Cheap sudz Bring cash Take it for what it is Not for every Yelper - you're not in the safest haven, so be aware. If you look sharp and act right, this is a solid dive with DIRT CHEAP SUDZ. Beyond that, there's pool and some very distinct atmosphere. You're here for the standard taps at rock bottom prices, ya heard? Don't come calling for craft or cocktails (well, maybe a rum & Coke). Have dollar bills ready, maybe deal some cards if you keep it on the level, rack 'em in the billiard area next room over, and peep the ship room itself in the back. (It was empty and dark when I visited, but I walked around anyway - felt like I wasn't alone, so bonus points for that creepy Amityville Horror feel.) I don't claim to know legit, hardcore Worcester, but this seemed like a small slice of it at the base of Green Street. See pics for ambience and decide accordingly if this is your cup of 'Gansett. (If you can imagine the 2010 edges of Washington DC's H Street district, you're in the ballpark.). *FYI: Four police cruisers passed by me semi-urgently at my Lamartine@Harding parking spot even as I drafted this review. But the bar? I got a kick out of it. read more

See all

It's called the hotel Vernon though. Lol. But a great place good local entertainment most nights.

Going to the Hotel Vernon bar is like stepping back in time - seriously, as cool as anything can get! Sure, you could call it a dive, but it's genuine and it oozes a rich history. Vintage murals depicting scenes from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, a ghastly tale about a haunted ghost ship do not seem out of place at all amid the 80's era pac-man machine and pool table in the back room. Model ships litter the space above the bar as do pirate themed knick-knacks on the walls and a couple random old photographs. The dingy old black and white tile floor, and the antique ceiling fans and light fixtures usher you back to a time when women were dames and men were fellas. The ship room, which actually looks like the hull of a ship complete with arched supports and portholes has a stage for bands to play. They also have burlesque shows in there too! How do they book their shows? Why just sign up on the calendar by the door! it's that simple. And yes, there is a real speakeasy downstairs in the basement. The incredibly nice bartender gave us a personal tour and had many stories to tell about the Hotel Vernon and Kelly Square and all the sordid happenings that went on during prohibition. They have even had several paranormal investigators come and inspect for ghosts with real results! No food at the Hotel Vernon...just cheap, strong drinks. $1 drafts! I wish we could have stayed longer and seen a show. I couldn't imagine a cooler venue for live performance. read more

See all

Wonderful Dive Bar Another glorious dumpy dive bar in Worcester. I have to say I love the ship room. From the truly beat up decor to the old broken piano in the corner, this is a gem. Went in for a few beers, they have a couple of cheap specials and the owner actually tries to have a few different crafts around as well. The epitome of a dive bar, I wouldn't change a thing. Besides the bar Vincent on the west side of town, this is my second favorite bar in Worcester. That's a pretty big distinction too, in a city littered with great dive bars. Keep the Ship Room sailing, don't change. Thanks read more

Amazing people, amazing drinks, and amazing atmosphere. The only downfall is that I wish they had an in house sound system. I love the pirate ship theme and love the energy that the room brings. Also I really like the free Peanuts. read more

This place has really gone downhill. They no longer do drag nights, karaoke has become ripe with favoritism where the hosts keep certain people from singing and creep on girls. The bartenders gossip loudly about old staff to the point where it made me uncomfortable, since I know them. They have been exposed for replacing expensive liquor bottles with lower quality alcohol to save money. The types of people who show up these days are generally really creepy and try and offer my friends and I cocaine. Drinks taste watered down... not like the old days when they would make them strong. Not ever coming back here. read more

