Ok, 5 stars - not given lightly. This place is absolutely amazing. It's my new go to after moving to Kenmore and, in the past month, it's safe to say I've been here 10+ times. I love it and you can really never go wrong. This is THE place to go in Kenmore any day of the week, any time. LOVE IT
Service- Amazing. The staff is always incredibly swamped and yet, you always get food/drinks in a timely manner and they're really cool people. The beer list is overwhelming and they'll give you some really great suggestions which can obviously be a huge help.
Food - Obviously the tots are crazy good. It's just insane. Paired with a hot dog with pimp toppings and you can walk outta there with a $5 dollar meal. Amazing. The Hummus Flatbread is also amazing. A bit of spice, a bit more hearty. SO good.
it does get packed prior to red sox games and the clientele changes up a bit when games are happening. not a huge fan but definitely still worth a look.
CASH ONLY - WHO CARES! It's worth it. There's an ATM there and you're surrounded by ATM's in kenmore anyway. No one should every complain about these things.
I haven't been here in a couple months, but they had my signature "mug club" mug on standby....
Let me just say..... wow.
I ordered a mug of harpoon, then moved to the patio... where you're requires to order food.
I ordered the King of Kenmore chicken sandwich... sauce on the side, and tator tots. Â
The food was phenomenal... wow. Â Chicken sandwich was tender and warm... tots crunchy, but soft inside. Â Was a glorious meal!!!
(from 04/27/12)
I'm an out-of-town tourist but I know me some beer bars. Came here before a Sox game.
Beer selection was OK (12-15 drafts), prices were reasonable for the area and beers ($5-9), food selection was pretty wide and the Fenway dogs were a perfect pregame and were nicely prepared.
I like the setting, especially the patio. It's kind of like a downstairs dirty dive bar...only, it's well designed and furnished inside and is well taken care of. The music was loud and well-selected. The service was a little slow -- no, a lot slow.
I would definitely come back but maybe not go super out of my way.
I was visiting Boston a few days ago, and tried the Lower Depths as recommended by a friend of mine who is a craft beer lover like me.  This place is tucked away, sort of a hidden gem for beer lovers.  There was over 100 beers on the bottle list, several from each style which I appreciated.  However I didn't see any "rare" ones at the time, but maybe they change their inventory often.  Also, the tap list was OK, but nothing too rare on tap.  However, the extensive bottle list, and the great service is worth it.  The bartender was awesome, very friendly and makes  you feel at home.  I had a veggie sandwich on a baguette, came with grilled artichokes and other veggies, was really tasty!  I definitely recommend this place, but its small, so don't come in large groups.  Also, the small outside patio area was cute for a nice sunny day!  If I lived in Boston I'd be here a lot.
Review Source:Pretentious and difficult.
Sure, it's popular, but a beer and wine bar with cash only and one bartender, it's not worth the hassle. Â The staff is rude and offer limited seating,
I give this place high marks for it's beer selection and good food. Â I had 2 Old Speckled Hens and the White Trash dog.
I probably won't return here.
There's not much to dislike about this place. Â
Great for pre-gaming before heading to Fenway Park or the House of Blues, as all of the delectable greasy food serves as a great base for a day/evening of drinking!
While snagging an outdoor table can be a challenge on a nice day, I've found that sitting at the bar when the doors and windows are open is a good second choice. Â There's a pretty long bar (given the size of the place) that is chock full of bottled brews and a handful of draft beers as well. Â The beer menu is organized by category, which can definitely be helpful in navigating the expansive menu. Â Beers range in price due to size and alcohol content, though nothing seems unfairly priced.
As many others have written, the tater tots are off the chain! Â I am partial to the Supreme variety, which comes with sweet caramelized onions, a balsamic reduction drizzled on top, and topped off with tangy blue cheese. Â The full sizes are a generous portion, however on my most recent visit the server mentioned a half portion was available. Â I'm also a big fan of the pretzel with spicy mustard, which is a great snack in the event you need a little something (or would rather save the space for beer). Â The grilled cheese specials tend to be quite good as well, if you are looking for a sandwich. Â
A solid Kenmore Square watering hole, particularly if you are a craft beer fan. Â It's cash only, however there is one of those non-decript, sorta sketchy looking ATMs at the front door.
