I have been in here a few times while living nearby for a couple of months, and there is a lot to like. This is a very typical Boston Irish bar in a good way. Comfortable, unpretentious, and easy to settle into. The bartending stood out. An Irish bartender when I was in was great. Friendly, attentive, and exactly what you want in a place like this. The beer and whiskey selection is strong. Plenty of draft options, and a solid Irish whiskey lineup. I have usually gone with Smithwick's beer and Redbreast, Irish whiskey, and both hit the mark. Food is solid pub fare. I have had the fish and chips and the beef stew, and both were very good. It is the kind of menu that fits the place and delivers what you expect. PJ Ryan's attracts a good neighborhood crowd and has a lively but manageable atmosphere on the weekends. Overall, my visits have been a four-and-a-half-star experience for me. I will round down to four. I would stop into PJ Ryan's anytime. read more

Great Guinness pours, fantastic fish and chips, and good wings as well. Quick friendly service with a bit of humor as well. Clean classic pub. read more

Just called tonight to confirm that they are showing the all Ireland senior football final. I was very disappointed because on Reddit they had recommended them as a place to watch.! This is one of the biggest schemes in the calendar year for Irish sport. Question. How can this be an Irish bar if they don't even show the GAA? Not impressed read more

We couldn't drop by Davis Square without coming to somewhere that has been a institution for us for years, the formidable "PJ Ryan's!" Located about 5 to 10 minutes walk away from Davis Square, this place is your quintessential Bostonian Irish Pub! This is the perfect place to wile away a winter afternoon! When we came, we grabbed ourselves a Smithwicks and a Guinness (is it just us, or is anyone else still missing 'Guinness Blond'? What ever happened to it? Mysteries! ), and - for the first time in a long time - sat and enjoyed a Soccer game that happened to be on tv...or should we say Football The atmosphere has always been chill, whether we were grabbing drinks, having a bit to eat, or (back in the day) playing a few rounds of trivia! However, what has always drawn us here in Winter has been there fireplace - odd, we know - but we are a huge fan of a fireplace bar, and combing a low key Irish pub with the cozy winter vibes of an open flame has had us hooked for years! Heads up - it can get pretty warm in there. Bring a hoodie or wear a t-shirt under your sweater to remove a layer if need be. The vent right above the bar can blast really hot air. Not a huge deal, just be aware. Have you been to PJ Ryan's? Which Boston Irish Bar should we visit next? Let us know! read more

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Attended the SA vs Ireland RWC group stage match here. They show the rugby here which is great. Got here early but the place was packed, they had some Oktoberfest beers on special which was nice. Beer was good can't complain about that. Didn't get a chance to try the food but the Fish and Chips looked great and I am sure to try it next time. The ambiance was really something I won't forget. Being a Bok supporter in any pub in Boston you are almost always going to be outnumbered by Irish fans but everyone was well behaved and it was a fantastic environment to watch rugby. Really enjoyed my time here and will surely be back for the QFs/Semis and seeing the Boks lift the Trophy in the Final ;) read more

PJ Ryans - American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Terrible food and awful service the only thing that was good was when I got the check and left

I had a pretty awkward experience with one of the bartenders here a little while ago. It was a busy Saturday night. I had ordered 3 drinks for my friends and I and paid with a card. When the bartender handed me back my card and receipt, I put the card away and began signing the receipt. I didn't leave a tip on the card because I was going to give him cash. As I'm digging in my bag for my cash, the bartender leans over the counter and yells directly in my face "wooooow no tip?" It was pretty rattling to say the least. Especially when it was also incorrect. Because of this encounter I will not be going back. read more

Three years in Special place Awesome at every level Nice folks Delicious food Very grateful to have PJs read more

PJ Ryans - American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

I love this place. Great spot to grab a beer and catchup with some friends. Always friendly service and I always leave happier than I arrived. read more

