The Wig Shop — Restaurant in Boston

My only regret is that I tainted my palate with other, substandard cocktails before coming in here. This was the one place I discovered during my Boston adventure research that I knew had to be visited - it was a cocktail spirit animal. You know it when you see it. It had multiple edgy bourbon-based cocktails, and the menu looked like a mishmash of magazine ads from the 1940s.

My top-tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality and I initially stopped here around late dinner time (maybe 7:30ish?), only to be told there was a 90-minute wait (that seems to be incredibly common from other reviews). The Wig Shop doesn't take reservations, so you're basically at the mercy of its popularity on a given night. An uncomfortable reality of having great taste. We got a text alert that our table was ready while we were still eating dinner nearby, but thankfully when we came back around 10:30, they had immediate availability and we were seated in the first room by the door. Despite being told there was a 90-minute limit on seating, I'm positive we were there for at least two hours and probably more, but the miserable early March rain kept the Gen Zers at bay for the most part.

There was no way I wasn't going with the Mala Vida, which featured BFF bourbon, cinnamon, passionfruit and coffee. That combo had no business being perfect, and I'm having fun imagining a hipster science lab (plaid shirts instead of lab coats) where someone figured that one out. Delicious. Easily a top 10 cocktail of all time for me, and again, that's having already diluted my palate earlier in the evening - if I'd come into this one fresh, I might be making more dramatic statements. I had at least two of these, and would have made a return trip at some point during the weekend if we'd had more time to play with.

The service was great - we were certainly in no rush, which helped, but I don't recall ever looking around for a new cocktail. And alternatively, no one was oppressively bearing down on us throughout the experience, which wouldn't have been THAT surprising given the table time limit we were given. True to speakeasy form, it was super dark in there - there are pictures of us that literally and figuratively will never see the light of day. There WAS enough light to see the people on the opposite couch, who were very nice - everyone we interacted with was very pleasant. I suspect being in a wig shop speakeasy has that effect on most people.

Strong, strong recommend. If you're looking for actual wigs to purchase though, you'll probably be...

I will be sure to never come here and advise everyone to stay away if you wish to have a pleasant night.

7/16, Wednesday around 11:35 pm. My worst experience at a bar took place at the Wig Shop because of the female host who was present.

My friends and I had spent almost a $100 on our tab paid in full, and got wrongfully accused of STEALING after by the female host as well as the male bartender. Why?

Because we grabbed fortune cookies that were out on display by the bar on our way up from the restroom staircase.

We had no idea fortune cookies wrapped up in plastic were not for customers to grab on their way out like so very commonly are at plenty of restaurants (eg. wusong road and others), along with things like mints.

I assumed we could take them to go. Naturally, never would I once think fortune cookies were used as garnishing at a bar since that is exceedingly rare, which I was told of AFTER.

The hostess rudely CHARGES up to me with speed and verbally attacks me and treats me like an absolute criminal over cents worth of fortune cookies that i took mistakenly thinking they were for customers as it is an item very commonly offered to go at restaurants. Never have i ever been treated this way at a restaurant. I was in utter disbelief.

When I told the host, “hey you could have said the same thing but a lot more decently without accusing customers” (mind you, customers who have already paid a tab, of stealing).

The male bartender there joined in too and said to me “you know you were in the wrong, right?”

We were going to order more food and drinks but left immediately after. I told her this incident ruined our dining experience and she could have explained politely that the cents-worth of fortune cookies were used as drink garnishes ( which I had no idea about) instead of treating a customer like this. She responded saying “GOOD” you can leave.

I was ganged up on by two employees and made to feel like criminal in public over cents worth of fortune cookies, after being a PAID customer.

Such horrible business practice to lose customer goodwill, revenue in actual sales over a misunderstanding of an item worth CENTS. Please vet and train the employees you hire.

Worst...

Where do I even begin?! For a location that only opened 2-3 months, it felt like they had YEARS of experience. First impression - hilarious entrance, Interior decor was extremely welcoming and emits a superb chill vibe. The moment we walked in, we just knew it was going to be a great time. Our Server was amazing and gave us the best drink recommendation. The Cinemax after dark has such a unique Smokey/sweet flavor that you simply cannot find anywhere else and I know my drinks…I had 2-3 rounds of it, highly recommend.

Now.. speakeasy’s usually are known for the drinks and sometimes if you’re lucky, they’ll serve small fried bites to keep you entertained. My opinion? The Wig Shop presented beautiful and mind blowing flavors (with gorgeous presentation) that I have not tasted in a very long time. High end restaurants can’t even compare to the level of complexity they presented in the food. I’m a huge foodie and an avid home chef myself so normally I’m not crazily impressed with restaurant foods. This time? “Mind-blown” doesn’t even cover the happiness and joy I felt while savoring each bite and sip of drinks. We had ordered everything on the bites menu except the caviar and beignets. My favorites in order was definitely Salmon crudo, beef skewers, lobster pancakes, mushroom queso dip, pork belly tacos, then the oysters. Very much eye opening. We left very full with food and happiness, which is how life should be enjoyed. I contemplated about writing this review because it’s such a gem that I selfishly want to hold it near and dear to my heart. Very much like the witch of the waste in Howl’s Moving Castle for my Ghibli pals out there. But at the same time, it would be a such a tragedy if I rob others of the same phenom I experienced. So make your reservations! Or be the first to arrive for walk-ins (that’s what we did) and just have a great time. Thanks...