God I love the Tam. Mick the Sunday morning bartender made me the best Negroni spagliato with Prosecco I've ever had. And it was only 7 bucks. He's one of the best bartenders in the city, I wonder why he works such a terrible day shift. Must have money problems. Anyway, this place is an institution and they're just the friendliest, most accommodating bunch of thin guys in the megalopolis known as Boston. read more

CASH ONLY BAR!!! I love coming to this place when I'm in Boston. The bar reminds me of what the city of Boston is about...older city than most in America but it kept its charm. The staff here is always friendly and the beers are cheap. The crowd is very mixed, but I think that's a good thing. You can sit down and talk with everyone around you, might even learn something new! If you're in Boston give this place a try, I think you'll be happy with it. read more

Football. Beer. It's what I needed. Cash only and a $3 ATM fee at the door... could have tipped my bartender that $3. Whelp. It's a dive bar. #GoDukes #FCS #JMU read more

The Tam - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great dive bar with a hilarious staff that makes you feel welcome from your first visit. The beer is cold, the prices are right, and the jukebox is great. As a first timer, you can see how much The Tam is a part of the neighborhood. They have great regulars that are easy to talk to. Check out The Tam for a great, and cheap night out away from the tourist traps. Good times to be had for certain. read more

Cash only! One of our buddies at work is moving on and he wanted his farewell to start @ The Tam! Rest of the crew ordered Narragansett beer, Ewwwhhhh I couldn't do it. Cheap ehhh $3. I needed a quick buzz Patron & Pineapple $8 and bartender kept them coming!! It was the night of Jimmy Buffet concert bar was packed! Packed with locals and Everyone knows your name type of place. It's a Dive bar which I love! Video games, jukebox with the best tunes. C'mon get no betta! Ladies bathroom is tight, but didn't smell disgusting! Didn't see Atm machine I'm sure there is one nearby with Cash Only read more

The Tam - Best Drinks! #afterworkflow - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

amazing service from Doyle the bartender. would 100% come back. twisted teas were ice cold and the water was the best

Cute pub/dive bar conveniently located on a street that I was walking on when it started pouring rain. SO I went in! Cash only! Very sweet bartender, standard selection of draft and bottle beer. read more

The Tam - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Dive bar bartenders friendly quick service. Amateur comedy was going on while I was at the bar. Good amount of beer on tap and bottle selections . read more

Perfectly shitty dive bar that was open on Christmas Eve. Rat traps, broken bar stools, and sticky floors with the worst soundtrack in Boston. Bartender was great. read more

The Tam - Women's bathroom - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Just stopped in to have a few beers. The service was great and the place was full of fun people.

An ode to the once formidable Tam: This was one of Boston's best dive bars for as long as I can remember. The Tam had all the staples of a great dive, salty locals mixing with college kids and professionals, a buck hunter machine in the back, that effortless dive bar decor complete with yellowing news paper clippings and old beer signs, and most importantly cheap drinks. I was devastated when it closed but thrilled when it quickly reopened. HOWEVER, on my I first trip after they reopened under new ownership I was devastated to find that all of the dive bar charm had be stripped from this once classic establishment. It was like some corporate restaurant group came in and power washed the place, cleaned it up, kept a few old beer signs but took all the rest of its charm. The local bar fly's we're gone replaced with a entirely college hipster crowd, gone too was the buck hunter machine, replaced with "vintage" pinball machines that I'm sure no one will use. The Tam had become an imposter of its former self. If you've never been to the Tam before and went tonight it would feel like a decent dive bar, a little clean and hip but still a serviceable if unforgettable dive. But if you have been to the Tam before it's new corporate overloaded (The Greater Boston Beer Co) took over, you would be as heartbroken as I am to see how it's changed. Old Tam: 5 Stars New Tam: 0 Stars read more

I'm soo happy the tam is still open during this pandemic went there Friday night its your basic no frills place but like the table topper says support those guys so it doesn't end up a Chipotle read more