Of all the wonderful dive bars in the entire world, the Hotel Vernon (aka Ship Room) is by far the best! It is just a weird and fascinating place. I looked down the bar there and seen people ranging from college hotties to yuppies to homeless people to regular folks to Doozers and back again. They got dollar drafts and free peanuts but that pales to the history and the dirt. Yup, I said dirt. The place is filthy. I think the last time they cleaned it was for the grand reopening after the end of Prohibition. But, somehow in the weirdest of ways this adds to the character of the place. I mean, where else are you asked to throw peanut shells on the floor? So, its got its history. Babe Ruth used to drink there on his frequent stops to Worcester. There is an old speakeasy in the basement (so I'm told. I've never seen personally). The piece de resistance is the Ship Room- or Yacht Club- which looks like the insides of an olde-timey ship. Bands and other preforms often play there for no cover. Its great atmosphere for a low cost. The only negatives it has is the occasional bartenders. Some bartenders I've had there are very cool. Others are rude jackasses. Just don't go in there with an ego about yourself because that just means you're a pretentious douche. read more

Grungy, down to earth, this bar hides nothing, and doesn't try to be something it's not. Drinks are cheap with Bush, Narragansett, and PBR drafts for $1, and my Gin and Tonic was a large glass, not too much ice, and was strong for $4. It's a little dark in there, and usually has a group of old men sitting at the bar. There are tables against the wall that can be pulled together for groups. There is a pool room, as well as another room with old wooden booths and a stage for open mic, and poetry slam nights. The walls are decked out with pirate decor. Secret- There is a real historic speakeasy in the basement. If you're lucky, the bartender will give you a tour. This is not a bar for girls with in miniskirts and guys with popped collars. This IS a bar for down to earth, non-judgmental people who want a true Worcester drinking bar. read more

I love the Vernon. $1 drafts, free peanuts and there is usually some sort of live performance going on in the ship room such as bands, burlesque, spoken word whatever. Those shows are for the most part free or a small fee. The building is rich with Worcester history and has an old speak-easy in the basement. Mixed drinks are reasonably priced too and the bartenders are some of the nicest people. Another thing I appreciate is the lack of plasma screen tvs. Maybe it's just me, but I think when bars and restaurants have more television sets plastered up on the walls than there are places to sit, it looks super tacky. Who the fuck wants to watch tv at a bar anyway? Bottom line, The Hotel Vernon is one of the best places in Worcester to hang out and have a drink. read more

This bar is FANTASTIC! Zie is easily the best bartender I have ever had in Worcester!!! He was super entertaining and this bar was way more fun than we could ever have predicted. 10/10 recommend to anyone.... plus it's $1 PBR drafts... need I say more? read more

Oh this place! It's a microcosm of Worcester. If it exists in Worcester, good and bad, it exists in the Hotel Vernon (Don't know why the Yelp entry is "the Ship Room", it's the Vernon.) All of the fantastic legends are true. Was this once Babe Ruth's favorite bar? Yes! Did Raymond Burr used to drink here? Yes! But the best part of the Vernon is that it IS Worcester. Those who live here, say they love Worcester, and then hate the Vernon are fooling themselves into a belief that the city is something it's not. It's dirty, and it smells bad, but you can have one hell of a time on short money and you can have it with punks, hipsters, crackheads, blue collar workers, city employees, politicians, poets, roller derby girls, and artists. As I said this place IS Worcester, and we love it for it. read more

This is a fun dive bar with lots of history (used to be a speakeasy in the basement, where Babe Ruth used to drink!). They have dollar drafts and free peanuts. Bartender Cheryl plays vinyl records on Turntable Tuesdays. They have live bands in the Ship Room, and the calendar is open. There's a pool table ($1 to play) and a couple of arcade games. They have Keno and TVs, but they are not too obtrusive. The crowd is really mixed - young and old, hipsters and not. read more

The Ship Room - The Ship Room - Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

See all

Let me start by saying I enjoy going to the Vernon but it is not for everyone. It is an old bar/ hotel with a lot of history. Babe Ruth used to drink there and you can get a tour of the prohibition era basement if the bartender isn't too busy. The story of the Ship Room is that during the bar's early day, a man who was a ship builder by trade couldn't pay his bar tab. Instead, he used his carpentry skills to make one of the bar rooms look like the insides of an old timey ship. It's an interesting sight! The reason I say it's not for everyone is that the clientele are an odd mix of college kids, not as young hipsters and probably-never-young homeless alcoholics. This is not the place for anybody who has a fear of dirt or germs. If you're more adventurous than your phobic contemporaries, you'll probably enjoy it. The beer is cheap. Mixed drinks not quite as cheap but still reasonably priced. Free peanuts if you ask for them! I'm a sucker for free stuff. I've heard that the Vernon does still operate as a hotel but I don't know anyone brave enough to stay there. read more

