O'Briens Pub

O’Brien’s Pub in the Boston neighborhood of Allston is a fantastically grungy, no-frills, bar and small-room music venue. Some great music has come through here over the years, mostly of the local hard core variety, with the occasional national act appearance. The tiny space has a corner stage with the bar across the way where most of the seats are located. There’s a smattering of tables and seats elsewhere. No food is served here but there are plenty of options available right outside the door. Hint: if you enjoy Korean cuisine, this may be an excellent opportunity for you. Service at the bar is about as good as it gets; hard working and attentive. All the staples and more are available. Sensitive types may need a hard hat but everybody else is going to have an absolute blast.

Very small bar. Everyone was so friendly. Went to see a band and it felt like a Cheers atmosphere (where everybody knows your name). Fairly easy to find but street parking made it a little difficult to find a spot to park.

Great place to see a show. We saw Bask here and they rocked the house. The bartender has a tough job trying to take orders while a concert is going on. But he handled it like a champ. Great metal environment with in your face sound in this place! I really enjoyed the whole experience here. Recommend to all.

This is a classic dive bar. A bar you would go to, to see a local live band that plays original music. These places are a dying breed and need to be kept and this place is perfect. The stage is not too big but not too small. The sound is good. The bar services are great. Location is tough due to lack of parking but that is typical for the area it is in.

Awesome spot to see a band! Staff is very friendly!

Small venue but great charm! My cousins band played here and we had a great time.

Great place to see a gig!

After Great Scott was lost, this is the best music venue in Allston. The sound is always impeccable and the drink prices can't be beat.

Great beer, great service, great music! Talk about an institution. I was apprehensive going since they didn't have a great yelp review, but the crowds were great and everything else was too. Some of the seats clearly needed some loving ... cushions ripped up but I was there for a beer and the music! I was also impressed with their selection of meat based AND vegan jerky, I will have to try some next time.

BRING EARPLUGS. Fun place to meet people. The bathrooms are disgusting and sound quality sucks but we don't have the great Scott anymore so whatever

Wanted to hit this bar as an afterparty for a bachelorette. They tried to charge us $20 to go in at 12:30 which is insane. Then we said we weren't going and we decided to order ubers outside the establishment. The woman at the door told us we weren't allowed to stand within 10 ft of the place if we weren't paying to go in. She was incredibly rude. Quite honestly I've never had a door person be so mean to a party of potential paying customers. We don't be back and I'll be telling my friends to avoid this bar.

Amazing atmosphere, attentive staff, fun crowd! & Wow, the food! Everything we ordered was fantastic! Yay!

Loud Venue What's to say about O'Briens? A loud club, playing metal style music, and booking eclectic artists. They serve booze and if your brave you might want to try a hot dog off the rollers. Best part about the place is that the sound is decent and you get to be within an arm link of the performers. Cool spot Thanks

O'Briens is the gem of the neighborhood. Great music, great staff, truly makes Allston what it is! For those that don't know, it had the same ownership as Great Scott (another crucial Allston watering hole) and deserves all of the same credit for making this neighborhood special. Have a drink, catch a show, if you're lucky enough, you might even get a beer out on the back patio when it's in season. They take care of you there.

The littlest venue that could! Scenester central for underground Metal and Rock in Beantown. I have seen and played a ton of great shows here, the place is tiny, the folks are rowdy, the drinks are mean and the bathrooms some of the worst east of the Mississippi. Loved it. *I haven't been there since they revamped the place, but I'm sure not much has changed and the walls are still covered in cheap-ass tacky (but appealing) 70' wood paneling. *Oh yeah, parking is a bitch. You will have to try really really hard not to get towed!

