Ralph's Diner

Alternative hard Rock dive bar. Great bar food. Live music, and occasional drag show. Local Worcester vibe where everyone is chill and friendly.

10/10 no notes. Wouldn't change a thing. Ralph's is my favorite place in Worcester and probably even all of New England. It's a punk bar with a diner car, what more could you ask for? Beware the pothole fiesta that is the parking lot tho! If you have low ground clearance on your car I highly suggest that you either park right up top in the front by the Ralph's Diner sign or all the way in back by those officey looking buildings but don't try to drive your super low sports car thru the lot because you seriously might get stuck.

Gotta love Guy bars and this one is six cars if I could give it love the burgers and the Omni Make sure you bring cash because they don’t take American Express

Ralph’s is one of the last legit Worcester gems. Seriously, this place is sooo important to many communities, especially the punk and hardcore scenes. Almost every night they have something going on. From the Dirty Gerund (Poetry Night) on Monday’s, Stand Up Comedy Open Mic on Tuesday’s, Karaoke on Wednesday’s, monthly drag shows, a newly added halloween haunted house, and so many other events and shows. Very much the place that screams, “come as you are, and stay a while”. If you end up not liking Ralph’s that’s on you babe, not on this Worcester institution. Don’t expect perfection, it’s a dive bar. Cash only, they have an ATM. Get their new BLT, seriously it’s awesome.

Actually a pretty cool place. Got a diner in it. That's definitely a first for me. Wicked cool. 2 floors, karaoke, pretty packed for a Wednesday, band playing. I will more than likely become a regular here. A bit cramped though. Definitely shoulder to shoulder.

Quintessential rock n' roll dive bar within a classic vintage diner. Vibes abound. Car swallowing potholes outside, take note!

This is a fantastic cultural hotspot. A dive bar by dive bar standards, but with so many events to attend on a daily basis and a thriving community, Ralph’s is a great hangout.

Classic place to have a beer and see a band. They have a great outdoor area and the indoor bar is classic train car diner turned rock club. Cheap drinks and lots of smiles (and tattoos). Easy parking, chill staff, good tunes. Go.

This place is a ICON it is a total dive bar, and I couldn't recommend it any more. this place has been around forever and this place was awesome. it is a classic dive bar with great service and great bar food. if you and your friends are looking for a late-night spot to hang out with friends this is a great spot.

Classically I found out about this place about 2 days prior to moving out of Worcester. It's a super cool dimly lit dive bar like nothing else I've ever experienced. We came twice during our last week. The first time we met up with a work friend and had a great time shooting the shit in the back. The second time, we came for a drag show that happened to be during one of the heat waves (the entire summer seems like a perpetual heat wave) and it was so fucking hot upstairs that we couldn't tolerate it and went back downstairs. If it is a particularly hot day, think twice before chucking over that cover. It is a very cool spot that is worth your patronage.

Went here for the first time last night (Wednesday Oct 11). I came around midnight by myself. I would rate this bar five stars bc I really loved the vibe but the female bartender was not friendly towards me. They had karaoke outside. I came in to the bar, sat down with my purse in front of me and opened it, and was waiting for her to notice me. There were maybe three or four people sitting at the bar. She saw me but didn't acknowledge me. She turned around to count her tips for about 10 minutes or so with her back turned to me. I asked what movie was playing, she told me, but still didn't ask what I wanted to drink. I definitely didn't get acknowledgement or even a 'hello' from her when I sat down. She finally asked what I'd like. I ordered a High Noon, paid for it cash and left a $2 tip regardless. I'm also a bartender and I went there to scope the place out and see if it might be somewhere I'd like to work, and it is. I had a copy of my résumé with me but since she was already giving me weird vibes I handed it to the bar back. He said thank you and put it next to the register. A few moments later she picks up my résumé and shows some customers sitting at the bar and said "Oh that's funny, someone left there résumé here" and I said "Oh, that's mine" with a smile. She says "Oh well they'll never hire you so you should take it back". So I told her, "Well thanks but I'd like to leave it here regardless on the off chance they might need someone". She says "Well they aren't going to hire you. You have to know someone here to get hired. So just take it back". I said "No, I'm going to leave it here anyways". She walked away leaving my my résumé in front of me on the bar. I took it and gave it back to the bar back and told him to put it somewhere safe bc I didn't trust her not to throw it in the trash. Never got her name, but she looked to be mid-twenties, busty, brunette hair, with winged liner wearing a t-shirt and jeans. The two women I was talking to at the bar seemed shocked she behaved that way towards me and commented on how rude that was. I overall enjoyed my experience there besides the bartender not treating me well. I'll be back in again and hopefully I get a nicer bartender next time :)

