Ned Devine's (Faneuil Hall). Boston, MA.

1 North Market Street

Guinness Tag: $10.00 | Overall Rating: 6.85

Today's Dedicated Pint: Peter Faneuil

For any of you who don't know, there's a big marketplace in Boston called the Faneuil Hall. It opened back in the 1740's as a combined marketplace and public meeting hall. Many famous names have either preached or protested here, including Sam Adams, George Washington, John Hancock, and JFK (to name a few). The place is one of America's most famous staples, and there's an Irish Pub called Ned Devine's tucked right smack dab in the middle of it.

Well, it's actually on the tail end of the building, but nonetheless, it's pretty neat. The Pub has two floors. We imbibed at the upstairs bar today as the one downstairs is rather small and heavily packed (we chose a slow time to go when we finally sat down, as every other time we walked past it the downstairs was packed like sardines). The bar on the first floor has a lot more charm to it than the one upstairs. I like how it overlooks the marketplace though; it's a fantastic spot for people watching. Anyone who knows me knows that a barstool with flowing Guinness and people watching is going to be one hell of a hilarious time.

As you make your way upstairs, you'll notice a bit of a sporty atmosphere, with a bunch of TVs surrounded by tables. The bar counter itself isn't too big, but it holds enough to make for some fun chatter with the right people. The staff throughout the place is actually quite lovely, and you're going to find a brogue or two which is awesome.

When I started this journey a few years ago, sometimes I'd get a little peeved whenever a Pub didn't have a dartboard anywhere. Once I grew a little more sense in me, I realized that not every Pub should have a dartboard, especially steel tip. A place like this with so many kids around and tourists would make a dartboard a deathtrap and a nightmare for not just the staff, but for responsible patrons as well. Needless to say, Ned's doesn't carry darts, and I'm totally ok with it! That still doesn't mean I won't get a little peeved every once in a while at another Pub where it makes total sense to have a board on the wall (and they don't). The game of darts can really brighten up an atmosphere, even for those who aren't playing.

The Guinness was served with a smile and a few jokes, and the pour itself was worthy of the nod. There's always someone out there that will pick on a pour like this (no dome), but I was happy with it. Any day that has Guinness involved is a good day, and I'm in a good mood this morning.

Their wine selection is finer than the liquor in my opinion. The whiskey choices are mediocre at best, which is a little surprising being that people here clearly have a bunch of money to spend (not all of them). Think about the amount of men/dads who are just hanging out while the women go shopping. You don't think they're sneaking in a quick sipper of Midleton Very Rare while their wives blow $120 on a sweatshirt? In the words of the magnificent, Chad Johnson; "Child, please."

There's definitely charm here. They have a fun staircase, exposed brick, worn in countertops, fake trees, and stonelike walls upstairs. It's a little manufactured, but it's not too bad. The music is a bit all over the place, and it seems like they play mostly upbeat rock (Send Me on My Way, by Rusted Root). I hope they sprinkle in a Gaelic song or two here and there, but I didn't witness any during my stay. The toiletries here are great, and they don't smell like a fresh pile of dung like the public ones below the Hall.

We had a brief chat with some barflies who were from Fort Mill, South Carolina, and the bartender chimed in as well. This Pub is certainly more of a "turn and burn" type of place, where people are just filling in and flowing out as they shop. If you want any luck finding the Craic and killing an hour or two with the same people here, then you gotta find a barstool during non-rush hour.

This is a fine Pub. It displays a good mix of proper and western, and as much as I'd like to recommend you take a seat here, I'd happily tell you to go to either Biddy Early's, Emmet's, Mr. Dooley's, or the Dubliner down the street. However, if you're not pinched on time and/or you need a little break from walking around all day then by all means: grab yourself a pint or three at Ned Devines!

If I have kids of my own one day, and we make it back to Faneuil Hall, I can guarantee you'll find my ass sitting on one of these barstools at some point during our wander. If you're going to pick a touristy Pub here, then I'd say you may as well go to The Black Rose, but that one's always a hit or miss depending how full it is and who's filling it up.

Thanks for the fun time, Neds. I'm going to stumble into the next one. Slainte!