Beacon Hill’s New Night Spot
Perhaps the best aspect of living on Beacon Hill is the sense of community, and for many years one of the main social centers of the neighborhood has been the Java Love coffee shop and Baja Bistro.
It’s rumored that owner Oscar Castro started both (they share a conjoined space at the base of an apartment building) with only a credit card 13 years ago. Despite the two names they are really the same place, basically a coffee shop with a restaurant section in the back, you can order food or coffee in either. Over the past few years I’ve heard Oscar declare his plans to someday turn the back restaurant section into a bar/lounge. The idea of having another night spot on Beacon Hill caught the attention of many regulars - for many years the only option has been the Beacon Pub, which has a particularly divey atmosphere that’s often not what you’re looking for.
Oscar’s plans seemed like they might turn out to be just another great idea, until about a month ago when I walked into the coffee shop and found everything arranged - they explained it was because the coffee shop and restaurant were now combined, and a bar was being installed in the back part. The greatly anticipated new bar & lounge was finally being realized, and Saturday, April19th was the grand opening party.
The party was a great event, everybody from the neighborhood and beyond showed up. There was a buffet with great authentic Baja-style Mexican dishes, great music courtesy of Barista and resident DJ Waylon, also known as WD4D. I got a chance to meet some of Oscar’s friends and meet some of the bartenders who will be working the new bar. There was a champagne toast at midnight and a good time was had by all.
Over the next week I’ve only had the chance to stop by the bar once, which seems to be doing well. It certainly is a great alternative to going to the Beacon Pub - the Pub is a great place to watch the game, eat a hot dog, play pool, but the Baja’s new bar is more of a place you might choose to go to for friendly conversation, or on a date.
