Bar Review: Copperfield's

Copperfield's is a place where you can hang out with your friends, grab some pitchers, and line up to drink them like cattle at a feed line. The "tables" downstairs consist of rows of simple wooden bars, which is problematic when the place is crowded because people are packed into these rows like - well, cattle.

You will want to get a pitcher for multiple reasons. First of all, they're only $7. Second of all, when the bar is busy, it is difficult to get the attention of the bar staff. Once they get around to serving you, the smart thing to do is to grab as much booze as you can carry. That way, you won't have to find someone to serve you as frequently. You may even want to bring a friend up to the bar to help you carry the extra drinks. I suggest going back to the bar before you even finish the first pitcher you have started, since you'll most likely finish it by the time you're finally served.

Copperfield's is right down the road from Fenway Park. It's not a prime Red Sox bar location, but rather a second-chance exit if you don't have tickets to the game and Cask & Flagon is too crowded.

To its credit, Copperfield's has a very laid-back atmosphere. When it isn't completely crowded, you can relax and watch one of the many plasma screen televisions. The wood furnishings and walls bring to mind a barn atmosphere (and the cattle references, once again).

When the Red Sox aren't playing, you can go to the bar to check out some shows. Copperfield's usually has a $5 to $10 cover charge from Thursday through Saturday, and the crowd that goes there consists mostly of students from Boston University. (Boston College kids don't overpopulate this establishment, as it does not offer dollar drafts).

The stage is pretty small, and most of the bands who perform there are local, but there's a pretty cool little dance floor near the stage. Though there isn't any "slam dancing" at these concerts, you may feel free to get your "groove thang" on late into the evening, especially if the band is funky fresh.

Copperfield's is your basic Boston low-key establishment: Red Sox, lots of beer, plasma screen TVs, and about a dozen beers on tap. Though it can get pretty crowded, it's also huge, spanning two floors with a couple of back rooms, about three bars, and plenty of space to rest your drink.

If the Fenway bars were a group of old friends, Copperfield's is the lame one: distant, a bit of a jerk - but kept around because he's got character.