Charlestown sits on the peninsula north of downtown Boston, between the harbor and the Mystic River. Its streets combine residential blocks, Revolutionary-era landmarks, the Navy Yard, and everyday local businesses; Main Street and City Square remain important neighborhood corridors. For visitors looking for a pint, pub food, or Irish music, the choice is not only about the menu: Tavern at the End of the World and Sullivan’s Public House are in different parts of Charlestown and offer distinct experiences.
The venue most clearly oriented toward Irish pub traditions is Tavern at the End of the World on Cambridge Street, near Sullivan Square. Its own website describes it as an Irish pub and advertises more than 50 beers, classic bar food, and an Irish session on Saturdays from 5 to 8 p.m. The menu includes fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, curry, and Guinness beef stew; weekend brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Comments on the exact Google Maps listing mention Guinness, fish and chips, and cottage pie, alongside favorable impressions of the atmosphere and staff. The website does not maintain a brand-by-brand draft list, so confirm that Guinness is available on the day of your visit.
A few transit stops south, near Main Street and Community College, Sullivan’s Public House calls itself a neighborhood Irish pub, though its current menu has a broad casual focus: New England clam chowder, wings, burgers, nachos, and tacos. Recent history helps explain that evolution without conflating the businesses: a local outlet reported that the Town Taqueria food concept began operating there in 2025, and a 2024 Boston Licensing Board agenda recorded a request to change the trade name. As of October 2026, the website and Maps listing still use Sullivan’s Public House. We did not find a current official beer list confirming Guinness by name, so this guide recommends it as a neighborhood pub with casual food rather than promising a specific stout.
The two venues can be reached by public transit, but they do not form a short walking circuit. Sullivan Square station connects to the Orange Line, while MBTA bus routes 92 and 93 run between Sullivan Square and downtown via Main Street or Bunker Hill Street. Tavern is toward the neighborhood’s northern end; Sullivan’s is closer to Community College. Check the MBTA trip planner for the current route and return journey, especially for Saturday’s music session or a late finish. Charlestown is residential and commercial as well as a destination for visitors to historic sites; these pubs work best as separately chosen stops rather than one compact bar district.
For a practical plan, choose Tavern for its scheduled Saturday Irish music and classic pub menu, or Sullivan’s for a neighborhood bar setting and casual food. Public reviews describe individual visits and cannot guarantee identical service or programming every night. Check the current schedule and menu before setting out, since hours, beer availability, and events can change.
Check current details and choose according to your budget, time and way of travelling.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
On Cambridge Street in northern Charlestown, Tavern at the End of the World presents itself as an Irish-style pub with a kitchen, a broad bar selection, and live-music programming. Its official website advertises more than 50 beers and a menu organized around starters, salads and soups, sandwiches,
Irish pub advertising more than 50 beers, classic bar food, weekend brunch, and a Saturday Irish music session.
At 85 Main Street, Sullivan’s Public House describes itself as a neighborhood Irish pub centered on sports, drinks, and local gatherings. Its website retains that identity and publishes seasonal hours; the kitchen serves until 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 9 p.m. on Sundays. The clo
Neighborhood pub with sports, drinks, and a mixed casual menu; the official site links to takeout ordering and social accounts.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Tavern at the End of the World ↗
Primary source
Tavern at the End of the World · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Irish pubs around Boston ↗
Primary source
Boston Magazine · Accessed October 22, 2026
Independent local coverage places the pub on the Charlestown/Somerville edge and describes its menu and live entertainment.
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Official website of Sullivan’s Public House ↗
Primary source
Sullivan’s Public House (official website) · Accessed October 22, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Town Taqueria now featuring at Sullivan’s ↗
Primary source
Caught in Charlestown · Accessed October 22, 2026
Local article dated January 31, 2025, reports the Town Taqueria food concept at the venue.
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Transactional agenda, September 11, 2024 ↗
Primary source
Boston Licensing Board · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official agenda records a trade-name change petition involving Sullivan’s Public House and Town Taqueria; used for chronology, not as proof of current license status.
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Charlestown neighborhood ↗
Primary source
City of Boston · Accessed October 22, 2026
City context: peninsula location, harbor and Mystic River edges, neighborhood history, Main Street, City Square, Navy Yard and Bunker Hill.
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Routes 92 and 93 ↗
Primary source
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official route data for Sullivan Square–Downtown via Main Street; route 93 serves the Bunker Hill Street corridor.
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MBTA Trip Planner ↗
Primary source
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official tool to check current service and return trips to the two addresses.
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Best Irish Pubs in Boston ↗
Primary source
Boston Magazine · Accessed October 22, 2026
Local dining context identifies Tavern at the End of the World among Boston-area Irish pubs and discusses its entertainment and menu.
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Town Taqueria now featuring at Sullivan’s ↗
Primary source
Caught in Charlestown · Accessed October 22, 2026
Local report dated January 31, 2025, documents the Town Taqueria food concept at Sullivan’s Public House.
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Transactional agenda, September 11, 2024 ↗
Primary source
Boston Licensing Board · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official agenda records the trade-name change petition for Sullivan’s Public House / Town Taqueria; used only as business-history context.
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Official photograph: tavern-end-world-exterior.webp ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official photo converted to optimized WebP and saved in fotoscia-/us/irish-pubs-boston-charlestown-20261022.
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Official photograph: tavern-end-world-interior.webp ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official photo converted to optimized WebP and saved in fotoscia-/us/irish-pubs-boston-charlestown-20261022.
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Official pub logo: sullivans-public-house-charlestown ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official business logo converted to WebP and saved in logoscia-/us/irish-pubs-boston-charlestown-20261022.
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Official photograph: sullivans-charlestown-interior.webp ↗
Primary source
Official business website · Accessed October 22, 2026
Official photo converted to optimized WebP and saved in fotoscia-/us/irish-pubs-boston-charlestown-20261022.
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Exact Charlestown listing and public reviews ↗
Secondary source
Google Maps · Accessed October 22, 2026
Exact branch at 108 Cambridge St. Rating and review count captured 2026-10-22. Visible review topics include Guinness, fish and chips and cottage pie; comments also describe the room and staff. Individual experiences vary.
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Exact Charlestown listing and public reviews ↗
Secondary source
Google Maps · Accessed October 22, 2026
Exact branch at 85 Main Street. Rating and review count captured 2026-10-22. Visible review themes include bartenders, burgers and conversation; accounts vary by visit.