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Hynes Convention Center (Green)
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A low-key, cash only bar with a fantastic beer selection and a good atmosphere. The 'beer wheel' is not for the faint of heart - the three guys I was there with decided to give it a go and maintain that they did, in fact, like the beers they ended up with. 2 of the 3 got some pretty heavy, dark beers and I was glad I ended up choosing to go with a pumpkin ale ('tis the season!).
Good music selection playing overhead. Seating goes fast. By 6:00 pm on a Saturday - the bar was packed.
YOU MUST THINK I'M PRETTY OBNOXIOUS USING ALL THESE CAPITAL LETTERS. IN FACT, YOU MIGHT REASONABLY THINK I'M SCREAMING AT YOU. THE MORE SENSITIVE AMONG YOU MIGHT BE SO OFFENDED BY MY TEXTUAL ASSAULT THAT YOU'LL STOP READING AND I CAN'T SAY I'D BLAME YOU.
THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL ABOUT BUKOWSKI. THE PLACE IS NARROW AND TINY, JUST A FEW CRAMPED TABLES, A LONG BAR, AND BATHROOMS SMALLER THAN AIRPLANE LAVATORIES; YET THE MUSIC IS SO EAR-SPLITTINGLY LOUD THAT YOU'D THINK YOU WERE AT THE LARGEST CLUB ON LANDSDOWNE STREET. THERE'S NO NEED FOR THAT KIND OF TORTURE.
THE PAINFULLY LOUD MUSIC JUST SETS THE TONE FOR ALL THE SHOUTING THAT FOLLOWS. YOU SHOUT AT YOUR FRIENDS, WHO WON'T HEAR YOU EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO ONE ANOTHER; YOU SHOUT AT THE BARTENDER WHO SEEMS TO BE IGNORING YOU, EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE SITTING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE TAPS; AND, OF COURSE, YOU SHOUT AT YOUR WAITRESS WHO'S SO DEAF THAT SHE WRITES DOWN THE WRONG ORDER AND LATER, WHEN SHE BRINGS YOUR FOOD, YOU SHOUT WHEN YOU CORRECT HER . . . just as the music dies down so everyone can see who the jerk is shouting at the poor waitress who's just trying to do her job.
THAT VICIOUS CYCLE OF SHOUTED CONVERSATIONS AND MISCOMMUNICATION JUST ADDS TO THE CACOPHONOUS BUKOWSKI DIN THAT SO MANY MISTAKE FOR ATMOSPHERE. I'M CERTAIN THE REAL CHARLES BUKOWSKI WOULDN'T BE CAUGHT DEAD IN SUCH A POSER ESTABLISHMENT BUT IF ON THE OFF-CHANCE HE DID HAPPEN IN, I'M EQUALLY CERTAIN HE WOULD BEAT UP MOST OF THE PATRONS.
Once you get used to the music, though, Bukowski is kind of an OK place. There's a huge selection of beer (but no hard liquor) and the food isn't too bad. The last time I was there, they had an Oktoberfest menu and I have to say that my wurst stew was pretty darned tasty. It's odd but I think the bartender stopped ignoring me once I removed my tie and put away my BlackBerry. Yeah, it's *that* kind of place.
Also, be warned that Bukowski is cash only, which makes me wonder how much of each night's take actually gets reported to the IRS. That's about all I can think of that might meet with the real Bukowski's approval.
Aside from the bartender there seems to be just one server who patrols the entire seating area, and we had one of those nights when you wonder if the server who has silently walked past your table 4-5 times is actually your server... and she was. So, yeah, service was horrible here.
This little narrow bar barely has walking room even when it is moderately busy, but the narrowness also gives it some character/cuteness. Very good selection of craft beers that are priced a little high, and the food is rather average bar food, though the sweet potato fries were quite tasty.
Best hole in the wall ever.
i like going here for lunch, very chill and lots of good beer.
While I was legally intoxicated and actually at the bar, I wrote this:
"If the Almighty fancied a burger and a pint, he'd go to Bukowskis."
