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Category: Pubs
654 Beacon StKenmore (Green)
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After a fun adventure at 5 Wits, we headed over to Cornwall's for a round of pool and some pub food, which is one of my biggest weaknesses. (Good thing I'm not a superhero.) We got to the door and were for our ID's by... James Dean?? Wow. This guy looks a LOT like James Dean. Turns out he was the bartender - nice guy, too. I cannot for the life of me remember what his name was, but he was very accommodating and I didn't feel like I had to work too hard to get his attention.
This place was great for a chill hangout on a Saturday evening. Granted, we were there early, so there were plenty of pool tables available. We ordered our food at the bar, and James Dean brought it right out to us which was awesome.
The ambience was very chill, with no pretension to be felt anywhere. The game room is stocked with a few pool tables, dart boards, and a Big Buck Hunter arcade for your enjoyment.
I don't know what this place is like later in the evening, but when we left at 10:30pm to go catch a movie, it was not crowded at all - which was quite pleasant for a change.
Any place that lets you play uno, battleship, monopoly or any other amazing board game while drinking, deserves three stars. That is just awesome. Plus, this place supplies the games too!
Definitely a big typical English pub--really nothing too special other than how big it is for being on the street across from the Kenmore stop. There are pool tables and a big bar and darts...
BUT this place when you first walk in just smells badly. And by badly I mean kind of like pee....ya....not so great for putting you in the mood to kick some butt on uno!! Just get a drink (their mixed drinks come in pint glasses here which is a total plus) and then soon enough you won't smell that pee smell too much longer....that is if your wait staff person ever brings you your drink--service is a bit on the slow side, but maybe that is because they were smelling that urine smell all night--that would make me operate more slowly too!
But the smell aside, the drinks are strong, the beers are always from fresh taps and I hear that the food is actually pretty tasty here. It is a laid back pub to stumble into after a game or while you kill time until that last T train of the night (dumb boston for having the T close so early in the first place!!) and at least with the strength of the drinks here you will end on a high note!! And you will end on a double high note if you manage to beat me at Uno, because yes, I just am that good at that game. :-)
You know, I had a great time at this place when I went in over the summer. Pool, bar-food, reasonable drink prices.
Once the school year started, it was packed full of college students and add red sox season and you'd be lucky to find a seat. *As with most places in the Kenmore area.
Cornwalls is a pretty standard pub, great for meeting up with folks for a quick few pints before heading on your merry way.
Went there in my pinstripes after attending a Red Sox vs. Yankees game at Fenway Park. The Yankees got spanked and I needed a drink. I was treated by two of my Red Sox buddies which was surprising but hey, I took it.
Entered and despite a few stairs, no one gave me a hard time which is something that was actually pretty surprising. The beers were cold and we even managed to find seating. The place has food as well but we didn't order any.
Although it's a fairly generic bar, especially in a city like Boston, I found Cornwall's to be pretty good. It's nearly always packed but there's always room there and you never feel too cramped. They have an area with pool tables and the staff is experienced and serve everyone quickly. A good go-to place in the Kenmore area. I liked it a lot. Good luck trying to park though.
Its never TOO crowded.
The food is alright
Beer selection is good
They have pool tables...
Sounds like a good night to me.
Cornwall's is a solid establishment. It's big enough to meet up with friends, there's pool, darts and board games for entertainment, great beers on tap and a welcoming environment. The staff is friendly and it's never too crowded. Always a great choice for coming here to hang with friends when you're in the Kenmore area.
For several years now, Cornwalls has been my go -to bar for almost any occasion. The staff has been the same over the years, and they always seem to remember me down to the very beer I order.
They have a wide variety of activities ranging from pool to darts to board games. The whole place has a very comfy feel to it, and the comfort food they serve is excellent. I highly recommend the burgers.
It can occasionally get crowded on Red Sox game days, but not to the point where you'd want to leave. My friends and I rarely have trouble getting a table.
Definitely worth checking out if you're in the Kenmore area. A fun bar that makes everyone feel at home and relaxed.
Food was decent, company I had was excellent, waitress was quirky but not in a bad way...
