Backbar is and excellent drinking spot if you love cocktails and want to enjoy a fancy drink without being required to wear fancy clothes or deal with pretentious staff. The bartenders and waiters are super knowledgeable and friendly and make you feel welcome no matter your alcohol knowledge. They'll even keep your water glass full! They're happy to give recommendations and will tailor their suggestions to your tastes. There's excellently addictive ranch popcorn available as a snack here (and some small food items available from 5-10pm), but you should really come focused on drinks. Every drink we had was excellent and everyone has different tastes so I'll refer you to the bartenders for their excellent recommendations instead of trying to list my favorites. read more

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This place is really hidden in an alley since it was a speakeasy. Enter two doors from the alley and you will find this really cool place. I liked that everyone was seated at the bar or table, it made the atmosphere really comfortable because there wasn't people crowding around you. We got there around 9.25 and there was a half an hour wait for a table of 2. By the time we got back around 10, the wait for other people were an hour long. They have a really interesting drink list and you can also ask the bartender to customize a drink for you if you can't find something you like. I was debating between the milk punch or the drink of the day. I ended up ordering the drink of the day, a rum based honeydew drink that was sweet and fruity. read more

What a fantastic hidden Boston spot! Bartenders for years in Los Angeles and this place stands up to any of those. Funky space with cool decor and bar, gets busy on weekends, drinks are inventive and delicious! read more

My lady and I have been here several times to end date night and have always had a wonderful time. The drinks are adventurous and tasty (including the fun trust-the-bartender options!), but the real kicker is the service. Lexis (spelling?) and the co-owner Sam were the ultimate hosts last time we went, really making us feel welcome and comfortable. Can't wait to go back! Thanks, all!! read more

Has a speakeasy feel. Cool place to sit and enjoy a few cocktails. You'll want to get here early as space fills up quickly. When I arrived at around 6:30pm, I was able to put my name on a waiting list. You have the option to leave your phone number and get a text when your table is ready, or you can stay and wait. I was offered a sample of a rye cocktail while waiting, which was nice. After waiting only about 15 minutes, we were seated on the couch. I got the Hurricandy, a twist on the traditional Hurricane, and the Boston cocktail, a drink with gin and brandy that tasted both sweet and sour. Overall, I enjoyed the experience and would come back. The only downside was that sitting on the benches nearest the entry was a little uncomfortable. However, I could imagine staying longer and maybe trying some of the small food plates if I was seated at the bar or a larger table. read more

backbar - entrance to the bar in the alley next to Bronwyn - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

cute spot that is star wars themed with unique cocktails. don't know what you want? just let them know what you're preferences are. the wait can be a bit tiresome and sometimes can become super long if you come at a busy time (once waited about an hour) read more

My favorite bar in Boston! I like the speakeasy ambiance and the natural light come down through the windows. The bartenders are so nice and they are willing to customize your drinks base on your needs. I was there in a Saturday afternoon. It's really chill and not too crowded. They also has a whiskey tasting room for people who love pure whiskey so much. Anyway, it's a go to place for me if I want to show the coolest bar in Boston to my friend. read more

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Cool spot hidden in the back of Union Square. Perfect for a cocktail and the hipster Somerville feel. The interior has lots of cool artwork and an open layout. Drinks are creative and they have many specials you should ask the bartender about! I would go early as it can get crowded. It opens around 4:30pm. Probably try to hit it before 7:00pm. The one thing I knock it down for is that there food menu is definitely lacking. I would not recommend the squid gazpacho which I mistakenly ordered. Go here either before or after dinner and you'll love it. Just don't rely on their small food menu. Overall: worth checking out if you're in Union Square. read more

I'd avoid this place...had three different cocktails and none of them were very good. Atmosphere was very disturbing...had to show vaccine cards at the door, and stand around awkwardly before we were finally shown to our seats despite standing in line previously. read more

I've been here before so I thought i knew the system, and after waiting in the hallway for a while and asking a few people if they were hosts (they ended up just being people waiting for the bathroom) I walked in and found a big empty table. minutes later, i was asked to leave because there had been a party ahead of me. so i left, and then there were some people in the hallway who were like, uhh, i dunno i think she was before me in line? and the host was looking at me like she was going to seat me after she had just asked me to leave? it was so awkward. read more