Live music 7 nights a week, with cheap drinks and even cheaper cheap beer. Good place to see Rock, Metal, Hardcore, heavy stuff, etc. Sometimes there will be like 7 bands on the bill, and it will start early and be packed all night. Sometimes the opening bands don't show, and the only band left plays 2 sets of covers to their friends and the staff. Either way, PREPARE TO ROCK. The cover has been about $6 - $8 during the week, more on the weekends. They cleaned up the inside a few years ago, and freed up some extra space in front of the stage. You can't really escape the band anywhere if they are ungodly loud. Bands usually like to turn way up here, even though it's pretty small. I always feel bad for the soundguys here. Every night there's a guitar player who'll crank up his full Marshall stack to 11, and wonder why you can't hear anything else. The place sounds alot better when there's a pro band playing, who is loud but controlled, and who understands the room's limitations. Even if you don't drink PBR or High Life, chances are you've had one at O'Brien's. Everyone that knows someone in a band has had to sit through three or four drunk bands on a Tuesday night, waiting for their friends to go on. Every Boston rocker has played here. I played here before I was even allowed to drink in bars. Good place to get trashed, yell out obscene things, take shots of something random, and get on stage and try to sing words you don't know. You used to be able to smoke here like most bars in Boston, and the place would smell like a Pabst can that was being used for an ashtray. Your eyes would have to adjust to the haze and stinging. The places smells better now. Well, a little bit...

What an awful place to be. Good music but the door man makes you show your underwear and private areas. Also I trie to get a single beer while I was there and I had just arrived and told me I was cut off, because I didn't let the door man touch my fucking dick. If you have any self respect don't go. I can't even give it a star. But it makes me give it 1.

I loved this place. We came out on a week night from worcester to see a few bands. Its not a large bar, and parking sucks, but the bar itself is pretty great. The drinks are inexpensive and the bartender was chill. I was impressed by the size of the stage. I thought it was going to be a lot smaller. There was ample floor space for the night we went, as it was busy enough but not crowded. I can imagine shows on the weekends probably pack this bar pretty well. The bathrooms were clean which was also a plus. The bands sounded great. I really liked the atmosphere of the bar. Would definitely stop by for a beer and a show again if I was in the area.

It's $10 dollars to get in that creepy looking dive bar. Save yourself the time and go somewhere else. The speakers are trash

I had seen this place many times, and wasn't sure what to expect. well, yes, actaully i was. and i was right for the most part. Its a bit of a cross between dive bar and small music venue (and its right next to a tatoo parlor in LA (lower allston). ) That being said, and having walked by it several times, i knew what i was getting into, nontheless, when i heard that two hip-hop acts that i had listed to back in college were playing there i had to check it out. Its cash only, but cheap, the sound quality was horrendous (at least for hip-hop). not sure if it was the sound man, the speakers or what, but it was awful. (you could really tell the good acts from the bad acts this night though, seeing that th ebad acts just did their songs, and sounded bland, while the better acts, got the crowed involved, and made them enjoy the show.) anyway, there is also a pretty grimey back patio if your into that.

I am only writing this because the bartender jimmy made our stay worth while. We arrived and he made us feel welcomed. He engaged with us and made us feel like we belong. We sat with our drinks and talked and he interjected some real thoughtful comments. I'm pretty sure I'll be returning to spend my money on people like him. I mean what's better than drinking some decent whiskey on a Wednesday afternoon with people who actually emotionally intelligent?

It's the kind of place where the performers spit out PBR on the audience and then the audience takes a swig and returns the favor. Entertaining as long as I'm not caught in the crossfire. O'Brien's may be on the smaller side but like many Boston venues it's a divey place with decent sound. A few high tables and seats at the bar, but mostly room for the crowd to flop around. They have a decent beer selection (not sure if I'd get mixed drinks) and the bartenders are friendly. It's about a block away from the 66 bus.. it's also close to the 57 and a bit of a walk to the green line. 4 stars for achieving what the venue set out to be. If you're lucky, you'll hear a hardcore band sing a tune about Michael Dukakis and the song will get stuck in your head for weeks. WEEKS.

I love the reviews about this place. People, this is a ROCK AND F'ING ROLL BAR. It is exactly what it is supposed to be. If you feel like someone there is "profiling" you, it's in your head. Really. If you feel "out of place," that's an insecurity issue you need to work out on your own. This is not your chi-chi Alley bar or the Four Seasons, and you know what, it's okay to go out in a t-shirt and shorts sometimes. If you feel judged, it probably says more about you than anyone else. This place is just plain awesome. Live music every night, cheap beers, good people, and LOUD, LOUD, LOUD the way metal and rock are supposed to be. Do yourself a favor and get some earplugs, toss back a high life, and step out of your comfort zone for an evening of rock.

