Drink is a trendy bar located in the Waterfront area which makes customizable drinks just for you. If you are a cocktail lover, this place is a must!
Context: We ended up eating dinner at Sportello followed by drinks at Drink on a low key Sunday night. The place had a decent crowd but was not too crowded as we managed to snag a few seats at the bar. I have never been to Drink on a weekend but I hear the lines are ridiculous. Drink is a cool spot, but DO NOT WAIT IN LINE. It simply is not worth it. Try to check out Drink on a weeknight or Sunday night so that you can enjoy it without a line.
Ambiance: I really liked the ambiance. It is located downstairs in a basement with windows so you can see people walking around outside on the street. And if you are a street observer you can look down into Drink which is neat too. The walls are all brick which gives it a cozy and comforting feel.
Drinks: As for the drinks, there is no menu. You just tell the bartender what types of liquor and flavors you like and they whip something up. Be prepared to pay $12-15 per drink. For anyone, who likes cocktails, this is the coolest thing ever. For someone to create a drink made only for your taste buds. On the other hand, I am not sure how much thought goes into making some of the drinks. Perhaps they end up making the same 4-5 drinks over and over again and just alternate between customers. I have only been here once so I am sorry I cannot comment on the variety offered.
Service: During my visit to Drink, the service was excellent. The second we entered the bar, the bartender attended to us and provided us with menus. They immediately poured glasses of water for everyone. They took our drink orders rather quickly too. The drinks themselves were pretty good. What I was most impressed at was the service. Every time my glass of water was empty, the bartender immediately filled it up. The two bartenders also played games with all of us for entertainment. They even taught us a new game called "Ultimate Tic Tac Toe" which I will never forget. This game is awesome...it is tic tac toe with strategy!
Overall, I really liked the trendy but cozy atmosphere at Drink. I am not a huge fan of cocktails in general so I am not sure how many times I will be returning. If you do like cocktails, you MUST check this place out at least once. Just be sure to go during the week so you don't have to wait in line.
I'm definitely a fan of this concept - you tell your server what you feel like drinking, and the bartender will make you a drink that meets your taste.
Does it always work? No, but they are gracious about finding your perfect beverage. Â Both the staff and bartenders are knowledgeable to help you discover a new cocktail or try something you once thought of as not so good. Â
Menu bites are aptly sized with enough heaviness to balance the strength of the cocktails. Â
If you are heading there after work, try to send a scout to get a spot reserved for you. Otherwise, you will wait in a long line with everyone else who didn't plan so carefully.
We visited drink on a weekday evening to celebrate a special day. Bellied up the bar -- and it's all bar here, just one big long maze of bar -- and spent the next two hours nerding out over cocktails with the head bartender.
The concept is a tad pretentious: tell 'em what tastes you dig and they will create a cocktail for you. In reality, it's not all improv; they have a "menu" of special crafty cocktails that the bartenders are dishing out in addition to their takes on the classics. If you can get over the concept and just enjoy it, the place is excellent for a cocktail evening out.
(N.B.: This review is just for the drinks.)
How have I not written a review for this place yet? I wont go into detail because there are many other reviews as well.
This place is not your typical bar, they have anything you are looking for. The bartenders are super friendly and even more creative. You will not be disappointed with anything you order.
This place does get super busy, so keep that in mind when you do venture out here. Also it is hidden, so when you are walking down the street keep an eye out for it.
We went on a Sunday night, it was our first stop during our trip to Boston. Â We walked in and went up to the bar, where we were greeted by an extremely pleasant and capable Bartender/Mixologist.. Â We were all promptly served some exceptional drinks based on whatever influence we suggested.
Review Source:Went here for a friend's birthday on a Tuesday night. The place was packed! I won't reiterate too much from other reviews, but the drinks were really unique and special -- Moscow Mule was amazing because they use house-made ginger beer! I also had the fries which were good/satisfying but not particularly memorable.
My only complaints are the noise level and the service time:
Tons of people plus loud music means it's pretty hard to sustain conversations with a big group. I'd recommend going with a date or a small trio of friends and clustering around the ample bar area. But go with a big group of friends/co-workers if you don't really care what everyone is saying...!
