Irish Pubs in Boston | Boston's Hidden Restaurants
Irish Pubs in the Greater Boston Area
People in Boston who frequent Irish pubs know about the more popular pubs such as The Burren in Somerville, The Black Rose and Ned Devine's in Boston, Doyle's in Jamaica Plain, and Matt Murphy's in Brookline. But if you are looking for a place to have a pint or two, these Irish pubs are often crowded. So what are some of the more hidden Irish pubs in Boston and the surrounding area? Below you will find some of the better ones that are generally lesser-known. Pick one of these fine Irish pubs, head down there for a pint of Guinness or Harp, and have fun! (Note: This Irish Pubs in Boston page is part of our restaurant features section.)
- Irish Pubs in Boston
- Clery's
- Emmet's Pub
- Kennedy's
- M.J. O'Connor's
- Kitty O'Shea's
- Solas Bar
- Irish Pubs in Boston's Neighborhoods
- Blarney Stone
- Corrib Pub
- Green Briar
- Irish Village
- James's Gate
- The Playwright
- Irish Pubs in Cambridge and Somerville
- The Druid
- The Field
- Olde Magoun's Saloon
- PJ Ryan's
- Thirsty Scholar
- Spirit
- Irish Pubs in the Suburbs of Boston
- Bad Abbot's
- Beckett's
- Dunn-Gaherin's
- O'Leary's
- Hugh O'Neill's
- The Skellig
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Irish Pubs in Boston
Clery's
113 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 262-9874
A cozy little restaurant and pub where the Back Bay meets the South End, Clery's is a low-key place where people in the neighborhood often head to for pub food, full dinners, and drinks after work. Clery's also has a fireplace, making it a great pub to go to in the winter.
top of pageEmmet's Pub
6 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 742-8565
Hidden away in the urban canyons of downtown Boston between Beacon Hill and Downtown Crossing, Emmet's is a quiet little restaurant and pub that is relatively unknown to locals and tourists alike. This unassuming spot caters mainly to State House workers, Suffolk University students, and people who work in the nearby buildings.
top of pageKennedy's
42 Province Street, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 426-3333
Kennedy's may be located only a minute or two from Downtown Crossing, but it is off the beaten track on a quiet side street, making this pub a bit of a hidden gem. A bit more upscale and classy than many of Boston's Irish pubs, Kennedy's serves excellent dinners along with pints of stout and ale.
top of pageM.J. O'Connor's
27 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 482-2255
Another upscale Irish pub, M.J. O'Connor's is located in a hotel just south of Boston Common. Not many people know about this quiet little dining spot and bar, which is a shame since some of Boston's tastiest burgers are served at M.J. O'Connor's.
top of pageKitty O'Shea's
131 State Street, Boston, MA 02109
(617) 725-0100
One of Boston's more authentic Irish pubs, Kitty O'Shea's is a classic spot located a couple of minutes south of Quincy Market. From it's good food and classy atmosphere to its traditional Irish music, Kitty O'Shea's is a can't-miss spot for lovers of traditional Irish pubs.
top of pageSolas Bar
710 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 536-5300
Solas, a tiny Back Bay pub, is located in the Lenox Hotel, and was in fact, formerly a Sam Adams brew pub. People come to Solas to enjoy the fine Irish stouts and ales while observing the sometimes frenetic pace of Boylston Street just outside the pub.
top of pageIrish Pubs in Boston's Neighborhoods
Blarney Stone
1505 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02122
(617) 436-8223
A stylish, modern Irish pub in one of Boston's most close-knit neighborhoods, the Blarney Stone is a place to come for Irish and American cuisine, as well as pints of your favorite beer. The Blarney Stone also has an outdoor patio for those warm summer nights in Beantown.
top of pageCorrib Pub
2030 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132
(617) 469-4177
There is more than one Corrib Pub, but the one in West Roxbury is a classic Boston restaurant and bar. Unpretentious and comfortable, the Corrib has decent pub grub and excellent beers, and it is a favorite of softball players who play ball around the corner from the pub during the summer.
top of pageGreen Briar
301 Washington Street, Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 789-4100
The Green Briar is a multi-room complex with terrific Irish entertainment and a sometimes boisterous crowd. Located in Brighton Center, The Green Briar, as well as another branch of The Corrib (see above) is very popular with those who live in this bustling Boston neighborhood.
top of pageIrish Village
224 Market Street, Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 787-5427
A classic traditional Irish pub just north of Brighton Center, the Irish Village is a great place to dine on pub food while sipping from one of the best-poured pints of Guinness in the Boston area. No frills here, just good food, good pints, and the cozy, comfortable surroundings you might find in a rural Irish pub.
