Gerry and his team have kept the Washington Square Tavern a lively, welcoming place for years. The food is very good, with the locally harvested, fresh ingredients to satisfy any locavore's palate; a great mix of meat and fish, apps, small plates and hearty entrees. An interesting wine and beer list, cheerful staff, there are many reasons to return to this local gem. read more

Washington Square Tavern is a few blocks from my apt and my boyfriend and I have become regulars. Everything is always spot on - the food, the drinks, the service, the atmosphere. It's cozy inside, a high-end pub feel. The food is amazing and very decently priced. I've never had a bad meal here. They change the menu very often and usually have a special app and entree each night. I highly recommend the lamb lollipops as an appetizer. They also have a great beer selection. It's a small place and gets crowded quickly so be prepared to wait about hour on weekend nights -- it's SO worth it! read more

Average hangout place. Slow service, had one waiter for whole restaurant.

The food here is top notch including the bolognese which rivals the best Italian joints and the roast chicken, which is like getting a hug from your mother. The wine list is fantastic with great values to be had even on the higher priced back page and the beers are never run of the mill. We been 100s of times and it never disappoints. read more

There are many reasons why I would have LOVED to give this place five stars... but on the other hand there are also plenty of reasons why I almost gave it two, or even one. The Washington Square Tavern is in a great location (with no sign out front), right in Washington Square (of course :P), with plenty of metered parking (it's rarely difficult to find a space, sometimes it takes a few minutes but you'll find one!). The Publick House is right across the street if you want to grab a brew before or after dinner, and Athan's bakery is also just a step away, for dessert afterwords... the tavern does not offer dessert. Although, I do believe they have a sort of 'BYOD' policy... you can bring your own dessert, I think, don't take my word for it though, call first. The atmosphere is dark, the wine list well chosen with great wine specials nightly (I vividly remember one night they were featuring two AMAZING red zins...Jerry the owner has a great palate) , usually packed but all the people that go here are chill, young professionals, not an annoying crowd. The menu is not huge but has a bit of everything and appropriate seasonal offerings. Once you get seated.... it's like all they want to do is get rid of you... this happens every time I eat here (but I keep going back with high hopes). Once your server finally gets to you, they want to get your entire order, seriously, and they leave VERY little time between apps and entrees, I mean almost overlapping. They RARELY ask if you if you want another drink, and don't come back to the table often. It's not so easy to get menu substitutions either (like veggies for rice). I just HATE feeling rushed, we're guests not intruders. I go here for the convenience, the chill atmosphere, cool bartenders, wine list, and a decent 'quick' meal... A man I know recently went to their new establishment, the Beacon Street Tavern, and had the same thing to say, in fact, he and his wife were told they couldn't order another glass of wine because the wait was too long... huh? read more

I wish I was there right now. This place is best on cold snowy nights or when you feel like being around lively merriment and tucking into a nice cut of meat and enjoying a fine beverage. I can't give this place enough praise. Be forewarned...it will be crowded, you will have to wait, you might sit at a table with others...but relax and enjoy! read more

I wanted to update my review for Washington Square Tavern. I returned a month after the last visit because I really wanted to like it. I love the idea of using as much of a pig, cow, etc as possible to make different dishes....and WST does just that. When I returned, they were not out of anything and the food was delicious. I got the pork cutlet on top of an arugula salad...it was perfect for those Paleo dieters out there. The service was much better and the owner is very friendly and always making an appearance. The food is very fresh and menu resembles more of an upscale restaurant than a bar. read more

This place is amazing! Can get pretty crowded on a Friday or Saturday night but it is worth the wait. Great local restaurant that changes their menu seasonally. First time I went, I had their paella and second time had their pesto orecchiette with broccoli rabe and Italian sausage.... SO GOOD. Drinks are great too, fun bar and can get a little loud. read more

Warm and inviting. Great food. Went for the first time with four friends. We all enjoyed our drinks and food and complimented the layout. At around 7pm on Friday, we waited fewer than ten minutes at the bar. Beer drinking friends liked the list and I enjoyed their one cider option, Magners pear. Two of us loved the pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes and apple sauce. I'd also recommend the buttered rum. read more

