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Joey Arcari’s beloved Southie haunt the Playwright closed this August, but the space (658 E Broadway, South Boston) didn’t remain dormant for long: Earlier this month, Arcari opened the Punk & Poet in its place.
Derek Alten, the director of emerging brands for Arcari’s Tavern in the Square Restaurant Group, said that the Punk & Poet is meant to function as an updated version of the Playwright.
“It’s a refresh, a different concept,” said Alten. “We wanted to reintroduce ourselves to our ever-changing neighborhood.”
The ownership hasn’t changed — Arcari and Julian Bolger are still at the helm of the Punk & Poet — and reactions to the new establishment have been great, according to Alten.
“It’s been phenomenal. We’ve been lucky because the neighborhood has been open to the new concept. Guests have especially enjoyed the scratch kitchen and our craft drinks list.”
The menu is comprised of bar-friendly dishes like wings, Buffalo cauliflower, a flank steak and blue cheese salad, a stuffed meatball casserole, and fish and chips. To drink: a small selection of wines; local and non-local beers, most of which cost $6.50 or under; cocktails, such as the Tea Thyme (black tea-infused vodka with lavender, honey syrup, lemon, and thyme); and beer mixers, such as the Snake Bite (Harp lager and Magners cider).
As hinted at by the name, the Punk & Poet’s vibe includes punk music (not to mention employees clad in punk band t-shirts).
At the moment, the Punk & Poet offers an all-day menu, but the team plans to begin brunch service next weekend (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays). Overall hours are 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays (except for Fridays, when it opens at 11 a.m.) and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends, with dinner served until 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and until 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. No reservations.
• The Punk & Poet Is Opening on Thursday [CIS]
• The Punk & Poet: A Review [CIS]
• Update: The Playwright in South Boston Is Being Replaced by The Punk & Poet [BRT]
• The Punk & Poet [Official Site]
