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A perfect pint of Guinness on the table inside a pub in Dublin, Ireland, on February 12, 2023. — The Irish pub staple.

Boston’s Most Essential Irish Pubs

Grab a pint or three at one of these great bars

by Terrence Doyle and Erika Adams Updated Mar 10, 2023, 12:51pm EST

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The Irish pub staple.

| Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

by Terrence Doyle and Erika Adams Updated Mar 10, 2023, 12:51pm EST

This shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone: Boston’s got some good Irish bars. From Brighton to Dorchester to Jamaica Plain, Boston drinkers will have no problem trying to find a glass of Guinness or a Bushmills, neat. Some of these bars are great for the big game, and some are great for a plate of bangers and mash. All of these bars are great for grabbing a pint. Here are 17 of the best Irish bars in and around Boston.

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The Burren

One of two Davis Square stops on the Irish pub tour. There’s live music daily, from Irish to Americana to bluegrass brunches. Vegetarians, take note: The Burren offers a meatless version of its shepherd’s pie, among other vegetarian- and vegan-friendly options.

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247 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144

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The exterior of the Burren in Somerville’s Davis Square, painted black with bright red doors and window frames — A classic Davis Square haunt.

Sligo Pub

After some Irish music, exit the Burren and enter the Sligo Pub, which claims to hold the oldest liquor license in Davis Square. The decades-old pub is a true dive, so drink something brown (and drink it neat). Bushmills or Jameson, obviously.

237 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144

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Exterior of a bar. A faded brown sign reads Sligo Pub in white text; it’s on a light brick wall. There’s a strip of forest green wood above the door and large windows, which have white frames. — Sligo Pub in Davis Square.

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Tavern at the End of the World

If a better name for a bar exists, we have yet to hear it. The Tavern at the End of the World has it all: solid pub food, over 50 beers on tap, live Irish music, and occasional karaoke. (If you’re looking for a blowout night with a group, the owners rent out a $1,000-per-night Airbnb upstairs.)

108 Cambridge St, Charlestown, MA 02129

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The Druid

At the Druid, an Inman Square staple, get the mussels or the Irish seafood stew — and definitely the fish and chips. And some Irish whiskey. And some beers. Catch traditional Irish music three times a week, too.

1357 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

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Dark green exterior of a bar with bright red trim and a long vertical sign above the door that says the Druid — The Druid has a pretty exterior.

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The Plough and Stars

The Plough and Stars has been operating since 1968 or 1969 (it’s still up for debate), and it’s been in the O’Malley family since the 1970s. The Ploughshares literary journal was founded there, and it’s rumored that Van Morrison wrote parts of his masterwork Astral Weeks there, too. There’s live music almost every night — a variety of genres — and a hearty pub menu (try the fried fish sandwich).

912 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

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Looking up at a bar sign from almost underneath it. It’s a dark rectangle with light print that says Plough and Stars with a line drawing of a plough and stars. — The Plough is a Cambridge classic.

Also featured in:

Where to Eat and Drink in Cambridge’s Central Square

Ned Devine's

Ned Devine’s is the Disneyland version of an Irish bar (especially if Disneyland were filled with drunk kids from the North Shore). It’s over the top and corny, but sometimes over the top and corny can be fun. Go on a weekday afternoon after buying socks at Uniqlo.

1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109

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The Black Rose

Ah, the Black Rose. A very beautiful facade. Four decades of getting people drunk. Live music seven nights a week. How does the saying go? When in Faneuil Hall...

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160 State St, Boston, MA 02109

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Exterior view of a bar, with the light stone corner of the building centered in view. Both the left and the right sides of the bar have a green exterior and black signage with the Black Rose written in gold — A Faneuil Hall classic.

Mr. Dooley's

Mr. Dooley’s, open since 1991, is located very close to the New England Aquarium. Have a few pints, and then wander over and watch a bunch of cute seals swim around looking for some fish treats to snack on. And then go back to Dooley’s — the live music schedule is jam-packed.

