The Absolute Best Irish Pubs In Boston, Hands Down
Founded by English puritan settlers in 1630, Boston is one of the best-loved cities in the United States, both among locals and visitors. Apart from the important role the city played in the earliest days of the U.S., Boston has become a hub for higher education, is a cultured, cosmopolitan center, and home to iconic, jewel box ballpark, Fenway Park. It was the location for the first-ever Thanksgiving, and it gave its name to a classic dessert that is distinctly American.
Boston is also where you'll find the world's biggest Irish population outside Ireland, a deeply rooted part of the diaspora created by tens of thousands of 19th-century immigrants, that has helped shape the city in many ways. Although some of the older communities have diminished due to gentrification in recent years, Boston's Irish population is still going strong, thanks to the hospitality industry.
Amid the online argument about the difference between "Irish" pubs and "Boston Irish" pubs (the former sells good whiskey — never to be confused with whisky — and Guinness, while the latter, er, doesn't), we've put together a curated list of the absolute best Irish pubs Boston has to offer.
The Druid
The Druid isn't in Boston city itself, but rather across the river in Cambridge, which is regarded as a Boston suburb, even if not everyone agrees. What isn't up for discussion is the love so many people have for this vibrant Irish pub. Located in Inman Square and nestled in what was once a mercantile building, The Druid is part of the furniture to locals who adore the regular live music and overall friendly vibe, but it's somewhat off the main drag for tourists. If you're hungry, the menu is packed with homemade, mouthwatering American and Irish dishes, from fish chowder to shepherd's pie.
As for the Guinness? Well, you can forget all that "splitting the G" online nonsense, (though you might want to try a Guinness ice cream float). According to this enthusiastic reviewer, The Druid is an "institution" for the black stuff and pours "proper" pints, though of course, other beers and non-alcoholic drinks are available.
Often described as a home from home for Irish travelers, the warm welcome at The Druid will restore your faith in humanity. If that's not reason enough to beat a path to its door, maybe this Facebook comment will be, "One of the best Irish Breakfasts I have had since my grandmother used to cook it for me."
(617) 497-0965
1357 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
The Burren
What connects a windswept, ancient limestone landscape in Ireland with an influencer's search for where Bostonians met their current squeezes? The answer is, of course, The Burren, and anyone looking for an authentic taste of the old country will find it here. It's not just blather, either. People have a profound love for The Burren, with one TikToker posting, "You can get good food anywhere, but the vibes of this place can't be replicated. Might be a tad dramatic, but I'm not lying."
In 2025, regulars voted it the runaway best place to celebrate St Patrick's Day, in a poll carried out by Krissy Bets, the same woman whose online question, "If you met your boyfriend in Boston in the last five years, where did you meet?," saw The Burren emerge as the top location. But there's more to it than amazing food, beer, and craic. This Irish pub is one of the few places where you can strike up a meaningful conversation with a complete stranger.
In this online age, that authentic, personal connection means everything to regulars. You can imagine the horror when an Elm Street redevelopment project threatened the Irish pub, but as of early 2026, news broke that The Burren would still have a home in the location after the building dust settled. One Redditor quipped, "They're gonna have to have the authentic Burren scent piped in for the first few years, while the terroir develops in the new location."
(617) 776-6896
247 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144
J.J. Foley's Cafe
One of the main reasons that many, many people go to Boston's Irish pubs is the Guinness. A good pour, with visible domeage and a creamy top that doesn't tumble down the glass at the slightest tilt is what they're all looking for. But there's only one place in the city where you'll find what was dubbed the best pint of Guinness in America in 2025: J.J. Foley's Cafe on East Berkeley Street — not to be confused with the one on Kingston Street. The honor was bestowed by an Instagrammer who could barely contain his glee after slurping down half a glass at J.J. Foley's Cafe.
It's not the only reason locals flock to the family-owned bar, where they have been serving up a warm welcome for patrons since 1909. You could bounce pennies off the pride radiating from the staff, who wear their sleeves rolled up and their ties tucked inside their shirts. Alongside the old-school vibe, the food is off the hook, too: If you're looking for craic-ing fish and chips as well as bespoke beers, J.J.'s delivers.
(617) 728-9101
117 E Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02118
Mr. Dooley's
It can feel like every bar in Boston tries to be the place where everybody knows your name. At Mr. Dooley's, that really is the case, and it's what makes all the difference.
Although the Irish pub has only been open since 1991, the spontaneous, live music sessions have established themselves as a major draw, for locals, tourists, and Irish immigrants of every stripe. They head to Mr. Dooley's knowing they'll also wrap their lips around a pint of the black stuff that tastes just like it does on the other side of the Atlantic. It certainly was a hit with this online reviewer, who said it was "the nicest pint I've had in ages," and one of the best they'd tasted in Boston.
But you don't have to be from the old country to feel the pull of Mr. Dooley's. One Facebook user declared it to be, "The only place to go if you are in downtown Boston, hands down."
(617) 338-5656
77 Broad St, Boston, MA 02109
The Brendan Behan Pub
You have to admire any pub that has potato chips as the only food item on its menu, but that's just one of many reasons why the Brendan Behan Pub — The Behan to its friends — is beloved by so many. One witty devotee tried to tarnish the bar's reputation with a bad online review "to drive some of you all away," but couldn't bring themselves to do it and instead called it "My favorite bar. Ever."
