Flann O'Brien's

Hmmm, I had guessed it as a neighborhood in decline, not on the rise. There were a couple boistrous drunks in there (and at least a couple users, I suspect), passed out or sleeping one off, as well as two guys sharing a stall in the men's room. I did take a walk down that side street (unfortunately not far enough to discover the Squealing Pig), and it's a cool street. Lotsa good old architecture in need of some renovation.
One of my favorite ways to travel is by use of local pub guides, though we didn't plan enough in advance this time - just happened across this place by accident. Also visited the Green Dragon, which is not the kind of place I'd normally be drawn into, but it was a Sat afternoon & it offered a nice enough refuge from some very heavy rain before a walk into the north end for a fantastic espresso (& grappa). Place was all but empty & we chatted up the (real) Irish bartender. Also went into a pretty decent pub in Cambridge, but I can't remember the name. Boston's a cool city & I hope to visit again.