Perched on the 17th and 18th floors of Boston's glitzy new Raffles Hotel, Blind Duck is a sophisticated and intimate speakeasy-themed bar that boasts panoramic views overlooking the city's Theater and Financial districts. To find this hidden gem, take the elevator to the 17th floor. From there, ascend the spiral staircase, turn left, then right, and look for an unassuming door that resembles a fire exit. A subtle duck logo will confirm you're in the right spot. Step inside, and a maître d' will greet you in a small, heavily curtained room before leading you down another set of stairs to your seat or the bar, depending on availability.
The vibe: Sophisticated, contemporary, and upscale, the decor sets a refined tone that makes you feel like you're somewhere special. However, it's the jaw-dropping panoramic views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, showcasing the sky and the bustling city below, that truly captivate. The space itself is compact, featuring plush, banquet sofas and additional chairs at the bar for direct contact with the bartenders. While there's a small area for standing, it can quickly become crowded as servers navigate the aisles to attend to their tables.
The food: Blind Duck offers upscale small plates to complement their cocktails, including okonomiyaki fries ($18), lobster tartine ($39), a duck bao bun ($23), and, at $130 a pop, 30 grams of Osetra caviar served with housemade potato chips, crème fraîche, and chives. You can also satisfy your sweet tooth with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies ($14), a Portuguese egg custard tart ($14), and an $18 slice of Boston cream pie.
The drinks: This is where the Blind Duck shines. Expert bartenders shake up a seasonally changing menu of delicious craft cocktails and mocktails, the latter of which are made with spirit-free boozes. The star of the menu is the "Tierra Fuego," made in a multi-step process with clarified coconut milk, mezcal, tequila, habanero, pink guava, and yuzu. It's not the prettiest drink on the menu, with its bits of coconut meat floaters, but the smoky, complex flavor (if you like that kind of thing) is a revelation. The "Soufflé Espresso Martini" is uplifting and delicious. I asked the bartender to tone down the sweetness, and it was perfection. Fellow drinkers enjoyed a beautiful Old Fashioned and the refreshing "Lychee Spritz" mocktail. The Main Squeeze mocktail was given a thumbs-up, but one guest said it tasted like a full glass of orange juice.
Time Out tip: If you're looking for a low-key hang at Blind Duck, show up on Tuesdays or Wednesdays around 5:30 or 6. Staff tell me it gets packed starting Thursday nights, and according to some patrons, it's nearly impossible to get in on weekends when lines form at the door and, due to the small size of the venue, folks must be turned away.