Often referred too as the holy grail of sports-related dive bars for the city of Bahston, Sullivan's Tap, or Sully's for the frequent, intimate and alcoholic patrons such as myself is the place to go to to grab a decently priced beer. Don't expect friendly service. It's more of a "What d'ya want?" kind of place. Really. It's full of assholes before games and is far from classy. Hell, it's not even remotely good as a dive bar. You want a good dive, to go the Tam. The setup is poorly designed and people are forced to pack around the pool tables in order to catch a rare breath of oxygen. It is usually very busy and the air conditioning is non-existent. It usually smells like BO too. When I refered to decently priced beer, I didn't say cheap though. I guess they have to take full advantage of the fact that they are at a very seasonal location and that in the summer when both the Bruins and Celtics are off, business is down... Then again if they were to change things up a little, remove some of the neons, clean up a the place and turn the pool area into a bigger standing area it would be a lot nicer. I have mixed feeling about this place. I don't hate it but don't love it either. I guess you'll have to check it out for yourself to get your own opinion. read more

Great place for drinks. Only thing stoping it from 5 stars was the men's room. The toilet is out in the open like prison style.

This is probably the dirtiest establishment I've ever been in but I think that's part of the appeal for some people, there was a good 1/4" of beer on the floor after a bruins game read more

What a poopy-hole. I ordered a Stella Artois. The bartender probably thought I was gay or something. Anyway, I couldn't finish it because it smelled like bad meat. It was gross. I don't know if it was the glass or what. My homosexual looking companion first noted the stench. Way too bright and see my review of the Powderhouse Pub for my thoughts on dive bartenders. read more

'Gansett tallboys at 3.00 each are still a ripoff, but I feel the same way about 2.50 bottles of MGD. The bathroom looks like the video for "Don't Come Around Here No More" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and inspires similar feelings of disconnectedness. Nevertheless, having been the site of several UYEs and a place at which the Boston Yelp crowd has done plenty of rounds, I have to give them props for putting up with us. I can't believe they did a last call at 11:30, but then again I still think the Apollo moon landing was real. They boast some pretty good dive-bar fare: basketball head-to-head game, Golden Tee, Buck Hunter, more BAGS, internet jukebox, pool and a bartender who, in an alternate world, might have started lookatthisfuckinghipster.com. But the lack of a 1.50 option drops you down one star. read more

Hi everyone. I wouldn't advise anyone to go here unless you're pre gaming and want to get smashed before the game. I understand this place has fans that love how cheap it is but that's really the only positive about this place if you can get passed the rude bar tender that's as rude as they come and like previous reviewers said the bar tender doesnt give a $&#% about you. It's all true! This place needs bar rescue and I'm not kidding! I'm military and we went there just to get a few more beers after our christmas party and were less than greeted by the bar tender on duty. the guy was a straight ball bag to us and broke my buddies balls because he asked for a few quarters so we could play some pool. I didn't spend a penny at this dump my buddy chugged his skunky beer as fast as he could and we left this place as if it had the plague! I'll never go back again... to top it all off; the place smells like a truck stop bathroom. read more

It's a bar. Games in the back. Beer. Across the street from TD garden. That's pretty much it.

This is my favorite place for pregame brewskis and some basketball. I've won a lot of beers playing people on the hoop fever.. Cheap beers and in a prime location. read more

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Sullivan's Tap is my bar before and/or after events at Boston Garden (which is across the street). It's at its best IMO before and after Bruins games, and it is regularly voted "Best Hockey Bar" in Boston. It is one of the last original places that was around during the days of the old Boston Garden, especially now that the Penalty Box has closed. To be honest, I have an affinity for dives. I find the bigger, preppy places (Hurricane O'Reillys, Boston Beer Works, etc.) to be boring and bland. Sully's Tap still has character. But again, it's a dive, no question. You probably have to like (or at least tolerate) dives, neon beer signs, sports memorabilia, and video arcades to appreciate this place. This place has a couple of drawbacks. The bathrooms (at least the men's room) are very small. It's a toilet, two urinals, and a sink in a very small space. The bar area itself can get pretty crowded because it's practically in a narrow hallway. Also, they are CASH ONLY. They take no debit or credit cards, but there is an ATM in the bar. Be advised that they do NOT serve food here. So if that's what you're after, I would recommend going next door to The Four's for their steak tips. Delicious. So we'll be here before Bruins game. Sully's is the Best Hockey Bar in Boston. read more

