Disclaimer: review written from the POV of a Tourist from NorCal. TOURIST being key here. This place was our first stop after a few days spent in Minneapolis, stalking Prince. Gotta admit the name of the place (dead author's club) screamed "hipster" to me (having flashbacks of Vesuvio, the Kerouac hipster/tourist bar in North Beach). And, after walking around the surrounding neighborhood, I found that it was indeed thee only hipster bar in this hood... so, I felt a little bit at home - just a little. The bartender was indifferent with a bit of snark thrown in. Not that, that's a bad thing... just not very fun. The place was so hipster that they weren't even showing the Sox/Yankees game on their TVs. "Kinda shit is that?", says the Oldman. Oh, and it's not a full bar. So why the three stars? Their FUCKING menu specials, man! Yeah, I'm the dweeb that likes to sample hot dogs/brats/sausage from any and every damn place I ever visit. The dog of the week was Mac n Peas and Cheese Dog. Whaaa? Yes. A lovely grilled dog on a buttery toasted bun topped with a delicious Mac n' cheese with peas. Damn dog didn't even need any mustard! Now, that's saying something! I loved this stupid dog so much that I went back the next day to get another. It looks like barf on a bun, but is very, very tasty.... So tasty that I even ate all of the peas (which I usually hate). It wasn't just wicked good, it was HELLA good (just want to annoy the bartender in case she happens to read this) : ) Sincerely, NorCal girl (much love to you, hipster bartendress). Peace Out read more

Hands down, one of my favorite bars in Boston. Hundreds of beers available, and you get your own mug if you can drink them all. No, put away your wallet! Over time, you drunk! Can't decide what to get? Spin the Wheel O' Beer! I love the unique locale. Look out the windows and you see bustling city life with people and cars on Boylston Street, as well as high speed auto travel on Interstate 90 which runs directly beneath it. (You'll have to visit to see what I'm talking about.) This is the original branch and beats the pants off the newer one in Inman Square (Cambridge). Keep in mind these guys don't accept credit or debit cards though! There's an ATM in the foyer for those who forget. read more

Bukowski Tavern - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

I'm surprised I've never reviewed Bukowski's, or as I've been known to call it in various texts, "Buk's" (How quaint and efficient!), before. Anyway, it's pretty much my favorite (non-bullshit, non-townie-shithole) bar in Boston. And I don't even go to Buk's (see, I just used it again!) all that often, but I was there last night for a quick beer and a bite to eat with my wife and it reminded me of how much I like the place. You will never enjoy a better view of I-90 with better tasting food and brew unless you've slept your way onto the Daughtry tour bus after a sold out show at the Garden. The point is: Daughtry dines WELL. And OFTEN. And ON THE ROAD. ??? EWAYYYYYY, it's a beer snob's bar, but they're not complete dicks about it. They have the "swill" selection of PBR and High Life and shit like that in addition to all the hobnobbery. And the menu is cool as well. It's simple, dogs and burgers, brah! I like the peanut butter burger (peanut butter on a burger??? oh my ghahhalbllfllflffl!!! Shut up!), because it reminds me of the Duane Purvis burger at Triple XXX diner at Purdue University (where I went to school). Honestly, the Duane Purvis is better than the peanut butter burger at Buk's (and AGAIN!) but it's still coo, man! But to get at what I really like about the place is the atmosphere, which is also simple, but it's chill and they tend to play complete albums start to finish, and more often than not, they're good albums. Like yesterday, when I was in there, they were playing "Songs in the Key of Life" and it fit perfectly with the chillness of the place. Oh, yeah, as per UGZE, cash only! But of course, they have everybody's favorite piece of shit genero-"ATM" on hand for you to cope! read more

Yelp really, really, really wants me to updates this review. In fact, they paid me a big paper bag full of crumpled up dollar bills to do so. I'm a liar. But not all the time. You decide what is true and what is a big, fat, stinky lie in the following list: -I still go to Bukowski's all the time -I wear a suit and tie to work -I pretty much live on hot dogs, PBR and the occasional dank beer -I know why QWERTY is all on one line on a standard keyboard -I can play the accordion -I once witnessed a friend climb through the (then a drop down) ceiling in the men's room at Bukowski's and drop down into the women's room Why go from 5 to 4 stars you ask? Good question. read more

