I had such an amazing experience at backbar. Looked up bars in the area to meet a friend and didn't even expect to have the time that I had! Amazing ambiance and our server/bartender Jason was amazing! I want to point out not only were the drinks amazing but the bar was so inclusive and queer friendly. Jason came up with a new drink for me based on the aviation that they are now calling the "Amelia". I can't express how much I enjoyed my time there and will definitely be back. Thanks, backbar! read more

backbar - Totoro in the hallway ^^ - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Locating this place can be a challenge for some people but that adds to the charm of this place. Speakeasy entrance, good vibes and good cocktails, that's how I would sum it up. This place feels like home or homely, however you like it and that's why people keep coming back. They have a huge collection of one-off glasses and mugs which can range from simple tall glasses to one shaped like Chewbacca's head. Just like their glass collection, they've decorated the whole place with pop-culture collectibles to bump up the hipster vibes. They don't have a lot of food options but thankfully their snacks go quite well with most drinks. I really like their spiced chili & lime nuts and buttermilk & ranch popcorn. Thinking of drinks, they have a decent-sized menu of cocktails but if nothing excites you much, then they can make you anything you like as long as they have the ingredients. I've also been here on days with special drink menus but I'll let you figure that out. They did some great holiday drinks around the week of Christmas so you can keep that as a note for next time if you're around here during holidays. The Golden Compass is a lighter version of your typical Old Fashioned with an added twist which is cinnamon and some theatrics to begin with. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a spicy drink, and that's clear from the individual components listed under the name. You'll find ginger to be the dominant flavor in this drink. I would put this one on the heavy and slow sipping side instead of light and refreshing. Wide Sargasso Sea is an amalgam of different rums and comes in a fun tiki glass. They set the proportions such that this ends up being much lighter than expected. The ice and opacity of the glass can throw you a little off-guard in terms of how much you've had. Overall it's a fun place that you can add to your weekend bar list. As a note, weekends can be packed if you're looking for a table so expect to see some lines and waiting time around 8-10pm. The staff has been quick and very courteous during my visits here and I've had no issues with the service. They're also doing cocktail classes on Sundays this month, so if your curiosity goes beyond just drinking cocktails then this is a good opportunity to learn. read more

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This is a fantastic little bar tucked away in Somerville. They are owned by the same people who own Journeyman, so I was very excited to try this place out. I had difficulty finding the entrance at first, which is down an alleyway and almost looks like the backdoor. Don't be deterred by the entrance - the inside is warm, cozy, and has incredible decor. I love the emphasis on the aged oak barrels and the black-and-white wall art. We stopped in for pre-dinner drinks and a snack. The drink menu is interesting (I'm a sucker for bars that have clever or interesting names for their drinks). I got the "angel's reviver" (bourbon and absinthe, $8) and my partner ordered the "Rey's fashion" since he loves Star Wars (Irish whiskey, rose, cherry almond cordial and a hint of tea, $12). The drinks were strong and came out fast. We also ordered the spicy caramel popcorn ($3), which was deliciously buttery and savory. I loved the smoky flavor of the popcorn. You can order it with bacon for an added $5. The next time I'm in the area I'll definitely be back. I'm excited to try their milk punch (I have no idea what this will taste like, but it sounds very interesting!) read more

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The Dumbledore's Office was delicious - the best drink I have had in Boston so far. The Heart Shaped Herb was pretty but the tequila taste is overpowering. The onion dip was great but quite small and had me yearning for another. This bar is quite dark and located in a basement with interesting Star Wars decorations. read more

backbar - Heart Shaped Herb and Dumbledore's Office - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Super fun bar for a date or an intimate place to go with a few friends. I am currently on crutches and the staff was super helpful offering me a stool as I waited for the table to be ready and checking in once we were seated at our permanent spot to make sure i was comfortable and taken care of. We ordered the green lantern and scarlet witch to start. Tasty and fun! I saw this place on Instagram and immediately planned a surprise date so that I could catch the comic book theme before it was gone. Super fun spot, although snack selection was limited and didn't appeal to us entirely- we decided to leave to grab dinner after drinks. read more

backbar - Green lantern cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Great place to grab drinks with a small group or even a date. The location can be a little difficult to find. Look for the door near the trash can. The space is small so be mindful when you come but the drinks are worth it. I got a cocktail for called Somerville Squirrel. It's starts fruity but then to can taste the bourbon after. read more

