Tavern In the Square

The tavern is an excellent place to go for a large portion of bad food. At separate times I’ve gotten buffalo tenders that were cold, raw chicken inside, french onion soup that tasted like it had an old sponge in it, and a monstrous portion of soggy, stale nachos.
The service is wicked bad. At the bar I had a bill around 28 bucks one time. I asked the bartender for change (so I could give him more than the two dollars, like say ten bucks). He scoffed, asked if I wanted the pennies too, and basically threw the check at our party. The most recent time, I came in during a football game with the intention of waiting as long as it took. It took over 20 minutes without our group even being acknowledged. Every time you try and give the tavern a chance, it fails miserably.
Check out the White Horse for better service, or the Avenue for better food and service.

I went here for New Years. Got in with a stamp and then wasn’t let back in afterword. They said it was «capacity». This was as I watched a girl puke and then let back in. The fact that place is still open is amazing. I would not recommend

This review is for a group/​function event —
We reserved the annex room for ~3−4h for nearly 50 heads.
I believe we had a decent spread of appetizers along with a full bar.
Staff was generally attentive and we were given a nice amount of privacy from the other patrons.

There are so many amazing places to eat on this strip of Allston so you might say why would I even be in here. The kids were being difficult and we ducked in here and they were able to find items that they would order.
We got the Risotto Fritters, Cuban sandwich with onion rings, regular fries, waffles fries, and an Udon Noodle Bowl. While I did not try them, the kids assured me that the both fries were worth the price of admission. I did, however, try all the other dishes. Out of the three, I might try the Risotto Fritters again because it was the only item that was as described in the menu and had some flavor to it. The Cuban and the onion rings were flavorless — how is that even possible. The Udon Noodle bowl was also lacking something. If the waitress cared enough to check on us, I would have asked for something like siracha. The only thing I would definitely have again was the Guinness.
From the beginning, the waitress took one look at us and pretty much not happy to be our server. In fact, she was so disinterested in us it made me wonder if she was upset to be working on Halloween afternoon. Until the next table of 10 young men came in and she was more than happy to take their orders and be attentive. I was a waitress at one point in my life so I know it is a thankless job but Sweetheart, if you are wondering why you got 15% tip, you may want to rethink your attitude and attentiveness.

I ate here for dinner with a friend during the summer and it was a great experience. We had quick and good service. Our waitress was pleasant and helpful. She was quick at bringing water and our menus.
I ordered the Shepard’s pie and a cocktail. The Shepard’s pie was plentiful and delicious. One thing I didn’t like was that there were too much vegetable compared to meat. The ratio was a bit off. The cocktail was also good as it wasn’t too strong or burning my throat after each taste.
My friend had a burger and another cocktail. We also ordered classic nachos. They were the BEST part of the meal.
We also came back for just drinks on another day; we sat at a separate bar. Again the cocktails were very nice for those who don’t like strong alcohol burning down your throat. I got a mango flavored drink and it was sweet and tasty.

I come here A LOT (almost every other weekend). It’s just your typical college bar but the door guys, security, and bartenders are really nice! It’s convenient and cheap (on a night I don’t want to go into Boston & + pay covers + cabs + overly priced drinks).
A lot of college people who come here on the weekends, who sometimes can act like complete a**#oles but I don’t really care, I just go to have fun with my friends.
I can only rate this based on coming here on the weekend nights, I’ve ate lunch here before too and it was good, but don’t remember much since it was years ago.
TIP:
There are three bathrooms in this place, and usually the bathroom to the farthest right of the main bar (you go around & take the stairs under), is cleaner and there is hardly ever a line since not many people know about it.

