Boston’s only drag-queen bar, Jacque’s Cabaret (79 Broadway, 617/426-8902, 11 a.m.–12 a.m. Mon.–Sat.; 12 p.m.–12 a.m. Sun., www.jacquescabaret.com) is like a pomegranate: deliciously seedy. Anything goes and frequently does at shows in which female impersonators lip-synch for cat-calling audiences that usually include at least one bachelorette party. Located in the neighborhood of Bay Village, behind the Theater District, the bar has a small room downstairs that hosts indie bands and cabaret acts.

The local hangout for Fort Point Channel’s artists community, Lucky’s Lounge (355 Congress St., South Boston, 617/357-5825, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Mon.–Thurs.; 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Sat.–Sun., www.luckyslounge.com) rewards those who can find it. A basement door without a sign opens up onto a retro-cool cocktail lounge where kitschy landscapes line the walls and Frank Sinatra is in regular rotation.

A true Jamaica Plain institution, Doyle’s Cafe (3484 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, 617/524-2345, 9 a.m.–11 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun., www.doyles-cafe.com) is a temple to more than 100 years of city politics, with memorabilia on the wall dedicated to politicians from John F. Kennedy to John Kerry—and a new generation of politicos writing history over pints or single malts in the corner booths.

Beer lovers make regular pilgrimages to Allston to sample the more than 112 brews on tap at Sunset Grill & Tap (130 Brighton Ave., Allston, 617/254-1331, 4 p.m.–2 a.m. Mon.–Sat.; 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Sun., www.allstonsfinest.com). Another 400 are served in bottles; if you are really thirsty you can order it by the yard.