Food was okay and prices were reasonable but this place rates on 2 stars because (1) their credit card machine would not process my card at all even though absolutely nothing wrong with card, and they wouldn't use their other terminal. Wound up having to get cash advance on SAME card at their in-house ATM! And (2) on a later visit they refused to serve my cousin on his 21st birthday because he has only a Mass state ID card instead of a drivers license . Other nonsense on yet a 3rd visit. In short, on 3 out of 4 times I've been there, there has been a problem.
Review Source:The weather is beautiful, the Sox are playing, and it's one of the first Saturday's in the spring. And you decide on Baseball Tavern...um.. ok? You, my friend, are lucky the roof deck is open! I'm pretty sure the roof deck is the only place in this establishment that I would get a drink. Â The inside is dark, and no too welcoming. Â Please, PLEASE go up to the roof deck. Â There you can get your beer on tap and hear the sounds of Fenway (even watch on the big screen in Fenway!). There is only ONE unisex bathroom on the roof and the line gets pretty long so plan ahead! If you're going to go to this place, make sure it's sunny and beautiful so you can sit outside and enjoy the scenery.
Review Source:Went here the other day before a Red Sox game to meet up with my friend. I had no idea where it was in relation to Fenway, but it's pretty close by and not on the main road leading to Fenway, which probably helps with it not being too crowded. We didn't have to wait in a line to get in, and we headed right upstairs after the guy checked our IDs. My biggest qualm with this place was that while trying to get onto the rooftop bar, we were told they were at capacity. We waited while 6+ people came down the stairs and left the bar (there were only 2 of us waiting to go up) and it wasn't until a large group of about 10 came down that we were allowed to go up. And when we got up there it wasn't even crowded at all. Maybe the guy working the stairs is a big confused about the whole counting situation. However, their onion rings are great!! I'll go back if one of my friends is there, but I'm not sure I'd make this my go to bar prior to a Red Sox game.
Review Source:I've been to Baseball Tavern on a few occasions, but my most recent trip was the morning of Marathon Monday for a few drinks and a quick lunch before the Sox game ended.
We picked the right time to arrive, as the Sox crowd was quickly leaving to get to the game. We didn't have to wait in line for the roof deck (that was a first for me). The inside has two levels of bars and tables. The bars are big enough that you don't have to crowd around and you won't typically struggle to get a drink.
The roof deck has one bar in the back, typically staffed with 2 bartenders who are very efficient. Beer prices are pretty cheap, I believe I only spent $25 on 4 Bud Lights and 2 Sam Summers. Not bad at all. I also tried one of their pizza's. I cannot remember the name, but it comes with bacon and whiskey onions. The pizza is small and cheap, enough for one person, but I was just as satisfied splitting it. It's quite greasy, but it tasted really good.
The only issue with the roof deck is the fact that there is only one unisex bathroom. The roof deck can get really busy so you might be waiting in line for the bathroom for a long time.
This is a fun bar, the staff is nice and the prices are cheap. It's worth a visit during or before a Red Sox game.
Recently attended a surprise birthday party for a friend at this location. The set-up was in the upstairs section. Great location for a surprise party, and as the two guests-of-honor came up the stairs, made for a perfect surprise seeing a bunch of friends filling up the room. The catering was great, good food options. Top two bar food items were the pizzas and chicken fingers. Great for a laid-back night with good friends.
Review Source:The baseball tavern isn't glitzy and it really doesn't have to be. Even with the proliferation of bars around the fenway area there is always a crowd on game day and even on the random weekend night when the Sox aren't in town. I would prefer Sweet Carolines right next door and the roof deck at Remmys is better than the roof deck at Baseball Tavern but overall the beer is cold, the food is decent, the prices are reasonable, and all you are really after is the location so you won't be disappointed.
