Dockside Beer Garden

Dockside Beer Garden sits outside the New England Aquarium at Central Wharf, putting drinks and food right alongside a waterfront visit. Harpoon, Samuel Adams and Cisco are among the beer choices, with wine, cocktails and seltzer available for people who want something else. Appetizers, salads and sandwiches make it possible to stay for lunch rather than just a drink.

This is an outdoor, seasonal stop, so weather and the current operating schedule matter more than they would at an indoor bar. Check before making a special trip. Its location works well for a break around the aquarium and harbor, and the menu gives a mixed group enough choice to sit down together without committing to a large meal.