13 Best Bars in The Seaport, Boston

Tucked away on a quiet street in Fort Point, Spin offers a lively afternoon or evening filled with Ping-Pong, excellent scratch cooking (shared apps to sliders), and great cocktails (lots of nonalcoholic options available); it's 21 and over after 9 pm. Although walk-ins are welcome, reservations are highly recommended if you want to play Ping-Pong (tables are for 2--10 guests). Expect a little bit of neon signage, a little bit of graffiti, and a whole lot of people.

This place is not what you'd expect from a typical sports bar—there are no grungy booths or sticky floors. Instead, you'll find an upscale setting that's very much entrenched in the heritage of local sports, from its design and its Trophy Room (yes, with lots of trophies) to high-def TVs that encircle the main bar. It can be quiet in the afternoons, but once the evenings or weekends roll around, this place gets packed. Chilled oysters, 2 whole pounds of pork belly carnitas, and a lobster roll are just a few of the offerings. If you're a liquor lover, try the select bourbon, whiskey, or tequila on the rocks.

Dinner and a movie has never been easier at this one-stop shop for flicks, food, and fun. Purchase tickets online and select your own, specific, comfy seat, which, incidentally, reclines and has a back warmer in it. Settle in and order a soda, milk shake, or cocktail, a bottomless bowl of real buttered popcorn, and myriad other snacks and meals. The roster of films changes by the day but includes new releases, classics and cult classics, animated films, and some obscure selections only playing at the Alamo.

Not a driver? That's OK, you can still go head-to-head with your friends on a simulated Formula One video game experience; participants must be seven years old to race. Play as a team or as single opponents during 30-minute racing sessions, then recover from all the excitement with some tasty food and a champagne cocktail or craft beer; it's 21 and over after 7 pm. Check the website for frequent F1 Grand Prix watch parties with live commentary.

One of a few locations around the globe, this popular bar that is focused on playing darts was one of the first in town to offer organized socializing with cocktails on the side. The Flight Club's proprietary Social Darts is a technology-based multiplayer game that simulates the well-known dive bar pastime. Playing groups get their own seating area for 90 minutes ($15 per person) and can order drinks and food (sharing plates and flatbread).

Vibes abound at this supper club and live music venue that boasts a Southern-inspired menu, live jazz and R&B music, and an opulent atmosphere. Wednesday jam sessions and Sunday brunch are worth a visit. Fashionable dress is required—no caps, sweats, or sneakers—and there's a per-person entertainment fee added to each check as well as a two-hour maximum seating limit.

This massive bar and restaurant entertains with upscale-style bowling, billiards, air hockey, shuffleboard, foosball, and more. ’80s kids can wax nostalgic while playing the retro arcade games from childhood, including Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros., and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The kitchen makes burgers, wings, tacos, and more.

More than 300 people per show can share a laugh with the local comics and national headliners who take the stage at one of Boston's favorite comedy clubs. Doors are open to anyone ages 16 and older because comedic material is typically R-rated. There's no food or drink minimum, and the bar opens one hour before showtime.

One of the Boston area's favorite homegrown beer makers recently opened this large restaurant and taproom in the Seaport, and beer fans can now quaff exclusive Lord Hobo beers and core faves from the last decade from the 16 rotating drafts. The menu includes sandwiches, tacos, and flatbreads, and there's a massive patio that's open in nice weather. Incidentally, this place is just steps from Harpoon Brewery, making it easy to have a hoppy pit-stop twofer.

Going on two-and-a-half decades, this subterranean hangout called the Fort Point neighborhood home well before any other bar, restaurant, or venue. And like Gloria Gaynor, it has survived, although it gives off decidedly more Rat Pack--era vibes than disco. Lucky's is known for its live music and fantastic food without any of the splash. It's a solid bet for an evening out.

What's better than minigolf, snacks, and drinks? That combination at any time of the year! This bar features tech-forward 9-hole courses (and you don't need a pencil to keep score) complete with hazard traps. Before or after your (approximately) 30 minutes of play, nosh on some shareable apps, flatbreads, or sandwiches. Keep in mind that Puttshack is 21 and over after 8 pm.

You don't have to be a hotel guest to enjoy skyline and harbor views at this seventh-story rooftop bar. The vibe is lively during warmer months, as you might expect, with people crowded on cabana-style bench seating and the occasional fire pit. Premium classic cocktails and seasonal sips (think a frozen lychee "frosee"), and really tasty food mean that you'll go home satisfied. Stop by in the winter for a "snow globe" experience inside heated, transparent geodesic domes.

When it comes to craft beer, a lot of Bostonians get excited about Trillium. Do as the locals do and quench your thirst in the ever-crowded ground-level taproom or sit for a quieter meal upstairs to enjoy a small menu of American fare that's meant to keep you reaching for more. Taps rotate with seasonal and standard Trillium beers, including ciders, sours, and IPAs. It's family-friendly during the day, with live music and trivia at night during the week. There's a fantastic roof deck, which is open seasonally.