There was a bit of a wait to get in as this spot is very popular so I would recommend getting there right when they open. The drinks were fantastic and the bartender was very nice and asked our preferences and made us a drink based on the notes we were looking for and our alcohol preferences. We sat at the bar and it was very cool to see him making the drinks right in front of us. I would definitely come back again! read more

We arrived at backbar around 7:40pm on a Thursday night and were seated, 1.5+ hours later...Needless to say, I think the wait time clearly speaks to this place's popularity. The drink menu was curated around the theme of "space" and had a wide variety of brighter, citrusy drinks and intense, smokier drinks. This variation was great because everyone at the table was able to find drinks to fit their flavor/alcohol preferences. The table space was a bit crammed for a group of five (i.e. it would've been a Christmas miracle if all five of us ordered food + drinks and the table could have held it all), but because we only ordered drinks, it was fine. I loved looking at all the art and quirky objects that filled the space (no pun intended) while chatting with my friends and sipping on my cocktail...some of the statues/things in there definitely help as conversation starters if you're in need of something to talk about. Of course, I think what really draws people here to wait more than an hour on a weekday night is definitely the quality of the drinks! There are a fair share of unexpected liquor pairings within their cocktails. I like how unique their cocktails are and felt that the two I had were very well balanced. They have plenty of options not on the menu either and are happy to mix a drink based on what you're feeling that night. I was very pleased with the customer service and appreciated that they made sure to check everyone's vaccination cards at the door. Overall, a great experience and will definitely be back once I'm back in the Boston area! P.S. Order the piña colada... read more

Unsure of what a "speakeasy with Star Wars decor" would turn out to be, we were pleasantly surprised. backbar is quirky and self-aware, not trying to do more than what they know is their strong suit. I appreciate the small bites available from the restaurant next door, but of course the cocktails are the star here. Our server was attentive and not at all put off by our questions, and we had many. The menu on offer was the around-the-world list, which had a really nice variety. We ranged widely in our choices, and I was surprised at the role reversal highlighting usually mild flavors (celery in one) and toning down those that often steal the show (matcha played a very supporting role in another). We're definitely intrigued, and we'll be back! read more

Fun bar with themed menus, and clearly they care about what they are making (in terms of drinks and atmosphere). Sat at the bar, so service was never an issue. There is a line to get in, even earlier in the night, but it moved pretty quickly so it wasn't an issue read more

Probably the most pretentious place in New England that isn't worth it in the slightest. They don't take reservations, don't inform you if your table is ready, host probably isn't even at the stand, and if you are somehow lucky enough to time everything correctly they probably will take you to a table for half your party. Do yourself a favor and go to any other of the 10,000 bars in Boston read more

