Best bartender in Boston! So much fun, great service and great music. Must go! We had the best time and Paul took great care of us. If you're in Boston highly recommend. read more

I've taken in libations multiple times and at varying times of the day at this excellent bar. This is my perennial summertime afternoon drinking hole. Sitting outside in the heart of Quincy Market, in the warm sun, with a wealth of people milling about, this is a people watcher's dream bar. My only complaint is that it is a long train ride to get there, I have not made the journey yet in the winter months, but I can assure you this is a fine pub. read more

I have been to this bar three times over the past 20 years.The first two times were fine. Nothing fancy,nothing sticks out, just a beer with friends and moved on. However, after the third time,a couple weeks ago, I would never even bother. The place is always empty. Seriously, walk by anytime day or night.. no one but one fat guy at the end of the bar shooting his red neck mouth off and that's it. The bar staff could care less about anything.Especially the cleanness of the the bar. How it stays in business is a mystery and probably not legal. Its gross, it smells,the bar is sticky, the floor is nasty, the glass my beer was in was sticky, the bathrooms should just be a hole in the floor.... and again I can not say enough how rude the staff it. We lasted about 8 minutes and walked out. If you are from Boston, go somewhere, anywhere else. If you are a tourist, please don't spend your money here, its nothing but a bad impression of a great city. It would be great to have this place close and an actually pub open in it's place. read more

BEST BAR in Boston!! My friends and I visited Boston for a weekend girls trip. Spending time in JJ Donovan's was one of the highlights of our trip! We met AMAZING locals there that became fast weekend friends. Paul was bartending and served us great laughs in addition to the drinks. Juke Box was great and I cannot wait to go back!! read more

Dark Irish Bar. Small inside. Feel like you are in Ireland. Smells like beer. read more

J J Donovan's - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Great little dive bar we found on a business trip. Seemed to be a lot of regulars and they seemed friendly. Good spot to catch a pint and talk with your crew. Cash only and not a craft beer or umbrella drink bar. We stopped in and had a few pints while watching soccer. Bartender was great. Definitely recommend - especially if looking to escape the "tourist trap." read more

If I could give this place zero stars I absolutely would. Yesterday was St. Paddy's Day and my fiancé and I couldn't get in anywhere with our pub crawl wristbands but we saw that this place had a short line so we stood there. We waited over an hour and a half just to get to the front door and the asshole bouncer started asking to see people's wrists so we showed him and he told us we were in "the wrong line"...we knew where we wanted to be and tried telling him that but he continued to ignore us. Not a worry though, we ended up next door at Durgin Park having a nice sit down dinner and strong drinks. Definitely would not recommend going here during St. Patrick's Day!! They obviously discriminate against anyone who just happens to have a pub crawl bracelet on What a joke. Oh and they also only have a cash bar. read more

Ended up here while bar touring with some new friends in Boston. I wish I could provide more detail but I was pretty blacked out by this point. The bartender had a great accent. The place is pretty big, dark...and great place to get away from all the crowded bars. read more

Stop 4 on our bar crawl led us hear for a quick shot. I loved this bar because it was small, a big rectangle, lots of tvs for the various sports that were on Saturday night, and it just felt like Boston in every way. It reminded me of someones basement bar, where everyone knew everyone in there and it looked like a great place to have stayed for a while. read more

Cheapest beer in Fanieul Hall, really local-type place, but good atmosphere.

Place is a dive. Cash only. Walked in and there was one bartender, no customers, and Rocky 5 was on tv. Ordered a beer, made small talk with the bartender, and enjoyed the movie. What more can I ask for? read more

They are in the North Market. So big tourist zone. I stopped here on St Paddys for a guiness. But Guinness in a plastic cup? Really? I don't think so, that's just sad. read more

A great Irish tavern in the heart of boston. This is a great place for people to mingle and you will find that there are a whole lot of regulars there. its a pretty chatty atmosphere, laid back. local sports are almost always playing. great for an older group to come out and talk it. they dont really put up with rambunctious groups as they dont want any problems. its a cash only bar and it also has a second bar for private engagements. so if your looking for a place to just talk it up with a bunch of friends for a reasonable price for alcohol (considering being in the fanueil hall area), then this is your place. read more

I had just arrived to Boston and my friend and I were looking for a place for cocktails and lunch. Our watch read 11:50am. We walked in to an empty bar where an employee (maybe owner) told us it wasn't open yet, that it would open at noon. Seriously? Ten minutes and we couldn't even wait inside until the noon hour hit. We went to another fine establishment in the market and will not attempt to try this rude bar again. read more

This is a cool laid back bar all cash the door man is awesome he runs a tight bar so if your looking to be a fool while you drink then this isn't your bar but if you want to be around great people and Good laughs drinks or just break away from the crowds come on in read more

This place a little cozy quiet sports bar. It's a nice place to come with a group of friends or if you want to come drink by yourself(alcoholic status). It's a good place to also watch sports. I had an Irish Ale called Smithwick's and it was pretty good read more

It's cash only and full of locals, which is a good thing and a bad thing. They poured an excellent pint of Guinness and didn't give this tourist a hard time. All those things are huge points. Didn't have any food, so can't rate anything based on that. read more

Around Faneuil Hall and Financial District its become virtually impossible to find a simple, cheap bar for a drink (so long Pete's Pub). Donovan is that and strives for nothing more. Gorgeous, read more

Depending on the weather it is a great bar. The drinks are reasonable and the mixed drinks are better here then in most places. You get better then what you pay for. During holidays the atmosphere is exciting. It is a very Irish bar but what do you expect this is boston a Irish city. If you don't think so look back at the names of a few Govs. Anywho good bar good drinks good people. read more

I had the nicest bartender. I love this place. The bar upstairs is tiny and so divey. Honestly I was shocked that this place exists. I also love that there was a juke box and the regulars all seemed to know one another. This place is awesome and so different than the rest of fanuiel hall! read more

Love this spot, great atmosphere, good price on beers. English football on the TVs, a bunch of locals bantering in the background. Be aware, this is a cash only bar, but overall, nice spot! read more

Great local joint. No food served but who cares. Grab a chowda across the way and come here for a beverage. Chat with the locals.

Stopped in to watch the pats game on the way to the airport. All locals, seemed to be all regulars. They were great, everyone was so friendly and chatty. Older crowd, very simple, feels a lot like the pubs in the UK. Someone bough pizza for everyone watching the game. If I still lived in Boston this would be my go to pub, I'm sad I didn't know it existed while I lived there. I especially expected the faneuil hall area to be all tourist traps, which this definitely is not. read more

Love this place. When ever in town we stop for a few pints. Love the local atmosphere here. No frills a real old fashioned Boston Irish bar.

We were a group of six well dressed calm college students looking for somewhere to start our night. Donovan's was empty so we figured we wouldn't have to wait. We walked up to the door and were immediately told to leave. The bouncer told us that we weren't the right crowd for the bar. We politely told him we didn't plan on staying long we were just looking to have a beer or two. He again rudely told us that we would not be allowed inside. There appeared to be an older crowd. I guess younger people aren't allowed here? Anyways they missed out on a few hundred dollars in sales while their bar remained empty. read more

Totally fun place. Didn't eat but drinks and atmosphere were superb. Even bought the shirt!!

You won't find a better bunch of people anywhere than at Donovans. The local regulars make the non local regulars feel at home. Nothing better than walking in after a couple months and Aidan pouring you a cold Smithwicks saying "Hi Kids, were ya been?" as you are walking in the door. We are from CT but make the trip to Boston every few months to get our fill of a bigger city atmosphere. We always start and end at Donovans!!! read more