Wander down that alley. Unmarked door on your right...is this a service entrance? Keep going down the hallway, pass the bathrooms, pass the wine cellar, until you reach the opening. You've arrived at backbar. Graffiti spilling over the walls, chalkboard paint menus announcing drinks of the week, Edison lights casting the perfect industrial din, lower lounge seating in the back gives way to a small bar and high tops along the back corner. Everything about this feels right. For being somewhat of a "hidden" bar, there's none of the pretention you'd be expecting. Shouldn't I feel like an imposter? Nah, too busy enjoying their spot-on Old Fashioned, sampling their Milk Punch of the week (expect neither milk, nor punch and you'll be pleasantly surprised) or popping the complimentary spicy caramel popcorn. I'd recommend this as a pre or post option when heading to dinner in Union. It's served as a comfortable place to grab a drink while waiting for a table at Bronwyn to open up, or as an after dinner go to in the area. You can't go wrong on menu or off with cocktails. Undecided? The bartenders know their stuff and give great suggestions if you can pick a spirit or drink you've liked in the past. They even have mocktails (much appreciated by a Mommy-to-be friend on a recent night out). Anxiously planning my next trip around their Genius Hour. Who doesn't love ramen? read more

WHY HAVE YOU NOT BEEN HERE YET?? I'm sorry about the yelling, but seriously, that is how strongly I feel about this place. The answer is probably that you didn't even know that this speakeasy style bar has been in existence for months, tucked away down an alley and behind an orange door in Union Square. Seven-thirty on a Friday and we begin our adventure setting out to discover this hidden gem. The walk down the hallway after the first door had me feeling a little iffy, but my spirits lifted as soon as we walked into the actual bar. I feel sort of like I'm in a forgotten room of a warehouse that's being used as a barn. Super high ceilings, one wall is painted brick, the others are painted with chalkboard paint. Sleek metal barstools and glass high top tables mingle seamlessly with low rows of banquets facing tables made of unfinished wooden boards. When we first took a seat, the small bar was full, but there were only two other tables with people. A few hours later every other table in the place was either occupied, or had a 'reserved' sign. So call ahead, or better yet, get there early. Even as they got busy we had attentive service. Our water glasses were always full, we never waited long for the next round of drinks to appear and we never felt rushed. At one point I wondered out loud to my friends if they would try to make us leave, given that we were monopolizing a table for going on three hours with mainly only drinks. Our keen eared server stopped by to assure us we should take our time and stay as long as we wanted. The house drink of the day was a Bee's Knees made with rosemary infused gin. Um, YES PLEASE. It was delicious. But how could I not try the Union Mule a gin & ginger beer combination that has in one evening stolen my heart from that other gin mule drink that originated in some other Somerville restaurant. This mule is more spicy than sweet, with just a little heat. We ordered the cheese board, which was three different varieties served with some dried fruits, nuts and, jackpot, an appropriate amount of bread that was warm, soft and just a little crusty. So many places get the bread wrong, but Backbar got it perfect. As they did almost everything else throughout the evening. read more

This is my new haunt. The bartenders are awesome, good conversationalists, amazing mixologists. I told a guy what i wanted, not even a flavor but a feeling, and he sends me back probably the best drink I've ever had. "What is this?" I ask. "I just made it up" he replies. $7. I'll never taste it again but isn't that one of the greatest ways of experiencing art? Ethereally? Ephemerally? They've never served me something bad. The things I haven't loved were experiments and were still fucking good. Fuck. I love this bar. I've never been blown away by the food but they can't *wait* to give you a complimentary cup of caramel popcorn. the bread is literally cold bread and butter, but the super-grainy one is tasty. If you guys at backbar are looking at these, make the croque monsieur crunchier (croquier?). I always want to try the fois gras sandwich but I don't like liver and I've never had fois gras but i've heard about it and how it's made and like, I really want to know what could possess generations of people to keep doing that. I love the decor of the place, too. The brick walls, obviously the side of the building the space was built against, is covered with a rainbow of grafitti, and the high, giant chalkboard menus are done in nifty art deco that guys like me who spent 100% of our formative years around single mothers just LOVE. Also, everyone who goes here is great looking. Literally everyone. I've never seen an unattractive person at backbar. The other night two ravishing women in black dresses came in together and struck up a conversation with me. This place works miracles, I tell you. It could be the lighting, which by nightfall is a notch above midnight in Montana (they have an awesome skylight) but I think only cool people are allowed to know about this pace. Count yourself lucky, loser. read more

