The Kenmore

•$

Everybody needs a great dive bar -- this is it! The Tam is everything a classic dive should be: a…read morelong, well-worn bar with comfy stools, plenty of standing room, and that no-frills Boston charm that makes you feel instantly at home. The drink selection is limited (in the best way) -- no need to overthink your order here. The bartenders are pros who've seen it all; they're friendly, fast, and take zero nonsense. Service is efficient, the crowd's laid-back, and the prices are unbelievably good for downtown Boston. It's the kind of place that doesn't try too hard -- because it doesn't have to. I love everything about this bar. A true Boston classic.

This is a place that is considered a local fave... or maybe a tourist trap with bartenders that…read moredon't know what the hell they're doing. I was in for a drink (Boston sour) and out as soon as I could finish it. Should be 3 main ingredients... whiskey, sour mix, and frothed egg white. It was heavily flavored sour mix. And cheap at that. No shaking (or even stirring) this cocktail. They seemed annoyed that even ordered it. And for $11- NO THANK YOU!!!! If you're visiting Boston-- don't waste your time. I'm glad I got out after 1 drink, and wish I didn't even waste my time or money.

Vibe

Darty time!

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The Wig Shop

4.3(175 reviews)

1.7 mi•Downtown

One of my favorite bars in Boston. Visited for the first time with my husband and we made…read morereservations in advance. There is no bar seating only couches and bathroom is downstairs. Ambiance is very chill and great music. Our server was Lou and she was great. Idk what people are talking about in other reviews but she was great. She gave us recommendations on drinks and food and our service was on point. We tried 4 drinks and for the hummus ans everything was delicious. We will be back!

This popular, not so hidden speakeasy has some inventive drinks with a fun menu that can take you…read moreback in time (we were in our Game Boy & Barbie era). Everyone in our party enjoyed their drinks - alcoholic and non! Our friends got some small bites to go along with their cocktails. The seating space has couches to chill on, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Downstairs there is a private room that can be reserved for certain parties. Service was great, and super helpful with questions on the menu. Checkout this spot if you're in the Downtown crossing area and would like some unique drinks before grabbing dinner in the area. Lentz_explore

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Small Quaint

Rock&Rye

3.8(85 reviews)

1.5 mi•Chinatown

This place was awesome!!!…read more If you are a Gen X'er, and love great cocktails, you will love this place! So we are from out of town; Texas, to be exact, and we were in Boston on vacation. We were looking for a place we could get some drinks and appetizers, and maybe watch some sports. A person in our group found this place online, so we gave it a try. We loved it! The 80s & 90s decor, as well as the 80s & 90s music they were playing made it an instant hit for our Gen X group. Every single song that was played was on my personal playlist, so we sang along and danced at our table to the tunes that took us back in time. There were some early 2000s songs played, too, but all songs played were songs we know and love. So needless to say, we loved the music!! Also, the drinks...oh my, the drinks. They were so, so good! Some in our group had the Adult Caprisun, including myself. It was so tasty, and served in an actual pouch, which brought me back to my 80s childhood. Another in our group ordered the Pink Flamingo which came with a little inflatable pink flamingo that you could take home with you. We noticed that the drinks were just perfect, too; not too strong with alcohol, and not watered down, either. The food was okay. It's bar food, so it's not going to knock your socks off or anything, but it hits the spot if you are drinking and hanging with friends. Our server was good. She was attentive to our needs and took good care of us. It was interesting to me that we, a group of age 50 somethings, were the oldest among the clientele, as everyone else was probably in their 20s or early 30s, but we didn't care. We had a great time! The only reason I did not give this place 5 stars is because someone in our group wanted to watch the Red Sox game, and apparently it was on Apple TV that night and the bar didn't have Apple TV.

Food was very tasty. My husband had the smash burger and loved it. I had the pork quesadilla, it…read morewas a little sweet but otherwise very tasty. Service was excellent and the atmosphere was nice. Joey the bartender was super!

Inside

Chillie lime wings

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Pornstar martini

4th Wall Restaurant & Bar

4.0(268 reviews)

This place pretty much is what it markets itself as, It's a dive bar... They have a full selection…read moreof cocktails, wine and beer along with your typical menu of burgers, sandwiches etc... the service was prompt and attentive.

