I walked to the Tam last night after watching a movie. I won't even review Loew's. Or maybe I will. They need a kick in the balls. We walked down here just to get a beer and hang out for a few minutes while we decided where we wanted to get food. They had K-1 and a basketball game on the TV's. The guy sitting to my right was watching the fight and sort of like, moaning. It didn't really bother me because the bartender seemed to be ok with it. The bartender put a glass with a little ice in it in front of me filled it 7/8 with Jack, 1/8 with water, and brought it over to his friend. He made four more whilst I was there. He also poured an extra Bud Light Smoothie (16oz $3) and forgot who it was supposed to go to. He gave it to a table of three people who had 6 unfinished beers already. Incidentally, those same people had a pizza delivered to the bar, which really touched my heart in special places because the pizza place was next door. What a great place. read more

I have got to give this place five stars. If not for the cheap drinks, then for the memories. My improv troupe and I used to go here after shows on thursday night, drink ourselves silly on $2.50 Brubakers and rule the jukebox. I had so many great conversations here with people that I truly came to love and feel apart of. I've recently started to venture in here with other groups of friends. Its a really colorful place people wise and everyone is so friendly. The only time things got ugly is when I played three Boyz II Men songs on the jukebox in a row, but hey, I rule The Tam. read more

The Tam? Do you mean... the greatest place on earth? Cheap beer, rowdy people, a juke box. Do we need anything else? Don't come here expecting to dance, there isn't enough room. Don't expect to hear Britney Spears on the speakers, I am not sure she is even on the playlist. Don't forget to wash your hands on the way out. This place truly encompasses the Boston dive. Rumor has it that the bar opens at 8am. Rumor? Lets be serious. I have been there at 8am, but the real action is at night. Grab a beer and hold court at a table to watch the entertainment unfold. It is guaranteed that you will see at least two fights, three hook-ups, become best friends with the table next to you, and do shots with the random group at the end of the bar. Despite being in the center of the Emerson campus, it is a far cry from the college scene which mainly sticks to the "Alley" nearby. This is where the adults go - the hard drinkers, The professionals, The people that don't care if the floor hasn't been washed since Reagan, and that the bar only accepts cash. Oh, and on your way out, grab a slice from New York Pizza. You'll thank me later. read more

I am a huge fan of this bar, and if it were up to me, my crew would frequent this spot for after-school drinks and relaxation. The crowd is mixed, and it depends on what time of day you drop in. Daytime includes fun daytime drunks, mostly older men who are either friendly and nice or leave you alone. After work has a slightly livelier crowd full of younger people using the sweet arcade games in the back. Late night is a smattering of the 2 above groups, plus college kids and hipsters. Its always packed evenings and has a loud and boisterous vibe. The bartenders are always great, serving up frosted glasses whenever possible and they are easy to chat with. 'Gansett pounder cans are cheap and cold. Its fun coming in with a group and turning around to realize you all unintentionally ordered the same frosty gansett pounder. Downsides: cash only, and the bathroom is TINY and typically not very private. This is a place where, if it is busy enough, you're having to call out "Occupied!" to an impatient female hovering outside the door. read more

Showed up @ 8:30 on Sunday March 25th after making a trip to retrieve my ID from my hotel and this was my first bar choice after Italian on the North End of town. Was denied at the door based on a "Judgement" call. I had not had a drink yet that night but am from NY so maybe the hated is that deep lol regardless it was kinda crazy and has never happened to me even after some long nights in town. I am a young white male and bouncer was a young black male so maybe some animosity due to our current world I'm not sure.. Would've loved to enjoy this local dive bar though! read more

I love the Tam! Just walk to the tam form Emerson after class at night! Bartender Lynn is a very nice lady. People hang out there are friendly, cool and polite. read more

The Tam - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

My service was amazing!! Such down to earth people. If your in Boston And are feeling over whelmed and judged and just want an amazing down to earth bar scene please come here!!! Our servers same was Doyle and he was amazing!! read more

2 words. LOVE IT. The other reviewers said it all. I think the fact that my sister goes there almost every night says something too. Well, maybe that says more than one thing, but lets stick to the topic at hand. And that is. The Tam Kicks A$$ read more

You know, I almost want to give this five stars due to the fact that it exists in Boston. Being a Pittsburgher, Dive Bars with crazy bartenders and cheap beer are everywhere. And you know, those don't exist in Boston (people, look around, you can't even smoke in bars) So maybe you are stuck around downtown and you want a drink but you don't care where....this is the place Come here for cheap beer, tvs, and a glimpse into the life of a real city dive. Horray for still maintaining your divey status and not caving into Boston standards. Cash Only. read more

