From the best nearby bars to places to pee and afterparty advice
We write a tip sheet like this almost every year, and somehow there are always new exciting ways to lead New England Cannabis Convention goers through the marijuana matrix. It is also true that there are some things worth repeating, like where you can responsibly puff in the vicinity. Whether you’re a first-timer or a decorated NECANN long hauler, you will hopefully find some of the nuggets below to be helpful while you’re inside or outside of the hall this week …
A new plan of attack
With NECANN bigger than ever before, but shifted to a Friday and Saturday schedule, that probably makes for some new calculus. Whereas Sunday on the early side was typically the best time to do business, since the floor was free of slackers who were still home or in their hotel rooms nursing hangovers, this year we surmise that Friday will be less congested and therefore somewhat better for deal making and conversation.
Don’t forget to leave some room for mushrooms
One of the most exciting new features of NECANN 2025 is the psychedelics track, organized by TJM contributor Jack Gorsline. Massachusetts voters may have rejected the ballot measure to legalize and regulate plant medicine, but advocates are looking straight ahead, and dozens of state, local, and national activists and leaders who are pushing for more education and access on this front will be in attendance. (Check out Jack’s full roundup here.)
Don’t plan on attending too many parties
It ain’t like the old days of NECANN, when there were one or maybe two parties at small bars on Boylston Street. With more than a dozen extracurricular events scheduled for Friday night alone, everyone has big choices to make. But we recommend picking one, two, or maybe three to attend, and sticking at one you’re enjoying instead of succumbing to FOMO and getting stuck in line outside somewhere. (Check out our party roundup here.)
There’s a better bathroom waiting for you
As long as we have known NECANN at the Hynes, which is since the convention moved there, the masses have crammed into the two bathrooms at the top of the escalator near the main entrance. But if you need more privacy or don’t want to wait for a stall, walk toward the end of the hall close to the Capital Grille, or by the rear entrance to the Prudential Center.
Physical business cards are a bonus
This probably applies to trade shows in most industries, but things can get especially low tech in the cannabis scrum of things, not to mention in the people soup of afterparties. If you’re attending NECANN with hopes to make actual connections, bring something with your name and contact info to pass along with the joints.
Here are five great bars in walking distance
For beer drinkers and barflies: Bukowski Tavern (aka Bukowskis). For a place where you’re unlikely to see other attendees: the Corner Tavern. If you need to watch a sports thing: Champions (in the Marriott). For the ballers and cocktail lovers: Earls Prudential. Or a cafe vibe with more than just java: Trident Booksellers.
There aren’t many places to work but …
If you need a place to crack open the laptop and catch up on emails, there will be some lounges and tables around the Hynes. But if you want to get away from the crowd, head into the Prudential Center. Look for the area near the entrance to Eddie V’s steakhouse, and you will find a bunch of chairs and tables that are typically available.
As for smoking …
As you likely know, people tend to light up and pass pieces right outside of the Hynes on Boylston, where there is a safe distance between the window and the sidewalk where pedestrians may be. If you really want to stretch out and blow clouds, though, take a sixty-second walk north for two short blocks until you hit Comm Ave. Find the median strip, look right, look left, and pick a bench to kick back and relax on.
You can also check for mobile fun parked all around the building
If it’s some privacy you want while getting stoned outside of the convention hall, or if you’re looking for a place to fire up your dab rig, then keep an eye out for one of the many vans and buses that are equipped for that purpose. If they’re not directly on Boylston, then we recommend peeking around the corner, possibly around the side of the building off Dalton Street.
Don’t wait until it’s late to eat
We could sit here and cherry pick the few pizza and dumpling spots that might be open after 10pm in Boston, but post-pandemic there are no real guarantees. Your best bet is to eat early on, and if you will definitely have significant munchies after midnight, you should plan ahead.
