Ready to find out about the newest businesses to open in downtown Boston? From a pop-up cider garden to a swanky barbershop, read on for a rundown of the newest spots to arrive in this area of Boston.
Downeast Back Porch
600 Atlantic Ave.
Downeast Back Porch is a new pop-up cider garden for the Downeast cider brand, which is based in East Boston. At this outdoor location in Dewey Square on the Greenway, drinkers will find lawn games, live music, food trucks, and a rotating menu of cider, wine and beer.
Downeast Back Porch currently holds 4.5 stars out of two reviews on Yelp, indicating positive early feedback.
Yelper Nick L., who reviewed Downeast Back Porch on June 6, wrote, "Great cider, great beer and wine, great activities. Love the rotating beer selection for non-cider drinkers, the live music (when they have it), and the Wednesday night run club."
Ceren O. noted, "Great open place. You can have their ciders, rotating beers and also wine. There's always a food truck there to keep your belly full. Also a few lawn games for fun. We've been here twice already."
Downeast Back Porch is open from 4 p.m.–9 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, noon–9 p.m. on Saturday, and noon–7 p.m. on Sunday. (It's closed on Tuesday and Thursday.)
Minigrow
125 Summer St.
Minigrow is the younger sibling to Philly-based fast-casual stir-fry chain Honeygrow. This new downtown location is its second Boston outpost; the other is in Back Bay.
On the menu, you'll find build-your-own bowls with bases of freshly made noodles (wheat, spinach, or zucchini) and organic greens, to be topped with proteins like slow-cooked chicken and dashi-poached salmon; veggies like roasted broccoli, kale kimchi, and sesame cucumbers; and sauces like shiso basil pesto or black pepper tahini. Pre-selected bowl combos are also available for the indecisive.
Minigrow's current Yelp rating of three stars out of 13 reviews indicates the newcomer is finding its way, but it's still early days.
Yelper Nicole L., who reviewed Minigrow on May 5, wrote, "Along with the amazing (and affordable!) food, I really appreciated the atmosphere while I was there. It's just a really cool spot, and the staff and general vibe was so friendly and welcoming."
Jeffrey L. noted, "Fast, healthy, fresh, tasty — but man, is it pricey. I usually find these assembly-line-style restaurants disappointing, but Minigrow went in the opposite direction and ended being surprisingly good."
Minigrow is open from 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. on weekends.
The Boston Barber Exchange
112 Water St.
Located in the heart of the financial district, The Boston Barber Exchange aims to provide "more than a place to get your haircut ... a social club, a community, a place where a man can be a regular." Services offered include classic haircuts, hot lather shaves, beard trims, facials and color treatments for gray hair.
With a five-star Yelp rating out of 13 reviews on Yelp, The Boston Barber Exchange has been getting positive attention.
Yelper Arindam B., who reviewed The Boston Barber Exchange on May 5, wrote, "Josh (the owner) has been my barber for a few years now. He's excellent, and always detailed with his haircuts. He always spends his time on your hair."
Yelper Lester D. wrote, "Boston Barber exchange gave me one of the best experiences in regards to haircut. Marc Anthony gave me a bald fade on the sides, a natural flow on top and a hot shave. 'A professional' does not describe what Marc Anthony showed [me]; he was passionate with his craft and he talked me through the process."
The Boston Barber Exchange is open from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturday. (It's closed on Sunday.)