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77 Broad St, Boston, MA 02109

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Irish Village

One could do an exclusively Irish booze crawl through Brighton. Decades-old Irish Village should be the first or last stop.

224 Market St, Brighton, MA 02135

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Dark wooden exterior of a bar with signage that reads Irish Village in gold, in an old-fashioned font — One of several fine Irish pubs in Brighton.

Also featured in:

Where to Find Greater Boston’s Essential Dive Bars

Porter Belly's

Exit Irish Village, steady yourself, and walk up Market toward Washington. Hang a left, and head to Porter Belly’s. Sink a Guinness, and watch some soccer or rugby, whichever is on the TV.

338 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135

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Light brick exterior of a bar with black signage that readers Porter Belly’s in gold on black — Porter Belly’s is the second stop on any Brighton Irish pub crawl.

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Lansdowne Pub

Tucked in the shadow of the stadium on Lansdowne Street, this Irish pub is a Fenway staple. Sure, you’ll have to fight the crowds on game day, but go also for the glittering drag brunches and live music every night of the week.

9 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215

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A glittering gold and green sign spelling out the name of the pub, with Fenway Park visible in the background. — The Lansdowne Pub.

J.J. Foley's Cafe

A map of Boston’s best Irish bars would be incomplete without J.J. Foley’s Cafe. It’s been around for more than a century, and it’s the South End’s best option for solid pub grub. The bartenders also wear white shirts with ties tucked into the space between the middle buttons, which is a charming touch.

117 E Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02118

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A green and gold sign hanging off the side of a building that reads “J.J. Foley’s Cafe.” — J.J. Foley’s Cafe.

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Murphy’s Law

Murphy’s Law is a freestanding dive bar on the corner of Summer Street and East First Street in South Boston. Avoid it during the St. Patrick’s Day parade; stop by for a pint of Guinness or a bottle of Magners on a less hectic/sloppy day.

837 Summer St, Boston, MA 02127

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The red exterior of a dive bar with murphy’s law in an Irish-style gold font. — A true dive bar.

Brendan Behan Pub

If you’re ever getting tattooed at Fat Ram’s Pumpkin Tattoo and need to find an ATM to grab cash, head to the Behan. Also, head to the Behan after getting the tattoo — there are few more satisfying ways to spend the time directly after getting stabbed by a needle for a few hours than by downing a few pints. And there are few better places in the city to down a few pints than the Behan, named for the Irish poet, playwright, and author.

378 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

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Black exterior of a bar with a red door and red trim around the large front window. Brendan Behan Pub is written in a gold font across the top of the one-story building. — A JP classic.

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The Banshee

The Banshee is especially worth a visit for drinkers interested in watching sports at an Irish bar. Especially soccer. Fair warning: It’s (mostly) a Chelsea bar. But it’s also sort of an Everton bar. And a Manchester United bar. And a Manchester City bar. What we’re saying is: Don’t go there if you support Liverpool.

934 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02125

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Black exterior of a bar with red signage that says the Banshee in gold font. — A great Dorchester sports bar.

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Eugene O'Neill's

Irish pub Eugene O’Neill’s was resuscitated this past summer after a five-year closure, and Boston is better for it. Head here for platters of fish and chips, piping hot shepherd’s pie, and wash it all down with a pint of Guinness.

Open in Google Maps

3700 Washington St, Boston, MA 02130

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A white plate with a dish of mashed potatoes over stew and two pieces of grilled bread. — A shepherd’s pie from Eugene O’Neill’s.

Eire Pub

Go for a hike in the Neponset River Reservation, and finish with a cold beverage at Eire Pub, one of Dorchester’s most historical pubs — it’s played host to many celebrities and politicians over the years. And yes, everyone’s welcome, despite the old signage declaring it a “men’s bar” and a “gentlemen’s prestige bar.”

