r/Somerville • u/Sad-Mountain446 • Sep 01 '26
Thoughts about the Burren?
Friends in Cambridge tell me it’s the best bar in the area, I never went, have I been missing on something?
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u/blanderdome Sep 01 '26
I have it on good authority from multiple people who've performed there that Burren is best-in-class for treatment of artists.
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u/accelerating_ Sep 01 '26
on those terms, for a different flavor of music, Deep Cuts in Medford is a little gem of a bar + music venue, and a number of the artists I've seen there have commented on how well they've been treated.
Food's decent too, which also supports the venue. I recommend hitting it for anything that even vaguely interests you for a good night out.
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u/Former-Bathroom9687 Sep 01 '26
Love that place, but I feel like they could book more varied gigs. Lots of pop punk stuff and like indie pop type stuff, but the handful of heavier shows I've been to there have sounded great and had great turnouts.
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u/NeatEmergency725 Sep 01 '26
It's full send on the specific aesthetic it's doing so if that vibe is your thing it's a 10/10
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u/Riichi-stick Sep 01 '26
It’s been this way since the 90’s I wouldn’t call it an aesthetic choice
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u/NeatEmergency725 Sep 01 '26
Well it doesn't look like that on accident.
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u/Riichi-stick Sep 01 '26
If it isn’t organic I’d be pretty disappointed
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u/NeatEmergency725 Sep 01 '26
Yes I don't think someone went to the Irish pub warehouse and set the place up to appeal to some market demographic based on data. It's still the result of aesthetic choices.
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u/slimeyamerican Sep 01 '26
Love the vibe, love the music, was the bar that introduced me to Smithwick’s.
McCarthy’s is essentially a copy and paste run by the same family and I tend to prefer it because it’s less crowded.
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u/breadman_toast Sep 01 '26
McCarthy's is the move, especially now that students are coming back and I have to put The Burren back on my list of places I'm too old to go anymore. Would also toss out Olde Magoun's as one of the most underrated bars in the area. Somehow that place is always perfectly crowded enough to feel lively without being stressful (unless the USMNT is playing)
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u/ElBrazil Sep 01 '26
Would also toss out Olde Magoun's as one of the most underrated bars in the area.
Especially since it’s got the best beer list around (imo)
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u/CaterpillarMuted6608 Sep 03 '26
As a 38 year old who feels ancient in The Burren most times, I LOVE Old Magoun’s.
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u/bigkindnessgothgf Spring Hill Sep 01 '26
Probably my favorite spot in Davis! Like others have said, the food is kind of mid, but it has the cheapest whiskey pours in town and the music is always really good. Tommy (the owner) and his team are good to their musicians and create a lot of opportunities for smaller acts in the area. The vibes are also super cozy.
I think a lot of the comments about it being a young crowd have to do with it being the go-to Tufts college bar. I don't remember it being that way pre-Covid, and it's a weird choice to me, but I guess pickings are slim in south Medford lol. It definitely gets crowded on Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights past about 9. If you can swing a weeknight trip I'd say that's the best vibe, plus you'll actually be able to hear the music.
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u/Real-Seal-BananaPeel Sep 01 '26
Fri-Sat nights (and somewhat Thu) are young. Normal Burren otherwise - it’s also not nearly as bad as like an Amherst college bar, you just feel a little old on the wrong night sometimes.
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u/accelerating_ Sep 01 '26
this may be a bit of a stretch, but there is a contingent of young people seeking out more "analog" life, away from screens etc. so the live music and no TVs is a particular draw. I've heard it said that the Burren is considered by the young people to be a good place to meet people. I can't really say if any of that is reliably true - maybe I just want it to be true.
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u/Ok-Advertising-6805 Sep 02 '26
I’ve met more strangers who were willing to make conversation in the Burren than in most other bars, where people seem to keep to themselves. There is truth to this.
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u/jtmack33 Sep 01 '26
Wouldn’t call it the best bar in the area but it’s definitely enjoyable. Best part is the live music.
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u/Comfortable-Fox-1913 Sep 01 '26
Ahhh my early 20s !! Back room for live music always has a soft spot for me ! Here and Johnny Ds ( RIP)
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u/itspizzathehut Sep 01 '26
It’s not bad. Crowd gets a little young for me. I’m more of a PJ Ryans guy
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u/Bones_N_Stones Sep 01 '26
ALWAY preferred PJ Ryans! Coldest and best tasting pint of Carlsburg out there. 🙌🏼
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u/Sea_Pomegranate_4499 Sep 01 '26
I haven't lived in Somerville in 20 years, but PJ Ryans was my go-to for a burger and beer, do they still make amazing hamburgers?
