I was having a really good time here tonight...ordered a few drink for me and my friends and paid with cash. Later on in the night, i tried to order another drink but just for myself. it cost 8 dollars which is a respectable price and i made it known to the bar tender that i only had 2 dollars cash left but he took my drink away after making it and said i had to order 20 dollars worth of drinks to pay with a card. had i used my card earlier and saved the cash for this scenario it would have been completely fine. its sad that they would turn away a paying customer for some stupid rule. definitely lost a former fan....
(1)
Emily C.
The Brahmin is definitely one of the nicer night spots I've visited in Boston. It's pretty similar to some of the lounges in LA. It kinda reminded me of a smaller version of Les Deux in LA. You will probably have to wait in line to get in, but the line seems to move pretty fast. No cover. The crowd is pretty good looking and the music is great. There is a coat check. Lots of bartenders and bar area, so it's pretty easy to get a drink. My ONLY issue with The Brahmin is the strange layout. I have no idea why they stuck a HUGE staircase in the middle of the place. It takes up so much valuable space! There are way too many walls and hall ways in the down stairs area. I couldn't help but think of the chaos that would ensue if something were to happen down there.... Overall, a really nice spot in Boston. I'll probably be back again.
(3)
Tina C.
After reading some of the responses to reviews here, I'm a little apprehensive about posting my experience. I want to preface this by saying I've taken some time to cool off a little after the incident in question, and I am trying my best to come at this from a level-headed and fair point of view. I also want to say that I fully understand the need for lines, and I am under no illusions that I deserve special treatment. I do not live in Boston, and I have no vested interest in how well or poorly this place does. The only reason I was even here on the night in question was because I had come in from out of town to celebrate with my friend. I'm writing this review because it seems that there have been other reviewers who have had a similar experience. At around 9:45pm, I arrived at The Brahmin. There was already a line outside, but because my friend had a guest list, I was told I would be let in as long as I arrived before 10pm. I gave the name to the bouncer, who barely glanced over his clipboard before telling me he could not find it. I told him I was sure it was under "Jane Smith" and asked if he could please check again. Again, he flipped a few papers on his clipboard but barely glanced before telling me he couldn't find it. I told him I would call my friend, who was inside the bar, to confirm which name she had used. Because it was so loud inside, it took me a while to reach my friend. By the time I got back to the bouncer, it was 10:02pm (based on call logs). Again, I told the bouncer I was sure the name was "Jane Smith". This time, he looked at his clipboard, and said, "Yeah, it looks like she had a guest list but it's past 10 now, so you can't get in." I politely pointed out that I had actually arrived before 10, and that it was him (the bouncer) who had missed my friend's name on the list. He told me there was nothing that could be done. At this time, a group of women also rocked up to the front of the line, saying they were here for the "Liz Jones" party. The bouncer told them the same thing, that he could not let them in because it was after 10. You'll see why I'm noting this in a second. At this point, I admit I was a little annoyed because it was the bouncer who initially could not find "Jane Smith" on his clipboard and now he was refusing to let me in because of his mistake. I asked to speak to the manager, and was told I could not. This is when I started to get upset and stood aside to call my friend again to let her know what was happening. As I was on the phone, I see the same group of women as before being let into the bar. As the bouncer is letting them through, he says to the other bouncer, "It's cool, they're here for the Liz Jones party." I again ask the bouncer why I'm still not allowed in and am told there's nothing he can do. So, a summary of events: - 9:45pm - I arrive and the bouncer cannot find Jane Smith on the guest list. - 10:02pm - The bouncer confirms that he actually does see Jane Smith on the list, but it's after 10 so I'm out of luck. At this time, a group of women arrive for the Liz Jones party and are told they cannot get in for the same reason. - 10:07pm (ish) - The aforementioned group of women are let in. The bouncer still refuses to let me in. I want to note that at no time during this entire ordeal was I rude or raising my voice. I subscribe to the "catching flies with honey" mentality and hate when issues escalate to screaming. Eventually, my friend is able to speak with a (floor?) manager who was extremely rude to her before letting me in. I have no complaints about the rest of the night, the drinks were all right and our waitress was sweet and attentive despite the crowd. The dance floor was a bit over crowded, but I suppose that was expected. Eventually a floor manager did come over to speak with my friend about the issues she was having getting her friends inside (I was not the only one who experienced the power-tripping bouncers), but by then the damage had been done. To the managers, I implore you to look into the behavior of your bouncers. I realize that it is difficult to do crowd control outside and I understand the importance of lines and capacity control, but when your bouncers are having power trips over who can and cannot get into your establishment, at least make sure they are consistent with their lies. If they are going to be giving special treatment, at least be discrete about it. Your bouncers are the first thing your guests experience before coming into the bar. They set the tone for your guests...Shouldn't they be better behaved and more professional than this? I am giving 2 stars, because Yelp categorizes it as "I've experienced better" which I think is an accurate and fair assessment.
(2)
Sarah O.
Brahmin is a go-to for my house. We go once a week, usually a Friday night at Brahmin. Great dancing, two floors, and randomly great 90s music! You can reserve tables if you have a large group. Monday/Tuesday dinner at Brahmin is a must-try too!
(4)
Margarita S.
Love this place!!!! You are the best, guys! Great cocktails, awesome DJs and beautiful people. P.S. Wish you had a Glist or club card...
(5)
Michael C.
This places draws a solid crowd, I would definitely recommend arriving here early. If you arrive later in the evening you will be waiting in a pretty long line. Then when you get in you will be ushered into the downstairs room, which is basically an overflow room with a bar and have to wait in another line to get back upstairs. So arrive early and don't bother heading downstairs unless it is to use the restroom. There is a small dancefloor here upstairs to the right of the bar. This place gets packed and the narrow walk areas around the bar makes it difficult to walk around. The good music and great crowd make up for some of Brahmin's flaws. Overall this place is a solid place for a weekend night, as long as you keep in mind that you will have to deal with all the normal BS of going to this type of bar/club.
(4)
Sean H.
the good and the bad.... The good. Nice space. The bad. We were ignored at the host desk for the first five minutes. Really, really loud space. Couldn't hear each other talk I ordered the beef tenderloin and it was flavorless. Overcooked and dry. The mac and cheese side dish was a waste of calories. Don't waste your time. My synopsis, go for drinks not dinner.
(2)
Erica P.
Decent music even though the DJ doesn't know how to mix a beat or transition between songs!
(3)
Goudy L.
The bottom line about the Brahmin is that the food is boring, the drinks are expensive, you could experience permanent hearing loss from the overly amplified music, and the owner is a douche. So many different reviews are complaining about the hazardous noise levels at the Brahmin and about Russ the owner making lame internet threats to people leaving unfavorable reviews. For example as he did to "Eric M". See for example "Jackie S." who said "Then a live singer came on and she was really talented but they had the sound up too high as I still wanted to casually chat with my girlfriend." or "Katie V", where it was "it was impossible to hear" causing the bartender to bring more drinks rather than the check, leading to a one star experience. Russ is of course entirely incorrect about his obligations to provide a safe working environment for his employees. Making the excuse "they choose to work here" has been rejected in the state of Massachusetts since 1910s, and at the Federal level since the 1970s. ---- osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/no… There are various factors that may indicate noise is a problem in the workplace. While people react differently to noise, subjective responses should not be ignored because they may provide warnings that noise may be at unacceptable levels. Noisy conditions can make normal conversation difficult. When noise levels are above 80 decibels (dB), people have to speak very loudly. When noise levels are between 85 and 90 dB, people have to shout. When noise levels are greater than 95 dB, people have to move close together to hear each other at all. High noise levels can cause adverse reactions or behaviors.
(1)
Mike N.
I've been here a few times on Thursdays and Fridays. I don't think they ever charge a cover on the weekends. Great for after work drinks. Crowd seemed to be mid to late 20's.
(5)
Jonathan C.
Brahmin is one the hottest places to go in Boston on a Friday or Saturday night. Great food all week long, good Dj's on the weekends, and the management is fantastic.
(5)
Ilena R.
Great experience. The owner actually lent my friend shoes so he could come in (he was wearing flip flops) - so considerate! Service was great, music was great. Awesome place to go for a birthday party!
(5)
Maddy S.
I just want to start out by saying if you like douche-y clubs, thus might be the place for you. Unfortunately, I do not count myself in that population. There was a massive line at 10pm on a Saturday, we waited 45 minutes, got in and it was so loud I couldn't even hear myself think. They also have an utterly absurd dress code. They're super strict on sneakers despite the fact that once you get inside it's so crowded that you can't even see anybody's feet. Drinks were reasonably priced but for some reason they have a minimum card charge of $20. And for the music, while they did play some good songs, they give the DJs a little too much free license. There were some awful mashups and sped up versions of popular songs. While I did have a pretty good time dancing with friends, if you're looking for a fun night I'd recommend looking elsewhere.
(2)
Martin H.
Stopped in for a drink, a decent Moscow Mule. The floor around the bar was so insanely and inexplicably sticky it partly pulled my shoe off at one point. The weather outside was beautiful but somehow it was hot in the bar. One bartender ignored me to keep talking hockey with some fellow Canadians, the other mostly ignored me to hit on the servers. Tried to take my drink outside to enjoy the beautiful weather, but was told I had to order food if I wanted to sit outside (apparently that's the law, so I'm not holding it against the establishment. Stupid law though.). The inside of the bar looked like it might be very nice. But even though it was broad daylight outside, the inside of the bar was so dark and gloomy that I couldn't really see whether it was a nice place, and I felt like some sort of alcoholic vampire, avoiding the sun. There are several other bars less than a block away; in the future I would try one of them instead.
(2)
Julie B.
Want to go to the Brahmin on a Saturday night? Get there early. After reading reviews my friends and I arrived at 9:05 on the dot. There was already a small line formed, and by 9:10 it was down the street. Getting to a bar "early" usually means by 10:30. Not here folks! There was a private party downstairs so I'm guessing the line started a bit earlier than normal, but better safe than sorry. Lounges aren't typically my thang but I really liked Brahmin. Here's why: - No cover - Good drinks! Bartender makes a mean dark n' stormy in a cute mason jar glass. - Great music - oldies, top 40, remixes, Whitney Houston tribute - Places to sit, places to stand, places to dance - $3 Coat check with a NICE attendant - clean, fancy bathrooms - ATM in the bar All good things! Also, the place is kinda fancy but there's a huge range in dress. I had on flats and a casual black dress. Girls were in jeans/dresses, some guys were wearing suits and some were wearing hoodies. Wear what you'd like!
(4)
Alicia W.
Updating my review as I've been back to the Brahmin since my last post and have had an equally-bad or worse experience compared to the multiple occasions I reference in my last review. I'd also like to state that I've updated my settings just for you, Ed. So please feel free to provide additional mostly defensive and unhelpful comments and throw in a few empty threats as you've done to other posters as you see fit. I maintain my original sentiments, but will refuse any further invitations to this establishment.
(1)
Adam H.
A huge line to get inside and find the place not full at all. Very mixed crowd with a strange vibe. Basement bar is kind of creepy. Coat check ran out of hangers?? Random furniture all over the place. The bartenders were as lost as the DJ in this place.
(2)
TinoX T.
Good place to dance and to have couple of drinks but I don't understand why they don't have a minimum dress code level, I saw few people they have flip-flops on and some guys they have Shorts and sandal !!!!! I was confused if we was on the Beach or in Night life Gizmo. ps: i put three Stars only because yelp didn't let me put this review less then 3 stars,if it come to me i put ONE STARRRR
(3)
Ryan S.
Was here a few months back in the winter months. Food was good. Shrimp apps were my favorite. Good music and god place to chill with friends. Not too loud just laid back.
(4)
Shirley L.
I have never experienced such horrible management and service in all my years of dining out. I don't even know where to begin...The waitress was a complete bxtch and was completely rude. She did not introduce herself as our waitress, I had to find her name through the bill. She kept coming over and asking for us to order drinks and rushing us even though not all of our party had been seated. We finally order the food. The prices are outrageous for such small proportions. Don't order the Mac n Cheese because it was horrible. My friend ordered a dish and it wasn't even served! By the time the waitress (Bevin) came around, I told her the dish didn't arrive. She snapped, "Well the order was put in, it must've gone to the wrong table" Ok....well how is that our problem? So then she so "smartly" asks if he would still like the dish, even though everyone was done with their meals...yes Bevin...he'd like to start eating now...Too bad you already included the tip as a part of our bill because honestly if we could, we wouldn't tip you at all. The busboy comes around to collect our dishes so he takes out a big bin and slams it onto the end of our table where we're seated. WE had to pass him the plates for him to throw his bin roughly. Shall we wash them too? The bill comes around and there was a problem with it and we talked to our waitress about it. She said she can't do anything about it, so we asked for the manager. Manager: A person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of a company or similar organization. Not only did he not "control" the situation, he was just as rude as the waitress. He didn't accomodate and the only thing he did was yell. Yes sir, because yelling at your PAYING customers will solve the problem. I'd really love to meet whoever trained you to work in the customer service field. I have no idea why there are people waiting in line to get in for their drinks and dancing. If you need a club, go somewhere else in Boston because there are plenty out there better. The martini's are watered down, and other drinks are mediocre. Overall not a good place for drinks, food, or customer service. Would not recommend this place AT ALL! SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TIME! GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!
(1)
Mary B.
The perfect place for BU biddies and douchey frat guys. It's always crowded and there's always a line, but there's no cover which is nice and the music is pretty decent. But the bartenders are rude and insist on a 2 drink minimum so expect to spend a lot even without cover.
(2)
Ellen H.
Anywhere that has outdoor seating at least qualifies for a 3-star review in my book. So we'll start there. +1 star for being able to complete reservations online from the Brahmin website. +1 star for being seated immediately even though we were 30 mins early for our reservation. -1 star for the table being ridiculously rickety. As in, every time my date or I lifted our arm to take a bite, the whole table shifted several inches in the other direction. -1 star for $12 lowball mojitos. Good, but not $12 good. -1 star for a teensie tiny caesar salad. I know it's tapas, but the salads aren't part of the "small plates" and weren't priced as such. -1 star for the mediocre meatballs -- at $3 per, I expected them to at least excite me in some way. +1 star for the best gnocchi's I have EVER had. In my life. Holy moses. +1 star for service with a smile, attentive, great attitude, never rushing us out. The take home message: go for outdoor seating, limit your drinks, and get a whole serving of the gnocchis!
(3)
Sooks M.
Got here at 10pm on a saturday. Waited in line for AN HOUR AND A HALF. I figured that this place must be god sent if the line wraps around the block. NO. When I finally got inside (only because everyone in line in front of me had left), I rushed to the bar for a shot and drinks..The bartender said she was out of shot glasses and drink cups, she did not say to wait for more cups, she said if we didn't want a beer we would have to go to the other bar across the room...mind you the place was filled to capacity. The upstairs 'DJ' played top 40 and the downstairs 'DJ' played hiphop, the flow of the music was terrible, choppy and inconsistent. If you're looking to wait in line for hours and be crowded like a sweaty sardine this is the place is for you!
Came here for dinner last night for the first time. My friends frequent the bar/club scene but also said they had great food. We had no problem getting a last minute reservation on their website and were able to sit outside. It was a gorgeous night HOWEVER the management has failed to take steps to prohibit smoking outside of the dining area. I would take a star away for this but I KNOW management will take steps to fix this. Thankfully there were only a few people smoking cancer sticks throughout our meal. Now for the good: Service was excellent. Our waitress was in training and accompanied by her trainer. Both were very friendly and made excellent recommendations regarding items and quantity, (small plates menu). It was refreshing to have friendly staff at a place like this as restaurants with a bar/club scene in my experience usually have terrible service. The drinks were really good. It looks like any wine sold by the bottle is also available by the glass. Glass prices are on the high side but the wine my wife ordered was good. Beer selection is meh. Ordered a Maker's Manhattan and it was excellent! The food is great. Not one thing on the menu we did not enjoy. The best item was easily the half order of gnocchi. Large portion for just a half order, full of flavor, perfectly cooked. Shrimp tacos were a bit hard to eat with the fried puff shell but we're still good. Order comes with two. Garlic shrimp was awesome. Highly recommend ordering the goat cheese aranchini. they are addicting! Order comes with four. Arugula and goat cheese salad was nice and fresh wi just the right amount of dressing. If you don't get your drink on during dinner this o,ace is pretty affordable and the quality is great. Looking forward to a return visit....with no butt smokers within range of dining of course.
(4)
Matt S.
I'm not a big "packed bar/DJ/club" kind of person but if you're into that it has a pretty good late night scene. This claim is bolstered by the rather large line we encountered when we arrived around 10. I have no idea what the food is like, I only know what the late night scenario is like. It was packed, had two floors with separate DJ's who played pretty good music. They had staff walking around making sure things were flowing properly so that was nice. Despite being absolutely packed it actually wasn't that hard to get a drink, so overall it was a pretty decent experience. Just a note, if you aren't planning on opening a tab know there is a $20 minimum in order to put a drink in and close your tab.
(4)
Kristen D.
Wish I could give ZERO stars! The short review: RUDE & PRETENTIOUS-DON'T BOTHER! The long review-Arrived at 7, for a 730 reservation for my friend's 30th birthday. My bf and I walked in and explained to the hostess we were here for a party and gave her the name, while she was looking for the reservation, another hostess (dark haired) walked up and barked at us, "WE'RE FULL!" Atthat moment the other hostess found the party reservation and told us where we would be set up. I was so disgusted by the hostesses attititude that I wouldve walked out, if it wasn't my friends birthday! We had a waitress for our table, and while she wasn't a rude B, she was never around, making it nearly impossible to get drunk (combined with the WEAK drinks). Funny, about an hr later, the rude hostess, came up to mty bf and I and apologized for her behavior to us. While I appreciated the gesture, the damage was already done and I was pissed off. Now, I get it, I've worked in the service industry (it sucks and you hate your job!), everyone is entitled to a "bad night," but when an overwhelming amount of reviews comment on the rude, bitchy staff, you'd think ownership/mgmt would do a serious re haul or have a serious talk with PMS'ing, bitchy staff. Obviously, they don't care, as there is somehow always a line here on the wknds. I just don't get the allure of this place, and I for 1 (as well as my friends), will never give this place our business again. Will make sure my fellow yelp elites are aware as well! Also-on a disgusting note-practically all off the toilets in the women's room were over flowing-so nasty!
(1)
Deanna D.
Nice ambiance, friendly staff, and good cocktail list but the food is mediocre at best. We sat at the bar and the service was fast & friendly. The food run down: Truffled mac & cheese- too dry and not cheesy enough Tuna 2 ways- nice presentation and good flavor Beef short ribs- tender but not much flavor Basil gnocchi- delicious dish Prosciutto & arugula flatbread- the lemon pickled onions overpowered the entire dish and made it painful to eat I liked the speakeasy style ambiance so I may come back for drinks but would skip the food. 2 stars for the food; 3 stars for the ambiance & service.
(3)
Katie A.
Honestly horrible experience last night. Went out for some birthday drinks with some friends. Place was packed and bar area was busy. We were standing by the bar and a cocktail waitress said right behind you guys. She then proceeded to lose her balance and drop and pour the drinks all over myself and the people right next to me. She then said that's what you get when i say right behind. I thought this was incredibly rude and asked to speak to the manager. When i talked to him he did not apologize once and said this happened with one of MY waitresses?! I said yes and he gave me an odd look and walked away. Incredibly rude and poor customer service. Because of that alone i will not go back.
(1)
Craig S.
Went in after rave reviews from my Sis - as we both just moved into the area I am always looking for a cool new spot. Def found one in this place. We walked in to a packed scene as the upstairs was having an office Holiday party -hostess said we could maybe find an open bar table downstairs. W e braved the awesomely crooked stairway and found a spot in the somewhat underutilized bar space. Turns out we were in a reserved table but because of the mix up they would rush our order and try to make it work. Good call - considering it was only 730 and the table was booked for 830. We got all apps - Aranchini Balls were ok little dry and needed sauce - Tuna Two ways was amazing both ways - Chix Skewers on point and cilantro lime sauce was so good I put it on my balls. Standout was the Basil Gnocchies absolutely perfect. AS we finished the other party arrived - good timing. Decor was cool but not really set up to its full potential just yet but it was hilarious watching the drunken ladies from the party try to navigate the visual trip of the crooked stairs drinks in hand sloshing everywhere - be careful if you are imbibing. I will be back for sure.
(4)
Cathy M.
First all the place smelt horrible when we first walked in. My friend and I went there last night it was so overpacked we were getting shoved around. After waiting in line for over 20 min ( before 11) we get in and couldn't even get to the bar. They need to update their "good for dancing" to no or just stop overpacking the place so u can move around.
(1)
Doug J.
(score 1-100) - 66. I live around the corner so I walk by the Brahim almost daily. It is a decent outdoor food place in the summer. The food is pretty good with some unique dishes. I had the Meatball dish and remember being told by the manager that the sauce was a secret family recipe. We were treated really well my the management but our waitress on multiple occasions seemed to be either preoccupied or slightly snotty. I never try to be to harsh because it is such a difficult job and they deal with snotty people of the back bay. It was really the only reason I haven't given this place another star. The club part of the Brahmin is extremely popular and always has lines on weekend nights. This past weekend the line took 30 minutes to get in and was 40 people long at midnight. The club has two floors with bars on both floors. You will find that this is a bit of a "hook-up" or end of the night "let's go home together" place but tame in comparison to other clubs.
(3)
Hk M.
I went to Brahmin on a Saturday- if you're not there before 10 ish you will wait about an hour in line to get in which is fine but I really didn't understand the hype once we were already inside. The music was trashy mainstream and the setup is not great if you are in a group (there were 4 of us). Downstairs is much more fun and the music is much better. I had an okay time overall and we decided to go somewhere else after about an hour and my friend tried to close out her tab. She had 2 shots and 2 mixed drinks additionally charged to her card which was bizarre since we all got one drink upstairs before going to the downstairs part so there was no way they could have confused it. She has yet to hear from the manager who promised to resolve the issue and will be following up again. Also they get away with charging you for water which is bull shit since they only provide bottled water when asked... I also didn't mind the experience that much and would probably go back but am pretty disgusted reading the extremely lengthy, defensive comments the manager has on every single person's post.
(2)
S K.
I'm only giving this 3 stars because of the long lines and wait. I've manage to come here once and we waited outside in the freezing cold for almost an hour. Once we actually got in though, we had a good time. The ambience is very nice, it's mainly young professionals in their twenties, and what I really love is the music selection. We wanted to go back another Saturday night and got there at 10:30...the line was down the street and we just didn't have the courage to wait so long again. Again, we attempted to go back another night and figured if we got their early enough their wouldn't be a line. We arrived at 9:45 and there was still a line!! And not just a short one.... I understand that because of the law, once capacity is hit they can not allow people to go in...but at 9:45?? How does that even happen?! I understand most places have lines starting around 11, but there is no excuse for their to be one so early. We just ended up going to another bar that night, didn't wait at all, and had a great time. Something really needs to be done about these long lines because I feel like they are losing customers...
(3)
Travis B.
By far one of the worst clubs in Boston. Never before have I felt so disrespected as I felt from the staff at the brahmin. Ridiculously long line to get in, over priced cover, and bouncers that think, for some reason, that you should feel lucky to have waited in line and paid money to get into this "exclusive" club where you can pay about $10 for a well drink. However, don't let me scare you away, because if you are a typical guido that likes to spend 50% of your day working out and the other 50% hitting on 18 year olds, then this place may be perfect for you.
(1)
Brooke L.
I went here again and experienced the same great service inside (I even got apologized to by a very polite barback as he tried to get a bartender to take my order). But BUMMER... I got there at 9:40 PM on a Saturday and STILL waited an hour and a half in line in a freezing wind tunnel. I don't really think it's possible to make up for that, no matter how great the venue is.
(3)
Lindsay R.
I recommend making a reservation for dinner so you get in early and get a table because if you wait until later to show up - you're gonna end up standing in line outside. We got there around 830 and it was pretty empty but filled up within an hour or so. The food is small plates to share so pretty good bar food and appetizers. The martini I tried was delicious and our waitress was pretty attentive. When the place filled up and we wanted to go dancing downstairs, she continued to take our drink orders, which was great. There's two floors for dancing so when we got sick of the music downstairs, we moved back upstairs. Overall great for a girls night out - you can get dinner, drinks and dancing all in once place.
(4)
Carol C.
Can't really figure this place out... Restaurant? Bar? Club? I came for a somewhat nice dinner (which was really good), but slowly the lights turned off, and drunk people started strolling in and dancing around our table. I would suggest the tacos, green beans, and fries, but come early enough to leave before the the place transforms.
(3)
Susan C.
This is a speakeasy inspired establishment located in the former Restaurant 33. I must say that I love the dark and Prohibition days inspired interior decor. The stairs leading down to the lower level, however, are a little trippy, literally and figuratively. The slanted style makes one feel disoriented walking up and down and I could easily see someone falling down or up the stairs after a drink or two. As with other reviewers, the service is a little slow and inconsistent, but cordial overall. It wasn't very busy when I went for dinner, yet they still managed to forget a plate I ordered. Also, the drinks are inconsistent, I ordered the same drink twice and the first one tasted much better than the second. I don't know if it was because the bartenders switched or what, but the difference in taste was very noticeable. The food was okay, not spectacular, but not bad either. I'd recommend the bacon with scallops, the short rib, the tuna tartare, and the steak and potatoes flatbread. The scallops were a little sweet at first taste, but left a magnificent aftertaste in my mouth. My friend said she didn't even want to take a sip of her drink afterward because the lingering flavor was delightful. The tuna tartare 2 ways was an unexpected surprise. Who knew tuna and watermelon were such a great match? The steak and potatoes flatbread was just savory and delicious. And by the time I got to the short rib I was just too stuffed to really enjoy it, but it was good. The truffle mac and cheese is bleh, not bad but not great. It was a bit bland (needed more salt or seasoning) and lacked truffle flavor. Overall, an enjoyable experience, particularly since the price ended up being cut in half due to the Buywithme I had.
(3)
Ben W.
Highlight of the night: Some mid 20s chick clearly high on some amazing shit twirling around in circles through the dining/lounge area while her mid 60s sugar daddy wearing a track suit watches and laughs. Priceless. Want to go to a club, but hate clubs? Go here. Main dining/drinking room with several separate rooms with dancy type music and easy access to booze. Food? Upscale bar type stuff like burgers, but nothing to write home about. Eat next door at Zocalo before you come.
(4)
Jackie S.
Brahmin is a cool spot. If I come here on weekends the line is usually super long and the door guys aren't exactly the most friendly, but this time I came for dinner and was very happy with the outcome. Also, I do like coming here on the weekends there are good looking people, fun music, etc. I liked the background music a lot. It set a cool vibe. Then a live singer came on and she was really talented but they had the sound up too high as I still wanted to casually chat with my girlfriend. We ordered 4 different "small plates" including: Beef Short Rib Grilled Cheese: Holy delicious.. Asparagus fries: awesome crisp. I like fried anything but this was great. The mozzarella plate was decent and the spicy shrimp was good too. They might want to switch up the wine glasses because it seemed like they skimped on my Malbec. They were stemless so it could have been my eyes were deceiving me, but in any case they took it back and gave me an extra 'splash' which was nice. Our waitress was was a sweetheart and overall we had a nice time. I would defintiely come back here. I love the decor and atmosphere.
(4)
Anthony A.
Went to Brahmin for the first time on Saturday night with a friend for dinner. We got their for a 9pm reservation- the place was pretty empty, although the outdoor dining was prettyt full. There is a dress code, as the bouncer told me while walking in they dont typically allow sneakers, but because I was early it was okay... whatever. Anyway, I really liked the place. It was fairly large with an upstairs and down, nice interior decor, music contributed nicely to the atmosphere (although DJ was kind of lame), food was pretty good- better than I expected. Its tapas style, so you get 2-3 things per person to share. Back room turns in to a dance room... my friend and I stuck to our high table and had some moscow mules... very good.
(4)
Cris E.
The Brahmin gets packed quickly! To avoid the crazy long line that travels down the street, get there by 9 pm. Drinks are stiff, food is great and Love the variety old school music..Dress up! I knocked off a star for some of the bitchy servers shoving their way around and some sarcastic remarks. However, our two bartenders were great! One was very personable, the other just gets down to business. Goodbye 33, hello Brahmin.
(4)
Jamie H.
i came to the brahmin last night to catch up with 2 of my best friends, and it was a great spot for drinks and small plates and it has outdoor seating available. to start, we split the portobello flatbread which was pretty good. i liked the big pieces of mushrooms and that it was light on the cheese and sauce. we also got the fried asparagus, which hit the spot and was a great alternative to french fries. the real standout for me were the drinks, including the selection. at $10, they are a little less pricey than other places in the area. the cucumber and vanilla cosmo was interesting and refreshing, the blue cheese olive martini was perfectly salty and strong, while the older sister was a sweet, strong, pomegranate martini. i also really liked our waitress. she was really friendly and helped make great recommendations.
(4)
Shawn D.
Excited to try a new place with friends, we went here for the Tuesday night "Rat Pack" night. Upon walking in, there were four girls standing at the front desk...a couple of them dressed in extremely short skirts and fish net stockings...really? We gave them two reservation names and asked for the two tables to be seated next to each other. The immediate response was rude... "oh you must have the living social voucher, we can just seat you at one table" I was trying to follow the rules of one voucher per table but one table for four is fine with us, as two of our friends couldn't make it anyway. As the girl was grabbing the menus, another girl whispers to her "make sure they only use one voucher" umm... I 'm standing in front of you and can hear everything you're saying...that's extremely rude. Next, we are brought over to a table near the stage and she claims the table was actually taken. We are then escorted to a back room, with no view of the stage and could barely hear the music. By this point, I wanted to get up and walk out the door but I tried to remain calm. We ordered drinks and several small plates of food. The food was great, we all enjoyed it...except for the amount of food you get, and it's definitely overpriced. Two tiny tacos for $8 or four small meatballs for $9.50...or better yet $16 for a plain burger with only lettuce & tomato. When the waitress came with the bill, she proceeded to tell us "only one voucher per table" I explained everything discussed at the front desk upon arriving, and she went to speak with her manager. They ended up taking both vouchers off the bill, which was the right thing to do. Had they put us at two tables next to each other, as asked..this would have never been an issue. Overall, I would not return. The advertised "Rat Pack" night is nothing like they make it seem on their website, some of the staff were rude and the menu is overpriced. Clearly they are lacking in business and need Living Social to help them draw in more people. There are MUCH better restaurants in the city, with better food, friendlier staff and more reasonable prices.
(2)
Andrew S.
No complaints about this place. The decor is great, the ceiling always amazes me. And watch out walking down the stairs. The walls are uneven so when you are sober you feel drunk and when you are drunk you don't even notice it! They have small bites on their menu, I got a whole bunch with some friends once and they were great. The fried mozarella was probably the best. mac and cheese was a huge portion. Some of them are a little small, but all were very tasty. They also have a great beer selection and good drinks. On weekend nights though there can be a wait to get in. It can be hard to walk around night when it is crowded, but they clear away some tables, have a dj, and it turns into a dance floor. Lots of fun.
(5)
Liz G.
If you're tired of the juvenile crowds at Faneuil Hall, The Brahmin is an alternative that will make you feel like you're surrounded by grownups. Remember 33 Lounge in the Back Bay? The Brahmin took over that spot, and it's better than it was before. The drinks are good, the music is great, and there's no cover to get in. For those who like dancing, there's a small club downstairs. I much prefer the upstairs area though--it's not as jam-packed and the DJ there plays better tunes. Ladies, a tip before you go: dark wash or not, put the jeans away. The Brahmin provides an excuse to finally slip into that dress that's been sitting in your closet since you bought it last fall.
(4)
Eric F.
Though my first visit entailed finding out upon arrival that the entire place was booked for the night and subsequently having just one drink, the wait to review The Brahmin until I tried the food was well worth it! What I hadn't seen initially was the rather swanky layout of the dining area adorned with black tablecloths and dark red seats and curtains...nice. Our server greeted me and my bro promptly and before we knew it, our food was laid out in front of us for imminent nommage: Tater Tots - so crispy and hot, the garlic aioli and grainy mustard that came with them matched nicely and provided much added kick. Beef Short Ribs - tender and unexpectedly reminiscent of my mom's cooking, a great dish accompanied by super creamy cauliflower and parsnip polenta. Meatballs - pretty mediocre all-around, but very generously portioned for a mere $6. Beef Tartare - on the bland side, not nearly worth the cost. Truffled Mac and Cheese - a bit on the runny side, but solid after it cooled down. Banana Chocolate Bread Pudding - quite tasty and worked well with the butterscotch sauce. Molten Chocolate Cake - not too shabby. The food was quite tasty on the whole and though nothing blew us away by any means, the pricing was fantastic and we literally struggled (in a good way haha) to hit the $50 mark for our BuyWithMe coupon. When you factor in the modern, upscale atmosphere and quality service as well, I can confidently say that The Brahmin is a great spot for a date or a night out with friends. Having a DJ spinning good tunes from the past couple of decades didn't hurt either ;)
(4)
Mike S.
Only been several times for drinks so no comment on food and haven't paid cover ever this place takes things seriously from mood lighting, to a live DJ, and attentive bar service. There are no tv's and (gasp!) you are expected to have conversation with a proper cocktail. Lots of short skirts & high heels not that there is anything wrong with that. I'd say get there b4 the cover and enjoy.
(4)
Bo W.
Excellent venue overall, for both food and dancing with friends. I've been here several times, mostly after the conversion from restaurant to lounge/club. I had a birthday party here recently and kept changing my mind from reserving a table or making dinner reservations and the event planners were very patient and extremely helpful. When we arrived for dinner our table was ready and we had a very attentive waitress as well. The food was excellent, and this is coming from someone who is very skeptical of places that only do small plates. We had 6 guys and my girlfriend for the dinner part of the night and we all got full on about 9 of the small plates. The drinks were good too and the tab was not even remotely close to expensive (much more reasonable than I had anticipated). The lamb lollipops, truffle tots, and shrimp tacos were among some of my personal favorites. Their Russian mules are made well and made strong. I will definitely encourage all of my friends to do their parties here when if we're doing something in Boston. Even my friends who got here later didn't have to wait in the super long line because the managers were very accommodating and understanding. Thanks Brahmin!
(5)
Steven P.
I feel like I have to chime in on some of these reviews...I moved to Boston a couple years ago for school and I've been going to Brahmin ever since. Me and my friends love this place and they run a tight ship. We were all eating dinner there last night and the service, food, music, and atmosphere was great (as usual)!! A couple of my friends met us later in the night and when they came in they were telling us a story about some pain in the ass kids outside yelling at the bouncers because they weren't letting them in with sneakers....What don't you people get??? There is a dress code!!! That's it!! Why do you feel the need to PUSH and PUSH, don't wear sneakers like they require and you'll get in and have a great time....I was reading some of the Yelp reviews and they are the same thing over and over about sneakers. Brahmin keep doing what you are doing! It works....Weed out the #$%holes that don't know how to accept the fact that there is a "dress code"
(4)
Stanley S.
The bouncers at this place are ridiculous. I showed up with a group of friends, some ladies among them, and was asked for two forms of ID, which rarely happens in Boston. That was not an issue for me because I had them on hand, but unfortunately I was escorted rather forcefully out of this place when a bouncer saw my (attractive female) friend drop her glass (of a mixed drink) on the floor, He accused me of having no manners and throwing a glass intentionally on the floor, and very enthusiastically thrust me out of the front doors into the rain, telling me to "get the (expletive) out of here and not come back to his bar. Very negative review, for while I had only tried to clean up after my slightly sloppy friend, I was most rudely treated under the assumption of an offense. I recommend going somewhere else and paying less than 6 bucks for a bud heavy.
(1)
Danielle M.
I was actually having a really great time at Brahmin. It had been on my list of places to go in Boston and we went there to celebrate my early graduation. However, when my friends and I were dancing, the manager came up to my group of friends and had us follow her to the exit door. She opened the door and very rudely told us to get out. We were all very confused and thrown off by how we were being treated and asked why. She accused us of drinking alcohol nips at the bar. This was NOT TRUE and we asked to speak to someone else/ maybe the person that claimed to see us doing this. She continued to tell us to leave. I have never felt so mistreated and put down by a restaurant/ bar in my entire life.Eventually we were able to speak to someone and were allowed to stay because we definitely weren't the nip drinkers! Although it was a fun place, I will never go there again and will not recommend going there to anyone else. I understand that they need to be careful with people bringing drinks into the bar, but you just don't treat other people that way- especially your customers!
I came to the Brahmin a long time ago when it was still 33 lounge. I loved the feel of the place and was sad to see it go. I finally got to go back and experience Brahmin for myself and I was very impressed. I don't know why I was expecting a stuffy place with bad food. This place was the polar opposite. It is gorgeous inside, with dim lighting and curtains. Kind of makes you feel like you're in an exclusive lounge. We were a party of 5 so we decided to get dinner and drinks. Some of the standouts from our meal include the gnocchi, filet mignon brushetta and the fried brie (fried brie!!!) Don't let the "small plates" designation fool you. Most of these were pretty well sized. The flatbread and mac n'cheese are fullsized, and the fried brie comes with 8 pieces. We were all starving so we ended up ordering 10 dishes and had way too much food left over. Their sangria is great as well. We ordered 2 pitchers of the white sangria and finished them both. I almost forgot dessert! We got the chocolate cake and it was literally gone in about a minute. Comes freshly baked with ice cream. For Boston I think this place is very well priced. For 10 plates plus 2 pitchers of sangria I think we each paid $40 including tax and tip. I was expecting the damage to be significantly more. Like other people have noted make sure you get here early! There was a line outside already when we were leaving.
(4)
Kelsey R.
You can always count on Brahmin for a fun night out - whether it be for a Saturday night birthday celebration, or a low-key night of after-work drinks. On the weekend, the dance floor is always a blast and the DJ's do not disappoint. During the week, it is a great spot to have a few cocktails and share small plates with friends or coworkers. Everything on the menu is delicious and the bartenders, waitstaff, and management are super accommodating and friendly!
(5)
Justina R.
I feel like everyone has this place figured out. Great bar, horrible service. I recently went there to celebrate a friend's birthday party. I can't speak to the food because we didn't eat, but the drinks were ok. Nothing too special but the bar atmosphere was great. The blonde bartender that served us and many others on our side of the bar had such an attitude. After their interactions with her, people I didn't even know would comment on it to me because I was standing at the bar. On top of that, I had 5 vodka sodas yet was charged for 8. If I'm 5'2" and petite. If I had 8 I would be on the floor. It's my fault for not checking the bill thoroughly before we left, but I didn't think I would have to at a nice establishment in the Back Bay. Needless to say I was upset when I saw the receipt the next morning and I won't be returning anytime soon. I hate to even add this part in but I feel like I have to because looking below, I'm sure one of the managers/owners will comment on this review with something demeaning about how I know nothing about the service industry. Very quickly, I would like to state that I'm also in the service industry, and can't believe the way they're treating people on here. Social Media Marketing 101 tells you to apologize to the guest and move on. It's like they think yelpers are conspiring against them. They keep mentioning having to defend their employees but maybe if some of their employees weren't awful they wouldn't need to constantly defend them. The Brahmin could be an excellent establishment with better service, but it looks like that will never happen because the owners are too blind to see it and blame the guests. Not a recipe for success.
(2)
Heath M.
The Brahmin is a winning concept: a great comfortable atmosphere with a nod to the old school Boston culture and wink towards hipness. The menu has something for everyone, ranging from the bistro-styled choices to the old standby comfort foods. Fried pickles? Yum-city. Tater tots? Delish. Mac & Cheese? Yeah, baby. Flatbread pizzas? Not too shabby. Tasty cocktails? Woo hoo. Wait Service? Not so much. For God's sake, get it together people -- you're mucking up a good thing. I hate to be harsh...actually, who am I kidding? I live to be harsh...but anyway, the table service here is pretty bad. The servers tend to find themselves in the weeds the minute it gets busy. Vanishing acts are commonplace -- the other night our food showed up 20 minutes before our drinks did. We'd have complained, but our waitress disappeared. Whitey was easier to find. Fortunately, the hostess tracked her down. On another occasion, a waitress dumped wine all over us. Yes, red wine. It was everywhere ... our phones, my boss's suede boots...not pretty. Mistakes happen, and that's cool. The only thing that pissed us off royally was that no effort was made to right the situation. Not an offer for dry cleaning, not a free app -- nada. So I find myself in a bit of a conundrum. I love the food, love the atmosphere and I think it's a nice after work spot. But the service really could be improved. This could easily have gotten 4 or maybe even 5 stars -- heck, I was tempted to click a 2 but everything else this place has going for it does make up for some of it. Front of the house manager...if you are reading this...don't wait until people stop coming or for Gordon Ramsey or Robert Irvine to come and yell at you on TV, fix it now before it gets any worse. And until you do, I guess I'll just go sit at the bar (the weekday bartenders are actually really great). It's where I'm most comfortable anyway.
(3)
James B.
They fooled me twice. Shame on me. Went back for brunch with a pretty large group, thinking that it'd be a different experience than dinner. It was, in that it was much worse. The service was record-settingly bad from drinks to check (presumably -- I threw money on the table and ran out before the check came). This was only partially the fault of the waitress, who was trying hard but couldn't refrain from telling the customers in excruciating, nobody-gives-a-shit detail exactly why the bartender messed up the drink orders or why the kitchen was issuing two meals every ten minutes for a table of twelve. It is pretty obvious that no one working in this place, not servers nor cooks nor management, has had a damn thing to do with running a restaurant before. That's because this place is a club that figured it would be a restaurant on the side for some extra revenue. Ownership figured, hey, it doesn't matter who we hire, because we're a club, and it's all about the fun, right? Wrong. When I can tell from the dining room that the kitchen can't keep its tickets straight, something went tragically awry with the hiring process along the way. And again, that something was probably the philosophy that they'd hire for a club and run a restaurant on the side. For Christ's sake, they had a DJ blaring house music AT BRUNCH. To be fair, we were a difficult group to serve, with people coming and going, special orders, etc. Those mitigating circumstances have been taken into account in my rating.
(1)
Courtney H.
We went here for a couple drinks and apps last week. The apps were pretty decent but I wasn't that impressed. They look so delicious on the menu but I was a bit disappointed. The fried pickles weren't quite crispy enough but they had good flavor. The filet mignon bruschetta was actually a bit spicier than we expected. I think they put a bit too much pepper on the steak. Wine comes in stemless glasses which I just am not a fan of at restaurants. I love them at my house because they can go on the top rack of the dishwasher, but since I'm a white wine drinker, the wine gets warm pretty fast in stemless glasses. The decor was definitely cool and if I was single I think I'd be hanging out here to pick up some people. It just seemed like that kind of place. I can tell it probably is bumpin' late night. Overall just A-Ok, nothing spectacular but satisfying.
(3)
Michelle L.
OMG... The Brahmin has me believing in love at first sight - not with a person, mind you, but with a bar. I would totally go to Boston JUST to go here - that's how much I love this place! Granted, my opinion is limited to only one experience, but I feel comfortable saying that it's my favorite bar I've been to EVER! My friend and I arrived around 11-11:30 on a Saturday, and there was no line (apparently we missed it) or cover (there might never be one), which was an auspicious beginning, to say the least. Then we soaked in the crowd, which was awash in a gorgeous, whisky-hued glow. Wow. Let me just say, our reactions can be perfectly described by Usher's line, "You make me wanna say OMG." Actually, I'm pretty sure my friend did say those words out loud cos it was a veritable meat market in there that night lol... LOTS of clean-cut, sharp-looking fraduate types (fraternity graduates - I just made that up) - our society's version of a young (enlightened?) aristocracy. In other words, not a lot of diversity, but if that's your style, you'll be like a kid in a candy store. All other aspects of the Brahmin would make Goldilocks pleased, cos they were just right. The venue was crowded but not unbearably so, the crowd liquored up but not too irresponsibly, drinks strong but cheap ($7ish for bottom shelf), top 40 on repeat. Also, there's a coat check downstairs, along with a second, grungier-but-still-clean bar and not-disgusting restrooms. All in all, the place was a class act, especially the main floor, which had the perfect mix of lounging around the bar and dancing in a trendy, young professional atmosphere with a touch of upper-crust, Bostonian, brick-and-mortar charm. I wish they could transplant the Brahmin to my city, as I don't think I can handle the long distance... Here's hoping that my love affair isn't just a one-night stand!
(5)
Sean T.
Perhaps you should consider hiring more waiters and fewer dim hostesses -- or at least do a better job staffing. Had a 7 PM reservation and were shown to a table (amid a large standing crowd of HH drunks) by one of four girls standing around the hostess stand. Ten minutes later we had not seen any indication of a server. Avoid this place.
(1)
Sandra A.
I'm going with two stars because I found the manager helpful and friendly and the food was pretty good however the service was so egregious I couldn't possible rate it any higher. I'll also preface by saying I spent ten years in the food service industry so when I'm upset about service then it has to be pretty bad. I consider myself to be relatively understanding in most situations. When we arrived and sat down it took a solid 10-15 minutes before really being acknowledged by a server. When the first server finally did come over she only filled our water glasses without addressing anyone at the party and then walked away. Eventually another server came over and asked for our drink order. Having not been sat with a drink menu we requested one at this time. She came back a few minutes later with a couple drink menus, put them on the table, and then proceeded to stare at us for a minute or so before suggesting she give us a minute with them. That minute turned into about another 5 more before she came back. At this point we placed our drinks and food orders. From there a good 20-25 minutes probably elapsed before we received our drinks and the food actually arrived about a minute or two prior to our drinks. During that 20 minute wait another server came over and cleared the plates and menu for an additional party who was going to be joining us later. I had already asked our server for the menu to remain and when I mentioned it to the second server, who was clearing it away, she brushed me off and took it anyways. As I mentioned earlier the food didn't disappoint and the manager stopped by to see how our dinner was. He was very pleasant and sincere in checking in on us. The server was much less attentive after the dinner was put down. Two more people had joined our party while we were eating and eventually managed to secure a couple drinks. We had to flag down the server after maybe another forty minutes to ask for our check because it had gotten to the point in the evening when they were clearing out chairs. By the time she returned with our bill half of our party was standing due to the crowd that had formed in the room and the constant bumping of the chairs from other dancing patrons. She had seemed relatively surprised that we were even still there when we requested the bill. Overall she just wasn't really paying attention. None of us felt like we were a priority and that she was at all concerned about her service. Moving on to the next server. A bit later in the evening a friend of mine ordered a bottled beer from a cocktail waitress. When she returned with his beer she handed him the beer and his change, roughly 50-75c. Now that his hands were full he went to hand the change back to her in order to free a hand to get his wallet, at which point she replied "No you can keep your change, it's alright, I don't need it.'' (add in a really snotty attitude to that statement). He then had to explain to her that he was in fact trying to get his wallet to give her another dollar. Either way, at the end of the day, that statement was shockingly rude. It's not her position to assume she deserves a tip period, let alone more than 75c on a $3 bottle of Budweiser. Aside from the fact that she also jumped to conclusions about her tip before receiving it. This was my second time dining at the Brahmin. The first time was very underwhelming and after this experience I can't say I'm in a rush to go back. After having spent so much time waiting tables myself I really think there is no excuse for bad service. If you're overwhelmed with your tables it's easy enough to explain to your party that you're rather busy but will be back to check on them soon or at least acknowledge that you could be more attentive. I hope you all have better experiences than my friends and I.
(2)
Chris A.
I've been here a few times..I don't think I'll be going back. We got there at about 8:30 and asked if we could sit at one of the loungey areas. The 3 hostess simultaneously rolled their eyes at us and let us know they were "reserved" Wow - impressive. Should have known that. We got put on the "list" incase one opens up...FINGERS CROSSED! We found our way to the bar with plenty of room to chat and order drinks. Slowly the bar continued to fill and it became clear that this is a going to become a meat market marinated in bad house music. Drinks were..meh. If you order cocktails or liquor they choose which shelf. Which is funny because our tab showed that we were charged for Grey Goose, Kettle One and then well-vodka when we ordered a Vodka +soda. All ordered from the same bartender...strange. I dunno, if you're trying someplace new and you're into that scene maybe this is worth a shot. It's near a couple other decent bars/restaurants so you can bail. As we made our way out at 12:30 or so there was an obnoxious line being tended to by the 'roid head secret-service-headset-clad bouncer who kindly opened the velvet rope to release us into the alley that is their entrance. Redeeming qualities: Dressed up crowd (for Boston), Good Girl/Guy Ratio, Olderish Crowd (25-35), Near other bars that don't suck.
(2)
Connie C.
After reading the reviews on Yelp, we came here early (9:45) on a Saturday night to beat the line. There was no line at all and the guys working the door were friendly and quick. When we walked in, patrons were finishing dinner (which looked and smelled delicious), and the bar/dance crowd was starting to fill in. Because we got in early enough, we were able to snag a few barstools and occupy a small area at the end of the bar on the main floor. What most people in our group noticed right away that there were two bartenders on our side of the bar, and only one seemed to be working. The other was playing with her hair, flirting with the barbacks, staring at the TV, and making annoyed faces. However, the bartender that did wait on us was fantastic and made some great (strong) drinks and was quick to clear empty glasses and ask if we needed another round. We sincerely hoped that the bartenders don't pool tips because one girl was working about 90% and the other about 10%, and it would be a shame for the girl doing all the work to have to share her tips with the one that barely lifted a finger. Music on the main floor was awesome- 90's mashups that made you want to sing your face off and dance up a storm. Didn't end up going into the lounge downstairs, but when we went down to use the restroom, it sounded more like electronic dance music in that area. Overall had a super fun night, but another downside was when my tab came and there were a few beers tacked onto my tab. The bartender seemed slightly defensive, asking if I ordered the beers from another bartender, but I only had mixed drinks that night and definitely did not order the beers. She did end up taking the beers off my tab.
(3)
Allison S.
We came here with a coupon from BuyWithMe for dinner. Instead of going with the entree dishes, we opted to try a bunch of different small plates. I highly recommend the tots, they were delicious. The mushroom flat bread was also quite tasty, as was their special steak, mozzarella and avocado bruschetta. The other "small plates" that we ordered were just OK, and I probably wouldn't order them again. I'm definitely keeping the Brahmin on my list for drinks, and maybe some appetizers. Their bar is huge and they have quite a large drink menu. Their sangria was wonderful, but I wish that they had some more beers to choose from. It wasn't really a dinner place, more like a lounge area and bar with some tables.
(3)
D C.
A friend and I brought a BuyWithMe coupon to The Brahmin; we hadn't been there since the venue was "33." Neither of us were impressed. I had the greens salad and onion soup to start, and she had the tater tots and a Caesar salad with chicken. I bypassed the tater tots since they remind me of terrible cafeteria lunches, but the onion soup was flavorful and savory, though a little heavy on the pumpernickel croutons which had a strong, distracting flavor. The greens salad was bland despite the "roasted tomatoes and pickled shallots," and her Caesar was standard. I had the half-chicken with potatoes, sage/onion stuffing and green beans. Nothing spectacular there, the green beans were undercooked and had no flavor at all, I couldn't distinguish the potatoes from the stuffing, and there was so little of either it was hard to gauge their quality. They also went nuts with the "mood lighting" so I could barely see my plate anyway! My companion ordered the truffled mac & cheese as her entree and it was terrible. I could taste whatever bizarre, smoky cheese they used in it, but couldn't actually find it, the dish was more a dish of macaroni with breadcrumbs on top, no comforting, creamy cheesiness you'd expect from mac & cheese. What a bummer. We got the chocolate bread pudding for dessert, and it was dense, tasteless and hard as a rock. More like an over-cooked brownie with ice cream, than bread pudding. I can't imagine ever coming back here, unless I were desperate. It did seem quite the spot if you're looking to drink/mingle though.
(2)
Kathleen F.
My main complaint for this place is that they are letting it get WAY too crowded and as a result a night out here is just not enjoyable. We got here around 8pm for a friend's birthday and the atmosphere was good then, we could hear the music and hear each other and the waitresses were good about coming over to us. The food was also very good we had a nice veggie pizza and salad. Cocktails were amazing and had lots of unique flavor combos. But then the clock struck 9pm and the place became so packed that the waitresses were overworked and way to busy and you could literally not even hear what the person next to you was saying. We tried to move to the dance floor which was so packed you couldn't even really dance. Eventually, the whole atmosphere just became crazy and uncomfortable so we wound up leaving. I would definitely come back here during the week for a few cocktails and some bites for sharing, but definitely will not venture back on the weekend because it becomes so crazy that you just cannot enjoy yourself.
(3)
Qasim R.
This review is just for the bar/night life. Was pretty amazed when I we there the first time bcz too be honest didn't except anything like what I saw (thinking it was just another bar/pub). Downstairs bar becomes too overcrowded late night while main bar design/ergonomics are perfect for the size of the place. There is a side/mini bar as well, where you can get better service if your group size is small. Late night (weekends don't know if it happens on weekdays) the dining area becomes a dancing area and if you have a table in that area it's pretty cool. Think I may bump the ratings to 5 stars depending upon how it goes the next time. Only Major issue is line starts to form pretty early in the night (Problem with most of places in Boston) so get there early or know you how to avoid wait in lines.
(4)
Nick B.
I really like Brahmin and each time I've been it has been an absolute blast. My roommates aren't so keen on it, so often times my suggestion to go there gets passed over. After being curious and checking out the yelp reviews, I have been very impressed to see the responses by Russ. Clearly there are people there who care about providing a quality experience. It's this seemingly small aspect that is on the contrary actually very powerful. I expect to come back here very soon and my roommates are now totally sold on making a return trip here.
(4)
Colby R.
In my experience the 3-4 times I've been here the bartenders have been the saving grace of this place, they're fast and fairly friendly given the environment. Aside from that the food is really nothing to write home about and the crowd can be a bit hit or miss at times.
(2)
Melissa D.
I really like the speakeasy setting here and feel very comfortable in my own skin as there is a mixed age crowd, mostly older Mid to Late 20s/early 30s group. It gets very packed starting at 10:30pm but we arrived a little earlier and sat at a table for some drinks. I had the Bellini and the Strawberry Patch which were super-sweet that may not fancy some people but it is to hide the loads of alcohol it has. The music is great and the servers are nice and knowledgeable of the menu. The bartenders may seem a bit cold but I think they are too focused on pounding out the drinks. The bill comes in a faux-book holder which is a nifty idea to bring out the theme of this place. I will definitely come back here again for drinks and would love to try the food.
(4)
Lindsay G.
I had my 25th birthday celebration here this past weekend and it was incredible. Every dish was better than the last, great drinks and our waitress, Amanda, was the absolute best. The service was prompt and attentive, and we (my table of 10) loved every single thing we ate. At 10 when it switched over into a lounge, they let us keep our table and turned the middle of the room into a dance floor. The place filled up quickly, and the line was certainly long - some of my friends had to wait an hour to get in. But everyone agreed it was well worth it, and it was definitely a birthday to remember. I can't stress enough how great our waitress was (Amanda should be promoted 8 times over) and the manager that made my reservation was so nice and helpful, and even remembered our first conversation when he called to confirm my reservation. Great food, great drinks, good vibe, good crowd, good music... Will certainly be back!
(5)
Kayla P.
I've been to The Brahmin a few times now on Thursday and Friday nights. The line is always pretty long cause its pretty poppin in there but the bouncers are always nice which is definitely appreciated. I'd say the crowd is a mix of yuppies and college kids, and lots of people just tryin to bust a move on the dance floor. The music is awesomeee, just straight top 40 and some remixes, which I like to get down to and rap to (yeah, I can rap with the best of them). Doesn't take long to get a drink at the bar, and the bartenders are always nice. Bonus points cause the drinks are pretty cheap. Decor is kinda a spin off on Lolita Cocina and Tequila Bar's which is all the rage right now...think dark reds and blacks and unfinished walls, very vampire-esque. I'll be back so I can show that dance floor whos boss.
(4)
Megan L.
This is for late night only. Edited to be more fair and balanced, as the owner contacted me directly to discuss my feedback, clarify some points and address some issues. Given this polite and professional response I feel the need to give Brahmin a bump. The good: The lounge is beautiful. It's a very appealing space and clearly a lot of thought was put into the flow, the number of bars and the look of the space. The bartenders NOT in the crowded center bar were friendly and not slammed. Met some cool people once we were inside. Drinks were good. We asked the bartender for a "delicious shot" and he served up some kind of watermelon vodka business that was tasty and potent. The not so good: The insane line **I recognize that this is a good thing for a business** The fact that the bouncers let any girl with a short dress circumvent said line? **apparently these people were going to a private party** The understaffed center bar--wait times were crazy long The horrendously rude female bartenders --Tried to get one's attention and she came over just to tell me, "That's not going to get you a drink any faster." Umm, I just want to close my tab and get out of here. A male bartender came over to help me after that. Thank God one of them realized they're in a service business. **the owner addressed this with me** Overall, I'll give it another try, probably for dinner.
(2)
Dominic S.
Rude bouncer with a power trip. There are just three of us in line on a freezing Saturday night, and he says: "Form a single line so that people can get through". Which people??? There is no one else in sight. The nearest people are already in the bar, or driving by on the Mass Pike. He points to imaginary lines in the sidewalk and tries to arrange our standing positions according some mysterious pattern he has in his mind. The guy needs a hug. Someone hugs him. I hope he felt better.
(1)
Jen C.
I went to The Brahmin last week for dinner and drinks with a few friends and we had a wonderful time. The food was scrumptious and the drinks were excellent! Our waitress was attentive and polite. The manager greeted us as well, he was very courteous and extremely classy. I find it impressive that the manager took the time to greet us - unquestionably great service. After dinner we proceeded to the bar where we had the BEST martinis. The bar was very busy, but our bartender was extremely friendly. The music was terrific too; it definitely set the mood to dance. In my opinion, I think The Brahmin is the ideal establishment. We definitely had a fabulous evening and I certainly recommend this place to anyone - it's the full package! Going back again this weekend!
(5)
Erik A.
It can get a little pricey, so try not to have more than one drink but most of the small plates are delicious! My favourite is the fried brie, mmmmm Least favourite was a white wine ravioli with crab meat... was missing something and a bit too fishy. Overall, the place is a great space to munch and as the night creeps in, the dancing starts! Upstairs is nicely decorated with outside seating, but its the decent downstairs that creeps me out. The stairs are slanted, not a good feeling after a cocktail or few, and the basement space (from what I gather) is meant to feel like you are under the floorboards... kinda creepy. Overall, a mix of ages and a fun space to dance in w/o a cover!
(4)
Heather G.
Unfortunate location. But: GREAT cocktail menu. Fun atmosphere. Excellent value on the food (don't expect any top notch, unique cuisine) All in all, I'll be back.
(4)
Curtis H.
I would say, if you haven't tried the food here please drop in to have a taste. Brahmin does have a significant tasty point of view. The food stands out full of flavor and zest. The only issue I have with this place is mgmt! Seem like a bunch of arrogant, non-customer problem solvers who uses profanity to present themselves as the big wolf. I experienced one cursing at me because I turned away and choice not to purchase my food there due to the hard time they were giving me about simply ordering food without an ID. They laughed at me and says "everyone carry's an ID". I said, well I am at work on a lunch break just looking to order food, i come here all the time and no one has ever given me problems about ordering food before. Because of this experience I will never go back there again. Had they have been more tackful in handling the problem they would still have a happy customer. I will never down-play their food though. Service to me is everything.
(1)
Courtney M.
I held a private event at The Brahmin this past Summer for my 40th birthday and they did a phenomenal job. All of my friends said how good the food & service was and so many of us are (or have been) in the food service industry. They took excellent care of us. The pizzas are fantastic and so many of their bite-sized hors d'oeuvres were delicious and all homemade. I highly recommend The Brahmin for your next private event. Jill was great to work with as well!!
(5)
Avanti P.
This bar will allow women with flip flops in, but not men. I find this especially sexist and disrespectful as I was dressed appropriately and had appropriate ID.
(2)
April E.
While this bar is mediocre by NYC standards it is pleasant for Boston. Adequate bar space. Typically a coat check. This is the place - if you are a twenty something - to spend your weekends. I recommend, love this place with a grain of salt
(4)
Janina T.
Overall, my experience here has been mixed. My time INSIDE the bar was great...it was the waiting to get in that was, by far, THE WORST experience of my life. Granted it is undoubtedly to my discretion to layer up given the weather, however, I did not expect to be waiting for an HOUR, conveniently right in a wind tunnel. I understand that bars either keep the lines long to look "hyped" or it may even be a space issue. However, I feel like it's in the bar's and customer's best interest to, at the very least, put outdoor heaters! It's obviously the customer's choice to wait in line but it's not their choice to freeze. When we were finally allowed it, I do not lie when I say it was a struggle to even walk to the front door from where the line was. I felt like my joints were frozen in place. I had to sit down for a good 10 minutes to get feeling back into my legs. Otherwise, here's a pros/cons list of the joint: Pros - Really good DJ/music--played a good mixture of hip hop and house - Decently priced drinks (in the $6-$7 range for a mixed drink) - Well dressed clientele - Dressy/classy ambience - Multi-rooms (downstairs + the main lounge and a side room upstairs) - Couch space to sit Cons - RIDICULOUSLY and unnecessarily long wait...especially in this kind of weather - The bars didn't seem to be well stocked. At one point they were out of peach schnapps...at another it was pineapple juice. What gives? - Coat check overload? (there should be enough coat space for how ever many people you let in, in my opinion--especially when you see people taking their coats...aka, more coat space) I might come back here again because I generally had a good experience while I was inside. However, I don't suggest going at peak hours (10:30-11:30) unless you feel like freezing your reproductive systems off.
(3)
Michelle B.
Brahmin is a great place to start with tapas and a few drinks. It gets pretty fun and upbeat around 10:30 or 11, with a live DJ. I feel like this an amazing place to have dinner, a few drinks, and then stay to enjoy the fun and dancing! I had my 30th birthday dinner here, and I know everyone had a great time. It was accommodating for all personality types. The food was yummy! We ordered the lobster sliders (my favorite), scallops & bacon, buffalo chicken meatballs, truffle tater tots, fried pickles, and the greek salad. We loved everything!!!
(5)
Cici L.
I had a horrible experience because of a very unfortunate experience with one of their bartenders who was being (quite frankly) very racist!!! I would not recommend. Story below :( I was visiting a few friends in Boston when one person suggested we head over to the Brahmin. We checked our belongings and headed over to the bar upstairs. I asked my friends what they wanted and they replied, "rum." I then asked the bartender if I could get a round of rum for my friends and I. The bartender took one look at me and asked me to show him some ID. You have to show your ID in order to get in the bar, so I was a little offended when he asked to see it again. However, as a 5'3" 22 year old Asian girl I understand that I look young for my age, so I gave my drivers license to the bartender. He rubbed it for 5 minutes, threw it back at me, and asked me if I could show another form of identification. I asked him why because I've never had this issue before, and he responded with "I don't believe you're over 21." He then proceeded to refuse to acknowledge my presence or my voice for the rest of the evening. Needless to say, I was VERY offended by his actions. My friends and I left shortly after and do not plan on returning.
(1)
Mel C.
Food - The Brahmin is like your fancy Back Bay version of Lucky's. They serve delicious fatty bar food with an American flare. Who doesn't love that?? Think fried pickles, wings, some type of slider with either lobster, duck, or wagyu beef, Mac n cheese, tator tots. Or you can be "that guy" who ordered a salad. I don't find the food to be creative or tasty enough to justify your $$$ tab at the end of the night. The drinks are where they deserve some credit. They have a good cocktail menu upstairs and the ambiance is nice to grab some drinks. On the weekends, it can be a fun 21-25 crowd. Try to get there at 9pm to avoid the line. If you're in line, don't wait because no nightlife in Boston is worth waiting for.
(2)
Justin V.
Pros: - 2 dance floors. Music on the top floor is EDM. Downstairs is more Hip Hop. -Water cooler downstairs so you don't have to wait for the bartender. -No Cover Charge! Cons: -Long line because there's no cover charge. -Saw my ex. Fuck you Daisy, I know that you saw me too! Because I know we both saw each other, I walked up to her by the bar and said, "Hey, I just saw you and I wanted to say 'hi' (Cheatin' a$$ bitch). After a brief 45 seconds, she said she needs to look for her friends. A minutes after she left, the bartender asked me what I wanted to drink. -$6.00 + tip for a Corona was a bit much.
(4)
Ryan B.
I came here last night for a friend's 21st birthday. I showed up around 10 PM, waited for less than 5 minutes in the line and promptly got in. There was no cover. The doormen were sticklers for the rules: as one person in line ahead was excluded for wearing "work boots." To clarify, he was also wearing quite ugly and ill-fitting light washed True Religion jeans, with an awful break, and a belt that was perhaps 6 sizes too big hanging down looking like an extra appendage... I mention this to illustrate,based on an extremely limited sample size, that the Brahmin doesn't appear to discriminate: as he was, in fact, white. Luckily I had on loafers and had no such "issues" at the door. Seeing other reviews, I wonder what my fate would've been if I were wearing Superga's or a pair of Wolverine 1000-milers though. All things being equal, on first impression my straight-edge conservative dress probably didn't look like "trouble" about to walk through the door. The place was packed, which demonstrates its popularity. If you're a moderately attractive single guy, who can dress yo'self, go here, pay the $3 to check your coat, and hit the dance floor in the basement. You'll have a field day. Truth. As a warning, drinks here are expensive. Expect to pay $11 for two Bud Lights or $12 for two Sam Adams. I didn't ask my friend what he paid for his cocktail, but after I paid $11 for two Bud Lights, $6 for one of the two Sam Adams, and $3 to check my coat, I didn't really want to know. Did I? In summary, 3-stars. As astute readers will note, this place is not my scene. I prefer quieter, cocktail joints sans dance floor, where I can charm my lovely lady with my humor and good conversation. In spite of this, I still had fun seeing my friends. This place would've been more fun had the lady of the house not been on scheduled to work at 7 AM the following day and therefore attended or I was five years younger and single. P.S. I did not sight any "Jersey Shore Super Sayan" blowouts (see photo).
(3)
Dan R.
My first ever visit to the Brahmin was for an industry Christmas Party tonight. In fact, tonight Brahmin hosted two such parties- ours upstairs and an insurance company's downstairs - effectively closing the restaurant to the general public. I had quite a few of the hors d'oeuvres after a horrendous 3.5 hour drive from Hartford. There were 3 different kinds of flatbread pizzas, shrimp platters, buffalo chicken poppers, and cheese/cracker platters on the tables, and passed goodies like skewered tomato and mozzarella, scallops and tuna tartare. The scallops and tuna were my favorites. The scallops were huge and plump and were so delicious they almost had a taste of sweetness to them. And the tuna tartare, served in a scoop on a spoon, was mind blowingly good- so delicate and delicious. Service was fine, the interior is gorgeous with tons of cozy seating all over. I had a great time tonight!
(4)
Janet H.
The Brahmin has been my go-to place for dancing. But, it's like your typical night club... expensive drinks, super hot and stinky with BO and crowded. I think the drinks are also on the weaker side, so pre-game if you can. There's a downstairs area with 90s music and the top floor with electronic music. The best part about this place? No cover! Yay!
(3)
Jennifer G.
I've been here on multiple occasions, and I have to say that every time has been nothing less of spectacular. Great atmosphere. The first time I went here was for dinner and the live band. The venue was tucked away in Back Bay, so was a little hard to find initially. The servers were all very friendly and seated us at a table near the band. Being overwhelmed by the menu, our server explained to us that the menu items were all smaller sized, similar to tapas. They recommended 2-3 per person. Tip: you MUST get the short rib grilled cheese bites. Absolute must. The flavor of the short ribs and crispy cheese melt perfectly in your mouth. Amazing. All of their menu items are pretty unique and I can't say I've been disappointed with anything there. I also came here one night for a friend's birthday. They take the tables away around 10 PM I believe, so the restaurant becomes more of a bar/lounge with a dance floor in the back. The music is pretty good. Not your typical club music or Top 40's playlist. I was very impressed with their service. Another time I made a reservation for a party of 8, they were extremely accommodating to our needs. The event director, Jill, emailed me afterwards to follow up on our reservation to make sure we had a good time. As an added thank you, she even offered to help us out with future events and parties and offered a free appetizer for us since we're such loyal customers. Again, very impressed.
(5)
Ann J.
ATMOSPHERE Brahmin is the perfect mix between a bar and a dance club. There are couches and tables for those who prefer to sit, and a large dance floor for those who prefer something more lively. Overall the feel is a little bit nicer than casual. The majority of women were in dresses and heels. BAR The drinks at Brahmin are a bit on the expensive side. At one point I was thirsty and asked for water but was told it had to be bought in a bottle. So instead I asked for sprite which cost me $3.50. Seemed a little ridiculous to me. ADVICE Brahmin is the place to go if you want to dress up and avoid the college scene. One other nice point about brahmin is that there is no cover. The majority of nice bars in Boston require at least a $10 cover, so getting in to brahmin for free is a huge bonus. My advice, pregame before you go and enjoy the dance floor!
(4)
Jonathan S.
Brahmin is a great local hangout after work especially those in John Hancock building and surrounding offices. This review is for dinner on a Thursday at 6:30 PM. Service For a busy bar they actually have decent service. The waitress checked on our table multiple times and asked us to see if we wanted anything else for our order. She was very courteous and responsive. Food The food is pretty decent for a casual drinking hole. The Mac and cheese has a decent consistence and the tater totes are stand outs. The fried pickles have a bit to much dough/starch. The melted cheese is good but a bit heavy on the butter. Drinks were good but the gin and tonic was a bit watered down. Presentation is excellent. I recommend ordering a bunch of dishes and sharing with friends.
(3)
Laurie B.
I really enjoyed The Brahmin last Friday. We were celebrating my friends 25th birthday. Pros: Located a short distance from Backbay station. Two different floors which means more good music. Great drinks and not that badly priced for Boston. Extremely nice staff. Free water jug next to coat check! Classy and clean! Cons: Long wait to get in. (Totally worth it AND expected on a Friday) Had to pay for coat check. (I'd rather pay for it then have to hold my coat) I hope to find myself back at The Brahmin next time I'm in Boston.
(5)
Omar N.
In reference to the comment and reply below to David. I seems that the managers reply to every incident is that he was there and he saw the whole thing. I will not go so far as to call him a bold faced liar... I've actually never seen the gentleman. The review David left actually involved me specifically. I was wearing a pair of all white chuck taylor low rise casuals (not Jordans all black men don't own Jordans) and the other gentleman that got into the lounge wore navy blue or black vans flats (not uggs). Almost identical canvas material and rubber sole. I was told that I had on athletic footwear...and that the other gentleman was wearing boat shoes (he never even looked at his shoes before letting him in...not the way he stopped to check mine.) David spoke up respectfully asked what the criteria was because the difference in this case was minimal. Of the two men there none of them were managers with a super sayan jersey shore blow out, and home depot orange tan. I know this because I've been to the shore before...i digress When the blatant bigotry was brought to their attention one of the men at the door said "so you're gonna play the black card...you know ignorance comes in all colors?" Thank you David for speaking on my behalf...you saw something you said something; and because I didn't want to ruin the evening tried to look past it. All things considered this was a private establishment with a demonstrated "flexible" dress code, maybe they could have made and exception. I expected the half assed "sorry not sorry" passive aggresive response for the manager...but nothing in his statement was true.
(1)
Dan C.
Our bartender Rory is the worst piece of shit ever!! Avoid this Resturant when he works!!! He spit in our food! AVOID at all costs
(1)
Courtney K.
To start off, I only went here for the night club hours and cannot comment on the food. As a Manhattanite my standards for night clubs are pretty high, and this was one of the better places I've been to. Music was on point- combo of top 40s, remixes, and older 90's hits so everyone was likely to hear something they enjoyed. Coat check and bartenders are efficient, bathroom is clean, and its in a fun neighborhood! The crowd is young and hip which I liked too. Great for coming in groups and meeting new people as well.
(5)
Amanda M.
Wow what can I say about this bar. I requested a song and they did not play it at all, upstairs or downstairs. It was kinda rude. But to be honest i had a really good time and I would probably go back again. The basement was sweaty and everything I hoped for in Boston.
(3)
Robyn B.
Don't try coming here after 10pm... the line really is that bad... BUT if you get here around 9, you'll have a fun night. Good (weak) drinks, good food (pretty much everything is fried, though, fyi), and the dance floor is entertaining.
(3)
Shaina F.
My first time here, the atmosphere was really awesome! No cover and they have a little outdoor spot, as well as bars in 3 different rooms so it was super easy to get a drink, and they weren't too expensive! $6ish for a beer, $7-8 for a mixed drink...not to shabby I've certainly seen worse. Lots of dancing which was fun, but it got a little crowded later on. Overall an awesome place, I would definitely go back! Good crowd :)
(4)
Angel M.
So my cousin chose this restaurant for her bday. It was nice. The server was really nice and helpful. I can't remember her name, I just remember that she said that she was Brazilian and she was really cute and nice. A friend at the table ordered a white sangria. We ordered it after seeing hers but ours had less fruit. Someone else at the table just mentioned it to the waitress, and she quickly replaced ours (even though I was almost finished) with new ones made like the first one. That made my day. Pros; the short rib grilled cheese was AMAZING!!!!!!!! You HAVE TO GET IT!! That was probably the most filling/satisfying of the small plate options they had. -she was really good at suggesting drinks. The drinks were good and the prices were not too bad ($9.35 per sangria) - I don't think we got a gratuity charge and there was about 8 of us -the food was really good!! Cons: -the food doesn't all come out at once. My asparagus fries came first and I was hungry so I was the only one eating -the small plates are literally small. I got the asparagus friend bc I saw a pic on here that looked bigger. But I probably only got 8 pieces for $7 -she didn't separate our checks. But other than that this place is cool. It turns into a club afterwards!
(4)
Shawna H.
I would give this place NO stars, but Yelp made me give it at least 1....my best friend had a party of 20 in this bar. My boyfriend and I showed up and my boyfriend was denied to get in because he had Tim boots on. I'm sorry but that is bullshit!!!! There were men inside with flip flops on and women can wear whatever they want to with no hassle. We have a party of 55 going there next weekend, most of them being Boston Firefighters (including my boyfriend) I will be canceling this party here and bringing our service elsewhere! Their loss!!! Thank you for responding! I completely understand "set rules", I respect that you follow them. What I don't respect is how we got treated that night. The manager on that night came out to speak with us, and I quote said, "You are better off spitting in my face, than getting in here with Tim boots on", and continued to laugh in our faces! Completely unnecessary! Like I said we did take our party elsewhere. If we just got turned away that would be one thing, but we politely asked to see the manager because we drove all the way from a family party in Beverly to our best friends party there. We did nothing to deserved to be spoken to like that. If wearing boots makes you a bad person, I will take my marine/firefighter elsewhere. Your staff should learn some serious respect.
(1)
Yen T.
I have never been to a place with worse customer service. The line is ridiculously long for mediocre music and the management is atrocious. Arbitrary judgment calls over the dress code (whatever constitutes as dressy shoes - boat shoes vs. vans vs. sneakers) ruined what could have been a fun night of dancing that would have led to word-of-mouth recommendations to my network. Either way, the dispute was poorly handled as the staff were less than accommodating - to say the least - and frankly treated us in an impolite and even disrespectful manner. Don't bother wasting your time at the Brahmin.
(2)
Danae K.
Excellent place for drinks, and if you come on a Friday or Saturday night, excellent for dancing. I highly suggest coming here for an enjoyable night out
(5)
Kat G.
I've been here a few times now and enjoy it every time. It can get busy quite quickly, so it's always worth going early. The cocktails are tasty and the service is usually pretty good. I haven't eaten there, but wouldn't definitely go and try it. Great for meeting friends for drinks!
(4)
Kacie D.
I've been here twice and loved the food and drinks. The deep fried brie, fried pickles and short rib grilled cheese bites were out of this world. The drinks were a bit pricey, but not unlike most restaurants and bars in the area. The wait staff on both occasions were so helpful and friendly. I went both on a Saturday evening and a Wednesday evening and neither time was there a crowd, despite the reviews. I would recommend making a reservation to be safe. The best part is their monthly gift card program!
(4)
Jordan K.
I want to start off with this review is complicated and has many variables. I feel like this place is actually really good...so good and so popular in fact that it actually hurts its rating. I would like to give this place 4 or 5 stars, but I think its popularity and therefor crazy packed crowd end up taking away from the experience. I will set the stage. I set up a group of 10 or so people to meet here. After much thought we decided on Brahmin over Whiskey Saigon due mostly in part to us having been to WS and not Brahmin yet. I got there a little later than I had planned, 10:30 and it took FOREVER to get inside. We had to have been 20 people back from the front of the line for 45 minutes. My body and feet literally seized up from the cold. By the time we got in, I was frozen, couldn't feel my feet (necessary tools for dancing) and whatever buzz I may have had when I got there was long gone. Within ten minutes we had checked out coats and made our way to the bar. While waiting behind two people to order a drink, a nice waitress came up and asked what we would like. We figured this would be easier and faster. HEADS UP - Do not order from the waitresses. It is WAYYYY longer of a wait. It probably took 20 minutes to get our drinks. I can only assume she was taking multiple orders a round or got stuck in her own line at whatever counter she uses for make/pickup drinks. After a few drinks we made our way onto the dance floor. The point of this night was for loud music and dancing so it appeared we did pick the right place. The floor was jammed with people...sweaty and smelly and...probably exactly what you should be expecting if your goal is to dance (I cannot bash them for this). I will say though...the dance floor is too small and the two small openings to get in are easily blocked. The bathrooms and I believe a second goat check are located downstairs along with another bar. I do not know if this is common, but the ratio of women to men was OFF THE CHARTS. Any guy reading this...go downstairs when you come in and quickly take in the surroundings. It was pretty crazy that night. Can someone comment back and tell me if that is normal?? Here are some quick ratings: Overall - 3/5 stars Bar - Good drinks, but lengthy service duration. Bartenders did not seem to be in a rush. 3/5 stars Line - This was crazy long. It is not the fault of Brahmin though, they are just absolutely packed. That being said, lines suck. 2/5 stars Bathrooms/cleanliness - Perfectly fine. Not good, not great. 4/5 stars Music - Music selection was good, but that is probably subjective to the DJ. Ill give it a standard 3/5 stars Dance Floor - I am sorry, but you have great music going, but way too small a dance floor. Do some rearranging or get rid of that little bar in the corner. - 2/5 stars All in all, I may come back again when it is a little bit warmer. Suggested group size is 3-6 (I say 3 because I do not see this as a 1 on 1 date spot). Hope this review helps!!
(3)
Brittany S.
Absolutely love this place, filled out a loyalty card last time I went... Received it in the mail today but expired 12/26/14 . Thanks guys, sure showing appreciation to your customers.
(2)
Jennifer C.
Came here for late night cocktails with my co worker and the bartender was an absolute dick. I normally don't use profanity online but there is no other word to describe him. He was rude and a jackass at the least. The drink he served me was disgusting and completely watered down. When I told him that it didn't meet me satisfaction he grabbed the drink from me TOOK A SIP FROM MY STRAW and told me that it tasted fine to him and if I wanted another I would have to pay. Fair enough, I would have paid for another drink but his rudeness wasn't necessary. ESPECIALLY because it wasn't even that busy yet. Fair to say I won't be back.
(1)
Meg K.
Four stars for the bartender and the food. Minus two for the waitress and hostess. I first sat at the bar waiting for my friends and our reservation. The bartender served me right away and then my friends when they arrived. We then moved to our table and on the second check-in where we weren't yet ready to order, our waitress asked if we could give her a time estimate so she didn't have to keep coming back. The restaurant was fairly empty, so we felt a bit weird and told her 5 minutes. Odd stuff like this kept happening, but the food was at least stable. We ordered six dishes for three of us (it's tapas style), and that was the perfect amount. Everything was tasty and I'd order it again. After we paid our bill, our waitress started clearing the table while we were still sitting there, so we got the hint that she was done with us and decided to leave. The hostess completely ignored us, too busy with her conversion with another restaurant staff member. We felt really unwelcome there. Expect a pricey set of tasty plates served by a girl more concerned about herself and her looks than your experience.
(3)
Lillian C.
This is another one of Boston's "clubs" that doesn't charge cover but the line can get REALLY LONG. So basically, get here early! It's a pretty cool place with a lounge area and a small dance floor off of that on the ground floor. The basement is noticeably smaller with barely any space to dance with the sitting sofas and tables. The music they play is decent, but it's not as great as some of the other places I've been. Also, it just seems like a place that gets really crowded and messy/dirty, but not as douchy as some other places. I like the lounge area with the bar since it's easy to get a drink and chill if you don't feel like dancing. I've only had a lot of fun when I went with A LOT of people tho...
(3)
David J.
If you read the reviews of this place on yelp, you will see that the doormen/bouncers have some discretion as to whether they will allow people wearing sneakers into their establishment. Given that entrance was granted to a white guy dressed very similar to a black guy that was denied entry, one has to question the reasons why. To make matters worse the doorman called me "ignorant" for surfacing this fact. #nevergoingback #bramin_sucks #call_it_what_it_is #racism
(1)
Brian P.
It seems like every review of this place is a 1 or a 4 which is enough make you suspicious, but I ended up there last night and just as other people have stated they are extremely strict on their "shoe code." I'd say dress code, but everyone was turned away for the same reason. It's not to say that an establishment isn't allowed to have a dress code regulations, but the sign specifically says "No Athletic Sneakers" which I would consider shoes you would see at the gym, or a basketball court, etc. My friend and I had just purchased brand new, $100+ fashionable sneakers from Bodega (high-end, retro shoe store with it's own secret entrance) and I had on $200 designer jeans, and a designer t-shirt. Honestly, I was one of the best dressed customers there, yet my $300+ outfit didn't meet their standards. I bet they would have let Kanye West wear my sneakers inside, but apparently our money was no good to them. What bothered me most was the fact that the bouncers would allow people to wear in dirty, old, cheap non-dress shoes that looked similar to the Payless clearance section, but I can't wear a pair of non-athletic $100 Nike's that are fresh out of the box. We even asked if we could wear them inside if we purchased bottle service and a table. At first the bouncer outside said yes, then he went inside and came back and told us no. We asked to speak to the manager and he wouldn't allow us to do that either. My group were all sober by the way, and were trying to negotiate a deal with them. We all have money and were willing to spend hundreds of dollars in their bar, but they weren't having it. My final comment to The Brahmin is remember who you are. You're not Las Vegas, you're not New York City. You're Boston. You don't even charge a cover... so how does excluding "athletic sneakers" improve your customer experience? Well it doesn't. I won't go back, I'll tell all my friends not to come back, and hopefully the people of Yelp will realize there's better places to spend their time. P.s. Your website doesn't show your "dress code" policy and I looked diligently to find one, so perhaps you should update that. I'm excited to see what the "business owner ed" will respond with. The line at Vegas has you at +5 spelling errors.
(1)
Christopher T.
My girlfriend and I stumbled on the brahmin because red lantern was too crowded. we had never heard of this bar but really happy we found it. went on a friday night, there was a dj spinning good tracks and the ambiance is great, very comfortable. music was loud enough but not too loud where it was difficult to carry a conversation. we both enjoyed our cocktails and tried the salad, meatballs & mac n cheese - all were pleasantly tasty an well portioned for the attractive prices. Thanks Brahmin, looking forward to seeing you soon.
(5)
Maria W.
Not as advertised online. When you visit the webpage it appears a nice, dare I say quieter atmopshere (webpage music is "ain't misbehavin'") My husband and I went last night for my birthday dinner and it was so loud we couldn't hear each other at all. DJ music was fine, but not what we expected! most of the tables around us were filled with extremely loud diners; except a couple who sat down next to us and had the same look on their faces that we had. Too loud and not what was expected! If you are looking for a party- this place could be fun. As for the food- some good, some not so good. We were also told that they were out of one dish and then about 40 minutes later saw it being served to a table next to us????
(2)
Kaitlin H.
This place has poor service. I went for a school-sponsored event on a Thursday night, and they were unprofessional, unprepared, and severely under-staffed, in my opinion. The bartenders yelled at the customers; they had no discernible pattern for serving those people waiting for drinks at the bar; and they were even yelling at each other (particularly the dish-washer, who appeared to be new). It took an hour and fifteen minutes for me to be served ONE drink (even after waving my card to request service a couple of times before). Not at all recommended based on their general treatment of customers and poor, untimely service. Good for dancing, but not for social drinking. REPLY to the comment below: my online receipt for an Uber ride to The Brahmin shows that I arrived around 10:30pm. My print receipt for the drinks I purchased at The Brahmin shows that I paid for them (after receiving them) around 11:45pm. That's hard evidence to dispute by calling me a liar. Ad hominem attacks are fallacious arguments that do nothing to further a position and are unwarranted incivilities. Also, I would like to point out that you have left equally libelous comments on every bad Yelp review for The Brahmin. I understand your frustrations with the number reportedly going to be in attendance. I have no involvement with the organization of this event, however, so I speak purely from the perspective of another customer looking to have a good time--a perspective that cannot have any relation to the non-law students you mention, either. Further, I admit to knowing nothing about managing a bar, so I respectfully trust your judgments in that matter. I would love to give The Brahmin another chance, and I think most customers who have had only one bad experince here would. However, if you continue to leave such inappropriately hostile comments, your anti-bad review strategy will achieve just the opposite.
(1)
Mallory C.
I can't really rate this on much since we were there for a fundraising event, so it was reorganized accordingly. The format was a little strange, and it felt crowded really quick, with minimal places to sit. The food was difficult to access as it was up a step, making it impossible for people with mobility issues to get any independently. I also am not sure of the accessible bathroom situation since the one I was instructed to use was downstairs, but toward the end of the night we were assured there was one. Drinks and food were good, and I'd go back to have a regular meal experience here for another chance.
(3)
Matthew F.
If you like terrible service, water downed drinks and fraternity basements this is the place for you. Over 45 minutes to get a drink, check. Bourbon with three times as much ice as liquor, check. Shoes sticking to the floor, check. Given the location and general proximity to good bars, I expected a far better experience. Not sure why anyone would willingly return to this dive bar that attempts to present itself as "upscale".
(1)
Korey G.
One of the best places in Boston, hands down. The craft cocktails are prepared perfectly, great food and awesome service. I never wait for a drink due to the fact they have 4 bar areas and a ton of servers running around the place looking to take orders. The weekdays are fun, they have rat pat Tuesdays and throwback Thursdays which my friends and I love. The weekends consists of two DJs, two floors, dance floors and a hugh hard working staff. This place is so great, I don't Go anywhere else!
(5)
Abby R.
Ok, this place is awesome. I went for Tuesday night Rat Pack music, because I love Frank Sinatra-y tunes and live music and because no other reasons were needed. The food menu is kind of like tapas in the sense that for the most part, they're all small plates good to share with 2-3 people. Between the 2 of us we devoured: -Tater Tots with truffle ketchup and garlic aioli dipping sauces -Parmesan Asparagus fries -Filet Mignon Bruschetta -Crispy Fried Brie -Chocolate Fudge Cake Don't worry, the asparagus fries TOTALLY count as a vegetable. If you love truffle oil as a flavoring this place has got you covered. I expected a slight truffley tinge to the ketchup but when I dipped a tot in there it was like TRUFFLE!... ketchup. I found it a bit too much. They also have truffle mac n' cheese which I'm glad I didn't get after the super truffelized ketchup. The asparagus fries were my favorite thing. Coated in a crunchy but not greasy coating, they were crunchy and tender at the same time and just everything I wanted in an asparagus fry but didn't know how to say. Garlic aioli came with this as a dipping sauce as well, which I passed on because of the aforementioned truffle ketchup and garlic aioli with the tots. The Crispy Fried Brie came with a strawberry dipping sauce and I really disliked the sauce. I dipped into it once and hated it, then I wanted to like it so I tried again and hated it again. It was still nice to have nice crispy bites of coated fried brie, but I would have liked a different dipping sauce option. The Filet Mignon Bruschetta was delish, but there are only 2 pieces of bread with steak already loaded up on there, so this is definitely a plate for 2. Regardless I thought the price at $10 was actually good for the amount of filet you get and for how filling it is. Would definitely get this again, and I loved the avocado salsa they put on it. Not much to say about the chocolate cake. It was dense and cold and heavily frosted. Would not order again, but it wasn't bad. The atmosphere is great. Very clean, awesome 20's inspired art, the band was playing at just the right volume so you could still hold easy conversation and enjoy the tunes. Service was also uncommonly friendly. Great place for a date night or a birthday party. Will be back for sure.
(5)
Matt D.
Food is great. On the weekend it can be tough to transition a busy restaurant into a bar/dancing venue. This place is conscientious of not disrupting patrons and does a great job. Fun early vibe that extends late night. The bartenders downstairs on the weekends are devastatingly handsome and provide amazing customer service. I highly recommend getting dinner during the week and coming early for food on the weekends...then dancing off the delicious tapas style dinner. Taking advantage of the loyalty program there is a no brainer!
(5)
Stephanie K.
Just your typical Boston neighborhood bar/lounge. It 's next door to Red Lantern which is a highlight and they had music on a Thursday night. We were the only ones there but it was a Thursday so it was expected. Music selection was ok, took a lot of our requests. Didn't have any food but the drinks were fine. I've heard it's a fun place on the weekends for dancing so give it a shot if you're in the neighborhood but don't go out of your way.
(3)
Rachel N.
