Hennessey's Tavern

Hennessey's feels like a neighborhood pub that never forgot to sharpen its knives. The burgers have a bruising, charred edge and come with crisp onion rings that sing when you bite. TVs cluster over the long central bar, so a Friday night can switch from low hum to roar in seconds when a game lands. The bar opens to the street in several places, so you get equal parts fry oil and ocean breeze on the patio. Live music pads the background on weekend evenings, guitars and a voice that rides over clinking glasses. Staff move fast, sometimes too fast for table niceties, but the service has bright moments that smooth over the rough ones. Dog tails thump under patio tables. Show up on a Tuesday for the two-for-one burger deal, and if the small fireplace is lit, stake a claim early; those seats go fast.