Nothing comes close to this hangout place. The staff are amazingly friendly and recognize me every time I go in. Their food is amazing and while their beer selection does not rival that of nearby publick house the whole atmosphere is clearly superior and it is not as stuffy. I always enjoy my nights at the tav with my friends! read more

I prefer WST to BST, which is surprising since I put a high marks into quality/quantity/price. I remember the portion size being more friendly at BST. The apps & entrees at WST are, shall we say, medium sized. . .but the quality counts. We had the bruschetta, sea scallops (with a spinach/potato hash), veal porterhouse special with caramelized onions & orzo, and a side of broccolini (delicious!). We can't remember the last time we had scallops so perfectly prepared- seared to a pleasing color yet with a velvety texture. mmm. I"ll be dreaming of this dish for days. The veal was expertly cooked as well. Great passion fruit mojito. Our server was thoughtful and friendly- I don't see too much of that in Boston. Would give them 5 stars if the portions weren't so medium-size-ish but that's quibbling, no? read more

Great place for a drink and/or dinner. The prices are a lot higher than your average bar, but that also seems the weed out the college and early 20s crowd. The food is wonderful and beer selection decent. Great place for a date or to hang out with 30-something friends. read more

It's somewhat a mystery to me how my mind decides which places I feel most comfortable at or which to avoid like the plague. That being said, I adore the Washington Square Tavern. I cannot speak for the food because I haven't eaten there. I have been in on various days of the week and while it is generally crowded, I have never had a problem getting a seat at the bar or at a table. The atmosphere reminds me of bars I visited in Ireland and bars my family went to when I was a child. It's cozy and dimly lit which makes for just about any kind of conversation or activity. I would feel completely comfortable hanging out with a group of friends or sitting at the bar by myself. The bartenders have always been attentive, funny, and down to business. ... and the Guinness is just as perfect as it should be. read more

I yelped this place out while looking for good food close by (Allston). Very impressed. Loved the beautifully stocked wooden bar. The bartender offered polite service with an indistinguishable accent (Scottish? Irish?). We waited about 15 minutes for a table on a Tuesday night. The place is small but very busy. The wine list and beer selection made the wait go by fast. We ordered three entrees and 1 appetizer. We chose the lamb, the veal special, the chicken, and the salmon. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection. We dined comfortably and left with full bellies. The ONLY downfall is the lack of a desert menu. They did their entrees so well I was dying to see what they had in store for desert. Instead, they directed us across the street to a dessert shop/bakery. Parking wasn't a problem. I would highly recommend giving this place a try! Enjoy. read more

Terrific food. Clam Chowder is probably the best of Boston and I have tried almost all of them. The lamb chops are outstanding. Appetizers are always very sophistocated albeit small. There are high tables and low tables. Wait at the bar if a table isn't ready. There can be a long wait on the weekend. It's much better than it's louder and more arrogant new sister Beacon Street Tavern, which is too cool for school and too cool for take-out despite it's inferior food compared to this more established and refined restaurant. read more

Food was good , nice and quiet. Only a 3 star due to the Cesar salad. Ordered a classic Cesar salad as the appetizer... when it came I was served a half a head of lettuce uncut drizzled with dressing. Not appealing at all read more

No dessert, are you effing kidding me? YOU ARE ACROSS THE STREET FROM ATHENS- would it kill you people to have a few cakes from there for night time and maybe a carton of sorbet- It's really not rocket Science people. Food was good but a good meal is incomplete without dessert or at least an option of dessert! And servers were rude, the owner tried to make up for it by annoying me and my girlfriend during our meal... If I could give zero stars! read more

