1.1 min readBy Published On: December 7th, 2022Categories: Features37 Comments on South Boston Bars and Taverns That No Longer Exist

South Boston Bars We Said Goodbye To

A few years ago, we came across a Twitter thread, “Boston Bars that No Longer Exit.” This inspired us to start our own “South Boston Bars That Don’t Exist Any More” thread, and boy, oh boy…..  It was a trip down memory lane.  Every place from Huck’s Hideaway to the Molly Darcy’s got a mention.  People recalled stories of bellying up to the bar at their favorite haunt to the fact at the bar, Street Lights was fondly referred to as Street Fights.  Interesting fact: Did you know that Street Lights had a “Pearl Harbor Night” where you could drink Pearl Harbor’s for $1.  What could possibly go wrong?

From this Twitter thread, a friend of CIS Sheila Lynch emailed us photos of the “Great Southie Reunion” program from 2000.  (And that was quite an event!  A veritable who’s who of Southie legends like Sully, Obie, Wolfie, Lefty, Spuckie, and Clinky – to name a few.)  So below, feast your eyes on this list of legendary bars and taverns from the 20th century that existed (or still exist) in South Boston that was included in the program.  Enjoy!  Thank you, Sheila!

Extra credit if you remember where they were located!

37 Comments

  1. Paul Ford December 7, 2022 at 1:33 pm - Reply

    No Mad Hatter !!!!

    • Paul McKenna December 8, 2022 at 2:27 pm - Reply

      wood shed Fst. between Broadway and Bowen or Athens? the street behind the bug house.

    • Charles Harrington December 19, 2022 at 12:14 pm - Reply

      I noted there was no Lally’s, located at D and Old Colony Ave., for many years in Southie.
      Charles Harrington

  2. John White December 7, 2022 at 5:10 pm - Reply

    MAD HATTER WAS THE BEST

    • Andy April 12, 2023 at 6:16 pm - Reply

      Gerry cheevers owned parcheesie corner of B&4th Broadway.

  3. Tom Tinlin December 7, 2022 at 10:41 pm - Reply

    Canavan’s Pub!!

  4. Rob December 8, 2022 at 8:06 am - Reply

    Funny… was at Seapoint last week. Did they just close?

    • Maureen Dahill December 8, 2022 at 8:34 am - Reply

      No, some of the places on that list are still around! The list is from 2000 and it shows all the bars that were open then. Many are still open but the majority are gone. Seapoint, Shamrock, The Clock, Shannon’s etc. are all still open.

      • Robert Burke February 4, 2023 at 2:58 pm - Reply

        Shenanigans which was Bagatells, from the Ringside and before that The Yankee Trader(not sure before. Rainbow Dragon, Coynes Atlantic Beer Garden and Wiskey Priest off top of my head, of places I drank, and alot on list and yes to street fights 1 dollar pearl harbors.

  5. Scott Meyers December 8, 2022 at 9:17 am - Reply

    I know it’s “new” and will never make this list, but I LOVED THIRST! I miss that little place and the signage still up makes me sad each time i walk by

    • Maureen Dahill December 8, 2022 at 9:42 am - Reply

      I know! I was sad when that closed!

  6. PorleauRules December 8, 2022 at 9:48 am - Reply

    Linehan’s?

  7. Ronald Zechello December 8, 2022 at 2:07 pm - Reply

    o spent a lot of time at Cassidy playing horses on a Saturday morning…very fond memories. dorgabs was another fond memory place.

    • Teri February 17, 2023 at 4:11 pm - Reply

      Hi Ronald… My grandfather was Jim Cassidy, the original owner.
      What years did you go there?

  8. Kmack December 8, 2022 at 3:10 pm - Reply

    What about Mike Kiley’s ?

  9. Kenmack December 8, 2022 at 3:32 pm - Reply

    The Carmen’s Post , The Surf Lounge. Also, my bad.I didn’t see Kiley’s until after I posted.