Great spot! They're open during COVID-19, take necessary safety precautions, great drinks, good vibe, friendly staff and patrons. Bartender Ryan is a rockstar. Definitely check them out! read more

Busch Light in a can and opens at 10 am you say??? Of course I love it here. Not to mention my school is right down the street and it's a far better choice than say, stumbling up to Beacon Hill and dropping way too much on a drink. This is one bar that always reminds me of home...probably because I spent so much time in hole in the wall bars there and I spent most of time in The Tam with one of my favorite kids in the world from high school who transplanted to Boston around the same time as I did. However, The Tam has been a Boston staple for me. I'd be sad if I knew there weren't 1,000 bars just like it waiting for me in Missouri. read more

My friends and I have been in town visiting for a few days, and we wandered into The Tam last night in search of a place showing the NBA play-off games. The Tam delivered. This is your quintessential dive bar, with no pretention but plenty of confidence. The bartenders were pleasantly chatty and the drinks were stiff. Really stiff. Like, don't-say-I-didn't-warn-you stiff. The Tam is prepared for a clientele that knows how to throw a few back, evidenced by their aluminum and plastic beer bottles and policy prohibiting no more than two kinds of alcohol CASH ONLY...plan accordingly! read more

It's a dive bar that only takes cash, but it is always packed is a great venue to be in the city and not pay a lot of cash. $3 dollar Naragansetts. Imported all the way from the great state of Rhodes Island. The bright neon lights remind me of something between a times square bar and a whore house in the red light district of Amsterdam from the 1980's. The bar is certainly closer to the later rather than the former. They have great classic 80's arcade games in the back. TV's across the back bar with the Sox game or whatever sports are in town. Overall, a great place to swill cheap cold beer. Gotta love it! read more

If you're after cheap drinks in an average place, well the Tam will suit you. We went there after dinner on our first night in Boston and, well I didn't mind it. My mate, on the other hand, is quite picky and he didn't like it. He prefers the more 'posh' bars and lounges. I'm not gonna say I'll return next time around but I'm not sure if I will either. read more

Every once in a while you will find a place that has escaped the gentrific tendencies of the past decade in Boston. The Tam is a true jewel of this sort. When it is lunchtime on Beacon Hill and you have tired of power lunches with the rest of the suits you should roll down here and grab a nice PBR. Sometimes people will bandy around the term "dive bar" when referring to a bar that is a little below their standards. Now imagine, if in this situation, having the Tam wander into the shot, wave at the two subjects and proceed to piss in the corner. Yeah it's that kind of a bar. So some night, when you are trying to determine the next bar to roll up on, tell your friends "let's go to the tam". The straight-basic bar What's good-Cheap, no expectations crowd, pizza next door The slap-don't expect things to be clean read more

The Tam is a tiny dive bar next to Subway on Tremont Street in the theatre district. It's super tiny. They are stools and tall tables you can sit, but it's nothing exciting. Honestly, it's just a very small dive bar. They do have Rolling Rocks for $2.50, I guess. It's right next to the Intermission Tavern, which is much better, so if you're in the area, you might as well go there instead of the Tam. read more

I realized something the other day. When I was an undergrad, going out to a bar was normally viewed as a legitimate outing - we would get dressed up and go to places with some sort of ambiance and maybe a hint of class. However, more and more I find myself hanging out in dives, scoffing at the fools lined up to go pay cover and dance or throw down wayyy too much cash for a 'classy' cocktail. Maybe it was graduating into a recession, maybe i'm just not that classy, but almost all of my favorite bars are divey; The Tam is definitely one of my favorites. To give you an idea of what to expect, imagine a small bar with red brick walls, with (I believe) Big Buck Hunter in the back, and a ladies' room that you have to get a key from the bar for. Red Sox pictures and article cut out from the Herald and Globe constitute most of the art on the walls. The bartenders are friendly, funny, and will mix you a strong drink regardless of whether or not you're a regular. A snarky, older man and a dude with an impressive mustache were on the bar during my most recent visit to the Tam. You probably won't find a seat, and you definitely won't get anything to eat, but if you're down by the Commons, The Tam is your best bet at having a no fuss good time in an unpretentious, generally crowded bar. read more

If it's well-lit and doesn't smell in the back, it's not the Tam. Rules: 1) Buy pizza from NY Pizza nextdoor 2) Buy beer 3) Go to the back of the bar and play Big Buck Hunter and Naked Photo Hunt until your eyes pop out. read more

