Hennessy's in Downtown Boston Is Closing

It looks like an old-school Irish pub in the heart of Boston is shutting down.

According to multiple sources, Hennessy's on Union Street is closing its doors, with a Facebook post from the Boston-based band OverTone also mentioning this while saying the following:

We're incredibly sad to hear that Hennessy's in Boston will be closing its doors. We've had so many great nights there over the years and are grateful to everyone who came out to sing, dance and make memories with us. Thank you to the staff and everyone at Hennessy's for having us. With the closure, our scheduled performances on August 29, September 11, October 9, and November 28 have unfortunately been canceled. This comes on the heels of a recent licensing board vote stating that Hennessy's was petitioning to transfer its license to Bar 23, which will be opening in the Seaport District.

Hennessy's is part of Somers Pubs, a group that includes Durty Nelly's, Mr. Dooley's, and the Green Dragon.

The address for Hennessy's is 25 Union Street, Boston, MA, 02108. Its website can be found at https://hennessysboston.com/

(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.)

Rag's Tavern in Quincy Has Been Sold; Exact Status Unknown

The future of a neighborhood drinking spot south of Boston known in part for its bar pizza appears to be in question.

According to a source, Rag's Tavern in Quincy has been sold, with a Facebook post from the Washington Street bar saying, "End of an era!...Friday, June 12...Our last day at Rags as we know it!" A comment from the business within the thread indeed says that "Rags has been sold!!" though it isn't yet known who has purchased it and what will become of the space, so stay tuned for any updates as they come in.

Rag's Tavern, which first opened in 2004, has served South Shore-style bar pizza over the years along with burgers and other sandwich options.

The address for Rag's Tavern is 375 Washington Street, Quincy, MA, 02169.

(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.)

Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge in Boston's Downtown Crossing Is Closing

A restaurant and bar in the heart of Boston known in part for its live music and nightlife is shutting down after 15 years in business.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge in Downtown Crossing is getting ready to close, with the website for the School Street spot indicating that it will shutter permanently after this weekend. Scholars first opened in 2011, offering regional dishes along with beer, wine, and cocktails while also having semi-private spaces, karaoke, and DJs.

The address for Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge is 25 School Street, Boston, MA, 02108. Its website can be found at https://www.scholarsbostonbistro.com/

(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.)

Daiquiris & Daisies at High Street Place in Downtown Boston Is Closed

A cocktail bar that was located within a food hall in downtown Boston has shut down.

According to an Instagram post from Bret Clancy, Daiquiris & Daisies at High Street Place is no longer in business, with a check on the food hall's website confirming this as the business has been removed from the site. Industry veterans Daren Swisher and Joseph Cammarata who currently run Tall Order in Somerville first opened the bar in 2022, with the place being known for its mix of classic and modern cocktails.

The address for the now-closed Daiquiris & Daisies was 100 High Street (High Street Place), Boston, MA, 02110.

(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.)

Clarke's at Faneuil Hall in Boston Is Closing

A bar in the heart of downtown Boston that has been around for more than 50 years will soon be shutting down permanently.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Clarke's at Faneuil Hall is getting ready to close its doors, with the article indicating that management informed employees that its last day in operation will be sometime next week. The Merchants Row pub first opened its doors back in 1975, being particularly popular with the after-work crowd and tourists alike while also being a place for work and holiday parties, and also being one of the last of the old-school drinking spots in and around Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall. 

The address for Clarke's is 21 Merchants Row, Boston, MA, 02109.

[April 29 update: The Boston Globe states that Clarke's is now closed.]

(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.)

Stats Bar & Grille in South Boston Is Closing, Hopes to Return at Some Point

A neighborhood bar in South Boston is going to be closing--for now--after being in business for more than 15 years.

