Canal Cafe

Never been disappointed here.

Unfortunately, on this night, I was without HERSELF, leaving me to investigate on of the few places in Mass. that has a bumper pool table. Over the bridge I go, take the first exit and a hang a right/​right and BANG! I’m there. Look for the Bud sign. Old school? You ain’t seen nothing old school until you’ve seen this place.
The bar itself is tiny and there was no overhang for one’s feet to tuck under. Normally a negative, but I didn’t care one stinkin bit. I was greeted by the lovely and talented bartendress Tara, who might as well have been conducting her own opera. Never a wasted motion. The layout of the place is wonderfully efficient. A few high tables against the wall, a few TV’s and the bar. That’s it. People really do enjoy rubbing elbows in a bar and this place is solid proof.
Before two seconds had passed, my newly found bar sponsor Brian had filled me in on the place and after a blink, I was into a sample of the kitchen’s fare. Rissotto balls, with a light cheese sauce. Excellent. In a bar? At the foot of the bridge? Was I on some sort of reality show? Nope. No camera crew came out of the kitchen. Didn’t matter. Food was pretty outstanding. Everyone else eating seemed to have a smiling face. To accompany, there was a Red Cape Cod Ale on tap (as well as Bud), again served by the lovely and talented.
I didn’t leave empty handed thanks to some of the coolest T shirts in the world. Of course, I got a pink one for HERSELF, along with the promise of a return engagement. Out the door, the onramp for the bridge is right there and as I left, I wondered, why in the world would all those folks coming back from the Cape sit in traffic when they could stop and have an excellent bite and a brew ?
Some wonders of life will never be answered.

This place rules.
We were looking for a liquor store when we saw the neon beer signs and pulled in… realizing it wasn’t a store we headed back up onto the main road. My co-​pilot screamed «juke box!» We immediately popped it into reverse and parked.
When we walked in the place was empty, all except the nice lady tending the bar & a man who was working between the bar and the kitchen. Both were pleasant and welcoming!
This place has all the essentials: juke box that plays 4 songs for $ 1 (seemingly unheard of these days), bathrooms, bumper pool, a bar full of booze for mixed drinks, a variety of bottled brews and food! All drinks were decently priced and service was fast!
We played sweet jams & bumper pool all night, the staff didn’t mind our singing & seemed happy to have us.
We are so glad we stumbled across this gem! We will definitely swing by there any time we are in the area.