The Independent in Union Square, Somerville, offers two divergent settings for drinking hard cider. To the left as you enter, there’s a raucous watering hole. Through the other set of doors, there’s a quieter restaurant with a tame bar atmosphere. Both sides serve two local brews: Downeast Cider (which recently moved from Maine to Leominster) is on tap alongside bottles of Bantam Cider, made in nearby Inman Square, Cambridge.  — Glenn Yoder

THE INDEPENDENT 75 Union Square, Somerville, 617-440-6022, theindo.com