Pints, live music, and favorite dishes served alongside Irish hospitality.

The most authentic Irish pubs — outside of those on the “ Emerald Isle , ” of course — are found in Boston . And with good reason : Boston has historically been home to a thriving populace of Irish Americans .

However , there ’s the age - old question of what hold a great Irish pothouse ? Is it being Irish - owned ? Or perhaps it ’s Irish barkeeper , being built with wood , or traditional resilient Irish euphony ? Or some might say it ’s showing football game on the tele . The reality is there ’s no definitive resolution and it ’s just about personal preferences . And here , we will talk to all of these . From popular metropolis center goal to friendly locality resort , these are Boston ’s best bets for a perfect pint .

And for more spots to catch a drink , head to the bestsports barsandfamily - friendly breweriesin Boston .

Best Boston Irish Bars and Pubs

The Burren|Photo by Ted Fitzgerald/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

Irish bars in Downtown Boston

The Dubliner

Beacon HillThe Dubliner is n’t just another Irish bar , but also a renowned restaurant serving up modern Irish culinary art . Opened since 2022 and handily located across from Government Center in the location of the previous Irish pub , the Kinsale ) , this welcome addition to city center is helmed by award - winning chef - proprietor Aidan McGee . Originally from Donegal , he made his way through Michelin - star kitchens in Europe before coming to Boston . With a computer menu inspired by his childhood on an Irish farm , and his papa , who was also a chef , instead of bag like corned beef and cabbage , McGee serves contemporaneous signatures like the Dubliner Fried Chicken , Cheesy Pearl just Bites , and Irish Seafood Chowder . It ’s also a great spot for live music — and , yes , of path they have all of your favourite whiskey and pints .

The Black Rose

DowntownWith more than four X of sling brews and Irish fare under its belt , The Black Rose has long been recognise as one of the most popular Irish pubs in Downtown Boston . While the bombastic space persist comparatively placid during the day , its proximity to the waterfront and Faneuil Hall help pack the place to capacity at dark . Open 365 day a year with live ( mostly ) Irish euphony every night , the Black Rose is a great escape valve from all the rowdy tourist traps nearby . The menu serves traditional Irish cuisine couple up with New England seafood favorites — in the winter , nothing equate to spooning some of their award - winning Clam Chowder next to the hearth .

J.J. Foleys

Mr. Dooley’s

Financial DistrictAs a terminus for Irish Americans and Irish appreciator alike , Mr. Dooley ’s has friendly barkeep slinging jokes , pulling the finest Irish beer , and offer up the just in Irish whisky . The bar is usually filled with sociable regulars who intermingle with the barkeep , creating a hospitable atmosphere and a bouncing negotiation between customers . The spotlight is open betimes every day and stays open deep to host traditional Irish euphony seven nights a workweek . There are no TVs here , so do n’t come here expecting to watch the secret plan ; come for the comfort sound of fiddles and accordions .

Emmets

Beacon HillLocated on top of Beacon Hill , Emmets is a premier after - work position for State House employees and other master who have been waiting all sidereal day to let loose . But just a block from Boston Common and a nimble detour from the historical Freedom Trail , you ’re also sure to discover plenty of out - of - towners seeking a libation to break up their walkabout the urban center . With traditional Irish brunch served on weekends and a live Irish band setting the scene right after , you could pass the intact Clarence Shepard Day Jr. soaking in Irish culture ( and a few dry pint of Guinness ) at Emmets .

Green Dragon

DowntownIf you ’re look for a stale one along Boston ’s famed Freedom Trail , stop into the Green Dragon Tavern for a historical dry pint . Established in 1654 , their original position just blocks forth on Union Street was demolished in 1854 and sleep with as “ The Headquarters of the Revolution . ” The Boston Tea Party was planned on site and has since been document as Paul Revere ’s favorite tearing hole . Reincarnated on Marshall Street , the bar is adorned in revolutionary memorabilia and memories from the one-time placement , tender up a menu of traditional dish like Guinness Beef Stew , Cottage Pie , Shepherd ’s Pie , and the Sample that allows you to try all three .

Irish bars north of Boston

Plough & Stars

CambridgeBig things go on to happen in this tiny ( tearing ) hole in the wall . open up back in 1969 , “ the Plough , ” as it ’s endearingly referred to by locals , has long been a haven for unrecorded music and eclectic pub fare . process lunch and dinner party , and still maintaining a daily schedule of live music after all these twelvemonth , the often - crammed ginmill and stagecoach - less venue is magnificently know for giving some of the metropolis ’s biggest melodious acts their beginning . Plus , with its fresh location in between Harvard and M.I.T. , you belike have some of the highest betting odds of collide with up conversation with one of the world ’s most renowned philosopher or astrophysicist .

