21st Amendment

Bar · Downtown

21st Amendment

Bar · Downtown

4

150 Bowdoin St, Boston, MA 02108

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Highlights

Historic pub serving pub classics, trivia nights & great drinks  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

150 Bowdoin St, Boston, MA 02108 Get directions

21staboston.com
@21stamendmentboston

$20–30 · Menu

Information

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150 Bowdoin St, Boston, MA 02108 Get directions

+1 617 227 7100
21staboston.com
@21stamendmentboston

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Oct 7, 2025

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@infatuation

The Best Restaurants In Beacon Hill - Boston - The Infatuation

"This is the place to stop when the only thing missing from your life is a beer and a plate of wings. Sitting on the edge of Beacon Hill in the shadow of the Statehouse, 21st Amendment is dark, with a fireplace, low ceilings, and the sort of historical lore other Boston bars would kill for. The building it’s in was built in 1899, and legend has it that JFK, who had an apartment nearby, wrote speeches in the space. The menu is short and simple, with excellent pub classics like IPA-battered fish and chips that crunch just right, juicy little sliders with an impressive stack of onion rings, and just-spicy-enough buffalo tenders that will help put the workday in the rearview." - tanya edwards

https://www.theinfatuation.com/boston/guides/best-restaurants-beacon-hill
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@infatuation

The 10 Most Haunted Restaurants Across America 2024 - The Infatuation

"Sitting on the edge of one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods, 21st Amendment is dark, with a fireplace, low ceilings, and the sort of historical lore other Boston bars would kill for. The building was built in 1899, and legend has it that JFK, who had an apartment nearby, wrote speeches in the space. Aside from its famous patrons, 21st Amendment has gained notoriety from people seeing a disgruntled Victorian woman in the darkly lit bathroom." - anne cruz

https://www.theinfatuation.com/all/guides/most-haunted-restaurants-bars-america
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@infatuation

21st Amendment - Review - Beacon Hill - Boston - The Infatuation

"This is the place to stop when the only thing missing from your life is a beer and a plate of wings. Sitting on the edge of Beacon Hill in the shadow of the Statehouse, 21st Amendment is dark, with a fireplace, low ceilings, and the sort of historical lore other Boston bars would kill for. The building it’s in was built in 1899, and legend has it that JFK, who had an apartment nearby, wrote speeches in the space. The menu is short and simple, with excellent pub classics like IPA-battered fish and chips that crunch just right, juicy little sliders with an impressive stack of onion rings, and just-spicy-enough buffalo tenders that will help put the workday in the rearview." - Tanya Edwards

https://www.theinfatuation.com/boston/reviews/21st-amendment
View Postcard for 21st Amendment
@eater

Where to Play Bar Trivia In and Around Boston | Eater Boston

"In Beacon Hill this stalwart hosts trivia on Sundays at 7 p.m., which is perfect timing for a post‑sightseeing snack and game, and the menu covers a range of bar foods from burgers to steak tips." - Valerie Li Stack

https://boston.eater.com/2023/6/21/23768887/boston-bar-trivia-where-to-play
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Elias Marlowe

Google
The 21st Amendment is an absolute gem! The atmosphere is welcoming, and the service is top-notch. The waitresses were absolutely lovely—friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience feel special. And the food? Amazing. Every bite was bursting with flavor, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. Definitely a place I’ll be coming back to again and again!

Gregg McWhirk

Google
Went here today for the first time in years (moved out of area). Wait staff was beyond polite and friendly. Tables were clean and set with half the back area full of customers. Food was fast, well sized portioned and flavorful! Same experience I’d expect from going over the years when I worked in area.

Craig Dyke

Google
Service was outstanding and very friendly waitress. The clam chowder was fab. Creamy and rich in flavour. The tenderloin ends were possibly best steak I’ve ever had. The mashed potato was buttery and salty 10/10!!! Try the Down East cider! Sharp and smooth and bear cider ever had outside the UK. Before you go try the jalapeño margarita to end the night. Great place. Try it

Mark Lavoie

Google
Touring around Boston and dropped in here on Easter Sunday. Great place to eat or just enjoy a drink. Reegan was our bartender and was exceptional. She recommended the loaded nachos, which were huge and truly loaded. Three of us were barely able to finish them. Great atmosphere and friendly location. We will be back.