While hindsight and an adjustment based on the fact that I am more than a mildly enthusiastic drunk have led me to retract one of the original five stars I gave my experience, it is a really great bar. It was big enough that it didn't feel cramped but not too big. The bartenders were helpful and they have a really great beer selection. I remember saying at time of consumption that the burger was the greatest I've ever had in my life, but I've said that about more burgers than I have women. I'm sure it was good, but I'll wait for a second try before re-adding that fifth star.
I printed out the Yelp reviews from four restaurants when my friends came to town, and this was the one they picked for our dinner out. It lived up to, but did not exceed, expectations.
Before you go, know that:
- Seating is extremely limited and self-serve. We were lucky to be able to sit 6 people, even though the tables near us could have been configured to fit more so we wouldn't have to have been quite as squished against each other for the whole meal.
- They ONLY take cash, though I believe there was an ATM on site (the kind that charges you an arm and a leg)
- It's not a great place to have conversations; at 6:30 on a Thursday, the music was too loud to hear the person across from me.
With all those things in mind, we had a great time. Most of us had burgers, which we enjoyed. We bypassed the $1.99 burger special for fancier ones and were not disappointed. Everything was decently priced and the beer selection was good.
Worth a visit, just keep an open mind.
This is an excellent drinking establishment. I didn't eat anything because I wasn't really in the mood for a burger and that's basically all the good stuff they sell.
They have an excellent selection of different types of beers on draught and in bottles. I actually had a hard time choosing. It's definitely the place you go for a beer to chill. It's very dark in there which sets the mood. You're there to drink a few beers and that's it.
I plan on being back for many more of their beers, but I will probably not eat here just because eating in such a dark place weirds me out. I don't know why. I just don't like it!
Here, I'll be fast, quick and simple in regards to one of my favorite bars in our fair city.
- Great Staff.
- Cash Only.
- No Orange Tanned douchebags in "Tapout" t-shirts, ever.
- Same goes for the girls that love the above douchebags.
- They have Chimay Red & Blue
- It's literally right next to the last affordable parking lot near the Fenway area.
- Always great music playing here, and it's always awesomely loud. So much so, that it always annoys someone, which is a plus in my book.
Bukowski's is what that rat-hole Charlie's Kitchen in Harvard Sq. WISHES it could be.
If you don't like Bukowski's, you probably shouldn't have been there in the first place.
Awesome: Beer Selection, Great place to start your night out at the top of Boylston, The type of people that hang out at this place
Not Awesome: Going outside to change your mind. The place is small and can get crowded.
walked in to a packed tuesday night. That was fine we just wanted a quick bite to eat and a beer. We found an empty spot at a reasonably table in the back to sit at. Ordered beers arrived promptly, however our food seems to take forever, everyone around us that arrived later seemed to get their food before us. Once the food arrived we were disappointed by the same dishes we had ordered in Cambridge. Oh well, I'd go back for a few beers, but probably not for the food. (might not be able to resist though, Cambridge food has really never disappointed!)
Veggie Dogs anyway you like em...(and yes...non-veggiedogs too)...
I found them
in boston
Im stoked as hell
very very happy :)
They are accompanied by what seems like an endless supply of types of beer...
WOOHOO!
Crappy fake dive bar with stylish Back Bay prices. Crappy selection of beer on tap, both in terms of quality and quantity. The cash only thing is really annoying. At this kind of markup on beer, they really ought to accept credit cards.
Also, if there's a wet spot on the floor, CLEAN IT. There isn't much space in the bar to walk around a puddle so people won't slip.
Do yourself a favour and go to the Other Side Cafe. In my opinion, they have much better service and better beer selection.
I like this place because they have great beer and it has style. The servers weren't particularly friendly on this Friday night I went, but I'm willing to forgive them simply because it's hard to work in a bar on Friday night. I didn't try the food, but I'm sure I will be back. The specials have names like, "tomato f*ing soup". haha, good stuff. I'll be back. It's quite small so I'll probably choose to go on a weeknight so I can have room to sit at the bar. Cash only!!