I'd heard about backbar. Heard that, like its name, it was secret, hidden, a speakeasy with upscale cocktails. Oooh! What fun! I'm a fan of Drink and Marliave and The Townshend, three places I frequent because of their skill at adulterating my favorite liquid: bourbon. Liquor doesn't need much, and so care must be taken. That's my philosophy. I've also been to Manifesto in Kansas City a couple of times, which is, as far as I can tell, what backbar is aiming for: a James Beard kinda "outstanding bar program" experience. I don't get over to Union Square that much anymore, at least for frou-frou cocktails, so when I knew I'd be there, I carved out a bit of time to sample the backbar. (Don't ask me about parking. It's Somerville, for godsakes. At your own risk.) Like Manifesto, and in keeping with the speakeasy vibe, backbar's entrance is in an alley behind some popular noshing places in Union Square. The door is modestly marked (you'll miss it if you don't know it's there), which is mos'def part of the schtick. It's not a bad schtick! But it doesn't end there. Once in the door, you have to trust that the long unmarked hallway will lead you to ... something. I'd seen this kind of thing before so I knew to keep going. When we finally got THERE, we were pleasantly surprised. It's a smallish rectangular space with high ceilings and clever urban-type markings -- tags and graffiti and such. It's filled with people-friendly seating arrangments -- sofas and whatnot -- with a small bar at the far end. The night we were there around nine p.m. the place had a smattering of guests: maybe eight people in groups scattered in the chairs and another eight at the small bar. When we reached the bar, I could see immediately that there were two open seats on either side of a couple. Before I could rub two brain cells together to assess the situation to decide whether or not I wanted to ask them to adjust or to simply take one of the open tables near the bar, the hostess (I think? or maybe the floor server? I couldn't tell) asked us if we wanted to sit at the bar and when we said yes, she very politely asked the folks to adjust. They did. It took all of 30 seconds. So far, tons of great vibe and good points for the front of the house at backbar!! Thank you for paying attention! (As I've said before, a bar is like a subway. If it's busy, take up only your allotted space. If it's not busy, manspread all you want.) (And I've also said, management should manage the bar. Don't make customers engage in hand-to-hand combat just to get a seat at a bar, especially when seats are available but blocked by other patrons. A good bar program is going to pay attention: see Drink, Manifesto, The Townshend....) All of that is the good news -- ambiance, management, space.... The bad news is the drink menu. It reads like a fantasy for 21-year-olds who haven't recovered from being 13-year-olds. The drinks are all Harry Potter and the Pop Culture of Sugar and Spice. There's nothing sophisticated or pre-prohibition. Nothing grownup. Nothing that says, We respect these liquors of the gods. It feels like having to navigate a combination of Pumpkin Spice and Fireball in a Tiki Mug. They're probably five minutes from a scorpion bowl. Those kinds of drinks have their place -- at the local Chinese restaurant or the coffee shop in Walmart but not at a craft cocktail bar. An abiding principle of art is that less is often more. An artist must make choices. Whoever is doing this list is adding waywayway too much to everything. My off-menu Old Fashioned, for example, was wicked-sweet, contaminated by too much of everything. The liquor should be enhanced delicately, not smothered with sugar. Along with this was the bartender. She was sweet and kind and willing but seemed clueless in regards to the ingredients or history of what she was doing. I expect a bartender at a sophisticated bar program to know what she's doing. Full stop. If not, I'll go elsewhere. And that's ultimately why this place gets 3 stars from me. Would I go out of my way to return? No. I'm also aware that I've written this review based on one visit, albeit a visit that took into account the menu. For what it's worth. Your mileage may vary. I hope I'm wrong. tl:dr: great space, tres hospitable; bad menu; weak bartender; uber-sweet whiskey drink read more

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Came on a Tuesday night so the wait was very short -- 5 mins top. Host checked ID and vax card before being seated. The ambience and atmosphere is intimate, artsy, dim, and good music. Depending on where you're seated, you'll have a good view of the entire place. Drink menu rotates and the theme this time around was Beat The Heat, or something like that -- since Boston had really hot high 80-90s temperatures around this time. Drink menu had about 10-12 options or you can ask for a custom. Drinks were tasty but not much alcohol. All drinks cost $14, and 20% gratuity is automatically added when you ask for check. Nice place to grab drinks with friends to try out the experience, but wouldn't bookmark as a go to. read more

Waiting time is more than one hour. The cocktail drinks has toilet paper inside and bathroom has no toilet paper and very dirty. The Japanese bartender is extremely rude and annoying. They treat customers with no respect and unprofessional behavior towards them. Two drinks cost more than $35 dollars and 20 percent tips are mandatory. read more

Based on the reviews, we headed to this bar on a Saturday night to try their cocktails. 5-6 cocktails are in their menu. However, any other cocktail can be made by the bartender upon request with $2.5 extra charge per cocktail. I requested for a tropical flavor cocktail with half strength alcohol. The bartender seemed to be very confident and made one for me. It just tasted like a normal orange alcohol with extremely strong dose of vodka. I would not understand that there is any fruit flavor at all unless the bartender would mention. Not at all a good place for craft cocktails. If you just want to get drunk and not picky about taste and presentation, then this place is perfect. Otherwise, I would not recommend at all. Also, it is extremely small bar, not recommended for more than 3-4 people group. read more

