"The Allston location of Tavern in the Square temporarily closed its doors in early July in order to perform renovations. The bar had been popular with the college crowd since opening in 2011, so closing during the summer when all the students leave the city made sense. Now, after two months and a rebranding, Tavern in the Square will reopen its doors tomorrow, August 28, as Tavern Allston — right in time for the return of all those college students. The redesigned space features a second bar and a state-of-the-art sound system, which Tavern will utilize during its music-themed weekend brunch parties. Unlike Tavern in the Square, Tavern is decorated with a series of big, bright murals. The colorful walls — painted by artists Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez, Kenji Nakayama, Erica Hagler, Adam O’Day, Upendo Taylor, Vizie Vazzar, and Markus Sebastiano — are juxtaposed by industrial furnishings, like exposed vents and overhanging warehouse lights. The interior and exterior aren’t the only things that have been overhauled — the entire menu (food and drink) has changed as well. New menu items include dishes such as bacon-wrapped mac and cheese bites, a massive burger topped with mac and cheese, a vegan tempura-style broccoli appetizer, and jalapeño popper taquitos. Tavern in the Square’s Allston reboot positions the restaurant to fit better in a neighborhood known less for cookie-cutter chains and more for its genuinely cool bars and eateries. If some Tavern in the Square locations look like they belong inside a strip mall or a food court — indeed, one location is in a food court — Tavern has differentiated itself enough to appear at home in a hip hood like Allston. 'It’s located in a neighborhood that thrives on creativity and individuality, so we choose to reopen as Tavern Allston with a totally new identity,' Katie Lang told Eater via email. Lang is the property and relationship manager for Broadway Hospitality Group, the parent company behind Tavern in the Square, the Playwright, the Broadway, and more. 'The interior screams just what this neighborhood embodies,' said Lang. 'The culinary and beverage program complements the artistic decor and will give everyone something to love across a wide variety of cuisines.' Tavern reopens at 4 p.m. tomorrow. Stop by to see the changes and eat a ridiculous burger topped with mac and cheese." - Terrence Doyle
