Boston's best: Festive bars

The Beehive

With the wide swath of cultures and backgrounds buzzing through its doors at all times, the Beehive takes a different approach to decking the halls each year. This year, it’s like Amélie gone wild: little garden gnomes can be found hiding out in every nook and cranny of this jazz club/gallery combo. Don’t be surprised if you find one peeking out at you, even in the bathrooms. There’s a method behind this madness—if a customer guesses the right number of gnomes stashed throughout the bar, he or she wins a $25 gift card. If you like your bearded men fatter and jollier (and, you know, life-size), drop in between 10:30am and 3pm on December 11 for Santa Brunch. There’ll be live Christmas music and the chance to rub elbows with VIP Kringle himself. 541 Tremont St, South End, Boston (617-423-0069, beehiveboston.com)

 

Delux Café

Welcome to the dive that looks like it belongs to the hippest grandma of all time. This homey hangout is brimming over with kitsch, including a year-round Christmas tree, an Elvis shrine, album covers lining the walls, a pink Cadillac and a mid-sized statue of Santa Claus standing guard just outside the bathroom. A rotating menu of surprisingly well-made comfort food adds to the Yuletide appeal. 100 Chandler St, South End, Boston (617-338-5258)

 

Russell House Tavern

Ducking inside Chef Michael Scelfo’s hopping Harvard-area hangout can feel like wandering into Bacchus’ lair. The wine flows like, well, wine with two local varieties from Westport on tap for $5 a glass. The cozy seating arrangements, raw bar, creative culinary concoctions and locally-sourced craft beer selection make the conversations flow just as freely. Arrive thirsty for the Tav’s Very Knotty Holiday Party on December 14, featuring $7 Knot Irish Whiskey cocktails. 14 John F. Kennedy St, Harvard Square, Cambridge (617-500-3055, russellhousecambridge.com)

 

Eastern Standard

This Kenmore Square mainstay takes pride in adding a touch of class to everything it does. The mixologists here serve up drinks like the Tally Ho! (spiced Pimms) and Brown Derby (bourbon and honey grapefruit). For the holidays, little white lights adorn the columns outside, with classy holiday arrangements inside. On Sunday evenings, guests may find themselves bestowed with complimentary spiced cider and eggnog, so be sure to get there early. Just keep track of your hot toddy consumption—this is a classy joint. 528 Commonwealth Ave, Kenmore Square, Boston (617-532-9100, easternstandardboston.com)

 

River Gods 

Each holiday season, an array of Christmas angels hovers over the patrons of this funky gastropub just outside Central Square. The staff puts the final touches on their extravagant holiday décor right around Thanksgiving, draping lights and trimmings around the already heavily-decorated room. Sit regally in one of the wooden thrones in the dining room and engage in staring contests with the mischievous sculptures all around you. An assortment of local DJs every night will have you wassailing all the way home. 125 River St, Central Square, Cambridge (617-576-1881, rivergodsonline.com).

 

James's Gate

Sadly, thanks to the chestnut tree’s near-extinction, there won’t be any chestnuts roasting on James’s Gate’s open fire. But the large wood-burning hearth at the center of this JP pub would melt the Grinch’s heart faster than all the Whos’ singing in Whoville. Let the winds bluster outside; you won’t feel a thing while sipping a pint indoors, surrounded by lights and evergreens. They’re even open on Christmas night for an Irish seisiun (that’s live music to the rest of us). 5-11 McBride St, Jamaica Plain (617-983-2000, jamessgate.com)

 

UpStairs on the Square

UpStairs has something for everyone this holiday season. Besides the zebra carpeting and generally festive atmosphere, the various dining rooms will host events like the prix fixe Hanukkah menu during the Festival of Lights, and a bubbly tasting on December 13. Look out for a little old-fashioned glamour when they host two dinner dances this month (on December 9 and 29) with the Winiker Orchestra, or test your knowledge of holiday cocktails with the monthly Tipple Trivia (December 12). 91 Winthrop St, Harvard Square, Cambridge (617-864-1933, upstairsonthesquare.com)