The bartenders are clearly very busy and constantly flitting around the large bar space. We had trouble catching the eye of a bartender to take our order, but they were nice enough in helping us figure out unique cocktail mash-ups. Don't expect small talk or chattiness, though. Paying for drinks was also a long process as we were bounced around between bar tenders who tried to remember which concoctions we had ordered.
Overall a really unique place (for Boston!) for funky drinks. Oh, and they have great lighting :)
Drink is alright.
On a bustling Tuesday night, we were escorted by one of the servers to the standing area. The service was curt and mildly engaging (only with a lot of effort on my part) with the female server/bartender. My friend and I requested to be seated once a place at the bar opened up. Much later in the evening when it did, we weren't moved, despite being reassured a few minutes before that we were next in line for a seat. Instead, we sat down anyways after standing in heels all night long.
The cheese plate we ordered was average at best, and one of the firm cheeses was sliced unfavourably close to the natural rind that it was impossible to cut with the cheese knife we were provided with. I talked to one of the male servers about it and he promptly apologised and offered to send it back for the kitchen to cut. The plate comes in two cheese varieties, with jam, toasted bread, and a plate of assorted nuts.
In spite of the lacklustre experience, the drinks we had were delicious. The flavours I emphasized for my cocktail were predominant in my concoctions.
Overall, I can see why people describe this establishment as overhyped. To my knowledge, there isn't another bar in town with a similar business model. I can see the appeal and popularity given the lack of competition and decent drinks. But that serves no immunity against providing sub-par service and seemingly careless food preparation.
I'm not particularly enthused to return. Will definitely be on a lookout for other bar locations.
After going to this mixology bar four times I can say that there has been a hype for the drinks and ambience for quite some time. At first the 'hype' got me. The drinks were pretty good and the ambience resembled an upscale bar with just the right clientele. It wasn't trashy and the bartender knew exactly what he was doing. Couldn't have raved more.
The second time I went, after raving to everyone about how fantastic it was, I brought some friends. This time we didn't get a seat and had to stand the entire time we were there. Unfortunately, my feet were extremely sore by the night's end. I ordered probably 4 drinks for myself along with a grilled cheese and fries. Service was alright, the host apologized several times for the seating problem. Overall, I walked away happy.
The third time, we did get a seat, however, it was nearly 3 hours after we arrived and got in (which took nearly 30 minutes). The food we ordered didn't arrive until 10 minute before the kitchen closed and nearly 40 minutes after we had ordered. How long does it take to make a grilled cheese and assemble an olive platter? The drinks seemed to be very weak (as I seldom drink I should have been completely wasted for how many drinks I had to consume to even feel a little tipsy.) Luckily for my party and I there were ants on the table coming out from the wall - they comped the entire meal and drinks and apologized. The host, the same as before, was frantic about the ants situation. I felt bad and laughed it off as it wasn't really a problem to begin with.
Lastly, and likely the last time I will ever return to this bar, my party of four including myself arrived and stood in line for 45 minutes to get in. We stood on the stairs, just outside the entrance, for the entire 45 LONG minutes. During that time there was two parties of 8 that yelled "excuse us" and pushed there way through. The host wasn't the usual friendly, perky host that was always there during my last 3 times visiting the bar and was very impersonal. When we FINALLY got in there were no seats (-shocker-). I asked the host to let us know when 4 seats opened up and she promised she would. The bartender came by and I could not speak more lowly of him. (for the manager over looking the yelp account he was the one with a hand bandage). He asked us for our drink order with a cold, snobby attitude. I am glad I had friends with me or I would have given him a piece of my mind right then and there.