I feel like the tam doesn't try at all and that's why it is a good place to go. It's cash only which is a total pain and the bartenders are not particularly friendly or not friendly. They will pour you a cool beer or make you a drink that is neither wonderful or terrible. It's straight to the point demeanor and middle of the road attitude is perfect for a night out without crazy people or prices. Crowd is mixed. Some working professionals some students. We will probably be back. If I have cash handy... read more

I would give the Tam 5 stars because it's really awesome, but cash only is kind of annoying and I miss all the pennies that used to be on the tables! Other than that, the Tam is great! They have cheap drinks and it's a great place to stop in before or after a movie or show. It's a no frills kind of place, which is the kind I like! The bartenders are always great. I brought my friend here from out of town and he said this is what he always thought Boston Pubs would be like. Pretty funny, but I guess I see his point. I am dying to check out Trivia, so I'll update if I ever get to do that! read more

Came here on a Sunday afternoon and there was a small crowd. If you are looking for a hole in the wall bar/pub then you should check this place out. You can tell the place has been around for a long time because the wall are decorated with signs and objects from Boston events. They have a few large flatscreen TVs perfect for watching your favorite Boston sports teams. They also have an electronic jukebox that you can use. They have a decent selection of draft beers. read more

Two reasons I love this place - a bottle of PBR is $2.25 & a Ballantine pounder is $2.00 (the price may have gone up slightly, but you get the idea). It amazes me The Tam has survived, given that the Theater District's only night time options are mega-clubs and swanky restaurants. This bar harkens back to the grittier days of Boston and the city's infamous Combat Zone - the walls are yellow, the regulars weathered, and the beer is cheap. I sometimes let my imagination run wild and wonder what devious activities used to go on here when the area was a little less polished. I recommend catching a Sox game here, especially during the day. The crowd is small and relatively quiet, and the bar has three or four TVs all tuned to the game so you won't have to worry about missing a single play. read more

You walk in and you know what you are going to get. I'll take a Gansett. Boom. You can find me here at about lunch time after an exam, or popping in to grab a beerski. I have yet to try any mixed drinks here but after watching them make them the other night I will definitely be trying it out next time I go. Though the cash only can be a pain in the butt it helps keep the spending down which is nice. For being in downtown Boston you cannot complain about the prices at all. I have had pretty friendly service the time I have been (nothing out of this world but not rude either). Reason for not giving this place a higher rating is that when you go into a "dive" bar I expect bar staff and a ton of beers that I have never tried and their recommendations! But this bar can hold its own. I am a fan enough and will keep coming here. read more

After 11 the dull roar escalates to a huge roar on a Saturday night. But the Buck Hunter game in the back and cheap drinks and friendly crowd makes this a fantastic dive bar. You're gonna wanna eat before or after because you shan't be eating here. Oh, cash read more

One of the staff members was exceptionally unprofessional in interacting with my friend, a customer. My friend politely asked a question about changing the channel to the Red Sox game and was answered in a way which was both surprisingly and blatantly rude. Not much later on in the evening my friend asked a different staff member if he could buy a beer, the staff member replied yes and asked him to wait a moment. My friend complied with this instruction in a patient manner. At this point, the aforementioned staff member came over to my friend and continued his rude and unprofessional line of conversation going so far as to tell my friend to "eat it". My friend walked away at this point but was followed by the staff member who left the bar, threatening to call the police, tried to take the served drink from my friend's hand, and claimed to be in charge but refused to answer when asked to state his position in the company. Now I understand, having worked in the industry, that sometimes staff may need to get a little loose with how they handle unruly patrons. However, for this staff member to act not only so unprofessionally but with blatant disrespect to a totally compliant and well-mannered customer, such as my friend, is abhorrent. From my point of view, race clearly played into this incident and not in a light favorable to The Tam. Boston is my home city and I will always love it. But to see such disgraceful behavior from an employee of one it's most well-established dives makes me truly ashamed to be from here. Regrettably, I have no intention to ever go back to The Tam and will caution others to do the same. read more

So funnnn!! Hipsters, old people, young people. The works duuuuude. I need to keep writing but yeah idk what to say dude. I'm um umumumumummymum read more

An amazing dive bar! it is what it is. The staff is cool there however, they remembered my name after only a few visits. The drinks are cheap, 2.50 for an amber bock works for me, and I think it's $4 for very large gin and tonic I do wish they would announce last call though... read more

I also have a heart for the Tam. It is one of the few places that will let you in after their doors close and they aren't rude to you if you've had too much. Both of these qualities are a rarity these days... Oh the college times Ive been there. awwww read more

