Best of Business: Best Places for Drinks in 2018
Armsby Abbey was voted the Best After-Work Bar in Worcester.
Best Local Brewery
Wormtown Brewery
Worcester, www.wormtownbrewery.com
Top executives: David Fields, managing partner; Ben Roesch, brewmaster & founder
Founded: 2010
Employees: 27 full-time, 9 part-time
Read more: Wormtown Brewery partners keep their love of beer
Notable runner-up: Tree House Brewing Co.
Best Locally Owned Place to Meet for Coffee
BirchTree Bread Company*
Worcester, www.birchtreebreadcompany.com
Top executives: Owners Robert Fecteau & Avra Hoffman
Founded: 2014
Employees: 30
Hoffman and Fecteau know their concept – naturally leavened bread, espresso, sandwiches and pizza sourced from local wholesome ingredients – is not original, so they created a community space atmosphere, with live music and continuously changing artwork.
Notable runners-up: InHouse Coffee, The Queen's Cups, Brew on the Grid
Best Worcester After-Work Bar
Armsby Abbey*
Worcester, www.armsbyabbey.com
Top executive: Sarah DeVardo, assistant general manager
Founded: 2008
Employees: 45
Armsby is one of the pioneers of both the Worcester craft beer scene and its farm-to-table cuisine movement. Its success boils down to its hiring practices, where employees operate under high expectations in the multi-faceted, complex restaurant.
Notable runners-up: Boynton Restaurant & Spirits, Nick's Bar & Restaurant, Ralph's Rock Diner
Best Metrowest After-Work Bar
Tavern in the Square*
Northborough, taverninthesquare.com/northborough/info
Top executive: Stephen DeSousa, owner & CEO
Founded: 2004 (Northborough location: 2014)
Employees: 70
Offering 50 beers on tap, craft cocktails and food made from scratch, Tavern in the Square is designed with expansive bar and lounge areas for the after-work crowd and a dining room for families.
Notable runners-up: Jack's Abby beer hall, Arturo's Ristorante, Medusa Brewing Co.
Best North County After-Work Bar
Rye & Thyme American Tavern*
Leominster, www.ryeandthyme.com
Top executive: President Michael Covino
Founded: 2012
Employees: 35
Rye & Thyme uses signature menu items, atmosphere and enhanced hospitality to provide a memorable experience for guests. The tavern employees strive to demonstrate graciousness, efficiency, knowledge, professionalism and integrity in their work.
Notable runners-up: The GazBar Sports Grille, Slattery's Restaurant, Clinton's Bar & Grille
Best Blackstone Valley After-Work Bar
Hunter's Grille & Tap at The Grafton Inn
Grafton, thegraftoninnma.com
Top executive: James Hunter, owner
Founded: 2015
Employees: 25
The full-service restaurant focuses on freshly prepared comfort foods, craft cocktails, great wine and hard-to-find craft beers.
Notable runners-up: The Post Office Pub, Red Rock Grill & Bar, Gray Barn
Best Central Mass. South After-Work Bar
Cedar Street Grille*
Sturbridge, www.cedarstreetgrille.com
Top executive: Head Chef Nick Faucher
Founded: 2011
Employees: 40 (2017 figure)
Offering hand-crafted cocktails and microbrews at a cozy bar, Cedar Street provides a casual, neighborhood atmosphere with a menu featuring small plates, sliders and seasonal entrees.
Notable runners-up: Firebrands Bar & Grill, Teddy G's Pub & Grille
Click below to see the other 2018 Best of Business winners:
- Best Bank - UniBank*
- Best Architectural Firm - Lamoureux Pagano & Associates
- Best Credit Union - DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union*
- Best Business Insurance Agency - Sullivan Insurance Group*
- Best Law Firm - Mirick O’Connell*
- Best Accounting Firm - Bollus Lynch, LLP Certified Public Accountants & Consultants*
- Best Advertising Agency - Davis Advertising
- Best College for Business Education - Nichols College*
- Best Financial Planning/Investment Services - Provo Wealth Management Group*
- Best Employee Benefits Consultant - Sullivan Benefits*
- Best Luxury Automobile Dealership - Wagner Auto Group*
- Best Limousine Services - Knight’s Airport Limousine Service*
- Best Health Insurance Provider - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts*
- Best Young Professionals Network - YPWA (Young Professional Women's Association) of Worcester
- Best Restaurant for Business Lunch - The Sole Proprietor*
- Best Restaurant for Business Dinner - 111 Chop House*
- Best Caterer for a Corporate Event - Pepper's Artful Events*
- Best Coffee Service - Good as Gold*
- Best Exercise Facility/Fitness Center - Worcester Fitness
- Best Public Golf Course - Green Hill Golf Course*
- Best Private Golf Course - Worcester Country Club*
- Best Commercial Real Estate Brokerage - NAI Glickman, Kovago & Jacobs
- Best Commercial Landscaper - Cheaper than the Kid Next Door Landscaping
- Best Electrical Contractor - Coghlin Electrical Contractors Inc.*
- Best Plumber/HVAC Contractor - JJ Bafaro Inc.*
- Best Waste Removal - E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc.*
- Best Office Cleaning - Eagle Cleaning Corp.*
- Best Staffing Agency - The Davis Companies*
- Best Golf Club for Corporate Outing - Cyprian Keyes Golf Club*
- Best Venue for a Business Meeting - Beechwood Hotel*
- Best Venue for a Corporate Event - Mechanics Hall*
- Best Event Production Company - Revelation Productions
- Best Nonprofit Fundraiser Event - March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction
- Best Hotel for Business Clients - Beechwood Hotel*
- Best Venue for an Employee Outing - EcoTarium*
- Best Awards & Promotional Products - Engraveables*
- Best Sign Company - Sunshine Sign Company
- Best Commercial Printer - Curry Printing*
- Best IT Services - Cinch IT
- Best Internet Service Provider - Charter Spectrum*
- Best Web Design Firm - Applied Interactive
- Best Video Production - Pagano Media*
* Denotes repeat winner
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