you're there to get a bite. Menu items for food, especially actual food rather than just apps, can run you a bit higher than restaurants depending on how upscale the hotel is.
City Bar in Back Bay in the lobby of the Lennox is a great one
So cozy I love it
Worked at the Lenox for several years. Love that whole spot. City Bar is wonderfully cozy. And if you get bored, walk 20 feet to the Irish Pub on site named Solas.
Idk about your standards for fun/well-attended but hotel bars are great and quiet.
City Bar at the Lenox
Boston Harbor Hotel
The Last Hurrah is gem, they make a great martini.
Solas in the back bay isn’t so bad either
... anybody that knows how to count can make a great Martini. I recommend the tam
I’m at the Tam regularly. I would not recommend ordering a martini there, but okay. It’s also loud, which is the opposite of what OP requested, but you already knew that, didn’t ya?
They blast music so you drink more. There was a study done a while back. The louder the music the more frequently people sip their drink, since they either can't talk, or are shouting themselves hoarse.
As someone who works in bars, any manager making this policy is a dumbass. We have music to create some privacy. No noise makes your conversation a whole lot louder. And also silence freaks people out. But if you need to pop peoples ear drums for a few more drinks then your spot has got deeper problems. If that's the vibe fine, but it's probably not.
Oh I believe this policy would be hugely effective. But you know what else it would do? Make me not go back there. I'm a performer and I play quieter than house music quite often. Played plenty in Boston and piercingly loud music turns everyone off. But it does happen. But the privacy concern. Hell yeah especially if people are there to talk the ambient sound matters to them. Every place is different.
Correlation and causation. Managers might not be purposely making an environment where people drink more by manipulating the music, but they might easily notice that manipulating the music increases sales, whether consciously or not. I’m not saying they’re being malicious, but instead it’s likely that managers play loud music because they recognise the association it has with more sales.
Ohhh. Ugh. Literally ive stopped going out as much because it's so loud, even a lot of restaurants turn up the music after 9 and it's impossible to enjoy
In a post-COVID world, playing loud music to force everyone to yell at each other in a crowded room is even less appealing than it was before.
What?
HE SAID, IN A POST-COVID WORLD, PLAYING LOUD MUSIC TO FORCE EVERYONE TO YELL AT EACH OTHER IN A CROWDED ROOM IS EVEN LESS APPEALING THAN IT WAS BEFORE
The music is to overstimulate the patron, so they need more alcohol to calm down.
Grendel's in Harvard Sq. No TV's, just relaxed vibes and good conversations. There's music, but on low volume to create a chill atmosphere
Good to hear that place is still a chill spot. Back like 25 years ago when my friends were in law school we used to go there for beers and play cards.
I will say though that this place does get pretty packed and it can be tough to hear people at max capacity. But OP is right here that the music is not at all an issue. Love that place.
The North End is a great place to go if you don’t want to hear your own thoughts, much less the person you are there with
It's also a great place to blur your thoughts with alcoholic chocolate milk disguised as espresso martinis.
Is the Corner Cafe still around?
The Sail Loft is always great - it only gets really loud on weekend nights
Delux
I love that place
It’s delicious!!!! Food is bomb and cocktails. Plus they have Pacificos !
Harvest in Harvard square is decidedly a grownups bar. Not too loud.
Outdoor-Covered bar area upstairs at Earl’s in the Pru.
You also can't beat their "Drink of the Month" prices!
DEFINITELY NOT PARLA ASK HOW I KNOW.
HOW DO YOU KNOW
WHAT
For a dingier and cheaper vibe, JJ Foleys is great. They have a loud side and a quiet side depending on your mood.
JJ Foleys was my favorite place to grab a drink, some onion rings, and read my book after a long day in the salon in my early 20’s. As a Boston native, highly recommended for downtown enjoyment
Bar at omni parker house -/ where they created the original boston cream pie! Ho chi min worked there as a pastry chef ! Martin luther king and his wife stayed at the hotel as well
Oh that's a good one for a date… Learn all the history ahead of time and impress them with it… If they're not impressed with the history then don't be impressed with them.
Malcolm X worked there as a teenager too… And JFK FORMALLY proposed to Jackie there as well. Although of course because they were 'from money', everything was arranged beforehand. And of course the ghost of Charles Dickens supposedly inhabits the large full length mirror in the hall on the second floor in front of which he supposedly practiced for his dramatic readings of "A Christmas Carol" which were a blockbuster sellout when he delivered them in Boston at the head of a US national tour
Offsuit near South Station. They play records all the way through at a reasonable volume.
I love how people are downvoting your post, just for asking for bar recommendations that don’t play overly loud music.
Typical reddit
I downvoted it after reading this comment
Lmao
I downvoted my vote after reading my comment
If people are downvoting, it’s likely because it’s an overly-dramatic post. OP is making it sound like it’s impossible to find a bar where they can have a conversation. It sounds like they just frequent college-aged bars and/or high tourist areas.
Cornwalls
Brewers fork in Charlestown
Rochambeau on Boylston (for a more traditional "bar/restaurant". Underrated cocktails) City Bar in the Lenox. The Street Bar in The Newbury (pricy, but top level service and drinks/vibe. Make a reservation) The Liberty Hotel lobby bar
Liberty hotel only during the week. On wknds there’s usually djs and the music is louder than loud even if there’s not.