Well-mixed Godfathers the size of my head for $7. Yes, please! The Tam is one of the first bars I went to when I first moved to Boston and was well underage, and it has remained one of my go-to bars for the perfectly laid-back atmosphere. I have never had a bad time at the Tam, and if you're looking to drink, talk to your friends without having to shout or play wingman/cockblock, and spend relatively little cash to do so, this is the place to go. Only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5? Cash only. I don't always remember to stop at the ATM, and I hate carrying cash. If they'd just swipe my card and call it a day, I'd be a much happier camper. read more

The Tam is a cool little spot to grab an adult beverage. Hole in the wall, with some friendly people. Lynn is a great bartender. Our buddy JJ comes for the Nude Photo Hunt game, but stays for the diet soda. read more

This bar was by far our favorite drinking spot on our trip to Boston. It's a no frill kinda place, which was super refreshing. Jean (sp?) was by far the kindest bartender we had in this city and truly made our night. I wish I could give her more than five stars because she is a literal angel! read more

Made a quick stop in this little place. Love a place that I can hear people laughing and having a good time. Best dive bar we have been in sense we got to the city. read more

I love the Tam, plain and simple. It has my favorite cheap beer - Michelob Amber Bock - $2.75. We came here for the first time at 3:30pm on a Friday after a brutal Stats class. Seven girls. Heads turned. At this hour the place is filled with middle-aged construction workers. As the sun goes down and the hour gets later the construction guys leave and the Tam gets filled by mid-20s to 30s aged people. Everyone here is just chill and looking to hang with their friends. I'm pretty sure NO music plays in the Tam but who cares?? For some reason, the lack of music doesn't seem to matter here. I love the lady bartender. She rocks. A few tips - this place is cash only. Don't expect them to make you a pina colada or Cosmo. If it's your birthday and you have your ID you get a shot on the house. Don't close the ladies bathroom all the way - just rest the door on the jam or else the nice lady bartender has to leave the bar to unlock it. read more

I stopped by here again last weekend for the kickoff to my anti birthday weekend (I decided I'm done aging and plus I heard black don't crack so... The Tam is a dive bar extraordinaire, the fact that it even manages to exist in the theater district is amazing. First of all if you can't handle a strong drink then this isn't the bar for you, second check any snooty attitudes at the door and just come in and enjoy the awesome drinks. It may be uncomfortable at times when I've come prancing in there dressed for a night out; due to the fact that there is a random clientele you never know who you will find, young professionals, tourist, hipsters, college kids, and people who look like they been drinking all day, possibly a homeless person but hey they need to have some drinks too, and this place is definitely the most affordable in the area. The service is quick and efficient no matter how packed it is. The main bartender with the white/gray hair who always serves me, has a gruff exterior and he may make fun of you(example the first time I ordered a shot there, he asked me if I wanted training wheels with it(lime/salt), I did but I had too much shame to admit out loud but he is a great guy. ( Secret: They do basic drinks, but the guy makes a killer cosmos!) This place is perfect starting point for a night out, basic mixed drinks, rum and coke, vodka cranberry juice made strongly, huge shots, and a cheep beer. They take cash only so bring your money! read more

The best dive bar in the country! Order a mixed drink if you really want to get drunk. Order a 'gansett if you want to get a good buzz. If you want to be sober, GTFO. read more

This is hardly an unbiased review because well ... they know me there. And I have a 'usual'. But I venture in to other drink territories when there because they make a mean '________'. For some reason I don't want to say. But in actuality, you can fill it in with martini, dirty martini (when they have the dirty), margarita, cosmo, washington apple ... (that last in shot form). Beer's good, too. read more

This was my wife's old haunt back in the day so we stopped in for a Jameson for old times sake. This bar is classic and friendly. The bartender is authentic and although not chatty.. Charming just the same. The ambiance is hilarious and there are plenty of tv's to catch the Sox on. read more

The Tam - Love this bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Stopped in for drinks after seeing the Sheer Madness comedy show down the street. A fun, divey atmosphere. The Tam delivered that and more. Good music, reasonably priced drinks, and a vibrant crowd made for a fun night out. You may just run across a pair of Canadian citizens willing to sing Oh, Canada to the entire bar! read more

Classic Boston dive. This is a no frills experience. I'd skip the draft beer and just stick to Gansett tallboys. I suppose you could consider this an Irish pub, but its really more of a Boston bar. There are quite a few places like the Tam around Boston, but none downtown (that I know of, at least). If you can't have fun here, there's not much hope for you. read more

I would have to say this is probably the best dive bar in the theatre district. Many times I have ended up here to pass time before going to a show. Ironically I usually end up back here after it is over. This place is full of drink specials. There always seem to be pretty friendly people from a wide variety of backgrounds sitting down together to tip a few back. I do like this place much more when school is not in session. read more