This place had all the makings of a 5/5 bar. A low-lit, moody, intimate space tucked inside a Back Bay alleyway, with a super creative, unique and delicious cocktail menu. Hecate has a dark, but fun vibe with a distinct personality. The staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I will definitely be coming back to try the rest of the cocktails I didn't get to tonight. read more

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Fun spot! Kinda proxy but they make very interesting cocktails and the bartender is super attentive (I didn't like my cocktail and it was replaced no questions asked! ) read more

Hecate - Speakeasies Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

A friend of mine told me about this place tucked away off Newberry Street. Knowing it was popular, we decided to try our luck and got in line about 30 minutes before they opened. We were lucky, we were the last group in line that was granted a table and the rest of the people waiting in line behind us were sent away after being added to a wait list. I have to give a lot of credit to the hostess, who clearly had this down to a science. She was friendly, and also very clear to each group waiting in line how things worked. They stagger the timing of tables being seated, which, once we were inside made sense. Each drink takes time to make, (they're not slinging out the vodka sodas) so the hostess makes sure to seat the tables as the bartenders and wait staff are ready to serve them upon opening. Another note about service, we did notice that as other guest left their seats were occupied very quickly by the next party on the waitlist. Extremely efficient at getting people off the waitlist and into seats once the place is open. Two of us started with the earthbound drink, and my other friend got the theosophy. We got a nice description of the drink, as well as the backstory behind the name of each. I am a fan of bourbon and old fashion style drinks, and I loved my earthbound drink. I was tempted to order another, but decided to try something different. I asked our server for a recommendation and instead of getting responses like this drink is similar to X or if you like this, it was more of a conversation about the unique style of the drinks here. I ended up ordering the Feast of Gevaudan which I also loved. It comes with a little mini charcuterie board propped on the glass and was definitely not like any other gin drink that I have had before if you like, charcuterie and mustard, get this drink! Definitely an excellent speakeasy experience. I hope that I have the opportunity to go again and get lucky enough to time it right like we did this time! read more

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Experience ... 5 stars. Service ... 5 stars. Drinks ... 3-4 stars. Price ... 3-4 stars. What a cool concept!!! We got there right when they opened up at 5 PM on a Thursday ... only had to wait like 15 minutes. Thank goodness cuz it was drizzling rain. As soon as we got escorted in, you were embraced with wonderful customer service and the ambience of a speak easy. It was seriously so mysterious and fun!!! I felt the essence of witchcraft and dark magic. Everything had a tale and explanation. The place is not well-lit ... real candles everywhere, and the place is small with low ceilings. If you're claustrophobic, you might have a challenging time. Places takes parties of 1-4, but I would definitely recommend just 2 peeps. Especially if you want to get in a little easier. Service was pleasant. Very professional and very knowledgeable!!! My BF and I got 4 different drinks while we were there. We got the following: Strophalos, Feast of Gevaudan, Theosophy, and Loy Krathong. We liked Feast of Gevaudan and Theosophy the best. All were creative with meanings and explanations behind them. Loved that!!! All were expensive ... but for a one-time fun experience, it was totally worth it. Definitely go check it out!!! read more

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Pricey but not overpriced for the quality of drinks and experience! The entrance is very speakeasy-esque. I'll admit I tried to find it once on my own and couldn't, I had a friend show me the way! It's very dark inside and the bar itself is tiny and very crammed, though the aesthetic is nice. There's not as much of a Greek magic vibe as I'd expected, but the walls and ceiling are cave-like and the menu is in a spell bound book. The cocktails are insanely creative and you can tell how much thought, effort, and skill is behind them. My one critique is I had no idea what most of the ingredients were, or what their flavor profiles would be- even after the waiter elaborated on the flavors, my drinks did not turn out as I'd expected. The katabasis was served in a skull cup and had a small vial on the side. The drink in the skull was very subtle and the vial resembled diluted honey. I liked it, but toward the end it got a bit too sweet for me and I swapped for my friend's 1:618. This one was more floral and had a strong similarity to mezcal, though neither the menu nor the waiter described it that way. Staff here will make an effort to give you the best experience possible. We provided feedback that although delicious our drinks were not as expected, and they offered to make a new one on the house. (We didn't take them up for it, but it was covered on the bill anyway) I would 100% come back as other peoples drinks looked so intriguing. I wouldn't recommend Hecate for a first date, but it's great for a second date or for friends! read more

