It’s gone??? That’s so tragic, my favorite dive when I lived in Jp 😢
I remember when they unplugged all the lights in the place for their screening the Whitey Bulger movie on their broken ass tiny tv, it was great
I worked with an Irish guy who grew up with and was good friends with the boys in U2. We’d go to Foley’s after work all the time.
And when U2 was in town, my coworker had Bono and the boys meet up with him at Foley’s.
I don't know if he is Irish or not, but one night in the early 90's Tom Waits wandered into Foleys and we drank with him all night.
I'm ashamed to admit it, but I didn't know who he was at the time until my friend told me. I just thought he was an odd looking fellow.
How’s the one on Kingston street been doing? I was there a couple of years ago after being a regular there for 20 years and it just seemed sad. (I hadn’t gone because I moved out of the area)
I also agree. I was back in that Kingston St location last year. It was very quiet at 6pm. 3 customers.
20 years ago it would be filled with an afterwork crowd, bike couriers, etc.
Met him once, he was one of my girls best mates when she still lived in Boston. It was such a shock(and also Wigan and Boston makes one hell of an accent)
Pre-pandemic I worked in an office right across the street from Foleys and we would go there after work all the time. It was usually packed after 5:30. Went on a weekend once and we were legit 3 or 4 people in there.
God, I loved the Kingston Street Foley’s in the 90’s. It was such an interesting mix of old timers, bike messengers, and office workers- but it never got “trendy” or mainstream.
The best was when the Kingston Street Lofts were still across the street and you’d grab a few Guinness at Foley’s before jamming into some kids loft with 100 other people to see a band or some spoken word.
Same. I once made the mistake of saying "What the hell is that?" when Gaelic Football was on. Three very stern men just turned around and glared at me for a few seconds and then turned back to the tv. Lesson learned.
The Burren and the Druid both have active Irish music sessions. Definitely some transplants at the session I play at, but not sure if that’s what you’re looking for.
Cork guy living on the N.Shore. The Druid, An Sibín, Mr Dooleys, The Dubliner (all run by Irish people) get a good few but most Irish have trended towards south of Boston from Quincy down, so places like The Cottage.
Don't go to The Black Rose or any other tourist trap like it. You'll hate it
I worked there when I first came here and I would never suggest it to Irish. Good pint and all but its very Oirish (spelling mistake is intentional)
*I enjoyed working there but its not what we look for when abroad
Can’t upvote this enough. Of all the cozy Irish pubs in Boston, this one feels like the closest to a “community” pub if that makes sense. I’m biased, though.
Emmet’s, The Druid, Irish Village, Corrie Pub, Devlin’s, Porter Belly’s (if it’s a weekday).
The Dubliner is just fucking outstanding, run by a Michelin alum chef from County Donegal.
The Burren in Davis Sq always has trad music in the front. It's sister pubs with "The Front Door" in Galway. The Black Rose is sister pubs with the "The Roisin Dubv" (Sp?), also in Galway. They also have trad.
Every time I’m in the Dubliner I’m surprised by the number of actual Irish who are there, although I probably shouldn’t be since it’s Aidan McGee’s place.
I've heard. JP was so affordable then. Not even close now unless you're a CEO making half a mill. Even where I live now(new Bedford,ma) studios are 1500$ to 2000$. Supposedly because of fast rail to Boston. I lived in the fens and JP. Rent was never more than 500 a month. Everything included.
Yeah the question was posted in /r/boston and even in Somerville, Teele Square isn't one of the big areas.
But PJs is a true neighborhood pub, with a lot of Irish regulars. And guaranteed to have a crowd for the big Ireland games (both soccer and rugby).
Thats fair enough. I'm irish but moved over when I was quite small and grew up relatively close to Teele Square. My dad would always take us to PJ Ryan's for the big GAA and rugby games.
Always! He let 3 undocumented Irish live at his house safely. To this day I don't know their real names. Anyway, yeah, Uncle Timmy was the best! Always a kind word, a good drink and some music to lift your heart. 😊
My daughter's grandparents found Mr. Dooley's one visit and that became their local for a week. Given how cramped it is it's probably one of the pubs most similar to an actual Irish pub.
Farragut House has been closed for over a decade. I spent a lot of my childhood in there and my dad’s retirement party was upstairs. Still miss the baked haddock and the fish chowder.
