It's just the best bar on mission hill, I love it more and more every time I go back. The bartenders are the nicest guys ever and that atmosphere is friendly.
(5)
Jane R.
A great neighborhood bar with decent cheap eats and beer. Super cheap brunch. Great place to watch a sports game or for trivia. This was my go-to bar when I lived in Mission Hill. Spent my last night in Boston, New Year's Eve, a many nights after work and class here. Staff is friendly and to my surprise, actually Irish (ok I know it's Boston, but still...). Love this place. Definitely student budget friendly.
(3)
Kelsey M.
The food is so-so here. I would give this place 3 stars but both times we have visited, this place has been FILTHY! Dirty floors, seats, tables, restroom and menus. Had it been up to me, my party would have left without ordering! The servers are also very slow and get the orders wrong, even after repeating the order. The prices are decent and they have daily specials here.
(2)
Dan G.
Very relaxing interior! They have a fire place which really adds to the atmosphere. Pool tables in the back, really big bar and a couple of tables. I'd come here again, even though I absolutely hate the area. If you drive you could potentially park behind the stop and shop if you aren't staying too long.
(3)
Harlan K.
While they have A+ trivia nights on tuesday, the service and overall food stuffs leave a bit to be desired. While a fun place with a good atmosphere, I'd look elsewhere unless all you really want is a pint of Smithwicks.
(3)
George G.
I really like this place. Dark lighting pub atmosphere with daily $7 food specials AND daily $5 dinners. drinks aren't ridiculously priced, but they're not cheap either.
(4)
Nicole B.
You seen one bar scene, you seen em' all. That is how I felt about Flann's. It's an Irish Pub. Nuff' said. Nothing special. The food is VERY greasy and the drinks are quite stiff. The bathrooms aren't clean nor the glasses. But, it's a pub. I guess it's expected? Not my kind of place and not an enjoyable meal.
(2)
Stephen K.
Nice and dark, quiet and relaxing in mid-afternoon, and crazy at night. Saturday nights in particular are out of control because it's karaoke night, which renders the place effectively off limits. Flann's has an excellent selection of beers and liquor, awesome deals on appetizer in the afternoon's (buy one get one from 2-6), $5 lunches every day and so on. The most popular and rowdy bar in Mission Hill. A great place to get drunk and even throw up in, they don't really care.
(4)
John A.
Flann's does a pretty good job at the whole "Irish Pub" thing and adds some nice flair to an otherwise drab Mission Hill neighborhood. Wait did I just say flair? Anyways, this place is a favorite after work/happy hour spot for medical professionals in the Longwood area and gives us a nice break from polymerase chain reaction and quadropole time-of-flight mass spectrometry etc. If you like the cozy pub feel then Flann's might be a nice place to check out. The beer list is respectable (Dogfish Head on tap!) and what sets Flann's apart from a dive bar is that the food is actually pretty good. I recommend the fish and chips.
(4)
David S.
Not really sure what to rate this as. I lived in Mission Hill my senior year of college and was a regular at Flann's. Loved it loved it loved it. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, pool, etc. So why so few stars? I returned a few years later (I forget exactly when, but probably 2-3 years ago) and they had installed a pretty extensive security system. This included a camera by the door....which the bouncer would hold your ID up to after he checked it. So, a bunch of people I don't know have my name, address, DOB, etc. Yeah, no possible issues there. Haven't been back since.
(2)
Marcia H.
Great deals on food and drinks. Super friendly bar staff plus pool! Gets a bit crowded Friday and Saturday but worth it. Very good brunch as well.
(5)
Aby Y.
Grass fed burger... soo good... been at Wentworth for 4 years now and can always go there for a beer and that burger!
(4)
Chris A.
Outstanding burgers, good beer selection, great location. Definitely worth stopping in for!
(5)
Melissa H.
Flann's! You treated us like regulars last night, even though we found out it was a tough personal night for the bar. Our condolences to everyone, especially the family. The fish and chips was hot and flaky and scrumptious. The whole plate of fries and slaw just was flat out good. Beer was cold, as beer should be! interesting choices (even though we are pretty boring beer drinkers...). The staff was GREAT! Very personable. Friendly folks at the bar, cool atmosphere - I KNOW we'll be back!
(4)
Parker T.
Rob & Kenny are some of the best Bartenders/Hosts I've had the pleasure of being served by. I now come here every Sunday for brunch. And next week a few friends and I are gonna have a pint of Guinness, watch the game, and all try to finish the Breakfast challenge. 1 hour on the clock, money on the line, couldn't ask for a better Sunday. Thanks guys. See ya next week!
(5)
Tom M.
Eek, went into Flann's yesterday for their famous 5 dollar steak and eggs. The steak and eggs were fantastic, well the steak is and it is a great value. Here are the issues. I went in and sat down with 2 others. The bartender comes over and tells us we need to immediately order if we want breakfast. Of course so one person asks to sub steak in for bacon, they say sure, I ask for the irish breakfast, they say sure, my friend asks for steak and eggs but cheese on the eggs, they say sure. I get a bloody mary. Terrible bloody mary, very watery, needed to add tobasco just to give it life. The people next to us who ordered after us get their food, all our drinks are empty. Bartender comes over and says "oh no you guys did not get your food yet" A waitress comes over with our food finally. One order of eggs and hashbrowns (no bacon), one steak and eggs no cheese, one steak and eggs. 0-3 on orders. I ask if it right cause nothing is right. Apparently she says there is no bacon (lie bacon cheeseburgers). sorry we missed the cheese and oh let me get you the irish breakfast (yea right and I am going to wait another hour?) Bartender realizes the goof because the waitress tells her and decides to not do anything about it, in fact chooses to ignore it because he does not want to get confronted by us. Wow! I was bitter and angry. I have not had service this bad in a long time. They remain a bar and not a bar and grille. Learn to make bloody mary's and learn to be accountable for errors.
(2)
Tom H.
A neighborhood bar surrounded on all sides by area college students, Flann's is a good fallback and go-to option in Mission Hill. It caters to the University audience, with some of its most popular nights being weekly editions of trivia and karaoke. There are daily lunch specials on food, and $10 buckets of Bud Light, though the liquor seems a bit overpriced (having said that, if you find yourself in there for brunch one morning, try the "breakfast shot", which is chased with a piece of bacon). Another positive aspect to Flann's is that it features one of the only pool tables in the entire Brigham Circle area.
(3)
reese w.
Saturday night karaoke is awesome. The crowd is pretty awesome too, and the karaoke singer had their own personal dancing groupie up there shakin' her junk (not that there was much junk to shake). You should go here.
(4)
Nim H.
Flann's is a wonderful neighborhood bar. Hearty (and definitely cheap) eats, as well as an extensive draught and bottle selection. For a while, it was carrying the 90 minute IPA for $5. Everyday it runs both $5 and $7 lunch specials which are always worth it. The bartenders are nice, and there's a pool table in the back.
(4)
Greg M.
Too many kids for my liking. I liked that aspect when it came to my trivia competition, but it got too crowded and really pissed me off when some tried to squeeze us out of our table. Food: Burger - eh. Not so great. Chowder - pretty damn good. Bangers and Mash - good. Fish and Chips - Pretty bad, not very tender, and too greasy. But it has a nice atmosphere (covered enough by other reviews), good service, trivia on Tuesdays with a pretty good trivia jockey playing good music, and they pour a good pint of Guinness.
(3)
Samuel K.
The only reason I ever came to this bar is the convenience factor, because I live around the corner. That's the only reason I ever came back. It's at the base of Mission Hill, so it obviously attracts the newly 21ers from Northeastern, MassArt, and the other colleges of the Fenway area. Its small, so once the bros pack in like sardines it turns into a powder keg for dudes overly defensive of girls and their chilled Jagermeister. So if you like that sort of thing... It's an Irish pub, and REALLY proud of it. Irish pride everywhere on the walls, Irish proprietors, Irish regulars. They stand in a mini-crowd outside the front door with their arms crossed, smoking cigarettes and quietly discussing whatever it is that they're angry about that afternoon, looking like mob henchmen. Not that that's a problem in itself, but when I watch them force someone to take off their American flag t-shirt and replace it with a Flann's shirt for their time inside the bar, I start to wonder what the fuck goes through the manager's head. I've been to this bar probably sixty times or so, and I get carded by the same two dudes. Every. Single. Time. Even the times when I say things like "really? you don't remember me from yesterday? I was the guy you handed a cracked pint glass to?" I get responses like, "It must've been my twin brother. He looks just like me." It's like, honestly dude? You're a fucking douche bag. I've watched the pint-size manager (who obviously has a bad case of SMS (small man syndrome)) verbally and physically accost patrons of the bar, misdirect various accusations, and take offense at people greeting him who mistakenly think that he'll remember meeting them the last time they were in. You too sir, are a douche bag. The food is fried and grilled. I always feel like shit after I eat here. The pool table area is frequently packed. The regulars back there are actually pretty good people. ...I'm fairly certain that the only reason they are able to stay open is their proximity to the college residential neighborhood. If I were to give you one piece of advice, I would suggest saving yourself the trouble of having a shitty regular bar, and make your usual spot the Squealing Pig or The Mission, both of which are within a block or two of Flann's. Flann's: learn to respect your clientele and step down off of your high horse. I genuinely hate this bar and I will never go back.
(1)
Wang E.
Flann's is down the street from my apt. I usually go here at night for drinks but decided to try the lunch specials. I had this sandwich with sausages and toasts, while my bf had this bison burger. Each were around $5 I believe? So cheap! But we had to buy drinks along with it to get the special. Well, we ordered beer with it, and by the end of the meal, we both had the itis. After that, we realized that we should never ever order beer for lunch again. We took a nap right after the meal. yum yumm zZzZz
(4)
Evey G.
Flann's is an all around okay place to hang out. I usually only go on Tuesdays for trivia night, and I won't stay if we can't get a table. That means you have to get there at 7pm for the 8:30pm trivia if you want a table. Trivia is a great great time though. Food is ok, drinks are ok, it gets very very crowded sometimes. Their karaoke and trivia are the only reasons I would choose this bar really. They upset me when they wouldn't make me a coffee and bailey's after 9pm. Really? Very mediocre, popular, crowded, hallway shaped bar. Worth a go if you've never been. Especially on Tuesdays for trivia.
(3)
Jose L.
So, I've been on this quest to find Boston's best fish n'chips. And, I've often passed by Flann O'Brien's so I decided to stop by one Friday. It was my lucky day because on Friday they have their fish n'chips special for 7 bucks! The place looks like a legit Irish pub. At least, in the mind of a Mexican from the midwest that's never been to Ireland but has seen plenty of movies about Ireland. They even had rugby on the tele -- which fits right in with my conception of an Irish pub. So, I asked the lass behind the bar for the fish and chips plus a nip of her hot whiskey. The hot whiskey drink came up first. It is basically whiskey, a slice of orange and lemon, a stick of cinnamon, some star anise (I think), and some hot water. It pretty much tastes like it sounds and was not worth the 7.50. However, the fish n' chips were pretty bad ass. It was brought out to me by their chef I believe; he looked like he took pride in his work and I thought he made an effort with the presentation. The fish was not fingerish but rather two big fillets of battered Haddock, I think, could have been Cod I suppose. The fillets rested on the chips and were flanked by lemon wedges, a scoop of cole slaw and some kind of creamy pea side. (I don't think it was mushy peas since the peas were whole.) The creamy peas were fantastic! The fish was great and the cole slaw was...well no one cares about the cole slaw. The only thing that sucked were the chips. They came out soggy from the slaw and peas. Nevertheless, the fish n'chips were victorious in my book and I definitely plan on going back.
(4)
Jeff J.
Horrible barstaff - rude and unresponsive, understaffed in general. Mission is a great alternative or Squealing Pig - greatttt atmosphere!!!
(1)
Ellen M.
This place was fun. Karaoke + friends + cheap drinks + nice crowd = a good night. oh. Bonus points for the bartender calling me "love". Ima easy to please. The End.
(4)
Alaina B.
It used to be better, until the new crop of kids came and turned it into something it never was. Ah, oh well. You can still get decent drinks and the staff is still friendly enough, but I still think the highlight is their menu (especially their appetizer deals). A good stop on a bar crawl, or earlier on at night for a dinner destination, but I wouldn't make it the other bar on the hill I stop at on a night out.
(3)
Chris C.
Been here a couple times recently for the $5 lunch specials. They have all been very good and they are quick with the service. So while this a bar they are serving one of the better and cheaper lunches in the Longwood area. My only compliant is that they don't post the lunch specials online. So you either have to walk by the board they post out front or call them to find out what they are.
(4)
Shelly A.
Just having turned 21 a few days prior to my trip to Flann's (and having been drunk for probably 65 out of those 72 hours), I found myself a little obsessed with having the "bar experience": Get a good beer off the tap, get some standard "bar food" (for me that means NACHOS), and crack loud and inappropriate jokes with a group of guy friends. So I went up to the bar, expecting from the looks of the place that they'd have a really average beer menu and I'd end up grabbing a Harpoon (nothing against Harpoon; it's just the best of the standard selection). BUT! I was very pleased to see a relatively extensive menu on the chalkboard over the bar. I ended up getting a Dogfish 90-minute IPA for $6. They even had the 120-minute (not something you see every day at a bar)! My friend got a Red Stripe for $4. Good stuff! On to the nachos. $9 for a plate of 'em... Not too expensive, but I was short on cash so they really needed to be a) awesome b) plentiful or c) both in order to satisfy me. Option C was fulfilled! Lots of chilli, very very tasty, piled high. Worth every penny. (And my friends kept picking even though they insisted they "didn't want any"... bastards.) So, good beer, good munchies... Not a huge place, and nothing really TRULY special, but definitely worth a trip! I'll have to go back for Trivia Night or Karaoke.
(4)
Angie G.
Being a recent resident to Mission Hill, I decided to check out Flanns again. I used to go there during the ALCS and it was kind of a ritual for me. Outside of those weeks, I never stepped foot into Flanns.... until this week. Here's a vision: it's Tuesday night. Not much is open, and what is, well, you wouldn't expect a crowd. I walk in, bar is packed. My friend and I order a round, find a table and take a seat. The music was nasty awesome. Modest Mouse followed by Kings of Leon. Someone plays Use Your Love and our half of the bar starts singing along in perfect harmony. It was perfect. An absolute spot where the locals come to kick back, have a beer and enjoy good company.
(4)
Anita D.
Pretty empty on a Monday night. Buckets of beer for $10. But I could barely finish one, as it was Sam Adams light. It was gross, this is not Flann's fault. A lot of room to sit and enjoy conversation.
(3)
Jay G.
The decor isn't a reason to come here so there isn't even a point in addressing that further. They have lots of beer on tap decent $5 and $7 plate specials during the week and a decent sunday brunch. In fact, I come here mostly for the Sunday Brunch because of the location. The steak and eggs is pretty decent, they use marinated steak tips instead of the usual sirloin and it works well. They do skip out on the eggs and usually they come scrambled no matter which way you order them. This is far and away my favorite Full Irish breakfast in the city. They put in the black pudding, white pudding, bangers, bacon, an egg, baked beans and some soda bread. Other places I have been to skip out on one protein or another, this is the perfect balance nearly falling off the plate. A bit of warning, the service on Sunday is impossibly slow mostly because the kitchen is simply not big enough to accommodate the demand. Go up to the bar and look in, you will see what I am talking about. If you work, live or visit the Longwood / Mission Hill area come take a peek, especially on Sundays when they do Irish breakfast and Steak&Eggs.
(2)
Molly B.
this place was great. had a really good vibe even though it was a little dark and a little too loud for my liking. there was something about the atmosphere that reminded me of home, not many bars in boston can pull of dingy but flanns rocks it. the bartenders are super quick and you can tell they are experienced. the pool tables are great and so is the fireplace. i will most certainly be back.
(4)
Derek P.
I usually go to Flann's in the afternoons or early evenings to shoot some pool and grab a cheap meal. They have a special $5 meal every day - usually its some sort of sandwich and fries. The food is pretty good, standard pub fare but you seriously get a lot of it - especially for 5 bucks. trust me you will not be hungry after, this is defiantly the BEST deal around as far as food goes. They have a wide beer selections and the prices are pretty good - i always go for the arrogant bastard for 5 bucks (used to be 4.50) Like i said i don't really go to flann's for a night out, i go for some low key eats and pool. i did go last night around 11 for a beer and pool and the place was packed with people from northeastern, i had no idea flanns had turned into the place to be. 4 stars for having possibly the best meal deal in boston, decently priced beer, arrogant bastard on tap, and a pool table. Oh also, their sandwiches come on fresh baked iggy's rolls - delicious.