According to an article from Caught in Southie, Stats Bar & Grille on Dorchester Street is getting ready to shut down, with an Instagram post from the place saying the following:

As we turned the page to March this weekend, we wanted to officially share the news that at the end of this month, we will be closing our doors here at Stats. With the help of everyone that has danced on a chair, dropped a shot glass, or stumbled up the stairs, we've run this building into the ground over the past 16 years. The time has finally come to start over. Stats as you know it will be knocked down this spring to make way for a bigger and better version coming sometime in the future (week 1 of the 2027 NFL season perhaps?!).....We'll be back. We promise. 27 days left.

Stats first opened in 2010, initially joining J. A. Stats Restaurant and Bar, a dining and drinking spot on Broad Street in downtown Boston that closed down in 2012.

The address for Stats Bar & Grille is 77 Dorchester Street, South Boston, MA, 02127. Its website can be found at https://www.statsboston.com/

[March 30 update: According to social media posts from the place, Stats Bar & Grille is now closed, though they reiterate that "we will see you again soon."]

(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.)

The Beacon Bistro and The Stratus at the Top of the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay Are Closing

An upscale restaurant and a rooftop bar on top of one of Boston's highest buildings will both be shutting down this spring.

According to an article from the Boston Business Journal, The Beacon Bistro and The Stratus at the top of the Prudential Center in the Back Bay are slated to close on April 21, as it appears that the spaces may be used instead for events/functions, with a spokesperson for operating partner Legends Global indicating to the BBJ that they are both "being replaced in response to a growing interest in private events." It does look like the observation deck will remain open, according to the article.

The Beacon Bistro and The Stratus first opened in September of 2023 in the renovated space called View Boston (which includes the restaurant, bar, and observation deck), replacing the Top of the Hub restaurant and the Skywalk Observatory which had been there until early 2020.

(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.)

The Dot Tavern in Dorchester Closes Its Doors

A neighborhood bar near the Southeast Expressway that had been around for a long time is shutting down.

According to an article from Caught in Dot, The Dot Tavern in Dorchester is closing its doors, with the post saying that the Dorchester Avenue watering hole shutters after business hours today. The Dot Tavern had actually shut down once before in 2018 but reopened under new management in 2023 after its building underwent major renovations. The bar apparently had been open "for most of the 20th century, by some accounts" according to an earlier Dorchester Reporter article.

The address for The Dot Tavern is 840 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02125.

(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.)

Dugout Cafe in Boston Has Closed

It looks like a Boston bar that has been around for nearly 100 years has shut down.

According to an Instagram post from mendoza_comedy, the Dugout Cafe on Commonwealth Avenue by Boston University is no longer in business, with the post saying the following:

Hey all, we've received word that the Dugout Cafe is officially, permanently closed. WE HAVE A NEW VENUE for this Saturday, ticket holders will be updated, but The Mendoza Line at the Dugout Cafe is officially done. Thank you to everyone that has performed, attended, or produced our cozy little show in the back room of a bar over the last 12 years.

This follows on the heels of an article from Universal Hub saying that the liquor license for the Dugout Cafe is being sold to the upcoming Seaport District location of Earl's Kitchen and Bar, which will join other locations of the chain at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay and Assembly Row in Somerville.

The Dugout Cafe, which dates back to 1934, has been a popular spot with BU students over the years.

The address for the now-closed Dugout Cafe was 722 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215.

(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.)

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)

---

[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.)

The Essex Restaurant and Rooftop Bar in South Boston Has Closed for the Foreseeable Future

A dining and drinking spot within a South Boston hotel has shut down operations, and its future appears to be in question.

According to an article from MassLive (via an Instagram post from the business), The Essex Restaurant and Rooftop Bar at the Cambria Hotel by the intersection of W Broadway and Dorchester Avenue has closed, with the Instagram post saying the following:

Thank you for a great summer at The Essex Rooftop! Unfortunately, we have been unable to obtain an entertainment license from the City due to ongoing opposition from the neighbors. Therefore we have decided to close all operations at The Cambria Hotel for the foreseeable future. We truly appreciate those who supported us.

The Essex debuted this spring, taking over the space where Six / West had previously been, and like that spot, The Essex included a 14th-floor rooftop bar with views of the city.