To put this review in perspective, as we were standing in line to check our coats, watching the billionth girl teeter by in 6in heels and barely-booty-covering skirts, I had to turn to Em, who was looking ravishing in a button up and jeans, and ask: "wait. is this what girls wear now?" - and to my first frat party in college, I wore a cashmere sweater set - no regrets - but I think that gives a sense of abt how knowledgeable I am abt anything involving "nst nst nst" type music and general youth culture. However, I do love my friends, and so in honor of a birthday I made an appearance at Brahmin. I've walked by the place enough to know that if you get here past 10p, you'll wait in a hella long line - and thus, I was pleasantly surprised when we rolled up at 10:30p and there were only 15p ahead of us - that said, by the time some of our friends came around 11:30p, they had been in line for 30m in 20F weather - yes, it's crowded inside, but it's definitely the type of place that keeps a line out front to maintain the image of exclusive allure. Once the bouncers deign to let you in, be prepared to have your ear drums blown out immediately with delightfully remixed Top 40s - if you have zero taste in music, which I proudly do - you will find that the music is excellent to bop around to - and most importantly, a GREAT remix of Sisqo's Thong Song exists and should be played in every club. By the time we left at a bit after midnight, the place was packed - and although the place is fairly dim, from what my old eyes gathered, the crowd was actually more diverse than I thought it would be - nevertheless, we are in Boston, so it is weighted towards lanky, clean-cut men in untucked plaid and/or oxfords and girls in minimal clothing, heavy make up, and faux Louboutins - I got the feeling that most of the people were in their mid 20s - and I probably wouldn't go intending to meet one's soulmate - BUT, it could be a fun way to grab someone for a quick, sloshy M.O.O.T.D.F if the spirit moves you to do so. Moral: get there early, be prepared to get pushed as bros and their hos make their rounds, and don't check a coat if you value your sanity. Oh, and no cover and drinks are fairly cheap (under $10), so snark aside, it's not a bad place to spend the evening getting down.
(3)
David W.
I had the Short Rib Grilled Cheese and Buffalo Chicken Rangoon...and both were fabulous! I totally recommend. It was a Monday evening and wasn't very crowded. And we had great service.
(5)
Joe S.
Theme of the restaurant and decor was nice and contemporary , food was good, prices for drinks and food were to much. Ordered a jack and coke twice and should have just ordered a regular coke(watered down drinks). They let about 100 more people in than they should have, it was bumper to bumper traffic in there. Waitstaff was trying but it took 25 min for a drink just unacceptable, for the price and overcrowded sweat lounge id probably never go back.
(2)
Amanda L.
I purchased a LivingSocial deal that brought me back to the Brahmin after maybe a year of absence and was pretty excited about it since I thought my previous dining experience there was great. The restaurant wasn't especially busy on a Tuesday night at 7p so it was easy to grab a table. My boyfriend and I ordered the following: - Crispy Fried Brie - the coating is a bit salty and the dipping sauce had a strange, artificial flavor to it, but the brie was perfectly melty - Sizzling Spicy Shrimp - loved how hot the shrimp were when this came out but found the food to be relatively tasteless - Filet Mignon Bruschetta - hands down the best item we had. I found this a little difficult to eat since the bread was kind of thick, but my boyfriend loved it. To each their own. The combination of filet, cheese and guac was delicious and left my taste buds happy. - Brussel Sprouts - needed salt - didn't see salt or pepper on any tables nearby so not sure if this is available or not - Crab Cakes - I may be overcritical when it comes to judging crab cakes since I grew up near Maryland. No crab cake in New England has ever wowed me (with the exception of maybe Atlantic Fish Co.), but these were pretty good. I appreciate a crab cake when you can see the actual crab meat inside, so The Brahmin gets extra points for that! The overall experience was okay as nothing really stood out as being absolutely wonderful or overly offensive. Our waitress, Jamie, was cute, friendly and pretty prompt - quick to refill my wine (thanks, Jamie!). I'd say The Brahmin is a nice place to grab a quick bite and a few drinks after work, but maybe save the full dining experience for elsewhere.
(3)
Jenny S.
THROWBACK JAMS DOWNSTAIRS, now that's a good Friday night in Boston it was nice that they had a few tables downstairs where you can sit and enjoy drinks with friends .. PLUS it was convenient so we didn't have to go through coat check! the Brahmin is a pretty casual bar, dark, no frills, you know nothing special but go with some good friends for good music and drinks!
(3)
Joe J.
Came here for dinner and ordered a bunch of small plates per the recommendation of our waitress: Buffalo Meatballs Sizzling Shrimp Lamp Lollipops Mussels Mac and Cheese Tater Tots I also had their Old-Fashioned from the cocktail list. The highlight was the buffalo meatballs. The sizzling shrimp didn't really have much flavor, and that also applies to the mussels. The mac and cheese was pretty standard, as well as the tater tots. There really wasn't much of a spin on them, they were simply, tater tots, like the ones you can pop in the oven at home. Lamb Lollipops were good though. My drink was not that great. The place was not busy at all, and we had to ask to have waters refilled. Below average service, and hit or miss food render this a 3-star experience.
(3)
Madelyn W.
Food/weekday dinner review: I signed up for brahmins loyalty program, which provides $20 free applied to food only dine-in and $10 every month up to $150. It a really good deal if you dont feel like cooking on the weekdays for dinner. I have tried flatbread and appetizers so far. The flatbreads are really good. They also give free complimentary appetizers some times too. Live band too.
(5)
Stephanie T.
I used to be a huge fan of Brahmin, and I'm still a big fan of the food, its a great dinner place for groups. I held my birthday party here this winter, booked a table and set a bar tab for my group. Our waitress was amazing, but the atmosphere was terrible. I booked a table for 20 people, when I arrived the area around my table (which could only seat 5 people) was packed with another party. They moved people about a foot away, but it was still far too crowded for the number of people, they definitely over booked the space for the evening. Also our drinks were coming from the upstairs bar, so every time we ordered a new round it took forever for the drinks to arrive. However by far the worst part of the evening were the bartenders. They refused to serve us water at all. After paying hundreds of dollars for a table, I could not believe they were so rude to myself and my guests, and refused to provide any water. Definitely downgraded my previously great impression of this place.
(1)
April K.
I've always had fun at Brahmin! Only problem is the annoying line but I guess that's understandable. Good crowd, good music, decently priced drinks ($10). There are two floors so it's nice to kind of separate if you want to dance or just hang out. It's more posh and definitely not a college bar. Going there tonight! P.S. Russ your responses are hilarious.
(4)
Pathy K.
I loved the atmosphere of this place. I came to Brahmin based on a recommendation from a friend. It was very nice. The food was good, nothing could disappoint me. BUT The best part of all for me was the Waitress we had serving our table last night. I need to give Kudos to her. She was very professional and very pleasant. Loved the place more because of her really. Good job Taylor. You were very good and Patient with our large group. You didn't miss a beat. I am very happy to see good workers. I hope this review reaches your managers. Good job overall.
(5)
Stephanie D.
There DJ was amazing on a Saturday Night. As per usual in any bar, you have to make your own fun. My friends and I were the some of the first few people of the night dancing, but within 20 mins there were tons of people on the little dance floor. There tapas-sized portions of food leave something to be desired for their prices. The staff is really great at clearing away glasses and stuff that people literally leave everywhere. They were also relatively quick to bounce people who act super inappropriately. As with any place to drink, there were classic unapologetic "sloppies", but a small enough percentage that this place stays above the line of other dance halls/bars that are little more that drunken house-parties. Worth becoming a regular at when you want to just dance!
(4)
Danielle B.
I have a love-hate relationship with The Brahmin. LOVE: The cocktail selection, dj & music selection, the atmosphere in general. HATE: The tacky waitresses and waitstaff in general- so rude! The food is OK. It's a fun place for drinks and apps after work. Minimize your expectations beforehand about food & service, and you'll love it.
(3)
Frederic M.
Love the interior! Great place to go for beers / cocktails / coca-cola or whatever type of liquids you are into. Food is basic.
(4)
Lily S.
So after I finished eating here, I sent the following text to my friend "OMG the food here is like jizz ur kitty multiple times good!!!" True story. Hmm where to start. My friend and I had been here a couple of times for drinks and dancing, and were looking for something to do on Friday night that involved food but was also close to dancing, as it was 12F outside. This led me to peruse the Brahmin menu and I was very pleasantly surprised. It's basically every honorary fat girls dream come true. I'm actually really glad that its too far for walking distance from my job, otherwise my waistline would be having issues. They have an excellent tapas style menu and everything is ograsmically delicious. If I HAD to pick a favorite, I would say the asparagus fries. Imagine the most amazing French fry you've ever had, and then in the middle is a succulent piece of asparagus. Nothing short of amazing. Oh, and if that didnt seal the deal for you, they come with a side of dipping sauce...which im pretty sure is just a fat dollop of mayo. We also sampled the shrimp tacos and some spicy grilled shrimp, the buffalo chicken meatballs (OMFG!!!), and the bacon wrapped scallops. Everything was so delicious! The service was also surprisingly fast, especially later in the evening. We finished up around 10:30 and by then it was dance time! this was the only somewhat negative experience of the night...i feel like everyone in their mid twenties eventually gets that "wow i'm getting way too old for this" feeling. that sort of happened. nothing to do with the Brahmin, per se, but the crowd was just so young and you're standing there thinking, am i the oldest person here?! so we shook our respective groove things for a while, and ended up leaving around midnight. bonus? no problem getting a cab!
(5)
Alex B.
I loved the Brahmin when it first opened. For some time it was my favorite spot in Boston to go out. Why? It was tucked away on a side street away from all of the hustle and bustle. It was never too crowded, the music was good, and there were always beautiful girls there. What happened? Well, I guess people found out about it. First the yuppie youth then their wannabe yuppie friends then other tools and then next thing you know there is an overcrowded and overheated dancefloor with a dj with multiple personality disorder who cannot decide between rap and EDM. I also don't like the fact that they let people in who are just wearing shorts. I prefer a place with dresscode / standards. And as any frequenter of this establishment can attest to, you need to arrive stupidly early to avoid a ridiculously long and obnoxious line where you cannot payoff the bouncers even $100 to cut. Take my money you idiots! Ethical bouncers, wtf? Moving around becomes a bitch and everything just ends up uncomfortable. I always pray for it to go back to how it was. Even if they reduced the crowd by 10-15% i think it would be much more bearable. I have a very specific taste so I am not going to slam Brahmin too much. There are still plenty of good looking girls, the crowd is fun, and I think the servers are friendly. I think I am just outgrowing it. The Boston nightlife scene just needs some places that cater to the fact that people want to dance their fuckin faces off in a space larger than 15' x 15'.
(3)
August M.
Terrible service, terrible ambiance from every employee ranging from the bouncer at the bartenders, ugh.
(1)
Marlana Y.
I used to come here Wednesday nights a longgg time ago when it was 33 and I always had a good time. But then again it was because I was looking for a loud club scene and it was expected. My out of town friend was coming back to visit and wanted a relaxing girls night. She heard this was a lounge where we could go and it was new so why not. So it depends what you are looking for. On yelp it is categorized as a lounge and I define lounge as a relaxing, pretty chill place to chat with friends. Not sure how it is on the other nights but on a Friday night this place is no lounge!!! If your looking for a place with loud music where you just want to party and dance ( but not sure if there's even a dance floor - reminds me of the same tight spaces as Emerald ) then this is your place. I tried to look on the website page for the type of music playing but it wasn't listed; so when we arrived - I'm not even sure what was playing. It didn't sound like EDM nor any music I've heard of- a bit funky and different which isn't bad at all. Just different. There was no where to sit. Limited amount of seats/ couches as well as space to move and dance. We found a wall to stand against but felt we were always in the way -whether by the wait staff and waitresses who gave you the evil eye to get out of the way or by other guests who was dancing in place by the bar and elbowing you if you were too close from their dancing skills. They only have two types of bottled beer (one was corona and the second was a European- I think), they have more on tap- but couldn't tell what they had. They do not have Hennessy, which is our drink of choice but did offer Remy. The drinks prices are nothing out of the ordinary- especially for the area. It was definitely more of a club scene than a lounge. The best part is no cover so you could come here if your strapped for cash. Brahmin looks very nice but it's hard to enjoy it due to crowd and space. It was hard to hear my companions and hear myself so we decided to leave after 10 minutes.
(3)
Katie V.
So Brahmin has improved a lot since my first visit. I've been there many times since and have had great service, including for multiple large events I've organized there. Their truffled mac and cheese is the best in Boston! Very glad I gave the place another try (never saw that doorman again anyway, which tells you something).
(4)
Cassie G.
Poor experience
(2)
Bradley K.
Really shocked at the bad reviews. I waited for the LivingSocial deal on Tuesday to give it a shot. Blown away! GREAT service, GREAT food, and fun/loungish decor. Tried a little bit of everything. The 2 favorites were the fried brie and short rib grilled cheese. We just returned from Europe so we were on a Tapas kick, and this was just what we expected. Will definitely be back! Ps. Live music was a plus, although not that impressive, still fun.
(4)
Anastasia T.
Best tapas I've ever had. Their short rib grilled cheese bites are amazing. Even better when paired with the truffle Mac and cheese.
(5)
Adam S.
*NOTE: Review is only about the bouncers and smell in the bar** The sleazy door guys with the twin Bill Walton beards apparently have an affinity for large breasts and try to creative a little big boob call-out code word for each other - "Meow meow" This past weekend we stopped by and were with a decent group of people, good looking girls and a few of them with large breasts. Keep in mind that we're in our early 30s, the girls dress nicely and not in college girl hoochie mama club gear. We definitely didn't come to a college/Euro bar by choice, but it was for a friend, so after we hand the ID to the bouncer and begin to walk towards the entrance, the bouncer says "Meow" (we've all seen Super Troopers) and then the other bouncer follows with "Meow meow" as she walks by him, who is standing 10 feet away. In the interest of not getting into an altercation with the Bill Walton wannabe twins, I didn't say anything, but mentioned it to my endowed friends and they got the treatment both entering and leaving the bar. On the way out with my girlfriend, I prepped her and her friend and as we walked out, I said "wait for it, wait for it...." and then came "Meow meow" MANAGEMENT - Tell the bouncers to class it up or pick a "big boob" catch phrase that the whole word doesn't know. I casually mentioned while walking downstairs that there was a horrible smell throughout the entire bar and one of the employees heard me and said "It's the people that come here. There's no fixing it. We deal with it every week" Hey, at least the mixed drinks were only $9.50 and in a big plastic cup. Maybe Liberty Hotel is worth the $13 drink price though to not get harassed or have to hold my nose. EDIT and REPLY: Russ, The bearded guys were the only ones out there at this time, at least when we go there. I am a guy and was with my girlfriend. There were roughly 15 people in our party, mixture of guys and girls, arriving and leaving at different times. There is absolutely no way their comments were random or I was mistaken. This would be hard to see on camera since they're just saying something and not making any actions. It's just a perfect reason why I avoid "clubs" nowadays. Entitled door people are the worst and there are way too many options in Boston to wait in line somewhere to be judged by hired muscle. The employee was downstairs that commented about the smell. He had an earpiece on as well. Not going to get him in trouble since he was just being honest. The smell was overwhelming and we assumed it was throw-up. I ordered 2 - Ketel One/Sodas and was given $1.50 back, which I left on the bar - Just looked at my credit card and there is a charge of $18.50 (w/out tip) - Assuming you're not charging for tax, that's $9.25/drink not $9.50 - sorry. I had two drinks and my girlfriend had two drinks, so it's not like we were drunk and confused. I wasn't insulting the cups, just saying that they were large, but still made of plastic and not glass.
(1)
Robyn R.
I have not been fortunate enough to eat here, but it's the type of bar you want to go - exactly what Boston needs. Fun, upbeat, awesome music, good scene and not sweaty and crowded. Great crowd - younger professionals, no college kids and no creepy old men :) I only hung out upstairs, but will go downstairs next time. I've heard the food is incredible and look forward to eating next time. Drinks are strong and fairly priced, plenty of seating and places to move around. It's hard to find a bar in Boston that's the perfect mix between a casual spot and trendy lounge - but you've done it, Brahmin. I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Nikhil P.
Went here last night for drinks and to do some dancing, and the night was fun. Three main rooms, one had some good old-school hip-hop, another had some EDM/dance music beats, and the third room was a nice chill vibe. The night was overall pretty fun, and the drinks were really good and pretty reasonable for a spot without cover. $10/cocktail isn't a bad run, and the cocktail waitresses scanning the crowd for drink orders is pretty damn smart. Sure beats the rush to the bar and having your buzz wear off while waiting in line! Great idea, and the waitresses deserve big tips for wading through crowds of go-go dancers with full drinks. The only major downer was this "two-pieces of Photo ID" thing at the door. Painting the scene... by no fault of its own, The Brahmin happens to be situated at the ass-end of what felt like a wind-tunnel last night. The alleyway grabbed every cold blast in the neighborhood and threw it at the 20-odd people waiting in line outside for a good 10-15minutes. After getting to the door at last... (while people around us were actively hopping back in cabs to leave), we're told we need to have two pieces of photo ID. The bouncers were polite enough, but seriously? I checked out another review about this. There's apparently concern about fake IDs. Me, my wife and the two people ahead of us were very obviously over 25. Maybe we were just looking particularly young and hot... but how about running the line and telling everyone what to expect in advance? Or throwing something up on the website? I've never had a request for two pieces of photo ID anywhere in this city. If the BPD is cracking down on businesses, or the Brahmin ran into some underage trouble and have to ramp it up, make that clear. We were let in eventually, but if this really is a universal rule ... gotta make it clear right away. Signage, website, bouncers telling people while they're waiting in line. Really fun night overall and we'll be back, but kind of choked the first impression.
(3)
Angelina E.
I was in Boston for work and my team planned an outing that followed with heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks at the Brahmin. The food was okay. I liked the bacon and scallops but everything else was pretty mediocre. The Moscow Mule was hands down the works one I've ever had. I live in San Francisco where they are pretty popular so maybe it's just a west coast thing and I should't have ordered it.
(2)
Yalda R.
This place is always a great choice, a really good balance between bar atmosphere and club atmosphere, incorporates the best aspects of both! Their food is also delicious and prices are reasonable too. The only problem is how quickly it fills up, if you get there past 10:30 you're bound to wait in line for a while but then again that's only cause it's a really popular spot to be at.
(5)
W Q.
Great music, great crowd, excellent drinks. Really nice interior, another bar and DJ downstairs. Come here early or the line gets long. Cocktail waitresses were very friendly and fun. We got a couple of drinks and few rounds of shots. The place was packed with people on VDay. Tons and tons of beautiful dressed up single women. This is a great spot if you are visiting Boston, especially on the weekends. Guys can dress casual, but girls were definitely dressy! I didn't try any food here, so the stars were purely based on the fun factor and drinks!
(5)
Rachel K.
I hosted a birthday party here for my friend's 25 and the service was great! The people I emailed and spoke with in planning were wonderful and our downstairs area was perfect! The drinks were great and we were easily able to be downstairs and upstairs throughout the night enjoying the dancing and the loungey area. One amazing thing is although you have to spend a certain amount of money if you reserve a space, they let you use multiple cards. This is amazing, since round up money from a bunch of people at the end of the night can be a total pain! Our bartender downstairs was excellent and definitely showed us some extra attention and I was sure to leave him a nice tip. My only problem with this place, and I'm sure it's almost everyone's is the line situation. We were lucky enough to get there before 10pm on a Saturday and because we reserved space, we were allowed to come in line and cover free. The agreement we made with the event planner was as long as they were in by 10pm, they were good. I went up around 9:50pm after I heard some friends weren't able to get in and wanted to clear up the situation. The bouncers were not helpful, they said "no more, no way, it's 10pm" it was 9:53pm! I spoke with my friends and they said they had been waiting for 10 mins already and were here well before the expiration time. Another group of friends said bouncers wouldn't even let them get past the first line to get to the reservation line which held them up. Such a bummer because everything that happened during the night went amazingly! I really hope they can manage the line situation better in the future. If reservations are made, our entire group should be able to get in as long as they make the 10pm cut. I understand it's a busy place and I've dealt with the line without a reservation, but this was should have been an exception.
(3)
Carla S.
I really love the atmosphere of this place! I've been to Brahmin a bunch of times and I really enjoy the Throwback Thursday which I went to last night. Again had a great dinner and the music was awesome! I'm so obsessed with the fried pickles it's not even funny!! Till we meet again :)
(5)
Jenna V.
What would I do without Brahmin? Between rat pack Tuesdays, throwback Thursdays and the dance floor on Saturdays, you can't go wrong. This is our go to spot for birthdays, holidays and random nights when we just want to have a great time. Mike the manager knows how to treat his customers right! No wonder it's the #2 lounge in the country! John Taffert knows his stuff...even though i think it should be #1!
(5)
Danielle D.
Can't say enough great things about this place! Always stellar service, great food and an amazing crowd! Every time my friends and I try to figure out where to go, we disagree on every place but Brahmin! Everyone has a great time! Mike the manager is a stud and knows all his regulars and is always willing to help with anything. I would give Brahmin 10 stars if I could! This place is a "must see!"
(5)
Alejandra L.
BE EXTRA CAREFUL with your BILL! I used to "like" (not love, its ok not great) this club/lounge before despite of the long and not ending lines where you have to freeze and wait at least 40 minutes to get inside but after last nights's experience I would never come back here again, you have to pay extra attention to your bill when you are paying if not they will charge you drinks that you didnt even order... I honestly just came to the bar 2 times and decided to leave my card open to order drinks for my friend and me : 2 whiskey ginger and 2 tequila margaritas (not even enough to be drunk and not being able to realize what is happening) at the end of the night I nicely asked the bartender for my card and after waiting for 15 min he finally passed me the bill that said almost 89$!!! With 4 whiskey ginger, 3 margaritas and 3 martinis (which I never order or even drink!) I would like to think it was a mistake but come on who can put in your account 5 more drinks that you never order, I think is DIsHONESt and DISRESPECTFUL with your customers who are there to enjoy and have a good time with friends but at the end of the night you end up f&$&/ because they are charging you more just because they think you are drunk and you would never check your bills and would sign it like if you were blind or stupid.... I told one of the bartenders that there was a mistake in my bill, I couldnt ask to the guy that was serving me all night directly because he was avoiding me but he told him about the mistake and he end up saying that maybe I didnt remember what I order? Really? That is so wrong! I obviously remembered exactly what I order because I wasnt drunk and I am not stupid... I felt humiliated with the poor and dishonest service last night... After I nicely told him that I honestly didnt order the 3 extra martinis and the 2 extra whiskey and margarita they were charging they said the have to put the martinis because is a complimentary drink with the margaritas? Seriously! ? Im sorry but that was the most stupid excuse I have ever heard in my life... I hope that would never happen to you thats why you always have to check your bills very carefully if not just pay with cash and dont open a tab! I feel sorry for the people that never realized and got charge more for drinks that they didnt even order... Dont do this again with your costumers, KARMA is a BITCH!
(1)
Jerome M.
If you like noise, young crowd, and don't really care about the food, don't go there. If you are looking for a trendy place to be seen and to meet people, this is the place to be. Unfortunately, I am passed that age. :(
(2)
Brittany G.
Such a great atmosphere for drinks and some small plates after work with coworkers or friends! Plus they have an outdoor patio!
(5)
Caitlin W.
I have only been here for happy hours and drinks after work, so I can't speak to the night scene after 9 o'clock. But hte drinks were good, they had an alright beer selection, and the bartenders were attentive. Their tator tots are probably Oreda tots, but still delish, and the fried pickles are really good! I definitely recommend. One time we sat outside, and they told us that we had to order food if we sat outside, but that was OK, we had a big enough group. The flat bread pizzas weren't that great. When i come here, I like to get drinks and fried pickles. I
(4)
Phil O.
Note: This review is for Brahmin's food (and the service of) only. I went here on 12/6, and I ordered the duck confit sliders (at approx. 9:30PM). I waited at the bar for 40+ minutes just to realize the bartender failed to put in my order. What was doubly perplexing was that the bartender I gave the order to actually specified they were good when I asked him for advice. So not only did he* mindlessly forget to punch in my order, but his suggestion couldn't have been any farther away from "spot-on". When I finally got the duck sliders, they were lacking flavor to the point where it seemed any type of basic seasoning (i.e. salt) was completely forgotten. The duck meat was overcooked and its dryness was covered up by the grease it was cooked in. The buns were soggy as they were doused with duck grease, yet somehow, they were still flavorless. The sliders came prepared with a very random orange marmalade sauce, which was uneventful and didn't do anything for the duck meat. The end product was 3 barely edible duck sliders. Several bartenders asked me how the food was, and while it was loud and dimmed, my body language and verbal response still powerfully revealed my unenthusiasm. Apparently there's a point in the night when Brahmin lowers its customer service standards, so I still had to pay for them. Please note that one of the bartenders was sweet, and did pay for one of my rounds since the food came out late. But I think it's still safe to say I will never order food from Brahmin ever again. *I think his name is Nick Response to Ed B from 1/28/14: It's for reasons like this that I often don't take the "direct" approach. You don't listen. You clearly didn't comprehend 1 of the 2 major points of my review. You deflected my claim that your duck confit sliders tasted horrific by defining what duck confit translates to. Yes, I know "duck confit" means it's cooked in its own fat. But grease equals flavor, which is why I was dumbfounded when the sliders didn't have any. You: "I've replied several times explaining that duck confeit, by definition confeit means cooked in grease which would be why it tasted greasy." My response: You have not done this. You: "I also offered to apologize as nick mistakenly rang in the wrong order and the kitchen was backed up which is why there was a delay." My response: One of the female bartenders told me the kitchen was not backed up, and you never offered to apologize. You: "People are human and mistakes do happen, unfortunately in this day and age people are also so quick to judgment and are more powerful with words and behind a computer screen than in person and don't consider there affect on peoples livelihoods." My response: You're wrong/lying again. I already well considered the ramifications it would have on your business and your sub-par staff. And perhaps you should check my Yelp rating distribution before you make snap judgments yourself (more 4's and 5's awarded than anything else). Conclusion: Personally, and since I've worked in the service industry in the past, I do not have any tolerance for end-to-end sloppiness. This was a complete failure from the employees in the kitchen to the employees at the bar. And maybe I'm old-fashioned, but when staff is aware that they screwed up and/or that I'm unhappy already, why should I go out of my way to complain to someone else (i.e. next line of management)? I'm giving them the chance to rectify the situation "on the spot". Not to mention in this case it was dark, loud, crowded and I was trying to enjoy the evening with my girlfriend. I'm sorry for inconveniencing you. Having said that, it's actually sad that Yelp is becoming one of the only ways to get small business owners to listen once in a while, which is a slight push in the right direction to raise the bar for customer service standards.
(1)
Eric M.
Updating my review for Brahmin again. Besides the owner being one of the worst humans I've ever encountered on the internet, and after a few year break from this establishment, i went back. The results: it was OK. Overall had a pretty fun night at the bar, the music was decent although it heavily favored music from last millennium. The atmosphere was decent too although it did get too packed to move at one point. One thing that pissed me off is a $15 credit card minimum for drinks. If you can't afford to pay the cc processing fee on a $12 gin and tonic then you don't deserve to be in business. Show a little class if you brand yourself as an upscale bar and eat the credit card fee like every other bar/restaurant/food truck/sausage stand. If they can do it, surely you can too.
(2)
Mary Anne C.
From the moment we walked in, we were made to feel welcome, even when I said "I have a coupon". (Other establishments - take note). Since that first visit I've been back at least 5 times and each time was wonderful. I love the food, the service, the management, Rat Pack Tuesday, the ambiance. I'm such a fan.
(5)
Sarah G.
What a fancy lounge like spot in the Back Bay! I can see why people like hanging out here so much--I felt like I literally went out somewhere special due to the awesome decor these people have. A little girly perhaps overall, but a great group hang out spot or drink meeting place. Made me feel a little sex in the city like actually with their dark lighting, chandeliers, etc. I say drink meeting because their food was just so so. We got one of their flatbreads which was honestly nothing special and almost tasted like some flatbreads I cook from my own freezer. We got their tatertots which were served in a fancy holder which I loved, but those dipping sauces were again pretty standard. Then we got their asparagus parm fries and those again we had expected to be way tastier. Don't get me wrong, everything was edible and everything like that, but none of if was really living up to how cool this place looks inside. Their beer selection is decent and they have some decent cocktails for $10-12 too, but I would really only come back here for drinks and eat elsewhere. I hear late at night the downstairs becomes more like a club or something like that, so that would be interesting to explore in the future ha ha
(3)
Dinna Y.
Awesome food for surprisingly great value. brought a group of 9 there and the bill was low for just food. drinks of course always take you over! Great atmosphere, interior design. Busy, good music, but in typical Boston nightlife, they keep you waiting outside for not minutes but half hours just to make the place seem busy (if you are not a local Bostonian, it is DEAD in the city over holidays and when school is out as 1/4 ppl are students so the city is dead). I'd go back to dance and sardine myself through people
(4)
Sasha L.
I've been to Brahmin a few times in the past year, but last weekend my friends and I went for my 22nd birthday. I called in the week before we wanted the go and the manager, Mike, told me that there were a few big parties but that I should ask for him when my friends and I got there and he would see what he could do as far as getting us one of the booths in the upstairs area. When we got there, there wasn't a table available but he got us in in front of the line. About 5 minutes after we went in a table opened up and we stayed there the rest of the night! I wanted to pay for the first few rounds so I asked our server to let me know when we reached a certain tab. She was super careful to not let the tab go over my limit which was awesome. Overall fantastic night, great place to go for a girls night with friends!!!
(5)
L. M. B.
Went to the Brahmin Friday night for drinks and food with my boyfriend and some friends, sat at the bar, our bartender was Vinnie (the tall one with the irish accent), I ordered the blue cheese stuffed olive martini and my boyfriend ordered a dark and stormy- the drinks were perfect! We asked for some recommendations for food from him and he ordered us some fried pickles, grilled pulled pork cheese bites, tater tots and the lobster sliders, the menu is designed for sharing and the food was great. There was a DJ when we got there and the place was busy, as the night went on the drinks and food were flowing and even though the bar very busy later on our bartender never forgot about us and we were never without a drink in our hand. Another DJ showed up at about 10pm and the place was packed, I do recommend getting there early - as we were leaving at about 11:30pm there was a line outside so try to avoid that! The Brahmin is a great place to come with friends for drinks food and dancing. I did read some of the other negative reviews about bartenders and was shocked - all the bartenders were very nice to us and we were a mixed race group and everyone felt welcomed by the staff. We had a great time but as I said get there early to avoid the line!!
(5)
Mike L.
Still love this place! Been coming here for a few years now and I always have a great experience. Went there this past weekend for a friends birthday party downstairs, we all had a blast and the music was on point...I knew the line would be down the street early so I came early to get dinner. They were completely booked up but I was able to grab a couple seats at the bar. Food.....Fantastic! Definitely get the Whole Short Rib.
(4)
Eric M.
I've eaten here a couple of times now and both times have been very impressed with the quality of the food. We had a few small plates and everything was very tasty. The waitress was friendly and attentive even though it was very crowded with the after work drinks crowd. Would definitely come here again!
(4)
C. W.
Had my friends 25th birthday party here - and it was a blast! We rented a space later than usual, so we were given a "walk-through" type area in back, which wasn't a problem at all. I coordinated with Jill, who handles the event planning and she was so incredibly helpful. She answered all of my emails quickly and was super accommodating in every way. Lauren was our waitress and I can't say enough good things about her. She handled everything like a pro! We all used different credit cards, which can be a pain but she made it seem like it was no trouble at all. She was always checking up on us and doing everything she could to make sure our night was enjoyable. We ordered some food as well: Pancetta Flatbread, margarita flatbread, sausage flatbread, Scallops and Bacon, and Sausage Stuffed Arancini Bites -- everything was delicious. My favorite personally was the scallops, they have a sweet maple on them that was definitely the best part. The only thing I wish was different was the ease of a guest list. We had some friends who were stuck waiting in the rain and unfortunately ended up going to a different bar. This situation may be different though if we had rented a more intimate space. All in all, it was a blast. The staff, food and night overall was wonderful!
(4)
Jacquelynn C.
This was one of first spots we checked out while in Boston, did some research via instagram to see if the scene was good and was not disappointed at all. The food is alright, it didn't change my life but the service and the atmosphere is amazing. We were here on a Friday night for drinks and food that led to us coming back on a Saturday night which was even better. Very good looking crowd, come early to avoid waiting in line outside or befriend one of the bartenders...*they'd be happy to put you on their list at the door. *only applies if your a girl. lol Pros: Speakeasy atmosphere, great DJ, decent drinks, friendly staff/bartenders Cons: food is ok
(4)
Mac D.
Yummy margaritas, $8 each. Cool atmosphere. Loud. The bar downstairs is less crowded, so you'll have a better chance at getting a drink down there
(4)
Tara G.
From the looks of it, you would think this is a high class lounge but its not. Its more of a club and the age ranges from 23 to 29 or so. Its very small and packed and probably more for the younger crowd.
(2)
Michelle T.
Great for a fun night out dancing with friends. This place attracts a crowd of young professional, nicely dressed bunch and is halfway between a lounge and a bar (a nice bar, that is...with watered down drinks). I'm giving it a 4 star rating only because I had a great time dancing and hanging out with friends. Otherwise, all things considered, Brahmin is probably a 3 = A-ok. Music was great. Place wasn't too trashy (although the bathrooms lines were always long and they ran out of toilet paper as early as 11pm). There is an upstairs and downstairs. The room downstairs has it's own separate DJ who spins more hip hop. Upstairs is more top 40 type music. Drinks were underwhelming. Probably had the worst mojito I've ever had in my life. Not only was it weak and tasted only of seltzer water, it also didn't taste AT ALL like a mojito. I might as well have ordered a tonic with splash of gin. Probably would have tasted the same. My advice: Pregame ahead of time. Come early to avoid the longggg lines. (Think, before 10pm, cause at 10:15, you're looking at a 30min+ wait).
(4)
Kaitlin O.
This message is in response to the comment posted by Russ on 12/11 for the review I wrote on 12/7. I got an error message when I tried to respond directly to that comment. Hi Russ, Thank you for your response. I just want to clarify that I wasn't trying to go upstairs. I very clearly stated, a few times, that I wanted to leave the premise. I said that I wanted to go home and I was told that I had to wait. The suggestion of getting another drink was a bit insulting, as it felt like maybe your staff was just trying to make an extra dollar. It ended up being only 5-7 min that I had to wait, but some people might feel very uncomfortable with being told to wait to leave the premise for even that short amount of time. I hope this clears things up for you and that you are able to clarify your policy with your staff, because it appears that the bouncer stationed at the down lounge exit nearest the coat check at 11:40pm Saturday night was the one who misunderstood. Best, Kaitlin
(2)
Tracy P.
Brahmin is by far the best place to go in Boston on a Friday or Saturday night... The food is incredible, the music is awesome and the customer service is spectacular. I do my birthday there every year because you get the best of all worlds... it is a restaurant, lounge, bar and dance party all rolled up into one. Anytime you are in line, it is definitely worth the wait!
(5)
Alix C.
I've been going to The Brahmin since it opened. This is by far my favorite place to frequent in the city. In regards to the lines... There is a line because it is THAT good. The management and bouncers are very considerate and generous with letting people in. The service is always good and the food is absolutely great! Tapas style dishes in a bar... perfect for large groups and parties. Huge thank you to all of the staff, management and owners for creating a wonderful place for my friends and I to come to for every birthday we have and ever occasion needing celebrating! Never a disappointment.
(5)
Emily R.
I came this weekend and was not feeling it when we first got there, there was a line, and it was FREEZING. But i am glad that we waited! It was packed, my friends who have been before told me its not usually THAT crowded, but it was fine! There is no cover...it was saturday...love that. The crowd was attractive, lots of eye candy, male and female Girls, lots of heels (girls need to know these things!) Good music, big bar. Bathroom was clean. Bartender was nice....except...he told me there was a 20 dollar minimum to use my credit card...good god! I cant wait to come back!
(4)
Lucy M.
I love the atmosphere of the Brahmin at night, and all of the bartenders and waitresses are pretty efficient. I was surprised when I realized that they were open for dinner and had a really good and unique menu. Everything is in small plates and the asparagus fries are my favorite thing in the world. I have only had really good experiences there and the place is definitely unique. I bring all of my friends here it is becoming my favorite place in Boston.
(5)
Nicole D.
I have been a long time fan of this local hotspot, but after the way me and my friends were treated tonight by the bouncer, I doubt I will visit there again. I work in sales, and customer service is alway a top propriety. So when the bouncer turned away the one male in the group I was with for wearing "sneakers" (they were not) and then allowed the group in behind us who had men wearing THE SAME shoes, we were perplexed. When we asked the bouncer what his reasons where for the different treatment he was rude, condescending, and basically an ass. It was 9:30 at night with no line. Why they would turn away a group of patrons for one man's choice in shoes, but then bend the rules they had previously enforced for the next group of people is a shame. Will not spend my money here again.
(1)
Lynn J.
NOTE: The 1st half of this review is for the restaurant. This place is known for it's night club...scroll down for that. MANAGER, "MIKE": 5 STARS...SUPER FRIENDLY! He came over to chat, after we finished, and changed my tepid view of their staff in 5 minutes with his big smile, hearty hand shake & sweet stories. I did not have the heart, nor the courage, to tell him the truth about how unwelcome his staff made us feel there. Yet, when he heard I lived down the block, he offered his card, along with a free app when we returned next time! FOOD: 3 STARS...BUT COULD BE 5 STARS... GOOD FOOD...THAT COULD BE GREAT. KOBE BURGER...Egg bun I really thought was a tasty touch, but I couldn't eat the bottom. It was soaked through with grease. The beef's juicy goodness could be drained before plating. TUNA 2 WAYS...Loved them both equally, but, at $14.00, it's pricey for 1/4 cup of raw tuna with 2 toast points. HOMEMADE BASIL GNOCCHI...MY FAVORITE DISH! This pasta was chewy heaven with mushroom magnificence. It was also sitting in 1/2 INCH OF OIL, which could be drained. HOMEMADE MEATBALLS...MY DINING PARTNER'S FAVE. Old world recipes, handed down for generations. The sauce is on the sweeter side, which appeals to most. WAITSTAFF: 1 STAR...REALLY RUDE. As I was walking toward the front door, on right side, a blonde waitress was walking AT me quickly. I stopped, thinking she'd go around me. Instead she said "Excuse Me?" with an attitude. How hard is it to both walk on the right side in America? My waitress greeted us with NO SMILE & a drink request. We'd just sat down and asked to at the menu = EYE ROLL. Brunette girl returns and we ask for "any non-alcoholic drinks, like Ice Tea or Lemonade." She shook her head, "NO," and could come up with no alternative suggestions for us. Still no smile, but lots of "I don't want to be here" vibe, she took our orders, and I held onto my menu to browse it more. She literally fought it from my tight grip and ran off, LOL! We ordered 4 "Small Plates" & 1 burger for our small table. A sweet, smiling guy delivered them all with style, and she never returned to clear plates and make room at all, until we were finished and had them stacked up, so we could eat. ### BRAHMIN NIGHT CLUB...Lively, loud and loose! There is usually a line on Fri & Sat, along with a cover. We went straight to the downstairs cellar bar... really dark, small room, lots of people bumping into each other. I had 2 drinks spilled down my dress while I danced in the corner, and went home smelling of sweat...other people's sweat. In spite of this, I had a blast with my girlfriends. So, I highly recommend you GO WITH FRIENDS! *smile* Upon exiting at 2AM, the lights all came up, and we could see the upstairs bar covered the length of the room, and encouraged and inviting atmosphere to meet new friends. The age range was mostly in the 20s, typical of Boston clubs.
(3)
Whitney F.
I recently held my best friend's bachelorette party at Brahmin. I had been a few times before for drinks and brunch and had really enjoyed the food and the scene. After the bachelorette party I definitely upgraded Brahmin to one of my favorite bars/ restaurants. Overall, it's awesome because it's very nice but still relaxed - something you very rarely find in Boston. Brahmin hits a great mark between being a little more upscale, while still being casual and fun. The service was AMAZING. Our waitress was so attentive and really accomodating. The manager came over to introduce himself and make sure everything was going well. All of the bar staff were very polite and went above and beyond. Someone made a rude comment to me about a scar I have and the bartender bought me a drink to "make up for it" - really nice! I've had both hors d'ouevres and brunch at Brahmin and the food is always excellent, fresh and creatively prepared. Highly recommend.
(5)
Minh P.
I went there two weeks ago and it was absolutely the worst experience I've had in Boston. I don't know for some freaking reasons, the waitresses (there were 5 of them hovering over the counter across the hall from us) would not come over to serve us. We literally sat there for 30 minutes with no service. Finally, the guy I was with had to go to a bar to grab me a drink. Oh not to mention they moved us to a different section after the bartender told us we could sit there. Absolutely the worst restaurant/bar experience/service I've had in Boston.
(1)
Saba N.
I came here for a girls night out this past Saturday. I had a really great time once we got inside... there was a big bar in the main room and AMAZING music playing all night. There was also two rooms for dancing, so there was enough space to really showcase my dance moves. Which are awesome. Thanks, zumba. (please note sarcasm). However, getting in was another story. We arrived at 1030, which I realize is prime going out time. We're not stupid; we were definitely expecting to wait a little bit. The line was maybe about 25 people long, so we didn't think it would be too bad. Plus, there was a solid amount of people leaving, too. We waited for over an hour. It was ridiculous. They had this VIP line which basically consisted of douchey-looking guys and skanky girls that wear ugly shoes and they would just show up, look at the bouncer, and get in. I get that when you know a bartender or bouncer sometimes you have some favorability... but, it was too much. At least 20 people from the VIP line got in within 10 minutes... which, after an hour, gets really old. It also got frustrating watching 10 people leave and then the bouncers letting in only 2 people. Haven't you heard of the "1 in 1 out rule?" That being said, I won't hold it against them because of three things. 1: it was super crowded inside, so I guess I understand why they were holding up the line. 2: we arrived at the worst possible time, so it was partly our own faults. 3: the dj was awesome. Next time, I'll show up around 10. I think that would be safer. All in all, fun place.. would definitely go back!
(4)
Lisa I.
I went here for a birthday dinner a couple weeks ago and don't think I'll be going back. We had dinner reservations at 7:30PM on a Friday. There seemed to be some event going on, so the music was BLARING. I know it turns into more of a lounge/club later in the evening, but at 7:30?? We could barely hear each other and when we asked if we could move into the other room, they said no, even though there was no one in there. The staff in general wasn't very accommodating. We had an extra person joining our party and they made a big deal about bringing an extra chair over to our table. The food itself was good. A good selection of tapas. The gnocchi and mac & cheese were delish. The burger and the shortrib grilled cheese were ok. Might be a good place later in the evening or for drinks, but wouldn't recommend the atmosphere for dinner, which is actually too bad because the food was decent.
(2)
Dave F.
The Boston Brahmin's premise -- small, American tapas-style plates paired with craft cocktails -- is a very attractive one. The execution, however, is sorely lacking. My finacee and I dined here on a Tuesday evening. The first thing that grated the senses was the overly loud DJ mix, which clashed with the retro atmosphere of exposed brick and antique furniture. The frenetic pace and volume of the music made it impossible to relax during our meal. The service was intolerably slow. It took about half an hour for our drinks to be mixed and served. Our second drinks, ordered while in the midst of eating our small plates, arrived long after we had finished eating. There were other guests dining, but it was by no means full. The drinks themselves missed the mark. For a restaurant that advertised its cocktails on its sign, I expected better. Their take on the Manhattan, with Saint Germain, was interesting, but overloaded with whiskey. The sidecar was serviceable but ordinary, and the less said about the pineapple margarita, the better. The food was the lone bright spot of our experience. I recommend the beef tartare with quail egg and the grilled prawns, both of which packed interesting flavor. The mac and cheese was pretty tasty, but could have used more seasoning. The goat cheese salad was bland and uninteresting. Perhaps since the Brahmin just opened, it is still working out the kinks. Let's hope so, because the slow service and poorly-mixed cocktails do not have me itching to return any time soon.
(2)
Chris W.
Overall not bad, fairly typical Boston bar. You really do need to be in line by 9pm, but the line does move and maybe you'll wait 30 minutes but nothing ridiculous. The various spaces inside give you nice options to roam around and the main room upstairs seems to be most packed otherwise your not overly crowded downstairs. The drinks are good and reasonable and no cover charge is great. The crowd is well behaved. Drinks are easy to come by with 3 bars.
(3)
Adriana T.
Brahmin, the old 33!!! The only dance lounge around Boylston/Newbury St. The upstairs is nice for drinks and hang out. The music is not as loud as it is downstairs. After 10PM they bring in a DJ who spins the night away. The music they play is top 20 music soooo if you LOVE Rihanna and Lady Gaga that's your spot!!! I give it a 4 stars because the downstairs can be a little bit sketchy at times but other than that it's a great dancing place!!!
(4)
Judy K.
Disappointing. Stereo was too loud and we asked to have it lowered 2X. Place was so dark it was hard to see the menu & food. In fact, a friend of mine went there as well (on a different day) and ended up leaving due to the blasting music. This is a restaurant . Not a night club. The food was uneven in portion sizes and quality. Considering the relatively small number of selections, one would think each item would be fully thought out and tested. Not so. The chef needs to re think some of the offerings. The arugula salad had a dressing that was far too lemony. The advertised apples were miniscule and had to be searched out. Too bad 'cause they could have balanced out the lemon. Generous size. Appetizer scallops = total of two. Drowned in heavy maple sauce. Disguised the delicate flavor of the scallops. Steak, bleu cheese, potato flatbread sounded interesting. Proved not to be. The flavors did not work together. The potatoes were mashed (clashed with crust) and cheese flavor weak. Decent size. The truffled mac & cheese was a good sized appetizer. Not your typical version. More like buttered pasta with bread crumbs. The cheese was secondary and the truffle flavor?? The prices are OK depending on what you order. No real rhyme or reason in the sizes. The place is new and if it wants to last in this area - the chef better get his/her act together.
(2)
Kate P.
Our New Spot!! My girlfriends and I heard about the newest addition to Stanhope St & decided to check it out The "Boston Brahmin" theme was intriguing so we were excited to see what it was all about. We were greeted on their patio (major points for having outdoor space) by a friendly & welcoming door staff (always a surprise when bouncers actually smile!). The hostess informed us we could sit wherever we wanted, which didn't seem like big deal until we saw all of our options. We decided to go with one of the lounges close by the tall windows that overlook the patio/sidewalk. The bar is dark & very chic, but the music really gives this place a different energy. They played alot of classic 90s hiphop which is pretty much a guaranteed good time for my girls & I. OK, so most important... DRINKS! This is one area they most certainly did not slack on. They make their drinks look like an art form! It took a little longer than the usual mixed drink, but wow was it worth it! Our table ordered the sidecar, sex & the city, blue cheese martini & the moscow mule - Nothing short of AMAZING!! wow, these drinks were delicious and they bartenders truly took their time perfecting them. FOOD FOOD FOOD. yummmm!!! They have a bunch of "small plates," which is actually perfect for a group like ours. We tasted several items and were perfectly content. We got to try many things without having to commit to an entree (I can never decide what I want anyway). We tried: -Scallops & bacon - wow! -Truffled mac & cheese - I don't know if I will ever be the same! -Potato Coins - perfect snack with different sauces to dip. yum! -Heirloom Tomato & Mozz Salad - a classic, perfected!! Needless to say, I will be going back this weekend. There are so many drinks I still need to try. Service was friendly & informative and the crowd was young & hot. The drinks were amazing and the food is fresh & delicious! Go the Brahmin!
(5)
A D.
I was pumped when I saw this place on BuyWithMe and couldn't wait to check it out. I expected a little more consistency with the 20's feel, but that's not a big deal. Me + bf made reservations for this past Friday night. The hostess thought the best place to seat us directly next to a high chair. I went in there expecting a nice Friday night date spot in back bay/south end and instead ended up next to a chatty toddler who was running around the dining room (hey, get a babysitter). Once our waiter finally came, we switched to a better location. There were plenty of free 2-tops. They were out of Mac & Cheese and Tuna Sandwich (both of which we would have tried - we really wanted the Tuna Sandwich for dinner.) (Appetizer) We both started with the Arugula & Goat Cheese salad. Way too lightly dressed, and they brought us the bacon after we had each already eaten half the salad. (Small Plates) Salmon Crudo: Literally, 4 bite-sized shavings of salmon with a couple cukes for $8... Fried Pickles: Soggy and ordinary. Beef Tartare: Delicious and substantial. Our favorite part of the meal. (Main Course) Smoked Bacon BLT w/Truffled Mayo: The bacon was deliciously smokey and the mayo was great. Sorry Brahmin, you are greatly overshadowed by Stoddard's. Like, absurdly. We were pumped going in but were really disappointed :-/
(2)
Radhika M.
Nice place, but the music was far too loud. Didn't have as much fun as I expected.
(3)
Mcslimj B.
Handsome, clubby-looking space on recently revived Stanhope Street. Based on a single visit prior to its wide opening, The Brahmin looks promising, though clearly tilted at a twenty-something nightlife crowd. Cocktail menu heavy on flavored-vodka concoctions, dim lighting and loud house music, a menu of sort-of-creative small plates. Lots of dark leather sofas, a VIP area downstairs ("You know Frank Sinatra? He's dead: ha ha ha ha!"), many cute female functionaries in very short skirts. I don't have high hopes for the food, but will reserve judgement until they start serving a full menu.
(4)
Amelia M.
I was all pumped to get here and be first to review during their soft launch phase (obviously I missed out :-( but it's okay!) The finer points of decor were not unnoticed--old-school leather chairs and couches, funky lighting, creative frames on the walls--and all gave it that drinking-in-a-British-aristocrat's-study feel that tempted me to respond to every yes/no question with "indubitably." The Brahmin has the same awesome combination of top-notch food and not-fussy feel that I love at Drink and Bricco with none of the entitled investment bankers or STD-carrying golddiggers who populate Sonsie and Towne on an average weeknight. Our waiter displayed EXQUISITE attention to detail and was very helpful.... at a new restaurant a question like "can I get my burger with goat cheese?" or "can you make me a g&t with Beefeater?" throws waitstaff for a loop simply because they haven't been around for very long, but the dude who was serving our table was totally upfront--if he didn't know the answer, he checked with the kitchen staff. Is it only a matter of time before Brahmin draws the same weeknight-warrior crowd as some of its longstanding competitors? Indubitably. But for now, I'll be dragging everyone I know out to Stanhope St.
(4)
Nicole W.
Definitely make The Brahmin your next spot to visit in Boston. A classy establishment reminiscent of the 19th century New England aristocratic society serving an impressive list of cocktails and yummy small plates. Inside the Brahmin you'll find dark comfortable leather seating, an eye catching copper bar that is lit by beautiful crystal chandeliers. The surrounding exposed brick walls are lined with vintage Boston photographs and gorgeous antique furniture ...certainly a place where you and you friends can stay a while, listen to great music, enjoy fun drinks and food .... and if you need a change of scenery, they also offer an awesome outdoor patio! Did I mention the service is great, too? Definitely a bonus in my book. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Ally L.
Went here for one of my best friends birthdays (we had a large group of people.) We got dinner, drinks, and stayed until they closed. It was a perfect place for us because its all 3 in one: restaurant, bar/lounge, and dancing (DJs). They had pretty good music, wait staff was awesome, food was awesome, drinks were a little expensive but still good. Even management was awesome, the manager on duty introduced himself and asked how things were twice throughout the night. It's a pretty big place - upstairs and downstairs which you can go up and down freely. I would definitely go back again.
(4)
CC Lobstah B.
Brahmin has some of the coolest trendiest decor you will find in the city. Super nice waitresses and the manager is a class act. Food is good for the price, flatbreads were good, I got the meatloaf for my entree and it was so-so...other people were very satisfied with their meals, burgers were bomb, ravioli tasty and again VERY economically friendly! The one thing you got to know about this place is it gets LOUD. If you go on a weekend be prepared or leave before 9:30 -10. We were having a great dinner until the DJ maxed out his mixer cranking the volume till we couldn't hear each other. Other than that Brahmin is definitely worth checking out...
(3)
Greg A.
Ok, so trying new places can be hit or miss..but this was definately a HIT. The room is decorated tastefully with a very comfortable, loungy feel. Some great background music that doesn't put you to sleep.... The cocktail menu is pretty impressive... I tried their version of the sidecar which was very different than a normal sidecar but very VERY tasty. All the ingredients were freshly muddled and the bartenders really took pride in the making and presentation! The food menu features mostly small plates which are great to share so we ordered the Tuna which is served 2 ways, a tartar and sliced rare over melon...delicious..we also tried the Mac & Cheese, Fried pickles and the Grilled Prawns... nothing dissapointed. the owners themselves came over and made sure everything was good and they were very friendly and personable. The overall service was friendly, prompt and did not make us feel rushed. We'll be back and we'll bring friends!
(5)
Jenna K.
I had a great experience here! Service was great (waitress even brought us a pitcher of water, without us having to ask, because we were drinking so much). Food was AMAZING. Had the fried Brie, short rib grilled cheese, buff chix crab rangoon, and fish and chips. Only paid $30 with tip after living social deal. Great food and great value!
(5)
Emma S.
The service at Brahmin should merit seven stars, at least from my one experience. Our hostess/waitress was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and talkative, in the most positive way possible. They allowed my group of friends to sit for a few hours with just apps and drinks, no problems! We had our own back room. The beer list was surprisingly small, but solid. Drink list looked great, but I didn't order anything. The food, from my limited experience, was excellent. We got a wonderful arugula salad and caprese salad. Both really well done. The atmosphere was very cool, old-fashioned, dark and inviting. Their music choice, techno-remixes of oldies, did not fit with the atmosphere. I plan on returning frequently, but I hope that they change the music!
(5)
Selena K.
Guaranteed good time. Awesome music, unpretentious atmosphere, intimate setting. The lines can get really long on the weekends so its worth going early. This is a great alternative to Boston clubs with table service if you're looking to dance with your friends. They are also accommodating for groups and private parties - definitely call ahead. There is also a private room downstairs if you're looking to ball out.
(4)
Sarah L.
Me and one of my BFFs made our way to The Brahmin last night and despite the torrential downpour on our way there, the service and absolutely yummy food made two wet rats feel much better after being seated immediately upon arrival with no reservation. The hostess was gracious and very genuinely welcoming. Said BFF and I had our last of things we wanted to try- I asked Kate (our fabulous server!) her favorites from the menu and they just so happened to be what we had already planned on sharing (okay- and I DO value my fellow Yelpers input-most of the time). Our food arrived in waves- they paid close attention to what got polished off and the next plates arrived within minutes. Here's what we got: Scallops- pretty darned tasty. Served on a small piece of quality bacon kept the sweet flavor of the scallop from being over powered by the bacon. Tuna two ways- excellent carpaccio and slightly seared strips of tuna over thinly sliced watermelon "rectangles" , very interesting! Heirloom and baby mozzarella plate was so fresh and delish. White asparagus wrapped in serrano ham was excellent. Braised short rib with a cauliflower puree- not bad, not great-decent. My half was a bit too fatty. The four cheese flat bread was TDF. I'm usually a fancy pants pizza/flabread girl but this stole the show. I told Kate that I'd be Yelping, and I want to thank you for your great service, advice and friendly smile. We'll be back! A new fave.
(5)
Lisa S.
If you like good drinks, then Brahmin is your place to go! The drinks are delicious! I had the pomegranate with vodka and then sweet tea vodka drinks and both were soooo good. My friend had the basil gin drink - he was eating the basil, which to me is the sign of a well made drink - or a hungry friend... Not sure which but I'm going with well made drink. we had also the potato coins and the charcuterie plate. Turns out my friend doesn't like charcuterie - lesson learned! It's too much meat for one person so always check to see if your dining companion will share it with you. The potato coins are also delicious - great variation on standard fries!
(5)
A N.
I had a birthday party for my boyfriend here last week. I had never heard of The Brahmin before, but on the recommendation of a friend we decided to try it - and I'm very glad we did! The location is pretty cool - it's in the Back Bay but it feels tucked away and I liked that. I couldn't believe at 9:30 PM there was a pretty decent line already (when the weekend before last I went to another bar downtown and until 10:00 PM it was dead). Because I had booked a party there, we didn't have to wait in line and getting in was very easy. We had tables downstairs - and while it is a spillover room, I loved it. There's a bar right there so we literally had to wait mere seconds to get a drink. There's different music upstairs than downstairs but both floors were playing pretty good tunes (upstairs seemed more 90's jams and downstairs was more current but wasn't too EDM/techno for me at least). The downstairs felt so intimate and everyone was dancing in the middle of the room. Unfortunately, we had a large group and stayed downstairs because that's exactly what we wanted, but I did go upstairs a few times and it was totally packed and the decor is beautiful. I thought I saw some people (not in our party) get stopped before going upstairs, but I never was stopped or asked anything every time I went up. Not sure what the deal is there. Drinks were strong! The manager Mike was very nice - he met me at the door and took us downstairs and I saw him around the place all night which is cool - I felt like I could have grabbed him if we needed anything or there was a problem. All-in-all, I don't go out very often (we live 20 min outside Boston), but for this one night we did (and for a special night), it was awesome. I'm glad we went to The Brahmin. I told friends if we didn't like it we could always go somewhere else - we all ended up staying till close :)
(5)
Chris M.
Went here the other night with some friends. Wasn't really sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. This place has 2 floors so you are able to wander around and hang out in different areas of the bar no problem. I had a tab with a bartender in the downstairs bar. His name was Pete and he was a wizard behind the bar. Our group was ordering all types of drinks and he was spot on every time. He even suggested some really good shots when we decided to make a toast. It really made the night having a knowledgeable and personable bartender, along with the great atmosphere of the club. Check out this place and ask for Pete. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Lou S.
We made a reservation for 7 on a Saturday night. They rearranged the seats for seven people. However, halfway through the night, they made one of us get up and gave him a stool to sit on. Speaking of stool, the service was craptacular. Our waitress didn't know the difference between bourbon, scotch, and gin. I had to walk to the bar to find out what they had.
(1)
Melissa K.
I've considered making a Yelp account for years, but haven't been motivated enough. After my experience at The Brahmin this past Saturday, I felt I needed to spread the word. What a horrible experience! Don't get me wrong - the venue looks nice enough. Small, but nice. It's the security and management that are the big problem! I was out Saturday night with a group of friends. A very rude, drunk male was jumping all over the place and knocked my drink all over me. He stole the other half of the drink out of my hand. I mentioned this to him, and he replied that he didn't care. He proceeded to get in my face (he was very large) and I felt threatened. I thought he was actually going to hit/push me at one point (he did, actually, with his body). At this point, I stepped away. I heard a girl from a different group complaining about the same man, and going toward the bouncers. I joined her and we both stated that the man was acting horribly, and making us uncomfortable. We did not want him there. Security told us to "calm down" and "slow down," so we finished telling them our story and the other girl returned to her group. I hung around to see what would be done. The answer - NOTHING. I heard the two bouncers behind me saying "nah, that guy's good, he's cool," and that was the end of it. At this point I chose to leave because I did not feel safe. The next day, I called to speak to the manager about the incident. While he was nice enough on the phone (offered to buy me a drink the next time I come back), he did not seem overly concerned. He told me that security needs to be careful about who they kick out of the club, and "it's not that easy to kick people out." ... Umm, isn't that the JOB of security?! Plus the fact that I hadn't even mentioned trying to get him kicked out to the manager - all I said was that security should have spoken with the man to let him know he had to calm down. In any case, this was two unrelated females saying that a drunk male in the bar was behaving badly, making them feel uncomfortable and unsafe! He should have been asked to leave, or at least given a warning! The manager told me that maybe security said something to him at another point in the night (yeah, right..), and that he thought he knew who I was talking about because he saw a guy "kind of bouncing around, but hey, it's a dance floor!" as he said. Hmm... I've been on a lot of dance floors and have NEVER felt this threatened before. By the end of our conversation I had the feeling that the manager was one of the two men from the night before who was protecting the drunk man (who was obviously someone's friend, or a big spender). Overall the manager was dismissive and condescending, just as the men I dealt with the night before were. If you want a place that you feel like you aren't safe, go ahead. Otherwise, steer clear! Bad management, bad security. Oh, and they're also one of those places that keep a line waiting outside when they're not even at capacity. I will NOT be going back!
(1)
Tim C.
Went here for drinks on Saturday night prior to dinner around the corner. The lounge feel was fantastic. The DJ was spinning old school tunes that were excellent. Service was good. We'll be coming back.
(4)
Angela K.
The Brahmin is close to our office so I've tried this place a few times - it's been okay and I even went back after a staff in training spilled an entire full glass of wine on me - yes, accidents happen but note I got stuck paying for the glass of wine and my dry cleaning bill with no apology from the staff in training) - but this last visit it seemed I was the very first and only person to ever order a low carb burger there. I wanted just simple greens with olive oil and vinegar on the side with just the burger patty on top - that's it - nothing else. Management wanted to charge me $16 for the burger (fine even through I'm not getting all the things that come with it) plus an additional $10.50 for the salad. So, I was skipping the fries, cheese, bread, and bacon, the side of lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion and was changed additional to have them literally open up "pre bagged" greens. Making a profit off dinners with dietary restrictions or asking to remove processed food items from their plate is simply wrong.
(1)
Cat S.
I've been here twice now for dinner and drinks. Food is pretty good but not amazing - recommend the flatbreads as they are definitely the winners on the menu. Drinks are imaginative and delicious - tried a few of their signature cocktails and they are strong and good. Tried a Moscow Mule for the first time and really liked it. The atmosphere is really fun - dj out in the open playing loud music, cool decor and a well-dressed, interesting crowd. Definitely an upper 20s-lower 30s crowd - I liked it. The place turns into basically a club I guess, but I haven't spent time downstairs or stayed too late at night. We've used this as a starting point for a light dinner and a few strong cocktails and I enjoy it as a lounge-y place to start a weekend/Thursday night!
(4)
Deanna G.
What a fun place with great food. My friend and I shared a bottle of wine and waaaaay to many appetizers. Scallops wrapped in bacon, yes, chicken kebab things, yes, tater tots, yeeeeees. We got the truffle mac & cheese too, which people go crazy for - but I don't like truffle so it wasn't as awe-inspiring to me. Our server was wonderful - I can remember her name, Kate maybe? And the place was aesthetically pleasing to the eye and the music was fun. Will definitely be back.
(5)
stef v.
I went to the Brahmin last night. It was lovely. I really liked the music from the guys singing for rat pack tuesdays. The food was delicious and it wasn't as packed as people said in the reviews... maybe because it was a week night? Our waitress could have been a bit nicer, but that's ok. Altogether thoroughly enjoyed myself and will probably be coming back.
(4)
Kat C.
After my experience, I really wanted to write an honest review but I'm too scared of the owner to reply back like he has with all the other negative posts....so, I guess that's my review :(.
(2)
Michael P.
Couldn't even get to the door to read the menu because the dbag guy doing security said I couldn't go in with shorts/sneakers. Would never go back, been to better places with no dress code.
(1)
Rebecca C.
I have been to the Brahmin on a couple of occasions and never had a particularly great time, but it certainly wasn't horrible, nor did i experience anything akin to what some reviewers before me have written. Sure, it takes a long time to get a drink- but it's because the place is busy. Sure, you can wait an hour or more in line, but it's because the place is popular. Sure, the crowd feels young and frat-boy-esque, but isn't that what so many bostonians like? The merits or shortcomings of the establishment aside, what did prompt me to write this review (not only write it but JOIN yelp specifically to share feedback) was how absolutely horrified and appalled i was by the commentary and responses provided by the co-owner/co-manager to other yelpers feedback. Russ or Ed B. or whomever is representing the brahmin on yelp- you should be embarrassed and ashamed by your words and attitude. Your posts are aggressive without any genuine attempt to listen to or accept feedback from your customers (saying things like "i'd like to apologize... but i can't completely" is not an apology, it's a passive aggressive way to belittle someone). You are either ignorant and insecure- or a bully- or both. And many of the tactics you use here to speak to customers are the same tactics used by abusive people to intimidate and manipulate others. Your behavior, at least as it is portrayed on yelp, is demeaning, condescending, passive aggressive, often outright aggressive, manipulative, accusatory and threatening. I will not continue to support an establishment led by the person i have experienced here, and I will encourage my friends, peers, and community members not to support you either.
(1)
Lisa S.
I came here for dinner on a Wednesday night with my bf. The place was packed and we weren't allowed to sit near the back where it was quieter since they were filming some dating show (?). We ended up sitting under the speaker and could barely hear each other. We asked to be moved and the waitress was very helpful. We were told to order 2-3 dishes each since its tapas style. But these portions were pretty big for tapas, I think 2 dishes per person or 5 dishes total is enough for 2 people. Loved the gnocchi, shrimp tacos and brussel sprouts. Asian BBQ tacos were a bit too salty. Overall food is great but come here on a quieter night if you want to actually hear one another.
(4)
Amber S.
everyone i had on the menu was terrific, but i am taking away a star because they dont have the fixins' for a Bloody Mary :( :( :( i was able to find good parking and our waitress (for a large party) as sweet and quick with everything she had control over.
(4)
Angela M.
What f'n dbags!!!! Complete bullshit -three of us waited in line for our friends party, which was paid for downstairs. They said to wait and they were filled at this time, but would let us in soon. Again bullshit, since they let 20 people in after that was stated. Four of the people we watch get let into the bar were invited because the bouncer knew his mother-- throw up!! Stupid asses!! Let me know her name so i can get in !!! Jerk off. S o mad we couldn't celebrate with our friends because the bouncers have friends in low places. F that!!! I will never come here again, let alone have a another party at this shitty bar. Thanks for your help you dbag!!! Or dbags!!! F this joint!
(1)
Lisa L.
This place has a much warmer vibe than when it was "33." The decor is lovely and the menu offerings are varied. I went with girlfriends to celebrate a birthday, and we shared several dishes: - Arugula salad -- really yummy, but the dressing was a little salty - Scallops -- perfectly cooked and HUGE - Tuna Two Ways -- I never thought to put watermelon with tuna, but it was a nice combination! Both of the tunas were superb. - Meatballs -- good, but not stellar. Needed a little more flavor/herbs/spice/something. - Truffled mac & cheese -- light and not overly cheesy. Big serving. Lots of breadcrumbs. Delish! - Tater tots -- so crispy! Loved the three dipping sauces (although the old standby, ketchup, was our favorite) - Fried pickles -- I thought these were going to be really zingy, but they were kinda bland. - Prosciutto & arugula flatbread -- delicious. Had a caramelized onion taste to it. This was my favorite thing we ordered. - White Asparagus (oops, didn't have any) Their wine list was average sized. I had the albarino and it was really tasty. When it came time for dessert, they had one: banana bread pudding. I gave the poor waiter some flak about that. We probably would have ordered dessert if there were more options, but since all 5 of us didn't want the banana bread pudding, we passed. Missed opportunity on their part! One thing I loved was the music! Funky 80s mashups...very nostalgic! The food was good and our server was fine, but nothing really stood out. Because of its tucked-away location, I'm not sure I will remember to go back again unless they do another Buy with Me coupon.
(3)
Shelby D.
My boyfriend and I decided to head in one night hoping that our most favorite bartender Frank was working. Sadly, he was not, but we decided to stay and have a drink anyway. The ambiance is really sleek and cool, and the multiple lounge areas are such a great comfy and intimate idea. We sat at one of the couches and got assigned a server, who seemed new to the game. He was, however, very polite and obviously still learning. It was very unfortunate though to see him and other servers spread so thin, as the sections were completely all over the place - our server had out table, 2 across the room, and then some outside on their patio...huh? It also took nearly 15 minutes to get our drinks. The drinks were innovative and delicious though, but I wouldn't wait 15 min for any drink. My boyfriend also ordered a second drink, never got it, and yet it appeared on the bill (which the server promptly fixed upon our discovery). Our friend who joined us later also got fed up with wait times and ordered his second drink from the bar. Luckily it didn't take long for the potato coins, which were a little greasy but still delicious! Overall the atmosphere is great, but some serious organization and timing needs to come together, as well as more hands-on help and responsibility from the management (the manager just seemed to wander around joking with staff, unaware of the lack of organization around him). I usually don't try restaurants until they've been open for 3 months or so, since it does take time to get into a natural rhythm, but these issues at The Brahmin are easily fixable, I hope the staff takes the time to provide their guests with a better experience! Looking forward to going back to use our Groupon, hopefully it will be a better experience!
(3)
Nicole R.
Solid place. Came here for a double date with 2 buywithme vouchers -- obviously it's super affordable as we had to struggle to spend all $100. Our strategy was pretty much to order all the small plates. Which we did. The tater tots are actually quite good, particularly the aioli that comes with them. Steak fries are also good, and cheaper than the tater tots so i say fries win over tots here. Arancini really disappointing. Dry, oddly sweet, and just weird. Not a fan. Portobello flatbread was totally solid. Great thin crust, nicely done. Also had the gnocchi which was great. Soft, not overly dense, in a nice gorgonzola sauce. Truffle mac was just alright. Kind of dry. Can't speak to any of the fish/meat dishes my friends got as I'm a vegetarian but I think they enjoyed them. Closed the meal with some banana chocolate thing. It was good, but I was super full and didn't really eat much of it. Huge portion on this dessert. Really good drinks, affordable wine. Split a $32 granacha bottle. Our server was nice enough & friendly, but we never really saw her. Wish she came by more often, we were out of water for quite some time. Manager stopped by to see how we were, which was nice. Bar scene is pretty chill -- I never feel too crowded, they have a nice space. Really loud though, definitely hard to hear who you're speaking with. Music is OK. They have a DJ, so it pretty much just depends on what the DJ is playing. In general good experience. Nothing extraordinary, but solid as I said. I'd come back but I probably wouldn't run.
(3)
Kay H.
I think my review is biased so take it for what it's worth. I love going out to dance and I like to get dressed up. This place was good for both with no cover which is great! The interior is nice and looks just like the pictures. I got 2 dark and stormy's which were $10 a pop, not bad for a place in Back Bay. The crowd seemed relatively diverse for the Boston scene and the music was legit... All of which sounds amazing except I doubt I'll be returning anytime soon. My friends and I (about 9 of us- 4 ladies, 5 guys) spent approx. an hour waiting to get in as I watched countess groups of people get in ahead of us. While we were at the front of the line and were in better shape that some other people standing in line about a block long, I was still peeved. I'm usually a patient person but hell, it's January in Boston! Give me a break! Not to mention I watched one bouncer let in all his friends or associates or whoever who just crushed up and ask for a pass. Non discreetly at that!! Again, give me a break. Once we in ally get in, coat check is $3... Why oh why? Lastly, we had to wait downstairs until upstairs became available which stinks because there def. isn't enough room down there. Going back again? Nah, I'll pass but maybe it's your thing.
(2)
Melissa W.
I was very impressed with the food and variety of the menu. Buffalo chicken rangoons, shrimp tacos, braised beef short ribs were delish. Four of us (3 guys with me) split 6 things and it was the perfect amount for pre boozing. Around 1030 they moved all the tables and the place got packed. Hip hop DJ upstairs and beats downstairs- good variety, fun crowd, and not expensive for drinks/food in my opinion. Then again I just moved back from NYC where every night out feels like a wallet mugging.
(4)
Lauren D.
I tried to go to The Brahmin last night after seeing a show downtown because I had heard good reviews about the food. When my friend and I first walked in it seemed like a nice place and the hostess was friendly when she greeted us. We asked for a table for two and she told us they were booked for the night. My friend and I were both confused because every table (and there were at least 20) in the restaurant was empty except for one. I worked in a restaurant for a long time so I understand that on a Saturday night when you have a lot of reservations it is important to ensure that tables are available when people arrive. However, it was 6:30 and it was just two of us, I'm certain that we could have eaten and left before every table in the restaurant was filled. I also understand that sometimes there are private functions that are planned which prevent hostesses from seating certain tables, but I didn't see any signs indicating that seating areas were closed for a specific event. Given our obvious confusion, at the very least the hostess could have offered some type of explanation as to why, in an empty restaurant, there wasn't a table available for two people to have dinner. The hostess did tell us that we could get food at the bar so we sat down for a minute and looked at the menu. At that point my friend and I decided we would rather go somewhere else, so we went next door to Zocalo's and had a great time. After we finished dinner, we walked by The Brahmin and almost every table was still empty. Perhaps there was something going on that night that prevented the restaurant from accepting any other business, and if we had been notified of such a situation we would have been very understanding. Unfortunately, we were given no explanation and walked away wondering why an empty restaurant thought it was a good idea to turn away business on a Saturday night.
(1)
Jennifer Y.
I thought atmosphere and music of old club 33 would change nope it's even more whackier the music that is. I went on a Saturday night. They were playing MJ's abc,123 & a bunch of 80 & 90's hits. Made the best out of it the dj at the lower level had more soul. The place can really get overcrowded!
(2)
Manpreet K.
I went here on a Tuesday night with 4 other friends after reading the amazing reviews on Yelp. I was excited to try this new place that supposedly had little or no kinks to work out. Sadly, the experience was anything but special. The service was slow, VERY slow! It seemed like they had 1 server, 1 bartender and 1 cook because everything took time to arrive at the table. The theme of the night was already set. They ran out of Mac n Cheee, which may be understandable, but it was the beginning of the week & it's a new spot. Perhaps they should plan ahead & accordingly (because most of the reviews so far mentioned their amazing their Mac n Cheese). My friends's burger (ordered medium rare) was bleeding red - gross! Server did the right thing & took it off the bill. He then forgot one of the items we ordered and only brought it once we reminded him at the end our meal. At this point, we were pretty much ready to go. Food is decent, nothing out of the ordinary . You can enjoy it while having cocktails but not something you make a meal out of or would suddenly have the urge to have weeks or months down the line. We tried the shrimp (good), potatoes (okay), pizza (okay), tuna (okay). Short ribs arrived way at the end of our meals when we were no longer hungry so didn't get to try it. To sum it up, go to Brahmin for the ambience, patio & cocktails but not for food & service.
(1)
Alexandra K.
I have only been here for after work drinks on Friday and even than it was already crowded and the music was playing way too loud. The cocktail list is yummy, plus they won me over when they brought it in a jar like glass. We only had mozzarella app plate, and the mozzarella wasn't that fresh, but I give them points for creativity for putting tomatoes and watermelon on the plate. Never tried that before and it was an interesting taste as the watermelon added freshness to the entire bite. I am excited to come here again and taste more of the menu, and maybe even check out the night time. As for the club downstairs one thing I did notice when going to the bathroom that it is a very small space, and would suit a private party more than anything else.
(4)
Alan S.
I don't go out very often and in fact, I don't drink, but when my friend's are in town and I want to make sure they have a good time, this is where I take them. I'm in my early 30s. Don't want to be surrounded by rowdy college kids. Looking for somewhere a little classier and a place that has both a hang out area and dancing .. this bar fits the bill. We actually had a group of 10 wanted to hang out on Saturday night. The manager was extremely friendly and accommodating. Reserved a little area for us for a minimum spend. Our waitress was extremely friendly. Always smiling, making us feel welcome, coming around enough so that we didn't get thirsty, but didn't come around too much to make it annoying. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that it is a little too loud for my taste. I realize it is a bar and dancing and music should be on the loud side. But my ears were ringing while I was trying to go to bed and I could barely talk to my friends at the bar.
(4)
Meghan T.
I went here on a Saturday night. I knew it was "new", I knew it was busy, I knew we would wait 40 minutes for a table because they told us. What I didn't know is that after being seated about 35 minutes after arriving we wouldn't get our hands on ANY food for 1 hour and 15 minutes. That is a long time to wait for a salad. We had to flag a different waiter down for another drink and to ask about where the f*ck our food was, and could we please get another drink?? By this time Bell Biv Devoe and Samantha Fox(wtf) pumping on the speakers was starting to be headache inducing. A manager came over and said they were short on kitchen staff and apologized. accepted. Until another 45 minutes went by until we got dinner. They screwed up my friends food and we sent it back. We shared a bowl of parpadelle and veggies which I thought was very good except that I had to SHARE IT with my now starving and cranky friend. And when I say share I mean the same bowl and napkin actually, no one bothered to bring an extra plate. I do recommend the Older Sister Cocktail, it was very yummy as were all our drinks which is what the 2 stars are for.
(2)
Kayla M.
I absolutely love this place. I've been here a few times and loved all the food and drinks. The manager is super attentive and gets to know the guests. The last time I went this place went above and beyond. My boyfriend brought me here for my birthday. In the reservations he noted to put a candle in the dessert, which the waitress did. To top it off there was a jazz singer there that night who stopped in the middle of her song to sing happy birthday. I'm not sure if she was asked to do this or if she did it on her own. Either way, I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Michael M.
This review regards their New Year's Eve. I was a little nervous going in because the ticket-buying was very disorganized. (And this was true for the 20 or so people I went with.) You would call and be told to call back another time, or told to e-mail someone, or told to come in, but the right person wasn't there. So, I half-expected to show up NYE night and see that at least some of our names weren't on the list. To my surprise, everyone's name was on the list and there was no wait at all to get in. Once inside, it was the ideal set-up. Professional staff. Absolutely no wait for bartenders. Appetizers (and tasty ones at that) passed around all night. Fruits, veggies and cheese all around (could have done without the weird frozen broccoli, but I'm being picky.) And it wasn't too crowded. I assumed it would be pretty crowded, but they must've limited the numbers so everyone had room to breathe. Very impressed with the Brahmin on NYE. The up-front ticket-purchasing could definitely have been better organized, but the actual product was well worth the $40 ticket.
(4)
B J.
We ordered 6 dishes! They were all delicious!!!! And the drinks were great too! Sevice very friendly, quick & Mike, the manager is real cute ;)
(5)
Susan J.
My girlfriends and I just went for drinks last Friday night. It was sort of quiet, but we had a great time just sitting at the bar chatting. The bartenders were super friendly and suggested certain drinks that they insisted we would love. They were right! Great drink menu! Next time i will go back for dinner.
(5)
Jacki F.
Went here for a drinks last weekend and really liked the ambiance. The bar was chic and glamorous without being stuffy. The crowd was young and hip. The drinks were delicious too! I will def be back again soon!
(4)
Mara M.
I've been here twice with groups and have found that it's an incredible place for dinner, drinks, and dancing. It's fancy without being pretentious and the plates are just the right size and super tasty. The drinks are amazing. And the manager is super nice and will talk to you and make you feel comfortable. Definitely a great new spot!
(4)
Tasha P.
Hey Yelpers! I went to Brahmin with a friend last night and really enjoyed the ambiance!! The quick service, music from the 80s and it wasn't crowded that's what I'm talking about!!! There was fresh fruit at the bar and everyone knows how much I love my fruit!! The bartender was sweet enough to give me a cup of fruit!!! Love the bathroom!! What's with the bill in the book? I still had fun-I ordered the chicken skewers (so so) and the tomato/mozzarella/basil and salad!! I can't wait to go back!! Check it out!
(4)
Ca S.
I came last night with a large group of people (25). I had made a reservation for the couch area. That was the perfect space for us: the couches are very cozy, people were also able to stand and chat if they wanted. The staff moved some couches around for us and allowed us to get some chairs in the dining room as long as we left enough room not to make it a fire hazard. Management was much more accommodating to our group than a lot of other lounges/restaurants I had called (a lot of them wanted an exact count, a deposit and a contract). The food was great, a mix of comfort food (tater tots!!) and more elaborate options (scallop in bacon, gnocchi, prawns with chipotle sauce, tuna tartare, arancini, etc.). Everyone loved the trufffled mac and cheese! The drinks were inexpensive and there is a wide selection of cocktails ($10 for the classic cocktails versus $12 or more in a lot of places). Too many to try! The ambiance is great: cool art on the walls (a portrait of Betty Draper from mad Men!), brick walls, good DJ. We will definitely come back!
(5)
Sam G.
We went last night and it was a great time. Bartenders poured strong drinks quickly and the price was right. Didn't get to try the food but I will for sure be going back soon
(5)
Scott B.
I like this place. It's cozy, the staff is nice, and the food is worth it.
(4)
N C.
Hmm this place was okay. Tucked away on the corner of the street, went here on a Saturday night around 8pm. Not too many people in the restaurant- but the hostess looked at as worriedly when we arrived without a reservation- but then seated us promptly. The dining area is quite small- the place is really just a huge bar. I agree with the other reviews- the music is extremely loud, and as we continued to eat our dinner, they kept turning the music up as casual drinkers started streaming into the dining area and just hanging out-- made for eating dinner a little uncomfortable with people standing right next to your table. As for the food, it was decent but I wasn't blown away by anything. The menu is a little short- it has tapas but then maybe about 5 large dishes. My boyfriend and I ordered arugula salad (was okay), heirloom tomatoes (boyfriend said it was okay), mac & cheese (really good), tater tots (also really good- aioli sauce was amazing), and the chicken skewers (okay but lacked flavor). We ended the night with the molten lava cake dessert (which was the best thing we had all night). So all in all, the place was decent, not sure I'd go back for dinner though because the menu is so limited. If I'm in the area again, I'd probably go for a drink.
(3)
Santiago G.
I saw that they had a deal on Buywithme so I went and checked them out before buying the deal. I was completely blown away by the high quality service and food provided. My order consisted of Scallops on bacon with an orange maple reduction. This plate was amazing, the sweetness of the maple reduction paired perfectly with the saltiness of the scallops. The scallops themselves were seared to perfection. The Brahmin has an ambiance that can be found at a five star restaurant, but the prices are incredibly reasonable. The most expensive dish was twenty dollars. The vintage theme makes eating at The Brahmin very fun.
(5)
Michael C.
First things first: The food was pretty good. The steak and potato flatbread was the highlight and we'd rate most everything else a B- or better. (We also ordered meatballs, chicken skewers, and scallops.) The tater tots, while nostalgic, might have been frozen. (Ore Ida anyone?) The service was the big shortcoming-- amateurish at best. First of all, I'm not sure why servers don't write down orders any more. I won't think any less of you and it saves me from having to repeat myself. After we placed our order, what followed is what I like to call "the food auction." A food runner stood between our table and the table next to us and asked, "Did someone order the mac and cheese?" Not us, thanks, but our neighbors did. And later, short ribs that we didn't order arrived at our table. Um, sorry, not us. (We later learned that the food runner was actually the door guy.) The diners on the other side of us sent back the meatballs they didn't order while they waited for the beef tartar that apparently slipped through the cracks. (Again, just write it down people.) Another food runner spilled condiments at our table. A service disaster all around, really--and the primary reason we wouldn't consider returning. I have to mention one more thing. I have never had to complain about the silverware at a restaurant, but there's a first for everything, I suppose. The knives were interesting to look at, but I would have had an easier time cutting my food with a cucumber or a magician's rubber chicken. Such a strange detail to overlook. Pretty? Yes. But I really need to be able to eat with it, too. Sadly, the Stanhope Street curse is likely to continue. If this place is still open for Valentine's Day, I will personally clean the men's room in a Cupid costume. Call me.
(2)
Andrea B.
Went this past Friday at 6:10 and was told all the tables were taken for the rest if the night! Ordered two drinks at the bar - one was too sweet but the Boxcar martini was good! One other drink we ordered was nasty and the food was horrible! The tater tots were from a freezer bag and the chicken skewers tastes like rubber. I would not go back again - the cost of the food and drinks was not worth it.
(1)
Ariela M.
Great place for a girl's night. 3.5 stars for atmosphere, 4 for service, 4.5 for drinks and meal. They did a good job with the decor - it's laid-back without being snobby (despite the connotations of the restaurant name). The noise level is a bit high, but it's a fun crowd - young professionals and some middle-aged people - maybe I'm getting older but I prefer a place without college students. Servers were polite and prompt. They have a GREAT drink list - several wines by the glass and bottle but of course the highlight is the cocktails...pretty strong but all delicious! There are some classics and some which seemed unique. The food is also surprisingly good for a place I expected to have better cocktails than food - we all loved our apps and dinner, and the portions are substantial and definitely worth the money. We split the tater tots (probably the best ones I've had in a long time, and I'm living in Philly where they're a bar food staple!), the fried pickles, and some salads. For dinner I had the veggie pasta, which was really flavorful, and my friends got the tuna and the burger, all of which they said was delicious. I'd definitely come back with the girls or with a group. There were a few couples there on dates and it might be a bit loud for a romantic-type date, but a great drinks-before-dinner (or after) date.
(4)
Caitlin D.
Went here with my roomie the other night to use up a Gilt city voucher and enjoy the cabaret show. Never having been here when it is not super packed on a weekend I was surprised at what a nice atmosphere it offered for weeknight apps and drinks. The deal included a bottle of wine, 4 shared plates and the Tuesday night entertainment which we both very much enjoyed. The food was more than enough and everything we ordered was delish, especially the short rib grilled cheese. From the moment I walked in the staff was attentive and super friendly. I wish I could remember our servers name because she was very sweet and gave great recommendations. Oh, I forgot, we started with mojitios which were equally as amazing as everything else consumed (and I tend to think of myself as a mojito connoisseur). Overall, I would definitely head back there mon-thurs. It's a great spot on the weekend but totally surprised me with quality and service offered throughout the week!
(5)
Jessica D.
Social Sunday Brunch I came here for the Social Sunday Brunch put on by Crawl in Boston. Let me start out by saying it was really fun and I would come back to try the dinner menu but what a disaster we had on Sunday! We had a 12:30 reservation, they could not seat us and finally brought up a folding table and put the 8 of us in a corner by window, which actually turned out nice; we had our own little private dining area. I do not think they were expecting the amount of people that showed up for not only brunch but for the drinks and DJ. Our food took forever, we didn't get it until after 2pm and they messed up on many of the dishes. I do have to say though my veggie omlette with goat cheese was delicious and the potato fries were the best, nice and crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. The other orders were totally messed up - the French toast came with syrup, which was ordered on the side, the burger came with cheese even though she said NO cheese, two sandwiches were way over cooked, burnt rolls as was a second burger. A few of us enjoyed the meals. The drinks were not that strong at first. The home fries are actually tater tots, which are breaded ! (I ordered no toast with extra 'home fries' because I have a gluten allergy but obviously they didn't know what I was talking about, luckily I do not have a server allergy and was able to push them off the plate). Our waitress was great, a little slow but not her fault on her second day of an overly crowded and under staffed restaurant. I think the management needs to better run (we did get compensated for the mishaps) but still they need some help. All in all we had a great time, we just didn't appreciate waiting so long for our food.
(3)
Shannon C.
I checked this place out after I bought a 6 small plates deal from Rue La La. I used to come to this place when it was 33 Lounge. It's definitely a fun vibe, the music was loud & decent & the bar was packed. No creepers and no college kids. I got a pomegranate/vodka drink that was overwhelmingly sweet & the waitress was kind enough to let me switch it out for something else. We ordered the truffled mac 'n cheese, meatballs, arancini, shrimp, tater tots & scallops. Despite the fact that my (very hungry) date worried about leaving the place starving, this was way more than enough for 2 people! Our faves were the *mac 'n cheese - it was huge! Not a small plate at all & had the perfect amount of truffle flavor. *The scallops were also really good - the orange/maple sauce was amazing & they were cooked perfectly. Everything else was good as well - but those were the best. A great place for a fun date or a girls night.
(4)
marcy G.
Went for an early dinner and were among the first ones there around 6:30 on a Friday night. We were impressed with the interior as it was very trendy. We sat along the back wall at a pub table and it was a lot quieter back there. Ordered salads which were a large size for the price. Ordered some of the small plates. The tater tots were delicious with different dipping sauces and the chicken skewers had a good flavor. The salmon was not worth it. Thought we'd get a piece of cooked fish and it was four 3" strips for $8. We ordered a burger which surprisingly came with fries as the we thought the menu was a la carte. Also a cheese flatbread which was about 16" around. All in all, our food came out hot and we had great service. Would definitely go back again.
(5)
Xin S.
4 stars for food, ZERO for service, so I think 2 overall is fair. We had the slowest service ever, it was really unacceptable. Our dinner took two and a half hours with most of it spent awkwardly wondering where our food was and our server NOwhere in sight to flag down. Our apps came quickly and were delicious (shortribs were excellent, beef tartare was very flavorful). Once apps were done, we began the most ridiculous waiting game. Two other tables were seated after us, ordered, got their food, ate, paid and left before we saw our entrees. When our server (FINALLY) came around, I asked if our food was coming, he gave me a blank stare and answered with an abrupt "yeah..." By this point over an hour had gone by and he made NO acknowledgement of this. When the food finally came, it was delicious--I won't knock them for this, the food truly is quite good (my tuna sandwich was wonderfully rare, but the avocado was BROWN--clearly it had been prepped and waited and waited and waited for the tuna?? Our pizza was good too, but the burger was way overcooked). Then it took forever to get our check (shocker!) The service was truly unacceptable and bordering on unprofessional. I would not return, which is a shame because the food wasn't at all bad, but I would never want to put up with that kind of 'service' again. Also--they served prosecco in a PLASTIC flute--seriously??
(2)
Michelle B.
Brahmin is a great place to start with tapas and a few drinks. It gets pretty fun and upbeat around 10:30 or 11, with a live DJ. I feel like this an amazing place to have dinner, a few drinks, and then stay to enjoy the fun and dancing! I had my 30th birthday dinner here, and I know everyone had a great time. It was accommodating for all personality types. The food was yummy! We ordered the lobster sliders (my favorite), scallops & bacon, buffalo chicken meatballs, truffle tater tots, fried pickles, and the greek salad. We loved everything!!!
