Neighborhood

South End

Rowhouse blocks, wine bars and a jazz club. A two- or three-stop night.

The South End is rowhouse blocks and small rooms, so plan two or three stops, not a big night out, then catch the Orange Line at Back Bay or Tufts Medical Center. In our Beer Index a typical beer here is $9.50.

South End after dark

Top picks in South End

All 14 places · Map · About South End · Getting around

All 14 places in South End

Filter

14 places

Anchovies

BarRestaurantOpen late
Beer from $5

The Boston Globe calls Anchovies, at 433 Columbus Ave, a neighborhood dive bar and a super-affordable Italian restaurant. Some regulars have come for decades. The Infatuation found a pub crowd eating burrata ravioli and clam linguine around 1 am.

433 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116 · 21+Directions · anchoviesbar.com
Late hours per the venue's own site: 4 PM-2 AM; serving food till 1:30 AM (days not broken out on page)
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Prudential · about 6 min walk (estimate)

  • A neighborhood dive bar and a super-affordable Italian restaurant (Boston Globe, 2022) source
  • Some regulars have been frequenting Anchovies for decades (Boston Globe, 2022) source
  • Burrata ravioli and linguini with clams at one in the morning (The Infatuation) source
  • It's hard to have a bad time here (The Infatuation) source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

Aquitaine

BarRestaurant
Typical beer $9.50

Aquitaine is at 569 Tremont St in the South End, a thoroughly Parisian bistro by Boston magazine's account. The room has low lighting, burgundy booths and tiled floors. French classics include escargot, salmon rillette and steak frites.

569 Tremont St, Boston, MADirections · aquitaineboston.com
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Back Bay · about 8 min walk (estimate)

  • Aquitaine is a thoroughly Parisian bistro (Boston magazine) source
  • Low lighting, burgundy booths, tiled floors (Boston magazine) source
  • Seasonal outdoor patio, fromage with a glass of cabernet franc (Boston magazine) source
  • Escargot, salmon rillette, steak frites (Time Out) source
  • Escargot Bourguignon: garlic, parsley, butter & Pernod source
  • Best of Boston winner, 2013 (Boston magazine) source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

Barcelona Wine Bar South End

WineOpen late
Typical beer $9.50Closes 11 PM-1 AMHours on the venue's site

Barcelona is a South End restaurant at 525 Tremont Street. The restaurant says its list of Spanish wines is among the largest in the country. Its wine events feature seasonal paella and passed tapas.

525 Tremont St, Boston, MADirections · barcelonawinebar.com
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources

Hours on the venue's site: Mon-Thu 4 PM-12 AM; Fri 2 PM-1 AM; Sat 11 AM-1 AM; Sun 11 AM-11 PM

DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Back Bay · about 8 min walk (estimate)

  • much more than just a wine bar, Spanish-inspired tapas restaurant source
  • Spanish wine list among the largest in the country source
  • seasonal paella and passed tapas source
  • inventive cocktails and weekend brunch source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

Cathedral Station

BarOpen late
Closes 12 AM-2 AMHours on the venue's site

A gay sports bar and neighborhood pub on Washington Street in the South End that welcomes everyone. It has a bar area, a dining area, a patio and free parking. The pub fare is well executed, from wings to fish-and-chips.

1222 Washington St, Boston, MADirections · cathedralstation.com
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources

Hours on the venue's site: Fri 2 PM-2 AM; Sat 12 PM-2 AM; Mon-Thu 2 PM-12 AM

DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Tufts Medical Center · about 12 min walk (estimate)

  • gay sports bar and neighborhood pub that welcomes everyone source
  • bar, dining area, patio and free parking source
  • took Fritz's place, more spacious source
  • pub fare from wings to fish-and-chips source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

Delux Cafe

Dive bar
Typical beer $9

The Delux Cafe, a small South End dive bar at 100 Chandler Street, reminded Time Out of a 1970s dad's basement bar. Look for an Elvis lamp and strings of fairy lights. It does not take cards, so bring cash.

100 Chandler St, Boston, MADirections · thedelux.com
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Back Bay · about 4 min walk (estimate)

  • Feels like a dad's basement bar in the 1970s source
  • Elvis lamp on the bar, fairy lights all over source
  • First come, first served source
  • No cards accepted source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

Five Horses Tavern (South End)

BarPub
Typical beer $7.25

Five Horses Tavern's South End pub, at 535 Columbus Ave, has nearly 30 beers on tap, with one rotating cask, per The Infatuation. The menu adds tacos and pizzas to the usual burgers and wings. Its menu page lists Hill Farmstead Edward, from Vermont, on draft.