...they were out of a number of items, but it didn't really infringe on our dining experience.
Just giving this one an A-OK... typical restaurant/bar - nothing really special about it... but I could see how it'd be a good place to catch the game, have some food, drink some drinks, and then still be close enough to Fenway to partake in any debauchery that ensues from the game, but not close enough that you have to fight your way out of that area to catch the T home.
Beware of food poisoning!!! My friends and I ate here and we all got violently ill a few hours later. I checked with the Boston Board of Health and was told that this establishment is under investigation and has been cited repeatedly for health code violations. Eat here at your own risk.
Cornwall's is like Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. The Jekyll is the awesome bartenders who learn your name, your drink and remember both even when you've been away a while. The Hyde? The horrific wait-staff, mediocre to bad food, and awful layout leading to ridiculous crowding at the bar. I went here religiously each week for over a year, but after a while, I just had to say enough when I had one waitress scold me for rocking back in my chair to get her attention after she ignored our table of eight for more than 20 minutes.
If I were going just for a beer at the bar, I wouldn't hesitate. But when you sit down to a table, Cornwall's loses its luster.
Oh the long nights I spent at Cornwalls! A few years ago I would go and spend hours here after I got off work. My friends and I would all gather on the patio, where they could chain smoke thier cigarettes as much as they wanted while still being in a convenient location drinking all the beer we could want.
The thing I love about Cornwalls is the atmosphere. Come here a few nights a week, and the bartenders will get to know you. You definitely can get that neighborhood feel here. While not rare for a pub, very rare for the Kenmore area. It's one of the few places on a night when there is a game in town, it doesn't feel like you are immediately overrun with people just in town to watch the Sox. There is a good mix of people but mostly a younger crowd.
Excellent find! My boy and I were looking for a place to get a couple of beers and play a few rounds of pool after work, did some research on Yelp, and ended up biking here around 9. They had a whole wall shelf filled with tons of board games, dart games, and three pool tables.
Boy says that there's an excellent beer selection, many foreign and domestic brews I haven't heard of. They also sell half-pints at slightly under $4, which I thought would be great for trying out new beers. Most food items were priced around $9-11. The menu is small, but covers base pretty well in terms of bar food fare/sandwich/burgers. Both the bartender and our waiter were attentive, and we loved that our nachos came with salsa, sour cream, AND salsa con queso! Almost every table that we walked by in the bar had a plate of those.
I can definitely see that this place would be crowded on weekends, sox game nights or when BU is in session, just due to the nature of the location. But for me, this seems to be an amazing place for a low-key, fun and relaxing weekday night out with friends for catching up! We can't stop raving about it and will definitely go back many times.
Somebody fill me in on what the hell happened with this place.
We walked in after the game on Sat. found a table to accommodate a large party and promptly given menus. Off to a great start.
Some time after the menus we put in a drink order, they were out of my selection, bummer. We were also told they were only serving less than half of the food from the menu. Only burgers, no apps, no salads, etc. We were definitely disappointed as we wanted chicken tenders and other apps. etc.
Well we would have ordered burgers if ever given the chance but we never saw the server again. When one member of group flagged her down and asked to order food she was told, "Um, if you wait 10 mins I can get you chips and salsa." Denied on ordering any food??? Obviously we could see the one cook, the one bartender, and the one server were the only employees. So they were short staffed.
I did see other people ordering and receiving food, so why were we denied? I guess I am glad we didn't order food because the burgers that were made sat out for a while before the one and only server picked them up. The cook was also working as the dish washer. Yummy!
I just don't understand why were given menus if we couldn't order, or why other people could order, and why it was a huge cluster-f in there, but still packed?
Cornwall is my imaginary British boyfriend, serving me black n' blue(s) all evening: Guinness atop blueberry ale delight, right after a Red Sox game. The menu has detailed descriptions of the beers which is useful for trying new types.
This place is probably okay if you don't have to interact with the people that work there. The owners and staff are some of the rudest, most disrespectful people I have ever encountered.
