Best Guinness in the City

As you drift into to Hennessy's located on Union Street, you get the feeling of some place you've been before. Maybe it's the laid back atmosphere, maybe it's the wooden pillars and worn lived-in look complete with a coal fireplace. Or, maybe it's because it looks rather similar to a dozen other "Irish" pubs you've seen around Boston. Whatever the reason, Hennessy's does exude an inviting warmth as soon as you step in. But for me, it was the Guinness that really set the tone and kept me seated. Now, in the past few Guinness has up-ed its marketing, thanks to those wonderful "Brilliant!!" commercials, and has also grown in popularity along with Irish cultural in general. And let's face it, you can't say Irish without three things coming to mind - shamrocks, leprechauns, and booze, namely Guinness and whisky???. And if any town in America were synonymous with Ireland, it would be Boston. And yet we still have this anomaly of a beer every knows, claims to love, wears the product and namesake of, and drinks gallons of on St. Patrick's day and yet few have really had a chance to savor and taste it as it was truly meant to be. Until Hennessy's.

Now I lived in Galway, Ireland for 5 months, and if you think that's not enough time to really grow an affinity and craving for a beer, you'd be wrong. I it drank every day…literally, by the pint-fuls. And when I got back to the States…it couldn't be done, nay wouldn't be done. I could not drink Guinness. I had one Guinness (okay maybe four) on the plane ride home, which technically was still Irish because it was Aerlingus, and was so dissatisfied that I did not drink another for six months. And now, quality Guinness in America has become tantamount to a life's passion for me, and I seek it out much like the Knights sought the Holy Grail. I can't say my quest has ended, but it has come close after that first sip at Hennessey's, which is the best in the city in my humble opinion. But also with that, Hennessy's offers their beer at moderate prices and (from I hear tell) delicious and authentic Irish food fare. They are rarely overcrowded and there's usually never a long wait. There's plenty of woodwork to rest your elbows or beer, or both on, and decent arrangement of tables in both the front and back bar area. Their Happy hour band, Me and Julio, who I enjoyed, also adds to the ambience with solid playing of rock favorites for those showing up after work (or instead of). I highly recommend this pub for after work unwinding and laid back evenings with friends, good company, good food, and of course, a pint o' the black stuff.