Dive bar of dive bars. Might be family owned. Drinks were cheap, bartenders are attentive, place smells pretty bad but a solid spot to watch a game if you don't care about aesthetics. Food was cheap, got a fried platter for like $20 and poutine for $15 read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

A few friends and I went to this bar hoping to enjoy some drinks and have a good night, but instead, we were immediately met with an incredibly rude and unwelcoming bartender. From the moment we approached him, his attitude toward us was unnecessarily hostile, and the entire interaction was honestly baffling. Without any reasonable explanation, he decided to kick our entire group out because he supposedly "didn't think we were 21," despite the fact that every single one of us had valid, government-issued IDs proving otherwise. We are all dental students who moved to Boston from different states, so naturally, our IDs are not issued in Massachusetts. The bartender then claimed that he only accepts Massachusetts IDs, which was particularly frustrating considering he had already served several of our other friends who were sitting separately from us, none of whom had Massachusetts IDs either. The inconsistency in his reasoning made the entire situation even more upsetting. I have never experienced being kicked out of a bar simply because my valid ID was issued in another state, especially when that same supposed rule was clearly not being enforced for everyone else. Whether he was having a bad night or simply decided he didn't want to serve us, there was absolutely no excuse for the way we were treated. What should have been a fun night out turned into an unnecessarily embarrassing and frustrating experience. As customers, we shouldn't have to wonder why we're being singled out or treated with such blatant disrespect when we've done absolutely nothing wrong. I will absolutely not be returning, and I would strongly discourage others from wasting their time here. There are plenty of great pubs in the area with welcoming staff who actually know how to treat their customers with basic courtesy and respect. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. read more

Made it to J.J. Foley's as they opened. Established 1909, and that history is stamped right into the brickwork out front -- you feel it the second you walk in. The Guinness pours here are done right: full head, clean settle, exactly what you want after a day of walking the North End and beyond. Primemutton was right - it's an absolute creamer! I also grabbed the beef & bean chili, loaded with melted cheddar, jalapeños, scallions, and diced tomato over tri-color tortilla chips -- hearty, well-spiced, and clearly made in-house rather than phoned in. read more

See all

Came in to watch one of the World Cup games and they have plenty of TVs. Ample seating as well. The drinks were what you would find at any pub or bar. I'm not sure if the AC was broken the night I went in, but it was so incredibly humid inside it was almost unbearable. Hopefully this was just a one off, but a fair warning read more

Proper auld Irish boozer. Bunch of locals and Guinness enthusiasts after primemutton's top score. Bit of initial wait ahead of St Paddy's weekend for our properly poured pints and homey food as the third generation Foley was solo hustling around, serving and bartending for the entire double sided pub. Curry chips, beef stew, corn beef sandwich all fantastic. Oldest authentic family-run Irish bar in the city with a ton of history in it's walls. read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

JJ Foley's Cafe in Boston carries a kind of unselfconscious charm that feels increasingly rare. Its old-fashioned décor evokes a time when pubs didn't try so hard to look "authentic." The walls tell stories, the lighting is comfortably dim, and the place feels genuinely lived-in rather than styled for Instagram. It's the sort of space that invites lingering, conversation, and a pint or two more than you planned. The food is solid if not exceptional, hitting the marks you expect from a Boston institution of its kind. You won't find inventive plating or culinary surprises here, but that's not what JJ Foley's is about. It's a place that trades innovation for consistency, which in itself has value. The main drawback comes when the place fills up. Service becomes noticeably strained, and something as simple as getting a drink refill can take long enough to test your patience. When it's quieter, the staff are friendly and attentive, but at peak hours the experience slides from cozy to crowded. Still, JJ Foley's endures not because it's perfect, but because it knows exactly what it is: an honest, old Boston pub that's still standing tall while others try to chase trends. It's imperfect, familiar, and worth the visit. read more

I moved away from Boston a while ago and, while so much has changed, it is comforting to come back to a place that's been a family business for 5 generations. Great service, delicious food, and the perfect pint of Guinness. read more

What a nice little Irish pub! After a dinner nearby, we wanted to keep the fun going and stopped by for a nightcap. The atmosphere (music, decor, seating, even the games on the TV) was total quintessential Irish pub. I got the Downeast on tap and it was delicious. The bartender was super friendly and had a thick Irish accent which really added to the vibe, haha. I'd love to come back here to try some of their food. read more

Fun Irish Pub in Boston. Great Guinness pour, and food was excellent. Had the fish n chips. Turkey burger was also outstanding!

