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Somerville, Massachusetts (Davis Square)

Saloon

255 Elm St Somerville, MA 02144

Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 1 am Fri-Sat 5 pm - 2 am

who will be there? Hipsters. Students & young professionals, lots of people on awkward-looking dates, Bain (yeah, from Batman. He was there when I went, anyway).

how does it work? Their only signage is a lamp with their (gorgeous) script logo next to the Davis Square Theater sign. You'll go through the door that looks like nothing, down a gorgeous flight of stairs to the front desk where they will check your ID and give you the option of getting a table. If you get a table, you do have to order food. They have a good selection of beers on tap, knowledgable, personable bartenders and a killer chocolate cake. 

Alternatively (if you get there too late on a weekend) the (very nice) bouncer will tell you that they're full at the door and you won't get in. 

my favorites: I've only been for drinks, and I'm all about stouts right now. The Massachusetts stout they had on tap was great. If you're into cocktails, order one, they'll make the shit out of it. I'm also a big fan of getting my beer in a jar and any place that has jars of sage in several places on the bar to be used in drinks. 

Their website is here

The MBTA website for trip planning is here

The photo on the left is from google, as is the one on the right. The center photo is mine, that's the stout I ordered and their menu. Ya'll, I'm going back next weekend.

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Boston, Massachusetts

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

280 The Fenway Boston, MA 02115

Wednesday-Monday 11am-5pm Thursday until 9pm Closed Tuesday

Adults: $15 Seniors 65 and up: $12 College Students: $5 with current ID

who will be there? Tourists. Very nice volunteers with Ask Me! written on a card hanging on a lanyard around their neck. Your high school English teacher.

how does it work? Basically it's ISG's stuff carefully arranged throughout this massive, beautiful building. You enter through the new building where you'll immediately pay your admission and then check your coat at the next counter (it's free! Do it!!). There's a couple floors in the new building of changing exhibits and conference space, but the money is straight down the glass hallway past the art student who will warn you not to use your phone AT ALL OR ELSE and into the old building which is three floors of incredible. There's stuff EVERYWHERE, and I mean crammed into every last corner. Most of the velvet cloths over furniture are marked "visitors can move" so take a peek underneath, there's some gems.  Also, all of the rooms have guides to all of the objects displayed in them in these wooden stands hiding in corners. I recommend picking up a map and using that as a reference for the important pieces and ignoring the details about the rest/asking a volunteer if you're that interested.

my favorites: The two empty frames on the second story on either side of the Rembrandt. They used to hold Rembrandts, also, but they were stolen in this so-ridiculous-it-has-to-be-true St. Patrick's day art heist (which you can read about on their website).

Also, the room on the fourth floor with the stained glass. In the late afternoon it's gorgeous.  

Their website is here

The MBTA website for trip planning is here

Those photos are from Google because I'm a rule follower and I took no pictures inside the museum (though, you guys, it was a struggle). The one on the left is of the courtyard in the center, the center is an image of a John Singer Sargent portrait of ISG herself, and the right is a rendering of the new building (sometimes renderings are just nicer than the real thing).

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Dark Horse Bouldering Series

So this hasn't happened in so long that I almost forgot it could. BUT an event worth checking out, for sure, if for no other reason than to enjoy the cheap pizza & beer. Maybe you'll even see me there. 

Bouldering competitions are the perfect athletic venue for hipsterdom. Climbers don't have to wear uniforms (and often go with tight jeans, no shirt and beanies), the sport is a triumph of individual achievement, lots of beards/tattoos and sponsors so obscure you've probably never heard of them.

Everett, Massachusetts' MetroRock climbing gym is hosting the championship round of it's Dark Horse Bouldering Series on Saturday February 1st. Competition is open to all in the afternoon and at night, the big show will occur. Some of the best climbers in the country will converge to compete for the grand prize and the adulation of the small, but extremely dedicated climbing community. 

$5 spectator fee includes pizza and beer. 

Details and schedule at darkhorseseries.com

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Salem, Massachusetts

Gulu-Gulu Cafe

247 Essex St Salem, MA

Mon-Tue/Sun: 8:00 am-12:00 am Wed - Sat: 8:00 am - 1:00 am

who will be there? Salem. Hipsters doing homework next to intellectuals working on their theses. Families having dinner and those three guys that dress like pirates.

how does it work? If you're there during the day walk in and they'll seat you. There's a bar (which you can seat yourself at) and various comfortable chairs if you need to do homework. Can work like a restaurant or a coffeeshop, or a bar. They have a great beer selection, ask your server/the bartender for suggestions. 

my favorites: The crepes and the IPAs. You can never go wrong with a good, craft IPA. AND the stickers. Ask your server for some, they're free.  