795 Adams St, Boston, MA 02124

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The Eire Pub in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, MA on August 20, 2013. — The Eire Pub.

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The Burren

247 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144

One of two Davis Square stops on the Irish pub tour. There’s live music daily, from Irish to Americana to bluegrass brunches. Vegetarians, take note: The Burren offers a meatless version of its shepherd’s pie, among other vegetarian- and vegan-friendly options.

Open in Google Maps

247 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144

Visit Website

The exterior of the Burren in Somerville’s Davis Square, painted black with bright red doors and window frames — A classic Davis Square haunt.

Sligo Pub

237 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144

After some Irish music, exit the Burren and enter the Sligo Pub, which claims to hold the oldest liquor license in Davis Square. The decades-old pub is a true dive, so drink something brown (and drink it neat). Bushmills or Jameson, obviously.

237 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144

Visit Website

Exterior of a bar. A faded brown sign reads Sligo Pub in white text; it’s on a light brick wall. There’s a strip of forest green wood above the door and large windows, which have white frames. — Sligo Pub in Davis Square.

Tavern at the End of the World

108 Cambridge St, Charlestown, MA 02129

If a better name for a bar exists, we have yet to hear it. The Tavern at the End of the World has it all: solid pub food, over 50 beers on tap, live Irish music, and occasional karaoke. (If you’re looking for a blowout night with a group, the owners rent out a $1,000-per-night Airbnb upstairs.)

108 Cambridge St, Charlestown, MA 02129

Visit Website

The Druid

1357 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

At the Druid, an Inman Square staple, get the mussels or the Irish seafood stew — and definitely the fish and chips. And some Irish whiskey. And some beers. Catch traditional Irish music three times a week, too.

1357 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Visit Website

Dark green exterior of a bar with bright red trim and a long vertical sign above the door that says the Druid — The Druid has a pretty exterior.

The Plough and Stars

912 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

The Plough and Stars has been operating since 1968 or 1969 (it’s still up for debate), and it’s been in the O’Malley family since the 1970s. The Ploughshares literary journal was founded there, and it’s rumored that Van Morrison wrote parts of his masterwork Astral Weeks there, too. There’s live music almost every night — a variety of genres — and a hearty pub menu (try the fried fish sandwich).

912 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Visit Website

Looking up at a bar sign from almost underneath it. It’s a dark rectangle with light print that says Plough and Stars with a line drawing of a plough and stars. — The Plough is a Cambridge classic.

Ned Devine's

1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109

Ned Devine’s is the Disneyland version of an Irish bar (especially if Disneyland were filled with drunk kids from the North Shore). It’s over the top and corny, but sometimes over the top and corny can be fun. Go on a weekday afternoon after buying socks at Uniqlo.

1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109

Visit Website

The Black Rose

160 State St, Boston, MA 02109

Ah, the Black Rose. A very beautiful facade. Four decades of getting people drunk. Live music seven nights a week. How does the saying go? When in Faneuil Hall...

Open in Google Maps

160 State St, Boston, MA 02109

Visit Website

Exterior view of a bar, with the light stone corner of the building centered in view. Both the left and the right sides of the bar have a green exterior and black signage with the Black Rose written in gold — A Faneuil Hall classic.

Mr. Dooley's

77 Broad St, Boston, MA 02109

Mr. Dooley’s, open since 1991, is located very close to the New England Aquarium. Have a few pints, and then wander over and watch a bunch of cute seals swim around looking for some fish treats to snack on. And then go back to Dooley’s — the live music schedule is jam-packed.

Open in Google Maps

77 Broad St, Boston, MA 02109

Visit Website

Irish Village

224 Market St, Brighton, MA 02135

One could do an exclusively Irish booze crawl through Brighton. Decades-old Irish Village should be the first or last stop.

224 Market St, Brighton, MA 02135

Visit Website

Dark wooden exterior of a bar with signage that reads Irish Village in gold, in an old-fashioned font — One of several fine Irish pubs in Brighton.

