Survivability Rankings for Bar in Boston

StreetSpring's 2026 ranking of Boston neighborhoods to open a Bar, at a good address, from Ball Square (84.0% survival) to Mattapan (76.9%).

•13 min read

By Robert Koons | Last reviewed: October 2026 | Methodology

Quick Summary

  • Survivability Score: the projected chance a business type lasts two or more years at a specific address
  • #1 Neighborhood: Ball Square: 84.0% at a good address, 83.1% at a typical address for Bar (27 ranked neighborhoods share the 84.0% good-address figure)
  • Neighborhoods at or above 70% at a typical address: 43 of 52 ranked
  • Average across the 52 ranked neighborhoods (typical address): 75.3% for Bars
  • Most challenging area: Mattapan: 76.9% at a good address, 68.2% at a typical address
  • Revenue Capture Score: the most important factor in choosing a location, StreetSpring's proprietary estimate of the revenue a business can capture at a specific address
  • Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →

Table of Contents

Summary

StreetSpring's 2026 analysis shows the best neighborhood in and around Boston to open a Bar is Ball Square, with a projected chance of lasting two or more years of 84.0% at a good address and 83.1% at a typical address (27 ranked neighborhoods share the 84.0% good-address figure). Its highest scored address is at 84.0% and its lowest at 81.3%. The last-ranked neighborhood is Mattapan, at 76.9% at a good address and 68.2% at a typical address. Even neighborhoods with modest average scores can harbor exceptional individual locations.


What Are the 10 Best Neighborhoods in and Around Boston to Open a Bar?

Ball Square ranks #1 of the 52 ranked neighborhoods in and around Boston for Bar survivability, with a projected chance of lasting two or more years of 84.0% at a good address as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:

RankNeighborhoodMetroAt a good addressAverage (typical address)Best LocationsChallenging Locations
1Ball SquareBoston84.0%83.1%84.0%81.3%
2Davis SquareBoston84.0%82.9%84.0%72.8%
3North EndBoston84.0%82.5%84.0%53.0%
4Teele SquareBoston84.0%82.5%84.0%75.4%
5Beacon HillBoston84.0%82.4%84.0%50.7%
6Magoun SquareBoston84.0%82.3%84.0%78.2%
7Assembly SquareBoston84.0%81.6%84.0%70.5%
8East SomervilleBoston84.0%80.4%84.0%73.6%
9KenmoreBoston84.0%80.3%84.0%57.9%
10Union SquareBoston84.0%79.8%84.0%52.0%

The highest and lowest scored addresses inside one neighborhood can sit far apart, so the neighborhood figure is a starting point. However, market conditions change daily, and it's best to use StreetSpring's live data to check the Survivability Score for a specific address.

The ranking runs on the good-address figure (the 90th percentile of the scored addresses in each neighborhood). Average is the typical address; Best and Challenging Locations are the highest and lowest scored address in the neighborhood. Every figure is the projected chance of lasting two or more years, as printed in the linked file. See our full methodology →

Try StreetSpring to see if this location is still the best and see if there are locations to rent in this area right now.


Where in or Around Boston Would a Bar Make the Most Money?

Where a Bar would make the most money in or around Boston comes down to the exact address. The Revenue Capture Score is the most important factor in choosing a location: StreetSpring's proprietary estimate of the revenue a business can capture at a specific address.

Ball Square is ranked #1 for Bar survivability, at 84.0% at a good address and 83.1% at a typical address; Mattapan is ranked last of the 52, at 76.9% at a good address and 68.2% at a typical address. Revenue at a specific storefront is what the Revenue Capture Score estimates, so check it for each address you are weighing.

The same business type carries a different projected chance in every ranked neighborhood of a city, so the address is worth testing before you sign. Opening a Bar in Boston requires careful location choice. Across the 52 ranked neighborhoods, the average projected chance that a new Bar lasts two or more years is 75.3% at a typical address. What makes a location ideal varies by business type: foot traffic patterns, competitor proximity, and consumer demographics all play different roles.


What Should I Consider When Opening a Bar in or Around Boston?

When selecting a location for a Bar in or around Boston, it is crucial to select a location with a very high Survivability Score. The single most important number in a location decision is the Revenue Capture Score, StreetSpring's proprietary estimate of the revenue a business can capture at a specific address. StreetSpring computes this by projecting the business's market share, which is based on the quality and quantity of primary, secondary, and tertiary competitors. Our analysis covers businesses in 24 major U.S. metros. Moderate competition often indicates a healthy market with proven consumer demand. These forecasts are generated using StreetSpring's unique analytical framework. StreetSpring scores 500+ business types: 153 base business types, most of them at 5 price points, which is 569 type-and-price combinations you can choose in the tool.

This can be summarized as:

Revenue Capture Score = Projected Market Share × Forecasted Spend on Specific Business

Related: Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters

StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. Market dynamics shift frequently; validate these insights with real-time data from StreetSpring.


Where in or Around Boston Should I Start a Bar?

Based on our analysis, the leading neighborhoods are Ball Square, Davis Square, and North End, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Mattapan, Germantown, and Strawberry Hill. Even neighborhoods with modest average scores can harbor exceptional individual locations. StreetSpring refreshes survivability data continuously: check the tool for the most current score at any address.

Related Articles:


What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Boston to Open a Bar?

Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Bar in Boston is Ball Square, at 84.0% at a good address and 83.1% at a typical address (27 ranked neighborhoods share the 84.0% good-address figure), followed by Davis Square and North End. 43 of the 52 ranked neighborhoods are at or above 70% at a typical address.

Because local conditions evolve weekly, the live survivability tool offers a more current snapshot than any published ranking.


Can a Bar Succeed in Lower-Ranked Neighborhoods in Boston?

Yes, neighborhood averages mask significant block-by-block variation. Even in neighborhoods ranked outside the top 10, individual storefronts with strong foot traffic, low direct competition, and favorable lease terms can outperform the area average. These averages are directional, not definitive; the best decision comes from analyzing your specific storefront. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.


How Often Are Bar Rankings in Boston Updated?

StreetSpring recalculates survivability scores regularly using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. Rankings are updated quarterly; the live tool always reflects the most current predictions for any address in Boston.


Is a Bar a Good Tenant for Boston Landlords?

In Ball Square, the projected chance that a new Bar lasts two or more years is 83.1% at a typical address and 84.0% at a good address, depending on the exact storefront. Check the current Survivability Score for any address instantly.

Landlord Survivability Data for Bar in Boston

The data tells a clear story for Bar tenants across Boston's top neighborhoods. Ball Square leads at 83.1% at a typical address, with its best scored address at 84.0%. Davis Square is at 82.9% at a typical address, and North End at 82.5% at a typical address. Check the current Survivability Score for any address instantly.

Each prediction is calibrated to the specific address, factoring in competition, housing vacancy, and consumer spending at that exact location.

Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity


What Are the Best Neighborhoods in or Around Boston for My Business Overall?

You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Boston to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Boston.


Technical note: Aggregated survivability rankings for Boston are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.

View technical data for Boston

StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the figures shown here.