Rooftop bars. Rooftop bar. Rooftop bar! Rooftop bars can be a rare find in Boston and I would definitely say that this is one of the nicer ones. It’s located in the Seaport/Waterfront, which can get very busy and difficult to park near, especially with all the construction and road blocks. You can park in the lot right next door for $ 15(most convenient and on the cheaper side for Boston lots). We were able to find a meter spot across the bridge in financial district(on High St.) — check signs because most areas there have street cleaning starting at 2am. We arrive around 7pm and the line was long — it was probably at least 25 deep when we arrived. Of course it was not really a surprise with the beautiful weather that day(and the fact that it’s a no cover venue). I would suggest arriving by 7/7:30 on a Friday or Saturday summer evening to not be stuck in line over an hour(note: you still may be in line for 59 minutes). Arrive way earlier if you don’t want to be in line. The crowd is a little bit younger. It’s gets pretty crowded during and after sunset. There is a long bar and servers who walk around — rooftop is drinks only. We had a fairly large crowd so we all tried various drinks throughout the night. I had a classic old fashion and I think it was made very well. A lot of my friends tried the various fruity drinks on the menu and had a variety of opinions — everyone has a different taste. Some of the drinks were more watered down and juicy(sangria, for example). Overall drinks were good, venu was nice and vibes were good. Also, I would definitely suggest coming for sunset, but don’t expect to actually see the sun as its a low rooftop compared to the high rises in the area. **dont confuse your Unilocal check-in with Envoy Hotel…**
Helen L.
Place rating: 3 Jamaica Plain, MA
Cons — This place has a really long line during the summer. There was already a line at 5pm on a Saturday and I waited about 45min. My friends, who were in line around 830pm, waited for over an hour. Drinks were a little too watered down and average cost. They don’t sell food. Pros — THEVIEW. It’s beautiful during sunset. Bathroom has nice lighting for selfies. Good amount of seating. No cover charge. Good music. Parking is difficult to find but there are plenty of lots in the area that charge $ 15 for weekend — all night or if you’re lucky you’ll find a meter spot.
Grace F.
Place rating: 5 Providence, RI
I have no idea why anyone would call this place pretenentious, we walked in on Memorial Day @ around 8:30 and the service was so kind and nice. All the customers were dressed in jeans, and just chilling taking in the most amazing view. We actually were over dressed(we don’t get out too much and can be overly snazzy at times). The drinks were amazing(pricey but not crazy), as I said the view was out of sight, and the servers deserve credit for being ridiculously super cool.
Phoenix F.
Place rating: 5 Newport, RI
We are staying at the intercontinental and saw this bar from a far. It was a great night and a short walk. We were greeted very friendly from the front desk, the hostess and maitre de. The bartender Annabelle made us fantastic lemon drop martinis and couldn’t be any nicer. I don’t know why there are any negative reviews the prices were great and the view was fantastic my sweetheart and I had a fantastic time. We look forward to coming back again. It’s a great spot!
Laëtitia P.
Place rating: 5 Waco, TX
Amazing view. Good atmosphere. The sangria was super good. I definitely recommend this place.
Thomas A.
Place rating: 1 Somerville, MA
Great view — awful service. Bartenders were absolutely atrocious, took apprx ½ hr to get our first round. Pretentious crowd. Will not be returning. Legal Harborside is vastly superior in terms of food and service.
Ian G.
Place rating: 1 Boston, MA
When you ask a bartender how much a glass of glenfiddich is, and he says«15−20» and your bill is $ 35, that’s something called lying, or a bait and switch. Furthermore, don’t act surprised when guests are upset when you inaccurately states prices, just to push a sale through. If you’re a rich douchey businessman, this place is probably perfect for you.
Alyssa E.
Place rating: 1 Elnora, NY
Came here expecting to have a great time. Didn’t even get to have that. Waitlist was over an hour for a party or 2(how is that even a thing for a party of 2). 3 hours later we still didn’t hear back. Your not a NYC exclusive bar your in Boston, big difference. Not coming back and not recommending.
Rebecca L.
Place rating: 5 Windsor Locks, CT
Oh my. Stumbled across this bar as we were walking towards the Seaport district. We were told it was a part of the hotel but open to the public by some locals. Decided to check it out and we were not disappointed! The staff was *amazing* The gentleman checking our IDs at the door and showing us how to get upstairs was extremely friendly and went above and beyond to make sure we felt comfortable and had everything we needed. The hostess who greeted us as we stepped off the elevator was all smiles and kind and answered all the questions we had. Our bartender remembered our drinks on our second round tho there were well over 150 people frequenting the bar and served us quickly and efficiently with a smile. When we grabbed a table our waitress was friendly and kind and served us quickly. The clientele was great. Lots of young professionals. I was surprised at how busy it was– we went on a Wednesday! The drinks were delicious. And the views! I could have stood at the glass railing and stared at the city lights the whole time. Even for it being cooler in the season they have enormous heat lamps that kept is comfortable well into the night. The music, atmosphere and people we met made this an unforgettable time. And props to the staff! The customer service we received was unbelievable. Keep it up!!!
