Drinking in Boston: Best of the Bests

Everyone wants the best. Everyone promises nothing but the best. Few times in life do you ever get the best of anything. That is why we’re taking particular notice of this year’s Best Of lists. The first magazine to announce its contenders for the best of all of Boston for 2009 is The Phoenix. (It may be a little early, but they want to be the best of the bests.)

Candidates for Best Beer Selection include among others Bukowski’s Tavern, Cambridge Common, and of course, Sunset Grill & Tap. It’s no surprise that Sunset swept the Bests last year, being chosen best beer bar or best beer selection at The Phoenix, The Weekly Dig, and Boston Magazine. Can it reprise its performance?

One of the more contentious categories is that of Best Dive Bar. The Phoenix and The Dig both went with the Silhouette Lounge (who can resist the popcorn?), while Boston Magazine went with TC’s Lounge. This year The Phoenix suggests the Model Café or even the Sligo Pub. The Bostonist’s write-in: The Tam.

And in the spirit of the upcoming St. Patty’s Day, let’s look at the Best Irish Pub. The Dig last year didn’t have such a category, but in The Phoenix and Boston Magazine, Jamaica Plain carried the win. The Phoenix readers voted two pubs in: Doyle’s and James’s Gate while Boston readers chose the Brendan Behan Pub. The Phoenix this year suggests the latter, but also the Burren and the Druid Restaurant among others.

Check out The Phoenix’s website to vote for yourself this year; there are plenty of other categories to weigh in on including Best Bar, Best Drink Deal, and our favorite, Best Drink, Manly Beverage.

Photo of Sunset Grill & Tap courtesy Plutor on Flickr using Creative Commons License.