Boston Restaurant Talk: Beacon Hill bars

Showing posts with label Beacon Hill bars. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Sentenced To Sip Espresso Martini Garden Is Opening in Boston

It looks like a different kind of outdoor drinking spot is on its way to Boston.

According to its Instagram page, Sentenced To Sip is opening at the site of Alibi Bar & Lounge at The Liberty Hotel on Charles Street, with a post from the business saying "we're spilling the beans… you've officially been sentenced to sip at Boston's first espresso martini garden.... open to the public on saturday, june 13th — reservations encouraged — see you then." The website for Alibi indicates that the martini garden will open at the outdoor patio of the lounge, saying that "Our outdoor space has been transformed into an open-air espresso martini destination complete with twinkling string lights, lush seasonal décor, and a vibrant atmosphere perfect for warm summer nights."

The address for Sentenced To Sip (and Alibi Bar & Lounge) is 215 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website for Alibi can be found at https://www.alibiboston.com/

[June 16 update: According to its social media, Sentenced To Sip has opened.]

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

89 Charles Is Opening in Boston's Beacon Hill

A new dining and drinking spot is on its way to Beacon Hill, and it will be taking over the space where a location of an Italian restaurant had been.

According to a post within the jobs section of the bostonchefs.com website, 89 Charles is planning to open its doors soon, saying in the listing that it will be "a small, intimate cocktail bar" that includes seating for 30 in the lounge area and another 12 at the bar while featuring "elevated small plates" along with cocktails. The address (89 Charles Street) indicates that it will be moving into the former Artu space (another location of Artu remains open in the North End), and this space had actually been the site of two proposed restaurants over the past couple of years--Nite Lite Cafe and Ono Bistro.

If all goes as planned, 89 Charles could be opening in August or September.

[September 18 update: According to a press release, 89 Charles is slated to open on Saturday, September 20, and it is being billed as "an intimate Gatsby-era inspired cocktail bar" whose beverage program is being led by Dave Irwin (Zurito, Row 34, Porto).]

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Friday, February 25, 2022

The Beacon Hill Pub in Boston May Become the Charles Street Pub

A dive bar in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood that changed ownership a couple of years ago may be getting a name change--and a management change as well.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, the parent company of the Beacon Hill Pub on Charles Street is petitioning to transfer the licensed business to a new owner/operator, with the proposed name of the new place being the Charles Street Pub. The notice lists the manager as Chaz Fisher, while the parent company (149 Charles Pub LLC) includes both Fisher and Kyra Deligiannides as directors/officers, according to the OpenCorporates site. Little else is known about the transfer, including any changes to the space or concept, so stay tuned for updates next week when the meeting is held.

The Beacon Hill Pub closed down in 2018 only to have the Greater Boston Bar Co. take it over and reopen the bar, which remains in operation.

The address for the Beacon Hill Pub (and the proposed Charles Street Pub) is 149 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

[Earlier Article]
The Beacon Hill Pub in Boston Has Reopened

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Teddy's on the Hill Opens in the Former Red Hat Space in Boston

Last June, it was reported that an iconic Beacon Hill bar was closing, though it was subsequently learned that a new dining and drinking place would be taking over its space. Now we have learned that the new spot is open.

According to a Facebook post, Teddy's on the Hill soft-opens today, with the note saying that "Thursday 1/27 we will open our doors for lunch @ 11:30am upstairs & our downstairs bar will be opening at 5pm....When joining us please be understanding that there will be kinks at first- that's how we learn. We cannot wait to unlock the doors for good!" As mentioned in an earlier article, owner Jake Nicholson plans to "breathe new life" into the Bowdoin Street spot while holding onto the nostalgia of the old bar as well, and its website indeed has a logo that says it "pays tribute to Ole Scollay's Red Hat," while the menu includes much of the same food offerings that the Red Hat served, including nachos, burgers, and wings--and the new place is also serving South Shore-style bar pizza as well, which makes it one of the only restaurants/bars within the Boston city limits to do so. (The new Castle Island Brewing Co. location in South Boston offers it as well.)

The Red Hat had been open for more than 100 years, being a popular spot for college students from nearby Suffolk University as well as business and government workers.

The address for Teddy's on the Hill is 9 Bowdoin Street, Boston, MA, 02114. Its website can be found at https://www.teddysboston.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Teddy's on the Hill to Replace The Red Hat in Boston's Beacon Hill
The Red Hat in Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Friday, October 08, 2021

Teddy's on the Hill to Replace The Red Hat in Boston's Beacon Hill

A few months ago, it was reported that a Boston bar that had been around for more than 100 years had closed and was coming under new ownership. Now we have learned what the name of the new spot will be.

