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The Burren
Categories: Restaurants Irish Restaurants American (Traditional) Nightlife Bars Pubs Irish, American (Traditional), Pubs [Edit]
247 Elm StSomerville, MA 02144
Neighborhood: Davis Square
(617) 776-6896
- Nearest Transit:
-
Elm St @ Chester St (87, 88, 89, 90, 94, 96)
Grove St @ Highland Ave (87, 88, 89, 90, 94, 96)
Davis Square Busway (87, 88, 89, 90, 94, 96)
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- 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:
- Paid
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
303 reviews for The Burren
Review Highlights
"The Burren is a great place for live music."
(in 59 reviews)
"It's a great spot for Davis Square or otherwise."
(in 27 reviews)
"Excellent beer selection and great hearty Irish meals."
(in 26 reviews)
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303 reviews in English
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Review from Alex M.
Medford, MA
1/15/2012
It's a nice bar; I liked what I ordered, which was a draught harpoon IPA and potato leek soup. The latter arrived with a 3/4 inch slice of what I suppose might have been irish soda bread. It was actually quite good too (slightly moist, both chewy and crumbly), and accompanied the soup honorably. The bartender was attentive but not excessively so, and brought ice water with soup without my asking which was much appreciated.
As for the scene, I believe 20 somethings had the slight majority but there was a a full range of ages. Friendly, casual, sociable neighborhood vibes.
Decor was warm, lots of thick worn wood. Fairly clean. Bar stools comfortable, though not cushioned. Music was a not-too-loud-but-clearly-audible celtic mix. I came before live music started though.
TLDR: nice, friendly irish bar. -
Review from melissa m.
Walpole, MA
1/6/2012
fun place to get shwastey. the night i was there they had a cool band out back covering "africa" by toto - that scored awesome points in my book.
it's definitely a pub and nothing fancy - but they have decent drinks and it's a fun place seems to be filled with local folks/regulars - not a metro/scenester hell at all.
i'll definitely go back to try their fish and chips. -
Review from D C.
Brighton, MA
12/18/2011 1 photo
I have primarily been here as a vendor during The Burren's Saturday Local Artist Market, with my brand, Hieropice. But as I've spent 4-6 hours there at a time over a couple of years, I've gotten to know the place pretty well! It has a cozy Irish bar vibe, with a performance space (where the SLAM markets take place) in the back. The performance space is kind of dark and goth, but it has a pretty impressive bar, and the place transforms well for the markets.
I just have to rave about the fish in chips, because it might be the best I've ever had. I think it's beer-battered, but unlike most beer-battered varieties doesn't have that gluey, weirdly-separate coating that makes the fish unpleasant. The Burren's variety is perfectly-seasoned, crispy, and light, and the fish is really fresh. Love that it's served with steak fries, and they're real, actual potatoes, and taste like it (not some reconstituted potato-paste weirdness). Also included are cole slaw and tartar, both of which include bell pepper which I usually hate but theirs actually tastes fantastic. All of this for $7.44! Can't beat it. Others nearby ordered the chowder, grilled chicken sandwich, and soup, all of which looked (and smelled) fantastic.
The Burren also has an impressive selection of beers and ciders, also at great prices. The live bands I've witnessed were great; very talented performers playing traditional Irish music. The major issue I have with them are the inconsistency of the staff. You might get a pleasant waiter/waitress, or you might get an inexplicably cranky one who barks at you for not discernible reason. Some of them seem to take issue with the SLAMs, (which they should really just get over!) and even the nice ones are a bit slow to get things done.
I highly recommend The Burren, and make sure to come on a Saturday, and check out the SLAM! -
Review from Kitia G.
Malden, MA
1/20/2012
The Burren is a great place for a good beer and great live music. One of my favorite hangout spots.
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Review from Kathy S.
11/6/2011
We stopped here yesterday on a Zombie Pub Crawl. Mind you they were pre-warned for weeks we were coming with 25+ people. We sat down at two tables. This was the third out of 4 bars we would be stopping at on our Zombie Pub Crawl.
We saved out appetites so we COULD EAT HERE! The table next to our two tables opened up so we asked if we could have it for our other guests. The waitress was absolutely rude and screamed at us: "WE HAD TO EAT HERE!!" Mind you it was our intention in the first place. Never mind the 25+ we just brought into your establishment to drink alcohol in. She had an attitude from the minute we walked in the place. Mind you, We did nothing to her to be treated rudely..