(4)
Chas K.
Stopped in w/ my wife a couple of weeks ago after a 9-year hiatus. We used to go there to drink and listen to bands like Machinery Hall. Our objective was a good pint. Nothing more. Mission accomplished. I think the 20+ on tap is ample and varied, despite comments from others. For example, it's the only place I've seen Arrogant Bastard. It's an excellent combo of malt and hoppiness. The big surprise were the $5 turkey Reubens. No gelatinous compressed turkey at Flann's. It was toothsome, tasty roasted turkey breast prepared with flair. Patrons at bar were friendly. Got full bellies and a beer buzz for about $30 w/ tip.
(4)
KS J.
Pros: Authentic Irish-feel (staff is Irish, I believe), plays european futbol and other US sports, good decorations, home-y feel Cons: The place feels a bit dirty/rundown, relatively cheap food but the quality isn't quite there for the price, weird stragglers/homeless ppl come in sometimes In essence, this place is OK. I would give 3.5 if possible.
(3)
Leslie S.
I used to come here all the time, because the food was good (and cheap!). The pastrami sandwich is pretty close to a religious experience, and while I was skeptical at first about the mayo dipping sauce for fries (hello, diabetes), I've since been converted. The daily burger specials were once a huge draw between classes on weekdays when my friends and I were sick of dining hall food and in need of a quick bite. When I'd come in at night, the drinks were reasonably priced and there was a pretty decent selection. Service was always polite and friendly, there was one waitress in particular (whose name escapes me) that waited on my friends and I frequently, knew most of us by name, and was always exceptionally polite, if not a bit slow due to serving most of the bar at the same time. I had no complaints. Flann's was a pretty good lunch spot/college bar, until The Burger Incident. I had come in with a bunch of friends for a late lunch and we took our seats and were handed the menus. I wanted the burger special. Anyone who knows me knows I can't stand meat that's even the tiniest bit pink in the middle. So I go to order my burger special, and ask the server (who I'd never seen before, I believe his name was Tony) if I could have it well done. He suddenly gets a HUUUUUUUUUUUGE attitude, informing me that no, the special ONLY comes medium. Confused, I told him that I'd gotten the burger well done many times before, nowhere on the menu does it state this policy, and servers have frequently asked me how I wanted it done in the past. He snaps that this is not the case, and if I want a burger, it's going to have to be medium. So I grudgingly got the spinach artichoke dip. Seriously, Flann's? Out of all of the things you could possibly think of to be unreasonable and inflexible about, it's how long you're going to cook a burger? It's not like I requested anything that would take any special effort to prepare. It's not like my friends and I were being drunk and rowdy at 2:00 PM on a weekday. Talking down to customers and telling them they absolutely can't have something completely reasonable isn't a way to keep business...I've avoided them ever since, and while the service has been good enough the few times I've been dragged in since the incident, it's always left a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)
Maria C.
This place is definitely my go-to bar whenever I want to go out but don't feel like going too far away. Fortunately, it's only a minute walk from my apartment so it's easy and quick to get to, plus the staff are the best ever!! Rob and Paul are definitely my favorite bartenders!!! Don't be afraid to get to know them because they're really nice and i promise you they will remember you! Drinks are also very cheap, which is a big plus. The only thing I'm disappointed about is that they got rid of country night on Thursday nights, but oh well.
(5)
Seamus B.
Good comfort good, excellent beer and a fun place to watch soccer. Also enjoys a literary feel with the Giants of Irish literature in portrait on the wall.
(4)
Maggie P.
Went there for brunch on a Sunday. Wasn't crowded at all and the food was great for the price. I had french toast, fruit, homefries (which were perfect!), and sausage and my brother had some Irish eggs benedict that made me jealous. We were greeted by the bartender as soon as we entered the door even though he was in the middle of taking an order, and they kept our glasses full. I'll be back!
(4)
Sidney L.
Flann O'Briens is the bar for students and fans of weird Anglo-Saxon sports (like rugby, hurling, and *ahem* soccer). It's the most affordable bar in the area, with $7 specials that rotate through week and $5 specials (and drink specials) that you can hear about if you sign up for their daily text messages. Between 2-6PM, there's also buy one get one free appetizers, and the appetizers are quite large. - The most popular $7 special is the Monday steak tips deal. The steak tips are really great, and it's served with toast, asparagus, and your choice of fries or mashed potatoes. The chicken pesto salad wasn't so good - they used chicken tenders. - The wings are great here. They serve solid, meaty wings - not wings from some underfed and emaciated chicken. Great deal if you do the buy one get one free appetizers. - Irish nachos were a hit with my coworkers when we went for lunch - they're nachos, but with round fries instead of tortilla chips. - I've come here for mimosas and greyhounds (vodka+grapefruit juice), and they've been great. Fresh squeezed juice. The slow service here is a problem, especially if you're going during your lunch break. The order wasn't taken quickly, and it seemed to take forever for the food to come out once the order was placed. Otherwise, this is a great bar, and I'll have to come back for karaoke or trivia night.
(4)
Keith J.
If you are looking for a good place to hang out with some friends around Mission Hill, look no further. Between the good beer selection and pool table, what more would you need? If you are around the area for lunch, definitely give them a try. I'm a fan of any of the apps the they have, but especially the Irish Nachos.
(4)
Anthony L.
What slow service you have, Flann O'Brien's! I went here the other day for lunch (who else signed up for the $5 lunch deals?!) with some colleagues. We were pretty excited to get out of the office and enjoy some cheap lunch together! The deal of the day was a $5.00 quarter-pound (right?) cheese burger with french fries. Who doesn't think that's a deal. Let me start with the (only) bad, I guess: * Guys, it's lunchtime. Most people have 30 - 60 minutes to spare. You are in a key location in Mission Hill... please have more than one waitress working. We were there for a good 90 minutes, 20 were spent waiting for the waitress to take our credit cards. Beware: if you want to partake in the $5.00 lunch special, a beverage other than water is required (which is $2.00, so your lunch will be, at least, $7.00)! Also note, you seat yourself!
(3)
Allison K.
Classic Mission Hill Bar. It's a great place to go with a good group of friends. It gets crowded but not too bad. The Saturday night karaoke has its low points, since the actual song doesn't quite drown the singer out as much as I might like. The DJ does a good job of making sure that those who perform and sing well do at least one song. The beer selection is pretty average, but there is a pool table and the bartenders are quick and attentive.
(4)
Roark D.
my compliments to the cooks, the food is always better than you would expect. So why a 3 star? The owner and management must be cheap as shit, the place is perpetually understaffed. The staff is way over worked and you wait way too long to get your food, drinks, and bill. The first time I noticed this to be a problem was when our appetizers came at the exact same time as the entree. The waiter looked at me like "thats how we always do it." That might be the case, but that just means youve been doing it wrong for a loooong time. Nachos and Salmon, not exactly the coupling I had in mind. The place across the street The Crossing serves trash on a plate compare to this place's quality food, but atleast I know ill be in and out in a reasonable time frame. Management is the f--k up here, waiters, bartenders and cooks are working overtime and doing as great as possible considering the circumstances.
(3)
Ry F.
This place is great, there's nothing better than rolling out of bed and then subsequently down Mission Hill after a night of boozing and curing your hangover with some Irish breakfast. The only downside is that if I eat too many beans mixed with rashers and bangers I get a little too gassy and have to awkwardly shuffle to the bathroom.
(5)
Alissa S.
I love Flann O'Briens. Above average pub food, plenty of beer on tap but also a cocktail menu (which a lot of dive bars/pubs don't bother with), great place to watch a sports game. Last night I spent part of my time chatting with two German med students about neurosurgery and part of it dancing with someone else I don't even think I exchanged names with- people actually interact with strangers here, which is rare in Boston. That all said, their spiked iced tea should come with a warning or at least a limit. The three I had almost resulted in my untimely demise- it's almost 3 PM and I haven't recovered yet. I'll still be back, though.
(4)
Thomas K.
Great place hanging out for good drink and food. Irish themed and staffed. I like it also because they have hard cider on tap. There is a very diverse crowd: youngish-older, local people, some students and medical professions, Not necessarily a pickup place but very relaxed. No pretense at all. Great grill with moderate prices. The fish and chips for eleven dollars is HUGE, always fresh cod, super fries with veggie. Almost enough for two small dinners. Large delicious grass-fed (they say) burgers. There is a cheapie food special weekday afternoons. Pool table and lots of usually sports TV. Bartenders and waitpeople are friendly and efficient, but tend to operate on British (sorry, I know its Irish!) system of ordering at bar and then sitting.
(5)
Michelle S.
Flanns is great. Free fries and buffalo bites during the pats femur, great beers, great Halloween decorations. And best of all genuine Irish servers. Overall good time
(4)
Brian C.
Being a resident of Mission Hill, I've been to Flann's on several occasions. The atmosphere is that of a fairly typical Irish-themed pub. Prices are average as is the selection of beers and whiskey. This would be a great place to hang out with friends after work and have a conversation or play a game of pool if it weren't for the music being so damn loud! Even on a quiet night when there is clearly nobody interested in dancing, the music is blasting to the point where you can't hear yourself think. I once ordered Jameson (whiskey) neat and the bartender promptly served up a shot glass. I objected, stating that I would prefer to sip my drink out of a lowball glass (seeing as I was not trying to get hammered on a Thursday night). The bartender gave me a confused look and simply said "this IS Jameson neat". While technically he was correct, I don't know of any truly Irish pub that doesn't serve whiskey in some sort of tumbler. On a separate occasion, I ordered a Guinness and a different bartender placed the glass directly under the tap (no tilt in the glass) and proceeded to dispense a pint of pure foam (This time I actually was trying to get hammered). Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy a foamy head, but a 19 year old sophomore could have poured a better beer (and this place claims to be IRISH). Judging from my experiences, this pub tries way too hard to cater to undergraduate college students and not hard enough at being truly Irish. An Irish bartender knows how to pour a drink and what to serve it in (ESPECIALLY whiskey). Also, an Irish pub should be a place to hang out during the week, and liven up on the weekend. Flann's wants to be all party all the time which, in my opinion, is a mistake.
(2)
Mike O.
I used to live next door to Flann's and that was probably a bad idea. Not that I went there all that much, just the opposite. It was that I was always kept up at night while loud music and the roar of a loaded bar that disallowed slumber. Then, I moved and got some sleep and with that, grew to really like this bar. They have a decent selection of beer and a full liquor license, but drinks look to be pretty pricey so stick with the shots. Haven't had the food, but it looks like standard pub grub, and sometimes that's alright. The pool table is small and usually pretty busy past nine, but it's cheap and it's the only one in Brigham Circle. While Flann's typically has a younger crowd, it never really gets that ridiculous that you'd want to leave. Overall, a very solid option in college town USA
(3)
Shannon M.
NOM NOM NOM I first went to Flann's to beg for donations for a fundraiser raffle (they cheerfully obliged) and discovered it was a cool little bar with food specials. They have a service where you can get daily texts of the $5 and $7 specials and other fun offers (answer a trivia q, get a drink, etc). I look forward to the text every day. Today I was pleasantly surprised with a stuffed grilled cheese, tomato soup and hand cut fries. OMG bliss. The MOST amazing grilled cheese and tomato soup I've ever had. I posted a pic. Tomorrow is jerk chicken salad. I may have to hit that up...
(5)
Brian S.
I've been here a few times for a lunch break now, and I've always come away extremely satisfied, if slightly tipsy. Atmosphere: 4 stars Your typical Irish pub, but they pull it off. The bar is solid wood, and it makes you feel like you're in the right place, somehow. I've never come here with anyone else, and I've brought a book with me two of three times. It's the perfect amount of loudness for a bar; there's definitely some conversation going on but it's not at all distracting, and I can easily read a book at the bar. Service: 4.5 stars Can the service be slow? Yes. Can you tell that they are understaffed? Maybe so. Does any of that matter when you're getting a burger, fries and two beers for $10? Not to me. The bartender has always been friendly and really cool, even of they could often use another person. Still, I've been given a beer on the house two of three times for having to wait. That's pretty damn good service, in spite of the wait. Beer: 4 stars I've stuck to the basics and never been disappointed. Cheap beer is cheap beer, but cheap beer on tap is nothing to complain about. Plus, like I said earlier, beer on the house has been offered two out of three times. Food: 4.5 stars The food has been really good, but I've stuck to burgers and fries. The fries are delicious, always piping hot. The burgers are pretty damn good, though they tend to get them a little crispier than I'd like. The portions are very generous, but I always finish every last bite. Price: 7 stars Seriously, this is the tipping point for me. This is simply the cheapest, tastiest, overall best lunch I've had in the area. If I find myself with a full 60 minutes for lunch, you know exactly where I'll be.
(5)
Kevin C.
By no means a classy place, but that's a good thing. It's dirty, dark, and fun to be in. It's got the usual selection of brews on tap and some liquor, but don't expect miracles. Their bar staff are quick though not overly friendly. They have these $5 lunch specials which aren't that great since you have to buy a drink, but the food is tasty and quick. They have a pool table in the back and a Galaga (!) machine which is awesome. They recently increased the size of their bathrooms so now it's a little bit bigger than a normal person's body.
(3)
Marisa B.
My favorite bar in Boston - a gem in Mission Hill! Great pub food deals, cozy atmosphere, pool table in the back, good music, trivia on Tuesdays and karaoke on Saturdays...there's something for everyone!
(5)
Michael R.
As a bar, Flann's is alright. Not much different than the surrounding bar fare -- decent selection of brews on tap, average menu full over burgers, chicken, and other standard bar food, coupled with sometimes-attentive waitstaff. Exactly what you'd expect out of a Mission Hill bar. However, what sets Flann's apart from the rest is the Monday Steak Tip Special. $7.50 for some DAMN good steak tips, fries, and cheesy bread. Easily one of the best deals in the Mission Hill area, but just try to get there early, because the word is spreading and people are starting to find out how crazy good this Monday special is.
(3)
Jason B.
This place is the hag's bag, which is a phrase I've just invented meaning "wicked cool." Anyway - we came in here after leaving the place across the street which smelled like stale cigarettes and ass. Immediately, I said "Oh yes, I like this place." I said that because a quick visual check of the taps revealed a glorious hodge-podge of sizes, angles and colors, usually meaning a great selection of draught (yes I spell it that way, wanna fight about it?) beer, as opposed to the usual rank-and-file row that signifies heavy reliance on Anheuser-Busch products. I had an even happier surprise in store for me when I saw, mounted on the wall behind the bar, an ample selection of single-malt scotches and irish whiskeys...including Redbreast! (single-malt version of Jameson) Yes please. A pint of pale ale and a Redbreast in front of me = happy Jason. The bar is small, but there are plenty of tables. The pool table in the back is a nice one, well-kept. I was perfectly content with their chicken fingers, which were very crisp. Nothing amazing, but good bar food. This place has a great atmosphere, the bartenders were friendly and smiled a lot, and they've got a great selection of beverages for the quality-minded. With The Mission just down the street, MH is becoming a great destination for good pub action!
(4)
Kari C.
I only really come to Flann's for Saturday night karaoke. It's a good time and everyone is so enthusiastic. From time to time you do get someone on the mike that actually can sing. The DJ for it is pretty cool himself. Once I heard him sing to get people in the mood early on and he was far better than I could have imagined. On the weekends it is important to get there early because it is definitely a student bar. There is a Galaga game in the back as well as pool tables Flann's also has $5 brunch specials and their Guinness beef stew is not too shabby, but the portion was a bit small. Also, the service I had when I went for brunch was awful. The girl must have been new, so I forgave her some things, but never before have I not wanted to tip a waitress so much. Not my favorite bar on the Hill but a great time when you are feeling the crowded pub scene.
(2)
Christine T.
I've been suckered into Tuesday night trivia by some friends, its actually pretty cool. Its a nerdy and yet cool spot on Tuesday night, the only times i've actually been there. Typical pub. Doesn't smell like piss or vomit tho. The food is decent. To my surprise! CURRY FRIES! Now i thought these were fried fries with Curry powder on them, like you know people make "cajun fries" and sprinkle old bay on em. Nope they give you tasty fried fries and a bowl of Curry! Its the good japanese type of curry you get out of the box, not indian stuff. I was sooo stoked. Ya asian curry! We've had good waitservice, which is amazing cuz i think one night it was 1.5 people serving the other guy was also bussing and bouncing and the place was PACKED to the brim. So no complaints there. Food is good in an edible way. The salmon looked great, but i don't eat fish so i couldn't really say. My friend loved it. Not to greasy and good price. OH! and how about YAY for daily $5 specials! wewt!
