Not only do lions hang out with gargoyles, griffins, dragons, and demons, they prowl on their own. In fact, lions are so common in Boston that they have to be really exceptional to catch your eye. The ones at Harvard Medical School look like they're waiting for a lift to someplace else. And don't talk about those at Filene's at Downtown Crossing - they're just too darned pretty to be taken seriously.

If the lions at the Wang Theatre bring out the big game hunter in you, walk a couple of blocks to the Renaissance School at the corner of Stuart and Arlington streets. Originally home to Boston Consolidated Gas Co., the building boasts some of the fiercest-looking lions you're likely to see, as well as beady-eyed rams and stately eagles. And since they're just a few feet above your head, the view is great.

From there, it's only a few more blocks to what may be the largest pride of lions in town (or anywhere else, for that matter). Located at Chauncy Street and De Lafayette Avenue, the Wentworth Building sports 73 lion's heads - 25 on the Chauncy side and another 48 on De Lafayette. (Next door at 110 Chauncy, there are 16 larger heads.)

From 12 stories up, the Wentworth lions roar down at you, their eyes seeming to follow as you walk. Take the elevator up to the ballroom level of the Swissotel, which is catty-corner (of course) to the Wentworth; the windows next to the elevators are exactly at lion-level, and only 50 feet away, providing an especially intimate view for both you and them.

Bar-goyles

While monster-gazing on Washington Street, you might want to drop by the Gargoyle Bar on Province Street. It's part of the Governor's Alley Restaurant and sports five elaborately carved wooden gargoyles.

The gargoyles in the bar appear to be swallowing banners. According to waitress and resident expert Heidi Margosy (she's from England, so must know), such gargoyles bring good luck, and the banners, which recall the flags of noble houses, represent kinship.

Hungry for more? Try Gargoyles on the Square, 215 Elm St., Somerville. Founded by James Conforti four years ago, it reportedly was the outcome of a heavy drinking bout and the desire to build a bar around a gargoyle named Dido.

"Dido warns off evil spirits and nasty customers," Conforti says, who adds that most customers don't go anywhere near him.

When you dine here, don't expect the resident bestiary to just jump out and shake hands with you. Just as when you stroll the streets of Boston, you have to keep a sharp eye out for them. Dido is more obvious. He even has an award-winning drink named after him: The Dido Martini.

Served in a chilled 10-ounce martini-glass, and made with Stolichnaya orange, cranberry vodka, cranberry juice sour mix, and a splash of 7-Up, it's more than sufficient to get even the grimmest, fiercest, most obnoxious gargoyle thoroughly sloshed, giggly, and sociable.

- M.W.