Tradesman Coffee Shop & Bar Opens by the Greenway and South Station in Downtown Boston

The team behind a local group of coffee shops and lounges have opened another location in Boston.

According to a press release, Tradesman Coffee Shop & Bar is now open across from the Greenway and South Station in the downtown area, with the new Federal Street location being one of their "coffee by day, bar by night" spots. The new Tradesman offers such options as salads, sandwiches, wings, pizza, and nachos along with wine and cocktails, and it joins other locations in downtown Boston as well as ones in Charlestown's Hood Park and at Boston Landing in Brighton.

The address for the new Tradesman Coffee Shop & Bar is 176 Federal Street, Boston, MA, 02110. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/TRADESMANGREENWAY/

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Sport & Leisure Plans to Open in Boston's North Station Area

It looks like the people behind a pair of sports bars in Rhode Island will be bringing a new location to Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Sport & Leisure is looking to open by North Station and TD Garden, with the notice indicating that it would take over the space on Beverly Street where A&B Kitchen • Bar resides. The notice mentions that the proposed spot would have one large room on the ground floor including a bar, and an outdoor patio would be set up as well. If approved, the new location of Sport & Leisure would join others in Providence and East Greenwich, and based on those locations, expect to see scratch-made versions of bar food including wings, tenders, pizza, sandwiches, and pasta dishes along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for the proposed Sport & Leisure would be 115 Beverly Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website for the Rhode Island locations are at https://www.sportandleisurepvd.com/ and https://www.sportandleisureeg.com/, respectively.

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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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Flann O'Brien's May Be Returning to Boston's Brigham Circle/Mission Hill Area

It looks like a beloved Irish pub that said farewell to Boston several years ago could be coming back.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Flann O'Brien's is looking to open back up in its former location in the Brigham Circle/Mission Hill neighborhood, moving into its space on Tremont Street that had been home to a location of Yellow Door Taqueria from late 2022 until closing earlier this year. The notice mentions that the new incarnation of the pub would have seating within a dining area and a bar along with additional seating in a rear TV room, with Scott Prince being the manager listed.

Flann O'Brien's, which had been in business since at least the 1990s, closed during the early part of the pandemic, and while there had been hope that it might return, those plans fell through and Yellow Door Taqueria (which currently has locations in Dorchester, the South End, and Providence, RI) took over the space.

The address for the proposed Flann O'Brien's is 1619 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02120.

[June 25 update: Universal Hub reports that the people behind the Banshee in Dorchester are looking to reopen Flann O'Brien's and that they would "seek to run the same sort of bar as the original - a gathering place for locals, visitors, families and workers at nearby hospitals serving standard Irish-American and comfort food, with brunch on weekends."]

[Earlier Article]
Yellow Door Taqueria in Boston's Brigham Circle/Mission Hill Neighborhood Has Closed

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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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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.]

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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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Off the Rails Boston to Replace Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge in Downtown Crossing

A few days ago, a restaurant and bar in the heart of Boston closed after 15 years in business, but a new concept is on its way to the space, and it will be under the same ownership.

According to an article from boston.com, Off the Rails Boston is planning to replace Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge in Downtown Crossing, with the upcoming School Street spot focusing more on live music and entertainment while its menu will tend to lean toward "elevated Americana-inspired" fare. The article mentions that Off the Rails will also have a setting that is influenced by Nashville as well as Boston, and if all goes as planned it could be debuting sometime late this summer.

The address for the upcoming Off the Rails Bosto is 25 School Street, Boston, MA, 02108.

[Earlier Article]
Scholars American Bistro and Cocktail Lounge in Boston's Downtown Crossing Is Closing

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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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Table Four Opens in Melrose

A new wine bar has come to the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Table Four is now open in Melrose, moving into a space on W Emerson Street by the Cedar Park commuter rail station. The website and social media for the place indicate that it is a "European-inspired wine bar" that offers curated wines, craft beers, and small plates, with its food menu including such options as baguettes with jam and butter, pita bread, hummus, tinned fish, olives, nuts, and pickled vegetables.

The address for Table Four is 169A W Emerson Street, Melrose, MA, 02176. Its website can be found at https://tablefourmelrose.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/tablefourmelrose/

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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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The Down Low Opens in Woburn

A new underground cocktail club has debuted in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a press release, The Down Low is now open in Woburn, moving into a space below The Brickyard on Main Street in the downtown area. Veteran hospitality professional and bartender Curtis McMillan (Tiki Rock) is the Creative Director behind the place, which has seating for 80 and which offers craft cocktails and food items such as Detroit-style pizza and smash burgers, while live music is also featured as well.

The address for The Down Low is 371 Main Street, Woburn, MA, 01801. Its website can be found at https://www.downlowbar.com/

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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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Knoll Street Tavern Is Slated to Open in Roslindale on January 27

A new pub is on the verge of debuting in a Boston neighborhood after being in the works for approximately a year.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Knoll Street Tavern is planning to open its doors in Roslindale on Tuesday, January 27, and as mentioned in an earlier article here, it will be taking over the space on Centre Street that had been home to Kelleher's Bar and Grille. UH states that the new dining and drinking spot will have table seating for 66 along with 30 seats at its bar and it will have a scratch kitchen, with hours being 11:30 AM to 1:00 AM daily.

