City Bar is a posh, small, hotel bar inside the Lenox Hotel. Barely lit, the bar is a go-to for seductive dates and expensive drinks to impress and set the tone. There are tables and lounge style sofas, but the coveted seats are at the bar. Reminds me a little bit of a library, maybe it's the dark wood, assortment of couches and armchairs. City-Bar is a dependable date spot for those who enjoy seeing and being seen while dropping serious bucks on serious drinks. City Bar is a single, square room. Everyone sees you, you see them. Nice label clothes on average looking people. When crowded, the small room radiates a carnal vibe.

Saint, located in the Back Bay, is a restaurant, nightclub, and lounge. Specializing in international cuisine and fusion vodka, Saint occupies the space of the old Budapest Cafe. Trendy and dressy, this lounge, nightclub, and bar has a little bit of everything. Make sure to come dressed appropriately, or the suit clad doormen will not allow you past the velvet rope.

Like a final club for grown-ups, this smoky venue attracts Wall Street types and Polo boys who convene among leather couches and potted palms to relish the simple pleasure of a good smoke. The walk-in humidor houses 300+ varieties of stogies ($6-50). Enjoy a solid selection of wine, beer, port, and sherry from the hardwood bar, brought to you by the necessarily waifish blonde, while backgammon, chess, or sports play on the telly. For a paltry $1200/yr, you too can have your own locker with brass plaque in the humidor. Reservations recommended. Also available for private parties.

Small (33 rooms) and fashionable hotel in near Copley Square, Charlesmark is a great tourist location on off the beaten path when it comes to the corporate hotelling industry. The lounge, a modern bar serving up martinis and specialty drinks, is a hot-spot for Bostonians and hotel guest alike.

The Vox is the perfect place to see and be seen. Although quite the meat market, if you are in the mood to schmooze it up and look your best on a Saturday night, it is a fun place as an outing with friends. Serving 27 of the most creative martinis around in a hip but unpretentious milieu, this swanky bar is Boylston Street's “It” spot. A mostly twenty- and thirty-something crowd fills the bar on weekend nights to down $9 martinis. It kind of has that 'beautiful people' vibe going on... which can be oh so good, and can also be a complete nightmare. There are some creepy types who frequent the place hoping to pick up the aforementioned beautiful people, but thankfully they are amusing to watch. Granted, the drinks are expensive, but with such tempting varieties as the Tiramisu Martini and White Crantini (a clear martini made for men who “don't want to be seen with a pink drink”), who can resist? 8 types of scotch ($8-14), 12 bottled beers and 6 on tap, traditional cocktails ($6-9), and wine by the glass ($7.50-10.50) provide ample variety for those morally opposed to martinis. Thanks to Vox Pop's massive space there's always a quiet corner to retreat to, even on busy weekend nights. No cover.

UPDATE: Domani has officially closed and will be replaced with the stylish hipster hangout Minibar in December 2008. Located in the heart of Boston's Back Bay. Domani Bar & Trattoria offers an approachable "New Italian" menu reminiscent of those found today in hot-spot neighborhood restaurants throughout Italy. Nationally acclaimed Executive Chef Rene Michelena heads up a kitchen staff dedicated to providing each guest with an inspired culinary experience in a fun and comfortable dining environment.

UPDATE: Minibar is now open for business. The Copley Square Hotel plans to unveil its new urban-chic look on Wednesday, Dec. 31 after a $17 million facelift. Formerly Domani Bar & Trattoria, this new martini bar is located in the heart of Boston's Back Bay. The interior of Minibar, the soon-to-be-opened lobby lounge and U-shaped bar adjacent to the Copley Square Hotel, is emerging as a sleek example of modern chic. Inspired by lounges at the W Hotels and Miami's Delano, designer/architect Stephen Sousa's Minibar boasts modern design elements including a black-and-metallic color motif and gray-leather seating surrounding a minimalist bar area. After snooping outside of the Copley Square hot spot yesterday, it looks like the interior of the South End's Oishii coupled with the contemporary flair of Vintage Lounge in the Financial District as well as the stark modern design elements of the new Downtown Crossing Italian restaurant Bina Osteria. Of course, Sousa designed Gypsy Bar and nearby Saint so there are obvious design similarities. Minibar will offer a renowned drink menu with signature cocktails and an inspired host of appetizers. All served under the ambient sounds of cool, hip, progressive lounge music. Minibar will be accessible from both the hotel lobby and the street, and will be open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week.

This upscale, chic bar attached to the The Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Their drink, wine list and bar is expensive. A bottle of Duval Leroy goes for $75 and a Martini around $13. Definitely not a hipster hangout for youngsters but a hot spot for professionals looking for a luxurious evening out.

At this bar “with an attitude,” you'll meet an unabashedly loud, obnoxious, and crude crowd (“All in good fun!”). Dick's sports a Southern feel, but don't come for the hospitality; the staff takes pleasure in harassing patrons, and it says something about the patrons that they keep coming back. Not the best place to go if you have taste, or if you like a decently-priced pint, though food is reasonable and served in quantity. 52 foreign and domestic beers, with 8 on draft ($6-7.50, refills $4.50). Live music provided by the house band most nights. No cover. By its own admission the “Shame O' the Back Bay,” Dick's prides itself on buckets o' grub, no bull, and a waitstaff that acts like, well, dicks. Check your dignity at the door and prepare to pay for the worst service you'll ever find as you devour a hearty selection of good, greasy food (think ribs, steak, chicken, and seafood) amidst the filth of thrown napkins and food fight residue. When your mouth isn't full, sing along with the great music selection or giggle as your fellow patrons get humiliated. Grab a drink from the long bar to dull the ego blows, or retreat to the campy bathroom, complete with naughty goodie dispensers. A great place for birthdays or other group events, Dick's will force members of the party to wear giant paper hats scribbled with insults (“I sleep with my mother”; “Hung like a gerbil”), among other exercises in humility. Su brunch (10am-3pm; $16) features various carnivorous delights as well as a plethora of desserts. Free validated parking after 5pm. Entrees $5-26. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.