Any must try beer bars in Boston?

What ever happened to The Ginger Man in Boston? I would enjoy stopping in there and they had a lengthy tap list that occasionally had some hard to find beers. Their website and social media all say they're temporarily closed and will open as soon as they can, but presumably they could have opened a while ago with limited capacity, or there would at least be a message about opening this weekend when all restrictions are dropped.

I dunno, not every brewery/bar has all their staff fully vaccinated, and we're not at herd immunity numbers yet, so i dont blame any place that still wants social distancing inside and folks to wear masks. I am excited to sit at a bar again rather than at small tables with digital menus.

 

Ginger Man was a COVID casualty IIRC. For the OP questions, other options to Ginger Man that have the same vibe (kind of) that are not too far away are the Merchant, JM Curly, and Tip Tap Room.

 

I liked Idle Hands message that anyone who wanted to be fully vaccinated at this point, has had that chance. And those who haven't, or otherwise can't, can still wear masks, that's totally cool. I have no problem with that, wouldn't make fun of anyone for it either, I get it. This pandemic was/is scary.

Vaccination was open to the public on April 19th. It's been more than four weeks since then. Moreover the majority of your protection is two weeks post first dose, the second dose's purpose is largely as a booster for longer term immunity.

Also, if you're a restaurant worker you qualified for a vaccine much earlier than April 19th. If your staff isn't vaccinated that's an establishment's personal choice (or medical/religious choice, which is never changing).

If you're really that afraid of Covid, a restaurant or bar isn't the place for you. There will be numerous people sitting around without masks eating/drinking, who knows what the ventilation systems are like....and the A/C is TERRIBLE for circulating the virus. See Texas/Florida last summer.

Finally, we're not going to reach herd immunity. MAYBE in MA, but certainly not in the US, and absolutely not globally. But numbers are dropping across the US, not just in MA which is leading the US in vaccinations (or among the top, haven't checked in awhile).

There's been a few hundred or less cases in MA per day for awhile now, with minimal deaths...out of over 7 million people. I'd be more concerned with catching a cold right now.

For what it's worth, I've been a staunch advocate of restrictions during this pandemic, but I've used the data and science to guide me. If Somerville (which has been the strictest city in MA) is lifting restrictions on Saturday, that's all you need to know.

 

Similar to The Ginger Man, The Merchant has not yet reopened.

I like JM Curly, but I wouldn't call it a "beer bar." Great food, especially the burger? Yes. Beer bar? No.

I also like Tip Tap Room, but it's definitely pricey compared to other options. But at least it's open right now.

 

I think I got a pretty things bottle at JM Curly like 4 years ago, so I just keep it in mind for a good beer. Haven't been in a while though, so may not be a great choice. With Stoddard's closed down the street there's not as many great options as there once was in Downtown Crossing

 

It’s hard to find good beer downtown right now. It’s like taking a time machine back 15 years ago in terms of craft beer. The wine bar Haley Henry had stuff on draft from Remnant and Hermit Thrush when I was there this week.

 

It would be a bummer if Ginger Man was closed permanently in addition to Stoddard's. They were two of the few places in Boston you could reliable find cask ale.

 

Bone Up has cask ales....

 

Couldn't find a more general Boston thread so bumping this. I am driving up a few folks to the Fenway concert this afternoon and have time to kill before pickup at around 10. At like 4-5pm, what Boston taproom or bar on a Friday is the most "laid back", i.e. could I find a table and just read or setup my computer to get a few things done? I am driving so am just looking to sit around somewhere awhile and sip on a beverage or two, rather than crushing a lot of beers.

The immediate place that came to mind was Idle Hands since they seemed to not be subject to a crazy atmosphere any of the times I've gone (maybe it's different on a Friday after work), but that could take all of a half hour to get over from the Fenway area. Any possible suggestions not right at Fenway but relatively nearby either towards downtown or Brookline/Allston?

 

Notch Allston, Brato Allston, Night Shift Allston

 

Would have TOTALLY forgotten about Notch! Thanks

 

In addition to those, I would also add The Publick House.

 

I was not steered wrong, had a sandwich and Vitamin Sea draft at Publick House, now at Notch with a Kolsch.