Boston Marathon parties, freebies, and specials at local restaurants

Travel

Plan your marathon day out in the city.

Marathon Monday is an exciting day for the city of Boston, with many businesses hosting themed events, giveaways, and discounted meals.

Ahead, discover a sampling of watch parties, food and beverage specials, and other events taking place over the weekend in celebration of the 129th Boston Marathon.

Marathon watch parties

Join the One-Mile-To-Go Block Party on Beacon Street in front of Cornwall’s on Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors will enjoy a pop-up beer garden featuring beer from Samuel Adams, a family zone with activities for kids, lawn games, a live jumbotron of the finish line, and music by DJ Tony Clarke from Big Night Live.

The 11th Annual HAF Boston Marathon Watch Party will take place at Rochambeau at 900 Boylston St. on Monday from noon to 6 p.m. There will be music by DJ Zati, food, a cash bar, and prime viewing of runners approaching the finish line. Children under age 12 and amputees receive complimentary admission (email [email protected] for the promo code).

Hotel Commonwealth at 500 Commonwealth Ave. is hosting marathon-themed activities on Monday that include a Sam Adams lobby pop-up bar, commemorative keepsake cups, a photo wall, a live caricature artist, and more.

The Boston Marathon route runs through Natick, and Planet Fitness at 215 W Central St. in Natick is teaming up with Beasley Media Group to host a marathon watch party on Monday in the parking lot from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Visitors will enjoy music, giveaways (think t-shirts, water bottles, koozies, and drawstring bags) and food will be provided by Cinco Chiles Taqueria.

Dining / drink specials

Legal Sea Foods is celebrating marathon runners by offering a free cup of chowder throughout marathon weekend. Runners must show their marathon bibs at any Legal Sea Foods location in Seaport, Long Wharf, Park Square, Copley Place, and Downtown Crossing to take part.

DalMoro’s Fresh Pasta To Go stall in Quincy Market will give free pasta to marathon runners who show their race registration or bib between Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21.

Eataly Boston at 800 Boylston St. is offering double portion pasta specials from Friday, April 18 to Monday, April 21 for anyone looking to carb load. Specials at La Pizza & La Pasta include $32 for Lo Spaghetto Al Pomodoro, $36 for Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese, and $38 for Pappardelle Al Ragu Di Funghi.

South Street Diner at 178 Kneeland St., Boston’s longest running late-night restaurant, will serve up all-you-can-eat pancakes for $10 on Sunday, April 20th from 4 to 11 p.m. so runners (and spectators) can carb up before the big race.

Levain Bakery, at 180 Newbury St., has a sweet treat for all marathon runners who complete the race on Monday. Stop by before 9 p.m. and flash your medal for a free cookie.  

Lolita Back Bay at 27 Dartmouth St. will hand out complimentary bags of popcorn during race day on Monday.

Blue Ribbon Brasserie at 528 Commonwealth Ave. will serve a $26.20 marathon special on Monday, which includes its burger deluxe along with a stein of Jack’s Abby House Lager. 

Other marathon-themed activities

Stop by Dick’s House of Sport Boston at the Prudential Center from Friday, April 19 to Monday, April 21 for pre-race shakeout runs, a recovery zone, complimentary medal engraving, and special appearances by Kathrine Switzer and Meb Keflezighi.

Gladly Family is hosting a complimentary family rest area on Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trident Bookstore at 338 Newbury St. The Finishline Family Lounge, a welcoming space for families in need of a break from marathon festivities, will include restrooms, free refreshments, and activities designed for children of all ages. Attendees can RSVP to save their spot and receive a free entry into a raffle for a stroller.

Visitors can take a photo with the 129th Boston Marathon trophy 750 feet above the finish line at View Boston on Saturday, April 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. Additional marathon-themed photo opportunities will also be available. Those interested can get tickets here. Runners can also get their marathon medal engraved on Monday at View Boston between 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets for that event are available here.

Book a marathon-themed stay at Mandarin Oriental, Boston, located steps from the finish line at 776 Boylston St. The hotel’s Fan-tastic Finish Package, available April 19–21, includes marathon-route views, access to the Marathon Lobby Lounge where guests can drink a Samuel Adams 26.2 Brew at the Samuel Adams Brewery Pop-Up Bar, a pop-up spa featuring mini sports massages, wellness food and beverages, a welcome amenity, and more.

Kristi Palma

Culture writer

 

Kristi Palma is a culture writer for Boston.com, focusing on New England travel. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.