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.