Five Places to get Historically-Minded Cocktails in Boston

Here at Ye Olde Tavern Tours, we think beer makes history even better…but we also like to imbibe in a cocktail. Check out these top places that serve up spirits in a historic fashion! #Huzzah

Photo Credit: Liquor.com

1. Ward 8
The only famous cocktail to get its start in Boston is the Ward 8. You can try this drink in a bar with the same name! It borders the North End and TD Garden and has a great summer open-air vibe and late-night menu. The Ward 8 cocktail--a rye whiskey, citrus, and grenadine concoction--is named after a Boston politician from the turn of the 20th century who secured a victory with help from the city’s 8th election ward. Rumor has it that establishments would serve the drink with a miniature Massachusetts flag, though now it’s typically accompanied by a cherry.
 
Recommended Cocktail: Ward 8…obviously!

Photo Credit: Omni Parker House

2. Omni Parker House
What’s better than a hotel bar with history? The Parker House opened in the mid-19th century and has lodged famous Bostonians and travelers alike. Sip a cocktail at the place where famous writers used to gather and JFK had his bachelor party. But watch out for the ghosts… this place is rumored to be haunted!
 
Recommended Cocktail: If you like to drink your dessert, order the scrumptious Boston Crème Pie martini. The pie itself was invented in the Parker House kitchens!  

Photo Credit: Marliave

A few Ye Olde Tavern Tours Guides enjoying dinner at Marliave

3. Marliave
The oldest chef-owned restaurant in Boston is worth visiting for a meal, but it also has a great ambiance and two bars if you’re in search of a historic cocktail. Check out the black-and-white checkered bar on the first floor or head upstairs for a bit more privacy.
 
Recommended Cocktail​: The Boston Tea Party – a mix of tequila, earl grey, ginger beer, and lemon. Yummmm!

Photo Credit: Flagship Photo

4. The Merchant
This brasserie-style restaurant makes its bar the focal point and has a strong cocktail program. Join the happy hour crowd in Downtown Crossing, at the edge of the Financial District, for a craft cocktail that will leave you wanting more.
 
Recommended Cocktail: The menu is constantly changing, but if you’re lucky enough to catch a historical cocktail, you won’t be disappointed! We loved the James Otis's Insanity.

Photo Credit: OAK Long Bar + Kitchen

5. OAK Long Bar + Kitchen
Besides boasting some of the best clam chowder in Boston, the bartenders at OAK Long Bar know what they’re doing.  Right in Copley Square, named after the preeminent portrait artist of late-Colonial Boston, this bar/restaurant of the Fairmont Hotel has been around since 1912. It even housed a merry-go-round back in the 1930s!
 
Recommended Cocktail: The wood-filled room makes us feel traditional – opt for the Oak Old Fashioned or the Real G&T.