BOKX Pool
BOKX’s bar-side pool might be how Michael Phelps imagines his future swim routine: take a dip, sip a summer cooler like BOKX’s frozen mojito and, later, while away the evening by the fire pits. Chow delicious pistachio-crusted salmon with sweet melon puree and pea greens, and creme brulee with a compote of big, juicy blueberries. Located inside Hotel Indigo (399 Grove St., Newton, Mass.), the pool has comfy chaises longues (yes, that’s the proper spelling, as this is not a lounge-like atmosphere!) and cabanas. Weather permitting, the pool is open daily until 8 p.m.
Area Four
The “Country Club” at Area Four (500 Technology Square, Cambridge) offers laid-back, sporty fun on the Tech Square common adjacent to the patio. There’s Frisbee and lawn darts, or go Italiano with a round of Bocce; just ask the hostess for the hardware. Apart from A4’s beyond-popular pizzas, fuel up on garlic knots supreme — gooey, marinara- and mozzarella- soaked garlic bread — or a seasonal mustard-crusted bluefish with summer squash salad. Cool down with the sophisticated, Italian-influenced Donkey Show (tequila, grapefruit and Campari), obviously named for its kick!
Liberty Hotel
After a weekend of nail-chipping bar sports, repair at the Manicure Mondays at Liberty Hotel (215 Charles St., Boston). From 5:30 to 7 p.m., it hosts the mini-manicure event in the courtyard. Every Monday throughout August, MiniLuxe staffers utilize bespoke polish (without formal-dehyde, toluene, DBP and synthetic camphor) and paraben- and sulfate-free LemonAide cream and scrub. Post-polish, relax with live light music and the Liberty’s low-cal Refresh watermelon martini. Nibble, say, some burrata with baby beets, but wait until those nails are dry, huh? Linda laban
