Boston: The Best Whiskey Bar In Town You Need To Know About

These days, there is a bar themed around just about everything. However, if you are looking for an old-fashioned, simple, yet relaxing Whiskey Bar in Boston there is one particular spot you need to keep on your radar.

An establishment that specializes in something like whiskey, scotch or even cigars, perhaps doesn't get a lot of promotional attention. That could be deliberate. Typically, these spots are purposely styled in a way that resembles a speakeasy. They are sort of a throwback to a prohibition-era hideaway.

Of course the centerpiece of the fun and attraction is the sipping drink. Regardless of your flavor of preference, whiskey neat, scotch with a twist, or even a shot of bourbon, there's a calming to being inside these walls.

Even thinking back a hundred years, some of the feel-good qualities you seek out in a whiskey bar remain true. There's something in the air at a whiskey bar where you find yourself there with like-minded people, and the next thing you know, it's hours later because you have been submersed in a heartfelt and meaningful conversation.

Maybe it's the slow sipping that calms the nerves and mind that inspires such an experience. You feel safe inside a tavern that is often windowless. You feel understood. Then, as much as you would like to frequent such a place, they tend to be destinations you only go to on occasion.

Located deep in the South End at 3 Appleton Street, you will find the brilliantly titled whiskey bar, Wink and Nod.

They describe themselves by saying, "Wink and Nod embodies the good spirit of yesteryear's speakeasy with modern flare."

To emphasize what this place embodies, they quote on their homepage an old Massachusetts state Senator Martin Lomasney who said, "Never write if you can speak; Never speak if you can nod; Never nod
if you can wink."

At Wink and Nod you will find a liquor menu that reads like a book. Its pages are filled with American whiskey, Japanese whiskey, Irish whiskey, scotch, highlands, and much more. They are served by the glass, and some are also available in flights.

For food pairings, they offer pop-up options where the primary chef rotates every six months. Currently the menu choices include items like black truffle arancini, baked cod, and limoncello cheesecake.

The interior setting consists of leather couches, wooden tables, chandeliers, and dim lighting. Whiskey and Nod is open daily starting at 5 pm (there is no official closing time listed). A scotch club is also offered here.

Boston Calling 2024 is officially underway. The first bands of this three-day festival have taken the stage and there are already lines at the merchandise tents. Here is a look at some of the unique Boston Calling merch items for this year, available at the main purchase stands.

Each year over Memorial Day weekend, Boston Calling rocks the Harvard grounds. Like most festivals, they always design their own merch for the annual occasion. Their bulldog logo stands out. It has become a familiar face synonymous with this event. It’s then placed upon your typical concert merch stand items like hoodies, caps, posters, and t-shirts. However, Boston Calling does a great job of freshening up the bulldog. This has resulted in new popular designs for each year’s festival.

2024 is no exception. Although the standard red, blue, and gold colors have remained, new patterns have now entered the space.

Boston Calling headliners include Ed Sheeran (Friday), Tyler Childers (Saturday), and The Killers (Sunday) to close it out. Leon Bridges, Megan Thee Stallion, Hozier, Renee Rapp, Trey Anastasio, The Revivalists, and Young The Giant are among the other performers not to be missed.

Each of these artists has merch available on the festival grounds. It’s important to note, the headliners' merch is available all weekend. Meaning that, although The Killers are playing Sunday, their shirts can be purchased today (while supplies last).

Are you worried about holding all this new gear for the duration of the day and night? Fear not; lockers are available to rent (while supplies last). There’s an official Boston Calling app and a QR code you can snap to give you a mobile map in the palm of your hand.

Lastly, the festival FAQ states, “Small clutch purses and fanny packs that are 6" x 9" or smaller do not need to be clear, but can have no more than one pocket. All other bags larger than 6" x 9" must be smaller than 12" x 6" x 12" and clear.”

Let’s take a further look at some of the Boston Calling 2024 merch items you may be storing, sporting, or purchasing during the weekend.

Again, these are available all weekend. Each of them seem to promote the given album or tour the artist is on. Hozier and the Killers seem to have the largest variety of items available. Tyler Childers has the best hat collection for sale, from truckers to rope hats.

New this year, there are few options of custom Boston Calling hats. My preference in comfort is the green one that I am also wearing in the image at the top of this article. This year's silkscreen poster contains the names of all the artist. There is one poster for sale. The Harvard basketball jersey is a nice addition to the lineup, sporting the #24. Perhaps its a nod the graduation that occurred here earlier in the week.

The lineup 2024 t-shirt comes in an all black option or tie-dyed. Both are the same with the logo on the front and lineup on the back. There are two water bottles. One is yellow and the other is the signature festival colors of blue and red.

Have there ever been Boston Calling shorts? Well, they have them this year. While they've certain had sweatpants in the past I don't recall the branded short flying out of the brown boxes as quickly as they are this year. Perhaps the beautiful 80-degree day has something to do wit that. As usual, there are also a nice array of custom 2024 festival t-shirts. The bomber jacket is a stylish dark green, and of course the dog head logo is everywhere.