Wow. Definition of a Dive Bar. This building is a strange shape... very skinny and long (hard to get around people if its crowded. Cheap, cheap, cheap. Pool Tables. Good location... come here to pregame or grab a last beer before you hop on the train. But... it always always smells bad.... BO, farts, not too sure... read more

Smells like poop in here. I did venture in here one night with a large crew. We stayed for one beer and went to The Fours next door. I can see how people would like this place though....if they had no sense of smell. read more

1) Smells very much like sewage in here. 2) Do not. I repeat, DO NOT get a draft beer at this place. I have to assume that the reason my beer tasted so foul was due to filthy, rancid tap lines. A few sips of my beer made me feel sick for the rest of the night. 3) The only reason I can think of for going into this place is if you're wasted and your friends steer you in here for a last-call drink and you're not really sure where you are or why it smells like poo but you can at least order a bud light and GTFO before you catch something. GROSS read more

I came here to meet up with my family last may after my graduation. It was pretty close, and I figured it would be pretty desolate. It was, although there were a few guys hanging out watching home improvement. It was a good time, definitely provided me with lifelong family memories. Although I was disappointed when my mom ordered a drink and it came in a dirty glass. I thought that they might put on a little shine for the ma dukes during the daytime. read more

I wouldn't go so far as to call Sully's 'quintessential,' but that's on a short list of things I wouldn't call it. I'd call it the closest thing in Boston to the Perfect 'guy' Bar. By "guy bar," I mean the kind of place you go with your buddies when one of them gets dumped in order to drown his sorrows deep in shots of cheap vodka, cheap beer, and cheap Pop-a-shot. I'd call it the best place to pregame before a game at the fleet center. Don't get too into your Buck Hunter games, or you might miss the first period/quarter. If you do, it's OK, because beers are cheaper here, and there are still 2/3 periods/quarters left. The bartenders may come across as grisly, but in reality, they're all pretty nice. If you go on some non-game-night afternoon, they'll be happy to debate sports topics with you all day long. If you go on a game night, they'll notice you, and you'll have your beer in the order you arrived at the bar. Top notch bartenders all around. And there's big buck hunter. I'd call it one of my favorite bars. read more

This is the definition of "dive bar" It's cheap, smelly, sticky, cramped, and pretty awesome. I go here sometimes before a game and it is super packed with dude-guys... I never seen many other females here. They have promotions from time-to-time like the budlight girls or whomever. I wouldn't go here on like a regular old day I don't think, but its good for game nights. read more

Full disclosure: I am from Boston, love dive bars, and love a shady dive bar like Whitey's in Southie, but this place sucks, outside of the location. I'm not at a dive bar for service, so bad, angry bar tenders do not bother me at all, but we went last week and there were two customers in the bar that night. Sox were on ESPN and not one tv was on the game, just the news. Bartenders were too occupied with their women that came to visit them. We left, and all my other trips here have been underwhelming...Drinks aren't exactly dive-bar priced either. read more

I wish I could give this bar 0 stars. Place is an absolute dive. When I say dive, I mean that the men's bathroom doesn't have a stall so you've got the whole bar looking at you while your doin your work. Bartenders are rude and unfriendly plain and simple. They don't serve food yet get upset if you try and bring your own. After unsuccessfully trying to make small talk the owner preceded to eat dinner in front of my friend and I and then kicked us out after asking if we could bring food in. Bouncers are obnoxious and treat customers like crap. Extremely unprofessional place, awful service, awful people. I grew up in this city and this is easily the worst bar I've ever been to. Good Riddance. Go to the Fours next door the food is better service is friendly and you can actually eat--but this place is an absolute excuse for a bar. Sad! read more

Wow!! What a find!!! Ties or not! Suits or not! Plenty of new flat screens for viewing sporting events. Right across Causeway from North Station. Friendly fast service. Oh! I almost forgot Two not One very nice pool tables which any respectable player or shooter will enjoy the flat surface and responsive rails. Video games abound. Prices are well within reason and the beer is cold. Drinks are free poured not measured! read more

Sullivans is all about the atmosphere. The bartenders were great, engaging with all their customers. They have a good selection of beer in bottle but limited on tap. Once the bar seats all fill up its standing room only but can get filled pretty quick. I see this bar as a great bar for before Bruins or Celtics game drinks rather than an after party. read more

