You'll find numerous things to do in Boston that extend into the night past sundown, as the city is home to a thriving nightlife offering bars, clubs, distilleries, and more. The city has as much life at night as it does during the day, with something fun to enjoy around virtually every corner.

When you explore Boston's nightlife, you'll find all sorts of attractions available to cater to a wide variety of interests whether you're looking for nightclubs, music venues, bars, or some that offer a combination of all 3. Take a look at the best things to do after dinner in Boston.

  • 1

    Tunnel

    Head to a high-end nightclub

    Tunnel
    • Nightlife

    Tunnel is a high-end and sophisticated nightclub where you can enjoy some of the best scenery and service in town, making everyone feel like a VIP. Local DJs here play a mix of house and dance music along with some Top 40 hits.

    Feeling fancy is easy when you visit, thanks to the posh decor and incredible service. Special spirits and cocktails are available, and table service is one of the most popular features available here. You can experience it all for yourself in the Boston Theater District.

    Location: 100 Stuart St, Boston, MA 02116, USA

    Open: Thursday, Tuesday from 11 pm to 2 am, Friday–Saturday from 10 pm to 2 am (closed Wedenesday,Sunday–Monday)

    Phone: +1 617-357-5005

    Map
  • 2

    House of Blues Boston

    Catch a show at a legendary concert venue

    House of Blues Boston
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    The House of Blues Boston is an iconic concert venue just like the other House of Blues locations across America, featuring a restaurant and bar in addition to live performances. Great care is taken here to make sure that the live performance experience is as rewarding as possible by offering top-quality sound and excellent views for every visitor.

    In addition to the music, you'll find a restaurant and bar here serving delicious food with a Southern-inspired menu. The full bar also has just about every drink the average person can imagine, so you can be sure you'll find something to your tastes. It's located right by the park in Fenway–Kenmore.

    Location: 15 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215, USA

    Open: Daily from 4 pm to 10 pm

    Phone: +1 888-693-2583

    Map

    photo by Achim Hepp (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 3

    Royale Boston

    Discover a local mega-club

    Royale Boston
    • Nightlife

    Royale Boston is a mega-club where you'll find an immense amount of space that includes a balcony, a grand staircase, and an inviting dance floor. The decor is notably upscale, seeking to separate itself from the small and dark aesthetic of typical Boston nightclubs.

    When you visit this club, you'll find a full bar accessible as well. Just make sure you get a drink before hitting the dance floor because once you're there, you won't want to leave. You can get to this nightclub by heading to the south side of the Boston Theater District.

    Location: 275 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116, USA

    Open: Friday–Saturday from 10 pm to 2 am (closed Sunday–Thursday)

    Phone: +1 207-229-6900

    Map

    photo by digboston (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 4

    Bully Boy Distillers

    Try craft cocktails

    Bully Boy Distillers
    • Nightlife

    Bully Boy Distillers is a renowned distillery that offers unique cocktails and has built a reputation for smooth whiskey, gin, rum, and vodka. You'll find a vast array of drinks and cocktails available, but no matter what you order, they're all designed to let the spirits themselves shine.

    When you visit this distillery, you'll notice that it has a more relaxed and quiet atmosphere rather than the party vibe of many nightlife spots in the city. Typically, it's frequented by cocktail aficionados above all else. You can try it for yourself on the north side of Dudley / Brunswick King.

    Location: 44 Cedric St, Boston, MA 02119, USA

    Open: Thurday–Friday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Saturday from 1 pm to 11 pm, Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm (closed Monday–Wednesday)

    Phone: +1 617-442-6000

    Map
  • 5

    The Grand Boston

    Experience a transcendent nightclub

    The Grand Boston
    • Nightlife

    The Grand Boston strives to transcend the typical nightclub experience, letting you enjoy luxury at every turn with live music and posh opulence. The live music here is unbeatable, with DJs working with state-of-the-art sound systems in a set designed for acoustics.

    The kinetic lighting system and LED wall coupled with the lustrous dance floor create the feeling that you're dancing on lights and make it easy to feel the music. Experience it for yourself around the north side of the Seaport District.