Love the hidden spot and the interior. A low key metallic door and a long corridor do make it a Bushwick / Williamsburg type of speakeasy. However me and my friends ordered a few different types of cocktails and they all taste like medicine. But definitely give it a shot if you are on a date and want to impress someone with an intimate atmosphere and a good vibe. read more

backbar - Whisky room for some good collections ! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Artisan cocktails in an intimate, relaxed lounge. The service is awesome! The bartenders and servers are all knowledgeable in their craft, and interested in making you personalized cocktails that you love! All cocktails are $13, which I think is such a good idea, and 20% gratuity is included in all tabs (which they are very good of making you aware of when the bill comes). Their bar snacks are good too, and are reasonably priced! Good food options on the same block, too. read more

The atmosphere is super hip; it's a really great place to hang out with friends and sip on delicious and fancy cocktails. The wait staff is really knowledgeable and is good at explaining and recommending drinks. The drink of the day is always something crazy that never disappoints. The drinks are very potent, so it's a little concerning that the food selection is limited to expensive snacks, but there are plenty of food options in the area. read more

backbar - Aperol spritz - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

I've been wanting to try backbar since seeing it on so many "best of" lists for Boston bars. After attempting to get in last Friday night but the line was too long, I returned on Tuesday night and was able to get in. I was happy to find that backbar lives up to the reviews! The staff are all so knowledgeable about the menu and we're very helpful in selecting the perfect cocktail, which I got an elevated espresso martini that had tequila in it. There's a rotating seasonal menu as well as daily specials, so there was a lot of variety to choose from. I also got the ranch popcorn and fermented veggies as small bites, which were both delicious. I think backbar is the perfect spot for a date, but I wouldn't recommend bringing a big group since the seating is benches along the exterior and it would be hard to have a conversation if your party is more than three people. Tip (20%) is automatically included, which I appreciate and I hope that more establishments will be able to do so that staff can be compensated fairly. I'll definitely be back to backbar regularly to try out the rest of the menu! read more

backbar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

When it comes to "Genius Hour" (4-6 every day they're open) backbar isn't f***ing around. They're dishing up unique snacks and cocktails on the regular. Come early for the ramen, which runs out fast, but stay for the drinks, which are among the most creative and delicious you'll come across (I find it funny that Genius Hour is marketed towards college kids, and encourages students to stop by for a drink to help them study--I don't know about you, but I probably wouldn't be very productive at backbar). The day I went, I wasn't particularly interested in having a drink, but my server insisted I try one of their customized soda preparations. A little lemon, lime, pomegranate, and ginger beer later, and backbar served me what was probably the most incredible mocktail I've ever had. I have to admit I was a little disappointed by the charcuterie. I got the Genius Hour special which consisted of a veggie hummus, one bland cow's cheese, and a veal-bacon terrine, but really only enjoyed the terrine (it had bacon in it, um, hello). The accompanying bread was rather lackluster, and the other accoutrements (almonds and dried apricots) were pretty uninspired given the wealth of imagination that goes into some of the other items on the menu. Speaking of which, do yourself a favor and have an ice cream sandwich for dessert. They come from a local bakery called Beaker's and Cream, and they are absolutely incredible. I ended up getting the sour cream and jalapeno ice cream sandwich with a cornbread cookie crust (words can't do it justice--if it sounds good to you, try it--if not, try it), but struggled mightily upon making that decision. I need to track these people down ASAP to sample everything they have to offer. In conclusion, Backbar: 4 stars. Beakers and Cream's ice cream sandwich: 1 trillion stars. read more

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This is a true speakeasy in the Boston area. ENTRANCE Go through the sketchy alley way that sits between The Independent and Bronwyn, until you pass a large garage door. You will see a single red light of words that read "backbar." When you enter through the door, don't be alarmed. You are in the right place. Pass the bathrooms and open up the door to where a hostess will (hopefully) greet you. We had to awkwardly wait and flag down bussers to ask how to get seated. There often times is a wait, so we put our names down and planned to call the hostess back to check on our seats. However, when we had called 30 minutes later, the call kept going out of service multiple times. We had called 3 times, and decided we should just go back to the bar. The hostess apologized and said her phone was "acting up" when it is a landline, cordless phone. Weird. DRINKS The drinks are very selective, and are seasonal. They often times have specials, which you should definitely watch out for. The Milk of the Hour sounded interesting, with coffee-infused flavors. However, I got the Haduken! which was a drink with "spicy" vodka, sake, ginger, egg white, and other flavors. This drink came out as blue as an AMF, and smelled of sesame oil. I was not a fan. I endured the whole drink, though. SERVICE The service throughout the night was very weird. The hostess definitely needs to update her phone - if other guests would like to call the bar, they would have no way of knowing how long the wait was or how to get inside. Our bartender changed throughout the night, and we could never tell who we were supposed to talk to. We had gone from standing to sitting on the couch, and we weren't really approached at all throughout the night (this could be a good thing, though). MUSIC For a very hip, beautiful venue, the music was VERY OFF. They were playing "Make it Nasty," "Anaconda," and other dirty rap songs that really did not fit the vibe of the bar. Overall, this was a very overpriced experience and a little bit too hipster for my own taste. The drinks are a little TOO eclectic for me and there are absolutely no food offerings late at night besides pork or eggplant buns and other odd bar bites. (I think they were peppers and pickles). read more