(5)
Cici L.
I had a horrible experience because of a very unfortunate experience with one of their bartenders who was being (quite frankly) very racist!!! I would not recommend. Story below :( I was visiting a few friends in Boston when one person suggested we head over to the Brahmin. We checked our belongings and headed over to the bar upstairs. I asked my friends what they wanted and they replied, "rum." I then asked the bartender if I could get a round of rum for my friends and I. The bartender took one look at me and asked me to show him some ID. You have to show your ID in order to get in the bar, so I was a little offended when he asked to see it again. However, as a 5'3" 22 year old Asian girl I understand that I look young for my age, so I gave my drivers license to the bartender. He rubbed it for 5 minutes, threw it back at me, and asked me if I could show another form of identification. I asked him why because I've never had this issue before, and he responded with "I don't believe you're over 21." He then proceeded to refuse to acknowledge my presence or my voice for the rest of the evening. Needless to say, I was VERY offended by his actions. My friends and I left shortly after and do not plan on returning.
(1)
Mel C.
Food - The Brahmin is like your fancy Back Bay version of Lucky's. They serve delicious fatty bar food with an American flare. Who doesn't love that?? Think fried pickles, wings, some type of slider with either lobster, duck, or wagyu beef, Mac n cheese, tator tots. Or you can be "that guy" who ordered a salad. I don't find the food to be creative or tasty enough to justify your $$$ tab at the end of the night. The drinks are where they deserve some credit. They have a good cocktail menu upstairs and the ambiance is nice to grab some drinks. On the weekends, it can be a fun 21-25 crowd. Try to get there at 9pm to avoid the line. If you're in line, don't wait because no nightlife in Boston is worth waiting for.
(2)
Justin V.
Pros: - 2 dance floors. Music on the top floor is EDM. Downstairs is more Hip Hop. -Water cooler downstairs so you don't have to wait for the bartender. -No Cover Charge! Cons: -Long line because there's no cover charge. -Saw my ex. Fuck you Daisy, I know that you saw me too! Because I know we both saw each other, I walked up to her by the bar and said, "Hey, I just saw you and I wanted to say 'hi' (Cheatin' a$$ bitch). After a brief 45 seconds, she said she needs to look for her friends. A minutes after she left, the bartender asked me what I wanted to drink. -$6.00 + tip for a Corona was a bit much.
(4)
Ryan B.
I came here last night for a friend's 21st birthday. I showed up around 10 PM, waited for less than 5 minutes in the line and promptly got in. There was no cover. The doormen were sticklers for the rules: as one person in line ahead was excluded for wearing "work boots." To clarify, he was also wearing quite ugly and ill-fitting light washed True Religion jeans, with an awful break, and a belt that was perhaps 6 sizes too big hanging down looking like an extra appendage... I mention this to illustrate,based on an extremely limited sample size, that the Brahmin doesn't appear to discriminate: as he was, in fact, white. Luckily I had on loafers and had no such "issues" at the door. Seeing other reviews, I wonder what my fate would've been if I were wearing Superga's or a pair of Wolverine 1000-milers though. All things being equal, on first impression my straight-edge conservative dress probably didn't look like "trouble" about to walk through the door. The place was packed, which demonstrates its popularity. If you're a moderately attractive single guy, who can dress yo'self, go here, pay the $3 to check your coat, and hit the dance floor in the basement. You'll have a field day. Truth. As a warning, drinks here are expensive. Expect to pay $11 for two Bud Lights or $12 for two Sam Adams. I didn't ask my friend what he paid for his cocktail, but after I paid $11 for two Bud Lights, $6 for one of the two Sam Adams, and $3 to check my coat, I didn't really want to know. Did I? In summary, 3-stars. As astute readers will note, this place is not my scene. I prefer quieter, cocktail joints sans dance floor, where I can charm my lovely lady with my humor and good conversation. In spite of this, I still had fun seeing my friends. This place would've been more fun had the lady of the house not been on scheduled to work at 7 AM the following day and therefore attended or I was five years younger and single. P.S. I did not sight any "Jersey Shore Super Sayan" blowouts (see photo).
(3)
Courtney M.
I held a private event at The Brahmin this past Summer for my 40th birthday and they did a phenomenal job. All of my friends said how good the food & service was and so many of us are (or have been) in the food service industry. They took excellent care of us. The pizzas are fantastic and so many of their bite-sized hors d'oeuvres were delicious and all homemade. I highly recommend The Brahmin for your next private event. Jill was great to work with as well!!
(5)
Avanti P.
This bar will allow women with flip flops in, but not men. I find this especially sexist and disrespectful as I was dressed appropriately and had appropriate ID.
(2)
April E.
While this bar is mediocre by NYC standards it is pleasant for Boston. Adequate bar space. Typically a coat check. This is the place - if you are a twenty something - to spend your weekends. I recommend, love this place with a grain of salt
(4)
Dan R.
My first ever visit to the Brahmin was for an industry Christmas Party tonight. In fact, tonight Brahmin hosted two such parties- ours upstairs and an insurance company's downstairs - effectively closing the restaurant to the general public. I had quite a few of the hors d'oeuvres after a horrendous 3.5 hour drive from Hartford. There were 3 different kinds of flatbread pizzas, shrimp platters, buffalo chicken poppers, and cheese/cracker platters on the tables, and passed goodies like skewered tomato and mozzarella, scallops and tuna tartare. The scallops and tuna were my favorites. The scallops were huge and plump and were so delicious they almost had a taste of sweetness to them. And the tuna tartare, served in a scoop on a spoon, was mind blowingly good- so delicate and delicious. Service was fine, the interior is gorgeous with tons of cozy seating all over. I had a great time tonight!
(4)
Janet H.
The Brahmin has been my go-to place for dancing. But, it's like your typical night club... expensive drinks, super hot and stinky with BO and crowded. I think the drinks are also on the weaker side, so pre-game if you can. There's a downstairs area with 90s music and the top floor with electronic music. The best part about this place? No cover! Yay!
(3)
Amanda L.
I purchased a LivingSocial deal that brought me back to the Brahmin after maybe a year of absence and was pretty excited about it since I thought my previous dining experience there was great. The restaurant wasn't especially busy on a Tuesday night at 7p so it was easy to grab a table. My boyfriend and I ordered the following: - Crispy Fried Brie - the coating is a bit salty and the dipping sauce had a strange, artificial flavor to it, but the brie was perfectly melty - Sizzling Spicy Shrimp - loved how hot the shrimp were when this came out but found the food to be relatively tasteless - Filet Mignon Bruschetta - hands down the best item we had. I found this a little difficult to eat since the bread was kind of thick, but my boyfriend loved it. To each their own. The combination of filet, cheese and guac was delicious and left my taste buds happy. - Brussel Sprouts - needed salt - didn't see salt or pepper on any tables nearby so not sure if this is available or not - Crab Cakes - I may be overcritical when it comes to judging crab cakes since I grew up near Maryland. No crab cake in New England has ever wowed me (with the exception of maybe Atlantic Fish Co.), but these were pretty good. I appreciate a crab cake when you can see the actual crab meat inside, so The Brahmin gets extra points for that! The overall experience was okay as nothing really stood out as being absolutely wonderful or overly offensive. Our waitress, Jamie, was cute, friendly and pretty prompt - quick to refill my wine (thanks, Jamie!). I'd say The Brahmin is a nice place to grab a quick bite and a few drinks after work, but maybe save the full dining experience for elsewhere.
(3)
Jenny S.
THROWBACK JAMS DOWNSTAIRS, now that's a good Friday night in Boston it was nice that they had a few tables downstairs where you can sit and enjoy drinks with friends .. PLUS it was convenient so we didn't have to go through coat check! the Brahmin is a pretty casual bar, dark, no frills, you know nothing special but go with some good friends for good music and drinks!
(3)
Joe J.
Came here for dinner and ordered a bunch of small plates per the recommendation of our waitress: Buffalo Meatballs Sizzling Shrimp Lamp Lollipops Mussels Mac and Cheese Tater Tots I also had their Old-Fashioned from the cocktail list. The highlight was the buffalo meatballs. The sizzling shrimp didn't really have much flavor, and that also applies to the mussels. The mac and cheese was pretty standard, as well as the tater tots. There really wasn't much of a spin on them, they were simply, tater tots, like the ones you can pop in the oven at home. Lamb Lollipops were good though. My drink was not that great. The place was not busy at all, and we had to ask to have waters refilled. Below average service, and hit or miss food render this a 3-star experience.
(3)
Madelyn W.
Food/weekday dinner review: I signed up for brahmins loyalty program, which provides $20 free applied to food only dine-in and $10 every month up to $150. It a really good deal if you dont feel like cooking on the weekdays for dinner. I have tried flatbread and appetizers so far. The flatbreads are really good. They also give free complimentary appetizers some times too. Live band too.
(5)
Stephanie T.
I used to be a huge fan of Brahmin, and I'm still a big fan of the food, its a great dinner place for groups. I held my birthday party here this winter, booked a table and set a bar tab for my group. Our waitress was amazing, but the atmosphere was terrible. I booked a table for 20 people, when I arrived the area around my table (which could only seat 5 people) was packed with another party. They moved people about a foot away, but it was still far too crowded for the number of people, they definitely over booked the space for the evening. Also our drinks were coming from the upstairs bar, so every time we ordered a new round it took forever for the drinks to arrive. However by far the worst part of the evening were the bartenders. They refused to serve us water at all. After paying hundreds of dollars for a table, I could not believe they were so rude to myself and my guests, and refused to provide any water. Definitely downgraded my previously great impression of this place.
(1)
April K.
I've always had fun at Brahmin! Only problem is the annoying line but I guess that's understandable. Good crowd, good music, decently priced drinks ($10). There are two floors so it's nice to kind of separate if you want to dance or just hang out. It's more posh and definitely not a college bar. Going there tonight! P.S. Russ your responses are hilarious.
(4)
Pathy K.
I loved the atmosphere of this place. I came to Brahmin based on a recommendation from a friend. It was very nice. The food was good, nothing could disappoint me. BUT The best part of all for me was the Waitress we had serving our table last night. I need to give Kudos to her. She was very professional and very pleasant. Loved the place more because of her really. Good job Taylor. You were very good and Patient with our large group. You didn't miss a beat. I am very happy to see good workers. I hope this review reaches your managers. Good job overall.
(5)
Stephanie D.
There DJ was amazing on a Saturday Night. As per usual in any bar, you have to make your own fun. My friends and I were the some of the first few people of the night dancing, but within 20 mins there were tons of people on the little dance floor. There tapas-sized portions of food leave something to be desired for their prices. The staff is really great at clearing away glasses and stuff that people literally leave everywhere. They were also relatively quick to bounce people who act super inappropriately. As with any place to drink, there were classic unapologetic "sloppies", but a small enough percentage that this place stays above the line of other dance halls/bars that are little more that drunken house-parties. Worth becoming a regular at when you want to just dance!
(4)
Danielle B.
I have a love-hate relationship with The Brahmin. LOVE: The cocktail selection, dj & music selection, the atmosphere in general. HATE: The tacky waitresses and waitstaff in general- so rude! The food is OK. It's a fun place for drinks and apps after work. Minimize your expectations beforehand about food & service, and you'll love it.
(3)
Frederic M.
Love the interior! Great place to go for beers / cocktails / coca-cola or whatever type of liquids you are into. Food is basic.
(4)
Lily S.
So after I finished eating here, I sent the following text to my friend "OMG the food here is like jizz ur kitty multiple times good!!!" True story. Hmm where to start. My friend and I had been here a couple of times for drinks and dancing, and were looking for something to do on Friday night that involved food but was also close to dancing, as it was 12F outside. This led me to peruse the Brahmin menu and I was very pleasantly surprised. It's basically every honorary fat girls dream come true. I'm actually really glad that its too far for walking distance from my job, otherwise my waistline would be having issues. They have an excellent tapas style menu and everything is ograsmically delicious. If I HAD to pick a favorite, I would say the asparagus fries. Imagine the most amazing French fry you've ever had, and then in the middle is a succulent piece of asparagus. Nothing short of amazing. Oh, and if that didnt seal the deal for you, they come with a side of dipping sauce...which im pretty sure is just a fat dollop of mayo. We also sampled the shrimp tacos and some spicy grilled shrimp, the buffalo chicken meatballs (OMFG!!!), and the bacon wrapped scallops. Everything was so delicious! The service was also surprisingly fast, especially later in the evening. We finished up around 10:30 and by then it was dance time! this was the only somewhat negative experience of the night...i feel like everyone in their mid twenties eventually gets that "wow i'm getting way too old for this" feeling. that sort of happened. nothing to do with the Brahmin, per se, but the crowd was just so young and you're standing there thinking, am i the oldest person here?! so we shook our respective groove things for a while, and ended up leaving around midnight. bonus? no problem getting a cab!
(5)
Alex B.
I loved the Brahmin when it first opened. For some time it was my favorite spot in Boston to go out. Why? It was tucked away on a side street away from all of the hustle and bustle. It was never too crowded, the music was good, and there were always beautiful girls there. What happened? Well, I guess people found out about it. First the yuppie youth then their wannabe yuppie friends then other tools and then next thing you know there is an overcrowded and overheated dancefloor with a dj with multiple personality disorder who cannot decide between rap and EDM. I also don't like the fact that they let people in who are just wearing shorts. I prefer a place with dresscode / standards. And as any frequenter of this establishment can attest to, you need to arrive stupidly early to avoid a ridiculously long and obnoxious line where you cannot payoff the bouncers even $100 to cut. Take my money you idiots! Ethical bouncers, wtf? Moving around becomes a bitch and everything just ends up uncomfortable. I always pray for it to go back to how it was. Even if they reduced the crowd by 10-15% i think it would be much more bearable. I have a very specific taste so I am not going to slam Brahmin too much. There are still plenty of good looking girls, the crowd is fun, and I think the servers are friendly. I think I am just outgrowing it. The Boston nightlife scene just needs some places that cater to the fact that people want to dance their fuckin faces off in a space larger than 15' x 15'.
(3)
August M.
Terrible service, terrible ambiance from every employee ranging from the bouncer at the bartenders, ugh.
(1)
Marlana Y.
I used to come here Wednesday nights a longgg time ago when it was 33 and I always had a good time. But then again it was because I was looking for a loud club scene and it was expected. My out of town friend was coming back to visit and wanted a relaxing girls night. She heard this was a lounge where we could go and it was new so why not. So it depends what you are looking for. On yelp it is categorized as a lounge and I define lounge as a relaxing, pretty chill place to chat with friends. Not sure how it is on the other nights but on a Friday night this place is no lounge!!! If your looking for a place with loud music where you just want to party and dance ( but not sure if there's even a dance floor - reminds me of the same tight spaces as Emerald ) then this is your place. I tried to look on the website page for the type of music playing but it wasn't listed; so when we arrived - I'm not even sure what was playing. It didn't sound like EDM nor any music I've heard of- a bit funky and different which isn't bad at all. Just different. There was no where to sit. Limited amount of seats/ couches as well as space to move and dance. We found a wall to stand against but felt we were always in the way -whether by the wait staff and waitresses who gave you the evil eye to get out of the way or by other guests who was dancing in place by the bar and elbowing you if you were too close from their dancing skills. They only have two types of bottled beer (one was corona and the second was a European- I think), they have more on tap- but couldn't tell what they had. They do not have Hennessy, which is our drink of choice but did offer Remy. The drinks prices are nothing out of the ordinary- especially for the area. It was definitely more of a club scene than a lounge. The best part is no cover so you could come here if your strapped for cash. Brahmin looks very nice but it's hard to enjoy it due to crowd and space. It was hard to hear my companions and hear myself so we decided to leave after 10 minutes.
(3)
Katie V.
So Brahmin has improved a lot since my first visit. I've been there many times since and have had great service, including for multiple large events I've organized there. Their truffled mac and cheese is the best in Boston! Very glad I gave the place another try (never saw that doorman again anyway, which tells you something).
(4)
Cassie G.
Poor experience
(2)
Bradley K.
Really shocked at the bad reviews. I waited for the LivingSocial deal on Tuesday to give it a shot. Blown away! GREAT service, GREAT food, and fun/loungish decor. Tried a little bit of everything. The 2 favorites were the fried brie and short rib grilled cheese. We just returned from Europe so we were on a Tapas kick, and this was just what we expected. Will definitely be back! Ps. Live music was a plus, although not that impressive, still fun.
(4)
Anastasia T.
Best tapas I've ever had. Their short rib grilled cheese bites are amazing. Even better when paired with the truffle Mac and cheese.
(5)
Adam S.
*NOTE: Review is only about the bouncers and smell in the bar** The sleazy door guys with the twin Bill Walton beards apparently have an affinity for large breasts and try to creative a little big boob call-out code word for each other - "Meow meow" This past weekend we stopped by and were with a decent group of people, good looking girls and a few of them with large breasts. Keep in mind that we're in our early 30s, the girls dress nicely and not in college girl hoochie mama club gear. We definitely didn't come to a college/Euro bar by choice, but it was for a friend, so after we hand the ID to the bouncer and begin to walk towards the entrance, the bouncer says "Meow" (we've all seen Super Troopers) and then the other bouncer follows with "Meow meow" as she walks by him, who is standing 10 feet away. In the interest of not getting into an altercation with the Bill Walton wannabe twins, I didn't say anything, but mentioned it to my endowed friends and they got the treatment both entering and leaving the bar. On the way out with my girlfriend, I prepped her and her friend and as we walked out, I said "wait for it, wait for it...." and then came "Meow meow" MANAGEMENT - Tell the bouncers to class it up or pick a "big boob" catch phrase that the whole word doesn't know. I casually mentioned while walking downstairs that there was a horrible smell throughout the entire bar and one of the employees heard me and said "It's the people that come here. There's no fixing it. We deal with it every week" Hey, at least the mixed drinks were only $9.50 and in a big plastic cup. Maybe Liberty Hotel is worth the $13 drink price though to not get harassed or have to hold my nose. EDIT and REPLY: Russ, The bearded guys were the only ones out there at this time, at least when we go there. I am a guy and was with my girlfriend. There were roughly 15 people in our party, mixture of guys and girls, arriving and leaving at different times. There is absolutely no way their comments were random or I was mistaken. This would be hard to see on camera since they're just saying something and not making any actions. It's just a perfect reason why I avoid "clubs" nowadays. Entitled door people are the worst and there are way too many options in Boston to wait in line somewhere to be judged by hired muscle. The employee was downstairs that commented about the smell. He had an earpiece on as well. Not going to get him in trouble since he was just being honest. The smell was overwhelming and we assumed it was throw-up. I ordered 2 - Ketel One/Sodas and was given $1.50 back, which I left on the bar - Just looked at my credit card and there is a charge of $18.50 (w/out tip) - Assuming you're not charging for tax, that's $9.25/drink not $9.50 - sorry. I had two drinks and my girlfriend had two drinks, so it's not like we were drunk and confused. I wasn't insulting the cups, just saying that they were large, but still made of plastic and not glass.
(1)
Nikhil P.
Went here last night for drinks and to do some dancing, and the night was fun. Three main rooms, one had some good old-school hip-hop, another had some EDM/dance music beats, and the third room was a nice chill vibe. The night was overall pretty fun, and the drinks were really good and pretty reasonable for a spot without cover. $10/cocktail isn't a bad run, and the cocktail waitresses scanning the crowd for drink orders is pretty damn smart. Sure beats the rush to the bar and having your buzz wear off while waiting in line! Great idea, and the waitresses deserve big tips for wading through crowds of go-go dancers with full drinks. The only major downer was this "two-pieces of Photo ID" thing at the door. Painting the scene... by no fault of its own, The Brahmin happens to be situated at the ass-end of what felt like a wind-tunnel last night. The alleyway grabbed every cold blast in the neighborhood and threw it at the 20-odd people waiting in line outside for a good 10-15minutes. After getting to the door at last... (while people around us were actively hopping back in cabs to leave), we're told we need to have two pieces of photo ID. The bouncers were polite enough, but seriously? I checked out another review about this. There's apparently concern about fake IDs. Me, my wife and the two people ahead of us were very obviously over 25. Maybe we were just looking particularly young and hot... but how about running the line and telling everyone what to expect in advance? Or throwing something up on the website? I've never had a request for two pieces of photo ID anywhere in this city. If the BPD is cracking down on businesses, or the Brahmin ran into some underage trouble and have to ramp it up, make that clear. We were let in eventually, but if this really is a universal rule ... gotta make it clear right away. Signage, website, bouncers telling people while they're waiting in line. Really fun night overall and we'll be back, but kind of choked the first impression.
(3)
Angelina E.
I was in Boston for work and my team planned an outing that followed with heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks at the Brahmin. The food was okay. I liked the bacon and scallops but everything else was pretty mediocre. The Moscow Mule was hands down the works one I've ever had. I live in San Francisco where they are pretty popular so maybe it's just a west coast thing and I should't have ordered it.
(2)
Yalda R.
This place is always a great choice, a really good balance between bar atmosphere and club atmosphere, incorporates the best aspects of both! Their food is also delicious and prices are reasonable too. The only problem is how quickly it fills up, if you get there past 10:30 you're bound to wait in line for a while but then again that's only cause it's a really popular spot to be at.
(5)
W Q.
Great music, great crowd, excellent drinks. Really nice interior, another bar and DJ downstairs. Come here early or the line gets long. Cocktail waitresses were very friendly and fun. We got a couple of drinks and few rounds of shots. The place was packed with people on VDay. Tons and tons of beautiful dressed up single women. This is a great spot if you are visiting Boston, especially on the weekends. Guys can dress casual, but girls were definitely dressy! I didn't try any food here, so the stars were purely based on the fun factor and drinks!
(5)
Rachel K.
I hosted a birthday party here for my friend's 25 and the service was great! The people I emailed and spoke with in planning were wonderful and our downstairs area was perfect! The drinks were great and we were easily able to be downstairs and upstairs throughout the night enjoying the dancing and the loungey area. One amazing thing is although you have to spend a certain amount of money if you reserve a space, they let you use multiple cards. This is amazing, since round up money from a bunch of people at the end of the night can be a total pain! Our bartender downstairs was excellent and definitely showed us some extra attention and I was sure to leave him a nice tip. My only problem with this place, and I'm sure it's almost everyone's is the line situation. We were lucky enough to get there before 10pm on a Saturday and because we reserved space, we were allowed to come in line and cover free. The agreement we made with the event planner was as long as they were in by 10pm, they were good. I went up around 9:50pm after I heard some friends weren't able to get in and wanted to clear up the situation. The bouncers were not helpful, they said "no more, no way, it's 10pm" it was 9:53pm! I spoke with my friends and they said they had been waiting for 10 mins already and were here well before the expiration time. Another group of friends said bouncers wouldn't even let them get past the first line to get to the reservation line which held them up. Such a bummer because everything that happened during the night went amazingly! I really hope they can manage the line situation better in the future. If reservations are made, our entire group should be able to get in as long as they make the 10pm cut. I understand it's a busy place and I've dealt with the line without a reservation, but this was should have been an exception.
(3)
Carla S.
I really love the atmosphere of this place! I've been to Brahmin a bunch of times and I really enjoy the Throwback Thursday which I went to last night. Again had a great dinner and the music was awesome! I'm so obsessed with the fried pickles it's not even funny!! Till we meet again :)
(5)
Jenna V.
What would I do without Brahmin? Between rat pack Tuesdays, throwback Thursdays and the dance floor on Saturdays, you can't go wrong. This is our go to spot for birthdays, holidays and random nights when we just want to have a great time. Mike the manager knows how to treat his customers right! No wonder it's the #2 lounge in the country! John Taffert knows his stuff...even though i think it should be #1!
(5)
Danielle D.
Can't say enough great things about this place! Always stellar service, great food and an amazing crowd! Every time my friends and I try to figure out where to go, we disagree on every place but Brahmin! Everyone has a great time! Mike the manager is a stud and knows all his regulars and is always willing to help with anything. I would give Brahmin 10 stars if I could! This place is a "must see!"
(5)
Alejandra L.
BE EXTRA CAREFUL with your BILL! I used to "like" (not love, its ok not great) this club/lounge before despite of the long and not ending lines where you have to freeze and wait at least 40 minutes to get inside but after last nights's experience I would never come back here again, you have to pay extra attention to your bill when you are paying if not they will charge you drinks that you didnt even order... I honestly just came to the bar 2 times and decided to leave my card open to order drinks for my friend and me : 2 whiskey ginger and 2 tequila margaritas (not even enough to be drunk and not being able to realize what is happening) at the end of the night I nicely asked the bartender for my card and after waiting for 15 min he finally passed me the bill that said almost 89$!!! With 4 whiskey ginger, 3 margaritas and 3 martinis (which I never order or even drink!) I would like to think it was a mistake but come on who can put in your account 5 more drinks that you never order, I think is DIsHONESt and DISRESPECTFUL with your customers who are there to enjoy and have a good time with friends but at the end of the night you end up f&$&/ because they are charging you more just because they think you are drunk and you would never check your bills and would sign it like if you were blind or stupid.... I told one of the bartenders that there was a mistake in my bill, I couldnt ask to the guy that was serving me all night directly because he was avoiding me but he told him about the mistake and he end up saying that maybe I didnt remember what I order? Really? That is so wrong! I obviously remembered exactly what I order because I wasnt drunk and I am not stupid... I felt humiliated with the poor and dishonest service last night... After I nicely told him that I honestly didnt order the 3 extra martinis and the 2 extra whiskey and margarita they were charging they said the have to put the martinis because is a complimentary drink with the margaritas? Seriously! ? Im sorry but that was the most stupid excuse I have ever heard in my life... I hope that would never happen to you thats why you always have to check your bills very carefully if not just pay with cash and dont open a tab! I feel sorry for the people that never realized and got charge more for drinks that they didnt even order... Dont do this again with your costumers, KARMA is a BITCH!
(1)
Jerome M.
If you like noise, young crowd, and don't really care about the food, don't go there. If you are looking for a trendy place to be seen and to meet people, this is the place to be. Unfortunately, I am passed that age. :(
(2)
Phil O.
Note: This review is for Brahmin's food (and the service of) only. I went here on 12/6, and I ordered the duck confit sliders (at approx. 9:30PM). I waited at the bar for 40+ minutes just to realize the bartender failed to put in my order. What was doubly perplexing was that the bartender I gave the order to actually specified they were good when I asked him for advice. So not only did he* mindlessly forget to punch in my order, but his suggestion couldn't have been any farther away from "spot-on". When I finally got the duck sliders, they were lacking flavor to the point where it seemed any type of basic seasoning (i.e. salt) was completely forgotten. The duck meat was overcooked and its dryness was covered up by the grease it was cooked in. The buns were soggy as they were doused with duck grease, yet somehow, they were still flavorless. The sliders came prepared with a very random orange marmalade sauce, which was uneventful and didn't do anything for the duck meat. The end product was 3 barely edible duck sliders. Several bartenders asked me how the food was, and while it was loud and dimmed, my body language and verbal response still powerfully revealed my unenthusiasm. Apparently there's a point in the night when Brahmin lowers its customer service standards, so I still had to pay for them. Please note that one of the bartenders was sweet, and did pay for one of my rounds since the food came out late. But I think it's still safe to say I will never order food from Brahmin ever again. *I think his name is Nick Response to Ed B from 1/28/14: It's for reasons like this that I often don't take the "direct" approach. You don't listen. You clearly didn't comprehend 1 of the 2 major points of my review. You deflected my claim that your duck confit sliders tasted horrific by defining what duck confit translates to. Yes, I know "duck confit" means it's cooked in its own fat. But grease equals flavor, which is why I was dumbfounded when the sliders didn't have any. You: "I've replied several times explaining that duck confeit, by definition confeit means cooked in grease which would be why it tasted greasy." My response: You have not done this. You: "I also offered to apologize as nick mistakenly rang in the wrong order and the kitchen was backed up which is why there was a delay." My response: One of the female bartenders told me the kitchen was not backed up, and you never offered to apologize. You: "People are human and mistakes do happen, unfortunately in this day and age people are also so quick to judgment and are more powerful with words and behind a computer screen than in person and don't consider there affect on peoples livelihoods." My response: You're wrong/lying again. I already well considered the ramifications it would have on your business and your sub-par staff. And perhaps you should check my Yelp rating distribution before you make snap judgments yourself (more 4's and 5's awarded than anything else). Conclusion: Personally, and since I've worked in the service industry in the past, I do not have any tolerance for end-to-end sloppiness. This was a complete failure from the employees in the kitchen to the employees at the bar. And maybe I'm old-fashioned, but when staff is aware that they screwed up and/or that I'm unhappy already, why should I go out of my way to complain to someone else (i.e. next line of management)? I'm giving them the chance to rectify the situation "on the spot". Not to mention in this case it was dark, loud, crowded and I was trying to enjoy the evening with my girlfriend. I'm sorry for inconveniencing you. Having said that, it's actually sad that Yelp is becoming one of the only ways to get small business owners to listen once in a while, which is a slight push in the right direction to raise the bar for customer service standards.
(1)
Eric M.
Updating my review for Brahmin again. Besides the owner being one of the worst humans I've ever encountered on the internet, and after a few year break from this establishment, i went back. The results: it was OK. Overall had a pretty fun night at the bar, the music was decent although it heavily favored music from last millennium. The atmosphere was decent too although it did get too packed to move at one point. One thing that pissed me off is a $15 credit card minimum for drinks. If you can't afford to pay the cc processing fee on a $12 gin and tonic then you don't deserve to be in business. Show a little class if you brand yourself as an upscale bar and eat the credit card fee like every other bar/restaurant/food truck/sausage stand. If they can do it, surely you can too.
(2)
Mary Anne C.
From the moment we walked in, we were made to feel welcome, even when I said "I have a coupon". (Other establishments - take note). Since that first visit I've been back at least 5 times and each time was wonderful. I love the food, the service, the management, Rat Pack Tuesday, the ambiance. I'm such a fan.
(5)
Sarah G.
What a fancy lounge like spot in the Back Bay! I can see why people like hanging out here so much--I felt like I literally went out somewhere special due to the awesome decor these people have. A little girly perhaps overall, but a great group hang out spot or drink meeting place. Made me feel a little sex in the city like actually with their dark lighting, chandeliers, etc. I say drink meeting because their food was just so so. We got one of their flatbreads which was honestly nothing special and almost tasted like some flatbreads I cook from my own freezer. We got their tatertots which were served in a fancy holder which I loved, but those dipping sauces were again pretty standard. Then we got their asparagus parm fries and those again we had expected to be way tastier. Don't get me wrong, everything was edible and everything like that, but none of if was really living up to how cool this place looks inside. Their beer selection is decent and they have some decent cocktails for $10-12 too, but I would really only come back here for drinks and eat elsewhere. I hear late at night the downstairs becomes more like a club or something like that, so that would be interesting to explore in the future ha ha
(3)
Dinna Y.
Awesome food for surprisingly great value. brought a group of 9 there and the bill was low for just food. drinks of course always take you over! Great atmosphere, interior design. Busy, good music, but in typical Boston nightlife, they keep you waiting outside for not minutes but half hours just to make the place seem busy (if you are not a local Bostonian, it is DEAD in the city over holidays and when school is out as 1/4 ppl are students so the city is dead). I'd go back to dance and sardine myself through people
(4)
Sasha L.
I've been to Brahmin a few times in the past year, but last weekend my friends and I went for my 22nd birthday. I called in the week before we wanted the go and the manager, Mike, told me that there were a few big parties but that I should ask for him when my friends and I got there and he would see what he could do as far as getting us one of the booths in the upstairs area. When we got there, there wasn't a table available but he got us in in front of the line. About 5 minutes after we went in a table opened up and we stayed there the rest of the night! I wanted to pay for the first few rounds so I asked our server to let me know when we reached a certain tab. She was super careful to not let the tab go over my limit which was awesome. Overall fantastic night, great place to go for a girls night with friends!!!
(5)
L. M. B.
Went to the Brahmin Friday night for drinks and food with my boyfriend and some friends, sat at the bar, our bartender was Vinnie (the tall one with the irish accent), I ordered the blue cheese stuffed olive martini and my boyfriend ordered a dark and stormy- the drinks were perfect! We asked for some recommendations for food from him and he ordered us some fried pickles, grilled pulled pork cheese bites, tater tots and the lobster sliders, the menu is designed for sharing and the food was great. There was a DJ when we got there and the place was busy, as the night went on the drinks and food were flowing and even though the bar very busy later on our bartender never forgot about us and we were never without a drink in our hand. Another DJ showed up at about 10pm and the place was packed, I do recommend getting there early - as we were leaving at about 11:30pm there was a line outside so try to avoid that! The Brahmin is a great place to come with friends for drinks food and dancing. I did read some of the other negative reviews about bartenders and was shocked - all the bartenders were very nice to us and we were a mixed race group and everyone felt welcomed by the staff. We had a great time but as I said get there early to avoid the line!!
(5)
Mike L.
Still love this place! Been coming here for a few years now and I always have a great experience. Went there this past weekend for a friends birthday party downstairs, we all had a blast and the music was on point...I knew the line would be down the street early so I came early to get dinner. They were completely booked up but I was able to grab a couple seats at the bar. Food.....Fantastic! Definitely get the Whole Short Rib.
(4)
Santiago G.
I saw that they had a deal on Buywithme so I went and checked them out before buying the deal. I was completely blown away by the high quality service and food provided. My order consisted of Scallops on bacon with an orange maple reduction. This plate was amazing, the sweetness of the maple reduction paired perfectly with the saltiness of the scallops. The scallops themselves were seared to perfection. The Brahmin has an ambiance that can be found at a five star restaurant, but the prices are incredibly reasonable. The most expensive dish was twenty dollars. The vintage theme makes eating at The Brahmin very fun.
(5)
C. W.
Had my friends 25th birthday party here - and it was a blast! We rented a space later than usual, so we were given a "walk-through" type area in back, which wasn't a problem at all. I coordinated with Jill, who handles the event planning and she was so incredibly helpful. She answered all of my emails quickly and was super accommodating in every way. Lauren was our waitress and I can't say enough good things about her. She handled everything like a pro! We all used different credit cards, which can be a pain but she made it seem like it was no trouble at all. She was always checking up on us and doing everything she could to make sure our night was enjoyable. We ordered some food as well: Pancetta Flatbread, margarita flatbread, sausage flatbread, Scallops and Bacon, and Sausage Stuffed Arancini Bites -- everything was delicious. My favorite personally was the scallops, they have a sweet maple on them that was definitely the best part. The only thing I wish was different was the ease of a guest list. We had some friends who were stuck waiting in the rain and unfortunately ended up going to a different bar. This situation may be different though if we had rented a more intimate space. All in all, it was a blast. The staff, food and night overall was wonderful!
(4)
Jacquelynn C.
This was one of first spots we checked out while in Boston, did some research via instagram to see if the scene was good and was not disappointed at all. The food is alright, it didn't change my life but the service and the atmosphere is amazing. We were here on a Friday night for drinks and food that led to us coming back on a Saturday night which was even better. Very good looking crowd, come early to avoid waiting in line outside or befriend one of the bartenders...*they'd be happy to put you on their list at the door. *only applies if your a girl. lol Pros: Speakeasy atmosphere, great DJ, decent drinks, friendly staff/bartenders Cons: food is ok
(4)
Mac D.
Yummy margaritas, $8 each. Cool atmosphere. Loud. The bar downstairs is less crowded, so you'll have a better chance at getting a drink down there
(4)
Tara G.
From the looks of it, you would think this is a high class lounge but its not. Its more of a club and the age ranges from 23 to 29 or so. Its very small and packed and probably more for the younger crowd.
(2)
Michelle T.
Great for a fun night out dancing with friends. This place attracts a crowd of young professional, nicely dressed bunch and is halfway between a lounge and a bar (a nice bar, that is...with watered down drinks). I'm giving it a 4 star rating only because I had a great time dancing and hanging out with friends. Otherwise, all things considered, Brahmin is probably a 3 = A-ok. Music was great. Place wasn't too trashy (although the bathrooms lines were always long and they ran out of toilet paper as early as 11pm). There is an upstairs and downstairs. The room downstairs has it's own separate DJ who spins more hip hop. Upstairs is more top 40 type music. Drinks were underwhelming. Probably had the worst mojito I've ever had in my life. Not only was it weak and tasted only of seltzer water, it also didn't taste AT ALL like a mojito. I might as well have ordered a tonic with splash of gin. Probably would have tasted the same. My advice: Pregame ahead of time. Come early to avoid the longggg lines. (Think, before 10pm, cause at 10:15, you're looking at a 30min+ wait).
(4)
Kaitlin O.
This message is in response to the comment posted by Russ on 12/11 for the review I wrote on 12/7. I got an error message when I tried to respond directly to that comment. Hi Russ, Thank you for your response. I just want to clarify that I wasn't trying to go upstairs. I very clearly stated, a few times, that I wanted to leave the premise. I said that I wanted to go home and I was told that I had to wait. The suggestion of getting another drink was a bit insulting, as it felt like maybe your staff was just trying to make an extra dollar. It ended up being only 5-7 min that I had to wait, but some people might feel very uncomfortable with being told to wait to leave the premise for even that short amount of time. I hope this clears things up for you and that you are able to clarify your policy with your staff, because it appears that the bouncer stationed at the down lounge exit nearest the coat check at 11:40pm Saturday night was the one who misunderstood. Best, Kaitlin
(2)
Tracy P.
Brahmin is by far the best place to go in Boston on a Friday or Saturday night... The food is incredible, the music is awesome and the customer service is spectacular. I do my birthday there every year because you get the best of all worlds... it is a restaurant, lounge, bar and dance party all rolled up into one. Anytime you are in line, it is definitely worth the wait!
(5)
Alix C.
I've been going to The Brahmin since it opened. This is by far my favorite place to frequent in the city. In regards to the lines... There is a line because it is THAT good. The management and bouncers are very considerate and generous with letting people in. The service is always good and the food is absolutely great! Tapas style dishes in a bar... perfect for large groups and parties. Huge thank you to all of the staff, management and owners for creating a wonderful place for my friends and I to come to for every birthday we have and ever occasion needing celebrating! Never a disappointment.
(5)
Emily R.
I came this weekend and was not feeling it when we first got there, there was a line, and it was FREEZING. But i am glad that we waited! It was packed, my friends who have been before told me its not usually THAT crowded, but it was fine! There is no cover...it was saturday...love that. The crowd was attractive, lots of eye candy, male and female Girls, lots of heels (girls need to know these things!) Good music, big bar. Bathroom was clean. Bartender was nice....except...he told me there was a 20 dollar minimum to use my credit card...good god! I cant wait to come back!
(4)
Lucy M.
I love the atmosphere of the Brahmin at night, and all of the bartenders and waitresses are pretty efficient. I was surprised when I realized that they were open for dinner and had a really good and unique menu. Everything is in small plates and the asparagus fries are my favorite thing in the world. I have only had really good experiences there and the place is definitely unique. I bring all of my friends here it is becoming my favorite place in Boston.
(5)
Nicole D.
I have been a long time fan of this local hotspot, but after the way me and my friends were treated tonight by the bouncer, I doubt I will visit there again. I work in sales, and customer service is alway a top propriety. So when the bouncer turned away the one male in the group I was with for wearing "sneakers" (they were not) and then allowed the group in behind us who had men wearing THE SAME shoes, we were perplexed. When we asked the bouncer what his reasons where for the different treatment he was rude, condescending, and basically an ass. It was 9:30 at night with no line. Why they would turn away a group of patrons for one man's choice in shoes, but then bend the rules they had previously enforced for the next group of people is a shame. Will not spend my money here again.
(1)
Lynn J.
NOTE: The 1st half of this review is for the restaurant. This place is known for it's night club...scroll down for that. MANAGER, "MIKE": 5 STARS...SUPER FRIENDLY! He came over to chat, after we finished, and changed my tepid view of their staff in 5 minutes with his big smile, hearty hand shake & sweet stories. I did not have the heart, nor the courage, to tell him the truth about how unwelcome his staff made us feel there. Yet, when he heard I lived down the block, he offered his card, along with a free app when we returned next time! FOOD: 3 STARS...BUT COULD BE 5 STARS... GOOD FOOD...THAT COULD BE GREAT. KOBE BURGER...Egg bun I really thought was a tasty touch, but I couldn't eat the bottom. It was soaked through with grease. The beef's juicy goodness could be drained before plating. TUNA 2 WAYS...Loved them both equally, but, at $14.00, it's pricey for 1/4 cup of raw tuna with 2 toast points. HOMEMADE BASIL GNOCCHI...MY FAVORITE DISH! This pasta was chewy heaven with mushroom magnificence. It was also sitting in 1/2 INCH OF OIL, which could be drained. HOMEMADE MEATBALLS...MY DINING PARTNER'S FAVE. Old world recipes, handed down for generations. The sauce is on the sweeter side, which appeals to most. WAITSTAFF: 1 STAR...REALLY RUDE. As I was walking toward the front door, on right side, a blonde waitress was walking AT me quickly. I stopped, thinking she'd go around me. Instead she said "Excuse Me?" with an attitude. How hard is it to both walk on the right side in America? My waitress greeted us with NO SMILE & a drink request. We'd just sat down and asked to at the menu = EYE ROLL. Brunette girl returns and we ask for "any non-alcoholic drinks, like Ice Tea or Lemonade." She shook her head, "NO," and could come up with no alternative suggestions for us. Still no smile, but lots of "I don't want to be here" vibe, she took our orders, and I held onto my menu to browse it more. She literally fought it from my tight grip and ran off, LOL! We ordered 4 "Small Plates" & 1 burger for our small table. A sweet, smiling guy delivered them all with style, and she never returned to clear plates and make room at all, until we were finished and had them stacked up, so we could eat. ### BRAHMIN NIGHT CLUB...Lively, loud and loose! There is usually a line on Fri & Sat, along with a cover. We went straight to the downstairs cellar bar... really dark, small room, lots of people bumping into each other. I had 2 drinks spilled down my dress while I danced in the corner, and went home smelling of sweat...other people's sweat. In spite of this, I had a blast with my girlfriends. So, I highly recommend you GO WITH FRIENDS! *smile* Upon exiting at 2AM, the lights all came up, and we could see the upstairs bar covered the length of the room, and encouraged and inviting atmosphere to meet new friends. The age range was mostly in the 20s, typical of Boston clubs.
(3)
Emily C.
The Brahmin is definitely one of the nicer night spots I've visited in Boston. It's pretty similar to some of the lounges in LA. It kinda reminded me of a smaller version of Les Deux in LA. You will probably have to wait in line to get in, but the line seems to move pretty fast. No cover. The crowd is pretty good looking and the music is great. There is a coat check. Lots of bartenders and bar area, so it's pretty easy to get a drink. My ONLY issue with The Brahmin is the strange layout. I have no idea why they stuck a HUGE staircase in the middle of the place. It takes up so much valuable space! There are way too many walls and hall ways in the down stairs area. I couldn't help but think of the chaos that would ensue if something were to happen down there.... Overall, a really nice spot in Boston. I'll probably be back again.
(3)
Tina C.
After reading some of the responses to reviews here, I'm a little apprehensive about posting my experience. I want to preface this by saying I've taken some time to cool off a little after the incident in question, and I am trying my best to come at this from a level-headed and fair point of view. I also want to say that I fully understand the need for lines, and I am under no illusions that I deserve special treatment. I do not live in Boston, and I have no vested interest in how well or poorly this place does. The only reason I was even here on the night in question was because I had come in from out of town to celebrate with my friend. I'm writing this review because it seems that there have been other reviewers who have had a similar experience. At around 9:45pm, I arrived at The Brahmin. There was already a line outside, but because my friend had a guest list, I was told I would be let in as long as I arrived before 10pm. I gave the name to the bouncer, who barely glanced over his clipboard before telling me he could not find it. I told him I was sure it was under "Jane Smith" and asked if he could please check again. Again, he flipped a few papers on his clipboard but barely glanced before telling me he couldn't find it. I told him I would call my friend, who was inside the bar, to confirm which name she had used. Because it was so loud inside, it took me a while to reach my friend. By the time I got back to the bouncer, it was 10:02pm (based on call logs). Again, I told the bouncer I was sure the name was "Jane Smith". This time, he looked at his clipboard, and said, "Yeah, it looks like she had a guest list but it's past 10 now, so you can't get in." I politely pointed out that I had actually arrived before 10, and that it was him (the bouncer) who had missed my friend's name on the list. He told me there was nothing that could be done. At this time, a group of women also rocked up to the front of the line, saying they were here for the "Liz Jones" party. The bouncer told them the same thing, that he could not let them in because it was after 10. You'll see why I'm noting this in a second. At this point, I admit I was a little annoyed because it was the bouncer who initially could not find "Jane Smith" on his clipboard and now he was refusing to let me in because of his mistake. I asked to speak to the manager, and was told I could not. This is when I started to get upset and stood aside to call my friend again to let her know what was happening. As I was on the phone, I see the same group of women as before being let into the bar. As the bouncer is letting them through, he says to the other bouncer, "It's cool, they're here for the Liz Jones party." I again ask the bouncer why I'm still not allowed in and am told there's nothing he can do. So, a summary of events: - 9:45pm - I arrive and the bouncer cannot find Jane Smith on the guest list. - 10:02pm - The bouncer confirms that he actually does see Jane Smith on the list, but it's after 10 so I'm out of luck. At this time, a group of women arrive for the Liz Jones party and are told they cannot get in for the same reason. - 10:07pm (ish) - The aforementioned group of women are let in. The bouncer still refuses to let me in. I want to note that at no time during this entire ordeal was I rude or raising my voice. I subscribe to the "catching flies with honey" mentality and hate when issues escalate to screaming. Eventually, my friend is able to speak with a (floor?) manager who was extremely rude to her before letting me in. I have no complaints about the rest of the night, the drinks were all right and our waitress was sweet and attentive despite the crowd. The dance floor was a bit over crowded, but I suppose that was expected. Eventually a floor manager did come over to speak with my friend about the issues she was having getting her friends inside (I was not the only one who experienced the power-tripping bouncers), but by then the damage had been done. To the managers, I implore you to look into the behavior of your bouncers. I realize that it is difficult to do crowd control outside and I understand the importance of lines and capacity control, but when your bouncers are having power trips over who can and cannot get into your establishment, at least make sure they are consistent with their lies. If they are going to be giving special treatment, at least be discrete about it. Your bouncers are the first thing your guests experience before coming into the bar. They set the tone for your guests...Shouldn't they be better behaved and more professional than this? I am giving 2 stars, because Yelp categorizes it as "I've experienced better" which I think is an accurate and fair assessment.
(2)
Sarah O.
Brahmin is a go-to for my house. We go once a week, usually a Friday night at Brahmin. Great dancing, two floors, and randomly great 90s music! You can reserve tables if you have a large group. Monday/Tuesday dinner at Brahmin is a must-try too!
(4)
Margarita S.
Love this place!!!! You are the best, guys! Great cocktails, awesome DJs and beautiful people. P.S. Wish you had a Glist or club card...
(5)
Michael C.
This places draws a solid crowd, I would definitely recommend arriving here early. If you arrive later in the evening you will be waiting in a pretty long line. Then when you get in you will be ushered into the downstairs room, which is basically an overflow room with a bar and have to wait in another line to get back upstairs. So arrive early and don't bother heading downstairs unless it is to use the restroom. There is a small dancefloor here upstairs to the right of the bar. This place gets packed and the narrow walk areas around the bar makes it difficult to walk around. The good music and great crowd make up for some of Brahmin's flaws. Overall this place is a solid place for a weekend night, as long as you keep in mind that you will have to deal with all the normal BS of going to this type of bar/club.
(4)
Christy O.
I was having a really good time here tonight...ordered a few drink for me and my friends and paid with cash. Later on in the night, i tried to order another drink but just for myself. it cost 8 dollars which is a respectable price and i made it known to the bar tender that i only had 2 dollars cash left but he took my drink away after making it and said i had to order 20 dollars worth of drinks to pay with a card. had i used my card earlier and saved the cash for this scenario it would have been completely fine. its sad that they would turn away a paying customer for some stupid rule. definitely lost a former fan....
(1)
Goudy L.
The bottom line about the Brahmin is that the food is boring, the drinks are expensive, you could experience permanent hearing loss from the overly amplified music, and the owner is a douche. So many different reviews are complaining about the hazardous noise levels at the Brahmin and about Russ the owner making lame internet threats to people leaving unfavorable reviews. For example as he did to "Eric M". See for example "Jackie S." who said "Then a live singer came on and she was really talented but they had the sound up too high as I still wanted to casually chat with my girlfriend." or "Katie V", where it was "it was impossible to hear" causing the bartender to bring more drinks rather than the check, leading to a one star experience. Russ is of course entirely incorrect about his obligations to provide a safe working environment for his employees. Making the excuse "they choose to work here" has been rejected in the state of Massachusetts since 1910s, and at the Federal level since the 1970s. ---- osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/no… There are various factors that may indicate noise is a problem in the workplace. While people react differently to noise, subjective responses should not be ignored because they may provide warnings that noise may be at unacceptable levels. Noisy conditions can make normal conversation difficult. When noise levels are above 80 decibels (dB), people have to speak very loudly. When noise levels are between 85 and 90 dB, people have to shout. When noise levels are greater than 95 dB, people have to move close together to hear each other at all. High noise levels can cause adverse reactions or behaviors.
(1)
Mike N.
I've been here a few times on Thursdays and Fridays. I don't think they ever charge a cover on the weekends. Great for after work drinks. Crowd seemed to be mid to late 20's.
(5)
Jonathan C.
Brahmin is one the hottest places to go in Boston on a Friday or Saturday night. Great food all week long, good Dj's on the weekends, and the management is fantastic.
(5)
Ilena R.
Great experience. The owner actually lent my friend shoes so he could come in (he was wearing flip flops) - so considerate! Service was great, music was great. Awesome place to go for a birthday party!
(5)
Maddy S.
I just want to start out by saying if you like douche-y clubs, thus might be the place for you. Unfortunately, I do not count myself in that population. There was a massive line at 10pm on a Saturday, we waited 45 minutes, got in and it was so loud I couldn't even hear myself think. They also have an utterly absurd dress code. They're super strict on sneakers despite the fact that once you get inside it's so crowded that you can't even see anybody's feet. Drinks were reasonably priced but for some reason they have a minimum card charge of $20. And for the music, while they did play some good songs, they give the DJs a little too much free license. There were some awful mashups and sped up versions of popular songs. While I did have a pretty good time dancing with friends, if you're looking for a fun night I'd recommend looking elsewhere.
(2)
Martin H.
Stopped in for a drink, a decent Moscow Mule. The floor around the bar was so insanely and inexplicably sticky it partly pulled my shoe off at one point. The weather outside was beautiful but somehow it was hot in the bar. One bartender ignored me to keep talking hockey with some fellow Canadians, the other mostly ignored me to hit on the servers. Tried to take my drink outside to enjoy the beautiful weather, but was told I had to order food if I wanted to sit outside (apparently that's the law, so I'm not holding it against the establishment. Stupid law though.). The inside of the bar looked like it might be very nice. But even though it was broad daylight outside, the inside of the bar was so dark and gloomy that I couldn't really see whether it was a nice place, and I felt like some sort of alcoholic vampire, avoiding the sun. There are several other bars less than a block away; in the future I would try one of them instead.
(2)
Julie B.
Want to go to the Brahmin on a Saturday night? Get there early. After reading reviews my friends and I arrived at 9:05 on the dot. There was already a small line formed, and by 9:10 it was down the street. Getting to a bar "early" usually means by 10:30. Not here folks! There was a private party downstairs so I'm guessing the line started a bit earlier than normal, but better safe than sorry. Lounges aren't typically my thang but I really liked Brahmin. Here's why: - No cover - Good drinks! Bartender makes a mean dark n' stormy in a cute mason jar glass. - Great music - oldies, top 40, remixes, Whitney Houston tribute - Places to sit, places to stand, places to dance - $3 Coat check with a NICE attendant - clean, fancy bathrooms - ATM in the bar All good things! Also, the place is kinda fancy but there's a huge range in dress. I had on flats and a casual black dress. Girls were in jeans/dresses, some guys were wearing suits and some were wearing hoodies. Wear what you'd like!
(4)
Alicia W.
Updating my review as I've been back to the Brahmin since my last post and have had an equally-bad or worse experience compared to the multiple occasions I reference in my last review. I'd also like to state that I've updated my settings just for you, Ed. So please feel free to provide additional mostly defensive and unhelpful comments and throw in a few empty threats as you've done to other posters as you see fit. I maintain my original sentiments, but will refuse any further invitations to this establishment.
(1)
Adam H.
A huge line to get inside and find the place not full at all. Very mixed crowd with a strange vibe. Basement bar is kind of creepy. Coat check ran out of hangers?? Random furniture all over the place. The bartenders were as lost as the DJ in this place.
(2)
TinoX T.
Good place to dance and to have couple of drinks but I don't understand why they don't have a minimum dress code level, I saw few people they have flip-flops on and some guys they have Shorts and sandal !!!!! I was confused if we was on the Beach or in Night life Gizmo. ps: i put three Stars only because yelp didn't let me put this review less then 3 stars,if it come to me i put ONE STARRRR
(3)
Ryan S.
Was here a few months back in the winter months. Food was good. Shrimp apps were my favorite. Good music and god place to chill with friends. Not too loud just laid back.
(4)
Shirley L.
I have never experienced such horrible management and service in all my years of dining out. I don't even know where to begin...The waitress was a complete bxtch and was completely rude. She did not introduce herself as our waitress, I had to find her name through the bill. She kept coming over and asking for us to order drinks and rushing us even though not all of our party had been seated. We finally order the food. The prices are outrageous for such small proportions. Don't order the Mac n Cheese because it was horrible. My friend ordered a dish and it wasn't even served! By the time the waitress (Bevin) came around, I told her the dish didn't arrive. She snapped, "Well the order was put in, it must've gone to the wrong table" Ok....well how is that our problem? So then she so "smartly" asks if he would still like the dish, even though everyone was done with their meals...yes Bevin...he'd like to start eating now...Too bad you already included the tip as a part of our bill because honestly if we could, we wouldn't tip you at all. The busboy comes around to collect our dishes so he takes out a big bin and slams it onto the end of our table where we're seated. WE had to pass him the plates for him to throw his bin roughly. Shall we wash them too? The bill comes around and there was a problem with it and we talked to our waitress about it. She said she can't do anything about it, so we asked for the manager. Manager: A person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of a company or similar organization. Not only did he not "control" the situation, he was just as rude as the waitress. He didn't accomodate and the only thing he did was yell. Yes sir, because yelling at your PAYING customers will solve the problem. I'd really love to meet whoever trained you to work in the customer service field. I have no idea why there are people waiting in line to get in for their drinks and dancing. If you need a club, go somewhere else in Boston because there are plenty out there better. The martini's are watered down, and other drinks are mediocre. Overall not a good place for drinks, food, or customer service. Would not recommend this place AT ALL! SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TIME! GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!
(1)
Mary B.
The perfect place for BU biddies and douchey frat guys. It's always crowded and there's always a line, but there's no cover which is nice and the music is pretty decent. But the bartenders are rude and insist on a 2 drink minimum so expect to spend a lot even without cover.
(2)
Ellen H.
Anywhere that has outdoor seating at least qualifies for a 3-star review in my book. So we'll start there. +1 star for being able to complete reservations online from the Brahmin website. +1 star for being seated immediately even though we were 30 mins early for our reservation. -1 star for the table being ridiculously rickety. As in, every time my date or I lifted our arm to take a bite, the whole table shifted several inches in the other direction. -1 star for $12 lowball mojitos. Good, but not $12 good. -1 star for a teensie tiny caesar salad. I know it's tapas, but the salads aren't part of the "small plates" and weren't priced as such. -1 star for the mediocre meatballs -- at $3 per, I expected them to at least excite me in some way. +1 star for the best gnocchi's I have EVER had. In my life. Holy moses. +1 star for service with a smile, attentive, great attitude, never rushing us out. The take home message: go for outdoor seating, limit your drinks, and get a whole serving of the gnocchis!
(3)
Sooks M.
Got here at 10pm on a saturday. Waited in line for AN HOUR AND A HALF. I figured that this place must be god sent if the line wraps around the block. NO. When I finally got inside (only because everyone in line in front of me had left), I rushed to the bar for a shot and drinks..The bartender said she was out of shot glasses and drink cups, she did not say to wait for more cups, she said if we didn't want a beer we would have to go to the other bar across the room...mind you the place was filled to capacity. The upstairs 'DJ' played top 40 and the downstairs 'DJ' played hiphop, the flow of the music was terrible, choppy and inconsistent. If you're looking to wait in line for hours and be crowded like a sweaty sardine this is the place is for you!
Came here for dinner last night for the first time. My friends frequent the bar/club scene but also said they had great food. We had no problem getting a last minute reservation on their website and were able to sit outside. It was a gorgeous night HOWEVER the management has failed to take steps to prohibit smoking outside of the dining area. I would take a star away for this but I KNOW management will take steps to fix this. Thankfully there were only a few people smoking cancer sticks throughout our meal. Now for the good: Service was excellent. Our waitress was in training and accompanied by her trainer. Both were very friendly and made excellent recommendations regarding items and quantity, (small plates menu). It was refreshing to have friendly staff at a place like this as restaurants with a bar/club scene in my experience usually have terrible service. The drinks were really good. It looks like any wine sold by the bottle is also available by the glass. Glass prices are on the high side but the wine my wife ordered was good. Beer selection is meh. Ordered a Maker's Manhattan and it was excellent! The food is great. Not one thing on the menu we did not enjoy. The best item was easily the half order of gnocchi. Large portion for just a half order, full of flavor, perfectly cooked. Shrimp tacos were a bit hard to eat with the fried puff shell but we're still good. Order comes with two. Garlic shrimp was awesome. Highly recommend ordering the goat cheese aranchini. they are addicting! Order comes with four. Arugula and goat cheese salad was nice and fresh wi just the right amount of dressing. If you don't get your drink on during dinner this o,ace is pretty affordable and the quality is great. Looking forward to a return visit....with no butt smokers within range of dining of course.
(4)
Matt S.
I'm not a big "packed bar/DJ/club" kind of person but if you're into that it has a pretty good late night scene. This claim is bolstered by the rather large line we encountered when we arrived around 10. I have no idea what the food is like, I only know what the late night scenario is like. It was packed, had two floors with separate DJ's who played pretty good music. They had staff walking around making sure things were flowing properly so that was nice. Despite being absolutely packed it actually wasn't that hard to get a drink, so overall it was a pretty decent experience. Just a note, if you aren't planning on opening a tab know there is a $20 minimum in order to put a drink in and close your tab.
(4)
Kristen D.
Wish I could give ZERO stars! The short review: RUDE & PRETENTIOUS-DON'T BOTHER! The long review-Arrived at 7, for a 730 reservation for my friend's 30th birthday. My bf and I walked in and explained to the hostess we were here for a party and gave her the name, while she was looking for the reservation, another hostess (dark haired) walked up and barked at us, "WE'RE FULL!" Atthat moment the other hostess found the party reservation and told us where we would be set up. I was so disgusted by the hostesses attititude that I wouldve walked out, if it wasn't my friends birthday! We had a waitress for our table, and while she wasn't a rude B, she was never around, making it nearly impossible to get drunk (combined with the WEAK drinks). Funny, about an hr later, the rude hostess, came up to mty bf and I and apologized for her behavior to us. While I appreciated the gesture, the damage was already done and I was pissed off. Now, I get it, I've worked in the service industry (it sucks and you hate your job!), everyone is entitled to a "bad night," but when an overwhelming amount of reviews comment on the rude, bitchy staff, you'd think ownership/mgmt would do a serious re haul or have a serious talk with PMS'ing, bitchy staff. Obviously, they don't care, as there is somehow always a line here on the wknds. I just don't get the allure of this place, and I for 1 (as well as my friends), will never give this place our business again. Will make sure my fellow yelp elites are aware as well! Also-on a disgusting note-practically all off the toilets in the women's room were over flowing-so nasty!
(1)
Deanna D.
Nice ambiance, friendly staff, and good cocktail list but the food is mediocre at best. We sat at the bar and the service was fast & friendly. The food run down: Truffled mac & cheese- too dry and not cheesy enough Tuna 2 ways- nice presentation and good flavor Beef short ribs- tender but not much flavor Basil gnocchi- delicious dish Prosciutto & arugula flatbread- the lemon pickled onions overpowered the entire dish and made it painful to eat I liked the speakeasy style ambiance so I may come back for drinks but would skip the food. 2 stars for the food; 3 stars for the ambiance & service.
(3)
Katie A.
Honestly horrible experience last night. Went out for some birthday drinks with some friends. Place was packed and bar area was busy. We were standing by the bar and a cocktail waitress said right behind you guys. She then proceeded to lose her balance and drop and pour the drinks all over myself and the people right next to me. She then said that's what you get when i say right behind. I thought this was incredibly rude and asked to speak to the manager. When i talked to him he did not apologize once and said this happened with one of MY waitresses?! I said yes and he gave me an odd look and walked away. Incredibly rude and poor customer service. Because of that alone i will not go back.
(1)
Craig S.
Went in after rave reviews from my Sis - as we both just moved into the area I am always looking for a cool new spot. Def found one in this place. We walked in to a packed scene as the upstairs was having an office Holiday party -hostess said we could maybe find an open bar table downstairs. W e braved the awesomely crooked stairway and found a spot in the somewhat underutilized bar space. Turns out we were in a reserved table but because of the mix up they would rush our order and try to make it work. Good call - considering it was only 730 and the table was booked for 830. We got all apps - Aranchini Balls were ok little dry and needed sauce - Tuna Two ways was amazing both ways - Chix Skewers on point and cilantro lime sauce was so good I put it on my balls. Standout was the Basil Gnocchies absolutely perfect. AS we finished the other party arrived - good timing. Decor was cool but not really set up to its full potential just yet but it was hilarious watching the drunken ladies from the party try to navigate the visual trip of the crooked stairs drinks in hand sloshing everywhere - be careful if you are imbibing. I will be back for sure.
(4)
Cathy M.
First all the place smelt horrible when we first walked in. My friend and I went there last night it was so overpacked we were getting shoved around. After waiting in line for over 20 min ( before 11) we get in and couldn't even get to the bar. They need to update their "good for dancing" to no or just stop overpacking the place so u can move around.
(1)
Doug J.
(score 1-100) - 66. I live around the corner so I walk by the Brahim almost daily. It is a decent outdoor food place in the summer. The food is pretty good with some unique dishes. I had the Meatball dish and remember being told by the manager that the sauce was a secret family recipe. We were treated really well my the management but our waitress on multiple occasions seemed to be either preoccupied or slightly snotty. I never try to be to harsh because it is such a difficult job and they deal with snotty people of the back bay. It was really the only reason I haven't given this place another star. The club part of the Brahmin is extremely popular and always has lines on weekend nights. This past weekend the line took 30 minutes to get in and was 40 people long at midnight. The club has two floors with bars on both floors. You will find that this is a bit of a "hook-up" or end of the night "let's go home together" place but tame in comparison to other clubs.
(3)
Hk M.
I went to Brahmin on a Saturday- if you're not there before 10 ish you will wait about an hour in line to get in which is fine but I really didn't understand the hype once we were already inside. The music was trashy mainstream and the setup is not great if you are in a group (there were 4 of us). Downstairs is much more fun and the music is much better. I had an okay time overall and we decided to go somewhere else after about an hour and my friend tried to close out her tab. She had 2 shots and 2 mixed drinks additionally charged to her card which was bizarre since we all got one drink upstairs before going to the downstairs part so there was no way they could have confused it. She has yet to hear from the manager who promised to resolve the issue and will be following up again. Also they get away with charging you for water which is bull shit since they only provide bottled water when asked... I also didn't mind the experience that much and would probably go back but am pretty disgusted reading the extremely lengthy, defensive comments the manager has on every single person's post.
(2)
S K.
I'm only giving this 3 stars because of the long lines and wait. I've manage to come here once and we waited outside in the freezing cold for almost an hour. Once we actually got in though, we had a good time. The ambience is very nice, it's mainly young professionals in their twenties, and what I really love is the music selection. We wanted to go back another Saturday night and got there at 10:30...the line was down the street and we just didn't have the courage to wait so long again. Again, we attempted to go back another night and figured if we got their early enough their wouldn't be a line. We arrived at 9:45 and there was still a line!! And not just a short one.... I understand that because of the law, once capacity is hit they can not allow people to go in...but at 9:45?? How does that even happen?! I understand most places have lines starting around 11, but there is no excuse for their to be one so early. We just ended up going to another bar that night, didn't wait at all, and had a great time. Something really needs to be done about these long lines because I feel like they are losing customers...
(3)
Travis B.
By far one of the worst clubs in Boston. Never before have I felt so disrespected as I felt from the staff at the brahmin. Ridiculously long line to get in, over priced cover, and bouncers that think, for some reason, that you should feel lucky to have waited in line and paid money to get into this "exclusive" club where you can pay about $10 for a well drink. However, don't let me scare you away, because if you are a typical guido that likes to spend 50% of your day working out and the other 50% hitting on 18 year olds, then this place may be perfect for you.
(1)
Brooke L.
I went here again and experienced the same great service inside (I even got apologized to by a very polite barback as he tried to get a bartender to take my order). But BUMMER... I got there at 9:40 PM on a Saturday and STILL waited an hour and a half in line in a freezing wind tunnel. I don't really think it's possible to make up for that, no matter how great the venue is.
(3)
Lindsay R.
I recommend making a reservation for dinner so you get in early and get a table because if you wait until later to show up - you're gonna end up standing in line outside. We got there around 830 and it was pretty empty but filled up within an hour or so. The food is small plates to share so pretty good bar food and appetizers. The martini I tried was delicious and our waitress was pretty attentive. When the place filled up and we wanted to go dancing downstairs, she continued to take our drink orders, which was great. There's two floors for dancing so when we got sick of the music downstairs, we moved back upstairs. Overall great for a girls night out - you can get dinner, drinks and dancing all in once place.
(4)
Carol C.
Can't really figure this place out... Restaurant? Bar? Club? I came for a somewhat nice dinner (which was really good), but slowly the lights turned off, and drunk people started strolling in and dancing around our table. I would suggest the tacos, green beans, and fries, but come early enough to leave before the the place transforms.
(3)
Susan C.
This is a speakeasy inspired establishment located in the former Restaurant 33. I must say that I love the dark and Prohibition days inspired interior decor. The stairs leading down to the lower level, however, are a little trippy, literally and figuratively. The slanted style makes one feel disoriented walking up and down and I could easily see someone falling down or up the stairs after a drink or two. As with other reviewers, the service is a little slow and inconsistent, but cordial overall. It wasn't very busy when I went for dinner, yet they still managed to forget a plate I ordered. Also, the drinks are inconsistent, I ordered the same drink twice and the first one tasted much better than the second. I don't know if it was because the bartenders switched or what, but the difference in taste was very noticeable. The food was okay, not spectacular, but not bad either. I'd recommend the bacon with scallops, the short rib, the tuna tartare, and the steak and potatoes flatbread. The scallops were a little sweet at first taste, but left a magnificent aftertaste in my mouth. My friend said she didn't even want to take a sip of her drink afterward because the lingering flavor was delightful. The tuna tartare 2 ways was an unexpected surprise. Who knew tuna and watermelon were such a great match? The steak and potatoes flatbread was just savory and delicious. And by the time I got to the short rib I was just too stuffed to really enjoy it, but it was good. The truffle mac and cheese is bleh, not bad but not great. It was a bit bland (needed more salt or seasoning) and lacked truffle flavor. Overall, an enjoyable experience, particularly since the price ended up being cut in half due to the Buywithme I had.
(3)
Sean H.
the good and the bad.... The good. Nice space. The bad. We were ignored at the host desk for the first five minutes. Really, really loud space. Couldn't hear each other talk I ordered the beef tenderloin and it was flavorless. Overcooked and dry. The mac and cheese side dish was a waste of calories. Don't waste your time. My synopsis, go for drinks not dinner.
(2)
Erica P.
Decent music even though the DJ doesn't know how to mix a beat or transition between songs!
(3)
Jackie S.
Brahmin is a cool spot. If I come here on weekends the line is usually super long and the door guys aren't exactly the most friendly, but this time I came for dinner and was very happy with the outcome. Also, I do like coming here on the weekends there are good looking people, fun music, etc. I liked the background music a lot. It set a cool vibe. Then a live singer came on and she was really talented but they had the sound up too high as I still wanted to casually chat with my girlfriend. We ordered 4 different "small plates" including: Beef Short Rib Grilled Cheese: Holy delicious.. Asparagus fries: awesome crisp. I like fried anything but this was great. The mozzarella plate was decent and the spicy shrimp was good too. They might want to switch up the wine glasses because it seemed like they skimped on my Malbec. They were stemless so it could have been my eyes were deceiving me, but in any case they took it back and gave me an extra 'splash' which was nice. Our waitress was was a sweetheart and overall we had a nice time. I would defintiely come back here. I love the decor and atmosphere.
(4)
Anthony A.
Went to Brahmin for the first time on Saturday night with a friend for dinner. We got their for a 9pm reservation- the place was pretty empty, although the outdoor dining was prettyt full. There is a dress code, as the bouncer told me while walking in they dont typically allow sneakers, but because I was early it was okay... whatever. Anyway, I really liked the place. It was fairly large with an upstairs and down, nice interior decor, music contributed nicely to the atmosphere (although DJ was kind of lame), food was pretty good- better than I expected. Its tapas style, so you get 2-3 things per person to share. Back room turns in to a dance room... my friend and I stuck to our high table and had some moscow mules... very good.
(4)
Angela M.
What f'n dbags!!!! Complete bullshit -three of us waited in line for our friends party, which was paid for downstairs. They said to wait and they were filled at this time, but would let us in soon. Again bullshit, since they let 20 people in after that was stated. Four of the people we watch get let into the bar were invited because the bouncer knew his mother-- throw up!! Stupid asses!! Let me know her name so i can get in !!! Jerk off. S o mad we couldn't celebrate with our friends because the bouncers have friends in low places. F that!!! I will never come here again, let alone have a another party at this shitty bar. Thanks for your help you dbag!!! Or dbags!!! F this joint!
(1)
Christopher T.
My girlfriend and I stumbled on the brahmin because red lantern was too crowded. we had never heard of this bar but really happy we found it. went on a friday night, there was a dj spinning good tracks and the ambiance is great, very comfortable. music was loud enough but not too loud where it was difficult to carry a conversation. we both enjoyed our cocktails and tried the salad, meatballs & mac n cheese - all were pleasantly tasty an well portioned for the attractive prices. Thanks Brahmin, looking forward to seeing you soon.
(5)
Shawn D.
Excited to try a new place with friends, we went here for the Tuesday night "Rat Pack" night. Upon walking in, there were four girls standing at the front desk...a couple of them dressed in extremely short skirts and fish net stockings...really? We gave them two reservation names and asked for the two tables to be seated next to each other. The immediate response was rude... "oh you must have the living social voucher, we can just seat you at one table" I was trying to follow the rules of one voucher per table but one table for four is fine with us, as two of our friends couldn't make it anyway. As the girl was grabbing the menus, another girl whispers to her "make sure they only use one voucher" umm... I 'm standing in front of you and can hear everything you're saying...that's extremely rude. Next, we are brought over to a table near the stage and she claims the table was actually taken. We are then escorted to a back room, with no view of the stage and could barely hear the music. By this point, I wanted to get up and walk out the door but I tried to remain calm. We ordered drinks and several small plates of food. The food was great, we all enjoyed it...except for the amount of food you get, and it's definitely overpriced. Two tiny tacos for $8 or four small meatballs for $9.50...or better yet $16 for a plain burger with only lettuce & tomato. When the waitress came with the bill, she proceeded to tell us "only one voucher per table" I explained everything discussed at the front desk upon arriving, and she went to speak with her manager. They ended up taking both vouchers off the bill, which was the right thing to do. Had they put us at two tables next to each other, as asked..this would have never been an issue. Overall, I would not return. The advertised "Rat Pack" night is nothing like they make it seem on their website, some of the staff were rude and the menu is overpriced. Clearly they are lacking in business and need Living Social to help them draw in more people. There are MUCH better restaurants in the city, with better food, friendlier staff and more reasonable prices.
(2)
Brittany G.
Such a great atmosphere for drinks and some small plates after work with coworkers or friends! Plus they have an outdoor patio!
(5)
Lisa S.
If you like good drinks, then Brahmin is your place to go! The drinks are delicious! I had the pomegranate with vodka and then sweet tea vodka drinks and both were soooo good. My friend had the basil gin drink - he was eating the basil, which to me is the sign of a well made drink - or a hungry friend... Not sure which but I'm going with well made drink. we had also the potato coins and the charcuterie plate. Turns out my friend doesn't like charcuterie - lesson learned! It's too much meat for one person so always check to see if your dining companion will share it with you. The potato coins are also delicious - great variation on standard fries!
(5)
Kaitlin H.
This place has poor service. I went for a school-sponsored event on a Thursday night, and they were unprofessional, unprepared, and severely under-staffed, in my opinion. The bartenders yelled at the customers; they had no discernible pattern for serving those people waiting for drinks at the bar; and they were even yelling at each other (particularly the dish-washer, who appeared to be new). It took an hour and fifteen minutes for me to be served ONE drink (even after waving my card to request service a couple of times before). Not at all recommended based on their general treatment of customers and poor, untimely service. Good for dancing, but not for social drinking. REPLY to the comment below: my online receipt for an Uber ride to The Brahmin shows that I arrived around 10:30pm. My print receipt for the drinks I purchased at The Brahmin shows that I paid for them (after receiving them) around 11:45pm. That's hard evidence to dispute by calling me a liar. Ad hominem attacks are fallacious arguments that do nothing to further a position and are unwarranted incivilities. Also, I would like to point out that you have left equally libelous comments on every bad Yelp review for The Brahmin. I understand your frustrations with the number reportedly going to be in attendance. I have no involvement with the organization of this event, however, so I speak purely from the perspective of another customer looking to have a good time--a perspective that cannot have any relation to the non-law students you mention, either. Further, I admit to knowing nothing about managing a bar, so I respectfully trust your judgments in that matter. I would love to give The Brahmin another chance, and I think most customers who have had only one bad experince here would. However, if you continue to leave such inappropriately hostile comments, your anti-bad review strategy will achieve just the opposite.
(1)
Mallory C.
I can't really rate this on much since we were there for a fundraising event, so it was reorganized accordingly. The format was a little strange, and it felt crowded really quick, with minimal places to sit. The food was difficult to access as it was up a step, making it impossible for people with mobility issues to get any independently. I also am not sure of the accessible bathroom situation since the one I was instructed to use was downstairs, but toward the end of the night we were assured there was one. Drinks and food were good, and I'd go back to have a regular meal experience here for another chance.
(3)
Matthew F.
If you like terrible service, water downed drinks and fraternity basements this is the place for you. Over 45 minutes to get a drink, check. Bourbon with three times as much ice as liquor, check. Shoes sticking to the floor, check. Given the location and general proximity to good bars, I expected a far better experience. Not sure why anyone would willingly return to this dive bar that attempts to present itself as "upscale".
(1)
Korey G.
One of the best places in Boston, hands down. The craft cocktails are prepared perfectly, great food and awesome service. I never wait for a drink due to the fact they have 4 bar areas and a ton of servers running around the place looking to take orders. The weekdays are fun, they have rat pat Tuesdays and throwback Thursdays which my friends and I love. The weekends consists of two DJs, two floors, dance floors and a hugh hard working staff. This place is so great, I don't Go anywhere else!
(5)
Abby R.
Ok, this place is awesome. I went for Tuesday night Rat Pack music, because I love Frank Sinatra-y tunes and live music and because no other reasons were needed. The food menu is kind of like tapas in the sense that for the most part, they're all small plates good to share with 2-3 people. Between the 2 of us we devoured: -Tater Tots with truffle ketchup and garlic aioli dipping sauces -Parmesan Asparagus fries -Filet Mignon Bruschetta -Crispy Fried Brie -Chocolate Fudge Cake Don't worry, the asparagus fries TOTALLY count as a vegetable. If you love truffle oil as a flavoring this place has got you covered. I expected a slight truffley tinge to the ketchup but when I dipped a tot in there it was like TRUFFLE!... ketchup. I found it a bit too much. They also have truffle mac n' cheese which I'm glad I didn't get after the super truffelized ketchup. The asparagus fries were my favorite thing. Coated in a crunchy but not greasy coating, they were crunchy and tender at the same time and just everything I wanted in an asparagus fry but didn't know how to say. Garlic aioli came with this as a dipping sauce as well, which I passed on because of the aforementioned truffle ketchup and garlic aioli with the tots. The Crispy Fried Brie came with a strawberry dipping sauce and I really disliked the sauce. I dipped into it once and hated it, then I wanted to like it so I tried again and hated it again. It was still nice to have nice crispy bites of coated fried brie, but I would have liked a different dipping sauce option. The Filet Mignon Bruschetta was delish, but there are only 2 pieces of bread with steak already loaded up on there, so this is definitely a plate for 2. Regardless I thought the price at $10 was actually good for the amount of filet you get and for how filling it is. Would definitely get this again, and I loved the avocado salsa they put on it. Not much to say about the chocolate cake. It was dense and cold and heavily frosted. Would not order again, but it wasn't bad. The atmosphere is great. Very clean, awesome 20's inspired art, the band was playing at just the right volume so you could still hold easy conversation and enjoy the tunes. Service was also uncommonly friendly. Great place for a date night or a birthday party. Will be back for sure.
(5)
Matt D.
Food is great. On the weekend it can be tough to transition a busy restaurant into a bar/dancing venue. This place is conscientious of not disrupting patrons and does a great job. Fun early vibe that extends late night. The bartenders downstairs on the weekends are devastatingly handsome and provide amazing customer service. I highly recommend getting dinner during the week and coming early for food on the weekends...then dancing off the delicious tapas style dinner. Taking advantage of the loyalty program there is a no brainer!
(5)
Stephanie K.
Just your typical Boston neighborhood bar/lounge. It 's next door to Red Lantern which is a highlight and they had music on a Thursday night. We were the only ones there but it was a Thursday so it was expected. Music selection was ok, took a lot of our requests. Didn't have any food but the drinks were fine. I've heard it's a fun place on the weekends for dancing so give it a shot if you're in the neighborhood but don't go out of your way.
(3)
Rachel N.
To put this review in perspective, as we were standing in line to check our coats, watching the billionth girl teeter by in 6in heels and barely-booty-covering skirts, I had to turn to Em, who was looking ravishing in a button up and jeans, and ask: "wait. is this what girls wear now?" - and to my first frat party in college, I wore a cashmere sweater set - no regrets - but I think that gives a sense of abt how knowledgeable I am abt anything involving "nst nst nst" type music and general youth culture. However, I do love my friends, and so in honor of a birthday I made an appearance at Brahmin. I've walked by the place enough to know that if you get here past 10p, you'll wait in a hella long line - and thus, I was pleasantly surprised when we rolled up at 10:30p and there were only 15p ahead of us - that said, by the time some of our friends came around 11:30p, they had been in line for 30m in 20F weather - yes, it's crowded inside, but it's definitely the type of place that keeps a line out front to maintain the image of exclusive allure. Once the bouncers deign to let you in, be prepared to have your ear drums blown out immediately with delightfully remixed Top 40s - if you have zero taste in music, which I proudly do - you will find that the music is excellent to bop around to - and most importantly, a GREAT remix of Sisqo's Thong Song exists and should be played in every club. By the time we left at a bit after midnight, the place was packed - and although the place is fairly dim, from what my old eyes gathered, the crowd was actually more diverse than I thought it would be - nevertheless, we are in Boston, so it is weighted towards lanky, clean-cut men in untucked plaid and/or oxfords and girls in minimal clothing, heavy make up, and faux Louboutins - I got the feeling that most of the people were in their mid 20s - and I probably wouldn't go intending to meet one's soulmate - BUT, it could be a fun way to grab someone for a quick, sloshy M.O.O.T.D.F if the spirit moves you to do so. Moral: get there early, be prepared to get pushed as bros and their hos make their rounds, and don't check a coat if you value your sanity. Oh, and no cover and drinks are fairly cheap (under $10), so snark aside, it's not a bad place to spend the evening getting down.
(3)
David W.
I had the Short Rib Grilled Cheese and Buffalo Chicken Rangoon...and both were fabulous! I totally recommend. It was a Monday evening and wasn't very crowded. And we had great service.
(5)
Joe S.
Theme of the restaurant and decor was nice and contemporary , food was good, prices for drinks and food were to much. Ordered a jack and coke twice and should have just ordered a regular coke(watered down drinks). They let about 100 more people in than they should have, it was bumper to bumper traffic in there. Waitstaff was trying but it took 25 min for a drink just unacceptable, for the price and overcrowded sweat lounge id probably never go back.
(2)
Andrew S.
No complaints about this place. The decor is great, the ceiling always amazes me. And watch out walking down the stairs. The walls are uneven so when you are sober you feel drunk and when you are drunk you don't even notice it! They have small bites on their menu, I got a whole bunch with some friends once and they were great. The fried mozarella was probably the best. mac and cheese was a huge portion. Some of them are a little small, but all were very tasty. They also have a great beer selection and good drinks. On weekend nights though there can be a wait to get in. It can be hard to walk around night when it is crowded, but they clear away some tables, have a dj, and it turns into a dance floor. Lots of fun.
(5)
Cris E.
The Brahmin gets packed quickly! To avoid the crazy long line that travels down the street, get there by 9 pm. Drinks are stiff, food is great and Love the variety old school music..Dress up! I knocked off a star for some of the bitchy servers shoving their way around and some sarcastic remarks. However, our two bartenders were great! One was very personable, the other just gets down to business. Goodbye 33, hello Brahmin.
(4)
Eric F.
Though my first visit entailed finding out upon arrival that the entire place was booked for the night and subsequently having just one drink, the wait to review The Brahmin until I tried the food was well worth it! What I hadn't seen initially was the rather swanky layout of the dining area adorned with black tablecloths and dark red seats and curtains...nice. Our server greeted me and my bro promptly and before we knew it, our food was laid out in front of us for imminent nommage: Tater Tots - so crispy and hot, the garlic aioli and grainy mustard that came with them matched nicely and provided much added kick. Beef Short Ribs - tender and unexpectedly reminiscent of my mom's cooking, a great dish accompanied by super creamy cauliflower and parsnip polenta. Meatballs - pretty mediocre all-around, but very generously portioned for a mere $6. Beef Tartare - on the bland side, not nearly worth the cost. Truffled Mac and Cheese - a bit on the runny side, but solid after it cooled down. Banana Chocolate Bread Pudding - quite tasty and worked well with the butterscotch sauce. Molten Chocolate Cake - not too shabby. The food was quite tasty on the whole and though nothing blew us away by any means, the pricing was fantastic and we literally struggled (in a good way haha) to hit the $50 mark for our BuyWithMe coupon. When you factor in the modern, upscale atmosphere and quality service as well, I can confidently say that The Brahmin is a great spot for a date or a night out with friends. Having a DJ spinning good tunes from the past couple of decades didn't hurt either ;)
(4)
Mike S.
Only been several times for drinks so no comment on food and haven't paid cover ever this place takes things seriously from mood lighting, to a live DJ, and attentive bar service. There are no tv's and (gasp!) you are expected to have conversation with a proper cocktail. Lots of short skirts & high heels not that there is anything wrong with that. I'd say get there b4 the cover and enjoy.
(4)
Bo W.
Excellent venue overall, for both food and dancing with friends. I've been here several times, mostly after the conversion from restaurant to lounge/club. I had a birthday party here recently and kept changing my mind from reserving a table or making dinner reservations and the event planners were very patient and extremely helpful. When we arrived for dinner our table was ready and we had a very attentive waitress as well. The food was excellent, and this is coming from someone who is very skeptical of places that only do small plates. We had 6 guys and my girlfriend for the dinner part of the night and we all got full on about 9 of the small plates. The drinks were good too and the tab was not even remotely close to expensive (much more reasonable than I had anticipated). The lamb lollipops, truffle tots, and shrimp tacos were among some of my personal favorites. Their Russian mules are made well and made strong. I will definitely encourage all of my friends to do their parties here when if we're doing something in Boston. Even my friends who got here later didn't have to wait in the super long line because the managers were very accommodating and understanding. Thanks Brahmin!
(5)
Steven P.
I feel like I have to chime in on some of these reviews...I moved to Boston a couple years ago for school and I've been going to Brahmin ever since. Me and my friends love this place and they run a tight ship. We were all eating dinner there last night and the service, food, music, and atmosphere was great (as usual)!! A couple of my friends met us later in the night and when they came in they were telling us a story about some pain in the ass kids outside yelling at the bouncers because they weren't letting them in with sneakers....What don't you people get??? There is a dress code!!! That's it!! Why do you feel the need to PUSH and PUSH, don't wear sneakers like they require and you'll get in and have a great time....I was reading some of the Yelp reviews and they are the same thing over and over about sneakers. Brahmin keep doing what you are doing! It works....Weed out the #$%holes that don't know how to accept the fact that there is a "dress code"
(4)
Stanley S.
The bouncers at this place are ridiculous. I showed up with a group of friends, some ladies among them, and was asked for two forms of ID, which rarely happens in Boston. That was not an issue for me because I had them on hand, but unfortunately I was escorted rather forcefully out of this place when a bouncer saw my (attractive female) friend drop her glass (of a mixed drink) on the floor, He accused me of having no manners and throwing a glass intentionally on the floor, and very enthusiastically thrust me out of the front doors into the rain, telling me to "get the (expletive) out of here and not come back to his bar. Very negative review, for while I had only tried to clean up after my slightly sloppy friend, I was most rudely treated under the assumption of an offense. I recommend going somewhere else and paying less than 6 bucks for a bud heavy.
(1)
Danielle M.
I was actually having a really great time at Brahmin. It had been on my list of places to go in Boston and we went there to celebrate my early graduation. However, when my friends and I were dancing, the manager came up to my group of friends and had us follow her to the exit door. She opened the door and very rudely told us to get out. We were all very confused and thrown off by how we were being treated and asked why. She accused us of drinking alcohol nips at the bar. This was NOT TRUE and we asked to speak to someone else/ maybe the person that claimed to see us doing this. She continued to tell us to leave. I have never felt so mistreated and put down by a restaurant/ bar in my entire life.Eventually we were able to speak to someone and were allowed to stay because we definitely weren't the nip drinkers! Although it was a fun place, I will never go there again and will not recommend going there to anyone else. I understand that they need to be careful with people bringing drinks into the bar, but you just don't treat other people that way- especially your customers!
i came to the brahmin last night to catch up with 2 of my best friends, and it was a great spot for drinks and small plates and it has outdoor seating available. to start, we split the portobello flatbread which was pretty good. i liked the big pieces of mushrooms and that it was light on the cheese and sauce. we also got the fried asparagus, which hit the spot and was a great alternative to french fries. the real standout for me were the drinks, including the selection. at $10, they are a little less pricey than other places in the area. the cucumber and vanilla cosmo was interesting and refreshing, the blue cheese olive martini was perfectly salty and strong, while the older sister was a sweet, strong, pomegranate martini. i also really liked our waitress. she was really friendly and helped make great recommendations.
(4)
Melissa F.
I came to the Brahmin a long time ago when it was still 33 lounge. I loved the feel of the place and was sad to see it go. I finally got to go back and experience Brahmin for myself and I was very impressed. I don't know why I was expecting a stuffy place with bad food. This place was the polar opposite. It is gorgeous inside, with dim lighting and curtains. Kind of makes you feel like you're in an exclusive lounge. We were a party of 5 so we decided to get dinner and drinks. Some of the standouts from our meal include the gnocchi, filet mignon brushetta and the fried brie (fried brie!!!) Don't let the "small plates" designation fool you. Most of these were pretty well sized. The flatbread and mac n'cheese are fullsized, and the fried brie comes with 8 pieces. We were all starving so we ended up ordering 10 dishes and had way too much food left over. Their sangria is great as well. We ordered 2 pitchers of the white sangria and finished them both. I almost forgot dessert! We got the chocolate cake and it was literally gone in about a minute. Comes freshly baked with ice cream. For Boston I think this place is very well priced. For 10 plates plus 2 pitchers of sangria I think we each paid $40 including tax and tip. I was expecting the damage to be significantly more. Like other people have noted make sure you get here early! There was a line outside already when we were leaving.
(4)
Kelsey R.
You can always count on Brahmin for a fun night out - whether it be for a Saturday night birthday celebration, or a low-key night of after-work drinks. On the weekend, the dance floor is always a blast and the DJ's do not disappoint. During the week, it is a great spot to have a few cocktails and share small plates with friends or coworkers. Everything on the menu is delicious and the bartenders, waitstaff, and management are super accommodating and friendly!
(5)
Justina R.
