snowy day in Boston. stopped in Donovans for a beer. nice quiet dive bar. good cold beer. read more

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At Donovan's bar in old Beantown, Higgins keeps spirits up (and down). With one hand pouring, one hand free, To shoo off drunks or tap the tree. He'll sling you whiskey, chase with stout, Then laugh when you forget your tab's about. A storyteller, sly and quick, He'll trade your woes for a dirty trick. So bang your mug, let the rafters shake, For Higgins pours more than your liver can take. read more

This was a stop on our "Haunted Pub Crawl" tour. The whole haunted part definitely seemed like false advertising, but that's more about the tour than this bar. As many have said, it's cash only, but there is an ATM inside if you didn't know in advance. The bartender was friendly with us, as was one of the bar patrons. We were a small tour of three people plus the tour guide, so I imagine we were less intimidating (maybe even less annoying) than a large tour group. Good Guinness pour that hit the spot. read more

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 $$$ read more

J J Donovan's - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Dave. What can I say. Might be the best dude I've met in Boston so far. Great service, great attitude, great human. Very engaging and entertaining glad we stopped by! Highly recommend! Much love from IDAHO! read more

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. read more

J J Donovan's - Sam Adams Summer Ale in a Red Sox glass - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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

Amazing place. It was my birthday and we were walking around Quincy market and Dave was massively welcoming. Less touristy and more classic Boston than other places around it. Go in and grab a beer. read more

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 read more

J J Donovan's - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The most fun bar on this rainy day! David Laurence Higgins was the most fun and friendly bartender! The man deserves a raise! Serving drinks and having fun snd making friends with his customers! read more

Stopped in tonight while walking around Quincy Market. Sat outside for a few hours. Dave Higgins was our bartender and he was outstanding! Totally entertaining, told great stories, made us feel like regulars...and made a hell of a drink! read more

My friends and I had the greatest time at JJ Donavan's! The bartender, David Lawrence Higgins was the best! We were from out of town, but felt like we were home! So much fun! read more

We had a great time. The bartender Dave Higgins really set the vibe and atmosphere. He makes this bar what it is. 10/10 recommend stopping in read more

I don't even want to review this place because of fear it will become too busy, but the staff deserve a shout out. We have come to JJ Donovan's after the Red Sox game for the last couple of years. The service is wonderful and Higgins kept us laughing and attended to us like we were a "boss". Highly recommend this bar. read more

No clue how this place stays open but I sure understand why it was one of the only places with no line and no issue finding a seat. Cash only no signs the bartender tells you only AFTER you've begun drinking, don't believe there's food we weren't offered and after walking in and getting hit with a awful smell we didn't ask. We had 1 drink each and then got out of there asap. read more

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. read more

J J Donovan's - Storefront of JJ Donovan's - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

What a terrible first impression the bartender greeted us with. As visitors from Ontario he refused to acknowledge my nephew's government issued ID. Not only that , the guy was inappropriate, and refused to serve us. Well played bartender as I wouldn't consider paying or investing anytime in this place. I believe this bear of a man is just plane angry.. sorry about your luck , and Go bluejays... read more

I like the sports bar in the middle of everything the bartender was cool very cozy in there the drinks were pretty good especially for the vodkas had a good atmosphere as far as people enjoying each other's company seem like everybody struck up a conversation didn't seem like a whole bunch of strangers the long and short of it is good sports bar will definitely would be back definitely would recommend to go check out to watch the game have a drink kill time or whatever Grade: B read more

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. read more

J J Donovan's - Storefront - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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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.

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

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! read more

J J Donovan's - the outside of a restaurant - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Couldn't get into the bar because the bouncer thought our jigging to the music was a sign that we were drunk. he asked where we were from and when we told him "Baltimore", he said "that explains it" in a condescending tone. I've never been so disrespected and truthfully it felt really misogynistic as we peered into a bar that was full of men. read more

Dive bar located in Faneuil Hall. I stumbled across this place on a Friday afternoon after Haymarket (open air produce market nearby) because I was chilly and wanted a Sam Adams Oktoberfest . The place had a sign outside offering $4 beers. Of course my Oktoberfest on draft wasn't $4 but I'm glad they had it on draft! They have 4 beers on draft ... Sam Seasonal, Guinness, Smithwicks and Wormtown Be Happy . The interior is definitely divey with dark wood floors and bar and exposed beam ceilings. A new school juke box is on the wall and decent speakers were playing some old school classic Beatles tunes. The bar is a large rectangle with about 2 dozen seats. About 10 stools line one side of the place up against exposed brick wall and 2 TVs are mounted overhead with playoff baseball on. I didn't get food here but I'm a picky eater so not the place to get a healthy bite! I'll come back to find out what the $4 beers are. Cheers read more

J J Donovan's - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Perfect dive bar, an accepts cash only. Chris the bartender was on his game for our visit. Friendly atmosphere that plays great tunes!! read more

J J Donovan's - people sitting at the bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Cash only in case you didn't see the non existent sign on the door. And they do have an atm if you happen to have your debit card. Could have a sign on the wall or something? Not very friendly either. read more

This bar has the most sexist and rude bouncer ever. Letting boys have smoke breaks, being rude to women. I don't recommend coming here ever. When I respectfully said hey these rules are confusing, he said tough luck and gave me a snarky comment. read more

Good dive bar. Bartender checked in us when drinks were running low. He didn't chime in or give his two cents because he felt the need too. When I'm the Quincy market area stop by to grab a beer! read more

