The Lower Depths

thomasdlynch

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Lower Depths has a solid draft selection (10-12) and an impressive bottle menu (50+) with seasonal bottles as well. These stats stand out among the other bars in the area. The beers aren't cheap but the prices were what I expect for out-of-state microbrews. The selection diversity and depth are worth the prices.

The wait staff is knowledgeable about the beers and proactively offered tastes to help us decide on one.

We ate the hamburger and the black bean burger. The hamburger was seasoned well and tasty but a little small for the bun. The black bean burger was delicious with lots of flavor.

I would definitely return here and would recommend it to beer enthusiasts.

02-20-2011 14:28:29 | More by thomasdlynch

paulds

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +7.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

One of my favorite beer bars in the city. Gets very busy about an hour before and for a couple hours after Sox games, but otherwise I've never had a problem getting a table. Big plus for my wife and me is the dog-friendly patio out front, which is a rarity in this area.

Excellent tap and bottle selection, though the prices are quite high. And, as noted by many other reviewers, be aware that LD is CASH ONLY, so don't come with a slim wallet. There's an ATM by the door if you need it.

The staff is awesome. Very friendly, eager to help you select the right beer for you, and quick to offer samples. Very laid-back atmosphere, which is a refreshing alternative to the feel of a lot of other Boston bars.

Food menu is quite good, and the kitchen will adjust things to your requests. The fish wrap is excellent, but I often have a hard time resisting the urge to simply pig out on the ridiculously awesome tater tots and fresh soft pretzels. Also worthy of note is the weekend brunch menu, which is served from 11am until about 3pm or so.

Only major complaint is the music volume, which can sometimes make it challenging to converse with the person across the table from you. The staff has always been responsive to turning it down a notch when I've asked, though.

01-08-2011 15:18:49 | More by paulds

RECiPE

Nebraska

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

Stumbled across this place while in town for a conference. Google maps lead us here. Nice tap selection. Nice bottle selection. I can't get Magic Hat anything where I live, so it was fun to try their HIPA (in bottles). Steak tip salad was top notch. Beef was done to my liking. Nice assortment of greens in the salad and some tasty bits of blue cheese.

Bill arrived. I learned that this place does not take plastic. Geez. Drained a bunch of my cash for this trip :-( I would really like to visit this place again, but I CAN'T!

11-16-2010 01:43:32 | More by RECiPE

dustinjkline

Massachusetts

3.46/5  rDev -14.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

Stopped in here before the sox game. Place wasn't very busy, so it was pretty relaxed. Had an Avery Czar. Everything seemed pretty pricey, but I kind of expected that given the neighborhood. It was $8 for a 14oz Czar. I almost went for the KBS they had in stock, but $13 was a bit out of my price range. Selection was decent. First time I've ever seen 40's for sale in a bar, they had Mickey's, Colt 45, Private Stock. Didn't try the food, as I had just come from Boston Beer Works. All in all, not too bad. I'll probably stop there again someday.

04-24-2010 16:58:25 | More by dustinjkline

charliedvrs

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

My girlfriend and I came into the Lower Depths after a Red Sox game, looking to wash the taste of the Fenway beers out of our mouth before grabbing a cab home. Walking down a flight of stairs from Comm Ave, the bar as a modern, iron type look with low lighting.

I was afraid it would be pretty packed like every other bar in Kenmore after a Sox game, but we were able to grab two stools right in front of the taps. Busy but in no way uncomfortable. Bartender was very attentitive despite handling a full bar herself. I had a Troegs HopBack Amber Ale and a Left Hand Sawtooth Ale on Nitro (haven't seen this anywhere else in Boston). Tap list was nice, about 15 or so. Bottle list looked pretty extensive as well. Everyone was very friendly and laid back. Didn't have any of the food but the person next to me had some outrageous looking tater tots. Next time!

All in all a very pleasurable experience that will definitely become a regular part of our Fenway trips.

edit: one more point. Cash Only? C'Mon guys its 2010.

04-23-2010 20:33:07 | More by charliedvrs

andylipp

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$$

I was just posting a recommendation for this place in response to a forum question about Fenway Park beer bars, so I thought I should essentially cut 'n paste it here.

My pregame ritual now always includes the Lower Depths in Kenmore Square, a one-minute walk from the Kenmore T stop. They have 15 or so taps, and usually not a dud in the bunch. Fenway Franks on a toasted roll for $1, too.

Sandwiches and pub fare are a bit expensive, but the quality is usually better than decent. The Mackin' Cheese is a personal favorite, as are the Tater Tots, which are available with myriad yummy toppings.

