I like that this place clearly put a lot of thought into creating a customer experience that is set apart from other recent craft cocktail bars in the area (Saloon, Drink, Brick & Mortar, etc.). Instead of your standard counter & bar stools surrounded by empty space or a few tables for those lucky enough to grab them, Backbar has cozy little nooks of booths and low stools so that just about everyone in the place can sit. If you're standing, it's probably because you're waiting for a seat to open up. The drinks are delicious and innovative with specials that rotate daily. You can also e-mail the bar to make a reservation on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights with the option to order a custom punch bowl (great option for group celebrations).
Review Source:I REALLY like backbar. Â Here's why:
1) It's like Saloon, except it hasn't been discovered by all the people yet.
2) It's in Union Sq, which I think will prevent it from getting so god-awfully busy like Saloon.
3) It's a casual stroll from my house (about 1.5 miles)...but there's also street parking in the neighborhood for Somerville residents and metered parking in front of the Independent.
4) The bartenders are excellent. Â I asked for a bourbon-based drink, and they brought me a cocktail that is normally made with scotch...so they coated the glass with scotch so that I'd get the smokey smell, but made the drink with bourbon so that it would actually be delicious. Â ;-) Â It was great!
5) They have interesting food items on the menu.
Cons
1) Currently my one major con was that I ordered the veggie platter with my drinks because I was trying to be relatively healthy.... so I was expecting some veggies, maybe some olives, maybe an interesting dip... and I got sort of a melon salad and a carrot panna cotta. Â Panna cotta isn't that healthy, guys. Â It was kind of disappointing and I didn't finish it. Â The pig & fig dip was delicious, although slightly overpowering if it was something I'd ordered just for myself. Â Probably better to share among 2-3 people so you have a little taste and aren't just pounding fig paste.
2) The tables are sort of an awkward height at the back of the bar... you have the long bench, but some of the tables are REALLY low and you don't really know how to sit... can I lean forward and put my elbows on the table? Â I don't know, that looks/feels uncomfortable, too....
Overall, I realllllly like backbar. Â I think it's classy, fun for small groups (like a girl's night or a date), and the bartenders are nice and want you to have a good experience. Â Keep in mind--it's a little pricey. Â My date and I each had 2 drinks and shared 2 appetizers and spent about $80.
Great little hidden gem.
+ = pros
- = cons
+ We were seated fairly quickly
+ Very well made and interesting drinks. Have two and you're done.
+ Staff is extremely attentive
+ Small nook that's as close to an NYC speakeasy minus pretentiousness
+ Chill, relaxed, hipsterish crowd
- Parking was difficult around the area
Who wants to eat soup on a 90 degree day? backbar knows what you want. You want a burger, and you want it done right.
The summer offering during Genius Hour, the Journey burger is local local local. Local meat, local tomato, local onions. Add the cheese for 50c extra, it's worth it. Order it the suggested medium rare and it comes bursting with juice and meaty flavor. Although I usually am not a fan of brioche for a burger, backbar's housemade buns was a decent rendition. 15 per day, don't delay.
(Cocktails still the best in town, bartenders friendly and knowledgeable. Pop on in.)
I LOVE this place. Â You cannot go wrong with a craft cocktail, a charcuterie/cheese plate, and fine company. Â Perfect for couples or small groups of friends. Â The waitstaff is impeccable.
My advice - get there early or make a reservation. The place is small, and space goes fast.
Don't forget to look up at the skylight above the bar...
Go for the drinks! The bartenders are exceptionally knowledgable (milk punch. Who knew?), inventive and daring, creating new and unique cocktails daily. Some of these are lovely twists on the standards. Others are wonderous mixtures of sauces and spices you would never have though to put in a shaker. How are these so consistently bold and delicious? We might never find out, but I especially recommend them.
The wait staff was really considerate and friendly. They gave us complimentary spiced caramel popcorn, and when we told them how much we liked it they gave us another ramekin. That popcorn was amazing, let me tell you. The sugar was burnt more than standard caramel, the bacon contributed a lightly smokey flavor, and whatever pepper they used was so subtle that you didn't notice it until the other flavors were gone, at which point it delivered a final, spicy kick that lingers in your mouth.
