Birds of Paradise in Brighton Is Closing

A cocktail lounge that has a well-known local mixologist and restaurateur behind it is shutting down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Birds of Paradise at the Charles River Speedway in Brighton is closing its doors, with an Instagram post from the business saying the following:

We'd like to thank the Brighton community for the last couple years at the Speedway @charlesriverspeedway. To all of the staff, past and present, thank you for taking part in our journey around the world. Our last three services will be: - Wednesday 10/29 - Thursday 10/30 - Friday 10/31 Come and take one or two final flights with us

Ran Duan (Baldwin Bar, Blossom Bar, Ivory Pearl) and his team are behind Birds of Paradise, which its Instagram page says is "inspired by the golden age of travel."

The address for Birds of Paradise is 525 Western Avenue #12, Brighton MA, 02135. Its website can be found at https://www.birdsofparadisebar.com/

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

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Birds of Paradise Opens at the Charles River Speedway in Brighton

A new cocktail lounge has debuted in Brighton, opening within a marketplace across from the Charles River.

According to a post from Eater Boston and an earlier article from The Boston Globe, Birds of Paradise is now open at the Charles River Speedway, and as mentioned in an earlier article here, Ran Duan (Baldwin Bar, Blossom Bar, Ivory Pearl) and his team are behind the spot. As also mentioned earlier, the new place has a "Pan Am vacation vibe" in which its drinks menu includes options that are based on global pairings (for instance, from Jamaica to Italy), and its food menu is a bit more limited that Duan's other spots because of kitchen restrictions, but offers such items as seared scallops and sushi.

The address for Birds of Paradise is 525 Western Ave, Brighton MA, 02135. Its website is at https://www.birdsofparadisebar.com/

[Earlier Article]
Birds of Paradise Plans to Open in Brighton

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

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

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Birds of Paradise Is Opening in Brighton

One of the region's best-known mixologists will be opening a cocktail lounge at a new open-air marketplace in Brighton.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Ran Duan (Baldwin Bar, Blossom Bar, Ivory Pearl) and his team are planning to open Birds of Paradise at the Charles River Speedway, with the upcoming spot having a "Pan Am vacation vibe" in which its drinks menu will be based on plane tickets between two locations (for instance, from Brazil to Japan). The place will have seating for 45 inside and another 12-15 on an outdoor patio (pending final construction), and it will be located in the old MDC police jail in the basement while the patio will be on the lower level.

If all goes as planned, Birds of Paradise could open sometime this summer.

The address for Birds of Paradise is 525 Western Ave, Brighton MA, 02135. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/birds.of.paradise.bar/

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

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

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Super Bien to Open in Allston-Brighton

The people behind a store in Somerville that features South American foods will be opening a wine bar and food shop in a new development in Allston-Brighton.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Melissa Stefanini and Sebastian Galvez of Buenas at Bow Market in Somerville's Union Square are opening Super Bien at the Charles River Speedway marketplace on Western Avenue, with the upcoming place being described by Stefanini as a "grocerybar" that sells South American wines, food items made using products from Buenas (including to-go options), and the products themselves--and the space will be much larger than that of their Bow Market shop, allowing them to have some seating indoors along with outdoor seating in the courtyard of the Charles River Speedway.

Expect to see Super Bien debut later this year when the Speedway opens.

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

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

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Dispensary Given Approval to Replace Mary Ann's in Brighton's Cleveland Circle

A couple of years ago, it was reported that a dive bar that was popular with college students could end up being replaced by a dispensary. Now we have learned that these plans have taken a big step forward.

A message from Henry Santoro of WGBH indicates that a marijuana shop has been given approval to open in the Mary Ann's space in the Cleveland Circle section of Brighton, with a Boston Globe article saying that the Boston Cannabis Board has indeed voted to allow Happy Valley to open in the Beacon Street space. The Globe mentions that there has been criticism from nearby Boston College about the plan, with former Boston police commissioner Bill Evans--who is currently head of the security and police operations at BC--voicing concerns about the proposed shop at a public hearing last week, saying that it would "open the door to another drug that will impact these kids" and stating that "I'd take Mary Ann's over [the dispenary] any day."