This is pretty much my favorite addition to Union Square as of right now. Fancy cocktails adorn the drink menu, or if you give the bartenders an idea of what types of things you like, they'll fix you up something amazing. I tried a drink off the menu, and then let the bartender fix me one based on things that I typically like, and I loved the one he fixed for me. It was like a dirty grapefruit gin martini.....um, how could I not? It sounds like the perfect drink for me! I haven't tried any food here, but the bar bites menu has some great snacks, like spicy caramel corn (with the option of adding bacon) or charcuterie. The late night menu featured "bunny nuggets" when we were there, which let me tell you, I would love to get drunk and order. Staff here is amazing, ambiance is wonderful, and I pretty much can't think of a thing I'd change. I'll be back again soon! read more

Awesome drinks and atmosphere. Definitely would go again. Just one thing I wish they made clear - they put a 20% service charge which isn't made clear what it is. This is to cover tip for the staff and so you don't need to tip. I like the idea but should be made clear upfront. read more

Hidden gem of Somerville! Speakeasy tucked in a little alley, bit difficult to find, but that's part of the experience! Backbar has AMAZING staff. Our bartender was very knowledgable and answered all of our questions. Super friendly and open to discussing their love for cocktail concocting! We got the Assam Mr. T and Amber apple cocktails. Both drinks were very good and had a hint of cinnamon spice to it. If you're into Belgian style wheat beers, recommend the Whitbier (I forget the whole name). It's similar to Bluemoon, but lighter and citrusy! They have a lot of interesting cocktails that incorporate Japanese whiskey, unconventional rums, and high-end whiskeys like Laphroaig. Reasonably priced as well - about $12 for cocktails. About 8 or so table/sofa spaces and some bar space as well. Best for parties of 2-4. I'm so happy to have found a speakeasy near Somerville/Medford! Check 'em outtt :) read more

Once you find this place, you really do have to wait at the sign for the host to come give you a seat. It took 5 minutes for this to transpire and I started to have second thoughts since we've never been here before. I'm glad I waited because it's actually refreshing to be seated at ....actual seats rather than going into a little hip bar and wandering around not finding a spot. Or when you are sitting enjoying your artisanal cocktail and are being distracted by non-seated people wandering/hovering around looking at you enviously. I love a good cocktail. They make them here. Nice art, music, ambiance. read more

Every now and again, one hits a jackpot with a place that is absolutely cool. Such was the case when we literally ran into Backbar for pre-dinner cocktails. While I would admit that its location through an alley and a non-descript hallway was a cool novelty, I was glad that the place itself was not pretentious and had talented staff that clearly enjoy what they do. The cocktails were inventive with some requiring lots of courage (chicken fat on your drink, anyone?). I opted for a drink called the Green Courage which consisted of olive-oil infused gin and mint - unbelievable! Since we had dinner plans, we didn't wanna fill up on food, but we did wise up and ordered a bowl of warm olives which took these babies to a whole new level. I would tell you more about the subsequent cocktails I had but I don't want you to think less of me based on how much I drank so do yourself a favor and go to this place already! read more

bottom line: 2 of the best cocktails I have ever experienced. If I could give backbar 4.5 stars, I would. That being said, stick with the drinks, be sure to chat with your server, and it will be a 5 star experience. I started off with the drink of the night, they called it a nutty norumbega. It was AMAZING (perfectly balanced: mezcal, lemon juice, st germain, and peanut syrup or peanut something). The second I ordered was the roffignac, and it was just too sweet for my taste. Thankful, one of the servers was attentive enough to see me browsing the menu for another option and helped me arrive at my second drink, with just the hints that I prefer dry and herbal drinks and really enjoy gin. What arrived was very cool (gin, bit of st germain, celery bitters, and I think there was something else), and I really appreciate being allowed to swap what I originally ordered for something that better suited my tastes, and ended up really enjoying. The funky, industrial vibe is very neat. The layout of seating and the bar is so well thought out. I sincerely appreciate the care that goes in to preventing the place from getting too crowded... you can actually have some room to breathe. I, unfortunately, was not thrilled with my snack experience. The house pickles were great but the carrot hot dog was odd. It's a bit cheeky, to give a vegetarian a roasted carrot in a bun and call it a hot dog, but it was not great - as the pickled veg. were. The other meat-centric bites might have been pleasing, but I am not concerned with those. read more

