... I sat next to and talked with two two honest-to-god old school South End guys from the days of my youth. About 75, black, kind of weatherbeaten -- enjoying their meal at the bar; could have been musicians... or laborers... or MIT professors... who knows? Not many of those folks around any more.

Harp & Bard in Dorchester

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:29pm.

Harp & Bard in Dorchester

O’Briens Pub in Allston. Best

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:31pm.

O’Briens Pub in Allston. Best place to see local live music.

Great Scott as well

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:39pm.

Great Scott as well

Pleasant Cafe

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:34pm.

Pleasant Cafe
JJ Brannellys
Eire Pub
The Corrib

Anyone else

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:44pm.

Pick up pizza from the Pleasant lately, it was terrible. Like inedible.

Hope it was a fluke, but three people I know had the same experience of recent.

In Davis Square

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:38pm.

Mike's is an essential presence and meeting place

Also in Davis Square: The Burren

By Ron Newman on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 8:44pm.

and if we go beyond just bars and restaurants: the Somerville Theatre.

THE TAM

By Coyote137 on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:39pm.

THE TAM

Also Galway House.

By Coyote137 on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:44pm.

And JJ Foley’s. And the Corner Pub. And Tavern at the End of the World.

So is this just a survey that

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:44pm.

So is this just a survey that doesn't award the surveyed like they do on the internet?

Love this post

By CMac on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:45pm.

East Boston: Eddie C's / Kelley Sq Pub / All of the Spanish Dives

Southie: Murphy's, Whitey's, L St. (Lincoln defines new Southie)

Dorchester: Hmm.. lot's disappearing. Eire Pub / Dot Tavern (not sure if it has reopened)

JP: Galway House / Brendan Behan

Charlestown: Sullivan's / Ironside

Westie: CORRIB / Kelleher's

Rozzi: JJ's / BKs

North End: Stanza

Allston/Brighton: Silhouette, Model's, Irish Village, Mary Ann's

Beacon Hill: Seven's Ale / Beacon Hill Pub / Sully's Tap

South End / Back Bay: Wally's, JJ Foley's, Bukowski, Pour House, McGreevy's

Downtown: The Tam, Beantown Pub, JJ Foley's, Biddy Early's, An Tain, Green Dragon/Bell n' Hand/Durty Nelly's

Fenway: Anything on or around Landsdowne

Looking at Charlestown on

By ToonieDave on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 11:40am.

Looking at Charlestown on your list: Ironsides closed this summer. If you mean Old Sully's it closed a couple years ago and has been replaced by "luxury condos."

Better start getting used to

By Mediacrity on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 12:51pm.

Better start getting used to Charlestown without Ironside ... https://bostonrestaurants.blogspot.com/2019/09/ironside-grill-in-charles...

High five for the Durtys mention. :)

JP Licks

By Parkwayne on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:47pm.

JP Licks in JP
Delfino + Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale
Behan in Hyde Square*

I tried to decide what it would be in Coolidge Corner but it's a toss-up between the Verizon Store, the ATT store, the Bank of America and the Citizens Bank.

* as a middle-aged white person. I'd guess if I was Latino I'd have a different answer.

Coolidge Corner?

By KellyJMF on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:43pm.

I think of the movie theater and Brookline Booksmith

Not Boston

By BostonDog on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:21pm.

If you include the nearby cities and towns a bunch of neighbors should be considered. Davis Sq still has class as does Ball Square and West Medford.

Independently owned restaurants seem to be the common factor for all of these spots, unsurprisingly. If Boston wanted to help they could offer grants and incentives for locally O/O restaurants with only a single location.

I was in Allston last night

By Marco on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:47pm.

for a show at O'Briens Pub. I moved to Boston in 1999 and I NEVER thought that place would still be around 20 years out. So many great Allston bars/establishments have come and gone, and that hell-hole still keeps chugging along. They MUST own the building. Tiny bar, tiny capacity, only open from 8-12 every night, horrible sound, cramped, hot. Its a glorified basement show 7 nights a week, which while sort of amazing, it just perplexes me as to how no one has sold that place for it's liquor license. No one would miss it. Meanwhile the outer neighborhoods are dry as a bone.
Anyways my votes for Allston institutions we should never lose:
Silhouette
The Model Cafe
Twin Donuts

I've been to probably half a

By pizza eater on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 1:38pm.