When you treat and degrade your customers the way the owners at Cornwall's do, you can't possibly manage to stay in business for very long. Restaurants/bars are about service.
There are plenty of other places in Kenmore - spend your money elsewhere!
$5.50 for a Miller Light! Food is meh and decor is mass-produced, generic "pub" style. Staff is nice, but not nice enough to make me want to come back.
I enjoy this place. I mean what can go wrong when you have board games, amazing fries, a chill location, great bartenders, darts, pool tables, and more. Oh MY! The bar is homey and makes you wants to come back. It isn't loud so you can have a conversation while playing a boardgame, if you get there early enough you can even grab a table! It has a wide array of people, so it's not just college kids every night. The only downside, the kitchen closes at 9:30 or 10, which sucks for a person who loves to drink and eat at the same time. The choices are limited for food, but the burgers were good I hear, and the drinks are made really well. I had the best mixed drinks since moving to boston, perfect ratio.
I'm just saying, for a chill night of takin' names at board games, this is the place.
great food. burgers to die for and a great selection of beer and booze.
The owners John & Pam are the best. They make you feel at home.
many board games to play while you eat or drink.
Cornwall's is hands down one of my favorite bars in Boston. How can you beat great beer selection, $5 pint glass sized mixed drinks and solid food? Plenty of space for large groups and the service is often spotty, but always friendly. My only complaint is there are never enough French fries with my sandwiches (try the Pub Sandwich) but I guess I don't need to eat an entire day's worth of calories via fried potatoes anyway. Overall, absolutely love this bar. I have lots of great memories at Cornwall's and love bringing new people to check it out.
Can't say enough good things about Cornwalls!
I'm so lucky this place is right down the street from my apartment. It's got the best bartenders around, a rotating selection of awesome beers and really great prices. It's big, with something for everyone - if you need entertainment there's darts, pool, music & board games, and if you just want a good ol' fashioned pub, there are plenty of tables to sit around at and shoot the sh**.
Note that they're closed on Sundays whenever the Red Sox aren't playing at home.
This is gauche in Boston, but I'm going to say it anyway: I would like for Cornwall's to be my Cheers. Specifically, in the amazing 80's sitcom sense, not the crappy tourist trap sense--does that help with the gauche factor?
Cornwall's is a great neighborhood bar serving a strong contingent of BU students, Kenmore Sq. and Fenway residents. Really strong beer list and excellent collection of board games, and billiards. It is a very fun place with weird murals, plentiful animal heads and other weird trappings of pub style Boston. I'm totally into it.
Cornwall's is an English pub on the side of Kenmore Square which very few people have any business being on (the non-Fenway side). Cornwall's doesn't really give people a reason to cross the street. My friend and I ordered some nachos and a chicken sandwich. Sandwich had stale bread, dry chicken, soggy bacon, and unseasoned fries. Nachos were slathered with cheap cheese and soaked by the time they put them in front of us. We boxed the stuff up, but ended up leaving the stuff behind anyways.
games in the back, but
so many BU students-
still cool kenmore bar
Cornwalls is probably my favorite bar in Boston due to numerous factors: Fuller's London Pride on tap, just downstairs from my best friends' condo, and the friendly atmosphere the staff creates. JR, Billy and Ben sling delicious beers behind the bar, and the lovely ladies bring food on demand.
The food is great and has improved over the years.
I disagree with others that it's a college bar--every time I go (unless post Red Sox) it's filled with late twenty/early thirty-somethings.
Anyway, it's the best. Love it, and especially the lovely terrier pictures from dog shows past.
Not sure what bar that last couple reviewers were at, but I mostly go to this bar because the employees *are* so cool about everything. I think since the very first time I went there, they memorized my favorite drink... And watching when other people arrive, I'm definitely not alone. Their drinks are normally poured by the time they walk in the door and saddle up on a stool. This is how I imagine the real Cheers.
Yeah, game nights can get a little crazy in there, but it's near Fenway. What do you expect?
Burgers are delicious.
I've been here a number of times. I'm a fan.
The good. There is a good beer selection. For the most part, the place does not attract the pretentious types. There are three pool tables and a dart board. Restrooms are reasonably clean. Apparently the food is rather good. They have a change machine.
