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    J J Donovan's

    3.6 (67 reviews)
    ModerateDive Bars, Beer Bar
    Open 11:30 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

    J J Donovan's Photos

    J J DONOVAN'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Divey
    Casual
    Juke Box

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    WD S.

    Cold Smithwicks on draft. Wicked Good! Fun walking around a huge food court and stopping for a cold beer. It is your typical dive bar - Cash Only $$$

    Sam Adams Summer Ale in a Red Sox glass
    Lisa T.

    We stopped in here because it was hot outside and the sign said "$4.00 beers." Once inside we found out it was only Miller High Life that was $4.00. I had a Sam Adams Summer Ale & my husband had a Guinness. They were both cold and we didn't have to wait long to get served. It was kind of a dive bar, not much atmosphere, and the beers ended up being $9.00 each. (A little overpriced but not unheard of in a touristy area.). I used the bathroom while I was there and it was actually cleaner than I expected. I read some reviews complaining that it was cash only with little signage to warn customers; but we planned to pay with cash anyway, so not a problem. JJ Donovan's was a good place to escape the heat and have a cold beer; but I wouldn't make a special trip to go there.

    Donovan's is such a fun atmosphere and great dive bar feel! Higgins was an amazing bartender making us feel at home. If you're looking for a dive bar this is the best bar to go to

    Storefront of JJ Donovan's
    Shannen D.

    I hated this place. It was my first time going to a dive bar, so we started with one that I'd walked by a thousand times and is usually pretty empty. The whole time we were there, the guy wouldn't talk to anyone but the man in our group. There was no food and very few options for drinks. I ended up getting a coke, which was weirdly warm. The other guests (though there were just a handful of people) seemed like real old regulars. It was weird, like getting dragged to your 2nd cousin's dad's favorite bar. Like if Cheers was about a bunch of cranky old people from Southie. We only stayed long enough for my brother in law to finish his beer.

    Storefront
    Andres D.

    Donovan's has a dingy atmosphere somewhere between a dive bar and a sports bar. When a local team plays it will play here and have a more sports bar feel. Otherwise it'll be laugh jukebox music and a moodier vibe like a dive bar. The drinks selection isn't large but they've got one version of all the big beer categories and can make most basic well drinks. The place is cash only and a bit pricey for a vibe ($8 beer, $1 jukebox songs) unless you're taking advantage of the specials. Still, a pretty fun place to hang out with passably nice service and in a good location.

    the outside of a restaurant
    Alexa W.

    AWESOME BAR! definitely coming back when in town, paul was great and very accommodating, got the game on for us and we had an awesome time. nothing better than a friendly bartender in boston! you must go!

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    9 months ago

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    10 months ago

    Higgins is a trip!! Highly recommend! Great place to grab a pint and hand out for a great atmosphere.

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    2 years ago

    Yes it's cash only but there is an ATM in the back. Great atmosphere, hang out for a bit and catch some of that local flavor.

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    2 years ago

    Overpriced. No service. Don't waste your time. Never going back. But easily to get to.

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    3 years ago

    Beware! Count your cash back, we were shorted $50! I guess too trusting and didn't count our cash back from a hundred.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - J J Donovan's

    Review Highlights - J J Donovan's

    The service is wonderful and Higgins kept us laughing and attended to us like we were a "boss".

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Distraction & Democracy Beer Garden

    Distraction & Democracy Beer Garden

    4.2
    (11 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Loved this Beer Garden. We noticed it around while walking around the area - Government Center and…read moreFaneuil Hall. After checking out the famed Feneuil Hall and Quincy Market, my husband was ready to go on a sightseeing strike if I wouldn't have gotten him a beer! The Sam Adams tap room was there, but too crowded and popular. We love indie places so we went back to Distraction & Democracy and it was the wisest decision! The space is big, wide, the ladies working the counter are super helpful and friendly, we tried their Amber Ale, it was great, so we ordered a couple of cold ones. Lots of cool seating options, we got some in the shade at a table facing Faneuil Hall. Hard to beat that view! The beer was amazing, the place relaxing, some friendly folks around chilling, taking a break in action like us! They have clean portable toilets with water sinks and soap. Lots of them! Great experience! Enjoyed our well deserved beer break here! Fun and relaxing, cherished a cold one surrounded by the city's history! Cheers!

