Classic spot. Wish you could find more bars like this when you're wandering a historic area like North Boston

Great little dive bar! No frills little watering hole, with friendly locals/regular patrons. This is our second time stopping in while in town for a Bruins game. Definitely won't be our last read more

True Score: 3.5 Star Dive Bar for the North End Best Dive in the North End A great place to stop for a pint - or two - or whatever kind of booze ya like! This is not a fancy or large bar. They don't have 30 craft beers on tap, but the bar contains all of the essentials: seats, tables, beer, wine, spirits, bathroom, vending machine, windows for people-watching or being watched... We were there on a Saturday afternoon and met a guy who was born an hour away from where we live. What are the odds? Approachable people and a very nice, very local place. Tip: It might be a dive, but it is not cheap. Not a bar to sit all day and swill down drinks. You'll go broke, it is the North End. Thanks read more

This is a true dive bar in the North End. Yes, it's on a corner and yes, we passed it several times before finally going in. You won't find any specialty craft beers here. Tons of liquor to choose from along with your run of the mill beer selection. The owner quickly greeted us and offered an order of fries since you have to get food with alcohol in Boston. I had a Corona since it was the only beer they have that I'm okay with drinking. It was quiet since it was the middle of the afternoon but just what we needed after walking around all morning. Don't come here looking for anything crazy or new. You come here for a cheap drink and to chill out for a while. The owner is the nicest guy and won't rush you. read more

the corner cafe is a great friendly local spot for drinks the owner is very welcome person and good atmosphere

Feel like most nights you're not welcome here unless you fit in with the rest of the racial demographic in the bar. Partner was stopped and interrogated by the bartender ("why didn't you ask for my permission to use the bathroom") coming out of the bathroom, his friends (who "fit" the demographic) passed the profiling check I suppose and got the pass. Overall patronizing and made him feel so uncomfortable. Will never be returning, and neither will his friends (who pointed out the unfair treatment in the first place). read more

If you like a cash bar, conversation, light music ( large variety) and friendly people... this is a must see!!!! read more

See all

A lot of things frustrate me about this place. Mostly that is because it has potential to be a great dive bar. First of all, I love dive bars. And I truly do appreciate this place being one and open late since there aren't many of those in the North End. It also draws an interesting, fun crowd late night so I'll give it that. What don't I like? It has potential to be so much more. It could be a great spot to watch games, but the owner is too cheap to put up good TVs. They have two tiny, old ones in the entire place so what could be a great sports bar isn't even a good one. What else? They have a jukebox with TouchTunes, which is cool, but it's been broken for months. Why not fix it so the large late night crowds they draw can play tunes? The food is absolutely terrible and just literally like the frozen fries from the supermarket freezer level. Again, cheaping it out. The owner works most nights behind the bar (I've only seen someone else once when I happened to go in on a Monday and she was cool) and he's pretty grumpy. Not friendly at all. This place is family owned and strictly based on a lack of competition and location it does well, I think. You can get a drink here later than anywhere else in the North End so that draws a crowd on that basis alone. But this place could actually be GOOD and it isn't, really (other than the cool crowd desperate for a late night place), and it's clear the family that owns it doesn't care. read more

CASH ONLY... which is fine by me, I'm a cash carrier, they do have an ATM conveniently located inside. A small Boston dive bar, keno tickets , couple TVs, what more can you ask for. read more

This place was a very basic dive bar with a local north end neighborhood vibe. They had a full bar with a few beers on tap. After waiting in line in the cold at Regina's Pizzeria a block away, this place allowed us to eat our pizza there with the few beers that we ordered. This bar also had Keno which was a plus! read more

Corner Cafe - a man sitting at a bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Corner Cafe is not a cafe, it is actually a small dive bar. They only accept cash, so make sure you stop by an ATM beforehand. They had 2 beers on top, a variety of hard liquor and even sangria. If you are coming up with a group of friends, I recommend getting beer by the pitcher. (It is a small pitcher, enough for about 3 people). They also have TVs here so you can watch the latest games! read more

Awful awful awful. Kim the bartender stole money for keno from friends, right in front of everyone, and gave the friends tickets that were already cashed in. She was foul, foul language, foul attitude, foul treatment. We would always stop by when in the North End, will never again. We love to support local small businesses and this absolutely ruined that. read more

Great bar, great location and the servers are the best!!! Highly recommend it if your visiting Boston North End!!!