I feel like everyone has this place figured out. Great bar, horrible service. I recently went there to celebrate a friend's birthday party. I can't speak to the food because we didn't eat, but the drinks were ok. Nothing too special but the bar atmosphere was great. The blonde bartender that served us and many others on our side of the bar had such an attitude. After their interactions with her, people I didn't even know would comment on it to me because I was standing at the bar. On top of that, I had 5 vodka sodas yet was charged for 8. If I'm 5'2" and petite. If I had 8 I would be on the floor. It's my fault for not checking the bill thoroughly before we left, but I didn't think I would have to at a nice establishment in the Back Bay. Needless to say I was upset when I saw the receipt the next morning and I won't be returning anytime soon. I hate to even add this part in but I feel like I have to because looking below, I'm sure one of the managers/owners will comment on this review with something demeaning about how I know nothing about the service industry. Very quickly, I would like to state that I'm also in the service industry, and can't believe the way they're treating people on here. Social Media Marketing 101 tells you to apologize to the guest and move on. It's like they think yelpers are conspiring against them. They keep mentioning having to defend their employees but maybe if some of their employees weren't awful they wouldn't need to constantly defend them. The Brahmin could be an excellent establishment with better service, but it looks like that will never happen because the owners are too blind to see it and blame the guests. Not a recipe for success.
(2)
Liz G.
If you're tired of the juvenile crowds at Faneuil Hall, The Brahmin is an alternative that will make you feel like you're surrounded by grownups. Remember 33 Lounge in the Back Bay? The Brahmin took over that spot, and it's better than it was before. The drinks are good, the music is great, and there's no cover to get in. For those who like dancing, there's a small club downstairs. I much prefer the upstairs area though--it's not as jam-packed and the DJ there plays better tunes. Ladies, a tip before you go: dark wash or not, put the jeans away. The Brahmin provides an excuse to finally slip into that dress that's been sitting in your closet since you bought it last fall.
(4)
Sean T.
Perhaps you should consider hiring more waiters and fewer dim hostesses -- or at least do a better job staffing. Had a 7 PM reservation and were shown to a table (amid a large standing crowd of HH drunks) by one of four girls standing around the hostess stand. Ten minutes later we had not seen any indication of a server. Avoid this place.
(1)
Kayla P.
I've been to The Brahmin a few times now on Thursday and Friday nights. The line is always pretty long cause its pretty poppin in there but the bouncers are always nice which is definitely appreciated. I'd say the crowd is a mix of yuppies and college kids, and lots of people just tryin to bust a move on the dance floor. The music is awesomeee, just straight top 40 and some remixes, which I like to get down to and rap to (yeah, I can rap with the best of them). Doesn't take long to get a drink at the bar, and the bartenders are always nice. Bonus points cause the drinks are pretty cheap. Decor is kinda a spin off on Lolita Cocina and Tequila Bar's which is all the rage right now...think dark reds and blacks and unfinished walls, very vampire-esque. I'll be back so I can show that dance floor whos boss.
(4)
Heath M.
The Brahmin is a winning concept: a great comfortable atmosphere with a nod to the old school Boston culture and wink towards hipness. The menu has something for everyone, ranging from the bistro-styled choices to the old standby comfort foods. Fried pickles? Yum-city. Tater tots? Delish. Mac & Cheese? Yeah, baby. Flatbread pizzas? Not too shabby. Tasty cocktails? Woo hoo. Wait Service? Not so much. For God's sake, get it together people -- you're mucking up a good thing. I hate to be harsh...actually, who am I kidding? I live to be harsh...but anyway, the table service here is pretty bad. The servers tend to find themselves in the weeds the minute it gets busy. Vanishing acts are commonplace -- the other night our food showed up 20 minutes before our drinks did. We'd have complained, but our waitress disappeared. Whitey was easier to find. Fortunately, the hostess tracked her down. On another occasion, a waitress dumped wine all over us. Yes, red wine. It was everywhere ... our phones, my boss's suede boots...not pretty. Mistakes happen, and that's cool. The only thing that pissed us off royally was that no effort was made to right the situation. Not an offer for dry cleaning, not a free app -- nada. So I find myself in a bit of a conundrum. I love the food, love the atmosphere and I think it's a nice after work spot. But the service really could be improved. This could easily have gotten 4 or maybe even 5 stars -- heck, I was tempted to click a 2 but everything else this place has going for it does make up for some of it. Front of the house manager...if you are reading this...don't wait until people stop coming or for Gordon Ramsey or Robert Irvine to come and yell at you on TV, fix it now before it gets any worse. And until you do, I guess I'll just go sit at the bar (the weekday bartenders are actually really great). It's where I'm most comfortable anyway.
(3)
James B.
They fooled me twice. Shame on me. Went back for brunch with a pretty large group, thinking that it'd be a different experience than dinner. It was, in that it was much worse. The service was record-settingly bad from drinks to check (presumably -- I threw money on the table and ran out before the check came). This was only partially the fault of the waitress, who was trying hard but couldn't refrain from telling the customers in excruciating, nobody-gives-a-shit detail exactly why the bartender messed up the drink orders or why the kitchen was issuing two meals every ten minutes for a table of twelve. It is pretty obvious that no one working in this place, not servers nor cooks nor management, has had a damn thing to do with running a restaurant before. That's because this place is a club that figured it would be a restaurant on the side for some extra revenue. Ownership figured, hey, it doesn't matter who we hire, because we're a club, and it's all about the fun, right? Wrong. When I can tell from the dining room that the kitchen can't keep its tickets straight, something went tragically awry with the hiring process along the way. And again, that something was probably the philosophy that they'd hire for a club and run a restaurant on the side. For Christ's sake, they had a DJ blaring house music AT BRUNCH. To be fair, we were a difficult group to serve, with people coming and going, special orders, etc. Those mitigating circumstances have been taken into account in my rating.
(1)
Courtney H.
We went here for a couple drinks and apps last week. The apps were pretty decent but I wasn't that impressed. They look so delicious on the menu but I was a bit disappointed. The fried pickles weren't quite crispy enough but they had good flavor. The filet mignon bruschetta was actually a bit spicier than we expected. I think they put a bit too much pepper on the steak. Wine comes in stemless glasses which I just am not a fan of at restaurants. I love them at my house because they can go on the top rack of the dishwasher, but since I'm a white wine drinker, the wine gets warm pretty fast in stemless glasses. The decor was definitely cool and if I was single I think I'd be hanging out here to pick up some people. It just seemed like that kind of place. I can tell it probably is bumpin' late night. Overall just A-Ok, nothing spectacular but satisfying.
(3)
Michelle L.
OMG... The Brahmin has me believing in love at first sight - not with a person, mind you, but with a bar. I would totally go to Boston JUST to go here - that's how much I love this place! Granted, my opinion is limited to only one experience, but I feel comfortable saying that it's my favorite bar I've been to EVER! My friend and I arrived around 11-11:30 on a Saturday, and there was no line (apparently we missed it) or cover (there might never be one), which was an auspicious beginning, to say the least. Then we soaked in the crowd, which was awash in a gorgeous, whisky-hued glow. Wow. Let me just say, our reactions can be perfectly described by Usher's line, "You make me wanna say OMG." Actually, I'm pretty sure my friend did say those words out loud cos it was a veritable meat market in there that night lol... LOTS of clean-cut, sharp-looking fraduate types (fraternity graduates - I just made that up) - our society's version of a young (enlightened?) aristocracy. In other words, not a lot of diversity, but if that's your style, you'll be like a kid in a candy store. All other aspects of the Brahmin would make Goldilocks pleased, cos they were just right. The venue was crowded but not unbearably so, the crowd liquored up but not too irresponsibly, drinks strong but cheap ($7ish for bottom shelf), top 40 on repeat. Also, there's a coat check downstairs, along with a second, grungier-but-still-clean bar and not-disgusting restrooms. All in all, the place was a class act, especially the main floor, which had the perfect mix of lounging around the bar and dancing in a trendy, young professional atmosphere with a touch of upper-crust, Bostonian, brick-and-mortar charm. I wish they could transplant the Brahmin to my city, as I don't think I can handle the long distance... Here's hoping that my love affair isn't just a one-night stand!
(5)
Sandra A.
I'm going with two stars because I found the manager helpful and friendly and the food was pretty good however the service was so egregious I couldn't possible rate it any higher. I'll also preface by saying I spent ten years in the food service industry so when I'm upset about service then it has to be pretty bad. I consider myself to be relatively understanding in most situations. When we arrived and sat down it took a solid 10-15 minutes before really being acknowledged by a server. When the first server finally did come over she only filled our water glasses without addressing anyone at the party and then walked away. Eventually another server came over and asked for our drink order. Having not been sat with a drink menu we requested one at this time. She came back a few minutes later with a couple drink menus, put them on the table, and then proceeded to stare at us for a minute or so before suggesting she give us a minute with them. That minute turned into about another 5 more before she came back. At this point we placed our drinks and food orders. From there a good 20-25 minutes probably elapsed before we received our drinks and the food actually arrived about a minute or two prior to our drinks. During that 20 minute wait another server came over and cleared the plates and menu for an additional party who was going to be joining us later. I had already asked our server for the menu to remain and when I mentioned it to the second server, who was clearing it away, she brushed me off and took it anyways. As I mentioned earlier the food didn't disappoint and the manager stopped by to see how our dinner was. He was very pleasant and sincere in checking in on us. The server was much less attentive after the dinner was put down. Two more people had joined our party while we were eating and eventually managed to secure a couple drinks. We had to flag down the server after maybe another forty minutes to ask for our check because it had gotten to the point in the evening when they were clearing out chairs. By the time she returned with our bill half of our party was standing due to the crowd that had formed in the room and the constant bumping of the chairs from other dancing patrons. She had seemed relatively surprised that we were even still there when we requested the bill. Overall she just wasn't really paying attention. None of us felt like we were a priority and that she was at all concerned about her service. Moving on to the next server. A bit later in the evening a friend of mine ordered a bottled beer from a cocktail waitress. When she returned with his beer she handed him the beer and his change, roughly 50-75c. Now that his hands were full he went to hand the change back to her in order to free a hand to get his wallet, at which point she replied "No you can keep your change, it's alright, I don't need it.'' (add in a really snotty attitude to that statement). He then had to explain to her that he was in fact trying to get his wallet to give her another dollar. Either way, at the end of the day, that statement was shockingly rude. It's not her position to assume she deserves a tip period, let alone more than 75c on a $3 bottle of Budweiser. Aside from the fact that she also jumped to conclusions about her tip before receiving it. This was my second time dining at the Brahmin. The first time was very underwhelming and after this experience I can't say I'm in a rush to go back. After having spent so much time waiting tables myself I really think there is no excuse for bad service. If you're overwhelmed with your tables it's easy enough to explain to your party that you're rather busy but will be back to check on them soon or at least acknowledge that you could be more attentive. I hope you all have better experiences than my friends and I.
(2)
Chris A.
I've been here a few times..I don't think I'll be going back. We got there at about 8:30 and asked if we could sit at one of the loungey areas. The 3 hostess simultaneously rolled their eyes at us and let us know they were "reserved" Wow - impressive. Should have known that. We got put on the "list" incase one opens up...FINGERS CROSSED! We found our way to the bar with plenty of room to chat and order drinks. Slowly the bar continued to fill and it became clear that this is a going to become a meat market marinated in bad house music. Drinks were..meh. If you order cocktails or liquor they choose which shelf. Which is funny because our tab showed that we were charged for Grey Goose, Kettle One and then well-vodka when we ordered a Vodka +soda. All ordered from the same bartender...strange. I dunno, if you're trying someplace new and you're into that scene maybe this is worth a shot. It's near a couple other decent bars/restaurants so you can bail. As we made our way out at 12:30 or so there was an obnoxious line being tended to by the 'roid head secret-service-headset-clad bouncer who kindly opened the velvet rope to release us into the alley that is their entrance. Redeeming qualities: Dressed up crowd (for Boston), Good Girl/Guy Ratio, Olderish Crowd (25-35), Near other bars that don't suck.
(2)
Connie C.
After reading the reviews on Yelp, we came here early (9:45) on a Saturday night to beat the line. There was no line at all and the guys working the door were friendly and quick. When we walked in, patrons were finishing dinner (which looked and smelled delicious), and the bar/dance crowd was starting to fill in. Because we got in early enough, we were able to snag a few barstools and occupy a small area at the end of the bar on the main floor. What most people in our group noticed right away that there were two bartenders on our side of the bar, and only one seemed to be working. The other was playing with her hair, flirting with the barbacks, staring at the TV, and making annoyed faces. However, the bartender that did wait on us was fantastic and made some great (strong) drinks and was quick to clear empty glasses and ask if we needed another round. We sincerely hoped that the bartenders don't pool tips because one girl was working about 90% and the other about 10%, and it would be a shame for the girl doing all the work to have to share her tips with the one that barely lifted a finger. Music on the main floor was awesome- 90's mashups that made you want to sing your face off and dance up a storm. Didn't end up going into the lounge downstairs, but when we went down to use the restroom, it sounded more like electronic dance music in that area. Overall had a super fun night, but another downside was when my tab came and there were a few beers tacked onto my tab. The bartender seemed slightly defensive, asking if I ordered the beers from another bartender, but I only had mixed drinks that night and definitely did not order the beers. She did end up taking the beers off my tab.
(3)
Allison S.
We came here with a coupon from BuyWithMe for dinner. Instead of going with the entree dishes, we opted to try a bunch of different small plates. I highly recommend the tots, they were delicious. The mushroom flat bread was also quite tasty, as was their special steak, mozzarella and avocado bruschetta. The other "small plates" that we ordered were just OK, and I probably wouldn't order them again. I'm definitely keeping the Brahmin on my list for drinks, and maybe some appetizers. Their bar is huge and they have quite a large drink menu. Their sangria was wonderful, but I wish that they had some more beers to choose from. It wasn't really a dinner place, more like a lounge area and bar with some tables.
(3)
D C.
A friend and I brought a BuyWithMe coupon to The Brahmin; we hadn't been there since the venue was "33." Neither of us were impressed. I had the greens salad and onion soup to start, and she had the tater tots and a Caesar salad with chicken. I bypassed the tater tots since they remind me of terrible cafeteria lunches, but the onion soup was flavorful and savory, though a little heavy on the pumpernickel croutons which had a strong, distracting flavor. The greens salad was bland despite the "roasted tomatoes and pickled shallots," and her Caesar was standard. I had the half-chicken with potatoes, sage/onion stuffing and green beans. Nothing spectacular there, the green beans were undercooked and had no flavor at all, I couldn't distinguish the potatoes from the stuffing, and there was so little of either it was hard to gauge their quality. They also went nuts with the "mood lighting" so I could barely see my plate anyway! My companion ordered the truffled mac & cheese as her entree and it was terrible. I could taste whatever bizarre, smoky cheese they used in it, but couldn't actually find it, the dish was more a dish of macaroni with breadcrumbs on top, no comforting, creamy cheesiness you'd expect from mac & cheese. What a bummer. We got the chocolate bread pudding for dessert, and it was dense, tasteless and hard as a rock. More like an over-cooked brownie with ice cream, than bread pudding. I can't imagine ever coming back here, unless I were desperate. It did seem quite the spot if you're looking to drink/mingle though.
(2)
Kathleen F.
My main complaint for this place is that they are letting it get WAY too crowded and as a result a night out here is just not enjoyable. We got here around 8pm for a friend's birthday and the atmosphere was good then, we could hear the music and hear each other and the waitresses were good about coming over to us. The food was also very good we had a nice veggie pizza and salad. Cocktails were amazing and had lots of unique flavor combos. But then the clock struck 9pm and the place became so packed that the waitresses were overworked and way to busy and you could literally not even hear what the person next to you was saying. We tried to move to the dance floor which was so packed you couldn't even really dance. Eventually, the whole atmosphere just became crazy and uncomfortable so we wound up leaving. I would definitely come back here during the week for a few cocktails and some bites for sharing, but definitely will not venture back on the weekend because it becomes so crazy that you just cannot enjoy yourself.
(3)
Qasim R.
This review is just for the bar/night life. Was pretty amazed when I we there the first time bcz too be honest didn't except anything like what I saw (thinking it was just another bar/pub). Downstairs bar becomes too overcrowded late night while main bar design/ergonomics are perfect for the size of the place. There is a side/mini bar as well, where you can get better service if your group size is small. Late night (weekends don't know if it happens on weekdays) the dining area becomes a dancing area and if you have a table in that area it's pretty cool. Think I may bump the ratings to 5 stars depending upon how it goes the next time. Only Major issue is line starts to form pretty early in the night (Problem with most of places in Boston) so get there early or know you how to avoid wait in lines.
(4)
Nick B.
I really like Brahmin and each time I've been it has been an absolute blast. My roommates aren't so keen on it, so often times my suggestion to go there gets passed over. After being curious and checking out the yelp reviews, I have been very impressed to see the responses by Russ. Clearly there are people there who care about providing a quality experience. It's this seemingly small aspect that is on the contrary actually very powerful. I expect to come back here very soon and my roommates are now totally sold on making a return trip here.
(4)
Colby R.
In my experience the 3-4 times I've been here the bartenders have been the saving grace of this place, they're fast and fairly friendly given the environment. Aside from that the food is really nothing to write home about and the crowd can be a bit hit or miss at times.
(2)
Melissa D.
I really like the speakeasy setting here and feel very comfortable in my own skin as there is a mixed age crowd, mostly older Mid to Late 20s/early 30s group. It gets very packed starting at 10:30pm but we arrived a little earlier and sat at a table for some drinks. I had the Bellini and the Strawberry Patch which were super-sweet that may not fancy some people but it is to hide the loads of alcohol it has. The music is great and the servers are nice and knowledgeable of the menu. The bartenders may seem a bit cold but I think they are too focused on pounding out the drinks. The bill comes in a faux-book holder which is a nifty idea to bring out the theme of this place. I will definitely come back here again for drinks and would love to try the food.
(4)
Lindsay G.
I had my 25th birthday celebration here this past weekend and it was incredible. Every dish was better than the last, great drinks and our waitress, Amanda, was the absolute best. The service was prompt and attentive, and we (my table of 10) loved every single thing we ate. At 10 when it switched over into a lounge, they let us keep our table and turned the middle of the room into a dance floor. The place filled up quickly, and the line was certainly long - some of my friends had to wait an hour to get in. But everyone agreed it was well worth it, and it was definitely a birthday to remember. I can't stress enough how great our waitress was (Amanda should be promoted 8 times over) and the manager that made my reservation was so nice and helpful, and even remembered our first conversation when he called to confirm my reservation. Great food, great drinks, good vibe, good crowd, good music... Will certainly be back!
(5)
Megan L.
This is for late night only. Edited to be more fair and balanced, as the owner contacted me directly to discuss my feedback, clarify some points and address some issues. Given this polite and professional response I feel the need to give Brahmin a bump. The good: The lounge is beautiful. It's a very appealing space and clearly a lot of thought was put into the flow, the number of bars and the look of the space. The bartenders NOT in the crowded center bar were friendly and not slammed. Met some cool people once we were inside. Drinks were good. We asked the bartender for a "delicious shot" and he served up some kind of watermelon vodka business that was tasty and potent. The not so good: The insane line **I recognize that this is a good thing for a business** The fact that the bouncers let any girl with a short dress circumvent said line? **apparently these people were going to a private party** The understaffed center bar--wait times were crazy long The horrendously rude female bartenders --Tried to get one's attention and she came over just to tell me, "That's not going to get you a drink any faster." Umm, I just want to close my tab and get out of here. A male bartender came over to help me after that. Thank God one of them realized they're in a service business. **the owner addressed this with me** Overall, I'll give it another try, probably for dinner.
(2)
Dominic S.
Rude bouncer with a power trip. There are just three of us in line on a freezing Saturday night, and he says: "Form a single line so that people can get through". Which people??? There is no one else in sight. The nearest people are already in the bar, or driving by on the Mass Pike. He points to imaginary lines in the sidewalk and tries to arrange our standing positions according some mysterious pattern he has in his mind. The guy needs a hug. Someone hugs him. I hope he felt better.
(1)
Jen C.
I went to The Brahmin last week for dinner and drinks with a few friends and we had a wonderful time. The food was scrumptious and the drinks were excellent! Our waitress was attentive and polite. The manager greeted us as well, he was very courteous and extremely classy. I find it impressive that the manager took the time to greet us - unquestionably great service. After dinner we proceeded to the bar where we had the BEST martinis. The bar was very busy, but our bartender was extremely friendly. The music was terrific too; it definitely set the mood to dance. In my opinion, I think The Brahmin is the ideal establishment. We definitely had a fabulous evening and I certainly recommend this place to anyone - it's the full package! Going back again this weekend!
(5)
Ben W.
Highlight of the night: Some mid 20s chick clearly high on some amazing shit twirling around in circles through the dining/lounge area while her mid 60s sugar daddy wearing a track suit watches and laughs. Priceless. Want to go to a club, but hate clubs? Go here. Main dining/drinking room with several separate rooms with dancy type music and easy access to booze. Food? Upscale bar type stuff like burgers, but nothing to write home about. Eat next door at Zocalo before you come.
(4)
Erik A.
It can get a little pricey, so try not to have more than one drink but most of the small plates are delicious! My favourite is the fried brie, mmmmm Least favourite was a white wine ravioli with crab meat... was missing something and a bit too fishy. Overall, the place is a great space to munch and as the night creeps in, the dancing starts! Upstairs is nicely decorated with outside seating, but its the decent downstairs that creeps me out. The stairs are slanted, not a good feeling after a cocktail or few, and the basement space (from what I gather) is meant to feel like you are under the floorboards... kinda creepy. Overall, a mix of ages and a fun space to dance in w/o a cover!
(4)
Heather G.
Unfortunate location. But: GREAT cocktail menu. Fun atmosphere. Excellent value on the food (don't expect any top notch, unique cuisine) All in all, I'll be back.
(4)
Curtis H.
I would say, if you haven't tried the food here please drop in to have a taste. Brahmin does have a significant tasty point of view. The food stands out full of flavor and zest. The only issue I have with this place is mgmt! Seem like a bunch of arrogant, non-customer problem solvers who uses profanity to present themselves as the big wolf. I experienced one cursing at me because I turned away and choice not to purchase my food there due to the hard time they were giving me about simply ordering food without an ID. They laughed at me and says "everyone carry's an ID". I said, well I am at work on a lunch break just looking to order food, i come here all the time and no one has ever given me problems about ordering food before. Because of this experience I will never go back there again. Had they have been more tackful in handling the problem they would still have a happy customer. I will never down-play their food though. Service to me is everything.
(1)
Minh P.
I went there two weeks ago and it was absolutely the worst experience I've had in Boston. I don't know for some freaking reasons, the waitresses (there were 5 of them hovering over the counter across the hall from us) would not come over to serve us. We literally sat there for 30 minutes with no service. Finally, the guy I was with had to go to a bar to grab me a drink. Oh not to mention they moved us to a different section after the bartender told us we could sit there. Absolutely the worst restaurant/bar experience/service I've had in Boston.
(1)
Eric M.
I've eaten here a couple of times now and both times have been very impressed with the quality of the food. We had a few small plates and everything was very tasty. The waitress was friendly and attentive even though it was very crowded with the after work drinks crowd. Would definitely come here again!
(4)
Janina T.
Overall, my experience here has been mixed. My time INSIDE the bar was great...it was the waiting to get in that was, by far, THE WORST experience of my life. Granted it is undoubtedly to my discretion to layer up given the weather, however, I did not expect to be waiting for an HOUR, conveniently right in a wind tunnel. I understand that bars either keep the lines long to look "hyped" or it may even be a space issue. However, I feel like it's in the bar's and customer's best interest to, at the very least, put outdoor heaters! It's obviously the customer's choice to wait in line but it's not their choice to freeze. When we were finally allowed it, I do not lie when I say it was a struggle to even walk to the front door from where the line was. I felt like my joints were frozen in place. I had to sit down for a good 10 minutes to get feeling back into my legs. Otherwise, here's a pros/cons list of the joint: Pros - Really good DJ/music--played a good mixture of hip hop and house - Decently priced drinks (in the $6-$7 range for a mixed drink) - Well dressed clientele - Dressy/classy ambience - Multi-rooms (downstairs + the main lounge and a side room upstairs) - Couch space to sit Cons - RIDICULOUSLY and unnecessarily long wait...especially in this kind of weather - The bars didn't seem to be well stocked. At one point they were out of peach schnapps...at another it was pineapple juice. What gives? - Coat check overload? (there should be enough coat space for how ever many people you let in, in my opinion--especially when you see people taking their coats...aka, more coat space) I might come back here again because I generally had a good experience while I was inside. However, I don't suggest going at peak hours (10:30-11:30) unless you feel like freezing your reproductive systems off.
(3)
Caitlin W.
I have only been here for happy hours and drinks after work, so I can't speak to the night scene after 9 o'clock. But hte drinks were good, they had an alright beer selection, and the bartenders were attentive. Their tator tots are probably Oreda tots, but still delish, and the fried pickles are really good! I definitely recommend. One time we sat outside, and they told us that we had to order food if we sat outside, but that was OK, we had a big enough group. The flat bread pizzas weren't that great. When i come here, I like to get drinks and fried pickles. I
(4)
Whitney F.
I recently held my best friend's bachelorette party at Brahmin. I had been a few times before for drinks and brunch and had really enjoyed the food and the scene. After the bachelorette party I definitely upgraded Brahmin to one of my favorite bars/ restaurants. Overall, it's awesome because it's very nice but still relaxed - something you very rarely find in Boston. Brahmin hits a great mark between being a little more upscale, while still being casual and fun. The service was AMAZING. Our waitress was so attentive and really accomodating. The manager came over to introduce himself and make sure everything was going well. All of the bar staff were very polite and went above and beyond. Someone made a rude comment to me about a scar I have and the bartender bought me a drink to "make up for it" - really nice! I've had both hors d'ouevres and brunch at Brahmin and the food is always excellent, fresh and creatively prepared. Highly recommend.
(5)
Saba N.
I came here for a girls night out this past Saturday. I had a really great time once we got inside... there was a big bar in the main room and AMAZING music playing all night. There was also two rooms for dancing, so there was enough space to really showcase my dance moves. Which are awesome. Thanks, zumba. (please note sarcasm). However, getting in was another story. We arrived at 1030, which I realize is prime going out time. We're not stupid; we were definitely expecting to wait a little bit. The line was maybe about 25 people long, so we didn't think it would be too bad. Plus, there was a solid amount of people leaving, too. We waited for over an hour. It was ridiculous. They had this VIP line which basically consisted of douchey-looking guys and skanky girls that wear ugly shoes and they would just show up, look at the bouncer, and get in. I get that when you know a bartender or bouncer sometimes you have some favorability... but, it was too much. At least 20 people from the VIP line got in within 10 minutes... which, after an hour, gets really old. It also got frustrating watching 10 people leave and then the bouncers letting in only 2 people. Haven't you heard of the "1 in 1 out rule?" That being said, I won't hold it against them because of three things. 1: it was super crowded inside, so I guess I understand why they were holding up the line. 2: we arrived at the worst possible time, so it was partly our own faults. 3: the dj was awesome. Next time, I'll show up around 10. I think that would be safer. All in all, fun place.. would definitely go back!
(4)
Lisa I.
I went here for a birthday dinner a couple weeks ago and don't think I'll be going back. We had dinner reservations at 7:30PM on a Friday. There seemed to be some event going on, so the music was BLARING. I know it turns into more of a lounge/club later in the evening, but at 7:30?? We could barely hear each other and when we asked if we could move into the other room, they said no, even though there was no one in there. The staff in general wasn't very accommodating. We had an extra person joining our party and they made a big deal about bringing an extra chair over to our table. The food itself was good. A good selection of tapas. The gnocchi and mac & cheese were delish. The burger and the shortrib grilled cheese were ok. Might be a good place later in the evening or for drinks, but wouldn't recommend the atmosphere for dinner, which is actually too bad because the food was decent.
(2)
Robyn R.
I have not been fortunate enough to eat here, but it's the type of bar you want to go - exactly what Boston needs. Fun, upbeat, awesome music, good scene and not sweaty and crowded. Great crowd - younger professionals, no college kids and no creepy old men :) I only hung out upstairs, but will go downstairs next time. I've heard the food is incredible and look forward to eating next time. Drinks are strong and fairly priced, plenty of seating and places to move around. It's hard to find a bar in Boston that's the perfect mix between a casual spot and trendy lounge - but you've done it, Brahmin. I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Dave F.
The Boston Brahmin's premise -- small, American tapas-style plates paired with craft cocktails -- is a very attractive one. The execution, however, is sorely lacking. My finacee and I dined here on a Tuesday evening. The first thing that grated the senses was the overly loud DJ mix, which clashed with the retro atmosphere of exposed brick and antique furniture. The frenetic pace and volume of the music made it impossible to relax during our meal. The service was intolerably slow. It took about half an hour for our drinks to be mixed and served. Our second drinks, ordered while in the midst of eating our small plates, arrived long after we had finished eating. There were other guests dining, but it was by no means full. The drinks themselves missed the mark. For a restaurant that advertised its cocktails on its sign, I expected better. Their take on the Manhattan, with Saint Germain, was interesting, but overloaded with whiskey. The sidecar was serviceable but ordinary, and the less said about the pineapple margarita, the better. The food was the lone bright spot of our experience. I recommend the beef tartare with quail egg and the grilled prawns, both of which packed interesting flavor. The mac and cheese was pretty tasty, but could have used more seasoning. The goat cheese salad was bland and uninteresting. Perhaps since the Brahmin just opened, it is still working out the kinks. Let's hope so, because the slow service and poorly-mixed cocktails do not have me itching to return any time soon.
(2)
Chris W.
Overall not bad, fairly typical Boston bar. You really do need to be in line by 9pm, but the line does move and maybe you'll wait 30 minutes but nothing ridiculous. The various spaces inside give you nice options to roam around and the main room upstairs seems to be most packed otherwise your not overly crowded downstairs. The drinks are good and reasonable and no cover charge is great. The crowd is well behaved. Drinks are easy to come by with 3 bars.
(3)
Adriana T.
Brahmin, the old 33!!! The only dance lounge around Boylston/Newbury St. The upstairs is nice for drinks and hang out. The music is not as loud as it is downstairs. After 10PM they bring in a DJ who spins the night away. The music they play is top 20 music soooo if you LOVE Rihanna and Lady Gaga that's your spot!!! I give it a 4 stars because the downstairs can be a little bit sketchy at times but other than that it's a great dancing place!!!
(4)
Judy K.
Disappointing. Stereo was too loud and we asked to have it lowered 2X. Place was so dark it was hard to see the menu & food. In fact, a friend of mine went there as well (on a different day) and ended up leaving due to the blasting music. This is a restaurant . Not a night club. The food was uneven in portion sizes and quality. Considering the relatively small number of selections, one would think each item would be fully thought out and tested. Not so. The chef needs to re think some of the offerings. The arugula salad had a dressing that was far too lemony. The advertised apples were miniscule and had to be searched out. Too bad 'cause they could have balanced out the lemon. Generous size. Appetizer scallops = total of two. Drowned in heavy maple sauce. Disguised the delicate flavor of the scallops. Steak, bleu cheese, potato flatbread sounded interesting. Proved not to be. The flavors did not work together. The potatoes were mashed (clashed with crust) and cheese flavor weak. Decent size. The truffled mac & cheese was a good sized appetizer. Not your typical version. More like buttered pasta with bread crumbs. The cheese was secondary and the truffle flavor?? The prices are OK depending on what you order. No real rhyme or reason in the sizes. The place is new and if it wants to last in this area - the chef better get his/her act together.
(2)
Kate P.
Our New Spot!! My girlfriends and I heard about the newest addition to Stanhope St & decided to check it out The "Boston Brahmin" theme was intriguing so we were excited to see what it was all about. We were greeted on their patio (major points for having outdoor space) by a friendly & welcoming door staff (always a surprise when bouncers actually smile!). The hostess informed us we could sit wherever we wanted, which didn't seem like big deal until we saw all of our options. We decided to go with one of the lounges close by the tall windows that overlook the patio/sidewalk. The bar is dark & very chic, but the music really gives this place a different energy. They played alot of classic 90s hiphop which is pretty much a guaranteed good time for my girls & I. OK, so most important... DRINKS! This is one area they most certainly did not slack on. They make their drinks look like an art form! It took a little longer than the usual mixed drink, but wow was it worth it! Our table ordered the sidecar, sex & the city, blue cheese martini & the moscow mule - Nothing short of AMAZING!! wow, these drinks were delicious and they bartenders truly took their time perfecting them. FOOD FOOD FOOD. yummmm!!! They have a bunch of "small plates," which is actually perfect for a group like ours. We tasted several items and were perfectly content. We got to try many things without having to commit to an entree (I can never decide what I want anyway). We tried: -Scallops & bacon - wow! -Truffled mac & cheese - I don't know if I will ever be the same! -Potato Coins - perfect snack with different sauces to dip. yum! -Heirloom Tomato & Mozz Salad - a classic, perfected!! Needless to say, I will be going back this weekend. There are so many drinks I still need to try. Service was friendly & informative and the crowd was young & hot. The drinks were amazing and the food is fresh & delicious! Go the Brahmin!
(5)
A D.
I was pumped when I saw this place on BuyWithMe and couldn't wait to check it out. I expected a little more consistency with the 20's feel, but that's not a big deal. Me + bf made reservations for this past Friday night. The hostess thought the best place to seat us directly next to a high chair. I went in there expecting a nice Friday night date spot in back bay/south end and instead ended up next to a chatty toddler who was running around the dining room (hey, get a babysitter). Once our waiter finally came, we switched to a better location. There were plenty of free 2-tops. They were out of Mac & Cheese and Tuna Sandwich (both of which we would have tried - we really wanted the Tuna Sandwich for dinner.) (Appetizer) We both started with the Arugula & Goat Cheese salad. Way too lightly dressed, and they brought us the bacon after we had each already eaten half the salad. (Small Plates) Salmon Crudo: Literally, 4 bite-sized shavings of salmon with a couple cukes for $8... Fried Pickles: Soggy and ordinary. Beef Tartare: Delicious and substantial. Our favorite part of the meal. (Main Course) Smoked Bacon BLT w/Truffled Mayo: The bacon was deliciously smokey and the mayo was great. Sorry Brahmin, you are greatly overshadowed by Stoddard's. Like, absurdly. We were pumped going in but were really disappointed :-/
(2)
Radhika M.
Nice place, but the music was far too loud. Didn't have as much fun as I expected.
(3)
Mcslimj B.
Handsome, clubby-looking space on recently revived Stanhope Street. Based on a single visit prior to its wide opening, The Brahmin looks promising, though clearly tilted at a twenty-something nightlife crowd. Cocktail menu heavy on flavored-vodka concoctions, dim lighting and loud house music, a menu of sort-of-creative small plates. Lots of dark leather sofas, a VIP area downstairs ("You know Frank Sinatra? He's dead: ha ha ha ha!"), many cute female functionaries in very short skirts. I don't have high hopes for the food, but will reserve judgement until they start serving a full menu.
(4)
Amelia M.
I was all pumped to get here and be first to review during their soft launch phase (obviously I missed out :-( but it's okay!) The finer points of decor were not unnoticed--old-school leather chairs and couches, funky lighting, creative frames on the walls--and all gave it that drinking-in-a-British-aristocrat's-study feel that tempted me to respond to every yes/no question with "indubitably." The Brahmin has the same awesome combination of top-notch food and not-fussy feel that I love at Drink and Bricco with none of the entitled investment bankers or STD-carrying golddiggers who populate Sonsie and Towne on an average weeknight. Our waiter displayed EXQUISITE attention to detail and was very helpful.... at a new restaurant a question like "can I get my burger with goat cheese?" or "can you make me a g&t with Beefeater?" throws waitstaff for a loop simply because they haven't been around for very long, but the dude who was serving our table was totally upfront--if he didn't know the answer, he checked with the kitchen staff. Is it only a matter of time before Brahmin draws the same weeknight-warrior crowd as some of its longstanding competitors? Indubitably. But for now, I'll be dragging everyone I know out to Stanhope St.
(4)
Nicole W.
Definitely make The Brahmin your next spot to visit in Boston. A classy establishment reminiscent of the 19th century New England aristocratic society serving an impressive list of cocktails and yummy small plates. Inside the Brahmin you'll find dark comfortable leather seating, an eye catching copper bar that is lit by beautiful crystal chandeliers. The surrounding exposed brick walls are lined with vintage Boston photographs and gorgeous antique furniture ...certainly a place where you and you friends can stay a while, listen to great music, enjoy fun drinks and food .... and if you need a change of scenery, they also offer an awesome outdoor patio! Did I mention the service is great, too? Definitely a bonus in my book. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Ally L.
Went here for one of my best friends birthdays (we had a large group of people.) We got dinner, drinks, and stayed until they closed. It was a perfect place for us because its all 3 in one: restaurant, bar/lounge, and dancing (DJs). They had pretty good music, wait staff was awesome, food was awesome, drinks were a little expensive but still good. Even management was awesome, the manager on duty introduced himself and asked how things were twice throughout the night. It's a pretty big place - upstairs and downstairs which you can go up and down freely. I would definitely go back again.
(4)
CC Lobstah B.
Brahmin has some of the coolest trendiest decor you will find in the city. Super nice waitresses and the manager is a class act. Food is good for the price, flatbreads were good, I got the meatloaf for my entree and it was so-so...other people were very satisfied with their meals, burgers were bomb, ravioli tasty and again VERY economically friendly! The one thing you got to know about this place is it gets LOUD. If you go on a weekend be prepared or leave before 9:30 -10. We were having a great dinner until the DJ maxed out his mixer cranking the volume till we couldn't hear each other. Other than that Brahmin is definitely worth checking out...
(3)
Greg A.
Ok, so trying new places can be hit or miss..but this was definately a HIT. The room is decorated tastefully with a very comfortable, loungy feel. Some great background music that doesn't put you to sleep.... The cocktail menu is pretty impressive... I tried their version of the sidecar which was very different than a normal sidecar but very VERY tasty. All the ingredients were freshly muddled and the bartenders really took pride in the making and presentation! The food menu features mostly small plates which are great to share so we ordered the Tuna which is served 2 ways, a tartar and sliced rare over melon...delicious..we also tried the Mac & Cheese, Fried pickles and the Grilled Prawns... nothing dissapointed. the owners themselves came over and made sure everything was good and they were very friendly and personable. The overall service was friendly, prompt and did not make us feel rushed. We'll be back and we'll bring friends!
(5)
Jenna K.
I had a great experience here! Service was great (waitress even brought us a pitcher of water, without us having to ask, because we were drinking so much). Food was AMAZING. Had the fried Brie, short rib grilled cheese, buff chix crab rangoon, and fish and chips. Only paid $30 with tip after living social deal. Great food and great value!
(5)
Emma S.
The service at Brahmin should merit seven stars, at least from my one experience. Our hostess/waitress was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and talkative, in the most positive way possible. They allowed my group of friends to sit for a few hours with just apps and drinks, no problems! We had our own back room. The beer list was surprisingly small, but solid. Drink list looked great, but I didn't order anything. The food, from my limited experience, was excellent. We got a wonderful arugula salad and caprese salad. Both really well done. The atmosphere was very cool, old-fashioned, dark and inviting. Their music choice, techno-remixes of oldies, did not fit with the atmosphere. I plan on returning frequently, but I hope that they change the music!
(5)
Selena K.
Guaranteed good time. Awesome music, unpretentious atmosphere, intimate setting. The lines can get really long on the weekends so its worth going early. This is a great alternative to Boston clubs with table service if you're looking to dance with your friends. They are also accommodating for groups and private parties - definitely call ahead. There is also a private room downstairs if you're looking to ball out.
(4)
Sarah L.
Me and one of my BFFs made our way to The Brahmin last night and despite the torrential downpour on our way there, the service and absolutely yummy food made two wet rats feel much better after being seated immediately upon arrival with no reservation. The hostess was gracious and very genuinely welcoming. Said BFF and I had our last of things we wanted to try- I asked Kate (our fabulous server!) her favorites from the menu and they just so happened to be what we had already planned on sharing (okay- and I DO value my fellow Yelpers input-most of the time). Our food arrived in waves- they paid close attention to what got polished off and the next plates arrived within minutes. Here's what we got: Scallops- pretty darned tasty. Served on a small piece of quality bacon kept the sweet flavor of the scallop from being over powered by the bacon. Tuna two ways- excellent carpaccio and slightly seared strips of tuna over thinly sliced watermelon "rectangles" , very interesting! Heirloom and baby mozzarella plate was so fresh and delish. White asparagus wrapped in serrano ham was excellent. Braised short rib with a cauliflower puree- not bad, not great-decent. My half was a bit too fatty. The four cheese flat bread was TDF. I'm usually a fancy pants pizza/flabread girl but this stole the show. I told Kate that I'd be Yelping, and I want to thank you for your great service, advice and friendly smile. We'll be back! A new fave.
(5)
Lou S.
We made a reservation for 7 on a Saturday night. They rearranged the seats for seven people. However, halfway through the night, they made one of us get up and gave him a stool to sit on. Speaking of stool, the service was craptacular. Our waitress didn't know the difference between bourbon, scotch, and gin. I had to walk to the bar to find out what they had.
(1)
A N.
I had a birthday party for my boyfriend here last week. I had never heard of The Brahmin before, but on the recommendation of a friend we decided to try it - and I'm very glad we did! The location is pretty cool - it's in the Back Bay but it feels tucked away and I liked that. I couldn't believe at 9:30 PM there was a pretty decent line already (when the weekend before last I went to another bar downtown and until 10:00 PM it was dead). Because I had booked a party there, we didn't have to wait in line and getting in was very easy. We had tables downstairs - and while it is a spillover room, I loved it. There's a bar right there so we literally had to wait mere seconds to get a drink. There's different music upstairs than downstairs but both floors were playing pretty good tunes (upstairs seemed more 90's jams and downstairs was more current but wasn't too EDM/techno for me at least). The downstairs felt so intimate and everyone was dancing in the middle of the room. Unfortunately, we had a large group and stayed downstairs because that's exactly what we wanted, but I did go upstairs a few times and it was totally packed and the decor is beautiful. I thought I saw some people (not in our party) get stopped before going upstairs, but I never was stopped or asked anything every time I went up. Not sure what the deal is there. Drinks were strong! The manager Mike was very nice - he met me at the door and took us downstairs and I saw him around the place all night which is cool - I felt like I could have grabbed him if we needed anything or there was a problem. All-in-all, I don't go out very often (we live 20 min outside Boston), but for this one night we did (and for a special night), it was awesome. I'm glad we went to The Brahmin. I told friends if we didn't like it we could always go somewhere else - we all ended up staying till close :)
(5)
Chris M.
Went here the other night with some friends. Wasn't really sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. This place has 2 floors so you are able to wander around and hang out in different areas of the bar no problem. I had a tab with a bartender in the downstairs bar. His name was Pete and he was a wizard behind the bar. Our group was ordering all types of drinks and he was spot on every time. He even suggested some really good shots when we decided to make a toast. It really made the night having a knowledgeable and personable bartender, along with the great atmosphere of the club. Check out this place and ask for Pete. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Melissa K.
I've considered making a Yelp account for years, but haven't been motivated enough. After my experience at The Brahmin this past Saturday, I felt I needed to spread the word. What a horrible experience! Don't get me wrong - the venue looks nice enough. Small, but nice. It's the security and management that are the big problem! I was out Saturday night with a group of friends. A very rude, drunk male was jumping all over the place and knocked my drink all over me. He stole the other half of the drink out of my hand. I mentioned this to him, and he replied that he didn't care. He proceeded to get in my face (he was very large) and I felt threatened. I thought he was actually going to hit/push me at one point (he did, actually, with his body). At this point, I stepped away. I heard a girl from a different group complaining about the same man, and going toward the bouncers. I joined her and we both stated that the man was acting horribly, and making us uncomfortable. We did not want him there. Security told us to "calm down" and "slow down," so we finished telling them our story and the other girl returned to her group. I hung around to see what would be done. The answer - NOTHING. I heard the two bouncers behind me saying "nah, that guy's good, he's cool," and that was the end of it. At this point I chose to leave because I did not feel safe. The next day, I called to speak to the manager about the incident. While he was nice enough on the phone (offered to buy me a drink the next time I come back), he did not seem overly concerned. He told me that security needs to be careful about who they kick out of the club, and "it's not that easy to kick people out." ... Umm, isn't that the JOB of security?! Plus the fact that I hadn't even mentioned trying to get him kicked out to the manager - all I said was that security should have spoken with the man to let him know he had to calm down. In any case, this was two unrelated females saying that a drunk male in the bar was behaving badly, making them feel uncomfortable and unsafe! He should have been asked to leave, or at least given a warning! The manager told me that maybe security said something to him at another point in the night (yeah, right..), and that he thought he knew who I was talking about because he saw a guy "kind of bouncing around, but hey, it's a dance floor!" as he said. Hmm... I've been on a lot of dance floors and have NEVER felt this threatened before. By the end of our conversation I had the feeling that the manager was one of the two men from the night before who was protecting the drunk man (who was obviously someone's friend, or a big spender). Overall the manager was dismissive and condescending, just as the men I dealt with the night before were. If you want a place that you feel like you aren't safe, go ahead. Otherwise, steer clear! Bad management, bad security. Oh, and they're also one of those places that keep a line waiting outside when they're not even at capacity. I will NOT be going back!
(1)
Tim C.
Went here for drinks on Saturday night prior to dinner around the corner. The lounge feel was fantastic. The DJ was spinning old school tunes that were excellent. Service was good. We'll be coming back.
(4)
Angela K.
The Brahmin is close to our office so I've tried this place a few times - it's been okay and I even went back after a staff in training spilled an entire full glass of wine on me - yes, accidents happen but note I got stuck paying for the glass of wine and my dry cleaning bill with no apology from the staff in training) - but this last visit it seemed I was the very first and only person to ever order a low carb burger there. I wanted just simple greens with olive oil and vinegar on the side with just the burger patty on top - that's it - nothing else. Management wanted to charge me $16 for the burger (fine even through I'm not getting all the things that come with it) plus an additional $10.50 for the salad. So, I was skipping the fries, cheese, bread, and bacon, the side of lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion and was changed additional to have them literally open up "pre bagged" greens. Making a profit off dinners with dietary restrictions or asking to remove processed food items from their plate is simply wrong.
(1)
Cat S.
I've been here twice now for dinner and drinks. Food is pretty good but not amazing - recommend the flatbreads as they are definitely the winners on the menu. Drinks are imaginative and delicious - tried a few of their signature cocktails and they are strong and good. Tried a Moscow Mule for the first time and really liked it. The atmosphere is really fun - dj out in the open playing loud music, cool decor and a well-dressed, interesting crowd. Definitely an upper 20s-lower 30s crowd - I liked it. The place turns into basically a club I guess, but I haven't spent time downstairs or stayed too late at night. We've used this as a starting point for a light dinner and a few strong cocktails and I enjoy it as a lounge-y place to start a weekend/Thursday night!
(4)
Deanna G.
What a fun place with great food. My friend and I shared a bottle of wine and waaaaay to many appetizers. Scallops wrapped in bacon, yes, chicken kebab things, yes, tater tots, yeeeeees. We got the truffle mac & cheese too, which people go crazy for - but I don't like truffle so it wasn't as awe-inspiring to me. Our server was wonderful - I can remember her name, Kate maybe? And the place was aesthetically pleasing to the eye and the music was fun. Will definitely be back.
(5)
stef v.
I went to the Brahmin last night. It was lovely. I really liked the music from the guys singing for rat pack tuesdays. The food was delicious and it wasn't as packed as people said in the reviews... maybe because it was a week night? Our waitress could have been a bit nicer, but that's ok. Altogether thoroughly enjoyed myself and will probably be coming back.
(4)
Kat C.
After my experience, I really wanted to write an honest review but I'm too scared of the owner to reply back like he has with all the other negative posts....so, I guess that's my review :(.
(2)
Michael P.
Couldn't even get to the door to read the menu because the dbag guy doing security said I couldn't go in with shorts/sneakers. Would never go back, been to better places with no dress code.
(1)
Rebecca C.
I have been to the Brahmin on a couple of occasions and never had a particularly great time, but it certainly wasn't horrible, nor did i experience anything akin to what some reviewers before me have written. Sure, it takes a long time to get a drink- but it's because the place is busy. Sure, you can wait an hour or more in line, but it's because the place is popular. Sure, the crowd feels young and frat-boy-esque, but isn't that what so many bostonians like? The merits or shortcomings of the establishment aside, what did prompt me to write this review (not only write it but JOIN yelp specifically to share feedback) was how absolutely horrified and appalled i was by the commentary and responses provided by the co-owner/co-manager to other yelpers feedback. Russ or Ed B. or whomever is representing the brahmin on yelp- you should be embarrassed and ashamed by your words and attitude. Your posts are aggressive without any genuine attempt to listen to or accept feedback from your customers (saying things like "i'd like to apologize... but i can't completely" is not an apology, it's a passive aggressive way to belittle someone). You are either ignorant and insecure- or a bully- or both. And many of the tactics you use here to speak to customers are the same tactics used by abusive people to intimidate and manipulate others. Your behavior, at least as it is portrayed on yelp, is demeaning, condescending, passive aggressive, often outright aggressive, manipulative, accusatory and threatening. I will not continue to support an establishment led by the person i have experienced here, and I will encourage my friends, peers, and community members not to support you either.
(1)
Lisa S.
I came here for dinner on a Wednesday night with my bf. The place was packed and we weren't allowed to sit near the back where it was quieter since they were filming some dating show (?). We ended up sitting under the speaker and could barely hear each other. We asked to be moved and the waitress was very helpful. We were told to order 2-3 dishes each since its tapas style. But these portions were pretty big for tapas, I think 2 dishes per person or 5 dishes total is enough for 2 people. Loved the gnocchi, shrimp tacos and brussel sprouts. Asian BBQ tacos were a bit too salty. Overall food is great but come here on a quieter night if you want to actually hear one another.
(4)
Amber S.
everyone i had on the menu was terrific, but i am taking away a star because they dont have the fixins' for a Bloody Mary :( :( :( i was able to find good parking and our waitress (for a large party) as sweet and quick with everything she had control over.
(4)
Lisa L.
This place has a much warmer vibe than when it was "33." The decor is lovely and the menu offerings are varied. I went with girlfriends to celebrate a birthday, and we shared several dishes: - Arugula salad -- really yummy, but the dressing was a little salty - Scallops -- perfectly cooked and HUGE - Tuna Two Ways -- I never thought to put watermelon with tuna, but it was a nice combination! Both of the tunas were superb. - Meatballs -- good, but not stellar. Needed a little more flavor/herbs/spice/something. - Truffled mac & cheese -- light and not overly cheesy. Big serving. Lots of breadcrumbs. Delish! - Tater tots -- so crispy! Loved the three dipping sauces (although the old standby, ketchup, was our favorite) - Fried pickles -- I thought these were going to be really zingy, but they were kinda bland. - Prosciutto & arugula flatbread -- delicious. Had a caramelized onion taste to it. This was my favorite thing we ordered. - White Asparagus (oops, didn't have any) Their wine list was average sized. I had the albarino and it was really tasty. When it came time for dessert, they had one: banana bread pudding. I gave the poor waiter some flak about that. We probably would have ordered dessert if there were more options, but since all 5 of us didn't want the banana bread pudding, we passed. Missed opportunity on their part! One thing I loved was the music! Funky 80s mashups...very nostalgic! The food was good and our server was fine, but nothing really stood out. Because of its tucked-away location, I'm not sure I will remember to go back again unless they do another Buy with Me coupon.
(3)
Shelby D.
My boyfriend and I decided to head in one night hoping that our most favorite bartender Frank was working. Sadly, he was not, but we decided to stay and have a drink anyway. The ambiance is really sleek and cool, and the multiple lounge areas are such a great comfy and intimate idea. We sat at one of the couches and got assigned a server, who seemed new to the game. He was, however, very polite and obviously still learning. It was very unfortunate though to see him and other servers spread so thin, as the sections were completely all over the place - our server had out table, 2 across the room, and then some outside on their patio...huh? It also took nearly 15 minutes to get our drinks. The drinks were innovative and delicious though, but I wouldn't wait 15 min for any drink. My boyfriend also ordered a second drink, never got it, and yet it appeared on the bill (which the server promptly fixed upon our discovery). Our friend who joined us later also got fed up with wait times and ordered his second drink from the bar. Luckily it didn't take long for the potato coins, which were a little greasy but still delicious! Overall the atmosphere is great, but some serious organization and timing needs to come together, as well as more hands-on help and responsibility from the management (the manager just seemed to wander around joking with staff, unaware of the lack of organization around him). I usually don't try restaurants until they've been open for 3 months or so, since it does take time to get into a natural rhythm, but these issues at The Brahmin are easily fixable, I hope the staff takes the time to provide their guests with a better experience! Looking forward to going back to use our Groupon, hopefully it will be a better experience!
(3)
Nicole R.
Solid place. Came here for a double date with 2 buywithme vouchers -- obviously it's super affordable as we had to struggle to spend all $100. Our strategy was pretty much to order all the small plates. Which we did. The tater tots are actually quite good, particularly the aioli that comes with them. Steak fries are also good, and cheaper than the tater tots so i say fries win over tots here. Arancini really disappointing. Dry, oddly sweet, and just weird. Not a fan. Portobello flatbread was totally solid. Great thin crust, nicely done. Also had the gnocchi which was great. Soft, not overly dense, in a nice gorgonzola sauce. Truffle mac was just alright. Kind of dry. Can't speak to any of the fish/meat dishes my friends got as I'm a vegetarian but I think they enjoyed them. Closed the meal with some banana chocolate thing. It was good, but I was super full and didn't really eat much of it. Huge portion on this dessert. Really good drinks, affordable wine. Split a $32 granacha bottle. Our server was nice enough & friendly, but we never really saw her. Wish she came by more often, we were out of water for quite some time. Manager stopped by to see how we were, which was nice. Bar scene is pretty chill -- I never feel too crowded, they have a nice space. Really loud though, definitely hard to hear who you're speaking with. Music is OK. They have a DJ, so it pretty much just depends on what the DJ is playing. In general good experience. Nothing extraordinary, but solid as I said. I'd come back but I probably wouldn't run.
(3)
Kay H.
I think my review is biased so take it for what it's worth. I love going out to dance and I like to get dressed up. This place was good for both with no cover which is great! The interior is nice and looks just like the pictures. I got 2 dark and stormy's which were $10 a pop, not bad for a place in Back Bay. The crowd seemed relatively diverse for the Boston scene and the music was legit... All of which sounds amazing except I doubt I'll be returning anytime soon. My friends and I (about 9 of us- 4 ladies, 5 guys) spent approx. an hour waiting to get in as I watched countess groups of people get in ahead of us. While we were at the front of the line and were in better shape that some other people standing in line about a block long, I was still peeved. I'm usually a patient person but hell, it's January in Boston! Give me a break! Not to mention I watched one bouncer let in all his friends or associates or whoever who just crushed up and ask for a pass. Non discreetly at that!! Again, give me a break. Once we in ally get in, coat check is $3... Why oh why? Lastly, we had to wait downstairs until upstairs became available which stinks because there def. isn't enough room down there. Going back again? Nah, I'll pass but maybe it's your thing.
(2)
Melissa W.
I was very impressed with the food and variety of the menu. Buffalo chicken rangoons, shrimp tacos, braised beef short ribs were delish. Four of us (3 guys with me) split 6 things and it was the perfect amount for pre boozing. Around 1030 they moved all the tables and the place got packed. Hip hop DJ upstairs and beats downstairs- good variety, fun crowd, and not expensive for drinks/food in my opinion. Then again I just moved back from NYC where every night out feels like a wallet mugging.
(4)
Lauren D.
I tried to go to The Brahmin last night after seeing a show downtown because I had heard good reviews about the food. When my friend and I first walked in it seemed like a nice place and the hostess was friendly when she greeted us. We asked for a table for two and she told us they were booked for the night. My friend and I were both confused because every table (and there were at least 20) in the restaurant was empty except for one. I worked in a restaurant for a long time so I understand that on a Saturday night when you have a lot of reservations it is important to ensure that tables are available when people arrive. However, it was 6:30 and it was just two of us, I'm certain that we could have eaten and left before every table in the restaurant was filled. I also understand that sometimes there are private functions that are planned which prevent hostesses from seating certain tables, but I didn't see any signs indicating that seating areas were closed for a specific event. Given our obvious confusion, at the very least the hostess could have offered some type of explanation as to why, in an empty restaurant, there wasn't a table available for two people to have dinner. The hostess did tell us that we could get food at the bar so we sat down for a minute and looked at the menu. At that point my friend and I decided we would rather go somewhere else, so we went next door to Zocalo's and had a great time. After we finished dinner, we walked by The Brahmin and almost every table was still empty. Perhaps there was something going on that night that prevented the restaurant from accepting any other business, and if we had been notified of such a situation we would have been very understanding. Unfortunately, we were given no explanation and walked away wondering why an empty restaurant thought it was a good idea to turn away business on a Saturday night.
(1)
Jennifer Y.
I thought atmosphere and music of old club 33 would change nope it's even more whackier the music that is. I went on a Saturday night. They were playing MJ's abc,123 & a bunch of 80 & 90's hits. Made the best out of it the dj at the lower level had more soul. The place can really get overcrowded!
(2)
Manpreet K.
I went here on a Tuesday night with 4 other friends after reading the amazing reviews on Yelp. I was excited to try this new place that supposedly had little or no kinks to work out. Sadly, the experience was anything but special. The service was slow, VERY slow! It seemed like they had 1 server, 1 bartender and 1 cook because everything took time to arrive at the table. The theme of the night was already set. They ran out of Mac n Cheee, which may be understandable, but it was the beginning of the week & it's a new spot. Perhaps they should plan ahead & accordingly (because most of the reviews so far mentioned their amazing their Mac n Cheese). My friends's burger (ordered medium rare) was bleeding red - gross! Server did the right thing & took it off the bill. He then forgot one of the items we ordered and only brought it once we reminded him at the end our meal. At this point, we were pretty much ready to go. Food is decent, nothing out of the ordinary . You can enjoy it while having cocktails but not something you make a meal out of or would suddenly have the urge to have weeks or months down the line. We tried the shrimp (good), potatoes (okay), pizza (okay), tuna (okay). Short ribs arrived way at the end of our meals when we were no longer hungry so didn't get to try it. To sum it up, go to Brahmin for the ambience, patio & cocktails but not for food & service.
(1)
Alexandra K.
I have only been here for after work drinks on Friday and even than it was already crowded and the music was playing way too loud. The cocktail list is yummy, plus they won me over when they brought it in a jar like glass. We only had mozzarella app plate, and the mozzarella wasn't that fresh, but I give them points for creativity for putting tomatoes and watermelon on the plate. Never tried that before and it was an interesting taste as the watermelon added freshness to the entire bite. I am excited to come here again and taste more of the menu, and maybe even check out the night time. As for the club downstairs one thing I did notice when going to the bathroom that it is a very small space, and would suit a private party more than anything else.
(4)
Alan S.
I don't go out very often and in fact, I don't drink, but when my friend's are in town and I want to make sure they have a good time, this is where I take them. I'm in my early 30s. Don't want to be surrounded by rowdy college kids. Looking for somewhere a little classier and a place that has both a hang out area and dancing .. this bar fits the bill. We actually had a group of 10 wanted to hang out on Saturday night. The manager was extremely friendly and accommodating. Reserved a little area for us for a minimum spend. Our waitress was extremely friendly. Always smiling, making us feel welcome, coming around enough so that we didn't get thirsty, but didn't come around too much to make it annoying. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that it is a little too loud for my taste. I realize it is a bar and dancing and music should be on the loud side. But my ears were ringing while I was trying to go to bed and I could barely talk to my friends at the bar.
(4)
Meghan T.
I went here on a Saturday night. I knew it was "new", I knew it was busy, I knew we would wait 40 minutes for a table because they told us. What I didn't know is that after being seated about 35 minutes after arriving we wouldn't get our hands on ANY food for 1 hour and 15 minutes. That is a long time to wait for a salad. We had to flag a different waiter down for another drink and to ask about where the f*ck our food was, and could we please get another drink?? By this time Bell Biv Devoe and Samantha Fox(wtf) pumping on the speakers was starting to be headache inducing. A manager came over and said they were short on kitchen staff and apologized. accepted. Until another 45 minutes went by until we got dinner. They screwed up my friends food and we sent it back. We shared a bowl of parpadelle and veggies which I thought was very good except that I had to SHARE IT with my now starving and cranky friend. And when I say share I mean the same bowl and napkin actually, no one bothered to bring an extra plate. I do recommend the Older Sister Cocktail, it was very yummy as were all our drinks which is what the 2 stars are for.
(2)
Kayla M.
I absolutely love this place. I've been here a few times and loved all the food and drinks. The manager is super attentive and gets to know the guests. The last time I went this place went above and beyond. My boyfriend brought me here for my birthday. In the reservations he noted to put a candle in the dessert, which the waitress did. To top it off there was a jazz singer there that night who stopped in the middle of her song to sing happy birthday. I'm not sure if she was asked to do this or if she did it on her own. Either way, I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Michael M.
This review regards their New Year's Eve. I was a little nervous going in because the ticket-buying was very disorganized. (And this was true for the 20 or so people I went with.) You would call and be told to call back another time, or told to e-mail someone, or told to come in, but the right person wasn't there. So, I half-expected to show up NYE night and see that at least some of our names weren't on the list. To my surprise, everyone's name was on the list and there was no wait at all to get in. Once inside, it was the ideal set-up. Professional staff. Absolutely no wait for bartenders. Appetizers (and tasty ones at that) passed around all night. Fruits, veggies and cheese all around (could have done without the weird frozen broccoli, but I'm being picky.) And it wasn't too crowded. I assumed it would be pretty crowded, but they must've limited the numbers so everyone had room to breathe. Very impressed with the Brahmin on NYE. The up-front ticket-purchasing could definitely have been better organized, but the actual product was well worth the $40 ticket.
(4)
B J.
We ordered 6 dishes! They were all delicious!!!! And the drinks were great too! Sevice very friendly, quick & Mike, the manager is real cute ;)
(5)
Susan J.
My girlfriends and I just went for drinks last Friday night. It was sort of quiet, but we had a great time just sitting at the bar chatting. The bartenders were super friendly and suggested certain drinks that they insisted we would love. They were right! Great drink menu! Next time i will go back for dinner.
(5)
Jacki F.
Went here for a drinks last weekend and really liked the ambiance. The bar was chic and glamorous without being stuffy. The crowd was young and hip. The drinks were delicious too! I will def be back again soon!
(4)
Mara M.
I've been here twice with groups and have found that it's an incredible place for dinner, drinks, and dancing. It's fancy without being pretentious and the plates are just the right size and super tasty. The drinks are amazing. And the manager is super nice and will talk to you and make you feel comfortable. Definitely a great new spot!
(4)
Tasha P.
Hey Yelpers! I went to Brahmin with a friend last night and really enjoyed the ambiance!! The quick service, music from the 80s and it wasn't crowded that's what I'm talking about!!! There was fresh fruit at the bar and everyone knows how much I love my fruit!! The bartender was sweet enough to give me a cup of fruit!!! Love the bathroom!! What's with the bill in the book? I still had fun-I ordered the chicken skewers (so so) and the tomato/mozzarella/basil and salad!! I can't wait to go back!! Check it out!
(4)
Maria W.
Not as advertised online. When you visit the webpage it appears a nice, dare I say quieter atmopshere (webpage music is "ain't misbehavin'") My husband and I went last night for my birthday dinner and it was so loud we couldn't hear each other at all. DJ music was fine, but not what we expected! most of the tables around us were filled with extremely loud diners; except a couple who sat down next to us and had the same look on their faces that we had. Too loud and not what was expected! If you are looking for a party- this place could be fun. As for the food- some good, some not so good. We were also told that they were out of one dish and then about 40 minutes later saw it being served to a table next to us????
(2)
Ca S.
I came last night with a large group of people (25). I had made a reservation for the couch area. That was the perfect space for us: the couches are very cozy, people were also able to stand and chat if they wanted. The staff moved some couches around for us and allowed us to get some chairs in the dining room as long as we left enough room not to make it a fire hazard. Management was much more accommodating to our group than a lot of other lounges/restaurants I had called (a lot of them wanted an exact count, a deposit and a contract). The food was great, a mix of comfort food (tater tots!!) and more elaborate options (scallop in bacon, gnocchi, prawns with chipotle sauce, tuna tartare, arancini, etc.). Everyone loved the trufffled mac and cheese! The drinks were inexpensive and there is a wide selection of cocktails ($10 for the classic cocktails versus $12 or more in a lot of places). Too many to try! The ambiance is great: cool art on the walls (a portrait of Betty Draper from mad Men!), brick walls, good DJ. We will definitely come back!
(5)
Sam G.
We went last night and it was a great time. Bartenders poured strong drinks quickly and the price was right. Didn't get to try the food but I will for sure be going back soon
(5)
Scott B.
I like this place. It's cozy, the staff is nice, and the food is worth it.
(4)
N C.
Hmm this place was okay. Tucked away on the corner of the street, went here on a Saturday night around 8pm. Not too many people in the restaurant- but the hostess looked at as worriedly when we arrived without a reservation- but then seated us promptly. The dining area is quite small- the place is really just a huge bar. I agree with the other reviews- the music is extremely loud, and as we continued to eat our dinner, they kept turning the music up as casual drinkers started streaming into the dining area and just hanging out-- made for eating dinner a little uncomfortable with people standing right next to your table. As for the food, it was decent but I wasn't blown away by anything. The menu is a little short- it has tapas but then maybe about 5 large dishes. My boyfriend and I ordered arugula salad (was okay), heirloom tomatoes (boyfriend said it was okay), mac & cheese (really good), tater tots (also really good- aioli sauce was amazing), and the chicken skewers (okay but lacked flavor). We ended the night with the molten lava cake dessert (which was the best thing we had all night). So all in all, the place was decent, not sure I'd go back for dinner though because the menu is so limited. If I'm in the area again, I'd probably go for a drink.
(3)
Michael C.
First things first: The food was pretty good. The steak and potato flatbread was the highlight and we'd rate most everything else a B- or better. (We also ordered meatballs, chicken skewers, and scallops.) The tater tots, while nostalgic, might have been frozen. (Ore Ida anyone?) The service was the big shortcoming-- amateurish at best. First of all, I'm not sure why servers don't write down orders any more. I won't think any less of you and it saves me from having to repeat myself. After we placed our order, what followed is what I like to call "the food auction." A food runner stood between our table and the table next to us and asked, "Did someone order the mac and cheese?" Not us, thanks, but our neighbors did. And later, short ribs that we didn't order arrived at our table. Um, sorry, not us. (We later learned that the food runner was actually the door guy.) The diners on the other side of us sent back the meatballs they didn't order while they waited for the beef tartar that apparently slipped through the cracks. (Again, just write it down people.) Another food runner spilled condiments at our table. A service disaster all around, really--and the primary reason we wouldn't consider returning. I have to mention one more thing. I have never had to complain about the silverware at a restaurant, but there's a first for everything, I suppose. The knives were interesting to look at, but I would have had an easier time cutting my food with a cucumber or a magician's rubber chicken. Such a strange detail to overlook. Pretty? Yes. But I really need to be able to eat with it, too. Sadly, the Stanhope Street curse is likely to continue. If this place is still open for Valentine's Day, I will personally clean the men's room in a Cupid costume. Call me.
(2)
Andrea B.
Went this past Friday at 6:10 and was told all the tables were taken for the rest if the night! Ordered two drinks at the bar - one was too sweet but the Boxcar martini was good! One other drink we ordered was nasty and the food was horrible! The tater tots were from a freezer bag and the chicken skewers tastes like rubber. I would not go back again - the cost of the food and drinks was not worth it.
(1)
Ariela M.
Great place for a girl's night. 3.5 stars for atmosphere, 4 for service, 4.5 for drinks and meal. They did a good job with the decor - it's laid-back without being snobby (despite the connotations of the restaurant name). The noise level is a bit high, but it's a fun crowd - young professionals and some middle-aged people - maybe I'm getting older but I prefer a place without college students. Servers were polite and prompt. They have a GREAT drink list - several wines by the glass and bottle but of course the highlight is the cocktails...pretty strong but all delicious! There are some classics and some which seemed unique. The food is also surprisingly good for a place I expected to have better cocktails than food - we all loved our apps and dinner, and the portions are substantial and definitely worth the money. We split the tater tots (probably the best ones I've had in a long time, and I'm living in Philly where they're a bar food staple!), the fried pickles, and some salads. For dinner I had the veggie pasta, which was really flavorful, and my friends got the tuna and the burger, all of which they said was delicious. I'd definitely come back with the girls or with a group. There were a few couples there on dates and it might be a bit loud for a romantic-type date, but a great drinks-before-dinner (or after) date.
(4)
Caitlin D.
Went here with my roomie the other night to use up a Gilt city voucher and enjoy the cabaret show. Never having been here when it is not super packed on a weekend I was surprised at what a nice atmosphere it offered for weeknight apps and drinks. The deal included a bottle of wine, 4 shared plates and the Tuesday night entertainment which we both very much enjoyed. The food was more than enough and everything we ordered was delish, especially the short rib grilled cheese. From the moment I walked in the staff was attentive and super friendly. I wish I could remember our servers name because she was very sweet and gave great recommendations. Oh, I forgot, we started with mojitios which were equally as amazing as everything else consumed (and I tend to think of myself as a mojito connoisseur). Overall, I would definitely head back there mon-thurs. It's a great spot on the weekend but totally surprised me with quality and service offered throughout the week!
(5)
Jessica D.
Social Sunday Brunch I came here for the Social Sunday Brunch put on by Crawl in Boston. Let me start out by saying it was really fun and I would come back to try the dinner menu but what a disaster we had on Sunday! We had a 12:30 reservation, they could not seat us and finally brought up a folding table and put the 8 of us in a corner by window, which actually turned out nice; we had our own little private dining area. I do not think they were expecting the amount of people that showed up for not only brunch but for the drinks and DJ. Our food took forever, we didn't get it until after 2pm and they messed up on many of the dishes. I do have to say though my veggie omlette with goat cheese was delicious and the potato fries were the best, nice and crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. The other orders were totally messed up - the French toast came with syrup, which was ordered on the side, the burger came with cheese even though she said NO cheese, two sandwiches were way over cooked, burnt rolls as was a second burger. A few of us enjoyed the meals. The drinks were not that strong at first. The home fries are actually tater tots, which are breaded ! (I ordered no toast with extra 'home fries' because I have a gluten allergy but obviously they didn't know what I was talking about, luckily I do not have a server allergy and was able to push them off the plate). Our waitress was great, a little slow but not her fault on her second day of an overly crowded and under staffed restaurant. I think the management needs to better run (we did get compensated for the mishaps) but still they need some help. All in all we had a great time, we just didn't appreciate waiting so long for our food.
(3)
Shannon C.
I checked this place out after I bought a 6 small plates deal from Rue La La. I used to come to this place when it was 33 Lounge. It's definitely a fun vibe, the music was loud & decent & the bar was packed. No creepers and no college kids. I got a pomegranate/vodka drink that was overwhelmingly sweet & the waitress was kind enough to let me switch it out for something else. We ordered the truffled mac 'n cheese, meatballs, arancini, shrimp, tater tots & scallops. Despite the fact that my (very hungry) date worried about leaving the place starving, this was way more than enough for 2 people! Our faves were the *mac 'n cheese - it was huge! Not a small plate at all & had the perfect amount of truffle flavor. *The scallops were also really good - the orange/maple sauce was amazing & they were cooked perfectly. Everything else was good as well - but those were the best. A great place for a fun date or a girls night.
(4)
marcy G.
Went for an early dinner and were among the first ones there around 6:30 on a Friday night. We were impressed with the interior as it was very trendy. We sat along the back wall at a pub table and it was a lot quieter back there. Ordered salads which were a large size for the price. Ordered some of the small plates. The tater tots were delicious with different dipping sauces and the chicken skewers had a good flavor. The salmon was not worth it. Thought we'd get a piece of cooked fish and it was four 3" strips for $8. We ordered a burger which surprisingly came with fries as the we thought the menu was a la carte. Also a cheese flatbread which was about 16" around. All in all, our food came out hot and we had great service. Would definitely go back again.
(5)
Xin S.
4 stars for food, ZERO for service, so I think 2 overall is fair. We had the slowest service ever, it was really unacceptable. Our dinner took two and a half hours with most of it spent awkwardly wondering where our food was and our server NOwhere in sight to flag down. Our apps came quickly and were delicious (shortribs were excellent, beef tartare was very flavorful). Once apps were done, we began the most ridiculous waiting game. Two other tables were seated after us, ordered, got their food, ate, paid and left before we saw our entrees. When our server (FINALLY) came around, I asked if our food was coming, he gave me a blank stare and answered with an abrupt "yeah..." By this point over an hour had gone by and he made NO acknowledgement of this. When the food finally came, it was delicious--I won't knock them for this, the food truly is quite good (my tuna sandwich was wonderfully rare, but the avocado was BROWN--clearly it had been prepped and waited and waited and waited for the tuna?? Our pizza was good too, but the burger was way overcooked). Then it took forever to get our check (shocker!) The service was truly unacceptable and bordering on unprofessional. I would not return, which is a shame because the food wasn't at all bad, but I would never want to put up with that kind of 'service' again. Also--they served prosecco in a PLASTIC flute--seriously??
(2)
Jennifer G.
I've been here on multiple occasions, and I have to say that every time has been nothing less of spectacular. Great atmosphere. The first time I went here was for dinner and the live band. The venue was tucked away in Back Bay, so was a little hard to find initially. The servers were all very friendly and seated us at a table near the band. Being overwhelmed by the menu, our server explained to us that the menu items were all smaller sized, similar to tapas. They recommended 2-3 per person. Tip: you MUST get the short rib grilled cheese bites. Absolute must. The flavor of the short ribs and crispy cheese melt perfectly in your mouth. Amazing. All of their menu items are pretty unique and I can't say I've been disappointed with anything there. I also came here one night for a friend's birthday. They take the tables away around 10 PM I believe, so the restaurant becomes more of a bar/lounge with a dance floor in the back. The music is pretty good. Not your typical club music or Top 40's playlist. I was very impressed with their service. Another time I made a reservation for a party of 8, they were extremely accommodating to our needs. The event director, Jill, emailed me afterwards to follow up on our reservation to make sure we had a good time. As an added thank you, she even offered to help us out with future events and parties and offered a free appetizer for us since we're such loyal customers. Again, very impressed.
(5)
Ann J.
ATMOSPHERE Brahmin is the perfect mix between a bar and a dance club. There are couches and tables for those who prefer to sit, and a large dance floor for those who prefer something more lively. Overall the feel is a little bit nicer than casual. The majority of women were in dresses and heels. BAR The drinks at Brahmin are a bit on the expensive side. At one point I was thirsty and asked for water but was told it had to be bought in a bottle. So instead I asked for sprite which cost me $3.50. Seemed a little ridiculous to me. ADVICE Brahmin is the place to go if you want to dress up and avoid the college scene. One other nice point about brahmin is that there is no cover. The majority of nice bars in Boston require at least a $10 cover, so getting in to brahmin for free is a huge bonus. My advice, pregame before you go and enjoy the dance floor!
(4)
Jonathan S.
Brahmin is a great local hangout after work especially those in John Hancock building and surrounding offices. This review is for dinner on a Thursday at 6:30 PM. Service For a busy bar they actually have decent service. The waitress checked on our table multiple times and asked us to see if we wanted anything else for our order. She was very courteous and responsive. Food The food is pretty decent for a casual drinking hole. The Mac and cheese has a decent consistence and the tater totes are stand outs. The fried pickles have a bit to much dough/starch. The melted cheese is good but a bit heavy on the butter. Drinks were good but the gin and tonic was a bit watered down. Presentation is excellent. I recommend ordering a bunch of dishes and sharing with friends.
(3)
Laurie B.
I really enjoyed The Brahmin last Friday. We were celebrating my friends 25th birthday. Pros: Located a short distance from Backbay station. Two different floors which means more good music. Great drinks and not that badly priced for Boston. Extremely nice staff. Free water jug next to coat check! Classy and clean! Cons: Long wait to get in. (Totally worth it AND expected on a Friday) Had to pay for coat check. (I'd rather pay for it then have to hold my coat) I hope to find myself back at The Brahmin next time I'm in Boston.
(5)
Omar N.
In reference to the comment and reply below to David. I seems that the managers reply to every incident is that he was there and he saw the whole thing. I will not go so far as to call him a bold faced liar... I've actually never seen the gentleman. The review David left actually involved me specifically. I was wearing a pair of all white chuck taylor low rise casuals (not Jordans all black men don't own Jordans) and the other gentleman that got into the lounge wore navy blue or black vans flats (not uggs). Almost identical canvas material and rubber sole. I was told that I had on athletic footwear...and that the other gentleman was wearing boat shoes (he never even looked at his shoes before letting him in...not the way he stopped to check mine.) David spoke up respectfully asked what the criteria was because the difference in this case was minimal. Of the two men there none of them were managers with a super sayan jersey shore blow out, and home depot orange tan. I know this because I've been to the shore before...i digress When the blatant bigotry was brought to their attention one of the men at the door said "so you're gonna play the black card...you know ignorance comes in all colors?" Thank you David for speaking on my behalf...you saw something you said something; and because I didn't want to ruin the evening tried to look past it. All things considered this was a private establishment with a demonstrated "flexible" dress code, maybe they could have made and exception. I expected the half assed "sorry not sorry" passive aggresive response for the manager...but nothing in his statement was true.
(1)
Dan C.
Our bartender Rory is the worst piece of shit ever!! Avoid this Resturant when he works!!! He spit in our food! AVOID at all costs
(1)
Courtney K.
To start off, I only went here for the night club hours and cannot comment on the food. As a Manhattanite my standards for night clubs are pretty high, and this was one of the better places I've been to. Music was on point- combo of top 40s, remixes, and older 90's hits so everyone was likely to hear something they enjoyed. Coat check and bartenders are efficient, bathroom is clean, and its in a fun neighborhood! The crowd is young and hip which I liked too. Great for coming in groups and meeting new people as well.
(5)
Amanda M.
Wow what can I say about this bar. I requested a song and they did not play it at all, upstairs or downstairs. It was kinda rude. But to be honest i had a really good time and I would probably go back again. The basement was sweaty and everything I hoped for in Boston.
(3)
Robyn B.
Don't try coming here after 10pm... the line really is that bad... BUT if you get here around 9, you'll have a fun night. Good (weak) drinks, good food (pretty much everything is fried, though, fyi), and the dance floor is entertaining.
(3)
Shaina F.
My first time here, the atmosphere was really awesome! No cover and they have a little outdoor spot, as well as bars in 3 different rooms so it was super easy to get a drink, and they weren't too expensive! $6ish for a beer, $7-8 for a mixed drink...not to shabby I've certainly seen worse. Lots of dancing which was fun, but it got a little crowded later on. Overall an awesome place, I would definitely go back! Good crowd :)
(4)
Angel M.
So my cousin chose this restaurant for her bday. It was nice. The server was really nice and helpful. I can't remember her name, I just remember that she said that she was Brazilian and she was really cute and nice. A friend at the table ordered a white sangria. We ordered it after seeing hers but ours had less fruit. Someone else at the table just mentioned it to the waitress, and she quickly replaced ours (even though I was almost finished) with new ones made like the first one. That made my day. Pros; the short rib grilled cheese was AMAZING!!!!!!!! You HAVE TO GET IT!! That was probably the most filling/satisfying of the small plate options they had. -she was really good at suggesting drinks. The drinks were good and the prices were not too bad ($9.35 per sangria) - I don't think we got a gratuity charge and there was about 8 of us -the food was really good!! Cons: -the food doesn't all come out at once. My asparagus fries came first and I was hungry so I was the only one eating -the small plates are literally small. I got the asparagus friend bc I saw a pic on here that looked bigger. But I probably only got 8 pieces for $7 -she didn't separate our checks. But other than that this place is cool. It turns into a club afterwards!
(4)
Shawna H.
I would give this place NO stars, but Yelp made me give it at least 1....my best friend had a party of 20 in this bar. My boyfriend and I showed up and my boyfriend was denied to get in because he had Tim boots on. I'm sorry but that is bullshit!!!! There were men inside with flip flops on and women can wear whatever they want to with no hassle. We have a party of 55 going there next weekend, most of them being Boston Firefighters (including my boyfriend) I will be canceling this party here and bringing our service elsewhere! Their loss!!! Thank you for responding! I completely understand "set rules", I respect that you follow them. What I don't respect is how we got treated that night. The manager on that night came out to speak with us, and I quote said, "You are better off spitting in my face, than getting in here with Tim boots on", and continued to laugh in our faces! Completely unnecessary! Like I said we did take our party elsewhere. If we just got turned away that would be one thing, but we politely asked to see the manager because we drove all the way from a family party in Beverly to our best friends party there. We did nothing to deserved to be spoken to like that. If wearing boots makes you a bad person, I will take my marine/firefighter elsewhere. Your staff should learn some serious respect.
(1)
Yen T.
I have never been to a place with worse customer service. The line is ridiculously long for mediocre music and the management is atrocious. Arbitrary judgment calls over the dress code (whatever constitutes as dressy shoes - boat shoes vs. vans vs. sneakers) ruined what could have been a fun night of dancing that would have led to word-of-mouth recommendations to my network. Either way, the dispute was poorly handled as the staff were less than accommodating - to say the least - and frankly treated us in an impolite and even disrespectful manner. Don't bother wasting your time at the Brahmin.
(2)
Danae K.
Excellent place for drinks, and if you come on a Friday or Saturday night, excellent for dancing. I highly suggest coming here for an enjoyable night out
(5)
Kat G.
I've been here a few times now and enjoy it every time. It can get busy quite quickly, so it's always worth going early. The cocktails are tasty and the service is usually pretty good. I haven't eaten there, but wouldn't definitely go and try it. Great for meeting friends for drinks!
(4)
Kacie D.
I've been here twice and loved the food and drinks. The deep fried brie, fried pickles and short rib grilled cheese bites were out of this world. The drinks were a bit pricey, but not unlike most restaurants and bars in the area. The wait staff on both occasions were so helpful and friendly. I went both on a Saturday evening and a Wednesday evening and neither time was there a crowd, despite the reviews. I would recommend making a reservation to be safe. The best part is their monthly gift card program!
(4)
Jordan K.
I want to start off with this review is complicated and has many variables. I feel like this place is actually really good...so good and so popular in fact that it actually hurts its rating. I would like to give this place 4 or 5 stars, but I think its popularity and therefor crazy packed crowd end up taking away from the experience. I will set the stage. I set up a group of 10 or so people to meet here. After much thought we decided on Brahmin over Whiskey Saigon due mostly in part to us having been to WS and not Brahmin yet. I got there a little later than I had planned, 10:30 and it took FOREVER to get inside. We had to have been 20 people back from the front of the line for 45 minutes. My body and feet literally seized up from the cold. By the time we got in, I was frozen, couldn't feel my feet (necessary tools for dancing) and whatever buzz I may have had when I got there was long gone. Within ten minutes we had checked out coats and made our way to the bar. While waiting behind two people to order a drink, a nice waitress came up and asked what we would like. We figured this would be easier and faster. HEADS UP - Do not order from the waitresses. It is WAYYYY longer of a wait. It probably took 20 minutes to get our drinks. I can only assume she was taking multiple orders a round or got stuck in her own line at whatever counter she uses for make/pickup drinks. After a few drinks we made our way onto the dance floor. The point of this night was for loud music and dancing so it appeared we did pick the right place. The floor was jammed with people...sweaty and smelly and...probably exactly what you should be expecting if your goal is to dance (I cannot bash them for this). I will say though...the dance floor is too small and the two small openings to get in are easily blocked. The bathrooms and I believe a second goat check are located downstairs along with another bar. I do not know if this is common, but the ratio of women to men was OFF THE CHARTS. Any guy reading this...go downstairs when you come in and quickly take in the surroundings. It was pretty crazy that night. Can someone comment back and tell me if that is normal?? Here are some quick ratings: Overall - 3/5 stars Bar - Good drinks, but lengthy service duration. Bartenders did not seem to be in a rush. 3/5 stars Line - This was crazy long. It is not the fault of Brahmin though, they are just absolutely packed. That being said, lines suck. 2/5 stars Bathrooms/cleanliness - Perfectly fine. Not good, not great. 4/5 stars Music - Music selection was good, but that is probably subjective to the DJ. Ill give it a standard 3/5 stars Dance Floor - I am sorry, but you have great music going, but way too small a dance floor. Do some rearranging or get rid of that little bar in the corner. - 2/5 stars All in all, I may come back again when it is a little bit warmer. Suggested group size is 3-6 (I say 3 because I do not see this as a 1 on 1 date spot). Hope this review helps!!
(3)
Brittany S.
Absolutely love this place, filled out a loyalty card last time I went... Received it in the mail today but expired 12/26/14 . Thanks guys, sure showing appreciation to your customers.
(2)
Jennifer C.
Came here for late night cocktails with my co worker and the bartender was an absolute dick. I normally don't use profanity online but there is no other word to describe him. He was rude and a jackass at the least. The drink he served me was disgusting and completely watered down. When I told him that it didn't meet me satisfaction he grabbed the drink from me TOOK A SIP FROM MY STRAW and told me that it tasted fine to him and if I wanted another I would have to pay. Fair enough, I would have paid for another drink but his rudeness wasn't necessary. ESPECIALLY because it wasn't even that busy yet. Fair to say I won't be back.
(1)
Meg K.
Four stars for the bartender and the food. Minus two for the waitress and hostess. I first sat at the bar waiting for my friends and our reservation. The bartender served me right away and then my friends when they arrived. We then moved to our table and on the second check-in where we weren't yet ready to order, our waitress asked if we could give her a time estimate so she didn't have to keep coming back. The restaurant was fairly empty, so we felt a bit weird and told her 5 minutes. Odd stuff like this kept happening, but the food was at least stable. We ordered six dishes for three of us (it's tapas style), and that was the perfect amount. Everything was tasty and I'd order it again. After we paid our bill, our waitress started clearing the table while we were still sitting there, so we got the hint that she was done with us and decided to leave. The hostess completely ignored us, too busy with her conversion with another restaurant staff member. We felt really unwelcome there. Expect a pricey set of tasty plates served by a girl more concerned about herself and her looks than your experience.
(3)
Lillian C.
This is another one of Boston's "clubs" that doesn't charge cover but the line can get REALLY LONG. So basically, get here early! It's a pretty cool place with a lounge area and a small dance floor off of that on the ground floor. The basement is noticeably smaller with barely any space to dance with the sitting sofas and tables. The music they play is decent, but it's not as great as some of the other places I've been. Also, it just seems like a place that gets really crowded and messy/dirty, but not as douchy as some other places. I like the lounge area with the bar since it's easy to get a drink and chill if you don't feel like dancing. I've only had a lot of fun when I went with A LOT of people tho...
(3)
Brian P.
It seems like every review of this place is a 1 or a 4 which is enough make you suspicious, but I ended up there last night and just as other people have stated they are extremely strict on their "shoe code." I'd say dress code, but everyone was turned away for the same reason. It's not to say that an establishment isn't allowed to have a dress code regulations, but the sign specifically says "No Athletic Sneakers" which I would consider shoes you would see at the gym, or a basketball court, etc. My friend and I had just purchased brand new, $100+ fashionable sneakers from Bodega (high-end, retro shoe store with it's own secret entrance) and I had on $200 designer jeans, and a designer t-shirt. Honestly, I was one of the best dressed customers there, yet my $300+ outfit didn't meet their standards. I bet they would have let Kanye West wear my sneakers inside, but apparently our money was no good to them. What bothered me most was the fact that the bouncers would allow people to wear in dirty, old, cheap non-dress shoes that looked similar to the Payless clearance section, but I can't wear a pair of non-athletic $100 Nike's that are fresh out of the box. We even asked if we could wear them inside if we purchased bottle service and a table. At first the bouncer outside said yes, then he went inside and came back and told us no. We asked to speak to the manager and he wouldn't allow us to do that either. My group were all sober by the way, and were trying to negotiate a deal with them. We all have money and were willing to spend hundreds of dollars in their bar, but they weren't having it. My final comment to The Brahmin is remember who you are. You're not Las Vegas, you're not New York City. You're Boston. You don't even charge a cover... so how does excluding "athletic sneakers" improve your customer experience? Well it doesn't. I won't go back, I'll tell all my friends not to come back, and hopefully the people of Yelp will realize there's better places to spend their time. P.s. Your website doesn't show your "dress code" policy and I looked diligently to find one, so perhaps you should update that. I'm excited to see what the "business owner ed" will respond with. The line at Vegas has you at +5 spelling errors.
(1)
David J.
If you read the reviews of this place on yelp, you will see that the doormen/bouncers have some discretion as to whether they will allow people wearing sneakers into their establishment. Given that entrance was granted to a white guy dressed very similar to a black guy that was denied entry, one has to question the reasons why. To make matters worse the doorman called me "ignorant" for surfacing this fact. #nevergoingback #bramin_sucks #call_it_what_it_is #racism
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Late Night Parking : Valet, Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Music : DJ Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Christy O.
I was having a really good time here tonight...ordered a few drink for me and my friends and paid with cash. Later on in the night, i tried to order another drink but just for myself. it cost 8 dollars which is a respectable price and i made it known to the bar tender that i only had 2 dollars cash left but he took my drink away after making it and said i had to order 20 dollars worth of drinks to pay with a card. had i used my card earlier and saved the cash for this scenario it would have been completely fine. its sad that they would turn away a paying customer for some stupid rule. definitely lost a former fan....
(1)Emily C.
