Authentic Boston bar in the heart of the what used to be the sketchy area of town. I bring co-workers here to determine what sort of fellas I'm working with. Most prefer the fancy seafood chain around the corner. I don't trust them. Bring cash and an Irishman's thirst for hard liquor and cold beer. Well done my friends at the Tam! read more

The Tam - My fav. Close to office and the hotel they put up at when in town. Boston Common classic. Bring cash and forget the Yankee hat. - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Super fun environment especially on Halloween night! Super affordable drinks and prompt service! The music choice is mixed but keeps the party going! read more

Manager was super rude. Girl was in the bathroom for 15 min and he started yelling at the girls in line, telling us to stop rolling their eyes. One of the guys in our group stood up for us and the manager put his hands on him. Do not recommend going here, super unprofessional, aggressive and rude. read more

They have Taylor Swift quotes on the bathroom wall. Any establishment that supports T-Swift deserves five stars

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

Exactly what I was looking for! Divey, homey, and super chill. Bartender was a friendly older gentleman who was a pleasure, drinks were priced as expected. My boyfriend and I hunt for good dive bars whenever we travel and next time we're in Boston we'll definitely be back. read more

I would die for the tam. And that's on periodt! I'm putting the tam in my will for all the glasses I broke oops

The staff has a serious attitude problem. Was asked to leave because I wasn't drinking that night, though my friend had bought 3 drinks. The staff guy walked away after without even letting us respond, which felt extremely rude. It wasnt crowded at all, the night was slow, and no one was standing - there was enough seating for everyone. We were visiting from out of town, and the only non-white patrons...I got a sinking feeling that they singled us out for that reason. After reading other reviews, it seems like this is a pattern: they're biased against people who aren't local blue-collar, white bostonians. As we were leaving, no one said "have a good night"....they just silently stared at us as we left. Bizarre, and I will make sure to have people steer clear. There are too many competing bars in the area that are both more fun and have better customer service to have to put up with that type of treatment. read more

One of my favorite pubs in Boston. Great relaxed, un-pretentious crowd. Good spot to hang with the locals, relax and wind down after a long day. Cash only, but the prices are fair so cash works. Just enough beers on tap - and of course JAMESON, so it makes your decision easy. read more

The Tam - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The Tam is the epitome of an old school dive bar. The drinks are cheap and strong. The bartenders are fantastic. They have trivia every Tuesday, which is what originally brought me in. I instantly feel in love and have come nearly every week for the last 4 years (sometimes more than one day a week). One thing to note: they do not serve food, but you can bring food in. There are a few good takeout joints nearby. So if you plan to come and are hungry, grab your food ahead of time and bring it with you. read more

Nice dive bar with cheap prices! Been here twice. $10 shots but they basically give like 2.5 shots in 1 glass lol perfect little pregame spot before going to a show in the theater district or before going out to eat ‍ read more

Dive bar located in the heart of the city. Definitely old on the inside. On Fridays and Saturdays this place gets packed because it is much cheaper than other bars in the area. You can bring in food from other take out places if you want because The Tam doesn't serve food. It is also cash only so be prepared for that or use the ATM inside. Definitely one of the most likely places to have an authentic Boston experience! read more

Thought it best to wait until I pranced out The Tam sober to prevent spewing a discombobulated, useless review but time and time again I've been shown that it is an impossible feat. At four bucks a pop, the tap's all mine. And a $6 mixtie is headed no where but the gullet. The hickville Iowa gal in me loves the neon noise and ridiculous alky paraphernalia. Plus I'm too weird/young/ethnic for anyone in this place to be bothered. Sometimes it's just good to swallow in peace. Right downtown, T accessible, cheap-o-rama. It's full of people who don't give a damn, not pretend like they don't. Yeah, it's a dive. It's dingy and unapologetic. It's utterly perfect. Then why four stars, you ask. Well, honey. You'll just have to go see. read more

Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. A bar in downtown Boston where you can find beer for under $3? I'm IN! It's a varying crowd of patrons but we all have one goal: Be cheap & easy. But not in the whorish kind of way, but rather a getting drunk kind of way. Old? Come on in. Young? As long as you're over 21, sure. Ugly? You'll be fine. Hot? You're always welcome. Emo? No more tears, just beers. Jock? Drink up, act tough...nobody is afraid of you though. Professional? C'mon and live a little - Houston's isn't going anywhere. Creepy? We love you. So yeah - come here for cheap drinks, a comfortable setting, and a "tossed salad" of people. I think this is a great spot to come with friends and pound a few cheap ones before finding trouble elsewhere. read more

Here are some things I've done at the Tam. -Picked a penny off the bar and felt guilty about it (like Alex R). -Hauled a huge (like garbage-sized) bag of fabric and batting from the fabric store in Chinatown, then drank a cheapy cheap beer with my lady friend. Only a couple stares. -Watched the Red Sox in almost silence - the crowd at the bar was too sad to emote. -Put "Sweet Child O' Mine" on the jukebox and cried my eyes out - I was too drunk *not* to emote. It's a great dive. You can bring in food. You can skip out of the ballet or the the-a-tah and get a quick pint at intermission (and you'll probably forget the ballet and stay all night). The bathrooms, sticky bar, etc are exactly what you'd expect. They advertise trivia night and I am very, very intrigued. ***UPDATE*** There are no more pennies on the bar! :( read more

If you're into Techno Pop, Ugg Wearer's and Tiny Drinks for Big Money...basically the clientele you will find in the Fanieul Hall area...then The Tam is not for you. This place is small, dark and AWESOME. Cheap drinks and loads of different types of people to satisfy even the most insatiable of people watchers. We're talking prime seating here folks. This is one of the only bars where you'll find cute girls, old men, Bruins Fans and Anime Enthusiasts all in one peaceful semblance of glorious drinking companionship. Even your mom goes there! Nice lady. This place is great. The people are great. No idiots allowed and hey, the name sets you up with a totally sweet pick up line, behold: "Pardon me, but do you have The Tam?" Thank me later. read more

This is a challenging review because The Tam has nothing to hate and nothing to outright love. The staff are warm enough, the beer cold enough. Aside from the $3 Narg tallboys and various light beer bottles, the palatable pints run $5-7 and mixed drinks go $6-8. BYOFood and enough Emerson students to wooooo! the scene up each night, the fixed-in-place barstools will fill and a good time will be had. Something about the location is both damning and delightful (ugh, kill me for saying delightful, but hey, alliteration right?): it's really the cash-only dive that dominates DTX and the Theater District, but if you're not living/working/eating there, would it be a dive worth destining? I ow owww. I love corn. Do you love corn? When was the last time you ate corn on its own? The Tam is corn. Solely satisfying but so much better with a little something extra. Stop the presses, they've got Andy Capp Hot Fries in the vending machine? There's the salted butter. Four stars. read more

The Tam was once rated in the top 100 dives in America. So when I say that the floor is sticky, the bartenders are surly, and the clientele is the dregs of Boston, I mean it in a very positive way. If you want to feel like a townie but are too afraid to go to Roxbury, stop by the Tam. My first night in Boston I was supposed to go to a party at Cure Lounge with some classmates, but couldn't get in after capacity. So, dressed in our finest, we went here and proceeded to kick back $2 Narragansetts and whiskey shots while watching the sox game. We made friends (the kind you want for your stories not your actual life) and memories (the kind you want for your stories but immediately forget the next morning.) Rating this place two stars because I love it. No real dive should be rated above 3 on yelp. read more

Visited over this past weekend-All was good, talking outside to the bouncers outside before we decided it was time to go in. My husband and I were asked for our IDs when suddenly everything changed. He handed it back to me and we were told we weren't welcomed there and wouldn't be allowed in. I was completely confused by this and asked why and was it because we were from NY (couldn't think of any other reason) but was only given the same response. When I asked one more time if they were serious he said "Very Serious! There's a bar 100ft down, go there!!" Well ok then! Just tell me it's a for locals only kinda place! I would have been fine with that. But instead were very rude and prejudiced against NYs apparently. read more

