Boston After Dark - Boston 2009 - page 238

1369 Coffee House A long, narrow room with a colorful clientele, the 1369
offers excellent baked goods, a dazzling selection of premium teas and coffees, and
great people-watching. There's also a light lunch menu and a pleasant outdoor seating
area. The equally enjoyable original location is at 1369 Cambridge St., Inman Square
( & 617/576-1369 ). 757 Massachusetts Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. & 617/576-4600. www.
1369coffeehouse.com. T: Red Line to Central.
Trident Booksellers & Café This Back Bay institution is more than just a
cafe. The veggie-friendly menu (including breakfast served all day) complements the
free Wi-Fi access, thoughtful book selection, and casual, New Age-y atmosphere.
Open 9am to midnight daily. 338 Newbury St. & 617/267-8688. www.tridentbookscafe.com.
T: Green Line B, C, or D to Hynes Convention Center.
POOL & BOWLING
These establishments aren't the divey hangouts you remember from your misspent
youth; they're upscale destinations with prices to match. For pool, expect to pay at
least $12 an hour on weekend evenings, with weekday and daytime discounts. Bowlers
can count on parting with at least $6 per person per game.
Boston Billiard Club A large, clubby space decorated with brass sconces and a
mahogany bar, this club has 55 tables, tasty bar food, and full liquor service. If you
don't want to wait for a table, ask about reserving a private room (from $30/hr.). Like
other establishments in this neighborhood, it's a madhouse on Red Sox game days and
nights. Open daily from noon to 2am. 126 Brookline Ave. & 617/536-POOL. www.boston
billiardclub.com. T: Green Line B, C, or D to Kenmore, or D to Fenway.
Flat Top Johnny's I blink like a geisha every time I walk in here—I can't
believe such a cool, funky spot is this close to MIT. A spacious, loud room with a bar
and 12 red-topped pool tables, Flat Top Johnny's has a casual neighborhood feel
despite being in a rather sterile office-retail complex. Open weekdays noon to 1am,
weekends 3pm to 1am. 1 Kendall Sq., Cambridge. & 617/494-9565. www.flattopjohnnys.com.
T: Red Line to Kendall/MIT.
Jillian's Boston The 70,000-square-foot Jillian's complex, which anchors the
Lansdowne Street strip, offers billiards on 52 tables, an upscale bowling alley (part of
the Lucky Strike Lanes chain), a spring break-themed dance club (Tequila Rain), tons
of plasma TVs, five full bars, and two restaurants. If you can't scare up some fun here,
check your pulse. Open Monday through Saturday from 11am to 2am, Sunday from
noon to 2am. Children under 18 accompanied by an adult are admitted before 8pm
Sunday through Thursday; on Friday and Saturday, Jillian's is 21-plus after 8pm. 145
Ipswich St. & 617/437-0300. www.jilliansboston.com or www.luckystrikeboston.com. Valet parking
available Wed-Sun after 6pm, except during Red Sox games. T: Green Line B, C, or D to Kenmore.
Kings In a former movie theater across from the Hynes Convention Center,
Kings is a popular date destination that attracts the occasional pro athlete or celebrity.
It has 20 bowling lanes (4 of them private) and an eight-table billiards room. It's open
Monday 5pm to 2am, Tuesday through Sunday 11:30am to 2am; after 6pm, patrons
must be at least 21. 50 Dalton St. & 617/266-BOWL. www.backbaykings.com. T: Green Line B, C,
or D to Hynes Convention Center.
FILMS
Free Friday Flicks at the Hatch Shell ( & 617/787-7200 ) are family films
shown on a large screen in the amphitheater on the Esplanade. On the lawn in front

Kids