Globe confused about Somerville geography

[ron_newman]

The 'g' section of today's (Saturday) Globe features A Boston Irish pub crawl. I have to wonder if the writer actually visited all of the pubs, given this:

14. PJ Ryan’s: Nestled between Teele and Davis squares, this pub avoids the Davis crowds and attracts mostly locals...

and this:

23. Old Magoun's Saloon: ... Every night, the Ball Square pub has something different to offer

and even this:

31. Sally O’Brien’s: Situated off the beaten path in Union Square, this spot may be a trek for those who only rely on public transportation

(moreso than Thirsty Scholar or Old Magoun's? How so? btw, there are four other live music clubs within a block of this one)

Comments

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

It must be because Magoun has no sign in the interesection. Now it's been annexed to Ball Square. =P

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I found that one particularly amusing given the name of the place.

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

Perhaps being named Olde Magoun's is not helpful unless there is further reinforcement that it's in Magoun Square!

[courtney o'keefe (from livejournal.com)]

Just thought I'd jump in here and let people know that Magoun is getting their sign reinstalled in April :)

[real-green-tea.livejournal.com]

Depending on your frame of reference, all these geographies could seem true.
-If you live in Teele Square you know PJ Ryan's is in the square. If you don't, it seems like a pretty short walk up from Davis.
-Ball Square kind of extends across so much of Broadway that it's tough to know exactly where it ends, if you walk the area Olde Magoun's seems just off that.
-Sally O'Brien's really is off the beaten path, or at least was before Somerville Ave was re-paved. And the part about public transit is still true. Anything that relies on a bus especially in the winter, means it's tough to get to. Something like a couple miles' walk in the quiet and dark. Which...is fine...if you're with a bunch of people, because Somerville Ave. is pretty flat.

...interestingly Old Magoun's is also a little tricky if you don't live right somewhere close to one of the neighboring squares. But aside from maybe having to walk up a hill it's not horrible and the areas are mostly well-lit and populated at night.

[ron_newman]

I think of 'Ball Square' as ending at the bridge over the railroad tracks. Medford Street, where Old Magoun Saloon and CVS are, is absolutely Magoun Square.

It's true that Union Square is served only by buses, but so are Old Magoun, Thirsty Scholar, and a number of the other establishments in the Globe's list (especially those in Brighton and South Boston).

[samcoren.livejournal.com]

The buses have been far more reliable than the red line lately too!

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

pj Ryan's is in teele toward Davis, which makes the globes statement close enough I think (teele is also kinda just a squareburb of Davis anyhow)

[duffless2323.livejournal.com]

Agreed

[duffless2323.livejournal.com]

These are all Irish bars not as much on the radar as places like the Burren. Unless you live in Davis/Teele, than you probably don't even know Teele exists, it's worth describing it as between Davis and Teele. Sure, you can be pedantic about it but described as such by the Globe is very useful to their point. The same with Sally's, it is a pain since it's not on the T, but worth checking out. Magouns is def not in Ball Square however, I'll grant you that.

[ron_newman]

I would have said "in Somerville's Teele Square, a short walk from Davis Square, but without Davis Square's crowds."

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

This should help keep the Boston riff-raff out!

It's like how in Warsaw they took down the street signs to make it harder for the Soviets to invade.