I've been to probably half a dozen shows at O'Brien's, a couple of great shows among them. I don't think the sound's that bad, it is very loud but those are the type of shows that are O'Brien's flavor. Also given the type of the music, sometimes the amps for bands later in the night take up a lot of space so limits floor space, but again NBD. So I for one, plus many others, would miss that place. The staff are nice, the beers are not expensive and the ticket is cheap, BYO earplugs. Viva la "glorified basement shows"

Del Frisco's in the Seaport District

By Milwaukee Mike on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:00pm.

Because it so perfectly epitomizes the quirky local charm of the neighborhood.

Savage.

By Scratchie on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 6:31pm.

Savage.

Touchie’s

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:02pm.

Shamrock Pub on H Street in Southie.

Best karaoke also

By anon on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 4:20pm.

when Lady Gaga sings.

It's Too Late The City Is Dead

By BlackKat on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:04pm.

The Channel and The Rathskeller

Delihaus :(

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:43pm.

Delihaus :(

honorable mention

By mrotown on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 6:08pm.

Deli Haus

Fireside Tavern - JP

By mangycougar on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:13pm.

Fireside Tavern - JP

Pleasant Cafe - Roslindale

Jacques Cabaret - South End

Model Cafe - Allston

The Banshee

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:18pm.

The Banshee

Not the answer they are looking for exactly

By downtown-anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:19pm.

Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill Pub
You weren't expecting me to say
Cheers or the Bull and Finch were you?

If I were to answer the question about Beacon Hill I might say the Paramount, but it is about breakfast there.

Beacon Hill

By Bob Leponge on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 7:14pm.

I'd go with Charles Street Supply (hardware store) or Gary Drug (One of the last independent pharmacies around).

You love your local independent businesses? Vote with your wallet. Yeah, light bulbs might be a little cheaper at Home Depot, and CVS might have shaving cream on sale. Consider the price difference a small fee you're paying to keep your neighbor employed.

Beacon Hill Pub

By downtown-anon on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 11:11am.

I put this in as a joke and then I read that the Beacon Hill Pub is being converted to fine-dining.

Say it ain't so!

By Bob Leponge on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 10:47pm.

Last time I was in there I was underage and the bouncer scared the shit out of me. Now my friend's kid works there as a bouncer.

Neighborhood Hangouts

By plt3012 on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:20pm.

Here in fashionable South Boston, many of the old places have given way to some really great places to have a White Claw!

Junction....

By Doug1001 on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 6:12pm.

Great spot.

Aga's Highland Tap

By O-FISH-L on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:25pm.

Aga's Highland Tap in ~~Dudley~~ Nubian Square, not just for surviving 72 years but for forcing city father's to permit a strip club that they couldn't get their paws on.

Translation

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:41pm.

Translation: We kind of like this business in the area we currently live so let's destroy the property value of it for the owner who might have spent a lifetime building it.

Boston Bowl in Dorchester/Neponset?

By DonovanCyn on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:42pm.

I haven't been there in decades --- but it is one of the few gathering places of my youth still in business.

Chez Vous

By Waquiot on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 8:20pm.

I did misread your comment, but much like you, my youth did not involved going to Chez Vous. However, my aunt used to go there all the time before getting married, having a kid, and moving back to Ireland. It blew my mind when she asked after it a while ago. I'd say that overall, the 50+ years of service to the community qualifies it as an essential neighborhood hangout.

Oh, and my son went there this summer. Not a fan of roller skating. Says he likes ice skating better, and he can't ice skate to save his life.

I hope I don't jinx these

By HGS138 on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:48pm.

I hope I don't jinx these places

Dali Restaurant (Somerville)
Brattle Theatre
Charlie's Kitchen (when people aren't playing bullshit on the jukebox)
Cambridge Elks (hardcore/punk institution, probably not interesting to most others)
Frank's Steakhouse

+1 to Brattle

By anon on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 6:00am.

+1 to Brattle

Naked i

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:51pm.

Naked i

Naked I

By Peter McNamara on Mon, 09/30/2019 - 10:22pm.

Gone but not forgotten

Hasn't been around that long, but

By Adam on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 3:55pm.

Ashmont Grill

Eastie

By thomas on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:11pm.

Eastie

Eddie C
La hacienda
Kelly’s
Quiet few
Maverick cafe

Beg to differ

By Travis Stets on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:22pm.

Quiet Few & Maverick Cafe are not "staples" in Eastie, not even close. Quiet Few's been there for about 6 months. I agree on Eddies, Kelley's, & Hacienda, though.