Tits can seem pretty different depending on when you go, but recently it’s been pretty underperforming.
Sitting at the bar seems like a good idea to get drinks quickly, but not here. Bartenders here seem to have better things to do than pay attention to customers at times. They aren’t necessarily mean or anything, but just kinds oblivious.
Have come here to watch some games as well. The most recent time was for Sunday night football. Game at 8:30, literally the only thing happening in sports at that time. Decent number of people wearing packers stuff, thought they’d switch the game on. Nope, had to ask and then for some reason it takes 10 minutes to put the game on. The employee we asked was very nice but I don’t get how a sports bar can be so unprepared for sports.
Finally last night, my friend and I came from the harpoon oktoberfest and had our souvenir plastic cups from the festival. They were cleaned out, absolutely no alcohol in it whatsoever. I was allowed in, but my friend carrying the plastic cups was not. We iffered to throw them away. The bouncers here love to power trip. We were told later by a manager, who to his credit was very diplomatic, that if a container ever had alcohol in it ever, you can’t come in. Because hey, you might he have already had too much to drink! Having conversed with the manager very reasonably and soberly for 5 minutes I thought would be enough for him to make the executive decision to let us in and override the douche bag bouncers, but no. I was told it was a law.
Too bad because I have had positive experiences here before, but those were a couple years ago now. All of allston now is just horrible. Just adding tits to the long list of disappointing allston establishments.

It was okay. I came here on a Saturday night and really wanted to like everything. But honestly I was underwhelmed by everything we ordered. They give you a big portion at least, the big dig fries were big, but I wish they were more flavorful… and the drinks were not that strong. Everything was kind of pricey for just mediocre American style pub food. I could’ve paid half the price and gotten amazing food at any of the many Thai/​Japanese/​Mexican places surrounding this place. Also, we got the s’mores skillet dessert and I thought it was disgusting. Like not just okay, it was actually really gross.
TL;DR too pricey for the mediocre food and weak drinks. Go somewhere else.

My friends and I came here three times during our trip to Allston.
The first time we sat at the bar and enjoyed the extensive bar list, great prices, tons of TVs and excellent service from our server Michael. Drinks were refilled quickly without her being remotely pushy. Since this was about a block from where we were staying we realized this would be our spot for the duration of the trip when we needed a space to hang. We’re so glad we did. This visit was a resounding success.
We came here Saturday night next around 10:30 pm. The DJ was blasting a mix of recent hits and plenty of throwbacks. The used their gazillion TVs to show and mix the corresponding music videos. We got a table near the front (the doors were closed because it was raining so no nice outdoor atmosphere.) The place got crowded but since it’s so big we didn’t feel cramped at all! Prices were the lower end of fair and we were impressed how much we had to drink for a very reasonable end bar tab.
On Saturday night our server was Sam who did an absolutely great job with keeping our drinks coming and offering recommendations. All of us thought she did an amazing job.
The next morning we woke up and decided to stop in for brunch. Brunch is two massive rows of stations, one for breakfast food and one for ‘lunch food’ plus a yogurt bar, desert bar and omelettes made to order. Coffee, tea and soda are included but a full bar is open.
We couldn’t be happier to find out that Sam would be helping us again. She mostly handled our drink orders and clearing plates since the food was a buffet.
Overall, I can’t wait to come back and part of me wishes I lived closer so we could come here more often.
My one negative note would be that it was frustrating to see how many managers are in this place on a Saturday night and they just mill around. They give you a comment card at the end that says if anything was wrong you should ask for a manager. Why? There seems to be plenty of you and you seem to have plenty of time. Please stop by each table for a quick second each and ask how everything is going. This will lead to a faster feedback loop so if anything is wrong it can be immediately rectified.

I love the Location in Burlington and this one is just as good. They had a berry limoncello sangria on the specials list that was delicious and perfect for the 4^th of July!
The Cuban sandwich is my favorite on the menu but I can’t wait to try some of the other entrees.
The location makes it a little challenging to find parking, especially on a busy weekend night but as long as you don’t mind walking you’ll find one eventually.

Excellent gluten free food! They have GF pasta, pizza, buns and fried food! One of my go to places to pig out and have a good time :)

I ordered a Hendricks & tonic last night then watched the bartender (tall white guy) PICK a mashed up, red, something from between the nubs on the service mat, wipe his hands on his jeans (!) and proceed to make my drink. I watched to make sure he didn’t touch the rim of my glass or the pour spout, told him I didn’t need a lime, and quickly cast the straw he touched aside like a hell spawn tossing a rosary freshly blessed by a priest.
The bathrooms smelled like gross, sweaty vag and already had pee all over the floor at 830pm. Someone was kind enough to leave their used lady time plug in the toilet without flushing.
Security seems wound a bit tight, but if I had to deal with all the Allston douchery/​bros/​scags, I’d probably be a little jaded too.
Management: cleanliness and food safety is godliness. Step it up.