Great bar to be a regular. Staff is friendly and just pretentious enough. Example: Bukowski's has about a zillion beers by the bottle and some of the best beer in town on tap. I once saw two frat guys walk in and order Budweisers. The bartender smiled and cracked two 'shorty' cans of Bud (those tiny 8 ounce cans that most people don't even know are made anymore). The 'bros' quickly drank and paid for their beer and left. Their food menu is also good, but very greasy bar food. BUT after midnight EVERYTHING is only $5. Also, before 8:00pm on weeknights the veggie burgers are only $3. All in all a great escape right in the Back Bay. read more

I just like the location- not stuck in between preppy places and right on the highway! Not many tables, the bar seating makes up for most. Good, tasteful crowd. It is a social environment and whether you are feeling lonely and need to have a conversation or to stay alone, B's is the place to go. Check out B's for a wide selection of beers. The bar staff is good. They quickly attend you but are sometimes "off" to somewhere else. (!?) read more

Don't let the whole 'dive bar in a tourist zone' aspect of this place deter you. When we stopped here for lunch, I wasn't expecting anything special. I consider this (yet) another lesson in being less of a snoot in the future. The draft beer list was excellent, the food was tasty, and the prices were reasonable. The vegetarian chili dog was delicious and just the right size (read: not gut busting.) I got the side salad instead of fries, because I like to make bad decisions. Learn from my mistake - this is so obviously not the place for a side salad. As soon as I snatched one of the fries from my husband's plate, I knew I'd been a fool. He loved his grilled turkey swiss melt (and accompanying fries.) I'm not sure if it is a good thing or bad thing that we stopped here for our last meal in Boston. Had we tried it earlier in the trip, we no doubt would have returned, thus missing out on other restaurants. And yet, sweet potato tots and vegetarian meatball subs all went untasted, which is kind of sad. read more

I came here in search of the best burger in Boston. Long story short, it is not here. +Awesome beer list +White trash poutine was good -Cash only -Hard to find street parking or expensive parking garages -Average burger that you can make at home -Beer & wine only, no hard liquor read more

I really like beer. Like, really like it. Bukowski's has one of the best selections in town, definitely one of, if not THE best, in Boston proper. There's plenty on tap and an overhwhelming amount of bottles to choose from. I cannot comment on anything but the beer. But for me, it's all about the beer. Beer is king here. 'Nuf said. Almost. PS...Cash only. PPS...I probably wouldn't do anything else here (i.e. eat) besides drink beer read more

I keep meaning to count the number of 8.5x11 sheets of paper on their categorized beer menu. Then when there, I get so excited about all the beer, I forget to count. They only have a beer and wine license, but boy do they do the beer right. Huge selection. Bartenders and wait staff know what they're talking about both in respect to recommendation ability and how to pour appropriately. The beer is always served in the correct glass. The food is delicious and a little off beat. All beef hot dogs what? And the fries are soooo good. I love the staff here. One time, our waitress was wearing a bike helmet because, well, she felt like it. She also kept bringing us coasters as we were turning them into mini works of art. Rock. Yes, sometimes it gets a little loud. Okay, a lot loud. But whatev, the music list is eclectic, interesting and a little off beat. (just like the rest of the place) I believe they're not admitting any new members to the dead author's society, which is sad on a few levels. Including because nobody can add Vonnegut...but that's another story. The short of it? This place rocks. read more

BUKAKEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! uhhh i mean bukowski's great pub! 99 bottles of yummy beers on the wall they have hinchino which is a red bean white ale... very good. great burgers. great munchies what more could you ask for!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Aside from the bartender there seems to be just one server who patrols the entire seating area, and we had one of those nights when you wonder if the server who has silently walked past your table 4-5 times is actually your server... and she was. So, yeah, service was horrible here. This little narrow bar barely has walking room even when it is moderately busy, but the narrowness also gives it some character/cuteness. Very good selection of craft beers that are priced a little high, and the food is rather average bar food, though the sweet potato fries were quite tasty. read more

Beer bar. It's a dive. Don't mess with it. Interesting and extensive beer selection. Get a table and have a few beers, discuss politics, religion, love and hate, with your friends. Then dream of writing a book. Cash only read more