backbar is an excellent cocktail bar/speakeasy hidden away in a back alley through an unassuming door with a small sign and then another dark hallway. I doubt anyone who hasn't heard of it through word of mouth or the internet would ever stumble upon it, which is a really cool and interesting marketing strategy, if you want to call it that. My friends and I came here at about 6pm on a Friday; there were a few people in there but it was still pretty quiet. By 7pm it had filled up completely but never got so loud that we had trouble hearing each other. The decor is a mix of modern & hipster (rectangular tables with raw wood blocks, industrial wood & metal, relaxed yet upscale decor) as well as nerdy; there' a lot of Star Wars decorations, including a fully constructed lego Millenium Falcon. There's a partially-cracked skylight as well, which is nice for keeping the place well lit before the sun sets. Our server was pleasant, eager to answer questions, and appropriately dressed (raw denim apron with leather straps). The drinks were all $12 and all really well done. We liked some more than others, but their menu descriptions were very accurate and their execution was excellent. I would especially recommend the Love Child if you like tart, fruity cherry or the 'Lil Hook if you prefer a smooth, complex whiskey drink. The food selection was minimal (maybe 5 items) but looked good; the spicy chicken sandwich was surprisingly large and very delicious. Overall a great spot that I would love to visit again. read more

Hands down one of the best bars in Boston. Wish there were more places like this, the mixologists here actually know their stuff. Came for Sunday Funday for a drink and instead had a few drinks and some appetizers. Backbar is very cozy and small. I like how they are kind of in the alley and hidden, very NYC-ish. I don't know how the crowd is during weekends (Fri/Sat) but Sunday it was a mature crowd. Definitely not people trying to get wastey faced but have intelligent or romantic conversations. Drinks - I had something gin based and it was DELICIOUS! Mixologist prepared my drink very well and it tasted like yummy juice. It gets pretty dangerous cause the drinks are actually strong but you just can't tell! The boyfriend ordered something spicy with mezcal and he just loved how the drink was spicy and full of flavor. Our drinks were literally the perfect drinks. We had several rounds of the same drinks because we loved it so much. Appetizers - Pork buns and eggplant buns. Both were great but my favorite was the eggplant. Who knew eggplant buns were delicious? I'd definitely come back here again. Probably not on a weekend though since it seems from other reviews that the wait is ridic. So happy I finally checked this place out! read more

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Recommended to us by a transferred Brooklynite, we entered with some trepidation vis-a-vis mega hipsterness. That said, my icy barrier was immediately thawed at the sight of "Green Mars" on the girl maitre d's stand. A place where sci-fi floweth free is a good place to be. A cool, shady entrance that makes you feel like you're sneaking into the back of the school gym, or into a scene from a Martin Scorsese gangster film (probably one where Joe Pesci kills someone with a Bic pen), with exposed brick and graffiti - plus plus. More pluses: while we waited some 15 mins. and admired the hanging stalks of prosciutto leg dangling from the ceiling (sci-fi AND Italian?! be still, my heart), we were given what I like to call FREE ALCOHOL. i.e. Alcohol that was free. I think we had little thimbles of Union Mule. So glorious. Already John Sayles visions. Next up: FREE CARAMEL SPICY STUFF POPCORN. More pluses. We are maxing out on pluses. Next next: we managed to get through a couple heavy-duty, fancy schmancy cocktails and then, in a fit of drunken complete lack of ethics, ordered the "bunny mcnuggets" from the Late Night Food Menu. Oh, how my heart and mind quailed at what I was eating. BUNNIES?! (But, oh, how my tummy loved it...) So, after getting properly bulldozed by the tasty cocktails, and then having our hearts smashed by eating bunny bits, it was time to end the night. With one promise to ourselves... A SWIFT RETURN. read more

Super hidden gem of a bar. Hidden off the street, through a non-descript hallway when I walked in here I didn't feel like I was in Somerville anymore. Creative cocktail menu small enough not to overwhelm you including the delicious Manhattan remix The Model-T as well as the good old Boilermaker. Was pretty quiet and intimate on a Thursday night with some good tunes (Smiths, Joy Division) playing on the PA. Nice addition to the neighborhood. read more

