It's not often that a neighborhood bar and kitchen manages to strike the delicate balance between elevated dining and genuine hospitality, but Hopewell Bar & Kitchen does so with remarkable ease. I first walked in on a quiet evening and was immediately welcomed by a bartender whose warmth set the tone for the night. His martini was nicely executed, clean, and crisp, while a gin and tonic proved equally thoughtful, bright and refreshing with a balanced botanical profile. Beyond the drinks, what stood out was the conversation: attentive without being intrusive, the kind of interaction that makes a place feel instantly familiar. That sense of care carried through every layer of the experience, and it became even more apparent upon meeting Chef Joel. His passion is unmistakable, not performative, but deeply rooted in craft. It reveals itself most clearly on the plate. Returning the following evening with friends, the energy shifted into something more convivial yet equally refined. A well-curated selection of local and international beers set an easy tone, while the cocktail program continued to impress with consistency and balance. Then came the food. A feta cream, silky, rich, and delicately tangy, arrived topped with balsamic and green vegetables, served alongside warm naan. It was a deceptively simple dish elevated by precision: the interplay of sweet and salty notes, the contrast of textures, all working in quiet harmony. The oysters followed, indulgently buttery and impeccably fresh, a testament to careful sourcing and restraint in preparation. But the standout of the evening was the braised short rib. Tender to the point of surrender, it rested on a bed of velvety mashed potatoes, accompanied by baked carrots that added both sweetness and depth. It was a dish that felt both comforting and refined--executed with confidence and respect for its ingredients. Dessert, a chocolate cake, closed the evening on a high note, rich without excess, the kind of final course that lingers pleasantly rather than overwhelms. Throughout it all, the service never faltered. The waitstaff was attentive and intuitive, the bartenders engaging and skilled, and the kitchen clearly driven by both discipline and love for the craft. Hopewell Bar & Kitchen is more than just a place to eat or drink, it's a space where people who care deeply about what they do come together to create something memorable. And that, ultimately, is what keeps you coming. read more

Hopewell is a classic neighborhood pub in Allston with a good beer selection, friendly staff, and solid food. I had the teriyaki beef skewers, which were served on a bed of greens. The sauce was good, and the beef was cooked medium rare. It was a good portion size at a fair price. Have been here a a handful of times. Last time had a tomato based soup with toasted bread that was memorable. The pub has a great vibe, with a solid wood bar top and hardwood floors. The large interior offers plenty of seating options at tables. It also has a pool table and shuffleboard. It's a great spot to get together with friends, have a date night, or sit at the bar for a quick drink and bite to eat while watching the game. The staff and neighborhood regulars are friendly. read more

See all

Looking to celebrate my friends birthday nearby, we decided to have dinner here. Unfortunately, they do not take reservations so we just showed up on a Wednesday night hoping they could accommodate for our table of seven. Fortunately, it was not busy, and we were able to pick between their indoor or outdoor seating. For appetizers we tried their Bbq chicken wings, Fried Pickles, Deep Fried Chicken Thigh Bites and Short Rib Poutine. Our favorite was the short rib poutine since it was rich and flavorful. We found that the barbecue sauce was too thick and overwhelming while the other appetizers were just okay. For entrees we tried their Tofu bowl, Short rib plate, chicken and gravy plate, brisket plate and Shrimp Pasta Primavera. People particularly liked the brisket and I liked how simple my tofu bowl was. Overall, we had a good time. Our waitress was very kind and attentive. Mostly there for drinks, we enjoyed most of our orders as well as her promptness of completing them. Wouldn't mind coming here again for another casual meal or even late night bite. read more

See all

Such a delicious experience! I loved the mac trio. (as a mac and cheese person) The short rib was perfectly soft and tender. There were good vibes all around. They have a pool table in the back and shuffleboard right by the bar. Would love to come back and try more of the dishes and play some pool! read more

See all

This place is notorious for telling people they don't like that they're intoxicated and using that as a reason to remove them, while regular customers , underage drinkers and even staff members seem to be allowed to continue drinking without issue. read more

