Charlestown: Cops, Robbers, Beer, Boats and Historic Pub Food

Well, it’s been a minute since I took you on a trip through Boston. I’d apologize, but my friends have done a pretty great job in my absence. And while they’ve been doing that, I’ve been… well… busy with other things.

(Not really me. But! Like… it might as well be. So… yeah.)

Yes. My back pretty much went on strike for a few weeks. But, now that I’m up and around, I’m ready to put on my (soft-souled, back-protecting, shock-absorbing) tour guide shoes and hit up an area that’s not technically Boston but deserves a shout out here at BP6.

Today, we’re goin’ to Charlestown.

Itinerary:

Morning: Sleep In
Noon: Lunch at Warren Tavern
Afternoon: Historical stuff at USS Constitution
Evening: Dinner at Papagayo
Late Night: Drinks at Tavern at the End of the World

Now, a lot of people know Charlestown from that Ben Affleck movie with Gossip Girl and those bank robbing nuns who get chased around by Don Draper.

(Some nuns use a ruler, others use an assault rifle with a silencer.)

(If all FBI agents looked like Jon Hamm, I’d probably rob a lot of banks just to get his attention.)

But, these days, Charlestown is less of a crime den and more of a family-friendly destination where you can get a lot of history and some of the best pub food on the planet.

Just because I’m me and I do what I do, morning’s are still reserved for my bed and – eventually – a short amble over to Dunkin’ for my morning coffee. But, once I’m up and around, our first stop is lunch at Warren Tavern.

Now, the place offers up a whole bunch of historical stuff about the Revolutionary War and the Battle of Bunker Hill. But, for this slothful oaf, that’s just background noise. The real story here is the beer and the food.

As I said earlier, if you’re looking for great pub food and that perfect blend of dive bar and sit-down restaurant, this is your place. Stick around for a bit and have your fill of the local beers on tap.

(Pull up to the bar and drink your way through history.)

Once your belly’s full and your buzz is on, it’s time to walk it off. And, as the weather warms up, Charlestown is the perfect place to soak up the sun as you stroll over to another bit of history, the USS Constitution.

But, I’m going to be honest. While it is a sight to behold and you’ll definitely want to take a few photos for facebook and Instagram, I’m basically just using this as a pit stop between meals. So, once you’ve proven to your social network that you do sometimes do history-ish, learning kinda things, it’s time to grab dinner. And, after a day spent time traveling through Boston’s history, it’s time to leap straight into modernity at Papagayo.

Yeah, a Mexican restaurant may seem like a strange pick for a walking guide of Charlestown. But, when it comes to night life around this part of Boston, it’s the place everybody’s talking about. And going to. (Word to the wise: Get a reservation before you head over.) The food is out of this world. But, what they’re most famous for are their margaritas. Now, I’m not a huge fan of tequila (one bad experience in college = permanent place on my drinking shit list) but even I can tell these things are fantastic.

(Sorry. I drank it all before I remembered to get a picture. So, I ordered another one … and forgot again. Rinse. Repeat.)

And, once you’ve got your taste for the strong stuff, it just won’t feel right if you call it a night too soon. So, why not head over the perfect final destination for our trip: the Tavern at the End of the World.
(Note: The end of the world is kinda dimly lit.)

So, after a quick side trip to Mexico, we’re right back in true, Irish-Irish Charlestown at a bar that simultaneously feels intimate and open to everyone. Check out their beer selection and be sure to bring a designated driver because it’s one of the only place in Charlestown (or anywhere in Boston) that offers free parking to its customers.

And that’s my trip through one of the truly best kept secrets in Boston. Having just gone through a torturously long and brutal winter, we’re due for a bright, sunny summer. And once it finally shows up, do yourself a favor and take a trip through my itinerary.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, my back is killing me…

Jamesbp6
My work week is scheduled down to the second – from sun-up to way after sundown. If I’m not at work or in class, I’m sneaking in some time at the gym. So, I make sure my weekends are shot on structure and long on leisure. Whether it’s grabbing last minute tickets to a standing room only show at the Middle East or just hanging out at a great, undiscovered bar, I’ll show you how to kick back and relax all over the city.

#trivia #music #LGBT #film #awesomebar