I went here on Saturday with a friend to try one of their 10 daily ramen noodle bowls. We got there a few minutes before they opened at 4 pm. They were very accomodating and friendly about letting us sit down and hang out until they opened. By 4 pm, most of the 10 bowls were already spoken for, so don't show up late. The ramen here is the shoyu style (soy sauce based). I tend to like that a lot more than the tonkotsu type (pork broth), which I always find a little too heavy. That's why I have yet to hit up Yume Wo Katare. Anyway, the broth was flavorful, the beef was tender, the soft boiled egg was silky and delicious, and the noodles were perfect. I was really happy with everything. Next time, I'll do as my friend did and wait until I'm halfway through my ramen before breaking into the egg! We also got two drinks each. We alternated between two of their drink specials: the Angel Martini and the Salsa Verde Milk Punch. I loved the Angel Martini and plan on making these at home. It's basically a gin martini that doesn't burn at all. Equal parts Wire Works Gin from GrandTen Distilling in Southie, Angelica Root Liqueur from GTD, and Dorin Dry Vermouth with a lemon spiral. It was really excellent. I also loved the milk punch (which does not look anything like milk). It had mezcal, herbs, citrus, pineapple, and a bunch of other stuff I don't remember. I didn't pay attention, because there's no way I'm going to attempt to make this at home. I really loved this tiny bar. There isn't much room to stand, so I'd be afraid to make the trek to Union Square for this place alone. But I have been told that you can make reservations for tables here. Good to know! I'll be back. read more

Good cocktails/ interesting decor; really mediocre ramen. According to reviews, the ramen at Backbar is so good that the kitchen runs out of this dish on a regular basis. Thus, we headed to Backbar in anticipation of the highly hyped ramen, only to be let down by the tasteless clumps of noodles in a bland broth. The tonkatsu ramen was very disappointing, to say the least. In blind faith, I continued halfway through the bowl, hoping that the taste or quality would improve, but the bowl of ramen had very few positive points. Some redeeming points of the ramen included the bamboo shoots and egg, but bamboo shoot is a standard staple that's readily purchased. The spicy caramel popcorn hit the right notes with its combination of warm spices and hint of bacon, but the touted ramen was a supreme letdown. However, the ginger citrus cocktail was fresh and delightful, so I'd recommend heading here for the cocktails, but definitely not for the ramen. read more

While I appreciate a well-crafted cocktail, this space was beyond my capacity of appreciation. The menu has just enough food to allow for the place to stay open by Massachusetts Law, but not enough for me to feel compelled to make this a destination. That being said, this is in no way a reflection of the bartenders ability to craft a solid cocktail. The cocktails are well-made and the ambiance delivers that super-hipster vibe that is promised. The seating is less than comfortable (especially if you get stuck with a stump and get kneed in the back every time someone makes tracks to the bar) and the turnover on tables makes for a wait if you arrive during peak hours. We got lucky and two tables emptied to allow for our party of six to sit together, but it was squished. We stayed for one drink and then beat it. I think that this is a good spot to stop in to appreciate a solid cocktail, perhaps to cap the night after a good meal elsewhere. read more

I've just recently come here for the first time but wow I'll be back. It's so small and comfy and quirky. And they have a really large variety of cocktails. I'll admit I like the "girly" fruity stuff and they had a solid 5 or 6 drinks that I was struggling to choose between, in addition to the non-fruity drinks that my date was choosing between. Can't wait to come back and try more! read more

Came here about a month ago to try the cocktails. First off, has a bit of a speakeasy feel to it as the entrance is basically the back door to the building. Backbar has a neat interior, accompanied by a stylish wood fixture which holds a plethora of liquor bottles and various pop culture references around the bar that pair nicely with the drink menu. Speaking of the drink menu, each cocktail has a theme to it which adds some liveliness to choosing. I tried the Dumbledore's Office, the Paper Crane, and the Queen of Sheeba. The first two were a bit sweet for my taste although the Queen of Sheeba (a coffee-flavored concoction) was delicious without being too sweet. I believe the drink menu changes quite often so will be sure to return and try out Backbar's new offerings. read more

The barely-marked alleyway entrance and subsequent hallway to reach backbar is a welcomed approach to subtlety rarely seen 'round these parts. Once inside, nothing about the drinks or service at backbar were subtle, and I mean that in the best way possible. The bartender possessed a certain Adderall-y enthusiasm that I vibed with, despite being relatively exhausted and it being Monday. Between a knock-out milk punch feat. pomegranate molasses and a torched fluff-scented whiskey cocktail, I had to try the sweet & spicy popcorn. It superseded all expectation and hype, and from this point forward, these will be the only iterations of milk and popcorn I consume. I don't really want you to go here, but I'd feel like a real jerkhole if I didn't make it rain praise on this spot. Get the milk punch. read more

