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A golden-hued bar with sparkly chandeliers hanging above and a mirror against the back wall.
Inside Pinky’s.

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A Vibey, Late-Night Cocktail Bar Lands on Newbury Street

The famous shopping strip isn’t known for its nightlife. Pinky’s wants to change that.

Despite its legacy as a hot shopping and restaurant strip, Boston’s Newbury Street gets a bit snoozy in the evenings, when popular restaurants like Little Whale Oyster Bar and taco spot La Neta close before 11 p.m. Pinky’s, a new, vibey cocktail bar with late-night hours, is aiming to change that perception.

Co-owner and managing partner Rich Sullivan, of retro Miami-themed restaurant the Flamingo and the quirky downtown Boston bar Rock & Rye, hopes Pinky’s will serve multiple functions for the neighborhood, both as a charming date-night spot with patio seating and a happening nightlife destination. Sullivan grew up in the industry; his father, Richard Sullivan, Sr., owned R.F. O’Sullivan’s in Somerville for 50 years. Because of these local ties to the restaurant industry, Sullivan, who’s launching Pinky’s with partners Ty Di Stasi and Jairo Dominguez — all part of the Sneaky Good Hospitality Group, which owns the Flamingo and Rock & Rye — is extremely hands-on.

A long, dark green banquette and cushy bar stools are visible with ornate ceiling panels and sparkly hanging chandeliers around the room.
Pinky’s luxe decor.

“We’d like to be that neighborhood spot where you can come and feel comfortable, everyone knows each other’s names,” says Sullivan. “It’s kind of like a Cheers vibe.”

Although diners can easily have a whole meal at Pinky’s, it’s intentionally designed to serve as a spot for drinks before or after a night out. The bar features modified classics like an espresso martini shot and an apertivo spritz pitcher inspired by the omnipresent Aperol spritz. Inside there are only bar seats and high tops — though they’re plentiful — and the small plates menu is designed for passersby who want to grab a snack in between stops.

Said menu, led by Boston Chops and Post 390 alum Scott McCarthy, pulls on global flavors. Diners will find Argentinian empanadas with a chimichurri crema, mushroom potstickers in a ginger-garlic sauce, and potato skins topped with osetra caviar. A brunch menu is also in the works. Sullivan says it will feature traditional fare like lobster eggs benedict but with some spins, like patatas bravas in place of home fries.

Two small burger sliders on a plate with toothpicks sticking out of the top buns.
Pinky’s saucy mini-Mac sliders.
A dark blue bowl with a white dipping sauce in the bottom and two hand-held fried pastries placed on top.
Argentinian empanadas stuffed with spiced ground beef, hard-boiled egg, Spanish olives, and paired with a chimichurri crema.
Three bite-sized potato skin appetizers sit on a red plate. Caviar and green herb garnishes are visible on top of the potato skins.
Decadent potato skins filled with aged cheddar, candied bacon, creme fraiche, and osetra caviar.

As for the photo-ready interior, mixing vibrant wallpaper prints and vintage inspired chandeliers, that’s all thanks to Sullivan and his partners. “It’s all in house,” he says. “That’s the fun part of the business is designing the restaurant.”

Highly designed, Instagram-friendly restaurants can often attract a crowd that’s more interested in the right filter than the food menu, but Pinky’s was already populating with neighborhood residents on opening night. Eager for a new local spot, Maeve Awiszus and Allysa Barry were excitedly confirming the bartender’s schedule and planning weekly meet-ups at Pinky’s. Though to be fair, they did discover the watering hole on TikTok.

Pinky’s is located at 269 Newbury Street. Opening hours are 4 p.m. until 1 a.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

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