Chill, relaxed atmosphere. It's a small place, and fills up quickly. However, I can see why. They have a large selection of beers, and anyone I eat there with enjoys the hamburgers. Their sweet potato fries are above average-perfectly cooked, and served with horseradish. Tasty!
Great beer selection. Good tunes, and one of the best burgers I ever had. I can't recommend the Hangover Helper Burger enough. First time I ever had a fried egg on a burger and it definitely won't be the last. The wife got the chili burger which was good as well, but paled in comparison. Will definitely be making a trip back here before we leave Boston. Best bar we've been to in Boston.
Bukowski was the closest thing to the Moan and Dove this side of the Pioneer Valley: a huge selection of beer at reasonable prices in an unpretentious atmosphere -- and Bukowski has angry alcoholic poet decor and food that smelled pretty good! I had a weissbier with a very long name that was delicious; my companion had a smoked porter. They played an entire James Brown album. I guess I would give this bar more stars if I had not been previously spoiled by the Moan and Dove's 20-beer selection.
great selection of beers! (though a bit pricey, but still doesn't stop me from going!)
small & cozy spot.
i prefer this location to the one in inman square, personally, because of its size. and because at this one, they play better music! :)
great hot dogs too!
oh, and their sweet potato fries are pretty outstanding!
i haven't eaten much there, but love the beers!
oh yeah, cash only. be prepared!
I hadn't been here in probably a year or so since I used to live nearby and was at least once a week patron. I'm glad to say that not much has changed. Still has the same great beer selection with interesting and knowledgeable bartenders serving them up. The food is ok, but nothing special so your better off drinking here and then going to get something to eat somewhere else.
So the prices are not dive bar levels but neither is the beer selection so I don't understand people who complain about that. If all you want is a stupid cheap beer than this is not the place for you. If you want interesting beer selections for a decent price than go check it out. And bring plenty of cash as they don't take cards.
This place used to have the best mac and cheese but it has changed. The last time I was in for lunch the music was so loud that the person I was with had to yell at each other to hear. At Lunch!
Sorry to say I think Bukowski's has lost it.
I really like beer. Like, really like it. Bukowski's has one of the best selections in town, definitely one of, if not THE best, in Boston proper. There's plenty on tap and an overhwhelming amount of bottles to choose from. I cannot comment on anything but the beer. But for me, it's all about the beer. Beer is king here. 'Nuf said. Almost.
PS...Cash only.
PPS...I probably wouldn't do anything else here (i.e. eat) besides drink beer
This place is the absolute bomb.
Yeah it's loud. To drive away the tools. And it works amazingly well. The music's solid 90% of the time, too.
The beer ranges from light hefeweizens to friggin Rauchbiers (salmon), all of which will please your face and rock your liver. From dirt cheap to reeeediculously expensive ones.
The bartenders range from edgy to busty to just plain nice, and there's Sean too.
The food is always badass, too, especially the burgers, specials, and mac & cheese.
I've got my mug, so I should know.
Although this is somewhere you are allowed to stumble in spontaneously, I highly recommend to plan ahead a bit. Because you don't want to waste non-bank-of-****** service fee from the ATM installed here. Probably with the fee they charge, you can buy another pint of beer. Going against the tide or keeping their revenue efficient, I don't know what their intention is. Your plastic is no good here.
Beer selection may not be Sunset Grill caliber. But contrary to the size of this place, it's pretty vast. Also, they don't serve mediocre Joe-The-Six-Pack delight, they stock with funky local brew you wish you'd remember its name. You can go ahead and try to remember. But I can guarantee you. Those seductive taste will infuse you with loads of alcohol to kill the braincell containing those information. So write it down if you are serious about it.
I thought $2 burger and hot dog were urban legend of Back Bay. But they weren't. When I looked at the menu, I couldn't spot it. But I asked for it anyway. And there they were. And they were delicious. Also their creative dish is something I really rave about. I tried "Guinness Beef Stew". Absolutely gorgeous.
Bukowski's can be fun, but as other Yelpers have noted, it's always very LOUD. They crank the music up for some reason and my throat always hurts after spending a few hours there.
