- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Brendan Behan Pub
- Nearest Transit:
-
Centre St @ Sheridan St (41)
Centre St @ Creighton St (41)
Centre St @ Barbara St (41)
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
136 reviews for Brendan Behan Pub
Review Highlights
-
"My favorite place in JP for a drinking evening." In 32 reviews -
"You can bring your own food in, and your own dog." In 7 reviews -
"Everyone is very kind, friendly and the dogs are great." In 51 reviews
Loading...
136 reviews in English
-
Review from Jesse L.
Jamaica Plain, MA
3/22/2012
My desert island bar. Arguably the best bar in the known universe.
They have:
- Awesome beer list
- A pro-dog policy
- Trivia (gets crowded!)
- A solid actual pub feel (books on the walls)
- Music played by customers every once in a while
They don't have:
- Jerks for staff or for customers
- TV's (except for sporting events/etc when they pull out the projector).
- Food, ergo you can take your own. (pour one out for the pupusa place, but pizza next door is OK and Blue Nile across the street is a winner)
I think it's a win/win/win/win -
Review from David L.
Allston-Brighton, MA
Sometimes commonly referred to as "Dog Bar", this cute little pub allows owners to bring in their dogs while they enjoy a pint or come in for Trivia on Tuesdays. They have a great selection of beers and if you're feeling like being a hipster or drinking cheap, you can always grab a PBR pint for $3. I would give this place a 5th star, but a bar automatically losses a star for being cash only. On the plus side, the bartenders are always friendly and if you're hungry, they allow you to bring in your own food! I highley recommend going across the street to the Kennedy Fried Chicken for some cheap delicious grub.
All in all, a great place to go to with friends. -
Review from Sandy B.
Boston, MA
2/27/2012
I adore this place. It's a fun, comfortable spot. It's affordable. There's never a cover. The people who work here are friendly and awesome. You can bring in outside food. You can bring your dog. You can fawn over other people's dogs, if you're sad and dog-less like me. They have great taste in music too! But, that brings me to my only problem here. It's embarrassing to admit, but, I think the music is too loud.
I know, I'm old. And uncool. ("You darn kids get off my lawn!") My problem with the volume stems from the Behan's website, purporting it to be "the talking bar." But I find I can never actually talk to anyone here if they're not sitting right next to me and shouting.
But still, I adore this place and I'll be back. Frequently. -
Review from Jessica H.
Hyde Park, MA
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Everything about this place screams local pub local pub local pub. I used to live in Jamaica Plain for four years and frequently came here with coworker friends. Now that I live in Hyde Park I rarely frequent this area anymore but I did stop by Friday night when I saw via FB that a friend was there. Walking in brought back old memories of cold winter nights greeted by a warm atmosphere, good beer, and good friends.
This place is great for many reasons but my favorites are:
1) Local bar! Independently owned, unique, just good times. Not sure if they still have a juke box but they used to (which was always fun to do something crazy like play Brittany Spears in in the Behan! ) They also used to have movie nights - not sure if they still do but those were good times.
2) Good beer. Lots of local beer on tap and the bartenders know what they are doing. I have had many many Harpoon UFOs here with a slice of lemon.
3) Dark and cozy. I like the dark atmosphere and awkward seating.
4) You can bring your dogs! Yes you can and be careful esp during the winter because walking in the dark bar you may just trip over a dog! I love dogs!
5) You can bring in food! They don't serve food here so instead you are allowed to bring in your food. We used to hit up the pupuseria next door and get our Salvadoran on. Unfortunately that place closed but there are many other Chinese, pizza, etc. places around to get something to go.
6) Friends! Everyone goes here that lives in JP. It's a great place to catch up with friends or hit up the bar after a hard work day.
I miss you so much bar! -
Review from Eliza W.
Jamaica Plain, MA
5/7/2012
yuck...i will try again...but for now this place is just too divey for me...
-
Review from Megan S.
12/13/2011
These days we are flush with awesome bars in the Hyde Square/Canary area. But you know what? Nothing beats the cozy familiarity of the Behan.
