Boston’s Copperfield’s Bar

By Chad Hollingsworth
Love of Sports Correspondent

DISCLAIMER: Before reading any further, please know this piece focuses on Boston, beer, baseball and … well … beer again.

If you’re turned off by any of these subjects, I apologize in advance. However, if you’re ever in the Fenway Park area and need to kill some time before a game, please read on.

The tricky part about going to a bar on or near Yawkey Way in Boston before a Sox game is that if you want to have a drink before going into Fenway Park, the lines can be a bit ridiculous. Unless you consider standing on Brookline Avenue for an inordinate amount of time while waiting to get into the Cask ’n Flagon to be a sublime way to spend some time before a game.

That’s fine, I guess. However, I have an alternative solution.

Allow me to suggest Copperfield’s, which is just a bit further down Brookline Avenue. It isn’t as well known as the Cask ’n Flagon, not as ritzy as Game On, and it doesn’t have the microbrew selection that can be found in Boston Beer Works. However, if you’re looking for your standard dive bar with plenty of beers on tap, plenty of TVs and no attitude, Copperfield’s is probably the place you’re looking for.

The bar is reasonably big, so if you’re part of a big group, you’re good to go. There are rooms both upstairs and downstairs as well. The room upstairs is actually two rooms with bars in the front and back. The front has a bar running the length of the room, a few tables and a stage for bands on select nights featuring live music.

As a matter of fact, I’d recommend checking out Copperfield’s when they have bands play. They get a good variety of them in there, including a Pearl Jam tribute band I saw there a couple of years ago.

In the back part of the upstairs room, there’s another smaller bar along with some great bar games, including a Pop-A-Shot that’s cost me several rounds of drinks the past few years. If you like Golden Tee (where I win my rounds of drinks back) or Big Buck Hunter, those are available as well.

As for drinks, they’re similar in price to the neighboring bars. However, Copperfield’s has a great selection of beers on tap, including the Boston staple Samuel Adams and Harpoon IPA. Plus, the mixed drinks have a tendency to be on the stiff side. Also, bring some cash, because Copperfield’s doesn’t take credit cards!

Most importantly, the vibe of Copperfield’s is very appealing. There’s no dress code, the bartenders are cool and the people who gather there are generally looking to have a good time.

I’ve even seen fans of opposing teams in there, and they only encounter some minor ribbing from the Red Sox faithful. And yes, that even includes fans wearing jerseys of the pinstriped variety.

The bottom line is, Copperfield’s is the perfect place for baseball fans to meet up before the game. However, it can also be a great place to hang out at even if the Red Sox aren’t in town.

Whatever the scenario, you can count on having a good time at this here. Let’s show some love to a bar on Yawkey Way that doesn’t get the attention of its neighbors.

Copperfield’s Bar and Down Under Saloon
98 Brookline Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 247-8605

Find out more about Copperfields at ... http://www.copperfieldsboston.com/about_us.html