Love this bar! Great local watering hole for the residents of the north end. It's nothing crazy and cash only but a perfect stop for a night cap! read more

Good drinks but the service from the bar was slow and at times we felt intentionally ignored. That made the experience not so fun. And maybe it's the going rate but $15 for a not quite a lemon drop martini from a self described dive bar seemed a little overpriced. read more

Nice little bar in the North End with Joe slinging drinks. We had a good conversation with Tommy Tomatoes. Reasonable prices too. Lookin forward to visiting again! Thanks read more

The Corner Cafe is an absolute no frills bar, which for me, is awesome. The people, employees and patrons alike, were all friendly and rambunctious. It felt like a bar that could have been in any small town in the US but in the middle of the North End. So awesome! read more

2 words... Pudding shot! Just do it and thank me later. This neighborhood dive bar was just what I needed! Everyone was friendly, even to us outsiders. If a local dive bar is where you'll have a good time this is the perfect spot! We didn't eat but everything looked and smelled amazing. What's up with the small bathrooms in this town though? read more

See all

Solid little dive bar tucked in to the North End. It's a convenient walk to the Garden if you're going to a game or a show without the mobbed feel of the usual suspects: The Fours, TITS, etc. They don't serve food but you can bring your own. We got a few pizzas from Regina's to have with our beers. I stuck with Sam Adams draft, a Boston dive staple. The bartender was a little grumpy, but that kinda added to the charm. I'd be back if I were in the neighborhood. read more

Great atmosphere, drafts were cold, and Sangria is the best in Boston. We're new to the area and Ray's hospitality made it feel like home. Best kept secret in the North End. Highly recommend! read more

As a Merchant Sailor, I have drank in every Bar literally in the World & I can honestly say, I never met such angry Bartender in my life. The angry British Bartender thinks he is doing you a favor when he makes you a drink. A meek yuppie guy in front me just ordered a few beers from him & his friends. The Angry Brit. Bartender was so rude to him, I was like wow. The Angry Brit Bartender is going to say the wrong thing to the wrong guy at some point & he will probably catching last call at Mass General. North End now, I realize is all nerd yuppies, however, be careful angry Brit. , there is still a few lunatics lingering around from the old days in the North End left . Other than that, its a cool neighborhood Bar, if they could get rid of the "Angry Brit" no need to treat people like that. read more

The pinnacle of pretense-free imbibing. Small nook in the North End that caters to a sophisticated spectrum of drunks. Need a jell-o shot? How about the lightest possible miller? It's a good place that serves it's function, and clientele, admirably. read more

I first came upon the corner Cafe Halloween/Nov 1st 2002, by recommendation of folks at the old different drummer bar on Salem st. I went in from time to time over the yrs before taking an unexpected break in 06 with intentions to go back. Didn't go back till dec 2012. But since then, I am a regular every Patriots game. Sat nights in off season and I come extra during bruins, celtics, sox playoff games. Great owners along with great bartenders rayza, shana, althea, Heather along with joe who fills in time to time. Knew about 3 people when I first came back around in 2012. Today know at least 30 different people who come to the corner. Even introduced two of my coworkers to the corner who both went on how much enjoyed it. 5 stars and beyond for the corner. read more

Corner Cafe - The rayzas edge(aka patron margarita) & fireball shot on new yrs eve 2016-17 - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Came here while waiting for dinner at Neptune Oyster and it was fine. This bar only takes cash, advertised $5 sangria so that is what we got. The sangria was everything you'd expect from $5 sangria. The place was mostly empty; didn't expect a party crowd at all but having a few other people around would have been nice. read more

They only had 4 beers on tap and one was out. The bar is cash only, which is fine, but I would expect the prices to be lower as a result. However, the prices are a little higher for a beer than what I would expect at a bar in Boston, let alone a dive bar. They didn't have a cocktail menu as far as I could tell, but I would guess they would've been overpriced too. They serve food, but it seems like a very flaky system. I asked when the kitchen closes, and she said that it depends on who's working there that day, which is a little hard to plan around. On the plus side, the bar did have plenty of room and they serve free chili for Pat's games which was pretty good. read more

I am a big fan of neighborhood bars. I am a HUGE fan of dive bars. Due to a recent relocation, The Corner Cafe is both of these things. The Corner Cafe is a cornucopia of awesomeness. We've got TV's, a unisex bathroom, jello shots, pudding shots(!), super cute bartender, wasted octogenarians, Celine Dion, chicken fingers, cheap beer, and I think the bartenders have been instructed to never cut anyone off. Ever. I swoon over this place. (Or the bartender, whatever). read more

A word of warning. This ISN'T a cafe. No no. I didn't walk in expecting this to be a cafe -- I could tell from a mile away that this was a classic dive bar. But the Europeans who walked in when I was at the bar were in for a rude surprise. No cappuccino's here! Now, I live in Brooklyn. And I'm from California with a California driver's license. This is the type of bar where the bartender looks you over. Looks at your ID...and well, you're an outsider. A foreigner. You're not from these here parts. Etc. I came to Boston for my buddy's wedding. Decided to spend the day in North End. And what better way than to go to a dive bar in the middle of a weekday. Yup. Place was filled with locals on their lunch breaks. Yeah. Only 2 beers on tap from what I recall. Talked politics and current events with the bartender. An older gentleman. And he told some great stories from back in the day. Pretty much all you could ask from a bartender. And yes, the bartender actually said "get the fuck outta here" to everything. I've been living in Brooklyn for 3 years and not once did I hear anyone say the equivalent -- "fuggedaboutit." Great bar. Will return the next time I'm in Boston. read more

Some nights (a lot more nights now that I'm not longer 25) you just want to roll out of your apartment in jeans and a hoodie and walk around the corner and get a few reasonably priced beers with some friends. Corner Café is the perfect for this, especially when you live in the tourist ridden North End. The bartender is awesome, makes AMAZING martinis and cosmos that will knock you on your butt (in a good way). I always bring out of town-or even out of neighborhood- friends here for a casual but entertaining time. They allow you to bring in your dogs, food from other places, and your hammered boyfriend without comment. Great place to head to for a fun and unpretentious night. Cash only! read more

Great atmosphere. Great staff. Quiet place to hang at to get a good drink. Would recommend. Althea was the best !!!

