A cute Irish pub in JP! We got an espresso martini (which didn't come in a martini glass like I expected) and a local cider. Both were delicious. The bar is cash only and they have an ATM outside. Outdoor patio was plentiful and had large communal tables. Seating indoors is plentiful as well. The pub was always busy everytime I walked by in it in passing. read more

Brendan Behan Pub - Espresso martini and cider - Irish Pub Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

This is probably the ideal Irish bar. It's not over the top with shamrocks and goofy shit everywhere. Just a great taplist, free popcorn, bartenders are awesome. Everything you want in a neighborhood bar. read more

This place is great for a drink or two or three. The crowd is friendly, the outdoor tables in the summer are a treat, and the relaxed environment is just a nice way to spend what might otherwise be another lonely night at home. read more

note: cash only! interior is dark with wooden booths and stools, making for a cozy but lively pub, but one where you can still have conversations with some friends. drinks were pretty good, with a wide selection of beer and cider, and the bartender was quick and efficient. read more

Brendan Behan Pub - a man behind the bar - Irish Pub Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

True Score: 2.25 Stars Cash only, a loud dark, and crowded atmosphere. When we went the bartender wasn't all that friendly as we walked in and weren't a part of the local crowd. This is one of the oldest Pubs in Boston, a lot of people love this, but again not my person cup of tea. More of a "locals" establishment. TIP: The neighborhood is extremely liberal, so don't voice any differing opinions or you may get some backlash or ridicule. Pass read more

OK, reducing my review here since I came on a Monday night and was SO disappointed. We placed our order for 1 hot dog and 1 cheeseburger around 6:30pm when we arrived (sat on the back patio). By 7:45pm it still had not arrived (we had also ordered a salad...the waitress came at 7:15pm saying they were out of salad...fine.) Completely unacceptable. No offer to comp our drinks or anything, a very lukewarm cast-behind-the-shoulders apology. Really disappointed. Beers are still great, and the waitress seemed overworked--1 person for the entire back patio and inside bar at least as far as I could tell, but the food service was just atrocious. read more

This is one of my fav dive bar meets community meet up spots! Drinks are cheap- cash only! But the owner is kind, let's us use their front seating frequently and all the waiters check on you often in the covid era. Their beer selection is pretty superb with craft, local stuff and they will even mix a drink for you for pretty cheap! I would HIGHLY recommend grabbing some empanadas from pikalo next door and grab a drink out front while you wait. read more

Brendan Behan Pub - Back patio seating - Irish Pub Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

They pour a great Guinness! Love this place and the dark, authentic interior. The seating is all very intimate

Fantastic atmosphere, local fav. Even better with live Irish music drifting out to the patio.

Now this is the kinda bar I was hoping to find in Boston, an very old Irish bar... that's classic, cheap, has great drinks, and a warm crowd. I love all the junk on the walls, the warm wood bar... which none of it was dirty in the least... the bar tenders were quick and made some perfect classic cocktails for us. Side note (they make fantastic lemon drop shots) it's cash only but service is quick. The crowd was full of nice, fun locals. Would 100% come back. This is the kinda bar that's a rare find! read more

Brendan Behan Pub - Inside, dark, fun, old bar! - Irish Pub Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

They wouldn't accept my government issued ID, despite the fact I'm CLEARLY 28

Nice, dimly lit, Irish bar. Good music too. Parking can be tough to find but if you get a spot tell'em Rick sent you....and bring cash.

If you're looking for a cool like "dive bar," Brendan's is a good option. It's a perfect place to go if you're looking for a decent beer selection and affordable drinks. The staff is really nice and welcoming, and the music they had playing was awesome and not too loud to have a conversation. The space is really setup to be conversational, as the tables are all tightly "organized" around the edge of the bar. It's been a while since I walked into a bar with such a good vibe. Again, my rating is for a place that falls under the "local dive bar" category. You're only going here with expectations of good music, a solid beer selection, fair prices, and a great atmosphere. With that in mind, it's definitely a 4-star spot. If I were a JP resident, it would definitely be a go-to for me (and possible become a 5-star), but I'll be stopping in if I'm in the area. I truly enjoyed the experience. Only other thing you need to know about this pub is that it's CASH ONLY. Fortunately, there's an ATM at the front door and the fee is only 99 cents, Enjoy! read more

