Bar
Wally’s Café Jazz Club
A family-run jazz club on Massachusetts Avenue, opened in 1947, with early-evening jam sessions where Berklee students play alongside veterans and live sets every night.
Harpoon Brewery Beer Hall
Harpoon's Boston brewery and beer hall on Northern Avenue in the Seaport, with guided tastings and tours, house beers and its well-known spent grain pretzels.
At a glance
- Type
- Brewery beer hall
- Area
- Seaport, Boston, United States
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- harpoonbrewery.com
Good to know
- Brewery tastings and tours
- Pretzels
- Trivia on Mondays
- No reservations
Why we recommend it
Harpoon Brewery's Boston home on Northern Avenue in the Seaport combines a working brewery with a beer hall. Harpoon describes itself as Boston's original, and a visit here is a relaxed way to spend an afternoon or early evening, whether you want a full tour or just a pint and a pretzel.
The beer hall serves Harpoon's beers alongside food, and the signature snack is the spent grain pretzel, made with The Bread Shed and served with ale mustard and Harpoon IPA cheese; a cinnamon sugar version comes with butterscotch caramel and whipped honey icing. Food is served until last call, an hour before closing.
The beer hall is open from noon to 6pm on Sunday, from noon to 9pm Monday to Thursday, and from noon to 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Guided tastings run daily, starting on the half hour, from 3:30pm to 5:30pm Monday to Thursday and from 12:30pm to 5:30pm Friday to Sunday, with a maximum of 15 people each. According to the brewery's FAQ, most are 25-minute guided tastings, with longer full brewery tours on Saturdays. Visitors must be 21 or older with valid photo ID to drink, and under-21s may come with a parent or guardian. Seating is first come, first served, and there is trivia every Monday at 7pm.
Harpoon suits groups of friends, beer enthusiasts and anyone looking for a casual evening in the Seaport. It is lively at weekends and during special events such as its Octoberfest celebration, when the hall can close to the public or require tickets, so check the website before planning a visit around those dates. Event bookings need at least three weeks' notice.
Tastings are limited in size, so arriving early in the session window gives you the best chance of joining one on a busy day.
Northern Avenue runs through the Seaport, and the brewery makes a good stop after an afternoon on the waterfront or in Fort Point. Rooftop at The Envoy and the restaurants of Fort Point are also in this part of the city if you want to continue the evening. As a general tip, plan your journey home in advance, as the Seaport's streets can be busy after big events.
Harpoon Brewery Beer Hall FAQs
What are the beer hall opening hours?
Noon to 6pm Sunday, noon to 9pm Monday to Thursday, and noon to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
Can you tour the brewery?
Yes. Guided tastings run daily on the half hour, with full brewery tours on Saturdays.
How many people can join a tasting?
Up to 15 people per tasting.
Do you need to be 21?
You must be 21 or older with photo ID to drink; under-21s may visit with a parent or guardian.
Can you book a table?
No. Seating is first come, first served.
What food is there?
The spent grain pretzel with ale mustard and IPA cheese is the signature snack.
Is there trivia?
Yes, every Monday at 7pm.
When does food service stop?
At last call, one hour before closing.