JJ Foley's Fireside Tavern
- Nearest Transit:
Forest Hills (Orange)
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Private Lot
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Music: Juke Box
- Best Nights: Sat
- Happy Hour: No
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: No
15 Reviews for JJ Foley's Fireside Tavern
My God, what a dive. It's fantastic though. Someone else on here says that "you either get it or you don't", and that's true. Also true are the descriptions of it as "sleazy", "sad", and "pathetic", but so what? This place is REAL, it's unpretentious (hard to find around these parts) cheap and just good old fashioned fun. Also I'm pretty sure those kids in the parking lot are selling drugs.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Barry Melrose would fit in here.
Lots of awkwardly used open space - Great for high kicks and fist pumps.
Fake Fireplace - Great for putting the moves on that thing you're talking to.
Telephone Booth - Call someone who cares, townie!
Peninsular Bar - You could have every patron in the bar lying horizontally on the bar and still have no problem getting served. Thinking of J.J.'s patrons horizontally is frickin' gross, by the way.
Cheap Beer - Drink Up, Throw Some Bucks, What the Fuck!
To sum up in 3 words: "Romp Room Bar".
Oh and I really liked it.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (7)
Cool (4)
It's time for another list review.
1. If you are a girl you will have to ask for a key to pee. I do not understand why bars do this. Why can dudes just walk in and piss all over the place but those of us blessed enough not to have a hideous appendage sticking out of our crotch have to use a key to take a fucking piss?
2. This place reminds me of Northglenn, CO's Moose Lodge #2166. I had my first job ever there- serving prime rib, rocky mountain oysters and burritos to old men that would say, "Hey sweetie pie, can I get some more decaf?" and tip me $0.50 for my troubles. Judy, the cook, would chain smoke in the kitchen and swear like a sailor. Best. Job. Ever.
3. Naked. Lady. Hunt.
4. Period. Full Stop. Period.
5. Husband (Alex R.) is always, without fail, wicked pissed when he is here. He usually cannot stand straight after leaving.
6. It is very hard to catch a cab. I've walked all the way down Washington St. to Egleston Square from this joint. I can tell you it is neither amusing or fun.
7. Cheap drinks. But don't expect much selection- there is no cider. No wine. Nothing I really drink except tequila and vodka. Not that I'm complainin'.
8. Unflattering light. Do not bring a new date here. Wait at least a year before allowing people you want to have sex with to see you in this light.
9. Cash only!
10. Pink hats and yah-doods need not apply. I will personally kick your ass if I see you there. Just do us all a favor and stay at Gypsy Bar with your own kind.
11. Fake fireplace. Awesome.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (6)
Cool (5)
Possibly the most depressing place ever.
Adam C.'s review nails it.
The best place in the world to end up at as the last stop on a bar crawl. If you're not drunk enough to fall over at least a couple of times, you're not me and I don't trust you.
As far as I can remember there is wood and cheap booze and it reminds me of my father-in-law's Moose Lodge, which is a great thing to remind me of. I've never actually been here when I was anything approaching sober, so for all I know it doesn't exist, but I've been told I had a great time here loads of times and that's good enough for me.
And it should be good enough for you, too. You've had a great time here loads of times. You should go back. Not sober, though.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (6)
Cool (1)
At the risk of sounding like a complete tool, I just have to say this: you either "get" Foley's Fireside, or you don't.
If you do, you love it for its dartboards, jukebox, scuzzball-fabulous decor, cheap drinks, interesting regulars and most especially for Dave, the awesomest bartender ever (Tim and Carl are cool, too).
If you don't, too bad. Go drink at The Dogwood, James' Gate, or some other yupscale JP "pub."
Believe me, we won't miss you.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Cozy, wonderful and perfect are words I would never use to describe this bar. Instead I would opt for sad, pathetic and filthy. And this despite the fact that my friend Carl bartends here. The bar is disgusting, the beer selection is sad, the place looks like a run down crack house (at least what they look like on TV). In fact I really hope that this bar gets made into an actual crack house, or a starbucks. There is a difference between a bar having "character or charm", and just being a shithole. Which explains why on any given night, there are about 3 people inside. Other than that I have no strong feelings on the subject.
There are soo many damn stories I could write here....but im going to tell you one.
We had a Birthday party at this bar once, I dont even remember whos it was, I think Jeremy's, he was REAL close with Dave, I was only chummy with Dave, but Jeremy...well, they were close. anyway, my friends and I decided to get some shots of J&B whisky, it was well into the night, and we wanted to go out with a bang, so Dave pours us some shots. Jon was in the bathroom, when he returned, he found us having just taken said shot without him, and discussing the odd consistency of it.....it was a little chunky..thick, like small tapioca or something. someone held up jons shot to the light, and Lo! it was filled with flies! and I do mean filled, like at least 100 flies. a group dry-wretch spread through the crowd like the fuck-word at a bible convention. Needless to say, Jon did the shot anyway, why waste perfectly good whiskey, especially when all your friends just did it anyway, noones judging here pal, no siree. the next time Jon and I were there, I ordered a shot of J&B, "hold the flies" I said to Dave. He didnt even flinch, just called me a pussy, and fetched a fresh bottle. Its things like this that make this place awesome, the little things...
