After a 34-year break, the World Cup is back in the United States, with Boston chosen as one of the nation’s 11 host cities.
The Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, imaginatively renamed the Boston Stadium for the tournament, is located around 30 miles southwest of the city. This venue will host seven matches throughout the competition, including five group-stage games and two knockout fixtures.
We’ve listed some of the best bars in Boston to help you maximise your World Cup experience and gain greater insight into the city’s history.
Dillon’s
955 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02115
When was the last time you drank in a pub that used to be a police station? Probably never. You should buck that trend by visiting Dillon’s. Named after Captain S.Dillon, the policeman stationed there from 1920 to 1950, the venue was built in 1887 and is renowned as a must-visit landmark in the city due to its cultural heritage and modern, lively atmosphere. The building originally housed the Boston police department’s 16th division, with the reception and cells converted into bars across two floors. There’s also a beer garden, where you can bask in the sunshine and enjoy a beverage in the fresh air, as well as a stacked food menu. An intoxicating blend of the past and the present, which flaunts a stylish brick and brownstone interior, is the perfect pre-match drinking spot.
AT O’Keeffe’s
911 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02115
Walk along the mile-long boulevard of Newbury Street, and at some point, you will encounter AT O’Keeffe’s, which was built on the site of McGreevy’s, the home to Michael ‘Nuf Ced’ McGreevy’s Third Bass Saloon from the 1800s. Steeped in history, this saloon was Boston’s original sports bar, with McGreevy an unapologetically passionate baseball fan. Fast forward over a century, and his sanctuary is now one of the best places to soak up the World Cup buzz in Boston. The ‘Oldest Sports in America’ offers a varied menu featuring burgers, fish & chips and truffle mac & cheese, which you can pair with an international beer or a refined bourbon. And — the icing on the cake — AT O’Keeffe’s serves late-night pizza until 2am.
Bukowski Tavern
50 Dalton Street, Boston, MA 02115
Named after the legendary German-American poet and writer, Charles Bukowski, this tavern is a casual hangout in the Back Bay of Boston near the Charles River. Bukowski once said that drinking is “another way of thinking” and “another way of living”, which “gives you two lives instead of one.” This friendly, sociable dive bar honours his legacy and makes his philosophy a glorious reality. It serves a range of local, regional and global breweries to satisfy customers from all parts of the world. It combines delicious beer with simple, hearty pub grub, such as a selection of burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs, as well as various picky bits and sides.
Game On!
82 Lansdowne Street, Boston, MA 02215
Searching for non-stop energy and unrivalled entertainment? Then look no further than Game On! Boasting two floors with over 100 HD screens, a 16-ft projector (the biggest in Fenway), more than 30 beers on draft and the option to watch literally any sport, this bar has gained a reputation as one of Boston’s most lively and playful spots. The food menu also ticks every box, offering nachos, wings, fries, sandwiches, pizza, salads, soups, burgers and desserts. If you’re in a big group and fancy booking a private event, you can gain access to games such as ping pong, corn hole and even the state-of-the-art, official Fenway Park Batting Cage.