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Bukowski Tavern
Categories: Restaurants Nightlife Bars Pubs Restaurants, Pubs [Edit]
1281 Cambridge StCambridge, MA 02139
Neighborhood: Inman Square
(617) 497-7077
- Nearest Transit:
-
Cambridge St @ Prospect St (69)
Cambridge St @ Hampshire St (69)
Cambridge St @ Springfield St (69)
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
358 reviews for Bukowski Tavern
Review Highlights
-
"Their beer selection is out of this world." In 102 reviews -
"White trash cheese dip is addictive." In 14 reviews -
"but the sweet potato fries were delicious." In 31 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
358 reviews in English
-
Review from Gustavo C.
New Haven, CT
5/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This place is one of the best bars, not only in the Cambridge area, but all across the country.
Breakdown...
Beers:
Great selection, both on tap and in bottles.
Drinks:
Never had one I didn't like and bartenders aren't stingy with the liquor.
Food:
Best bar food ever. It is soooo good, creative and abundant.... it is unfair to call it "bar food". The menu changes regularly and they never shy away from adding a little "ethnic" element. Fried plantains, yuca, jerk chicken... are all amazing.
Service:
I love it when I can talk beer with my servers. They really know their shit. Just tell them what tickles and they'll bring you something good. Might even bring you samples if you ask for it/
Ambience:
TVs are always on with sports, so if you're looking for a "sports bar" you'll be happy here. But it's not a sports bar, so it's not obnoxious. Always a good crowd. Music can sometimes be pretty bad (...or maybe just too loud), which considering that the place carries the name of the great poet Charles Bulowski, you can't help imagining if he would enjoy it. I doubt it.
If only they would take credit cards........ :/ -
Review from Brian D.
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Back Bay Bukowski's spastic younger brother.
Home to lovers of beer, booze and all things grilled and fried.
A place for the weary to rest their feet, hooves and paws (I assume they serve horses and dogs at the bar, though I dare not make any guess about the table service).
One of my favorite places for random conversations. Of note, I recently spent several lengths of time debating the contemporary relevance of Pink Floyd's album Animals while binge drinking scotch and swill beer here. I did, honestly. The outcome of this debate has been sealed per a rather dubious court decision.
My only hang up with this bar is that they do not particularly care that I have a mug at the other (read that as the proper) Bukowski's. -
Review from Marcella G.
Waltham, MA
5/6/2012
giant mean bouncer
seat yourself
loud music
beeeeeeeer -
Review from Carol C.
Boston, MA
5/3/2012
The service is not good. I have been to this place several times and the bartender ( girl long hair not attractive) is rude, do not make eye contact or try to sell beers at all ( ok, all the times Ive been there , it was late night, mayeb she was tired.....welll, no excuses as well, I am a bartender myself!)
I ordered a nachos , which was SO small that my boyfriend and I had to split a burger.
Thumbs up for the beer selection but lacks a LOT in customer service in general...A HUGE shame because the location is great! -
Review from Dustin L.
Allston, MA
4/27/2012
I like the concept of this place but the food really isn't that good and the service leaves something to be desired. After sitting in a booth for 25 minutes, a waitress finally came over to ask if we were waiting on drinks........Uh no the bartenders are too busy discussing Star Wars and experimenting with bad drinks. But even after we ordered our two draft beers, we still waited at least 10 minutes to get them.
We then ordered food and again were left waiting.....Plus when it arrived it was warm to say the least and the taste just wasn't there.
This place may be cool to hipsters who want to slug PBR's and discuss Skrillex songs, but the service sucks and the food is sub par at best. Not a place you'll find me again. -
Review from Dara S.
Boston, MA
4/30/2012
Cash Only - boo. Bad service is usually a given, unless you sit at the bar, even then the bartenders are not friendly. I practically live across the street and still have no desire to visit. The food is less than average. It breaks my heart because I really enjoy Bukowskis on Dalton Street. #cambridgefail
-
Review from Theodore Y.
Brighton, MA
3/26/2012
Meggan was terrific in supplying my punk @$$ with delicious brews. I almost got full off her, because she provided some nice eye candy =)
I started off with the Lion Stout which was an amazing dark imperial stout. Then I just had her pick brew after brew for me, which all hit the spot.
I'm giving this place 5-stars for the beer, -1 star because the half rack of PBR onion rings cost 4 bux ofr 5-6 rings. That's some heavy dough to put out for onion and batter! The California Burger hit the spot though!
One last thing, we tried to play credit card roulette, but the place only accepts straight cash - homie! haha -
Review from Dor Z.
