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Razzy's - CLOSED
- Nearest Transit:
-
594 Somerville Ave (83, 87)
Somerville Ave @ Spring St (83, 87)
Somerville Ave @ Central St (83, 87)
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
142 reviews for Razzy's
Review Highlights
"They give out free popcorn which is pretty awesome."
(in 41 reviews)
"As you all know I love dive bars, and I love karaoke."
(in 92 reviews)
"And it too goes quite well with the $7 Molson pitchers."
(in 25 reviews)
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142 reviews in English
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Review from Brooks F.
Allston-Brighton, MA
9/1/2010
Dive bar haiku:
Sunset - Somerville.
End of lease, end of your world.
Rest in Peace, Razzy's -
Review from Pete S.
Somerville, MA
5/18/2010
I've lost a lost of bars, my friends. I've lost a lot of good, good bars, and that's why I appreciate every goddamned night at a good, good bar. That's why I've felt lucky every night I've walked into Razzy's. But it nevertheless kills me to write another obituary of a bar that dies much too young.
This bar is close enough to feel a part of my house, an alternative to walking to the fridge, to sitting in front of the television, to watching it snow alone. When it was Jon's Place, a few years ago, drunks fought on the sidewalk at noon, and bad money got handed around at the barstools. The neighbors -- us included -- stayed away for our own good.
But then Nancy and Ruth took over, and against all odds, turned things around, and made something great for four or so brief and beautiful years.
This came to be our living room on cold evenings, warm nights, bored Thursdays, and Mondays when we wanted just about exactly eight people around us to have a beer with.
I learned to play Yahtzee here, and my girlfriend and I had dice and paper at home but still preferred to walk a block and play the set down here.
We held the #1 top records on Wordster, Mystery Phrase, Word Safari, and most definitively Erotic Photo Hunt (until that bastard RedBear got us -- we'll get him back one day).
We played trivia countless weeks, probably setting a record for most second-place finishes, happily losing after all the fun of the chase, and finally took the top prize only when it was probably too late to spend the whole gift certificate.
We ate bowl after bowl of popcorn right after dinner, and when more was put in front of us and we said we'd had too much already, we ate it anyway and loved not only eating it but that they cared enough to give it to us for free. We salivated over its smell mixed with the candles that made it smell like a holiday all year round.
We drank pint after pint of delicious imported Molson Canadian beer for prices below cheap, in glasses lovingly frosted for us beforehand. I wish I was having one right now.
We loaded up that jukebox time after time, and never tired of "Far Away/Long Time" even after the 34th play or so. And I learned to get through that stinking Journey song you people love to play with mostly just a roll of the eyes.
We sat in there and looked at all the fun, friend's-family's-basement decor, warm and simple beer lighting, the glow of various machines (popcorn, video, jukebox, TV...) illuminating postcards and posters and the curt flyers telling you to behave and be an adult, and listened to first dates, to old friends, to study groups and guys on the prowl plotting their moves, and we thought, what a great, great place to end up.
An mostly, mostly by far, we enjoyed the hospitality of Ruth and Nancy and their family and friends -- our extended friends, really -- who took a bar that was a complete mess and worked hard to make it a rare and special place -- unpredictable, fun, homey, hospitable, affordable, welcoming, comforting, and happy.
If you have a moment before the end of May, please stop and tell these people what a great job they have done. They made our lives noticeably better for a few years. We will miss them dearly.
For years to come, when I happen into towns around this world, I will remember well and pray that I am lucky enough to stumble into places that welcomed me like Razzy's. Godspeed and thank you, friends.
PS - Sorry, never could stand the sorry-ass effort so many of you karaoke singers put in. But those weekend nights when you came were always a good old time anyway, so no hard feelings. -
Review from Bridget D.
Salem, MA
6/14/2008 ROTD 7/5/2008
You: Hey Dude! What's up?
Me: Yo. Did you hear? Razzy's parents are going away Friday night and he is going to have a party in his back room! It is going to be rad.
You: Sweet! That is wicked cool! Wait, who is Razzy?
Me: Razzy!! You know Razzy, short kid, kind of unassuming, a little dirty, loves popcorn, lives in Somerville.
You: Oh yeah! Nice. So what kind of party is this? What is his place like?
Me: It is going to be killer. The space is cool, it looks like a basement. He spray painted the ceiling and they have some beer decorations up. The bathroom is surprisingly sparkly clean. Oh and his older brother has like a butt-load of music and we are going to do that karaoke thing. He doesn't have everything, but I am sure there is stuff that almost everyone will dig.
You: Cool, I love singing, but I don't know if I could do it in front of people.