    Wanted to check out a market that was supposed to be in this space, but when we arrived it was dead…read moreand empty. The bartender told us the market folks rescheduled at the last minute, then offered beers on the house for our trouble. It's a great location with views of the Sam Adams brewery and Faneuil Hall. Super affordable drinks if you were to pay for them, and a great chill place to sit down with friends or enjoy on your own. Staff was incredible. Big props to those ladies holding it down!

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    Distraction & Democracy Beer Garden
    Distraction & Democracy Beer Garden
    Menu

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    Menu
    Bricco

    Bricco

    4.0
    (1.6k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    I went to Bricco with some friends during a short trip to Boston. We were seated upstairs and we…read morestarted our meal with cocktails. I ordered the Espresso Martini, which I learned the restaurant is famous for and after tasting it I understand while. I want to put the disclaimer that I am allergic to nuts, so I didn't have it how the restaurant traditionally prepares it (using Amaretto) but it still tasted excellent. The Espresso Martini was perfectly balanced between bitter and sweet and the had the perfect amount of foam on top. For my meal I got the Shrimp pasta with Zucchini. The shrimp was tender and the noodles were cooked to a perfect al dente. The zucchini added a nice contrast to the rich tomato sauce and helped make the dish feel light even though it was a bowl of pasta. My only complaint that the restaurant is very dim especially upstairs. Some people at our table joked that they might need to use their phone flashlight to read the menu, so if you are someone who struggles to see in dimly lit places keep that in mind.

    The building has 2 floors with bathrooms on both floors. The restaurant was dimly lit at night…read more They did give some complementary bread. I ordered the Farfalle Tartufate (lobster pasta with truffle) and Bricco's brodetto (variety of seafood) as they were recommended online. However they fell below my expectations. The lobster was overcooked so it was on the rubbery size. The pasta was undercooked and hard. The pasta portion size was tiny like an appetizer for the cost of $34 for 5-6 pieces of pasta. The swordfish in the brodetto was pretty hard and I found some sand in my clams. The salmon was also very expensive for the small portion size. For appetizers I did like how they wrapped the lemon in a net so the seeds wouldn't fall out. The mashed potatoes were also nice and creamy. The zucchini flowers were good but pretty expensive for just 2.

    Photos
    Bricco
    Bricco
    Bricco

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    Boston Sail Loft

    Boston Sail Loft

    4.4
    (2.1k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Busy restaurant on the water and one of my favorite lobster rolls on this trip. Huge portions and…read morevery lively in here. Server was a bit slow but due to the influx from the FIFA fans. Started with the cup of clam chowder that comes dripping from the cup. They use a lot of dill here and come out hot. A bit on the salty side but oyster cracker helps with that. The lobster mac and cheese came with a salad. The lobster mac had a nice broiled cheese top and a creamy inside. Nice lobster and cheesy flavor to it. I got the warm lobster roll and changed it to come with onion rings for $1. The onion rings tasted homemade. Slight crisp to it and thick onions. The lobster roll was massive and the amount of lobster it came with was incredible. Poured the hot butter and squeeze lemon on it for an amazing bite. Would come back here for a larger party to share the plates and order more stuff from here. The lobster bisque is only on the weekends. They have daily menus as well.

    This was just a great overall experience. The food is solid, the vibe is excellent, the service is…read morepretty good, location is nice on the water and it is exactly what one looks for in their visit to Boston. Here is a breakdown: Clam chowder 5/5 - well flavored and well balanced, I prefer a little thinner but there is nothing to complain about here Fish and chips 3/5 - this was ok, I liked the bite size pieces for sharing but didn't love the breading Lobster mac and cheese 5/5 - loved the big chunks of lobster so you could really taste it vs small pieces that blend in Calamari - 5/5 - lightly breaded and perfectly fried, the cocktail sauce is excellent, the tartar sauce used sweet pickles which weren't my fave but still good

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Clam Chowder
    Clam Chowder
    Lobster Mac and Cheese

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    Lobster Mac and Cheese

    J J Donovan's - divebars - Updated July 2026

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