If I could give somewhere a 10/10 star review, it would be here. I've been coming to foleys for 5 years now and have gotten to know the bartenders and waiters who are all super friendly and give you a good laugh. My favorites (and there are many) are the French dip, chicken wings, cowboy cheeseburger, tots, and chowder. We've tried what feels like everything on the menu, and I always keep an eye out for their specials. I've come here to watch some games and it's a great space to do so. Love coming here with friends and letting them in on my favorite pub and restaurant in the city! :) read more

See all

This old-school Irish pub / old police bar in the South End exudes Boston Irish-pub-ness. Nice dark woody interior and comfortable booths inside. Great friendly staff will take your order for a nice cold glass of beer from the tap, great prices and selection here too. Lots of space inside, lots of bar seating, and plenty of tables and booths. The food is delicious, too! The fish and chips were fantastic and the batter was very nice and audibly crunchy - and the fish was flakey and delicate. The fries were nice and crisp, too. The burgers are hearty and juicy and cooked to your desired doneness. If you're in the South End and wanting some hearty pub food, this place has you covered! read more

Great food Large portions Friendly service Bahhhatonn chaaaam And weekly trivia is lots of fun read more

For the first time, in many years of traveling and interacting with humans around the world, I feel a desire to post a review. I am posting a negative review, because I was treated poorly. I have never felt so uncomfortable and unwelcome in a business, until today. Unfortunately, the bartender was having a bad night and decided to take out on me. I feel that it was random and not necessarily directed at me, but definitely felt by us. Hopefully this was due to his insecurities and inability to manage his emotions. Hopefully he is willing to look past his difficulties and respond to me directly. Will try your place again, next time we are in Boston. First time I have been motivated to post anything. read more

This is a review of the food and service, not the bar/drinks. The food was very good pub food. Both the food and theme in the restaurant really felt just like a real pub in Europe. The duck poutine and the fish and chips were both very good. Portion sizes were huge and the service was very nice. I really have no complaints. I'd go back again for sure! read more

See all

This business charges a 4% credit card surcharge that it disguises as a cash discount on top of the listed menu prices. This is an illegal business practice, and I have submitted a complaint to the Attorney General's Office to correct this issue. Furthermore, the food is not very good. My friend ordered a chicken sandwich that tasted very bad. When we raised the issue of the credit card surcharge with the manager, he refused to correct the issue. read more

Easily the worst customer service and bartending ever. What pub has 3 bartenders while customers have an hour wait time for a pint? Absolutely criminal. read more

What a great little Irish pub! You already know it's good when there are a bunch of regulars sitting at the bar on a Sunday afternoon. Since I've heard great things about Foley's, I was expecting it to be crowded, but we were one of the only groups there for lunch when we visited which was a nice surprise. We ordered some drinks and got Fish & Chips and the Foley Burger to split. I was really impressed with the quality and price of the food, especially considering how close to downtown we were. The fish were flakey and tender, clearly very fresh. The fries and tartar sauce had huge portions, which I appreciated. The burger was very good and well seasoned. If I were to come back, I'd probably order a burger with less toppings, since they kept slipping out when I tried taking a bite. Still, I really enjoyed the food and the overall pub experience.. it feels like a hometown hole-in-the-wall! read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - Fish and Chips - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great spot to go out and drink, bar tenders are quick and decent crowd shows up. Worth the visit

We love this place! When we visit Boston, we make a point to go here! The duck poutine fries are a must, but we haven't tried anything here that disappointed us. Great neighborhood bar. read more

See all

Stopped in here today after leaving Back Bay en route to an Artist's opening on Harrison Ave. This is my kind of place with that mix of dim lighting, padded booths, epic corner seating and room for a party of 8 or 10 to park their butts and enjoy a couple of rounds of drinks uninterrupted. Waitress was ridiculously fast and effusive in tending to our needs and the place gave off that air of welcoming hooligans and tourists alike. read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - Jamesons and a Sweet Tea - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

A bit out of the way and rough around the edges, JJ Foleys is a fun spot for drinks on Boston's South End. A classic Boston pub, this spot features dark wood interiors and a bartender in a white shirt and bow tie, and is almost like stepping back in time. Come in late and have fun observing the local cast of characters. read more