This place is notorious for telling customers they don't like that they're intoxicated, while regulars who are there every night seem to get a free pass. It feels like certain customers are singled out, while others are allowed to become visibly intoxicated without any concern from staff. read more

I find it ironic that a detailed review describing our experience was removed so quickly, especially after reading other reviews from customers who reported very similar situations. Our experience left us feeling judged rather than treated as paying customers. It seemed that assumptions were made about intoxication without taking the time to understand what was actually happening. Good customer service should be based on facts and respectful communication, not snap judgments or personal opinions about customers. What was particularly frustrating was the apparent inconsistency in how customers are treated. From reading other reviews, it appears that several people have had similar experiences involving staff making assumptions and treating customers differently. If a business is going to enforce policies, they should do so fairly and consistently for everyone. We came expecting a welcoming atmosphere and professional service but left feeling unfairly judged and disappointed by how the situation was handled. read more

This restaurant is tucked away, you walk in and immediately have a cozy vibe. This is a great place to hang out with friends. My friend and I sat at the bar to have dinner and drinks before a show. The bartenders were very kind and helpful with providing recommendations. The drinks were fantastic, one was a pickle martini and the other was a tropical drink. The crispy artichoke salad has me wanting to go back. It was a great experience! read more

See all

This was a nice dinner spot! I had the grilled cheese and tomato soup and it really hit the spot. Feels like a classic pub and service was friendly. read more

I came to Hopewell on a Saturday night. It was busy but not packed. The space was moderately lit and had some mild and light music (mezzopiano) playing. Perfect for a conversation. We were seated promptly, and I appreciated that our server knew the menu well and was able to make meaningful suggestions. For to drink I had the bourbon for apples. The cocktail was delicious, light, and well suited to the season. My reaction to the food was mostly positive with one wrinkle. I had the curried cauliflower for a main course. The dish was rich and well seasoned, and the accompanying rice was cooked well. The spicy tuna nori roll was the only disappointing part of this meal. It was deep fried to perfection, but unfortunately, the ratio of tuna to rice was way off - I could barely taste the fish. In addition, I felt the dish lacked flavor beyond fat - even the accompanying soy sauce could not help it. That being said, the patatas bravas was the star of the night. Covered in delicious queso fresco, crispy, and a delight to bite into. I also tried two of my boyfriend's fries. Excellent. I'm sure we'll be back, and I'm excited to try different dishes on the menu. read more

My go to place when I lived in the neighborhood. Always good music, nice people, and things to do. Food is above average for a bar and the drinks are well made. read more

