Back Bay Social Club Menu

  • Afternoon Menu

Healthy Meal suggestions for Back Bay Social Club

  • Afternoon Menu

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Shirley Y.

    i've been wanting to try this place since setting sights on the brunch menu with quite an impressive variety of bloody marys. aside from the traditional bloody mary with vodka, a darker tomato juice cocktail with a slight, peppery kick finished off with a celery stick, back bay social club also serves offshoots such as the bloody pickle [with pickle juice], the bloody pepper [even spicier than the traditional with peppers to garnish], the bloody caesar [with clamato juice in lieu of tomato for a higher sodium intake and a lot more flavor], the bloody beer [pretty self explanatory], among many others. on a whim, we walked in and found two seats at the bar. being that it was one of the first beautiful spring saturdays, they had their windows open to the patio outside. surprisingly, not as crowded as it could be. back bay social club's owners are the same as sonsie's, and one can see the similarity. most of the clientele are enjoying the sun outside on the patio, congregating at the bar watching the game on tv, but the darker rear of the restaurant space was empty. when asking for the menu, the bloody mary selection is not displayed. upon talking to the bartender, they had removed most of their selections, with the exception of what i have named above. my friend ordered the traditional bloody mary, which was quite impressive with good flavor. curious about the alternative, i ordered the bloody pepper. despite the name, it possessed a lack of flavor but the bartender was happy to fix it by adding more cocktail mix to it. still disappointed, as i felt like i was sending back my drink, and when possible, a patron should never have to feel that way.

    (3)
  • Ethan M.

    Not sure why everyone is so hyped up about this place. Its just Vinny Testas and Vinny Ts with even lower lighting. We reserved a table for a party of five on Friday at 9PM. We arrived on time only for the hostess to tell us that the we would be seated in 10mins. This meant that our table was not even reserved for us. We then had to wait for an hour before we could actually sit down. While waiting I had the God Father drink (I had to explain to the bartender that it was whiskey and Amaretto. This should have been learned in Bartender 101) which cost $13. $13!!! What the hell. During dinner my drink was magically $10. Maybe the top floor is on a different currency than the bottom. At dinner we had the duck panini for appetizer and for the main course we had the burger, chicken and waffles, chicken gumbo and the steamed muscles. The duck tasted great but we were disappointed with the dinner. First the price of food was insane. The burger and the chicken and waffles were good but not worth the price being charged. The gumbo and muscles in cream sauce were tasteless. We only ate it because we spent a fortune on it. I suggest stay away and try some of the other places around Boylston St. as there are many better restaurants. This is just a wanna be high class and over priced joint.

    (1)
  • L S.

    They lured me in with a promise of Chicken and Waffles only to tell me that I could only get it on Mondays. If you view their online menu, it lists this dish as an every day item. Not so. I ended up getting the chicken with mashed potatoes and it was well, chicken and mashed potatoes. Nothing special for the price. They seated my date and I downstairs near the bar in the middle of the floor, near the stairwell. It was loud and I felt like they ran out of room but didn't wan to turn away business so they just set up some random extra tables. On a positive note, our server was pretty on the ball - if only we could hear him and he could hear us! My date liked his meal but again, it was nothing about which to rave. They could do better but I suppose in the grand scheme of things, they could do worse.

    (2)
  • Molly J.

    I over heard someone telling his friend how he loves the burger from Social Club. I took my friends there on NYE just to get some food. The food was not above our expectation but okay. One of the dishes that's impressive was Chicken Waffles. It is a large waffle in the bottom with Fried chicken on top with BBQ sauce and maple syrup. I ordered vegetable chili and it was too dry. The restaurant was too dark that I can't really tell whats in the dish. What we don't understand is the price difference for lamp burger and signature social club burger. The lamp burger was like $14 but the social club burger cost $22. I didn't try the burger but according to the guy who ordered it, it was not good at all. Our server that night kept coming and ask if we are doing okay. It was nice in the first couple times, but we started to feel irritated when she kept doing it. The only thing I remember that was good was the cute and friendly host with smile on his face all the time.

    (2)
  • Lakiya T.

    LOVE IT! Our waitress first brought us a tray of fresh raisin molasses bread with creamy butter on the side. My friend and I both ordered "The Treatment" for brunch. 2 delicious buttermilk waffle squares, 2 eggs (any style), meat (my choice was turkey bacon), 1 perfectly fried chicken breast (yummmmy batter!), & homefries. HELLO! WIN! WIN! WIN! We washed it down with a glass of white sangria. Pause. We ordered the pitcher of the white sangria (about 4 glasses for $36). The pitcher was full of ice but the freshly cut peaches and strawberries looked so appealing in the white wine. My friend and I agreed that it tasted a bit watery... Not what we expected. We told our waitress when she came by to check on us and she quickly informed the manager who then took it off our bill and recommended drinks from the cocktail menu that would suite our palette. I got the MAI TAI. Not the traditional fruity pineapple juice one that you would get at another bar/restaurant. This concoction was almond liquor based. Yummy fun! My friend ordered a "Sex on the Beach". Perfectly mixed. Besides the food and service being amazing, the atmosphere is really cool. Soft reggae music in the background, and the wait staff's uniform is so cute! Plaid shirts and denim pants. Did I already say that I love this place?

    (5)
  • Brent C.

    We stopped in on a visit to Boston. It was busy but we managed to get a table downstairs very quickly. The menu was eclectic. From meatloaf sliders to mussels, everything was well portioned and tasty

    (4)
  • Beth G.

    My first dinner there a few weeks ago was good. The food is fun, spicy enough, moderately priced and convenient to where I work. Waiter was very good. I took a group of 11 last night and they seated us downstairs by the bar and it was so loud that you could barely hear the person sitting next to you. I heard the table of 10 before us walked out it was so loud. During dinner as the bar toned down (just a bit) they turned the music up. I think the restaurant should turn the downstairs into a bar and leave the dining upstairs. I will not hurry back unless it is a quiet week day night. My ears are still ringing!

    (2)
  • R A.

    This place was ok... but nothing special. I came one Friday after work for cocktails and possibly dinner. Ended up having a few glasses of wine and a cheese platter at the bar. Although the service was pretty good...there wasn't anything to write home about. The cheese platter was lacking in taste (@$25). We ended up leaving at least 3-4 cheeses left on the platter. I wanted dinner, but the dinner menu wasn't appealing Overall, I wouldn't go back. Nothing special here.

    (2)
  • Randi S.

    I have been to this restaurant twice now. For both visits, I had the cheese and pretzels app and the lamb pasta dish. The first time, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, though I had to ask for bread even when all the tables around us had been given bread immediately. The second time we went, the bread was brought quickly, but the water was not cold, which is a pet peeve of mine. The food didn't taste as good, and when I got home, I got to pay for it again in the bathroom. I will not be returning to this establishment, no matter how good it was the first time.

    (2)
  • Stephen L.

    I have to say I was extremely disappointed in BBSC. My gf and I went there for brunch just to get "The Treatment" in hopes to reminisce about real fried chicken and waffles we had in other parts of the country. If you are going to put anything on these besides maple syrup or traditional gravy please tell your patrons first. I'm sure it would have been great had they not been covered by this weird BBQ-like sauce, it went sort of well with the chicken, but it almost made the waffle inedible. I recommend asking them to hold this weird sauce and drizzle some warm maple syrup over the fried chicken and waffles, it is an excellent combo when done right, but unfortunately it can go horribly wrong...

    (2)
  • d f.

    I appreciate the positive message and acknowledgement by Meghan the marketing manager and have bumped up my review from 1 star to 3 stars. Also, I recently went back just for drinks and found a different bar tender who was very attentive. Bumping up to 4 stars now. Lighting and sound are still not great, but fine for the bar scene. Thanks.

    (4)
  • Aspen M.

    I'ce been here for drinks. It's very crowded, hard to get served at the bar, and you're smushed in by the dining tables to the bar. It's quite awkward- I can't imagine how uncomfortable it is for the diners to have drinkers practically in their dinner experience. I think they need to pick one- food or bar!

    (2)
  • Jared S.

    I enjoyed the atmosphere at the downstairs bar but that didn't make up for the terrible service. Drinks served in hot glasses and cocktails with no liquor = never coming back. Came in a little before 10PM on a Saturday. There was no line when we got there but by the time we left around 11 there was a long line. I cannot understand why. The upstairs bar was crowded and quite loud, I have no idea how any of the diners upstairs could have been enjoying themselves. The downstairs bar area was much more open (not necessarily less people, just bigger area) and my party of 4 was able to stake out a spot at the bar. Crowd was mixed but mostly a little older than the usual Boylston St scene which was good. The music was loud and the crowd was louder, but I was thankful that it was more jazz-based tunes than thumping dance and hip hop stuff. The positives end there. I got a Goose Island Honker Ale which would have been good, except it was served in a steaming hot stein obviously right out of the dishwasher, which basically boiled the beer and made it unpalatable. The wifey got her usual bacardi and diet coke (also served in a piping hot glass, btw) and they must have measured the bacardi with an eye dropper. This is the best part - when I politely asked the bartender to top it off, she took the drink behind the bar as if I couldn't see what she was doing, took the bottle of bacardi, and waved the bottle above the glass while keeping it upright, as if by some David Blaine Street Magic she put more liquor into the glass. She handed it back to me and I must have had a stunned look on my face because she gave me a dirty look and asked if I needed anything else. So I ordered an additional shot of bacardi. The original glass of diet coke was $8, the additional shot was $9, so my wife ended up with a $17 drink.

    (2)
  • Mike S.

    Came here after reading about it in the Improper. Seemed like a cool spot, and it could be, but there are a few flaws that make it just mediocre: Overpriced w/ small portions: This place is really expensive, and the portions are small. I got the Social Burger, which was good, but certainly not 21-dollars-good. My fiance ordered the Maine crab salad, which was also good, but extremely small. The waiter didn't indicate it was an appetizer-sized portion, and I ended up giving her a bunch of frites and burger so she didn't go hungry. Also: she ordered a white wine which had a pretty stingy pour and ended up trying to ration it. A 9 dollar glass of wine should be at least enough to keep around until the food arrives. Service: Not bad, but kind of amateurish. Waiter tried to be a little too entertaining, and buzzed around like 3 times while we were trying to select our order. Then when it was time to order, he was nowhere to be found. I think this place is probably 2.5 stars, it's not a bad experience, but it's certainly not A-OK.

    (2)
  • Karla Q.

    I wasn't impressed with the food at all. My salad had a funky taste and I didn't love their menu. The bar is cool but I wouldnt go there for a sit-down meal

    (2)
  • Laura J.

    From the street, this place looks like the epicenter of what a back bay restaurant should exude. Lots of pretty people, dining on what looks to be delicious food, the outside patio a buzz with conversation, a vibrant bar scene, happy botox injected faces everywhere... Lets check it out! We had a 7:30 reservation and were seated promptly. The cocktail list was diverse, wine selection average, and the menu all sounded appetizing. I was excited to get crackin on ordering some yummmm. Drinks consisted of a glass of Cab for me and an Absolute and soda for Laura K, which was supposed to be Absolute Boston, but I guess our server couldn't hear over the roar in the dining room. We shared the apple and cheddar pie to start. It was my favorite part of the meal. Although a portion really suitable for one, the two bites each of us had were excellent! Our entree's came out quickly, I having ordered the steak frites, although now in hindsight, wish I would have stuck to my guns and chosen the lamb. I honestly was disappointed. The steak looked incredible, but failed in the flavor department. It was perfectly cooked mind you, but lacked seasoning. Someone! Get this woman a salt shaker STAT! Laura K went for the burger. I think the seasoning that was missing from my steak ended up in her behemoth on a bun, because it was tastttttty. I was jealous, although she wasn't totally diggin it. Fries with both dishes were nice and crispy. Our bill was high considering, but I guess $100 inc. tip for 2 isn't so bad. Just wish my taste buds would have been more impressed. Maybe next time!

    (3)
  • Jessica K.

    My sister and I went here for brunch a few months ago and had a so so experience. First of all the inside is ugly. I'm sorry but those booths, that red? What were they thinking. Anyway, we ordered omelets and our waiter asked us if we wanted sides to go with them. We assumed that meant that the sides were a la carte so we both ordered toast. When our food came out we were both shocked to see toast on the plates with the omelets in addition to two side plates of toast. Apparently the omelets already came with toast...why would the waiter not tell us that? Not to mention each side of toast was $3...so we spent $6 on extra toast which we didn't even end up eating. Poor service. Oh and the food was just okay. I'll probably come back to try dinner, but never again for brunch.

    (2)
  • Maureen C.

    Best burger ever! Ordered it for a take out and it was so juicy and flavorful while I was at a different bar!

    (5)
  • F L.

    Meh.... went there on a thursday night only to be greeted by the typical bostonion snotty crowd. bar was crowded and spotted an empty stool. asked the gal next to me if the seat was taken and her snide response "you can have it all you want." really? gee thanks, you are to kind. my response "must be being blonde that makes you such a b*itch". i'll stick with my bars and restaurants in my area of the north end.

    (2)
  • Stephen M.

    Stopped in for an early dinner with the wife and kids after walking around Newbury and Boylston St all afternoon. Nice ambience with low lighting, dark wood and rich colors. Not too crowded since it was before 6pm and they sat us right away. Quickly noticed there was no kids menu and the real menu is fairly limited. Enter our server who was fantastic. She created a grilled chix and sweet potatoes dish for the kids whch was great. We had the curry mussles which were delicious and the rib eye as an entree. The meat was very tender and flavorful and the almost spicy sweet potatoe mash are off the charts. So different and orginal. Definitely a signature dish. Really all the food was great and as I mentioned the service was truly outstanding. Very attentive and eager to please. We'll be back, without the kids...

    (4)
  • Rock L.

    Not too much to say about this place. Good food, nothing that stands out in my mind.

    (3)
  • Lydo r.

    Just like Clara L i never stopped here before because of the name (judgmental much? yes!) and I am a little sorry i waited this long to go. The decor and vibe is very inviting and the menu is all that. Kudos! The drink menu is very inviting and i am looking forward to seeing their selections for the winter. Although i did got for the drinks and not the food this time, the candied meat was surprisingly fun. The downstairs does get a little loud and i recommend it if that's your thing.

    (4)
  • Holly W.

    i liked this place, had a company party here and it was really nice, casual and fun atmosphere... drinks were good and all and all a nice place to be. food was delicous too!

    (4)
  • Adam H.

    You will feel worse leaving than when you entered. guaranteed. Food full of butter at a pretty high price. People talked highly of the pineapple sausage app, it's not great and neither is the burger, tuna, or wine selection, sorry the truth hurts.

    (1)
  • Dave A.

    I've only had drinks here, so I can't comment on the food, and the drinks were expensive as you would expect at a place in Back Bay, but nothing to help it really stand out from the numerous other places in this area.

    (3)
  • Joe R.

    I went to the Back Bay Social Club with two friends on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. Atmosphere/Ambiance (6/10)- The outside patio facing Boylston Street and the Prudential Center was nice. Inside the place reminded me of the old Vinny Testa's that previously occupied the space. I'm not sure the new owners did much to improve the facility Service- (8/10) Our waitress was friendly, talkative and knew a lot about the menu. Food- (3/10) We each tried the signature, house specialty burger. It was aged beef with grilled onions and a sharp salty cheddar on a Portuguese roll accompanied by salted rosemary shoestring fries. The burger reminded me of a strange French onion soup with the salty cheese and grilled onions. The burger was cooked well but wasn't all that great. The cheese was fantastic, but the bulky Portuguese roll was a bit dry and the quality of the meat was average. The big surprise was the cost- the burger was $21! It was the most expensive burger I've had (and I've had a few expensive burgers) and was no way near worth the cost. One is better off heading across the street to Sel De la Terre for a fantastic burger (and at only about $17). I should add that all three of us had indigestion several hours later from our experience at the BBSC Value (3/10)- For around $21 for a burger with other entrées reaching as high as $35, the value was just not there. After all, we are talking about burgers!

    (1)
  • Erica M.

    Big fan of Back Bay Social Club, (full disclosure, I'm a sucker for dark bars), I am only giving it 4 stars since I rarely go there for a full meal, usually its just drinks and apps. The Bloody Mary's are probably the best in Boston, but they are strong so watch out! Service is always great, the staff is responsive and so nice, and makes sure to give extra attention to neighborhood regulars, which is a great find in the Back Bay. This place is great for brunch, after work, or later in the evening.

    (4)
  • Les P.

    I ate here for the first time yesterday for LUNCH. I have never seen a burger being the most expensive item on the menu, so I knew there had a be good reason for it so i had to try it! it is ground sirloin, hence the price. But to be honest it was 100% worth the 21$. I would love if it were cheaper, but it was amazing and probably the BEST burger I have ever had. Definitely in my top 3! The service was pretty good and the prices of the other menu items was great. The beat salad sounded amazing and I hope to try this soon as well, but it will be very hard for me to order anything other than the burger when I walk in there.

    (5)
  • Grace F.

    Was pleasantly surprised when we visited BBSC for lunch on a Saturday in November. I had the soup and my husband had a sandwich (am blanking on both varities now- maybe tomato soup and club sandwich?) and both were tasty and presented nicely. Fries were awesome. The decor is very Mad Men and it looks like it is probably very loud and busy at happy hour time. During the day it was a nice quiet reprieve from the Newbury shopping area. Would go back again.

    (4)
  • Bee M.

    Burger. Try it here!!

    (4)
  • Cosmo X.

    Went there on a Friday eve for a cocktails and was impressed. Nice decor, good clientle, decent drinks and more to look at than Abe n Louis... I shall return

    (4)
  • Jess Y.

    Had a late birthday dinner here a few months ago with some girlfriends, and OMG, *vomit*, I will never eat here again. Our server was probably the best part of the evening. She was attentive and made good suggestions, but in the end my choice of entree was terribly, terribly wrong. I ordered the catfish (against better judgment) and you think that most fried fish just tastes like fried, but this catfish very unfortunately tasted like the dirty seawater that it died in. The first bite was okay, and it just got worse from there. I ate my sides and hid the rest of the vomit-inducing catfish under my napkin. My friends ordered the steak frites and the salmon and both of those were okay, although the plates looked like they came from different restaurants. The salmon was tiny and the steak frites seemed to be hanging off the plate. Anyway, I guess after dining hours, it turns kinda night-clubby...the lights go down, the music goes up and people are just everywhere....we skipped dessert, needless to say. Not because I don't think it would have been good, but more because the people that were hovering around our table with drinks in hand would have spilled and/or fallen into it. Nothing like sitting down at dinner and having some dude's butt right over your shoulder while he tries to flirt his way into some girl's pants. I also can't help but think they didn't update the space much from Vinny Testa's? Took away the checker-board table cloths and the wine bottles with raffle numbers, but other than that it looks very much the same. Glad I gave it a go, but I doubt we'll be going back.

    (2)
  • Patty H.

    I was in Boston this week for a baseball game and looked on Yelp for a place to eat close to my Back Bay hotel. Reading through the reviews for BBSC, their burger sounded really appealing but the restaurant's Yelp reviews are all over the place. Finally, I started walking down Boylston and the BBSC's roomy sidewalk patio caught my eye. I am really glad I chose BBSC--I had a nice red wine and the burger and fries were worth the price. Service was very attentive. I will definitely stop by BBSC again when I'm in town.

    (4)
  • Emma S.

    So I didn't expect to like Back Bay Social Club... and I still haven't eaten there. But I thoroughly enjoyed drinking there! The beer list was small, but the cocktails were really quite delicious. It was a really chill and comfortable atmosphere, and ours was the only group downstairs. We could get out drinks at the bar, and go sit, undisturbed, for as long as we want. It's really nice to find a place to go out that is so accommodating and chill! Will definitely be back, and hopefully will get to try to menu.

    (4)
  • Barney B.

    it's no Vinny T's but faux french bistrot decor and mini-beer mugs are just a turn off, so off I went.

    (2)
  • Sarah A.

    I agree with what other reviewers have mentioned that the Back Bay Social Club seems to be having a bit of an identity crisis. Is it a fine dining restuarant or is it a bar/club? I came here with my step-mom who seemed to think it was the former, but the whole time we were having dinner there was this loud, club style music pumping that made it rather difficult to concentrate on the conversation. This was especially odd because it was 5:30 on a Wednesday. She was a little irked. The food was great, however. I was pretty impressed with my entree, the pork chop. It was a huge portion, thick and well prepared. The accompanying potatoes, onions and apples were prepared in a sauce that was tasty but a little too sweet for me to finish. Coffee is served in huge cups. Service was a little slow and seemed to totally forget about us toward the end of the meal. I'd like to try this place again if they can decide on what they want to be. My suggestion: just turn the music down and it's all good.

    (4)
  • Bill T.

    Went here with a few friends the other night. The drinks were definitely pricey but delicious. The waitstaff was attentive, and the food was awesome and well seasoned. We are all pretty picky and we all loved our food. Two of us ordered the chicken and waffles and it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Seriously go here. Eat that.

    (5)
  • Lauren S.

    I went here for drinks for a friend's boyfriend's birthday. I have to admit that I was very skeptical of the evening after I saw the website for this place. The food and the atmosphere looked generally "foofy" and I had myself convinced that all the drinks were going to be at least $12. My original plan was to show up for a drink, say hi and be polite, and head home early. I was pleasantly surprised! Not all of the drinks were expensive (I got a beer for $5) and the atmosphere wasn't as formal as I had originally thought. The servers all wear plaid button up shirts, which automatically brings the standard down (in a good way, in my opinion) and makes the evening much more relaxed. The ambiance was really nice too. It wasn't too loud to hold and conversation and the lighting and decor made me feel really cozy while at the same time classier than I actually am. I give this place 4 stars for its ability to completely wow me, different from the impression of a less-exciting night that I thought I was going to have. I can't give a whole 5 though because the food on the website (which I was sort of drooling over) wasn't actually in the restaurant. They said they had just changed over the menu. Boo. Oh well. Good job otherwise, Back Bay Social Club!

    (4)
  • Oz L.

    We tried the Social Club this past Fall when they opened. The service was great just like Sonsie's. Very similar to the way their other sister restaurant is operated. We had the Butter Topped Cod and Social Burger. They were good, nothing special or outstanding... To be honest we were expecting a little bit more from their menu. The bar is great and has a good vibe. Only 3 star b/c of the food...

    (3)
  • Amelia B.

    I've been here a couple times with colleagues. Nice ambiance- minus the TVs by the bar, but what can you do. I hate TVs in restaurants, unless they're sports bars. Wine is pricey, fries yummy (pommes frites really, especially since they come with a lovely lemony flavored mayo) and salads are acceptable. Not a ton of vegetarian options.

    (4)
  • Chris K.

    I keep coming back to this place, dragging friends along, insisting it will be great this time, but it somehow keeps on slightly disappointing. All three times I have visited (one Friday, one Wednesday, one Saturday), the ladies at the hostess stand smile and over-enthusiastically say that it will be "just a few minutes" for a table. Since the restaurant isn't always super busy, this seems a little bit odd, but the hostess is so eager that you feel somewhat tricked into thinking that it's OK that you have to wait. again. All three times I waited almost an hour for a table, which is definitely not what I signed up for (or was told upon checking in). I have to say, once you ARE seated, the bread that they bring is amazing, and the salads and entrees are nicely portioned and do taste delicious. But the service is dreadfully slow, and the desserts do NOT live up to the level of the rest of the food. For what you pay (7-8-ish bucks), you would definitely expect either a) good portions, or b) really really delicious treats. You get neither. This place is good if you are with a COUPLE of friends (i can't imagine how they would perform in finding seating for more than 4) and you are in for a VERY slow drinks / dinner experience, and you won't be getting dessert. The whole affair can be 3 hours + by the time you get seated and actually get served. I can't say that I will personally be back, since it's so unpredictable when you'll actually be seated, and it's kind of embarrassing to convince people to go and wait forever for a table, but the bread + entrees are delicious, and it's a nice place to catch up with friends.

    (3)
  • Jasmine I.

    Tasty cocktails!!!and the food was awesome! Love the downstairs area. I will be back soon to try more things on the menu...and more cocktails. Great dinner spot!

    (4)
  • Mike L.

    The Burger is flat out amazing. Especially with the substitute veggie fries (aka grilled asparagus). The fries are fried in peanut oil which is no good for peanut allergies. The atmosphere is set in the 1920s-30s. The food is pricey but worth it. A burger that costs $21 better be worth it! The servers are very friendly and accommodating. They made sure that everything they brought out was peanut free. The downstairs bar staff is dedicated to their job and are extremely knowledgeable.

    (5)
  • Simon L.

    There's a reason we've all heard about the Back Bay Social Club - it's pretty god flippin' delicious. Really! My only complaint is that we couldn't order from the regular menu at lunch time - I know, I'm just one of those that some times wants a steak for lunch. That being said, the Social Burger is very social - I was talking to myself in a near reverie, my buddies asked if I was ok; "do you need another drink?" they offered. At $21, the mix of prime dry aged beef was seasoned so well that I almost had to order another one. Cooked perfectly med rare, charred exterior, the juiciness of the meat un-effing credible. The soft and fresh bun was perfectly toasted and contained the sautéed onions and cheddar cheese impeccably. A perfect offset to the sharp pungent cheddar flavor were the sweet and tangy onions.. The meat itself was fresh and seasoned with some salt and pepper. The pinkish redness was succulent and rich. Mess factor was ideal, juice running down my grubby fingers and hands in a completely refined manner. French fries are fresh, salty and small, served in a paper sack. Housemade ketchup is a nice addition. Two buddies had BLTs, reportedly very good. Thick slices of fresh white bread, fresh tomatoes, swab of mayo and crispy lettuce. They did make a complaint: "considering that the sandwich is a BLT, there needs to be bacon on here." WTF, a BLT with only slim pickin's in the bacon department? Inexcusable, delicious but inexcusable. Bloody mary, nice Cajun spiced rim, house pickled onion, celery. Excellent mix. Strong but not too strong. Nice work. Eat here. Frequently.

    (4)
  • Adam H.

    Pretty average bar. I was not a huge fan of the food. good selection of beer with average cocktails. Have been here a few times and even for new years 2014. Was not any different on new years than it is on the weekend, which i found kind of strange. Just throw in a horrible DJ, horns, a dozen new years hats and every weekend can be new years at this place. Seems like a good place after work to grab a drink but not for more than an hour or two.

    (3)
  • Katherine D.

    3 visits with wildly different impressions. The decor is nice, the booths are comfy, and I appreciate the uniforms. Those are concretes that are not changing. Visit 1: I had an adorable spectacled mustachioed barkeep fix me a delicious and well balanced Final Ward while I played Wing-Lady to my already plastered friend. Started off with very high marks Visit 2: St. Patrick's Day. I don't like to judge on overwhelmingly busy days, but it was not the crowd or the slow service that irked me. We ordered 2 drinks that came to $14, handed the lady barkeep a $20 and watched her drop our change into the tip jar without hesitation. Maybe that stuff flies with drunken frat boys, but my paramour and I left. Visit 3: We finally sat for dinner. There were some order snafus that were handled brilliantly. The meatloaf sliders were good, the cheese plate is nice with a great honey, drinks were great. I tried the fabled burger and thought it was more like a meatloaf than a burger. I only ate half and it sat heavy in my stomach like a brick, so much so that I did not take home the remaining portion. It was accompanied by pretty sad fries as well. I think I'd try it again because the menu looks promising, and I want to find my adorable male barkeep again so I can savor a great green drink.

    (3)
  • Jonah M.

    Dined at Back Bay social club on a Sunday for brunch. I came in with a friend who is a vegetarian and due to the limited menu there were not many options for him. The menu online listed items that were not on the actual menu. Aside from that the experience was relatively pleasant. I ordered "The Treatment" which consisted of chicken and waffles with a side of eggs and bacon. The portion was massive and the chicken was extremely crispy. This dish could easily be split between two.

    (2)
  • Rachel N.

    3.5 -- to be fair, I ordered not the most exciting thing on the menu -- the fruit plate (though the vanilla yogurt and granola were NOT tasty -- fake vanilla and Kellog's-y granolda flakes) -- but the egg dishes (CA benedict and an egg white omelette w/ portobellos, spinach, and goatie cheese) looked scrumptious (and well sized for the hungrier brunch goer. If it's nice out and you can tolerate some UV rays, hit up the patio -- it's solid Pru Center people watching -- and more importantly, you aren't overly air conditioned. A perfectly solid brunch standby, esp if you want a place that's not manically busy/requires a billion hour wait for scrambled eggs. Not hip, not hoppin, but certainly decently tasty. Lots for carnivores and veg alike. Brunch for 4 was $55+ tip -- I think most dishes are btwn $9-15.

    (3)
  • Mark N.

    Pretty disappointing burger in general, but ESPECIALLY disappointing because it cost $22. I would have felt like I over paid even if it was $12. The beef was completely bland, and though it was cooked to my medium rare specification, it was not nearly as juicy as it should have been. Fries were okay but nothing special. Best part of our meal was the meat candy appetizer and the sunchoke fries, which were great. Doesn't help that their draft beer selection is quite lacking.

    (2)
  • Julia M.

    I went for my birthday on Saturday when all the other restaurants on Boylston had an hour plus wait. We were seated immediately here, which was great but did make me a little nervous. Drinks were overpriced but strong and thankfully the food was great! My friend and I both got the steak frites and they were aamaaazing. The steak was perfectly (if not a tad under)cooked - which is totally fine by me, I hate overdone meat- and the fries were crispy, hot, and plentiful. It came with an amazing blue cheese butter melted on top of the steak that I also dipped my fries in to add some more sin. My boyfriend got the short ribs and they were falling apart they were so tender. Everyone was extremely happy with their meals, which were all around $20 a piece. That's really not bad for a steak in downtown Boston. Our waiter was attentive and polite. We sat downstairs, which was a little dingier then upstairs, but still dark and cool. I know there's a lot of negative reviews here, but I can safely say that I had a great experience on a busy Saturday night!

    (4)
  • Stanley C.

    Stanley Chaban 1-617-467-5599 Went to lunch at back bay social club today, 2 hours to get a hamburger, don't go to back bay social club,and if u wanna know something , I'm never going there again

    (1)
  • Tony J.

    This review is purely about the food. I'm sure the nonfood stuff is better, but we'll see. On our quest to find reasonable chicken and waffles in Boston (obviously nothing will come close to Roscoe's), we stumbled upon this establishment which served it as leg 2 of our seemingless fruitless search. The chicken and waffles were not really the traditional chicken and waffles. The syrup was BBQ sauce flavored, and the chicken wasn't really the consistency of fried chicken and was oversalted. The entire dish was really intense in sweet and salty which completely overpowered the dish. Clearly not optimal, but better than ihop. Other stuff we got was also a ton of intense flavor combinations that really made you just want a lot of water, including meat candy. The wagyu meatloaf sliders were reasonable, but everything else was just whatever. Would I come back? Definitely not for the food, I would say.

    (2)
  • Becky F.

    After a Red Sox game one day my parents and I wandered away from the stadium and took a stroll down Boylston Street looking for a dinner option to catch our attention. We were between a few options and finally decided to try Back Bay Social Club despite concerns that we might be a bit underdressed based on the fancy pants name. Despite our rain jackets and Red Sox gear, we were warmly greeted by the hostess who offered us the option of dining upstairs or heading down to the speakeasy-themed lower level. The upstairs had a nice vibe but was a bit loud for us, so we decided to head on down. Dim lighting, black and white tiled floors, and red booths gave it a vibe that I don't know if I would describe as "speakeasy," but it did feel like a little bit of a hideout. The music was an old-school soul/r&b mix that also wasn't quite "speakeasy" but was definitely worthy of a positive shout out. Despite there being several booths and a spacious bar, we pretty much had the whole downstairs to ourselves. There were a few waiters we saw working, all of whom were casually dressed in jeans and plaid shirts (so maybe an old west style speakeasy?). The said, the service was FANTASTIC and our waiter was super happy to tell us about the menu and his personal recommendations. He also mentioned that the chef was a bit newer to the restaurant (having previously worked in Denver and NYC, among other cities) so the menu had been undergoing some changes. Mom ordered the 20 hour slow cooked brisket which was INCREDIBLE. Delicious sauce and fall off of the bone meat. Dad had the Pan Seared Hake which was good. I *almost* ordered the chicken and waffles (which I now see were a yelp favorite), but was a bit discouraged to hear that it was a particularly heavy meal and didn't really receive our waiter's personal recommendation (note: I asked and surprisingly, the maple BBQ sauce for the waffles is different than the brisket sauce). Our waiter did approve of my selection of the gnocchi which came packed full of delicious spring veggies including spring peas, baby carrots, and wild mushrooms. Super satisfying and flavorful. We ordered two desserts to split - a flourless chocolate cake (almost too rich even for the three of us to split) and a crème brule maybe?? Drinks were pretty pricey, even by Boston standards. Overall, BBSC had a laid back vibe despite the somewhat pretentious name. Friendly service and some tasty dinner options...I would stop in again.

    (4)
  • Dela B.

    Back Bay Social Club seems to be a gathering spot for a lot of industry people in the later hours. I've only been here for the night life so this review isn't really for the restaurant experience. It's a fun time if you're not looking for anything wild and just want to unwind with friends, dance a little perhaps (weekends), and enjoy a late night menu with pretty good drinks. Bartenders are patient, managers are incredibly nice, and their chicken and waffles at 1:00AM really hit the spot. If you want to dance, BBSC isn't the ideal place for it, but they do have a good sound system and play dance-able music. Recommended cocktail: Gin Somethin

    (4)
  • Judy T.

    We so much wanted to like this place, but the cooking fell short. The spinach salad was drowning in dressing while the creamed corn that came with the scallops were overly spiced with pepper. I had asked for no pepper and I think they put in extra pepper. The manager agreed there was way too much. The table of 3 next to us all had to send their meals back because it was obvious their meat was pretty much raw. The apple/peach crisp came in a warm dish, but the contents were still cool. The Ladies' Room was not clean, was missing pocketbook hooks and at least one of the toilet seats was broken. All in all, I can't recommend this place.

    (2)
  • Ken M.

    I'm not surprised the reviews for Back Bay Social Club are all over the place, because the restaurant is kind of all over the place. The hostess was super awkward and flustered tonight. She had no idea how to seat reservations and didn't seem to know what tables were available. The atmosphere was mostly nice, save for the wall with French advertisements as decor, it just didn't make sense with the rest of the decor. The televisions over the bar also didn't fit with the vibe. I liked the waitstaff uniforms, but I didn't understand how they fit with the overly formal management cocktail attire. Our waitress was five star. She was really nice and very good at her job. The bread was throw away. If you aren't going to do bread well, just don't do bread. The Wagyu Meatloaf sliders with bacon jam were amazing. I could have eaten many more of them. The entrees: I had the chicken with red beans and rice with a side of Brussels Sprouts. The Brussels were the best part of the entree, the chicken was flavorful but kind of dry. The rice and beans were good. Andy had the steak frittes which was very good, if not a bit rare in the middle. What really brings down this review is the lackluster finish. Not only did dessert take forever, but it was mediocre at best. If it hadn't been redacted from the bill due to how long it took, I would have been actually angry about the dessert. We ordered the family sized apple ice cream sundae because quite frankly, it was the only dessert that sounded interesting beside the immense carrot cake. We assumed we wouldn't be able to finish it, but who would want to? It was gimmicky to the tune of a chain restaurant dessert with low quality ice cream, some boring cookie balls, low quality caramel sauce, and some apple slices. I'd rather pay $14 for a single scoop of super premium ice cream with a ginger cookie with some flavor, and good quality caramel sauce than a half gallon of supermarket brand ice cream. Quality over quantity any day of the week.

    (3)
  • Aleksey Z.

    I came back for chicken and waffles after having them once here, this time on a date, and it was just as great of a time as the first. We started with a the beet salad, then each devoured the delightful chicken and waffles. We were seated downstairs because the upstairs was packed, and it was a pleasant environment and the servers were great. Definitely coming back again and would highly recommend in general.

    (5)
  • Laura K.

    Worst. Food. Ever. Do NOT go here! I had been a couple of times before, so I don't know what happened in the last year, but it has really gone downhill since. We ordered the chicken and waffles and asked for it to come before our meals, so that we could have it as an appetizer, but it came with the rest of our food. Not a big deal, but still adds to the list of things... We knew something was wrong when it felt like we were cutting through the tendons of the chicken. Then, I spit the first piece out thinking it was gristle. Lo and behold, the entire piece of chicken was that chewy/crunchy texture. Not only that, but the 'crispy' breading was soggy. I got the eggs benedict -- I never knew hollandaise sauce could ruin anything, but it can when it tastes like flour slurry. The canadian bacon pieces were the size of silver dollars, and sat on top of overly fluffy English muffins, which were more like sourdough bread rolls. The bacon I ordered on the side came with all of 2 slices and looked (and probably tasted like) those doggy Beggin' Strips. I'm sure the consistency was the same, since it was like rubbery plastic. While our server was nice enough, she seemed like she didn't know what she was doing. The manager wasn't any better, as she was unable to answer questions about the meals for us. Overall, NOT recommended for anyone. I am thoroughly disgusted that they would serve anyone food like this.

    (1)
  • Mister M.

    What a great place! I'd just walked out of a four-hour business meeting and needed a place to unwind before going home. I was looking for a semi-classy place, not filled with immature brats. Lord knows there are plenty of them on Boylston. This place fit the bill - classy, elegant, but not stuffy. I sat at the bar. I planned being there an hour and stayed for four. Met some great people at the bar, smart, witty, fun to talk to. A beer off tap is $6 and a mixed drink is $8. Katie behind the bar was wonderful - adorable, sure, cute, yes, an angel, of course. But behind her amazing smile she poured drinks with the joyfulness of someone who loves their job. With all the frowning smartass bartenders on Boylston, that's rare. Stop by here, you'll smile all night.

    (4)
  • Jessica L.

    Absolutely delicious food - very eclectic menu - but whatever you choose will surmount your expectations. Wonderful service and attentiveness from the waitstaff and hostess (even on NYE)! Highly recommend the shrimp and grits, the macaroni and cheese, chicken and waffles and half roasted chicken. Everyone in my party was pleasantly surprised with their entrees! Will definitely be returning, hopefully to try some famous brunch!

    (5)
  • Jon B.

    Came here during my visit back home and a friend who is a fellow yelper suggested it. It was a really nice set up and quite busy. It didn't matter though this place has there place in fine working order. I ordered the 20 hour slow roasted pork. Basically the best I've ever eaten. Melted in my mouth. Only complaint is the small portion of pork I received. If your from the South I suggest this meal to you.

    (4)
  • Steve T.

    If I stuck to the original plan of going in and just ordering the burger I would be debating between giving four or five stars, but unfortunately I strayed and got a starter and dessert as well. Enough has been said about the burger that I'm not going to go into detail other than saying: Yes, it is that good. Yes, it is worth the $22. And no, don't add the fried egg because they will overcook the yolk. Now let's get to my starter, the real letdown of the meal. What I ordered was the 'Wedge Salad,' what I received was two or three romaine leafs, tomatoes, bland dressing and some quality slabs of pork belly that saved this otherwise lackluster dish from being ignored. Calling this a wedge salad is like calling a pulled pork slider a hamburger or calling spaghetti with barbecue sauce macaroni and cheese. It was a total failure, I would have been happier if they took my $11, went to Outback and swiped a proper near-frozen quarter of iceberg and actual blue cheese dressing, then topped it with their own tomatoes and pork belly and kept the remaining $6. Desserts were also very forgettable. We went in expecting to order the family style caramel apple sundae, but somehow this has been removed from the menu. You're left with a frozen solid flour-less chocolate cake, a miniature key lime flavored tart, a forgettable bowl of cheesecake and a few others. Considering these points as well as spotty service and an extremely dark dining room, how did Back Bay Social Club still manage to escape with three stars? The burger, the whole burger, and nothing but the burger.

    (3)
  • Chris M.

    I've gone to the bar several times for after work drinks, and always like the cocktail menu, plus there is a good selection of wine and spirits. After experiencing a night were we had apps, I picked this spot to do lunch with some coworkers. Big mistake. While noshing on their snacks is great, the meals leave a lot of room for improvement. The seared tuna salad should be called the medium well tuna salad, as it arrived cooked almost all the way through, and was an unappetizing gray color except for the very center. Not what you expect at all, and not even seasoned. Clam chowder is excellent, but the other soup options seam like they are made way ahead of time, or maybe even frozen first. While there was a lot of clam in the chowder, it came with one measly oyster cracker. Weird. Meals are hit or miss, and not as gourmet as the prices let you think they are. You are paying for the location. I made the mistake in assuming that the hamburger came with cheese - it doesn't. The fries are good though. The Bolognese is decent. The chef doesn't dress the noodles before adding the sauce, but it is quite tasty. I've wanted to try their brunch, but for now I stick to drinks and snacks. The name says it -go to the back bay social club to be social.

    (3)
  • Christina T.

    I've been here a couple of times - only having a sampling of apps and drinks. It can get quite hopping especially downstairs where you don't expect anything to be there. The scene is mostly mid twenties + professionals looking for a good time. Next time, I'll stop in for lunch or dinner.

    (3)
  • Vy T.

    Good location to sit outside and have lunch downtown on a nice day. I had the one dollar oysters. For one dollars, I didn't expect the same level of oyster as island creek oyster bar. They we're good for the price. My husband got a turkey burger. The party looked like on of those frozen turkey patties from the grocery store.

    (3)
  • Shannon D.

    We held a corporate "social hour" here, and it was perfect. They got me everything we needed (and then some!), and it fit right into the budget I had for the event. We were able to offer open bar, and more than enough passed appetizers and crudite plates to keep everyone well-fed. With the big cushy leather booths, old-fashioned black & white floor, the atmosphere was really appropriate to the day we had had working with our digital agency. It felt like we were going out to a Manhattan bar after a day with Sterling-Cooper. The room was spacious and there was plenty of room to sit, or mingle. Everyone told me that they enjoyed the event. Thanks for making it so easy, BBSC! I only set it as a four-star (Yay! I'm a fan!) because I haven't had enough experience to give it the full five stars. For that, I would have to dine there and tell you more about the food. That said, I had a few things last night and the mushroom/goat cheese thing was awesome.

    (4)
  • Joe J.

    Didn't have the food but the drinks were delicious! Highly recommended! Service was just OK, which is kind of sad considering it was a slow night. I'd come back againt to try the food.

    (4)
  • Marilyn T.

    It's about time back bay got some good comfort food! Even at 9pm on a Saturday, the dinner tables upstairs were packed. The bar areas upstairs and downstairs were even more full. It can be a little loud, but it's less noisy if you sit in the back (still.. not the best place to try to have a lot of conversation). The layout is about the same as with the old Vinny T place, but the decor looks a little more upscale, and it's darker inside. They have some interesting cocktails.. the Fall Social has apple cider, lemon, vodka, and sparkling wine.. it wasn't too sweet, but the apple part was nice. It actually wasn't as strong as I had hoped, but it was still really good. In addition, they have a good number of wines and a few beers on tap (including Blue Moon.). To start, the "portabello pizza" was pretty awesome - it's a grilled portabello cap with roasted red pepper, caramelized onion, and blue cheese, sitting on top of arugula with roasted tomatoes. The portabello has really good flavor, onions are nice and sweet, and the tomatoes have a nice char. This was definitely my favorite dish. We couldn't resist the burger after all the yelp hype, and it lived up to it. Order it medium rare. It's so juicy and lfavorful (not just salty), topped with lots of cheese and caramelized onions. I like that it has a regular bun as opposed to the over-done brioche bun, which can be too buttery. Each bite of the burger was better than the last, and it's seriously one of the best burgers I've had. It comes with fries, but you can substitute it out for a different side (like smoker onion rings!) The other entree we tried was the lobster pot pie. It's in a ramekin topped with a puff pastry top. It's definitely rich, with potatoes and a well seasoned cream sauce, but there was a surprising amount of lobster in it. The food here isn't particularly light, but I like the concept, and everything is well executed. Whether you're here for drinks at the bar or for dinner on a cold winter night, I'd definitely recommend checking it out. Don't let the fact that it's in the old Vinny T spot make you think the food won't be good !

    (4)
  • Kim B.

    My husband and I were seeing a show at Berklee and came to Back Bay Social Club for dinner on the recommendation of a friend. I'd looked at the menu before we went and I was really excited to try the food. When I arrived to join my husband at the bar, the bar area was already packed with the after work crowd. I ordered a martini and a soda from the bartender when she swung by. It took a bartender another 20 minutes to come by again, at which point we were REALLY ready to order food. The bartender took my soda glass (not asking if I wanted a refill) and the single menu we were sharing and asked if we were going to order food. My husband said yes, but he needed the menu to reference. She dropped the menu, turned around, and walked away. SERIOUSLY rude. When the OTHER bartender came back, we ordered the duck perogies to start with and both ordered another drink. My husband asked for his cocktail to have muddled cucumbers in it. She responded "I -SUPPOSE-" in a really put-upon tone. They HAVE other cocktails on the menu with muddled items in it, so it's not like this was some alien concept. Then the other bartender returned and was the one making the drink. She wasn't doing the muddled cucumber. My husband piped up, asking if she could muddle some cucumber for the drink. She rolled her eyes and also says: "I -SUPPOSE-" (do they include that phrase in the bartending training materials? Two separate bartenders said that to us within 10 minutes). At that point, we decided we would just eat the app when it arrived to tide us over until later, when we would head to another restaurant for food (where the service wasn't horrible). The food on the menu isn't cheap and if I was going to pay $30+ for an entree, I sure as hell wasn't going to spend it at a place where I felt my custom wasn't wanted. When the perogies arrived, they also left something to be desired. They were more like dumplings at a mediocre Chinese restaurant than perogies: lukewarm temperature, a fried-then-left-to-sit sort of chewy outside, pulled duck inside that's been cooked to death so that its texture resembles cat food, and the flavor was just "meh." TL;DR: Expensive bar, mediocre food, and REALLY rude bartenders. Never again, Back Bay Social Club.

    (1)
  • Evan J.

    I have to agree with prior reviews on the burger - it IS disappointing. Everything is the same texture: squishy. There's nothing on it to give a satisfying crunch like some lettuce... and the worst part is it is $22. I actually made a comment to the server, which prompted the manager to come by and fish for whether or not he felt he needed to comp the meal. I really wasn't impressed by how he handled the situation and will not be going back. There's plenty of better places to eat in the area.

    (2)
  • Steve H.

    Not bad for dinner. The beer menu left you with something to desire, food was good but a bit pricey for what you get. I'd go back but it's not top on my list.

    (3)
  • Jerry G.

    Just happened upon this place and the chicken and waffles are excellent. The chicken is boneless and fried delivered with a hot waffle and hot syrup. The barbecue sauce on the chicken is the right touch. I have been to Roscoe's in LA and this place is the best I have had in the east. I will be back. Daniel's service was an attentive server.

    (5)
  • Asa P.

    Bad

    (1)
  • Carter D.

    I'm tempted to give this place 4 stars, because I basically start all of my interesting benders here, but it's very hit or miss. The spiky haired tattooed bartender who works downstairs is my favorite bartender in the city. I have no idea what her name is but she makes a better Overholt old fashioned than any other I've tried in the Boston area. I'll have to go back to Saloon to see if maybe I'm rushing a little in that judgement, but she makes a very simple drink stand out, and I've had this same cocktail prepared in some of the better cocktail bars in the area. One problem I've had, though, is that the downstairs seems not to be consistently open. On a few occasions I've been told to go down there when the upstairs bar was crowded, and at other times I've been told not to go down there, it's not open. I typically go after work, so it seems inconsistent, but as I said, I tend to start benders with whiskeys here, so my memory is probably a little hazy. The bartenders who work upstairs aren't quite as good. The cocktails are slightly inferior (still very good) and the staff is inattentive. I've only eaten here once, the food was good, not too expensive in general and generously portioned. I had chicken and waffles, split an order of sliders for an app and took a couple bites of the lamb burger. I liked everything, though the sliders were a little dry, and I couldn't finish the huge portion of chicken and waffles. I wanted to keep eating, the meal was great, but it was too much to eat. They offer a 20 dollar burger, which, to me, portends something terrible, but I haven't tried it so I can't comment on its value. Wait staff took a long time to show up, though they were good about refilling drinks as necessary and checked on each course as it came out. In general there's good and bad here, if you time it right and can get the attention of a bartender it's a great place to have a few cocktails.

    (3)
  • Michelle L.

    Review for Brunch: So Brunch here really enjoyable and I imagine a little different to the more hectic and busy dinner scene. We were a table of 4 and managed to walk straight to a table at 12 on a Sunday. The atmosphere is a little vast for a brunch place (but if the downstairs is open maybe thats different). Food here was excellent though pretty straightforward brunch food. One of the guys I was with had the "treatment" which was chicken, waffles, eggs, meat and homefries not sure how he finished it but he seemed to love it! The rest of us stuff with the eggs benedict and eggs any style which were well executed and tasty. Review for Drinks: This bar gets really crowded on weekend but the good news is that it is such a big venue that you always will be able to find a place to stand with your friends. The drinks here are well executed and are not too extortionate but still not cheap (kind of normal for the area).

    (3)
  • Christy W.

    Loved it here! Great atmosphere. Came here for my friend's 30th birthday party. The service was awesome. We ordered a bunch of appetizers all were excellent. With all the great reviews about The Social Burger, I just had to get it. It was so amazing! I can't wait to go back! Definitely check it out if you are in the area.

    (5)
  • Doug W.

    Most items on the menu are southern food. The portions are large. Food was not good. Too expensive. Don't bother with this crappy place.

    (1)
  • Krista L.

    Went to this bar for a friend's birthday for some drinks.. it might have been a good experience if the staff weren't so douchey, the drinks weren't so expensive and the scene wasn't so depressing. We were down in the lower "lounge" area, which looked like a darker version of an open floor living/dining room and was empty at 12pm (I should have known then I should have left). 1. The yucky drinks were $10 and the bartenders were rude and taking shots while we were trying to place our order - seriously? $10 drinks? This isn't "Top Of The Hub," lets calm down. 2. My friend actually got charged a different amount for her drink than me for the SAME drink. Maybe the staff should stay sober and lay off the shots while serving its customers? 3. Some guy who worked there who was acting like some kind of bouncer told us to move away from our table when NOBODY WAS THERE. The bar was dead and BORING. I'm 25 and have no interest of ever recommending or bringing people to this place ever. As far as I'm concerned, the dive bar down the street (that did not have $10 drinks and drunk staff) would have been MUCH better.

    (1)
  • Julia N.

    Any place where I can order fried chicken and waffles for dinner is a winner in my book. My, I-love-to-be-a-fat-ass-on-vacation, book. On our first night in Boston we ended up at Back Bay Social Club and what a great place to kick-off a fantastic week off! Their delicious food and well-crafted drinks were just what the Dr. ordered after a 6 hour plane ride from SF. In the heart of the Back Bay (shocking, given its name, I know), it's a must-try if you're in the area. Hip, open and relaxing yet packed with a great scene, you really can't go wrong (especially if you order the chicken and waffles) here.

    (4)
  • A G.

    I'm not sure what happened here because I used to love this place - perhaps they switched chefs or management recently? I was there 2 weeks ago and ordered the chicken and waffles and the chicken had to be sent back because i couldn't physically eat it. It was under cooked, and the cooked outside part was so chewy. The batter was mushy and fell off of the chicken... I'd go back and try it again because it was great in the past...curious if others have noticed recent changes??

    (2)
  • Nick M.

    This place is great either just grabbing a drink or having dinner. Had their Social Burger and while I don't think any burger is worth $22, it was the best burger I've had. Someone else had the chicken and waffles and I can't wait to try that next time!

    (4)
  • Sarah P.

    This is a good go-to location for dinner and drinks. The Social Burger is delicious and a Boston favorite among my friends, and the butternut squash ravioli with brussel sprouts is a personal favorite. And don't forget the drinks... The bar downstairs is a great place to swing by for a drink with friends.

    (4)
  • Harry S.

    We have been craving the chicken and waffles at BB social for months and finally went back New Years day. We wish we hadn't gone. The changed the recipe for the maple BBQ sauce, now much more BBQ and much less maple. The waffles were under cooked and just a whole different experience than our previous visit. Maybe it was just an off day - I hope so because our memories of it were succulent!

    (2)
  • Beak E.

    Between the Phantom Gourmet and a handful of other online food critics, I had heard a lot of hype about this place's cheeseburger, which is cleverly called the Social Burger. It's a 10 ounce gourmet burger topped with caramelized onions and a heaping portion of melted aged cheddar, served medium rare. And it actually almost lives up to the hype. It was easily the closest I've ever come to eating a steak in a bun. The fries, however, sucked. The method in which they are made is fine, as I'm a huge fan of the hand cut style, but they were cut way too thin, so they came out too crispy throughout. I need some variation of textures in my fries, which these did not have. They take the term "shoestring" a little too literally here, but, aside from that, they weren't exactly the worst fries I've ever had, either. I'd give the burger a solid A, the fries a C-, and the location/atmosphere a D-, so the overall experience just isn't worth it. In all fairness, though, I can't stand the Back Bay. I have no idea how people could ever enjoy going there. There's no parking anywhere, everything's too expensive, and unless you're 23, you're too old to be there in the first place. If this place was buried in a smaller area just outside of Boston, and the burger was at least $5 cheaper, I'd have a lot less complaints. In theory, I'd definitely eat this burger again, but I'll probably never end up going back. The Back Bay makes me wanna gouge my eyes out and die. People that enjoy Boston sicken me, especially the bottom-feeding Jello shot culture that enjoys Boylston Street and all of it's equally dreadful surrounding areas. I don't let bright lights and loud noises confuse me. I know when an area of the world sucks, and Boston is just horrible. All in all, this place has a great burger, but everything else is too bland. I'd rather do a Five Guys burger and not have to worry about encountering college kids, hipsters, bicycle lanes, or the defeated remnants of the Occupy Boston crowd.

    (3)
  • Kevin Z.

    Food was pretty good. But it took over an hour for our food to come out. Management was not apologetic however did comp our meals. So I'd give it an ok for overall experience but try to avoid if you are in a hurry.

    (3)
  • Chiyon Y.

    Not a place I would go back to... Here's why: - I hate places that are too dark you can't read the menu - It took about 45 minutes to get the burgers! - $22 for a burger with aged cheddar and caramelized onions? Really? The burger is good, but I've had better. The only thing that makes this burger good is the caramelized onions... but that's about it. - The french onion soup was nasty. The broth was dark, so I figured it'd be flavorful. NOT. It was absolutely tasteless. No salt, no flavor, nada. It seemed like water with food coloring. ...need I say more?

    (2)
  • Ajay S.

    Want a break from shopping at the Pru? If you like cocktails, you will enjoy this place. There's something on the menu Calle Tom Selleck's Mustache - great whiskey cocktail. The Gin Something is pretty good too. And you probably don't want to miss the Rosemary Fries. Mmm.

    (4)
  • Katie C.

    My friend and I had a reservation for Sunday brunch at the Back Bay Social Club. She was in the mood for breakfast-y foods and I was in the mood for lunch-y food, so it was the perfect place to meet. Conveniently located to just about everything, we had no trouble getting there and we were promptly greeted at the door and even allowed to pick our own table since the restaurant wasn't busy at all. We sat outside and in less than twenty seconds, water was on the table and our server introduced himself. Other patrons on the patio had plenty of food on their tables that looked absolutely divine. The guys on one side of us each had a plate of chicken and waffles that could have easily fed two or three people. The girls on the other side of us were splitting the near-famous BBSC burger. (Note, if you've heard the hype about the burger, it just looks worth every penny and would be more than ample to split between you and a friend!) My friend had an egg white omelette that was practically falling off the plate while I had a turkey melt with avocado. The food took a little longer (maybe 25 minutes) than most would have reasonably expected, but it was certainly worth the wait. The turkey melt was served on buttered toasted bread and cut horizontally into strips which made it easy to cut with a fork and knife and/or pick up with your fingers. Since the sandwich was already a diet-wrecker as is, I would have liked to have fries instead of chips, but the sandwich was certainly more than enough. Between the omelette and the sandwich that was more than an ample brunch, our bill was $22 and change. Try finding that anywhere else in the Back Bay along Boylston Street. You certainly won't find it across the street at Towne (boooo, I don't like their brunch!!) and not further towards Mass Ave with comparable service. Sure, the name sounds a little uppity, but if you're looking for a great brunch, a pleasant outdoor patio, and great service, this is the place for you!

    (5)
  • Terence B.

    I've ended up at Back Bay Social Club the last two times I've ventured out on a Sunday. I really like the atmosphere, the bartenders are very good, and the food (Chicken and Waffles) is great. Sundays are extremely low key. There are not many customers so it's a good idea to bring your own folks with you ... unless you just want some "me" time. I definitely recommend this place.

    (4)
  • AJ J.

    This place was fantastic!!! I discovered it way too late in my Boston days. The atmosphere is relaxed and swanky all in one. The food...my goodness. Probably the best chicken and waffles I ever had, and I had them all.

    (5)
  • Andrew K.

    Delicious burger! They use top grade ground meat and cook it to perfection covered with perfectly caramelized cheddar cheese. The fries that are served in a brown paper bag next to it are very tasty as well. I couldn't clear my plate of all the food, because we started the meal with the Rhode Islan Frito Misto which had fried scallops, shrimp, and squid mixed with spicy peppers and garlic. The different flavors worked so well together we devoured the plate and sopped up the excess garlic butter with the complimentary bread. Well done BBSC I'm excited for my next visit.

    (5)
  • Johnna M.

    I'll be honest, it took me awhile to get behind Team Back Bay Social Club. I've been here a ton and never quite got the hype. That's because I was doing it wrong and approaching it from entirely the wrong angle. It took a killer hangover and a two mile walk to Boylston street for me to finally be hungry and desperate enough to understand the error of my ways and start living life in a whole new light. Take it from me-at a place offering such dishes as The Treatment (chicken, waffles, bacon, eggs), The Donut Sandwich (fried eggs, bacon, and cheddar between TWO DONUTS) and MEAT CANDY (I'll leave this to your imagination), please avoid the egg white spinach scramble or granola and yogurt and go straight for the Big Guy... The Social Burger. Served on a wooden platter with a dish of fantastic fries and tangy house made mustard sauce, this burger was cooked (or not cooked) to a beautiful, bloody, medium rare perfection. It's completely no frills with only a little bit of cheddar and grilled onions decorating it, but that is completely fine because the real star here is that glorious grass fed beef. I've always been impressed with their cocktail and Bloody Mary menu but as Jimmy Buffett once said, such a beast can only be appropriately accompanied with a cold draft beer (and their draft list is great too). You can also get the "other burger" (zzz lettuce tomato, weak) but that will clearly make you..lesser than. The staff, from the hostess to the waiters to the busboys, are extremely attentive, fun, and inexplicably dressed as lumberjacks. However, I must assure you the possibly suggestive comment coming from me when the meal was over clearly only referred to my one true love, the social burger. "I'd just love to take this big, beautiful, guy home with me!" I did. (and it was every bit as fantastic three hours later)

    (4)
  • Moo S.

    Surprisingly, my casual dinner at their bar was one of the better meals of my Boston trip. Sat down with a nice glass of vino. Ordered the Kobe beef sliders, which came with a little bowl of tomato soup for dipping. Yay! Anytime you encourage dipping, I'm giving you an automatic A+! The star of the show was the beet salad. I know what you're thinking - a beet salad at the bar? It was great combo of yellow beets, goat cheese, arugula, and walnuts. Delish and nicely presented too. I also watched a couple next to me (obviously a first-date arrangement) marvel over "how many napkins the bartender was giving them." I watched the bartender place a napkin (folded into a triangle as a placemat) in front of the guy three times (this was in addition to the regular napkins wrapped around utensils). The first time, the guy put it on his lap. The second time, the guy put it on his right thigh (shifting the first napkin onto his left thigh), the third time, he gave it to the girl (how sweet!) remarking, "They keep giving them to me." Thankfully, by the fourth napkin, he realized that it was supposed to be left on the table. As you can imagine, this was a major exercise in tongue-biting for me. Service was attentive and friendly and the entertainment factor was a major plus, it being my first dinner in town.

    (4)
  • Chris C.

    My dinner group reviewed BBSC thusly: Has a "dimly lit" "basement rec room feel" that didn't deliver on our "high expectations," as smart-phones were needed "to read the menu" at our "Liliputian-sized dining table". On the "somewhat limited" menu, "Bland pan-roasted chicken" and "bloody awful chicken and waffles" were juxtaposed against "terrific" roasted beet salad and "a nice selection of charcuterie". "Attentive enough"service couldn't save us from the overall feeling that "we wont' be back." Dinner's full comments are below.... "I had high expectations for the BBSC, but have to admit I was disappointed. Although the atmosphere upstairs seemed pleasant, the downstairs was just plain dark, but not in the good, intimate way. It felt more like a basement rec room - a vast space with some stuff thrown into it to make it seem more interesting, and then lights turned down low to hide all of the imperfections. When you see an entire table using their mobile phones to light up the menu just so they can read it, you know there's a problem. Food was adequate, though my pan roasted chicken was bland (or perhaps I am forever spoiled by Hammersley's roast chicken). Service was attentive, however, promptly replacing silverware that was dropped on the floor because a) our place settings were too crowded together, and b) it was too dark to see the silverware and everyone kept accidentally knocking them on to the floor! " "dark rec room vibe, amd really bland food - I can make better at home! I go out to get better atmosphere and food Than I can make myself- this wasn't it!" " - Food: 3 - The appitizer was a nice selection of pates but the chicken and waffles was bloody awful, it was smothered in a really sweet BBQ sauce that overpowered everything else - Service: 4 - Good but not great, the waiter was attentive enough and kind of cute. - Decor: 3 - I think, I couldn't see anything - Overall: 2 - wouldn't be rushing to go back but the drinks were good." "Food was good, service was attentive, but the room itself was way too dark and the restaurant as a whole had no concept tying it all together. There's an opportunity to make it a much better space." "The menu seemed a tad limited in selections and everyone already said it was dark." "My food and drink was good but certainly nothing to write home about." "After the 20 minutes of low lighting eye adjustment, the décor was less than stellar. The table was a bit Lilliputian in size and was not suited for 10 men. I had a roasted beet salad that was terrific and the spring onion ravioli which were quite tasty. Service was well rounded." And another note from Sluggo: Does anyone else find burgers and sandwiches served on wooden planks or cutting boards disgustingly unhygenic? FOLLOWUP: Shortly after this review posted, I got the following note (edited for lenth, but you get the gist) from the marketing manager for the Lyons Group, gotta give them props for followthrough: "I am sorry that your group didn't have a wonderful time. Please know that we take your feedback very seriously and are working to rectify the issues you pointed out in your review. The fact that you had anything less than wonderful experience is unacceptable to us and I would like invite you back in to try us again. We truly value our guests and I hope you would give us another chance."

