Bukowski Tavern

dkeramaty

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $$$

Went last night for my friends birthday. Not to crowded; enough room to get the 15 of us tables. The selection while not that large (for taps) certaintly had enough quality beers to choose from (ie. Racer 5, Hercules DIPA, Grail Ale, Pranqster, etc...). They also had a pretty big bottled list (99 I think), but when I go to the bars I go for the taps. Prices were average, didn't get any food but my friend did and the portions were kind of small (Chicken Quesadilla). Overall pretty nice beer bar, but IMO it is no Sunset or Publick House.

06-07-2007 00:16:18 | More by dkeramaty

niall

Illinois

2.65/5  rDev -31.5%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 1.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 2 | $$$

Shouting to be heard across the table over the din of students and hipsters isn't my favored way to spend an evening, but I figured it would be a fair trade for promising taps and excellent bottle list. The first round was Southern Tier's IPA, and it tasted wrong. I asked the server if I had the right beer, which he indulgently confirmed, but the beer was definitely wrong. That flavor, which I still couldn't place, was in the second round, Stone's Arrogant Bastard. It tasted like someone had cut the beer with Cel-Ray. I figured there was a problem with the taps, so I drank an IPA from the cask, and there it was again. Tea Tree Oil! It has to be whatever they're using to clean the glasses.

While we drank, we ate these sad-looking burgers that reminded me of itinerant burger slingers in parking lots and county fairs, and the fries at the bottom of the pile on the late were ice-cold. I shan't return.

One of my companions drank a delicious cocktail, made with lavender lemonade vodka, though. Sipping that was probably the highlight, as the drinks went.

12-11-2008 16:50:22 | More by niall

RBWoodward

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +19.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

This is my go-to tavern, my first choice, a great neighborhood establishment. The beer selection, quality, and diversity should get you in the door. What will keep you coming back, besides the beer, is the staff, the atmosphere, and the food.

Bukowski's is probably best known for its Dead Authors Club - drink 1 each of 133 different bottled beers on a predetermined list that covers the gamut of beer types within 6 months, and you are rewarded with immortality in the form of a numbered mug engraved with the name of the author of your choice, well, dead author of your choice. From then on you can fill your mug with whatever beer they have on tap at the time (about 16 different ones at any given time) at a significant discount. Joining the club is a bit daunting at first, but a couple of beers a day a few times a week will get you there. Plus, you can learn a lot in the process, about both beer and yourself. I didn't realize how much I liked Scottish Ales and Belgian Strong Pale Ales, my current fave, until I had started my mug quest.

Pursuing (and attaining) membership in the Club will keep you coming back, but if it weren't for the other positives of Bukowski's, it would not be nearly as enjoyable. The staff are great, very friendly and knowledgeable. The food is underrated! The menu is creative, and new items are added often. Finally, the environment is wonderful because it's versatile and neither too big nor too small. When the weather is nice, they open up the front floor-to-ceiling windows for a near-outside dining/drinking experience. You can of course sit at the bar by yourself or with a friend or two, and if you want to have a big group party, there's space for that, too.

Note that they are a cash-only establishment, but if you forget to cash up before you arrive, the ATM in the back will conveniently solve that problem for you.

The location (Inman Square) is not the most accessible if you're not local because it's a bit of a hike from the nearest T stops. Honestly, though, I like it that way. It's got a healthy level of activity as it is, and we really don't need any more student watering holes or conveniently located magnets for pub-crawling posers who are looking to pound 4 or 5 PBRs with their new best friends, now do we. Bukowski's is not for them. However, if you enjoy great beer and great food, it might just be the place for you.

06-26-2010 22:34:57 | More by RBWoodward