backbar - Entrance - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

OK this place is soooo ridiculously cool I can't believe anyone ever could just stumble upon how random it's location is. Get past your horror movie fear and open the door to a long dark dingy hallway to then be greeted by the biggest hipster atmosphere ever. Once you get past the creepiness of entering, this place is very interestingly decorated with Star Wars merch and cool paintings. The couches are all super comfy and the bar looks very friendly. All the natural lighting just comes from a part of the ceiling, but the beauty of this place really comes from the drinks. I came with two of my friends and one was celebrating his birthday. One of the coolest parts about this joint is that the servers can personalize drinks depending on what you like. My friend was really into some grape, and the server told us that he normally doesn't have grape but today was our lucky day!! The drink came out on the coolest dragon statue with a lit candle. His drink was just what he wanted too! I ordered the green light (I honestly can't remember its actual name) but it was really good and refreshing. When it came out with a frozen LED, I was so excited. Visually, these drinks are fantastic. Service is excellent! I am so happy we found out about this place because alcohol content is not shy at all. You can be sure to enjoy all sorts of interesting concoctions. It's just fun to see what kind of creative things they will make for you. Definitely come here to impress your friends or just to relax! read more

backbar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Go for the drinks! The bartenders are exceptionally knowledgable (milk punch. Who knew?), inventive and daring, creating new and unique cocktails daily. Some of these are lovely twists on the standards. Others are wonderous mixtures of sauces and spices you would never have though to put in a shaker. How are these so consistently bold and delicious? We might never find out, but I especially recommend them. The wait staff was really considerate and friendly. They gave us complimentary spiced caramel popcorn, and when we told them how much we liked it they gave us another ramekin. That popcorn was amazing, let me tell you. The sugar was burnt more than standard caramel, the bacon contributed a lightly smokey flavor, and whatever pepper they used was so subtle that you didn't notice it until the other flavors were gone, at which point it delivered a final, spicy kick that lingers in your mouth. They get one star off for the rest of their food though, which is really expensive and underwhelming. For example, the $18 charcuterie plate composed of three tiny mounds of standard cured meats and trader joe's-quality bread. Don't get me wrong, TJ has great bread, but it's not $20 a loaf. It makes me suspicious of their ramen and $85 omakase. I was planning to come back to try these after we tasted the popcorn, but changed my mind after we got the charcuterie plate. The space is snug, but charming: sofa seating, low lights and menus beautifully chalked onto the walls. However, "a little out of the way" would be putting it lightly. They certainly deliver on the prohibition experience. You shouldn't go in without wearing a trenchcoat and looking over your shoulder. To get there, 1) tiptoe through a dark alley. 2) find the dingy industrial door on the backside of a building containing two overtly legit establishments. 3) wind through a long hallway. Admire the strip of red paint slithering across the otherwise bare walls like the snake in that old computer game. 4) the door at the end of the hall has a lighted sign that says "backbar". Walk to the light. Open the door. You might feel a little bit like you are stepping into heaven. And you might be a little bit right. read more

backbar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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The staff were good. The drinks were great. The vibe is kinda intense for my taste. Probably fun on Halloween.

