place Ran out of beer Ruben hotdog meal was cold kept on having to get my stuff like silverware kept running out of water NOT INTERESTED in coming back read more

I've never eaten here but have had many a drink. The layout is cool and it is a historic landmark of a bar! The bartenders are all wildly friendly. A bit pricier than I'd like to pay for a basic draft beer but I know the tourists come. Which does sometimes mess with the vibe- unfortunately- since sometimes I do definitely want to keep the New England feel but it does make for interesting people watching. I don't think I would pay a cover now (though they certainly made $$ from me in my early 20s) but that's on me. read more

It's the oldest freaking tavern in America! Beer flows at a reasonable price, food potions are large (almost too large) and well worth the price tag, the vibe inside is a mix of holding onto history and young party scene. This place has quickly become one of my go to spots for showing people who are new to the area. Short walk to Faneuil Hall and other known attractions. Great first stop for a night on the town! read more

The Bell In Hand - Chicken Wrap - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

First it is an open seating place. The servers are all extremely friendly. With the food in the area we decided to stop and sample as many local food appetizers we could. 1st stop we had the Stuffed Quahogs GET THEM! The portion is 2. And they were delicious and amazing; and so worth it. This is America's Oldest Continuously Operating Tavern and a really neat place to experience. read more

The Bell In Hand - Stuffed Quahogs - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Amazing lobster rolls, both hot and classic! Fun vibes with a downstairs and upstairs dining area and bar. Will be visiting again soon! read more

The Bell In Hand - Hot Lobster Roll New England Clam Chowder and Classic Lobster Roll - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Service was okay, but the clam chowder was excellent. The bartenders could use a refresher on drink-making -- the club soda was flat, and the drinks overall weren't great. The daytime vibes are really nice, but at night the atmosphere shifts into more of a club-like scene for a younger crowd, and there were even a few fights happening. Overall, mixed experience. read more

The Bell In Hand - Chowder - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The bounce (big white man with shaved sides on this hair, and brunette) was extremely rude and quiet frankly racist. i would infinitely prefer if you have a different bouncer. read more

Advertised as the oldest tavern in Boston, we wanted to go for dinner on a Monday night. But when we walked in, they had a guy screaming into the microphone at the top of his lungs (I think he was trying to sing) so we immediately walked out and sat on the patio. Kind of defeats the purpose of going to an old tavern when you can't even sit inside of it. Food was okay. Service was lacking. read more

See all

Literally, the first place we visited after leaving the airport. And you should too! The Bell In Hand is one of America's oldest pubs. Full of amazing, historical vibes mixed with incredibly delicious food, washed down with refreshing ale! I started off with the signature Bell In Hand Ale. So delicious with a bit of a spicy flavor. It's definitely the best beer I've had in Massachusetts. After a few sips of beer, we decided to order up some local seafood specialties, quahogs and calamari. I've had crispy calamari before but likely never as fresh as this. With a mixture of rings, whole bodies, and fried peppers, the flavor and chew were super! The quahogs (pronounced coe-hogs) were new to me. Clams, chopped and mixed with bread crumbs, peppers, onions and spices cooked to perfection with a large shrimp on top. Absolutely wonderful! The vibe of the place is eclectic and fun. Lots of TVs around to catch the latest game. A youngish, fun crowd filled the place with laughter. Lastly, so many historical paintings of customers from America's history line the walls. You'll feel like you're partying with Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross. read more

See all

Incredible food. Best fish and chips! Had a lobster roll, calamari and a Boston cream cupcake. All delicious! I'd do it all again minus the cupcake probably. read more

See all

This place had a plaque out front that it is the "oldest bar" so we had to have a drink here. Nothing special, just an average bar. Disappointed they didn't have the cloud candy beer I wanted to try so I settled with something else. The 22oz were about $14. We sat outside and there was a bouncer who told us we couldn't carry our own beers to the table so we had to wait for a waitress to escort us- I've never heard of that before... also when meeting up with one of our local friends, they told us this bar is notorious for college students getting roofied. That sounds dangerous, but we felt safe there. read more

The Bell In Hand - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Laid bar bar with strong drinks and a fun vibe. We stopped in just for a drink tonight and other than it being a slightly noisy crowd, the drinks and service were great. read more

The Bell In Hand - Lady liberty and Moscow mule - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great little pub and cool New England historical vibe. Clam chowder was delicious, but the lobster roll was overpriced ($38) for the amount in the sandwich. Fries were seasoned perfectly! Service was so so. read more

The Bell In Hand - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

A little rowdy on a Saturday but we found a quiet table in the restaurant part. Although not hungry, the clam chowder was excellent. read more

The Bell In Hand - Clam Chowder - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

When downtown Boston I thought, why not go to the oldest pub in the land. Had a beer and burger with my son at the bar and it did not disappoint. Great bar tenders, fun atmosphere, and great burgers. read more