Hecate - 1:618 (left), katabasis (right) - Speakeasies Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Hecate was an interesting experience. The interior is very dark and cave like. We had reservations and were able to be sat immediately once our party arrived. The restroom was very pretty, the interior is very committed to the theme, dimly lit and intimate. The drinks are absurdly priced for what you're getting. They give you the tiniest little glasses of water and the server barely comes by so you're SOL if you need water. Overall it was a good experience and I'm glad I went once, but for the price of the drinks there's plenty of other good bars around. read more

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Creative cocktails and in a cozy speakeasy - great location and definitely a true hunt to find the entrance! Highly recommend coming here you won't be disappointed!! read more

Honestly, super surprised most of the cocktails are premade. As a a cocktail bar you'd think they are made to order but nope. Many during our quarter volume IV every drink except two had eggs or milk in it and you could not remove it. Each drink is $20 at least so it's pretty disheartening that you can't remove the animal bi product. The vibe is super fun and it has huge potential, just not for a gal that doesn't drink milk read more

Hecate - Speakeasies Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This place doesn't understand how to be a speakeasy. The point is to be cool and chill and hard to find. Instead it's full of people who think they at cool but are not and you can't even get in unless you get them at 5pm. Not worth it. read more

We were excited about visiting here because of all the hype on the website. It promotes itself to be a witchy place and even says be ready for turbulence. We were on a girls spooky weekend to Boston/Salem and that peaked our interest. What we found is a very dark and small area where the drink menu is a book that is supposed to look like potions and a very small list of appetizers. My drink, the Weights and Measures, I thought was very good. It was strong. But, my sister-in-law was not happy that her drink was served in a skull and she didn't like the taste. She felt it was more black than white magic. Needless to say, we had one drink and left, disappointed since the drinks were very expensive at almost $25 each, including the tip and it wasn't an experience like the website promotes. Skip this tourist trap. read more

Hecate is a neat speakeasy located in boston. It's hidden in an ally with a small emblem on the door. It is very tiny and dark. It only seats 17 people. Expect to wait at least and hour and a half for a table. Drinks are good, around $25 each and included tip. So you pay $30 total for one drink...a bit ridiculous. Just a few things I didn't love about this place. The hostess put our name down for a waitlist. We waited 1.5hrs then came back. Next thing you know, a guy walks in and immediately is seated for two without having to wait. They also said the "kitchen was closed" but the guy seated after us got food. Not sure what that was about. Not sure why they pick and choose who they want to serve. read more

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Some of the best cocktails I have ever had. If you're into craft drinks with a cool vibe, this is the place to go. Service was on point too. Would HIGHLY recommend! read more

A great place to grab a cocktail! (if you're willing to wait) My friend and I came about 40 minutes before opening on a Saturday, and were the 2nd party in line. As opening was approaching, the line got longer and longer, and inside only seats about 20 people so it's quite small. I was informed those who didn't make the first seating get their name on a list and called when there's availability, but there's no seating time limit so there's no telling how long the wait will be. I did think the wait was worth it, but I understand that it isn't for everyone. The inside is almost completely dark and cave-like, so it does take a moment for the eyes to adjust. It does create a very mysterious ambiance, and it would be a great place for a date. My friend and I were seated at the bar where there's the most lighting, so we didn't have a hard time reading the menus. The cocktails we got were creative and delicious! The main bartender did tell us that the menu gets changed every so often. Each cocktail is a play on a classic drink, updated in a unique way. I really appreciate that the cocktails enhanced the alcohol used in each drink, and they had really unique spirits. I really enjoyed the nagual, a modern margarita using corn and coconut sherbet, and the king in yellow, which featured orange wine. The bartender also explained what each cocktail was made up of, along with the inspiration, which we really enjoyed. The cocktails are $20, but for the craftsmanship it makes sense to me. We also got some chicken wings which were pretty good. Would def recommend to cocktail enthusiasts! read more

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Don't let the sketchy alleyway entrance or occult theme scare you off. Hecate has great atmosphere, really good drinks, and amazing service. This reminded me a bit of Hopsing's Laundromat in Philly, but felt safer (despite the occult theme there was no self proclaimed crazy nuclear armed North Korean owner reading us the riot act at Hecate). The service was outstanding...our server recommended drinks that hit the mark every time. The drinks had the right mix of booze, sweetness, effervescence, and acid for us. I'm eager to return on our next trip to Boston! read more

