Alley Bar

I have lived in the Boston region for three years and I think I’ve found my new favorite bar. It’s relaxed and laid back. What others have used words like «dump» and «dive» to describe, I would refer to as lived in comfort. You feel like you’ve gone to a friends apartment that is generally clean and a little chaotic. I love that the bartenders are older seasoned men with great senses of humor. The crowd is a little older and sometimes grey which is a relief to experience for my partner and I both in our late 40s. The fact that we can still go out and have fun in the company of other gay men who have seen a lot of life and lived to tell the tales. You get the sense that the conversations are rich, and life affirming. I will be back as often as I can.

Cash only, down a side alley with limited signs to know your going to correct place. Inside energetic and drinks good. If your stuck up and looking for twinks this is Not for you. Bears bears and more bears. Bathroom needs a good cleaning too. We are going back because it was worth it.

Unpretentious. Divey (just made up that word; spoiling English — The Queen will be so upset!). Dirty. Grungy. That’s the best way Alley was being described to me. Despite being in Boston for all these many years, I had never been to Alley all this time. Simply because I had heard all such interesting things about the place. But then — I am not the one who goes by what I hear unless I experience the same myself. So I had to go and see it for myself. And they were right. And yet, they were wrong.
For someone who grew up in EU where the nightlife and the bar scene is so much more than either getting trashed or looking to pick up someone, I understood the vibe of Alley which was very old school — no matter how dirty it feels as soon as you walk in and all you can is smell that distinct odor as if you are entering a basement that has absorbed so much humidity and dampness over the years… That is the first impression as you walk past the guy who checks your ID if you are a new bee and look underage — into the space that is dimly lit and virtually empty on a Saturday evening at 7pm. But as you settle in, you realize this place is fun! The crowd starts building up as the minutes go by and by 10pm ish — it is quite full.
Predominantly trying to cater to a Bear clientele, they do consist of the majority of patrons that you will see. But then again, you will also see their fruit flies, and the guys who are into Bears but are not bears themselves — clearly, and their fruit flies, and so on… So — it is a very mixed crowd. As they say, there is place for everyone to coexist — happily.
The bartenders at the rectangular bar are very friendly. They make you feel at home and check on you frequently and get very attuned to the speed at which you finish your drinks. Plenty of TV screens that are religiously playing live Boston sports and a big scroll down full screen where they show the game of the night — especially if it is a big playoff game and such. 2 pool tables make for a good hobby and socializing for regulars — I’ve pretty much seen the same guys hanging around and playing a game or 2.
The juke box is a mystery to me but i will not knock off the star because I have seen the owner of the place jam the thing with the top-​40 songs that I wish I would not hear in this place. On a lucky night — he strays away and you can load up your playlist to the tunes you are in the mood to hear. And trust me — you will hear such a crazy mix of tunes, you will keep wondering what exactly is the taste of this crowd — pop, country, jazz, hip hop, R&B, blues… never mind. Don’t bother. As I said — it’s a very mixed crowd and there is something for everyone.
The first few times I went there, I was wondering if I should ever drink anything other than the bottled beers? And, till this day, I can only bring myself to drink beer from the tap because somehow I am ready to trust the kegs and the lines running through to the beer taps. That’s all I would say. I have never had a mixed cocktail there and I don’t think I have the strength to try em because either a) the bar area is quite dimly lit and quite congested for me to think everything down there — the ice etc will be clean, etc. or b) its the smell of the humidity /​the dampness that makes me think unless the drinks are bottled /​refrigerated or coming through the keg, I am not inclined to trust anything else 100%. But that is me being me. And usually i am not like that. And given I graduated from bottled beers to draft over the span of times that I have been here, and since I see everyone having those seemingly very stiff drinks and coming here all the time and still happy and laughing and talking, one of these days — i will too… The price of beer is on par with what you would expect from a bar in Boston. No complains. The bartenders are nice and they deserve to be tipped well!
Finally — there is something special that happens every 1^st Saturday of the month. Of which I had no clue about one time when I ended up there with a friend on a first Saturday night of some month in the not so distant past. As soon as I realized what it was, I slowly made my way to the exit. Just not my thing — no no no. Not at all. Thank you very much! What happens every first Saturday night of the month? It is on their website. Please do check it out: o) Who knows, it may be your scene!
In a nutshell, this is a fun place for all of the above reasons. But most of all because it is very low key. It is never too crowded (no stampede), it is never too loud, you can have a conversation with strangers or with who you went there with — without yelling in order to make people hear what you are saying. It is not a place where you will find wannabe kids who are trying to… Oh no, I am not. I don’t know — I don’t know what anyone tries to do whatever they do at whatever the age wherever else they go. To each his own. I ain’t not judging no body for nothing. It is all good. And so is Alley. It is fun!