Me and my brothers in-law ended up here on a recommendation from another bartender. We had so much fun the first night we went back th next night. Paul and Chris the bartenders are top notch and could not have been cooler. Every person we met there was friendly and welcoming. We were told the bar has been owned and run by the same family since 1826 so it's got some history. Go see Paul and Chris and have them make you a great drink or pour you a beer. Highly recommend you check this place out it's worth it! read more

J J Donovan's - outside of restaurant - Dive Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Shame on me! Respect your elders beware. Purchased 2 beers for my wife and I, and handed the bartender a $100. Beers delivered, change given. Never thought twice about counting my cash since the bartender was my elder. Sorry to say, $50 less in my wallet! Just pathetic! read more

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

Cash only, which they don't bother telling you, rudely, until after you've gotten your order. Surely bartender. I guess this is supposed to be "authentic" Boston. Rude to us. Rude to the next people that came in. Do not waste your money here. So many better options nearby read more

I spent the weekend in Boston for my bachelor party wandering around mostly inebriated. While most of the younger crowd probably likes clubs and loud flashy places , I ended back up in here twice. A simple, casual rustic place with a rectangle bar in the center. Otherwise the bartender was laid back , the prices were fair and it just had an old school authentic vibe for a place to have some drinks, bs with real people and actually hear while having a conversation. read more

This a "dive" bar that behaves like its the Ritz friggin Carlton on St. Paddys day. Whoever they employ at the door I suspect is paid specifically to behave like an arrogant buffoon no matter who is on the receiving end. (UPDATE: staff from this establishment trolls negative reviewers). I had friends visiting us from overseas and we had registered for the pub crawl that this place was not part of. We ended up not going to any of the pub crawl bars because of the long lines so we went to a few non-pub crawl bars. This was the only such bar where apparently having a wrist band for the crawl classifies you as a degenerate and qualifies you to hear a pompous doorman yell at you like you are children. We were nice enough to let some patrons enter ahead of us. That should have been the first indication to this idiot that we are not a belligerent bunch. As soon as it was our turn he first yelled that the bar was at capacity and then a minute later decided that because we had wrist bands on that we weren't allowed in. All said and done, this place needs to employ better staff or manage better. In the mean time, GO TO ANY OTHER BAR in the same area. They will treat you courteously at the door at the very least. read more

Hell of a place to catch a drink, hang out, and meet new people. Bartender (Paul) made great Cosmopolitans and kept our beers full all night. read more

When this place is advertised as a DIVE BAR they aren't kidding. A cash only bar is really losing out on sales. Half the time bartenders make money on people that are too drunk to close out tabs. When people run out of cash, they have to quit drinking. This is another ploy to keep Boston sober. See my other Boston based reviews to see my views on this and why I won't be returning. That being said, we came here in a group of about 10-15 people after an event across the street let out around 1230. It wasn't even late and it was Saturday, and when we walked in the guy was screaming LAST CALL. What bar closes at 1 on a Saturday? Evidently this place. Real cool, guys. Even if I wanted to get a drink (with the cash that I didn't have on me) I wouldn't have been able to get one in time. We basically decided to peace and find somewhere else that might not be closing the immediate instant we walked in. We weren't here for long, but it's small, cramped, and hot. It's a tiny little spot and it's not meant for as many people as there were in here-and the foyer was TINY. Not coming back to Boston any time soon, and doubt this would be a stop on the list even if I did. read more

I cannot say enough wonderful things about JJ Donovan's. I've been hanging out here for years and have had many many fun times with my friends in here. There is no food served, it's not a meat market and they don't take credit cards. Not being any of these things is what makes it unique in its own way. It's a no-nonsense dive bar where the drinks are cheaper than just about any other place in Faneuil Hall, which can normally be a tourist trap. There is no cover charge, unless on special occasions and even then the money goes to a charity, unlike every other bar where the cover charges are normally lining the pockets of the owners. If you are looking for fancy drinks, streams of bachelorette parties, a young, dumb and drunk crowd, or a bartender kissing your ass to take your order, this is not your place. If you're looking for a dive bar where the regulars are nice, you'll have a great time with a fantastic juke box, and maybe get a laugh from the sarcastic bartenders, then come hang out. read more

I've been here twice; once in the early afternoon with my father, while waiting for my mother to show up, and once when my friend needed to find a bathroom that he didn't have to pay a cover for. The first time, it was nearly empty, and seemed a fine place to stop for a drink in the hellish wasteland that is Faneuil Hall. The second, the bar was populated by guys on the prowl, a group of middle-aged ladies having some sort of party (there was wrapping paper and gift bags about), and a small group of girls who were REALLY enjoying the Def Leppard that was playing a little too much. So it was a pretty typical crowd, all things considered, but there wasn't an aloof hipster to be seen, so I felt generally uncomfortable. The drinks were reasonably priced for Faneuil Hall, I suppose. And there was no cover, even at around 10 on a Friday night. So if you've found yourself in Faneuil and need a drink, you could do a lot worse than JJ Donovan's. But there are other, better bars in the vicinity. read more

Sloppy cheeseburger...check crunchy french fries, doused in vinegar...check Three pints of Guinness...check Van Morrison on the jukebox...check Ireland style pub in Boston. Nice! read more

We came here during my birthday weekend and met the coolest (and cutest) bartender ever!!!! Great music and he also gave us amazing recommendations for local restaurants and bars!! And he makes these bombs green tea shots-- a MUST! read more