Old Worthen House Cafe

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  Maybe the most well-known dive bar in Lowell?  Yea.  I don't really care for the bar scene much anymore, but on the rare occasion I want a lot of cheap beers with a lot of friends, this is the place.  Gets really noisy inside when it's packed, but there's a good-sized outside area for smoking and hanging out.

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  Posted on 07.21.11 Jarrod D.

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  Every now and then you need to visit a DIVE, so you appreciate the finer things in life...I remember when Arthur worked there and there was a concrete wall built next to it as it leaned.  My dog slipped in and watched me drink a beer in the 70's while I was a student at ULowell.  Oh, rumor has it Poe drank here.

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  Posted on 01.15.10 Karen C.

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  This place is a dive bar...great, old neighborhood feeling and damn, this is exactly what I like about dive bars. Cheap beer, interesting people watching, questionable cleanliness...no pretense, all honest, good old American dive bar.
  
  I will be back!

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  Posted on 11.17.09 Stryker C.

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  It's a historical landmark for the beltfans.  It's all about the beltfans, just ask the friendly staff to turn on the beltfans for you.  Cheap food and booze also keno.  After a fierce Lowell Devils match have a pint, some spicy fries and enjoy the refreshment provided by the beltfans.

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  Posted on 10.16.09 josh m.

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  My short experience here was backlit outside by a green light. It illuminated the many mechanical fish lips and slinky, stilted merpeople gliding back and forth.
  
  Inexpensive. Theatrical. Seedy. Diverse. Four stars!

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  Posted on 09.10.09 Erin C.

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  Ever since I was little, I've heard stories of this magical place called the Worthen. My mom calls it the "Worthing" and my sister Katie always corrects   her with " MA, ITS THE WORTHEN." Anyways, a few months ago I went to check it out. I was only there for a little bit.. but they had $2 PBRs.. which is why I gave it four stars. I'll head back there sometime soon.. and really soak it all in...

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  Posted on 11.29.08 Julia P.

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  Oh Worthen house, you have given me many good times.  This place is great, it is a total Dive bar, but it is completely self aware of that.  You go to this place to drink, play the lotto, and stand around and talk.  
  
  The bartenders are friendly and quick. There's a questionable 'kitchen' which I think you can order food.... but I wouldn't recommend it.  If you go, bring a group of friend and some cash.  I don't think they do tabs and I am pretty sure they don't take plastic.
  
  If you grew up in the area, chances are you'll run into someone from your home town.  I recommend grabbing a seat at the bar, and just drink the night away. If you are a smoker there's a decent size outside are so you can light up.  On the weekends the upstairs opens up, its kind of weird you feel like you are drinking in someone's attic bar.

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  Posted on 08.24.08 Chris M.

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  I went here once and didn't venture upstairs but I wasn't impressed at all and I love dive bars. It's TINY, it was drafty, boring (i.e.: No vibe). Maybe if the right crowd or a fantastic live band is there it's fun but I won't be back again unless I know that crowds going to be there.

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  Posted on 12.18.07 Suzanne V.

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  I love the Worthen very much.
  
  I don't know why. The place is filthy, the bathrooms are pretty grody and it can get wicked loud in there. Regardless, every time I go there I stay until almost 2am and have the time of my life. Definitely not the place for you if you don't like strangers. Part of the fun is "talking" to your fellow drinkers. You just don't do that in Boston, unfortunately. You don't just hit the ladies' room to pee, you hit the ladies' room to make fast friends.
  
  My perfect evening out involves a [dozen] High Life, the Worthen, and putting $10 into the internet jukebox.
  
  Also, I found that hitting the Worthen in a wedding dress gets you free beers. Just an FYI.

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  Posted on 05.03.07 B G.

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  My used-to-be favorite bar in Lowell.  The last few times I've been there they have made changes I don't approve of.  The upstairs wall used to be covered with Beat newspaper clippings...now replaced with fresh paint.  They started ladies night but no proper Lady I know would ever go here.  It still has a lovely layer of filth covering everything but it's just not the same dive bar it used to be.  Still, if you make a pilgrimage to Lowell, it is a must see.

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  Posted on 01.21.07 Katie H.

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