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Sat / Apr 17
Party Earth Review Amid a sea of grungy Brighton dives, Devlin’s Bistro & Bar stands out like a sore but classy thumb. The long main room, painted in soft earth tones and decorated with modern art, is divided neatly in half. Swanky locals... ... read full review
332 Washington Street
Brighton, MA 02135
Green Line: Washington Street
617-779-8822
Bar: Daily 11am–1am
Restaurant: M–W11am–10pm, Th–F 11am–11pm, Sa 10am–11pm, Su 10am–10pm
Allston / Brighton, Boston –
Amid a sea of grungy Brighton dives, Devlin’s Bistro & Bar stands out like a sore but classy thumb.
The long main room, painted in soft earth tones and decorated with modern art, is divided neatly in half. Swanky locals head straight for the main bar to sip craft cocktails in the shadow of black-and-whites of jazz greats, while couples and groups of friends hit the overstuffed leather booths in the dining room, settling down with marinated steak or butternut squash ravioli as Sinatra croons in the background.
Summertime sees the ultra-popular patio open in the back, where the lack of a street view provides a homey escape from the city, while year-round boozy brunches on weekends make it easy to forget about urban life or the outside temperature.
Daily themes from Pasta Monday to Reggae Thursday ensure a steady stream of sweater-clad students mixed in with the standard crowd of collared young professionals, though the biggest nights are the twice-weekly live jazz gigs and the Top 40 DJs who set up on Saturdays.
Though dancing isn’t necessarily frowned upon, the majority of the stylish clientele prefers to nod its collective head to the beat so as not to slosh the martinis, except maybe on Fridays when drinking often takes a back seat to a karaoke microphone.
A devilishly good time any night and in any season, Devlin’s offers a little contemporary class for those who fancy a hipster-free night out in Brighton.
Few places keep on top of their seasonal drinks menu as well as Devlin’s. At the first sign of a winter chill, head in to warm your bones with a hot mug of spiked cocoa. Sunnier days, meanwhile, call for cool cucumber martinis or a glass of Devlin’s signature sangria – enjoyed on the patio, naturally.
Young professionals unwinding after work, jazz enthusiasts, BU students for weekends and Trivia Tuesdays, and yupster couples, mid-20s to mid-30s.
Live jazz on Wednesdays and Sundays, live reggae on Thursdays, DJ spins Top 40 on Saturday nights. Ambient jazz and lounge music other times. Trivia on Tuesdays. Karaoke on Fridays. A handful of TVs near the bar tuned to sports.
Upscale New American entrées such as steak tips and salmon, as well as gourmet pizzas with unique flavor combinations like the fig jam, prosciutto, and blue cheese pie.
Appetizers $9–$11, salads $7–$9, sandwiches and burgers $13–$14, pizzas $10–$14, entrées $16–$23. Beer $4–$6, wine $7–$12/glass or $24–$70/bottle, cocktails $7–$9.
Casual prep: button-downs, dark jeans, blazers, flowy dresses, polo shirts, khakis, flats.
Tuesdays for Trivia Night, Wednesdays and Sundays for live jazz, Friday for karaoke, Saturday nights for the largest and youngest crowds, or any nice day or night to chill on the back patio.
Deep Ellum (477 Cambridge Street) offers multi-ethnic comfort food, a lengthy craft beer list, and a popular brunch menu, as well as a similar escape from the sloshy frat bar scene.