Review Source:we were in the area and wanted to keep on drinking. my friend lives near by so he said lets go to the baseball tavern. the game was on (red sox) but the bar was slow. the music was awful, awful, awful "hip-hop" and i use quotation marks on purpose there. but i didnt care much. they also have vodka so i drank a few of those until my friend could not stand up. his wife probably murdered him as i did not see him again while i was in boston.
i would probably go back to the baseball tavern but i only hope that if i do, they are playing better music.
cheers
OMG! Love, Love this place.
God, I miss going into Boston for a night out!
Had so much fun!! It's pretty rocking after a baseball game.
3 floors, different music on each floor!
The roof deck is pretty awesome, not too crowded, they only let so many up, so it is not overbearing. It is a mix crowd from 20 somethings to  Seniors :)
Pretty hot guys; ok there were some hot girls too, but I really didn't want to talk about me & my friends..hehehe
Chicken fingers were da bomb!!
Drinks were strong..
and yes.. I am writing this tipsy!!
If I were half my age, or drank twice as much, I'd probably give this place 4 stars. If your purpose is to find someplace near Fenway to have a few drinks before and/or after a Sox game, you'll do fine here. It's a good place for a group.
I would not recommend using the Baseball Tavern for special or group functions, at least downstairs. We had been doing so until we had a really bad experience in 2011. We had been told the bar/seating area would be ours for several hours for our function. Â We were surprised to find a number of additional people in our area. We were told they were "regulars" who would not be denied accommodations. These regulars also found their way into our buffet line without having to pay. The staff did nothing about this except give us grief for complaining. So we voted with our wallet. We'll still come here for drinks, just not for food or functions.
Decent sports bar. Â I didn't come on a game day but wish I could have. Â The highlight of the place is the third level. Â It has a good view of Fenway and is right next door. Â The other levels are confusing and don't lay out well. Â They do have one of the old school hockey machines on the basement level which is pretty cool. Â The beers are cheap for the area. Â If you are looking for a place to relax I would make your way to the third level and enjoy the view.
Review Source:We were in town for a Sox game and wanted to check out the bars around Fenway. This one was right across from our hotel. It is a more divey choice and attracts more locals than out of towners. We went on Friday night and were pleased to find that they had karaoke going. Everyone at the bar was super friendly and the drinks weren't terribly expensive. The place had a great vibe and coupled with the karaoke gives me more than enough reason to go back when I'm in Boston.
Review Source:We hosted a special event at Baseball Tavern. Â The staff did a great job of making it fun. Â The roof top deck is great. Â There was plenty of space for a big event here. Â The food was typical bar quality and was okay. Â The food gets three and a half stars. Â The bar service was very good. Â The staff was very friendly these aspects get four solid stars. Â The venue is great and festive for a sports themed event. Â It is obvious a group would have fun here watching their team. Â The venue gets four and a half stars.
Clearly during summer days at Fenway Baseball Tavern is a place to be. Â I have been in before and after a game. Â It is busy! Â Go early if you want a spot prior to an event.
Over all I am a fan of Baseball Tavern. Â If they could improve the quality of the food this could be a really great sports bar.
I can't believe no one has commented on the fact this is the Official Badger bar yet.
I came in here for a typical Saturday football game (Wisconsin vs. Illinois) and as to be expected, only the first floor & basement were open. I've heard great things about the roof, but it wasn't open. The place had generous seating, but not enough for a bigger game, i'd recommend getting here early if you want to sit and it's a semi important game. Â Unfortunately there were no specials, and at 1pm on Saturday I'd like to get something less than a $12 Bud light pitcher. Wait staff was OK. not overly attentive, so we ordered our first pitcher from the Bar.
Pros
-HD flat screens with a large projector
-Blow up Bucky
Cons
-no game day Badger specials
-how about some fried food, pickles and cheese anyone?
I love that this place makes such a festive environment for college football teams' games...it def. goes that extra mile! Â I was in town for the weekend, and went there for the LSU game. Â They have two floors, the top floor was dedicated to a different team, the bottom floor was for the LSU game.