Porter Belly's

338 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135

Exit Irish Village, steady yourself, and walk up Market toward Washington. Hang a left, and head to Porter Belly’s. Sink a Guinness, and watch some soccer or rugby, whichever is on the TV.

338 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135

Visit Website

Light brick exterior of a bar with black signage that readers Porter Belly’s in gold on black — Porter Belly’s is the second stop on any Brighton Irish pub crawl.

Lansdowne Pub

9 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215

Tucked in the shadow of the stadium on Lansdowne Street, this Irish pub is a Fenway staple. Sure, you’ll have to fight the crowds on game day, but go also for the glittering drag brunches and live music every night of the week.

9 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215

Visit Website

A glittering gold and green sign spelling out the name of the pub, with Fenway Park visible in the background. — The Lansdowne Pub.

J.J. Foley's Cafe

117 E Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02118

A map of Boston’s best Irish bars would be incomplete without J.J. Foley’s Cafe. It’s been around for more than a century, and it’s the South End’s best option for solid pub grub. The bartenders also wear white shirts with ties tucked into the space between the middle buttons, which is a charming touch.

117 E Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

A green and gold sign hanging off the side of a building that reads “J.J. Foley’s Cafe.” — J.J. Foley’s Cafe.

Murphy’s Law

837 Summer St, Boston, MA 02127

Murphy’s Law is a freestanding dive bar on the corner of Summer Street and East First Street in South Boston. Avoid it during the St. Patrick’s Day parade; stop by for a pint of Guinness or a bottle of Magners on a less hectic/sloppy day.

837 Summer St, Boston, MA 02127

Visit Website

The red exterior of a dive bar with murphy’s law in an Irish-style gold font. — A true dive bar.

Brendan Behan Pub

378 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

If you’re ever getting tattooed at Fat Ram’s Pumpkin Tattoo and need to find an ATM to grab cash, head to the Behan. Also, head to the Behan after getting the tattoo — there are few more satisfying ways to spend the time directly after getting stabbed by a needle for a few hours than by downing a few pints. And there are few better places in the city to down a few pints than the Behan, named for the Irish poet, playwright, and author.

378 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Visit Website

Black exterior of a bar with a red door and red trim around the large front window. Brendan Behan Pub is written in a gold font across the top of the one-story building. — A JP classic.

The Banshee

934 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02125

The Banshee is especially worth a visit for drinkers interested in watching sports at an Irish bar. Especially soccer. Fair warning: It’s (mostly) a Chelsea bar. But it’s also sort of an Everton bar. And a Manchester United bar. And a Manchester City bar. What we’re saying is: Don’t go there if you support Liverpool.

934 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02125

Visit Website

Black exterior of a bar with red signage that says the Banshee in gold font. — A great Dorchester sports bar.

Related Maps

Eugene O'Neill's

3700 Washington St, Boston, MA 02130

Irish pub Eugene O’Neill’s was resuscitated this past summer after a five-year closure, and Boston is better for it. Head here for platters of fish and chips, piping hot shepherd’s pie, and wash it all down with a pint of Guinness.

Open in Google Maps

3700 Washington St, Boston, MA 02130

Visit Website

A white plate with a dish of mashed potatoes over stew and two pieces of grilled bread. — A shepherd’s pie from Eugene O’Neill’s.

Eire Pub

795 Adams St, Boston, MA 02124

Go for a hike in the Neponset River Reservation, and finish with a cold beverage at Eire Pub, one of Dorchester’s most historical pubs — it’s played host to many celebrities and politicians over the years. And yes, everyone’s welcome, despite the old signage declaring it a “men’s bar” and a “gentlemen’s prestige bar.”

795 Adams St, Boston, MA 02124

Visit Website

The Eire Pub in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, MA on August 20, 2013. — The Eire Pub.

Related Maps