WOW.. This place is still in business??? After there was no one to seat us and we sat at a table for 5, I went to the bar and they said a server would be right with us. Took about 15 minutes for our drinks to come, and it wasn't busy at all. Food was so-so, nothing to write home about but their prices of the food weren't that bad. This place would get negative stars if it were possible because of the service!!! First, they were out of possibly everything we tried to order. No sour mix? You can't squeeze a lemon and lime together? Oh, and you're out of bud light? And you're out of blue moon? And you advertise a boot but you don't have it anymore? ????? Our server was absolutely terrible. We asked her to take a picture of us, and she asked a customer at another table to do it for her... are you serious? And then when we were closing out, we had cash + 4 cards, and wrote all of the amounts on the back of the check. She took it, came back, and was like "just so you know next time we take a maximum of 2 cards for any table." WELL--just so you know, we definitely won't be coming back here!! This place might be good for a late night drink here or there, but nothing else. I wonder why there are no good bars in this area :( read more

PJ Ryans - American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

After two years of living half-a-breath away, I finally made it to PJ Ryans. The fact that I have been missing out on this spot for so long is completely unacceptable. This place is awesome. On the night I came by, we snagged a couple of seats on the patio (it was crazy loud inside) and after a few minutes had menus in hand. To get the night started, I ordered a white sangria. It was citrusy (grapefruit, I wanna say?) and refreshing, which is exactly what I wanted from that drink. My boyfriend's black velvet was also super good. Then it was time to get down to business: hot, tasty food, in and around my mouth hole. We ordered the gypsy eggs and the slow-braised beef and cheese sandwich. Now listen closely my children, because I am going to tell you something very important. Those gypsy eggs*... were so, effing, good. It is imperative that you order them as soon as you possibly can. Spicy stewed tomatoes with chorizo, garlic, and onion, and an egg baked on top? With ricotta cheese? And toasted bread for dipping? It was beyond bomb. Mixing that runny egg yolk in with the ricotta and tomatoes brought even more magic to the bowl. I ate the crap out of that stuff. The sandwich was tasty for sure, but I much preferred the eggs. I think my main issue with the sandwich was a lack of textural variety. There was a lot of melty-gooey-tenderness going on, which is by no means problematic in and of itself. However, I think it's always important to have something to cut the creaminess with. For me, that braised beef and cheese sandwich was missing that element. Tossing the pickles on top really helped though. The fries that came with the sandwich were fine; nothing special, although I did appreciate that they weren't too salty. I even let a few spuds take a swim in that eggy-tomato-chorizo sauce from the other dish. YUM. Overall, I was very satisfied with my experience at PJ Ryans. I initially thought the service was a little perfunctory, but it got much better as the night went on. I'll definitely be back for soon. *A quick note on the gypsy eggs: I was surprised to hear from our server that a lot of people find the gypsy eggs to be too weird for them, and they just end up eating the egg and the bread. That makes absolutely no sense to me, but to each her own. read more

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If yo-u want to site for a good beer and watch a game, then this is the place to be. Anything else will be wishful thinking. I think I got ill after the last time I ate here. The bucket of sweet potato fries for $6 is a pretty good deal, but I don't think the poutine was a good choice health wise. If I had to take a stab at what did me in, I would say it was those overcooked fries with gravy and cheese curds. I have ordered poutine before at all star sandwich bar where it was significantly better. The wings are okay and the mac and cheese was just good. Service can be slow but they have a great choice of beers including Harpoon Leviathan and La Fin Du Monde. According to the waitress they are looking to get Kentucky Bourbon Ale back as well (I hated that they teased me by serving my beer in that glass when they do not actually carry the beer.) Well if they get it back I might tack on a star. I think the food is a lost cause though. read more

Onion rings were tasty; reliable community centered place. Good service, warm environment!

PJ Ryans holds a special part of my heart. Who doesn't love a gastropub? Just went there for our first dine-out experience during COVID in Somerville. The outside seating is very distanced so I felt safe. Mike, our server, along with the other server were super respectful and kept their distance when checking in on us. Safer for them and safer for us. I would definitely feel safe to return for another night out. Food was delicious too! I had the fish and chips and my husband had the buffalo chicken burger. Both were great! I miss their grilled cheese, but happy to see that the fries are still the best in town! read more

Great service, fair prices with good food and beverages. Highly recommend going through!

