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    The Tam

    3.7 (405 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars
    Open 10:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    The Tam Photos

    Business Info

    THE TAM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Juke Box
    Loud
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Tam

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    Vibe

    Good ambience, crowded on a Tuesday, overall great time! We had so much fun after our concert at royale

    Austin C.

    Little dive bar in the heart of Boston. Irish vibes and cheap beer. Was quiet and chill on a Sunday evening

    Tam as it ever was
    Fox E.

    Owned by Tam Impala and the setting for the Tam-ing of the Shrew. This is a lovely but rough and edgy Irish Pub right next to a popular pizza shop and this spot gets really packed on Fridays and Saturdays, when it's open super late. One of many Irish pubs in the Boston area, this is definitely the one where you are most likely to see a fight - as I've done several times either inside, or out on the street - often involving very big Irish guys and very big Irish cops. It's cool though - and while the drinks aren't cheap, they're pretty decent. Just be prepared for a rough night.

    Cassandra B.

    $9 for a margarita? Those aren't dive bar prices! But can a true dive bar even make a margarita? The grittier dive bars I've been to only served beers and well drinks. I'm convinced there isn't a legitimate dive in all of Boston. Disagree? Give me a recommendation because I'm dying to know. I digress. Despite previous reviews, they DO accept cards here. The bartenders are friendly and the service is speedy. And that margarita was pretty darn good. The music is a bit all over the place though, as is the volume. Last, the bathroom is tiny and cramped but it's clean. Location wise, it's about 1 block away from the orange line at Downtown Crossing. The crowd seemed to be locals and people just getting off work. The Tam's outward appearance feels like a dive bar, but I don't know, it's missing character. YELP'S 2019 REVIEW CHALLENGE: #23

    The lady who was being rude at Tam.......
    I'enfant De D.

    I can to Tam the day of may 10 and I was not able to give a tip. I walked in the next day willing to give a tip because I now had cash. This lady in the photo decided to ignore me and tell me I stiffed her on a tip yesterday so she was giving me the service I paid for. She kept on going about how I didn't give her a tip and my point of returning was to do what I did not do yesterday because I had no tip to give. I swear she did this because I was black. She was rude and I don't think anyone should come here.

    a bar with people sitting at the bar
    David M.

    Dive bar (n.) place that serves you cheap booze. Do they serve food? No. Dive bar. Can I get in without ID? No. Dive bar. Do they have fancy cocktails and single malts? No. Dive bar. Is the bathroom clean? No. Dive bar. Do they have table service? No. Dive bar. Is there even a menu? No. Dive bar. Will they have the hockey game on? Yes. Will they turn the sound on for the hockey game? Yes, but it will sound terrible.

    Dhilip R.

    Nice dive bar. Don't have the greatest beers but the location keeps it lively. It is too close to Chinatown and AmC. Came here for a night with friends and the beers were just 5$ from tap.

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Boo. Walked through the cold wind to get here. Rude staff, no music. Not worth the effort.

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    1 year ago

    Nice relaxing place for a noon beverage with good music!!! Very nostalgic environment

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Ultra friendly and welcoming with excellent service. Bartender was awesome! Everything you'd expect to find in a dive bar

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    1 year ago

    one of the best dives in the city. cheap drinks, friendly staff, good music. always a good time.

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    3 years ago

    This place smelled like pee. Period that's all that needs to be said. We were so grossed out I could not finish my beer.

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Service was goood. Beer was 6 bucks. Drank a Sam Adam's at an Irish Pub in Boston. Check.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - The Tam

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    Review Highlights - The Tam

    Come here for cheap drinks and friendly people, especially when it's not crowded (i.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    Slade's Bar & Grill - Fried fish hittin!

    Slade's Bar & Grill

    3.4(248 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Community! Slade's a local hotspot for good vibes, great drinks, and amazing music -- especially on…read moreTuesday's for Open Mic Night. During a recent trip to Beantown, a coworker took me here for an evening out on the town. Slade's was very chill and you could tell was full of usuals who frequent the spot. The menu has plenty of options, service was great especially being a first timer I didn't feel out of place. Known for their chicken wings and other items, the menu has variety and almost feels more soul foodish. Music wise, the jazz band who played that night kept the spot going. Also offering impromptu musicians to join. A great night out in Boston, Slade's is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. Don't let anyone tell you different.

    I'm writing to share feedback about my recent Uber Eats order from Slade's. I dine in regularly and…read moretypically order wings, steak, and fries with no issues, which is why this experience was especially disappointing. I understood that delivery food may need reheating and was fully prepared to air fry the wings and fries. That was not the issue. The problem was the quality and accuracy of the sides and entrées. The collard greens were so salty they were inedible and honestly concerning from a health standpoint. One plate that was supposed to include chicken, mac and cheese, and yams arrived with double yams and no mac and cheese at all. The other plate with catfish, potato salad, and collards was also disappointing. The catfish was overcooked, the potato salad was watery, and again, the collards could not be eaten. Additionally, the yams were gummy and seemed undercooked, as if they needed more time in the oven. Aside from the wings and fries, the rest of the order was a complete letdown. I have no issue paying for food I enjoy and love, but unfortunately this order was neither enjoyable nor acceptable based on the quality I usually expect from Slade's.

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    Slade's Bar & Grill
    Slade's Bar & Grill - Greens goin up!

    Greens goin up!

    Slade's Bar & Grill - Yamingtons

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    Yamingtons

    Dillon's - Classic Cheese Pizza, meatball pizza, beers

    Dillon's

    2.8(630 reviews)
    1.1 miBack Bay
    $$

    Fun sports bar! We were there for a basketball game but didn't know it was a bama bar, so the game…read morewe were there for got turned off once the bama game started. It was a bit of a bummer that they couldn't leave even one tv on the basketball game. We still had fun, you could really feel the energy from the fans during the game. The drinks were fine, I got the espresso martini and then the jingle bell. They aren't anything to write home about, not something I'd go out of my way for. My only complaint was the initial service. When I first got to the bar it was pretty empty and I sat at the bar with my friends. Even then it took a good 15 minutes to get one of the bartenders attention to get a drink. This was frustrating, especially since it wasn't busy. Overall it's a good sports bar, it's fun to check out but it's not something to go out of your way for.

    Three of us were walking around on Saturday 10/18 at 3PM looking to get drinks after the No Kings…read morerally on the common. A warm sunny day combined with everyone in town for the regatta meant the city was packed! We passed by as a huge group of soccer fans were coming out - their match had just ended - so we thought it was the perfect time to go in and snag their seats. Got 3 seats at the bar, the bartender (short dark hair and facial hair) greeted us right away with menus and was quick with the drinks. We quickly ate our order of fries and then ordered the Chicken Parm Pop Tarts, they were excellent. I feel badly for the others who didn't have a great experience, but we definitely did!

    Photos
    Dillon's - Outdoor Patio Seating

    Outdoor Patio Seating

    Dillon's
    Dillon's - Bar

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    Bar

    The Tam - divebars - Updated May 2026

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