United States
Massachusetts (MA)
Boston
Boston Attractions
Bell In Hand Tavern
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Bell In Hand Tavern

See all things to do
See all things to do
Bell In Hand Tavern
4
#12 of 139 Nightlife in Boston
Bars & Clubs
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Monday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Friday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
The largest area of the city, Downtown is rich with historical and iconic sites in Boston. Stroll through one of Boston’s most famous green spaces, the Boston Public Gardens, check out and make way for duckling statues, picnic under a beautiful tree overlooking the pond, and walk over the iconic footbridge where, during summer time, you will catch a swan boat toting children and eager tourists through the pond. Have your camera ready to capture its peaceful beauty in the middle of a bustling city. Continue on through the Gardens and take in some open green space at the Boston Common, where you can spend time throwing a frisbee, sitting on a park bench, or, in the winter time, skating on the frog pond. Head north from the end of the Common to see the golden dome of the State House, and travel through government center to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, both a historic and popular destination worth a quick visit for a first time to Boston. Head to Long Wharf to visit the Aquarium, or catch a boat to Charlestown or even Cape Cod.
How to get there
  • Haymarket • 2 min walk
  • Government Center • 4 min walk
Reach out directly
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See what travellers are saying
  • William M
    4 contributions
    Great tavern
    Great location, friendly and efficient staff. Great draft beer and seafood selection. Even the management is around to see that everything is perfect Gotta try the quahogs!
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with friends
    Written 18 December 2022
  • Mslaylalayla
    28 contributions
    Do not get a Guinness here
    Yes, this bar is in a great location, and it looks and feels like an Irish/Olde English Pub. I would go in for the atmosphere and the pretzel appetizer and a whiskey or local draft, but expect to pay exorbitant prices. Whatever you do... Do not spend $15 on the most horrible Guinness you will ever have in your life at this bar. 1 star for the bartender, she was fast and polite. 1 star for the pretzel appetizer. 1 star for the location.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 April 2023
  • ctgardners
    Brookfield, Connecticut10 contributions
    Get the fish and chips!
    Went to the Bell in Hand Tavern on a whim and had a cider (excellent) and the fish and chips. I’m from the UK and I’ve had a few fish and chips dinners in my time and I have to say it was REALLY good. The place had a nice vibe with the college football games playing on the many screens (I’m not a football fan but it was easy to be swept up in the fun atmosphere and the friendly clientele and servers). I would highly recommend visiting if you’re looking for some good food in clean and casual surroundings.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 September 2023
  • Dan B
    10 contributions
    Best chowder in town.
    Excellent place great character, great staff. We went there for a drink to dodge the rain. The owner told us about their clam chowder being the best in town, we said we were going else where to eat. Unperturbed he very kindly gave us a small helping and it was awesome (to be honest we wished we’d stayed there and eaten). He then very kindly showed us the way we need to go on our tour of Boston. Great city and great pub.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
109 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
37
Average
15
Poor
2
Terrible
6
Federico M
1 contribution
terrible admission policy
Sep 2023 • Family
Be careful with that place. We were discriminated by the guard at the door. We don't know if it is a business policy, but it is regrettable and inexcusable. It was very disrespectful. He asked us for identification, we didn't have them with us, so we went to look for them at the hotel. When we returned an hour later he did not accept them. A clear discriminatory attitude towards foreigners. Considering that this is a historic site, I think the state of Boston should get seriously involved.
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan B
10 contributions
Best chowder in town.
Sep 2023 • Couples
Excellent place great character, great staff. We went there for a drink to dodge the rain. The owner told us about their clam chowder being the best in town, we said we were going else where to eat. Unperturbed he very kindly gave us a small helping and it was awesome (to be honest we wished we’d stayed there and eaten). He then very kindly showed us the way we need to go on our tour of Boston. Great city and great pub.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ctgardners
Brookfield, CT10 contributions
Get the fish and chips!
Sep 2023 • Couples
Went to the Bell in Hand Tavern on a whim and had a cider (excellent) and the fish and chips. I’m from the UK and I’ve had a few fish and chips dinners in my time and I have to say it was REALLY good. The place had a nice vibe with the college football games playing on the many screens (I’m not a football fan but it was easy to be swept up in the fun atmosphere and the friendly clientele and servers). I would highly recommend visiting if you’re looking for some good food in clean and casual surroundings.
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike H
Okalhoma City3 contributions
Did not stay
Aug 2023 • Couples
Arrived to a
Crowded bar and asked a server if we chose a table or should wait - she ignored me and walked on by. So I went to the bar and asked the bartender if we could take the table that just opened up and she replied “do what you want”. It wasn’t expressed in a pleasant way. We thought we would try sitting at an outside table of which only two others were occupied. We waited 10 minutes without any contact so we left very disappointed to miss the experience of this historical tavern.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kmetzger2016
Arvada, CO6 contributions
Go for the historical piece. Beers were good.
May 2023 • Couples
Wanted historic and it was there! Service wasn't great, but beers were good outside. Fun to sit and people watch.
Written 26 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mslaylalayla
San Diego, California28 contributions
Do not get a Guinness here
Apr 2023 • Couples
Yes, this bar is in a great location, and it looks and feels like an Irish/Olde English Pub. I would go in for the atmosphere and the pretzel appetizer and a whiskey or local draft, but expect to pay exorbitant prices.
Whatever you do...
Do not spend $15 on the most horrible Guinness you will ever have in your life at this bar.
1 star for the bartender, she was fast and polite.
1 star for the pretzel appetizer.
1 star for the location.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William M
4 contributions
Great tavern
Dec 2022 • Friends
Great location, friendly and efficient staff. Great draft beer and seafood selection. Even the management is around to see that everything is perfect Gotta try the quahogs!
Written 18 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
QNPoohBear
Rhode Island429 contributions
Excellent Food and Great Service
Aug 2022
We arrived and were ignored by staff until someone else said we could sit anywhere. We sat outside in the big tent. The waiter came by quickly with menus and apologized for being short one menu. No problem. I looked up the menu in advance online so I already knew what I wanted to eat. The food came quickly and nice and hot.