Going to O'Briens reminded me of getting drunk in a bowling ally back home on karaoke night only amped up a little more. If you think it looks shitty on the outside I promise it looks equally shitty on the inside. The acoustics suck but when you bring in regular boston metal acts like "we're all gonna die" it doesnt really make a damn. It doesnt pack alot of people (small space), but on a given night about a third to a quarter are women. Pabst is sold for 2 dollars in clear plastic cups. Age range 20-40. They let me in at half cover the first time I went without me even asking when I simply expressed genuine interest in the bands playing that night. Possiblity of excessive beards, leather, and long haired men and short hair women runs high depending on the night... I was having a smoke outside with some people between acts when two girls in club gear were standing there trying to figure out where Wonder Bar was. One guy tried to give them advice but they first ignored him and then just walked away in the middle of him talking. He looked at me, shook his head, and said "man, sometimes I think people are just assholes.. fuck 'em" Fuck 'em indeed. I get that attitude when I get tired of being places where people throw up airs and try scout one another out for an evening of intoxicated genital meshing. Sometimes I just want to get drunk cheap and be moderately entertained- At least at O'briens no one usually gives a shit. Its generally assumed that if your drinking the same swill, pissing in the same hole, and having your ears blown out by the same noise that you probably dont either.

I give O'Brien's a 5 for being what it says it is and doing it well. Nothing more. It's a bar. A dive bar. There's no food. There's no frills. There's a small stage. Bands play. It's loud. The sound quality is bad. O'Brien's very existence is, in my opinion, a gigantic middle finger to the rest of the world. It's a stronghold of and establishment that is, in many regards, the last of a dying breed. Giving this place less than a 5 just means you can't/don't/won't see it for what it is.

Been here to see a few friends' bands play. I liked it. One of the things I remember was the first time I was here I ordered a drink called "the juicy pussy" because it's the only time in my life I could say that I tasted one. Yep I think I'll end the review with that.

Our band played at O'Briens a few months ago. It's a small, simple, open layout club with a few standing tables, a fully stocked bar, and (when we were there) a great sounding system. They seem to get really good mid-level bands in there, and the guy doing sound when we played (gary? dreadlock guy) knew the room acoustics really well, and made all the bands sound great. It's definitely not a bar to go on a first date, as you can't hear anything over any band that's playing. But, if a band you love is playing there, do not miss the show, because it's as intimate a show (no backstage or second room) as you can get while still enjoying a powerful, great sounding PA system. The staff, while surly looking, wound up being friendly, helpful and fun to hang out (and do shots) with. Oh, and they have a pinball machine.

I know what you're thinking. "Daniel C," you're wondering aloud, "where in Allston can I eat free hot dogs and see eight shitty metalcore bands all play their first show on a Tuesday night?" Well. Recently renovated, O'Brien's is still one of Boston's great shitholes. Beers are still cheap, acoustics are still hilariously terrible, daytime barflies are still mysteriously there all night, the bands on any given evening are still all liable to have songs with jud-jud breakdowns called "You Fuckin' Bastards."

I felt bad for the first band I saw here; they were finishing up a fairly long tour in our fair city, and I was one of maybe 10 people there not in one of the other bands. And for some reason, even in such a small room, there's no way to make that crowd seem large. At any rate, O'Brien's is a pretty small joint. It seems like the kind of place you'd see a band play their first show. I found the sound to be better than I had expected; the punk rock being played on stage thundered and raged through the system and got those of us who did show up to move. The drinks are reasonably priced, I guess. They compare well to the area. And the selection is solid, though let's be honest. You're eyeing that PBR tallboy just like the rest of us.

First off, I'm not a big fan of shows in general. They're alright but I only really go when a girl I'm into wants to go or a friend's band is playing. The latter is what brought me to O'Brien's. Its probably because it was the band's own equipment but the sound was pretty poor. Given other descriptions, you'd think it was because of being too loud but that's not the case. It was just poor quality sound. In brighter news, the service was good. Whoever the 35+ guy behind the bar was with a shaved head and zz-top goatee, he gave damn prompt service. I was impressed to be treated that way there given that the bar wasn't dead and I was the standout yuppie in the room. Overall, not the place I would hang out but nothing distinct would keep me from coming back.