The Tam is my favorite dive bar in the country. I've spent many a night here talking to mini-Alice Cooper (seriously, there is a dude who comes in here all the time who is about five feet tall and looks just like Alice Cooper). To set the scene- in 2000, I had just moved to Boston and was quickly laid off with three months of severance pay. Being young, and working with a group of close friends, we decided that the best thing to do was get new jobs, delay our start dates until our severance ran out, and drink a lot. And damn it all, that's what we did. These nights would usually begin and end at the Tam (sometimes without any other excursions). Like a boozy, alcoholic mother with a heart of gold, it was always there for us. It has an under-rated jukebox- all the classics of 60s and 70s rock are represented, plus they have Al Green's greatest hits for when you're feeling a little lonely. Unlike a lot of other dive bars in Boston, it doesn't get totally overwhelmed with undergrads even on weekend nights- more like half and half. Frankly, unless you're a dive bar lover it's really hard to explain what makes the Tam so great. Some mystical combo of the environment, the hilariously cynical bartenders, the rotating cast of bouncers, the pennies covering the tables... I can't put my finger on it. But, writing this review makes me want to knock off work early and head down for a cold one right now, so it's got that certain something that makes you love it. read more

Ok so I definitely got a racist vibe from this place, and thought maybe I was being paranoid, but then reading other reviews confirms it. This place is downright dirty, as in the people who work here are uncouth pricks, especially the nasty old bartender. Their attitudes are disgusting and they are rude for no reason at all. I sat at the front of the bar on an empty chair by myself, quietly, minding my own business, while my bf and his friends went to get drinks. All of a sudden, one of the bouncers starts yelling at me to move. Being compliant I started to get up from the chair to move to the back, and then the grimy old bartender starts chiming in and shouting at me to move to the back, as if I wasn't already moving. Two grown men yelling at a girl who was just sitting in silence... Should have left right then but didn't want to ruin the night for my other friends. Not only is this place already shady by only accepting cash, but their ATM would not dispense any money even after saying my friend withdrew $60. (We already walked to another ATM in Chinatown but that was also out of service). My bf had $12 in his wallet, which was perfect for 3 beers that were $3.50 each (which would total $10.50). Normally he is a very gracious tipper, but since this bar doesn't accept credit cards, and doesn't dispense money from its crappy ATM machine, he figured the $12 would be enough to pay for the drinks (since tipping isn't ACTUALLY required). Of course we were served by the nasty old bartender whose only job was to dispense beer into a glass and yet he GRIPED and whined that we were giving him a sh*tty tip. SERIOUSLY? I will never come back to this establishment after experiencing such nastiness. read more

The Tam has a great deal of things I can greatly appreciate: 1. Big Buck Hunter. Do you want to find your inner Sarah Palin? Your inner Dick Cheney? Hunt some effin' Moose in Yukon Territory, and you'll be more Vice-Presidential than Hannibal Hamlin and James Schoolcraft Sherman put together. And then you hunt duck. Like in Duck Hunt. Except the dog doesn't laugh at you this time if you miss the ducks. This isn't some minor league NES action. 2. $3 pints. I can't remember the exact name, but it's serviceable beer, all things considered. 3. Room: It's a decently roomy place, which opens things up well for improptu dance moments. It's not a large place, but it's not too bad. Downsides: 1. Cash only. 2. The men's bathroom door doesn't close. If you're in the right place outside the door, you can watch people pee. This is why I chose the stall with a wall. Overall, a decent dive bar near most of the Theater District. read more

Went to The Tam and has a fantastic night. The bartender Ryan was so nice and made great conversation. He made my night. I don't usually write reviews on yelp but the night was so fun. THANK YOU TAM and RYAN! read more