The Tam - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

You know a girl loves this place. Very LGBTQ+LMNOP but can we please get better hand dryers in the the bathroom? The mens room is cramped enough, why should a lady like me have to anxiously wait in the stall for some snot-nosed Emerson going undergrad finish at the urinal. It's 2022 y'all. Also I love Lynn and Dalton!!!! read more

This was the best time I ever had in Boston. Best part of this place is you drink for the right price in the area and also you can bring food in. The stuff are great. Love the Door guy D super helpful. I will be back soon . Tam Rocks read more

Solid Boston neighborhood joint for what it is, and that is a dive Irish bar with cheep beer and whiskey. Great spot to grab a drink with friends before a show, and the barstaff has always been decent to me. Just bring cash read more

The Tam - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Drunk bartenders will berate you for them making the wrong drink then insisting it's what you ordered. Super uncomfortable and hostile environment. Go to Beantown Pub just a couple minutes away if you want an actually enjoyable pub vibe and the correct drink. read more

I'm so happy, I finally can write a review for the Tam, the little dive bar that can. This is one of the few venues that made me use the 'bookmark' feature on yelp, so I had high hopes going in to this place. Every hope was met Walking in, I felt right at home. Cash only bar, couple of bartenders, couple of video games in the back. I knew the drill. The only thing i didn't locate was the jute box... The bartenders were friendly, and I felt like a regular. It's just like, a good watering hole. I was not paying 10 bucks for a jack and coke and that made me happy. For the middle of the day, it was a great place to pop in, rest the feet, and get a little bit of liquor in ya. Major points for the punching game in the back. Anything that helps me qualify myself as stronger against other people, while I might frequently fail at, I am for! And to the girls that wander in there and are kind of confused (and stuck with a line to the ladies room) The guys probably won't mind if you use the men's room, but you A) probably don't want to... and if you must... B) have a friend standing guard, no stall doors.... and C) for the love of god hover... that is all. read more

The Tam - Tam - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

One of the best dive bars we've ever been to and we've been to dozens and dozens over the years. Marcy the bartender was friendly, funny, and made excellent drinks. If you're looking for a clean place this ain't it, this is a dive bar just exactly what I sent it was and we loved it! Can't wait to come back! Thank you Marcy and the Tam! read more

Randomly found this dive bar while out in Boston. Visiting the area for a Red Sox game, we wanted to go out after the game. The bars in the area were packed crazy. I love the small laid back bars and went in search of places most people don't crowd to. This place was perfect! It is cash only here, but there is an ATM here if you don't carry any (like me) and just have your debit card. There was no waiting around in long lines, the bartenders were great and the people here were laid back and so was the atmosphere. I'll be back here for sure on my next trip to Boston! read more

The Tam - Fun place to check out - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Used To Be A Classic Sadly I am writing this review about my latest experience at The Tam. 15 years ago I went to The Tam regularly and it was one of my favorite bars in Boston. Now a days, it's awful. The place has been infiltrated by hipsters and younger college kids who are now realizing that these old dive bars are much cooler then going to some crap club. The coolest part is that The Tam still have bathrooms without doors. Sadly, I am crossing The Tam off my list. Thanks read more

Lynn is amazing Also rayan ,anthony and haizy They have good atmosphere And reasonable prices also you can bring food from outside read more

Great spot on Tremont St in downtown. Friendly bartender and great vibe. Will definitely come back.