top of pageJames's Gate
5 McBride Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 983-2000
One of the best pubs in Boston, James's Gate is a classic Irish bar. The almost ancient atmosphere inside gives this Jamaica Plain watering hole the feel of a rural pub in Ireland. James's Gate also has tremendous food, including outstanding burgers.
top of pageThe Playwright
658 East Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 269-2537
The Playwright is a classy-looking, slightly upscale Irish pub in Boston that nevertheless is very unpretentious and frequented by the locals in Southie. A full menu includes some excellent entrees at The Playwright, which is a great place to come for a dinner, a snack, or simply a few pints of Guinness.
top of pageIrish Pubs in Cambridge and Somerville
The Druid
1357 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 497-0965
Dark, moody, and bare-bones, The Druid is the perfect Irish pub to some to on a rainy day. Pub food is excellent at The Druid, including the outstanding steak tips that they serve at this Inman Square bar. Not many people know about The Druid, so if you aren't into crowds, this may be the pub for you.
top of pageThe Field
20 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 354-7345
The Field is another somewhat stark, moody Irish pub in Cambridge (see also The Druid above). And much like The Druid this Central Square pub is a terrific place to come to on a rainy day when you want to hang out for a few hours with a few friends and some pints.
top of pageOlde Magoun's Saloon
518 Medford Street, Somerville, MA 02142
(617) 776-2600
Situated in a part of Somerville that used to have its share of rather sketchy bars, Olde Magoun's Saloon is an airy, attractive spot where you can enjoy a pint of stout and a light meal while watching a game or gazing out the large windows. The menu is a bit more extensive than you might expect at this watering hole, with everything from French dip to chicken curry to Cuban sandwiches.
top of pagePJ Ryan's
239 Holland Street, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-8200
PJ Ryan's, an increasingly popular Irish pub in the Teele Square section of Somerville, is a good alternative to the often overcrowded Burren, which is just down the road in Davis Square. PJ Ryan's has a large beer selection, as well as full dinners and lighter fare.
top of pageSpirit
2046 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 868-1555
Perhaps more of an American pub in feel than a traditional Irish pub, Spirit nonetheless is an Irish pub at its heart, with several Irish ales and stouts offered, excellent pub food, and a great Guinness sign (almost more like a Guinness streetlight) in the middle of the place.
top of pageThe Thirsty Scholar
70 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 497-2294
Upscale and fairly roomy, The Thirsty Scholar is just far enough away from all the bustling squares in Somerville and Cambridge that many people don't even know it is here. But this Irish pub does get crowded sometimes, as people from nearby Harvard University and the local neighborhood flock here for the decent food and good selection of Irish ales and stouts.
top of pageIrish Pubs in the Suburbs of Boston
Bad Abbot's
1546 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 774-1434
A somewhat hidden Irish pub and restaurant that is located behind the stores on Hancock Street in the center of Quincy, Bad Abbot's is a good place to go on the South Shore for Irish entertainment and traditional Irish food and drink. Bad Abbot's has the genuine feel of many Irish pubs in Galway or Dublin.
top of pageBeckett's
1065 Main Street (Route 1A), Walpole, MA 02081
(508) 668-1191
Beckett's is a large, comfortable restaurant and watering hole that feels a bit more family-friendly than some of the other Irish pubs on this list. It appears to be a completely unknown place (except to those who live in Walpole), but the food is very good, the service is friendly, and the vibe is mellow and low-key.
top of pageDunn-Gaherin's
344 Elliot Street, Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464
(617) 527-6271
An authentic Irish pub in Newton Upper Falls? You bet! The front of Dunn-Gaherin's is a loud, bustling bar area where people hang out with pints of Guinness and other beverages, while the dining area in the back is for patrons who get to choose from some very good dinners as well as standard pub food.
top of pageO'Leary's
1010 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 734-0049
O'Leary's is a laid-back pub on a stretch of Beacon Street that it often overlooked by food lovers. Situated about midway between Fenway Park and Coolidge Corner, this dark but attractive Irish pub has traditional Irish food plus some comfort food dishes that are more American in nature. Don't expect a wild time at O'Leary's, but if you're looking for quiet conversation, this friendly little spot may be your place.
top of pageHugh O'Neill's
45 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148
(781) 338-9977
An often overlooked place located a few miles north of Boston in Malden Center, Hugh O'Neill's has everything you would want in an Irish pub, from good dinners and pub food to well-poured pints of Guinness to a wide selection of other beers and ales to a warm, comfortable atmosphere.
top of pageThe Skellig
240 Moody Street, Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 647-0679
The Skellig is an Irish pub that is located on restaurant row in Waltham Center. The people who own the Burren in Somerville also own the Skellig, and indeed, they do look a bit similar, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The Skellig is known in particular for its terrific Irish entertainment.
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