TV Host Visits Watertown to Meet Fans & Promote His Bourbon

Jon Taffer, host of “Bar Rescue” poses with fans at an event at Gordon’s Fine Wine and Liquor last week. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Last week, a line of people snaked around the aisles of Gordon’s Fine Wine and Liquor in Watertown. They eagerly awaited the entrance of the man after whom the drink they were purchasing was named. Jon Taffer arrived shortly after 6 p.m, and was greeted by a fellow TV personality, Jason Santos, when he stepped through the doors of the store inside Arsenal Yards. Santos also owns Buttermilk & Bourbon in Arsenal Yards.

Watertown’s Got Talent is Back, Applications Due Soon!

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

Do you have what it takes to be crowned Watertown’s Top Talent? Announcing Watertown’s Got Talent is BACK for a second year!! In partnership with Arsenal Yards, please save-the-date for a fun-filled evening of talent, entertainment & more! When: Tuesday, October 24, 2023Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.Where: The River Green at Arsenal Yards

All application are due to hello@arsenalyards.com by Sunday, October 1st. Ticket details, coming soon!

Arsenal Yards’ New Additions Include Donuts, Skin Care, a Tea House and More

See what’s just arrived and what’s coming soon in this announcement from Arsenal Yards:

Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown’s historic East End from Boylston Properties and Wilder, is pleased to welcome exciting new dining, health, and wellness offerings to the neighborhood this summer, in addition to gearing up for additional highly–anticipated openings over the coming months. 

Coming soon to the Arsenal Yard’s robust roster of restaurants, retailers, fitness, service, and entertainment destinations, is fan–favorite Blackbird Doughnuts, as well as Chip City and Medium Rare.  The most recent openings include specialty food venue dining venue Ten One Tea House, and health and wellness options like Skin Laundry, Restore Hyper Wellness, and GNC. “Summer is one of the best times to visit Arsenal Yards, and all of the new and diverse additions to the neighborhood this summer truly represent what makes our community so unique,” said Kerry Dowling, Wilder’s Managing Director, Leasing. “Whether you are looking to kickstart your wellness journey, sample delectable and exotic teas, or enjoy the outdoors while exploring the neighborhood, there is something for everyone to be excited about. It’s our goal to make sure everyone who comes to Arsenal Yards, whether to live, work, or play, finds everything they need and everything they want.”

A sampling of recent and upcoming openings at Arsenal Yards includes:

Coming Soon

Blackbird Doughnuts To Debut Seventh Location

Known for its delicious, made–from–scratch doughnuts, Blackbird Doughnuts will open its seventh Massachusetts location at 116 Bond St. in Fall 2023.

New York-Based Cookie Store Opening Location in Watertown

Watertown’s Arsenal Yards already boasts a bevy of restaurants and eateries, and will add something to satisfy people’s sweet tooth. Chip City Cookies will add Watertown to its list of stores, which currently includes 18 locations in New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey, according to an announcement on RestaurantNews.com. Childhood friends Peter Phillips and Theodore Gailas started Chip City Cookies in 2017 after the pair challenged each other to see which one could make the best cookie. The first store opened in Astoria, Queens. “We are thrilled to open our doors in Watertown,” Phillips said in the announcement.

Outdoor Fitness Series Returns to Arsenal Yards

The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

With warmer weather just around the corner, Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown’s historic East End, is thrilled to announce the return of its popular Outdoor Fitness Series “Fitness in the Park.”