The space in which Knoll Street Tavern is opening had previously been home to a few watering holes, including Flynn's, Kelly & Whalen's, P.J. Kelleher's, and then Kelleher's Bar and Grille.

The address for Knoll Street Tavern is 1410 Centre Street, Roslindale, MA, 02131.

[Earlier Article]
Knoll Street Tavern Plans to Open in the Kelleher's Bar and Grille Space in Roslindale

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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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The Spur Cowboy Bar to Open in the Former Eddie C's Space in East Boston

A new bar is on its way to East Boston, and it will be taking over the space where a longtime dive bar had been before shutting down a few months ago.

According to an X post from @megansarahj, The Spur Cowboy Bar is planning to open in Eastie, moving into the former Eddie C's space in Maverick Square. No information has been given on the upcoming drinking spot, though based on the name, it is possible that it could be a place to listen to country music. (As soon as more info is available, we will post an update here.)

Eddie C's, which shuttered in September, had previously been home to Charlie Zuff's Cafe, and before that, Vincent's Bar-B-Que.

The address for The Spur Cowboy Bar is 34 Maverick Square, East Boston, MA, 02128.

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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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Mother's East Tavern Is Opening in South Boston

It looks like a new dining and drinking spot is on its way to South Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the City of Boston website, Mother's East Tavern is planning to open in Southie, moving into a space on Dorchester Street in the old Telegraph Hill space. The notice mentions that the place looks to have a single dining room with two banquettes and a bar that has 15 stools, and the manager listed is Alec Barber, who had been a bar manager and bartender at several restaurants and bars in California and the New Orleans area, according to his LinkedIn page. (Laura Fryer is also behind the spot.)

The address for Mother's East Tavern is 289 Dorchester Street, South Boston, MA, 02127. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/motherseasttavern/

[May 6, 2026 update: Caught in Southie mentions that Mother's East Tavern is now open, with the place featuring classic tavern fare with Irish and British influences, including such items as scotch eggs, pub cheese, shepherd's pie, and burgers. (The space also has a snug.)]

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

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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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JJ Brannelly's in Roslindale Has Reopened

A neighborhood bar that closed during the pandemic--and which first opened nearly 90 years ago--is up and running once again.

According to a post from Universal Hub, JJ Brannelly's in Roslindale is now open, with a Facebook post from the Washington Street spot saying the following:

Hi Neighbors. After much hard work, planning, and anticipation - we're excited to share that we have officially reopened our doors! We look forward to seeing old friends and families - and meeting new ones. With an updated, family-friendly space, and great food - we think you'll like the experience. Since 1937, JJ Brannelly's has been a welcoming place for everyone in our community to gather, and we're proud to continue that tradition. Stay tuned for more updates on hours and menus. Hope to see you soon, we'll save you a seat. Slàinte

JJ Brannelly's shuttered during the Covid outbreak, hinting in the early part of 2023 on Facebook that the place would be returning at some point, though they remained closed until this week. The menu for the reopened restaurant and bar include wings, sliders, calamari, burgers, steak tips, fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, tacos, and more.

The address for JJ Brannelly's is 4432 Washington Street, Roslindale, MA, 02131.

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

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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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Re:Bar to Open in Everett

The people behind a pair of dog parks and bars will be opening a new spot near its original location just north of Boston.

According to a press release, Re:Bar is planning to open in Everett, offering axe throwing, darts, and nerf games, along with bar bites, beer, and cocktails. The upcoming place, which will be located on Norman Street in the same area as Park-9 Dog Bar (which can be found on Waters Avenue), will also serve as a function space for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and more. A specific opening date has not been given as of yet for Re:Bar, though we are told that it could be opening sometime in early November if all goes as planned.

The team behind Park-9 Dog Bar and the upcoming Re:Bar also run Park-9 at the Fenway, which is located on Boylston Street in Boston.

The address for the upcoming Re:Bar is 73 Norman St (#19A), Everett, MA, 02149. Its website is at https://play-rebar.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/playrebar/

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

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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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Ghost Light Tavern Opens in Boston's Theater District, Replacing Nash Bar & Stage

A new dining and drinking spot featuring comfort food has come to downtown Boston, replacing a Southern-style restaurant and bar that had been in the space for a bit under four years.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Ghost Light Tavern is now open in the city's Theater District, taking over the space on Tremont Street where Nash Bar & Stage had been. An earlier What Now Boston article mentioned that the opening of the new spot is a collaboration between Jason Santos (Buttermilk & Bourbon, Citrus & Salt, Butterbird, and the now-closed Nash Bar & Stage) and the people behind the Clock Tavern in South Boston, while the poster in the Facebook group page shared a menu showing such items as wings, tenders, mozzarella sticks, shrimp tacos, tots, smash burgers, chicken BLTs, steak tips, nachos, empanadas, and more, and the space also includes billiards.

