$2 Busch and $2.50 PBRs, in a Classy Bottle no less! I'm sorry that I was staying in the neighborhood and never got to experience the men's room there. read more

If you're in Boston and need to go to a place where nobody knows your name but are still fun to hang around then Tam's is the place. Cheap beer (or good beer, your choice), I've been going here on layovers for years. You can talk sports to politics to whatever with whoever there. Hungry? Just go next door and get a slice of NY Pizza and bring it back in the bar with you...they don't mind at all. read more

Good drinks, good bartender. Now accepting debit/credit. I liked the atmosphere a lot. Only reason I gave it 4 stars is because a dive bar should never have 5 haha read more

I will vouch for the wide variety of people you can find here. From actual scumbags to college kids to theater patrons who have just wandered in, it's interesting for people watching and strangely not a lot of fights break out. Cheap beer is always great. The bar staff are gruff in the endearing sort of way. Good meeting place before going elsewhere. The atmosphere? There is none. That's why I like it. It's a bar for God's sake, not a theme park! read more

This is one of the few real good dive bars left in Boston. The one thing that's really interesting about this place is that during the week, this is the saddest bar. But, on Friday nights, the place is packed with all trendy college kids. If you enjoy loud music & people-watching, stop in here for a quick one after work. And, if you're hungry, you can always run over to New York Pizza for a slice while the bartender's pouring your next beer. Yea. Sometimes ya just gotta do it.. :D read more

The hubs and I had the great and sincere pleasure of visiting the Tam during our vacation in Boston. We were visiting from Austin, TX and asked for a recommendation for a good local bar. We were directed to the Tam and within about 5 minutes of walking in, we were in love. What a great place, and even better people. The bartender (owner?) seriously made us feel so much at home that we visited the bar on 3 different occasions during our week long stay in Boston. Thank you so much for such a wonderful, welcoming experience! read more

If you want an expensive fancy cocktail full of decorative ornaments, and are keen on paying $20 for it, you can keep on walking. This is not the bar for you. If you'd like to crack open a can of beer on the cheap (word to the wise, it's cash only), and make a whole bunch of new friends, this is your place. The atmosphere is simple. It's a dive bar. It doesn't try to be anything more, but it really doesn't have to be. The staff are all amazing, the people are social and welcoming, and the beer is cold. Come here. Sit down. Have fun. I sure as hell did. read more

The Tam is cheap, interesting, and fun. The location makes it a perfect stop before the Alley or some of the theater distruct clubs. Don't expect to meet CEOs of companys, but do expect an interesting night that won't break your budget. read more

Found this little gem while on our pub crawl from the north end. I think some pimp had his ladyfriend out front-Talk about ambiance! The Sam Adams was ice cold. The bar was empty, Adult Swim was playing on the tube, and the bartender turned it up when we asked. Need I say more? read more

Dive bar-alicious. The clientele is an odd mix of old school regulars (alkies), Emerson students, and an old man in a conductor hat. They're one of the few bars in Boston that has Amber Bock on tap (whether that is a good thing is up for debate). There are a couple of tv's but it's a nice atmosphere to watch Sox or C's games. There's no food but you can bring in food from any other local establishment (the pizza place next door seems to be a popular choice). read more

This place was a great first stop for my buddy's bachelor party. We started off here for a few drinks to get things going. Drinks were cheap and the bartender poured 'em heavy, then off to a karaoke bar. The crowd here was on the younger side and I really enjoyed myself. I'll come back here when I'm in Boston! read more

Great starting bar. Only problem is that they don't have any finger food I.e. Tortilla chips, peanuts.

The bartender is amazing drinks are very reasonably priced. And a friendly atmosphere. You bitches better tip drinks are cheap.

The Tam = makes me turn into a drunkard and yell at random people. I LOVE YOU.