    Location: 58 Seaport Blvd #300, Boston, MA 02210, USA

    Open: Thursday from 10 pm to 2 am, Friday–Saturday from 9.30 pm to 2 am (closed Sunday–Wednesday)

    Phone: +1 617-322-0200

    Map
  • 6

    Lookout Rooftop Bar

    Enjoy a drink with a view

    Lookout Rooftop Bar
    • Nightlife

    Lookout Rooftop Bar at The Envoy Hotel lets you grab an after-dinner drink and enjoy a remarkable view of the city, and if you're still hungry, you can grab an extra bite here, too. The drink list is especially comprehensive, sporting items like sangria and plenty of local beers available all year long, though there are a few seasonal specialties.

    When you visit this rooftop bar, you'll find yourself at a stunning viewpoint that lets you look out into the harbor and see a view of the skyline that's good enough to put on a postcard. You'll find it all right across the Fort Point Channel from the Waterfront.

    Location: 70 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210, USA

    Open: Tuesday–Wednesday from 4 pm to 11 pm, Thursday–Friday from 4 pm to midnight, Saturday from 2 pm to midnight (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

    Phone: +1 617-530-1538

    Map
  • 7

    The Black Rose

    Visit Boston's premier Irish pub

    The Black Rose
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    The Black Rose is an authentic Irish pub that lets you enjoy pints and traditional Irish fare well into the night in a welcoming atmosphere. When you visit, you'll find plenty of drinks on offer, but Guinness is by far the most popular, for obvious reasons.

    This beloved institution is known for its food, which you won't want to miss out on even if you've already had dinner. Small bites are available, but you can try larger Irish dishes as well. Plus, you can enjoy it all with the accompaniment of live Irish music every night. It's all located downtown close to the waterfront.

    Location: 160 State St, Boston, MA 02109, USA

    Open: Monday–Wednesday from 11.30 am to 11 pm, Thursday–Friday 11.30 am to 1 am, Saturday from 10 am to 1 am, Sunday 10 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +1 857-465-4100

    Map

    photo by Glenn Beltz (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 8

    Drink

    Check out a menuless bar

    Drink
    • Nightlife

    Drink is a unique bar in Boston that doesn't have a menu but rather allows you to just tell the bartenders exactly what you want. This establishment is a popular den of hospitality that has developed a reputation for stunning service and top-level drinks.

    When you visit this bar, the staff will ask what they can make for you. You can be as specific or as vague as you like, and they'll serve you up something special-made for you. You can get to this bar in the Seaport District among the wave of high-rises.

    Location: 348 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210, USA

    Open: Wednesday–Saturday from 5 pm to 1 am (closed Sunday–Tuesday)

    Phone: +1 617-695-1806

    Map
  • 9

    Wilbur Theatre

    See a show at a historic theater

    Wilbur Theatre
    • History
    • Nightlife

    Wilbur Theatre is a performing arts venue with a long history that showcases all sorts of performances, including concerts and comedy acts. It dates back to the early 20th century when it opened in 1913, and it's officially on the US National Register of Historic Places with its Colonial Revival-style glory.

    The performances here are typically big names, but it can only seat a little over 1,000 people in total. The exact capacity depends on whether or not the tables and seating in the orchestra area are removed. See it all for yourself in the Theater District.

    Location: 246 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116, USA

    Phone: +1 617-248-9700

    Map
  • 10

    Havana Club

    Go dancing

    Havana Club
    • Nightlife

    Havana Club lets you keep it simple with a night of whirling and twirling that focuses on group and partner salsa and bachata dancing. When you visit, you can enjoy a dance party that stretches long into the night, but you can take lessons for an hour before the proper party starts just to make sure you're doing everything right.

    This venue is one of the biggest salsa and bachata dance venues in the city, so you can expect large crowds when you visit, and there's always someone to dance with even when you're traveling alone. You'll find it conveniently located in Cambridge a few miles west of downtown.

    Location: 288 Green St, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

    Open: Monday–Tuesday from 8 pm to midnight, Thursday 8.30 pm to 1 am, Friday–Saturday from 9 pm to 1 am (closed Sunday and Wednesday)

    Phone: +1 617-312-5550

    Map