Irish community (Boston: neighborhoods, college, wages)

[phenomenon]

I'm moving to Boston next month from Ireland because our economy has fallen to pieces. (Just what America needs - yet another immigrant! ) I'll be a legal immigrant in Boston for the year. Although I'm a college graduate, I'm thinking of getting a job in a pub since I have experience in that area.

My question is: Do the Irish still look after each other in Boston? Would a pub owner help me out and give me a job or would he prefer Americans? Also, what kind of wages do bar-staff earn over there? Is it enough to survive on (rent, food etc)?

Thanks

[illinidorry]

I don't know a ton about Boston but I would imagine if you know what your doing behind the bar you might have an advantage over an American because Americans love going into Irish pubs and having a bartender with a brogue. Whether or not you can find a bar looking for help is another story. Good luck to you, come check out NYC if you can't find work.

[lukec]

First, the 'service industry' is exempt from minimum wage. If your looking for a steady 'wage', you're out of luck. Its a palsy couple bucks an hour. What you earn is tip based. But, as you will soon learn, Americans, especially blue collar drinking Bostonians, tip well. Most bartenders dread foreigners because they dont get the concept of tipping. As a general rule, you should get at least a dollar a pour and drinks should flow freely. At a good bar you'll get more. In college, yuppie, tourist traps, you'll get less. A bartender or waitress can make anywhere from $40.00 to $400.00 a shift depending on where and when they are working. Barbacks get a lot less. Host and hostesses are often get a little more than minimum wage. I dont know about the kitchens.

People who find work in good establishments and have good skills do well, and you can live in the city off of it, especially if you dont have a car.

Irish still have a decent hold on pubs. The Irish do seem to have a connection with each other. But I'm not sure how it works. There are many, many Irish pubs and most are fairly authentic. In a lot of other places, an Irish pub is nothing more than a bar with an Irish name. Once you are here, there are a lot of bartenders who I'm sure will give you some advice. Get here, go bar hopping and talk to people.

There are many Irish pubs in the hub, but there also spattered all over greater Boston. While many work in the hub, most of the Irish live and socialize in the cheaper neighborhoods. There are a lot in Brighton and Dorchester, and lot of the lesser known Irish pubs in those neghborhoods are a great spot to meet Irish in the industry. Or come right to the heart of the city, where many work. You can visit dozens of places in Fanueil Hall and youl meet all kinds of Irish bartenders and waitresses.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by phenomenon

I'm moving to Boston next month from Ireland because our economy has fallen to pieces. (Just what America needs - yet another immigrant! ) I'll be a legal immigrant in Boston for the year. Although I'm a college graduate, I'm thinking of getting a job in a pub since I have experience in that area.

My question is: Do the Irish still look after each other in Boston? Would a pub owner help me out and give me a job or would he prefer Americans? Also, what kind of wages do bar-staff earn over there? Is it enough to survive on (rent, food etc)?

Thanks

I don't live in Massachussetts, but I do have Irish blood (mixed with other blood), but I always associate msself as Irish because patrilineal and father's influence.

Nontheless, throughout the U.S., people would absolutely LOVE to meet and talk to any 'real' irish person with the Irish accent....even moreso in an Irish bar. I think you'd be popular throughout the country, as almost every city in the US has tons of people with Irish blood.

In short, if Boston doesn't work out, you have a lot of people throughout the rest of the country that would love to meet you. Especially if you get away from the POPULAR cities, and hit the more obscure cities and towns of the U.S.