This place is something to savor. It has impeccable food and the best wine list to boot. No other place in the Boston area rivals the quality of ingredients and expertise at these prices. The menu is impressive and the food is superb.The specials are always inspired and leave me wondering what the chef will create next. There is something for everyone here. The chef makes his own sausage and cures his own meat, which results in an ever-changing charcuterie plate that blows me away every time. I often think the one I am having is the best one yet, but there's always the next time that leaves me thinking he couldn't do it any better. The owner is the best sommelier in town. If you have even a small interest in wine, you should come to the Tavern to expand your horizons and palate. By far, and with no peer, Washington Square Tavern gives you more value for your dollar in the purchasing of wine and food. If beer or liquor is more your thing, the Tavern definitely has you covered, too. Great selection and amazing and friendly bartenders. The ambiance at the WST is exactly what you want: dimly lit, great decor, the best music (this coming from a seven-year record store clerk), and knowledgable wait staff. The Washington Square Tavern is the best thing going, folks! read more

I always look forward to a night here, just wish I could get here more often! Sure it gets crowded (that is because it is so good!) but having a few wine treats before dinner always works for me. Gerry the owner keeps the wine list interesting, and the menu is so good. (They have the best veggie burger around). Plus the bartenders Stuart and Damian are great eye candy. See you guys in a few weeks ;-) read more

so i'll preface this by saying i was definitely here on a weird night. 1) it was valentines day 2) the fire alarm went off for about 3 minutes straight, stopped briefly, then resumed for another solid minute (no one evacuated), and firemen and policemen came to "save us" about a half hour later despite the oddities of the evening, the calamari was pretty good, the mussels were outstanding, and sally got her gluten free burger (after they delivered the first round with bun - fail! we'll chalk it up to not hearing "gluten free" amidst sirens). the ambiance was clean, cozy, and slightly upscale, and tho the pricing ain't cheap it's wasn't too exorbitant either. nice to have a gluten free place in the neighborhood too having so many celiac pals - i'm sure i'll be back! read more

um, how do you run out of ketchup???!?! other than that (and the very slow service) it was great. i enjoyed my cucumber and mint martini. and, how could you dislike a place that has duvel on tap? the spicy tomato soup was actually spicy, but could have used some croutons or crackers. friendly patrons around the bar. read more

I grew up right across the street,went to driscoll so even since they opened in 1999 This place was always packed...I finally got a chance to go in and now I can see why! Friendly staff great selection of liquor and okay selection of beer. But what really suprised me was the fine selection of Cougars...Hot damn! I found the watering hole for brooklines finest. The bartenders skills didn't blow me away but it was still better then majority of the bars I went to. I have yet to eat here but what I saw and smelled did catch my attention! I will be back Cheers! read more

This is the third time I have been here and its always been so so. I have had much better food elsewhere. Tonight the meatloaf included hard little bits of carrots....no assumptions but they tasted like frozen carrots. The service was deplorable. It took the waitress 15 mins to take our drink order and another 10 to get them to us. Then once our order was taken we never saw her again till the end of the meal. No refills here. Yes it's cozy if you enjoy sitting with strangers at the same table. No fault of the place that they were super annoying. Probably wont go back. read more

A neighborhood staple. Great food, atmosphere, beer & wine selection. I've eaten here for both dinner and brunch, and neither have disappointed. Burger is fantastic, as well as whatever seared scallop dish featured on the current menu. The menu changes seasonally. The bartenders are great, and very friendly. The owner is usually around, too. Overall, a great neighborhood place, and worth traveling to if you're not from the area. read more

This is one of my all time favorite places around Boston. Perfect for a rainy or cold night when you're just not motivated enough to hike it into the city and just want to do something chill. Always a great mature crowd, bartenders are extremely friendly, and the food is great. I love the statler chicken with mashed potatoes. yummmm! read more

So over a year later and countless trips back, this place is still as good as it gets. I would almost go as far as saying the best burger in the Boston area. The place fills up quick, especially lately. I went on a random Monday night once, and it was absolutely packed; the usuals run the gamut from young professionals to retirees, but everyone is always friendly. It's great having such a high quality and genuine (not trendy, not imitating) place in the square. read more

We had an amazing short rib French onion soup that I still dream about. Love this place!!! read more

The Washington Square Tavern - French onion soup with short ribs and bone marrow toast. - Bars Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