This isn't a review for the food or drinks ('cuz, you see, we weren't allowed inside). My friend's MFA program had their graduation show recently and decided to meet here afterwards to celebrate. We arrived around 9:30. At the door, a youngish male bouncer -- we learned his name, but let's call him N. -- in a split second, unaccountably, told my friend she 'seemed tipsy' and he wouldn't allow her inside. This judgment comes across as more bizarre when one learns my friend is a 32 year old Asian woman -- incidentally, who can hold her liquor pretty well, but that's neither here nor there -- who had had 1.5 drinks over the course of five hours up until that point. Anyone who has any experience with imbibery, or daresay anyone in their right mind, wouldn't have considered her drunk, let alone too inebriated to enter a bar. What caused the faulty snap judgment? We were taken aback, and tried calmly to reason with him (and eventually somewhat less calmly). I (and she) explained it was her grad school celebration and all her classmates were inside; she'd had 1.5 drinks; she was a damn grown woman; and so on. Hell, give her a breathalyzer; you'd find her well under regulation. Clearly, your initial assessment was highly inaccurate; however, as a thinking human being, you can reassess and reconsider. Latterly, just to be able to see her classmates, my friend even suggested she could go in and not drink, just have snacks. Mulishly, the bouncer wouldn't budge. I expressed (diplomatically enough) I'd never come across a decision so seemingly arbitrary, inane, and unfair at a bar, and -- the situation was riling me up enough to leave a negative review online. Quoth N: "See if I care. Doesn't affect me one way or the other. I still get paid tonight." Sheeeeate. I asked to speak to the manager. After all, my friend was pointlessly being turned away from her own grad show afterparty, and she couldn't very well ask 40 people to move to another bar. Shortly the manager came out, we reiterated the whole situation; the manager actually admitted that my friend didn't seem drunk at all, but said she 'had to support her staff, and would stick with the decision.' We were like: how can you justify this? She: once a decision is made, you have to back up your staff, sorry. Suffice it to say, I am now writing this negative review, as I said I would, and my friend wasn't able to attend her grad show afterparty due to some intensely mindless, boorish, and backwards impulsivity and reasoning. One might think the decision involved some subconscious racial discrimination on the bouncer's part. I mean, my friend was the only non- 'white' person entering while we were there. Well, probably not -- but who knows. To invoke the figure of Anthony Bourdain somewhat randomly (on my mind recently) -- maybe among celebrated culinary and service industry figures, the one to extend staff the most respect and leeway -- given his integrity and acumen, even he, N., even he would find your conduct in this instance reproachable and disgraceful, boot your ass out on the street, compel you to live and experience for some years more, and finally, finally, if at all possible, come around and actually be prepared to make sensible and human-centric decisions. Clearly, based on some recent reviews, this isn't a one-off, but a pattern of behavior propelled and supported by management. And to the management, who may want to chime in with a rebuttal, I'll say this: no, there aren't two perspectives here; in no way, shape, or form was my friend drunk, or even tipsy; plainly, a rash and careless decision was made, which you then thoughtlessly (though in some oblique way nobly) doubled down on. Yes, last I checked, sure, any private establishment *can* turn anyone away for any reason. Most don't because they don't want to lose business and earn a bad reputation... And, sure, a bar ought to turn away or throw out someone if they're so drunk they pose a danger to themselves or others or pose a great distraction... Otherwise--isn't getting tipsy or drunk, you know, kinda the point of bars, their bread and butter. And, as every onlooker, as well as all my friend's classmates, would easily attest, she wasn't even tipsy. I'm shook, y'all... A grave injustice has been done! Yet: just a 'first world problem.' Worse things have happened in history. Judging by some of the more recent reviews -- this place seems to be developing a worse reputation, especially due to management and some staff, and this review adds to the growing pile. read more

Last night, I reunited with my mother and some friends to celebrate a special occasion - we grabbed dinner, and then I suggested we go to Hopewell for a few cocktails. We were there for about an hour and each ordered two drinks, but when we went to the bar to get another round of cocktails, we learned our entire table had been shut off. Marcus, the bar manager, aggravatedly told us that "multiple members of our party were visibly intoxicated," even though we had simply been sitting in a booth enjoying some casual, quiet conversation. When we asked what was going on, Marcus was visibly annoyed with us, apparently just for asking why we were being told to leave, and he refused to elaborate. Note that none of us were loud, obnoxious, or rude, nor were we even remotely intoxicated in the slightest, let alone "visibly intoxicated." I have a sneaking suspicion that this could have occurred for a few reasons. First, my mother is 57 years old; as Hopewell generally caters to a younger crowd, she was likely one of the oldest customers at the bar. This incident felt like we were refused service simply as a pretext to allow younger customers into the bar. Apparently, if you are past your mid-twenties, Hopewell will not serve you. My mother also suffers from severe lumbar radiculopathy and has been dealing with a limp for some time. Perhaps Marcus saw her limping, and interpreted this as a sign of intoxication? Regardless, I don't believe it's a wise idea for bartenders - let alone a bar manager - to base their judgment of someone's sobriety on physical mobility. If anything, this is quite ableist, not to mention that it could even constitute a violation of Massachusetts civil rights laws, which protect from being refused service at public establishments on the basis of physical disability (see Massachusetts General Laws c. 272, § 98). Another member of our party is of Middle Eastern descent. When he attempted to get a drink at the bar, he was ignored and treated rudely, while white customers next to him were being served. It seems like Marcus used our "intoxication" to kick us out to allow for more white twenty-somethings into the bar. For a bar that purports to be a "welcoming environment," it seems that this only applies to young white people. This isn't the first time I've had a poor encounter with Marcus, either - I was refused service at Hopewell last year for having an out-of-state ID. Meanwhile, a college student next to me, who was very obviously underage and using a terribly-made fake Florida ID, was allowed service. Marcus's abuse of his discretion as a bar manager seems not to be a one-off incident, but a pattern of behavior. Hopewell's bio prides itself on being a "welcoming environment" that delivers "service without pretense." My experience with Marcus last night showed me that these claims are a pretense themselves. If you do not fit into the usual Allston crowd of young, white college students, I would strongly advise you not to go here. read more

