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Hyde Park to lose another hole in the wall

Cottage Cafe in Hyde Park

Cottage Cafe, 1227 Hyde Park Ave., is getting ready for its final last call: Next week, the Boston Licensing Board considers letting its owner sell the venerable watering hole's liquor license to about as un-gritty a locale as you could imagine: A large building aimed at "makers, designers, architects, communicators, researchers, manufacturers, technologists, innovators and entrepreneurs" on the South Boston waterfront.

If approved, the move would force hard-fisted drinkers to one of the dwindling number of traditional bars in the neighborhood: Cavan Cafe on Hyde Park Avenue, Master McGrath on River Street and Cappy's in Wolcott Square. Recent years have seen the closing of the Hyde Park Pub and Dempsey's.

The proposed buyer of the license is the Innovation and Design Building, 21 Drydock Ave., which wants the ability to stock a restaurant and bar with room for about 140 thirsty patrons - roughly 100 in the restaurant itself and another 40 in the building lobby and on a seasonal patio.

The licensing board holds a hearing on the proposed license sale on Wednesday - its hearings start at 10 a.m. in its eighth-floor hearing room in City Hall.

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Comments

another relic bites the dust. Have never been but going for a pint before the lights go out.

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Probably the sketchiest looking Boston bar from an exterior perspective I have ever seen. Nonetheless, it's a damn shame to see neighborhood bars closing left & right. I just don't get it....does everyone want to go to upscale bars (not really even bars - restaurants with bars) & pay $6-7 for a cheap beer???

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Or Bill Ash's Lounge on Revere Beach? There are still a few proper dive bars around. I don't consider it a genuine dive unless it feels like there's a serious chance that someone might get a bottle broken over their head.

Most folks' idea of a dive bar was captured recently by Eater Boston: https://boston.eater.com/maps/best-dive-bars-boston A nice trot around some good Old Man Bars, but while I like the Sil and Mo-Del's, they're too safe, too full of dewy college kids, to be true dives in my book.

Luke O'Neill did a really fine survey of Boston dives in 2011, reviewed some truly scary joints like the bygone Parrotta's Alpine Lodge in Chelsea, and Dorchester's Ups N Downs. Still a great read: https://www.amazon.com/Bostons-Best-Dive-Bars-Drinking/dp/1935439251 I tried to get by Old Sully's in Charlestown this summer for one last round, was crushed that I'd missed the chance by a day or two. That book is a brilliant, dank slice of Old Dirty Boston history preserved in amber: a lot of them have closed since it was published.

RIP, the South End's last bucket o' blood: http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/2009/04/lesson-in-workforce-management-from...

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ALLSTON/BRIGHTON/BROOKLINE
The Boyne Pub, 458 Western Ave., Brighton. 617-782-2418 **
Bus Stop Pub, 252 Western Avenue., Allston. 617-254-4086 ***
Hogan's Run, 8 Lincoln St., Brighton. 617-254-9407 *****
Joey's, 416 Market St., Brighton. 617-254-9381 **
The Last Drop, 596 Washington St., Brighton. 617-787-1111 **
The Model Cafe, 7 North Beacon St., Allston. 617-254-9365 ***
Silhouette Lounge, 200 Brighton Ave., Allston. 617-254-9306 ****

