Johnny D's Restaurant & Music Club

10/31/08

Best Live Music around

by Cisco20 at Citysearch

I've been to Johnny D's many times over the years and there is a reason why they have been around this long. Experience it for yourself. I highly recommend the Sunday Brunch.

09/29/08

Bad Service -- DON'T GO!!!

by Tinkabella1 at Citysearch

I just recently visited Johnny D's with 2 friends for Sunday Brunch. Upon arriving the restaurant was packed. We were told a 30-40 min wait and 40 min on the dot we were seated. The live music was playing the whole time we waited and as luck would have it, break time when we were seated. We chalked that up to bad timing... just the way it is. Our waitress, was not great. She got our orders and we watched other tables around us get their food when they ordered after us. It took a while for her to come back and check if we needed anything, which included jelly and more coffee. At the end of the meal, the crowd had dwindled significantly we made the mistake of paying our bill and sat and talked while we finished our drinks. We were rudely and abruptly interrupted by another staff person to tell us he needed to give away our table. When we got up to leave 2 min later, we noticed the many open tables and very few customers waiting... we actually weren't even sure if anyone was waiting or just hanging at the bar. There was no crowd to speak of and as mentioned several other open tables. One of us noted, this was the second time that had happened to her here, while the food was good and the atmosphere ok the staff was slow and rude. This unprofessional behavior to paying patrons has unfortunately lost 3 customers and we will all deter anyone from going here. The poor staff is not worth the wait or effort to go to this restaurant. There are far more places to go that has exceptional service, live music and better food. Bottom line, don't waist your time.

• Pros: Fod and Drinks
• Cons: Service, Service, Service

05/02/08

great atmosphere, rude/terrible service

by Sully24601 at Citysearch

A few weeks ago, my friend and I decided we would return for sunday brunch here. We have been there before, and it was always crowded, however this time we had a very umpleasant experience!

When we were sat, the host brought us over to a table that you could barely fit two plates on, I asked him if we cuold move to a larger table, so we could relax, read the paper and catch up. He briskly told us no, they were for 4 or more, and walked away. If this were at 11 in the morning, I woudl totally understand, however it was close to 1:30, and the crowd was winding down. Our server was clearly in a rush to get off her shift, because she brought over our oatmeal within 3 minutes, not even 10 minutes after that she dropped our plates off at the table, and didnt even clear our oatmeal (that we hadent yet finished) she dropped our check off while we were still eating, and then was outright rude when we asked for another round of drinks!

I love the food, and the atmosphere, but I was WICKED dissappointed with managment, and the service!!!!!!

She saw that we were relaxing, and she kept trying to rush us out the door, so she could close out and get off of her shift!

• Pros: food, music, atmosphere
• Cons: service, managment

09/21/07

We like it!

by dancingmaxi at Citysearch

We have been there a few times... it is always a good time. We have not eaten there (always get there after the kitchen is closed). The bands we have seen are good and there is always a full dance floor. We look forward to returning again soon.

09/13/07

THE BEST PLACE TO BE!!

by masonhend at Citysearch

I've been going to Johnny D's for many years now and it's my favorite place to go! I have never had a problem with the staff and management and have always found them to be extremely nice, polite, and gracious. I don't know what the person below me is talking about. Don't believe what they said. I have never once seen any customer treated with disrespect in all my years of going there. The food is amazing. The music is always spectacular. The atmosphere is THE BEST. I can always rely on Johnny D's for a good time. JOHNNY D'S ROCKS!!!!

• Pros: food, music, drinks, atmosphere, staff, management, EVERYTHING
• Cons: none

03/22/07

Rude management and staff

by nenaghgirl at Citysearch

This place wouldn't be bad if it weren't for the overtly rude management and staff that greet you upon entry. We were really taken aback at how outspokenly rude they were when we expressed (to ourselves) some reluctance to pay cover when we just wanted to sit and have a drink, and the band wasn't starting for hours (who incidentally you can see for free at other local venues). I don't think I can ever go back after being spoken to in such a demeaning manner.

09/18/06

The Boston area's most versatile music club caters to aficionados with an eclectic schedule and satisfying pub grub.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
A Somerville landmark since the '70s, Johnny D's quietly serves a diverse, ever-changing crowd; the clientele's makeup changes from night to night, depending on the evening's concert. With such a varied schedule, it's wise to know ahead of time what's in store. It could be a hillbilly jam one night, salsa the next. Regardless of the music, there's always a contingent of revelers from nearby Tufts University, as well as a handful of unassuming regulars.

The Draw
Besides live music every night of the week (cover charges vary, and rarely top $10), the club serves as one of the square's more comfortable and affordable places to grab a beer or a bite to eat. Considering the setting, the grub is tasty and surprisingly healthy. Only natural products are used where possible. The bar features plenty of beers and spirits to wash down your cheeseburger that's made from free-range cattle.

07/26/06

Great all around

by greendrz at Citysearch

Great menu, good prices and exceptional service.

Combine these with their unique decor and music rotation and I've got nothing bad to say about Johnny D's, but then, nobody seems to.

02/19/05

Food, Music & Dancing in one Cozy Location

by abaigeal at Citysearch

Johnny D's continues to draw strong numbers of people for its great brunch, dinner & drinks, and dancing nights. Johnny D's attracts a fairly eclectic crowd for its various offerings. You'll find medical interns, computer geeks, artists, and all types of people, for example, at Salsa nights. There's lots of overlap in those circles, though... many of those same people will appear in Argentine tango circles, for example. But the interesting crowds appear at Johnny D's because of the interesting menu at a good value, the drinks that appear without long waits, and the cozy atmosphere. Even if you can't always count on loving a given band's music, you can count on a fun evening overall. Maybe that's what keeps people coming back to Johnny D's.

05/19/04

Sunday Jazz Brunch has little Jazz

by young_professional at Citysearch

The food on Sunday brunch was great, both on quantity and quality. But if you are going there for the Jazz, you are in the wrong place. I sat about 20 feet from the 2 musicians and could barely hear their on and off elevator music. Ryles at Inman Square definitely has a better Sunday jazz brunch, and a lot shorter line.

• Pros: Great Brunch Food, Good Price
• Cons: , Long Wait