Despite its Puritan heritage, Boston -- the Hub of New England -- offers a nightlife scene not the least bit stuffy or staid.
For rock & roll, make a beeline for Commonwealth Avenue and Paradise, one of Boston's most popular venues for major rock acts. Bands ranging from U2 to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have appeared on the stage of this club. For more rockin' sounds, head a little farther west to Harpers Ferry. This 400-seater on Brighton Avenue attracts crowds of students from B.U. and B.C.; both are nearby.
Head across the Charles River to Cambridge and stop in at longstanding Ryles, one of the best jazz clubs anywhere. Its downstairs restaurant serves dinner accompanied by performers of both local and national stature, while the dance floor upstairs hums along with everything from salsa to paso doble ballroom styles. Nearby, in Somerville, you'll find one of the area's most eclectic venues -- Johnny D's. This is the place to see everything from Afropop to zydeco. If you're up to it after a night on the town, their weekend jazz brunches are famous for serving the best pancakes in Boston.
For a quieter evening, dress your best and saunter to the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The elegant, walnut-paneled Bar at the Ritz serves what critics have deemed the "perfect" martini. If less rarefied surroundings appeal to you, take a short walk to the former Bull & Finch, now called Cheers on Beacon Hill, whose exterior became famous as the bar from the popular TV series. If you're looking for a lounge with a view, go to the Prudential Center and ride the elevator 52 stories skyward to the Top of the Hub. Panoramic city views and nightly music and dancing await you.
Boston is famous for its comedy scene, and one of the best places to see national and local talent is at the city's oldest comedy club, the Comedy Connection at Quincy Market.
For another quintessentially "Boston" entertainment experience, visit one of the city's vast, upscale billiard parlors. Boston Billiard Club features 55 tables in an elegant hunt-club setting. It's neighbor, Jillian's, offers a similar number of pool tables, 16 bowling alleys, multiple bars, and a full-service restaurant in its three-floor layout. Both are found in the Lansdowne Street area near Fenway Park. A host of trendy clubs line this thoroughfare, with something for every modern taste.
For more information on dance clubs or any other aspect of Boston after dark, consult the weekly Boston Phoenix newspaper's arts and entertainment pages.
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