I'm always amazed that more of my friends don't talk about this place.
To keep it quick. They have a great beer selection. If you're a beer drinker you'll be happy. Everything from Colt 45 to Ommengang.
We got the Kenmore Tater Tots ($11, Melted Cheese, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Chipotle Aioli and Scallions), and all I can say is it literally is as good as it sounds. Delicious.
For dessert we had the ice cream sandwich ($6) which is Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiched Between Two BBC Coffeehouse Porter Brownies. We could tell it's not something they make in house, which isn't a bad thing. It was frozen stone cold, but we had them take it back, pop it in the microwave for 5 seconds to soften up; delicious.
First time at The Lower Depths was this past Sunday (I lived nearby there during the Deli Haus days). Â I was excited to try it, as it seemed to have a nice divey character to it and didn't look to student-y, and had a great beer selection for the BF. Â
It was actually not crowded at all, and the noise level was perfect for conversation. Â Music was mellow, from an Ipod playlist. Â We had just come from dinner, so we had no room to try the food, though I really wanted to, based on other Yelp reviews. Â The beers were really good, though, and the prices were very reasonable. Â I loved that they had hooks under the bar. Â If you're in Kenmore, it's a nice little place to duck into.
I've grabbed drinks at the Lower Depths before, but I had never ordered food until I came here last week for dinner. Turns out their menu is awesome and I have been missing out! I was attempting to have a healthy dinner so I ordered the Lomita turkey sandwich with a side salad. The sanwich had turkey, melted cheddar cheese, garlic mayo, and an avacado lime spread. The sandwich and salad were delicious! Unfortunately the sandwich was a special, but their regular menu had some yummy sandwiches too.
Now for the unhealthy part of the menu. They had great pre-game snacks like tater tots, nachos, burgers, and hot dogs. There were at least 4 different styles of tater tot plates that looked amazing. I'm not even a tater-tot fan and I was contemplating which one I will be ordering on my next visit. I think it was the one smothered in cheese and bacon. Can't go wrong with that.
I can't decide if "cash only" docks them a star or not...on one hand it helps to maintain a certain atmosphere, while on the other it could be an inconvenience. Â I suppose there's an ATM outside, so I can't take it away from them.
Pretty extensive draft selection, including a hand pull cask. Â Friendly staff. Â Modern furnishings but a dive feel.
I didn't try the food, but only because I didn't have enough cash on me. Â Next time though.
Went to the Lower Depths tonight for the first time and was very impressed. I have been wanting to go here for at least a year and tonight was just a spur of the moment with a few friends. They have an extensive beer menu which was very nice to see. I had a kick ass chicken sandwich. And the table ordered TOTS!! they were delicious. Our party of 4 had a great time and we will be going back.
The server (wish i got his name) was very nice and was very up to date on his beers. He was able to suggest some good beers from us telling him out tastes. Great time I would def recommend.
This place was a good addition to the Kenmore Sq. scene when it opened, oh, several years ago now. It has staying power. Great beer selection and good food--I judge a place by its nachos, and some actual thought and fresh ingredients are involved in this case. It will be loud on Friday and Saturday nights. If that's not your thing, I recommend Wednesday afternoon. The staff is friendly; I don't know if he works there anymore, but Naor, the Brazilian bartender, was always really sweet. Good chili dogs. And tater tots. "Tots" apparently comes from the target audience of this food group, which means they should probably be called tot taters.
Review Source:I really enjoyed visiting the Lower Depths on my most recent visit to Boston.  They had a great beer selection and even included some of our favorite Pennsylvania beers.  Not only was I impressed by the beer selection, but I didn't detect a hint of snobbery amongst the bar staff.  They were all very friendly and willing to chat about their selection of beers.  They all also seemed to genuinely enjoy working there.  It's nice to go to a beer bar and  not feel talked down to or that you're presence is boring the staff.  I was really most pleased with that aspect of the place.
