The worst brunch experience I have ever had. Waitress in our section took 20 minutes to even come over, should have left before then. Ordered food and drinks at 10:25, was told no alcohol until 11, at 10:55 she came over to ask us if we wanted her to put our drinks in and told us our food would be out within minutes. About a minute later, she came by asking what we ordered again and admitted she hadn't put through our order and had it wrong. Entire section of tables had issues with their food orders and timeliness of service. Our food took over an hour to come out and was mediocre at best. Wish I could say it was a one time thing, we continue to go back to give The Beacon another chance, and every time we are disappointed with service and timeliness of orders/accuracy. We won't be back.
Kate L.
Went to this place as a first time visitor of Marblehead, I had heard great things about the atmosphere and was excited for the live local music. As we arrived I witnessed a bartender (whom I later found out is named Kenny) yelling at someone I was with across the bar and then even came out of the bar space and got into her face yelling. Another customer stepped in to defend the customer being berated and the bartender then just laughed at what she had to say and wagged his finger at them saying they were "shut off". They had just been served their first drinks. The situation was later rectified, we were sat at a table and enjoyed live music and were able to order from a very nice waitress. While the band played music they made a shoutout to our friend, as it was her birthday we were there celebrating, and we heard and saw the bartender who was rude previously "boo" her. What kind of customer service is that? Definitely put a sour taste in my mouth and makes me not want to return. Please do better.
Casey and Tina
My BF and I have been here a couple times and have had amazing experiences both times. Drinks are awesome, food is delicious, and the service is great. Everyone is so attentive and they do a great job at making you feel welcomed and special. 10/10 experience, highly reccomend this place if you’re in town or looking for a fulfilling meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Plums N.
My wife and I frequently visit this establishment when we're seeking like-minded couples to spend a night with in town. A diverse and friendly crowd, many of whom you'll find are more than willing participants, and it's especially easy to find other couples at the private parties! The food is also mostly fantastic but the wait staff is mediocre. I should also mention that my wife's IBS flares up every time we order the Fig Jam.
Rich Kahn
Above average food, nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Scallops, Tomahawk Steak
George Nigro
Nice place. Good food. Great service. Sat at bar.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Susan S
Service was very slow. Waited 50 minutes for badly overcooked pasta. Won’t be back and can’t recommend.Parking: Plenty of parking.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Tracie J.
We came here on 10/28 for our first wedding anniversary dinner. Starting with the bread.. the butter that they give you is amazing and creamy. My lobster bisque had me wanting more. My husband got the pasta and ate almost the whole bowl. The steak bites had a mesquite flavor to them but they were good to. I felt like our server was stretched a little thin but overall good place.
Stephanie V.
From start to finish everything was great. Hostess was kind and accommodating. Service was wonderful. Drinks the kraken to be exact was delicious. A must try. Food was fast and amazing in every way. So much flavor and excitement in every bite. And top it off with the entertainment. The piano player Dan was amazing and understood the crowd. One of the owners Johnny sang a few songs, really lights up the room. We will be back Beacon keep up the great work
Libby P.
I have been visiting The Beacon quite a bit lately as I find it has one of the most diverse menus in the area and everything I get is cooked perfectly! The bartenders have always been friendly and attentive. My favorite dish is the oysters tataki, which one of the staff recommended on my first visit. We are lucky to have The Beacon in town!
There's no other place on the north shore of Boston that offers nightly entertainment with a menu that rivals anything in the city of Boston. The cocktails are creative and delicious with just the right amount of booze and the staff bends over backwards to provide excellent service. Enjoy!
Joe C.
I have been to The Beacon on many occasions and found the food, service and staff to be excellent! A must have is Chef Edgar's clam chowder.
Jennifer K.
We were seated in the "annex" along with a childrens birthday party. Our server was clearly not happy having to deal with 15 little girls. We ordered two glasses of wine which never arrived. Servers wouldn't make eye contact. When we finally got someone's attention the interaction didn't go well. Meanwhile our original server had disappeared. We left. Way too stressful.
Jack Foley
Saw the good reviews and was excited to come to the Beacon. But I was quickly and negatively surprised. I asked if I could get the fish tacos broiled or blackened instead of fried. “No they just come fried”. I didn’t see anything else I really wanted so I got them anyway. Instead of pieces of fish, each taco had 3 little fried bites very much like tater tots. With very little quoc and bland. Super disappointing. Guinness 20oz drafts were great though! “Buttery brioche roll” typified my sense the menu was not easy to eat healthy from. Add in a rude interaction with a male waitstaffer on how to get to the bathroom…. and I have come away feeling this isn’t a beacon that will draw me in again
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Julie T.
I really want to give more stars but service is preventing that. We have been in several times and sat at the bar each time. We love the environment but despite the fact that it has not been busy there has been issues each time with having to remind the bartender of something we are waiting on or just to get another beverage.... There is no proactive engagement with the customers even if there is only a few seated. We love the salads and the care put into the preparation but we will probably not be back for a while because of service.