Me: No worries bud. Not everyone will have the chops, but that is what will make it funny and solid.
You: Okay. Right on. So is there going to be...ummm...booze?
Me: Totally, man totally. He is going to have beer and liquor stuff. He wants everyone to chip in a few bucks, but it will be cheap.*
You: I am so in. Who else is going to be there?
Me: It should be an interesting scene. Let's see, umm, oh well I know some of his brother's friends will probably be there. They are a little weird and older and sometimes they seem like they are tripping balls. But their whacked out dancing will provide us some sweet entertainment. Also, probably a gang of dungeons and dragons looking kids, but they are nice and keep to themselves. The ironic hipsters for sure will show up, they love things likes this. There should definitely be some cute chicks there, but of course they will have dudes with them. Inevitably there will be an awkward phantom guy who shows up, belts out a weird tune and then bolts. It will be a good crowd. Plenty of people watching!
You: Damn! This sounds great. I am wicked excited for Friday. I am going to do Cyndi Laupers "Time after Time." I love that song. Razzy rules!!
Me: Razzy does rule. He rules supreme.
*Remember: you must be 21 to imbibe. ID's checked at the door. And if you no likey the drinky, I recommend cola with two cherries. -
Review from Ligaya T.
San Francisco, CA
8/8/2008
If you don't have fun at Razzy's on karaoke night I'm sorry to break it to you, friend, but you're a lame-o. Problem is easily solved at the tap. Hop to it!
Need some liquid inspiration? A pitcher of Rapscallion ought to do the trick. Or $7 Molson! Not only is it one of my favorite words of all time and a bloody good beer, it's poured with a smile. And a wink if you're lucky.
Star for the name spelled in bottle caps on the wall!
Star for a lotto ticket machine!
Star for the tolerant barkeeps and doorman!
(Sorry for the spinner story, dude.)
Star for the free popcorn which inevitably ends up on the floor!
Star for the fan on stage giving Orly the photo shoot hair blown look!
Deduct a star for the absence of 'I Think We're Alone Now" in the book.
You have precluded magic on that stage. -
Review from Greg M.
Jamaica Plain, MA
12/8/2006 ROTD 8/3/2007
This isn't one of those dive bars that hipsters patronize to drink PBRs and listen to the oh-so-cool jukebox. This is the real deal. It's not run-down or scummy, but it's definitely a dive.
Pluses:
+They serve a healthy portion infused vodka on the rocks for $5. Pretty tasty if you're into that sort of thing. (Flavors: Pineapple Cherry, Apple Pie, and Chocolate Cherry - which almost tasted like coffee.)
+CHEAP! We got two said vodkas, a pitcher of Molson, a guinness, another pint of Molson, and two orders of chicken tenders with fries and it came to just over $30!
+Hard to mess up chicken tenders. Theirs were good, but the buffalo tenders had surprisingly good flavor.
+The tacky old Razzy's sign out front with the Y doubling as a martini glass.
+Very friendly townie employees who seemed genuinely interested if we were enjoying our food/drinks.
+Trivia on Thursdays with a good Trivia Jockey.
+Popcorn.
+Surprisingly clean bathrooms.
Observations:
o-The food seems to be the sort that comes frozen and they throw into a deep fryer. Fine by me at their prices.
o-The back room is just painted white and someone decided to jazz it up by spraypainting gold squiggles everywhere. Just odd.
o-No pool table, but two dartboards and bowling video game that's not Silver Strike.
o- Two good-sized TVs showing the game.
Minuses:
-Guinness served in the bottle. Not the bottle with the widget either. For shame.
-Only three beers on tap. Molson, Harpoon IPA, and Bud (or something of that ilk). And not much of a bottled selection beyond that. What do you expect?
-Ugly people making out.
-The yucky dipping sauce for the tenders.
-A little too bright
One more note: Nothing warms the cockles of my heart more than Christmas decorations at a dive bar.Listed in: Trivs
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Review from Roni E.
3/10/2008 ROTD 4/10/2008
Small, divey, townie like, oh yeh and KARAOKE!
I heard they have cheap drinks, but I have not touched their libations. They serve water with a smile. That I like. :-)
At first you'll walk in and not realize there's an entire back section of the bar and think you've walked into the wrong place, but just keep walking and you'll find Yelpers belting out to some tunes once in awhile. Now give them some alcohol and you'll have a whole lotta fun!
It's true I can't sing. I'm as tone deaf as can be. I'm sure the dogs were barking outside when I was singing "Friends in Low Places" but the crowd still cheered me on. Or were they just laughing at me? Hmmmm.... whatever they got some entertainment, I got some entertainment.
