Definitely a hard-core southie bar. Stopped in to grab a few beers and close out the night on my southie tour, however, was a little wigged by the air. What do I mean? That night, I had that feeling you get when you feel like there's tension and something is about to go down...generally the byproduct of a large crowd of under 30 drunk males. Sure enough, a fight closed the bar down for the night which ended my debauchery about an hour ahead of schedule.
However, the owner was nice and chatted us up for a bit. Apparently they're filming more movies there - she wouldn't say what - but it'll be on the silver screen again in the near future. If you're looking to get in just to see the bar featured in Good Will Hunting and Gone Baby, Gone, then this is the place to be.
Defiantly one of my Southie go to bars. The pub itself has a personality all it's own with the doll and photos behind the bar. Prices are fair and the bar staff are friendly enough. Clientele can vary quite a bit depending on the day and time. Usually it's a nice mix of locals, regulars and dive loves from just outside the area... but there are dark day's (more so nights) when herds of yuppies descend upon this bar (likely due to it's on screen presence) like it's a BWM dealer handing out sweaters, but if it keeps the doors open... Meh.
Review Source:Cash only. Nice little $75 or so ticket if you dare try to park on the street. Douchey owner/bartenders will ignore you forever if there if any media or film or performing troupe of monkeys in there. Two words: SELL OUT
I was embarassed to bring people there who wanted to see an authentic 02127 bar.
I fought the Law, and the Law won.
It always does. No exceptions.
As long as you keep that in mind, you'll be okay.
I'm an independent woman, but I pretty much refuse to go to Murph's after dark without a dude in tow. I've learned this the hard way. Once I went here with a group of my lady friends after we'd been at a fancy dress cocktail party, and it was like Shark Week. There have definitely been times when I've been multi-groped, and got so confused I didn't know whose butt to kick first.
It's only like that latenight, though, and underneath its badass facade and tough reputation, it's a great Irish pub. Good Guinness, and somewhat arbitrarily priced depending on how local you look. I've been charged anywhere from $3 to $5.50 for a pint. The $3 was when I was wearing a sweatsuit and no makeup. The staff here is great. No nonsense.
I have seen my fair share of fights here, though. One time, I walked in already bleeding and my bar order was "a Guinness and a Band-Aid". Both were given promptly, no questions were asked.
Bad ideas, good times.
I want so bad to love this place. I really do. It's too bad I feel like the bar is fighting itself for its identity.
We walk in and are instantly delighted with the horrible, tacky decorations. It's rancid and glorious. Perfect. Tacky Christmas lights everywhere. Horrible photos and action figures line the walls and bar.
And then you notice it... an article explaining the visit by Anthony Bourdain of No Reservations fame. I adore Bourdain and his evil take on food and drink. But why do I get the feeling that his visit hurt this place? Why do I feel like someone told the owners they had to do the following:
1. Add beers to a tap that you don't know how to pour.
2. Play obnoxious pop-friendly music.
3. Invite a kickball league to have a few drinks here.
Now, I love kickball and have played in leagues. I appreciate it. It just doesn't fit.
The bartender, bless his old heart, couldn't pour my Guinness. And, oddly, had a worse time pouring my boyfriend's Harpoon IPA. It literally took him over 5 minutes to get the IPA poured.
They need to not worry about being modern or popular... they're better off dirty and horrible. It could be a great dive if they'd stop trying.
I say to my friend, "take me someplace where the guinness is cold and the looks are hard. I don't need to get hit on, I just want to do some boozin' and a seat to sit in while I'm doing it."
***Enter Murphy's Law***
Immediately upon arriving I feel at home. The bartender looks at me like, "What the f*ck do you want?", but kindly says, "What can I getcha darlin'?"
I bellied up to the bar while taking it all in. Its dark, unpretentious and exactly what a pub should be.
When my a**hole friend asked for some sort of foofy shot that should only be served in some uppity club, the bartender quickly said, "I don't know how to make that sh*t, get back here and make it yourself."
I'm in love. Murphy's Law will always hold a special place in my heart. I hold my liver and give a cheers to you Murphy's.
Great neighborhoud pub! The first time I went, I was drunk and I had a lot of fun. Went back this past Friday relatively sober and I still like the place.
The pub wont win any interior design award, but the bartender is attentive, the drinks are strong, and the people are friendly & laid-back.
If you get there before 1am, its not crowded but after 1am - the place gets crowded and fun!!!
Good local pub where if you go regularly, they will remember you!
Cash only? I know. It has always been, hasn't it? Some people find this irritating, but odds are the prices would be much higher if they had to pay some astronomical fee for processing cards, so, I appreciate that this is still one of the few Irish bars in town that have stayed cash only.
I like this bar a lot. It's good to come here with a few friends, grab a few drinks (which are sometimes on the strong side, though I try to stay away from liquor...) or a pint and catch up, or get a lil rowdy.
The crow ebbs and flo--- well, shows up late? I'm not really sure. Sometimes I've been here with like three other people and then you go out back to rip butts, come back in and there are like 40 other people there who weren't there when you walked out just 5 mins ago... I have never quite understood when and why this place fills up - but it does!