Was a treat! Came in on Valentines Day (no reservations) and was seated right away with my…read moregirlfriends. Our server was super kind and informative on the menu. I have a gluten allergy and this menu was full of food I could eat which normally I never can! I had the fish and chips. Massive piece of fish and delicious fries. The fish was good, a little underseasoned but I easily fixed that. The fries are the good kind, nice and chunky. Food was delicious. My friend has the special budget of the day and she enjoyed that as well! I will 100% be coming back again and again!

Bar area

Chinatown Beef Tenderloin Noodles

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Colette Lounge

4.5(36 reviews)

1.4 mi

Colette had pretty good drinks! I had the passionista and someone else had the berry basil smash…read more(which was mint instead of basil since they had run out). Both drinks were strong, but still had great flavor! Just taking one star off since the lighting was quite bright when we were there, even though it was a Friday night. The servers seemed very friendly though!

Extraordinary addition to the theater district/midtown Boston…read more Friendly staff, everyone with energy to spare. Great music. I sampled the following drinks: Pimms Cup Fruity liqueur cut with ginger beer and lemon juice, so doesn't taste too sweet, begs for seconds. Louisiana Express Sweet punch, perhaps too sweet, but the guava plays happily with vodka. Whattamelon Bae Perhaps not always on the menu, but if you're in the mood for an ice cold slurry of watermelon and vodka, lemon and rosemary, you're in luck. Finally, and of course, the vaunted mac and cheese should be on every human's bucket list. Gooey and garlic infused. Cozy, great drinks, great music, there's nothing not to like here.

Inside

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Bar

Bar Moxy

3.2(50 reviews)

I wanted to like this, but I didn't have the opportunity. I came in to get my first drink that was…read moreincluded with check in. I was not a fan at all - no worries though, because it was free. Can't complain about free! While ordering the free drink, I asked for a menu since I planned on grabbing some dessert. They dropped off the menu and never came back. I'm not the loudest person so I don't try to yell to flag someone down. I tried making contact with the bar tenders, waving my menu, etc and could not get anyone to come back. They checked in with people around me and took 10+ walkup orders, but never came back around to check on me. After 30 minutes of waiting, I gave up and left. The environment was nice. They had several tables located along the windows with good lighting, and the bar was set up fairly comfortably.

The food is decent and the prices are good. We did both breakfast and dinner because we got…read morevouchers with our hotel stay. When it's busy, they get disorganized. They couldn't figure out where food went and forgot our drinks. Overall wort the price for a quick bite and it's a fun vibe. Lots of neon.

2nd floor

Oversized beer pong

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Soft pretzels

W Lounge

3.0(122 reviews)

1.4 mi

•$$$

Heard the dj was good so I popped in. John was an excellent bartender and provided great…read moresuggestions on places to visit while in Boston.

Kevin was phenomena! He ensured we were sat promptly to celebrate our birthdays! He and the bar…read morestaff were so kind and accommodating!

Chicken Waffles! The Chicken was over cooked and dried. The staff remade it and it came out the same.

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Breakfast!

The Street Bar

3.6(77 reviews)

1.2 mi•Back Bay

I came here for breakfast during my stay at The Newbury. Service was quite slow as initially there…read morewas only one dedicated, friendly employee handling the seating, taking orders and busing the tables. My order of yogurt with fruit and granola was fresh, filling and a yummy beginning to my day. My coffee was equally enjoyed, and note that it's $13 for each small coffee pot. Refills are not complimentary. I loved my window table on this rainy morning, and the lovely, cozy ambiance of The Street Bar. It's easy to see why this is such a sought after bar each evening.

We visited on January 11th, a few weeks prior to my wedding. This was a day I had planned for…read moremonths with my daughter and future stepdaughter, an important and meaningful occasion, and the experience fell significantly below expectations. In advance, I stopped into the hotel to confirm that a gluten-free guest could be accommodated and was assured this would be handled. In reality, the accommodation was inadequate and, at times, unacceptable. While the rest of us were served scones, my stepdaughter was given cut fruit in their place, and told that was all they had to accommodate.The dessert course consisted of what appeared to be basic gluten-free cookies, misrepresented as something more gourmet - egg nog cookies??? This lack of preparation was both disappointing, upsetting and avoidable. The broader experience was equally concerning. We were subjected to an unsolicited and uncomfortable "lesson" on tea service, which detracted from what should have been a relaxed and celebratory occasion. While trying to enjoy the time with the girls, being a lifelong tea drinker and someone who has been to many times at your establishment and its various incarnations, this is something I have never experienced. The food quality was poor (scones were clearly reheated and stuck to the cloth napkin they were wrapped in), and there were notable service lapses, including being served water in a visibly shattered glass. Additionally, when hot water was added to refresh the tea, my stepdaughter's pot curdled and had to be replaced. It was especially disappointing, as I mentioned that I had stopped in and spoken with the concierge, and was assured, as they had called the kitchen while I stood there that they readily accommodated gluten-free. There are numerous places in the city that could have done this, and if you had just told me that you could not do so, I would have booked us elsewhere. I chose not to raise the multiple issues in the moment so as not to disrupt what was meant to be a special day for the girls and me. However, the total cost exceeded $500, and the experience did not come close to justifying that price point! Do not recommend.