Razzy's is the place to be. Actually hold on, wait a minute... (no no I'm not singing again...) they don't have some of the popular karaoke songs - guys you need to add Journey!!! -
Review from Andy B.
Boston, MA
1/17/2009 ROTD 11/3/2009
Spirited Karaoke. This crowd knows their contemporary hits, along with oldies but goodies.
I kind of felt like the place was going to fall apart whist I was in it, but the architect's pet project stayed standing for the evening at least. The bathroom had a sign in it proclaiming that if you do illegal activities within said bathroom, you will be escorted out and NOT welcomed back. Keep your giraffe tranquilizers at home, kids.
They have a pull down screen for a projector, so perhaps during the week they have schools and church groups come in to watch Ernest Goes to Camp or The Passion of the Christ. I'd like to hold a formal business meeting at this place and keep it as serious as possible.
E-way, it's a dive but a good one that I'm sure I will return to. I can only imagine how awesome it must be to live above this jib joint! -
Review from Shannon S.
Somerville, MA
2/11/2008
What happens when you take a townie bar with Karaoke, 15 Lushes from Yelp, and my Kodak?
http://www.flickr.com/...
I rolled up at Razzy's at 9pm on Saturday night with Damien and Russ for what I desperately needed to be a shit show. When I first walked in, Russ looks around at the narrow bar and goes, "uh where does Karaoke go down" (to me). I hadn't the faintest idea. Quickly a native Somervillian piped up & alerted us that we should go "In the back".
After walking down the narrow hallway and past a kitchen that I sort of tried to forget about, I found it, the glorious Karaoke room with its own bar featuring 7$ pitchers of hand-pumped-out-of-a-keg Molson and various other boozes for consumption.
The seating arrangements looked like they were swiped from a bowling alley, the gold squiggly spray paint accents on the walls really gave an extra "something" for all the photos I took and you couldn't beat the high energy Karaoke that followed. My recommendation? Go with a group who will populate the night with Rockstar Karaoke. Get there no later than 9:45pm if you plan on getting a table because by 10:15 the place was packed tight (probably because of the lot of us) and by midnight, it was at capacity. As we were leaving, my drunken friend Jordan accidentally brought out a cup of beer (which manager quickly snatched and threw it away so she wouldn't get in trouble). We chatted her up for a minute, seems like a fun-loving lady, I wouldn't expect any less from Razzy's though. Awesome.Listed in: Shit Show Karaoke
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Review from Trish F.
Boston, MA
Updated - 8/8/2008
5 stars for the bartenders at Razzy's alone. New to the beer "Rapscallion" I wondered aloud what it tasted like.. and lo and behold, the bartender at the front poured me a shot of it (more than a shot actually) to taste. SWEET. Not only that, when I didn't know which size (16 or 23 oz) to pick.. the waitress gave us options to save money (PITCHERRRR).
Then when we kept changing our minds from.. 6.. 7.. 8.. 9 Washington Apple shots.. the bartenders in the back just took it with a stride. No problem.. "I love this".. he said. Gahh!
See.. the BEST thing about a divey bar is 90% of the time.. the bartenders like what they do. Thank you guys for making Razzy's not just another bar in Slummaville! ;)
PS - Yelpers rocked at karaoke once again. Booyahhhh.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/22/2008
Do you think Molson becomes airborne when people drinking it are in an enclosed space? Like when… Read more »
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Review from Amanda L.
Brighton, MA
2/10/2008
It's no secret I can't sing. I used to be in my H.S. chorus my freshman year. I dropped that right quick, and dedicated myself to band...but that doesn't mean I would miss an opportunity to make a total ASS of myself in front of (almost) total strangers.
I'm going to be honest here, it was my first time doing karaoke EVAH. So I was seriously nervous. But I was with a bunch of awesome Yelpers, so it helped me calm down a bit. Pick the right songs and your golden, everyone will go crazy because they a) are drunk b) are your friends c) like that you put in the effort to look like an ass.
I have to admit Razzy's up front is a little meh, but tucked in the back is seriously tons of fun for everyone. We were actually a little early, but it's key if you want to get your 10 songs that you want to song because your an attention whore (nothing wrong with that...), so it was a bit divey at first. But then you get a nice crowd going, and it's fun for hours!
Beers and drinks are pretty cheap, but I believe it's cash only. They give out free popcorn which is pretty awesome. The DJ was freakin' awesome, he even sang two songs himself! The selection of songs are all over the place, and you are almost certain to find the one you want. And as long as you have a great group of friends with you, the possibilities are endless...