Best. Dive bar. Probably in the world. The bar has old tickets from the Garden laminated on the top and there are plenty of other sports memorabilia that makes you feel like your apart of the action when there's a game going on across the street. Prices are great. There's no place that's this close to the Garden that you can pre-game without spending an arm and a leg. Amazing place to be before a game, always packed. This Sullivan's is a place you must visit at least once. read more

literally such a bad place. the bartenders were aggressively rude to my friends when we were calmly sitting at the bar ordering drinks. one said " if you aren't tipping that's the last drink for you" very seriously. Terrible service and not even a cute bar. never coming back and definitely don't recommend. read more

I was just here last Sunday afternoon for the second time. There was nothing going on at the Garden and the place was dead. We stopped in and rocked a couple of Naragansett tall boys ($3.50/EA Great Deal!) and then moved on. I really like Sullivan's divey atmosphere and the bartender was pretty decent. He didn't stick around and shoot the breeze, but was generally not the surly type described in some other reviews. When near the Garden, I will always try to stop in here on future visits to the area. I live on the north shore, and there is nothing like this place out in the 'burbs. Real old school vibe, and that is what works for me and my low budget tastes. read more

The only night Sully's Tap is unacceptable is when there is a Faith Hill concert going on at the Garden. On nights like that, Sully's is filled with fake blonds who've probably never been further south than Providence spilling out of their rhinestone-studded tube tops and sporting pink cowboy hats. But normally, Sully's is a great place to kick back after work. Once you make your way past the brooding, loner male 50-somethings at the bar, there's dual basketball hoops, Big Buck Hunter, and pool. Not to mention that thing where the wannabe He-Men punch the bag to earn points and coveted titles such as "Killer" or "Superman." (I may have made those titles up, but you get the idea.) Cheap drinks and Hoop Fever make Sully's one of my favorites. Punctuate that with the inevitable bar fight and you've got the perfect Sully's night. Love it. read more

Last call at 11:30 pm. That's about the time my Aunt Mable starts watching Leno. That's not the time a dive bar should be having last call on a Thursday night. In other news, I don't actually have an Aunt Mable. And I scored 91 points on the basketball game there last night. read more

I used to like Sully's tap a lot. I used to go every Friday when there was a Celtics game. It has all of the things that dive bars need. Pool, Hot Hoops, and cheap beer. I would even go here on nights when there was no game, because I could be assured that I could walk right up to an empty bar and get some cheap beers without a wait. However, during Winter of 2010 I ventured in to Sully's tap after work on a Friday, like I always did, to grab a few pints before the Celtics game. On my second beer, one of my friends noticed something stuck on the inside of my glass. It must have been hidden by the foam when I ordered it. I have no idea how I didn't notice it. Upon further inspection, I realized it was a piece of food of some sort stuck to the glass. Hey, I understand these things can happen in a hectic dish room. But there is just one problem. SULLY'S TAP DOESN'T SERVE F-CKING FOOD. In my head, I tried to work out a scenario in which a piece of food could get plastered to the inside of my pint glass full of beer. No matter how I mulled the scenarios in my head, I realized that there was probably no scenario that wasn't gross. Anyway, I like I said, I used to like this place a lot. Luckily, I am not that squeamish, so I might even go back this winter, but I will stick to bottled beer. read more

One word: Brubaker's. Recycled beer bottles + cheap beer + former alley + fellow alcoholics = good time at Sully's. read more

You get alcohol. You get a pool table. You get come other games including a basketball shooter. That's what you get at Sully's. As long as you aren't expecting more, you'll be golden! read more

Smelt like vomit, beers were $4.50. I'd go back. Bathroom was scary. Trashy was promoted. Sure , I'd have another before a B's game.

Sullivan's Tap is a microcosm of Boston- sports oriented with reasonably priced drinks. The bartender on my most recent trip was ready to shoot the shit and was not in the least afraid to voice his opinion. In my case, we discussed hats and how fashion has changed. Once my friends received our drinks, we played some arcade games, caused some ruckus, and overall had a fantastic time. One draw back- cash only. Otherwise, I love Sullivan's Tap! read more

Going to a B's or Celt's Game and you know you gonna get messy that day or night. Then start your blackout here. This place has games, pool , and lotto what more can you ask for. Only reason not a 5* its cash only. read more