BOSTON
Anchovies, 433 Columbus Ave., Boston. 617-266-5088. **
The Bar Room, 5 Broad St., Boston. 617-723-7877 ***
Beacon Hill Pub, 148 Charles St., Boston *****
Biddy Early's, 141 Pearl St., Boston. 617-654-9944 **
Black Horse Tavern, 340 Fanueil Hall Marketplace, Boston ***
Corner Pub, 162 Lincoln St., Boston. 617-542-7080. ****
Deluxe Cafe, 100 Chandler St., Boston. 617-338-5258 ***
The Dugout, 722 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. 617-247-8656 ***
The Eagle, 520 Tremont St., Boston. 617-542-4494 ****
JJ Donovan's, 27 Clinton St., Boston. 617-523-9522 **
JJ Foley's, 21 Kingston St., Boston. 617-695-2529 ***
The Penalty Box, 65 Causeway St., Boston *****
Punter's Pub, 450 Huntington Ave., Boston. 617-472-2330 ****
Red Hat Cafe, 9 Bowdoin St., Boston. 617-523-2175 ***
Remmingtons 124 Boylston St., Boston. 617-574-9676 ***
Shangrilla Chinese Restaurant, 138 Cambridge St., Boston. 617-523-0557 *****
Side Bar, 14 Bromfield St., Boston. 617-357-1899. ***
Sullivan's Tap, 168 Canal St., Boston. 617-720-4455 ****
The Tam 222 Tremont St., Boston ****
TC's Lounge, 1 Haviland St., Boston. 617-247-8109 *****
Wally's Cafe, 427 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 617-424-1408. ****

CAMBRIDGE
The Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-354-2685 *****
Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St., Cambridge. 617-492-9646 ***
The Courtside Restaurant and Pub, 291 Cambridge St., Cambridge. 617-547-4374 ***
Joey Mac's, 23 Warren St., Cambridge ****
Newtowne Grille, 1945 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-661-0706 ***
Paddy's Lunch, 260 Walden St., Cambridge. 617-547-8739 *****
Portugalia, 723 Cambridge St., Cambridge. 617-491-5373 ***
Pugliese Bar & Grill, 635 Cambridge St., Cambridge. 617-491-9616 ***
Riverside Pizza, 305 River St., Cambridge. 617-354-8800 ****
Whitney's Cafe 37 JFK St., Cambridge 617-354-8172 ****

CHARLESTOWN/NORTH END
Corner Cafe, 87 Prince St., Boston. 617-523-8997 ***
Durty Nelly's, 108 Blackstone St., Boston. 617-742-2090 ***
Four Winds Bar and Grille, 266 Commercial St., Boston. 617-742-3922 ***
Old Sully's, 56 Union St., Charlestown *****
Sullivan's Pub, 85 Main St., Charlestown. 617-242-3222 ***
Tavern At the End of the World, 108 Cambridge St., Charlestown. 617-241-4999. **

DORCHESTER
Centre Bar, 1664 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester. 617-436-0700 ***
The Dot Tavern, 840 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester. 617-288-6288 *****
Dublin House, 7 Stoughton St., Dorchester. 617-282-2235 ***
The Eire Pub, 795 Adams St., Dorchester. 617-436-0088 ***
Lower Mills Pub, 2269 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester *****
Sonny's Adams Village Restaurant and Lounge, 750 Adams St., Dorchester 617-436-9432 ***
Tom English Bar, 957 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester 617-288-7748 ***
Twelve Bens, 315 Adams St., Dorchester ****
Upstairs Downstairs, 469 Neponset Ave., Dorchester. 617-436-9589 *****

EAST BOSTON/CHELSEA
Chelsea Walk Pub, 416 Broadway. Chelsea. 617-884-0146 *****
Eddie C's, 34 Maverick Square, East Boston. 617-567-9395 ****
Parrotta’s Alpine Lodge, 77 Winnisimmet St., Chelsea *****
Taverna Medallo, 411 Chelsea St., East Boston. 617-567-2727 **
Trainor's Cafe, 127 Maverick St., East Boston. 617-567-6995 ****
Victory Pub, 1004 Bennington St., East Boston. 617-567-9242 ***

JAMAICA PLAIN/ ROSLINDALE
BK's, 4272 Washington St., Roslindale. 617-323-9191 *****
Cottage Tavern, 1227 Hyde Park Ave., Hyde Park ****
The Drinking Fountain, 3520 Washington St., Jamaica Plain. 617-522-3424 *****
Galway House, 720 Centre St, Jamaica Plain. 617-524-9677 ****
JJ Foley's Fireside Tavern, 30 Hyde Park Ave., Jamaica Plain ***
Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St., Jamaica Plain. 617-524-9038 ***
Robyn's Bar and Grill, 4195 Washington St., Roslindale. 617-323-6507 ***

