Let's dispense with any suppositions or inferences of "Britishness" here. People can debate the authenticity of British-themed pubs in America until they're royal blue in the face, but when the only distinction between such an establishment and any other bar is heavier food and Anglo-inspired decor, it's really not worth considering. Fact is, national alignment aside, Cornwall's is a safe bet for a nice night in Kenmore. An above-average beer list presents a number of interesting brews at reasonable prices (a pint of Old Speckled Hen for $6) and some less interesting ones at less reasonable prices ($4 cans of Narragansett). They provide a pretty enjoyable range of entertaining activities, from dart boards and pool tables to a sizeable collection of board games (note: playing Operation when you're a few beers deep is surprisingly intense). Table service can be occasionally less-than-adequate, but on the plus side, it's not too crowded, even on a Friday night, to simply order at the bar. Is an outing to Cornwall's the same as finding yourself with a Daily Mail-ful of fish and chips at the Cavern Club? Heck no. But if you want to grab some beers in Kenmore without finding yourself in a sea of people with no possibility of Battleship, this is the place for you. read more

There's not much these days in Kenmore square on the nightlife circuit- but Cornwalls is one of those old places that is still around and hopping. On a Friday night the place is pleasantly popular- enough people around you, but it is still easy to find a table for six. And the mixed drinks are large and worth the price. Check this place out- and if your lucky, you might even run into a handsome Theta Xi who will by you a drink ;-) read more

went here before a red sox game. Wanted to eat the fish and chips, until I found out that it was cod (a fish I utterly disklike). The waitress insisted that "the cod is very good, it's very fresh". Finally, instead of me and my friend ordering 2 plates, we decided to split 1 fish and chips and 1 burger. Both were really, really good. I was surprised at how much I liked the fish. Good taste, very fresh tasting. The burger, which had Canadian bacon, avocado and cheese, was really good as well. It's a nice bar, on a great location close to Fenway. read more

I can't believe it took me so long to hang out here! Talk about a fabulous neighborhood bar with a twist! The vibe is chill, the beer selection is impressive and they have daaaarts and board games! OH LA LA Beers and board games among good Friends..it just doesn't get any better! And the fact that they have one of my fave beers, Belgian, fin du monde, makes me love this place even more! The service can be a bit random, but the poor waitress was a part of a severely understaffed crew --so I am going to let it slide... If you have a fun group of friends, this should def. become your new watering hole! read more

young's chocolate stout on tap and the PERFECT amount of guacamole on my PERFECTLY cooked medium rare burger. The Bartender was nice to me since i was eating by myself and even helped me with the crossword. Its only downfall was the 3 yeah-dudes sitting next to me saying "pussy beer pussy beer gay" I realize that this is not the establishment's fault but someone has to pay! read more

I thought I was bound to love this place when I sidled up to the bar and said, "do you have belhaven on tap?" and the tender said "yep!" but, alas. The nachos tasted like a nuanced mix of peanuts and cardboard to our eight person party's discontent. But when one of us asked the waiter to taste one he said, "oh yeah, that's off," and took the plate away. Then he asked the girls next to us how there's were. They opened a new bag of tortillas, and although these were stale (?) they at least tasted better. They get points for trying and being friendly. They also get points for having a laid back, enjoyable atmosphere where you feel like everyone is friends. But I don't know, would I rather have a waiter show of his new tattoo to everyone who walks in the door or a decent bowl of chicken pie (where was the pie exactly? there was no crust, just a lot of mashed potatoes and cold pieces of chicken). Anyway, they have pool tables as someone else mentioned, and I like that. I want to go back and not eat anything, just enjoy some belhavens and play games. read more

Can't say enough good things about Cornwalls! I'm so lucky this place is right down the street from my apartment. It's got the best bartenders around, a rotating selection of awesome beers and really great prices. It's big, with something for everyone - if you need entertainment there's darts, pool, music & board games, and if you just want a good ol' fashioned pub, there are plenty of tables to sit around at and shoot the sh**. Note that they're closed on Sundays whenever the Red Sox aren't playing at home. read more

