The wife and I visited Boston, where we used to live 30 years ago. We were walking through the Public Garden and the Boston Common and we were hungry for lunch so we decided to stop in and see if the Bull & Finch/Cheers was still open. We went down the stairs and inside. No one yelled Norm at us! Even though this is a major tourist trap - the food was fine. I knew my wife wouldn't finish a sandwich so we decided to split Sam's turkey sandwich and a bowl of the Boston clam chowda. They brought us the half sandwich and fries on two different plates, which was nice. It was nice fresh bread and the sandwich was real tasty. And I hadn't had New England clam chowder in a while - which I guess they call Boston clam chowder now - but it was great. Lots of chunks of clams and potatoes and we mashed up the oyster crackers and put them in there. My wife also ordered the Lilith Pan Asian salad with oranges and noodles - it was good but we really didn't need it. I ordered it the Bull and Finch IPA - I figure if they have a signature beer I'm gonna give it a try. It was satisfying for sure. There's lots of memorabilia around the place from Boston and the Cheers show. I only took one picture of that because I didn't want to be a pain to the customers that were there! Suffice it to say that, despite it being a tourist trap and a tad more pricey because of that - the Bull & Finch pub is a great place to go and eat and drink for lunch or dinner. Check it out! read more

Cheers - The original name of the place/ most call it Cheers now - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Cheers is an iconic bar and restaurant that opened in Boston, Massachusetts in 1969. It was founded by Thomas A. Kershaw. Located in the basement of the Hampshire House (built 1910), Cheers was originally known as the Bull & Finch Pub (named for Boston-born architect Charles Bulfinch). Kershaw wanted to find a use for the building's basement, which at the time was inefficiently used as just storage. He and his business partner tried to model the Bull & Finch on English pubs, complete with accoutrements imported from England. In 1981, TV writers Glen and Les Charles and director James Burrows came up with an idea for a new TV show set in a lively Boston bar. Exteriors of the Bull & Finch were shot for the opening credits as well as insert shots. The idea turned into the TV sitcom "Cheers", which was a mega hit on NBC from 1982 to 1993. Although the interior of the TV bar was actually on a sound stage in California, the popularity of the show helped to boost business at the real Boston bar. In 2002, the Bull & Finch was officially renamed "Cheers" as part of a new deal with CBS Studios. A second Cheers location (modeled to resemble the TV bar) opened at Boston's Faneuil Hall in 2001. Unfortunately, it closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A replica of the TV bar was later built upstairs from the original Boston bar. My family I recently had lunch at Cheers while we were in Boston for the day. My wife and I previously visited the Faneuil Hall location in 2013, but this was our first visit to the original location. As you might expect, the real interior of the bar looks nothing like the bar from the TV show. It doesn't matter though; the atmosphere is pure Boston. We were seated in the back dining room area. To drink, I had a mug of Bent Water Brewing's "Bull & Finch IPA" (Hazy IPA) while my wife had "Strawberry Rosé Sangria" (rosé, Bacardi dragonberry rum, strawberries, soda water). I loved my beer, but my wife was a little disappointed with the sangria which she felt was too bland. To eat, I had the "Frasier's Chicken Panini" (grilled chicken breast, pesto, tomato & fresh mozzarella on focaccia bread), my wife had the "Nachos Grande" (crisp tortilla chips buried in Monterey Jack &cheddar cheese, topped with/ pico de gallo, served w/ sour cream & salsa), and our older son had the "Kids Chicken Fingers & Fries". We were all very happy with our food choices! After our meal, we did the touristy thing and visited the gift shop as well as the replica TV bar upstairs for some photo ops. Overall, we had a fun time at Cheers and hope to return on a future visit to Boston! read more

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Thought I'd stop in after visiting Boston Commons. There was no line and I was able to walk right in and sit at the bar. Pretty anti-climactic experience as it looks nothing like the bar on the show Cheers. The interior is quite small and the bar itself is tiny seating only a max of apx 10 patrons. While here I had a draft served in an ice cold, frosted mug Service was good by the bartender. I did not eat anything. Menu prices are high, but hey, what would you expect. read more