Really cool vibe, very unique and creative cocktails, but pretty crowded. They stuffed my friends and I by the kitchen and had wait staff bump into us a few times but my cocktail absolutely made up for it. I told the waitress what flavors I liked and the bartender absolutely killed it. Strong drinks, but lovely flavor. read more

After entering through a rather nondescript doorway and walking down a dimly lit hallway, I fully expected to encounter a door with a slot that opens, a pair of eyes looks at you and you're asked for a password. This is a place to come for pretentious drinks without the pretentious atmosphere. The cocktails are a combination of classic and modern. The beer list is tormentingly tempting. The small plates are fantastic though pricey (the olives are a great deal, and served warm!). The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable, though constantly busy; give them some slack, they are working hard. The place looks like it might have been a mad scientist's lab in an earlier life and given a classic makeover with a full bar. I love their concept of "Genius Hour" - bring your laptop and complete your final hour of work here. The one bad thing about this place is that by discovering all these new mixed drinks, I'm going to have to expand my own liquor cabinet to be able to make them at home. read more

Unique speakeasy tucked away in a parking lot; the prices are reasonable and the drinks creative! My group of 10+ came in comfortably on a Wednesday evening, and we thoroughly enjoyed the indie yet unpretentious atmosphere. Among the drinks we ordered, there was praise all around for the Krisp Kringle, Death to Winter, Belgian white beer, and the Fiery Impeachment (or something similar; it was the special!). The Russian Cheese Salad ($5) and Pork Skewer with kimchi ($7) also received rave reviews, and were deemed "100% worth it!". The birthday girl received her drink placed within a dragon bust, with a candle appropriately burning atop its head. 10/10 for presentation, and unique-ness! Can definitely see this place becoming my go-to spot to bring any visiting friends for a relaxed evening! read more

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Aw, hell! backbar beat me to it. When envisioning the future bar I'd open upon retirement, ideally somewhere on the Big Island, I always pictured it being pretty much like my experience at backbar. That is to say, it wouldn't go for the speakeasy gimmick (the concept is passé), it'd have some bar space (thus, those interested in talking shop could chat with the bartender), and it'd otherwise offer casual lounge seating (for guests who just want to chat with their friends over a luscious libation). backbar succeeds in all of these aspects. With a variety of classic and modern cocktail options, all priced at very reasonable non-Manhattan rates (read: sub-$15 per well-balanced tipple), this gem could easily make for a perfect local, if only I lived in the neighborhood. It's nice enough to be a classy date destination. It's chill enough to be a low-key hangout spot for friends. I can't speak to the food situation, but anyplace that offers the occasional bowl of ramen can't be all that bad in my book. read more

This is my Cheers. We've had multiple birthday parties (surprise and expected), our engagement photo shoot, and wonderful drinks here. The bartenders are funny, warm, kind, bearded (some of them), cat loving nerdy souls. Good good people with a good good bar. read more

My favorite place to grab a cocktail- I just wish they had more food. Luckily there are plenty of food options around the corner.

Totally lives up to the hype. The bartenders were knowledgable and friendly, the atmosphere was cool and speakeasy, and the drinks: amazing. My friend ordered the union mule and I had the brown derby - both excellent. It got slow behind the bar, and our barky asked if anyone wanted a really complicated drink -- of course! He made up a Ramos Gin Fizz -- un f**king believable! Go here. Drink. Be merry. read more

backbar - Ramos Gin Fizz - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Backbar is a unique bar experience that I can't wait to return to! It's quirky and relatively small, definitely giving off some speakeasy vibes. While not a Star Wars bar, there are some drinks and decor that pay homage to the series. Upon arrival, we were lucky to find no wait on a Sunday night an hour before closing and were also given samples of their Dark and Stormy. For the DDs or non-drinkers, there are also cute mocktails! All in all, our experience here was incredibly enjoyable. The couches gave us nice seating to catch up and the I just adored the quirkiness. Can't wait to come back for some good drinks and great company! read more