Kevin L.
Place rating: 3 Quincy, MA
Went to the rooftop bar over the weekend. This place has an amazing view of the Boston skyline. Better come before the weather goes to crap! My only complain is that they rip you off with their pitchers. We got one and it was filled to the top with ice… ridiculous. But I guess you come here more for the view than the drinks.
Angela L.
Place rating: 4 Brookline, MA
Gorgeous view!!! No line to get up to the rooftop bar when I went. It’s pretty spacious, definitely lots of room to move. Even has a private party location that is separate. No cover since it’s a hotel bar. There’s a lot of bartenders for the bar. Only downfall was that they took forever to get to you even though there is so many of them. We got a pitcher of Boston Tai $ 36 and it filled up to about 3 cups full. So it’s definitely better to get a pitcher vs a drink on its own. Drinks are strong! Gorgeous view, and it’s a new rooftop bar! Boston needed some rooftop bars :)
Rick M.
Place rating: 4 Salem, MA
This is one of the newest trendy bars in the Seaport District with a breathtaking view of the Boston Skyline and sunset over the Financial District. If you come at peak hours be prepared to wait in line — something I stopped doing years ago. I just don’t do lines. Luckily for us, we arrived early to catch the sunset so we were ushered to the elevator by the doorman with no issues. First glance upon entering the roof deck is the bar is filled with all the beautiful people — the cool kids. It has somewhat of a superficial feel to it but we wanted to check it out for the cocktails and the view. My Grey Goose martini was on point. Perfectly shaken. So I was happy sipping and taking in the sunset over the city with my peeps. But waitress service from hip couches with glass tables where we were sitting was slow to say the least so I kept walking over to the bar. My bartender was cool and she kept making me my martinis just the way I like them so she was spared from my hit list for the night. I’ll go back again just for the view. They are suppose to initiate their food menu in September so stay tuned for that coming soon!
Mona B.
Place rating: 1 Boston, MA
The rooftop has an amazing view and it’s definitely worth seeing; thought they have absolutely horrible service. The employees at Wendy’s are way more professional than those hired by Envoy Hotel! They pretend there is a 2hours wait; which they inform you of in a very rude manner at the door. Once you get upstairs the place is half empty which makes you wonder why they made you wait for 2hrs! Then the waitress comes over and informs you that all the EMPTY tables are«reserved» for their imaginary guests! They also have very nasty mean girl attitude as if they were all hired out of the same sorority along with lack of training and common sense. We were a party of 6 and we were treated so poorly starting from the front door that we decided that we will not spend a dollar in this place. We enjoyed the view and then left and walked down the street to The Committee Bar across the street and enjoyed amazing drinks and pleasant service!
Elena U.
Place rating: 5 Scarborough, ME
I liked the place! Our pitcher of drink was all right and we had to wait for half an hour before we could get to the bar, but the view is totally worth it. Just the most amazing view on the night Boston! Service was good too.
Neelam + Chris ..
Place rating: 3 Cary, NC
Heard about this rooftop bar on top of a hotel, so working in the hotel industry, I had to go. There was a group of us and when we arrived at the hotel, we had to wait about 15 –20 minutes as the rooftop wasn’t «open» just yet. The front desk team and management was kind enough to let us wait in the lobby and adorn the gorgeousness of the lobby décor and neat features. When we went to the rooftop, there were people already up there(remember when they said they weren’t «open» yet) but we were appalled at the amazing views. Staff was«so — so» as they didn’t seem very attentive to the needs of a group. I think if I had gone with a smaller crowd, they would’ve but we only stopped in for a drink, which was yummy and the views provided us with unforgettable photos! After reading the reviews, I am glad we went during the day time and didn’t get caught up with trying to get in/stand in line for hours! But overall, was a nice experience for a daytime day drinking spot!
Jess B.
Place rating: 1 Boston, MA
Since Unilocal deleted my original review, I’ll just repost it: I see what you’re trying to do — but this isn’t New York, and I won’t come again. Came here with friends and couldn’t get in. They originally told us there was a three hour wait, but that they probably would be booked for the night. After a few of my… let’s just say, friends who were coming from work, so maybe weren’t looking their best… took off, we got up NOPROBLEM. Seriously, you can’t get up there unless you are 1) a young woman 2) a very attractive woman or 3) a very wealthy looking man. I wanted to have a good time, but I’d rather not stand in line for drinks while I get hit on by Mr. Fortune 500 with a ring on his finger while Miss Doe Eyes Can’t Move Much or My Dress Will Reveal All makes my overpriced cocktail. Thanks, but no thanks.