LSU alumni came with their LSU gear (which was to be expected)...but the part that wowed me was that the bar owner had gone to the trouble to decorate the whole bar in LSU paraphernalia, their staff wore LSU shirts, they played Louisiana music during commercials, and they made complimentary jambalaya! Â I wish I knew of a bar like that where I live!
Everyone likes the roofdeck at the Baseball Tavern so on game days you're going to have to wait in line to be allowed up there. I, on the other hand, couldn't care less about the roof deck. I'm going to a Sox game and I'm going to be sitting outside for the next 4 hours. Why do I need to do it while at the bar? Personally I love the Baseball Tavern because they crank the AC, especially in the basement.
The food won't blow you away, but if you have 3 or 4 beers first, you'll love it. Besides, we're talking wings and burgers here. A place would have to go out of their way to try to make wings and burgers taste bad. So you'll enjoy the eats. Speaking of the 3 or 4 beers you might want, you can get a Longhammer IPA there for $5 which is $3 less than you'll be spending for a decent beer if you make your way into Fenway.
It's also located about a block away from Fenway so while Beerworks and Cask n' Flagon will be packed shoulder to shoulder, there's a decent chance that you can get a seat at Baseball Tavern.
The only downside is that I swear one of the bartenders there hates me and remembers me. This is nonsense, of course, because the guy deals with drunker and more assholey drunken assholes than I on a regular basis. So obviously he doesn't remember me from the 2 or 3 times a year I head there before a game. But my imagination keeps getting the best of me on this one.
One of my favorite spots around Fenway with a great roof deck overlooking the Park.
Tons of space, always a fun crowd and great service. Food is okay - much cheaper than the ballpark. And, hell, I'll take decent, reasonably priced food any day over that overpriced crap at Remy's (worst experience ever).
Go the Baseball Tavern before, after or during a Sox game!
We came in to the Baseball Tavern sort of by mistake: our plan was to park ourselves somewhere for the Bruins game (game 4) this past Saturday. Â Initially, we went into Jerry Remy's, since neither of us had ever been and we wanted to check it out. Â Unfortunately (or fortunately for us!) they told us they'd be closing at 3PM for a private party, so we wouldn't get to see the whole game. Â Knowing we wouldn't want to interrupt the B's mid-period, we opted to leave and go across the street to the Tavern. Â Everything happens for a reason...!!
it was practically empty (only the first floor was open at the time) and we sat at the bar and chatted with Jeff, the bartender. Â He was very attentive (but not overly-so) and we enjoyed his company. Â The best thing about this place is the food - specifically the burgers. Â FINALLY: someone knows the meaning of the words "medium rare". Cooked to perfection, generous portion, piled high with what we'd requested (mushrooms, jalepenos and cheese) with a huge pile of fries (also noteworthy!). Â I couldn't even finish a half!
Beyond the food, it's a fun place to hang. Â Three floors means lots of space for what turned out to be a pretty big crowd as the afternoon progressed. Â We didn't check out the roof deck (although we should have, considering the abysmal performance of the Bruins that day), but next time we go we plan to. Â Where we were sitting, there were plenty of TV's/monitors to watch the game - you never had to crane your neck or find a better vantage point. Â
All in all a cool place that I would definitely recommend.
True confession... I have had a $50 restaurant gift certificate (supposed to spend $100) Â and I can never get the tab up to $100 bucks to use no matter how much I eat with the 4 of us.
I've never been during a game or even baseball season but always in the winter months when things tend to be quiet.
I was there this past Friday night and there is cheap parking right next door not on game nights. $7 to park and eat is worth it for me in this area where parking can sometimes be a hassle if you don't have a neighborhood sticker.
The Baseball Tavern is OK food. It's great buffalo boneless wings, mediocre onion rings, perfect fried cheese, good beer, great music, good burgers and very nice accommodating staff with a great bar atmosphere.
