Jacob Wirth

Jacob WirthJacob Wirth
Jacob WirthJacob Wirth
Bar, Eatery

31 Stuart St
Boston, Massachusetts, 02116-4723
United States

(617) 338-8586 | map
jacobwirth.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.83
Reviews:
36
Ratings:
59
pDev:
9.4%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by AdamTebbs:
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Reviewed by AdamTebbs from Oklahoma

4.59/5  rDev +19.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5
Great food, great beers. Went to this place after a B's game for a Brat and a couple of beers and ended up staying for five hours. I love this bar. It has become kind of a tradition for a buddy of mine and I to hit it up whenever we are town together.
Feb 13, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.93 by Griffith from Connecticut

Mar 19, 2019
 
Rated: 3.88 by mickyge from Massachusetts

Aug 20, 2017
 
Rated: 3.59 by scxcrunner from Massachusetts

Jan 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.14 by costanzo_mike from Massachusetts

Jan 03, 2016
 
Rated: 3.86 by Zstets from New Jersey

May 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.94 by SveNss0N from Massachusetts

Apr 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.7 by trevorpost from Pennsylvania

Mar 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by Canada_Dan from Colorado

Mar 24, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Dicers from California

Feb 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.69 by hornblower19 from Michigan

Feb 26, 2015
 
Rated: 3.88 by Nichols33 from Massachusetts

Dec 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by ivyman from Massachusetts

Nov 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by tikk from Canada (YT)

Oct 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by StrayteEDGE from Massachusetts

Sep 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by mklisz from New Hampshire

Sep 08, 2014
Photo of Redrover
Reviewed by Redrover from Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +4.4%
There is a fantastic old and ornate back bar and well-worn floors kind of sets the mood for this friendly beer hall.

The bar is in front as you enter. There are about 8 seats then a service area. Personally I would like to see more bar seating. It has nice windows overlooking Stuart Street that add some light.

There is a mix if high tops and lower tables in the expansive raised dining area. There is also a small outside seating area in front.

I like the banners and beer taps they use for decoration. They have some really nice old wood clad bottle coolers as well.

The large tap menu changes weekly. The bottle menu is also pretty large. Lots of domestic and import choices. Nothing super rare but the selection is solid.

The food was tasty. I thought the chowder was nice and my sausage platter was good.

The service is professional and knew the beer menu.


Seems to be lots of history here. Glad to see there some good beers to go with it!
Aug 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by etmur007 from Maine

Jul 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by pisano from Massachusetts

Jul 03, 2014
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Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
I came one late afternoon on Memorial Day. While the place is quite large, there were very few patrons (maybe six!) here. In fact, the staff out numbered us. I was struck by the streamers across the ceiling with placards advertising a Paulaner Oktoberfest. The bar features lots of dark, elaborately carved wood. It's like stepping back to an era no longer available.

The smells from the kitchen are attractive. First, I experienced Bratwurst, and then grilled marinated steak. Although I didn't try any food, the aroma "therapy" was superb.

The service was fine, but the server at the bar did not really understand the selections. Still, with 44 beers on tap, many of true nuggets, it's hard to go wrong. I did not note too many really hard-to-find beers, but the selection offered many high-quality beers. In most cities, this would be a top-notch beer bar, but not Boston.
May 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Davepoolesque from Massachusetts

May 23, 2014
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Reviewed by Jodi215 from Arizona

3.24/5  rDev -15.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4 | food: 2.5
We had lunch here while touring Boston. The atmosphere is German beer bar with lots of flags and beer decor. Quality was below my rating of average. Service was friendly and helpful. Beer selection was very good and that's about the best thing I can say about this place. I had a pastrami sandwich and it was horrible. The meat was dry and while the roll was tasty there wasn't anything on it. One tiny slice of pickle came with. Others in our party had the chicken BLT which was good and a sausage sampler plate which looked really dry and bland but they said it was good. Every table did get a bucket of corn bread which somehow seemed out of place for a German eatery. I can't eat corn bread and no one else ate it at our table so it all went to waste. Maybe a mixed bucket of bread like rye or sour dough would be a better choice. Value was reasonable.
May 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by lwbyrne from Massachusetts

Apr 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by jwps214 from Massachusetts

Mar 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by PhillyStyle from Georgia

Nov 23, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by hockeypuck from Maine

Nov 02, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Kruja5 from Massachusetts

Oct 19, 2013
Photo of blkdth1313
Reviewed by blkdth1313 from Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3
In town at the Courtyard Tremont for a few days for work after coming back from the great beer desert that is Canada. This joint is right around the corner from it.