The drinks are not all that expensive, the bartenders are nice (my friend lives right down the street, so she's a regular we sometimes meet up here for drinks) the bathrooms, yeah, are of the dive-bar-persuasion, but you know what? Hold it, or get over it. Or, better yet: hover!
On the corner of L and 1st, Murphy's Law has an absurd reputation for being a "rough" bar in South Boston, with legends whispered of it being the preferred watering hole of violent Irish mob boss Whitey Bulger and his crew in the early 90s. It is an intriguing night spot, not only for its history, fun, and notoriety (it hosted a pivotal scene in the movie "Gone Baby Gone"), but for its inexpensive liquor and generous pours, made possible by a cash-only system that keeps prices low. Entertainment includes a jukebox, dart board, and occasional local garage bands.
Although I only get down to Murphy's Law a few times a year these days, I spent most of my weekend nights in 2005-2007 there. Against the passionate pleas of anyone concerned for my well-being, I would occasionally roll into Murphy's at one o'clock in the morning glammed out with eye makeup and purple boas. No matter how over-the-top I'd look, how hopped-up on drugs and alcohol I'd been, I never once had a confrontation with anyone there. Most everyone is laid-back, save for a few high-strung (but amusing) raconteuring regulars. After a while, you get to know everyone. I feel safer in Murphy's than just about any bar in the city.
Over the years, I made a myriad of magical Murphy's memories that will last my lifetime, including intoxicated ill-advised make-outs with crank skanks in the outside smoking area ("sea hags", according to Scott the bartender), bouncing with groups of strangers to scary after-parties in the nearby Old Colony housing projects, and once organizing an after-work team-building event there, to the confusion of my staff of buttoned-up IT professionals.
These days, going to Murphy's gives me the nostalgic feeling of visiting an old friend. I've gotten busier in my life, so I don't drop in nearly as much as I should. But when I do stop by with someone who has never had a prior Murphy's experience, I find and point out the photograph behind the bar taken of me, one of my buddies, and some random dude, and all of the other photographs hung up of happy, drunken patrons. These photos have survived time, renovations, and sporadic attendance and, more than anything, they demonstrate what Murphy's is all about.
Friday night I met Shamus...the friendliest, jolliest Irish bartender a girl could hope to find. Shamus was thrilled to see me and my friends...as aside from him...the bar was empty before we arrived. I asked him for a rum and coke and was pleased that it was only $4.50. Score. I'll have another then.
Shamus chatted us up and when the locals started migrating to the watering hole, he greeted everyone with a smile and by name.
The bar is pretty dingy...however, you can tell a lot by a place from the condition of the bathrooms...and the bathroom was clean, well-kept and smelled fine.
Murphy's Law is chill and laid back but what will bring me back again is Shamus (and the $4.50 mixed drinks).
This is the bar you go to when you want to keep drinking but all the other bars are shutting down.
I have been recently out and about in Southie and have been to Murphys a few times. Each time was after midnight. The place gets packed at about 12:45 as apparently all the other bars in Southie close at 1:00.
Drinks are cheap. Service is relatively fast. Oh yeah...cash only. I hate cash only bars, but I like this one! However, the staff is pretty cool and really nice. The crowd on a Friday or Saturday after midnight is young and fun. Before midnight you'll most likely see lots of locals.
I have also been on a Sunday night before with friends and got to see the GBG picture book. I thought it was pretty cool.
So if your looking for your stereotypical southie bar this is the place to go! Just bring cash and get there before 1:00am and you'll be golden! Oh and if your hungry you can have food delivered...score!
While out and about on a snowy New England evening I asked fellow friends of mine where a good Irish chap could grab a pint and feel right at home.
"Murphy's Law Brah" says my newfound buddy from the East Coast, "They'll treat ya like f*ing familee in thair" he says with a heavy accent.
Murphy's Law I think....sounds cool, kinda in an area where I was told to steer clear from because it can get rough from time to time but hey I'm Irish and I'm not your everyday tourist.
So I flag down a cab and tell the guy "Murphy's Law" to which I get a "Pay up front before we go" kind of response....ahhhhhhh sounds like I'm heading into the right part of town goes through the back of my head.
As the cab speeds off into the dark, cold streets of South Boston the cabbie says to me "Watch yourself round here bud, they don't like the tourist folk in this part of town"
"Even better" my thoughts generate....good to get away from all the hoop-lah for a bit.
As I arrive I notice that the surrounding neighborhood is silent, almost creepy silent with only a faint fiddle sound coming from inside the establishment.
I throw open the door to Murphys and literally feel like the Yellow Cab which I just passengered took me straight to middle Ireland.
Creeking beautiful wood floors, Jamison everywhere, brass as far as the eye could see and a bartender named Shamus which literally was straight off the boat from Ireland.
After ordering up a pint me and Shamus attempted and I do mean, ATTEMPTED to have a conversation, but after several minutes and a thick accent I knew that we were on COMPLETELY different levels of English......were speaking the same language but damn dude, I can't understand a thing coming out of your mouth! Â
It was all good as he took me in under his wing like a father would though, offering me Jamison shots here and there throughout the night and told me again and again that I was "home" and with "good family".