(3)
Morgan F.
For me, a good dive bar is about 3 things 1. cheap beer 2. weird/fun atmosphere and/or decorations 3. GAMES! Well, Flann's kinda lost on the beer, since PBRs were like $2.50, which is waaaay more expensive tha other places in the city! Come on, we are in Mission Hill, right? But they made up for it with awesome interior and games. The inside of this place feels SO IRISH! Stones wrap around the 1st half of the interior creating a castle like feeling and fades into the dark wood and red leather booths that finish off the space. Vintage Guinness Beer Signs and Red Sox paraphernalia hang from the walls and ceiling to add character and as multiple screens allow patrons watch games. Head the the back room where you will find Darts, Pool and PACKMAN! Just watch out because its pretty squishy and its hard to play any of the games without bumping into someone. * Thank you Mission Hill crawl for getting my butt in here with the promise of a free beer, otherwise I might have never discovered this place!
(3)
Clara L.
What a fun bar! Although mostly inhabited by Northeastern students since it's right down the street, it had a fun vibe and great music. I was definitely entertained by the watching the music videos along with the songs. I was most entertained by all the cell phones stapled to the back of the bar, tragedies of a too-fun night out. Great place to go for a low key night to hang out with some friends. I hear they have trivia too, so I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Shelagh M.
Honestly, the food at this place was just ok. The prices of the food were low, but they still did not match the qualities. I got a burger and sweet potatoes friends ($10). The burger had the wrong type of cheese on it and they didnt bring the jalapenos I orderd. The fries were cold, but there were too many other mistakes to even mention it to the servers. Beers were $4-$5, which I though, given the area (Brigham Circle) was a little overpriced. The waitresses take forever to come back with drinks, food, and to check up on you. Also, you can't split a check with cards based on dollar amounts, you have to do it buy items- clearly a downfall in their computer system I will admit, the Trivia on Tuesday was very fun and I generally had a good time, but the food left a lot to be desired. I would skip this place.
(2)
Stephen P.
Flann O'Brien's is nothing special. It is a cheap place to grab a brew or two and have a laughably cramped bit of cue sport as the night is winding down. An eclectic clientele and near-enough presence to mass transit are really the best features Flann has to put forward. It's subpar but won't leave you totally wanting... just not as sated as you'd care to be.
(2)
Ro P.
Cheap, decent food, good range of beers. Very, very helpful and friendly staff. Small, warm place. Doesn't tend to fill out as fast as Mission or Penguin when there's a major sporting event....which makes it my first choice when Celtics or Red Sox play away!!
(4)
Diane H.
I do not live right up the block anymore, but Flanns still holds a special place as my neighborhood bar in college. It is the place you can go dressed up on your way out downtown or jeans and a hoodie...a true neighborhood bar. Good bar food and a good beer selection. I have been here on a few occasions for trivia and the bar gets packed, so get there early if you want a table. I recommend having dinner before trivia to secure a table. They are going to Irish pub, but since I have never been to Ireland I won't comment on whether or not they succeed. They have tables along the walls, stools at the bar, and a pool table in the back room. Only one bathroom per gender, but this hasn't been an issue for me in the past. A good place to drop in for a beer or bit if you are in the area.
(4)
Greenbean O.
You can't beat their $5 lunch specials. Their burgers are on point and made to order. Nice to have a local spot in the neighborhood.
(5)
Rocco R.
Great place to get lunch or dinner if you are in the Back Bay area. Traditional irish style pub and there is almost always a soccer or rugby match on inside. Have great $5 specials which you can't beat if you are a college student in the area. Also the 2 for 1 appetizers are also a great deal. Highly recommend Flanns, the food is great.
(4)
Brian W.
Flann's is the perfect college bar in the Wentworth/MassArt/Northeastern/Simmons neighborhood. Tuesday nights are trivia night and Saturday nights are karaoke (get there early or you're screwed). If you go on a Saturday expect a huge rowdy crowd that sings along to every song, dances and has a good time. There's a small pool table in the back that usually attracts the crowd waiting to jump into the pisser.. and not to forget Pacman-- even though it's a buck. If you are going to go to Flann's at any time, especially Saturdays, learn the lyrics to: 'I'm On a Boat', 'Your Love (The Outfield)', 'Livin On a Prayer' and 'Paper Planes'. Perfect place to kick back, meet some people, have fun, share some drinks and sing along with dozens of drunk college kids to classic and viral songs.
(5)
Brian D.
Since I've started working in Brigham Circle I've had a very bloated, and happy, liver thanks to Flann's. Flann's is what happens at 5:00pm, fine you caught me, Flann's is what happens at 4:58pm. Flann's gets mad at me when I even mention other pubs, and this means that I'm always in the hot seat cuz I love the Behan as well. Flann's is the best bang for your buck on Mission Hill. $5 daily specials, that are usually pretty darn good. Two for one appetizers after work. And booze. I've got a special relationship with my favorite bartender, I come in and she serves me. She serves me without even having to ask, 3 Stella's and then 2 scotch and soda's. I mean, not like all at once in a bucket - you know what I mean.
(4)
Hilary D.
Whiskey, a fireplace, kickass mozzarella sticks, and quotes by famous Irish writers on the walls. Explain to me why anyone doesn't like this bar? Friendly waitstaff, trivia on Tuesdays, and entertaining clientele. If you go on Tuesday, get there about an hour before trivia or your ass is standing.
(5)
Ari F.
In general I'm not super crazy for Irish bars, and this place really is an archetype. It's dank, wood everywhere, standard Irish pub crowd, decent beer list. To its credit, Flann's has some cool stonework inside and various parlor games in the back, though none of them can be played without literally bumping into other people playing games. Flann's loses a star for bartender incompetence and/or malice. I paid for my first drink with a $20 and got change back like I had given the guy a $10. I was a bit miffed when he didn't seem surprised at all or apologetic when I called him on the mistake. Shortly thereafter, I paid the same bartender for a round of drinks with a credit card... and was blatantly overcharged! Instead of asking him to re-do the credit stuff I told him to just pour some more drinks. What gives? Maybe I should've washed off the "stupid" tattoo I had sharpied on my forehead that day.
(2)
S G.
Generally here on the weekends for lunch or early in the evening. Service is friendly, the half priced apps are decent if not inspiring, decent range of beer, decent atmosphere. Not worth making a trip to visit but if you're in the area anyway it's pretty good.
(3)
Dan B.
Terrible experience. Rude staff.
(1)
Mike C.
Any bar named after an Irish writer gets at least three stars from me. They get an extra star for their $5 dinner specials. Nothing fancy when I was there (roast beef sandwich with fries), but it's only $5! Service was a little spotty when I was there. I joined some friends who had already ordered, and I sat there for a long time before anybody came to take my order. The waiter also forgot to bring over my beer until I reminded him when he brought my food. This would have cost them a star, but the guy was sincerely apologetic and didn't charge me for the beer. Awesome.
(4)
Howe L.
Pretty standard Irish Bar setup. Cramped, and filled with area university students. Loud and exciting, decent bar selection, a typical neighborhood chill spot.
(2)
Amy F.
A few of us stopped by after work and partook in some 2 for 1 apps and a couple bevvies before trekking home through yet another snow storm. We may have also enjoyed the futbol players (and their legs) being broadcast on the televisions. Only minor annoyance was the difficulty in getting someone to take our money so we could pay the bill and head out. Overall, loved the pub vibe and the fireplace was perfect on a winter's night. Will definitely be back!
(4)
Dorothy D.
The best time I've had in my entire life. The hand-cut fries are to die for. The generous shots will ensure a good night, and the friendly, outgoing bartenders complete the atmosphere. The weekend crowd is a healthy balance between wild and sophisticated. Between the fantastic food and the exceptionally professional service I would rate Flann O'Brien's among Boston's top Irish pubs.
(5)
michael m.
Voted Boston's 2007 Best Irish Bar. And it is deserved. This place is a whole in the wall, long, narrow bar, with a unique staff (hey, it gives the place character), extremely strong drinks (which usually can be ordered in a pint glass at no extra cost), and a daily $5 food item (Sunday's steak and eggs is to die for) make this one of my favorite spots. The food is moderate -- not the best in the neighborhood, but the atmosphere is tremendous. The crowd is eclectic, everything from middle-aged to college to Irish. When my friends and I come on the weekend, we play the 'count the number of broken glasses' game. And we usually end somewhere in the 20's. Add in moderately priced pitchers, and you've got a drinking game for the evening! There's a pool table in the back and a jukebox, and Tuesday has a trivia night (with some of the funniest team names...ever). The one downside? Only open until 1.
(5)
Tarah H.
They used to have Killian's on tap. And then they renovated and didn't have it on tap anymore. That made me sad. I think it might be back...but my beer taste has evolved, so I couldn't tell you (not that I don't still enjoy a glass of the Irish Red on occasion) What they do have is a decent tap selection, a pool table in back, a really cool staff, karaoke on Saturday nights (that seems to get taken over by MCPHS students), a diverse crowd and cool atmosphere. Unfortunately I think the place is a little confused...a laid back, hipster, dive bar that's not really a dive bar and sort of pub-ish that some of the preppy students hang out with just a few tables away from the art students. Despite the mild identity crisis...I always have a good time when there. Thumbs up, kids.
(3)
Ben L.
I had my heart broken at Flann's I stumbled in and ponied up to the bar. A couple moments later the bartender came over and I ordered a pint. Took him a short bit to pour it and then he slid it toward me atop a blue and red colored coaster. I pause for a moment, pick up my pint and flip over the coaster revealing, the Kronenbourg 1664 logo I pause again Look up at the beer list look back at the coaster Squint and look back at the beer list "Pardon me" "Yes" "Do you actually HAVE Kronenbourg 1664" "No, I don't know how we got the coasters but I get asked about every other day" *sob* Despite this I'm a huge fan of Flann's. Inside it's near perfect with dark moody lighting and exposed stone. The bar snakes nicely along one side with plenty of seating and they also have a few tables scattered around along with a pool table in the back area. The crowd that comes here is a bit of a mix but they seem to be some of the friendlier bar patrons that I have seen around. Drinks aren't unbelievable but they have a nice little selection going and they are normally priced. Now they do have a bit of a catch 22. The staff is really laid back and chill. They are willing to stand around and chat and will throw on song requests et but at the same time you need to wait around to get service so go in cill and don't freak out.
(4)
Rob S.
Homey kind of bar with a decent beer selection. Their breakfast isn't bad, either.
(3)
Dave M.
Good food, good beer selection, good barstaff.... horrible waitstaff. Usually it's because the bartender is doubling as the waitress / waiter, but you'd think they'd fix that after several years of shotty service. Anyways, the food here is always good. Never had any complaints, other than they have run out of the day's special very early on more than one occasion. They must have 20-30 beers on draught, including some that you don't see in Boston coming out of a tap. Plus they sell pitchers, which is unusual for a bar with such a good selection. The place gets waaaay too packed on Thursday-Saturday nights, and if you don't have your own table you'll have people spilling drinks as they squeeze past you from the bar. But if you're at Flanns at midnight, you shouldn't expect any less. Fun crowd, good beers, good food, good bartenders.
(4)
Barbara W.
if i had read these reviews before going to flann's last week i might have been better prepared... i hadn't been to flann's in years. before i lived on the hill, when i lived on the hill and after, i loved going to flann's, but the flann's i love is no longer there. with phrases like "a favorite after work/happy hour spot for medical professionals in the Longwood area" and "the perfect college bar," flann's is no longer the place where you'll run into blue-haired punks/goth, marines in full dress blues and aspiring artists. it has been redone to fit into the friday's-atmosphere (sorta of) of the new mission hill, yet the bathrooms still smell like old piss. i wasn't impressed by the food. the beer selection is good. there is still the cranky Irish bartender. butch really needs to lose that fake fireplace near the front. i wish i hadn't gone. i wish i had preserved my memory of how flann's once was.
(2)
Adrien D.
I have been coming to this bar since 1997. It has gone through several sets of transformation over the years, but has always remained my "home away from home" bar. Drinks are strong, great bartenders, diverse mix of people. By now, I guess I am one of "the regulars", so I know more or less everyone in the bar at any given time. There's always good music, and I always seem to stay too late... Flann's is my bar :-)
(5)
Beck N.
For the past 5 years, I've been taking up residence here & I can't remember a holiday I haven't spent there (except maybe Christmas & Easter). It's the place to go when I don't want to cook dinner, when I don't want to go into town, & when I don't want to go out, but I don't want to stay home. I can't stop in here without knowing someone, since it seems the regulars just honestly never go home. While the beer is delicious & the bartenders are certain to make you a stiff drink, the food is also a reason to come here. Although grilled cheese & tomato has never made it onto the menu, they still don't mind making it for me.
(4)
Brian P.
Story time! I went to Flann's on my 21st birthday. First 2 hours were a blast. My roommate and I played pool (at the somewhat disheveled but fun table in the back) and had some great drinks. Also, we spent most of this time with the bar manager who was conversational and friendly. About an hour later, I was playing a game of pool (for a few dollars) against a regular. In the middle of our game, the bar manager shuffled over, now absolutely wasted, and started laughing and pushing our balls around the table. You need to pay to play, and I was a little agitated. I laughed it off however and jokingly asked him to stop. He continued, and I asked him again to stop pushing our balls around as we had paid to play. After about 2 minutes of this, the bartender came over, forced myself and my roomate out the back door. He told us that we don't talk to their bar manager like that, that I don't know who the f*ck i was dealing with, and I needed to get the F out. My roomate and I politely replied that we simply asked him to stop interrupting our game of pool, which we paid for. In addition, we mentioned that we had spent a considerable amout of money that night and just wanted to play our game. We were told again that we didnt know who the f*ck we were dealing with, and were kicked out. Absolutely ridiculous, and I shall never return.
(1)
Annie P.
One big happy family in one big room feel. One long bar. One or two laid back bartenders. One packed pool table. One good mic to use for karaoke. One big groupie fan with striped t-shirt for each singer. One great reason to cross over to a different town. One hell of a good time.
(3)
N J.
Ooh this was the karaoke place with the striped-shirt girl. She was totally into it with her hand on her chest and everything. I wish I could post her picture. The bathroom was big enough for 2 girls which is always a plus. The place wasn't too crowded. The drinks, I don't remember but I guess they had the usual. Beer, cocktails, etc. The pool table was taken the whole time.
(3)
Lauren F.
I liked the food and the style of Flann's, but our waitress ignored us most of the time and didn't take down our order correctly. I ordered the bison burger medium rare with cheddar, and got one well-done with American (blech!). I ate it anyway since I had to wait a while to order and it was still pretty good. I also liked the thick style French fries they serve. I'm sure we'll be back since it is so close to HMS.
(3)
rachel o.
yay for Flann's. Flann's always has my back (literally, it is so close to my apartment). So Someone voted Flann's the best Irish Bar in Boston (quite the high call) and I think I agree. It has that dive bar character without the grossnes; it's pure local character. The drinks are strong, the juke box has all my favorite songs, they have a pool table (that is occassionally ruined by ass hole pool sharks), a trivia night (that is popular but i've never gone.. tuesdays??), saturday keroeke (yay), and live music on Thursdays that is usually pretty awesome. They also do an amazing steak and eggs to cure your hangover for $5. Every time I walk home from the grocery store I pass their sign out front advertising today's $5 meal and I think -damn, I shoulda just had Flann's-
(5)
Paul P.
I write this review after a year of visiting flann obriens. I wont lie to you, Flanns is not a classy bar. It doesnt feature gourmet food or a swanky atmosphere. Its a classic irish pub through and through with good beer and a solid (and cheap) offering of pub food Simply put, Flann Obriens manages to excel in every area a bar should excel in. Flanns has an excellent selection of beers featuring the almighty Murphys Stout on tap to the local favorites. The establishment is adorned with decorations from the silly with broken cell phone shrines to the cultural classic with irish poet quotes painted on the walls. Flanns has been unequivocally on my Top 3 bar list since moving to boston a year ago. Its worth a visit on any non weekend college night (swing by around 7-10pm on a weekday for the best experience).
(5)
David G.
