The Burren — Restaurant in Somerville

I get it, your Back Room hostess was stressed out. Still, I don’t need to be screamed at after paying for my meal. Sunday afternoon after St. Patrick’s day, it must have been a long 4 days, even tho the restaurant was not full. In 30 years of thousands of restaurants, I have never been yelled at by staff. Not once, until now.

We were looking for an Irish type place after the Southie parade, and chose Burren based on online reviews. Plus it’s been there for 20 years, so they must know what they are doing, right?

Never mind that the Fish in the Fish & chips had no taste other than grease, and was small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Never mind that the side order of onion rings consisted of 3.5 rings. Never mind that they don’t hire enough waitresses so we hardly ever saw ours. I am OK with all of that. I have paid more for less. My bar is set low. As long as I don’t see spit in my food, I’m ok.

Fine, we paid our money, tipped 20A% plus, and are on our way. Out the back door, the way we came in. We were parked in the lot out back, with a sign over Burren’s back door reading PARKING LOT IS FOR BURREN PATRONS ONLY!!!

We are stopped at the entrance the back restaurant by the hostess. (White female, black hair, black clothes, 50’s) Incredibly rude off the start. Both hands up to my chest, “You can’t come in here, there is a show going on!” Ok, I would have preferred a “how can I help you?” but whatever.

And the stage was bare, but whatever.

“Just leaving.” “You have to go out the front” “But we came in the back door.” “No you didn’t. Now get out.” “But our car is out back, with our jackets, and…” “NO ITS NOT!!!!” “Our car…” “NO ITS NOT!!!!” “…is in your lot…” “NO ITS NOT!!!!” “….out back.” “NO ITS NOT! NO ITS NOT! NO ITS NOT!!!”

Ok, I can take a hint. You are mad that I gave you money. And you are convinced I lied about what door I used. And where I parked. Making a U turn, another employee (white male, dark hair, heavy, 20’s) told us the back lot was for “staff only”, also a lie. I can understand a policy of “the Customer is NEVER Right”, but Burren staff disagrees with Burren’s own signage. Normally I would ask for the owner, but screw it, it was a long day and we just wanted to get home.

We walked around the block, freezing. Yep, car was still there, next to the door marked PARKING LOT IS FOR BURREN PATRONS ONLY. At this point I was just happy they did not have me towed.

You are pretty busy, and don’t need my business. Don’t worry, you won’t be getting...

This was my first experience at an American bar - and it was one of the worst nights I had. This is the only google review i have ever written because it was so bad.

My friends walked in, and I bought an overpriced drink with cash and I didn’t tip - because I wasn’t familiar with America and their culture for expected tips. Where I’m from, tips are only given when it’s high quality service.

The bartender lady yelled at me saying “HELLO?? Why didn’t you tip??” I didn’t know what she meant so I started turning around. She yelled, “EXCUSE ME If you don’t tip, you’re not allowed another drink!!!” I didn’t want another drink, so I ignored her She kept going, “You don’t believe me?? I’ll tell the other bars you’re not allowed anymore drinks!!” At that point, I got really scared and went over to my American friends who were away from the bar. I didn’t tell them about what happened because I don’t like making a scene. Ten minutes later, when we were walking to the other side of the bar, she went around the bar and stopped my group and said “You can’t pass through here until you finish your drinks because YOU didn’t tip. Who doesn’t tip?? Seriously??” We were in shock - One of my friends was ready to fight her, but I didn’t want to cause a scene so I took out $2, which she snatched it from my hands, and let us pass through saying loudly “Seriously who doesn’t tip??”

My American friends later told me that bartenders rely heavily on tips because their wages are very low, so now I know why tips in America are expected - but I hate the way this bartender dealt with it.

I couldn’t enjoy the rest of the night because of that experience and left early. This was a terrible first experience of American bar, and I hope other bartenders are not this rude. She was a blonde lady with arm tattoos. To the bartender: -if you’re reading this, please consider being more polite to future customers. To management - Please pay your employees actual wages so they do not have to rely on...

Pretty much my favorite and most preferred Irish pub/restaurant in the whole Boston area (and there are dozens upon dozens). Always a Great experience in The Burren, always a Great and superbly poured pint of Guinness, Great food, Great service, this Great and relaxing atmosphere all while featuring Great and spiritually uplifting music that can often be heard percolating throughout the Old Country styled interior. Love it! Ireland in a nutshell!

Yes, this slice of Ireland in the heart of Davis Square, in Somerville, yet always drawing this thoroughly diverse and eclectic crowd, with this fine array of various elements, Bohemian, college aged, artists, urban professionals, tourists, locals and even the occasional celebrity (such as Bono from U.2.).

Also, the inside ambiance is just perfect, just dark enough without being too dark, while the usually fantastically diverse and amazingly mixed crowd helps to keep generating such positive and feel good vibes that seem to be this perpetual presence.

More-over, I've experienced many fascinating intellectual discussions and debates while guzzling pints of Guinness inside that beloved neighborhood watering hole, often while there was this soothing, pleasant and traditional Irish session being played, usually poignant enough to transport one, even if only temporarily, right back to the green fields of the Old Country.

Can't say enough about this famed and popular Irish establishment, while it's always ranked as one of the finest and most genuine Irish pubs in the whole United States (no surprise there!). I would highly recommend The Burren to anyone, as it truly is one of the best, most enjoyable and most thoroughly Irish pubs to be found this side of the Atlantic. ...