Took a walk for a really late lunch today and stopped at the Hopewell Bar & Kitchen. We arrived in the dead zone between meals and service started a bit off. We sat ourselves in a mostly empty dining room. Soon we were greeted and the server was excellent from that point. We tried several things from the menu, starting garlic knots and short rib poutine- both were yummy. This was followed by a extra version of tomato soup and toasted cheese sandwich, the chicken caprese , and house pizza. They were all well prepared and presented. I think it may take me a bit to warm up to pizza with brussel sprouts and bacon flavors on it but I wanted to give it a try Overall a good experience and I would chalk the awkward start to the mid-afternoon meal. I expect the place was hopping at night with pool, shuffleboard and other fun stuff. I would try this place again, but may need to make it a happy hour to catch the real vibe of the place. read more

See all

I went in February, had a great time, and the food was pretty good! We went during brunch so it was easy to get seated. The server was very kind! read more

See all

I went for dinner once and got take out twice from Hopewell. One of my favorite dishes is the cajun chicken and shrimp pasta. Dining in felt like I was at a mix between a solid restaurant and a neighborhood bar. The menu has some amazing options, but due to the location, it's definitely a half first floor half basement kind of feel. The waiter brought out a bruschetta instead of the pasta we ordered, but was able to quickly fix the issue and let us keep the bruschetta. The first time I got the Cajun pasta for takeout, it was seriously spicy. I was happy with it, but the second time I got take out, it was definitely less spicy, so I'm not sure what I'll get next time. I wish the takeout menu included everything or most items that are on the actual menu in the website for dine in. The takeout menu is just a portion of what's available. read more

Fyi: we only had beer and oysters! My husband, my dad, and I were all craving oysters last night and decided to go sit at the bar here for about an hour. The beer was good and the oysters were great! The bartenders were also so friendly - we loved chatting with them :) the vibe was also so cozy and exactly what we were looking for - a nice and classic bar feel with a wooden bar and good, cozy lighting. We would come back! read more

Hopewell Bar & Kitchen - Wellfleet oysters - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Finally got to cross this staple of Allston off of my bucket list! Ambiance: we initially sat outside, which was a bit chilly on Friday night and a little too close to the street so we went inside. Fun, young, your brick and mortar wooden bar vibe! We got to watch the U.S. open and as the night grew older, more folks started playing shuffle board or arcade games and pool. Food: As appetizers, we had the french onion soup and the Brie & apricot jam. Wish there were thinner crackers served for the Brie, but the French onion soup was amazing. The gnocchi and better yet - the hopewell burger is chef's kiss truffle fries could've been slightly crispier or darker but that's just how I personally like 'em. Drinks: I wish they had NAs! Or some craft soda or kombucha options that many other bars in Boston have offered. I would've appreciated it. My partner said his pumpkin beer was pretty good along with his martini though. read more

Hopewell Bar & Kitchen - French onion soup side + Brie appetizer - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The food is alright, but I cannot understate how awful the staff is - the service was incredibly slow and the workers were very rude. Would not recommend coming here even for just a drink. read more

Good old American food... Great service and all ambience inside and out. About to dig into some of the food as my daughter recommend this place, which is not too far from where she lives. Today she is a grad school graduate... Congratulations Mia Webster. We are also proud of you. #Boston College read more

See all

The vegetarian options were amazing and steak tips were perfect for those who eat meat. Fun spot with table games and a couple arcade games. Our wait staff was on point, very friendly and attentive to our needs. Would come back again. read more

Why is it so dark in there? It's totally the wrong atmosphere for brunch. My phone defaulted to night mode for these pictures. My brother tried the sangria, which he called weak, and didn't comment on the eggs benedict, which are usually a go-to of his. My friend called the breakfast sandwich, an over medium egg with avocado, cheese, and aioli on white bread, heavy and a bit greasy. (And it's the healthy looking option on the menu.) I had a brunch burger, and neither the egg nor the beef were seasoned. It's lively, at least. read more

See all

Really solid brunch and cool atmosphere. Plenty of space and not expensive. Pool table for extra fun. Kitchen open late.