Drinks came out after we were told to keep moving over towards the wall - even though there was no one else standing next to us. Food came out over an hour after we ordered it. (it was the eggplant). I noticed, after remembering the last time I came, that the drink was very weak and was mostly sugar. I asked the bartender, who was walking around (the same bartender), if I 'could have another but perhaps a little stronger'. The bartender replied, "ummmmmm, yeah, no. You can have it exactly the same as we made it the first time." At first, I was taken aback thinking it was a joke, but then I realized he was being serious. All of my friends slightly laughed out of awkwardness. 20 minutes later he brought the order and it was EXACTLY the same as the glass before. - weak. Literally 3 hours after we arrived we FINALLY got seats but only 3 seats. One of us had to stand. Lucky me. The bartender behind the counter where we sat was much friendlier but by that time I had a headache from the sugar rush and my feet were sore. We left 25 minutes later, after an order of whipped feta.
"Meh. I've experienced better" could not have been worded better. I hope this review actually makes it somewhere.
I feel like Drink isn't what it used to be. The first time I came here, they reminded me of young Sinatra: spry, smooth, and oh-so-eager to please. Now they're more like old Sinatra: crotchety and cynical, his ego as bloated as his paunch.
The bartenders stare straight down or into a distant corner of the room as they work. They'd never deign to talk to you, but their surly expressions seem to say: "I don't need to try anymore. Already got the reputation, the money, the mafia protection (now if only the kids would love me)."
If their cocktails made you see double rainbows when you drank them, the attitude might be justified. But as it stands, these drinks are standard fare for any passable cocktail lounge. For a bar that promises inventive and personalized concoctions, they are downright hackneyed. They are also weaker than they used to be.
The food here is still quite good. I really like the small plates menu. But we're not coming here for the charcuterie plate. They need to either step up their game or drop the "too cool for school or customers or regular ice" act. For what it's worth, I'd like to see them make a comeback.
If I could leave 0 stars I would!  This has to be the absolutely WORST place in the city for drinks.  The horrible hostess with her seriously bad attitude will begin your experience on a down note.  The waiter had an equally bad attitude and couldn't be less interested in creating a drink for us or even creating an enjoyable experience.  They both actually seemed to enjoy making people unhappy and enjoyed telling the people waiting to leave!  Must be nice to not care about your customer, not provide an enjoyable experience and not even pour a good drink and still think you'll be in business next year.  Save your money and enjoy your evening by taking your business elsewhere!  This was our third and final stop of a  great evening in Boston but left a bad taste in all of our mouths after a really great night.  JUST AVOID DRINK!
Review Source:Hm. So I'd been dying to come here since it opened, and had such high expectations. I wasn't disappointed... but I also don't think Drink is totally worth all the hype either.
I got here just before 5, so there were only a few customers, meaning I could sit where I like and got served right away. The bartenders were professional but friendly, and were good about checking in on me. For my first drink, I said I was in the mood for something summery, and ended up with their "signature" pineapple daquiri. It was excellent, but slightly less unique/exciting than I was hoping for (although I did appreciate the bartender commenting, as I took my first sip and smiled, "that's the reaction we look for"). My second was a pretty tasty minty gin drink, which as a former gin-hater, made me wonder why I had hated gin in the first place (probably because cheap gin tastes like pine sol). Â I also ordered a side of the gougeres, which were warm and flavorful, and made an excellent bar snack. Drinks were $12, gougeres $6, not terribly expensive all around.
So my overall experience was perfectly pleasant, but I get the feeling (confirmed by others) that Drink bartenders have a set menu of cocktails in their head that they select from based on your preferences. That's just fine, but I think the expectation is that they're some sort of super geniuses who dive into your head and give you exactly what you didn't even know you wanted, and/or come up with the most amazing flavor combinations ever, which isn't true. I enjoyed my drinks and they were certainly well-crafted and had quality fresh ingredients, but again, wished they had been more creative... aside from my daquiri, the boy asked for an "old man drink" and was handed an Old Fashioned, which is kind of a boring no-brainer and isn't why we came here in the first place (he gets them all the time elsewhere). Plus I could see the "we're too cool for school" attitude creeping in, which I didn't care for... IMO this is not a casual place to hang out and relax with friends, it's a see-and-be-seen, no-you-can't-stand-there, we're-all-total-cocktail-snobs kind of place.