Don't tell us it's alright to put you on our route for our Zombie crawl if you're going to treat your customers like crap. We had a fantastic day until we got to your establishment. We decided NOT to eat at your restaurant and leave and walk across the street to The Joshua Tree! The last stop of our Crawl where we were treated like royalty and not treated like trash that just walked off the street.. They treated us with respect and courtesy. Maybe you should really re-train your staff...I wouldn't be caught dead entering your establishment again..EVEN AS A ZOMBIE.... -
Review from Jim F.
Concord, MA
10/1/2011 3 photos
I've been to The Burren many times, and also many times to its twin, separated at birth, The Skellig in Waltham.
I like The Burren for the acoustic music and for the very informal atmosphere. If you bring a group of friends for a Guinness and some conversation, it's not a bad spot.
The food is better here than it once was, in combination with the live music maybe enough to push it up to 4 stars, but the place is kind of dirty and run down inside (not quite at the dive bar level, but just a notch above), there's not that many beers on tap, the dining tables are not comfortable for dining, the bathroom is kind of gross, and the service is only good when it isn't crowded. So is that 2 stars or 4? Let's split the difference and call it 3.
The back room is normally a bar with a stage for live music, but on this day, and I guess once every month (maybe on the first Saturday), it is filled with a dozen or so local artists selling their wares. One of my pet peeves with The Burren is that the music they play on St. Patrick's day in the back room is not Irish music, which I expect of a place that wraps itself in the Irish flag (although they always have quieter acoustic music out front). -
Review from Steve K.
Somerville, MA
9/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've never ate here, but I've been here for drinks numerous times. They have a lot of great beers, a full bar and people have told me that the food is pretty good and a bit above the bar-food standard. I'll let you know next time I get down there and have a chance to try it.
The one problem with this place is the cover charge on Fri/Sat. 1st, you are in Davis Sq. Nowhere else has a cover charge. Yeah it's only $5 bucks and you generally have bands on both those nights, but what about me? I don't give a damn about who is playing, I don't want to even think about dealing with the crowd in the back room. I just want to walk in, have a couple beers out front and then leave. I'd rather be here than any of the other Davis bars, but generally find myself elsewhere. I understand a cover, I want the bands to get paid and I don't expect them to change it, but can you at least do one thing for me?
When I show up at 12, 12:30 or 1am and the band is either almost done or already off stage, can you stop charging me $5 bucks to come in and have 1-2 drinks max before you last call and kick everyone out? Its ridiculous that patrons are forced to pay a cover for a band that they never will or don't care to see. No other bar/venue combination anywhere in Somerville/Cambridge does it, so why you? If you want to charge people for music, charge them at the door to the back room and let all us regular ol' jack offs come have some drinks and food without feeling eff'd without a kiss... -
Review from Jen J.
Cambridge, MA
1/20/2012
Always a good time on the weekends. Somewhat loud though so can be hard to chat with friends. They take the table away around 10 and start to charge a cover for the band they usually have. Two areas so there is more room than the normal.
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Review from Diana G.
12/3/2011
This place seems like a pretty average Irish pub. I don't know about the food, but the Guinness is pretty good. Friendly vibes all around. Also, saw a GREAT cover band in the back room - they really had the crowd rockin wow! Other than that, there was really nothing that left an impression on me. I don't think I'd do out of my way to go back there, but if I happened to be thirsty wandering around in Davis Square, I might consider it. We'll see..
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Review from Cris L.
Allston, MA
10/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Burren is a good option for a low-key dinner. The cuisine is definitely pub fare, but is a bit more upscale than small pub food. I've also been to the Burren for open mic comedy nights--it's a good time and a good opportunity to see local acts.
Try the fish and chips or the burger--both are delicious. Prices are reasonable for the area. The only negative is the location--parking can be a bear on most nights and even worse on the weekends. -
Review from Caitlin C.
Waltham, MA
12/17/2011
My friends frequent this place often has they love the lie music on the weekends and the $3 PBR cans. I can most of te time do without going here but the crowd is reasonable and the band can be hit or miss.
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Review from Jason J.
