Walpole's Patriot Tavern A Historic Spot with an 'Intimate Atmosphere'

Michael Quinn has been working at the Partiot Tavern in Walpole for the last eight years, calling it a "great change."

“A childhood friend bought the place and asked me to bartend,” he said. “Before that I was teaching English at Purdue University.”

Quinn said the original manager moved on and he was able to take the job. He said the change from working in public relations and as a teacher was easy.

“I just really enjoy working with people,” he said. “It’s such a great way to meet people as well. The timing was just right. It was an exciting opportunity to help grow the place.”

Quinn said the building itself is about 100 years old, and has one of the first liquor licenses handed out after prohibition in Massachusetts.

“It was a stop for cars, it used to be the way to Cape Cod and it was a watering hole for that,” he said.

During that time, Quinn said the decretive pillars outside the building had hinges, to accommodate the relatively new popularity of the car.

“Brakes back then didn’t work so well,” he said.

Quinn said the tavern maintains a small, hometown feel with quite a few regulars and townies that take up residence at the bar.

“We always welcome new faces too,” he said. “But it is a real cozy atmosphere.”

He added he felt the charm of the building was in its small, intimate atmosphere, as it allows for more conversation than noisier clubs and bars.

“The trend seems to be towards bigger and noisier night clubs,” he said. “We kept it small and more intimate. It’s quite an old fashioned place as opposed to the places you get on Route 1, not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

Quinn said they also serve premade sandwiches and hotdogs, and that the hotdogs are free during Red Sox games. He said they are also expanding their selection of craft beers, including Blue Hill Brewery, Harpoon and Blue Moon.

“They’re starting to show some promising growth,” he said.

Quinn said one of the strangest drinks he’s every made is called a Zonker, which one of the regulars always drinks. It contains Amoretto, cranberry juice, vodka and triple sec. He said the most popular exotic drink right now is a drink made with pineapple juice, Fresca and Sky Cherry Vodka.

“It’s the big exotic seller right now,” he said.

Quinn said the Patriot Tavern is definitely characterized by their regular customers. He said a lot of trust has to be built between the tavern and the customer before a real relationship begins.

“You treat people with respect and basically shut up and listen to them,” he said. “That’s the key, let them do most of the talking. Being fair and firm also helps.”

Quinn said the bar donates and fundraises for many public safety causes, such as police and fire, as well as youth sports fundraisers.

The Patriot Tavern is located on 102 Main St. and is open weekdays 11 a.m to midnight.