Cold City, Hot People

Sure, you're a cultured young individual; you appreciate good food, music, art. But let's face it—sometimes nothing hits the spot like blatant shallowness. In the interest of providing Let's Go readers with an aesthetically satisfying experience in all respects, I humbly submit a few suggestions. 

1. The ICA

South Boston

Hipsters. Young hipsters. Old hipsters. Grungy hipsters. Well-dressed hipsters. European hipsters. Really, there is nothing not to love—or occasionally roll your eyes at—at The Institute of Contemporary Art, the perfect setting to check out some culture. And some docents. 

2. Toro

South End

Yes, I have already written a blog about Toro. But such is the beguiling power of Spanish cuisine—and the chefs who make it—that it's the kind of place you just want to come to again and again. Maybe it's the tiny portions—you mean you're not supposed to eat just one of them?!

3. The Franklin Cafe

South End

The clientele, not to mention the waitstaff, in the Franklin Cafe is young and uniformly gorgeous. More importantly, the food is uniformly gorgeous as well. I'm not entirely sure what gives the place that extra aura of mystery—maybe it's the fact that the lights seem practically extinguished. 

4. City Feed and Supply 

Conceptually, this is about as close to the South End as it gets in Jamaica Plain—and that's eerily close. $3.55 12-ounce fair-trade mocha lattes are designed for those who favor quality over I-just-want-a-huge-cup-of-caffeine. The ear gauges and scruffy beards of the apparently uniformly male staff keep the vibe solidly JP. 

5. The Blackthorn Bar

If young Irishmen sitting around a bar are your cup of tea—and if your cup of tea is probably spiked with whiskey—then you belong here. The demographic isn't extraordinarily high on the female folk, which can be either spectacular, spectacularly awful, or, frankly, spectacularly neutral. But it is high on the Irish. Do yourself a favor and at least pretend to like soccer. 

6. Let's Go Travel Guides

Harvard Square

I don't know what it is about these people, but on top of their devastating wit, derring-do, and intimidating street smarts, all employees at this establishment happen to be devilishly attractive. The Square's okay too, I guess.