• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

COSTELLO’S TAVERN

Written by MARC HURWITZ Posted February 2, 2016 Filed Under: Eats, LIFESTYLE

EA_CostellosBurger_728

Although the number has dwindled a good amount over the past decade or so, Boston remains a city with a lot of dive bars. You can often figure out which ones they are from the outside, but sometimes what looks like a dive really isn’t. Take Costello’s Tavern in Jamaica Plain, for example; the storefront of this Centre Street watering hole looks the part in some ways, as it is housed in a squat space with a brick front, has a simple sign above the door that is lit up from above by old-fashioned light, and includes a couple of windows that don’t seem to let a whole lot of light inside the place. But Costello’s is by no means a dive bar, instead being a friendly neighborhood drinking spot that attracts a diverse mix of people and has no real sense of danger to it (which dives often have). The spot also has some very good food, which some say disqualifies it from being a true dive. Whether you consider it a dive bar or not, one thing is for sure—Costello’s is a great place to go to if you like old bars and burgers (more on that in a bit).

 

Located in the heart of the main commercial strip in JP, Costello’s is one of a few drinking spots in this quirky Boston neighborhood that could be considered by at least some to be a dive bar (Galway Bay, the Jeanie Johnston, the Drinking Fountain, and the Fireside Tavern being a few others), with Costello’s being one of the least divey of the lot. The interior of the place feels a bit like the long-gone Nick’s Beef and Beer House in Cambridge, which was a legendary drinking spot that closed down approximately 15 years ago, and much like that place, eating at the bar seems to be at least as good an option as eating at one of the tables, especially if you’re in a chatty mood and want to trade stories with the bartender. The mix of booths and high-top tables, dim lighting, old-looking exposed brick, dark woods, and TVs showing the local games gives Costello’s a decidedly blue-collar feel, and while this remains true to an extent, you will also see everyone from artists to college students to young professionals to retired couples here.

 

Costello’s may look like a place to get a beer and a shot while forgoing a bite to eat, and while this is what some do, the place has some pretty decent takes on pub grub and comfort food. The highlight here is probably the charbroiled burgers, which have been mentioned by some over the years as one of the best bar burgers in the entire city of Boston, and familiar and less-common toppings such as bacon, mushrooms, chili, bleu cheese, salsa, roasted red peppers, guacamole, cheese sauce, jalapenos, and cranberries (for the turkey burger) only add to the goodness of these oversized hunks of meat. For those who are not in the mood for a burger, the pizzas (which lean a bit toward bar-style), hot dogs, steak tips, wings, and reubens are all good options, and the handcut fries are outstanding either as an appetizer or with a sandwich. The beer list at Costello’s will never be mistaken for one at an upscale gastropub or a boutique beer bar, but a few local microbrews are available along with the standard mass-market beers, while the fully stocked bar should satisfy those who are looking for mixed drinks or shots.

 

For those who like the concept of dive bars but aren’t crazy about the sometimes-scary aspect to them, Costello’s in Jamaica Plain may be a good place to check out. And for those who are burger lovers, this dining and drinking spot definitely needs to be on your short list of places to try. In a neighborhood full of old-Boston restaurants and bars (including the iconic Doyle’s, which isn’t too far away), Costello’s is one of the better ones and one that remains a hidden gem of sorts after many years in business.

 


COSTELLO’S TAVERN. 723 CENTRE ST., JAMAICA PLAIN.

MARC HURWITZ

Marc is the founder of @hiddenboston, a textbook editor, a hike leader for @AppMtnClub, and a food and travel writer and commenter for DigBoston, NBC/NECN, WBZ, WMFO and indie617.

More from author
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    GHOST STORY: VIRTUAL KITCHENS APPEAR TO BE THE NEXT BIG THING, BUT AT WHAT COST?
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    RESTAURANTS PERSEVERE WHILE HANGING ON A THREAD
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    GREAT HIKES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, FROM DORCHESTER TO MEDFORD
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    CALLING IT AN EARLY NIGHT

Filed Under: Eats, LIFESTYLE Tagged With: Centre Street, comfort food, Costello's Tavern, jp

WHAT’S NEW

HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO APPEASE A CONTROVERSIAL COP

HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO APPEASE A CONTROVERSIAL COP

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HONORED, SPEAKERS ADDRESS RACISM

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HONORED, SPEAKERS ADDRESS RACISM

FORMER MASS GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE PREDICTED VIOLENCE BEFORE ASSAULT ON CAPITOL

FORMER MASS GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE PREDICTED VIOLENCE BEFORE ASSAULT ON CAPITOL

PRISON HORRORS BY THE NUMBERS

PRISON HORRORS BY THE NUMBERS

Harry Brill. Photo courtesy of Gary Zabel.

RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL

Aerial View Parkman Bandstand at Boston Common. CC BY-SA 4.0 2017 by AbhiSuryawanshi.

NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • APPOINTED SOMERVILLE OFFICIAL SPURS OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC MOB SCENE by MARC LEVY
  • Aerial View Parkman Bandstand at Boston Common. CC BY-SA 4.0 2017 by AbhiSuryawanshi. NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM by MATTHEW ANDREWS
  • VIDEO: COP WHO BRAGGED THAT HE HIT PROTESTERS SHOWS HOW BAD APPLES THRIVE IN BOSTON by CHRIS FARAONE
  • PRISON HORRORS BY THE NUMBERS by SARAH BETANCOURT
  • IT’S HARDER THAN EVER TO FIND A BATHROOM IN BOSTON. WHAT’S THE CITY DOING ABOUT IT? by ZACK HUFFMAN

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

Footer

digbos

RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL http RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL https://digboston.com/radical-and-relevant-the-life-of-harry-brill/ #obituary #organizer #radical #sociologist #democracy #politics @UMassBoston @BklynCollege411 @UCBerkeley #Boston #Massachusetts #NewYorkCity #Berkeley #California
NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 #PROTEST ON BOSTON CO NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 #PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM https://digboston.com/no-honeymoon-for-biden-1-20-protest-on-boston-common-4-pm/ #opinion #progressive #left #action #inauguration #Boston #Massachusetts
Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this lat Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this latest incarnation of a #beer that’s been in the making for months. https://digboston.com/video-jacks-abby-x-boston-celtics-pride-and-parquet-hoppy-lager-unboxing-tasting/ #fun #video #review #Boston #Massachusetts
Jostling for position and influence are the disadv Jostling for position and influence are the disadvantaged candidates, existing industry participants, and municipalities … https://digboston.com/the-road-to-home-delivery-pt-5-dogs-in-the-fight-identifying-the-players/ #cannabis #politics #analysis #Massachusetts
The candidates will be interviewed about the upcom The candidates will be interviewed about the upcoming race. https://digboston.com/wu-and-campbell-to-speak-at-mayoral-candidate-webinar/ #politics #mayor #campaign #Boston #Massachusetts
Participants took to the streets in the hope of sw Participants took to the streets in the hope of swaying the Biden administration. https://digboston.com/on-national-day-of-action-protesters-call-for-eviction-moratorium/ #housing #justice #protest #national #Boston #Massachusetts
“They refuse to respond to this humanitarian cri “They refuse to respond to this humanitarian crisis where people really need them. We’re just ignoring this problem and it’s getting worse and worse.” https://digboston.com/its-harder-than-ever-to-find-a-bathroom-in-boston-whats-the-city-doing-about-it/ #politics #unhoused #homeless #bathroom #public #health #Boston #Massachusetts
Environmental #justice and #climate change advocat Environmental #justice and #climate change advocates are pushing for its passage. https://digboston.com/baker-urged-to-sign-game-changing-climate-bill/ #environment #globalwarming #legislation #politics #Massachusetts
In short, it’s amazing. For details, check the # In short, it’s amazing. For details, check the #video … https://digboston.com/video-night-shifts-tea-party-is-subtle-love-for-people-who-hate-most-hard-teas/ #review #fun #beer @NightShiftBeer
HOW TO DEFEAT THE HARD RIGHT: Some thoughts on the HOW TO DEFEAT THE HARD RIGHT: Some thoughts on the Capitol attack and building a more democratic nation. The latest from DigBoston's @jasonpramas. https://digboston.com/how-to-defeat-the-hard-right/ #democracy #politics #Capitol #US #America #attack #Biden #Trump #grassroots #movement #analysis #strategy #MAGA
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]