The Draft - Allston, MA

There are a handful of bars within a couple blocks of Allston Village center that provide pretty good food and beer selections. The Draft is no exception, yet they offer something that sets it apart from the likes of White Horse or Big City...an outdoor patio.

Some of us made a trip down to The Draft a few Friday's ago. I had been to The Draft a few times before and it always seems to be a good time. The inside is fitted with the necesseties of a sports bar: flat screen TVs in all the ideal locations, a pool table, stage for the local band, jukebox with a solid selection (as far as bars go I guess), windows that open up into the street (who doesn't want to look out onto Harvard Ave., right?), and a decent beer selection. Sure, you won't be finding any Hennepin on tap, but The Draft offers up some good imports and domestics at decent prices.

*note I did not take the photo, as if the wreath wouldn't give it away

The real winner for The Draft however is the outdoor patio. The patio is much larger and more accomodating than the Allston neighbor Deep Ellum, although the two really are shooting for different atmospheres so it isn't fair to compare. The Draft patio has 6 or 7 tables large tables (maybe a few smaller ones), a couple relaxing patio chairs, a hammock...do I need to say more? To top it off, they keep a fully stocked bar outside, covered with an awning, with a flatscreen mounted above. Oh yes, it is glorious. We sat out one night to watch a Sox game and by the bottom of the 8th, there was a nice, rowdy crowd surrounding the bar.

If there's a game you want to watch and are looking to squeeze a few more outdoor drinking nights (or days) in before the brutal Boston weather hits, The Draft is a solid option.

The Common Ground - Allston, MA

Ok so maybe it's a week later, but I say The Common Ground is still worth the post. First of all, thanks to Ash for hooking us up for some free Hoeegaarden beer...that always gives the bar some extra points.

This was the first time I had gone to The Common Ground, but not the first attempt. A group of us always make our way down to that area, but The Common Ground always has a line by time we get to it. And they charge a cover. That was the one gripe I had with this place...this is Allston, not downtown Boston. Its not even expensive, only $3, but its the fact of the matter that we had to pay a cover in Allston...before 10pm! That aside this bar is real cool.

The beer selection at The Common Ground is pretty good and has a decent amount of a nice wide selection of beers, but don't expect to find some of the more rare, craft type beers you might find at Publick House or Deep Ellum. However, they did have Dale's Pale Ale on draught, which was pretty interesting. The food at The Common Ground was also pretty good and decently priced. I ordered up the sliders (mini-cheeseburgers) and would definately recommend them.

Cheers!

Big Apps + Big Beers = Big City

BBB Rating - 4/5

Allston is a great place, let me tell you. You can find almost everything you need in a half mile radius from the center of Allston Village; Anna's burrito, stores with extensive booze selections (see Marty's and Blanchard's), dry cleaners on every corner, more take-out restaurants than you're cholestoral levels could handle, and a whole array of bars...those are just the ones that come to mind. Then smack dab in the middle of Allston you have Big City, which in itself has the elements of a great time: tasty bar food, broad beer selection, and pool tables!


I thoroughly enjoy taking indulging in all three of these things. Some friends and I hit up Big City after deciding seeing the Deep Ellum was busier than an Japanese subway car. Big City has a pretty good beer selection, and the prices aren't that bad either...we got some pitchers of the light stuff for about $12, and later I got a Chimay which was $7.50.

But the real prize here was the potato skins. Good lord! First off, they were freaking enormous. And they weren't the skins where all you have is the skin...there was a hefty amount of potato in there.

To top it all off, Big City has real pool tables, none of that 7 ft. bar pool table crap. These tables are legit and everything is in pretty decent condition. Sure there is the broken cue tip here and there, but all in all it's a decent place to shoot some pool. If anybody wants to shoot some let me know...

Cheers!

Deep Ellum - Allston, MA

BBB Rating - 5/5

Texas...the land of rootin' tootin' cowboys (well, besides T.O.), big steaks, weak politicians and a little place called Deep Ellum. I visit Deep Ellum a few times a week, just a short walk down the street. Except I live in Allston, have never seen a true cowboy, and the restaurant next door serves a selection of pizza, chinese food, and BBQ.

So what on earth could I be speaking of? Why the greatest bar in Allston for sure. Located on Cambridge St., right by the corner of Cambridge and Brighton Ave. sits the smallest, tastiest bar you will find in this neck of the woods. From the outside it looks like nothing but a small dive that has nothing going for it besides some windows and dark inside. But as soon as you step foot inside Deep Ellum, you know you've found something special. My roommate and I sat down at the bar and immediately claimed we had found heaven in a 20' x 100' brick building. Let's break it down:

• The draught beer - about 20, constantly being changed for the seasons and keeping some popular ones. Favorites include the selection of Brookylns, Ommegangs, and Dogfish Heads.
• Cask Beer!! - Enough said...these are few and far between in the U.S.
• Bottled beer - selection does not change as much as the draught, but you ask for something special they might be able to pull it out of a hat
• Food - tasty tasty tasty. May I recommend a nice beer, and a pretzel with the beer cheese. If you are really hungry, the Grubbins plate is a beauty
• Liquor - these guys do not mess around, they are all very skilled with the booze. Ask Max (the man in charge of the sauce) to put something together with whatever you can throw at him

If you havent yet experienced Deep Ellum, it is worth the trip. I am lucky, for I am only a few blocks down the street so this heavenly spot is available to me in a jiffy. Check out the newly designed Deep Ellum Website and see what it's all about.