We split the pretzel appetizer. The pretzels were warm, soft, salty and chewy. The cheese dip was light and not too sharp, not spicy and not too tangy. It was perfect for someone like me with food sensory issues. My dining companion originally wanted clam chowder, which is why she chose to dine here but being hungry, she opted for a burger, no onions. That hit the spot. I elected to eat the chicken tenders for my dinner. They were tasty and filling, in spite of there not being very many. If I had been hungrier, I would have gotten something else. We skipped dessert as we had our dessert first along the way.

The atmosphere was nice. It's in the city near Quincy Market and Fanuiel Hall, across from government center. The city traffic creates some noise but I'm from a city so I'm used to it. We were able to converse just fine across the table. Inside the bar area was hopping at happy hour. Neither of us drink so we skipped it. The service was excellent, food was good but prices reflect the location and inflation. I especially enjoyed the signs explaining the history of the tavern. That was fun, even if I know of a few other older taverns!
Written 22 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terri-Anne R
Easton, PA101 contributions
The Fish & Chips!!
Jul 2022 • Family
Good food. The fish & chips were great! Friendly & quick service. We went for the nostalgia of eating at the oldest Tavern in the US, but definitely glad we did!
Written 19 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William J
Portsmouth, UK367 contributions
Multiple drinks at the Bell in Hand
Jun 2022 • Couples
We visited the Bell in Hand tavern a few times during our trip to Boston, mostly in the afternoon or early evening as it was near our hotel, the Boxer. The initial main draw was the offering of adult slushies, which were really good as well as the other cocktails and drinks we had. We mostly sat outside enjoying the atmosphere whilst chilling out after our days of visiting multiple tourist attractions. Our final tab was pretty steep but we did have 7 drinks and some food (money well spent). The staff were all really welcoming here, which added to the experience
Written 26 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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BELL IN HAND TAVERN: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Bell In Hand Tavern