Got in late the first night and walked over for a quick bite on a tip from the hotel desk girls.

Fresh Flower Power on tap. Thank you sweet Jesus and God bless the USA!

Live piano and singing, great fresh beer, friendly and prompt service, and reasonable food. Some mates joined me and we shut the place down.

We went back the next evening for a few beers and apps before heading out to dinner. Ended up staying the whole night and again shutting the place down!! Way too much fun and you gottta love waking up with a sore throat from singing too hard!!

Peace!
Aug 24, 2013
Photo of Reagan1984
Reviewed by Reagan1984 from Massachusetts

2.8/5  rDev -26.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.25 | service: 1 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
I was surprised it took me so long to make a visit here. Due to the horrendous service it will be longer until I am back. Sometimes a location's beer selection can overcome some spotty service (see Sunset Grill) but this place can't. Decent beer list with the standard German/Belgium and American craft selection. Nothing overly special.

A German Beer Hall feel that is worn and slightly charming... A menu that was a mix of standard pub fare and German basics.

The Service... OMG the waiter should be fired. Now, important to note.. sometimes you read reviews that reference poor/slow service on the busiest of nights. NOT the case here. The place was 60% full when we had dinner. Knowledge, attitude and attentiveness were all missing. And there was no charm to overcome these deficiencies. My wife commented that he (waiter) must have just finished his Masters and felt this job was beneath him. I say that is a great description. Plenty of other places in Boston to hit before ever considering this location.
Jul 20, 2013
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Reviewed by andylipp from Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.25
I went with my wife on a beautiful Saturday afternoon for a late lunch. We had a Groupon for a complete meal, and I was psyched to finally get to take advantage of A Groupon offered by a restaurant that had a reputation for serving good beer.

The beer selection was pretty good with 40 in all. There was apparently a Clown Shoes thing going on so there were 5 of their beers on, plus many of the usual European suspects (Radeberger, Schneider Aventinus, Hofbrau). Several US and local craft selections from the likes of 21st Amendment, Uinta, Boston Beer Company, Mystic, Jack’s Abby, etc. were also on hand. A few Belgian taps, too. Among them were Chimay and Duval, IIRC. Several more made sure that there was something for everyone beer-wise.

But while I have no quibbles with the selection, the pours were all over the place. When I ordered a 9% DIPA it came in a 14 oz. “cheater pint” while my wife’s sub-5% APA came in a standard 16 oz. shaker. The menu did not specify pour sizes, only prices (which were on the high side, as this is Boston after all). When I asked how the sizes of the glasses/pours were determined, I was told that it was based on the ABV and the cost. OK, that makes sense I thought…

I then ordered the same beer my wife previously ordered, but this time it came in the smaller 14 oz. glass. I asked again what the deal was, and the bartender/wait staff honestly didn’t seem to know that there was a difference in the glass size. I reminded them that while 2 ounces was not a big deal to me, the lack of a consistent pour size would not reflect well on their reputation amongst beer geeks in Boston. It is especially irritating considering that “pints” were going from $6 to $7.50 or more. I noticed that Aventinus was listed as $11.50, but I’m unsure of the size of THAT pour. So, beer buyer beware.

The food was flat out great. Appetizers: the sauerkraut and sausage balls and the potato pancake app were both excellent. The pretzel crusted salmon was tasty and served with tasty mashed potatoes and fresh steamed veggies. The mac and cheese was unbelievably rich and tasty-the best pub mac my wife and I have ever tasted! The German chocolate whoopee pie dessert was good, too. Entrees were $11-23, with burgers and such in the $12 range. If not for the Groupon our dinner with 4 beers, 2 apps and 1 dessert would have easily been $75 including tip.

Service was attentive and very friendly. The ambiance was tough to gage since it was not busy, but there are a bunch of TVs tuned to sports. That said, it seemed to have a manageable noise level and a pretty good vibe. The bar only had a few stools but several high top tables and there is a fairly large dining area.