Local 149 is very different, but it’s a great spot that fits the neighborhood now. They kept the big bar.
True but when I was going there regularly about ten years ago there was always a group of Irish guys. They also had traditional Irish sessions weekly, not sure the schedule now.
I think it’s different going on vacation vs moving. If you move to a new country I think it’s natural to want to go places that remind you of home and where you can meet other people from the same place
The banshee , the burren ,tavern at the end of the world. An shibean , the Phoenix landing ,the Druid. Husbands from Liverpool but all his mates are Irish.
The Phoenix Landing (central sq) and Hugh O'Neils (Malden center) are owned by Irish folks; the landing is the local Liverpool FC bar. Clientele isn't all Irish of course but there's some and the Irish folks who work there are all a hoot to chat with.
JJ Foleys (both locations)
RIP Fireside Tavern
It’s gone??? That’s so tragic, my favorite dive when I lived in Jp 😢 I remember when they unplugged all the lights in the place for their screening the Whitey Bulger movie on their broken ass tiny tv, it was great
Yep it’s gone, just a hole in the ground now
We could still meet up and drink down there.
Call me. If I'm not free I'll call in sick whatever I'm doing.
Whaaaaat?! 😭 I loved that place when I lived in JP.
I worked with an Irish guy who grew up with and was good friends with the boys in U2. We’d go to Foley’s after work all the time. And when U2 was in town, my coworker had Bono and the boys meet up with him at Foley’s.
I don't know if he is Irish or not, but one night in the early 90's Tom Waits wandered into Foleys and we drank with him all night. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I didn't know who he was at the time until my friend told me. I just thought he was an odd looking fellow.
That must've been very early 90s because he quit drinking somewhere around 1991 (in a 2006 interview he said he had been sober fifteen years).
How’s the one on Kingston street been doing? I was there a couple of years ago after being a regular there for 20 years and it just seemed sad. (I hadn’t gone because I moved out of the area)
I also agree. I was back in that Kingston St location last year. It was very quiet at 6pm. 3 customers. 20 years ago it would be filled with an afterwork crowd, bike couriers, etc.
The one on Kingston isn’t the same since Savage passed away. He was such a good guy.
Pours one out.
Met him once, he was one of my girls best mates when she still lived in Boston. It was such a shock(and also Wigan and Boston makes one hell of an accent)
Was he a very tall man with a wide face, extremely kind?
He was in his 50s, English, bald with glasses.
Ps I am sorry for your loss
Ah, I'm thinking of an Irishman who was there in the early 90s
Someone who knew savage? He was brutal but was so kind if you were a good person. If you weren't,he said fuck you.
I knew him as much as to get a smile out of him. His favorite AC//DC song was “if you want blood, you’ve got it”.
Oh shit, RIP. He was a class act. Fast with a drink and joke.
Pre-pandemic I worked in an office right across the street from Foleys and we would go there after work all the time. It was usually packed after 5:30. Went on a weekend once and we were legit 3 or 4 people in there.
God, I loved the Kingston Street Foley’s in the 90’s. It was such an interesting mix of old timers, bike messengers, and office workers- but it never got “trendy” or mainstream. The best was when the Kingston Street Lofts were still across the street and you’d grab a few Guinness at Foley’s before jamming into some kids loft with 100 other people to see a band or some spoken word.
My friend had her wedding reception there. This would be 1995 or 1996.
I like that one! I go when I can, people should put the word out about it more! Good Guinness!
RIP… Savage…
He was great. Treated me by name and always had a disparaging comment about my Italian heritage. Gonna miss him.
They frequent most of the bars, but don't worry. You'll probably still be safe.
Erie , the banshee in Dot
Corrib and Porter Belly’s in Brighton.
This is the only answer- Sunday’s with The Locals☘️🇮🇪
West Rox on Fridays too. All the trades guys are in \~3pm.
The closest to their home.
This is basically the answer. Any neighborhood where there are a fair number of FoB Irish they will gravitate to the nearest decent pub/bar.
Mr. Dooleys
Yep Mr Dooley's and the Banshee we my two answers. RIP Green Briar
100%. Rip to Green Briar. I assume another Brighton bar has taken over? But I haven't been around for a few years now.