Finally found my way to the alley that leads to backbar. Brought along a friend to check out the place. Very unique space with limited seating and more than interesting drink concoctions. This is not I repeat THIS IS NOT a local bar. This is more of a specialized bar to order drinks you don't normally see or even know about. This is craft drinking at it's best. If this is not up your alley then don't come down this alley. You will only be disappointed. But if you like different and want warm and friendly service then come on down to Union Square. Complimentary caramel salty popcorn which kicks butt and a staff that really know their alcohols. I ordered a Scotch drink that had honey and some citrus and was very refreshing. Two of them fit the bill. My friend is a Bud Heavy kinda guy but they don't sell it. He had to order Coors Banquet which he only tolerated because of me. Both of us ordered the Ramen noodles. Got mine with an extra egg and black garlic oil. He ordered his with less standard items. And then wondered how he was going to use the chopsticks to eat. I'm quite proficient due to my sushi habit. There was a mix up with our order. Watching other patrons who ordered after us but get food before us really irked me but after my 3 inquiries they finally came out and apologized that the order had gotten lost and they were expediting it asap. Food came out and it smelled great. Unfortunately the flavors were not as pronounced as the smells but I was famished and ate every bit of it. I think getting the chili oil option the next time might give it the zip it needs. Or possibly our rushed order didn't get all the magic it normally gets. Either way I was a little disappointed. I will have to give backbar another shot with one of my more hipster friends in the future but for now I will say check it out and see for yourself. read more

backbar - Door sign - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Backbar really is a fantastic bar. Amazing cocktails, solid beer selection, gourmet bar snacks all with a trendy atmosphere and a cool location. The real reason to come to backbar is some of the most creative, perfectly concocted, stop you in your tracks tasty cocktails this city has to offer. I suggest talking through what you like with your bartender or waiter/waitress. Its like magic, every time they read my mind and come up with exactly what I love in booze form. If you're in a small group I suggest sitting at the bar and chatting with Sam. Not only does he have an amazing array of delicious cocktails but he is also super knowledgeable about fun booze facts. I went to a yelp event here for making eggnog and came out of it with a wide variety of nog related talking points to impress friends and relatives alike. Buyer beware, backbar isn't cheap. It's not over the top expensive but you will come out with your wallet significantly less fat than when you entered, especially if you are like me and just feel the need for one more cocktail. The long and the short of it is this is a gem of a bar. Bonus points for the hip décor and the fact that its not so loud you have to scream. Pro Tip: get the ice cream sandwiches, they are out of this world and the woman who makes them is pretty cool too. read more

backbar - Its the ship that made the ketel run in 12 parsnips! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

The idea is cute. The presentation being one of "off the beaten path" is nuanced enough to be believable, and its ethos is ever-present in the punctilious craftsmanship. If done improperly this place could be unforgivingly disingenuous. Make no mistake about it, our experience here will go down in history. No veneers; no frills; just art imitating life as they source quintessential flavors from around the globe to concoct artisanal libations (reflecting the culture from which each drink is crafted to represent.) Let me first insist the following... I am not a "Yelp guy". I digress... Special shout-out to Joe! Without him, you probably wouldn't be reading this. He understood the minutiae of each element symphonizing our pallets. It was evident that he cared about his work as an ideal. What a treat! Get anything on the menu. And if this review prompted you to feel what we felt, don't thank me. Thank Joe! And tell him the boys sent you. He'll know. read more

Backbar is a welcome change from the glut of excessively loud and crowded bars around here. They have about 30 seats in a U-shaped formation, and no one stands! Everyone sits. This makes a world of difference - everyone feels less frantic, talks quieter, and generally has a better time. The people who are waiting are out of view of the space, too, not crowded up on other people like at other establishments. The staff was extremely professional and knowledgeable. The drink list is incredibly creative, and changes on a seasonal basis, I believe. My New Daisy drink (with a pansy in the ice cube!) was perfect. My friend's "bartender's choice" drink blew me away though - gin, St. Germain, celery bitters, and something else that's escaping me. It was crisp and refreshing. Mind you, this was after we had sent a drink back because it was too sweet, and STILL the waiter was nice and flexible about it. One thing that weirded me out: the lighting. It's dim, but the kind of dim where reading text is hard. I'm sure this is intentional (adds to the experience blah blah), but I don't feel it's necessary. read more