I've been here probably about 10 times and I usually come away pretty happy. The strange thing is there's nothing that I can point to about the food or service that makes it so great. I guess it's something about the atmosphere which is cozy and just seems right for an Irish pub. I usally come with groups of people, so I am approaching it from that point of view. I will say that you shouldn't come here expecting great food, because some of it is pretty shaky even by pub standards(you'd be wise to stick to well-cooked burgers and sandwiches). The selection of beers is pretty reasonable, and they have some good quality brews as well as the cheap light beer your confused friend still swears by. The service is pretty hit or miss, but it gets the job done for the most part. Hard to say why I like coming here so much compared to the other choices in the area, but it just seems to feel right for having drinks with friends. Maybe if they could get their kitchen squared away and offer good food I'd upgrade them to 5 stars.
(4)
Brendan B.
Take my review lightly as I was mid way through a pub crawl when I came here. I had about 5 beers before going in so I was in a happy mood. After I left I was angry and ready to punch anyone carrying a Scott Brown sign. But Flanns was not the reason for my anger, alcoholism was. I liked this place a lot. It had a great beer selection, good cheap food, and nice back room with a pool table. And it had another oh so rare commodity in Boston. Black folk. That was nice to see. We were there between 2 and 6 so we got two appetizers for the price of one. The artichoke dip was the best I've ever had but again, take that lightly as i was at beer 10 at this point. The other thing we got was good too. The crowd seemed a little older and the staff was nice enough. The real gem however is in the mens room. They have a TV above the urinals! Any man who has been to an establishment with this amenity can tell you that it makes urinating a great joy, especially during football season. Although it's hard to piss when you have an erection. And yes, watching men in tight pants tackle each other does give me an erection. There is one disappointing aspect however. The camera's. There was one above the bar which is probably normal but there is also one in the mens room. I don't care about the privacy aspect because I'm hung but i don't like feeling as though i'm being watched all the time. Whatever. It's a good place.
(4)
Bonnie G.
When I was an under-ager w/o a valid fake ID, everyone from SMFA, Mass Art and in my Mission Hill hood (we are talking late 90s, kids, way pre-shopping plaza-my grocery store had only Red, White & Blue brand cheese, kay?), it seemed everyone with a hot bike went to Flanns. I dreamt of the day, I TOO could have gone to Flanns so I TOO may bless the tagged, dirty doorsteps of many a Mission Hill Resident with copious amounts of BARF. I couldn't believe it took me till recently to finally stop there---all those dreams, and here I had been over 21 for quite a while. Maybe all those years, terrified, wanting, lusting over the door of Flanns was just.too.much.anticipation. Finally walking through the door of Flanns w/ a minor anxiety attack was like meeting Luke Perry after 90210-disappointing. It was fine. Solid. Good pub. Drinks good. Cheap booze. Cozy atmosphere. But I just don't want to come here. I don't make people come here. I never stop by here. It just doesn't have that special something, you know? That special thing that makes you want to keep a place's barstools hot and swampy, their supply of room-temp fries eaten and their darts drunkingly lost in the bathroom? The one in my head....it kicked ass. It was kind of like the living room scene in Blue Velvet with Dean Stockwell.
(3)
Stephan R.
Flann O'Brien's is the bar my friends and I would frequent when I was in college. the $7 steak tip dinner special became a Monday night tradition, and I spent just about every night of the famed summer of 2007 here with my friends, drinking beer, eating wings, and watching the Red Sox. There is not a beer on draught or an item on the menu I've not had at Flann O'Brien's at one time or another, and I think I can safely say I have yet to order any consumable at this place with which I have not been completely satisfied. They mercifully got rid of the one menu item I could not abide by (cuban sandwich) and added some others that drive me to delirium they are so good (Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad). Flann's has a good mix of standard lowbrow beers, interesting middle of the road beers, and stronger and more original beers for the brave and foolhardy. And although I must confess, their selection has become much less adventuresome in the past year or so, odds are good you can find at least one or two beers here to fit whatever mood you're in. But what makes Flann's so remarkable can most aptly be summed up in two words: Buffalo. Wings. A lot of places in Boston have buffalo wings. And a lot of places in Boston go to great lengths to pimp out their wings (I'm looking at you, GameOn) or whore out their wings... *ahem* Whiskey's on Boylston. Invariably, these wings fall short of my lofty expectations, and end up being heavy on the bark, but light on the bite. Flann's doesn't do any of that. They have decided to forgo all of that, and instead just have simply some of the the best wings money can buy. I'm talking crispy, juicy, saucy, set-your-mouth-on-fire wings. Fall-off-the-bone-when-you-blow-on-them wings. Also, it's not on the menu, but ask for a grilled cheese with bacon. Your arteries may never forgive you, but your tastebuds will wonder how you made it through life without this as a staple of your diet.
(4)
Kim N.
Another great hangout bar in the Mission Hill area. Great beer selection and good bar/pub food. Haven't ever been at night, so don't know how rowdy its gets, but enjoy the middle of the day atmosphere.
(3)
Aretha B.
I love flann's. The bartenders are always super nice to me, especially tony and milan. MILAN is actually probably my favorite bartender of all time, ever. At flann's, you can be guaranteed a STRONG drink. I love the white russians in pint glasses. 2 of those and I'm DONE. SO DELICIOUS!!!! Very reasonably priced for what you get with the drinks. Magners on tap and in the bottle - yum. Milan makes the best shot - jolly rancher. DELICIOUS. The food - not so much. Standard bar food type stuff - nothing special at all. The tuna melt was disappointing and the whole menu is generally uninspired. I wish the food were better, I will have to try their brunch though... Any time I take friends to Flann's who have never been they say "I LOVE BARS LIKE THIS!!!!" - basically divey feeling, strong drinks, usually not too crowded, but intimate. And tony green is there to harass you, wonderful!
(4)
Jocelyn C.
Just finished reading Aretha W.'s review of Flann's, and I couldn't agree more!!! Milan is definitely my favorite bartender in the world also, and will always have a special place in my heart. This was the first bar I came to just after moving to Boston, and he made my transition a lot easier. Plus, he played "Psycho Killer" for me whenever I requested it and would sometimes let me stay after closing some nights to keep him company while he cleaned up. This bar really was my "Cheers" while I lived in Roxbury/Mission Hill. I really miss having this place as my neighborhood bar... no other place compares, as hard as I try to find a replacement. Definitely go here if you ever find yourself in the area! ***EDIT*** After more than 3 years, Milan remembered me!!! Now THAT'S fucking service. :D
(5)
Kim P.
I love Flann's. It's a nice local place, great beers (and in the summer they have my fave, Anchor Steam Summer). But when I met some friends there last night? Damn, Flann's! I'ma have to yelp you: hmmm, the great deal is the 2-for-1 apps from 2-6, which we ordered. However, I guess the college kids have absconded with all of it, but there was no silverware. Then, I hoped for a slice of orange for my fruity beer, and they were out of them. Then, my friend wanted a glass for her beer--yep, you guessed it--O.U.T. I've been to Flann's a million other times, and must note that what happened last night is not usual, so I'm going to remain a fan. It does get crazy at night, but it's a blast here. The crowd can be young-ish (lots of college kids), but they tend to cluster towards the ends of the bar (the windows in front and the pool table in back). Push them aside and play yourself a drunk game of Pac-Man. Winners! Don't try to focus too much on the music from the iPod--you'll realize that, with some slight variation, the songs you hear were the exact same ones you heard the last time you were there. Can a sista get a SHUFFLE?!
(4)
Rebecca G.
How does this place have 3.5 stars? I'd give 1.5 if possible. Why? --- the food is terrible, the service at the bar is mediocre, the service if you're sitting at a table is HORRIBLE, your food will take forever to come out, and you bump into every MCPHS person alive. Unfortunately, I always end up here because I, like the rest of my friends, live within walking distance. They need a service makeover. Drinks are reasonably priced though.
(2)
Sara A.
I really love this place. Even though the last few times I've been in, the old familiar face of Guiness (the dog) hasn't been there to greet me, I still always feel instantly at home and comfortable. I can go here alone or with a group of friends/co-workers and never feel out of place or uncomfortable. Granted, each time my one friend in particular orders a beer they don't have it (as others have written), but I just keep telling her to stop being so particular! If you hit Flann's right after work chances are there will be a few construction workers, a few regulars, and maybe me. Stay a little later, and college students will arrive but for god's sake, you live in Boston- and it's never as bad as bars in Allston.
(5)
Mark C.
Flann's... the only bar I've ever gone to where a friend of mine has thrown up within 5 minutes of getting there... granted, it was from a shot of absinthe (their "shot of the week" for at least 3 months) at 12:05am on his birthday after tons of pregaming, but I think it sets a good mood. Their beers are alright, but mainly only because they don't make them. Their food is hit-or-miss, and it's usually the latter. They have 2-for-1 appetizers from 2-6pm, but steer clear of the mozzerella sticks. For that matter, stay away from anything that isn't that day's $5 special. Sometimes they might even ask you how you want your burger cooked, but it's a lie: they'll just give it to you well-done. Tonight I ordered a fried chicken sandwich with BBQ sauce and bacon... the girl brought me a grilled chicken sandwich with BBQ, bacon... and cheese? I normally don't make a fuss, but this place screws up all the time, so I pointed out that I'd ordered fried chicken. Turns out the kitchen didn't have any fried, so they apparently made an executive decision to just give me grilled chicken and throw some cheese on and call it a day? The waitress didn't even seem to care, and made it very clear not to expect a new order any time soon if I didn't want what she brought me. She wasn't even apologetic, even when I didn't eat half the sandwich, and I was still charged $8.50 for something I didn't even order. I wouldn't even have cared too much, except that this is entirely too representative of the service at this place. I'm bringing it down from 4 stars to 2.
(2)
Sean L.
Eh, yummy pitchers of PBR, a single pool table. Crowed appeared to be a little older which was not what I was expecting but it was still fun I suppose. I went on a Wed. night and there were a decent amount of people there, mostly guys of course. One of the empty glasses they handed us for our pitcher had broken pieces of another glass in it which is very sketch. Glad I caught it. The music was all Irish stuff which was cool at first but the novelty wore off pretty quick for me. After a while I was afraid people might start tap dancing.
(3)
Rum T.
One of the best pubs in the city! While not extensive, the beer selection is good (and $4 a pint!). But it's the food that makes me come back. They have daily $5 selections -- like steak and eggs, shepard's pie, etc. You'd think for a five-spot it would be just OK. But it's awesome. Last year the updated the interiors and entrance (and built a new kitchen), making a great place even better. It's worth the trip out to Mission Hill.
(5)
Lindsey L.
Oh, Flann's. For awhile it was my regular Friday night hangout with a core group of coworkers. The trick was that our day ended at 4:30, so we could made a beeline and start pushing tables together before the normal after work rush. By the time the place got uncomfortably crowded, we were already sated with 2-for-1 appetizers and a few...okay, several rounds of drinks. (How can you not adore a signature shot called the "Flanntastic Voyage?" Still don't know what's in that one...) Flann's nights are more sporadic now, so it had been a while since the last time we congregated. It seems like the times, they are a-changing. There are new additions to the menu that look promising, so that's a plus. Spinach and artichoke dip, yum! However, there seemed to be a pretty big staff turnover. Not necessarily bad, but part of the fun was knowing everyone and being known. Needless to say, the last few times the drinks haven't been as strong, the service has been slower, and (not a new issue, but one worth mentioning) food took awhile to come out. Bit of a disappointment, but I'm willing to forgive, because it's FLANN'S and I love it. Maybe we just need to start going regularly again... Also, I can' t say I understand what the last review was getting at. Flann's doesn't try too hard to be anything. It's just Flann's, man! Least pretentious bar on the block. (Coming from one who is "Meh" about The Mission and is trying to learn to love The Squealing Pig.)
(4)
Tom Z.
Flann's is pretty cool. Great selection of beer. I hear the food is good too. My only problem is this place is WAY overrated. You can't order Irish car bombs, and on friday nights the place gets more packed than a train full of Kosovo refugees
(3)
Casey S.
Hit this place on a Sunday for the $5 special of steak tips, eggs, homefries and toast. You will not be disappointed!
(4)
Eric K.
$5 steak and eggs with a freshly squeezed screwdriver on Sunday morning can't be beat.
(4)
Lisa K.
I haven't been to this place in ages....probably since 1999 or maybe 2000. As a MassArt student I think this might have been a right of passage type of place and I always think back on it with fond, fond memories. The staff rocked and the booze was cheap. You could play pool and hang out forever. It's nothing fancy but it was special to me- reminds me of the good ol dayz. I'll have to give it a visit again- it's been too long...
(4)
Jeannie C.
Your run-of-the-mill dirty bar with good beers on tap, decent food selection, and creepy old locals. MMmmm-mmm! No bargains or anything here, but it's comfortable, roomy, and fair. I went when it was pretty much empty thought--no frat boyz or angsty college kids. I might have to go back during prime partying season to edit this review in all fairness.
(4)
Joe P.
I like to call this bar the darkest bar in America. That said, I think that this place is for guys who don't have a problem puking behind the pool table. That goes for girls too. I mean most likely you won't get kicked out, which makes it fun. On nice summer nights when you feel the need to get rocked Flanns is always there and it always provides nice rocked women for your night time pleasure. OOO and then their are the nights when being hammered and fighting is the only option, that's when Flanns comes through the most. Its a place where you might get lucky and find a guy at his lowest drinking straight whiskey by himself. OOO Flanns where have you been all my life. But what do I know, I'm just a college kid who works security. Do I recommend it.....umm at your own discretion.
(2)
Jim W.
A small but unique bar located within a block of Brigham Circle. They have plenty of beers on tap and on the occasions that I have ordered drinks there they have been very good (i.e. not watered down). The food is good and during the day service is pretty quick (when they are not crowded).
(4)
J H.
I don't think it's that difficult to make steak tips, especially since it's that night's special. We waited over an hour for our food on a Monday night.
(2)
David m.
Lots of beer, never have gotten food though. Its an ok place to go on weekends but it gets packed to the point of me just wanting to leave. Tuesday night trivia is definitely worth checking out.
(3)
Laurie C.
Classic Irish pub with a great owner, bartenders, and bouncers. Decent prices, plenty of beer on tap, a great jukebox, and a dark friendly atmosphere. Although the age range varies, the bar is usually filled with college students. Saturday is karaoke, which is usually pretty entertaining. Tuesday nights are trivia, which I personally think is really hard but we always have an awesome time. There's a pool table and an AWESOME jukebox (when it's working).
(4)
Kelly F.
Flann's is reasonably priced. It's very small and located on a corner in the Mission Hill area. It's very dark inside and creates that low-key environment that is sometimes desired. During the day, they open their big shudder-windows to create an almost-cafe feel and offer a selection of American food. The down side is truly how small the bar is- it's very narrow and when their are only about 40 people in there, it's cramped! It's definitely a college bar (c'mon, the biggest attraction is getting pitchers of Pabts for cheap!).
(4)
Jeanne B.
yay flanns :) i used to live like almost across the street,... now i live a little further down tremont, but still well within walking distance. not my first choice on a friday night but its a great time for one of those after party pretty wasted stops or for some good food on a thursday night. go here for beers but if you're looking for a cocktail... go to the mission down the street. i ordered a martini once here and it tasted pretty bad :( ohh there is a night that they have karoke ... i think its saturday, avoid this at all costs. unless you're one of those people that think that life is worth living when you're belting out the lyrics to journey...
(4)
Kristen G.
Great place to go watch a game or just hang out. They've recently expanded to allow more seating. The food is pretty good. Sometimes service is slow, but with some patience and a drink, it's good experience. Also, breakfast all day on Sunday is really good.
(4)
Joe B.
Flann's is probably my favorite bar in the city. It has a long zig-zag bar with lots on tap...anything from PBR to Murphy's. I noticed yesterday that it has darts now in addition to pool. Maybe the dartboard was there all along and I just never noticed it. Anyhoots...it has a great atmosphere and a diverse mix of people. I see old people, college people, black people, white people...you name it. It's quite dark inside, but it still feels cozy and comfortable. The jukebox still rocks, and so do the bartenders. Very friendly place with lots of personality and decent prices. When I show Boston virgins around, I always take them there, and they're always impressed.
(5)
Anne B.
This place has the best Sunday brunch. It's also a very traditional Irish pub if you're into that sort of thing. The have Magic Hat#9 on tap, which is what I think is the most awesome thing about it. You can meet a lot of locals, but don't expect dart cuz they don't have any boards.
