Who’s on First at Fenway Park Is Closing

Yawkey Way photo by Photomaxmtl on Flickr/Creative Commons

Who’s on First, a longtime Fenway establishment plagued by a string of violent incidents, is closing its doors forever.

Red Sox President Sam Kennedy told a room full of Fenway residents Tuesday that the bar will close, but did not provide a specific date. The Red Sox later confirmed via email that the bar has been closed since the Thanksgiving shooting death of 29-year-old Jephthe Chery. The bar is not expected to reopen.

Chery’s murder was the second major violent incident at the bar last fall. In September, two women were shot non-fatally outside the bar. The licensing board later found the incidents did not involve a violation of Who’s on First’s liquor license.

In 2011, the bar was the location of a major brawl that ended with multiple arrests and injuries.

Open since 1979, Who’s on First has long been a popular spot for nightclub goers and Red Sox fans after games, but in recent years the bar has become a problem for police.

As far back as 2001, the bar has been called at least eight times to appear before the city’s licensing board to address violations and violence. A review found there have been at least eight violent incidents at the bar since 1991, three of which were so serious they resulted in the suspension of Who’s on First’s liquor license. Overall, the bar has had its license suspended 12 times for violations.

A call to Who’s on First for comment was not returned.