The bad. It would be nice if the pool tables were $.50 instead of $1.00 per game. The cues have been getting a little run down as of late. They really should invest in some new darts and score boards for their dart board. One time I had an issue with overcharging, but they fixed it (check your bill before paying).
Conclusion. Great place to hang out. Get there earlier in the evening if you want to secure a pool table without the headache of challenging people. Try the food, I hear it's decent.
Favorite bar, favorite bartenders, favorite place to play pool
Stopped by for a bit last night, had a quick beer, and had to run. I was impressed by the place - the food smelled fantastic, and they had Allegash White, my favorite drink-at-any-time beer. Nice atmosphere, laid back, and not so loud you couldn't talk to neighbors at table. Good service, nice bartenders, and they seated our large group easily, with no eye rolling.
Though they lost points for the Allegash being in a bottle, and for the overall expense of the drafts, and I'll probably go again to try some of their food.
It's summer and ask if they got any fresh catch!
My lad(he is British) and I are Friday regulars who always order Fish 'n Chips. And bartenders always let us know when they have fresh catch.
The other night, they had very fresh clams. I am not a big fan of fried clam, but boy.... it was so f-in' tasty.... It was the best fried clam I have ever had. It was meaty, juicy..... heaven.....
I love this place, because :
1. The owner/Chef is very serious about the food and delivers fantastic…
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You know when you walk into a bar and it feels like an awesome laid back party at someones house? Well that is Cornwall's!
Come with a group of friends for pool or the board games in back, or grab a seat at the bar and chat with the uber friendly bar tenders. Chat it up with JR, Billy (the awesome guys that work there/own) or Ben and you are guaranteed a night of entertainment by making you drinks with names like the "Hot Pants"! They also have great beers on tap, esp for people who like craft stuff. Its the kind of place where you can grab a seat at the bar and by the end of the night have made friends with everyone around you!
My roommates and I hold Taboo tournaments here and its great because we can show-up in anything from a fancy dress to basically pjs (I have not actually ever worn pjs, but know I could!) and still feel totally comfortable. Taboo is definitely MUCH better when you are drinking delicious cold beer and yelling out descriptions in the middle of a bar!
So, make sure to check out the very back where all the games are! Its especailly fun when you and friends are slightly intoxicated and decide to go rummage for a game to play! That back little area that is great for large groups or parties has seen some crazy days from sorority girls riding each others backs in charades to a tense games of operation!
*My smoker friends especially like this establishment on rainy/snowy days because their patio is covered, so you can smoke without getting wet!
*They have a quarter machine, so if you live in the area and need more quarters, stop in, have a beer while the cycle washes and then head back home quarters in hand!
Decent place in Kenmore for a cold beer and a burger.. Younger crowd, especially during the Sox season ....Watch the wet floor with beer!! Parking's a bitch
I finally went in last night with a bunch of people after living close by for two years. I have not tried any of their food items so I'm basing this review on just the atmosphere aka I'm a lame person who didn't try their food.
I think its a fun place to go and unwind with friends. They have a lot of board games (life, monopoly, taboo etc.) which is unbeatably the best thing you can do when you're slightly off it. They also have 2-3 pool tables which are full most of the time. Of course, you could stand on the players heads and they'll eventually give up. I doubt they play around with the beer list a lot although they do have a wide selection of tap beer. Their chicken wings (or fingers?!) and fries looked delish. The server was friendly and kept a check on our drinks throughout the night. They have outdoor seating for people who might want to grab a beer and go out to get a smoke, a difference from most bars in Boston.
Although the beer selection is nothing compared to Sunset Grill up Comm. Ave., Cornwall's does hold its own as a casual place when you want to grab a drink or two and relax. Best times to go are non-game season times. Doh.
On nights during the school year (this pub is basically on the outskirts of BU campus), the left section of Cornwall's smells a bit like.... a dirty bathroom. It could be because they chose to have the bathroom in the central area right across the bar, but who knows. I've been here five or six times, and except for the first time I went, the interior smells faintly of stale beer and/or old urine. Not pretty.
