Lobby Bar & Kitchen
Categories: Lounges, American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Financial District, Waterfront131 Broad St
(between High St & Wendell St)
Boston, MA 02110 (617) 261-5353
- Nearest Transit:
Aquarium (Blue)
State (Blue, Orange)
South Station (Silver, Red)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Dressy
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: No
50 reviews
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
"Innovative! Contemporary! Posh! Ambrosial! I've always had this preconceived notion of raw seafood with sushi. And while I knew that there…" read more »
10 Reviews for Lobby Bar & Kitchen
Met up for drinks after work here one night and I'm kinda a fan. Has a very New York minimalist vibe yet intimate and cozy at the same time. Much of the space is dedicated to a circular lounge area directly opposite the bar and is a very comfortable place to just relax and chill.
One issue though, I ordered a Beefeater martini and they didn't have Beefeater. I was so distraught, heartbroken, and dismayed at not being able to have a dry martini that I ended up doing shots of tequila.
The staff was really nice and attractive though!
I've been wanting to try this place for a while, and finally the other night when I was supposed to eat in the North End, but decided at the last minute that I wasn't in the mood for it, hubby and I were meandering our way home and decided to pop in and see what it was all about.
First off, I could've sworn I've poked my head in here before, and I could've sworn it was a LOT bigger. Maybe not though, because it was much, much smaller than I anticipated.
Got seated right away, and then the waiter disappeared for a little while. Hrm. Once he came back though, the service was great. Hubby and I each got a glass of cabernet sauvignon (we were looking for a quick eat before the VP Debate, hence the lack of bottle purchasing). He got the grilled buffalo chicken salad, which was basically bacon wrapped chicken skewars and salad, and I got a side of the mac and cheese. We both moaned in delight as we noshed.
It's so cozy in here, I really dig the atmosphere. Would totally come back and chill out by the spot where there should be a low fireplace but instead just has some candles.
They were playing some kickass Indian music. Extra points!
Came here tonight to attend a promotional event for "Beija" (a fantasmic new rum).
I loove (yes, loove.. "get the "ooo" right plz) the coziness of this place. Being a promotional night, I have no idea what Lobby is like with a regular crowd, but the atmosphere is totally chic. Yes, it's small, but so are driver seats in Ferraris, and I don't hear peeps bitching about that much.
I got to sample their duck confit quesadillas (omg.... I'm touching myself thinking about it), spicy bbq beef skewers (accent on the SPICY), and a bunch of others that I unfortunately didn't register the names of, but bottom line good good GOOD.
The "Beija" host, a dashing young gentleman named Kevin, explained that Lobby has one of the best mixologists in the city, and proved it by inventing a phenomenal new cocktail complete with pink peppercorns, rhubarb puree, lemon juice, and strawberry immersion rum (wish I remembered the name). I also got to try his honey apple cocktail, which totally satiated my sexual appetite for the next 3 weeks.
Yes, I'm a fan, and think I've found my new afterwork hangout. Totally CHIC!
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I didn't actually get a lobby-vibe at ALL from this place. Hotel lobbies are usually a lot bigger and spacious. This struck me another small bar. I liked it though.
The cocktails were really grrrrrrrrreat. I had the blueberry sparkling sangria mmm-mm-mm good. Then I had some sort of pink peppercorn, rhubarb and strawberry martini that reminded me of my mom's strawberry-rhubarb pie. I found the cocktails to be average priced - $12 is pretty standard 'round this fine city.
It's in an awkward location though - really not near the T at all (didn't even see a bus stop, if I recall!) and the bathrooms are weird, because you have to walk through a warehouse basically to get there.
I'd love to give Lobby a 4 star rating, but it just doesn't deserve it.
The concept just doesn't work for me, at least in Boston. Why do I need a restaurant or bar/lounge that evokes a hotel lobby feel when the majority of eateries and bars in town are... housed in Hotels? I could see the concept working marvelously in the Suburbs and fringe neighborhoods of Boston for upsizing yuppies settling down outside of the city, but elsewise, the business model just doesn't sit right with me... Why would I want to go to an imitation when the real deal at the Intercontinental or Ritz is right down the street?
That being said, the dining room/bar is very well put together and easy on the eyes. It's open feeling despite the very cramped confines the establishment is smooshed into. It's chic feeling, yet comfortable while slightly pretentious in the good way. The dark and rich tones and accents selected were appreciated.
The con's here (besides the contrived concept) are obvious... The bathroom situation is horrific as noted by other Yelpers... It's locatd in the depths of a prison'esq basement/office garage leaving you with a feeling that no amounts Purel can remedy... Until that changes, I will NOT be back.
PS: Coctail prices are obtrusive.
PPS: The picnic basket service they offer sounds very intriging and is resonably priced (though I haven't tried it).
