The city of Boston nestles into the crook of Massachusetts Bay. It’s the center of America’s academic community and has one of the country’s most prominent Irish communities. Not surprisingly, Irish pubs are one of the specialties of the Boston bar scene. The city’s also got a number of dive bars, a couple of breweries, and a handful of cocktail lounges when you’re tired of roughing it.

It might take a few pints before you stumble across an authentic Irish pub. Ignore neon shamrocks, and head down to the Blackthorn in Southie if you want real Irish charm. A little further from the rough-and-tumble pubs downtown, Cambridge’s tiny Plough and Stars offers you ‘cead mille failte’.

There’s often a bit of overlap between Boston’s pubs and dive bars – hence Charlie Flynn’s on Tremont St, Sullivan’s Tap in the North End and Sligo’s Pub in Somerville. But move quickly – no sooner have your feet stuck to the floor of a dive than the hipsters are moving in. Other beloved dens include 119 Merrimac and the Tam in Tremont St. Dive bars can be a bit hostile to tourists but if you can stand the heat they can offer the best nights out in town.

As if that’s not enough beer options, you can also take tours around Samuel Adams Brewery in Jamaica Plain and the Harpoon Brewery in South Boston.

To brush shoulders with America’s Ivy League, head to the student-dominated bars of Allbright – i.e. Allston-Brighton. You’ll also meet plenty of students on Central Square in Cambridge, and there’s a subway stop right on the square. The Cantab Lounge and the Tavern in the Square can get packed out during term-time. Over the river, the Otherside on Newbury Street attracts a young crowd with a range of imported Belgian beers.

Tune back in, cocktail drinkers – Boston won’t let you down. Drink Bar on Congress Street makes legendary mint juleps using old-school ice shavings. The Eastern Standard runs the gauntlet of cocktails, from classics to tiki drinks, and its location on Kenmore Square makes it a great jumpstart to nights out on Lansdowne Street. Up Spring Hill in Somerville, the Highland Kitchen pours the classics from fresh every time.

Wherever you are, enjoy the craic – remember it’s not just in the Irish bars.