Cornwall's is something I've seen numerous times while walking around Kenmore Square and finally just went into recently. It wasn't what I expected- much more casual, dark, neighborhood-ish, and full of people stopping by before heading over to Fenway. Basically, it was a dive. However the service was friendly and courteous and fast, and the patio was enjoyable (got to watch some T people standing outside on the sidewalk get into a very heated argument). I ordered a burger with a side salad in place of fries. The salad was actually more veggies than lettuce, which was interesting and unexpected, while the burger was absolutely no frills and absolutely delicious. I'd ordered the BBQ burger which was literally, meat, a roll and BBQ sauce. I'm typically very snobbish about BBQ sauce being from St. Louis with relatives in Texas, and this was great- nice and dark and sweet and how I like it. The burger didn't need anything else as the meat was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The table next to me ordered nachos that smelled tempting even after scarfing down my burger and while I did not order a beer, the beers at the other tables looked cold and refreshing. Basically, don't walk into Cornwall's expecting anything remotely fancy. It's no frills, casual, good food. That said, if what you're looking for is food that's just well done at its core and doesn't need anything fancy to be good, this is exactly where to go. Also extremely well located- the antithesis of Eastern Standard across the way. read more

One of my favorite hangouts. You know how on Friends they all chillax at Central Perk!??! Cornwall's is kinda my Central Perk but with suds. I remember when C's was on the other side of Comm Ave but then it burned down. It's a family-owned establishment so I was glad when they got back on their feet and rebuilt across the street a few years back. Decent grub, a good selection of beers, darts, and friendly staff are all present at Cornwall's. I love this place because it's different than the other Kenmore Sq/ Fenway hangouts. It's casual, comfy, cheap (but not in a dive bar way) and I feel like it is still a hidden gem. I love that there are a variety of board games stashed in the back of the bar too -- anything from Chutes & Ladders to Taboo to Scrabble. It's so fun watching your friends try to play board games when intoxicated!!! Anyway, I was so excited when they expanded and added the pool tables and the patio. And arguably what may even be better than the board games is that 99% of the time I get carded here in the evenings. That shows me A. they think I look young and B. they really care at Cornwall's! read more

Cornwall's always smells funky to me. . . but once I make it past the threshold, I'm in for the hefty burgers and hard cider. *update* I had a serious blue cheese burger here last night before I headed over to Avalon. droooooool. Even the hubby shied away after a few bites. I guess that the blue cheese was too powerful for him. That leaves more for me, thanks. read more

decent food, strong drinks, good beer selection, reasonable prices Cornwall's in my preferred destination to meet people for quick food/drinks before a show at HOB. The service is good and fast. YOu can get dinner/cope of cocktails in ya in no time. The staff isn't in your face friendly but they are good. Menu is limited but everything I have had here has been good. read more

Such fun! Laid back, great food. The selection of real beer is excellent for this side of the pond! Friendly bar staff who were more than willing to let us sample a few unknowns to find our favorite. Great crowd as well! Good stop after Sox games. Outdoor seating for watching the ENTIRE world go by in Kenmore Square. Brilliant! read more

This is gauche in Boston, but I'm going to say it anyway: I would like for Cornwall's to be my Cheers. Specifically, in the amazing 80's sitcom sense, not the crappy tourist trap sense--does that help with the gauche factor? Cornwall's is a great neighborhood bar serving a strong contingent of BU students, Kenmore Sq. and Fenway residents. Really strong beer list and excellent collection of board games, and billiards. It is a very fun place with weird murals, plentiful animal heads and other weird trappings of pub style Boston. I'm totally into it. read more

Cornwall's is is amazing, for many reasons, among which are: the friendliest and hardest working bartenders I've found so far in Boston, amazing pub food (california burger, mmm.... and ask for the beer fries - they're available on special some times and are ridiculously good) and it's just steps from Kenmore Station. If you're looking for a restaurant with a good salad - surprise, they're great. Another reviewer mentioned them having more veggies than lettuce, and that is a regular feature of these dishes. I went more when I was in grad school at BU, but I make it a point to stop by when I'm in the neighborhood. The food's as good as any of the Fenway options, it has a patio, pool tables, and darts, and it never has a line before or after games... just don't take the table back by the dart boards. That's mine! read more