I saw Sims here last night. Great venue. Good quality sound, friendly staff, clean bathroom. Really intimate place. Only thing to know is that they don't accept credit cards, but there is an ATM.

Sometimes I look at a listing for a place I've been to frequently and I sa "huh, why haven't I reviewed X yet?!" So... here I am. At various points in the last six or so years, I've been to O'Briens to see either my husband, my friends, or my friend's friends in bands. That's the only reason people come here, right? And for that, it's a pretty good spot. The sound is LOUD inside, but it's just small enough to make it seem like a moderately attended show is packed, and the bar prices are reasonable (a gin and tonic and Sam Summer was $10.50). The one big downside to this place is that they don't take cards. I get it, you're in Allston, you have to deal with a lot of crap. But so do the other 294848 places around here and they take cards. And don't get me started about how much it costs - I know! I work for a credit card processor, so I assure you that I know how much it costs. I'm just saying I'd likely spend more if I were able to use my card. I don't want to pay the price of a beer just to use your ATM, O'Briens.

It's completely filthy and a PBR cost more than a Shipyard Pumpkinhead because all the hipsters drink PBR at a punk show. With that being said, it's the perfect filthy venue for a punk/ hardcore show because its divey and gross. The sound quality is bad. Perfect for the genre. It really really sucks, which I sort of find a little endearing.

I have mixed feelings about this bar. It's definitely a boston landmark, and has some cool shows. My only complaint is that the sound system is too loud for the size of the room. (I'm not an old man, I play in a band and can handle noise) I like good loud shows, but it can get painfully loud in there if the band sucks or the sound guy isn't paying attention. I went in there once, (and this totally isn't the fault of the bar) but there was this metal band playing, this specific sub-genre of metal I like to call "Jug-Jug-diddly-diddly-Jug-Jug" because of how the guitars sound, and their bassist had an 8x10 (that's eight 10 inch subwoofers) tack cranked up as loud as he could get it!! I was effing shocked. he could have had a 2x10 and rocked the place. It was pretty painful and I had to leave cause it wasn't worth losing my hearing to this kids overdriven, low-tuned 200 dollar ibanez bass. on the flip side, I've seen some really good shows there where the levels were fine and the band was awesome and I had a great time. Definitely worth checking out, but if you see an 8x10 stacked amp, get the hell out of there before someone turns it on!

I'm only giving it less than the four to five range because of a personal beef I have. I only went once. I went to support a friend's band. (Ara Vora. Great show.) The "specials" sign said "Vanilla White Russians." I LOVE White Russians, but this was a new experience for one buck more. I ordered my Vanilla White Russian. I got milk and vodka, no kahlua. What the fuck. I haven't been back since. It was a tight place otherwise, but they seem to have bougeoisified it for the hipsters and students. I hate when a great bar sells out. Maybe it's still great. I dunno. I'd rather go to Deep Ellum or just stay on the Cambridge side of The Rivah instead.

I am here for a very special event: TUBE FEST. This is an all day event featuring local bands that specialize in the dripping wet, reverb drenched sound of instrumental surf music. It started at 3 pm and continues until midnight ... Come on down, and don't forget to bring sunscreen.

Went there once for a quick beer. As the band starts its set the bartender handed me and my wife ear plugs! Not kidding. He said " its going to get pretty loud in here". No shit. Wasn't kidding. Good place to see local bands. Cheap beer. And you won't run into any of the annoying BC or BU students in this place.

I enjoy dive bars as much as the next guy, but cash-only bars are a bummer, especially since half of the little bit of $$ I did have already went to the cover charge. Other downside is that whoever was in charge of the sound booth didn't realize just how tiny this place is -- it was pretty much impossible to communicate with anything other than charades while the band was playing. At least the band was really good!

