Before the Game
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There are two distinct groups of people at Red Sox games - let’s just imply any and all conclusions and call them Family Folks and the 21+ Crowd. There are plenty of restaurants (vs. bars) that invite kids and are family friendly. The best bet to keep Dad happy and the kids out of trouble (in my opinion) is Longhorn steak house on Brookline Ave (next to the movie theater) as it’s a short walk to the park, and typically is free of the Bleacher Bums who are drinking their dinner before the game. In the end though, Family Folks will want to get in to the park when it opens, one hour and thirty minutes before game time (so around 5:30 on a typical game night). The Red Sox are usually finishing up or done with batting practice, but you’ll still get to watch the visiting team. Pre-game activities usually start about 20 min. before game time, including honorary first pitch, introduction of the featured groups of fans, and of course, the national anthem. Typically, people gather behind the dugouts and on-deck circles in hopes of finding some autographs and seeing the media’s pre-game coverage. For the 21+ Crowd, the Fenway area has a lot more to offer. Nearly every bar around the park has been recently upgraded or renovated, so the cheap dive bars are a lot harder to come by than they used to be. Boston Beer Works is a staple, located just outside of Gate A. The beer is all brewed on site, so don’t go in ordering a Miller Lite. The food is outstanding, but be prepared to wait for a table. On the other side of the park, The Baseball Tavern is the bar of choice for most of the Red Sox staff and many fans. With an open air roofdeck in the summer and 4 floors of bars, its a great place to hang before the game. Cask n’ Flagon on Landsdowne St. is a standard stop for many, but it’s a lot more expensive than it used to be and often very crowded. Of course, there are several options for food aside from restaurants and bars, namely the sausage (and steak, hot dogs, chicken and everything else) vendors lined up outside of the park. The Sausage Guy is possibly the most famous, but nothing beats Harry at the Sausage Connection! I suggest heading to the coke umbrellas outside of gate E. He’s across from Gold’s Gym and is the second vendor you encounter on Landsdownse St. Say hi to Harry for me and be sure to get the aluminum foil for the grinder, as Fenway has no policy against you bringing water and a sausage in to the park. |