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I recently met some girlfriends at Lobby Bar and the composition was about 99% female not including the bartender and bus boy. The wine was good and I had an alright time, but it wasn't anything outstanding. I'll probably return though because I find the place amusing:
- Lobby Bar is smaller than any hotel lobby I have ever seen in my life, including those in Barelcona's old Gothic Quarter (I know, it's not really a hotel lobby, but isn't that what the name implies?)
- the hostess looked bored and fidgety, like she desparately needed something to do besides standing next to the front door for six hours; I was this close to giving her my J.Crew catalog to pass the time
- the restrooms are located across the hall and in the deepest depths of the building; the stairs felt a little bit like those in a creepy parking garage; get in and get out
- I was disappointed when they ran out of Lump Crab Cakes, but I do like that name; same with the Chicken Lollipops, which I did order and did enjoy with a friend (but the small plates really are that small)
Lobby Bar is what you could call "cute". The space is trendy and nice to look at, but the decor appears to be trying a bit too hard. Still, it's a good spot to meet the girls for cocktails. Just get there before all ten seats are taken!
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A cool concept bar and restaurant - a hotel lobby bar without the hotel. It's a small, but hip atmosphere and the the staff is great. In fact, this place is over staffed. The bar just opened and they have two bar tenders, a manager, a host and three waiters, which all takes up about half the occupancy of the place.
The food and cocktails are pricey. A dinner for 8 people (with drinks) was about $700 (including tip). The average entree is $30... but the fool was good... i'll give em that. I recommend either the Filet Migon or the pork chops... truly works of art.
Ultimately this is a great place for two... tops four. Very much a date/conversation environment.
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I actually think I kinda love this place. I could make it home for a bit. It is small. It is very small. This place is so small. It is tiny. So there are about 8 bar stools in there. I could even see them placing some outside tables there too. The ladies and I visited last Thursday night and had some yummy drinks. They got the cucumber Martini with Hendricks gin! I am not a gin drinker at all cause to me it just tastes like a Christmas tree with a hint of rosemary. Anyway, these cucumber Martini's were yummy!!! I got the "Temptation", or something like that, I forget the name, but the reason I got it was because of the name and it said it came with a story, which I was dying to hear.
I definitely want to go back to this place. It was very chic and cozy inside. The windows over look the new Greenway and appear to open up Euro caf style in the nicer weather. If you want to know the story I heard and taste the yummy Martini I had... head to the Lobby.
Meh...but not eh. After walking around tonight after work trying to find SOMEPLACE my friend and I could grab a glass of wine in peace, we stumbled on Lobby. Cute place, very small, but cozy. I know this place was created by the designers of City Bar at the Lenox, and I love the modern, dark, warm feel. We were greeted warmly, and sat at two of the cozy chairs with small tables. Love the mirrored/granite like walls that remind me of a 70s Sons of Italy hall. Staff was friendly, but I have to say the place was crowded so I was getting a bit clostrophobic, and it was loud so I couldn't really hear my friend. We ordered 2 glasses of wine from their rather conservative wine list, and the hummus with baba ganoush. We were served hummus with pita, and this green little blob sitting nicely on the white asymetrical dish. I asked my friend "Does that look like a big booger?" Or is that baba ganoush? My germaphobe friend just shuddered, and we avoided the blob. All in all the place was cute, but I won't be rushing back. Oh--they are working on their restrooms so be prepared to step back in time, haul down some stairs to the bowels of the basement--and step into your jr high years of when you would steal a smoke in the bathroom!
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5 stars because you impressed me- youre so new but you treated me as if you had some serious experience.
this place is small and cozy. but it has all the jazz for a posh, relaxing lounge. when i say small- it's pretty small, but not suffocating. the designer also designed City Bar so you'll see some simliarities. All throughout the night- i kept on saying "i can see this as my lounge- my go to place for some cocktails." i'm sure my bf started to ignore me after my 3rd time of reciting the same exact line, but then i also think he got the hint. keekee
cocktail menu is your standard average, average wine list, and a full bar. Mellow Yellow was yummy and Cucumber Cosmo was different but drinkable.
Food? Surprisingly impressed!! this is one of the very few places that's gotten it right within its grand opening. Chef's from St. Thomas, worked at several restaurants across country and former chef of Bouchee, blah blah. He does a delicious job of pairing opposite tastes to create a scrumptious meal (e.g. peanut sauce with bbq sauce).
I was happy with my pretzel crusted tuna (excellent portion) and my bf was very very very happy with his porkchops. the dish was created from the simplicity of what everyone loves and is comfortable. For example- the porkchops came with beans. 2 simple things make a kick ass dish.
DOWNSIDE: because it's still fairly new- lobby hasn't figured out the logistics of the bathroom. be prepared to walk down to mongolia to use the john.
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