Boston is like Little Ireland, with pubs and “pubs” to be found in every neighborhood of the city limits and beyond. No surprise we have two winners here. We thought for sure that the neighborhood joints of Southie would sweep this category, but apparently their patrons were too deeply committed to their pints to click on our Web site to vote.
One of the oldest, most authentic pub jewels of the American Emerald Isle is DOYLE’S. Mumbles Menino himself has touted the historical relevance of the JP institution, as has Senator Ted Kennedy, who, to be fair, has never met a bar he didn’t like. Regardless, Doyle’s is one of the increasingly rare Boston Irish bars that hasn’t sacrificed ambiance for touristy bells and whistles. Also in JP, JAMES’S GATE won you over with its fireplace, beer list, and architectural homage to Dublin’s St. James Gate Brewery (which churns out barrel after barrel of creamy Guinness).
DOYLE’S | 3484 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain | 617.524.2345 | doyles-cafe.com
JAMES’S GATE | 5–11 McBride Street, Jamaica Plain | 617.983.2000 | jamessgate.com