Yup, it's a dive bar, but, it's a dive bar you would really enjoy. I came here after reading the reviews and thought I would check it out myself. As I was walking up to the place, it didn't seem as sketch as others claimed it would be as it's on the edge of Chinatown. The security guy at the front was really nice and as I walked in, the place was not as dive-y as I thought it would be. It reminded me of some bars I've been to in the SF Bay Area and the people didn't seem sketchy at all. I actually enjoyed my time here and the music wasn't bad either, I think it was someone's playlist?? As for drinks, they were pretty strong as people have claimed here. I order a Stoli + 7up which were $6.50 and they were poured almost as doubles. I ended up having 3 of those before moving onto the next spot. Definitely a nice place to start your night. read more

What can I say, the Tam is a fun, divey bar with quick service and good, inexpensive beer prices. A group of friends and I wound up here during a bachelor party (not mine, because after all, ladies, I'm single). I found many pints of beer being priced at $3-$5, jack and cokes for $6 and Tom Collins drinks for $5. This seems cheap for a major city. Only drawback is that the Tam does not serve drinks that contain 4 or more drink ingredients, so your Long Island iced teas will be out of the question. At any rate, if you find yourself in the Hub of the Universe and want a fun bar to go to, consider the Tam. read more

The Tam is one of those bars where you'll find a mix that includes college kids, yuppy theatre goers, scruffy old townies, and local sleezebags all in one place and get this, all getting along. The beer is cheap ($1.75 for some drafts) and the drinks are priced pretty low too. The jukebox is pretty sweet and usually gets a couple dollars before I'm done with it. Talk to people here they will talk back which is getting more and more rare in downtown bars. read more

This is just a regular dive bar, but it is quite inexpensive considering is in the middle of Downtown... So its still worth visiting.

Ultimate dive bar-it's my favorite in Boston. Always people here but never too busy to get a seat. They make good drinks and are reasonably priced. Just don't order an appletini, it's a dive bar. read more

Well, yea, as many said, kind of an old-time bar - lots of crap on the walls, old weathered bar, etc. TV's with sports on all over the place (sports bar) I don't get the "cheap drinks" thing though. I mean, $5.75 for an Octoberfest IPA ? (+tip). Went on the night it was "usually GAY" - per other reviews -, a Sunday night. Sorry, don't get that either. Very few people in the place (8:30 PM), mostly B/G couples or small 4-somes (B/G). Definitely NOT a feel of a Gay Bar. The bartender was a very friendly nice guy. Had the 1 beer and left. read more

The Tam is a great spot. The drinks are strong and cheap. It's a great place to pregame before clubbing or fall back on if a club is too crowded. read more

You want a bar like this. You NEED a bar like this. Why? It's got cheap beer, that's why. And any bar gutsy enough to be cash only better deliver on giving you your moneys worth. Fortunately you can get a lot of High Life, PBR and more for that money. read more

The only reason I'm taking a star away is because the darn jukebox has been out of commission for too too long. They're cash only as any dive bar should be, drink prices are reasonable, and they have a few fun arcade games. The service is super friendly too; I was pleased that after being gone for 6 months the bartender still remembered me as white russian girl after so long! read more

Best dive bar in Boston. If you want cheap and strong drinks, friendly bartenders and even friendlier clientele, go to The Tam.

Love this place! Great dive bar with very strong drinks, and friendly bar tenders. Lynn is awesome. Cash Only.

I just love the Tam. Unpretentious, old school, cash only, heavy handed pours. I've never left even just slightly sober. The drinks are seriously strong. I don't usually go until the school year is over, though. But I end up here a lot. Go to place for after work. read more

I genuinely enjoyed this bar in chinatown. It probably has the cheapest beer you will find in Boston (other than those in your fridge), and is as unpretentious and welcoming as you can be. The crowd was eclectic, ranging from 40 year old regulars yukking it up with the bar tenders to local college kids getting the most bang for their buck. The beer selection is average, but you wouldnt come here if you were trying to score that sweet microbrew from New Mexico. What sums up the entire night for me was this: While gesticulating wildly while story telling(i am part Italian), I knocked over my full summer sam. Patrick the bartender not only refills my glass for free, but then bets me $10 that I cannot stand with my arms at my sides for 10 minutes. I didnt take his bet. Good service and ball busting carry the day at the Tam Another plus: NYC style pizza place next store, perfect drunk food. read more

