Memorial Day weekend is here, and if you’re not headed to the Cape or the islands, there’s plenty of places to be outside (with drinks and bites) around Boston and Cambridge this weekend. You can sample New Orleans style drinks and dining on Comm Ave., sip margaritas in the South End and even take a ferry and take in some unique art. Find our top last minute picks for outdoor dining and fun for the holiday weekend below! And if you are looking to get out of town check out our last minute MDW getaway guide as well.
Fun patios to grab drinks at on Memorial Day weekend
Alibi Bar & Lounge
Alibi Bar & Lounge’s roomy outdoor patio is located on the street side of the Liberty Hotel, and creates a fun environment for imbibing while nodding to its “criminal” past. The patio offers the full restaurant menu, and has seating for over 60 people.
5 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, when weather permitting
Bowery Bar
The patio is open all weekend at Lower Mills favorite Bowery Bar, and they’re serving a bonus brunch on Monday, as well as Saturday and Sunday (10am – 3pm). The back patio is an outdoor oasis with lush greenery and lots of pretty umbrellas for sun shade.
Saturday – Monday 10am - 1am
Buttermilk & Bourbon
Put a little New Orleans flair into your long weekend without leaving the city.
One of the few patios along Commonwealth Ave., Buttermilk's patio has tons of seating with free-standing tables, a lounge area, picnic tables with umbrellas and a six person bar.
Friday and Saturday from 5pm – 11pm, Sunday – Monday 5pm – 12pm
Harvest
Nestled in Harvard Square, the patio at Harvest features a fireplace and a partial roof, making al fresco dining a four-season experience. Enjoy the beautiful weather and blooming flower boxes at a table, or enjoy lounge seating for parties of six.
Friday – Sunday 12pm – 8pm
Loretta’s Last Call
If you’re hitting a Sox game over the long weekend, or just hanging out in the Fens, Loretta's lit-up patio gives guests a front row view of Boston's Fenway. Loretta's full menu is available here during their full business hours, so grab a seat and enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner right next to Fenway Park.
Friday 12pm - 2am, Saturday 10:30am – 2am, Sunday 10:30am – 11:30pm, Monday 2pm – 11pm
Nautilus Pier 4
The Nautilus’ Nauti Garden is now open with a walk-up bar serving cocktails, beer and wine, seltzers, teas and ciders! The Seaports newest patio bar, with some of the best views around, will also be serving dessert this weekend.
Fridays 5pm - 11pm, Saturdays 12pm - 11pm
Mare Oyster Bar
This secluded patio tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the North End will almost make you feel like you’re dining on seafood in the Mediterranean. Mare is seafood-focused restaurant from local restaurateur and chef Frank DePasquale, this is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a lounge-y patio. This outdoor space is complete with fire pits, couches, tables and a phenomenal view of the Financial District skyline.
Friday – Monday 4pm – 11pm
Pazza on Porter
This Eastie charmer’s trellis covered patio is open all weekend for brunch and dinner. You’ll find crowd pleasing cocktails, like the You Can’t Sip with Us (New Amsterdam gin, strawberry agave syrup, habanero, lemon juice and muddled strawberries) and a hearty, shareable antipasto board.
Friday 12p – 1am, Saturday 11am-1am, Sunday 11am-12am, Monday 4pm-12am
Scampo
Once the exercise yard for the prison inmates back when the Liberty Hotel was the Charles Street Jail, Scampo's outdoor patio is now considered the courtyard. Located off of Scampo’s main dining room, the weather-permitting patio
Friday – Saturday 12pm - 11pm, Sunday 4pm – 9pm, Monday 4pm – 10pm
Yellow Door Taqueria
Sip in style at Yellow Door Taqueria’s newest patio-oasis in the bustling Ink Block neighborhood. The container bar offers frozen margs, beer, wine, signature cocktails and more with ample first-come-first-served seating!
Friday 4pm - 11pm, Saturday 11am - 11pm, Sunday 11am - 10pm, Monday 4pm - 10pm
Urban Oasis at the W Boston
Urban Oasis, a whimsical, garden-themed oasis at the W Boston, will serve drinks and appetizers and aims to provide an escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Decked out in greenery and colorful flowers with a porch swing and light up neon signs, the pop-up patio is the perfect summertime moment. Making this patio extra fun? They’ll be featuring large format shareable drinks like The Rippah (Zacapa Rum, Peach Schnapps, Pineapple, Lime, and Simple Syrup) and The Urban Garden (Ketel One Grapefruit & Rose, Apricot Liqueur, Grapefruit Juice, & Prosecco), perfect for big groups to enjoy together. Other specialty drinks available are Ketel One Botanical Cans, Zardetto Prosecco, and Moet & Chandon Brut. Reservations suggested.
Monday through Wednesday from 3 pm - 9:30pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from 12pm -10:30pm, and Sundays 12pm-9:30pm.
Patios and outside spaces that are family friendly
ICA Watershed
Take the water shuttle over to the ICA’s Eastie outpost and explore the new Guadalupe Maravilla: Mariposa Relámpago exhibit. This exhibition presents a selection of recent sculptures and paintings by Maravilla. At its center is Mariposa Relámpago (Lightning Butterfly), a newly commissioned work for the ICA Watershed and the artist’s largest sculpture to date.
Opens May 25, buying tickets in advance is recommended
Quattro
Located in the heart of Boston’s historic North End, Quattro’s sidewalk patio is located on Hanover Street and offers guests lunch and dinner seven days a week. Bring the whole family award-winning Neapolitan pizzas, handmade pastas, composed entrees, and charcuterie. Don’t worry, mom and dad can split a bottle of wine while the kids enjoy pizza!
Sunday – Thursday 11:30am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 am – 12pm
Seabiscuit
Visit the bakery born out of merging former Australian meat pie shop, KO Pies with Somerville’s beloved The Biscuit, Seabiscuit. They’re celebrating the start of the summer by opening its patio an extra day so it can be enjoyed all MDW. Grab an Ice Cream Sando (vanilla ice cream nestled between two homemade Anzac biscuits), then take a walk along the harbor and enjoy the beautiful weather.
Friday 11am - 8pm, Saturday 10am - 8pm, Sunday and Monday 10am - 4pm