Tambourine and egg shakers optional... -
Review from Russ S.
Somerville, MA
3/11/2008
In most scenarios, a bar like this one (where the beer is cheap, the carpet is really old, the regulars sit at the bar and shoot the shit, there's no waitress, and they handpump your Molson from a keg in the corner all night long) has a certain type of Karaoke night. It usually involves about 7 or 8 regulars. Perhaps one has a nickname like "Singin' Jimmy" or "Rick The Stick". All 7 or 8 are god-awful at karaoke, yet somehow they get called up ALL THE TIME. The list is really thick, but for whatever reason, doesn't seem to have Any Fucking Journey in it.
Am I painting a good picture here?
Razzy's isn't really like that. All the karaoke is pretty good quality. I've yet to be approached by Rick The Stick. The karaoke rotation is done fairly, and to be honest, Molson isn't really that bad of a beer.
No Journey though, just be warned. They lose a star for that shit. -
Review from Mandy H.
MA
12/16/2007
I know I'm preaching to the choir here so I will be brief. Top reasons to go to Razzy's:
5.The staff is friendly and personable.
4.There is free popcorn. The pitchers are very cheap and the bathrooms aren't gross.
3. The decor looks like my parents rec room (minus orange shag carpeting) circa 1985 and that imbues me with a sense of nostalgia and longing. There is copious use of metallic spraypaint in the decor.
2. Wednesday night attracts townies for karaoke, while the song selection is slim (i.e. no Charlie's Kitchen, for sure), I have heard that this attracts mad hot bike polo people to wow you with their stylings of Prince and Tom Jones.
1. Gary. The Man. The Legend.
GARYOKE FOREVER!!! -
Review from Stephanie G.
Somerville, MA
10/31/2009 ROTD 2/14/2010
This is telling: when I tried to look up Razzy's on yelp to write a review, I spelled it wrong. So I just gave up and typed in "dive bar" and Razzy's was #1.
And that's what this place is, and it basks in the magnanimous glory of it. I came here when I was bar hopping Friday night, and it was already about midnight. We went to the backroom where the karaoke is, and the people were sloshed and yelling and singing their hearts out. The free popcorn was all over the floor and empty drink glasses on every table.
If my life were a movie, Razzy's would probably be where I would go unsuspectingly and find a portal to another time period, or a space alien in disguise who gives me a quest. You know. Razzy's is just one of those places that so very much is what it is. And it's great. Go. Definitely drink a lot. Have fun. -
Review from Leighann F.
Astoria, Queens, NY
8/9/2008
Don't let the location and unassuming obscurity of the exterior of Razzy's fool you. This very well may be the quintessential local dive bar from the outside (ok, well, from the inside, too) but Razzy's has a secret back room (ok maybe not such a secret) that houses one hoppin' karaoke night!
All the major players were: the old guy singing Sweet Caroline while his old lady proudly looks on, the group in the front who is there every week, rockin' it out like they're practicing for their very own world tour, the newbies who sing quietly and never look up from the screen, and, of course, the crazy guy who does hard-to-resist crowd participation songs.
Add to that $5 32 oz. beers (including Rapscallion - major points!), FREE popcorn and a group of yelpers, and you've got some serious fun on your hands.
A list of songs we did? Well, since you ask:
Ace of Base: I Saw The Sign
Paula Abdul: Opposites Attract
Boyz2MEn: I'll Make Love to You
Janis Joplin: Bobby McGee
TLC: No Scrubs
The Eagles: Hotel California
Some highlights: pitchers, dancing to Shout (and various other songs you'd most likely hear at a wedding), trying to toss popcorn into each others' mouths, and closing out the night with Ricky and I doing our rendition of Summer Nights from Grease and being joined "on stage" by all our fellow yelpers singing back up. A glorious moment indeed! -
Review from Brigid M.
1/10/2010
Five stars for how Razzy's used to be and because the bartender is awesome and went to UMass.
On alternating nights there is trivia AND karaoke. Popcorn is free, the family who owns it all work there and are awesome, and the back room looks like its a basement from the 70's. They even have Nudie Photo Hunt if you're bored. All in all a great time no matter what night you go
Then the bitch who reviewed restaurants for the Metro on Thursdays, and yes I can call her that since she lived below my friend and was always unpleasant, decided it would be good to blow up Razzy's spot. Now there is always a line out the door and since they can probably fit less than 50 people its hard to get in.
If you're in the area you have to visit in Razzy's at least once, but once you start you're never going to want to stop. -
Review from Cara P.
Cambridge, MA
3/23/2009
How have I NOT reviewed Razzy's.