Don't order anything complicated like an Old Fashion - apparently the dipshit bartender would rather serve $5 beers to college kids who don't tip instead of working for a high dollar tab and a good tip. Don't think he knew how to make that drink anyway. Plus he was a dick. read more

I've been here once, during happy hour on a Friday. The usual happy hour mix of suits and regulars, it seemed. Beers were reasonably priced. Nothing outstanding about it, but nothing bad about it either. Odd thing: as I entered, I scanned the room for the people I was meeting. I realized that that bartender was calling to me from behind the bar. He was insistent. Turns out he was carding me. It's been nearly 15 years since I was too young to drink, so I found that really strange. I don't look my age, but I certainly don't look 20! But I don't mind being carded. I just found it odd that there is no door guy yet they card everyone, so the poor bartender has to flag down every patron who enters the very crowded bar. read more

For the price it's the best coming from Phoenix Marcy is the best bartender ever super nice and fast

What a Dive! I think the staff would be offended by any ratings over three stars. The gruff service, cheap beer, and dim lighting almost have me believing they're purposely a dive bar. They don't even offer food; and let you bring in from next door. This place is one of the few cheaper bars left in Boston. My suggestion is to go later in the night. If you pop in at happy hour, its a bunch of older regulars, who look at you like you have three heads for coming into their bar... of course, that has its own appeal. I personally like this place, and might be back. However, my preference is always with Side bar for the friendly staff and not having to go next door for food. read more

I have mixed feelings about The Tam. It was a staple of my life for a few years, and to really understand it, you need to understand its history. It's right in the heart of the old "Boston Combat Zone" (look it up on Wikipedia if you're not familiar) and it is, in many ways, a holdover of that time, along with The Glass Slipper and Centerfolds, and a small and diminishing handful of other bars and clubs in the surrounding blocks. It's a little leftover piece of a Boston that no longer exists. And I don't mean this in the fun romantic way, like "period movies with Matt Damon in them," I mean this in the "they might not like the look of you and the place sometimes smells like stale urine" kind of way. The Tam is a dive bar, obviously, but it's not just a dive bar. It's a time capsule, a touchstone, an experience (for good or bad). It's a conversation inducer, an occasional vomit starter, a place you sometimes wind up at at the end (or beginning) of the night, but never in the middle when you want to have a guaranteed good time (for that, there are very different bars). The Tam has beer. They take your money (but not much of it) and they give you beer. If you fall asleep on the table, they will wake you up, threaten to kick you out, and then give you beer. The bartenders are not happy or attractive, they are there to serve you beer. The beer selection is not expansive, it is beer. Do not, like some reviewers have done, walk into The Tam and order a Sazerac. They do not have Sazeracs, they have beer. Do not order a French 75, a Manhattan (this is Boston, not Manhattan), or a Bee's Knees. If your fancy drink cannot be made with (at most) some combination of 1 staple liquor and 1 soda on a 6 button soda gun, they do not have it. The people there are nice. They are also experiencing "The Tam," some for the first time, and sometimes like to talk to you about it. Sometimes this conversation leads to Tam-fueled adventures. Sometimes they don't like to talk, and sometimes it's nice to simply experience The Tam together in silence. Whatever you do, and whatever you decide, just remember to bring cash and keep an open mind. read more

Total dive bar. Cash only. Friendly old fella working the bar on a Friday afternoon. Decent beer selection and I cracked up at the vending machine by the door selling snacks. Tater sticks or Andy Capps Hot Fries anyone? That'll sop up some booze! This place was a bit dingy but to be expected. Dusty chains hold up the dusty light fixtures and I was just waiting to see a dust chunk fall into someone's drink. Bonus points for having Buck Hunter (or whatever it's called) in the back. I'm terrible at it but it's still fun. read more

Sunday fun day watching sports, drinking with friends. Clean. Good selection. I recommend this place. Great food next door.

The Tam is a cool little dive bar located in the theatre district of Boston and is so nicely out of place in this neighborhood. I don't know this city well but, I do know a good dive bar when I see one and The Tam was a fun time. They had a great little list of draft beers including some local hazy IPAs that I was stoked to try. They also carried fernet which I feel is hard to find outside of my city (SF) so, naturally I fired a few of those too. There are plenty of TVs in the spot so if you're hoping to catch a game, this is a good cheap option in the hood. Our bartender was super friendly and walked me through the local beers they had on tap so big ups to her! read more