Another few points about the Lower Depths -- great location, plenty of space and seating, very clean, and a pleasant crowd. Â They only accept cash, but in a pinch they have an ATM in the entryway.
A great place -- I definitely hope to stop back one day!
One of my favorite dives in Boston. Good beer selection, friendly and laid-back bartenders, tasty and pretty cheap bar food (the tot dishes are good, so are the fenway franks with about 20 toppings to choose from). Best of all the murals by a local artist of '80s punks and a variety of seedy characters. A few TVs to watch sports or whatever. A nice comfortable joint in Kenmore.
Review Source:I doubt I'll say anything that no one else has said. Great beer selection, decent prices (I also love that the prices and the ABVs are listed in the menu), convenient location, nice layout, helpful servers... you name it.
My only gripe: where's the atmosphere? With a name like "The Lower Depths" and the amazing reviews on here, I wasn't expecting the too-bright-for-a-bar lights or the bland, linear wall panel things. I'm not asking for dark and dirty ( ;) ), but I'm asking for some character. It felt a little sterile.
But let's be real, it's still four stars because my dumb complaint about cheap decor is mostly trumped by the fact that a bar finally accommodated my elitist penchant for Belgian beers.
Having been here three times now, I'm ready to give this place a proper review.
Drinks: They have a pretty great beer list, ranging from your typical brews like Gansett, to rarer offerings, like SomethingICantPronounce. The bartenders are also very helpful in describing the beers and answering any questions you might have. Stand out recs include Lagunitas Maximus and a cider that I can't remember the name of. So good, so dry, it tasted like champagne. None of that sickeningly sweet Woodchuck crap for me, mmkay?
Food: CAN WE TALK ABOUT POUTINE TATER TOTS FOR A MINUTE OR SO? They are so good. I love poutine anyway, and had been craving it a lot the last time I went here. Needless to say, I had high expectations, and they were met. Very good. I've never had a bad meal here, but man, those poutine tots hit the spot. And there were enough that we could split it between the three of us. Makes me hungry right now and it's 10 in the morning.
Only con, hence the 4 stars: Cash only. But there's an ATM in the place, so consider this a 4 1/2 star review.
gosh, i love this place.
it's a reasonably priced (but cash-only) place that serves not only your typical run-of-the-mill bar food like burgers and fries, but they also have constantly changing menus for their arancini and grilled cheese. the best part about lower depths is that they have many delicious vegetarian options, like their black bean burger and veggie dogs. to be fair, their veggie dogs are store-bought so they're store-bland, but it's nice to know they have that (very, very cheap) option.
oh, and they serve beer and wine here? and don't judge you if you order a fruity cider? perfect.
They have a decent beer selection, with about a dozen or so on tap and a bunch more in bottle form. The selection is OK but can't compare to Yard House, still my fave place for beer in the Fenway/Kenmore area. The food was decent as well: pub-style and pub-quality.
I was going to give this place 3.5 to 4 stars except for one thing. I asked for a small side of blue cheese dressing to go with my fried chicken wrap. The size was equal to the quarter-sized containers for ketchup you find at fast food joints. Surprise: when I got the bill, I saw a $1 charge for it! Definitely overpriced for that small amount of dressing, especially when the wrap itself with side salad was $11. And of course, I wasn't told I'd be charged for it when I asked for it. Sneaky, and annoying.
Don't bring your friends who aren't big beer drinkers here. The wine is. Well the type of wine you'd imagine they'd serve at a place that really just serves beer.
Tater tots are ok. My bf didn't like them, but he was also hungry-angry for the two hours preceding them. My veggie dogs were delicious, although I've never paid $1 for BBQ sauce like those hot dogs. I get that you're offering the hot dog cheap, but really? $1 to squirt some store-bought sauce on them? Lame.
Service was ok. I didn't have problems, but I watched a lot of people around me have them, and a lot of the group I was with had a terrible time trying to close their tabs. Most of the staff looked like they hated their lives, which I tend to miss because I'm so awkward, but they made sure everyone knew their feelings about working a relatively slow Saturday night.