First, it's a bar...in a house. I find that extremely interesting, not too mention it completely explains why one has to walk up an off level carpeted ramp, just to get to the back room. Did I mention I fall 9 out of 10 times going up or down that damn ramp. Just like at Grandma's!
Their Karaoke list isn't the most extensive and they really need to wipe down the binders that hold them. Yet, once you hear the dude that works there belt out the first song of the night, you know it's time for business. Plus, they have popcorn.
I've heard rumors that Karaoke dude isn't too particular of a certain person, because she...I mean they......wouldn't let him sing back-up for her...I mean them. At one point, he may have limited her, them, to only one song a night and started to limit her, I mean their, friends. Not a problem, we, I mean they, just write on our slips things like, "us", "The girls ", "Your mom", and "me and my friends."
Their drinks are strong and cheap, you never wait too long for them either. If you are in the mood for dumpy, a little bit of awesome, and a night with 20 of your local friends from the 'ville.......come to Razzy's. Sure you've already been. -
Review from Fionna L.
Somerville, MA
6/6/2008
It's actually really embrassing how often I'm here....
7 dollar molson's have supported my karaoke habit, and the bartenders are realllly great. My friends and I have done terribly stupid things there yet they have always been friendly. If I was them I would have punched me in the face.
Nice family run place with good prices and good crowd. Doesn't get better than that.
*HINT- bring cash with you! ATM there is something like 2 dollars surcharge!Listed in: CASH ONLY!
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Review from Larissa A.
Quincy, MA
2/8/2009
Everyone loves Razzy's. There is a lot to love.
This place has TONS of personality, some good some bad. The crowd is entertaining as hell, also good and bad (but even the bad is good). The staff is perfect for the place, friendly but no-nonsense. I also have to say I am a sucker when a bartender remembers what I am drink after a trip or two.
The only reason that I took off a star is that I fear for my life, and not in the good way, if it was ever needed to get out of there in a hurry on a busy night. Yeah, these are the things my brain thinks of after a few drinks in a corner. -
Review from Josh O.
Washington, DC
12/19/2006 1 photo
Stopped by this place last night to check it out. I like it. Good atmosphere, and a decent selection of beers. It was a Monday night, so not a whole lot going on, but I had a good time watching Jeopardy with two older gentlemen who seem as though they're probably there every single night.
My only complaints:
- Too bright. What kind of bar is lit up like a Kmart?
- Beer's a little pricey for a dive. Seriously, $3.50 for a bottle of Sam?
But it still seems like a pretty good place, they've got food, and they're extremely convenient to where I live. I'll be back. I could see this place making my 'Makers, neat' list ...assuming they serve Makers, which I didn't think to check. Oh yeah, they also have free popcorn. I love bars with free popcorn.Listed in: Porter Square
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Review from Brooke w.
Allston, MA
9/10/2008
Razzy's solidifies my confidence in what a good decision is was to move from Allston to Somerville. My roommate and I live right down the street, a literal 2 minute walk away from this friendly little haven.
Things I think are great:
*cheapcheap, sssooo cheap. Their special is the $7 pitcher of Molson's which provides about 5 pints worth of the Canadian brew. Other beer on tap (blue moon, sam seasonal, harpoon ufo, i forget the other) pitcher's are $12 (still not bad) and it's $3.50 for a 16 oz, $5 for a 23 oz. Not bad at all! Annnddd they have shot specials! $4 for a list of select shots.
*karaoke, very fun.
*bartenders are super friendly and attentive, provide you with complimentary freshly popped corn.
*bathrooms are quaint and tidy.
Things that are not 'great', but totally bearable given that Razzy's is so much fun:
*cash only. and i don't blame them that they're only open until one, seeing as places have to pay off the government to stay open an hour longer.Listed in: Pub fare!
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Review from Nate Y.
11/21/2009
I've been to Razzy's several times but I did not realize the magic until the last time with my fellow Yelpers.
I've never been a big fan of karaoke since, quite frankly, I can't sing. I think I was able to sing back when I was in my elementary school chorus, but then puberty set in and my Michael Jackson days were over.
When I walk into Razzy's to where they have the karaoke, with it's low ceiling and spray painted decor, it reminded me of an abandoned basement even though you walk up to the room. They have a decent stocked bar, beer that can be ordered by the pitcher, and complimentary popcorn. So I'm feeling warm and fuzzy, and thinking that I would leave before my name is called up (thanks to Damien S), my name is called up. Damien and I head up, and on the way I grab a couple other Yelpers, and before you know it we are on. Soon others join in (thanks to Damien's song selection) and I've done my first ever karaoke song in public. Didn't hurt at all : )
It's apparent that many large groups head to Razzy's with it's convenient location near Porter Square T, a good bartender, and a congenial atmosphere once things get going. It's like the best parties I've been to back in my day. -
Review from Etta M.