According to a tweet from @DunnTimothyP, Teddy's on the Hill is taking over the former Red Hat space in the city's Beacon Hill neighborhood, with a message sent to us confirming this. As hinted at earlier, owner Jake Nicholson is planning to "breathe new life" into the Bowdoin Street space, while holding onto the nostalgia of the old bar as well. An opening date has not been given as of yet for Teddy's on the Hill, but it looks like it could be opening soon, based on what we hear.

The address for the upcoming Teddy's on the Hill (and the old Red Hat) is 9 Bowdoin Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

[Earlier Articles]
The Red Hat in Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood Is Closing
The Red Hat in Boston's Beacon Hill Is Being Purchased

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

The Red Hat in Boston's Beacon Hill Is Being Purchased

Yesterday it was confirmed that a beloved Boston bar that has been around for more than 100 years had shut down, but now we have learned that the space may not be shuttered for long.

According to message sent to us, The Red Hat in the city's Beacon Hill neighborhood is being purchased, with a Facebook post from Jake Nicholson saying the following (the same post was also put up by Keith Gleason, who is also involved):

With all the press and speculation about another Boston bar saying farewell, a couple of industry vets have agreed to purchase the famed Red Hat. We're seeking to breathe new life into the 110+ year old watering hole, ripe with nostalgic lore. Stay tuned as a Beacon Hill staple will be resurrected, while holding onto its rich history in the ever-evolving, post-Covid bar landscape of Boston!

It is not yet known whether Nicholson and Gleason will keep the Red Hat name; once we find out more, we will post an update here.

The Red Hat has been a popular spot over the years for college students from nearby Suffolk University as well as business and government workers.

The address for The Red Hat is 9 Bowdoin Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

[August 29 update: A Facebook post from Keith Gleason indicates that he will not be teaming up with Jake Nicholson to reopen a restaurant/bar in the Red Hat space, saying that "After finding out Jen and I were expecting a son in early '22, I had to re-evaluate things. Long story short, about a month ago I stepped away from the ownership position at Red Hat. One of the toughest decisions I've ever made, but the right one....Truth be told, after making the decision, Jake was so supportive, as always. I have full confidence in him completing the project we envisioned for the last few years."]

[Earlier Article]
The Red Hat in Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Monday, June 21, 2021

The Red Hat in Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood Is Closing

It looks like a Boston institution that has been serving food and drink for more than 100 years is closing its doors.

According to posters on social media over the weekend, including a tweet from @DunnTimothyP, The Red Hat in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of the city is shutting down possibly on June 27, with a message sent to the Bowdoin Street spot on Sunday asking for more details about the closing going unanswered as of Monday afternoon. A new Twitter post from Karyn Regal of WBZ seems to confirm this, saying that "I'm told The Red Hat, which opened in 1907, will close, likely next weekend."

The Red Hat has been a popular place over the years with nearby business workers, politicians, and college students from nearby Suffolk University, with the upstairs section being more of a restaurant and the downstairs area being a bar.

The address for The Red Hat is 9 Bowdoin Street, Boston, MA, 02114. Its website can be found at https://www.theredhatboston.com/

[June 28 update: The Boston Herald mentions that The Red Hat closed after business hours last night.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Monday, September 30, 2019

The Beacon Hill Pub in Boston May Be Replaced by a Fine-Dining Restaurant

A dive bar in the heart of Boston that closed down last year only to reopen under new ownership may be making way for a higher-end spot.

According to an article in the Beacon Hill Times, the Beacon Hill Pub could be replaced by a fine-dining restaurant, as its new owner--the Greater Boston Bar Co.--is working with Babak Bina of BiNA Family Hospitality (jm Curley, Bogie's Place, Bin 26 Enoteca), who will help the group bring in a new owner/operator for the planned opening of an upscale dining spot. The post mentions that the proposal includes replacing the six apartment units above the bar with 16 high-end executive suites.

It appears that plans for the Beacon Hill Pub space and the apartments will be looked at by the Beacon Hill Civic Association Zoning and Licensing Committee this week, while the Beacon Hill Architectural Commission will also need to approve the proposal as well. If approved, it may take 10 to 12 months to complete construction and rehabilitation of the property, according to the article.

The Beacon Hill Pub, which has been in business since at least the 1980s, is considered one of the few dives left in or near Boston's downtown area; the group that took over ownership of the place also took over The Tam in the Theatre District, Sullivan's Tap near North Station, and Mary Ann's in Brighton's Cleveland Circle.

