We may not be able to travel very far due to the pandemic, but stays are still an option. One way to channel the holiday mood: visit the nearest bar or restaurant on the roof and enjoy the view of the harbor or the sparkling cityscape with a cocktail in hand.
These rooftop bars and restaurants are still open. Many have changed their rules and regulations to ensure a safe and hygienic environment. Some require reservations, others allow walk-ins, but all offer a short break as we prepare for a secluded summer.
Coppersmith
Head to the top deck of this popular Southie eatery, where remote tables and hanging lamps provide a wonderful meeting place. The weekend brunch includes shakshuka, french toast, and egg sandwiches. The drinks menu includes cold beer, wine and cocktails. Coppersmith also offers take-away cocktails in the form of Capri Suns for adults that have a new taste every week. Reservations are welcome and can be made via OpenTable. (40 W. Third St., Boston)
Cunard Tavern
Located in the Jeffries Point neighborhood of East Boston, the Cunard Tavern has expanded its outdoor seating to include sidewalk seating. However, if you’re looking for a rooftop breeze, make your way to the upper deck bar, where you can enjoy dates with bacon, oysters, and fish tacos, plus beer, wine, and cocktails. When you’re enjoying your drinks, you can order a couple to take away – the Cunard Tavern offers take away cocktails like a honeydew melon martini and a frozen, flavorful paloma. Reservations are required (each reservation has a 90 minute limit) and the number of participants is limited to six. (24 Orleans St., Boston)
Daedulus
Find your way up to the rooftop terrace of this Harvard Square restaurant, where lights twinkle at night and plenty of umbrellas provide shade on sunny days. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves burgers, fish and chips, tacos, and quinoa bowls, while cocktails range from Moscow Mules to a Daedalus Smash. Reservations through OpenTable are strongly recommended. (45 1/2 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge)
Deck12 at Yotel
Deck 12, formerly known as the Sky Lounge, offers a view of the seaport from the Yotel roof. Here you will find plenty of comfortable seating and an extensive menu and drinks menu. Caribbean nachos, bifteki, fried chicken sandwiches and Mexican chocolate bread pudding are available as well as sparkling wines, beers and cocktails like the Deck 12 Spritz. Reserve by phone at 617-377-4747 or by email [email protected]. (65 Seaport Blvd., Boston)
Dorchester Brewing Co.
After a massive renovation last year, the Dorchester Brewing Co. was born with a phenomenal roof terrace. Not only can guests enjoy a solid selection of beers, but M&M BBQ, the brewery’s in-house restaurant, also offers a truly top-notch barbecue. The move: Combine a light beer lager with a plate of ribs and a side of coleslaw. Dorchester Brewing recommends reservations, but also accepts walk-in guests. (1250 Massachusetts Ave., Boston)
Felipes Taqueria
In the mood for Mexican food? Visit Felipe’s in Harvard Square, where you can enjoy tacos, quesadillas, burritos and churros on the rooftop restaurant. Combine your meal with a frosty margarita or a refreshing horchata. Felipe doesn’t take reservations so you may have to wait in line for a spell. (21 Brattle St., Cambridge)
Legal harborside
The promenade deck on Legal’s third floor has a retractable roof and walls that provide an airy, sunlight-filled space to sip wine while looking out over the harbor. The menu on the top floor is a bit more concise and consists of shared plates and a separate sushi menu. However, there are 27 wines by the glass as well as cocktails and punch mugs on the drinks menu. Sanitary stations are available throughout the three-story restaurant. Reservations are strongly recommended. (270 Northern Ave., Boston)
Lookout on the roof
The Envoy Hotel’s rooftop bar is an ideal place to enjoy the waterfront views with friends or on a date. The Lookout is open for lunch and dinner and serves classic bar fare – think burgers, truffle and parmesan fries, and chicken legs – as well as a concise cocktail, beer, and wine menu. Watch the sunset with a glass of wine? Sounds like a solid Friday night. Reservations are currently required and can be made here. (70 Sleeper St., Boston)
Pier 6
Charlestown’s Pier 6 has a waterfront rooftop deck where guests can enjoy prawn cocktails and lobster rolls while boats roll across the harbor. Local craft beers are offered on tap, along with wine, frozen cocktails, and concoctions like the Percy Fawcett, made with tequila, jalapeño, lemon, orange bitters, and agave. Reservations are strongly recommended and have a maximum sitting time of 1.5 to 2 hours. (1 8th St., Boston)
[email protected]
This hotel lounge, overlooking downtown Boston, is one of the largest rooftop bars in the city, spanning over 16,000 square meters. Take a seat at the high tables in the bar, on the comfortable sofas or on the lounge chairs with a bourbon-based Saratoga cocktail or a Secret Garden enriched with vodka. For dining, the bar offers snacks such as guacamole and fries and chicken legs, as well as larger products such as lobster rolls and rock steaks. Reservations are required and can be made through OpenTable. (200 Stuart St., Boston)
Six west
This relatively new rooftop bar at the Cambria Hotel Boston opened in South Boston in October and has stunning city views and, if you’re lucky, a panoramic sunset. While the menu is currently reduced as the hotel is bringing staff back, there are still small plates of homemade meatballs, eggplant croquettes, and truffled chicken nuggets, as well as larger entrees like Bolognese and carbonara. To drink, a sixpresso on the rocks with coffee liqueur and cold infusion provides a real dose of caffeine. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made through Resy. They are limited to two hours. (6 W. Broadway, Boston)
The Boston Colonnade
If you go to the roof of the colonnade, their pool is likely to be used. (And rightly so! It’s good.) But while you’re there, head to the Colonnade rooftop bar for strawberry margaritas, mocha mudslides, white and red sangrias, and Aperol spritzers. Hungry? The kitchen also offers a poolside menu that includes turkey wraps, Caesar salad, chicken tenders, and oysters. Hotel members have free access to the rooftop bar and pool. However, non-members must pay $ 45 and make a reservation no more than 48 hours in advance by calling 617-425-3408. (120 Huntington Ave., Boston)
Trillium Fort Point
Trillium’s Seaport branch features a small but mighty rooftop terrace perfect for people-watching while you enjoy a Permutation 16, Channel Charge, and everything else they have to offer that day. The Eastern Standard Pretzel is a solid snack for a nose and comes with Bavarian mustard and warm beer cheese. Reservations are required and can be made on Resy day from 9 a.m. The maximum group size is six and guests must limit their visit to 90 minutes. (50 Thomson Place, Boston)
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