El Camino
Enjoy a taste of Mexico in the heart of bluegrass country at El Camino. This unusual restaurant features a menu of authentic Mexican cuisine that's heavy on seafood but still includes staples like tacos, enchiladas, and tortas, and a Tiki-inspired drink menu boasting classic cocktails like the Hemingway Daiquiri, Mai Tai, Zombie, and Scorpion punch, as well as healthy selections of tequila, mezcal, rum, and beer. As for the decor, it's a mashup of Mexican, mid-century retro, and surf shack, the latter of which makes even more sense when you first hear the surf music being played inside — the majority of which is on vinyl.
The Boston Shaker
There's no shortage of great places to grab a drink in Boston, but if you're the type who'd rather be mixing your own drinks, plan on stopping by The Boston Shaker. This Davis Square store is dedicated to the art of crafting cocktails, and as such stocks a ton of quality tools, ingredients, drinkware, and books. And if you're looking to expand your drink-making abilities, they also host classes on a regular basis to help you hone your craft.
Mara Toto
Think staying in a tent is unsuitable for a high-end safari? Then you're obviously never seen Mara Toto. Nestled in the 70,000 acre Mara North Conservancy on the banks of the Ntiakitiak River, this luxury camp features five spacious canvas tents, complete with en-suite bathrooms with huge brass "safari showers", 24-hour electricity, fine dining, and designs drawn from the romantic era of East African exploration. While you enjoy the wild surroundings, you might also catch a glimpse of the leopards who live nearby, or perhaps even wildebeest and zebra on their annual migrations, which is more than we can say for your average posh hotel.
Sierra Nevada Torpedo Room
As one of the pioneers of the industry, there are few craft breweries more well-known than Sierra Nevada. And while you can certainly sample some of their beers at their Chico, California headquarters, you can now get access to some of their limited brews in the Bay Area at the Sierra Nevada Torpedo Room. This smallish space features 16 taps, many of them dedicated to rare, small-batch Sierra Nevada beers that you can't get anywhere else, as well as a friendly, vibrant atmosphere. Belly up to the bar for an informative flight, fill a growler to take home, or just grab yourself a six-pack of your regular favorite.
Zippo/Case Museum
You don't need to be a smoker — or even ex-smoker, for that matter — to appreciate the simple reliability of the iconic Zippo lighter. And the same applies to the Zippo/Case Museum. Located off the beaten path just off Route 219, this unique attraction celebrates the heritage and history of both Zippo lighters and Case knives, with exhibits like Old "Glow"ry, a 7x11-foot American flag made from red, white, and blue lighters, interactive kiosks, and the Zippo Clinic, where workers fix broken lighters. As you might expect, there's also a company store on the grounds, offering such a huge selection that it's nearly worth the trip itself.
Row 34
An oyster bar in Boston might not be the most original thing in the world, but that doesn't mean Row 34 isn't worth a try. Set in the Waterfront, this self-described "workingman's" venue offers an excellent raw bar with a variety of fresh oysters, as well as ceviche, chowders, lobster rolls, a daily whole fish, and other seafood. But almost as notable as the seaborne fare is the fantastic selection of beer — on tap, in casks, and in bottles — and the workweek-friendly lunch hours.
ME Ibiza
Ibiza has a well-earned reputation as a party town, but you don't have to have clubbing on your itinerary to enjoy a stay at ME Ibiza. Set along the shoreline with direct access for yachts, this retreat is notable for its sleek, minimalist decor that extends from the 179 bedrooms and 26 deluxe suites to the rest of the property. Amenities include a rooftop restaurant and bar with a private pool and 360-degree views, a ground floor Mediterranean bar and restaurant, two waterside pools, a spa, and international beach club Nikki Beach just steps away — just in case that clubbing urge gets the best of you.
Coq d'Argent
Yes, we know, it's not technically a bar — it's actually a rather high-end French restaurant. But when we visit Coq d'Argent, we're not there for the cuisine. Instead, we're there to enjoy a drink while taking in the view. Located near the Bank of England and St. Paul's Cathedral, its rooftop garden and terrace is an ideal spot to enjoy a sip of something relaxing while looking out over London. There's also a menu of bar snacks, which, while less grand in concept, are certainly just as well executed, and, for those who enjoy a smoke, a selection of Cuban cigars, as well.
Mad Max Museum
It's one thing to be a fan of a movie. It's another thing to start up a museum dedicated to it. The Mad Max Museum is the latter. Opened in September 2010 by diehard fan Adrian Bennett — he moved from England just to be closer to the filming locations — the museum houses a large collection of photos, many provided by locals that we around the set during filming, life-sized characters in costume, both original and replica vehicles, some built by Bennett himself, and other memorabilia. As you expect, there's also souvenirs available — and yes, it's technically the "Mad Max 2 Museum", but we doubt anyone back home will care if it's a sequel or not.
BellaTrino
Many food trucks crank out consistently great meals, but lack the seating and atmosphere of a restaurant. BellaTrino seeks to offer both. This stylish, oversized truck features a display kitchen with walls of glass panels, and at the center, a wood-fired oven that heats to 1,000 degrees and can crank out a neapolitan-style pie in just over a minute. As if the tasty pizzas weren't enough, this truck has another surprise in store — a small bar on one end of the truck, giving you a place to sit down that rivals any casual sidewalk cafe.
Boerum House & Home
If you're outfitting an abode in Boerum Hill, you need to make a trip to Boerum House & Home. This new shop is set in an open, two-story space, and offers home goods, accessories, kitchen supplies, books, sundries, jewelry, and other knick-knacks from over 130 local designers, makers, and artists. With such an eclectic selection, you're sure to find something that suits your taste, and if supporting local talent wasn't enough for you, the store's proceeds will be donated to a number of local charities — making it a win-win-win proposition all the way around.
Topping Rose House
It doesn't matter whether you're looking for cozy accommodations inside a historical home or a solid room inside a sleek structure — Topping Rose House offers both. Located in the heart of town, this luxury retreat is within walking distance of many attractions. Both the main house, which dates to 1842, and the sleek cottages — located between the apple orchard and on-site farm — offer king and twin guestrooms as well as one-bedroom suites, while studio accommodations are available above the spa. There's also a heated pool and a 75-seat restaurant helmed by chef Tom Colicchio that uses produce from the farm and top ingredients from local purveyors. If that wasn't enough, Colicchio also operates the hotel, so every detail is looked after as carefully as he places garnish on one of his signature dishes.