(4)
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Address :1619 Tremont St
Roxbury Crossing, MA, 02120
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Music : Juke Box Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Boris L.
It's just the best bar on mission hill, I love it more and more every time I go back. The bartenders are the nicest guys ever and that atmosphere is friendly.
(5)Jane R.
A great neighborhood bar with decent cheap eats and beer. Super cheap brunch. Great place to watch a sports game or for trivia. This was my go-to bar when I lived in Mission Hill. Spent my last night in Boston, New Year's Eve, a many nights after work and class here. Staff is friendly and to my surprise, actually Irish (ok I know it's Boston, but still...). Love this place. Definitely student budget friendly.
(3)Kelsey M.
The food is so-so here. I would give this place 3 stars but both times we have visited, this place has been FILTHY! Dirty floors, seats, tables, restroom and menus. Had it been up to me, my party would have left without ordering! The servers are also very slow and get the orders wrong, even after repeating the order. The prices are decent and they have daily specials here.
(2)Dan G.
Very relaxing interior! They have a fire place which really adds to the atmosphere. Pool tables in the back, really big bar and a couple of tables. I'd come here again, even though I absolutely hate the area. If you drive you could potentially park behind the stop and shop if you aren't staying too long.
(3)Harlan K.
While they have A+ trivia nights on tuesday, the service and overall food stuffs leave a bit to be desired. While a fun place with a good atmosphere, I'd look elsewhere unless all you really want is a pint of Smithwicks.
(3)George G.
I really like this place. Dark lighting pub atmosphere with daily $7 food specials AND daily $5 dinners. drinks aren't ridiculously priced, but they're not cheap either.
(4)Nicole B.
You seen one bar scene, you seen em' all. That is how I felt about Flann's. It's an Irish Pub. Nuff' said. Nothing special. The food is VERY greasy and the drinks are quite stiff. The bathrooms aren't clean nor the glasses. But, it's a pub. I guess it's expected? Not my kind of place and not an enjoyable meal.
(2)Stephen K.
Nice and dark, quiet and relaxing in mid-afternoon, and crazy at night. Saturday nights in particular are out of control because it's karaoke night, which renders the place effectively off limits. Flann's has an excellent selection of beers and liquor, awesome deals on appetizer in the afternoon's (buy one get one from 2-6), $5 lunches every day and so on. The most popular and rowdy bar in Mission Hill. A great place to get drunk and even throw up in, they don't really care.
(4)John A.
Flann's does a pretty good job at the whole "Irish Pub" thing and adds some nice flair to an otherwise drab Mission Hill neighborhood. Wait did I just say flair? Anyways, this place is a favorite after work/happy hour spot for medical professionals in the Longwood area and gives us a nice break from polymerase chain reaction and quadropole time-of-flight mass spectrometry etc. If you like the cozy pub feel then Flann's might be a nice place to check out. The beer list is respectable (Dogfish Head on tap!) and what sets Flann's apart from a dive bar is that the food is actually pretty good. I recommend the fish and chips.
(4)David S.
Not really sure what to rate this as. I lived in Mission Hill my senior year of college and was a regular at Flann's. Loved it loved it loved it. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, pool, etc. So why so few stars? I returned a few years later (I forget exactly when, but probably 2-3 years ago) and they had installed a pretty extensive security system. This included a camera by the door....which the bouncer would hold your ID up to after he checked it. So, a bunch of people I don't know have my name, address, DOB, etc. Yeah, no possible issues there. Haven't been back since.
(2)Marcia H.
Great deals on food and drinks. Super friendly bar staff plus pool! Gets a bit crowded Friday and Saturday but worth it. Very good brunch as well.
(5)Aby Y.
Grass fed burger... soo good... been at Wentworth for 4 years now and can always go there for a beer and that burger!
(4)Chris A.
Outstanding burgers, good beer selection, great location. Definitely worth stopping in for!
(5)Melissa H.
Flann's! You treated us like regulars last night, even though we found out it was a tough personal night for the bar. Our condolences to everyone, especially the family. The fish and chips was hot and flaky and scrumptious. The whole plate of fries and slaw just was flat out good. Beer was cold, as beer should be! interesting choices (even though we are pretty boring beer drinkers...). The staff was GREAT! Very personable. Friendly folks at the bar, cool atmosphere - I KNOW we'll be back!
(4)Parker T.
Rob & Kenny are some of the best Bartenders/Hosts I've had the pleasure of being served by. I now come here every Sunday for brunch. And next week a few friends and I are gonna have a pint of Guinness, watch the game, and all try to finish the Breakfast challenge. 1 hour on the clock, money on the line, couldn't ask for a better Sunday. Thanks guys. See ya next week!
(5)Tom M.
Eek, went into Flann's yesterday for their famous 5 dollar steak and eggs. The steak and eggs were fantastic, well the steak is and it is a great value. Here are the issues. I went in and sat down with 2 others. The bartender comes over and tells us we need to immediately order if we want breakfast. Of course so one person asks to sub steak in for bacon, they say sure, I ask for the irish breakfast, they say sure, my friend asks for steak and eggs but cheese on the eggs, they say sure. I get a bloody mary. Terrible bloody mary, very watery, needed to add tobasco just to give it life. The people next to us who ordered after us get their food, all our drinks are empty. Bartender comes over and says "oh no you guys did not get your food yet" A waitress comes over with our food finally. One order of eggs and hashbrowns (no bacon), one steak and eggs no cheese, one steak and eggs. 0-3 on orders. I ask if it right cause nothing is right. Apparently she says there is no bacon (lie bacon cheeseburgers). sorry we missed the cheese and oh let me get you the irish breakfast (yea right and I am going to wait another hour?) Bartender realizes the goof because the waitress tells her and decides to not do anything about it, in fact chooses to ignore it because he does not want to get confronted by us. Wow! I was bitter and angry. I have not had service this bad in a long time. They remain a bar and not a bar and grille. Learn to make bloody mary's and learn to be accountable for errors.
(2)Tom H.
A neighborhood bar surrounded on all sides by area college students, Flann's is a good fallback and go-to option in Mission Hill. It caters to the University audience, with some of its most popular nights being weekly editions of trivia and karaoke. There are daily lunch specials on food, and $10 buckets of Bud Light, though the liquor seems a bit overpriced (having said that, if you find yourself in there for brunch one morning, try the "breakfast shot", which is chased with a piece of bacon). Another positive aspect to Flann's is that it features one of the only pool tables in the entire Brigham Circle area.
(3)reese w.
Saturday night karaoke is awesome. The crowd is pretty awesome too, and the karaoke singer had their own personal dancing groupie up there shakin' her junk (not that there was much junk to shake). You should go here.
(4)Nim H.
Flann's is a wonderful neighborhood bar. Hearty (and definitely cheap) eats, as well as an extensive draught and bottle selection. For a while, it was carrying the 90 minute IPA for $5. Everyday it runs both $5 and $7 lunch specials which are always worth it. The bartenders are nice, and there's a pool table in the back.
(4)Greg M.
Too many kids for my liking. I liked that aspect when it came to my trivia competition, but it got too crowded and really pissed me off when some tried to squeeze us out of our table. Food: Burger - eh. Not so great. Chowder - pretty damn good. Bangers and Mash - good. Fish and Chips - Pretty bad, not very tender, and too greasy. But it has a nice atmosphere (covered enough by other reviews), good service, trivia on Tuesdays with a pretty good trivia jockey playing good music, and they pour a good pint of Guinness.
(3)Samuel K.
The only reason I ever came to this bar is the convenience factor, because I live around the corner. That's the only reason I ever came back. It's at the base of Mission Hill, so it obviously attracts the newly 21ers from Northeastern, MassArt, and the other colleges of the Fenway area. Its small, so once the bros pack in like sardines it turns into a powder keg for dudes overly defensive of girls and their chilled Jagermeister. So if you like that sort of thing... It's an Irish pub, and REALLY proud of it. Irish pride everywhere on the walls, Irish proprietors, Irish regulars. They stand in a mini-crowd outside the front door with their arms crossed, smoking cigarettes and quietly discussing whatever it is that they're angry about that afternoon, looking like mob henchmen. Not that that's a problem in itself, but when I watch them force someone to take off their American flag t-shirt and replace it with a Flann's shirt for their time inside the bar, I start to wonder what the fuck goes through the manager's head. I've been to this bar probably sixty times or so, and I get carded by the same two dudes. Every. Single. Time. Even the times when I say things like "really? you don't remember me from yesterday? I was the guy you handed a cracked pint glass to?" I get responses like, "It must've been my twin brother. He looks just like me." It's like, honestly dude? You're a fucking douche bag. I've watched the pint-size manager (who obviously has a bad case of SMS (small man syndrome)) verbally and physically accost patrons of the bar, misdirect various accusations, and take offense at people greeting him who mistakenly think that he'll remember meeting them the last time they were in. You too sir, are a douche bag. The food is fried and grilled. I always feel like shit after I eat here. The pool table area is frequently packed. The regulars back there are actually pretty good people. ...I'm fairly certain that the only reason they are able to stay open is their proximity to the college residential neighborhood. If I were to give you one piece of advice, I would suggest saving yourself the trouble of having a shitty regular bar, and make your usual spot the Squealing Pig or The Mission, both of which are within a block or two of Flann's. Flann's: learn to respect your clientele and step down off of your high horse. I genuinely hate this bar and I will never go back.
(1)Wang E.
Flann's is down the street from my apt. I usually go here at night for drinks but decided to try the lunch specials. I had this sandwich with sausages and toasts, while my bf had this bison burger. Each were around $5 I believe? So cheap! But we had to buy drinks along with it to get the special. Well, we ordered beer with it, and by the end of the meal, we both had the itis. After that, we realized that we should never ever order beer for lunch again. We took a nap right after the meal. yum yumm zZzZz
(4)Evey G.
Flann's is an all around okay place to hang out. I usually only go on Tuesdays for trivia night, and I won't stay if we can't get a table. That means you have to get there at 7pm for the 8:30pm trivia if you want a table. Trivia is a great great time though. Food is ok, drinks are ok, it gets very very crowded sometimes. Their karaoke and trivia are the only reasons I would choose this bar really. They upset me when they wouldn't make me a coffee and bailey's after 9pm. Really? Very mediocre, popular, crowded, hallway shaped bar. Worth a go if you've never been. Especially on Tuesdays for trivia.
(3)Jose L.
So, I've been on this quest to find Boston's best fish n'chips. And, I've often passed by Flann O'Brien's so I decided to stop by one Friday. It was my lucky day because on Friday they have their fish n'chips special for 7 bucks! The place looks like a legit Irish pub. At least, in the mind of a Mexican from the midwest that's never been to Ireland but has seen plenty of movies about Ireland. They even had rugby on the tele -- which fits right in with my conception of an Irish pub. So, I asked the lass behind the bar for the fish and chips plus a nip of her hot whiskey. The hot whiskey drink came up first. It is basically whiskey, a slice of orange and lemon, a stick of cinnamon, some star anise (I think), and some hot water. It pretty much tastes like it sounds and was not worth the 7.50. However, the fish n' chips were pretty bad ass. It was brought out to me by their chef I believe; he looked like he took pride in his work and I thought he made an effort with the presentation. The fish was not fingerish but rather two big fillets of battered Haddock, I think, could have been Cod I suppose. The fillets rested on the chips and were flanked by lemon wedges, a scoop of cole slaw and some kind of creamy pea side. (I don't think it was mushy peas since the peas were whole.) The creamy peas were fantastic! The fish was great and the cole slaw was...well no one cares about the cole slaw. The only thing that sucked were the chips. They came out soggy from the slaw and peas. Nevertheless, the fish n'chips were victorious in my book and I definitely plan on going back.
(4)Jeff J.
Horrible barstaff - rude and unresponsive, understaffed in general. Mission is a great alternative or Squealing Pig - greatttt atmosphere!!!
(1)Ellen M.
This place was fun. Karaoke + friends + cheap drinks + nice crowd = a good night. oh. Bonus points for the bartender calling me "love". Ima easy to please. The End.
(4)Alaina B.
It used to be better, until the new crop of kids came and turned it into something it never was. Ah, oh well. You can still get decent drinks and the staff is still friendly enough, but I still think the highlight is their menu (especially their appetizer deals). A good stop on a bar crawl, or earlier on at night for a dinner destination, but I wouldn't make it the other bar on the hill I stop at on a night out.
(3)Chris C.
Been here a couple times recently for the $5 lunch specials. They have all been very good and they are quick with the service. So while this a bar they are serving one of the better and cheaper lunches in the Longwood area. My only compliant is that they don't post the lunch specials online. So you either have to walk by the board they post out front or call them to find out what they are.
(4)Shelly A.
Just having turned 21 a few days prior to my trip to Flann's (and having been drunk for probably 65 out of those 72 hours), I found myself a little obsessed with having the "bar experience": Get a good beer off the tap, get some standard "bar food" (for me that means NACHOS), and crack loud and inappropriate jokes with a group of guy friends. So I went up to the bar, expecting from the looks of the place that they'd have a really average beer menu and I'd end up grabbing a Harpoon (nothing against Harpoon; it's just the best of the standard selection). BUT! I was very pleased to see a relatively extensive menu on the chalkboard over the bar. I ended up getting a Dogfish 90-minute IPA for $6. They even had the 120-minute (not something you see every day at a bar)! My friend got a Red Stripe for $4. Good stuff! On to the nachos. $9 for a plate of 'em... Not too expensive, but I was short on cash so they really needed to be a) awesome b) plentiful or c) both in order to satisfy me. Option C was fulfilled! Lots of chilli, very very tasty, piled high. Worth every penny. (And my friends kept picking even though they insisted they "didn't want any"... bastards.) So, good beer, good munchies... Not a huge place, and nothing really TRULY special, but definitely worth a trip! I'll have to go back for Trivia Night or Karaoke.
(4)Angie G.
Being a recent resident to Mission Hill, I decided to check out Flanns again. I used to go there during the ALCS and it was kind of a ritual for me. Outside of those weeks, I never stepped foot into Flanns.... until this week. Here's a vision: it's Tuesday night. Not much is open, and what is, well, you wouldn't expect a crowd. I walk in, bar is packed. My friend and I order a round, find a table and take a seat. The music was nasty awesome. Modest Mouse followed by Kings of Leon. Someone plays Use Your Love and our half of the bar starts singing along in perfect harmony. It was perfect. An absolute spot where the locals come to kick back, have a beer and enjoy good company.
(4)Anita D.
Pretty empty on a Monday night. Buckets of beer for $10. But I could barely finish one, as it was Sam Adams light. It was gross, this is not Flann's fault. A lot of room to sit and enjoy conversation.
(3)Jay G.
The decor isn't a reason to come here so there isn't even a point in addressing that further. They have lots of beer on tap decent $5 and $7 plate specials during the week and a decent sunday brunch. In fact, I come here mostly for the Sunday Brunch because of the location. The steak and eggs is pretty decent, they use marinated steak tips instead of the usual sirloin and it works well. They do skip out on the eggs and usually they come scrambled no matter which way you order them. This is far and away my favorite Full Irish breakfast in the city. They put in the black pudding, white pudding, bangers, bacon, an egg, baked beans and some soda bread. Other places I have been to skip out on one protein or another, this is the perfect balance nearly falling off the plate. A bit of warning, the service on Sunday is impossibly slow mostly because the kitchen is simply not big enough to accommodate the demand. Go up to the bar and look in, you will see what I am talking about. If you work, live or visit the Longwood / Mission Hill area come take a peek, especially on Sundays when they do Irish breakfast and Steak&Eggs.
(2)Molly B.
this place was great. had a really good vibe even though it was a little dark and a little too loud for my liking. there was something about the atmosphere that reminded me of home, not many bars in boston can pull of dingy but flanns rocks it. the bartenders are super quick and you can tell they are experienced. the pool tables are great and so is the fireplace. i will most certainly be back.
(4)Derek P.
I usually go to Flann's in the afternoons or early evenings to shoot some pool and grab a cheap meal. They have a special $5 meal every day - usually its some sort of sandwich and fries. The food is pretty good, standard pub fare but you seriously get a lot of it - especially for 5 bucks. trust me you will not be hungry after, this is defiantly the BEST deal around as far as food goes. They have a wide beer selections and the prices are pretty good - i always go for the arrogant bastard for 5 bucks (used to be 4.50) Like i said i don't really go to flann's for a night out, i go for some low key eats and pool. i did go last night around 11 for a beer and pool and the place was packed with people from northeastern, i had no idea flanns had turned into the place to be. 4 stars for having possibly the best meal deal in boston, decently priced beer, arrogant bastard on tap, and a pool table. Oh also, their sandwiches come on fresh baked iggy's rolls - delicious.
