City-by-City Guide: Chic Massachusetts Rehearsal Dinner Spots

1. Sunset Cruise

Take to the seas aboard a private boat. Boston Harbor Cruises can pull together a sunset cruise, where you and your guests can feast on a full dinner while sailing around Boston Harbor and sights such as the U.S.S. Constitution and the city skyline. (617) 227- 4321

2. Classic Clambake

Give guests a taste of New England with a seashore soiree. Linnea Tangorra of Tangorra Wedding Planning suggests Woodman’s of Essex, who can cater a clambake just about anywhere—the beach, on Woodman’s Top Deck, at a lakeside picnic area. Just pick your favorite spot and they’ll bring the fresh lobster, clams, and mussels. (978) 768-2559

3. Bowling Bash

Not your typical alley (or rehearsal dinner), The Milky Way Lounge & Lanes in Jamaica Plains knows how to throw a party. They’ve got antique candlepin lanes, retro décor, and a stellar menu: think cocktails like Interstellar Ice Tea and Calamari with Chipotle Aioli. (617) 524-3740

4. Waterfront Inn

Those with a penchant for the past (and Cape Cod charm) should check out The Lighthouse Inn in West Dennis. Founded in 1938, the inn can accommodate up to 200 guests for a seated rehearsal dinner. The menu: hearty pasta dishes and fresh seafood of course! (508) 398-2244

5. Organic Outpost

Set the tone for organic style with a rehearsal dinner at Mare. This North End establishment specializes in turning out organic coastal Italian cuisine that tastes as good as it looks. Organic wines are also one the menu to accompany the meal. (617) 723-6273

6. Museum Space

It’s the best of both worlds. At the Museum of Science, Boston, adults indulge in a catered meal by the renowned Wolfgang Puck Catering company, while the kids can discover an array of interactive science exhibits and planetarium shows. The museum’s Skyline Room can accommodate 120 for a sit-down meal with gorgeous views of the Charles River. (617) 589-0125

7. Foodie Find

If to you, the rehearsal dinner is really about the dinner, check out Mistral Bistro in Boston. In a private dining room, 60 guests can feast on award-winning French Mediterranean cuisine by owner and chef Jamie Mammano. After the meal, oenophiles can linger at the bar, which offers an extensive selection of award-winning wines by the glass. (617) 867-9300

-- Christa Vagnozzi

Photo: Courtesy of Boston Harbor Cruises