The Top 3 Best Boston Bourbon Bars

Boston is the true underdog when it comes to large American cities. But we’re here to change all that. They’re known for their clam chowder, their baseball (and their baseball team, The Red Sox), baked beans, and the Boston Marathon. Add that undeniably unique accent, and Boston is a one-of-a-kind place that will steal your heart. Maybe you’re traveling to Boston for the first time, or you’re already a Boston native looking to try somewhere new. Whatever the case, we’ve scoped out a few spots for you to indulge in everyone’s favorite spirit: bourbon. We’ve selected the Top 3 Best Bourbon Bars in Boston for you to try. You’ll have fun whether you are a bourbon aficionado, or just looking for something unique!

1. The Quiet Few

https://www.thequietfew.com/

331 Sumner Street
East Boston, MA 02128

(617) 561-1061

info@thequietfew.com

We wanted to start off our list of Boston Bourbon Bars with a bar that is quintessentially Boston. Nothing too fancy, but full of spirit and a raucous personality that seeps through the walls. The Quiet Few is located in East Boston at 331 Sumner Street. This friendly neighborhood tavern boasts “No frills. A couple of spills.” If that isn’t a Boston slogan, we don’t know what is.

The Quiet Few has an extensive drink and food menu, but their main focus is whiskey. With over 50 different whiskeys on their menu, we’d say the word “expansive” doesn’t quite describe it. Their whiskeys range in price from $17 -$240 per bottle, so there is a bottle for every budget. Their food isn’t anything to scoff at, either. The Quiet Few’s bar fare is scrumptious and satisfying; you’ll be ready to dig in. Their hours are as follows:

Monday thru Thursday: 5 PM-1 AM

Friday: 3 PM-1 AM

Saturday and Sunday: 12 PM-1 AM

The Quiet room has a patio for outdoor seating as well as a bar and indoor seating. They are first come, first serve and dine-in only--they don’t offer reservations, takeout, or delivery. However, we think experiencing The Quiet Few in person is half the fun!

2. Citizens Public House & Oyster Bar

https://www.citizenpub.com/location/citizen-public-house/

1310 Boylston Street,

Boston, MA 02215

(617) 450-9000

Looking for a bourbon bar in Boston that is a bit more upscale and refined? Then you’re definitely going to want to check out the second bar on our list. Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar is a Boston institution. It boasts an extensive whiskey and bourbon menu as well as mouth-watering meals. Citizen Public House is a more modern tavern. Its proximity to Fenway Park makes it an ideal watering hole for weary travelers and baseball fans alike. Their incredible bar features craft cocktails and world-class wines. And their selection of more than 350 whiskeys includes hand-selected single barrels crafted just for Citizen Public House.

Citizen is known for their whiskey selection. They have won numerous awards including Northeast, The Bourbon Review (2013-2022), 150 Best Bars in America, The Daily Meal (2011-2018), Best Spirit Specialty, The Improper Bostonian (2016), Best Brown Liquor Bar, Boston magazine (2014), and Best Manhattan, Boston magazine (2011). Their selection of whiskeys is always changing, but never faltering in quality. According to their website, they “curate our selection to show the geographical breadth of the spirit, as well as the depth in expression across all styles and eras. From hand-selected single barrels that are bottled and labeled just for us, to bottles from all five regions in Scotland, our whiskey collection is always in motion.”

CPH also touts a fabulous raw bar, as well as a great selection of other things to nosh on while sampling their bourbons and other whiskeys.

Citizen Public House and Oyster Bar are open the following hours:

Monday - Wednesday

5:00 PM - 1:00 AM

Thursday – Saturday

5:00 PM - 2:00 AM

Sunday

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Call to make a reservation ahead of time for a guaranteed spot. You won’t want to miss out on this bourbon lover’s paradise!

3. Buttermilk & Bourbon

https://www.buttermilkbourbon.com/

160 Commonwealth Ave,

Boston, MA 02116

(617) 266-1122

Who would have thought that some of the best Southern-style bourbon and cuisine could be found in Boston, Massachusetts? With Buttermilk & Bourbon, the heart and soul of Southern cooking have made its way up North. “…the restaurant offers a vibrant, cozy atmosphere with an innovative American menu featuring Southern influences.”

At first glance, Buttermilk & Bourbon’s whiskey menu may not seem to not live up to its name. However, there are several cocktails featuring delicious bourbons, making this location more about quality than quantity. Buttermilk & Bourbon features several different bourbons such as Russel's Reserve 10-Year Small Batch Bourbon, Appleton Estate Reserve, Michter's US 1 Rye, and Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch. This restaurant is also a visual delight, along with being a delight to the tastebuds. “The restaurant showcases brick walls covered in New Orleans-inspired murals, tin ceiling tiles, a large center bar suitable for optimal guest and bar staff interaction, and separated dining rooms that offer varied atmospheres for guests to enjoy that also work as private dining rooms.”

Buttermilk & Bourbon is open the following hours:

Sunday: 10:30 am - 3:00 pm / 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Monday - Thursday: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Friday: 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Saturday: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

After trying out our Top 3 Best Bourbon Bars in Boston, you may never want to leave “Bean Town.” Kind of like in Cheers, Boston is the city where you are always glad you came. (Even though everybody may not know your name.) Fun travel fact: Cheers takes place in Boston, and you can visit the real bar!  We hope you enjoy your time in Boston and that you savor every sip you take. While you’re deciding where to head next, check out our Instagram and Facebook pages for more articles just like this one. Which bar will you be testing out first?