Cheers - Ice, cold, frosted mug of goodness - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Giving this place a 5 just because it was near to say I stopped by Cheers. Bartender and server were friendly. Beer and Espresso martini were good. The pizza was ok. Filled out bellies enough to continue playing tourist. It was fun to see the sign outside and walk down the stairs. The original bar downstairs doesn't look anything like the one on the show. For me it was worth a visit and a beer. read more

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Okay! This was the best thing I had in Boston. It was my first time trying clam chowder, and now I completely understand the hype. The whole Cheers experience was really neat--I don't think I realized before that Cheers was set in Boston, so that made it even more fun. I would definitely return. The only reason I'm deducting a star is because my server rarely checked on me and seemed more attentive to the tables on either side. Aside from that, it was a great experience with really good food. read more

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Was visiting Boston and came across this by accident. Didn't know there was an actual Cheers restaurant. Grew up watching this show. Was one of my favorites show in the days. So glad we found this while visiting Boston. Of course, had to check them out. I recognized the signage right away. Was thinking how it was inside so we decided to dine here. Just walk down the steps and the entrance is right there. The place was packed. Everyone was having a cheery good time! We waited a few minutes and was seated right away in the back area of the restaurant. There is a bar area and dining area. There's even a souvenir/gifts shop inside. Feels like we were in one of the episodes of Cheers. We ordered the followings: - Carla's Meatballs & Linguini - Mac n Cheese with House Salad - Frasier's Chicken Panini with Fries Foods were not bad at all. Very tasty and enjoyable. We all liked our orders. If you ever visit Boston and is a fan of the show (even if you never heard of the show), come and give them a visit. You'll be glad you did. We sure did. read more

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Old school vibe reminiscent of the tv show. Stopped during our trolley tour and was excited. Food was good the service was great and the vibe and ambiance was legit. Highly recommend for a quick bite and drink. Check out the souvenir shop as well. read more

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Wanted to go here once. Only took 37 years. Luckily we got seated right away but others were told a 30 min wait. Everyone's food looked good. Prices are high. I got mozzarella sticks. They were $20 but it was a big portion and was good. The Mac n cheese was just ok. They try to turn the tables over quickly. No need to come back. read more

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For nostalgia purposes, this is a great stop to make when visiting the city. I'm a 90s kid who watched the show with fascination, so my inner child loved all of this. The gift shop with the replica bar is actually worth the visit. The bar itself is tiny, and crowded. So if going with a group be prepared to stand or wait a while for one of there tables surrounding the bar. I see there was a food menu, but we didnt eat there. Definitely worth it to grab a cold one, and take tons of cutsey photos. Because I went with a group, my friends ordered on my behalf so I can't speak to the ordering or service on that part. I ordered there blueberry beer on draft and I loved it. I am unsure if this is just a giant tourist trap, but who cares, enjoy! read more

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Cheers, although you didn't know my name, we truly enjoyed our visit. We enjoyed a couple of ice cold Sam Addams and the sampler platter for a snack. There usually is a long line to get in, so allow yourself plenty of time in case you have to wait. This was a bucket list stop, as we were fans of the tv show. The food was good, the staff was friendly and perhaps the next time I visit, they might even know my name. read more

Cheers - The menu at Cheers. - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

If you've ever wanted to walk into a place "where everybody knows your name," let me tell you--nobody knew mine, but they pretended pretty well, and that's basically the same thing. My colleague and I dropped by as a final stop of our business trip to grab lunch. Why not?. I ordered Rebecca's Fish & Chips, and it was excellent--crispy, light, and flavorful without being greasy. The fries were golden and seasoned just right. My colleague went with the Burger Meister and he enjoyed how savory it was. Big portions, great flavor, and exactly what you want from a classic pub style meal. The atmosphere was warm, fun, and very "Boston," with friendly staff and that iconic cozy vibe. Before leaving I grabbed couple of Cheers coffee mug on my way out, because nothing says "responsible adult" like drinking your morning coffee from a mug that reminds you of a fictional bar. Overall, a great stop for both food and nostalgia. Highly recommended if you're in the area. read more