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you are young, want to grab a drink, and live near Inman Square, you will probably frequent Bukowski. This place has a cool, slightly-hipster/artsy vibe, complete with a tattooed staff and Bukowski-inspired art painted on the walls. They have a wonderful beer selection and great service. I prefer to come here on the later side, when it's not packed shoulder-to-shoulder.
Be forewarned, they play their music pretty loud (even for a bar) and they are CASH ONLY.
Reason why I'll come back: their giant "wheel o'beer" that will help you out if you can't decide on a drink order! -
Review from Greg C.
Dedham, MA
2/15/2012
I had to write a review for this place because I was shocked it only had 3 stars. This is one of my favorite bars in Boston or Cambridge. It's buddy on Boylston is right up there as well, but the one in Inman is bigger and easier to find a spot to relax.
The beer selection has been well documented here so I'll address some of the other concerns seen in these reviews. The music is loud but always GOOD. They'll go through a wide range of artists, but they're committed to playing full albums, uninterrupted, beginning to end. The music snobs out there ought to love this place.
You won't try the Peanut Butter Burger. Nah nah, you'd be too wussy to try it...
It's not a place to meet girls or dance, but it's an awesome spot to meet with friends and get drunk sitting down. -
Review from Aboud Y.
Cambridge, MA
3/5/2012
Not much I like about this place. Not bad in the summer when they open their windows and you can bask in the Cambridge street ambiance.
-
Review from Nanette S.
Cambridge, MA
3/23/2012
Open windows are great. Service was okay ; got worse as it got crowded. Sweet potato fries are good,burgers too. Had a spinach salad with ahi tuna. Would have been great except for crust. Really salty, almost in edible.
-
Review from Glenn N.
Cambridge, MA
3/14/2012
There's a good variety of beer, but it's tough to try it because the service is spotty at best.
-
Review from Lucy B.
Somerville, MA
10/23/2011
I've been to Bukowski's three or four times now just because it's convenient and it's the only restaurant in Inman square with semi-outdoor seating. The food is mediocre, but the service is terrible!! I was there yesterday for lunch and despite the fact that we were one of three tables in an empty restaurant, the waitress was unfriendly from the start and acted annoyed and put upon the whole time.
We had our dog with us and tried to tie her to our table because we were sitting right next to the street. At first we couldn't get the waitresses' attention to ask if this was ok, but then she came over and, instead of letting us know nicely, she told us to move our dog in the bitchiest way possible. She only started trying to smile and be semi-polite closer to the time that we paid because she wanted a tip. It was really the worst service I've ever experienced. Not coming here again! -
Review from Sarah G.
8/22/2011
You can almost always find some space to grab a beer at this bar in Inman. There isn't anything really too special about it--it is a bar, with food and booze. Their food is supposed to be quite amazing including $2 burgers every weekday until 8pm, so that is my next how to eat out on a grad student stipend eating experience, but their menu does look to be a little more inventive than the average bar, so they have that going for them.
And on nice days, the whole front of this bad boy is open air, and if you are lucky enough like I am to snag a table there, you are made for a nice little drinking session. Too bad they are cash only....I just don't see how a bar this big with food that is not all $2 in price like their burgers could be cash only....True they have an atm in the back, but most banks charge, and that just adds onto the prices of their drinks, which is no bueno. But you can tell that everyone in there is definitely having a good time, and for a new inman square transplant, I know I will definitely be drinking here quite a bit :-) -
Review from Jessica B.
West Newton, MA
10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I think my IRL Yelping friend Eve L. summed it up well in her review, "Go to the fucking suburbs if you want it to be quiet." Thanks, Eve, I will do my best to stay in the suburbs, I hate ear bleed. ;)
I'd love to review the beer or food but with 60 degree temps and the bartender intent on keeping the entire street-facing wall open, I froze my butt off and split. I asked the bartender when he closed the wall and he said, "When enough people complain." Nice.
Be warned, if any guy tells you he's really into Charles Bukowski, it probably means he'll leave skid marks on your sheets. -
Review from Ed M.
10/17/2011
CASH ONLY
So remember that time you went out with a group of friends and you were that jerk who had no idea the place was cash only until the check came? That was funny a couple days later, but man, what a jerk you felt like, am I right?
CASH ONLY
So they are cash only, as I learned the hard way. I totally paid those guys back and stuff.
They have a lot more space in there than you would think while walking by as you wander through Inman Square. The beer selection is nice and normal prices for said beers. The staff was pretty good about coming back to the table as someone finished a beer and seemed nice enough. Will have to go back and try the food, and totally stop at an ATM on the way there. -
Review from Ben E.