ROXBURY
Aga's Highland Tap, 2128 Washington St., Roxbury. 617-427-6514 ***
El Mondonguito, 221 Dudley St., Roxbury. 617-522-3672 *****
Pat “Packy” Connors Tavern, 203-5 Blue Hill Ave., Roxbury *****

SOMERVILLE
Casey's, 171 Broadway, Somerville. 617-625-5195 ***
Fasika, 145-147 Broadway, Somerville. 617-628-9300. ****
On the Hill Tavern, 499 Broadway, Somerville. 617-629-5302 ***
The Pub, 682 Broadway, Somerville. 617-776-7373 ***
P.A.'s Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave., Somerville. 617-776-1557 ***
Rosebud Bar and Grill, 381 Summer St., Somerville. 617-440-6284 **
Sligo Pub, 237 Elm St., Somerville. 617-623-9561 ****

SOUTH BOSTON
Ace's High, 551 Dorchester Ave., South Boston. 617-269-7637 ****
The Connection, 560 Dorchester Ave., South Boston. 617-268-4119 ***
The Corner Tavern, 645 E 2nd St., South Boston. 617-269-9891 ****
Cornerstone Pub, 16 West Broadway, South Boston. 617-268-7158 ***
Croke Park/ Whitey's, 268 West Broadway, South Boston. 617-464-4869 *****
Kiley's Tavern, 138 Old Colony Ave., South Boston. ******
Murphy's Law, 837 Summer St., Boston. 617-269-6667 ****
Quencher Tavern, 170 I St., South Boston. 617-269-9555 *****
Touchie's Shamrock Pub, 501 E 8th St., South Boston. 617-268-0007 *****
Tom English's Cottage, 118 Emerson St., South Boston. 617-269-9805 ****
The Shannon Tavern, 558 E 3rd St., South Boston. 617-269-9460 *****
Shea's Tavern, 266 West Broadway, South Boston ****
Williams Tavern, 79 W. 2nd St., South Boston ****

That's some serious research, folks, and the work is full of crisp, evocative, hilarious prose. That dude can effing write.

I was really glad he included and five-starred the Quencher (RIP), my local when I lived in City Point, though it wasn't a scary place, just dripping with dingey Old Southie atmosphere. But for the Bud sign hanging out front, you might have mistaken it for the ground-floor apartment of the typical Southie row house that it once was. It had a dual big-reservoir shot dispenser on the bar by the door: Jager for the kids, Sambuca for the olds.

I'll never forget my first visit there, to catch a Pats game, where I got buttonholed for three tear-stained quarters by a lovely, dear old biddy on the next stool whose heart had been broken by the endless transgressions of her opioid-addicted son. The lame best I could do was nod and listen and buy her a couple of pints. I never saw her in there again.

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How old is that book? Just off the top of my head which ones are gone:

TC's Lounge, 1 Haviland St., Boston (long gone)
Trainor's Cafe, 127 Maverick St., East Boston (Now Enfarrado's)
Victory Pub, 1004 Bennington St., East Boston (Now Renegade Pub)

Wouldn't entirely consider a dive:
Taverna Medallo, 411 Chelsea St., East Boston (not entirely upscale, but their staff is too high-end to be a dive)

Eddie C's renovated a lot of the dank out of the place. And any list of East Boston would be remiss without Barney's Grill. That place hasn't been renovated since the Ford administration.

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a third of those places are already gone.

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RIP to Parrotta's in Chelsea, too.

Never went in myself, despite having lived on Winnisimmet Street for 4 years... Damn that place was skeevy-looking from the outside, and as his write-up confirmed, a honky like myself would probably be taking his life in his hands going in there for a drink.

