Just As You’d Expect, Boston Has One Of The Best Tiki Bars In The U.S.
Though New England does have miles of gorgeous coastline, it may not be the first place you think of when it comes to tiki huts. Nonetheless, Tasting Table released a feature on the best tiki bars in the country and a Boston establishment was selected.
“Uniquely American and rooted in tropical escapism, tiki bars hold a distinct space in the pantheon of cocktail lore. With origins dating back to the 19th century, when Americans began chasing interests in the South Pacific,” they explain.
Traditionally, to properly qualify as a tiki bar, the establishment is decorated in a Polynesian theme. They serve exotic cocktails and can display items like grasses, palms, and coconuts. Many drinks are mixed with rum or bitters. Tropical fruits and island music also add to the vibe.
In the greater Boston area, the tiki bar named by Tasting Table is a Chinese-American restaurant. In fact, their homepage displays a jungle theme with palm leaves, and a dragon overlay.
Wusong Road Tiki Bar
Located on Mt. Auburn St, Wusong Road Tiki Bar is inside the Harvard Square Hotel. Tasting Table describes the restaurant as, “A lush love letter to chef Jason Doo’s hometown. Harkening to that era, the bar is a blast from the past with things like neoteric Scorpion Bowls, Jungle Birds, and Mai Tais loaded up with three kinds of run.”
The bar itself contains bamboo stools with similar-looking bamboo lights overhead. Their official Instagram account often displays tiki-themed images displaying specialty drinks or themed events.
“Wusong Road wants to tell the story of Tiki during the 1970s through the present day, where there was a strong and largely unspoken connection between tropical fruit-forward cocktails, the Tiki or ‘Polynesian’ aesthetic and American Chinese restaurants,” they explain on their site.
In addition, Wusong Road, one of the best tiki bars in the country, accepts reservations, hosts private events, and sells custom tiki cups.
Big Name Artists Will Open The New Stage At Suffolk Downs
The stage is officially set for a new outdoor concert venue in the Boston area. On June 16, the Stage at Suffolk Downs will open.
Their first concert contains impressive names. Steve Lacy, James Blake, Toro y Moi, and Fousheé are all part of the first show lineup.
The Stage at Suffolk Downs in a 8,500 person space in the East Boston racetrack. The Bowery Presents, the company that operates Bowery Boston, is the main promoter behind this new concert venue.
What’s Different About The Stage at Suffolk Downs
There are a few notable differentiators to this concert experience. First, although there is a high capacity level, it is a general admission venue. It is an open-air venue with sprawling green acres. Therefore, there is plenty of space to get comfortable and enjoy the show. The concerts will occur on the infield of the track.
Next, each show will feature multiple acts. Though there may be a big name presumably serving as the headliner, four or more artists will perform on each ticket. Doors will open early at 3 pm. You can get a preview of the grounds here.
Partners:
The Stage at Suffolk Downs serves as the host for Re:SET, which is a mini-festival series that plays select cities over three dates. In addition, Re:SET “incorporates cocktails, cuisines, menus, and restaurant partners that are representative of Boston including beloved restaurants like,” they state regarding their Boston stop. Food partners here will include Empire BBQ, FoMu Ice Cream, Jaju Perogi and Pazza on Porter.
The Bowery Presents are the promoters behind concert halls such as Roadrunner, Royale, and The Sinclair. Boston Investment Firm HYM is the other partner behind the Stage at Suffolk Downs.
Staying true to its history East Boston’s Suffolk Downs, which opened as a thoroughbred track in 1935, it still has the look and feel of an iconic track. However, with the Stage at Suffolk Downs all set to open, it will begin its new venture as a unique concert venue.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