Jess Ma

Google
Fun vibe and a decent amount of seating (with picnic tables outside during the warmer months!). The food is decent but the cocktails were not very good. Would just opt for beer on tap or water; our cocktails were overpriced and had an artificial taste to them, as if a watered down mix. The pineapple jalapeño margarita was comically bad. We had the prosciutto artichoke pizza and the sliders, which were pretty good and well-seasoned.

Jennifer Holcomb

Google
It was not busy when I went (late afternoon). I was able to choose my own seat and chose the dining area up the steps. Great ambiance- dark woods, copper hood over the fireplace. Ordered drinks, onion rings (crisp and well-seasoned), and buffalo tenders (an app but more than enough for a meal). The sauce had some heat but not too bad. The chicken was moist, lightly breaded, and meaty. Great service. There was a full service bar and outdoor seating too. Would go there again.

Manuel Molina

Google
Each year I come to Boston and when I do, this is always one my stops along the way. The service is great and extremely fast. The vibe is chill, with normal sounding without the need to scream to the person sitting next to you. Beers are solid if you enjoy tap and their nachos are amazing. Each year, it feels like the nachos get bigger and bigger. While I always finish my plate, this year the nachos definitely won.

Carys Hulse

Google
I wanted to try this place with my sister who lives in Boston since we've heard such great things. The food was great, awesome atmosphere, but the highlight of the night was our server Sophia. Wow is all I can say. She was helpful, friendly, and went above and beyond to make our first 21st amendment experience one to remember. I wish so badly that she could be my server at every restaurant. She was just that good. Will definitely be back! Shoutout Sophia!

Calvin H.

Yelp
I was having a tough day so decided to try out a new place for an after-work brew and something to eat. That's when I stumbled upon the 21st amendment. Amazing service, I highly recommend this spot to anyone new to Boston or even long time residents looking for a great restaurant/bar. I hope that anyone who goes to this establishment gets Sophia as their server so they can have just as great of an experience as I had!
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Chris B.

Yelp
I sat in Thomas Jefferson's favorite wooden chair This place also has a bathroom And space for at least 90 people
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Generosa C.

Yelp
My fish & chips was delicious and so was the pint of Guinness! We didn't see any ghosts, but I'm sure one lives there just by looking g at the dark wood ceilings and some authentic decor. I would've given them a 5 star, but when we told our waitress we all wanted separate checks because it was a business trip she said she could only bring one check per table. Well, we gave her 4 credit cards and asked her to charge our individual items... which made her have to give us separate checks anyway!
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Vivian M.

Yelp
On our spooky girls trip to Boston/Salem, we stopped at the 21st Amendment to have a beer. I loved that the place was full of locals and that they were so welcoming. Thank You! The 5 girls Miami/Ft. Lauderdale will be back!
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Clif C.

Yelp
This is a historical place. Come in and feel like you are in a dark lit speakeasy from the Victorian era circa 1899. JFK wrote his speeches here when he ran for congress. Our bartender Nick ran next door to find a special bourbon for us. Love this place! You must come visit!
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Erin O.

Yelp
When it comes to bars, they're usually either hit or miss for me, especially this close to downtown. Not too sure where 21st Amendment lands for me, but still had an enjoyable experience. The vibes here are good, and it was even more appealing to me that they had pretty good food in combination with their drinks. My partner and I started things off with a plate of nachos and each ordered an entree (a burger and fish and chips to be exact). What we were not expecting was the sheer quantity of food they would leave us with. The portions were insanely large for two people - absolutely not complaining, we were shocked! I wasn't blown away at all by the food quality itself though.. the nachos were especially mediocre, with very bland chicken and not very evenly distributed toppings. The burger and fish and chips were good but nothing super notable. Although we did visit on a Friday night, the service was extremely slow. We weren't in a rush so we didn't mind, but I wouldn't stop here if you're looking for a quick bite. Still, definitely a good bar with some good food, just don't expect to be blown away.
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Christopher T.

