I tried Home Depot, Lowe's, and ACE Hardware before coming here. I should have come here first, because he did it right and figured out why the other big name places couldn't do it correctly. Recommend this place to anyone who needs it done RIGHT!!!! read more

Super fast service and convenient location. He's even been able to copy some keys that other key stores say are hard to copy.

No problems here. Showed up before work to get some keys made. Why do I need keys made? That's not the point. Let me worry about that. Anyways back to business....this guy is mysterious as hell. Sitting in a booth the size of a booth, observing...watching...waiting. But goddamn does he do a fine job. He had 3 separate keys copied twice in about a minute and one of them was a weird looking skeleton key kinda thing. He also sells cigarettes and newspapers I think. I don't dabble in that world so I can't review that side of his business but if you are looking to get some keys made and don't want any questions asked, this lunatic is your go-to guy. read more

This guy is a key whisperer. You know how when you get a new key, it takes some time for it to wear down a bit and fit the keyhole smoothly? That did not happen with this guy's keys. I had 4 keys duplicated and he was done in less than 3 minutes. He barely glanced at them! Amazing! He also apparently does car keys (for ~$10, I want to say?). Way less than a dealership, basically. read more

He's hands down the best in Boston. I'm not sure artisanal keys are a thing, but they're his thing. Took him only a couple of minutes to duplicate a key that no one around could copy, and the price was incredibly competitive. read more

Awesome. I needed to get 2 "duplication prohibited" keys copied asap, and when I showed up at 6:05 am there was already someone in line! Nevertheless, he copied them with no problem in a matter of minutes and was reasonably priced. He's also a great guy. In my pre-caffeinated state of mind I left one of the original keys on the counter and he ran for a couple blocks to get it back to me. Bottom line - this Washington St closet is your best bet for getting tricky keys copied, and they'll do a good job. Just FYI: I have been here before with one of those insane ASSA keys and he couldn't copy it. Turns out that they are physically impossible to copy - so if you have one of those types you might as well just save yourself some time and tell your landlord you lost it! Sorry. read more

Luckily the guy who runs the place was there around 510pm when I dropped by. I had my front door with a new lock installed a little sooner than I had anticipated so I was in need of some new, duplicated keys and quickly. He was able to make my multiple copies within minutes. I tested the keys and they seem pretty legit to me. I paid with cash but I did see a say that there was an extra fee for debit/credit cards for amounts under $20. read more

I consistently come to Key Works for all my key needs because it's never a hit-or-miss like so many other places like home depot and Lowes. 100% satisfaction always especially with hard to find blanks. Bobby is always pleasant and knows his stuff. read more

This is my go-to key service! I've been able to copy two keys here without any issues, although other key places have been unable to do so. Takes about one minute per key and costs $4.50 for my premium (Best) keys. The range is from $3 for Five Pins keys to $8 for Everest keys. Auto keys are $6. I also appreciate that Key Works is open at 6am. I trust this guy and would come here first for your needs. I did call in advance my first time to ask whether he could copy my specific brand of key, and he was able to answer my questions very helpfully. read more

Bob is extremely courteous and helpful to me when I was enquiring about duplicating a patented key, and he pointed out what I should do to get that done. Will support Key Works if I have any keying needs in the future, and I am extremely appreciative for his help! read more

Bob is SO friendly and knowledgeable. He made copies of keys in less than a minute. Will definitely go back.

Up, down, up a little more, down, wider gap, up, _____, ______. And I was out of there! (I left blanks so you don't know how to make my house key.) This place is so efficient, and inexpensive. (I wasn't accusing you, or hinting you'd try to make a key to my house, just being cautious). Sometimes there is a short line but it moves quick. It has only one employee and there is only enough room for him inside so do NOT try to go inside with him, it only will irritate him I'd imagine and you could bump his arm only to make a weird key that won't work for your house. What a waste of metal that'd be. It'd be cool if someone made a movie about how the key maker took the wasted key home and cried and said "That clumsy oaf hit my arm and wasted this key, there goes a day's salary" and then makes a face and tries to use it to open that old treasure chest in his attic and it works! (It could be full of money, or pets, or adventures etc) Anyway this place is quick, cheap, and convenient. They should name the movie "The day the key guy had a really weird day!" 4 stars read more

I've been coming here for a few years for personal and office keys. Great service, and he can indeed make copies of keys others might have trouble with. He's even made me copies of fire-rated file cabinet keys! read more

A super-convenient and quick place to get keys copied in Downtown Crossing. Each basic key was $3.50 and I had five copies in less than five minutes! read more

Need to copy my apartment keys, very fast at a low price, very good experience, will recommend to my friends.

Love this guy! I'm a property manger in the area and I have all my key copies made here. He's pleasant to work with and always cuts me quality copies that work. So far, I haven't had an issue with a single key he's made me. Be aware, he can't run credit or debit for amounts under $10, so bring cash if your dealings with him are small. The keys he's made for me are $3 a pop, but it also depends on what type of key it is so keep that in mind. He does take breaks usually later in the day, but who can blame him? The guy sits in a hole in the wall all day! Just be patient and he'll hook you up. Super nice guy. read more

This guy is never here. His sign says he'll be back, but I consistently wait at least 30 mins more than his return time before giving up. I wish there was a closer alternative so I wouldn't have to waste my time waiting to have a key made. read more

Key Works - It's now 3:00 - Keys & Locksmiths Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Horrible (actually nonexistent) service. I've tried to get some copies of a key made for two days in a row and each time there was no one in the booth. Although the "will return soon" sign is out, on each occasion the employee is not back at the specified time. In fact, I just spoke with someone else who had stopped by a half hour before and came back to find that the booth was still unattended. Who takes a work break 30 minutes before they're supposed to close? Definitely not a reliable business. read more