Somerville, MA
10/5/2007
OMG how have I not been here before?!
Razzy's is a quality establishment. The floors are all uneven and there is free popcorn. The beers are cheap ($7 pitchers!) and Wednesday night is karaoke night. Aces!
Perhaps though, what really makes me love this place is that I'm pretty sure it was just a house converted into a bar. Kinda like, "Hey I really like going out drinking, but I like staying home too. Why dont I just turn my house into a bar and I can do both!"
I will be returning.Oh yes, I will.Listed in: Where my Dames at?!
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Review from Mark G.
2/8/2009
Razzy's: Gentrified since 2006.
The term "dive bar" gets thrown around a lot these days. If I may appeal to the rhetoric of the legal system, can we cease and desist of calling any bar that doesn't cater to urban-anxious yuppies as a "dive"?
Now was this bar considered at one time more of a blue-collar, no-frills establishment? You bet, and no post-graduate bar hopper would've thought twice about patronizing this hole in a hole of a city that is Somerville had it not been for two pioneering bohemians:
Carl Weber and Jennette Mullaney.
If these two visionaries hadn't blessed Razzy's with their spirit and style, you'd still be marching down to The Burren or The Joshua Tree in your hipster uniforms and dropping cover charges and yuppie food stamps on rounds of whatever beer you think is cool or ironic (is PBR still that beer?) Before any of you lame-o's even knew it existed, Carl and Jennette rocked the kareoke to a crowd of about a dozen die-hard alcoholics at the Razz.
Because of Carl and Jennette, Razzy's in now safe for you yuppies who need to be somewhere "cool" and for you hipsters who need a scene with lots of people to see how cool you are with your witty "throwback Ts."
Thanks for stinking up the place, losers.
Update: As much as I don't like the people that go here--and the same can be said for just about the entire 20-something population of Somerville--the fact remains that Razzy's is still a great bar, worthy of a four-star. No doubt. When they get a bouncer that will keep the hipsters out, then they'll get a five star rating from me. -
Review from Heather H.
Somerville, MA
3/20/2008
So we're new to the neighborhood and my boyfriend sweetly asks if we can go to Razzy's before heading home on a Friday night. "It's only a couple blocks from home! Molsons are $2!" I agreed to go, if he bought me a Molson.
So we enter Razzy's and there are a few middle-aged folks sitting around, yelling answers at Jeopardy on the TV. My boyfriend goes exploring and comes back excited to tell me that he found the back room.
And so, with trepidations, we walk through the swinging half doors and head to the back room. We sit down at folding tables and admire the spray-painted drop ceilings and paneled walls. We get our Molsons (served in plastic party cups, natch) and get a feel for the place.
This place reminds me of North Dakota.
Take that as you will. It's a small town bar for townies, with cheap beers and cheap bar food. I marvel at the bar menu- all fresh from freezer to deep fryer, for sure. I really want to go back and get some toasted raviolis. I haven't seen them on a menu since I left St. Louis. My boyfriend tells me I can do that on my own time.
We figure out that karaoke is starting soon, because slowly the place fills with hipsters. We're still the oldest ones in the room, now only by 5 years instead of 10. But karaoke is fun and we sit around, have a few more Molsons, and enjoy the show. The bartender asks why we didn't just get a pitcher in the first place. Good question, my man.
After Molson #4, it's time to go home. Somewhere between leaving Razzy's and arriving at home a mere 3 blocks later, I am trashed.
Watch out for the Molsons. -
Review from Bradford M.
Salem, OR
8/11/2008
On Friday Razzy's was the location of my first Yelp event! As you all know I love dive bars, and I love karaoke. It turns out I also love Yelpers. So pretty much Razzy's would have had to screw a lot of things up for me to not have a blast there. And they didn't. $3 Bud Lights make Bradfords happy. The bartenders were nice and fun and competent (and one of them is a hell of a singer), the bouncer guy was great to chat with, other than being cash-only I don't have any real complaints. A great spot, and piles of fun were had by all.
Kick-ass-karaoke award for the night goes to giant Jack Black. He was entertaining as hell.Listed in: Karaoke spots
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Review from Ruth M.
Oakland, CA
2/22/2008
I casually regard myself as a "Dive Bar kind of gal," but I didn't realize how much I loved this world until I went to Razzy's.