Now that the Waltham's been closed, the Tam is the greatest dive in Boston. It's right in the heart of the city but it's never too crowded, because there are always a couple of really scary looking guys there. It works perfectly for stopping in before or after your night for a quick one, but it's just as good to settle into mid-afternoon and not know where you are six hours later. If the game's on at least half the bar would like to discuss it with you. (Note: one of the bartenders is a Yankees fan. He's used to getting crap for it, though.) And there is no cheaper beer anywhere in town. My only complaint: as has been mentioned by others, the tables on the left side of the bar are covered with pennies that have been glued to them. And you always end up picking at them. And once I got one off, and then I felt really guilty about it. But one time we were all going out to smoke so I turned to the complete stranger next to me and said, "Dude, watch my briefcase for me, willya?" and he said "I WILL GUARD IT WITH MY LIFE!" and it was still there when I got back. It's that kind of bar. And that kind of bar is the best kind. It's also the kind of bar where once I was talking with Phil about how I was out of pot, and Phil was like oh, because I know that guy over there and he deals, and I was like really? Cool, introduce us, and five minutes later I bought an eighth over near Buck Hunter. It was shit weed, but that's kinda to be expected. Note: they do not take credit cards. Of course. read more

Last Friday my friends and I went to support or buddy who got his first DJ gig in Boston over at Cure (half a block up the street) during their soft re-opening. He played from 11-12 and as soon as it was done we were ready to leave that basement and head over to a place a little more our style, and The Tam is exactly that: cheap beers, loud people and a tolerance for a few that are a bit louder. When we got to the door this beanstock of a bouncer saw us all in button down shirts and asked where we were coming from, when we answered "Cure" he told us to "Get the f**k out" before we could utter another word. My first thought was to argue with this prick and ask him why, but as soon as I said "But we..." he got in our faces and "urged" us to leave before more cursing and accusations of "disrespect" spewed out of him. Bottom line, I'll be going to Intermission Tavern or Rocky Top before I spend any of my money at one of the better spots for drinks in that area. read more

This was my first trip to Boston and I was concerned when all the drinking joints in the nabe seemed to be national chain type places. Plus this was the theater district, which could only spell hoity toity (even though I can't). Thankfully my trusty Yelp phone app pointed me to The Tam. I love a good dive bar. And I wanted to visit a good dive bar in Boston because who doesn't want to order a cranberry juice and have your broken hand smashed on a pool table while being asked, "Swear on your mother's grave you're still not a cop?" Likewise, who doesn't want to go into a Boston bar and say to some Harvard a-hole: " "Wood drastically underestimates the impact of social distinctions predicated upon wealth, especially inherited wealth"? You got that from Vickers' "Work in Essex County," page 98, right? Yeah, I read that too." Actually I was simply happy to have a sarcastic/cranky bartender pour me $5 mixed drinks in a place full of regular people. The Tam delivered. read more

The Tam on a weekday night or whenever school is not in session: 5 stars. It's the kind of bar where you pony up to the bar, order a decent beer, and not be out too much cash. To your left will be a decent, normal human being and on your right will be the same. Drink you beer, maybe have another. You'll leave the place relaxed. The Tam on a weekend night (esp when school is in session): 1 star. Tons of ironic, omg-isn't-it-cool-how-we-are-at-a-dive-bar students crammed into the place like sardines. Bar? Can you even see if there is a bar?? What's on tap? Do they have tap beer?! Who is this kid dancing badly next to me?! Ok, I gotta get out of here. read more

Haha! I can't believe this place has 4 stars. I thought I was the only one that actually loved this dive. Beer is cheap - people are very cool. Stories about the bathrooms: 1) Walking in to the Tam and realizing it was the same day as the gay and lesbian pride parade. Believe me, I am completely open-minded and what-not, but seeing militant lesbians take over the bar and making out in the bathrooms was minorly disturbing. The poor bouncer had to break up a f$%^fest in the women's bathroom. 2) On a different night, walking to the men's bathroom and seeing a giant homeless man taking a crap with his pants around his ankles. (there are no doors in the bathroom). I nearly vomited on my feet. 3) Guys - you will be attacked by fruit flies at the urinals. I suggest having at least 3 beers before going or you will be totally grossed out. Long live the Tam! read more

