Went for a late lunch after spending the day at the Irish festival. Wait for food was a little long but in the end it was delicious. The staff was nice. We sat outside and it was a nice afternoon. read more

My family and I went there last night after an amazing meal in May. One of the best burgers i have ever had. apparently the menu changed and its not what it was. Do not recommend. read more

Food & service! Delicious burgers and really nice staff! It has that neighborhood feel with locals but being from out of state we felt right at home! If we were ever back in the area we will def stop in! read more

Great food and an amazing selection on the menu . Service is fantastic at all hours of the day well into the night. Can't ever recommend this enough for a the first bar to try In Lowell. Nothing else looks like it . read more

Worthen House Cafe - Guinness on tap - Dive Bars Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

Best dive bar in mill city. Great vibes, ambiance, and the beers are priced so you won't feel bad about having a few more. You gotta love it! read more

Really chill place just on vibes alone. The food is good but not amazing. I would go there again but probably not a takeout place.

Historic place and the oldest bar in Lowell that Kerouac visited. I didn't have any food and can only comment on the bar part which I enjoyed. It is definitely worth a visit. read more

Went to the Worthen with friends to catch up. Local dive bar, that has felt hostile the past few months. The "regulars" if that's what you want to call them seemed rude, drunk and short tempered. Catching up with old classmates was nice but the staff wasn't. The older crowd was offensive and tanked. Would not recommend. A friend wanted to go there because you can smoke outside. Totally not worth it. Beer was cheep and drinks were strong. Usually a good thing but we all had to drive to our parents and ended up Ubering home. The older crowd, acted like rude zombies. Should have went to the Shamrock. It is definitely a place where the locals go to drown their sorrows. People were over served and obnoxious. The trash doesn't take itself out. Surprised that the bartenders Dont shut people off. Walking zombies leaving. read more

On Halloween, a few of my friends entered the Worthen. House. I had been barred From April 14th, when they let my underage son into the bar to pick me and a friend of mine up at 9pm. We arrived around 6 pm. One of the regular Patrons decided to put our dirty laundry to all the female bartenders as well as the regular female Patrons so I would be subject of gossip. Not to mention the texts were most likely edited on his end. His actions landed us in court. The judge even asked "Why would you do that? " his answer was, i wanted people to see what type of crazy they were dealing with!". Our relationship had ended and he had put a temporary restraining order on me after he had asked his intoxicated friends to call over my son who was waiting for me to cash out at the door. I was ejected from the establishment because my former flame showed pictures and texts to ALL the women at the bar, bartenders included and a older woman who he was sitting with, in her 60's started manhandling my 20 year old son. There was no identification check at the door, bouncer was no where to be found and this Momma bear was waiting to cashout and seeing her designated driver who picked up a friend of mine at 9:00 PM. The women did not want me there and all because they had a new subject of gossip and all it took was one woman to shamelessly grope my adult child , for me to push her off him and the over served trouble maker became the victim. So, while I had an unrecognizable costume on paying cash. Not only was the bar the place to be, they were serving doubles and triples from 7pm to 11pm at this establishments to the regulars. I hate to admit it, my first reviews was WRONG. I originally got banned from Jada because of her reading the texts of a drunk old man that frequents the establishment daily; she stated " I only brought the business trouble, and she didn't like me." Because my reviews are very honest and candid. I fully think the staff not checking ID's, over serving people for hours due to them being "the regulars" is over the top. The outsiders are not treated the same. They are made to be entitled to wait. Also to make it worse, the regular make people miserable if they see one ounce of a young personality that is happy. Not to mention even if you are a female and you do not drink heavily they will not serve you as quickly till the regulars stumble out. I went in with a mixed crowd of young men, women, and LGBTQ. I found highly intoxicated middle aged men and woman were highly over-served patrons were constantly being fed doubles and triples at a time were being served. While we waited and paid cash in the busy bar. The atmosphere was hopping. I would not recommend this establishment. Not unless you intend to be a regular alcoholic and fly on their wall. Also, most of the staff has been extraordinarily rude, judgmental, and unwelcoming to women. Case and point, even if you cause no trouble, and don't speak to the current regulars, they are easily swayed and will be prone to get you ejected from the establishment. It is a dive bar, but until now, and my past experience I thought it had more class than it did. Older patrons confronting younger ones for no reason should be ejected. But that will not happen in this establishment. They will intimidate you until it is time for you to leave. They forget that everyone has a right to go where they please. However, being overserved and confrontational should be the limit. At this establishment, it is not. If people were doing their job in 2 past instances, my 20 year old would have never been allowed in. Also being barred, I wouldn't of been allowed back in unless I did what I did to update my review. I will not disclose my costume, I will just say, Historic yes,the place to be, NO. Sorry not sorry. read more

Worthen was so worth the hype. It's a small hole in the wall spot that packs a ton of fun and ambiance. The food is incredible, my husband and I got the craic chicken panini and my father in law said his burger was the best he's had in a long time. To top it off, service was friendly and quick despite the place being packed. Will definitely return. read more

