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Boston is an incredible city with 23 official neighborhoods and 105 unofficial neighborhoods. In addition to the downtown neighborhoods, there is the North End, West End, East Boston, and South End.

But wait, there is also a South Boston. What’s the difference? And when a local asks you to meet them in “Southie,” what do they mean? Let’s break down what Southie in Boston is and how it differs from all other “South” neighborhoods.

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Where Is Southie In Boston?

Southie is short for South Boston. As its name implies, it’s located south of downtown Boston, more specifically, south and East of downtown. South Boston includes several neighborhoods, including Telegraph Hill, Fort Point, City Point, and the Seaport District. Despite its name, it’s actually in East Central Boston, with nine of 23 neighborhoods further south of Southie.

What areas are considered Southie in Boston?

The sub-neighborhoods of Southie include City Point, West Broadway, Telegraph Hill, Port Point, and the Seaport District. Southie is loosely between I-93 to the coastline, below the North End, East of The South End, and North of Dorchester.

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What is Southie known for?

There are lots of bars and restaurants for the younger crowd in the Broadway area. There are great seafood restaurants in the Seaport District. Over the last ten years, it has been one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Boston. With more hotels, restaurants, bars, and entertainment being added regularly, it’s easy to find lots to do in the area. Fort Independence and Castle Island are also located within the South “Southie” Boston neighborhood. The Boston Convention & Exposition Center (BCEC) is located in Southie.

South “Southie” Boston vs. South End

Although the neighborhoods are close, they have very different vibes. Visitors get confused all the time. The fact that they border each other and aren’t the most southern neighborhoods in Boston doesn’t help. Let’s break down each.

Southie Boston

✔️ The Vibe

Restaurants and Bars are great for evening and late-night activities. There are also oceanfront parks to enjoy, which have great ocean views. It’s popular with a younger crowd on weekends, but with the huge convention center, upscale hotels, and fancy seafood restaurants, it’s also becoming increasingly popular with business travelers. Many cargo ships come and go from the industrial ports, and watching as they navigate the narrow channel can be cool.

✔️ Nightlife

Take a walk down Broadway, and you will see restaurant after restaurant, including a growing number that are open until 1 or 2 a.m. Are you thinking more about breakfast foods? Doughboy Donuts is open 24 hours a day. Make plans to stop by the Lawn On D, which often has music, dancing, lawn games, and drinks. It’s open until 11 p.m. most nights, but check their calendar because they close for special events at times.

Want even more food options in Boston? See our post about the best Boston restaurants according to locals.

✔️ What To Visit

In Southie, you’ll find the L Street Tavern which was used in Good Will Hunting. For the artist types, the Institute of Contemporary Art is located in the Seaport District. Additionally, for anybody who likes the water, L Street Beach and M Street Beach are for you. If you want to admire the ocean from land, Castle Island or Head Island is right on the water (and both allow dogs.)

In the winter, you can learn to curl at SnowPort (65 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210). Finally, the Boston Fire Museum (344 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210) is a cool way to spend a few hours while supporting a good cause.

✔️ Where To Eat

Of course, I have to suggest seafood here. For lunch, The Barking Crab (88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210) or Yankee Lobster (300 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210) are my go-to’s. Try Gather (75 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210) or Trillium Brewing Company (50 Thomson Pl, Boston, MA 02210) for a dinner meal. If you’re more into Irish food, the Irish section of Boston is located within Southie, with favorites such as Shenanigans Bar (332 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127) or the Shamrock Pub (501 E 8th St, Boston, MA 02127.)

South End Boston

✔️ The Vibe

South End is largely residential, most commonly attracting artists because of the many galleries and the Boston Center for the Arts. It’s largely row houses and converted factories. The South End is often compared to New York’s SoHo neighborhood. It has a matching SoWa (South of Washington) Neighborhood with many of the same vibes.

✔️ Nightlife

The nightlife in South End isn’t nearly as pronounced as in other parts of Boston. Many of the restaurants and bars close by 10 pm. Even Dunkin Donuts Coffee Shop closes early. But, if you are looking for a good bar, Five Horses Tavern (535 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118) is open until Midnight. Barcelona Wine Bar (525 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116) and Bar Mezzana (360 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118) are also good and open until 11 pm and 10 pm, respectively.

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✔️ What To Visit

Definitely make plans to stop by the SoWa Art + Design District and the SoWa Open Market (450 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118). The Boston University Medical School (72 E Concord St, Boston, MA 02118) is located on the southern end of the South End. The Cathedral Of The Holy Cross (1400 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118) is an 1875-built Catholic Church with beautiful stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings.

✔️ Where To Eat

Since it’s located near a big hospital and medical school, many good coffee shops and bakeries are nearby. Make a stop at Toro (1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118) or Flour Bakery (1595 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118). For a classic diner experience, try Charlie’s Sandwich Shop (429 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116), which tries to hold true to its 1927 heritage. If you’re still in the area for dinner, then check out the Mediterranean food at Ashoush-Ella (35 W Newton St, Boston, MA 02118.)

Is driving in Boston a burden or a breeze? Find out here!

Southie Vs. South End Map

FAQs

Is South Boston a good neighborhood?

South Boston is growing quickly and constantly adding new things that make it an exciting destination. However, the biggest drawback to the area currently is the lack of rapid subway transportation. There is a pretty extensive bus network, lots of local stores for all your needs, and some beautiful ocean views.

Is Southie Boston safe?

Yes. Boston, as a whole, is generally safe. As you head south of South Boston, it becomes much more residential and the crime rate increases, especially at night. Seaport District and the Broadway area have lots of people out until the late hours, and you’ll commonly see a police presence in some of the more popular parts of the neighborhood.

Is Dorchester considered Southie?

Dorchester is its own neighborhood (one of those 23 mentioned above). It is actually one of nine neighborhoods located South of Southie. Dorchester is also divided into two parts: Mid-Dorchester and Dorchester. Dorchester is largely a residential part of Boston, supporting the workforce needed to support the city.

Want to leave the city and explore day trips within a few hours of Boston? We’ve got you covered with this article.

Conclusion: Where Is Southie In Boston?

Although Southie (South End) is located in the middle of Boston, it got its name because it’s just south of downtown. It’s growing in popularity due to all the restaurants and nightlife activities in the area. There is so much to see and do, and it changes constantly. With the convention center, ocean views, and Irish heritage of the area, there is just about something for everybody.

The biggest challenge with Southie is that it doesn’t yet have subway access. However, it has the “Silver Line” bus service, which runs mainly on its dedicated roads (sometimes even underground). Otherwise, the MBTA Red Line barely skirts along the neighborhood’s west side, forcing you to switch to buses or walk to get to your destinations within Southie.

So, next time you fly into Boston, take the Silver Line into Seaport and Explore. If you’re staying the night, check out the Yotel Hotel’s robots, which assist with luggage storage and bringing up room service.