upcoming visit to Boston area (Newton, Harvard: hotel, clubs, activities)

[Sueglo]

I will be coming to the Boston area to visit with a friend who recently moved to Newton, works in Boston tho. She is the quiet type and hasn't got around much, doesn't know good places to go, socialize etc. I want to get her out and about socialize her! lol But I don't know the area either. We are both single middle aged ladies, (40's). Where could we possibly go for drinks/dancing? One of us is white, the other african american. Is this an issue around there? I have read a few threads where people have asked about one or the other race not being welcome in certain areas. I just want us to go to places that are welcoming to everyone and neither will feel uncomfortable.

[brightdoglover]

I'm afraid this single, more-than-middleaged lady (55) can't suggest where there is dancing, I assume of a ladylike sort. I always went to dumpy clubs for blues and other music. It's not my experience that people meet new people in those settings, but maybe that's me.
The Regattabar in the Charles Hotel (Harvard Square) is a wonderful jazz listening room and it's OK to dress up or somewhat down. A beautiful hote bar with good music (weekends tend to sell out- call).
The Boston Globe has a calendar section on Thursdays that lists a lot of options for many activities, including dancing, attending performances, lectures, etc. I'd start there.