Cambridge, MA
8/15/2011
It's a cool bar/tavern but could we please please please take credit cards. This place is a Cambridge staple and is always packed. I know it's not for lack of funds that you guys don't take plastic.
Seriously what is it with these hipster places in cambridge that are cash only.
Cash only really irks me! -
Review from Particular P.
Boston, MA
3/4/2012
I have to admit I have a soft spot for Bukowskis in Inman. The service is okay and the food is pretty good, but what gets me is the great beer selection and reasonable prices. How can you not like that?
-
Review from Anne W.
9/8/2011
This is a place that I know well as it is around where my friends live. I have been here a few times. Somehow, I am just not a fan. I am reviewing this place based on their drinks.. and when I say drinks, I am saying their alcoholic drinks. They are all pretty lousy.. not too alcoholic, not tasty, and the service takes forever.
I just like places that have a nice balance of beer and alcoholic drinks.
Oh.. and cash only. Euw. -
Review from Jared S.
6/28/2011
Came in on a Friday around 7PM on my walk back to Union Sq with the wifey from Central Sq where we went to the fabulous Green Street Grill. So we were already a little buzzed when we arrived. We were hoping to grab a seat in East Coast Grill, or really anywhere else in Inman, but Bukowski was the only place without a line out the door. And now I know why.
The interior reminded me of a Bennigans. Nothing about this place says "serious bar" at all. The bar stools were even bolted to the floor. Ugh.
They have a good selection of local beers on tap. But the prices are pretty outrageous @ $5+ per draught. And NOTHING from Portland, ME. I love me a Shipyard or Peak Organic or Allagash. They even had NY and PA beers. But nothing from ME. Disappointing.
The wifey, not being a beer drinker, ordered her usual rum and diet, and got a glass of diet coke with ice. Definitely no liquor in it. Now, I know, it's a beer bar...but they have a full bar. If they don't intend on mixing a proper cocktail, they shouldn't even bother stocking liquor.
Oh yeah, cash only. I hate that. Especially at a place that serves food. It's 20-freaking-11, get with the program, no one carries cash anymore. And it's not like they are passing the savings from CC commissions on to you, the customer. If it was cash only and $3/beer, I'd go for it...maybe.
My suggestion is to avoid this place. -
Review from Greg D.
Middlesex, MA
8/27/2011
This place would be 5 stars if the took credit cards and used a bug bomb to clear out the hipsters.
They have a wide menu of beer, which ranges from the high end to Delicious cheap beer that I am such a trashy whore for.
This is defiantly more of a local hang out then a destination bar, it is a good starting out point in the night ( a really good date place if you have another one later in the night or late night friend).
The location is pretty good, if you are in that hood. It has a kind of diners feel with the booths, but the long bar and high tops defiantly give this place plenty of room.
I love coming here to make fun of peoples bad tattoos and skinny jeans which enjoying some tasty beer. Defiantly try the Beer Wheel. -
Review from Andria L.
Cambridge, MA
2/3/2012
Great beer bar with constant rotating high end drafts! Each time I step foot in here I am the furthest away from disappointment possible! The only downfall is that it's a cash only bar! Other than that with the windows lifting up during the nice weather and the best vegetarian chili cheese nachos I've ever had the privilege of tasting.. This place is solid!
-
Review from Maggie P.
San Luis Obispo, CA
9/19/2011
As a person from California, I get pretty excited when I find beer on the menu that I can't get on the west coast. I get pretty excited when a place sells half pints so that I can try more than one beer before a friend needs to carry me away from the bar.
Service. A little slow.
Atmosphere. A little dark and loud. I think they had two TVs, but they played good movies like the Shawshank Redemption (or at least had it on a channel that played good movies). And this was pretty distracting. I mean, I don't want to go to a bar to watch a movie. I want to drink beer and chat with friends, otherwise I would stay home.
Food. Well, sweet potato fries smelled good, but I didn't have any.
Downsides. It's named after a not-so-nice man, so I hear, beat poet aside. Cash only, and an ATM with extortion fees. -
Review from Jacque M.
Watertown, MA
9/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cool place, although the original in Back Bay is cozier.
I haven't eaten here, but they have a great beer selection.
Cool crowd. Mix of people. -
Review from Kacie M.