Cash only, a loud dark, and crowded atmosphere. When we went the bartender wasn't all that friendly as we walked in and weren't a part of the local crowd. This is one of the oldest Pubs in Boston, a lot of people love this, but again not my person cup of tea. More of a "locals" establishment. read more

This is an interesting old pub with a lot of "character," by which I mean it's kinda dark and grimy but with a fun divey vibe and packed with locals who clearly love it. There are lots and lots of interesting beers (although it's cash only.) It's dog friendly, which seems rare for an indoor bar. There were a couple friendly pups hangin' during our day drinking session, and also people sitting in the corner playing violins. No food generally, but you can bring in whatever you want. On the day we went, there was a bangin' burrito pop up. read more

1st stop after arriving in Boston. Feels like authentic Irish pub with dark smoked wood everywhere and cozy seating. Draught menu is very well rounded. Bar staff was friendly. read more

Local dive bar with good number of beers on draft. No food, so we left after a beer and a bag of chips. read more

The Brendan Behan...what a gem of a place. The Behan is only slightly larger than my NYC apartment, but is bursting at the seams with character and charm. From the surly bartenders to the fish tank in the back with turtles swimming around, this place is an oasis of awesomeness in an otherwise crappy area. If I remember correctly, this is where I had my second legal drink (#1 at the Border Cafe in Harvard Square). The Behan truly reminds me of a real English / Irish pub, with lots of dark wood, plenty of booze, great music blasting through the stereo, thanks to someone's iPod. If you find yourself in Brooklyn, err umm JP, head over to the Behan for a pint or two, you will have yourself a great time. read more

good beer selection. great playlists, nice cozy irish dive feel. go with friends or even alone w a book

The place its ok, romantic dark, drinks are reasonable, and the staff is OK (sometimes). The problem is the people who goes there, they're racist and disrespectful. Women are delusional and crazy jealous of pretty women around (including some females bartender). They see you as a threat if you're by yourself. From guests, I experienced ridiculous comments in a despective way about my personal apperience, either that my butt is fake ( which is not, only surgery is C section, losers!) or why would I straighten my hair, who the heck cares? but it was ok for a couples of days. Last night, was the top of the most savage and rude irrationality I ever seen! someone send a lady ( if she can be called a lady) to raise her middle fingers on me for a drink ( Im proud of myself because I offer her another drink as soon as she finish the one she was offered), I handle it with maturity and the elegance they don't have. What kind of people? what level of hate? The worst part is that staff is aware of all of that and they let those incults get away with it, that's why I said they're good sometimes, because I seen them haging out with the people who harrased me in a very intimate way. so I don't really know who's the baddest here. I rather go to spend my own money in a place free of stupid trivialities and childish bullies. They deserve each other! read more

Best place to have a cold pint, very friendly and interesting crowd. I love the music on Saturday's and ambiance. Everybody is friendly and feels home, you don't want to leave the place. read more

Sometimes commonly referred to as "Dog Bar", this cute little pub allows owners to bring in their dogs while they enjoy a pint or come in for Trivia on Tuesdays. They have a great selection of beers and if you're feeling like being a hipster or drinking cheap, you can always grab a PBR pint for $3. I would give this place a 5th star, but a bar automatically losses a star for being cash only. On the plus side, the bartenders are always friendly and if you're hungry, they allow you to bring in your own food! I highley recommend going across the street to the Kennedy Fried Chicken for some cheap delicious grub. All in all, a great place to go to with friends. read more

Tiny space full of music, dancing and dogs. That's what we walked into last Saturday evening, after a nice dinner. Ready for a nightcap and in the area, how could I skip on a bar that advocates dogs? Unfortunately I didn't have one of my own, but there were still a couple that hadn't turned in for the evening lounging on the ground when we arrived to the tune of an Irish band (what else?) Jameson on the rocks and a table in the corner was the recipe for success here. Pretty crowded, but that's unavoidable at a tiny spot like this. The locals were friendly too - and not just those of the canine persuasion. read more