Decently priced drinks right near Chinatown and the theater district area. Has a very local Bostonian feel to it, which is great. The bartender made me a drink with rum and pineapple in it. Can't remember what it was called, but it was delicious. Tuesday night is trivia night! Also, bring cash. There's an ATM inside the bar as well, but I'm assuming you'd get charged unnecessary bank fees. read more

The Tam - Tuesday night crowd - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I had the best experience at this bar and the best service... you get a bucket of popcorn and the bartenders gave us some candy for halloween. it's the perfect small town feel in a big city and i couldn't ask for a better time here! read more

I moved to Boston three weeks ago and was recommended this place. The service is impeccable- really friendly and super nice! The drinks are cheap and the music that they play is brilliant- definitely a must for anyone settling in Boston read more

Love the Tam! Go see bartender Lynn. She's awesome and heavy on the pour (hope this doesn't get her in trouble). What more can I say? Great drinks from bartender who knows what they are doing, cash only (who gives a sh*! all you whiners, no money in checking account to use onsite atm?) Check em out read more

The Tam - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Best Dive Bar in Boston! Sports, Beer, Sports, Fun. Just Go. No pressure, just good 'ol fun! read more

This place is completely racist. I went to this bar with a group of white colleagues and everything was fine. Last night I went with a group of Black colleagues and they stared and examined our IDs, asked us many invasive questions. It was a terrible experience and I will never come back nor recommend to anyone else. read more

This is a rough bar at nighttime. It has a huge grumpy guy at the door who we struggled to get past. He was suggesting that my wife and I (both in our 50s) were going to start trouble. I thought at first that he was joking but no, he was serious. He begrudgingly let us through, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Perhaps that is why the drinks tasted so bad. We didn't stay for long. It felt like trouble could break out at any moment. Not the Boston Irish bar welcome we were hoping for....and then to top off the visit the doorman decided to berate us again for some reason. (Assume because we left so quickly?) He seemed to suggest that he was calling around to get us barred from every pub in the area. Very odd behaviour. We will not be back read more

The bouncer does a poor job and he does not let valid IDs in from certain states. I have had other friends have the same issue.

I don't go to bars often so unfortunately my review probably doesn't have much backing to it, but for a couple of drinks, the prices and drinks were good. I was a bit disappointed though when the bar tender told me he doesn't do drinks with more than two alcohols...I don't know how common or not that policy might be, but what I did end up ordering [a black russian and cranberry with vodka] it was still good. My one initial qualm though was the guy at the door who checked IDs was very sketchy...I whispered to my friend after we got in, there was no indication that he even worked there...probably should make that a bit more legit next time... read more

By far the worst bar experience I've ever had in my life. My friends and I planned to meet there after a long day in the downtown area. As soon as we arrived, I walked in and politely stepped aside to make more room to everyone as I was a brutally cold day. We were happy and excited, and soon everything went to shit! The bouncer who never even said hi and was busy playing games on his phone, came and grabbed me by the arm and angrily yelled at me. At this moment, I had my hand on my wallet as I was ready to get my ID and give him and as I realized what was happening I went in shock mode and froze. When I'm faced with so much hate and disdain I often don't know how to react as I wonder deeply how and why some despicable being choose to not only act that way but to be that way. I tell the bouncer I'm grabbing my ID and there's no need for so much hostility and he proceeds to mistreat us for absolutely no reason and at this point there's no communication nor reasoning with him. As he found his narcissistic, egocentric, and completely toxic self hurt by the fact I manifested discontent for him harassing and grabbing my arm, he then decided we all shouldn't be there, so all 4 of us left, for absolutely no reason. There's no way to summarize this story because it's simply so ridiculous that makes no sense unless elaborated. I'm absolutely never coming back to this despicable place that I unfortunately never even got to truly experience because as soon as we stepped in the first thing we were faced with is someone who simply hates himself, his life, and his job so much that he projected all of that onto us, patrons. People who have literally nothing to do with his life issues. Mr. bouncer, you're a total disgraceful person, and other than never coming back to see your heinous face, we all also learned a very valuable lesson today, how not to be like you. read more