If there was ever a Red Sox season that made seeing a game in-person an absolute must, it’s this one. Across the city, there’s nearly as much joy as if the Scots came back.
And there are glorious ways to embrace this joy, even if you can’t get to a game. Consider these ideas to put yourself right in the middle of all the excitement.
Game day like a VIP: I love a Fenway Park day or night enough that I’ll suffer any challenge to get there (hello Green Line, and insane parking costs). You don’t need to go posh, but why not?
Consider, then, the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport’s (https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/boston-seaport) All Access Pass as a way to roll into a game and take it all in like a VIP.
The hotel sets you up with a lovely room in the Seaport District, sets up private transport to and from the game (think of the joy of just being dropped off and picked up in that busy area), game tickets in great park spots, a curated Red Sox inspired gift (anything from autographed memorabilia selected for you to personalized Sox merch) – and of course a swag bag (gifts depend on your package choice). You can even up the ante and they’ll set you up for things like private pre-game Fenway tours, meet-ups with Sox legends and more.
Back at the hotel pre or post game you can hang out and dine in The Sporting Club, their fantastic sports bar with a wall of Boston (and Sox of course) memorabilia that’s like a museum.
There’s a roof pool and of course, the Seaport itself. Why not VIP?
Cash in on the wins: The 99 Restaurants (https://www.99restaurants.com/) are feeling the same craziness that Dunkin felt back in 2015 when they boldly offered a free coffee any Monday after a Patriot’s win: The team went undefeated that season and coffee lovers were toasting with free medium regulars across the region.
The 99 chose this season to offer “kids eat free” the day after every Sox win. To say that’s been a lot of free meals isn’t hyperbole: the chain is crossing into the six figures spent to support it – a worthy price for giving folks the chance to share the greatness. Just pop in the day or night after a winning game and with every adult meal, a kid’s meal comes free.
Ticketless but in the mix: If tickets are beyond your ability or you just have no luck getting any, fear not. Head to the great spots around the city that have set ups that feel positively Fenway and take in a game there. One of my top spots (while of course I love the classics like Cask’n Flagon (https://casknflagon.com/) and the Bleacher Bar (https://www.bleacherbarboston.com/) is The Bullpen (https://www.thebullpenboston.com/) tucked up under Fenway itself. Don’t let the walk down an alley fool you: this is a fantastic baseball bar and a spot that serves great beer and food and feels like you’re part of the game. If you have tickets, it’s great for pregame as it has its own gate entrance. If you don’t, it’s as close to being in the game as one can feel. Great screens and sound.
Outside of Fenway proper, consider Kings Dining and Entertainment (https://www.playatkings.com) in the Seaport or on Dalton Street where Sox-inspired food and drink are served, screens bring you up close to the action and the crowd is as peppy as the bleacher gang. Wear your Red Sox attire and you get 20% off your meal.
See you at Fenway (or nearby)!
An enthusiastic crowd takes in a game at Kings. (Photo courtesy Kings Dining and Entertainment)
The Sporting Club at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. (Photo courtesy Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport)
The Bullpen is tucked up under Fenway itself. (Photo Moira McCarthy)