Mary Ann's, which has been locked up and dark for awhile, is one of a few drinking spots that was taken over by the Greater Boston Bar Co. back in 2018, including The Tam in Boston's Theatre District and the Beacon Hill Pub, the latter of which is reportedly being replaced by a high-end restaurant.

The address for Mary Ann's (and the proposed dispensary) is 1937 Beacon Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

[Earlier Article]
Is Mary Ann's in Brighton's Cleveland Circle Being Replaced By a Dispensary?

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

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

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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.)

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A Long-Closed Dive Bar in Brighton Continues to Pretend to Be Open During the Pandemic

While a number of restaurants and bars in the Boston area remain open for takeout/delivery as the coronavirus crisis continues, a Brighton bar is using social media to say that it is planning to do the same, though there happens to be one small problem--it hasn't been open in years.

According to a source, Hogan's Run is stating on its Facebook page that it is looking into offering hot dogs and more for curbside pickup, with a recent post indeed saying that "We're working with our vendors to offer take out during these trying times. Coming this week we plan to offer Hot Dogs, Beer and Scratch Tickets to go - curbside pickup!" The post goes on to say that "My nephew shared his Netflix info with us and honestly if you order some take out, we will share with you too. Netflix don't look into this." The dive, which had been located on Lincoln street until early 2014 when it was replaced by the Lincoln Bar and Grill (which closed last month), is also posting an events page for April 17, 2021 when the Dropkick Murphys are scheduled to play at the long-closed bar.

Hogan's Run has been putting up gag posts every now and then since closing down, including one from 2017 when it was claiming to be looking to hire interns who would be expected to "come away with a much deeper understanding of the industry and perhaps even a few tips from our regulars regarding scratch tickets and Keno."

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

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

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Lincoln Bar and Grill in Brighton Is Closing

A few years ago, it was reported that yet another old-school Boston bar might be closing its doors to make room for development. Now we have learned that the end is indeed near for the place, though it is not known whether plans for new development at the site are still in the works.

A post from 7 News Boston states (via a Reddit post) says that Lincoln Bar and Grill in Brighton is closing down, confirming what a source had told us last week, while 7 News was told by the bar that Sunday would be its last day in operation. Back in 2017, developers filed plans to tear down the watering hole and an adjacent office building and construct a new residential structure, but we don't know if this may be happening anymore; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Lincoln Bar and Grill first opened in early 2014, replacing a dive bar called Hogan's Run which had been in business for more than 30 years. (The site has reportedly been home to various drinking spots for many decades.)

The address for the Lincoln Bar and Grill is 8 Lincoln Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

[March 10 update: Lincoln Bar and Grill is now closed.]

Earlier Article:
Lincoln Bar and Grill in Brighton May Be Demolished to Make Way for Condo Development

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

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

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The Green Briar in Brighton Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

An Irish pub that has been around for nearly 30 years is shutting down.

According to a source, The Green Briar in Brighton is closing its doors for good, with a note on the pub's website stating that its last day of service will be Monday, May 6. The note says the following:

This was a difficult and sad decision to make. We want to recognize and express sincere appreciation for our staff - some have been with us since the very beginning. Their hard work and dedication to providing warm hospitality was what made the Green Briar so special. We have met with the team regarding the closing date and our priority is to help each employee transfer jobs. To our guests, thank you. We hope to see you and say good-bye before our last day of service.

The Green Briar is one of a number of restaurants and bars from The Briar Group, including such spots as Anthem, City Table, The Harp, Ned Devine's, O'Connor's, and Solas.

The address for The Green Briar is 304 Washington Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

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

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Is Mary Ann's in Brighton's Cleveland Circle Being Replaced By a Dispensary?

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like one of Boston's best-known dive bars could be replaced by another business, though nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

According to a tweet from @thompspicks, an agenda notice indicates that Mary Ann's in the Cleveland Circle section of Brighton might be changing over to a dispensary, with a Facebook post from the Brighton Allston Improvement Association seeming to confirm this, stating that "1937 Beacon St- seeks to change use from Bar to a cannabis dispensary." This is indeed the address for Mary Ann's, though no other information has been given; the meeting is slated to take place tomorrow (Wednesday, October 10), so more may be known by Thursday.

Mary Ann's is one of three bars in Boston that has been taken over by the Greater Boston Bar Co., with the other two spots being The Tam in the Theatre District and the Beacon Hill Pub; the latter closed suddenly late last month, with the company stating that it will reopen once a license transfer takes place, which could be as early as this month.