I’ll return to Jacob Wirth, but I will do so with a close eye on the pour size.
Jun 16, 2013
Photo of hipcat
Reviewed by hipcat from North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -6%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3
Came in on a Tuesday. Nice selection of imports and crafts on the draft list Had a duvel to start. Next three beers I requested off draft list were unavailable so a bit of a disappointment. Menu offered good selection of German and American entrees and small plates.
Mar 27, 2013
Photo of greenengineer
Reviewed by greenengineer from Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -3.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Jacob Wirths is a big open, loud, active space. In the Theatre District, so a lot of pre-show diners early.

Nice selection of beers, especially German (goes with the food). Servers generally not very knowledgeable about what they have. (Couldn't tell me what the current cask selection was, just that it was "an ale", and it was good). Slow service too.

German food is good - not too many places in Boston you can get Sauerbraten and Spaetzle.

Mayflower, Notch, Smuttynose, Clown Shoes - lots of local beers on draft.

tips -
1) try the small plates of German specialties - generally enough food for a meal, at a better price.
2) if you have questions about the beers, go directly to the bar.
Nov 06, 2011
Photo of Fclfcs
Reviewed by Fclfcs from Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I disagree with the last review - every time I've been here the selection is substantial. They have the usual non-craft options, but they also carry tons of seasonal and German beers.

Because the place is big and busy, I find the beer to be very fresh, which is how I want my Germans. The food is decent, some dishes are winners and others aren't great, but overall both the food and beer are values.

The location is very convenient to shows, mass transit, downtown offices, etc. You won't find a rare release here but you're very likely to find fresh German or craft beer at great prices.
Oct 19, 2011
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Reviewed by IHC from Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -21.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3
It's a good place to go and grab some food with a date or some friends after a show at one of the theaters. There are several theaters in the area that have comedy and other types of show's such as blue man group. This place is great before or after the show. It's a quick walk from the MBTA china town or Tufts medical center stop on the orange line. The food is inexpensive and there's something for everyone.

Beer selection is Typical pub selection. Blue moon, sam adams, guiness, bass, stella, etc.
Dec 08, 2010
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Reviewed by BogleHill from Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +16.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Located in a historic building at the edge of the theatre district, the walls are adorned with a variety of signed theatre programs, show tickets, etc. The bar is small, but there are a bunch of high tables too. The other side is set up like a large beer hall. The floors are beat and there is a real character to the place. There is always a great selection of taps and bottles. The chowder is not to be missed!

This could be my favorite bar in Boston, if it wasn't so expensive. ($6.50-$7.00 a draft).
Jul 20, 2010
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Reviewed by drpimento from Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +8.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
We went there last night and had a real good time. Had some good beers at the bar with friendly, knowledgable, helpful bartenders and a guy sitting next to us. Food was very good and reasonably priced, although we had to get 5 soft pretzels if we wanted any. It's German beer hall atmosphere and nicely done. Beers are not just limited to German though. Bar area was busy and much smaller than the dining area which was vacant. The place is in a convenient location for staying downtown. A real treat & I'd sure go again!
Jun 20, 2010
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Reviewed by jgasparine from Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Here at Jacob Wirth right now. Walked in for dinner. The place oozes antiquity out of every pore. Tons of old brewing and sports memorabilia all over the place. Old worn wood everywhere, and an accordian player wandering the floor. Apparently this location was established in 1868!

A nice mix of Germany and Belgians beers, with a fair mix of other craft beers as well. Very respectable beer selection, and all good quality. A bottle of Coastal Extreme James (8% abv) was $3!!! What a deal!

The food was German and American, reasonably priced, and absolutely delicious!

Definitely worth coming back!
Feb 21, 2010
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Reviewed by PEBKAC from North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
This is a regular lunch stop for me whenever I hit Boston. It use to be CBC, but wherever I'm crashing in town, the Chinatown stop on the orange line is real easy to connect(Cambridge is too much to squeeze in sometimes). The Hyatt Regency up a few blocks on Lafayette is a great choice for the tourist in me as well(they always seem available via Priceline on the cheap).

Anyway, walking up... vintage clock, vintage black front, it doesn't quite fit the neighborhood anymore, with a McD's on the corner, & a Penang's around the bend(pretty damn good for a chain, got one by me here in Queens), all the office buildings across the street, the construction on more obstructions, etc.

