Bukowski Tavern
1281 Cambridge St
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139-1338
United States
(617) 497-7077 | map
bukowskitavern.net
Notes:
Reviews: 59
| Ratings: 78
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Reviews by RBWoodward:
4.63/5 rDev +18.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
This is my go-to tavern, my first choice, a great neighborhood establishment. The beer selection, quality, and diversity should get you in the door. What will keep you coming back, besides the beer, is the staff, the atmosphere, and the food.
Bukowski's is probably best known for its Dead Authors Club - drink 1 each of 133 different bottled beers on a predetermined list that covers the gamut of beer types within 6 months, and you are rewarded with immortality in the form of a numbered mug engraved with the name of the author of your choice, well, dead author of your choice. From then on you can fill your mug with whatever beer they have on tap at the time (about 16 different ones at any given time) at a significant discount. Joining the club is a bit daunting at first, but a couple of beers a day a few times a week will get you there. Plus, you can learn a lot in the process, about both beer and yourself. I didn't realize how much I liked Scottish Ales and Belgian Strong Pale Ales, my current fave, until I had started my mug quest.
Pursuing (and attaining) membership in the Club will keep you coming back, but if it weren't for the other positives of Bukowski's, it would not be nearly as enjoyable. The staff are great, very friendly and knowledgeable. The food is underrated! The menu is creative, and new items are added often. Finally, the environment is wonderful because it's versatile and neither too big nor too small. When the weather is nice, they open up the front floor-to-ceiling windows for a near-outside dining/drinking experience. You can of course sit at the bar by yourself or with a friend or two, and if you want to have a big group party, there's space for that, too.
Note that they are a cash-only establishment, but if you forget to cash up before you arrive, the ATM in the back will conveniently solve that problem for you.
The location (Inman Square) is not the most accessible if you're not local because it's a bit of a hike from the nearest T stops. Honestly, though, I like it that way. It's got a healthy level of activity as it is, and we really don't need any more student watering holes or conveniently located magnets for pub-crawling posers who are looking to pound 4 or 5 PBRs with their new best friends, now do we. Bukowski's is not for them. However, if you enjoy great beer and great food, it might just be the place for you.
2,388 characters
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
This is my go-to tavern, my first choice, a great neighborhood establishment. The beer selection, quality, and diversity should get you in the door. What will keep you coming back, besides the beer, is the staff, the atmosphere, and the food.
Bukowski's is probably best known for its Dead Authors Club - drink 1 each of 133 different bottled beers on a predetermined list that covers the gamut of beer types within 6 months, and you are rewarded with immortality in the form of a numbered mug engraved with the name of the author of your choice, well, dead author of your choice. From then on you can fill your mug with whatever beer they have on tap at the time (about 16 different ones at any given time) at a significant discount. Joining the club is a bit daunting at first, but a couple of beers a day a few times a week will get you there. Plus, you can learn a lot in the process, about both beer and yourself. I didn't realize how much I liked Scottish Ales and Belgian Strong Pale Ales, my current fave, until I had started my mug quest.
Pursuing (and attaining) membership in the Club will keep you coming back, but if it weren't for the other positives of Bukowski's, it would not be nearly as enjoyable. The staff are great, very friendly and knowledgeable. The food is underrated! The menu is creative, and new items are added often. Finally, the environment is wonderful because it's versatile and neither too big nor too small. When the weather is nice, they open up the front floor-to-ceiling windows for a near-outside dining/drinking experience. You can of course sit at the bar by yourself or with a friend or two, and if you want to have a big group party, there's space for that, too.
Note that they are a cash-only establishment, but if you forget to cash up before you arrive, the ATM in the back will conveniently solve that problem for you.
The location (Inman Square) is not the most accessible if you're not local because it's a bit of a hike from the nearest T stops. Honestly, though, I like it that way. It's got a healthy level of activity as it is, and we really don't need any more student watering holes or conveniently located magnets for pub-crawling posers who are looking to pound 4 or 5 PBRs with their new best friends, now do we. Bukowski's is not for them. However, if you enjoy great beer and great food, it might just be the place for you.
2,388 characters
More User Reviews:
4.14/5 rDev +5.9%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3.75
Big tap list with a lot of good choices, solid burger and tots with a range of sauces on the table, and garage doors that open in the summer make this place a good choice if you're in the area. The knock was always that the beer was a couple bucks more than most other places, but I feel that is less the case now.
314 characters
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3.75
Big tap list with a lot of good choices, solid burger and tots with a range of sauces on the table, and garage doors that open in the summer make this place a good choice if you're in the area. The knock was always that the beer was a couple bucks more than most other places, but I feel that is less the case now.
314 characters
3.86/5 rDev -1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
Popped in here last Saturday about 5:00 and the place was just starting to fill up. Has a modern open feel, slightly industrial but open. I did notice that they had descriptions of beer styles on the walls as part of the decor. Taplist was very good. About 30 different offerings with locals and imports being well represented. Prices are above what I pay locally, but not unreasonable. Did not stay for food, but my wife did have a mixed drink and she really liked it. Not a place i would search out for, but we have several restaurants we like in the area. This seems to be a perfect place to hit before our reservations.