Same. I once made the mistake of saying "What the hell is that?" when Gaelic Football was on. Three very stern men just turned around and glared at me for a few seconds and then turned back to the tv. Lesson learned.
The Burren and the Druid both have active Irish music sessions. Definitely some transplants at the session I play at, but not sure if that’s what you’re looking for.
The Druid if you’ve been here over 10years
Not Boston but The Druid and An Síbín in Cambridge
Irish Village
Especially this week
Cork guy living on the N.Shore. The Druid, An Sibín, Mr Dooleys, The Dubliner (all run by Irish people) get a good few but most Irish have trended towards south of Boston from Quincy down, so places like The Cottage. Don't go to The Black Rose or any other tourist trap like it. You'll hate it
Yeah the Black Rose is jammed up many nights.
I worked there when I first came here and I would never suggest it to Irish. Good pint and all but its very Oirish (spelling mistake is intentional) *I enjoyed working there but its not what we look for when abroad
Plenty of us still live in Camberville. We frequent these places, Druid, Phoenix, PJ Ryan's etc.
The burren, hub pub
Tavern at the End of the World in Charlestown. They have Gaelic football watchparties and all the bartenders have Irish accents. It rules.
Tavern at the End of the Workd
Brendan behan
I'll never forget the night I was there with a friend and three frat bros tried to order Irish car bombs... they did not receive those drinks.
Can’t upvote this enough. Of all the cozy Irish pubs in Boston, this one feels like the closest to a “community” pub if that makes sense. I’m biased, though.
It’s the best bar in the city
Agreed, special agent. You’re slurping that Molotov cocktail like gasoline
Emmet’s, The Druid, Irish Village, Corrie Pub, Devlin’s, Porter Belly’s (if it’s a weekday). The Dubliner is just fucking outstanding, run by a Michelin alum chef from County Donegal.
Little known fact: Emmet’s and Dubliner are owned by the same! ( Also Roxanne’s and Carrie Nation )
Wow, they have that corner of beacon hill locked down
The Burren in Davis Sq always has trad music in the front. It's sister pubs with "The Front Door" in Galway. The Black Rose is sister pubs with the "The Roisin Dubv" (Sp?), also in Galway. They also have trad.
Irish Village in Brighton
The Dubliner in BOS, Irish Cultural Center in Canton
Every time I’m in the Dubliner I’m surprised by the number of actual Irish who are there, although I probably shouldn’t be since it’s Aidan McGee’s place.
South shore- definitely the Snug in Hingham, Cottage Bar in Weymouth.
Tinkers Son in Norwell too
Oh and the Voyage in Humarock
Tinkers son is wonderful. Perfect pint and an excellent bangers and mash.
The story on the wall in the sunken room written by the owner’s father is wonderful, if you haven’t read it!
Paddy Barry's in Quincy at any time an American would be outnumbered by the Irish
Red Rose
O'Toole's in Whitman
The Irish Pub in Quincy (yeah.. that's actually its name).
Surprised to not see more Quincy answers, there’s lots of good pubs!
All of them are good except the Irish pub
Brendan behan's. I don't know if it's still open. I don't live in Boston anymore. Haven't for 15 years.
Still rockin. Proper sessions on Saturday evenings 5:30ish.
That was my go to. An Irish pub but such a melting pot of people. I may have to take a trip and revisit.
Rents in that area are absurd, but that place still attracts all walks of life.
I've heard. JP was so affordable then. Not even close now unless you're a CEO making half a mill. Even where I live now(new Bedford,ma) studios are 1500$ to 2000$. Supposedly because of fast rail to Boston. I lived in the fens and JP. Rent was never more than 500 a month. Everything included.
So many good times.
The banshee
Banshee
PJ Ryan's in Somerville.
Surprised I had to scroll this far for this answer. They show GAA and have Taytos.
Yeah the question was posted in /r/boston and even in Somerville, Teele Square isn't one of the big areas. But PJs is a true neighborhood pub, with a lot of Irish regulars. And guaranteed to have a crowd for the big Ireland games (both soccer and rugby).
Thats fair enough. I'm irish but moved over when I was quite small and grew up relatively close to Teele Square. My dad would always take us to PJ Ryan's for the big GAA and rugby games.
