Where femme fatales lounge and private eyes follow

Tipple of choice: For such a classy bar fit for the silver screen, only the Old-Fashioned will do. And Noir makes one that your grandmother would approve of.

Entering Noir, one can't help but slink across its floor exuding glamour and mystery. The relaxed warm-lit bar, tucked in Harvard Square's Charles Hotel, is sultry where others may only be tawdry. Still, no one's trying too hard. Instead of gimmicks, Noir delivers its stylish drinks and tasty bites with a grace that's smoky and just a little hard-boiled. Cocktails are expertly crafted and their names alone inspire: Touch of Evil, The Prowler, Black Dahlia.

The back patio can get crowded, so come early to secure a suitable vantage point or a spot with flattering lighting.