    (3)
  • Chris L.

    Great burgers

    (5)
  • Jazmin M.

    This review is strictly for the Social Burger, since it is all I have had here. One of the best burgers in town: thick, juicy patty, tillamook cheddar, and caramelized onions. The service is consistently good-I have never had an issue. Take-home: Awesome burger with good service!

    (4)
  • Tom K.

    I was in here for the first time last weekend just for drinks on the patio. The atmosphere was great and our server was very nice and on top of things. We also went downstairs to the bar toward the end of the night and it was a good atmosphere there too. I can't say anything about the food. The only reason I'm giving this three stars is that we were overcharged for some of our drinks on the patio. It was not by a lot, but the price on the menu was definitely less than what we were actually charged on our bill. It was the end of the night and settling the bill was already complicated between the five of us, so we didn't bother our server about it. But it did not go unnoticed and, at the risk of sounding alarmist following one mistake, I would recommend that if you go, you check your bill when you get it. Again, it wasn't by a lot, but those are the differences that usually sneak past you. I may go back, but I may not. We'll see.

    (3)
  • Chris L.

    Had dinner and drinks here with 6 friends. We ordered a bunch of different items so we could all try them. The Chicken & Waffles was a big hit as was the Meat Candy. I'd pass on the Ricotta Crostini. Steak Frites were delicious as was the Fish & Chips. Don't waste your time with the Brisket. At least not if you like Brisket... We had great service even though we had a large party and it was crowded. I had an excellent Old Fashioned and they have a large selection of bourbons. I'd definitely go back.

    (4)
  • Christine P.

    So I went back for a second time and this time had the burger. Yeah, it is that good. YUMMMMMM. We also had a couple of appetizers and they were good as well. Overall though, service is still pretty bad and it's too loud. Almost impossible to have a conversation. Even for a bar atmosphere I think it's too much. We had a party of 11 and spent a pretty no doubt, and they forgot one of our burgers. Even after they came over and acknowledged it, it took forever to bring it out. We were all done with our dinner and one in our party was just starting. would not choose to go here unless we were specifically in the mood for their burger and were willing to deal with the rest.

    (2)
  • Kate B.

    I've been coming here for years and I have to say the service is always great and the place is always trying new things on the menu. I love that they have different burger options now. I was in here the other week for a drink and a snack with a friend and they even have a bar snack menu now. I had the house-made chorizo tacos which were great. They have a great craft beer selection and the cocktail list is always very inventive and fresh. If you come here, look for Lou, hands down the best bartender in Boston.

    (5)
  • Josephine R.

    Great great food. I refuse to go there and not get the meatloaf sliders because they are simply unbelievable. I also get the arugula salad EVERY time i go. On the weekends and Thursdays its packed and the bar can get rowdy but if you go early enough it should be fine. I also have had the wings which are really good, I would recommend the mussels and the burger! I essentially haven't had anything bad at this establishment and have been more times than I care to admit.

    (4)
  • Chris M.

    Any bar and grill that throws(hosts) a kentucky derby watch party, gets 5 stars in my book. I went here for the SBS KY derby party... there were mint juleps flowing. Horses on the TV, and wicked friendly staff and bartenders. The only thing I didn't like was that i couldn't order a mojito for my friend (who doesn't like bourbon) because they were saving all the mint for the juleps. I dunno, if you got mint use it? Other than that the service was awesome. Andrew (i think) even put up with my questions and ramblings when we sat down for dinner. He recommended the chicken and waffles, and well, how can you go wrong with fried chicken, belgium waffle, and maple bbq sauce. It was like having fancy hangover food without the hangover (and waffle house). Good times had by all, and i'll be back.

    (5)
  • Patricia D.

    I ordered the spinach salad- YUM and the pork belly appetizer- pretty good. My date ordered the Social burger- he was a big fan. Solid food. Would I go back there instead of trying something new with a great review? probably not. But, worth a shot.

    (3)
  • Melanie M.

    My friends got the burger and it was very good, but maybe not for the price. Not a vegetarian friendly place either. My vegetarian husband ordered the pasta special and it lacked any flavor. I had the onion soup and was thorougly disappointed. The biggest plus is we got to eat outside and it's a fun place for people watching.

    (2)
  • Cassie D.

    Came into here for the first time kind of by accident. It was opening day at Fenway this year and the start of the weekend before Marathon Monday. Get it? It was damn crowded in Boston. We walked into a few of the nearby places and there was not even an inch to breath, I am not going to eat standing up so we (luckily) stumbled upon here. There was a small wait for a table outside. I am glad I did not have to sit inside as it looks as if there were no lights on... I get that some places like to "set the mood" but it's a gorgeous day outside, why would I want to sit in the dark? Anyways, back to the positive... We were seated outside almost immediately. The food server was very nice and knowledgable. Suggested drinks and was honest about how strong they would be. I like to get my money's worth in a drink you-know. What is the point of an $18 juice? Well, the food here is great. I cannot suggest more the Fried Chicken and Waffle as I am sure many other people have. You see it coming out and stare agape. It tastes better than it looks people! I have been back a couple other of times and have had good service and great food. My only reasoning for not giving this the 5 stars is the ambiance inside. It really is so dark in there when I walk in from the brightness of the sun, I think I have gone blind. But... wear sunglasses atleast 5 minutes before heading in, eat the chicken and waffle, and have some drinks and laughs.

    (4)
  • Sarah C.

    I think I'm gonnnna like it heeere...sorry, I have Annie stuck in my head for some reason. Met a friend for dinner on a Tuesday night - *love* the atmosphere. It's very dark, but sexy and comfortable. Lots of comfy booths that they will gladly fill up before seating you at the likely less comfortable tables - always a plus! Reminds me of a much smaller Eastern Standard... The service was fantastic. Our server checked on us just enough, and at one point we even got a visit from the manager (or mngr on duty at least) who just wanted to make sure we were happy. I think my favorite part was when I was brought a second soda just before my first was gone, without even being asked. The bread they provide was awesome - there almost as soon as we sat down, soft and tasty, with plenty of butter. I also got the impression that had we asked for more it would have been no problem, which I love cause I'd rather that than them providing a big basket and me ruining my dinner before I'd even looked at the menu. I couldn't decide between the charcuterie plate (had been strangely craving charcuterie for a couple weeks) and the fritto misto, which someone else's review turned me on to by noting it was "too sweet" for her - perfect for me! They were both super delicious. SUPER. I think next time I'll try the meat candy... I ordered the salmon special (blackened, mmm...) and they had no problem accommodating my request to sub the accompanied side for asparagus. The portions were perfect, and everything was delicious. I would have preferred the sauce to be on the fish, and the potatoes to be a little warmer, but whatever, that's just me being stupid picky. My friend got the chicken and loved it. We had stuffed ourselves silly at that point, but couldn't resist taking a peek at the dessert menu. Nothing jumped out at us so we skipped it. My only caveats about BBSC are that some might find it a bit more expensive than they'd like (I thought it was pretty good quality + portions for the price), and that my guess is that Thurs-Sun it's MUCH busier, and therefore perhaps less impressive in terms of atmosphere and service. Who knows - try it yourself!!

    (4)
  • Patrick D.

    My family and I had a wonderful meal last night. We sat outside and watched the people walking by while we enjoyed craft beer from a large selection. The Buffalo cauliflower appetizer was delicious. The steak frites was great though the BBQ brisket was a bit dry though flavorful. The service was attentive without being obtrusive. Daniel did a great job pleasantly managing our multiple changes. Great experience.

    (4)
  • Carlos V.

    Everyone raves about the burger... and it IS the best one I ever ate. The fries are really good too. My wife got something else... and it looked/tasted OK... the BURGER and a High Life is the meal of choice at this spot.!

    (4)
  • Kevin R.

    Should have had the burger ordered Gumbo instead wouldn't recommend it.

    (3)
  • Sarah G.

    I had to write an update for this place because after my second experience here, I have definitely become a big big fan of this place!! Sometimes restaurants have off nights, so I am going to say that my first time here was one of those nights, because the food I had this time around was so so so much better! We started off with what we were told was the male and female drink versions of the Harvey Wallbanger and they were both pretty tasty. We next moved onto their only Malbec and their only Pinot Grigio, but both of those wines were also really good, especially for it being their only option! We ended our meal drink wise on their house specialty cocktail, a mini white russian, the specialty part being a little club soda added in to make it like champagne a little bit. For me, I would have preferred a normal white russian, but it was a unique take at least. Food wise, we ate WAY WAY more food than we needed too which meant Matt J. and I strolled all the way back to the Arlington T stop rather than Hynes just to stretch out our tummies a bit ha. We again had their in-house made chicken liver mousse and pate which were still amazing in addition to that house made duck pastrami as well. Their fritto misto appetizer is scallops and calamari in this sweet but tangy sauce with peppers which I wish was a little spicier, but definitely a rich dish that will please almost anyone who likes seafood. But the winner of the appetizer battle?? THEIR OYSTERS. My god were they perfect. I haven't had a better oyster. They were so fresh, and pretty much euphoric. I only wish they didn't disappear so quickly! For dinner we got their lamb and their cod. We wished the lamb had been cooked a little less since that's how we like our meat, and the scalloped potatoes definitely needed some pepper/salt, but overall a very good dish. My cod was better than the lamb paired with this celery puree that was just awesome. Their cauliflower was like their free starter garlic bread and just tasted way too much like butter for me, even though I do love butter. Who doesn't? We ended on their house sticky toffee bread pudding which is SO SO rich but SO SO tasty. More than two people should split this a) because of the butter again and b) because it is so rich, but it is definitely worth it! We also got the beignets with a chocolate sauce and I think they were a hair overcooked--I like mine a little undercooked, but that chocolate sauce definitely and purposely made it onto my fingers! Really a 4.5 star review, but that butter made me round down...As much as I love it...I shouldn't think the free bread is movie theater popcorn at a classy place like Back Bay Social Club. I will definitely be back though!!! So glad I went again!!!

    (4)
  • Dakota S.

    I went here for brunch with girlfriends, food was great! The chicken and waffles are to die for, as is the California benedict. I got the corn beef hash, which was much more potato than corned beef, but still delicious!

    (4)
  • Mona W.

    Great restaurant, ambiance, location, food! Would definitely recommend!!

    (4)
  • Clara L.

    I'm sorry BBSC, you once wooed me with your meat candy and fun atmosphere, but now I'm not convinced. We came here at 9:30 for dinner on a Friday night. Surprisingly, there were quite a few tables open and there were not as many people as I expected at the bar. It was about 5 minutes before we were poured water, and 10 minutes before our server came to greet us. When my boyfriend ordered a drink, it was delivered to two different tables before he was asked if it was his drink. We ordered dinner, the boyfriend from the restaurant week menu and me from the regular menu. The shrimp on his salad was pretty overcooked, but was otherwise good. His entree was good and he praised the carrots. I ordered their social burger as its reputation has been well touted. I ordered the burger medium, and it was pretty good, although in my opinion nothing special enough to be $9 more than the other burger, that does not have smothered onions and cheddar cheese. The fries were limp and not crisp as I remember them previously. Perhaps the worst of the night though was the boyfriend's creme brulee. The sugar was completely too thick and over torched to caramelize, and the entire shell was bitter and we had to abandon it. The service throughout the night was slow and unimpressive. Not only was the drink delivered to the wrong table, our bread plate was wandered around also. Our entrees were not delivered for over 20 minutes after my boyfriend's salad was cleared, and the table next to us that was seated during our first course received their entrees well before we did. The tables next to us were all delivered a bottle of water, and we had to ask for one, after our glasses went empty for a while. Our server did apologize for the dessert and offered another one, but we were already full and had been in the restaurant for nearly two hours already. Overall, it was a pretty disappointing showing on a not that busy night. I hope it was just a fluke and this place doesn't continue to disappoint.

    (1)
  • Matt M.

    If you're going to come here, make sure to order the Social Burger. It may be $22, but its absolutely fantastic. The meat is good quality, but the real twist on the burger here is the caramelized onions, which are reduced almost to a mush and compliment the burger so well. While it looks like the burger does not have much cheese, the amount is just right, as it blends into the onion and meat flavors perfectly to round out the dish. While I don't generally view a hamburger as a piece of culinary art, they do take them to another level at this place.

    (4)
  • Philip C.

    Holler at your burger: Haters gonna hate, lovers gonna love The Social Burger with smothered onions, sharp cheddar and fries Definitely is high above Most other burgers in Boston It is what it is. The first time I came to BBSC I ordered the burger and as far as I'm concerned there's no reason to order anything else on the menu. It's no secret that this burger is one of the most delicious in this fine city and since it's done so right I need to enjoy it every time.

    (4)
  • Kait M.

    I chose Back Bay Social Club for my boyfriend's birthday dinner after watching him drool over their burger when it was featured on the Phantom Gourmet. Drinks: I ordered the Gin Somthin' and my boyfriend Jon ordered a Makers Mark Manhattan. It tasted like a $12 cocktail...we certainly got our moneys worth in booze. The Gin Somethin' was fresh tasting but outside of the box for me - I don't normally drink gin. Appetizers: I selected 2 cheeses off of the cheese board menu and Jon ordered the Meat Candy (which he had also seen on Phantom Gourmet). The cheeses, which were certainly expensive (but no more expensive than any other cheese board cheeses I've had other places), came with honeycomb which was AMAZING and some fig jelly and raisin toast. Jon said the Meat Candy was "good" but didn't look like it did on TV. We shared the Spinach Salad w/ pickled apples and fried goat cheese. I do not normally like spinach but I do like fried goat cheese so I went out on a limb and ordered this - it was FANTASTIC. Complaints: the 'pickled apples' was more like 3 inch long triangles - they were delicious but I was disappointed in the amount of apples. Entrees: Jon ordered the Social Burger, medium rare. I ordered an Onion Soup off the appetizer menu - I'm very picky and there was nothing on the entree menu that enticed me - I was hoping for maybe 1 pasta dish...but I do LOVE onion soup and I wasn't disappointed. Jon described the Social Burger as THE BEST BURGER HE'S EVER HAD IN HIS ENTIRE LIFE...and "worth every penny!". My Onion Soup was ooey gooey with cheese YUM and lots of caramelized onions - could have used a hint of salt which was easily added in with table salt. Overall Impressions: The kind of place I would reserve for special occasions due to the $$ but overall we really enjoyed our experience. Waitstaff was friendly and attentive - almost too attentive - though relaxed after I assured him we would be staying awhile and casually drinking and ordering throughout the night. I was a bit disappointed in the wine list that had no Italian reds by the glass.

    (4)
  • Brad D.

    I wavered between 4 and 3 stars, I really did... (Why no halfsies, Yelp?) Let me commence by noting there was nothing wrong per se, with this place. Friendly and on-it staff, pleasant (for back bay) patronage, good drink menu... And we were here for lunch- I suspect the dinner menu is much more cohesive and exciting. But the lunch menu left me cold - it seems disparate and lacks a voice of it's own. I can't tell if it's trying to be too many thing to too many tastes, or if it's just assembled out of laziness. I feel like I didn't know if I was at an Asian fusion, nouveau American, spiced-up pub food, Southern joint or what. We had the beet salad which was fantastic. The mussels, however, were somewhere between standard and not-so-great, but the fries were top 3 I've had in The Bean, so there's that... I think I just had higher hopes based on the name and the fanfare surrounding it. I realize that this strip of Boylston/Newbury knows it's demographic (white baseball capped, sandal-wearing, fresh faced 'yeah-dudes') and they are only serving up what is requested of them by their sports-loving clientele - I just wish someone would take a bigger risk in this hood and make a bold and innovative menu or decor choice... Even if it was inevitably overrun the next day by too-drunk, fist-bumping, potential-lawsuits-waiting-to-happen. If you're killing time on Boylston, grab an appetizer and a drink and you'll enjoy. If you're looking for an experience or a night out, I would maybe move away from this area in general.

    (3)
  • Eric F.

    After seeing so many raves about BBSC's Social Burger, I had to come by and see what all the fuss was about. My friend and I had an early dinner here and we both enjoyed some of the more popular dishes: Meat candy (tasty balance of sweet and savory) Veal & lamb sausage stuffed quail (nicely seasoned, but a bit dry) The Social Burger (exceptionally tender beef complemented well by the onions, but it was actually a little on the bland side as some other Yelpers have said) Gin somethin (crisp and refreshing cocktail perfect for the summer and not overly sweet) All in all, a good meal with great service although it was funny when the waitress came to ask how the food was while I had a mouthful of food, not to mention the almost compulsive water refilling. Much preferred to having them never come by, of course! I wanted to bump up this up to 4 stars, but the value unfortunately just wasn't there. $32 for the quail was darn steep (I probably should've asked, but I really wasn't expecting it to cost that much more than all the other entrees when it's not even steak...). And the infamous burger? Maybe $13-14 tops.

    (3)
  • Rani P.

    I'm not one to need to be part of a social club to feel good about myself- however, good food does make me feel pretty wonderful (and a bit sleepy). I was surprised to see a little line waiting outside of BBSC to do some Sunday brunching- but at the same time, I was waiting too- so there was something we all wanted from getting there a little early. For most of us it was the outdoor seating. Brunch was everything brunch should be- a little greasy, a little salty, and a lot of delicious. Nothing blew me away, but I was happy and satisfied getting a little Vitamin D from both my OJ and the sun. A pretty solid brunch spot; I definitely recommend trying it if you are looking for a brunch spot in the back bay.

    (3)
  • Shannon M.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to submit for the record that the Rhode Island Style Frito Misto is the greatest appetizer--NAY!--the greatest dish I have EVER had in Boston. It is calamari and scallops cooked in this sweet and spicy peppadew pepper, garlic butter sauce, on top of a crispy and delicious piece of garlic bread. It changed my life. If there is anyone that does not find this dish absolutely incredible, I will punch a kitten in the face and throw it in a trash can...

    (5)
  • Tyler R.

    After five different attempts at having a non bar-menu meal past 10pm on a Sunday night, we landed at BBSC. Given that I drove up here from Connecticut with the sole intention of having Yellow Curry w/Chicken & Shrimp from The Similans in Cambridge (who amazingly stopped serving at 9:30pm) - I had a feeling that whatever I settled on was going to have to be above and beyond delicious to make up for my evening void of fantastic thai. Well, wrong. Apparently I was REALLY in the mood for roasted chicken with goat cheese mashed potatoes, sugar snap peas, and half a bottle of Mendoza's 2007 Catena Malbec. The service and atmosphere are both great, (we were approached several times by the owner to see how we were doing) and the food was A+. I will be back. If for nothing else, the sourdough rolls. But mostly for everything else. Also the rolls.

    (4)
  • J. D.

    I'm a fan. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Nice scenery too.

    (4)
  • Josephine L.

    Still slightly hungover from a massive holiday party here last night. Our hostesses rented out the entire downstairs and we were treated to a full bar and delicious hors d'oeuvres. The space is lovely and perfect for a party of 30+. Dimly lit yet romantic, spacious yet cozy, with plenty of booths and nooks dotted with glittering stars and candlelight for you to have unwise make-out sessions or dance the night away. The servers and bartenders were attentive, quick and friendly, getting us our drinks with the blink of an eye and clearing our dirty plates almost immediately. The Pumpkin Spice cocktail is delicious, the Hemingway Daiquiri is a little too strong (maybe I've been spoiled by eating Baskin Robbins's daiquiri ice-cream growing up and always thinking that's what a daiquiri should taste like) and the Antica Flower is so rummy, it cancels out all the other flavors. It was like drinking a giant shot of rum. Not a fan. The Meat Candy (kielbasas with brown sugar and pineapple) is absolutely delicious as were these caprese+pesto bites they served. The fried calamari was good too (looked like chicken from a distance) but was too sweet for me, and the cheese breads were good but too flaky and messy. The winners for me, though, were these salmon slices on top of some kind of cracker topped with herbal garnishes, and seared tuna slices. Mmmm! Too bad these aren't anywhere on their regular menu.

    (4)
  • Vanessa P.

    I was visiting a good friend in Boston over Memorial Day weekend and within an hour of my landing, she took me here for drinks and dinner. We ended up opting for sitting at the bar in the downstairs area because she knew the bartender and I wish I could personally thank him for sparking my obsession with old fashioned's. The one he made me was phenomenal and I can still taste it! I've been on a search for the equivalent in Chicago and only found two places that make one as well. Okay, enough of my whiskey habit. I tried the wings from the appetizer list and they were delicious. My friend got the meatloaf sliders, which were also very good. The place didn't get too packed that night so can't really vouch for the atmosphere on a busy night but I'm definitely a fan.

    (4)
  • Kate L.

    This place must be going downhill. It was DEAD on the gorgeous Saturday afternoon we just had. So we snagged a table outside which was nice, right in the sun and surprisingly not loud for its location. Service was ok.. informative about the wine which was tasty. But our chicken cesar salads took an HOUR! All we got was an apology and nothing else! There were also anchovies on the salads which I feel like should be mentioned... and the dressing was fishy! Generous portion and good enough to eat but only b/c we were famished.

    (2)
  • Barbie D.

    My boyfriend and I love coming here for a dinner a little nicer than an ordinary night. We've tried a couple different items on the menu. Everyone raves but the burger but I just don't get it.. What I actually LOVE are the Chicken and Waffles. So random for this place. I know. But they seriously are awesome!! (also, best bang for your buck on the menu) Great drinks and really nice atmosphere too :)

    (5)
  • Russ B.

    Was walking around on a date and decided to grab a beer and some eats here on their charming patio. Service was good, pleasant, and attentive. My date and I were both shocked to see that their burger is $22! Server said it was prime beef and on the best of Boston list. I decided to go for it, and I'm glad I did....because now I know to never do that there again. It was not bad at all, but it certainly wasn't worth $22. The bun is toasted and tasty, the onions are shaved really thin so they're not clunky, and the sharp cheddar is a great contrast to the richness of the burger. But really, I'd rather have spent $22 on one burger and 2 beers at Russell House Tavern in Harvard Square than at BBSC. This review is specifically about the Burger. I think this place in general is pretty fun.

    (2)
  • Erik A.

    I have only been here for drinks (tried the chicken wings once, so yummy, but a bit pricey), but I keep going back. The outside patio is great for people-watching on a warm evening and the cocktail menu is always changing. If you do not see something on the menu you like, ask Christina, the bartender to make something for you. Staff has always been very friendly and the crowd tends to be young professionals. Cocktail prices are average and the location is very convenient.

    (4)
  • Jesse O.

    Met a friend here for dinner on a Friday night. It was pretty busy and loud. The food was good, and there is a good beer selection, however, I think it's a little pricey. But definitely a step up from nearby bars like the poor house.

    (3)
  • Dan G.

    I went here for lunch and it was pretty dead, which can be a good thing. We sat pretty quickly but it took a while for our waiter to take our order and for the food to come out, longer than it should have for a non busy lunch. Anyways, the soup and sandwich lunch was really good, for $10, very affordable for the area! The only complaint is they should have more than one soup on any given day. I loved the carrot soup we had, but the others in my party were hoping for something less, carroty. I got a pork sandwich which had moist slices of roast pork, cheese and broccoli rabe (very interesting for sandwich filling) all nestled in a very soft and nice ciabatta roll. Getting the check took some time too, so overall the service was a little slow, but the food was pretty good especially for the price. The clientele looks like they just stepped out of my favorite store, vineyard vines. I felt a little out of place there but overall not bad!

    (3)
  • Rita T.

    Get the chicken and waffles here, and ask for extra syrup! Huge portion, and delicious bbq sauce on the chicken.

    (3)
  • Jocy V.

    Probably closer to $$$ but the food was good pub grub. A main and glass of wine came out to $45pp. -Waffle and Chicken was very good as expected, but a unique find in boston -mussels were normal -burgers good nothing phenomenal but good, just slightly over priced. The restaurant had a good laid back vibe that does a nice transition to casual drinks. the checkered floor, dim lighting and slight loud music makes it a great spot for a large crowd, but a little hard to chat with a large group

    (3)
  • Cat S.

    Came here for a girl's dinner not knowing what to expect (rare, because I'm the biggest menu researcher known to man). Had a delish fall-inspired cider martini with cinnamon apple chips - extremely good balance of strong/tasty and I'm usually a mixed-drink wimp. The bread was really good from what I remember, and we also ordered a goat cheese app from the cheese offerings. Can't really go wrong with goat cheese. Service was great - our waiter was attentive and took time to explain some options that we had questions about. More on the service in a minute... Wasn't positive on what to get until the recitation of the nightly special - SOLD! Pan seared cilantro tequila shrimp over chipotle mashed sweet potatoes with a side of bacon braised collard greens. O. M. G. This was AMAZINGGGG. All three of us instantly changed our orders and asked if we could all get the special. The server came back and said that there were only 2 (!) orders left of the special but that since we were so enthusiastic about it, that he had asked the cook to make an exception...and the cook gave us his portion so that we were all able to have one! Yay. Anyways, the food was amazing and we all basically licked our plates. I'd highly suggest adding it to the normal menu because it was so delicious.

    (4)
  • Sandra S.

    Good drinks. Nice atmosphere. Great outdoor seating. Terrible food. I ordered chowder that was so oversalted and had a terrible fake smoke flavor. I didn't complain, but when the server noticed I didn't eat my chowder he asked about it. I was honest and he took the chowder away, apologizing. I was a bit surprised to still see it on my bill. I don't expect free food, so I paid. But honestly, the dish was inedible. That was really only the beginning. I thought everything else that I ordered was sub-par. The only enjoyable item on my $50 bill was the glass of cabernet.

    (2)
  • Allegra M.

    My girlfriends and I went to Back Bay Social Club (BBSC) last Friday night for the first time and had a lot of fun. The bar wasn't very crowded, but I think that was because it was considerably early in the evening. Ambiance is very low key, with low lighting, rich colors, and dark wood throughout. Bartenders and waitstaff wear plaid-stripped shirts, giving the otherwise "old world interior" a bohemian and laid back feeling. This is NOT a college-crowd bar - think more along the lines of the "after-work drinkers" and late-20's to early-40-somthing's having a nice night with friends. BBSC has a surprisingly nice selection of beers on draught, and some unique vintage cocktails for someone who is living on the edge...or someone in need of a libation with Fernet or Cynar as an ingredient (if you don't know what they are, you may be better off!) Our bartender, Patrick, was seemed like a character out of a TV sitcom - he had a ton of witty stories and remembered the specifics of our original drink order so that all we had to ask for was "another round." We didn't have any food, but the menu looks kind of fun ("meat candy" as an appetizer????). I would definitely go back to BBSC again for a drink or two. I don't think its the kind of place that you could spend the entire night at, but it set a solid tone for our girls night out evening.

    (4)
  • Tugce K.

    Why is this place always smelling like burnt grease or bleach or both? Really? You are one of the restaurants on Boylston Street that takes fairly good attention, you can definitely invest some money on a good air conditioning system, I bet... It's my second time going to Back Bay Social Club for brunch and I'm disappointed, again. I think food has no privilege or any good taste over a brunch you can get at a diner plus our waiter was so reckless, I remember him coming over about 3 times to ask how we wanted our eggs. Brunch is equally about taste and conversation and the waiter just interrupted me 3 times extra already, I think this restaurant deserves better waiter/waitresses.

    (2)
  • Cody C.

    Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff, I love the décor and the food was excellent! I'm coming back for a full fledge review when I go back with my friends for a birthday dinner.

    (5)
  • Jeff F.

    Can't believe it's been 14 years since I've been in this space. Back Bay Social is a great option for drinks or dinner. Mussels and burger were both solid. I'd definitely come back in here to explore more of the menu.

    (4)
  • Sasha R.

    Back Bay Social Club? I thought it would be the type of place where I'd have to call people "Buffy" and "Chad" and wear my polo collar turned up. But it's actually a crowded loud restobar where the young and hip come to meet up. Also, it would seem according to the name that they would have New England or Boston food. You know, clam chowder, lobster, baked beans, something like that. But you'll actually find a soul food fusion menu. Waffles and chicken? Grits? Blackened something or other? The crowd's average age had a bimodal peak: 21-25 and 38 and up, with a gap for those with small children, who don't go to such places. The service was spotty, but they were apologetic. Great people watching, too. Little packs of girls and guys on the prowl - I alwasy enjoy that. A decent experience for a rare night out.

    (3)
  • Jeff M.

    So I went to Back Bay Social Club because I was in the area last night and read the favorable reviews in publications such at the Improper. The atmosphere upstairs captures the of the moment bistro vibe (charcuterie plate) well. The checkered tile downstairs is less appealing. A couple downfalls of service were lack of menu knowledge (ie not knowing if something was available or not) and a fifteen plus minute wait for desert. Service also had to forage for a bottle of wine. The beet salad was plated beautiful and tasted nice. Pork belly lacked a crispy skin and I felt like I was eating the fat off of a rib. Leg of lamb was seasoned well but came out well done when asked for medium rare. The butter roasted cod was pretty bland and had too much cilantro for my taste. Its just a garnish, right? Additionally, this was the end of September and official Autumn but there were summer items on the menu including some with 'summer' in the name or description. As Andrea S. said Back Bay Social Club really does remind me of Eastern Standard, I compared the two for my rating, but next time I'll just go to Eastern Standard or find a better bistro-type option. I am more likely to come back here for a drink than a meal. Then again I don't live in the Back Bay so I may never be back.

    (2)
  • Aaron G.

    This review is based on a dinner I had here. I ate here with two friends on a moderately busy Tuesday night. Right from the start, our waiter was pretty attentive; he came over as soon as we were seated and asked for our drink orders. The drinks came back promptly, and my gin and tonic was strong and the lime was actually pretty fresh. Unfortunately, the rest of the night was downhill from there. Next, our waiter took our food order and promptly disappeared for 15 minutes. When he came back, he interrupted our conversation to tell us he had forgotten what we had ordered. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and assumed he hadn't just wandered off...perhaps the kitchen lost his order? Anyways, our food arrived. My lobster pot pie seemed reasonably priced at 24$, given that it had a lot of real lobster meat, but the 20$ burger my friend ordered looked less appetizing than a 10$ UBurger. At this point, though, I can only assume that our waiter signed up for a contest with the other employees to see who could herd their table out the door the fastest. Every five minutes our waiter was popping his head in, asking if we were finished with our drink or plate. My plate is half full and my fork is currently ferrying a piece of lobster to my mouth...do I look like I'm finished eating? Anyways, I finally gave up and surrendered the remaining 25% of my meal, and the check was deposited instantly on the table. In addition, a lot of the little details were off; subsequent rounds of the same drink arrived in different glasses, water glasses sat empty for much of the meal, and so on. This might have been understandable (but not excusable) if we had been camping out for a few hours on a busy night, but there were several free tables, plenty of waiters, and we weren't at the restaurant for more than an hour start to finish. I would still go here for a drink, and our experience certainly wasn't heinous, but I would not a meal here again.

    (2)
  • Ross R.

    Took my friend Mari out here for her birthday last week. It was a Monday night, we walked in, and it was a half hour wait...Was not expecting that, but I think they had a bunch of big holiday parties dining so wutevs. We grabbed some seats at the bar instead. Cool vibe. Really dark and mahogany a plenty. They were doing a promo called the 12 Drinks of Christmas. That day was Jameson steeped in strawberry, rhubarb, raspberry etc. simple syrup. It was delicious. We had 4 each and we were drruuunnnnk. Food time: Instead of getting entrees we opted for 4 different apps. Had the Meatloaf Sliders, Stuffed and Fried Jalapenos, Pork and Pinapple, and Honey Chicken Wings. All were pretty solid, however nothing that wowed me too much. The bartender was friendly and very attentive, and also entered us into a raffle to win a Jameson snowboard (kewl?). She ended up winning it, which is fun I guess. Weeee. Definitely worth checking out. Next time i'll have to try the $22 burger.

    (4)
  • Michele G.

    Big bowl of gumbo with nine pounds of rice! I'll know to come back in the dead of winter for that. We were going to order dessert, but the waiter abruptly put the check down on the table without so much as a peep. I like my service a little nicer.

    (2)
  • Ryan L.

    I went here for drinks and really enjoyed it. Very classy casual.

    (4)
  • David H.

    Went there because we heard it was ok and had a decent burger. Walked in with my wife (both of us are in are late 40's) some time around 6:15pm and was accosted by what seemed like a bouncer asking us for ID's. Like we were a couple of college kids hitting a club at midnight. Not even asking if we were coming in to dine or drink at the bar. So how we passed the ID exam and sat at the bar, and sat at the bar quite invisible to the two bartenders supposedly working. To top it off it smelled like they had just scrubbed the pass with disinfectant. Disgusted with the whole mess we got up at when to the Forum where we were warmly welcomed, and promptly served a delicious meal. Never make that mistake again.

    (1)
  • Winnie K.

    Was there last Saturday for the first time since they opened. Was disappointed then and stayed away until a friend and I made last minute plans for dinner and their patio had room. I'm glad I gave it a second chance! Had the house made ricotta crostini, was light, slightly sweet and delicious! The sausage sampler had pork, chicken and wild boar sausages. The meat was juicy and well cooked. The presentation of this plate was also done well. Two thumbs up to the grilled peaches and maple syrup accompaniments to this dish. To round out the beet and tofu was also surprisingly good. Light and slightly salted but not too much. All in all, I will be back to try more menu items!

    (4)
  • Sarah C.

    I came here with some girlfriends for an early dinner on a Sunday. While the bartender told us the kitchen was open before we got a table, we found out from our waiter that we caught the kitchen in the middle of their dinner prep so we were limited to the appetizer menu, salads, chicken and waffles, or a burger. It was bizarre but we were hungry so weren't with it. Luckily the chicken and waffles was amazing. Two of us split it and were glad we did because it was huge. It was served with a sweet maple BBQ sauce which worked perfectly with the crispy chicken and sweet waffle. I would definitely come back here for that dish again and to explore the menu further, just not on a Sunday afternoon.

    (3)
  • Meka A.

    The social club is a special kind of place. It's a hit or miss place depending on what you like in a bar. The guys here tend to be a touch douechy and the girls a little high maintenance. Regardless, its always crowded. Maybe because as much as we hate to admit it, guys like high maintenance girls and girls love doueches. The drinks are good here and the music as well. Many of my friends have found (temporary?) love at this bar. Maybe its your turn?

    (4)
  • Rachel K.

    This place is filled with pretentious people trying to be cooler than they actually are. It's too bad as this is a great location on Boylston, and they did a great job remodeling the previous Vinny T's. They do have a nice assortment of appetizers for late night drinking, and a fairly creative drink menu. Service here has been good, but something about the lay-out of this place is not good for mingling. BBSC has potential but maybe put up a sign saying "NO d-bags allowed."

    (2)
  • Christina L.

    This place took over the old Vinny T's. It actually kinda looks similar to it as well. My boyfriend and I were walking down the street and decided to stop in for a drink and an app. The place is quite beautiful, it is brand new after all. It has 2 bars, 2 floors and a patio. Service: Good. The male bartender also worked another bar. He was definitely experienced and provided all the service we needed. Food: We had one appetizer, which was the pickled pepper with Ham and Provolone cheese. There were about 6 peppers served in a mason jar. The pickled peppers were a bit too sweet and would've been better if they were seeded. The ham was a bit tough, so I would prefer something a little easier to chew. I think this place will be successful and another pricey location to add to the back bay location, but there wasn't anything unique or special to this place. I would come back and try it out some more, but I needed something there to wow me to get the 4 stars.

    (3)
  • Englands E.

    Great food. Good drinks, service was on point. This place looks much smaller than it is! Worth stopping by for drinks or a meal but I recommend you do both.

    (5)
  • Katie H.

    I attended one of their cocktail classes (they are held quarterly) and absolutely loved the experience. We were taught how to make for different mint-centered cocktails including the Mint Julep, a Mojito and a Whiskey Smash. The class was very well done, informative and perfect for a small group of people. The cheese platter, they served in between sample drink rounds, was delicious. Everything tasted so fresh and was presented in a very appealing manner. I've walked past here several times and only went in for the first time for this class. I'll certainly be back and this time bringing friends.

    (4)
  • Stephanie J.

    Came on a Wednesday night straight from work, and was seated right away which was great! The outside seating is on the sidewalk across from the mall, and the crowds aren't too bad, we hardly noticed anyone passing by. The Food is good, but the prices are very high for the menu. There is a good range of meat, fish and vegetarian options, which is nice. The mixed drinks are very over priced, and small. The beers are normal price range for the city except for the bottled beers which came in smaller sizes than what usually accompanies such prices. Overall for two drinks, meal, and tip it was $45 for me to eat out, midweek. I am ok that we went, but wouldn't go again. Maybe a good place for 1 drink to start a night out.

    (3)
  • Libby L.

    A bit disappointing as they were on the Phantom Gourmet and that was why we dined here - it will definitely be the last as well. The waitress was horrible. We had to wait at least 10-mins before she finally waited on us and she didn't introduce herself as the waitress either. She refilled our waters and asked if we were ready. I asked if she was our waitperson and she said yes - that was it nothing else. So we ordered. - SOCIAL BURGER ($22) - nothing great for $22 - just like any other burger. A bit overkill on the cheese though. - LOBSTER POT PIE - Creamy but not drowned. Lots of Lobster :) but a bit on the salty side. - FRIES - the Best.

    (2)
  • A B.

    I used to love Back Bay Social Club. I typically got the burger and always left happy. Then I had brunch there. First, they sat us at a very strange table that was basically in the way of all of the waiters. We did have a good view though of all of the other strange things that were happening, of which there were many (i.e. there was an extra table near ours that a couple asked to sit at but weren't allowed to, instead they moved it next to another table of 2 people--why two people needed two tables is lost on me--then about 15 minutes later moved the table back into the middle of the room, totally in the way, and sat the couple who asked for it at it. Meanwhile there were plenty of other empty normal tables. It made absolutely no sense). Onto the service...it took probably over 20 minutes for anybody to even talk us (we thought about getting up and walking out). Then when the waiter came he was incredibly awkward and it made my friend and I feel uncomfortable. We ordered our meals and I was told that I would be charged one extra dollar for adding an extra filling to my omelette, which under normal circumstances I totally understand, but considering how terrible our service was, I was very surprised they didn't comp me the dollar. We ended up ordering our meals and drinks at the same time (two coffees with milk...not hard) and it took about another 15 minutes to get the coffee, sans milk. Our food eventually came and it was incredibly subpar considering my dinner experiences at the restaurant. By the end of the meal, we had two different people waiting on us (hostesses maybe? they were not wearing the same outfit as the typical waiters), but my assumption was that they called for reinforcements when they realized everyone in the restaurant was unhappy. Overall, the service was the worst I've ever had at any restaurant, the table they sat us at was completely in the way of the flow of the restaurant, the waiter was uncomfortable, and the food did not live up to the dinner menu. Back Bay Social Club used to be one of my Back Bay go-tos, but I honestly feel like I never need to go there again.

    (2)
  • Allison R.

    Went here for NYE. Had a late dinner and stayed for drinks until midnight. It was a nice low-key atmosphere for New Years and they distributed noise makers and hats to celebrate. BUT the food was just okay... In my opinion it was not worth the high prices. The drinks were also over priced and not very potent, but they tasted good. So all and all, nothing special. I think there are better bar/restaurants in Back Bay area with better food and drinks for the same prices.

    (2)
  • Paul L.

    Lunch sandwiches were nothing special at all and not really worth $12 each.

    (2)
  • Ulli K.

    Kind of hovering between 2 and 3 stars. It was all just super average....ok, so let me change it to three. One thing I noted: Barely any of the appetizer items re easy to share. Come one guys, SOCIAL, right? Salads? No thanks. I went with a group of 6 and I was the only one who thought her meal was good. the $20 burger apparently is NOT worth $20 according to two other members and the monkfish...I won't lie, was so small, I thought it was a joke. I had some good vegetarian pasta dish that worked for me. Overall "meh". Not going to run there again anytime soon.

    (3)
  • Heath M.

    My grandparents were visiting and I wanted to think of someplace they would like, after much deliberation I picked the Back Bay Social Club. Wow. This place went down the proverbial chute. First, they changed a very successful menu. They still have old menu items, like the chicken and waffles, as periodic specials. Unfortunately, the chef seems to not only struggle with the new items, but also the old standby items too. For the starter I ordered the heirloom tomato and grilled olives with naan. Naan should be spongy, buttery and moist but this naan was dry and charred (and don't even get me started on the two miniscule triangles that I got). The heirloom tomatoes would have been OK ... if the cores had been removed. On the entrees, everyone had the same complaint: All the proteins that hit the table were dry. Pity we weren't. They had the doors open on a 90-degree day with 98% humidity, overwhelming the HVAC's ability to cool and dehumidify the restaurant. The music was cranked, rendering any dinner conversation impossible (note: if it isn't Friday, you don't need the Friday volume). On a relatively slow Monday night our entrees took an hour. Saving grace: the waiter was far more patient than he should ever have been. My grandparents and aunt ran the waiter into the weeds and he was so helpful. Because of that, the BBSC gets to retain one more star -- I was tempted to downgrade to one. All and all, I'm really afraid this place has jumped the shark in a way so epic it makes Cousin Oliver and everyone on Roseanne's a lesbian seem like cause for optimism. I hope they turn it around, but maybe it's time to put this place in a snow globe and call it quits?

    (2)
  • Dan P.

    Stop 3 on my Best Burgers of Boston tour and this made me ponder. This burger was amazing. I went durning lunch, a little later in the day and was one of maybe 3 people there that wasn't applying for a job there. I sat at the bar and ordered the burger. This has to be a tie with the burger I had a Cragie on Main. It was so juicy and the meat was great. You could see and taste the quality. The only thing lacking was the fries. Don't get me wrong, the fries are good, but not as good as the burger, or fries that I've had at other place. The burger alone is worth the trip. Yes it might be expensive, but trust me when I say, you will not leave disappointed, or hungry after having one.

    (5)
  • Tyson F.

    Three words: Order The Burger. Yes, $21 sounds like a lot for a burger, but you WILL NOT be disappointed. As a matter of fact, my first time here was late on a Sunday night, and there were 3 other gentlemen sitting at the bar with me. All 4 of us ordered burgers. Each time the bartender asked one of them how the burger was, they would remark something to the effect of "Worth every penny.". It's regarded as one of the best, if not THE best burger in all of Boston, and I happen to agree wholeheartedly. And the fries? Possibly some of the best I've had. Thinly cut and perfectly crispy. Oh yeah, and the whole thing is served on a nice little wooden cutting board. How could you not love that? Order. The. Burger.

    (5)
  • Caroline T.

    The best burger I've had in Boston (yet), and I am on a quest for it. I think only rivaled by Craigie on Main. Unbelievably juicy and with a delicious sharp cheddar, if you're looking for an incredible burger come here.

    (5)
  • Christopher M.

    Back Bay Social Club- the name conjures images of upper middle class white guys sucking on cigars, sipping over-hyped, over-priced, underwhelming scotch while loosely knotted tied drape lazily over the excess fabric of their shirts. Standing outside staring at the sign, I could already hear the conversations that must take place behind those walls. Conversations that center around the Redsox, Bruins, Patriots, the occasional dip into drunken politics and economics. My stomach churned. My heart raced. I opened the door. I braced for impact. I slid past the hostess trying not to make contact with anyone. I entered the downstairs. I perused them menu. I ordered a cocktail. I took a sip. I. . . I kinda like this place. And then the alcohol started kicking in. It started in on me slowly, but five minutes after completion of one drink, I knew I was done. So I sat, staring longingly into my martini glass, pondering the universe. I stuck my tongue in my cheek, scrunched my brow, and nodded . . . It's not that I stood corrected, I was so enamored with my beverage that the president himself could have sat next to me and I wouldn't have noticed. But my drink, and overall drink menu were so good that I just didn't notice.

    (4)
  • Robyn R.

    Never dined here, but would say that their "bar/lounge" set up sucks. Play some better music, tell your bartenders to not act so "entitled" or busy, because let's be honest - their job is to pour drinks. If they aren't into it, maybe you should find some better servers. Because ugly/fat/hot/skinny/rich/pretty or trashy..... you need to serve them and give good service. Otherwise, you're a trend.

    (2)
  • Steph W.

    This review is solely based on the drinks and atmosphere since I havent' eaten here before (but I think the food is a little pricey for what it is. $22 for a burger?). So the Back Bay Social Club is a pretty upscale establishment w/good drinks. The crowd tends to be a young professional, pretty preppy crowd. However, it does have this somewhat retro vibe too so you do get a mix of people still. I went last night and wasn't that impressed w/the bartenders - can you crack a smile? - but their drinks tasted good so I'll let it slide this time. Oh yes, and the drinks were STRONG. I had the Gin Somethin' (ha, people always get confused when I say oh i got the gin something...they're like which one?) which has St. Germain, gin, lemon, grapefruit and comes in a martini glass = yum! Then I got the Fall Social which had vodka, apple cider, cinnamon and some other delicious ingredients - it tasted like liquid apple pie. This one was strong! I don't usually feel tipsy from 2 drinks, but I did. Also, for $12 a cocktail, it better be strong! BBSC also allows people to rent out the bottom floor for private events (parties, fundraisers, etc.) and otherwise is just open as a normal bar. I go down there sometimes and it's pretty big with lots of tables, etc. The lighting here is def dim so can be intimate too for a date. In terms of meeting people, I have definitely met people here before and people do mingle.

    (4)
  • Tamara P.

    Food was good but we had ordered our burgers to be medium well and yet were well done. The grilled eggplant sandwich is really really good.

    (4)
  • Heather G.

    Hype: Ruining Heather G.'s meals since 2005. Sadly, I fell victim to the hype of the BBSC burger - I went in one night during a blizzard (which blizzard? Never can tell this year) and my date and I were basically the only people in the restaurant. I was not sure if it was because of this that we got such great service, but the waiter was on-his-game the entire evening. I ordered a martini with extra olives, and the "extra olives" bit came on an additional skewer fashioned to a lemon wedge and balanced intricately on a champagne glass. My shock-and-awe at this olive art was met with the waiter explaining that "the bartenders like to have a little fun". It was cute and clearly a slow night! For dinner, we started with the pretzel bites (sausage wrapped with pretzel) that are no longer on the menu, but the kitchen will make on request. The sausage did not taste homemade and the chef was heavy on the salt (making these basically inedible unless some of the crystals were brushed off). Post-salt-modification, they were certainly a good choice for a bar-bite to accompany your beer, but I wouldn't order them again pre-dinner to accompany my gin. I ordered the BBSC burger, which was cooked to my specs (rare) and came out thick and juicy. The bun stood up well to the grease, but the burger was otherwise pretty bland. The fries are thin-cut and crispy, and come with a tangy, garlicky-lemony aioli which is like crack in a condiment dish. My date ordered steak frites, which came with the same, delicious fries (easily the best part of the meal, excluding my Hendrick's), but the hollendaise that accompanied the steak was waxy and bland. Though the steak was cooked perfectly to his request, the dish lacked any flair and was also, largely, bland. ***Last night, on a subsequent visit, a friend and i sat at the bar to celebrate her new unemployment. It was, again, a slow night, but the service at the bar was equally stellar to the service I received on the previous visit. Apparently, the staff here is just extremely well-trained. I went back for my tasty, crispy pommes frites and crack-dip, and my friend ordered lightly-fried biegnets with chocolate dipping sauce. Both items were delicious, but let's be honest, you could fry a shoe and I'd love it. Our food was delayed due to some sort of "kitchen error", so we were comped for our items and received a free glass of prosecco. This was an unnecessary but very impressive move by the staff, and indicated they actually care about making and keeping "regulars". The $20 investment they made in us last night will certainly return them multiples of that in revenue, because I will certainly be back often. Side-note: the bartenders here are gorgeous. Ladies, if you want someone beautiful to flirt with while you're grabbing drinks with your friends, this is the place.

    (3)
  • Jackie H.

    I went here for my birthday dinner with my sisters and a family friend. I've never been to this restaurant before and hadn't really heard much about it, but definitely wanted to try somewhere "new" (well to me). While waiting for our table we grabbed a few drinks downstairs. While the bartender was nice, the bar was small and there really wasn't a good variety of beer. And! Could you please invest in a dimmer? It was so dark that I had to use my cell phone's flashlight app to look at the menu/wine list. Ridiculous! The main dining area was nice, didn't feel too crowded, lighting was better thankfully. The food was good, I especially liked the meat candy and the kobe sliders. They were tasty. I'd go back for another try...

    (3)
  • ash l.

    Love the atmosphere and ambiance. Don't love the food (except maybe the meat candy). I think it's best described as Boston-flavored Cheesecake Factory that serves Wendy's food, charging hotel prices. I've become a regular here because it has a nice casual feel to it, and stays open LATE LATE, even if the food is just above tolerant. Consider this my food booty call.

    (3)
  • Kyle D.

    Ahhh...the Back Bay Social Club.. the tale of two restaurants...the lost work of Dickens. In my opinion, it isn't very social. This place tries to act cool with the hip old school music and social club interior, but I just did not appreciate the backless barstools that prevented me from hanging my coat, and I thought that was tres uncool. When I arrived for lunch, a party was leaving and there were only two women there. I orded the mushroom BLT and awaited my meal. I waited over 10 minutes for a simple sandwhich. However, it was very delicious with good bacon and high quality mushrooms on some tasty toasted sourdough bread. Even though I arrived after the two women, they received their food after I finished my food. They waited well over 20 minutes. When the place was virtually empty. I noticed when the bartender went downstairs to get the food for me and later for the other party, it seems like she spent too much time down there each time. My sandwhich was 11 dollars, with tax and soda it came to 15 even. Conclusion, this is dual restaurant personality. Inspired sandwhich, uninspired lackluster service. I may go back for that sandwhich sometime, but I won't go back for anything else. Because if you can't deliver a sandwhich on time, you can't deliver anything else on time. Everything else is going to take more time than the sandwhich. One trip a season is enough for me.

    (2)
  • Amelia M.

    I had high hopes for this place, but I went one morning for brunch and it was just alright. I had the egg white omelet with veggies and goat cheese, and it was pretty bland and tasteless -- when you pay $12 for an omelet, I think that it should be really excellent, even if it is just an egg white omelet! I should probably try again for dinner sometime, but with so many other places to choose from in the neighborhood, I'm not sure that I will.

    (2)
  • Zach W.

    I like taking dead sea animals and shoving them in my mouth. Then I chew the shit out of 'em and swallow and repeat. Sometimes I mix in dead plant life that has been deep fried. I like to top it off with liquid that has eukaryotic microorganism poop (aka alcohol). Fortunately, BBSC has all of these things.....Mussels and Fries (Moules Frites) and booze. And, better than just having them, they make them all really tasty. Moules frites - good mussels, decent sauce but was a little too brothy (wish it was a little thicker and more flavorful). Fries were solid and perfectly crisp. Booze - solid cocktail program with reasonably knowledgeable bartenders....they don't always measure so some drinks come out a lil too sweet sometimes but they generally do a great job and know their stuff or are willing to ask. Service - Meh....not horrible, not amazing..... I'll be back to destroy some more dead sea animals and yeast poop.

    (4)
  • Sofia W.

    Not used to paying this much for dinner unless it's really unique and exciting food (which it wasn't), and the service was really pretty bad considering we were the waiter's only table. Back at it again tonight for drinks, probably will come back and revise after a better taste of the scene.

    (3)
  • Mykal D.

    Went here a couple nights ago, and I gotta say it made me feel pretty cool. Now I consider myself a fairly cool kid , but something about this place makes you feel like you would have been picked first on the gradeschool kickball team. I'm just saying. The crowd here is slightly older and better dressed than Whiskeys or Pour House, and it has a more mature feel. The big draw here is that they serve food until 1:30, and its real food, not just bar food. So If you were looking for a slightly upscale place to wear a cool new fedora you just bought, this is it. The food is really good, but you don't have to eat anything to have a good time. I usually drop in, order a few manhattans, give a couple high fives, get a couple hugs, and the next thing I know I'm taking pictures with random people, telling the bartender I'll have "the usual" and having a great time - just like being a cool kid in high school. Come here for the atmosphere, put your cool face on, and meet some new people that you won't remember the following morning.

    (4)
  • Bethany F.

    Meat candy: check. Patio: check. Decent draft beer: check. Swanky decor and prohibition-style basement: check. I went here to grab drinks with a friend and was pleasantly surprised. Awesome location too. Makes me wish I worked in Back Bay and could just stop by after work once in a while. Can't say much about the food since we only got an app - MEAT CANDY. I don't care who you are, or where you're from, but if you see something on a menu called 'meat candy', you better order it.

    (4)
  • Deepa C.

    Waffles? Awesome. What's not to love? Fried chicken? Bring it. Combine the two with a maple-flavored gravy, and i am yours for life. BBSC, you had me at gravy. Let me back up a bit. A few months ago, the Yelp Brunching Book Club settled into BBSC for brunch and a book discussion. I don't think I can say one bad thing about the meal we had. The service was so friendly and prompt, the bloody marys were perfect for those of us that were hung over (you know who you are...:) ), the portion sizes were ideal, and the kitchen delivered on taste. There were no towering piles of artfully stacked food with dots of sauce. Oh no, Just plates full of clean flavors and warming combination. I went back a few months ago for dinner. I was an hour early and my dining companions were an hour late, so it was just me, my book, and a small bar table by the front window for over two hours. The hostesses were so friendly, they made sure I was comfortable, they sent over little bites for me while I waited, they made me feel welcome. Not many places have the ability to do that. When my friends arrived, they made space for us right away, and didn't put us in the back of the line, which was also nice. Dinner that night was the roast chicken. Just like brunch, it was nothing fancy, but simply and wonderfully prepared. Dessert, drinks, bread, everything was just what we wanted at that second. It's not cheap, but for what you are getting, it is really not that expensive either. BBSC is a great addition to the area, giving us a go-to place when we are in the area and need a bite or just need some comfort food - or drinks.

    (4)
  • Heather L.

    The vibe of this place is a previously recorded but unreleased sequel to Goodwill Hunting. All of the staff wear flannel shirts reminiscent of Al Borland from Tool Time which is ok in my book. I went here to try the social burger which is basically a really good burger that costs $22 bucks. It was a quite good, but I think it is over priced. The fries were ok but a little too thin. I am thirty and I felt like people there thought I was disgusting for entering the joint at my age. Bottom line is I would go back again for a burger if someone else was paying.

    (4)
  • Kimberley S.

    THIS REVIEW IS JUST FOR SERVICE AND DRINKS. Came here once for a late-night group and it was a good time... I think. That night is a bit hazy. Came again last night for a quick drink before a dinner reservation. Our waitress was super-accommodating given the fact that she knew we weren't buying big. Server was Elana C. She brought us amazing crusty rolls and recommended we get the Gin Somethin. The Gin Somethin was very cucumber-ey and fresh. It brought me right to summer. I want to come back and sip on these at the outside seating once summer rolls around. I love the decor and the fact that all the waiters wear flannel. That's just me.

    (4)
  • Anthony C.

    My fiancee, having been to Back Bay Social Club before, suggested that we try it one night. We started with some cocktails, and the Rhode Island Style Frito Misto - lightly fried calamari tossed with garlic butter and peppadew peppers. It was quite delicious. The table bread was good as well! Our server really took great care of us, never letting us go hungry or thirsty, and bringing out hot meals right from the kitchen. She made great recommendations about the menu, and kept replenishing our water and well-made cocktails. For our main courses, I went with a recommendation to try the The Social Burger, a delicious, juicy burger smothered in grilled onions and sharp cheddar. It came with a heaping helping of fries for $21, a little steep... but the burger is easily one of my favorites. It is quite substantial, and the medium-rare to medium that I requested was dead perfect, seared with more juice inside than expected. A pleasant surprise! She went with the salmon, and enjoyed it very much. Full as we were, we resolved to try the Flourless Chocolate Cake. Delicious as well! Overall, I think it's slightly overpriced but delicious food. I personally would rather pay a few dollars more for a meal (than it's worth) to be overwhelmed than pay the expected price and be underwhelmed (which is all too common). As for the fiancee's opinion as a repeat customer? She says it's good food, but a little pricey for the fare. Her main discontent is that she feels that a number of dishes are saltier than expected.

    (4)
  • Angela K.

    Still like the food here but having dinner at the bar proved to be painful due to tight seating and the bartenders service was less than attentive, which was dissapointing. Its odd to have a full dinner and drinks and not have anyone greet you, remove dirty plates, say thanks, etc.

    (2)
  • Tara B.

    Settle down kids, I'm gonna tell you a story. It's a story about a burger. A burger that saved the night. Once upon a time, my office decided to institute Friday afternoon happy hours. On this first (and ultimately last) occasion, I laughed and joked with my coworkers, passing the time away. Then, lo, where did that bottle of rose go?? It was completely empty. I stood up to leave, and I found that bottle of rose. It was in my head. It was 6pm and my lunch of salad was a distant memory. I had an engagement party to attend in a short while and I didn't want to be that girl. I walked around for awhile and felt better, but what I really needed was a big slab of meat on bread. First I tried SDLT, but there was no space at the bar (Damn, Kissinger). I tried Towne, but again, no space at the bar and I didn't like the vibe. Then, Back Bay Social. Again, no space at the bar, but the hostess was super friendly and got me a seat right away. I didn't need a menu. I knew I wanted the Social Burger. I know there's been a lot written about this burger and the whole gourmet burger thing getting out of control. Yes, it's $21. No, I wouldn't order it every day. But, DAMN, it's really, really tasty. Juicy, delicious meat. A nice punch of cracked black pepper. Perfectly melted cheddar. It's one of the best burgers I've ever had. And, it saved my night.

    (4)
  • Casey H.

    This review is for the $22 burger. I thought it was great and worth it. I would definitely have it again. I don't know how the rest of the menu is though. The place has a good bar scene which some people might find loud (while dining) but isn't an issue for me.

    (4)
  • Thomas N.

    Good Boston service. Staff is friendly but not over the top and don't pester. (I like that.). A classic looking place, big wood bar, cool lights, downstairs bar is a good relaxing spot. Food door. Standard drinks. Worth a try. Brunch a thumbs up too.

    (4)
  • Marcus C.

    My dining companion and I took the recommendations of our very cute waitress and ordered the fritto misto to start, followed by the burger. Both, we were told, are specialties of the restaurant, so we were quite excited. To me, the fritto misto was only okay. The peppers and onions were very nice, but I think it could have used more fried sea critters and less bread. The burgers lived up to the hype, in my opinion. The bun wasn't overwhelming, as can be the case with many burgers, and the flavors were perfect. The fries, sadly, weren't anything special. Our server was very nice and attentive, and there was a nice, buzzy vibe in the restaurant. It was a bit too loud for my taste, but I guess I'm quickly becoming an old man.

    (3)
  • Mike G.

    i like it here. so why just 3 stars? food is pretty average. wanted to try lots though after a bit of a wait, here come the entrées...great! except the apps never arrived. manager came to table very sorry, offering to bring (missing) starters and drinks to make-up. but no need. there was plenty to eat after seeing the big plates of steak frites, pork chops and side of kale. still our server sweetly insisted we get dessert so settled on splitting a chocolate ganache cake; they brought out sticky toffee pudding. oops...again! but you know what, expat friend and i just laughed off the mishaps. was keen on everything else like the space, music, location. so, will return.

    (3)
  • Mindy R.

    Went here last night for a friends birthday, we made reservations but showed up 15minutes early. After the hostess looked at us like we had two heads, she promptly sat us. We asked for a booth in the reservations and we got one. When we walked in the door it was SO loud and almost pitch black, we were happy to learn the booth we were I'm was much quieter. It took a few minutes for the server to come over to us and when he did he seemed upset that I wasn't ready for a cocktail yet and only my friend ordered one. I am allergic to apples and a lot of the cocktails had apples. Neither of us ended up amazed with the drinks we got, but our server was very kind and attentive to my allergy. For apps we got the meat candy, now THAT was amazing! Our server kept checking in every few minutes which seemed sort of pushy until we mentioned that we just wanted a slow meal. He seemed to really take that well, and he had other tables turning over which was good. For dinner we just ordered a bunch of apps. I ordered the duck panini, mixed greens, and mashed sweet potatoes. My friend had a variety of cheeses and muscles. We both ate our whole meals, but I think the best part was the mashed sweet potatoes. They were really spicy with cyan pepper...so delicious! The duck panini was underwhelming. Too much cheese and it tasted like fried duck, not expecting that. My friend liked her heaping dish of muscles too but the noodles were so soggy she just ate the muscles not the whole meal. As for dessert, we got the pumpkin whoopie pie....again very underwhelming. The small,small, dollop of ginger ice cream was good but the whoopie pies tasted sort of freezer burnt. They also no longer had the ingredients for the drink my friend ordered with dessert, but the server didn't know that when she ordered. Over all a nice atmosphere and probably a better place to go after work and not for a quiet meal or special occasion. I might go backing I'm ever in the mood for an expensive cocktail(and Eastern Standard is too packed) but not running back for dinner anytime soon.