The address for Ghost Light Tavern is 253 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/ghostlighttavern/

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

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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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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)

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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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Darling Is Opening in Cambridge's Central Square This Month

Last spring, it was reported that a new cocktail bar was looking to open in Cambridge, and now we have learned that it is just about ready to debut.

According to an article from boston.com, Darling is on the verge of opening in Central Square, with a planned opening date of the middle of this month as of this writing. The Mass. Ave. spot is taking over the space where Mary Chung had been until closing at the end of 2022, and it plans to offer "Chinese inspired" cocktails along with dim sum fare--and as mentioned in an earlier article, Brian Callahan (Row 34, Orfano, Tiger Mama, Coquette, Grafton Street) is one of the people behind it, along with Zimu Chen (Coquette, Eastern Standard, Sumiao Hunan Kitchen, Mariel).

The address for Darling in Central Square is 464 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website will be at https://www.darlingcambridge.com/

[July 17 update: According to a press release, Darling opens on July 18.]

[Earlier Article]
Darling Plans to Open in the Former Mary Chung Space in Cambridge's Central Square

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

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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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Bubble Bath Is Opening at CitizenM Hotel in Boston's Back Bay

A champagne and wine bar that resides in a food hall in downtown Boston will soon have a new location within a hotel in the Back Bay.

According to a post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com, Bubble Bath is planning to open at CitizenM Hotel on Newbury Street, with the listing saying the following:

Chef and restaurateur Tiffani Faison and her Boston based restaurant group, Big Heart Hospitality is seeking personable and experienced servers to join her newest venture Bubble Bath Back Bay. Opening mid-July on the top floor of the CitizenM Hotel in Back Bay. It will be a wine forward, craft cocktail bar, serving shareable light bites and caviar with an outdoor rooftop patio overlooking The Charles.

Bubble Bath, which first opened at High Street Place in March of 2022, is one of several dining and drinking spots from Tiffani Faison, including Sweet Cheeks, Fool's Errand, Tenderoni's, and Dive Bar.

The address for the new location of Bubble Bath in the Back Bay is 408 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02115. The website for the High Street Place location is at https://www.bubblebathboston.com/

[August 7 update: According to its social media, Bubble Bath is now open in the Back Bay.]

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

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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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Mr. Drinky Plans to Open in Jamaica Plain

It looks like a new spot for drinks may be on the way to Jamaica Plain.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Mr. Drinky is planning to open on Centre Street, with the address indicating that it would reside in a space across from When Pigs Fly and the Pond Street intersection. The article mentions that Alan Wong is behind the proposal, which is being called a "small craft cocktail bar" with small-plate options for food, and eight to ten seats at a bar along with some booths.

The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council supported the plans for Mr. Drinky, though it has more steps to get through including the Boston Licensing Board deciding which businesses get the neighborhood-specific licenses that are for 13 Boston Zip codes and which can't be be resold.

The address for the proposed Mr. Drinky would be 606 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

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

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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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The Sports Bra (a Portland, OR-Based Sports Bar) Is Expanding to Boston

A bar with roots in the Pacific Northwest that focuses on women's sports is on its way to the local area.

According to a Bluesky post from @hooverdam.bsky.social, The Sports Bra in Portland, OR, is expanding to Boston, while also planning to open locations in Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis as well. Based on the original in Portland along with information from a press release, expect the new location in Boston (which will be a franchised restaurant that is locally owned and operated) to support--and show--women's sports, and it will offer scratch-made food including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options, along with beer, cider, wine, cocktails, and mocktails.

The website for The Sports Bra (which debuted in Portland in the spring of 2022) can be found at https://thesportsbraofficial.com/

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

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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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The Essex (Restaurant and Rooftop Bar) Opens at the Cambria Hotel in South Boston

A new dining and drinking spot has come to a hotel in South Boston, and it includes a roofdeck.

According to its website along with an Instagram post from Caught in Southie, The Essex is now open at the Cambria Hotel, which is located by the intersection of W Broadway and Dorchester Avenue. The new place takes over the space where Six / West had previously been, and like that spot, The Essex has a 14th-floor rooftop bar with views of the city--and the bar opened late last week while the restaurant debuted earlier this spring.

The website for The Essex can be found at https://essexboston.com/

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

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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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Bar Lunette Opens in Brookline's Coolidge Corner

A new cocktail bar has come to Brookline, and it has a connection to an adjacent bistro known for its crepes.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Bar Lunette is now open in Coolidge Corner, moving into the former Coolidge Corner Opticians space on Harvard Street, and it is next door to the Paris Creperie whose team is behind the new spot. Eater mentions that Bar Lunette focuses on drinks made with French spirits while also bringing drink options over from the shuttered Seaport District location of the Paris Creperie, which featured cordial-based cocktails.

In addition to drinks, Bar Lunette also has wine and beer along with such food options as French onion soup, deviled eggs, tater tots with melted cheese, omelets, and sandwiches.

The address for Bar Lunette is 278A Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at https://www.barlunette.com/

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

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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.)