At least there's still the 9-11 bar right down the street... #neverforget

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Extremely so. It isn't a dive bar. Quite the opposite. Same for JJ's on Kingston and the Twelve Bens. And Remington's? Sorry, I don't think any place that gets a theatre crowd qualifies. Good grief.

O'Neill might be a good writer but I prefer non-fiction.

And you seem to be confusing dive bars with bucket of bloods. Ups and Downs surely qualifies as the latter. I saw blood spilled there.

I'm familiar with many of the other places you list and while many are dives I never worried about violence in them.

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The Eire? Are you kidding me? True gentlemen own and run that establishment. 12 ben's carries on the legacy as the owners came from the Eire school. Sonny's is a frigging restaurant.

Now the old Pony Room (Ups and Downs,) that was truly a bucket of blood. I saw blood shed there on more than one occasion, and I didn't go there often.

Remington's downtown has me questioning this guy too. I mean the place used to get a theatre crowd.

He might be a great writer but I prefer non-fiction.

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Browser hung up on the first one and I didn’t think it was submitted.

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There wasn't a serious chance of violence, there was a 1000% chance somebody was getting bottled, smacked, thrown down the stairs, stabbed or shot under the bridge. But, hey, it was the only thing open after 1:30am...

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I think it was cited in most dictionary definitions of "bucket o' blood."

And let's not forget the Ave. Tav in Mattapan Square - which had a mural on one outside wall showing the bus that once crashed into it.

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Okay, I've never set foot in the place, but I run by it 2 nights a week. The smoke break or whatever takes you to the sidewalk crowd are pretty nice.

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Interesting to see people lamenting the loss of a place they have spent $0 at. If you want neighborhood bars to stay open then visit them instead of just posting about them when they close.

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Up by the 7-11. I've never given them a dime, either, but I'd be sad if they shut down, too. Same reason- the crowd lets out while I'm going by. Real friendly, like a lot of Hyde Park. Difference between the two storefronts to me is that while I am a believing Christian, I don't drink (the two are not related, hence my sadness that the bar is closing.) Things change, but that's not reason not to shed a tear when someone you are used to seeing closes. And let's be honest, if the license didn't have a fungible value to it, the bar, like the other bars that Adam notes the closing of, would still be alive and kicking.

You've probably never set foot in Cleary Square, so why do you care either way? I was by this place 12 hours ago.

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I may never have spent a dime at this place as it's not in or near my neighborhood, but I lament the loss because I can relate to losing a low-key neighborhood dive we locals enjoyed and had a relationship built over years with people
who worked there. Sorry you can't relate
to that... it does explain the note of disdain and arrogance in your comment.

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.

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A tree fort built by kids has more ambiance.

Port A Potty with bricks .

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Here's to Dave P., Steve, Lootenant John, Cap'n Hank (bartender) and all the rest. It was a hell of a place in the day, full of real people, none of that 'ambiance' bullshit. You could get into a fight in there, if you tried.
The regulars didn't try.
Morning drinkers? Commonwealth Gas, just out of work firefighters, Edison third shifters, the usual crowd. The people that keep society running.

I'll take them over your 'ambiance' any day of the fucking week.

Green Door (or The Lamplighter?) became the Hyde Park Pub (gone), Mac & Marion's gone, Glennie became the Cavan House (home of the HPHR), Billy Jack's long gone, Tom English's became Master McGrath's, Dempsey's gone. The place on River next to the train bridge? Gone.

Goodbye Cottage Tavern.

This is what happens when the piece of paper hanging on the wall is worth twice what the wall itself is worth.

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Last summer, I had to upgrade a modem at RCN across the street, the nice place with the bulletproof glass barrier and airlock for swapping equipment. (What the hell goes on in these places?).

