BOSTON, MA — Three Massachusetts bars have been named among the best in the country in USA TODAY's 2026 Bars of the Year list.
The Wig Shop in Boston, Shipwrecked in Falmouth, and Femme Bar in Worcester were named among of USA TODAY's 38 Bars of the Year for 2026. The annual list includes bars across the U.S. selected by USA TODAY Network food writers.
Femme Bar, located at 62 Green St. in Worcester's Canal District, was recognized for its atmosphere, food, entertainment and cocktail menu. The story noted the bar's drag shows, music and drinks, including the Bad Idea, the Pink Pony Club and the Girl of My Dreams.
Femme opened in March 2023 and describes itself as New England's first modern lesbian bar. The bar hosts live music, drag brunches, karaoke, trivia, speed dating, book club events, DJ nights and other programming.
The Wig Shop, located at 27 Temple Place in Boston, is a cocktail lounge open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. The bar takes limited reservations and otherwise operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Downtown Crossing bar opened in 2022 in a space that was once home to Wig World, according to Boston Magazine. The lounge kept the former shop's neon "wigs" sign and storefront display as part of the bar's identity, according to the magazine.
Shipwrecked, located in Falmouth Heights, is a beachside restaurant and bar serving seafood, sushi and American-style food. The venue also lists live entertainment and events, including themed nights and music, on its website.
The recognition puts three Massachusetts venues on a national list that spans different types of bars, from cocktail lounges to beachside spots and neighborhood gathering places.
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