(4)Chas K.
Stopped in w/ my wife a couple of weeks ago after a 9-year hiatus. We used to go there to drink and listen to bands like Machinery Hall. Our objective was a good pint. Nothing more. Mission accomplished. I think the 20+ on tap is ample and varied, despite comments from others. For example, it's the only place I've seen Arrogant Bastard. It's an excellent combo of malt and hoppiness. The big surprise were the $5 turkey Reubens. No gelatinous compressed turkey at Flann's. It was toothsome, tasty roasted turkey breast prepared with flair. Patrons at bar were friendly. Got full bellies and a beer buzz for about $30 w/ tip.
(4)KS J.
Pros: Authentic Irish-feel (staff is Irish, I believe), plays european futbol and other US sports, good decorations, home-y feel Cons: The place feels a bit dirty/rundown, relatively cheap food but the quality isn't quite there for the price, weird stragglers/homeless ppl come in sometimes In essence, this place is OK. I would give 3.5 if possible.
(3)Leslie S.
I used to come here all the time, because the food was good (and cheap!). The pastrami sandwich is pretty close to a religious experience, and while I was skeptical at first about the mayo dipping sauce for fries (hello, diabetes), I've since been converted. The daily burger specials were once a huge draw between classes on weekdays when my friends and I were sick of dining hall food and in need of a quick bite. When I'd come in at night, the drinks were reasonably priced and there was a pretty decent selection. Service was always polite and friendly, there was one waitress in particular (whose name escapes me) that waited on my friends and I frequently, knew most of us by name, and was always exceptionally polite, if not a bit slow due to serving most of the bar at the same time. I had no complaints. Flann's was a pretty good lunch spot/college bar, until The Burger Incident. I had come in with a bunch of friends for a late lunch and we took our seats and were handed the menus. I wanted the burger special. Anyone who knows me knows I can't stand meat that's even the tiniest bit pink in the middle. So I go to order my burger special, and ask the server (who I'd never seen before, I believe his name was Tony) if I could have it well done. He suddenly gets a HUUUUUUUUUUUGE attitude, informing me that no, the special ONLY comes medium. Confused, I told him that I'd gotten the burger well done many times before, nowhere on the menu does it state this policy, and servers have frequently asked me how I wanted it done in the past. He snaps that this is not the case, and if I want a burger, it's going to have to be medium. So I grudgingly got the spinach artichoke dip. Seriously, Flann's? Out of all of the things you could possibly think of to be unreasonable and inflexible about, it's how long you're going to cook a burger? It's not like I requested anything that would take any special effort to prepare. It's not like my friends and I were being drunk and rowdy at 2:00 PM on a weekday. Talking down to customers and telling them they absolutely can't have something completely reasonable isn't a way to keep business...I've avoided them ever since, and while the service has been good enough the few times I've been dragged in since the incident, it's always left a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)Maria C.
This place is definitely my go-to bar whenever I want to go out but don't feel like going too far away. Fortunately, it's only a minute walk from my apartment so it's easy and quick to get to, plus the staff are the best ever!! Rob and Paul are definitely my favorite bartenders!!! Don't be afraid to get to know them because they're really nice and i promise you they will remember you! Drinks are also very cheap, which is a big plus. The only thing I'm disappointed about is that they got rid of country night on Thursday nights, but oh well.
(5)Seamus B.
Good comfort good, excellent beer and a fun place to watch soccer. Also enjoys a literary feel with the Giants of Irish literature in portrait on the wall.
(4)Maggie P.
Went there for brunch on a Sunday. Wasn't crowded at all and the food was great for the price. I had french toast, fruit, homefries (which were perfect!), and sausage and my brother had some Irish eggs benedict that made me jealous. We were greeted by the bartender as soon as we entered the door even though he was in the middle of taking an order, and they kept our glasses full. I'll be back!
(4)Sidney L.
Flann O'Briens is the bar for students and fans of weird Anglo-Saxon sports (like rugby, hurling, and *ahem* soccer). It's the most affordable bar in the area, with $7 specials that rotate through week and $5 specials (and drink specials) that you can hear about if you sign up for their daily text messages. Between 2-6PM, there's also buy one get one free appetizers, and the appetizers are quite large. - The most popular $7 special is the Monday steak tips deal. The steak tips are really great, and it's served with toast, asparagus, and your choice of fries or mashed potatoes. The chicken pesto salad wasn't so good - they used chicken tenders. - The wings are great here. They serve solid, meaty wings - not wings from some underfed and emaciated chicken. Great deal if you do the buy one get one free appetizers. - Irish nachos were a hit with my coworkers when we went for lunch - they're nachos, but with round fries instead of tortilla chips. - I've come here for mimosas and greyhounds (vodka+grapefruit juice), and they've been great. Fresh squeezed juice. The slow service here is a problem, especially if you're going during your lunch break. The order wasn't taken quickly, and it seemed to take forever for the food to come out once the order was placed. Otherwise, this is a great bar, and I'll have to come back for karaoke or trivia night.
(4)Keith J.
If you are looking for a good place to hang out with some friends around Mission Hill, look no further. Between the good beer selection and pool table, what more would you need? If you are around the area for lunch, definitely give them a try. I'm a fan of any of the apps the they have, but especially the Irish Nachos.
(4)Anthony L.
What slow service you have, Flann O'Brien's! I went here the other day for lunch (who else signed up for the $5 lunch deals?!) with some colleagues. We were pretty excited to get out of the office and enjoy some cheap lunch together! The deal of the day was a $5.00 quarter-pound (right?) cheese burger with french fries. Who doesn't think that's a deal. Let me start with the (only) bad, I guess: * Guys, it's lunchtime. Most people have 30 - 60 minutes to spare. You are in a key location in Mission Hill... please have more than one waitress working. We were there for a good 90 minutes, 20 were spent waiting for the waitress to take our credit cards. Beware: if you want to partake in the $5.00 lunch special, a beverage other than water is required (which is $2.00, so your lunch will be, at least, $7.00)! Also note, you seat yourself!
(3)Allison K.
Classic Mission Hill Bar. It's a great place to go with a good group of friends. It gets crowded but not too bad. The Saturday night karaoke has its low points, since the actual song doesn't quite drown the singer out as much as I might like. The DJ does a good job of making sure that those who perform and sing well do at least one song. The beer selection is pretty average, but there is a pool table and the bartenders are quick and attentive.
(4)Roark D.
my compliments to the cooks, the food is always better than you would expect. So why a 3 star? The owner and management must be cheap as shit, the place is perpetually understaffed. The staff is way over worked and you wait way too long to get your food, drinks, and bill. The first time I noticed this to be a problem was when our appetizers came at the exact same time as the entree. The waiter looked at me like "thats how we always do it." That might be the case, but that just means youve been doing it wrong for a loooong time. Nachos and Salmon, not exactly the coupling I had in mind. The place across the street The Crossing serves trash on a plate compare to this place's quality food, but atleast I know ill be in and out in a reasonable time frame. Management is the f--k up here, waiters, bartenders and cooks are working overtime and doing as great as possible considering the circumstances.
(3)Ry F.
This place is great, there's nothing better than rolling out of bed and then subsequently down Mission Hill after a night of boozing and curing your hangover with some Irish breakfast. The only downside is that if I eat too many beans mixed with rashers and bangers I get a little too gassy and have to awkwardly shuffle to the bathroom.
(5)Alissa S.
I love Flann O'Briens. Above average pub food, plenty of beer on tap but also a cocktail menu (which a lot of dive bars/pubs don't bother with), great place to watch a sports game. Last night I spent part of my time chatting with two German med students about neurosurgery and part of it dancing with someone else I don't even think I exchanged names with- people actually interact with strangers here, which is rare in Boston. That all said, their spiked iced tea should come with a warning or at least a limit. The three I had almost resulted in my untimely demise- it's almost 3 PM and I haven't recovered yet. I'll still be back, though.
(4)Thomas K.
Great place hanging out for good drink and food. Irish themed and staffed. I like it also because they have hard cider on tap. There is a very diverse crowd: youngish-older, local people, some students and medical professions, Not necessarily a pickup place but very relaxed. No pretense at all. Great grill with moderate prices. The fish and chips for eleven dollars is HUGE, always fresh cod, super fries with veggie. Almost enough for two small dinners. Large delicious grass-fed (they say) burgers. There is a cheapie food special weekday afternoons. Pool table and lots of usually sports TV. Bartenders and waitpeople are friendly and efficient, but tend to operate on British (sorry, I know its Irish!) system of ordering at bar and then sitting.
(5)Michelle S.
Flanns is great. Free fries and buffalo bites during the pats femur, great beers, great Halloween decorations. And best of all genuine Irish servers. Overall good time
(4)Brian C.
Being a resident of Mission Hill, I've been to Flann's on several occasions. The atmosphere is that of a fairly typical Irish-themed pub. Prices are average as is the selection of beers and whiskey. This would be a great place to hang out with friends after work and have a conversation or play a game of pool if it weren't for the music being so damn loud! Even on a quiet night when there is clearly nobody interested in dancing, the music is blasting to the point where you can't hear yourself think. I once ordered Jameson (whiskey) neat and the bartender promptly served up a shot glass. I objected, stating that I would prefer to sip my drink out of a lowball glass (seeing as I was not trying to get hammered on a Thursday night). The bartender gave me a confused look and simply said "this IS Jameson neat". While technically he was correct, I don't know of any truly Irish pub that doesn't serve whiskey in some sort of tumbler. On a separate occasion, I ordered a Guinness and a different bartender placed the glass directly under the tap (no tilt in the glass) and proceeded to dispense a pint of pure foam (This time I actually was trying to get hammered). Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy a foamy head, but a 19 year old sophomore could have poured a better beer (and this place claims to be IRISH). Judging from my experiences, this pub tries way too hard to cater to undergraduate college students and not hard enough at being truly Irish. An Irish bartender knows how to pour a drink and what to serve it in (ESPECIALLY whiskey). Also, an Irish pub should be a place to hang out during the week, and liven up on the weekend. Flann's wants to be all party all the time which, in my opinion, is a mistake.
(2)Mike O.
I used to live next door to Flann's and that was probably a bad idea. Not that I went there all that much, just the opposite. It was that I was always kept up at night while loud music and the roar of a loaded bar that disallowed slumber. Then, I moved and got some sleep and with that, grew to really like this bar. They have a decent selection of beer and a full liquor license, but drinks look to be pretty pricey so stick with the shots. Haven't had the food, but it looks like standard pub grub, and sometimes that's alright. The pool table is small and usually pretty busy past nine, but it's cheap and it's the only one in Brigham Circle. While Flann's typically has a younger crowd, it never really gets that ridiculous that you'd want to leave. Overall, a very solid option in college town USA
(3)Shannon M.
NOM NOM NOM I first went to Flann's to beg for donations for a fundraiser raffle (they cheerfully obliged) and discovered it was a cool little bar with food specials. They have a service where you can get daily texts of the $5 and $7 specials and other fun offers (answer a trivia q, get a drink, etc). I look forward to the text every day. Today I was pleasantly surprised with a stuffed grilled cheese, tomato soup and hand cut fries. OMG bliss. The MOST amazing grilled cheese and tomato soup I've ever had. I posted a pic. Tomorrow is jerk chicken salad. I may have to hit that up...
(5)Brian S.
I've been here a few times for a lunch break now, and I've always come away extremely satisfied, if slightly tipsy. Atmosphere: 4 stars Your typical Irish pub, but they pull it off. The bar is solid wood, and it makes you feel like you're in the right place, somehow. I've never come here with anyone else, and I've brought a book with me two of three times. It's the perfect amount of loudness for a bar; there's definitely some conversation going on but it's not at all distracting, and I can easily read a book at the bar. Service: 4.5 stars Can the service be slow? Yes. Can you tell that they are understaffed? Maybe so. Does any of that matter when you're getting a burger, fries and two beers for $10? Not to me. The bartender has always been friendly and really cool, even of they could often use another person. Still, I've been given a beer on the house two of three times for having to wait. That's pretty damn good service, in spite of the wait. Beer: 4 stars I've stuck to the basics and never been disappointed. Cheap beer is cheap beer, but cheap beer on tap is nothing to complain about. Plus, like I said earlier, beer on the house has been offered two out of three times. Food: 4.5 stars The food has been really good, but I've stuck to burgers and fries. The fries are delicious, always piping hot. The burgers are pretty damn good, though they tend to get them a little crispier than I'd like. The portions are very generous, but I always finish every last bite. Price: 7 stars Seriously, this is the tipping point for me. This is simply the cheapest, tastiest, overall best lunch I've had in the area. If I find myself with a full 60 minutes for lunch, you know exactly where I'll be.
(5)Kevin C.
By no means a classy place, but that's a good thing. It's dirty, dark, and fun to be in. It's got the usual selection of brews on tap and some liquor, but don't expect miracles. Their bar staff are quick though not overly friendly. They have these $5 lunch specials which aren't that great since you have to buy a drink, but the food is tasty and quick. They have a pool table in the back and a Galaga (!) machine which is awesome. They recently increased the size of their bathrooms so now it's a little bit bigger than a normal person's body.
(3)Marisa B.
My favorite bar in Boston - a gem in Mission Hill! Great pub food deals, cozy atmosphere, pool table in the back, good music, trivia on Tuesdays and karaoke on Saturdays...there's something for everyone!
(5)Michael R.
As a bar, Flann's is alright. Not much different than the surrounding bar fare -- decent selection of brews on tap, average menu full over burgers, chicken, and other standard bar food, coupled with sometimes-attentive waitstaff. Exactly what you'd expect out of a Mission Hill bar. However, what sets Flann's apart from the rest is the Monday Steak Tip Special. $7.50 for some DAMN good steak tips, fries, and cheesy bread. Easily one of the best deals in the Mission Hill area, but just try to get there early, because the word is spreading and people are starting to find out how crazy good this Monday special is.
(3)Jason B.
This place is the hag's bag, which is a phrase I've just invented meaning "wicked cool." Anyway - we came in here after leaving the place across the street which smelled like stale cigarettes and ass. Immediately, I said "Oh yes, I like this place." I said that because a quick visual check of the taps revealed a glorious hodge-podge of sizes, angles and colors, usually meaning a great selection of draught (yes I spell it that way, wanna fight about it?) beer, as opposed to the usual rank-and-file row that signifies heavy reliance on Anheuser-Busch products. I had an even happier surprise in store for me when I saw, mounted on the wall behind the bar, an ample selection of single-malt scotches and irish whiskeys...including Redbreast! (single-malt version of Jameson) Yes please. A pint of pale ale and a Redbreast in front of me = happy Jason. The bar is small, but there are plenty of tables. The pool table in the back is a nice one, well-kept. I was perfectly content with their chicken fingers, which were very crisp. Nothing amazing, but good bar food. This place has a great atmosphere, the bartenders were friendly and smiled a lot, and they've got a great selection of beverages for the quality-minded. With The Mission just down the street, MH is becoming a great destination for good pub action!
(4)Kari C.
I only really come to Flann's for Saturday night karaoke. It's a good time and everyone is so enthusiastic. From time to time you do get someone on the mike that actually can sing. The DJ for it is pretty cool himself. Once I heard him sing to get people in the mood early on and he was far better than I could have imagined. On the weekends it is important to get there early because it is definitely a student bar. There is a Galaga game in the back as well as pool tables Flann's also has $5 brunch specials and their Guinness beef stew is not too shabby, but the portion was a bit small. Also, the service I had when I went for brunch was awful. The girl must have been new, so I forgave her some things, but never before have I not wanted to tip a waitress so much. Not my favorite bar on the Hill but a great time when you are feeling the crowded pub scene.
(2)Christine T.
I've been suckered into Tuesday night trivia by some friends, its actually pretty cool. Its a nerdy and yet cool spot on Tuesday night, the only times i've actually been there. Typical pub. Doesn't smell like piss or vomit tho. The food is decent. To my surprise! CURRY FRIES! Now i thought these were fried fries with Curry powder on them, like you know people make "cajun fries" and sprinkle old bay on em. Nope they give you tasty fried fries and a bowl of Curry! Its the good japanese type of curry you get out of the box, not indian stuff. I was sooo stoked. Ya asian curry! We've had good waitservice, which is amazing cuz i think one night it was 1.5 people serving the other guy was also bussing and bouncing and the place was PACKED to the brim. So no complaints there. Food is good in an edible way. The salmon looked great, but i don't eat fish so i couldn't really say. My friend loved it. Not to greasy and good price. OH! and how about YAY for daily $5 specials! wewt!