First opened in 1988, and named after the legendary Irish firebrand, playwright, and poet, The Behan has gained a reputation as a place where people can gather, enjoy a drink and a natter, without any modern-day distractions. Although there's no pub grub to speak of, Mexican burritos are available every Wednesday mid-afternoon, thanks to Rafa, and if you must have something to soak up the Guinness, there's always a bag of the aforementioned potato chips. We wonder if they stock Irish Taytos or American regional chip brands?
To the horror of some long-standing patrons, a television has found its way into the pub, prompting one disgruntled punter to write on social media, "Go to Canary or Galway if you need that. The Behan is beautiful because it's a talking bar." Maybe they weren't there the night the Pogues played Boston and a rowdy lock-in led to some patrons dancing on the bar at 2 a.m.
(617) 522-5386
378 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Emmets Irish Pub
Fondly known by regulars as "the Irish embassy," no list of the best Irish pubs in Boston would be complete without a tip of the hat to Emmets. A double Best of Boston winner, most recently in 2022, this downtown spot is a little more tucked away than other places, and has gained a reputation as a hidden gem.
There's plenty of traditional, hearty food on the menu that weaves together the flavors of Ireland — the beef and Guinness pie is a staff favorite — with classic American dishes like New England clam chowder. Throw into the mix a pint of Guinness dubbed a "creamer" by no less a person than Prime Mutton, a range of other delicious bitters, including the pub's own home brew, plus an Irish coffee so good, you can understand why it's so popular in the U.S.
Emmets Irish Pub is a popular place for locals who head there for a tasty midweek lunch or to wind down after a long day at the office, so it feels more like a cosy place to hang out than a heaving tourist trap. Of course for those who love it, there's plenty of lively music in the evenings, making for great craic.
emmetsirishpubandrestaurant.com
(617) 742-8565
6 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108
McGonagle's Irish Pub and Restaurant
Boston has Oran McGonagle and Aidan McGee to thank for importing an iconic Irish late-night snack to the city, but the spice bags are just one reason why McGonagle's Irish Pub and Restaurant has been such a hit since its doors opened in 2025. The restaurant section was named by the New York Times among the Best 50 in America that same year, and with a menu filled with Irish stew, hand-made pizzas, and traditional Sunday lunches, there's no wonder Boston foodies have taken the place to their hearts.
As for the pub, where do we begin? Irish-grade beer systems have been installed at McGonagle's so you'll always get a chef's kiss Guinness pour. One Reddit commentator confirmed the quality of the stout, saying, "Your man is from Galway, and they pull a nice pint." The aforementioned spice bags are the real deal, even if this online reviewer didn't quite get it (the gravy should be poured inside the bag), and a great way to mop up all that black stuff.
The vibe hits the spot, too, especially among younger generations, who appreciate the blend of local musicians with artists from Ireland and further afield. One reviewer praised McGonagle's for "Knowing what works and how to make a place successful in a city where there's an Irish pub every 2 blocks."
(617) 514-4689
367 Neponset Ave, Dorchester, MA 02122
The Plough and Stars
Anyone who has seen the 2016 documentary "The Peacemaker" will know all about Padraig O'Malley, and the key role he played in the Irish peace process (among several others). "People drank together, sang songs together, argued together, then during the day point fingers at each other," he said per MM One. He is also the founder of The Plough and Stars, which has been sitting pretty on the other side of the Charles River in Greater Boston since 1968 or '69 (no-one's quite sure).
The romantic name was inspired by Sean O'Casey's play "The Plough and the Stars," and the pub has been a hub for creatives in the decades since. David Mamet, Seamus Heaney, and Philip Roth are just a few of the literary greats to have graced the bar. Despite that cultured clientele, The Plough isn't pretentious. It has always offered a place where regulars can shake off the day's cares and relax with a pint.
During the day, you can chow down on some amazing food that draws on a range of flavors, from New Orleans gumbo and Irish lamb stew, to fried Chesapeake oysters. At night, The Plough switches gear, and even though the stage is about the size of a postage stamp, it has also long been the place to be for some kickin' live music, particularly blues.
(617) 576-0032
912 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
The Eire Pub
Pronounced "Eerie" by locals and dubbed the "Pub of Presidents" thanks to visits by Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton over the years (not to mention former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern), The Eire is about as close to an authentic Irish pub as it's possible to get. For years, it was very much a working man's place, with a bit of a rough-around-the-edges reputation. Some regulars are old enough to remember the IRA donation jar on the bar, as well as the reluctant shift from being a men-only watering hole.
In the 21st century, everyone's love for The Eire Pub runs deep, even if it comes with a side order of typical dry Boston humor. One Redditor said the Dorchester landmark was "So old school you don't feel welcome if you aren't from there, even if you're from another part of Boston."
The reality is anyone with even the most distant Irish roots will feel immediately at home the moment they set foot over the threshold. The food and craic are both "excellent," and have been for years, but we'll leave it to one Redditor to sum up this quintessential Irish pub, "It's unique as h*ll."
(617) 436-0088
795 Adams St, Boston, MA 02124