This place is not too shabby if you want to get a group of friends together to play pool and electronic photo hunt. There's also plenty of room to show off your dance moves, or perform a backward somersault. The biggest drawback to Cornwall's is that when you tell people you're going to Cornwall's they instantly think you said "Corn hole's" which, from what I hear, is a different place altogether. read more

On nights during the school year (this pub is basically on the outskirts of BU campus), the left section of Cornwall's smells a bit like.... a dirty bathroom. It could be because they chose to have the bathroom in the central area right across the bar, but who knows. I've been here five or six times, and except for the first time I went, the interior smells faintly of stale beer and/or old urine. Not pretty. But there are of course things I like: 1) A decent selection of British ales! 2) The dollar pool tables! And high stools! 3) There are board games! The board games are often incomplete, but there's fun to be found in making do with what's in the box and coming up with alternatives. Don't bring your parents here on visiting weekend, but perhaps hang out with friends in the less smelly side - where the billiards is. read more

(review dated 1/08): typical pub scene, food, drinks.... what makes it unique: pool tables! :) read more

Definitely an nice low-key alternative to the Kenmore bar scene. It IS a good place to go with a group (thanks Dave J!) and is divided into two main spaces: the main room with a long bar and a second (roomier) room with pool tables, darts, and the picture find thing. I went with one group of work kids, and we ran into another group of birthday kids, and there was plenty of room for both of us, which was good. The sweet potato fries were especially tasty, but I personally found the mixed drinks were slightly disappointing. Although they've served in pint glasses the bar staff didn't seem to have the ratios down (full disclosure: I'm a picky former bartender) and I ended up with what seemed like a pint full of diet coke. I suppose I can't complain too much though, because they *did* remake it when I asked. Bottom line: if you're heading to Kennmore during the academic year and want to avoid a Kells-type experience, Cornwall's is a good choice.* * note: this is a winter review; all bets are off during Sox games read more

Great beer selection from the UK. Service is sometimes sporadic but the beer and food are pretty good. Laid back crowd with some BU students mixed in. read more

Cornwall's - Pubs Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Cornwall's is one of those places I should hate ( a "pub" that isn't dirty with a central/chic location, etc) But I love it here. The menu is solid, the frat boy population is almost non-existent, and no one has ever sat down and tried to talk to me about the Red Sox (It's nothing personal guys, I'm just not a sports fan in general) I'd recommend something, but really, it's all good. The staff is friendly, and the surroundings are comfortable. Still, I have to take a point off for being "too nice" It's just my thang. read more

Oh boys, i miss all three of you. Ben, JR and Billy have seen me through many late nights, birthdays and even my long awaited Grad party. I havent been over as much as i would like recently. A move out of the area and a new promotion make it impossible to maintain the same social life i once had, but I owe this place big time. This place has the unique ability to feel like home to so many people. Everyone I know loves this place and all it has to offer. They have pool, darts, a large beer selection and a collection of dedicated, friendly and creative staff. They are more than happy to accomodate both locals and the rowdy fenway crowd. I dont even have the words to say how much i love this place and how much i miss it since my life turned busy. Hope to see everyone there soon, this place goes on my short list of Boston favs! read more

Good bar food, great selection of beers on tap, nice staff. The second room has pools and darts. I like it best when it's not too crowded, ie. not on Sox games nights nor Friday nights (when BU student crowd pretty much owns the place). Food is overall OK, but some items really stand out, like the sweet potato fries and also the knockwurst (you get 3 of them, with cole slaw and potato salad, all yummy!!). They used to have Murphy's on tap but not anymore. Well after all it's supposed to be an English pub, not Irish... But still!! Like Miranda said, it's not that authentic anyway. And they do have Guinness (thank God). Try their porters, they change from time to time and you can get lucky. Definitely the best pub in the neighborhood IMHO. (I don't like Crossroads, nor Boston Beer Works). read more

