It's Wednesday, Boston.ย
๐ย Bad news: I turned the heat on for the first time this season.ย
๐ Good news: Today is my last chance to score Taylor Swift tickets. Pray for me.ย
๐ Whatโs on tap today:
Local Swifties beware
A lab space boom? Or bust?
Boston loses some stripes
Up firstโฆ
DATINGย
A serial daterโs guide to cuffing season

Image: Piรฑata Farm, Illustration: Katie Cole
Is Boston a good city for singles? According to Bankrate, weโre in the top 10, with over 39% of residents uncuffed and a median age of 32.2 years old.ย
But according to Boston influencer Krissy F., โthereโs a lot of opportunities, but the opportunities might not be great.โ She declined to give her last name for privacy reasons.ย
The 24-year-old Cambridge resident goes by @narcolepsybetsy on TikTok, where she makes videos about living and dating in Boston. She estimates sheโs been on 30 to 50 dating app dates since 2020.
Krissyโs experiences in the local dating scene have led her to a few conclusions.
โI've been on so many Southie dates, and they're all the same,โ she said. Theyโre โthe people who never mentally leave college.โ
But if youโre looking for someone to bring home to your parents, โCambridge and Somerville are the places to be,โ she said. โItโs more of this artsy and academic community.โ
Krissy candidly admits sheโs been single for the last eight years. โMaybe Iโm the problem,โ she chuckled.ย
But as a seasoned dating app user in the area, she has some tips for maximizing your chances of finding a boo this cuffing season:
Your first date should always be in public. โIt's a red flag if they're just like, come over, come hang out with my group of friends,โ she said.
Be direct and upfront. The first prompt on her Hinge profile says โI'm looking for a boyfriend. So if that's not your vibe, please swipe left.โย
Looks arenโt everything. โEven if someone might not be exactly your type, get to know them,โ she said. Their personality might surprise you.ย
And if youโre feeling down about the dating scene, Krissyโs had her fair share of bad dates, too. You can watch her recount one of her worst Hinge dates here.
CITY
Quick & Dirty Headlines

Photo: Erin Clark for The Boston Globe, Illustration: Katie Cole
๐๏ธ Boston police are warning local Swifties to be wary of counterfeit ticket sales. Yes, I understand that sketchy deal may be tempting โ this is Woodstock for Taylor Swift fans, after all. However, police are urging fans to only acquire tickets from authorized agencies as purchasing via other avenues can open the door for invalid or counterfeit tickets. If you have any suspicion that someone is selling you a counterfeit ticket, you can anonymously contact Boston police by texting the word โTIPโ to CRIME (27463).
โ Bostonโs lab boom is hitting the brakes. Billions of dollars were poured into the regionโs life sciences industry during the pandemic, creating a boom in building lab space. However, that boom is now slowing due to rising interest rates, soaring construction costs, and a rocky economy. A recent report by real estate brokerage Newmark predicted that 80% of the 40 million square feet of proposed lab space that has yet to be built could be โcurtailedโ and put on hold.
๐ฅช A popular Nantucket deli opened a second location in Boston. Known for their specialty sandwiches and salads, Fresh Nantucket has found a second home in Southie (theyโre calling this location Fresh Boston). Guests can expect their favorite sandwiches from ACK, as well as fresh pressed juices, speciality toasts, charcuterie, and more. You can even grab an island-themed cocktail at their bar in case youโre missing summer.ย
THINGS TO DO
Move your body

Gif: Peloton via Giphy, Illustration: Katie Cole
๐ Groove your stress away with a dance fitness class from Big Night Fitness and Move with Britt. | Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m. | Tickets are $20ย
๐ฒ Spin to the queens of pop at Turnstyle Cycle & Bootcamp in the South End. New clients get 10 days of unlimited spin for $10. | Thursday, Nov. 17, 5:30 p.m.ย
๐ง Stretch out and sip at a yoga class in the taproom of Remnant Brewing Company. | Saturday, Nov. 19, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. | Class is $15
๐คธ Kick it on the Brighton Common in a free kickboxing-inspired fitness class sponsored by the City of Boston | Sunday, Nov. 20, 10 to 11 a.m. | FREEย
๐คพ Throw it back to P.E. class with a round of dodgeball at the Andrew Peabody School Gymnasium (we promise itโs more fun than when you played in high school). | Multiple dates | Tickets start at $15
ONE LAST THING
Boston loses some stripes

Photo: John Tlumacki/Globe Staff, Illustration: Katie Cole
Anala, a Tiger at Franklin Park Zoo, died from kidney failure yesterday.ย
The 17-year old Bengal mix was rescued as a cub by US Fish and Wildlife special agents after a wildlife sanctuary was attempting to sell her illegally. She arrived at the Franklin Park Zoo in 2006 along with Luther, a white tiger who was rescued along with her and died due to cancer in 2019.ย
She had been on palliative care since September after bloodwork and a biopsy revealed her kidney failure. In her final weeks she was fed some of her favorite foods: beef heart and liver. May she rest in peace.
๐ฌ Thanks for reading! This Capital One presale better work or I may need to go against Boston policeโs wishes โฆ
๐ Keep up with other B-Side tomfoolery on IG, TikTok, and Twitter @BostonBSide. Send comments and suggestions to [email protected].