Noir

Underrated Bar for Film Noir-types. Even if Noir often ends up being my back-up-plan as opposed to my go-to bar, it still remains one of the best places to meet for a post-work cocktail or a late-night rendezvous. Maybe I’m just a sucker for the film noir theme, but it’s more likely due to the fact that this place is convenient, affordable and has just the right amount swank.

The cocktails are always tops and the bar menu has just the right amount of good eats to make sure those drinks don’t go right to your head. In the dead of Winter, it can be easy to forget it exists, as it’s tucked into a tiny little corner of the Charles Hotel. Come bird-and-bee-time, however, it’s a swell place to sit outside with a martini and a clove cigarette, looking all dark and mysterious.…

Cheap Food, Good Cocktails in a Dark Lounge. Monday through Thursday from 5-7pm, Noir offers their food menu at prices ranging from $0-5. It's amazingly easy to cobble together a meal from all the offerings. Drinks are pricier, mostly running over $10, but are well worth it for the combination of classics and unique seasonal libations. If you price it right, you can get out of Noir with dinner for under $20.

The room itself is not particularly comfortable, but if you're looking for a dark corner to enjoy your drinks in, you've found your place. Of course, if you also want to see what you're drinking, you're out of luck.…

FOOD POlSONlNG!!!!!. The first time I went there, I had a good experience. Good drinks and a nice atmosphere, but very slow service. The second time, was not so great. My sister and I got food p0isoning that lasted over a week (throwing up, dlarrhea, & abdominal pains that put me in tears). This is not what I expected from my $100 bill. Definitely stay away from the food (it was only average anyways). We narrowed it down to the lettuce. They probably didn't wash their hands after bathroom use.

The service was again slow and there was only one other table besides us. There are much better hotel bars in Boston. I won't be going back to this one.…

Great place to end the night.. I like Noir primarily as a great bar to end an evening of bar-hopping or after a late dinner. Their drinks are consistently good and the staff has always been courteous if not outright chipper. It's a lot more than I would have ever expected from a place that's sort of a hotel bar.…