Join GayCities, the fun way to discover the world

Tiny neighborhood bar with cheap drinks and a mixed clientele. Lower your expectations and you'll have a nice time.

I think Machine is the part of the downstairs area that you have to pay to get into. First of all, no gay bar or club in the Boston area these days should be charging a cover. Honestly though, Machine is kind of a mystery to me. The bartenders throughout Ramrod/Machine are great, but I've never had a compelling reason to pay a $10 cover for the Machine area, just so I can pay more for expensive drinks and watch a bunch of kids I have nothing in common with. Anyone over age 30 probably won't feel compelled to enter.

I've been in here a few times. Not a place to go alone. Hot bartenders, clean, attractive space, and I'm glad Dorchester has a gay place, but honestly, nothing exciting has ever happened here.

Lately this place has completely died. Very sad. Would like to see it pick up again, since it's a decent space and the bartenders are the friendliest in town. There is one extremely hot new bartender upstairs, a Brazilian guy I think with an incredible ass. He's worth just showing up for. Don't believe the line about a leather code. There's just not enough people going here to support any restrictions. There used to be a very popular karaoke on Thursdays, but it's just deserted now.

Not a gay scene anymore, so expect about 90 percent straight people. ... Otherwise: Overpriced admission, but they're not making much money on drinks, since they can't serve any. Good music, great for dancing if you're not exhausted at that hour. Interesting for people-watching. Lots of straight people smooching on couches.

Very expensive. High cover and overpriced drinks. However, you are paying for the environment, which can be visually engaging. The music is very loud, so conversation is difficult. The place is big though, so you can just walk around and watch people. A few porn stars tend to show up here, I guess because it's the closest you're going to get to a glamorous L.A. gay party. As usual for New England, people are generally standoffish, except for the occasional aggressive guy from Revere.

As far as gay clubs go, this is the best the Boston area can manage. The beer selection upstairs is decent and the guys aren't entirely unfriendly, although I wouldn't expect much conversation if you go alone, unless you're very outgoing/buzzed. Downstairs, it's a big dark mess with a pretty fun dance floor, which is extremely rare in this area. Lately, this is where some of the sexier guys have been showing up on Saturdays. On the downside, the place is generally dirty and the dancers upstairs are pathetic.

Last-resort bar for drinking and talking only. Terrible beer selection. I wouldn't go here expecting a hookup or a future date. On the upside, it's got interesting decor a lot of character, and the main bartender is very funny.

Clean, attractive, nice bartenders. If you're going alone, don't expect much conversation unless you're very outgoing and/or buzzed. People stick with their friends and don't introduce themselves to strangers, which is typical for New England. A good place to drink though, even alone, although it can be very awkward to figure out where to stand if you aren't with friends. There's usually some sports on TV to stare at.

Expensive but decent drinks. Mediocre, overdressed, less than approachable crowd. An attractive space though. They definitely should not charge a cover.