535 Columbus Ave, Boston, MADirections · fivehorsestavern.com
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Massachusetts Avenue · about 4 min walk (estimate)

  • Close to 30 beers on tap, including one rotating cask option (The Infatuation) source
  • Tacos and pizzas in addition to the requisite burgers and wings (The Infatuation) source
  • Hill Farmstead Edward on the draft list source
  • Seats 20 on the patio in good weather (BosGuy, Sept 2013) source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.Listed beer prices

Franklin Cafe

BarRestaurantOpen late
Beer from $5

Franklin Cafe, a South End restaurant and bar at 278 Shawmut Ave, serves its full menu until 1:30 a.m., seven days a week. Boston magazine gave it Best Late-Night Dining in 2010. Most tables are held for walk-ins, with a few bookable in advance on Resy.

278 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MADirections · franklincafe.com
Late hours per the venue's own site: Mon-Sun 5 PM-2 AM; kitchen open til 1:30 AM
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Back Bay · about 11 min walk (estimate)

  • Full menu served until 1:30 a.m. 7 days/week source
  • Best of Boston 2010: Best Late-Night Dining source
  • A mix of after-work chefs, neighborhood night owls, and late-night revelers (Boston magazine, 2010) source
  • A few tables bookable in advance via Resy source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

Frenchie

Wine

Time Out highlights a list of 50-plus bottles from across Europe at Frenchie, a neighborhood wine bar on Tremont Street. The site calls it sit-down and easy-going, with a French-inspired menu. The cooking draws on the owner's family history, Time Out adds.

560 Tremont St, Boston, MADirections · frenchieboston.com
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Back Bay · about 8 min walk (estimate)

  • sit-down, easy-going neighborhood wine bar source
  • French-inspired menu source
  • 50-plus bottle list covering all of Europe source
  • rustic French cuisine from family history source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

J.J. Foley's Cafe

Dive bar

J.J. Foley's Cafe has poured on East Berkeley Street since it opened in 1909. It was once the after-work spot for Boston Herald staff. The bar pours Guinness and other drafts behind dark wood.

117 E Berkeley St, Boston, MADirections · jjfoleyscafe.com
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Tufts Medical Center · about 11 min walk (estimate)

  • Opened in 1909 on East Berkeley Street source
  • Once the Boston Herald staff watering hole source
  • Family-run, Guinness and draft beers, dark wooden bar source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

Metropolis Cafe

Wine
Typical beer $14

Metropolis Cafe, the Mediterranean spot at 584 Tremont Street, calls itself a neighborhood institution for 30 years. Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday 9am-3pm. Time Out likes the fair prices and cozy feel.

584 Tremont St, Boston, MADirections · metropolisboston.com
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Back Bay · about 8 min walk (estimate)

  • a neighborhood institution for 30 years source
  • Saturday and Sunday 9am-3pm source
  • reasonable prices, chic yet cozy atmosphere source
  • dinner, a drink, or just dessert source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

Shore Leave

CocktailOpen late
Beer from $4

Shore Leave is a tiki bar in the South End billed as a subterranean tropical oasis. The tiki cocktail list combines classics like the Mai Tai and Zombie with creative builds. It hosts monthly drag shows and seasonal themed months.

11 William E Mullins Way, Boston, MADirections · shoreleaveboston.com
Late hours per the venue's own site: Bar Thu-Sat 5 PM-1 AM; Tue-Wed 5 PM-midnight
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Tufts Medical Center · about 7 min walk (estimate)

  • Subterranean Tropical Oasis source
  • tiki cocktail program combines classics (mai tai, zombie) with creative builds source
  • mix of Pacific Rim dishes source
  • long, bamboo-accented bar source
  • monthly drag shows and seasonal themed months source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

The Beehive

MusicLounge
Beer from $7.50

The Beehive is a loft-like restaurant, bar and entertainment venue at 541 Tremont Street. It sits next door to the Boston Center for the Arts. The bar has well-made cocktails and solid beer and wine lists.