Here's the pluses:
Dogs are allowed. Though I'm not sure the dogs are always psyched to be tagging along, they are psyched to be pet by you.
Take out allowed.
DIY Irish music allowed on the weekend.
All that and excellent tap list. Just wish there were a few more seats or stools. This place gets crowded on blustery winter nights!Listed in: JP to Me
-
Review from Glenn N.
Cambridge, MA
3/14/2012
The people are friendly. I wouldn't say no to returning with friends. However, The whole scene is just very pretentious at times. There's nothing wrong with being pretentious (I mean, I am) but when a person holding a PBR is spewing off home brewing techniques I tend to tune them out and the experience sours me on the establishment.
-
Review from Erick T.
Azusa, CA
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great place to sit and listen to good music from the stereo or from the local Irish band playing in the corner. Good selection of beer. Dark and cozy. Best of all Dogs can sit right beside you!
-
Review from Jennie P.
Jamaica Plain, MA
1/13/2012
I love the Behan. It's an Irish pub - simply that. Decent selection of beer and whisky (full bar). Don't come here for a special glass of wine though. Fairly quiet during the day. Dark-ish and fairly loud at night. Occasional dogs present. Laid back, unpretentious watering hole anchor of Hyde Square. If you are a local you will run into folks you know, or maybe meet new ones. Great selection of beers, friendly barkeeps, weekend sports. No food, but there's Food Wall across the street if you get hungry.
-
Review from Ali A.
Jamaica Plain, MA
Updated - 8/17/2011
ok... I re-visted multiple times. My stars clearly need to go up. Great beer selection, friendly patrons. I also enjoy their trivia night & the fact they let you bring in outside eats.
1) my allergies are now under control, yay allergy shots. So I no longer have issues with the adorable dogs that are often here.
2) That weird chemical smell in the air has never been there when I've revisited. It has smelled totally normal every other visit except that one time, maybe they had to clean up a particularly nasty mess or something.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/19/2010
I've been here a few times and enjoyed it. I LOVE dogs, however going to the Brendan Behan is how I… Read more »
-
-
Review from Tom H.
Newton, MA
1/23/2012
The Brendan Behan Pub, named for the Irish poet, novelist, playwright and revolutionary, is a JP neighborhood favorite. They do not have a food menu, however, as with other bars in the area with the same policy, do not mind if you bring your own take-out in to enjoy. With an obvious emphasis on drink, the Behan offers around 20 rotating draft beer (with different rotating choices, as opposed to a more typical 10-12 options at most Irish pubs) along with a full bar. There is a real neighborhood-type vibe to this place, accentuated by popular trivia nights and live Irish music sessions every week. Perhaps the most unique attribute about the Behan is that they let customers bring their dogs into the bar, creating a much more home-like feel, as well as making it a destination for dog lovers.
-
Review from M W.
7/11/2011
This will be short and sweet:
Weekly trivia night, allows take-out food, allows you to bring your doggie along, and finally....cheap drinks...simply wonderful. -
Review from Jillian F.
Jamaica Plain, MA
1/18/2012
Fun local pub where you an find familiar faces (since its one of few bars in Jp). Bring some takeout, order a beer, drink or cider (gf friendly!) and brig your pooch as well! Low lighting, laid back..you kind find a live Celtic band practicing live Saturday afternoon until evening and don't forget a game of darts :) very friendly staff!
-
Review from Reba T.
Jamaica Plain, MA
3/23/2012
there is no where else in the world i would go to get black out drunk. i can bring my animal and the bartenders are hot!
-
Review from Ashley F.
Jamaica Plain, MA
3/31/2011
Cheap drinks. Extensive beer list. Friendly folks. Dogs. Music everyone knows the words to. Only take cash (as to limit my nightly spending). Atmosphere conducive to meeting new friends and socializing.
The Behan is a girl's dream. -
Review from Jonathan B.