The Bell In Hand - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

WAYYY better than anticipated! It was a bit loud, but the bartender rocked and I got great service. I had a rotating sour beer and a classic lobster roll. No shade, I was blown away at the lobster roll ($34 MKT 4/2024). The chunks were big and the meat was juicy! It was dressed nice and light. The fries were perfectly seasoned with a hint of old bay - yum! It was a bit loud for me, but cool vibes. There was an ice cream machine GROANING in the corner, and the sound should be dealt with, but it was an otherwise delightful experience; would recommend! read more

The Bell In Hand - Classic Lobster Roll - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

For a quick lunch (and to satisfy a lobster roll craving), I ended up at The Bell in Hand. Receiving seating immediately at the last open table, I ordered the hot lobster roll, which had a market price today of $36. The lobster roll itself seemed packed with lobster claws. Otherwise, it could have used a bit more butter and a sprinkle of salt. The roll seemed decently buttered and toasted, and the rosemary fries pleasantly surprised, given that the menu only mentioned "fries". read more

The Bell In Hand - Hot Lobster Roll - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

It's been a while since I lived in Boston, but for some reason I had never been to The Bell in Hand. I was in town for work and decided to stop for an early dinner after a long day of travel. It was a gorgeous spring day, so the patio tables and wide-open windows were very appealing and certainly made an impact on my decision to dine here! The place is seat yourself (at least on the smaller bar side), so I took a high-top right next to one of those open windows. The bartender was super friendly and brought me water right away. I was craving a lobster roll, so that is precisely what I ordered. I was a little alarmed at the price, but my stomach wanted what my stomach wanted. I was certainly not disappointed. The roll included a generous portion of lobster meat, seasoned to perfection. The side of fries was also amazing - crispy on the outside and full of flavor. I also treated myself to a UFO Maine Blueberry, which was absolutely the right call. The only thing I regret is not having tried The Bell in Hand years ago while living in Boston! read more

The Bell In Hand - Classic Lobster Roll - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Lisa helped us. She was great! I let her pick my ipa and she choose a great selection. Had some oysters amazing btw ! She was fast in a busy bar ! Loved it ! One of the oldest bars in the country. read more

I wish I knew Tuesdays was live music night I would've went. This place is very close to Faneuil and Quincy market and the Bostonian hotel. read more

The Bell In Hand - Front entrance - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Just a great atmosphere and worth stopping in for a beer. I did not try the food, but enjoyed the visit. Oldest bar in the nation and great location too. read more

First-Time Boston Visit: Great Food, Disappointing Service at Bell in Hand Tavern As a first-time visitor to Boston, exploring the Quincy Market and Public Market area was an experience in itself -- vibrant, energetic, and full of charm. We stumbled upon Bell in Hand Tavern and grabbed a seat at one of their outdoor patio tables. The weather was perfect and the atmosphere on the patio was lively -- it had all the makings of a great lunch stop. After sitting down, it took a little while to be greeted, but given the busy foot traffic in the area, it wasn't a huge deal. Once our server arrived, though, we were immediately asked to place our full order -- drinks, appetizer, and entrees all at once -- which felt rushed. We ordered two cocktails, one non-alcoholic drink, an appetizer, and three entrees. Water was brought out fairly quickly, but it was about 10 minutes before our bar drinks arrived. At this point, we were still waiting on the appetizer. Another 10 minutes passed, and our son's entree was served. Five minutes later, the remaining two entrees and the appetizer finally showed up -- a slightly backwards experience. What stood out most, unfortunately, was the lack of attentiveness from our server. Aside from initially taking our order, she never once returned to the table. We weren't offered water refills, condiments, or even a check-in to see how the food was. Our drinks sat empty for over half an hour, and we absolutely would have ordered another round had the opportunity been given. There were a couple moments of brief eye contact, but never any follow-up. The food itself was solid -- fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared -- and we would absolutely come back for that. But the service left a lot to be desired, especially given the $185 tab for lunch. After waiting for over 90 minutes and only seeing our server three times (once to order, once to drop food, and once to pay), we left and headed to another spot where we could enjoy some actual service and a second round. Final Verdict: Great food Fun outdoor atmosphere Poor service experience We'd give it another try for the kitchen, but sincerely hope for a more attentive experience next time. read more

My husband and I spent our anniversary in Boston this past October, and after walking by a few times, we decided to drop in for dinner. It was quite busy, so come in earlier on the weekend. I'm horribly gluten intolerant, and our waitress did her best to explain the safest options I could have (besides a salad). The gluten-free tenders on the appetizer are in a shared fryer. If you're celiac or horribly sensitive, I wouldn't get it (I refrained). Fortunately, they could do the fish and chips but grilled the cod instead of fried it. My husband (who is very gluten tolerant) had the burger and raved about it. The staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience. Next time we visit Beantown, we'll be back! read more

See all

Located in a very cute area of Boston with lots of charm. Menu had good options and the staff was kind enough to let us use the patio in October so we could bring our dog while traveling. Food was fast and tasty. I liked the burrata along with the chicken sandwich with a great honey sauce. The summer cosmo was good too. read more

The Bell In Hand - Fried Chicken Sandwich - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

So in my 17 years living here , I never once came to this historic place. I've walked by many times. That's it. So after brunch I had a few hours before catching my flight and leaving as a transplant citizen I made sure to come in and get at least one fruity cocktail. I am glad I came in to experience it finally. Typical bar experience but it's one of the oldest in America so it was a nice way to enjoy my last few hours in a city i grew to love very much. read more