All in all...lots of beer, pretty standard carb-loading options, and staff who hate their lives. Of course it's in kenmire square.
I only came here for brunch one day. The special here are their tater tot dishes. We shared an order of the Kenmore tater tots. They were good and it was a very big portion.
I had the Chilaquiles and it was ok, it got served to me a little cold. My friend had their special grilled cheese of the day and it was served a little burnt. I wasn't that impressed with their brunch food but it has good beer selection. I might consider going back to try a dinner menu.
This is probably the best bar in Boston. Sixteen rotating taps of (mostly) craft beer, plus 100+ bottles. The pimp toppings for the burgers and the hot dogs are amazing. Get a hot dog for $1 and add a few gourmet toppings for just a couple bucks more. Chipotle aioli and caramelized onions on a hot dog? Yeah, it's pretty outrageously fantastic. The bartenders in this place are as knowledgeable as they come and also the friendliest bartenders I've ever run into (which is saying something, since bartenders at beer snob bars can tend to be a bit uppity). The place is also a bit of a hidden gem and never gets packed, which is definitely another plus. Cash only and no liquor, so if you're not into beer or amazing food, The Lower Depths probably won't be your thing; otherwise, it's as good as a bar can get.
Review Source:I wasn't impressed at all. Service was surly and unhelpful, prices don't make sense (they told me a glass of lambic was about $15? That's what a bottle of lambic costs at the liquor store...when I inquired about this, they tried to explain to me what lambic is. Thanks buddy....). Yes, beer selection is large but I definitely prefer the atmosphere at Bukowski's (though, I do like the brighter lighting in this place- I appreciate being able to see my friends!).
I don't even care about the cash only thing (used to it as Costy's in JP is also cash only) or the loud music, I just thought the service was abysmal and nothing else about the place was great enough to overcome that fact.
The lower depths is not trendy enough to be trendy...not divey enough to be a dive bar...it escapes a clear classification for me...but certainly appeals to me!
I am giving it 5 stars for its beer selection and it proximity to Fenway. Â In a mess of cookie-cutter sports bars The Lower Depths offers an inviting atmosphere.
We came here prior to watching a Red Sox victory at Fenway...needed a place for a couple of beer snobs to have a couple of beers before the game. Â Couldn't have asked for a more perfect place. Â Easy walking distance, but just hidden far enough away not to be a mad-house with pre-gamers.
Additionally they have a solid grilled cheese and cheap hot dogs.
Cash only
Such a good bar.
Granted, it was clean and filled with hipsters the night I was there. I almost felt like I was back home in Chicago.
Especially when I saw the $2 Chicago Hot Dog on the menu.
I opted out for the regular $1 hot dog with spicy mustard.
This bar has the best in beer choices for being a small basement bar in an area off the beaten path.
Wondering what to do after my friend and I had dinner, we decided to try this place for a good drink!
The bar was pretty spacious, with numerous seats at the bar and against the wall, and a couple tables at the back. There were a lot of people when we got there (around 9pm), which  brought about a really lively atmosphere. The three wall-mounted TVs were showing different shows - one with the baseball game, one with the sports news, and one with "How to Train Your Dragon". Yup, that's right - Dreamworks - FTW! Great thing to see a bar where all the TVs aren't showing the same game or the same channel.
The Lower Depths is a beer and wine only place, so don't go here if you're in the mood for mixed drinks. Their beer selection was pretty good, and the waitress was pretty knowledgeable and able to give recommendations. I ordered the Boulder Flashback Nitro, and liked every sip of it. Nothing like a dark brown ale...except they got my order wrong! Heh, granted, I still enjoyed whatever beer they gave me (I forgot the name.) So, with this review, there goes 1 star! Since I was already in the mood to try anything, it was still a win for me. I reviewed their extensive listing of beers, and hadn't seen most of the drafts. Oh well, gotta start somewhere!