The worst brunch experience I have ever had. Waitress in our section took 20 minutes to even come over, should have left before then. Ordered food and drinks at 10:25, was told no alcohol until 11, at 10:55 she came over to ask us if we wanted her to put our drinks in and told us our food would be out within minutes. About a minute later, she came by asking what we ordered again and admitted she hadn't put through our order and had it wrong. Entire section of tables had issues with their food orders and timeliness of service. Our food took over an hour to come out and was mediocre at best. Wish I could say it was a one time thing, we continue to go back to give The Beacon another chance, and every time we are disappointed with service and timeliness of orders/accuracy. We won't be back.
Went to this place as a first time visitor of Marblehead, I had heard great things about the atmosphere and was excited for the live local music. As we arrived I witnessed a bartender (whom I later found out is named Kenny) yelling at someone I was with across the bar and then even came out of the bar space and got into her face yelling. Another customer stepped in to defend the customer being berated and the bartender then just laughed at what she had to say and wagged his finger at them saying they were "shut off". They had just been served their first drinks. The situation was later rectified, we were sat at a table and enjoyed live music and were able to order from a very nice waitress. While the band played music they made a shoutout to our friend, as it was her birthday we were there celebrating, and we heard and saw the bartender who was rude previously "boo" her. What kind of customer service is that? Definitely put a sour taste in my mouth and makes me not want to return. Please do better.
My BF and I have been here a couple times and have had amazing experiences both times. Drinks are awesome, food is delicious, and the service is great. Everyone is so attentive and they do a great job at making you feel welcomed and special. 10/10 experience, highly reccomend this place if you’re in town or looking for a fulfilling meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I frequently visit this establishment when we're seeking like-minded couples to spend a night with in town. A diverse and friendly crowd, many of whom you'll find are more than willing participants, and it's especially easy to find other couples at the private parties! The food is also mostly fantastic but the wait staff is mediocre. I should also mention that my wife's IBS flares up every time we order the Fig Jam.
Above average food, nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Scallops, Tomahawk Steak
Nice place. Good food. Great service. Sat at bar.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Service was very slow. Waited 50 minutes for badly overcooked pasta. Won’t be back and can’t recommend.Parking: Plenty of parking.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
We came here on 10/28 for our first wedding anniversary dinner. Starting with the bread.. the butter that they give you is amazing and creamy. My lobster bisque had me wanting more. My husband got the pasta and ate almost the whole bowl. The steak bites had a mesquite flavor to them but they were good to. I felt like our server was stretched a little thin but overall good place.
From start to finish everything was great. Hostess was kind and accommodating. Service was wonderful. Drinks the kraken to be exact was delicious. A must try. Food was fast and amazing in every way. So much flavor and excitement in every bite. And top it off with the entertainment. The piano player Dan was amazing and understood the crowd. One of the owners Johnny sang a few songs, really lights up the room. We will be back Beacon keep up the great work
I have been visiting The Beacon quite a bit lately as I find it has one of the most diverse menus in the area and everything I get is cooked perfectly! The bartenders have always been friendly and attentive. My favorite dish is the oysters tataki, which one of the staff recommended on my first visit. We are lucky to have The Beacon in town!
Restaurantji Recommends
There's no other place on the north shore of Boston that offers nightly entertainment with a menu that rivals anything in the city of Boston. The cocktails are creative and delicious with just the right amount of booze and the staff bends over backwards to provide excellent service. Enjoy!
I have been to The Beacon on many occasions and found the food, service and staff to be excellent! A must have is Chef Edgar's clam chowder.
We were seated in the "annex" along with a childrens birthday party. Our server was clearly not happy having to deal with 15 little girls. We ordered two glasses of wine which never arrived. Servers wouldn't make eye contact. When we finally got someone's attention the interaction didn't go well. Meanwhile our original server had disappeared. We left. Way too stressful.
Saw the good reviews and was excited to come to the Beacon. But I was quickly and negatively surprised. I asked if I could get the fish tacos broiled or blackened instead of fried. “No they just come fried”. I didn’t see anything else I really wanted so I got them anyway. Instead of pieces of fish, each taco had 3 little fried bites very much like tater tots. With very little quoc and bland. Super disappointing. Guinness 20oz drafts were great though! “Buttery brioche roll” typified my sense the menu was not easy to eat healthy from. Add in a rude interaction with a male waitstaffer on how to get to the bathroom…. and I have come away feeling this isn’t a beacon that will draw me in again
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
I really want to give more stars but service is preventing that. We have been in several times and sat at the bar each time. We love the environment but despite the fact that it has not been busy there has been issues each time with having to remind the bartender of something we are waiting on or just to get another beverage.... There is no proactive engagement with the customers even if there is only a few seated. We love the salads and the care put into the preparation but we will probably not be back for a while because of service.