Boston's Bar Scene by the Numbers: ~1,350 Licensed Establishments (2023)

As of 2023, Boston, Massachusetts, holds approximately 1,350 active liquor licenses for on-premises consumption—covering both full-service restaurants that serve alcohol and dedicated bars/taverns.

Breakdown & Context

• The City of Boston's Licensing Board caps total licenses by neighborhood and type (a legacy of 1930s quota system).
• Licenses include: All-alcohol (restaurant, hotel, club), wine & malt only, and tavern (no food required).
• Neighborhoods with highest density: Back Bay, South End, Seaport, Downtown, Allston/Brighton, Fenway.
• College areas (Allston, Mission Hill) have many "college bars"; Seaport & Downtown feature upscale lounges and hotel bars.

Caveats

• Number fluctuates with openings, closures, transfers, and seasonal pop-ups.
• Does not include package stores (liquor stores) for off-premises sales (~300 additional licenses).
• Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline—separate municipalities with their own counts—are not included.

For current listings, the City of Boston's open data portal publishes updated license data. Whether you seek a historic dive (The Bell in Hand, 1795), craft cocktail lab (Drink, Baldwin Bar), or sports bar, Boston's 1,350+ venues offer dense variety in a walkable, transit-friendly core.