What a great little gritty dive! Awesome beer offerings and kicking music. Cash only. My friend was trying to be whole 30 or keto or some fad diet and just know that there is not going to be anything healthy for you on the menu. Bc it's bar food. read more

Who doesn't dream of a pub with a phenomenal beer selection and knock-your-socks-off burgers all tucked into the side of a parking garage? You don't? Sheesh, you snob. Get with the program! I ordered the gut-busting pb-and-bacon burger and clean-plate-clubbed it, too. (For reference, I'm a slight, 130-lb chick....with an unhinging jaw, evidently). The monster was tasty but left my arteries feeling clogged and my heart beating just a little faster. I'm not one to shy away from a greasy meal, but this was beyond even my vast, vast penchant for junk food. The next time I had the will to touch a bite of food was 4pm the following day. That said, Bukowski's was a total treat. The atmosphere was lively, the beer was fresh and, had I only eaten half the burger, I'd have nothing but praise for it, too. The pub came highly recommended by a friend (a Berkelee grad) and I pass along her high recommendation. Go hungry, leave happy. read more

I love this place. I first tried it out a few years ago but it has become a recent favorite meeting place of mine. The beer selection is excellent and the stuff on tap rotates regularly, but they also have an extensive bottle menu. The atmosphere and crowd is laid back and friendly. The music is generally well selected, but you never know what you'll get - basically it's up to the bartenders' mood and the CDs they have on hand. Food is good. For a cheap meal get the dogs (I know its not often that one would recommend hot dogs, but they are pretty damn good, as far as hot dogs go and only a couple bucks) Burgers are also quite delicious! read more

I suppose I should word this review carefully, since I'm good friends with the Duke and nos. 2 and 3 on the top checkins. Drinks and food at Bukowski are better than I expect every time I'm here. And the music is usually louder than I wish it was. There's a comprehensive beer list, with lots of interesting stuff to try (but no Miller or Bud here, friends), and a solid menu of better-than-average bar food. As others have said, the white trash dip is a particular favorite artery-clogging indulgence. It's tiny (and technically inside a parking garage) on a no-frills street with a glorious view of the MassPike, but these things never bug me about Bukowski. The cash only thing is annoying -- maybe they could try level up? -- but it's not impossible to get past. It can also be annoying when it fills up on a busy weekend night. Best arrive, and depart, early like those of us who have to get back to Shady Acres before curfew. You can tell the staff at Bukowski enjoy what they do, and their regulars are well cared for. If you're into divey places that are really local gems, stop by Bukowski Tavern. read more

I have a tendency to hate a lot of Boston bars.... they're all normally such a scene, and cater to want to be rich folks. Full of drunken bro's and trashy girls. NOT Butkowski's. Butkowskis is the best of the best in dive bars. My only complaint is it's busy on weekends, and I'm a girl who likes to sit down while I have a beer. That's not even a complaint, because those nights are probably what keeps them open. Even still, a lot of Saturday nights my boyfriend and I are able to get stools at the bar. We generally have the same bartender, I wish I knew his name. He's there basically every Saturday night and he's a phenomenal bartender. He can be busy as hell, and we rarely have to wait long for our drinks. This is hands down my favorite bar in Boston. The bartenders are good at their jobs but have the right amount of attitude. They're not over the top friendly obviously trying to get tips from you, but they are not the typical Boston rude and "i can't believe I have to waste my time talking to you" that some bartenders can be here. They have good suggestions when you ask them what they like on tap, or when you give them a slight description of a type of beer you're shooting for. They let you sample beers before you actually commit to one. HOT DOGS WITH PEANUT BUTTER PICKLES AND BACON IS THE BEST INVENTION EVER! The music doesn't suck. I was there last Sunday during the day, and they played The Clash for like an hour. It was awesome. A bar with good music in Boston is basically unheard of. Long story short. I don't even want to recommend this place, because I don't want it to get all crowded and douschey. I have to recommend it though, because it truly is such a hidden gem and I absolutely love this place. read more

