J.J. Foley's
21 kingston st., downtown crossing, +1 617-338-7713. hard-drinking irish bar for the downtown crowd.
Good Life
29 kingston st, +1 617-451-2622, (http://www.goodlifebar.com/). the good life is a hidden gem, located in boston's financial district. they offer an oft-changing menu of high quality food in their simple/chic dining room. guests can also enjoy visiting their unique downstairs vodka lounge that features over 150 different types! various music acts featured nightly downstairs. no cover charge.
Rumor
100 warrenton st in the theatre district, +1 617-422-0045, (http://www.rumorboston.com/). easily the city's trendiest night club, with a more cosmopolitan air and well-heeled and attractive clientele than the somewhat seedier landsdowne street clubs. drinks are relatively expensive; cover charge on the weekends is $20. dress well.
Kitty O'Shea's Irish Pub and Bistro
Decor includes 200 year old floorboards from and Irish church and stain glass windows depicting scenes from around Ireland.
Flat Black Coffee Company
50 broad st, +1 617-951-1440, (http://www.flatblackcoffe...). a great place to get fresh coffees from around the world. most of their coffees are certified organic, shade grown and fair trade.
Faneuil hall area (government center or aquarium subway stop)
The Black Rose
160 state st faneuil hall marketplace, +1 617-742-2286. despite its proximity to faneuil hall, tourists overlook this location regularly. excellent deals on lobster too. try the seared scallops ~$18 - plump, juicy, very fresh. live acoustic irish music with authentic irish musicians. much appreciated by the local crowd early on a sunday evening fathers dancing with small children, regulars calling for their favorite songs. it probably got more "adult" and less child-friendly as the evening wore on. wait staff quite efficient and friendly.
Cheers Boston
5 faneuil hall, faneuil hall marketplace, +1 617 227-0150. not the original cheers from the tv show which is on beacon st., but owned by the same folks.
Bell in Hand
45 union st, +1 617 227-2098. established in 1795, the bar claims to be the oldest continuously operating tavern in the country, but is far more a club than a tavern. downstairs is generally packed on weekends, upstairs is a multiroom club.
Purple Shamrock
1 union st, +1 617 227-2060, (http://www.irishconnectio...). great pub, often with live music.
The Green Dragon Tavern
11 marshall st, +1 617-367-0055. a nice relaxing place to stop in after work or whilst walking the freedom trail. opened in 1657 in the historic blackstone section of boston, this tavern was the meeting place for the sons of liberty as they discussed and planned political revolution. british officers also frequented the pub and were spied upon by american patriots. the green dragon tavern the âheadquarters of the revolutionâ was rebuilt after a major fire. featuring lively entertainment and lovely food in an irish pub atmosphere. very reasonable prices. two with drink is about $25-$30.
McCormack & Schmick's
North market building faneuil hall marketplace, +1 617 720-5522, (http://www.mccormickandsc...). $1.95 bar menu during happy hour.