Bartender | The Street Bar

The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston

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The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston

Rooftop at Revere

2.9(130 reviews)

1.4 mi

I was at the rooftop bar today for a bit of food and it was such a comfortable homely spot .Iwas…read moreserved by a beautiful lady her name was Caragh who was so helpful,friendly and welcoming.The food was delicious and great atmosphere.I will definitely be back ag thanks Caragh

The rooftop space on a perfect summer night sold this place for me. Our service was quite slow and…read morethey forgot a few items, so we had to remind them. The food was decent, nothing to write home about but again, this spot for me was mostly for the drinks and vibes. If you're starving and looking for an amazing meal I'd probably seek out other spots, but if you're looking for small bites and drinks as the main event this is a good spot

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Ghost Light Tavern

3.3(27 reviews)

The hottest place in the city... literally!! It feels like 100+ degrees in there during summer…read morenights which would've been a dealbreaker for me if it weren't for the vibes. Great music, great atmosphere and service! And, the bathrooms are absolutely gorgeous. I haven't had the chance to try their bar food but definitely on the list next.

My friend hosted her birthday party here and it turned out to be a fun night. We had a reserved…read moretable for dinner, which I figured would be more intimate. But our table was in the main bar off to the side, so it was chaotic but fun. I do wish it was more private but it was still fun, just loud. Our waitress was really nice and did well with our large party. Their menu is mostly apps and smaller plates, so if you're looking more for a large meal this is not your spot. I got the nashville hot mozzarella sticks which were actually pretty good, I liked the tomato relish they put on top and the ranch was really good. Dive Bar Diva was my cocktail which was pretty good. My friends seemed to like their drinks and bar bites. After dinner we went upstairs to the club and got to skip the line (thankfully). The line for the club wraps around the building down the street most nights, so we got lucky. Dance floor is upstairs and it's pretty small, just one room. There were two DJs that night, and the music was really good. Bar was fun, they handed out free chicken tenders at one point and were squirting shots into peoples mouths out of gatorade bottles. It was awesome. Bathroom line upstairs for women was crazy, only one bathroom and it took a long line. I suggest going downstairs... but at least you'll see the famous cheetah print walls! I will say trying to get in contact with the reservation staff was difficult but finally they answered after days of my friends and I trying.

Double Smashburger

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Exterior

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Libby G.

4 years ago

Great, affordable food. They had both outdoor and indoor dining available during COVID, and the tables were spaced out very well. Friendly, fast service. Highly recommend for an enjoyable and easy meal. read more

Dalvir B.

7 years ago

Very small place to hang out with a friend for a couple of drinks and snacks love it. I live in that area that's why I like to hang around near my house read more

Scott G.

4 years ago

Great little spot. Burgers were great! I will certainly go back on my next visit to Boston. I'm

Katelyn K.

4 years ago

Great service, even for being understaffed. Yummy food and yummy drinks !!! I recommend :$

Tara C.

7 years ago

AMAZING Veggie + vegan food !!!!!!!!!!

Allen S.

3 years ago

Randall 10/10 best bartender in boston

The Kenmore - bars - Updated September 2026

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Parish Cafe & Bar

4.0

(1.7k reviews)

The food was delicious, both mine and that of the children. They have a great children's menu! The…read moreambiance was very relaxed so that even though we arrived in the middle of the lunch rush, the waitress never rushed us to order and even helped us navigate some complex food allergies. Definitely a great place to dine!

This place never disappoints, except I guess if you go at 11:30 on a sunday they say no to custom…read moresandwich orders. No subs (ha)! I asked to have the vegetarian and delicious eggplant subbed in for the meat on one of the sandwiches and was promptly told no after our server checked with the kitchen. Sad. Bowl O rings is as good as ever. And wow was that aioli wonderful!