They get one star off for the rest of their food though, which is really expensive and underwhelming. For example, the $18 charcuterie plate composed of three tiny mounds of standard cured meats and trader joe's-quality bread. Don't get me wrong, TJ has great bread, but it's not $20 a loaf. It makes me suspicious of their ramen and $85 omasake. I was planning to come back to try these after we tasted the popcorn, but changed my mind after we got the charcuterie plate.
The space is snug, but charming: sofa seating, low lights and menus beautifully chalked onto the walls. However, "a little out of the way" would be putting it lightly. They certainly deliver on the prohibition experience. I feel like I shouldn't go in without wearing a trenchcoat and looking over my shoulder. To get there, 1) tiptoe through a dark alley. 2) find the dingy industrial door on the backside of a building containing two overtly legit establishments. 3) wind through a long hallway. Admire the strip of red paint slithering across the otherwise bare walls like the snake in that old computer game. 4) the door at the end of the hall has a lighted sign that says "backbar". Walk to the light. Open the door. You might feel a little bit like you are stepping into heaven. And you might be a little bit right.
So I saw such great reviews for Backbar that I had to try it. But I shoulda paid better attention. I went for dinner and, low and behold, they don't serve dinner. Drinks and snack foods.
First, we wandered this stupid street trying to find it. Went to its sister restaurant JourneyMan (where they serve food) and were told to go through the orange door. Next to the door was the fern sign saying Backbar. Tiny and visible only to the keen eye knowing where it is. Anyway, you wander through the door with no real sign (I've been in Boston long enough - I should expect this kind of thing) and down a hall (sorta like the basement of past apartment complexes - but I didn't see a laundry room) and into Backbar.
Set-up: it's pretty cool, I'd say - good place to chill, but not with too many ppl. It's one room and you get a little bench to sit on and one for your drinks. It's comfy, cozy, dark, and has interesting music. I'd say perfect for a date to chat before dinner.
I had a milk punch, which was a mixture of things and quite interesting. It had coffee, which I don't like, but only a subtle taste and I felt like trying it. Good drink. My lady friend had a Czech matador, which I tried. I don't like whiskey and it tasted strongly of whiskey. Of course, it's a whiskey drink. Which you shouldn't get if you don't like whiskey. (Milk punch w coffee was ok despite my not liking coffee. Go figure)
We munched on some spicy caramel popcorn which was tasty and off we went. Nice place to chill for the appropriate occasion
AM I in NYC
Backbar, a boutique bar, located on a small street in back of Bronwyn Restaurant.
Why Boutique  .... the drink menu is very different - how they came upon some of the names as well as the make up of the drinks is anyone's guess. That being said, YOU GOTTA GO !
Small , friendly environment with helpful staff and little food teases before you go and
get Dinner . It is a great start for doing a Crawl or just a great start. Wait a minute - it is a great nightcap place as well. Â
Oh least I forget, they have Ramen Time from 4-6. Call to find out, can not remember.
<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbackbarunion.com%2Fgenius-hour%2F&s=a2b40305fffa39e165bd6e1d545545bc5fc1b6beee508fcbffccd60c7d3b4fa7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://backbarunion.com/…</a>
617.718.0249
I will not write a long review for Backbar since it will contain all the positives that have already written by other yelpers (superb customer service, delish drinks and food). I do however want to warn people on their ramen special. They only serve 14 bowls every day (not Tues, they are closed) after 4pm so if you dont go early, you may have to come back the next day. In my opnion, the ramen was pretty awful. The noodles were gluey - I had to use my chopsticks to spread out the noodles. There were hardly any broth in my bowl - see my pic. Instead of a hard boiled egg, backbar decided to use poached egg (alright with me if i had more broth to begin with. After i mixed the egg, the ramen turned to a stir fry entree). 1 star for ramen (homemade noodles) but  5 stars for everything else on the menu.
Review Source:What a cute little spot! I'm not even going to complain that I had to sit on a wooden soap box type-thing (because it was my freinds' fault). I honestly don't remember what I had there but I will say a few points of:
1) the service is stellar. Everyone is so nice and helpful. Doesn't hurt that they're good looking too, but that's neither here's nor there
2) don't order off the wall, try to get the bartender to make you something. They experiment with cocktails and come up with the most amazing drinks ever.
