BOSTON, A BARGAIN TRAVEL GUIDE

BOSTON, A BARGAIN TRAVEL GUIDE
BY: STEVE PERLOW
made famous by revolutionary events, infamous by
cold winters, and both by the world-series
WINNING RED SOX, BOSTON HAS ITS FAIR SHARE OF
reasons to visit. with such a reputation,
however, comes high prices, and it has become
INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND BARGAIN DEALS IN
the city. that is why we created a list of
budget restaurants, bars and activities that
BOTH LOCALS AND TOURISTS CAN USE WHEN GOING OUT
in boston. spanning the unique boston
neighborhoods, we have suggestions whether you
ARE WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS OR SINGLE. WE ALSO
provide ideas for dates that won't break the
bank - great especially for a first outing, yet
PERFECT ALSO FOR A CHANGE OF PACE IN THE OLD
routine.

RESTAURANTS

grendel's den (89 winthrop street, harvard
SQUARE) - STOP BY FOR THE HAPPY HOUR FOOD
specials from 5-7:30pm and after 9:30pm at this
popular harvard square bar. the entire menu
(NORMALLY VERY REASONABLE) IS HALF PRICED,
giving the diner on a budget some great options.
try the mediterranean platter for steak tips and
HUMMUS FOR ONLY $5 DURING HAPPY HOUR. ALSO, STOP
by on sunday evenings for the special dollar
menu, featuring items such burgers and pasta.
THERE IS A MINIMUM DRINK PURCHASE OF $3 REQUIRED
for the discount prices.

BROTHER JIMMY'S BBQ (96 WINTHROP ST., CAMBRIDGE)
- enjoy some of the best bbq you can find north
of memphis and east of st. louis. while the
ENTREES CAN GET PRICEY, YOU CAN ENJOY A GREAT
bbq sandwich and a side for under $10. try the
pulled chicken with the eastern carolina sauce
AND THE MASHED POTATOES WITH GRAVY. IF YOU'RE
looking to splurge, try a swamp-water; this fish
bowl of liquor is $15, but does come with its
OWN ALLIGATOR. ON WEDNESDAYS, BE SURE TO CHECK
out the ladies night specials and receive $1
domestic beers and $1 margaritas. also on
WEDNESDAYS, RECEIVE A 25% DISCOUNT ON YOUR FOOD
purchases with a valid southern id (states south
of the mason-dixon line and east of the
MISSISSIPPI). ON SATURDAYS, THERE ARE $0.35
wings and $8 pitchers from 12-4pm. for those
really looking to eat, stop by on sundays for
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT RIBS AND ALL-YOU-CAN-DRINK
drafts for $22.95 (two hour max) or on mondays
for all-you-can-eat wings and rib tips and
ALL-YOU-CAN-DRINK DRAFTS FOR $14.95.

fajitas and ritas (25 west st., downtown or 1237
HANCOCK ST., QUINCY) - IT'S EASY TO STUFF
yourself with fresh tex-mex food here without
spending too much cash, because fajitas and
RITAS IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES AROUND THAT
serves dinner-sized fajitas for less than $10.
for those who prefer the tex instead of the mex,
YOU CAN GET A BBQ PULLED PORK SANDWICH
accompanied by slaw, beans and corn bread, also
for under $10. and even though you might be
TRYING TO SAVE MONEY, IT'S HARD NOT TO SPLURGE
on a raspberry margarita for a bit over $4. no
matter your budget, you won't be hungry when you
LEAVE!

mccormick and schmick's (north market building,
FANEUIL HALL) - THIS UPSCALE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
can normally cost a pretty penny but at happy
hour anyone can afford to enjoy some of
MCCORMICK AND SCHMICK'S GREAT FOOD. FROM 3:30 TO
6:30pm monday through friday and 10pm-12am on
saturday and sunday, the bar features a $1.95
MENU FEATURING STANDBY FAVORITES SUCH AS
burgers, chicken wings, and cheese quesadillas,
as well as seafood choices such as oysters and
CLAMS. THE MENU CHANGES DAILY AND THERE IS A
minimum drink purchase required. reservations
are suggested. for more info, take a look at
THEIR WEBSITE HERE.

drink specials

sunset grill and tap (130 brighton ave.,
allston) - while this bar doesn't have any drink
SPECIALS, THE SHEER VASTNESS OF ITS BEER
selection makes it worth checking out. offering
112 beers on tap and 380 types of bottled beer,
SUNSET IS TRULY A BEER DRINKER'S HEAVEN. THE
prices range based on the brand but try the
dogfish head 90 minute ipa. this one is 9%
ALCOHOL SO AT ABOUT $4 PER PINT, IT CAN BE A
pretty good deal. for the drinker living on the
edge, there's the 120 minute ipa, which is 21%
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME. THE SUNSET ALSO OFFERS A MENU
of tasty, relatively cheap food to accompany
your beer selections. you might want to get here
EARLY; THE LINES AND WAIT CAN GET LONG. FOR MORE
information take a look here.

