Clayton Hotel Charlemont

You'd be forgiven for walking past this spot on Charlemont Street, assuming it's just another soulless hotel bar. But step inside and you'll find something surprisingly decent happening. The space strikes that tricky balance between polished and welcoming, with bartenders who know their way around a proper Old Fashioned and aren't rushing you out the door. What sets this place apart is the crowd – yes, there are hotel guests, but plenty of locals from the surrounding Saint Kevin's area have cottoned on to what's on offer. The drinks menu goes beyond the usual suspects, and the service has that rare quality of being attentive without being overbearing. It's the kind of place that works whether you're meeting mates after work or settling in for a nightcap.