You don’t need us to tell you that Quincy is serious about its clam chowder or craft beer—but it’s also a pretty good place to find a great bar restaurant. Whether you want craft cocktails, pub grub, or you just want to get out of a standard tavern rut, these spots can help. And cocktail purists, this list is for you, too. Because when you want a proper drink with your dinner, you can do much better than a basic beer.
Brick & Beam
$$ | (617) 481-5434 | WEBSITE
The menu at this lively neighborhood spot focuses on solid, crowd-pleasing fare, and the vegetarian options are coincidentally the highlights. Case in point: a Cobb salad with crisp greens and creamy dressing, a flavorful wrap packed with fresh vegetables, and tasty pizzas with perfectly charred crusts that could stop time. And the restaurant’s occasional surprise—like a turkey burger with unique ingredients—is an interesting twist that complements all that familiarity.
Hancock Tavern
$ | (617) 472-5554 | WEBSITE
If your friends want a classic pub meal, take them to Hancock Tavern anyway, and maybe just conveniently forget to mention that the portions are enormous. This place is a reminder that hearty comfort foods like killer prime rib, chicken parm, buffalo chicken loaded nachos, and loaded tater tots with smoked bacon are satisfying no matter what you think about bar food. And the atmosphere in the main dining area is like eating inside a cozy neighborhood tavern.
Ballast Kitchen & Bar
$$ | (617) 376-3094 | WEBSITE
Some of the best burgers at this Quincy spot are classics—the Ballast Burger, cooked to perfection, tender, and moist, served on a super soft brioche bun is a prime example. Crispy chicken wings with just the right amount of heat is another. And, you can always expect solid brunch options, like the avocado chicken sandwich paired with their iced brown sugar latte.
Be sure to add on a spicy margarita to start, and don’t be afraid of the cozy bar seating and fall decorations that make the whole place feel inviting.
Presidential Pub
$ | (617) 479-2104 | WEBSITE
This Quincy Center dive bar has a lineup of cold, fresh bottled beers with such straightforward appeal that the occasional satisfied sigh is warranted. Use the pool table—with worn felt, solid cues, and friendly competition at every corner—to pass the time between rounds of crisp lagers and smooth ales, and let the relaxation commence. Keep this place in mind for a quick after-work drink or casual weekend hangout in the neighborhood.
Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar and Alba
$$ | (617) 481-4848 | WEBSITE
Some of the best Asian fusion in Quincy is hiding in a cozy corner spot. Zef Cicchetti & Raw Bar and Alba should not just become your go-to for a quick post-work bite or a casual dinner when you’re too tired to cook. This restaurant is worth a visit any time for their diverse menu, which includes Pad Thai with perfectly balanced spice, Master Chang’s Chicken with crispy edges and tender meat, and Drunken Noodles that hit all the right savory notes.
The friendly staff keeps service fast and excellent, while the sushi-making class offers a fun experience with fresh ingredients, though it could better accommodate various dietary needs.
The Pour Yard
$$ | (617) 481-9667 | WEBSITE
The Pour Yard’s lobster quesadilla is a very flavorful and satisfying take on the classic, and it’s all served outdoors. Not only that, but they have several different options to fill your evening with, from strawberry lemonade to a flight of drinks.
Coop’s Bar & Grille
$$ | (617) 472-2667 | WEBSITE
Coop’s Bar & Grille has a very welcoming interior that’s perfect for settling into a booth with a cold craft beer and a plate of Buffalo chicken dip that will end up disappearing in minutes. If you’re hungry for something heartier, this versatile spot also serves chili and chips, drunken meatballs, and BBQ hot sauce pizza.
Sly Fox Tavern
$$ | (617) 328-5777 | WEBSITE
The seafood selection at this cozy Quincy tavern is modest. But a shrimp-packed taco at Sly Fox has the power to change the trajectory of your evening. Be generous with sides of their wide drink selection and add on a comforting seafood casserole. Those (thankfully) don’t skimp on flavor, either.
Kilroy’s on the Square
$ | (617) 302-2307 | WEBSITE
We love what Kilroy’s does with things that go on a plate. We’re talking about things like crispy chicken tenders with tangy buffalo sauce and ranch dressing, loaded nachos with melted cheese and jalapeños, delicious sandwiches like the classic club with bacon and avocado, and solid pub fare like wings and salads. Show up with friends, order a bunch of shareable plates, and get extra baskets of fries—followed by rounds of cold beer from their solid selection.
The Fours
$$ | (617) 471-4447 | WEBSITE
Most of the dishes on The Fours’ menu are hearty and satisfying, so you can build a mix-and-match meal of classic options like teriyaki steak tips with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus, clam chowder with large pieces of clam and potatoes, and sweet potato fries. Add some hibiscus mai tais, and you’ve got yourself a fun group night out (even if you’re still wearing the jersey you wore to the game).
The Crossing 9’s
$$ | (617) 689-1900 | WEBSITE
At this seemingly ordinary tavern in Quincy, nothing about their brunch, dinner, or patio experience is ordinary at all. But the best part about The Crossing 9’s is that their completely classic dishes are as satisfying as gourmet—fresh Caesar salads have the crisp greens and creamy dressing of a fine bistro, delicious burgers are indistinguishable from their upscale counterparts, and ricotta cheesecake takes on dessert bar flavors without the fuss.
The scenic setting with Boston skyline views makes every visit special, and the friendly, attentive service ensures you’ll want to return for more.
Pete’s Grille Inc
$ | (617) 471-9714 | WEBSITE
Weighing in as a true neighborhood gem, the homemade meals at Pete’s Grille Inc are hearty and crafted with genuine care. You can enjoy classic comfort food that feels like it came straight from a family kitchen, from savory meatloaf and mashed potatoes to crispy fried chicken and gravy. And while you could order virtually any dish here and leave satisfied, you need the Friday night special.
You’ll get a generous portion of perfectly cooked fish with buttery potatoes and seasonal vegetables that’s comforting while still letting the fresh ingredients shine through. They whisper ‘hey, I’m seriously good,’ by the way.
Goal Post Bar & Grille
$ | (617) 471-6306 | WEBSITE
Goal Post Bar & Grille is a proudly unpretentious sports bar that has a reliably satisfying menu. You’ll find classics like the steak and cheese sub with melted provolone and grilled onions, or the blue apple salad with crisp greens and tangy vinaigrette. Also, the atmosphere is filled with the warm hum of regulars and the glow of multiple TV screens showing the game. Use that friendly vibe to relax with anybody you bring here.
The Irish Pub
$$ | (617) 774-0222 | WEBSITE
Guinness doesn’t always get the respect it deserves, but we’re here to let you in on the fact that The Irish Pub’s Guinness on tap is phenomenal, and the best pour of the dark stout in town. Drinking it feels like sinking into a perfectly worn leather armchair by a fireplace, without ever having to get up for another round. It has a clean, creamy head from those nice lines, and it’s satisfying with malty, roasted notes, even throughout the finish—a place that lesser pours seldom reach.
Cloud Asian Fusion & Bar
$$ | (617) 405-4078 | WEBSITE
We could write odes to Cloud Asian Fusion & Bar’s fried lobster, cooked to perfection every time. But we could also compose some passionate verses about the curry crab with vermicelli noodles too. And the vibrant seafood paella. OK, every dish in this fantastic Asian restaurant is getting a love letter. Cloud is a great place to share large oysters and tasty bao, and while there are a ton of creative cocktails, this is the best spot in Quincy for flavorful fusion.
Especially considering they have a $16 Lucky Cat mocktail that’s highly recommended with its exotic blend.