Great free music and good bar food! I always enjoy myself when there! Especially... MARLEY MONDAY!! Duppy Conquerers Bob Marley tribute band every Monday night! A must see! read more

I would like to give this place two stars for the occasional decent band that graces this bar's stage. Other than that, if you don't want to spend your night hanging out with a lot of over served old fogies, a bartender who looks like he's been sucking lemons all day for 14 years and putting your hands and arms on sticky tables that never have seen a clean rag... then I'd recommend spending your time and money elsewhere. read more

I have to say I have no idea why this place is rated so low. It is such a genuine pub that puts an emphasis on Irish roots, bluegrass, and rock music (Check out the Kevin Byrne Band on Tuesdays they rock!). There is almost always great live music usually WITHOUT AN ENTRANCE FEE! Their pub fare is great (not for people who do not like fried food, though their salads are decent) and cheap ($6 - $7 burger). Beer is priced normally and the most expensive drink I've been told is a $9 16 yr old scotch. The major draw of this pub is the genuine feeling of being an Irish pub. It is NOT a college Irish pub wanna be where you are fooled into thinking that you are roughing it with locals. So if you want to go to a pub where it's so loud you can't hear your friends talk or young drinkers who don't know how to handle their alcohol then i would not recommend this place. But if you want a great local bar where the actual owner is around often (and chats with the patrons), the bar tenders are extraordinarily friendly and down to earth (instead of being show off know it alls who think that you should feel privileged to be served by them), and the friendliest locals around chat you up, then you should absolutely come to Sally O'Brien's read more

I love this place!....... I have come by this place about a dozen times so far since moving here from Denver. The Food is unreal and cheap and a great selection of beers on draft and bottles. I have met about two of the bartenders so far and they are both freakin awsome...... kind and right on top of things! I usally stop in on Friday afternoons for my Sally Special Burger and one of the best pints of guiness iv had here in boston yet, not to mention the Friday Day time bartender Jonny is super cool he always has the bar singing with his tunes.....jonny you are the king of rockabilly my friend! Gotta check this place out this whole square is turning into a hot place! read more

Awesome bands! Cool people. Nothing fancy, just good people.

Wonderful place for live music, great drinks. Food is OK - I was actually surprised my fish-and-chips was as good as it was!

I came to see a local band and because there was a yelper who said that the burgers here are great. Parking was a pain in the neck as most of the street spots were already taken, the roads were in bad condition with potholes and construction, so I wasn't too happy before I got in. Inside, the bar is off to the right and tables to the left. There were several bands lined up that night with their fans. The prices are very reasonable and the burger/fries were pretty good, not the best I've had but good enough to recommend. It's a nice little pub with good food, it's the parking that sucks, and the bar table is too short. read more

This review is based on approximately 1,000 visits to Sally O'Brien's over the last 10 years, though I'm focusing on more recent times. Sally's is one of the last vestiges of the Union Square I moved into a decade ago. It's still a bit divey, but in a charming way. The day crowd regulars are still there, and there's Bud, Miller Lite and Powers whiskey, just like always. There's also a good, though modest selection of 10 draft beers that usually features something fairly new, along with Guinness. There's a decent bottle and can selection, and all the standard bar drinks that don't involve fruit soaked in vodka and such. The music, which started around the time I showed up, has matured into a distinct scene. This is predominately a country/rockabilly bar, although on Monday nights, once the ever-improving comedy open mic wraps up, the Duppy Conquerers play Bob Marley covers to a dazed and appreciative crowd. There's some rock, too, as well as the odd old legend, like Spider John Koerner who makes his way to Sally's for a set one or two times a year. In general, you get your money's worth at Sally's when you go see music since there is rarely a cover, and when there is it's usually just 5 bux and goes to the band. Sally's is a bit under-appreciated for it's food value. While it's just pub food, it's decent and a great place to meet up with a group of even a fairly large size for lunch. If you don't need frills with your beer or bourbon, and a burger is your thing, you should give Sally's a try while you are in Union Square. Prices are good. The staff is good. In good weather, you can sit outside. read more

Awesome grilled Atlantic Salmon! The buttery lemon glaze was fantastic! We love the steak tips, Guinness beef stew & burgers at Sally's too! The daily specials change frequently & are always tasty, especially the chili! read more

I went to Sally for my mother's birthday party tonight. All around the experience was great. Band was great food was amazing (I strongly suggest the burgers they were delicious). This place was so friendly my nephew even tagged along and even he had a great time! I will be back for sure!... may I add even if you don't drink great place for you and some friends to grab a bite sense they have a dining area. read more