Go here for a beer and the history but don't stay for the food. The chowder tasted like cream and nothing else. The service was just ok. The Cesar salad tasted old and not enough dressing. The wings were good but only because the sauce that came on the side. read more

The Bell In Hand - Bell in Hand Ale by Sam Adams, Boston, MA - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great location to grab food after a Red Sox game, decent quality burger with steak fries & a Sam Adam's fall beer! We enjoyed sitting by the tall propped open windows and watching people pass by. Love music and attentive service! read more

The Bell In Hand - checking out the Bell in Hand Ale by Sam Adams, Boston, MA - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

We stopped by here for a quick break and snack as we were exploring the area. We got a seat at the bar and were served immediately. The bartender was pretty nice and offered some recommendations in the area. My gf had the clam chowder, and I enjoyed a drink. The bar is bigger than it looks. There are other parts to it. read more

See all

Such a cool place with lots history. Delicious lobster roll and great beer selection. read more

The Bell In Hand - Hot lobster roll - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Stopped in for a beer and a snack, the Gluten-Free Chicken tenders are insanely good. Service was quick and kind and the place is busy with a cozy vibe! Loved it here read more

The Bell In Hand - Chicken Tenders- Gluten free - Lounges Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Hubby and I stopped in for a drink on a rainy day while visiting Boston. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and were told to sit wherever we liked. We grabbed a table in the round room. All the windows were open and there was a nice breeze coming through. We both ordered the Bell-in-Hand ale. It was a drinkable, smooth ale that we both really enjoyed. It was pretty cool to say we visited the oldest continuously operating tavern in the US! Would definitely recommend for an ale or two. read more

See all

Went for brunch, everyone's food was great and prices were typical for the area. Would definitely come back. Staff was very nice.

The Bell in Hand is claimed to be Americas oldest continuously run taverns. I would definitely come back for their clam chowder and beer, the fish and chips are a little lacking though. Seeing that Bell in Hand is literally right next to the Hay Market where fresh fish is being sold, you should expect the fish and chips to have a larger fillet of fish, especially for the steep price they are selling the fish and chips for. I should add the fish was a little dried out and lacking salt. read more

See all

Historically cool with an acceptable but expected beer selection. Their biggest sin is, in a huge city with plenty of talent, hiring a truly boring, truly upsettingly offensive karaoke person for Tuesday night who refuses to update their options. By allowing an untalented yokel to take up their bar, they condescend to anyone who might enjoy a good night, local or traveler. read more

Amazing food, fish and chips were super, esp as they serve haddock! Wonderful service and who does not like eating at a 200+ year old pub. Also try the Brie Crostini, awesome. read more

Stopped for lunch on June 5, 2025 it was terrible. Beer was not very cold Veggie Burger was inedible, tasted like cardboard Quesadilla was OK and not great. Server did not come back to see how our meal was until we were nearly done. Overall very unsatisfactory meal for a restaurant who relies on their historical presence rather than good food, cold beer and great service. read more

The best Clam chowder in Boston!!! The place was packed but the service was great & the food was delicious.

We come by once a year when we're in town for a convention. Usually the lobster rolls are fresh, the servers are good, and the bathrooms are passably clean. Tonight, we had the pleasure of women's bathrooms that were literally so broken that they were unusable (even after I told the staff that there was no TP or soap--I figured they wouldn't be able to fix the broken seats or TP dispensers), chefs who weren't able to give us an answer whether a Big 9 allergen was in some of the food, and servers who seemed so stoned as to be nearly nonfunctional, except for the one who was openly hostile. Oh, and we had to pay for spoiled lobster. One of our party is currently puking her guts up already and we're worried about the other. The manager stood by his decision to make us pay for spoiled food and invited me to report them to the health department. So I get to do that after the holiday. And then I get to scratch this place off my list--permanently. It's disappointing, but it's not worth getting sick over. read more

Hi i am a restaurant waiter in Chicago. I recently visited Boston for my very first time. I had dinner at a Italian restaurant in North End. As i was walking out of the north end neighborhood, I saw a corner bar called the bell in hand. So i decided to go in there for a few drinks. Gabby was my bartender she is something special because on how nice she is for one and for two she told me the history of the bell in hand the longest established bar in america that never closed. During covid they sold toilet paper outside of the restaurant. and she told me why its called the bell in hand. I had such an amazing time there i went back the next day. And Sarah was my bartender who is also amazing. i left Boston today to fly back home to chicago but before my flight i hade to go to bell in hand one more time. Where i meet the Oner Adam , Very nice guy. and Lisa was my bartender When you go order the lobster roll its to die for. and by the way they have office space available above the two floor restaurant bar .Amazing place. I wanted to add that on weekends there they have a live band on weekends and a DJ on the 2nd floor. The next time i visit Boston the bell in hand is my go to restaurant.. Its a hidden GEM. read more

So historical and very quaint. Didn't try any food but the drinks on tap of course had local which is what I go for. Always friendly. read more

See all