The knock on LD is that even compared to other Boston beer bars it is a bit pricey when it comes to drafts. But compared to what you'd pay for a BMC at the Park, it's a fine value.

Last week, instead of paying $7.75 for a shitty in-stadium beer, I had a Hercules and a Fluffy White Rabbit at Lower Depths for about the same price. Great bartenders, too.

Sure, it's crowded and loud before a Sox game, but there aren't any bars nearby that aren't. On non-gane days it's more quiet, but be warned that, like their sister bar Bukowski, they crank the tunes to a deafening level even when the place is empty.

04-20-2010 15:43:03 | More by andylipp

yemenmocha

Arizona

4.64/5  rDev +15.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Probably one of my favorite beer bars while in Boston.

Daytime visit was great on a rainy day with the entire bar to myself. The garrulous bartender was helpful with samples, though it wasn't hard to opt for the Founders Breakfast Stout.

Draft selection had mostly regional craft beers with a few quality imports. Bottle selection was very good but not excellent.

Location is convenient right off the green line and is a cool underground spot near the India Quality restaurant. Great for daytime drinking but I would reconsider for evening and/or game nights, given the proximity to Fenway.

10-07-2009 16:18:41 | More by yemenmocha

hwwty4

Missouri

4.18/5  rDev +3.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

We were told to go take a walk up to this place after doing a tour of Fenway by some people that worked at the Bleacher's bar. The bar kind of has this industrial artsy vibe going on. There is a lot of metal and art decorating the bar. Its not uninviting but also, it doesn't give you that warm and fuzzy feeling. We grabbed some seats at the bar (no back rest, big pet peeve) and we instantly served. While I know it was slow, there were still a couple people at the bar, and the beertender was really quick. He asked what we liked, made some recommendations and we quickly ordered. I had been out in the sun for the last couple hours so I ordered a Lagunitas Pils. We start chatting up the beertender and the conversation quickly progresses. We ask about the food and the first thing he says is "are you counting calories?" Of course we weren't, so he told us to order the loaded Tots. Tater Tots, with queso, bacon, more cheese, and sour cream. On my god were they good. My wife had the nachos, which were also excellent. The selection was good. About 10-15 taps with maybe 100 or so bottles. Nothing out of this world, but everything was solid. After a couple Lagunitas and some BBC, I ordered a Narragansett, just because. I properly butchered the name and the bartender started busted out laughing but not in a demeaning way. He then schooled me in the proper way to pronounce the beer. This was a great place. I'm really happy that someone recommended that we head to it.

07-21-2009 16:29:11 | More by hwwty4

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

On my last trip to Boston, I grabbed a quick beer at The Lower Depths while my incredibly sexy, pale-skinned and red-headed girlfriend shopped on Newbury Street. Unfortunately, I got a call from her before I even finished my first beer :(( I'd have liked to stay much longer.

The Lower Depths is a cool (both literally and figuratively) bar a few steps down from the street on Commonwealth in the Fenway area. 1" tiles of blue cover the walls, and the bar top is stainless steel, leading me to believe that this is kind of a college bar. There's a mural of some older, grundy patrons though; and there's also a small patio out back.

Apparently, this is close to Fenway park (?), and they do $1 hot dogs that are great. ? And even sell 40's. I didn't have anything to eat, but supposedly there's a buttered pretzel or something that's really good as well.

The beer selection is great, and that alone is worth a stop.

06-23-2009 09:07:52 | More by NeroFiddled

IBUnit63

Massachusetts

3.96/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$$$

This is a place that's good for postgame beers down Comm Ave from the pahhhk...it's got more of a professional crowd to it...not quite poser but definitely a little on the yuppyish side. Music isn't bad, furniture and fixtures look good. Doesn't really give off a warm, welcoming feeling though - can't put my finger on it...

Taps...around 10-15 or so. Pretty good stuff, too. Nice style and brewery variety - something for everyone!

The service isn't bad - nothing outwardly outstanding; not merely going through the motions but just makin' the donuts.

Speaking of donuts, didn't sample the food just yet.

Major beef: As with another beer bar in Boston owned by the same group, this place is WICKED expensive. 2 javahs and a Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen...24 bucks? I can see javah running pretty expensive but that's a little steep. Still, it's a decent pit stop on the way to the Other Side or something like that...

The individual elements as noted look very good, but one thing this place needs is a little synergy. Good selection? Yup. Quality stuff? Sure. Those two items should make this place much more enjoyable than it is - the "technical merits" are very good but the "artistic impression" needs a bit of work. Even besides the heavy price tag. Don't get me wrong; I don't dislike the place, but I simply don't like it as much as I should.

04-08-2009 15:25:06 | More by IBUnit63