Contributing Writer
BOSTON – There are thousands of small dive bars scattered throughout the U.S. that are notorious for not only good times but served as places for back room deals and clandestine meetings. One such watering hole was The Dugout Café on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, which closed in early 2026, and was a favorite to many including Red Sox fans and also to two members of an infamous crime group who were the subject of books and four movies.
Prohibition ties
Allegedly, The Dugout started out as a speakeasy during Prohibition and has been a haven for anyone from sports players to students to professors to career criminals. Interestingly, the former establishment did not accept credit cards or have air-conditioning, yet it remained a popular hangout spot for decades…