Boston's Fenway Neighborhood Is More Than Just a Baseball Destination

Posted September 18, 2017

Kira Turnbull

Jen Murphy

Boston’s Fenway neighborhood has been a destination ever since the iconic Red Sox ballpark opened in 1912. But it’s only recently that the foot traffic has stuck around beyond baseball season and extended beyond diehard sports fans. New mixed-use residential buildings coupled with vibrant college residents have attracted a dynamic mix of creative start-ups, innovative businesses, and ambitious restaurateurs like Jody Adams and Tiffani Faison. In just a few blocks you get traditional brownstone Boston charm alongside a buzzy downtown feel. And now, Fenway Park hosts not only the Red Sox, but big name acts like Billy Joel and James Taylor. The Fenway is no longer just a one-note neighborhood.

Scroll Down

T+L Staff

1. Touring Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

Kira Turnbull

2. Bostonian Barber Shop

As a little boy, Erik Zaiatz recalls the smell of aftershave and talcum powder and the communal atmosphere of his grandfather's barbershop. Nostalgic for a place where men could go for respite and a proper shave, he opened Bostonian Barber Shop in Whitman, Massachusetts in 2014. Last summer, he followed up with an even larger location in the Fenway. Refurbished barber chairs from the early 1900s give the space an old-school vibe and the city's hipsters book well in advance for classic cuts and razor shaves. "I was shocked that there were no barber shops in that area," he says. "The neighborhood is really coming into its own and we're happy to be a part of it."

2. Bostonian Barber Shop

T+L Staff

3. Tiger Mama

Top Chef alum Tiffani Faison is slowly building a mini restaurant empire in Fenway, bringing a diverse array of eats to the hood. In 2011, she introduced Sweet Cheeks Q, a Southern-style barbecue joint with loads of outdoor seating and serious cocktails and brews. Smoked meats were a no brainer in a sports fan's stomping grounds, but Faison took a risk opening Tiger Mama in 2015. Her tribute to the flavors of Southeast Asia challenges palates with dishes like pad ga pow, a stir-fry of ground chicken laced with fish sauce and spiked with chilies, garlic, and Thai basil. "The Fenway surprised us and proved to be adventurous enough for this kind of restaurant," says Faison. "In a way, Fenway Park allows the neighborhood to be reintroduced to the world every season." Later this year, she'll debut Fool's Errand, a more ambitious concept with two seatings nightly and bespoke beverage pairings.

3. Tiger Mama

4. Alps & Meters

A store dedicated to alpine style is exactly what Boston needed, according to Louis Joseph, founder of the three-year-old luxury sportswear brand Alps & Meters. "Boston commands a passionate ski community," says Joseph. "The city's proximity to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine make it a fantastic staging point for winter adventure." A vintage Swedish ski sweater inspired the brand's Patagonia-meets-Ralph Lauren aesthetic. "Our designs fuse methods of classic garment construction, rich natural materials like 100 percent lambswool and full grain leathers, and contemporary technologies to deliver fit and performance," he says. Last winter, Alps & Meters opened its flagship workshop in the Fenway. "With its roots in sports, this neighborhood makes perfect sense for a brand like ours."

4. Alps & Meters

5. The Handle Bar

Reservations for a bike at the Handle Bar sell out nearly as fast as Red Sox tickets. The hip indoor cycling studio founded by Jessica Fracalossi in 2013 has quickly earned a cult following for its music-driven, low-lit classes and motivating instructors. Fracalossi admits she was slightly dubious when she opened her second outpost of the Handle Bar in the Fenway in 2014. "There was tons on planned construction in the neighborhood, but not a lot of foot traffic or residents," she recalls. "Over the past three years I've seen it totally transform into a unique pocket of Boston, different from any other neighborhood. The high rise apartment buildings and influx of offices make this area feel like a true metropolis."

5. The Handle Bar

6. Saloniki Greek

Jody Adams, one of Boston's pioneering chefs, and her partner Eric Papachristos, have nothing against the iconic Fenway frank. They just believed diners were craving a healthy, affordable fast-casual alternative to artery-clogging ballpark food. The success of Saloniki, which they opened last summer, proved their hunch right. "Our concept is taking the traditional sandwich shop from Greece and focusing on recipes that are traditionally from Thessaloniki, and then adding our modern twist to it," says Adams. Exceptionally sourced, made-from-scratch ingredients are the secret to the super flavorful build-your-own pita creations, like spicy lamb meatballs with spicy whipped feta.