Upscale comfort fare combines with a lively bar scene to yield one of Brookline's most popular restaurants.
Reserve wine list
Brunch (except during summer)
Warm environment
The Washington Square Tavern is where the key to happiness is just an order away.
T.W.S.T. has grown to be a foodies' favorite and a late-nite hoppin' hangout. Come to the Tavern and discover very affordable gems on our excellent wine list or quench your thirst with one of many T.W.S.T.ed cocktails.
So come join us before that game or night on the town at The Washington Square Tavern where the service is friendly, the atmosphere is pleasantly laid-back and the food is second-to-none in freshness and preparation.
Come see what you might be missing out on at Brookline's home away from home.
The Scene Facing the square after which it's named, this beloved neighborhood bistro is a magnet for in-the-know foodies and area 30-somethings. With communal tables, dark woods and tall bookshelves, the restaurant yields a mildly Irish vibe. With no separation between the bar and dining areas, the room can get quite noisy. An impressive drink selection includes inventive house concoctions (pear martinis) and a well-chosen wine list. Harried waiters do their best to keep everyone happy.
The Food Loyal customers keep returning for the kitchen's modern comfort fare, dished out at Brookline, not Boston, prices. The ever-changing menu includes seasonal salads (baby arugula with sweet pecans, goat cheese and red wine vinaigrette) and homemade soups (English pea with creme fraiche and pancetta). Entrees combine fresh salmon filets and hearty pork chops with homey accompaniments like creamy polenta and roasted sweet potatoes. Those craving a sweet finish are dismayed to learn that dessert isn't served.
The Washington Square Tavern is a great place to go for a casual beer or a great dinner. The bar area is usually packed and there are few tables so be prepared to stand. The beer selection is very extensive. The food is very good. I would describe it as gourmet comfort food.
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The only thing I have to say is make sure that your ENTIRE party is with you when youa re seated, or else be prepared to wait. And make sure you don't have naother person come sit with you after you have been seated, because the servers may give you a problem. If you are looking for a drama-free night, then don't go here!
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Latest reviews by Citysearch:
(read all 21 reviews
on Citysearch)
Great place for everything
By CSMobileUser
This is one of my favorite places for both food and drink. You cant go wrong at the WST
Posted 05/28/09
Best Place in Boston for a Drink
By Linebrook
Some background: I'm from Europe, and I've lived in Boston for two years. My observation: Even though people around here vote Democrat, their lifestyles can be very conservative or uptight---good citizen types. Then, you have college students, and a smaller number of "hipsters" (who you could mistake for being artsy or trendy, but don't be fooled). On top of that Boston is not as cosmopolitan as someone on the outside might imagine. The city is about careers, business, research, and universities---that's about it. It can be fairly segregated by these "types", and it becomes hard to find a good pub or bar that stands away from all of that.
Enter Washington Square Tavern: My favorite bar/pub in the Boston metro. Food is excellent, beers are excellent, atmosphere is great. It's the sort of bar where you can drink merrily and chat with the people next to you, or you can read and enjoy the surroundings, at least early on in the evening. Service is hospitable, warm, and friendly. I live locally and come here all the time.The pub
Re. the bad service--I've seen it on occasion, and it's fair. It is not bad service, it is about being firm with people. The pub is in an upscale part of town called Brookline. You get staid business people on occasion who are put-off by the forwardness of the bar staff and then treat them like servants. Or, you get fresh-out-of-college New England types, who are young people dressed up like my grandparents at their 25th wedding anniversary in 1958 (pearls and everything). They sip beer as though they were 'sinning', sit around cluelessly, and again can be rude to the staff. If you don't live in New England, and if none of this makes sense to you, then don't worry----you'll have a good time!
Pros: Service, Friendliness, Food, Beer, Wine and other Spirits Cons: No outdoor seating
Posted 08/06/08
Hidden gem
By thebarefootconsumer
Washington Square Tavern is a complete hidden gem! The food is consistently fabulous. The menu is changed every two months or so but always has a little something for everyone. The bartenders are unbelievably entertaining and cute (who doesn't love an Irish brogue?!) and the restaurant embodies quaint, busy, home style and gourmet all at once.
I have eaten here over 20 times and have never had a bad experience. Get there early on weekends though as the dinner crowd is steady and the bar going crowd beings piling in around 10.
Pros: hot bartenders, great ambiance, fabulous food Cons: no dessert
Posted 12/06/07
Good food, small menu, high prices, spotty service
By croll
We went to the WST recently on the advice of some friends. Apparently the Tavern is supposed to be popular among foodies although, oddly, I'd never heard of it in the last five years of living in Boston. We walked in to find a lovely, charming tavern atmosphere and were able to have a couple of drinks at the beautiful bar while waiting for a table to open up. One did, but we had to share it with another couple. This wasn't a problem due to the large size of the table, but it's not what I'd call a romantic atmosphere (fun, but not romantic). We were promptly informed that the kitchen was out of two of the seven entrees. When we ordered a bottle of wine a minute later, we discovered they were out of that, too, and wound up going with a rather mediocre substitute. After ordering, bread was brought to our table (not enough butter and slightly stale). The main attraction is the food, however, and it was wonderful. The lamb lollipops were to die for, as was the veal marsala and the trout. After our plates were removed, our waiter (who I suspect was also the manager) disappeared. No inquires about an after dinner drink. When we asked about dessert, we found out they don't serve any ("to save you from yourselves"). After paying $140, we went across the street to Athenas and had a lovely dessert and coffee. The food was wonderful and gave me some great ideas about things to try at home, but we probably won't be going back. The price is about right if you judge only by the quality of the food, but the limited selection and the spotty service left us disappointed.
Pros: Food Cons: Service, Selection, Prices
Posted 06/30/07
best upscale comfort food in brookline
By natashakurg
this busy and lively brookline neighbourhood restaurant/bar is a true gem. The staff is friendly and accommodating and even though the restaurant doesn't accept reservations the food is definitely worth waiting for! my fiancee and I had the most fantastic asparagus bisque and tender andouille sausage stuffed calamaris folllowed by a succulent pork tenderloin (yum!) and a fantastic blue cheese sirloin burger. we drank a great bottle of pinot noir that was decanted for us at the table. unfortunately the WST does not offer desert but we appreciated their great after dinner drink selection. if you are looking for upscale comfort food in a casual and cozy atmosphere-check it out!!