Vic G.
Place rating: 4 Quincy, MA
Some things are just meant to be, I guess… No, there isn’t anything ultra sensitive or emotionally intriguing about this rooftop bar of Envoy. It is to an extent the breathtaking views of the Boston Harbor; stretching as far away as parts of BackBay in front of you, intriguing glimpses all the way to parts of North shore that you can guess if you were born and raised here(not me), and given the direction of the wind, airplanes taking off towards Marina bay on the back, left side. It is definitely a concoction of views, views and more views. If you haven’t had enough? Look down — right below your nose, hoards of people assembled, if you dare to look down towards the Barking Crab, chances are you won’t feel dizzy. Some may — that would be me. I was tricked into going here the other night(no, won’t be enlisting any Daily Mail worthy details — privacy for the lesser mortals!) and was pleasantly surprised at that. The timing was probably right for us, for getting there early on a Friday evening because the place got quite busy by the time we left and there was a line formed downstairs by the elevators to get a chance to go up to the heavenly surrounds. The place is new and more likely than not, will be going through it’s share of growing pains. That was my impression to the n-th degree of some decimal points. I was definitely in a mood, and hence won’t be too critical of this place, which I would have otherwise been. The mood was more inclined towards giving it bunches — of benefits — of doubts — for a laundry list of reasons. The most primary reason being — I had a superlative time, at the end of it all. The V guy had a couple of Vodka drinks(yet to find Veev in most fine places in the city — sigh…) that were quite volatile, to say the least. Both were equally impressive — although one had to tell the waiter to tell the very kind bartender to make the second one, less stronger than the first one. First one being Surfside — was potent enough to make one less scared while staring down at the barking crab crowd. That was not right. I like feeling scared /nervous when I am at a certain height, on top of a high rise or even if it is not technically a high rise, like this one, and want to look down. Keeps things in check — for good objectivity. Less stronger Greenway had the right balance of cucumber and lemon, making it not too sweet — thanks to the watered down request. Rounded off the evening with the gin based Garden cocktail. It was gin and ginger beer and something else quite very delicious, of which one has no clue of, and is totally alright with staying clueless — like Alicia Silverstone(more sane one though), about the mixology. One doesn’t have to know everything for the sake of bliss — the ignorance kind of thing. Our waiter was very helpful with providing us the space and the time to be ourselves. No complains. The crowd was very mixed and quite honestly, I wasn’t paying too much attention given the set of circumstances that prevailed. It was a fine night. Will have to chose a weekday to be back here again, and spend a few more moments of blissful ignorance, somewhere in the near future… if it is meant to be, I guess…
Dan G.
Place rating: 3 Boston, MA
If you don’t want a crowded club atmosphere but you’d still like to wait in line at the elevator for a half hour, this is your spot. If you don’t want craft beers but you’d still like to pay $ 9 for a Harpoon IPA, this is your spot. The waitresses were very sweet and personable(+1), and view and location are spectacular(+2). Bartenders took their sweet time and need a serious attitude adjustment. I received a glare like I was asking what color the sky was when I asked what kind of beer the unmarked wooden tap handle was. I’ll probably be back sometime because it’s a roof deck, sadly that’s pretty much the only reason…
Samuel B.
Place rating: 2 Boston, MA
I love a good rooftop bar, and while the view is spectacular, the service is awful. Upon arriving, I encountered a 15+ minute wait at the bar. I get that it was a busy hot day, but after waiting, the bartender looked at me as I waited, then chose to serve the most recent patron to the bar. Not okay! The service was abysmal and they didn’t seem to care. I’ve worked in the restaurant industry and being slammed is one, being a straight up snob is another. I won’t be coming back. Even the Barking Crab is better. P. S. Watered down wine with juice and a spin around the blender a Sangria does not make.
Tony S.
Place rating: 4 Boston, MA
Hard to fully judge this place as not everything is at full throttle. On my two visits, the main hotel lobby bar downstairs wasn’t open, nor was the rooftop kitchen, so my review should be considered a draft run. Despite the limited menu, I have to admit it was quite excellent. The lobster salad was so good we ordered two rounds. The cocktails are an interesting mixology foray, but nothing outstanding. Ambience is interesting. You can’t deny the awesome openness from this rooftop bar. It’s well designed, and has a very decent 270-degree view of the harbor and financial district. Staff attitude is a bit uptight, trying to blend LA and NYC nightclub door policy… which is about as fun as church at a strip club. PUH-leez! This is Boston! Apparently, according to the staff, this anal Nazi system is designed to keep the roof from getting too crazy busy like Drai’s in Vegas. But I think at present it feels too much like a museum restaurant– pretty but sterile, and no end of poorly dressed, judgmental critics. It has potential, which I’m hoping will happen after they work out the rest of the kinks(place has only been open a couple weeks).