Typically really enjoy this place and frequent here.
Last Thursday I was wearing a hat (face-​forward) and inside the security guy told me to take it off even though the dress code CLEARLY states «No backwards hat». I took it off anyways. I looked around and saw so many guys and girls were wearing hats!!! I just put it back on and another security guy told me to take it off or I’d be kicked out. I noted that there were others wearing hats and nobody has confronted them and security threatened me once more. Me and my friend just left afterwards.
Security clear saw the others wearing hats and didn’t say anything. Isn’t this a BAR? This isn’t a upscale club am I wrong? You also shouldn’t pick and choose who can get away with the rules… even though I was following the dress code from the very beginning.

Been coming here for a while now and have alway shown respect to all the staff. I even helped one of the bar backs in getting used drink ware from the counters during an insanely packed night.
Last night I was resting against the railing, out of the way. One of the security personnel decided to be a prick and tell me sternly and rudely to find somewhere else to be. As a paying patron it wouldn’t hurt to show some respect and to ask politely.
Lastly, what’s with the no hat rule? This is a college bare i.e. where sloppy make out sessions, simulating oral sex, and ass grabbing is abound. If Cara Delevingne came through with a SCRUB strap back would you turn her away?

TVs and more TVs! Great for watching the game.
Bathrooms still scream «I was once a nightclub».
Great brunches and Bloody Mary’s!
The place is really big so it’s great for small or large groups with plenty of space at the wrap around bar.

You know what?
This place is pretty solid. I’ve been impressed with the food and drink selection. SMOKIN TOTS #omfg they are amazing.
I usually come here after my Wednesday bible study group and we call it our «debriefs» and over time it’s just become a place that’s very familiar to us… you know, our own MacLaren’s if you will.
On the weekends they transform half the place into a club-​esque space which is nice… you can dance if you want or just chill if you want. Overall, I’ve been pretty happy every time I went.

Just had our (1^st bar of the night in our hop) start (StPaddysDay) at: Tavern In The Square, great staff ‘Greg’ at the door, ‘Maya’ as a server, ‘Michael’ as a bar tender. Thank you for a great start to our Hop!
Cherry on top with Fransizkaner On draft. Gnarly StPaddyDay drinks. #Cheers

I’m not a fan of this place. At night the layout makes the dynamic of this place bizarre. It’s trying to be lively but there are tables everywhere and I feel like you just walk around in circles. The crowd is a mixture of BU kids and grimy Allstonites.
During the day it’s a decent place to watch games but there is no lack of those types of places in Boston and the prices are still high.

Nice place! I would definitely go to this bar in the futures.
Each table have own tv! Really love it!!!

I am giving this 2 stars for the food and the bathrooms. But I would give it a 4 star for the amount of TVs they have for Sunday Football. They do a GREAT job at having all the games on and the TVs are CLEARLY marked for what game is where so you don’t have to get super pissed when someone changes the channel like they do at most places.
The food is always just like *sigh… The guac I ordered this time was so bland if I closed my eyes I would have thought I was eating paper.
The Ceasar Salad had so much dressing I had to put a life jacket on my fork so it didn’t sink to the bottom of the sea of dressing. Just kidding, but it’s a funny visual right? A fork with a life jacket? Never mind I’m sure you got it… ANYHOW…
I did hear the wings were ok so that might be your best bet! The Mac and Cheese was also pretty solid. I mean you cannot really go wrong with melted cheeses and pasta. And it’s definitely a sharable dish.
I will return for the TVs and I am sure that is why 90% of the people are there on Sunday. Just to note that the bathrooms were so scary and disgusting. And no need to dress up to impress most of the college kids have their pajamas on!