Went on a Sunday night so it was packed with sunday football watchers. Very loud atmosphere so you could talk about anything and no one would notice. Food took forever to get ordered and was self seating. Definitely understaffed but the old man who was our server was sweet and very friendly. Made the wait a lot better. I ordered the shrimp and scallop linguine pasta and it was very flavorful and definitely packed a punch with the spice (don't recommend to anyone who can't handle spicy food) the scallops and shrimp were tender and not over cooked which is pretty good for bar food. I was a little weary about ordering it. The tater tots were strong on the truffle and were good and tasted exactly as one would expect truffle parmesan tate tots to taste so it wasn't anything special. The loaded nachos were alright. They weren't bad or amazing but that's saying a lot considering I'm not a fan of loaded nachos. But my boyfriend loved it and housed them lol. They had enough of everything and none of the flavors were overwhelming. read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - shrimp & scallop Linguini Pasta, Cowboy Burger - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Was in Boston for a conference and the convention center was surrounded by chains. I wanted a local Irish bar with good beer and fish and chips. JJ Foley's was recommended by the hotel and it was perfect. Jerrimah at the bar was fantastic and I had two perfect Boston experiences here. In Phoenix we don't have good fish or Yuengling and JJ Foley's had both. Fantastic time sitting at the bar and enjoying the Boston experience exactly how I wanted. Great place. read more

Yuengling and Chowder. It was after the Sunday football and had the place almost to ourselves. Lighting was dark for intimacy and "vintage" decor inside. read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - New England Clam Chowder bowl - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Covid review: Came in August. Cool and chill divey bar in the downtown area. Its nothing special. The drinks are fairly priced. Nice beer selection. Cool staff. The fries are good too, we had to buy something to eat in order to drink, not sure if Boston still requires that. Bar was clean and good music blasting. read more

Happened upon this place while visiting Boston in October 2023. It's an old school Irish bar, with big bartenders wearing white shirts and ties. Just the type of place we look for. A lot of dark wood trim and old stools and tables. It is an old place, it isn't a place that was built to look old, it's the real deal. It's easy walking distance from the financial district and the Aquarium. If you like authentic old bars, you will like Folley's. read more

Best clam chowder. The bartenders are the best and have excellent service. I would recommend going a Friday early evening so you can let traffic die down in a cool environment. read more

Warning... don't let the reasonable prices fool you. The serving sizes are huge! I had a bowl of French Onion Soup and I'm pretty sure it would have fed a small family. It was good, but I was pretty much full after eating about 3/4 of the bowl. The Rachel Sandwich (also large) was also very good. Very fresh, and I really liked the Russian Dressing. I also ordered a side of the Mac and Cheese, which I took home with me... because I was full... and it was big enough to be a main course. Overall the food was good, I really like the bar and the prices, but the waitress should let you know how super sized everything is! read more

Chill bar atmosphere. Bartenders are extremely competent and the drinks were great! Went to watch football with friends and had an amazing time read more

A great bar with wonderful bar food. This is a great place for friends to gather. The fig and goat cheese pizza was delicious. We also got the duck poutine fries which were unbelievable! read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - Duck Poutine Fries - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Excellent onion soup and chowder. Wide selection of pub food or entrees to satisfy. Did tacos are great (when on the menu) and excellent Sunday brunch. read more

We came here after an art exhibition in the SOWA and it was one of the finer pubs we've ever come across - and this was mainly due to the service. The restaurant area was quite full and so was the bar. We quickly realized one sole lad was managing all tables and the bar! He was quick, pleasant, and completely overwhelmed. This place wouldn't have been open without this young man and yet he persevered. We had a lovely meal (we all loved our sizable portions and the deliciousness!) and we were heartened by the way this young man strived to make our late lunch delightful. This business is VERY lucky to have him. This was Friday, 1/14/22. He was the ONLY one serving. Give him a raise. A BIG one. read more