But there are of course things I like:
1) A decent selection of British ales!
2) The dollar pool tables! And high stools!
3) There are board games!
The board games are often incomplete, but there's fun to be found in making do with what's in the box and coming up with alternatives.
Don't bring your parents here on visiting weekend, but perhaps hang out with friends in the less smelly side - where the billiards is.
One of my favorite hangouts. You know how on Friends they all chillax at Central Perk!??! Cornwall's is kinda my Central Perk but with suds.
I remember when C's was on the other side of Comm Ave but then it burned down. It's a family-owned establishment so I was glad when they got back on their feet and rebuilt across the street a few years back.
Decent grub, a good selection of beers, darts, and friendly staff are all present at Cornwall's. I love this place because it's different than the other Kenmore Sq/ Fenway hangouts. It's casual, comfy, cheap (but not in a dive bar way) and I feel like it is still a hidden gem. I love that there are a variety of board games stashed in the back of the bar too -- anything from Chutes & Ladders to Taboo to Scrabble. It's so fun watching your friends try to play board games when intoxicated!!! Anyway, I was so excited when they expanded and added the pool tables and the patio.
And arguably what may even be better than the board games is that 99% of the time I get carded here in the evenings. That shows me A. they think I look young and B. they really care at Cornwall's!
If you go on a Red Sox day the menu is very abbreviated and the staff is too busy to pay attention to you and you generally won't get what one would normally expect on a burger. Also, the overly hassled staff may mix up your order for someone else's and the kitchen may forget to make a burger or something. But hey - if any other restaurant were that busy and crowded they'd have the same issue.
The food for lunch is good if a bit pricey. It's not great, but it is at least good. Cornwall's is a pub more than a restaurant, though, and they do have a rather large selection of alcoholic beverages. I think they did give the people who ordered burgers lettuce and tomato on a non-Red Sox day but I had the french dip and so wasn't paying attention. I've not gone for dinner.
Fun place to go with friends for a night out. Stopped in on a Friday night and it wasn't too packed. Love that they have games and pool! Good service and even though they were no longer serving food our waitress brought by a lot of snack mix. I will definitely be back - hopefully earlier so I can try a burger.
Bleu Cheese Burger and a pint of Smithwick's. Enough said!
Oh boys, i miss all three of you. Ben, JR and Billy have seen me through many late nights, birthdays and even my long awaited Grad party.
I havent been over as much as i would like recently. A move out of the area and a new promotion make it impossible to maintain the same social life i once had, but I owe this place big time.
This place has the unique ability to feel like home to so many people. Everyone I know loves this place and all it has to offer. They have pool, darts, a large beer selection and a collection of dedicated, friendly and creative staff. They are more than happy to accomodate both locals and the rowdy fenway crowd. I dont even have the words to say how much i love this place and how much i miss it since my life turned busy. Hope to see everyone there soon, this place goes on my short list of Boston favs!
This place has a lot going for it - diverse and lively group, GREAT drinks, rad board games, covered outdoor patio, and cool bartenders/wait staff. It feels like an unpretentious British pub. I agree with the previous reviewer that the mixed drinks are superb. They also make them in a big glass so you don't have to order a new drink (and spend money) every 15 minutes. My only negatives would be the limited menu and the sub par veggie burger I ate. Despite this, I would definitely go back and look forward to another fun game night at Cornwall's. Kenmore is lucky to have this pub.
Cornwall's is one of those places I should hate ( a "pub" that isn't dirty with a central/chic location, etc) But I love it here. The menu is solid, the frat boy population is almost non-existent, and no one has ever sat down and tried to talk to me about the Red Sox (It's nothing personal guys, I'm just not a sports fan in general)
I'd recommend something, but really, it's all good. The staff is friendly, and the surroundings are comfortable.
Still, I have to take a point off for being "too nice"
It's just my thang.
Neighborhood: East Cambridge
Category: American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Porter Square
Category: Sports Bars
Boston, MA
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: South Boston
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Fenway
Category: Nightlife
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