The Charles River Speedway

Visited for the first time and everything was lovely EXCEPT the benches! I watched so many people tip when someone got off the other side and the bench became a seesaw, then I was victim to it and fell over on to the pea gravel which is a terrible surface for those benches. My butt cheek is bruised this morning and the gravel broke the skin through my pants! Spoke to a regular who I saw tip when his wife got off the bench and he said he’s never NOT seen someone tip there and has fallen himself several times. I understand the “traditional beer hall” style of seating, but I think it loses its appeal when it’s causing injuries. Will not return if I can’t sit safely.

Great beer garden with a good selection of craft brews. Indoor seating is available. Bring your own food or order food from local shops.

Amazing options for beers, cocktails, and sake in a fantastic outdoor setting. The food options are also great with a special nod to the pizza!

Was here on Friday for an Event/Party. Great open space with lots of room to wander around. Parking was close by everyone was very friendly. Would recommend.

Great looking little spot! Noch brewery has some great beers! Can't wait to see some of the food venue they are putting in.

Such a great spot for coffee, tea, Whisky and breakfast or lunch from Rite, pizza and sandwiches from Pizza Project, Sake and dinner at Koji Club, beer and bites from Notch brewing, hand rolls and cocktails from Birds of Paradise and snacks and empanadas from Super Bien. Also so many great events year-round.

The Speedway looks nice and should be nice, but I’ve had off-putting experiences each of the four times I’ve come here. I think the main problem is that the Speedway doesn’t really operate like a standard food hall (e.g. Time Out Market or High Street Place) or like what you would expect for a 'beer garden plus food' sort of thing (e.g. some Trillium and Nightshift locations). In fact, they have a lot of rules that go against expectations. For example it seems to be strictly 21+ even during the day, so if you happen to show up with kids, as my wife and I did with our 7 month old, you’re out of luck. (Edit: I read on the Speedway’s website that “THE SPEEDWAY IS ALL AGES, FAMILY-FRIENDLY VENUE WHERE SOME BUSINESSES BECOME 21+ AT 6PM.” That's a good policy, but for whatever reason we were turned away at 3 PM for having a baby with us. So, I’m confused...) There also seem to be a lot of rules about who can sit where and what food or drink you can bring from one sub-section of the place to another. Finally, the last time I went, most of the stalls either weren’t open or were serving a limited range of pretty expensive food. I like the concept, I like Notch, and I want to like this place, but it has consistently rubbed me the wrong way.

Love the space. And now that they’ve opened more restaurants the food is great too. I wish they had a few more bartenders at Notch to make the line move a little faster. And parking can be a challenge.

Right off Storrow Drive, it use to be a stable now converted into restaurants. It is shaped like an oval with a seating area in the middle. There is a parking lot on the side that holds about 15 spots.

I had never heard of this place before in Brighton, MA. It seems like it's a historic place though. It's home to small format shops and to Notch Brewery and biergarten. The other places I saw in this little area was a coffee shop, a deli like place and a pizza shop. Also the Notch shop that sells food, T-shirts and hats. The main courtyard area has long picnic like tables and benches and umbrellas so all can gather and enjoy their friends, family, drinks and food. I am glad to have checked this place out. I was there to go to the brewery called Notch. There is no service you go up to get food and drinks.

Had an amazing meal from Third Time Together at the Speedway. Best Middle Eastern food around. I haven't had hummus and pita like this outside the Levant. Pairs perfectly with a pint from Notch. And don't forget the ice cream!

Very cute venue and lots of fun! They have many smaller businesses/pop ups (I've seen: candles, ice cream, sake, empanadas) and often have events with live music. Definitely check out their social media/website and see what's coming up to plan your trip!

Good beer garden with a good selection of craft brews for Notch Brewing. Indoor seating is available. Cool spots for local arts and shops.

This is becoming my favorite spot to hang out in the area. Located away from the bustle of downtown and other streets in the area, the speedway offers something different. There's a main area in the middle located outside with plenty of tables, there is also some seating in Notch brewing and a few of the outer ring food venues. Notch brewing is the highlight, but you can order food from one of the other options located along the outside of the venue. Great place to hang out and work during the day or with a group at night/ on the weekends. Need more of this in Boston! Love supporting local, small business and being outside at the same time.

Sort of frustrating experience here. While it looks like a food court where everyone in your party can find what they want--similar to Bow Market or TimeOut--in reality, where you can take your beverage depends on the type of liquor license the business possesses. Beer and wine=nope. And though the sake and wine are super spendy (we spent $54 on two sakes and a glass of wine) that seating area is the least appealing. I hope it improves but the whole place has a very strong Portlandia episode vibe.