When it comes to drinking and dining options, Boston is brimming with unique restaurants. Mostly, it’s the quality of the food that sears these establishments into your memory. However, there’s one whimsical Boston bar where the theme rivals the fare.
Alibi is tucked inside the Liberty Hotel and, in case the name doesn’t give it away, the bar is jail-themed.
While clearly a gimmick, it’s a historically accurate one because the Liberty Hotel used to be the Charles Street Jail. You can still see many elements of the original building. Yes, those are the original cell bars.
Celebrity mug shots hang on the walls and the bar’s inventive cocktails have insolent names. Try Doin’ Thyme, a drink that features gin, cider, blueberry, and thyme. The drink specials are always worth checking out, too. (Pictured is The Arsonist.)
Sip on wine by the glass – or bottle. If you prefer something a little stronger, then you’ll love the extensive menu of whiskeys, vodkas, and tequilas.
Admittedly, Scampo is less whimsical than Alibi; it pays more subtle tribute to the building’s past. The food here is upscale Italian and Mediterranean – there’s even a mozzarella bar.
As you savor your drink – or meal – consider the hotel’s past.
The Charles Street Jail (sometimes called Suffolk County Jail) opened in 1851. Architect, Gridley James Fox Bryant designed this distinctive building. It was built using Quincy granite - the same material that the Bunker Hill Memorial is made from.
The Auburn Plan influenced the design of the Charles Street Jail. This plan called for jails that focused on rehabilitating prisoners, rather than punishing them.
The Charles Street Jail mostly housed people who were locked up while waiting for a trial. It remained in use until 1991.
Then, in 2007, the jail was converted into the hotel you see today. During the process, preservation architects helped to repurpose the building’s original features, like the rotunda (pictured).
Even a quick visit to Alibi confirms that the Liberty Hotel hasn’t forgotten its past. The bar is open from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m., daily. For more information, visit the Alibi’s website here.
Address: 215 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114
Have you checked out the old Charles Street Jail yet? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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