Stopped by for a bit last night, had a quick beer, and had to run. I was impressed by the place - the food smelled fantastic, and they had Allegash White, my favorite drink-at-any-time beer. Nice atmosphere, laid back, and not so loud you couldn't talk to neighbors at table. Good service, nice bartenders, and they seated our large group easily, with no eye rolling. Though they lost points for the Allegash being in a bottle, and for the overall expense of the drafts, and I'll probably go again to try some of their food. read more

I've had many an afternoon and night at Cornwalls. Either at the bar with friends, sitting down for a nice dinner (the nachos and burgers are amazing), or playing a round of pool while nursing some drinks, I've never been disappointed. JR, Billy and staff are great people, can carry a great conversation and definitely make you feel welcome. This place is great for groups and the beer selection is on point. You can also take a gamble and ask the bartenders to make you up one of their concoctions. You won't be disappointed either! read more

One of my top two "pubs" in Boston, Cornwall's is a fanastic place to grab a bite (and a few...er, six...beers) after work. Great for pub crawls on the weekend, too! I'm a super fan of the Oktoberfest beers when in season, and they have some of the best fish and chips short of London! read more

Cornwalls is probably my favorite bar in Boston due to numerous factors: Fuller's London Pride on tap, just downstairs from my best friends' condo, and the friendly atmosphere the staff creates. JR, Billy and Ben sling delicious beers behind the bar, and the lovely ladies bring food on demand. The food is great and has improved over the years. I disagree with others that it's a college bar--every time I go (unless post Red Sox) it's filled with late twenty/early thirty-somethings. Anyway, it's the best. Love it, and especially the lovely terrier pictures from dog shows past. read more

Now, I love this place because it and I have a lot of history. I used to live in Kenmore, and I was here quite frequently, if only for a quick pint of Double Diamond (when you could get that in the States--COME BACK!) or Hen. I don't know if the owners and bartenders will still remember me, as I haven't been in three years. But I think they should do--I used to chat with the owner/cook and his wife (the bouncer/manager). The one guy behind the bar made a decent Manhattan (and ribbed me for about a week after I was caught on TV during a Red Sox broadcast--I guess for looking pretty pissed off at a couple of guys sitting near me in the bleachers). It still pours an awesome pint, and the pool room is a lotta fun (and I don't believe at all that they forced Lynch's, the old Packy, out when they moved across the Square--that was, however, a vicious rumor that had spread about eight years ago... if you don't remember Lynch's, that's too bad, because it was THE place to charge up before a game). It makes the best shepherd's pie north of Southie, a lovely fish n' chips, and a mean banger's-n-mash. it's also larger than the old place (which was an Oyster Bar). But--it's not the old place in the wonderful old building that was imploded for that monstrosity they call the Hotel commonwealth. The old place was a bit gritty, but it felt more... Old Boston, I guess is the only way I can say it. Also, they now pour the "Boston Pint"--the 14.5 oz. glass for which they charge you the same they would for a 16-20 oz. glass (endemic in Boston). I remember being able to go to both places for a nice 20 oz. Double Diamond or Old Speckled hen or Beamish or Guinness or Fuller's. And I DON'T remember the campy British cartoon murals at the old place. But it was cool to watch the 2002 "Snow Bowl" game there with the chair of my department, just as it was cool to meet up with one of my old students (I used to be a college teacher) and shoot pool there. I also had a few pints there with my dad when he visited me, and took a few friends from home there. Ahh... memories... sentimental value means a lot, so I shouldn't complain about much. Except for the size of those pints... read more

I'm a veteran and on my honeymoon for a weekend in Boston. If I could give zero stars I would! Around 5:30pm My spouse and I came to this establishment with friends because they recomended it as a good place that was fun and with good food. We all ordered a (1) drink (no liquor) after about 30 minutes of discussing a game to play and what food to order, we were notified that we were cut off and had to leave. Again, our party had all had one drink or less, and my partner was completely sober as she does not drink. I asked the waitress what was going on and explained that my spouse and I were sober (I had less than HALF of my 9 oz. beer) and was told we could stay with other friends who were allowed to stay, but others we were with were cut off. Then the 'owner' John then came up and told us we had to leave. Again I asked him why, and explained that I was sober and had less than half of my beverage and that my spouse was completely sober. I was told "that's too much, you have to leave" We left without issue, but we will not be returning this trip or any future visits to Boston and will absolutely will not recommend it for our friends, civilian or military, who plan to come to Boston at any point in time EVER! This was not a veteran friendly establishment. There are many other bars and establishments in Boston that we will gladly enjoy, this will not be one of them. read more

