2. The Black Rose
160 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(617) 742-2286
“Over the highways and byways the pilgrim goes aflame with the name of my small black rose.” Extracted from the 17th century elegiac poem Roisin Dubh (the small black rose), this line written anonymously, rings no less resonant today when referring to Boston’s premier Irish pub and restaurant, The Black Rose. Established in 1976 by former owner Phil Sweeny, The Black Rose continues to attract tourist and locals alike. The Black Rose, currently owned and managed by the Glynn family, is located in the historic Faneuil Hall-Quincy market area of Boston. It’s known far and wide for its convivial atmosphere, good food and live Irish entertainment. It’s all about craic. According to Ellen Kanner in an article published in Meridian magazine, “Boozing isn’t an Irish pub’s primary purpose – socializing is. In Ireland, it’s known as craic (pronounced crack).” It means engaging in conversation that engenders laughter, psycho-energy, and good fun. The Black Rose is all about good craic.
The Black Rose menu features honest made-from-scratch food including: traditional Irish fare, award-winning clam chowder, fish and chips, native lobster and fish, angus steaks, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and of course, corned beef.
The Black Rose has offered live Irish music seven nights a week for over 25 years. Memorable guests on stage have included members of the Chieftains, flutist James Galway, Tommy Makim and Liam Clancy, John Denver, and a once relatively unknown member of an Irish rock group called U2.
And as for drink, The Black Rose has been touted as pouring Boston’s best pint of Guinness, and serves more Guinness than any other single restaurant-bar unit in the United States.