Place for Outdoor Cocktail Party?

[Spamantha]

My 35th is coming up at the end of May and I was thinking of having a cocktail party at a restaurant with a patio. What I have in mind is to have lots of hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

Any suggestions?

~S~

[Seaport]

A couple of other suggestions with very different types of themes (higher End) Miel at the Intercontinental Hotel has a great patio, (Clam Bake) The Barking Crab - which may have a full liquor license by your birthday, (Retro) Anthony's Pier 4 has a great patio on the harbor, and (pub grub) The Seaport Bar and Grill has a roofdeck overlooking the Harbor - Tavern on the Water would be similar

[hoplover]

I have seen outdoor cocktail parties on the patio of The Cottonwood Cafe in the back bay. Everyone loves margaritas and theirs are real good.

[kate used to be 50]

Sorry, have to chime in. The Seaport Bar and Grill is just plain YUCK! I will never eat there again and as for the out door patio, if you don't mind breathing diesel from the booze cruise boats.

Barking Crab and Tavern on the Water, again yuck, but not as bad of a yuck.

Anthony's - while classic, it is a bit tired.

Miel - yep that would be a high end joint.

[BackBayGirl]

The patio at Jury's would be fun. I've seen other parties take place there. Also, patio at Cottonwood. Their appetizers are good. BarLola has a nice patio area and their tapas are good.

[mangorita]

Red Fez in the South End has a good sized patio. AND they have a free parking lot out back. They offer lots of hot and cold meze (small plate) options. The bar is indoors, but of course the waitstaff can take your drink orders and carry them out to the patio for you.

If you want an actual bar outside, then another option would be The Black Rhino on Broad Street in the financial district. They have a rooftop bar and seating area. The food is nothing at all spectacular though.
Rattlesnake Bar and Grill on Boylston is another place that has a rooftop bar but not so good food.

[Allstonian]

I'll second the Red Fez - BFP and I went to just such a party last Friday (though in the restaurant, not on the patio.) The drinks were good and the hot and cold meze were wonderful.

[hotoynoodle]

ditto on avoid tia's like the plague. yuk.

sibling rivalry has a pretty patio and a great menu of hors d'oeuvres if you call ahead. they're not part of the regular menu, but part of their function menu.

beacon street tavern has a nice patio and reasonably priced food, but again not good if the sox are home.

oleana has a lovely patio too.

[kate used to be 50]

Avoid Tia's

Eastern Standard is great, but make sure there isn't a home game. Then it is a real zoo.

Dante's in Cambridge has a beautiful patio with a view of the Charles.

Happy B-day.

[Rubee]

Dante is a good idea - that waterfront patio will be so nice in the warmer weather. I haven't been in a while though. Good reminder, time to go back.

[Pegmeister]

Tia's has an outdoor patio and plenty of space for that type of event. Not sure what the food is like but they always seems to attract a crowd.

[trotliner]

I really dislike the food at Tia's and you are bound to have to fight for space that time of year, maybe try Fiore in the North End, they have a roof top deck and could do nice hors d'oeuvres. Also there is a bar right there on the roof so it wouldn't be troublesome for your group to do a cash bar. I've recommended it before, and recently went back and reaffirmed how much I like the place.

[Pegmeister]

Fiore's is a much better recommendation!! I always wondered about Tia's it seems crowded but somehow I never got around to trying it.

[DowntownChick]

I really dislike the food and ambience at Tia's. It is a real meatmarket. Also, avoid the Living Room. People have had mixed reviews about 28 Degrees, but they have a nice outdoor patio area with small plates and its a fun environment. Also, not sure what they do for small plates, but Audobon has good outdoor space in the back. And there is always Eastern Standard.