Cool old fashioned cafe. Have really Cool antique fans on the ceiling that use to be steam powered, the only working ones left in the country I believe. They will turn them on if you ask. Quaint little place, cool bar and atmosphere. Good typical pub food. Their pastrami sandwich was really good. Definitely will come back if in the area. read more

Such a fun place for lunch, dinner or just drinks with a bunch of friends or just catching up. I tried their draft beer 1898 Worthen NE IPA and had their famous burger "The Worthen" cooked to perfection and service was very good. So much history here you just have to come and check it out for yourself. Definitely coming back! read more

See all

Been going to the Worthen for many years, usually lunch on a Saturday afternoon, but occasionally meet a couple of old friends for drinks and sometimes close the place out. As mentioned by several other reviews, place is a hole in the wall dive bar. That said, the staff have been great, and the food is usually pretty solid. I've never had a bad burger here, my wife is a fan of the panini's. The kitchen is being run by a new chef who changed the menu up a little, so a couple of my go to burgers went away. BUT he added bourbon glazed steak tips which have become a go to for me now. Generous portions and decent prices. Overall, we've never really had a bad meal here, and the food is priced well. read more

First time in Lowell for an event at Tsongas Center and Worthen House had good reviews and was close. The TLDR - if you're going to an event and really want to go here, get there mad early. But overall, I'd probably try somewhere else. While I totally get it is a "dive bar" - I didn't expect it to be packed to brim and not have great communication about the wait. One lady did clearly feel for us and tried to help us sort out how long it would be. Our server was clearly overwhelmed and wasn't writing down our order and asked a question about my husband's burger right after taking the order and repeated the wrong burger to him. Additionally, she brought him his coke but couldn't remember what soda I ordered. If you're feeling flustered because the crowd is more than you're used to - write the orders down. No shame in it. They only have one cook trying to keep up with it all and they clearly can't in this kind of event crowd. When our food was about ready, she said it would just be a minute because the chef had to fix a mistake he made on my burger and then when it came out it was still wrong (it included an item I had asked to be left off). I didn't bother to try to tell her this because she asked if everything was good when she brought it and then said "Oh - I'll give you a minute to try it!" and then never came back. A different bartender wound up bringing our check. Overall, it took 30+ minutes just to get 2 burgers and some fries. The burgers WERE good, but the "wedge fries" were more like chip-style steak fries and were mostly over fried. Based on the other reviews we were disappointed. The history is cool, but if you're even remotely in a hurry before an event, this isn't your place. read more

Place sucks. Food awful. St pattys day corn beef dinner tastless. Cabbage soggy lots of grease

Wonderful atmosphere. Great service. Great food. And priced right. Love it here. Always a good place to meet friends.

Kelsey is a lil scary because she has scorpions on her stomach but she's still pretty cool I guess

Historic. Jack Kerouac hangout. The building and the interior original and unrestored. Food is excellent and a fun, friendly crowd.

Great building go for the history, but not the food. The regulars get loaded and loud early and all day long at the bar. Too bad, it could be a great place. read more

I loved this place It is a gem!!!! I grew up in an old industrial city where there were bars like this on every corner just not as old Beer was reasonable cold with a frosted mug. The homemade chips were good. The belt driven fans were really cool along with the bar abandoned decor Many would call this a dive bar I would call it home Knowing Kerouac frequented the place was a big plus for me and the ambiance If you are in Lowell stop in for a beer read more

Worthen House Cafe - Worth stopping at this old classic bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

My favorite place to eat and hang out in Lowell The food is always absolutely delicious! ( Steak and cheese wrap) The place is very clean and the staff is great ! read more

The restaurant is dark and full of antique decorations. Quite atmospheric. We were there for lunch. Our meals were terrific and served promptly. The Worthen House has a lot of history and the food was good. It is close to the NPS visitor's center. read more

This place is fantastic! Friendly and attentive service, GREAT burgers, and fiddlehead on draft!!! I look forward to seeing live music here. This will soon become my local! read more

I love this pub. The food is great. The people who work here are great. I have been coming for year.

At first glance Worthen House Cafe reminds of any dive bar, dark and cool, however; this did not detract from the quality of the food. We all ordered the crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with sweet potato fries for lunch. The sandwich was topped lightly with buffalo sauce and blue cheese. Bacon, cheddar, lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes were available to add. The fries were crispy. Despite being at a "dive", the restaurant was clean and comfortable. As a caveat, do not go if you are looking for a quick bite. Although the service was commendatory, there was only one server/bartender and the kitchen was small. Would recommend to anyone looking for inexpensive bar food in a low key atmosphere. read more

Worthen House Cafe - Buffalo Chicken Sandwich - Dive Bars Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

Good food. Fast service even in busy times. Polite staff and helpful. Full bar also available.