Absolutely delicious drinks and super friendly staff! While we were waiting for a table they gave us a "door cocktail" which was half a glass of a delicious peach whiskey sour. The atmosphere was fun and hipster. Everybody said it would be hard to find but the door was clearly marked. read more

The Pros: Love the interior design! Beautiful skylight and plants! Cocktails were great. Staff was very friendly. Cons: I went to backbar because I heard the Ramen was so super amazing that they frequently run out of it. However, the ramen was a huge disappointment. It was extremely bland. I don't think I ever had to add salt to ramen before. And I added a lot. I even paid extra to add chili oil and it still lacked flavor. Too bad. I really wanted to like it. read more

To say this is a top knotch place would an understatement. After hearing that the owners of backbar come from Drink, my favourite cocktail bar in town, I rushed here to check it out. A word of caution: make sure to walk through the orange door, because we rushed into Journeyman instead and confused most of the patrons. The night started off with popcorn with cayenne pepper, paprika and a touch of sweet, and finished with a house made Cachaça and shandy. The milk punch was great, the music was lovely and the calibre of cocktails were beyond the small price that they are charged for. The only caveat is the horrible utilization of space, but that's likely to make sure everyone feels comfortable. It meant we had to wait for quite some time on a Thursday night, but also getting a dark rum, ginger and lemon shot to kickstart the night. read more

I rarely make trips to Union Square in Somerville, as I'm not a big fan of buses and there is no nearby T, so my choices are left with walking, driving, or biking. Driving it is. I headed out to backbar before a friend's album release at the new Cafe Tango down the street. I have had backbar on my go-to list for a bit now, after it's opening in late 2011. It is the slightly-younger sister of Journeyman, a tasting-menu restaurant run by foodie-friends focusing on seasonal ingredients. backbar has recently been in the news a few times, having their bartender Sam Treadway winning Boston's best bartender award and being featured at Zagat's 30under30 event. I brought T along to this newish craft cocktail utopia with a few friends for a quick drink & snack before the evening's event. Down the alley we went...to the nondescript orange door. We headed in down a dark hallway hoping we were heading the right way. Our spirits were raised when we found the backbar sign, opened the door, and were greeted to a quiet & calm hideaway. In we went, we plopped down on one of the wall-length comfy couches and admired the graffiti wall & the hand-drawn daily menus of food & drinks. I went with the union mule with Beefeater gin, apple brandy, St-Germain, citrus, ginger, and spice with a pork belly bun as a snack. Overall, a tatsy strong drink in a non-pretentious quiet calm space. A nice change of pace! Pictures and more on -- ---- read more

This is, hands down, my FAVORITE cocktail bar in Somerville. Every time I go, I feel like I am in on a great secret, even when the place is packed! This last time I went, my friend and I each got 3 different cocktails, getting a selection from the standard menu, the specials menu, and some out-of-the-blue recommendations from our server. All of them were supremely good, and exceptionally interesting - either unconventional flavor pairings, unusual presentations (Storm Trooper mug with a flaming sugar cube? YES!), or really amazing takes on classic flavors. For the first time, I also tried their food (beyond the sometimes complimentary spiced caramel popcorn) - the signature hot dog was topped with kimchi and bacon, and only for $5! I know my sense of "value" is warped by Boston area prices, but it felt like a steal, and it was delicious. The only reason this doesn't get my 5 starts of approval is that I basically can't come here on weekends, because it is SO PACKED. And although the space feels like a wonderful Somerville secret (hidden down a back alley, through a poorly marked door, down a long fluorescent-lit, white hallway, and into a cool, comfortable urban bar space,) when the rest of Somerville is there, too, jockeying for a spot, it's hard to get the same intimate feeling. But check it out on a Wednesday evening - it's low-key and amazing! read more

