Comfy and Cozy

Cornwall’s – June 11, 2009
Group Size ~ 60

Ambience – Not your typical Fenway bar, but does get crowded at game time. Very relaxed pub with hearty food and lots of space. Darts, pool tables, jukebox, and tons of board games.

Bottom Line – Beer selection is great, with expected prices. Liquor drinkers like the pint glasses for cocktails.

Cheers to – Billy, JR and Ben. Lots of free appetizers! Plenty of room to chill in, and great service.

Overall Rating


Ashley says… Great location and the room they gave us (in addition to the free apps) was great. I didn’t have the opportunity to take advantage of the board games, but I will be back to dominate in Scrabble and Connect Four!

Leslie says… Cornwall’s always promises a good time, especially with the free apps from our favorite bartenders! I enjoyed a fat burger and visiting with new and old ABC friends. Hopefully D bar will be dry…this rainy ABC weather is starting to get old…

Jessica says… So happy to bring the club to my favorite bar and enjoy good beers along with great company. Also very pleased to spend some time in the pool room…this rarely happens for me.

Hi there!

Welcome to our blog!

Take some time to weigh in and vote on the bars ABC Club has hit in Boston so far. Comment on great times had, make suggestions for future bars, and take a trip down memory lane (necessary because you may not really remember every bar so clearly!).

Check back often for more A, B, C themed reviews, guest bloggers, and ABC Club news from all the chapters!

Bases Loaded

Baseball Tavern – May 28, 2009
Group Size ~ 75

Ambience – If the Red Sox are at home, this Fenway-side bar is crawling with fans. When they aren’t in town, Baseball Tavern remains a great place to watch a game, meet up with friends, and enjoy the evening on the roof deck. Lots of space, bars on four levels, and friendly staff are bonuses!

Bottom Line – Reasonably priced drinks with a kick. You get your money’s worth with a strong mixed drink and there are plenty of yummy beers to choose from.

Cheers to – ABC taking over. The WI Alum Club joining to celebrate their love for all things B…including Bucky Badger. The many, many free apps and the strong drinks.

Overall Rating


Ashley says…They gave us a ton of free delicious food and were very nice. The roof deck is awesome, especially on a nice day! Definitely worth going to on a game day or non-game day!

Leslie says… Despite the rain, BBall tavern was a hoot! Plenty of free apps to keep our bellies full and plenty of random dance parties. The jukebox was great and having a Dominos next door for the late night snack is superb!

Jessica says…B marked my first time to miss ABC Club. Travel plans got in the way!

A Rainy Night

Atlantic Beer Garden – May 14, 2009
Group Size ~ 30

Ambience – Like its brother Brighton Beer Garden, ABG packs tons of brews, tvs, and bar grub under one roof. On a nice day, enjoy a great patio overlooking the Harbor. The full square bar provides plenty of seats with access to a big beer list.

Bottom Line – Typical beer prices with a nice variety of taps. Food choices are traditional but with a nice mix of seafood to represent the waterfront location.

Cheers to – Starting a new season in a new location! Jeers to – Crappy weather raining on our parade, and a power-hungry doorman that didn’t sympathize with those standing in line to get in. All three teams losing!

Overall Rating


Ashley says….The deck out back was awesome. Food was good and service was fast. The place was pretty crowded but that’s because it’s a great place to watch game since there are TVs and huge screens everywhere you look!

Leslie says…While I love the location on the water and the plentiful TV screens, it’s not worth battling the crowds that roll in on Thursday nights. Pick another night and you may thoroughly enjoy yourself, and the mounds of fries they serve!

Jessica says…I was pretty disappointed with our outing to this Beer Garden. No Young’s Chocolate Stout available as advertised? Over-busy servers that couldn’t handle the crowd? L I did enjoy my chili and abundant supply of French fries, and of course the company of fellow ABCers!