    (1)
  • Erinire A.

    I wanted so bad to like this place. I had a fine dinner there near Thanksgiving, and it was kind of empty. I felt bad. My dinner ((edited to add: baked cod over a bed of sweet celery ragout and braised cauliflower, topped with a garlicky cap of baby spinach)) was really quite wonderful, and I resolved to come back again. I absolutely give four stars for dinner. "Again" happened tonight, when I went out for my sister's birthday. The service was so slow, and the Mai Tai was SO terrible, that I'm forced to give only two stars for late-night. So we even out at three stars, which, still queasy from just one sip of that Mai Tai, seems generous from where I'm sitting. EDITED TO ADD: After leaving this comment, the manager responded and made reparations for my less-than-pleasant experience. We're taking it back up to 4 stars for excellent customer service!

    (4)
  • Julie B.

    Young, professional crowd, friendly and ATTENTIVE bartenders, delicious drinks, great music (i.e. Black Keys, Miike Snow, etc.) and a menu that's sure to please. I really don't see anything bad about this place. In fact, I love everything about it! I can't to try the food, although I think I'll pass on the doughnut breakfast sandwich.

    (5)
  • Heather S.

    I work next door and wanted so badly to love this place (no one was more excited than I was when it replaced Vinnie T's), but the food is just... eh. My salmon was dry, my co-worker's burger was under-cooked (we told the server and it was replaced, but come on). The drinks are decent, I love the crowd and it is a great place to see and be seen, but how long can that last? Hope the food gets better.

    (3)
  • Anthony I.

    Worst front of house ever, ill informed hostesses will lie to you time and time again. A 20 minute wait turns into 80 minutes and a $120.00 bar tab, miserably rude and amateur hostess and management staff. Stay away...

    (1)
  • George S.

    was originally 5 stars, and sadly have to downgrade. Upon my recommendation, a group of 15 of my friends (burger people who are not cheap) went here for what I told them was 'the best burger.' The burgers were universally 'very good' but not 'great,' and the consensus was it just isn't worth $22 bucks. Nobody was excited, nobody was upset. It was late, and it was a large group so I'm guessing that had something to do with it. The place itself is noisy and crowded and just a bit too dark. Once the burger fell from my graces a bit the rest of the place did too. I recommend it highly still if you are a burger lover, maybe just go earlier.

    (4)
  • Nick O.

    Came here for drinks with my friends around 4 in the afternoon. At this time of day there were few people in the restaurant but the bar was fairly crowded. Ordered one round of drinks from a friendly and awesome bartender named Christina, and when it came to the second round she creatively mixed some of her own specialty concoctions for us. I could tell she put some effort into these drinks and they ended up being fantastic. Can't speak for the quality of the food as we did not have any, but I would come here for drinks again and would recommend anyone to order drinks from Christina!

    (4)
  • Fred S.

    Previously we debated between here and Towne across the street for some dinner. As we like to try new places, we went to Back Bay Social Club prior to Christmas for a nice dinner. If you miss Vinny T's (the old occupant of the space), you'll recognize that not a lot changed. The layout is virtually identical, I think the big lighted sign pointing downstairs was even there before if memory serves. The food was nothing special. I had the rib eye, my friend had the strip steak on special after she decided this was probably not a place for a one off like the gumbo. The prices are pricey, the cheapest bottle of Pinot Noir on the menu was $47-48.. the prices did not match the experience. A coworker remarked before we went that she had been there when it was newly opened, and that "maybe it's changed since then" but all in all it was a fairly forgettable evening. The couple next to us each got the burgers which were featured on Phantom Gourmet... still not sure I'd spend $22 on a burger though. We had a chocolate tart for dessert, again nothing to die for. Won't be in a rush to hurry back, there's better for same/less $ in the area.

    (3)
  • Wayne C.

    I came here for a private birthday party and was amazed at the service and the quality of the dishes. I live a block away so I'm thrilled that Vinny T's is out and Back Bay Social Club is in. I would definitely try the pulled pork appetizer -- it melts in your mouth. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and made the entire experience fantastic (it helped that he was also a bartender at another establishment so the cocktails he recommended were off the charts). I am looking forward to going there for breakfast and lunch soon (they weren't serving at those times since they just opened).

    (5)
  • Alex R.

    Limited menu, but when all you care about is eating chicken and waffles, this place knocks it out of the park.

    (4)
  • Stephen M.

    i've been here once recently, and it was late at night, so i don't have much reliable detail to relate here. but i'll try... now it's still got a bunch of new-place-in-town buzz, so there was a line outside this particular sat night. it's not exactly fort knox, since we got in just by knowing a girl who was already in the place. this girl, who's not exactly runway-ready, just asked the bouncer to let her three meathed friends in and he did. good job, sport. once in it was nothing special, but there were a lot of people there so waiting around for service was painful. i was in the downstairs part and it seemed really dark. i must say that i hate the fact that they call it a social club. wtf is that? didn't eat here. drinks were whatever. bottom line: there doesn't seem to be anything overly redeeming about this place and it certainly doesn't have any business drawing a line out the door. crobar in south beach it is not.

    (2)
  • Marie T.

    I was unfortunately not impressed. The pommes frites had too much salt. I had the butter roasted cod, which tasted more like it was pan fried & over cooked. It was not a good cod, too fishy & tough/rubbery. My husband had the fettuccini, which was also blah. The pasta was over cooked and hard. Overall, all the dishes had flavors & ingredients that where just not complimenting each other in any way. The service was ok, our waitress checked on us often, but our food took a very long time to come out. So we probably won't be going back there.

    (2)
  • Abigail W.

    Back Bay Social Club's Social Burger is divine. As someone who samples cheeseburgers almost everywhere I go, I am always skeptical that one burger will be drastically better than the last 500 burgers I've had. This one was.. The waiter said what makes this burger so special is that it's half ground beef, half ground short rib (or maybe spare rib.. Some kind of rib). The meat was super flavorful and I loved that it held its shape and didn't crumble like so many "juicy burgers" tend to do. The only reason I give 4 and not 5 starts is the price. Rib meat or not, $23 is still an awful lot to pay for a cheeseburger. I'll definitely be back, but only right after payday!

    (4)
  • Jaymee L.

    The environment was good and food and drinks were good this place however was way over priced 24$ for burger and fries is outrageous not that I'm cheap or anything but that's a lot for a burger.

    (3)
  • Marc P.

    Where to begin.... Last night, Saturday, we reserved a table for 10 for 8:45. We got off to a bad start when it hit 9 o'clock and the hostess said it's done, but give it a couple more minutes. More waiting. We finally sit at 9:15. Now, i realize it's a Saturday night, but this place has been open for 8 months and 30 minutes late is unacceptable. I try and keep an open mind, but they got off on the wrong foot. Finally we sit down and no waiter for at LEAST 10 minutes. We had to flag down a host to get us a waiter. Drinks are put in and we didn't gt drinkls served until about 9:45. Again, I realize it's a Saturday night, but we were the biggest table there and you would figure they would attention to us. Finally the drinks come and we put in the apps. Apps took about 30 minutes at least and we had to ask twice for bread. Finally the apps come and just as we dig into the apps they bring our dinner orders at the same time. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? She asks if they can leave them at the table. Um, no lady, bring them back and learn how to run a restaurant. Apparently they remade all the meals which were pretty good. the burger was very tasty, but for all the waiting, no worth $21. The hostess brings us all a free round to male up for the shoddy food delivery. Finally we order dessert and after dinner drinks and they bring the coffee and espresso, but forget the alcohol. Unreal. At this point we contemplated just walking out. No joke. Luckily for them we had girls with us or else we would have. We get the bill and we tell them how bad an experience we had and they cut it in half. Total was $218 for 10 people w/out tip. It was nice they took some money off, but i would have rather paid full price and gotten normal service. I would not recommend going here for dinner. The bar seemed cool, but DO NOT EAT HERE

    (1)
  • Mike M.

    I simply am in love with this bar. The atmosphere, the uniforms, the food, it all really comes together. The beer selection here leaves much to be desired, but a place like this you simply must go for the cocktails. I tried the Back Bay Social Burger, which was my first of the gourmet burgers (e.g. Craigie, The Bristol Lounge, Radius). This is an excellent burger all-round. The bun is really unique. Normally when I eat a burger, I find the bun is a mere accessory to the burger, not contributing a great deal to the overall flavor. The Back Bay Social Club burger bun, is in a league on its own. The presentation, the freshness, the fluffiness, the texture all come through and make the bun an exceptional piece. The cheese is fantastic. My burger came dripping, completely soaked in cheese. The sharpness of the cheese really adds to the burger which itself is a masterpiece. The juiciest, most flavorful, tender burger I've ever eaten. It really is more like a steak between a bun than a burger. The only flaw in this burger, is the lack of smoothered onions. I was expecting a more heaping serving of onions than the tiny morsel I received. Nonetheless, it is a fantastic burger. But at $21, I'd be disappointed in anything less.

    (4)
  • MaryLee B.

    Hate the name but have walked by the patio a few times and it reminds me of Paris. So a co-worker adn I took advantage of this unseasonable warm day and had lunch on the patio. Many of the outdoor patio's along Boylston are in the shade this time of year, but the BBSC patio was awash in sun. Unfortunately, my lamb sandwich was VERY disappointing. The lamb was gray and both the lamb and the sandwich were VERY dry. It was basically sliced lamb with some lettuce on a dry toast loaf. When I asked the waiter if he could bring something preferably not mayo that I might be able to spread on it to add moisture and flavor, he came back with a small cup containing some mint that added a little flavor, but no moisture. Knowing I was disappointed our waiter shared after my meal that he wouldn't recommend the lamb sandwich . Thanks, but I could have used that info when I ordered it. Also our waiter was a bit pretentious as he tried to sell us on the $21 burger I think I will stick to cocktails on the patio if I return.

    (2)
  • Keith L.

    The menu was boring and overpriced. There's virtually no options. One of the worst dining experiences in Boston(this is coming from a Boston native), I wouldn't wish this restaurant on my worst enemy.

    (1)
  • Christian S.

    Average restaurant.

    (3)
  • Jo J.

    great location, decent atmosphere but average food with unimpressive servers... just lots of cute boys in flannel shirts who couldn't tell you much about anything on the menu! once we did get our food though -- it was so average and unimpressive... my bud light was the highlight of the evening. and by the way, our server took away our plates way too soon without asking!

    (3)
  • Christopher V.

    I think I found my spot on Boylston st.! Was at Sonsie the night before, and into conversation with the waitress this place came up (same ownership). "next time!" . It is Saturday night out with the boys, and Dillon's here we come...but wait, a line till the bridge? the hell..so we took up last nights info and figured we'd go give it a shot. Walk by the dump that's called Whiskey's, and into Social Club we go. First impressions: the visible touch of Sonsie's interior design and floor plan...the setting is welcoming in a polite fashion, and has a sense of upper scale appeal. Music was well selected throughout our stay; always great hearing tunes from the Black Keys for example. We held our ground by the right side of the bar, and you know what, finally some good lookin' people around! You can tell people that come here have class. Only thing was, it was not that busy (and I think it's because of the lack of "class" part you will find on Boylston st. at late hours). Will be back guaranteed. This might be silly, but when I go to a spot that invests in a nice bathroom that is well kept, I know that my time spend there for next visit will be worth it.

    (4)
  • Jackie S.

    Had to be the WORST dining experience ever. SO DISAPPOINTING. went for my friends birthday -got there and seated at 7:30pm, there were 15 of us and we had asked when making the res. for one table, they had us at two -there was only one waitress for our two tables which I thought would be fine but turns out not to be... - we did not get our first round of drinks OR bread until 8:20pm, after I complained to a manager who said something about "the oven being sort of broken?" -meanwhile the waitress came out to other tables with their food/drinks and seemed very accommodating to them (I thought perhaps since the gratuity was added for a big party on she was ignoring our large group? just a thought?) -two of the meals came out first - before any salads -about an hour and a half after getting there (obviously meant for another table and came as a mistake as the whole waitstaff was looking at our table puzzled and whispering looking over a piece of paper) - no one comes over this entire time to apologize or say anything to us -the waitress never acknowledges the fact that 2 people have plates and 13 of us have nothing for about 40 minutes. -salads come out and then everyone else's food comes out - food isn't even that good. someones lamb is cold and the pasta is chewy - waitress never asks us how our food is, does not ask to freshen our drinks -2 people magically appear with trays of pink champagne "compliments of the house" but say nothing else nor apologize! - someone comes over to our friend the birthday girl and says they hope the pink champagne helps with "everything tonight" but offer no explanation and doesn't say anything to the rest of the party mmm right. -a manager comes over - we are hoping for an apology but she just asks our friend if she might move into the table a little more and also would she mind moving her chair over because the woman behind her has complained about hitting the back of her chair on my friend's chair RUDE!!!!! - the bill comes its 10:30pm now and waitress comes to our table, looks at us, and scurries to the OTHER table and puts down the check there....interesting? -takes forever to get the cards back from paying the bill - I go complain to a manager about this God awful service, how excited we were to eat there and now disappointed and about how I usually never complain about this stuff so this had to be REALLY BAD. She says shes SO sorry we have already settled up our bill but that she would love to have us all back sometime and pay for our meals, gave us her card and said she thought the pink champagne would have let us know this night was unusual and not indicative of their service. Not rude but definitely not helpful at all. We did not leave the restaurant until almost 11pm. RIDICULOUS. I WILL NEVER RETURN nor will anyone in my party. WOW!

    (1)
  • Ron M.

    Some of the food was actually delicious. I got a the leg of lamb, which is roasted whole til med-rare and sliced to order. very tender, not gamey at all. My cousin opted for the fried fish of day, which wasn't too bad. So why the low rating?? I was totally bothered by the atmosphere of the place. At ~$25 plate, I have higher standards for what I expect in the restaurant itself. Ideally the place should be fairly quiet, perhaps with light music in the background. Instead the music was cranked to full blast with a huge crowd standing by the bar (just a few feet away) like a typical sports bar. This place definitely suffers from an identity crisis. They need to either fully commit to serving top-notch dishes and create an atmosphere that promotes this enthusiasm for great food, or simply lean towards the "social" aspect of their club and implement a more casual dining menu with more "bar-like" options and pricing...Just my opinion.

    (2)
  • Aditi R.

    The atmosphere warrants more props than the actual food does. This is simply based off of their brunch menu so I'm sure their dinner is different (though i can't get behind an over $20 burger unless it's studded with edible jewels). I love that it has an elite vibe to it - that could be because the crowd runs slightly older, but the layout and the decor of the place certainly pander to that. They have a great location and they utilize it by having a nice outdoors seating area. I just wish their tables were a bit larger and their chairs more comfortable. Wicker chairs were never my thing. I ordered the egg white with mushroom and feta scramble which came with home fries - nothing to write home about. In fact I left nearly half of it. Was not impressed. The other order was a mexican scramble which was a little more enjoyable, but once again, nothing too great. The prices run about the same as most boylston/newbury restaurants run as far as brunch is concerned. And the service is nice as well - no problems there. I'd certainly like to come back and give their dinner and drinks menu a try - but as far as brunch goes, I've had better for the price in this area.

    (3)
  • Hailey T.

    Good spot for outdoor dining and people watching. The breakfast scrambles looked great, too bad I didn't go with one of those. I opted for a crab salad. Silly me for thinking I'd get an actual salad since it was $15. Instead I got a scoop of sprouts with one or two pieces of crab meat. Now that little scoop was pretty great, but seriously? Great presentation, but it wasn't my thing. The wait staff was friendly and helpful, but next time I'll pass for a place that has more reasonable prices.

    (3)
  • Sarah G.

    Went for casual brunch on Sunday since it was gorgeous out. Waited by the bar for about 20 mins for an outside table. Got seated and ordered a salad and pancakes and waited, and waited. In the meantime, our waitress came over 4 times asking again and again if we wanted any drinks besides water. Saw some people seated after us get their food. Then our waitress comes over and tells us that their "printer broke" and "what did we order again??" So ridiculous that she couldn't remember a simple order or take the time to look it up in her system. Given the fact that we had already wasted 45 minutes there, we got up and left. We live right around the corner and probably would have come here again but definitely not now!

    (1)
  • Rebecca M.

    We just went for drinks and appetizers on a Thursday evening, it was busy, but not super packed. We sat on the patio, which I'm into since when it's so nice out, I just wanna drink and eat outside, so I can't speak to the decor and atmosphere inside. All of the apps we got were super delicious...especially the fries that came with this house made garlicky mayo (yum). Out waitress was super nice and accomodating (I think her name was Laura). She offered us great suggestions as to what we should give a try, and was helpful answering our questions about all of their cocktails. I want to go back again and get dinner...everything on their menu sounded so yummy.

    (5)
  • Laura M.

    My husband and I were in Boston the other night and had dinner at the Back Bay Social Club. We live in San Francisco, eat out often, and consider ourselves "foodies" so we tend to fall on the side of picky when it comes to restaurants. The atmosphere is very welcoming, as is the staff. We were seated in the downstairs area, which kind of looks like what I would imagine a speakeasy in the late 20's might look like. The service was extremely attentive and professional. The food was pretty good overall. My husband had the lamb, which was a little on the fatty side, but the sauce was excellent. I had the burger, which really was amazing, great quality beef, good bun and dressed with perfectly melted cheese and beautifully prepared carmelized onions, it is huge so two people could share it easily. Loved the presentation on a butcher block as well! The side dishes - mine - fries, his - brocollini & au gratin potatoes - were a little on the weak side. However, overall, my opinion is that with a little bit of tweaking this could be a destination restaurant. They are pretty close right now, and when we are in Boston again, we would certainly eat dinner there again.

    (4)
  • Morgan H.

    Okay, chalk this one up to maybe I just didn't order the right thing. After looking at a couple of nearby places online, I visited here for lunch. They have one of my favorite Midwestern beers on tap, which I took for a good sign. Essentially, I should have ordered a better sandwich, like either their lamb or pulled pork, but with the hot weather outside and the beautiful tomatoes I saw in the Copley Sq. farmer's market, my mind was settled on the BLT. Crisp lettuce, a yummy tomato, satisfying salt bacon with a swipe of mayo- nothing is better on a late summer day with a good beer. Luckily, I ordered the half sandwich/half soup lunch. Lucky why? Because, besides a gigantic order of fries that came with it, the soup was essentially my nourishment. It was some sort of vegetable soup and it was very good. The sandwich? It was two slices of gigantic, non-toasted, bread, one gigantic thick slice of tomato, two piece of iceberg lettuce and a piece of bacon the size of a silver dollar. When it was served to me, I had to open it up just to find the bacon. Now, what little bacon I had was very good - there just wasn't anything there. The bread slices took up 4/5 of the sandwich. A note: the gigantic portion of fries that came with my sandwich and soup were thin cut, crisp, tasty and nicely cooked. No complaints, very enjoyable. But I felt like they were added to the plate to make up for the lack of substance to the sandwich. Look, if I wanted fries for my lunch, I would have ordered a serving a fries. They should be an accompaniment to my sandwich, not the main player on my plate with my sandwich a sidekick. Bartender was pleasant and place looked great - just wish the food lived up to the billing. Will try again, but probably just for drinks.

    (2)
  • Elisabeth S.

    Only been here for drinks. I did a Bloody Mary bar crawl and this was the last stop. Easily the best Bloody Mary around Newbury Street.

    (4)
  • Simone H.

    For a place on Boylston, this place is alright. We were a pretty large group so the waitress was really great at being able to accommodate all of us outside. We can in spurts so she was able to help all of us without the largest amount of hassle and they had a pretty decent selection. A and I decided to split a couple of appetizers. Settled on the Riblets and the meat candy. Yup, a lot of pig. Came out quite nicely, but the one thing that I should have gotten was the Brusselsprouts. The table next to us had them and it smelled amazing. The drinks were good and the service good to. Definitely not a bad place to hang out on a lax day in the sun or a warm summer night.

    (3)
  • Rosie V.

    Stopped in for some dollar oysters and they were tasty but not very meaty at all. Also ordered a Moscow mule which tasted nothing like it should. Mimosa was good but how can you actually mess that up!? Hostess was nice and so was the waiter but the waiter wasn't actually attentive and never cleared our table. We literally ate our oysters over our menus and weren't even given plates. I saw someone eating chicken and waffles which looked and smelled amazing so maybe I'll give this place another chance soon.

    (2)
  • Can D.

    The clam soup was OK, BUT, the entrees were diseaster,the swordfish taste bad,the pizza was burnt,if you are looking for dinner,never come here. The enviroment was kind of noisy too...

    (1)
  • Justina D.

    What is great about this place: location, staff, service. It's located right in front of the Prudential and the Hynes Convention center and has tables outside which makes it a great place for people-sighting in the spring and summer. They serve soups, salads, sandwiches and pizza: everything is nice although not great. Go there to have a nice moment with friends while watching people pass by, not expecting the greatest food ever. PS: I ordered the salmon sandwich and had a problem with it, and the staff were so nice, they took care of the sandwich cost, they didn't rest until I was completely satisfied. Thumbs up for the service.

    (4)
  • Navi C.

    This place knows how to make drinks. The zingy ginger beer and zesty lime in my Moscow Mule hid the vodka taste well. Although maybe overrated, a part of me wishes the drink was served in its traditional copper mug. But the glassware did make the spicy drink seem more elegant. My boyfriend also ordered the oysters which he said tasted fresh and delicious. I did think the draught beers were overpriced but I didn't order any so I'm not sure of their serving size either. Oh and our server was also fantastic! Although a little awkward, he was nice and checked in a few times without being overbearing. At one time another server accidentally bought us another table's meal but he was so hilarious and entertaining about it. In general Back Bay has class and caters more to the 26+ crowd as opposed to 21-25. I'd definitely recommend this place if you are looking for a relaxing evening. Can't wait to come back to try their brunch!

    (4)
  • Lauren L.

    Come here if you want to make their Baked Alaska your life. I ordered 2 in 1 night. For myself. No sharing. Oh hellz to the no.

    (5)
  • Alan G.

    Pros: + Ample seating + Fast, attentive and friendly staff + Generous portions of food + Tasty food + Convenient location opposite Hynes Convention Center + They seat incomplete parties Came here with for brunch with a group of friends on a Saturday. I made a reservation, but it's not clear if that was necessary. I've come here for brunch three times, and I have never had to wait to be seated. This time, I actually arrived late for my own reservation, but they fortunately seat incomplete parties and were very friendly when pointing me to my friends who were already seated. I shared "The Treatment" with my fiancée, and we each ordered a juice (I got orange, she got grapefruit). The juice was nice and tasted like it was freshly squeezed straight from the fruit, with a pinch of sugar added. The Treatment is chicken and waffles + toast + eggs + homefries + choice of meat (sausage, bacon, or ham). The chicken has BBQ sauce on it. For $16, it is A LOT of food. I used to eat a Treatment by myself, but looking back I don't think that was ever a good idea. I think it really is meant for 2 people. The food is tasty; maybe not the best I've ever had, but the quality has been consistently good (I've ordered the Treatment all 3 times I've eaten here). Our server was fast, friendly, and efficient. He was patient and willing to take photos of our group for us. Purely by quality of food, I would give 4 stars, but the consistently good service I've experienced here bumps my rating to 5 stars - I feel like I can count on bringing friends here to have a good time.

    (5)
  • John H.

    Came for dinner with a party of 10! I must say I picked this on a whim and so glad I did. The food was excellent and that went for the entire table. The cocktails were great and the service was outstanding. Everyone was impressed with the pick! I'll definitely be back! ps the chicken and waffles were among the best I ever had!

    (5)
  • Khanh P.

    After enjoying my dinner the first time dining here, I wanted to come back with more friends and let them experience what I had last time. First time there, I wasn't too happy with the service and figured it was bad luck that night. After my second time dining here on a busy Thursday night -- I've found that the service at BBSC really is inconsistent. While he was nice, he was a bit awkward and would come back from time to time. I've noticed that the only food experience worth coming back for are the main entrees. The appetizers and desserts didn't leave a lasting second impression.

    (4)
  • Amy W.

    Goat. Cheese. Cakes. While the cheese board is a personal favorite, if you like goat cheese go with the goat cheese cake app, and while you're at it pair them with the warm bread provided rather than the subpar pita chips. The atmosphere is loud and bustling. Come from work and dress up a little. The crowd is full of button-downs and heels. Our table of 3 found the waitstaff extremely attentive and very accommodating. There is was nothing terribly extraordinary especially since everything is on the pricey side but I would 100% go back and sample more of the eclectic menu.

    (3)
  • Michelle L.

    Chicken & Waffles! Amazing combination if you are brave enough to try! Our waitress was wonderful! Hard working med student. If her bedside manner is anything like her table side manner she will be a really great doctor! This is a place you can feel comfortable and enjoy delicious food.

    (5)
  • Allison H.

    FOOD: Super-delish. And super heavy! Be prepared to hate yourself afterwards in your food coma. Nothing better on the menu than the burger. omg. But everything I've tried has been really good. AMBIENCE: This place is LOUD. Like, unbearably. Bring earplugs if you want to hear anything your friends are saying. Or hear ever again for that matter. I'm sure you'll get hearing damage from this. I've heard concerts that seemed delicate and subdued compared to the volume in here. I'd guess 90-95 dB? The ambience is pretty nice and cool if you can survive the auditory onslaught. SERVICE: Quite good. And they're responsive to requests! OVERALL: I often bring people from out of town that want reasonably-priced NICE American fare. The food is solid. I haven't tried the drinks, but they also look good. Be prepared for a horrible parking situation if you drive. And, for serious, buy a pack of Hearos from CVS across the way, or you will literally go deaf.

    (3)
  • S O.

    Used to really like going here for drinks and for a beautiful night on the patio. Went tonight and the food was sub-par (oily), service was slow, and the drinks were super weak. The view is also not so great now that the new building is going up across the street.

    (2)
  • Steve M.

    Walking around the convention center area a coworker and I noticed this place and decided to give it a try. Inside the ambiance is a bit on the darker side with a modern take on a traditional pub. It took a second for someone to seat us but it was a bit busy and the waiter was extremely friendly and helpful. I went for the salmon which came with roasted carrots, green olives and artichoke. The entire dish was on the smaller side but the flavor was excellent! The fish was cooked just right and the combination of olive and carrot went together well (though I was skeptical at first read). If you're wondering if you should give this place a shot, the answer is yes. Grab a beer, sit outside and have a flavorful dinner with some friends!

    (4)
  • Gigi L.

    $1 oysters for sat/sun brunch from 11-4pm.... thats enough to hook any yelper! My friends and I were looking for a place to have lunch with a patio, and couldnt have chosen a better place. Everything was great! The hostess there was super nice and welcoming and so was our waiter. We started off with a dozen oysters and they were delicious! I could probably eat an entire dozen myself! Then I got the turkey burger protein style and it was great!! It was juicy and smothered with caramelized onions! YUM! The rest of the crew complimented their food too! I saw the posted pictures of the chicken and waffles, definitely coming back to get my paws on that!!

    (4)
  • Ken S.

    Great food. Nice waiter, new, which caused a couple flubs. But food made up for it...fun with the kiddos too. A bit price thou but welcome to Boston

    (4)
  • Angie N.

    I do hope to go back here someday, because they seem like the type of place where a diner would generally have a better experience, but mine wasn't all that great. I went on New Year's Day with a group of six friends. The wait staff were very attentive, but that almost seemed to be part of the problem on their end. We ordered drinks (which were a little pricey but well worth it for the quality), but then no one came back to take our food order. We had a couple different members of the wait staff over to us to greet us, take our drink orders, and bring our drink orders, but that ended up being why no one took our order- turned out they each thought one of their coworkers had already done so. They apologized profusely, and you would have thought they would try extra hard to make sure we had a good experience from then on out, but then we waited forever for our food, watching tables who arrived after us receive their food first. When we finally caught a waiter's attention, he said he would go to the kitchen to see what was taking so long, and he also said they were incredibly busy that day. Understandable. After about 40 seconds, a different waiter came out with all of our food. Unfortunately, it was lukewarm at best. It seemed like they had prepared it and then someone forgot to bring it out- probably another issue of the wait staff thinking it was another coworker's responsibility. They ended up giving us half off of all the food and taking one of my friend's meals off the bill completely because she couldn't eat it. However, they then tried to charge us for the eggs that were supposed to come with her meal per the menu (the waiter had written down that she wanted no eggs even though she had ordered scrambled, so they brought them later at her request but treated them as a separate menu item). Obviously they took them off when we pointed it out, but the whole experience left me a little disappointed, because I was expecting to be blown away by this place. I will say that had it been hotter, my food would have been incredibly delicious. It was still full of flavor. I ordered the California Eggs Benedict (turkey bacon, guacamole, hollandaise, and fresh salsa), and I wouldn't hesitate to get it again. The home fries were also incredible. The holiday sangria was absolutely delicious - cranberries, apple, and cinnamon. If I'm in the area again, I would be willing to give it another try, because I think my experience was probably atypical. The menu sounds good enough to make it worth the risk.

    (2)
  • Seeker O.

    Ok I'm giving this place 5 stars for this reason... I'm with a group of three and the wrong meal was delivered to me. Rather than make an issue, it was close enough so I started eating it. Not only did the management bring the correct sandwich but they later comped two of the three meals ( plus the extra meal) with their apologies. Anyone willing to do this with no prompting gets 5 stars in my book. The plus as well was that the meal was pretty good as were the beers. Thanks again for doing the right thing

    (5)
  • Cath M.

    Was in town for the HOW Design Conference (yep, graphic designers unite!) ... needed to decompress after a day filled with design talk... conveniently located across the street from the Hynes Convention... Thankfully the bar wasn't packed yet... thus I began my dinner date for one! Friendly server (didn't catch her name but she was easy going) and she suggested the Pimm's cocktail... it was refreshing but really didn't enjoy the after taste / kickback it had... I was buzzed after drinking it... hello Asian glow! I had the chicken and waffles with a side of asparagus for dinner... holy cow... the entree was HUGE! However, consider it was my first meal... I did enough justice that I think I ate 3/4 of it. The waffle wasn't dry... it was properly made and the chicken was tender and juicy. Was just a bit thrown off with the bbq sauce instead of honey. Overall... friendly staff... good food (huge portion and decent prices) and well worth checking out for sure!

    (4)
  • Matthew S.

    Came to Back Bay Social after work for drinks and appetizers with a group of colleagues. The drinks here are good, but the food is just average for the area. Service was good here, too.

    (3)
  • Tony N.

    You guys effed me today. Hard. I haven't been since my last review so I begged some good friends to go for brunch. I raved about the brunch; especially the corned beef hash. Long story short you made me look like a fool and you served us garbage. 1. You served my wife a runny/raw omelette. 2. You served me up over cooked fried eggs when I ordered over easy (I said nothing because the waiter couldn't catch a break from the kitchen); 3. Instead if that amazing hash you once had I was served canned garbage. WTF? Serving food like that is like telling me to go eff myself. You basically ruined half my day...that's how much I used to live your brunch. 1 star for decent $1 oysters. 1 star for decent bloody. Folks-if they are serving canned corned beef hash for $11 I can't imagine what they have done to their burger. Steer clear.

    (2)
  • Sarah V.

    Bloody Mary's for brunch and sangrias for the week! Our bartender Hunter was fantastic! He was super quick and kept us entertained for the duration of the night. Will definitely be coming back to visit him with friends!

    (5)
  • Caitlin M.

    Took some friends here for an 11:00 brunch yesterday. We made a reservation through Open Table but definitely didn't need one (love those points though). My friends got the pickled bloody marys which they loved. I had an egg white omelet with goat cheese, bacon, and tomato. There was a little too much goat cheese on it but otherwise delicious. It came with toast w/ honey butter and really good home fries--big pieces of potato that weren't too greasy. Friends got the eggs benedict and the california eggs benedict. We were really intrigued by the chicken and waffles which looked delicious on another table, but unfortunately didn't order it. The service was good; they refilled our water regularly and brought me additional soda when my glass emptied. The manager also came to check on us. It was a great spot for brunch--really affordable and a great location to start off your day.

    (5)
  • Emily R.

    I came in for brunch today and it was great!! My friend and I sat at the bar and I got a bloody mary, it was really good, but in a really small glass..... I also got eggs benedict, which was perfect. My friend got a sandwich which she really liked too! A man next to us was having a meltdown about the chicken & waffles or something (I thought it looked really good, I think he just wanted to complain) Anyway, the bartender handled it really well, he even took the bloody mary off the bill since we had to sit through the man's tantrum, thanks! Overall really good, I will be back!

    (5)
  • Lillian C.

    Came here for brunch on Sat since they have $1 oysters 11A-4P. I got there around noon and it wasn't too busy and was seated immediately. I started off with some oysters because I've been craving those for a while. I also shared an order of the treatment. The oysters were just... ehh. They were kind of dry and shriveled up and lacked the oyster liquor. I wouldn't really get those here again. Our main dish was on the other side of the spectrum. It was A LARGE amount of food and it was pretty good! The chicken was a little on the dry side, but still good. The waffle was nice and thick, but was a tad over cooked. We ordered sausage with it and it was pretty standard sausage. The dish was very filling and definitely worth it. Our server was somewhat new, but SO NICE. She was just so genuine and helpful. Not sure if I'd be back anytime soon for brunch, but it's a easy option if I didn't want to wait anywhere...

    (3)
  • A. C.

    (6/16/2015) It was a pleasantly cool evening and we were looking for a place for a nightcap after having been out to a few places already. The windows were open and the TVs were playing the NBA finals when we walked by, beckoning. I probably should have known better after venturing just a few steps inside. The dining rooms were empty (but it was late) but the bar was fully occupied by herds of bros yelling obscenities at the screens and lewd remarks at the bartenders (who were obvious hired for their bra size and frequent salon maintenance). Had our one expensive cocktail and high-tailed it out of there. Do you have a dad-bod, wear a baseball cap backwards or a tie around your forehead, gingham-checked J. Crew oxfords rolled at the sleeves with khaki shorts and flip-flops? Then this place is for you, dude it out to your hearts content. All others beware.

    (1)
  • LuQman H.

    Tried the chicken and waffles...decent and huge portion.

    (3)
  • Beth F.

    We were looking for good food, nice atmosphere, and not crazy expensive (which can be hard to find in this area). We were very pleased to find this place. The menu isn't extensive. The chowder was very good - just a hint of bacon. The spinach salad was awesome - very light dressing that wasn't too sweet or vinegary. My husband had the baked half lobster which he really enjoyed. The service was excellent - very attentive. The manager came around to check on everything, and after we told him we had a date night because our teenagers wanted to stay in the hotel room, he came over with a complimentary glass of bubbly after our meal. I'd definitely go back.

    (5)
  • Deborah J.

    The food was below average, the waitress was kind of rude. You could eat better in back bay

    (2)
  • Mary F.

    Was it good? Sure. Was it great? Not to us. If you're pretty critical about food and experience, you will not be impressed with BBSC, but if you are not highly critical then this is a fine spot: atmosphere was nice, staff was nice, setting was nice, food was nice, cocktails were nice, it was all fine but not stellar. I had the chicken and waffles which was fun to have for the first time but nothing I'm dying to go back for.

    (3)
  • Elisa H.

    If you order anything get the BRUSSEL SPROUTS We stumbled across this place while looking for somewhere fairly quick to eat. Ambiance was great and we ordered drinks because it was about a 20 minute wait for a table. Had a great Pinot noir and they have a full bar that featured the 26.2 Boston Sam Adams beer on tap (so cool!) Ordered the sausage and red pepper pizza and added arugula. Additionally got a side of Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts= to die for. I'm kind of a pizza snob so I'd say their pizza was about a 2/5. Didn't have much flavor. But my friend got a cheese pizza and loved hers. I also might have been so entranced by the brussel sprouts with bacon I couldn't focus on anything else. Moral of the story: Brussel sprouts and wine is where it's at.

    (4)
  • Tamara W.

    Pros: -easy seating for late night -good beer selection and good drink selection -not douchey -nice host (attentive) -good, local Boston spot in the heart of Back Bay Cons: -could make better use of their space; awkward areas blocked off. -should not be required to order fattening fries to sit outside while you drink... should be able to drink on patio without getting food (or is that a Massachusetts law???)

    (4)
  • Georgina C.

    This was my second visit, this time with a group of girlfriends and I have to say things improved a great deal. Wonderful service, great atmosphere and fun crowd. My food was decent, the drinks were delicious (thank you for whoever in management sent us those yummy shots!) Very accommodating waitstaff, would definitely return for a night with the girls again.

    (4)
  • Peter C.

    Went here on Saturday night. I have been a few times, but I seem to have neglected to review it. One thing you'll notice immediately is that it seems a bit more upscale than some of the nearby locations. On Saturday night it was rolling with a slightly more mature crowd. We had been to Whiskeys, next door, which seemed to have the 21-25 crowd well in hand. Back Bay Social club seemed to cater more to the 26-40 crowd, which was nice for us, as we wanted to actual be able to converse. They had a modest, but interesting selection of beers on tap. We stopped in for a few, after doing an impromptu pub crawl in Back bay. The All Day IPA and Brick Red were among my favorites. Since we didn't eat anything here, all I can I say it that it wasn't overly crowded on a Saturday night, but had a fair amount of people. Drinks were pretty good. The bartenders were dressed like it was Winter (it's August). Compared to Whiskeys, where all the waitstaff wears short shorts and tank tops. For an older crowd that likes to chill and enjoy drinks without being shoulder to shoulder and have your conversations squashed by loud music, go to Back Bay Social Club.

    (4)
  • Thanh L.

    If you're down for shouting conversations to your dinner partners, this is totally the place for you! Opt for the patio to get away from the crazy noise inside the dining area if you're here on a Friday night. Their summer cocktail menu is quite nice. My favorite is the Pimm's Cup - light and refreshing and reminiscent of Southern living. Got the gnocci - texture wasn't too bad, but wasn't impressed with the sauce. There was a smoky quality to the tomato sauce that I didn't appreciate - not worth $18! I did appreciate my friend's chicken and waffles dish, though. It was a sizeable hunk of fabulously breaded crispy, fried chicken served on a belgian waffle. She got bbq sauce on the side, which left the chicken nice and crispy. That dish is totally worth $17. Service was excellent in the beginning of our night and the servers/hostesses were very accommodating when we wanted to move our party from inside to the outside patio. The tables out there are tiny! They ended up combining tables - very nice of them. Water was always filled throughout. Our server took a bit too long in the beginning to take our order, but she was nice. The underwhelming and overpriced gnocci knocked this place down to 3 stars in my book. Also had raw oysters here on another visit. It wasn't terrible, but wasn't super fresh either. Eh. Other yelpers were on point with the chicken and waffles - it's definitely worth trying!

    (3)
  • Coral O.

    This is a horrible restaurant with horribly racist administration!! Today I sat down in this restaurant to grab a bite and ordered a beer. I gave my license from Puerto Rico and the waitress said they she thought they did not accept the Puerto Rican license and that she would double check. Shortly after a man came back saying that unfortunately they could not accept my license and legitimate identification. I was and still am shocked that this is even possible. My license is from a foreign country like any other. Plus not only it is from Puerto Rico but we are US citizens. I stood up told them this was unbelievable and that they were incredibly racists and left the place. This gets me thinking, is what they did to me is even legal? If anyone comes from france, venezuela, england or any other country that is not USA they cannot drink because they lack US license? This is unacceptable and this place is repulsive!!!

    (1)
  • Joanna A.

    The rib eye steak was amazing! The asparagus and the peas/fava were just ok, bland and uninspired

    (4)
  • Ami P.

    Great place to be with your friends, Hunter our server was absolutely hilarious and very attentive.

    (4)
  • Patrick D.

    Believe it or not, 20-somethings, but there are meals other than brunch. I know...I had a great dinner (that's a meal served in the evening) here with my family. First, it was a really nice atmosphere...dark and cozy. Service was great from the moment we walked in to our waiter, who took great care of us. They had a good selection of beers, and a solid menu -- our kids found plenty they liked. I finally got to try some chicken and waffles, which were excellent aside from putting me in a food coma.

    (4)
  • Christine J.

    Pretty darn delicious! Sat outside on a beautiful summer night facing the Prudential tower.. We had candied meat, calamari for apps. Calamari was cold, wasn't too impressed with that dish. I think it was sitting there waiting for the candied meat, wish they'd just brought it out right when ready, hot is always better even if they all can't come out at once. We were mostly there bc we heard about their famous burger and really wanted to try. so we got that, and i tried the shrimp and grits. both pretty good, i'd order again. burger was really good but not AMAZING. prob had too high of an expectation, wanted to bite the burger and explode. oh well.. still very good. our friends ordered tuna salad (so so, tiny portion bc it's an app) and Chicken and waffles (had a spicy weird bbq sauce I didn't like. def not for me). Service was okay, would've been better if the app wasn't cold - to show their attentiveness. But otherwise no complaints!

    (4)
  • Anthony S.

    I'm sorry I don't know where the 4 and 5 stars are. I had a bowl of chowder which was cold. Returned it was warm but bland as all hell. Not worth $8 dollars. It is not Boston Chowder that is for damn sure. Wife had bologonese dish that was OK also not 18 bucks. So we tried we tasted and ahhhh never again. However, upside the place is nice very cool but the two dishes were not. Food doesn't quite match up to their desire of chic. However the bartender Alexandra actually removed the cold soup off of bill. Thank you without me asking. Jumps to 2 stars. Kudos Alexandra

    (2)
  • Marykate H.

    Five stars all around. (Food, service, venue). I came with a large party for Easter brunch and they were great!

    (5)
  • Kaveh Z.

    It is a nice bar, not huge and not small. Friendly staff. I was with a huge group and the place was packed but we had a lot of fun.

    (4)
  • Tashombe H.

    My party of 3 was seated immediately. The patio was full but there was plenty of seating inside. We were joined by a 4th later in the meal. Our water glasses were filled and the server made sure we were comfortable by turning the fan speed up to cool us off a bit after our walk to the restaurant. We ordered meat candy as an app. It arrived hot and we enjoyed the dish. Unfortunately, out entrees were served less than 5 minutes after our appetizer. There was barely any time to eat the appetizer. While we appreciated the food coming out quickly, we did feel a little bit rushed. We all were quite satisfied with our entrees. I had chicken and waffles. It was hot and plentiful. We did not order alcohol on this visit. Overall, the restaurant was clean the service was good and the bathrooms are downstairs. I'll visit again but I'll make sure the server gives us a bit more time to enjoy our appetizers before the entrees are served.

    (4)
  • Thanh L.

    We came here for our friend's birthday. It was a nice environment with a class feel. The menu was kind of limited, but everything looked good. The BBQ brisket with broccolini on Mac n cheese was delicious. Kind of pricy, but worth it

    (4)
  • April K.

    I changed my review to 3 stars because I came back and it was a little more disappointing than I remembered. I really shouldn't be complaining because the patio has really great outdoor seating and the dollar oysters are such a good deal. However, the oysters we got on Saturday didn't look fresh. They were somewhat lukewarm, and they didn't have the slurpy saltwater in them. (I'm not sure how to explain it but they were kind of dried out?) I got the sloppy joe burger this, and it was too sweet and not savory. It was just okay... The service is still really good though!

    (3)
  • Sara C.

    Expensive and so noisy you can't hear yourself think.

    (2)
  • Aaron R.

    Good food (lunch) and drinks. Bartenders are pretty reliable and the staff is friendly. Right next to the Pru on Boylston, so it's a good alternative to Newbury.

    (4)
  • Samantha G.

    Our food was amazing! Went during brunch for the $1 oyster special. My husband and I got a dozen & a half of the oysters, a Caesar salad, and a pickled Bloody Mary. Everything we got tasted amazing and upon asking if they offered a military discount as my husband is about to deploy through the army our server checked and told us they would take care of some of it in lieu of a normal discount. After amazing service he dropped off the check and they had not charged us for any of the $18 worth of oysters. In sum, the food and drink is amazing and the service is even more phenomenal!

    (5)
  • Jim H.

    So went here Sunday afternoon. $1 oysters ordered a few for appetizer. The shells came out and were the size of half dollar the meat the size of a nickle...seriously?? I'm from the south oyster meat averages half dollar or larger...I know bigger isn't always better but come on. Try tried to say the smaller the more flavor.....ugh not true. Then I had the JUMBO lobster roll. It came out and was on a grilled hotdog bun...this is by no stretch jumbo...not for $20. I was disappointed again. I thought I'd get some great seafood in Boston but it's been all disappointment so far. The thimble of slaw was delicious though.

    (3)
  • Mary Kay L.

    Delicious! Great place to dine with friends and just hang out. Super service. Awesome food- very tasty and light! Highly recommend and definitely returning!

    (5)
  • Boris L.

    Great for drinks, lunch, or brunch. Not sure about dinner, but judging from what I've had there in the past I'm sure it's excellent. There are $1 oysters on Sunday which is a great find in Back Bay. They have several beers on tap as well as a nice cocktail menu. I went with a cuban sandwich for lunch when I was there and it was phenomenal. Reasonably priced in a great spot, i'll be back for sure

    (5)
  • Adrienne I.

    Great food!!! We had a table of 12, we waited about 15 minutes past our reservation to sit, but it wasn't a big deal. We all had a great meal, and the restaurant is cool. Dark, books everywhere, a large bar.

    (4)
  • Annie K.

    I'm not a huge fan of this place and would be giving it 2 stars if it weren't for the fact that it's summertime. Typically, this is a great place to go if you're looking to meet yuppy, preppy (what some might call) d-bags. It's typically overcrowded and the decor, music, and lighting aren't particularly interesting. The vibe consists of men pushing past you to get a drink or aggressively hitting on you (usually unwarranted or reciprocated). There is a good beer and cocktail menu but, even on less crowded nights, it's a challenge to get served. Best for weeknight events!

    (3)
  • Sandy S.

    Dined here on a Wednesday night in February. the place was really busy and toasty warm, a good thing considering it was nearly 0 degrees outsite! The food was delish- only problem is deciding what to order. We had a vegetarian with us and chose this place becuase it was walkable from our conference hotel and they had many menu options for our veggie friend. The drinks were well made, decent wine list and comfy seating (we were in a round booth- perfect for the 6 of us. I would come here again for sure. Only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is that it is super loud which made it tough to hear what the person across the table was saying and the lighting was so low when we arrived we all had to use our cell phone flashlights to even see the menu. Great place if you want to enjoy some yummy eats with your drinks.

    (4)
  • James R.

    Back Bay social club is a pretty standard after work drinks spot in Back Bay, though I've had other experiences there too. On one visit the staff brought our table complimentary meat and cheese plates which was pretty cool. Last week I attended a private Paint Nite event in the basement with food provided. This ended up being quite a spread of appetizers - oysters, sliders, satay chicken skewers, chicken and waffles, a cheese plate and other items that escape me as I write this. The selection was all pretty well done and I think indicative of quality food here. I think the menu is far from innovative or exciting, but it isn't really trying to be either of those things. They have a decent beer selection though it can be a bit pricey - think $6-8 a beer. This is pretty typical for the area and if you want a cheap beer you're better off at Pour House. Later in the night it seems possible to get a table, so if you want to sit with friends its a good choice. Though this may not always be true.

    (4)
  • Emily L.

    Chicken and waffles! Been here a few times for it and it's always good. Ask for more bbq sauce. Also, tried the bluefin tuna salad. It was pretty good but not a whole lot of tuna. They sometimes have $1 oysters deals as well. We sat on the patio so great place to people watch.

    (4)
  • Michael C.

    Stopped by the Back Bay Social Club with some friends on a Friday night. I didn't try any food so this is just a review of the bar and the scene. Overall I thought it was nice. The service was friendly, the bar had an older crowd (for Boston) about 25 -35. Good selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.

    (4)
  • Jackie C.

    My husband and I dropped in here for an afternoon snack but we hit the restaurant at an odd time. They were re-doing their menus, and in between the lunch and dinner offerings so it was an extremely limited menu. I ordered a drink which was delicious and then tried to order some food but were unable to really get anything that sounded lunch-ish with their small bar menu. So the manager dropped in and said they would bring the tacos on the house for us to try and comp our drinks. Completely out of the blue, we didn't say anything and were really just enjoying the beautiful weather. But for someone to be that on top of the situation (which there wasn't one) just to make sure that we would return in the future earned A+ for me across the board. I was so blown away by how kind she was and how sweet our waitress was that I can't want to make it back to try dinner and drinks in the future.

    (4)
  • Suzanne C.

    The brisket was drowning in BBQ sauce. The mac and cheese was soupy with no crispy top. The burger was greasy. I was not impressed. Our server was very good though. As were the fries. The bathroom was filthy.

    (2)
  • Nan R.

    This place is great for a good and reasonably priced brunch. It's a solid go to. For the evening/late night, they have a pretty good drink selection and it's definitely a step up in "niceness" over a lot of the surrounding sports/dive bars on Boylston St. I've also been to a couple private events here which the space downstairs is nice for.

    (4)
  • Mark S.

    A few things are involved when I decide to return to a restaurant repeatedly- the quality of service, food and atmosphere. The food is fantastic- I personally recommend the Treatment for Brunch and for dinner chorizo tacos and the brisket. Top notch stuff. I also really enjoy the old school American atmosphere. Emphasizes on the "social club" aspect. It looks like a place you might see in Boardwalk Empire! But the real reason I'm a return customer is the customer service. I came in randomly one day for brunch but because of Maggie's cheery attitude, endless smiles and of course, outstanding cocktails. I've become somewhat of a weekly regular. She's a rock star!

    (5)
  • Kay W.

    Went here on a recommendation from the doorman. Love the atmosphere, staff was excellent and their burger was phenomenal. Excellent experience!

    (5)
  • Charles L.

    I ordered the chicken & waffles and they were great. Courteous and timely wait staff. I found the menu items to be somewhat pricey

    (4)
  • Dan K.

    I like the idea of this place and I like the design of the space. I also support the bar setup. I had a proper Stella and enjoyed it alot. I didn't like the food though. It's expensive, which for the neighborhood I usually wouldn't complain, but the servings were laughable. I just thought that for what I got I didn't get annnyy bang for my buck. I'd go back but this definitely isn't "my spot"

    (3)
  • Blaire O.

    I have been to Back Bay Social Club for drinks with some friends then I had brunch with another friend today. It was not too busy at noon but I had a reservation. They sat us downstairs in the dark dungy basement even though, there were seats available upstairs. The coffee tasted weird, I don't know if it was just that pot. I ordered the Chef's Omelet that had chicken, sausage, spinach, tomatoes and feta cheese (added mushrooms). The omelet and home fries were delicious and a big portion. My friend ordered the California Eggs Benedict (had guacamole and salsa) and said it was delicious. Brunch prices were comparable to other Back Bay brunch places. Next time, I will request to sit upstairs.

    (3)
  • Bob B.

    Went here for Sunday brunch. Great Bloody Mary. Great $1 oysters. How do you best that? Had the social burger. It would be the only burger I would eat again, except it was $22. Not sure why. It was very good but not worth the price.

    (5)
  • Dan R.

    Four of us had a wonderful dinner here last night. After we ordered cocktails, we were graciously offered an appetizer on the house, curiously named "Meat Candy" - ($9) - a mix of cubed keilbasa and pineapple in a brown sugar sauce. It was served with toothpicks which made the dish a little cumbersome to eat, but after we asked for a serving spoon, the dish disappeared. We added two appetizers, spicy korean style wings with asian slaw ($11), and a special of five perfect scallops. Everything was delicious. Our four entrees were shrimp & grits - served with a bacon & pickled corn relish ($21), chicken & waffles - served with a bbq maple syrup ($15), butternut squash ravioli - with balsamic butter, garlic brussel sprouts, and candied walnuts ($17), and chicken with red beans & rice, and hot sauce ($17). Service was great, the food was stellar, and the owner came over to chit-chat with us. Dessert was amazing- we ordered something described as a "family style caramel apple ice cream sundae with apples, caramel, whipped cream & oatmeal cookies ($15). This was an absolute steal for $15. An enormous serving of four large scoops of vanilla ice cream smothered in apple slices, a gooey caramel sauce, and oatmeal cookie balls. So delicious and so much fun to share. This place gets crowded fast, so make reservations. We were there on a Saturday night and the place was mobbed upstairs and downstairs. A big shout out to the Boston Yelpers who suggested this place for an upcoming family event, last night's test drive passed with flying colors.

    (4)
  • Alexis B.

    Yes, the $21 burger is sooo worth it. The bloody marys were delicious. I was so full from the amazing pickle garnishes alone! The menu is different and offers more than more Boylston digs. So good. Just get the burger and a cocktail and shut up and enjoy.

    (5)
  • Ami S.

    I come here for one reason and one reason only, the chicken and waffles. That's actually how I found this place. After watching a few too many episodes of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (DDD) I had a massive craving for chicken and waffles. Off to yelp I went. We ended up choosing Back Bay Social Club because it had decent reviews and was easy to get to. I am so glad we came. The chicken and waffles were amazing! Perfect buttery waffle, perfect boneless fried chicken and the bbq syrup brings it all together. I've actually had them on numerous occasions at this point and each time YUM YUM YUM. I have brought friends here to try them and they all agree and crave this dish. My roomate has been dying to go back since I took her there for her birthday. I probably should mention that I have tried other dishes. My friend once had the roast chicken which was pretty tasty, and we usually start with the meat candy for an appetizer. It's a funny name for keilbasa basically, but it is very good and will hold you over to the beloved C&W's comes. Prices are resonable and they have a pretty good cockatil menu. I would say the only con is that it is very dark inside, but thats the ambiance they are going for I guess.

    (4)
  • Kim Y.

    Patio seating, very accommodating server (the sun was beaming on us so she let us move our tables closer in the restaurant but still in the patio area), amazing pulled pork sandwich and chicken and waffles, menu is affordable. I'm definitely coming back. Only reason I was debating on 5 stars or not; cause the dollar oysters were 'okay', and not fresh tasting. Dollar oysters are always a gamble, I'd rather just pay good money for fresh oysters from a list I get to choose from.

    (4)
  • Alison Z.

    One of my favorite new spots in Boston. The service is always impeccable--super helpful, fast and friendly. Their menu rotates seasonally and always accommodates vegetarians. Go soon and enjoy some seriously delicious seasonal squash. The butternut squash salad is absolutely the best salad I've ever had. The squash was warm but not overpowering, and the frisee lettuce added a nice crunch. The dressing was perfectly tangy and the exact complement to the subtle squash flavors. Next up was the pumpkin ravioli, which was also excellent. I was too stuffed for dessert, but the options looked amazing. We've never had a bad meal here!

    (5)
  • Alex M.

    Seriously. Worst sandwich ever. I've been here for brunch which was good and came back with my parents for lunch. Ordered their turkey sandwich. It was two slabs of bread and three pieces of turkey on a plate. That was it. Not only that but it took them nearly 45 minutes to serve us our VERY underwhelming lunch.

    (2)
  • Michelle R.

    If you're looking for delicious food and pricey drinks that are actually worth it - this is the place to go! They have the best burger in town, in my opinion, and they always have different drinks coming out. Although it can be an expensive night, it's a wicked fun place to go. But don't go hear if you're not feeling a little classy :)

    (4)
  • Anna R.

    I went here for brunch this morning with my boyfriend. The food was fantastic, best waffle I've had in Boston, and they added cute little touches, like a retro glass bottle for the water on the table and giving us a cheese board of home-made banana bread. The service was great--attentive but not annoying. GOOD COFFEE. The only downside was the "fresh squeezed" orange juice. They had us fooled until they put a jug of tropicana out on the bar at one point and we saw them pour. However, maybe they just ran out? On the menu it says $5 for the fresh juice and ours was only $2.50 on the bill. Who knows. I would definitely go back for brunch, and want to make it there for lunch or dinner sometime.

    (4)
  • Arestia R.

    File Back Bay Social Club under my current obsession. What an ideal place for anything. After work summer drinks with friends? Sip a Bubbly Wine Cooler on the patio. Business dinner? Impress your guests with divine Meat Candy and Peppadews to start and order the lamb or pork. First date? Slip on downstairs to the bottom for some privacy and share a plate of benyas. Book club with the girls? Chow down on a divine brunch. Boy's night out? Mingle upstairs while enjoying White Russians with house made coffee liquer - the Dude would totally approve. Whatever it is, Back Bay Social Club has you covered. With a staff of pros (whom mostly came over from Sonsie not so far away), you're sure to feel the friendly presence. Whether manager Johnna is recommending tasty treats to try upstairs, or Ian is wheeling bartender stories for you to laugh over downstairs, or marketing manager Meghan is taking superb care of you and your guests for your event, everyone here just gets it, without taking themselves too seriously. They appreciate good food, good drinks and good company. And with a swanky appearance (checkered floor, dark wood bar, red leather seating) without the attitude, Back Bay Social Club is definitely a great go-to spot, whatever you're mood (and taste buds) might crave.

    (5)
  • James F.

    Had a work event here recently. They've got Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA on tap - so good. Over the course of the evening we probably tried 70% of their appetizer menu - i think i really enjoyed 90%, and the other 10% had mustard or horseradish that no one warned me about (i'm a fan of neither).

    (3)
  • Alex S.

    The best burger in Boston. Service is good and the atmosphere is very good. Definately one of the best places in boston. Also, they have a good desert menu.

    (5)
  • Jacquelyn M.

    I absolutely love this place. I have been meaning to try it for a while, and finally did last week. The service was great and the waitresses wore various versions of short sleeve plaid shirts, which I thought was adorable. It has a great feel and the decor is really unique, it feels European upscale-lodgey...if that makes sense. The food presentation is really fun too! Delciious as well!

    (4)
  • christine c.

    After a BBSC/Lyons group employee reached out to me and asked to rectify my relationship with the eatery after a previously unpleasant experience (see my other review) I decided to give this place another shot. My friend and I took her up on an offer to dine at BBSC, but instead of dinner and we wanted brunch. We arrived for our noon o'clock Sunday reservation. The weather was beautiful, the patio was open, the servers were all decked out in plaid - it was cute. We started with two mimosas and some beignets. Some complimentary banana bread was brought to the table which was pretty good, too, but I much preferred the beignets with jam and my drink. Next, we opted for chicken and waffles and this social burger that I've read so much about. The burger was good, juicy, made with a good amount of the fresh, local cheese and some sauteed onions, paired with some hand-cut fries and served on a board. We both enjoyed it, but I think I'd be a little disappointed if I paid $21 for it. Kind of a steep price. I'd much rather spend a little more and get a good steak. Anyway, the real gem was my chicken and waffles. "The Treatment," is served with 2 eggs (the portion was more like 3 or 4, but they were so delicious. I opted for scrambled and they were light and fluffy and among the best I've ever had.), bacon, and a big piece of chicken breast meat doused in a tangy BBQ sauce over a fresh pressed waffle. YUM! The chicken and its sauce was smokey and delicious and the portion was HUGE. I've never had chicken and waffles before and BBSC has now most certainly made me a believer. Our server Kristina was pleasant and attentive but not overbearing. She had a good attitude, which can be hard on a Sunday morning brunch shift. She and her food runners/bus boys were constantly filling our water glasses and asking if we would care for more coffee. The food did take a little while to come out, but Kristina made sure we never went thirsty while we waited. The group next to us had the donut sandwich (which I have to admit, I'm kind of scared of). It's a fried egg with bacon sandwiched between two glazed donuts. I heard the yummy noises coming from a crew of burly guys, which still didn't convince me (I was still scared) but when their stick-thin girlfriends (who were sipping on drinks but eating nothing) sampled it and also agreed it was divine I was intrigued... but still a little scared. Maybe next time. Thank you BBSC and your team for a lovely Sunday brunch and for taking the time to reach out and correct your earlier mistakes. Be back soon!

    (4)
  • Ryan D.

    Back bay social club has won me over from a 4 star review to a 5 star review. I ran into the Manger outside on the streets as she was with a bunch of girls after celebrating maybe a birthday party? They seemed pretty giddy maybe it was the cocktails or maybe it was just good company. But she asked me to take a picture of them. She recognized me and asked me where i was going... I told her BBSC and she told me she was the manager there and that she remembered my past visits. We parted and i went to get my libations. I ended up meeting a date there for a couple of drinks. After a few cocktails, We decided to get the bill and my bill was under $20.00 ....I said to the bartender is there a error on the bill? I guess the manager called and bought me a few drinks... This is where the WOW factor hit me. And this is why i love the place!!! Cheers!

    (5)
  • April S.

    2 stars for atmosphere. Although the downstairs still looks like Vinny T's. Looks great. Everything else needs work. A lot of work. Had 2 specialty cocktails both over sweet and not balanced. Ordered a manhattan and it came with luxardo cherries, which are hard to find at most bars and delicious!!! Only problem was that my manhattan was shaken! Bubbles and froth everywhere! Ugh! It does effect the taste and it's not the proper way to serve a manhattan. So drinks ehhh. Stick to wine and beer. The list for both looked promising. The bartender was friendly and seemed experienced. Got the shakes old man? Food. Well, the Lyons group has done it again. All fluff no substance. They should have stuck to nightclubs. $21 for a burger? Give me a break! I didn't order it because I'm not stupid but have heard it's bland. Tried the Monday night special of Chicken and Waffles, smothered with a gross, sweet barbecue sauce. Not good. My friend got a pasta dish that was trying to be al dente but ended up being just plain undercooked. All in all, blah drinks and bad food. Won't be coming back anytime soon.

