Branch Line

Bar, Eatery

321 Arsenal St
Watertown, Massachusetts, 02472-5710
United States

(617) 420-1900 | map
branchlinearsenal.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.74
Reviews:
3
Ratings:
4
pDev:
3.16%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by Glider:
Photo of Glider
Reviewed by Glider from Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +0.8%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5
This place is pretty awesome as both a restaurant and a beer bar. Great curated tap list of about 20 taps that rotates quickly. They generally have some Trillium on, as well as other great local breweries like Mystic or Idle Hands, and a good selection of styles. They have outdoor seating and a bocce court and the inside is great as well. Despite being known for their chicken, this place is a top flight fancy restaurant. I would say this place is something of a hidden gem for people who don't live or work near Watertown.
Feb 01, 2018
More User Ratings:
Photo of brother_rebus
Reviewed by brother_rebus from Maine

4.7/5  rDev -0.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 5
wow. Stunning "space". Great vibes with some early funk and dead playing. Quality glassware and napkins. Great decore. Super accomdating staff who are very knowledgeable. 20 taps of all artisan wuality stuff. Sahrs, stouts, ipas, the whole lot. The food is unreal. Get the avocado apetizer. And the pork shoulder sandwich. HooAhh as my main man Al would say. Will be back ASAP.
Jun 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4.53 by SveNss0N from Massachusetts

Feb 04, 2016
Photo of LeeMarvin
Reviewed by LeeMarvin from Massachusetts

4.95/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
I started a great, new job and a great, new restaurant opened up next door. It's kind of hard to find if you don't know where to look, but it's behind the Panera in the Arsenal complex, which faces Western Avenue.

First and foremost, this bar, like everything else in the Arsenal complex, has been claimed by AthenaHealth, the biggest company that has its offices in the buildings surrounding the bar. So from about 4:00 to about 7:30, expect a heavy after-work crowd dominating the bar on most days. Its corporate clientele kind of drive the vibe, but it's a tastefully executed, small space with a beautiful tap system and a high ceiling.

Branch Line is a high quality place. The tap system is cleansed regularly and the staff is constantly cleansing the bar and table tops. There's a glass washing station built into the serving stations, which is a nice touch.

The staff are some of the friendliest I've experienced in the region and their beer knowledge is impressive. Most of them are beer geeks and are well informed of current trends, styles and news in the industry. They know geeks when they see them and will engage in discussion if you're so inclined. Service is always attentive and professional.

The beer selection has been pretty amazing so far. Recent taps have had FW Velvet Merkin, Vietnamese coffee Speedway Stout, Lunch, Cuvée Des Jacobins Rouge and Tesseract. Whenever a keg kicks, the menus are usually updated with a stamp and the servers will inform you of their replacements as soon as they're available.

I've only had the half chicken entree so far, but it was one of the best meals I've had in the city in years. Served in a pan with a succulent gravy, it's rotisseried on site to perfection. Unfortunately, sides are not included in the price of the chicken, but the kitchen staff really knows what they're doing here, so I had no complaints. Well worth the cost.

This is a great place to take a date and a great beer destination bar. If you can't avoid the after-work rush, make a reservation and treat yourself to a nice dining and beer experience!
Dec 10, 2015
Branch Line in Watertown, MA
Place rating: 4.74 out of 5 with 4 ratings