Top Places to Watch the Boston Marathon

CITYSIDE RESTAURANT & BAR
Where: 1960 Beacon St, Cleveland Circle
Mile Marker: 22
Why: Help those drunken BC kids cheer on the runners post-Heartbreak hill from Cityside’s second level patio. Cityside opens at 9 a.m. and seats the patio first come, first serve, so plan accordingly. The first runners should arrive around 11:30 a.m.

AMERICAN CRAFT
Where: 1700 Beacon St, Washington Square
Mile Marker: 23
Why: Opening at 10:30 a.m., American Craft gives patrons a great view of the race from its picnic table-laden patio. There’s also over 30 craft beers on tap, allowing you to justify your usual Marathon Monday binge as an educational beer tasting.

ATHAN’S BAKERY
Where: 1621 Beacon St, Washington Square
Mile Marker: 23
Why: If you’ve got little ones in tow, Athan’s is a good alternative to dealing with the crowds up the street at Cleveland Circle. Order some paninis and grab a spot by the window to catch the runners as they head off for Coolidge Corner.

BEACON STREET TAVERN
Where: 1032 Beacon St
Mile Marker: 24
Why: $ 3 Gansett tallboys. (It’s going to get a little rowdy.)

AN TUA NUA
Where: 835 Beacon St
Mile Marker: 25
Why: $ 1 Miller High Lifes. (Ditto… times 2.)

EASTERN STANDARD
Where: 528 Commonwealth Avenue, Kenmore Square
Mile Marker: 1 mile to go
Why: Eastern Standard’s a great spot for a little game of Round Robin. Some of your friends can hold down the fort at your patio table by enjoying a few appetizers while the rest of you are battling the crowds to watch the race. Then you can switch. Works nicely doesn’t it?

CACTUS CLUB
Where: 939 Bolyston St, Back Bay
Mile Marker: 26
Why: Runners finally spot the finish line as they make the turn from Hereford onto Boylston, so the Cactus Club is the perfect place to catch the looks of joy (and exhuastion) on their faces. Margarita anyone?

LIR
Where: 903 Boylston St, Back Bay
Mile Marker: 26
Why: Lir is opening it’s doors at 9 a.m., giving you a good three hours to get some drinking in before the first runners whiz by on their way to the finish line around noon.

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