PJ's is a comfortable place to sit and hang out, listen to live music on certain nights with a fun crowd and friendly staff. I've only eaten here once, the food was your average bar food, the four star rating is for atmosphere and the friendly, courteous staff. This is a great local pub!! read more

I feel so lucky that PJ Ryan's is my neighborhood local. They've managed to maintain comfortable Covid boundaries without sacrificing the cozy pub feel, the food is fantastic (I'm especially partial to the turkey chili, which I get for take out more often than I care to admit), and Conor and the crew are the best. read more

Many many many fine memories here with good friends - most of the time very intoxicated and tummy very very full Weekend post golf "irish brkfasts".... accompanied by many many many Guinness. However, the brkfast has gone down in size in the past two years.... but still substantial and can cause multiple coronary blockages - 2 eggs, 2 "regular" sausages, black pudding (yummy), 2 irish bacons (very yummy last time, totally smokey), baked beans, and finished off w 2 Texas toasts... Usually needed two brkfasts with four or five pints of G's before sated... St Paddy's day - "day- long celebration...." This pub, well all the pubs in Davis Sq, is the right place to be - Get there early since the place has a seating limit and there's nothing wrong with drinking Guinness all day... Fish & chips also pretty decent. Nachos - OK... It's an Irish pub ! so either Guinness or Magners... don't even ask for Bass (you english scum !)... Several big screen TV's... broadcasting rugby/European football.... Friendly staff and the loo newly renovated. Large french windows that open in the summer affording a view of the firehall across the street - get to see fire trucks rushing off. Within staggering distance to Red Line... Definitely many good memories here w friends - lazy Sunday mornings turned into afternoons... Will miss PJ's... read more

PJ Ryans - View from inside - summer day - American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

I can't believe how affordable this place is! The quality of the food, drink, and service is so high. We came by last night for drinks/dinner and were not disappointed. The beer list was long and varied (which I love) and the cocktail list looked interesting, too. The food really sets them apart, though. The curry cheese fries are not to be missed and the fried chicken special should most definitely be added to the everyday menu. Our server was also incredibly attentive. Even when they were suddenly swamped, employees tag-teamed our table to make sure we had everything we needed. I appreciated that extra effort. Happy to make this a new neighborhood hangout! read more

OK one goes to a bar for two things (1) drinks (2) the atmosphere. The drinks are regular drinks. The atmosphere is incredibly standard. They have some TVs, you can watch the game, it opens onto the street, which is nice. Usual stuff. The people staffing the bar are the rudest, most hostile, unkind you name it...that I've ever encountered in any bar, anywhere, on Earth. I couldn't figure it out. I went up. I ordered a drink. They did not bring me my drink for about an hour. They then seemed enraged when I politely asked for my drink. I tried to figure it out...but I could not. Was it a bar? Can you order drinks there? Is this not acceptable human behavior? Is it a place where only regulars can order drinks? The food is terrible--but it's a bar so that's not a deal-breaker. I think the reviews here must be from the regulars or friends of the owner or staff. I went back because I wanted to watch the game. Same thing, basically. I'm a normal human who is treated with general courtesy by most people on Earth. It definitely wasn't anything I did. And the bar was mostly empty so it wasn't even busy-ness or something like that. It was a bit fascinating how rude and weird they were. I was wondering if it was some kind of 'pretend it's New York! Pretend we're Studio 54! We only serve the beautiful people!' thing. read more

Some drink to remember and some drink to forget. I drink because I like how beer tastes and I like that it makes me giggle. Plenty of giggling goes on at PJ Ryan's. This place boasts some super dank beers. Kentucky Bourbon Beer? Yum. Otter Creek Black IPA? Yes please. The bartenders are friendly, attentive and seem to have a great rapport with the clientele. The real reason I come to PJ Ryan's is for the braised beef, cheddar and mustard sandwich. It's so freaking delicious. I've never actually ordered anything else. read more

