Bar

[gfnesselrode.livejournal.com]

I'm looking for recommendations for a bar in Davis Sq. Not super-expensive, not so loud that conversations are impossible, not beer only. Couches are a plus, as are decent (or better) drinks. Erm, I think that's it. Thanks!

Comments

[desiringsubject.livejournal.com]

I think couches come with expense in this area. Orleans has couches but is not cheap. Not quiet either if its a night with a sporting event, though the place is quite pleasant other nights. Couches... hmm... That's all I got.

[gfnesselrode.livejournal.com]

Okay, forget the couches then. They're not important. And it is incredibly rare to find non-gross couches at an affordable bar. So, no sports, no priciness, no super-loudness, no beer-only, anything else is fine.

[midorionna.livejournal.com]

i like the burren, since it seems a little less pretentious. seems more beer-centric though.

[jmspencer.livejournal.com]

Beer-centric, yes, but they have a decent selection of non-beer alcohol.

[gfnesselrode.livejournal.com]

Do they really? Their website strongly implies that they've got beer and wine only... Good to know.

[jmspencer.livejournal.com]

I know I've ordered hard liquor there before.

[ellf.livejournal.com]

I've never visited a bar in Boston that doesn't have hard liquor.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

There are beer-only bars?

[jmspencer.livejournal.com]

Yeah. At least one of the two Sunsets in Boston is beer-only.

[gfnesselrode.livejournal.com]

Sadly, yes. I think sometimes they are referred to as "pubs" or by some other specific name.

[guxx.livejournal.com]

Bukowski's Tavern (Back Bay location) is licensed for only beer and wine. No liquor.

[aspasia02.livejournal.com]

I tend to like Sauce a lot; it can get very loud at times when they decide to crank the music, but weekday and earlier-nights are usually fine. They've got a great wine list, good drinks, good beers, and a nice menu for snacks. Nice, classy atmosphere, too.

[laklare.livejournal.com]

According to some DJs who work there, part of the reason it is too loud is that they don't have a monitor set up in the DJ booth, so they don't know how loud they are.

[aspasia02.livejournal.com]

That's good to know; I went there a few weeks ago and, after being there for a couple of hours and having a normal-level conversation, the music all of a sudden got so loud we actually left. Great place otherwise, though.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Sauce is very expensive, though.

[aspasia02.livejournal.com]

it's actually quite reasonable - you won't find anything less than their $6-9 for a glass of wine in the Boston area... and rarely anywhere, for the quality they serve.

[nowalmart.livejournal.com]

I second the vote for the Independent, and would also throw out PJ Ryan's as another.

[gfnesselrode.livejournal.com]

This time it does, unfortunately. But I'll keep The Independent in mind for another time.

[urban-cowboyz.livejournal.com]

hmmm come out to Toast Lounge, its a club/bar and it's in Union Square but I dig it.

[la-ti-da.livejournal.com]

queer tonight :) if that matters to the poster.

[gfnesselrode.livejournal.com]

Yeah, actually Toast would be my first choice, but we've got no car and walking much isn't a possibility.

[la-ti-da.livejournal.com]

it's pretty cheap to cab from davis. can't remember b/c i usually bum rides, but under ten bucks. or you could go ghetto and take the bus :)

[simonbillenness.livejournal.com]

I have a soft spot for Sauce. Once they played "Dead Souls" by Joy Division.

bars in Davis

[reed-davis.livejournal.com]

I agree with many of the suggestions....The Burren, The Independent & PJ's. Another pretty cool bar/restaurant is Rudy's in Teele Sq. It is a Mexican restaurant with good atmosphere, good food & good drinks.
It is moderately priced and usually pretty quiet.

[julyana.livejournal.com]

It depends on your age, but I like Gargoyles.
The drinks are of decent size for the price and it's pretty mellow. And pretty hip for a 30's something crowd.

If you want loud, cooler and younger, try Sauce.

I'm not big on the Indo and Burren. The Burren has become too much of a pick up joint, but if you want that.....

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

My experience is that most of the bars that people describe as "quiet" are merely quietER than the really REALLY loud ones. Anyway, I know it's not a bar, but if you just want a place to hang out and have drinks where you can talk, Mike's isn't the worst place in the world. They *do* have a full bar plus pretty good food, anyway.

Also, a lot of the places' volumes depend on what day and time you're there. Redbones on a weeknight, for example, can be perfectly mellow.

off-topic for one second

[xjustquietx.livejournal.com]

Wait, Mikes has good food? When did that happen? Last time I checked the only thing worth eating there was their Sicilian pizza. Everything else I'd had was mediocre. (Although their painted signs are excellent). What would you recommend? I could give it one more shot...

Re: off-topic for one second

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Well, y'know, I'm not saying it's Aujourd'hui or anything, just that it's a decent place to go if you want to be in Davis Square, eat, drink, not spend a ton, and if, heaven forbid, you actually want to both hear what your friends have to say and be able to see their faces. It's also a fun place to watch a game.

I like the gnocchi, personally, and they have several different homemade pastas.

It's fine for hanging out, but for the record, don't take me there for our first date. :)

[-neutrino.livejournal.com]

I'll second (or third, or tenth) The Burren - there's usualy music in the back, which is loud, but there are booths and tables towards the front. The drinks are pretty cheap and I know I've gotten mixed drinks there before. I also haven't noticed a pickup vibe, as someone else mentioned, but, then again, they could just be hotter than my friends and I (haha).

PJ Ryan's

[bizzyness.livejournal.com]

If you want to venture up toward Teele Square, I strongly suggest PJ Ryan's. It's rarely "packed", priced moderately, variety of drinks, nice tunes and a good menu if you're hungry. No "couches" per say, but they do have very cushioney benches all along the bar walls - very comfortable. Great spot if you're with a group of friend and just looking to chill.