Natick Mall Expansion

The "Starbucks" style isn't just evident in coffee shops, it's also the status quo in bars and restaurants across Boston and the country. Instead of people sitting in small groups or gathering along the bar, they now sit either alone or with others staring up at the TVs that have popped up everywhere like herpes sores.

It drives me f-ing crazy. I need a list of bars that DON'T have TVs. I believe they even put one in the Oak Room at the Copley Plaza.

If I wanted to watch TV, I'd have stayed at home. And most of the time it's commercials or sports events from other cities, and never the 'Big 4' sports.
 
I had started a list (JP-centric), but they all ended up getting tvs put in.......

BUT a ray of shining light (or rather of hushing darkness) has broken through in JP at the Haven, in the former Zon's space. I've been twice to the little bar, and both times became engaged in long, ranging conversations with strangers.

Also this has been true of TT Bar, the Ten Table annex. Conversational bartenders mostly, a few patrons are chatty but most are there to eat dinner with another person. But, NO TV!!!
 
No TVs at the Washington Square Tavern. Although it does have a library. Are books bad also?
 
Id also appreciate a list of bars without TVs
 
About a year ago, I clicked on some ads for TV zappers which turn off TVs in public places such as airports. Strictly illegal in the US, of course. I'm often tempted to buy one but, if it doesn't work, you have no recourse. There are also cell phone zappers - equally illegal but very tempting.
 
Tasca Tapas restaurant (Comm ave near Wash)doesn't have any, only a 6-8 person bar tho. Doyle's in JP has one tiny one and usually ppl aren't paying attention to it. Personally, I don't like places w/o TV's but to each his own.
 
Sunset Grill and Tap (Allston)I don't remember any at, but I've only stumbled in and stumbled out several times
 
The bar at Locke Ober has one dinky TV (probably 15 inches) behind the bar. It shouldn't have one at all, but it's hardly distracting.
 
James' Gate in JP has no TVs, and has a fireplace to boot. The Delux in the South End has a TV...but it's small, and always shows cartoons.
 
Do people find TVs that distracting? Often times I find what's on them can be a conversation starter.

I also enjoy when bars will show European football, Barclay's English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League, etc. It really says something when people will go out and watch European football, and not the MLS.
 
CDubs said:
James' Gate in JP has no TVs, and has a fireplace to boot. The Delux in the South End has a TV...but it's small, and always shows cartoons.
Click to expand...

Sadly the James Gate now has one. It is attached to the wall where the screen used to pull down to project when there was a big sox game to watch, but now it is a permanent fixture, and the couple of times I've been since it has always been on. Just beaming whatever stupid game is on ESPN-- at least its not on the fireplace, so there are a few strategic positions you can put yourself where you will see the fire but not the tv.
 
^^That IS sad. It's nearly impossible to find a TV-less bar.

If I'm going to a bar for drink and conversation, yeah, it is distracting (either for me or the folks I'm with, depending on who's facing it). TV's have a place in some bars, it would just be nice if they weren't a staple of just about every bar and restaurant. The TV tends to be a conversation stifler, unless you're there to watch it.
 
it's great to have bars with tv's, it's great to have them without. The balance is grossly towards the former, so for those of us that prefer to have a few minutes in the day where we are not being accosted by a glowing rectangle the preservation of those few bastions is critical. Don't get me wrong, I far prefer going to a pub to watch a sox or celtics game than sitting at home, but not every bar needs to show a sports event (or 8) at all times to make buck, and I'm always on the lookout for those that don't.
 
TC's doesn't have a TV. It does have a killer jukebox.
 
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The Nieman Marcus at Natick Mall is being converted to lab space.
 
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