Contributors: Nichole Collins, Stephanie Nostin

The new 2019 location for the 40th Annual BABAT Conference provides lots of bustling restaurants, music, outdoor seating, and points of interest If you chose to venture out and enjoy some of the local scenery - check out the wide variety of venues to keep the good vibes going all day and evening long!. Find your food info in Bites, Bars, & Beers and what to check out in Points of Interest & Shopping. Enjoy your time in Worcester!

Bites, Bars & Beers

Location: 50 Foster Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: (508) 929-0701

Information: Figs & Pigs Kitchen and Pantry is attached to the DCU center and offers a view of the city. Their traditional breakfast and lunch sandwiches come with names sure to make you giggle like “Let’s Taco Bout It” and “Getting’ Piggy With It”.

Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Name: Joey’s Bar and Grille

Location: 344 Chandler Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508.797.3800

Information: Joey’s Bar and Grille serves dinner and lunch with both light fare and full entrees. You’ll find an abundance of seafood and steak options on the menu.

Hours: Monday - Friday: 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM; Saturday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM; Sunday: Closed

Name: City Bar and Grille

Location: 395 Chandler Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508.752.4222

Information: City Bar and Grille has fresh, local, and unprocessed menu items filled with some American Classics. Find a comfortable place to hide away here in the quiet and subdued atmosphere.

Hours: Monday: Closed; Tuesday - Thursday: 1:30 AM to 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM; Friday - Saturday: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Name: The Sole Proprietor

Location: 118 Highland Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508.798.3474

Information: When they say “sole” they mean all things fish and seafood! Only one of your colleagues that doesn’t like seafood? Don’t worry, there are many landlubber options too!

Hours: Monday-Friday: 11:30AM to 9:00PM; Saturday and Sunday: 4:00PM to 10:00PM (Check website for expanded hours.)

Name: The Boynton

Location: 119 Highland Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508.756.5432

Information: Looking for a tavern feel with an expansive beer list? Go check out the Boynton! You can also order to-go food online if you just want to head back to your room! Hours: Monday -Sunday 11:00AM to 1:00AM

*Shrewsbury Street Area:

Name: 111 Chophouse

Location: 111 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508.799.4111

Information: Feeling a little fancy? Step up your dinner plans a notch at this incredible steakhouse. Menu items include steaks, chops, lobster, and ribs.

Hours: Monday-Sunday: 4:30PM to 9PM (Check website for expanded weekend hours).

Name: Via Italian Table

Location: 89 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508-754-4842

Information: Voted Best Italian Restaurant! Noted for their pasta, pizza, and parm specials, this Italian eatery has a variety of Italian feasts and a wine list to match!

Hours: Monday-Friday: 11:30AM to 9:00PM; Opens at 4:00PM on Saturday. (Check website for expanded weekend hours and Sunday Brunch)

Name: The Flying Rhino Cafe & Watering Hole

Location: 278 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508.757.1450

Information: Looking for a unique eatery with a walk on the wildside? This menu is sure to give you some unconventional choices and some beats to fill the streets.

Hours: Sunday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM; Monday - Wednesday:11:00 AM to 11:30 PM; Thursday:11:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Friday - Saturday:11:30 AM to 2:00 AM

Name: Funky Murphys Bar & Grille

Location: 305 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508-753-2995

Information: Always something going on here! Check the website for current events that include DJs, Sports, Trivia, and Live Music! The menu mixes new and old options to fill you up while you have a great time!

Hours: Sunday - Saturday: 11:00AM to 1:00AM

Name: Wormtown Brewery

Location: 72 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 774.239.1555

Information: For a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute cab ride from the DCU center, you can check out some of Worcester’s own excellent craft beers. While there are hops aplenty, they do NOT serve food. If you head there hungry, there is a great pizza option - Volturno Pizza Napoletana - right next door!

Hours: Monday: Closed; Tuesday – Thursday: 12:00PM to 9:00PM; Friday – Saturday: 12:00PM to 10:00PM; Sunday: 12:00PM to 7:00PM. Brewery Tours: FREE tours on Saturday & Sunday at 12:30PM, 1:30PM & 2:30PM.

*Green & Water Street Area:

Name: Smokestack Urban BBQ

Location: 139 Green Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508.363.1111

Information: Do you like BBQ? Find grits, gumbo, collard greens and ribs at this urban barbeque.

Hours: Monday-Thursday 4:30PM- 9:00PM; Friday & Saturday 12:00PM to 10:00PM; Sunday 12:00PM to 8:00PM

Name: The Banner Bar & Grille

Location: 112 Green Street, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508.755.0879

Information: If you are looking for a Sports Bar Vibe, come check out The Banner! Beyond just their menu and drinks, The Banner offers local talent and Live Music on Friday and Saturday nights as well as Wednesday night trivia, and daily Keno.

Hours: Sunday - Saturday: 11:00AM to 1:30AM

Points of Interest & Shopping

Name: Ecotarium

Location: 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508.929.2700

Information: If you love science and nature, check out the Ecotarium in Worcester. It features several permanent and traveling exhibits, both inside and out, including the Alden Planetarium, a narrow-gauge train pulled by a scale model of an 1860s steam engine, and a variety of wildlife.Hours: Monday: Closed; Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00AM to 5:00PM; Sunday: 12:00PM to 5:00PM

Name: Worcester Art Museum

Location: 55 Salisbury St, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 508.799.4406

Information: Founded in 1896, the Worcester Art Museum's (WAM) mission is to “connect people, communities, and cultures through the experience of art.”

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 10:00AM to 4:00PM; Third Thursday of the month: 10:00AM to 8:00PM

Name: Hanover Theatre

Location: 2 Southbridge St, Worcester, Ma

Phone: 877.571.7469

Information: The Hanover brings Broadway, music and more to Worcester, offering a variety of world-class artists and performances that have included "Kinky Boots," "Jersey Boys," Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, John Legend, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Disney Jr. Live and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

Hours: Contact the box office for show times in October 2019!

Name: The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley

Location: 70 Worcester-Providence Turnpike, Millbury, Ma

Phone: 617.232.8900

Information: The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley is an outdoor shopping mall located just outside of Worcester in Millbury, Massachusetts on Route 146, 1-mile south of exit 10A of the Massachusetts Turnpike. If you like to shop, this mall has plenty of

clothing, jewelry, electronics, and toy stores for you to choose from. There is also a Cold Stone Creamery located right next to an indoor movie theatre.

Hours: Sunday - Saturday: 10:00AM to 9:00PM

***Travel Information and Parking for DCU Center can be found on the BABAT Conference Site or at https://www.dcucenter.com/visitor-information/.