Pub Perfection
Where Boston|January 2020
Our selection of world-beating public houses for the town’s signature day of carousing.
Alex Oliveira
Pub Perfection

ON THE MORNING AFTER, the streets of South Boston are paper-machéd in slips of green, white and orange confetti, and green plastic beads festoon the sidewalks of Boylston Street. Spring-loaded shamrock headbands, fake orange beards trodden brown, and crushed cans of Guinness lie abandoned throughout the city.

The Irish say St. Patrick’s Day is their holiday. Americans will argue that as we know it, it’s essentially an American holiday. Bostonians, however, know that it is Boston’s day. Irish identity is as synonymous with Boston as green walls are to Fenway Park. When March 17 rolls around, St. Patrick’s Day is more than a commemoration of the patron saint of Ireland, it’s a celebration of one of the most integral pieces of Boston’s character. When it comes to pubs in Boston, there are few misses, but when you don the beads this St. Patrick’s Day, these watering holes pack a ton of added value.

MURPHY’S LAW

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches straight through Boston’s Irish artery, Southie. There’s a smattering of corner pubs throughout the neighborhood, each of which is worth its own visit, but one of the most authentic is Murphy’s Law (837 Summer St., 617.269.6667, murphyslawbar. com). Sitting on a corner where industry, residential and office space meet, Murphy’s Law is the quintessential South Boston Irish pub. It’s so authentic that Ben Affleck selected it as a location in his Boston-based thriller, “Gone Baby Gone.”

EMMET’S

This story is from the January 2020 edition of Where Boston.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2020 edition of Where Boston.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WHERE BOSTONView All
Unlock Your Inner Champion
Where Boston

Unlock Your Inner Champion

Football legend Tom Brady expands his legacy with a new Boston TB12 Performance & Recovery Center offering exclusive training and holistic wellness programming or all. TB12 Staff

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2020
Pub Perfection
Where Boston

Pub Perfection

Our selection of world-beating public houses for the town’s signature day of carousing.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2020
NEIGHBORHOODS
Where Boston

NEIGHBORHOODS

WHERE TO EXPLORE

time-read
7 mins  |
January 2020
9 GREAT THINGS THIS SEASON
Where Boston

9 GREAT THINGS THIS SEASON

9 GREAT THINGS THIS SEASON

time-read
1 min  |
January 2020
Holiday Lights, Ice and Action
Where Boston

Holiday Lights, Ice and Action

Dazzling displays, skating rinks, doors decked in wreaths and garlands—every corner of Boston lets the holidays shine. So don the down and get out to enjoy everything this time of year has to offer.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2019
9 Great Things This Month
Where Boston

9 Great Things This Month

All Aboard! Trains at Science Park

time-read
1 min  |
December 2019
Marvels at the Museum
Where Boston

Marvels at the Museum

Whether it’s a scenic seascape in a range of oils or hand-blown glass made to look like a decaying strawberry (yes, that’s a thing), Boston area museums highlight the beauty in pretty much everything. Here is where to wander for inspiration and appreciation.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2019
Downtown Crossing
Where Boston

Downtown Crossing

Start your day strong at the Japanese cafe Ogawa Coffee.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2019
Artisanal Flair
Where Boston

Artisanal Flair

NOV. 8-10

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2019
Pumpkins, Frights And Lively Nights
Where Boston

Pumpkins, Frights And Lively Nights

Autumn is the perfect season to fall in love with Boston. With pumpkins galore, a crisp breeze and leaves of bright oranges and reds, the area settles into its own beauty. It’s also the season of spook and the city happily turns its pumpkin spiced latte in for a cup of creep. Here are a few ways to get in the Halloween spirit.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2019