South End

Boston·   42.34, -71.08
South End - Image 1
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The Vibe

Artistic, diverse, LGBTQ-friendly with Victorian elegance and creative energy. The neighborhood where the South End settlement house discovered future art legends maintains its artist community through SoWa galleries and Sunday markets. The Infatuation highlights Toro's Spanish tapas (nearly 20 years strong) and Myers + Chang's Asian fusion by James Beard winner Joanne Chang as anchors of the evolved dining scene. Young professionals, artists, and LGBTQ residents claim sidewalk tables at Wink & Nod's underground cocktail bar or The Beehive's live music brunches, continuing the progressive, creative spirit that defined the South End's transformation.

Description

largest intact Victorian row house district, developed in the late 1840s through land reclamation. Brick bow-front townhouses with iron railings line tree-shaded streets punctuated by small green parks with fountains. Former factories transformed into galleries and studio spaces honor the neighborhood where artists Jack Levine and Hyman Bloom were discovered at a South End settlement house in the 1930s. Tremont Street's 'Restaurant Row' showcases Ethiopian, Brazilian, and diverse cuisines, while SoWa Open Market brings together local artists, designers, and crafters every Sunday in the South of Washington arts district.

Neighborhood Stats

Walkability: 9/10
Nightlife: 8/10
Family-friendly: 6/10
Price level: 3/4

Popular With

  • Artists
  • Young Professionals
  • LGBTQ Community
  • Creatives

Key Attributes

  • Artistic
  • Victorian Architecture
  • Diverse
  • LGBTQ-Friendly
  • Progressive

Food Scene

Toro (Eater 38) serves Ken Oringer's Spanish tapas in a perpetually packed space (walk-in only, arrive before 5:30pm). Myers + Chang (Eater 38) brings Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai, and Vietnamese fusion by James Beard winner Joanne Chang. The Beehive combines American comfort food with nightly live music. Eastern Mediterranean specialist Ilona, hidden sushi counter No Relation inside a tiki bar, and Washin (Michelin Guide) round out upscale options. Wink & Nod's underground cocktail bar features extensive scotch selection in intimate Victorian basement settings.