Medford, MA
9/2/2011
This place is terrible, plain and simple. I've been here four times now, and only once was it my choice. That one time was the first time going there, every other time I was dragged along against my will.
First, the food is terrible. All of it. Second, the wait staff is terrible. All of them. Third, the place itself is terrible (read: filthy). Not the fun dive bar variety of filthy, just filthy.
So why do I give it two stars instead of one? I'm a nice guy. I swear. -
Review from Christian H.
Middlesex, MA
5/23/2011
This place is just a short walk from where I live in Somerville. Located right in the heart of Davis Square, the Burren is a great place to check out some local music, good food and all around great atmosphere. Davis holds a lot of great places, and this is definitely one of them. True to Boston, it stands out a good pub.
I have been to this place a dozen times, and I have really been impressed by the beer selection as well as the general Irish pub feel. The food here is pretty good as well and its definitely filling and perfect on a windy, rainy or snowy afternoon or evening. Granted, every time Ive been there the service has been spotty at best, but they make up for it with the little things.
First off, I believe on Tuesdays during the week they have a live Irish band, complete with guitar, drum, violin and mandolin. Its pretty fantastic. They sound great and really contribute to the overall chillness. Its a great place on that night to hunker down with your favorite pint of beer and just enjoy the ambiance. Also, there menu presents a lot of great food. If you ever find yourself looking for a good hearty breakfast, The Burren provides a typical Irish breakfast, complete with black and white pudding, tomato, baked beans, Irish bread, sausages and eggs. If you've ever had the typical English breakfast, be sure to broaden your horizons and give this one a go. I didn't know what I was eating with the Irish breakfast, but I didn't care as it was delicious, cooked well and really filling. A lot of interesting flavors were going on.
The best time to come to The Burren is probably during the week as it gets pretty crowded on the weekends. If you do find yourself there on a weekend, its better during the day or early evening. Its definitely one of my favorite places, especially since if you live near Cambridge or Somerville, you won't have to go far for a good little pub. -
Review from Kristen F.
Methuen, MA
8/28/2011
I've been going to the Burren for at least 5 years on and off. When I lived closer I came more often...now that I'm up near Salem, NH we get down to the Burren once a month. $5 cover after 9 or 10...I can't remember.
I ate here once and probably had diarrhea. I come here for beers, single malts, and socializing. The Burren's beer tap list is standard (Harpoon, Samuel Adams, their award winning pours of Guinness) and they have a decent bottle list. They have a ton of liquors, Irish whiskey, Single Malt Scotch, etc. Yum Yum Yum.
Their back room houses live bands. I used to come for that and dancing and merry making.
Their front room has live Irish music. I tend to stay in the front room as that's where my favorite bartenders and patrons are. My husband and I are always meeting new and interesting people in the front bar. Plus we made friends with the bartenders in the front and look orward to chatting with the boys during their brief quiet moments.
Go here for the beers, the music, and the socializing. Eat dinner elsewhere. -
Review from Dee P.
Auburndale, MA
6/27/2011
Food is consistent - generally quite good. Guinness beef stew, mmmm.....
They even did a buffalo chicken salad well-- the lettuce wasn't even wilted (unusual at a pub, am I right?) and the (not-fried) tenders were excellent.
Gets AWFULLY crowded sometimes with baseball-hat-bros, and the back room has a not-so-vague urine smell, plus the bench seats and tiny tables aren't exactly comfortable back there... but they've got a good stage and it would be a decent place to catch a show. And of course they know how to pour a Guinness properly. -
Review from Sara S.
Medford, MA
8/31/2011
Came here for brunch with my mom, and I ordered the Greek omelet with fresh fruit and a side of wheat toast.
First of all, the omelet was absolutely delicious--it had spinach, feta, sun-dried tomato and portabello mushrooms, and was really perfectly cooked, if just a tad oily. I also really appreciated that the fruit was fresh; a lot of the time when you order a side of fruit, it's just a mish-mash of random not-so-fresh melon and maybe a couple of grapes. But this was a really nice assortment of fresh berries, pineapple, mango and melon.
The prices were also very, very reasonable, especially considering that the portion sizes are quite generous. Highly recommend! -
Review from David M.
Updated - 7/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been turning up hear a bit lately. I have to say, the thursday night cover band concerts are actually a bit of fun. Way too loud for what it is, but you can't help but have a good time.