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Of course we had to go here since we are visiting Boston. The place has a great ambiance and I enjoyed the music. We were just grabbing a drink and appetizer. The Irish cream was delicious. We ordered pub skins thinking something kinda light as we headed on our way. It was 3 whole potatoes cut in half with cheese and bacon and a side of sour cream. They didn't taste fresh, like they were under a heat lamp or oven for a long time. The waitress was very nice and checked in us. The experience was great though. They had a gift shop and a replica bar which was fun to see. read more

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Very basic food.. it's more for Nostalgia than anything else.. They have a gift shop upstairs.. The service was good overall can't complaint about that. read more

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While researching and coming up with an itinerary for our trip to Boston, we knew visiting the original Cheers was a must! It is located in Beacon Hill, across from the Commons! We arrived around 5 or 6pm and got lucky enough to grab a seat at one of their bar areas - yes, there were a couple. We ordered at least 2 or 3 drinks each because....why not? I loved that even though this is a very well known dive bar, they still offered fun Fall drinks that I of course ordered - like a Pumpkin Mudslide and a Chai drink. While we didn't eat at Cheers, the food looked and smelled amazing! The ambiance was so cozy and we just felt very relaxed and welcomed - it definitely lived up to the show and it's theme! The staff were very friendly, personable and accommodating! It was definitely one of the memorable highlights from our vacation last week and I'm so glad we got to visit! read more

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Do better Cheers!!! The place was busy because its Cheers, a nostalgic landmark. I didn't check the menu or the Yelp reviews before deciding to go. If I did I would have limited my trip to a drink at the bar. The food was simple and average. We ordered the BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza and the Burger Meister with Bacon. The flat bread pizza could have been microwaved, the crust was so soft. Making it difficult to eat without a fork and knife. The toppings were tasty. A different burger arrived at my table and I didn't realize it until after I had already taken a photo. I informed the waitress who apologized and took the burger back to the kitchen. She returned about 3 mins later with the correct burger. It was well done and I had asked for medium well. I didn't send it back though because by then I was already done with the experience. read more

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Is it crazy to say one of my highlights of visiting Boston was going to Cheers? Yes, I know it's a tourist trap but as a Cheers fan I just had to go. I know the downstairs bar isn't the actual bar but they now have the replica of the set in the upstairs bar. It was fun standing there where Norm sat. The place was packed when we arrived but the bartender was amazingly fast. We just had a beer. No food though the food they were bringing out didn't look bad. We enjoyed our beers, checked out all the memorabilia & the gift shop & were on our way. Fun place to check out and reminisce. 2025-79 read more

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This was our First stop in Boston and we were so excited!! We loved the nostalgia atmosphere!!! We got to eat upstairs in the Cheers Bar (replica) and it was so fun!!! The food was good. But I think you are paying for the atmosphere!!! Service was very good considering how busy they were!! I did go back to shop and purchased some Cheers stuff!!! read more

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We had to come here since this was the bar that the Cheers show was inspired by! They have an area where they re-created the Cheers set, but the original bar that started it all was in the basement and very small. Quick service- the bartender was running the whole bar solo and was running everywhere. We ordered 3 draft drinks and they were $10/each and the mugs were frosted. Perfectly cold brew! read more

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Vibe is cool if you just want to say that you had a beer at the Cheers restaurant . A little crowded but everybody makes due, servers are used to it, but it is a super popular spot so it is to be expected Waitress was very proficient . The food was definitely from a bar. I would probably never eat here again. Not the worst. Recommend grabbing a beer take your pictures and eating somewhere else. read more

Cheers - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Small, iconic bar. We were able to get a table quickly. The waitress was wonderful, attentive and quick. Food came out quickly and tasted great. read more

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What an amazing experience! I was so excited to be able to visit cheers while we were in town! We showed up to catch the end of the Padres vs Redsox Easter sunday! I needed it after tackling the "Boston slide". We had THE BEST bartenders! Tina and Jess were attentive and hilarious! y'all made this experience so rememberable and so fun! Thank you for a great ending to my birthday weekend! read more

