Allston Beer Bar Sunset Grill & Tap Has Shuttered

And so has sister spot Patron's. Sunset Cantina remains open on Comm. Ave.


Photo by Jeremy Brooks on Flickr/Creative Commons

Pour one out for Boston’s original beer bar: The Sunset Grill & Tap and its upstairs pool hall, Patron’s, have closed for good.

Eater Boston reports that signs on the door of the Allston institution share the sad news today. It comes six months after the restaurants’ parent company, Sunset Partners Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The Sunset Tap debuted with a 100-strong draft list nearly 30 years ago, “back when good beer selection meant both Bud and Miller Lite,” as Boston magazine wrote in 1997 when awarding it one of its numerous Best of Boston Beer Bar awards.

The unpretentious hangout filled that role with a rotating selection of 100-plus craft brews, including more than 150 bottled options, alongside towering trays of nachos, wings, curly fries, sizzling fajitas, and more. Upstairs, Patron’s kept the tequila shots flowing in its gaming lounge.

Ara Balikian and Marc Berkowitz of Sunset Partners Inc. bought Sunset Grill & Tap and Sunset Cantina from founder Marc Kadish in 2014. Sunset Cantina, which Kadish opened in 2001, remains open today.

Sunset Tap and Patron’s were located on Brighton Avenue. Sunset Cantina is on Comm. Ave., in the midst of the Boston University campus.

It’s sad to say goodbye to this venerable institution, but a bit of hopeful news for Allston-Brighton beer fans: A brewpub called Brato Brewhouse + Kitchen is headed for North Beacon Street in Brighton in 2018.

sunsetboston.com.