Great beer selection, which is the reason to go. Food is better-than-average in terms of bar food, but nothing special. Sweet potato fries are great. And if you come during the day on weekdays, they have good lunch specials (burgers for something like $3).
Named after famous writer Charles Bukowski, I think if he were alive he would like this place, because I sure did. It's a dark, swanky yet dingy dive bar, with verses written on the walls, a ceiling made of glass beer mugs, a leopard print bathroom, and an excellent selection of beer, tap and bottle. They also have a wheel of beer you can spin if you're undecided, although they might look at you as if you're retarded, or maybe that's just how I would look at you if you couldn't choose one of so many delicious beers. The prices were between 5 and 9 dollars depending on the beer. Unless you're quasi-white trash like us, and after a few rounds of expensive beer, discovered the local Boston area swill, Brubaker's for 3.50 for a 20 oz. bottle..........the long walk home in the rain made much more fun by the five or six we had before leaving. These also probably helped me be able to set a self-timer on my camera and take a photo of myself peeing in the bathroom, don't worry I didn't post it!
They also serve food here and after midnight everything and I mean everything on the menu was $4.99! Crazy! The food looked pretty good though and at that price, it looked even better. The service was also really quick and all the locals in the bar were beyond friendly, especially the ones who were drunk on a wednesday night, love them. There was also some interesting and good music on, i.e. an entire james brown album + the black keys. If I lived in the area or even near the area, I could definitely see myself frequenting this place.
If you're leaving an open bar party and someone suggests going out to another bar.. you best believe that place is some kind of awesome.. enter in Bukowski's.
After a night of drinking on the company's dime (thank goodness for holiday parties in this economic climate!), a few cohorts decided to skip on over to Bukowski's. Even though I couldn't feel my face after being outside for 5 minutes, I went along for the ride. And despite the fact that the waitress knew we all had drank a little more than necessary for a Tuesday, she was pretty awesome. Coming round lickity split with our drinks and again later on with our checks.
I've been in Bukowski's a couple times and it's always led to win. Tons o tons of beers to choose from.. although don't be ashamed of getting the PBR on tap.. it's only $3ish. Never tried the food.. but I'll stick to the beer here. People call this place a dive.. which I sort of agree on.. but considering it's in Back Bay and a hop skip and a jump from Newbury, I can't exactly call it an out and out dive.
One booooo factor is the cash only thing.. but there's a Bank of America on the corner of Boylston/Mass Ave and a BofA and Citizen's down the street on Boylston.. so get someone to go unless you want to use their ATM.
Let me blow your mind for a minute.
Peanut Butter burger.
Yeah, a hamburger, with peanut butter on top of it. Who thought of combining the salty sweetness of peanut burger with ground meat, tomato, lettuce, pickles. Bukowski's THAT'S who.
Let me tell you, I was skeptical, but I took a bite of Christopher's sandwich and was sold. I felt like I shouldn't like it, but I did. Next time, I'm going straight for the peanut butter burger.
Instead, I went with the veggie chili turkey burger and I was very happy with my choice. The turkey wasn't dry like some turkey burgers can be and the chili was excellent. The fries, addicting, I had to get them away from me.
The choices of beer, excellent. And cheap to boot.
I had always been curious as to why there was a Dead Poet's Society sign up in the window. Christopher enlightened me. In case you didn't know, if you have Every.Single.One of their bottled beers, you get your own custom glass with the poet of your choice and from then on you can get drafts for like $5.00. That is full of awesome. If i lived nearby, I would seriously contemplate doing that task.
The bartenders are great, the bathrooms are so freaking hot and there are swears everywhere. My kind of bar. Now I just need to move to the Back Bay
My picks for poet? Shel Silverstein fo' sho' or Douglas Adams, but I'm not sure if you can pick an author.
Bukowski is a disaster in every sense of the word. It's loud, dirty, small, old, dark, and the food is poor. Get the idea yet?
