Neighborhood guide: Allston

With its population split between BU students, hipsters and working-class families, Allston doesn't exactly scream destination. But trust us—beneath that veneer of spilled PBR and curling hardcore show posters lies a wealth of hidden gems. Street icon Mr. Butch may be gone and the Allston Cafe and Harper's Ferry shuttered, but there's still plenty to love in Rock City. Delicious, cheap food, great music and friendly locals are all on tap for the stout of heart.

DRINK

Deep Ellum

The decor is plain-spoken, but the beer list is superb. And so are the cocktails, with bartenders willing and able to mix up any old-fashioned or off-the-wall concoction you can throw at them. There’s also an eclectic menu offering everything from chilidogs to veggie lentil stew. Taking its name from the jazz-rich area of Dallas, this is a welcome reprieve from the plastic cup college bars Allston is known for. 477 Cambridge St (617-787-2337; deepellum-boston.com)

 

Sunset Grill & Tap

The Sunset Grill serves beer. It serves beer of all types, from all over the world, in every color, flavor and consistency—and it serves a lot of it. The list of ales and lagers is gigantic: 380 bottles, with 112 on tap (plus mead, oh Vikings). The decor is nothing spectacular, and unless you’re a big fan of BU students, the clientele won’t knock your socks off. But with all that ale inside of you, who cares? 130 Brighton Ave (617-254-1331, allstonsfinest.com)

 

Silhouette Lounge

The Silhouette is Allston's one true neighborhood bar—a bullshit-free zone where the beer is cheap ($2 Narragansett!), the popcorn is free and the floor is sticky. Everybody knows your name, and is at least mildly enthused that you came. Unlike most Rock City bars that get completely overrun by students on the weekends, the Silhouette features a diverse cross-section of Allstonians any night of the week—from grizzled old townies to ubiquitous hipsters. If you're like us, you'll make a beeline for the Big Buck Hunter game in back. 200 Brighton Ave (617-206-4565)

 

EAT

Shabu-Zen

Why warm yourself over a mug of warm liquid when you can warm yourself over an entire cauldron of it? If you haven’t yet been acquainted, we’d like to introduce you to the Japanese wintertime culinary tradition of shabu-shabu. We’re talking a boiling pot of aromatic broth, a plate of thin-sliced raw meat (or veggies, as your preference swings) and all the equipment necessary for you to prepare a luscious DIY meal in the comfort of your booth. Top off your feast with a $3.95 glass of Hakusan plum wine. 80 Brighton Ave (617-782-8888, shabuzen.com)

 

Twin Donuts

Twin Donuts' emblematic neon sign has been lighting up the Allston/Brighton borderlands since 1955. In a city dominated by a certain other shop (whose name rhymes with Blunkin’ Blonuts), there's a reason Twin Donuts has stuck around this long: consistency. They open every morning at 4am—which is about as pre-dawn as Boston gets—and serve giant, cheap coffees and tasty, greasy breakfast sandwiches and massive donuts. In short, it's your hangover-curing ground zero. 501 Cambridge St (617-254-9421, myspace.com/twindonuts)

 

Soul Fire

The folks at Soul Fire are serious about their barbecue. They respect the process as both a science and an art—and their dedication shows in the results. Quality meats are slathered in an assortment of dry rubs and different sauces to suit every taste, all complemented by filling sides like mac and cheese and baked beans. Order a few $2.50 draft beers to accompany your feast, and life doesn't get much sweeter. 182 Harvard Ave (617-787-3003, soulfirebbq.com)

 

Infusions Tea Spa

This Asian tea shop is pretty much the bubble tea mainframe. With walls the color of Sencha and free Wi-Fi, Infusions is the place to settle in with a laptop and a cup of boba. Don't skip out on the snacks, either—tea eggs are just 50 cents a pop, and a plate of edamame comes seasoned with anise. 110 Brighton Ave (617-254-1122)

 

SHOP

New England Comics

This funny pages purveyor has locations throughout the Greater Boston area, but the Allston Village locale has bragging rights: it was one of the sites of the Mooninite LED placard “bombing” that caused 2007's historically stupid scare. But more than that, it's a true neighborhood spot. The friendly staffers are always ready to guide you to your next graphic novel obsession, and they never forget a face. The locally-published and indie sections are sizeable, as are the boxes of 50-cent vintage comics. NEC holds an annual costume contest, sends you coupons on your birthday and will even have a biscuit ready if you come by with your dog. 131 Harvard Ave (617-783-1848, newenglandcomics.com)

 

Regeneration Tattoo

Don't come here looking for piercings—Regeneration is an ink-only institution, and they treat tattooing like the art it is. The impressive portfolios of Regeneration’s four resident artists speak for themselves (check them out online). They don't schedule appointments over the phone, so you'll have to go in person to the art-lined, lantern-hung Harvard Ave location. It's also something of a hangout spot, so there's always someone on hand to banter with while you're under the needle. 155 Harvard Ave (617-782-1313, regenerationtattoo.com)

 

Orchard Skate Shop

It’s not exactly the big top, but the mini-ramp at Orchard Skate Shop is a great place to take in some pretty awesome feats of daring. Check out members of team Orchard perfecting their tricks—or if you’re game, bring your board and your best ollie. When you’ve had your fill of vicarious thrills (or you’re sick of falling on your own ass), visit the free upstairs Extension Gallery for exhibits featuring seriously dope stunts. 156 Harvard Ave (617-782-7777, orchardshop.com)

 

DO

Great Scott

This unassuming neighborhood spot has become one of Boston’s most important—though still intimate—indie rock venues. Along with national and international touring bands, it features the best and brightest local bands on the scene. Great Scott’s tiny stage has seen the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Of Montreal. On Friday nights you can get up there yourself to groove down at the Pill, the venue’s weekly indie and Britrock dance party. 1222 Commonwealth Ave (617-566-9014, greatscottboston.com)

 

Do Re Mi Karaoke

If you'd rather sing off-key for a carefully selected group of friends than a bar full of judgmental who-the-hells, Do Re Mi is 19 rooms of pure heaven (if heaven was kind of badly ventilated and played lots of random music videos). But one doesn't come here for the ambiance; it's all about the cheap rates, Michael Jackson-heavy selection of songs and lyrics available in 13 languages. Do Re Mi's main downside is their lack of liquor license. But you can BYO food and soda, so you know…stock up on "Pepsi" to give you that "caffeine buzz" you need to sing your heart out. 442 Cambridge St (617-783-8900, doremikaraoke.net)

 

Sheesha Lounge

Allston is a burning bowl of hookah lounges, but not all of them live up to their potential. Sheesha, however, is the swankiest by far. The dim, scarlet interior creates just the right mellow atmosphere for your fruity tobacco-steeped relaxation. Their selection of 40-odd flavors includes signature blends like Head Buzz and Boston Blaze. There's no booze, but they do serve Middle Eastern food, desserts and a selection of coffees, teas and Italian sodas. 417 Cambridge St (617-782-7433, sheeshaboston.com)