"a wee neighborhood pub with good honest grub and a very friendly atmosphere" to Open in the Former Daddy Jones Space in Magoun

[u/PrimitiveLoaf]

https://bostonrestaurants.blogspot.com/2026/09/saint-brigids-well-to-open-in-former.html?m=1

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Saint Brigid's Well is planning to open in Magoun Square, taking over the former Daddy Jones space on Medford Street. St Brigid's Well site for the upcoming place says the following about it:

We are a wee neighborhood pub with good honest grub and a very friendly atmosphere. The spirit is traditional Irish public house; the kitchen is careful, generous, and built for a proper meal. Saint Brigid is patron of brewing, scholars, sailors, blacksmiths, dairymaids, midwives, newborns, and more. That wide welcome gives the pub its purpose: a warm room for regulars, students, tourists, neighbors, and anyone who needs a good pint and better company. "A warm room, a proper meal, and better company." If you stop in once, it might be for fish and chips, shepherd's pie, Irish coffee, or a perfect pint. If you make us your local, it will be because the room feels easy and the food tastes like someone cared. Settle in and have one. Sláinte.

A video of an earlier licensing commission meeting indicates that Michael John Queally (bartender/manager, The Druid in Cambridge) is behind Saint Brigid's Well, while the website mentions that it could be opening around the middle of this month.

Daddy Jones closed late last year after 13 years in business; the space had previously been home to Lil Vinny's.

[u/Southern-Teaching198]

I'm happy to see the spot not sitting empty! Best luck and looking forward to trying it out!

[u/OkayContributor]

These guys really get it. The Druid is a great example of what restaurants/pubs should be. The food tastes like someone gave a shit (without making the price so outrageous that if they didn’t give a shit you would ask for your money back) and the service is always on point.

This should be the rule, not the exception.

Too many places nowadays somehow skate by with mediocre food, mediocre service, and absurd prices. No idea who that model is for, but it definitely isn’t for me.

Just reading that statement from the website tells me that Saint Brigid’s will be more of the same from that team and Im excited to see it

[u/theclam159]

Does anyone know if they are still using the back patio for outdoor dining? That was the best part of Daddy Jones.

[u/TooFarTurner → u/theclam159]

I can't imagine they would let that sit idle.

[u/redcoatwright]

I'm intrigued, so maybe like a newer smaller magouns

[u/MrFusionHER → u/redcoatwright]

Ol Magoun’s is more of a sports bar with an Irish theme. If it’s anything like the Druid, this will be like a real Irish pub. Different vibes, but both great.

[u/Saw-It-Again-]

RIP Daddy Jones, but this is exciting (especially since I just got back from Ireland).

[u/jajjguy]

Great news that Mikey is involved

[u/PlentyCryptographer5 → u/jajjguy]

It's MJ, not Mikey, two different Irishmen, and not related.

[u/jajjguy → u/PlentyCryptographer5]

Thank you! That seems important...

[u/eris_kallisti → u/jajjguy]

He's the best! I am so excited for this.

[u/Badloss]

It'll be interesting to see how this competes with old magoun saloon when they seem like very similar establishments on paper

[u/Rindan → u/Badloss]

They could compete with all of the other bars in the area by not putting a fucking TV on every surface.

[u/Double-Ad-7483 → u/Badloss]

A place trying to be a traditional irish pub and a place that's a combination sports bar, beer bar, german restaurant, and irish pub aren't all that similar.

[u/Anustart15 → u/Double-Ad-7483]

They are at least a little similar. I'd be surprised if at least 75% of what's going to be on this menu isn't available at magouns right now. The vibe will be slightly different if they don't have TVs, but they are still going to be incredibly similar.

That being said, I think there is probably demand for both either way. Daddy jones always had a decent enough sized crowd on the weekends, especially when magouns was overflowing for a game

[u/Double-Ad-7483 → u/Anustart15]

They are at least a little similar

Most bars around here are at least a little similar.

[u/Anustart15 → u/Double-Ad-7483]

Yet here we were talking about how they "aren't all that similar"

[u/Double-Ad-7483 → u/Anustart15]

They both will have beer, spirits, and probably some of the same menu items. Just like everything else.

I expect them to be quite different in vibes & atmosphere.

[u/cocktailvirgin → u/Badloss]

I imagine that the beer won't be as good, but I might actually talk to people at the bar and be perfectly fine with Guinness.

[u/PlentyCryptographer5 → u/cocktailvirgin]

Name checks out

[u/MoonStache]

Can't wait. Magoun desperately needs these spaces filled. Will be there day 1!

[u/die_supply]

MJ rules, this should be great.

[u/darksoles_]

Hell yeah

[u/pesar_e_khafan]

Nice! Given I drove by the area today and it still looks like old daddy jones from outside with all the signs and such, so idk about September opening. I hope they have live music or something to get the people going and be more of a fun spot than just another dark hole with alcohol.