Locals have the habit of locking the front door if they feel it's too crowded(or too cold to warrant another breeze). So... walk in, see all the old wood, the long bar from back to front along the left(the kitchen in plain view behind the middle), a few worn tables in front, the autographed picture of Conan O'Brian commenting on how they did a good job keeping his brother drunk(among other photos). Two steps split the hallway entrance into the dining room(I always grab a bar stool anyway), where a folding chalkboard reads today's specials.

I always seem to be in here on a Friday before BA fests, so it's been Friday's special: fishcakes with onions & red beer sauce on mac n cheese(about four times running now; $7). Honest cakes, great sauce, but I think the pasta is of the box & flavor packet variety. The sausage I've passed on before, but the sandwiches are pretty well done. Oh & don't forget to order the complimentary bucket of cornbread. Very moist. Be sure to share.

The help behind the bar do a good job keeping you satisfied. The beer menus aren't always up to date, & you'll frequently get a "sorry" when your first couple of choices are out, but they'll let you know what is new, what they like, & what phony new micro impostor AB installed this week that you should stay away from. Taps half along the bar, half along the back wall, so bring your bifocals & ditch the beer menu. The house beer changed on their online menu to 'gansett, but I remember it being Harpoon Dark, or Ale, which both I like. They'll still have a few from them(IPA, UFO, cider, something from 100 Barrel), as a majority of their craft stuff is local. You'll almost always see something from Fisherman's there. I always see a Victory too.

For the German selection(because there has to be some authenticity here), I always find Radeberger(super clean off tap, so under-rated), A couple Spatens, a couple rotating hefs & marzens, Aventinus if you're lucky, Leffe, & Stella. A decent overall list. Price-wise though, most of it comes in just as hard as midtown Manhattan. There are cheaper pints to be had around Boston. Sometimes they could be fresher.

Bottles available are in front in a vintage wooden glass front fridge(Chimay & other obvious Belgians, plus & a few locals), with more certainly down the stairs nearby into the cellar. The flat screen over the start of the bar is really out of place for the scene, & is always tuned to ESPN, & always on mute. Some of the guys coming in for lunch aren't always game for conversation, but luckily to pass the time, they usually have a stack of BA magazines or Alestreet or Dig or Yankee on the mantle behind you. Picking up one of those usually gets the conversation moving.

Overall, I do recommend this place to lay down a good foundation before a beer festival. Dinner, afterparty... ehh, maybe not. Good food, good service, some history to soak in, decent tap list. A great location. Don't forget the cornbread. :)
Mar 07, 2009
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Reviewed by Trailmix242 from Nevada

3.8/5  rDev -0.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3
Just finished an evening at Jacob Wirth. Beer selection was great heavy on the German beers which honestly I am not as familiar with. The bar area is a little small with limited seating but there are plenty of tables and even on a Saturday night at 8:00 PM we were seated right away. Our server was really friendly though probably not that knowledgeable on beer which was fine as i just decided to try two German beers I had not tired before and a Leviathan IPA from Harpoon. Food was average though we did not try any of their German food specialties. One word of caution on draught beer, discovered when I ordered a bottle that the standard pint glass they use is actually 12oz. Thankfully most of the draught beers they carry come in the glassware that was designed for them. I would go back if in the neighborhood again especially if I was looking to try out some more German brews.
Jan 25, 2009
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Reviewed by BeTheBall from Florida

4.14/5  rDev +8.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Late Saturday afternoon; still sort of quiet, my first visit. Long bar with many taps and glasses with TV's mounted on the wall behind the bar (Olympic Equestrian??).
Service was prompt and friendly, with a staff of 3 or 4 behind the long bar, and not yet crowded. The beer selection was very good. Not the best on the city, but up there in the top few that I've tried. There were maybe 20 taps, and lots of bottles as well.
I started with a Schneider Aventinus on tap, which was fabulous. It was served in a matching logo glass, and was as I said, just amazing. I next went to a bottle of Saison Dupont, equally delicious. I wasn't happy about the to me oversized highball glass the bartender brought me, but on my request, he gave me a Duvel tulip, so all was good.
At $9 for the Aventinus and $12 for the Saison Dupont, the prices here aren't for the faint of heart, but I would definitely come again for the selection. Highly recommended when in the area of the theater district. Light years better than that close by brew pub.
Aug 18, 2008
Jacob Wirth in Boston, MA
Place rating: 3.83 out of 5 with 59 ratings