I can't wait to return!
Came here to watch Cal game with fellow Cal alumni in the basement of the tavern. The bartender was very friendly and helpful. He got our orders in right before the kitchen closed. And for others who came later, he informed them that they could bring in pizzas from next door. :)
We got fried zuccini sticks and buffalo wings. I believe they were $6 and $7. And they portions were surprisingly large for bar food.
I'd recommend the zuccini sticks and I'd return for another Cal game :). Go bears!
The Baseball Tavern earns three stars mostly for being a reasonably old-school Red Sox bar (and also the bar that Derek Lowe and Kevin Millar tended in their cleats in 2003 after clinching a playoff berth). Â For me, it's on the way to the park, and spacious enough to grab a pint and get ready to go to the game, even if it's crowded. Â Every time i'm there, the roof deck seems to be rented out for some sort of function, but i have to assume it's pretty sweet. Â The beer selection is just barely adequate; the Red Hook IPA is the only really quality pick, but there's something amusing about drinking it in a plastic cup before the game. Â
Here's hoping they never ruin it like the Cask N' Flagon.
Helloooooooooo roof deck!
Came here for an outing w/ friends to watch the Red Sox and Celtics games. Being that close to Fenway was nice, but other than hearing the crowd when a nice play happens, there's no other perks. (It did allow you to chat it up and not have to pay crazy close attention to the games, because as soon as you heard the crowd you knew to look at the TVs to see the play a few seconds later).
Staff did a good job working our group (and it was a large one) to make sure that we were taken care of in a timely manner. Food was on par with pub food as well. We had a smorgasbord of appetizers so I tried some fried zucchini, chicken bites, nachos, and mozzarella sticks.
All in all this is a fun spot to watch the game, and then if the Sox win you're right in the heart of the action for the fans to continue the party... and guess what... you're already there, so the party... comes to you!
This place excels at one thing: providing reasonably priced beers in close proximity to Fenway Park. Â The roofdeck is an added bonus (though no bathrooms on the roof kinda sucks.) Â
I've nibbled on a few of the dishes here and they are standard bar fare and provide the proper base for drinking cheap domestic beer before a Red Sox game. Â
As others have said, there really is no reason to come here if there isn't a Sox game about to be played. Â They layout isn't really that good for watching a game, but it's damned near perfect for drinking before one.
Average, average, average....hence three stars. As yelp describes it, it is just A-OK, and I don't think a yelp description could describe this place any better.
I came here for football game day viewings, and the the staff here is pretty much hit or miss, and they definitely play favorites (ahem, if you went to LSU you will definitely be favored over anyone else in the bar!!! and no, I am not an LSU alum ha ha). You can wait quite some time at the bar to get a drink during game days, but I would suggest sending a girl, because they seem to wait on them first here pretty consistently, which I like when I go to get a drink for myself, but when the guys I am with learn the trend, I have to get up a lot more in order to order their drinks too! Which just isn't that much fun for me ha ha But hey, not sitting the whole time burns more calories, right?
This place is three stories, and it always gets booked for big viewing parties. They try and accommodate you and they actually do a decent job, so long as their staff is in the right mood. They do big food orders for parties and things (their food is okay, but at least they have decent fries which I think is a must at any sports bar), and their drink prices are average as well, but there is just nothing too special about this bar, and if my alum group didn't come here, I don't really see myself hanging out here otherwise.
Quick food, decent prices, more beer selection than just bud light, not crowded in the basement right before a sox game: Â I'll take it!
the day was rainy and gross, but we will def be back to check out the roof deck when it's nice. Â Added bonus: Â the bartender down here today is a pretty nice guy
Science doesn't lie: Â heat rises. Â And The Baseball Tavern heeds true to that same theory - the establishment gets progressively better as you make your way up, all the way to the roof deck on top.