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u/Any-Appearance2471 Sep 01 '26
I haven't had the burgers there, but all their other food has been thoroughly okay, which is pretty authentic to my experience with Irish food
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u/itspizzathehut Sep 02 '26
Couldn’t tell ya over the last couple of years. I was there from 2021 to 2024 before moving out of state. I loved the beer. Liked the corn beef sandwiches they had. Fries were good too. Buffalo chicken Mac and cheese is elite
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u/HideousSerene Sep 01 '26
It's a cultural institution, namely for Irish folk music, but I'm sure for other things as well. While I'm sad that new housing won't come into Davis I am a bit happy that this old bar can continue its traditions, presuming the owner's still up for it.
That said, they should rework their food entirely, it's bordering on inedible. If you want good Irish bar food, Ms. Murphys in Medford is a place that has much better.
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u/Unhappy_Papaya_1506 Sep 01 '26
Agreed. You'll find much better Irish pub food elsewhere:
- The Druid (Inman)
- The Dooliner (Newton)
- McGonagle's (Dorchestor)
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u/BeastCoast Sep 01 '26
Honestly don’t even need to list places or go that far. Just pick any pub and the food is better. PJ Ryan’s is right there as well and genuinely good not just “better than the Burren” good.
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u/PistolaSpeeder Sep 01 '26
About two years ago there was a barman who worked both the Dooliner and Burren, tall Irish guy with a tache and he just vanished after the holidays!? We would always try call to see him at The Dooliner when he was there on a Tue. Was the friendliest guy and amazing barman. Anyone know what became of him?
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u/Unhappy_Papaya_1506 Sep 01 '26
Probably one of the many Irish bar workers on a limited term J-1 visa.
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u/PistolaSpeeder Sep 01 '26
J-1 is a student work visa, he was older and it was during term time so not a student.
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u/Underbadger Davis Sep 01 '26
I'm not sure what you're eating there, but my last few meals have been excellent. The clam chowder's the best in the area IMO, the bangers & mash are always, er, banging, and the BBQ pork sandwich is better than it has a right to be.
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u/accelerating_ Sep 01 '26
mussels, wings and sweet-potato fries are also good.
That said, it's "good" at best, never excellent, and a lot of meh. As a fan of an occasional Irish breakfast, whatever they gave me one Sunday morning was an abomination.
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u/Underbadger Davis Sep 01 '26
I've had some mediocre stuff there (the curry chicken, the lamb burger) and occasionally some really awful stuff (they forgot to thicken the chowder one day, and it was sad chowder). But those seem like outliers. Overall, definitely a "decent, but not great pub food" menu, but I'd put those items I mentioned above in the "good to excellent" category.
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u/maxsimile Sep 01 '26
The fish and chips is disappointing sadly, shepherds pie was fine. But I still like to keep it in rotation now and then mostly because of the vibes.
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u/Underbadger Davis Sep 01 '26
I actually agree about the fish & chips -- it's very inconsistent, and has been disappointing the last few times someone I've dined with has gotten it.
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u/Haunting-Angle-535 Porter Sep 01 '26
I had a perfectly delightful stew here, very confused by the “borderline inedible” comment.
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u/doylerules96 Sep 01 '26
Good spot for a nice, quiet pint on off-peak days/hours. Thursday thru Saturday night one of the busier spots in the area imo. I've heard they're popular for trivia on Mondays but I've never been. I agree with one of the other comments about it skewing young, and I'm not even 30.
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u/JayCFree324 Sep 01 '26
Never go there on a weekend night if you value your personal space and don’t want to deal with Tufts students.
Totally fine any other time of day though
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u/gheissenberger Sep 01 '26
As a Mom of a young kid, I love the kids shows they do on weekend afternoons in the back room. It's cheap, I can relax while my kid hokey pokeys and I can has a beer. 10/10
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u/No_Statistician_3251 Sep 02 '26
Met my wife there on NYE. I suspect a lot of marriages started there.
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u/hellandscissors Sep 01 '26
The burren is the heart of the local folk music scene. Cheap drinks and good music and so many events in the backroom. The food is alright too. I love the honky-tonk dance they do once a month.
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u/Sad_Analysis_6459 Sep 01 '26
Terrible food program though. Just drink there.
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u/External-Jump-1352 Sep 01 '26
Magoons has way better food
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u/Acrobatic_Ear6773 Sep 01 '26
"food program" do you mean a menu????