Be ready to wait. But doesn't that make it more fun? If you arrive at a reasonable time you'll have to join the wait list and on a Saturday that meant three hours for us. Once we did get entrance, it was fun. They have a strong theme going and mostly only serve the cocktails in their book. I tried two, a mini cocktail served only in the waiting area called the Moon which was a very nice aviation-ish cocktail, and the Emerald Tablet once I got in. The Emerald Tablet is a play on a Bees Knees, but it reminded me of curry. Not my favorite. On the other hand it's made with Procera gin which is considered by some the best gin in the world. The bartender was great and let me try it neat. Bottom line: it's a fun concept that I'd try again, particularly on a date. I just wouldn't get the Emerald Tablet. read more

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**Note this is based on the experience from a popup event and where we had a reservation ** Normally you do have to wait for availability and their menu has more drink options I feel like I only went here because someone suggested. First the entrance and actually finding out where to go is very confusing and not in a fun way. It is a back door behind another restaurant and its not really clear that it is the entrance and they had a tiny sign that was barely visible to the eye. Once you went through the door you walked through this small dirty and gross alley to come to the actual door to the restaurant. Prior, I was thinking that maybe getting there right when they open and then walking in would be fine since they didn't do reservations. However, I saw negative reviews prior to coming and they all seem to say the same things- never getting, waiting long hours and rude staff. So I did not have anyone that was rude to me however i felt I was taken advantage of. I made a reservation and it was only due to their popup event and was directed to seat on what was a table and have my drinks and water by my butt. It was a very uncomfortable and awkward seating and being the only two there felt a little too personal. But I'm the type to just keep things rolling. The popup menu had only 4 drinks and 2 taco options. I was really not interested in their food so I tried one of their drinks which was just okay to me I got something similar at the wig shop. read more

Hecate - Speakeasies Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

very cool spot with tasty drinks. great date spot if you want to impress someone with your ball knowledge. bit expensive and snug, and they don't do reservations. go earlier / on weekdays read more

Great ambiance and great cocktails. The bartender was great and answered any questions we had about the drinks

The best dates I've ever had, so if you're feeling peckish, get them. My first drink came with sides of veg and cheese, which complemented the drink really well. My friends second drink came with dry ice and was in a glass made to look like an old wooden carved stein. Overall a really fun experience. Wait was less than we were told read more

Love this Speakeasy concept---the magic was definitely real!! Sergio greeted me and provided a great introduction experience to the magic of the goddess Hecate. I stuck to my ole faithful and ordered the old fashioned concept which was wonderful. It's a shame I can't remember the bartender's name because he was amazing---very friendly and dedicated to his cocktail craft. The location is just down the alley around the corner from Krasi (part of the Xenia Hospitality restaurant group). There is a light illuminating the logo of the door leading to bar. This is a small, intimate concept with 24 seats, so expect a wait if there is a full house. Ignore the reviews complaining about not being able to get in---if you're not looking for an experience go to your local sports bar. This is an experience with bartenders who know what they are doing and drinks that taste great! read more

Hecate - Old fashioned - Speakeasies Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This place is probably a 3.5. The ambience is cool because of the theme however it is a small place and unless you get bar seats it feels cramp / crowded. The drinks were unique but nothing spectacular in my opinion. Presentation was good. Drinks were ok. Price was a bit on the higher end. They give you little water glasses which don't always get refilled which was a bit annoying. The main annoyance was that even though they don't take reservations, when you go to put your name down, the reminders and alerts are through open table so they're just really being gimmicky about their openings. read more

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Such a great experience. A friend and I arrived before 5 and were lead inside in the first group to the first seats at the bar. It was dark, but the atmosphere was so unique. Very intimate, while still feeling comfortable. Every one was very friendly, knowledgeable and talented. The bartender is an artist, carefully but quickly crafting each cocktail as they were ordered. Choosing from the menu was intimidating at first, but each cocktail we ordered impressed us! And the master on the bar knew just the right questions to ask to direct us on what to order. I ordered a Moon Mansion and Left Hand Path, while my friend got a Lo Pan and Left Hand Path. All highly recommended. My favorite was the Moon Mansion. We ordered the stuffed dates and they were fantastic. The drinks are pricy but well worth it, considering the entire experience was pretty magical. I will likely return in the future! read more

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Fried chicken sandwich was good. The cocktail made with wintergreen tasted awful. The Bifrost looked cool but didn't taste much better either. Making delicious cocktails can be hard. But making drinks that did not taste good at all and charging $20 is outlandish. I was very disappointed and would not recommend. Ambiance is cool, very dark. read more