You guys could have had 5 stars easy from me! Too bad, but hopefully the next time I'm here, everything will be perfect! :)
Cash only hot dog specialty hipster bar that serves great pints, great dogs, and isn't too terribly 'spensive. Â
I come here to mourn over my beloved DeliHaus and to raise a bottle of cheap high life to its loving memory. Â A chili cheese dog and amazing tater tots also helps the pain go away. Â After a couple of high lifes (high lives?) I'm wiling to venture into their more esoteric brews, and despite being a beer connoisseur, i can always find something i've yet to try. Â
this is a cool little spot. Â come in for a dog and a beer, and bring your green, but you probably won't need a million dollar bill.
Love this watering hole for craft brews! Â The draft line-up is updated regularly with a list of upcoming drafts listed on the bottom of the menu to get you fired up for your next visit. Â I wish the list of stouts and porters by the bottle was a bit more extensive, but that's not to say that the selection in general isn't fantastic. Â Likewise, the staff here are approachable and attentive with keen eyes on your beer and water glasses.
Great beer demands great food and TLD shines in that department. Â Honestly, the combination of value and quality doesn't get any better than $1 hot dogs and $2 footlongs. Â The signature tater tots are darn tasty as well - I loved the Kenmore tots and there were plenty to go around as they came teeming on a large and crazy hot plate.
Come with cash ready, drink and be merry =D
This is a wonderful neighborhood bar! They have have great beers on draft and the food menu is extremely fun (and extremely unhealthy). However unhealthy the food is though it is delicious, where else can you get tater tot poutine or waffle fries as nachos? The inside is surprising clean and the patio is an added perk. I've always been happy with the service, even if it never really goes out of its way for you.
The only reason I think it's not quite 5 stars is because they don't take credit cards. While part of me is proud of them for not giving in the realistic part of me gets frustrated that I have to plan ahead to get cash before I go. They also claim they can keep prices down by not paying credit card fees but while their beer prices are not outrageous they are far from a good deal.
However, cash issue aside, this place is wonderful for a quick bite to eat and beer to drink, highly recommend!
I think that eating at The Lower Depths prevents a lot of hangovers. Â Granted, if you just drink there, you'd be hurting, but COME ON, TATER TOTS! Â WITH THE OPTION OF STUFF ON THEM! Â Also, this is the perfect place if you need a hipster snack of High Life and tater tots. Â I had a few delicious ales and ordered a dessert of an ice cream sandwich, which got shared at my table. Â It was good, but didn't taste 100% fresh. Â It was based with vanilla iced cream and stout chocolate brownies. Â I was more about Steph's tater tots than my dessert.
Service was good, though a little inattentive when we needed to get the check. Â I also don't like that it was cash only. Â Hate that. Â Anyway, I'd definitely come here again before a Red Sox game for hot dogs and tater tots-can't beat the prices and the good beer options!
I had such a great time here!
I came here with a man who is a "regular." They have this beer competition where if you drink all the beers on their list, you get a big-ass beer mug with cheaper beer for the rest of your life. Pretty nifty, eh?
So, just like the other Yelper's, he said the Kenmore/Poutine were his fave tots. So, we went with the kenmore. I'm personally not a huge fan of the cheese & bacon topping (I know, you're probably not going to read any more of my reviews now that I admitted that!) but it was still absolutely delish. And as some other Yelper's noted, its incredibly crunchy, even with the topping on it!
Beer: The well's banana bread beer. I'm not a big beer drinker, but I was able to drink a lot of this baby! Even the guys enjoyed it... referencing that it's not as "girly" as they imagined! haha.
Food: Besides the Kenmore, I got the special: ALLIGATOR!!!!! Now, the sandwich wasn't anything to rave about unfortunately, but I give the restaurant mad props for putting this on their menu. I've always wanted to try it! It's basically a cross between calamari and chicken. The major downside of this sandwich was the fact that it was completely and utterly fried, not "lightly fried" as it announces on their menu, and so, you know, when you have fried food, it kind of takes away from the meat inside. But you definitely still tasted that unique alligator texture.