I must say, I do strangely miss the smell of piss, broken things and splintered wood that so seemingly epitomized Allston to me in the years i lived there. BUT times and things do change and O'Brien's seems to have had to too. The remodel turned it into a nice bar that's probably easier to clean and definitely opens the space up to a wider range of events and clientèle. The space is laid out essentially the same with some good, logical changes like taking out that divider thingy they had and putting the sound board against the front window by the door. That frees the space up a lot. The men's room leaves a bit to be desired... like... oh, PRIVACY! I don't mind pissing in a urinal next to another guy minding his own business doing the same but c'mon, a toilet with no stall? No way man, no way. Other than that, the place still has good shows, big burly bartenders and the same drinks. At least that's still the same.

O'Briens gets 5 stars out of me for being 110% of what it sets out to be...a straight up, hole-in-the-wall, punk/rock dive bar and exactly what I set out in search of. I transplanted here from L.A. a couple years ago and finally got my best friend to come out a couple weeks ago. Either of us would take a bullet for each other and it's been that way for nearly 2 decades, but we're like yin and yang...I'm black, he's white. I'm usually chilled out, he's got a typical Irish temper. I'm soul/hip-hop, he's metal/punk. Anyway, on his visit, I wanted to give him a real Boston experience so we did touristy stuff (Fenway, Duckboats), cultural (ICA, SOWA), and even hit Revere beach to relax. But for music I wanted to take him somewhere he'd really appreciate as truly Boston. I hit Yelp for help (yes, I was that square, searching online for punk venues) and decided on O'Briens. As soon as we walked up, I knew I made the right choice and once inside, we were not disappointed. Pretty tiny, a faint odor of sweat and beer, ear-splittlingly loud bands where members of the next band are standing in the crowd next to you waiting for their turn and appreciating the act on stage. Drinks were pretty cheap and we managed to get a fair few of them in us, served up by the solid bartenders. Squeezed in shoulder to shoulder, it was one of those moments where you really get something that you for some reason never could. I GOT punk, and I have O'Briens to thank for that. Needless to say, my buddy had a blast and his Boston experience was complete!

I love O'brien's. During the day or early evening, the locals gather to drink away the day and listen to the Stones over and over again on the Jukebox-- at night it becomes a great dive for bands to play at. I've played here probably a dozen times and it's always a good time. Cheap beer, gruff but fair bartenders and best of all, O'Briens books bands that you aren't going to see at the Middle East. Don't come here expecting much more than bands and cheap beer, but for some of us, that's more than enough.

The sound guy that was there the night before thanksgiving (11-25-15) needs to be trained properly or let go immediately.

Dingy dive bar of the first order, the nightly live bands inside O'Brien's can be heard about a block away. Since smoking's illegal in Boston's bars, the front doorway is constantly littered with both butts and post-college kids from all walks of life: grungy punx, too-cool-for-you scenesters, matty-haired metalheads, they all meet in O'Brien's. The bar itself is spare, dark, and freezing cold---I have to wonder if they even use refrigeration for their kegs, especially in the winter. O'Brien's is the malt liquor of Allston bars---not pretty, but it'll certainly get the job done.

One of my favorite places to see bands. Cozy, with decent cheap drinks, and I've always had friendly service. Band friends also seem to love to play here.

I went to O'Briens for a show-first off, I love the Christmas lights. Yes it's September, but it adds a nice atmosphere and reminds me of one of my favorite times of year.The sound was good, and it's pretty small place so if you want one of the three or so tables get there early. But, all the same it makes shows there that much more intimate. Also-and this is a big plus for me-CLEAN bathrooms! (well-the girls anyway!)

Super small venue, and they are the best because you are up close and personal with the bands. There is no backstage so the bands hang out in the crowd and their equipment usually takes up a quarter of the venue. True rock venue for 'Allston Rock City'

Cash only bar. Will only let you in if they know you. Or if you're friends with one of the shit bands that plays, who will strive to pretend to know music and/or boston. Which they do not. I do not understand why this place is still open. Steer clear! This is actually the most pretentious bar in Allston.

Can't believe i havnt reviewed this place yet. I love O'brians. One of the best rock venues in Boston. Small and dark.

O'Brien's is wikkid scuzzy, and a fun place to see heavy rock and metal bands, even if you would never sit down on the toilet. The drinks are Allston Rock City average price, and the new bartendrix seems like a nice gal. It's a real downer when a show goes bad here - the room is so small that a band's poor showing (e.g. less than 15 people watching) can be downright embarassing.