Their website is here

The MBTA website for trip planning from Boston is here

Those photos are mine, though that dark beer, alas, is not the beer I drank. Though I did get to try it: delicious. The cups are for sale, as are t-shirts and tote bags.

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Manchester-by-the-sea, Massachusetts

Singing Beach

119 Beach Street Manchester , MA 01944

Sunday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Tuesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Wednesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Thursday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Friday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

who will be there? Manchester locals: high school kids talking earnestly about the pros and cons of smoking and ohmygod, can you believe she used wikipedia for her paper? Boston semi-tourists trying to get away from the city for a day. 

how does it work? Take the commuter rail toward Rockport and get off at the Manchester stop (zone 6). You'll walk down past the new England style strip mall and then take a left on Beach Street. Take it all of the way until it dead ends into the beach. FYI: make sure you have cash. It's $5 to get on the beach and yeah, the only ATM is in town. Stop at Captain Dusty's for ice cream on your way back to the platform.   

my favorites: Laying on the beach, sitting on the beach, eating on the beach, etc. The water is coldcoldcold, so I can't really advocate for going in (though I ALWAYS do). Probably my absolute favorite is the ginger ice cream at Captain Dusty's. Seriously. I may be addicted. 

Their website is here

The MBTA website for trip planning is here

Captain Dusty's yelp here

Yes, those photos are mine. Jealous of my life yet?

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Boston, Massachusetts (North End)

Pizzeria Regina/Regina Pizzeria

11 1/2 Thacher Street Boston, MA 02113

(there are several, but this is the original, and you should go to the North End, anyway, so you might as well eat here)

  Mon:11:00am -11:30pm

Tue:11:00am -11:30pm

Wed: 11:00am -11:30pm

Thu:11:00am -11:30pm

Fri:11:00am -12:30am

Sat:11:00am -12:30am

Sun:11:00am -11:30pm

who will be there? Literally everyone. Mostly tourists, though. That family from Atlanta with the mom with the fanny pack, that couple vacationing from Ohio. Usually locals (and smarter tourists) get pizza to go and eat it at home or in one of the parks in or near the North End. 

how does it work? Stand in line outside. Don't worry, the people in front of you haven't put their names in yet, either. When you get toward the front the maitre'd will come and see how many of you there are: smaller groups generally get seated faster (though not always). The pizza is excellent and surprisingly quick for the quality.  

my favorites: The boyfriend and I got, like, all the toppings and managed to kill an ENTIRE pizza (we were hungry, okay? we didn't eat lunch). Really though, just get pizza. It's what they're known for. 

Check out their website here

ALSO: I know, I know, this is about the best-known pizza place in Boston, and probably by definition isn't very hipster. Forgive me, I'm new here. Just trying to share the knowledge. And you know what? If you hate it that much, why don't you just go ahead and submit something else?! Top photo: mine, ya'll. The other two are from Google.

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Boston, MA

Boston Bar Signs

Like everywhere, brah

On the street during business hours

Yes, those are instagram photos. Yes, they are mine. Am I sorry? Hell, no. 

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The absence

Alright, party people.

I know, it's been a while since I last posted. However, I DO have a life, you know. 

And, lucky for you suckers, this life has taken l'il ol' me to Boston, MA, so I have loads of fantastic, amazing places for you all to visit and pretend you've known about for, like, years, duh.

Expect some mind-blowing things in the future.

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Cincinnati, Ohio (Corryville)

Highlands Coffee House

2839 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219

Open 7 days a week, early and late (I couldn't find the official hours) 

who will be there? Moody intellectuals wearing beanies and having deep conversations while they chain smoke. 

how does it work? walk in and order at the counter immediately inside, with the big vintage cash register. Whoever is working will bring your order out (unless it's just a beer, then you can just grab it then). They'll also be walking around the cafe, so if you need anything feel free to let them know. Pay when you leave, make sure you keep track of what you had.  

my favorites: Alright, for me Highlands is more of a study spot and a bar than a restaurant, so I highly recommend the coco mint (hot chocolate and peppermint Schnapps).  But according to their yelp, everything is delicious. After sever beers and a coco mint, their cookies are delicious. No clue what they're like sober. 

Photos from google images, yo. 

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ME ALSO IN OHIO, WHEREABOUTS YOU.?? :)

Cincinnati, how about you?