Yelp
I came here on a fall night and being right in the thick of Boston was amazing! Our burgers/tips were cooked just right and the servers made sure to keep an eye on us even though we were outside
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Christen M.

Yelp
Great service great experience and an awesome historical connection to the city of Boston. We enjoyed a drink and snacked on some fries, we had a great time!
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Genna C.

Yelp
A very cool bar we stopped in while walking around the Freedom Trail. The staff was extremely nice and the drinks were had were great. There is a spot in the restaurant area that JFK would sit and write his speeches. Apparently he lived next door when he was senator. I would recommend giving them a try!
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Maiya D.

Yelp
Seated quickly and service was very attentive. I had a grilled chicken salad and fries and they were so good. Tasted fresh and exactly what we were looking for. The downeast cider was also great.

Amber P.

Yelp
Nice laid back bar w solid food and drinks. Winter sangria was pretty good. White artichoke pizza was good. Thin cracker type crust.
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Brittany N.

Yelp
Okay, I low-key loved this place. It's not fancy. It's a bit of a hole-in-the-wall. But it has history and tasty food and brews! The cider here was phenomenal. Seriously, even if you don't like cider, you should try it. Husband had a few beers here too and really enjoyed them. The people seemed very friendly too. But - the star was the short rib grilled cheese. Just take a lactaid and do it. It's well worth the calories. BONUS: Be sure to see the fireplace that JFK liked to sit by when he worked on his speeches. Super close to the capitol building and Boston Common.
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Vanessa O.

Yelp
Amazing service and a great place to stop for drinks and good eats. Would definitely recommend to family and friends to visit on their trip to Boston. Will be back in the future. Make sure to have a pumpkin spice martini and a green tea shot! Pizza was delicious as well.

Olivia T.

Yelp
I decided to have a drink here with some friends this weekend. Wasn't sure what to expect but the service was great. Sophia was a wonderful server! We will definitely be back!
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David T.

Yelp
Great neighborhood pub with few tourists, it is emphatically NOT in Bowdoin Square. It is on Bowdoin Street at the far opposite end of the street from Bowdoin Square.
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Connor A.

Yelp
Awesome bar! Right next to the Mass State House, loaded with history and character. Open doors and windows created a nice open air vibe. Cozy pub with wooden beams, antique lighting, and vintage art. Men in suits sitting and drinking, college kids, date nights. Bartender was great, asked for a lime-gin cocktail and he created a great shaken cocktail!
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John S.

Yelp
The bartender didn't like his 20% tip and screamed at all of the patrons to leave. He tried to close the bar on us early and was crying about having to wake up at 5am.
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Matthew B.

Yelp
Bartender was extremely rude during last call. He told us to GTFO after leaving an20% tip on the tab.
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Vanessa R.

Yelp
Trivia Night was fun, the food was alright, the drinks were worse, and the service was slow. A pretty generic dive bar overall. The wait staff is kind unless you don't tip them enough (in which case, they will come to your table and tell you that the wait staff depend on the tips to survive--which, to be fair, is totally valid; just don't be so rude about it).
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Abbey K.

Yelp
Found this gem of a place on Yelp! definitely a locals spot, we were greeted by our waitress who got our order for us within a timely manner . They weren't terribly busy the night we went and they stayed open until 2am. The kitchen closes at 10 maybe 11 I wanna say but don't quote me on that. We got a Caesar salad to share and a pizza to take home! Well priced loved and I love the old time brick feel

Michael C.

Yelp
Ordered a beer-- this was $10. I'll let the photo speak for itself. Otherwise, the service was fine.
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Teresa E.

Yelp
Totally fun night at the 21st amendment. The drinks were ice cold and my black and tan was fabulous. We were there for trivia night & totally enjoyed the atmosphere and the loaded nachos! We should have ordered two! The short rib, grilled cheese was a massive hit and I really regret sharing with the rest of the table!
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Jesan A.

Yelp
A true local spot to come with friends, coworkers, or anyone for a drink! 21st amendment is located in probably one of my favorite intersections in Boston with all of the bars and restaurants nearby as well as it's proximity to other parts of town. The food, it was you expected bar-style food, nothing spectacular, albeit I definitely want to the try the much rated Nachos during my next visit. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming and the atmosphere is very lively. If you're looking for cocktails and something a bit more upscale, then look somewhere else. But if you want to stop by for a drink or a beer and hang out by the bar with some friends, this is a great spot!