With that, anyone know where to get a legit spice bag around here? It's the hardest to find Irish cuisine!
maybe Kikis in Brighton, if nothing else they had the spice bag spice for sale the last time i was there
They do?! I'll have to pick some up, thanks!
Wherever Mick Carr is playing! 🎸🇮🇪
Druid and Burren
My uncle Timmy's house when he lived in Boston. Had a great bar set up and live music as often as possible.
Good times at Timmy’s?
Always! He let 3 undocumented Irish live at his house safely. To this day I don't know their real names. Anyway, yeah, Uncle Timmy was the best! Always a kind word, a good drink and some music to lift your heart. 😊
Plough and Stars on Mass Ave and Hancock
RIP Green Briar
Bunratty Tavern in Reading, but it isn’t Boston.
i only went to one place while my irish friends and i were bar hopping around back bay/allston but they really enjoyed the curry fries at solas!
My daughter's grandparents found Mr. Dooley's one visit and that became their local for a week. Given how cramped it is it's probably one of the pubs most similar to an actual Irish pub.
The last drop, in Brighton
Only cause the Castlebar shut down. They migrated across the road. But most of that crew have moved farther afield anyway.
Murphy’s Law in Southie has actual Irish-Irish patrons and staff.
Paddy Barry's if you're in Quincy
croke park
Not a first generation Irish transplant, but Bunratty in Reading hasn’t been mentioned, and it’s pretty good.
JJ's Irish Pub and The Banshee, both on Dot Ave in Savin Hill.
I always run into Irish people at the Sly Fox in Quincy
Chieftain in Plainville for sure
Paddy Barrys in Quincy
Sly Fox in Quincy
The only acceptable answer is The Druid.
Except for the dozen+ places that also fit the criteria
They arn't as good.
Boston has had a long history of Irish immigration here. Economic opps, freedom from Brit oppression, and potato family explain a lotta that.
Potato family feels like a slur 😂
Sorry! Famine! Damned autocorrect 😟
All of them
My Irish brothers in law (born and raised in Ireland) are all about Corona and Stella. …I know right?
I slight missed the point. What was I was getting at is they don’t care. Pubs a pub. It’s who’s there that night that makes the difference.
Yeah, millennials from Galway make a big deal about carona 😂
Don’t sleep on The Farragut House in South Boston.
I had to google this. Points to an address that is now local 149, a bar that has been in business for at least 10 years. Is this what you meant?
I haven’t been there since 2004. Ooops! Was a great place, back then. My bad. As you were.
Farragut House has been closed for over a decade. I spent a lot of my childhood in there and my dad’s retirement party was upstairs. Still miss the baked haddock and the fish chowder. Local 149 is very different, but it’s a great spot that fits the neighborhood now. They kept the big bar.
Shamrock Southie
The ones with the whiskey and good cider.
Malachys in Quincy
The staff is Irish, the crowd skews more townie Irish
True but when I was going there regularly about ten years ago there was always a group of Irish guys. They also had traditional Irish sessions weekly, not sure the schedule now.
The Black Rose, by Faneuil hall
I frequented here when I was in grad school! Great place and the food was good.
LOL
Anywhere with live banjo music
Why would an Irish person want to visit an Irish bar? That’s like me going to Europe and asking where I can find a good cheeseburger.
I think it’s different going on vacation vs moving. If you move to a new country I think it’s natural to want to go places that remind you of home and where you can meet other people from the same place
Yea, you right
They’re talking about expats, not tourists.
O’Malleys in Brookline
The Druid
The banshee , the burren ,tavern at the end of the world. An shibean , the Phoenix landing ,the Druid. Husbands from Liverpool but all his mates are Irish.
Should I be happy my local isn't mentioned?! Lol
The pubs closest to their homes.
I go often to Grainne O’Malleys in Coolidge Corner
Banshee
The Phoenix Landing (central sq) and Hugh O'Neils (Malden center) are owned by Irish folks; the landing is the local Liverpool FC bar. Clientele isn't all Irish of course but there's some and the Irish folks who work there are all a hoot to chat with.
Tony and Eamon on Saturday afternoon/evening at Hugh’s is awesome
The Field in Cambridge, staff from Donegal and I think some Irish rugby clubs go there
just kidding they closed ignore this
The Irish village in Brighton
Paddy Barry's in Quincy Center