Cheers - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great spot for nostalgia! I was a huge fan of Cheers when I was a kid. So this place was a MUST!! Busy on a weeknight but not bad for just me. Food came quickly and they turn tables fast. Burger and fries were decent, but you pay a bit more for the atmosphere and history behind the bar. They do have half off apps 4-6pm Monday thru Friday. read more

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Even though it's a total tourist trap, it was a fun stop in the Commons. The front area looks exactly like the TV show bar, but there are additional seating areas around the bar and there is a back bar as well. Bar counter areas seem to be first come, first serve, but otherwise you need a reservation or you'll be waiting a while (we were there on a very nice Saturday evening around 8 and it was still running a 3 hour wait time). We ended up grabbing a spot at the back bar. There were aome great local beers on tap as well. Overall, a fun experience, but make a reservation. read more

Cheers - Where everybody knows your name - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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We came just for drinks and the bar can be quite tight but they have a back room with more bar space. Unfortunately the stage replica was closed due to a private event but we still had a fun time! This is more of a beer/draft kind of bar. Watching the bar staff try and make an old fashioned for another patron was a bit painful and took a long time. Both my husband and I went to the bathroom separately and they were still making the same drink when we returned. Ultimately, who cares. You're going to a tourist trap so you've signed up for a body press and a wait. It didn't detract from the fun of being at CHEERS!! read more

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Welp, I'm here, so I might as well go "where everybody knows your name." Sorry, I couldn't resist. Cheers sits somewhere between a local dive bar & a sports bar, leaning more towards dive bar. It's a visit purely for the tourist appeal. Small venue, metered street parking on a one way street. Gift shop upstairs. Basic one sided bar menu, beer, truly a no frills place. Service is good, vibe is local bar. The exterior you'll recognize from the show. Interior from just a few opening credit shots. The interior from the show was a soundstage set. There is a replica bar upstairs next to the gift shop where you can sit and drink, no food served up there. Had a burger and a beer. The burger and fries were good, so no complaints. The beer comes in a signature mug, which you can keep for $14 added to your bill. A nice place to visit, but don't expect too much beyond the nostalgia aspect. Grades: Burger: A Fries: A read more

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This spot is just as cool as I expected it to be! Growing up I have seen my parents watch this show plenty of times so getting to see it in person and enjoy a drink was a cool experience. We walked downstairs and were able to grab 2 seats at the bar which is exactly what we wanted to do. The menu has typical bar food but they had some good options. We did a sample platter to try a little bit of everything since we were in the mood for a snack. We ended up going to the store upstairs to look at all of the souvenir options. Such a cool spot to stop at and plenty of nostalgia growing up with this show. read more

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When walking around Boston and we happen to come across this location. This is actually the pub that inspired the television series , Cheers. The actual more areas are quite small with only a small one in the front and in the very back. They do offer food, but honestly, we were both highly disappointed. My husband got a combo platter that came with onion rings, chicken, wings, potato skins, chicken tenders, and mozzarella sticks. He said it was just OK and definitely needed an additional seasoning I ended up with the steak and cheese sandwich and while it's a large portion and comes with fries again absolutely no seasoning whatsoever. I did enjoy one of the down East ciders which is unfiltered and was super delicious! On the second floor, they do have the full bar set up for you to view - you cannot order from it . They basically just re-created the set here, but the original taping all happened in LA. Overall, my recommendation is if you want grab a beer, but otherwise keep moving. read more

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Now I could not come to Boston and not sit at the bar where Cheers was taped around people who all "knew my name"lol. There were two bars, one upstairs where the show was taped (we sat here) and the bar o the first floor was said to be the inspiration of the show. There were many pictures of the cast on the wall and the menu was selections based off the character names. A nice cold Heineken in a frosted mug for me and a Sam Adams for the husband was perfect on this hot day. The vibe in here was all that...the music, the crowd, and our bartender, Ryan was the best. I ordered a mug of clam "chowda" and must say it was delicious. It was rich, creamy, full of big potatoes and clams and was nice and hot. My husband was not impressed with the taste of his chicken quesadilla, said it was okay. It was nice visiting. read more

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Has to stop by this spot while in Boston for the nostalgia. I ordered a beer just to say I did and got a few items from the gift shop. It was a fun experience and I enjoyed chatting with other tourists. read more

