Boston Pub Crawl

There are a lot of bars and pubs in the touristy area of Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, but the Green Dragon is almost a required stop for those who want a pint and some history on the side. Opened in 1654, the bar was a hangout for the likes of Paul Revere and John Hancock. There’s usual pub fare and live music four nights a week.

The oldest restaurant in Boston and the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the U.S. (open since 1826) has played host to events and people dating from the American Revolution to the Kennedy clan. Belly up to the bar and order some chowder or oysters and soak up the history along with your beer.

Somewhat confusingly, there are two Cheers bars in Boston, the “original” and the “replica.” The original, the one that inspired the TV show, has the façade that fans will recognize immediately. However, once inside, the similarities end. The replica, on the other hand, in Faneuil Hall is probably much better for those who want to immerse themselves in a faux set. It looks just like the Cheers bar and you can pretend you’re a regular where everyone knows your name.

Food can be hit-or-miss at pubs, but look for delicious traditional Irish fare here, including fish and chips, native lobster, aged black angus beef and the specialty, Mother Sweeney's corned beef. There is live Irish music every night of the week and some lucky patrons have managed to see members of the Chieftains, John Denver and even a member of U2 before they hit it big in years' past.

This hugely popular hipster bar has a cool vibe, with one of the best mac-and-cheese dishes around. Since you’re on a pub crawl, the fact that you probably won’t be able to get a seat shouldn’t bother you tooo much. Silvertone’s has fun and innovative cocktails too and its basement setting makes it feel very cozy.

J.J. Foley’s Bar & Grill on Kingston St. (there's another on in the South End) is an institution in Boston and claims to pour the best pint of Guinness in town. Don't go there expecting anything fancy--this is a bar for drinkers with no pretensions, which is why so many people love it. If you want to end your crawl on an authetic note, this is the place.