Druid

Inman SquareWith an all - Irish stave delivering back household hospitality , this Irish - have establishment allow for the consummate across - the - pond pub atm . All of the bartenders here hail from County Claire . And when someone decide to head back home , a friend , brother , or first cousin may very well come to take their place . Situated in rose hip Inman Square , this cosy locale has a little bar and an even smaller kitchen , but despite its size , the nutrient has long been the toast of the town . Signatures include the Druid Fish & Chips , Irish Seafood Stew , hefty Druid Burger , and a Chicken Vegetable Soup that ’s been bang locally as a remedy for cure a wintertime inhuman . On Sunday afternoons and Tuesday nights , enamour a local pick - up session packed in the corner booth work traditional Irish music featuring flutes , fiddles , and piano accordion .

Burren

SomervilleThisSomervilledestination has plenty of seats and two rooms hosting bouncy amusement . Irish session players congregate in the in-between booth at nightfall to create a mood made for the previous country , while bartenders sling complete pints from the Emerald Isle . It ’s comfort food with Irish proclivity , and a colored bar that block up out all of the real - life stress that lie just outside those door . Do n’t be dismayed about the bar ’s out - of - town positioning ; the T ’s Red Line will take you from business district to their doorstep in about 10 - 15 minutes .

Phoenix Landing

CambridgeThe Phoenix is a number of an unusual person when it comes to your traditional Irish bar , but it ’s still one of the city ’s go - to destination when it derive to be telecast European football and rugger matches . If there ’s a secret plan , it ’s on . If it happens to be an other and of import match , they ’re unresolved early and most in all probability busy . During the Clarence Day , expect clientele to be clothe in football jerseys anathemise at the legal profession ’s nine televisions . At Nox , however , the venue transforms into a club , make it almost unrecognizable from its daytime Irish pub vibes . Drum and bass , throwback , house , and hip - hop — disc jockey and dance happen here seven nights a hebdomad . As far as drinks go , there are UK favorites for the football crew , local microbrews for the nerdy Cantabrigians , and enough popular pours to satisfy partygoer .

Irish bars south of Boston

L Street Tavern

South BostonJust off the pound path in Southie , ‘ the L ’ opened back in 1962 and would quickly become a popular locality stamping ground for loyal locals . Back in 1997 , word scatter suddenly about this hide out gem once it was discovered thatGood Will Hunting ’s infamous “ How turn them Malus pumila ” scene was filmed here . Surely being put on the world phase can transfer a destiny , but you may still bet on catch right pour and a little bit of that rugged South Boston magic spell .

Murphy’s Law

South BostonFeatured in films likeGone Baby Goneand in Anthony Bourdain ’s Boston episode , Murphy ’s Law is just one of a few Southie bars that managed to survive the expanse ’s continued translation . boast traditional Irish taphouse menu and a full bar , it boasts live amusement , dart , and a pick of video games like Golden Tee . If you are n’t familiar with the terminal figure “ Murphy ’s Law , ” it ’s the idea that anything that can go wrong , will . We favour to take that more as a worldwide animation lesson than something hold fast to happen to you while you are here . cheer .

Eire Pub

DorchesterOpening back in 1964 , Dorchester ’s Eire Pub is a 2nd generation , home run , local landmark , situated in one of greater Boston ’s oldest neighborhoods . The signs out of doors are reminders of yesteryear , still publicize the ego - proclaimed “ Boston ’s Original Gentlemen ’s Prestige Bar . ” Now that everyone is welcome through these door , that polarity is more than a bit dated , but the evenly salient “ Hot & Cold Lunch Served Daily ” still environ unfeigned . Over its 60 age , the Eire has had its share of celebrity client , and for a prison term it became vulgar for Presidents and presidential candidate to swing through for a dry pint .

Banshee

DorchesterIf you ’re looking to look out football ( association football ) or rugby among Dorchester locals , this is your slur . The Banshee promises , “ If your game is being diffuse in North America , then you’re able to rest assured that the Banshee will be showing it on one of its 10 flat - screenland televisions . ” A local meeting place immerse in Irish heritage with the add intrigue of being a bustling sports Browning automatic rifle , the Banshee is an exciting place to pep up on your favorite teams and down a few pints .

Brendan Behan

Jamaica Plain“The Behan ” has long beentheplace to go for a quick dry pint in the nearby suburb of Jamaica Plain . distinguish after the Irish Republican poet , novelist , and playwright , this indistinctly lighted , cozy neck of the woods topographic point is old-time , friendly , and always hip . There are no television receiver and no kitchen , but you could bring your own solid food into the establishment . dog are also welcomed . If you ’re looking for a pint amongst locals and without the multitudes of tourist , few space are as comfortable and as welcoming as here .

Best Boston Irish Bars and Pubs

The Black Rose|Darryl Brooks/Shutterstock

Best Boston Irish Bars and Pubs

The Plough & Stars|Photo by David Goldman/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

Best Boston Irish Bars and Pubs

Eire Pub|Photo by Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images