YES YES YES. Had a nasty break-​up with my gal. Thought I’d drown my sorrow in some suds, went in and EVERYONE was happy to see me! I didn’t even know 94% of them! It was all «hey there, sit and have a beer!» Or «I love your muscles and beard!» Such a nice and sympathetic crowd. A gentleman named Antwon was even nice enough to offer some chocolate and on Christmas Eve no less! To top it off they helped me patch things up with my lady when she came to get me, in fact loved her outfit. Clean bathrooms.

They are beginning some extensive renovations, and they are much needed. I’m new to Boston. I haven’t experienced any snobiness here. As a matter of fact, I find most Bostonians to be warm and welcoming. I’ve never come to this place and not had someone strike up a conversation. $ 5.50 for a pint of UFO is reasonable, especially for central Boston.

I’ll apologize for being a bandwagoner, but I won’t apologize for loving the Alley Bar. I recognize that as a woman in a relationship with a man, I am not the target demographic. But I promise this is NOT one of those bars where annoying girls show up decked out in dick paraphernalia for their bachelorette parties.
I have the privilege of being a regular at Alley because I’m a proud supporter of the Boston Ironsides RFC (
). The Alley is one of the team’s sponsors, so we come here after most every home game. The bartenders and staff are the best! Rocko is always down for a good time, and the straight male bouncer doesn’t mind getting teased. The music on the jukebox is excellent, and lez be honest, I never have to wait in line for the ladies room. We bring in outside food, and that seems pretty copacetic too.
If you’re looking for a break from the clubby gay bar scene (and maybe for a teddy bear to snuggle), look no further than this very well camouflaged bar in the heart of downtown.

omg. hilarious old school bar. stopped in for a beer while sightseeing. we were playing cards. the bartender asked me to take off my shirt if we lost. good times.

Great place bu, as a gay person or having a medical scare… be afraid to say NO to a drink! Even if you have medical conditions. Have one or else. If not consuming YOU ARE OUT! As I told him, bartender at time, you do no understand… Even interrupt conversation with other customers… yet — as I said to him «You Are Exercising The Behind Bar Bartender» … Can’t serve… when Told NO to another beer … Only had one, just not the day to have another one! Not till my medical situation can take it… Too bad for the gay community …

This bar was recommended by another bar. We showed up and there are probably 12 folks here it is 10:54. The bar tender Jack is very unfriendly and referred to us as out-​of –towners. His douche bag buddy drinking the Arizona tea was an ass too. We travel all over the country and have never encountered such unfriendly and unwelcoming folks

Great place, one fob me and my husband’s favorites. Amazing drinks. Great music, fun design, out of the general traffic, and a fun place to hang around. Also has a lot of amazing parties. This is a short review so just adding more.

My favorite dive bar in Boston. Super friendly crowd, cheap drinks, and fun games to play.

I don’t go out very often, perhaps once every couple of months; but when I went out this last Monday February the 3^rd, I tried picking up a very handsome Columbian guy only to to be stopped buy doorman who happened to be this guy Peter who took my trick to the side and whispered something in his ear. Next thing I know the guy who I was going home with wanted nothing to do with me. Now I’m quite sure that my reputation is no worse than anybody else’s who goes to this dive. I strongly suggest that management does something about this guys behavior.

Good spot for a late afternoon beer and chat. Neighborhood feel and met several men for a pleasant diversion. Very welcoming.

Take it for what it is. It is a gay bar in Downtown Boston… AND THE ONLY ONE!
It it «clicky»? YES
Is it standoffish? YES
But being in Boston all my life I have gotten used to it.
The BAR, for what it is, is FINE.
Keep in mind that this is 2013.
No more 1270 Boylston.
No more (I forgot the name, but the bar on the second floor between jacob Wirth and AMAZING! on Stuart Street.
No more Campus/​ManRay.
If life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, or just go to South Station and get a bus or train to Providence.
At least you are guaranteed to get lucky there.
Yes, the men’s room is in need of repair (maybe a new toilet or an additional urinal), but it serves its purpose.
If the owner repairs or replaces, some drunk queen will probably break it again anyway.
If I recall, 119 Merrimac had a NASTY toilet, but you people are raving about 119.
The brightest room at 119 was the toilet, and you could see the roaches crawling up the wals ALL NIGHT LONG.
The Alley Bar is okay for waht it is.
A place to stop off after work for a drink, or after shopping on a Saturday or Sunday.
I don’t know what you people expect.
the days of Napoleon’s are long gone, and most of their clientele is either dead or in nursing homes.
The owner is a nice guy. I see him at Starbucks often. It’s not his fault (or problem) that Boston Gays have an attitude problem and it is impossible to get lucky in his bar. It’s been like that in Boston for as long as I can remember… and I’m 48!