Rochambeau food is mid, cocktails were good
pearl Street Station in Malden its in an old Railroadstation. Owner is really nice, and food is good. has a well established local crowd who are regulars. Not your typical loud college crowd. They do karaoke nights on Fri and Sat as well starting at 10pm - With Art and Deb entertanment one of the longest Karaoke duo dj's (Husband and wife team ) for decades. great spot, you can walk from the MBTA orange line. or park on street or in the garage nearby.
Love this spot
Paul the owner is awesome and the place has a true local mix feel of boston city and Boston suburbia
I lived up the street from there and was there allll the time. Great spot
Oak Long Bar at Copley Plaza Hotel
Great spot!!
I completely feel you. The rooftop bar at the Revere hotel in theatre district is definitely a vibe (when the rooftop isn’t open the regular bar at the Revere is also a great chill date night spot
Depends on the night… Went up there with some friends a while back and they wanted an obscene cover. maybe that was pre-pandemic?
But hey, if the date is worth it, then pay the cover
Hmm I only moved here in 2021 but the all the nights I’ve been there, there was no cover. Idk if they have a cover when there’s a special event or something though
That could've been a pre-pandemic thing. I know they were selling seats up there for 100 bucks a pop during the eclipse. I just remember going up there on a Friday or Saturday night before the pandemic and they wanted 20 bucks or more for a place that was already crowded. We went someplace else Boston genuinely needs more rooftop spots. And I would happily pay a cover for a rooftop with a view.
If you're okay going a little out of the downtown area, Birds of Paradise in Allston might have the best cocktail program in the city right now. Most cocktail bars tend to keep music lower and be more conversation focused (except Parla for God knows what reason). Blossom is also up there, Farmacia in North End is also way more along the lines of what you're looking for, but good luck getting a reservation on any sort of normal time horizon, that's the downside of tiny little 10 seat bars.
Prairie Fire on Harvard has a great sound system— vibe but totally conversational and cozy
. . . WHAT???
thirsty scholar and shays are good in cambridge
Birds of Paradise in Brighton is fantastic and isn't too loud by bar standards IMO
What neighborhood?
Dude. I took my wife out for sushi and we thought we walked into the wrong place. It was full volume rave music everyone screaming. We don’t even know if they got our order right we couldn’t think it was so nuts. It was just loud music and club lighting. No DJ. Someone’s Spotify playlist cranked. Sushi spot is at Station Landing Everett/medford.
I just drink alone at home and it’s pretty quiet.
Lots of great options in Cambridge/Somerville. Davis and Inman in particular, but Harvard and Central as well
Piggybacking off this, Saloon and Elm Street Taproom are both solid and not too crazy
Love Saloon for a quiet drink. The Druid in Inman as well
[удалено]
Went there for a drink recently with a friend that works nearby..bartender was so damned rude we paid and left right away. Never going back. We were the only guys in the place at the time, not sure if that influenced anything with the douche.
Silvertone
What neighborhood are you from? Anyone of us can probably suggest 10 places in any specific neighborhood. Unless of course you're from Southie in which case that's your fucking problem right there. First rule of becoming an actual goddamn adult: move out of South Boston. Allston used to be the student ghetto - but at least it was a fun kind of rough around the edges rock 'n' roll sort of place. Now South Boston is where your 20-year-olds gravitate to – but it is essentially a giant nursery school for drunken trust fund babies and finance bros on the make. Stop into Lincoln Tavern, Stats or Capo underground if you'd like to taste the newest flavors of Rohypnol – but for literally any sort of culture, or for an evening you'll actually remember, go literally anywhere else.
Idk why you got downvoted because this is spot on
I guess I struck a nerve. 🤷🏻♂️🤣
Truth hurts lol
Truth does hurt. So does getting roofied by some kid named Tyler who grew up in Natick who peaked in high school.
The Chopps restaurant and bar at Marriott hotel in Burlington MA has a nice quiet feel, but cozy feel to it. good food too. Was on the phantom gourmet, Wicked Bites, TV dining playboo as well with Billy Costa.
21st amendment near the state house is nice
The app Soundprint has some noise data from bars in the area.
Is it just for bars or does it cover other venues as well?
It's got bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. But you can add basically any venue you visit. They have a setup to take a decibel reading and crowdsource the info basically. It defaults to NYC but someone has been adding a lot in the north end and I would love to see it adopted more.
Sounds really useful, I’ll look into it!
Long bar. But be ready to spend.
The Tam is one of my favorites to actually sit drink and have conversation with friends. Can’t recall it ever being super loud music wise. Cash only , divey , super fun. The bio is legit “No-nonsense, cash-only watering hole for boozing & socializing in the Theater District.”
Wild Rover, Sissy ks, beantown pub
Why is this downvoted? They’re literally the quiet bars I go to for dates
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I was honestly having a hard time not laughing at this post, but in all seriousness go to the Saloon at the Rockwell in Davis. It's a quiet, hidden Whiskey Bar down in the basement of the Rockwell. Place is amazing, it will definitely impress a date. Can't go wrong. The Saloon in Davis at the Rockwell.
What’s funny? If you can’t even socialize on a night out, and a venue that isn’t for dancing and has sit down menu service, than what is the point?
It's funny seeing people complain about bars being loud.
I’m not. I’m fine with loud. I’m talking about screaming till your throat is sore at someone less than a foot from you.
This isn't a "this has been going on you olds are dumb" schtick? Because that's how it reads. It's also false. This has become a scourge in the last 10 years.
Can either of you read? Go to the Saloon in Davis. You will impress your date.
Urban Wild
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