Best of Boston: Southie’s Top Winners

Let’s be honest, if it were up to us, Southie would have taken every award home in Boston Magazine’s annual Best of Boston issue. Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up the neighborhood’s top winners this year—but don’t blame us if there’s a line outside Croke Park every Sunday, you didn’t hear it from us. ;)

Boston’s Best Dive Bar: Croke Park Whitey’s

268 W Broadway

“The bad news is that the nearly windowless room feels like the perfect setting for a bar brawl. The good news is that most nights, the bartender is also a pro boxer. History and blood run deep in what has become one of the last vestiges of old-time Southie: The drinks continue to be strong, and the pool is free, but the stories you’ll hear are priceless.” – Boston Magazine

Boston’s Best Style Innovators: Nikoleta and Vicky Lirantonakis, Best Dressed

489 E Broadway

“The best innovators make a good idea even better. Take the online dress-rental business. Why, thought the Lirantonakis sisters, couldn’t it be translated into a brick-and-mortar sans pesky fit problems? Two boutiques later, it’s mission accomplished.”-Boston Magazine

Best Luxury Gym: Everybody Fights

15 Channel Center St

“Picture a boxing gym. If you’re imagining a stark room with a ring and fluorescent lighting, you’ve clearly never been to EverybodyFights. George Foreman III’s upscale boxing haven turns the stereotype on its head with boutique-inspired classes, spa-grade locker rooms, and a serious sound system.” – Boston Magazine

Best Wedding Stationery: Fête Collection

345 D St.

“Why spend nights clicking through hundreds of Etsy shops when you have Fête? Serving as your local connection to the most talented designers, printers, and calligraphers across the country, the team of paper and etiquette experts here will help you choose everything from custom invitations to menus. You’ll get the gold foil, embossing, and hand-lettering of your dreams coordinated through one friendly face, saving you the most precious resource of all during wedding planning: time.” –Boston Magazine

Best Makeup:  Lauren Genatossio, Sarra

840 Summer Street

“Whether she’s beautifying a model for a photo shoot or touching up a client for a special occasion, Lauren Genatossio isn’t covering flaws—she’s enhancing features. She’s the queen of natural beauty, with an uncanny ability to blend makeup so flawlessly, it almost appears invisible. Pay her a visit before a swanky soiree, a big board meeting, or any old Tuesday, and leave looking like your best self.” – Boston Magazine

Best Makeup: Dani Wagener, DW Beauty 

326 A Street

“Ever wonder how celebrities achieve that flawless red-carpet glow? It’s all about the airbrush—makeup, that is. Boston beauty expert Dani Wagener, who’s worked with Jenny McCarthy and Emily Deschanel, specializes in this technique. Armed with false eyelashes and the perfect lip color, she’ll arrive at your prep site and promptly get about the business of making you look like a star.” – Boston Magazine

2017 Reader Poll Winners

Best Burger: Tasty Burger, 69 L Street

Best Cocktail Bar: Drink, 348 Congress Street

Did we forget anything? Let us know your Southie top picks in the comments!