(3)Morgan F.
For me, a good dive bar is about 3 things 1. cheap beer 2. weird/fun atmosphere and/or decorations 3. GAMES! Well, Flann's kinda lost on the beer, since PBRs were like $2.50, which is waaaay more expensive tha other places in the city! Come on, we are in Mission Hill, right? But they made up for it with awesome interior and games. The inside of this place feels SO IRISH! Stones wrap around the 1st half of the interior creating a castle like feeling and fades into the dark wood and red leather booths that finish off the space. Vintage Guinness Beer Signs and Red Sox paraphernalia hang from the walls and ceiling to add character and as multiple screens allow patrons watch games. Head the the back room where you will find Darts, Pool and PACKMAN! Just watch out because its pretty squishy and its hard to play any of the games without bumping into someone. * Thank you Mission Hill crawl for getting my butt in here with the promise of a free beer, otherwise I might have never discovered this place!
(3)Clara L.
What a fun bar! Although mostly inhabited by Northeastern students since it's right down the street, it had a fun vibe and great music. I was definitely entertained by the watching the music videos along with the songs. I was most entertained by all the cell phones stapled to the back of the bar, tragedies of a too-fun night out. Great place to go for a low key night to hang out with some friends. I hear they have trivia too, so I'll definitely be back!
(4)Shelagh M.
Honestly, the food at this place was just ok. The prices of the food were low, but they still did not match the qualities. I got a burger and sweet potatoes friends ($10). The burger had the wrong type of cheese on it and they didnt bring the jalapenos I orderd. The fries were cold, but there were too many other mistakes to even mention it to the servers. Beers were $4-$5, which I though, given the area (Brigham Circle) was a little overpriced. The waitresses take forever to come back with drinks, food, and to check up on you. Also, you can't split a check with cards based on dollar amounts, you have to do it buy items- clearly a downfall in their computer system I will admit, the Trivia on Tuesday was very fun and I generally had a good time, but the food left a lot to be desired. I would skip this place.
(2)Stephen P.
Flann O'Brien's is nothing special. It is a cheap place to grab a brew or two and have a laughably cramped bit of cue sport as the night is winding down. An eclectic clientele and near-enough presence to mass transit are really the best features Flann has to put forward. It's subpar but won't leave you totally wanting... just not as sated as you'd care to be.
(2)Ro P.
Cheap, decent food, good range of beers. Very, very helpful and friendly staff. Small, warm place. Doesn't tend to fill out as fast as Mission or Penguin when there's a major sporting event....which makes it my first choice when Celtics or Red Sox play away!!
(4)Diane H.
I do not live right up the block anymore, but Flanns still holds a special place as my neighborhood bar in college. It is the place you can go dressed up on your way out downtown or jeans and a hoodie...a true neighborhood bar. Good bar food and a good beer selection. I have been here on a few occasions for trivia and the bar gets packed, so get there early if you want a table. I recommend having dinner before trivia to secure a table. They are going to Irish pub, but since I have never been to Ireland I won't comment on whether or not they succeed. They have tables along the walls, stools at the bar, and a pool table in the back room. Only one bathroom per gender, but this hasn't been an issue for me in the past. A good place to drop in for a beer or bit if you are in the area.
(4)Greenbean O.
You can't beat their $5 lunch specials. Their burgers are on point and made to order. Nice to have a local spot in the neighborhood.
(5)Rocco R.
Great place to get lunch or dinner if you are in the Back Bay area. Traditional irish style pub and there is almost always a soccer or rugby match on inside. Have great $5 specials which you can't beat if you are a college student in the area. Also the 2 for 1 appetizers are also a great deal. Highly recommend Flanns, the food is great.
(4)Brian W.
Flann's is the perfect college bar in the Wentworth/MassArt/Northeastern/Simmons neighborhood. Tuesday nights are trivia night and Saturday nights are karaoke (get there early or you're screwed). If you go on a Saturday expect a huge rowdy crowd that sings along to every song, dances and has a good time. There's a small pool table in the back that usually attracts the crowd waiting to jump into the pisser.. and not to forget Pacman-- even though it's a buck. If you are going to go to Flann's at any time, especially Saturdays, learn the lyrics to: 'I'm On a Boat', 'Your Love (The Outfield)', 'Livin On a Prayer' and 'Paper Planes'. Perfect place to kick back, meet some people, have fun, share some drinks and sing along with dozens of drunk college kids to classic and viral songs.
(5)Brian D.
Since I've started working in Brigham Circle I've had a very bloated, and happy, liver thanks to Flann's. Flann's is what happens at 5:00pm, fine you caught me, Flann's is what happens at 4:58pm. Flann's gets mad at me when I even mention other pubs, and this means that I'm always in the hot seat cuz I love the Behan as well. Flann's is the best bang for your buck on Mission Hill. $5 daily specials, that are usually pretty darn good. Two for one appetizers after work. And booze. I've got a special relationship with my favorite bartender, I come in and she serves me. She serves me without even having to ask, 3 Stella's and then 2 scotch and soda's. I mean, not like all at once in a bucket - you know what I mean.
(4)Hilary D.
Whiskey, a fireplace, kickass mozzarella sticks, and quotes by famous Irish writers on the walls. Explain to me why anyone doesn't like this bar? Friendly waitstaff, trivia on Tuesdays, and entertaining clientele. If you go on Tuesday, get there about an hour before trivia or your ass is standing.
(5)Ari F.
In general I'm not super crazy for Irish bars, and this place really is an archetype. It's dank, wood everywhere, standard Irish pub crowd, decent beer list. To its credit, Flann's has some cool stonework inside and various parlor games in the back, though none of them can be played without literally bumping into other people playing games. Flann's loses a star for bartender incompetence and/or malice. I paid for my first drink with a $20 and got change back like I had given the guy a $10. I was a bit miffed when he didn't seem surprised at all or apologetic when I called him on the mistake. Shortly thereafter, I paid the same bartender for a round of drinks with a credit card... and was blatantly overcharged! Instead of asking him to re-do the credit stuff I told him to just pour some more drinks. What gives? Maybe I should've washed off the "stupid" tattoo I had sharpied on my forehead that day.
(2)S G.
Generally here on the weekends for lunch or early in the evening. Service is friendly, the half priced apps are decent if not inspiring, decent range of beer, decent atmosphere. Not worth making a trip to visit but if you're in the area anyway it's pretty good.
(3)Dan B.
Terrible experience. Rude staff.
(1)Mike C.
Any bar named after an Irish writer gets at least three stars from me. They get an extra star for their $5 dinner specials. Nothing fancy when I was there (roast beef sandwich with fries), but it's only $5! Service was a little spotty when I was there. I joined some friends who had already ordered, and I sat there for a long time before anybody came to take my order. The waiter also forgot to bring over my beer until I reminded him when he brought my food. This would have cost them a star, but the guy was sincerely apologetic and didn't charge me for the beer. Awesome.
(4)Howe L.
Pretty standard Irish Bar setup. Cramped, and filled with area university students. Loud and exciting, decent bar selection, a typical neighborhood chill spot.
(2)Amy F.
A few of us stopped by after work and partook in some 2 for 1 apps and a couple bevvies before trekking home through yet another snow storm. We may have also enjoyed the futbol players (and their legs) being broadcast on the televisions. Only minor annoyance was the difficulty in getting someone to take our money so we could pay the bill and head out. Overall, loved the pub vibe and the fireplace was perfect on a winter's night. Will definitely be back!
(4)Dorothy D.
The best time I've had in my entire life. The hand-cut fries are to die for. The generous shots will ensure a good night, and the friendly, outgoing bartenders complete the atmosphere. The weekend crowd is a healthy balance between wild and sophisticated. Between the fantastic food and the exceptionally professional service I would rate Flann O'Brien's among Boston's top Irish pubs.
(5)michael m.
Voted Boston's 2007 Best Irish Bar. And it is deserved. This place is a whole in the wall, long, narrow bar, with a unique staff (hey, it gives the place character), extremely strong drinks (which usually can be ordered in a pint glass at no extra cost), and a daily $5 food item (Sunday's steak and eggs is to die for) make this one of my favorite spots. The food is moderate -- not the best in the neighborhood, but the atmosphere is tremendous. The crowd is eclectic, everything from middle-aged to college to Irish. When my friends and I come on the weekend, we play the 'count the number of broken glasses' game. And we usually end somewhere in the 20's. Add in moderately priced pitchers, and you've got a drinking game for the evening! There's a pool table in the back and a jukebox, and Tuesday has a trivia night (with some of the funniest team names...ever). The one downside? Only open until 1.
(5)Tarah H.
They used to have Killian's on tap. And then they renovated and didn't have it on tap anymore. That made me sad. I think it might be back...but my beer taste has evolved, so I couldn't tell you (not that I don't still enjoy a glass of the Irish Red on occasion) What they do have is a decent tap selection, a pool table in back, a really cool staff, karaoke on Saturday nights (that seems to get taken over by MCPHS students), a diverse crowd and cool atmosphere. Unfortunately I think the place is a little confused...a laid back, hipster, dive bar that's not really a dive bar and sort of pub-ish that some of the preppy students hang out with just a few tables away from the art students. Despite the mild identity crisis...I always have a good time when there. Thumbs up, kids.
(3)Ben L.
I had my heart broken at Flann's I stumbled in and ponied up to the bar. A couple moments later the bartender came over and I ordered a pint. Took him a short bit to pour it and then he slid it toward me atop a blue and red colored coaster. I pause for a moment, pick up my pint and flip over the coaster revealing, the Kronenbourg 1664 logo I pause again Look up at the beer list look back at the coaster Squint and look back at the beer list "Pardon me" "Yes" "Do you actually HAVE Kronenbourg 1664" "No, I don't know how we got the coasters but I get asked about every other day" *sob* Despite this I'm a huge fan of Flann's. Inside it's near perfect with dark moody lighting and exposed stone. The bar snakes nicely along one side with plenty of seating and they also have a few tables scattered around along with a pool table in the back area. The crowd that comes here is a bit of a mix but they seem to be some of the friendlier bar patrons that I have seen around. Drinks aren't unbelievable but they have a nice little selection going and they are normally priced. Now they do have a bit of a catch 22. The staff is really laid back and chill. They are willing to stand around and chat and will throw on song requests et but at the same time you need to wait around to get service so go in cill and don't freak out.
(4)Rob S.
Homey kind of bar with a decent beer selection. Their breakfast isn't bad, either.
(3)Dave M.
Good food, good beer selection, good barstaff.... horrible waitstaff. Usually it's because the bartender is doubling as the waitress / waiter, but you'd think they'd fix that after several years of shotty service. Anyways, the food here is always good. Never had any complaints, other than they have run out of the day's special very early on more than one occasion. They must have 20-30 beers on draught, including some that you don't see in Boston coming out of a tap. Plus they sell pitchers, which is unusual for a bar with such a good selection. The place gets waaaay too packed on Thursday-Saturday nights, and if you don't have your own table you'll have people spilling drinks as they squeeze past you from the bar. But if you're at Flanns at midnight, you shouldn't expect any less. Fun crowd, good beers, good food, good bartenders.
(4)Barbara W.
if i had read these reviews before going to flann's last week i might have been better prepared... i hadn't been to flann's in years. before i lived on the hill, when i lived on the hill and after, i loved going to flann's, but the flann's i love is no longer there. with phrases like "a favorite after work/happy hour spot for medical professionals in the Longwood area" and "the perfect college bar," flann's is no longer the place where you'll run into blue-haired punks/goth, marines in full dress blues and aspiring artists. it has been redone to fit into the friday's-atmosphere (sorta of) of the new mission hill, yet the bathrooms still smell like old piss. i wasn't impressed by the food. the beer selection is good. there is still the cranky Irish bartender. butch really needs to lose that fake fireplace near the front. i wish i hadn't gone. i wish i had preserved my memory of how flann's once was.
(2)Adrien D.
I have been coming to this bar since 1997. It has gone through several sets of transformation over the years, but has always remained my "home away from home" bar. Drinks are strong, great bartenders, diverse mix of people. By now, I guess I am one of "the regulars", so I know more or less everyone in the bar at any given time. There's always good music, and I always seem to stay too late... Flann's is my bar :-)
(5)Beck N.
For the past 5 years, I've been taking up residence here & I can't remember a holiday I haven't spent there (except maybe Christmas & Easter). It's the place to go when I don't want to cook dinner, when I don't want to go into town, & when I don't want to go out, but I don't want to stay home. I can't stop in here without knowing someone, since it seems the regulars just honestly never go home. While the beer is delicious & the bartenders are certain to make you a stiff drink, the food is also a reason to come here. Although grilled cheese & tomato has never made it onto the menu, they still don't mind making it for me.
(4)Brian P.
Story time! I went to Flann's on my 21st birthday. First 2 hours were a blast. My roommate and I played pool (at the somewhat disheveled but fun table in the back) and had some great drinks. Also, we spent most of this time with the bar manager who was conversational and friendly. About an hour later, I was playing a game of pool (for a few dollars) against a regular. In the middle of our game, the bar manager shuffled over, now absolutely wasted, and started laughing and pushing our balls around the table. You need to pay to play, and I was a little agitated. I laughed it off however and jokingly asked him to stop. He continued, and I asked him again to stop pushing our balls around as we had paid to play. After about 2 minutes of this, the bartender came over, forced myself and my roomate out the back door. He told us that we don't talk to their bar manager like that, that I don't know who the f*ck i was dealing with, and I needed to get the F out. My roomate and I politely replied that we simply asked him to stop interrupting our game of pool, which we paid for. In addition, we mentioned that we had spent a considerable amout of money that night and just wanted to play our game. We were told again that we didnt know who the f*ck we were dealing with, and were kicked out. Absolutely ridiculous, and I shall never return.
(1)Annie P.
One big happy family in one big room feel. One long bar. One or two laid back bartenders. One packed pool table. One good mic to use for karaoke. One big groupie fan with striped t-shirt for each singer. One great reason to cross over to a different town. One hell of a good time.
(3)N J.
Ooh this was the karaoke place with the striped-shirt girl. She was totally into it with her hand on her chest and everything. I wish I could post her picture. The bathroom was big enough for 2 girls which is always a plus. The place wasn't too crowded. The drinks, I don't remember but I guess they had the usual. Beer, cocktails, etc. The pool table was taken the whole time.
(3)Lauren F.
I liked the food and the style of Flann's, but our waitress ignored us most of the time and didn't take down our order correctly. I ordered the bison burger medium rare with cheddar, and got one well-done with American (blech!). I ate it anyway since I had to wait a while to order and it was still pretty good. I also liked the thick style French fries they serve. I'm sure we'll be back since it is so close to HMS.
(3)rachel o.
yay for Flann's. Flann's always has my back (literally, it is so close to my apartment). So Someone voted Flann's the best Irish Bar in Boston (quite the high call) and I think I agree. It has that dive bar character without the grossnes; it's pure local character. The drinks are strong, the juke box has all my favorite songs, they have a pool table (that is occassionally ruined by ass hole pool sharks), a trivia night (that is popular but i've never gone.. tuesdays??), saturday keroeke (yay), and live music on Thursdays that is usually pretty awesome. They also do an amazing steak and eggs to cure your hangover for $5. Every time I walk home from the grocery store I pass their sign out front advertising today's $5 meal and I think -damn, I shoulda just had Flann's-
(5)Paul P.
I write this review after a year of visiting flann obriens. I wont lie to you, Flanns is not a classy bar. It doesnt feature gourmet food or a swanky atmosphere. Its a classic irish pub through and through with good beer and a solid (and cheap) offering of pub food Simply put, Flann Obriens manages to excel in every area a bar should excel in. Flanns has an excellent selection of beers featuring the almighty Murphys Stout on tap to the local favorites. The establishment is adorned with decorations from the silly with broken cell phone shrines to the cultural classic with irish poet quotes painted on the walls. Flanns has been unequivocally on my Top 3 bar list since moving to boston a year ago. Its worth a visit on any non weekend college night (swing by around 7-10pm on a weekday for the best experience).
(5)David G.