I had gone to one of my fav cocktail spots, Eastern Standard, the night before, and comparing the two experiences, ES kills it all around (which is why the 3 stars for Drink here). Aside from the fact they have some of my favorite cocktails ever (Blueberry Thrill!), they have a varied and interesting/unique drink menu which is priced at only $10-11. Beyond that, their bartenders and waitstaff are arguably equally as knowledgeable as the Drink staff... you can tell them the same types of things you would at Drink ("I don't like clear alcohols but would like to be converted", "I'm in the mood for something citrisy", "I'm on a Mezcal kick", etc) and they'll help you select the perfect drink for you, even if it's not on the printed menu. I've never been steered wrong, and have always been impressed with both the knowledge/familiarity as well as insight and general enthusiasm for quality cocktails.
Overall, Drink is fine. They do tasty, well-crafted cocktails. They're not too expensive. But, just make sure to moderate your expectations before going, and be prepared for the attitude and atmosphere and menu.
This is a hidden little spot that you could easily miss if you're not watching out for it. It's on the lower level of a building with windows that peek out so you can see people's feet walking by. The overall ambiance of this place is pretty casual but kind of reminds me of a speakeasy, as well. There were no TVs when we were there so it was nice just to sit, relax and have a conversation with a well made drink. The bartenders there are friendly and make great cocktails. I tried their mint julep and it was great. Comes in a tin cup with a huge mound of crushed ice and a little sprig of mint for garnish...very well made. They serve all the classic cocktails there but they do also have their house cocktail menu if you dare to try something new and they do serve food (though I didn't try any on this visit). Their bar seating is split up into different sections so from anywhere you sit you can see the bartenders crafting the drinks, which I personally love to see.
Definitely one of the better bars I have been to. If you want a great cocktail, this is worth a stop if you're in Boston.
Came here last night for after dinner drinks with the wife. Â The first thing that you notice is the ambiance of the bar. Â Call it pretentious, call it "hipster", call it what you will. Â The truth is that this place looks sleek and sexy. Â Just because you have to wait to get in doesn't mean it sucks, it just means that you have bad timing.
We sat down at one of the intertwining bars and were immediately greeted by our bartender, who for the life of me I can't remember his name, but he was awesome at what he does. Â He took the time to explain how the drink system works and told us what drinks he just made for other customers when we asked. Â We ended up getting 2 drinks each and a cheese plate to share. Â The drinks were mixed perfectly, as you can usually see the bartender carefully measuring and crafting the drinks. Â Perfection is their goal and they come as close to it as possible in my opinion.
The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is because of price. Â The cheese plate was $14, and only came with two square-inch pieces of cheese with some nuts and toast. Â The cheese was good, but nothing special. Â Nothing that could be accentuated with the drinks that we ordered. Â Also, the drinks will run you $12 a piece. Â I did not mind at all paying that for what we got, but I also realize that this isn't an every night type of place. Â Hate to break the news to you, but you're in Boston . Drinks around popular areas are going to be expensive and most of the time not worth it, but I feel that Drink actually makes the whole experience worth it.
Try it once. Â If you like it, you're welcome. Â If you don't, then feel free to go to the other 100 bars around the area. Â Just know that they don't nearly take the time or patience to craft exactly what you want.
Wandered past this basement bar and just had to check it out. Speak easy vibe with friendly, witty staff. Our bartender treated us to a masterpiece of booziness called a Nicht Bien (sp?) which consisted of bourbon, bitters, whipped egg whites and a raw egg yolk followed later by an order of Ants on a Log. You have to love a bar that serves ants on a log!
Review Source:So I believed the hype and decided to give this place a try...
The hype is right... I simply asked the bar tender to come up with something & with a single response to one question, he concocted a fantastically refreshing elixir.
Even on a Wed night, an interesting mix of people who otherwise would never be seen intermingling.
Definitely worth a trip to this side of town.
Please don't "Drink" the Kool-Aid on this place. Â It sucks. Â Flat-out. Â It sucks. Â Let's analyze why. Â Welcome to Boston, a city where there are no Hollywood celebrities, Wall Street zillionaires, fashion's hottest models, Silicon Valley moguls, or whatever. Â It's a family-friendly city with some chic places and refined tastes. Â But Drink acts like it's the hottest bar in Cannes during the Film Festival. Â Please. Â You go here on a Friday or Saturday night and some hipster Brooklyn-wannabe with black-rimmed glasses is taking account of your place in line. Â You know a bartender who might get you in? Â Too bad, you have to wait in line at this low-energy bar, because you have to.