backbar - The vegetarian "hot dog" aka a carrot in a hot dog bun! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Where do I even begin...I'm in love with this place. Here's why: Service: top notch, hands down one of the most attentive, down to earth, friendly service I've ever had. Our waitress/server Lanie was so friendly, chill and just honest. I ended up not liking one of the drinks I ordered and she took it without any questions and offered me a new drink. The host saw us sitting uncomfortably in a corner so she offered to seat us somewhere else half way. Such observation and care. Food: we got the Duck Rillettes which was duck leg with bread and it was so good. The bread was oilier than expected, but the duck meat was juicy and packed with flavor. Not bad for $7. Drinks: huge selection here, extremely creative names and fun description. They make everything very personable and every word used to describe each drink was witty and spot on. I got the Mezcal Dragon as a start and it was very interesting, packed with different flavors. Second drink was Roffignac and it was one of my favorite drinks ever. If you like cognac, you've got to try this. Atmosphere: very hipster, artsy, relaxed with light rock/house music playing in the background. Interesting art and personalized chalk message on the background. Hidden art in corners adds more uniqueness to this place. This has a U-shape seating style so it's definitely intimate and suitable for good conversations. It says 39 persons at most so it's not a good place for big groups. But that's also a good thing because it never gets too crowded or loud. I would definitely come back, maybe next week, maybe tomorrow. read more

backbar - Drink of the week and Mezgal dragon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Yaaaaaas. I'm going to be totally honest, if it weren't for my friend, I probably wouldn't have found this place (because I'm a newb and terrible with directions...especially when they seem to lead to a parking lot/the side of a building). We went here on a Friday night around 10 pm and there was a small line. The wait was about 20 minutes, but the host was hilarious/organized and came around with tiny cups of Milk Punch for those patient souls who stood around waiting. I mean, let's be real. The first things I noticed upon walking in (aside from the line) were a Darth Vader mask, Yoda figure, and Star Wars lunch box on their host stand. This place obviously know what's up. The space is not too small and no too large. It's just right. I think the best way to describe the vibe would be, "date night"...can that be an adjective? Whatever, now it is. read more

backbar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

An amazing bar - comparable to Drink but with a different atmosphere. I was here just last week and was treated to not only delicious cocktails (try their daily drinks -- all delicious!) but also a lot of FREEBIES! Free samples of their drink and food. The bartender was knowledgeable and the atmosphere was fun. Really, if you're looking for a unique cocktail bar experience it doesn't get much better than this. (ps. the door is on the right when you walk down the alleyway; there's a small sign outside that says "backbar") read more

So, you end up somewhere in Somerville, and are you looking for a decent and somewhat comfortable bar? Well, this place may have your answer. Finding this place is like a little adventure, because you have to walk into a fairly large alley way, look for a door, open it, walk down a hallway and open another door. When I walked in, I did not feel like I was in Somerville or even in Massachusetts. I felt like I was in a better city with a better vibe. I came here with some really interesting people and some friends that I know and was ready to enjoy the evening. The drinks here are decently good, and they have some potency. They serve them in small glasses. I had their Milk Punch and it had a decent sweet flavor. They change the flavor every day, and I think mine had some cherry. I enjoyed it tiny sips but not in big gulps. The Jack Rose cocktail they had here is also not a bad choice and I really liked the apple flavor and I also felt the strength of the alcohol. Three drinks from this place should be enough to give some feelings in your body that could make your evening very interesting. The food selection is not great, but there are some dishes that might be worth getting. The Spicy Caramel Popcorn has a very distinct flavor, an interesting blend of spice and sticky sweetness. The Yu Hsiang Eggplant Buns and the Pork Buns are actually good. The flavor of the eggplant has a nice spice and I really liked the tenderness and flavor of the pork. The ice cream sandwiches are worthwhile. The blueberry flavor is probably my favorite and I liked the nice creaminess and texture. All of these dishes will not make your stomach full. It might be a better idea to have a dinner appointment before coming here or make an adventure finding a really tasty restaurant with inexpensive big meals that's open late at night after a few drinks. Really liked the comfortable interior, and I sat on the sofas. They have some good pillows that you could rest your head on if you are a little tired. A good time to come here is before 8 PM on a Thursday evening because later on there will be more people. If you are coming with a large group of people, you may need to make a reservation. This place was not as loud as I thought, so it was like going into a large house party. If you want to watch TV, I think you should go someplace else, because this place is more of a bar to sit down and talk with interesting people. The music is not bad and it's not extremely loud. Overall, this bar is a great place to get some drinks after a pretty good dinner appointment and it might be worthwhile destination if you are doing some evening adventures with your friends. If I had an apartment near this place, I would not mind coming back here again with some interesting people to get some really good drinks. This place is a good place to either ignite or cool down a fairly exciting evening. read more

backbar - Milk punch on the right with water. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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