I've been here probably about 10 times and I usually come away pretty happy. The strange thing is there's nothing that I can point to about the food or service that makes it so great. I guess it's something about the atmosphere which is cozy and just seems right for an Irish pub. I usally come with groups of people, so I am approaching it from that point of view. I will say that you shouldn't come here expecting great food, because some of it is pretty shaky even by pub standards(you'd be wise to stick to well-cooked burgers and sandwiches). The selection of beers is pretty reasonable, and they have some good quality brews as well as the cheap light beer your confused friend still swears by. The service is pretty hit or miss, but it gets the job done for the most part. Hard to say why I like coming here so much compared to the other choices in the area, but it just seems to feel right for having drinks with friends. Maybe if they could get their kitchen squared away and offer good food I'd upgrade them to 5 stars.
(4)Brendan B.
Take my review lightly as I was mid way through a pub crawl when I came here. I had about 5 beers before going in so I was in a happy mood. After I left I was angry and ready to punch anyone carrying a Scott Brown sign. But Flanns was not the reason for my anger, alcoholism was. I liked this place a lot. It had a great beer selection, good cheap food, and nice back room with a pool table. And it had another oh so rare commodity in Boston. Black folk. That was nice to see. We were there between 2 and 6 so we got two appetizers for the price of one. The artichoke dip was the best I've ever had but again, take that lightly as i was at beer 10 at this point. The other thing we got was good too. The crowd seemed a little older and the staff was nice enough. The real gem however is in the mens room. They have a TV above the urinals! Any man who has been to an establishment with this amenity can tell you that it makes urinating a great joy, especially during football season. Although it's hard to piss when you have an erection. And yes, watching men in tight pants tackle each other does give me an erection. There is one disappointing aspect however. The camera's. There was one above the bar which is probably normal but there is also one in the mens room. I don't care about the privacy aspect because I'm hung but i don't like feeling as though i'm being watched all the time. Whatever. It's a good place.
(4)Bonnie G.
When I was an under-ager w/o a valid fake ID, everyone from SMFA, Mass Art and in my Mission Hill hood (we are talking late 90s, kids, way pre-shopping plaza-my grocery store had only Red, White & Blue brand cheese, kay?), it seemed everyone with a hot bike went to Flanns. I dreamt of the day, I TOO could have gone to Flanns so I TOO may bless the tagged, dirty doorsteps of many a Mission Hill Resident with copious amounts of BARF. I couldn't believe it took me till recently to finally stop there---all those dreams, and here I had been over 21 for quite a while. Maybe all those years, terrified, wanting, lusting over the door of Flanns was just.too.much.anticipation. Finally walking through the door of Flanns w/ a minor anxiety attack was like meeting Luke Perry after 90210-disappointing. It was fine. Solid. Good pub. Drinks good. Cheap booze. Cozy atmosphere. But I just don't want to come here. I don't make people come here. I never stop by here. It just doesn't have that special something, you know? That special thing that makes you want to keep a place's barstools hot and swampy, their supply of room-temp fries eaten and their darts drunkingly lost in the bathroom? The one in my head....it kicked ass. It was kind of like the living room scene in Blue Velvet with Dean Stockwell.
(3)Stephan R.
Flann O'Brien's is the bar my friends and I would frequent when I was in college. the $7 steak tip dinner special became a Monday night tradition, and I spent just about every night of the famed summer of 2007 here with my friends, drinking beer, eating wings, and watching the Red Sox. There is not a beer on draught or an item on the menu I've not had at Flann O'Brien's at one time or another, and I think I can safely say I have yet to order any consumable at this place with which I have not been completely satisfied. They mercifully got rid of the one menu item I could not abide by (cuban sandwich) and added some others that drive me to delirium they are so good (Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad). Flann's has a good mix of standard lowbrow beers, interesting middle of the road beers, and stronger and more original beers for the brave and foolhardy. And although I must confess, their selection has become much less adventuresome in the past year or so, odds are good you can find at least one or two beers here to fit whatever mood you're in. But what makes Flann's so remarkable can most aptly be summed up in two words: Buffalo. Wings. A lot of places in Boston have buffalo wings. And a lot of places in Boston go to great lengths to pimp out their wings (I'm looking at you, GameOn) or whore out their wings... *ahem* Whiskey's on Boylston. Invariably, these wings fall short of my lofty expectations, and end up being heavy on the bark, but light on the bite. Flann's doesn't do any of that. They have decided to forgo all of that, and instead just have simply some of the the best wings money can buy. I'm talking crispy, juicy, saucy, set-your-mouth-on-fire wings. Fall-off-the-bone-when-you-blow-on-them wings. Also, it's not on the menu, but ask for a grilled cheese with bacon. Your arteries may never forgive you, but your tastebuds will wonder how you made it through life without this as a staple of your diet.
(4)Kim N.
Another great hangout bar in the Mission Hill area. Great beer selection and good bar/pub food. Haven't ever been at night, so don't know how rowdy its gets, but enjoy the middle of the day atmosphere.
(3)Aretha B.
I love flann's. The bartenders are always super nice to me, especially tony and milan. MILAN is actually probably my favorite bartender of all time, ever. At flann's, you can be guaranteed a STRONG drink. I love the white russians in pint glasses. 2 of those and I'm DONE. SO DELICIOUS!!!! Very reasonably priced for what you get with the drinks. Magners on tap and in the bottle - yum. Milan makes the best shot - jolly rancher. DELICIOUS. The food - not so much. Standard bar food type stuff - nothing special at all. The tuna melt was disappointing and the whole menu is generally uninspired. I wish the food were better, I will have to try their brunch though... Any time I take friends to Flann's who have never been they say "I LOVE BARS LIKE THIS!!!!" - basically divey feeling, strong drinks, usually not too crowded, but intimate. And tony green is there to harass you, wonderful!
(4)Jocelyn C.
Just finished reading Aretha W.'s review of Flann's, and I couldn't agree more!!! Milan is definitely my favorite bartender in the world also, and will always have a special place in my heart. This was the first bar I came to just after moving to Boston, and he made my transition a lot easier. Plus, he played "Psycho Killer" for me whenever I requested it and would sometimes let me stay after closing some nights to keep him company while he cleaned up. This bar really was my "Cheers" while I lived in Roxbury/Mission Hill. I really miss having this place as my neighborhood bar... no other place compares, as hard as I try to find a replacement. Definitely go here if you ever find yourself in the area! ***EDIT*** After more than 3 years, Milan remembered me!!! Now THAT'S fucking service. :D
(5)Kim P.
I love Flann's. It's a nice local place, great beers (and in the summer they have my fave, Anchor Steam Summer). But when I met some friends there last night? Damn, Flann's! I'ma have to yelp you: hmmm, the great deal is the 2-for-1 apps from 2-6, which we ordered. However, I guess the college kids have absconded with all of it, but there was no silverware. Then, I hoped for a slice of orange for my fruity beer, and they were out of them. Then, my friend wanted a glass for her beer--yep, you guessed it--O.U.T. I've been to Flann's a million other times, and must note that what happened last night is not usual, so I'm going to remain a fan. It does get crazy at night, but it's a blast here. The crowd can be young-ish (lots of college kids), but they tend to cluster towards the ends of the bar (the windows in front and the pool table in back). Push them aside and play yourself a drunk game of Pac-Man. Winners! Don't try to focus too much on the music from the iPod--you'll realize that, with some slight variation, the songs you hear were the exact same ones you heard the last time you were there. Can a sista get a SHUFFLE?!
(4)Rebecca G.
How does this place have 3.5 stars? I'd give 1.5 if possible. Why? --- the food is terrible, the service at the bar is mediocre, the service if you're sitting at a table is HORRIBLE, your food will take forever to come out, and you bump into every MCPHS person alive. Unfortunately, I always end up here because I, like the rest of my friends, live within walking distance. They need a service makeover. Drinks are reasonably priced though.
(2)Sara A.
I really love this place. Even though the last few times I've been in, the old familiar face of Guiness (the dog) hasn't been there to greet me, I still always feel instantly at home and comfortable. I can go here alone or with a group of friends/co-workers and never feel out of place or uncomfortable. Granted, each time my one friend in particular orders a beer they don't have it (as others have written), but I just keep telling her to stop being so particular! If you hit Flann's right after work chances are there will be a few construction workers, a few regulars, and maybe me. Stay a little later, and college students will arrive but for god's sake, you live in Boston- and it's never as bad as bars in Allston.
(5)Mark C.
Flann's... the only bar I've ever gone to where a friend of mine has thrown up within 5 minutes of getting there... granted, it was from a shot of absinthe (their "shot of the week" for at least 3 months) at 12:05am on his birthday after tons of pregaming, but I think it sets a good mood. Their beers are alright, but mainly only because they don't make them. Their food is hit-or-miss, and it's usually the latter. They have 2-for-1 appetizers from 2-6pm, but steer clear of the mozzerella sticks. For that matter, stay away from anything that isn't that day's $5 special. Sometimes they might even ask you how you want your burger cooked, but it's a lie: they'll just give it to you well-done. Tonight I ordered a fried chicken sandwich with BBQ sauce and bacon... the girl brought me a grilled chicken sandwich with BBQ, bacon... and cheese? I normally don't make a fuss, but this place screws up all the time, so I pointed out that I'd ordered fried chicken. Turns out the kitchen didn't have any fried, so they apparently made an executive decision to just give me grilled chicken and throw some cheese on and call it a day? The waitress didn't even seem to care, and made it very clear not to expect a new order any time soon if I didn't want what she brought me. She wasn't even apologetic, even when I didn't eat half the sandwich, and I was still charged $8.50 for something I didn't even order. I wouldn't even have cared too much, except that this is entirely too representative of the service at this place. I'm bringing it down from 4 stars to 2.
(2)Sean L.
Eh, yummy pitchers of PBR, a single pool table. Crowed appeared to be a little older which was not what I was expecting but it was still fun I suppose. I went on a Wed. night and there were a decent amount of people there, mostly guys of course. One of the empty glasses they handed us for our pitcher had broken pieces of another glass in it which is very sketch. Glad I caught it. The music was all Irish stuff which was cool at first but the novelty wore off pretty quick for me. After a while I was afraid people might start tap dancing.
(3)Rum T.
One of the best pubs in the city! While not extensive, the beer selection is good (and $4 a pint!). But it's the food that makes me come back. They have daily $5 selections -- like steak and eggs, shepard's pie, etc. You'd think for a five-spot it would be just OK. But it's awesome. Last year the updated the interiors and entrance (and built a new kitchen), making a great place even better. It's worth the trip out to Mission Hill.
(5)Lindsey L.
Oh, Flann's. For awhile it was my regular Friday night hangout with a core group of coworkers. The trick was that our day ended at 4:30, so we could made a beeline and start pushing tables together before the normal after work rush. By the time the place got uncomfortably crowded, we were already sated with 2-for-1 appetizers and a few...okay, several rounds of drinks. (How can you not adore a signature shot called the "Flanntastic Voyage?" Still don't know what's in that one...) Flann's nights are more sporadic now, so it had been a while since the last time we congregated. It seems like the times, they are a-changing. There are new additions to the menu that look promising, so that's a plus. Spinach and artichoke dip, yum! However, there seemed to be a pretty big staff turnover. Not necessarily bad, but part of the fun was knowing everyone and being known. Needless to say, the last few times the drinks haven't been as strong, the service has been slower, and (not a new issue, but one worth mentioning) food took awhile to come out. Bit of a disappointment, but I'm willing to forgive, because it's FLANN'S and I love it. Maybe we just need to start going regularly again... Also, I can' t say I understand what the last review was getting at. Flann's doesn't try too hard to be anything. It's just Flann's, man! Least pretentious bar on the block. (Coming from one who is "Meh" about The Mission and is trying to learn to love The Squealing Pig.)
(4)Tom Z.
Flann's is pretty cool. Great selection of beer. I hear the food is good too. My only problem is this place is WAY overrated. You can't order Irish car bombs, and on friday nights the place gets more packed than a train full of Kosovo refugees
(3)Casey S.
Hit this place on a Sunday for the $5 special of steak tips, eggs, homefries and toast. You will not be disappointed!
(4)Eric K.
$5 steak and eggs with a freshly squeezed screwdriver on Sunday morning can't be beat.
(4)Lisa K.
I haven't been to this place in ages....probably since 1999 or maybe 2000. As a MassArt student I think this might have been a right of passage type of place and I always think back on it with fond, fond memories. The staff rocked and the booze was cheap. You could play pool and hang out forever. It's nothing fancy but it was special to me- reminds me of the good ol dayz. I'll have to give it a visit again- it's been too long...
(4)Jeannie C.
Your run-of-the-mill dirty bar with good beers on tap, decent food selection, and creepy old locals. MMmmm-mmm! No bargains or anything here, but it's comfortable, roomy, and fair. I went when it was pretty much empty thought--no frat boyz or angsty college kids. I might have to go back during prime partying season to edit this review in all fairness.
(4)Joe P.
I like to call this bar the darkest bar in America. That said, I think that this place is for guys who don't have a problem puking behind the pool table. That goes for girls too. I mean most likely you won't get kicked out, which makes it fun. On nice summer nights when you feel the need to get rocked Flanns is always there and it always provides nice rocked women for your night time pleasure. OOO and then their are the nights when being hammered and fighting is the only option, that's when Flanns comes through the most. Its a place where you might get lucky and find a guy at his lowest drinking straight whiskey by himself. OOO Flanns where have you been all my life. But what do I know, I'm just a college kid who works security. Do I recommend it.....umm at your own discretion.
(2)Jim W.
A small but unique bar located within a block of Brigham Circle. They have plenty of beers on tap and on the occasions that I have ordered drinks there they have been very good (i.e. not watered down). The food is good and during the day service is pretty quick (when they are not crowded).
(4)J H.
I don't think it's that difficult to make steak tips, especially since it's that night's special. We waited over an hour for our food on a Monday night.
(2)David m.
Lots of beer, never have gotten food though. Its an ok place to go on weekends but it gets packed to the point of me just wanting to leave. Tuesday night trivia is definitely worth checking out.
(3)Laurie C.
Classic Irish pub with a great owner, bartenders, and bouncers. Decent prices, plenty of beer on tap, a great jukebox, and a dark friendly atmosphere. Although the age range varies, the bar is usually filled with college students. Saturday is karaoke, which is usually pretty entertaining. Tuesday nights are trivia, which I personally think is really hard but we always have an awesome time. There's a pool table and an AWESOME jukebox (when it's working).
(4)Kelly F.
Flann's is reasonably priced. It's very small and located on a corner in the Mission Hill area. It's very dark inside and creates that low-key environment that is sometimes desired. During the day, they open their big shudder-windows to create an almost-cafe feel and offer a selection of American food. The down side is truly how small the bar is- it's very narrow and when their are only about 40 people in there, it's cramped! It's definitely a college bar (c'mon, the biggest attraction is getting pitchers of Pabts for cheap!).
(4)Jeanne B.
yay flanns :) i used to live like almost across the street,... now i live a little further down tremont, but still well within walking distance. not my first choice on a friday night but its a great time for one of those after party pretty wasted stops or for some good food on a thursday night. go here for beers but if you're looking for a cocktail... go to the mission down the street. i ordered a martini once here and it tasted pretty bad :( ohh there is a night that they have karoke ... i think its saturday, avoid this at all costs. unless you're one of those people that think that life is worth living when you're belting out the lyrics to journey...
(4)Kristen G.
Great place to go watch a game or just hang out. They've recently expanded to allow more seating. The food is pretty good. Sometimes service is slow, but with some patience and a drink, it's good experience. Also, breakfast all day on Sunday is really good.
(4)Joe B.
Flann's is probably my favorite bar in the city. It has a long zig-zag bar with lots on tap...anything from PBR to Murphy's. I noticed yesterday that it has darts now in addition to pool. Maybe the dartboard was there all along and I just never noticed it. Anyhoots...it has a great atmosphere and a diverse mix of people. I see old people, college people, black people, white people...you name it. It's quite dark inside, but it still feels cozy and comfortable. The jukebox still rocks, and so do the bartenders. Very friendly place with lots of personality and decent prices. When I show Boston virgins around, I always take them there, and they're always impressed.
(5)Anne B.
This place has the best Sunday brunch. It's also a very traditional Irish pub if you're into that sort of thing. The have Magic Hat#9 on tap, which is what I think is the most awesome thing about it. You can meet a lot of locals, but don't expect dart cuz they don't have any boards.
(4)