Now, you finally bypass Hipster Hell and you are at the bar grabbing a drink. Â 25 minutes later you have three drinks in your hand for you and your compatriots - and congratulations - they're made-to-order so be appreciative. Â Then you want another drink. Â But there are fifty people being served by one bartender at your end of the Whole Foods of Bars waiting for their made-to-order drink. Â Congrats though you're "At Drink" and should feel privileged to have another made-to-order drink concocted for you over the next twenty minutes. Â
This place is so over-the-top full of itself that it doesn't even merit your business or attention. Â If you've never traveled outside of Boston, then, sure, Drink is "really happening" and "pretty stylish." Â But, if you've been around the world a little, then you have absolutely no idea why this place is even considered a cool spot. Â If this were in New York, you would just go to the next venue which would be an underground Sake bar tucked away in the East Village that opens up into a 1000 sq. ft. Japanese cave restaurant. Â Now, that's cool. Â This place, I'm over it.
This place is amazing!! It's hard to find at first because it's in the basement and the signage is pretty discreet, but once you sit down, it's a whole new drinking experience! My friend is all about good cocktails, and this is definitely the place to get them. The mixologists are super knowledgable and make the most amazing drinks based on what alcohol you prefer. The small plates they offer are also fantastic. I can't wait to go back next time I'm in Boston. It's a great place to chill for happy hour. I don't think i would ever go on a weekend night though because the place is small and I see it getting very crowded quickly.
Review Source:Drink features some amazing cocktails and great bartenders. I like the underground, dimly lit ambiance along with the sidewalk view up above behind the bar.
If you ever wanted to try a new drink but not sure what to order, this is your place. Just tell them what drinks/ingredients you like and they'll whip something delicious up. The service can be slower than other places but you'll appreciate all the effort and detail put into your drink.
Many reviewers mentioned that the grilled cheese was amazing so naturally I had to try it out; pretty amazing.
The concept of Drink is something new and fun. I was really looking forward to going with some of my friends one night and trying it. I had read a few reviews on Yelp-some bad some good...and decided to just take the plunge and try it for myself.
The good: my ginger mule was good (not too strong, not too spicy), the little water cups were cute, the vibe was relaxed enough that I felt I could breathe, and the coat hangers on the wall were convenient seeing as it was snowing and I didn't want my down coat anywhere near me once inside.
The bad: as soon as I got there, there was a line. I didn't mind waiting so I asked a waiter if he could put my name down on the list. He did, I thanked him, and I returned to my friends. As the people waiting dwindled, we saw the hostess approach us. "Catherine?" she asked me...I responded with a simple yes. Her response: "It was pretty ballsy of you to write your own name down on the waiting list." I was appalled she would say that to me. I would never do that, and for her to assume was ridiculous. I quickly corrected her, she laughed it off, and then she proceeded to talk poorly about all the other customers that had been waiting in front of us. It was the weirdest thing, and I felt extremely uncomfortable.
I'd say go if you are bored one night and want to try somewhere new, but don't plan a night around this place.
Best cocktail bar in Boston - made to order drinks and a space that feels expansive yet intimate. Only a certain number of guests are allowed in at one time, which is nice since you get personalized attention from the bartender. The downside of that is a thirty minute or longer wait, especially on weekends, which makes the maitre d snooty about letting you in if you are part of a group that's already inside. Best to go in small groups and/or early on weekdays.
Tip: If you plan to put your name down and wait at the bar on the opposite side of the street, don't. Its the exact opposite experience from Drink - its extremely loud and crowded, which is awful when you are in the mood for a lets-talk-over-fancy-cocktails experience.
I don't think I have had a worse experience at a bar in Boston. We waited 20 minutes to just stand behind the bar. Which would have been fine expect once inside we did not receive our drinks for another 20 minutes. I assumed there would be a drink menu, when I asked for one the waiter looked at me like I was crazy.