My gripes of late have been with the erratic cover charges. Last time I was there at 9ish, and wasn't charged. Before that, we showed up at 8:30 and where charged because of live music that didn't go on for 2 hours after we got there and where about to leave. But I digress, since they do put on a good show.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/9/2008
The live music has a fun range, especially the open mic acoustic series (tuesdays I think). Its a… Read more »
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Review from Michael R.
Boston, MA
6/2/2011
Amidst the hustle of Davis Square sits this moderately sized Irish pub, with a good selection of beers on tap live local music (totally digged dining to upbeat Celtic violinists), and some great feel-good Irish and American menu selections.
A friend and I ventured in after an extremely unsuccessful attempt at getting into nearby Redbones, and it was definitely worth the trip. Our waitress was prompt and very friendly, and the prices were certainly modest considering the outlandish prices of the nearby Foundry on Elm and Redbones.
I ordered the Steak Tips and Mashed Potatoes with veggies, and I honestly have to admit that the steamed, slow roasted, and caramelized veggies were the star of the plate. The steak tips themselves were decent, probably only of 3-star quality, and the mashed potatoes were similar. But the slow roasted onions, peppers, and squash were just phenomenal.
Overall rating: 3.7/5, and I would definitely go back. -
Review from Fahad B.
Winchester, MA
6/20/2011
Here's a short one to save you some time
Live music
Laid back atmosphere
Bring a friend, grab a brew
Done. -
Review from Annie S.
6/14/2011
Ahh, The Burren. Brings back fond memories of my 21st birthday (well, a few days later). My older sister and cousin took myself and a few friends here for some drinks and dancing.
The cover band was amazing -- they played lots of 80's and 90's -- stuff you hear all the time, but still fun to dance and sing-a-long to unpretentiously. I can't remember the name of the band, but I know they play there frequently. They brought me and another friend, who had turned 21 two days prior to me, up on stage and sang to us, which was really fun. I still have the bright pink and white feather boa that they gave to me.
I have been back for more drinks and dancing, which of course was fun, but nothing beats that first time.
Given that my sister and cousin were pushing 30 at the time, it is a place that speaks to all ages. There were other people my age, as well as people my parents' age. Would definitely recommend if you're in Boston, as it's a fun dive bar to go to...no tourists, just full of laid back Bostonians. -
Review from Laarv F.
Boston, MA
9/19/2011
Laarv just realized that she reviewed the Skellig in Waltham referencing her many times at the Burren without ever posting a review for the Burren! Laarv likes the Burren a lot. Her companion has come here many times to grab pints of Guinness in a cozy/cave-like friendly atmosphere for years. There is often live music and the back room can get packed with Tufts students looking to dance to 80's cover bands.
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Review from Orian I.
1/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
YES! as a west coaster on her first trip ever to the east I had agendas. 1st to understand what my boyfriend says when he says "there's no good pizza" to have a shot and pint at a "real" Irish bar and to have my first cannoli. I realize these are small dreams, and they are so readily available to all of you, but for me making sure these things happened was very important.
I found my Irish bar and it's here. Summerville actually was kind of like Portland, it's way cute. We went in around 4 ish, got a pint of double bag and a shot of Jameson's. we had a nice time people watching, I love the dark wood and the red and the general atmosphere. and of course the Irish bartender, we had fun talking with him. all in all I could totally have hung out there the entire time.Listed in: Eastward bound
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Review from Stephanie G.
Somerville, MA
4/3/2011
The Burren is one of those Irish Boston bars that somehow isn't known as a dance club, yet that's all people do there on the weekends. Which is great, I love dancing.
What I don't like is the sorta free-for-all atmosphere where I end up fending off drunken advances all night. This is not the bar's fault - except that the venue is always really crowded, despite the line outside.
Things you can expect at the Burren
1) Cover change ($5 on a normal Saturday)
2) Live music (usually cover bands with good songs). It is very loud.
3) Drunken and extremely crowded dancing
4) You will spill your beer on someone
5) Someone will spill their beer on you
6) You will talk to a lot of strangers
7) Some of those strangers will be overly friendly in an awkward, please-stop-touching-me type of way
8) Some of those people will be cool, and will enhance your evening experience
To fully appreciate this place, I would advocate for situation awareness/management. Just know what you're going into. Don't wear anything that's dry clean only. Say no too sketchballs quickly and move on.