    (2)
  • Shannon C.

    I walked in the other evening and thought I was on the set of that Courtney Cox show...Cougar something. If you can get a seat away from the White Diamonds crew...and the subsequent douches who hit on them...this is actually a pretty good spot for a drink in Back Bay. I only stayed for drinks so I can't vouch for the food. The prices were fair and the drink menu bordered on mundane but had some "oh really?" offerings that were intriguing. The decor seems to be similar to what's popping up everywhere lately-low key French bistro type-but I get it. In fact, I enjoy it. The service was half and half. We had one bartender completely ignore us for a good 15 min. while she catered to her friend standing behind us (we were seated) who kept ordering Narragansett's ("Nah! I don't need a glass babe!" :::sluuuuurpp:::). Another barkeep happened by and gladly served our Prosecco and a couple martinis. Overall, this place is a phenomenal upgrade from Vinny T's and I'm sure I'll be back again in the near future...now that I know the ropes.

    (3)
  • Christine S.

    After reading about my experience at BBSC a manager contacted me and not only offered to refund my bill, but offered me a meal on the house to make up for it. Classy move, and very much appreciated. I took them up on the refund, but not the free meal. I wish they had showed us that courtesy when we were actually in the restaurant, but better late than never. The point is, they do care about their patrons and it shows. I did end up coming back in for drinks one Friday night with some friends. We sat at the bar and drank lots of red wine. The waiters were excellent and so was the wine. Not sure if I'll come back for a meal but my overall opinion of this place has drastically improved.

    (3)
  • Joy Y.

    Soooo....I pretty much spent my entire weekend here. If the awesome drinks didn't sell me on the place (the most memorable, and coincidentally, the first drink I had, was the "Gin Somethin" Yum) the service sure did. Both nights I was sitting at the bar and both nights everyone was so nice and friendly, particularly bartenders Josh (night #1) and Dennis (night #2) who took the time to talk to us about the drinks, made fantastic food selections, and basically just made the evening that much more fun by engaging in conversation with me and my friends. For me, with drinking, comes the need to eat. So on night #1, my companion and I shared the "meat candy." Yes, it's called "meat candy" and yes, it is very sweet. In my somewhat blurry state, I don't remember thinking it was the most amazing thing ever though. On night #2, my friend and I split the "the social burger" aka, the $21 burger. It was huge so I'm definitely glad we split it, and it was very good. The sweet caramelized onions and sharp cheddar were a perfect match to the juicy burger and soft buttery bun. Would I pay $21 for it again though? Probably not. I mean it was really very tasty, but 21 bucks for a burger? It better be the most amazing burger I've ever eaten....It comes with a good sized order of pomme frites though which were perfectly salted and crispy. I saw a number of people with the Artisan cheese plate and that looked pretty damn good too so, *mental note: try cheese plate next time* Overall though, I found the Back Bay Social Club to be a great place to grab a drink with friends or meet up for a date. The cozy ambiance makes it a great bar/ restaurant to settle in for the night while trying a tasty drink or two and hey, you might even meet a few new people along the way!

    (4)
  • Rachel W.

    I love it. I love everything about this place. The appetizers are delicious, and easy to eat while socializing at the bar. (example, meat candies) Their goat cheese ice cream is delicious. Their entrees are big in size, and also delicious. The drink menu is great. The blood and sand is no longer on the drink menu, but if you're a fan of whiskey I HIGHLY recommend it. The atmosphere might be my favorite part. It's the perfect place to grab a drink, or 6 , with a friend or some friends. You can go any day of the week, at any time, after work, after the gym, for lunch, or before heading to less- lovable places on Boylston street on a Saturday night. The bartenders are always super friendly and nice and willing to chat it up with you if you have any desire to do so. Hands down my go-to bar.

    (5)
  • Alisa T.

    I went here for brunch with some friends on Sunday and was completely disappointed in the breakfast options. I got the eggs benedict and they were inedible. I took one bite and didn't touch them again. The English muffin was dry and hard as a rock, the hollandaise sauce was bland and without flavor. One of my friends gave me half of her social burger, while it was very good it is far from being worth the $21 they charge for it. Next time someone suggests brunch at Back Bay Social Club, I'm only going for the bloody mary.

    (2)
  • Janina T.

    I came here a few months ago for a light dinner with friends. On the whole I really enjoyed it. The lights downstairs were a bit dim although I noticed the transition from dim to dimmer once it got later so I'm assuming it all contributes to the ambiance. I ordered a few glasses of red wine which was fantastic. The one thing I did remember was how delicious the fries were here. I'm a big fry person...particularly McDonalds fries (don't judge....they're ridiculously amazing), and these fries were just....perfection. The one and only issue I had was the service was a bit slow. Our server was so incredibly nice but it took a while for us to get our drinks (aka, pouring wine into a glass) so minus one star for that. Otherwise, a great place to hit for a nice meal.

    (4)
  • Nik B.

    My two visits to Back Bay social have been inconsistent. One two-star worthy visit, and one four-star. Both visits included a White Russian and fries. The first time, my White Russian, complete with house made coffee liqueur, was watery and my fries weren't crispy or fresh tasting and only came with ketchup. On my second visit, at the downstairs bar, I had the best white russian of my life from seemingly more attentive bartenders. The coffee liqueur came out brilliantly, nutty, dark and sweet and nicely balanced out with cream, the fries were crispy and served with a beautiful aioli. The second visit was good enough to warrant a third, but I don't think I'll go out of my way for it.

    (3)
  • Amaru S.

    Visited this location on a Saturday and was immediately pleased with the decor and the staff. The overall look and feel of the place is pleasant, definitely tries hard to capture that hotel/jazz bar feel. My only negative complaint about this place is not necessarily their food, but their menu. Yes, the place is a tad overpriced, but that's the Back Bay restaurants in general. What bothered me is the lack of explanation or justification for some of these prices. If i'm going to order a $21 for a burger, I want more than just a description that's telling me it's coming with onions and cheddar cheese. Either this is an attempt to not overwhelm the customer with a lengthy description, or this could be a very arrogant and borderline insulting message from the owner that Back Bay customers will pay anything for whatever is on a menu. Overall, it's worth checking out if you haven't, but there's definitely much better places (food/price) not too far. We'll see how long this "social club's" membership in the Back Bay lasts.

    (2)
  • Sam L.

    I came here a couple weekends ago for my friend's birthday and though I only ordered a beer, I really like this place. It's not like the pubs and bars throughout the rest of Boston (maybe because it's in the Back Bay area that it makes a difference). It's definitely a classier place to be, but still really casual (without being dirty and grimy!) I definitely want to come back...the meat candy they serve looked really interesting!

    (4)
  • Beth M.

    I Cannot stop thinking about the burger I had here last week. It was so yummy. One of the best burgers I've ever had. The fries were also very tasty. It was a little on the pricey side ($21!), but it was really really good. Nikki the bartender was great. Very friendly and fast service. Overall a great meal! Also..Thursday night happy hour was packed! Seemed like a fun crowd of young professionals.

    (4)
  • Karlis B.

    BBSC gets 4 stars for the burger alone. I've had two epic dinners here. The first involved a lot of beer (yay, selection!) and that fantastically delicious burger. I can still taste it's awesomeness. Topped with caramelized onions and sharp cheese, you will NOT miss condiments--not even bacon! It's just perfect. I had a chance to ask what makes it so great. There were a lot of steps involved that I could not focus on because I was so busy moaning about how good it is. Let's just say, they take extra damn care to make sure that burger is niiiiiiiice. And they succeed. Second dinner was more focused on cocktails and a ridiculous array of apps. My cocktail pick: the Gin Something. Even folks that don't like gin, but were tricked into drinking the Gin Something, loved this drink. It's light, cool and will be guzzled down by me on the patio this summer, for real. For apps, go with - Pumpkin ravioli with housemade pasta and buttery rich sauce. (Save your bread to sop that mess up. Mm hmm. Sop it up, good.) - Squash salad with manchego and maple: one of the best salads I have ever had. The sweetness of the squash and maple with the salty manchego is something I wish I had come up with. For entrees, get the burger. I ordered the steak frites the second time around. It was a generous portion of tender beef cooked to order, but comparatively lacked flavor. Honorable mention: the pappardelle bolognese. I'll also give props to the waitstaff here. We had a group of about 15 people and ended the night with tequila shots at the table. I'm sure we were obnoxious, but our sever kept up all night. Cheers!

    (4)
  • Andrea S.

    Hey Bolyston street Eastern Standard, Thanks for bringing a little high-end to the neighborhood. I appreciate the great music you play at night, taking a break from the Ke$ha and Gaga played everywhere else. I appreciate your extensive Bloody Mary combos (consider a flight though-so we can try them all). I would be more on board with you though if 1) I hadn't ordered an adult bevvie that was undrinkable and if 2) the menu offered a few more vegetarian friendly options. But, I like you. And I'll be back.

    (4)
  • Sho B.

    "C'mon Boylston Street, grow a pair!" said God. And then there was Back Bay Social Club and Towne (same owners). Right across the street from each other, both descended around the same time in the Summer of 2010. So, with a name like "Back Bay Social Club", I was hoping for more of a hipster feel rather than the "Old-Money, Young Buck, douche bag" feel. And having been there three times now, I think it can be both! My first experience was sitting in the restaurant upstairs on the first week of opening. Food was OK, but nothing notable. (Note to the chef: I don't like veal sauce with salmon. A wine sauce would've been better). Second time I went, we had reserved the downstairs bar for a going away party for three people, and it was hopin! Cool bar, very roomy, friendly wait staff, and very accommodating managers. Always nice to know that they follow through when they allow you to hold a large group there. Later that night though, the douce bags started rolling in ... but I think that can go for any bar in Boston past midnight. Third time, I think I became the douche bag, as we rolled in half passed midnight and closed out the bar. But they let us close it out with style as I closed out with a shot and three beers served to us in HUGE Oktoberfest mugs. Needless to say, I like this place a lot and I think that it has become my new "go to" at the end of a long week or a crazy night.

    (4)
  • Joe B.

    To my disappointment, when we got the check, we didn't have the waitress try to pull our table number out of the bottle for a free meal. Oh, wait... that was Vinny T's. Now, we're at Back Bay Social Club. Less gargantuan portions and marinara sauce, but a great experience and ambiance nonetheless. Reserving on OpenTable was painless. When I showed up, the hostess had my reservation right away and was ready to seat me. We got what has been called one of the best tables in the house - near the back on the first floor, facing the bar area. Our hostess and waitress told us that it was great for people-watching. Our service was friendly throughout, our waitress was in good spirits, and I felt comfortable throughout my entire experience. My date and I got the same thing - peppered salmon with green beans and veal glace. The salmon was pretty much perfectly prepared - plenty of natural flavor, and not too much pepper. I managed to finish the whole thing, too. She seemed to enjoy it just as much as I did. One of the cool things about this place, which I've noticed at a few other better restaurants, is that they leave a glass bottle of water at your table for you. It saves them the need to go around and refill waters, and it makes it so you can have water whenever you want it rather than waiting for it to come around. I would definitely return here for dinner. I'm not sure how keen I would be on the bar scene, since it seemed very crowded up front and I don't like big bar crowds. But sitting down near the back, away from the busy bar, was very nice, and I think that I would enjoy another meal here.

    (5)
  • Jen H.

    Came here last night for the Girlfriends of Yelp UYE and I was thoroughly impressed. I understand that it was a special case since it was a UYE and they knew we were coming, but the space looked really nice. Upstairs, there is this spot that seats 2 right near the stairs where servers will be bringing up the food. This space is centrally located in the upstairs portion of the restaurant and would be an ideal space for someone who is dining solo, or 2 people to sit and be able to people watch (or food watch) and is a nice alternative to sitting at a bar. Downstairs was very inviting, a bit darker, candles on the tables, a bit more sexy. This space is nice and cozy and could be ideal for a date night. The bar, and the bartenders (Ian and Aaron) served our group well. Not only were these guys quite knowledgeable and able to whip up a delicious cocktail, they were also very personable and could hold interesting conversations. Ian made me a Bubbly Wine Cooler (that is the name from their cocktail menu) and it was so tasty. I wouldn't have chosen to order this drink myself because it contains brandy, and as a general rule I don't like brandy, but I liked this one! My one downfall for the drink was that while all of that fresh muddled fruit was nice, it made sipping it a bit difficult at times. The food that they brought out was also top notch. We had the Meat Candy (smoke house kielbasa with brown sugar and pineapple), Stuffed Pickled Peppers (Peppadews from South Africa stuffed with ham and cheese), and lastly we had the Butchers Plate w/ pops relish. They put it on some crostinis for us to make it easier to share/eat. Everything was very good, but I was wholeheartedly in LOVE with the Peppadews and the Meat Candy. Wonderful evening of delicious bites, taste bud tantalizing cocktails, and good convos not only with the fine ladies who were with me, but also with the staff. I cannot wait to come back again, hopefully in time to try their outdoor patio!

    (4)
  • Erica T.

    I was brought here on a first date and it was just fabulous. The service was friendly and impeccable-- there whenever we needed them, but not hovering uncomfortably. We split a few appetizers for a light afternoon meal; enjoying the artichoke angolotti, the marinated beets, and the foraged mushroom & goat cheese tart. All of it was light, simple and delicious. Truly a delightful experience, and I look forward to going back!

    (4)
  • David C.

    Went on a Sunday night with my wife at 6pm. The place was dead which was nice. We were the only people in the whole back half of the place. It was very dark which I like. We both got cocktails. $12 each. They were pretty good. Smallish but not stingy with the liquor and tasted good. We both got the burger. I will admit I was very excited to try it and had very high expectations. The meat was excellent. The bun was excellent. However, the onions we a bit crunchy and undercooked. This was kind of a bummer because I heard they are usually deliciously cooked and caramalized mushy which I like. I ended up taking them off. My wife also thought they we undercooked. Perhaps it wasn't bus enough to keep a big batch going...who knows. I was also a little disappointed the cheese bits were cold and not melted at all. This is also not what we've heard is typical for this place. Meat was perfectly cooked. The French fries were very good...nice and thin and crispy. Overall, decent cocktails, decent burger. However, not as amazing as everything I've heard.

    (3)
  • Romulo R.

    Went there recently for a Yelp event at the downstairs bar. Nice atmosphere for a get together, good bartenders and delicious cocktails. The crowd was pretty awesome as well. Will definitely have to check this place out in more detail !

    (4)
  • Amanda B.

    I visited the BBSC with 12 of my closest lady friends for my bachelorette a few weeks ago and it was a hit! We had a nice mix of locals and out-of-towners and they all seemed to really like BBSC. I have to start off by saying it was really hard for me to decide what to eat and drink. I started off with the Summer Social cocktail which had watermelon in and was delicious. I also tried the Gin Somethin that a friend ordered and enjoyed that as well. I ended up ordering the Thick Cut Pork Chop which was served with crispy fried onions on top and a succotash. I also ordered a side of garlicky mushrooms- So. Good. It was all so delicious. For dessert I shared the Chocolate Ganache Cake topped with Toasted Almonds and Coconut Cream and dear readers, I cannot say enough good things about that dessert. If no one was there I would have been licking the plate. Having referenced the menu to write this review, I see that it's seasonal, which is nice. It makes me want to return sooner rather than later! The service was outstanding. Our waiter, who I called Lucky because after we were seated he announced "My name is----, but tonight, you can call me lucky!" Wahh-wahhh. But charming, nonetheless. He was funny, extremely polite and very attentive and fast. He took care of all 13 of us like it was no big deal. (I didn't hear his actual name!) BBSC got really busy by the time we were wrapping up (11-11:30 ish). There was a Red Sox game that night; it was on the tvs at the bar, but the crowd didn't seem like a post-Fenway crowd. It's a classy joint. I will definitely be returning to BBSC (most likely for a special occasion, since it's pricey). Can't wait to work my way through the cocktail menu!!

    (5)
  • Courtney S.

    YUM YUM YUM ... went here for dinner for my friend's sisters birthday. There were 4 of us and we had a reservation for 7 and the tabel was ready on time and the food was great. I got there mai tai which was a little strong but still very good. We got meat candy and the meatball sliders to start. The meat candy was delish as were the sliders but there were only two on a plate. I got the onion raviolis which were to die for i ate them all. My friend got the chicken which she swears by and the other two got the slamon which they loved except for the potatoes that they came with because they legit smelt like a camp fire. yuck! we ordered desert which we ended up getting for free because it took awhile to come out score!! I would deff eat here again drinks are a little pricey but the food is totally worth it.

    (4)
  • Jen W.

    I went to BBSC for the Girlfriends of Yelp UYE and had a great time! I didn't get a chance to poke around upstairs, as the event was held downstairs at the bar. The downstairs was pretty suavely decorated. The blank and white tiled floor still stands out in my memory. The bar was comfortable and the bartenders were super cool and very knowledgeable of the drinks they serve on their menu. I had a couple of very tasty drinks...the wine cooler and something else with smashed fruit in it (fruit in drinks is wonderful!!). I wish I had gotten to try more of the food. It looked delicious, but sadly most of it had meat and I am vegetarian. My friend and I got an order of the potato croquettes and couldn't get over how perfect they were. They had the perfect combination of crunchy and mashed potatoes, just the right amount of cheese, and they were served perfectly hot! I'd like to check out the dinner menu some other time with a big group of friends.

    (4)
  • Manesh P.

    Went a second time and can confirm that the cocktails skew sweet. Got a maple sazerac that was totally not the licorice-y, spicy bomb you would have expected of a classic cocktail typically includes Peychauds and Absinthe. The maple syrup tames it a bit and I'd have to say it was more reminiscent of a Maple Manhattan. Burger was great. Medium rare just as you'd like it. Very rich. The dry roasted chicken... is a tad dry. So, still can't give the place 5 stars. But, a good experience all around. And, the wait staff is great every time! It's hard not to enjoy your meal regardless of what they put on the plate.

    (4)
  • Melanie H.

    I gave Back Bay Social Club another chance last night and boy, I am glad I did! Wine: Villa Del Borgo Pinot Grigio Starter: Oysters on the Half Shell Entree: The Social Burger Cocktails: The White Russian It was all outstanding! The texas toast is so good, and a perfect alternative to those big bulky rolls that some restaurants serve.The wait staff is really on top of their game and did a great job suggesting the best items on the menu. I had the social burger cooked medium-well and it was cooked exactly to my liking. Also, the smothered onions on top? WOW. It was more like a fantastic relish that just melted in my mouth. The White Russians are definitely a must- the bar manager makes his own coffe liquor and makes magic- this drink was delicious. Back Bay Social Club has definitely sold me to come back for future visits.. definitely worth your time if you are in the Back Bay!

    (5)
  • Thuy L.

    I decided to give BBSC a 2nd chance last night and what a VAST improvement. I cannot wait to go back!!!! I decided to give BBSC an extra star for their customer service and the improvement in their food. We had such a great experience with the food, we'll defintiely be coming back. Pros: Staff, Food, Timeliness of Food, Beer Braised Pork Belly Cons: Bar Staff are a little slow on taking orders and running the credit cards, steak frites is a little too done though it is supposed to be medium rare and not enough bernaise sauce, lamb had a little too much mint Upon arriving, I ordered a drink at the bar after checking in at the hostess station. Bar staff were a little slow to take my order, and after receiving my drink, I asked the bartender to run my card. It took about 10 minutes before I could get my card, and I had to ask another bartender to get it for me. The bartender apologized but how long does it take to rip a piece of paper? I then took the drink to our table and my husband noticed a piece of hair floating in it. I told the waitress and she immediately took care of it and brought back a new cocktail. Talk about great service. Now let's get onto the food: If you want to taste a piece of heaven, I suggest ordering the beer braised pork belly. OMG!!!! It was absolutely delicious and melted in my mouth. The pork belly sits on a bed of pureed fava beans. I just couldn't get enough. We also got the Frito Misto as the waiterss highly recommended it if we liked seafood. It was pretty good, breaded calamari and shrimp in this great sweet and sour sauce. The only thing I did NOT like of the Frito Misto was the random piece of baguette in the dish. The bread was soggy from all the juices. But that's not to say that we didn't lick the plate clean;) For main courses, I ordered teh lamb and my husband ordered the steak frites with bernaise sauce (which I ordered last time). I stick by my review about the steak frites. The steak was a great piece of steak except they left it on the grill for a minute too long. It was so chewy that you needed to dip it in the bernaise sauce to give it some moisture. I wished that they would have just poured the bernaise sauce on the steak instead of put it as a dipping dish. The lamb was on the other hand cooked to the right temperature (medium rare really meant medium rare). The dish did have a little too much mint but the cut of meat was just excellent. I would definitely come back for this dish! We ended the night with a glass of wine that the manager recommended and some beignets which ended the dinner wonderfully.

    (4)
  • Paula P.

    The other reviews about this place are pretty accurate- the music is SO loud and it really is more of a bar scene. We had dinner reservations at 8pm on Friday. It was like 200 degrees upstairs and like 60 degrees downstairs. Basically I was sweating through my meal which was terrible. However, the food was fantastic. We had some kind of frito mito appetizer which was so yummy! I had the roasted chicken for dinner and whatever seasonings they are doing for the chicken make the tastebuds in my mouth come alive! The seasonings weren't just on the skin like sometimes happens, but they actually soaked into the chicken breast meat. SO yummy. Hubby had the gumbo which he said was pretty great too.

    (4)
  • Howe L.

    I was surprisingly shocked at how good the food tasted - probably one of the best burgers I've tasted in Boston (the fries that accompanied though were nothing special). Also loved the gumbo - plenty of meat and flavor. Seats were a little packed. However, service was top notch. Little pricey, but not unexpected in the area.

    (4)
  • H. G.

    So I've had the "fancy" burger here. Three different times. It has varied from pretty good to fantastic. The last time I went here though it took forever for it to come out. 30 minutes maybe? When it came, we didn't act annoyed or complain. I'm not big on giving waiters and waitresses a hard time. Anyway, a few minutes later, the hostess comes over and tells us she's comping the burger because of our wait. Customer service like that is rare and deserves to be commended.

    (4)
  • Melissa N.

    We didn't order food; but instead grabbed a seat at the bar for some drinks. It was busy outside since it was beautiful out and of course...almost everyone has Memorial Day off... Our bartender ( I don't know her name, but she was entertaining, had bangs, and a great fashion sense...since she loved my Club Monaco sweater...) She talked to us about wines and recommended a great sauvignon blanc according to what my friend's tastes were. She came in and out of our conversation and was very friendly and pleasant without being overbearing. The manager also came by to say hello and was really nice as well. All in all, I definitely have to come back... And this bartender needs to get "on the bar" that way we can come back for some laughs from her!!!!

    (4)
  • Sam H.

    Came here on NYE. Everywhere else was fully booked but they managed to squeeze us in. When we first walked in we thought it was a night club as was so dark - could hardly see! Had quite a funky decor. Selection of wines and beer was good. My husband had the steak frites. They cooked his steak exactly as requested and even I liked it. Frites were terrible. Tasted like they had been recooked and were greasy and cold. The Bearnaise sauce was a little different to normal and had a very sharp taste to it. Was ok though. I had the pumpkin ravioli (starter) as my main. Was really quite pleasant and had a nice cheesey topping. Pasta was cooked well - not too al dente. Food was delivered in under 2 minutes, no word of a lie. We thought this was a bit dubious....... Service wasn't great, waitress rushed us, took away drinks before they were finished and took plates away before the other person had finished. Perhaps it was because they squeezed us in, but they should have highlighted this point. Food ok - not out of this world. Service was a bit mish mash.

    (3)
  • Paulette S.

    Met friends here for Sunday brunch - the service was inexplicably slow (we waited about 25 minutes for eggs and waffles) even though it wasn't crowded. When the food arrived it was mediocre at best (plus my omelet was not made the way I ordered it). It's not terribly expensive but definitely didn't feel worth the wait.

    (2)
  • Kathleen F.

    Met friends at the upstairs bar here. Ordered the fall martini. Had a cocktail-gasm. I was the most incredible cocktail I've ever had(and I have had a lot). The cider, spices, vodka, and apple slice w sugar and cinnamon were so amazing when combined. I need to go back and have anther one of these drinks ASAP, pure cocktail magic!

    (4)
  • Gonzalo B.

    Picked this over Towne in the middle of a Saturday afternoonsie. Not too busy, which was fine with us. Waitress was good and smiling and pleasant. Later, in the middle of our meal the hostess and her very flattering outfit stopped by to check how things were. I like that. Had the frito misto (SP?) appetizer, mix of seafood in a creamy and bit spicy sauce, very nice but wish there was a bit more. Felt a lil' bit o chintzy size-wise. It's seafood, it's Boston, get some, give some... One good reason not to have the much-alluded to $22 smackers burger is if you don't eat meat. That would certainly be a reason. I got the eggplant panini sangwich and it was a pretty good sangwich. Eggplant can be iffy sometimes if'n they leave on the skin or it's bitter or has seeds...this was done right, and had some tangy cheese -goat cheese methinks, and roasted peppers and not bad bread. Said sangwich comes with a side o' salade I'm spellin' it with an 'e' on the end today I know it's wrong, but still. We got us a bag o' fries on the side and it was a pleasant bunch o thin taters piled high in the paper bag. My luncheon pardner had her a caesar salade with some chicken whoa there nelly that's a biggy salade you got there pardner and some decent dressin' she says and was purdy moist and toothesome. Nice wine nice beer nice place nice location - spotless bathrooms as well...

    (3)
  • Shannon C.

    At 9p on Saturday with no reservations we decided to give this place a shot - we love bar seating & always opt for that over a table but the bar upstairs didn't have any seats. The hostess directed us downstairs & said if it was too mellow, she could certainly seat us upstairs at a table. We walked under that very phallic "bar downstairs" sign that has been there since this place was Vinny T's and there was plenty of seating. The bartenders were super friendly and helpful. We split the Fritto Misto & Squash Salad (both delish) and the steak frites (meh). I'd skip the steak next time, it was pretty over cooked and just ok - the apps though, were fab. Will definitely return.

    (4)
  • Robert S.

    went with 6 people for a late dinner and some drinks. ordered many appetizers and all were great. the duck sliders, meatloaf sliders, and meat candy all stood out to me. the baked oysters were a bit salty but also good. the martinis were pretty pricey but comparable to the rest of the back bay. the whole atmosphere was great, with very dim lighting and loud music. not a place to go with the family but definitely a hip spot to start off an evening.

    (4)
  • Natasha A.

    Went here for dinner and drinks with some friends. The drinks were okay, but the food was amazing. I'd highly recommend the oysters, mussels, and my favorite part: the Lamb Burger. Great place for a fun time and good food!

    (4)
  • Michael A.

    Really great bartenders whip up creative variations on classic cocktails. Food good too!

    (4)
  • Katie D.

    I adore BBSC. In my eyes, the place can do no wrong (... until very recently, when a certain menu refresh left me feeling utterly betrayed -- but I will get to that later). BBSC is one of the few places I genuinely feel "at home" at in Boston. Unlike the 200 Irish pubs that surround it, BBSC has a cozy-ish vibe, complete with the bartenders decked out in plaid button-downs. But the down-to-earth vibe isn't just in the atmosphere -- every single bartender is genuinely friendly. Aaron is the only one I happen to know by name at this point, but they're all super approachable, helpful, and chatty. The patio is one of the few I can tolerate in Boston for not trying to cram in as many tables as space will allow -- and some of the best people-watching in the city. The drink list is generally great -- plenty to choose from without being overwhelming. I've tried plenty of the cocktails and they're all superb -- Blood & Sand was probably most memorable for being both horrifying and deliciously strong. They've got Goose Island on tap, which I appreciate, but I'd be truly impressed if they got some 312 in there :) Now on to the good stuff -- I have to say that for the most part, I've only come to BBSC for drinks and snacks. The meat candy is a MUST (I'm essentially a carnivore, so anything that pays homage to the delicacy of protein is already bound to be a favorite of mine) -- sweet and succulent, it really hits the spot and is perfect to split over some beers with a friend. They used to have pretzel/biscuits with a cheese beer sauce that was slightly watery, yes, but sinfully yummy and hearty. More recently, their summer salads are good and not your usual over-sized platter of greens -- the baby arugula with trout was just right as a light snack. The one entree I have gotten is (very unfortunately) no longer on the menu, country fried chicken with goat cheese mashed potatoes -- beyond amazing. I've said before, I am no stranger to fried foods, but this was ridiculous -- JUST the right amount of breading and crisp, and the potatoes left me wanting more for days. Here's where BBSC really killed me though - truffle.butter.popcorn. Never in my life has a bar snack compelled me to return twice in one week, but this did it. I craved it constantly. Told all my friends. Converted some of them to true truffle believers. And then.... it was gone. Like any good love affair, it apparently had to come to an end. Sad, yes. But the end of my appreciation for BBSC, it is not.

    (4)
  • Samantha S.

    As someone who typically stopped by here for a cocktail or two (or 3, or 4).... I was really pleasantly surprised by their food. The brunch selection is great...the french toast is my favorite that I have tried. A friend of mine got chicken & waffles, didn't really strike me as something I would ever want to order, but I tried a bite out of curiosity and it was actually really good. The highlights of the menu though are the Social burger, which is delicious and the Chicken sandwich on the lunch menu. It's unbelievable and unsurprisingly a very popular item. Also, the french fries are so delicious....so needless to say, not the place to go if you're on a diet, but it's so good.

    (4)
  • K P.

    Terrible service last night starting with bartenders who were overwhelmed and made sure they let you know of it. Sad to see the prices are now in gauge level after the recent events of the area. Told there was a 30 minute wait and after 1 1/2 hours we left never to be seen again there....

    (1)
  • Brian D.

    Visited the Back Bay Social Club on a Friday evening around 7:30. At first glance from the street you might think this nothing more than an after-work bar scene kind of place, owing to the crowded front patio, but I found the inside to have a well-styled dining area. We were seated upstairs, but later I was able to grab a peek at the downstairs dining area, which is a little more "jazz club" to the upstairs "1940s hotel bar" motif. Anyways, we had a reservation, which we obtained just earlier that day. The dining area was full but not crowded. The hostess seated the 2 of us at a 4 person booth, rather than the lone 2 person table squashed between 2 other larger parties. This was just the first example of the high quality service that Social Club provided that night. I am a sucker for good service, and the waitress is one of the best I've ever encountered. A particularly good move was checking in between appetizer and main course to let us know the food would be ready soon, and to see if we would like another drink with dinner. The food was extremely well prepared. I had salmon, which was great. The person sitting across the table from me had a chicken that was prepared with great care (they even inform you on the menu that this particular dish will take longer). Good presentation, and great flavor in both dishes. The menu is short, but varied enough to satisfy most, I would expect. Drinks-wise, they have a large bar, though I find the cocktail menu to be a little lacking. Most of the drinks are very fruity, and the two I tasted somewhat mimicked the taste of a lollipop. Which might be what you're looking for. The one cocktail I ordered was a maple sazerac, which was great. The sazerac is one of my favorite drinks to order at a bar (since I am more or less too cheap to buy a bottle of absinthe that will only be used to wash the glass out) but I was worried the maple might overpower the rest of the flavor ... but I was wrong. The drink was very well prepared. I also had a beer from the short but quality craft beer list (you can also grab a coors light for 5 bucks if you're so inclined). Overall, the experience here was great. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Laura H.

    I went here for drinks recently and was aghast at the horrendous quality of the service. Our bartender was slow to take our order (took about 15 minutes) for our first drink, which was frustrating but somewhat understandable since it was quite busy. However, a bit later several of the bartender's friends came up to the bar and he proceeded to make complicated free cocktails for them while we waited probably over 20 minutes to order our next drink. When we eventually wanted to just cash out and get out of there, I once again was ignored by the bartender, and eventually had to flag down another bartender farther away to let us cash out. When they finally brought the bill, the receipt was correct but the wrong credit card was with it. We informed the bartender this, and he brought us the right card and receipt. However, thankfully my friend checks his credit card statement periodically, since they had charged his card not one, not two, but THREE times for the same bill. Unfortunately, one bartender ruined our night and I certainly hope Back Bay Social Club reminds their staff of the importance of good service. I, for one, will not be returning here.

    (1)
  • Steve H.

    They have chicken and waffles, and they do them pretty well - would recommend. Tried the burger once and was very disappointed. It was overcooked and not worth the hype.

    (3)
  • Matt D.

    I've eaten dinner here several times now and I'm always very pleased. It's a great place to go for a date. There is a great selection of beers on tap and the cocktails are delicious. I'm always pleased with the menu as well. The chicken and waffles are to die for! I also really like the brisket and the duck. In a location like Boylston Street, this restaurant really thrives and has a lively atmosphere.

    (5)
  • Jessie J.

    Burger. Burger.... Amazing! enough said. ;)

    (5)
  • Cassandra G.

    The chicken and waffles were awesome! The serve them with BBQ sauce. I didn't think I would like it but it was perfect! The breading on the fried chicken is something else! The Social Burger is also something special! We had awesome service! Thank you, Katie for a great brunch! Would definitely return on out next vacation to Boston!

    (5)
  • Lisa S.

    My friends and I came here for brunch last weekend. We had a 12pm reservation, but when we got there it wasn't that crowded, so I don't think the reservation was necessary. We got seated and I ordered 2 fried eggs over easy ($10)- as did one of my friends- and the other ordered an omelet ($12). I ordered an iced tea and we all also ordered mimosas, and the waitress recommended a special mimosa with orange-flavored vodka and all this other stuff. Since I don't believe in messing with a good thing, I opted for the regular mimosa, but one of my friends chose to get the special one. The menu looked tasty and had a variety of things to choose from, and the service was solid- the waitress was quick to refill my iced tea glass every time it was empty. While we were waiting, they brought us corn bread with butter, which was tasty. Then we got our mimosas, and mine was delicious. However, my friend's special mimosa was basically undrinkable- it tasted like pure sour vodka. We all tried it at the table and we all thought it was disgusting (note: we spent most of our college years doing shots of 99 bananas- so you can imagine what this tasted like). The waitress could tell we hated the drink, so she brought us some extra OJ to mix in it and make it less strong, which helped. The 3 of us all worked on drinking it, but could only finish about half by the end of the meal, at which point it was almost palatable. Moral of the story: stick with regular mimosas. When our eggs came, my plate looked pretty sad (picture uploaded). I had 2 eggs, which were actually done over medium/hard (pretty much no liquid came out when I cut into them), 4 pieces of bacon, 1 piece of toast, and maybe 1/2-3/4 cup of potatoes. They didn't ask us what kind of toast we wanted, and we were just given wheat toast. I've had double the food for half the price, which tasted better, at most other places I've been to for brunch. Two of us had mostly finished our brunch, but one of us was still eating when the guy came to clear the plates. He took our plates and then- while my friend was still chewing and holding his fork and knife in his hand- asked him if he was finished with his plate. After my friend said no, the guy cleared most of the rest of the table. This is one of my pet peeves, and I also think it's rude- this meant that my friend now had the only plate at an empty table, and was trying to finish it as quickly as he could because he felt rushed. Overall for brunch: I'd be back again if I was in the area and someone else suggested it, but overall our meal was fairly forgetful. Pros- great location, good menu, good normal mimosas, quick service, moderately priced. Cons- meh on the actual brunch food, gross special mimosa, overenthusiastic table clearing.

    (3)
  • Christina H.

    We were excited to visit after reading the reviews. However, quite disappointed in our experience. We sat at the bar and it was covered in water. I politely asked the bartender to wipe it and she was clearly annoyed. She then disappeared and a new bartender arrived. We had to wait quite a bit of time even though they had five people behind the bar. I ordered the chicken and waffles. They were good but not great. I was hoping for a sweet and savory dish but instead it was overpowered with BBQ sauce. Not bad just not what I was expecting. Overall service was mediocre at best and food was good. The cocktail I ordered was a nice mix of tarragon and tequila. Would not recommend seeing how there are so many other choices out there.

    (2)
  • Carrie P.

    Went here with a big group... My basic reaction was that this place was just OK. We started with cocktails which were pretty good, but a little on the pricey side. Our table got the duck perogies starter and brussel sprouts and french fries to share. The perogies and brussel sprouts were pretty good, and the fries were great. I wanted to order the spicy mahi, which sounded delicious until the waiter told me that it wasn't really spicy it was just "spiced". With cinnamon. That combination - shellfish reduction, guacamole, and cilantro - does not seem to go with cinnamon at all. I actually think this is the first time I've ever heard of putting cinnamon on fish... So after the waiter talked me out of that dish, I decided to go with the bronzini, which they didn't have, so they replaced it with some other fish. I can't remember what it was now, but it was literally the worst piece of fish I've ever eaten in my life. And I once ate a fish in Ghana that they didn't take the organs out of before cooking and serving it. This fish was worse than that. One of my friends also got this dish and she agreed. We both left it uneaten. The saving grace of the dish was the gnocci and braised oxtail, which was actually quite good and there was enough of it to be full, so it ended up not really mattering that the fish was terrible. Other people were decently pleased with their meals. No one was blown away, but no one was too disappointed either. The burger sounds good, but it's hard to justify paying $22 for a burger, so everyone in my group went with other entrees. All in all 3 stars.

    (3)
  • Jenn S.

    We have been there a couple of times and haven't had a bad meal yet. The boyfriend loves the chicken and waffles - he swears its amazing. I have had the fish tacos and the oysters and those are a hit too. The lunch menu is pretty small, it only has a few sandwiches but still different than the usual burger for lunch.

    (4)
  • Courtney H.

    Two words: Social Burger. SOO ridiculously expensive, but I split it with a friend and it was wonderful. My boyfriend had the steak and frites and won't stop talking about it. We all split the cheese platter, that was great too (again, expensive but I think I'm starting to get used to there prices in Boston). Great beer selection too!

    (4)
  • Adrian G.

    It seems to me like Back Bay Social Club is a great example of location, location, location. I had a Saturday lunch with one of my friends there a couple of weeks ago. To be honest there was nothing special about my food...other than the fact that I was consuming it on Boylston, while staring at the Pru. I don't really know if I would give this place another chance...especially given the tiny order of eggs hollandaise for which I overpaid.

    (2)
  • Lucas P.

    Food is pretty good. They have a very small brunch menu with little to no variety. For some reason my chicken and potato smelt and tasted like seafood. Maybe it was cooked with the same oil. The restaurant was okay. I think great for late night drinks.

    (3)
  • Lynn J.

    Came for dinner...and, aftwards... Attended a social networking event for the NABB Young Friends & Neighbors. FOOD & STAFF: Our burgers, fish & steak were good, but not notably exceptional in any way, and the same goes for the service. ATMOSPHERE: Old school speakeasy... Classy and sassy, but not too trashy. THE DEAL: I agree with the "Cougar Club" label, based on the people on the prowl... if the upstairs bar is light on the ladies... be sure to check out the lower floor!

    (4)
  • George L.

    I came on a summer night and sat outside, which was great. They had decent beers on tap (dogfish head, allagash, harpoon, etc.), and service was friendly and responsive. I had the burger, which was delicious. We also shared some appetizers, my favorite being the bacon wrapped dates. The only drawback was that the prices were probably a bit higher than comparable venues.

    (4)
  • Karen M.

    We went at 6 pm on a TH night. We were seated promptly. Food was great. Service was great. Nice bar but not enough TVs. I would go back.

    (4)
  • Taiwan C.

    Great service, food and drinks. The meat candy, which was sweetened sausage, was a nice dish.

    (5)
  • Alex B.

    Back Bay Social is the perfect place to hang out with friends and "be social". I have been here a few times to grab a glass of wine and some apps. What I have found is that my servers and bartenders have always been super friendly and the food is so yummy. They have a huge downstairs area that is great for networking events and their patio is a great place to relax and have a drink on a warm summer evening. The highlights for me have definitely been their truffle butter popcorn ($5), kobe meatball sliders ($8), the candied meat (kielbasa and pineapple) for $9, and their pretzel bread with the beer cheese dip ($8). However, I am very interested to try their doughnut sandwich off their brunch menu and their farm chicken for dinner which I heard was delicious. I was a little turned off by the fact that there's no overlap on their menu. For example, I couldn't get a salad during snack time (4-5 PM). Also $21 for a burger and fries? No thank you. I will be taking my burger business elsewhere. While this place does have a few downsides I think it is great that it helps to alleviate some of the grit many Boylston Bars while not being too pretentious.

    (4)
  • Julia K.

    This place is known for its HUGE burgers, but I was looking for a healthier option! We decided to order a few appetizers; they just all happened to be asian inspired -- spicy korean style wings, pork belly, and the bbq duck confit sliders. The Korean style wings were crisp, spicy and slightly sweet; very similar to bon chon but tasted less greasy. The sliders are delicious and 4 came in one order. The pork belly was a little disappointing. I didn't think the presentation was very good and came cold. For my main dish, I decided to have the arugula salad w/ pickled beets, goat cheese, champagne vinaigrette. The salad was refreshing but wasn't spectacular. Watch out for the crowded bar area on the 1st floor on a Friday night! Popular spot to grab tasty cocktails!

    (3)
  • Renee W.

    Hit up the Back Bay Social Club on the way to Fenway for the Justin Timberlake/Jay Z show and we had never been here before so we thought to give it a try. We're not disappointed. Sat outside at a nice table in the patio which was perfect for conversation and peopl watching on Boylston. I haven't had Harpoon in at least a year and their Summer brew was on tap. Delicious as always! I also ordered the Steak Freits with goat cheese compund. The steak was cooked perfectly medium and absolutely delicious! Paired with rosemary fries....lovely combo. My friend had the grilled cheese which also had Prosciutto- and she loved it! One of the best meals I have had out. Cheers!

    (4)
  • Jhan M.

    First time there, very good service, went for the burgher and it was bad bad bad I don't know how they can charge 22 for a burger that it's so bad !!!! Any body its better off going to five guys or even Kelly's but very good service

    (2)
  • Yasa E.

    Whoever said BBSC is the "poor man's abe and louies" is an idiot. Two completely different types of restaurants, it's like comparing apples and oranges. Anyways, the drinks are very interesting. And yummy. The social burger is probably one of the best burgers i've ever had. Get it done the way the chef likes it (that's like medium rare), otherwise it's not the same. The bar scene is usually pretty good here as well.

    (4)
  • Dawn E.

    The Back Bay Social Club is an chic urban restaurant and bar with a bit of an old speakeasy feel. The upstairs is bright and hip, with well arranged lighting and an excellent outdoor patio space and the downstairs is dark and cozy, with a rich wood bar and deep round red booths to cozy up in with friends. I have not had the pleasure of having much food here (aside from some crudites and meats), but the bar service was above excellent. I recently attending an event downstairs and was early to arrive, the bartender immediately offered me water while I wait and when I asked if he minded if I ate an orange I happened to have in my purse, he took out a cutting board and cut it up for me. Drinks throughout the night were filled promptly and with a smile by all three bartenders. Upstairs, the vibe is full of energy and youth, service still comes with a smile, and staff seems to be efficient and capable. The clientele here seem to be well-dressed and happy, whatever that's worth.

    (4)
  • NK T.

    Mediocre at best. As expensive as any top Boston restaurant without any of the effort you see elsewhere. A vibrant scene, great ambiance, but they seem to have stopped trying after the decor was hung. Nothing special about the food or cocktails but a fun spot if you're just interested in the nighttime scene.

    (3)
  • Morgan B.

    Thank you, Back Bay Social Club for a memorable experience.

    (4)
  • Alex A.

    Went here with friends and the place has a really cool vibe, similar to the Foundry in davis square. Tried the chicken and waffles which was really good and also had the steak frites with rosemary fries which was really tasty too (had it done medium-well), the garlic butter on the steak was amazing. We got the mussels as well, which was okay, nothing special. Overall, really good food, prices are decent and the atmosphere is really nice, I'd definitely come back.

    (4)
  • Ellen W.

    Great breakfast! Manager is very attentive. Super service. Chef's omelet very yummy, prime rib, onions, red peppers, swiss cheese. Great coffee. Love the atmosphere.

    (5)
  • J. N.

    Three stars cuz the cocktails are delicious. But the food is not. We ordered meat "candy", seared tuna and mussels. The meat is actually a spin on something I make myself but it had a very weird aftertaste. The tuna was simply tasteless as were the mussels. We got baked Alaska for dessert. It was literally frozen. Best part was when young server boy asked how we liked dessert (only inquiry of the night), we said it was not very good and he was like, yeah, oh well. Unless you're just there for drinks, don't do it.

    (3)
  • EricaLynn J.

    Point and laugh at this reviewer: When folks told me about it, I thought they were referring to a gym! I believe I even turned one friend away when she invited me there, with the response that I already belonged to a gym I enjoyed. Oh, dear. If I could give this place five more stars, I would. It is everything I could possibly want in a restaurant/drink spot. And I am head over heels in love with the absolute creativity of the menu. Any place that serves stuffed peppadews is more than A-OK in my book. The vibe of the BBSC is chill, fun, and swanky. And the bartenders are not only knowledgable, but they take very good care of you. They are not afraid to make something creative or unique for you, and then tell you exactly how they are doing it. I love that! This is a place suited for anyone and any occasion - from a quiet date night to a bachelorette party, this should be your go-to spot!

    (5)
  • Chris M.

    First time in Boston and stumbled upon this joint. I was in town for an interview and couldn't have found a better place for a quick bite and a couple of beers. Margie was as real as they come, and felt the hospitality for the short time I spent in the area. The food was great and left completely satisfied. Cheers you guys!

    (5)
  • R M.

    Overall good restaurant, with a really good night vibe, and attentive wait staff. Had the grilled salmon, salad and beer, of which the salmon was one of the better I had. Very fresh. Great place to hang with buds, co-workers or dates. While it gives the appearance that service will be ho-hum, I was happily surprised at how friendly literally every staff person there was. Absolutely would come back here.

    (4)
  • Patty T.

    I came to Back Bay when visiting Boston for a business trip. They had 2 major mistakes and 2 major wins- so I'll give them 3 stars. I ordered Scallop and Corn Chowder- which did not include "bacon" in the description. Nor did the server inform me there was bacon in it when I ordered it- I found out after swallowing some. I do not eat pork. For me, it is not for religious reasons but for many people it is and that is a BIG deal. Especially in a large city, they should know better than to not be 110% upfront about pork being in a dish with all of the Jewish and Muslim guests they must get. The other issue was that the server was very poor at serving. She seemed like a perfectly nice girl who either hadn't been trained properly or was let on the floor alone too soon. Now the wins. I also ordered the Spinach and Mushroom salad and it was absolutely delicious. Their chefs combination of flavors was amazing. Hats off to him/her. The second win was that not only did the manager/server take my soup off the bill, they also took off all of our alcohol and gave us free dessert. While this did not make up for such a blatant mistake as not listing pork in a food description, it fixed my very sour impression of the restaurant very quickly because lets face it, mistakes do happen. I would go back for that salad and manager's apologetic gestures, but I would be very careful to ask what is in what I'm ordering.

    (3)
  • Shawn S.

    Went to dinner with my girlfriend and it was amazing. The brisket was tender and cooked perfectly, her salmon was delicious, although I didn't have any. The toasted marshmallow dessert is also fantastic. The large selection of craft beers on draft is a huge plus too. The waiter was friendly and attentive, but not annoying. Our drinks, dinner and dessert came at perfect intervals. Our stay was casual and we never felt rushed or pressured. Will definitely be back and I recommend the seating in the back if you're looking for more intimate seating.

    (5)
  • Julie C.

    Service was outstanding! After a flight connection was canceled and an entire day of travel (sfo and finally to boston) all my man and I wanted was a nice meal and drinks. We got exactly that at the Social Club. We deplaned, made a call, Alice the hostess said as long as you get here by midnight the kitchen will be open. Props to the cabbie, he got us there at 11:58. While my man settled the cab and our luggage, I cut the line to get in and was instantly welcomed by the doormen and then warmly greeted by Alice and the manager Ryan. They put our luggage in the storage room and we were quickly seated and provided excellent service by our waiter, Nick. Loved the oysters that they offered that day! Despite the fact that the kitchen was wrapping up for the night, they quickly presented a half dozen local Duxbury, Mass. oysters. Don't let the size intimidate you. They are all that and more, so delicious that we ordered another 4. The kitchen fired our food right up (he brisket and me pasta which were both good, not great all things considered, especially understanding the timing of our arrival) we were instantly sated and enjoying good drinks as well. We were hungry and looking for a nice vibe, good food and good drinks. That's exactly what we got and great service to boot. Even the busboy was rad. When the check came, Nick had comped us our additional oysters! We had a fantastic time, start to finish. After we settled our dinner tab, we stayed for a couple more drinks at the bar and then they helped us with our luggage and we were on our way to our hotel. Buzzed, full, and feeling good about our first taste of Boston. Fenway park up next! Woot! Thanks again! Nick, Ryan and Alice! Quinn and Julie, San Francisco, CA Go Giants! Loved the oyster so much that we ordered another four

    (5)
  • Jackie K.

    Went here for dinner on a Friday night with a few friends and it was a good experience. The restaurant is really dark so it was hard to see the menu and it was empty. Beer selection is good. Service was slow. I had the gnocchi which was good but it was covered in a cream sauce so I was expecting that. Not a lot of subtle flavors but solid. Everyone else did not like their meals. They said the chicken and waffles was okay and the duck was bland. The mussels were fair. After the food part of this review I'm tempted to give it two stars but I like the ambiance and beer selection.

    (3)
  • Nicole B.

    I had such high hopes for Back Bay Social Club! Came here for a working lunch and was majorly disappointed all around. I had the Turkey Cubano, which is a sandwich on ciabatta with sliced turkey, shredded chicken, swiss, avocado, mustard and pickles. Oh my goodness was it BAD. The turkey tasted straight up like cafeteria/hospital lunch meat. The shredded chicken was actually quite tasty, but there wasn't enough of it, and the sandwich was an oily, saucy mess (not in a good way). The bread was chewy and tough and the salad it was served with was limp with oil. I'm not sure how a restaurant can mess up such an easy, tasty concept. The service was ok (3 stars), the sandwich was bad (2 stars), but the reason this gets 1 star is because it broke the unforgivable restaurant rule: I found a hair in the food. Bleh!!

    (1)
  • Veena T.

    This is for the brunch! Chicken and waffles, eggs benedict, all great options. Service also great.

    (4)
  • Amy O.

    Wasn't super impressed here. Nothing on the menu really jumped out at me. I got the salmon and it was just okay. The service was great though, and it was a nice dimly lit room for dusk on a Sunday in Boston.

    (3)
  • Rachel B.

    Here is a place that doesn't really know what it wants to be. There are plenty of other places nearby that seem to have it figured out.

    (2)
  • Greg W.

    Who would have thought you could find excellent Chicken and Waffles in Boston. Well you can and this is the place. The chicken is a boneless cutlet, seasoned to perfection over a simple waffle with a syrup with a hint of BBQ sauce. Not to spicy and not to sweet. Exactly how a great Chicken and Waffles dish should be. We also had the Corn Chowder which was great. They where not serving a Clam Chowder which was interesting. So you can't get that there. You have a choice of sitting inside or out. The restaurant is nice and cozy. A great place to relax and enjoy the evening.

    (5)
  • Cindy S.

    Fun ambiance, but the food is pretty terrible. I went here before a business school formal with a group of friends, and while we had a great time, I found myself complaining about the food to people all night. I ordered the chicken and it literally looked/tasted like SPAM. Chicken is not supposed to be soft like rubber! It had zero flavor and was probably chock full of antibiotics and other nasties you don't want in your meat. The risotto was yummy, but way too cheesy and slightly overcooked. This place even managed to screw up a chocolate tart. 4 of us split one dessert, and it remained half uneaten. That tells you something! Service was pretty good, but we had friends join us for drinks downstairs and they left because it took so long to order a drink from the bar.

    (2)
  • Angie W.

    Good food good drinks and great service. Try the Chicken and Waffles or Brussel Sprouts. I would rate them 31/2 stars and would eat here again.

    (3)
  • Dan H.

    Beautiful restaurant. Chicken and Waffles! For me, they were really good...quite unique flavor. About half way thru the meal, I had had enough. Maybe split it and a salad to help in the "passing" later!

    (4)
  • Donna P.

    Second time we have been here with a party over 12 for graduation. The staff is nice and very accommodating. Food is very good. Fun place to hang out.

    (4)
  • Kurstin R.

    Went here with friends for brunch and we had a great time. Out server was friendly and patient with us and made excellent recommendations. I had the chicken and waffles, two people in our party had the burger, and one had the eggs Benedict - nothing disappointed. We all cleared our plates! Drinks were tasty too - I would definitely dine here again.

    (5)
  • Courtney B.

    It's been a while since I've reviewed anything on yelp, mainly because I'm too lazy to keep up with it, but today's experience at Back Bay Social Club warranted the extra effort because it was that bad. Although we were seated right away (unusual for Marathon weekend), no one brought us menus for a good 30 minutes. Not exaggerating. I even looked up their menu on my phone to expedite the process. We eventually.asked for hard copy menus which were brought to us fairly quickly, but once our drink order was tsken, we didn't see out server again for another 20 minutes. We got our drinkes, a beer and iced tea. We asked for a glass for the beer, which was never brought to us (I ended up going to the bar directly and getting one). We placed our food order and after 45 minutes of waiting, the derver finally brought us breakfast bread (which would have been great about 30 minutes ago)...we finally get our meals, which weren't very hot. No explanation or apology. Nada. What baffles me is that people who were sat after us also got their meals before us! And the food was mediocre at best. Never going back. I suggest you go to the many better establishments that are located nearby if you want quality food and quality service.

    (1)
  • Melissa F.

    Came here on a Friday night and was surprised to see how busy this place was. Even so, we only waited about 20mins to be seated, which gave us enough time to get a drink at the bar. We went downstairs and the first thing we noted was holy sh*t this place is dark! As in, I had trouble reading the menu. Got served right away at the bar. Drinks were decently priced, wine averaged $9-10 a glass, but the selection was pretty good. We got seated shortly after and ordered our food. My friend had the butternut squash ravioli and she said it was pretty good. I on the other hand, being a major carnivore, decided to get the social burger since I heard it was good. WTF are you people on? At $22 I was expecting this thing to be phenomenal but no. It was totally underwhelming. And it didn't even come with bacon! Just cheese and caramelized onions. I wish it had said that on the menu. It was paired with greasy fries to top it off. So needless to say I was pissed. Their menu isn't that extensive and it's pretty pricey for what it is. It's a nice place to grab a drink, but if you're looking for food don't waste your time.

    (2)
  • Alexander S.

    The single best burger I've ever tasted in my life. Luxury hamburger. Thy blend 4 different meats and make the burgers fresh every day before shipping them into the restaurant. On a social note, there are always beautiful girls here on the weekend. This place definitely has swag and is a great place to bring a date.

    (4)
  • Tyler S.

    Chicken and waffles done to perfection. An absolute must try!! I've had some other stuff on the menu as well, solid spot in the back bay. Really fun to rent out the downstairs for parties as well.

    (4)
  • Craig S.

    Every time I go it gets better - Went in last night to support #BoyelstonStrong really glad we did the whole experience was awesome. The bartender who came in to help out on her night off, Shauna... I think ...was awesome. Was super engaging and recommended an amazing drink called Vitamin C that's not even on the menu. Bourbon vermouth OJ and vanilla simple syrup -really good . We ordered almost all the appetizers tapas style standouts were the muscles w/curizo and "meat candy" sausage with brown sugar and pineapples. Our waiter was also really good and Shauna stopped by to chat with us several more times. To be completely honest the food was not that amazing but the night the staff and manager provided made it a 5 star experience.

    (5)
  • Burger Guide D.

    Back Bay Social Club is on a beautiful stretch of Boylston Street. You can tell this is place to have a drink and meet-up with friends. This scene features premium bar food with a price tag of $22.00 for The Social Burger. Premium ingredients consisting of a bakery bun, cheese, bacon, and onion are served very artfully on a wood plank. The beef has a great flavor but my patty (ordered medium) was just a little too dry. The bacon was a little too crispy and the flavors were not just melting together for me. This burger could use some pickles, mustard, or a rich aioli to help pull everything together. While it is not the best in Boston this burger is more than adequate to enjoy a night on the patio at Back Bay Social Club.

    (3)
  • F M.

    I love Back Bay Social Club! Great food, excellent service--especially at the bar. Great place to enjoy a girls night out or a romantic date night. I will most certainly be returning!

    (5)
  • Catie F.

    There is no way I can NOT give this place rave reviews. I've only had one real experience here and it was late on a Saturday night - we arrived late and there was a line to get in. The guys at the door were very friendly to us, but since I had come from another bar - and I had left my credit card there - they informed me that I could not get in. Apparently they have a rule (and this is common in MA) that if you are out-of-state, you must have a credit-card on-hand to back-up your license. Ready to bail and go home, the MOD informed me that if I wanted to head back to the first bar (across town) to get my ID and come back, he would help pay for our cab fare. Although extremely skeptical, I did want to get in the bar and see my friends so I decided to try it. True to his word, he traded me cash for my cab receipt upon my return. This is unbelievable customer service! On that rite alone, I will forever be a fan of Back Bay Social, but I will also say the music here was good, the bar was full - but not in a way that felt crowded, just busy and alive. The drink menu is interesting and POTENT. I tried the 'Gin Somethin' (Gin, St. Germain, Grapefruit Bitters, Cucumber, Grapefruit Juice, Muddled Lime and Soda) served in a fun mason glass. It was fantastic and fun, as well as the two bartenders that helped us out. A couple extra points for clean, nice bathrooms and just the right decor for a late-night bar. I'd be curious to come here for a meal during the day - I'm sure it's a different game! I have to shave just one star for the price of the drinks (yikes) to keep it real.

    (4)
  • Timothy T.

    Almost felt like I was back in TriBeCa. Came here on a Friday night. Upstairs is classy. Not too swanky, and a little bit retro. Lots of people eating, and lots of people socializing by the bar. Definitely a good date place for dinnertime. The ladies was dressed, and I only saw one guy with the Boston staple pastel-shirt-and-khakis combo. The venue is spacious enough to avoid overly close bro-time, but don't expect to be able to 6-step. Bartenders are nice, and while they were all moving at lightning speed, I couldn't help but think they could be more efficient. They are all dressed like pseudo-hipsters, which was a welcome change for me. Drinks are priced above average for the city, but I'll admit I don't have enough experience in this particular neighborhood. The good news is that they are made strong. I did not have the food, but the sliders looked really really good, were quite large, and the report I received was that they tasted exactly how they looked. By the way, there is a downstairs, but that left me unimpressed. (^_^) Venue (^_^) Atmosphere (^_^) Strong drinks (^_^) Free coat check (^_^) Kitchen open late (1:30AM) Glad I came. Would like to try food here. PROTIP: If you are going to eat, don't be sat near the bar.

    (5)
  • Loretta-David J.

    The wait staff was wonderful. I had the poached chicken au jus special and David had to try there signature crispy chicken waffles sounds crazy but is really a special sauce seasoning. He really enjoyed it. Wine list and cocktails was limited. Great atmosphere on Saturday night.

    (4)
  • Brendan F.

    The burger was as good as advertised, and the brussel sprouts side was very tasty. Beer list not as ideal as I'd like but overall a good experience!

    (4)
  • Lily J.

    Chicken & Waffles were great, although I'd like to try their gravy and see how it compares. The burger and fries were great as well. Dessert offerings were a nice selection of pies, although the entree sizes were generous and we were too full to order anything more. Casual atmosphere, was a bit loud though.

    (4)
  • Yohanis A.

    I came here tonight for a residency applicant dinner I helped organize. The food was delicious. The chicken and waffles was to die for. The steak and frites which most of us ordered was also delightful. The service was was great. I am only giving it 4 stars because realistically it is a little pricey for our budgets but the program was paying so we definitely enjoyed it!

    (4)
  • Rachel M.

    I went here with my parents after graduation and it was really exceptional- especially because I know that my parents are not the easiest customers to please, and the staff (and food) did an exceptional job. After a long day, this place was exactly what we needed. No complaints, a night I will remember.

    (5)
  • Cindy W.

    I guess you can call this place The Cougar Club as well! There were many cougars on the prowl the night we dinned...esp in the lower floor. Started off with the waygu meatloaf sliders and the meat candy. The sliders was very good. We were surprised that the cherry compote was a great compliment to the waygu. And now the meat candy. If you have no idea what the hell meat candy is, you must order it for the curiosity. It is a great treat every time you take a bite. It was delicious. We came here with another couple and we both ordered the same items: Chicken & waffles and the The Social Burger. Holly molly...the chicken and waffles knocked my panties off! Crispy, moist, sweet, and salty...one of the best dishes I have ever tasted without thinking of ordering. And as for the the burger, I was simple and huge. Yummy with the sharp cheddar and onions. We all had a great experience here that night and looking fwd to going back.

    (3)
  • Anne W.

    This place is okay in terms of a bar.. it's crowded.. filled with the same general pushing and shoving you would expect in Boston downtown. No dancing.. it's just too crowded. But.. the best selling point of this place is their delicious cucumber something.. I think the drink is called "ummm.. something." Great strong drink.. unique.. loved it. In fact all their drinks are strong.. that's why I love this place. Bathrooms are downstairs so hopefully you are not too clumsy when you drink.

    (3)
  • Mr. O.

    Went to Back Bay Social Club last night. It's a usual for me and my fiancé and it didn't disappoint. The food was good - though the chicken & waffles and Mac and cheese needed some seasoning and salt. The only issue is the line to get in is rather lame, since this place should cater to young professionals. It was irritating to be carded at the door and then ask for a second form of id (seriously, I'm damn near 40). I don't think the door guy even recognized my AMEX platinum. Yeah, I went there. Seriously, go early and enjoy the food and sit outside if possible. Mr. O out.