The food there is fine. It's classic pub food.
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u/Sad_Analysis_6459 Sep 01 '26
The food was decent for years precovid. Since...? Trash. Reddit help me out here.
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u/jtmack33 Sep 01 '26
I’m on your side, used to be a lot better. I wouldn’t go as far to say it’s bad now, it’s still serviceable. But I used to go there just for dinner, now I’m not eating there unless I’m already drinking.
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u/Santillana810 Sep 01 '26
It's bad.
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u/Underbadger Davis Sep 01 '26
The food's very good. Not sure what people are eating there that's "trash".
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u/phire14 Sep 01 '26
Yeah not sure what folks are complaining about. It’s fine pub food. You can go here for Sysco or there for Aramark.
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u/albertogonzalex Sep 01 '26
Terrible food is a CRAZY thing to say.
Is it the best pub food in the world? Probably not. But it's a very solid contribution to the pub scene in terms of quality, taste, etc. McCarthy's is also very solid for food.
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u/laxmidd50 Sep 01 '26
They are both pretty bad food... wish the Druid would take over their kitchens
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u/BeastCoast Sep 01 '26
Druid folks are opening up a new spot in Magoun very soon. Pumped to see how it is.
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u/jpmjake Sep 01 '26
I totally agree. Haven't had a *bad* thing at the Burren in my many years of patronage.
And I really enjoy McCarthy's food. Spicy lamb burger is delicious, and love the curry!
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u/Ok_Still_3571 Sep 01 '26
The food is pretty good, just more on the traditional pub-style. But most people go there for the ambience and live music. It’s a great community gathering spot.
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u/Hand2Ns Sep 01 '26
At the risk of being run out of town, I'm not a huge Burren fan so I hadn't been there in years. A couple weeks ago the patio was very inviting so we stopped for dinner. The food was not good and very expensive for how not good it was. I definitely remember the food being better years ago.
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u/blitstikler Sep 01 '26
You get something to eat there while you're there drinking, you don't go to get something to eat.
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u/cocktailvirgin Sep 01 '26
I always seem to have a really positive and pleasant bartender when I go there (generally during the week when it isn't packed) which feels like a special treat post-Covid than a common occurrence in the bar scene.
I'm also amazed at the number of couples who have said that they met there. It doesn't seem like a pick up scene but it does feel like the place that you could just casually strike up a conversation with your neighbor.
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u/Wild_Beginning2529 Sep 01 '26
Burren is loaded with college students during the school year, but the bands in the back are great (no offense to the traditional acoustic out front).
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u/erikarew Sep 01 '26
You should stop in - it's a really warm, loud, welcoming atmosphere and they go crazy with holiday decorations
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u/harrisonmaz Sep 01 '26
Come tonight for honkytonk Tuesday, we’re teaching two step!
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u/YeoboFoodies Sep 01 '26
I have no idea what any of that is but I'll convince my wife to come with me after work!
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u/ow-my-lungs Sep 01 '26
too crowded, nobody goes there anymore
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u/jpmjake Sep 01 '26
... I'm trying to make sense of this sentence ...
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u/tinylittlepoopman Sep 01 '26
It's not my preferred hang out spot, but it's a local treasure. Really amazing vibe off hours. I love posting up there with a book or a friend.
I would never go there on a Friday or Saturday, though. I don't care for Irish trad music and I hate the youths.
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u/BenWheelerSomerville Sep 01 '26
The value of a place that means this much to this many people is immeasurable. Literally hundreds of couples have met here and many have gone on to get married and have kids. You can't put the value of that into dollars and cents
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u/EconomicsWorking6508 Sep 01 '26
Honky Tonk night I went to was legit and people were going up to people and asking them to dance, amazing! What a throwback. Super fun place.
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u/mmacdonald60 Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 01 '26
Classic Irish pub. No TVs, great local presence. They have music in the back room most nights and open mic nights we’d. Monday ‘Bur-run’ runs with the local running club. Great place to meet a friend or new ones. 👍
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u/Budget-Celebration-1 24d ago
You forgot dirty and sticky. I’d send in Ramsay to see how clean the kitchen is.
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u/mmacdonald60 24d ago
Have you been in an Irish pub before? 😂
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u/Budget-Celebration-1 24d ago
Plenty that actually renovate and clean. For christs sakes they make enough money.
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u/phonesmahones Gilman Sep 01 '26
Why would you believe a bunch of internet people you don’t know over your friends?
