A night at Hecate, Back Bay Boston's hidden bar

The Back Bay's seemingly most exclusive bar fills up as soon as it opens at 6pm, with the waitlist packed in minutes — mostly because the venue only seats some 20 people at a time.

• This bar's been open since April, but I stopped in for the first time earlier this month.

Why it matters: The hidden bar, named Hecate after the Greek goddess of magic and spells, adds a bit of intrigue to the popular shopping district.

• The bartender serves complex yet balanced cocktails that are mixed with elderflower, Tropi-Cola and other less-common ingredients.

Yes, but: Getting there requires a keen eye. The entrance is in an alleyway off Gloucester Street, and the only clue is Hecate's logo, which features two keys, the sun and a crescent.

Know before you go: Hecate is open 6pm to 1am Wednesday through Saturday, and is first-come first-served, no standing room allowed.

• You can go solo or with up to three other people.
• The queue forms early. I showed up at 5:30pm on a Saturday, thinking I'd be among the first. About a dozen people had already lined up in the alleyway.
• If you don't make it in the first round, Hecate can add you to the waitlist and text you when a spot opens up.