And then I really think it's a very enjoyable place for a loud and wild and raucous evening out. -
Review from Pete J.
1/10/2011 4 Check-ins Here
The Burren is the mullet of bars.
Business in the front. Party in the back. -
Review from Shannon F.
Somerville, MA
4/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
It comes as a surpise to me that I've never written a review for my favorite bar in Davis Square after all these years!
Perhaps it comes as a perfect time since I just had my 30th birthday party in the back room! The staff at the Burren is always friendly. If you're there often enough (as I tend to be) They'll remember your name and your beverage of choice. I also will state confidently that they have one of the best home-made veggie burgers in town! I have a hard time ordering anything else when i go in there... Also, their french fries are perfect every time!
I do agree with some previous reviews, that the weekend crowds can be a little wild, but if you're looking for a cover band to sing along with, The Burren is your place to be Thursday-Saturday! In the mean time, enjoy the authentic Irish music and Davis square locals out in the front bar! -
Review from Lu B.
1/1/2011
I used to love the Burren. So very much. But right now we're in a fight, and I haven't quite figured out if it's the kind of fight that will lead to permanent separation, or if we'll eventually kiss and make-up.
The main reason that my friends and I have ever gone to the Burren is because the back room has consistently been the best (the only?) weekend spot in D2 to shake a groove thing and not be bothered. Now all I want to do in the back room is another shot of Patron. It's really the only way to be able to have fun in sloppy drunken throng of twenty-one year olds. Uninvited grinding. Angry little girls looking to fight as they shove their way to the front of the stage. Broken glass everywhere. It even seems like the bands I used to love play here a lot less often.
Two years ago some girlfriends and I planned a night out to celebrate their move into D2. We capped off our evening at the Burren, where we spent a long time talking to interesting men we met in the front room. Two months ago one of my girlfriends married one of those men. Now, I don't expect to meet my future husband at the Burren... the point of this tale is that there used to be an interesting mix of people here on any given nite. People I might actually want to talk to. Men that I might even consider *gasp* dancing with in the back room. Many people in my general age range.
In the past, men tried to pick up me and my gf's by inviting us to come out and play on their coed rugby teams, or by challenging us to drunken games of beer can Jenga. Today, Tuft students offer to drive us home in their Mercedes.
All this; and yet the front room somehow remains a somewhat desirable place to sit, drink and people watch. As long as you're very careful not to get drawn into the madness of the fray. Also, weekdays are a whole different story. I can spend any Sunday - Wednesday nite perfectly contented at the bar with a pint of Magners. That's okay I guess. But it's no match for so many previous Friday nites of blissfully-buzzed swaying to Cheap Trick in the back.
Oh Burren. You have changed. You are not the same anymore. Yet, for some reason I keep coming back, hoping to recapture our former magic. And I keep getting disappointed. Even so, I bet I'll keep giving you more chances. Apparently I'm a slow learner.Listed in: Live Music Venues.
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Review from Alex C.
Boston, MA
3/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
A total shit show on the weekends, but my friends and I go here often during the week for an after-work beer. They've got great variety, decent bar food, and live Irish music. This is also a big bar. So of you want to skip he music or noise, sit in the middle hallway section, or the secret booth on the right when you walk in the back room.
Four stars, because the wait staff leaves much to be desired. Much. -
Review from Erik O.
Boston, MA
4/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This place is pretty cool.
very dive-ish
good beer selection. Wednesday nights they have amateur stand up comedy (no cover) in the back room, make sure you check this out. its a great time.
other nights there are bands/dj's in the back room. -
Review from Laura K.
9/22/2010 ROTD 10/8/2010
I'm sorry, WHA HAPPEN? I'm having trouble hearing you. I went to the Burren Saturday night to see Red Square. Since then, I've had a slowly-dissipating-but-not-quite-vanishing ringing in my ears; and, you know what? IT WAS WORTH IT.
The first time I visited the Burren with my friend Laura J, we drunkenly wandered in on a whim one Saturday night and stumbled into the back room -- which we quickly learned is cover band hea-ben. Since then, I've been back more often than I'd like to admit.