I went on a date to this fine establishment back in April. I knew what I was in for; I genuinely enjoy The Tam. The suitor (let's call him David, because that's actually his name) had told me in advance that he was enough of a regular that he had a signature drink, aptly called "The David". He initially appeared to be slick (not unlike Roger Klotz from the animated series Doug) and ordered it first thing. The bartender had no clue what he was talking about. Luckily enough, "The David" is an easy drink. A Blue Moon with a *shot* of orange juice. There is no time to cut up oranges for novelty's sake in these fast paced times. I'll let you know that this date ended up as awkward and tragically as one can go. I think I was asked, "When was the last time you cried?" at one point. There was also some story about almost being poisoned by his ex by putting bleach in a pasta dish or something, but that's beside the point. Anyways, when I walk by now, I get the pleasure of seeing his mug in the windowsill of The Tam in a handmade advertisement for "The David". It's his OkCupid picture, by the way. It makes me irrationally angry because it's so goddamn stupid, but it has been a funny story to tell the guys I have been on dates with since if we are in the neighborhood and happen to walk by. read more

I've been to The Tam many times in the past, but on Saturday December 14th around 5 pm, I was refused admittance by the guy at the door because he said I didn't have proper ID. I'm 51 years old and I don't drive. I have a valid Massachusetts State ID issued by the Mass RMV (the legal alternative to a drivers lic). The guy at the door said I had to have a valid Drivers Lic or a Passport. When I tried to explain to the doorman that my ID was perfectly legal he rudely stated "Drivers License or Passport. The decision is final!). Perhaps the owners of The Tam should educate their door people on the laws of Massachusetts and what is considered a legal ID in this state... A valid Driver's License A Massachusetts State ID A Massachusetts Liquor ID A US Passport A US Passport Card or a Military Identification Card I was meeting several friends who were already at The Tam, and I couldn't join them. I'm only giving this place a single star because that was the minimum I could rate it. Bad form, TAM! read more

I had to revisit this review I wrote 5 years ago. With the rampant gentrification in the area the Tam is one of the last honest to God dive bars. Not dive themed, dive inspired or somehow designed to look the part. A bar without a theme from the old neighborhood that has developed a patina for the fact that it still exists that can't be recreated. I should say up front that I worked as a bartender here for 2 years so I have a good idea of what goes on both in front of and behind the bar. This place is as not frills as it gets. The interior has not changed much in the last 40 years. It is a dive bar without theme or apology and is a little bit Irish just like most of Boston. The pours are heavy, the prices are cheap and the door to the mens room was permanently removed some years ago to make sure none of the local flavor cause trouble in there. On any given day the place may smell like bleach, old beer or worse and walking in this place when the sun is shining makes me feel like I need to brush my teeth. I a regular bar these might be considered bad things but for a dive, it is called character. The doors open at 8am on weekdays, a holdover grandfathered in from the big dig days. Legally bars have to serve food so the Tam put in a vending machine with candy and a few gumball machines with nuts in them. They do however allow people to bring in whatever kind of food you might want from outside. It is important to keep in mind that this place is a cash only establishment. Another thing that makes this bar so unique are the people who go there. The location is an absolute cross roads a block from the green line and the orange line, across the street from Emerson, up the street from tons of clubs and theaters, on the same block as both remaining strip clubs in Boston proper and dead in the middle of what used to be the Combat Zone. Any or all of these people may be drinking side by side on any given day. In short, the odds are good but the goods are odd. The staff is good hearted experienced and knowledgeable. They may seem grumpy at first but if you do right by them and don't act up they will take very good care of you. read more

I can't believe no one's said this yet... ***They freeze their glasses*** This means coldest beer in town.. This fact alone should clue you in to some of the amazingness this place has to offer. The pennies are gone, but don't worry, the charm is still there. I think the green Styrofoam used as ceiling tiles with beer and drink prices taped to the ceiling help maintain the ambiance. I know they've been mentioned, but the staff is great. If you sit at the bar, they'll chat a bit when not busy. When it is busy, they attend to everyone in reasonable time. Be sure you don't come in here putting on airs or telling them how to pour a drink, though. And yes, they know how to mix a drink or two (or 5 or 10 depending on what kind of night it is) They don't serve food, but you're welcome to grab something at New York Pizza and bring it in. Also to be known...two Boston publications (one I read, The Improper and one I don't, Boston Magazine) just named The Tam "Best Dive Bar in Boston" for 2007. Glad to see they agree with me. read more