I'll admit that I was drawn in by the "buck burger" ($1.69 for a full-size burger until 8pm daily), but it was a huge disappointment. It was a burger from some frozen pack of 100 patties that was barely-thawed and overcooked when it arrived.
The beer selection is okay, I guess. But there are plenty of respectable places with good selections. Beers are expensive at $7 for some.
And I guess I shouldn't have gone to the bathroom. Because it was apparently designed for smurfs that like graffiti. I think it would have been easier to go to the bathroom in my car or in a box. Graffiti all over the walls and ceiling. Some entertaining, most not. The door was about the size of your high school locker.
And to top it off, they don't take credit cards. Ugh. Hard to believe that it has a relatively high rating on Yelp.
Bukowski is the closest I've seen in Boston to Amherst's Moan and Dove: a lot of interesting and eclectic beers broken down into a variety of different beer types (pilsner, Belgian white, fruit-based, etc.). The beer selection alone gets its own menu, something that helps in the actual selection.
It's a little too small though. We attempted to get a table, but were consistently thwarted, as they were either coming from the bar, or from some magical place that randomly produced people. Neither of these were tables though. The lack of table space hinders the ability to actually partake in the food, which I would have like to have tried.
In that sense, this review is kind of incomplete. But I do appreciate the great beer selection, and the extensive varieties of ales, lagers, ciders, pilsners, and other beers.
Though I doubt Mr. Bukowski would have hung out here himself (I think it'd be a little too classy for him, not divey enough), I do enjoy this bar immensely. The food is a bit pricey, but it's also fucking delicious. I've never eaten something here that I haven't enjoyed. For bar food, it's awesome.
The beer selection is great too and I love the decor. Especially that leopard print bathroom!
They're always playing some great music, too. Nick Cave's "Murder Ballads" was playing last time. That to me is the PERFECT bar album. So good on you, Bukowski!
Go for the beer and that's it.
As a fomer hocker of craft brews i do looove pubs that have great micro and craft brews on tap, its a very needed community service which is drastically underserved.
Went with a friend for the El cheapo burger and pint lunch pitched as $3.
The food was bad, but it was a compilation of many little things that really surprised me, in a bad way.
I get and appreicate the cult-ness of this place and the sister one in inman.. the great beers, the Clash Albumn played in full while we were there but here are my beefs:
-the burger is crap... really bad frozen crap
-i ordered rare and friend mid rare.. both cooked through like a high school cafeteria
- halfway through my meal i went up to find the server/bartender to ask for bbq sauce for my burger... she delivered it.. later it was 95 cents on my bill
- they serve pepsi, not coke.. but never mentioned that when i ordered cokes
- bartender / server hates her life or job or both
- pink mealy tomatoe
friend and i each had the pittiful buger w/ fries. i had 2 cokes..er pepsis.. they charge for both, we had 2 12 oz ipas and the bill was $26! holy crap, for crap..
then NO CREDIT CARDS...
Props:
she gave me 3 limes with my coke,, er pepsi as i requested
fries were super hot
music
beer selection
grilled bun
nice offering of hottie new england chaps at the bar
Really good beer selection. Surprisingly clean ladies' room. Good music.
Wow. I was pleasantly surprised by Bukowski Tavern. I was expecting more of a scene, more of the stuff just around the corner on Boylston. But the atmosphere was nice, and they pay attention to the beer (using the right glass, etc.). I had a good time and will definitely be back.
Bukowski's is a great place for a beer lover. They had some great stuff that I've never heard of before. It's a bit small, but that's cool; it's far enough away from the big Boylston crowds to not get super-packed.
It's cash-only, so that kinda sucks, but there's an ATM right in the doorway, and prices are moderate. One of the cooler things about this place is they have a KICK-ASS jukebox. You won't hear any Fity-cent, Gin-and-Juice, Yippy Bow Wow stuff here. Just good, strong, hairy rock.
So why three stars? Before I even sat down for a drink, I was having a smoke and one of the first things one of the guys working the door told me was "I can't wait for it to start raining. Then half these schmucks will leave." I guess he didn't realize these schmucks are paying the rent.