  10. Kenmack December 8, 2022 at 3:38 pm - Reply

    Also, The 332

  11. Kenmack December 8, 2022 at 3:46 pm - Reply

    Anyone remember Annie Gavin’s ? Half of it was a store and the other half was a tavern, this is waaay before it become Gavin’s Tavern. I was just a little kid back then but I know you could buy loose cigarettes in there.

  12. Edward Trainor December 8, 2022 at 3:53 pm - Reply

    Nothing like the Q 🍺

  13. Danny Duffy December 8, 2022 at 4:51 pm - Reply

    Another list might be of Package Stores. I live in Maine, now,, but grew up in Southie, Hung out with Jimbo D., and knew your father from hand ball at the L.
    Used to double date with your aunt Julie, when she dated Ron “Rinka” Keefe.

  14. Mark Matanes December 8, 2022 at 8:43 pm - Reply

    Boy… does this bring back some great memories. I probably visited at least half the places on the list. The Pleasure Bay Lounge (PBL) a.k.a Farragut House with the Irish Volunteers on Saturday night’s had to be the best.

    • howard February 24, 2023 at 5:52 pm - Reply

      i remember the Abbey and Rooneys

  15. joe keefe December 9, 2022 at 5:54 am - Reply

    foley’s east 8th near corner of hamlin with burns packy across the st haunts of my father in the 50s

  16. Scubby December 9, 2022 at 7:34 am - Reply

    You left out ParCheeze’s on lower Broadway owned in partnership with Gerry Cheevers

  17. Leslie Brady December 9, 2022 at 5:50 pm - Reply

    Miss the Quiet Man omg the best food !

  18. Bryan December 10, 2022 at 6:14 pm - Reply

    Frank’s Tavern was the previous name of Ace’s High prior to it being purchased by Ace Brennan. It was owned by a great uncle of mine – we still have the liquor license from 1947.

  19. JAY C December 15, 2022 at 11:37 pm - Reply

    THE “WHITNEY TAVERN” LATER TO BE NAMED THE “RABBIT INN”

  20. Tom k December 26, 2022 at 9:10 pm - Reply

    No Thirst!

  21. Lana December 30, 2022 at 9:38 am - Reply

    Nancy Whiskeys = fun
    Corner of West 2nd and Dorchester st.
    Early 2000’s

  22. Marilyn January 2, 2023 at 1:22 pm - Reply

    who owned Ireland’s 32 south boston?

  23. Mark Reardon January 2, 2023 at 3:42 pm - Reply

    Who can help me with history on Reardon’s Tavern, on the list?

    • Dauna Coffin March 8, 2023 at 9:00 pm - Reply

      I think Reardon’s was my grandfather’s bar, John Reardon. I would have to get back to you on its exact location in South Boston. His daughter, my mom has passed but my dad is still with us. The bar was seen in the movie “Marty.”

    • Dauna Coffin March 18, 2023 at 9:34 pm - Reply

      Reardon’s Tavern, 501 E. 8th Street, Southie, was owned by my grandfather, Frank Reardon. My grandfather passed away in 1958. It is now the Shamrock Bar and Grill. The original sign was still there in 1968 and is seen in a brief moment in the movie “Charly” starring Cliff Robertson (not Marty). Cliff R. gets off a bus and Reardon’s Tavern is across the street.

  24. Rev. Francis McGerity January 26, 2023 at 3:24 pm - Reply

    Remember the K St Tap as PETE’S PUB and JUMPIN JACK FLASH! He used to hold Court at the bottom of the inside stairway. He was a real character !!!!!! He died in 1999. If he were alive today he would have been 81.
    He was my Maternal Uncle! Oh the stories!!!!!!!!

  25. Barbara Riggs February 12, 2023 at 11:57 am - Reply

    My father and uncle owned 3rd St cafe which closed early 70’s , when we moved from Dorchester to Quincy 1970. ! Still have family in Southie

  26. NavyJoe February 24, 2023 at 10:29 am - Reply

    Going back to the 70’s, mallows(?) across the street from south station…

  27. Andy April 12, 2023 at 6:18 pm - Reply

    Forgot was Marty &landys before

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