How can I resist? The staff is always friendly, the drinks are reasonably priced and when I'm in dire need of food in my belly, the tasty friendly's-style chicken fingers off the bar menu do the trick! Yes, this place can get insanely crowded and I often leave sweatier than I do when I exit BSC. However, if you're willing to throw some 'bows and toss some hos when necessary, a good time can be had by all.Listed in: ROTD-Winning DiveBard
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Review from Brita F.
Wakefield, MA
2/6/2011
Four stars for live music and a cool bar venue.
One star for amazingly awful food service.
Like I said, this place rocks because they always have a band in the back room playing, and they've got great, cheap drink specials all the time. But as for coming here to eat... don't.
Our waitress, a tall, brunette Irish girl, just could not have cared less about her job. She didn't offer us drinks once-- we actually had to go to the bar to get beers. When she asked if we wanted our food served all at once or as it was ready, we said all at once-- and then weren't served the beef stew. After 20 minutes, when it didn't come, we just asked if she could just cancel it. She said that it was was ready now, and the kitchen just messed up. Another 15 minutes went by before we got the dish. No apology, no offer to take it off the bill (our dinner companion didn't even eat it because we had to go). If she had at least been nice and smiled, it would have gone a long way.
Lesson learned. Come here to drink, not eat. -
Review from Dan C.
9/19/2010
Sometimes I like to write really pointless reviews for places where opinions don't really matter--I mean does whatever I say here really have any bearing on whether or not you're going to visit The Burren? I didn't think so. I will however, take this opportunity to impart some Burren-related wisdom:
1) It is an Irish bar.
1a) As per most Irish bars, they have an issue with you ordering a 1/2 Guinness with a shot of Bailey's and Jameson, even if you don't order it by its trade name. I agree, it's a politically incorrect name, but so are Samoas, Tagalongs, and the Redskins.
2) It has music pretty much every night.
2a) As per most Irish bars, a lot of that music is Irish.
3) $3 Miller Highlife.
4) $5 weekend cover charge.
5) It is heavily populated by drunken assholes on the weekend (refer to #3,4).
6) Fist pumping is always okay, and probably encouraged.
7) There is a good chance you'll get pissed off if you're here on the weekend (see #3-5).
8) Red Square plays here and they are okay in my book which makes #7 bearable. -
Review from Mary M.
Somerville, MA
9/9/2011
I'm a sucker for a good old Irish pub and The Burren delivers. I have not eaten there but the beers were delicious :). It has a great hole in the wall feel. A good choice to start or end your night.
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Review from Aditi R.
10/12/2010
It's been a while since I'd gone to a dive bar. When we decided to try out some different places on the other side of the river in Somerville, this place certainly was not on the agenda. But as we decided on the spur to go to an Irish Bar, the Burren magically appeared in front of us :)
Things I love about this place:
1. The two rooms playing different music. We walked into the first one with an Irish band playing typical (read awesome) Irish music and then after a few minutes walked into the other room to Usher. Can't get better than that!
2. The drink prices are amazing!! I could be drunk here in $20.
3. The people truly seem to be enjoying themselves and I loved that about this place.
4. The cover band was great playing everything from Beatles to Jesse's girl!
5. No matter when you decide to walk into the Irish band room, the music doesn't seem to change - only more beer bottles accumulate at the table where the band is playing.
6. Did I mention the drink prices already?
I had a blast at this place and remembered why I love dive bars so much. Definitely recommend it. For the great beer selection, music choices, and just a fun time. -
Review from Heather G.
Boston, MA
11/13/2010
At first glance, just your run of the mill dark, sloppy, loud, crowded, sweaty Irish bar that attracts droves to Davis Square on Saturday nights. However, I always have a great time here. Between the live bands, the energetically charged atmosphere, and the guaranteed large crowd of young people, this place always delivers when you want to show out of towners a ruckus of a good time.
Tips: there's a $5 cover after 9pm (due to the live music) and the bathrooms are absolutely disgusting.
But you didn't come here thinking it'd be the cleanest-possible bar anyway, did you? So arrive at 8:55 if you can't swing the cover, wear your comfortable shoes (you will get stepped on while on the dance floor), and don't put on your best going-out attire - beer WILL be spilled on you. Opt for a T shirt and jeans, and you'll be comfortable and fit right in. -
Review from Carolina S.
Cambridge, MA
9/24/2010
The Burren is the genuine article.