Jamaica Plain, MA
5/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Probably my favorite bar in Boston. The mix of the crowd and the atmosphere are second to none. A pub that doesn't serve food? Surely this can't be tolerated? At Behan it's quite alright as I would hate to have to even consider to hold the food experience to the same standard of the bar experience. Better yet bring some take-out in, because they'll let you eat it here. Get in early if you'd prefer a bar seat, and prepare your night as last call is just before 1am.
Bring a slice of pizza. Bring your dog. Bring over some chinese food. Bring a book. Bring an Irish String Band, and bring cash unless you are fine with ATM fees. -
Review from Walker H.
Saint Louis, MO
4/4/2011
My friend and I dropped in late on a friday and managed to end up with seats at the bar despite it being quite crowded.
This is one of the best mixes of hipster/dive/old man/irish I've ever seen in a bar. Also, the bartender was nice, personable and fun to have a quick chat with. My friend and I were quite pleased with the sizable beer selection. -
Review from Luna L.
Boston, MA
12/30/2010
I used to go here all the time in my early twenties when I lived in the neighborhood they had bands playing and it was a fun, chill place, well I recently went back to my old hood and the Behan has changed quite a bit!
The place was full of interesting people that were loud and wasted,and looked about 18. It took forever to get a drink, perhaps it was because I didnt smell like patchouli..... -
Review from Michael S.
Watertown, MA
4/15/2011
I have become tired of Irish pubs in Boston, so I had reservations about going to Brendan Behan Pub. I had also scoped it out online and what stood out is that the website said there were no TV's (fine with me) and that there was no food. The no food rule is almost a pre-requisite for Irish Pubs, so this was expected They were nice enough to allow me to bring in food from across the street.
The crowd in this place seemed a little hipsterish, with a smattering of local/townie feel. The beers of choice were Narragansett, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Miller High Life. Being a semi-beer snob, I was happy to see an excellent beer selection that is superior to most Irish Pubs in the area. Rogue, Allagash, Lagunitas are just some of the better selections.
The music was also pretty cool. It was mostly indie bands with a mix of older rock music from the 60's through 80's.
The one downfall is that it was slightly too loud and I could not hear people that were further than 5 feet away.
I was going to rate this a 3, but bumped it up to 4 because of the excellent (yet pricy) beer selection. -
Review from Seth B.
Boston, MA
6/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of my favorite bars in Boston. I may be a little biased as it's a 5 minute walk from my house, but oh well.
The staff here is friendly, they even allow dogs in the bar. There's no food served but not only do they not mind you bringing in your own, they'll suggest where to go grab some.
Well priced beer and a good selection. Cash only but an atm in the bar with a low fee. 1$ I think, which you never see.
Well worth a visit! -
Review from Brian D.
Updated - 6/13/2008
Shame, shame, shame on me for having ever written a one sentence review of the Brendan Behan. You know that scene from that abortion of a movie The DaVinci Code when the monk dude whips his own back with that bad ass whip and then puts that garter belt from hell on? Yeah, that's what I've had to do to myself to make amends for this vast disservice.
The 'Behan' IS one word like:
-Mommy
-Papa
-Lover
-Home
I fucking love the Behan in a timeless, everlasting, endearing, cheesy, puts little cartoon fireworks in my eyes, kind of way. I feel bad when I cheat on the Behan and go to other pubs, a little piece of me dies every time I do this and I am pretty sure that this also causes baby seals to cry and the ice caps to melt faster.
If the Brendan Behan were a superhero it's strength would be awesomeness. If the Brendan Behan were a girl it/she would have awesome knockers and put out on the first date. If the Brendan Behan were your Dad it/he would teach you how to throw a killer curve ball. If the Brendan Behan were a flavor it would be, chocolate-strawberry-coffee-ginger-mint-Guinness. Yeah.
Seriously, best spot in JP. You WILL bring your dog, and your dog can rule everybody's face and just be a dog and run around and shit. You WILL bring food in from anywhere you want. You WILL have a blast if you catch a Red Sox or Celtics game here on a packed night. You WILL hear live Irish music on Saturday afternoons. You WILL get shit housed if you want to. You WILL want to move to JP once you fall for the Behan.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
11/24/2006
pub is as pub does. true to form. even some irish musicians hoeld up from time to time. AND im told… Read more »
-
-
Review from Jeffrey H.