***Warning: this place is NOT dog friendly as the reviews and numerous web pages suggest. We got turned away when the pup was with us. That is the only reason I'm leaving a 4-star instead of 5-star review.*** That said, it's a fun little dive bar! They have a chalkboard of beers and ciders. The bartenders are very nice and attentive (great at making suggestions too!). The whole place is dimly lit. Music is at a reasonable level for a bar, and you can def have a conversation. There also was live music from an Irish "jam fest" for part of the time we were there. Overall, a great little dive bar that I think will definitely be on our short list. read more

Came in, and I felt at ease. Done. I know this is more of a Tip or something... read more

The bar is great! The bartenders are great. The owner however is a rude hatful and mean human being. I will never go back there again. She was hateful, unkind and mean. read more

As newbies to the area, we were treated SO well. I am considering this my local pub in our neighborhood. We just felt welcomed from the moment we stepped in until we left. read more

Just an awesome beer bar. Great music, live Irish music on the weekend, real-live locals you can observe (like me!) after the workday. If you're traveling to Boston, the Behan is totally worth a cab ride or an orange line T ride. Plenty of great places to eat nearby as well. read more

The Crew and staff of the Behan are top notch. The bar has a great atmosphere and now with the back patio and curbside cafe the place is jumping. I got the opportunity to become friendly with the staff and customers while I was working next door at that smoke shop. Stop buy and have a drink! read more

I like beer. I like dogs. I like people. I like "no attitude" places. I like The Behan. Sit down, have some drinks. Bring your dog if you'd like. Strike up some conversations with friendly people. Leave the attitude at home, everybody else did. People are here to drink, have fun, and hang out. read more

Shame, shame, shame on me for having ever written a one sentence review of the Brendan Behan. You know that scene from that abortion of a movie The DaVinci Code when the monk dude whips his own back with that bad ass whip and then puts that garter belt from hell on? Yeah, that's what I've had to do to myself to make amends for this vast disservice. The 'Behan' IS one word like: -Mommy -Papa -Lover -Home I fucking love the Behan in a timeless, everlasting, endearing, cheesy, puts little cartoon fireworks in my eyes, kind of way. I feel bad when I cheat on the Behan and go to other pubs, a little piece of me dies every time I do this and I am pretty sure that this also causes baby seals to cry and the ice caps to melt faster. If the Brendan Behan were a superhero it's strength would be awesomeness. If the Brendan Behan were a girl it/she would have awesome knockers and put out on the first date. If the Brendan Behan were your Dad it/he would teach you how to throw a killer curve ball. If the Brendan Behan were a flavor it would be, chocolate-strawberry-coffee-ginger-mint-Guinness. Yeah. Seriously, best spot in JP. You WILL bring your dog, and your dog can rule everybody's face and just be a dog and run around and shit. You WILL bring food in from anywhere you want. You WILL have a blast if you catch a Red Sox or Celtics game here on a packed night. You WILL hear live Irish music on Saturday afternoons. You WILL get shit housed if you want to. You WILL want to move to JP once you fall for the Behan. read more

I really want to love the Behan. I really, really do. It has everything I normally love about bars: booze; dingy atmosphere; practically no light; big TV to watch the game on; surly clientle; and just enough noise to hide your conversation from others, but you can still talk to your friends. Here's the problem, though. The Behan attracts dogs. Actual canines. I love dogs. I think they are cute and adorable. Unfortunately, my nose, eyes, throat and lungs heartily disagree. Some friends and I were watching the game last week and I was fine for awhile. But it became unbearable. Three dogs = Kirs non-stop sneezing, wheezing, and being generally miserable. I had to leave. Which really sucked. And it's unlikely I'll be back for any length of time as a result. As soon as a dog walks in, I'll be walking out. read more