Standing mere steps away from the hustle and bustle of Fenway Park, it's a sure thing for Sox faithful looking for that true Boston sports bar vibe, pre or post-game, and a fantastic substitute for those looking to enjoy some fresh baseball but couldn't grab a seat at Fenway that day. Â
It's usually going to be quite crowded, which is understandable considering it's prime location, large space, and no-nonsense pub fare. Â But as it goes with many things Boston, certain things are virtually unexplainable: Â even with a roof deck and lots of places to sit and eat on the second floor, most people choose to enjoy their stay on the first floor, making it a bit of a sweaty undertaking by the time you're ready to bolt. Â Â Those who know to go to the roof deck really should - not only is it an amazing spot to watch a game at Fenway, it's comfortable and unmatched during a perfect summer night.
Rooftop bar! Â
Come here on an evening with great weather and a Sox home game and you're in for a great time when you sit on the roof. Â The rest of the place is a dump - could really use an overhaul. Â
And did I mention it's like going to the gym to get up there?! Â Talk about a lot of stairs...But well worth the trek. Â Fun place for a few people or a larger group. Â Try the lawn chairs.
Oh, and the replica Green Monster and Fenway lights are an awesome touch!
- If you are not sports fan. This place isn't for you.
- If you are in the mood for sophisticated margarita or cocktail, this place isn't for you.
- If you are looking for fine dining, this is a tavern, not a gastropub. This place isn't for you.
- If you are a sox,pats,celts,bruins and/or BC fan, this place IS for you.
I don't recommend Sox home game/playoff in weekend because it gets sooo packed. Not worth it.
Otherwise, it's pretty convenient and comfortable place.
It's not that I dislike the Baseball Tavern, I just don't care if I never go there again.
After the Machine experience, my sister and I finally made it to the Baseball Tavern, and I was there for probably 10 minutes before I decided it just wasn't my scene. It was pretty crowded and masculine. The lighting was odd, and it's almost like it was trying to be a dive even though it clearly isn't. I guess the ambiance it decent, and sporty enough, but it's just not really somewhere I would want to go with friends. It's one of those places where nothing eventful seems to happen. So, definitely not my scene. I need a little more action than what there is at the Baseball Tavern.
Bland, uncreative, and nothing short of the same banality you find with many other bars around Fenway. Seriously, this place is like a working exhibit of why a creationist could make a case that natural selection hasn't worked like evolutionary biologists claim.
I give it two stars only because it's chock full of material for a stand-up comedian. Otherwise I'd avoid this place if i could do so.
I watched the whole game 1 of 2007 ALCS against Indians on the roof deck. Sure it was freezing, but it was a lot of fun. Of course, the Red Sox winning the game, and drinking my share of beer had a lot to do with it...
Awesome part of its experience is the 7 seconds TV delays. Across the Boylston Street is the glow of the lights from the Fenway Park. So, you are watching the game on the little flat screen that they have on the roof deck. A runner is on second and Big Papi is at bat. Pitcher nods to the catcher and he starts his pitching motion. At the moment you hear the crowd ROAR across the street and you know that Papi did something. Does a run score? Is it a home run? A double? Â
Their burger ain't bad either. Just make sure to order it before it gets crowded. Once there are too many people? Forget it. You will be waiting for your burger for a long time, and it probably won't come as you ordered... My suggestion is to just order more beer till you don't care about it.
On the second floor, check out all the cool old baseball photos/decorations from famous M.T. "Nuf Ced" McGreevy's 3rd Base saloon (1894-1920). It is like little Cooperstown right in the back of Fenway.
This is ANOTHER place that suffers from a non-creative name - I may have to make a an official list of these places. Start at one star. Anyway, this place confused me at first since it used to be Sofia's (an upscale Latino/Salsa/Flamenco bar and tapas restaurant).
Now for the transformation... It is a dive-ish sports bar where all drinks are served in plastic cups except for bottled beers. The mixed drinks are very limited - I asked for a margarita and I received a laugh. The bar food is adequate since it is inexpensive. The crowd is friendly (add a star) but totally monotone (non-diverse). Also it has the roof deck which is a big plus is this town (add another star).
