Triple bar score

Eastern Standard made Esquire's best bars list. (JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF)

The first thing we do when a national magazine puts out one of its annual Best Something in America issues is flip through looking for Boston mentions. Partly because we're provincial homers, but also because we want to see just how badly they messed it up. Esquire's party for its Best Bars in America issue last week inspired us to take a closer look at three of their picks (which also included Doyle's Cafe, Charlie's Kitchen, No. 9 Park, and the B Side Lounge).

"There's no scientific process for determining if a place is a 'best bar,' " explained Esquire's Ross McCammon. "It simply has to do its 'thing' very, very well."

Eastern Standard

Why they chose it: "World-class cocktails"; impressive size

What we think: ES has become the Dresden Dolls of Boston bars. You can't open a local rag without reading its praises. And for good reason: It's found a niche that wasn't being filled - a spot with old-school, big-city hotel charm and casual fine-dining aspirations.

528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. 617-532-9100. easternstandardboston.com

The Beachcomber

Why they chose it: Fried oysters, sand dunes, rock bands

What we think: There's something to be said for the bar-at-the-edge-of-the-known-world feel here. Sure, there's some Cape damage issues, but the breathtaking views, rock-club vibe, and daily shotgun wedding of townies and tourists trekking to the source for their Wellfleet oysters make it a worthy road trip.

1220 Calhoun Hollow Road, Wellfleet. 508-349-6055. thebeachcomber.com

People's Republik

Why they chose it: Soviet propaganda décor, eccentric regulars, simple pints

What we think: It's good for Cambridge Commies like us to descend from the philosophical tower every now and again to rub elbows with the proletariat for a round of darts or a proper Guinness pint, even if it means getting ours hands a little dirty.

876 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-491-6969. myspace.com/peoplesrepublik

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