An awesome time with tons of options... $1 drafts on PBRs Narragansett, ect... Giant Great Music Selection With Decades Of History... When You Can Enjoy A Bar That Babe Ruth Loved In Him Prime Then Your Enjoying A Part Of History...l read more

The Ship Room - Great bar don't have to be a hipster to be here - Bars Near Me - Worcester, Massachusetts

The most divey dive bar I have ever been in, it is everything you've ever hoped for in a dive bar. The drinks are cheap the mugs are frosty The selection is authentic dive bar not hipster imitations of a dive bar with craft beers and such read more

1$ Draft and Free Peanuts! What more could you ask for? Live music? You're in luck, they've got that too. Hotel Vernon is a classic dive bar, their decor is awesome. The "Ship Room" is where bands play, it looks like you're in the interior of a ship. The front area is where the bar is, which also has some tables. The middle room has pac-man and a pool table. Its cheap and a fun place to hang out with some friends. And if you ask nice they might just give you a tour of the downstairs area which was a speakeasy during the prohibition! (so I've been told) read more

The Hotel Vernon is as much a mixed bag of a bar as you will ever find. It is most well know for it being a former speakeasy, and as a bar Babe Ruth used to frequent. Located in the middle of Kelly Square, right off 290, the Vernon is very easy to get to, with plenty of parking nearby. One of the biggest draws of the bar is its $1 draft beers. Obviously this makes it a must for anyone drinking on a budget. If you are interested in peanuts, you can get those for free, then throw the shells on the floor, where they will be cleaned up at the end of the night. The availability of hometown brew Wormtown as one of their draft beers (thought not for $1) is definitely a must try for out of towners. While some may be turned off by its grungy look, some would argue it adds a lot of character to the Vernon. The Shiproom, where live bands perform, is an excellent example of this; with the look of the interior of a 18th century sailing ship, the dark, wood covered room is a great place to rock out and listen to local bands.There is also a small arcade an pool room, for those interested in those types of activities. One of my favorite parts of the bar is the people that come in. Depending on the night you could be surrounded by punks, hipsters, old-timers, or, more often than not, a combination of all three. The only drawback that I personally have with the bar is the cleanliness of the bathrooms, which look like they have needed some good TLC for quite a while. This is definitely a bar worth checking out at least once. If you are anything like me you will definitely be back for more. read more

If you don't like dive bars, DON'T EVER COME HERE!!!! However, if $1 drafts, Worcester's most "interesting" crowd, and occasional impromptu terrible concerts strike your fancy, follow me to Hotel Vernon. Never regretted coming here. There's also a ship themed room in the back with a giant ship wheel. read more

The people who rated this bar as 5 stars must be drunk, or high, or both. Rudest bartender I've ever encountered in my 26 years. The people that come in here are generally low-lifes, bums, prostitutes, alcoholics,drug addicts and people that like to fight. Not to mention how dirty and disgusting this entire place is. Don't expect to get a clean glass, and my friends and I were too afraid to sit on the wet smelly chairs. The floor is always wet and muddy, nobody bothers to clean it. The bathroom was unusable, it was that bad. This place would be okay to hang out at if you are blackout drunk, but otherwise, ANY other bar in Worcester is a safer choice. read more

While this bar isn't for everyone, I urge everyone to check it out at least once. The place is crawling with history. If you get there when it's slow (or better yet, when the owner is around), you can get a tour of the old speakeasy hidden below the Vernon floor. The cheapest beers are most domestic drafts for $1 (expect to get it in a plastic cup during heavy traffic times). They also have a full bar, and other drafts that cost more than a dollar. The bartenders are definitely a part of the charm. The crowd is a younger, more eclectic one, and there's live music most weekend nights in The Shiproom (which is also worth checking out). The Vernon is cash only, but there's an ATM on site. read more