Hiding out on East Berkeley Street at the edge of Chinatown lies an Irish pub by the name of J. J. Foley's. It is a short walk from the BCA Plaza and reservations are available through Opentable. Before heading over, I peeked at their online menu and listed on their Today's Specials were two items that caught my eye: Grilled Cider Brined Pork Chop $17 served with olive oil & garlic mash, eggplant, zucchini & mozzarella gratin, cider jus Fish Tacos $16 three beer battered mahi mahi soft shell tacos, cabbage, carrot & red onion salad, lime dressing, guacamole, salsa & sour cream, served with sweet potato fries The first, I just knew my dc would order. The second was MINE! But that was not to be... by dinner time they had run out of mahi mahi. So so sad! My consolation prize - Butternut Squash Ravioli $14 (v) cinnamon spiced roasted vegetables, lemongrass pesto cream sauce & parmesan, served with a house salad The combination of the fresh, well-dressed salad, the portion of tender roasted veggies in the midst of the 9 or so pillows of pasta, and the sweet butternut squash filling made for a good portion of one's daily vegetable intake. After consuming 3 of the 5 crispy spheres of elbow macaroni mixed with cheesy bits of broccoli with the not particularly creamy, more like super-wet marinara (Mac & Cheese Bites $7 (v) Fried mac & cheese with broccoli served with a creamy marinara), I only had room for the salad and perhaps half the entree. My taste of the fat pork chop found it to be quite flavorful and tender. The veggie portion of the Pork Chop was quite nice too. Although they charged $1 for the requested switch of the potato side for another veggie and neglected to verbally inform us of this, I do have to admit that they proclaimed "Substitiute sweet potato fries, salad or onion rings $1" on their website... but $1 extra for some roasted veggies? Hmmm... The regular menu, which has Irish leanings, tops out at $15, but their Today's Specials on the day of my visit hovered in the mid-teens (today $15, $16, and $17). Homey desserts seem to stick to mostly $6, with one $7 choice. Believe it or not (since this is a Pub afterall), they have a kid's menu of 7 choices that come with a drink and vanilla ice cream for approx $6! It is listed on the menu on their website. And I spied some crayons they had available for their young patrons. read more

See all

Came on a Tues afternoon and it was maybe half empty. Service was still a bit slow but got better towards the end. They were friendly though. Got a yuengling draft which was as good as always. 1. Loaded nachos - Good to split between 3-4 people. This thing is humongous and they give you plenty of avocado, sour cream, and salsa. There's jalapenos, cheese, and beans / beef on top as well. One of the best nachos I've had so far in Boston! Overall, I'll come back for another hang out getting nachos and beer! read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - Nachos galore! - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Highly HIGHLY recommend their pina colada! Very creamy and the perfect sweetness. Got chicken wing, mozzarella stick, and potstickers for appetizers and all were delicious. read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - pina colada - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Came to the SoWa market on a Sunday. Needed some breakfast and this was close. Nice old Irish bar. Lots of beer on tap with a nice bar. Friendly staff. Kris ordered Blueberry Waffle and coffee with American sausage. Waffle batter was sweetened which she didn't care for. The syrup and blueberries were sweet enough. I had corned beef hash, eggs and biscuit. The corned beef hash had some real big pieces of corned beef although the hash was spicy and took away from the flavor of the eggs and hash together. The biscuit was outstanding. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Nice bar and old Irish feel. Not too busy on a Sunday morning. read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Cozy option with good drinks! My fiancé and I got an Irish coffee and beer while killing time before heading to the airport for our departing flight - great location! read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - Menu Exterior - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

I went apt hunting with my bf and and we randomly dropped by jj foleys. What a pleasant surprise! Service was excellent and the burger met and exceeded all my expectations. We had Mr. Foley's favorite which came with a fried egg. We subbed in tater tots so the total was 17.50ish with the add on. Little pricey but it was really good! We also asked for chipotle mayo for the tater tots and it was pretty good. We also ordered mixed drinks and the prices were lower than what I'm used to. Next time I'm getting a whole burger for myself :). read more

JJ Foleys Cafe - Mr. Foley's Favorite - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Pat is awesome! Nice place for a drink, went to watch the Celtics game and Jesus Christ. Truffle tater tots were delicious and def worth it. Food came out hot and yum! My mom says that the seafood platter was "pretty good!" This place meets your expectations in a good way. read more

Do NOT miss eating at JJ Foley's. It is a true Boston experience with OUTSTANDING food! We had the goat cheese/fig pizza, the steak, the Reuben and the Cheeseburger and they were all delicious. Yes, we went back several times in one trip......Cozy atmosphere with friendly, welcoming servers. Family business. Please support! read more