Boston’s Greatest Irish Pubs
Find your perfect pint at these consistent favorites—from classics like J.J. Foley's, to cozy spots like the Druid, to plenty of charming dives.
The Burren in Davis Square, Somerville. / Photo by Greta Jochem
The Irish pub is a prevalent style of watering hole in cities that aren’t home to huge populations of Irish descendants. It’s no surprise, then, that the Boston area abounds with treasured—and in many cases, downright historic—bars for bellying up and tipping back a perfectly poured pint of Guinness. Here we’ve selected the 16 coziest, most spirited places to stop for a chat and a brew. Whether there’s a live music session happening in a corner booth, a rugby match on the flatscreen, a roaring fireplace in the dining room, or simply a couple locals with thick brogues seated next to you, these Irish pubs offer truly authentic experiences.
Last updated in March 2024; watch for periodic updates.
The Banshee
A lively sports bar on Dorchester Avenue, the Banshee is the official home to several local chapters of international soccer supporters’ clubs; it’s also the most reliable place in town to watch rugby. On the culinary side, the pub doesn’t quite dig into Irish cuisine—you’ll find everything from steak and cheese egg rolls to burritos to pizza on the comfort food menu—but the cozy vibes and a good pour of Guinness certainly fit the bill.
934 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-436-9747, bansheeboston.com.
The Black Rose
If you are seeking an Irish pub near Faneuil Hall, stick to this spot that’s been properly pouring pints for close to 50 years. You’ll find a legendary tradition of live Irish music here, and the menu combines New England classics with Irish treats to serve a true taste of Boston. Swing by on a weekend morning for a full Irish breakfast.
160 State St., Downtown Boston, 857-465-4100, blackroseboston.com.
The Brendan Behan Pub
Best of Boston winner, 1990, 1991, 1994, 2002, 2004, 2008, and 2011
Portraits of Irish authors (including the namesake himself) adorn this watering hole, along with political and punk memorabilia fit for a Jamaica Plain local. The Behan has an extensive craft beer list and hosts regular food pop-ups—Rafa the Burrito Guy, for instance, appears on Wednesdays and Saturdays—for noshing on front and rear patios. Inside, the cash-only bar is dim, welcoming, and entirely unpretentious, and there’s live Irish music on Saturday evenings.
378 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston, 617-522-5386, brendanbehanjp.com.
The Burren
Irish musicians Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello founded the Burren over 25 years ago, and it’s been a bastion for traditional tunes ever since. You can catch nightly music sessions (as well as the occasional comedy set or trivia) in both the front and the back room, and the hearty food menu has something for everyone, including plenty of vegetarian options.
247 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville, 617-776-6896, burren.com.
Corrib Pub & Restaurant
There’s a sense of familiarity that fills this pair of neighborhood pubs in Brighton and West Roxbury, where the roaring fireplace is especially welcoming during colder months. The prime rib special, when available, is quintessential, old-school comfort food, but any day of the week there’s a full menu of pub grub that’s also friendly on the wallet.
396 Market St., Brighton, Boston, 617-787-0882; 2030 Centre St., West Roxbury, Boston, 617-469-4177; corribpub.com.
The Druid in Inman Square, Cambridge. / Photo by Greta Jochem
The Druid
Best of Boston winner, 2015
Come for the fish and chips, stay for everything else. Whether it’s Irish music sessions on Wednesdays and weekends, the small-but-mighty draft list, the amicable Irish bar staff, or the fascinating floating banshees above the bar, the Druid is the ultimate place to while away an afternoon or evening and feel truly transported.
1357 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge, 617-497-0965, druidpub.com.
The Dubliner’s day boat fish and chips. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
The Dubliner
Best of Boston winner, 2023
You might think this 2022 newcomer, steps from the Government Center T station, has been there forever; it’s shiny and attractive, sure, but it knows how to handle bustling crowds like a decades-old spot. The food is the star here, courtesy of chef and partner Aidan McGee, who worked his way through Michelin-starred restaurants in Great Britain. We promise not to highlight fish and chips everywhere on this guide, but this is another one you’ve got to try. (Plus, the Sunday roast.) There’s live music several nights a week, too.
2 Center Plz., Downtown Boston, 857-317-2695, thedublinerboston.com.
Emmets Irish Pub
Best of Boston winner, 2016 and 2022
This pub is the kind of place where Beacon Hill lawyers like to debrief over pints after billable hours are over. But you don’t need to be among the hungry after-work hordes to appreciate the traditional trappings and hearty, standout pub fare, including shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and a signature Guinness beef stew. The pints certainly runneth over here, but Emmets also takes a ton of pride in its Irish coffee, which spikes dark roast java with Tullamore Dew Irish whisky, raw sugar, and fresh cream.