Total dive bar with an exciting beer selection and decent food. Bukowski's is the kind of place you can go and either not know anyone, or run into everyone you know. Nobody else cares why you're there or what you're doing. There's a guy at the bar reading a book and sipping a pint. And there's a couple of hipsters on a first date, deciding on an app. And there's a bunch of regulars, chatting up Boston with the bartender. You can carry on conversation uninterrupted because the music isn't turned up too loud and there isn't a hoard of drunk college girls stumbling by and spilling mixed drink all over you (cue: Dillons). There's almost always enough seating without a wait. Servers are right there when you're empty, but out of sight when you don't need them. Cordial and knowledgeable of the menu. Perfect. Only qualm - cash only. It would be so much easier for me if I could just pay with my debit card. Pleeeeeease? But that can't keep me away! read more

TURN DOWN THE MUSIC STOP sportin' a 'tude and then i might make you my neighborhood staple, but until then, I'm with Starlite Lounge all the way! All of this is a moot point if a.) your date has nothing interesting to say and you prefer to stay stare at him/her b.) you're already to drunk to know the difference! read more

Cool little bar built into the side of a parking garage. Service was pretty pathetic. Took 20 minutes to get my change from paying my bill. But on the bright side, the server was chatting with her friends for 15 minutes of it... Of which 10 were with my change in her hand. Food is pretty good. Would have been a 4 star review if the service wasn't non existent. read more

I wanted to like this place so much. Dive bar, great location, OK prices, good people watching from the window, even the food looked pretty good. Unfortunately, the hormones of the pregnant bartender put a damper on our afternoon. Being our first time there, we walked up to the bar, paid for a few beers, left a NICE tip (about 40%) and grabbed the closest seats that we could. Since there were no bar seats open, we opted for a table by the window. When it came time for another beer, we waited at the bar with our empty beers. We were scolded, told to go back to our table, and that we should have ordered through a waitress. My husband was really taken back at how she talked to us- did she not see the stellar tip that we left for her less than 5 mins ago? Luckily the waitress handled this well and was prompt to get us some new beers. I'd opt to go here again, but I would 100% walk out and go somewhere else if she was behind the bar. read more

A cash only, dive bar down the street from Saks that vegetarians go crazy for...I thought where is Yelp leading me? This place turned out to be a welcome oasis during the snowstorm of the season! Helpful, friendly staff gave great suggestions on menu options and advice about places in the area. Drinks were offered/ replenished before we ever got to the bottom of them which is an example of the excellent service we received. Food was comforting and pretty good- carrot and ginger soup was delicious. Veggie burger, trash tots, and Buffalo chicken balls were good. It wasn't cheap for a "dive bar" though so bring plenty of cash. read more

See all

There used to be $1 burgers at lunch time. A co-worker of mine used to get me to go along for lunch, when there was no one there. I could never bring myself to order a $1 burger (although funny I have no trouble doing it at McBKndys...what's up with that?). Still the guac burger was always tasty and the beer was great. Going here for drinks - it's still good but can get packed quick as the space is very wee. Get there early and reserve some space for yourself and friends. read more

Okay, I only spent a week here, but this place across from the hotel is my favorite spot in Boston! Bukowski's is like the Brickskeller in Washington, D.C. only better. Where the Brickskeller will bring you a multi-page list of hundreds of beers that you could order, knowing naught but they're name, origin, and type, Bukowski's menu offers brief paragraphs to try and convey to you just what sort of brew you are considering. The food is a deliciously good deal. I have had the veggie chili and the all beef hot dog with mashed potatoes. OMG! I wish I could have a Bukowski's in San Francisco. Good people watching, and the bartenders seem "too cool for you" but are actually good folk who take good care of you. read more

As the official spot for Beer Lunch (TM), I love Bukowski's for their amazing beer selection, cheap tasty food, and great bar staff. John puts up with our Beer Lunch (TM) antics, and so we always come back. For a little more info on why this place is so awesome.... There I was for Beer Lunch (TM) and thought I'd try something new on tap. The bartender, John, looked at me and said "do you want to taste it first?" I knew immediately it must have been a crap beer I ordered and John was looking out for me. I tried a sample and damn it was bad. Thank you, Bukowski's, for having awesome bartenders. read more

