BOOZE FOR
BRAINS
We’ve all seen what a few too many cocktails can do to
a person, but imagine if imbibing could actually improve your IQ?
Boston bars across town now host trivia nights similar to those
made popular in pubs throughout the UK. But leave it to Allston’s
Common Ground Bar & Grill (85 Harvard Ave., Allston,
617-783-2071) to come up with Simpsons Trivia Night.
Tuesdays at 7 p.m., you can finally put to use the knowledge you
acquired during those nights in college when you opted to watch
Homer over reading Homer. For those of you who actually did your
homework, general knowledge trivia with questions ranging from
history to horticulture takes place on Monday nights.
Brainiacs will also want to check out The Midway Café’s (3496 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-9038) Nerd Nite. Chris Balakrishnan, a Harvard post-doctoral fellow, started the night as “a forum for scientists to talk about their research in a more fun format than normal lectures.” For most of us, a room full of scientists hardly equals a party, but, as original member Heidi Fisher explains, “By scientist, I don’t mean the pocket-protector, socially inept type. Rather, we’re a group of young intellectuals that feel as at home in a bar as in a lab.” Presenter Amy Mertl puts it best: “It’s a time to show the fun side of your work to a rowdy, drunk, fun-loving crowd who will heckle you endlessly, but are also genuinely interested in what you do.”
15 MINUTES OF
FAME
Bar music can be either
good or bad, but rarely inspired. The Common Ground has a
solution to this predicament every Wednesday at 8 p.m. when
patrons get to play deejay, or rather MP3J. Participating
deejays play 15 minute-long playlists from their own digital
music players. Depending on the night, as many as 15 different
patrons participate, offering a broad range of tunes. Sarah
Korval, one of the night’s hosts, describes the ambiance as
casual compared to other cities where “it can be competitive or
even nerve-wracking. [Here], it’s similar to a regular night at a
bar with the patrons controlling the jukebox. Only, in this case,
the jukebox is a collection of their own music.” Though “bad
music” is a possibility, Korval says this hasn’t been the case.
“Those that are drawn to MP3J nights take pride in what they will
present, so overall, it usually flows pretty well.”
To
further satisfy your inner rock star, The Milky Way Lounge and
Lanes (405 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-3740) has taken
karaoke to the next level with its new Live Band Karaoke
nights on alternate Tuesdays. As Carol Downs, owner of The Milky
Way, points out, “You won’t find another karaoke night like this
anywhere in the city.” Backed by the Nickel and Dime Band, you
can test your vocal might on more than 100 songs, and even add in
a little David Lee Roth leap, if you’re able.
Ladies’ Night
Ladies need nights all their own, where there’s no chance of
being hassled by the male species. Downtown Crossing’s Opal
Lounge (48 Winter St., 617-482-6725) has come up with just
the thing—on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5 to 9 p.m., you can
partake in its Martinis and Manicures night and on
Thursdays (same time), its Psychic Libations night. The
point is for hard-working ladies to treat themselves to martinis
paired with a $7 manicure or a $15 tarot card reading. Ladies,
your job is to get there early and leave with a better sense of
your future, or at least some awesome nails. We expect you’ll
find both extremely satisfying. Opal Lounge provides the setting
and the drinks (their $5 signature Opaltini is unbeatable), while
Galaxy Nails and The Original Tremont Tea Room psychics do the
rest.
Cocktails and Culture
The Museum of Fine Arts is world famous
for its art collection, but did you know it also offers cocktails
and performance? The MFA First Fridays kick off each month
with art, cocktails, tapas and music. And with the advent of
summer, the MFA takes audiences outdoors with its Concerts in
the Courtyard Series, where music connoisseurs can sample an
array of genres every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. This year’s
repertoire boasts 11 artists, including performers of zydeco and
Punjabi Indian songs, and some MFA favorites such as flamenco
guitarist Juanito Pascual and singer Patty Larkin return. German
electronica group Mouse on Mars is the opener for the 2005 series
on June 15, with two concerts at 6 and 8:30 p.m.
Rat Pack it
Modern day bar scenes aren’t for everyone—some prefer a dark
lounge with some jazzy tunes and deep, sensual singing voices in
the background. If this sounds more like your scene, Sinatra
Sundays at South Boston’s Lucky’s Lounge (355 Congress
St., 617-357-5825) will hit the right note. The days of “Ole Blue
Eyes” are back with the Al Vega Trio, featuring Mark Mahar and
special guest vocalist Alex MacDougall. Unlike most retro bar
nights, Lucky’s has an original lounge master in pianist Al Vega.
After eight decades (he’ll be 84 June 22 and started jamming when
he was a mere 5 years old), he’s more impressive than ever thanks
to the practice of accompanying favorites like Billie Holiday and
Miles Davis. Lucky for us, this native of nearby Chelsea never
left his home state.
No irish need apply
Not many places can boast having the only mechanical bull in
Boston, but The Liquor Store (25 Boylston Place [The
Alley], 617-357-6800) sure can. If you never got to fulfill those
cowboy or -girl dreams, now you can. It might sound a bit racy at
first, but after a few of the popular sparkler drinks, perhaps
not. And with this city’s penchant for Irish pubs, you can be
sure there are few other places in which to enjoy a little
Southern flair. If public bull riding is too risqué for your
tastes, perhaps smoking fresh fruity tobacco from Tangierino’s
(83 Main St., Charlestown, 617-242-6009) hookahs is more to your
liking. As a bonus, you’re bypassing the Hub’s indoor smoking
ban. Non-smokers need not feel left out as they can sip cocktails
while watching belly dancers perform Thursday–Sunday from 7:30–11
p.m.
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Arbor, 711 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-522-1221.
Prized for its mysterious healing powers, rhubarb
invigorated Chinese emperors for centuries. Revitalize
with this raspberry-flavored elixir of fresh rhubarb
juice, Chambord and vodka.
Meze, 100 City Square, Charlestown, 617-242-6393. Drink
like a goddess with this fruity blend of Stoli
Strawberry, Midori, Cointreau and pineapple juice that is
just as alluring as the Greek deity who inspired it.