The Brahmin is definitely one of the nicer night spots I've visited in Boston. It's pretty similar to some of the lounges in LA. It kinda reminded me of a smaller version of Les Deux in LA. You will probably have to wait in line to get in, but the line seems to move pretty fast. No cover. The crowd is pretty good looking and the music is great. There is a coat check. Lots of bartenders and bar area, so it's pretty easy to get a drink. My ONLY issue with The Brahmin is the strange layout. I have no idea why they stuck a HUGE staircase in the middle of the place. It takes up so much valuable space! There are way too many walls and hall ways in the down stairs area. I couldn't help but think of the chaos that would ensue if something were to happen down there.... Overall, a really nice spot in Boston. I'll probably be back again.
(3)Tina C.
After reading some of the responses to reviews here, I'm a little apprehensive about posting my experience. I want to preface this by saying I've taken some time to cool off a little after the incident in question, and I am trying my best to come at this from a level-headed and fair point of view. I also want to say that I fully understand the need for lines, and I am under no illusions that I deserve special treatment. I do not live in Boston, and I have no vested interest in how well or poorly this place does. The only reason I was even here on the night in question was because I had come in from out of town to celebrate with my friend. I'm writing this review because it seems that there have been other reviewers who have had a similar experience. At around 9:45pm, I arrived at The Brahmin. There was already a line outside, but because my friend had a guest list, I was told I would be let in as long as I arrived before 10pm. I gave the name to the bouncer, who barely glanced over his clipboard before telling me he could not find it. I told him I was sure it was under "Jane Smith" and asked if he could please check again. Again, he flipped a few papers on his clipboard but barely glanced before telling me he couldn't find it. I told him I would call my friend, who was inside the bar, to confirm which name she had used. Because it was so loud inside, it took me a while to reach my friend. By the time I got back to the bouncer, it was 10:02pm (based on call logs). Again, I told the bouncer I was sure the name was "Jane Smith". This time, he looked at his clipboard, and said, "Yeah, it looks like she had a guest list but it's past 10 now, so you can't get in." I politely pointed out that I had actually arrived before 10, and that it was him (the bouncer) who had missed my friend's name on the list. He told me there was nothing that could be done. At this time, a group of women also rocked up to the front of the line, saying they were here for the "Liz Jones" party. The bouncer told them the same thing, that he could not let them in because it was after 10. You'll see why I'm noting this in a second. At this point, I admit I was a little annoyed because it was the bouncer who initially could not find "Jane Smith" on his clipboard and now he was refusing to let me in because of his mistake. I asked to speak to the manager, and was told I could not. This is when I started to get upset and stood aside to call my friend again to let her know what was happening. As I was on the phone, I see the same group of women as before being let into the bar. As the bouncer is letting them through, he says to the other bouncer, "It's cool, they're here for the Liz Jones party." I again ask the bouncer why I'm still not allowed in and am told there's nothing he can do. So, a summary of events: - 9:45pm - I arrive and the bouncer cannot find Jane Smith on the guest list. - 10:02pm - The bouncer confirms that he actually does see Jane Smith on the list, but it's after 10 so I'm out of luck. At this time, a group of women arrive for the Liz Jones party and are told they cannot get in for the same reason. - 10:07pm (ish) - The aforementioned group of women are let in. The bouncer still refuses to let me in. I want to note that at no time during this entire ordeal was I rude or raising my voice. I subscribe to the "catching flies with honey" mentality and hate when issues escalate to screaming. Eventually, my friend is able to speak with a (floor?) manager who was extremely rude to her before letting me in. I have no complaints about the rest of the night, the drinks were all right and our waitress was sweet and attentive despite the crowd. The dance floor was a bit over crowded, but I suppose that was expected. Eventually a floor manager did come over to speak with my friend about the issues she was having getting her friends inside (I was not the only one who experienced the power-tripping bouncers), but by then the damage had been done. To the managers, I implore you to look into the behavior of your bouncers. I realize that it is difficult to do crowd control outside and I understand the importance of lines and capacity control, but when your bouncers are having power trips over who can and cannot get into your establishment, at least make sure they are consistent with their lies. If they are going to be giving special treatment, at least be discrete about it. Your bouncers are the first thing your guests experience before coming into the bar. They set the tone for your guests...Shouldn't they be better behaved and more professional than this? I am giving 2 stars, because Yelp categorizes it as "I've experienced better" which I think is an accurate and fair assessment.
(2)Sarah O.
Brahmin is a go-to for my house. We go once a week, usually a Friday night at Brahmin. Great dancing, two floors, and randomly great 90s music! You can reserve tables if you have a large group. Monday/Tuesday dinner at Brahmin is a must-try too!
(4)Margarita S.
Love this place!!!! You are the best, guys! Great cocktails, awesome DJs and beautiful people. P.S. Wish you had a Glist or club card...
(5)Michael C.
This places draws a solid crowd, I would definitely recommend arriving here early. If you arrive later in the evening you will be waiting in a pretty long line. Then when you get in you will be ushered into the downstairs room, which is basically an overflow room with a bar and have to wait in another line to get back upstairs. So arrive early and don't bother heading downstairs unless it is to use the restroom. There is a small dancefloor here upstairs to the right of the bar. This place gets packed and the narrow walk areas around the bar makes it difficult to walk around. The good music and great crowd make up for some of Brahmin's flaws. Overall this place is a solid place for a weekend night, as long as you keep in mind that you will have to deal with all the normal BS of going to this type of bar/club.
(4)Sean H.
the good and the bad.... The good. Nice space. The bad. We were ignored at the host desk for the first five minutes. Really, really loud space. Couldn't hear each other talk I ordered the beef tenderloin and it was flavorless. Overcooked and dry. The mac and cheese side dish was a waste of calories. Don't waste your time. My synopsis, go for drinks not dinner.
(2)Erica P.
Decent music even though the DJ doesn't know how to mix a beat or transition between songs!
(3)Goudy L.
The bottom line about the Brahmin is that the food is boring, the drinks are expensive, you could experience permanent hearing loss from the overly amplified music, and the owner is a douche. So many different reviews are complaining about the hazardous noise levels at the Brahmin and about Russ the owner making lame internet threats to people leaving unfavorable reviews. For example as he did to "Eric M". See for example "Jackie S." who said "Then a live singer came on and she was really talented but they had the sound up too high as I still wanted to casually chat with my girlfriend." or "Katie V", where it was "it was impossible to hear" causing the bartender to bring more drinks rather than the check, leading to a one star experience. Russ is of course entirely incorrect about his obligations to provide a safe working environment for his employees. Making the excuse "they choose to work here" has been rejected in the state of Massachusetts since 1910s, and at the Federal level since the 1970s. ---- osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/no… There are various factors that may indicate noise is a problem in the workplace. While people react differently to noise, subjective responses should not be ignored because they may provide warnings that noise may be at unacceptable levels. Noisy conditions can make normal conversation difficult. When noise levels are above 80 decibels (dB), people have to speak very loudly. When noise levels are between 85 and 90 dB, people have to shout. When noise levels are greater than 95 dB, people have to move close together to hear each other at all. High noise levels can cause adverse reactions or behaviors.
(1)Mike N.
I've been here a few times on Thursdays and Fridays. I don't think they ever charge a cover on the weekends. Great for after work drinks. Crowd seemed to be mid to late 20's.
(5)Jonathan C.
Brahmin is one the hottest places to go in Boston on a Friday or Saturday night. Great food all week long, good Dj's on the weekends, and the management is fantastic.
(5)Ilena R.
Great experience. The owner actually lent my friend shoes so he could come in (he was wearing flip flops) - so considerate! Service was great, music was great. Awesome place to go for a birthday party!
(5)Maddy S.
I just want to start out by saying if you like douche-y clubs, thus might be the place for you. Unfortunately, I do not count myself in that population. There was a massive line at 10pm on a Saturday, we waited 45 minutes, got in and it was so loud I couldn't even hear myself think. They also have an utterly absurd dress code. They're super strict on sneakers despite the fact that once you get inside it's so crowded that you can't even see anybody's feet. Drinks were reasonably priced but for some reason they have a minimum card charge of $20. And for the music, while they did play some good songs, they give the DJs a little too much free license. There were some awful mashups and sped up versions of popular songs. While I did have a pretty good time dancing with friends, if you're looking for a fun night I'd recommend looking elsewhere.
(2)Martin H.
Stopped in for a drink, a decent Moscow Mule. The floor around the bar was so insanely and inexplicably sticky it partly pulled my shoe off at one point. The weather outside was beautiful but somehow it was hot in the bar. One bartender ignored me to keep talking hockey with some fellow Canadians, the other mostly ignored me to hit on the servers. Tried to take my drink outside to enjoy the beautiful weather, but was told I had to order food if I wanted to sit outside (apparently that's the law, so I'm not holding it against the establishment. Stupid law though.). The inside of the bar looked like it might be very nice. But even though it was broad daylight outside, the inside of the bar was so dark and gloomy that I couldn't really see whether it was a nice place, and I felt like some sort of alcoholic vampire, avoiding the sun. There are several other bars less than a block away; in the future I would try one of them instead.
(2)Julie B.
Want to go to the Brahmin on a Saturday night? Get there early. After reading reviews my friends and I arrived at 9:05 on the dot. There was already a small line formed, and by 9:10 it was down the street. Getting to a bar "early" usually means by 10:30. Not here folks! There was a private party downstairs so I'm guessing the line started a bit earlier than normal, but better safe than sorry. Lounges aren't typically my thang but I really liked Brahmin. Here's why: - No cover - Good drinks! Bartender makes a mean dark n' stormy in a cute mason jar glass. - Great music - oldies, top 40, remixes, Whitney Houston tribute - Places to sit, places to stand, places to dance - $3 Coat check with a NICE attendant - clean, fancy bathrooms - ATM in the bar All good things! Also, the place is kinda fancy but there's a huge range in dress. I had on flats and a casual black dress. Girls were in jeans/dresses, some guys were wearing suits and some were wearing hoodies. Wear what you'd like!
(4)Alicia W.
Updating my review as I've been back to the Brahmin since my last post and have had an equally-bad or worse experience compared to the multiple occasions I reference in my last review. I'd also like to state that I've updated my settings just for you, Ed. So please feel free to provide additional mostly defensive and unhelpful comments and throw in a few empty threats as you've done to other posters as you see fit. I maintain my original sentiments, but will refuse any further invitations to this establishment.
(1)Adam H.
A huge line to get inside and find the place not full at all. Very mixed crowd with a strange vibe. Basement bar is kind of creepy. Coat check ran out of hangers?? Random furniture all over the place. The bartenders were as lost as the DJ in this place.
(2)TinoX T.
Good place to dance and to have couple of drinks but I don't understand why they don't have a minimum dress code level, I saw few people they have flip-flops on and some guys they have Shorts and sandal !!!!! I was confused if we was on the Beach or in Night life Gizmo. ps: i put three Stars only because yelp didn't let me put this review less then 3 stars,if it come to me i put ONE STARRRR
(3)Ryan S.
Was here a few months back in the winter months. Food was good. Shrimp apps were my favorite. Good music and god place to chill with friends. Not too loud just laid back.
(4)Shirley L.
I have never experienced such horrible management and service in all my years of dining out. I don't even know where to begin...The waitress was a complete bxtch and was completely rude. She did not introduce herself as our waitress, I had to find her name through the bill. She kept coming over and asking for us to order drinks and rushing us even though not all of our party had been seated. We finally order the food. The prices are outrageous for such small proportions. Don't order the Mac n Cheese because it was horrible. My friend ordered a dish and it wasn't even served! By the time the waitress (Bevin) came around, I told her the dish didn't arrive. She snapped, "Well the order was put in, it must've gone to the wrong table" Ok....well how is that our problem? So then she so "smartly" asks if he would still like the dish, even though everyone was done with their meals...yes Bevin...he'd like to start eating now...Too bad you already included the tip as a part of our bill because honestly if we could, we wouldn't tip you at all. The busboy comes around to collect our dishes so he takes out a big bin and slams it onto the end of our table where we're seated. WE had to pass him the plates for him to throw his bin roughly. Shall we wash them too? The bill comes around and there was a problem with it and we talked to our waitress about it. She said she can't do anything about it, so we asked for the manager. Manager: A person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of a company or similar organization. Not only did he not "control" the situation, he was just as rude as the waitress. He didn't accomodate and the only thing he did was yell. Yes sir, because yelling at your PAYING customers will solve the problem. I'd really love to meet whoever trained you to work in the customer service field. I have no idea why there are people waiting in line to get in for their drinks and dancing. If you need a club, go somewhere else in Boston because there are plenty out there better. The martini's are watered down, and other drinks are mediocre. Overall not a good place for drinks, food, or customer service. Would not recommend this place AT ALL! SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TIME! GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!
(1)Mary B.
The perfect place for BU biddies and douchey frat guys. It's always crowded and there's always a line, but there's no cover which is nice and the music is pretty decent. But the bartenders are rude and insist on a 2 drink minimum so expect to spend a lot even without cover.
(2)Ellen H.
Anywhere that has outdoor seating at least qualifies for a 3-star review in my book. So we'll start there. +1 star for being able to complete reservations online from the Brahmin website. +1 star for being seated immediately even though we were 30 mins early for our reservation. -1 star for the table being ridiculously rickety. As in, every time my date or I lifted our arm to take a bite, the whole table shifted several inches in the other direction. -1 star for $12 lowball mojitos. Good, but not $12 good. -1 star for a teensie tiny caesar salad. I know it's tapas, but the salads aren't part of the "small plates" and weren't priced as such. -1 star for the mediocre meatballs -- at $3 per, I expected them to at least excite me in some way. +1 star for the best gnocchi's I have EVER had. In my life. Holy moses. +1 star for service with a smile, attentive, great attitude, never rushing us out. The take home message: go for outdoor seating, limit your drinks, and get a whole serving of the gnocchis!
(3)Sooks M.
Got here at 10pm on a saturday. Waited in line for AN HOUR AND A HALF. I figured that this place must be god sent if the line wraps around the block. NO. When I finally got inside (only because everyone in line in front of me had left), I rushed to the bar for a shot and drinks..The bartender said she was out of shot glasses and drink cups, she did not say to wait for more cups, she said if we didn't want a beer we would have to go to the other bar across the room...mind you the place was filled to capacity. The upstairs 'DJ' played top 40 and the downstairs 'DJ' played hiphop, the flow of the music was terrible, choppy and inconsistent. If you're looking to wait in line for hours and be crowded like a sweaty sardine this is the place is for you!
(1)Angel M.
Mostly mega rude hostesses. Emotionless and dull bartenders. Yeah, you'll get more kindness and energy from a garbanzo bean. I will never be a Boston Brahmin (as I am from another part of the world); so I instead will opt to visit The Brahmin and talk about it. The nightlife is the reason to go. The food and the service are not. There is often time an event or a named night that brings people and makes them social and the evening really pulls together for a good time. Omg, actually, in the back of the top floor there is this like step and it's so stupid. Hate it. The music is pretty deece. Its packed very early in the evening, never a cover, except don't sit on a couch without a reservation, it's like sensory overload for the freaked out hostesses. Like, I get it, they are reserved, but seriously, chill the eff out. The staircase leading to the bathroom is clutch. The décor is a score. I've been to the downstairs room a couple of times for events and its good too. Like I just said, if you're cool with a flatbread bartender, its pretty fun here.
(3)Tony N.
Came here for dinner last night for the first time. My friends frequent the bar/club scene but also said they had great food. We had no problem getting a last minute reservation on their website and were able to sit outside. It was a gorgeous night HOWEVER the management has failed to take steps to prohibit smoking outside of the dining area. I would take a star away for this but I KNOW management will take steps to fix this. Thankfully there were only a few people smoking cancer sticks throughout our meal. Now for the good: Service was excellent. Our waitress was in training and accompanied by her trainer. Both were very friendly and made excellent recommendations regarding items and quantity, (small plates menu). It was refreshing to have friendly staff at a place like this as restaurants with a bar/club scene in my experience usually have terrible service. The drinks were really good. It looks like any wine sold by the bottle is also available by the glass. Glass prices are on the high side but the wine my wife ordered was good. Beer selection is meh. Ordered a Maker's Manhattan and it was excellent! The food is great. Not one thing on the menu we did not enjoy. The best item was easily the half order of gnocchi. Large portion for just a half order, full of flavor, perfectly cooked. Shrimp tacos were a bit hard to eat with the fried puff shell but we're still good. Order comes with two. Garlic shrimp was awesome. Highly recommend ordering the goat cheese aranchini. they are addicting! Order comes with four. Arugula and goat cheese salad was nice and fresh wi just the right amount of dressing. If you don't get your drink on during dinner this o,ace is pretty affordable and the quality is great. Looking forward to a return visit....with no butt smokers within range of dining of course.
(4)Matt S.
I'm not a big "packed bar/DJ/club" kind of person but if you're into that it has a pretty good late night scene. This claim is bolstered by the rather large line we encountered when we arrived around 10. I have no idea what the food is like, I only know what the late night scenario is like. It was packed, had two floors with separate DJ's who played pretty good music. They had staff walking around making sure things were flowing properly so that was nice. Despite being absolutely packed it actually wasn't that hard to get a drink, so overall it was a pretty decent experience. Just a note, if you aren't planning on opening a tab know there is a $20 minimum in order to put a drink in and close your tab.
(4)Kristen D.
Wish I could give ZERO stars! The short review: RUDE & PRETENTIOUS-DON'T BOTHER! The long review-Arrived at 7, for a 730 reservation for my friend's 30th birthday. My bf and I walked in and explained to the hostess we were here for a party and gave her the name, while she was looking for the reservation, another hostess (dark haired) walked up and barked at us, "WE'RE FULL!" Atthat moment the other hostess found the party reservation and told us where we would be set up. I was so disgusted by the hostesses attititude that I wouldve walked out, if it wasn't my friends birthday! We had a waitress for our table, and while she wasn't a rude B, she was never around, making it nearly impossible to get drunk (combined with the WEAK drinks). Funny, about an hr later, the rude hostess, came up to mty bf and I and apologized for her behavior to us. While I appreciated the gesture, the damage was already done and I was pissed off. Now, I get it, I've worked in the service industry (it sucks and you hate your job!), everyone is entitled to a "bad night," but when an overwhelming amount of reviews comment on the rude, bitchy staff, you'd think ownership/mgmt would do a serious re haul or have a serious talk with PMS'ing, bitchy staff. Obviously, they don't care, as there is somehow always a line here on the wknds. I just don't get the allure of this place, and I for 1 (as well as my friends), will never give this place our business again. Will make sure my fellow yelp elites are aware as well! Also-on a disgusting note-practically all off the toilets in the women's room were over flowing-so nasty!
(1)Deanna D.
Nice ambiance, friendly staff, and good cocktail list but the food is mediocre at best. We sat at the bar and the service was fast & friendly. The food run down: Truffled mac & cheese- too dry and not cheesy enough Tuna 2 ways- nice presentation and good flavor Beef short ribs- tender but not much flavor Basil gnocchi- delicious dish Prosciutto & arugula flatbread- the lemon pickled onions overpowered the entire dish and made it painful to eat I liked the speakeasy style ambiance so I may come back for drinks but would skip the food. 2 stars for the food; 3 stars for the ambiance & service.
(3)Katie A.
Honestly horrible experience last night. Went out for some birthday drinks with some friends. Place was packed and bar area was busy. We were standing by the bar and a cocktail waitress said right behind you guys. She then proceeded to lose her balance and drop and pour the drinks all over myself and the people right next to me. She then said that's what you get when i say right behind. I thought this was incredibly rude and asked to speak to the manager. When i talked to him he did not apologize once and said this happened with one of MY waitresses?! I said yes and he gave me an odd look and walked away. Incredibly rude and poor customer service. Because of that alone i will not go back.
(1)Craig S.
Went in after rave reviews from my Sis - as we both just moved into the area I am always looking for a cool new spot. Def found one in this place. We walked in to a packed scene as the upstairs was having an office Holiday party -hostess said we could maybe find an open bar table downstairs. W e braved the awesomely crooked stairway and found a spot in the somewhat underutilized bar space. Turns out we were in a reserved table but because of the mix up they would rush our order and try to make it work. Good call - considering it was only 730 and the table was booked for 830. We got all apps - Aranchini Balls were ok little dry and needed sauce - Tuna Two ways was amazing both ways - Chix Skewers on point and cilantro lime sauce was so good I put it on my balls. Standout was the Basil Gnocchies absolutely perfect. AS we finished the other party arrived - good timing. Decor was cool but not really set up to its full potential just yet but it was hilarious watching the drunken ladies from the party try to navigate the visual trip of the crooked stairs drinks in hand sloshing everywhere - be careful if you are imbibing. I will be back for sure.
(4)Cathy M.
First all the place smelt horrible when we first walked in. My friend and I went there last night it was so overpacked we were getting shoved around. After waiting in line for over 20 min ( before 11) we get in and couldn't even get to the bar. They need to update their "good for dancing" to no or just stop overpacking the place so u can move around.
(1)Doug J.
(score 1-100) - 66. I live around the corner so I walk by the Brahim almost daily. It is a decent outdoor food place in the summer. The food is pretty good with some unique dishes. I had the Meatball dish and remember being told by the manager that the sauce was a secret family recipe. We were treated really well my the management but our waitress on multiple occasions seemed to be either preoccupied or slightly snotty. I never try to be to harsh because it is such a difficult job and they deal with snotty people of the back bay. It was really the only reason I haven't given this place another star. The club part of the Brahmin is extremely popular and always has lines on weekend nights. This past weekend the line took 30 minutes to get in and was 40 people long at midnight. The club has two floors with bars on both floors. You will find that this is a bit of a "hook-up" or end of the night "let's go home together" place but tame in comparison to other clubs.
(3)Hk M.
I went to Brahmin on a Saturday- if you're not there before 10 ish you will wait about an hour in line to get in which is fine but I really didn't understand the hype once we were already inside. The music was trashy mainstream and the setup is not great if you are in a group (there were 4 of us). Downstairs is much more fun and the music is much better. I had an okay time overall and we decided to go somewhere else after about an hour and my friend tried to close out her tab. She had 2 shots and 2 mixed drinks additionally charged to her card which was bizarre since we all got one drink upstairs before going to the downstairs part so there was no way they could have confused it. She has yet to hear from the manager who promised to resolve the issue and will be following up again. Also they get away with charging you for water which is bull shit since they only provide bottled water when asked... I also didn't mind the experience that much and would probably go back but am pretty disgusted reading the extremely lengthy, defensive comments the manager has on every single person's post.
(2)S K.
I'm only giving this 3 stars because of the long lines and wait. I've manage to come here once and we waited outside in the freezing cold for almost an hour. Once we actually got in though, we had a good time. The ambience is very nice, it's mainly young professionals in their twenties, and what I really love is the music selection. We wanted to go back another Saturday night and got there at 10:30...the line was down the street and we just didn't have the courage to wait so long again. Again, we attempted to go back another night and figured if we got their early enough their wouldn't be a line. We arrived at 9:45 and there was still a line!! And not just a short one.... I understand that because of the law, once capacity is hit they can not allow people to go in...but at 9:45?? How does that even happen?! I understand most places have lines starting around 11, but there is no excuse for their to be one so early. We just ended up going to another bar that night, didn't wait at all, and had a great time. Something really needs to be done about these long lines because I feel like they are losing customers...
(3)Travis B.
By far one of the worst clubs in Boston. Never before have I felt so disrespected as I felt from the staff at the brahmin. Ridiculously long line to get in, over priced cover, and bouncers that think, for some reason, that you should feel lucky to have waited in line and paid money to get into this "exclusive" club where you can pay about $10 for a well drink. However, don't let me scare you away, because if you are a typical guido that likes to spend 50% of your day working out and the other 50% hitting on 18 year olds, then this place may be perfect for you.
(1)Brooke L.
I went here again and experienced the same great service inside (I even got apologized to by a very polite barback as he tried to get a bartender to take my order). But BUMMER... I got there at 9:40 PM on a Saturday and STILL waited an hour and a half in line in a freezing wind tunnel. I don't really think it's possible to make up for that, no matter how great the venue is.
(3)Lindsay R.
I recommend making a reservation for dinner so you get in early and get a table because if you wait until later to show up - you're gonna end up standing in line outside. We got there around 830 and it was pretty empty but filled up within an hour or so. The food is small plates to share so pretty good bar food and appetizers. The martini I tried was delicious and our waitress was pretty attentive. When the place filled up and we wanted to go dancing downstairs, she continued to take our drink orders, which was great. There's two floors for dancing so when we got sick of the music downstairs, we moved back upstairs. Overall great for a girls night out - you can get dinner, drinks and dancing all in once place.
(4)Carol C.
Can't really figure this place out... Restaurant? Bar? Club? I came for a somewhat nice dinner (which was really good), but slowly the lights turned off, and drunk people started strolling in and dancing around our table. I would suggest the tacos, green beans, and fries, but come early enough to leave before the the place transforms.
(3)Susan C.
This is a speakeasy inspired establishment located in the former Restaurant 33. I must say that I love the dark and Prohibition days inspired interior decor. The stairs leading down to the lower level, however, are a little trippy, literally and figuratively. The slanted style makes one feel disoriented walking up and down and I could easily see someone falling down or up the stairs after a drink or two. As with other reviewers, the service is a little slow and inconsistent, but cordial overall. It wasn't very busy when I went for dinner, yet they still managed to forget a plate I ordered. Also, the drinks are inconsistent, I ordered the same drink twice and the first one tasted much better than the second. I don't know if it was because the bartenders switched or what, but the difference in taste was very noticeable. The food was okay, not spectacular, but not bad either. I'd recommend the bacon with scallops, the short rib, the tuna tartare, and the steak and potatoes flatbread. The scallops were a little sweet at first taste, but left a magnificent aftertaste in my mouth. My friend said she didn't even want to take a sip of her drink afterward because the lingering flavor was delightful. The tuna tartare 2 ways was an unexpected surprise. Who knew tuna and watermelon were such a great match? The steak and potatoes flatbread was just savory and delicious. And by the time I got to the short rib I was just too stuffed to really enjoy it, but it was good. The truffle mac and cheese is bleh, not bad but not great. It was a bit bland (needed more salt or seasoning) and lacked truffle flavor. Overall, an enjoyable experience, particularly since the price ended up being cut in half due to the Buywithme I had.
(3)Ben W.
Highlight of the night: Some mid 20s chick clearly high on some amazing shit twirling around in circles through the dining/lounge area while her mid 60s sugar daddy wearing a track suit watches and laughs. Priceless. Want to go to a club, but hate clubs? Go here. Main dining/drinking room with several separate rooms with dancy type music and easy access to booze. Food? Upscale bar type stuff like burgers, but nothing to write home about. Eat next door at Zocalo before you come.
(4)Jackie S.
Brahmin is a cool spot. If I come here on weekends the line is usually super long and the door guys aren't exactly the most friendly, but this time I came for dinner and was very happy with the outcome. Also, I do like coming here on the weekends there are good looking people, fun music, etc. I liked the background music a lot. It set a cool vibe. Then a live singer came on and she was really talented but they had the sound up too high as I still wanted to casually chat with my girlfriend. We ordered 4 different "small plates" including: Beef Short Rib Grilled Cheese: Holy delicious.. Asparagus fries: awesome crisp. I like fried anything but this was great. The mozzarella plate was decent and the spicy shrimp was good too. They might want to switch up the wine glasses because it seemed like they skimped on my Malbec. They were stemless so it could have been my eyes were deceiving me, but in any case they took it back and gave me an extra 'splash' which was nice. Our waitress was was a sweetheart and overall we had a nice time. I would defintiely come back here. I love the decor and atmosphere.
(4)Anthony A.
Went to Brahmin for the first time on Saturday night with a friend for dinner. We got their for a 9pm reservation- the place was pretty empty, although the outdoor dining was prettyt full. There is a dress code, as the bouncer told me while walking in they dont typically allow sneakers, but because I was early it was okay... whatever. Anyway, I really liked the place. It was fairly large with an upstairs and down, nice interior decor, music contributed nicely to the atmosphere (although DJ was kind of lame), food was pretty good- better than I expected. Its tapas style, so you get 2-3 things per person to share. Back room turns in to a dance room... my friend and I stuck to our high table and had some moscow mules... very good.
(4)Cris E.
The Brahmin gets packed quickly! To avoid the crazy long line that travels down the street, get there by 9 pm. Drinks are stiff, food is great and Love the variety old school music..Dress up! I knocked off a star for some of the bitchy servers shoving their way around and some sarcastic remarks. However, our two bartenders were great! One was very personable, the other just gets down to business. Goodbye 33, hello Brahmin.
(4)Jamie H.
i came to the brahmin last night to catch up with 2 of my best friends, and it was a great spot for drinks and small plates and it has outdoor seating available. to start, we split the portobello flatbread which was pretty good. i liked the big pieces of mushrooms and that it was light on the cheese and sauce. we also got the fried asparagus, which hit the spot and was a great alternative to french fries. the real standout for me were the drinks, including the selection. at $10, they are a little less pricey than other places in the area. the cucumber and vanilla cosmo was interesting and refreshing, the blue cheese olive martini was perfectly salty and strong, while the older sister was a sweet, strong, pomegranate martini. i also really liked our waitress. she was really friendly and helped make great recommendations.
(4)Shawn D.
Excited to try a new place with friends, we went here for the Tuesday night "Rat Pack" night. Upon walking in, there were four girls standing at the front desk...a couple of them dressed in extremely short skirts and fish net stockings...really? We gave them two reservation names and asked for the two tables to be seated next to each other. The immediate response was rude... "oh you must have the living social voucher, we can just seat you at one table" I was trying to follow the rules of one voucher per table but one table for four is fine with us, as two of our friends couldn't make it anyway. As the girl was grabbing the menus, another girl whispers to her "make sure they only use one voucher" umm... I 'm standing in front of you and can hear everything you're saying...that's extremely rude. Next, we are brought over to a table near the stage and she claims the table was actually taken. We are then escorted to a back room, with no view of the stage and could barely hear the music. By this point, I wanted to get up and walk out the door but I tried to remain calm. We ordered drinks and several small plates of food. The food was great, we all enjoyed it...except for the amount of food you get, and it's definitely overpriced. Two tiny tacos for $8 or four small meatballs for $9.50...or better yet $16 for a plain burger with only lettuce & tomato. When the waitress came with the bill, she proceeded to tell us "only one voucher per table" I explained everything discussed at the front desk upon arriving, and she went to speak with her manager. They ended up taking both vouchers off the bill, which was the right thing to do. Had they put us at two tables next to each other, as asked..this would have never been an issue. Overall, I would not return. The advertised "Rat Pack" night is nothing like they make it seem on their website, some of the staff were rude and the menu is overpriced. Clearly they are lacking in business and need Living Social to help them draw in more people. There are MUCH better restaurants in the city, with better food, friendlier staff and more reasonable prices.
(2)Andrew S.
No complaints about this place. The decor is great, the ceiling always amazes me. And watch out walking down the stairs. The walls are uneven so when you are sober you feel drunk and when you are drunk you don't even notice it! They have small bites on their menu, I got a whole bunch with some friends once and they were great. The fried mozarella was probably the best. mac and cheese was a huge portion. Some of them are a little small, but all were very tasty. They also have a great beer selection and good drinks. On weekend nights though there can be a wait to get in. It can be hard to walk around night when it is crowded, but they clear away some tables, have a dj, and it turns into a dance floor. Lots of fun.
(5)Liz G.
If you're tired of the juvenile crowds at Faneuil Hall, The Brahmin is an alternative that will make you feel like you're surrounded by grownups. Remember 33 Lounge in the Back Bay? The Brahmin took over that spot, and it's better than it was before. The drinks are good, the music is great, and there's no cover to get in. For those who like dancing, there's a small club downstairs. I much prefer the upstairs area though--it's not as jam-packed and the DJ there plays better tunes. Ladies, a tip before you go: dark wash or not, put the jeans away. The Brahmin provides an excuse to finally slip into that dress that's been sitting in your closet since you bought it last fall.
(4)Eric F.
Though my first visit entailed finding out upon arrival that the entire place was booked for the night and subsequently having just one drink, the wait to review The Brahmin until I tried the food was well worth it! What I hadn't seen initially was the rather swanky layout of the dining area adorned with black tablecloths and dark red seats and curtains...nice. Our server greeted me and my bro promptly and before we knew it, our food was laid out in front of us for imminent nommage: Tater Tots - so crispy and hot, the garlic aioli and grainy mustard that came with them matched nicely and provided much added kick. Beef Short Ribs - tender and unexpectedly reminiscent of my mom's cooking, a great dish accompanied by super creamy cauliflower and parsnip polenta. Meatballs - pretty mediocre all-around, but very generously portioned for a mere $6. Beef Tartare - on the bland side, not nearly worth the cost. Truffled Mac and Cheese - a bit on the runny side, but solid after it cooled down. Banana Chocolate Bread Pudding - quite tasty and worked well with the butterscotch sauce. Molten Chocolate Cake - not too shabby. The food was quite tasty on the whole and though nothing blew us away by any means, the pricing was fantastic and we literally struggled (in a good way haha) to hit the $50 mark for our BuyWithMe coupon. When you factor in the modern, upscale atmosphere and quality service as well, I can confidently say that The Brahmin is a great spot for a date or a night out with friends. Having a DJ spinning good tunes from the past couple of decades didn't hurt either ;)
(4)Mike S.
Only been several times for drinks so no comment on food and haven't paid cover ever this place takes things seriously from mood lighting, to a live DJ, and attentive bar service. There are no tv's and (gasp!) you are expected to have conversation with a proper cocktail. Lots of short skirts & high heels not that there is anything wrong with that. I'd say get there b4 the cover and enjoy.
(4)Bo W.
Excellent venue overall, for both food and dancing with friends. I've been here several times, mostly after the conversion from restaurant to lounge/club. I had a birthday party here recently and kept changing my mind from reserving a table or making dinner reservations and the event planners were very patient and extremely helpful. When we arrived for dinner our table was ready and we had a very attentive waitress as well. The food was excellent, and this is coming from someone who is very skeptical of places that only do small plates. We had 6 guys and my girlfriend for the dinner part of the night and we all got full on about 9 of the small plates. The drinks were good too and the tab was not even remotely close to expensive (much more reasonable than I had anticipated). The lamb lollipops, truffle tots, and shrimp tacos were among some of my personal favorites. Their Russian mules are made well and made strong. I will definitely encourage all of my friends to do their parties here when if we're doing something in Boston. Even my friends who got here later didn't have to wait in the super long line because the managers were very accommodating and understanding. Thanks Brahmin!
(5)Steven P.
I feel like I have to chime in on some of these reviews...I moved to Boston a couple years ago for school and I've been going to Brahmin ever since. Me and my friends love this place and they run a tight ship. We were all eating dinner there last night and the service, food, music, and atmosphere was great (as usual)!! A couple of my friends met us later in the night and when they came in they were telling us a story about some pain in the ass kids outside yelling at the bouncers because they weren't letting them in with sneakers....What don't you people get??? There is a dress code!!! That's it!! Why do you feel the need to PUSH and PUSH, don't wear sneakers like they require and you'll get in and have a great time....I was reading some of the Yelp reviews and they are the same thing over and over about sneakers. Brahmin keep doing what you are doing! It works....Weed out the #$%holes that don't know how to accept the fact that there is a "dress code"
(4)Stanley S.
The bouncers at this place are ridiculous. I showed up with a group of friends, some ladies among them, and was asked for two forms of ID, which rarely happens in Boston. That was not an issue for me because I had them on hand, but unfortunately I was escorted rather forcefully out of this place when a bouncer saw my (attractive female) friend drop her glass (of a mixed drink) on the floor, He accused me of having no manners and throwing a glass intentionally on the floor, and very enthusiastically thrust me out of the front doors into the rain, telling me to "get the (expletive) out of here and not come back to his bar. Very negative review, for while I had only tried to clean up after my slightly sloppy friend, I was most rudely treated under the assumption of an offense. I recommend going somewhere else and paying less than 6 bucks for a bud heavy.
(1)Danielle M.
I was actually having a really great time at Brahmin. It had been on my list of places to go in Boston and we went there to celebrate my early graduation. However, when my friends and I were dancing, the manager came up to my group of friends and had us follow her to the exit door. She opened the door and very rudely told us to get out. We were all very confused and thrown off by how we were being treated and asked why. She accused us of drinking alcohol nips at the bar. This was NOT TRUE and we asked to speak to someone else/ maybe the person that claimed to see us doing this. She continued to tell us to leave. I have never felt so mistreated and put down by a restaurant/ bar in my entire life.Eventually we were able to speak to someone and were allowed to stay because we definitely weren't the nip drinkers! Although it was a fun place, I will never go there again and will not recommend going there to anyone else. I understand that they need to be careful with people bringing drinks into the bar, but you just don't treat other people that way- especially your customers!
(1)Felicity N.
I had a wonderful time with my fiancé at The Brahmin last night! I bought a deal online to check it out and we are both so glad that I did. The atmosphere was gorgeous, there was a 'rat pack' live band playing, our server was incredibly friendly, and the food was well priced and delicious! I know this may be an overly glowing review but I truly had a wonderful night, we are already planning our next date!
(5)Melissa F.
I came to the Brahmin a long time ago when it was still 33 lounge. I loved the feel of the place and was sad to see it go. I finally got to go back and experience Brahmin for myself and I was very impressed. I don't know why I was expecting a stuffy place with bad food. This place was the polar opposite. It is gorgeous inside, with dim lighting and curtains. Kind of makes you feel like you're in an exclusive lounge. We were a party of 5 so we decided to get dinner and drinks. Some of the standouts from our meal include the gnocchi, filet mignon brushetta and the fried brie (fried brie!!!) Don't let the "small plates" designation fool you. Most of these were pretty well sized. The flatbread and mac n'cheese are fullsized, and the fried brie comes with 8 pieces. We were all starving so we ended up ordering 10 dishes and had way too much food left over. Their sangria is great as well. We ordered 2 pitchers of the white sangria and finished them both. I almost forgot dessert! We got the chocolate cake and it was literally gone in about a minute. Comes freshly baked with ice cream. For Boston I think this place is very well priced. For 10 plates plus 2 pitchers of sangria I think we each paid $40 including tax and tip. I was expecting the damage to be significantly more. Like other people have noted make sure you get here early! There was a line outside already when we were leaving.
(4)Kelsey R.
You can always count on Brahmin for a fun night out - whether it be for a Saturday night birthday celebration, or a low-key night of after-work drinks. On the weekend, the dance floor is always a blast and the DJ's do not disappoint. During the week, it is a great spot to have a few cocktails and share small plates with friends or coworkers. Everything on the menu is delicious and the bartenders, waitstaff, and management are super accommodating and friendly!
(5)Justina R.
I feel like everyone has this place figured out. Great bar, horrible service. I recently went there to celebrate a friend's birthday party. I can't speak to the food because we didn't eat, but the drinks were ok. Nothing too special but the bar atmosphere was great. The blonde bartender that served us and many others on our side of the bar had such an attitude. After their interactions with her, people I didn't even know would comment on it to me because I was standing at the bar. On top of that, I had 5 vodka sodas yet was charged for 8. If I'm 5'2" and petite. If I had 8 I would be on the floor. It's my fault for not checking the bill thoroughly before we left, but I didn't think I would have to at a nice establishment in the Back Bay. Needless to say I was upset when I saw the receipt the next morning and I won't be returning anytime soon. I hate to even add this part in but I feel like I have to because looking below, I'm sure one of the managers/owners will comment on this review with something demeaning about how I know nothing about the service industry. Very quickly, I would like to state that I'm also in the service industry, and can't believe the way they're treating people on here. Social Media Marketing 101 tells you to apologize to the guest and move on. It's like they think yelpers are conspiring against them. They keep mentioning having to defend their employees but maybe if some of their employees weren't awful they wouldn't need to constantly defend them. The Brahmin could be an excellent establishment with better service, but it looks like that will never happen because the owners are too blind to see it and blame the guests. Not a recipe for success.
(2)Heath M.
The Brahmin is a winning concept: a great comfortable atmosphere with a nod to the old school Boston culture and wink towards hipness. The menu has something for everyone, ranging from the bistro-styled choices to the old standby comfort foods. Fried pickles? Yum-city. Tater tots? Delish. Mac & Cheese? Yeah, baby. Flatbread pizzas? Not too shabby. Tasty cocktails? Woo hoo. Wait Service? Not so much. For God's sake, get it together people -- you're mucking up a good thing. I hate to be harsh...actually, who am I kidding? I live to be harsh...but anyway, the table service here is pretty bad. The servers tend to find themselves in the weeds the minute it gets busy. Vanishing acts are commonplace -- the other night our food showed up 20 minutes before our drinks did. We'd have complained, but our waitress disappeared. Whitey was easier to find. Fortunately, the hostess tracked her down. On another occasion, a waitress dumped wine all over us. Yes, red wine. It was everywhere ... our phones, my boss's suede boots...not pretty. Mistakes happen, and that's cool. The only thing that pissed us off royally was that no effort was made to right the situation. Not an offer for dry cleaning, not a free app -- nada. So I find myself in a bit of a conundrum. I love the food, love the atmosphere and I think it's a nice after work spot. But the service really could be improved. This could easily have gotten 4 or maybe even 5 stars -- heck, I was tempted to click a 2 but everything else this place has going for it does make up for some of it. Front of the house manager...if you are reading this...don't wait until people stop coming or for Gordon Ramsey or Robert Irvine to come and yell at you on TV, fix it now before it gets any worse. And until you do, I guess I'll just go sit at the bar (the weekday bartenders are actually really great). It's where I'm most comfortable anyway.
(3)James B.
They fooled me twice. Shame on me. Went back for brunch with a pretty large group, thinking that it'd be a different experience than dinner. It was, in that it was much worse. The service was record-settingly bad from drinks to check (presumably -- I threw money on the table and ran out before the check came). This was only partially the fault of the waitress, who was trying hard but couldn't refrain from telling the customers in excruciating, nobody-gives-a-shit detail exactly why the bartender messed up the drink orders or why the kitchen was issuing two meals every ten minutes for a table of twelve. It is pretty obvious that no one working in this place, not servers nor cooks nor management, has had a damn thing to do with running a restaurant before. That's because this place is a club that figured it would be a restaurant on the side for some extra revenue. Ownership figured, hey, it doesn't matter who we hire, because we're a club, and it's all about the fun, right? Wrong. When I can tell from the dining room that the kitchen can't keep its tickets straight, something went tragically awry with the hiring process along the way. And again, that something was probably the philosophy that they'd hire for a club and run a restaurant on the side. For Christ's sake, they had a DJ blaring house music AT BRUNCH. To be fair, we were a difficult group to serve, with people coming and going, special orders, etc. Those mitigating circumstances have been taken into account in my rating.
(1)Courtney H.
We went here for a couple drinks and apps last week. The apps were pretty decent but I wasn't that impressed. They look so delicious on the menu but I was a bit disappointed. The fried pickles weren't quite crispy enough but they had good flavor. The filet mignon bruschetta was actually a bit spicier than we expected. I think they put a bit too much pepper on the steak. Wine comes in stemless glasses which I just am not a fan of at restaurants. I love them at my house because they can go on the top rack of the dishwasher, but since I'm a white wine drinker, the wine gets warm pretty fast in stemless glasses. The decor was definitely cool and if I was single I think I'd be hanging out here to pick up some people. It just seemed like that kind of place. I can tell it probably is bumpin' late night. Overall just A-Ok, nothing spectacular but satisfying.
(3)Michelle L.
OMG... The Brahmin has me believing in love at first sight - not with a person, mind you, but with a bar. I would totally go to Boston JUST to go here - that's how much I love this place! Granted, my opinion is limited to only one experience, but I feel comfortable saying that it's my favorite bar I've been to EVER! My friend and I arrived around 11-11:30 on a Saturday, and there was no line (apparently we missed it) or cover (there might never be one), which was an auspicious beginning, to say the least. Then we soaked in the crowd, which was awash in a gorgeous, whisky-hued glow. Wow. Let me just say, our reactions can be perfectly described by Usher's line, "You make me wanna say OMG." Actually, I'm pretty sure my friend did say those words out loud cos it was a veritable meat market in there that night lol... LOTS of clean-cut, sharp-looking fraduate types (fraternity graduates - I just made that up) - our society's version of a young (enlightened?) aristocracy. In other words, not a lot of diversity, but if that's your style, you'll be like a kid in a candy store. All other aspects of the Brahmin would make Goldilocks pleased, cos they were just right. The venue was crowded but not unbearably so, the crowd liquored up but not too irresponsibly, drinks strong but cheap ($7ish for bottom shelf), top 40 on repeat. Also, there's a coat check downstairs, along with a second, grungier-but-still-clean bar and not-disgusting restrooms. All in all, the place was a class act, especially the main floor, which had the perfect mix of lounging around the bar and dancing in a trendy, young professional atmosphere with a touch of upper-crust, Bostonian, brick-and-mortar charm. I wish they could transplant the Brahmin to my city, as I don't think I can handle the long distance... Here's hoping that my love affair isn't just a one-night stand!
(5)Sean T.
Perhaps you should consider hiring more waiters and fewer dim hostesses -- or at least do a better job staffing. Had a 7 PM reservation and were shown to a table (amid a large standing crowd of HH drunks) by one of four girls standing around the hostess stand. Ten minutes later we had not seen any indication of a server. Avoid this place.
(1)Sandra A.
I'm going with two stars because I found the manager helpful and friendly and the food was pretty good however the service was so egregious I couldn't possible rate it any higher. I'll also preface by saying I spent ten years in the food service industry so when I'm upset about service then it has to be pretty bad. I consider myself to be relatively understanding in most situations. When we arrived and sat down it took a solid 10-15 minutes before really being acknowledged by a server. When the first server finally did come over she only filled our water glasses without addressing anyone at the party and then walked away. Eventually another server came over and asked for our drink order. Having not been sat with a drink menu we requested one at this time. She came back a few minutes later with a couple drink menus, put them on the table, and then proceeded to stare at us for a minute or so before suggesting she give us a minute with them. That minute turned into about another 5 more before she came back. At this point we placed our drinks and food orders. From there a good 20-25 minutes probably elapsed before we received our drinks and the food actually arrived about a minute or two prior to our drinks. During that 20 minute wait another server came over and cleared the plates and menu for an additional party who was going to be joining us later. I had already asked our server for the menu to remain and when I mentioned it to the second server, who was clearing it away, she brushed me off and took it anyways. As I mentioned earlier the food didn't disappoint and the manager stopped by to see how our dinner was. He was very pleasant and sincere in checking in on us. The server was much less attentive after the dinner was put down. Two more people had joined our party while we were eating and eventually managed to secure a couple drinks. We had to flag down the server after maybe another forty minutes to ask for our check because it had gotten to the point in the evening when they were clearing out chairs. By the time she returned with our bill half of our party was standing due to the crowd that had formed in the room and the constant bumping of the chairs from other dancing patrons. She had seemed relatively surprised that we were even still there when we requested the bill. Overall she just wasn't really paying attention. None of us felt like we were a priority and that she was at all concerned about her service. Moving on to the next server. A bit later in the evening a friend of mine ordered a bottled beer from a cocktail waitress. When she returned with his beer she handed him the beer and his change, roughly 50-75c. Now that his hands were full he went to hand the change back to her in order to free a hand to get his wallet, at which point she replied "No you can keep your change, it's alright, I don't need it.'' (add in a really snotty attitude to that statement). He then had to explain to her that he was in fact trying to get his wallet to give her another dollar. Either way, at the end of the day, that statement was shockingly rude. It's not her position to assume she deserves a tip period, let alone more than 75c on a $3 bottle of Budweiser. Aside from the fact that she also jumped to conclusions about her tip before receiving it. This was my second time dining at the Brahmin. The first time was very underwhelming and after this experience I can't say I'm in a rush to go back. After having spent so much time waiting tables myself I really think there is no excuse for bad service. If you're overwhelmed with your tables it's easy enough to explain to your party that you're rather busy but will be back to check on them soon or at least acknowledge that you could be more attentive. I hope you all have better experiences than my friends and I.
(2)Chris A.
I've been here a few times..I don't think I'll be going back. We got there at about 8:30 and asked if we could sit at one of the loungey areas. The 3 hostess simultaneously rolled their eyes at us and let us know they were "reserved" Wow - impressive. Should have known that. We got put on the "list" incase one opens up...FINGERS CROSSED! We found our way to the bar with plenty of room to chat and order drinks. Slowly the bar continued to fill and it became clear that this is a going to become a meat market marinated in bad house music. Drinks were..meh. If you order cocktails or liquor they choose which shelf. Which is funny because our tab showed that we were charged for Grey Goose, Kettle One and then well-vodka when we ordered a Vodka +soda. All ordered from the same bartender...strange. I dunno, if you're trying someplace new and you're into that scene maybe this is worth a shot. It's near a couple other decent bars/restaurants so you can bail. As we made our way out at 12:30 or so there was an obnoxious line being tended to by the 'roid head secret-service-headset-clad bouncer who kindly opened the velvet rope to release us into the alley that is their entrance. Redeeming qualities: Dressed up crowd (for Boston), Good Girl/Guy Ratio, Olderish Crowd (25-35), Near other bars that don't suck.
(2)Connie C.
After reading the reviews on Yelp, we came here early (9:45) on a Saturday night to beat the line. There was no line at all and the guys working the door were friendly and quick. When we walked in, patrons were finishing dinner (which looked and smelled delicious), and the bar/dance crowd was starting to fill in. Because we got in early enough, we were able to snag a few barstools and occupy a small area at the end of the bar on the main floor. What most people in our group noticed right away that there were two bartenders on our side of the bar, and only one seemed to be working. The other was playing with her hair, flirting with the barbacks, staring at the TV, and making annoyed faces. However, the bartender that did wait on us was fantastic and made some great (strong) drinks and was quick to clear empty glasses and ask if we needed another round. We sincerely hoped that the bartenders don't pool tips because one girl was working about 90% and the other about 10%, and it would be a shame for the girl doing all the work to have to share her tips with the one that barely lifted a finger. Music on the main floor was awesome- 90's mashups that made you want to sing your face off and dance up a storm. Didn't end up going into the lounge downstairs, but when we went down to use the restroom, it sounded more like electronic dance music in that area. Overall had a super fun night, but another downside was when my tab came and there were a few beers tacked onto my tab. The bartender seemed slightly defensive, asking if I ordered the beers from another bartender, but I only had mixed drinks that night and definitely did not order the beers. She did end up taking the beers off my tab.
(3)Allison S.
We came here with a coupon from BuyWithMe for dinner. Instead of going with the entree dishes, we opted to try a bunch of different small plates. I highly recommend the tots, they were delicious. The mushroom flat bread was also quite tasty, as was their special steak, mozzarella and avocado bruschetta. The other "small plates" that we ordered were just OK, and I probably wouldn't order them again. I'm definitely keeping the Brahmin on my list for drinks, and maybe some appetizers. Their bar is huge and they have quite a large drink menu. Their sangria was wonderful, but I wish that they had some more beers to choose from. It wasn't really a dinner place, more like a lounge area and bar with some tables.
(3)D C.
A friend and I brought a BuyWithMe coupon to The Brahmin; we hadn't been there since the venue was "33." Neither of us were impressed. I had the greens salad and onion soup to start, and she had the tater tots and a Caesar salad with chicken. I bypassed the tater tots since they remind me of terrible cafeteria lunches, but the onion soup was flavorful and savory, though a little heavy on the pumpernickel croutons which had a strong, distracting flavor. The greens salad was bland despite the "roasted tomatoes and pickled shallots," and her Caesar was standard. I had the half-chicken with potatoes, sage/onion stuffing and green beans. Nothing spectacular there, the green beans were undercooked and had no flavor at all, I couldn't distinguish the potatoes from the stuffing, and there was so little of either it was hard to gauge their quality. They also went nuts with the "mood lighting" so I could barely see my plate anyway! My companion ordered the truffled mac & cheese as her entree and it was terrible. I could taste whatever bizarre, smoky cheese they used in it, but couldn't actually find it, the dish was more a dish of macaroni with breadcrumbs on top, no comforting, creamy cheesiness you'd expect from mac & cheese. What a bummer. We got the chocolate bread pudding for dessert, and it was dense, tasteless and hard as a rock. More like an over-cooked brownie with ice cream, than bread pudding. I can't imagine ever coming back here, unless I were desperate. It did seem quite the spot if you're looking to drink/mingle though.
(2)Kathleen F.
My main complaint for this place is that they are letting it get WAY too crowded and as a result a night out here is just not enjoyable. We got here around 8pm for a friend's birthday and the atmosphere was good then, we could hear the music and hear each other and the waitresses were good about coming over to us. The food was also very good we had a nice veggie pizza and salad. Cocktails were amazing and had lots of unique flavor combos. But then the clock struck 9pm and the place became so packed that the waitresses were overworked and way to busy and you could literally not even hear what the person next to you was saying. We tried to move to the dance floor which was so packed you couldn't even really dance. Eventually, the whole atmosphere just became crazy and uncomfortable so we wound up leaving. I would definitely come back here during the week for a few cocktails and some bites for sharing, but definitely will not venture back on the weekend because it becomes so crazy that you just cannot enjoy yourself.
(3)Qasim R.
This review is just for the bar/night life. Was pretty amazed when I we there the first time bcz too be honest didn't except anything like what I saw (thinking it was just another bar/pub). Downstairs bar becomes too overcrowded late night while main bar design/ergonomics are perfect for the size of the place. There is a side/mini bar as well, where you can get better service if your group size is small. Late night (weekends don't know if it happens on weekdays) the dining area becomes a dancing area and if you have a table in that area it's pretty cool. Think I may bump the ratings to 5 stars depending upon how it goes the next time. Only Major issue is line starts to form pretty early in the night (Problem with most of places in Boston) so get there early or know you how to avoid wait in lines.
(4)Nick B.
I really like Brahmin and each time I've been it has been an absolute blast. My roommates aren't so keen on it, so often times my suggestion to go there gets passed over. After being curious and checking out the yelp reviews, I have been very impressed to see the responses by Russ. Clearly there are people there who care about providing a quality experience. It's this seemingly small aspect that is on the contrary actually very powerful. I expect to come back here very soon and my roommates are now totally sold on making a return trip here.
(4)Colby R.
In my experience the 3-4 times I've been here the bartenders have been the saving grace of this place, they're fast and fairly friendly given the environment. Aside from that the food is really nothing to write home about and the crowd can be a bit hit or miss at times.
(2)Melissa D.
I really like the speakeasy setting here and feel very comfortable in my own skin as there is a mixed age crowd, mostly older Mid to Late 20s/early 30s group. It gets very packed starting at 10:30pm but we arrived a little earlier and sat at a table for some drinks. I had the Bellini and the Strawberry Patch which were super-sweet that may not fancy some people but it is to hide the loads of alcohol it has. The music is great and the servers are nice and knowledgeable of the menu. The bartenders may seem a bit cold but I think they are too focused on pounding out the drinks. The bill comes in a faux-book holder which is a nifty idea to bring out the theme of this place. I will definitely come back here again for drinks and would love to try the food.
(4)Lindsay G.
I had my 25th birthday celebration here this past weekend and it was incredible. Every dish was better than the last, great drinks and our waitress, Amanda, was the absolute best. The service was prompt and attentive, and we (my table of 10) loved every single thing we ate. At 10 when it switched over into a lounge, they let us keep our table and turned the middle of the room into a dance floor. The place filled up quickly, and the line was certainly long - some of my friends had to wait an hour to get in. But everyone agreed it was well worth it, and it was definitely a birthday to remember. I can't stress enough how great our waitress was (Amanda should be promoted 8 times over) and the manager that made my reservation was so nice and helpful, and even remembered our first conversation when he called to confirm my reservation. Great food, great drinks, good vibe, good crowd, good music... Will certainly be back!
(5)Kayla P.
I've been to The Brahmin a few times now on Thursday and Friday nights. The line is always pretty long cause its pretty poppin in there but the bouncers are always nice which is definitely appreciated. I'd say the crowd is a mix of yuppies and college kids, and lots of people just tryin to bust a move on the dance floor. The music is awesomeee, just straight top 40 and some remixes, which I like to get down to and rap to (yeah, I can rap with the best of them). Doesn't take long to get a drink at the bar, and the bartenders are always nice. Bonus points cause the drinks are pretty cheap. Decor is kinda a spin off on Lolita Cocina and Tequila Bar's which is all the rage right now...think dark reds and blacks and unfinished walls, very vampire-esque. I'll be back so I can show that dance floor whos boss.
(4)Megan L.
This is for late night only. Edited to be more fair and balanced, as the owner contacted me directly to discuss my feedback, clarify some points and address some issues. Given this polite and professional response I feel the need to give Brahmin a bump. The good: The lounge is beautiful. It's a very appealing space and clearly a lot of thought was put into the flow, the number of bars and the look of the space. The bartenders NOT in the crowded center bar were friendly and not slammed. Met some cool people once we were inside. Drinks were good. We asked the bartender for a "delicious shot" and he served up some kind of watermelon vodka business that was tasty and potent. The not so good: The insane line **I recognize that this is a good thing for a business** The fact that the bouncers let any girl with a short dress circumvent said line? **apparently these people were going to a private party** The understaffed center bar--wait times were crazy long The horrendously rude female bartenders --Tried to get one's attention and she came over just to tell me, "That's not going to get you a drink any faster." Umm, I just want to close my tab and get out of here. A male bartender came over to help me after that. Thank God one of them realized they're in a service business. **the owner addressed this with me** Overall, I'll give it another try, probably for dinner.
(2)Dominic S.
Rude bouncer with a power trip. There are just three of us in line on a freezing Saturday night, and he says: "Form a single line so that people can get through". Which people??? There is no one else in sight. The nearest people are already in the bar, or driving by on the Mass Pike. He points to imaginary lines in the sidewalk and tries to arrange our standing positions according some mysterious pattern he has in his mind. The guy needs a hug. Someone hugs him. I hope he felt better.
(1)Jen C.
I went to The Brahmin last week for dinner and drinks with a few friends and we had a wonderful time. The food was scrumptious and the drinks were excellent! Our waitress was attentive and polite. The manager greeted us as well, he was very courteous and extremely classy. I find it impressive that the manager took the time to greet us - unquestionably great service. After dinner we proceeded to the bar where we had the BEST martinis. The bar was very busy, but our bartender was extremely friendly. The music was terrific too; it definitely set the mood to dance. In my opinion, I think The Brahmin is the ideal establishment. We definitely had a fabulous evening and I certainly recommend this place to anyone - it's the full package! Going back again this weekend!
(5)Erik A.
It can get a little pricey, so try not to have more than one drink but most of the small plates are delicious! My favourite is the fried brie, mmmmm Least favourite was a white wine ravioli with crab meat... was missing something and a bit too fishy. Overall, the place is a great space to munch and as the night creeps in, the dancing starts! Upstairs is nicely decorated with outside seating, but its the decent downstairs that creeps me out. The stairs are slanted, not a good feeling after a cocktail or few, and the basement space (from what I gather) is meant to feel like you are under the floorboards... kinda creepy. Overall, a mix of ages and a fun space to dance in w/o a cover!
(4)Heather G.
Unfortunate location. But: GREAT cocktail menu. Fun atmosphere. Excellent value on the food (don't expect any top notch, unique cuisine) All in all, I'll be back.
(4)Curtis H.
I would say, if you haven't tried the food here please drop in to have a taste. Brahmin does have a significant tasty point of view. The food stands out full of flavor and zest. The only issue I have with this place is mgmt! Seem like a bunch of arrogant, non-customer problem solvers who uses profanity to present themselves as the big wolf. I experienced one cursing at me because I turned away and choice not to purchase my food there due to the hard time they were giving me about simply ordering food without an ID. They laughed at me and says "everyone carry's an ID". I said, well I am at work on a lunch break just looking to order food, i come here all the time and no one has ever given me problems about ordering food before. Because of this experience I will never go back there again. Had they have been more tackful in handling the problem they would still have a happy customer. I will never down-play their food though. Service to me is everything.
(1)Courtney M.
I held a private event at The Brahmin this past Summer for my 40th birthday and they did a phenomenal job. All of my friends said how good the food & service was and so many of us are (or have been) in the food service industry. They took excellent care of us. The pizzas are fantastic and so many of their bite-sized hors d'oeuvres were delicious and all homemade. I highly recommend The Brahmin for your next private event. Jill was great to work with as well!!
(5)Avanti P.
This bar will allow women with flip flops in, but not men. I find this especially sexist and disrespectful as I was dressed appropriately and had appropriate ID.
(2)April E.
While this bar is mediocre by NYC standards it is pleasant for Boston. Adequate bar space. Typically a coat check. This is the place - if you are a twenty something - to spend your weekends. I recommend, love this place with a grain of salt
(4)Janina T.
Overall, my experience here has been mixed. My time INSIDE the bar was great...it was the waiting to get in that was, by far, THE WORST experience of my life. Granted it is undoubtedly to my discretion to layer up given the weather, however, I did not expect to be waiting for an HOUR, conveniently right in a wind tunnel. I understand that bars either keep the lines long to look "hyped" or it may even be a space issue. However, I feel like it's in the bar's and customer's best interest to, at the very least, put outdoor heaters! It's obviously the customer's choice to wait in line but it's not their choice to freeze. When we were finally allowed it, I do not lie when I say it was a struggle to even walk to the front door from where the line was. I felt like my joints were frozen in place. I had to sit down for a good 10 minutes to get feeling back into my legs. Otherwise, here's a pros/cons list of the joint: Pros - Really good DJ/music--played a good mixture of hip hop and house - Decently priced drinks (in the $6-$7 range for a mixed drink) - Well dressed clientele - Dressy/classy ambience - Multi-rooms (downstairs + the main lounge and a side room upstairs) - Couch space to sit Cons - RIDICULOUSLY and unnecessarily long wait...especially in this kind of weather - The bars didn't seem to be well stocked. At one point they were out of peach schnapps...at another it was pineapple juice. What gives? - Coat check overload? (there should be enough coat space for how ever many people you let in, in my opinion--especially when you see people taking their coats...aka, more coat space) I might come back here again because I generally had a good experience while I was inside. However, I don't suggest going at peak hours (10:30-11:30) unless you feel like freezing your reproductive systems off.
(3)Michelle B.
Brahmin is a great place to start with tapas and a few drinks. It gets pretty fun and upbeat around 10:30 or 11, with a live DJ. I feel like this an amazing place to have dinner, a few drinks, and then stay to enjoy the fun and dancing! I had my 30th birthday dinner here, and I know everyone had a great time. It was accommodating for all personality types. The food was yummy! We ordered the lobster sliders (my favorite), scallops & bacon, buffalo chicken meatballs, truffle tater tots, fried pickles, and the greek salad. We loved everything!!!
(5)Cici L.
I had a horrible experience because of a very unfortunate experience with one of their bartenders who was being (quite frankly) very racist!!! I would not recommend. Story below :( I was visiting a few friends in Boston when one person suggested we head over to the Brahmin. We checked our belongings and headed over to the bar upstairs. I asked my friends what they wanted and they replied, "rum." I then asked the bartender if I could get a round of rum for my friends and I. The bartender took one look at me and asked me to show him some ID. You have to show your ID in order to get in the bar, so I was a little offended when he asked to see it again. However, as a 5'3" 22 year old Asian girl I understand that I look young for my age, so I gave my drivers license to the bartender. He rubbed it for 5 minutes, threw it back at me, and asked me if I could show another form of identification. I asked him why because I've never had this issue before, and he responded with "I don't believe you're over 21." He then proceeded to refuse to acknowledge my presence or my voice for the rest of the evening. Needless to say, I was VERY offended by his actions. My friends and I left shortly after and do not plan on returning.
(1)Mel C.
Food - The Brahmin is like your fancy Back Bay version of Lucky's. They serve delicious fatty bar food with an American flare. Who doesn't love that?? Think fried pickles, wings, some type of slider with either lobster, duck, or wagyu beef, Mac n cheese, tator tots. Or you can be "that guy" who ordered a salad. I don't find the food to be creative or tasty enough to justify your $$$ tab at the end of the night. The drinks are where they deserve some credit. They have a good cocktail menu upstairs and the ambiance is nice to grab some drinks. On the weekends, it can be a fun 21-25 crowd. Try to get there at 9pm to avoid the line. If you're in line, don't wait because no nightlife in Boston is worth waiting for.
(2)Justin V.
Pros: - 2 dance floors. Music on the top floor is EDM. Downstairs is more Hip Hop. -Water cooler downstairs so you don't have to wait for the bartender. -No Cover Charge! Cons: -Long line because there's no cover charge. -Saw my ex. Fuck you Daisy, I know that you saw me too! Because I know we both saw each other, I walked up to her by the bar and said, "Hey, I just saw you and I wanted to say 'hi' (Cheatin' a$$ bitch). After a brief 45 seconds, she said she needs to look for her friends. A minutes after she left, the bartender asked me what I wanted to drink. -$6.00 + tip for a Corona was a bit much.
(4)Ryan B.
I came here last night for a friend's 21st birthday. I showed up around 10 PM, waited for less than 5 minutes in the line and promptly got in. There was no cover. The doormen were sticklers for the rules: as one person in line ahead was excluded for wearing "work boots." To clarify, he was also wearing quite ugly and ill-fitting light washed True Religion jeans, with an awful break, and a belt that was perhaps 6 sizes too big hanging down looking like an extra appendage... I mention this to illustrate,based on an extremely limited sample size, that the Brahmin doesn't appear to discriminate: as he was, in fact, white. Luckily I had on loafers and had no such "issues" at the door. Seeing other reviews, I wonder what my fate would've been if I were wearing Superga's or a pair of Wolverine 1000-milers though. All things being equal, on first impression my straight-edge conservative dress probably didn't look like "trouble" about to walk through the door. The place was packed, which demonstrates its popularity. If you're a moderately attractive single guy, who can dress yo'self, go here, pay the $3 to check your coat, and hit the dance floor in the basement. You'll have a field day. Truth. As a warning, drinks here are expensive. Expect to pay $11 for two Bud Lights or $12 for two Sam Adams. I didn't ask my friend what he paid for his cocktail, but after I paid $11 for two Bud Lights, $6 for one of the two Sam Adams, and $3 to check my coat, I didn't really want to know. Did I? In summary, 3-stars. As astute readers will note, this place is not my scene. I prefer quieter, cocktail joints sans dance floor, where I can charm my lovely lady with my humor and good conversation. In spite of this, I still had fun seeing my friends. This place would've been more fun had the lady of the house not been on scheduled to work at 7 AM the following day and therefore attended or I was five years younger and single. P.S. I did not sight any "Jersey Shore Super Sayan" blowouts (see photo).
(3)Dan R.
My first ever visit to the Brahmin was for an industry Christmas Party tonight. In fact, tonight Brahmin hosted two such parties- ours upstairs and an insurance company's downstairs - effectively closing the restaurant to the general public. I had quite a few of the hors d'oeuvres after a horrendous 3.5 hour drive from Hartford. There were 3 different kinds of flatbread pizzas, shrimp platters, buffalo chicken poppers, and cheese/cracker platters on the tables, and passed goodies like skewered tomato and mozzarella, scallops and tuna tartare. The scallops and tuna were my favorites. The scallops were huge and plump and were so delicious they almost had a taste of sweetness to them. And the tuna tartare, served in a scoop on a spoon, was mind blowingly good- so delicate and delicious. Service was fine, the interior is gorgeous with tons of cozy seating all over. I had a great time tonight!
(4)Janet H.
The Brahmin has been my go-to place for dancing. But, it's like your typical night club... expensive drinks, super hot and stinky with BO and crowded. I think the drinks are also on the weaker side, so pre-game if you can. There's a downstairs area with 90s music and the top floor with electronic music. The best part about this place? No cover! Yay!
(3)Jennifer G.
I've been here on multiple occasions, and I have to say that every time has been nothing less of spectacular. Great atmosphere. The first time I went here was for dinner and the live band. The venue was tucked away in Back Bay, so was a little hard to find initially. The servers were all very friendly and seated us at a table near the band. Being overwhelmed by the menu, our server explained to us that the menu items were all smaller sized, similar to tapas. They recommended 2-3 per person. Tip: you MUST get the short rib grilled cheese bites. Absolute must. The flavor of the short ribs and crispy cheese melt perfectly in your mouth. Amazing. All of their menu items are pretty unique and I can't say I've been disappointed with anything there. I also came here one night for a friend's birthday. They take the tables away around 10 PM I believe, so the restaurant becomes more of a bar/lounge with a dance floor in the back. The music is pretty good. Not your typical club music or Top 40's playlist. I was very impressed with their service. Another time I made a reservation for a party of 8, they were extremely accommodating to our needs. The event director, Jill, emailed me afterwards to follow up on our reservation to make sure we had a good time. As an added thank you, she even offered to help us out with future events and parties and offered a free appetizer for us since we're such loyal customers. Again, very impressed.
(5)Ann J.
ATMOSPHERE Brahmin is the perfect mix between a bar and a dance club. There are couches and tables for those who prefer to sit, and a large dance floor for those who prefer something more lively. Overall the feel is a little bit nicer than casual. The majority of women were in dresses and heels. BAR The drinks at Brahmin are a bit on the expensive side. At one point I was thirsty and asked for water but was told it had to be bought in a bottle. So instead I asked for sprite which cost me $3.50. Seemed a little ridiculous to me. ADVICE Brahmin is the place to go if you want to dress up and avoid the college scene. One other nice point about brahmin is that there is no cover. The majority of nice bars in Boston require at least a $10 cover, so getting in to brahmin for free is a huge bonus. My advice, pregame before you go and enjoy the dance floor!
(4)Jonathan S.
Brahmin is a great local hangout after work especially those in John Hancock building and surrounding offices. This review is for dinner on a Thursday at 6:30 PM. Service For a busy bar they actually have decent service. The waitress checked on our table multiple times and asked us to see if we wanted anything else for our order. She was very courteous and responsive. Food The food is pretty decent for a casual drinking hole. The Mac and cheese has a decent consistence and the tater totes are stand outs. The fried pickles have a bit to much dough/starch. The melted cheese is good but a bit heavy on the butter. Drinks were good but the gin and tonic was a bit watered down. Presentation is excellent. I recommend ordering a bunch of dishes and sharing with friends.
(3)Laurie B.
I really enjoyed The Brahmin last Friday. We were celebrating my friends 25th birthday. Pros: Located a short distance from Backbay station. Two different floors which means more good music. Great drinks and not that badly priced for Boston. Extremely nice staff. Free water jug next to coat check! Classy and clean! Cons: Long wait to get in. (Totally worth it AND expected on a Friday) Had to pay for coat check. (I'd rather pay for it then have to hold my coat) I hope to find myself back at The Brahmin next time I'm in Boston.
(5)Omar N.
In reference to the comment and reply below to David. I seems that the managers reply to every incident is that he was there and he saw the whole thing. I will not go so far as to call him a bold faced liar... I've actually never seen the gentleman. The review David left actually involved me specifically. I was wearing a pair of all white chuck taylor low rise casuals (not Jordans all black men don't own Jordans) and the other gentleman that got into the lounge wore navy blue or black vans flats (not uggs). Almost identical canvas material and rubber sole. I was told that I had on athletic footwear...and that the other gentleman was wearing boat shoes (he never even looked at his shoes before letting him in...not the way he stopped to check mine.) David spoke up respectfully asked what the criteria was because the difference in this case was minimal. Of the two men there none of them were managers with a super sayan jersey shore blow out, and home depot orange tan. I know this because I've been to the shore before...i digress When the blatant bigotry was brought to their attention one of the men at the door said "so you're gonna play the black card...you know ignorance comes in all colors?" Thank you David for speaking on my behalf...you saw something you said something; and because I didn't want to ruin the evening tried to look past it. All things considered this was a private establishment with a demonstrated "flexible" dress code, maybe they could have made and exception. I expected the half assed "sorry not sorry" passive aggresive response for the manager...but nothing in his statement was true.
(1)Dan C.
Our bartender Rory is the worst piece of shit ever!! Avoid this Resturant when he works!!! He spit in our food! AVOID at all costs
(1)Courtney K.
To start off, I only went here for the night club hours and cannot comment on the food. As a Manhattanite my standards for night clubs are pretty high, and this was one of the better places I've been to. Music was on point- combo of top 40s, remixes, and older 90's hits so everyone was likely to hear something they enjoyed. Coat check and bartenders are efficient, bathroom is clean, and its in a fun neighborhood! The crowd is young and hip which I liked too. Great for coming in groups and meeting new people as well.
(5)Amanda M.
Wow what can I say about this bar. I requested a song and they did not play it at all, upstairs or downstairs. It was kinda rude. But to be honest i had a really good time and I would probably go back again. The basement was sweaty and everything I hoped for in Boston.
(3)Robyn B.
Don't try coming here after 10pm... the line really is that bad... BUT if you get here around 9, you'll have a fun night. Good (weak) drinks, good food (pretty much everything is fried, though, fyi), and the dance floor is entertaining.
(3)Shaina F.
My first time here, the atmosphere was really awesome! No cover and they have a little outdoor spot, as well as bars in 3 different rooms so it was super easy to get a drink, and they weren't too expensive! $6ish for a beer, $7-8 for a mixed drink...not to shabby I've certainly seen worse. Lots of dancing which was fun, but it got a little crowded later on. Overall an awesome place, I would definitely go back! Good crowd :)
(4)Angel M.
So my cousin chose this restaurant for her bday. It was nice. The server was really nice and helpful. I can't remember her name, I just remember that she said that she was Brazilian and she was really cute and nice. A friend at the table ordered a white sangria. We ordered it after seeing hers but ours had less fruit. Someone else at the table just mentioned it to the waitress, and she quickly replaced ours (even though I was almost finished) with new ones made like the first one. That made my day. Pros; the short rib grilled cheese was AMAZING!!!!!!!! You HAVE TO GET IT!! That was probably the most filling/satisfying of the small plate options they had. -she was really good at suggesting drinks. The drinks were good and the prices were not too bad ($9.35 per sangria) - I don't think we got a gratuity charge and there was about 8 of us -the food was really good!! Cons: -the food doesn't all come out at once. My asparagus fries came first and I was hungry so I was the only one eating -the small plates are literally small. I got the asparagus friend bc I saw a pic on here that looked bigger. But I probably only got 8 pieces for $7 -she didn't separate our checks. But other than that this place is cool. It turns into a club afterwards!
(4)Shawna H.
I would give this place NO stars, but Yelp made me give it at least 1....my best friend had a party of 20 in this bar. My boyfriend and I showed up and my boyfriend was denied to get in because he had Tim boots on. I'm sorry but that is bullshit!!!! There were men inside with flip flops on and women can wear whatever they want to with no hassle. We have a party of 55 going there next weekend, most of them being Boston Firefighters (including my boyfriend) I will be canceling this party here and bringing our service elsewhere! Their loss!!! Thank you for responding! I completely understand "set rules", I respect that you follow them. What I don't respect is how we got treated that night. The manager on that night came out to speak with us, and I quote said, "You are better off spitting in my face, than getting in here with Tim boots on", and continued to laugh in our faces! Completely unnecessary! Like I said we did take our party elsewhere. If we just got turned away that would be one thing, but we politely asked to see the manager because we drove all the way from a family party in Beverly to our best friends party there. We did nothing to deserved to be spoken to like that. If wearing boots makes you a bad person, I will take my marine/firefighter elsewhere. Your staff should learn some serious respect.
(1)Yen T.
I have never been to a place with worse customer service. The line is ridiculously long for mediocre music and the management is atrocious. Arbitrary judgment calls over the dress code (whatever constitutes as dressy shoes - boat shoes vs. vans vs. sneakers) ruined what could have been a fun night of dancing that would have led to word-of-mouth recommendations to my network. Either way, the dispute was poorly handled as the staff were less than accommodating - to say the least - and frankly treated us in an impolite and even disrespectful manner. Don't bother wasting your time at the Brahmin.
(2)Danae K.
Excellent place for drinks, and if you come on a Friday or Saturday night, excellent for dancing. I highly suggest coming here for an enjoyable night out
(5)Kat G.
I've been here a few times now and enjoy it every time. It can get busy quite quickly, so it's always worth going early. The cocktails are tasty and the service is usually pretty good. I haven't eaten there, but wouldn't definitely go and try it. Great for meeting friends for drinks!
(4)Kacie D.
I've been here twice and loved the food and drinks. The deep fried brie, fried pickles and short rib grilled cheese bites were out of this world. The drinks were a bit pricey, but not unlike most restaurants and bars in the area. The wait staff on both occasions were so helpful and friendly. I went both on a Saturday evening and a Wednesday evening and neither time was there a crowd, despite the reviews. I would recommend making a reservation to be safe. The best part is their monthly gift card program!
(4)Jordan K.
I want to start off with this review is complicated and has many variables. I feel like this place is actually really good...so good and so popular in fact that it actually hurts its rating. I would like to give this place 4 or 5 stars, but I think its popularity and therefor crazy packed crowd end up taking away from the experience. I will set the stage. I set up a group of 10 or so people to meet here. After much thought we decided on Brahmin over Whiskey Saigon due mostly in part to us having been to WS and not Brahmin yet. I got there a little later than I had planned, 10:30 and it took FOREVER to get inside. We had to have been 20 people back from the front of the line for 45 minutes. My body and feet literally seized up from the cold. By the time we got in, I was frozen, couldn't feel my feet (necessary tools for dancing) and whatever buzz I may have had when I got there was long gone. Within ten minutes we had checked out coats and made our way to the bar. While waiting behind two people to order a drink, a nice waitress came up and asked what we would like. We figured this would be easier and faster. HEADS UP - Do not order from the waitresses. It is WAYYYY longer of a wait. It probably took 20 minutes to get our drinks. I can only assume she was taking multiple orders a round or got stuck in her own line at whatever counter she uses for make/pickup drinks. After a few drinks we made our way onto the dance floor. The point of this night was for loud music and dancing so it appeared we did pick the right place. The floor was jammed with people...sweaty and smelly and...probably exactly what you should be expecting if your goal is to dance (I cannot bash them for this). I will say though...the dance floor is too small and the two small openings to get in are easily blocked. The bathrooms and I believe a second goat check are located downstairs along with another bar. I do not know if this is common, but the ratio of women to men was OFF THE CHARTS. Any guy reading this...go downstairs when you come in and quickly take in the surroundings. It was pretty crazy that night. Can someone comment back and tell me if that is normal?? Here are some quick ratings: Overall - 3/5 stars Bar - Good drinks, but lengthy service duration. Bartenders did not seem to be in a rush. 3/5 stars Line - This was crazy long. It is not the fault of Brahmin though, they are just absolutely packed. That being said, lines suck. 2/5 stars Bathrooms/cleanliness - Perfectly fine. Not good, not great. 4/5 stars Music - Music selection was good, but that is probably subjective to the DJ. Ill give it a standard 3/5 stars Dance Floor - I am sorry, but you have great music going, but way too small a dance floor. Do some rearranging or get rid of that little bar in the corner. - 2/5 stars All in all, I may come back again when it is a little bit warmer. Suggested group size is 3-6 (I say 3 because I do not see this as a 1 on 1 date spot). Hope this review helps!!
(3)Brittany S.
Absolutely love this place, filled out a loyalty card last time I went... Received it in the mail today but expired 12/26/14 . Thanks guys, sure showing appreciation to your customers.
(2)Jennifer C.
Came here for late night cocktails with my co worker and the bartender was an absolute dick. I normally don't use profanity online but there is no other word to describe him. He was rude and a jackass at the least. The drink he served me was disgusting and completely watered down. When I told him that it didn't meet me satisfaction he grabbed the drink from me TOOK A SIP FROM MY STRAW and told me that it tasted fine to him and if I wanted another I would have to pay. Fair enough, I would have paid for another drink but his rudeness wasn't necessary. ESPECIALLY because it wasn't even that busy yet. Fair to say I won't be back.
(1)Meg K.
Four stars for the bartender and the food. Minus two for the waitress and hostess. I first sat at the bar waiting for my friends and our reservation. The bartender served me right away and then my friends when they arrived. We then moved to our table and on the second check-in where we weren't yet ready to order, our waitress asked if we could give her a time estimate so she didn't have to keep coming back. The restaurant was fairly empty, so we felt a bit weird and told her 5 minutes. Odd stuff like this kept happening, but the food was at least stable. We ordered six dishes for three of us (it's tapas style), and that was the perfect amount. Everything was tasty and I'd order it again. After we paid our bill, our waitress started clearing the table while we were still sitting there, so we got the hint that she was done with us and decided to leave. The hostess completely ignored us, too busy with her conversion with another restaurant staff member. We felt really unwelcome there. Expect a pricey set of tasty plates served by a girl more concerned about herself and her looks than your experience.
(3)Lillian C.
This is another one of Boston's "clubs" that doesn't charge cover but the line can get REALLY LONG. So basically, get here early! It's a pretty cool place with a lounge area and a small dance floor off of that on the ground floor. The basement is noticeably smaller with barely any space to dance with the sitting sofas and tables. The music they play is decent, but it's not as great as some of the other places I've been. Also, it just seems like a place that gets really crowded and messy/dirty, but not as douchy as some other places. I like the lounge area with the bar since it's easy to get a drink and chill if you don't feel like dancing. I've only had a lot of fun when I went with A LOT of people tho...
(3)David J.
If you read the reviews of this place on yelp, you will see that the doormen/bouncers have some discretion as to whether they will allow people wearing sneakers into their establishment. Given that entrance was granted to a white guy dressed very similar to a black guy that was denied entry, one has to question the reasons why. To make matters worse the doorman called me "ignorant" for surfacing this fact. #nevergoingback #bramin_sucks #call_it_what_it_is #racism
(1)Brian P.
It seems like every review of this place is a 1 or a 4 which is enough make you suspicious, but I ended up there last night and just as other people have stated they are extremely strict on their "shoe code." I'd say dress code, but everyone was turned away for the same reason. It's not to say that an establishment isn't allowed to have a dress code regulations, but the sign specifically says "No Athletic Sneakers" which I would consider shoes you would see at the gym, or a basketball court, etc. My friend and I had just purchased brand new, $100+ fashionable sneakers from Bodega (high-end, retro shoe store with it's own secret entrance) and I had on $200 designer jeans, and a designer t-shirt. Honestly, I was one of the best dressed customers there, yet my $300+ outfit didn't meet their standards. I bet they would have let Kanye West wear my sneakers inside, but apparently our money was no good to them. What bothered me most was the fact that the bouncers would allow people to wear in dirty, old, cheap non-dress shoes that looked similar to the Payless clearance section, but I can't wear a pair of non-athletic $100 Nike's that are fresh out of the box. We even asked if we could wear them inside if we purchased bottle service and a table. At first the bouncer outside said yes, then he went inside and came back and told us no. We asked to speak to the manager and he wouldn't allow us to do that either. My group were all sober by the way, and were trying to negotiate a deal with them. We all have money and were willing to spend hundreds of dollars in their bar, but they weren't having it. My final comment to The Brahmin is remember who you are. You're not Las Vegas, you're not New York City. You're Boston. You don't even charge a cover... so how does excluding "athletic sneakers" improve your customer experience? Well it doesn't. I won't go back, I'll tell all my friends not to come back, and hopefully the people of Yelp will realize there's better places to spend their time. P.s. Your website doesn't show your "dress code" policy and I looked diligently to find one, so perhaps you should update that. I'm excited to see what the "business owner ed" will respond with. The line at Vegas has you at +5 spelling errors.
(1)Christopher T.
My girlfriend and I stumbled on the brahmin because red lantern was too crowded. we had never heard of this bar but really happy we found it. went on a friday night, there was a dj spinning good tracks and the ambiance is great, very comfortable. music was loud enough but not too loud where it was difficult to carry a conversation. we both enjoyed our cocktails and tried the salad, meatballs & mac n cheese - all were pleasantly tasty an well portioned for the attractive prices. Thanks Brahmin, looking forward to seeing you soon.
(5)Maria W.
Not as advertised online. When you visit the webpage it appears a nice, dare I say quieter atmopshere (webpage music is "ain't misbehavin'") My husband and I went last night for my birthday dinner and it was so loud we couldn't hear each other at all. DJ music was fine, but not what we expected! most of the tables around us were filled with extremely loud diners; except a couple who sat down next to us and had the same look on their faces that we had. Too loud and not what was expected! If you are looking for a party- this place could be fun. As for the food- some good, some not so good. We were also told that they were out of one dish and then about 40 minutes later saw it being served to a table next to us????
(2)Kaitlin H.
This place has poor service. I went for a school-sponsored event on a Thursday night, and they were unprofessional, unprepared, and severely under-staffed, in my opinion. The bartenders yelled at the customers; they had no discernible pattern for serving those people waiting for drinks at the bar; and they were even yelling at each other (particularly the dish-washer, who appeared to be new). It took an hour and fifteen minutes for me to be served ONE drink (even after waving my card to request service a couple of times before). Not at all recommended based on their general treatment of customers and poor, untimely service. Good for dancing, but not for social drinking. REPLY to the comment below: my online receipt for an Uber ride to The Brahmin shows that I arrived around 10:30pm. My print receipt for the drinks I purchased at The Brahmin shows that I paid for them (after receiving them) around 11:45pm. That's hard evidence to dispute by calling me a liar. Ad hominem attacks are fallacious arguments that do nothing to further a position and are unwarranted incivilities. Also, I would like to point out that you have left equally libelous comments on every bad Yelp review for The Brahmin. I understand your frustrations with the number reportedly going to be in attendance. I have no involvement with the organization of this event, however, so I speak purely from the perspective of another customer looking to have a good time--a perspective that cannot have any relation to the non-law students you mention, either. Further, I admit to knowing nothing about managing a bar, so I respectfully trust your judgments in that matter. I would love to give The Brahmin another chance, and I think most customers who have had only one bad experince here would. However, if you continue to leave such inappropriately hostile comments, your anti-bad review strategy will achieve just the opposite.
(1)Mallory C.
I can't really rate this on much since we were there for a fundraising event, so it was reorganized accordingly. The format was a little strange, and it felt crowded really quick, with minimal places to sit. The food was difficult to access as it was up a step, making it impossible for people with mobility issues to get any independently. I also am not sure of the accessible bathroom situation since the one I was instructed to use was downstairs, but toward the end of the night we were assured there was one. Drinks and food were good, and I'd go back to have a regular meal experience here for another chance.
(3)Matthew F.
If you like terrible service, water downed drinks and fraternity basements this is the place for you. Over 45 minutes to get a drink, check. Bourbon with three times as much ice as liquor, check. Shoes sticking to the floor, check. Given the location and general proximity to good bars, I expected a far better experience. Not sure why anyone would willingly return to this dive bar that attempts to present itself as "upscale".
(1)Korey G.
One of the best places in Boston, hands down. The craft cocktails are prepared perfectly, great food and awesome service. I never wait for a drink due to the fact they have 4 bar areas and a ton of servers running around the place looking to take orders. The weekdays are fun, they have rat pat Tuesdays and throwback Thursdays which my friends and I love. The weekends consists of two DJs, two floors, dance floors and a hugh hard working staff. This place is so great, I don't Go anywhere else!
(5)Abby R.
Ok, this place is awesome. I went for Tuesday night Rat Pack music, because I love Frank Sinatra-y tunes and live music and because no other reasons were needed. The food menu is kind of like tapas in the sense that for the most part, they're all small plates good to share with 2-3 people. Between the 2 of us we devoured: -Tater Tots with truffle ketchup and garlic aioli dipping sauces -Parmesan Asparagus fries -Filet Mignon Bruschetta -Crispy Fried Brie -Chocolate Fudge Cake Don't worry, the asparagus fries TOTALLY count as a vegetable. If you love truffle oil as a flavoring this place has got you covered. I expected a slight truffley tinge to the ketchup but when I dipped a tot in there it was like TRUFFLE!... ketchup. I found it a bit too much. They also have truffle mac n' cheese which I'm glad I didn't get after the super truffelized ketchup. The asparagus fries were my favorite thing. Coated in a crunchy but not greasy coating, they were crunchy and tender at the same time and just everything I wanted in an asparagus fry but didn't know how to say. Garlic aioli came with this as a dipping sauce as well, which I passed on because of the aforementioned truffle ketchup and garlic aioli with the tots. The Crispy Fried Brie came with a strawberry dipping sauce and I really disliked the sauce. I dipped into it once and hated it, then I wanted to like it so I tried again and hated it again. It was still nice to have nice crispy bites of coated fried brie, but I would have liked a different dipping sauce option. The Filet Mignon Bruschetta was delish, but there are only 2 pieces of bread with steak already loaded up on there, so this is definitely a plate for 2. Regardless I thought the price at $10 was actually good for the amount of filet you get and for how filling it is. Would definitely get this again, and I loved the avocado salsa they put on it. Not much to say about the chocolate cake. It was dense and cold and heavily frosted. Would not order again, but it wasn't bad. The atmosphere is great. Very clean, awesome 20's inspired art, the band was playing at just the right volume so you could still hold easy conversation and enjoy the tunes. Service was also uncommonly friendly. Great place for a date night or a birthday party. Will be back for sure.
(5)Matt D.
Food is great. On the weekend it can be tough to transition a busy restaurant into a bar/dancing venue. This place is conscientious of not disrupting patrons and does a great job. Fun early vibe that extends late night. The bartenders downstairs on the weekends are devastatingly handsome and provide amazing customer service. I highly recommend getting dinner during the week and coming early for food on the weekends...then dancing off the delicious tapas style dinner. Taking advantage of the loyalty program there is a no brainer!
(5)Stephanie K.