I have been to this place a few times.. usually as a tag along.. my mother has drinks with coworkers there... fun. Well once I took the Fish and Chips.. and for all the fish and chip platters.. they did AWFUL! I've had much better on a beach food shack on the cape... And on top of that when I asked for ketchup they said they do not have ketchup... and that the chef only offers Vinegar with the dish.. ok I'm very happy thats how they "do it in England".. but here I use ketchup and tartar sauce... Second is, They serve(d) Foie Gras.. now or some that is no problem.. people love and eat it.. knowing full well how it was created.. but hey! there is nothing better than eating cirrhosis.. and paying big bucks for it... The atmosphere is too loud... no place to talk.. It's mostly a place for the fancy to get a overpriced fancy shmancy named cocktail... and get lucky.. There is so many better ways to spend your money. especially in Boston... Go to Jasper Whites Summer Shack instead!.. better food.. more relaxed.. feels like your in Aruba... read more

I really, really like this place. Its comfortable, the food is great and always reasonably priced and the staff is familiar and helpful. The owner takes time to get to know his customers and really has a personal touch that you just don't get in most places today. Im a big fan of the steak frites, which I would put up against anything in a Paris bistro, good stuff all around. read more

The Washington Square Tavern was always one of my favorites when I lived in Boston, and I recently went back with an old buddy of mine when I was visiting town again. I'm so glad I did! I remember always being impressed with this place and I was glad to see it still holds all its old charm. This is my kind of bar: old school mahogany, candles, big mirror, perfect size/decibel level for conversation, and REAL bartenders! It saddens me to say that I'm getting used to having to order my cocktails in parts because so many bartenders don't even know what's in (or how to make), for example, a manhattan, but these guys have their crap together. (Hmm, do I want bourbon or rye... "RYE!!") They make nearly perfect cocktails, and if you ask for a suggestion my experience has been that they'll always have something delicious and original for you to try. My most recent trip was the first time I sat at the bar instead of at a table, and I really enjoyed my experience. The bartenders were quick to notice when your glass was empty (including your water!), very polite and knowledgable, and very personable... and Irish, which constitutes a plus for me. Many small, neighborhood bars are prone to treating outsiders like crap, and if they don't recognize you your service will fall far below that of the regular patrons, but I didn't get that vibe here at all. They took one look at my dumb pink Ohio license and proceeded to treat my buddy and I splendidly for the rest of the night. Oh, did I mention the food is very good too? Lots of it is made from scratch in house (the sausage was excellent) and I've always enjoyed their seafood. I've only ever gone in the evening, so a lot of these 3-star reviews totally befuddle me, but for the relaxed atmosphere, attentive and friendly bar staff, and top-notch liquor selection, I give the Washington Square Tavern a solid 5-stars. I pity all the poor rubes who think "Cheers" is some kind of Boston bar experience. Do yourself a favor: get away from the crowds of tourists at Faneuil Hall and make a trek to a place like this. This is the kind of bar I would love to come to every night. read more

Despite all the positive reviews I see on Yelp, which lead me to try this restaurant in the first place, I had a not so great at all experience. I decided to try this on a Sunday Night, as I was craving a burger and french fries which the Washington Square Tavern offers. I sat at the bar and was impressed by the ambiance with the low lit lights and walls decorated with beers. Upon sitting down I was still listing this as postivie. However, when I sat down at the bar my experience began to go downhill. The bartender seemed pre occupied with everything but the customers. I ordered a glass of water and my hamburger and waited. It seemed to take an incredibly long time for the burger to come out, and considering the restaurant was not busy, I see no excuse for this. The bartender would look in my direction but not say anything or be concerned with anything as the time went on and on waiting for my food. I just found this rude and did not contribute to a good experience. When my burger arrived it was undercooked and somewhat cold, probably from sitting in the back, as I could tell the servers were not very concerned with timings. I finished my meal, mediocre at best, waited to pay and once again no bartender to be found. After waiting for another 10 minutes, the bartender finally re-appeared. I proceeded to pay and then left. I cannot speak for the table service at this establishment as I was sitting at the bar, however based on all the details I've listed above I will not be returning. Based on the other reviews on Yelp, I hope that they continue to improve their service and demeanor as it seems many people are supporters. However I cannot recommend this to anyone I know based on my experience. read more

Awesome low key, local bar to go and hang out with friends. They have good, different beers on tap and the bar tenders are attentive, friendly, and knowledgable. I will absolutely be back! read more