Once we finally sat at the bar (still without our first drinks) we noticed staff seemed disorganized, running around with their heads spinning. I asked the bartender for a drink menu (I was refering to the menu with food, wine, and beer) and he replied in a short mean tone "WE DON'T HAVE DRINK MENUS". I had planned to order one more drink but at that moment all we wanted to do was leave. It took another 15 minutes and interaction with 3 different people to finally get the bill. I will never return. The staff is pretentious, service sucked, and they overall made me feel bad about myself.
Drink was disappointing. Â The drinks are somewhat unique but if you stand by the bar, the bartenders will keep asking you if you want something else and they well, make us light weights who enjoy nursing a drink all night, feel like a cheap ass.
I was expecting to get hit on a lot and I did...by lesbians. (both staff and patrons who were single). Guys, if you go on a Saturday night, the Lesbians who were in couples were all over each other. Â I dont know, dont straight guys like that stuff? Â Makes me upset because there is nothing it it for me from both sides. Straight men are watching the lesbians, lesbians are hitting on me. Â
Finally, I have been to a bar in Atlanta called Holeman and Finch - check out their site. Â EVERTYHING that Drink does, from their bar eqiupment to their inventory, to the decor, has clearly ripped Holeman and Finch off. Â
Go and think of me,
Nunes
Where else can you get a drink that you can order by just describing what you're in the mood for and watch it made in front of you with such precision and care? These guys truly take pride in crafting the drinks, tasting little sips out of a straw to verify it is Perfect. It's a treat to watch them carve the ice bits from a huge block. Artesian-
Style drinks = fabulous. We had a a few appetizers that tasted so good...at the end of the visit, I didn't want a full dinner because the experience was so overall fulfilling.
Amazing drinks, made-to-order by knowledgeable bartenders in a speakeasy style bar.
GO SUNDAY EVENING. 1) No hour-long wait to get in. 2) No standing once you're in. 3) You can actually hear & talk to your friends, but most importantly: 4) You can chat with the Bartender!
These are some of the most creative bartenders in Boston. When I went, there were maybe 10 patrons in the bar, 1 bartender, and 1 what seemed to be a bartender-in-training. Not only did I get to chat with the bartender about some of his drink mixing tips, but I got to watch him teach the bartender trainee and picked up some cool mixology tips, too. Fantastic bar :)
If Drink was a 80s film collection starring Sylvester Stallone, I'd have to say it's Rocky and place it squarely between Rocky 4 and Rocky 5. Sure, this place came out of nowhere and immediately started out blowing peoples minds, "You're telling me they don't have a menu and you just say WORDS? RANDOM WORDS AND THEY'LL IMAGINE YOU UP A DRINK?! INSANITY!" Not only would they magic you up a drink after merely asking about your day, they'd happily chat with you about all things booze and life related (a little bar therapy). I fondly recall convincing a bartender to all our drinks into a large bowl since in an attempt to make a group drink. Â There was a time they had the entire Boston craft cocktail market (and probably some portion of the therapy market), but that was then.
With fame, glory, and beating Apollo Creed comes certain changes. Â You start buying Adrienne fur coats and wearing weird suits. Â You buy robot butlers. You start to forget some of the things that once made you great.
What was once a beautiful organic experiment in getting drunk is now cold, practical, and machine-like. Â Menus are always visible with the drink options. Creativity (on both their and our parts) seems less encouraged as people crowd to the bar to put in their drink order. Â The bartenders are a flurry: make drink, pour drink, garnish drink, get next order. Â The only interaction you tend to get is the eye contact that comes with acknowledging your order and acknowledging you got your order. It comes across that they're busy, perhaps verging on overworked and understaffed. Â While the drinks are still good, there are a lot of up and comers in the game now who can pour just as good cocktails closer to home (personally for me that's Green Street) and I can maintain a "regular" status, not needing to battle the crowds and letting the bartenders just whip something up.
Bright side: Rocky 5. Â We just need to wait a bunch of years...