Went to this place for lunch and had a good experience. It was a Friday afternoon, so not many people there. But the service was quick and the food was really good. The drinks were also good. See pictures for all the delicious stuff we ordered. From the menu it looked like they have some specials on some days, including a lunch special pizza that day. Would recommend giving them a try. read more

See all

Used to enjoy this place, not anymore. On my last visit the bouncer(guy covered in tattoos) told me my id was fake. When I pressed him on the matter pulled out a UV light then tried to seize it telling me "he knows what a fake id looks like". Proceeded to call police per my friends request, I personally at that point wanted nothing to do with the place. After the police showed after an awkward 20 minutes with the bouncer staring us down. The police confirmed it was a real id. We tried to come in but were rejected by a female employee because "no one wants us here" followed by the bouncer saying "we wasted everybody's time", very pleasant to hear that from the person who wasted our time. Very unpleasant the whole time. Used to like this place the food is ok, however after this I will make sure no one will go here ever again. What a waste of space. read more

Cute indoor seating, and outdoor seating! The prices are reasonable for how delicious the food is. Though the burger was small, and there was a fee to add cheese, the flavor was delicious. The Caesar salad was fresh and coated in dressing. Quick service as well! read more

Hopewell Bar & Kitchen - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Went to Hopewell Bar & Kitchen with a friend and got their burger and fries, which were massive!!! Fries were delicious. Burger was cooked to the perfect temperature but I wish the meat was seasoned more. The service was fantastic though and the vibes were good. Cool place to come and hang with friends. Would come again! read more

Somehow I keep finding myself back here in celebration of something different each time, but honestly I'm not complaining. The food and drinks here are absolutely delicious! I got a short rib poutine which absolutely slapped and makes me continue to crave poutine. The hopewell burger also had a really good mesh of flavors and jams inside it that made it so much more elevated compared to a typical burger! The white sangria is fruity and refreshing, perfect for the summer! The last two times I've come here I've also requested from the bartenders to make a pina colada and while they don't have a blender, they did make a very delicious alternative cocktail with all the flavors you're seeking so highly recommend! It doesn't hurt to ask! Love the fact too that they have shuffle board, a pool table, random arcade games in the back, and during certain days, vintage sellers in the back! It's the place that keeps on giving! read more

Hopewell Bar & Kitchen - Hopewell Burger and white sangria - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Given how many friends recommended Hopewell, I'm not surprised that it was amazing. My partner and I went for drinks and dinner, and it did not disappoint. They had a great beer selection for him, and I got the Careless Whisper cocktail with tequila and it was perfect. For dinner, I got the NY Strip Steak and he got the Brick Chicken, both of which were so good; my partner finished the entire plate even though he was full 3/4 of the way through. In terms of service, our waiter was courteous and food came out pretty quickly. Lastly the ambiance was cool- nicely decorated and a little bit dark, which added to the vibe. Overall, we will definitely be returning. read more

I've waited a long time to try this place out and I'm glad I finally got the chance to come with a group of friends. We can early on a Friday night and sat outside on the patio. My friends ordered drinks and then we ordered truffle fries and oysters to start out with for some appetizers and both were great. The fries were crispy and the oysters were fresh. With all the raving reviews of the pork ragu gnocchi, I had to try it for myself. The gnocchi was very soft and potato-y, while the pork ragu added a deeper flavor to the dish. The shredded cheese adds a different texture than the gnocchi. The dish itself is very filling, so I had leftovers for the next day. We had great service and would enjoy coming back again! read more

See all

My sister and I very much enjoyed this place. The service was a little slow, but the food was delicious. She got a burger and I got the pulled pork mac and cheese, would highly recommend! Love the ambiance in the restaurant as well read more