Washington, DC
4/9/2008
I like beer.
I like dogs.
I like people.
I like "no attitude" places.
I like The Behan.
Sit down, have some drinks. Bring your dog if you'd like. Strike up some conversations with friendly people. Leave the attitude at home, everybody else did. People are here to drink, have fun, and hang out. -
Review from Kirs P.
Jamaica Plain, MA
10/30/2007
I really want to love the Behan. I really, really do. It has everything I normally love about bars: booze; dingy atmosphere; practically no light; big TV to watch the game on; surly clientle; and just enough noise to hide your conversation from others, but you can still talk to your friends.
Here's the problem, though. The Behan attracts dogs. Actual canines. I love dogs. I think they are cute and adorable. Unfortunately, my nose, eyes, throat and lungs heartily disagree. Some friends and I were watching the game last week and I was fine for awhile. But it became unbearable. Three dogs = Kirs non-stop sneezing, wheezing, and being generally miserable. I had to leave. Which really sucked. And it's unlikely I'll be back for any length of time as a result. As soon as a dog walks in, I'll be walking out.Listed in: Your Unofficial Guide to…
-
Review from Adam C.
2/20/2008
Pretty utilitarian, but in a cozy way. BEER - SIT - TALK. Oh, and dogs. How very JP of the place. Fine with me, honestly. I like the place. My wife wasn't so keen on the dogs thing as she has allergies. Also, she thought the place smelled of post-puke-clean-up cleaning products. I didn't notice, but my nose was probably buried in one of their many good pints on tap.
Seems a cool place if your plans are along the lines of "Fuck it, let's drink" and don't really feel the need to aspire to much more than that. -
Review from Jenna C.
Haverhill, MA
10/17/2007
Sometimes all I want is a stool and a cold beer.
And in those cases this is the perfect place to go.
Located exactly 30 steps from my front door it's extremely convenient and I honestly don't take advantage of this enough. Probably because it's usually full of scencesterish people that are WAY too cool for me or people that I don't like (aka- everyone)Listed in: From Lesbian to Spain
-
Review from Andy B.
Boston, MA
4/22/2009
There are many things that I enjoy about the Behan, but:
There is one bartender there who doesn't like dogs. If you're the owner, don't allow dogs. If you just work there, find another bar to work at that doesn't allow dogs (READ: EVERY OTHER BAR IN BOSTON). Don't give me attitude 5 minutes after I walk in the door with a 30lb dog and say, "If it gets anymore crowded in here the dogs are gonna have to go. It's not a dog park."
Thank you so much for basically ruining the Behan with your glowing mentality. Sorry if my leashed dog that you can't even see from behind the bar was bothering you, I know he can be a real sumbitch. -
Review from Alex S.
Brooklyn, NY
11/22/2008
I won't lie: the fact that there are always dogs in the Behan is the main reason I'm giving the place five stars. But it's far from the only reason.
The Behan is a wonderful neighborhood pub in every way possible. It has a cozy, warm, and inviting atmosphere; an extensive selection of beers on tap; a staff that's friendly and plays excellent music all of the time; and you're allowed to bring in food from anywhere you want.
What's better than eating some Food Wall, drinking a few pints, listening to The Clash, and hanging out with a load of dogs? Correct answer: almost nothing.Listed in: There is a Light That Will…
-
Review from Susan R.
3/16/2010 8 Check-ins Here
I have been to the Behan more times than I can count. This place is like an old friend I have only known for 5 years, yet we don't even need to speak to communicate.
The Behan is part of me.
I have recently traveled to Ireland and was totally shocked at how much the Behan felt like a real suburban Irish pub. Moreover, like a moron I kept thinking 'wow, this place is JUST like the Behan' throughout my travels.
The Behan is a place to go for a few beers, watch a big Sox game (get there early if you want to see the TV) and see people you know from around town.
