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Issue date: 12/5/06 Section: Student Life

The wall mural pays tribute to the bar's namesake

Bukowski's Tavern in Inman Square offers much more room than its sister site in the Back Bay

The original Bukowski's Tavern, at Dalton and Boylston Street in the Back Bay, has always been an enigma to me. The bar, named after an angry drunken ex-postal carrier turned writer, is located steps from the chi-chi excess that is Newbury Street. It is designed to celebrate hipsters and writers, and instead is populated by tourists and khaki-wearing suburbanites. The bar's only bit of true grittiness is its proximity to the Mass Pike. For those who frequent it, it is the only acceptable quasi-dive bar in the neighborhood. So when I came across their new, second location in Inman Square, I was intrigued - could this version of Bukowski's deliver on the promise of the first?

The new Bukowski's offers what the original has always excelled at - an insane beer selection. The beer menu resembles a short book, and the staff is at the ready with suggestions. When my companion ordered a Guinness, which they surprisingly do not carry, they quickly offered up several other stouts that could substitute. Also, they served my Paulaner hefeweizen without a lemon, which is the traditional German way to serve the wheat beer.

In several ways it improves on the first location. Bukowski's in the Back Bay is chronically crowded - getting to the bar or finding a ledge to lean on can be a challenge. Bukowski's in Inman Square, which is housed in what appears to be a converted garage, offers ample standing room around the bar and numerous red leather booths for groups to gather in. There are also several high tables near the front that offer an excellent perch for Cambridge Street people watching. The main wall is covered with a mural resembling a notebook, a tribute to the namesake's books. Additionally, given its Inman Square location, it is entirely devoid of tourists and only gets marginally crowded at night.

The tavern offers food as well. On our visit, my companion and I had burgers, both of which were well-cooked and hot. The inventive burger menu includes a peanut-butter burger, which literally is a burger covered in peanut butter rather than ketchup, served with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions on a toasted egg bun. Many appetizers are also available, including my all-time favorite, sweet potato fries. However, they do not offer a brunch menu - we were hoping for eggs one morning, but the employees said that since next-door East Coast Grill offers such a great brunch, they abstain. Given the crowds and the wait at East Coast Grill's Sunday brunch, Bukowski's might be wise to rethink that stance.

The new Bukowski's mixes the beer selection and the food of the original with less crowds and a better neighborhood vibe, resulting in a much better experience. On your next Inman Square shopping diversion, take a break at Bukowski's.



Check it out:
1281 Cambridge St (at Prospect Street)
Inman Square
Hours: Daily from 11:30am - 1 am
Cash Only

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