Zachary C.

Yelp
BEST BAR IN BOSTON. Some of the friendliest staff and of course great food! I might move to Boston just to go here more. If you're in Boston make sure you go here!

Jordan B.

Yelp
Absolute trash place... rude bar tender. He has no idea how to be social aware of his surroundings.
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Sean W.

Yelp
Great place for drinks, meet friends. We sat at the bar, friendly server, good stiff drinks. Unfortunately didn't try their food, onion rings looks amazing! We'll be back!
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Noanya S.

Yelp
Strong drinks extremely slow service. We went for drinks only just to experience the place. I ended up going inside and ordering my drink at the bar. Funny thing, the bartenders were playing on their phones so the slow fullness wasn't warranted but I digress. If I have time to waste I'd go grab a drink but definitely wouldn't go out of my way to return Meh
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Dan D.

Yelp
An enjoyable dive bar near Boston Common with good (not great) drinks and charm to spare. A guest and I stopped in to wind down our Friday and took a seat at a booth. The seating is definitely old: these wooden chairs and benches might be left over from the Revolution. My Maker's Mark old fashioned came out way bitter - totally out of balance- but the house special Harvest Moon, resplendent with tequila, chai spices, and autumn flavors, more than made up for it. Our newbie waitress bragged about making the drinks herself, while simultaneously waiting tables, which I don't think I've ever heard of before. I'd come here again to amp up a night in progress.
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Robyn Lee W.

Yelp
Great little spot to stop in for a beverage and lunch while walking the Freedom Trail. Staff is friendly, food was typical pub food, but was super tasty! Draft beer was also on point compared to other pubs in the area where it seemed watered down. Definitely make a stop here!
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Bruce D.

Yelp
Hole in the wall, legit Boston bar. Best food I've had in Boston the whole trip. Service was good, fast, friendly, personable. Found a decent beer on the list and order a margarita pizza and the Asian Chicken salad. Came in a timely manner, pizza hot, thin but had a nice balance between a crispy crust, but still a little bready and flavorful. Toppings were perfect, cheese was good, thin strips of fresh basil, pretty perfect in my book. Salad, amazing! Chicken was perfect and flavorful, bed of lettuce and salad stuff was a perfect proportion, and the dressing wasn't overdone but was flavorful -- all the components of the salad worked. We sat outside and watched the duck boat tours go by as we enjoyed this wonderful food. Thanks for a great experience!
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Alexa A.

Yelp
Little underground type bar scene. Nice atmosphere with good drinks. A low key place to grab a beverage .

D H.

Yelp
I enjoyed the house lager and the Buffalo nachos, friendly wait staff and traditional ambience
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Sara L.

Yelp
This place was a lot of fun! Went out with some friends, and got some drinks and dinner. Food was decent and the fall drinks were fun. Service was good and it was a fun place to hang out. I'm glad we checked it out!

Robert D.

Yelp
The place is alive will locals and historians! The name says it all if you check the 21st and prohibition! Robert Parker does frequent this local bar....a must see and party hearty! Bad Bob from SF
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Christie L.

Yelp
Great place in the city for drinks and bar food. Nik and I shared the loaded nachos with buffalo chicken app and it was delicious! 21st Amendment did not skimp on the toppings. The nachos were massive and definitely shareable. Nik and I only had this between the two of us any we didn't finish. Chips were piled high with buffalo chicken, cheese, jalapenos, sour cream and green onions. The chips were thin and crispy while also being warm and covered in perfectly melted cheese. I've never had buffalo chicken with my nachos, but it went so well. Everyone should serve buffalo chicken on nachos! You can have a chip with all the toppings in every bite. SO good!
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Lena V.

Yelp
Stylish looking bar right next to Boston Commons... The atmosphere was nice, staff friendly but it was freezing in there, to the point I had to put my winter jacket back on. It was super uncomfortable... I guess we should have known when seeing the bartender wearing winter jacket...
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Lisa B.