I came here with a few friends on a rainy Saturday afternoon and we were looking to get some good food and play some board games for a little bit. We walked in and sat at a booth and the sweetest little girl came over and gave us menus for food and drinks. I ordered the mushroom burger and my friend ordered the portabella mushroom burger. Important distinction the portabella mushroom burger is vegetarian, so good to keep that in mind! Honestly, why haven't I been here sooner?! This family-owned business has great food and nice ambiance to hang around from day till night. The only downside of the board games is that many of the pieces are missing from the games, but luckily there are a few versions of the same game, so you're hopefully bound to find the piece you need. There's also a couple darts boards and pool tables to use. Overall, a great place to grab a drink and hang out with friends! read more

Off the radar but perfect pub to eat at before the Sox game. Good food, lots of beers, solid service!

Let's face it--any bar in America that claims to be an authentic [fill-in-the-blank] pub clearly isn't. Cornwall's is no exception. However, this place is totally (perhaps a bit surprisingly) legitimate nonetheless. The bartenders couldn't be nicer, the crowd is refreshingly de-fratified and there are pool tables and a juke box. The best part about this bar however, is the extensive selection of board games. I've enjoyed many a drunken round of Taboo here. I subtracted one star because my first two meals at Cornwall's were awesome, and the food went steadily downhill after that. I used to live across the street and I kept going back for dinner in hopes of recapturing the glory of those first two meals, but to no avail. read more

Great dive bar! They do pitchers and are around $20 - $24 each. They have pool tables on one side. The very end of the bar you can play darts! They also have a bunch of board games you can play. Food is pretty good as well but only been here for late night food. read more

Disclaimer - i'm writing this review based on a visit during St. Patrick's Day weekend, which, as anyone knows, is not the best time to judge the performance of a bar (especially in and around Boston). I have a feeling that a visit on a 'normal' Saturday would probably mean a 4 star rating. I'm not in a rush to get back there, but it'll probably happen sometime in the future. Cornwalls appears to execute the "European pub" motif fairly authentically (as authentically as any place can in the US). Beer selection was large, layout seemed to make sense (even with the huge St. Patty's day crowd), and there was a section of pool tables as well. I was thrilled to be able to order a Left Hand Milk Stout from the tap, but sorely disappointed when it tasted terrible - it's a beer i've had several times before, and it's never had the taste i experienced - probably best described as 'stale'. Again, I'm chalking it up to the amount of volume they were doing that weekend - none of the other beers ordered had a similar issue. read more

I love this spot. If you go to business school at BU, this is the place to chill after a rough midterm or final. I'm surprised they only have 3.5 stars on Yelp. Their food is pretty tasty. I tried their sweet potato fries (delicious!), onion log (super greasy but I like it a lot), nachos (lots of toppings and the chips were fresh and crunchy!), mozzarella sticks (pretty standard), Reuben sandwich (very juicy corned beef, I like mine with extra Russian dressing). The fries are ok. Some were crispy and the others were not. I will probably ask to switch to sweet potato fries next time. They have lots of beer selections. I love how they have pool tables and darts. It is refreshing to see a bar with a clean bathroom. Every time I go here, it has always looked clean. The staff are super chill. The bartender was even sweet enough to walk out our bill to us even though the place was jam packed. The bussers also are pretty good at taking away empty pints. My friends and I are always happy when we hang out here. read more