Free popcorn and insanely cheap beer! Comfortable atmosphere. Off the beaten path. Friendly folks behind the bar.
I haven't publicly embarrassed myself so cheaply since my spring break trip to Amsterdam, and considering the exchange rate, Razzy's was undoubtedly cheaper. One of my few regrets in life is that I did so in a place with such a cozy, familiar atmosphere - I'm sure the friendly folks behind the bar will remember me the next time I go, and that kind of horrifies me.
Sorry, Razzy's. -
Review from Josh W.
Somerville, MA
5/19/2009
This is what I wish every bar in Quincy was like. They serve popcorn, there was a neighborhood feel, and I didn't think there would be a fight there till closing.
No Quincy douchebags, I wasn't worried about getting an STD just by sitting near people and did I mention they serve popcorn?. -
Review from Deanna D.
2/24/2010
Great dive bar with Rapscallion on tap, cheap pitchers, funky spray painted walls, uber cool bottle cap mural, and karaoke of course!!
Fri. night karaoke was good time enjoyed by all at out table. The beer was flowing, notes were way off key, lots of forgotten lyrics, ear drum deafening music and awesome dance moves! Overall a very successful first karaoke experience in Boston!
My only beef was we had a singer at our table that didn't get called but other people we called a few times! What gives? =(
Oh well maybe next time..... -
Review from Kim L.
Plymouth, MA
2/14/2008
Oh. I love razzy's!
But that's because I love getting drunk and singing karoke.
And crazy fruit infused vodka shots. Try em - they good.
The place is small, crowded, and there are a bunch of regulars who get dibs on songs....but never the less...it's a great karoke crowd. People get into it and dance and sing with you.
Me and my ladies have torn this mother down a few times with our inspiring rendition of 'Hold On' by Wilson Philips.
And they always end the night with a lil' journey. (thanks lauren!)
Oh...not into Karoke? Come Thursdays for Trivia. It starts late, but the dude who hosts it is on his game and it goes by real quick. -
Review from Melissa B.
Waltham, MA
7/29/2009
This place is gross. Gross gross gross gross. Every single time I get dragged to this dump ("dive" is way too generous of a term here), I swear it's the last time, but the cheap beer keeps luring me back. It feels like a frat house packed with drunks in an attic waiting to sing "Total Eclipse of the Heart" so they can look cool and "impov" the word fuck into the song. Oy.
One star for cheap beer and another for erotic photo hunt. Negative stars for smelling like both feet and a urinal at the same time and the need to take a long, hot shower when the night is over.
Until we meet again, Razzy's..... -
Review from Phil D.
Oakland, CA
12/8/2006
I've never done the trivia (didn't even know they HAD a function-room type deal in the back), but if you have't been in this place since it was Jon's Place, give it a shot. Greg M.'s review is right on the money: the new owners seem nice, the bar staff has 0 attitude and they are friendly as hell. A Molson is $2.50 and I love Molson. If you want a Guinness that bad, just take the underpass over to Sully's!
There is also Karaoke on Friday and watching the Pats play here is lots of fun on a Sunday.
It's a dive bar with some really nice perks and they've made it worth the trip from Porter. If you like popcorn (I don't, really) this place must be like paradise--they have the old-school machine in there and are always making a fresh batch.
Anyway, I am totally sold on this place--see you down there!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Richard M.
Somerville, MA
2/23/2008
Porter square is half way between here and my house, and the reviews were good, so I headed down with a friend.
Small place, but Harpoon was $3.25 instead of $5 like anywhere else around here. PItchers were only $7 so I quickly switched over.
It really is a small little nice bar, and I'd go back. -
Review from Devon M.
2/9/2008 2 photos
This place is a little horrifying, but in the best way possible. I'd never been here, and I can understand why-it's pretty much smack dab in the middle between Porter and Union where it's really quiet. I showed up with Bryan, who was in full drag, and the ladies at the downstairs bar clearly got a kick out of it. We went upstairs and it was filled with some townie doodes hanging out. To get upstairs, you have to walk by the kitchen, which is an experience.....it's kinda like walking by a make shift kitchen that someone sets up in a dorm room.
The setting is crazy, with spray painted designs on the walls and awesome Coors light fixtures. There's dart boards, and I am sure someone's lost an eye in this establishment. Drinks are dirt cheap, but really, $7 pitchers of Molsen are the way to go.....they physically have the keg on the floor and have to pump it. It's delicious booze water. I drank half a pitcher before I realized what I was doing.
Definitely come with a group for karaoke! It was really fun! Highlights of this adventure were Russ, Damien, Jessika, Orly, straight Brian's Magic Carpet Ride and Bryan with a Y and his White Rabbit.Listed in: Booze Hounds
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Review from Elizabeth C.