Mia is the best to ever do it!!!! She knows everyone and they love her just as much as me!! I'll be back for sure !! I'm from Canada

Best dive bar with atmosphere, cheap drinks, great bands, pool tables, fun things to take pictures with,karaoke night with Matt, and best bartender Anthony!! Safe place for gals just ask John or Brian to take you to your car.

Came for an open comedy mic. Didn't eat, but $6 for a small Guinness in a plastic restaurant soda cup is kind of a rip off or an FU we just don't give a $hit. However, playing devil's advocate, maybe they just don't want broken glasses since there's not much for tables in the back.

A Worcester classic. It never disappoints. Came in for a no frills beer and burger, and walked out super happy. Will be back soon.

I have been going to Ralph's since Ralph owned it. Vincent has done a great job stewarding the ship. Go in for the Burger (get there before they sell out) and stay for the band. I miss Thanksgiving Eve with Wilbur and the Dukes - but times change. PLEASE check out this - in my opinion - Historic Bar

Best burgers and chili in the city. Classic diner bar with great customer service amd prices that are amazing.

Alrighty, buckle up and enjoy this sweet, sweet review. My wife and I got into Worcester around midnight for a wedding, and this spot was the only place nearby that was open with food. We walked down the sketchy driveway/random parking lot to our safe haven: Ralph's. Did we get food that night? Unfortunately, no, as the kitchen had already closed. BUT, we enjoyed the vibe and saw that they were hosting an emo night the next evening, and so we filled our bellies with beer instead of Ralph's famous burgers and then plotted to spread the word when we met up with friends. My wife and I convinced the younger crowd to go to Ralph's the next evening following a fancy party. Ralph's was a hit! All of the younger crowd had a great time playing pool, chatting, and drinking cheap beer! Although we were not dressed up for the emo night, we DID enjoy lots of 2000s punk rock and danced (horribly) the night away. Then, we even got the wedding party to head to Ralph's after the entire wedding reception on the third evening! It was fantastic, full of fun, and my wife and I have not partied that much since we were in college with the bride. All in all, Ralph's became the go-to spot. If you aren't a dick, are kind to the locals and barkeep, you'll enjoy the ambiance of Ralph's.

On a recent visit, looking forward to having a great burger, I found Ralph's to be extremely busy. People had gathered for a rock concert upstairs and had to wait for the doors to open, which they did at 8:30. There were no seats available, except for one at the end of the bar, which is very long. A single employee was waiting on the numerous customers, providing drinks, taking orders, cooking all of the food, serving the food, and cleaning up after people were done eating. Oh yeah, she had to collect the money and provide change. I don't know how she was expected to do everything, but she pulled it off! The burger was great, but the atmosphere was too bizarre for my liking. Kudos to the overworked employee, she was phenomenal, under the circumstances, but I won't be going back. There are other places around that serve great burgers. In all fairness, this is a music venue that serves food, not the other way around.

Don't waste your time here if you're a college student. They took my ID inside and told me it was fake, asked me personal questions about the color of my house, etc. after looking me up on Zillow and then kicked me out. I asked them if they could just scan my ID like a normal bar and they said they didn't have an ID scanner??? The bouncers are clearly untrained, pointed out the holograph on my ID and told me it was fake when it's a DMV issued REAL ID not even a drivers license. Any properly trained bouncer would be able to tell the difference. Please train your employees properly. Don't waste your time or money at such a low class, sh*t bar.

Awesome staff, vibes, scenery, burgers and bands. The only thing that sucks is how many holes there are in the parking lot almost lost a foot walking in

I came here during a business trip to MA. Chip was behind the bar and he was the shit. He was at another bar I went to the night before so it was cool to have a familiar face. The atmosphere is unparalleled. Didn't get a chance to try the burger but I'll be back in a week and I'll have to make sure I stop in for that. I hear the same owner is in charge of Vincent's, and Nick's. Both were great as well!

Ralph's is the best and only in Worcester. Alex, a very special bartender, makes amazing cocktails that should be at least $30 per beverage. Not only does this place warm my palette, it also warms my heart. Tonight I am drinking a smooth lime beverage that is pillow soft and sweet yet sour. I have never had anything like it. I am in complete awe.

Metal Thurdays: The metal scene in MA owes a huge thanks to this place. Local bands always play the metal Thursdays, many MA bands that get bigger get their start here. The local music scene depends on Ralph's and wouldn't be the same without it. This is the place man. Is it divey? sure. Is it full of strange characters? Sure. But as the saying goes, worcester is "a drinking town with a metal problem". I hope it stays that way. And with the help of Ralph's, maybe it will.

Ralph's is Ralph's. I used to crave their cheeseburgers. They aren't as good. I'll take the blame for that. I wasn't drunk when I ate it. Maybe they've always sucked?

Best bar around here. So chill, bartenders are dope. Drinks are good and cheap. There's an outdoor area, which is frequently used. There's a movie night, shown outside on a projector onto the wall. And karaoke is outside in the warmer seasons as well. Various events monthly. The other bars around here; compass, banner, etc, aren't my pint of beer , but Ralph's sure is!

After not visiting Ralph's for years, We were so happy to see how it has been doing..We pulled into a parking spot that was not clearly labeled no parking. .my boyfriend and I both put thumbs up asking the security guy if this spot was ok....with no response,we thought it was fine.as soon as we left the car the security guard immedietely shook his head and said "NOPE".....when we tried to explain that we thought his lack of expression to our thumbs up meant it was a safe parking spot, he immediately became thought more from this Ralphs....so disappointing.please here better help.not your best look...

This place has pretty much one purpose. It's not to be a diner. Or even, really, a bar. It's a venue. And it gets in acts that no one else does. It's an institution. And honestly, it's run well for what it is. Don't expect high class. Don't expect clean. Don't expect everyone to dote on you. Expect good music, and cold beers, and mixed drinks. Maybe some greasy food. (Burgers and chili and dogs, mostly. No fries.) When I was here there were bands upstairs and some kind of story teller event downstairs. As others have said, this place is CASH ONLY. (There is an ATM on site.) The sound system is pretty ripped up. I'm gonna be honest... This isn't even a high quality show. But for what it is, it's classic. Iconic, even.

The place is awful, but my review is skewed. I tried to get into this place at 3 in the afternoon on a Sunday and they chased me out of the parking lot. Let me explain. The place is supposedly a well known DIVE BAR. This must be the modern wussy definition of DIVE bar because I have never been ran out of place like this. The place was completely dead and I had a bottle of beer left over from a BYOB restaurant that I was coming from. I had literally a sip of beer left in the bottle and was about to throw it out in a trash can outside of the place. I threw the bottle out and attempted to walk into the place and a bartender and two other employees came rushing out of the place and started screaming at me and my friend. They basically chased us and our business right out of the place. I also had 5 friends that had gone in a couple of minutes before me and they all left too. So the place lost at least a 100-150 dollars of sales for absolutely nothing. The funny part is that after we parked the car, and my buddy and I got out and saw a bunch of trash in the parking lot. We picked it all up and through it out in a dumpster across the parking lot. Then we get thrown out of the place. The staff needs to grow up and take incoming business more seriously. I hang out in Worcester all of the time with a lot of friends that make good money and now I will never even try this place or recommend it. The place is supposedly a DIVE BAR and I read other reviews about how they are so hospitable to the "classless, grungy, and drunk people piss on cars in the parking lot," and their throwing a pile business out in the early afternoon on a Sunday because someone through a beer bottle out in the trash before they entered the place. It really doesn't make any sense. "A DIVE BAR!!!!!!!" BS Thanks

My favorite dive bar ever. My only complaint is that it's in Worcester, Massachusetts and not in Orlando! My buddy said to me as we were there: This place is the real deal. It is just that. You got your drinks, taxidermy animals in the rafters, a feel of dirty, a pool table and holy crap the food is grade A. I sat down and ordered a burger and was served by the most excellent of dudes. The food was good, the MUSIC selection was the best and let just put it this way... it's a great dive bar. Interested in anything but a dive bar? Then why are you looking at this place!

went here for a friend's show. venue squicked me out. I'm not alien to the grime aesthetic, but when the bathroom tells you to talk to the bartender if you're getting harassed... then you walk out of the bathroom and are immediately confronted with 2 paintings of naked women... the irony is not funny. Some of the clientele seemed sketchy, dude offered me the remainder of his opened and partially consumed beer. I 'get' the vibe, and my friend's band is great and all that, but like, you can't come here and turn your brain off. which kind of defeats the purpose?

Went in on a Friday night with a friend - like the dinner car atmosphere- 1 person behind the counter not too busy - she didn't even ask us what we would like ignored us. Waited a few minutes and still nothing -again not busy at all. Friend said let's go into other room. Again not busy - same thing happened bartender looks at us and goes other direction. Ralph would never run his joint that way. Also it appeared that most of the workers looked like extras from the Anarchy fake biker show.... Jocko and Co... complete with vests. Ha ha.. My youth along with my Ralph days are long gone - maybe it's because we looked like Feds.. but so long bad Anarchy fake biker show - Jocko and co.

I have seen mice scurrying all over this establishment on multiple occasions. It is by no means a deal breaker but still very gross.

I have been going to Ralph's for years and years and they never fail to satisfy! They are VERY respectful to their patrons. And would recommend that all musicians perform here! Best place in Worcester! Even better than the Palladium. That's a fact. Check them out today!!

One word: NO. Definitely not my scene AT ALL. Dirty, dark, and rude service. I know it's supposed to be a "dive" but this is more than a dive. I don't know how it gets away with being any sort of business at all.

I lived at Ralph's 1978-88 . No place Worcester could touch it. It's not a dive bar it's a dive club. You don't go there at 3pm to have a few drinks you go there to party. So many great Bands. The neighborhoods ,husker du, Black Flag, The Smithereens, Alice in Chains., The del fuegos., The unattached, all for a $3 cover, just fantastic stuff. If your going out for dinner go somewhere else if your looking for a bite to eat and you want to party. I'm sure nothing still can beat out Ralph's.

This place is fun! The place is deceiving large, the drinks are cheap and I had a good time. There are tons of board games for everyone to play, though we did find a bra squished into the box when we pulled out our game of Clue. That was gross. There is a juke box and the place is definitely divey. The bartender was nice and he was giving away some of his personal record collection for free which was cool. Relaxed, no frills bar.

I usually never go out on Sundays because restaurants typically have slow service but this bartender was amazing! She was so funny and nice and put on all these great 80s movies and just made it a great night! The food is amazing and cooked to perfection. I love the atmosphere and I highly suggest this place.

Anthony makes the best hot water. Personally inspects it for "floaties" and holds the highest standard for lemon wedges. Incredibly accommodating and this comes from a hot-water connoisseur. We will be returning for more beers and the finest hot liquids.

If dive bar is what you're going for this is the place. Everyone in the staff has character. This is a place for everybody. They have a wide selection of beer and vast selection of alcohol. They even serve food. There is burgers, grilled cheeses, chili, and hot dogs. What more could a person with a couple drinks under their belt ask for. The reason they're getting four stars is blantently because it is a dive bar. Me personally I don't think I would go to a "DIVE" that had five stars. This place truly has a little of everything for everyone and also is clearly a favorite of locals around the town. Full of character and gumption, there are only good times to be had.

Dive bar does not do this place justice, we stopped by on a Friday after noon shortly after they opened and stayed for only a few minutes. The most important thing I can say is that there were no lights, literally none, so whatever your reaction to that statement is probably indicative to how you will feel about the place as a whole. I do not doubt however that it is a cool venue for live music or if I was a worcester resident in my angsty teen years this place would be far more my scene.

Ralph's Diner was one of the coolest places I've ever played. This place had kitschy brickerbrack everywhere, the stage was done up like a vaudeville show, an arcade machine with every game I blew my birthday money as a kid on, awesome sound, and a super sassy cook. I wish there were more places like this in RI. I look forward to going back.

Been here the first time two Halloweens ago. A M A Z I N G !!! Great Metal night! Great drinks! And the prices... Suuuuper honest! The upstairs stage zone has a unique atmosphere! Love this place!

It's difficult for me to rate Ralph's as anything but 5 stars. This was the first bar I ever really hung out at. I love this bar. I've closed it down more times than I could possibly hope to remember. BUT... -I often feel that the cover is just too high. Either raise the cover price, or the drink price. Don't raise both. -Why am I restricted to the diner area if I don't want to pay the cover to go upstairs? There is a whole other bar over there that doesn't have a band playing in it. -I realize that Ralph's is a totally hip and trendy place, and that's fine. I also realize it's probably really cool to work there. That's awesome for you, but dear bartenders how can we make you realize that just because you have the throne as king of the scenesters for one night doesn't mean you get to act like a dick? I went there for some drinks for the last leg of my birthday celebration this year and was really disappointed with how the bartender treated some of my friends. I was so happy to show everyone my favorite bar and then this guy was a complete tool to them for no apparent reason. All that being said I still love this place and will continue to go back forever. But how about some etiquette lessons for the bartenders? The only times you don't get a shitty attitude is when you're dealing with either chip or maryanne.

A perfect place for the classy, the classless, and down to earth. They don't discriminate. Flippin' awesome, unique, grungy, and alternative place all at the same time! It's a diner in a bar-- with two floors, no less. (I was too scared to try the food. Typical greasy diner-esque, but probably even greasier.) They even have a photo booth. The attire is casual, which is a refreshing change of pace. Converse and jeans will do just fine. I went during some kind of metal night, which I'm not really into, but still managed to have a blast.

Ralph's. Sometimes when I go there, the very name becomes the verb that goes along with the later evening hours. But that's my own idiot fault! Regardless - countless nights spent there. Really, like, hundreds....sigh. $2.50 Gansett drafts. $3 and $4 other beers (snobs!). Every bartender is way nice, even in a Uniquely Assholey way. Doesn't necessarily live up to the "Diner" part of the name, other than being in a diner car. Menu is burger, veggie burger, or chili. Usually when I'm drunk I end up eating potato chips, too. I love chips. They have them. Go see shows upstairs. Bring earplugs! The sound man has been there forever - "I remember where I set it last night." It's fun to play shows there. It's fun to see shows there. Decor upstairs is lots of fun - giant dinosaur, palm tree, etc. Good room. Best part is definitely being outside. I don't smoke but everyone else in the world does, so that's where we end up. It's also a good place to watch people throw up, make out, and fight (any combination of the three!). Worst part is the parking lot in the winter - do not try to cross through the back in anything less than galoshes and / or a monster truck. Oh and also that usually you have to pay cover to get into the Other Side of downstairs. Lame! Seriously though. It's a lot of fun. It's a good place to generate amazing face-clutching moments of blurry, regretful recollection the next morning.

Went to meet people who did hotdog safari for a drink. Stood in the bar FOREVER waiting patiently to order a beer. Ignored by 3 bartenders. Moved down to the left for a better spot, still ignored. All the people around us ordered and left. We sat down. Still no attention. The woman bartender starting clearing empty bottles all around us without even looking at us. The long ponytailed bartender did the same, plus counted his tip container and then arranged the bills in the cash register. I'd been there over 20 minutes with no recognition. I finally stopped mr ponytail and said "can I get a beer here?" He just looked at me. I told him what I wanted. He brought it and never spoke a word. The place is not that iconic or great to be treated like dirt. Many other venues with live music. Goodbye Ralph's

If you want a bunch of hipsters who don't care about anything especially service don't come here. Cool and hip left with the bartenders lip ring while playing chess all night on the bar. Don't order food without a peircing. And the electrical in this place, it will be the next station fire

Ralph's is a legendary institution of cool hidden away in the grungy bowels of the mill area of Worcester. Were it ever to close down, my grief would rival that of a dead family member. The jukebox is always loaded with great music, the burgers are the best in Wormtown, the bartenders mix stiff, cheap drinks, and the live music is usually fantastic, but the best aspect of Ralph's is the diverse, yet unpretentious crowd. You'll find bikers, greasers, punks, goths, metalheads, nerds, jocks, preps, college kids, even business people in every shape, age, color and variety. Thank you Ralph's for all the great times. Here's to many more.

I absolutely love Ralphs Joey the Breadboy!! I can't even begin to describe the things I have seen at Ralphs. Naked People, Funky Knight's Blow-Outs, Hidden Rooms, Great Music, Great Beers, even better characters. Ralph had a parade when he died, nuff said...........

I've come here several times to see my brothers band play. It's a chill bar with a chill crowd. There's a small bar with a pool table downstairs & another bar upstairs with a stage & plenty of room to watch bands. Also a small diner area downstairs to the left. Lots of weird, off kilter decorations throughout the bar but I dig it. It's free to walk in but usually costs like $7 or so if you wanna go upstairs for the bands. Lots of parking but the spots fill up fast! Be careful if you have to park towards the street though, the driveway is really shitty. Lots of potholes & there's no lighting whatsoever, so be careful you don't trip walking to or from your car. Especially if you've had a few.

Ralph's is my favorite bar in Massachusetts, hands down. I've never felt more comfortable at any other bar. Ralph's welcomes everyone, every age. The only reason why I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is because..... I agree with what some people have said on here about the prices. Either lower the cover charge or lower your prices for mixed drinks. Dang!

The first time I told my father that I had gone to this place called Ralph's and that they had great cheap beers and awesome shows he replied "You mean that place hasn't collapsed yet? When I used to go there you could feel the whole upstairs move when the place was really rocking". While I'm unsure if it's the actual building moving or just my consciousness shifting from the booze and tunes, it's hard to look at the place the same way again after the first time you've gone there and really experienced it. What at first looked like a strange social experiment of bizarre engineering, now seems as comfortable as if grabbing a beer from the fridge and sitting in my living room. The best part about Ralph's is that after going there for a while you realize that no-one cares. While you may continue to believe that you're so important with your facebook updates of how classy you are, the reality is that you're not. Just like a small moment of zen, Ralph's can be that small island of equal footing for all amongst a sea of fetched hungry little egos. There's not much better than a burger and a couple of cold Narragansetts either. RIP Ralph!

Great dive bar/rock club dive. When in full-swing (usually Thursday-Saturday nights), Ralph's offers 3 full bars. The spacious patio area is a great place to hang out. On Sunday nights they project movies drive-in-style on the wall outside. Live music most nights of the week, along with entertainment in the form of spoken-word/poetry on Mondays and Wednesdays that is not to be missed. Plenty of off-street parking. The menu is limited, but a cup of chili or one of Ralph's famous cheeseburgers is sure to hit the spot. Cash only, but there's an ATM on site.

This place is a local gen. Great shows, great staff and the food is pretty basic and good. it's really the all around atmosphere you go for. The decor rules.

I started going to Ralph's last summer, and I regret not going sooner! Ralph's is my current love affair and I couldn't ask for a better boyfriend. It's open every night, and fun every night. I have actual conversations at Ralph's, whereas in other bars I find myself just playing defense from scumbag guys. I have made great friends there and feel comfortable just showing up on my own for a beer. The jukeboxes are great, that's probably where all of my money ends up. Bands can be hit or miss but I'm glad there's a venue that supports some great local acts. Everyone is welcome at Ralph's! I've seen girls with tight booty shorts and pumps, and in the same night see some burly seventy year old stumbling around. Just come in, take a seat, and enjoy it.

This was, without any doubt, my favorite part of Worcester when I lived in the area. When I miss Worcester (and that is VERY rare) I miss Ralph's. There's a classic diner out front, serving burgers, fries, and beer. Downstairs there's a bar and a couple of pool tables, a jukebox and a big bar. Upstairs there's a stage, and another bar, and some tables and chairs. Also the neon sign behind the bar that says "time to f*ck." What I loved about this place was: The crowd. Some townies, some college kids, but the alternative set-a little more style. A few more peircings and tattoos. The random stuff on the walls. I found it oddly comforting. The smoking shelter. I wish more bars had this- I like not getting rained or snowed on, even when I may be intoxicated. The staff was always super chill, at least to me. The music never fails to be awesome. There is a cover. It's worth it. Even though it's Worcester. Maybe it's even worth the trip.