Boston Ramrod

I went to an event in Kenmore Square two months ago on a Friday night and decided to visit Ramrod for the first time in about 5 years. It was A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. I remember the place. i got there at 7:00 PM. I remember when I used to go there «regularly» 7:00 was pretty packed. There were a few suckers on the ground level. I went to the upper level where the pool table and bathrooms are and it was empty. The «dark room» was no longer dark, but the most well lit room in the place, and wide open too. I understand that «The Boston Ramrod Room» (as it was historically called) is no longer in existence and the first floor and basement are now one entity. called «Machine». I spent my $ 8 or $ 9 (i forgot) for a watered-​down drink and went up the stairs and sat down looking around. I could not go downstairs, because although it was only 7:00, they were already charging cover! One of the reasons I really wanted to go back was to visit Daisy downstairs, and I couldn’t do that. I then had security (both male and female!) walking around me. I figured with the few people in the place, they must be bored. When I used to go there «regularly», I would order a Long Island Ice Tea, and the bartender (I really miss him) would give me a big mug. I could only drink 2 of those in a night. The Ice Tea I got that night was in a very small mug and mostly ice. I’m sure that’s how the bartenders are told to make them. The environment was not friendly either. I realize this is Boston and we have to put up with sh_​tty attitudes, but I could sense i was unwelcomed there. I finished my drink quickly and left while the sun was still out. As I was leaving I saw some unattractive out-​of-​shape college girls come in. I was surprised Ramrod has changed so much. and for the worse! They had a good thing going and they F-​ed it up. What i miss most was the old leather queen in the back room walking around with a flashlight making sure nobody was doing anything.

Well children, all those old reviews are worthless for the Ramrod upstairs. You had a dozen other bars to go to but management heard your whines and whimpers and removed the dark room, shooed out the hold-​my-​hand-​they-​scare-​me leather men, and gave you Disneyland, or at least a bar like any other nameless Bostonian Puritan place.
RIP, Herbie.
(The last vestige of leathermen still meet fourth Saturdays at the Eagle after 10pm.)

Ramrod/​Machine has REALLY cleaned up in the last couple of years. The barrels and dark places to get nasty are all gone now and replaced with room to dance or view the drag shows. Walls have come down to allow more room to view the dance floor, etc.
It’s all about the dancing and cheap drinks and the sociable bartenders. It’s fun and even open at noon every day!
Creeps can still get in every once in a while, but the security staff is more than able to handle anything that’s not wanted. It’s definitely a safe place.
I really like this place and wish everyone would check it out after the many improvements. Definitely worth it and you’ll have a great time!
I’d definitely check it out on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Those are the best nights!

Ramrod is just upstairs from Machine. Each time I’ve been to Machine, Ramrod was pretty empty except for Latin night which was a lot of fun, however, I was under the impression that it was supposed to be more than what it was?

Are you kidding me?
20 years ago this place was the best levi/​leather gay bar in New England. That’s all ancient history. So much for that.
Today we walked in. One patron in the whole place. We order drinks and the bartender obligingly hands us two glasses at seven bucks apiece. Our drinks were finished with three sips. Yep, 85% ice, 15% drink. Thanks but no thanks. Never again.

It was empty while I was there, so I was able to peak around and see what this «leather only» club was all about. Lots of space, and I’ve heard lots of interesting stories. If i were a gay man, and leather were my thing, me and my ass-​less chaps would be here.

Gaysus would roll over in his grave because of this place, if he had one. The strict leather dress code bars most people from entering, so make sure to wear your assless chaps and harness if you plan on experiencing this grope fest. Once inside, expect to be touched, poked, and prodded by anything pointy and hard. Going with friends and refraining from bending over may help in avoiding an unwanted liaison with a leather daddy three times your size. The guys here are aggressive… this place isn’t for the timid.

So, from what i hear, in the 90’s this place was so hardcore that there was actually a «leather» dress code to get in. A «dark room» used to exist, and the Ramrod had quite a reputation as a cruise bar… a cruise bar so conveniently located a short walk from The Fens… but that’s another review.
Luckily, they’ve narrowed this strict leather ambiance to certain nights… (Friday i think)
From walking up to the door and being greeted with a big smile by Anton the security guy… to ordering a drink from the older bartender (he’s a little hard at hearing, but a sweetheart)… to venturing downstairs to check out the Thursday night karaōke at Machine… This place is a great time.
I guess I should do a seperate review for Machine, but they’re kinda the same thing (yet two totally different worlds)… Ramrod upstairs, Machine downstairs…
If you’re heading out to a 7pm sox game… Ramrod is a great place to grab a few drinks before the game.

Me: «I come to Machine every week, but I’ve never gone inside Ramrod.»
Boy: «Let’s go.»
Me: *drunkenly* «Okay!»
…36 seconds…
Me: «I’m scared.»
Boy: «Thank god, me too. Let’s go!»
…R U N S…
Five stars for (a) being a unique outlet for a dying gay scene in Boston and (b) having the ability to scare the bajeezus out of me!
Imagine one of those video games with the monsters and the terrorists and the Jackie Chan University drop-​outs where there are toxic waste barrels and danger looms around every corner. Now replace those characters with gay leather daddies and replace danger with sexual violations. You’ve got Ramrod.

One of the last leather/​levi bars left in New England. The «Rod» as locals call it, brings in a variety of men (and some ladies too) to drink beer and play pool and watch lame fake porn on too small tv’s.
The back room can be way too friendly, if your looking for a grop or more. There is/​used to be a rule that in order to get into the back room one had to 1. be wearing leather 2. shirt off and 3. NO sneakers.
The music can be hard and heavy house w/​pots and pans, heavy bass and train whilsles. One can usually smell a strong smell of video head cleaner and stale beers and BO all in one. NICE!
Busy nights are Friday and Saturdays.

«Is he doing what I THINK he’s doing?»
«Is this for real?»
«Sir, is that even legal in your own home?»
these are all questions I was asking myself … when I stumbled into the BACK ROOM.
I’ve certainly been here before, but I’ve never seen anything like this. Usually it’s pretty boring. There’s always a bunch of spooky leather daddies standing around, and saying/​doing lewd things… but when I stepped in the back room, I thought I was on the set of CALIGULA (without women) but with props from the Ninja Turtles movies… Between stacks of toxic waste barrels and up against steel fences, there were clusters of men touching each others no-​nos, and group make outs, and it kind of smelled like FitCorp :(. I was waiting for ATF agents to bust through the doors!
I’m not sure what the employee dress code is, but my bartender was wearing a black jock strap, but his large gut gave me the impression that he wasn’t too athletic. :(
There is also a shop inside that sells fun outfits, like vinyl and leather underwear and I think I saw a rubber fist?!?
The music was good. I think the drinks were kind of cheap? I was too shocked by the dirties to remember… I’ll obviously go again … I just don’t want to end up on FOX 25 news when the raid occurs.

This bar was very surprising to me and my friends on our first trip to Boston. We have never seen a bar that catered to so many different tastes. We had a lot of fun and will be sure to go back when we visit Boston again.

I love this place, and I’m not a gay man! Great DJs, and of course wonderful bartenders (I’m a bit biased as my good friend works here). I love coming here to dance and drink because no one will ever grab my ass! (Well, they might, but it probably won’t be a reason to smack anyone). There’s a pool room for more laid back fun, a good dance floor, and of course the leather room, in which I have never been (the rules are very strict, and really it’s basically no girls allowed… but why would you want to go there anyway?). Drinks are pretty cheap, and very strong. Also, cash only, but they have an ATM machine.