A Year Completed

Well, we did it. We made it once around Boston, once through the alphabet. We had some hang ups and change ups. We also had some of the best nights in the history of bar crawling. Here we've chronicled our path and will continue to review, comment, and ooze about Boston's bars and the times we've spent there!

Make sure to weigh in on your rating of the bars from Season 1, and visit regulary to vote on Season 2!

Zany Z

Zocalo – April 16, 2009
Group Size ~ 100

Ambience – Ay! Ay! Ay! We got a little Mexican flavor at this restaurant with a small bar that served plenty of margaritas for our graduation party.

Bottom Line – Many different types of sangria are a hit, along with awesome food including handmade-at-the-table guacamole.

Cheers to -- Celebrating the whole alphabetical journey. The staff for adjusting to us. Jeers to -- Long waits for drinks!

Overall Rating


Ashley says… Drinks were so good! The mango sangria is the best and the owner was very accommodating to our big group…so accommodating that he gave us the whole dining section of the restaurant! Would definitely go back to try more flavors of sangria and more food off the menu!

Leslie says… I love guacamole anytime, anywhere. Food was very yummy but the bar area is a tad too small for me and all my closest ABC friends. The bartenders were a little overwhelmed by our group, but managed to keep everyone happy! Definitely a night to remember.

Jessica says… I love plantains. I love margaritas. Salsa music, avocados, and great company! Z Bar’s “Graduation Night” was crowded, convivial, and crazy! Thanks to Zocalo for rolling with it and welcoming us to take over the whole restaurant!


BONUS – Our House West– April 16, 2009
Group Size ~ 10

Ambience – A very chill atmosphere and full of helpful wait staff. They kept the beer flowing (or water for some of us) and didn’t mind our loud and obnoxious antics.

Bottom Line – Amazing burgers, drunk or not, especially if you take advantage of their happy hour right after work. Beers are average – this place won’t break your bank, unless you spent it all on the punching bag machine.

Cheers to – Bar food being served late, because we needed it. Foosball tournaments and the ever-so-fun punching bag. If you don’t like to drink, there’s enough fun stuff to keep you busy!

Overall Rating


Leslie says…This place rocked for our after party! We filled the back room, ate burgers and French fries until we exploded, and watched a Foosball master kick everyone’s butts. Such a fun way to end the evening!

Jessica says…Leslie kept us all entertained at this afterparty. Thank goodness for waffle fries and no line!

Your AWESOME Choice

Your Choice- The Burren – April 2, 2009
Group Size ~ 75

Ambience – A dark and woody feel where your feet stick to the worn wooden floor, the Burren promises good pub food and live music, both Celtic and cover bands.

Bottom Line – This evening out won’t put too much of a dent in your wallet…food and beer are both reasonable at this classic Irish pub.

Cheers to – ABC Club’s first official “Your Choice” and the place being taken over by enthusiastic ABCers. Jeers to – A cover if you show up after 9 p.m on nights with live music.


Overall Rating

Ashley says...The room in the back was great for our group and drinks were cheap! The fact that almost every staff member has an Irish accent makes the place even better!

Leslie says…there is something homey about this authentic Irish pub that always has me coming back for more. Could be the cute Irish bartenders, those yummy fries and a big glass of beer. Also, plenty of space to mingle in. I’d say I’ll definitely go back, but I already have been. ;)

Jessica says…What a fun night! But I say that about every night that begins with a Guiness Beef Stew. Great company in an even better setting. People enjoyed spreading out, talking to locals, and rockin’ to the band. Highlight of my night was the sprint to catch the last inbound Red Line train to avoid crazy cab fare from Somerville!

X-Tra Special

XV Beacon (Wine Cellar) – March 19, 2009
Group Size ~ 60

Ambience – Moo’s wine cellar and bar is filled with fancy wine, ceiling to floor. Beautiful interior and a classy setting for a small sit-down dinner or cocktail party.

Bottom Line – Creative drinks and fun menu but be prepared to drop a few bucks at this establishment.