Hopewell Bar & Kitchen - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Had a great dinner here at the bar. It took a little while to get greeted by the bartender, but once she said hi, it was smooth sailing from there. I asked about a few options and settled on the Hopewell burger. It was delicious (bacon, horseradish cheddar, red onion jam) and cooked exactly to my medium rare specifications. Even the fries were delicious. I also had the rose on tap. I was asked if I wanted a 2nd glass of wine. I wannnted it, but I didn't think it was a good idea to do a full glass. I asked if I could do a half pour for half price and I was given a half pour at no cost. What!? Thank you! I tipped generously. There seemed to be a lot of regulars in there that were chatting it up with the bartenders. It was a good atmosphere and I enjoyed the food and my wine (especially the bonus pour :-) I'll be back around here soon enough and I will 100% come back to Hopewell. read more

Hopewell Bar & Kitchen - Hopewell burger and rose on tap - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Hopewell is an Allston staple and they have a really good chicken sandwich deal on Wednesday's. You get a chicken sandwich with fries for $6.25. The sandwich is really good and worth it. They also have a large draft list and a lot of fun drinks. Would definitely recommend. read more

Hopewell Bar & Kitchen - Chicken sandwich with fries - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Such a local gem in the Allston area! I've been here a couple of times for drinks, and had recently gone here for brunch for the first time and I am sold. This place is small and intimate, and seems to be frequented by locals which makes it all the more special because you get a nice local neighborhood feel. I've never seen this place really crowded, which is great because it's the perfect place to unwind and hang out without the hassle and fuss of super busy places. During my recent visit for brunch, my friend and I were quickly seated (despite it being brunch time on a Saturday). I got the southwest benedict, which really hit the spot and was super filling! Overall, I think this place is great. You really can never go wrong coming here-- no matter if it's for a meal or drinks (or both!!). read more

Hopewell Bar & Kitchen - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

I really liked my meal here, but I'm not sure if I'd come back. Came for brunch on Sunday and it was pretty quiet. We sat in the far back room and it was a good secluded spot with a few other parties but not loud or crazy busy. We ordered the cinnamon roll to start, and I had the breakfast pizza. The cinnamon roll was AMAZING.... for the first two bites. The middle of the cinnamon roll was undercooked and tasted way too doughy. We stopped eating after the first layer was peeled back. The breakfast pizza was actually really good - it's a huge portion, with a nice thin crispy crust, covered in sausage and scrambled eggs. There is a lot of cheese on there though, so you might want to ask for light cheese if you don't want that! The drinks were good. I had Something In the Way, and there were several others I would have tried. I was also interested in their Allston Iced Coffee, basically a spiked cold brew - which is a great brunch drink! The drinks were strong and delicious. Overall a nice spot and seems like it'd be a great neighborhood spot for drinks with friends (also have a bunch of working arcade games). read more

Hopewell Bar & Kitchen - Cinnamon roll - Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Always great service! The food is always fresh and tasty with great options for people with dietary restrictions. There's also many things to do other than eat like pin ball and pool. The vibe is very good and would recommend to anyone in the area. read more

I had the falafel sandwich and my partner had a flatbread. I found both to be lacking and dry. I would have liked to wash it down with some scotch, but they were out of my first 3 choices. I mean, I still had scotch, but was shocked at how low their stock was running. My friend also had to order his 2nd or 3rd bourbon choice for the same reason. I did have a cocktail as well to start, and that was great. Service at the bar was fast for how busy they were. Service at the table offered me a whisky that didn't exist because she mixed up a name and a number. read more

Had an amazing cocktail! The place felt warm and cozy--like a neighborhood bar. We ordered our food to good because we needed to take food for my older parents traveling with us. It was delicious! read more

This has become a go to spot for the neighborhood, it is such a good vibe in there, drinks and food are always bomb. Music is pretty good and there's pool and shuffle board and plenty of room to post up. Sometimes the bouncers are extra asf for no reason but staff is great. read more

Not amazing, but decent for comfort food. Kinda greasy overall and overpriced. The atmosphere is okay.