Sooo much history. Just keep looking all around you, and read the Wikipedia page - fascinating place that has really held on to interesting details from the past. Beers were served in delightfully frosty mugs. Wings and fries were excellent. The oldest bar in Lowell does not disappoint! read more

Woo hoo! What a great dive bar. I can't believe it took me so long to visit here. I love it. Just sit back and have a beer the way old Jack Kerouac would! Don't drink to get drunk, drink to enjoy life! ~JK read more

Oldest "hole in the wall" in Lowell. People are nice and the food is very good. Should try it!

A great place to get together w/ friends. Food & drinks are reasonable. Keno, live music. What I like so much is the fact I've never seen the 20's group of kids which are loud & obnoxious like when they leave the Blue Shamrock on wk-ends. I live close by read more

Federal landmark. Industrial revolution time capsule. Perfectly Lowell place to eat, drink, AND be merry. Come for the keno, scratchies, & pull tabs. Stay for the egg-rolls, crazy fries, & jello shots. James' egg-rolls are absolute fire & Sofia or someone will gladly serve you til ur Uber arrives. Get drunk, be safe, peace out. read more

Dive bars are not supposed to please you. They are like coral reefs. They exist and grow from the faceless ground up bones of those that came before that sank as detritus into the abyss of time. A million uncaring beers mixed with the tears of joy/grief and the tongue tied cherry stems of one night stands passed over that bar top for a century and a half. Dark, dirty, and dilapidated? Yup. Could a couple, of yester year, have engaged in carnal congress in the bathroom and subsequently have their progeny fight in the American civil war? Also yup. Could said soldier be transported forward through time to present day and sans the alien attire, music, and pocket computers recognize ever square inch of the joint? A tertiary and final yup. Dive bars don't exist for the populace of a community. They exist despite them. The Worthen is Lowell's. You're fucking welcome. read more

My fiancé was waiting for my uncle and I to come out of the bathroom after last call and the bartender and bouncer were harassing him to leave...even though he was just making sure we knew he was there to make sure we were safe and know he was there...he wasn't causing any harm to anyone or being roudy. very disapointed to hear they were not pleasant to deal with when leaving read more

I love the Worthen very much. I don't know why. The place is filthy, the bathrooms are pretty grody and it can get wicked loud in there. Regardless, every time I go there I stay until almost 2am and have the time of my life. Definitely not the place for you if you don't like strangers. Part of the fun is "talking" to your fellow drinkers. You just don't do that in Boston, unfortunately. You don't just hit the ladies' room to pee, you hit the ladies' room to make fast friends. My perfect evening out involves a [dozen] High Life, the Worthen, and putting $10 into the internet jukebox. Also, I found that hitting the Worthen in a wedding dress gets you free beers. Just an FYI. read more

Oh Worthen house, you have given me many good times. This place is great, it is a total Dive bar, but it is completely self aware of that. You go to this place to drink, play the lotto, and stand around and talk. The bartenders are friendly and quick. There's a questionable 'kitchen' which I think you can order food.... but I wouldn't recommend it. If you go, bring a group of friend and some cash. I don't think they do tabs and I am pretty sure they don't take plastic. If you grew up in the area, chances are you'll run into someone from your home town. I recommend grabbing a seat at the bar, and just drink the night away. If you are a smoker there's a decent size outside are so you can light up. On the weekends the upstairs opens up, its kind of weird you feel like you are drinking in someone's attic bar. read more

This place is a dive bar...great, old neighborhood feeling and damn, this is exactly what I like about dive bars. Cheap beer, interesting people watching, questionable cleanliness...no pretense, all honest, good old American dive bar. I will be back! read more

Great historic bar. They do not take credit cards which sucks but they do have an ATM. The streak tips were very good, although I will order 'medium' rather than med well. Our waitress was very friendly and professional & new her product. They also have a loyalty rewards program. read more

My short experience here was backlit outside by a green light. It illuminated the many mechanical fish lips and slinky, stilted merpeople gliding back and forth. Inexpensive. Theatrical. Seedy. Diverse. Four stars! read more

Made the trip to come up to this place and it was well worth it! Not many places can be called a gem in my book. This is one of them. The place has that cozy old time bar feel and look. There is true character in this place and I can see why they have so many regulars. It has a nice wood bar in front of the bar top itself. Most places I've been to that have these use brass which is cold and uncomfortable. Wood is the place to go. They also have a display for their old prohibition panel they used during that era. So classy that they didn't get rid of it. Nice to see they keep their history alive. The bartender was more than attentive and kept the beer flowing. And one of the older bar keeps has the best stories about the place. Great selection of beers here and even some hards you don't see in many places. This is refreshing as you're not stuck with the same as everywhere else. This place is definitely a must return. Anytime you're in Lowell hit this place up. You'll thank me. read more

Stopped in on July 3rd and the kitchen was closed. The place is very funky and cool. Ask to see the prohibition cupboard. We will be back to try again! read more

Worthen House Cafe - Oldest pulley style fans still in use in country. - Dive Bars Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

See all