What I ordered: Wandering City and Odyssey. I recommend the Wandering City if you are looking for something refreshing/sweet and sour. Overall thoughts: It's definitely worth checking out once, but I wouldn't come back. The wait was 1.4 hours for me. Highly recommending arriving around 5/6PM to put your name down on the list and then going out for dinner and strolling Beacon Street. I'd rather go to Brick and Mortar. Service: The bartender and waiters were great, hostess sucks but it's probably because she has to deal with people asking how long the wait is. read more

It did and did not disappoint- going in with high expectations for a speakeasy, the ambiance, decor, and exclusivity are apparent. The layout of the bar and tables is meant to be intimate and while they state they do not have room for parties greater than 4 (which is true), the optimal party size is definitely 2. Everyone recommended arriving early to get your name in but I would recommend going off weekend if possible. We have tried and failed to visit on the weekend in the past but this time my party went on a Thursday and while it was full, tables seemed to turn quickly. While they do offer small snacks, my group passed on them in favor of focusing on the cocktails. Overall it there were fairly unique offering with some highs and lows. The Earthbound was compared to a Manhattan and which I did not find to be accurate as it was not as spirit forward as other drinks like the Wendigo. Our party has some standout favorites (Wendigo, Circle of Protection, Feast of Gévaudan) and some that we thought fell way short (Earthbound, Kafetzou, Santa Muerte). I would say that your experience is dependent on the cocktails that you decide on as there seems to be a large discrepancy between the quality of the drinks. I'm glad I went to experience it and will probably go again with these things in mind: - If you have trouble reading in the dark, be prepared to use your phone light to read the menu - I would not attempt to go on a Friday or Saturday - Expect some unique drinks that may not be as spirit forward as you originally anticipate - If you are comfortable, work with your party to try a variety of different drinks so you can taste as many as possible to see what you like read more

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The employees were rude from the second we walked in. We turned around and left within 2 minutes.

Overall rating: 0 Stars An exclusive Boston Speak Easy with limited seating Food: we only got drinks, they claimed the kitchen was closed but we came in at 7pm and people before us had food Texture: the drinks weren't anything crazy and also over priced Pricing: $25 for a drink!! some of the most expensive drinks I've ever purchased in Boston we each got one drink each and left. Can't believe we paid $100 for just ok drinks Ambiance: The ambiance is dark almost cave like, there's a heavy scent lingering in the air Very dimly lit Seating & Parking: not much seating and forget about parking since it's in Boston Service: straight forward nothing insanely amazing but not rude either Bathroom: male and female bathroom available, the only thing I liked about Hecate was their unique decor, their bathroom had almost a tarot theme Final comments: not worth the hype, we noticed favoritism for the waitlist read more

Amid an otherwise treacherous alley lies the most thrilling little OSHA violation in all of Back Bay. Hecate's entrance is lined with many exposed (and ideally not live) wires, so you might need to do a few double takes before diving in. There's not much to see at first glance, mostly because this place is piercingly dark. Once you make it in, the service is warm. The bartenders are knowledgeable and welcoming. The drinks are divine and creative, with the theme carrying through everywhere--even into the bathroom. My only hesitation is that the food menu was not as expansive as I'd hoped for dinner - but that's on me for not doing my research beforehand. Overall, I loved this little experience and would absolutely come back! read more

Hecate - Speakeasies Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Really great vibe and a nice place for a date. They don't take reservations, so I am glad that we got there early, when we left there was a lot of people in the waiting area. The drinks were delicious and the bar tenders were really friendly. It was hard to find, it is down an alley and then through a door that says Select Oyster House and then through an unmarked door. Worth it once you get in though! read more

5 very well deserved stars. If you're coming to just get drunk, probably not the place for you... but if you're into the "experience" of a dark, intimate, semi-spooky vibe, listen up! Everything from the menu to the drinks to the atmosphere is well curated. It took us about 1-1.5 hours to get seated around 7pm on a Thursday. The inside fits about 15 people, so it's super intimate. People generally tend to follow the rule of speak "easy" so it wasn't even loud inside (although, there was a group behind us that had a few moments of yelling). I got a tequila drink (Malleus Maleficarum) and my partner got Undertow. Both came with a story told by the bartender and were delicious. If you're not a huge drinker but like tequila, I highly recommend Malleus. It is pricey, but again, THE EXPERIENCE! They also had a tarot reader offering sessions that night which we loved. We didn't try their food as we ate right before, but I was happy to see as a vegetarian that they had so many options (eggs, stuffed dates, vegan empanadas, and grilled cheese)! I just loved everything about this place and will definitely be back. read more