Boston, MA
This is more like a 3.5 star review. First off, it is LOUD in here. I had a hard time hearing my friends, and we were seated at a table at 7 pm on a weekday. I knew that they didn't take credit cards because of Yelp and got some cash beforehand, but if I hadn't known I would have been very annoyed at having to use the ATM in the restaurant. Our service was good, until we wanted to get our bill. Then it took about 15 minutes to find our waitress.
The food itself was pretty good. I had the macaroni and cheese with bacon and it was very rich and cheesy with a good amount of bacon in it. One friend got the fish and chips and the soup of the day, which was chicken and egg noodle soup. The fish was massive and would definitely have been enough of a meal on its own. He said that it was good, but that the breading was too thick. We all tried the soup, which was good but very spicy. It's not normally what you'd expect from chicken noodle soup, and it would have been nice if the menu had mentioned the spiciness.
All in all, the food was good and I wouldn't be opposed to returning, but I wouldn't exactly put up a fight to come back. -
Review from Mary M.
Boston, MA
10/11/2011
If you like:
*Remedial art work by local painters
*Slow, distracted wait staff
*Not being able to pay with a credit card
*ATMs that charge you $2.00 to use
*Paying a disgustingly high price for sub-par food (EIGHT DOLLARS FOR A BASKET OF FRIES???)
*Not being able to hear anyone because they're playing beauties like REM and BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB
*Foul bathrooms
...Then this is the place for you!
They get two stars because I've seen worse. I've gone back several times and every time I always promise myself never again. This place needs to get their act together. Charles Bukowski would NEVER step foot in this place that reeks of overpriced beers and college students. -
Review from Steve K.
Somerville, MA
8/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Bukowski's may be your generic looking "bar" from the outside, but they have an amazing craft beer selection, a full "beer wheel" if you are confused or want to roll the dice, and a great "big beer" gimic going on inside. I love their beer selection, they have all my favorite whiskeys and the service at the bar is always quick.
They are getting 4 stars from me for the bar, bar staff, and drink selection alone. Not to mention their drink prices are great for the location.
I have yet to eat here, so until I do and have a chance to review the food I will say this...
If I'm going to be drinking in Inman Sq, this is the place I'm going to be. -
Review from Dan T.
Somerville, MA
1/30/2012
If I was 25, I'd love this place. But then again...if I was 25, I wouldn't be able to handle a cash only place. Food is good. Couple of surprises, but generally do the standards.
There is one reason to go here: The beer list. Amaaaaaazing beer list.
If you want to wash some Nachos down with a fantastic beer or three, this is the spot to go. -
Review from Nick L.
Cambridge, MA
6/10/2011
I have very fond memories of Bukowskis from a few years back, but it seems to be going seriously downhill. Service was slow, but that's somewhat excusable for a Friday night. Several beers on their beer list were not available, but the waiter didn't know that until we ordered and waited for 10 minutes for drinks that never came. Then of course we consulted the menu again, waited for our server to reappear, and waited for the beer. Rinse and repeat throughout the evening.
Prices on drinks are on the high side, especially considering they advertise specific volumes (serving size: 16oz.) on the menu and then serve beers with 3-4 fingers of head. I complained to the bartender about the pour, who said it was company policy to serve drinks that way, and pointed me to the manager. The manager tried to convince me that 3-4 fingers of head in a pint glass was a proper pour. I can't blame the bartender if their boss is ridiculous, but I can't believe that the management is trying to sell a cost saving measure (15-20% less beer per pour) as a feature of their extensive beer knowledge.
Whatever. There are too many good places around to waste my time here. I am sorry it's not what it used to be, though. -
Review from Haley T.
6/20/2011
Awesome veggie-friendly bar food? check.
Awesome beer selection? check.
Sweet huge window they take down in fair weather? double check.
But the downside is that this place is seriously LOUD. I don't mind a bit of loud music, but this place is loud enough that a shouted conversation isn't possible on weekend nights. So I skip it. -
Review from Josh W.
Somerville, MA
12/1/2011
Mediocre food, gross bathrooms, a lingering odor of farts and a good beer list. That is all, I doubt I will return.
-
Review from Wendy K.
Somerville, MA
7/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Before I say anything else, Bukowski is a CASH ONLY bar! I always forget...
I have been to Bukowski a handful of times, and have only ordered one thing the past few times: the Peanut Butter Burger. Bukowski does it right with the peanut butter all melty and delicious on the burger patty (I've been elsewhere where they spread it on the bun, but then it just sticks to the roof of your mouth and doesn't melt :( ). If you love PB, get this burger, and put a little ketchup on it. You won't regret it - the salty with the sweet is fantastic!