Create your own dog masterpiece... well, my boyfried ordered a "normal" one on the menu, which was the BELGIAN, (garlic mayo and fries) and then went the "not-so-normal-route" combining pickles and peanut butter. UMMM WHO DOES THAT? But the bigger question was, WHY DOES IT TASTE SO GOOD? Yeah, I said it. It was GOOD. And we are neither pregnant nor psychopaths (eh, debatable on the latter). There was more peanutbutter to pickle ratio, so I came up with the brilliant idea of throwing relish on it. So if you want to be extra cheap, you could just order peanut butter and save the dollar and slather relish instead.
I uploaded photos of all of it, in case you're curious :)
Service: A tad on the slow side.
*** I am naturally a loud person, so the music level didn't bug me... I was in my element!
Okay, my novel is done. Enjoy!
Its a damn shame I live so close to this place. $1 hotdogs with the option to add the "Big Pimpin" Mackin cheese? A platter of tater tots? Awesome Belgium beer?
Shi*.
I seriously CANNOT wait to come back here because the food is just stupid good and they have an awesome drink selection.
$1 DELICIOUS HOTDOGS with BUTERRED AND GRILLED ROLLS!
It sounds like it's too good to be true, but it's the real deal.
AND they have super delicious crunch on the outside, soft on the inside baked pretzels with cheddar beer dip.
And of course, a bunch of awesome crazy craft brews on tap.
THE ONLY PROBLEM: They play crazy screamo music that is way to load to even hear your friend next to you. I am all for blaring top 40 that is fun to sing along to, but this is not what you get hear.
Come here for a quick beer and a hotdog and head somewhere to spend the rest of your night to save your ears and voice.
Shhh, don't tell anyone but this is the best place to grab some beers and food before a Sox game cuz everyone who gets off at Kenmore turns left towards Fenway; I go right towards The Lower Depths.
I just learned this is a sister restaurant of Bukowski's, so yeah, the beer selection is pretty awesome. Â Food is really good- highly recommend the beer cheese dip which is similar to Buk's white trash cheese dip only better. Â
Tots! Â Grilled cheese! Â Funny menu descriptions! Â Cash only! Â Can't stop using exclamation points!
Located not too far from Fenway Park, The Lower Depths offers a great atmosphere to grab a pre/post game hotdog or beer.
I loved the vibe and the attitude of Lower Depths. Â
It is a bit small and if you are hoping for a bite before a game, get there early. Seating is limited and its first come first serve basis. Â You walk in and grab any open table for service.
A menu must have would be the Kenmore Tots. They were everything you'd want from a big plate of tots. Hot and crunchy; cheesy and saucy. Definitely give these a go.
I also tried the Boston Strangler hot dog. Â This foot long frank was topped with mac and cheese and caramelized onions. Its a great concept in theory however I felt it to be one note and lacking a bit of seasoning.
The Lower Depths is definitely a great place to stop at before the big game!
The Boston Strangler hit the spot after watching a rare Red Sox win. We also had the Kenmore Tots, and I give them props for getting and keeping the tots crispy even covered in a bunch of stuff. There is nothing worse than getting cheese fries or some sort of covered fry, and they are soggy. But the Lower Depths has it figured out.
Next time I will get the Fenway Frank because they are better than foot longs, and ask for it grilled well done as I like them crispy, but I look forward to being back there soon.
If there was an negative that keeps this from 5 star is the music level inside. It was a Friday night so I understand loud music, but this was freaking loud. To the point where we were yelling at each other. And it was heavy metal too which made it louder. But beyond that, it was damn good!
Fantastic beers, delicious hot dogs with inventive toppings, and an outdoor patio -- what's not to like?
Well, the fact that the staff blasts music (often of the thrash or punk variety) at a decibel level that would make Spinal Tap envious nearly ruins everything. Â Conversation inside is impossible without shouting. Â Management should realize that a bar and a middle-schooler's bedroom are two different things.
The hotdogs and beer list are worth a trip, but only if you're able to grab a patio table on a nice night. Â Otherwise, I wouldn't venture inside without earplugs.
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