I used to love The Tam. Cheap beers, strong drinks and naked photohunt - what more could I ask for in a dive? Until I tried to come with my boyfriend (who is black) and they told us they were "at capacity." Since my friends were inside already we said we'd just wait until someone left and we could go in. Then two more people came along (who were white) and wanted to get in, so they let us in but said we should "stand in the back." We came back another time when it wasn't crowded at all, and again were told to "stand in the back." I had been there many times before that at various stages of crowded (but with only white people) and never had someone say that to me before... read more

The Tam is awesome, and you should know that by now. If you still have doubts then let me make it simple for you... I just spent my Sunday night watching Con Air there. read more

This is the type of dive where you can settle in with some beer and chat up pretty much any other patron of the bar. Everyone's open to joking around, making fun of Yankees fans, and just having a nice conversation. I used to go here years and years ago when I was in college, and may or may not have been using a fake ID. What? Yea, I don't know what you're talking about. And I just recently got to return this past weekend. Sure, the staff has changed, but they have the same exact manner, which is friendly and inviting. The best seats in the place are by the door so you can witness 83 year old men get carded to come in and you can revel in their anger and ribblerabble about being carded. There are always all sorts of deals for the cheaper name beers, so you could definitely keep a night here under $20. It's not somewhere you'd particularly want to go if you are all dressed up for a night on the town, because you'll immediately feel out of place, but otherwise there's a pretty diverse crowd here. And as Tarah mentioned, yes, the beer is served in frozen glasses. Mmmmm iiice cooold beer. read more

If you like places where guys wear shiny collared shirts and dress shoes and girls layer on the bronzer and give stares of death to anyone a size smaller than them, then The Tam will probably make you nauseous. But if you're down for some cheap drinks, stellar people watching and interaction with folks who look like they just asked you for spare change, The Tam is a good time had by all. Randomly on the night I was here, the British club of Boston was holding its monthly meeting and I had the fortune to be introduced to a man in a flashy three piece suit who had a stench my friend identified as cloves and balls. In addition, a man without teeth offered to by me a drink and we played three rounds of Big Buck Hunter with an Emerson senior. We wanted to play Erotic Photo Hunt but there were people hanging out in front of the machine. Definitely next time. read more

If I went to school in downtown Boston, this would have been my bar of choice. It's reminicent of my Kilkenny's. Although i've never experienced the weekend crowd at prime-time, the clientel here seems to made up of the right kind of people. I'm really into Brewbakers beers lately because they're cheap and they're bigger than most. The Tam has these, and they also have an assortment of cheap beer specials. If i'm in a dive bar like the Tam, I like to drink cheap beer, and that's just the way it is. The staff is very friendly and they try their best to make you feel comfortable. The woman behind the bar was also a "cash cab" mastermind! I swear she must have seen that episode before... Bottom line...I dig this place and I dig it kinda hard. read more

It's a divebar in downtown Boston. Cash only, decent deals on beer. Touchtunes jukebox, golden tee, and a very well sighted in Big Buck Hunter. read more

I ordered a tanqueray and tonic and bartender filled it 60-70% with gin. If you are a social drinker you may be offended by this, but I was thrilled. By far the beefiest drink I've got in the city and cost $5. I did not use the men's room - from the sounds of it you are better off going outside. read more

I've only Tam'd it up twice. First time visitin the Tam was after a wine tasting.... during a night when they had trivia going on. PACKED. A boy bought me my drink, so I have no clue the price of the raspberry vodka 'n sprite concoction. I will say that after drinking most of my drink, i noticed my glass was cracked, and pointed this out to the bartender. There was a small chip missing, and he immediately gave me a new drink. Bonus... I would have been happy just taking my drink and pouring it into another glass, yay for additional free alcohol. haha. Second time I visited the Tam was a week night after a Yelp event, and there were only a handful of people still in the place. It was great, the other patrons (who had been drinking far more than me) were dancing and singing and having a blast... while I got to hang out with my group of peeps and people watch/join in on commentary. So here are some thumbs up for the Tam: *I've heard the drinks are well priced (again, i haven't paid for anything here so I dont know first hand) *Staff is super nice (remember... free replacement drink - no questions asked) *Central spot and easy to get to from a few various T stations, so a good spot to meet up with friends, have a drink, and then head to any other destination you might need to go to read more