This place is good to unwind and have a few drinks before games. The bartenders keep things loose and fun and once you go a few times they will have your drink in front of you before you sit down. the bar itself is pretty sweet. It is laminated with all sorts of coins, ticket stubs and other nick nacks from a variety of different events. It is cash only and there's an ATM next door. It isn't nearly as crowded as other places in the area which is good. The people are diverse and you can actually have a good, spirited conversation without screaming over loud music. Sully's is a low-key, old time Boston feeling bar. It is what it is, take it or leave it. read more

You should visit Sully's for only two reasons. The first is an event at the Garden. The second is a pub crawl. This is not a destination bar. This is not a classy bar. It's not even a good dive bar. The set up is atrocious. But it works if you and a friend want to down 2 Bud Light for a lot less than the thieves on the inside of the Garden will charge you. Yes there's Buck Hunter, but beware, near all games of Buck Hunter you will find the classic Hunting Douche. These are guys who never have held or seen a real gun and enjoy shooting cartoon rhinos with an orange shotgun. Beware ladies. No one shoots a gun with a popped collar and a baseball cap on backwards. You have been warned. Oh and this place has that Barfly display which is awful. One time I saw the obituaries on it and I had to ask the drunk next to me if I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. read more

I like Sully's. I can't say I love it, cause that would be going too far, but as far as dive bars go, it rocks. Yeah, the layout is weird...it's a very long, very narrow room and so if you want to be near the bar, you're going to be cramped. But if you like the kind of place where you walk in strangers and walk out aquaintances or day I say, friends, then this is the spot. Because the place is full of guys, it's one of the only spots in the city where I can chat about sports and still be taken even semi-seriously. Also, I love that I can come here and not be bothered...it isn't an annoyance where every guy tries to pick you up, they're usually too embroiled in hoops or whatever game is on one of the televisions. read more

This has all the looks and feel of a dive bar until you see how much drinks are. Yes, its cheap if you are drinking Brubakers. You can go to the Sports Grill down the street, pay the same price and don't have to deal with the rude bartenders and not so private bathrooms. read more

I stop in here a few times every month for a beer and bump before I catch the train home. This is a total dive, so if you're hipster or looking for something trendy and refined, keep going. However, if you want to see what Boston used to be before it was overrun by skinny jean wearing, self-aggrandizing intelligensia, please stop by. During this Big Dig you could come in here on any night and see every bar stool full - with a hard hat under each one. This is a WORKINGMAN'S bar; not a tavern, not a pub - a bar. The staff is all local, largely Irish, and have been there forever. They will not kiss your butt when you first come in, but if you come by regularly, they will remember your face, your order, and eventually your name. Decor is low rent; drink selection is vast but largely downscale, the pool tables are warped and the jukebox hasn't been updated since 1989. Bathrooms are purely functional. Most of the poor reviews on here are coming from people who should have gone to The Fours, Hurricance O'Reillys or one of the other "McPubs" in the area. "The Tap" is Boston before it got homogenized, commoditized, and otherwise redeveloped into San Diego with snow. This is the Boston that inspired the works of Dennis Lehane, Scorcese's "The Departed", "Good Will Hunting", and that abortion that the less talented Allfeck brother did about bank robbers in Charlestown. read more

Came to Boston for a weekend not knowing where to go. This bar was across from our hotel and we ended up spending the whole weekend there. Great time and memories made at this bar. read more

This review is long overdue. Got a chance to visit Boston for the first time about 8 months ago. Got hit with a huge storm..so ended up in the local bars quite a bit. Sullivan's made me feel very welcome. Not only was the bartender ( Chris ) super cool..I got really drunk and left my phone behind..and he called another local who I was actually staying with.. and LUCKY girl got her phone back! Really cool people in the bar as well ..maybe it's just because I live in Hollywood and used to self absorbed assholes..or the people of Boston are amazing. Enough said! read more

It's very simple, if you like dive bars with cheap beer, you'll love it. If you don't, this isn't your place. This is my type of place though. Went here a few years ago before a UFC fight to pregame and had a great time. read more

Go-to before a bruins game! Fun atmosphere, enjoyable with other fans and staff is great!

Every time I go here there is a fight. And I love it. How quintessential Boston, old drunk possibly Irish men startin it up! And all that fun before a B's game. I like this place. I always order bottled beer...the glasses are a little scary. Its a railroad style space ...long and narrow. So it can get crowded, be prepared. Divey and quaint... go there when you're heading to the Gaaarden. *Pronounced with Boston flair* read more