You know what would make Backbar even cooler? Remove the tiny sign that says BackBar. Have no sign at all! Trust me, if people want to go, they will find their way to the unmarked door. Backbar has to be my favorite speakeasy in Boston. Yes I've been to Yvonne's but its huge and more like a hidden restaurant and overpacked bar, whereas backbar is small and cozy, and is more like a real speakeasy. We went on Saturday night but luckily didn't have to wait long. Like most speakeasies, you will get a seat here. We stood near a barrel for a little bit until we had a table. We happened to be seated next to a bunch of cocktail books, which were very cool. I even found a cocktail book by PDT in NYC! The cocktail menu is great, there is definitely something for everyone. They had drink specials too, which included a watermelon cocktail. Since it was a hot summer evening, I decided to have a refreshing watermelon cocktail. The drinks were very strong, which I loved! Note: You can book a table using reserve! read more

backbar - The entrance - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

So civilized, yet totally unpretentious. And! Wonderfully tasty cocktails with nice nosh to match. After hearing the co-owner, Sam Treadway, speak at the ICA, I was intrigued by his pontifications on the appropriate type of ice to match with a beverage, and so we decided to make the trek to Union Sq to see what all the fuss was about. Arrived at 7p on a Saturday night with a group of 5. I expected it to be hopping as Sam has just been named the best bartender in Boston; however, because they are quite strict about the number of people in the bar, it never got crowded - no crush of people surrounding the bar - nor did the noise level reach that frantic pitch I can only describe as "really effing unpleasant" - in short, it remained shockingly lovely the entire evening - and I'm pretty sure my opinion of the atmosphere isn't just because I got lightly toasted. Start your evening with any of the cocktails on the menu - or don't - just give them a flavor you like and they'll create a drink to fulfill all of your hopes and dreams - and pair this liquid lubrication with any of their snacks - the bread and butter is simply delish, and pork bao got strong reviews, as did the spicy caramel popcorn. Yes, they all sound like basic bitches snacks, but Treadway has clearly crafted the small menu with intention. Foodstuffs range from $3 (popcorn) to $20 (cheese plate), with most of it hovering around $8 - I wouldn't plan on having a full meal here (though it could be done if you hit the pork/eggplant bao HARD and top it with a cheese platter) - but these bites serve as a great backdrop for the booze. Cocktails range from the classics to the more modern (duck fat infused mezcal with lime and honey) - and prices range from $8-12. Beer and wine is up for the tasting as well - I think they are around $5-6 (beer) and slightly more for vino. Backbar is a solid A in my book - similar to Drink, another EtOH superstar, but more calm. Would I take a wild bachelorette party here? Probs not. I suspect they are out of penis-shaped straws. However, I would take anyone else, regardless of whether she/he knows anything abt booze, and let the lovely servers guide you along the path towards cocktail heaven. read more

I was at Backbar on its opening night and, when I got home, I was too drunk to write a proper review. So I waited til the morning to write my review and had already missed out on the FTR, so I hadn't written a review out of spite. :) Well, I've been to Backbar a couple times now, and I freaking love it. I am a big fan of Drink, so I had been very eager for Backbar's opening ever since finding out about it. Similar schtick, many Drink ex-pats, blocks from my place in Union Square. Perfect. Love the industrial look and feel of the place, and it's actually a larger space than I had anticipated (but not enormous). The best part is, like Drink, they don't let it ever get too crowded - you can either make a reservation ahead of time, or if you just show up and they are "full" you can give them your cell number and they will call you when something opens up. Awesome. Also, the music selection seems right off of my computer - chill early/mid 90's hip hop - and as the drinks go down I find myself rapping along. Oops. The manager, Sam, was there to greet my group on each occasion, and it's clear he is dedicated to making this place the best. So accommodating and knowledgeable and just eager to please. Drinks of course are fabulous no matter what you order - from the menu, from your head, or bartender's choice. I've had a few of their bites and was really shocked at how much depth of flavor they were able to get into some small dishes. Backbar, me and you are going to be friends for a long, long time. read more

I'm never telling anyone where this is who doesn't deserve it. Don't get me wrong - backbar deserves every bit of business it can get. They are a shining star in terms of food and beverage. They focus on one thing - cocktails - and they do a stellar job. That said, if everyone knew how good backbar is, you'd never get near the bar. backbar is hidden away in an alley off Union Square - it's one of those places where you have to be shown where it is in order to find it. When you come in, there are wood-block seats in a rather small area and then a polished bar. The seats are nice, but get a spot at the bar if you can. My boyfriend and I love it here, being cocktail people, and backbar has never disappointed. In fact, they regularly exceed expectations. The milk punch changes regularly, and has been, if I recall, orange-toffee, coffee-smoke, and apple-mezcal in the times I've been there recently, and all of them have been stupendous. I always start with a milk punch now. They have a drink of the day, drink of the week, and rotating charcuterie board (which at one point contained house-aged prosciutto - oh my gahd). They'll also sometimes give out little portions of spicy caramel popcorn for free if it's later on in the night. The bartenders are all very nice and very good at their jobs. I think of backbar as a kind of secret spot, only to be shown to the worthy. read more