I love that this bar is in my neighborhood. I love the outstanding beer selection, unlike any other in JP. The fact that you could bring in your takeout and dine inside is neat, too. They allow dogs, which might alienate those with allergies, but is a definite plus for those who cant bear to part with their best friend. However, this was ALL soured by one experience last night where my friend and I dropped by at my suggestion. We were served by a bartender who seemed at first to be friendly enough, but as we were sitting there, I was looking over to her and trying to make out her tattoo across chest. Apparently, she was offended as she looked at me with revulsion. You have a tattoo emblazoned across your chest, with text. Do not act surprised that someone is looking at it. Her tattoo said, "Love Will Tear Us Apart." I am assuming its in reference to the classic tune by Joy Division. I'm a fan as well. She's obviously an even bigger fan. When she noticed, I felt embarrassed and continued about my business, and even turned around to avoid eye contact. Then, within seconds, she approached my friend and asked "Can I Help You With Something?" From her tone, you definitely can tell that she wasn't simply asking if he wanted another drink. He was trying to figure out what she was doing with a knife (she was breaking up six-pack rings, good on her to prevent wildlife casualties, I do the same). She then said, "Do you have a problem?Because you're making uncomfortable." Next thing you know, the bouncer escorts us out. I am 35 years old, I had two beers, I have never been kicked out of a bar before. We weren't disruptive in any way. I am perplexed by the whole experience, and now I don't feel like I am welcome back. It's a shame that her own paranoia or self-consciousness cost Brendan Behan a couple of patrons. "Love Will Tear Us Apart," indeed.... read more

Pretty utilitarian, but in a cozy way. BEER - SIT - TALK. Oh, and dogs. How very JP of the place. Fine with me, honestly. I like the place. My wife wasn't so keen on the dogs thing as she has allergies. Also, she thought the place smelled of post-puke-clean-up cleaning products. I didn't notice, but my nose was probably buried in one of their many good pints on tap. Seems a cool place if your plans are along the lines of "Fuck it, let's drink" and don't really feel the need to aspire to much more than that. read more

This place is small and fantastic. The music mix made me feel at home and the bartender gave me a few great recommendations for local beers. This place is worth a visit if you're visiting Jamaica Plain. If you live here, it deserves to be your local haunt. read more

Brendan Behan Pub - Irish Pub Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

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Sometimes all I want is a stool and a cold beer. And in those cases this is the perfect place to go. Located exactly 30 steps from my front door it's extremely convenient and I honestly don't take advantage of this enough. Probably because it's usually full of scencesterish people that are WAY too cool for me or people that I don't like (aka- everyone) read more

I may have gone on a date at the Behan last winter. I mean, it was definitely at the Behan...I'm still not sure whther it was a date or not. It was a Tuesday night but Trivia had been cancelled so the place was pretty empty, it was dimly lit enough to be mysterious, and we were sitting right over the heat vent so it encouraged the removal of clothing. All good things. It's dog friendly, which is cool, but I wasn't aware of it until I felt something wet and furry brush along my leg. It's a disorienting feeling if you're not expecting it, I'll tell you what. I really only picked that spot because I know Brendan Behan's nieces and they asked me to throw back a pint for him when I got to town. I feel that I've done my duty and I don't really feel the need to go back. read more

Great neighborhood bar. Just as I love restaurants where you can BYOB, I love bars where you can BYOF (that's food.) It always either smells dirty or of some sort of harsh cleanser. But it's a snug and humble place with character and friendly bartenders. Don't forget about trivs on Tuesday nights. read more

Oh the Behan. How I've longed to enter your soft lit, wooden interior with the fish tank in the corner that pretends to be a tv. I was worried the only other bar close to my place wouldn't provide the correct amount of unpretentiousness/eccentric/relaxed...but it has. 1. great beer selection 2. you can bring in outside food ( I suppose this means I'll have to review the chinese food place across the street.) 3. you can bring dogs a great lab was ambling around the pub and kept coming up to me to pet it. Here's the thing that you don't realize because it doesn't happen at other bars - dogs and beer go together. Drinking with friends and petting a dog...outstanding. read more

I have been to the Behan more times than I can count. This place is like an old friend I have only known for 5 years, yet we don't even need to speak to communicate. The Behan is part of me. I have recently traveled to Ireland and was totally shocked at how much the Behan felt like a real suburban Irish pub. Moreover, like a moron I kept thinking 'wow, this place is JUST like the Behan' throughout my travels. The Behan is a place to go for a few beers, watch a big Sox game (get there early if you want to see the TV) and see people you know from around town. It is dark, always smells like the bathroom, you trip over dogs and left over chinese food. It is a the perfect local Irish pub in JP. People who are not cool with dogs in bars and food from local establishments. Have fun at the Alchemist. read more