I like the concept of Drink but it's probably not a place for me. There is no drink menu. The bartenders make you a drink based on the type of things you like or what you feel like drinking. That doesn't work for me though because I tend to stick to what I like and by them trying to make something similar, it doesn't give me the same satisfaction.
The wait is pretty long on the weekends because the place is pretty small so go early! Drinks are expensive but small but they are very strong. I do like the side of popcorn and the donut holes are delish!
Amazing!
Came here the other night with a girlfriend and lost track of time.. Spent 4 hours trying drinks.
The bartenders know everything there is to know about making cocktails (especially Ezra). They ask you what you like/feel like and then they make you some thing.... No drink menu!
I got what the called a bohemian cocktail, something with muddled cucumber and a glass of wine.
Also, you may be turned off at the long line but its well worth ittbecause they treat the place like a restaurant, only letting as many people in as they actually have room for (table or chair space).
Talk about a sweet bar. Â The friend I was with told us that it was weird for a long line to be at this place but this was the weekend of PAX East so who knows what was going on. Â We waited about 20 minutes to get in, which to be honest, isn't too bad. Â It did smell kind of funky in some parts of the bar though. Â Just saying.
The really interesting thing about his bar was that the bar is really really long and constructed to accommodate as many people sitting there was possible. Â Why? Â Because there are no drink menus, you have to tell the bartender what you like and they'll put something together for you. Â We weren't seated at the bar at first but the service was still great. Â Our server was very well versed in the components of our drinks and made sure we gave her enough info to pass along to the bartenders who constructed our drinks.
I don't remember what I had exactly, one was a mezcal old fashioned and my second drink was a little more traditional. Â Both were very good. Â Being a NYC'er, the prices were cheap. Â I'm used to paying $15 for this stuff.
We were there at closing so we saw all the attention the bartenders put into prep work and cleaning. Â They were chopping up ice for the next day as well as checking and cleaning their bottles of booze. Â One cool thing to note is that there are no bottles of liquor visible. Â You don't know what's going into your drink. Â It makes it feel very upscale. Â I enjoyed that little detail very much.
This is by far the most over-rated place in all of Boston.
The lines are ridiculous, the whole place is just extremely hyped up. Yes, the drinks are good, but they are insanely expensive, and not worth the wait if you ask me. Â The whole place screams "I'm trying too hard to be as cool as a place in NYC," which, I'm sorry, but it's just not.
On top of that, after waiting over an hour in line with my friends, a group of girls who put their names in after my friends and I did got in before us, to which I promptly went up to the hostess and asked her when my friends and I would be able to get in because the group of girls that signed in AFTER us got in before us and we were the same sized group. Extremely poor customer service.
The concept is not original, the drinks are good, but a lot of places in Boston have good drinks without the hype (and for less money), without the extremely unprofessional service at the door, and without the hassle.
I would never come back here.
If I had written this review after my first trip to Drink, I'm sure I would have delivered 5 glowing stars for a one-of-a-kind bar serving well-balanced cocktails mixed by engaging bartenders willing to discuss their creations with patrons.
Fast forward to present day, Boston has been blessed with several great craft cocktail bars while Drink seems to be resting on the laurels of accolades from years past. My last visit resulted in the same citrusy bourbon cocktail for two of us, despite two very different lists of taste preferences. I would have asked what was in my herbal gin concoction, but the bartender was almost flippant upon serving, performing a pour and dash before I had a chance to further inconvenience her.
Since the place is packed from the moment the doors open, it's somewhat understandable to see the staff get flustered or overworked. Unfortunately, this seems to translate into indifference at best and contempt at worst, making me unlikely to stop in unless someone else suggests it. I'd rather take my business to the numerous other cocktail spots where my presence isn't viewed as an annoyance, though I know Drink won't miss me one bit.
[cut to nearly three years later]
While Drink is still probably the most unique cocktail experience in the city, it's changed a bit. Â No longer do all us thirsty sardines cram into this little underground tin, now there is a hostess to take your name and party count (thirsty sardines flopping all in a row on the deck, lined up for the tin). Â In our case, we arrived at what we thought would be an early hour for an easy-in; Saturday at 4:40pm (40min after opening) and there was already a line and a 20minute wait.