It is dark, always smells like the bathroom, you trip over dogs and left over chinese food. It is a the perfect local Irish pub in JP. People who are not cool with dogs in bars and food from local establishments. Have fun at the Alchemist.Listed in: My Neighborhood
-
Review from Kelly G.
Somerville, MA
2/23/2008
I may have gone on a date at the Behan last winter. I mean, it was definitely at the Behan...I'm still not sure whther it was a date or not.
It was a Tuesday night but Trivia had been cancelled so the place was pretty empty, it was dimly lit enough to be mysterious, and we were sitting right over the heat vent so it encouraged the removal of clothing. All good things.
It's dog friendly, which is cool, but I wasn't aware of it until I felt something wet and furry brush along my leg. It's a disorienting feeling if you're not expecting it, I'll tell you what.
I really only picked that spot because I know Brendan Behan's nieces and they asked me to throw back a pint for him when I got to town.
I feel that I've done my duty and I don't really feel the need to go back.Listed in: Puppy Power
-
Review from Greg M.
Jamaica Plain, MA
12/30/2006
Great neighborhood bar.
Just as I love restaurants where you can BYOB, I love bars where you can BYOF (that's food.)
It always either smells dirty or of some sort of harsh cleanser. But it's a snug and humble place with character and friendly bartenders.
Don't forget about trivs on Tuesday nights.Listed in: Trivs
-
Review from Nick B.
Providence, RI
9/19/2008
Oh the Behan. How I've longed to enter your soft lit, wooden interior with the fish tank in the corner that pretends to be a tv.
I was worried the only other bar close to my place wouldn't provide the correct amount of unpretentiousness/eccentric/relaxed...but it has.
1. great beer selection
2. you can bring in outside food ( I suppose this means I'll have to review the chinese food place across the street.)
3. you can bring dogs
a great lab was ambling around the pub and kept coming up to me to pet it.
Here's the thing that you don't realize because it doesn't happen at other bars - dogs and beer go together.
Drinking with friends and petting a dog...outstanding. -
Review from Linds L.
Cambridge, MA
9/17/2009
HAPPYHAPPYHAPPY!
Some people know this about me...you probably do not...I LOVE beer...I can't get enough of it...I think about it a lot...
I was directed to the Behan when looking for a place to eat and drink in JP. Through yelp I found La Pupusa for food and after asking a friend who had been there about the alcohol situation (there is none at La Pupusa) he recommended taking La Pupusa to the Behan (they do NOT serve food) and eat there...this is common and accepted and wonderful!
I immediately liked the decor of the Behan and was giddy about all the beers on tap, there were probably 20...maybe more, maybe less...but a great selection. They allow dogs so if you're afraid or allergic this might not be your best bet. Also, it's cash only, but there's an atm inside that only has a .99 fee! Hooray for savings!
This is your perfect night: dinner from La Pupusa enjoyed with a beer at the Behan and the most amazing tattoo you can ever imagine from Fat Ram's...You can thank me later. -
Review from Robin J.
Jamaica Plain, MA
4/9/2008
Last time I was here it reeked of vomit, a dog smelled my crotch, and a girl wearing a hoodie of a college basketball that opposed the team from my hoodie tried to pick a fight with me.
I like the Behan. It just gets so crowded and all the tables are wobbly. And I always end up getting stuck in the back with the weird lighting.
I find that the Behan is much better for pit stops and pub crawls than for entire evenings out. -
Review from Becky B.
Jamaica Plain, MA
9/30/2008
Sometimes you just want to leave your house. and pay someone to pour you a drink so you dont feel like a lush looser sitting at home with your beer alone watching dancing with the stars.
Sometimes you dont want to go more than a block to drink.
Brendan Beehan is perfect for these times....oh and you can bring in your own food..major bonus! -
Review from Jim D.
Boston, MA
1/7/2009
I've been in and out of the Behan Pub over the last few years, but not as a regular. Still, its apparent that the Behan makes for a top-notch neighborhood joint.
The only reason that it doesn't get a full 5 stars from me is because what most see as pros are sometimes cons to me.