    (4)
  • April K.

    I changed my review to 3 stars because I came back and it was a little more disappointing than I remembered. I really shouldn't be complaining because the patio has really great outdoor seating and the dollar oysters are such a good deal. However, the oysters we got on Saturday didn't look fresh. They were somewhat lukewarm, and they didn't have the slurpy saltwater in them. (I'm not sure how to explain it but they were kind of dried out?) I got the sloppy joe burger this, and it was too sweet and not savory. It was just okay... The service is still really good though!

    (3)
  • Sara C.

    Expensive and so noisy you can't hear yourself think.

    (2)
  • Aaron R.

    Good food (lunch) and drinks. Bartenders are pretty reliable and the staff is friendly. Right next to the Pru on Boylston, so it's a good alternative to Newbury.

    (4)
  • Samantha G.

    Our food was amazing! Went during brunch for the $1 oyster special. My husband and I got a dozen & a half of the oysters, a Caesar salad, and a pickled Bloody Mary. Everything we got tasted amazing and upon asking if they offered a military discount as my husband is about to deploy through the army our server checked and told us they would take care of some of it in lieu of a normal discount. After amazing service he dropped off the check and they had not charged us for any of the $18 worth of oysters. In sum, the food and drink is amazing and the service is even more phenomenal!

    (5)
  • Abigail W.

    Back Bay Social Club's Social Burger is divine. As someone who samples cheeseburgers almost everywhere I go, I am always skeptical that one burger will be drastically better than the last 500 burgers I've had. This one was.. The waiter said what makes this burger so special is that it's half ground beef, half ground short rib (or maybe spare rib.. Some kind of rib). The meat was super flavorful and I loved that it held its shape and didn't crumble like so many "juicy burgers" tend to do. The only reason I give 4 and not 5 starts is the price. Rib meat or not, $23 is still an awful lot to pay for a cheeseburger. I'll definitely be back, but only right after payday!

    (4)
  • Jaymee L.

    The environment was good and food and drinks were good this place however was way over priced 24$ for burger and fries is outrageous not that I'm cheap or anything but that's a lot for a burger.

    (3)
  • Emily R.

    I came in for brunch today and it was great!! My friend and I sat at the bar and I got a bloody mary, it was really good, but in a really small glass..... I also got eggs benedict, which was perfect. My friend got a sandwich which she really liked too! A man next to us was having a meltdown about the chicken & waffles or something (I thought it looked really good, I think he just wanted to complain) Anyway, the bartender handled it really well, he even took the bloody mary off the bill since we had to sit through the man's tantrum, thanks! Overall really good, I will be back!

    (5)
  • Elisabeth S.

    Only been here for drinks. I did a Bloody Mary bar crawl and this was the last stop. Easily the best Bloody Mary around Newbury Street.

    (4)
  • Simone H.

    For a place on Boylston, this place is alright. We were a pretty large group so the waitress was really great at being able to accommodate all of us outside. We can in spurts so she was able to help all of us without the largest amount of hassle and they had a pretty decent selection. A and I decided to split a couple of appetizers. Settled on the Riblets and the meat candy. Yup, a lot of pig. Came out quite nicely, but the one thing that I should have gotten was the Brusselsprouts. The table next to us had them and it smelled amazing. The drinks were good and the service good to. Definitely not a bad place to hang out on a lax day in the sun or a warm summer night.

    (3)
  • Rosie V.

    Stopped in for some dollar oysters and they were tasty but not very meaty at all. Also ordered a Moscow mule which tasted nothing like it should. Mimosa was good but how can you actually mess that up!? Hostess was nice and so was the waiter but the waiter wasn't actually attentive and never cleared our table. We literally ate our oysters over our menus and weren't even given plates. I saw someone eating chicken and waffles which looked and smelled amazing so maybe I'll give this place another chance soon.

    (2)
  • Can D.

    The clam soup was OK, BUT, the entrees were diseaster,the swordfish taste bad,the pizza was burnt,if you are looking for dinner,never come here. The enviroment was kind of noisy too...

    (1)
  • Justina D.

    What is great about this place: location, staff, service. It's located right in front of the Prudential and the Hynes Convention center and has tables outside which makes it a great place for people-sighting in the spring and summer. They serve soups, salads, sandwiches and pizza: everything is nice although not great. Go there to have a nice moment with friends while watching people pass by, not expecting the greatest food ever. PS: I ordered the salmon sandwich and had a problem with it, and the staff were so nice, they took care of the sandwich cost, they didn't rest until I was completely satisfied. Thumbs up for the service.

    (4)
  • Navi C.

    This place knows how to make drinks. The zingy ginger beer and zesty lime in my Moscow Mule hid the vodka taste well. Although maybe overrated, a part of me wishes the drink was served in its traditional copper mug. But the glassware did make the spicy drink seem more elegant. My boyfriend also ordered the oysters which he said tasted fresh and delicious. I did think the draught beers were overpriced but I didn't order any so I'm not sure of their serving size either. Oh and our server was also fantastic! Although a little awkward, he was nice and checked in a few times without being overbearing. At one time another server accidentally bought us another table's meal but he was so hilarious and entertaining about it. In general Back Bay has class and caters more to the 26+ crowd as opposed to 21-25. I'd definitely recommend this place if you are looking for a relaxing evening. Can't wait to come back to try their brunch!

    (4)
  • Lauren L.

    Come here if you want to make their Baked Alaska your life. I ordered 2 in 1 night. For myself. No sharing. Oh hellz to the no.

    (5)
  • Alan G.

    Pros: + Ample seating + Fast, attentive and friendly staff + Generous portions of food + Tasty food + Convenient location opposite Hynes Convention Center + They seat incomplete parties Came here with for brunch with a group of friends on a Saturday. I made a reservation, but it's not clear if that was necessary. I've come here for brunch three times, and I have never had to wait to be seated. This time, I actually arrived late for my own reservation, but they fortunately seat incomplete parties and were very friendly when pointing me to my friends who were already seated. I shared "The Treatment" with my fiancée, and we each ordered a juice (I got orange, she got grapefruit). The juice was nice and tasted like it was freshly squeezed straight from the fruit, with a pinch of sugar added. The Treatment is chicken and waffles + toast + eggs + homefries + choice of meat (sausage, bacon, or ham). The chicken has BBQ sauce on it. For $16, it is A LOT of food. I used to eat a Treatment by myself, but looking back I don't think that was ever a good idea. I think it really is meant for 2 people. The food is tasty; maybe not the best I've ever had, but the quality has been consistently good (I've ordered the Treatment all 3 times I've eaten here). Our server was fast, friendly, and efficient. He was patient and willing to take photos of our group for us. Purely by quality of food, I would give 4 stars, but the consistently good service I've experienced here bumps my rating to 5 stars - I feel like I can count on bringing friends here to have a good time.

    (5)
  • John H.

    Came for dinner with a party of 10! I must say I picked this on a whim and so glad I did. The food was excellent and that went for the entire table. The cocktails were great and the service was outstanding. Everyone was impressed with the pick! I'll definitely be back! ps the chicken and waffles were among the best I ever had!

    (5)
  • Khanh P.

    After enjoying my dinner the first time dining here, I wanted to come back with more friends and let them experience what I had last time. First time there, I wasn't too happy with the service and figured it was bad luck that night. After my second time dining here on a busy Thursday night -- I've found that the service at BBSC really is inconsistent. While he was nice, he was a bit awkward and would come back from time to time. I've noticed that the only food experience worth coming back for are the main entrees. The appetizers and desserts didn't leave a lasting second impression.

    (4)
  • Amy W.

    Goat. Cheese. Cakes. While the cheese board is a personal favorite, if you like goat cheese go with the goat cheese cake app, and while you're at it pair them with the warm bread provided rather than the subpar pita chips. The atmosphere is loud and bustling. Come from work and dress up a little. The crowd is full of button-downs and heels. Our table of 3 found the waitstaff extremely attentive and very accommodating. There is was nothing terribly extraordinary especially since everything is on the pricey side but I would 100% go back and sample more of the eclectic menu.

    (3)
  • Michelle L.

    Chicken & Waffles! Amazing combination if you are brave enough to try! Our waitress was wonderful! Hard working med student. If her bedside manner is anything like her table side manner she will be a really great doctor! This is a place you can feel comfortable and enjoy delicious food.

    (5)
  • Allison H.

    FOOD: Super-delish. And super heavy! Be prepared to hate yourself afterwards in your food coma. Nothing better on the menu than the burger. omg. But everything I've tried has been really good. AMBIENCE: This place is LOUD. Like, unbearably. Bring earplugs if you want to hear anything your friends are saying. Or hear ever again for that matter. I'm sure you'll get hearing damage from this. I've heard concerts that seemed delicate and subdued compared to the volume in here. I'd guess 90-95 dB? The ambience is pretty nice and cool if you can survive the auditory onslaught. SERVICE: Quite good. And they're responsive to requests! OVERALL: I often bring people from out of town that want reasonably-priced NICE American fare. The food is solid. I haven't tried the drinks, but they also look good. Be prepared for a horrible parking situation if you drive. And, for serious, buy a pack of Hearos from CVS across the way, or you will literally go deaf.

    (3)
  • S O.

    Used to really like going here for drinks and for a beautiful night on the patio. Went tonight and the food was sub-par (oily), service was slow, and the drinks were super weak. The view is also not so great now that the new building is going up across the street.

    (2)
  • Steve M.

    Walking around the convention center area a coworker and I noticed this place and decided to give it a try. Inside the ambiance is a bit on the darker side with a modern take on a traditional pub. It took a second for someone to seat us but it was a bit busy and the waiter was extremely friendly and helpful. I went for the salmon which came with roasted carrots, green olives and artichoke. The entire dish was on the smaller side but the flavor was excellent! The fish was cooked just right and the combination of olive and carrot went together well (though I was skeptical at first read). If you're wondering if you should give this place a shot, the answer is yes. Grab a beer, sit outside and have a flavorful dinner with some friends!

    (4)
  • Gigi L.

    $1 oysters for sat/sun brunch from 11-4pm.... thats enough to hook any yelper! My friends and I were looking for a place to have lunch with a patio, and couldnt have chosen a better place. Everything was great! The hostess there was super nice and welcoming and so was our waiter. We started off with a dozen oysters and they were delicious! I could probably eat an entire dozen myself! Then I got the turkey burger protein style and it was great!! It was juicy and smothered with caramelized onions! YUM! The rest of the crew complimented their food too! I saw the posted pictures of the chicken and waffles, definitely coming back to get my paws on that!!

    (4)
  • Ken S.

    Great food. Nice waiter, new, which caused a couple flubs. But food made up for it...fun with the kiddos too. A bit price thou but welcome to Boston

    (4)
  • Angie N.

    I do hope to go back here someday, because they seem like the type of place where a diner would generally have a better experience, but mine wasn't all that great. I went on New Year's Day with a group of six friends. The wait staff were very attentive, but that almost seemed to be part of the problem on their end. We ordered drinks (which were a little pricey but well worth it for the quality), but then no one came back to take our food order. We had a couple different members of the wait staff over to us to greet us, take our drink orders, and bring our drink orders, but that ended up being why no one took our order- turned out they each thought one of their coworkers had already done so. They apologized profusely, and you would have thought they would try extra hard to make sure we had a good experience from then on out, but then we waited forever for our food, watching tables who arrived after us receive their food first. When we finally caught a waiter's attention, he said he would go to the kitchen to see what was taking so long, and he also said they were incredibly busy that day. Understandable. After about 40 seconds, a different waiter came out with all of our food. Unfortunately, it was lukewarm at best. It seemed like they had prepared it and then someone forgot to bring it out- probably another issue of the wait staff thinking it was another coworker's responsibility. They ended up giving us half off of all the food and taking one of my friend's meals off the bill completely because she couldn't eat it. However, they then tried to charge us for the eggs that were supposed to come with her meal per the menu (the waiter had written down that she wanted no eggs even though she had ordered scrambled, so they brought them later at her request but treated them as a separate menu item). Obviously they took them off when we pointed it out, but the whole experience left me a little disappointed, because I was expecting to be blown away by this place. I will say that had it been hotter, my food would have been incredibly delicious. It was still full of flavor. I ordered the California Eggs Benedict (turkey bacon, guacamole, hollandaise, and fresh salsa), and I wouldn't hesitate to get it again. The home fries were also incredible. The holiday sangria was absolutely delicious - cranberries, apple, and cinnamon. If I'm in the area again, I would be willing to give it another try, because I think my experience was probably atypical. The menu sounds good enough to make it worth the risk.

    (2)
  • Seeker O.

    Ok I'm giving this place 5 stars for this reason... I'm with a group of three and the wrong meal was delivered to me. Rather than make an issue, it was close enough so I started eating it. Not only did the management bring the correct sandwich but they later comped two of the three meals ( plus the extra meal) with their apologies. Anyone willing to do this with no prompting gets 5 stars in my book. The plus as well was that the meal was pretty good as were the beers. Thanks again for doing the right thing

    (5)
  • Cath M.

    Was in town for the HOW Design Conference (yep, graphic designers unite!) ... needed to decompress after a day filled with design talk... conveniently located across the street from the Hynes Convention... Thankfully the bar wasn't packed yet... thus I began my dinner date for one! Friendly server (didn't catch her name but she was easy going) and she suggested the Pimm's cocktail... it was refreshing but really didn't enjoy the after taste / kickback it had... I was buzzed after drinking it... hello Asian glow! I had the chicken and waffles with a side of asparagus for dinner... holy cow... the entree was HUGE! However, consider it was my first meal... I did enough justice that I think I ate 3/4 of it. The waffle wasn't dry... it was properly made and the chicken was tender and juicy. Was just a bit thrown off with the bbq sauce instead of honey. Overall... friendly staff... good food (huge portion and decent prices) and well worth checking out for sure!

    (4)
  • Matthew S.

    Came to Back Bay Social after work for drinks and appetizers with a group of colleagues. The drinks here are good, but the food is just average for the area. Service was good here, too.

    (3)
  • Tony N.

    You guys effed me today. Hard. I haven't been since my last review so I begged some good friends to go for brunch. I raved about the brunch; especially the corned beef hash. Long story short you made me look like a fool and you served us garbage. 1. You served my wife a runny/raw omelette. 2. You served me up over cooked fried eggs when I ordered over easy (I said nothing because the waiter couldn't catch a break from the kitchen); 3. Instead if that amazing hash you once had I was served canned garbage. WTF? Serving food like that is like telling me to go eff myself. You basically ruined half my day...that's how much I used to live your brunch. 1 star for decent $1 oysters. 1 star for decent bloody. Folks-if they are serving canned corned beef hash for $11 I can't imagine what they have done to their burger. Steer clear.

    (2)
  • Sarah V.

    Bloody Mary's for brunch and sangrias for the week! Our bartender Hunter was fantastic! He was super quick and kept us entertained for the duration of the night. Will definitely be coming back to visit him with friends!

    (5)
  • Caitlin M.

    Took some friends here for an 11:00 brunch yesterday. We made a reservation through Open Table but definitely didn't need one (love those points though). My friends got the pickled bloody marys which they loved. I had an egg white omelet with goat cheese, bacon, and tomato. There was a little too much goat cheese on it but otherwise delicious. It came with toast w/ honey butter and really good home fries--big pieces of potato that weren't too greasy. Friends got the eggs benedict and the california eggs benedict. We were really intrigued by the chicken and waffles which looked delicious on another table, but unfortunately didn't order it. The service was good; they refilled our water regularly and brought me additional soda when my glass emptied. The manager also came to check on us. It was a great spot for brunch--really affordable and a great location to start off your day.

    (5)
  • Lillian C.

    Came here for brunch on Sat since they have $1 oysters 11A-4P. I got there around noon and it wasn't too busy and was seated immediately. I started off with some oysters because I've been craving those for a while. I also shared an order of the treatment. The oysters were just... ehh. They were kind of dry and shriveled up and lacked the oyster liquor. I wouldn't really get those here again. Our main dish was on the other side of the spectrum. It was A LARGE amount of food and it was pretty good! The chicken was a little on the dry side, but still good. The waffle was nice and thick, but was a tad over cooked. We ordered sausage with it and it was pretty standard sausage. The dish was very filling and definitely worth it. Our server was somewhat new, but SO NICE. She was just so genuine and helpful. Not sure if I'd be back anytime soon for brunch, but it's a easy option if I didn't want to wait anywhere...

    (3)
  • A. C.

    (6/16/2015) It was a pleasantly cool evening and we were looking for a place for a nightcap after having been out to a few places already. The windows were open and the TVs were playing the NBA finals when we walked by, beckoning. I probably should have known better after venturing just a few steps inside. The dining rooms were empty (but it was late) but the bar was fully occupied by herds of bros yelling obscenities at the screens and lewd remarks at the bartenders (who were obvious hired for their bra size and frequent salon maintenance). Had our one expensive cocktail and high-tailed it out of there. Do you have a dad-bod, wear a baseball cap backwards or a tie around your forehead, gingham-checked J. Crew oxfords rolled at the sleeves with khaki shorts and flip-flops? Then this place is for you, dude it out to your hearts content. All others beware.

    (1)
  • LuQman H.

    Tried the chicken and waffles...decent and huge portion.

    (3)
  • Beth F.

    We were looking for good food, nice atmosphere, and not crazy expensive (which can be hard to find in this area). We were very pleased to find this place. The menu isn't extensive. The chowder was very good - just a hint of bacon. The spinach salad was awesome - very light dressing that wasn't too sweet or vinegary. My husband had the baked half lobster which he really enjoyed. The service was excellent - very attentive. The manager came around to check on everything, and after we told him we had a date night because our teenagers wanted to stay in the hotel room, he came over with a complimentary glass of bubbly after our meal. I'd definitely go back.

    (5)
  • Deborah J.

    The food was below average, the waitress was kind of rude. You could eat better in back bay

    (2)
  • Mary F.

    Was it good? Sure. Was it great? Not to us. If you're pretty critical about food and experience, you will not be impressed with BBSC, but if you are not highly critical then this is a fine spot: atmosphere was nice, staff was nice, setting was nice, food was nice, cocktails were nice, it was all fine but not stellar. I had the chicken and waffles which was fun to have for the first time but nothing I'm dying to go back for.

    (3)
  • Elisa H.

    If you order anything get the BRUSSEL SPROUTS We stumbled across this place while looking for somewhere fairly quick to eat. Ambiance was great and we ordered drinks because it was about a 20 minute wait for a table. Had a great Pinot noir and they have a full bar that featured the 26.2 Boston Sam Adams beer on tap (so cool!) Ordered the sausage and red pepper pizza and added arugula. Additionally got a side of Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts= to die for. I'm kind of a pizza snob so I'd say their pizza was about a 2/5. Didn't have much flavor. But my friend got a cheese pizza and loved hers. I also might have been so entranced by the brussel sprouts with bacon I couldn't focus on anything else. Moral of the story: Brussel sprouts and wine is where it's at.

    (4)
  • Tamara W.

    Pros: -easy seating for late night -good beer selection and good drink selection -not douchey -nice host (attentive) -good, local Boston spot in the heart of Back Bay Cons: -could make better use of their space; awkward areas blocked off. -should not be required to order fattening fries to sit outside while you drink... should be able to drink on patio without getting food (or is that a Massachusetts law???)

    (4)
  • Georgina C.

    This was my second visit, this time with a group of girlfriends and I have to say things improved a great deal. Wonderful service, great atmosphere and fun crowd. My food was decent, the drinks were delicious (thank you for whoever in management sent us those yummy shots!) Very accommodating waitstaff, would definitely return for a night with the girls again.

    (4)
  • Peter C.

    Went here on Saturday night. I have been a few times, but I seem to have neglected to review it. One thing you'll notice immediately is that it seems a bit more upscale than some of the nearby locations. On Saturday night it was rolling with a slightly more mature crowd. We had been to Whiskeys, next door, which seemed to have the 21-25 crowd well in hand. Back Bay Social club seemed to cater more to the 26-40 crowd, which was nice for us, as we wanted to actual be able to converse. They had a modest, but interesting selection of beers on tap. We stopped in for a few, after doing an impromptu pub crawl in Back bay. The All Day IPA and Brick Red were among my favorites. Since we didn't eat anything here, all I can I say it that it wasn't overly crowded on a Saturday night, but had a fair amount of people. Drinks were pretty good. The bartenders were dressed like it was Winter (it's August). Compared to Whiskeys, where all the waitstaff wears short shorts and tank tops. For an older crowd that likes to chill and enjoy drinks without being shoulder to shoulder and have your conversations squashed by loud music, go to Back Bay Social Club.

    (4)
  • Thanh L.

    If you're down for shouting conversations to your dinner partners, this is totally the place for you! Opt for the patio to get away from the crazy noise inside the dining area if you're here on a Friday night. Their summer cocktail menu is quite nice. My favorite is the Pimm's Cup - light and refreshing and reminiscent of Southern living. Got the gnocci - texture wasn't too bad, but wasn't impressed with the sauce. There was a smoky quality to the tomato sauce that I didn't appreciate - not worth $18! I did appreciate my friend's chicken and waffles dish, though. It was a sizeable hunk of fabulously breaded crispy, fried chicken served on a belgian waffle. She got bbq sauce on the side, which left the chicken nice and crispy. That dish is totally worth $17. Service was excellent in the beginning of our night and the servers/hostesses were very accommodating when we wanted to move our party from inside to the outside patio. The tables out there are tiny! They ended up combining tables - very nice of them. Water was always filled throughout. Our server took a bit too long in the beginning to take our order, but she was nice. The underwhelming and overpriced gnocci knocked this place down to 3 stars in my book. Also had raw oysters here on another visit. It wasn't terrible, but wasn't super fresh either. Eh. Other yelpers were on point with the chicken and waffles - it's definitely worth trying!

    (3)
  • Coral O.

    This is a horrible restaurant with horribly racist administration!! Today I sat down in this restaurant to grab a bite and ordered a beer. I gave my license from Puerto Rico and the waitress said they she thought they did not accept the Puerto Rican license and that she would double check. Shortly after a man came back saying that unfortunately they could not accept my license and legitimate identification. I was and still am shocked that this is even possible. My license is from a foreign country like any other. Plus not only it is from Puerto Rico but we are US citizens. I stood up told them this was unbelievable and that they were incredibly racists and left the place. This gets me thinking, is what they did to me is even legal? If anyone comes from france, venezuela, england or any other country that is not USA they cannot drink because they lack US license? This is unacceptable and this place is repulsive!!!

    (1)
  • Joanna A.

    The rib eye steak was amazing! The asparagus and the peas/fava were just ok, bland and uninspired

    (4)
  • Ami P.

    Great place to be with your friends, Hunter our server was absolutely hilarious and very attentive.

    (4)
  • Patrick D.

    Believe it or not, 20-somethings, but there are meals other than brunch. I know...I had a great dinner (that's a meal served in the evening) here with my family. First, it was a really nice atmosphere...dark and cozy. Service was great from the moment we walked in to our waiter, who took great care of us. They had a good selection of beers, and a solid menu -- our kids found plenty they liked. I finally got to try some chicken and waffles, which were excellent aside from putting me in a food coma.

    (4)
  • Christine J.

    Pretty darn delicious! Sat outside on a beautiful summer night facing the Prudential tower.. We had candied meat, calamari for apps. Calamari was cold, wasn't too impressed with that dish. I think it was sitting there waiting for the candied meat, wish they'd just brought it out right when ready, hot is always better even if they all can't come out at once. We were mostly there bc we heard about their famous burger and really wanted to try. so we got that, and i tried the shrimp and grits. both pretty good, i'd order again. burger was really good but not AMAZING. prob had too high of an expectation, wanted to bite the burger and explode. oh well.. still very good. our friends ordered tuna salad (so so, tiny portion bc it's an app) and Chicken and waffles (had a spicy weird bbq sauce I didn't like. def not for me). Service was okay, would've been better if the app wasn't cold - to show their attentiveness. But otherwise no complaints!

    (4)
  • Anthony S.

    I'm sorry I don't know where the 4 and 5 stars are. I had a bowl of chowder which was cold. Returned it was warm but bland as all hell. Not worth $8 dollars. It is not Boston Chowder that is for damn sure. Wife had bologonese dish that was OK also not 18 bucks. So we tried we tasted and ahhhh never again. However, upside the place is nice very cool but the two dishes were not. Food doesn't quite match up to their desire of chic. However the bartender Alexandra actually removed the cold soup off of bill. Thank you without me asking. Jumps to 2 stars. Kudos Alexandra

    (2)
  • Marykate H.

    Five stars all around. (Food, service, venue). I came with a large party for Easter brunch and they were great!

    (5)
  • Kaveh Z.

    It is a nice bar, not huge and not small. Friendly staff. I was with a huge group and the place was packed but we had a lot of fun.

    (4)
  • Tashombe H.

    My party of 3 was seated immediately. The patio was full but there was plenty of seating inside. We were joined by a 4th later in the meal. Our water glasses were filled and the server made sure we were comfortable by turning the fan speed up to cool us off a bit after our walk to the restaurant. We ordered meat candy as an app. It arrived hot and we enjoyed the dish. Unfortunately, out entrees were served less than 5 minutes after our appetizer. There was barely any time to eat the appetizer. While we appreciated the food coming out quickly, we did feel a little bit rushed. We all were quite satisfied with our entrees. I had chicken and waffles. It was hot and plentiful. We did not order alcohol on this visit. Overall, the restaurant was clean the service was good and the bathrooms are downstairs. I'll visit again but I'll make sure the server gives us a bit more time to enjoy our appetizers before the entrees are served.

    (4)
  • Thanh L.

    We came here for our friend's birthday. It was a nice environment with a class feel. The menu was kind of limited, but everything looked good. The BBQ brisket with broccolini on Mac n cheese was delicious. Kind of pricy, but worth it

    (4)
  • Jim H.

    So went here Sunday afternoon. $1 oysters ordered a few for appetizer. The shells came out and were the size of half dollar the meat the size of a nickle...seriously?? I'm from the south oyster meat averages half dollar or larger...I know bigger isn't always better but come on. Try tried to say the smaller the more flavor.....ugh not true. Then I had the JUMBO lobster roll. It came out and was on a grilled hotdog bun...this is by no stretch jumbo...not for $20. I was disappointed again. I thought I'd get some great seafood in Boston but it's been all disappointment so far. The thimble of slaw was delicious though.

    (3)
  • Mary Kay L.

    Delicious! Great place to dine with friends and just hang out. Super service. Awesome food- very tasty and light! Highly recommend and definitely returning!

    (5)
  • Boris L.

    Great for drinks, lunch, or brunch. Not sure about dinner, but judging from what I've had there in the past I'm sure it's excellent. There are $1 oysters on Sunday which is a great find in Back Bay. They have several beers on tap as well as a nice cocktail menu. I went with a cuban sandwich for lunch when I was there and it was phenomenal. Reasonably priced in a great spot, i'll be back for sure

    (5)
  • Adrienne I.

    Great food!!! We had a table of 12, we waited about 15 minutes past our reservation to sit, but it wasn't a big deal. We all had a great meal, and the restaurant is cool. Dark, books everywhere, a large bar.

    (4)
  • Annie K.

    I'm not a huge fan of this place and would be giving it 2 stars if it weren't for the fact that it's summertime. Typically, this is a great place to go if you're looking to meet yuppy, preppy (what some might call) d-bags. It's typically overcrowded and the decor, music, and lighting aren't particularly interesting. The vibe consists of men pushing past you to get a drink or aggressively hitting on you (usually unwarranted or reciprocated). There is a good beer and cocktail menu but, even on less crowded nights, it's a challenge to get served. Best for weeknight events!

    (3)
  • Sandy S.

    Dined here on a Wednesday night in February. the place was really busy and toasty warm, a good thing considering it was nearly 0 degrees outsite! The food was delish- only problem is deciding what to order. We had a vegetarian with us and chose this place becuase it was walkable from our conference hotel and they had many menu options for our veggie friend. The drinks were well made, decent wine list and comfy seating (we were in a round booth- perfect for the 6 of us. I would come here again for sure. Only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is that it is super loud which made it tough to hear what the person across the table was saying and the lighting was so low when we arrived we all had to use our cell phone flashlights to even see the menu. Great place if you want to enjoy some yummy eats with your drinks.

    (4)
  • James R.

    Back Bay social club is a pretty standard after work drinks spot in Back Bay, though I've had other experiences there too. On one visit the staff brought our table complimentary meat and cheese plates which was pretty cool. Last week I attended a private Paint Nite event in the basement with food provided. This ended up being quite a spread of appetizers - oysters, sliders, satay chicken skewers, chicken and waffles, a cheese plate and other items that escape me as I write this. The selection was all pretty well done and I think indicative of quality food here. I think the menu is far from innovative or exciting, but it isn't really trying to be either of those things. They have a decent beer selection though it can be a bit pricey - think $6-8 a beer. This is pretty typical for the area and if you want a cheap beer you're better off at Pour House. Later in the night it seems possible to get a table, so if you want to sit with friends its a good choice. Though this may not always be true.

    (4)
  • Emily L.

    Chicken and waffles! Been here a few times for it and it's always good. Ask for more bbq sauce. Also, tried the bluefin tuna salad. It was pretty good but not a whole lot of tuna. They sometimes have $1 oysters deals as well. We sat on the patio so great place to people watch.

    (4)
  • Jackie C.

    My husband and I dropped in here for an afternoon snack but we hit the restaurant at an odd time. They were re-doing their menus, and in between the lunch and dinner offerings so it was an extremely limited menu. I ordered a drink which was delicious and then tried to order some food but were unable to really get anything that sounded lunch-ish with their small bar menu. So the manager dropped in and said they would bring the tacos on the house for us to try and comp our drinks. Completely out of the blue, we didn't say anything and were really just enjoying the beautiful weather. But for someone to be that on top of the situation (which there wasn't one) just to make sure that we would return in the future earned A+ for me across the board. I was so blown away by how kind she was and how sweet our waitress was that I can't want to make it back to try dinner and drinks in the future.

    (4)
  • Suzanne C.

    The brisket was drowning in BBQ sauce. The mac and cheese was soupy with no crispy top. The burger was greasy. I was not impressed. Our server was very good though. As were the fries. The bathroom was filthy.

    (2)
  • Nan R.

    This place is great for a good and reasonably priced brunch. It's a solid go to. For the evening/late night, they have a pretty good drink selection and it's definitely a step up in "niceness" over a lot of the surrounding sports/dive bars on Boylston St. I've also been to a couple private events here which the space downstairs is nice for.

    (4)
  • Mark S.

    A few things are involved when I decide to return to a restaurant repeatedly- the quality of service, food and atmosphere. The food is fantastic- I personally recommend the Treatment for Brunch and for dinner chorizo tacos and the brisket. Top notch stuff. I also really enjoy the old school American atmosphere. Emphasizes on the "social club" aspect. It looks like a place you might see in Boardwalk Empire! But the real reason I'm a return customer is the customer service. I came in randomly one day for brunch but because of Maggie's cheery attitude, endless smiles and of course, outstanding cocktails. I've become somewhat of a weekly regular. She's a rock star!

    (5)
  • Kay W.

    Went here on a recommendation from the doorman. Love the atmosphere, staff was excellent and their burger was phenomenal. Excellent experience!

    (5)
  • Charles L.

    I ordered the chicken & waffles and they were great. Courteous and timely wait staff. I found the menu items to be somewhat pricey

    (4)
  • Blaire O.

    I have been to Back Bay Social Club for drinks with some friends then I had brunch with another friend today. It was not too busy at noon but I had a reservation. They sat us downstairs in the dark dungy basement even though, there were seats available upstairs. The coffee tasted weird, I don't know if it was just that pot. I ordered the Chef's Omelet that had chicken, sausage, spinach, tomatoes and feta cheese (added mushrooms). The omelet and home fries were delicious and a big portion. My friend ordered the California Eggs Benedict (had guacamole and salsa) and said it was delicious. Brunch prices were comparable to other Back Bay brunch places. Next time, I will request to sit upstairs.

    (3)
  • Bob B.

    Went here for Sunday brunch. Great Bloody Mary. Great $1 oysters. How do you best that? Had the social burger. It would be the only burger I would eat again, except it was $22. Not sure why. It was very good but not worth the price.

    (5)
  • Shawn S.

    Went to dinner with my girlfriend and it was amazing. The brisket was tender and cooked perfectly, her salmon was delicious, although I didn't have any. The toasted marshmallow dessert is also fantastic. The large selection of craft beers on draft is a huge plus too. The waiter was friendly and attentive, but not annoying. Our drinks, dinner and dessert came at perfect intervals. Our stay was casual and we never felt rushed or pressured. Will definitely be back and I recommend the seating in the back if you're looking for more intimate seating.

    (5)
  • Amy O.

    Wasn't super impressed here. Nothing on the menu really jumped out at me. I got the salmon and it was just okay. The service was great though, and it was a nice dimly lit room for dusk on a Sunday in Boston.

    (3)
  • Rachel B.

    Here is a place that doesn't really know what it wants to be. There are plenty of other places nearby that seem to have it figured out.

    (2)
  • Dan R.

    Four of us had a wonderful dinner here last night. After we ordered cocktails, we were graciously offered an appetizer on the house, curiously named "Meat Candy" - ($9) - a mix of cubed keilbasa and pineapple in a brown sugar sauce. It was served with toothpicks which made the dish a little cumbersome to eat, but after we asked for a serving spoon, the dish disappeared. We added two appetizers, spicy korean style wings with asian slaw ($11), and a special of five perfect scallops. Everything was delicious. Our four entrees were shrimp & grits - served with a bacon & pickled corn relish ($21), chicken & waffles - served with a bbq maple syrup ($15), butternut squash ravioli - with balsamic butter, garlic brussel sprouts, and candied walnuts ($17), and chicken with red beans & rice, and hot sauce ($17). Service was great, the food was stellar, and the owner came over to chit-chat with us. Dessert was amazing- we ordered something described as a "family style caramel apple ice cream sundae with apples, caramel, whipped cream & oatmeal cookies ($15). This was an absolute steal for $15. An enormous serving of four large scoops of vanilla ice cream smothered in apple slices, a gooey caramel sauce, and oatmeal cookie balls. So delicious and so much fun to share. This place gets crowded fast, so make reservations. We were there on a Saturday night and the place was mobbed upstairs and downstairs. A big shout out to the Boston Yelpers who suggested this place for an upcoming family event, last night's test drive passed with flying colors.

    (4)
  • Ami S.

    I come here for one reason and one reason only, the chicken and waffles. That's actually how I found this place. After watching a few too many episodes of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (DDD) I had a massive craving for chicken and waffles. Off to yelp I went. We ended up choosing Back Bay Social Club because it had decent reviews and was easy to get to. I am so glad we came. The chicken and waffles were amazing! Perfect buttery waffle, perfect boneless fried chicken and the bbq syrup brings it all together. I've actually had them on numerous occasions at this point and each time YUM YUM YUM. I have brought friends here to try them and they all agree and crave this dish. My roomate has been dying to go back since I took her there for her birthday. I probably should mention that I have tried other dishes. My friend once had the roast chicken which was pretty tasty, and we usually start with the meat candy for an appetizer. It's a funny name for keilbasa basically, but it is very good and will hold you over to the beloved C&W's comes. Prices are resonable and they have a pretty good cockatil menu. I would say the only con is that it is very dark inside, but thats the ambiance they are going for I guess.

    (4)
  • Kim Y.

    Patio seating, very accommodating server (the sun was beaming on us so she let us move our tables closer in the restaurant but still in the patio area), amazing pulled pork sandwich and chicken and waffles, menu is affordable. I'm definitely coming back. Only reason I was debating on 5 stars or not; cause the dollar oysters were 'okay', and not fresh tasting. Dollar oysters are always a gamble, I'd rather just pay good money for fresh oysters from a list I get to choose from.

    (4)
  • Mark N.

    Pretty disappointing burger in general, but ESPECIALLY disappointing because it cost $22. I would have felt like I over paid even if it was $12. The beef was completely bland, and though it was cooked to my medium rare specification, it was not nearly as juicy as it should have been. Fries were okay but nothing special. Best part of our meal was the meat candy appetizer and the sunchoke fries, which were great. Doesn't help that their draft beer selection is quite lacking.

    (2)
  • Julia M.

    I went for my birthday on Saturday when all the other restaurants on Boylston had an hour plus wait. We were seated immediately here, which was great but did make me a little nervous. Drinks were overpriced but strong and thankfully the food was great! My friend and I both got the steak frites and they were aamaaazing. The steak was perfectly (if not a tad under)cooked - which is totally fine by me, I hate overdone meat- and the fries were crispy, hot, and plentiful. It came with an amazing blue cheese butter melted on top of the steak that I also dipped my fries in to add some more sin. My boyfriend got the short ribs and they were falling apart they were so tender. Everyone was extremely happy with their meals, which were all around $20 a piece. That's really not bad for a steak in downtown Boston. Our waiter was attentive and polite. We sat downstairs, which was a little dingier then upstairs, but still dark and cool. I know there's a lot of negative reviews here, but I can safely say that I had a great experience on a busy Saturday night!

    (4)
  • Rani P.

    I'm not one to need to be part of a social club to feel good about myself- however, good food does make me feel pretty wonderful (and a bit sleepy). I was surprised to see a little line waiting outside of BBSC to do some Sunday brunching- but at the same time, I was waiting too- so there was something we all wanted from getting there a little early. For most of us it was the outdoor seating. Brunch was everything brunch should be- a little greasy, a little salty, and a lot of delicious. Nothing blew me away, but I was happy and satisfied getting a little Vitamin D from both my OJ and the sun. A pretty solid brunch spot; I definitely recommend trying it if you are looking for a brunch spot in the back bay.

    (3)
  • Shannon M.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to submit for the record that the Rhode Island Style Frito Misto is the greatest appetizer--NAY!--the greatest dish I have EVER had in Boston. It is calamari and scallops cooked in this sweet and spicy peppadew pepper, garlic butter sauce, on top of a crispy and delicious piece of garlic bread. It changed my life. If there is anyone that does not find this dish absolutely incredible, I will punch a kitten in the face and throw it in a trash can...

    (5)
  • Tyler R.

    After five different attempts at having a non bar-menu meal past 10pm on a Sunday night, we landed at BBSC. Given that I drove up here from Connecticut with the sole intention of having Yellow Curry w/Chicken & Shrimp from The Similans in Cambridge (who amazingly stopped serving at 9:30pm) - I had a feeling that whatever I settled on was going to have to be above and beyond delicious to make up for my evening void of fantastic thai. Well, wrong. Apparently I was REALLY in the mood for roasted chicken with goat cheese mashed potatoes, sugar snap peas, and half a bottle of Mendoza's 2007 Catena Malbec. The service and atmosphere are both great, (we were approached several times by the owner to see how we were doing) and the food was A+. I will be back. If for nothing else, the sourdough rolls. But mostly for everything else. Also the rolls.

    (4)
  • J. D.

    I'm a fan. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Nice scenery too.

    (4)
  • Josephine L.

    Still slightly hungover from a massive holiday party here last night. Our hostesses rented out the entire downstairs and we were treated to a full bar and delicious hors d'oeuvres. The space is lovely and perfect for a party of 30+. Dimly lit yet romantic, spacious yet cozy, with plenty of booths and nooks dotted with glittering stars and candlelight for you to have unwise make-out sessions or dance the night away. The servers and bartenders were attentive, quick and friendly, getting us our drinks with the blink of an eye and clearing our dirty plates almost immediately. The Pumpkin Spice cocktail is delicious, the Hemingway Daiquiri is a little too strong (maybe I've been spoiled by eating Baskin Robbins's daiquiri ice-cream growing up and always thinking that's what a daiquiri should taste like) and the Antica Flower is so rummy, it cancels out all the other flavors. It was like drinking a giant shot of rum. Not a fan. The Meat Candy (kielbasas with brown sugar and pineapple) is absolutely delicious as were these caprese+pesto bites they served. The fried calamari was good too (looked like chicken from a distance) but was too sweet for me, and the cheese breads were good but too flaky and messy. The winners for me, though, were these salmon slices on top of some kind of cracker topped with herbal garnishes, and seared tuna slices. Mmmm! Too bad these aren't anywhere on their regular menu.

    (4)
  • Vanessa P.

    I was visiting a good friend in Boston over Memorial Day weekend and within an hour of my landing, she took me here for drinks and dinner. We ended up opting for sitting at the bar in the downstairs area because she knew the bartender and I wish I could personally thank him for sparking my obsession with old fashioned's. The one he made me was phenomenal and I can still taste it! I've been on a search for the equivalent in Chicago and only found two places that make one as well. Okay, enough of my whiskey habit. I tried the wings from the appetizer list and they were delicious. My friend got the meatloaf sliders, which were also very good. The place didn't get too packed that night so can't really vouch for the atmosphere on a busy night but I'm definitely a fan.

    (4)
  • Julie C.

    Service was outstanding! After a flight connection was canceled and an entire day of travel (sfo and finally to boston) all my man and I wanted was a nice meal and drinks. We got exactly that at the Social Club. We deplaned, made a call, Alice the hostess said as long as you get here by midnight the kitchen will be open. Props to the cabbie, he got us there at 11:58. While my man settled the cab and our luggage, I cut the line to get in and was instantly welcomed by the doormen and then warmly greeted by Alice and the manager Ryan. They put our luggage in the storage room and we were quickly seated and provided excellent service by our waiter, Nick. Loved the oysters that they offered that day! Despite the fact that the kitchen was wrapping up for the night, they quickly presented a half dozen local Duxbury, Mass. oysters. Don't let the size intimidate you. They are all that and more, so delicious that we ordered another 4. The kitchen fired our food right up (he brisket and me pasta which were both good, not great all things considered, especially understanding the timing of our arrival) we were instantly sated and enjoying good drinks as well. We were hungry and looking for a nice vibe, good food and good drinks. That's exactly what we got and great service to boot. Even the busboy was rad. When the check came, Nick had comped us our additional oysters! We had a fantastic time, start to finish. After we settled our dinner tab, we stayed for a couple more drinks at the bar and then they helped us with our luggage and we were on our way to our hotel. Buzzed, full, and feeling good about our first taste of Boston. Fenway park up next! Woot! Thanks again! Nick, Ryan and Alice! Quinn and Julie, San Francisco, CA Go Giants! Loved the oyster so much that we ordered another four

    (5)
  • Jackie K.

    Went here for dinner on a Friday night with a few friends and it was a good experience. The restaurant is really dark so it was hard to see the menu and it was empty. Beer selection is good. Service was slow. I had the gnocchi which was good but it was covered in a cream sauce so I was expecting that. Not a lot of subtle flavors but solid. Everyone else did not like their meals. They said the chicken and waffles was okay and the duck was bland. The mussels were fair. After the food part of this review I'm tempted to give it two stars but I like the ambiance and beer selection.

    (3)
  • Nicole B.

    I had such high hopes for Back Bay Social Club! Came here for a working lunch and was majorly disappointed all around. I had the Turkey Cubano, which is a sandwich on ciabatta with sliced turkey, shredded chicken, swiss, avocado, mustard and pickles. Oh my goodness was it BAD. The turkey tasted straight up like cafeteria/hospital lunch meat. The shredded chicken was actually quite tasty, but there wasn't enough of it, and the sandwich was an oily, saucy mess (not in a good way). The bread was chewy and tough and the salad it was served with was limp with oil. I'm not sure how a restaurant can mess up such an easy, tasty concept. The service was ok (3 stars), the sandwich was bad (2 stars), but the reason this gets 1 star is because it broke the unforgivable restaurant rule: I found a hair in the food. Bleh!!

    (1)
  • Veena T.

    This is for the brunch! Chicken and waffles, eggs benedict, all great options. Service also great.

    (4)
  • Greg W.

    Who would have thought you could find excellent Chicken and Waffles in Boston. Well you can and this is the place. The chicken is a boneless cutlet, seasoned to perfection over a simple waffle with a syrup with a hint of BBQ sauce. Not to spicy and not to sweet. Exactly how a great Chicken and Waffles dish should be. We also had the Corn Chowder which was great. They where not serving a Clam Chowder which was interesting. So you can't get that there. You have a choice of sitting inside or out. The restaurant is nice and cozy. A great place to relax and enjoy the evening.

    (5)
  • Cindy S.

    Fun ambiance, but the food is pretty terrible. I went here before a business school formal with a group of friends, and while we had a great time, I found myself complaining about the food to people all night. I ordered the chicken and it literally looked/tasted like SPAM. Chicken is not supposed to be soft like rubber! It had zero flavor and was probably chock full of antibiotics and other nasties you don't want in your meat. The risotto was yummy, but way too cheesy and slightly overcooked. This place even managed to screw up a chocolate tart. 4 of us split one dessert, and it remained half uneaten. That tells you something! Service was pretty good, but we had friends join us for drinks downstairs and they left because it took so long to order a drink from the bar.

    (2)
  • Angie W.

    Good food good drinks and great service. Try the Chicken and Waffles or Brussel Sprouts. I would rate them 31/2 stars and would eat here again.

    (3)
  • Dan H.

    Beautiful restaurant. Chicken and Waffles! For me, they were really good...quite unique flavor. About half way thru the meal, I had had enough. Maybe split it and a salad to help in the "passing" later!

    (4)
  • Courtney B.

    It's been a while since I've reviewed anything on yelp, mainly because I'm too lazy to keep up with it, but today's experience at Back Bay Social Club warranted the extra effort because it was that bad. Although we were seated right away (unusual for Marathon weekend), no one brought us menus for a good 30 minutes. Not exaggerating. I even looked up their menu on my phone to expedite the process. We eventually.asked for hard copy menus which were brought to us fairly quickly, but once our drink order was tsken, we didn't see out server again for another 20 minutes. We got our drinkes, a beer and iced tea. We asked for a glass for the beer, which was never brought to us (I ended up going to the bar directly and getting one). We placed our food order and after 45 minutes of waiting, the derver finally brought us breakfast bread (which would have been great about 30 minutes ago)...we finally get our meals, which weren't very hot. No explanation or apology. Nada. What baffles me is that people who were sat after us also got their meals before us! And the food was mediocre at best. Never going back. I suggest you go to the many better establishments that are located nearby if you want quality food and quality service.

    (1)
  • Melissa F.

    Came here on a Friday night and was surprised to see how busy this place was. Even so, we only waited about 20mins to be seated, which gave us enough time to get a drink at the bar. We went downstairs and the first thing we noted was holy sh*t this place is dark! As in, I had trouble reading the menu. Got served right away at the bar. Drinks were decently priced, wine averaged $9-10 a glass, but the selection was pretty good. We got seated shortly after and ordered our food. My friend had the butternut squash ravioli and she said it was pretty good. I on the other hand, being a major carnivore, decided to get the social burger since I heard it was good. WTF are you people on? At $22 I was expecting this thing to be phenomenal but no. It was totally underwhelming. And it didn't even come with bacon! Just cheese and caramelized onions. I wish it had said that on the menu. It was paired with greasy fries to top it off. So needless to say I was pissed. Their menu isn't that extensive and it's pretty pricey for what it is. It's a nice place to grab a drink, but if you're looking for food don't waste your time.

    (2)
  • Alexander S.

    The single best burger I've ever tasted in my life. Luxury hamburger. Thy blend 4 different meats and make the burgers fresh every day before shipping them into the restaurant. On a social note, there are always beautiful girls here on the weekend. This place definitely has swag and is a great place to bring a date.

    (4)
  • Tyler S.

    Chicken and waffles done to perfection. An absolute must try!! I've had some other stuff on the menu as well, solid spot in the back bay. Really fun to rent out the downstairs for parties as well.

    (4)
  • Craig S.

    Every time I go it gets better - Went in last night to support #BoyelstonStrong really glad we did the whole experience was awesome. The bartender who came in to help out on her night off, Shauna... I think ...was awesome. Was super engaging and recommended an amazing drink called Vitamin C that's not even on the menu. Bourbon vermouth OJ and vanilla simple syrup -really good . We ordered almost all the appetizers tapas style standouts were the muscles w/curizo and "meat candy" sausage with brown sugar and pineapples. Our waiter was also really good and Shauna stopped by to chat with us several more times. To be completely honest the food was not that amazing but the night the staff and manager provided made it a 5 star experience.

    (5)
  • Burger Guide D.

    Back Bay Social Club is on a beautiful stretch of Boylston Street. You can tell this is place to have a drink and meet-up with friends. This scene features premium bar food with a price tag of $22.00 for The Social Burger. Premium ingredients consisting of a bakery bun, cheese, bacon, and onion are served very artfully on a wood plank. The beef has a great flavor but my patty (ordered medium) was just a little too dry. The bacon was a little too crispy and the flavors were not just melting together for me. This burger could use some pickles, mustard, or a rich aioli to help pull everything together. While it is not the best in Boston this burger is more than adequate to enjoy a night on the patio at Back Bay Social Club.

    (3)
  • F M.

    I love Back Bay Social Club! Great food, excellent service--especially at the bar. Great place to enjoy a girls night out or a romantic date night. I will most certainly be returning!

    (5)
  • Catie F.

    There is no way I can NOT give this place rave reviews. I've only had one real experience here and it was late on a Saturday night - we arrived late and there was a line to get in. The guys at the door were very friendly to us, but since I had come from another bar - and I had left my credit card there - they informed me that I could not get in. Apparently they have a rule (and this is common in MA) that if you are out-of-state, you must have a credit-card on-hand to back-up your license. Ready to bail and go home, the MOD informed me that if I wanted to head back to the first bar (across town) to get my ID and come back, he would help pay for our cab fare. Although extremely skeptical, I did want to get in the bar and see my friends so I decided to try it. True to his word, he traded me cash for my cab receipt upon my return. This is unbelievable customer service! On that rite alone, I will forever be a fan of Back Bay Social, but I will also say the music here was good, the bar was full - but not in a way that felt crowded, just busy and alive. The drink menu is interesting and POTENT. I tried the 'Gin Somethin' (Gin, St. Germain, Grapefruit Bitters, Cucumber, Grapefruit Juice, Muddled Lime and Soda) served in a fun mason glass. It was fantastic and fun, as well as the two bartenders that helped us out. A couple extra points for clean, nice bathrooms and just the right decor for a late-night bar. I'd be curious to come here for a meal during the day - I'm sure it's a different game! I have to shave just one star for the price of the drinks (yikes) to keep it real.

    (4)
  • Donna P.

    Second time we have been here with a party over 12 for graduation. The staff is nice and very accommodating. Food is very good. Fun place to hang out.

    (4)
  • Timothy T.

    Almost felt like I was back in TriBeCa. Came here on a Friday night. Upstairs is classy. Not too swanky, and a little bit retro. Lots of people eating, and lots of people socializing by the bar. Definitely a good date place for dinnertime. The ladies was dressed, and I only saw one guy with the Boston staple pastel-shirt-and-khakis combo. The venue is spacious enough to avoid overly close bro-time, but don't expect to be able to 6-step. Bartenders are nice, and while they were all moving at lightning speed, I couldn't help but think they could be more efficient. They are all dressed like pseudo-hipsters, which was a welcome change for me. Drinks are priced above average for the city, but I'll admit I don't have enough experience in this particular neighborhood. The good news is that they are made strong. I did not have the food, but the sliders looked really really good, were quite large, and the report I received was that they tasted exactly how they looked. By the way, there is a downstairs, but that left me unimpressed. (^_^) Venue (^_^) Atmosphere (^_^) Strong drinks (^_^) Free coat check (^_^) Kitchen open late (1:30AM) Glad I came. Would like to try food here. PROTIP: If you are going to eat, don't be sat near the bar.

    (5)
  • Loretta-David J.

    The wait staff was wonderful. I had the poached chicken au jus special and David had to try there signature crispy chicken waffles sounds crazy but is really a special sauce seasoning. He really enjoyed it. Wine list and cocktails was limited. Great atmosphere on Saturday night.

    (4)
  • Brendan F.

    The burger was as good as advertised, and the brussel sprouts side was very tasty. Beer list not as ideal as I'd like but overall a good experience!

    (4)
  • Lily J.

    Chicken & Waffles were great, although I'd like to try their gravy and see how it compares. The burger and fries were great as well. Dessert offerings were a nice selection of pies, although the entree sizes were generous and we were too full to order anything more. Casual atmosphere, was a bit loud though.

    (4)
  • Yohanis A.

    I came here tonight for a residency applicant dinner I helped organize. The food was delicious. The chicken and waffles was to die for. The steak and frites which most of us ordered was also delightful. The service was was great. I am only giving it 4 stars because realistically it is a little pricey for our budgets but the program was paying so we definitely enjoyed it!

    (4)
  • Rachel M.

    I went here with my parents after graduation and it was really exceptional- especially because I know that my parents are not the easiest customers to please, and the staff (and food) did an exceptional job. After a long day, this place was exactly what we needed. No complaints, a night I will remember.

    (5)
  • Cindy W.

    I guess you can call this place The Cougar Club as well! There were many cougars on the prowl the night we dinned...esp in the lower floor. Started off with the waygu meatloaf sliders and the meat candy. The sliders was very good. We were surprised that the cherry compote was a great compliment to the waygu. And now the meat candy. If you have no idea what the hell meat candy is, you must order it for the curiosity. It is a great treat every time you take a bite. It was delicious. We came here with another couple and we both ordered the same items: Chicken & waffles and the The Social Burger. Holly molly...the chicken and waffles knocked my panties off! Crispy, moist, sweet, and salty...one of the best dishes I have ever tasted without thinking of ordering. And as for the the burger, I was simple and huge. Yummy with the sharp cheddar and onions. We all had a great experience here that night and looking fwd to going back.

    (3)
  • Anne W.

    This place is okay in terms of a bar.. it's crowded.. filled with the same general pushing and shoving you would expect in Boston downtown. No dancing.. it's just too crowded. But.. the best selling point of this place is their delicious cucumber something.. I think the drink is called "ummm.. something." Great strong drink.. unique.. loved it. In fact all their drinks are strong.. that's why I love this place. Bathrooms are downstairs so hopefully you are not too clumsy when you drink.

    (3)
  • Mr. O.

    Went to Back Bay Social Club last night. It's a usual for me and my fiancé and it didn't disappoint. The food was good - though the chicken & waffles and Mac and cheese needed some seasoning and salt. The only issue is the line to get in is rather lame, since this place should cater to young professionals. It was irritating to be carded at the door and then ask for a second form of id (seriously, I'm damn near 40). I don't think the door guy even recognized my AMEX platinum. Yeah, I went there. Seriously, go early and enjoy the food and sit outside if possible. Mr. O out.

    (4)
  • Matt D.

    I've eaten dinner here several times now and I'm always very pleased. It's a great place to go for a date. There is a great selection of beers on tap and the cocktails are delicious. I'm always pleased with the menu as well. The chicken and waffles are to die for! I also really like the brisket and the duck. In a location like Boylston Street, this restaurant really thrives and has a lively atmosphere.

    (5)
  • Jessie J.

    Burger. Burger.... Amazing! enough said. ;)

    (5)
  • Cassandra G.

    The chicken and waffles were awesome! The serve them with BBQ sauce. I didn't think I would like it but it was perfect! The breading on the fried chicken is something else! The Social Burger is also something special! We had awesome service! Thank you, Katie for a great brunch! Would definitely return on out next vacation to Boston!

    (5)
  • Kurstin R.

    Went here with friends for brunch and we had a great time. Out server was friendly and patient with us and made excellent recommendations. I had the chicken and waffles, two people in our party had the burger, and one had the eggs Benedict - nothing disappointed. We all cleared our plates! Drinks were tasty too - I would definitely dine here again.

    (5)
  • Lynn J.

    Came for dinner...and, aftwards... Attended a social networking event for the NABB Young Friends & Neighbors. FOOD & STAFF: Our burgers, fish & steak were good, but not notably exceptional in any way, and the same goes for the service. ATMOSPHERE: Old school speakeasy... Classy and sassy, but not too trashy. THE DEAL: I agree with the "Cougar Club" label, based on the people on the prowl... if the upstairs bar is light on the ladies... be sure to check out the lower floor!

    (4)
  • George L.

    I came on a summer night and sat outside, which was great. They had decent beers on tap (dogfish head, allagash, harpoon, etc.), and service was friendly and responsive. I had the burger, which was delicious. We also shared some appetizers, my favorite being the bacon wrapped dates. The only drawback was that the prices were probably a bit higher than comparable venues.

    (4)
  • Karen M.

    We went at 6 pm on a TH night. We were seated promptly. Food was great. Service was great. Nice bar but not enough TVs. I would go back.

    (4)
  • Taiwan C.

    Great service, food and drinks. The meat candy, which was sweetened sausage, was a nice dish.

    (5)
  • Lisa S.

    My friends and I came here for brunch last weekend. We had a 12pm reservation, but when we got there it wasn't that crowded, so I don't think the reservation was necessary. We got seated and I ordered 2 fried eggs over easy ($10)- as did one of my friends- and the other ordered an omelet ($12). I ordered an iced tea and we all also ordered mimosas, and the waitress recommended a special mimosa with orange-flavored vodka and all this other stuff. Since I don't believe in messing with a good thing, I opted for the regular mimosa, but one of my friends chose to get the special one. The menu looked tasty and had a variety of things to choose from, and the service was solid- the waitress was quick to refill my iced tea glass every time it was empty. While we were waiting, they brought us corn bread with butter, which was tasty. Then we got our mimosas, and mine was delicious. However, my friend's special mimosa was basically undrinkable- it tasted like pure sour vodka. We all tried it at the table and we all thought it was disgusting (note: we spent most of our college years doing shots of 99 bananas- so you can imagine what this tasted like). The waitress could tell we hated the drink, so she brought us some extra OJ to mix in it and make it less strong, which helped. The 3 of us all worked on drinking it, but could only finish about half by the end of the meal, at which point it was almost palatable. Moral of the story: stick with regular mimosas. When our eggs came, my plate looked pretty sad (picture uploaded). I had 2 eggs, which were actually done over medium/hard (pretty much no liquid came out when I cut into them), 4 pieces of bacon, 1 piece of toast, and maybe 1/2-3/4 cup of potatoes. They didn't ask us what kind of toast we wanted, and we were just given wheat toast. I've had double the food for half the price, which tasted better, at most other places I've been to for brunch. Two of us had mostly finished our brunch, but one of us was still eating when the guy came to clear the plates. He took our plates and then- while my friend was still chewing and holding his fork and knife in his hand- asked him if he was finished with his plate. After my friend said no, the guy cleared most of the rest of the table. This is one of my pet peeves, and I also think it's rude- this meant that my friend now had the only plate at an empty table, and was trying to finish it as quickly as he could because he felt rushed. Overall for brunch: I'd be back again if I was in the area and someone else suggested it, but overall our meal was fairly forgetful. Pros- great location, good menu, good normal mimosas, quick service, moderately priced. Cons- meh on the actual brunch food, gross special mimosa, overenthusiastic table clearing.

    (3)
  • Christina H.

    We were excited to visit after reading the reviews. However, quite disappointed in our experience. We sat at the bar and it was covered in water. I politely asked the bartender to wipe it and she was clearly annoyed. She then disappeared and a new bartender arrived. We had to wait quite a bit of time even though they had five people behind the bar. I ordered the chicken and waffles. They were good but not great. I was hoping for a sweet and savory dish but instead it was overpowered with BBQ sauce. Not bad just not what I was expecting. Overall service was mediocre at best and food was good. The cocktail I ordered was a nice mix of tarragon and tequila. Would not recommend seeing how there are so many other choices out there.

    (2)
  • Carrie P.

    Went here with a big group... My basic reaction was that this place was just OK. We started with cocktails which were pretty good, but a little on the pricey side. Our table got the duck perogies starter and brussel sprouts and french fries to share. The perogies and brussel sprouts were pretty good, and the fries were great. I wanted to order the spicy mahi, which sounded delicious until the waiter told me that it wasn't really spicy it was just "spiced". With cinnamon. That combination - shellfish reduction, guacamole, and cilantro - does not seem to go with cinnamon at all. I actually think this is the first time I've ever heard of putting cinnamon on fish... So after the waiter talked me out of that dish, I decided to go with the bronzini, which they didn't have, so they replaced it with some other fish. I can't remember what it was now, but it was literally the worst piece of fish I've ever eaten in my life. And I once ate a fish in Ghana that they didn't take the organs out of before cooking and serving it. This fish was worse than that. One of my friends also got this dish and she agreed. We both left it uneaten. The saving grace of the dish was the gnocci and braised oxtail, which was actually quite good and there was enough of it to be full, so it ended up not really mattering that the fish was terrible. Other people were decently pleased with their meals. No one was blown away, but no one was too disappointed either. The burger sounds good, but it's hard to justify paying $22 for a burger, so everyone in my group went with other entrees. All in all 3 stars.

    (3)
  • Jenn S.

    We have been there a couple of times and haven't had a bad meal yet. The boyfriend loves the chicken and waffles - he swears its amazing. I have had the fish tacos and the oysters and those are a hit too. The lunch menu is pretty small, it only has a few sandwiches but still different than the usual burger for lunch.

    (4)
  • Courtney H.

    Two words: Social Burger. SOO ridiculously expensive, but I split it with a friend and it was wonderful. My boyfriend had the steak and frites and won't stop talking about it. We all split the cheese platter, that was great too (again, expensive but I think I'm starting to get used to there prices in Boston). Great beer selection too!

    (4)
  • Adrian G.

    It seems to me like Back Bay Social Club is a great example of location, location, location. I had a Saturday lunch with one of my friends there a couple of weeks ago. To be honest there was nothing special about my food...other than the fact that I was consuming it on Boylston, while staring at the Pru. I don't really know if I would give this place another chance...especially given the tiny order of eggs hollandaise for which I overpaid.

    (2)
  • Lucas P.