3) it's not badly priced
4) it's a super intimate yet open atmosphere.
5) you can't help but feel fancy when you walk through a minimally marked door down a hallway into the bar.
only downside is that a place this cool is kind of a wait, but its so worth it if you have the patience.
When it comes to "Genius Hour" (4-6 every day they're open) backbar isn't f***ing around. They're dishing up unique snacks and cocktails on the regular. Come early for the ramen, which runs out fast, but stay for the drinks, which are among the most creative and delicious you'll come across (I find it funny that Genius Hour is marketed towards college kids, and encourages students to stop by for a drink to help them study--I don't know about you, but I probably wouldn't be very productive at backbar).
The day I went, I wasn't particularly interested in having a drink, but my server insisted I try one of their customized soda preparations. A little lemon, lime, pomegranate, and ginger beer later, and backbar served me what was probably the most incredible mocktail I've ever had.
I have to admit I was a little disappointed by the charcuterie. I got the Genius Hour special which consisted of a veggie hummus, one bland cow's cheese, and a veal-bacon terrine, but really only enjoyed the terrine (it had bacon in it, um, hello). The accompanying bread was rather lackluster, and the other accoutrements (almonds and dried apricots) were pretty uninspired given the wealth of imagination that goes into some of the other items on the menu.
Speaking of which, do yourself a favor and have an ice cream sandwich for dessert. They come from a local bakery called Beaker's and Cream, and they are absolutely incredible. I ended up getting the sour cream and jalapeno ice cream sandwich with a cornbread cookie crust (words can't do it justice--if it sounds good to you, try it--if not, try it), but struggled mightily upon making that decision. I need to track these people down ASAP to sample everything they have to offer.
In conclusion, Backbar: 4 stars. Beakers and Cream's ice cream sandwich: 1 trillion stars.
So. I looooove Journeyman. Like, swoony-starry-eyed-love. Backbar? It's...fine. I will probably go back and give it another shot, but it fell flat for me.
Ambience:
Fabulous, warm space with clever details (and no TV, praise be). They take reservations on Wed & Thurs nights, which I appreciate, since it is TINY and otherwise you really could never ever get in since they restrict occupancy, like Drink, to ensure everyone has a spot at the bar or a little nook.
Drinks:
Honestly, the cocktails were fine, but they were not the equal of Bergamot's, or Hungry Mother's, or the Sinclair's (just within easy walking distance). Delicate to the point of losing the elements. Among three of us, we tried 5 variations, so my opinion is pretty well-formed. Beer and wine list seemed well curated. I remember really loving the mixed drinks we tried at Journeyman a while back, so maybe it was a new bartender...?
Food:
Spicy caramel popcorn = new favorite thing. $18 characuterie plate with your choice of 3 meats was okay, not great. The two types of bread were both too bulky and a bit dry, the lardo was waaaay boring, and the pork and veal grandmere seemed overset or something. Unappealing texture. The liverwurst was outstanding, though, and the coffee-cured bresaola addictive (they brought us lardo by accident, so we got to try four). They did give you a substantial amount of each meat. The only accents were mustards (good) and an Asian-pickled cauliflower that was downright inedible, the flavor was so off with the meats.
I am confused by the reviewer who said backbar was owned by the Independent. It's part of the Journeyman project. The Independent also owns the Precinct, their neighbors to the opposite side.
Ahh, Back Bar -- a wonderful little speakeasy-style cocktail bar which gives the impression of having smuggled a bunch of hipsters in from Brooklyn.
I was a huge fan of this little spot - I love the chalkboard paint, the sexy/trendy atmosphere, the cocktail menu (fantastic), and the spicy popcorn. In fact I'd probably have given them 5 stars if their kitchen didn't close so early and if despite the early closing of the kitchen they had agreed to give us a cheese plate (how hard is it to arrange some cheese and bread on a plate?!) Also they seat their last table at 12:15 AM -- heh?! You're a bar! Even for Boston, that is early.
Despite this grave cheeseless situation, I had a blast catching up here with some friends and sipping very well crafted cocktails, and I would recommend Backbar to anyone either native to or visiting the area.
