I took my 2 kids there for lunch because I read the food was good and kid friendly menu. The food and service were good, but the guys'll hanging out at the bar (at 1:30 pm) were loud and obnoxious. I wouldn't recommend bringing your family unless you want to hear lots of loud swearing and rambling while you eat. The ambience was cozy, but the bar flies ruin the experience. read more

I have no idea why I love the Worthen, but I do. If you go in there at 4pm on a weekend you'll run into dudes who are drunk enough to have been kicked out of most bars hours ago. My Mom went there 40 years ago, I've been going there for 10 years. The beer is cold and cheap. There's a little patio if you want to get drunk and smoke butts outside. There's a parking lot with a creepy mural with nuns that I love. Of course there are the fans. It's funny, Deep Ellum (or maybe their new taco place? I forget) in Boston recently put in a fan system that is just like the Worthen's, except not 150 years old. You can't fake the funk though, the Worthen is the real deal. read more

Take a moment to read this excerpt, taken from the website, www.worthenhousecafe.com. Welcome to The Worthen House, established in 1898 and serving as a tavern ever since. The building, a traditional mid-nineteenth century vernacular survivor from Lowell's Mill City development, was built in 1834. Much of our present interior remains, most notably the belt-linked fan system, which is the only existing set in its original building in the country. The pressed tin ceiling and the late nineteenth century bar along with the intricate woodwork behind the bar, are all from the building's transformation into the Worthen House in 1898. A few notable patrons are said to have included Edgar Allan Poe, Jack Kerouac, and Jimmy Breslin. In 1989, "Lowell's Oldest," which is on the National Register of Historic Places and located in the heart of the National Historical Park, was restored. Sounds pretty neat, right? In its own way, it is. The old fan system, the hidden liquor storage in the wall, the tin ceiling. I guess The Worthen could be compared to old bars and pubs in Downtown Boston, the Chart House on Long Wharf or the Union Oyster House. A boston girl at heart, I have to admit that the Worthen is very different than the historic Boston bar scene. Granted, having been to the Worthen a total of, I don't know, like 2 or 3 times, I still have to digest it some more. From what I gather, people in Dracut, Lowell and the surrounding area seem to think that the Worthen is some God-like place. Then again, I'm a net promoter for all things Boston. True, it is in the center of Lowell, down the street from City Hall, surrounded by other historic establishments, all of different measure. But, the thing that most intrigues me about the Worthen is the night life. When you enter the Worthen, yes, you are taking a step back in time which is pretty freaking cool. Then after you have taken a look around and have grabbed a beer, you head up the narrow staircase (remember, this place is old) to where the local bands are playing, pay the $5 cover to the guy who looks like Belushi's Samurai and discover that there is yet another bar on location (score). Because really, who wants to walk down that flight of stairs to keep getting more beer? It will then only be a matter of time before you fall down the narrow staircase giving yourself a broken arm, cracked collar bone, various bumps and bruises and not to mention a wicked headache. My last trip to the Worthen was interesting. It was right after Christmas and just before New Years. If there ever was a motley crew, the Worthen crowd would be it. College students home for the holiday break, meeting up with friends over a few beers and feeding off everyones gossip. Of course, this includes jocks (cause everyone loves to hate jocks) decked in Abercrombie and girly girls with Uggs (again, everyone loves to hate em). Druggies and stoners who have coke and God knows what else, practically written on their face. Ozzy-obsessed rockers who have seen better days or have yet to see a better day, are chumming up to the house band players because they think they are something special and it is the closest they will ever get to being a groupie. Artsy, troubled individuals who are still trying to find themselves and exude the "I am so bored I could totally be doing something else right now" attitude. Or, the artsy individual swimming in patchulli with their greasy dreads pulled back into a big greasy dread ball on the top of their heads who are jamming out to the music but find themselves moving in slow motion because at every second of the day they are totally tuned in with Mother Earth. Skater boys with army caps and interesting tattoos, chilling back with a Pabst who are probably really good in bed. Girls stuck in the 80s and guys stuck in the 90s, but with a weird 2007 flair to them. And finally, the average schmoes with a decent job, moving up in their lives but yet are hanging on to what their earlier years had supplied them with. The girly girls are eyeing the skater boys who could give two shits about their Uggs and have no problem admitting the fact that these girls are worthless to them and the girls are wondering why they are being ignored. The jocks are talking sports and eyeing the girly girls and the druggies are keeping a close eye on the bathroom. The rockers are eyeing the schmoes, secretly looking for a way out and another beer. The artsy troubled guy in the dark trench coat is still trying to figure out where else he wants to be and the average shmoes are realizing that maybe they should be at a different bar. For a $5 cover, this was some serious entertainment. All in all, the Worthen has its charms and not so charming people. It will require a few more trips to see what it's all about. It's no LIR, but hey, it beats O'Hara's any day. read more