Cheers to – Having a private area and the incredible participation in the Y Bar Penny Wars! Jeers to – The waitstaff.

Overall Rating


Ashley says… Although the private space was nice and the cocktail menu was fun, it’s not somewhere I’d go again because of the way we were treated by the staff. Despite what Mooo thinks, there are a lot of other places in the city that are just as good and these places actually make you feel welcome.

Leslie says… It pains me to say this because XV Beacon/Moo is a kind of place I love. Even though I don’t mind the occasional over-priced drink if the ambiance is worth it (and makes no mistake, Moo is stunning and the wine cellar makes you fee like a VIP), I couldn’t get over how pretentious the wait staff was. They couldn’t hide their disdain for our group the entire evening. Someone should remind that they are in the service industry.

Jessica says… We had a great night at the Wine Cellar despite feeling like we were forced to walk on eggshells. The location is truly beautiful, and it was great to have such a unique private space.

What a Night in Allston

White Horse Tavern – March 5, 2009
Group Size ~ 100

Ambience – Laid back and relaxed. Big TVs to catch the games and lots of open space to stretch out.

Bottom Line – Drinks and food are cheap. Cheap bar menu too!

Cheers to - Private space including our own bar, free samples of mojito and margarita mixes and glow stick bracelets!

Overall Rating


Ashley says…The staff was great to work with and really hooked us up with a good space! The owner was around to make sure we were doing alright, which was really nice. The highlight of that evening: $6 steak tips!

Leslie says…Woe is me, I wasn’t at Whitehorse…but need to get there for those steaktips!

Jessica says… What a fun night! Whitehorse was a great home for ABC, with lots of reserved space and tons of delicious drinks. Snaps to the dance party!

Viciously Thirsty

Vintage Lounge – February 19, 2009
Group Size ~ 80

Ambience – Home to the afterwork wine drinkers and some suits having stiff martinis, as the night wore on Vintage Lounge became a relaxing place to chill with ABC. The low leather couches were perfect for cradling those of us that tried the special chocolate strawberry martini!

Bottom Line – Beer and wine are definitely on the pricey side, and selection isn’t great for those going by the glass. Cocktails were strong and the hors d’oeuvres were delicious!

Cheers to – Flatbread pizzas! Sharing bottles of wine. Condom grams and Valentine’s candy. A huuuuuuuuuuge crowd!

Overall Rating


Ashley says…I liked the large space and the fact that the lounge area, bar and dining space were all separated. They had great service and it fit our Valentine-themed night very well!”

Leslie says…A large venue and definitely fun to relax on the cushy couches. I prefer my apps a little bigger and my wine a little cheaper, but overall Vintage was a blast!

Jessica says…Don’t know if they were really ready for our demanding crew. Overall good staff and attention, but PRICEY beers. The best deal is definitely splitting a bottle of wine among a few people. $7 for a Guiness? No thanks!

Up to no good

Union Oyster House – February 5, 2009
Group Size ~ 60

Ambience – Cozy, friendly and plenty of space to mingle with the group and make new friends.
There’s an upstairs that has a fun loft feel.

Bottom Line – Union has a bar menu that includes burgers, sandwiches and chowders…all of which looked and tasted good to us! Drinks and food moderately priced.

Cheers to - Our private room next to the bar. A lot of newbies. Bringing the club to America’s oldest restaurant!

Overall Rating


Ashley says… Ye olde Union Oyster House hath become a fere to me…I shalt continue to visit henceforth. The space allowest us to mix betwixt the club and other jolly pub goers. No pearls in mine oysters though, it was fortunate that I woreth mine own.

Leslie says… Plenty of space to hang out at the bar, the raw oyster bar if that’s your schtick or upstairs for a quieter meal. Love this place for its chowda and good drink list. Will definitely be back!

Jessica says… How did I not eat any oysters this night? The nachos were goooood though, as is the Fisherman’s beer that’s on tap.