Great place. Great cocktails. Fun & delicious snacks on the menu. You'll never forget your first experience walking through the orange door, down the hallway to the end & through the door a the end. Its small, so I'm sure on the weekends you can barely get in to this place. But it is great fun.
Review Source:I liked backbar but to be honest I felt a little disappointed -- maybe I just got too excited after hearing about this place from friends and seeing the stellar reviews. It was a nice space and I liked the fact that it was secluded. I went there with a group on a Saturday night and we had to wait 45 minutes to get a seat. They recommended that we get a drink first at the Independent, and one of my friends apparently later found out from the hostess that backbar is owned by the Independent. If that's true, it's a smart business model!
The drinks were really good and our server was attentive and friendly. My boyfriend and I were disappointed by the $18 cheese plate that we ordered, however. There was a paltry amount of cheese and we didn't receive any bread or crackers with it. Another person in our group had ordered bread and we later found out that our bread was added to their order. So eventually we got bread and were able to eat the last bit of our cheese with it. But..disappointing. The bread + butter plate my friend ordered was also $3!
I did like a lot of things about this place -- the ambiance was good, music not too loud and interesting cocktails. It was a bit of an older crowd but, having said that, we (mid-20's) didn't feel out of place. It's definitely a nice, upscale bar with good drinks and service but not as outstanding or unique as I had expected.
To get here, you have to walk down a dark alley at night, knock on an unmarked steel door and give a suited thug the secret password. Â
Ok, I might be making the last part up, but this place really is Union Square's best kept secret. Â Not only is it cleverly hidden off the beaten path, but everything about this place is subtle and stylish.
They offer craft cocktails and bespoke pub fare. Â The cocktails, as with many upscale gin joints are small and pricey, but delicious.
The experienced and creative bartenders are happy to recommend something based on your tastes, or even better to improvise based on flavor profiles.
Wife and I have been a couple of times now, and haven't been disappointed. Â From the drinks to the bar food, we'd definitely go back. Â If you're looking for a cozy, upscale place to enjoy a few drinks, or a unique date location, this might just have what you're looking for- as long as you know the password.
I'm never telling anyone where this is who doesn't deserve it.
Don't get me wrong - backbar deserves every bit of business it can get. They are a shining star in terms of food and beverage. They focus on one thing - cocktails - and they do a stellar job. That said, if everyone knew how good backbar is, you'd never get near the bar.
backbar is hidden away in an alley off Union Square - it's one of those places where you have to know where it is in order to find it. When you come in, there are wood-block seats in a rather small area and then a polished bar. The seats are nice, but get a spot at the bar if you can.
My boyfriend and I love it here, being cocktail people, and backbar has never disappointed. In fact, they regularly exceed expectations. The milk punch changes regularly, and has been, if I recall, orange-toffee, coffee-smoke, and apple-mezcal in the times I've been there recently, and all of them have been stupendous. I always start with a milk punch now.
They have a drink of the day, drink of the week, and rotating charcuterie board (which at one point contained house-aged prosciutto - oh my gahd). They'll also sometimes give out little portions of spicy caramel popcorn for free if it's later on in the night. The bartenders are all very nice and very good at their jobs.
I think of backbar as a kind of secret spot, only to be shown to the worthy.
I'm a ramen snob so here's my take on it, it's not ramen, it's pasta soup. Is it good? Yes. Is it unique? Yes. Are the ingredients fresh? Yes. However it is not ramen. A bowl of ramen provides a specific type of noodles with a consistent type of broth. To make the broth, you need to perfect the recipe. You don't switch the broth around based on the ingredients that are available and backbar continuously changes the broth based on the ingredients that they are using for journeymen. According to the bartender, the broth can be made out of chicken and pork one week and the next week, it could be made out of veal. Is this a bad thing for backbar? No, but once again, it's not ramen, it is pasta soup. Another reason why it's not ramen is because ramen is supposed to provide specific toppings that mesh well with the broth. At backbar, they provide you the option of adding various topics including kimchi, extra pork, garlic, or bacon. Each topping is an additional dollar. Â Overall, I really enjoyed the pasta soup. The portion was big. The soup was full of flavor and the pasta was fresh. Also, this is a great way to try a Journeymen's creation.