Hecate - menu - Speakeasies Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Have been looking to check out this hot new spot for a while, finally made it.. The place is not for the claustrophobic kind, under 30 people capacity. They have their selected drink book creation, which is very cool, but also very restrictive. Our waiter got really defensive when we asked about changing one ingredient and stayed obnoxious through the evening, even after our expression of understanding of keeping their drinks intact. The waiter's ( name Hosa I believe) attitude made the evening very unpleasant. When the bill came (for 3 people) with an automatic 20% tip on $20 drink pp, it made sense why the waiter could care less to be pleasant. Too bad. read more

Hecate - a group of people sitting at a bar - Speakeasies Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Cocktails in a magical cave like scene. The experience is top notch and mystical the moment you step in. I made sure to get there early enough to make it to the waitlist and trust me when I say, it did not disappoint. I have read so many reviews by people not being able to get in, but it you plan ahead and get there early you'll make it. Drinks were spectacular and unique. Its a cocktail bar, so do not expect your average vodka soda. They take their time to lure you into their realm and literally will put a spell on you with those unique drinks. The menu is a work of art, just like everything else. From the moment they greet you at the door, to the service at the table. Hope to get my hands on their potions again any time soon. Hecate is a MUST! It exceeded every expectation I had and for sure is a sensory experience. read more

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Really cool speakeasy on a back alley off of Newbury . Pumping vibe, great drinks. Definitely one of the best nights we've had. read more

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If you want to get into this bar plan to get there 30 minutes before they open (at 5:00), be prepared to stand outside in a line because this place is tiny. I had gone here and been turned away at the door three times because there's no reservations and very popular. I finally got in and I had to plan my day around it. Honestly I don't know if it's worth the hype, the drinks are cool (and $20 each) and the servers do a good job of telling you all about the experience, but yeah once you get in there it's just kind of a regular bar with a cave like interior. Pretty fun though, don't know if I'd go through the trouble of going again though. I've been to better speakeasy's. read more

Hecate - Speakeasies Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Cool dark speakeasy, at first was hard to locate the place. Walking around a few times and seeing folks walking down an alley led me to explore and find the cool spot. Make reservations prior is a sure suggestion, you will be glad to stop and have a few read more

This kitschy, trendy underground bar with its "book of spells" and 'spirit guides' was everything I could have wanted and more after an overwhelming work week. The downside was the wait. We had our names on the list at 5pm when they opened, waited in line for 2hrs and finally got a table at 7. Can't fault the staff for that, and we knew in advance what we were getting into given that it is a new hot spot. Overall, the ambiance was excellent and the bartenders and servers were highly knowledgeable! Will definitely be returning next time I'm in town! read more

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Closed for a private event, but no communication on socials nor even a discreet sign on the door. It took several people knocking multiple times for them to answer to let us know they're closed. Poor communication = poor rating. read more

The hostess was really nice. The place is really dark inside and tiny. Hence, I wish the chairs and tables were bigger, especially the ones on the side near the door. You can also feel the breeze in if you're seated there. I hope they can figure out some solutions. But the vibes are great tho! Very cave-y. The drinks were really expensive. It was my first time ever paying $20 for a drink in Boston but then again we're in Back Bay. Considering the price, it does get you relatively tipsy after two drinks. Though I would argue Offsuit (another speakeasy) has stronger drinks and they're less expensive. You're definitely drunk after 2 drinks there. Would I go back here? If someone else is paying for my drinks, sure. read more

I went there on a Friday night - there was a 2 hour wait which I expected and was fine with it, however they never texted us that our table was ready. When we came back to check on our spot on the list the hostess was SUPER rude and even after talking to a manager none of them ever apologized or even offered a solution. It is obvious that they do not appreciate you as a guest, and if I was you I'd go somewhere else - there are so many speakeasies in Boston where you actually feel welcomed. Telling everyone I know not to go here most definitely. read more

Amazing small environment. GET THERE EARLY! It's sexy, chill, and intimate. They care about the cocktails they serve and you can feel it. The snack menu matches the cocktails. Love it! read more

Hecate - Speakeasies Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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