A city that takes hockey personally
The Boston Bruins entered the NHL in 1924, making them the league's first American team. A century later, the sport runs through the region. Kids play on outdoor rinks across Massachusetts, high school tournaments draw big crowds, four Boston colleges compete in the Beanpot every February and the Bruins sell out the Garden. If you are dating in Boston, there is a good chance hockey comes up in the first conversation, even with people who do not watch much.
TD Garden and North Station
The Bruins play at TD Garden, which sits on top of North Station at the edge of the West End and the North End. That makes it one of the easiest NHL arenas to reach by public transit. The MBTA Green and Orange lines stop at North Station, as do commuter rail trains from the north and west of the city. Fans coming from the South Shore usually take the Red Line to Downtown Crossing and change, or drive and park nearby.
Outside the Garden, a statue of Bobby Orr flying through the air after his famous 1970 Cup-winning goal is a popular meeting point. Pick it for a first date and nobody will get lost. Nearby Causeway Street is packed with sports bars before and after games, and the North End's Italian restaurants are a short walk away for something quieter.
The Bruins' story in a few lines
Six Stanley Cups, most recently in 2011. Legends like Eddie Shore, Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque and Patrice Bergeron. A rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens that is among the most storied in the sport. Bruins fans can talk about all of it for hours. If your date is a Bruins fan, asking about their favorite player is a safe and rewarding opener.
The Beanpot
Four schools, two Monday nights, one trophy. BC, BU, Harvard and Northeastern meet at TD Garden each February, a habit that dates to the early 1950s. For students and alumni, bragging rights last a full year. A Beanpot night makes a great date if you both went to one of the schools, or if you just want to see a loud, young crowd and a lot of school pride.
College hockey beyond the Beanpot
Few American cities pack in as many college rinks. BC plays at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, BU at Agganis Arena on Commonwealth Avenue, Harvard at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center across the river in Allston and Northeastern at Matthews Arena. UMass Lowell, Merrimack and others are a short drive away. Tickets are usually far cheaper than the Bruins, crowds are lively and you can talk between periods.
Skating on the Frog Pond and beyond
The Frog Pond on Boston Common becomes a skating rink in winter and is one of the city's classic date spots. Rentals are available, and the view of the State House dome is hard to beat. Check the season and hours before you go, as they depend on the weather and the city's schedule. Other options include the outdoor rink at Kendall Square in Cambridge and the many indoor rinks run by the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation, which offer public skating at modest prices.
Women's hockey in Boston
Boston has a deep women's hockey tradition, from college programs to the US national team players who grew up in New England. The PWHL's Boston Fleet gives fans a chance to watch elite women's hockey close to home. Check their schedule for the season's home venue.
Getting home after a Garden night
Bruins games often end around 10 p.m. The T runs later than that, but service thins out, and some commuter rail lines have their last trains not long after the game ends. Look up your train before the puck drops. If you are taking a rideshare, walk a block away from the Garden to avoid the crowd at the main entrance. Garden exits empty onto Causeway Street all at once, so give the crowd a few minutes. For the ride home after a late game, see our safety guide.
Profile pointers for Bruins people
- Be specific. "Bruins fan" is a given here. Mention your era, your favorite player or your section.
- Share your college ties. A BU-BC rivalry can be as fun as any NHL one.
- Name your rink. Adult leagues fill rinks across Greater Boston, and someone may recognize yours.
- Expect weather. A February nor'easter can wreck plans. Have a backup idea at home or in a bar.
Date ideas around Boston
- Catch a Beanpot game or a regular-season college game.
- Skate the Frog Pond, then warm up with a hot drink downtown.
- Watch a road game at a sports bar near North Station.
- Head to a high school tournament game in the suburbs for a true local experience.
- Take a summer walk along the Charles and talk about the draft.
Our seasonal list of hockey date ideas adds more.
Boston and the rest of New England
Many Bruins fans live well outside the city, from southern New Hampshire to Rhode Island and western Massachusetts. You can sign up from anywhere and set your search area to match how far you are willing to drive. A Bruins fan in Worcester and one in Portsmouth are an easy afternoon trip apart.
The Garden's history under one roof
Today's TD Garden opened in 1995, next to the site of the old Boston Garden, whose famously small rink and tight balconies older fans still describe with affection. If your date grew up going to the old building, ask about it. You will probably hear about obstructed-view seats, summer heat during late playoff runs and a parquet floor laid over the ice for Celtics nights. Those stories are part of how Bostonians fell for the team.
Hockey families on the South Shore and North Shore
Greater Boston is full of towns where youth hockey shapes the winter calendar. Weekend tournaments in Marlborough, early ice in Hingham and late practices in Woburn are routine for parents. If you are a single parent who spends Saturdays at the rink, say it plainly. Somebody two benches over may be in the same boat.
Your next step in Boston
Write your college, your era of Bruins fandom and your rink into your profile, then Signup Here. Bostonians already on the site can sign in to refresh their details before the Beanpot. When the Rangers or Islanders visit, our New York guide covers that rivalry, and the cities page lists every other metro we cover.