Just your typical Boston neighborhood bar/lounge. It 's next door to Red Lantern which is a highlight and they had music on a Thursday night. We were the only ones there but it was a Thursday so it was expected. Music selection was ok, took a lot of our requests. Didn't have any food but the drinks were fine. I've heard it's a fun place on the weekends for dancing so give it a shot if you're in the neighborhood but don't go out of your way.
(3)Rachel N.
To put this review in perspective, as we were standing in line to check our coats, watching the billionth girl teeter by in 6in heels and barely-booty-covering skirts, I had to turn to Em, who was looking ravishing in a button up and jeans, and ask: "wait. is this what girls wear now?" - and to my first frat party in college, I wore a cashmere sweater set - no regrets - but I think that gives a sense of abt how knowledgeable I am abt anything involving "nst nst nst" type music and general youth culture. However, I do love my friends, and so in honor of a birthday I made an appearance at Brahmin. I've walked by the place enough to know that if you get here past 10p, you'll wait in a hella long line - and thus, I was pleasantly surprised when we rolled up at 10:30p and there were only 15p ahead of us - that said, by the time some of our friends came around 11:30p, they had been in line for 30m in 20F weather - yes, it's crowded inside, but it's definitely the type of place that keeps a line out front to maintain the image of exclusive allure. Once the bouncers deign to let you in, be prepared to have your ear drums blown out immediately with delightfully remixed Top 40s - if you have zero taste in music, which I proudly do - you will find that the music is excellent to bop around to - and most importantly, a GREAT remix of Sisqo's Thong Song exists and should be played in every club. By the time we left at a bit after midnight, the place was packed - and although the place is fairly dim, from what my old eyes gathered, the crowd was actually more diverse than I thought it would be - nevertheless, we are in Boston, so it is weighted towards lanky, clean-cut men in untucked plaid and/or oxfords and girls in minimal clothing, heavy make up, and faux Louboutins - I got the feeling that most of the people were in their mid 20s - and I probably wouldn't go intending to meet one's soulmate - BUT, it could be a fun way to grab someone for a quick, sloshy M.O.O.T.D.F if the spirit moves you to do so. Moral: get there early, be prepared to get pushed as bros and their hos make their rounds, and don't check a coat if you value your sanity. Oh, and no cover and drinks are fairly cheap (under $10), so snark aside, it's not a bad place to spend the evening getting down.
(3)David W.
I had the Short Rib Grilled Cheese and Buffalo Chicken Rangoon...and both were fabulous! I totally recommend. It was a Monday evening and wasn't very crowded. And we had great service.
(5)Joe S.
Theme of the restaurant and decor was nice and contemporary , food was good, prices for drinks and food were to much. Ordered a jack and coke twice and should have just ordered a regular coke(watered down drinks). They let about 100 more people in than they should have, it was bumper to bumper traffic in there. Waitstaff was trying but it took 25 min for a drink just unacceptable, for the price and overcrowded sweat lounge id probably never go back.
(2)Amanda L.
I purchased a LivingSocial deal that brought me back to the Brahmin after maybe a year of absence and was pretty excited about it since I thought my previous dining experience there was great. The restaurant wasn't especially busy on a Tuesday night at 7p so it was easy to grab a table. My boyfriend and I ordered the following: - Crispy Fried Brie - the coating is a bit salty and the dipping sauce had a strange, artificial flavor to it, but the brie was perfectly melty - Sizzling Spicy Shrimp - loved how hot the shrimp were when this came out but found the food to be relatively tasteless - Filet Mignon Bruschetta - hands down the best item we had. I found this a little difficult to eat since the bread was kind of thick, but my boyfriend loved it. To each their own. The combination of filet, cheese and guac was delicious and left my taste buds happy. - Brussel Sprouts - needed salt - didn't see salt or pepper on any tables nearby so not sure if this is available or not - Crab Cakes - I may be overcritical when it comes to judging crab cakes since I grew up near Maryland. No crab cake in New England has ever wowed me (with the exception of maybe Atlantic Fish Co.), but these were pretty good. I appreciate a crab cake when you can see the actual crab meat inside, so The Brahmin gets extra points for that! The overall experience was okay as nothing really stood out as being absolutely wonderful or overly offensive. Our waitress, Jamie, was cute, friendly and pretty prompt - quick to refill my wine (thanks, Jamie!). I'd say The Brahmin is a nice place to grab a quick bite and a few drinks after work, but maybe save the full dining experience for elsewhere.
(3)Jenny S.
THROWBACK JAMS DOWNSTAIRS, now that's a good Friday night in Boston it was nice that they had a few tables downstairs where you can sit and enjoy drinks with friends .. PLUS it was convenient so we didn't have to go through coat check! the Brahmin is a pretty casual bar, dark, no frills, you know nothing special but go with some good friends for good music and drinks!
(3)Joe J.
Came here for dinner and ordered a bunch of small plates per the recommendation of our waitress: Buffalo Meatballs Sizzling Shrimp Lamp Lollipops Mussels Mac and Cheese Tater Tots I also had their Old-Fashioned from the cocktail list. The highlight was the buffalo meatballs. The sizzling shrimp didn't really have much flavor, and that also applies to the mussels. The mac and cheese was pretty standard, as well as the tater tots. There really wasn't much of a spin on them, they were simply, tater tots, like the ones you can pop in the oven at home. Lamb Lollipops were good though. My drink was not that great. The place was not busy at all, and we had to ask to have waters refilled. Below average service, and hit or miss food render this a 3-star experience.
(3)Madelyn W.
Food/weekday dinner review: I signed up for brahmins loyalty program, which provides $20 free applied to food only dine-in and $10 every month up to $150. It a really good deal if you dont feel like cooking on the weekdays for dinner. I have tried flatbread and appetizers so far. The flatbreads are really good. They also give free complimentary appetizers some times too. Live band too.
(5)Stephanie T.
I used to be a huge fan of Brahmin, and I'm still a big fan of the food, its a great dinner place for groups. I held my birthday party here this winter, booked a table and set a bar tab for my group. Our waitress was amazing, but the atmosphere was terrible. I booked a table for 20 people, when I arrived the area around my table (which could only seat 5 people) was packed with another party. They moved people about a foot away, but it was still far too crowded for the number of people, they definitely over booked the space for the evening. Also our drinks were coming from the upstairs bar, so every time we ordered a new round it took forever for the drinks to arrive. However by far the worst part of the evening were the bartenders. They refused to serve us water at all. After paying hundreds of dollars for a table, I could not believe they were so rude to myself and my guests, and refused to provide any water. Definitely downgraded my previously great impression of this place.
(1)April K.
I've always had fun at Brahmin! Only problem is the annoying line but I guess that's understandable. Good crowd, good music, decently priced drinks ($10). There are two floors so it's nice to kind of separate if you want to dance or just hang out. It's more posh and definitely not a college bar. Going there tonight! P.S. Russ your responses are hilarious.
(4)Pathy K.
I loved the atmosphere of this place. I came to Brahmin based on a recommendation from a friend. It was very nice. The food was good, nothing could disappoint me. BUT The best part of all for me was the Waitress we had serving our table last night. I need to give Kudos to her. She was very professional and very pleasant. Loved the place more because of her really. Good job Taylor. You were very good and Patient with our large group. You didn't miss a beat. I am very happy to see good workers. I hope this review reaches your managers. Good job overall.
(5)Stephanie D.
There DJ was amazing on a Saturday Night. As per usual in any bar, you have to make your own fun. My friends and I were the some of the first few people of the night dancing, but within 20 mins there were tons of people on the little dance floor. There tapas-sized portions of food leave something to be desired for their prices. The staff is really great at clearing away glasses and stuff that people literally leave everywhere. They were also relatively quick to bounce people who act super inappropriately. As with any place to drink, there were classic unapologetic "sloppies", but a small enough percentage that this place stays above the line of other dance halls/bars that are little more that drunken house-parties. Worth becoming a regular at when you want to just dance!
(4)Danielle B.
I have a love-hate relationship with The Brahmin. LOVE: The cocktail selection, dj & music selection, the atmosphere in general. HATE: The tacky waitresses and waitstaff in general- so rude! The food is OK. It's a fun place for drinks and apps after work. Minimize your expectations beforehand about food & service, and you'll love it.
(3)Frederic M.
Love the interior! Great place to go for beers / cocktails / coca-cola or whatever type of liquids you are into. Food is basic.
(4)Lily S.
So after I finished eating here, I sent the following text to my friend "OMG the food here is like jizz ur kitty multiple times good!!!" True story. Hmm where to start. My friend and I had been here a couple of times for drinks and dancing, and were looking for something to do on Friday night that involved food but was also close to dancing, as it was 12F outside. This led me to peruse the Brahmin menu and I was very pleasantly surprised. It's basically every honorary fat girls dream come true. I'm actually really glad that its too far for walking distance from my job, otherwise my waistline would be having issues. They have an excellent tapas style menu and everything is ograsmically delicious. If I HAD to pick a favorite, I would say the asparagus fries. Imagine the most amazing French fry you've ever had, and then in the middle is a succulent piece of asparagus. Nothing short of amazing. Oh, and if that didnt seal the deal for you, they come with a side of dipping sauce...which im pretty sure is just a fat dollop of mayo. We also sampled the shrimp tacos and some spicy grilled shrimp, the buffalo chicken meatballs (OMFG!!!), and the bacon wrapped scallops. Everything was so delicious! The service was also surprisingly fast, especially later in the evening. We finished up around 10:30 and by then it was dance time! this was the only somewhat negative experience of the night...i feel like everyone in their mid twenties eventually gets that "wow i'm getting way too old for this" feeling. that sort of happened. nothing to do with the Brahmin, per se, but the crowd was just so young and you're standing there thinking, am i the oldest person here?! so we shook our respective groove things for a while, and ended up leaving around midnight. bonus? no problem getting a cab!
(5)Alex B.
I loved the Brahmin when it first opened. For some time it was my favorite spot in Boston to go out. Why? It was tucked away on a side street away from all of the hustle and bustle. It was never too crowded, the music was good, and there were always beautiful girls there. What happened? Well, I guess people found out about it. First the yuppie youth then their wannabe yuppie friends then other tools and then next thing you know there is an overcrowded and overheated dancefloor with a dj with multiple personality disorder who cannot decide between rap and EDM. I also don't like the fact that they let people in who are just wearing shorts. I prefer a place with dresscode / standards. And as any frequenter of this establishment can attest to, you need to arrive stupidly early to avoid a ridiculously long and obnoxious line where you cannot payoff the bouncers even $100 to cut. Take my money you idiots! Ethical bouncers, wtf? Moving around becomes a bitch and everything just ends up uncomfortable. I always pray for it to go back to how it was. Even if they reduced the crowd by 10-15% i think it would be much more bearable. I have a very specific taste so I am not going to slam Brahmin too much. There are still plenty of good looking girls, the crowd is fun, and I think the servers are friendly. I think I am just outgrowing it. The Boston nightlife scene just needs some places that cater to the fact that people want to dance their fuckin faces off in a space larger than 15' x 15'.
(3)August M.
Terrible service, terrible ambiance from every employee ranging from the bouncer at the bartenders, ugh.
(1)Marlana Y.
I used to come here Wednesday nights a longgg time ago when it was 33 and I always had a good time. But then again it was because I was looking for a loud club scene and it was expected. My out of town friend was coming back to visit and wanted a relaxing girls night. She heard this was a lounge where we could go and it was new so why not. So it depends what you are looking for. On yelp it is categorized as a lounge and I define lounge as a relaxing, pretty chill place to chat with friends. Not sure how it is on the other nights but on a Friday night this place is no lounge!!! If your looking for a place with loud music where you just want to party and dance ( but not sure if there's even a dance floor - reminds me of the same tight spaces as Emerald ) then this is your place. I tried to look on the website page for the type of music playing but it wasn't listed; so when we arrived - I'm not even sure what was playing. It didn't sound like EDM nor any music I've heard of- a bit funky and different which isn't bad at all. Just different. There was no where to sit. Limited amount of seats/ couches as well as space to move and dance. We found a wall to stand against but felt we were always in the way -whether by the wait staff and waitresses who gave you the evil eye to get out of the way or by other guests who was dancing in place by the bar and elbowing you if you were too close from their dancing skills. They only have two types of bottled beer (one was corona and the second was a European- I think), they have more on tap- but couldn't tell what they had. They do not have Hennessy, which is our drink of choice but did offer Remy. The drinks prices are nothing out of the ordinary- especially for the area. It was definitely more of a club scene than a lounge. The best part is no cover so you could come here if your strapped for cash. Brahmin looks very nice but it's hard to enjoy it due to crowd and space. It was hard to hear my companions and hear myself so we decided to leave after 10 minutes.
(3)Katie V.
So Brahmin has improved a lot since my first visit. I've been there many times since and have had great service, including for multiple large events I've organized there. Their truffled mac and cheese is the best in Boston! Very glad I gave the place another try (never saw that doorman again anyway, which tells you something).
(4)Cassie G.
Poor experience
(2)Bradley K.
Really shocked at the bad reviews. I waited for the LivingSocial deal on Tuesday to give it a shot. Blown away! GREAT service, GREAT food, and fun/loungish decor. Tried a little bit of everything. The 2 favorites were the fried brie and short rib grilled cheese. We just returned from Europe so we were on a Tapas kick, and this was just what we expected. Will definitely be back! Ps. Live music was a plus, although not that impressive, still fun.
(4)Anastasia T.
Best tapas I've ever had. Their short rib grilled cheese bites are amazing. Even better when paired with the truffle Mac and cheese.
(5)Adam S.
*NOTE: Review is only about the bouncers and smell in the bar** The sleazy door guys with the twin Bill Walton beards apparently have an affinity for large breasts and try to creative a little big boob call-out code word for each other - "Meow meow" This past weekend we stopped by and were with a decent group of people, good looking girls and a few of them with large breasts. Keep in mind that we're in our early 30s, the girls dress nicely and not in college girl hoochie mama club gear. We definitely didn't come to a college/Euro bar by choice, but it was for a friend, so after we hand the ID to the bouncer and begin to walk towards the entrance, the bouncer says "Meow" (we've all seen Super Troopers) and then the other bouncer follows with "Meow meow" as she walks by him, who is standing 10 feet away. In the interest of not getting into an altercation with the Bill Walton wannabe twins, I didn't say anything, but mentioned it to my endowed friends and they got the treatment both entering and leaving the bar. On the way out with my girlfriend, I prepped her and her friend and as we walked out, I said "wait for it, wait for it...." and then came "Meow meow" MANAGEMENT - Tell the bouncers to class it up or pick a "big boob" catch phrase that the whole word doesn't know. I casually mentioned while walking downstairs that there was a horrible smell throughout the entire bar and one of the employees heard me and said "It's the people that come here. There's no fixing it. We deal with it every week" Hey, at least the mixed drinks were only $9.50 and in a big plastic cup. Maybe Liberty Hotel is worth the $13 drink price though to not get harassed or have to hold my nose. EDIT and REPLY: Russ, The bearded guys were the only ones out there at this time, at least when we go there. I am a guy and was with my girlfriend. There were roughly 15 people in our party, mixture of guys and girls, arriving and leaving at different times. There is absolutely no way their comments were random or I was mistaken. This would be hard to see on camera since they're just saying something and not making any actions. It's just a perfect reason why I avoid "clubs" nowadays. Entitled door people are the worst and there are way too many options in Boston to wait in line somewhere to be judged by hired muscle. The employee was downstairs that commented about the smell. He had an earpiece on as well. Not going to get him in trouble since he was just being honest. The smell was overwhelming and we assumed it was throw-up. I ordered 2 - Ketel One/Sodas and was given $1.50 back, which I left on the bar - Just looked at my credit card and there is a charge of $18.50 (w/out tip) - Assuming you're not charging for tax, that's $9.25/drink not $9.50 - sorry. I had two drinks and my girlfriend had two drinks, so it's not like we were drunk and confused. I wasn't insulting the cups, just saying that they were large, but still made of plastic and not glass.
(1)Robyn R.
I have not been fortunate enough to eat here, but it's the type of bar you want to go - exactly what Boston needs. Fun, upbeat, awesome music, good scene and not sweaty and crowded. Great crowd - younger professionals, no college kids and no creepy old men :) I only hung out upstairs, but will go downstairs next time. I've heard the food is incredible and look forward to eating next time. Drinks are strong and fairly priced, plenty of seating and places to move around. It's hard to find a bar in Boston that's the perfect mix between a casual spot and trendy lounge - but you've done it, Brahmin. I can't wait to come back!
(5)Nikhil P.
Went here last night for drinks and to do some dancing, and the night was fun. Three main rooms, one had some good old-school hip-hop, another had some EDM/dance music beats, and the third room was a nice chill vibe. The night was overall pretty fun, and the drinks were really good and pretty reasonable for a spot without cover. $10/cocktail isn't a bad run, and the cocktail waitresses scanning the crowd for drink orders is pretty damn smart. Sure beats the rush to the bar and having your buzz wear off while waiting in line! Great idea, and the waitresses deserve big tips for wading through crowds of go-go dancers with full drinks. The only major downer was this "two-pieces of Photo ID" thing at the door. Painting the scene... by no fault of its own, The Brahmin happens to be situated at the ass-end of what felt like a wind-tunnel last night. The alleyway grabbed every cold blast in the neighborhood and threw it at the 20-odd people waiting in line outside for a good 10-15minutes. After getting to the door at last... (while people around us were actively hopping back in cabs to leave), we're told we need to have two pieces of photo ID. The bouncers were polite enough, but seriously? I checked out another review about this. There's apparently concern about fake IDs. Me, my wife and the two people ahead of us were very obviously over 25. Maybe we were just looking particularly young and hot... but how about running the line and telling everyone what to expect in advance? Or throwing something up on the website? I've never had a request for two pieces of photo ID anywhere in this city. If the BPD is cracking down on businesses, or the Brahmin ran into some underage trouble and have to ramp it up, make that clear. We were let in eventually, but if this really is a universal rule ... gotta make it clear right away. Signage, website, bouncers telling people while they're waiting in line. Really fun night overall and we'll be back, but kind of choked the first impression.
(3)Angelina E.
I was in Boston for work and my team planned an outing that followed with heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks at the Brahmin. The food was okay. I liked the bacon and scallops but everything else was pretty mediocre. The Moscow Mule was hands down the works one I've ever had. I live in San Francisco where they are pretty popular so maybe it's just a west coast thing and I should't have ordered it.
(2)Yalda R.
This place is always a great choice, a really good balance between bar atmosphere and club atmosphere, incorporates the best aspects of both! Their food is also delicious and prices are reasonable too. The only problem is how quickly it fills up, if you get there past 10:30 you're bound to wait in line for a while but then again that's only cause it's a really popular spot to be at.
(5)W Q.
Great music, great crowd, excellent drinks. Really nice interior, another bar and DJ downstairs. Come here early or the line gets long. Cocktail waitresses were very friendly and fun. We got a couple of drinks and few rounds of shots. The place was packed with people on VDay. Tons and tons of beautiful dressed up single women. This is a great spot if you are visiting Boston, especially on the weekends. Guys can dress casual, but girls were definitely dressy! I didn't try any food here, so the stars were purely based on the fun factor and drinks!
(5)Rachel K.
I hosted a birthday party here for my friend's 25 and the service was great! The people I emailed and spoke with in planning were wonderful and our downstairs area was perfect! The drinks were great and we were easily able to be downstairs and upstairs throughout the night enjoying the dancing and the loungey area. One amazing thing is although you have to spend a certain amount of money if you reserve a space, they let you use multiple cards. This is amazing, since round up money from a bunch of people at the end of the night can be a total pain! Our bartender downstairs was excellent and definitely showed us some extra attention and I was sure to leave him a nice tip. My only problem with this place, and I'm sure it's almost everyone's is the line situation. We were lucky enough to get there before 10pm on a Saturday and because we reserved space, we were allowed to come in line and cover free. The agreement we made with the event planner was as long as they were in by 10pm, they were good. I went up around 9:50pm after I heard some friends weren't able to get in and wanted to clear up the situation. The bouncers were not helpful, they said "no more, no way, it's 10pm" it was 9:53pm! I spoke with my friends and they said they had been waiting for 10 mins already and were here well before the expiration time. Another group of friends said bouncers wouldn't even let them get past the first line to get to the reservation line which held them up. Such a bummer because everything that happened during the night went amazingly! I really hope they can manage the line situation better in the future. If reservations are made, our entire group should be able to get in as long as they make the 10pm cut. I understand it's a busy place and I've dealt with the line without a reservation, but this was should have been an exception.
(3)Carla S.
I really love the atmosphere of this place! I've been to Brahmin a bunch of times and I really enjoy the Throwback Thursday which I went to last night. Again had a great dinner and the music was awesome! I'm so obsessed with the fried pickles it's not even funny!! Till we meet again :)
(5)Jenna V.
What would I do without Brahmin? Between rat pack Tuesdays, throwback Thursdays and the dance floor on Saturdays, you can't go wrong. This is our go to spot for birthdays, holidays and random nights when we just want to have a great time. Mike the manager knows how to treat his customers right! No wonder it's the #2 lounge in the country! John Taffert knows his stuff...even though i think it should be #1!
(5)Danielle D.
Can't say enough great things about this place! Always stellar service, great food and an amazing crowd! Every time my friends and I try to figure out where to go, we disagree on every place but Brahmin! Everyone has a great time! Mike the manager is a stud and knows all his regulars and is always willing to help with anything. I would give Brahmin 10 stars if I could! This place is a "must see!"
(5)Alejandra L.
BE EXTRA CAREFUL with your BILL! I used to "like" (not love, its ok not great) this club/lounge before despite of the long and not ending lines where you have to freeze and wait at least 40 minutes to get inside but after last nights's experience I would never come back here again, you have to pay extra attention to your bill when you are paying if not they will charge you drinks that you didnt even order... I honestly just came to the bar 2 times and decided to leave my card open to order drinks for my friend and me : 2 whiskey ginger and 2 tequila margaritas (not even enough to be drunk and not being able to realize what is happening) at the end of the night I nicely asked the bartender for my card and after waiting for 15 min he finally passed me the bill that said almost 89$!!! With 4 whiskey ginger, 3 margaritas and 3 martinis (which I never order or even drink!) I would like to think it was a mistake but come on who can put in your account 5 more drinks that you never order, I think is DIsHONESt and DISRESPECTFUL with your customers who are there to enjoy and have a good time with friends but at the end of the night you end up f&$&/ because they are charging you more just because they think you are drunk and you would never check your bills and would sign it like if you were blind or stupid.... I told one of the bartenders that there was a mistake in my bill, I couldnt ask to the guy that was serving me all night directly because he was avoiding me but he told him about the mistake and he end up saying that maybe I didnt remember what I order? Really? That is so wrong! I obviously remembered exactly what I order because I wasnt drunk and I am not stupid... I felt humiliated with the poor and dishonest service last night... After I nicely told him that I honestly didnt order the 3 extra martinis and the 2 extra whiskey and margarita they were charging they said the have to put the martinis because is a complimentary drink with the margaritas? Seriously! ? Im sorry but that was the most stupid excuse I have ever heard in my life... I hope that would never happen to you thats why you always have to check your bills very carefully if not just pay with cash and dont open a tab! I feel sorry for the people that never realized and got charge more for drinks that they didnt even order... Dont do this again with your costumers, KARMA is a BITCH!
(1)Jerome M.
If you like noise, young crowd, and don't really care about the food, don't go there. If you are looking for a trendy place to be seen and to meet people, this is the place to be. Unfortunately, I am passed that age. :(
(2)Brittany G.
Such a great atmosphere for drinks and some small plates after work with coworkers or friends! Plus they have an outdoor patio!
(5)Caitlin W.
I have only been here for happy hours and drinks after work, so I can't speak to the night scene after 9 o'clock. But hte drinks were good, they had an alright beer selection, and the bartenders were attentive. Their tator tots are probably Oreda tots, but still delish, and the fried pickles are really good! I definitely recommend. One time we sat outside, and they told us that we had to order food if we sat outside, but that was OK, we had a big enough group. The flat bread pizzas weren't that great. When i come here, I like to get drinks and fried pickles. I
(4)Phil O.
Note: This review is for Brahmin's food (and the service of) only. I went here on 12/6, and I ordered the duck confit sliders (at approx. 9:30PM). I waited at the bar for 40+ minutes just to realize the bartender failed to put in my order. What was doubly perplexing was that the bartender I gave the order to actually specified they were good when I asked him for advice. So not only did he* mindlessly forget to punch in my order, but his suggestion couldn't have been any farther away from "spot-on". When I finally got the duck sliders, they were lacking flavor to the point where it seemed any type of basic seasoning (i.e. salt) was completely forgotten. The duck meat was overcooked and its dryness was covered up by the grease it was cooked in. The buns were soggy as they were doused with duck grease, yet somehow, they were still flavorless. The sliders came prepared with a very random orange marmalade sauce, which was uneventful and didn't do anything for the duck meat. The end product was 3 barely edible duck sliders. Several bartenders asked me how the food was, and while it was loud and dimmed, my body language and verbal response still powerfully revealed my unenthusiasm. Apparently there's a point in the night when Brahmin lowers its customer service standards, so I still had to pay for them. Please note that one of the bartenders was sweet, and did pay for one of my rounds since the food came out late. But I think it's still safe to say I will never order food from Brahmin ever again. *I think his name is Nick Response to Ed B from 1/28/14: It's for reasons like this that I often don't take the "direct" approach. You don't listen. You clearly didn't comprehend 1 of the 2 major points of my review. You deflected my claim that your duck confit sliders tasted horrific by defining what duck confit translates to. Yes, I know "duck confit" means it's cooked in its own fat. But grease equals flavor, which is why I was dumbfounded when the sliders didn't have any. You: "I've replied several times explaining that duck confeit, by definition confeit means cooked in grease which would be why it tasted greasy." My response: You have not done this. You: "I also offered to apologize as nick mistakenly rang in the wrong order and the kitchen was backed up which is why there was a delay." My response: One of the female bartenders told me the kitchen was not backed up, and you never offered to apologize. You: "People are human and mistakes do happen, unfortunately in this day and age people are also so quick to judgment and are more powerful with words and behind a computer screen than in person and don't consider there affect on peoples livelihoods." My response: You're wrong/lying again. I already well considered the ramifications it would have on your business and your sub-par staff. And perhaps you should check my Yelp rating distribution before you make snap judgments yourself (more 4's and 5's awarded than anything else). Conclusion: Personally, and since I've worked in the service industry in the past, I do not have any tolerance for end-to-end sloppiness. This was a complete failure from the employees in the kitchen to the employees at the bar. And maybe I'm old-fashioned, but when staff is aware that they screwed up and/or that I'm unhappy already, why should I go out of my way to complain to someone else (i.e. next line of management)? I'm giving them the chance to rectify the situation "on the spot". Not to mention in this case it was dark, loud, crowded and I was trying to enjoy the evening with my girlfriend. I'm sorry for inconveniencing you. Having said that, it's actually sad that Yelp is becoming one of the only ways to get small business owners to listen once in a while, which is a slight push in the right direction to raise the bar for customer service standards.
(1)Eric M.
Updating my review for Brahmin again. Besides the owner being one of the worst humans I've ever encountered on the internet, and after a few year break from this establishment, i went back. The results: it was OK. Overall had a pretty fun night at the bar, the music was decent although it heavily favored music from last millennium. The atmosphere was decent too although it did get too packed to move at one point. One thing that pissed me off is a $15 credit card minimum for drinks. If you can't afford to pay the cc processing fee on a $12 gin and tonic then you don't deserve to be in business. Show a little class if you brand yourself as an upscale bar and eat the credit card fee like every other bar/restaurant/food truck/sausage stand. If they can do it, surely you can too.
(2)Mary Anne C.
From the moment we walked in, we were made to feel welcome, even when I said "I have a coupon". (Other establishments - take note). Since that first visit I've been back at least 5 times and each time was wonderful. I love the food, the service, the management, Rat Pack Tuesday, the ambiance. I'm such a fan.
(5)Sarah G.
What a fancy lounge like spot in the Back Bay! I can see why people like hanging out here so much--I felt like I literally went out somewhere special due to the awesome decor these people have. A little girly perhaps overall, but a great group hang out spot or drink meeting place. Made me feel a little sex in the city like actually with their dark lighting, chandeliers, etc. I say drink meeting because their food was just so so. We got one of their flatbreads which was honestly nothing special and almost tasted like some flatbreads I cook from my own freezer. We got their tatertots which were served in a fancy holder which I loved, but those dipping sauces were again pretty standard. Then we got their asparagus parm fries and those again we had expected to be way tastier. Don't get me wrong, everything was edible and everything like that, but none of if was really living up to how cool this place looks inside. Their beer selection is decent and they have some decent cocktails for $10-12 too, but I would really only come back here for drinks and eat elsewhere. I hear late at night the downstairs becomes more like a club or something like that, so that would be interesting to explore in the future ha ha
(3)Dinna Y.
Awesome food for surprisingly great value. brought a group of 9 there and the bill was low for just food. drinks of course always take you over! Great atmosphere, interior design. Busy, good music, but in typical Boston nightlife, they keep you waiting outside for not minutes but half hours just to make the place seem busy (if you are not a local Bostonian, it is DEAD in the city over holidays and when school is out as 1/4 ppl are students so the city is dead). I'd go back to dance and sardine myself through people
(4)Sasha L.
I've been to Brahmin a few times in the past year, but last weekend my friends and I went for my 22nd birthday. I called in the week before we wanted the go and the manager, Mike, told me that there were a few big parties but that I should ask for him when my friends and I got there and he would see what he could do as far as getting us one of the booths in the upstairs area. When we got there, there wasn't a table available but he got us in in front of the line. About 5 minutes after we went in a table opened up and we stayed there the rest of the night! I wanted to pay for the first few rounds so I asked our server to let me know when we reached a certain tab. She was super careful to not let the tab go over my limit which was awesome. Overall fantastic night, great place to go for a girls night with friends!!!
(5)L. M. B.
Went to the Brahmin Friday night for drinks and food with my boyfriend and some friends, sat at the bar, our bartender was Vinnie (the tall one with the irish accent), I ordered the blue cheese stuffed olive martini and my boyfriend ordered a dark and stormy- the drinks were perfect! We asked for some recommendations for food from him and he ordered us some fried pickles, grilled pulled pork cheese bites, tater tots and the lobster sliders, the menu is designed for sharing and the food was great. There was a DJ when we got there and the place was busy, as the night went on the drinks and food were flowing and even though the bar very busy later on our bartender never forgot about us and we were never without a drink in our hand. Another DJ showed up at about 10pm and the place was packed, I do recommend getting there early - as we were leaving at about 11:30pm there was a line outside so try to avoid that! The Brahmin is a great place to come with friends for drinks food and dancing. I did read some of the other negative reviews about bartenders and was shocked - all the bartenders were very nice to us and we were a mixed race group and everyone felt welcomed by the staff. We had a great time but as I said get there early to avoid the line!!
(5)Mike L.
Still love this place! Been coming here for a few years now and I always have a great experience. Went there this past weekend for a friends birthday party downstairs, we all had a blast and the music was on point...I knew the line would be down the street early so I came early to get dinner. They were completely booked up but I was able to grab a couple seats at the bar. Food.....Fantastic! Definitely get the Whole Short Rib.
(4)Eric M.
I've eaten here a couple of times now and both times have been very impressed with the quality of the food. We had a few small plates and everything was very tasty. The waitress was friendly and attentive even though it was very crowded with the after work drinks crowd. Would definitely come here again!
(4)C. W.
Had my friends 25th birthday party here - and it was a blast! We rented a space later than usual, so we were given a "walk-through" type area in back, which wasn't a problem at all. I coordinated with Jill, who handles the event planning and she was so incredibly helpful. She answered all of my emails quickly and was super accommodating in every way. Lauren was our waitress and I can't say enough good things about her. She handled everything like a pro! We all used different credit cards, which can be a pain but she made it seem like it was no trouble at all. She was always checking up on us and doing everything she could to make sure our night was enjoyable. We ordered some food as well: Pancetta Flatbread, margarita flatbread, sausage flatbread, Scallops and Bacon, and Sausage Stuffed Arancini Bites -- everything was delicious. My favorite personally was the scallops, they have a sweet maple on them that was definitely the best part. The only thing I wish was different was the ease of a guest list. We had some friends who were stuck waiting in the rain and unfortunately ended up going to a different bar. This situation may be different though if we had rented a more intimate space. All in all, it was a blast. The staff, food and night overall was wonderful!
(4)Jacquelynn C.
This was one of first spots we checked out while in Boston, did some research via instagram to see if the scene was good and was not disappointed at all. The food is alright, it didn't change my life but the service and the atmosphere is amazing. We were here on a Friday night for drinks and food that led to us coming back on a Saturday night which was even better. Very good looking crowd, come early to avoid waiting in line outside or befriend one of the bartenders...*they'd be happy to put you on their list at the door. *only applies if your a girl. lol Pros: Speakeasy atmosphere, great DJ, decent drinks, friendly staff/bartenders Cons: food is ok
(4)Mac D.
Yummy margaritas, $8 each. Cool atmosphere. Loud. The bar downstairs is less crowded, so you'll have a better chance at getting a drink down there
(4)Tara G.
From the looks of it, you would think this is a high class lounge but its not. Its more of a club and the age ranges from 23 to 29 or so. Its very small and packed and probably more for the younger crowd.
(2)Michelle T.
Great for a fun night out dancing with friends. This place attracts a crowd of young professional, nicely dressed bunch and is halfway between a lounge and a bar (a nice bar, that is...with watered down drinks). I'm giving it a 4 star rating only because I had a great time dancing and hanging out with friends. Otherwise, all things considered, Brahmin is probably a 3 = A-ok. Music was great. Place wasn't too trashy (although the bathrooms lines were always long and they ran out of toilet paper as early as 11pm). There is an upstairs and downstairs. The room downstairs has it's own separate DJ who spins more hip hop. Upstairs is more top 40 type music. Drinks were underwhelming. Probably had the worst mojito I've ever had in my life. Not only was it weak and tasted only of seltzer water, it also didn't taste AT ALL like a mojito. I might as well have ordered a tonic with splash of gin. Probably would have tasted the same. My advice: Pregame ahead of time. Come early to avoid the longggg lines. (Think, before 10pm, cause at 10:15, you're looking at a 30min+ wait).
(4)Kaitlin O.
This message is in response to the comment posted by Russ on 12/11 for the review I wrote on 12/7. I got an error message when I tried to respond directly to that comment. Hi Russ, Thank you for your response. I just want to clarify that I wasn't trying to go upstairs. I very clearly stated, a few times, that I wanted to leave the premise. I said that I wanted to go home and I was told that I had to wait. The suggestion of getting another drink was a bit insulting, as it felt like maybe your staff was just trying to make an extra dollar. It ended up being only 5-7 min that I had to wait, but some people might feel very uncomfortable with being told to wait to leave the premise for even that short amount of time. I hope this clears things up for you and that you are able to clarify your policy with your staff, because it appears that the bouncer stationed at the down lounge exit nearest the coat check at 11:40pm Saturday night was the one who misunderstood. Best, Kaitlin
(2)Tracy P.
Brahmin is by far the best place to go in Boston on a Friday or Saturday night... The food is incredible, the music is awesome and the customer service is spectacular. I do my birthday there every year because you get the best of all worlds... it is a restaurant, lounge, bar and dance party all rolled up into one. Anytime you are in line, it is definitely worth the wait!
(5)Alix C.
I've been going to The Brahmin since it opened. This is by far my favorite place to frequent in the city. In regards to the lines... There is a line because it is THAT good. The management and bouncers are very considerate and generous with letting people in. The service is always good and the food is absolutely great! Tapas style dishes in a bar... perfect for large groups and parties. Huge thank you to all of the staff, management and owners for creating a wonderful place for my friends and I to come to for every birthday we have and ever occasion needing celebrating! Never a disappointment.
(5)Emily R.
I came this weekend and was not feeling it when we first got there, there was a line, and it was FREEZING. But i am glad that we waited! It was packed, my friends who have been before told me its not usually THAT crowded, but it was fine! There is no cover...it was saturday...love that. The crowd was attractive, lots of eye candy, male and female Girls, lots of heels (girls need to know these things!) Good music, big bar. Bathroom was clean. Bartender was nice....except...he told me there was a 20 dollar minimum to use my credit card...good god! I cant wait to come back!
(4)Lucy M.
I love the atmosphere of the Brahmin at night, and all of the bartenders and waitresses are pretty efficient. I was surprised when I realized that they were open for dinner and had a really good and unique menu. Everything is in small plates and the asparagus fries are my favorite thing in the world. I have only had really good experiences there and the place is definitely unique. I bring all of my friends here it is becoming my favorite place in Boston.
(5)Nicole D.
I have been a long time fan of this local hotspot, but after the way me and my friends were treated tonight by the bouncer, I doubt I will visit there again. I work in sales, and customer service is alway a top propriety. So when the bouncer turned away the one male in the group I was with for wearing "sneakers" (they were not) and then allowed the group in behind us who had men wearing THE SAME shoes, we were perplexed. When we asked the bouncer what his reasons where for the different treatment he was rude, condescending, and basically an ass. It was 9:30 at night with no line. Why they would turn away a group of patrons for one man's choice in shoes, but then bend the rules they had previously enforced for the next group of people is a shame. Will not spend my money here again.
(1)Lynn J.
NOTE: The 1st half of this review is for the restaurant. This place is known for it's night club...scroll down for that. MANAGER, "MIKE": 5 STARS...SUPER FRIENDLY! He came over to chat, after we finished, and changed my tepid view of their staff in 5 minutes with his big smile, hearty hand shake & sweet stories. I did not have the heart, nor the courage, to tell him the truth about how unwelcome his staff made us feel there. Yet, when he heard I lived down the block, he offered his card, along with a free app when we returned next time! FOOD: 3 STARS...BUT COULD BE 5 STARS... GOOD FOOD...THAT COULD BE GREAT. KOBE BURGER...Egg bun I really thought was a tasty touch, but I couldn't eat the bottom. It was soaked through with grease. The beef's juicy goodness could be drained before plating. TUNA 2 WAYS...Loved them both equally, but, at $14.00, it's pricey for 1/4 cup of raw tuna with 2 toast points. HOMEMADE BASIL GNOCCHI...MY FAVORITE DISH! This pasta was chewy heaven with mushroom magnificence. It was also sitting in 1/2 INCH OF OIL, which could be drained. HOMEMADE MEATBALLS...MY DINING PARTNER'S FAVE. Old world recipes, handed down for generations. The sauce is on the sweeter side, which appeals to most. WAITSTAFF: 1 STAR...REALLY RUDE. As I was walking toward the front door, on right side, a blonde waitress was walking AT me quickly. I stopped, thinking she'd go around me. Instead she said "Excuse Me?" with an attitude. How hard is it to both walk on the right side in America? My waitress greeted us with NO SMILE & a drink request. We'd just sat down and asked to at the menu = EYE ROLL. Brunette girl returns and we ask for "any non-alcoholic drinks, like Ice Tea or Lemonade." She shook her head, "NO," and could come up with no alternative suggestions for us. Still no smile, but lots of "I don't want to be here" vibe, she took our orders, and I held onto my menu to browse it more. She literally fought it from my tight grip and ran off, LOL! We ordered 4 "Small Plates" & 1 burger for our small table. A sweet, smiling guy delivered them all with style, and she never returned to clear plates and make room at all, until we were finished and had them stacked up, so we could eat. ### BRAHMIN NIGHT CLUB...Lively, loud and loose! There is usually a line on Fri & Sat, along with a cover. We went straight to the downstairs cellar bar... really dark, small room, lots of people bumping into each other. I had 2 drinks spilled down my dress while I danced in the corner, and went home smelling of sweat...other people's sweat. In spite of this, I had a blast with my girlfriends. So, I highly recommend you GO WITH FRIENDS! *smile* Upon exiting at 2AM, the lights all came up, and we could see the upstairs bar covered the length of the room, and encouraged and inviting atmosphere to meet new friends. The age range was mostly in the 20s, typical of Boston clubs.
(3)Whitney F.
I recently held my best friend's bachelorette party at Brahmin. I had been a few times before for drinks and brunch and had really enjoyed the food and the scene. After the bachelorette party I definitely upgraded Brahmin to one of my favorite bars/ restaurants. Overall, it's awesome because it's very nice but still relaxed - something you very rarely find in Boston. Brahmin hits a great mark between being a little more upscale, while still being casual and fun. The service was AMAZING. Our waitress was so attentive and really accomodating. The manager came over to introduce himself and make sure everything was going well. All of the bar staff were very polite and went above and beyond. Someone made a rude comment to me about a scar I have and the bartender bought me a drink to "make up for it" - really nice! I've had both hors d'ouevres and brunch at Brahmin and the food is always excellent, fresh and creatively prepared. Highly recommend.
(5)Minh P.
I went there two weeks ago and it was absolutely the worst experience I've had in Boston. I don't know for some freaking reasons, the waitresses (there were 5 of them hovering over the counter across the hall from us) would not come over to serve us. We literally sat there for 30 minutes with no service. Finally, the guy I was with had to go to a bar to grab me a drink. Oh not to mention they moved us to a different section after the bartender told us we could sit there. Absolutely the worst restaurant/bar experience/service I've had in Boston.
(1)Saba N.
I came here for a girls night out this past Saturday. I had a really great time once we got inside... there was a big bar in the main room and AMAZING music playing all night. There was also two rooms for dancing, so there was enough space to really showcase my dance moves. Which are awesome. Thanks, zumba. (please note sarcasm). However, getting in was another story. We arrived at 1030, which I realize is prime going out time. We're not stupid; we were definitely expecting to wait a little bit. The line was maybe about 25 people long, so we didn't think it would be too bad. Plus, there was a solid amount of people leaving, too. We waited for over an hour. It was ridiculous. They had this VIP line which basically consisted of douchey-looking guys and skanky girls that wear ugly shoes and they would just show up, look at the bouncer, and get in. I get that when you know a bartender or bouncer sometimes you have some favorability... but, it was too much. At least 20 people from the VIP line got in within 10 minutes... which, after an hour, gets really old. It also got frustrating watching 10 people leave and then the bouncers letting in only 2 people. Haven't you heard of the "1 in 1 out rule?" That being said, I won't hold it against them because of three things. 1: it was super crowded inside, so I guess I understand why they were holding up the line. 2: we arrived at the worst possible time, so it was partly our own faults. 3: the dj was awesome. Next time, I'll show up around 10. I think that would be safer. All in all, fun place.. would definitely go back!
(4)Lisa I.
I went here for a birthday dinner a couple weeks ago and don't think I'll be going back. We had dinner reservations at 7:30PM on a Friday. There seemed to be some event going on, so the music was BLARING. I know it turns into more of a lounge/club later in the evening, but at 7:30?? We could barely hear each other and when we asked if we could move into the other room, they said no, even though there was no one in there. The staff in general wasn't very accommodating. We had an extra person joining our party and they made a big deal about bringing an extra chair over to our table. The food itself was good. A good selection of tapas. The gnocchi and mac & cheese were delish. The burger and the shortrib grilled cheese were ok. Might be a good place later in the evening or for drinks, but wouldn't recommend the atmosphere for dinner, which is actually too bad because the food was decent.
(2)Dave F.
The Boston Brahmin's premise -- small, American tapas-style plates paired with craft cocktails -- is a very attractive one. The execution, however, is sorely lacking. My finacee and I dined here on a Tuesday evening. The first thing that grated the senses was the overly loud DJ mix, which clashed with the retro atmosphere of exposed brick and antique furniture. The frenetic pace and volume of the music made it impossible to relax during our meal. The service was intolerably slow. It took about half an hour for our drinks to be mixed and served. Our second drinks, ordered while in the midst of eating our small plates, arrived long after we had finished eating. There were other guests dining, but it was by no means full. The drinks themselves missed the mark. For a restaurant that advertised its cocktails on its sign, I expected better. Their take on the Manhattan, with Saint Germain, was interesting, but overloaded with whiskey. The sidecar was serviceable but ordinary, and the less said about the pineapple margarita, the better. The food was the lone bright spot of our experience. I recommend the beef tartare with quail egg and the grilled prawns, both of which packed interesting flavor. The mac and cheese was pretty tasty, but could have used more seasoning. The goat cheese salad was bland and uninteresting. Perhaps since the Brahmin just opened, it is still working out the kinks. Let's hope so, because the slow service and poorly-mixed cocktails do not have me itching to return any time soon.
(2)Chris W.
Overall not bad, fairly typical Boston bar. You really do need to be in line by 9pm, but the line does move and maybe you'll wait 30 minutes but nothing ridiculous. The various spaces inside give you nice options to roam around and the main room upstairs seems to be most packed otherwise your not overly crowded downstairs. The drinks are good and reasonable and no cover charge is great. The crowd is well behaved. Drinks are easy to come by with 3 bars.
(3)Adriana T.
Brahmin, the old 33!!! The only dance lounge around Boylston/Newbury St. The upstairs is nice for drinks and hang out. The music is not as loud as it is downstairs. After 10PM they bring in a DJ who spins the night away. The music they play is top 20 music soooo if you LOVE Rihanna and Lady Gaga that's your spot!!! I give it a 4 stars because the downstairs can be a little bit sketchy at times but other than that it's a great dancing place!!!
(4)Judy K.
Disappointing. Stereo was too loud and we asked to have it lowered 2X. Place was so dark it was hard to see the menu & food. In fact, a friend of mine went there as well (on a different day) and ended up leaving due to the blasting music. This is a restaurant . Not a night club. The food was uneven in portion sizes and quality. Considering the relatively small number of selections, one would think each item would be fully thought out and tested. Not so. The chef needs to re think some of the offerings. The arugula salad had a dressing that was far too lemony. The advertised apples were miniscule and had to be searched out. Too bad 'cause they could have balanced out the lemon. Generous size. Appetizer scallops = total of two. Drowned in heavy maple sauce. Disguised the delicate flavor of the scallops. Steak, bleu cheese, potato flatbread sounded interesting. Proved not to be. The flavors did not work together. The potatoes were mashed (clashed with crust) and cheese flavor weak. Decent size. The truffled mac & cheese was a good sized appetizer. Not your typical version. More like buttered pasta with bread crumbs. The cheese was secondary and the truffle flavor?? The prices are OK depending on what you order. No real rhyme or reason in the sizes. The place is new and if it wants to last in this area - the chef better get his/her act together.
(2)Kate P.
Our New Spot!! My girlfriends and I heard about the newest addition to Stanhope St & decided to check it out The "Boston Brahmin" theme was intriguing so we were excited to see what it was all about. We were greeted on their patio (major points for having outdoor space) by a friendly & welcoming door staff (always a surprise when bouncers actually smile!). The hostess informed us we could sit wherever we wanted, which didn't seem like big deal until we saw all of our options. We decided to go with one of the lounges close by the tall windows that overlook the patio/sidewalk. The bar is dark & very chic, but the music really gives this place a different energy. They played alot of classic 90s hiphop which is pretty much a guaranteed good time for my girls & I. OK, so most important... DRINKS! This is one area they most certainly did not slack on. They make their drinks look like an art form! It took a little longer than the usual mixed drink, but wow was it worth it! Our table ordered the sidecar, sex & the city, blue cheese martini & the moscow mule - Nothing short of AMAZING!! wow, these drinks were delicious and they bartenders truly took their time perfecting them. FOOD FOOD FOOD. yummmm!!! They have a bunch of "small plates," which is actually perfect for a group like ours. We tasted several items and were perfectly content. We got to try many things without having to commit to an entree (I can never decide what I want anyway). We tried: -Scallops & bacon - wow! -Truffled mac & cheese - I don't know if I will ever be the same! -Potato Coins - perfect snack with different sauces to dip. yum! -Heirloom Tomato & Mozz Salad - a classic, perfected!! Needless to say, I will be going back this weekend. There are so many drinks I still need to try. Service was friendly & informative and the crowd was young & hot. The drinks were amazing and the food is fresh & delicious! Go the Brahmin!
(5)A D.
I was pumped when I saw this place on BuyWithMe and couldn't wait to check it out. I expected a little more consistency with the 20's feel, but that's not a big deal. Me + bf made reservations for this past Friday night. The hostess thought the best place to seat us directly next to a high chair. I went in there expecting a nice Friday night date spot in back bay/south end and instead ended up next to a chatty toddler who was running around the dining room (hey, get a babysitter). Once our waiter finally came, we switched to a better location. There were plenty of free 2-tops. They were out of Mac & Cheese and Tuna Sandwich (both of which we would have tried - we really wanted the Tuna Sandwich for dinner.) (Appetizer) We both started with the Arugula & Goat Cheese salad. Way too lightly dressed, and they brought us the bacon after we had each already eaten half the salad. (Small Plates) Salmon Crudo: Literally, 4 bite-sized shavings of salmon with a couple cukes for $8... Fried Pickles: Soggy and ordinary. Beef Tartare: Delicious and substantial. Our favorite part of the meal. (Main Course) Smoked Bacon BLT w/Truffled Mayo: The bacon was deliciously smokey and the mayo was great. Sorry Brahmin, you are greatly overshadowed by Stoddard's. Like, absurdly. We were pumped going in but were really disappointed :-/
(2)Radhika M.
Nice place, but the music was far too loud. Didn't have as much fun as I expected.
(3)Mcslimj B.
Handsome, clubby-looking space on recently revived Stanhope Street. Based on a single visit prior to its wide opening, The Brahmin looks promising, though clearly tilted at a twenty-something nightlife crowd. Cocktail menu heavy on flavored-vodka concoctions, dim lighting and loud house music, a menu of sort-of-creative small plates. Lots of dark leather sofas, a VIP area downstairs ("You know Frank Sinatra? He's dead: ha ha ha ha!"), many cute female functionaries in very short skirts. I don't have high hopes for the food, but will reserve judgement until they start serving a full menu.
(4)Amelia M.
I was all pumped to get here and be first to review during their soft launch phase (obviously I missed out :-( but it's okay!) The finer points of decor were not unnoticed--old-school leather chairs and couches, funky lighting, creative frames on the walls--and all gave it that drinking-in-a-British-aristocrat's-study feel that tempted me to respond to every yes/no question with "indubitably." The Brahmin has the same awesome combination of top-notch food and not-fussy feel that I love at Drink and Bricco with none of the entitled investment bankers or STD-carrying golddiggers who populate Sonsie and Towne on an average weeknight. Our waiter displayed EXQUISITE attention to detail and was very helpful.... at a new restaurant a question like "can I get my burger with goat cheese?" or "can you make me a g&t with Beefeater?" throws waitstaff for a loop simply because they haven't been around for very long, but the dude who was serving our table was totally upfront--if he didn't know the answer, he checked with the kitchen staff. Is it only a matter of time before Brahmin draws the same weeknight-warrior crowd as some of its longstanding competitors? Indubitably. But for now, I'll be dragging everyone I know out to Stanhope St.
(4)Nicole W.
Definitely make The Brahmin your next spot to visit in Boston. A classy establishment reminiscent of the 19th century New England aristocratic society serving an impressive list of cocktails and yummy small plates. Inside the Brahmin you'll find dark comfortable leather seating, an eye catching copper bar that is lit by beautiful crystal chandeliers. The surrounding exposed brick walls are lined with vintage Boston photographs and gorgeous antique furniture ...certainly a place where you and you friends can stay a while, listen to great music, enjoy fun drinks and food .... and if you need a change of scenery, they also offer an awesome outdoor patio! Did I mention the service is great, too? Definitely a bonus in my book. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Ally L.
Went here for one of my best friends birthdays (we had a large group of people.) We got dinner, drinks, and stayed until they closed. It was a perfect place for us because its all 3 in one: restaurant, bar/lounge, and dancing (DJs). They had pretty good music, wait staff was awesome, food was awesome, drinks were a little expensive but still good. Even management was awesome, the manager on duty introduced himself and asked how things were twice throughout the night. It's a pretty big place - upstairs and downstairs which you can go up and down freely. I would definitely go back again.
(4)CC Lobstah B.
Brahmin has some of the coolest trendiest decor you will find in the city. Super nice waitresses and the manager is a class act. Food is good for the price, flatbreads were good, I got the meatloaf for my entree and it was so-so...other people were very satisfied with their meals, burgers were bomb, ravioli tasty and again VERY economically friendly! The one thing you got to know about this place is it gets LOUD. If you go on a weekend be prepared or leave before 9:30 -10. We were having a great dinner until the DJ maxed out his mixer cranking the volume till we couldn't hear each other. Other than that Brahmin is definitely worth checking out...
(3)Greg A.
Ok, so trying new places can be hit or miss..but this was definately a HIT. The room is decorated tastefully with a very comfortable, loungy feel. Some great background music that doesn't put you to sleep.... The cocktail menu is pretty impressive... I tried their version of the sidecar which was very different than a normal sidecar but very VERY tasty. All the ingredients were freshly muddled and the bartenders really took pride in the making and presentation! The food menu features mostly small plates which are great to share so we ordered the Tuna which is served 2 ways, a tartar and sliced rare over melon...delicious..we also tried the Mac & Cheese, Fried pickles and the Grilled Prawns... nothing dissapointed. the owners themselves came over and made sure everything was good and they were very friendly and personable. The overall service was friendly, prompt and did not make us feel rushed. We'll be back and we'll bring friends!
(5)Jenna K.
I had a great experience here! Service was great (waitress even brought us a pitcher of water, without us having to ask, because we were drinking so much). Food was AMAZING. Had the fried Brie, short rib grilled cheese, buff chix crab rangoon, and fish and chips. Only paid $30 with tip after living social deal. Great food and great value!
(5)Emma S.
The service at Brahmin should merit seven stars, at least from my one experience. Our hostess/waitress was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and talkative, in the most positive way possible. They allowed my group of friends to sit for a few hours with just apps and drinks, no problems! We had our own back room. The beer list was surprisingly small, but solid. Drink list looked great, but I didn't order anything. The food, from my limited experience, was excellent. We got a wonderful arugula salad and caprese salad. Both really well done. The atmosphere was very cool, old-fashioned, dark and inviting. Their music choice, techno-remixes of oldies, did not fit with the atmosphere. I plan on returning frequently, but I hope that they change the music!
(5)Selena K.
Guaranteed good time. Awesome music, unpretentious atmosphere, intimate setting. The lines can get really long on the weekends so its worth going early. This is a great alternative to Boston clubs with table service if you're looking to dance with your friends. They are also accommodating for groups and private parties - definitely call ahead. There is also a private room downstairs if you're looking to ball out.
(4)Sarah L.
Me and one of my BFFs made our way to The Brahmin last night and despite the torrential downpour on our way there, the service and absolutely yummy food made two wet rats feel much better after being seated immediately upon arrival with no reservation. The hostess was gracious and very genuinely welcoming. Said BFF and I had our last of things we wanted to try- I asked Kate (our fabulous server!) her favorites from the menu and they just so happened to be what we had already planned on sharing (okay- and I DO value my fellow Yelpers input-most of the time). Our food arrived in waves- they paid close attention to what got polished off and the next plates arrived within minutes. Here's what we got: Scallops- pretty darned tasty. Served on a small piece of quality bacon kept the sweet flavor of the scallop from being over powered by the bacon. Tuna two ways- excellent carpaccio and slightly seared strips of tuna over thinly sliced watermelon "rectangles" , very interesting! Heirloom and baby mozzarella plate was so fresh and delish. White asparagus wrapped in serrano ham was excellent. Braised short rib with a cauliflower puree- not bad, not great-decent. My half was a bit too fatty. The four cheese flat bread was TDF. I'm usually a fancy pants pizza/flabread girl but this stole the show. I told Kate that I'd be Yelping, and I want to thank you for your great service, advice and friendly smile. We'll be back! A new fave.
(5)Lisa S.
If you like good drinks, then Brahmin is your place to go! The drinks are delicious! I had the pomegranate with vodka and then sweet tea vodka drinks and both were soooo good. My friend had the basil gin drink - he was eating the basil, which to me is the sign of a well made drink - or a hungry friend... Not sure which but I'm going with well made drink. we had also the potato coins and the charcuterie plate. Turns out my friend doesn't like charcuterie - lesson learned! It's too much meat for one person so always check to see if your dining companion will share it with you. The potato coins are also delicious - great variation on standard fries!
(5)A N.
I had a birthday party for my boyfriend here last week. I had never heard of The Brahmin before, but on the recommendation of a friend we decided to try it - and I'm very glad we did! The location is pretty cool - it's in the Back Bay but it feels tucked away and I liked that. I couldn't believe at 9:30 PM there was a pretty decent line already (when the weekend before last I went to another bar downtown and until 10:00 PM it was dead). Because I had booked a party there, we didn't have to wait in line and getting in was very easy. We had tables downstairs - and while it is a spillover room, I loved it. There's a bar right there so we literally had to wait mere seconds to get a drink. There's different music upstairs than downstairs but both floors were playing pretty good tunes (upstairs seemed more 90's jams and downstairs was more current but wasn't too EDM/techno for me at least). The downstairs felt so intimate and everyone was dancing in the middle of the room. Unfortunately, we had a large group and stayed downstairs because that's exactly what we wanted, but I did go upstairs a few times and it was totally packed and the decor is beautiful. I thought I saw some people (not in our party) get stopped before going upstairs, but I never was stopped or asked anything every time I went up. Not sure what the deal is there. Drinks were strong! The manager Mike was very nice - he met me at the door and took us downstairs and I saw him around the place all night which is cool - I felt like I could have grabbed him if we needed anything or there was a problem. All-in-all, I don't go out very often (we live 20 min outside Boston), but for this one night we did (and for a special night), it was awesome. I'm glad we went to The Brahmin. I told friends if we didn't like it we could always go somewhere else - we all ended up staying till close :)
(5)Chris M.
Went here the other night with some friends. Wasn't really sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. This place has 2 floors so you are able to wander around and hang out in different areas of the bar no problem. I had a tab with a bartender in the downstairs bar. His name was Pete and he was a wizard behind the bar. Our group was ordering all types of drinks and he was spot on every time. He even suggested some really good shots when we decided to make a toast. It really made the night having a knowledgeable and personable bartender, along with the great atmosphere of the club. Check out this place and ask for Pete. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Lou S.
We made a reservation for 7 on a Saturday night. They rearranged the seats for seven people. However, halfway through the night, they made one of us get up and gave him a stool to sit on. Speaking of stool, the service was craptacular. Our waitress didn't know the difference between bourbon, scotch, and gin. I had to walk to the bar to find out what they had.
(1)Melissa K.
I've considered making a Yelp account for years, but haven't been motivated enough. After my experience at The Brahmin this past Saturday, I felt I needed to spread the word. What a horrible experience! Don't get me wrong - the venue looks nice enough. Small, but nice. It's the security and management that are the big problem! I was out Saturday night with a group of friends. A very rude, drunk male was jumping all over the place and knocked my drink all over me. He stole the other half of the drink out of my hand. I mentioned this to him, and he replied that he didn't care. He proceeded to get in my face (he was very large) and I felt threatened. I thought he was actually going to hit/push me at one point (he did, actually, with his body). At this point, I stepped away. I heard a girl from a different group complaining about the same man, and going toward the bouncers. I joined her and we both stated that the man was acting horribly, and making us uncomfortable. We did not want him there. Security told us to "calm down" and "slow down," so we finished telling them our story and the other girl returned to her group. I hung around to see what would be done. The answer - NOTHING. I heard the two bouncers behind me saying "nah, that guy's good, he's cool," and that was the end of it. At this point I chose to leave because I did not feel safe. The next day, I called to speak to the manager about the incident. While he was nice enough on the phone (offered to buy me a drink the next time I come back), he did not seem overly concerned. He told me that security needs to be careful about who they kick out of the club, and "it's not that easy to kick people out." ... Umm, isn't that the JOB of security?! Plus the fact that I hadn't even mentioned trying to get him kicked out to the manager - all I said was that security should have spoken with the man to let him know he had to calm down. In any case, this was two unrelated females saying that a drunk male in the bar was behaving badly, making them feel uncomfortable and unsafe! He should have been asked to leave, or at least given a warning! The manager told me that maybe security said something to him at another point in the night (yeah, right..), and that he thought he knew who I was talking about because he saw a guy "kind of bouncing around, but hey, it's a dance floor!" as he said. Hmm... I've been on a lot of dance floors and have NEVER felt this threatened before. By the end of our conversation I had the feeling that the manager was one of the two men from the night before who was protecting the drunk man (who was obviously someone's friend, or a big spender). Overall the manager was dismissive and condescending, just as the men I dealt with the night before were. If you want a place that you feel like you aren't safe, go ahead. Otherwise, steer clear! Bad management, bad security. Oh, and they're also one of those places that keep a line waiting outside when they're not even at capacity. I will NOT be going back!
(1)Tim C.
Went here for drinks on Saturday night prior to dinner around the corner. The lounge feel was fantastic. The DJ was spinning old school tunes that were excellent. Service was good. We'll be coming back.
(4)Angela K.
The Brahmin is close to our office so I've tried this place a few times - it's been okay and I even went back after a staff in training spilled an entire full glass of wine on me - yes, accidents happen but note I got stuck paying for the glass of wine and my dry cleaning bill with no apology from the staff in training) - but this last visit it seemed I was the very first and only person to ever order a low carb burger there. I wanted just simple greens with olive oil and vinegar on the side with just the burger patty on top - that's it - nothing else. Management wanted to charge me $16 for the burger (fine even through I'm not getting all the things that come with it) plus an additional $10.50 for the salad. So, I was skipping the fries, cheese, bread, and bacon, the side of lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion and was changed additional to have them literally open up "pre bagged" greens. Making a profit off dinners with dietary restrictions or asking to remove processed food items from their plate is simply wrong.
(1)Cat S.
I've been here twice now for dinner and drinks. Food is pretty good but not amazing - recommend the flatbreads as they are definitely the winners on the menu. Drinks are imaginative and delicious - tried a few of their signature cocktails and they are strong and good. Tried a Moscow Mule for the first time and really liked it. The atmosphere is really fun - dj out in the open playing loud music, cool decor and a well-dressed, interesting crowd. Definitely an upper 20s-lower 30s crowd - I liked it. The place turns into basically a club I guess, but I haven't spent time downstairs or stayed too late at night. We've used this as a starting point for a light dinner and a few strong cocktails and I enjoy it as a lounge-y place to start a weekend/Thursday night!
(4)Deanna G.
What a fun place with great food. My friend and I shared a bottle of wine and waaaaay to many appetizers. Scallops wrapped in bacon, yes, chicken kebab things, yes, tater tots, yeeeeees. We got the truffle mac & cheese too, which people go crazy for - but I don't like truffle so it wasn't as awe-inspiring to me. Our server was wonderful - I can remember her name, Kate maybe? And the place was aesthetically pleasing to the eye and the music was fun. Will definitely be back.
(5)stef v.
I went to the Brahmin last night. It was lovely. I really liked the music from the guys singing for rat pack tuesdays. The food was delicious and it wasn't as packed as people said in the reviews... maybe because it was a week night? Our waitress could have been a bit nicer, but that's ok. Altogether thoroughly enjoyed myself and will probably be coming back.
(4)Kat C.
After my experience, I really wanted to write an honest review but I'm too scared of the owner to reply back like he has with all the other negative posts....so, I guess that's my review :(.
(2)Michael P.
Couldn't even get to the door to read the menu because the dbag guy doing security said I couldn't go in with shorts/sneakers. Would never go back, been to better places with no dress code.
(1)Rebecca C.
I have been to the Brahmin on a couple of occasions and never had a particularly great time, but it certainly wasn't horrible, nor did i experience anything akin to what some reviewers before me have written. Sure, it takes a long time to get a drink- but it's because the place is busy. Sure, you can wait an hour or more in line, but it's because the place is popular. Sure, the crowd feels young and frat-boy-esque, but isn't that what so many bostonians like? The merits or shortcomings of the establishment aside, what did prompt me to write this review (not only write it but JOIN yelp specifically to share feedback) was how absolutely horrified and appalled i was by the commentary and responses provided by the co-owner/co-manager to other yelpers feedback. Russ or Ed B. or whomever is representing the brahmin on yelp- you should be embarrassed and ashamed by your words and attitude. Your posts are aggressive without any genuine attempt to listen to or accept feedback from your customers (saying things like "i'd like to apologize... but i can't completely" is not an apology, it's a passive aggressive way to belittle someone). You are either ignorant and insecure- or a bully- or both. And many of the tactics you use here to speak to customers are the same tactics used by abusive people to intimidate and manipulate others. Your behavior, at least as it is portrayed on yelp, is demeaning, condescending, passive aggressive, often outright aggressive, manipulative, accusatory and threatening. I will not continue to support an establishment led by the person i have experienced here, and I will encourage my friends, peers, and community members not to support you either.
(1)Lisa S.
I came here for dinner on a Wednesday night with my bf. The place was packed and we weren't allowed to sit near the back where it was quieter since they were filming some dating show (?). We ended up sitting under the speaker and could barely hear each other. We asked to be moved and the waitress was very helpful. We were told to order 2-3 dishes each since its tapas style. But these portions were pretty big for tapas, I think 2 dishes per person or 5 dishes total is enough for 2 people. Loved the gnocchi, shrimp tacos and brussel sprouts. Asian BBQ tacos were a bit too salty. Overall food is great but come here on a quieter night if you want to actually hear one another.
(4)Amber S.
everyone i had on the menu was terrific, but i am taking away a star because they dont have the fixins' for a Bloody Mary :( :( :( i was able to find good parking and our waitress (for a large party) as sweet and quick with everything she had control over.
(4)Angela M.
What f'n dbags!!!! Complete bullshit -three of us waited in line for our friends party, which was paid for downstairs. They said to wait and they were filled at this time, but would let us in soon. Again bullshit, since they let 20 people in after that was stated. Four of the people we watch get let into the bar were invited because the bouncer knew his mother-- throw up!! Stupid asses!! Let me know her name so i can get in !!! Jerk off. S o mad we couldn't celebrate with our friends because the bouncers have friends in low places. F that!!! I will never come here again, let alone have a another party at this shitty bar. Thanks for your help you dbag!!! Or dbags!!! F this joint!
(1)Lisa L.
This place has a much warmer vibe than when it was "33." The decor is lovely and the menu offerings are varied. I went with girlfriends to celebrate a birthday, and we shared several dishes: - Arugula salad -- really yummy, but the dressing was a little salty - Scallops -- perfectly cooked and HUGE - Tuna Two Ways -- I never thought to put watermelon with tuna, but it was a nice combination! Both of the tunas were superb. - Meatballs -- good, but not stellar. Needed a little more flavor/herbs/spice/something. - Truffled mac & cheese -- light and not overly cheesy. Big serving. Lots of breadcrumbs. Delish! - Tater tots -- so crispy! Loved the three dipping sauces (although the old standby, ketchup, was our favorite) - Fried pickles -- I thought these were going to be really zingy, but they were kinda bland. - Prosciutto & arugula flatbread -- delicious. Had a caramelized onion taste to it. This was my favorite thing we ordered. - White Asparagus (oops, didn't have any) Their wine list was average sized. I had the albarino and it was really tasty. When it came time for dessert, they had one: banana bread pudding. I gave the poor waiter some flak about that. We probably would have ordered dessert if there were more options, but since all 5 of us didn't want the banana bread pudding, we passed. Missed opportunity on their part! One thing I loved was the music! Funky 80s mashups...very nostalgic! The food was good and our server was fine, but nothing really stood out. Because of its tucked-away location, I'm not sure I will remember to go back again unless they do another Buy with Me coupon.
(3)Shelby D.
My boyfriend and I decided to head in one night hoping that our most favorite bartender Frank was working. Sadly, he was not, but we decided to stay and have a drink anyway. The ambiance is really sleek and cool, and the multiple lounge areas are such a great comfy and intimate idea. We sat at one of the couches and got assigned a server, who seemed new to the game. He was, however, very polite and obviously still learning. It was very unfortunate though to see him and other servers spread so thin, as the sections were completely all over the place - our server had out table, 2 across the room, and then some outside on their patio...huh? It also took nearly 15 minutes to get our drinks. The drinks were innovative and delicious though, but I wouldn't wait 15 min for any drink. My boyfriend also ordered a second drink, never got it, and yet it appeared on the bill (which the server promptly fixed upon our discovery). Our friend who joined us later also got fed up with wait times and ordered his second drink from the bar. Luckily it didn't take long for the potato coins, which were a little greasy but still delicious! Overall the atmosphere is great, but some serious organization and timing needs to come together, as well as more hands-on help and responsibility from the management (the manager just seemed to wander around joking with staff, unaware of the lack of organization around him). I usually don't try restaurants until they've been open for 3 months or so, since it does take time to get into a natural rhythm, but these issues at The Brahmin are easily fixable, I hope the staff takes the time to provide their guests with a better experience! Looking forward to going back to use our Groupon, hopefully it will be a better experience!
(3)Nicole R.
Solid place. Came here for a double date with 2 buywithme vouchers -- obviously it's super affordable as we had to struggle to spend all $100. Our strategy was pretty much to order all the small plates. Which we did. The tater tots are actually quite good, particularly the aioli that comes with them. Steak fries are also good, and cheaper than the tater tots so i say fries win over tots here. Arancini really disappointing. Dry, oddly sweet, and just weird. Not a fan. Portobello flatbread was totally solid. Great thin crust, nicely done. Also had the gnocchi which was great. Soft, not overly dense, in a nice gorgonzola sauce. Truffle mac was just alright. Kind of dry. Can't speak to any of the fish/meat dishes my friends got as I'm a vegetarian but I think they enjoyed them. Closed the meal with some banana chocolate thing. It was good, but I was super full and didn't really eat much of it. Huge portion on this dessert. Really good drinks, affordable wine. Split a $32 granacha bottle. Our server was nice enough & friendly, but we never really saw her. Wish she came by more often, we were out of water for quite some time. Manager stopped by to see how we were, which was nice. Bar scene is pretty chill -- I never feel too crowded, they have a nice space. Really loud though, definitely hard to hear who you're speaking with. Music is OK. They have a DJ, so it pretty much just depends on what the DJ is playing. In general good experience. Nothing extraordinary, but solid as I said. I'd come back but I probably wouldn't run.
(3)Kay H.
I think my review is biased so take it for what it's worth. I love going out to dance and I like to get dressed up. This place was good for both with no cover which is great! The interior is nice and looks just like the pictures. I got 2 dark and stormy's which were $10 a pop, not bad for a place in Back Bay. The crowd seemed relatively diverse for the Boston scene and the music was legit... All of which sounds amazing except I doubt I'll be returning anytime soon. My friends and I (about 9 of us- 4 ladies, 5 guys) spent approx. an hour waiting to get in as I watched countess groups of people get in ahead of us. While we were at the front of the line and were in better shape that some other people standing in line about a block long, I was still peeved. I'm usually a patient person but hell, it's January in Boston! Give me a break! Not to mention I watched one bouncer let in all his friends or associates or whoever who just crushed up and ask for a pass. Non discreetly at that!! Again, give me a break. Once we in ally get in, coat check is $3... Why oh why? Lastly, we had to wait downstairs until upstairs became available which stinks because there def. isn't enough room down there. Going back again? Nah, I'll pass but maybe it's your thing.
(2)Melissa W.
I was very impressed with the food and variety of the menu. Buffalo chicken rangoons, shrimp tacos, braised beef short ribs were delish. Four of us (3 guys with me) split 6 things and it was the perfect amount for pre boozing. Around 1030 they moved all the tables and the place got packed. Hip hop DJ upstairs and beats downstairs- good variety, fun crowd, and not expensive for drinks/food in my opinion. Then again I just moved back from NYC where every night out feels like a wallet mugging.
(4)Lauren D.
I tried to go to The Brahmin last night after seeing a show downtown because I had heard good reviews about the food. When my friend and I first walked in it seemed like a nice place and the hostess was friendly when she greeted us. We asked for a table for two and she told us they were booked for the night. My friend and I were both confused because every table (and there were at least 20) in the restaurant was empty except for one. I worked in a restaurant for a long time so I understand that on a Saturday night when you have a lot of reservations it is important to ensure that tables are available when people arrive. However, it was 6:30 and it was just two of us, I'm certain that we could have eaten and left before every table in the restaurant was filled. I also understand that sometimes there are private functions that are planned which prevent hostesses from seating certain tables, but I didn't see any signs indicating that seating areas were closed for a specific event. Given our obvious confusion, at the very least the hostess could have offered some type of explanation as to why, in an empty restaurant, there wasn't a table available for two people to have dinner. The hostess did tell us that we could get food at the bar so we sat down for a minute and looked at the menu. At that point my friend and I decided we would rather go somewhere else, so we went next door to Zocalo's and had a great time. After we finished dinner, we walked by The Brahmin and almost every table was still empty. Perhaps there was something going on that night that prevented the restaurant from accepting any other business, and if we had been notified of such a situation we would have been very understanding. Unfortunately, we were given no explanation and walked away wondering why an empty restaurant thought it was a good idea to turn away business on a Saturday night.
(1)Jennifer Y.
I thought atmosphere and music of old club 33 would change nope it's even more whackier the music that is. I went on a Saturday night. They were playing MJ's abc,123 & a bunch of 80 & 90's hits. Made the best out of it the dj at the lower level had more soul. The place can really get overcrowded!
(2)Manpreet K.
I went here on a Tuesday night with 4 other friends after reading the amazing reviews on Yelp. I was excited to try this new place that supposedly had little or no kinks to work out. Sadly, the experience was anything but special. The service was slow, VERY slow! It seemed like they had 1 server, 1 bartender and 1 cook because everything took time to arrive at the table. The theme of the night was already set. They ran out of Mac n Cheee, which may be understandable, but it was the beginning of the week & it's a new spot. Perhaps they should plan ahead & accordingly (because most of the reviews so far mentioned their amazing their Mac n Cheese). My friends's burger (ordered medium rare) was bleeding red - gross! Server did the right thing & took it off the bill. He then forgot one of the items we ordered and only brought it once we reminded him at the end our meal. At this point, we were pretty much ready to go. Food is decent, nothing out of the ordinary . You can enjoy it while having cocktails but not something you make a meal out of or would suddenly have the urge to have weeks or months down the line. We tried the shrimp (good), potatoes (okay), pizza (okay), tuna (okay). Short ribs arrived way at the end of our meals when we were no longer hungry so didn't get to try it. To sum it up, go to Brahmin for the ambience, patio & cocktails but not for food & service.
(1)Alexandra K.
I have only been here for after work drinks on Friday and even than it was already crowded and the music was playing way too loud. The cocktail list is yummy, plus they won me over when they brought it in a jar like glass. We only had mozzarella app plate, and the mozzarella wasn't that fresh, but I give them points for creativity for putting tomatoes and watermelon on the plate. Never tried that before and it was an interesting taste as the watermelon added freshness to the entire bite. I am excited to come here again and taste more of the menu, and maybe even check out the night time. As for the club downstairs one thing I did notice when going to the bathroom that it is a very small space, and would suit a private party more than anything else.
(4)Alan S.
I don't go out very often and in fact, I don't drink, but when my friend's are in town and I want to make sure they have a good time, this is where I take them. I'm in my early 30s. Don't want to be surrounded by rowdy college kids. Looking for somewhere a little classier and a place that has both a hang out area and dancing .. this bar fits the bill. We actually had a group of 10 wanted to hang out on Saturday night. The manager was extremely friendly and accommodating. Reserved a little area for us for a minimum spend. Our waitress was extremely friendly. Always smiling, making us feel welcome, coming around enough so that we didn't get thirsty, but didn't come around too much to make it annoying. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that it is a little too loud for my taste. I realize it is a bar and dancing and music should be on the loud side. But my ears were ringing while I was trying to go to bed and I could barely talk to my friends at the bar.
(4)Meghan T.
I went here on a Saturday night. I knew it was "new", I knew it was busy, I knew we would wait 40 minutes for a table because they told us. What I didn't know is that after being seated about 35 minutes after arriving we wouldn't get our hands on ANY food for 1 hour and 15 minutes. That is a long time to wait for a salad. We had to flag a different waiter down for another drink and to ask about where the f*ck our food was, and could we please get another drink?? By this time Bell Biv Devoe and Samantha Fox(wtf) pumping on the speakers was starting to be headache inducing. A manager came over and said they were short on kitchen staff and apologized. accepted. Until another 45 minutes went by until we got dinner. They screwed up my friends food and we sent it back. We shared a bowl of parpadelle and veggies which I thought was very good except that I had to SHARE IT with my now starving and cranky friend. And when I say share I mean the same bowl and napkin actually, no one bothered to bring an extra plate. I do recommend the Older Sister Cocktail, it was very yummy as were all our drinks which is what the 2 stars are for.
(2)Kayla M.
I absolutely love this place. I've been here a few times and loved all the food and drinks. The manager is super attentive and gets to know the guests. The last time I went this place went above and beyond. My boyfriend brought me here for my birthday. In the reservations he noted to put a candle in the dessert, which the waitress did. To top it off there was a jazz singer there that night who stopped in the middle of her song to sing happy birthday. I'm not sure if she was asked to do this or if she did it on her own. Either way, I highly recommend this place.
(5)Michael M.
This review regards their New Year's Eve. I was a little nervous going in because the ticket-buying was very disorganized. (And this was true for the 20 or so people I went with.) You would call and be told to call back another time, or told to e-mail someone, or told to come in, but the right person wasn't there. So, I half-expected to show up NYE night and see that at least some of our names weren't on the list. To my surprise, everyone's name was on the list and there was no wait at all to get in. Once inside, it was the ideal set-up. Professional staff. Absolutely no wait for bartenders. Appetizers (and tasty ones at that) passed around all night. Fruits, veggies and cheese all around (could have done without the weird frozen broccoli, but I'm being picky.) And it wasn't too crowded. I assumed it would be pretty crowded, but they must've limited the numbers so everyone had room to breathe. Very impressed with the Brahmin on NYE. The up-front ticket-purchasing could definitely have been better organized, but the actual product was well worth the $40 ticket.
(4)B J.
We ordered 6 dishes! They were all delicious!!!! And the drinks were great too! Sevice very friendly, quick & Mike, the manager is real cute ;)
(5)Susan J.
My girlfriends and I just went for drinks last Friday night. It was sort of quiet, but we had a great time just sitting at the bar chatting. The bartenders were super friendly and suggested certain drinks that they insisted we would love. They were right! Great drink menu! Next time i will go back for dinner.
(5)Jacki F.
Went here for a drinks last weekend and really liked the ambiance. The bar was chic and glamorous without being stuffy. The crowd was young and hip. The drinks were delicious too! I will def be back again soon!
(4)Mara M.
I've been here twice with groups and have found that it's an incredible place for dinner, drinks, and dancing. It's fancy without being pretentious and the plates are just the right size and super tasty. The drinks are amazing. And the manager is super nice and will talk to you and make you feel comfortable. Definitely a great new spot!
(4)Tasha P.
Hey Yelpers! I went to Brahmin with a friend last night and really enjoyed the ambiance!! The quick service, music from the 80s and it wasn't crowded that's what I'm talking about!!! There was fresh fruit at the bar and everyone knows how much I love my fruit!! The bartender was sweet enough to give me a cup of fruit!!! Love the bathroom!! What's with the bill in the book? I still had fun-I ordered the chicken skewers (so so) and the tomato/mozzarella/basil and salad!! I can't wait to go back!! Check it out!
(4)Ca S.
I came last night with a large group of people (25). I had made a reservation for the couch area. That was the perfect space for us: the couches are very cozy, people were also able to stand and chat if they wanted. The staff moved some couches around for us and allowed us to get some chairs in the dining room as long as we left enough room not to make it a fire hazard. Management was much more accommodating to our group than a lot of other lounges/restaurants I had called (a lot of them wanted an exact count, a deposit and a contract). The food was great, a mix of comfort food (tater tots!!) and more elaborate options (scallop in bacon, gnocchi, prawns with chipotle sauce, tuna tartare, arancini, etc.). Everyone loved the trufffled mac and cheese! The drinks were inexpensive and there is a wide selection of cocktails ($10 for the classic cocktails versus $12 or more in a lot of places). Too many to try! The ambiance is great: cool art on the walls (a portrait of Betty Draper from mad Men!), brick walls, good DJ. We will definitely come back!
(5)Sam G.
We went last night and it was a great time. Bartenders poured strong drinks quickly and the price was right. Didn't get to try the food but I will for sure be going back soon
(5)Scott B.
I like this place. It's cozy, the staff is nice, and the food is worth it.
(4)N C.
Hmm this place was okay. Tucked away on the corner of the street, went here on a Saturday night around 8pm. Not too many people in the restaurant- but the hostess looked at as worriedly when we arrived without a reservation- but then seated us promptly. The dining area is quite small- the place is really just a huge bar. I agree with the other reviews- the music is extremely loud, and as we continued to eat our dinner, they kept turning the music up as casual drinkers started streaming into the dining area and just hanging out-- made for eating dinner a little uncomfortable with people standing right next to your table. As for the food, it was decent but I wasn't blown away by anything. The menu is a little short- it has tapas but then maybe about 5 large dishes. My boyfriend and I ordered arugula salad (was okay), heirloom tomatoes (boyfriend said it was okay), mac & cheese (really good), tater tots (also really good- aioli sauce was amazing), and the chicken skewers (okay but lacked flavor). We ended the night with the molten lava cake dessert (which was the best thing we had all night). So all in all, the place was decent, not sure I'd go back for dinner though because the menu is so limited. If I'm in the area again, I'd probably go for a drink.
(3)Santiago G.
I saw that they had a deal on Buywithme so I went and checked them out before buying the deal. I was completely blown away by the high quality service and food provided. My order consisted of Scallops on bacon with an orange maple reduction. This plate was amazing, the sweetness of the maple reduction paired perfectly with the saltiness of the scallops. The scallops themselves were seared to perfection. The Brahmin has an ambiance that can be found at a five star restaurant, but the prices are incredibly reasonable. The most expensive dish was twenty dollars. The vintage theme makes eating at The Brahmin very fun.
(5)Michael C.
First things first: The food was pretty good. The steak and potato flatbread was the highlight and we'd rate most everything else a B- or better. (We also ordered meatballs, chicken skewers, and scallops.) The tater tots, while nostalgic, might have been frozen. (Ore Ida anyone?) The service was the big shortcoming-- amateurish at best. First of all, I'm not sure why servers don't write down orders any more. I won't think any less of you and it saves me from having to repeat myself. After we placed our order, what followed is what I like to call "the food auction." A food runner stood between our table and the table next to us and asked, "Did someone order the mac and cheese?" Not us, thanks, but our neighbors did. And later, short ribs that we didn't order arrived at our table. Um, sorry, not us. (We later learned that the food runner was actually the door guy.) The diners on the other side of us sent back the meatballs they didn't order while they waited for the beef tartar that apparently slipped through the cracks. (Again, just write it down people.) Another food runner spilled condiments at our table. A service disaster all around, really--and the primary reason we wouldn't consider returning. I have to mention one more thing. I have never had to complain about the silverware at a restaurant, but there's a first for everything, I suppose. The knives were interesting to look at, but I would have had an easier time cutting my food with a cucumber or a magician's rubber chicken. Such a strange detail to overlook. Pretty? Yes. But I really need to be able to eat with it, too. Sadly, the Stanhope Street curse is likely to continue. If this place is still open for Valentine's Day, I will personally clean the men's room in a Cupid costume. Call me.
(2)Andrea B.
Went this past Friday at 6:10 and was told all the tables were taken for the rest if the night! Ordered two drinks at the bar - one was too sweet but the Boxcar martini was good! One other drink we ordered was nasty and the food was horrible! The tater tots were from a freezer bag and the chicken skewers tastes like rubber. I would not go back again - the cost of the food and drinks was not worth it.
(1)Ariela M.
Great place for a girl's night. 3.5 stars for atmosphere, 4 for service, 4.5 for drinks and meal. They did a good job with the decor - it's laid-back without being snobby (despite the connotations of the restaurant name). The noise level is a bit high, but it's a fun crowd - young professionals and some middle-aged people - maybe I'm getting older but I prefer a place without college students. Servers were polite and prompt. They have a GREAT drink list - several wines by the glass and bottle but of course the highlight is the cocktails...pretty strong but all delicious! There are some classics and some which seemed unique. The food is also surprisingly good for a place I expected to have better cocktails than food - we all loved our apps and dinner, and the portions are substantial and definitely worth the money. We split the tater tots (probably the best ones I've had in a long time, and I'm living in Philly where they're a bar food staple!), the fried pickles, and some salads. For dinner I had the veggie pasta, which was really flavorful, and my friends got the tuna and the burger, all of which they said was delicious. I'd definitely come back with the girls or with a group. There were a few couples there on dates and it might be a bit loud for a romantic-type date, but a great drinks-before-dinner (or after) date.
(4)Caitlin D.
Went here with my roomie the other night to use up a Gilt city voucher and enjoy the cabaret show. Never having been here when it is not super packed on a weekend I was surprised at what a nice atmosphere it offered for weeknight apps and drinks. The deal included a bottle of wine, 4 shared plates and the Tuesday night entertainment which we both very much enjoyed. The food was more than enough and everything we ordered was delish, especially the short rib grilled cheese. From the moment I walked in the staff was attentive and super friendly. I wish I could remember our servers name because she was very sweet and gave great recommendations. Oh, I forgot, we started with mojitios which were equally as amazing as everything else consumed (and I tend to think of myself as a mojito connoisseur). Overall, I would definitely head back there mon-thurs. It's a great spot on the weekend but totally surprised me with quality and service offered throughout the week!
(5)Jessica D.
Social Sunday Brunch I came here for the Social Sunday Brunch put on by Crawl in Boston. Let me start out by saying it was really fun and I would come back to try the dinner menu but what a disaster we had on Sunday! We had a 12:30 reservation, they could not seat us and finally brought up a folding table and put the 8 of us in a corner by window, which actually turned out nice; we had our own little private dining area. I do not think they were expecting the amount of people that showed up for not only brunch but for the drinks and DJ. Our food took forever, we didn't get it until after 2pm and they messed up on many of the dishes. I do have to say though my veggie omlette with goat cheese was delicious and the potato fries were the best, nice and crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. The other orders were totally messed up - the French toast came with syrup, which was ordered on the side, the burger came with cheese even though she said NO cheese, two sandwiches were way over cooked, burnt rolls as was a second burger. A few of us enjoyed the meals. The drinks were not that strong at first. The home fries are actually tater tots, which are breaded ! (I ordered no toast with extra 'home fries' because I have a gluten allergy but obviously they didn't know what I was talking about, luckily I do not have a server allergy and was able to push them off the plate). Our waitress was great, a little slow but not her fault on her second day of an overly crowded and under staffed restaurant. I think the management needs to better run (we did get compensated for the mishaps) but still they need some help. All in all we had a great time, we just didn't appreciate waiting so long for our food.
(3)Shannon C.
I checked this place out after I bought a 6 small plates deal from Rue La La. I used to come to this place when it was 33 Lounge. It's definitely a fun vibe, the music was loud & decent & the bar was packed. No creepers and no college kids. I got a pomegranate/vodka drink that was overwhelmingly sweet & the waitress was kind enough to let me switch it out for something else. We ordered the truffled mac 'n cheese, meatballs, arancini, shrimp, tater tots & scallops. Despite the fact that my (very hungry) date worried about leaving the place starving, this was way more than enough for 2 people! Our faves were the *mac 'n cheese - it was huge! Not a small plate at all & had the perfect amount of truffle flavor. *The scallops were also really good - the orange/maple sauce was amazing & they were cooked perfectly. Everything else was good as well - but those were the best. A great place for a fun date or a girls night.
(4)marcy G.
Went for an early dinner and were among the first ones there around 6:30 on a Friday night. We were impressed with the interior as it was very trendy. We sat along the back wall at a pub table and it was a lot quieter back there. Ordered salads which were a large size for the price. Ordered some of the small plates. The tater tots were delicious with different dipping sauces and the chicken skewers had a good flavor. The salmon was not worth it. Thought we'd get a piece of cooked fish and it was four 3" strips for $8. We ordered a burger which surprisingly came with fries as the we thought the menu was a la carte. Also a cheese flatbread which was about 16" around. All in all, our food came out hot and we had great service. Would definitely go back again.
(5)Xin S.
4 stars for food, ZERO for service, so I think 2 overall is fair. We had the slowest service ever, it was really unacceptable. Our dinner took two and a half hours with most of it spent awkwardly wondering where our food was and our server NOwhere in sight to flag down. Our apps came quickly and were delicious (shortribs were excellent, beef tartare was very flavorful). Once apps were done, we began the most ridiculous waiting game. Two other tables were seated after us, ordered, got their food, ate, paid and left before we saw our entrees. When our server (FINALLY) came around, I asked if our food was coming, he gave me a blank stare and answered with an abrupt "yeah..." By this point over an hour had gone by and he made NO acknowledgement of this. When the food finally came, it was delicious--I won't knock them for this, the food truly is quite good (my tuna sandwich was wonderfully rare, but the avocado was BROWN--clearly it had been prepped and waited and waited and waited for the tuna?? Our pizza was good too, but the burger was way overcooked). Then it took forever to get our check (shocker!) The service was truly unacceptable and bordering on unprofessional. I would not return, which is a shame because the food wasn't at all bad, but I would never want to put up with that kind of 'service' again. Also--they served prosecco in a PLASTIC flute--seriously??
(2)Michelle B.
Brahmin is a great place to start with tapas and a few drinks. It gets pretty fun and upbeat around 10:30 or 11, with a live DJ. I feel like this an amazing place to have dinner, a few drinks, and then stay to enjoy the fun and dancing! I had my 30th birthday dinner here, and I know everyone had a great time. It was accommodating for all personality types. The food was yummy! We ordered the lobster sliders (my favorite), scallops & bacon, buffalo chicken meatballs, truffle tater tots, fried pickles, and the greek salad. We loved everything!!!