I'd walked past this place many a time and always been wary of going in. Mainly because this one time someone smoking outside spat right in front of where I was walking. I'm not a fan of another mans spittle on my shoes so took that as a warning sign. One weekend I was trying to kill some time and we ventured in there. This place was pretty solid. Cheap beer with a good selection as well. Amber Bock on draught? Wow. I was impressed by the vending machine. Something that reminded me of home (England). The barman was really prompt and pretty friendly. Excellent jukebox. I'll be back for quiz night I'm sure. read more

Because I am less of a lush than I used to be and because my friends no longer work in this area, I haven't been in a sad amount of time. Cheap and strong drinks in downtown Boston, a rarity! And by strong, I do mean STRONG. CAPS level strong. read more

Great, cheap dive bar in the heart of Boston. This is a great place to start the night and grab a few cheap drinks before heading out ot more trendy and local downtown venues. read more

Great place to go if you are into Dive bars. If you like somewhere a little more fancy then this bar will not be your scene. Cheap drinks, random games (cornhole and big buck hunter) - what more could you ask for? read more

Definitely a dive-y place. Stopped in to grab a beer with a friend to kill time before a show. The atmosphere was definitely in the same vein as other authentic dive bars- usual decor, pin ball, dimly light. I gave it a 3 out of 5 not for it's atmosphere, or staff, but beer prices were a little steep for this kind of place. Overall good experience, but make sure before you show up you're ready to hang in a very dive-y place! read more

Asked for gin and sprite, got gin with a hint of sprite. It was too strong for me. But it was an alright place.

The only character his is the building. The Guineas was fresh so that helped but not much more here than a bar, an old bartender and some tables. read more

Couldn't get into The Tam's vibe. Probably because of the super creepy guy and girl going around offering to exchange a free lighter to swipe your driver's license so that they can then send you junk mail. No thanks? read more

This is a great place if you're just looking for a cheap, relaxing place to get some drinks. If you're looking for some pretentious place to tell your friends how you went to some 'authentic dive bars' with a dozen of your most obnoxious friends, it might not be for you. Once you push through the mass of people crowded by the door, there are several table/bars in the back. Beers were $3 for a few different selections and then there were $4 or $5 specials on mixed drinks. The bartender was a nice lady, we were served promptly and had a good night out. I chatted up some other girl at the bar, people were friendly here. This place is cash only, but there is an ATM on site with a $2.50 fee. I don't think they serve food, but they did have a vending machine. read more

This is a great bar. Throw on a baseball cap, head over to The Tam to watch a game on one of their many TVs. Friendly bartenders, laid back crowd. As for the guy who posted about the rude door guy, I am convinced that YOU were the problem. You and your friends were probably drunk and obnoxious so they wouldn't let you in because they don't want to put up with A$$hole$ like you. If you are in Boston, just looking to kill some time but you don't want to have to put on a tuxedo just to get served, go to The Tam. Again it's cash only and don't believe the negative reviews. I was just there. read more

Randomly walked in, great dive bar! Cheap drinks, filthy bathrooms, as I would expect.

My friend and I were walking around in the freezing cold before our movie started, and we wanted to get a drink to warm us up. We came here because it was the first place we walked by. It's small, cash-only(they have an ATM), and definitely a dive-bar. I love little places like this. Anyways, it was only like 5:30 when we came in and I guess it was happy hour. I only paid $3.50 for a Jack and Coke. I'm not too judgemental when it comes to bars. I like a chill group of people and strong/cheap drinks and that's what I got here. I wasn't expecting to get drunk off of one drink... but I did. Oops. read more

Ice cold beer ! Fast service cool atmosphere. No nonsense crowd will definitely be back. Being cash