Best Boston Bars for a Beer in the Bean Town

After a long hard week of working and trudging through the snow or sweating through the heat a beer is a great way to spend your Friday night. In Boston, there is always a great place to stop in and celebrate the start of your weekend. I am going to list a few of my favorites here for you to check out on your next tour of the Bean Town.

Asgard- Sandwiched between MIT and Central Square this Irish restaurant and pub is very big. It can be a little bit of walk from the T as its several blocks from the closest T station. I would definitely recommend some Sheppard's pie and a Stella Artois if you enjoy a light beer. If you enjoy a dark beer the Guinness is fresh and a good pairing to some hearty food. They have live bands and with MIT so close I have seen more than one party there so be sure to arrive early to get a good seat. Check out their website for more information and directions. www.classicirish.com/asgard_about.html

Pizzeria Uno-Harvard Square. This two story restaurant is great upstairs for the family and great downstairs for the sports bar partiers. With several large flat screens and a juke box the cozy bar has tiny bathroom stalls but a great atmosphere. The waiters and waitresses are friendly and they bring your food and beer to you quickly while the flat screens keep you informed of the latest Red Sox score. Bring some dollars for the juke box and an appetite. When you are all done head upstairs and walk around Harvard square, stop in at Black Ink to see the oddities they carry and maybe pick up some fresh cold cuts or imported beer from Cardullos which is across the street.

The Bean Town Pub- this place has a small bar up front and pool tables in back. It's near the famous Omni Parker Hotel not a stone's throw away from the Boston Common. Music plays loudly over head and it's full of both friendly locals and tourists ranging from their twenties-forties. The lights are dim in the evening and though I wouldn't recommend this place for an intimate night out it definitely makes a fun place to grab a beer to catch up old times. The bartender is attentative and the beers not expensive and when you're done you can go for a walk through the park before grabbing a cab back to your hotel.
www.beantownpub.com/

Boston Beerworks-Try this fantastic microbrewery just a few hops away from Faneuil Hall. Sit either inside, outside or at the bar. Go for just a beer or grab a meal. The wait staff is friendly and the endless selection of flavors will satisfy any beer fan. If you find a favorite you can even purchase a growler to take home. The bar is clean and lively and not expensive. I am a big fan of the Blueberry Beer. The website is not fancy but it can give you some general information. Jeans are appropriate to wear. www.beerworks.net/

Johnny D's-Davis Square. This bar is a lot of fun. I've been there several times and they often have Live Bands playing. The setup is perfect with a bar on one side and a sit down restaurant area on the other. Built in a bit of U shape with the stage in the center it's easy to get a good seat, order some food and drinks and get out on the dance floor when the rhythm strikes you. This is not a club atmosphere, its a restaurant and bar so dress nice and have a great time. And while I have never been they do a Jazz Brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Make sure to check out the website for band schedules. www.johnnyds.com/

Harpoon Brewery-Once a year the brewery throw's the Harpoon Brewfest. We went one year and it was a lot of fun. Check the website for directions and tour buses. We were able to get the silver line to a free bus that took us back and forth to the Brewfest. They have bands play and have several beer stations set up. You buy tickets at one counter and trade your tickets in for a cold brew. You will get a Harpoon beer glass (it's actually plastic) that comes with your ticket. With food, radio station prizes, and a few games it's a fun thing to do for a few hours. Hang out with friends, have a few beers and get a brief tour of the brewery itself. It gets very warm so I recommend not layering too much! If your lucky maybe Three-day Threshold will be playing when you go. They are a great local band. Check them out at www.myspace.com/threedaythreshold . Also go to the brewery's website www.harpoonbrewery.com/
As always be safe and have a great time in my favorite city!