The Lower Depths
| Address: | 476 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA |
| Phone: | +1 617-266-6662 |
| Site: | thelowerdepths.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–1AM 11:30AM–1AM 11:30AM–1AM 11:30AM–1AM 11:30AM–1AM 11:30AM–1AM 11:30AM–1AM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 12
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Cristina Ruiz
Hankerin for a fried, deconstructed loaded baked potato? Kenmore tots got you covered. Cheddar, bacon, scallions, chipotle aioli blanketing warm, crunchy potato pillows. Youre welcome. My pet peeve is when you order nachos and all the good stuff only covers the top third of the chips. Who wants to eat naked chips? Not me. I guess nudity peeves the guys at TLD too, since their tots are perfectly laid out on the hot plate, ensuring cheese and meat and spice cover every starchy inch and therefore make an appearance in every bite. Thank you. As for drinks, the extent of their bottled offerings is impressive. And darn overwhelming. Fortunately the menu is separated out by beer type (IPA, wheat, lager, amber, etc.) so you can slowly focus in from there. Once I selected a general category (which still took considerable effort), I asked the waiter for his recommendation based on what I was looking for (the less hoppy the better!). He was super knowledgable and let me know that West Coast breweries love their hops, so I would probably be better off picking one from another region. Well there we go. Learn something new every day! I went with his rec, and it was on point. Waiter dude knows whats up. Although I found the food and drinks to be above par pub fare, the atmosphere left something to be desired. Namely darkness. "The Lower Depths" incites a a cavernous, mysterious image which clashes with the overly bright, loud reality of the space. Dim the lights, get a credit card machine (Cash only? Are we in the 1980s?), and all will be right with the world. Or at least with this beer and tot-toting bar.
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Lone Wolfe
I had the Pulled Pork Sandwich and a basket of fries. Very tasty pulled pork and a lot of it. 12 hours later and Im just finally getting snacking urges again. Im not a fan of the coleslaw being added to the top of the pulled pork in the sandwich, but thats just a learning experience for me. The next time Ill know to ask for it on the side. My sister had the steak salad. She usually doesnt eat much at each setting, but she insisted on finishing the entire huge salad. Id say she was happy. My niece was content with a Fenway Frank foot long and fries. She inhaled it and didnt bug me for more food the rest of the day, so I take it she was another satisfied customer. Unfortunately, I was the chauffeur today so I wasnt able to sample any of their beer selection, maybe next time. I would definitely stop in again the next time Im in town.
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Joey Melnick
Lower depths is one of the best options in the fenway area that has a good beer selection and isnt a redsox hotspot, that alone is worth the three stars. But theres more. Solid tots, cool outdoor seating, towering nachos and veggie hot dogs with all SORTS of toppings. It sounds like a dream come true - right? Unfortunately I have gripes. Cash only, bad veggie burger, and slightly overpriced (thats what I get for being on the Boston side of the river, amiright?). Also there is just something that feels off about lower depths. Maybe the bar tenders are a little standoffish, maybe its the fact that its at basement level. I cant quite place it. Ive been here 5 or 6 times and will certainly come back, but I wouldnt suggest going out of your way for it.
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Pauri Pandian
Pros: tons of great beers, with a good rotating tap. Food is solid, though not as good as I was a couple of years ago. For the most part, doesnt ever get too crazy (with one exception below). Nice to be near Fenway and not have it be too much of a madhouse on most days. Cons: the food has gotten worse over the last couple of years (though their tater tots are awesome!). Secondly, they are understaffed after Red Sox games. The staff seemed like they were doing the best they could (though one server was not all that nice). The management should staff it better on nights with Sox games, especially if its a weekend game.
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Joshua Berk
Its as if the Lower Depths was plucked from nearby Allston/Brighton, with a solid craft beer selection, a fully non-pretentious staff (happy to provide suggestions), and $1 hot-dogs every day (try mango salsa & guacamole). Sitting at the bar with a jacket? -- Use the hooks under the counter (few bars have this amenity)! The place features an expressive (interesting to some, creepy to most) mural, presumably of its patrons (dead authors + artists). Warning: Cash-only! Highlights: Tots Supreme (blue cheese + caramelized onion), Fenway Frank.
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A Private User
I have to completely disagree with anyone who doesnt like this place, especially angry comments against the waitstaff. The waitstaff is lovely and attentive. The selection is great. The ambience is low key. The tater tots are...tater tots. I mean what do you want, its a bar, it has bar food. I tend to think that people who write angry reviews about service have never worked in service, and are so self entitled that having to wait five minutes is too long for their precious selves. Get over it and have another beer.
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Jenna Sullivan
The Lower Depths is one of my favorite places to grab a snack and a pint in Boston. Its a craft beer bar with a penchant for hot dogs and tater tots. Even when busy (like before/after Sox games) its not too difficult to get a seat, but service from the wait staff does take a turn for the worse when its crowded. Cash only establishment, but there is an ATM in the doorway. Check it out, its worth it.
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Christopher Hsu
They have a good selection of beer at an average price. Do note that they only have beer and no other alcoholic options. They do have some bar food as well including their famous/infamous hotdog with pickle and peanut butter. Service was fast friendly and clean. Cool decor and lighting as well. Good for a casual meet up with friends but maybe not so great for a first date.
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A Private User
this is probably the worst bar ive ever been to. they charged our party twice for drinks...then argued about it...then insulted us for not tolerating their abuse. their draft list is pathetic. there was not a single beer on the menu i felt compelled to order and the food was greasy. overall, a terrible experience. their waitstaff is gangly, homely and atrocious.
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Louis Jacques
Got there with my girlfriend while speaking spanish, we are also from Quebec so our IDs are in French. About to order, server didnt want to serve us, said he couldnt understand our IDs even though they were official and refuse to serve us. Blatant racist, didnt know this could happen in the craft beet scene, very disappointed since my friends had sold me the place.
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Alec Loudenback
An awesome beer bar with a very low key and semi-eclectic atmosphere. The food is very tasty and pairs well with the beer (think well done bar food). They dont have a license for cocktails or hard alcohol, but for me thats okay. Sometimes they have a hard time keeping the beer list updated... but its always fun to try something new. The franks are a steal here!
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James RePass
The lower depths has one of the best beer selections in Boston, and on top of that, has decent bar food, especially the grilled cheese sandwiches and tater tots. A bit pricey, at 5-10 dollars per beer, but great atmosphere and service. Also, as a note, the mural on the wall depicts regulars at the bar when it was painted, some of which can still be seen there.