(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.)

Bodega Canal in Boston's West End Has Closed

A Mexican restaurant in Boston that was known in part for its cocktails and entertainment has shut down, and it isn't known if the place could return.

According to a source, Bodega Canal in the city's West End area is locked up and dark, with a check on the website for the place saying that the Canal Street spot is "currently closed" and to "please check back" on the website or its Instagram page for any updates. The restaurant and bar, which was located between Haymarket and TD Garden, first opened in the fall of 2018, offering small plates, tacos, bowls, tequila drinks, and more, while also featuring live DJs and dancing.

The address for the now-closed Bodega Canal was 57 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

(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.)

D Street Dueling Pianos in Boston's Seaport District Is Closing

A piano bar in Boston is getting ready to shut down.

According to a message sent from @IrishEyesPhoto1 along with an article from MassLive, D Street Dueling Pianos in the Seaport District is closing its doors, with the website for the place saying that "It is with great sadness that we must announce we're closing forever on April 26....Help us forget how sad we are and come celebrate with us one last time." D Street Dueling Pianos first opened within the Element Boston Seaport District hotel in the summer of 2018, being what their Instagram page says is "Boston's only dueling pianos and sing-a-long bar."

The address for D Street Dueling Pianos is 391 D Street, Boston, MA, 02210 Its website can be found at https://www.dskeys.com/

[May 2 update: A check on the place confirms that D Street Dueling Pianos is indeed closed.]

(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.)

Whitney's in Cambridge's Harvard Square Is Closing

It appears that one of the last dive bars in Cambridge is shutting down.

According to an article from The Boston Globe along with a post from Cambridge Day, it looks like Whitney's in Harvard Square will be closing on December 31, with the closure apparently stemming from a dispute between the bar owner and the landlord, with the former saying that they are being kicked out for daytime noise levels/noise from music while the latter is saying it is because of nonpayment of rent. Whitney's has been in business since 1953, being a place frequented by locals for beer, liquor, wings, and darts.

The address for Whitney's is 37 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. Its website can be found at https://whitneysofharvardsquare.com/

(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.)

 

Kelleher's Bar and Grille in Roslindale Is Planning to Close

[Ed note: This article was updated on December 11 to reflect the fact that a move into the space isn't in the works after all.]

An old-school bar in a Boston neighborhood that seen several drinking spots in its space over the past 70 years appears to be closing, though its neighbor won't be moving into the space as was previously thought.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Kelleher's Bar and Grille in Roslindale is petitioning to transfer its license to Flik International Corp. for a space in the Back Bay while the neighboring Harry's All American is seeking a beer and wine license for its restaurant. Universal Hub clarified the details, saying that Harry's is not looking to move into the Kelleher's space, though it is hoping to start opening for dinner if it can acquire the license.

The Kelleher's space once had a bar called Flynn's that opened up in the 1950s, followed by Kelly & Whalen's, then P.J. Kelleher's, then Kelleher's Bar and Grille which has been in the space since 2009.

The address for Kelleher's Bar and Grille is 1410 Centre Street, Roslindale, MA, 02131. The website for Kelleher's is at https://www.kellehersbar.com/

(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.)

 

Fit-Z's Bar & Grille in Watertown Is Being Sold

A neighborhood bar a few miles west of Boston is saying goodbye after nearly 20 years in business.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Fit-Z's Bar & Grille in Watertown is getting ready to shut down, with a Facebook post from co-owner Jim Fitzgerald saying the following:

I'm sure that most of you have heard that we are selling the bar. It looks like our last night will be Monday September 30th. It's been a great run!!! Hopefully see you before we close at some point!!!

Fit-Z's first opened on Main Street in 2007, taking over the space that had once been home to another watering hole called The Busy Bee; the place describes itself as "an Irish pub with a Greek flair."

The address for Fit-Z's Bar & Grille is 451 Main St, Watertown, MA 02472. Its website can be found at https://fit-zsbarandgrille.com/

[September 30 update: A new Facebook post indicates that Fit-Z's Bar & Grille is now closed, as its last day in operation was Saturday.]