Never had this kind of treatment before out West and if I did, someone wanted something in return...strange to see someone who actually enjoyed company and broken conversation.
The bathrooms were small, but then again who really cares and they are Cash only...hence the ATM by the front door but I left VERY satisfied.
Off the beaten path this is a true little Irish gem.
My biggest complaint about the place is that they don't take credit cards! There are usually some pretty cool people there although there generally isn't much talent there but there are usually a bunch of cool people, along with a customary small group of dicks.  Drink prices are average and this is a dive bar, so you know what to expect.  However  mostly due to the inconvenience of not taking credit cards I won't go there unless it's between 1am and 2am, (For non locals: Southie bars all have to close by 1am except two bars that were grandfathered in and allowed to stay open until 2am).
Review Source:We wound up here on a warm September night before a concert, and Murphy's didn't disappoint. Let's call it what it is: a dive. Few yuppies to be had (which can be a pro or con, depending on your point of view). It was just my group of 20-something friends, several locals (with maybe 5 teeth between them, but that's beside the point), and the bartender. YES, it was in "Gone, Baby, Gone," YES, that was a mediocre movie, and YES, the bathrooms are crap. But I'm in the Lauren v. school of thought on the bathrooms: "if the bathrooms are too small, stop hanging out in the bathrooms." I peed by the light of my cell phone since the lightbulb in the men's room blew out, but I wasn't there for the bathroom. Beer was cheap, we got a whole table to ourselves, and I got stinking drunk before seeing Flogging Molly: what else could I ask for?
Review Source:Went here on Sunday night. It was pretty dead so it was, for the most part, just my group. Some locals were there playing darts. The bartender was very attentive and made us a few rounds of his "secret" shot which I swear was just juice because it didn't get me buzzed at all... and I had four. We then decide to play a game of Ten Fingers, you know, where you say "Never have I ever..." and if you have you put a finger up. (Wait, maybe we were drunk) Anyway, my friends came up with some pretty revealing things and the locals definetely got a kick out of that.
There is not much to this place at all but if you live around here, not a bad place to check out. We made the hike all the way from AB, so it can't be all bad.
Disclaimer: My boyfriend's coworker tends bar here.
That being said, I really like Murphy's Law. People give it a hard time: boo, the bathrooms are small; wah, I'm not impressed with it being featured in a movie; ohnoes, the owners are talkative...
WHAT?!
If the bathrooms are too small, stop hanging out in the bathrooms. The bar area is plenty spacious. Stop breaking the seal, grab a barstool and enjoy your drink away from the pee-splashed toilet seats.
I think its cool that not only was GBG filmed there, but that the workers are proud of it. Sean (the bartender) mentioned it to us and then casually slid the album our way. Its not like you are pressured to thumb through the (oft-turned) pages.
Lastly, I would much rather a talkative owner than a proprietor who barely acknowledges your existence when you choose to patronize their establishment. Of course, not everyone goes to a bar for conversation, but I think courteous conversation is much more preferable than the silent treatment...
Anyways....I like that the bar is spacious. There is darts and a jukebox. There is an above-average range of liquors (do you know how many places don't have Ten?!) and a good selection of beers. From what I have seen, you won't feel out of place as the patrons are pretty heterogeneous. Basically, it is a great place to kick back and relax with friends. Just make sure you bring cash!
I stumbled into Murphy's Law as I hop off the # 7 bus over an hour early for my appointment at Shag's. Murphy's Law is conveniently located directly across the street from the salon and bus stop.
Ca$h only bar. SoCo & Coke - $5 with a decent pour.
The co-owner was there during mid-day (1:30 pm) on a Friday afternoon. While sipping on my drink, it was pointed out to me that the movie Gone Baby Gone was filmed there. She was so excited that someone was in the bar during the day and even showed me clips of the movie where you can clearly see the bar in the background.
While it was exciting to see this movie while sitting at the bar. I really would have loved to have just had my drink and read my study material. I felt like I had make conversation with her.
If I'm ever back in the area, I'll be sure to stop in again, but I definitely don't see myself going out of my way to come here for any particular reason, maybe another hair cut.
I like this bar. Â Although I can't pinpoint the reasons why. Â I don't remember the bathrooms, except that we crammed 4 girls in there. Â I don't remember the bartenders, except that they loved to share stories about the bar being in Gone Baby Gone and let us look at a photo album of photos of it. Â But I don't remember any of the photos. Â I don't remember the prices of the beers besides I had numerous Bud Light bottles. Â I know we got there a bit before one, and within a half an hour it was full! Â Overall a good time, and right near my apartment.
Review Source:This is the bar of the Southie kickball league and they welcome us with open arms. They even have cheese-its, chips, grapes, and lots of other snacks waiting for us. Cheap beer, good crowd, jukebox and darts. Low key bar, but I always have a good time.
Parts of Gone, Baby, Gone were filmed here and the bartenders will talk your ear off about it. It'll be released in October.
They don't take credit cards, but there is an ATM.
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