I like this pub for dates and chill atmosphere in quiet corners, the dim lights and sincere authenticity. I used to like it more, though. Some of the bartenders recently aren't Irish and are kind of dicks. It's become increasingly trendy, but I still like it. read more

Came in several times over the past few years. I liked it but it's kind of a dive bar. This time my friend was waiting for a table or seat at the bar and was happy and swaying to the music. I was in the bathroom. I came out and although we had not requested any drinks the bouncer had come up to my friend and said they would not serve them. So we were not welcome at this bar. I will not go back to this bar, it's nothing special and and they are not nice to their customers. read more

This bar is just "ok". No better no worse. It's an Irish pub with a cool looking old bar, and a typical beer selection. Smells kinda weird in here though, definitely some dog aroma is present. I like the fact that they allow dogs, because I like dogs, and I like to pet dogs when one is within petting distance. read more

Brendan Behan Pub is my go-to watering hole in Jamaica Plain. I almost hesitate to write this review out of fear that I'll be inviting more and more people to descend upon it until the place is a bustling madhouse. But somehow, I have a hard time picturing that happening: probably because Behan's setting is so inherently laid back and resistant to the more insidious aspects of yuppie-fication. You just sidle on up to the counter, order any of the impressive (and well-priced) beers they have on tap, and lose track of time in conversation with your mates or simply watching the world glide by outside. read more

Great pub it is, indeed. This feels like a true neighborhood-hangout. Interesting mix of people, good music and unpretentious atmosphere. I like it! read more

My friend J and I went a few weeks ago and all we could say is "Why aren't we going to The Behan EVERY NIGHT?!" Warm fire, cozy, fun, polite people to chat with. I cannot tell you any more without blushing or getting someone in trouble. read more

My favorite JP bar. Less pretentious than the other choices and just a good place to grab a drink or 10 after a long day. Full of others in the same situation and their canine friends (which I think is great even though I don't have one). read more

Brendan's was a great local bar near the Airbnb I stayed at in Jamaica Plains. The bartender was friendly and kept the beer flowing. I would definitely return if I was back in the neighborhood. No TVs meant my friend and I actually talked to each other the whole time instead of spacing out at ESPN. read more

This is the best neighborhood bar a girl could wish for. They let you bring your dog AND your chineese food. How cool is that????

this is the darkest bar in the world. i couldn't see my friends sitting across the table from me, and then somehow the lights were turned DOWN at one point in the evening. we left at 10pm and it was brighter outside than in.... and there was no moon that night. otherwise, the beers were reasonably priced and it wasn't crazy crowded on a friday night. read more

Great bartenders! And how can you not love a bar that allows you to bring in your dog and your own food? This place is the shit!

I love the Behan! Locals drink here, not students. It is gruff without being dirty. Beer is cheap. Dogs are allowed, and almost always there is one around (which is a plus in my book). Best of all, they don't serve food, so you can actually sit at a table while drinking. read more

What a wonderful place. What more would you want than tons of taps that all seem to be for $5, DOGS! You can bring in your dog! Sure they don't have a kitchen but that is ok when you can bring in food AND your DOG! read more

One of my favorite neighborhood bars. The staff knows everyone that comes in there, and is very laid back. The dog vibe is cool as long as the owners are responsible with them (I've seen the bouncers kick more dogs out for getting rowdy than people!). They don't serve food, but you can grab a slice of pizza or some chinese from next door and bring it over. It's a pretty dark, dank bar, but sometimes that's what you want. Tuesday night is trivia night, which is pretty cool. And the beer selection is good (although not fantastic). read more

I popped in here for a beer last night after all the hipster private parties took over free bowling at the Milky Way. I was really pleased with how diverse the crowd was, the selection of beers and the fact that they let a dog in there. The crowd was really chill and its the perfect place to go and grab a beer and hang out. It's a tiny little place, but it wasn't too crowded. Look out though because the dart board is poorly positioned against the wall near the door. You may die when you enter. read more

I can't remember a fucking thing about this place except for the spliiting-fucking-hangover I had the following day. That means I had a good time, right? read more

I love Brendan Behan. I've only been there a few times, it has been one of only two bars in Boston (the other being Bukowski) where I actually feel comfortable. No dressed up peeps, no intimidating "scene," just a comfortable setting, friendly bartenders, reliable beers on tap...AND there is a place next door where you can get pupusas for a buck fifty and then bring them to Behan! If pupusas and PBR in a comfortable setting sounds as good to you as it does to me, than you'll love BB. read more

"JFK Hands" is a great bartender. We felt well taken care of- he spent a lot of time talking through the wide selection of beers on tap. My hubs and I opted for the All-Day-IPA by Stone. Always enjoy a good Stone on tap. When we heard they didnt serve food, they recommended the sandwich shop next door and told us we were welcome to eat at the bar. Score! A+ Service, A+ beer selection, and the prices were very decent! read more

LOVE. THIS. PLACE. They are the consummate neighborhood pub, except they have a much better beer selection. AND you can bring your dog there, providing it's well-behaved. Yes, your dog can be 86'd from this bar if it's too rowdy. Pound for pound this is one of the top 3 bars in the city. read more

Great pub, very chill vibe!. You'll find your Blue and White collar people in here. Cool place to play some darts and a cold Guinness!

Great character and a nice selection of draft beers. I went there for the trivia last Tuesday, and I know I'll be back. People there are low-key, bring their dogs, etc. My only complaint is that they don't have snacks, but no place is perfect. read more

Favorite JP bar. Great selection of beers on tap, bartenders are always friendly, can bring your own food. Casual and not douchey.

