Centre Bar to make way for housing

One of Dorchester Avenue’s old-school Irish pubs will close its doors this year. The Centre Bar at 1664 Dorchester Ave. will end its decades-long run as a popular watering hole to make way for new housing units.

The owner, Tony McKernan, won support from the Saint Mark’s Civic Association last year to close the bar, sell off the liquor license and build a two-story addition above to house four new apartments.

McKernan is now seeking city permits to build the addition. He plans to rent the first floor commercial space out, but the future use is not yet certain.

The pub will become the latest in a string of Dorchester establishments to change hands or close in the last year. Gerard’s in Adams Corner ceased operations in 2016 to make way for a renovated space now called Landmark.

On Sunday, the Freeport Tavern — also called the Old Colony House by longtime patrons— served its last brunch. And Sonny’s, another Adams Corner favorite, is closed as its new owners continue a renovation project.

Topics: 


Subscribe to the Dorchester Reporter