I needed some duplicate keys made for a file cabinet but Home Depot and True Value weren't able to do it. This stall near my office was able to do it no problem! Quick, courteous, efficient, and the keys work as well as the original! Don't bother with the big box stores for your keys, go to this small business. read more

I broke my key this morning and was feeling a little panicked about how the heck I was going to get back in my apartment. Found out about this place and I'm so happy I went here. There was a sign in the window when I got there showing the time the booth would be reopened because the gentleman had stepped out. So I grabbed a coffee and waited--which was worth it. Once he returned, he made a replacement of my broken key in what felt like record time. Very kind and very helpful, totally saved my day. Thank you!!! read more

Easiest key copy I've ever gotten. Walked up during my lunch break and walked away 5 minutes later with two new sets. Usually I drive to Home Depot, get copies that don't work, repeat. This was much easier! read more

As another reviewer noted, he is the Key Whisperer. In and out in less than 3 minutes for two keys to be duplicated. Keep your eyes open for the place as it is the size of a telephone booth next to Dunkin' Donuts. It'd been a snake it would have bit me. read more

Awesome quick service, I had some keys that were hard to copy for a rental property I own and this was a non-issue. Decent pricing as well, will go back for sure. read more

Great shop... or should I say closet/booth? Got 4 of those "duplication prohibited" *ahem* type keys copied for my rental business needs this morning at 6.30am. Love doing business with people actually awake at that hour. You were quick, man. And only a tad more expensive then anywhere else, given the 6am opening convenience, it's worth it. Also the key dude gives individually written out receipts and guarantees the copies. Also, somehow he fits an impressive array of keyblanks, as well lottery and tobacco sales in there. Not into either of the latter, I am still impressed how he can do all this from inside a 3x3 ...9 square foot!?! space. Plus theres an airconditioner and cash register. Ok, anyway. read more

This guy is super nice, works very efficiently, and seems like he really knows what he's talking about regarding key quality / integrity. Even when there's a line, it never takes more than 5 minutes. Would definitely recommend going to him for any key-cutting needs. read more

Cheap, super fast, convenient, and friendly. Can't ask for more out of a key place!

Very helpful and nice guy, and the service was quick and fairly cheap ($3 for a copy). I had a unique looking key and he didn't have an exact match for it, but he made one out of a similar looking key and said he would exchange it for free if it turned out not to work. But it did, so that wasn't a problem. But a note about the timing - I got there at 2:05 and he said that if I came back, I should try between 6am and 2pm as he goes on service runs after 2, and there's no guarantee he would be there. So I got lucky, but I guess based on the other reviews other people haven't been so fortunate. Try to get there early if you can. read more

I had about 11 copies of my house keys made for my family and the copies worked better than the originals. Very easy to open my doors and not a problem with any of them. Would highly recommend this place to people wanting copies of their keys. I love the fact that he accepts credit cards too, definitely coming back when i need more copies made. read more

I came by at 5pm, a half hour before they were scheduled to close. There was a sign saying "Will Return", with the clock pointed to 4:15. I waited 15 minutes, but then gave up and went to Broadway Lock Co in Southie (see my review there). The person at Broadway Lock Co said that the shopowner had probably gone to do an on-site job, and I can understand a job running late, but an hour over seems excessive. Maybe the availability is better in the morning, but I won't bank on the person being here. Also, Yelp has no idea where this business is. There's a big question mark on the map, and the marker is near Beacon Hill. It's actually downtown on Washington St between Water St and State St, in Pi Alley next to the Dunkin Donuts. read more

I've always had good luck here. Quick & easy.

Apparently my key was a difficult type because I was unable to get a copy at another place. This guy made me a copy quick and not expensive.

This place is small and easy to miss. I had my keys duplicated from walmart and they did not work. Went to Key works and they duplicated my key in no time. It works and actually is the best key to our place! I don't have to jiggle it or mess with the lock! Highly recommend. (It is right next to the Dunkin Donuts, its as small as a closet!) read more

Great service at a great price! I walked right up to the window and left with a copy of my key in less than 2 minutes!! The shop is located in a small booth on Washington St right outside of Pi Alley and can be hard to spot, I walked by it the first time. Otherwise fantastic! read more

So for sure tricky to find. I walked by it at least 4 times. HUGE thanks to whoever posted photos. My building key for my apartment was all types of wonky. Would have to jiggle it for 15-20 minutes to even get the door open and then it just stopped working altogether. I took my roommate's slightly-still-working key here to make a copy to get me through until I could contact my landlord and the key he cut me works better than anyone else's in the building now. Actual magic here, people. read more

Unfortunately I have to agree with Christine. I took the walk over there and sure enough, no one was there. at 2:45 sign said back at 3:45. Not much use if you can't count on someone actually being there. read more

Easy Breezy.. took two mins and I was on my way!! Sells cigs pretty cheap too!!

Repaired a desk key when 5 other shops said it couldn't be done. All for only $6. This guy is awesome!

If you want a set of keys made quickly or lottery tickets Bob is the guy to see in Pi Alley. His little business is usually bustling. If the sign says he'll be back soon don't get discourage. He's nearby. read more

I went to get a key copied at around 3:30 and this guy had a sign up that he would be back by 4:15. I go to get an iced tea and come back a little after 4:15. I waited until 4:45 and he still wasn't back. Another guy came by and told me that the key guy does this all the time--he leaves the place in the mid-afternoon to drink and then comes back sometime later. So if you think you can rely on this guy to actually be open during the listed hours, think again. read more

This guy was great. Convenient location and did exactly what I needed. If I need more copies in the future I will definitely be going back.