This is the kind of bar I was hoping to find more of in Boston. Everyone else sums it up well. I'll simply add that I could have stayed on that stool all day I felt so at home there. read more

THE local dive bar in JP. Color me happy when there is one stout on draft that is not Guinness - Brendan Behan has 3 stouts on draft in addition to a few brown ales and porters. The beer selection is not only extensive but inexpensive... my tab for two beers was $12! A patron next to me ordered 2 gin and tonics and was charged $10. This is a great place to come with friends to catch up and perhaps crack a few jokes with the bartender about the creepy 18 year old fish in the tank. I knocked a star off for the lack of lighting (the dimness is a bit much even for my young eyes) and the cash only limitations (I never carry cash but I like to drink copiously.... dilemma dilemma) but I love the ability to BYOF (bring your own food) and the live Irish folk music doesn't hurt one bit. read more

I love the Behan. It's an Irish pub - simply that. Decent selection of beer in tap and whisky (full bar). Don't come here for a special glass of wine though. Fairly quiet during the day. Dark-ish and loud at night. Occasional dogs present. Laid back, unpretentious watering hole anchor of Hyde Square. If you are a local you will run into folks you know, or maybe meet new ones. Great selection of beers, friendly barkeeps, weekend sports. No food, but there's Food Wall take out across the street if you get drunkenly hungry - they have curry chips to go with your Guinness and you're welcome to bring them in. read more

Probably the best neighborhood bar in Boston Proper; JP has truly been blessed with this joint to be sure. The intimate feel is accomplished with the enclosed feeling of the narrow walls and dark paint complimented with the fireplace and booths lining the bar. The clientel is always very chill, as is the staff- you'll have a great time relaxing, just don't expect a dance party because this isn't that kind of place. read more

This is basically a low key pub but somehow it EXCELS at being so. Tons of beer on tap. Decent music playing. I hear you can bring food in also. And it allows you to bring dogs in. That alone gives it max stars for me. I will be back if I'm ever in the area. :3 read more

Fantastic pub. Totally embodies the friendly vibe that a true pub should have combined with a great draft and bottle selection, full bar and skilled bartenders. I just moved into JP recently and the Behan has been a great place to meet my neighbors. Everyone is very kind, friendly and the dogs are great. Since they don't serve food you can bring it in from wherever you like. They only take cash but have an ATM by the door that only charges 99 cents. I'm a big fan of the projection screen that they pull down to show Boston games. Otherwise there aren't tv's going-people actually talk to each other. read more

A great neighborhood pub. A true down to earth place. An extremely friendly mix of people and a friendly staff. What more can you say about a place that lets you bring in food and your dog. read more

Great bar with a large selection of local craft brews. The music is usually good, and people bring their dogs there. Plus it's a 5 minute walk from my apartment. What more could I ask for? read more

Came here with a buddy for drinks and chats while I was visiting Boston. Very casual, a bit friendly and fun...Plus if you're lucky, you get to see random patrons play live Irish music! Cheers! read more

Great Pub. Dimly lit with darts in the corner (always a little dangerous) the Brendan Behan is a great place to hang out. It has a fireplace, cool Irish pictures and history on the walls, and projector screen that gets pulled down for ball game or movies on a slow Sunday. The selection on tap is always good and if your feeling the Irish flavor, plenty of scotches and whiskeys to choose from. The allow dogs, so it's always a great place to stop by if you're out for a walk. And, since they don't serve food, they let you bring anything in! With a Chinese food place and sub shop right across the street, it makes for an enjoyable hang-out. read more

Great place to sit and listen to good music from the stereo or from the local Irish band playing in the corner. Good selection of beer. Dark and cozy. Best of all Dogs can sit right beside you! read more

Brendan Behan is a good neighborhood dive. The beer selection is decent and they have stump trivia on Tuesday nights, suck it Trebek! The one reason I love Behan's is that they let you bring your dog to the bar. I have walked up with my dog before, and had a blast drinking with the pooch. The bar has no food, but you can bring stuff in from any of the local eateries. read more

In the preface to The Nigger of the 'Narcissus', Joseph Conrad proclaimed (with awkward sincerity), "my task which I am trying to achieve is, by the power of the written word to make you hear, to make you feel - - it is, before all, to make you SEE. Though Brendan Behan's is dark, I can SEE all the people sitting in their miserable attire trying to figure out what has become of their desperate lives. They pound the bar with their ugly fists and drink with insatiable thirst. But in the end, they revel in the company of the like-minded and perhaps even meet a young lover for then evening. read more

Great people hanging out and working there. OK to bring your dog if its early and they behave. OK to bring a pizza. My favorite place in JP for a drinking evening. read more

I have a german shepherd and she can come get a drink with me?! I love this place, get there early if you want to snatch a good spot for trivia. Good beer selection, great whisky selection (although they should get Michael Collins) and nice quick bartenders. read more

Time Warp Warning. You can come in here at 5 pm and then it's 10 pm when you look at your watch. Great beer selection, cool decor, dogs are allowed, nice dim lighting. No food, but you can bring in a bite to eat. This place is my idea of a great bar. read more

Just drinks and only drinks. You can bring your own food in, and your own dog! A nice place to hang out and drink good beer. Nice beer selection on tap, as well. A bit of a walk for me where I am in JP, but I do love coming here and getting a drink and relaxing. read more

Love the Behan. When we first moved to JP they allowed dogs since they do not serve food, however, recent laws now prevent them from doing that which makes us sad but we still love the atmosphere. Go here at least once a month. The music can be loud on the weekends but that's expected anywhere really. read more