A.T. O'Keeffe's

4.0

(133 reviews)

Nice pub. Lots of seating. A long bar. Good food, didn't try the drinks. Would returnread more

If you're lying in bed and can't sleep, come visit this place. Zero vibe! The trip to the bathroom…read moreis fun though! If you're looking for an escape house, Definately come here. If you don't slip and fall going down the stairs to the water leak, you'll be met with no soap, hand towels or air dryer to clean up before touching the food you waited forever to receive. We all make mistakes in life...this was one of mine

The Capital Burger

4.2

(371 reviews)

When the wife says "we can come back here any time" to a burger joint, then they must be doing…read moresomething right. These days, everywhere you go, places are charging around $20 for a burger. More often than not, they disappoint at that price point. And some don't even come with fries for that price! But that's where we are. I ordered the Capital Burger for $23. It was arguably the best burger I've had in my life. Like a French onion soup infused burger. The taste was delectable, the quality top notch, and cooked to perfection. And yes, it came with fries. Finally, a burger worth the hefty price places charge nowadays. Wife had the Ribeye Steak Sandwich which was flavorful and plentiful, as we brought half home for lunch the next day. And surprisingly, the wine list is VERY reasonably priced. Again, if you eat out often, you know the prices for a glass of wine have risen beyond ridiculous the last couple of years. So appreciate this place for not price gouging.

Winner, winner hamburger dinner! What a fun find while visiting Boston! My "Capital Burger" was…read moredelish and cooked to perfection! And, their beef blend is supplied by Pat LaFrieda - a well known New York beef purveyor. I'm also impressed with their creative mix of ingredients on their menu items! My Smoked Bacon Old Fashioned with bacon infused Woodford Reserve bourbon, maple syrup, Bitters and candied bacon started my dinner with a home run cocktail. Immediately brought to our table were a round of waters and a small mason jar of their in-house made pickles - ever so slightly sweet and well balanced. Hubs eyes are always bigger than his stomach so for starters he ordered Smoked Gouda Cheese fries with chopped Poblano Peppers, Eggs & Bacon deviled eggs with candied bacon and a cup of New England Clam Chowder. They were all very good. Their menu features 5 creative beef burgers and one in house made vegetarian burger. My Capital Burger was a delicious layering of caramelized onions, Wisconsin Gruyère and shallot aioli - so good! I opted for the side of mixed greens side salad with vinaigrette and it was light and fresh. Fernando was a rock star server and made great recommendations. We will return when in Boston again!!

The Tip Tap Room

4.0

(856 reviews)

I saw the steak tips listed as on Boston's list of best steak tips spots. I have tried others on…read morethe list and wanted to give Tip Tap room a try. I ordered a draft beer from a large selection of drafts and bottle, cans options. It was Jack Abbey beer... pint came 3/4 full as left a large head on beer and better for establishment pours 12-14 oz in a 16 oz glass.. Beer was warm... bad demerit again Ordered steak tips which came with three large tips on a bed of mashed potatoes, spinach . It had some sour hot nasty pepper garnish.. I wanted roasted red or green peppers with the tips instead. Steak tips were just ok and needed a marinate or side of a dipping bbq sauce or mushroom sauce or anything. Spinach, mashed potatoes needed more butter or garlic flavoring... fresh tasting but bland. Needs more steak tips too for the price tag. It was a nice bar vibe for drinks. The chicken wing lollipops I saw for an appetizer looked tasty. I left hungry for more steak tips and wanted a charcoal char on my tips . I wanted my spinach on the side with a garlic oil next to sone grilled oil drizzled roasted peppers . I don't consider these some of Boston best but certainly not the worst .

The atmosphere here manages to be both sophisticated and relaxed, Nice view while dining. Great…read moreservice too! I ordered the steak frites cooked to a perfect medium with a deep, salty crust. It was tender enough to melt but had that essential beefy bite. The sauce was silky and sharp, tying the whole plate together without overpowering the meat. Overall a cool nice place to come enjoy dinner or sit at the bar to have a drink.