Today, I ordered a delightful beer as well - the Blanche de Bruxelles. It was light and had a nice clean finish. Citrusy and perfect for summer. -
Review from Kasia W.
Providence, RI
7/31/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I love Bukowski's! Pretty good food, AWESOME beer list, and Hank is all over the walls, what's not to dig? It's a lot of fun and the staff is pretty awesome to boot.
The only real drawback is how loud the place can get. -
Review from Erin C.
Somerville, MA
12/25/2010
Fun theme, good burgers, and great selection of beer.
Not-so-secret secret: They have a wheel o'beer you can spin if you're not sure what you want to drink. Just watch out for the PBR!
More-secret secret: You can get a happy hour burger until 8 pm on weeknights*. A decent burger for under $2? Awesome.
*Note: Unfortunately, this is just a plain burger, not any burger off their menu -
Review from Liz A.
Boston, MA
4/21/2011
I'm a big fan of Back Bay location - great beer list, good food, nice people. 4 stars for them.
Inman was a huge disappointment. The drinks and food were fine (when we could get them) but the service was the worst I've ever had, anywhere. Period. No silverware, no condiments offered for our burgers and hotdogs, no refills for water, no coming by to see if we wanted a second or third round of beers, and no check for so long that we seriously considered walking out (something I've never done in my life). No courtesy either: we finally had to ask for the check and it got slammed down on the table without a word. Two cokes *finally* got refilled after we asked and we were charged double for the refills. I know times are tough in the restaurant business, but come on!
If you're seated at one of Ali's tables, you might as well save your money and walk right back out the door. Spend it at Back Bay instead - take my word for it. -
Review from Nick P.
Lancaster, MA
6/23/2011
WARNING: Walking in here expecting anything in the vain of Charles Bukowski besides the fact that they have alcoholic beverages is A.) An automatic disappointment. and B.) The wrong way to go about life anyways!
Bukowski, the man, jokes aside, this trendy tavern is not worth the hassle it involves to experience it. The food IS creative and enjoyable for the most part. As most of my fellow Yelpers have already divulged, the service is daycare level, it can get unbearably crowded, and the prices don't do much for the overall score.
I'm not a "scathing review" type of guy...I would still recommend Bukowski's to people if they are in the area.
P.S.- It would have taken them way to long to get Charles another drink to keep him there very long. -
Review from April S.
Allston, MA
12/8/2010
The worst service I've EVER had. Rude and bad at everything. Don't go here. Ever.
Didn't try the food because of being treated so poorly. First by the douche doorman and then ignored by the bartender. Want to sit and eat? Too bad, no one here cares.
Have some self respect and do your job well.
The bukowski's in back bay could teach you a thing or 1000.
Charles Bukowski would have wasted his time writing about you. -
Review from Jeremy S.
Somerville, MA
6/4/2011
I used to be down on Bukowski because the beer was overpriced and the service was consistently slow. But, last week was the first time I ever tried the food--other than the cheap burgers and hot dogs they churn out during their secret happy hour, that is.
Turns out, Bukowski fires up some delectable treats. The unique items on their "specials" menu are truly deserving of the adjective, which is more than you can say about most Boston pubs. My girlfriend and I shared the Korean-ish wings, which were full of original flavor and came served with a side of tasty kimchi that was far better than the standard celery and blue cheese fair.
The turkey sausage on a bun with plantains and pepper jack cheese is as ludicrously scrumptious as it sounds. The plantains were crispy, the cheese had some kick, and the sausage dripped with flavor.
This brief dinner completely altered my feelings about Bukowski. The beer is still a bit too pricey, but at least they've got a great selection (and some awesome food to boot). -
Review from Christine S.
Cambridge, MA
7/10/2011
Bukowski's is a fun bar! It's got good bar food and good drinks- tons of beers. My personal experience was underwhelming, but others in my party (which was large to begin with and much to the dismay of the very accommodating waitstaff continued to grow as the night progressed) loved it.
I ordered the veggie burger because I'd heard rave reviews. It turned out to be sub-par. Actually, it was pretty terrible...soggy and flavorless. Also, they brought out one meal 15 minutes (no exaggeration) before all the others, which was sort of awkward.
Great place for groups or to grab a drink with friends. Not a destination for good food. However, if you've gotta eat while you're there, I recommend the chilli! Yum! Not the veggie burger. Ick! -
Review from Shendi X.
Boston, MA
9/27/2011
I've not read much Bukowski, and I doubt I will begin: this "tavern" was certainly more commercial in appearance than I had anticipated it would be, though the original artwork and retro design was charming - you might call it kitschy cute.