I'm always amazed how down-to-earth the bartenders are here. Every time I come here, they are super friendly and if you're lucky, they might give you some delicious spicy caramel popcorn on the house!
The cocktail menu is continuously changing and if your eye catches a certain spirit, they are more than happy to make a personalized cocktail with the spirit. In addition to cocktails, they also offer a unique list of craft beer and lovely wines. This is a great place to spend an evening!
The drinks here are amazing. Â The bartenders seriously work their magic in crafting concoctions that suit your taste. Â As some other reviews say that you're not only limited to the menu. Â Ask the bartender what they recommend and they'll stir/shake something that will change your mind about certain liquors. Â I've got to say that I've acquired a taste for some good bourbon and rye after going to trying some of their drinks. Â I am so glad I live so close to this place, but sometimes it gets wicked packed so make sure you either get there early or make a reservation. Â Unfortunately, it closes at 1 am =/
Review Source:I went here on Saturday with a friend to try one of their 10 daily ramen noodle bowls. Â We got there a few minutes before they opened at 4 pm. Â They were very accomodating and friendly about letting us sit down and hang out until they opened. Â By 4 pm, most of the 10 bowls were already spoken for, so don't show up late.
The ramen here is the shoyu style (soy sauce based). Â I tend to like that a lot more than the tonkotsu type (pork broth), which I always find a little too heavy. Â That's why I have yet to hit up Yume Wo Katare. Â Anyway, the broth was flavorful, the beef was tender, the soft boiled egg was silky and delicious, and the noodles were perfect. Â I was really happy with everything. Â Next time, I'll do as my friend did and wait until I'm halfway through my ramen before breaking into the egg!
We also got two drinks each. Â We alternated between two of their drink specials: the Angel Martini and the Salsa Verde Milk Punch. Â I loved the Angel Martini and plan on making these at home. Â It's basically a gin martini that doesn't burn at all. Â Equal parts Wire Works Gin from GrandTen Distilling in Southie, Angelica Root Liqueur from GTD, and Dorin Dry Vermouth with a lemon spiral. Â It was really excellent. Â I also loved the milk punch (which does not look anything like milk). Â It had mezcal, herbs, citrus, pineapple, and a bunch of other stuff I don't remember. Â I didn't pay attention, because there's no way I'm going to attempt to make this at home.
I really loved this tiny bar. Â There isn't much room to stand, so I'd be afraid to make the trek to Union Square for this place alone. Â But I have been told that you can make reservations for tables here. Â Good to know! Â I'll be back.
Thanks to yelp and eWOM....otherwise this place is absolutely invisible in the back of Union Square. And it would be a total shame, this is one of the best cocktail bars I have been to. Very cozy and comfortable for having a nice cocktail. The bar tenders know what they are talking about and both drinks I had were pretty good (apparently they change up the drink menu quite frequently). I am very happy this place opened up in Union Square as it will most likely contribute to the area keeping its upswing.
This place is basically a non-poche version of Drink in Boston (and I kind of like it a little better)...Try it out, totally worth it.
DISCLAIMER - This review is based mainly on the ramen and kind of long. Hope it's helpful!
A few days ago, my friend sent me an article about the ramen at backbar. I got really excited because I love a good bowl of ramen and it's hard to find one in the Boston area. I read that they were only being served from 4-6pm. It was around 2:30pm when I read the article and within an hour I was on the T.
A friend advised me that it would be tricky to find. He was right - the place is literally a backbar! Luckily another patron had walked in after me and pointed me in the right direction. Backbar is small and looked like a fancy dive. There's seating at the bar, lounge chairs and bar tables. The tall ceilings and the sky light made the space feel larger than it really was.
I asked the bartender (very friendly and adorable) questions about the ramen. He said that the official rollout was several days ago and that they had done a soft launch two Mondays prior. After getting a lot of requests for ramen, they decided to go for it. If I heard correctly, they share the kitchen with Journeyman. Out of respect for the business, they only serve about 10 a day. That may change in the future. The bartender was excited about it which made me excited. The ramen isn't on the menu so you have to ask for it. In addition to the ramen, I ordered pork buns and a drink called grafoni. I may have misread the description because it was strong! I'm a lightweight so I actually got really buzzed during the meal (not fun when you're solo). I also got a starter of their spicy caramel popcorn. I thought it was pretty tasty. I liked the heat.