You know.... I gotta tell you... you really do gotta trust your instincts and go with your gut. So over the 7 weeks of last seasons dodgeball, my eyes were covered by many many rounds of drinks. But more so recently, the last 2 weeks I have been here, it's been nothing but a pain in my arse. And I really need to get it out in the open, that I need to deduct stars and I was really tempted to change this to 1 star tonight because of how angry I am. But I've cooled off a bit and because it is our sponsor bar, I will give them a lil credit. *** This paragraph has been removed by me. Please see edit below for those who have read this previously *** You've angered me so much that I'm even considering no longer going to your bar afterward any longer and just go elsewhere to spend my hard earned dollars. Seriously, that kind of service IS NOT OKAY! *** EDIT *** 1/23/09 **** After having cooled off a bit... I must edit my review and remove what I had said previously. I realized after re-reading it several times that it may have came off a bit harsh. Okay I know it came off real harsh. And I want to apologize to the bartender that works on Thursdays. I let my emotions get the better of me. I still believe that I should not have been treated the way I was treated over the two weeks. But that is no excuse for me to write such hostile and crude words, and I want to apologize. Additionally, the owner of the bar has reached out to me and has informed me that they will be adding a bartender on on Thursday nights. I will give PJ's another shot and will update my review accordingly. read more

I walk by this place maybe four times a week and there always seems to be hooligans there with a few teeth knocked out looking like they're about to start a riot for no particular reason. There's always some sort of carousing and a rainbow of rugby-shirt-wearing individuals sitting at wooden barrels. Anywhats, I finally went in there and it was exactly like the stereotype that I had given it. For whatever reason, I ordered a Chimay and the bartender looked at me a few times and said something like "You know, it's seven dollars." And no, I didn't know how much it costs before I ordered, but thanks very much for tell me. And I said "That's fine." And he said "You sure? It's seven dollars." "Um...yeah, that's fine." "oooookaaaaaaaaayy" he says. Just to show him, I got TWO Chimays! And tipped 2/3 of one Chimay! Big spenda! read more

Ok this is my first review and I'm so sorry to say that it is going to be negative. My husband and I went on Sunday to watch the Scotland v Wales six nations rugby game and the place looked really lovely and cozy. It was also very quiet, which at 10am on a Sunday morning was to be expected but was good as it wasn't absolutely packed and we could get a seat. We had been really looking forward to settling down and having some good food and watching the game but were absolutely outraged when they announced there was a $20 cover charge for each of us. On a SUNDAY MORNING!! Of course I know that many bars operate a cover charge for events and I am equally appalled at those in Back Bay who also charge customers to come in to watch sport when they would also be paying for drinks and food. I wonder if they charge EVERY day they show sport - I suspect not, which makes the whole policy even worse. In this case, if the pub had been packed and they were having to turn business away as there was limited capacity then I could understand much more readily such a policy but the place was totally deserted! As it was we decided not to stay and to be honest we wont be coming back to watch the rest of the games. We can pay Setanta around $150 to get them ALL over the internet as well as other major sporting events so for 2 of us when you also factor in the cost of food and drink it makes much more economic sense. If PJ Ryans were to change their policy then we would certainly give it another shot, possilby not just coming to the Scotland matches but also to some of the other fixtures, but till then we wont be watching or drinking in PJ Ryans. Edit ***************** 28th Jan 2010 *************** I was contacted by the owner shortly after writing this review last year. As this was my first review I was a total noobie so didn't really know what to do about it Randomly, I have just received another message from the owner who basically re-sent me his reply from last time, so I guess he is a bit annoyed with me and wants me to update my review. I can't really update my review, as I have not been back and I still felt that our welcome at the door was rude and non-existent. However, for clarification I should pass on the information that Setanta set the cover charge to 8 premium locations in the Boston area and that it is $20 a head to watch premium coverage - usually international rugby, soccer etc. PJ Ryans do not charge for other events. Yesterday I mentioned in talk that I was looking for a bar to show the Scottish Premier League and I mentioned that I was still annoyed with the welcome and the cover charge at this bar. (as i am annoyed with cover charges for all bars that do it!) I can only assume that the owners trawl the talk threads for mentions of the bar which is why I got sent another message about it. So now the record is straight, but don't really think I'm going to bother heading back over to check it out...! read more

Lovelovelovelovelovelovelove this place! Not only is the menu phenomenal, but the staff and atmosphere really make this place top notch! I have been going here with the manpiece for over a year now and we're never disappointed. Bridget has been my server on most occasions and provides outstanding service. If you're stuck on a beer or menu item, she'll help you figure it out. She's speedy, nice, and accommodating. Beware of the boot. My boyfriend thought this was a good idea after 7 beers in... needless to say he booted outside. The mussels and fries are a staple when we go there, along with the braised beef. Bring back the gnocchi! It was my favorite item on the menu. read more