Ever since I was little, I've heard stories of this magical place called the Worthen. My mom calls it the "Worthing" and my sister Katie always corrects her with " MA, ITS THE WORTHEN." Anyways, a few months ago I went to check it out. I was only there for a little bit.. but they had $2 PBRs.. which is why I gave it four stars. I'll head back there sometime soon.. and really soak it all in... read more

History here, went on a holiday, decent beer selection, only a few patrons but I will be back, I love the atmosphere

Great Dive Bar! Drinks are cheap and they have Keno! They could use bigger TVs but the atmosphere is casual and relaxed. read more

Every now and then you need to visit a DIVE, so you appreciate the finer things in life...I remember when Arthur worked there and there was a concrete wall built next to it as it leaned. My dog slipped in and watched me drink a beer in the 70's while I was a student at ULowell. Oh, rumor has it Poe drank here. read more

This is my kind of "hole in the wall" with a ton of character. Being from out of town, this is a great place to feel surrounded by the Boston culture. Only a few ppl here on a Sunday night and the Celtics game is on, everyone's talking about their Ash Wednesday plans and St. Patrick Day plans in the same sentence. I feel a sense of home here with fellow Catholics at the local bar. read more

Amazing place to have a drink and have conversation with great people. First time to the city, once I come back I will stop by this place again for sure. Cheers to the Bartender, she is beautiful and to everyone one here read more

Good old style vintage bar. Has oldest working belt driven fan system. Cash only. Good bar apps. Friendly service. Free parking across the street. read more

Dirty old Lowell, at its finest. I love it here. Its the Goldilocks of Lowell bars. The crowd is not to young, not too old. Not at all fancy, but not too trashy (usually). It balances out the scale of 'not at all nice, but not too too divey' by earning a few extra points with its historical attributes. I have heard that it retains the 'oldest belt-pully driven fan system' in the country; its pretty cool to see, just look up! I have also heard Jack Kerouac and Edgar Allen Poe both had wet their whistles here. None of these tidbits of history have been authenticated by me. But I believe them. The pictures hanging on the walls are downright spooky, especially the one at the bottom of the staircase. $2 PBRs and a pretty much open juke box, how can you go wrong? And when they close, you can walk across the street to the all night diner for some grub. Its perfect! read more

I went here once and didn't venture upstairs but I wasn't impressed at all and I love dive bars. It's TINY, it was drafty, boring (i.e.: No vibe). Maybe if the right crowd or a fantastic live band is there it's fun but I won't be back again unless I know that crowds going to be there. read more

Maybe the most well-known dive bar in Lowell? Yea. I don't really care for the bar scene much anymore, but on the rare occasion I want a lot of cheap beers with a lot of friends, this is the place. Gets really noisy inside when it's packed, but there's a good-sized outside area for smoking and hanging out. read more

It's a historical landmark for the beltfans. It's all about the beltfans, just ask the friendly staff to turn on the beltfans for you. Cheap food and booze also keno. After a fierce Lowell Devils match have a pint, some spicy fries and enjoy the refreshment provided by the beltfans. read more

I love a good dive bar, this place was great, open since 1834. Tiny place was packed, servers were friendly and in complete control. Food was good, prices were also nice. I recommend everyone who visits Lowell, come in and at least have a pint or two. I may live 1,300 miles away but I will be back. read more

Absolute dump, I would not step foot into this establishment ever again. I can't believe anyone could write a positive review. Bartenders must give out $1 beers for yelp reviews. Definitely won't help them though read more

this place is sort of a dive bar, but really great bartenders. always something going on in here and the service is awesome. they even made me hot dogs once and boiled them in beer. ballers. again, remember, it's kind of a dive, so it is dated and a bit musty... bathrooms aren't the nicest... long story short, you want a fun night, this place is a good spot for it. read more

A classic dive bar known more for it's history than anything it does currently. Hang out often enough and you'll definitely collect at least a couple of good bar stories. Rowdy but safe, even on the Wednesday open mic. read more

This place is an awesome lunch place excellent quality food and very helpful service. The only place I've seen in Lowell that had Boar's Head Products. read more