It was around 9 or 10 in the morning midweek and there was a crowd of almost a dozen stumblebums waiting to get in that bar. I wanted to wait around to see if they busted into tavern song when the keyholder showed up.

Never been, either. I was a Billy Jack's semi-regular back in the day.

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Those stumblebums are human beings. Not as human as you, but human none the less. And yes, when I worked nearby I occasionally went in for a pop.

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Those “Stumblebums” are guys that work overnights. 10am is THEIR 5pm, you arrogant ass. The owners are amazing peons and Hyde Parker’s their whole life, like me. You should have went in and met some of the people that have been going here for many years. It’s the Cheers of Hyde Park so shut it, hipster snowflake

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Those “Stumblebums” are usually people that work the overnights. Their 10am is our 5pm. So don’t judge.

I have known the owners for a very long time. Life long Has dr Parker’s themselves. They are great people and do a lot for the community. Not to mention cooking turkey on Thanksgiving and corned beef of St. Patty’s Day for those less fortunately to have a family to go home to.

The place is legendarily and was always a good time, everyone knows your name. It will be sadly missed by us of those who actually live around here and have enjoyed a few cold ones and lots of laughs and memories down there.

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I skipped the morning Turkey Trot last Thursday and did my usual run in the evening. They were open, probably feeding their patrons.

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Over night shifts where?! As surgeons at a local hospital? Please...

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Even in this high-tech mecca in which we live, there are still warehouses and other facilities that have third shifts.

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Hyde Park is not well visited by some readers/commenters on this website.

Of course, the King of UHub is well versed in the neighborhood, just being the other side of the hill, exposing him to what is probably Boston's last large industrial area. If some readers just took a ride on the 32 down to Walcott Square, they'd be amazed at what is in the last annexed part of Boston.

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There are some places where daytime construction is a no go, so overnight it is.

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They could be third shift cleaners, environmental disposal workers, etc.

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Overnights shifts at the 3 supermarkets in Hyde Park that require a night crew perhaps? Cops and firemen getting off their overnights. Blue collar workers who don’t wear a suit and tie but workbooks and jeans. Hard workers. Maybe even a surgeon or two. What the hell do you know?

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Why is a private business even allowed to sell City property (the liquor license) to another business in the first place?

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The worst thing is that you suburbanites are the reason for all of this. You put the quota in place, limiting the number of liquor licenses and thereby making them valuable. So seriously, ask your state rep about this, since he or she has a chance of changing all of this.

Thanks suburbanites.

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In a possibly related (or not) matter - what happened (or will happen) to the license for the 12 Ben's on Norfolk, behind Eversource? It closed recently.

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I wasn't aware there was any other besides the one on Adam's Street.

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... and order a Schlitz "on draught" like the sign says. Haven't been in there since the early 80s. Ron's video game machines were too crowded, so ducked in there one day to play Galaga on their cocktail table version. Being only about 12 at the time I was soon enough kicked out!

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been in there a few times against the advice of other peoole in the neighborhood ...and they haven't updated the place in atleast 30years. need an inviting front to a bar bldg to lure people in the door these days and make money....also they don't serve food. Master Mcgraths is next if they don't update the place to appeal to more than just the day drinking crowd...not that there is anything wrong with that!

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and they haven't updated the place in atleast 30years. need an inviting front to a bar bldg

Sometimes that is the lure ... ;-)

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I find it interesting how bars from a certain era have those small windows and a heavy door. More recently bars are full of windows to the street. It does make the newer places more welcoming looking at least for new neighbors

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Tend to have opaque windows and heavy doors, too. Maybe the idea is to create a space different than what's out on the sidewalk.

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so they couldn't see when you were hiding out in there

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Why bother with toxic monogamy, then?

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There was a private club on the low end of HP Ave, wife called and was told, "He's not here."
Supposedly she drove the family chariot through the door/wall...

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- It has big jars of pork hocks and pickled eggs on the bar. No other food.