What annoys me is that this bar is owned by one of the Red Sox owners and the flat screens are not big and lack in quantity. I also thought that there would be some decor with baseball memorabilia. Minus one star.
My friends and I used to go to the Baseball Tavern when it was a block over where the new condos are being built. This was when it was a small dive bar with this great old time bowling arcade game. We even brought our own milk once for $3 white russians.
Those days are far gone and now it's no different than any of the other sports bars around Fenway Park. The roof deck is nice and you actually hear the roar of the crowd when Sox make a great play before it shows up on the screen, but the waitress was terrible and the guy clearing tables will throw out your beer if you leave it unattended. The bartender was fine and I have no complaints on the cheeseburger I had, but the ambience is basically a meat market in Red Sox clothing.
I saw a show here last night, and while I loved the band that was playing, the venue left a lot to be desired.
The sound quality was consistently terrible. We watched 3 of the 4 scheduled bands, and every one of them had their vocals totally buried. Unless you were right next to the guy singing, you weren't hearing anything. On top of that, the beer selection was pretty poor; they had Bud, Bud Light, and one more similar beer on tap.
On the plus side, though, they had fries on the bar for people. That's pretty cool, I guess.
My friends and I have been trying to find the right spot for pre-game boozing, so before our last game we went here. Â
We're still looking.
We went to the roof deck, which was a nice change of scene, but the service was horrible. Â Why would a place called the _Baseball_ Tavern have only one (1) bartender working the whole roof deck an hour and a half before the _baseball_ game?? Â Even though it wasn't crowded, it took at least ten minutes to get a round of beers, partially because the kegs didn't seem to be working so she had to open cans and pour them into keg cups for everyone. Â We grabbed a table when one opened up, but the one (1) waitress working the whole roof deck never bothered to stop by in the twenty minutes we sat there, so we finally went downstairs where the service was a bit quicker and stayed for a few more. Â I wouldn't waste your time or money on this place.
Sports watching in the basement? Nah. Great place to watch the gays Dancing, Shaking, Stepping!!
I walk down 7 deep in our crew, to the Baseball Tavern and its dark and loud as hell, DJ Mark E. Moon is spinning, and there are a few grinding hip hoppers, Â hipsters and their hair dressers, and some lost St Patrick Day paraders. The vibe was outrageous and a little scary, anything can happen.
"Come over here. I don't dance alone." Â says the Tube-topped girl doing the downward facing dog to some random dude.
I happen to love baseball but I don't seek out Sports bars..Apparently the basement of Baseball Tavern is a place for indie shows now and the bartenders are friendly and on their game. ($2 Drafts) We went to see the ridiculous electro punk Big Digits, who were dressed in glamourous mesh burkas, and the listing wasn't even in the Dig. Â Was it because of St Patty events overload or because this place is just that obscure? There was Pixies covers and there was Sean Paul. And I was as confused and strangely excited as some of the homie regulars.
Mostly I had fun talking(shouting) with friends in this electrified dirty chaos but by the end of the night I'm still dancing. Â There may or may not have been found shamrock glowsticks involved. To top it off 1 unnamed male rockstar came onto 1 unnamed male friend! It's anybody's game at The Tavern!!
Disclaimer:
*The opionions expressed about  this night at the Baseball Tavern are not endorsed, affliated, or sponsered in anyway by The Boston Red Sox.
Nice staff, friendly crowd (I was there during the off-season). Menu covers the basics, kind of heavy on fried stuff, but also has some good, basic, and fresh salads (no soggy or brown lettuce was found). The veggie spring rolls are really more like veggie egg rolls (fried, cabbage, carrots, etc.. on the inside).
There's music downstairs sometimes and the soundproofing isn't great, so prepare for dueling music of upstairs vs. whoever's playing in the basement.