My husband and I have lived in Somerville for almost 4 years now and this has been our go to bar since we first moved here. We first went because we had an apartment in Teele Sq and it was the closest bar. We quickly made friends with the bar tenders who give a little special treatment to the regulars. I've read a few reviews that waiters can be difficult if you aren't a regular but we never experienced that even when we first started going. Everyone is friendly and the atmosphere is fun. They have changed the menu to be a bit more upscale from the bar food they used to serve. The food it good and I HIGHLY recommend the fish and chips. We also love PJ's because they're one of the few places that has outdoor seating which is awesome when you live in the city. We have a condo now in Ball Sq. and still make the walk to Teele usually once a weekend. read more

I like PJ's. It's kind of in BFE, at least for me, but their open mic and trivia nights are really fun, and the pints are well pulled. Pub food is very good and the staff are really nice. The guy who hosts the open mic is cool as well. I liked his intro about how it should really be Davis Pentagon and Teele Triangle. Clearly, I'm easily amused, but still. This bar's definitely worth the walk up from Davis. read more

A nice little pub/sports bar with a decent beer selection. I wish their menu were a little more detailed regarding their draft beer, though: they list "Harpoon" on the menu (with no other details), but instead of the IPA, it was the Leviathan. I didn't have a problem with this, but I do kind of wish that the waitress had mentioned that I'd be getting Leviathan when we ordered. A friend told me that they recently revamped their food menu to make it a little nicer and more gastropub-y. My boyfriend and I split the burger and fries, which was pretty tasty, if a little pricey (for a pub, I mean) at $9. I'd like to go back and sample some other things. Word of advice: don't go on Trivia Night, unless you're playing. Even then, though, I wouldn't advise it. Some friends and I made that error a couple times, and the place was filled with loud, annoying Tufts undergrads. You know what, I'm not being fair; I think it was probably just one table that was ruining it for everyone else. You know when there's like four drunk girls scream-talking like wounded hyenas and you just wanna punch them repeatedly in the face? Yeah. Welcome to Trivia Night at PJ Ryan's. read more

As the closest bar to my current apartment, PJ Ryan's of course holds a special place on my drinking roster. And it's a good local place - pretty generic Boston Irish Pub thing going on, with some nice Somervillian exceptions. It's not the lame crowd of bros you might find at a similar bar downtown, and an above-average draft selection with a bunch of cool brews on tap - Dogfish, Harpoon's Leviathan special of the moment, that sort of thing. Decent selection of whiskey as well. Like at most pubs, skip the cocktails -- beer or straight liquor is the way to go here. They will also let you play flip cup on the tables. Just sayin'. read more

I think PJ Ryans is a hidden gem in Sommerville. I think if you are near Davis Square or Teele Square, this is a great bar to go yo. It is a nice place to go and meet up with people. They have a nice bar with bartenders that really know how to mix a good dink. This bar has a nice mix of locals who frequent regularly and others who are just dropping in for a drink or two. I find that PJ Ryans is one of those bars where the bartenders remember who you are and what you like to drink. I also love the crowd at PJ Ryans, an overall friendly bunch. read more

This place just feels like home...if your home has Guinness and Smithwicks on tap, friendly bartenders, great burgers, and a decent jukebox. I have been coming here for years and it never gets old. Since moving away I've met a bunch of people who have lived in Davis and the one main point of reference is always PJ Ryans. Whether it's to kick off a night out or end the night before a trip to Kee Kar Lau this is THE place to visit. read more

Revisiting this place again, I had to write an update because 3 stars really doesn't give this place justice. I mean where else can you go during the winter and hang out in a nice bar with a decent beer selection, international staff members which always lead to telling you good stories, and yes, a warm cozy fireplace. That is pretty awesome. And the food is also better here now than it used to be. Yes it still isn't the cheapest, but where is in Boston, eh? And there is something unique about this place that just makes you feel relaxed and at ease with yourself, your life, your friends, and of course your beer. It does get packed here on game days, so I would avoid this place then, but for some drinks with friends in the Davis Square area, PJ Ryans really is quite nice. read more