In partnership with Arsenal Yards’ fitness studios, Pure Barre, Rumble, and F45, residents of Watertown and Greater Boston are invited to enjoy unique outdoor experiences led by certified fitness professionals. Guests and residents can visit the Arsenal Green in Arsenal Park every Wednesday for a variety of free classes from May through June 7th. Registration is available via Eventbrite one week prior to the date of each class, and all classes must be reserved online. “We’re so excited to partner with our AY studios to bring back our outdoor fitness series, which has been a popular summer offering over the past few years,” said Jessica Peterson, Marketing Director at Arsenal Yards. “With so many fitness offerings at Arsenal Yards and more to come soon, we couldn’t think of a better time to invite the community to get their hearts pumping out on the Arsenal Green, embrace the warm weather, and cool down after at one of the many outdoor dining venues our neighborhood has to offer! Available classes are below, and participants are encouraged to check out the Arsenal Yards Events Calendar for additional details:

Wednesday, May 3rd at 5:30 PM with Pure Barre

Wednesday, May 10th at 5:30 PM with Rumble

Wednesday, May 17th at 5:30 PM with F45

Wednesday, May 24th at 5:30 PM with Pure Barre

Wednesday, May 31st at 5:30 PM with Rumble

Wednesday, June 7th at 5:30 PM with F45

To check in, guests can enter through the River Green (in between Buttermilk & Bourbon and Shake Shack) and head towards the sign for Arsenal Park. Guests should bring their own mat and water. Parking is available in the free red or purple parking garage, along with the surface parking area near City Works. For more information about Arsenal Yards, visit www.arsenalyards.com.

Jon Taffer in Town to Visit His Restaurant, Sees Area as Strong Market

Charlie BreitroseJon Taffer meets patrons at Taffer’s Tavern in Watertown. TV host turned restaurateur Jon Taffer recently stopped by the eatery in Watertown that bears his name: Taffer’s Tavern. Just five months after opening, the restaurant in Arsenal Yards has been doing well, as is the Boston area, he said. The host of Paramount Network’s Bar Rescue has fond memories of the Boston area, having run a nightclub and bar convention from an office in Newton. “I have always loved this city.

Arsenal Yards Welcoming More Than a Dozen Food, Fitness & Beauty Offerings

Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown’s historic East End from Boylston Properties and Wilder, is thrilled to kick off 2023 by welcoming several highly-anticipated dining, shopping, and fitness venues opening over the coming months, beginning this winter and spring. Adding to the neighborhood’s already bursting roster of popular restaurants, retailers, fitness, service, and entertainment offerings, the exciting openings coming soon include service offerings like Bond Vet, Arsenal Modern Dentistry, GNC, and KinderCare, beauty and wellness venues James Joseph Salon, Restore Hyper Wellness, Prenuvo, and Skin Laundry, fitness studios F45 Training, Rumble, and [solidcore], and dining options TEN ONE TEA HOUSE, Chip City, and Butterbird. “After a successful year of numerous openings, bustling community events, and significant growth milestones, we could not be more thrilled to kick off 2023 strong with even more exciting new additions to the neighborhood,” said Tom Wilder, principal of Wilder. “These new openings at Arsenal Yards expand upon the vibrancy and diversity that make our community so special – a place where our visitors, workers, and residents can experience what they enjoy most. We look forward to giving these new tenants the warmest of welcomes and continue to celebrate what truly makes Arsenal Yards greater Boston’s most vibrant new neighborhood.”

A sampling of upcoming openings at Arsenal Yards this winter and spring includes:

Bond Vet Opens With 365-Day Urgent Care for Pets 

Bond Vet, the female-led primary and urgent veterinary care service, recently opened its fifth Boston-area location at Arsenal Yards, offering full-service treatment for pets in a friendly and compassionate setting.

What’s Happening at Arsenal Yards: Comedy, Scavenger Hunt, Networking & More

The retailers and restaurants Arsenal Yards has a variety of events coming up, starting with a Valentine’s Day activity. Also check out a comedy show, a scavenger hunt and a networking event. February 14, 6-8:30 p.m. – Valentine’s Day at Central Rock Gym: https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24951/valentines-day-with-central-rock-gym/

February 21, 9 p.m. – Comedy Show at Tori Jiro: https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24982/comedy-show-at-tori-jiro/

February 20-24 – February School Vacation – Scavenger Hunt: https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24986/february-break-scavanger-hunt/

March 6, 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Ulta Salon Open House (Networking Event): https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24966/salon-open-house/