Yelp
Great bar food and old world ambiance. Service was excellent! Loved the onion rings too.
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Brian O.

Yelp
If your visiting Boston this is a must visit. Local vibe, great and reasonable priced food. Part of many pub crawls off the freedom trail. cant go wrong here!
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Nancy A.

Yelp
Food was good. Typical pub food choices on the menu. Great location in the heart of Boston, across from the State House and Public Gardens. Small place with bar and pub indoor seating. Went there for the history of the old place. Only one server at the time who seemed rushed but she was pleasant.
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Michael D.

Yelp
Go where the locals go. If you want a local old Boston bar this is it! The people were very nice and helpful . The boneless tenders chicken wings are the best I have had in a very long time. Very meaty with the perfect amount of spice. Our bartender Lauren was outstanding !
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Rhea B.

Yelp
The sliders were amazing! Some of the best I've had. The Greek salad was also quite good. We had friendly service, in dark, historic-type setting. I would go back!
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Sandy Z.

Yelp
I was intrigued by the name and history of this place...which is why my family and I decided to try it. The establishment was out of most of their beers, which we looked forward to having...but settled on one they did have, and made it work. The food was ok, I'd give it a solid 4 stars. We had nachos, pizzas, and fish and chips...all pretty tasty. What really grossed me out, was that at the very end of our time here, I went to use the restroom. While washing my hands, out of a restroom stall walked my waitress, who proceeded out of the restroom without washing hers. I followed her out, only to watch her walk right up to a new table And begin to take their order. Soooo....be mindful that if you choose to eat here, your plate may come with a side of ecoli.

Mike F.

Yelp
Stopped in for a quick bite before prior to heading to the airport and I'm glad we did. Great atmosphere, attentive staff, and the food was great!

Lee F.

Yelp
I love the dahk bah atmosphere! I also love the grilled 4- cheese sandwich, but we almost always order the cheeseburger sliders with onion rings. Can't be beat!
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Frédérik L.

Yelp
Need new staff, one of the worst experience yet. Got there as party of 2, looking to stop by for a drink. At the main bar, we see the bartender cleaning up and tending to bartending duties, except serving the customers. Took more than 7 minutes for him to acknowledge new customers, let alone serving the current ones. Once we got our beers and drank them (about 15 minutes later), we decided to leave. No way to leave, we are unable to get the bill, no one is available at the bar. The same bartender makes eye contact with us at some point, we ask for the check and (A) asks us to wait and (B) says it's [her] job, her being another bartender we have not met yet. So we wait. After a total of 12 minutes waiting for someone to acknowledge our wanted departure, our party went to the end of the bar to a waitress and asked for the bill. The (new) bartender then comes over with our checks, apologizes, and only accepts a $20 bill, hinting that tip is not needed, seeing the service we had. Let's be clear, the bar section was well staffed. Both bartenders were there the whole time, but not serving parched and hungry customers. While I appreciate the last step regarding the bill, I won't be going back to this establishment. Confusing experience.
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Marni M.

Yelp
Popped into here for drinks on a Sunday afternoon. Kind of a dark spot I presumed to be more for regulars than visitors. Bartender was nice and made a good Moscow mule. Didn't have the opportunity to try food from their menu but it did smell tasty based on the orders at nearby tables. Definitely interested in returning again!
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Bruce K.

Yelp
A great place to stop for that after work beer, I met my colleague here and we did exactly that. It's quite dark inside and that's okay. Friendly staff and they definitely had some hustle at slinging drinks. If you were not aware, the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution was the one that repealed Prohibition. Massachusetts was the eighth state to ratify the amendment, on June 26, 1933. Not cheap, but good. A-OK.

Jack S.

Yelp
The service was impeccable. A bottle was knocked out of someone's hand, and within 15 seconds it was already swept up off the floor, leaving no trace of the accident. The bartender, Mike, truly knows what people need and how to keep the party rolling. Excellent spot, would recommend to my mother.

Piper W.

Yelp
The classic burger sliders here at awesome and the best thing to have to watch Sunday games. Great selection of draft beers and unique fall drinks. Will def be returning!