    Food is pretty good. They have a very small brunch menu with little to no variety. For some reason my chicken and potato smelt and tasted like seafood. Maybe it was cooked with the same oil. The restaurant was okay. I think great for late night drinks.

    (3)
  • Alex B.

    Back Bay Social is the perfect place to hang out with friends and "be social". I have been here a few times to grab a glass of wine and some apps. What I have found is that my servers and bartenders have always been super friendly and the food is so yummy. They have a huge downstairs area that is great for networking events and their patio is a great place to relax and have a drink on a warm summer evening. The highlights for me have definitely been their truffle butter popcorn ($5), kobe meatball sliders ($8), the candied meat (kielbasa and pineapple) for $9, and their pretzel bread with the beer cheese dip ($8). However, I am very interested to try their doughnut sandwich off their brunch menu and their farm chicken for dinner which I heard was delicious. I was a little turned off by the fact that there's no overlap on their menu. For example, I couldn't get a salad during snack time (4-5 PM). Also $21 for a burger and fries? No thank you. I will be taking my burger business elsewhere. While this place does have a few downsides I think it is great that it helps to alleviate some of the grit many Boylston Bars while not being too pretentious.

    (4)
  • Julia K.

    This place is known for its HUGE burgers, but I was looking for a healthier option! We decided to order a few appetizers; they just all happened to be asian inspired -- spicy korean style wings, pork belly, and the bbq duck confit sliders. The Korean style wings were crisp, spicy and slightly sweet; very similar to bon chon but tasted less greasy. The sliders are delicious and 4 came in one order. The pork belly was a little disappointing. I didn't think the presentation was very good and came cold. For my main dish, I decided to have the arugula salad w/ pickled beets, goat cheese, champagne vinaigrette. The salad was refreshing but wasn't spectacular. Watch out for the crowded bar area on the 1st floor on a Friday night! Popular spot to grab tasty cocktails!

    (3)
  • Renee W.

    Hit up the Back Bay Social Club on the way to Fenway for the Justin Timberlake/Jay Z show and we had never been here before so we thought to give it a try. We're not disappointed. Sat outside at a nice table in the patio which was perfect for conversation and peopl watching on Boylston. I haven't had Harpoon in at least a year and their Summer brew was on tap. Delicious as always! I also ordered the Steak Freits with goat cheese compund. The steak was cooked perfectly medium and absolutely delicious! Paired with rosemary fries....lovely combo. My friend had the grilled cheese which also had Prosciutto- and she loved it! One of the best meals I have had out. Cheers!

    (4)
  • Jhan M.

    First time there, very good service, went for the burgher and it was bad bad bad I don't know how they can charge 22 for a burger that it's so bad !!!! Any body its better off going to five guys or even Kelly's but very good service

    (2)
  • Yasa E.

    Whoever said BBSC is the "poor man's abe and louies" is an idiot. Two completely different types of restaurants, it's like comparing apples and oranges. Anyways, the drinks are very interesting. And yummy. The social burger is probably one of the best burgers i've ever had. Get it done the way the chef likes it (that's like medium rare), otherwise it's not the same. The bar scene is usually pretty good here as well.

    (4)
  • Dawn E.

    The Back Bay Social Club is an chic urban restaurant and bar with a bit of an old speakeasy feel. The upstairs is bright and hip, with well arranged lighting and an excellent outdoor patio space and the downstairs is dark and cozy, with a rich wood bar and deep round red booths to cozy up in with friends. I have not had the pleasure of having much food here (aside from some crudites and meats), but the bar service was above excellent. I recently attending an event downstairs and was early to arrive, the bartender immediately offered me water while I wait and when I asked if he minded if I ate an orange I happened to have in my purse, he took out a cutting board and cut it up for me. Drinks throughout the night were filled promptly and with a smile by all three bartenders. Upstairs, the vibe is full of energy and youth, service still comes with a smile, and staff seems to be efficient and capable. The clientele here seem to be well-dressed and happy, whatever that's worth.

    (4)
  • NK T.

    Mediocre at best. As expensive as any top Boston restaurant without any of the effort you see elsewhere. A vibrant scene, great ambiance, but they seem to have stopped trying after the decor was hung. Nothing special about the food or cocktails but a fun spot if you're just interested in the nighttime scene.

    (3)
  • Morgan B.

    Thank you, Back Bay Social Club for a memorable experience.

    (4)
  • Alex A.

    Went here with friends and the place has a really cool vibe, similar to the Foundry in davis square. Tried the chicken and waffles which was really good and also had the steak frites with rosemary fries which was really tasty too (had it done medium-well), the garlic butter on the steak was amazing. We got the mussels as well, which was okay, nothing special. Overall, really good food, prices are decent and the atmosphere is really nice, I'd definitely come back.

    (4)
  • Ellen W.

    Great breakfast! Manager is very attentive. Super service. Chef's omelet very yummy, prime rib, onions, red peppers, swiss cheese. Great coffee. Love the atmosphere.

    (5)
  • J. N.

    Three stars cuz the cocktails are delicious. But the food is not. We ordered meat "candy", seared tuna and mussels. The meat is actually a spin on something I make myself but it had a very weird aftertaste. The tuna was simply tasteless as were the mussels. We got baked Alaska for dessert. It was literally frozen. Best part was when young server boy asked how we liked dessert (only inquiry of the night), we said it was not very good and he was like, yeah, oh well. Unless you're just there for drinks, don't do it.

    (3)
  • EricaLynn J.

    Point and laugh at this reviewer: When folks told me about it, I thought they were referring to a gym! I believe I even turned one friend away when she invited me there, with the response that I already belonged to a gym I enjoyed. Oh, dear. If I could give this place five more stars, I would. It is everything I could possibly want in a restaurant/drink spot. And I am head over heels in love with the absolute creativity of the menu. Any place that serves stuffed peppadews is more than A-OK in my book. The vibe of the BBSC is chill, fun, and swanky. And the bartenders are not only knowledgable, but they take very good care of you. They are not afraid to make something creative or unique for you, and then tell you exactly how they are doing it. I love that! This is a place suited for anyone and any occasion - from a quiet date night to a bachelorette party, this should be your go-to spot!

    (5)
  • Stanley C.

    Stanley Chaban 1-617-467-5599 Went to lunch at back bay social club today, 2 hours to get a hamburger, don't go to back bay social club,and if u wanna know something , I'm never going there again

    (1)
  • Tony J.

    This review is purely about the food. I'm sure the nonfood stuff is better, but we'll see. On our quest to find reasonable chicken and waffles in Boston (obviously nothing will come close to Roscoe's), we stumbled upon this establishment which served it as leg 2 of our seemingless fruitless search. The chicken and waffles were not really the traditional chicken and waffles. The syrup was BBQ sauce flavored, and the chicken wasn't really the consistency of fried chicken and was oversalted. The entire dish was really intense in sweet and salty which completely overpowered the dish. Clearly not optimal, but better than ihop. Other stuff we got was also a ton of intense flavor combinations that really made you just want a lot of water, including meat candy. The wagyu meatloaf sliders were reasonable, but everything else was just whatever. Would I come back? Definitely not for the food, I would say.

    (2)
  • Judy T.

    We so much wanted to like this place, but the cooking fell short. The spinach salad was drowning in dressing while the creamed corn that came with the scallops were overly spiced with pepper. I had asked for no pepper and I think they put in extra pepper. The manager agreed there was way too much. The table of 3 next to us all had to send their meals back because it was obvious their meat was pretty much raw. The apple/peach crisp came in a warm dish, but the contents were still cool. The Ladies' Room was not clean, was missing pocketbook hooks and at least one of the toilet seats was broken. All in all, I can't recommend this place.

    (2)
  • Jessica L.

    Absolutely delicious food - very eclectic menu - but whatever you choose will surmount your expectations. Wonderful service and attentiveness from the waitstaff and hostess (even on NYE)! Highly recommend the shrimp and grits, the macaroni and cheese, chicken and waffles and half roasted chicken. Everyone in my party was pleasantly surprised with their entrees! Will definitely be returning, hopefully to try some famous brunch!

    (5)
  • Becky F.

    After a Red Sox game one day my parents and I wandered away from the stadium and took a stroll down Boylston Street looking for a dinner option to catch our attention. We were between a few options and finally decided to try Back Bay Social Club despite concerns that we might be a bit underdressed based on the fancy pants name. Despite our rain jackets and Red Sox gear, we were warmly greeted by the hostess who offered us the option of dining upstairs or heading down to the speakeasy-themed lower level. The upstairs had a nice vibe but was a bit loud for us, so we decided to head on down. Dim lighting, black and white tiled floors, and red booths gave it a vibe that I don't know if I would describe as "speakeasy," but it did feel like a little bit of a hideout. The music was an old-school soul/r&b mix that also wasn't quite "speakeasy" but was definitely worthy of a positive shout out. Despite there being several booths and a spacious bar, we pretty much had the whole downstairs to ourselves. There were a few waiters we saw working, all of whom were casually dressed in jeans and plaid shirts (so maybe an old west style speakeasy?). The said, the service was FANTASTIC and our waiter was super happy to tell us about the menu and his personal recommendations. He also mentioned that the chef was a bit newer to the restaurant (having previously worked in Denver and NYC, among other cities) so the menu had been undergoing some changes. Mom ordered the 20 hour slow cooked brisket which was INCREDIBLE. Delicious sauce and fall off of the bone meat. Dad had the Pan Seared Hake which was good. I *almost* ordered the chicken and waffles (which I now see were a yelp favorite), but was a bit discouraged to hear that it was a particularly heavy meal and didn't really receive our waiter's personal recommendation (note: I asked and surprisingly, the maple BBQ sauce for the waffles is different than the brisket sauce). Our waiter did approve of my selection of the gnocchi which came packed full of delicious spring veggies including spring peas, baby carrots, and wild mushrooms. Super satisfying and flavorful. We ordered two desserts to split - a flourless chocolate cake (almost too rich even for the three of us to split) and a crème brule maybe?? Drinks were pretty pricey, even by Boston standards. Overall, BBSC had a laid back vibe despite the somewhat pretentious name. Friendly service and some tasty dinner options...I would stop in again.

    (4)
  • Dela B.

    Back Bay Social Club seems to be a gathering spot for a lot of industry people in the later hours. I've only been here for the night life so this review isn't really for the restaurant experience. It's a fun time if you're not looking for anything wild and just want to unwind with friends, dance a little perhaps (weekends), and enjoy a late night menu with pretty good drinks. Bartenders are patient, managers are incredibly nice, and their chicken and waffles at 1:00AM really hit the spot. If you want to dance, BBSC isn't the ideal place for it, but they do have a good sound system and play dance-able music. Recommended cocktail: Gin Somethin

    (4)
  • Ken M.

    I'm not surprised the reviews for Back Bay Social Club are all over the place, because the restaurant is kind of all over the place. The hostess was super awkward and flustered tonight. She had no idea how to seat reservations and didn't seem to know what tables were available. The atmosphere was mostly nice, save for the wall with French advertisements as decor, it just didn't make sense with the rest of the decor. The televisions over the bar also didn't fit with the vibe. I liked the waitstaff uniforms, but I didn't understand how they fit with the overly formal management cocktail attire. Our waitress was five star. She was really nice and very good at her job. The bread was throw away. If you aren't going to do bread well, just don't do bread. The Wagyu Meatloaf sliders with bacon jam were amazing. I could have eaten many more of them. The entrees: I had the chicken with red beans and rice with a side of Brussels Sprouts. The Brussels were the best part of the entree, the chicken was flavorful but kind of dry. The rice and beans were good. Andy had the steak frittes which was very good, if not a bit rare in the middle. What really brings down this review is the lackluster finish. Not only did dessert take forever, but it was mediocre at best. If it hadn't been redacted from the bill due to how long it took, I would have been actually angry about the dessert. We ordered the family sized apple ice cream sundae because quite frankly, it was the only dessert that sounded interesting beside the immense carrot cake. We assumed we wouldn't be able to finish it, but who would want to? It was gimmicky to the tune of a chain restaurant dessert with low quality ice cream, some boring cookie balls, low quality caramel sauce, and some apple slices. I'd rather pay $14 for a single scoop of super premium ice cream with a ginger cookie with some flavor, and good quality caramel sauce than a half gallon of supermarket brand ice cream. Quality over quantity any day of the week.

    (3)
  • Aleksey Z.

    I came back for chicken and waffles after having them once here, this time on a date, and it was just as great of a time as the first. We started with a the beet salad, then each devoured the delightful chicken and waffles. We were seated downstairs because the upstairs was packed, and it was a pleasant environment and the servers were great. Definitely coming back again and would highly recommend in general.

    (5)
  • Andrew K.

    Delicious burger! They use top grade ground meat and cook it to perfection covered with perfectly caramelized cheddar cheese. The fries that are served in a brown paper bag next to it are very tasty as well. I couldn't clear my plate of all the food, because we started the meal with the Rhode Islan Frito Misto which had fried scallops, shrimp, and squid mixed with spicy peppers and garlic. The different flavors worked so well together we devoured the plate and sopped up the excess garlic butter with the complimentary bread. Well done BBSC I'm excited for my next visit.

    (5)
  • Carlos V.

    Everyone raves about the burger... and it IS the best one I ever ate. The fries are really good too. My wife got something else... and it looked/tasted OK... the BURGER and a High Life is the meal of choice at this spot.!

    (4)
  • Kevin R.

    Should have had the burger ordered Gumbo instead wouldn't recommend it.

    (3)
  • Laura K.

    Worst. Food. Ever. Do NOT go here! I had been a couple of times before, so I don't know what happened in the last year, but it has really gone downhill since. We ordered the chicken and waffles and asked for it to come before our meals, so that we could have it as an appetizer, but it came with the rest of our food. Not a big deal, but still adds to the list of things... We knew something was wrong when it felt like we were cutting through the tendons of the chicken. Then, I spit the first piece out thinking it was gristle. Lo and behold, the entire piece of chicken was that chewy/crunchy texture. Not only that, but the 'crispy' breading was soggy. I got the eggs benedict -- I never knew hollandaise sauce could ruin anything, but it can when it tastes like flour slurry. The canadian bacon pieces were the size of silver dollars, and sat on top of overly fluffy English muffins, which were more like sourdough bread rolls. The bacon I ordered on the side came with all of 2 slices and looked (and probably tasted like) those doggy Beggin' Strips. I'm sure the consistency was the same, since it was like rubbery plastic. While our server was nice enough, she seemed like she didn't know what she was doing. The manager wasn't any better, as she was unable to answer questions about the meals for us. Overall, NOT recommended for anyone. I am thoroughly disgusted that they would serve anyone food like this.

    (1)
  • Mister M.

    What a great place! I'd just walked out of a four-hour business meeting and needed a place to unwind before going home. I was looking for a semi-classy place, not filled with immature brats. Lord knows there are plenty of them on Boylston. This place fit the bill - classy, elegant, but not stuffy. I sat at the bar. I planned being there an hour and stayed for four. Met some great people at the bar, smart, witty, fun to talk to. A beer off tap is $6 and a mixed drink is $8. Katie behind the bar was wonderful - adorable, sure, cute, yes, an angel, of course. But behind her amazing smile she poured drinks with the joyfulness of someone who loves their job. With all the frowning smartass bartenders on Boylston, that's rare. Stop by here, you'll smile all night.

    (4)
  • Jon B.

    Came here during my visit back home and a friend who is a fellow yelper suggested it. It was a really nice set up and quite busy. It didn't matter though this place has there place in fine working order. I ordered the 20 hour slow roasted pork. Basically the best I've ever eaten. Melted in my mouth. Only complaint is the small portion of pork I received. If your from the South I suggest this meal to you.

    (4)
  • Matt M.

    If you're going to come here, make sure to order the Social Burger. It may be $22, but its absolutely fantastic. The meat is good quality, but the real twist on the burger here is the caramelized onions, which are reduced almost to a mush and compliment the burger so well. While it looks like the burger does not have much cheese, the amount is just right, as it blends into the onion and meat flavors perfectly to round out the dish. While I don't generally view a hamburger as a piece of culinary art, they do take them to another level at this place.

    (4)
  • Steve T.

    If I stuck to the original plan of going in and just ordering the burger I would be debating between giving four or five stars, but unfortunately I strayed and got a starter and dessert as well. Enough has been said about the burger that I'm not going to go into detail other than saying: Yes, it is that good. Yes, it is worth the $22. And no, don't add the fried egg because they will overcook the yolk. Now let's get to my starter, the real letdown of the meal. What I ordered was the 'Wedge Salad,' what I received was two or three romaine leafs, tomatoes, bland dressing and some quality slabs of pork belly that saved this otherwise lackluster dish from being ignored. Calling this a wedge salad is like calling a pulled pork slider a hamburger or calling spaghetti with barbecue sauce macaroni and cheese. It was a total failure, I would have been happier if they took my $11, went to Outback and swiped a proper near-frozen quarter of iceberg and actual blue cheese dressing, then topped it with their own tomatoes and pork belly and kept the remaining $6. Desserts were also very forgettable. We went in expecting to order the family style caramel apple sundae, but somehow this has been removed from the menu. You're left with a frozen solid flour-less chocolate cake, a miniature key lime flavored tart, a forgettable bowl of cheesecake and a few others. Considering these points as well as spotty service and an extremely dark dining room, how did Back Bay Social Club still manage to escape with three stars? The burger, the whole burger, and nothing but the burger.

    (3)
  • Chris M.

    I've gone to the bar several times for after work drinks, and always like the cocktail menu, plus there is a good selection of wine and spirits. After experiencing a night were we had apps, I picked this spot to do lunch with some coworkers. Big mistake. While noshing on their snacks is great, the meals leave a lot of room for improvement. The seared tuna salad should be called the medium well tuna salad, as it arrived cooked almost all the way through, and was an unappetizing gray color except for the very center. Not what you expect at all, and not even seasoned. Clam chowder is excellent, but the other soup options seam like they are made way ahead of time, or maybe even frozen first. While there was a lot of clam in the chowder, it came with one measly oyster cracker. Weird. Meals are hit or miss, and not as gourmet as the prices let you think they are. You are paying for the location. I made the mistake in assuming that the hamburger came with cheese - it doesn't. The fries are good though. The Bolognese is decent. The chef doesn't dress the noodles before adding the sauce, but it is quite tasty. I've wanted to try their brunch, but for now I stick to drinks and snacks. The name says it -go to the back bay social club to be social.

    (3)
  • Christina T.

    I've been here a couple of times - only having a sampling of apps and drinks. It can get quite hopping especially downstairs where you don't expect anything to be there. The scene is mostly mid twenties + professionals looking for a good time. Next time, I'll stop in for lunch or dinner.

    (3)
  • Vy T.

    Good location to sit outside and have lunch downtown on a nice day. I had the one dollar oysters. For one dollars, I didn't expect the same level of oyster as island creek oyster bar. They we're good for the price. My husband got a turkey burger. The party looked like on of those frozen turkey patties from the grocery store.

    (3)
  • Shannon D.

    We held a corporate "social hour" here, and it was perfect. They got me everything we needed (and then some!), and it fit right into the budget I had for the event. We were able to offer open bar, and more than enough passed appetizers and crudite plates to keep everyone well-fed. With the big cushy leather booths, old-fashioned black & white floor, the atmosphere was really appropriate to the day we had had working with our digital agency. It felt like we were going out to a Manhattan bar after a day with Sterling-Cooper. The room was spacious and there was plenty of room to sit, or mingle. Everyone told me that they enjoyed the event. Thanks for making it so easy, BBSC! I only set it as a four-star (Yay! I'm a fan!) because I haven't had enough experience to give it the full five stars. For that, I would have to dine there and tell you more about the food. That said, I had a few things last night and the mushroom/goat cheese thing was awesome.

    (4)
  • Joe J.

    Didn't have the food but the drinks were delicious! Highly recommended! Service was just OK, which is kind of sad considering it was a slow night. I'd come back againt to try the food.

    (4)
  • Marilyn T.

    It's about time back bay got some good comfort food! Even at 9pm on a Saturday, the dinner tables upstairs were packed. The bar areas upstairs and downstairs were even more full. It can be a little loud, but it's less noisy if you sit in the back (still.. not the best place to try to have a lot of conversation). The layout is about the same as with the old Vinny T place, but the decor looks a little more upscale, and it's darker inside. They have some interesting cocktails.. the Fall Social has apple cider, lemon, vodka, and sparkling wine.. it wasn't too sweet, but the apple part was nice. It actually wasn't as strong as I had hoped, but it was still really good. In addition, they have a good number of wines and a few beers on tap (including Blue Moon.). To start, the "portabello pizza" was pretty awesome - it's a grilled portabello cap with roasted red pepper, caramelized onion, and blue cheese, sitting on top of arugula with roasted tomatoes. The portabello has really good flavor, onions are nice and sweet, and the tomatoes have a nice char. This was definitely my favorite dish. We couldn't resist the burger after all the yelp hype, and it lived up to it. Order it medium rare. It's so juicy and lfavorful (not just salty), topped with lots of cheese and caramelized onions. I like that it has a regular bun as opposed to the over-done brioche bun, which can be too buttery. Each bite of the burger was better than the last, and it's seriously one of the best burgers I've had. It comes with fries, but you can substitute it out for a different side (like smoker onion rings!) The other entree we tried was the lobster pot pie. It's in a ramekin topped with a puff pastry top. It's definitely rich, with potatoes and a well seasoned cream sauce, but there was a surprising amount of lobster in it. The food here isn't particularly light, but I like the concept, and everything is well executed. Whether you're here for drinks at the bar or for dinner on a cold winter night, I'd definitely recommend checking it out. Don't let the fact that it's in the old Vinny T spot make you think the food won't be good !

    (4)
  • Kim B.

    My husband and I were seeing a show at Berklee and came to Back Bay Social Club for dinner on the recommendation of a friend. I'd looked at the menu before we went and I was really excited to try the food. When I arrived to join my husband at the bar, the bar area was already packed with the after work crowd. I ordered a martini and a soda from the bartender when she swung by. It took a bartender another 20 minutes to come by again, at which point we were REALLY ready to order food. The bartender took my soda glass (not asking if I wanted a refill) and the single menu we were sharing and asked if we were going to order food. My husband said yes, but he needed the menu to reference. She dropped the menu, turned around, and walked away. SERIOUSLY rude. When the OTHER bartender came back, we ordered the duck perogies to start with and both ordered another drink. My husband asked for his cocktail to have muddled cucumbers in it. She responded "I -SUPPOSE-" in a really put-upon tone. They HAVE other cocktails on the menu with muddled items in it, so it's not like this was some alien concept. Then the other bartender returned and was the one making the drink. She wasn't doing the muddled cucumber. My husband piped up, asking if she could muddle some cucumber for the drink. She rolled her eyes and also says: "I -SUPPOSE-" (do they include that phrase in the bartending training materials? Two separate bartenders said that to us within 10 minutes). At that point, we decided we would just eat the app when it arrived to tide us over until later, when we would head to another restaurant for food (where the service wasn't horrible). The food on the menu isn't cheap and if I was going to pay $30+ for an entree, I sure as hell wasn't going to spend it at a place where I felt my custom wasn't wanted. When the perogies arrived, they also left something to be desired. They were more like dumplings at a mediocre Chinese restaurant than perogies: lukewarm temperature, a fried-then-left-to-sit sort of chewy outside, pulled duck inside that's been cooked to death so that its texture resembles cat food, and the flavor was just "meh." TL;DR: Expensive bar, mediocre food, and REALLY rude bartenders. Never again, Back Bay Social Club.

    (1)
  • Evan J.

    I have to agree with prior reviews on the burger - it IS disappointing. Everything is the same texture: squishy. There's nothing on it to give a satisfying crunch like some lettuce... and the worst part is it is $22. I actually made a comment to the server, which prompted the manager to come by and fish for whether or not he felt he needed to comp the meal. I really wasn't impressed by how he handled the situation and will not be going back. There's plenty of better places to eat in the area.

    (2)
  • Steve H.

    Not bad for dinner. The beer menu left you with something to desire, food was good but a bit pricey for what you get. I'd go back but it's not top on my list.

    (3)
  • Jerry G.

    Just happened upon this place and the chicken and waffles are excellent. The chicken is boneless and fried delivered with a hot waffle and hot syrup. The barbecue sauce on the chicken is the right touch. I have been to Roscoe's in LA and this place is the best I have had in the east. I will be back. Daniel's service was an attentive server.

    (5)
  • Asa P.

    Bad

    (1)
  • Carter D.

    I'm tempted to give this place 4 stars, because I basically start all of my interesting benders here, but it's very hit or miss. The spiky haired tattooed bartender who works downstairs is my favorite bartender in the city. I have no idea what her name is but she makes a better Overholt old fashioned than any other I've tried in the Boston area. I'll have to go back to Saloon to see if maybe I'm rushing a little in that judgement, but she makes a very simple drink stand out, and I've had this same cocktail prepared in some of the better cocktail bars in the area. One problem I've had, though, is that the downstairs seems not to be consistently open. On a few occasions I've been told to go down there when the upstairs bar was crowded, and at other times I've been told not to go down there, it's not open. I typically go after work, so it seems inconsistent, but as I said, I tend to start benders with whiskeys here, so my memory is probably a little hazy. The bartenders who work upstairs aren't quite as good. The cocktails are slightly inferior (still very good) and the staff is inattentive. I've only eaten here once, the food was good, not too expensive in general and generously portioned. I had chicken and waffles, split an order of sliders for an app and took a couple bites of the lamb burger. I liked everything, though the sliders were a little dry, and I couldn't finish the huge portion of chicken and waffles. I wanted to keep eating, the meal was great, but it was too much to eat. They offer a 20 dollar burger, which, to me, portends something terrible, but I haven't tried it so I can't comment on its value. Wait staff took a long time to show up, though they were good about refilling drinks as necessary and checked on each course as it came out. In general there's good and bad here, if you time it right and can get the attention of a bartender it's a great place to have a few cocktails.

    (3)
  • Michelle L.

    Review for Brunch: So Brunch here really enjoyable and I imagine a little different to the more hectic and busy dinner scene. We were a table of 4 and managed to walk straight to a table at 12 on a Sunday. The atmosphere is a little vast for a brunch place (but if the downstairs is open maybe thats different). Food here was excellent though pretty straightforward brunch food. One of the guys I was with had the "treatment" which was chicken, waffles, eggs, meat and homefries not sure how he finished it but he seemed to love it! The rest of us stuff with the eggs benedict and eggs any style which were well executed and tasty. Review for Drinks: This bar gets really crowded on weekend but the good news is that it is such a big venue that you always will be able to find a place to stand with your friends. The drinks here are well executed and are not too extortionate but still not cheap (kind of normal for the area).

    (3)
  • Philip C.

    Holler at your burger: Haters gonna hate, lovers gonna love The Social Burger with smothered onions, sharp cheddar and fries Definitely is high above Most other burgers in Boston It is what it is. The first time I came to BBSC I ordered the burger and as far as I'm concerned there's no reason to order anything else on the menu. It's no secret that this burger is one of the most delicious in this fine city and since it's done so right I need to enjoy it every time.

    (4)
  • Krista L.

    Went to this bar for a friend's birthday for some drinks.. it might have been a good experience if the staff weren't so douchey, the drinks weren't so expensive and the scene wasn't so depressing. We were down in the lower "lounge" area, which looked like a darker version of an open floor living/dining room and was empty at 12pm (I should have known then I should have left). 1. The yucky drinks were $10 and the bartenders were rude and taking shots while we were trying to place our order - seriously? $10 drinks? This isn't "Top Of The Hub," lets calm down. 2. My friend actually got charged a different amount for her drink than me for the SAME drink. Maybe the staff should stay sober and lay off the shots while serving its customers? 3. Some guy who worked there who was acting like some kind of bouncer told us to move away from our table when NOBODY WAS THERE. The bar was dead and BORING. I'm 25 and have no interest of ever recommending or bringing people to this place ever. As far as I'm concerned, the dive bar down the street (that did not have $10 drinks and drunk staff) would have been MUCH better.

    (1)
  • Julia N.

    Any place where I can order fried chicken and waffles for dinner is a winner in my book. My, I-love-to-be-a-fat-ass-on-vacation, book. On our first night in Boston we ended up at Back Bay Social Club and what a great place to kick-off a fantastic week off! Their delicious food and well-crafted drinks were just what the Dr. ordered after a 6 hour plane ride from SF. In the heart of the Back Bay (shocking, given its name, I know), it's a must-try if you're in the area. Hip, open and relaxing yet packed with a great scene, you really can't go wrong (especially if you order the chicken and waffles) here.

    (4)
  • A G.

    I'm not sure what happened here because I used to love this place - perhaps they switched chefs or management recently? I was there 2 weeks ago and ordered the chicken and waffles and the chicken had to be sent back because i couldn't physically eat it. It was under cooked, and the cooked outside part was so chewy. The batter was mushy and fell off of the chicken... I'd go back and try it again because it was great in the past...curious if others have noticed recent changes??

    (2)
  • Nick M.

    This place is great either just grabbing a drink or having dinner. Had their Social Burger and while I don't think any burger is worth $22, it was the best burger I've had. Someone else had the chicken and waffles and I can't wait to try that next time!

    (4)
  • Sarah P.

    This is a good go-to location for dinner and drinks. The Social Burger is delicious and a Boston favorite among my friends, and the butternut squash ravioli with brussel sprouts is a personal favorite. And don't forget the drinks... The bar downstairs is a great place to swing by for a drink with friends.

    (4)
  • Harry S.

    We have been craving the chicken and waffles at BB social for months and finally went back New Years day. We wish we hadn't gone. The changed the recipe for the maple BBQ sauce, now much more BBQ and much less maple. The waffles were under cooked and just a whole different experience than our previous visit. Maybe it was just an off day - I hope so because our memories of it were succulent!

    (2)
  • Beak E.

    Between the Phantom Gourmet and a handful of other online food critics, I had heard a lot of hype about this place's cheeseburger, which is cleverly called the Social Burger. It's a 10 ounce gourmet burger topped with caramelized onions and a heaping portion of melted aged cheddar, served medium rare. And it actually almost lives up to the hype. It was easily the closest I've ever come to eating a steak in a bun. The fries, however, sucked. The method in which they are made is fine, as I'm a huge fan of the hand cut style, but they were cut way too thin, so they came out too crispy throughout. I need some variation of textures in my fries, which these did not have. They take the term "shoestring" a little too literally here, but, aside from that, they weren't exactly the worst fries I've ever had, either. I'd give the burger a solid A, the fries a C-, and the location/atmosphere a D-, so the overall experience just isn't worth it. In all fairness, though, I can't stand the Back Bay. I have no idea how people could ever enjoy going there. There's no parking anywhere, everything's too expensive, and unless you're 23, you're too old to be there in the first place. If this place was buried in a smaller area just outside of Boston, and the burger was at least $5 cheaper, I'd have a lot less complaints. In theory, I'd definitely eat this burger again, but I'll probably never end up going back. The Back Bay makes me wanna gouge my eyes out and die. People that enjoy Boston sicken me, especially the bottom-feeding Jello shot culture that enjoys Boylston Street and all of it's equally dreadful surrounding areas. I don't let bright lights and loud noises confuse me. I know when an area of the world sucks, and Boston is just horrible. All in all, this place has a great burger, but everything else is too bland. I'd rather do a Five Guys burger and not have to worry about encountering college kids, hipsters, bicycle lanes, or the defeated remnants of the Occupy Boston crowd.

    (3)
  • Kevin Z.

    Food was pretty good. But it took over an hour for our food to come out. Management was not apologetic however did comp our meals. So I'd give it an ok for overall experience but try to avoid if you are in a hurry.

    (3)
  • Chiyon Y.

    Not a place I would go back to... Here's why: - I hate places that are too dark you can't read the menu - It took about 45 minutes to get the burgers! - $22 for a burger with aged cheddar and caramelized onions? Really? The burger is good, but I've had better. The only thing that makes this burger good is the caramelized onions... but that's about it. - The french onion soup was nasty. The broth was dark, so I figured it'd be flavorful. NOT. It was absolutely tasteless. No salt, no flavor, nada. It seemed like water with food coloring. ...need I say more?

    (2)
  • Ajay S.

    Want a break from shopping at the Pru? If you like cocktails, you will enjoy this place. There's something on the menu Calle Tom Selleck's Mustache - great whiskey cocktail. The Gin Something is pretty good too. And you probably don't want to miss the Rosemary Fries. Mmm.

    (4)
  • Katie C.

    My friend and I had a reservation for Sunday brunch at the Back Bay Social Club. She was in the mood for breakfast-y foods and I was in the mood for lunch-y food, so it was the perfect place to meet. Conveniently located to just about everything, we had no trouble getting there and we were promptly greeted at the door and even allowed to pick our own table since the restaurant wasn't busy at all. We sat outside and in less than twenty seconds, water was on the table and our server introduced himself. Other patrons on the patio had plenty of food on their tables that looked absolutely divine. The guys on one side of us each had a plate of chicken and waffles that could have easily fed two or three people. The girls on the other side of us were splitting the near-famous BBSC burger. (Note, if you've heard the hype about the burger, it just looks worth every penny and would be more than ample to split between you and a friend!) My friend had an egg white omelette that was practically falling off the plate while I had a turkey melt with avocado. The food took a little longer (maybe 25 minutes) than most would have reasonably expected, but it was certainly worth the wait. The turkey melt was served on buttered toasted bread and cut horizontally into strips which made it easy to cut with a fork and knife and/or pick up with your fingers. Since the sandwich was already a diet-wrecker as is, I would have liked to have fries instead of chips, but the sandwich was certainly more than enough. Between the omelette and the sandwich that was more than an ample brunch, our bill was $22 and change. Try finding that anywhere else in the Back Bay along Boylston Street. You certainly won't find it across the street at Towne (boooo, I don't like their brunch!!) and not further towards Mass Ave with comparable service. Sure, the name sounds a little uppity, but if you're looking for a great brunch, a pleasant outdoor patio, and great service, this is the place for you!

    (5)
  • Josephine R.

    Great great food. I refuse to go there and not get the meatloaf sliders because they are simply unbelievable. I also get the arugula salad EVERY time i go. On the weekends and Thursdays its packed and the bar can get rowdy but if you go early enough it should be fine. I also have had the wings which are really good, I would recommend the mussels and the burger! I essentially haven't had anything bad at this establishment and have been more times than I care to admit.

    (4)
  • Christy W.

    Loved it here! Great atmosphere. Came here for my friend's 30th birthday party. The service was awesome. We ordered a bunch of appetizers all were excellent. With all the great reviews about The Social Burger, I just had to get it. It was so amazing! I can't wait to go back! Definitely check it out if you are in the area.

    (5)
  • Doug W.

    Most items on the menu are southern food. The portions are large. Food was not good. Too expensive. Don't bother with this crappy place.

    (1)
  • ash l.

    Love the atmosphere and ambiance. Don't love the food (except maybe the meat candy). I think it's best described as Boston-flavored Cheesecake Factory that serves Wendy's food, charging hotel prices. I've become a regular here because it has a nice casual feel to it, and stays open LATE LATE, even if the food is just above tolerant. Consider this my food booty call.

    (3)
  • Johnna M.

    I'll be honest, it took me awhile to get behind Team Back Bay Social Club. I've been here a ton and never quite got the hype. That's because I was doing it wrong and approaching it from entirely the wrong angle. It took a killer hangover and a two mile walk to Boylston street for me to finally be hungry and desperate enough to understand the error of my ways and start living life in a whole new light. Take it from me-at a place offering such dishes as The Treatment (chicken, waffles, bacon, eggs), The Donut Sandwich (fried eggs, bacon, and cheddar between TWO DONUTS) and MEAT CANDY (I'll leave this to your imagination), please avoid the egg white spinach scramble or granola and yogurt and go straight for the Big Guy... The Social Burger. Served on a wooden platter with a dish of fantastic fries and tangy house made mustard sauce, this burger was cooked (or not cooked) to a beautiful, bloody, medium rare perfection. It's completely no frills with only a little bit of cheddar and grilled onions decorating it, but that is completely fine because the real star here is that glorious grass fed beef. I've always been impressed with their cocktail and Bloody Mary menu but as Jimmy Buffett once said, such a beast can only be appropriately accompanied with a cold draft beer (and their draft list is great too). You can also get the "other burger" (zzz lettuce tomato, weak) but that will clearly make you..lesser than. The staff, from the hostess to the waiters to the busboys, are extremely attentive, fun, and inexplicably dressed as lumberjacks. However, I must assure you the possibly suggestive comment coming from me when the meal was over clearly only referred to my one true love, the social burger. "I'd just love to take this big, beautiful, guy home with me!" I did. (and it was every bit as fantastic three hours later)

    (4)
  • Terence B.

    I've ended up at Back Bay Social Club the last two times I've ventured out on a Sunday. I really like the atmosphere, the bartenders are very good, and the food (Chicken and Waffles) is great. Sundays are extremely low key. There are not many customers so it's a good idea to bring your own folks with you ... unless you just want some "me" time. I definitely recommend this place.

    (4)
  • AJ J.

    This place was fantastic!!! I discovered it way too late in my Boston days. The atmosphere is relaxed and swanky all in one. The food...my goodness. Probably the best chicken and waffles I ever had, and I had them all.

    (5)
  • Kate B.

    I've been coming here for years and I have to say the service is always great and the place is always trying new things on the menu. I love that they have different burger options now. I was in here the other week for a drink and a snack with a friend and they even have a bar snack menu now. I had the house-made chorizo tacos which were great. They have a great craft beer selection and the cocktail list is always very inventive and fresh. If you come here, look for Lou, hands down the best bartender in Boston.

    (5)
  • Chris C.

    My dinner group reviewed BBSC thusly: Has a "dimly lit" "basement rec room feel" that didn't deliver on our "high expectations," as smart-phones were needed "to read the menu" at our "Liliputian-sized dining table". On the "somewhat limited" menu, "Bland pan-roasted chicken" and "bloody awful chicken and waffles" were juxtaposed against "terrific" roasted beet salad and "a nice selection of charcuterie". "Attentive enough"service couldn't save us from the overall feeling that "we wont' be back." Dinner's full comments are below.... "I had high expectations for the BBSC, but have to admit I was disappointed. Although the atmosphere upstairs seemed pleasant, the downstairs was just plain dark, but not in the good, intimate way. It felt more like a basement rec room - a vast space with some stuff thrown into it to make it seem more interesting, and then lights turned down low to hide all of the imperfections. When you see an entire table using their mobile phones to light up the menu just so they can read it, you know there's a problem. Food was adequate, though my pan roasted chicken was bland (or perhaps I am forever spoiled by Hammersley's roast chicken). Service was attentive, however, promptly replacing silverware that was dropped on the floor because a) our place settings were too crowded together, and b) it was too dark to see the silverware and everyone kept accidentally knocking them on to the floor! " "dark rec room vibe, amd really bland food - I can make better at home! I go out to get better atmosphere and food Than I can make myself- this wasn't it!" " - Food: 3 - The appitizer was a nice selection of pates but the chicken and waffles was bloody awful, it was smothered in a really sweet BBQ sauce that overpowered everything else - Service: 4 - Good but not great, the waiter was attentive enough and kind of cute. - Decor: 3 - I think, I couldn't see anything - Overall: 2 - wouldn't be rushing to go back but the drinks were good." "Food was good, service was attentive, but the room itself was way too dark and the restaurant as a whole had no concept tying it all together. There's an opportunity to make it a much better space." "The menu seemed a tad limited in selections and everyone already said it was dark." "My food and drink was good but certainly nothing to write home about." "After the 20 minutes of low lighting eye adjustment, the décor was less than stellar. The table was a bit Lilliputian in size and was not suited for 10 men. I had a roasted beet salad that was terrific and the spring onion ravioli which were quite tasty. Service was well rounded." And another note from Sluggo: Does anyone else find burgers and sandwiches served on wooden planks or cutting boards disgustingly unhygenic? FOLLOWUP: Shortly after this review posted, I got the following note (edited for lenth, but you get the gist) from the marketing manager for the Lyons Group, gotta give them props for followthrough: "I am sorry that your group didn't have a wonderful time. Please know that we take your feedback very seriously and are working to rectify the issues you pointed out in your review. The fact that you had anything less than wonderful experience is unacceptable to us and I would like invite you back in to try us again. We truly value our guests and I hope you would give us another chance."

    (3)
  • Chris L.

    Great burgers

    (5)
  • Jazmin M.

    This review is strictly for the Social Burger, since it is all I have had here. One of the best burgers in town: thick, juicy patty, tillamook cheddar, and caramelized onions. The service is consistently good-I have never had an issue. Take-home: Awesome burger with good service!

    (4)
  • Moo S.

    Surprisingly, my casual dinner at their bar was one of the better meals of my Boston trip. Sat down with a nice glass of vino. Ordered the Kobe beef sliders, which came with a little bowl of tomato soup for dipping. Yay! Anytime you encourage dipping, I'm giving you an automatic A+! The star of the show was the beet salad. I know what you're thinking - a beet salad at the bar? It was great combo of yellow beets, goat cheese, arugula, and walnuts. Delish and nicely presented too. I also watched a couple next to me (obviously a first-date arrangement) marvel over "how many napkins the bartender was giving them." I watched the bartender place a napkin (folded into a triangle as a placemat) in front of the guy three times (this was in addition to the regular napkins wrapped around utensils). The first time, the guy put it on his lap. The second time, the guy put it on his right thigh (shifting the first napkin onto his left thigh), the third time, he gave it to the girl (how sweet!) remarking, "They keep giving them to me." Thankfully, by the fourth napkin, he realized that it was supposed to be left on the table. As you can imagine, this was a major exercise in tongue-biting for me. Service was attentive and friendly and the entertainment factor was a major plus, it being my first dinner in town.

    (4)
  • Tom K.

    I was in here for the first time last weekend just for drinks on the patio. The atmosphere was great and our server was very nice and on top of things. We also went downstairs to the bar toward the end of the night and it was a good atmosphere there too. I can't say anything about the food. The only reason I'm giving this three stars is that we were overcharged for some of our drinks on the patio. It was not by a lot, but the price on the menu was definitely less than what we were actually charged on our bill. It was the end of the night and settling the bill was already complicated between the five of us, so we didn't bother our server about it. But it did not go unnoticed and, at the risk of sounding alarmist following one mistake, I would recommend that if you go, you check your bill when you get it. Again, it wasn't by a lot, but those are the differences that usually sneak past you. I may go back, but I may not. We'll see.

    (3)
  • Chris L.

    Had dinner and drinks here with 6 friends. We ordered a bunch of different items so we could all try them. The Chicken & Waffles was a big hit as was the Meat Candy. I'd pass on the Ricotta Crostini. Steak Frites were delicious as was the Fish & Chips. Don't waste your time with the Brisket. At least not if you like Brisket... We had great service even though we had a large party and it was crowded. I had an excellent Old Fashioned and they have a large selection of bourbons. I'd definitely go back.

    (4)
  • Christine P.

    So I went back for a second time and this time had the burger. Yeah, it is that good. YUMMMMMM. We also had a couple of appetizers and they were good as well. Overall though, service is still pretty bad and it's too loud. Almost impossible to have a conversation. Even for a bar atmosphere I think it's too much. We had a party of 11 and spent a pretty no doubt, and they forgot one of our burgers. Even after they came over and acknowledged it, it took forever to bring it out. We were all done with our dinner and one in our party was just starting. would not choose to go here unless we were specifically in the mood for their burger and were willing to deal with the rest.

    (2)
  • Chris M.

    Any bar and grill that throws(hosts) a kentucky derby watch party, gets 5 stars in my book. I went here for the SBS KY derby party... there were mint juleps flowing. Horses on the TV, and wicked friendly staff and bartenders. The only thing I didn't like was that i couldn't order a mojito for my friend (who doesn't like bourbon) because they were saving all the mint for the juleps. I dunno, if you got mint use it? Other than that the service was awesome. Andrew (i think) even put up with my questions and ramblings when we sat down for dinner. He recommended the chicken and waffles, and well, how can you go wrong with fried chicken, belgium waffle, and maple bbq sauce. It was like having fancy hangover food without the hangover (and waffle house). Good times had by all, and i'll be back.

    (5)
  • Patricia D.

    I ordered the spinach salad- YUM and the pork belly appetizer- pretty good. My date ordered the Social burger- he was a big fan. Solid food. Would I go back there instead of trying something new with a great review? probably not. But, worth a shot.

    (3)
  • Melanie M.

    My friends got the burger and it was very good, but maybe not for the price. Not a vegetarian friendly place either. My vegetarian husband ordered the pasta special and it lacked any flavor. I had the onion soup and was thorougly disappointed. The biggest plus is we got to eat outside and it's a fun place for people watching.

    (2)
  • Patty T.

    I came to Back Bay when visiting Boston for a business trip. They had 2 major mistakes and 2 major wins- so I'll give them 3 stars. I ordered Scallop and Corn Chowder- which did not include "bacon" in the description. Nor did the server inform me there was bacon in it when I ordered it- I found out after swallowing some. I do not eat pork. For me, it is not for religious reasons but for many people it is and that is a BIG deal. Especially in a large city, they should know better than to not be 110% upfront about pork being in a dish with all of the Jewish and Muslim guests they must get. The other issue was that the server was very poor at serving. She seemed like a perfectly nice girl who either hadn't been trained properly or was let on the floor alone too soon. Now the wins. I also ordered the Spinach and Mushroom salad and it was absolutely delicious. Their chefs combination of flavors was amazing. Hats off to him/her. The second win was that not only did the manager/server take my soup off the bill, they also took off all of our alcohol and gave us free dessert. While this did not make up for such a blatant mistake as not listing pork in a food description, it fixed my very sour impression of the restaurant very quickly because lets face it, mistakes do happen. I would go back for that salad and manager's apologetic gestures, but I would be very careful to ask what is in what I'm ordering.

    (3)
  • Simon L.

    There's a reason we've all heard about the Back Bay Social Club - it's pretty god flippin' delicious. Really! My only complaint is that we couldn't order from the regular menu at lunch time - I know, I'm just one of those that some times wants a steak for lunch. That being said, the Social Burger is very social - I was talking to myself in a near reverie, my buddies asked if I was ok; "do you need another drink?" they offered. At $21, the mix of prime dry aged beef was seasoned so well that I almost had to order another one. Cooked perfectly med rare, charred exterior, the juiciness of the meat un-effing credible. The soft and fresh bun was perfectly toasted and contained the sautéed onions and cheddar cheese impeccably. A perfect offset to the sharp pungent cheddar flavor were the sweet and tangy onions.. The meat itself was fresh and seasoned with some salt and pepper. The pinkish redness was succulent and rich. Mess factor was ideal, juice running down my grubby fingers and hands in a completely refined manner. French fries are fresh, salty and small, served in a paper sack. Housemade ketchup is a nice addition. Two buddies had BLTs, reportedly very good. Thick slices of fresh white bread, fresh tomatoes, swab of mayo and crispy lettuce. They did make a complaint: "considering that the sandwich is a BLT, there needs to be bacon on here." WTF, a BLT with only slim pickin's in the bacon department? Inexcusable, delicious but inexcusable. Bloody mary, nice Cajun spiced rim, house pickled onion, celery. Excellent mix. Strong but not too strong. Nice work. Eat here. Frequently.

    (4)
  • Adam H.

    Pretty average bar. I was not a huge fan of the food. good selection of beer with average cocktails. Have been here a few times and even for new years 2014. Was not any different on new years than it is on the weekend, which i found kind of strange. Just throw in a horrible DJ, horns, a dozen new years hats and every weekend can be new years at this place. Seems like a good place after work to grab a drink but not for more than an hour or two.

    (3)
  • Chris M.

    First time in Boston and stumbled upon this joint. I was in town for an interview and couldn't have found a better place for a quick bite and a couple of beers. Margie was as real as they come, and felt the hospitality for the short time I spent in the area. The food was great and left completely satisfied. Cheers you guys!

    (5)
  • R M.

    Overall good restaurant, with a really good night vibe, and attentive wait staff. Had the grilled salmon, salad and beer, of which the salmon was one of the better I had. Very fresh. Great place to hang with buds, co-workers or dates. While it gives the appearance that service will be ho-hum, I was happily surprised at how friendly literally every staff person there was. Absolutely would come back here.

    (4)
  • Katherine D.

    3 visits with wildly different impressions. The decor is nice, the booths are comfy, and I appreciate the uniforms. Those are concretes that are not changing. Visit 1: I had an adorable spectacled mustachioed barkeep fix me a delicious and well balanced Final Ward while I played Wing-Lady to my already plastered friend. Started off with very high marks Visit 2: St. Patrick's Day. I don't like to judge on overwhelmingly busy days, but it was not the crowd or the slow service that irked me. We ordered 2 drinks that came to $14, handed the lady barkeep a $20 and watched her drop our change into the tip jar without hesitation. Maybe that stuff flies with drunken frat boys, but my paramour and I left. Visit 3: We finally sat for dinner. There were some order snafus that were handled brilliantly. The meatloaf sliders were good, the cheese plate is nice with a great honey, drinks were great. I tried the fabled burger and thought it was more like a meatloaf than a burger. I only ate half and it sat heavy in my stomach like a brick, so much so that I did not take home the remaining portion. It was accompanied by pretty sad fries as well. I think I'd try it again because the menu looks promising, and I want to find my adorable male barkeep again so I can savor a great green drink.

    (3)
  • Jonah M.

    Dined at Back Bay social club on a Sunday for brunch. I came in with a friend who is a vegetarian and due to the limited menu there were not many options for him. The menu online listed items that were not on the actual menu. Aside from that the experience was relatively pleasant. I ordered "The Treatment" which consisted of chicken and waffles with a side of eggs and bacon. The portion was massive and the chicken was extremely crispy. This dish could easily be split between two.

    (2)
  • Rachel N.

    3.5 -- to be fair, I ordered not the most exciting thing on the menu -- the fruit plate (though the vanilla yogurt and granola were NOT tasty -- fake vanilla and Kellog's-y granolda flakes) -- but the egg dishes (CA benedict and an egg white omelette w/ portobellos, spinach, and goatie cheese) looked scrumptious (and well sized for the hungrier brunch goer. If it's nice out and you can tolerate some UV rays, hit up the patio -- it's solid Pru Center people watching -- and more importantly, you aren't overly air conditioned. A perfectly solid brunch standby, esp if you want a place that's not manically busy/requires a billion hour wait for scrambled eggs. Not hip, not hoppin, but certainly decently tasty. Lots for carnivores and veg alike. Brunch for 4 was $55+ tip -- I think most dishes are btwn $9-15.

    (3)
  • Kate L.

    This place must be going downhill. It was DEAD on the gorgeous Saturday afternoon we just had. So we snagged a table outside which was nice, right in the sun and surprisingly not loud for its location. Service was ok.. informative about the wine which was tasty. But our chicken cesar salads took an HOUR! All we got was an apology and nothing else! There were also anchovies on the salads which I feel like should be mentioned... and the dressing was fishy! Generous portion and good enough to eat but only b/c we were famished.

    (2)
  • Barbie D.

    My boyfriend and I love coming here for a dinner a little nicer than an ordinary night. We've tried a couple different items on the menu. Everyone raves but the burger but I just don't get it.. What I actually LOVE are the Chicken and Waffles. So random for this place. I know. But they seriously are awesome!! (also, best bang for your buck on the menu) Great drinks and really nice atmosphere too :)

    (5)
  • Russ B.

    Was walking around on a date and decided to grab a beer and some eats here on their charming patio. Service was good, pleasant, and attentive. My date and I were both shocked to see that their burger is $22! Server said it was prime beef and on the best of Boston list. I decided to go for it, and I'm glad I did....because now I know to never do that there again. It was not bad at all, but it certainly wasn't worth $22. The bun is toasted and tasty, the onions are shaved really thin so they're not clunky, and the sharp cheddar is a great contrast to the richness of the burger. But really, I'd rather have spent $22 on one burger and 2 beers at Russell House Tavern in Harvard Square than at BBSC. This review is specifically about the Burger. I think this place in general is pretty fun.

    (2)
  • Erik A.

    I have only been here for drinks (tried the chicken wings once, so yummy, but a bit pricey), but I keep going back. The outside patio is great for people-watching on a warm evening and the cocktail menu is always changing. If you do not see something on the menu you like, ask Christina, the bartender to make something for you. Staff has always been very friendly and the crowd tends to be young professionals. Cocktail prices are average and the location is very convenient.

    (4)
  • Jesse O.

    Met a friend here for dinner on a Friday night. It was pretty busy and loud. The food was good, and there is a good beer selection, however, I think it's a little pricey. But definitely a step up from nearby bars like the poor house.

    (3)
  • Dan G.

    I went here for lunch and it was pretty dead, which can be a good thing. We sat pretty quickly but it took a while for our waiter to take our order and for the food to come out, longer than it should have for a non busy lunch. Anyways, the soup and sandwich lunch was really good, for $10, very affordable for the area! The only complaint is they should have more than one soup on any given day. I loved the carrot soup we had, but the others in my party were hoping for something less, carroty. I got a pork sandwich which had moist slices of roast pork, cheese and broccoli rabe (very interesting for sandwich filling) all nestled in a very soft and nice ciabatta roll. Getting the check took some time too, so overall the service was a little slow, but the food was pretty good especially for the price. The clientele looks like they just stepped out of my favorite store, vineyard vines. I felt a little out of place there but overall not bad!

    (3)
  • Rita T.

    Get the chicken and waffles here, and ask for extra syrup! Huge portion, and delicious bbq sauce on the chicken.

    (3)
  • Jocy V.

    Probably closer to $$$ but the food was good pub grub. A main and glass of wine came out to $45pp. -Waffle and Chicken was very good as expected, but a unique find in boston -mussels were normal -burgers good nothing phenomenal but good, just slightly over priced. The restaurant had a good laid back vibe that does a nice transition to casual drinks. the checkered floor, dim lighting and slight loud music makes it a great spot for a large crowd, but a little hard to chat with a large group

    (3)
  • Cat S.

    Came here for a girl's dinner not knowing what to expect (rare, because I'm the biggest menu researcher known to man). Had a delish fall-inspired cider martini with cinnamon apple chips - extremely good balance of strong/tasty and I'm usually a mixed-drink wimp. The bread was really good from what I remember, and we also ordered a goat cheese app from the cheese offerings. Can't really go wrong with goat cheese. Service was great - our waiter was attentive and took time to explain some options that we had questions about. More on the service in a minute... Wasn't positive on what to get until the recitation of the nightly special - SOLD! Pan seared cilantro tequila shrimp over chipotle mashed sweet potatoes with a side of bacon braised collard greens. O. M. G. This was AMAZINGGGG. All three of us instantly changed our orders and asked if we could all get the special. The server came back and said that there were only 2 (!) orders left of the special but that since we were so enthusiastic about it, that he had asked the cook to make an exception...and the cook gave us his portion so that we were all able to have one! Yay. Anyways, the food was amazing and we all basically licked our plates. I'd highly suggest adding it to the normal menu because it was so delicious.

    (4)
  • Sandra S.

    Good drinks. Nice atmosphere. Great outdoor seating. Terrible food. I ordered chowder that was so oversalted and had a terrible fake smoke flavor. I didn't complain, but when the server noticed I didn't eat my chowder he asked about it. I was honest and he took the chowder away, apologizing. I was a bit surprised to still see it on my bill. I don't expect free food, so I paid. But honestly, the dish was inedible. That was really only the beginning. I thought everything else that I ordered was sub-par. The only enjoyable item on my $50 bill was the glass of cabernet.

    (2)
  • Allegra M.

    My girlfriends and I went to Back Bay Social Club (BBSC) last Friday night for the first time and had a lot of fun. The bar wasn't very crowded, but I think that was because it was considerably early in the evening. Ambiance is very low key, with low lighting, rich colors, and dark wood throughout. Bartenders and waitstaff wear plaid-stripped shirts, giving the otherwise "old world interior" a bohemian and laid back feeling. This is NOT a college-crowd bar - think more along the lines of the "after-work drinkers" and late-20's to early-40-somthing's having a nice night with friends. BBSC has a surprisingly nice selection of beers on draught, and some unique vintage cocktails for someone who is living on the edge...or someone in need of a libation with Fernet or Cynar as an ingredient (if you don't know what they are, you may be better off!) Our bartender, Patrick, was seemed like a character out of a TV sitcom - he had a ton of witty stories and remembered the specifics of our original drink order so that all we had to ask for was "another round." We didn't have any food, but the menu looks kind of fun ("meat candy" as an appetizer????). I would definitely go back to BBSC again for a drink or two. I don't think its the kind of place that you could spend the entire night at, but it set a solid tone for our girls night out evening.

    (4)
  • Tugce K.

    Why is this place always smelling like burnt grease or bleach or both? Really? You are one of the restaurants on Boylston Street that takes fairly good attention, you can definitely invest some money on a good air conditioning system, I bet... It's my second time going to Back Bay Social Club for brunch and I'm disappointed, again. I think food has no privilege or any good taste over a brunch you can get at a diner plus our waiter was so reckless, I remember him coming over about 3 times to ask how we wanted our eggs. Brunch is equally about taste and conversation and the waiter just interrupted me 3 times extra already, I think this restaurant deserves better waiter/waitresses.

    (2)
  • Cody C.

    Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff, I love the décor and the food was excellent! I'm coming back for a full fledge review when I go back with my friends for a birthday dinner.

    (5)
  • Jeff F.

    Can't believe it's been 14 years since I've been in this space. Back Bay Social is a great option for drinks or dinner. Mussels and burger were both solid. I'd definitely come back in here to explore more of the menu.

    (4)
  • Sasha R.

    Back Bay Social Club? I thought it would be the type of place where I'd have to call people "Buffy" and "Chad" and wear my polo collar turned up. But it's actually a crowded loud restobar where the young and hip come to meet up. Also, it would seem according to the name that they would have New England or Boston food. You know, clam chowder, lobster, baked beans, something like that. But you'll actually find a soul food fusion menu. Waffles and chicken? Grits? Blackened something or other? The crowd's average age had a bimodal peak: 21-25 and 38 and up, with a gap for those with small children, who don't go to such places. The service was spotty, but they were apologetic. Great people watching, too. Little packs of girls and guys on the prowl - I alwasy enjoy that. A decent experience for a rare night out.

    (3)
  • Jeff M.

    So I went to Back Bay Social Club because I was in the area last night and read the favorable reviews in publications such at the Improper. The atmosphere upstairs captures the of the moment bistro vibe (charcuterie plate) well. The checkered tile downstairs is less appealing. A couple downfalls of service were lack of menu knowledge (ie not knowing if something was available or not) and a fifteen plus minute wait for desert. Service also had to forage for a bottle of wine. The beet salad was plated beautiful and tasted nice. Pork belly lacked a crispy skin and I felt like I was eating the fat off of a rib. Leg of lamb was seasoned well but came out well done when asked for medium rare. The butter roasted cod was pretty bland and had too much cilantro for my taste. Its just a garnish, right? Additionally, this was the end of September and official Autumn but there were summer items on the menu including some with 'summer' in the name or description. As Andrea S. said Back Bay Social Club really does remind me of Eastern Standard, I compared the two for my rating, but next time I'll just go to Eastern Standard or find a better bistro-type option. I am more likely to come back here for a drink than a meal. Then again I don't live in the Back Bay so I may never be back.

    (2)
  • Aaron G.

    This review is based on a dinner I had here. I ate here with two friends on a moderately busy Tuesday night. Right from the start, our waiter was pretty attentive; he came over as soon as we were seated and asked for our drink orders. The drinks came back promptly, and my gin and tonic was strong and the lime was actually pretty fresh. Unfortunately, the rest of the night was downhill from there. Next, our waiter took our food order and promptly disappeared for 15 minutes. When he came back, he interrupted our conversation to tell us he had forgotten what we had ordered. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and assumed he hadn't just wandered off...perhaps the kitchen lost his order? Anyways, our food arrived. My lobster pot pie seemed reasonably priced at 24$, given that it had a lot of real lobster meat, but the 20$ burger my friend ordered looked less appetizing than a 10$ UBurger. At this point, though, I can only assume that our waiter signed up for a contest with the other employees to see who could herd their table out the door the fastest. Every five minutes our waiter was popping his head in, asking if we were finished with our drink or plate. My plate is half full and my fork is currently ferrying a piece of lobster to my mouth...do I look like I'm finished eating? Anyways, I finally gave up and surrendered the remaining 25% of my meal, and the check was deposited instantly on the table. In addition, a lot of the little details were off; subsequent rounds of the same drink arrived in different glasses, water glasses sat empty for much of the meal, and so on. This might have been understandable (but not excusable) if we had been camping out for a few hours on a busy night, but there were several free tables, plenty of waiters, and we weren't at the restaurant for more than an hour start to finish. I would still go here for a drink, and our experience certainly wasn't heinous, but I would not a meal here again.

    (2)
  • Ross R.

    Took my friend Mari out here for her birthday last week. It was a Monday night, we walked in, and it was a half hour wait...Was not expecting that, but I think they had a bunch of big holiday parties dining so wutevs. We grabbed some seats at the bar instead. Cool vibe. Really dark and mahogany a plenty. They were doing a promo called the 12 Drinks of Christmas. That day was Jameson steeped in strawberry, rhubarb, raspberry etc. simple syrup. It was delicious. We had 4 each and we were drruuunnnnk. Food time: Instead of getting entrees we opted for 4 different apps. Had the Meatloaf Sliders, Stuffed and Fried Jalapenos, Pork and Pinapple, and Honey Chicken Wings. All were pretty solid, however nothing that wowed me too much. The bartender was friendly and very attentive, and also entered us into a raffle to win a Jameson snowboard (kewl?). She ended up winning it, which is fun I guess. Weeee. Definitely worth checking out. Next time i'll have to try the $22 burger.