This place tries to pretend it isn't pretentious....but it is. The bartender who served me acted like he was doing me a huge favor by bringing me an overpriced beer. Bunch of posers.
1) I've been drinking at Bukowski's tonight.
2) Reading these reviews is like switching back and forth between CNN and Fox News. You have the same basic information in each piece (country music, its loud, no credit cards, small, dark beer bar) and miraculously, people come up with drastically different takes.
3) I'll take CNN over Fox any day, though they both suck.
4) I do love Bukowki's. Good beer. Interesting crowd usually. Ok food. I decided that Bukowski's was it for me when hanging out there recently sipping beer and listening to old Willy Nelson. The music they play is often old, or understated or even ugly, and I love it all. I am a happy camper at Bukowski's.
Jeez i hate doin this. I usually leave the service out of most of my reviews because i understand a bad day... but this takes it. Ill start nice...
Food good decent price, peanut butter burger is tasty and they got good beer selection.
But.... HUGE EFFIN BUT...
Just cause they are trying to be this "non divebar" anti warm and fuzzy atmosphere does not give you an excuse to be bitch... Let me explain my own bitchy whiney comment.
Beer is 6.50 =not cheap
I ask for a beer i havent hear of before because it sounds interesting... I mispronounce it. She corrects me in a rude manner... thats fine i didnt comment...
she brings me my beer in a small kinda glass but HALF of it is FOAM! I was like wtf ... I was still pretty calm considering. Trying to think that maybe she just doesnt know how to poor and with fear that she would definitely fuck with our food if i spoke up.
So, keep in mind the place is empty and then comes this other party and they sit at the bar. They order the same beer...they get a big glass and poured correctly. hmmm. didnt want to scream racism (im an asian in a party with 3 mexicans) but come on! Give me a break! You can short me on fries. You can forget to fill my water, You can be late to take my order. BUT DONT FUCKIN SHORT ME ON MY BEER!!!
Diversified beer selection, good music, low key and friendly environment. Great burgers!
I'm a BIG fan of the cheap burgers and fries-deal they've got going on till 8 p.m. daily. For me, it was perfect-sized, cheesy, fries.. I was full. It's not comparable to a $30 burger, so why even try. It's amazing for what it was. The bar staff's always been friendly and quick (And one's cute!); and although I've yet to spin the beer wheel- I like to choose my beers off of it. The crowd's a little different than that I usually hang out with (I admit it), but that's why I love it. Great people, great times at this place.
*Cash only
I F'n love this place! I heard they had a great beer menu, and knew when I walked in with the Black Keys blasting over the speakers that I'd dig this place, but to my surprise their food is amazing as well. My GF and I split chick pea soup, the Shredded Beef Salad (yes, shredded ) and the fried plantains. It was amazingly good.
The beer menu is the best I've seen in Boston so far, and the prices are reasonable. I had 2 really good IPAs, as it is more of an afternoon beer. We had just been on Newbury St. and stumbled on Bukowski's. I knew it was in that "general" area, but didn't realize it is pretty much in a parking garage. It stood out like a beacon of hope and represented all that is good in the world.
Don't let the garage location sway you, it adds to the hipster dive character. I'd say the crowd is diverse and eclectic but not dangerous, at least not on a Saturday afternoon. The service was great, as I've read mixed reviews on that, I guess it depends on who you get. The only downside is Cash only. I had to use the Bukowski ATM, which charges you 2 dollars on top of your bank fees. That is a little antiquated, but in Boston cash is king still, and the credit card hasn't caught on yet at some places. My advice: Just plan ahead and bring your greenbacks. I think this is a place that can be a regular hang out for me, and I am glad my first visit was a positive one.
You really can't beat the Buck Burger (Mon-Fri before 8pm!), even though it's now $1.99. And fries are only a dollar more! They are great fries, too. Crisp and golden and perfectly salted. I'll miss you, Bukowski.
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Newton Center, MA
Neighborhood: Inman Square
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Back Bay
Category: Bars
Boston, MA
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Back Bay
Category: Bars
Boston, MA
Category: Bars
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