Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood is now home to a swanky new cocktail bar that opened its doors last weekend. Named 89 Charles, this subterranean watering hole invites visitors to dive into both the past and the present, with a décor rooted in Art Deco design and a menu brimming with modern cocktails and elevated small plates. The bar started welcoming guests on Saturday, as reported by Boston Eater.
Owner Gennaro Riccio, who's no stranger to Boston's dining scene, has to aim to create an atmosphere that feels like an inherent part of the neighborhood. "Beacon Hill has always been a place where history meets charm, and we wanted to create a space that reflects that spirit," Riccio shared in a statement obtained by Boston Eater. The bar's design, conceived by Assembly Design Studio, plays with the historic space of what used to be the Italian restaurant Artu. It features distinctive elements like tiger-print bar stools, lush velvet-covered banquets, and cozy swivel armchairs.
The menu at 89 Charles is spearheaded by chef Matt McPherson and features small indulgences such as kaluga caviar on schmaltz latkes, foie gras bratwurst, and a juicy French dip sandwich. Bar manager Dave Irwin, with experience at notable establishments like Zurito, Row 34, and the Merchant, oversees the cocktail program. One standout creation, the Beefed Up, blends beef tallow-washed whiskey from Dorchester distillery Bully Boy with amaro and cacao bitters. Another highlight includes the Charles St Espresso, which mixes coconut rum with espresso, cacao, and whipped coconut cream for a nutty, dairy-free take on the espresso martini.
According to a MassLive article, the bar's cocktails are accompanied by a curated menu of dishes like Hamachi Crudo and Beef Tartar, meant to complement the detailed drinks list. "Our goal was to build an intimate bar, with a heavy emphasis on the art of cocktail making, that feels like it’s been a fabric of the neighborhood forever,” Riccio articulated in a press release. The bar, located at 89 Charles Street, offers a trip back in time to the 1920s speakeasy ambiance while mixing it up with modern mixology techniques.
89 Charles is currently open from 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Saturday and sits at the previous address of Elegant Findings Antiques. The bar takes walk-ins but encourages reservations for those looking to immerse themselves in the Gatsby-like setting. With a Champagne-focused wine list that offers everything from moderately priced glasses to splurge-worthy bottles of Dom Pérignon and a small but selective beer list, the bar looks to cater to diverse tastes and occasions. "The clientele is a lot younger than you would imagine. The people are a lot more adventurous when it comes to eating and dining, and they’re hungry for a place to hang out," bar manager Dave Irwin explained in a statement to Boston Eater.