BONUS: Oyster Facts vs. ABC Club Facts

The oyster is a bivalve mollusk that has existed since prehistoric times.
The ABC Club is a social group that has existed since 2008.

More than 100 species of oyster live in colonies on natural beds and banks that are to be found in most parts of the world.
More than 100 ABC Club Boston members live in the city and sleep in beds and get money from banks to pay for their ABC nights out. With the start of the NYC Chapter and plans to begin in other cites, ABC Club members will soon be found in most parts of the world.

Oysters eat day and night. They are highly prolific, and, if left undisturbed, would undoubtedly fill the seas!
ABC Club members drink and eat day and night. They too, are highly prolific, and, on every other Thursday, love to fill the bars!

Takin' it UP a notch

Top of the Hub – January 22, 2009
Group Size ~ 75

Ambience – The breathtaking, exquisite views enchanted ABC. The Boston landmark lived up to its reputation with its fine drinks and smooth jazz. The live performers added the special touch of class that we were looking for.

Bottom Line – Cocktails were surprisingly well-priced and not surprisingly DELICIOUS. Beers were slightly higher priced than usual, but still very affordable.

Cheers to - The reserved space. Our club members good behavior (except you, Sarah)! Many new members directly from Thrillist and Going.com.

Overall Rating


Ashley says… Bringing the club here was a tall order (pun intended), but we pulled it off and really enjoyed the amazing views and live music. Great service too!

Leslie says… Ambience was wonderful, Top of the Hub wait staff was incredible and the drinks were yummy. My favorite is the Purple Rain martini – takes so good and knocks you on your butt! I can’t say enough nice things about Top of the Hub. It’s a great place for an after work drink, or to start your evening. Every time I’ve been there the service is impeccable, Bravo, Bravo!

Jessica says…We couldn’t have really asked for a better crowd or a more interesting place to spend an evening. The view was incredible, the drinks weren’t crazy expensive, and the jazz quartet was so soothing. Special thanks to the staff for dealing with so many checks!

Sweeping the Streets

Sweetwater Café, Sidebar, Sissy K’s – January 8, 2008
Group Size ~ 30, 40, 50

Ambience –
Sweetwater -- Quiet right after work with the downstairs completely empty but dedicated (for free) to ABC.
Sidebar -- Small bar with a crap load of young professionals and Suffolk law students after work. Sissy K’s – By the time we arrived around 9:00, the place was filled with dorky karaoke singers, jerky stock brokers, and crazy dancing girls.

Bottom Line – All options were very reasonable with three bars totaling less than $20 spent including drinks and dinner. Best bang for the buck is Sidebar’s $2.00 Buds and 10 cent wings.

Cheers to - Everyone wearing blue leis. The walks between the bars. The first ever ABC Crawl! Jeers to - Sissy K’s blatantly lying to us about reserving the top floor! Sidebar’s tight quarters.

Overall Rating


Ashley says… All three bars were fun in their own way. I liked the chill atmosphere at Sweetwater, the fun after work crowd at Sidebars and the dancing at Sissy K’s. Would definitely be up for another pub crawl!

Leslie says… The ABC bar crawl was adventurous and fun and I loved seeing our group take over the bar with blue leis on. However, I’d much prefer to belly up at one bar and stay the evening. Sweetwater was as it always is – a sweet time with some good pub grub. Sidebar was rocking and very packed, but the table tops of beer and 10 cent wings won be over immediately. I will definitely be back. Sissy K’s was a fun last stop and much needed dance party. Cheap beer and good music was my favorite, the staff and bouncers left much to be desired.

Jessica says… Going to these three bars in one night reminded me of my earlier working days when the downtown area bar crawl was a normal Thursday night. Accordingly, the clientele of these three bars fit with my memories and luckily, so did the price. It was a fun night with a little bit of everything, but far too many suits cutting loose for my liking.