Busy pub, but was greeted at the door the moment we walked in. Lots of locals. Good sign. Took the server's suggested featured wine. Amazing. Had the risotto special. Wow. What a find. Friends from this area suggested this place and we are now fans too. Casual. Friendly. Great wine list. Thanks Jerry. See you in AZ. read more

I never think to seek this place out and usually only end up here when other destinations in Washington Sq. (Publick House, Abbey) are too crowded. The place is pretty cool though! As a noted lighting fetishist I give it my blessing for it's tastefully ambient low lighting. Nice drink menu too. read more

It's almost a fantastic experience at Washing Square Tavern, the menu is familiar but as clever as it needs to be, everything priced just a bit less than it should be, except the burger, which at $14 seems a little high. But the vibe is perfect, not too loud, not too quiet, with attentive servers and an extensive beer list. It's the type of place, despite my thinking I'm a big shot, probably doesn't care there's a burger blog out there and could care less if theirs is considered the best or not. And that's what I love about it, nobody is boasting about the quality of the food, no awards hanging anywhere, it is what it is. And it's a great burger, flawed for sure, but great. It's half-pound patty made of Sirloin, and therein lies the small problem. It's still cooked beautifully, it's still juicy and seasoned well, but that darn sirloin, not my cut of choice because of it's leanness, a better or more creative blend would have put this burger over the top. Instead it's a very good burger, mostly because it's cooked perfectly and because it's seasoned. The bun, a barely toasted Kaiser is smartly or luckily toasted just enough. Any more and it would be too crumbly, any less and it would be too much bun, which it practically was anyway. But it's one of those buns that doesn't take away from the burger itself, certainly doesn't add anything, but it's not a distraction either, which is a plus in my book. The fries, promised as crispy according to the menu, could be crispier. They are too pale in color, but are flavorful. Straight-forward fries and a straight-forward burger, not much fuss and that's how I like it. Once again it feels about $2 -$3 too much, a $14 burger this is not, but I do like it and I can suggest it, certainly wouldn't mind coming back myself, and that's no easy feat. read more

The burger was tasty. The fries were crispy. They had Gansett on tap, which was awesome. The place is a little swanky for my norm and due to that it wouldn't be my regular spot. But for a date or if you're not around there often, it's worth a stop in. There's also decent parking on Beacon. Park on the right hand side. Don't be a chump and pay for a meter on the left. No one likes that guy. read more

For the past few years this joint has been one of my favorite places to visit. They make some of the best dirty martinis in the area! The wine and beer selection are quite nice too. This easy to miss bar has a cozy pub-like atmosphere but with a sophisticated menu. It can become quite crowded on the weekend, so pull in early and claim your spot at the bar. read more

I live right down the street from Washington Square Tavern and have often found myself here on a Friday or Saturday night. The owner is warm, friendly and very personable and he greets most guests right when they walk in. The food is pub food, just much better. The service is outstanding and very accommodating to special requests, allergies, etc. The bartenders are also great. You can ask them any question and they'll figure out what you're looking for. Their brunch is also a great way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon! read more

From the outside this place looks like a typical dark and traditional neighborhood tavern. The food, however, is more upscale - moving WST up to gastropub classification. The dishes are fairly pricey, but well curated and all around delicious. I went for dinner and had an excellent pork chop on a fennel salad. There was also a good beer selection. Patrons were a mix. I even saw a couple of families with children. read more

Met some friends here the other night. The original plan was to meet at another place nearby, and I didn't get the message until late, so I was a beer ahead when I got there. Fortunately, the rest of my party had already secured a table. They have a really neat high, bar-like table that has room for multiple groups at it, which has a nice curve so that even if you're a couple people down you can still hear conversations. I didn't have any food, but it all looked pretty good. Pretty fancy-looking, but they did seem to have a hamburger. I went for the Guinness, myself, having already had dinner. They pour a fine pint, and it's a comfy place to have it. The service is friendly, although it seemed a bit shorthanded on a Friday. It wasn't too crowded until late in the evening. I'll have to go go back and have some food some other night. read more