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Cincinnati, Ohio (Northside)

Take the Cake

4035 Hamilton Ave

Cincinnati, OH 45223

Tuesday-Friday: 8-6 Saturday: 8-4 Sunday Brunch: 9-2 closed Mondays 

who will be there? Stylish women in their late twenties grabbing a bite with friends they haven't seen in a while

how does it work? walk in and order at the counter next to the pastry case, the menu is on the giant chalkboard to the left. Grab a seat at one of the tables or the counter and they'll bring you your food and clear up once you're done. 

my favorites: The eclair pictured above was delicious, as was the quiche (not pictured). I always ask the person at the counter what their favorite item in the pastry case is and they have yet to lead me astray. 

Their website is adorable

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Berkeley, California

The Cheeseboard Collective

Cheese Board Pizza 1512 Shattuck Ave Berkeley, CA

I couldn't find the pizza place's hours, but this is the bakery/cheese counter hours from their website Mon. 7-1, Tues-Fri. 7-6, Sat. 8-5, closed Sunday

who will be there? From what I could tell the one time I was there: EVERYONE. My favorite guest when I was there: an elderly jazz musician in a feathered fedora with an owl pin.

how does it work? walk in and order either a slice or two or a whole pizza (get a whole pizza). They only make one kind of pizza every day based on the fresh ingredients they have, so I can guarantee that no matter what's on it, it'll be delicious.

my favorites: Whatever they're serving. 

official website with daily menu

So when looking for photos for this I realized (with horror) that I never uploaded my San Francisco photos to facebook. WHAT WAS I THINKING??! So the photo of pizza is courtesy of the lovely Andrea Chu, my darling friend who went to San Fran with me the summer after senior year. In case you're wondering, yes. It was delicious.

Do you have to ask? The other two are from google images. 

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Bakersfield OTR opens next week in Over-the-Rhine’s Gateway Quarter!

45 Tequilas, 45 American Whiskeys and Tacos!

RIGHT. Obviously I haven't been here yet, but I plan to go as soon as possible... hopefully I'll seeya there!

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Cincinnati, OH (Corryville)

Myra's Dionysus

121 Calhoun Street Cincinnati, OH 45219 

Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 5pm-10pm

who will be there? Artsy vegetarians of every age, a couple on a date and a table full of confused but enthusiastic UC freshman

how does it work? walk in and grab a seat, someone will wait on you but make sure you take the time to look through the somewhat lengthy menu, all the servers are great and will give you time and recommendations. 

When you're done they'll give you your check and you can pay at the counter on the way out. If you're paying on separate checks they'll separate it for you at the register.

my favorites: I love falafel more than almost anything, and Myra's falafel is the bomb. Green vegetables suck, but their plate of edamame is the exception to that rule and I have never heard of anyone having a bad soup.

official website with full menu

photos from google images, yo. It was dark and cold when I went for dinner.

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Jukebox the Ghost

myspace, website, wikipedia, last fm, facebook

who listens to them? white kids who like to dance like fools

why the fuck am I interested? Let's be honest: everything likes to dance like a fool. Something about the upbeat rhythms and frequent hand-claps is reminiscent of The Format, and even if you don't know who that is, it just puts you in a good mood to listen to them. 

my  favorites: "Good Day," "Hold it In"

photos: from google images because YOU haven't SUBMITTED your fabulous photos

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I know, I know. They're on their third album, not exactly news to most of us. But come on, how do I not blog about

Jack's Mannequin

myspace, website, wikipedia, twitter, facebook

who listens to them? former pop-punk kids, now twenty-something and interested in re-living the angsty days of adolescence.

why the fuck am I interested? Because Andrew McMahon's lyrics are about your life. Even if this is not necessarily your kind of music, there's a song that says exactly what you need it to. Also, they put on a phenomenal live show.

my  favorites: The entire Everything in Transit album, "Amelia Jean," "Restless Dream"

photos: from google images. DUH. I don't post cell phone pics ANYWHERE.

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46 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, but I'm talking about the one in Columbus, OH

Volunteers of America

1824 Henderson Rd

9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday Noon – 6 p.m. Sunday

who will be there? hardcore thrifters. The kind that seriously look at those winnie the pooh sweatshirts, not the ones that snicker at them ironically.

how does it work? it's clean, open, and the racks are low enough that you can see over them so you don't feel lost in a labyrinth of re-sale clothing. Prices are stapled to items and handwritten on colored slips of paper. Check the wall: on different days, different colors are a percentage off. And we're not talking 10% off $50 like Urban Outfitters, we're talking 75% off of like, $1.99. On the last Tuesday of every month, everything is 50% off. 

my finds: I got a display-only Express dress for $7 over the summer, and today I got four crew neck sweatshirts (varying from vintage Bengals to like-new "Old Course St. Andrews") for under $10.

Official website, Ohio Website, reviews on yelp

photo from google images