The ramen finally came out and I was a little disappointed. Toppings included one small sheet of nori, several bamboo shoots, and a runny egg. I recalled the website listing available toppings. I wasn't asked whether I wanted additional toppings so I assumed some may have been included. Maybe they didn't have them that day? I don't know. But I appreciated the fact that the noodles were fresh. I wasn't a fan of the broth. Here's an excerpt from their website:
"The broth is made from pork and duck stocks, with scallops, miso and soy sauce. The noodles are made fresh daily and topped with shredded pork, runny duck eggs, scallions, and bamboo shoots. Then you can personalize by adding on kimchee, pork lard, garlic, extra noodles or just some bacon!"
I definitely tasted the scallop. It was fishy - not something I particularly care for personally. I'm generally not a fan of fishy broths. Otherwise, I think it was a solid broth that could have been better if it was actually hot. The broth was lukewarm. Yuck. The runny egg had some uncooked whites (because the broth wasn't hot) so if that bothers you, then I would recommend not getting the egg. I like runny yolks so I had no problem there. The noodles were nice and chewy. Definitely the highlight of the dish. However, the lack of toppings, temperature of the broth, size of the bowl (a patron finished his in under 3 minutes), and price ($12) left me really dissatisfied. The pork buns finally came out after I finished the ramen. The bottom of the bun was soggy. The pork belly was thinly sliced, cooked right, but lacked oomph. Proportion-wise, it was lacking pork. I tasted something like five spice in the marinade but there was barely any slaw to help punch up the flavor. For the price (2 for $8), that was also disappointing.
Overall, I thought the ramen and pork buns were just okay. They weren't horrible but they definitely didn't meet my standards. This is the second restaurant I went to that served lukewarm broth (Uni was the other) so I'm not sure what's going on there. Hopefully it'll get better as they have just started serving this but I definitely won't be back for the ramen any time soon. However, I would go back to try their other drinks and menu items since it sounded good.
Finally got to check this place out over the weekend during Nemo!!! Â What a perfect way to spend a snowy nice in a secluded little bar. Â It was the coolest spot and reminded me of one San Francisco! Â Since it was snowy out I decided to go with one of their specials "hot toddy" made with apple brandy. Â It was so yummy and felt so smooth going down. Â I really like this spot and I can't believe it took me this long to check it out. Â They have us spicy popcorn as a snack which were also tasty. Â I would like to go back and try some of their small plates and so of their other drinks.
Review Source:Since there are already 77 gushing reviews of this joint, I will keep mine simple. Aw hell naw, now I have a craving for Gushers.
[+] Drinks at backbar are some of the best around. The only local places that come to mind that are on the same level are Drink and Bergamot.
[+] Service is fantastic.
[+] Atmosphere is unbeatable. Nearly hidden exterior and speakeasy interior. Zebrawood bar and shelves. Dimly lit so as to hide your flaws. Lots of apparatuses.
[+] Every table is given a complementary small ramekin of spicy caramel popcorn. You are a jerk if you do not order an additional [larger] bowl at $3 because it is that good.
[+] Last time I went here they forgot an order of pork buns. After inquiring as to the status, the waitress brought over the owner who told us it would be out shortly and that it would be on the house. It was a really nice but unnecessary gesture, and it made the pork buns taste even more delicious. Seriously, backbar goes out of it's way to please. Thank you!
[+] This is the type of joint where you can tell the bartender what you like and do not like in a cocktail, and they will make a one-off drink just for you. You will like it. I promise. Otherwise, their drink menu is small yet well thought out. My most recent order was a Fall Back (their take on an old-fashioned, with bourbon, maple, walnut and bitters). I ordered more than I care to reveal.
[+] I was fortunate enough to attend a class on how to make milk punch here. The owner really loves what he does and is eager to teach others. I hope they do more classes in the future :]
[+] backbar is on my personal short list of best of the best in the Boston area.