PJ Ryan's holds great memories for me. Besides the foamy brews that keep me hydrated on a warm summer's eve they have a large screen for sports games. There is a mix crowd in the bar but not over-crowded which I enjoy. The menu is also impressive. The menu is diverse with pub style entrees and has decent servings and the staff is nice. There is also local music for people who enjoy listening to 40 something's singing about a girlfriend they broke up with in high school. The juke box rules if you like bad music. If you're lucky you can see some local doing lines in the men's room PJ Ryan's is a gem in the heart of Somerville. read more

At the afore mentioned 'Hen's and Stag's' party, I helped clear this place out of Irish whiskey. Got through all the Jameson's and went on through the Bushmill's. We are talking 15 shots an order kind of drinking. My head hurts just thinking about it. (update -see photo from Murray B.) read more

This bar is my grad department's favorite place to meet up. It's not too loud and has a mellow scene. I didn't care for the nachos, but the burgers are great if you're in that hungry-drunk mode. They also have great live music, and I'm sad to say that I'm usually too soused to know if it's the same guy, but I think it is. I love his music choices and unfortunately most people don't even notice him. He even once let one of my friend's get up and join him on the ukulele. read more

I discovered this place thanks to Yelp when looking for a place to watch the 6 Nations rugby tournament. I didn't expect to like this place nearly as much as I did. They have decent prices, and a good selection of drinks. But more importantly, they have rugby! And if you're looking for a good breakfast, look no farther than their $5 full Irish. It's a thing of beauty. Despite the fact that I have to take a bus to get there (in warmer months I might consider walking/biking) I'm very tempted to make this my regular bar. read more

Nice bar...could be my local if I lived a bit closer. They have Setanta TV so it's good to watch some Irish sports. The pints are decent and the staff are excellent. They know their local customers and are chatty. The food ain't bad but sometimes it can get a little greasy so perfect food to prevent a hangover or recover from one. College quiz night is a pain. All the tufts students come in and drink water which must drive the staff crazy. Damn cheap students! read more

Some old friends introduced me to this place, and keep bringing me back there. Responsive, friendly service, with standard but good pub food. You'll find college students, neighborhood locals, yuppie couples all coexisting happily. Trivia night, although it can be overrun with students, is a fun time. Plus the owner is a nice, hardworking guy, so help him out and go there. One of my favorite neighborhood spots. read more

PJ Ryans - American Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Eh. What can I say. Didn't like the place. Yes, the beer menu is divine. But, the service sucked, the food sucked, and to top it off, my friend Laura K ordered a margarita, and was delivered a margarita swimming with fruit flies, and when I say swimming, I mean 50-60 of those little suckers. When we alerted our server of the situation, she just brushed it off as no big deal, like it was a normal occurrence. Um HELLO?!?! GROSS?!?! Yes, I know accidents happen. I was a server for a long time but please, dont try to pretend that serving someone a drink full of bugs is something you can just brush off, and not even apologize for. And to top it off, my friend was charged for her drink. Wow. So basically, if you're going to go here for some beers, not eat, and just catch a game, ya, you could have a good time. But I'd suggest going else where. read more

I recently moved to Somerville and beers at PJ Ryans have already become a staple of my diet. They have a great selection of beers ranging from Belgian Pale Ale to Guinness. I've never found the service wanting, although I've heard people complain about shoddy service. On that note... A couple weeks ago, I experienced an event at PJs that defined it in my mind and made it my go-to bar. I was sitting at the bar with a friend around 9 pm and the place was starting to fill up for the evening. The bartenders were clearly in demand and so getting their attention was starting to be a little more difficult. A guy walks up to the bar and, after standing there for a few minutes, gets frustrated with the lack of attention, and proceded to shake his empty Guinness glass at the passing bartender. She responded by explicitly ignoring him for a further fifteen minutes. When she had served everyone else at the bar, she went over to him and gave him a thorough talking to. In particular, she specified that shaking empty glasses will not get you another drink, but rather tipping well and a courteous attitude will be rewarded with good service. So, like I said, I've never had bad service at PJs, but I'm also a pretty courteous customer. It's a busy enough place that getting the bartenders attention is not always straight forward, but it's small enough that if you're rude once, you probably won't be getting good service for a while. So, say please! And cheers! read more