Middletown, VA
8/30/2008
I live directly behind Razzys. Loved the place to hang and have a good time before people knew about it. Thursday Trivia was the best but now there is no guarantee I will be able to get in. So yes, I am a little sad about the huge crowds... but Razzys is awesome so I understand why people are flocking to the bar now.
Nancy is fantastic. The new bouncer is friendly. The new bartender in the back can sing walking in Memphis like the boss could.
Donate to Nancy's sky dive for charity fund. The container is upfront on the bar. She deserves your money, after all she does dish out free popcorn and cheap pitchers.
Tuesdays/Thursdays - Trivia
Wednesdays/Fridays - Karaoke
Saturdays - Live Band
Sunday/Monday - Good Times on the Jukebox -
Review from Graham C.
10/23/2007
Ah Razzy's. Sit down kids and I'll spin a little yarn. So after hearing of the awesomeness of this place from Yelpers I decided to get my brother and go out here on a Friday night for a few.
Razzy's is like the best dive bar you've ever been to. It's divey in that the beers are cheap and there's no pretension. However it's not a dive in that everyone is nice. Hell the guy next to me was reading The Economist. Another clue this bar was different was when I was there unknowingly for their Halloween Party and one of the guys was dressed as what looked like a French Admiral, when I asked about the costume he replied "I'm going for the whole Age of Sail thing." Who says that?
I fell in love. My new favorite bar. Until Sunday night, when alone and interested in watching the Sox game I wandered down to my new favorite haunt. I stumbled out 5 hours later, quite toasted, having eaten a lot of cheese cubes and made some wonderful new friends. Damn you Razzy's for making my Monday so awful that I had to leave work early.
I'll be back, but you're a dangerous girl. I know that now.Listed in: Somerville USA
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Review from Kenny L.
8/9/2008
Best song choice: Dancing Queen by ABBA
Worst song choice: Like a Virgin by Madonna
Bonus: Watching and listening to Orly "sing"! lol Yay Sing Duo of Trish and Ligaya! Sad I didn't get to sing Dancing Queen with Yihwa. :(
Washington Apple shots....organic or not you decide! -
Review from Nicole E.
Somerville, MA
7/29/2008
I def dig Razzy's. I first went there shortly after I moved to Somerville. Its a dive bar to the maxx but I always have a good time. This old bartender that was there sure did have a heavy pour. Any place that's $5 for a boozy bev gets an A in my book! Bridget is right, it looks like a basement. Adds to the charm. LOVE the metallic spray paint adding to the hip decor.
I went one night for karaoke. Fun times, good bevs, and really funny drunk people trying to sing. How much better can it get? I'll tell you my friend, it really can't.Listed in: When I'm not there, I'm here
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Review from Annie L.
Arlington, MA
9/7/2008
I don't think I would deem this a "dive" since so many people know about it now.
...of course...the purposeful streaks of spray-paint on the walls do kind of give it that underappreciated feel.
It is impossible not to have a good time here. What a great place! Pitchers are cheap, people are fun, popcorn is free (so I'm told).
What's not to like? Maybe a couple of the karaoke singers. But if all karaokeists were good, they'd sing professionally instead of at cheap bars. :-)
You'll likely have to wait outside. There is a line on Fridays, and perhaps other days, too. Fortunately for you, the bouncer is friendly. When you do get inside, look for the secret hallway to the back karaoke room. Pretend you know where it is, or just ask.
Go with friends and have a good time. :-) -
Review from Allison T.
Allston, MA
2/12/2008
Wierdest karaoke selection ever - but they have it, two nights a week, and that's what matters.
PS - Razzy's also has a myspace page: http://www.myspace.com...
Can you spell awesome? -
Review from Keith M.
Berkeley, CA
4/6/2007
We call the town Slummerville, and we call it that with love.
In the expanding city of colleges there are so few places with affordable rent and decent space, let alone something for your everyday working man. This is a haven to the blue collar, the down to earth white collar, and senible artisan. This is a oasis for the locals where the well is never dry nor the attitude ever cold. Pull up a seat at the bar, eats some peanuts, and forget about the day. Decor and maintenance are secondary. Peace of mind is primary. You're home.
And on weekends, we travel through the forgotten, winding hallway to the back room, like travellnig through the wardrobe Narnia. A land of stop lights and karaoke, where the bartender belts out a tune no other can match.
A true dive surviving in a land of growing hipster influence, Razzy's is something special.Listed in: Places I need to go when I get…
