Bukowski's Tavern
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: (617) 497-7077
- Cross Street:
- Prospect Street
- Hours:
- Daily 11:30am-1am
Editorial Review for Bukowski's Tavern – by Eric Grossman
The Scene
Located in a long, dark room that once housed a Jae's Cafe, Bukowski's Inman Square outpost delivers the same satisfying menu and unrivaled beer selection of the original cramped Back Bay location. But tourist-free crowds and roomier environs yield a far more relaxed vibe here. A hipster soundtrack (Pavement, Neil Young), strategically placed TV sets and a view of busy Cambridge Street contribute to an eclectic, carefree atmosphere.
The Draw
The focus forever remains on the sudsy stuff; beer aficionados have 14 taps and dozens of obscure bottles to choose from. Couples and professionals with different palates enjoy a fully stocked bar, an improvement on the original's lack of a liquor license. A solid pub-grub menu holds its own against the impressive beer list with one of the city's best bargains, the rightfully famous "Buck Burger" ($1.69 on weekdays before 8pm).
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoNo credit cards are accepted. Forgot? Don't fret: There's an ATM in the back.
ParkingBusy Cambridge Street is notoriously devoid of spaces. Best bet: the public lot a few blocks down Springfield Street.
The ExtrasAre you a hops novice? Test the tavern's knowledgeable bartenders, who are likely to point you to the perfect brew for your tastes.
User Reviews for Bukowski's Tavern
01/21/2009 Posted by hardinghouseinncambrdge
Named after a boozing ex-postal carrier turned writer, Bukowski Tavern offers the largest beer selection in Boston. With over 15 taps and “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall,” (from a $3 Pabst Blue Ribbon to a $13 Lindemans Lambic), the choices are dizzying. Bartenders help overwhelmed patrons choose by spinning their dial-a-beer wheel. But beware, because wherever it lands, the brew – and the bill – will end up on your table. Besides the drinks, Bukowski also has semi-decent bar food. Favorites include their famous six-ounce burger with chunky peanut butter; the “white trash” cheese dip with jalapenos, diced tomatoes and tortilla chips; and the sweet potato fries. Vegetarian options are on the menu as well, but I don’t recommend them. They also have one of Cambridge’s best bargains: $1.69 burgers on weekdays before 8pm. Located in a lofty former garage, this sparse, all-black space has comfortable red leather booths and offers great people watching on Cambridge Street. On the far wall is a large mural of ol’ Charles Bukowski – the tavern’s namesake - drinking alone with his pen as rock music blares from the speakers. For a great bar that serves late night food, Bukowski’s is the spot.
03/20/2008 Posted by notabarfly
Don't get meen just because your poor Inman Sq is changing and young people are taking over the area. Change happens. I do understand that there are problems with the place. The bar staff is great, Liz one of the bartenders is a great bartender and a nice woman. Actually all the bartenders are good at their jobs. I have always found them to be friendly, and if you don’t like people with tattoos or if you want to comment on how people dress go someplace else. I often go there after getting out of work wearing suits and I don’t have any tattoos or punk cred of any sort but the bartenders and patrons are friendly and will talk with you about beer and even make the occasional joke about your beer selection(don't take it so personally). Unfortunately the same cannot be said for some of the wait staff. I think most of them are good but there are one or two who can make that an awful experience. Yes the beer is a little expensive, but PBR is 3 dollars and if I want a huge selection of over one hundred and thirty beers from around the world I expect to pay for it. The music can get loud on the weekends, but I mostly avoid going to bars on the weekends for that reason. Make no mistake; this is not a restaurant on the weekends, It is a bar it is packed full of loud people and loud music. Next is the smell. Yes, sometimes in the summer there is a small sewage problem below the street and the open garage doors let the smell waft right into the bar, I can’t deny that. All I can say is that it is not allways there. My recommendation is to sit at the bar when you go and avoid most bars in the city if you don’t like a loud atmosphere. The general rules of social situations apply; the bartenders can talk with you and have alittle fun with you, if you can't take that in good spirits go somewhere that you can be anonymous I think that there is an Uno's in porter.
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