The Corner Cafe is a great neighborhood dive bar. I have now been dropping in to this establishment for over two years. Whether its a quick beer before a Celtics game or a night propping up the bar, this is a great relaxed little place. Ray the bartender has mastered the art of making a perfect martini, the man is a magician. You can get pudding/jello shots, and you can bring in Pizza from Regina's around the corner. I have had many a good time in this place and bring friends to this hidden gem all the time. Cash bar only! read more

Great dive bar in all sense of the phrase. No fuss, no muss. Beers, booze, Keno, scratchers, jukebox, TVs... what else you want?

To The Perpetually PO'd Old Bartender: Whatever we did, we're sorry. No really. You kind of got your point across, if only by osmosis, that this is a neighborhood bar. I dunno, we must not have had our proper North End accoutrement on during our last visit. I say "last", because we did indeed like to stop by what is a charming little s-hole dive bar in what is otherwise La Turista heaven, & have a few reasonably priced pops. I'm afraid we can't do this again. I've seen the movies. I know what happens next. read more

Long time listener, first time caller. I'm mad at myself for waiting this long to stop at the bar which is literally a block away from my apartment. I approached Corner last night and I got one of those feelings. You know the one, "Are they cash-only?" and of course, when you have to think about it, they always are. But the bartender was soooooo nice about it (Asian girl). Their ATM was not working, so I was going to go across the street to one, but she insisted on me enjoying my drinks first. I guess I don't look like the type of person who would run off without paying for my drinks, but I can assure you that it is the consumption of those drinks that would turn me into that type of person. It's a catch-22. It's a dive bar, but now it's my dive bar. (Probably wouldn't want to eat there though) read more

It took me more than two years to make it back to the Corner Cafe, but it's comforting to know that while some things (in the Corner Cafe) change, most things (in the Corner Cafe) stay the same. The site of a recent Cheap Drinks & Bitch, we hit the Corner Cafe hard at about 6:30 on a Friday. Ray was still behind the bar, but they've upgraded to Erotic Photo Hunt, and the Internet jukebox was working just fine. Jello shots, pudding shots, and a big ol jar o' HOMEMADE SANGRIA (which was actually quite tasty!) The bathroom is still nice and clean, and Ray is still serving up the coldest martinis in Boston. They encourage people to bring in food from nearby restaurants, which means REGINA! Just make sure there's plates and napkins, and that you clean up your mess afterwards. I can't say enough good things about the Corner Cafe. We need more places like this in #obamasamerica. read more

Oh doggy! I get first crack at the Corner??!?! Such a great joint. Small neighborhood feel, and cheap beer. Pitchers, drafts, and a juke box. This is where I watched the end of the World Cup championship game when ITALIA took home the hardware. I had just finished painting my dilapidated North End apartment, and made my way over here for some flava. You could barely move - it was the only place to be when they won it. We streamed out of there and proceeded to join the mosh pit on Hanover Street, complete with firecrackers, music, and complete chaos. I threw a water bottle at Bob Lobel while he was standing on top of Mike's Pastry, but it missed. Other than that, it was a glorious day. Several trips to the Corner Cafe made my short stint in 02113 a pleasant one - especially for the affordability factor. No pretense, just a laid back bar that you should go to RIGHT NOW dammnit. read more

I freaking LOVE this place. The thing I love the most is when you walk through the door and the bartenders give you that look of, "Crap....customers. I don't like customers." Or the "I f*cking hate you" look you get when you put money in the jukebox. I enjoy giving that look when I'm behind my own bar, so I feel your pain, guys. I've never tried the food here, but it's cooked by the bartender on a teeny griddle behind the bar so obvs it's going to cause pyrotechnics in my digestive system, which is fine with me as long as it doesn't last all day. In all seriousness, it IS a dive bar, so don't expect the bartenders to like you. But without a doubt the cheapest place for beers in the North End. read more

Oh Corner Cafe, you will always hold a special place in my heart. You are no where near a five star institution, but you always get it right. Come here in your pajamas, come here in your best duds, come here with your kitty cat (I did that once), come here with your buds. Great low key place to grab a drink or end the night. Not some place you want to take a cab to but considering it's about 400 yards from where I live, it can't be beat as a neighborhood spot. read more

Great spot, don't come if you are visiting. Leave it for locals to have a safe space to eat.

If you just want a no frills bar to drink a beer with friends, this is the place to do it! Went with my boyfriend one night when we just had a craving for some beers and conversation. You can also play the lottery here. read more

In town for a conference and the bar was totally great! Nice local North-end spot. Had a few beers and a great margarita! read more

Corner Cafe - Amazing margarita! - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts