Shay's Pub & Wine Bar

Shay’s Pub is a gem. It’s the kind of place you walk into once and instantly know you’ll be coming back. The vibe is calm, friendly, and just right for chilling out, having real conversations, and unwinding after a long day. The staff is incredibly nice and welcoming. Sean really stood out—he was busy as hell but somehow kept everything under control. You can tell he’s been doing this for a while because everything he did was smooth and on point. He made me feel taken care of, even in the middle of the rush. I’m genuinely happy I found this place. There’s nothing better than grabbing a cold Miller Lite after some miles around the river and just soaking in a good atmosphere. Shay’s feels like one of those places that becomes part of your routine without even trying.

Prices have gone up over the last several years but this has to be one of the best pubs in Boston area. Great atmosphere, friendly servers, friendly patrons, solid food! A fantastic place to hang out with your friends throughout the year—sit outside during the warm New England summer nights and take in the hustle and bustle of Harvard Square or sit next to the picture window in the middle of a raging snow storm while you cozy up with a pint of Guinness.

This is one of the last bastions of a previous time in Harvard Square. For my money the best place to grab a drink after work, meet before/after a movie, or read at the bar before the crowd arrives. Food is good (great veggie burgers!) good pours and draft options. Never a bad idea. Only downside is it is so great it can get pretty crowded in the evening.

We got here and they had pretty nice music. The service was amazing. We got attended by Steven, he is a really cool guy. Try the burger and fries, you'll love them! 5/5.

A low-key no-frills bar with a little bit of sporting environment built in. The lighting and decor are a charm. The prices of food and drink are the best in this part of town. Definitely recommend going here. If you are tight on budget then this is the bar to be in the Harvard area.

Best bar in Harvard Square. Cozy, friendly staff, unexpectedly good food. So cozy, we just love hanging out at Shay's. There's nothing as chill or casual or cozy in all of Harvard Square. And the bartenders are just so friendly, you can't beat it. Also!! We had their burger once, and it took us by surprise. It's a homemade burger served with homemade potato wedges, nothing more or less. Absolutely delicious, and an incredible value for the price. I never thought of Shay's as a food place, but I would totally go back again for their burger!!

Denied my friend entry for no good reason - perfectly normal ID older than most of us and was the only one given an additional quiz for verification? After this bouncers and staff were rude then we left and went to Grafton Street since they gave us no problems.

The bouncer yelled at my friend and told her that her ID was fake when it was obviously real. She is 22 and he had no reason to deny her but mocked her when she tried to reason with him. The server outside was short with us and was upset that we weren’t all drinking even though they told us it was okay to sit there if just someone was drinking. Rude and disrespectful, will not be back

The first time I went, I didn't end up ordering anything because it was just too crowded. Most people seemed to be there for the drinks, standing around and mingling. So, I decided to come back on a weekday when it was quieter. On my second visit, I went on a weekday night and was able to grab a seat at the bar. I ordered their Chicago-Style Hot Dog and a draft beer. Wow, the hot dog was so good that I even asked about the recipe so I could try making it at home! It came topped with diced tomatoes, purple onion, relish, and Dijon mustard. Simple but so delicious. I'd love to come back and try more of their food fare!

Came here with my girlfriend for a quick mid-week dinner and left feeling satisfied and impressed! The eatery is small, and has a dark-cottage like feel. We sat ourselves and were served promptly. I ordered the chicken quesadilla, which was very juicy and jam-packed with minced pieces of fajita vegetables. It was delicious and cheesy. Every ingredient was very fresh and of good quality. It came with a side of cheesy refried beans, which were incredible! They were so good I'd honestly order them on their own. Wow! My girlfriend reported that her Bahn Mi sandwich was good, but a little on the hotter side. If you're a spice lover like me, though, that is a perk! Overall, we had a great dinner at Shay's and will definitely be back!

We grabbed some outdoor seating for drinks and snacks. We ordered chips and salsa with a side of guac (which was $2 extra) and the parmesan fries. The parmesan fries were amazing, highly recommend. They come with melted cheese on top and an herby garlicky dip. The salsa, unfortunately, was a disappointment. The guac was literally just one of those cups you get from Costco, and the chips and salsa also probably came out of a bag. There weren't enough chips for the amount of salsa either. The service was a bit inconsistent but the prices are fairly reasonable.

Honestly always love a stop at this place whether for a solo lunch on the patio or a group hang after work with friends. Great low key bar with Indoor outdoor seating, good beer list, one of the best burgers I have had in some time!

What this place still exists!?! It was a staple of my crowd for decades. The place you went to have good wine, a baked Brie or a veggie alternative and have a quite chat. We it is still that! The burgers are still really good, and the salads have gotten much fresher. Our server was professional and efficient; just what I want for a lunch rush. Water and sodas got filled. Ambience, well the inside is old wood basic; very sturdy. We sat out in the road tables felt great. I always like the deck o. A sunny day but my friends wanted these tables. All good! (Stupid friends, Hahahha) I like this place, no Aires but solid beer, wine, booze, and good food with a little class and understanding. Why fix something if it ain't broke.

Bouncer was incredibly rude to our friend who was clearly over 21. Didn't even give her a chance and immediately denied her. Just disrespected all around. The waiter was also extremely rude. Saying that we could sit there and then cussing us out when we didn't order drinks immediately. All around bad experience, also the food is bad when I visited during the day.

Shay's is a beautiful Harvard Square gem that is seemingly full of a regular local crowd. I loved the instant feeling of being welcomed, and a sense of comfort radiated through the entire building. My girlfriend and I seated ourselves and were instantly welcomed and served with drinks, and we loved getting our waiter's insight on the menu as we ordered a chicken quesadilla and a banh mi sandwich. The chicken quesadilla came with cheesy rice, beans, and pico de gallo. It was extremely satiating and gave us a great variety! The banh mi was spicy, but super filling, tasty, and colorful. It came with chips and salsa, which was an interesting side choice, but was worth it -- definitely go with chips and salsa at Shay's! I liked the banh mi, but I'd go with something the smallest bit less spicy next time around. We loved the variety, filling options, and the fast service, and will definitely be back. You can't go wrong by picking Shay's!

This was a great find in Harvard Square! Our server Sean was super friendly and excellent! The Aperol Spritz was excellent. Made to perfection! And then I had the Claudhauler non alcoholic beer which was a flavorful dark beer We sat outside and enjoyed the summer breeze. The nachos were very good. And the burger was awesome. I forgot to take pics of the food. All the staff were great and the whole place has a great vibe! Will come back again!

Loved this place and the vibe! We had a steak and cheese sandwich and Parmesan fries and they were both amazing! Good selection of beer and food, and server was great!

Very nice to me, sat outside for a few hours in the cold and then went in, very nice interior with dark wood and kind service from the bartenders.

Great small bar, sat inside during winter. Enjoyed a well poured black &tan and the hot dog(pictured) hot dog wel worth 10$ very loaded, and on a baguette. Bartender and waiter were very helpful nice and checked in with us often. People smoking outside, bathrooms ok, only one sports TV. :)

Step down into this cozy pub for a warm and down-to-earth time. It's a 30-40s crowd of friendly people. They've got a pretty good selection at the bar from wine to beer to cocktails. Our server was running the whole place. He was one of those guys who seem to truly love their job - looks people in the eyes and thanks them for their patronage. Highly suggest this spot for a causal hang!

Colleen and Sean were great bartenders! Super cool atmosphere, great beer, awesome vibes. We'll be back!

It usually looks busy and crowded so my friend and I decided to grab lunch here on a Saturday afternoon when it didn't look busy at all. There were only 3 other parties seated outside when we arrived, no parties inside, so we got a seat right away. QR code is at table to scan and review menu. The menu is small and simple, which makes it easier to choose since you're not bombarded over analyzing what to get. The location is also small overall -- inside and outside seating and bathrooms. You definitely get a dive bar/pub feel. We both got the Basic Burger $14 and I also got the Greek Salad $10. Overall the food is OK. The burger and fries/wedges could've used more seasoning. I loaded up on ketchup. You don't get a choice on how the beef is cooked; it came out well done. The Greek Salad has too much dressing.

Very cozy and cool, casual wine bar and pub. Stopped in for a glass of wine and cocktail. They also have some basic pub food. Barbecued chicken wings were actually very tasty. Friendly vibe and service, and good energy. Good prices too. Definitely worth a visit.

I randomly stumbled into this place last night and it was such a treat. I wouldn't have guessed that I would be having world class nachos & great wine. Highly recommend sneaking into here. Joe the bartender was awesome too - the only one on staff but he was a champ!

On a busy night, they check your IDs outside the bar before entering. (And if you have an out of state license, they could demand a second form of ID for verification.) The tables outside get full pretty quickly, but people do smoke out on the tiny patio. If you are inside, space is limited and the tables all kind of cram together. I did feel like I was forced to eavesdrop on the people seated next to me. Not sure if I am in a hurry to come back to this pub. They do have a limited selection for beer and wine. I opted for a Prosecco ($11 per glass) here, and it tastes like prosecco. Even though it has a "wine bar" in its name, it is more like a pub and feels very divey. The tables are sticky, and it is very, very loud in here (nearly impossible to hold a conversation).

Solid pub with friendly staff. Attracts older students from nearby which contributes to the chill vibes Shay's already has. A lovely oasis to catch a drink, meet a friend, read a book, or sit outside and enjoy some wine. A Harvard square staple!

Nice little pub and wine bar near Harvard University. I was at Harvard all day walking around in the heat and was looking in the neighbourhood for a nice chill place to have a drink and snack. I found this place, not too far where I sat outside which was great for people watching! I ordered a sangria, that was nice, chilled and flavourful. I also ordered a hummus platter to snack on. Large beer selection and wine/hard liquor. Also plenty of snacks/food plates to choose from! Place is quaint and service was good and hostess was nice. Very reasonably priced.

Shays used to be one of my "neighborhood" pubs in 2016 when I used to meet friends and dates here.. mostly dates but sometimes friends. After a four year hiatus on visiting some of these Harvard square bars, I decided to give it a try again-- during the time of COVID nonetheless. Seeing Shays open is actually quite comforting to me that businesses might open and go back to a "normal". Anyway, enough of my rambling. Shays has the vibe of a friendly neighborhood bar with the standard drinks and beer list. It has a comforting vibe to it inside with a cozy bar table. During these times though, it is better to be seated outdoors. The vibe and feeling outdoors was also comforting. I went here with a friend and saw many people sitting in their respective tables having nice conversations. We started with a gin and tonic, and I ordered the burger and fries. The drinks came quickly as did the food. The burger was decent-- not the best I've had, but not the worst. The gin and tonic was also fine, nothing out of the world but not a bad one. The service was quick, efficient and friendly. My rating for Shays is based on the fact that it is a comfortable neighborhood affordable bar for a quick catch-up, maybe dates with a drink-- not on the food or the quality of drinks. If you want a fine dining experience then you wouldn't go here-- that is not the purpose of Shays. This is a great place to meet people on a first date you are "iffy" about. Also a great place to catch up with a friend and vent about your workplace troubles or anything else, really. The four stars are just for that "comfy", non-showy, neighborhood bar experience.

One of the best bars in Cambridge. Always have a great time here with very friendly bartenders

Arrived with a group of friends and the entirety of the bartenders refused to serve my entire group of friends (we are all of age and wanting to enjoy a drink with friends) Not only a huge loss on their end but also quite a large amount of tips lost. Not only did my friends and I face extreme sass but also rudeness, ridicule, and judgement from ALL staff. Overall, A HORRIBLE place with EVEN WORSE STAFF.

If you're looking to just go and get drinks I'm sure this place is great. It's awesome that Cambridge has allowed restaurants to extend into the road for outdoor seating. We arrived at Shays last night and we were clearly looking to sit down. I'm not sure if the waitress just didn't see us the 5 times she walked by but finally my boyfriend interrupted her cleaning and asked if we could get a table. We scanned the menu on our phone. They have a decent beer list but nothing crazy honestly. $7.50 for a flat Downeast cider felt a little like highway robbery but that's okay. We ordered nachos to start off and added chicken (for $1, should have known). The chicken was creepy. That's the only way to describe it. It was dark in color and almost crunchy. Otherwise, the nachos were very good. For dinner we each got a burger. They were not good. I got it cooked medium and I usually get rare (because I was worried after the chicken experience) and I'm glad I did. The burger was not seasoned and extremely tasteless. It tasted like when you were in college but really wanted a burger so you had to cook it on the stove and forgot to put anything in the ground beef. Unfortunately I was not impressed with this Harvard Square location.

Stopped by here to rest our legs after walking around the area. Small interior with some tables up front and bar seating (tables outside for the few days it's actually warm). First impressions are that it was a regular dive bar with the wine tacked on afterwards to appeal to a broader crowd. Beer list is your basic fare - opted for a pint of the Harpoon IPA ($7). Free wifi inside as well if you want to ignore your company. Bartender is friendly, and even gave a wine recommendation. Fine enough for a drink and a quick bite.

Ate in the outdoor dining area they set up in the parking lane on JFK. Nice set up with umbrellas. Staff was a little short so most service was slow, but reliable (they brought everything we asked for correctly). Got the burger with fries and both were delicious! The fries are hand cut lengthwise into flat "spears" and perfectly fried. First time in my life I've seen them prepared that way and they were excellent!

God, do I miss Shay's during COVID. Well, I mean I miss sitting at the bar, ordering a drink and having some food. BUT, they are doing take out during COVID, so I was happy I could order up some nachos and a piece of key lime pie to take home. I can't wait until it's safe for them to be open again for people to come in and eat/drink vs getting it to go. It's a great neighborhood spot. The staff is friendly, the prices are great and you can get a good drink and pub fare after a long day. They make you feel right at home and like everything is gonna be all right.

Very cool atmosphere. Had a wonderful experience on a Sunday evening. Service was fantastic, loved are bar tender. Sweetest dude.

Love this spot, divey but great. Love the outdoor seats during the summer and the vibe good and the staff are always excellent.

I'm Cambridge to kill some time before a flight and did a quick search for a wine bar on our drive. This place popped up and I would liken it to a poor man's wine bar or a college kid's attempt to be a wine bar. I don't mean for this to be a critique or to sound snooty. We were in Harvard Square after all. Perhaps here should be degrees of wine bar ranking?! Wine selection was ok. Enjoyed a glass of the Riesling as well as a French Rose and other French something it another. I'm not a wine snob like my date is, so I just order and hope it tastes delicious. My Riesling did. :) Both his glasses were good enough to drink. We ordered baked Brie as well as the hummus plate. The latter was fine; the Brie was less of a baked Brie and more like a blob of melted "cheese" on a plate. Brie plate came with a great array of fruits and crackers for dipping. Our meal was made "better" with a bit of entertainment, courtesy of a shirtless local. I was impressed with the bartender's handling of the man. All in all, not a bad place. Perhaps just keep expectations in check.

Long day of work? Annoying professor got you down? Shay's has you covered. Walking into Shay's is wonderful experience that can be described as hopping into the DeLorean and going back in time about 20 years. Its a hole-in-the wall dive bar that actually has good food and clean bathrooms! The menu is small: your classic apps, sandwiches, burritos, and burgers. Nonetheless, they offer vegan friendly options and the food is delicious. If you are a potato lover, the french fries are like spears of love on a plate. (Word of advice, try the grilled cheese with banana peppers. It's awesome.) Friendly bar-tenders, decent selection of drinks, quaint patio, and affordable prices.

Oh excellent; improved from 3.5 stars to 4.5 stars and just more tasty and fun especially with expanded seating from slightly below sidewalk level elevated to the sidewalk in front on Jfk street. But main attractions beside friendly attentive staff are the food; tasty well-prepared dishes - Merci ! -- delightful sides ( french fries to live for) ... good drinks ambiance the whole enchilada.... great going! To whole staff!! Ill be back , but dieting 'tween ( my frequent) visits Byron R Diggs

A dive bar that's priced as a cocktail bar. A dive bar is for the peasants. As a proud peasant I understand pricing drinks to stay with the current market. But not having a single beer for the working stiffs prices under 5 dollars is an egregious sin in my opinion. Oh and the potatoes were cold.

In the midst of so many packed bars and restaurants what is a girl without a reservation and two thirsty friends to do on a Saturday night? Cue Shay's. It's nothing fancy. In fact it's the opposite of fancy and feels like you're sitting in a basement a little (you almost are) but it's warm and cozy and feels like a good New England-y bar in the middle of my dear pretentious harvard square. This place is not pretentious. Not a ton of beers on tap but a few. Many bottles. Got a good glass of merlot with a heavy pour and I was happy. They have a strange variety of food which includes some Tex mex and cheeseburgers. The burgers are pretty good, my friends liked their burrito. The best part about it though was on a Saturday night I knew I could get us a place to sit- at the bar, at their side wall of chairs or at a small table.. not easy to say in other parts of HSQ! In the summer the outdoor patio is lovely. It's a great spot, you should go.

A great, relatively quiet bar. Decent patio, low ceiling, clean restrooms, and totally unpretentious.

Excellent watering hole in the middle of Harvard Square. We went there during the Head of the Charles race, so it was busier than heck. They had a special menu for food and it was obvious they were busier than a one-armed paper hanger. Still, the staff was friendly and efficient and we had a super time. Their beer selections are outstanding. From Abita, all the way from New Orleans, to several Maine microbrews, to Guinness on tap. Awesome beers. Their outside seating is outstanding for people watching and enjoying the wonderful sights of Harvard Square.

Give me a small divey bar and I'm happy. Give that bar fun, friendly staff and I'm happier. Add an awesome beer selection and I'm really happy. Throw in some outdoor seating with great people watching opportunity and I'm all kinds of happy.

Funky old basement bar with cheap beer and a decent Bloody Mary. We went during the Head of the Charles- obviously a lot of people and great crowd.

The food is good, the vibe is fun, and the waitstaff are always great. Nice, consistently good restaurant in Harvard Square. We enjoy the outdoor seating.

Shays is a strange and magical place that has defiantly resisted the gentrification of Cambridge/Hsq. I feel confident if you looked at a photo from 20 yr ago, it'd be indistinguishable from today (other than maybe more people wearing shoulder pads). The menu is basic, but they've got a decent assortment of food (burgers, burrito) and bar bites (hummus, nachos). The beer and wine is also basic, but they've got a good assortment at some of the cheapest prices you'll find in Cambridge. The staff are hardworking and nice. The reason to come is the patio, which is a tiny gem sunken down a few feet along a busy street. People pile into the tables and even just along the stone fence to enjoy a beer and sit outside during the rare warm day in New England. It's cozy and perfect!

I never quite make it to the Wine Bar. I don't know why. I think it's because I always get distracted by the other stuff. First, it was the beer. So many beers to try. Then, it was the sangria because it was blisteringly hot and sitting outdoors in that heat, well, drinking a lukewarm glass of the red is the last thing you want to do. This is a great place to meet for drinks, esp. if you can snag a table outdoors on a warm summer day. Prices are super-affordable. You can get a plate of nachos for under $8 that can feed you, your friend, your friend's roommate, and your friend's roommate's cattle farm, and still have enough for lunch the next day. Also a great spot for people-watching. Unless you're seated next to a middle-aged Irish man and his senior-aged "mature student" pal who proceed to hit on you for the better part of half an hour while you politely chew nachos and hope they'll get the hint and take their charming accents elsewhere so you can go back to catching up with your friend. Not that that happened to me or anything.....

This is such a cute, unique, divey little bar. Most of Cambridge seems pretty fancy, so it was pleasant and refreshing to find something that didn't feel like a corporate chain or too bougie. A friend and I were looking for a spot to chill and have a glass of wine before I had to catch my flight. Yelp brought us here, and it was pretty relaxed on a Sunday afternoon. Some festive over-served people who had apparently been day drinking were having a little Christmas song and dance party in the back and making requests, and no one seemed to mind. The bartender (I never knew his first name, but only heard him called Johnson) was super cool and laid back, and chatted with us too. Good wine and beer selection with good prices, as well as a full bar and food. The patio was super cute and would have been great for people-watching if it weren't December, but the inside was comfortable and cozy, too. Great, casual and fun find!

I saSHAYED into SHAYS Pub & Wine Bar. Located in Harvard Square, its a great place to get cheap drinks. There is also an outdoor patio! Seating is limited as this place is small. You can sit at the bar, there are also several tables. There is table service. Overall, a good place for cheap drinks.

Shay's is a wonderful cozy pub and eatery. They have a terrific selection of wine and beer as well as some select hard liquors. The food menu is simple but consistently well prepared with a few surprises each day. The owners and wait staff are friendly attentive. Go!!!

My friends are jerks for just introducing me to Shays. Like, how could you keep this gem away from me for so long. Ugh, rude (note to self: remember to reevaluate friendships later). Anyway, my friends and I stopped by Shays on a lovely and balmy 17-degree afternoon (thanks, New England). We had just finished a 5k and I decided that warranted a burger (because..YOLO). Now, if you know me, you know I love burgers (and bacon...and beer #healthnut). I ordered a cheeseburger here and was so not disappointed. The burger was flavorful and huge. Everything about it was perfect. I love Shays because it's a very unassuming place. There are a handful of tables outside, but the interior is small and divey. It's the best. Go here.

On nice days, Shay's is overflowing with people - really, the front patio area is quite small...and once people get a seat, they are not moving. Especially in Harvard Square, Shay's is a no-brainer...if you can get a seat outside. But even during the winter months, Shay's is a great place for a casual drink. One of my favorite drinks is the cider and port....and pretty decent bar food too. As always, I've had the burger, nachos and hummus plate - all good for starting the evening, probably not sufficient for a full meal. The waitstaff are all really nice and friendly...and they definitely get to know the regulars.

A good local joint. Service was great...good beer and wine choices. Our serve made a mean old fashion.

Great dive bar right on JFK in Harvard Square. Unpretentious and great music and beer, wine too I guess

Good food. Good music. Good server/bar tender. Kitchen a little slow. Walls and fixtures very dirty - makes one worry about the kitchen. Needs a good spring cleaning for sure.

Awesome little pub with a great selection of. Ear & wine. I stopped in on a snowy day and highly recommend the hot cider w/ port omg...so good. & very friendly bar tender