- It opens at 8 AM and has a line outside waiting to get in. And no, they didn't just get off their shift.

- It has a brick facade and if it has windows at all, they are tiny windows with neon beer signs in them. Bonus points if there are Schlitz or old Narragansett signs.

I've been in my share of dive bars, mostly from when I delivered beer years ago. It was eye-opening stuff for the clueless kid I was.

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And, despite the sign, it's actually known as the Cottage Tavern.

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Jeez all the people in here saying they haven't been to Hyde but are sad to see it go is truly incredible. If you really care that much then go to your local bar tonight and the next night and the night after that and give them some business. If everyone really cared so much about the place the owner wouldn't be selling. Reebok and many other major companies just moved into the design building and somebody found the perfect opportunity to buy a liquor license and profit off the good and hard working people that will be working in the design building. Don't get me wrong, I love an old fashioned neighborhood bar, but for crying out loud get over it. Times change, businesses change and people change. A new neighborhood bar will pop up somewhere else, and if it doesn't, go start your own if you care that much. You are the same people that cry about gentrification because they are stuck in the past.

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SAVE THE SCHLITZ LANTERN, PLEASE!
Fill it full of LEDS and nerduino controllers if you must "make" it so.

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First and for most for those you trashing hyde park that says a few things about you small no simple minded clowns i grew up in that neighborhood , we take great pride in were where from we are unlike any type of ppl youve ever come across or ever meet and for all of your sake i hope you dont cuz the experience wont be a pleasant one and i know the cottage very well the owners , customers , bartenders and they are very good ppl myself included amd on behalf of all of us were glad youve never stepped in the thier cuz unlike you all well youd never be able to understand what mind ppl we are and thats why i say closed simple minded cuz all of us will never be afraid or as judgemental of any establishment no matter where or whats been said about it and also ghose type of bars lime the one your trashing well were a family we fight talk shit to one another help and look out for each other in very aspect and most of all we have great times together and the owners are really reallg good ppl and thier are or will be some of the customers that are gonna be lost without that place in thier lives cuz it was a home a away from place were they knew they were wanted and thier company was a pleasure to be around with the joy we all need at times drinking with l ppl like that as i have just Thursday night and many of other times makes the place one hell of a place thats a shame youll never experience . so keep going with trashing my neighborhood and my bar THE COTTAGE cuz trust me WE DONT GIVE 2 SHITS ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN AND WILL SAY BOUT US CUZ WE WILL NEVER LOSE SLEEP OVER IT CUZ WE LOVE WHATS SAID BOUT US ITS WHATS MAKES BETTER PPL . HAVE FUN TRASHING WHERE GOOD PPL LIVE AND GREW UP AND HAVE A SENSE OF PRIDE UNLIKE YOULL NEVER KNOW . I LOOK FORWARD WHATS SAID NEXT FROM EVERY ONE .

NAME: TOMMY B.
FROM HYDE PARK AND PROUD TO BE

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Please learn grammar and punctuation. It would have made reading your post easier.

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HA! This rant says it all. I got this exact aggressive locals-only attitude every time i went to the Cottage. I don't know a thing about the owners, but Tommy Toughnuts here is exactly who's sitting at the bar every day. That's why the Cottage is closing -- 'cause it SUCKS. Nothing spells good times like enjoying a beer with a bunch of hateful fucks like this dude.

Tommy -- If you and your pals are "gonna be lost without that place cuz it was a home a away from place were they knew they were wanted" perhaps you should venture down the street to Master McGrath's. I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding a new family there to "fight talk shit to one another help and look out for each other in very aspect and most of all we have great times together." That place is filled with backward fucks! And they have good wings! You'll love it!

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Maybe, just maybe people were rude to you because you come off as a pompous a**hole. Every time I have entered the Cottage, I was always greeted with a smile and a "What's up!" from almost everyone.

You should probably take yourself to Brighton with that obnoxious "Better than you" attitude.

Fucking hipster.

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