Great music; But sometimes too loud.
No regular TV blaring can be a good thing; But sometimes I want to zone out starring at a screen.
Great beer selection; But I only drink cheap, don't much care.
For JP residents the Behan will always be a haven, and I'm no exception. And while I never remember to take advantage of it, when there's a fireplace, cheap beer, and free wi-fi, it should be the perfect place to relax early afternoon.
Of course, hats off for being a dog friendly bar. -
Review from Steph D.
8/30/2007
While it probably won't affect your opinion of this place, I made out with a pretty hot New Zealander rugby player who was still in his uniform one time at the Behan.
And that pretty much defined it for me. The Behan's a place where you can drink beer, meet people from New Zealand, don't need to change your clothing after a rugby game and can find a cozy corner to make out in.
Can't ask for too much more from a bar. Perfection really.Listed in: Jamaica Plain is RAD
-
Review from Don W.
4/9/2008
A fun pub that you can bring your dog to. It just seems so natural that I don't know why all pubs don't do it. And if dogs, beer, and cider weren't enough, you can get Chinese food across the street and bring it in. We came here as part of a group of 9 people and 3 dogs after the Hounds of Yelp event. It was an awesome way to spend the afternoon. If I lived closer and had a dog, I'd be a regular. Just keep Rover away from the darts, though. At least if I'm playing. 5 stars because I loved it.
Much of why I liked this Pub was the dogs and their owners. Thanks to Brian for organizing the day and to everyone who brought their dogs. It's too bad that more people and dogs didn't stick around after the Arboretum and join in at the pub - that would have only made it better. But really, it was still awesome. And I came home with enough treats for the office dog (a little white puppy who we have to keep away from the chocolate). Okay, this is a review about the Brendan Behan Pub so I'll just state the obvious. If you want your faithful hound to join you at a friendly and laid-back pub, you won't do better than here. -
Review from Jessica B.
Pittsburgh, PA
1/22/2009
I want to give the Behan a stellar review. Bring your own food, bring your dog, bring your friends, and sit drinking $4.50 Anchor Steam or Brooklyn Lager. A good selection of tap beers seems like fun.
However, I'm really not sure how clean their lines are. I switched to Stella after a couple of Anchor Steams. It tasted funny like sour grape bubble gum. I had this flavor tested and seconded, thirded and fourthed by my friends. Like a fool, I drank it. Don't repeat my mistake. If it tastes strange, it's probably strange. I'm pretty sure the yucky beer is what gave me a two day hangover. A terrible terrible two day hangover.
So, five stars for bottles and cans and whatever isn't on tap. Two stars for sour beer. Negative stars to me for drinking a clearly off beer.
Also, don't go on Tuesdays if you want to hang out and have a chat. 8 to 10 is quiz night. Do go if you like quiz night. -
Review from Aretha B.
Aquinnah, MA
7/16/2007
Darkest Bar I've ever been into.
BYO Food is cool with them.
Cash only (boo)
people bring their dogs into the bar. That's pretty cool! -
Review from Pete C.
Brooklyn, NY
9/30/2008
Why do I like the Behan? Mostly because they don't sell condoms.
Sure, they still have the condom dispenser up in the mens bathroom. Sure, it looks old enough to have only sold lambskin rubbers. Sure, it's covered in graffiti and stickers and has a huge honkin' lock on the side so that no one steals the nothing that's inside. Considering it no longer serves it's condom-vending purpose and looks like trash and kinda gets in your way if two guys are peeing and you're the one on the inside, it makes a lot of sense to take it down. But it also makes a lot of sense to say "Fuckit" and have a beer instead.
Why else do I like the Behan? You can bring your dog and won't get hassled about it. Some of the tables wobble like you're playing a booze version of Topple but you can usually find one unless it's the weekend. They sometimes have a broken front window or two but they've already taped a few coasters together to cover the whole and hey, they'll get to it alright? Quit being so overbearing. Have a beer and relax.
Bars are for drinking. The Behan is a bar. The Behan is for drinking.