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (5)
Cool (5)
Walk in the door, look to your left, see that thing between the dart boards under the coin operated countertop video game machine, what is that? It seems to be glowing and giving off heat, but it is electric and plugged into the wall, you can see the power cord, running around the base of the wall to the outlet. Is that? Could that be? Yes it is that is the fireplace, and why they call it J.J. Foleys Fireside Tavern.
The electric fireplace is typical of the ambiance of this place, old school booths and bar stools, horseshoe shaped bar, they even have a payphone with a phone booth. Electric fireplace and interesting atmosphere aside, this place is full of characters, and proves the old adage that just because you are a character, doesn't mean you have character. But the neighborhood people who frequent this bar and drink the $2 drafts definitely add to the experience of going the fireside.
If you take this bar for what it is, a neighborhood hangout with cheap beer, you won't be disappointed. But if you are expecting to hold it up to the same standards of other Irish bars in the city or even the standards of the other J.J. Foley establishments you will be disappointed. But hey, they have $2 drafts which is an automatic 3 star rating in my book, they also have darts and some interesting people as a bonus. I don't think they could do any amount of work could get me to give this place 5 stars, and changing it in any way would cause me to lament the loss of a neighborhood watering hole, so Foleys here you are stuck in limbo. Will I go back, of course, I will probably be there at some time any given month with regularity.
I'd give it 6 stars if I could. Whitney pretty much sums it up. The best part of the bar is Dave. He's is the man and will ask questions / make fun of you if you don't stop in at least once a week.
So one night I'm looking in the phone book to call the Fireside and call the "other" JJ Foley's to get their number. The bartender says in a moody tone "there is no Foley's in Forest Hills". Well screw them, they think they're sooo cool and hip by disowning the Fireside. We don't want their crowd and we don't need them.
Anyway if your deciding between the PBR and Bud Light (both $2) go with the Bud. I usually go with PBR but its been a little stale of late.
Anyone who can't figure out how to have a good time in this place is a wet blanket.
The best part hands down about the Fireside is Dave, the regular bartender (although Carl, the part time bartender, is pretty swell too). Dave has a memory like a steel trap and remembers the name of every person who comes in there more than a couple of times. He is a veritable encyclopedia of sports knowledge, on both the college and professional levels. For example, if your favorite college basketball team is a semi-obscure non-local one, he will most likely shock you by knowing who their best point guard was during a random year in the eighties even if they never made a name for themselves in the NBA, or by relating a great story about the one time they got to the championship game way back in nineteen tickity-two. Dave is probably my favorite bartender in any bar of all time, and trust me, I've got the bar patronizing experience to say that's a huge compliment. Dave puts up with a lot of crap from annoying kids and he's still one of the nicest folks in JP, and he's a total saint for it.
If fraternizing with bartenders isn't your bag, the Fireside Tavern holds many more charms for you. The bar is shaped like a U, so you can't help but talk to people around you. This makes the Fireside one of the best bars for people watching and meeting random strangers. There are always local sports games on TV, and the Fireside regulars really get into it, which can be pretty intense. There's an internet jukebox and if you're nice Dave will turn it on for you once the important games are over. If you don't like sports or talking to strangers there's a video poker machine with dirty Playboy games on it. Boobies!
Warnings: If you sit in the table in the corner under the big screen TV you're liable to get nailed by a drunkard hurling darts around. Also, try your best not to lock yourself in the women's bathroom. And if you see someone buy a drink and not leave Dave a tip, be sure to flip them off for me and everyone else who loves him.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
JJ Foley's Fireside Tavern is the most cozy, wonderful, and perfect bar in all of Boston. I must admit, I am even hesitating to write this review, lest Foley's become the place to be. Foley's is not that kind of bar. The bathroom smells funny, the decor is old and stained and sometimes burned, and the most exciting technological development is the digital jukebox. Instead, it is the best damn neighborhood bar in the world.
Dave, the bartender, remembers you and will even yell at you if you put on "Sympathy for the Devil" (but "Street Fighting Man" and "Dead Flowers" are acceptable Stones choices). A shot of whiskey is more like a small glass of whiskey, and even though I grew up in the south attending derby parties, the Kentucky Derby Day that I'll remember the most was the one I spent at Foley's, where the woman who won the pool bought everyone a round. That ACTUALLY happened. People are friendly, the drinks are potent, and there is a fireplace. If the concept for Cheers is where everyone knows your name, Foley's is the actual bar where this happens.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (3)
This is the least known location of the JJ Foley's family of bars. This one is decorated like a VFW Hall and has the same clientele as one. No food, nothing fancy going on, you won't find a suitable person to date by frequenting this establishment.
