THE BREAKDOWN:
LOCATION - 8.5
It’s a stone’s throw away from the Garden, making it the preferred destination for Celtics and Bruins fans following the games. And while it may not be bustling during the regular season, on say, a Tuesday night game – come playoff time, or during a big weekend matchup against the New York Rangers – this place is rockin, just like the Garden.
FOOD/DRINK – 6.5
Problem – not so much on the food. The drink is good, they have a great selection, and like most sports bars in the area, keep the good stuff flowing when it counts. But the food selection isn’t nearly on par with a place like the Cask – again, not a huge dock, because you don’t go to check out a Celtics game and eat a Filet – but still, something to note nonetheless.
PRICE – 7.5
A bit expensive, but nothing that’s going to drive you to the door. After all, this is the city of Boston - nothing tends to be on the lower end of the wallet spectrum anymore. And hey, it beats dropping 50 to check out the Celtics in the arena.
ATMOSPHERE – 9.5
No doubt the place to be during a big-time Celtics or Bruins game. In fact, it’s where I was during game four of the B’s-Sabres series. Not only was it the double overtime victory, but it also happened to be a pivotal win in the series – and I’m an old baseball guy; I’m a bit superstitious. So you can bet I’ll be back there before this NHL season is all said and done.
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THE RECAP:
The Greatest Bar.
Simple. To the point. And…well, honest.
They aren’t lying. If it weren’t for Cask’N Flagon being directly across from Fenway, and the sheer fact that Boston lives and dies solely with the Red Sox above all other teams, The Greatest Bar would have topped this ranking easily.
Simple. To the point. And…well, honest.
They aren’t lying. If it weren’t for Cask’N Flagon being directly across from Fenway, and the sheer fact that Boston lives and dies solely with the Red Sox above all other teams, The Greatest Bar would have topped this ranking easily.
But alas, The Greatest Bar, which happens to be everything to the Celtics and Bruins that the Cask is for the Sox, finds itself at number three here – still nothing to slouch at.
As I mentioned earlier, each floor has its own individual feel to it. The first floor happens to be the most normal sports-bar-esque floor, which is usually crowded with patriots before and after every Garden spectacle.
The second is just a balcony, a floor with a giant hole in the middle if you will. Railings circle the level, where you can peer down at the other patrons, giving it an interesting stadium-like feel to the bar. Of course, surrounding the walls on the first floor and stretching to the second happen to be television screens – and large ones at that, ensuring that no matter which floor you’re on, you get your dose of the game – or games, depending on the season.
The third and fourth floor are a little more relaxed – classy, even. Especially the top level, which has a calm, old-time bar feel to it. This of course allows the patrons to find whichever floor meets their desire, and camp there for the night.
Me? I prefer the first two. And that’s where the action is during the games as well.
Unlike the Cask, though, this bar is at its best during and post-Garden action, whereas the Flagon can find itself packed to capacity before games, as patrons prepare for the game’s festivities. That has a lot more to do with the weather of baseball season than anything else, as well as the proximity.
Nonetheless, during a high-stakes Celtics and Bruins game? There’s nowhere I’d rather be than The Greatest Bar, which thanks to its four floors and multiple facets of entertainment, happens to be just that – one of the greatest bars in Boston.