(5)Cici L.
I had a horrible experience because of a very unfortunate experience with one of their bartenders who was being (quite frankly) very racist!!! I would not recommend. Story below :( I was visiting a few friends in Boston when one person suggested we head over to the Brahmin. We checked our belongings and headed over to the bar upstairs. I asked my friends what they wanted and they replied, "rum." I then asked the bartender if I could get a round of rum for my friends and I. The bartender took one look at me and asked me to show him some ID. You have to show your ID in order to get in the bar, so I was a little offended when he asked to see it again. However, as a 5'3" 22 year old Asian girl I understand that I look young for my age, so I gave my drivers license to the bartender. He rubbed it for 5 minutes, threw it back at me, and asked me if I could show another form of identification. I asked him why because I've never had this issue before, and he responded with "I don't believe you're over 21." He then proceeded to refuse to acknowledge my presence or my voice for the rest of the evening. Needless to say, I was VERY offended by his actions. My friends and I left shortly after and do not plan on returning.
(1)Mel C.
Food - The Brahmin is like your fancy Back Bay version of Lucky's. They serve delicious fatty bar food with an American flare. Who doesn't love that?? Think fried pickles, wings, some type of slider with either lobster, duck, or wagyu beef, Mac n cheese, tator tots. Or you can be "that guy" who ordered a salad. I don't find the food to be creative or tasty enough to justify your $$$ tab at the end of the night. The drinks are where they deserve some credit. They have a good cocktail menu upstairs and the ambiance is nice to grab some drinks. On the weekends, it can be a fun 21-25 crowd. Try to get there at 9pm to avoid the line. If you're in line, don't wait because no nightlife in Boston is worth waiting for.
(2)Justin V.
Pros: - 2 dance floors. Music on the top floor is EDM. Downstairs is more Hip Hop. -Water cooler downstairs so you don't have to wait for the bartender. -No Cover Charge! Cons: -Long line because there's no cover charge. -Saw my ex. Fuck you Daisy, I know that you saw me too! Because I know we both saw each other, I walked up to her by the bar and said, "Hey, I just saw you and I wanted to say 'hi' (Cheatin' a$$ bitch). After a brief 45 seconds, she said she needs to look for her friends. A minutes after she left, the bartender asked me what I wanted to drink. -$6.00 + tip for a Corona was a bit much.
(4)Ryan B.
I came here last night for a friend's 21st birthday. I showed up around 10 PM, waited for less than 5 minutes in the line and promptly got in. There was no cover. The doormen were sticklers for the rules: as one person in line ahead was excluded for wearing "work boots." To clarify, he was also wearing quite ugly and ill-fitting light washed True Religion jeans, with an awful break, and a belt that was perhaps 6 sizes too big hanging down looking like an extra appendage... I mention this to illustrate,based on an extremely limited sample size, that the Brahmin doesn't appear to discriminate: as he was, in fact, white. Luckily I had on loafers and had no such "issues" at the door. Seeing other reviews, I wonder what my fate would've been if I were wearing Superga's or a pair of Wolverine 1000-milers though. All things being equal, on first impression my straight-edge conservative dress probably didn't look like "trouble" about to walk through the door. The place was packed, which demonstrates its popularity. If you're a moderately attractive single guy, who can dress yo'self, go here, pay the $3 to check your coat, and hit the dance floor in the basement. You'll have a field day. Truth. As a warning, drinks here are expensive. Expect to pay $11 for two Bud Lights or $12 for two Sam Adams. I didn't ask my friend what he paid for his cocktail, but after I paid $11 for two Bud Lights, $6 for one of the two Sam Adams, and $3 to check my coat, I didn't really want to know. Did I? In summary, 3-stars. As astute readers will note, this place is not my scene. I prefer quieter, cocktail joints sans dance floor, where I can charm my lovely lady with my humor and good conversation. In spite of this, I still had fun seeing my friends. This place would've been more fun had the lady of the house not been on scheduled to work at 7 AM the following day and therefore attended or I was five years younger and single. P.S. I did not sight any "Jersey Shore Super Sayan" blowouts (see photo).
(3)Courtney M.
I held a private event at The Brahmin this past Summer for my 40th birthday and they did a phenomenal job. All of my friends said how good the food & service was and so many of us are (or have been) in the food service industry. They took excellent care of us. The pizzas are fantastic and so many of their bite-sized hors d'oeuvres were delicious and all homemade. I highly recommend The Brahmin for your next private event. Jill was great to work with as well!!
(5)Avanti P.
This bar will allow women with flip flops in, but not men. I find this especially sexist and disrespectful as I was dressed appropriately and had appropriate ID.
(2)April E.
While this bar is mediocre by NYC standards it is pleasant for Boston. Adequate bar space. Typically a coat check. This is the place - if you are a twenty something - to spend your weekends. I recommend, love this place with a grain of salt
(4)Dan R.
My first ever visit to the Brahmin was for an industry Christmas Party tonight. In fact, tonight Brahmin hosted two such parties- ours upstairs and an insurance company's downstairs - effectively closing the restaurant to the general public. I had quite a few of the hors d'oeuvres after a horrendous 3.5 hour drive from Hartford. There were 3 different kinds of flatbread pizzas, shrimp platters, buffalo chicken poppers, and cheese/cracker platters on the tables, and passed goodies like skewered tomato and mozzarella, scallops and tuna tartare. The scallops and tuna were my favorites. The scallops were huge and plump and were so delicious they almost had a taste of sweetness to them. And the tuna tartare, served in a scoop on a spoon, was mind blowingly good- so delicate and delicious. Service was fine, the interior is gorgeous with tons of cozy seating all over. I had a great time tonight!
(4)Janet H.
The Brahmin has been my go-to place for dancing. But, it's like your typical night club... expensive drinks, super hot and stinky with BO and crowded. I think the drinks are also on the weaker side, so pre-game if you can. There's a downstairs area with 90s music and the top floor with electronic music. The best part about this place? No cover! Yay!
(3)Amanda L.
I purchased a LivingSocial deal that brought me back to the Brahmin after maybe a year of absence and was pretty excited about it since I thought my previous dining experience there was great. The restaurant wasn't especially busy on a Tuesday night at 7p so it was easy to grab a table. My boyfriend and I ordered the following: - Crispy Fried Brie - the coating is a bit salty and the dipping sauce had a strange, artificial flavor to it, but the brie was perfectly melty - Sizzling Spicy Shrimp - loved how hot the shrimp were when this came out but found the food to be relatively tasteless - Filet Mignon Bruschetta - hands down the best item we had. I found this a little difficult to eat since the bread was kind of thick, but my boyfriend loved it. To each their own. The combination of filet, cheese and guac was delicious and left my taste buds happy. - Brussel Sprouts - needed salt - didn't see salt or pepper on any tables nearby so not sure if this is available or not - Crab Cakes - I may be overcritical when it comes to judging crab cakes since I grew up near Maryland. No crab cake in New England has ever wowed me (with the exception of maybe Atlantic Fish Co.), but these were pretty good. I appreciate a crab cake when you can see the actual crab meat inside, so The Brahmin gets extra points for that! The overall experience was okay as nothing really stood out as being absolutely wonderful or overly offensive. Our waitress, Jamie, was cute, friendly and pretty prompt - quick to refill my wine (thanks, Jamie!). I'd say The Brahmin is a nice place to grab a quick bite and a few drinks after work, but maybe save the full dining experience for elsewhere.
(3)Jenny S.
THROWBACK JAMS DOWNSTAIRS, now that's a good Friday night in Boston it was nice that they had a few tables downstairs where you can sit and enjoy drinks with friends .. PLUS it was convenient so we didn't have to go through coat check! the Brahmin is a pretty casual bar, dark, no frills, you know nothing special but go with some good friends for good music and drinks!
(3)Joe J.
Came here for dinner and ordered a bunch of small plates per the recommendation of our waitress: Buffalo Meatballs Sizzling Shrimp Lamp Lollipops Mussels Mac and Cheese Tater Tots I also had their Old-Fashioned from the cocktail list. The highlight was the buffalo meatballs. The sizzling shrimp didn't really have much flavor, and that also applies to the mussels. The mac and cheese was pretty standard, as well as the tater tots. There really wasn't much of a spin on them, they were simply, tater tots, like the ones you can pop in the oven at home. Lamb Lollipops were good though. My drink was not that great. The place was not busy at all, and we had to ask to have waters refilled. Below average service, and hit or miss food render this a 3-star experience.
(3)Madelyn W.
Food/weekday dinner review: I signed up for brahmins loyalty program, which provides $20 free applied to food only dine-in and $10 every month up to $150. It a really good deal if you dont feel like cooking on the weekdays for dinner. I have tried flatbread and appetizers so far. The flatbreads are really good. They also give free complimentary appetizers some times too. Live band too.
(5)Stephanie T.
I used to be a huge fan of Brahmin, and I'm still a big fan of the food, its a great dinner place for groups. I held my birthday party here this winter, booked a table and set a bar tab for my group. Our waitress was amazing, but the atmosphere was terrible. I booked a table for 20 people, when I arrived the area around my table (which could only seat 5 people) was packed with another party. They moved people about a foot away, but it was still far too crowded for the number of people, they definitely over booked the space for the evening. Also our drinks were coming from the upstairs bar, so every time we ordered a new round it took forever for the drinks to arrive. However by far the worst part of the evening were the bartenders. They refused to serve us water at all. After paying hundreds of dollars for a table, I could not believe they were so rude to myself and my guests, and refused to provide any water. Definitely downgraded my previously great impression of this place.
(1)April K.
I've always had fun at Brahmin! Only problem is the annoying line but I guess that's understandable. Good crowd, good music, decently priced drinks ($10). There are two floors so it's nice to kind of separate if you want to dance or just hang out. It's more posh and definitely not a college bar. Going there tonight! P.S. Russ your responses are hilarious.
(4)Pathy K.
I loved the atmosphere of this place. I came to Brahmin based on a recommendation from a friend. It was very nice. The food was good, nothing could disappoint me. BUT The best part of all for me was the Waitress we had serving our table last night. I need to give Kudos to her. She was very professional and very pleasant. Loved the place more because of her really. Good job Taylor. You were very good and Patient with our large group. You didn't miss a beat. I am very happy to see good workers. I hope this review reaches your managers. Good job overall.
(5)Stephanie D.
There DJ was amazing on a Saturday Night. As per usual in any bar, you have to make your own fun. My friends and I were the some of the first few people of the night dancing, but within 20 mins there were tons of people on the little dance floor. There tapas-sized portions of food leave something to be desired for their prices. The staff is really great at clearing away glasses and stuff that people literally leave everywhere. They were also relatively quick to bounce people who act super inappropriately. As with any place to drink, there were classic unapologetic "sloppies", but a small enough percentage that this place stays above the line of other dance halls/bars that are little more that drunken house-parties. Worth becoming a regular at when you want to just dance!
(4)Danielle B.
I have a love-hate relationship with The Brahmin. LOVE: The cocktail selection, dj & music selection, the atmosphere in general. HATE: The tacky waitresses and waitstaff in general- so rude! The food is OK. It's a fun place for drinks and apps after work. Minimize your expectations beforehand about food & service, and you'll love it.
(3)Frederic M.
Love the interior! Great place to go for beers / cocktails / coca-cola or whatever type of liquids you are into. Food is basic.
(4)Lily S.
So after I finished eating here, I sent the following text to my friend "OMG the food here is like jizz ur kitty multiple times good!!!" True story. Hmm where to start. My friend and I had been here a couple of times for drinks and dancing, and were looking for something to do on Friday night that involved food but was also close to dancing, as it was 12F outside. This led me to peruse the Brahmin menu and I was very pleasantly surprised. It's basically every honorary fat girls dream come true. I'm actually really glad that its too far for walking distance from my job, otherwise my waistline would be having issues. They have an excellent tapas style menu and everything is ograsmically delicious. If I HAD to pick a favorite, I would say the asparagus fries. Imagine the most amazing French fry you've ever had, and then in the middle is a succulent piece of asparagus. Nothing short of amazing. Oh, and if that didnt seal the deal for you, they come with a side of dipping sauce...which im pretty sure is just a fat dollop of mayo. We also sampled the shrimp tacos and some spicy grilled shrimp, the buffalo chicken meatballs (OMFG!!!), and the bacon wrapped scallops. Everything was so delicious! The service was also surprisingly fast, especially later in the evening. We finished up around 10:30 and by then it was dance time! this was the only somewhat negative experience of the night...i feel like everyone in their mid twenties eventually gets that "wow i'm getting way too old for this" feeling. that sort of happened. nothing to do with the Brahmin, per se, but the crowd was just so young and you're standing there thinking, am i the oldest person here?! so we shook our respective groove things for a while, and ended up leaving around midnight. bonus? no problem getting a cab!
(5)Alex B.
I loved the Brahmin when it first opened. For some time it was my favorite spot in Boston to go out. Why? It was tucked away on a side street away from all of the hustle and bustle. It was never too crowded, the music was good, and there were always beautiful girls there. What happened? Well, I guess people found out about it. First the yuppie youth then their wannabe yuppie friends then other tools and then next thing you know there is an overcrowded and overheated dancefloor with a dj with multiple personality disorder who cannot decide between rap and EDM. I also don't like the fact that they let people in who are just wearing shorts. I prefer a place with dresscode / standards. And as any frequenter of this establishment can attest to, you need to arrive stupidly early to avoid a ridiculously long and obnoxious line where you cannot payoff the bouncers even $100 to cut. Take my money you idiots! Ethical bouncers, wtf? Moving around becomes a bitch and everything just ends up uncomfortable. I always pray for it to go back to how it was. Even if they reduced the crowd by 10-15% i think it would be much more bearable. I have a very specific taste so I am not going to slam Brahmin too much. There are still plenty of good looking girls, the crowd is fun, and I think the servers are friendly. I think I am just outgrowing it. The Boston nightlife scene just needs some places that cater to the fact that people want to dance their fuckin faces off in a space larger than 15' x 15'.
(3)August M.
Terrible service, terrible ambiance from every employee ranging from the bouncer at the bartenders, ugh.
(1)Marlana Y.
I used to come here Wednesday nights a longgg time ago when it was 33 and I always had a good time. But then again it was because I was looking for a loud club scene and it was expected. My out of town friend was coming back to visit and wanted a relaxing girls night. She heard this was a lounge where we could go and it was new so why not. So it depends what you are looking for. On yelp it is categorized as a lounge and I define lounge as a relaxing, pretty chill place to chat with friends. Not sure how it is on the other nights but on a Friday night this place is no lounge!!! If your looking for a place with loud music where you just want to party and dance ( but not sure if there's even a dance floor - reminds me of the same tight spaces as Emerald ) then this is your place. I tried to look on the website page for the type of music playing but it wasn't listed; so when we arrived - I'm not even sure what was playing. It didn't sound like EDM nor any music I've heard of- a bit funky and different which isn't bad at all. Just different. There was no where to sit. Limited amount of seats/ couches as well as space to move and dance. We found a wall to stand against but felt we were always in the way -whether by the wait staff and waitresses who gave you the evil eye to get out of the way or by other guests who was dancing in place by the bar and elbowing you if you were too close from their dancing skills. They only have two types of bottled beer (one was corona and the second was a European- I think), they have more on tap- but couldn't tell what they had. They do not have Hennessy, which is our drink of choice but did offer Remy. The drinks prices are nothing out of the ordinary- especially for the area. It was definitely more of a club scene than a lounge. The best part is no cover so you could come here if your strapped for cash. Brahmin looks very nice but it's hard to enjoy it due to crowd and space. It was hard to hear my companions and hear myself so we decided to leave after 10 minutes.
(3)Katie V.
So Brahmin has improved a lot since my first visit. I've been there many times since and have had great service, including for multiple large events I've organized there. Their truffled mac and cheese is the best in Boston! Very glad I gave the place another try (never saw that doorman again anyway, which tells you something).
(4)Cassie G.
Poor experience
(2)Bradley K.
Really shocked at the bad reviews. I waited for the LivingSocial deal on Tuesday to give it a shot. Blown away! GREAT service, GREAT food, and fun/loungish decor. Tried a little bit of everything. The 2 favorites were the fried brie and short rib grilled cheese. We just returned from Europe so we were on a Tapas kick, and this was just what we expected. Will definitely be back! Ps. Live music was a plus, although not that impressive, still fun.
(4)Anastasia T.
Best tapas I've ever had. Their short rib grilled cheese bites are amazing. Even better when paired with the truffle Mac and cheese.
(5)Adam S.
*NOTE: Review is only about the bouncers and smell in the bar** The sleazy door guys with the twin Bill Walton beards apparently have an affinity for large breasts and try to creative a little big boob call-out code word for each other - "Meow meow" This past weekend we stopped by and were with a decent group of people, good looking girls and a few of them with large breasts. Keep in mind that we're in our early 30s, the girls dress nicely and not in college girl hoochie mama club gear. We definitely didn't come to a college/Euro bar by choice, but it was for a friend, so after we hand the ID to the bouncer and begin to walk towards the entrance, the bouncer says "Meow" (we've all seen Super Troopers) and then the other bouncer follows with "Meow meow" as she walks by him, who is standing 10 feet away. In the interest of not getting into an altercation with the Bill Walton wannabe twins, I didn't say anything, but mentioned it to my endowed friends and they got the treatment both entering and leaving the bar. On the way out with my girlfriend, I prepped her and her friend and as we walked out, I said "wait for it, wait for it...." and then came "Meow meow" MANAGEMENT - Tell the bouncers to class it up or pick a "big boob" catch phrase that the whole word doesn't know. I casually mentioned while walking downstairs that there was a horrible smell throughout the entire bar and one of the employees heard me and said "It's the people that come here. There's no fixing it. We deal with it every week" Hey, at least the mixed drinks were only $9.50 and in a big plastic cup. Maybe Liberty Hotel is worth the $13 drink price though to not get harassed or have to hold my nose. EDIT and REPLY: Russ, The bearded guys were the only ones out there at this time, at least when we go there. I am a guy and was with my girlfriend. There were roughly 15 people in our party, mixture of guys and girls, arriving and leaving at different times. There is absolutely no way their comments were random or I was mistaken. This would be hard to see on camera since they're just saying something and not making any actions. It's just a perfect reason why I avoid "clubs" nowadays. Entitled door people are the worst and there are way too many options in Boston to wait in line somewhere to be judged by hired muscle. The employee was downstairs that commented about the smell. He had an earpiece on as well. Not going to get him in trouble since he was just being honest. The smell was overwhelming and we assumed it was throw-up. I ordered 2 - Ketel One/Sodas and was given $1.50 back, which I left on the bar - Just looked at my credit card and there is a charge of $18.50 (w/out tip) - Assuming you're not charging for tax, that's $9.25/drink not $9.50 - sorry. I had two drinks and my girlfriend had two drinks, so it's not like we were drunk and confused. I wasn't insulting the cups, just saying that they were large, but still made of plastic and not glass.
(1)Nikhil P.
Went here last night for drinks and to do some dancing, and the night was fun. Three main rooms, one had some good old-school hip-hop, another had some EDM/dance music beats, and the third room was a nice chill vibe. The night was overall pretty fun, and the drinks were really good and pretty reasonable for a spot without cover. $10/cocktail isn't a bad run, and the cocktail waitresses scanning the crowd for drink orders is pretty damn smart. Sure beats the rush to the bar and having your buzz wear off while waiting in line! Great idea, and the waitresses deserve big tips for wading through crowds of go-go dancers with full drinks. The only major downer was this "two-pieces of Photo ID" thing at the door. Painting the scene... by no fault of its own, The Brahmin happens to be situated at the ass-end of what felt like a wind-tunnel last night. The alleyway grabbed every cold blast in the neighborhood and threw it at the 20-odd people waiting in line outside for a good 10-15minutes. After getting to the door at last... (while people around us were actively hopping back in cabs to leave), we're told we need to have two pieces of photo ID. The bouncers were polite enough, but seriously? I checked out another review about this. There's apparently concern about fake IDs. Me, my wife and the two people ahead of us were very obviously over 25. Maybe we were just looking particularly young and hot... but how about running the line and telling everyone what to expect in advance? Or throwing something up on the website? I've never had a request for two pieces of photo ID anywhere in this city. If the BPD is cracking down on businesses, or the Brahmin ran into some underage trouble and have to ramp it up, make that clear. We were let in eventually, but if this really is a universal rule ... gotta make it clear right away. Signage, website, bouncers telling people while they're waiting in line. Really fun night overall and we'll be back, but kind of choked the first impression.
(3)Angelina E.
I was in Boston for work and my team planned an outing that followed with heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks at the Brahmin. The food was okay. I liked the bacon and scallops but everything else was pretty mediocre. The Moscow Mule was hands down the works one I've ever had. I live in San Francisco where they are pretty popular so maybe it's just a west coast thing and I should't have ordered it.
(2)Yalda R.
This place is always a great choice, a really good balance between bar atmosphere and club atmosphere, incorporates the best aspects of both! Their food is also delicious and prices are reasonable too. The only problem is how quickly it fills up, if you get there past 10:30 you're bound to wait in line for a while but then again that's only cause it's a really popular spot to be at.
(5)W Q.
Great music, great crowd, excellent drinks. Really nice interior, another bar and DJ downstairs. Come here early or the line gets long. Cocktail waitresses were very friendly and fun. We got a couple of drinks and few rounds of shots. The place was packed with people on VDay. Tons and tons of beautiful dressed up single women. This is a great spot if you are visiting Boston, especially on the weekends. Guys can dress casual, but girls were definitely dressy! I didn't try any food here, so the stars were purely based on the fun factor and drinks!
(5)Rachel K.
I hosted a birthday party here for my friend's 25 and the service was great! The people I emailed and spoke with in planning were wonderful and our downstairs area was perfect! The drinks were great and we were easily able to be downstairs and upstairs throughout the night enjoying the dancing and the loungey area. One amazing thing is although you have to spend a certain amount of money if you reserve a space, they let you use multiple cards. This is amazing, since round up money from a bunch of people at the end of the night can be a total pain! Our bartender downstairs was excellent and definitely showed us some extra attention and I was sure to leave him a nice tip. My only problem with this place, and I'm sure it's almost everyone's is the line situation. We were lucky enough to get there before 10pm on a Saturday and because we reserved space, we were allowed to come in line and cover free. The agreement we made with the event planner was as long as they were in by 10pm, they were good. I went up around 9:50pm after I heard some friends weren't able to get in and wanted to clear up the situation. The bouncers were not helpful, they said "no more, no way, it's 10pm" it was 9:53pm! I spoke with my friends and they said they had been waiting for 10 mins already and were here well before the expiration time. Another group of friends said bouncers wouldn't even let them get past the first line to get to the reservation line which held them up. Such a bummer because everything that happened during the night went amazingly! I really hope they can manage the line situation better in the future. If reservations are made, our entire group should be able to get in as long as they make the 10pm cut. I understand it's a busy place and I've dealt with the line without a reservation, but this was should have been an exception.
(3)Carla S.
I really love the atmosphere of this place! I've been to Brahmin a bunch of times and I really enjoy the Throwback Thursday which I went to last night. Again had a great dinner and the music was awesome! I'm so obsessed with the fried pickles it's not even funny!! Till we meet again :)
(5)Jenna V.
What would I do without Brahmin? Between rat pack Tuesdays, throwback Thursdays and the dance floor on Saturdays, you can't go wrong. This is our go to spot for birthdays, holidays and random nights when we just want to have a great time. Mike the manager knows how to treat his customers right! No wonder it's the #2 lounge in the country! John Taffert knows his stuff...even though i think it should be #1!
(5)Danielle D.
Can't say enough great things about this place! Always stellar service, great food and an amazing crowd! Every time my friends and I try to figure out where to go, we disagree on every place but Brahmin! Everyone has a great time! Mike the manager is a stud and knows all his regulars and is always willing to help with anything. I would give Brahmin 10 stars if I could! This place is a "must see!"
(5)Alejandra L.
BE EXTRA CAREFUL with your BILL! I used to "like" (not love, its ok not great) this club/lounge before despite of the long and not ending lines where you have to freeze and wait at least 40 minutes to get inside but after last nights's experience I would never come back here again, you have to pay extra attention to your bill when you are paying if not they will charge you drinks that you didnt even order... I honestly just came to the bar 2 times and decided to leave my card open to order drinks for my friend and me : 2 whiskey ginger and 2 tequila margaritas (not even enough to be drunk and not being able to realize what is happening) at the end of the night I nicely asked the bartender for my card and after waiting for 15 min he finally passed me the bill that said almost 89$!!! With 4 whiskey ginger, 3 margaritas and 3 martinis (which I never order or even drink!) I would like to think it was a mistake but come on who can put in your account 5 more drinks that you never order, I think is DIsHONESt and DISRESPECTFUL with your customers who are there to enjoy and have a good time with friends but at the end of the night you end up f&$&/ because they are charging you more just because they think you are drunk and you would never check your bills and would sign it like if you were blind or stupid.... I told one of the bartenders that there was a mistake in my bill, I couldnt ask to the guy that was serving me all night directly because he was avoiding me but he told him about the mistake and he end up saying that maybe I didnt remember what I order? Really? That is so wrong! I obviously remembered exactly what I order because I wasnt drunk and I am not stupid... I felt humiliated with the poor and dishonest service last night... After I nicely told him that I honestly didnt order the 3 extra martinis and the 2 extra whiskey and margarita they were charging they said the have to put the martinis because is a complimentary drink with the margaritas? Seriously! ? Im sorry but that was the most stupid excuse I have ever heard in my life... I hope that would never happen to you thats why you always have to check your bills very carefully if not just pay with cash and dont open a tab! I feel sorry for the people that never realized and got charge more for drinks that they didnt even order... Dont do this again with your costumers, KARMA is a BITCH!
(1)Jerome M.
If you like noise, young crowd, and don't really care about the food, don't go there. If you are looking for a trendy place to be seen and to meet people, this is the place to be. Unfortunately, I am passed that age. :(
(2)Phil O.
Note: This review is for Brahmin's food (and the service of) only. I went here on 12/6, and I ordered the duck confit sliders (at approx. 9:30PM). I waited at the bar for 40+ minutes just to realize the bartender failed to put in my order. What was doubly perplexing was that the bartender I gave the order to actually specified they were good when I asked him for advice. So not only did he* mindlessly forget to punch in my order, but his suggestion couldn't have been any farther away from "spot-on". When I finally got the duck sliders, they were lacking flavor to the point where it seemed any type of basic seasoning (i.e. salt) was completely forgotten. The duck meat was overcooked and its dryness was covered up by the grease it was cooked in. The buns were soggy as they were doused with duck grease, yet somehow, they were still flavorless. The sliders came prepared with a very random orange marmalade sauce, which was uneventful and didn't do anything for the duck meat. The end product was 3 barely edible duck sliders. Several bartenders asked me how the food was, and while it was loud and dimmed, my body language and verbal response still powerfully revealed my unenthusiasm. Apparently there's a point in the night when Brahmin lowers its customer service standards, so I still had to pay for them. Please note that one of the bartenders was sweet, and did pay for one of my rounds since the food came out late. But I think it's still safe to say I will never order food from Brahmin ever again. *I think his name is Nick Response to Ed B from 1/28/14: It's for reasons like this that I often don't take the "direct" approach. You don't listen. You clearly didn't comprehend 1 of the 2 major points of my review. You deflected my claim that your duck confit sliders tasted horrific by defining what duck confit translates to. Yes, I know "duck confit" means it's cooked in its own fat. But grease equals flavor, which is why I was dumbfounded when the sliders didn't have any. You: "I've replied several times explaining that duck confeit, by definition confeit means cooked in grease which would be why it tasted greasy." My response: You have not done this. You: "I also offered to apologize as nick mistakenly rang in the wrong order and the kitchen was backed up which is why there was a delay." My response: One of the female bartenders told me the kitchen was not backed up, and you never offered to apologize. You: "People are human and mistakes do happen, unfortunately in this day and age people are also so quick to judgment and are more powerful with words and behind a computer screen than in person and don't consider there affect on peoples livelihoods." My response: You're wrong/lying again. I already well considered the ramifications it would have on your business and your sub-par staff. And perhaps you should check my Yelp rating distribution before you make snap judgments yourself (more 4's and 5's awarded than anything else). Conclusion: Personally, and since I've worked in the service industry in the past, I do not have any tolerance for end-to-end sloppiness. This was a complete failure from the employees in the kitchen to the employees at the bar. And maybe I'm old-fashioned, but when staff is aware that they screwed up and/or that I'm unhappy already, why should I go out of my way to complain to someone else (i.e. next line of management)? I'm giving them the chance to rectify the situation "on the spot". Not to mention in this case it was dark, loud, crowded and I was trying to enjoy the evening with my girlfriend. I'm sorry for inconveniencing you. Having said that, it's actually sad that Yelp is becoming one of the only ways to get small business owners to listen once in a while, which is a slight push in the right direction to raise the bar for customer service standards.
(1)Eric M.
Updating my review for Brahmin again. Besides the owner being one of the worst humans I've ever encountered on the internet, and after a few year break from this establishment, i went back. The results: it was OK. Overall had a pretty fun night at the bar, the music was decent although it heavily favored music from last millennium. The atmosphere was decent too although it did get too packed to move at one point. One thing that pissed me off is a $15 credit card minimum for drinks. If you can't afford to pay the cc processing fee on a $12 gin and tonic then you don't deserve to be in business. Show a little class if you brand yourself as an upscale bar and eat the credit card fee like every other bar/restaurant/food truck/sausage stand. If they can do it, surely you can too.
(2)Mary Anne C.
From the moment we walked in, we were made to feel welcome, even when I said "I have a coupon". (Other establishments - take note). Since that first visit I've been back at least 5 times and each time was wonderful. I love the food, the service, the management, Rat Pack Tuesday, the ambiance. I'm such a fan.
(5)Sarah G.
What a fancy lounge like spot in the Back Bay! I can see why people like hanging out here so much--I felt like I literally went out somewhere special due to the awesome decor these people have. A little girly perhaps overall, but a great group hang out spot or drink meeting place. Made me feel a little sex in the city like actually with their dark lighting, chandeliers, etc. I say drink meeting because their food was just so so. We got one of their flatbreads which was honestly nothing special and almost tasted like some flatbreads I cook from my own freezer. We got their tatertots which were served in a fancy holder which I loved, but those dipping sauces were again pretty standard. Then we got their asparagus parm fries and those again we had expected to be way tastier. Don't get me wrong, everything was edible and everything like that, but none of if was really living up to how cool this place looks inside. Their beer selection is decent and they have some decent cocktails for $10-12 too, but I would really only come back here for drinks and eat elsewhere. I hear late at night the downstairs becomes more like a club or something like that, so that would be interesting to explore in the future ha ha
(3)Dinna Y.
Awesome food for surprisingly great value. brought a group of 9 there and the bill was low for just food. drinks of course always take you over! Great atmosphere, interior design. Busy, good music, but in typical Boston nightlife, they keep you waiting outside for not minutes but half hours just to make the place seem busy (if you are not a local Bostonian, it is DEAD in the city over holidays and when school is out as 1/4 ppl are students so the city is dead). I'd go back to dance and sardine myself through people
(4)Sasha L.
I've been to Brahmin a few times in the past year, but last weekend my friends and I went for my 22nd birthday. I called in the week before we wanted the go and the manager, Mike, told me that there were a few big parties but that I should ask for him when my friends and I got there and he would see what he could do as far as getting us one of the booths in the upstairs area. When we got there, there wasn't a table available but he got us in in front of the line. About 5 minutes after we went in a table opened up and we stayed there the rest of the night! I wanted to pay for the first few rounds so I asked our server to let me know when we reached a certain tab. She was super careful to not let the tab go over my limit which was awesome. Overall fantastic night, great place to go for a girls night with friends!!!
(5)L. M. B.
Went to the Brahmin Friday night for drinks and food with my boyfriend and some friends, sat at the bar, our bartender was Vinnie (the tall one with the irish accent), I ordered the blue cheese stuffed olive martini and my boyfriend ordered a dark and stormy- the drinks were perfect! We asked for some recommendations for food from him and he ordered us some fried pickles, grilled pulled pork cheese bites, tater tots and the lobster sliders, the menu is designed for sharing and the food was great. There was a DJ when we got there and the place was busy, as the night went on the drinks and food were flowing and even though the bar very busy later on our bartender never forgot about us and we were never without a drink in our hand. Another DJ showed up at about 10pm and the place was packed, I do recommend getting there early - as we were leaving at about 11:30pm there was a line outside so try to avoid that! The Brahmin is a great place to come with friends for drinks food and dancing. I did read some of the other negative reviews about bartenders and was shocked - all the bartenders were very nice to us and we were a mixed race group and everyone felt welcomed by the staff. We had a great time but as I said get there early to avoid the line!!
(5)Mike L.
Still love this place! Been coming here for a few years now and I always have a great experience. Went there this past weekend for a friends birthday party downstairs, we all had a blast and the music was on point...I knew the line would be down the street early so I came early to get dinner. They were completely booked up but I was able to grab a couple seats at the bar. Food.....Fantastic! Definitely get the Whole Short Rib.
(4)Santiago G.
I saw that they had a deal on Buywithme so I went and checked them out before buying the deal. I was completely blown away by the high quality service and food provided. My order consisted of Scallops on bacon with an orange maple reduction. This plate was amazing, the sweetness of the maple reduction paired perfectly with the saltiness of the scallops. The scallops themselves were seared to perfection. The Brahmin has an ambiance that can be found at a five star restaurant, but the prices are incredibly reasonable. The most expensive dish was twenty dollars. The vintage theme makes eating at The Brahmin very fun.
(5)C. W.
Had my friends 25th birthday party here - and it was a blast! We rented a space later than usual, so we were given a "walk-through" type area in back, which wasn't a problem at all. I coordinated with Jill, who handles the event planning and she was so incredibly helpful. She answered all of my emails quickly and was super accommodating in every way. Lauren was our waitress and I can't say enough good things about her. She handled everything like a pro! We all used different credit cards, which can be a pain but she made it seem like it was no trouble at all. She was always checking up on us and doing everything she could to make sure our night was enjoyable. We ordered some food as well: Pancetta Flatbread, margarita flatbread, sausage flatbread, Scallops and Bacon, and Sausage Stuffed Arancini Bites -- everything was delicious. My favorite personally was the scallops, they have a sweet maple on them that was definitely the best part. The only thing I wish was different was the ease of a guest list. We had some friends who were stuck waiting in the rain and unfortunately ended up going to a different bar. This situation may be different though if we had rented a more intimate space. All in all, it was a blast. The staff, food and night overall was wonderful!
(4)Jacquelynn C.
This was one of first spots we checked out while in Boston, did some research via instagram to see if the scene was good and was not disappointed at all. The food is alright, it didn't change my life but the service and the atmosphere is amazing. We were here on a Friday night for drinks and food that led to us coming back on a Saturday night which was even better. Very good looking crowd, come early to avoid waiting in line outside or befriend one of the bartenders...*they'd be happy to put you on their list at the door. *only applies if your a girl. lol Pros: Speakeasy atmosphere, great DJ, decent drinks, friendly staff/bartenders Cons: food is ok
(4)Mac D.
Yummy margaritas, $8 each. Cool atmosphere. Loud. The bar downstairs is less crowded, so you'll have a better chance at getting a drink down there
(4)Tara G.
From the looks of it, you would think this is a high class lounge but its not. Its more of a club and the age ranges from 23 to 29 or so. Its very small and packed and probably more for the younger crowd.
(2)Michelle T.
Great for a fun night out dancing with friends. This place attracts a crowd of young professional, nicely dressed bunch and is halfway between a lounge and a bar (a nice bar, that is...with watered down drinks). I'm giving it a 4 star rating only because I had a great time dancing and hanging out with friends. Otherwise, all things considered, Brahmin is probably a 3 = A-ok. Music was great. Place wasn't too trashy (although the bathrooms lines were always long and they ran out of toilet paper as early as 11pm). There is an upstairs and downstairs. The room downstairs has it's own separate DJ who spins more hip hop. Upstairs is more top 40 type music. Drinks were underwhelming. Probably had the worst mojito I've ever had in my life. Not only was it weak and tasted only of seltzer water, it also didn't taste AT ALL like a mojito. I might as well have ordered a tonic with splash of gin. Probably would have tasted the same. My advice: Pregame ahead of time. Come early to avoid the longggg lines. (Think, before 10pm, cause at 10:15, you're looking at a 30min+ wait).
(4)Kaitlin O.
This message is in response to the comment posted by Russ on 12/11 for the review I wrote on 12/7. I got an error message when I tried to respond directly to that comment. Hi Russ, Thank you for your response. I just want to clarify that I wasn't trying to go upstairs. I very clearly stated, a few times, that I wanted to leave the premise. I said that I wanted to go home and I was told that I had to wait. The suggestion of getting another drink was a bit insulting, as it felt like maybe your staff was just trying to make an extra dollar. It ended up being only 5-7 min that I had to wait, but some people might feel very uncomfortable with being told to wait to leave the premise for even that short amount of time. I hope this clears things up for you and that you are able to clarify your policy with your staff, because it appears that the bouncer stationed at the down lounge exit nearest the coat check at 11:40pm Saturday night was the one who misunderstood. Best, Kaitlin
(2)Tracy P.
Brahmin is by far the best place to go in Boston on a Friday or Saturday night... The food is incredible, the music is awesome and the customer service is spectacular. I do my birthday there every year because you get the best of all worlds... it is a restaurant, lounge, bar and dance party all rolled up into one. Anytime you are in line, it is definitely worth the wait!
(5)Alix C.
I've been going to The Brahmin since it opened. This is by far my favorite place to frequent in the city. In regards to the lines... There is a line because it is THAT good. The management and bouncers are very considerate and generous with letting people in. The service is always good and the food is absolutely great! Tapas style dishes in a bar... perfect for large groups and parties. Huge thank you to all of the staff, management and owners for creating a wonderful place for my friends and I to come to for every birthday we have and ever occasion needing celebrating! Never a disappointment.
(5)Emily R.
I came this weekend and was not feeling it when we first got there, there was a line, and it was FREEZING. But i am glad that we waited! It was packed, my friends who have been before told me its not usually THAT crowded, but it was fine! There is no cover...it was saturday...love that. The crowd was attractive, lots of eye candy, male and female Girls, lots of heels (girls need to know these things!) Good music, big bar. Bathroom was clean. Bartender was nice....except...he told me there was a 20 dollar minimum to use my credit card...good god! I cant wait to come back!
(4)Lucy M.
I love the atmosphere of the Brahmin at night, and all of the bartenders and waitresses are pretty efficient. I was surprised when I realized that they were open for dinner and had a really good and unique menu. Everything is in small plates and the asparagus fries are my favorite thing in the world. I have only had really good experiences there and the place is definitely unique. I bring all of my friends here it is becoming my favorite place in Boston.
(5)Nicole D.
I have been a long time fan of this local hotspot, but after the way me and my friends were treated tonight by the bouncer, I doubt I will visit there again. I work in sales, and customer service is alway a top propriety. So when the bouncer turned away the one male in the group I was with for wearing "sneakers" (they were not) and then allowed the group in behind us who had men wearing THE SAME shoes, we were perplexed. When we asked the bouncer what his reasons where for the different treatment he was rude, condescending, and basically an ass. It was 9:30 at night with no line. Why they would turn away a group of patrons for one man's choice in shoes, but then bend the rules they had previously enforced for the next group of people is a shame. Will not spend my money here again.
(1)Lynn J.
NOTE: The 1st half of this review is for the restaurant. This place is known for it's night club...scroll down for that. MANAGER, "MIKE": 5 STARS...SUPER FRIENDLY! He came over to chat, after we finished, and changed my tepid view of their staff in 5 minutes with his big smile, hearty hand shake & sweet stories. I did not have the heart, nor the courage, to tell him the truth about how unwelcome his staff made us feel there. Yet, when he heard I lived down the block, he offered his card, along with a free app when we returned next time! FOOD: 3 STARS...BUT COULD BE 5 STARS... GOOD FOOD...THAT COULD BE GREAT. KOBE BURGER...Egg bun I really thought was a tasty touch, but I couldn't eat the bottom. It was soaked through with grease. The beef's juicy goodness could be drained before plating. TUNA 2 WAYS...Loved them both equally, but, at $14.00, it's pricey for 1/4 cup of raw tuna with 2 toast points. HOMEMADE BASIL GNOCCHI...MY FAVORITE DISH! This pasta was chewy heaven with mushroom magnificence. It was also sitting in 1/2 INCH OF OIL, which could be drained. HOMEMADE MEATBALLS...MY DINING PARTNER'S FAVE. Old world recipes, handed down for generations. The sauce is on the sweeter side, which appeals to most. WAITSTAFF: 1 STAR...REALLY RUDE. As I was walking toward the front door, on right side, a blonde waitress was walking AT me quickly. I stopped, thinking she'd go around me. Instead she said "Excuse Me?" with an attitude. How hard is it to both walk on the right side in America? My waitress greeted us with NO SMILE & a drink request. We'd just sat down and asked to at the menu = EYE ROLL. Brunette girl returns and we ask for "any non-alcoholic drinks, like Ice Tea or Lemonade." She shook her head, "NO," and could come up with no alternative suggestions for us. Still no smile, but lots of "I don't want to be here" vibe, she took our orders, and I held onto my menu to browse it more. She literally fought it from my tight grip and ran off, LOL! We ordered 4 "Small Plates" & 1 burger for our small table. A sweet, smiling guy delivered them all with style, and she never returned to clear plates and make room at all, until we were finished and had them stacked up, so we could eat. ### BRAHMIN NIGHT CLUB...Lively, loud and loose! There is usually a line on Fri & Sat, along with a cover. We went straight to the downstairs cellar bar... really dark, small room, lots of people bumping into each other. I had 2 drinks spilled down my dress while I danced in the corner, and went home smelling of sweat...other people's sweat. In spite of this, I had a blast with my girlfriends. So, I highly recommend you GO WITH FRIENDS! *smile* Upon exiting at 2AM, the lights all came up, and we could see the upstairs bar covered the length of the room, and encouraged and inviting atmosphere to meet new friends. The age range was mostly in the 20s, typical of Boston clubs.
(3)Emily C.
The Brahmin is definitely one of the nicer night spots I've visited in Boston. It's pretty similar to some of the lounges in LA. It kinda reminded me of a smaller version of Les Deux in LA. You will probably have to wait in line to get in, but the line seems to move pretty fast. No cover. The crowd is pretty good looking and the music is great. There is a coat check. Lots of bartenders and bar area, so it's pretty easy to get a drink. My ONLY issue with The Brahmin is the strange layout. I have no idea why they stuck a HUGE staircase in the middle of the place. It takes up so much valuable space! There are way too many walls and hall ways in the down stairs area. I couldn't help but think of the chaos that would ensue if something were to happen down there.... Overall, a really nice spot in Boston. I'll probably be back again.
(3)Tina C.
After reading some of the responses to reviews here, I'm a little apprehensive about posting my experience. I want to preface this by saying I've taken some time to cool off a little after the incident in question, and I am trying my best to come at this from a level-headed and fair point of view. I also want to say that I fully understand the need for lines, and I am under no illusions that I deserve special treatment. I do not live in Boston, and I have no vested interest in how well or poorly this place does. The only reason I was even here on the night in question was because I had come in from out of town to celebrate with my friend. I'm writing this review because it seems that there have been other reviewers who have had a similar experience. At around 9:45pm, I arrived at The Brahmin. There was already a line outside, but because my friend had a guest list, I was told I would be let in as long as I arrived before 10pm. I gave the name to the bouncer, who barely glanced over his clipboard before telling me he could not find it. I told him I was sure it was under "Jane Smith" and asked if he could please check again. Again, he flipped a few papers on his clipboard but barely glanced before telling me he couldn't find it. I told him I would call my friend, who was inside the bar, to confirm which name she had used. Because it was so loud inside, it took me a while to reach my friend. By the time I got back to the bouncer, it was 10:02pm (based on call logs). Again, I told the bouncer I was sure the name was "Jane Smith". This time, he looked at his clipboard, and said, "Yeah, it looks like she had a guest list but it's past 10 now, so you can't get in." I politely pointed out that I had actually arrived before 10, and that it was him (the bouncer) who had missed my friend's name on the list. He told me there was nothing that could be done. At this time, a group of women also rocked up to the front of the line, saying they were here for the "Liz Jones" party. The bouncer told them the same thing, that he could not let them in because it was after 10. You'll see why I'm noting this in a second. At this point, I admit I was a little annoyed because it was the bouncer who initially could not find "Jane Smith" on his clipboard and now he was refusing to let me in because of his mistake. I asked to speak to the manager, and was told I could not. This is when I started to get upset and stood aside to call my friend again to let her know what was happening. As I was on the phone, I see the same group of women as before being let into the bar. As the bouncer is letting them through, he says to the other bouncer, "It's cool, they're here for the Liz Jones party." I again ask the bouncer why I'm still not allowed in and am told there's nothing he can do. So, a summary of events: - 9:45pm - I arrive and the bouncer cannot find Jane Smith on the guest list. - 10:02pm - The bouncer confirms that he actually does see Jane Smith on the list, but it's after 10 so I'm out of luck. At this time, a group of women arrive for the Liz Jones party and are told they cannot get in for the same reason. - 10:07pm (ish) - The aforementioned group of women are let in. The bouncer still refuses to let me in. I want to note that at no time during this entire ordeal was I rude or raising my voice. I subscribe to the "catching flies with honey" mentality and hate when issues escalate to screaming. Eventually, my friend is able to speak with a (floor?) manager who was extremely rude to her before letting me in. I have no complaints about the rest of the night, the drinks were all right and our waitress was sweet and attentive despite the crowd. The dance floor was a bit over crowded, but I suppose that was expected. Eventually a floor manager did come over to speak with my friend about the issues she was having getting her friends inside (I was not the only one who experienced the power-tripping bouncers), but by then the damage had been done. To the managers, I implore you to look into the behavior of your bouncers. I realize that it is difficult to do crowd control outside and I understand the importance of lines and capacity control, but when your bouncers are having power trips over who can and cannot get into your establishment, at least make sure they are consistent with their lies. If they are going to be giving special treatment, at least be discrete about it. Your bouncers are the first thing your guests experience before coming into the bar. They set the tone for your guests...Shouldn't they be better behaved and more professional than this? I am giving 2 stars, because Yelp categorizes it as "I've experienced better" which I think is an accurate and fair assessment.
(2)Sarah O.
Brahmin is a go-to for my house. We go once a week, usually a Friday night at Brahmin. Great dancing, two floors, and randomly great 90s music! You can reserve tables if you have a large group. Monday/Tuesday dinner at Brahmin is a must-try too!
(4)Margarita S.
Love this place!!!! You are the best, guys! Great cocktails, awesome DJs and beautiful people. P.S. Wish you had a Glist or club card...
(5)Michael C.
This places draws a solid crowd, I would definitely recommend arriving here early. If you arrive later in the evening you will be waiting in a pretty long line. Then when you get in you will be ushered into the downstairs room, which is basically an overflow room with a bar and have to wait in another line to get back upstairs. So arrive early and don't bother heading downstairs unless it is to use the restroom. There is a small dancefloor here upstairs to the right of the bar. This place gets packed and the narrow walk areas around the bar makes it difficult to walk around. The good music and great crowd make up for some of Brahmin's flaws. Overall this place is a solid place for a weekend night, as long as you keep in mind that you will have to deal with all the normal BS of going to this type of bar/club.
(4)Christy O.
I was having a really good time here tonight...ordered a few drink for me and my friends and paid with cash. Later on in the night, i tried to order another drink but just for myself. it cost 8 dollars which is a respectable price and i made it known to the bar tender that i only had 2 dollars cash left but he took my drink away after making it and said i had to order 20 dollars worth of drinks to pay with a card. had i used my card earlier and saved the cash for this scenario it would have been completely fine. its sad that they would turn away a paying customer for some stupid rule. definitely lost a former fan....
(1)Goudy L.
The bottom line about the Brahmin is that the food is boring, the drinks are expensive, you could experience permanent hearing loss from the overly amplified music, and the owner is a douche. So many different reviews are complaining about the hazardous noise levels at the Brahmin and about Russ the owner making lame internet threats to people leaving unfavorable reviews. For example as he did to "Eric M". See for example "Jackie S." who said "Then a live singer came on and she was really talented but they had the sound up too high as I still wanted to casually chat with my girlfriend." or "Katie V", where it was "it was impossible to hear" causing the bartender to bring more drinks rather than the check, leading to a one star experience. Russ is of course entirely incorrect about his obligations to provide a safe working environment for his employees. Making the excuse "they choose to work here" has been rejected in the state of Massachusetts since 1910s, and at the Federal level since the 1970s. ---- osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/no… There are various factors that may indicate noise is a problem in the workplace. While people react differently to noise, subjective responses should not be ignored because they may provide warnings that noise may be at unacceptable levels. Noisy conditions can make normal conversation difficult. When noise levels are above 80 decibels (dB), people have to speak very loudly. When noise levels are between 85 and 90 dB, people have to shout. When noise levels are greater than 95 dB, people have to move close together to hear each other at all. High noise levels can cause adverse reactions or behaviors.
(1)Mike N.
I've been here a few times on Thursdays and Fridays. I don't think they ever charge a cover on the weekends. Great for after work drinks. Crowd seemed to be mid to late 20's.
(5)Jonathan C.
Brahmin is one the hottest places to go in Boston on a Friday or Saturday night. Great food all week long, good Dj's on the weekends, and the management is fantastic.
(5)Ilena R.
Great experience. The owner actually lent my friend shoes so he could come in (he was wearing flip flops) - so considerate! Service was great, music was great. Awesome place to go for a birthday party!
(5)Maddy S.
I just want to start out by saying if you like douche-y clubs, thus might be the place for you. Unfortunately, I do not count myself in that population. There was a massive line at 10pm on a Saturday, we waited 45 minutes, got in and it was so loud I couldn't even hear myself think. They also have an utterly absurd dress code. They're super strict on sneakers despite the fact that once you get inside it's so crowded that you can't even see anybody's feet. Drinks were reasonably priced but for some reason they have a minimum card charge of $20. And for the music, while they did play some good songs, they give the DJs a little too much free license. There were some awful mashups and sped up versions of popular songs. While I did have a pretty good time dancing with friends, if you're looking for a fun night I'd recommend looking elsewhere.
(2)Martin H.
Stopped in for a drink, a decent Moscow Mule. The floor around the bar was so insanely and inexplicably sticky it partly pulled my shoe off at one point. The weather outside was beautiful but somehow it was hot in the bar. One bartender ignored me to keep talking hockey with some fellow Canadians, the other mostly ignored me to hit on the servers. Tried to take my drink outside to enjoy the beautiful weather, but was told I had to order food if I wanted to sit outside (apparently that's the law, so I'm not holding it against the establishment. Stupid law though.). The inside of the bar looked like it might be very nice. But even though it was broad daylight outside, the inside of the bar was so dark and gloomy that I couldn't really see whether it was a nice place, and I felt like some sort of alcoholic vampire, avoiding the sun. There are several other bars less than a block away; in the future I would try one of them instead.
(2)Julie B.
Want to go to the Brahmin on a Saturday night? Get there early. After reading reviews my friends and I arrived at 9:05 on the dot. There was already a small line formed, and by 9:10 it was down the street. Getting to a bar "early" usually means by 10:30. Not here folks! There was a private party downstairs so I'm guessing the line started a bit earlier than normal, but better safe than sorry. Lounges aren't typically my thang but I really liked Brahmin. Here's why: - No cover - Good drinks! Bartender makes a mean dark n' stormy in a cute mason jar glass. - Great music - oldies, top 40, remixes, Whitney Houston tribute - Places to sit, places to stand, places to dance - $3 Coat check with a NICE attendant - clean, fancy bathrooms - ATM in the bar All good things! Also, the place is kinda fancy but there's a huge range in dress. I had on flats and a casual black dress. Girls were in jeans/dresses, some guys were wearing suits and some were wearing hoodies. Wear what you'd like!
(4)Alicia W.
Updating my review as I've been back to the Brahmin since my last post and have had an equally-bad or worse experience compared to the multiple occasions I reference in my last review. I'd also like to state that I've updated my settings just for you, Ed. So please feel free to provide additional mostly defensive and unhelpful comments and throw in a few empty threats as you've done to other posters as you see fit. I maintain my original sentiments, but will refuse any further invitations to this establishment.
(1)Adam H.
A huge line to get inside and find the place not full at all. Very mixed crowd with a strange vibe. Basement bar is kind of creepy. Coat check ran out of hangers?? Random furniture all over the place. The bartenders were as lost as the DJ in this place.
(2)TinoX T.
Good place to dance and to have couple of drinks but I don't understand why they don't have a minimum dress code level, I saw few people they have flip-flops on and some guys they have Shorts and sandal !!!!! I was confused if we was on the Beach or in Night life Gizmo. ps: i put three Stars only because yelp didn't let me put this review less then 3 stars,if it come to me i put ONE STARRRR
(3)Ryan S.
Was here a few months back in the winter months. Food was good. Shrimp apps were my favorite. Good music and god place to chill with friends. Not too loud just laid back.
(4)Shirley L.
I have never experienced such horrible management and service in all my years of dining out. I don't even know where to begin...The waitress was a complete bxtch and was completely rude. She did not introduce herself as our waitress, I had to find her name through the bill. She kept coming over and asking for us to order drinks and rushing us even though not all of our party had been seated. We finally order the food. The prices are outrageous for such small proportions. Don't order the Mac n Cheese because it was horrible. My friend ordered a dish and it wasn't even served! By the time the waitress (Bevin) came around, I told her the dish didn't arrive. She snapped, "Well the order was put in, it must've gone to the wrong table" Ok....well how is that our problem? So then she so "smartly" asks if he would still like the dish, even though everyone was done with their meals...yes Bevin...he'd like to start eating now...Too bad you already included the tip as a part of our bill because honestly if we could, we wouldn't tip you at all. The busboy comes around to collect our dishes so he takes out a big bin and slams it onto the end of our table where we're seated. WE had to pass him the plates for him to throw his bin roughly. Shall we wash them too? The bill comes around and there was a problem with it and we talked to our waitress about it. She said she can't do anything about it, so we asked for the manager. Manager: A person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of a company or similar organization. Not only did he not "control" the situation, he was just as rude as the waitress. He didn't accomodate and the only thing he did was yell. Yes sir, because yelling at your PAYING customers will solve the problem. I'd really love to meet whoever trained you to work in the customer service field. I have no idea why there are people waiting in line to get in for their drinks and dancing. If you need a club, go somewhere else in Boston because there are plenty out there better. The martini's are watered down, and other drinks are mediocre. Overall not a good place for drinks, food, or customer service. Would not recommend this place AT ALL! SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TIME! GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!
(1)Mary B.
The perfect place for BU biddies and douchey frat guys. It's always crowded and there's always a line, but there's no cover which is nice and the music is pretty decent. But the bartenders are rude and insist on a 2 drink minimum so expect to spend a lot even without cover.
(2)Ellen H.
Anywhere that has outdoor seating at least qualifies for a 3-star review in my book. So we'll start there. +1 star for being able to complete reservations online from the Brahmin website. +1 star for being seated immediately even though we were 30 mins early for our reservation. -1 star for the table being ridiculously rickety. As in, every time my date or I lifted our arm to take a bite, the whole table shifted several inches in the other direction. -1 star for $12 lowball mojitos. Good, but not $12 good. -1 star for a teensie tiny caesar salad. I know it's tapas, but the salads aren't part of the "small plates" and weren't priced as such. -1 star for the mediocre meatballs -- at $3 per, I expected them to at least excite me in some way. +1 star for the best gnocchi's I have EVER had. In my life. Holy moses. +1 star for service with a smile, attentive, great attitude, never rushing us out. The take home message: go for outdoor seating, limit your drinks, and get a whole serving of the gnocchis!
(3)Sooks M.
Got here at 10pm on a saturday. Waited in line for AN HOUR AND A HALF. I figured that this place must be god sent if the line wraps around the block. NO. When I finally got inside (only because everyone in line in front of me had left), I rushed to the bar for a shot and drinks..The bartender said she was out of shot glasses and drink cups, she did not say to wait for more cups, she said if we didn't want a beer we would have to go to the other bar across the room...mind you the place was filled to capacity. The upstairs 'DJ' played top 40 and the downstairs 'DJ' played hiphop, the flow of the music was terrible, choppy and inconsistent. If you're looking to wait in line for hours and be crowded like a sweaty sardine this is the place is for you!
(1)Angel M.
Mostly mega rude hostesses. Emotionless and dull bartenders. Yeah, you'll get more kindness and energy from a garbanzo bean. I will never be a Boston Brahmin (as I am from another part of the world); so I instead will opt to visit The Brahmin and talk about it. The nightlife is the reason to go. The food and the service are not. There is often time an event or a named night that brings people and makes them social and the evening really pulls together for a good time. Omg, actually, in the back of the top floor there is this like step and it's so stupid. Hate it. The music is pretty deece. Its packed very early in the evening, never a cover, except don't sit on a couch without a reservation, it's like sensory overload for the freaked out hostesses. Like, I get it, they are reserved, but seriously, chill the eff out. The staircase leading to the bathroom is clutch. The décor is a score. I've been to the downstairs room a couple of times for events and its good too. Like I just said, if you're cool with a flatbread bartender, its pretty fun here.
(3)Tony N.
Came here for dinner last night for the first time. My friends frequent the bar/club scene but also said they had great food. We had no problem getting a last minute reservation on their website and were able to sit outside. It was a gorgeous night HOWEVER the management has failed to take steps to prohibit smoking outside of the dining area. I would take a star away for this but I KNOW management will take steps to fix this. Thankfully there were only a few people smoking cancer sticks throughout our meal. Now for the good: Service was excellent. Our waitress was in training and accompanied by her trainer. Both were very friendly and made excellent recommendations regarding items and quantity, (small plates menu). It was refreshing to have friendly staff at a place like this as restaurants with a bar/club scene in my experience usually have terrible service. The drinks were really good. It looks like any wine sold by the bottle is also available by the glass. Glass prices are on the high side but the wine my wife ordered was good. Beer selection is meh. Ordered a Maker's Manhattan and it was excellent! The food is great. Not one thing on the menu we did not enjoy. The best item was easily the half order of gnocchi. Large portion for just a half order, full of flavor, perfectly cooked. Shrimp tacos were a bit hard to eat with the fried puff shell but we're still good. Order comes with two. Garlic shrimp was awesome. Highly recommend ordering the goat cheese aranchini. they are addicting! Order comes with four. Arugula and goat cheese salad was nice and fresh wi just the right amount of dressing. If you don't get your drink on during dinner this o,ace is pretty affordable and the quality is great. Looking forward to a return visit....with no butt smokers within range of dining of course.
(4)Matt S.
I'm not a big "packed bar/DJ/club" kind of person but if you're into that it has a pretty good late night scene. This claim is bolstered by the rather large line we encountered when we arrived around 10. I have no idea what the food is like, I only know what the late night scenario is like. It was packed, had two floors with separate DJ's who played pretty good music. They had staff walking around making sure things were flowing properly so that was nice. Despite being absolutely packed it actually wasn't that hard to get a drink, so overall it was a pretty decent experience. Just a note, if you aren't planning on opening a tab know there is a $20 minimum in order to put a drink in and close your tab.
(4)Kristen D.
Wish I could give ZERO stars! The short review: RUDE & PRETENTIOUS-DON'T BOTHER! The long review-Arrived at 7, for a 730 reservation for my friend's 30th birthday. My bf and I walked in and explained to the hostess we were here for a party and gave her the name, while she was looking for the reservation, another hostess (dark haired) walked up and barked at us, "WE'RE FULL!" Atthat moment the other hostess found the party reservation and told us where we would be set up. I was so disgusted by the hostesses attititude that I wouldve walked out, if it wasn't my friends birthday! We had a waitress for our table, and while she wasn't a rude B, she was never around, making it nearly impossible to get drunk (combined with the WEAK drinks). Funny, about an hr later, the rude hostess, came up to mty bf and I and apologized for her behavior to us. While I appreciated the gesture, the damage was already done and I was pissed off. Now, I get it, I've worked in the service industry (it sucks and you hate your job!), everyone is entitled to a "bad night," but when an overwhelming amount of reviews comment on the rude, bitchy staff, you'd think ownership/mgmt would do a serious re haul or have a serious talk with PMS'ing, bitchy staff. Obviously, they don't care, as there is somehow always a line here on the wknds. I just don't get the allure of this place, and I for 1 (as well as my friends), will never give this place our business again. Will make sure my fellow yelp elites are aware as well! Also-on a disgusting note-practically all off the toilets in the women's room were over flowing-so nasty!
(1)Deanna D.
Nice ambiance, friendly staff, and good cocktail list but the food is mediocre at best. We sat at the bar and the service was fast & friendly. The food run down: Truffled mac & cheese- too dry and not cheesy enough Tuna 2 ways- nice presentation and good flavor Beef short ribs- tender but not much flavor Basil gnocchi- delicious dish Prosciutto & arugula flatbread- the lemon pickled onions overpowered the entire dish and made it painful to eat I liked the speakeasy style ambiance so I may come back for drinks but would skip the food. 2 stars for the food; 3 stars for the ambiance & service.
(3)Katie A.
Honestly horrible experience last night. Went out for some birthday drinks with some friends. Place was packed and bar area was busy. We were standing by the bar and a cocktail waitress said right behind you guys. She then proceeded to lose her balance and drop and pour the drinks all over myself and the people right next to me. She then said that's what you get when i say right behind. I thought this was incredibly rude and asked to speak to the manager. When i talked to him he did not apologize once and said this happened with one of MY waitresses?! I said yes and he gave me an odd look and walked away. Incredibly rude and poor customer service. Because of that alone i will not go back.
(1)Craig S.
Went in after rave reviews from my Sis - as we both just moved into the area I am always looking for a cool new spot. Def found one in this place. We walked in to a packed scene as the upstairs was having an office Holiday party -hostess said we could maybe find an open bar table downstairs. W e braved the awesomely crooked stairway and found a spot in the somewhat underutilized bar space. Turns out we were in a reserved table but because of the mix up they would rush our order and try to make it work. Good call - considering it was only 730 and the table was booked for 830. We got all apps - Aranchini Balls were ok little dry and needed sauce - Tuna Two ways was amazing both ways - Chix Skewers on point and cilantro lime sauce was so good I put it on my balls. Standout was the Basil Gnocchies absolutely perfect. AS we finished the other party arrived - good timing. Decor was cool but not really set up to its full potential just yet but it was hilarious watching the drunken ladies from the party try to navigate the visual trip of the crooked stairs drinks in hand sloshing everywhere - be careful if you are imbibing. I will be back for sure.
(4)Cathy M.
First all the place smelt horrible when we first walked in. My friend and I went there last night it was so overpacked we were getting shoved around. After waiting in line for over 20 min ( before 11) we get in and couldn't even get to the bar. They need to update their "good for dancing" to no or just stop overpacking the place so u can move around.
(1)Doug J.
(score 1-100) - 66. I live around the corner so I walk by the Brahim almost daily. It is a decent outdoor food place in the summer. The food is pretty good with some unique dishes. I had the Meatball dish and remember being told by the manager that the sauce was a secret family recipe. We were treated really well my the management but our waitress on multiple occasions seemed to be either preoccupied or slightly snotty. I never try to be to harsh because it is such a difficult job and they deal with snotty people of the back bay. It was really the only reason I haven't given this place another star. The club part of the Brahmin is extremely popular and always has lines on weekend nights. This past weekend the line took 30 minutes to get in and was 40 people long at midnight. The club has two floors with bars on both floors. You will find that this is a bit of a "hook-up" or end of the night "let's go home together" place but tame in comparison to other clubs.
(3)Hk M.
I went to Brahmin on a Saturday- if you're not there before 10 ish you will wait about an hour in line to get in which is fine but I really didn't understand the hype once we were already inside. The music was trashy mainstream and the setup is not great if you are in a group (there were 4 of us). Downstairs is much more fun and the music is much better. I had an okay time overall and we decided to go somewhere else after about an hour and my friend tried to close out her tab. She had 2 shots and 2 mixed drinks additionally charged to her card which was bizarre since we all got one drink upstairs before going to the downstairs part so there was no way they could have confused it. She has yet to hear from the manager who promised to resolve the issue and will be following up again. Also they get away with charging you for water which is bull shit since they only provide bottled water when asked... I also didn't mind the experience that much and would probably go back but am pretty disgusted reading the extremely lengthy, defensive comments the manager has on every single person's post.
(2)S K.
I'm only giving this 3 stars because of the long lines and wait. I've manage to come here once and we waited outside in the freezing cold for almost an hour. Once we actually got in though, we had a good time. The ambience is very nice, it's mainly young professionals in their twenties, and what I really love is the music selection. We wanted to go back another Saturday night and got there at 10:30...the line was down the street and we just didn't have the courage to wait so long again. Again, we attempted to go back another night and figured if we got their early enough their wouldn't be a line. We arrived at 9:45 and there was still a line!! And not just a short one.... I understand that because of the law, once capacity is hit they can not allow people to go in...but at 9:45?? How does that even happen?! I understand most places have lines starting around 11, but there is no excuse for their to be one so early. We just ended up going to another bar that night, didn't wait at all, and had a great time. Something really needs to be done about these long lines because I feel like they are losing customers...
(3)Travis B.
By far one of the worst clubs in Boston. Never before have I felt so disrespected as I felt from the staff at the brahmin. Ridiculously long line to get in, over priced cover, and bouncers that think, for some reason, that you should feel lucky to have waited in line and paid money to get into this "exclusive" club where you can pay about $10 for a well drink. However, don't let me scare you away, because if you are a typical guido that likes to spend 50% of your day working out and the other 50% hitting on 18 year olds, then this place may be perfect for you.
(1)Brooke L.
I went here again and experienced the same great service inside (I even got apologized to by a very polite barback as he tried to get a bartender to take my order). But BUMMER... I got there at 9:40 PM on a Saturday and STILL waited an hour and a half in line in a freezing wind tunnel. I don't really think it's possible to make up for that, no matter how great the venue is.
(3)Lindsay R.
I recommend making a reservation for dinner so you get in early and get a table because if you wait until later to show up - you're gonna end up standing in line outside. We got there around 830 and it was pretty empty but filled up within an hour or so. The food is small plates to share so pretty good bar food and appetizers. The martini I tried was delicious and our waitress was pretty attentive. When the place filled up and we wanted to go dancing downstairs, she continued to take our drink orders, which was great. There's two floors for dancing so when we got sick of the music downstairs, we moved back upstairs. Overall great for a girls night out - you can get dinner, drinks and dancing all in once place.
(4)Carol C.
Can't really figure this place out... Restaurant? Bar? Club? I came for a somewhat nice dinner (which was really good), but slowly the lights turned off, and drunk people started strolling in and dancing around our table. I would suggest the tacos, green beans, and fries, but come early enough to leave before the the place transforms.
(3)Susan C.
This is a speakeasy inspired establishment located in the former Restaurant 33. I must say that I love the dark and Prohibition days inspired interior decor. The stairs leading down to the lower level, however, are a little trippy, literally and figuratively. The slanted style makes one feel disoriented walking up and down and I could easily see someone falling down or up the stairs after a drink or two. As with other reviewers, the service is a little slow and inconsistent, but cordial overall. It wasn't very busy when I went for dinner, yet they still managed to forget a plate I ordered. Also, the drinks are inconsistent, I ordered the same drink twice and the first one tasted much better than the second. I don't know if it was because the bartenders switched or what, but the difference in taste was very noticeable. The food was okay, not spectacular, but not bad either. I'd recommend the bacon with scallops, the short rib, the tuna tartare, and the steak and potatoes flatbread. The scallops were a little sweet at first taste, but left a magnificent aftertaste in my mouth. My friend said she didn't even want to take a sip of her drink afterward because the lingering flavor was delightful. The tuna tartare 2 ways was an unexpected surprise. Who knew tuna and watermelon were such a great match? The steak and potatoes flatbread was just savory and delicious. And by the time I got to the short rib I was just too stuffed to really enjoy it, but it was good. The truffle mac and cheese is bleh, not bad but not great. It was a bit bland (needed more salt or seasoning) and lacked truffle flavor. Overall, an enjoyable experience, particularly since the price ended up being cut in half due to the Buywithme I had.
(3)Sean H.
the good and the bad.... The good. Nice space. The bad. We were ignored at the host desk for the first five minutes. Really, really loud space. Couldn't hear each other talk I ordered the beef tenderloin and it was flavorless. Overcooked and dry. The mac and cheese side dish was a waste of calories. Don't waste your time. My synopsis, go for drinks not dinner.
(2)Erica P.
Decent music even though the DJ doesn't know how to mix a beat or transition between songs!
(3)Jackie S.
Brahmin is a cool spot. If I come here on weekends the line is usually super long and the door guys aren't exactly the most friendly, but this time I came for dinner and was very happy with the outcome. Also, I do like coming here on the weekends there are good looking people, fun music, etc. I liked the background music a lot. It set a cool vibe. Then a live singer came on and she was really talented but they had the sound up too high as I still wanted to casually chat with my girlfriend. We ordered 4 different "small plates" including: Beef Short Rib Grilled Cheese: Holy delicious.. Asparagus fries: awesome crisp. I like fried anything but this was great. The mozzarella plate was decent and the spicy shrimp was good too. They might want to switch up the wine glasses because it seemed like they skimped on my Malbec. They were stemless so it could have been my eyes were deceiving me, but in any case they took it back and gave me an extra 'splash' which was nice. Our waitress was was a sweetheart and overall we had a nice time. I would defintiely come back here. I love the decor and atmosphere.
(4)Anthony A.
Went to Brahmin for the first time on Saturday night with a friend for dinner. We got their for a 9pm reservation- the place was pretty empty, although the outdoor dining was prettyt full. There is a dress code, as the bouncer told me while walking in they dont typically allow sneakers, but because I was early it was okay... whatever. Anyway, I really liked the place. It was fairly large with an upstairs and down, nice interior decor, music contributed nicely to the atmosphere (although DJ was kind of lame), food was pretty good- better than I expected. Its tapas style, so you get 2-3 things per person to share. Back room turns in to a dance room... my friend and I stuck to our high table and had some moscow mules... very good.
(4)Angela M.
What f'n dbags!!!! Complete bullshit -three of us waited in line for our friends party, which was paid for downstairs. They said to wait and they were filled at this time, but would let us in soon. Again bullshit, since they let 20 people in after that was stated. Four of the people we watch get let into the bar were invited because the bouncer knew his mother-- throw up!! Stupid asses!! Let me know her name so i can get in !!! Jerk off. S o mad we couldn't celebrate with our friends because the bouncers have friends in low places. F that!!! I will never come here again, let alone have a another party at this shitty bar. Thanks for your help you dbag!!! Or dbags!!! F this joint!
(1)Christopher T.
My girlfriend and I stumbled on the brahmin because red lantern was too crowded. we had never heard of this bar but really happy we found it. went on a friday night, there was a dj spinning good tracks and the ambiance is great, very comfortable. music was loud enough but not too loud where it was difficult to carry a conversation. we both enjoyed our cocktails and tried the salad, meatballs & mac n cheese - all were pleasantly tasty an well portioned for the attractive prices. Thanks Brahmin, looking forward to seeing you soon.
(5)Shawn D.
Excited to try a new place with friends, we went here for the Tuesday night "Rat Pack" night. Upon walking in, there were four girls standing at the front desk...a couple of them dressed in extremely short skirts and fish net stockings...really? We gave them two reservation names and asked for the two tables to be seated next to each other. The immediate response was rude... "oh you must have the living social voucher, we can just seat you at one table" I was trying to follow the rules of one voucher per table but one table for four is fine with us, as two of our friends couldn't make it anyway. As the girl was grabbing the menus, another girl whispers to her "make sure they only use one voucher" umm... I 'm standing in front of you and can hear everything you're saying...that's extremely rude. Next, we are brought over to a table near the stage and she claims the table was actually taken. We are then escorted to a back room, with no view of the stage and could barely hear the music. By this point, I wanted to get up and walk out the door but I tried to remain calm. We ordered drinks and several small plates of food. The food was great, we all enjoyed it...except for the amount of food you get, and it's definitely overpriced. Two tiny tacos for $8 or four small meatballs for $9.50...or better yet $16 for a plain burger with only lettuce & tomato. When the waitress came with the bill, she proceeded to tell us "only one voucher per table" I explained everything discussed at the front desk upon arriving, and she went to speak with her manager. They ended up taking both vouchers off the bill, which was the right thing to do. Had they put us at two tables next to each other, as asked..this would have never been an issue. Overall, I would not return. The advertised "Rat Pack" night is nothing like they make it seem on their website, some of the staff were rude and the menu is overpriced. Clearly they are lacking in business and need Living Social to help them draw in more people. There are MUCH better restaurants in the city, with better food, friendlier staff and more reasonable prices.
(2)Brittany G.
Such a great atmosphere for drinks and some small plates after work with coworkers or friends! Plus they have an outdoor patio!
(5)Lisa S.
If you like good drinks, then Brahmin is your place to go! The drinks are delicious! I had the pomegranate with vodka and then sweet tea vodka drinks and both were soooo good. My friend had the basil gin drink - he was eating the basil, which to me is the sign of a well made drink - or a hungry friend... Not sure which but I'm going with well made drink. we had also the potato coins and the charcuterie plate. Turns out my friend doesn't like charcuterie - lesson learned! It's too much meat for one person so always check to see if your dining companion will share it with you. The potato coins are also delicious - great variation on standard fries!
(5)Kaitlin H.
This place has poor service. I went for a school-sponsored event on a Thursday night, and they were unprofessional, unprepared, and severely under-staffed, in my opinion. The bartenders yelled at the customers; they had no discernible pattern for serving those people waiting for drinks at the bar; and they were even yelling at each other (particularly the dish-washer, who appeared to be new). It took an hour and fifteen minutes for me to be served ONE drink (even after waving my card to request service a couple of times before). Not at all recommended based on their general treatment of customers and poor, untimely service. Good for dancing, but not for social drinking. REPLY to the comment below: my online receipt for an Uber ride to The Brahmin shows that I arrived around 10:30pm. My print receipt for the drinks I purchased at The Brahmin shows that I paid for them (after receiving them) around 11:45pm. That's hard evidence to dispute by calling me a liar. Ad hominem attacks are fallacious arguments that do nothing to further a position and are unwarranted incivilities. Also, I would like to point out that you have left equally libelous comments on every bad Yelp review for The Brahmin. I understand your frustrations with the number reportedly going to be in attendance. I have no involvement with the organization of this event, however, so I speak purely from the perspective of another customer looking to have a good time--a perspective that cannot have any relation to the non-law students you mention, either. Further, I admit to knowing nothing about managing a bar, so I respectfully trust your judgments in that matter. I would love to give The Brahmin another chance, and I think most customers who have had only one bad experince here would. However, if you continue to leave such inappropriately hostile comments, your anti-bad review strategy will achieve just the opposite.
(1)Mallory C.
I can't really rate this on much since we were there for a fundraising event, so it was reorganized accordingly. The format was a little strange, and it felt crowded really quick, with minimal places to sit. The food was difficult to access as it was up a step, making it impossible for people with mobility issues to get any independently. I also am not sure of the accessible bathroom situation since the one I was instructed to use was downstairs, but toward the end of the night we were assured there was one. Drinks and food were good, and I'd go back to have a regular meal experience here for another chance.
(3)Matthew F.
If you like terrible service, water downed drinks and fraternity basements this is the place for you. Over 45 minutes to get a drink, check. Bourbon with three times as much ice as liquor, check. Shoes sticking to the floor, check. Given the location and general proximity to good bars, I expected a far better experience. Not sure why anyone would willingly return to this dive bar that attempts to present itself as "upscale".
(1)Korey G.
One of the best places in Boston, hands down. The craft cocktails are prepared perfectly, great food and awesome service. I never wait for a drink due to the fact they have 4 bar areas and a ton of servers running around the place looking to take orders. The weekdays are fun, they have rat pat Tuesdays and throwback Thursdays which my friends and I love. The weekends consists of two DJs, two floors, dance floors and a hugh hard working staff. This place is so great, I don't Go anywhere else!
(5)Abby R.
Ok, this place is awesome. I went for Tuesday night Rat Pack music, because I love Frank Sinatra-y tunes and live music and because no other reasons were needed. The food menu is kind of like tapas in the sense that for the most part, they're all small plates good to share with 2-3 people. Between the 2 of us we devoured: -Tater Tots with truffle ketchup and garlic aioli dipping sauces -Parmesan Asparagus fries -Filet Mignon Bruschetta -Crispy Fried Brie -Chocolate Fudge Cake Don't worry, the asparagus fries TOTALLY count as a vegetable. If you love truffle oil as a flavoring this place has got you covered. I expected a slight truffley tinge to the ketchup but when I dipped a tot in there it was like TRUFFLE!... ketchup. I found it a bit too much. They also have truffle mac n' cheese which I'm glad I didn't get after the super truffelized ketchup. The asparagus fries were my favorite thing. Coated in a crunchy but not greasy coating, they were crunchy and tender at the same time and just everything I wanted in an asparagus fry but didn't know how to say. Garlic aioli came with this as a dipping sauce as well, which I passed on because of the aforementioned truffle ketchup and garlic aioli with the tots. The Crispy Fried Brie came with a strawberry dipping sauce and I really disliked the sauce. I dipped into it once and hated it, then I wanted to like it so I tried again and hated it again. It was still nice to have nice crispy bites of coated fried brie, but I would have liked a different dipping sauce option. The Filet Mignon Bruschetta was delish, but there are only 2 pieces of bread with steak already loaded up on there, so this is definitely a plate for 2. Regardless I thought the price at $10 was actually good for the amount of filet you get and for how filling it is. Would definitely get this again, and I loved the avocado salsa they put on it. Not much to say about the chocolate cake. It was dense and cold and heavily frosted. Would not order again, but it wasn't bad. The atmosphere is great. Very clean, awesome 20's inspired art, the band was playing at just the right volume so you could still hold easy conversation and enjoy the tunes. Service was also uncommonly friendly. Great place for a date night or a birthday party. Will be back for sure.
(5)Matt D.
Food is great. On the weekend it can be tough to transition a busy restaurant into a bar/dancing venue. This place is conscientious of not disrupting patrons and does a great job. Fun early vibe that extends late night. The bartenders downstairs on the weekends are devastatingly handsome and provide amazing customer service. I highly recommend getting dinner during the week and coming early for food on the weekends...then dancing off the delicious tapas style dinner. Taking advantage of the loyalty program there is a no brainer!
(5)Stephanie K.
Just your typical Boston neighborhood bar/lounge. It 's next door to Red Lantern which is a highlight and they had music on a Thursday night. We were the only ones there but it was a Thursday so it was expected. Music selection was ok, took a lot of our requests. Didn't have any food but the drinks were fine. I've heard it's a fun place on the weekends for dancing so give it a shot if you're in the neighborhood but don't go out of your way.
(3)Rachel N.
To put this review in perspective, as we were standing in line to check our coats, watching the billionth girl teeter by in 6in heels and barely-booty-covering skirts, I had to turn to Em, who was looking ravishing in a button up and jeans, and ask: "wait. is this what girls wear now?" - and to my first frat party in college, I wore a cashmere sweater set - no regrets - but I think that gives a sense of abt how knowledgeable I am abt anything involving "nst nst nst" type music and general youth culture. However, I do love my friends, and so in honor of a birthday I made an appearance at Brahmin. I've walked by the place enough to know that if you get here past 10p, you'll wait in a hella long line - and thus, I was pleasantly surprised when we rolled up at 10:30p and there were only 15p ahead of us - that said, by the time some of our friends came around 11:30p, they had been in line for 30m in 20F weather - yes, it's crowded inside, but it's definitely the type of place that keeps a line out front to maintain the image of exclusive allure. Once the bouncers deign to let you in, be prepared to have your ear drums blown out immediately with delightfully remixed Top 40s - if you have zero taste in music, which I proudly do - you will find that the music is excellent to bop around to - and most importantly, a GREAT remix of Sisqo's Thong Song exists and should be played in every club. By the time we left at a bit after midnight, the place was packed - and although the place is fairly dim, from what my old eyes gathered, the crowd was actually more diverse than I thought it would be - nevertheless, we are in Boston, so it is weighted towards lanky, clean-cut men in untucked plaid and/or oxfords and girls in minimal clothing, heavy make up, and faux Louboutins - I got the feeling that most of the people were in their mid 20s - and I probably wouldn't go intending to meet one's soulmate - BUT, it could be a fun way to grab someone for a quick, sloshy M.O.O.T.D.F if the spirit moves you to do so. Moral: get there early, be prepared to get pushed as bros and their hos make their rounds, and don't check a coat if you value your sanity. Oh, and no cover and drinks are fairly cheap (under $10), so snark aside, it's not a bad place to spend the evening getting down.
(3)David W.
I had the Short Rib Grilled Cheese and Buffalo Chicken Rangoon...and both were fabulous! I totally recommend. It was a Monday evening and wasn't very crowded. And we had great service.
(5)Joe S.
Theme of the restaurant and decor was nice and contemporary , food was good, prices for drinks and food were to much. Ordered a jack and coke twice and should have just ordered a regular coke(watered down drinks). They let about 100 more people in than they should have, it was bumper to bumper traffic in there. Waitstaff was trying but it took 25 min for a drink just unacceptable, for the price and overcrowded sweat lounge id probably never go back.
(2)Andrew S.
No complaints about this place. The decor is great, the ceiling always amazes me. And watch out walking down the stairs. The walls are uneven so when you are sober you feel drunk and when you are drunk you don't even notice it! They have small bites on their menu, I got a whole bunch with some friends once and they were great. The fried mozarella was probably the best. mac and cheese was a huge portion. Some of them are a little small, but all were very tasty. They also have a great beer selection and good drinks. On weekend nights though there can be a wait to get in. It can be hard to walk around night when it is crowded, but they clear away some tables, have a dj, and it turns into a dance floor. Lots of fun.
(5)Cris E.
The Brahmin gets packed quickly! To avoid the crazy long line that travels down the street, get there by 9 pm. Drinks are stiff, food is great and Love the variety old school music..Dress up! I knocked off a star for some of the bitchy servers shoving their way around and some sarcastic remarks. However, our two bartenders were great! One was very personable, the other just gets down to business. Goodbye 33, hello Brahmin.
(4)Eric F.
Though my first visit entailed finding out upon arrival that the entire place was booked for the night and subsequently having just one drink, the wait to review The Brahmin until I tried the food was well worth it! What I hadn't seen initially was the rather swanky layout of the dining area adorned with black tablecloths and dark red seats and curtains...nice. Our server greeted me and my bro promptly and before we knew it, our food was laid out in front of us for imminent nommage: Tater Tots - so crispy and hot, the garlic aioli and grainy mustard that came with them matched nicely and provided much added kick. Beef Short Ribs - tender and unexpectedly reminiscent of my mom's cooking, a great dish accompanied by super creamy cauliflower and parsnip polenta. Meatballs - pretty mediocre all-around, but very generously portioned for a mere $6. Beef Tartare - on the bland side, not nearly worth the cost. Truffled Mac and Cheese - a bit on the runny side, but solid after it cooled down. Banana Chocolate Bread Pudding - quite tasty and worked well with the butterscotch sauce. Molten Chocolate Cake - not too shabby. The food was quite tasty on the whole and though nothing blew us away by any means, the pricing was fantastic and we literally struggled (in a good way haha) to hit the $50 mark for our BuyWithMe coupon. When you factor in the modern, upscale atmosphere and quality service as well, I can confidently say that The Brahmin is a great spot for a date or a night out with friends. Having a DJ spinning good tunes from the past couple of decades didn't hurt either ;)
(4)Mike S.
Only been several times for drinks so no comment on food and haven't paid cover ever this place takes things seriously from mood lighting, to a live DJ, and attentive bar service. There are no tv's and (gasp!) you are expected to have conversation with a proper cocktail. Lots of short skirts & high heels not that there is anything wrong with that. I'd say get there b4 the cover and enjoy.
(4)Bo W.
Excellent venue overall, for both food and dancing with friends. I've been here several times, mostly after the conversion from restaurant to lounge/club. I had a birthday party here recently and kept changing my mind from reserving a table or making dinner reservations and the event planners were very patient and extremely helpful. When we arrived for dinner our table was ready and we had a very attentive waitress as well. The food was excellent, and this is coming from someone who is very skeptical of places that only do small plates. We had 6 guys and my girlfriend for the dinner part of the night and we all got full on about 9 of the small plates. The drinks were good too and the tab was not even remotely close to expensive (much more reasonable than I had anticipated). The lamb lollipops, truffle tots, and shrimp tacos were among some of my personal favorites. Their Russian mules are made well and made strong. I will definitely encourage all of my friends to do their parties here when if we're doing something in Boston. Even my friends who got here later didn't have to wait in the super long line because the managers were very accommodating and understanding. Thanks Brahmin!
(5)Steven P.
I feel like I have to chime in on some of these reviews...I moved to Boston a couple years ago for school and I've been going to Brahmin ever since. Me and my friends love this place and they run a tight ship. We were all eating dinner there last night and the service, food, music, and atmosphere was great (as usual)!! A couple of my friends met us later in the night and when they came in they were telling us a story about some pain in the ass kids outside yelling at the bouncers because they weren't letting them in with sneakers....What don't you people get??? There is a dress code!!! That's it!! Why do you feel the need to PUSH and PUSH, don't wear sneakers like they require and you'll get in and have a great time....I was reading some of the Yelp reviews and they are the same thing over and over about sneakers. Brahmin keep doing what you are doing! It works....Weed out the #$%holes that don't know how to accept the fact that there is a "dress code"
(4)Stanley S.
The bouncers at this place are ridiculous. I showed up with a group of friends, some ladies among them, and was asked for two forms of ID, which rarely happens in Boston. That was not an issue for me because I had them on hand, but unfortunately I was escorted rather forcefully out of this place when a bouncer saw my (attractive female) friend drop her glass (of a mixed drink) on the floor, He accused me of having no manners and throwing a glass intentionally on the floor, and very enthusiastically thrust me out of the front doors into the rain, telling me to "get the (expletive) out of here and not come back to his bar. Very negative review, for while I had only tried to clean up after my slightly sloppy friend, I was most rudely treated under the assumption of an offense. I recommend going somewhere else and paying less than 6 bucks for a bud heavy.
(1)Danielle M.
I was actually having a really great time at Brahmin. It had been on my list of places to go in Boston and we went there to celebrate my early graduation. However, when my friends and I were dancing, the manager came up to my group of friends and had us follow her to the exit door. She opened the door and very rudely told us to get out. We were all very confused and thrown off by how we were being treated and asked why. She accused us of drinking alcohol nips at the bar. This was NOT TRUE and we asked to speak to someone else/ maybe the person that claimed to see us doing this. She continued to tell us to leave. I have never felt so mistreated and put down by a restaurant/ bar in my entire life.Eventually we were able to speak to someone and were allowed to stay because we definitely weren't the nip drinkers! Although it was a fun place, I will never go there again and will not recommend going there to anyone else. I understand that they need to be careful with people bringing drinks into the bar, but you just don't treat other people that way- especially your customers!
(1)Felicity N.
I had a wonderful time with my fiancé at The Brahmin last night! I bought a deal online to check it out and we are both so glad that I did. The atmosphere was gorgeous, there was a 'rat pack' live band playing, our server was incredibly friendly, and the food was well priced and delicious! I know this may be an overly glowing review but I truly had a wonderful night, we are already planning our next date!
(5)Jamie H.
i came to the brahmin last night to catch up with 2 of my best friends, and it was a great spot for drinks and small plates and it has outdoor seating available. to start, we split the portobello flatbread which was pretty good. i liked the big pieces of mushrooms and that it was light on the cheese and sauce. we also got the fried asparagus, which hit the spot and was a great alternative to french fries. the real standout for me were the drinks, including the selection. at $10, they are a little less pricey than other places in the area. the cucumber and vanilla cosmo was interesting and refreshing, the blue cheese olive martini was perfectly salty and strong, while the older sister was a sweet, strong, pomegranate martini. i also really liked our waitress. she was really friendly and helped make great recommendations.
(4)Melissa F.
I came to the Brahmin a long time ago when it was still 33 lounge. I loved the feel of the place and was sad to see it go. I finally got to go back and experience Brahmin for myself and I was very impressed. I don't know why I was expecting a stuffy place with bad food. This place was the polar opposite. It is gorgeous inside, with dim lighting and curtains. Kind of makes you feel like you're in an exclusive lounge. We were a party of 5 so we decided to get dinner and drinks. Some of the standouts from our meal include the gnocchi, filet mignon brushetta and the fried brie (fried brie!!!) Don't let the "small plates" designation fool you. Most of these were pretty well sized. The flatbread and mac n'cheese are fullsized, and the fried brie comes with 8 pieces. We were all starving so we ended up ordering 10 dishes and had way too much food left over. Their sangria is great as well. We ordered 2 pitchers of the white sangria and finished them both. I almost forgot dessert! We got the chocolate cake and it was literally gone in about a minute. Comes freshly baked with ice cream. For Boston I think this place is very well priced. For 10 plates plus 2 pitchers of sangria I think we each paid $40 including tax and tip. I was expecting the damage to be significantly more. Like other people have noted make sure you get here early! There was a line outside already when we were leaving.
(4)Kelsey R.