However, a shot of whiskey is 4 bucks and is about 3 or 4 ounces. The bartender is quiet and weird but knows all and and sees all. They have a fireplace. They have a TV and one of those downloading jukeboxes. This allowed me to play Okie From Muskogee by Merle Haggard 4 times on Saturday night. They have a dartboard too.
What else? Oh, this place isn't cool or hip. You really shouldn't go unless you live nearby and are not looking for excitement. All the dudes hanging out from Dorchester and West Roxbury took the moment to welcome me and my girlfriend to the neightborhood, but the Irishman who spoke only gibberish and was an aspiring dart hustler needs to work on his game.
Oh also, I fell down and didn't spill my Guinness, which garnered a healthy amount of kudos from the guys at the bar.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (9)
Cool (3)
The Fireside was the very first place I went to when I moved to Boston. How crazy is that? My roommate and I were so excited after seeing it; we were sure it would become our newest and greatest watering hole. And you know what? After he went crazy and I kicked him out, whereupon he moved to Somerville, he STILL goes drinking at the Fireside.
The clientele is decidedly 'special'. Typically frequented by your old school Irishmen and sports-obsessed forty-somethings--these are the people you're most likely to notice walking in. Yet the bar also draws Forest Hills' younger collegiate and working set as well. They make for a nice change of pace around the place, especially as far as the jukebox goes. Once it starts, the old-timers groan about how they can't hear the sports broadcast anymore. But sometimes, if they're feeling especially frisky, you can get an impromptu dance out of them, or a solid hour of Jeff Beck songs to remind you of your dad and his weird drunk friends.
Now, Sean says the place serves pizza but they in fact do NOT. I wonder if he was confused by the number of drunk folks who like to offer up their leftovers, or maybe it was just a special occasion. Anyhow, at one point there were hot dogs to be had but that machine has gone the way of the dinosaur.
No, the Fireside won't give you pizza but it will give you lots and lots of character. You might leave scratching your head for days wondering what kept you there for so long and why you want to go back. No, there isn't anything magical about the decor--the place is pretty Flintstonian including, as mentioned, the vintage phone booth (which also has a fan inside!). But the beers & cocktails are so cheap that you owe it to yourself to stop in. The bartenders are kooky, talkative, and will treat you like a suspect for ten minutes if they've never seen you before. Don't get mad, this is Forest Hills. It's just the way.
I swear I'm not doing this place enough justice. It merits its own documentary.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (1)
Cool (5)
So this place kind of owns the market for folks looking for a bar to duck into on the Hyde Park Ave area of JP. Located conveniently across the street from the Forest Hills T stop, it's the go-to place if you don't want to deal with the formality of The Dogwood.
Many laughs have been had by the fact that they call themselves the Fireside because they have a fake fireplace. I seem to recall that sometimes there would be some high school production value of a fan and some red cellophane going on but that might have been my imagination. At any rate, on a cold winter night this place can still warm you up.
The dart board was always the main attraction to this place. Besides this and the projection TV that can get fired up during game-time, there isn't much in the way of incentive or ambiance. Let's just say the feminine touch has alluded this place. Which is probably just for the best, as the regulars here -- and oh, you'll see them -- seem to like it just fine the way it is. With it's wood paneling, tiny covered up windows where the light of day, struggle as it might, will fail to pierce through, and a nice spot for your dog to curl up on the floor by your feet (there was always a dog hanging out). Oh, and they have an old fashioned phone booth -- one with a door and light that goes on when you close it behind you. You know, to take care of your business.
Another special treat the Fireside offers is slices of pizza. Now the story goes that the slices (sicilian style) actually come from the pizza joint a couple doors down from the Fireside. There is a back room to the Fireside, and they might be able to keep the slices warm, or warm them up, back there, maybe with a toaster oven or something -- but I assure you they do not make any pizzas on premises. But I can tell you, in a pinch, after some marathon darting(?) those slices can come in handy.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Bullshitting Venues
These are my picks for places to be a fuck-off and… -
I love JP
Long after I move, I will always have happy… -
Your Unofficial Guide to…
From the creator of Your Unofficial Guide to the…
Hot and New
- HarborWalk
12 reviews
Boston, MA
- Zon's
92 reviews
Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain
- The Neighborhood Restaurant…
96 reviews
Somerville, MA
- The Blue Room
79 reviews
Neighborhood: Kendall Square/MIT
- Rangzen Tibet Restaurant
72 reviews
Neighborhood: Central Square