Friday Cocktail hour/ Sunday Brunch venues for a November Back Bay wedding?

[arastogi]

Hi friends,

I'm an out-of-town foodie planning my wedding in my beloved hometown of Boston. The wedding will be at the Four Seasons on Boylston.

We'd like to host cocktails the night before and brunch the day after the wedding. Only problem is--- the Back Bay dining scene is unfamiliar and I don't know what's around.

Ideally, cocktails would be no more than 5-6 blocks from the Four Seasons (and at a place with a great vibe) and brunch would be in the immediate vicinity, as people will be needing to travel and may be tired/ hungover/ not inclined to walk much.

Any recommendations for possible venues for us near the Four Seasons? No more than 50 people for either event, no cuisine limitations and no cost limitations.

Any suggestions would be really helpful!!!
Thanks!

[misscucina]

Mini bar is a cute, stylish lounge at the corner of Exeter and Huntington Ave., about 4 blocks from the Four Seasons. Good energy, a tiny bit "Euro" but a crowd with people who are 20 or 50 aren't going to feel out of place. It's small enough that you guys could easily take it over informally with 50 people.

I think the a la carte brunch at Union Bar & Grill in the South End is a steal.

[wdavison]

Congrats on your upcoming wedding. I just got married a couple of weeks ago and had a Friday night cocktail reception at Marliave that was fantastic. We had about 100 people and had the top floor rented out. I am sure you could rent out the smaller bar area that might be better for 50 people. We did appetizers that were absolutely fantastic, and the staff was great at providing specific quality cocktails for our guests. It is just accross the Common from the Four Seasons, so maybe a ten minute walk or so.

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Marliave
10 Bosworth Street, Boston, MA 02108

Four Seasons Restaurant
249 Lake Ave, Worcester, MA 01604

[Niblet]

It's a challenge finding a cocktail place for 50 people on a Friday night as of course most places are packed. Bistro du Midi is nearby and has a nice vibe. Troquet might work. Teatro is pretty close but the bar area is small. Maybe Davios.

For brunch, possibly the Bistro du Midi; it's just a few steps away and their upstairs may be able to accomodate the large numbers on a Sunday. Menu is here: http://www.bistrodumidi.com/#/menus/

Pairings is at 50 Park Plaza. Menu: http://www.pairingsboston.com/index.p...

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Davio's
75 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116

Teatro
177 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111

Troquet
140 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

Bistro du Midi
272 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

[alwayscooking]

Try Mistral for brunch - they have a private room that may suit you and the food is very good.