Readers Say

These are the 6 best Irish pubs around Greater Boston

You'll find the reader favorite in the South End.

A James Michael Curley campaign poster hangs in J.J. Foley's in the South End. Timothy Tai/Boston Globe

March 13, 2024

3 minutes to read

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, people celebrating may want to stop by an Irish pub to get their fix of Guinness and corned beef after hitting the streets for the annual parade.

Where to eat and drink in South Boston

In that spirit, we asked readers about their favorite Irish pub in the Boston area and received 240 reader responses. Of the 39 Irish pubs recommended, J.J. Foley’s Cafe — also known as the oldest Irish pub in Boston — received the most votes, with one-third of readers saying the South End spot is the one to beat. The Eire Pub in Dorchester received 6 percent of the total vote, while the rest of the top six pubs equally received six percent.

Some readers shared recommendations that we weren’t certain would be considered Irish pubs. So we called to confirm and omitted the ones who wouldn’t categorize themselves as an Irish pub.

Read the countdown of the top six best Irish pubs around Boston, and explore our interactive map and complete list of reader-favorite Irish pubs and bars in the Greater Boston area.

6. Corrib Pub & Restaurant

For Eileen S. from Franklin, Corrib can be summed up in one word: “Authentic!” The pub has locations in both Brighton and West Roxbury that equally “feel like home…but with more taps.” The Brighton location opened its doors 55 years ago and earned its name from a lake in County Galway, Ireland.

396 Market St., Brighton; 2030 Centre St., West Roxbury

5. Mr. Dooley’s Boston

A Financial District locale perfect for “a pint and a chat,” Mr. Dooley’s has established itself as the Irish pub to be at when in Downtown Boston. Not only do they pour out a model pint, their menu contains “traditional fare” ranging from a loaded shepherd’s pie to Kerry mac and cheese.

77 Broad St., Boston

4. Ned Devine’s

You’re sure to have a good St. Patrick’s Day weekend at Ned Devine’s, which features energies of both a casual Irish pub and energetic nightclub. Menu items with an Irish flair include the Gaelic steak frites Guinness onion soup. For all it offers, reader Grace M. from Back Bay calls the Downtown Boston spot “everything you want at every stage in life.”

1 N Market St., Boston

3. The Black Rose

Once called the “Fenway Park of Irish pubs” by The Boston Globe, The Black Rose has been pouring brews and serving Irish dishes for almost 50 years. Per its tradition, the pub features live music every day of the week and will open its doors in Downtown Boston at 8 a.m. on St. Patty’s Day.

160 State St., Boston

2. The Eire Pub

This Dorchester spot has seen its fair share of famous faces over the years —Robert Kraft, Mark Wahlberg, and former presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton are just a few. Originally a workingman’s bar, the Eire has established itself as a place for everybody over the years.

Reader J.C. from Milton said that Eire Pub has a “perfect Guinness” and that there is “always a seat and sports on the TV.”

795 Adams St., Boston

1. J.J. Foley’s Cafe

The oldest Irish pub in the city was top-ranked amongst readers this year. J.J. Foley’s, which first opened its doors in 1909, is a South End staple that remains family owned and operated to this day.

“There’s no other place like it. No only the best Irish bar in Boston, but the best BAR in Boston,” said reader Lucas B. from Brighton.

117 E Berkeley St., Boston

The best Irish pubs around Greater Boston, according to readers:

An Sibin, 1193 Cambridge St., Cambridge
Biddy Early’s, 141 Pearl St., Boston
Brendan Behan Hub, 378 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
Bunratty Tavern, 620 Main St., Reading
Clarke’s at Faneuil Hall, 21 Merchants Row, Boston
Corrib Pub & Restaurant, 396 Market St., Brighton; 2030 Centre St., West Roxbury
Darcy’s Village Pub, 97 Willard St. #1203, Quincy
Doyle’s Pub & Grill Easton, 956 Washington St., South Easton
Emmets, 6 Beacon St., Boston
Galway House, 710 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
Irish Village, 224 Market St., Brighton
J.J. Foley’s Cafe, 117 E Berkeley St., Boston
L Street Tavern, 658 E 8th St., Boston
M.J. O’Connor’s, 27 Columbus Ave., Boston; 425 Summer St., Boston
Mr. Dooley’s Boston, 77 Broad St., Boston
Murphy’s Law, 837 Summer St., Boston
Ned Devine’s, 1 N Market St., Boston
O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar, 1160 W Boylston St., Worcester
O’Hara’s Food & Spirits, 1185 Walnut St., Newton
Paddy’s Lunch, 260 Walden St., Cambridge
Paddy Barry’s, 1574 Hancock St., Quincy
Paddy’s Public House, 95 Elm St., Newton
Porter Belly’s Pub, 338 Washington St., Brighton
Solas Irish Pub, 710 Boylston St., Boston
Seapoint, 367 E 8th St., Boston
Stewarts Pub, 140 Jefferson Ave., Everett
The Banshee, 934 Dorchester Ave., Boston
The Black Rose, 160 State St., Boston
The Burren, 247 Elm St., Somerville
The Chieftain Pub & Restaurant, 23 Washington St., Plainville
The Cottage Bar & Restaurant, 26 Union St., Weymouth
The Druid, 1357 Cambridge St., Cambridge
The Dubliner Irish Pub, 2 Center Plaza, Boston
The Eire Pub, 795 Adams St., Boston
The Ford Tavern, 61 Locust St., Medford
The Irish Cottage, 17 Branch St., Methuen
The Peddler’s Daughter Irish Restaurant & Pub, 45 Wingate St., Haverhill
The Phoenix Landing, 512 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
The Snug, 116 North St., Hingham

These are the 6 best Irish pubs around Greater Boston