The Fenway/Kenmore neighborhood in Boston has undergone sweeping changes over the past decade. The new T station along with building projects spearheaded by the city, the Red Sox, BU and private developers has turned the Kenmore Square area into a year-round destination for food and drink lovers. While the newer bars and restaurants attract a lot of clientele, they are complemented by reliable staples that continue to thrive despite increased competition. One of my favorite pre-game game hangouts has always been Cornwall’s, a British style pub on Beacon Street in the heart of Kenmore Square. Cornwall’s features a long main room dominated by a big rectangular bar, with smaller rooms in the back and to the side. The smaller rooms include darts and pool tables. There is a tiny, seasonal patio for outdoor dining when the weather cooperates. Their menu features many British pub staples along with an extensive selection of tasty burgers. The clientele found there truly depends on the day as the bar is a popular place to watch a game and a frequent hangout for BU graduate students.
The beer selection at Cornwall’s has evolved over the years. They have always carried a strong selection of beers from Great Britian including Smithwick’s, Boddington’s, Fuller’s and Old Speckled Hen. While I wouldn’t call Cornwall’s a craft beer bar per se, I was very impressed by their craft selection on a recent visit. The selections skewed local with beers from Jack’s Abby, Backlash, Allagash and Wachusset among others. They also had the Sam Adams 26.2 Gose, which is fitting since Cornwall’s is so close to the Marathon route, and proceeds from the sale of this beer benefits charities for the victims of the attacks last year. There is also a solid selection of national craft, featuring Left Hand Stout on Nitro along with selections from Sierra Nevada, Lagunitas and DogfishHead. Overall Cornwall’s is a great place to catch the game on TV, or to grab a couple of pints and a burger before heading to Fenway to root for the Sox.
Hoppy Boston 