I can sum up Bukowski's Tavern with a few words: beer bar with vegetarian food. I love this place. Bukowski's offers up every beer you can think of- seriously, go in and ask for whatever you want. AND, if you drink every one of their options you get your own glass with whatever you want etched in to the side of it. Then its hung over the bar for you and only you to use every night. Another thing i love about Bukowski's is the food. Huge huge plates of fries. I'm talking regular fries, cheese fries, cheese fries with vegetarian chilli! Huge vegetarian hotdogs, vegetarian burgers any way you want...oh so good. And don't you worry you carnivores- they offer up meaty selections too. The atmosphere is dark and welcoming. There's a little corner for you somewhere here. While you're having your drinks and chattin with friends read some of the poetry on the wall- it's called Bukowski's for a reason. read more

Have got to appreciate a bar that is a homage to a gritty, non conformist, alchohoc author. Bukowski quotes paint the walls, a huge beer selection, and a good crowd. Can be a pain to get into, but it keeps it from getting overpacked. The food was tastey and affordable. May be a little bit of a dive, but its got its own sense of character. read more

My favorite bar in the Back Bay. The beer list is huge, not only that, the bartenders are very knowledgable about what's is available. The soundtrack is great, as is the crowd. I am learning to forgive Bukowski's for taking over the former site of the best dive bar: Jack Lynch's Webster Lounge, famous for chewed up gum in the bowls of snack mix on the bar and liverwurst sandwiches for $1.25. But I digress...... read more

Of course I love Bukowski's, I'm beer obsessed! GREAT beer selection-- one of the best. Choose from the 10 page beer menu, anything from Belgian Wheats to Weizenbock to Trappiste Ales to Porters to Stouts to Dunkelweizen to a Sake/Ale Hybrid... go nuts! Or ask the knowledgeable bartenders for a recommendation. On classy days, I try the beers I've never had before and savor the flavors. On more drunken days, I just order the beer with the highest alcohol content for the lowest price. On those days, I generally end up with something around 8.5% APV for around $6.50. Word! You can also get a Pabst here for $3.25, which isn't bad since Pabst is the king of all shitty beers, trumping all other cheapo canned ales with a whopping 4.8% APV. In yo face, Miller, Coors, and Bud! (Sorry for the random plug of Pabst, but man, it's worth mentioning...) Oh, and the food is very good. The menu is the exact same as their location in Cambridge. Get the vegan meatball sub or the mac and cheese and you'll be happy. I'm only deducting a star because the service is not so great. Last time, I came for just one beer, and when the waitress found out I wouldn't be staying for a while, she was super rude and rushed me out of my table. But whatevs... the beer was still good! read more

White Trash Dip = fantastic Beer selection = fantastic Cash only = inconvenient if you don't know about it (but the Prudential Center Mall is right next door) Cramped space and RIDICULOUS NOISE = not so fantastic read more

This is by far my all time favorite bar. It has character without pretention, solid service, tasty bar food and I've always been able to get a seat whenever I've arrived. I've gone with dates and with groups of friends, and we've always been able to drink and cavort and - shockingly - hear each other! I've never had a truly terrible wheel spin (it's what I always do). When you're an adventurous beer drink, you gotta love letting fate pick. My only gripe is that I hear the men's bathroom is substantially more...interesting...than the women's. Wait, I have a second gripe - cash only is awful. Also it always makes me feel like I'm helping someone launder money ;) At least they have an ATM, but who keeps enough cash around to support their alcoholism? read more

It's an okay bar. The drafts are over priced (normal for Boston) and the food is pretty limited (that's fine for a bar). The big negative is the bars layout and the crowding issues. The place either feels over-crowded or deserted. read more

I like this location better than the one in Inman Square. The place is narrow, but has a much better atmosphere than the bigger one in Inman Square. Excellent and extensive beer selection, of course, and the food seems pretty good as well. (We only had the sweet potato fries, but judging from their menu they have some pretty decent bar-food). Music is sometimes a bit too loud too talk comfortably, but then again, what do you expect - it's supposed to be a dive bar! (Although it seems almost to neat for a real dive bar - I somehow doubt that the real Bukowski would have drunk here.) read more

