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A Whitey Bulger mugshot is hanging in a Dorchester restaurant — here’s what 1,000 readers think
“Like it or not, Bulger was a part of Boston history, and he should be remembered for the rat that he was."
Boston is a city full of history, and around just about every corner is a symbol or monument dedicated to Boston’s role in America’s founding. But how should one acknowledge the city’s not-so-cheery side of history?
A Dorchester restaurant and neighborhood group are at odds over the former’s new decor choices that include portraits of Boston’s most notable mobsters.
One of the framed pictures inside the Savin Bar and Kitchen features a mugshot of Whitey Bulger, the late and infamous mob boss of the Winter Hill Gang who once was America’s second-most wanted criminal.
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But some members of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association thought the art was insensitive and discussed their concerns at a recent meeting. The Dorchester Reporter was the first to cover the neighborhood pushback over the restaurant makeover, which Savin Bar received as part of being on Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service.
The bar has a connection to the Winter Hill Gang. In the 70s it was Bulldog Tavern, owned by Eddie Connors who had ties to the mob group and who was later gunned down on Morrissey Boulevard likely by Bulger or Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi.
At the center of this dissension is an all-too-relevant argument over how to appropriately remember dark periods of history. One member of the neighborhood group argued that the restaurant was celebrating these mob figures.
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Restaurant co-owners Driscoll DoCanto and Ken Osherow said in a statement they never intended to romanticize Bulger and his associates. They also have no plans of taking down the new decor.
“To be clear: this isn’t an homage,” the statement read.
Boston.com asked readers for their thoughts over the Dorchester spat, and more than 1,000 people responded to our form.
The vast majority of respondents (780, or 76%) didn’t agree with the neighborhood group, stating that a picture of Whitey Bulger’s mugshot hung up by a privately-owned business doesn’t cross the line to them.
The responses ranged from insults that poked at us Bay Staters’ “sensitivity” and some “Karen” name-calling to claiming it’s the restaurant owners’ “freedom of speech” to decorate their restaurant how they want (in which case, it’s also true that this neighborhood group has a right to freely express their disapproval and organize over the matter.)
But many felt no qualms with Boston’s mob history on display in the way that it’s shown at Savin Bar. The owners also made the point to the Reporter that they aren’t the only business in Boston that has leaned into Boston’s mob history.
“They are not glorifying the man, just stating a fact of history. In the end most of them received justice in some manner,” said Lorraine D. of Braintree.
“Approaching the topic with such concern is ridiculous. There is a similar legacy in Somerville. Leaning into the history doesn’t necessarily romanticize it. It acknowledges it. It does mark the advancements made in the community,” said Tom F. of Somerville.
“Like it or not, Bulger was a part of Boston history, and he should be remembered for the rat that he was,” said John P. of Sudbury.
“It’s Boston history, and this location was significant at the time I was growing up in Brighton. I remember the stories in the Globe newspaper my dad would have on the kitchen table. People these days want to erase the past instead of allowing others to learn from it and therefore avoid repeating it,” said Connie L. of Oak Bluffs.
“[It] doesn’t appear to be a celebration — mug shots are history. It doesn’t seem right to remove the photos, as they are not overtly offensive (e.g. pornographic or bloody/grotesque),” said Gary P. formerly of Lexington.
Other readers stated a more obvious point: If you don’t like the picture, don’t patronize the business.
“Seriously, having your mug shot shown is not glorifying. Plus, no one is forcing anyone to eat there. If you don’t like it, don’t go. Complaining about it like they’re doing is only going to make people like myself go check it out,” said Susan S. of North Andover.
“This is absolutely the right of the establishment to decor how they feel. They win or lose with their choices, so let it play out,” said Jason Ramoska of Everett.
But not everyone (216 respondents, or 21%) was as open-minded to seeing Bulger’s face and other mobster portraits while eating chicken parm at the Savin Hill establishment. Some respondents added that this history was not that long ago, and there are still people living in Boston who were impacted by the Winter Hill Gang.
“The man is personally responsible for many murders, 1st and 2nd degree. He was a racist, liar, manipulator and criminal many times over. He took advantage of the uninformed and the addicted. Many have lost loved ones because of him. He should not be glorified or paid tribute to in any way. Hanging his photo in a restaurant does that, whether it’s intended or not,” said Ben C. of Haverhill.
“There are still a lot of people and families affected by Bulger living in the area. The owner was stubborn on the show and is still being stubborn with a pretty obviously offensive issue,” said Donny M. from Winthrop.
“When enough time has passed, a psychopathic murderer like Bulger may become a mythological figure whose picture you can hang on a wall without offending anyone. But this bit of history is too recent to have become a myth. Loved ones of Bulger’s many victims are still around, and their wounds are still raw,” said Harold D. of Framingham.
“Why celebrate this awful, monstrous past as a dining experience? No, thank you,” said Gilda D. of Denver.
Only a few dozen readers found it difficult to decide whether it was appropriate. On the one hand, some respondents agree that the removal of historic monuments feels necessary when it honors an ugly past, such as statues of Confederate generals.
“I live in Charlottesville. I’m glad that we’ve gotten rid of our Robert E. Lee statue because it honored someone who used his brilliant military mind to fight for an immoral cause. Ultimately, he was a loser. But we do need to know the past, so I don’t object to seeing pictures of him in historical context. Similarly, Whitey and Billy, murderous mobster and politician-on-the-take, must have their place in history, but not have a place in honor,” said Dickie W. of Charlottesville.
Another reader expressed skepticism over the origin of the idea on a Ramsay reality TV show.
“Does it cross the line of good taste? Yeah, probably. It doesn’t help that the idea for the decorations came from a person with no real history in the area, so it was probably designed as a kitschy way of getting attention without any thought to the real people hurt by the people now hanging on the walls. But ultimately I just feel that everyone should make a personal choice about whether or not they want to give the restaurant their business, not something that truly warrants anything more than that. If the business fails because they’re out of touch with the community, so be it,” said Tony.
Boston.com reached out to a representative of the FOX show but didn’t hear back in time for publication. The neighborhood group said they would continue discussions over the matter at their next meeting in November.
Does hanging Whitey Bulger’s mug shot in a Boston restaurant cross the line?
Yes, it crosses a line.
21%
No, I don't think so
76%
I'm not sure
3%
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