As soon as we get more information on the exact status of Mary Ann's, we will post an update here.

[October 9 update: An official statement has just been sent and says the following: "Greater Boston Bar Co., a company managed by City Realty Group, recently acquired the real estate that houses a collection of some Boston-area bars, including Mary Ann's in Cleveland Circle owned by Mary Ann's Saloon, LLC. The bar will continue to operate as-is, serving the surrounding communities and 21+ student body, while any potential development opportunities are explored."]

[October 11 update: Based on an article from Universal Hub, it appears that Mary Ann's may indeed be replaced by a dispensary, though not without a fight, as nearby business owners and residents--along with the director of community affairs at Boston College--oppose the idea. The post says that Happy Valley Ventures of Massachusetts has a purchase-and-sale agreement to buy the space, but it will need to win a letter of "non opposition" from the City Council as well as approval from the Boston zoning board and state marijuana regulators.]

[Earlier Article]
Beacon Hill Pub in Boston Closes Temporarily, Will Reopen Soon

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Agoro's in Brighton Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

A troubled watering hole and pizza spot in Brighton that had replaced another troubled watering hole and pizza spot is shutting down.

The Allston Brighton Veterans Facebook page states (via an article from BC Heights) that Agoro's Pizza Bar and Grill in Cleveland Circle is closing for good on Sunday, with co-owner Dimitrios Liakos saying that "Selling a business is a very difficult decision, but we have decided to focus on putting our family first....With another newborn on the way it's just too much work and too demanding to give this location our 100%." Liakos also told BC Heights that "We have come to realize that the College area isn't where we need to be....We will never return to Cleveland Circle, that's for sure."

Agoro's Pizza Bar and Grill has faced disciplinary hearings from both the city of Boston and the commonwealth during its relatively brief existence, with Universal Hub indicating that the Chestnut Hill Avenue spot had been given three weeks' worth of license suspensions and was forced to cut its hours because of issues with underage drinking (including students from nearby Boston College).

Agoro's first opened in October of 2016, moving into the space where Roggie's had been. Roggie's had been shut down by the city after an incident involving a customer; according to reports, the patron fell down the stairs of the bar, with the owner allegedly having workers place the badly-injured person in an alleyway, then the owner reportedly tampered with the video-surveillance system.

A second location of Agoro's can be found in Somerset.

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Lincoln Bar and Grill in Brighton May Be Demolished to Make Way for Condo Development

It looks like yet another old-school Boston bar could be torn down and replaced with condos.

According to an article from Universal Hub, developers have filed plans to demolish the Lincoln Bar and Grill and an office building next to it and build a new structure that would include 82 condominiums. The Lincoln Street watering hole first opened in early 2014, replacing a dive bar called Hogan's Run which had been in business for more than 30 years.

If the plans are approved and the Lincoln Bar and Grill does disappear, it would be one of a number of neighborhood bars in Boston to shut down over the past several years, including the Castlebar in Brighton, Dempsey's in Hyde Park, the Williams Tavern, Aces High, the Cornerstone Pub, Kiley's, and the Quencher Tavern in South Boston, Centre Bar and the Lower Mills Pub in Dorchester, and the West Roxbury Pub in West Roxbury.

The address for the Lincoln Bar and Grill is 8 Lincoln Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

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

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Harry's Bar & Grill in Brighton May Be Torn Down to Make Way for Apartments

Yet another neighborhood watering hole in Boston could be demolished in order to make way for a residential building, though it will apparently have the option to return to the site.

Universal Hub is reporting that a developer is looking to build a seven-story apartment complex in the space where Harry's Bar & Grill currently resides along with a location of Subway and a convenience store. The post mentions that Yan Schechter says he will leave a space within the building where Harry's could return, with the developer also stating that he is "committed to implementing the principle of New Urbanism, which promotes the creation of walkable, human scaled places that enhance local economies, improve public health, and build stronger communities."

Over the past few years, a number of Boston bars have been shut down and replaced (or are slated to be replaced) by residential developments, including the Cornerstone Pub, the Stadium Sports Bar and Grill, and the Williams Tavern in South Boston, The Littlest Bar and The Times in downtown Boston, and James's Gate in Jamaica Plain.