The address for the Beacon Hill Pub is 149 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

[November 13, 2020 update: According to a source (John Ford) and a post from bostonreb.com, plans are moving ahead to replace the Beacon Hill Pub with a fine-dining restaurant, with the proposal getting a vote of non-opposition from the Beacon Hill Civic Association Zoning and Licensing Committee last week. We have also been told that the Beacon Hill Pub remains open for now, but it may be closing down soon.]

[Earlier Articles]
The Beacon Hill Pub in Boston Has Reopened
Beacon Hill Pub in Boston Temporarily Closes, Plans to Reopen Soon

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Monday, August 19, 2019

6B Lounge in Boston's Beacon Hill to Be Replaced by Roxanne's

A restaurant and lounge in downtown Boston has shut down, and a new concept is on the way to the space.

According to a Facebook post from the place, 6B Lounge on the eastern edge of Beacon Hill is now closed, with the Beacon Street spot shuttering sometime last week, based on what we have been told. The post indicates that a new concept is on its way and that it will be under the same ownership, though updates on exactly what will be coming to the space have not yet been given.

The East Coast Tavern Group, which is behind both 6B Lounge and the upcoming new concept, is also behind the nearby Carrie Nation and Emmet's in Beacon Hill along with Emmet's in Norwood, Scholars in downtown Boston, Sunset Cantina near BU, and Magnolia Smokehouse and The Ellis Room in Brookline Village, while there is also an ownership connection to The Cottage in Weymouth.

The address for 6B Lounge (and the upcoming new concept from the East Coast Tavern Group) is 6 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02108.

[August 20 update: Eater Boston states that the new concept will be called Roxanne's, and it will focus more on modern and classic craft cocktails (6B was more known for its martinis and wines), while its food menu will include "bar staples with a touch of finesse." If all goes as planned, Roxanne's will open in early September.]

[September 10 update: A message sent indicates that Roxanne's opens on Thursday, September 12.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Friday, January 25, 2019

The Beacon Hill Pub in Boston Has Reopened

by Marc Hurwitz

A dive bar in the heart of Boston that closed down a few months ago is open once again.

A tweet from @eclevine indicates that the Beacon Hill Pub on Charles Street opens back up today, with the pub itself confirming this within the thread. This more or less follows the trend of other bars that the Greater Boston Bar Co. took over by purchasing the buildings housing the watering holes, including both The Tam in the Theatre District and Sullivan's Tap near North Station, both of which shut down in early December and reopened at the end of the month. Another bar whose building was taken over by the company--Mary Ann's in Brighton's Cleveland Circle--continues to face an uncertain future, as its space may be taken over by a dispensary, though nothing is set in stone as of yet.

The Beacon Hill Pub, which has been in business since at least the 1980s, is considered one of the few dives left in or near Boston's downtown area, with others including Biddy Early's in the Financial District, the Corner Cafe in the North End, the Sidebar and the Hub Pub in Downtown Crossing, and J J Donovan's at Faneuil Hall.

The address for the Beacon Hill Pub is 149 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

[Earlier Articles]
Beacon Hill Pub in Boston Temporarily Closes, Plans to Reopen Soon
The Tam, Sullivan's Tap Reopen; No Major Changes Expected to Either Bar

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Beacon Hill Pub in Boston Temporarily Closes, Plans to Reopen Soon

by Marc Hurwitz

One of the last remaining dive bars in or near the downtown area of Boston has closed, though now it looks like it will be returning soon.

According to multiple posters on social media as well as a couple of sources--both of whom have connections to the local restaurant industry--the Beacon Hill Pub on Charles Street shut down over the weekend, and while we were initially told that a new bar may be opening in the space, The Boston Globe states that the pub will open back up again once a license transfer takes place, which could be as early as October. Universal Hub had reported in July that the Greater Boston Bar Co., which purchased the building housing the bar, did not plan to make any changes to the place other than apparently hiring a new manager while also saying the same for The Tam in the Theatre District and Mary Ann's in Cleveland Circle, which they also took over.

The Beacon Hill Pub, which has been in business since at least the 1980s, is considered one of the few dives left in the heart of the city, with others including Biddy Early's in the Financial District, the Corner Cafe in the North End, the Sidebar and the Hub Pub in Downtown Crossing, and J J Donovan's in Faneuil Hall.

The address for the Beacon Hill Pub is 149 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

[January 24, 2019 update: A tweet from @eclevine indicates that the Beacon Hill Pub opens tomorrow (Friday, January 25), with the pub itself confirming this within the thread.]

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]