Dot Tavern - Dorchester

We went here a couple of times during a recent trip to Boston, mainly because our hotel didn't have its own bar and this was the closest bar to our hotel, and thus it was convenient once we had finished all our activities for the day and wanted to stay near our base camp. If it hadn't have been for those factors, I doubt this is somewhere we would ordinarily have visited, but I'm glad we did. While this is a by all accounts a dive bar, it was a great way to get to chat with and get to know some of the locals who live in the area. Most were very friendly as were the bar staff. Be aware, this place is cash only, but they do have an ATM. They don't serve food either but apparently you can bring your own!

First, let me set your expectations. This is a bar. There are no frills. If you 're looking for $5.00 beers and for a DJ getting the dance floor to go wild, go elsewhere. Walking through the front door of Dot Tavern, there are a number of small booths to the right, and a large bar with stools on the left. There are a number of flat screens behind the bar that have anything from The Practice to Good Morning America on. I haven 't been here too much in the morning, but I would guess that it 's somewhat of a first-come, first-served policy. There is a pinball machine near the back wall as well as a dart board, and then a digital jukebox in the small hallway between the 2 rooms. The 2nd room has a few small booths on the left, a long table with stools on the right, and a $0.50 pool table in the middle. Your clientele ranges from the Breakfast Club that will arrive at 8am on the dot (heh) every morning, to people in their 20s and 30s looking for low-key, high drink volume atmosphere. Prices are in the favor of the customer: $2.00 PBR drafts, $8.00 PBR pitchers. There are also $2.50 Henry Weinhard 's, $8.50 Henry Weinhard 's pitchers. They have a few other beers on tap but mostly your typical domestics and a couple of IPAs. They play the NFL games on Sundays and there is also typically free food that anyone is welcome to. NOTE: I don 't know where the food comes from, because there is definitely not a kitchen. In the warmer months, there is a backdoor that leads to a paved area where there is a grill, along with a table and chairs. For the time being, you can 't bring your drinks out there (apparently due to some neighbor complaints) but it is a nice open area to hang out. I have had nothing but good times here, even when the only person to talk to is one of the variety of bartenders. Again, if you want no frills and just want to throw back a bunch of drinks with your friends, this is a great spot to go, and you can 't beat the cast of characters that you 'll meet there. The DOT opens up at 8 am Monday-Saturday, 10 am on Sunday. CASH ONLY (There is an ATM with a $1.50 service charge)

One of the best dive bars I've ever been to. Pool, darts, keno, and stiff cheap drinks. It doesn't get better than that.

This is where my best friend and I started our first pub crawl in Boston. It is a dive bar in the best sense of the word. It was the perfect way to start our night and it is also a place I would go again. Mostly locals but we seemed to fit right in. The staff was amazing. Kevin was great and put up with us California girls. He took pictures for us and even let me video tape his accent. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Plus only $3 beers! But it is cash only!

If you love a super chill vibe, playing pool, and making friends with locals... then by all means I'll see you there. Otherwise don't expect it to be something it's not, and complain about it.