Sometimes I go into bars and just feel like it's the same thing on the inside, just dressed a bit differently. On tap- Bud, Miller, Harpoon, Sam Adams, Stella, maybe a microbrew or two. Ho hum. Same alcohol infused water I had last weekend consisting of popular selections without too much creativity. But then there is Bukowski's. I wander in on a cold November night to the warm comfort of the dimly lit bar. We manage to grab a table in the back so we can sit for a while, talk, drink and have a good time. The place was loud but not so you couldn't hear the person across from you. HUGE bonus points there! Then there is the beer selection. Wow. As someone who enjoys a good brew with each new flavor this place is a must. With lager, porter, stout, IPA, the whole gang, they've got a party going on in their cooler! It almost matches the people we saw coming in and out. All different types. It was really fun to watch. Our service was polite and prompt, just the way I like it. I can't wait to go back again. And go back I will! read more

Bukowski is the closest I've seen in Boston to Amherst's Moan and Dove: a lot of interesting and eclectic beers broken down into a variety of different beer types (pilsner, Belgian white, fruit-based, etc.). The beer selection alone gets its own menu, something that helps in the actual selection. It's a little too small though. We attempted to get a table, but were consistently thwarted, as they were either coming from the bar, or from some magical place that randomly produced people. Neither of these were tables though. The lack of table space hinders the ability to actually partake in the food, which I would have like to have tried. In that sense, this review is kind of incomplete. But I do appreciate the great beer selection, and the extensive varieties of ales, lagers, ciders, pilsners, and other beers. read more

Perhaps this place is trying too hard to be a divey bar with insulting staff to keep up it's tough hipster image. (I mean, they do drop the f-bomb in just about everything they post on facebook.) Then again, this might actually be a for-reals we-don't-give-a-shit-about-you bar. What saves them is their excellent beer menu. One of the best. A must-go for any beer lover worth their foam. Hot tip: Try more beers by ordering a half-pint pour from the draft list. read more

Me gusta PBR por tres dolares. Don't let the above statement or the omnipresent stash of Bud Light in my fridge fool you, I can be a bit of a beer snob. The fact that Bukowski has cheap PBR in addition to another 200 beers is what makes it special. I love exploring, so what better way to feel like Magellan than to sit on your honchers and attempt to knock back one random brew after another? Bukowski is also special because it stands alone as a cool bar of this type in an area that can often be stuffy and refined, not that there's anything wrong with that. I love that it's on top of the interstate and is so small. They have an above standard bar menu and the sandwiches are quite good. However, I want to add that although my buddy seems to enjoy it, I would never eat peanut butter on a hamburger. I had a bad experience one time in college with a similar concoction, but I don't believe I was thinking clearly. Ok....I KNOW I wasn't thinking clearly. *Bonus points for being on Dalton Street, which I like to pretend is named after Patrick Swayze's character from the greatest white trash movie of all-time, "Roadhouse." read more

Where to start.....well, in summary, I came in in the middle of the day, sat and drank beers and ate 2 dinners until after the sun went down. Service - sat at the bar for hours and the bartenders were all very attentive and prompt. They were also very good to allow beer tastes and recommend a beer you may like. Food - tried the Mad Dog with mashed potatoes (basic hot dog which was good; the mashed was also good), the White Trash Cheese Dip (yummy but spicy with all of the jalapenos), Mac and cheese (meh), and the grilled cheese (good ratio of cheese to bread). Atmosphere - didn't love the music. There are TVs. People coming and going at the bar. Other - that bathrooms consist of just one toilet for each. Humid inside the bathroom and kinda on the gross side. All in all, an excellent dive bar. BTW - it is CASH ONLY. read more

Perhaps my first real discovery of the area, and its been a favorite of mine since. There I was; staying at the hostel off of boylston while making day trips out to look at apartments and jobs. I found myself walking back one evening and noticed the neon lights proclaiming 'Dead Authors Club' and went over to investigate the funky bookstore. As I approached, I realized they were still open at eleven or whatever hour it was at the time. Closer still and I found I erred; it wasn't a bookstore at all, but they had beer, and beer is good. It fast become one of my favorite spots, if occasionally a bit loud, and I don't get in there nearly as often as I'd like residing on the other side of the river and not hanging around that area much, Buk's will always be one of my favorite spots. read more