[-] Though pricey, you get what you pay for, and that is unbeatable quality, ingredients, atmosphere, and service. This really isn't a negative point, but I had to balance this review out some how. Shhh.
[-] Getting a table for more than 2 people on the weekend can be tough, but hey, the place is incredibly popular, and rightly so, so deal with it.
[-] Union Square is a pain in the booty to get to by public transportation, but that is part of the reason the area is so great. Ride your bike.
Okay, so that wasn't as simple as I promised. Tough.
Finding a well made cocktail by bartenders who know how to make them goes a long way.
Try the drink of the day, drink of the month, or go with the bartender's choice. Actually, just go with all three for the night.
I recommend calling ahead for reservations, you will have to wait if it's a busy night.
I rarely make trips to Union Square in Somerville, as I'm not a big fan of buses and there is no nearby T, so my choices are left with walking, driving, or biking. Driving it is. I headed out to backbar before a friend's album release at the new Cafe Tango down the street. I have had backbar on my go-to list for a bit now, after it's opening in late 2011. It is the slightly-younger sister of Journeyman, a tasting-menu restaurant run by foodie-friends focusing on seasonal ingredients. backbar has recently been in the news a few times, having their bartender Sam Treadway winning Boston's best bartender award and being featured at Zagat's 30under30 event. I brought T along to this newish craft cocktail utopia with a few friends for a quick drink & snack before the evening's event.
Down the alley we went...to the nondescript orange door. We headed in down a dark hallway hoping we were heading the right way. Our spirits were raised when we found the backbar sign, opened the door, and were greeted to a quiet & calm hideaway.
In we went, we plopped down on one of the wall-length comfy couches and admired the graffiti wall & the hand-drawn daily menus of food & drinks. I went with the union mule with Beefeater gin, apple brandy, St-Germain, citrus, ginger, and spice with a pork belly bun as a snack.
Overall, a tatsy strong drink in a non-pretentious quiet calm space. A Â nice change of pace!
Pictures and more on -- ----
Aw yiss.
Everything about this graffiti-laden shoebox of a lounge feels right. Back alley, practically unmarked "front" door. Sexy, friendly lighting. Charcuterie.
Immaculate cocktails -the Turtles in Thyme is an herbal, apple-kissed rye concoction reminiscent of a woodsier Diamondback. Ten bucks, high octane and so clean, I'd rinse my laundry in it. Loved. This. Drink.
Sips of her Old Fashioned and Andy J's Thin Mint rum milk punch were equally perfect. Can I get a hell yeah for right-pricing amazing drinks without letting fame and notoriety unnecessarily jack up the cost?
And the food! Started with a complimentary taste of spicy caramel corn. Not the overly saccharine vanilla type, but a bitter, buttery, burnt bit of brilliance balanced against the seasoning's heat. Then we moved on to the fig & pig and the Russian cheese spread (cheddar, carrots and garlic), both simple, savory and (again) properly portioned for a short $7 combined.
Finally, the charcuterie ($18): chef's sampling from nine or so daily proteins, and this eve, we sat face-to-foot with pig trotter terrine, salt cod brandade, ribbons of lardo and house pickles. Stellar whatever the kitchen sends, but remember you're only getting three of the nine, so don't hold back a specific request if one will sit untouched. I'm confident the staff will accomodate, as they did smiling with all other requests.
Backbar is THE front runner for the most well-crafted cocktails of Union Square, and a top three candidate for best of Boston.
Totally lives up to the hype. The bartenders were knowledgable and friendly, the atmosphere was cool and speakeasy, and the drinks: amazing. My friend ordered the union mule and I had the brown derby - both excellent. It got slow behind the bar, and our barky asked if anyone wanted a really complicated drink -- of course! He made up a Ramos Gin Fizz -- un f**king believable!
Go here. Drink. Be merry.
Recommended to us by a transferred Brooklynite, we entered with some trepidation vis-a-vis mega hipsterness. That said, my icy barrier was immediately thawed at the sight of "Green Mars" on the girl maitre d's stand. A place where sci-fi floweth free is a good place to be.