I just hosted my second staff holiday party at Sally's. Once again, it was a huge hit. Liam, the owner, is laid back, accommodating, and willing to work with people to make a great party happen. We settled on an unbelievably low price per person. The buffet contained a seemingly endless supply of varied wraps, chicken wings and tenders, pasta, meatballs, rolls, salad, coffee, and dessert. I told Liam that we have a few vegans on our staff and he made sure to have roasted veggie wraps (no cheese) and pasta in vegan marinara sauce. He simply put a separate chafing dish of meatballs and a dish of grated cheese on the side. All dietary concerns were easily addressed, which was great. We basically overtook the entire place from 3-6 in the afternoon, and many of the partygoers stayed well beyond 6 to enjoy the live music. If you're the party organizer for your business, office, school...whatever, do yourself a favor and contact Sally O'Brien's about a holiday (or any occasion party). Once you firm up a date and make your menu preferences known, you can just sit back rest assured that you're going to have a great party. Thanks Liam and Crew. read more

This place is pretty chill. Dropped by for an afternoon snack, had some tasty, meaty chili and an order of spicy onion rings that was spot-on. Had to wander over to the bar to get in an order, though. Seems like a good venue for music, a nice place to relax. Nothing fancy. Just what it says on the tin. read more

Been here a few times, to see local musicians perform. As far as bars go, I like the atmosphere here. There's enough room not to feel crowded, and the bathrooms, altho only one each are surprisingly nice and clean for a bar. I have not eaten here, so I can't comment on the food. It's a good place to hear live music, although the shape of it makes the sound a bit awkward. it does however make it easy to move about which i like. read more

This place is not bad. To be honest, of the 3 closest bars to me that I have reviewed I have been to this one the most. It gets three stars because its not as cheap as it should be (needs a $2 beer of some kind), but the locals don't bite and there's Keno. Good place to watch the game and have a few. I recommend getting a decent beer as that's going to be your best deal here. read more

I'll go ahead & respectfully disagree w/the other poster here. We've been regulars of Sally's for a couple years now & it's a wonderful place. If you want high-end pub fare, go to the indo, but Sally's is a great traditional pub w/a great Guinness & excellent burgers. Last time we went there was a great Beatles tribute band. It's mostly locals, but the locals are people who work at all the spots we constantly cavort. Service can be a little spotty as the bartender also waits all the tables, but if you're a little giving, this place is a gem. read more

I ordered the fresh catch haddock sandwich while attending the Roy Sludge trio show tonite. Always love seeing live sludge so the music was stellar. Having very high standards for fish sandwiches, I have to say I was extremely satisfied with the quality and taste of my fish sandwich. Delicious! Can't wait to go back and have another one! read more

Great bar food, good music, nice staff, clean bathrooms.

Went here just for a couple drinks on a Saturday afternoon. Nice atmosphere inside. Pretty empty and some mellow Irish music playing. Altho it was pretty empty the people that did straggle in all seemed to know each other so felt a little bit the outsider but (except for one guy who seemed to be veering towards a bit too loud and obnoxious) it was still pretty chill. And wasn't catching a hipster vibe either which was a nice change in Union Square. Seemed to be a pay-as-you-go place? So found that a bit awkward and embarassing when I realized thats why bartender was standing staring at me and Ibwas just staring back but he seemed like a cool guy. Would definitely try it out again. read more

awesome place, as a local it's the perfect spot to drop in for a drink. food is good too. love the burgers. This is a place you will find all kinds of people young and old, from sour old local country pickers to ghostly hipsters who sneak down from PAs because even though they like thier friends they just can't handle listening to their shitty bands full set. read more

This is my local bar and one of my favorites. Interesting mix of bands play here. The customers are shifted older than most Somerville bars which may contribute to the laid back vibe. Food is good but limited selection, try the specials or stick to the burgers. Bartenders are great. Monday night is my favorite. read more

I'm such a bad yelper. I can go to the same place for years, love the food, love the music, think the owner is so mellow and nice, the bartenders are without a doubt sublime and yet I have never put this on yelp. When I go home I forget to yelp it. Well tonight I went to Sally O'Briens where I have been going for about 5 years. In fact, every Friday night I go for dinner and listen to music. I spend all week looking forward to both the lovely, adorable bar tenders, the interesting and friendly owner, the awesome chef, wonderful bands and the spectacular food. Tonight I had a meal that I could go to the waterfront and not taste anything so delicious. It was sword fish and shrimp with marinated vegetables done to perfection and a salad. It was the tastiest food imaginable. read more

Are you looking for great food, music and a place to watch sports? Sally's is the place to be!! Great price, food, music, service and atmosphere!!!! I have had the best Irish breakfast at Sally's. I usually take my family on Sundays for their brunch. Alfredo, the chef is EXCELLENT! The waitress and other workers are friendly and they interact well with my kids. Their steak tips and burgers are delicious. There's live music on the weekends and what I love the most is that there's NEVER A COVER!!! Sally's is the perfect place to bring a date or make a new friend. Try Sally's for yourself. read more

Look, the 3 stars are for me. Everybody will not love this place. Occasionally, some of the clientele may be offensive to some but generally it's a good Irish bar if you live or are in Union Square. Normally decent music, better than you'd expect food. Not really for the snobby types but it's a decent local bar. read more

i come here once a week, to fix something, the boss.. i mean the owner,, great guy, great family. the chef is hector, omg,.,love the burgers and hectors steak fries!! { i get the fries free! } nice place to sit down and relax. thumbs up!! read more