One of a few local gay bars in Boston. Always a good crowd that leans more toward the «bear» type. The main floor has a good size bar and pool table. Several TVs around have anything from sports to news playing. The atmosphere and décor are not the cleanest around. Forget the five second rule here if you drop something on the floor. Bathrooms have a funky smell that sometimes reached out to the bar area. The bathrooms are also in need of some major repairs. A second floor is opened on weekends later in the evening that has another pool table and bars. A small dance area with DJ are also up here. You are likely to go here for the crowd not the atmosphere or décor.

This place feels like the owners /​managers have stopped trying. The bathrooms are straight up nasty… This is why men piss standing up, but just because you can piss standing up doesn’t mean you don’t have to aim a little.
The bartenders are possibly endentured servants who are working off a debt to someone and have no motivation to move with any sort of purpose. Sure the drinks are strong… But you can sober up waiting for your next one.
The manager /​owner? I dunno. The guy guarding the door upstairs for underbear night enforces rules sporadically. Letting many people run around in shirts, then picking out a few to shame and kick out who didn’t take off their unbuttoned shirt.
This place has potential, and it doesn’t need that much effort to get it there., just stop being mean to the people who aren’t «your type» mister owner, I promise you the money spends the same.
I’d rather have the 119 back. That place was a shitbox and you knew it going in. The alley just has an arrogance to it that doesn’t need to be there.

A place to go with friends, have a drink, and chill.
Atmosphere is still eh.
Still not my favorite spot to chill and go with the menz.

I’ve been here off and on over the past year, and for what it is, it’s great. Low key trashy dive bar that doesn’t have a smidgen of pretending its not exactly that. Cheap drinks and bartenders that get to you when they get to you. When I first ordered a vodka redbull and got a pint glass of vodka with a can of redbul on the side, I knew this place would forever be in my heart.
It can be a while before you get your drinks, but offer a smile or wink with your order and it will arrive faster — Go figure, being nice to the staff helps you get better service. If you need a quick drink, an easily accessible bar downtown, somewhere to pregame before you move onto somewhere more lively, or just want to some booze and low lighting, this is a place to depend on. Upstairs is open when its busy enough, and it helps open up the place a bit.
Yes, I was felt up while washing my hands in the bathroom. Yes, someone grabbed my crotch while I squeezed through the crowds. And yes, when I told both of these men off, they laughed and told me it was par for the course.

The Alley is a dive and I love it for that. I accept it in as-​is condition. Fridays after work and Sunday karaōke are my favorite nights.
Sure, maybe they could use more bleach in the men’s room, but I use the ladies loo (it’s cleaner and there aren’t usually any around anyway). Also true is that not all the bartenders move with a sense of urgency. In fact, a couple act downright unhappy. But nobody’s perfect, right? It kind of becomes part of the charm.
For the most part though, the staff is really friendly. The owners are sweethearts. They have a decent beer collection and the «Alley Pour» is legendary. Don’t expect much by way of mixers, so pace yourself — what the service lacks for in speed, they make up for in generosity with the liquor.
What’s better, it’s low on attitude. Some would give this bar crap because of the, how shall we say… patrons of a more advanced state of age. But look at it this way, youth and beauty fades. Isn’t it a comfort knowing that you’ll still have someplace to go and you too can be accepted in as-​is condition?

I got poked at The Alley!
So, as a guy who likes the ladies, The Alley is not by any means catering to my demographic. It’s a bear bar. Hairy gay dudes looking for other hairy gay dudes for hairy gay times. So, when I came in with some friends (Marc C., Kat V., Ryan B., Jen H., among others), it was definitely an unexpected event. As I was walking over to the side of the bar closest to the bathroom, a guy at the bar poked me in the chest. My guess is that he might have been interested in me. I do find myself to be mildly attractive, so that’s not necessarily surprising :).
But seriously, it’s a bear bar. Beer prices are actually decent (I think I paid about $ 4 for a Blue Moon), the people seem nice enough, and Daniel’s right about the bathroom (ew.).
Basically, if you’re a bear, you’re looking for a bear, or you are friends with people who want to go to a bear bar, it’s a decent stop.