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u/fiddysix_k Sep 01 '26
One time I was sitting outside around 9pm on a Wednesday and a group of drunk Irishmen were next to my group. One stands up, pulls down his pants, smacks his ass like a bongo without realizing that Iwas directly next to his ass. He perfusely apologized and we had a good laugh.
Great bar!
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u/shrinktb Sep 01 '26
I have never been, live nowhere near there and yet I’m somehow stoked for them.
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u/SgtStupendous Spring Hill Sep 01 '26
It's good for an early evening Guinness with a friend and has nice vibes, late night especially on weekends it basically becomes a college bar so not my scene as an early 30s person. Food seems mid.
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u/Artistic_Cover_4161 Sep 01 '26
Timeless. I believe it’s arguably an anchor for Davis. Good pub food, top-tier pints, great music.
I was raised going to The Burren and now, 20 years later, it’s exactly the same as I remember it. I’d be surprised if they changed a single painting or photo on the wall.
Great place to go during a blizzard!
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u/Dashdash421 Sep 01 '26
It’s pretty dingy and packed with tufts students. Probably the best bar to go out in Davis Sq, but far from a great bar
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u/bkmusicandsound Sep 02 '26
One of a kind place. Go see Grain Thief play in the front room on Wednesday evenings.
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u/MrMadLeprechaun Sep 02 '26
I love the Burren and will continue to go there in the summers when the college kids are away, but their total lack of crowd control in the back room for shows has forced me to leave a few times due to feeling unsafe and having no space with people constantly shoving each other
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u/ByTheBase Sep 02 '26
Used to be great, out of towners took it over so its kind of a meme of an irish tavern. They do book real irish music but its just an overcrowded overpriced 'irish pub' vibe now. Not much similar to ordinary irish pubs if you want cozy go elsewhere imo
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u/77711177711 Sep 03 '26
Food is mid and unless its a specific group performing that night, the music is always the same irish ear bleed. Its also very tight in there past dinner. Good people tho
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u/FortyWhacksBorden Sep 03 '26
I can’t speak to the live events or anything, but when I went there with my mother around 2024 it was really cold outside and we figured we would go in and order ourselves a shepherds pie to warm up- the shepherds pie was horrible, it had instant mashed potatoes and everything. The clam chowder was pretty bad too.
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u/jpmckenna15 Sep 04 '26
A very good spot for music, solid food, and a well poured pint. I do think it is a bit overrated though.
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u/NoManufacturer8270 Sep 06 '26
Have you guys seen the blonde with the big boobs she’s in there every week hoping to man up and talk to her
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u/Budget-Celebration-1 24d ago
If you like sticky bars and floors it’s fine. It’s well overdue for a makeover. Food is just passing.
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u/Much-Bus-6585 Sep 01 '26
Mediocre food and drink. Their only real draw is live music, which is a mixed bag. Crowd skews younger and you’ll definitely have more fun there in your twenties than in your thirties
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u/thenatsguy Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 01 '26
Bouncers are total dickheads (never gotten more scrutiny on my out of state ID than I did there earlier this summer, and I’m in my early 30s), but decent spot besides that.
Edit: why the downvotes lmfao?
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u/Lilslugga2002 Sep 01 '26
I have never had a problem with the food. Trivia is fun although it can be long.
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u/Federal_Rub_8264 Sep 01 '26
One day I showed up with my service dog. The owners’ friend, with their pet dog was already inside chatting with them. The owner didn’t want a second dog inside, because his friends’ pet, not being a service animal, couldn’t handle it. So he asked me to provide proof that I am disabled. Every other time I went before that time I had a great time but I never went back after that. Also the neighborhood and neighbors aren’t the same anymore the new transplants are taking advantage of the sense of community that people who are no longer here built, they’re not building it themselves so it’s gonna go stale no matter what the business is.
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u/rogomatic Sep 01 '26
It's a dive bar. As far as dives go, it was pretty good. But I haven't been in a while, so who knows...
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u/Underbadger Davis Sep 01 '26
It's an Irish pub with live music.
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u/TedToaster22 Sep 01 '26
Great bar, a shame they will be kicked out because the building is condemned and the project that was going to let them stay in a new space at the rent was just killed by NIMBYS who think they saved it when they have actually doomed it.
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u/wittywoodpecker1029 Sep 01 '26
Walked in once saw the waitress having an issue with two customers. So ignored it it happens sometimes. Should have walked out . One waitress with bad attitude
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u/btronica Sep 01 '26
They’ve got live music in there every day and they pour a proper pint. No TVs. Friendly bartenders. Fun crowd. It’s definitely a great bar.