4 Best Bars in Beacon Hill and Boston Common, Boston

Right around the corner from the Massachusetts State House, this bar channels speakeasy vibes with jazzy tunes, tasty food, and fantastic cocktails. On Sunday, check out the buffet brunch and drag show; you'll need to reserve a ticket.

This pub—dismantled in England, shipped to Boston, and reassembled—formerly known as The Bull & Finch, later became the inspiration for the now-classic TV series Cheers. Enjoy a burger at the model bar of the Hollywood set and imagine Sam and Diane walking in the door and calling your name. The crowd tends to be heavily tourists, so locals stay away. No children after 10 pm.

With a wall lined in tropical wallpaper and a neon purple sign, this cocktail bar offers a rare nightlife outpost in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, and a trendy one at that. On the menu, the ingredients that make up the drink offerings are just as creative as their names and include such things as butterfly pea flower–infused gin and Aztec chocolate bitters. This place is popular, so reservations are strongly recommended.

Named for the amendment that ended Prohibition, this longstanding convivial pub, right across the street from the State House draws legislators, lobbyists, and neighborhood regulars who trade gossip and insider info over notched wooden tables and beers. The food is surprisingly good.