A community meeting on the proposal will be held by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The address for Harry's Bar & Grill is 1430 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, MA, 02135.

[February 21 update: Eater Boston mentions that the demolition of Harry's Bar & Grill may not happen for awhile, as owner Doug Bacon has a lease for the next three years, saying "I...intend to operate this business until at least October 2020....I am happy to continue to operate Harry's and have plans to be there until the end of my lease more than 3 years from now."]

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Bandita Brighton Opens Under Article 24

A brand new tequila bar has come to Boston, and it is located under a relatively new dining and drinking spot.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Bandita Brighton debuts today below Article 24, a restaurant and bar on Western Avenue near Soldiers Field Road. The Facebook page for the new spot mentions that it is a "Southern California inspired tequila bar" that serves tequila, tacos, and snacks, while EB says it offers "West Coast-style Mexican tapas" whi9le also featuring 100 tequila options.

The people behind Bandita Brighton and Article 24 also run the Biltmore Bar & Grille in Newton, Local 149 in South Boston, and Biltmore & Main in Reading.

The address for Bandita Brighton (and Article 24) is 458 Western Avenue, Brighton, MA, 02135. The Facebook page for Bandita Brighton can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Banditabrighton/

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Sign and Awning Down at Mary Ann's in Brighton's Cleveland Circle; Appears to Be for Renovations

Questions about the status of an infamous dive bar and college hangout have come up over the past 24 hours, but it appears that the place may simply be undergoing renovations.

According to a source, the sign and awning at Mary Ann's in the Cleveland Circle section of Brighton are down, with a Twitter post confirming this and showing workers at the site. And while there has been chatter as to whether the Beacon Street watering hole is closed for good or simply getting a facelift, another source tells us that it appears to be the latter--that the bar is simply getting a new sign. This has not been confirmed 100% as of yet, but it does seem that the bar remains open for business. (Phone calls to the place have gone unanswered, with no voicemail clicking in.)

Mary Ann's has received several suspensions over the past couple of years for underage drinking, with the city of Boston looking into the possibility awhile back of reducing the bar's hours because of past troubles there.

The address for Mary Ann's is 1937 Beacon Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

[Earlier Article]
Mary Ann's in Brighton's Cleveland Circle May Have Hours Reduced

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

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Cityside Bar in Brighton's Cleveland Circle Temporarily Shut Down by City of Boston (Again)

A restaurant and bar that is particularly popular with college students has been temporarily shut down by the city of Boston--and it appears that this isn't the first time this has happened.

According to a Twitter post that went up this morning, Cityside in the Cleveland Circle section of Brighton is shuttered, with a sign from the city saying "Closed! By Order of Licensing Board for the City of Boston" and another sign from the dining and drinking spot saying "We Will Be Closed Mon 10/5-Wed 10/7." It is not known exactly why the Beacon Street watering hole was shut down (recent Violations pages within the city's website do not mention Cityside); a similar note from the Licensing Board had actually been posted in July of 2013, with the place being closed for at least a few days back then for what was also unspecified reasons.

[October 8 update: Based on a Facebook post from the place, Cityside reopens today.]

Cityside has been in business for approximately 30 years.

The address for this restaurant and bar in Cleveland Circle is: Cityside, 1960 Beacon Street, Brighton, MA, 02135. Its website can be found at http://www.citysidebar.com/

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Dishes for College Students in the Boston Area]

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Mary Ann's in Brighton's Cleveland Circle May Have Hours Reduced

A dive bar that is popular with college students might be having its hours cut after a string of incidents and violations.

Universal Hub is reporting that Mary Ann's in the Cleveland Circle section of Brighton will be meeting with the Boston Licensing Board at the nearby Metropolitan Waterworks Museum next Monday, with the hearing focusing on the possibility of reducing the bar's hours from its current closing time of 2:00 AM. This comes on the heels of a recent eight-day suspension that stems from underage drinking at the bar, along with several other suspensions over the past year and a half from the use of fake ids and minors being in possession of alcohol.

The attorney for Mary Ann's tells the board that the place would immediately stop accepting out-of-state licenses, instead requiring a Massachusetts ID, military ID, or passport, according to UH.

Mary Ann's is known mainly as a hangout for BC students--and most of the incidents have involved students from that college.

The address for Mary Ann's is 1937 Beacon Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

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