Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Survival Guide to HarpoonFest in Boston


Step one:  Become a "Friend of Harpoon" member.  You’ll receive half off admission on Friday night (tickets are $20) and there’s a quick entry VIP line for members on Saturday. I don’t go for many “club member VIP” type things, but the Friends of Harpoon program is worthy – you’ll get invites to special events at the brewery (where they just opened a decent sized beer hall) and notification of events in your area. And schwag…


Let someone else drive. How about rolling up in a big shiny black rig?  Uber is an iPhone/Android app that lets you tag your location and summon a professional driver to your side within minutes. Uber is offering $25 off a town car ride by using the code "bosharpoonfest".  Open the app, click on account, then promotions and enter that code.  Pimp it out, dawg!

Don’t spend the whole friggin’ Saturday at the Brewery.  Hey, it’s a great event, but it’s in a parking lot in an industrial neighborhood under a big-ass tent, and there’s no re-admittance.  Get out and enjoy the area prior to and after the event, within reason of course. If you want to put a little culture in your belly before the fest, the Institute of Contemporary Art is within walking distance – street artist Barry McGee has an exhibition up and it’s some pretty cool shit.  For a brew with a view, the venerable (and crowded) Barking Crab deck is the place to spill beer all over each other – although the view much is better than the food. You’ll find upscale dining with ease on the Waterfront nowadays, at every corner it seems, but consider some of the old standbys. Lucky’s Lounge is dark yet vibrant and practically buried beneath Congress Street like an old speak-easy with a 1970's Las Vegas makeover. There are several options for Mexy-style, but Papagayo is probably the most reasonable and the guacamole is just as fresh and tasty as the more expensive options in the area. If you are in the mood for dropping some coin - Sam’s is an upscale joint that is most pleasurable; perched atop the discount thrift shop Louis Boston.  Did I say discount, I’m sorry…it’s re-fucking-diculously expensive – but Sam’s has a nice little deck overlooking the city skyline.  


If you do find yourself at the event for the duration – seriously, go check out the bands!  Actually go up to the fucking stage and watch, and listen and maybe even nod your head a little. If the people you are with complain that it’s too loud or that they don’t know the song – leave them and go home with some strangers.  Harpoon’s got some foot stompin’ / guitar groovin’ talent lined up...let me tell ya, that band Township knows how to rock a tent!  Comanchero and Three Day Threshold bring the heavy twang, and bands like Will Dailey and Jenny Dee are worth the $20 admission price themselves.  Just, rock a little. 

And finally - be single!  Bring condoms…

HarpoonFest is this Friday and Saturday May 17-18.

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