631 characters
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
Popped in here last Saturday about 5:00 and the place was just starting to fill up. Has a modern open feel, slightly industrial but open. I did notice that they had descriptions of beer styles on the walls as part of the decor. Taplist was very good. About 30 different offerings with locals and imports being well represented. Prices are above what I pay locally, but not unreasonable. Did not stay for food, but my wife did have a mixed drink and she really liked it. Not a place i would search out for, but we have several restaurants we like in the area. This seems to be a perfect place to hit before our reservations.
631 characters
4/5 rDev +2.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
A solid spot if you are in the Cambridge area. A nice tap list that featured various styles and nice selection of interesting beer. Definitely has a college bar feel and was packed with students and hard to find a seat. If you are in the area, it is wotrh checking out just to see what they might be pouring.
311 characters
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
A solid spot if you are in the Cambridge area. A nice tap list that featured various styles and nice selection of interesting beer. Definitely has a college bar feel and was packed with students and hard to find a seat. If you are in the area, it is wotrh checking out just to see what they might be pouring.
311 characters
4.24/5 rDev +8.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
4.24/5 rDev +8.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.75
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.75
3.91/5 rDev 0%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
4.12/5 rDev +5.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.5
I frequent the Bukowski in Back Bay, but I must say I prefer this one. First off it's probably three times larger and not nearly as divey. Second, I find the tap selection to be more varied featuring more unusual brews. Third, this one opens up to the street.
The single room is 30 x 40 feet with a 20 foot bar to the side. The tap list is about 25 - 30 different offerings. And with the exception of Pabst Blue Ribbon, all of the beers are craft. On this Saturday afternoon (May 31, 2014), it was active but not not too busy. There were a couple of bar stools and several booths available, although all of the tables near the open garage doors were taken.
Although I didn't try the food, the menu could be described as creative bar grub. It is also a sparse choice of eight items and one dessert. Still, everyone seems to enjoy what they ordered, but then again, one doesn't come here for the dining options.
The service borders on indifferent and friendly. Not bad, but also not that attentive--my glass was always empty for about five minutes before I was asked if I wanted another. Not that I would come here strictly for the service.
So, if you are near Inman Square in Cambridge, this would be the place to go. But if you are willing to walk a half mile down Hampshire, you could go to Lord Hobo's, one of the finest beer joints in the area.
1,355 characters
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.5
I frequent the Bukowski in Back Bay, but I must say I prefer this one. First off it's probably three times larger and not nearly as divey. Second, I find the tap selection to be more varied featuring more unusual brews. Third, this one opens up to the street.
The single room is 30 x 40 feet with a 20 foot bar to the side. The tap list is about 25 - 30 different offerings. And with the exception of Pabst Blue Ribbon, all of the beers are craft. On this Saturday afternoon (May 31, 2014), it was active but not not too busy. There were a couple of bar stools and several booths available, although all of the tables near the open garage doors were taken.
Although I didn't try the food, the menu could be described as creative bar grub. It is also a sparse choice of eight items and one dessert. Still, everyone seems to enjoy what they ordered, but then again, one doesn't come here for the dining options.
The service borders on indifferent and friendly. Not bad, but also not that attentive--my glass was always empty for about five minutes before I was asked if I wanted another. Not that I would come here strictly for the service.
So, if you are near Inman Square in Cambridge, this would be the place to go. But if you are willing to walk a half mile down Hampshire, you could go to Lord Hobo's, one of the finest beer joints in the area.
1,355 characters
4.16/5 rDev +6.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I had read about Bukowskis and finally had a chance to have a drink there when I visiting friends in Cambridge.
It's a very unpretentious place and low-key hipster. No attitudes here.
I was impressed with the server's knowledge of beer, and she poured possibly one of the best wheat beers I have seen in a bar.
The beer menu is varied. Some excellent beers and some macro fare. I drank a Berkshire Brewing scotch ale which was quite good. My friend had a Port Brewing Board meeting which was far superior to a bottled beer I had bought a few months earlier and full flavored.
Our friends had German beers.
The appetizers are very good. The sweet potato fries were better than in most restaurants, and the pita and hummus was fresh.
Overall, an excellent Cambridge bar. Perhaps too hipster-grungy for some folks, but craft beer drinkers should check it out.
861 characters
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I had read about Bukowskis and finally had a chance to have a drink there when I visiting friends in Cambridge.
It's a very unpretentious place and low-key hipster. No attitudes here.
I was impressed with the server's knowledge of beer, and she poured possibly one of the best wheat beers I have seen in a bar.
The beer menu is varied. Some excellent beers and some macro fare. I drank a Berkshire Brewing scotch ale which was quite good. My friend had a Port Brewing Board meeting which was far superior to a bottled beer I had bought a few months earlier and full flavored.
Our friends had German beers.
The appetizers are very good. The sweet potato fries were better than in most restaurants, and the pita and hummus was fresh.
Overall, an excellent Cambridge bar. Perhaps too hipster-grungy for some folks, but craft beer drinkers should check it out.
861 characters
Bukowski Tavern in Cambridge, MA
Place rating:
3.91 out of
5 with
78 ratings
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