    (4)
  • Michele G.

    Big bowl of gumbo with nine pounds of rice! I'll know to come back in the dead of winter for that. We were going to order dessert, but the waiter abruptly put the check down on the table without so much as a peep. I like my service a little nicer.

    (2)
  • Ryan L.

    I went here for drinks and really enjoyed it. Very classy casual.

    (4)
  • David H.

    Went there because we heard it was ok and had a decent burger. Walked in with my wife (both of us are in are late 40's) some time around 6:15pm and was accosted by what seemed like a bouncer asking us for ID's. Like we were a couple of college kids hitting a club at midnight. Not even asking if we were coming in to dine or drink at the bar. So how we passed the ID exam and sat at the bar, and sat at the bar quite invisible to the two bartenders supposedly working. To top it off it smelled like they had just scrubbed the pass with disinfectant. Disgusted with the whole mess we got up at when to the Forum where we were warmly welcomed, and promptly served a delicious meal. Never make that mistake again.

    (1)
  • Winnie K.

    Was there last Saturday for the first time since they opened. Was disappointed then and stayed away until a friend and I made last minute plans for dinner and their patio had room. I'm glad I gave it a second chance! Had the house made ricotta crostini, was light, slightly sweet and delicious! The sausage sampler had pork, chicken and wild boar sausages. The meat was juicy and well cooked. The presentation of this plate was also done well. Two thumbs up to the grilled peaches and maple syrup accompaniments to this dish. To round out the beet and tofu was also surprisingly good. Light and slightly salted but not too much. All in all, I will be back to try more menu items!

    (4)
  • Sarah C.

    I came here with some girlfriends for an early dinner on a Sunday. While the bartender told us the kitchen was open before we got a table, we found out from our waiter that we caught the kitchen in the middle of their dinner prep so we were limited to the appetizer menu, salads, chicken and waffles, or a burger. It was bizarre but we were hungry so weren't with it. Luckily the chicken and waffles was amazing. Two of us split it and were glad we did because it was huge. It was served with a sweet maple BBQ sauce which worked perfectly with the crispy chicken and sweet waffle. I would definitely come back here for that dish again and to explore the menu further, just not on a Sunday afternoon.

    (3)
  • Meka A.

    The social club is a special kind of place. It's a hit or miss place depending on what you like in a bar. The guys here tend to be a touch douechy and the girls a little high maintenance. Regardless, its always crowded. Maybe because as much as we hate to admit it, guys like high maintenance girls and girls love doueches. The drinks are good here and the music as well. Many of my friends have found (temporary?) love at this bar. Maybe its your turn?

    (4)
  • Rachel K.

    This place is filled with pretentious people trying to be cooler than they actually are. It's too bad as this is a great location on Boylston, and they did a great job remodeling the previous Vinny T's. They do have a nice assortment of appetizers for late night drinking, and a fairly creative drink menu. Service here has been good, but something about the lay-out of this place is not good for mingling. BBSC has potential but maybe put up a sign saying "NO d-bags allowed."

    (2)
  • Christina L.

    This place took over the old Vinny T's. It actually kinda looks similar to it as well. My boyfriend and I were walking down the street and decided to stop in for a drink and an app. The place is quite beautiful, it is brand new after all. It has 2 bars, 2 floors and a patio. Service: Good. The male bartender also worked another bar. He was definitely experienced and provided all the service we needed. Food: We had one appetizer, which was the pickled pepper with Ham and Provolone cheese. There were about 6 peppers served in a mason jar. The pickled peppers were a bit too sweet and would've been better if they were seeded. The ham was a bit tough, so I would prefer something a little easier to chew. I think this place will be successful and another pricey location to add to the back bay location, but there wasn't anything unique or special to this place. I would come back and try it out some more, but I needed something there to wow me to get the 4 stars.

    (3)
  • Englands E.

    Great food. Good drinks, service was on point. This place looks much smaller than it is! Worth stopping by for drinks or a meal but I recommend you do both.

    (5)
  • Katie H.

    I attended one of their cocktail classes (they are held quarterly) and absolutely loved the experience. We were taught how to make for different mint-centered cocktails including the Mint Julep, a Mojito and a Whiskey Smash. The class was very well done, informative and perfect for a small group of people. The cheese platter, they served in between sample drink rounds, was delicious. Everything tasted so fresh and was presented in a very appealing manner. I've walked past here several times and only went in for the first time for this class. I'll certainly be back and this time bringing friends.

    (4)
  • Stephanie J.

    Came on a Wednesday night straight from work, and was seated right away which was great! The outside seating is on the sidewalk across from the mall, and the crowds aren't too bad, we hardly noticed anyone passing by. The Food is good, but the prices are very high for the menu. There is a good range of meat, fish and vegetarian options, which is nice. The mixed drinks are very over priced, and small. The beers are normal price range for the city except for the bottled beers which came in smaller sizes than what usually accompanies such prices. Overall for two drinks, meal, and tip it was $45 for me to eat out, midweek. I am ok that we went, but wouldn't go again. Maybe a good place for 1 drink to start a night out.

    (3)
  • Allison R.

    Went here for NYE. Had a late dinner and stayed for drinks until midnight. It was a nice low-key atmosphere for New Years and they distributed noise makers and hats to celebrate. BUT the food was just okay... In my opinion it was not worth the high prices. The drinks were also over priced and not very potent, but they tasted good. So all and all, nothing special. I think there are better bar/restaurants in Back Bay area with better food and drinks for the same prices.

    (2)
  • Paul L.

    Lunch sandwiches were nothing special at all and not really worth $12 each.

    (2)
  • A B.

    I used to love Back Bay Social Club. I typically got the burger and always left happy. Then I had brunch there. First, they sat us at a very strange table that was basically in the way of all of the waiters. We did have a good view though of all of the other strange things that were happening, of which there were many (i.e. there was an extra table near ours that a couple asked to sit at but weren't allowed to, instead they moved it next to another table of 2 people--why two people needed two tables is lost on me--then about 15 minutes later moved the table back into the middle of the room, totally in the way, and sat the couple who asked for it at it. Meanwhile there were plenty of other empty normal tables. It made absolutely no sense). Onto the service...it took probably over 20 minutes for anybody to even talk us (we thought about getting up and walking out). Then when the waiter came he was incredibly awkward and it made my friend and I feel uncomfortable. We ordered our meals and I was told that I would be charged one extra dollar for adding an extra filling to my omelette, which under normal circumstances I totally understand, but considering how terrible our service was, I was very surprised they didn't comp me the dollar. We ended up ordering our meals and drinks at the same time (two coffees with milk...not hard) and it took about another 15 minutes to get the coffee, sans milk. Our food eventually came and it was incredibly subpar considering my dinner experiences at the restaurant. By the end of the meal, we had two different people waiting on us (hostesses maybe? they were not wearing the same outfit as the typical waiters), but my assumption was that they called for reinforcements when they realized everyone in the restaurant was unhappy. Overall, the service was the worst I've ever had at any restaurant, the table they sat us at was completely in the way of the flow of the restaurant, the waiter was uncomfortable, and the food did not live up to the dinner menu. Back Bay Social Club used to be one of my Back Bay go-tos, but I honestly feel like I never need to go there again.

    (2)
  • Libby L.

    A bit disappointing as they were on the Phantom Gourmet and that was why we dined here - it will definitely be the last as well. The waitress was horrible. We had to wait at least 10-mins before she finally waited on us and she didn't introduce herself as the waitress either. She refilled our waters and asked if we were ready. I asked if she was our waitperson and she said yes - that was it nothing else. So we ordered. - SOCIAL BURGER ($22) - nothing great for $22 - just like any other burger. A bit overkill on the cheese though. - LOBSTER POT PIE - Creamy but not drowned. Lots of Lobster :) but a bit on the salty side. - FRIES - the Best.

    (2)
  • Patrick D.

    My family and I had a wonderful meal last night. We sat outside and watched the people walking by while we enjoyed craft beer from a large selection. The Buffalo cauliflower appetizer was delicious. The steak frites was great though the BBQ brisket was a bit dry though flavorful. The service was attentive without being obtrusive. Daniel did a great job pleasantly managing our multiple changes. Great experience.

    (4)
  • Heath M.

    My grandparents were visiting and I wanted to think of someplace they would like, after much deliberation I picked the Back Bay Social Club. Wow. This place went down the proverbial chute. First, they changed a very successful menu. They still have old menu items, like the chicken and waffles, as periodic specials. Unfortunately, the chef seems to not only struggle with the new items, but also the old standby items too. For the starter I ordered the heirloom tomato and grilled olives with naan. Naan should be spongy, buttery and moist but this naan was dry and charred (and don't even get me started on the two miniscule triangles that I got). The heirloom tomatoes would have been OK ... if the cores had been removed. On the entrees, everyone had the same complaint: All the proteins that hit the table were dry. Pity we weren't. They had the doors open on a 90-degree day with 98% humidity, overwhelming the HVAC's ability to cool and dehumidify the restaurant. The music was cranked, rendering any dinner conversation impossible (note: if it isn't Friday, you don't need the Friday volume). On a relatively slow Monday night our entrees took an hour. Saving grace: the waiter was far more patient than he should ever have been. My grandparents and aunt ran the waiter into the weeds and he was so helpful. Because of that, the BBSC gets to retain one more star -- I was tempted to downgrade to one. All and all, I'm really afraid this place has jumped the shark in a way so epic it makes Cousin Oliver and everyone on Roseanne's a lesbian seem like cause for optimism. I hope they turn it around, but maybe it's time to put this place in a snow globe and call it quits?

    (2)
  • Dan P.

    Stop 3 on my Best Burgers of Boston tour and this made me ponder. This burger was amazing. I went durning lunch, a little later in the day and was one of maybe 3 people there that wasn't applying for a job there. I sat at the bar and ordered the burger. This has to be a tie with the burger I had a Cragie on Main. It was so juicy and the meat was great. You could see and taste the quality. The only thing lacking was the fries. Don't get me wrong, the fries are good, but not as good as the burger, or fries that I've had at other place. The burger alone is worth the trip. Yes it might be expensive, but trust me when I say, you will not leave disappointed, or hungry after having one.

    (5)
  • Tyson F.

    Three words: Order The Burger. Yes, $21 sounds like a lot for a burger, but you WILL NOT be disappointed. As a matter of fact, my first time here was late on a Sunday night, and there were 3 other gentlemen sitting at the bar with me. All 4 of us ordered burgers. Each time the bartender asked one of them how the burger was, they would remark something to the effect of "Worth every penny.". It's regarded as one of the best, if not THE best burger in all of Boston, and I happen to agree wholeheartedly. And the fries? Possibly some of the best I've had. Thinly cut and perfectly crispy. Oh yeah, and the whole thing is served on a nice little wooden cutting board. How could you not love that? Order. The. Burger.

    (5)
  • Caroline T.

    The best burger I've had in Boston (yet), and I am on a quest for it. I think only rivaled by Craigie on Main. Unbelievably juicy and with a delicious sharp cheddar, if you're looking for an incredible burger come here.

    (5)
  • Cassie D.

    Came into here for the first time kind of by accident. It was opening day at Fenway this year and the start of the weekend before Marathon Monday. Get it? It was damn crowded in Boston. We walked into a few of the nearby places and there was not even an inch to breath, I am not going to eat standing up so we (luckily) stumbled upon here. There was a small wait for a table outside. I am glad I did not have to sit inside as it looks as if there were no lights on... I get that some places like to "set the mood" but it's a gorgeous day outside, why would I want to sit in the dark? Anyways, back to the positive... We were seated outside almost immediately. The food server was very nice and knowledgable. Suggested drinks and was honest about how strong they would be. I like to get my money's worth in a drink you-know. What is the point of an $18 juice? Well, the food here is great. I cannot suggest more the Fried Chicken and Waffle as I am sure many other people have. You see it coming out and stare agape. It tastes better than it looks people! I have been back a couple other of times and have had good service and great food. My only reasoning for not giving this the 5 stars is the ambiance inside. It really is so dark in there when I walk in from the brightness of the sun, I think I have gone blind. But... wear sunglasses atleast 5 minutes before heading in, eat the chicken and waffle, and have some drinks and laughs.

    (4)
  • Sarah C.

    I think I'm gonnnna like it heeere...sorry, I have Annie stuck in my head for some reason. Met a friend for dinner on a Tuesday night - *love* the atmosphere. It's very dark, but sexy and comfortable. Lots of comfy booths that they will gladly fill up before seating you at the likely less comfortable tables - always a plus! Reminds me of a much smaller Eastern Standard... The service was fantastic. Our server checked on us just enough, and at one point we even got a visit from the manager (or mngr on duty at least) who just wanted to make sure we were happy. I think my favorite part was when I was brought a second soda just before my first was gone, without even being asked. The bread they provide was awesome - there almost as soon as we sat down, soft and tasty, with plenty of butter. I also got the impression that had we asked for more it would have been no problem, which I love cause I'd rather that than them providing a big basket and me ruining my dinner before I'd even looked at the menu. I couldn't decide between the charcuterie plate (had been strangely craving charcuterie for a couple weeks) and the fritto misto, which someone else's review turned me on to by noting it was "too sweet" for her - perfect for me! They were both super delicious. SUPER. I think next time I'll try the meat candy... I ordered the salmon special (blackened, mmm...) and they had no problem accommodating my request to sub the accompanied side for asparagus. The portions were perfect, and everything was delicious. I would have preferred the sauce to be on the fish, and the potatoes to be a little warmer, but whatever, that's just me being stupid picky. My friend got the chicken and loved it. We had stuffed ourselves silly at that point, but couldn't resist taking a peek at the dessert menu. Nothing jumped out at us so we skipped it. My only caveats about BBSC are that some might find it a bit more expensive than they'd like (I thought it was pretty good quality + portions for the price), and that my guess is that Thurs-Sun it's MUCH busier, and therefore perhaps less impressive in terms of atmosphere and service. Who knows - try it yourself!!

    (4)
  • Sarah G.

    I had to write an update for this place because after my second experience here, I have definitely become a big big fan of this place!! Sometimes restaurants have off nights, so I am going to say that my first time here was one of those nights, because the food I had this time around was so so so much better! We started off with what we were told was the male and female drink versions of the Harvey Wallbanger and they were both pretty tasty. We next moved onto their only Malbec and their only Pinot Grigio, but both of those wines were also really good, especially for it being their only option! We ended our meal drink wise on their house specialty cocktail, a mini white russian, the specialty part being a little club soda added in to make it like champagne a little bit. For me, I would have preferred a normal white russian, but it was a unique take at least. Food wise, we ate WAY WAY more food than we needed too which meant Matt J. and I strolled all the way back to the Arlington T stop rather than Hynes just to stretch out our tummies a bit ha. We again had their in-house made chicken liver mousse and pate which were still amazing in addition to that house made duck pastrami as well. Their fritto misto appetizer is scallops and calamari in this sweet but tangy sauce with peppers which I wish was a little spicier, but definitely a rich dish that will please almost anyone who likes seafood. But the winner of the appetizer battle?? THEIR OYSTERS. My god were they perfect. I haven't had a better oyster. They were so fresh, and pretty much euphoric. I only wish they didn't disappear so quickly! For dinner we got their lamb and their cod. We wished the lamb had been cooked a little less since that's how we like our meat, and the scalloped potatoes definitely needed some pepper/salt, but overall a very good dish. My cod was better than the lamb paired with this celery puree that was just awesome. Their cauliflower was like their free starter garlic bread and just tasted way too much like butter for me, even though I do love butter. Who doesn't? We ended on their house sticky toffee bread pudding which is SO SO rich but SO SO tasty. More than two people should split this a) because of the butter again and b) because it is so rich, but it is definitely worth it! We also got the beignets with a chocolate sauce and I think they were a hair overcooked--I like mine a little undercooked, but that chocolate sauce definitely and purposely made it onto my fingers! Really a 4.5 star review, but that butter made me round down...As much as I love it...I shouldn't think the free bread is movie theater popcorn at a classy place like Back Bay Social Club. I will definitely be back though!!! So glad I went again!!!

    (4)
  • Ulli K.

    Kind of hovering between 2 and 3 stars. It was all just super average....ok, so let me change it to three. One thing I noted: Barely any of the appetizer items re easy to share. Come one guys, SOCIAL, right? Salads? No thanks. I went with a group of 6 and I was the only one who thought her meal was good. the $20 burger apparently is NOT worth $20 according to two other members and the monkfish...I won't lie, was so small, I thought it was a joke. I had some good vegetarian pasta dish that worked for me. Overall "meh". Not going to run there again anytime soon.

    (3)
  • Clara L.

    I'm sorry BBSC, you once wooed me with your meat candy and fun atmosphere, but now I'm not convinced. We came here at 9:30 for dinner on a Friday night. Surprisingly, there were quite a few tables open and there were not as many people as I expected at the bar. It was about 5 minutes before we were poured water, and 10 minutes before our server came to greet us. When my boyfriend ordered a drink, it was delivered to two different tables before he was asked if it was his drink. We ordered dinner, the boyfriend from the restaurant week menu and me from the regular menu. The shrimp on his salad was pretty overcooked, but was otherwise good. His entree was good and he praised the carrots. I ordered their social burger as its reputation has been well touted. I ordered the burger medium, and it was pretty good, although in my opinion nothing special enough to be $9 more than the other burger, that does not have smothered onions and cheddar cheese. The fries were limp and not crisp as I remember them previously. Perhaps the worst of the night though was the boyfriend's creme brulee. The sugar was completely too thick and over torched to caramelize, and the entire shell was bitter and we had to abandon it. The service throughout the night was slow and unimpressive. Not only was the drink delivered to the wrong table, our bread plate was wandered around also. Our entrees were not delivered for over 20 minutes after my boyfriend's salad was cleared, and the table next to us that was seated during our first course received their entrees well before we did. The tables next to us were all delivered a bottle of water, and we had to ask for one, after our glasses went empty for a while. Our server did apologize for the dessert and offered another one, but we were already full and had been in the restaurant for nearly two hours already. Overall, it was a pretty disappointing showing on a not that busy night. I hope it was just a fluke and this place doesn't continue to disappoint.

    (1)
  • Dakota S.

    I went here for brunch with girlfriends, food was great! The chicken and waffles are to die for, as is the California benedict. I got the corn beef hash, which was much more potato than corned beef, but still delicious!

    (4)
  • Mona W.

    Great restaurant, ambiance, location, food! Would definitely recommend!!

    (4)
  • Eric F.

    After seeing so many raves about BBSC's Social Burger, I had to come by and see what all the fuss was about. My friend and I had an early dinner here and we both enjoyed some of the more popular dishes: Meat candy (tasty balance of sweet and savory) Veal & lamb sausage stuffed quail (nicely seasoned, but a bit dry) The Social Burger (exceptionally tender beef complemented well by the onions, but it was actually a little on the bland side as some other Yelpers have said) Gin somethin (crisp and refreshing cocktail perfect for the summer and not overly sweet) All in all, a good meal with great service although it was funny when the waitress came to ask how the food was while I had a mouthful of food, not to mention the almost compulsive water refilling. Much preferred to having them never come by, of course! I wanted to bump up this up to 4 stars, but the value unfortunately just wasn't there. $32 for the quail was darn steep (I probably should've asked, but I really wasn't expecting it to cost that much more than all the other entrees when it's not even steak...). And the infamous burger? Maybe $13-14 tops.

    (3)
  • Kait M.

    I chose Back Bay Social Club for my boyfriend's birthday dinner after watching him drool over their burger when it was featured on the Phantom Gourmet. Drinks: I ordered the Gin Somthin' and my boyfriend Jon ordered a Makers Mark Manhattan. It tasted like a $12 cocktail...we certainly got our moneys worth in booze. The Gin Somethin' was fresh tasting but outside of the box for me - I don't normally drink gin. Appetizers: I selected 2 cheeses off of the cheese board menu and Jon ordered the Meat Candy (which he had also seen on Phantom Gourmet). The cheeses, which were certainly expensive (but no more expensive than any other cheese board cheeses I've had other places), came with honeycomb which was AMAZING and some fig jelly and raisin toast. Jon said the Meat Candy was "good" but didn't look like it did on TV. We shared the Spinach Salad w/ pickled apples and fried goat cheese. I do not normally like spinach but I do like fried goat cheese so I went out on a limb and ordered this - it was FANTASTIC. Complaints: the 'pickled apples' was more like 3 inch long triangles - they were delicious but I was disappointed in the amount of apples. Entrees: Jon ordered the Social Burger, medium rare. I ordered an Onion Soup off the appetizer menu - I'm very picky and there was nothing on the entree menu that enticed me - I was hoping for maybe 1 pasta dish...but I do LOVE onion soup and I wasn't disappointed. Jon described the Social Burger as THE BEST BURGER HE'S EVER HAD IN HIS ENTIRE LIFE...and "worth every penny!". My Onion Soup was ooey gooey with cheese YUM and lots of caramelized onions - could have used a hint of salt which was easily added in with table salt. Overall Impressions: The kind of place I would reserve for special occasions due to the $$ but overall we really enjoyed our experience. Waitstaff was friendly and attentive - almost too attentive - though relaxed after I assured him we would be staying awhile and casually drinking and ordering throughout the night. I was a bit disappointed in the wine list that had no Italian reds by the glass.

    (4)
  • Brad D.

    I wavered between 4 and 3 stars, I really did... (Why no halfsies, Yelp?) Let me commence by noting there was nothing wrong per se, with this place. Friendly and on-it staff, pleasant (for back bay) patronage, good drink menu... And we were here for lunch- I suspect the dinner menu is much more cohesive and exciting. But the lunch menu left me cold - it seems disparate and lacks a voice of it's own. I can't tell if it's trying to be too many thing to too many tastes, or if it's just assembled out of laziness. I feel like I didn't know if I was at an Asian fusion, nouveau American, spiced-up pub food, Southern joint or what. We had the beet salad which was fantastic. The mussels, however, were somewhere between standard and not-so-great, but the fries were top 3 I've had in The Bean, so there's that... I think I just had higher hopes based on the name and the fanfare surrounding it. I realize that this strip of Boylston/Newbury knows it's demographic (white baseball capped, sandal-wearing, fresh faced 'yeah-dudes') and they are only serving up what is requested of them by their sports-loving clientele - I just wish someone would take a bigger risk in this hood and make a bold and innovative menu or decor choice... Even if it was inevitably overrun the next day by too-drunk, fist-bumping, potential-lawsuits-waiting-to-happen. If you're killing time on Boylston, grab an appetizer and a drink and you'll enjoy. If you're looking for an experience or a night out, I would maybe move away from this area in general.

    (3)
  • Christopher M.

    Back Bay Social Club- the name conjures images of upper middle class white guys sucking on cigars, sipping over-hyped, over-priced, underwhelming scotch while loosely knotted tied drape lazily over the excess fabric of their shirts. Standing outside staring at the sign, I could already hear the conversations that must take place behind those walls. Conversations that center around the Redsox, Bruins, Patriots, the occasional dip into drunken politics and economics. My stomach churned. My heart raced. I opened the door. I braced for impact. I slid past the hostess trying not to make contact with anyone. I entered the downstairs. I perused them menu. I ordered a cocktail. I took a sip. I. . . I kinda like this place. And then the alcohol started kicking in. It started in on me slowly, but five minutes after completion of one drink, I knew I was done. So I sat, staring longingly into my martini glass, pondering the universe. I stuck my tongue in my cheek, scrunched my brow, and nodded . . . It's not that I stood corrected, I was so enamored with my beverage that the president himself could have sat next to me and I wouldn't have noticed. But my drink, and overall drink menu were so good that I just didn't notice.

    (4)
  • Robyn R.

    Never dined here, but would say that their "bar/lounge" set up sucks. Play some better music, tell your bartenders to not act so "entitled" or busy, because let's be honest - their job is to pour drinks. If they aren't into it, maybe you should find some better servers. Because ugly/fat/hot/skinny/rich/pretty or trashy..... you need to serve them and give good service. Otherwise, you're a trend.

    (2)
  • Steph W.

    This review is solely based on the drinks and atmosphere since I havent' eaten here before (but I think the food is a little pricey for what it is. $22 for a burger?). So the Back Bay Social Club is a pretty upscale establishment w/good drinks. The crowd tends to be a young professional, pretty preppy crowd. However, it does have this somewhat retro vibe too so you do get a mix of people still. I went last night and wasn't that impressed w/the bartenders - can you crack a smile? - but their drinks tasted good so I'll let it slide this time. Oh yes, and the drinks were STRONG. I had the Gin Somethin' (ha, people always get confused when I say oh i got the gin something...they're like which one?) which has St. Germain, gin, lemon, grapefruit and comes in a martini glass = yum! Then I got the Fall Social which had vodka, apple cider, cinnamon and some other delicious ingredients - it tasted like liquid apple pie. This one was strong! I don't usually feel tipsy from 2 drinks, but I did. Also, for $12 a cocktail, it better be strong! BBSC also allows people to rent out the bottom floor for private events (parties, fundraisers, etc.) and otherwise is just open as a normal bar. I go down there sometimes and it's pretty big with lots of tables, etc. The lighting here is def dim so can be intimate too for a date. In terms of meeting people, I have definitely met people here before and people do mingle.

    (4)
  • Tamara P.

    Food was good but we had ordered our burgers to be medium well and yet were well done. The grilled eggplant sandwich is really really good.

    (4)
  • Heather G.

    Hype: Ruining Heather G.'s meals since 2005. Sadly, I fell victim to the hype of the BBSC burger - I went in one night during a blizzard (which blizzard? Never can tell this year) and my date and I were basically the only people in the restaurant. I was not sure if it was because of this that we got such great service, but the waiter was on-his-game the entire evening. I ordered a martini with extra olives, and the "extra olives" bit came on an additional skewer fashioned to a lemon wedge and balanced intricately on a champagne glass. My shock-and-awe at this olive art was met with the waiter explaining that "the bartenders like to have a little fun". It was cute and clearly a slow night! For dinner, we started with the pretzel bites (sausage wrapped with pretzel) that are no longer on the menu, but the kitchen will make on request. The sausage did not taste homemade and the chef was heavy on the salt (making these basically inedible unless some of the crystals were brushed off). Post-salt-modification, they were certainly a good choice for a bar-bite to accompany your beer, but I wouldn't order them again pre-dinner to accompany my gin. I ordered the BBSC burger, which was cooked to my specs (rare) and came out thick and juicy. The bun stood up well to the grease, but the burger was otherwise pretty bland. The fries are thin-cut and crispy, and come with a tangy, garlicky-lemony aioli which is like crack in a condiment dish. My date ordered steak frites, which came with the same, delicious fries (easily the best part of the meal, excluding my Hendrick's), but the hollendaise that accompanied the steak was waxy and bland. Though the steak was cooked perfectly to his request, the dish lacked any flair and was also, largely, bland. ***Last night, on a subsequent visit, a friend and i sat at the bar to celebrate her new unemployment. It was, again, a slow night, but the service at the bar was equally stellar to the service I received on the previous visit. Apparently, the staff here is just extremely well-trained. I went back for my tasty, crispy pommes frites and crack-dip, and my friend ordered lightly-fried biegnets with chocolate dipping sauce. Both items were delicious, but let's be honest, you could fry a shoe and I'd love it. Our food was delayed due to some sort of "kitchen error", so we were comped for our items and received a free glass of prosecco. This was an unnecessary but very impressive move by the staff, and indicated they actually care about making and keeping "regulars". The $20 investment they made in us last night will certainly return them multiples of that in revenue, because I will certainly be back often. Side-note: the bartenders here are gorgeous. Ladies, if you want someone beautiful to flirt with while you're grabbing drinks with your friends, this is the place.

    (3)
  • Jackie H.

    I went here for my birthday dinner with my sisters and a family friend. I've never been to this restaurant before and hadn't really heard much about it, but definitely wanted to try somewhere "new" (well to me). While waiting for our table we grabbed a few drinks downstairs. While the bartender was nice, the bar was small and there really wasn't a good variety of beer. And! Could you please invest in a dimmer? It was so dark that I had to use my cell phone's flashlight app to look at the menu/wine list. Ridiculous! The main dining area was nice, didn't feel too crowded, lighting was better thankfully. The food was good, I especially liked the meat candy and the kobe sliders. They were tasty. I'd go back for another try...

    (3)
  • Kyle D.

    Ahhh...the Back Bay Social Club.. the tale of two restaurants...the lost work of Dickens. In my opinion, it isn't very social. This place tries to act cool with the hip old school music and social club interior, but I just did not appreciate the backless barstools that prevented me from hanging my coat, and I thought that was tres uncool. When I arrived for lunch, a party was leaving and there were only two women there. I orded the mushroom BLT and awaited my meal. I waited over 10 minutes for a simple sandwhich. However, it was very delicious with good bacon and high quality mushrooms on some tasty toasted sourdough bread. Even though I arrived after the two women, they received their food after I finished my food. They waited well over 20 minutes. When the place was virtually empty. I noticed when the bartender went downstairs to get the food for me and later for the other party, it seems like she spent too much time down there each time. My sandwhich was 11 dollars, with tax and soda it came to 15 even. Conclusion, this is dual restaurant personality. Inspired sandwhich, uninspired lackluster service. I may go back for that sandwhich sometime, but I won't go back for anything else. Because if you can't deliver a sandwhich on time, you can't deliver anything else on time. Everything else is going to take more time than the sandwhich. One trip a season is enough for me.

    (2)
  • Amelia M.

    I had high hopes for this place, but I went one morning for brunch and it was just alright. I had the egg white omelet with veggies and goat cheese, and it was pretty bland and tasteless -- when you pay $12 for an omelet, I think that it should be really excellent, even if it is just an egg white omelet! I should probably try again for dinner sometime, but with so many other places to choose from in the neighborhood, I'm not sure that I will.

    (2)
  • Zach W.

    I like taking dead sea animals and shoving them in my mouth. Then I chew the shit out of 'em and swallow and repeat. Sometimes I mix in dead plant life that has been deep fried. I like to top it off with liquid that has eukaryotic microorganism poop (aka alcohol). Fortunately, BBSC has all of these things.....Mussels and Fries (Moules Frites) and booze. And, better than just having them, they make them all really tasty. Moules frites - good mussels, decent sauce but was a little too brothy (wish it was a little thicker and more flavorful). Fries were solid and perfectly crisp. Booze - solid cocktail program with reasonably knowledgeable bartenders....they don't always measure so some drinks come out a lil too sweet sometimes but they generally do a great job and know their stuff or are willing to ask. Service - Meh....not horrible, not amazing..... I'll be back to destroy some more dead sea animals and yeast poop.

    (4)
  • Sofia W.

    Not used to paying this much for dinner unless it's really unique and exciting food (which it wasn't), and the service was really pretty bad considering we were the waiter's only table. Back at it again tonight for drinks, probably will come back and revise after a better taste of the scene.

    (3)
  • Mykal D.

    Went here a couple nights ago, and I gotta say it made me feel pretty cool. Now I consider myself a fairly cool kid , but something about this place makes you feel like you would have been picked first on the gradeschool kickball team. I'm just saying. The crowd here is slightly older and better dressed than Whiskeys or Pour House, and it has a more mature feel. The big draw here is that they serve food until 1:30, and its real food, not just bar food. So If you were looking for a slightly upscale place to wear a cool new fedora you just bought, this is it. The food is really good, but you don't have to eat anything to have a good time. I usually drop in, order a few manhattans, give a couple high fives, get a couple hugs, and the next thing I know I'm taking pictures with random people, telling the bartender I'll have "the usual" and having a great time - just like being a cool kid in high school. Come here for the atmosphere, put your cool face on, and meet some new people that you won't remember the following morning.

    (4)
  • Bethany F.

    Meat candy: check. Patio: check. Decent draft beer: check. Swanky decor and prohibition-style basement: check. I went here to grab drinks with a friend and was pleasantly surprised. Awesome location too. Makes me wish I worked in Back Bay and could just stop by after work once in a while. Can't say much about the food since we only got an app - MEAT CANDY. I don't care who you are, or where you're from, but if you see something on a menu called 'meat candy', you better order it.

    (4)
  • Deepa C.

    Waffles? Awesome. What's not to love? Fried chicken? Bring it. Combine the two with a maple-flavored gravy, and i am yours for life. BBSC, you had me at gravy. Let me back up a bit. A few months ago, the Yelp Brunching Book Club settled into BBSC for brunch and a book discussion. I don't think I can say one bad thing about the meal we had. The service was so friendly and prompt, the bloody marys were perfect for those of us that were hung over (you know who you are...:) ), the portion sizes were ideal, and the kitchen delivered on taste. There were no towering piles of artfully stacked food with dots of sauce. Oh no, Just plates full of clean flavors and warming combination. I went back a few months ago for dinner. I was an hour early and my dining companions were an hour late, so it was just me, my book, and a small bar table by the front window for over two hours. The hostesses were so friendly, they made sure I was comfortable, they sent over little bites for me while I waited, they made me feel welcome. Not many places have the ability to do that. When my friends arrived, they made space for us right away, and didn't put us in the back of the line, which was also nice. Dinner that night was the roast chicken. Just like brunch, it was nothing fancy, but simply and wonderfully prepared. Dessert, drinks, bread, everything was just what we wanted at that second. It's not cheap, but for what you are getting, it is really not that expensive either. BBSC is a great addition to the area, giving us a go-to place when we are in the area and need a bite or just need some comfort food - or drinks.

    (4)
  • Heather L.

    The vibe of this place is a previously recorded but unreleased sequel to Goodwill Hunting. All of the staff wear flannel shirts reminiscent of Al Borland from Tool Time which is ok in my book. I went here to try the social burger which is basically a really good burger that costs $22 bucks. It was a quite good, but I think it is over priced. The fries were ok but a little too thin. I am thirty and I felt like people there thought I was disgusting for entering the joint at my age. Bottom line is I would go back again for a burger if someone else was paying.

    (4)
  • Kimberley S.

    THIS REVIEW IS JUST FOR SERVICE AND DRINKS. Came here once for a late-night group and it was a good time... I think. That night is a bit hazy. Came again last night for a quick drink before a dinner reservation. Our waitress was super-accommodating given the fact that she knew we weren't buying big. Server was Elana C. She brought us amazing crusty rolls and recommended we get the Gin Somethin. The Gin Somethin was very cucumber-ey and fresh. It brought me right to summer. I want to come back and sip on these at the outside seating once summer rolls around. I love the decor and the fact that all the waiters wear flannel. That's just me.

    (4)
  • Anthony C.

    My fiancee, having been to Back Bay Social Club before, suggested that we try it one night. We started with some cocktails, and the Rhode Island Style Frito Misto - lightly fried calamari tossed with garlic butter and peppadew peppers. It was quite delicious. The table bread was good as well! Our server really took great care of us, never letting us go hungry or thirsty, and bringing out hot meals right from the kitchen. She made great recommendations about the menu, and kept replenishing our water and well-made cocktails. For our main courses, I went with a recommendation to try the The Social Burger, a delicious, juicy burger smothered in grilled onions and sharp cheddar. It came with a heaping helping of fries for $21, a little steep... but the burger is easily one of my favorites. It is quite substantial, and the medium-rare to medium that I requested was dead perfect, seared with more juice inside than expected. A pleasant surprise! She went with the salmon, and enjoyed it very much. Full as we were, we resolved to try the Flourless Chocolate Cake. Delicious as well! Overall, I think it's slightly overpriced but delicious food. I personally would rather pay a few dollars more for a meal (than it's worth) to be overwhelmed than pay the expected price and be underwhelmed (which is all too common). As for the fiancee's opinion as a repeat customer? She says it's good food, but a little pricey for the fare. Her main discontent is that she feels that a number of dishes are saltier than expected.

    (4)
  • Angela K.

    Still like the food here but having dinner at the bar proved to be painful due to tight seating and the bartenders service was less than attentive, which was dissapointing. Its odd to have a full dinner and drinks and not have anyone greet you, remove dirty plates, say thanks, etc.

    (2)
  • Tara B.

    Settle down kids, I'm gonna tell you a story. It's a story about a burger. A burger that saved the night. Once upon a time, my office decided to institute Friday afternoon happy hours. On this first (and ultimately last) occasion, I laughed and joked with my coworkers, passing the time away. Then, lo, where did that bottle of rose go?? It was completely empty. I stood up to leave, and I found that bottle of rose. It was in my head. It was 6pm and my lunch of salad was a distant memory. I had an engagement party to attend in a short while and I didn't want to be that girl. I walked around for awhile and felt better, but what I really needed was a big slab of meat on bread. First I tried SDLT, but there was no space at the bar (Damn, Kissinger). I tried Towne, but again, no space at the bar and I didn't like the vibe. Then, Back Bay Social. Again, no space at the bar, but the hostess was super friendly and got me a seat right away. I didn't need a menu. I knew I wanted the Social Burger. I know there's been a lot written about this burger and the whole gourmet burger thing getting out of control. Yes, it's $21. No, I wouldn't order it every day. But, DAMN, it's really, really tasty. Juicy, delicious meat. A nice punch of cracked black pepper. Perfectly melted cheddar. It's one of the best burgers I've ever had. And, it saved my night.

    (4)
  • Casey H.

    This review is for the $22 burger. I thought it was great and worth it. I would definitely have it again. I don't know how the rest of the menu is though. The place has a good bar scene which some people might find loud (while dining) but isn't an issue for me.

    (4)
  • Thomas N.

    Good Boston service. Staff is friendly but not over the top and don't pester. (I like that.). A classic looking place, big wood bar, cool lights, downstairs bar is a good relaxing spot. Food door. Standard drinks. Worth a try. Brunch a thumbs up too.

    (4)
  • Marcus C.

    My dining companion and I took the recommendations of our very cute waitress and ordered the fritto misto to start, followed by the burger. Both, we were told, are specialties of the restaurant, so we were quite excited. To me, the fritto misto was only okay. The peppers and onions were very nice, but I think it could have used more fried sea critters and less bread. The burgers lived up to the hype, in my opinion. The bun wasn't overwhelming, as can be the case with many burgers, and the flavors were perfect. The fries, sadly, weren't anything special. Our server was very nice and attentive, and there was a nice, buzzy vibe in the restaurant. It was a bit too loud for my taste, but I guess I'm quickly becoming an old man.

    (3)
  • Mike G.

    i like it here. so why just 3 stars? food is pretty average. wanted to try lots though after a bit of a wait, here come the entrées...great! except the apps never arrived. manager came to table very sorry, offering to bring (missing) starters and drinks to make-up. but no need. there was plenty to eat after seeing the big plates of steak frites, pork chops and side of kale. still our server sweetly insisted we get dessert so settled on splitting a chocolate ganache cake; they brought out sticky toffee pudding. oops...again! but you know what, expat friend and i just laughed off the mishaps. was keen on everything else like the space, music, location. so, will return.

    (3)
  • Mindy R.

    Went here last night for a friends birthday, we made reservations but showed up 15minutes early. After the hostess looked at us like we had two heads, she promptly sat us. We asked for a booth in the reservations and we got one. When we walked in the door it was SO loud and almost pitch black, we were happy to learn the booth we were I'm was much quieter. It took a few minutes for the server to come over to us and when he did he seemed upset that I wasn't ready for a cocktail yet and only my friend ordered one. I am allergic to apples and a lot of the cocktails had apples. Neither of us ended up amazed with the drinks we got, but our server was very kind and attentive to my allergy. For apps we got the meat candy, now THAT was amazing! Our server kept checking in every few minutes which seemed sort of pushy until we mentioned that we just wanted a slow meal. He seemed to really take that well, and he had other tables turning over which was good. For dinner we just ordered a bunch of apps. I ordered the duck panini, mixed greens, and mashed sweet potatoes. My friend had a variety of cheeses and muscles. We both ate our whole meals, but I think the best part was the mashed sweet potatoes. They were really spicy with cyan pepper...so delicious! The duck panini was underwhelming. Too much cheese and it tasted like fried duck, not expecting that. My friend liked her heaping dish of muscles too but the noodles were so soggy she just ate the muscles not the whole meal. As for dessert, we got the pumpkin whoopie pie....again very underwhelming. The small,small, dollop of ginger ice cream was good but the whoopie pies tasted sort of freezer burnt. They also no longer had the ingredients for the drink my friend ordered with dessert, but the server didn't know that when she ordered. Over all a nice atmosphere and probably a better place to go after work and not for a quiet meal or special occasion. I might go backing I'm ever in the mood for an expensive cocktail(and Eastern Standard is too packed) but not running back for dinner anytime soon.

    (1)
  • Erinire A.

    I wanted so bad to like this place. I had a fine dinner there near Thanksgiving, and it was kind of empty. I felt bad. My dinner ((edited to add: baked cod over a bed of sweet celery ragout and braised cauliflower, topped with a garlicky cap of baby spinach)) was really quite wonderful, and I resolved to come back again. I absolutely give four stars for dinner. "Again" happened tonight, when I went out for my sister's birthday. The service was so slow, and the Mai Tai was SO terrible, that I'm forced to give only two stars for late-night. So we even out at three stars, which, still queasy from just one sip of that Mai Tai, seems generous from where I'm sitting. EDITED TO ADD: After leaving this comment, the manager responded and made reparations for my less-than-pleasant experience. We're taking it back up to 4 stars for excellent customer service!

    (4)
  • Julie B.

    Young, professional crowd, friendly and ATTENTIVE bartenders, delicious drinks, great music (i.e. Black Keys, Miike Snow, etc.) and a menu that's sure to please. I really don't see anything bad about this place. In fact, I love everything about it! I can't to try the food, although I think I'll pass on the doughnut breakfast sandwich.

    (5)
  • Heather S.

    I work next door and wanted so badly to love this place (no one was more excited than I was when it replaced Vinnie T's), but the food is just... eh. My salmon was dry, my co-worker's burger was under-cooked (we told the server and it was replaced, but come on). The drinks are decent, I love the crowd and it is a great place to see and be seen, but how long can that last? Hope the food gets better.

    (3)
  • Anthony I.

    Worst front of house ever, ill informed hostesses will lie to you time and time again. A 20 minute wait turns into 80 minutes and a $120.00 bar tab, miserably rude and amateur hostess and management staff. Stay away...

    (1)
  • George S.

    was originally 5 stars, and sadly have to downgrade. Upon my recommendation, a group of 15 of my friends (burger people who are not cheap) went here for what I told them was 'the best burger.' The burgers were universally 'very good' but not 'great,' and the consensus was it just isn't worth $22 bucks. Nobody was excited, nobody was upset. It was late, and it was a large group so I'm guessing that had something to do with it. The place itself is noisy and crowded and just a bit too dark. Once the burger fell from my graces a bit the rest of the place did too. I recommend it highly still if you are a burger lover, maybe just go earlier.

    (4)
  • Nick O.

    Came here for drinks with my friends around 4 in the afternoon. At this time of day there were few people in the restaurant but the bar was fairly crowded. Ordered one round of drinks from a friendly and awesome bartender named Christina, and when it came to the second round she creatively mixed some of her own specialty concoctions for us. I could tell she put some effort into these drinks and they ended up being fantastic. Can't speak for the quality of the food as we did not have any, but I would come here for drinks again and would recommend anyone to order drinks from Christina!

    (4)
  • Fred S.

    Previously we debated between here and Towne across the street for some dinner. As we like to try new places, we went to Back Bay Social Club prior to Christmas for a nice dinner. If you miss Vinny T's (the old occupant of the space), you'll recognize that not a lot changed. The layout is virtually identical, I think the big lighted sign pointing downstairs was even there before if memory serves. The food was nothing special. I had the rib eye, my friend had the strip steak on special after she decided this was probably not a place for a one off like the gumbo. The prices are pricey, the cheapest bottle of Pinot Noir on the menu was $47-48.. the prices did not match the experience. A coworker remarked before we went that she had been there when it was newly opened, and that "maybe it's changed since then" but all in all it was a fairly forgettable evening. The couple next to us each got the burgers which were featured on Phantom Gourmet... still not sure I'd spend $22 on a burger though. We had a chocolate tart for dessert, again nothing to die for. Won't be in a rush to hurry back, there's better for same/less $ in the area.

    (3)
  • Alison Z.

    One of my favorite new spots in Boston. The service is always impeccable--super helpful, fast and friendly. Their menu rotates seasonally and always accommodates vegetarians. Go soon and enjoy some seriously delicious seasonal squash. The butternut squash salad is absolutely the best salad I've ever had. The squash was warm but not overpowering, and the frisee lettuce added a nice crunch. The dressing was perfectly tangy and the exact complement to the subtle squash flavors. Next up was the pumpkin ravioli, which was also excellent. I was too stuffed for dessert, but the options looked amazing. We've never had a bad meal here!

    (5)
  • Alex M.

    Seriously. Worst sandwich ever. I've been here for brunch which was good and came back with my parents for lunch. Ordered their turkey sandwich. It was two slabs of bread and three pieces of turkey on a plate. That was it. Not only that but it took them nearly 45 minutes to serve us our VERY underwhelming lunch.

    (2)
  • Michelle R.

    If you're looking for delicious food and pricey drinks that are actually worth it - this is the place to go! They have the best burger in town, in my opinion, and they always have different drinks coming out. Although it can be an expensive night, it's a wicked fun place to go. But don't go hear if you're not feeling a little classy :)

    (4)
  • Alexis B.

    Yes, the $21 burger is sooo worth it. The bloody marys were delicious. I was so full from the amazing pickle garnishes alone! The menu is different and offers more than more Boylston digs. So good. Just get the burger and a cocktail and shut up and enjoy.

    (5)
  • Anna R.

    I went here for brunch this morning with my boyfriend. The food was fantastic, best waffle I've had in Boston, and they added cute little touches, like a retro glass bottle for the water on the table and giving us a cheese board of home-made banana bread. The service was great--attentive but not annoying. GOOD COFFEE. The only downside was the "fresh squeezed" orange juice. They had us fooled until they put a jug of tropicana out on the bar at one point and we saw them pour. However, maybe they just ran out? On the menu it says $5 for the fresh juice and ours was only $2.50 on the bill. Who knows. I would definitely go back for brunch, and want to make it there for lunch or dinner sometime.

    (4)
  • Jacquelyn M.

    I absolutely love this place. I have been meaning to try it for a while, and finally did last week. The service was great and the waitresses wore various versions of short sleeve plaid shirts, which I thought was adorable. It has a great feel and the decor is really unique, it feels European upscale-lodgey...if that makes sense. The food presentation is really fun too! Delciious as well!

    (4)
  • Arestia R.

    File Back Bay Social Club under my current obsession. What an ideal place for anything. After work summer drinks with friends? Sip a Bubbly Wine Cooler on the patio. Business dinner? Impress your guests with divine Meat Candy and Peppadews to start and order the lamb or pork. First date? Slip on downstairs to the bottom for some privacy and share a plate of benyas. Book club with the girls? Chow down on a divine brunch. Boy's night out? Mingle upstairs while enjoying White Russians with house made coffee liquer - the Dude would totally approve. Whatever it is, Back Bay Social Club has you covered. With a staff of pros (whom mostly came over from Sonsie not so far away), you're sure to feel the friendly presence. Whether manager Johnna is recommending tasty treats to try upstairs, or Ian is wheeling bartender stories for you to laugh over downstairs, or marketing manager Meghan is taking superb care of you and your guests for your event, everyone here just gets it, without taking themselves too seriously. They appreciate good food, good drinks and good company. And with a swanky appearance (checkered floor, dark wood bar, red leather seating) without the attitude, Back Bay Social Club is definitely a great go-to spot, whatever you're mood (and taste buds) might crave.

    (5)
  • James F.

    Had a work event here recently. They've got Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA on tap - so good. Over the course of the evening we probably tried 70% of their appetizer menu - i think i really enjoyed 90%, and the other 10% had mustard or horseradish that no one warned me about (i'm a fan of neither).

    (3)
  • Alex S.

    The best burger in Boston. Service is good and the atmosphere is very good. Definately one of the best places in boston. Also, they have a good desert menu.

    (5)
  • Michael C.

    Stopped by the Back Bay Social Club with some friends on a Friday night. I didn't try any food so this is just a review of the bar and the scene. Overall I thought it was nice. The service was friendly, the bar had an older crowd (for Boston) about 25 -35. Good selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.

    (4)
  • Dan K.

    I like the idea of this place and I like the design of the space. I also support the bar setup. I had a proper Stella and enjoyed it alot. I didn't like the food though. It's expensive, which for the neighborhood I usually wouldn't complain, but the servings were laughable. I just thought that for what I got I didn't get annnyy bang for my buck. I'd go back but this definitely isn't "my spot"

    (3)
  • Erica T.

    I was brought here on a first date and it was just fabulous. The service was friendly and impeccable-- there whenever we needed them, but not hovering uncomfortably. We split a few appetizers for a light afternoon meal; enjoying the artichoke angolotti, the marinated beets, and the foraged mushroom & goat cheese tart. All of it was light, simple and delicious. Truly a delightful experience, and I look forward to going back!

    (4)
  • christine c.

    After a BBSC/Lyons group employee reached out to me and asked to rectify my relationship with the eatery after a previously unpleasant experience (see my other review) I decided to give this place another shot. My friend and I took her up on an offer to dine at BBSC, but instead of dinner and we wanted brunch. We arrived for our noon o'clock Sunday reservation. The weather was beautiful, the patio was open, the servers were all decked out in plaid - it was cute. We started with two mimosas and some beignets. Some complimentary banana bread was brought to the table which was pretty good, too, but I much preferred the beignets with jam and my drink. Next, we opted for chicken and waffles and this social burger that I've read so much about. The burger was good, juicy, made with a good amount of the fresh, local cheese and some sauteed onions, paired with some hand-cut fries and served on a board. We both enjoyed it, but I think I'd be a little disappointed if I paid $21 for it. Kind of a steep price. I'd much rather spend a little more and get a good steak. Anyway, the real gem was my chicken and waffles. "The Treatment," is served with 2 eggs (the portion was more like 3 or 4, but they were so delicious. I opted for scrambled and they were light and fluffy and among the best I've ever had.), bacon, and a big piece of chicken breast meat doused in a tangy BBQ sauce over a fresh pressed waffle. YUM! The chicken and its sauce was smokey and delicious and the portion was HUGE. I've never had chicken and waffles before and BBSC has now most certainly made me a believer. Our server Kristina was pleasant and attentive but not overbearing. She had a good attitude, which can be hard on a Sunday morning brunch shift. She and her food runners/bus boys were constantly filling our water glasses and asking if we would care for more coffee. The food did take a little while to come out, but Kristina made sure we never went thirsty while we waited. The group next to us had the donut sandwich (which I have to admit, I'm kind of scared of). It's a fried egg with bacon sandwiched between two glazed donuts. I heard the yummy noises coming from a crew of burly guys, which still didn't convince me (I was still scared) but when their stick-thin girlfriends (who were sipping on drinks but eating nothing) sampled it and also agreed it was divine I was intrigued... but still a little scared. Maybe next time. Thank you BBSC and your team for a lovely Sunday brunch and for taking the time to reach out and correct your earlier mistakes. Be back soon!

    (4)
  • Ryan D.

    Back bay social club has won me over from a 4 star review to a 5 star review. I ran into the Manger outside on the streets as she was with a bunch of girls after celebrating maybe a birthday party? They seemed pretty giddy maybe it was the cocktails or maybe it was just good company. But she asked me to take a picture of them. She recognized me and asked me where i was going... I told her BBSC and she told me she was the manager there and that she remembered my past visits. We parted and i went to get my libations. I ended up meeting a date there for a couple of drinks. After a few cocktails, We decided to get the bill and my bill was under $20.00 ....I said to the bartender is there a error on the bill? I guess the manager called and bought me a few drinks... This is where the WOW factor hit me. And this is why i love the place!!! Cheers!

    (5)
  • April S.

    2 stars for atmosphere. Although the downstairs still looks like Vinny T's. Looks great. Everything else needs work. A lot of work. Had 2 specialty cocktails both over sweet and not balanced. Ordered a manhattan and it came with luxardo cherries, which are hard to find at most bars and delicious!!! Only problem was that my manhattan was shaken! Bubbles and froth everywhere! Ugh! It does effect the taste and it's not the proper way to serve a manhattan. So drinks ehhh. Stick to wine and beer. The list for both looked promising. The bartender was friendly and seemed experienced. Got the shakes old man? Food. Well, the Lyons group has done it again. All fluff no substance. They should have stuck to nightclubs. $21 for a burger? Give me a break! I didn't order it because I'm not stupid but have heard it's bland. Tried the Monday night special of Chicken and Waffles, smothered with a gross, sweet barbecue sauce. Not good. My friend got a pasta dish that was trying to be al dente but ended up being just plain undercooked. All in all, blah drinks and bad food. Won't be coming back anytime soon.

    (2)
  • Shannon C.

    I walked in the other evening and thought I was on the set of that Courtney Cox show...Cougar something. If you can get a seat away from the White Diamonds crew...and the subsequent douches who hit on them...this is actually a pretty good spot for a drink in Back Bay. I only stayed for drinks so I can't vouch for the food. The prices were fair and the drink menu bordered on mundane but had some "oh really?" offerings that were intriguing. The decor seems to be similar to what's popping up everywhere lately-low key French bistro type-but I get it. In fact, I enjoy it. The service was half and half. We had one bartender completely ignore us for a good 15 min. while she catered to her friend standing behind us (we were seated) who kept ordering Narragansett's ("Nah! I don't need a glass babe!" :::sluuuuurpp:::). Another barkeep happened by and gladly served our Prosecco and a couple martinis. Overall, this place is a phenomenal upgrade from Vinny T's and I'm sure I'll be back again in the near future...now that I know the ropes.

    (3)
  • Christine S.

    After reading about my experience at BBSC a manager contacted me and not only offered to refund my bill, but offered me a meal on the house to make up for it. Classy move, and very much appreciated. I took them up on the refund, but not the free meal. I wish they had showed us that courtesy when we were actually in the restaurant, but better late than never. The point is, they do care about their patrons and it shows. I did end up coming back in for drinks one Friday night with some friends. We sat at the bar and drank lots of red wine. The waiters were excellent and so was the wine. Not sure if I'll come back for a meal but my overall opinion of this place has drastically improved.

    (3)
  • Joy Y.

    Soooo....I pretty much spent my entire weekend here. If the awesome drinks didn't sell me on the place (the most memorable, and coincidentally, the first drink I had, was the "Gin Somethin" Yum) the service sure did. Both nights I was sitting at the bar and both nights everyone was so nice and friendly, particularly bartenders Josh (night #1) and Dennis (night #2) who took the time to talk to us about the drinks, made fantastic food selections, and basically just made the evening that much more fun by engaging in conversation with me and my friends. For me, with drinking, comes the need to eat. So on night #1, my companion and I shared the "meat candy." Yes, it's called "meat candy" and yes, it is very sweet. In my somewhat blurry state, I don't remember thinking it was the most amazing thing ever though. On night #2, my friend and I split the "the social burger" aka, the $21 burger. It was huge so I'm definitely glad we split it, and it was very good. The sweet caramelized onions and sharp cheddar were a perfect match to the juicy burger and soft buttery bun. Would I pay $21 for it again though? Probably not. I mean it was really very tasty, but 21 bucks for a burger? It better be the most amazing burger I've ever eaten....It comes with a good sized order of pomme frites though which were perfectly salted and crispy. I saw a number of people with the Artisan cheese plate and that looked pretty damn good too so, *mental note: try cheese plate next time* Overall though, I found the Back Bay Social Club to be a great place to grab a drink with friends or meet up for a date. The cozy ambiance makes it a great bar/ restaurant to settle in for the night while trying a tasty drink or two and hey, you might even meet a few new people along the way!

    (4)
  • Rachel W.

    I love it. I love everything about this place. The appetizers are delicious, and easy to eat while socializing at the bar. (example, meat candies) Their goat cheese ice cream is delicious. Their entrees are big in size, and also delicious. The drink menu is great. The blood and sand is no longer on the drink menu, but if you're a fan of whiskey I HIGHLY recommend it. The atmosphere might be my favorite part. It's the perfect place to grab a drink, or 6 , with a friend or some friends. You can go any day of the week, at any time, after work, after the gym, for lunch, or before heading to less- lovable places on Boylston street on a Saturday night. The bartenders are always super friendly and nice and willing to chat it up with you if you have any desire to do so. Hands down my go-to bar.

    (5)
  • Alisa T.

    I went here for brunch with some friends on Sunday and was completely disappointed in the breakfast options. I got the eggs benedict and they were inedible. I took one bite and didn't touch them again. The English muffin was dry and hard as a rock, the hollandaise sauce was bland and without flavor. One of my friends gave me half of her social burger, while it was very good it is far from being worth the $21 they charge for it. Next time someone suggests brunch at Back Bay Social Club, I'm only going for the bloody mary.

    (2)
  • Janina T.

    I came here a few months ago for a light dinner with friends. On the whole I really enjoyed it. The lights downstairs were a bit dim although I noticed the transition from dim to dimmer once it got later so I'm assuming it all contributes to the ambiance. I ordered a few glasses of red wine which was fantastic. The one thing I did remember was how delicious the fries were here. I'm a big fry person...particularly McDonalds fries (don't judge....they're ridiculously amazing), and these fries were just....perfection. The one and only issue I had was the service was a bit slow. Our server was so incredibly nice but it took a while for us to get our drinks (aka, pouring wine into a glass) so minus one star for that. Otherwise, a great place to hit for a nice meal.

    (4)
  • Nik B.

    My two visits to Back Bay social have been inconsistent. One two-star worthy visit, and one four-star. Both visits included a White Russian and fries. The first time, my White Russian, complete with house made coffee liqueur, was watery and my fries weren't crispy or fresh tasting and only came with ketchup. On my second visit, at the downstairs bar, I had the best white russian of my life from seemingly more attentive bartenders. The coffee liqueur came out brilliantly, nutty, dark and sweet and nicely balanced out with cream, the fries were crispy and served with a beautiful aioli. The second visit was good enough to warrant a third, but I don't think I'll go out of my way for it.

    (3)
  • Amaru S.

    Visited this location on a Saturday and was immediately pleased with the decor and the staff. The overall look and feel of the place is pleasant, definitely tries hard to capture that hotel/jazz bar feel. My only negative complaint about this place is not necessarily their food, but their menu. Yes, the place is a tad overpriced, but that's the Back Bay restaurants in general. What bothered me is the lack of explanation or justification for some of these prices. If i'm going to order a $21 for a burger, I want more than just a description that's telling me it's coming with onions and cheddar cheese. Either this is an attempt to not overwhelm the customer with a lengthy description, or this could be a very arrogant and borderline insulting message from the owner that Back Bay customers will pay anything for whatever is on a menu. Overall, it's worth checking out if you haven't, but there's definitely much better places (food/price) not too far. We'll see how long this "social club's" membership in the Back Bay lasts.

    (2)
  • Sam L.

    I came here a couple weekends ago for my friend's birthday and though I only ordered a beer, I really like this place. It's not like the pubs and bars throughout the rest of Boston (maybe because it's in the Back Bay area that it makes a difference). It's definitely a classier place to be, but still really casual (without being dirty and grimy!) I definitely want to come back...the meat candy they serve looked really interesting!

    (4)
  • Beth M.

    I Cannot stop thinking about the burger I had here last week. It was so yummy. One of the best burgers I've ever had. The fries were also very tasty. It was a little on the pricey side ($21!), but it was really really good. Nikki the bartender was great. Very friendly and fast service. Overall a great meal! Also..Thursday night happy hour was packed! Seemed like a fun crowd of young professionals.

    (4)
  • Karlis B.

    BBSC gets 4 stars for the burger alone. I've had two epic dinners here. The first involved a lot of beer (yay, selection!) and that fantastically delicious burger. I can still taste it's awesomeness. Topped with caramelized onions and sharp cheese, you will NOT miss condiments--not even bacon! It's just perfect. I had a chance to ask what makes it so great. There were a lot of steps involved that I could not focus on because I was so busy moaning about how good it is. Let's just say, they take extra damn care to make sure that burger is niiiiiiiice. And they succeed. Second dinner was more focused on cocktails and a ridiculous array of apps. My cocktail pick: the Gin Something. Even folks that don't like gin, but were tricked into drinking the Gin Something, loved this drink. It's light, cool and will be guzzled down by me on the patio this summer, for real. For apps, go with - Pumpkin ravioli with housemade pasta and buttery rich sauce. (Save your bread to sop that mess up. Mm hmm. Sop it up, good.) - Squash salad with manchego and maple: one of the best salads I have ever had. The sweetness of the squash and maple with the salty manchego is something I wish I had come up with. For entrees, get the burger. I ordered the steak frites the second time around. It was a generous portion of tender beef cooked to order, but comparatively lacked flavor. Honorable mention: the pappardelle bolognese. I'll also give props to the waitstaff here. We had a group of about 15 people and ended the night with tequila shots at the table. I'm sure we were obnoxious, but our sever kept up all night. Cheers!

    (4)
  • Andrea S.

    Hey Bolyston street Eastern Standard, Thanks for bringing a little high-end to the neighborhood. I appreciate the great music you play at night, taking a break from the Ke$ha and Gaga played everywhere else. I appreciate your extensive Bloody Mary combos (consider a flight though-so we can try them all). I would be more on board with you though if 1) I hadn't ordered an adult bevvie that was undrinkable and if 2) the menu offered a few more vegetarian friendly options. But, I like you. And I'll be back.

    (4)
  • Sho B.