You can always count on Brahmin for a fun night out - whether it be for a Saturday night birthday celebration, or a low-key night of after-work drinks. On the weekend, the dance floor is always a blast and the DJ's do not disappoint. During the week, it is a great spot to have a few cocktails and share small plates with friends or coworkers. Everything on the menu is delicious and the bartenders, waitstaff, and management are super accommodating and friendly!
(5)Justina R.
I feel like everyone has this place figured out. Great bar, horrible service. I recently went there to celebrate a friend's birthday party. I can't speak to the food because we didn't eat, but the drinks were ok. Nothing too special but the bar atmosphere was great. The blonde bartender that served us and many others on our side of the bar had such an attitude. After their interactions with her, people I didn't even know would comment on it to me because I was standing at the bar. On top of that, I had 5 vodka sodas yet was charged for 8. If I'm 5'2" and petite. If I had 8 I would be on the floor. It's my fault for not checking the bill thoroughly before we left, but I didn't think I would have to at a nice establishment in the Back Bay. Needless to say I was upset when I saw the receipt the next morning and I won't be returning anytime soon. I hate to even add this part in but I feel like I have to because looking below, I'm sure one of the managers/owners will comment on this review with something demeaning about how I know nothing about the service industry. Very quickly, I would like to state that I'm also in the service industry, and can't believe the way they're treating people on here. Social Media Marketing 101 tells you to apologize to the guest and move on. It's like they think yelpers are conspiring against them. They keep mentioning having to defend their employees but maybe if some of their employees weren't awful they wouldn't need to constantly defend them. The Brahmin could be an excellent establishment with better service, but it looks like that will never happen because the owners are too blind to see it and blame the guests. Not a recipe for success.
(2)Liz G.
If you're tired of the juvenile crowds at Faneuil Hall, The Brahmin is an alternative that will make you feel like you're surrounded by grownups. Remember 33 Lounge in the Back Bay? The Brahmin took over that spot, and it's better than it was before. The drinks are good, the music is great, and there's no cover to get in. For those who like dancing, there's a small club downstairs. I much prefer the upstairs area though--it's not as jam-packed and the DJ there plays better tunes. Ladies, a tip before you go: dark wash or not, put the jeans away. The Brahmin provides an excuse to finally slip into that dress that's been sitting in your closet since you bought it last fall.
(4)Sean T.
Perhaps you should consider hiring more waiters and fewer dim hostesses -- or at least do a better job staffing. Had a 7 PM reservation and were shown to a table (amid a large standing crowd of HH drunks) by one of four girls standing around the hostess stand. Ten minutes later we had not seen any indication of a server. Avoid this place.
(1)Kayla P.
I've been to The Brahmin a few times now on Thursday and Friday nights. The line is always pretty long cause its pretty poppin in there but the bouncers are always nice which is definitely appreciated. I'd say the crowd is a mix of yuppies and college kids, and lots of people just tryin to bust a move on the dance floor. The music is awesomeee, just straight top 40 and some remixes, which I like to get down to and rap to (yeah, I can rap with the best of them). Doesn't take long to get a drink at the bar, and the bartenders are always nice. Bonus points cause the drinks are pretty cheap. Decor is kinda a spin off on Lolita Cocina and Tequila Bar's which is all the rage right now...think dark reds and blacks and unfinished walls, very vampire-esque. I'll be back so I can show that dance floor whos boss.
(4)Heath M.
The Brahmin is a winning concept: a great comfortable atmosphere with a nod to the old school Boston culture and wink towards hipness. The menu has something for everyone, ranging from the bistro-styled choices to the old standby comfort foods. Fried pickles? Yum-city. Tater tots? Delish. Mac & Cheese? Yeah, baby. Flatbread pizzas? Not too shabby. Tasty cocktails? Woo hoo. Wait Service? Not so much. For God's sake, get it together people -- you're mucking up a good thing. I hate to be harsh...actually, who am I kidding? I live to be harsh...but anyway, the table service here is pretty bad. The servers tend to find themselves in the weeds the minute it gets busy. Vanishing acts are commonplace -- the other night our food showed up 20 minutes before our drinks did. We'd have complained, but our waitress disappeared. Whitey was easier to find. Fortunately, the hostess tracked her down. On another occasion, a waitress dumped wine all over us. Yes, red wine. It was everywhere ... our phones, my boss's suede boots...not pretty. Mistakes happen, and that's cool. The only thing that pissed us off royally was that no effort was made to right the situation. Not an offer for dry cleaning, not a free app -- nada. So I find myself in a bit of a conundrum. I love the food, love the atmosphere and I think it's a nice after work spot. But the service really could be improved. This could easily have gotten 4 or maybe even 5 stars -- heck, I was tempted to click a 2 but everything else this place has going for it does make up for some of it. Front of the house manager...if you are reading this...don't wait until people stop coming or for Gordon Ramsey or Robert Irvine to come and yell at you on TV, fix it now before it gets any worse. And until you do, I guess I'll just go sit at the bar (the weekday bartenders are actually really great). It's where I'm most comfortable anyway.
(3)James B.
They fooled me twice. Shame on me. Went back for brunch with a pretty large group, thinking that it'd be a different experience than dinner. It was, in that it was much worse. The service was record-settingly bad from drinks to check (presumably -- I threw money on the table and ran out before the check came). This was only partially the fault of the waitress, who was trying hard but couldn't refrain from telling the customers in excruciating, nobody-gives-a-shit detail exactly why the bartender messed up the drink orders or why the kitchen was issuing two meals every ten minutes for a table of twelve. It is pretty obvious that no one working in this place, not servers nor cooks nor management, has had a damn thing to do with running a restaurant before. That's because this place is a club that figured it would be a restaurant on the side for some extra revenue. Ownership figured, hey, it doesn't matter who we hire, because we're a club, and it's all about the fun, right? Wrong. When I can tell from the dining room that the kitchen can't keep its tickets straight, something went tragically awry with the hiring process along the way. And again, that something was probably the philosophy that they'd hire for a club and run a restaurant on the side. For Christ's sake, they had a DJ blaring house music AT BRUNCH. To be fair, we were a difficult group to serve, with people coming and going, special orders, etc. Those mitigating circumstances have been taken into account in my rating.
(1)Courtney H.
We went here for a couple drinks and apps last week. The apps were pretty decent but I wasn't that impressed. They look so delicious on the menu but I was a bit disappointed. The fried pickles weren't quite crispy enough but they had good flavor. The filet mignon bruschetta was actually a bit spicier than we expected. I think they put a bit too much pepper on the steak. Wine comes in stemless glasses which I just am not a fan of at restaurants. I love them at my house because they can go on the top rack of the dishwasher, but since I'm a white wine drinker, the wine gets warm pretty fast in stemless glasses. The decor was definitely cool and if I was single I think I'd be hanging out here to pick up some people. It just seemed like that kind of place. I can tell it probably is bumpin' late night. Overall just A-Ok, nothing spectacular but satisfying.
(3)Michelle L.
OMG... The Brahmin has me believing in love at first sight - not with a person, mind you, but with a bar. I would totally go to Boston JUST to go here - that's how much I love this place! Granted, my opinion is limited to only one experience, but I feel comfortable saying that it's my favorite bar I've been to EVER! My friend and I arrived around 11-11:30 on a Saturday, and there was no line (apparently we missed it) or cover (there might never be one), which was an auspicious beginning, to say the least. Then we soaked in the crowd, which was awash in a gorgeous, whisky-hued glow. Wow. Let me just say, our reactions can be perfectly described by Usher's line, "You make me wanna say OMG." Actually, I'm pretty sure my friend did say those words out loud cos it was a veritable meat market in there that night lol... LOTS of clean-cut, sharp-looking fraduate types (fraternity graduates - I just made that up) - our society's version of a young (enlightened?) aristocracy. In other words, not a lot of diversity, but if that's your style, you'll be like a kid in a candy store. All other aspects of the Brahmin would make Goldilocks pleased, cos they were just right. The venue was crowded but not unbearably so, the crowd liquored up but not too irresponsibly, drinks strong but cheap ($7ish for bottom shelf), top 40 on repeat. Also, there's a coat check downstairs, along with a second, grungier-but-still-clean bar and not-disgusting restrooms. All in all, the place was a class act, especially the main floor, which had the perfect mix of lounging around the bar and dancing in a trendy, young professional atmosphere with a touch of upper-crust, Bostonian, brick-and-mortar charm. I wish they could transplant the Brahmin to my city, as I don't think I can handle the long distance... Here's hoping that my love affair isn't just a one-night stand!
(5)Sandra A.
I'm going with two stars because I found the manager helpful and friendly and the food was pretty good however the service was so egregious I couldn't possible rate it any higher. I'll also preface by saying I spent ten years in the food service industry so when I'm upset about service then it has to be pretty bad. I consider myself to be relatively understanding in most situations. When we arrived and sat down it took a solid 10-15 minutes before really being acknowledged by a server. When the first server finally did come over she only filled our water glasses without addressing anyone at the party and then walked away. Eventually another server came over and asked for our drink order. Having not been sat with a drink menu we requested one at this time. She came back a few minutes later with a couple drink menus, put them on the table, and then proceeded to stare at us for a minute or so before suggesting she give us a minute with them. That minute turned into about another 5 more before she came back. At this point we placed our drinks and food orders. From there a good 20-25 minutes probably elapsed before we received our drinks and the food actually arrived about a minute or two prior to our drinks. During that 20 minute wait another server came over and cleared the plates and menu for an additional party who was going to be joining us later. I had already asked our server for the menu to remain and when I mentioned it to the second server, who was clearing it away, she brushed me off and took it anyways. As I mentioned earlier the food didn't disappoint and the manager stopped by to see how our dinner was. He was very pleasant and sincere in checking in on us. The server was much less attentive after the dinner was put down. Two more people had joined our party while we were eating and eventually managed to secure a couple drinks. We had to flag down the server after maybe another forty minutes to ask for our check because it had gotten to the point in the evening when they were clearing out chairs. By the time she returned with our bill half of our party was standing due to the crowd that had formed in the room and the constant bumping of the chairs from other dancing patrons. She had seemed relatively surprised that we were even still there when we requested the bill. Overall she just wasn't really paying attention. None of us felt like we were a priority and that she was at all concerned about her service. Moving on to the next server. A bit later in the evening a friend of mine ordered a bottled beer from a cocktail waitress. When she returned with his beer she handed him the beer and his change, roughly 50-75c. Now that his hands were full he went to hand the change back to her in order to free a hand to get his wallet, at which point she replied "No you can keep your change, it's alright, I don't need it.'' (add in a really snotty attitude to that statement). He then had to explain to her that he was in fact trying to get his wallet to give her another dollar. Either way, at the end of the day, that statement was shockingly rude. It's not her position to assume she deserves a tip period, let alone more than 75c on a $3 bottle of Budweiser. Aside from the fact that she also jumped to conclusions about her tip before receiving it. This was my second time dining at the Brahmin. The first time was very underwhelming and after this experience I can't say I'm in a rush to go back. After having spent so much time waiting tables myself I really think there is no excuse for bad service. If you're overwhelmed with your tables it's easy enough to explain to your party that you're rather busy but will be back to check on them soon or at least acknowledge that you could be more attentive. I hope you all have better experiences than my friends and I.
(2)Chris A.
I've been here a few times..I don't think I'll be going back. We got there at about 8:30 and asked if we could sit at one of the loungey areas. The 3 hostess simultaneously rolled their eyes at us and let us know they were "reserved" Wow - impressive. Should have known that. We got put on the "list" incase one opens up...FINGERS CROSSED! We found our way to the bar with plenty of room to chat and order drinks. Slowly the bar continued to fill and it became clear that this is a going to become a meat market marinated in bad house music. Drinks were..meh. If you order cocktails or liquor they choose which shelf. Which is funny because our tab showed that we were charged for Grey Goose, Kettle One and then well-vodka when we ordered a Vodka +soda. All ordered from the same bartender...strange. I dunno, if you're trying someplace new and you're into that scene maybe this is worth a shot. It's near a couple other decent bars/restaurants so you can bail. As we made our way out at 12:30 or so there was an obnoxious line being tended to by the 'roid head secret-service-headset-clad bouncer who kindly opened the velvet rope to release us into the alley that is their entrance. Redeeming qualities: Dressed up crowd (for Boston), Good Girl/Guy Ratio, Olderish Crowd (25-35), Near other bars that don't suck.
(2)Connie C.
After reading the reviews on Yelp, we came here early (9:45) on a Saturday night to beat the line. There was no line at all and the guys working the door were friendly and quick. When we walked in, patrons were finishing dinner (which looked and smelled delicious), and the bar/dance crowd was starting to fill in. Because we got in early enough, we were able to snag a few barstools and occupy a small area at the end of the bar on the main floor. What most people in our group noticed right away that there were two bartenders on our side of the bar, and only one seemed to be working. The other was playing with her hair, flirting with the barbacks, staring at the TV, and making annoyed faces. However, the bartender that did wait on us was fantastic and made some great (strong) drinks and was quick to clear empty glasses and ask if we needed another round. We sincerely hoped that the bartenders don't pool tips because one girl was working about 90% and the other about 10%, and it would be a shame for the girl doing all the work to have to share her tips with the one that barely lifted a finger. Music on the main floor was awesome- 90's mashups that made you want to sing your face off and dance up a storm. Didn't end up going into the lounge downstairs, but when we went down to use the restroom, it sounded more like electronic dance music in that area. Overall had a super fun night, but another downside was when my tab came and there were a few beers tacked onto my tab. The bartender seemed slightly defensive, asking if I ordered the beers from another bartender, but I only had mixed drinks that night and definitely did not order the beers. She did end up taking the beers off my tab.
(3)Allison S.
We came here with a coupon from BuyWithMe for dinner. Instead of going with the entree dishes, we opted to try a bunch of different small plates. I highly recommend the tots, they were delicious. The mushroom flat bread was also quite tasty, as was their special steak, mozzarella and avocado bruschetta. The other "small plates" that we ordered were just OK, and I probably wouldn't order them again. I'm definitely keeping the Brahmin on my list for drinks, and maybe some appetizers. Their bar is huge and they have quite a large drink menu. Their sangria was wonderful, but I wish that they had some more beers to choose from. It wasn't really a dinner place, more like a lounge area and bar with some tables.
(3)D C.
A friend and I brought a BuyWithMe coupon to The Brahmin; we hadn't been there since the venue was "33." Neither of us were impressed. I had the greens salad and onion soup to start, and she had the tater tots and a Caesar salad with chicken. I bypassed the tater tots since they remind me of terrible cafeteria lunches, but the onion soup was flavorful and savory, though a little heavy on the pumpernickel croutons which had a strong, distracting flavor. The greens salad was bland despite the "roasted tomatoes and pickled shallots," and her Caesar was standard. I had the half-chicken with potatoes, sage/onion stuffing and green beans. Nothing spectacular there, the green beans were undercooked and had no flavor at all, I couldn't distinguish the potatoes from the stuffing, and there was so little of either it was hard to gauge their quality. They also went nuts with the "mood lighting" so I could barely see my plate anyway! My companion ordered the truffled mac & cheese as her entree and it was terrible. I could taste whatever bizarre, smoky cheese they used in it, but couldn't actually find it, the dish was more a dish of macaroni with breadcrumbs on top, no comforting, creamy cheesiness you'd expect from mac & cheese. What a bummer. We got the chocolate bread pudding for dessert, and it was dense, tasteless and hard as a rock. More like an over-cooked brownie with ice cream, than bread pudding. I can't imagine ever coming back here, unless I were desperate. It did seem quite the spot if you're looking to drink/mingle though.
(2)Kathleen F.
My main complaint for this place is that they are letting it get WAY too crowded and as a result a night out here is just not enjoyable. We got here around 8pm for a friend's birthday and the atmosphere was good then, we could hear the music and hear each other and the waitresses were good about coming over to us. The food was also very good we had a nice veggie pizza and salad. Cocktails were amazing and had lots of unique flavor combos. But then the clock struck 9pm and the place became so packed that the waitresses were overworked and way to busy and you could literally not even hear what the person next to you was saying. We tried to move to the dance floor which was so packed you couldn't even really dance. Eventually, the whole atmosphere just became crazy and uncomfortable so we wound up leaving. I would definitely come back here during the week for a few cocktails and some bites for sharing, but definitely will not venture back on the weekend because it becomes so crazy that you just cannot enjoy yourself.
(3)Qasim R.
This review is just for the bar/night life. Was pretty amazed when I we there the first time bcz too be honest didn't except anything like what I saw (thinking it was just another bar/pub). Downstairs bar becomes too overcrowded late night while main bar design/ergonomics are perfect for the size of the place. There is a side/mini bar as well, where you can get better service if your group size is small. Late night (weekends don't know if it happens on weekdays) the dining area becomes a dancing area and if you have a table in that area it's pretty cool. Think I may bump the ratings to 5 stars depending upon how it goes the next time. Only Major issue is line starts to form pretty early in the night (Problem with most of places in Boston) so get there early or know you how to avoid wait in lines.
(4)Nick B.
I really like Brahmin and each time I've been it has been an absolute blast. My roommates aren't so keen on it, so often times my suggestion to go there gets passed over. After being curious and checking out the yelp reviews, I have been very impressed to see the responses by Russ. Clearly there are people there who care about providing a quality experience. It's this seemingly small aspect that is on the contrary actually very powerful. I expect to come back here very soon and my roommates are now totally sold on making a return trip here.
(4)Colby R.
In my experience the 3-4 times I've been here the bartenders have been the saving grace of this place, they're fast and fairly friendly given the environment. Aside from that the food is really nothing to write home about and the crowd can be a bit hit or miss at times.
(2)Melissa D.
I really like the speakeasy setting here and feel very comfortable in my own skin as there is a mixed age crowd, mostly older Mid to Late 20s/early 30s group. It gets very packed starting at 10:30pm but we arrived a little earlier and sat at a table for some drinks. I had the Bellini and the Strawberry Patch which were super-sweet that may not fancy some people but it is to hide the loads of alcohol it has. The music is great and the servers are nice and knowledgeable of the menu. The bartenders may seem a bit cold but I think they are too focused on pounding out the drinks. The bill comes in a faux-book holder which is a nifty idea to bring out the theme of this place. I will definitely come back here again for drinks and would love to try the food.
(4)Lindsay G.
I had my 25th birthday celebration here this past weekend and it was incredible. Every dish was better than the last, great drinks and our waitress, Amanda, was the absolute best. The service was prompt and attentive, and we (my table of 10) loved every single thing we ate. At 10 when it switched over into a lounge, they let us keep our table and turned the middle of the room into a dance floor. The place filled up quickly, and the line was certainly long - some of my friends had to wait an hour to get in. But everyone agreed it was well worth it, and it was definitely a birthday to remember. I can't stress enough how great our waitress was (Amanda should be promoted 8 times over) and the manager that made my reservation was so nice and helpful, and even remembered our first conversation when he called to confirm my reservation. Great food, great drinks, good vibe, good crowd, good music... Will certainly be back!
(5)Megan L.
This is for late night only. Edited to be more fair and balanced, as the owner contacted me directly to discuss my feedback, clarify some points and address some issues. Given this polite and professional response I feel the need to give Brahmin a bump. The good: The lounge is beautiful. It's a very appealing space and clearly a lot of thought was put into the flow, the number of bars and the look of the space. The bartenders NOT in the crowded center bar were friendly and not slammed. Met some cool people once we were inside. Drinks were good. We asked the bartender for a "delicious shot" and he served up some kind of watermelon vodka business that was tasty and potent. The not so good: The insane line **I recognize that this is a good thing for a business** The fact that the bouncers let any girl with a short dress circumvent said line? **apparently these people were going to a private party** The understaffed center bar--wait times were crazy long The horrendously rude female bartenders --Tried to get one's attention and she came over just to tell me, "That's not going to get you a drink any faster." Umm, I just want to close my tab and get out of here. A male bartender came over to help me after that. Thank God one of them realized they're in a service business. **the owner addressed this with me** Overall, I'll give it another try, probably for dinner.
(2)Dominic S.
Rude bouncer with a power trip. There are just three of us in line on a freezing Saturday night, and he says: "Form a single line so that people can get through". Which people??? There is no one else in sight. The nearest people are already in the bar, or driving by on the Mass Pike. He points to imaginary lines in the sidewalk and tries to arrange our standing positions according some mysterious pattern he has in his mind. The guy needs a hug. Someone hugs him. I hope he felt better.
(1)Jen C.
I went to The Brahmin last week for dinner and drinks with a few friends and we had a wonderful time. The food was scrumptious and the drinks were excellent! Our waitress was attentive and polite. The manager greeted us as well, he was very courteous and extremely classy. I find it impressive that the manager took the time to greet us - unquestionably great service. After dinner we proceeded to the bar where we had the BEST martinis. The bar was very busy, but our bartender was extremely friendly. The music was terrific too; it definitely set the mood to dance. In my opinion, I think The Brahmin is the ideal establishment. We definitely had a fabulous evening and I certainly recommend this place to anyone - it's the full package! Going back again this weekend!
(5)Ben W.
Highlight of the night: Some mid 20s chick clearly high on some amazing shit twirling around in circles through the dining/lounge area while her mid 60s sugar daddy wearing a track suit watches and laughs. Priceless. Want to go to a club, but hate clubs? Go here. Main dining/drinking room with several separate rooms with dancy type music and easy access to booze. Food? Upscale bar type stuff like burgers, but nothing to write home about. Eat next door at Zocalo before you come.
(4)Erik A.
It can get a little pricey, so try not to have more than one drink but most of the small plates are delicious! My favourite is the fried brie, mmmmm Least favourite was a white wine ravioli with crab meat... was missing something and a bit too fishy. Overall, the place is a great space to munch and as the night creeps in, the dancing starts! Upstairs is nicely decorated with outside seating, but its the decent downstairs that creeps me out. The stairs are slanted, not a good feeling after a cocktail or few, and the basement space (from what I gather) is meant to feel like you are under the floorboards... kinda creepy. Overall, a mix of ages and a fun space to dance in w/o a cover!
(4)Heather G.
Unfortunate location. But: GREAT cocktail menu. Fun atmosphere. Excellent value on the food (don't expect any top notch, unique cuisine) All in all, I'll be back.
(4)Curtis H.
I would say, if you haven't tried the food here please drop in to have a taste. Brahmin does have a significant tasty point of view. The food stands out full of flavor and zest. The only issue I have with this place is mgmt! Seem like a bunch of arrogant, non-customer problem solvers who uses profanity to present themselves as the big wolf. I experienced one cursing at me because I turned away and choice not to purchase my food there due to the hard time they were giving me about simply ordering food without an ID. They laughed at me and says "everyone carry's an ID". I said, well I am at work on a lunch break just looking to order food, i come here all the time and no one has ever given me problems about ordering food before. Because of this experience I will never go back there again. Had they have been more tackful in handling the problem they would still have a happy customer. I will never down-play their food though. Service to me is everything.
(1)Minh P.
I went there two weeks ago and it was absolutely the worst experience I've had in Boston. I don't know for some freaking reasons, the waitresses (there were 5 of them hovering over the counter across the hall from us) would not come over to serve us. We literally sat there for 30 minutes with no service. Finally, the guy I was with had to go to a bar to grab me a drink. Oh not to mention they moved us to a different section after the bartender told us we could sit there. Absolutely the worst restaurant/bar experience/service I've had in Boston.
(1)Eric M.
I've eaten here a couple of times now and both times have been very impressed with the quality of the food. We had a few small plates and everything was very tasty. The waitress was friendly and attentive even though it was very crowded with the after work drinks crowd. Would definitely come here again!
(4)Janina T.
Overall, my experience here has been mixed. My time INSIDE the bar was great...it was the waiting to get in that was, by far, THE WORST experience of my life. Granted it is undoubtedly to my discretion to layer up given the weather, however, I did not expect to be waiting for an HOUR, conveniently right in a wind tunnel. I understand that bars either keep the lines long to look "hyped" or it may even be a space issue. However, I feel like it's in the bar's and customer's best interest to, at the very least, put outdoor heaters! It's obviously the customer's choice to wait in line but it's not their choice to freeze. When we were finally allowed it, I do not lie when I say it was a struggle to even walk to the front door from where the line was. I felt like my joints were frozen in place. I had to sit down for a good 10 minutes to get feeling back into my legs. Otherwise, here's a pros/cons list of the joint: Pros - Really good DJ/music--played a good mixture of hip hop and house - Decently priced drinks (in the $6-$7 range for a mixed drink) - Well dressed clientele - Dressy/classy ambience - Multi-rooms (downstairs + the main lounge and a side room upstairs) - Couch space to sit Cons - RIDICULOUSLY and unnecessarily long wait...especially in this kind of weather - The bars didn't seem to be well stocked. At one point they were out of peach schnapps...at another it was pineapple juice. What gives? - Coat check overload? (there should be enough coat space for how ever many people you let in, in my opinion--especially when you see people taking their coats...aka, more coat space) I might come back here again because I generally had a good experience while I was inside. However, I don't suggest going at peak hours (10:30-11:30) unless you feel like freezing your reproductive systems off.
(3)Caitlin W.
I have only been here for happy hours and drinks after work, so I can't speak to the night scene after 9 o'clock. But hte drinks were good, they had an alright beer selection, and the bartenders were attentive. Their tator tots are probably Oreda tots, but still delish, and the fried pickles are really good! I definitely recommend. One time we sat outside, and they told us that we had to order food if we sat outside, but that was OK, we had a big enough group. The flat bread pizzas weren't that great. When i come here, I like to get drinks and fried pickles. I
(4)Whitney F.
I recently held my best friend's bachelorette party at Brahmin. I had been a few times before for drinks and brunch and had really enjoyed the food and the scene. After the bachelorette party I definitely upgraded Brahmin to one of my favorite bars/ restaurants. Overall, it's awesome because it's very nice but still relaxed - something you very rarely find in Boston. Brahmin hits a great mark between being a little more upscale, while still being casual and fun. The service was AMAZING. Our waitress was so attentive and really accomodating. The manager came over to introduce himself and make sure everything was going well. All of the bar staff were very polite and went above and beyond. Someone made a rude comment to me about a scar I have and the bartender bought me a drink to "make up for it" - really nice! I've had both hors d'ouevres and brunch at Brahmin and the food is always excellent, fresh and creatively prepared. Highly recommend.
(5)Saba N.
I came here for a girls night out this past Saturday. I had a really great time once we got inside... there was a big bar in the main room and AMAZING music playing all night. There was also two rooms for dancing, so there was enough space to really showcase my dance moves. Which are awesome. Thanks, zumba. (please note sarcasm). However, getting in was another story. We arrived at 1030, which I realize is prime going out time. We're not stupid; we were definitely expecting to wait a little bit. The line was maybe about 25 people long, so we didn't think it would be too bad. Plus, there was a solid amount of people leaving, too. We waited for over an hour. It was ridiculous. They had this VIP line which basically consisted of douchey-looking guys and skanky girls that wear ugly shoes and they would just show up, look at the bouncer, and get in. I get that when you know a bartender or bouncer sometimes you have some favorability... but, it was too much. At least 20 people from the VIP line got in within 10 minutes... which, after an hour, gets really old. It also got frustrating watching 10 people leave and then the bouncers letting in only 2 people. Haven't you heard of the "1 in 1 out rule?" That being said, I won't hold it against them because of three things. 1: it was super crowded inside, so I guess I understand why they were holding up the line. 2: we arrived at the worst possible time, so it was partly our own faults. 3: the dj was awesome. Next time, I'll show up around 10. I think that would be safer. All in all, fun place.. would definitely go back!
(4)Lisa I.
I went here for a birthday dinner a couple weeks ago and don't think I'll be going back. We had dinner reservations at 7:30PM on a Friday. There seemed to be some event going on, so the music was BLARING. I know it turns into more of a lounge/club later in the evening, but at 7:30?? We could barely hear each other and when we asked if we could move into the other room, they said no, even though there was no one in there. The staff in general wasn't very accommodating. We had an extra person joining our party and they made a big deal about bringing an extra chair over to our table. The food itself was good. A good selection of tapas. The gnocchi and mac & cheese were delish. The burger and the shortrib grilled cheese were ok. Might be a good place later in the evening or for drinks, but wouldn't recommend the atmosphere for dinner, which is actually too bad because the food was decent.
(2)Robyn R.
I have not been fortunate enough to eat here, but it's the type of bar you want to go - exactly what Boston needs. Fun, upbeat, awesome music, good scene and not sweaty and crowded. Great crowd - younger professionals, no college kids and no creepy old men :) I only hung out upstairs, but will go downstairs next time. I've heard the food is incredible and look forward to eating next time. Drinks are strong and fairly priced, plenty of seating and places to move around. It's hard to find a bar in Boston that's the perfect mix between a casual spot and trendy lounge - but you've done it, Brahmin. I can't wait to come back!
(5)Dave F.
The Boston Brahmin's premise -- small, American tapas-style plates paired with craft cocktails -- is a very attractive one. The execution, however, is sorely lacking. My finacee and I dined here on a Tuesday evening. The first thing that grated the senses was the overly loud DJ mix, which clashed with the retro atmosphere of exposed brick and antique furniture. The frenetic pace and volume of the music made it impossible to relax during our meal. The service was intolerably slow. It took about half an hour for our drinks to be mixed and served. Our second drinks, ordered while in the midst of eating our small plates, arrived long after we had finished eating. There were other guests dining, but it was by no means full. The drinks themselves missed the mark. For a restaurant that advertised its cocktails on its sign, I expected better. Their take on the Manhattan, with Saint Germain, was interesting, but overloaded with whiskey. The sidecar was serviceable but ordinary, and the less said about the pineapple margarita, the better. The food was the lone bright spot of our experience. I recommend the beef tartare with quail egg and the grilled prawns, both of which packed interesting flavor. The mac and cheese was pretty tasty, but could have used more seasoning. The goat cheese salad was bland and uninteresting. Perhaps since the Brahmin just opened, it is still working out the kinks. Let's hope so, because the slow service and poorly-mixed cocktails do not have me itching to return any time soon.
(2)Chris W.
Overall not bad, fairly typical Boston bar. You really do need to be in line by 9pm, but the line does move and maybe you'll wait 30 minutes but nothing ridiculous. The various spaces inside give you nice options to roam around and the main room upstairs seems to be most packed otherwise your not overly crowded downstairs. The drinks are good and reasonable and no cover charge is great. The crowd is well behaved. Drinks are easy to come by with 3 bars.
(3)Adriana T.
Brahmin, the old 33!!! The only dance lounge around Boylston/Newbury St. The upstairs is nice for drinks and hang out. The music is not as loud as it is downstairs. After 10PM they bring in a DJ who spins the night away. The music they play is top 20 music soooo if you LOVE Rihanna and Lady Gaga that's your spot!!! I give it a 4 stars because the downstairs can be a little bit sketchy at times but other than that it's a great dancing place!!!
(4)Judy K.
Disappointing. Stereo was too loud and we asked to have it lowered 2X. Place was so dark it was hard to see the menu & food. In fact, a friend of mine went there as well (on a different day) and ended up leaving due to the blasting music. This is a restaurant . Not a night club. The food was uneven in portion sizes and quality. Considering the relatively small number of selections, one would think each item would be fully thought out and tested. Not so. The chef needs to re think some of the offerings. The arugula salad had a dressing that was far too lemony. The advertised apples were miniscule and had to be searched out. Too bad 'cause they could have balanced out the lemon. Generous size. Appetizer scallops = total of two. Drowned in heavy maple sauce. Disguised the delicate flavor of the scallops. Steak, bleu cheese, potato flatbread sounded interesting. Proved not to be. The flavors did not work together. The potatoes were mashed (clashed with crust) and cheese flavor weak. Decent size. The truffled mac & cheese was a good sized appetizer. Not your typical version. More like buttered pasta with bread crumbs. The cheese was secondary and the truffle flavor?? The prices are OK depending on what you order. No real rhyme or reason in the sizes. The place is new and if it wants to last in this area - the chef better get his/her act together.
(2)Kate P.
Our New Spot!! My girlfriends and I heard about the newest addition to Stanhope St & decided to check it out The "Boston Brahmin" theme was intriguing so we were excited to see what it was all about. We were greeted on their patio (major points for having outdoor space) by a friendly & welcoming door staff (always a surprise when bouncers actually smile!). The hostess informed us we could sit wherever we wanted, which didn't seem like big deal until we saw all of our options. We decided to go with one of the lounges close by the tall windows that overlook the patio/sidewalk. The bar is dark & very chic, but the music really gives this place a different energy. They played alot of classic 90s hiphop which is pretty much a guaranteed good time for my girls & I. OK, so most important... DRINKS! This is one area they most certainly did not slack on. They make their drinks look like an art form! It took a little longer than the usual mixed drink, but wow was it worth it! Our table ordered the sidecar, sex & the city, blue cheese martini & the moscow mule - Nothing short of AMAZING!! wow, these drinks were delicious and they bartenders truly took their time perfecting them. FOOD FOOD FOOD. yummmm!!! They have a bunch of "small plates," which is actually perfect for a group like ours. We tasted several items and were perfectly content. We got to try many things without having to commit to an entree (I can never decide what I want anyway). We tried: -Scallops & bacon - wow! -Truffled mac & cheese - I don't know if I will ever be the same! -Potato Coins - perfect snack with different sauces to dip. yum! -Heirloom Tomato & Mozz Salad - a classic, perfected!! Needless to say, I will be going back this weekend. There are so many drinks I still need to try. Service was friendly & informative and the crowd was young & hot. The drinks were amazing and the food is fresh & delicious! Go the Brahmin!
(5)A D.
I was pumped when I saw this place on BuyWithMe and couldn't wait to check it out. I expected a little more consistency with the 20's feel, but that's not a big deal. Me + bf made reservations for this past Friday night. The hostess thought the best place to seat us directly next to a high chair. I went in there expecting a nice Friday night date spot in back bay/south end and instead ended up next to a chatty toddler who was running around the dining room (hey, get a babysitter). Once our waiter finally came, we switched to a better location. There were plenty of free 2-tops. They were out of Mac & Cheese and Tuna Sandwich (both of which we would have tried - we really wanted the Tuna Sandwich for dinner.) (Appetizer) We both started with the Arugula & Goat Cheese salad. Way too lightly dressed, and they brought us the bacon after we had each already eaten half the salad. (Small Plates) Salmon Crudo: Literally, 4 bite-sized shavings of salmon with a couple cukes for $8... Fried Pickles: Soggy and ordinary. Beef Tartare: Delicious and substantial. Our favorite part of the meal. (Main Course) Smoked Bacon BLT w/Truffled Mayo: The bacon was deliciously smokey and the mayo was great. Sorry Brahmin, you are greatly overshadowed by Stoddard's. Like, absurdly. We were pumped going in but were really disappointed :-/
(2)Radhika M.
Nice place, but the music was far too loud. Didn't have as much fun as I expected.
(3)Mcslimj B.
Handsome, clubby-looking space on recently revived Stanhope Street. Based on a single visit prior to its wide opening, The Brahmin looks promising, though clearly tilted at a twenty-something nightlife crowd. Cocktail menu heavy on flavored-vodka concoctions, dim lighting and loud house music, a menu of sort-of-creative small plates. Lots of dark leather sofas, a VIP area downstairs ("You know Frank Sinatra? He's dead: ha ha ha ha!"), many cute female functionaries in very short skirts. I don't have high hopes for the food, but will reserve judgement until they start serving a full menu.
(4)Amelia M.
I was all pumped to get here and be first to review during their soft launch phase (obviously I missed out :-( but it's okay!) The finer points of decor were not unnoticed--old-school leather chairs and couches, funky lighting, creative frames on the walls--and all gave it that drinking-in-a-British-aristocrat's-study feel that tempted me to respond to every yes/no question with "indubitably." The Brahmin has the same awesome combination of top-notch food and not-fussy feel that I love at Drink and Bricco with none of the entitled investment bankers or STD-carrying golddiggers who populate Sonsie and Towne on an average weeknight. Our waiter displayed EXQUISITE attention to detail and was very helpful.... at a new restaurant a question like "can I get my burger with goat cheese?" or "can you make me a g&t with Beefeater?" throws waitstaff for a loop simply because they haven't been around for very long, but the dude who was serving our table was totally upfront--if he didn't know the answer, he checked with the kitchen staff. Is it only a matter of time before Brahmin draws the same weeknight-warrior crowd as some of its longstanding competitors? Indubitably. But for now, I'll be dragging everyone I know out to Stanhope St.
(4)Nicole W.
Definitely make The Brahmin your next spot to visit in Boston. A classy establishment reminiscent of the 19th century New England aristocratic society serving an impressive list of cocktails and yummy small plates. Inside the Brahmin you'll find dark comfortable leather seating, an eye catching copper bar that is lit by beautiful crystal chandeliers. The surrounding exposed brick walls are lined with vintage Boston photographs and gorgeous antique furniture ...certainly a place where you and you friends can stay a while, listen to great music, enjoy fun drinks and food .... and if you need a change of scenery, they also offer an awesome outdoor patio! Did I mention the service is great, too? Definitely a bonus in my book. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Ally L.
Went here for one of my best friends birthdays (we had a large group of people.) We got dinner, drinks, and stayed until they closed. It was a perfect place for us because its all 3 in one: restaurant, bar/lounge, and dancing (DJs). They had pretty good music, wait staff was awesome, food was awesome, drinks were a little expensive but still good. Even management was awesome, the manager on duty introduced himself and asked how things were twice throughout the night. It's a pretty big place - upstairs and downstairs which you can go up and down freely. I would definitely go back again.
(4)CC Lobstah B.
Brahmin has some of the coolest trendiest decor you will find in the city. Super nice waitresses and the manager is a class act. Food is good for the price, flatbreads were good, I got the meatloaf for my entree and it was so-so...other people were very satisfied with their meals, burgers were bomb, ravioli tasty and again VERY economically friendly! The one thing you got to know about this place is it gets LOUD. If you go on a weekend be prepared or leave before 9:30 -10. We were having a great dinner until the DJ maxed out his mixer cranking the volume till we couldn't hear each other. Other than that Brahmin is definitely worth checking out...
(3)Greg A.
Ok, so trying new places can be hit or miss..but this was definately a HIT. The room is decorated tastefully with a very comfortable, loungy feel. Some great background music that doesn't put you to sleep.... The cocktail menu is pretty impressive... I tried their version of the sidecar which was very different than a normal sidecar but very VERY tasty. All the ingredients were freshly muddled and the bartenders really took pride in the making and presentation! The food menu features mostly small plates which are great to share so we ordered the Tuna which is served 2 ways, a tartar and sliced rare over melon...delicious..we also tried the Mac & Cheese, Fried pickles and the Grilled Prawns... nothing dissapointed. the owners themselves came over and made sure everything was good and they were very friendly and personable. The overall service was friendly, prompt and did not make us feel rushed. We'll be back and we'll bring friends!
(5)Jenna K.
I had a great experience here! Service was great (waitress even brought us a pitcher of water, without us having to ask, because we were drinking so much). Food was AMAZING. Had the fried Brie, short rib grilled cheese, buff chix crab rangoon, and fish and chips. Only paid $30 with tip after living social deal. Great food and great value!
(5)Emma S.
The service at Brahmin should merit seven stars, at least from my one experience. Our hostess/waitress was incredibly accommodating, friendly, and talkative, in the most positive way possible. They allowed my group of friends to sit for a few hours with just apps and drinks, no problems! We had our own back room. The beer list was surprisingly small, but solid. Drink list looked great, but I didn't order anything. The food, from my limited experience, was excellent. We got a wonderful arugula salad and caprese salad. Both really well done. The atmosphere was very cool, old-fashioned, dark and inviting. Their music choice, techno-remixes of oldies, did not fit with the atmosphere. I plan on returning frequently, but I hope that they change the music!
(5)Selena K.
Guaranteed good time. Awesome music, unpretentious atmosphere, intimate setting. The lines can get really long on the weekends so its worth going early. This is a great alternative to Boston clubs with table service if you're looking to dance with your friends. They are also accommodating for groups and private parties - definitely call ahead. There is also a private room downstairs if you're looking to ball out.
(4)Sarah L.
Me and one of my BFFs made our way to The Brahmin last night and despite the torrential downpour on our way there, the service and absolutely yummy food made two wet rats feel much better after being seated immediately upon arrival with no reservation. The hostess was gracious and very genuinely welcoming. Said BFF and I had our last of things we wanted to try- I asked Kate (our fabulous server!) her favorites from the menu and they just so happened to be what we had already planned on sharing (okay- and I DO value my fellow Yelpers input-most of the time). Our food arrived in waves- they paid close attention to what got polished off and the next plates arrived within minutes. Here's what we got: Scallops- pretty darned tasty. Served on a small piece of quality bacon kept the sweet flavor of the scallop from being over powered by the bacon. Tuna two ways- excellent carpaccio and slightly seared strips of tuna over thinly sliced watermelon "rectangles" , very interesting! Heirloom and baby mozzarella plate was so fresh and delish. White asparagus wrapped in serrano ham was excellent. Braised short rib with a cauliflower puree- not bad, not great-decent. My half was a bit too fatty. The four cheese flat bread was TDF. I'm usually a fancy pants pizza/flabread girl but this stole the show. I told Kate that I'd be Yelping, and I want to thank you for your great service, advice and friendly smile. We'll be back! A new fave.
(5)Lou S.
We made a reservation for 7 on a Saturday night. They rearranged the seats for seven people. However, halfway through the night, they made one of us get up and gave him a stool to sit on. Speaking of stool, the service was craptacular. Our waitress didn't know the difference between bourbon, scotch, and gin. I had to walk to the bar to find out what they had.
(1)A N.
I had a birthday party for my boyfriend here last week. I had never heard of The Brahmin before, but on the recommendation of a friend we decided to try it - and I'm very glad we did! The location is pretty cool - it's in the Back Bay but it feels tucked away and I liked that. I couldn't believe at 9:30 PM there was a pretty decent line already (when the weekend before last I went to another bar downtown and until 10:00 PM it was dead). Because I had booked a party there, we didn't have to wait in line and getting in was very easy. We had tables downstairs - and while it is a spillover room, I loved it. There's a bar right there so we literally had to wait mere seconds to get a drink. There's different music upstairs than downstairs but both floors were playing pretty good tunes (upstairs seemed more 90's jams and downstairs was more current but wasn't too EDM/techno for me at least). The downstairs felt so intimate and everyone was dancing in the middle of the room. Unfortunately, we had a large group and stayed downstairs because that's exactly what we wanted, but I did go upstairs a few times and it was totally packed and the decor is beautiful. I thought I saw some people (not in our party) get stopped before going upstairs, but I never was stopped or asked anything every time I went up. Not sure what the deal is there. Drinks were strong! The manager Mike was very nice - he met me at the door and took us downstairs and I saw him around the place all night which is cool - I felt like I could have grabbed him if we needed anything or there was a problem. All-in-all, I don't go out very often (we live 20 min outside Boston), but for this one night we did (and for a special night), it was awesome. I'm glad we went to The Brahmin. I told friends if we didn't like it we could always go somewhere else - we all ended up staying till close :)
(5)Chris M.
Went here the other night with some friends. Wasn't really sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. This place has 2 floors so you are able to wander around and hang out in different areas of the bar no problem. I had a tab with a bartender in the downstairs bar. His name was Pete and he was a wizard behind the bar. Our group was ordering all types of drinks and he was spot on every time. He even suggested some really good shots when we decided to make a toast. It really made the night having a knowledgeable and personable bartender, along with the great atmosphere of the club. Check out this place and ask for Pete. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Melissa K.
I've considered making a Yelp account for years, but haven't been motivated enough. After my experience at The Brahmin this past Saturday, I felt I needed to spread the word. What a horrible experience! Don't get me wrong - the venue looks nice enough. Small, but nice. It's the security and management that are the big problem! I was out Saturday night with a group of friends. A very rude, drunk male was jumping all over the place and knocked my drink all over me. He stole the other half of the drink out of my hand. I mentioned this to him, and he replied that he didn't care. He proceeded to get in my face (he was very large) and I felt threatened. I thought he was actually going to hit/push me at one point (he did, actually, with his body). At this point, I stepped away. I heard a girl from a different group complaining about the same man, and going toward the bouncers. I joined her and we both stated that the man was acting horribly, and making us uncomfortable. We did not want him there. Security told us to "calm down" and "slow down," so we finished telling them our story and the other girl returned to her group. I hung around to see what would be done. The answer - NOTHING. I heard the two bouncers behind me saying "nah, that guy's good, he's cool," and that was the end of it. At this point I chose to leave because I did not feel safe. The next day, I called to speak to the manager about the incident. While he was nice enough on the phone (offered to buy me a drink the next time I come back), he did not seem overly concerned. He told me that security needs to be careful about who they kick out of the club, and "it's not that easy to kick people out." ... Umm, isn't that the JOB of security?! Plus the fact that I hadn't even mentioned trying to get him kicked out to the manager - all I said was that security should have spoken with the man to let him know he had to calm down. In any case, this was two unrelated females saying that a drunk male in the bar was behaving badly, making them feel uncomfortable and unsafe! He should have been asked to leave, or at least given a warning! The manager told me that maybe security said something to him at another point in the night (yeah, right..), and that he thought he knew who I was talking about because he saw a guy "kind of bouncing around, but hey, it's a dance floor!" as he said. Hmm... I've been on a lot of dance floors and have NEVER felt this threatened before. By the end of our conversation I had the feeling that the manager was one of the two men from the night before who was protecting the drunk man (who was obviously someone's friend, or a big spender). Overall the manager was dismissive and condescending, just as the men I dealt with the night before were. If you want a place that you feel like you aren't safe, go ahead. Otherwise, steer clear! Bad management, bad security. Oh, and they're also one of those places that keep a line waiting outside when they're not even at capacity. I will NOT be going back!
(1)Tim C.
Went here for drinks on Saturday night prior to dinner around the corner. The lounge feel was fantastic. The DJ was spinning old school tunes that were excellent. Service was good. We'll be coming back.
(4)Angela K.
The Brahmin is close to our office so I've tried this place a few times - it's been okay and I even went back after a staff in training spilled an entire full glass of wine on me - yes, accidents happen but note I got stuck paying for the glass of wine and my dry cleaning bill with no apology from the staff in training) - but this last visit it seemed I was the very first and only person to ever order a low carb burger there. I wanted just simple greens with olive oil and vinegar on the side with just the burger patty on top - that's it - nothing else. Management wanted to charge me $16 for the burger (fine even through I'm not getting all the things that come with it) plus an additional $10.50 for the salad. So, I was skipping the fries, cheese, bread, and bacon, the side of lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion and was changed additional to have them literally open up "pre bagged" greens. Making a profit off dinners with dietary restrictions or asking to remove processed food items from their plate is simply wrong.
(1)Cat S.
I've been here twice now for dinner and drinks. Food is pretty good but not amazing - recommend the flatbreads as they are definitely the winners on the menu. Drinks are imaginative and delicious - tried a few of their signature cocktails and they are strong and good. Tried a Moscow Mule for the first time and really liked it. The atmosphere is really fun - dj out in the open playing loud music, cool decor and a well-dressed, interesting crowd. Definitely an upper 20s-lower 30s crowd - I liked it. The place turns into basically a club I guess, but I haven't spent time downstairs or stayed too late at night. We've used this as a starting point for a light dinner and a few strong cocktails and I enjoy it as a lounge-y place to start a weekend/Thursday night!
(4)Deanna G.
What a fun place with great food. My friend and I shared a bottle of wine and waaaaay to many appetizers. Scallops wrapped in bacon, yes, chicken kebab things, yes, tater tots, yeeeeees. We got the truffle mac & cheese too, which people go crazy for - but I don't like truffle so it wasn't as awe-inspiring to me. Our server was wonderful - I can remember her name, Kate maybe? And the place was aesthetically pleasing to the eye and the music was fun. Will definitely be back.
(5)stef v.
I went to the Brahmin last night. It was lovely. I really liked the music from the guys singing for rat pack tuesdays. The food was delicious and it wasn't as packed as people said in the reviews... maybe because it was a week night? Our waitress could have been a bit nicer, but that's ok. Altogether thoroughly enjoyed myself and will probably be coming back.
(4)Kat C.
After my experience, I really wanted to write an honest review but I'm too scared of the owner to reply back like he has with all the other negative posts....so, I guess that's my review :(.
(2)Michael P.
Couldn't even get to the door to read the menu because the dbag guy doing security said I couldn't go in with shorts/sneakers. Would never go back, been to better places with no dress code.
(1)Rebecca C.
I have been to the Brahmin on a couple of occasions and never had a particularly great time, but it certainly wasn't horrible, nor did i experience anything akin to what some reviewers before me have written. Sure, it takes a long time to get a drink- but it's because the place is busy. Sure, you can wait an hour or more in line, but it's because the place is popular. Sure, the crowd feels young and frat-boy-esque, but isn't that what so many bostonians like? The merits or shortcomings of the establishment aside, what did prompt me to write this review (not only write it but JOIN yelp specifically to share feedback) was how absolutely horrified and appalled i was by the commentary and responses provided by the co-owner/co-manager to other yelpers feedback. Russ or Ed B. or whomever is representing the brahmin on yelp- you should be embarrassed and ashamed by your words and attitude. Your posts are aggressive without any genuine attempt to listen to or accept feedback from your customers (saying things like "i'd like to apologize... but i can't completely" is not an apology, it's a passive aggressive way to belittle someone). You are either ignorant and insecure- or a bully- or both. And many of the tactics you use here to speak to customers are the same tactics used by abusive people to intimidate and manipulate others. Your behavior, at least as it is portrayed on yelp, is demeaning, condescending, passive aggressive, often outright aggressive, manipulative, accusatory and threatening. I will not continue to support an establishment led by the person i have experienced here, and I will encourage my friends, peers, and community members not to support you either.
(1)Lisa S.
I came here for dinner on a Wednesday night with my bf. The place was packed and we weren't allowed to sit near the back where it was quieter since they were filming some dating show (?). We ended up sitting under the speaker and could barely hear each other. We asked to be moved and the waitress was very helpful. We were told to order 2-3 dishes each since its tapas style. But these portions were pretty big for tapas, I think 2 dishes per person or 5 dishes total is enough for 2 people. Loved the gnocchi, shrimp tacos and brussel sprouts. Asian BBQ tacos were a bit too salty. Overall food is great but come here on a quieter night if you want to actually hear one another.
(4)Amber S.
everyone i had on the menu was terrific, but i am taking away a star because they dont have the fixins' for a Bloody Mary :( :( :( i was able to find good parking and our waitress (for a large party) as sweet and quick with everything she had control over.
(4)Lisa L.
This place has a much warmer vibe than when it was "33." The decor is lovely and the menu offerings are varied. I went with girlfriends to celebrate a birthday, and we shared several dishes: - Arugula salad -- really yummy, but the dressing was a little salty - Scallops -- perfectly cooked and HUGE - Tuna Two Ways -- I never thought to put watermelon with tuna, but it was a nice combination! Both of the tunas were superb. - Meatballs -- good, but not stellar. Needed a little more flavor/herbs/spice/something. - Truffled mac & cheese -- light and not overly cheesy. Big serving. Lots of breadcrumbs. Delish! - Tater tots -- so crispy! Loved the three dipping sauces (although the old standby, ketchup, was our favorite) - Fried pickles -- I thought these were going to be really zingy, but they were kinda bland. - Prosciutto & arugula flatbread -- delicious. Had a caramelized onion taste to it. This was my favorite thing we ordered. - White Asparagus (oops, didn't have any) Their wine list was average sized. I had the albarino and it was really tasty. When it came time for dessert, they had one: banana bread pudding. I gave the poor waiter some flak about that. We probably would have ordered dessert if there were more options, but since all 5 of us didn't want the banana bread pudding, we passed. Missed opportunity on their part! One thing I loved was the music! Funky 80s mashups...very nostalgic! The food was good and our server was fine, but nothing really stood out. Because of its tucked-away location, I'm not sure I will remember to go back again unless they do another Buy with Me coupon.
(3)Shelby D.
My boyfriend and I decided to head in one night hoping that our most favorite bartender Frank was working. Sadly, he was not, but we decided to stay and have a drink anyway. The ambiance is really sleek and cool, and the multiple lounge areas are such a great comfy and intimate idea. We sat at one of the couches and got assigned a server, who seemed new to the game. He was, however, very polite and obviously still learning. It was very unfortunate though to see him and other servers spread so thin, as the sections were completely all over the place - our server had out table, 2 across the room, and then some outside on their patio...huh? It also took nearly 15 minutes to get our drinks. The drinks were innovative and delicious though, but I wouldn't wait 15 min for any drink. My boyfriend also ordered a second drink, never got it, and yet it appeared on the bill (which the server promptly fixed upon our discovery). Our friend who joined us later also got fed up with wait times and ordered his second drink from the bar. Luckily it didn't take long for the potato coins, which were a little greasy but still delicious! Overall the atmosphere is great, but some serious organization and timing needs to come together, as well as more hands-on help and responsibility from the management (the manager just seemed to wander around joking with staff, unaware of the lack of organization around him). I usually don't try restaurants until they've been open for 3 months or so, since it does take time to get into a natural rhythm, but these issues at The Brahmin are easily fixable, I hope the staff takes the time to provide their guests with a better experience! Looking forward to going back to use our Groupon, hopefully it will be a better experience!
(3)Nicole R.
Solid place. Came here for a double date with 2 buywithme vouchers -- obviously it's super affordable as we had to struggle to spend all $100. Our strategy was pretty much to order all the small plates. Which we did. The tater tots are actually quite good, particularly the aioli that comes with them. Steak fries are also good, and cheaper than the tater tots so i say fries win over tots here. Arancini really disappointing. Dry, oddly sweet, and just weird. Not a fan. Portobello flatbread was totally solid. Great thin crust, nicely done. Also had the gnocchi which was great. Soft, not overly dense, in a nice gorgonzola sauce. Truffle mac was just alright. Kind of dry. Can't speak to any of the fish/meat dishes my friends got as I'm a vegetarian but I think they enjoyed them. Closed the meal with some banana chocolate thing. It was good, but I was super full and didn't really eat much of it. Huge portion on this dessert. Really good drinks, affordable wine. Split a $32 granacha bottle. Our server was nice enough & friendly, but we never really saw her. Wish she came by more often, we were out of water for quite some time. Manager stopped by to see how we were, which was nice. Bar scene is pretty chill -- I never feel too crowded, they have a nice space. Really loud though, definitely hard to hear who you're speaking with. Music is OK. They have a DJ, so it pretty much just depends on what the DJ is playing. In general good experience. Nothing extraordinary, but solid as I said. I'd come back but I probably wouldn't run.
(3)Kay H.
I think my review is biased so take it for what it's worth. I love going out to dance and I like to get dressed up. This place was good for both with no cover which is great! The interior is nice and looks just like the pictures. I got 2 dark and stormy's which were $10 a pop, not bad for a place in Back Bay. The crowd seemed relatively diverse for the Boston scene and the music was legit... All of which sounds amazing except I doubt I'll be returning anytime soon. My friends and I (about 9 of us- 4 ladies, 5 guys) spent approx. an hour waiting to get in as I watched countess groups of people get in ahead of us. While we were at the front of the line and were in better shape that some other people standing in line about a block long, I was still peeved. I'm usually a patient person but hell, it's January in Boston! Give me a break! Not to mention I watched one bouncer let in all his friends or associates or whoever who just crushed up and ask for a pass. Non discreetly at that!! Again, give me a break. Once we in ally get in, coat check is $3... Why oh why? Lastly, we had to wait downstairs until upstairs became available which stinks because there def. isn't enough room down there. Going back again? Nah, I'll pass but maybe it's your thing.
(2)Melissa W.
I was very impressed with the food and variety of the menu. Buffalo chicken rangoons, shrimp tacos, braised beef short ribs were delish. Four of us (3 guys with me) split 6 things and it was the perfect amount for pre boozing. Around 1030 they moved all the tables and the place got packed. Hip hop DJ upstairs and beats downstairs- good variety, fun crowd, and not expensive for drinks/food in my opinion. Then again I just moved back from NYC where every night out feels like a wallet mugging.
(4)Lauren D.
I tried to go to The Brahmin last night after seeing a show downtown because I had heard good reviews about the food. When my friend and I first walked in it seemed like a nice place and the hostess was friendly when she greeted us. We asked for a table for two and she told us they were booked for the night. My friend and I were both confused because every table (and there were at least 20) in the restaurant was empty except for one. I worked in a restaurant for a long time so I understand that on a Saturday night when you have a lot of reservations it is important to ensure that tables are available when people arrive. However, it was 6:30 and it was just two of us, I'm certain that we could have eaten and left before every table in the restaurant was filled. I also understand that sometimes there are private functions that are planned which prevent hostesses from seating certain tables, but I didn't see any signs indicating that seating areas were closed for a specific event. Given our obvious confusion, at the very least the hostess could have offered some type of explanation as to why, in an empty restaurant, there wasn't a table available for two people to have dinner. The hostess did tell us that we could get food at the bar so we sat down for a minute and looked at the menu. At that point my friend and I decided we would rather go somewhere else, so we went next door to Zocalo's and had a great time. After we finished dinner, we walked by The Brahmin and almost every table was still empty. Perhaps there was something going on that night that prevented the restaurant from accepting any other business, and if we had been notified of such a situation we would have been very understanding. Unfortunately, we were given no explanation and walked away wondering why an empty restaurant thought it was a good idea to turn away business on a Saturday night.
(1)Jennifer Y.
I thought atmosphere and music of old club 33 would change nope it's even more whackier the music that is. I went on a Saturday night. They were playing MJ's abc,123 & a bunch of 80 & 90's hits. Made the best out of it the dj at the lower level had more soul. The place can really get overcrowded!
(2)Manpreet K.
I went here on a Tuesday night with 4 other friends after reading the amazing reviews on Yelp. I was excited to try this new place that supposedly had little or no kinks to work out. Sadly, the experience was anything but special. The service was slow, VERY slow! It seemed like they had 1 server, 1 bartender and 1 cook because everything took time to arrive at the table. The theme of the night was already set. They ran out of Mac n Cheee, which may be understandable, but it was the beginning of the week & it's a new spot. Perhaps they should plan ahead & accordingly (because most of the reviews so far mentioned their amazing their Mac n Cheese). My friends's burger (ordered medium rare) was bleeding red - gross! Server did the right thing & took it off the bill. He then forgot one of the items we ordered and only brought it once we reminded him at the end our meal. At this point, we were pretty much ready to go. Food is decent, nothing out of the ordinary . You can enjoy it while having cocktails but not something you make a meal out of or would suddenly have the urge to have weeks or months down the line. We tried the shrimp (good), potatoes (okay), pizza (okay), tuna (okay). Short ribs arrived way at the end of our meals when we were no longer hungry so didn't get to try it. To sum it up, go to Brahmin for the ambience, patio & cocktails but not for food & service.
(1)Alexandra K.
I have only been here for after work drinks on Friday and even than it was already crowded and the music was playing way too loud. The cocktail list is yummy, plus they won me over when they brought it in a jar like glass. We only had mozzarella app plate, and the mozzarella wasn't that fresh, but I give them points for creativity for putting tomatoes and watermelon on the plate. Never tried that before and it was an interesting taste as the watermelon added freshness to the entire bite. I am excited to come here again and taste more of the menu, and maybe even check out the night time. As for the club downstairs one thing I did notice when going to the bathroom that it is a very small space, and would suit a private party more than anything else.
(4)Alan S.
I don't go out very often and in fact, I don't drink, but when my friend's are in town and I want to make sure they have a good time, this is where I take them. I'm in my early 30s. Don't want to be surrounded by rowdy college kids. Looking for somewhere a little classier and a place that has both a hang out area and dancing .. this bar fits the bill. We actually had a group of 10 wanted to hang out on Saturday night. The manager was extremely friendly and accommodating. Reserved a little area for us for a minimum spend. Our waitress was extremely friendly. Always smiling, making us feel welcome, coming around enough so that we didn't get thirsty, but didn't come around too much to make it annoying. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that it is a little too loud for my taste. I realize it is a bar and dancing and music should be on the loud side. But my ears were ringing while I was trying to go to bed and I could barely talk to my friends at the bar.
(4)Meghan T.
I went here on a Saturday night. I knew it was "new", I knew it was busy, I knew we would wait 40 minutes for a table because they told us. What I didn't know is that after being seated about 35 minutes after arriving we wouldn't get our hands on ANY food for 1 hour and 15 minutes. That is a long time to wait for a salad. We had to flag a different waiter down for another drink and to ask about where the f*ck our food was, and could we please get another drink?? By this time Bell Biv Devoe and Samantha Fox(wtf) pumping on the speakers was starting to be headache inducing. A manager came over and said they were short on kitchen staff and apologized. accepted. Until another 45 minutes went by until we got dinner. They screwed up my friends food and we sent it back. We shared a bowl of parpadelle and veggies which I thought was very good except that I had to SHARE IT with my now starving and cranky friend. And when I say share I mean the same bowl and napkin actually, no one bothered to bring an extra plate. I do recommend the Older Sister Cocktail, it was very yummy as were all our drinks which is what the 2 stars are for.
(2)Kayla M.
I absolutely love this place. I've been here a few times and loved all the food and drinks. The manager is super attentive and gets to know the guests. The last time I went this place went above and beyond. My boyfriend brought me here for my birthday. In the reservations he noted to put a candle in the dessert, which the waitress did. To top it off there was a jazz singer there that night who stopped in the middle of her song to sing happy birthday. I'm not sure if she was asked to do this or if she did it on her own. Either way, I highly recommend this place.
(5)Michael M.
This review regards their New Year's Eve. I was a little nervous going in because the ticket-buying was very disorganized. (And this was true for the 20 or so people I went with.) You would call and be told to call back another time, or told to e-mail someone, or told to come in, but the right person wasn't there. So, I half-expected to show up NYE night and see that at least some of our names weren't on the list. To my surprise, everyone's name was on the list and there was no wait at all to get in. Once inside, it was the ideal set-up. Professional staff. Absolutely no wait for bartenders. Appetizers (and tasty ones at that) passed around all night. Fruits, veggies and cheese all around (could have done without the weird frozen broccoli, but I'm being picky.) And it wasn't too crowded. I assumed it would be pretty crowded, but they must've limited the numbers so everyone had room to breathe. Very impressed with the Brahmin on NYE. The up-front ticket-purchasing could definitely have been better organized, but the actual product was well worth the $40 ticket.
(4)B J.
We ordered 6 dishes! They were all delicious!!!! And the drinks were great too! Sevice very friendly, quick & Mike, the manager is real cute ;)
(5)Susan J.
My girlfriends and I just went for drinks last Friday night. It was sort of quiet, but we had a great time just sitting at the bar chatting. The bartenders were super friendly and suggested certain drinks that they insisted we would love. They were right! Great drink menu! Next time i will go back for dinner.
(5)Jacki F.
Went here for a drinks last weekend and really liked the ambiance. The bar was chic and glamorous without being stuffy. The crowd was young and hip. The drinks were delicious too! I will def be back again soon!
(4)Mara M.
I've been here twice with groups and have found that it's an incredible place for dinner, drinks, and dancing. It's fancy without being pretentious and the plates are just the right size and super tasty. The drinks are amazing. And the manager is super nice and will talk to you and make you feel comfortable. Definitely a great new spot!
(4)Tasha P.
Hey Yelpers! I went to Brahmin with a friend last night and really enjoyed the ambiance!! The quick service, music from the 80s and it wasn't crowded that's what I'm talking about!!! There was fresh fruit at the bar and everyone knows how much I love my fruit!! The bartender was sweet enough to give me a cup of fruit!!! Love the bathroom!! What's with the bill in the book? I still had fun-I ordered the chicken skewers (so so) and the tomato/mozzarella/basil and salad!! I can't wait to go back!! Check it out!
(4)Maria W.
Not as advertised online. When you visit the webpage it appears a nice, dare I say quieter atmopshere (webpage music is "ain't misbehavin'") My husband and I went last night for my birthday dinner and it was so loud we couldn't hear each other at all. DJ music was fine, but not what we expected! most of the tables around us were filled with extremely loud diners; except a couple who sat down next to us and had the same look on their faces that we had. Too loud and not what was expected! If you are looking for a party- this place could be fun. As for the food- some good, some not so good. We were also told that they were out of one dish and then about 40 minutes later saw it being served to a table next to us????
(2)Ca S.
I came last night with a large group of people (25). I had made a reservation for the couch area. That was the perfect space for us: the couches are very cozy, people were also able to stand and chat if they wanted. The staff moved some couches around for us and allowed us to get some chairs in the dining room as long as we left enough room not to make it a fire hazard. Management was much more accommodating to our group than a lot of other lounges/restaurants I had called (a lot of them wanted an exact count, a deposit and a contract). The food was great, a mix of comfort food (tater tots!!) and more elaborate options (scallop in bacon, gnocchi, prawns with chipotle sauce, tuna tartare, arancini, etc.). Everyone loved the trufffled mac and cheese! The drinks were inexpensive and there is a wide selection of cocktails ($10 for the classic cocktails versus $12 or more in a lot of places). Too many to try! The ambiance is great: cool art on the walls (a portrait of Betty Draper from mad Men!), brick walls, good DJ. We will definitely come back!
(5)Sam G.
We went last night and it was a great time. Bartenders poured strong drinks quickly and the price was right. Didn't get to try the food but I will for sure be going back soon
(5)Scott B.
I like this place. It's cozy, the staff is nice, and the food is worth it.
(4)N C.
Hmm this place was okay. Tucked away on the corner of the street, went here on a Saturday night around 8pm. Not too many people in the restaurant- but the hostess looked at as worriedly when we arrived without a reservation- but then seated us promptly. The dining area is quite small- the place is really just a huge bar. I agree with the other reviews- the music is extremely loud, and as we continued to eat our dinner, they kept turning the music up as casual drinkers started streaming into the dining area and just hanging out-- made for eating dinner a little uncomfortable with people standing right next to your table. As for the food, it was decent but I wasn't blown away by anything. The menu is a little short- it has tapas but then maybe about 5 large dishes. My boyfriend and I ordered arugula salad (was okay), heirloom tomatoes (boyfriend said it was okay), mac & cheese (really good), tater tots (also really good- aioli sauce was amazing), and the chicken skewers (okay but lacked flavor). We ended the night with the molten lava cake dessert (which was the best thing we had all night). So all in all, the place was decent, not sure I'd go back for dinner though because the menu is so limited. If I'm in the area again, I'd probably go for a drink.
(3)Michael C.
First things first: The food was pretty good. The steak and potato flatbread was the highlight and we'd rate most everything else a B- or better. (We also ordered meatballs, chicken skewers, and scallops.) The tater tots, while nostalgic, might have been frozen. (Ore Ida anyone?) The service was the big shortcoming-- amateurish at best. First of all, I'm not sure why servers don't write down orders any more. I won't think any less of you and it saves me from having to repeat myself. After we placed our order, what followed is what I like to call "the food auction." A food runner stood between our table and the table next to us and asked, "Did someone order the mac and cheese?" Not us, thanks, but our neighbors did. And later, short ribs that we didn't order arrived at our table. Um, sorry, not us. (We later learned that the food runner was actually the door guy.) The diners on the other side of us sent back the meatballs they didn't order while they waited for the beef tartar that apparently slipped through the cracks. (Again, just write it down people.) Another food runner spilled condiments at our table. A service disaster all around, really--and the primary reason we wouldn't consider returning. I have to mention one more thing. I have never had to complain about the silverware at a restaurant, but there's a first for everything, I suppose. The knives were interesting to look at, but I would have had an easier time cutting my food with a cucumber or a magician's rubber chicken. Such a strange detail to overlook. Pretty? Yes. But I really need to be able to eat with it, too. Sadly, the Stanhope Street curse is likely to continue. If this place is still open for Valentine's Day, I will personally clean the men's room in a Cupid costume. Call me.
(2)Andrea B.
Went this past Friday at 6:10 and was told all the tables were taken for the rest if the night! Ordered two drinks at the bar - one was too sweet but the Boxcar martini was good! One other drink we ordered was nasty and the food was horrible! The tater tots were from a freezer bag and the chicken skewers tastes like rubber. I would not go back again - the cost of the food and drinks was not worth it.
(1)Ariela M.
Great place for a girl's night. 3.5 stars for atmosphere, 4 for service, 4.5 for drinks and meal. They did a good job with the decor - it's laid-back without being snobby (despite the connotations of the restaurant name). The noise level is a bit high, but it's a fun crowd - young professionals and some middle-aged people - maybe I'm getting older but I prefer a place without college students. Servers were polite and prompt. They have a GREAT drink list - several wines by the glass and bottle but of course the highlight is the cocktails...pretty strong but all delicious! There are some classics and some which seemed unique. The food is also surprisingly good for a place I expected to have better cocktails than food - we all loved our apps and dinner, and the portions are substantial and definitely worth the money. We split the tater tots (probably the best ones I've had in a long time, and I'm living in Philly where they're a bar food staple!), the fried pickles, and some salads. For dinner I had the veggie pasta, which was really flavorful, and my friends got the tuna and the burger, all of which they said was delicious. I'd definitely come back with the girls or with a group. There were a few couples there on dates and it might be a bit loud for a romantic-type date, but a great drinks-before-dinner (or after) date.
(4)Caitlin D.
Went here with my roomie the other night to use up a Gilt city voucher and enjoy the cabaret show. Never having been here when it is not super packed on a weekend I was surprised at what a nice atmosphere it offered for weeknight apps and drinks. The deal included a bottle of wine, 4 shared plates and the Tuesday night entertainment which we both very much enjoyed. The food was more than enough and everything we ordered was delish, especially the short rib grilled cheese. From the moment I walked in the staff was attentive and super friendly. I wish I could remember our servers name because she was very sweet and gave great recommendations. Oh, I forgot, we started with mojitios which were equally as amazing as everything else consumed (and I tend to think of myself as a mojito connoisseur). Overall, I would definitely head back there mon-thurs. It's a great spot on the weekend but totally surprised me with quality and service offered throughout the week!
(5)Jessica D.
Social Sunday Brunch I came here for the Social Sunday Brunch put on by Crawl in Boston. Let me start out by saying it was really fun and I would come back to try the dinner menu but what a disaster we had on Sunday! We had a 12:30 reservation, they could not seat us and finally brought up a folding table and put the 8 of us in a corner by window, which actually turned out nice; we had our own little private dining area. I do not think they were expecting the amount of people that showed up for not only brunch but for the drinks and DJ. Our food took forever, we didn't get it until after 2pm and they messed up on many of the dishes. I do have to say though my veggie omlette with goat cheese was delicious and the potato fries were the best, nice and crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. The other orders were totally messed up - the French toast came with syrup, which was ordered on the side, the burger came with cheese even though she said NO cheese, two sandwiches were way over cooked, burnt rolls as was a second burger. A few of us enjoyed the meals. The drinks were not that strong at first. The home fries are actually tater tots, which are breaded ! (I ordered no toast with extra 'home fries' because I have a gluten allergy but obviously they didn't know what I was talking about, luckily I do not have a server allergy and was able to push them off the plate). Our waitress was great, a little slow but not her fault on her second day of an overly crowded and under staffed restaurant. I think the management needs to better run (we did get compensated for the mishaps) but still they need some help. All in all we had a great time, we just didn't appreciate waiting so long for our food.
(3)Shannon C.
I checked this place out after I bought a 6 small plates deal from Rue La La. I used to come to this place when it was 33 Lounge. It's definitely a fun vibe, the music was loud & decent & the bar was packed. No creepers and no college kids. I got a pomegranate/vodka drink that was overwhelmingly sweet & the waitress was kind enough to let me switch it out for something else. We ordered the truffled mac 'n cheese, meatballs, arancini, shrimp, tater tots & scallops. Despite the fact that my (very hungry) date worried about leaving the place starving, this was way more than enough for 2 people! Our faves were the *mac 'n cheese - it was huge! Not a small plate at all & had the perfect amount of truffle flavor. *The scallops were also really good - the orange/maple sauce was amazing & they were cooked perfectly. Everything else was good as well - but those were the best. A great place for a fun date or a girls night.
(4)marcy G.
Went for an early dinner and were among the first ones there around 6:30 on a Friday night. We were impressed with the interior as it was very trendy. We sat along the back wall at a pub table and it was a lot quieter back there. Ordered salads which were a large size for the price. Ordered some of the small plates. The tater tots were delicious with different dipping sauces and the chicken skewers had a good flavor. The salmon was not worth it. Thought we'd get a piece of cooked fish and it was four 3" strips for $8. We ordered a burger which surprisingly came with fries as the we thought the menu was a la carte. Also a cheese flatbread which was about 16" around. All in all, our food came out hot and we had great service. Would definitely go back again.
(5)Xin S.
4 stars for food, ZERO for service, so I think 2 overall is fair. We had the slowest service ever, it was really unacceptable. Our dinner took two and a half hours with most of it spent awkwardly wondering where our food was and our server NOwhere in sight to flag down. Our apps came quickly and were delicious (shortribs were excellent, beef tartare was very flavorful). Once apps were done, we began the most ridiculous waiting game. Two other tables were seated after us, ordered, got their food, ate, paid and left before we saw our entrees. When our server (FINALLY) came around, I asked if our food was coming, he gave me a blank stare and answered with an abrupt "yeah..." By this point over an hour had gone by and he made NO acknowledgement of this. When the food finally came, it was delicious--I won't knock them for this, the food truly is quite good (my tuna sandwich was wonderfully rare, but the avocado was BROWN--clearly it had been prepped and waited and waited and waited for the tuna?? Our pizza was good too, but the burger was way overcooked). Then it took forever to get our check (shocker!) The service was truly unacceptable and bordering on unprofessional. I would not return, which is a shame because the food wasn't at all bad, but I would never want to put up with that kind of 'service' again. Also--they served prosecco in a PLASTIC flute--seriously??
(2)Jennifer G.
I've been here on multiple occasions, and I have to say that every time has been nothing less of spectacular. Great atmosphere. The first time I went here was for dinner and the live band. The venue was tucked away in Back Bay, so was a little hard to find initially. The servers were all very friendly and seated us at a table near the band. Being overwhelmed by the menu, our server explained to us that the menu items were all smaller sized, similar to tapas. They recommended 2-3 per person. Tip: you MUST get the short rib grilled cheese bites. Absolute must. The flavor of the short ribs and crispy cheese melt perfectly in your mouth. Amazing. All of their menu items are pretty unique and I can't say I've been disappointed with anything there. I also came here one night for a friend's birthday. They take the tables away around 10 PM I believe, so the restaurant becomes more of a bar/lounge with a dance floor in the back. The music is pretty good. Not your typical club music or Top 40's playlist. I was very impressed with their service. Another time I made a reservation for a party of 8, they were extremely accommodating to our needs. The event director, Jill, emailed me afterwards to follow up on our reservation to make sure we had a good time. As an added thank you, she even offered to help us out with future events and parties and offered a free appetizer for us since we're such loyal customers. Again, very impressed.
(5)Ann J.
ATMOSPHERE Brahmin is the perfect mix between a bar and a dance club. There are couches and tables for those who prefer to sit, and a large dance floor for those who prefer something more lively. Overall the feel is a little bit nicer than casual. The majority of women were in dresses and heels. BAR The drinks at Brahmin are a bit on the expensive side. At one point I was thirsty and asked for water but was told it had to be bought in a bottle. So instead I asked for sprite which cost me $3.50. Seemed a little ridiculous to me. ADVICE Brahmin is the place to go if you want to dress up and avoid the college scene. One other nice point about brahmin is that there is no cover. The majority of nice bars in Boston require at least a $10 cover, so getting in to brahmin for free is a huge bonus. My advice, pregame before you go and enjoy the dance floor!
(4)Jonathan S.
Brahmin is a great local hangout after work especially those in John Hancock building and surrounding offices. This review is for dinner on a Thursday at 6:30 PM. Service For a busy bar they actually have decent service. The waitress checked on our table multiple times and asked us to see if we wanted anything else for our order. She was very courteous and responsive. Food The food is pretty decent for a casual drinking hole. The Mac and cheese has a decent consistence and the tater totes are stand outs. The fried pickles have a bit to much dough/starch. The melted cheese is good but a bit heavy on the butter. Drinks were good but the gin and tonic was a bit watered down. Presentation is excellent. I recommend ordering a bunch of dishes and sharing with friends.
(3)Laurie B.
I really enjoyed The Brahmin last Friday. We were celebrating my friends 25th birthday. Pros: Located a short distance from Backbay station. Two different floors which means more good music. Great drinks and not that badly priced for Boston. Extremely nice staff. Free water jug next to coat check! Classy and clean! Cons: Long wait to get in. (Totally worth it AND expected on a Friday) Had to pay for coat check. (I'd rather pay for it then have to hold my coat) I hope to find myself back at The Brahmin next time I'm in Boston.
(5)Omar N.
In reference to the comment and reply below to David. I seems that the managers reply to every incident is that he was there and he saw the whole thing. I will not go so far as to call him a bold faced liar... I've actually never seen the gentleman. The review David left actually involved me specifically. I was wearing a pair of all white chuck taylor low rise casuals (not Jordans all black men don't own Jordans) and the other gentleman that got into the lounge wore navy blue or black vans flats (not uggs). Almost identical canvas material and rubber sole. I was told that I had on athletic footwear...and that the other gentleman was wearing boat shoes (he never even looked at his shoes before letting him in...not the way he stopped to check mine.) David spoke up respectfully asked what the criteria was because the difference in this case was minimal. Of the two men there none of them were managers with a super sayan jersey shore blow out, and home depot orange tan. I know this because I've been to the shore before...i digress When the blatant bigotry was brought to their attention one of the men at the door said "so you're gonna play the black card...you know ignorance comes in all colors?" Thank you David for speaking on my behalf...you saw something you said something; and because I didn't want to ruin the evening tried to look past it. All things considered this was a private establishment with a demonstrated "flexible" dress code, maybe they could have made and exception. I expected the half assed "sorry not sorry" passive aggresive response for the manager...but nothing in his statement was true.
(1)Dan C.
Our bartender Rory is the worst piece of shit ever!! Avoid this Resturant when he works!!! He spit in our food! AVOID at all costs
(1)Courtney K.
To start off, I only went here for the night club hours and cannot comment on the food. As a Manhattanite my standards for night clubs are pretty high, and this was one of the better places I've been to. Music was on point- combo of top 40s, remixes, and older 90's hits so everyone was likely to hear something they enjoyed. Coat check and bartenders are efficient, bathroom is clean, and its in a fun neighborhood! The crowd is young and hip which I liked too. Great for coming in groups and meeting new people as well.
(5)Amanda M.
Wow what can I say about this bar. I requested a song and they did not play it at all, upstairs or downstairs. It was kinda rude. But to be honest i had a really good time and I would probably go back again. The basement was sweaty and everything I hoped for in Boston.
(3)Robyn B.
Don't try coming here after 10pm... the line really is that bad... BUT if you get here around 9, you'll have a fun night. Good (weak) drinks, good food (pretty much everything is fried, though, fyi), and the dance floor is entertaining.
(3)Shaina F.
My first time here, the atmosphere was really awesome! No cover and they have a little outdoor spot, as well as bars in 3 different rooms so it was super easy to get a drink, and they weren't too expensive! $6ish for a beer, $7-8 for a mixed drink...not to shabby I've certainly seen worse. Lots of dancing which was fun, but it got a little crowded later on. Overall an awesome place, I would definitely go back! Good crowd :)
(4)Angel M.
So my cousin chose this restaurant for her bday. It was nice. The server was really nice and helpful. I can't remember her name, I just remember that she said that she was Brazilian and she was really cute and nice. A friend at the table ordered a white sangria. We ordered it after seeing hers but ours had less fruit. Someone else at the table just mentioned it to the waitress, and she quickly replaced ours (even though I was almost finished) with new ones made like the first one. That made my day. Pros; the short rib grilled cheese was AMAZING!!!!!!!! You HAVE TO GET IT!! That was probably the most filling/satisfying of the small plate options they had. -she was really good at suggesting drinks. The drinks were good and the prices were not too bad ($9.35 per sangria) - I don't think we got a gratuity charge and there was about 8 of us -the food was really good!! Cons: -the food doesn't all come out at once. My asparagus fries came first and I was hungry so I was the only one eating -the small plates are literally small. I got the asparagus friend bc I saw a pic on here that looked bigger. But I probably only got 8 pieces for $7 -she didn't separate our checks. But other than that this place is cool. It turns into a club afterwards!
(4)Shawna H.
I would give this place NO stars, but Yelp made me give it at least 1....my best friend had a party of 20 in this bar. My boyfriend and I showed up and my boyfriend was denied to get in because he had Tim boots on. I'm sorry but that is bullshit!!!! There were men inside with flip flops on and women can wear whatever they want to with no hassle. We have a party of 55 going there next weekend, most of them being Boston Firefighters (including my boyfriend) I will be canceling this party here and bringing our service elsewhere! Their loss!!! Thank you for responding! I completely understand "set rules", I respect that you follow them. What I don't respect is how we got treated that night. The manager on that night came out to speak with us, and I quote said, "You are better off spitting in my face, than getting in here with Tim boots on", and continued to laugh in our faces! Completely unnecessary! Like I said we did take our party elsewhere. If we just got turned away that would be one thing, but we politely asked to see the manager because we drove all the way from a family party in Beverly to our best friends party there. We did nothing to deserved to be spoken to like that. If wearing boots makes you a bad person, I will take my marine/firefighter elsewhere. Your staff should learn some serious respect.
(1)Yen T.
I have never been to a place with worse customer service. The line is ridiculously long for mediocre music and the management is atrocious. Arbitrary judgment calls over the dress code (whatever constitutes as dressy shoes - boat shoes vs. vans vs. sneakers) ruined what could have been a fun night of dancing that would have led to word-of-mouth recommendations to my network. Either way, the dispute was poorly handled as the staff were less than accommodating - to say the least - and frankly treated us in an impolite and even disrespectful manner. Don't bother wasting your time at the Brahmin.
(2)Danae K.
Excellent place for drinks, and if you come on a Friday or Saturday night, excellent for dancing. I highly suggest coming here for an enjoyable night out
(5)Kat G.
I've been here a few times now and enjoy it every time. It can get busy quite quickly, so it's always worth going early. The cocktails are tasty and the service is usually pretty good. I haven't eaten there, but wouldn't definitely go and try it. Great for meeting friends for drinks!
(4)Kacie D.
I've been here twice and loved the food and drinks. The deep fried brie, fried pickles and short rib grilled cheese bites were out of this world. The drinks were a bit pricey, but not unlike most restaurants and bars in the area. The wait staff on both occasions were so helpful and friendly. I went both on a Saturday evening and a Wednesday evening and neither time was there a crowd, despite the reviews. I would recommend making a reservation to be safe. The best part is their monthly gift card program!
(4)Jordan K.
I want to start off with this review is complicated and has many variables. I feel like this place is actually really good...so good and so popular in fact that it actually hurts its rating. I would like to give this place 4 or 5 stars, but I think its popularity and therefor crazy packed crowd end up taking away from the experience. I will set the stage. I set up a group of 10 or so people to meet here. After much thought we decided on Brahmin over Whiskey Saigon due mostly in part to us having been to WS and not Brahmin yet. I got there a little later than I had planned, 10:30 and it took FOREVER to get inside. We had to have been 20 people back from the front of the line for 45 minutes. My body and feet literally seized up from the cold. By the time we got in, I was frozen, couldn't feel my feet (necessary tools for dancing) and whatever buzz I may have had when I got there was long gone. Within ten minutes we had checked out coats and made our way to the bar. While waiting behind two people to order a drink, a nice waitress came up and asked what we would like. We figured this would be easier and faster. HEADS UP - Do not order from the waitresses. It is WAYYYY longer of a wait. It probably took 20 minutes to get our drinks. I can only assume she was taking multiple orders a round or got stuck in her own line at whatever counter she uses for make/pickup drinks. After a few drinks we made our way onto the dance floor. The point of this night was for loud music and dancing so it appeared we did pick the right place. The floor was jammed with people...sweaty and smelly and...probably exactly what you should be expecting if your goal is to dance (I cannot bash them for this). I will say though...the dance floor is too small and the two small openings to get in are easily blocked. The bathrooms and I believe a second goat check are located downstairs along with another bar. I do not know if this is common, but the ratio of women to men was OFF THE CHARTS. Any guy reading this...go downstairs when you come in and quickly take in the surroundings. It was pretty crazy that night. Can someone comment back and tell me if that is normal?? Here are some quick ratings: Overall - 3/5 stars Bar - Good drinks, but lengthy service duration. Bartenders did not seem to be in a rush. 3/5 stars Line - This was crazy long. It is not the fault of Brahmin though, they are just absolutely packed. That being said, lines suck. 2/5 stars Bathrooms/cleanliness - Perfectly fine. Not good, not great. 4/5 stars Music - Music selection was good, but that is probably subjective to the DJ. Ill give it a standard 3/5 stars Dance Floor - I am sorry, but you have great music going, but way too small a dance floor. Do some rearranging or get rid of that little bar in the corner. - 2/5 stars All in all, I may come back again when it is a little bit warmer. Suggested group size is 3-6 (I say 3 because I do not see this as a 1 on 1 date spot). Hope this review helps!!
(3)Brittany S.
Absolutely love this place, filled out a loyalty card last time I went... Received it in the mail today but expired 12/26/14 . Thanks guys, sure showing appreciation to your customers.
(2)Jennifer C.
Came here for late night cocktails with my co worker and the bartender was an absolute dick. I normally don't use profanity online but there is no other word to describe him. He was rude and a jackass at the least. The drink he served me was disgusting and completely watered down. When I told him that it didn't meet me satisfaction he grabbed the drink from me TOOK A SIP FROM MY STRAW and told me that it tasted fine to him and if I wanted another I would have to pay. Fair enough, I would have paid for another drink but his rudeness wasn't necessary. ESPECIALLY because it wasn't even that busy yet. Fair to say I won't be back.
(1)Meg K.
Four stars for the bartender and the food. Minus two for the waitress and hostess. I first sat at the bar waiting for my friends and our reservation. The bartender served me right away and then my friends when they arrived. We then moved to our table and on the second check-in where we weren't yet ready to order, our waitress asked if we could give her a time estimate so she didn't have to keep coming back. The restaurant was fairly empty, so we felt a bit weird and told her 5 minutes. Odd stuff like this kept happening, but the food was at least stable. We ordered six dishes for three of us (it's tapas style), and that was the perfect amount. Everything was tasty and I'd order it again. After we paid our bill, our waitress started clearing the table while we were still sitting there, so we got the hint that she was done with us and decided to leave. The hostess completely ignored us, too busy with her conversion with another restaurant staff member. We felt really unwelcome there. Expect a pricey set of tasty plates served by a girl more concerned about herself and her looks than your experience.
(3)Lillian C.
This is another one of Boston's "clubs" that doesn't charge cover but the line can get REALLY LONG. So basically, get here early! It's a pretty cool place with a lounge area and a small dance floor off of that on the ground floor. The basement is noticeably smaller with barely any space to dance with the sitting sofas and tables. The music they play is decent, but it's not as great as some of the other places I've been. Also, it just seems like a place that gets really crowded and messy/dirty, but not as douchy as some other places. I like the lounge area with the bar since it's easy to get a drink and chill if you don't feel like dancing. I've only had a lot of fun when I went with A LOT of people tho...
(3)Brian P.
It seems like every review of this place is a 1 or a 4 which is enough make you suspicious, but I ended up there last night and just as other people have stated they are extremely strict on their "shoe code." I'd say dress code, but everyone was turned away for the same reason. It's not to say that an establishment isn't allowed to have a dress code regulations, but the sign specifically says "No Athletic Sneakers" which I would consider shoes you would see at the gym, or a basketball court, etc. My friend and I had just purchased brand new, $100+ fashionable sneakers from Bodega (high-end, retro shoe store with it's own secret entrance) and I had on $200 designer jeans, and a designer t-shirt. Honestly, I was one of the best dressed customers there, yet my $300+ outfit didn't meet their standards. I bet they would have let Kanye West wear my sneakers inside, but apparently our money was no good to them. What bothered me most was the fact that the bouncers would allow people to wear in dirty, old, cheap non-dress shoes that looked similar to the Payless clearance section, but I can't wear a pair of non-athletic $100 Nike's that are fresh out of the box. We even asked if we could wear them inside if we purchased bottle service and a table. At first the bouncer outside said yes, then he went inside and came back and told us no. We asked to speak to the manager and he wouldn't allow us to do that either. My group were all sober by the way, and were trying to negotiate a deal with them. We all have money and were willing to spend hundreds of dollars in their bar, but they weren't having it. My final comment to The Brahmin is remember who you are. You're not Las Vegas, you're not New York City. You're Boston. You don't even charge a cover... so how does excluding "athletic sneakers" improve your customer experience? Well it doesn't. I won't go back, I'll tell all my friends not to come back, and hopefully the people of Yelp will realize there's better places to spend their time. P.s. Your website doesn't show your "dress code" policy and I looked diligently to find one, so perhaps you should update that. I'm excited to see what the "business owner ed" will respond with. The line at Vegas has you at +5 spelling errors.
(1)David J.
If you read the reviews of this place on yelp, you will see that the doormen/bouncers have some discretion as to whether they will allow people wearing sneakers into their establishment. Given that entrance was granted to a white guy dressed very similar to a black guy that was denied entry, one has to question the reasons why. To make matters worse the doorman called me "ignorant" for surfacing this fact. #nevergoingback #bramin_sucks #call_it_what_it_is #racism
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