This is NOT a stereotypical fake "Irish Pub" full of frat boy types and millions of TVs and obnoxious music.
What it IS is a cozy dark friendly pub with real Irish music & live musical acts, and some amazingly tasty Guinness on tap.
I've found it a lovely place to get pints with friends, listen to music, AND socialize and carry on conversations with people.
I also admit the fact that I was once taken here for a pint and some good craic by an Irishman who considered this his preferred bar in the Somerville area just makes me that much more fond of it. And guess what? The place is often PACKED with other Irish ex-pats. And that makes me one happy part Irish-American lady.
If you want a REAL Irish pub close to campus, or you're homesick for Ireland, a visit to The Burren is a must.
I can't speak to reports of it being annoying on weekends because I've mostly gone on week nights.
(What? Don't judge me . . .) -
Review from Ben L.
10/9/2010
That girl is wearing far too much leopard print
so the guy with the purse is a regular
it makes him feel like home talking to other Irish people
why are there so many douche bags here
Um there is that ridiculous band in the back but they still have the fiddles and stuff in the front
how were there actually cool girls there that were decent looking
I just got in a random conversation with people about icing
I think that I saw them toward the back, there's no way of getting to them, just wait till they come out to get beers or go to the bathroom or something
yeah, it's a bit bipolar with the front and the back, but it's still an Irish pub, there's nothing wrong with that -
Review from Joi T.
Malden, MA
Updated - 2/26/2011
I still go to the Burren often on Saturday nights, but my friends and I decided to change things up and have brunch here. The food was very good if you're into classic breakfast then it is kind of pricey. For example most places offer french toast or pancakes with a meal. Here the French toast comes with fruit, no eggs, bacon and so on so I ordered 2 breakfast dishes to get want I wanted.
The mimosas were tasty the fruit was good and fresh and the service was decent I would definitely do brunch here again.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/6/2010
We went here on Saturday for a friends birthday. The Irish band was amazing and the the rock band… Read more »
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Review from Thomas A.
Andover, MA
4/11/2011
Stopped in The Burren early Saturday evening (4/9/2011) before a performance at Somerville Theater. First time patrons. Loved the Irish pub atmosphere...friendly, warm, and inviting. While we sat in the front room we discovered their Back Room (that's what they call it) had an Irish/Blue Grass-type band. We watched for a few songs after dinner. Very entertaining!
We found the menu had great selections - from Irish standards like Shepard's Pie and Bangers & Mash to Fish & Chips & Steak Tips. My wife had the fish & chips; I had a lamb burger. Both were terrific. While we liked the serving staff, we did find the service a tad slow and the fries were cold. Short of that, we think The Burren is a place we'll one day return. -
Review from Frances B.
Somerville, MA
9/4/2011
Pros: friendly staff and good drink selection
Cons: hard to find seating when you only want to drink
I came here for drinks with a friend and to catch up. They have a great full bar and nice beer selection, but we kept having issues about not being allowed to sit at tables with out ordering food. I grabbed a table outside since the weather was so beautiful and we were told to move indoors since we were not ordering food. So we went to the back room and sat at the bar with our drinks for a while until trivia night started then it got too loud to catch up. So we moved to another section of the bar and were once again told to move. WTF yo? Half the booths are empty and we can't sit there??
We ended up sitting at the front bar. The wait staff was super friendly! I even spilled my wine and the bar tender refilled my glass for free. Sweet, right?
In short, The Burren is not super great for one on one catch-up sessions, but I hope to come back here for music nights and big group hang outs. -
Review from Abbie T.
Jamaica Plain, MA
11/14/2010
Let me be clear - I am an Irish pub girl. I was raised in an Irish pub. No joke. I've recently learned that my parents used to pretend they didn't know us as we ran around the pub on Friday nights... say what you will about their parenting style, it's safe to say I feel at home in Irish pubs. So this is just my kind of place.
Having lived in Ireland, I can say that The Burren feels more like an authentic Irish pub than most of what passes for "Irish" in the US. I prefer to be there on a school night rather than a Friday or Saturday since there are a few too many newly-legal-drinker college students for my tastes, but if you stick to the front room where the trad bands are rather than the back room where the cover bands it's a bit better. Or if you're getting dinner (pretty good for pub food) get there a bit earlier and get a table, then hang on to it for the night.
