Quick picks

This article in the Phoenix talks about some of the best shots at different Boston hot spots. I'm still on the fence with this one. I think I'd rather just get a whole cocktail for the price of some of these crazy shots.

Dan Dunn's musings about red bull and vodka. Funny stuff.

UPDATE: I'm officially going to San Juan, Puerto Rico for 9 glorious days in March. I went last year for spring break and it was phenomenal, which is why we're obviously going back. Look forward to some island-themed updates when I get back!

Best of the New

This past weekend, the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine put out their "Best of the New" issue. It's a huge compiled list of the best new things in the Bean, broken down into categories: Food, Shopping & Services, People & Ideas, and Diversions.

From the Diversions section, here is their piece on "Lounge Life."

I've actually never been to any of the places. But I keep hearing great things about the Alchemist Lounge and Revolution Rock Bar. These places are definitely worth checking out.

2 of my guilty pleasures...

I love beer. I really really ice cream. Never had I thought of combining the two.

Apparently the Eastern Standard on Comm. Ave thinks differently. One of the items on their dessert menu is a "beer-beer float." Not root beer. Beer beer. Now this is something I'm going to have to try.

Thank you to this article in the Boston Phoenix for informing me of this exciting little tidbit.

P.S. - on a side note, I just found out that I got accepted to a month-long summer study abroad program in Belfast. I've already started doing some pub research.

Double the fun...

I love the Boston Globe Events Calendar. I really do. I mostly rely on it for last minute weekend events and concerts that I may not have known about had I not read through the events calendar.

In yesterday's calendar, correspondent Linda Laban wrote a great article on the phenomenon of what she refers to as "50/50 clubs." These are places that double as a great dinner locale and as the night rolls on, the location turns into a trendy bar/lounge/club.

She says,

This kind of entertainment alchemy, where a convivial restaurant becomes a lively club, is known as 50/50. It’s the higher-energy, modern slant on the traditional American supper club, really. But this version attempts to attract two different crowds, one that’s here for a good meal and then, later, another that wants to dance, mingle, and live it up a little. Somehow, to keep everyone happy and coming back for more, the two have to be spliced seamlessly.

I, for one, stray towards these locations. I love places where you can go and grab dinner and once 9 or 10 p.m. rolls around, the clientele changes a bit, the place gets more crowded, and all of a sudden you are in the middle of a lively weekend hot spot.

A lot of the places that Laban talked about in her piece, I had actually not been to. The one exception is Sonsie, which I absolutely love! Their food is phenomenal and I am a big fan of their wine list. I love getting a table right by the huge open doors in the springtime.

I'm definitely going to make a point to check out more of these "50/50" spots.

College Bars

I was browsing some random blogs, and I came across a blog called Slashfood. They posted and linked to the awesome article from the Boston Phoenix, which lists the best bars by college area. Definitely handy.

Check out the Phoenix article...

Thanks Slashfood!

On a side note, I will definitely be doing a post soon on my favorite Northeastern University area hot spots, and I will totally refer back to this. Happy Tuesday!

For the under 21 set...

I know I'm supposed to be committed to writing about being 21 in Boston, but this recent issue has definitely struck a nerve with a lot of people. According to an article on Boston.com, many Boston clubs were ordered to stop holding 19+ events at their venues until further investigation has taken place regarding a "recent lash of violence at the establishments."

This is quite bothersome. I was once not 21 and the only places my friends and I could go out to and dance were the clubs and bars on Landsdowne Street. This ban also makes it impossible for my friends and I to include our under-21 pals in the weekend going-out festivities.

I understand that there have been some issues of violence, but what I don't understand is why the ones being pin-pointed are those under the age of 21. I also know that city officials have emphasized that this ban will be temporary, but I can only imagine that this may prompt more underage people to try to obtain fake IDs.

For more information on this issue from a college standpoint, check out the Northeastern News piece.

Z Square - Harvard Square, Cambridge

The Boston Herald gave this recent less than stellar review to one of my new favorite restaurants/bars. Z Square is a 30 second walk from the Harvard Square T-stop, and is definitely worth the trek out to Cambridge. I've been for both brunch and late night cocktails. This is one of the few places that I've encountered that can pull off a phenomenally pleasant experience for both occasions. The food is cheap and delicious and could quite possibly be considered gourmet. Their martinis are moderately priced, but worth it. The main dining area is downstairs and despite not having windows to the outside, it's hip and trendy decor and dim-lighting are on point. I would definitely recommend this spot to anyone who wants to try out somewhere new without breaking the bank.

Here it goes...

Welcome to my blog. I've never really done this before, so pardon any "blogger mistakes" that I may make as I get used to the feel of this. But I love to write, so let's get started.

My name is Rose, and I'm a 21-year-old fourth-year college student. I come from a pretty small New England town where the college kids and the townies have the same local hangouts. That being said, turning 21 in Boston was a dream. Bars, clubs, lounges, restaurants - it's enough to make anyone's head spin (before they even start drinking.)

I'm almost 22 now, and I feel like I go somewhere new every weekend. I'm not going to be living in Beantown forever, so I'm making the most of it now. I hope you enjoy what I have to say and please leave me comments if you have somewhere you think I should check out!

For now, here are some of my favorite sites I frequent to keep up to date on what's going on in Boston...

Boston.com's Food Page - I absolutely love their features on plonks (cheap wines) and their restaurant reviews.

Sipping from the Boston Phoenix - I check this one out every day. Read this article where 9 mixologists from around the Hub are asked to make the perfect cocktail.

The Imbiber from the Boston Metro - Dan Dunn never fails to make me laugh.

Dining News from the Edge in the Boston Herald - I'm partial to the Boston Globe, but I like to see what the other side has to say.