6 Beacon St., Beacon Hill, Boston, 617-742-8565, emmetsirishpubandrestaurant.com.
Irish Village. / Courtesy photo
Irish Village
This welcoming bar, around since the 1970s, frequently switches up its draft lines with solid craft beer selections from Notch, Allagash, and more—including an excellent pull of Guinness. The only food options are toasties. For your entertainment, there’s a fun jukebox, darts, and ex-patriate Irish regulars who are as congenial as the small bar they sit around, plus live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
224 Market St., Brighton, Boston, 617-787-5427, facebook.com/irishvillageboston.
Jerry Foley, owner of over 100-year old family-owned South End pub J.J. Foley’s in 2013. / Photo by Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images
J.J. Foley’s Cafe
Another landmark Boston bar, J.J. Foley’s has been pouring pints in the South End for more than 100 years. It claims the title of the oldest family-run Irish pub in town. But the often-packed establishment doesn’t rest on its laurels, continuing to serve better-than-it-needs-to-be fare and rotating specials, like chicken piccata, bangers and mash with a fried egg, and spicy stuffed quahogs. (There’s a younger branch of the family tree downtown, but don’t ever get them confused.)
117 E. Berkeley St., South End, Boston, 617-728-0315, jjfoleyscafe.com.
L Street Tavern in South Boston. / Photo by Greta Jochem
L Street Tavern
This corner bar has the dark woodwork, stained glass details, and (often crowded) community atmosphere you’d expect from a classic Boston Irish pub, which is likely why the producers of Good Will Hunting chose to film some of the Oscar-winning movie there. As of March 2024, the pub is changing hands—owners Jack and Susan Woods are moving on after nearly three decades—but the plan is that it will “continue its neighborhood traditions” under new ownership.
658 E. 8th St., South Boston, 617-268-4335, woodyslstreet.com.
Mr. Dooley’s
In a crowded field of Irish-themed bars in downtown Boston, Mr. Dooley’s stands tall. Opened in 1991, it’s the first establishment by the late John Somers, who owned the Green Dragon, Paddy O’s, a South Shore Dooley’s outpost, and others. He was also a musician, so it’s natural that Dooley’s is a favorite site for fiddlers and whistlers to pop in for a session.
77 Broad St., Downtown Boston, 617-338-5656, mrdooleys.com.
The bar at Murphy’s Law in South Boston. / Photo by Greta Jochem
Murphy’s Law
Admittedly more dive-y than cozy, Murphy’s Law is still a great place for a pint of Guinness or Smithwick’s. It doesn’t offer the Irish comfort food you can find at other establishments, but the staff is friendly, the game is on, and the prices are more than agreeable. (Bring cash.) Plus, there are darts and other entertainment.
837 Summer St., South Boston, 617-269-6667, murphyslawbar.com.
Olde Magoun’s Saloon
This Magoun Square stalwart has plenty of what you want from an Irish pub: There’s Guinness beef stew, Irish chicken curry, nitro cold brew-based Irish coffee, and a deep list of Emerald Isle-made whiskeys, too. But Old Magoun’s is also a bit more modern than many of the other spots on this list and stands out as a great gastropub by any categorization. The strong selection of craft beers on draft pair well with oft-changing specials, and be sure to check out the mac and cheese, one of our local favorites.
518 Medford St., Magoun Square, Somerville, 617-776-2600, magounssaloon.com.
Plough & Stars
Best of Boston winner, 1984 and 2003
Since 1969, this Cambridge corner has hosted luminaries such as Seamus Heaney, Bonnie Raitt, and Phillip Roth. One of its claims to fame is being the place where the quarterly literary journal Ploughshares was conceived. These days, on any given night, it’s a casual neighborhood bar and a place to take in live music, a hearty meal, and a pint or three.
912 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-576-0032, ploughandstars.com.
Tavern at the End of the World
From the friendly bar in front, peek into the dining room in back, where live entertainment sets up nearly every night. The bartenders preside over a diverse of lineup of craft beers on draft, a couple dozen by the bottle, and liquor and wine—as well as both seating areas, so service can be unhurried. But this neighborhood pub, on the Somerville/Charlestown line, is a fine place to hole up for a while.
108 Cambridge St., Charlestown, Boston, 617-241-4999, tavernattheendoftheworld.com.