+1 Maverick Marketplace Cafe

By HCL on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:28pm.

+1 Maverick Marketplace Cafe (now Maverick's).

Saturday morning french toast special, yes please!

irish village

By bostnkid on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:21pm.

brighton massachusetts. also know in my neighborhood as the mailman's bar.

I AM NOT GOING TO TELL YOU!

By uhub-fan on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:35pm.

BECAUSE THE MOMENT I TELL YOU, YOU WILL TEAR IT DOWN TO BUILD A "LUXURY" CONDO!

Downtown Bukowskis!

By Peeeet on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:39pm.

Love that dank little place. Long may it reign.

A few thoughts

By Stevil on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:43pm.

Cask and Flagon
Mike's Pastry (and Modern)
Twin Donuts

Perhaps:
Giacomos
Warren Tavern (food sucks - just a classic)
Parrish Cafe (a personal fave)

Jjs pub Dot Ave

By Jonnie P on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 5:31pm.

Classic Irish Bar, go in for 1 stay till close.
Pool table jukebox, great for Pats games

CASK AND FLAGON?

By Parkwayne on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 5:41pm.

No, just no. GTFOH.

Full of bros from Waltham pregaming. In your neighborhood the answer is Sonsie right? Ha.

Wouldn't know about Sonsie

By Stevil on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 6:39pm.

Been to sonsie once in the past 20 years. Can't think of anything that fits that bill any more.

Not so much hangouts as places for a variety of reasons are VERY Boston.

You forgot

By APB on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 6:11pm.

Regina's, North End

and yes, the Warren, aside from the food

The Trident, Back Bay (food could improve but we need an indie bookstore)

the local

By anon on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:45pm.

The Squealin' Pig, Bella Luna,

really missed more than Doyle's: TC's, Lower Depths, James' Gate, Parrish Cafe on Tremont,

Barber Shops

By Oscar Worthy on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 4:50pm.

Too many to name . .

Woodys!

By Jess ormsby on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 5:19pm.

O’Leary’s
Flan O’Briens
The daily catch
The common ground RIP

The Naked i

By Saddlebrook7 on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 5:34pm.

Oops! That place, and the neighborhood, are already gone. But the i was a defining hold-out.

Sullivan's at Castle Island

By dd808 on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 5:37pm.

Sullivan's at Castle Island
Simco's by the Bridge in Mattapan
Santapio's in East Boston
Regina's in the North End
... Yeah, I'm hungry.

Doyle’s

By JPMom on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 6:42pm.

JP is not JP without it.

Costello's is still here.

By Pedro on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 7:43pm.

Fireside too.

Galway House, Behan and The

By Kinopio on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 7:57pm.

Galway House, Behan and The Haven are all better. Maybe Jeannie too. And that's just irish/Scottish bars in JP.

Hyde Park

By Miss M on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 7:08pm.

Ron's Bowling and Ice Cream. Best cheap date in the city.

Jjs pub Dot Averaged

By Jonnie P on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 7:30pm.

Great for pats games
Stop in for 1 stay till close

Yes!!!

By Snoofy on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 7:39pm.

Love Ron's!!

in Cambridge:

By Ron Newman on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 8:47pm.

Cantab Lounge
Plough & Stars
Brattle Theatre
Club Passim
Newtowne Grille
Greek Corner
Joe Sent Me

+1,000 for the Cantab

By BostonTeacher on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 9:16am.

+1,000 for the Cantab

To add,

By boo_urns on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 9:40am.

Christopher's/Toad & Cambridge Common/Lizard Lounge. And, personal favorite, Atwood's. The majority of Inman Square, really.

Ummmm

By Ebolasaurus on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 12:21am.

How has no one said The Midway yet?

1. Buff's Pub in Newton

By Chris77 on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 7:29am.

1. Buff's Pub in Newton Corner

2. T's Pub on Comm. Ave near BU

3. Sullivan's Tap and The Fours near TD Garden

Jim's Deli in Brighton Center

By adamg on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 11:15am.

It's probably my single best reason for not living anywhere near Brighton Center, because if I did, I would eat lunch there every day and would probably weigh about 900 pounds now.

Jim's Deli & Restaurant - Serving Brighton since 1214 B.C.

Mattapan

By Don't Panic on Mon, 09/30/2019 - 1:10am.

Brothers Deli & Restaurant in Mattapan Square. Great Breakfast and I love their chicken dinners. Seems like they've been there forever and they close before dark usually.

Esssential neighborhood hangouts

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