541 Tremont St, Boston, MADirections · beehiveboston.com
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Back Bay · about 8 min walk (estimate)

  • loft-like restaurant/bar/entertainment venue source
  • next to the Boston Center for the Arts source
  • whimsical textiles, wild paintings and odd objects source
  • Mediterranean-tinged nibbles and communal platters source
  • well-made cocktails and solid beer and wine lists source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

Trophy Room

BarOpen late
Beer from $6Closes 1 AMHours on the venue's site

A South End bar on the corner of Berkeley and Chandler, inside Staypineapple. Order the Chandler Street Burger. You can have a smoky finish added to any cocktail, with a choice of mesquite, apple, pear or oak.

26 Chandler St, Boston, MADirections · trophyroomboston.com
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources

Hours on the venue's site: Fri open 4 PM-1 AM; Sat open 8 AM-1 AM

DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Back Bay · about 6 min walk (estimate)

  • corner of Berkeley and Chandler, inside Staypineapple source
  • Chandler Street Burger source
  • smoky finish on any cocktail source
  • lively brunch on Sundays source
  • everyone is welcome source
  • smoky finish: mesquite, apple, pear or oak source
Checked Nov 9, 2026.

Wink & Nod

CocktailLounge

Wink & Nod keeps a speakeasy spirit with modern flare at 3 Appleton Street in the South End. Time Out calls it a subterranean pseudo-speakeasy. The kitchen is a rotating residency, and a new restaurant group arrives every six months.

3 Appleton St, Boston, MADirections · winkandnod.com
Uber, Lyft, T, specifics and sources
DirectionsUberLyftBy T

Back Bay · about 8 min walk (estimate)

  • speakeasy spirit with modern flare source
  • subterranean pseudo-speakeasy source
  • new restaurant group every 6 months source
  • Scotch Club meets Tuesday evenings with the beverage director source
Checked Nov 14, 2026.

Map: venues and train lines

Map © OpenStreetMap contributors, tiles by OpenFreeMap. Lines and stations: MBTA. Venues without a confirmed address match are not pinned.

About South End

Where to start

The bars keep a small scale: a jazz restaurant and a wine bar on Tremont Street, a tiki bar and a cash-only dive nearby, and a pair of LGBTQ+ bars on the side streets.

Tremont Street. The Beehive is the dinner-and-a-show pick, a live jazz bar and restaurant. It sits beside the arts center. Time Out's verdict on the room is "madly buzzing bohemia".

Barcelona Wine Bar South End is the wine-bar stop, open Friday from 2pm to 1am.

Basement and back-of-the-block bars. Shore Leave is the tiki bar, and it plays up being a subterranean tropical oasis. The entrance is behind the back of CVS. It is closed Sundays and Mondays, so go Tuesday to Saturday.

Delux Cafe is the opposite of fancy, a South End staple. Bring bills, because it is cash-only.

LGBTQ+ neighborhood bars. Cathedral Station is a casual gay sports bar and straight inclusive. Indoors, expect a round of pool or darts.

Trophy Room is on the corner of Berkeley and Chandler, in a hotel. It is the quieter, sit-down end of the pair.

Getting there and home

The Orange Line brackets the neighborhood.

For the Beehive, Time Out points to Back Bay or Tufts Medical Center on the Orange Line. Check Last Train before you head home. The MBTA Trip Planner covers the rest.

Late food

Kitchens here stop well before the bars, so eat first. Cathedral Station serves from 5pm to 10pm. The Trophy Room kitchen closes at 10 pm. Shore Leave's is done by 9:30. For anything later, see Eat Late.

History and background

The South End is a Victorian row-house district.

Prices

In our Beer Index a typical South End beer is $9.50, across 5 bars with a listed price. Prices run $7.25 to $14. How we count.

Cannabis

For adults 21 and over. Downtown / Back Bay / Seaport / Fenway / South End has 7 licensed stores in our Cannabis Index, and an eighth runs about $30. See the Cannabis Index. Data: Glass (glassintel.xyz). Consume only on private property where it is permitted, and do not drive afterward.

Illustration of South End at night

Getting around

Back Bay and Tufts Medical Center on the Orange Line bracket the Tremont Street end of the South End, and Massachusetts Avenue (Orange) covers its southern edge. Silver Line buses SL4 and SL5 run along Washington Street through the neighborhood. Back Bay also has commuter rail. Check the Last Train page and the MBTA Trip Planner on the night, and plan the last leg of the trip.

Sources for this page
Explore other neighborhoods
AllstonCambridgeSomervilleSeaportBack BayNorth ShoreDowntownFenwayJamaica PlainDorchesterSouth BostonEast BostonLowell