Stillwater

4.2

(284 reviews)

This is my first time here and I hope it won't be my last. The atmosphere is calm cool and very…read morefriendly- the food is so good and filling :) I recommend the Hot Pocket appetizer and the Kingstown salad with seared tuna. Everyone was so kind and helpful :) I wish to thank the staff who worked this shift today 8-29-26 1:30pm Thank you everyone for an amazing and memorable experience

Ordered takeout from here and it was decent. I wouldn't say there was anything astounding, but I…read morehad a solid meal that was pretty filling. I ordered the Flat Patty Burger and it comes with fries: Flat Patty Burger ($19) - This burger comes with 2 patties and a side of fries. In today's market, $19 for that isn't too bad, and the burger was THICK. The two patties had butter and herb flavor, but probably could have done with a touch more salt. Still, each bit was satisfyingly meaty and full. It also came with melted cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a cajun aioli which was pretty tasty. There were a few pickles on the side which was a nice addition as well. All in all, a filling and tasty burger that hits the spot when you want something meaty and carb-loaded. I've had better burgers but I've also had worse ones. This comes in at "above average" for the herbs and butter on the meat as well as the amount of food you get for the price. Not a bad meal!

Harvard Gardens

3.6

(572 reviews)

Came here after Beacon Hill Art walk - Harvard Gardens…read moreBurger was one of the best burgers I've had. Tender meat and bacon aioli was amazing. Tator tots piping hot and crispy. Perfectly toasted - Caesar salad was well dressed and great - Prosciutto fig pizza was a bit burnt. Was on the sweet side of things - Kids Mac and cheese was ok Good place to get a bite

We stopped here to watch the football game and have dinner. There are many TVs so it's a great spot…read moreto watch sports. We ordered the nachos which I highly recommend. They are piled high with cheese, guac, sour cream, jalapeños, onions, etc. For entrees, we went with the Reuben sandwich which was so flavorful, and the grilled chicken sandwich. The grilled chicken was a bit dry, but the sweet potato fries were good. The service was not the friendliest as once we paid and left her a tip (over 20%) she never said thank you? Everything else was great so I recommend eating here.

Five Horses Tavern

3.8

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My order: 1 chicken taco, 1 grilled fish taco, 3 carnitas tacos…read more The Review: Five horses tavern has a lot of gluten free options, which is very inclusive for a bar/tavern! The server was very knowledgeable and attentive. The tacos were pretty good, but if you're a taco maven, don't get them. To be honest, the fish taco had too much Mayo/sauce on it. They each came with two corn tortillas, which were a little stuck together as if microwaved. It was definitely my mistake because they are definitely not a Mexican restaurant. I would be interested in their salmon dish, as well as their bowls. Four stars for good options (gf included), good portion size, and good vibes. Will definitely be returning to try more!

I went to give Horses on a Saturday at 1pm during the winter for just a casual lunch with a friend…read more We didn't have a reservation but were able to sit down right away. I would say the vibe is elevated pub. Super cozy and perfect for a few beers or a casual date. They were playing a premier league game so probably a good spot to watch soccer. We ordered the Chicken Sliders as an app and we both got the soup of the day which was a tomato soup with a half of a grilled cheese. Service and food was great, no complaints! Quick review: - perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner - cozy pub vibes

21st Amendment

4.1

(519 reviews)

Good burger! Our waitress made a great Old Fashion and I wish I knew her name to give her credit…read more Cool place

Easily one of my favorite spots! On a quiet side street, has a great patio & inside space. Food is…read moregreat for a midday snack or pre- going out meal!! Drinks are always good and staff is super amazing! Most I've met are in grad school or college so I love supporting their journey!

Audubon Boston

4.2

(275 reviews)

I have been waiting to eat at Audobon for over a year now because my roommate is a huge fan, and…read morenow I understand why. This is such a casual and "easy" place to step in for a really high quality dinner and drinks. Service was great, and we went with the challah grilled cheese and tomato soup and the steak sandwich. The ciabatta for the sandwich was fresh, the steak was cooked perfectly, and I loved the side salad. I also loved how fluffy and cozy the grilled cheese was, with one of the better tomato soups I have tasted. Only giving a 4/5 start because the vibes are definitely mellow compared to some other restaurants with great food, but still a really solid option for a lowkey dinner/drinks.

Came here before a Red Sox game. The service outstanding, sat at the bar Makayla the bartender very…read moretry this try that what do you like here's what I recommend from the menu everything she recommended outstanding! The owner Jay came over to say hi super friendly guy nice guy we were waiting outside before they actually opened and he brought us glasses of water while we were sitting outside! We had them what they consider mozzarella sticks excellent the wings outstanding the fish tacos the best fish tacos I've had anywhere and the pot stickers were excellent. Would highly recommend this place it's a touch off the beaten path but only 5 minutes from Fenway well worth the extra steps!!!

Warehouse Kitchen + Sports Bar

3.7

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