There is only so much you can expect from a bar with $1 drafts. Lucky for us, Hotel Vernon provides an experience worth $20 drafts. Bring cash (for beers and the juke box). Expect other people to buy you beers. Expect to buy other people beers. Expect lots of strangers to talk to you. Expect weird songs to come on that everyone else knows the lyrics to. As far as I'm concerned, this is the perfect dive bar. read more

When Worcester's Dive Bar and Nick's are too expensive or classy for the mood you're in. Free peanuts if you ask

A great place! Friendly regular crowd. I have been going there for a decade. Great bar, great people!

Can't be beat. Perfect place- cheap drinks, good crowd, perfect ambience. Reminds me of my favorite bars back in Baltimore.

When I lived upstairs in 1957 Nancy ran the hotel.Downstairs herTwo brothers ran the bar.Carmen@Pinky tended the bar. Every politician from Jimmy O brien down,the District attorney office along with a lot of state cops which Bossy was one of all frequented the joint better known as McGadys.Oh,yes there was Joe Mims the mayor of Kelley Square. George read more

After reading all the reviews I had to check this place out for myself. The Hotel Vernon is certainly a Worcester landmark, and one that all must visit. It's a pretty typical dive bar -dark and dingy- so dont come in expecting something else. The bartender was very friendly and my friend and I were very excited to encounter $1.00 drafts. She did also confirm there is a speakeasy in the basement, but we couldnt have a look since only one person was working. The only reason i cant give more stars is because of the location and the mugs have a weird sulphur smell and I'm not certain id come here late at night... But for beer that cheap who knows. read more

This is a fun bar to go to anytime during the week. The crowd is a bit grungy, I never feel like I'm wearing enough black when I go into the bar. There is a juke box but if the bartenders don't like what you play they'll skip your song with a button behind the bar. They have a few dollar drafts which are always nice, I never both buying anything more expensive here. There's pool in the back and two arcade machines but I've only ever played pool. There's also another room where they have musical acts perform but I haven't been to one in a while (it gets very loud). I've only seen two fights here, and they weren't that bad so I feel safe going there. I'll definitely be back soon. read more

dollar gansett drafts. free peanuts. spacious rooms. cool building overall. if you want to play a show in the ship room, put your name and phone number on the date you want on the calendar near the door. ! that's a cool way to do it. read more

Cheapest place around with a great comfortable atmosphere filled with familiar faces. Free peanuts, free condoms, there's sometimes a dope dj (shoutout to steeeve!), pool, shows, all that jazz. read more

Awesome. The kind of place that is vanishing from most cities in the US. Basic, solid, no attitude, and designed for people who like to drink cheap beers or stiff rail drinks. God Bless You, Hotel Vernon. read more

So few reviews for the best bar in Worcester? This classic dive is a city gem and full of history. Babe Ruth used to pop in here for drinks and women, bonus points for that. The nautical ship room in the back is really cool and I hear they do burlesque shows back there. $1 Rolling Rocks and Pabst in an ice cold mug will keep the good times going for sure. I like to sit at the end of the bar near the entrance, that way you can hang out in the old phone booth and control the jukebox. One of the best aspects is the free bags of peanuts and they tell you to just throw the shells on the floor. This bar gets more glasses clinking than any other I go to. read more

I do a lot of traveling and I always look for old fashioned dive bars. This one is by far the best. History abounds here, as well as lot's of retro beers. The PBR tap runs almost constantly. A fantastic crowd tops it all off. Young, old, and in between. Lot's of cute sexy guys and girls as well. Great sounding jukebox with a huge variety of tunes. The Ship Room is truly a must see, and local bands play here often. Do check out the paintings above the main bar. There's even a piano here for those that like to play. Hang around long enough and you might even get to see the speakeasy bar in the cellar. Cheap drinks, good conversation, this place has it all! read more

this place might be a dive but so fun dollar drafts nice staff the place isnt for everyone but the history of the place and the energy is great read more