The only reason this place gets a second star is because the drinks were pretty tasty, but other than that, worst bar I've ever been to. The only good parts I can attest to is that the wait staff is very attentive to the water level in your glass and will refill if from a mason jar as often as they can. Also the drinks are pretty tasty, albeit outrageously overpriced and they did offer us a free shot of rum and coke at the door. Other than that, it was a terrible experience; we had to wait for about 25 minutes just to get inside. Back Bar has no real waiting room or lounge to speak of, so you end up standing outside the bathroom with no A/C, windows or even an open door, it's very stifling. After getting inside, we were seated at a table that had the same dimensions as a foot stool. There is absolutely no privacy, and the conversations of the groups around us were very obnoxious and intrusive, making any conversation of our own that much more difficult. It doesn't help that Back Bar is extremely pressed for seating, so the other groups we literally couldn't help but overhear, were less than 2 feet away in most cases. Our waiter was nice enough, and explained the specials in a voice so low I couldn't really hear it anyway and left us to decide what we wanted. I wish he had left us a flashlight or candle as well, because the lighting inside was so dim; I could barely read a single word on it. It goes beyond mood lighting when the night sky is actually brighter. Luckily I was seated near the door, so I could decipher the drink list whenever the outer door opened. From what I saw, it's an extremely limited drink list, with an ever smaller food section. I can only assume the kitchen area is as small as the seating area. My date ordered the vegan hot dog, and we both got a Bananastand cocktail. The drink itself was delicious, but it came in a small glass for ~$8, and the 'hot dog' was just a single seasoned carrot for ~$5. Because the tables are so low, it's incredible difficult to have any kind of meal on them. They were about at a height with my knees while I was sitting, so you either had to constantly bend to get your drink or just hold it the entire time, it was very uncomfortable, even more so with two people trying to do this on a single 'table'. Needless to say, we finished our drinks and left post haste, I will certainly never be coming back. There are plenty of other bars in Camberville that have more room, light and drink choices; I cannot understand why anyone would choose to be squashed into Back Bar. read more

Disclaimer: I worked here years ago. I love backbar. I love everything about it. I love that it's tucked behind some fantastic local spots (The Independent, Bronwyn), I love that at first glance it looks like your GPS took you to the wrong spot, I love that you go down a mysterious and dark hallway where you're kind of uncertain if this actually leads into one of the best bars in the city, I love that once you open the door (or, if its the weekend, greeted in the hallway) you're engulfed in this beautiful space lined with graffiti pasted walls, amazing chalk art (done by the ever talented Catherine Owens) and passed menus with lists of imaginative, delicious cocktails. The staff: Okay, I might be biased here but trust me when I tell you that the folks that work here are dedicated, curious, delighted to offer some of the best customer service possible, and serve up some damn good drinks while they're at it. If you're looking for a cold beer and a spot in front of the TV to watch the Pats crush the Giants on a big screen: GTFO. This is not that place. If you're looking for some amazing personalities that are willing to serve you drinks that will turn your knowledge on cocktails upside down (milkpunch, fat wash, mushroom tinctures, etc.) then this is your calling. Each of these bartenders are excited to learn and test and create, and you can tell their dedication based on the things they're willing (and also NOT willing) to serve. The ambiance: Dim lights, just barely audible music, bench seating, high tops in the back, not a great spot for 10+ without a call ahead. Great date spot, but expect a wait if you're coming in on a friday or saturday at 8/9pm. They don't let people stand behind folks at the bar and I think that's super honorable. Who wants someones armpit next to their head as their reaching over for a drink and hovering? It doesn't make for a great experience and waiting for a seat is definitely worth it. The food: I would say that food is probably the ooooonly miss at backbar. It's not bad by any means, it's just not a vast offering for food. Which is fine, because you could go to Field and Vine right next door before you head to backbar, or check out all the other amazing local places, like Casa B, Ebi Sushi, Bronwyn, The Independent, or a little further away: Juliet, Celeste, etc. Honestly, Union Square is one of my favorite areas and despite hating how crowded its gotten, I would certainly recommend this area for hang times. Go to backbar, get drink, have a good conversation. You won't regret it! read more