Boston’s First Nightlife Director Plans to Revive The City’s Night Scene

Boston’s first-ever nightlife director announced her plan to revitalize the city’s nighttime scene through extended hours and all-inclusive entertainment. Although she began her role at the beginning of the month, Corean Reynolds already reimagines Boston as a 24-hour city. 

After thorny years of COVID-19 lockdowns, Reynolds seeks post-pandemic recovery. Despite having 23 neighborhoods under her wing, Boston’s nightlife czar will start with Downtown Crossing, a shopping and business area. She is willing to look beyond the hub’s daytime hustle and give it more than an office lunch spot appeal. 

“We want a robust economy in the nightlife. We already have a robust economy from 9 to 5 and from 8 to 4, but how do you extend that?” Reynolds told CBS Boston.

According to the nightlife director, the key is bringing Boston’s 23 neighbourhoods into downtown and break up chain restaurants. 

“We want to infuse this area with what you can find in Roxbury, in Dorchester, in Mattapan, and South Boston. It’s not just big names but the mom and pops that don’t necessarily activate these spaces.”

But nightlife goes beyond clubbing and crafted cocktails. Part of Reynolds’ plan is to give another dimension to nighttime entertainment by tapping into districts like Chinatown and Theater District.

“There are other activities, like going to the MFA at night, or going to the ICA on First Fridays where it’s not centered around alcohol.”

Although Boston’s nightlife amped up fast post-pandemic and registered a 41% growth in nighttime transactions from January to August 2022, the Massachusetts city still struggles to bounce back. 

In late February, Mayor Michelle Wu announced Reynolds’ appointment as the city’s first nightlife director.