A cool, shady entrance that makes you feel like you're sneaking into the back of the school gym, or into a scene from a Martin Scorsese gangster film (probably one where Joe Pesci kills someone with a Bic pen), with exposed brick and graffiti - plus plus. More pluses: while we waited some 15 mins. and admired the hanging stalks of prosciutto leg dangling from the ceiling (sci-fi AND Italian?! be still, my heart), we were given what I like to call FREE ALCOHOL. i.e. Alcohol that was free. I think we had little thimbles of Union Mule. So glorious. Already John Sayles visions.
Next up: FREE CARAMEL SPICY STUFF POPCORN. More pluses. We are maxing out on pluses.
Next next: we managed to get through a couple heavy-duty, fancy schmancy cocktails and then, in a fit of drunken complete lack of ethics, ordered the "bunny mcnuggets" from the Late Night Food Menu. Oh, how my heart and mind quailed at what I was eating. BUNNIES?! (But, oh, how my tummy loved it...)
So, after getting properly bulldozed by the tasty cocktails, and then having our hearts smashed by eating bunny bits, it was time to end the night. With one promise to ourselves... A SWIFT RETURN.
backbar's often compared to Drink, but I think the only similarity is the bespoke cocktail experience. Â Otherwise, backbar is much more casual (read: less pretentious clientele), more intimate (read: much smaller), and communal (read: it's in Somerville).
The trick is to avoid this place on Friday and Saturday nights if you're adverse to waiting to get into a bar in Somerville or have a large group. Â I've been here many times earlier on a Saturday evening, Thursday night, or on Sunday and have always been comfortably seated without a long wait.
An amazing bar - comparable to Drink but with a different atmosphere.
I was here just last week and was treated to not only delicious cocktails (try their daily drinks -- all delicious!) but also a lot of FREEBIES! Free samples of their drink and food.
The bartender was knowledgeable and the atmosphere was fun.
Really, if you're looking for a unique cocktail bar experience it doesn't get much better than this.
(ps. the door is on the right when you walk down the alleyway; there's a small sign outside that says "backbar")
This is pretty much my favorite addition to Union Square as of right now. Â Fancy cocktails adorn the drink menu, or if you give the bartenders an idea of what types of things you like, they'll fix you up something amazing. Â I tried a drink off the menu, and then let the bartender fix me one based on things that I typically like, and I loved the one he fixed for me. Â It was like a dirty grapefruit gin martini.....um, how could I not? Â It sounds like the perfect drink for me! Â
I haven't tried any food here, but the bar bites menu has some great snacks, like spicy caramel corn (with the option of adding bacon) or charcuterie. Â The late night menu featured "bunny nuggets" when we were there, which let me tell you, I would love to get drunk and order. Â
Staff here is amazing, ambiance is wonderful, and I pretty much can't think of a thing I'd change. Â I'll be back again soon!
This is my new haunt. The bartenders are awesome, good conversationalists, amazing mixologists. I told a guy what i wanted, not even a flavor but a feeling, and he sends me back probably the best drink I've ever had. "What is this?" I ask. "I just made it up" he replies. $7. I'll never taste it again but isn't that one of the greatest ways of experiencing art? Ethereally? Ephemerally? They've never served me something bad. The things I haven't loved were experiments and were still fucking good. Fuck. I love this bar.
I've never been blown away by the food but they can't *wait* to give you a complimentary cup of caramel popcorn. the bread is literally cold bread and butter, but the super-grainy one is tasty. If you guys at backbar are looking at these, make the croque monsieur crunchier (croquier?). I always want to try the fois gras sandwich but I don't like liver and I've never had fois gras but i've heard about it and how it's made and like, I really want to know what could possess generations of people to keep doing that.
I love the decor of the place, too. The brick walls, obviously the side of the building the space was built against, is covered with a rainbow of grafitti, and the high, giant chalkboard menus are done in nifty art deco that guys like me who spent 100% of our formative years around single mothers just LOVE. Also, everyone who goes here is great looking. Literally everyone. I've never seen an unattractive person at backbar. The other night two ravishing women in black dresses came in together and struck up a conversation with me. This place works miracles, I tell you. It could be the lighting, which by nightfall is a notch above midnight in Montana (they have an awesome skylight) but I think only cool people are allowed to know about this pace. Count yourself lucky, loser.
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