(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.)

Good Company in Charlestown Is Closing

A cocktail bar just off Route 93 that is run by an award-winning beverage director and bartender is shutting down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Good Company in Charlestown is getting ready to close its doors, with an Instagram story from the place saying that there will be a closing party on Friday, August 9 starting at 5:30 PM. The person behind the place (which first opened at Hood Park last fall) is Seth Freidus, who was beverage director at both Alden & Harlow and Waypoint, with the former being awarded best bar program by Boston Magazine in 2015 and the latter being awarded Best Cocktail Program from Boston Magazine in 2017 (Good Company itself was also awarded best cocktail bar in Boston this year from Boston Magazine).

The address for Good Company is 100 Hood Park Drive, Charlestown, MA, 02129. Its website is at https://www.goodcompanyboston.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/goodcompanybos/

---

[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.)

    

Porters Bar and Grill in Boston's North Station Area Has Closed

A Boston drinking spot that was popular with sports fans has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Porters Bar and Grill near North Station is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the Portland Street spot saying the following:

We are closed permanently as of Saturday, 22 June 2024. 24.25 years -  not too shabby, will plan a more eloquent note maybe next week… It was not the happy ending we had planned for with a sale/buyer, but what a week to go out, huh!? Thanks to all the great staff and customers over the years, it was quite a [wild] ride !

Porters Bar and Grill first opened in 2000, being a place where Bruins and Celtics fans would go to before and after games, along with residents of the West End and nearby office workers.

The address for the now-closed Porters Bar and Grill was 173 Portland Street, Boston, MA, 02114. 

---

[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.)

  

Tavern in the Square in Allston Has Closed

A local group of dining and drinking spots has shut down one of its locations.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page from over the weekend, Tavern in the Square in Allston was either closed or getting ready to close, with an Instagram post from the business confirming that the Brighton Avenue outlet was indeed no longer in business, saying the following:

We have the unfortunate news to share that we are officially closed....We are happy to be apart of all your crazy memories....We want to firstly thank our hard working managers, servers, bartenders, kitchen crew, DJs, and door staff that made this location the place to be. We want to thank the endless support from our loyal guests, sports fans, and club room legends. End of an era, but forever in your memories

The Allston location of Tavern in the Square first opened in 2010 in the former Kells space.

A number of other locations of Tavern in the Square can be found in the local area, including in North Station and South Station, Burlington, Dedham, Littleton, Lowell, Shrewsbury, Tyngsborough, Woburn, and Wrentham, with another one soon coming to Weymouth.

The address for the now-closed Tavern in the Square in Allston was 161 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.taverninthesquare.com/

---

[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.)

  

The Dial and the Blue Owl at 907 Main in Cambridge's Central Square Have Closed; Future of Places Unknown

A restaurant and a bar in Cambridge that are located on the ground floor and the top floor of a boutique hotel are closed for now, and it isn't known what may become of either of them.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, The Dial at 907 Main Central Square is shuttered for at least the time being with a note on both its website and the website for the Blue Owl saying that they will be "closed for the winter of 2024" while also saying "big things coming soon!" As soon as we find out more, including whether one or more new concepts may be coming to the spaces or whether The Dial and/or the Blue Owl could open back up, we will post an update here, so stay tuned.

The Dial first opened in 2020 while the Blue Owl debuted in the following year; the website for the former is at https://www.thedialcentralsq.com/ while the website for the latter is at https://www.blueowlcentralsq.com/

According to multiple sources, the closing of The Dial and the Blue Owl appear to be permanent, with an Instagram post from The Dial seeming to confirm this, saying the following: "It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the permanent closing of The Dial and The Blue Owl. We thank you all for being part of The Dial and Blue Owl community and a part of the diverse neighborhood that gives Central Square it's unique energy. Together we celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, pride months and return to office cocktails; whatever the occasion we were grateful that you chose to spend it here with us."]

---

[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.)