Cheers - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Nostalgia and memories of Ted Dantzen and Kirstie Alley... and the gang. Great location and a merch store plus bathrooms. Plus the restaurant bar! read more

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Come on who didn't watch Cheers back in the day. Walking up and then down the stairs to the bar is iconic!! While the inside is very different you can still feel the vibe, we stopped for a beer but wound up eating and it was pretty good. Nice portions, we got the nachos to share and more than enough for the three of us. Main course was a variety of burgers and salads all healthy portions to and tasty. Worth the stop if you're in Boston. read more

Cheers - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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We couldn't visit Boston without going to Cheers. The replica TV set was very close to the original except in a much smaller area. I got to sit in Norm's seat at the corner of the bar and have a beer. It does get crowded each time a tour bus stops but also clears out just as quickly. When visiting Boston, stop and have a beer "Where Everone Knows Your Name". read more

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It was my first visit to this bar-restaurant, and with its legendary status, I was preparing myself for a total mob scene. I arrived around 5 pm on a Saturday night, and while it was busy, it was manageable. Pleasant surprise! It's a first come, first served set up. The bartender was phenomenal and juggled a full bar by himself, including taking the food orders. Job well done! I ended up at Frasier's spot, so I decided to go with it and ordered Frasier's Chicken Panini along with a Bull and Finch IPA. The beer was crisp and satisfying. The sandwich was tasty and substantial. What more do you need? Cheers paid its respects to the recently departed George Wendt (Norm) with the black sash across its sign and life-size stand-ups of Norm and a guest book to sign. Nice touches. read more

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Literally came here for a breakfast beer on the 4th of July before we started the Freedom Trail! Make sure you head upstairs to the actual bar, which has more room and Cheers memorabilia. read more

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Cheers is a fun touristy visit for fans of the show. It's definitely more for the nostalgia, but the food is not too bad. I had a burger which was pretty good. The service is also quick for being a busy place, but I did come pretty early. There is also a gift shop for some fun souvenirs. read more

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Fun to visit but pretty overwhelming and chaotic at the entrance. There are multiple bars and people are not sure where to go and are blocking different entrances and exits. Come on a weekday during non-peak times for the best experience. We did not get food but enjoyed a beer! read more

Cheers - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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We were in Boston for a week and found ourselves at Cheers twice! Definitely recommend getting the Sam Adams Jack O if you go during October. It's actually what had us going back a second time. The food is good; no complaints. Both times we went we had zero trouble getting in and serviced quickly without reservations. Atmosphere and music is fun! We had great bartenders and waitresses. It's worth it for a trip down memory lane! read more

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I'm so torn... I was really looking forward to going here being someone who watched the show.. however unfortunately that really was about all that was amazing here. I'd say it's worth going just to see it, I didn't realize personally that they never really filmed here. And unfortunately, the food left so much to be desired for... we did the large nachos and the toppings were only on the very surface of the chips and then underneath just a huge stack of dry chips. It was pretty disappointing. We also got the sample sampler, which is just your average deep-fried finger foods. If you come to visit, don't come for the food. Definitely come for the nostalgia of it and know thats why you're coming. They did serve your beer in a cheers style mug, which you then can buy afterwards for an additional $14. Over all, if you miss it, you didn't miss much besides seeing the flag outside, and saying you've been. read more

Cheers - Nachos with toppings only on the top, the huge stack of chips is just that. - American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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You are going to want to check out where everybody knows your name! It's probably one of the touristy things in Boston, but I guess there's far worse things to do. The surprising part to me was how small the place actually is. It's really a hole in the wall place and NOT like what is shown on TV. They do have a replica on the first floor. This was actually the biggest disappointment to me. As for the food and drinks, this is a typical bar you'd find in any major city. The food was good, but nothing too outstanding. They make a decent burger and pour a good beer. Sometimes that's all you need! I know this review sounds more negative than positive, but I would recommend checking out. It's pretty much a normal sports bar. Nothing wrong with that! read more

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We visited this place to see Cheers and was pleasantly surprised at how great the food was. We thought maybe it would be a tourist trap. It was not! We had very good sandwiches. read more