I was totally surprised by this place. I was expecting a small, dark, pub-type place. What it is is a bar/restaurant that looks like it was once a Friendly's. Service: our waitress was fine but they were totally understaffed, and as a result I only got to have one beer when I was wanting to have a few drinks. Food: Pretty bad. I got the Border Burger with fries. The fries were overdone and my burger was undercooked when I had asked for medium. The salsa and guac on it weren't good and the whole meal was just a disappointment. My girlfriend got the two hot dogs and cole slaw/potato salad. The hot dogs were good but the sides were totally gross. Also, be forewarned that only half of the food options displayed on the website are actually on the menu. Atmosphere: No offense to anyone, but the patrons here seem totally devoid of personality (hence them being at this place at not someplace more interesting). If you're a straight business person over 30, you'll probably LOVE Cornwall's. I'm a 22 year old lesbian, so this clearly wasn't my scene. In keeping with the Friendly's theme, this was like a Friendly's for adults. Beer: The beer selection is pretty good, which is why I gave it two stars. All in all... wtf? How does this place have such high reviews? Good beer, bad everything else. read more

I'm a huge fan of Cornwall's, let me be clear from the beginning. The food is "meh" at best, the place always has an air of urinal cakes, and it's a sh!tshow on Sox game days. BUT it's also great in a lot of ways. First, the bartenders are AWESOME. Such nice guys. They remember your drink preferences and have even been known to comp sodas if you're taking a night off the sauce. The management is super flexible for events and they have a sizable side room and very affordable apps menu for big groups. There's darts, board games, pool, Buck Hunter, an electronic jukebox, and tons of kitsch on the walls. They have a great selection of affordable beers and will even pour you a glass of wine without sneering. Like the sign on the front door says, Cornwall's offers up "Hot food, cold drinks, and a warm welcome". read more

I love Cornwalls. Usually it's relatively quiet with a nice, laid back atmosphere. It can get busy on weekends and I recommend staying away when there are Sox games, but otherwise, awesome place. They have great burgers. I highly recommend the Blue Max Burger. Awesome selection of beers that are hard to find elsewhere. Fries are very high quality. Service is consistently good, except when it's very crowded, then the bar gets overwhelmed. Not a place for healthy eaters/ vegetarians/vegans though. I made the mistake of bringing a vegetarian friend here. It's just for the pub food loving! read more

I was staying in a nearby hotel and was in the mood for a beer and burger. I was there after 8pm and was able to get a table without a problem, despite the fact that it was already overrun by undergrads. My burger was delicious, the beer selection was decent, and the service was attentive. Seems like a great place to hang out with friends. too read more

Very veteran-friendly place. I stopped by after the San Adams tour and was treated to a delicious burger.

After walking past Cornwall's many times, I decided that my first visit here was long overdue. I got one of my friend's on board and we met up in Kenmore Square for a few pints and some pub grub. A few other reviews have mentioned the smell associated with Cornwall's and so I went in bracing myself. Honestly, it smelled tangy and over-ripe...much like vinegar. I found this to be oddly comforting considering that it is a British pub...and what does one put on chips? Oh yes, vinegar. It lends itself to true authenticity. Plus the fact that after 5 minutes, your brain ceases to differentiate the smell anymore. Plainly put, you get used to it. They have a pretty big beer list - the whole front page was drafts and the back page was bottles. I settled for a pint of Allagash White and started perusing the menu. I have to say that I was fairly impressed at the reasonable prices. All the burgers (they have a wide variety - you can get a bleu cheese burger, the mushroom burger, the "beast burger" - that comes with chili and even a 'diet burger' - no bun, with cottage cheese and fruit salad on the side) are $8.95 a piece. I cannot find fault with consistency. I think the most expensive item was less than $15.00. Solid. I had to have the Shepherd's Pie...and boy, I wasn't let down. It comes out overflowing from a casserole dish. The top is smothered, I mean, absolutely dripping with dark, rich gravy. The inside is piping hot, chalk full of thick yumminess. They mixed corn, carrots, peas and onions into the ground beef and a thick layer of mashed potatoes topped it off. It could have easily fed two people...and I polished off 3/4 of it before I recognized that someone would have to roll me home if I didn't stop. Our total bill for two (which consisted of more than a few beers) only came to $50.00 so it is definitely a place to go with friends and no one will fight about splitting the bill. I might just find myself wandering down here after work to play a few boardgames one of these nights... read more