ROGGIE'S BREW AND GRILLE (356 CHESTNUT HILL
ave., brighton) - while this is definitely a
boston college bar, any one looking for a fun
SCENE AND YOUNG CROWD CAN ENJOY THIS BRIGHTON
hotspot. roggie's offers 52 beers on tap and
martinis for only $5. also stop by between 4-7pm
FOR $0.15 WINGS. FOR THOSE WITH A LARGER CROWD,
or perhaps looking to not remember their night,
try the 64 once bowls of mixed drinks for around
17 DOLLARS. AS AN ADDED BONUS, ROGGIE'S ALSO HAS
a pizza shop right next door for anyone looking
for some great cheap eats after a night of heavy
DRINKING.

pour house bar and grill (909 boylston street,
FENWAY KENMORE) - WELL KNOWN AS A COLLEGE
student's dream bar, this place offers a fun
crowd and cheap prices. the deals on food can be
EXCEPTIONAL. ON WEDNESDAYS AFTER 6PM, TRY THE
$2.50 chicken sandwich and saturdays after 6pm
all burgers are half priced. this bar offers a
PRETTY STANDARD SELECTION OF DRINKS, WHICH ARE
also reasonably priced. the service is
seat-yourself, but this bar can fill up pretty
QUICKLY.

beacon hill pub (149 charles street, beacon
HILL) - IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RELIVE YOUR
college years, then beacon hill pub is the place
to go. start with the $1.55 bud draft pints in
PLASTIC CUPS. THEN CHALLENGE YOUR BUDDIES TO A
game of foosball or pinball. within minutes
you'll feel as if you're 21 again (or even 18?).
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS ARE BEST IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
a fun but chill scene - make sure to introduce
yourself to garrett the bartender (and, of
COURSE, TIP HIM), AND HE'LL BE SURE TO REMEMBER
your poison and prepare it for you as soon as
you approach the bar. thursdays through
SATURDAYS TEND TO BE MORE CROWDED, BUT FUN ALL
the same, especially if that is more your scene.
don't worry about driving and trying to find a
PARKING SPOT IN THE IMPOSSIBLE BEACON HILL
neighborhood - a t stop and a cabstand are only
a few steps from the door.

activities

FANEUIL HALL MARKETPLACE (DOWNTOWN) - MORE
commonly referred to as quincy market, this
marketplace offers all kinds of food, shopping
AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. HUNGRY? TRY ONE OF THE
17 restaurants or 40 eateries serving up
everything from famous new england clam chowda
TO ETHNIC INDIAN AND, OF COURSE, DELECTABLE
deserts. looking for something new? there are
multiple retailers, from recognized apparel
STORES TO LOCAL GIFT SHOPS, FOR YOU TO BROWSE.
just want to be entertained? the musical and
variety acts put on by the street performers
PROVIDE FREE AMUSEMENT FOR PASSERBYS OF ALL
ages. or check out the comedy connection (see
write-up below) for a more organized comedic
ROUTINE. LOCATED ON THE WATERFRONT AND EASILY
identified by the cobblestone walkways and 19th
century buildings, quincy market can't be
MISSED.

kayak the charles (charles river canoe and
KAYAK, IN ARTESANI PARK IN ALLSTON/BRIGHTON) -
you're sure to cross the charles river at some
point during your stay in boston - but have you
EVER CONSIDERED PADDLING THROUGH IT? STROLL WITH
a friend to the charles river canoe and kayak
kiosk and rent a two-person canoe or kayak for
AROUND $15 PER HOUR. WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
a strenuous workout or a leisurely paddle (the
waters are typically calm), kayaking the charles
RIVER CAN PROVIDE EITHER ONE, OR ANYTHING
in-between. just make sure the skies are sunny,
because rentals are not available on rainy days.
EASILY SPOTTED IN ARTESANI PARK BY THE
green-roof, this rental site is open on fair
days from may through early october. check out
OTHER OPTIONS AT THEIR WEBSITE HERE.

the comedy connection (faneuil hall marketplace)
RELAX FOR A NIGHT AND LET THE UPCOMING
professionals work to make your date laugh!
comedians perform live every day of the week,
BUT YOU WILL WANT TO CALL (617.248.9700) FOR
reservations if you plan to attend a show
between thursday and saturday. ticket prices
USUALLY RANGE BETWEEN $12 AND $25, DEPENDING ON
who is on stage, but cheaper doe