    "C'mon Boylston Street, grow a pair!" said God. And then there was Back Bay Social Club and Towne (same owners). Right across the street from each other, both descended around the same time in the Summer of 2010. So, with a name like "Back Bay Social Club", I was hoping for more of a hipster feel rather than the "Old-Money, Young Buck, douche bag" feel. And having been there three times now, I think it can be both! My first experience was sitting in the restaurant upstairs on the first week of opening. Food was OK, but nothing notable. (Note to the chef: I don't like veal sauce with salmon. A wine sauce would've been better). Second time I went, we had reserved the downstairs bar for a going away party for three people, and it was hopin! Cool bar, very roomy, friendly wait staff, and very accommodating managers. Always nice to know that they follow through when they allow you to hold a large group there. Later that night though, the douce bags started rolling in ... but I think that can go for any bar in Boston past midnight. Third time, I think I became the douche bag, as we rolled in half passed midnight and closed out the bar. But they let us close it out with style as I closed out with a shot and three beers served to us in HUGE Oktoberfest mugs. Needless to say, I like this place a lot and I think that it has become my new "go to" at the end of a long week or a crazy night.

    (4)
  • Joe B.

    To my disappointment, when we got the check, we didn't have the waitress try to pull our table number out of the bottle for a free meal. Oh, wait... that was Vinny T's. Now, we're at Back Bay Social Club. Less gargantuan portions and marinara sauce, but a great experience and ambiance nonetheless. Reserving on OpenTable was painless. When I showed up, the hostess had my reservation right away and was ready to seat me. We got what has been called one of the best tables in the house - near the back on the first floor, facing the bar area. Our hostess and waitress told us that it was great for people-watching. Our service was friendly throughout, our waitress was in good spirits, and I felt comfortable throughout my entire experience. My date and I got the same thing - peppered salmon with green beans and veal glace. The salmon was pretty much perfectly prepared - plenty of natural flavor, and not too much pepper. I managed to finish the whole thing, too. She seemed to enjoy it just as much as I did. One of the cool things about this place, which I've noticed at a few other better restaurants, is that they leave a glass bottle of water at your table for you. It saves them the need to go around and refill waters, and it makes it so you can have water whenever you want it rather than waiting for it to come around. I would definitely return here for dinner. I'm not sure how keen I would be on the bar scene, since it seemed very crowded up front and I don't like big bar crowds. But sitting down near the back, away from the busy bar, was very nice, and I think that I would enjoy another meal here.

    (5)
  • Jen H.

    Came here last night for the Girlfriends of Yelp UYE and I was thoroughly impressed. I understand that it was a special case since it was a UYE and they knew we were coming, but the space looked really nice. Upstairs, there is this spot that seats 2 right near the stairs where servers will be bringing up the food. This space is centrally located in the upstairs portion of the restaurant and would be an ideal space for someone who is dining solo, or 2 people to sit and be able to people watch (or food watch) and is a nice alternative to sitting at a bar. Downstairs was very inviting, a bit darker, candles on the tables, a bit more sexy. This space is nice and cozy and could be ideal for a date night. The bar, and the bartenders (Ian and Aaron) served our group well. Not only were these guys quite knowledgeable and able to whip up a delicious cocktail, they were also very personable and could hold interesting conversations. Ian made me a Bubbly Wine Cooler (that is the name from their cocktail menu) and it was so tasty. I wouldn't have chosen to order this drink myself because it contains brandy, and as a general rule I don't like brandy, but I liked this one! My one downfall for the drink was that while all of that fresh muddled fruit was nice, it made sipping it a bit difficult at times. The food that they brought out was also top notch. We had the Meat Candy (smoke house kielbasa with brown sugar and pineapple), Stuffed Pickled Peppers (Peppadews from South Africa stuffed with ham and cheese), and lastly we had the Butchers Plate w/ pops relish. They put it on some crostinis for us to make it easier to share/eat. Everything was very good, but I was wholeheartedly in LOVE with the Peppadews and the Meat Candy. Wonderful evening of delicious bites, taste bud tantalizing cocktails, and good convos not only with the fine ladies who were with me, but also with the staff. I cannot wait to come back again, hopefully in time to try their outdoor patio!

    (4)
  • David C.

    Went on a Sunday night with my wife at 6pm. The place was dead which was nice. We were the only people in the whole back half of the place. It was very dark which I like. We both got cocktails. $12 each. They were pretty good. Smallish but not stingy with the liquor and tasted good. We both got the burger. I will admit I was very excited to try it and had very high expectations. The meat was excellent. The bun was excellent. However, the onions we a bit crunchy and undercooked. This was kind of a bummer because I heard they are usually deliciously cooked and caramalized mushy which I like. I ended up taking them off. My wife also thought they we undercooked. Perhaps it wasn't bus enough to keep a big batch going...who knows. I was also a little disappointed the cheese bits were cold and not melted at all. This is also not what we've heard is typical for this place. Meat was perfectly cooked. The French fries were very good...nice and thin and crispy. Overall, decent cocktails, decent burger. However, not as amazing as everything I've heard.

    (3)
  • Romulo R.

    Went there recently for a Yelp event at the downstairs bar. Nice atmosphere for a get together, good bartenders and delicious cocktails. The crowd was pretty awesome as well. Will definitely have to check this place out in more detail !

    (4)
  • Amanda B.

    I visited the BBSC with 12 of my closest lady friends for my bachelorette a few weeks ago and it was a hit! We had a nice mix of locals and out-of-towners and they all seemed to really like BBSC. I have to start off by saying it was really hard for me to decide what to eat and drink. I started off with the Summer Social cocktail which had watermelon in and was delicious. I also tried the Gin Somethin that a friend ordered and enjoyed that as well. I ended up ordering the Thick Cut Pork Chop which was served with crispy fried onions on top and a succotash. I also ordered a side of garlicky mushrooms- So. Good. It was all so delicious. For dessert I shared the Chocolate Ganache Cake topped with Toasted Almonds and Coconut Cream and dear readers, I cannot say enough good things about that dessert. If no one was there I would have been licking the plate. Having referenced the menu to write this review, I see that it's seasonal, which is nice. It makes me want to return sooner rather than later! The service was outstanding. Our waiter, who I called Lucky because after we were seated he announced "My name is----, but tonight, you can call me lucky!" Wahh-wahhh. But charming, nonetheless. He was funny, extremely polite and very attentive and fast. He took care of all 13 of us like it was no big deal. (I didn't hear his actual name!) BBSC got really busy by the time we were wrapping up (11-11:30 ish). There was a Red Sox game that night; it was on the tvs at the bar, but the crowd didn't seem like a post-Fenway crowd. It's a classy joint. I will definitely be returning to BBSC (most likely for a special occasion, since it's pricey). Can't wait to work my way through the cocktail menu!!

    (5)
  • Katie D.

    I adore BBSC. In my eyes, the place can do no wrong (... until very recently, when a certain menu refresh left me feeling utterly betrayed -- but I will get to that later). BBSC is one of the few places I genuinely feel "at home" at in Boston. Unlike the 200 Irish pubs that surround it, BBSC has a cozy-ish vibe, complete with the bartenders decked out in plaid button-downs. But the down-to-earth vibe isn't just in the atmosphere -- every single bartender is genuinely friendly. Aaron is the only one I happen to know by name at this point, but they're all super approachable, helpful, and chatty. The patio is one of the few I can tolerate in Boston for not trying to cram in as many tables as space will allow -- and some of the best people-watching in the city. The drink list is generally great -- plenty to choose from without being overwhelming. I've tried plenty of the cocktails and they're all superb -- Blood & Sand was probably most memorable for being both horrifying and deliciously strong. They've got Goose Island on tap, which I appreciate, but I'd be truly impressed if they got some 312 in there :) Now on to the good stuff -- I have to say that for the most part, I've only come to BBSC for drinks and snacks. The meat candy is a MUST (I'm essentially a carnivore, so anything that pays homage to the delicacy of protein is already bound to be a favorite of mine) -- sweet and succulent, it really hits the spot and is perfect to split over some beers with a friend. They used to have pretzel/biscuits with a cheese beer sauce that was slightly watery, yes, but sinfully yummy and hearty. More recently, their summer salads are good and not your usual over-sized platter of greens -- the baby arugula with trout was just right as a light snack. The one entree I have gotten is (very unfortunately) no longer on the menu, country fried chicken with goat cheese mashed potatoes -- beyond amazing. I've said before, I am no stranger to fried foods, but this was ridiculous -- JUST the right amount of breading and crisp, and the potatoes left me wanting more for days. Here's where BBSC really killed me though - truffle.butter.popcorn. Never in my life has a bar snack compelled me to return twice in one week, but this did it. I craved it constantly. Told all my friends. Converted some of them to true truffle believers. And then.... it was gone. Like any good love affair, it apparently had to come to an end. Sad, yes. But the end of my appreciation for BBSC, it is not.

    (4)
  • Samantha S.

    As someone who typically stopped by here for a cocktail or two (or 3, or 4).... I was really pleasantly surprised by their food. The brunch selection is great...the french toast is my favorite that I have tried. A friend of mine got chicken & waffles, didn't really strike me as something I would ever want to order, but I tried a bite out of curiosity and it was actually really good. The highlights of the menu though are the Social burger, which is delicious and the Chicken sandwich on the lunch menu. It's unbelievable and unsurprisingly a very popular item. Also, the french fries are so delicious....so needless to say, not the place to go if you're on a diet, but it's so good.

    (4)
  • K P.

    Terrible service last night starting with bartenders who were overwhelmed and made sure they let you know of it. Sad to see the prices are now in gauge level after the recent events of the area. Told there was a 30 minute wait and after 1 1/2 hours we left never to be seen again there....

    (1)
  • Brian D.

    Visited the Back Bay Social Club on a Friday evening around 7:30. At first glance from the street you might think this nothing more than an after-work bar scene kind of place, owing to the crowded front patio, but I found the inside to have a well-styled dining area. We were seated upstairs, but later I was able to grab a peek at the downstairs dining area, which is a little more "jazz club" to the upstairs "1940s hotel bar" motif. Anyways, we had a reservation, which we obtained just earlier that day. The dining area was full but not crowded. The hostess seated the 2 of us at a 4 person booth, rather than the lone 2 person table squashed between 2 other larger parties. This was just the first example of the high quality service that Social Club provided that night. I am a sucker for good service, and the waitress is one of the best I've ever encountered. A particularly good move was checking in between appetizer and main course to let us know the food would be ready soon, and to see if we would like another drink with dinner. The food was extremely well prepared. I had salmon, which was great. The person sitting across the table from me had a chicken that was prepared with great care (they even inform you on the menu that this particular dish will take longer). Good presentation, and great flavor in both dishes. The menu is short, but varied enough to satisfy most, I would expect. Drinks-wise, they have a large bar, though I find the cocktail menu to be a little lacking. Most of the drinks are very fruity, and the two I tasted somewhat mimicked the taste of a lollipop. Which might be what you're looking for. The one cocktail I ordered was a maple sazerac, which was great. The sazerac is one of my favorite drinks to order at a bar (since I am more or less too cheap to buy a bottle of absinthe that will only be used to wash the glass out) but I was worried the maple might overpower the rest of the flavor ... but I was wrong. The drink was very well prepared. I also had a beer from the short but quality craft beer list (you can also grab a coors light for 5 bucks if you're so inclined). Overall, the experience here was great. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Laura H.

    I went here for drinks recently and was aghast at the horrendous quality of the service. Our bartender was slow to take our order (took about 15 minutes) for our first drink, which was frustrating but somewhat understandable since it was quite busy. However, a bit later several of the bartender's friends came up to the bar and he proceeded to make complicated free cocktails for them while we waited probably over 20 minutes to order our next drink. When we eventually wanted to just cash out and get out of there, I once again was ignored by the bartender, and eventually had to flag down another bartender farther away to let us cash out. When they finally brought the bill, the receipt was correct but the wrong credit card was with it. We informed the bartender this, and he brought us the right card and receipt. However, thankfully my friend checks his credit card statement periodically, since they had charged his card not one, not two, but THREE times for the same bill. Unfortunately, one bartender ruined our night and I certainly hope Back Bay Social Club reminds their staff of the importance of good service. I, for one, will not be returning here.

    (1)
  • Steve H.

    They have chicken and waffles, and they do them pretty well - would recommend. Tried the burger once and was very disappointed. It was overcooked and not worth the hype.

    (3)
  • Shirley Y.

    i've been wanting to try this place since setting sights on the brunch menu with quite an impressive variety of bloody marys. aside from the traditional bloody mary with vodka, a darker tomato juice cocktail with a slight, peppery kick finished off with a celery stick, back bay social club also serves offshoots such as the bloody pickle [with pickle juice], the bloody pepper [even spicier than the traditional with peppers to garnish], the bloody caesar [with clamato juice in lieu of tomato for a higher sodium intake and a lot more flavor], the bloody beer [pretty self explanatory], among many others. on a whim, we walked in and found two seats at the bar. being that it was one of the first beautiful spring saturdays, they had their windows open to the patio outside. surprisingly, not as crowded as it could be. back bay social club's owners are the same as sonsie's, and one can see the similarity. most of the clientele are enjoying the sun outside on the patio, congregating at the bar watching the game on tv, but the darker rear of the restaurant space was empty. when asking for the menu, the bloody mary selection is not displayed. upon talking to the bartender, they had removed most of their selections, with the exception of what i have named above. my friend ordered the traditional bloody mary, which was quite impressive with good flavor. curious about the alternative, i ordered the bloody pepper. despite the name, it possessed a lack of flavor but the bartender was happy to fix it by adding more cocktail mix to it. still disappointed, as i felt like i was sending back my drink, and when possible, a patron should never have to feel that way.

    (3)
  • Ethan M.

    Not sure why everyone is so hyped up about this place. Its just Vinny Testas and Vinny Ts with even lower lighting. We reserved a table for a party of five on Friday at 9PM. We arrived on time only for the hostess to tell us that the we would be seated in 10mins. This meant that our table was not even reserved for us. We then had to wait for an hour before we could actually sit down. While waiting I had the God Father drink (I had to explain to the bartender that it was whiskey and Amaretto. This should have been learned in Bartender 101) which cost $13. $13!!! What the hell. During dinner my drink was magically $10. Maybe the top floor is on a different currency than the bottom. At dinner we had the duck panini for appetizer and for the main course we had the burger, chicken and waffles, chicken gumbo and the steamed muscles. The duck tasted great but we were disappointed with the dinner. First the price of food was insane. The burger and the chicken and waffles were good but not worth the price being charged. The gumbo and muscles in cream sauce were tasteless. We only ate it because we spent a fortune on it. I suggest stay away and try some of the other places around Boylston St. as there are many better restaurants. This is just a wanna be high class and over priced joint.

    (1)
  • L S.

    They lured me in with a promise of Chicken and Waffles only to tell me that I could only get it on Mondays. If you view their online menu, it lists this dish as an every day item. Not so. I ended up getting the chicken with mashed potatoes and it was well, chicken and mashed potatoes. Nothing special for the price. They seated my date and I downstairs near the bar in the middle of the floor, near the stairwell. It was loud and I felt like they ran out of room but didn't wan to turn away business so they just set up some random extra tables. On a positive note, our server was pretty on the ball - if only we could hear him and he could hear us! My date liked his meal but again, it was nothing about which to rave. They could do better but I suppose in the grand scheme of things, they could do worse.

    (2)
  • Molly J.

    I over heard someone telling his friend how he loves the burger from Social Club. I took my friends there on NYE just to get some food. The food was not above our expectation but okay. One of the dishes that's impressive was Chicken Waffles. It is a large waffle in the bottom with Fried chicken on top with BBQ sauce and maple syrup. I ordered vegetable chili and it was too dry. The restaurant was too dark that I can't really tell whats in the dish. What we don't understand is the price difference for lamp burger and signature social club burger. The lamp burger was like $14 but the social club burger cost $22. I didn't try the burger but according to the guy who ordered it, it was not good at all. Our server that night kept coming and ask if we are doing okay. It was nice in the first couple times, but we started to feel irritated when she kept doing it. The only thing I remember that was good was the cute and friendly host with smile on his face all the time.

    (2)
  • Lakiya T.

    LOVE IT! Our waitress first brought us a tray of fresh raisin molasses bread with creamy butter on the side. My friend and I both ordered "The Treatment" for brunch. 2 delicious buttermilk waffle squares, 2 eggs (any style), meat (my choice was turkey bacon), 1 perfectly fried chicken breast (yummmmy batter!), & homefries. HELLO! WIN! WIN! WIN! We washed it down with a glass of white sangria. Pause. We ordered the pitcher of the white sangria (about 4 glasses for $36). The pitcher was full of ice but the freshly cut peaches and strawberries looked so appealing in the white wine. My friend and I agreed that it tasted a bit watery... Not what we expected. We told our waitress when she came by to check on us and she quickly informed the manager who then took it off our bill and recommended drinks from the cocktail menu that would suite our palette. I got the MAI TAI. Not the traditional fruity pineapple juice one that you would get at another bar/restaurant. This concoction was almond liquor based. Yummy fun! My friend ordered a "Sex on the Beach". Perfectly mixed. Besides the food and service being amazing, the atmosphere is really cool. Soft reggae music in the background, and the wait staff's uniform is so cute! Plaid shirts and denim pants. Did I already say that I love this place?

    (5)
  • Brent C.

    We stopped in on a visit to Boston. It was busy but we managed to get a table downstairs very quickly. The menu was eclectic. From meatloaf sliders to mussels, everything was well portioned and tasty

    (4)
  • Mike S.

    Came here after reading about it in the Improper. Seemed like a cool spot, and it could be, but there are a few flaws that make it just mediocre: Overpriced w/ small portions: This place is really expensive, and the portions are small. I got the Social Burger, which was good, but certainly not 21-dollars-good. My fiance ordered the Maine crab salad, which was also good, but extremely small. The waiter didn't indicate it was an appetizer-sized portion, and I ended up giving her a bunch of frites and burger so she didn't go hungry. Also: she ordered a white wine which had a pretty stingy pour and ended up trying to ration it. A 9 dollar glass of wine should be at least enough to keep around until the food arrives. Service: Not bad, but kind of amateurish. Waiter tried to be a little too entertaining, and buzzed around like 3 times while we were trying to select our order. Then when it was time to order, he was nowhere to be found. I think this place is probably 2.5 stars, it's not a bad experience, but it's certainly not A-OK.

    (2)
  • Karla Q.

    I wasn't impressed with the food at all. My salad had a funky taste and I didn't love their menu. The bar is cool but I wouldnt go there for a sit-down meal

    (2)
  • Laura J.

    From the street, this place looks like the epicenter of what a back bay restaurant should exude. Lots of pretty people, dining on what looks to be delicious food, the outside patio a buzz with conversation, a vibrant bar scene, happy botox injected faces everywhere... Lets check it out! We had a 7:30 reservation and were seated promptly. The cocktail list was diverse, wine selection average, and the menu all sounded appetizing. I was excited to get crackin on ordering some yummmm. Drinks consisted of a glass of Cab for me and an Absolute and soda for Laura K, which was supposed to be Absolute Boston, but I guess our server couldn't hear over the roar in the dining room. We shared the apple and cheddar pie to start. It was my favorite part of the meal. Although a portion really suitable for one, the two bites each of us had were excellent! Our entree's came out quickly, I having ordered the steak frites, although now in hindsight, wish I would have stuck to my guns and chosen the lamb. I honestly was disappointed. The steak looked incredible, but failed in the flavor department. It was perfectly cooked mind you, but lacked seasoning. Someone! Get this woman a salt shaker STAT! Laura K went for the burger. I think the seasoning that was missing from my steak ended up in her behemoth on a bun, because it was tastttttty. I was jealous, although she wasn't totally diggin it. Fries with both dishes were nice and crispy. Our bill was high considering, but I guess $100 inc. tip for 2 isn't so bad. Just wish my taste buds would have been more impressed. Maybe next time!

    (3)
  • Jessica K.

    My sister and I went here for brunch a few months ago and had a so so experience. First of all the inside is ugly. I'm sorry but those booths, that red? What were they thinking. Anyway, we ordered omelets and our waiter asked us if we wanted sides to go with them. We assumed that meant that the sides were a la carte so we both ordered toast. When our food came out we were both shocked to see toast on the plates with the omelets in addition to two side plates of toast. Apparently the omelets already came with toast...why would the waiter not tell us that? Not to mention each side of toast was $3...so we spent $6 on extra toast which we didn't even end up eating. Poor service. Oh and the food was just okay. I'll probably come back to try dinner, but never again for brunch.

    (2)
  • Maureen C.

    Best burger ever! Ordered it for a take out and it was so juicy and flavorful while I was at a different bar!

    (5)
  • F L.

    Meh.... went there on a thursday night only to be greeted by the typical bostonion snotty crowd. bar was crowded and spotted an empty stool. asked the gal next to me if the seat was taken and her snide response "you can have it all you want." really? gee thanks, you are to kind. my response "must be being blonde that makes you such a b*itch". i'll stick with my bars and restaurants in my area of the north end.

    (2)
  • Stephen M.

    Stopped in for an early dinner with the wife and kids after walking around Newbury and Boylston St all afternoon. Nice ambience with low lighting, dark wood and rich colors. Not too crowded since it was before 6pm and they sat us right away. Quickly noticed there was no kids menu and the real menu is fairly limited. Enter our server who was fantastic. She created a grilled chix and sweet potatoes dish for the kids whch was great. We had the curry mussles which were delicious and the rib eye as an entree. The meat was very tender and flavorful and the almost spicy sweet potatoe mash are off the charts. So different and orginal. Definitely a signature dish. Really all the food was great and as I mentioned the service was truly outstanding. Very attentive and eager to please. We'll be back, without the kids...

    (4)
  • Rock L.

    Not too much to say about this place. Good food, nothing that stands out in my mind.

    (3)
  • Lydo r.

    Just like Clara L i never stopped here before because of the name (judgmental much? yes!) and I am a little sorry i waited this long to go. The decor and vibe is very inviting and the menu is all that. Kudos! The drink menu is very inviting and i am looking forward to seeing their selections for the winter. Although i did got for the drinks and not the food this time, the candied meat was surprisingly fun. The downstairs does get a little loud and i recommend it if that's your thing.

    (4)
  • Holly W.

    i liked this place, had a company party here and it was really nice, casual and fun atmosphere... drinks were good and all and all a nice place to be. food was delicous too!

    (4)
  • Joe R.

    I went to the Back Bay Social Club with two friends on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. Atmosphere/Ambiance (6/10)- The outside patio facing Boylston Street and the Prudential Center was nice. Inside the place reminded me of the old Vinny Testa's that previously occupied the space. I'm not sure the new owners did much to improve the facility Service- (8/10) Our waitress was friendly, talkative and knew a lot about the menu. Food- (3/10) We each tried the signature, house specialty burger. It was aged beef with grilled onions and a sharp salty cheddar on a Portuguese roll accompanied by salted rosemary shoestring fries. The burger reminded me of a strange French onion soup with the salty cheese and grilled onions. The burger was cooked well but wasn't all that great. The cheese was fantastic, but the bulky Portuguese roll was a bit dry and the quality of the meat was average. The big surprise was the cost- the burger was $21! It was the most expensive burger I've had (and I've had a few expensive burgers) and was no way near worth the cost. One is better off heading across the street to Sel De la Terre for a fantastic burger (and at only about $17). I should add that all three of us had indigestion several hours later from our experience at the BBSC Value (3/10)- For around $21 for a burger with other entrées reaching as high as $35, the value was just not there. After all, we are talking about burgers!

    (1)
  • Erica M.

    Big fan of Back Bay Social Club, (full disclosure, I'm a sucker for dark bars), I am only giving it 4 stars since I rarely go there for a full meal, usually its just drinks and apps. The Bloody Mary's are probably the best in Boston, but they are strong so watch out! Service is always great, the staff is responsive and so nice, and makes sure to give extra attention to neighborhood regulars, which is a great find in the Back Bay. This place is great for brunch, after work, or later in the evening.

    (4)
  • Les P.

    I ate here for the first time yesterday for LUNCH. I have never seen a burger being the most expensive item on the menu, so I knew there had a be good reason for it so i had to try it! it is ground sirloin, hence the price. But to be honest it was 100% worth the 21$. I would love if it were cheaper, but it was amazing and probably the BEST burger I have ever had. Definitely in my top 3! The service was pretty good and the prices of the other menu items was great. The beat salad sounded amazing and I hope to try this soon as well, but it will be very hard for me to order anything other than the burger when I walk in there.

    (5)
  • Grace F.

    Was pleasantly surprised when we visited BBSC for lunch on a Saturday in November. I had the soup and my husband had a sandwich (am blanking on both varities now- maybe tomato soup and club sandwich?) and both were tasty and presented nicely. Fries were awesome. The decor is very Mad Men and it looks like it is probably very loud and busy at happy hour time. During the day it was a nice quiet reprieve from the Newbury shopping area. Would go back again.

    (4)
  • Bee M.

    Burger. Try it here!!

    (4)
  • Cosmo X.

    Went there on a Friday eve for a cocktails and was impressed. Nice decor, good clientle, decent drinks and more to look at than Abe n Louis... I shall return

    (4)
  • Jess Y.

    Had a late birthday dinner here a few months ago with some girlfriends, and OMG, *vomit*, I will never eat here again. Our server was probably the best part of the evening. She was attentive and made good suggestions, but in the end my choice of entree was terribly, terribly wrong. I ordered the catfish (against better judgment) and you think that most fried fish just tastes like fried, but this catfish very unfortunately tasted like the dirty seawater that it died in. The first bite was okay, and it just got worse from there. I ate my sides and hid the rest of the vomit-inducing catfish under my napkin. My friends ordered the steak frites and the salmon and both of those were okay, although the plates looked like they came from different restaurants. The salmon was tiny and the steak frites seemed to be hanging off the plate. Anyway, I guess after dining hours, it turns kinda night-clubby...the lights go down, the music goes up and people are just everywhere....we skipped dessert, needless to say. Not because I don't think it would have been good, but more because the people that were hovering around our table with drinks in hand would have spilled and/or fallen into it. Nothing like sitting down at dinner and having some dude's butt right over your shoulder while he tries to flirt his way into some girl's pants. I also can't help but think they didn't update the space much from Vinny Testa's? Took away the checker-board table cloths and the wine bottles with raffle numbers, but other than that it looks very much the same. Glad I gave it a go, but I doubt we'll be going back.

    (2)
  • Patty H.

    I was in Boston this week for a baseball game and looked on Yelp for a place to eat close to my Back Bay hotel. Reading through the reviews for BBSC, their burger sounded really appealing but the restaurant's Yelp reviews are all over the place. Finally, I started walking down Boylston and the BBSC's roomy sidewalk patio caught my eye. I am really glad I chose BBSC--I had a nice red wine and the burger and fries were worth the price. Service was very attentive. I will definitely stop by BBSC again when I'm in town.

    (4)
  • Emma S.

    So I didn't expect to like Back Bay Social Club... and I still haven't eaten there. But I thoroughly enjoyed drinking there! The beer list was small, but the cocktails were really quite delicious. It was a really chill and comfortable atmosphere, and ours was the only group downstairs. We could get out drinks at the bar, and go sit, undisturbed, for as long as we want. It's really nice to find a place to go out that is so accommodating and chill! Will definitely be back, and hopefully will get to try to menu.

    (4)
  • Barney B.

    it's no Vinny T's but faux french bistrot decor and mini-beer mugs are just a turn off, so off I went.

    (2)
  • Sarah A.

    I agree with what other reviewers have mentioned that the Back Bay Social Club seems to be having a bit of an identity crisis. Is it a fine dining restuarant or is it a bar/club? I came here with my step-mom who seemed to think it was the former, but the whole time we were having dinner there was this loud, club style music pumping that made it rather difficult to concentrate on the conversation. This was especially odd because it was 5:30 on a Wednesday. She was a little irked. The food was great, however. I was pretty impressed with my entree, the pork chop. It was a huge portion, thick and well prepared. The accompanying potatoes, onions and apples were prepared in a sauce that was tasty but a little too sweet for me to finish. Coffee is served in huge cups. Service was a little slow and seemed to totally forget about us toward the end of the meal. I'd like to try this place again if they can decide on what they want to be. My suggestion: just turn the music down and it's all good.

    (4)
  • Bill T.

    Went here with a few friends the other night. The drinks were definitely pricey but delicious. The waitstaff was attentive, and the food was awesome and well seasoned. We are all pretty picky and we all loved our food. Two of us ordered the chicken and waffles and it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Seriously go here. Eat that.

    (5)
  • Lauren S.

    I went here for drinks for a friend's boyfriend's birthday. I have to admit that I was very skeptical of the evening after I saw the website for this place. The food and the atmosphere looked generally "foofy" and I had myself convinced that all the drinks were going to be at least $12. My original plan was to show up for a drink, say hi and be polite, and head home early. I was pleasantly surprised! Not all of the drinks were expensive (I got a beer for $5) and the atmosphere wasn't as formal as I had originally thought. The servers all wear plaid button up shirts, which automatically brings the standard down (in a good way, in my opinion) and makes the evening much more relaxed. The ambiance was really nice too. It wasn't too loud to hold and conversation and the lighting and decor made me feel really cozy while at the same time classier than I actually am. I give this place 4 stars for its ability to completely wow me, different from the impression of a less-exciting night that I thought I was going to have. I can't give a whole 5 though because the food on the website (which I was sort of drooling over) wasn't actually in the restaurant. They said they had just changed over the menu. Boo. Oh well. Good job otherwise, Back Bay Social Club!

    (4)
  • Oz L.

    We tried the Social Club this past Fall when they opened. The service was great just like Sonsie's. Very similar to the way their other sister restaurant is operated. We had the Butter Topped Cod and Social Burger. They were good, nothing special or outstanding... To be honest we were expecting a little bit more from their menu. The bar is great and has a good vibe. Only 3 star b/c of the food...

    (3)
  • Amelia B.

    I've been here a couple times with colleagues. Nice ambiance- minus the TVs by the bar, but what can you do. I hate TVs in restaurants, unless they're sports bars. Wine is pricey, fries yummy (pommes frites really, especially since they come with a lovely lemony flavored mayo) and salads are acceptable. Not a ton of vegetarian options.

    (4)
  • Chris K.

    I keep coming back to this place, dragging friends along, insisting it will be great this time, but it somehow keeps on slightly disappointing. All three times I have visited (one Friday, one Wednesday, one Saturday), the ladies at the hostess stand smile and over-enthusiastically say that it will be "just a few minutes" for a table. Since the restaurant isn't always super busy, this seems a little bit odd, but the hostess is so eager that you feel somewhat tricked into thinking that it's OK that you have to wait. again. All three times I waited almost an hour for a table, which is definitely not what I signed up for (or was told upon checking in). I have to say, once you ARE seated, the bread that they bring is amazing, and the salads and entrees are nicely portioned and do taste delicious. But the service is dreadfully slow, and the desserts do NOT live up to the level of the rest of the food. For what you pay (7-8-ish bucks), you would definitely expect either a) good portions, or b) really really delicious treats. You get neither. This place is good if you are with a COUPLE of friends (i can't imagine how they would perform in finding seating for more than 4) and you are in for a VERY slow drinks / dinner experience, and you won't be getting dessert. The whole affair can be 3 hours + by the time you get seated and actually get served. I can't say that I will personally be back, since it's so unpredictable when you'll actually be seated, and it's kind of embarrassing to convince people to go and wait forever for a table, but the bread + entrees are delicious, and it's a nice place to catch up with friends.

    (3)
  • Jasmine I.

    Tasty cocktails!!!and the food was awesome! Love the downstairs area. I will be back soon to try more things on the menu...and more cocktails. Great dinner spot!

    (4)
  • Mike L.

    The Burger is flat out amazing. Especially with the substitute veggie fries (aka grilled asparagus). The fries are fried in peanut oil which is no good for peanut allergies. The atmosphere is set in the 1920s-30s. The food is pricey but worth it. A burger that costs $21 better be worth it! The servers are very friendly and accommodating. They made sure that everything they brought out was peanut free. The downstairs bar staff is dedicated to their job and are extremely knowledgeable.

    (5)
  • Wayne C.

    I came here for a private birthday party and was amazed at the service and the quality of the dishes. I live a block away so I'm thrilled that Vinny T's is out and Back Bay Social Club is in. I would definitely try the pulled pork appetizer -- it melts in your mouth. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and made the entire experience fantastic (it helped that he was also a bartender at another establishment so the cocktails he recommended were off the charts). I am looking forward to going there for breakfast and lunch soon (they weren't serving at those times since they just opened).

    (5)
  • Alex R.

    Limited menu, but when all you care about is eating chicken and waffles, this place knocks it out of the park.

    (4)
  • Stephen M.

    i've been here once recently, and it was late at night, so i don't have much reliable detail to relate here. but i'll try... now it's still got a bunch of new-place-in-town buzz, so there was a line outside this particular sat night. it's not exactly fort knox, since we got in just by knowing a girl who was already in the place. this girl, who's not exactly runway-ready, just asked the bouncer to let her three meathed friends in and he did. good job, sport. once in it was nothing special, but there were a lot of people there so waiting around for service was painful. i was in the downstairs part and it seemed really dark. i must say that i hate the fact that they call it a social club. wtf is that? didn't eat here. drinks were whatever. bottom line: there doesn't seem to be anything overly redeeming about this place and it certainly doesn't have any business drawing a line out the door. crobar in south beach it is not.

    (2)
  • Marie T.

    I was unfortunately not impressed. The pommes frites had too much salt. I had the butter roasted cod, which tasted more like it was pan fried & over cooked. It was not a good cod, too fishy & tough/rubbery. My husband had the fettuccini, which was also blah. The pasta was over cooked and hard. Overall, all the dishes had flavors & ingredients that where just not complimenting each other in any way. The service was ok, our waitress checked on us often, but our food took a very long time to come out. So we probably won't be going back there.

    (2)
  • Marc P.

    Where to begin.... Last night, Saturday, we reserved a table for 10 for 8:45. We got off to a bad start when it hit 9 o'clock and the hostess said it's done, but give it a couple more minutes. More waiting. We finally sit at 9:15. Now, i realize it's a Saturday night, but this place has been open for 8 months and 30 minutes late is unacceptable. I try and keep an open mind, but they got off on the wrong foot. Finally we sit down and no waiter for at LEAST 10 minutes. We had to flag down a host to get us a waiter. Drinks are put in and we didn't gt drinkls served until about 9:45. Again, I realize it's a Saturday night, but we were the biggest table there and you would figure they would attention to us. Finally the drinks come and we put in the apps. Apps took about 30 minutes at least and we had to ask twice for bread. Finally the apps come and just as we dig into the apps they bring our dinner orders at the same time. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? She asks if they can leave them at the table. Um, no lady, bring them back and learn how to run a restaurant. Apparently they remade all the meals which were pretty good. the burger was very tasty, but for all the waiting, no worth $21. The hostess brings us all a free round to male up for the shoddy food delivery. Finally we order dessert and after dinner drinks and they bring the coffee and espresso, but forget the alcohol. Unreal. At this point we contemplated just walking out. No joke. Luckily for them we had girls with us or else we would have. We get the bill and we tell them how bad an experience we had and they cut it in half. Total was $218 for 10 people w/out tip. It was nice they took some money off, but i would have rather paid full price and gotten normal service. I would not recommend going here for dinner. The bar seemed cool, but DO NOT EAT HERE

    (1)
  • Mike M.

    I simply am in love with this bar. The atmosphere, the uniforms, the food, it all really comes together. The beer selection here leaves much to be desired, but a place like this you simply must go for the cocktails. I tried the Back Bay Social Burger, which was my first of the gourmet burgers (e.g. Craigie, The Bristol Lounge, Radius). This is an excellent burger all-round. The bun is really unique. Normally when I eat a burger, I find the bun is a mere accessory to the burger, not contributing a great deal to the overall flavor. The Back Bay Social Club burger bun, is in a league on its own. The presentation, the freshness, the fluffiness, the texture all come through and make the bun an exceptional piece. The cheese is fantastic. My burger came dripping, completely soaked in cheese. The sharpness of the cheese really adds to the burger which itself is a masterpiece. The juiciest, most flavorful, tender burger I've ever eaten. It really is more like a steak between a bun than a burger. The only flaw in this burger, is the lack of smoothered onions. I was expecting a more heaping serving of onions than the tiny morsel I received. Nonetheless, it is a fantastic burger. But at $21, I'd be disappointed in anything less.

    (4)
  • MaryLee B.

    Hate the name but have walked by the patio a few times and it reminds me of Paris. So a co-worker adn I took advantage of this unseasonable warm day and had lunch on the patio. Many of the outdoor patio's along Boylston are in the shade this time of year, but the BBSC patio was awash in sun. Unfortunately, my lamb sandwich was VERY disappointing. The lamb was gray and both the lamb and the sandwich were VERY dry. It was basically sliced lamb with some lettuce on a dry toast loaf. When I asked the waiter if he could bring something preferably not mayo that I might be able to spread on it to add moisture and flavor, he came back with a small cup containing some mint that added a little flavor, but no moisture. Knowing I was disappointed our waiter shared after my meal that he wouldn't recommend the lamb sandwich . Thanks, but I could have used that info when I ordered it. Also our waiter was a bit pretentious as he tried to sell us on the $21 burger I think I will stick to cocktails on the patio if I return.

    (2)
  • Keith L.

    The menu was boring and overpriced. There's virtually no options. One of the worst dining experiences in Boston(this is coming from a Boston native), I wouldn't wish this restaurant on my worst enemy.

    (1)
  • Christian S.

    Average restaurant.

    (3)
  • Randi S.

    I have been to this restaurant twice now. For both visits, I had the cheese and pretzels app and the lamb pasta dish. The first time, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, though I had to ask for bread even when all the tables around us had been given bread immediately. The second time we went, the bread was brought quickly, but the water was not cold, which is a pet peeve of mine. The food didn't taste as good, and when I got home, I got to pay for it again in the bathroom. I will not be returning to this establishment, no matter how good it was the first time.

    (2)
  • Jackie S.

    Had to be the WORST dining experience ever. SO DISAPPOINTING. went for my friends birthday -got there and seated at 7:30pm, there were 15 of us and we had asked when making the res. for one table, they had us at two -there was only one waitress for our two tables which I thought would be fine but turns out not to be... - we did not get our first round of drinks OR bread until 8:20pm, after I complained to a manager who said something about "the oven being sort of broken?" -meanwhile the waitress came out to other tables with their food/drinks and seemed very accommodating to them (I thought perhaps since the gratuity was added for a big party on she was ignoring our large group? just a thought?) -two of the meals came out first - before any salads -about an hour and a half after getting there (obviously meant for another table and came as a mistake as the whole waitstaff was looking at our table puzzled and whispering looking over a piece of paper) - no one comes over this entire time to apologize or say anything to us -the waitress never acknowledges the fact that 2 people have plates and 13 of us have nothing for about 40 minutes. -salads come out and then everyone else's food comes out - food isn't even that good. someones lamb is cold and the pasta is chewy - waitress never asks us how our food is, does not ask to freshen our drinks -2 people magically appear with trays of pink champagne "compliments of the house" but say nothing else nor apologize! - someone comes over to our friend the birthday girl and says they hope the pink champagne helps with "everything tonight" but offer no explanation and doesn't say anything to the rest of the party mmm right. -a manager comes over - we are hoping for an apology but she just asks our friend if she might move into the table a little more and also would she mind moving her chair over because the woman behind her has complained about hitting the back of her chair on my friend's chair RUDE!!!!! - the bill comes its 10:30pm now and waitress comes to our table, looks at us, and scurries to the OTHER table and puts down the check there....interesting? -takes forever to get the cards back from paying the bill - I go complain to a manager about this God awful service, how excited we were to eat there and now disappointed and about how I usually never complain about this stuff so this had to be REALLY BAD. She says shes SO sorry we have already settled up our bill but that she would love to have us all back sometime and pay for our meals, gave us her card and said she thought the pink champagne would have let us know this night was unusual and not indicative of their service. Not rude but definitely not helpful at all. We did not leave the restaurant until almost 11pm. RIDICULOUS. I WILL NEVER RETURN nor will anyone in my party. WOW!

    (1)
  • Ron M.

    Some of the food was actually delicious. I got a the leg of lamb, which is roasted whole til med-rare and sliced to order. very tender, not gamey at all. My cousin opted for the fried fish of day, which wasn't too bad. So why the low rating?? I was totally bothered by the atmosphere of the place. At ~$25 plate, I have higher standards for what I expect in the restaurant itself. Ideally the place should be fairly quiet, perhaps with light music in the background. Instead the music was cranked to full blast with a huge crowd standing by the bar (just a few feet away) like a typical sports bar. This place definitely suffers from an identity crisis. They need to either fully commit to serving top-notch dishes and create an atmosphere that promotes this enthusiasm for great food, or simply lean towards the "social" aspect of their club and implement a more casual dining menu with more "bar-like" options and pricing...Just my opinion.

    (2)
  • Christopher V.

    I think I found my spot on Boylston st.! Was at Sonsie the night before, and into conversation with the waitress this place came up (same ownership). "next time!" . It is Saturday night out with the boys, and Dillon's here we come...but wait, a line till the bridge? the hell..so we took up last nights info and figured we'd go give it a shot. Walk by the dump that's called Whiskey's, and into Social Club we go. First impressions: the visible touch of Sonsie's interior design and floor plan...the setting is welcoming in a polite fashion, and has a sense of upper scale appeal. Music was well selected throughout our stay; always great hearing tunes from the Black Keys for example. We held our ground by the right side of the bar, and you know what, finally some good lookin' people around! You can tell people that come here have class. Only thing was, it was not that busy (and I think it's because of the lack of "class" part you will find on Boylston st. at late hours). Will be back guaranteed. This might be silly, but when I go to a spot that invests in a nice bathroom that is well kept, I know that my time spend there for next visit will be worth it.

    (4)
  • Aditi R.

    The atmosphere warrants more props than the actual food does. This is simply based off of their brunch menu so I'm sure their dinner is different (though i can't get behind an over $20 burger unless it's studded with edible jewels). I love that it has an elite vibe to it - that could be because the crowd runs slightly older, but the layout and the decor of the place certainly pander to that. They have a great location and they utilize it by having a nice outdoors seating area. I just wish their tables were a bit larger and their chairs more comfortable. Wicker chairs were never my thing. I ordered the egg white with mushroom and feta scramble which came with home fries - nothing to write home about. In fact I left nearly half of it. Was not impressed. The other order was a mexican scramble which was a little more enjoyable, but once again, nothing too great. The prices run about the same as most boylston/newbury restaurants run as far as brunch is concerned. And the service is nice as well - no problems there. I'd certainly like to come back and give their dinner and drinks menu a try - but as far as brunch goes, I've had better for the price in this area.

    (3)
  • Hailey T.

    Good spot for outdoor dining and people watching. The breakfast scrambles looked great, too bad I didn't go with one of those. I opted for a crab salad. Silly me for thinking I'd get an actual salad since it was $15. Instead I got a scoop of sprouts with one or two pieces of crab meat. Now that little scoop was pretty great, but seriously? Great presentation, but it wasn't my thing. The wait staff was friendly and helpful, but next time I'll pass for a place that has more reasonable prices.

    (3)
  • Sarah G.

    Went for casual brunch on Sunday since it was gorgeous out. Waited by the bar for about 20 mins for an outside table. Got seated and ordered a salad and pancakes and waited, and waited. In the meantime, our waitress came over 4 times asking again and again if we wanted any drinks besides water. Saw some people seated after us get their food. Then our waitress comes over and tells us that their "printer broke" and "what did we order again??" So ridiculous that she couldn't remember a simple order or take the time to look it up in her system. Given the fact that we had already wasted 45 minutes there, we got up and left. We live right around the corner and probably would have come here again but definitely not now!

    (1)
  • Rebecca M.

    We just went for drinks and appetizers on a Thursday evening, it was busy, but not super packed. We sat on the patio, which I'm into since when it's so nice out, I just wanna drink and eat outside, so I can't speak to the decor and atmosphere inside. All of the apps we got were super delicious...especially the fries that came with this house made garlicky mayo (yum). Out waitress was super nice and accomodating (I think her name was Laura). She offered us great suggestions as to what we should give a try, and was helpful answering our questions about all of their cocktails. I want to go back again and get dinner...everything on their menu sounded so yummy.

    (5)
  • Laura M.

    My husband and I were in Boston the other night and had dinner at the Back Bay Social Club. We live in San Francisco, eat out often, and consider ourselves "foodies" so we tend to fall on the side of picky when it comes to restaurants. The atmosphere is very welcoming, as is the staff. We were seated in the downstairs area, which kind of looks like what I would imagine a speakeasy in the late 20's might look like. The service was extremely attentive and professional. The food was pretty good overall. My husband had the lamb, which was a little on the fatty side, but the sauce was excellent. I had the burger, which really was amazing, great quality beef, good bun and dressed with perfectly melted cheese and beautifully prepared carmelized onions, it is huge so two people could share it easily. Loved the presentation on a butcher block as well! The side dishes - mine - fries, his - brocollini & au gratin potatoes - were a little on the weak side. However, overall, my opinion is that with a little bit of tweaking this could be a destination restaurant. They are pretty close right now, and when we are in Boston again, we would certainly eat dinner there again.

    (4)
  • R A.

    This place was ok... but nothing special. I came one Friday after work for cocktails and possibly dinner. Ended up having a few glasses of wine and a cheese platter at the bar. Although the service was pretty good...there wasn't anything to write home about. The cheese platter was lacking in taste (@$25). We ended up leaving at least 3-4 cheeses left on the platter. I wanted dinner, but the dinner menu wasn't appealing Overall, I wouldn't go back. Nothing special here.

    (2)
  • Morgan H.

    Okay, chalk this one up to maybe I just didn't order the right thing. After looking at a couple of nearby places online, I visited here for lunch. They have one of my favorite Midwestern beers on tap, which I took for a good sign. Essentially, I should have ordered a better sandwich, like either their lamb or pulled pork, but with the hot weather outside and the beautiful tomatoes I saw in the Copley Sq. farmer's market, my mind was settled on the BLT. Crisp lettuce, a yummy tomato, satisfying salt bacon with a swipe of mayo- nothing is better on a late summer day with a good beer. Luckily, I ordered the half sandwich/half soup lunch. Lucky why? Because, besides a gigantic order of fries that came with it, the soup was essentially my nourishment. It was some sort of vegetable soup and it was very good. The sandwich? It was two slices of gigantic, non-toasted, bread, one gigantic thick slice of tomato, two piece of iceberg lettuce and a piece of bacon the size of a silver dollar. When it was served to me, I had to open it up just to find the bacon. Now, what little bacon I had was very good - there just wasn't anything there. The bread slices took up 4/5 of the sandwich. A note: the gigantic portion of fries that came with my sandwich and soup were thin cut, crisp, tasty and nicely cooked. No complaints, very enjoyable. But I felt like they were added to the plate to make up for the lack of substance to the sandwich. Look, if I wanted fries for my lunch, I would have ordered a serving a fries. They should be an accompaniment to my sandwich, not the main player on my plate with my sandwich a sidekick. Bartender was pleasant and place looked great - just wish the food lived up to the billing. Will try again, but probably just for drinks.

    (2)
  • Robert S.

    went with 6 people for a late dinner and some drinks. ordered many appetizers and all were great. the duck sliders, meatloaf sliders, and meat candy all stood out to me. the baked oysters were a bit salty but also good. the martinis were pretty pricey but comparable to the rest of the back bay. the whole atmosphere was great, with very dim lighting and loud music. not a place to go with the family but definitely a hip spot to start off an evening.

    (4)
  • Natasha A.

    Went here for dinner and drinks with some friends. The drinks were okay, but the food was amazing. I'd highly recommend the oysters, mussels, and my favorite part: the Lamb Burger. Great place for a fun time and good food!

    (4)
  • Michael A.

    Really great bartenders whip up creative variations on classic cocktails. Food good too!

    (4)
  • Beth G.

    My first dinner there a few weeks ago was good. The food is fun, spicy enough, moderately priced and convenient to where I work. Waiter was very good. I took a group of 11 last night and they seated us downstairs by the bar and it was so loud that you could barely hear the person sitting next to you. I heard the table of 10 before us walked out it was so loud. During dinner as the bar toned down (just a bit) they turned the music up. I think the restaurant should turn the downstairs into a bar and leave the dining upstairs. I will not hurry back unless it is a quiet week day night. My ears are still ringing!

    (2)
  • Stephen L.

    I have to say I was extremely disappointed in BBSC. My gf and I went there for brunch just to get "The Treatment" in hopes to reminisce about real fried chicken and waffles we had in other parts of the country. If you are going to put anything on these besides maple syrup or traditional gravy please tell your patrons first. I'm sure it would have been great had they not been covered by this weird BBQ-like sauce, it went sort of well with the chicken, but it almost made the waffle inedible. I recommend asking them to hold this weird sauce and drizzle some warm maple syrup over the fried chicken and waffles, it is an excellent combo when done right, but unfortunately it can go horribly wrong...

    (2)
  • d f.

    I appreciate the positive message and acknowledgement by Meghan the marketing manager and have bumped up my review from 1 star to 3 stars. Also, I recently went back just for drinks and found a different bar tender who was very attentive. Bumping up to 4 stars now. Lighting and sound are still not great, but fine for the bar scene. Thanks.

    (4)
  • Aspen M.

    I'ce been here for drinks. It's very crowded, hard to get served at the bar, and you're smushed in by the dining tables to the bar. It's quite awkward- I can't imagine how uncomfortable it is for the diners to have drinkers practically in their dinner experience. I think they need to pick one- food or bar!

    (2)
  • Jared S.

    I enjoyed the atmosphere at the downstairs bar but that didn't make up for the terrible service. Drinks served in hot glasses and cocktails with no liquor = never coming back. Came in a little before 10PM on a Saturday. There was no line when we got there but by the time we left around 11 there was a long line. I cannot understand why. The upstairs bar was crowded and quite loud, I have no idea how any of the diners upstairs could have been enjoying themselves. The downstairs bar area was much more open (not necessarily less people, just bigger area) and my party of 4 was able to stake out a spot at the bar. Crowd was mixed but mostly a little older than the usual Boylston St scene which was good. The music was loud and the crowd was louder, but I was thankful that it was more jazz-based tunes than thumping dance and hip hop stuff. The positives end there. I got a Goose Island Honker Ale which would have been good, except it was served in a steaming hot stein obviously right out of the dishwasher, which basically boiled the beer and made it unpalatable. The wifey got her usual bacardi and diet coke (also served in a piping hot glass, btw) and they must have measured the bacardi with an eye dropper. This is the best part - when I politely asked the bartender to top it off, she took the drink behind the bar as if I couldn't see what she was doing, took the bottle of bacardi, and waved the bottle above the glass while keeping it upright, as if by some David Blaine Street Magic she put more liquor into the glass. She handed it back to me and I must have had a stunned look on my face because she gave me a dirty look and asked if I needed anything else. So I ordered an additional shot of bacardi. The original glass of diet coke was $8, the additional shot was $9, so my wife ended up with a $17 drink.

    (2)
  • Courtney S.

    YUM YUM YUM ... went here for dinner for my friend's sisters birthday. There were 4 of us and we had a reservation for 7 and the tabel was ready on time and the food was great. I got there mai tai which was a little strong but still very good. We got meat candy and the meatball sliders to start. The meat candy was delish as were the sliders but there were only two on a plate. I got the onion raviolis which were to die for i ate them all. My friend got the chicken which she swears by and the other two got the slamon which they loved except for the potatoes that they came with because they legit smelt like a camp fire. yuck! we ordered desert which we ended up getting for free because it took awhile to come out score!! I would deff eat here again drinks are a little pricey but the food is totally worth it.

    (4)
  • Jen W.

    I went to BBSC for the Girlfriends of Yelp UYE and had a great time! I didn't get a chance to poke around upstairs, as the event was held downstairs at the bar. The downstairs was pretty suavely decorated. The blank and white tiled floor still stands out in my memory. The bar was comfortable and the bartenders were super cool and very knowledgeable of the drinks they serve on their menu. I had a couple of very tasty drinks...the wine cooler and something else with smashed fruit in it (fruit in drinks is wonderful!!). I wish I had gotten to try more of the food. It looked delicious, but sadly most of it had meat and I am vegetarian. My friend and I got an order of the potato croquettes and couldn't get over how perfect they were. They had the perfect combination of crunchy and mashed potatoes, just the right amount of cheese, and they were served perfectly hot! I'd like to check out the dinner menu some other time with a big group of friends.

    (4)
  • Manesh P.

    Went a second time and can confirm that the cocktails skew sweet. Got a maple sazerac that was totally not the licorice-y, spicy bomb you would have expected of a classic cocktail typically includes Peychauds and Absinthe. The maple syrup tames it a bit and I'd have to say it was more reminiscent of a Maple Manhattan. Burger was great. Medium rare just as you'd like it. Very rich. The dry roasted chicken... is a tad dry. So, still can't give the place 5 stars. But, a good experience all around. And, the wait staff is great every time! It's hard not to enjoy your meal regardless of what they put on the plate.

    (4)
  • Melanie H.

    I gave Back Bay Social Club another chance last night and boy, I am glad I did! Wine: Villa Del Borgo Pinot Grigio Starter: Oysters on the Half Shell Entree: The Social Burger Cocktails: The White Russian It was all outstanding! The texas toast is so good, and a perfect alternative to those big bulky rolls that some restaurants serve.The wait staff is really on top of their game and did a great job suggesting the best items on the menu. I had the social burger cooked medium-well and it was cooked exactly to my liking. Also, the smothered onions on top? WOW. It was more like a fantastic relish that just melted in my mouth. The White Russians are definitely a must- the bar manager makes his own coffe liquor and makes magic- this drink was delicious. Back Bay Social Club has definitely sold me to come back for future visits.. definitely worth your time if you are in the Back Bay!

    (5)
  • Thuy L.

    I decided to give BBSC a 2nd chance last night and what a VAST improvement. I cannot wait to go back!!!! I decided to give BBSC an extra star for their customer service and the improvement in their food. We had such a great experience with the food, we'll defintiely be coming back. Pros: Staff, Food, Timeliness of Food, Beer Braised Pork Belly Cons: Bar Staff are a little slow on taking orders and running the credit cards, steak frites is a little too done though it is supposed to be medium rare and not enough bernaise sauce, lamb had a little too much mint Upon arriving, I ordered a drink at the bar after checking in at the hostess station. Bar staff were a little slow to take my order, and after receiving my drink, I asked the bartender to run my card. It took about 10 minutes before I could get my card, and I had to ask another bartender to get it for me. The bartender apologized but how long does it take to rip a piece of paper? I then took the drink to our table and my husband noticed a piece of hair floating in it. I told the waitress and she immediately took care of it and brought back a new cocktail. Talk about great service. Now let's get onto the food: If you want to taste a piece of heaven, I suggest ordering the beer braised pork belly. OMG!!!! It was absolutely delicious and melted in my mouth. The pork belly sits on a bed of pureed fava beans. I just couldn't get enough. We also got the Frito Misto as the waiterss highly recommended it if we liked seafood. It was pretty good, breaded calamari and shrimp in this great sweet and sour sauce. The only thing I did NOT like of the Frito Misto was the random piece of baguette in the dish. The bread was soggy from all the juices. But that's not to say that we didn't lick the plate clean;) For main courses, I ordered teh lamb and my husband ordered the steak frites with bernaise sauce (which I ordered last time). I stick by my review about the steak frites. The steak was a great piece of steak except they left it on the grill for a minute too long. It was so chewy that you needed to dip it in the bernaise sauce to give it some moisture. I wished that they would have just poured the bernaise sauce on the steak instead of put it as a dipping dish. The lamb was on the other hand cooked to the right temperature (medium rare really meant medium rare). The dish did have a little too much mint but the cut of meat was just excellent. I would definitely come back for this dish! We ended the night with a glass of wine that the manager recommended and some beignets which ended the dinner wonderfully.

    (4)
  • Paula P.

    The other reviews about this place are pretty accurate- the music is SO loud and it really is more of a bar scene. We had dinner reservations at 8pm on Friday. It was like 200 degrees upstairs and like 60 degrees downstairs. Basically I was sweating through my meal which was terrible. However, the food was fantastic. We had some kind of frito mito appetizer which was so yummy! I had the roasted chicken for dinner and whatever seasonings they are doing for the chicken make the tastebuds in my mouth come alive! The seasonings weren't just on the skin like sometimes happens, but they actually soaked into the chicken breast meat. SO yummy. Hubby had the gumbo which he said was pretty great too.

    (4)
  • Howe L.

    I was surprisingly shocked at how good the food tasted - probably one of the best burgers I've tasted in Boston (the fries that accompanied though were nothing special). Also loved the gumbo - plenty of meat and flavor. Seats were a little packed. However, service was top notch. Little pricey, but not unexpected in the area.

    (4)
  • H. G.

    So I've had the "fancy" burger here. Three different times. It has varied from pretty good to fantastic. The last time I went here though it took forever for it to come out. 30 minutes maybe? When it came, we didn't act annoyed or complain. I'm not big on giving waiters and waitresses a hard time. Anyway, a few minutes later, the hostess comes over and tells us she's comping the burger because of our wait. Customer service like that is rare and deserves to be commended.

    (4)
  • Melissa N.

    We didn't order food; but instead grabbed a seat at the bar for some drinks. It was busy outside since it was beautiful out and of course...almost everyone has Memorial Day off... Our bartender ( I don't know her name, but she was entertaining, had bangs, and a great fashion sense...since she loved my Club Monaco sweater...) She talked to us about wines and recommended a great sauvignon blanc according to what my friend's tastes were. She came in and out of our conversation and was very friendly and pleasant without being overbearing. The manager also came by to say hello and was really nice as well. All in all, I definitely have to come back... And this bartender needs to get "on the bar" that way we can come back for some laughs from her!!!!

    (4)
  • Sam H.

    Came here on NYE. Everywhere else was fully booked but they managed to squeeze us in. When we first walked in we thought it was a night club as was so dark - could hardly see! Had quite a funky decor. Selection of wines and beer was good. My husband had the steak frites. They cooked his steak exactly as requested and even I liked it. Frites were terrible. Tasted like they had been recooked and were greasy and cold. The Bearnaise sauce was a little different to normal and had a very sharp taste to it. Was ok though. I had the pumpkin ravioli (starter) as my main. Was really quite pleasant and had a nice cheesey topping. Pasta was cooked well - not too al dente. Food was delivered in under 2 minutes, no word of a lie. We thought this was a bit dubious....... Service wasn't great, waitress rushed us, took away drinks before they were finished and took plates away before the other person had finished. Perhaps it was because they squeezed us in, but they should have highlighted this point. Food ok - not out of this world. Service was a bit mish mash.

    (3)
  • Paulette S.

    Met friends here for Sunday brunch - the service was inexplicably slow (we waited about 25 minutes for eggs and waffles) even though it wasn't crowded. When the food arrived it was mediocre at best (plus my omelet was not made the way I ordered it). It's not terribly expensive but definitely didn't feel worth the wait.

    (2)
  • Kathleen F.

    Met friends at the upstairs bar here. Ordered the fall martini. Had a cocktail-gasm. I was the most incredible cocktail I've ever had(and I have had a lot). The cider, spices, vodka, and apple slice w sugar and cinnamon were so amazing when combined. I need to go back and have anther one of these drinks ASAP, pure cocktail magic!

    (4)
  • Gonzalo B.

    Picked this over Towne in the middle of a Saturday afternoonsie. Not too busy, which was fine with us. Waitress was good and smiling and pleasant. Later, in the middle of our meal the hostess and her very flattering outfit stopped by to check how things were. I like that. Had the frito misto (SP?) appetizer, mix of seafood in a creamy and bit spicy sauce, very nice but wish there was a bit more. Felt a lil' bit o chintzy size-wise. It's seafood, it's Boston, get some, give some... One good reason not to have the much-alluded to $22 smackers burger is if you don't eat meat. That would certainly be a reason. I got the eggplant panini sangwich and it was a pretty good sangwich. Eggplant can be iffy sometimes if'n they leave on the skin or it's bitter or has seeds...this was done right, and had some tangy cheese -goat cheese methinks, and roasted peppers and not bad bread. Said sangwich comes with a side o' salade I'm spellin' it with an 'e' on the end today I know it's wrong, but still. We got us a bag o' fries on the side and it was a pleasant bunch o thin taters piled high in the paper bag. My luncheon pardner had her a caesar salade with some chicken whoa there nelly that's a biggy salade you got there pardner and some decent dressin' she says and was purdy moist and toothesome. Nice wine nice beer nice place nice location - spotless bathrooms as well...

    (3)
  • Shannon C.

    At 9p on Saturday with no reservations we decided to give this place a shot - we love bar seating & always opt for that over a table but the bar upstairs didn't have any seats. The hostess directed us downstairs & said if it was too mellow, she could certainly seat us upstairs at a table. We walked under that very phallic "bar downstairs" sign that has been there since this place was Vinny T's and there was plenty of seating. The bartenders were super friendly and helpful. We split the Fritto Misto & Squash Salad (both delish) and the steak frites (meh). I'd skip the steak next time, it was pretty over cooked and just ok - the apps though, were fab. Will definitely return.

    (4)
  • Adam H.

    You will feel worse leaving than when you entered. guaranteed. Food full of butter at a pretty high price. People talked highly of the pineapple sausage app, it's not great and neither is the burger, tuna, or wine selection, sorry the truth hurts.

    (1)
  • Dave A.

    I've only had drinks here, so I can't comment on the food, and the drinks were expensive as you would expect at a place in Back Bay, but nothing to help it really stand out from the numerous other places in this area.

    (3)
  • Jo J.

    great location, decent atmosphere but average food with unimpressive servers... just lots of cute boys in flannel shirts who couldn't tell you much about anything on the menu! once we did get our food though -- it was so average and unimpressive... my bud light was the highlight of the evening. and by the way, our server took away our plates way too soon without asking!

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Back Bay Social Club

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