‘We’ve never seen anything like it’: Patrons emptied bars and liquor stores in Boston this weekend
“We’ve been here for over 30 years, and we’ve never seen anything like it,” said Noelle Somers, chief operating officer at Hennessy’s Bar in downtown. “We tripled St. Patrick’s Day.”
Boston’s energy has been electric, especially after a long winter. Many Scottish patrons learned the names of Hennessy’s bartenders, hugged them, gave generous tips, and drank for hours, Somers said — adding that she rarely sees energy like that in the bar.
“They brought fun back that was lost,” she said.
On Sunday night, Hennessy’s sold out of beer. The bar got a delivery to re-up Monday, and another one is slated for Thursday — in time for the next weekend of soccer matches.
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In Saturday’s afternoon heat, one patron entered Federal Wine & Spirits in Boston’s Financial District and purchased two bottles of water. The storefront, packed with 15 to 20 Scots, booed her for the purchase.
“They were raucous and fun,” said Peter Zettel, a clerk at Federal. “It was quiet for maybe a minute.”
The cooler at Federal Wine & Spirits in Boston sat empty, waiting to be repaired on June 15. Owner Len Rothenberg blamed it on how often the doors were opened on Saturday, during the local start of the World Cup. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff
That day, Federal sold out of Budweiser and Corona. Coors, Miller, and alcoholic seltzers were low stock. Because of the front door constantly opening, a refrigerator broke. It now circulates hot air and will hopefully be fixed before the weekend.
“It met its match against the Scottish,” he said.
Hennessy’s and Federal were two of many businesses caught off guard by the World Cup’s ballooning alcohol demand. Now, they’re ordering extra beer and stocking additional refrigerators.
Some bars, like McBride’s Irish Pub in Providence, didn’t anticipate many visitors because they’re located outside of busy downtowns.
But on Friday, despite being short-staffed, McBride’s grossed $2,000 more than average.
“They’re drinking everything,” said McBride’s co-owner Jennifer Monastesse. “We didn’t know what to expect or what they would drink, so we brought in everything.”
Saturday was on par at McBride’s because tourists left their nearby Airbnbs early for Boston Stadium. After Scotland’s victory, fans packed the pub. On Sunday, a bagpiper played in front, Monastesse said.
The Dubliner in downtown Boston also packed its coolers for the World Cup.
A replica FIFA World Cup trophy sat on a table outside Hennessy’s Bar as Scottish supporters gathered ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11. Erin Clark/Globe Staff
Many Scots drank Guinness, Michelob Ultra, Corona, and Tennent’s, assistant general manager Hans Hoffens said. Though the Dubliner did not sell out, they’re picking up more staff to accommodate large crowds of foreign tourists, a group that tends to linger for hours longer than other patrons.
“Here,” Hoffens said, “they’re not chugging down beer.”
And the hits will keep coming. Soon, English fans will descend into Boston to watch their team’s matchup against Ghana next Tuesday. That might be the city’s next big test.
Redmond Bernhold can be reached at [email protected].