Waiting is easy when you're in good company and each of you is full to the brim with excitement for your turn to sip! Â When it was our turn, we were ID-ed (thank you!) and shown to our standing pace (near the pinned insect boxes!). Â Winter coats can be hung in a few different areas, a hook can be found if you're willing to search for it. Â Eventually we were herded to part bar-part standing room, and then to other seating (instead of agreeing on the third move we decided to stand only).
Delivering vague libation ingredients to a saucy mixologist was a breeze, and sipping them down...even easier still. Â My instructions: grapefruit and something light and sparkling; my beverage: The Bohemian (perfect!). Â One of our drinks was a bit tossled in delivery, and we were billed for an additional beverage (a matter easily rectified). Â Our bill was significant, then...so was the experience. Â On our way out, all giggle and smiles, we passed the long snaking line of would-be patrons and whispered "it's worth the wait".
Still a very unique experience in Boston (in location and in service), if you're willing to put in the time for it.
1. Â You have to wait in line to be stand-ed. Â No, you cannot just walk in and get a spot at the bar... the hostess goes and finds a place for you to stand. Â
2. Â The music is very loud. Â I had to shout to speak with my friend when it was on. Â In between songs, it was perfectly fine so my voice got to rest for 20-30 seconds. Â The place has this intimate, cozy look to it, but then the volume offsets that. Â
3. Â The waitress wanted to use the space I had put my coat for another customer. Â That is totally fine - I'm happy to give up my coat space for a human being -- but my problem was with how she worded it. Â "Do you mind if we move your coat? Â I'm just worried it might get water on it." Â Ack, how disingenuous. Â I haven't heard something so blatantly false in a while...
The wine was good, and the food smelled delicious. Â One star for each of those.
Really the only place in Boston that can hold its own against the best of the mixology/craft cocktail bars in SF, Chicago and NYC, including Milk and Honey, Bourbon and Branch, Raines Law Room, Death and Co., Aviary, etc. I've been to all those and would rank Drink among them. I highly recommend going off-menu and letting the bartenders work their magic, making you a drink based on the flavor profile you're in the mood for that night. It's definitely not a place to order your run of the mill house pour. The wait can be tediously long (an average of 40 minutes to an hour on weekends), but one way to get in is to have dinner at Sportello upstairs and if you're nice, the restaurant manager may try to help you get in to Drink without waiting.
Most of the drinks I've had here have been on the mark. The bartenders I've interacted with are always helpful and knowledgeable without being arrogant. I also have to give a huge shout out to their ridiculously good bar food menu, especially the grilled cheese sandwich. I admittedly sometimes choose to go to Drink over another cocktail bar solely because of that sandwich. If you can, go during off-peak hours, like a Tuesday night, or earlier in the evening for pre-dinner drinks. The smaller the crowd, the more the bartenders can spend time learning about your preferences and giving you the drink you want.
This is by far my FAVORITE place to come for cocktails. The mixologists are very knowledgeable and actually care if you are happy with your drink. A friend of mine wasn't quite satisfied, so the mixologist immediately dumped out the drink and created a new one that was perfect.
Keep in mind that this place is small so you shouldn't come with a large group. Ideal for a date or up to 4 people.
I can't say enough good things about this place. I've been probably 3 times in the past year and am hitting myself for not going more often. It's AMAZING.
I've been to my fare share of mixology bars in San Francisco from Singlebarrel to Bourbon and Branch to Blackbird and I have to say that the mixologists at Drink definitely know what they're doing.
Each drink my friends and I had were spot on and they truly listen and understand what you are hoping to achieve from your libations.
I said I liked ginger beer but didn't want a Dark & Stormy or a Moscow Mule since I was already familiar with them and I was handed an absolutely delicious drink.
The service is wonderful too. The mixologists take the time to talk to you, ours even took a shot with us (they don't typically serve shots but we were persistent).
I definitely suggest the Grilled Cheese if you're feeling the munchies. UNREAL.
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