This place is kinda grimey. Or very grimey. Surprisingly the ladies bathroom is usually okay. I'll only go if it's a friends band playing.

Just got back from the open mic night at O'briens. The evening left much to be desired. After leaving an above average tip i continued to order drinks at the bar (cash only). After my a round my bartender asked me "Have you ever been to a bar?" I politely asked what he was talking about and said that I had not tipped him. Not one second after i had received my drink. I tipped him a five because i had not meant to be rude. I told him that I was not familiar with the etiquette with a cash only no tab bar. After informing him that it was not polite to tell his patrons that this is not the most effective approach to take he told me, "its no skin off my nose if you never come back." I then told the door man about he exchange i just had. He said."take that up with him." Stellar performance O'briens. Do yourself a favor and go to literally any other bar in Allston. There are tons. Let this one slowly go out of business.

O'Briens really needs a review from two perspectives. One, if you're a musician in a band looking for places to play out and a second review for people who are deciding where to hang out for a night in Allston. I'll start with the review for musicians since I think that's really what O'Briens is all about. The room: It's a small room (50 capacity) with a small stage (holds 5 people) and a PA that varies depending on who's doing sound (but it's usually as simple as a pair of 12" mains and a monitor or two). If you're planning on playing here and don't have the standard "two guitars, 2 or 3 vocals, drums, bass", keep in mind the sound guy probably has only a small vanilla assortment of gear, so bring anything you think he/she might need (ie, if you're in a band with 3 keyboard players, bring your own 1/4" to xlr converters). Parking: Good luck, it's Allston. There's a parking lot next to the bar you can unload from, but you can't leave your car there. Who should play here: O'Briens is a great place to play for bands just starting out. Put together a myspace/facebook page with samples of your playing and some pictures before popping in or calling the bar. You'll more than likely get lumped in with 3 or 4 other bands on a weekday night (and the audience will consist only of the other bands and your friends). If you're a band that's been around a while, keep in mind that at O'Briens, you are the draw. The bar doesn't attract many people who just walk in off the street. Deciding where to hang out in Allston? Well, as per everything I said above, your night here will depend entirely on the band(s) playing that night (you can find this out from the O'Briens website). The beer selection is "typical" and it's cash-only. You'll most likely have to pay a cover if bands are playing that night.

Went here a few weeks ago looking for a good show. Just recently moved to the area and had no idea of where to go or anyone to go with for that matter, so I just searched some local shows for the night. Ended up having a really awesome time. The crowd was really cool, $3.50 for PBR tall boys, and I met a bunch of cool people. Great place for shows, especially if you grew up in small venues where it was tough to tell where the band ends and the crowd begins. Decent sound for a small venue too.

Writing this from a band perspective: I hadn't been to O'Brien's in years until last night when my band played there. Most importantly, the door man, sound man and bartender were all friendly and helpful. If you go to the club's Web site and read the Booking section, you can tell that they have a good attitude towards the bands that are looking to play there. You don't get the feeling that they think they're doing the band a favor by "letting" them play at their venue, which seems to be the attitude of some club owners. The place is small, but has a proper stage and okay sound equipment. Keep the volume down to small-club levels and you should be fine.

Five stars for being the most non-pretentious bar in Allston. It's simple. You walk in, you buy a beer, you watch a band, you have an amazing fucking time. One of the only music venues in Boston to make the local scene their bread and butter. Great for punk, rock and indie. Go there enough times and you'll end up being friends with all the regulars.

a dive with decent music, updated bathrooms that don't smell of urine (most of the time) and tall boy pbrs. the sound isn't so good - the speakers sound a little blown out, but oh well. the patio out back is a fantastic thing...not sure if it's always open - but it's rare these days that you can drink and smoke at the same time!

this will eventually be a 2 part review but for now it is for the old o'briens, i loved it here cheap drinks and good metal shows and darkbuster had there hometown throwup shows here before the abbey, they closed for renovations this winter and i've yet to go in since it reopened probably be there for the watchmaker show coming up, the bathrooms could have definetly used some attention and i'm sure that was a big part.