Is 8am Too Early To Serve Drinks? Not At This Weymouth Bar!

There are morning rituals, and then there are morning rituals. For many, this means coffee and maybe a slice of toast, a bagel, or perhaps a full-fledged breakfast. However, for the early risers and the loyal patrons of Johnny Kono’s Bar & Grill in Weymouth, Massachusetts, mornings have a completely different flavor—think hops, barley, and perhaps a hint of vodka. ;-)

While most bars are closing up shop in the wee hours of the morning or getting ready for a lunch rush, Johnny Kono’s is pouring its first round of drinks. Opening its doors at the bright hour of 8am, this establishment takes the phrase "it's 5 o'clock somewhere" to a whole new level. And what's even more surprising? By the time most people are gearing up for their 9am meetings or morning commutes, this bar is bustling with patrons clinking their glasses.

At first glance, it may seem peculiar to have a bar open this early. However, not everyone operates on a 9 to 5 routine. There are third-shift workers wrapping up their night, looking for a place to wind down. Or perhaps, the travelers stopping by, adjusting to different time zones. And let's not forget the regulars who have made this their morning tradition. Johnny Kono's caters to a unique niche and its patrons love it.

The beachy-style bar stands as a testament to the strength of community. A packed bar at 8am is not just about the booze—it's about the atmosphere, the shared moments, the stories told across the counter, and the connections made before most of the world wakes up.

The peculiarities don’t stop at the early opening hour. While most bars and pubs might offer a morning brunch menu or at least some pastries to go along with those early-morning beverages, Johnny Kono’s takes its sweet time, starting its food service only around 11am. But this detail doesn't seem to deter its customers. The draw, it seems, is the camaraderie and the novelty of enjoying a drink as the sun comes up.

If you ever find yourself in Weymouth, Massachusetts, stop by Johnny Kono’s Bar. Whether you're in the mood for a drink, curious about the vibe, or just want a unique experience, it promises to be a morning you won’t soon forget. And they have some of the BEST South Shore Bar style pizza. Trust me, I am a frequent pizza purchaser from this establishment.

When it comes to enjoying a perfectly poured pint of Guinness, the South Shore is the place to go! From lively Irish pubs to cozy local bars, the South Shore is home to several Irish spots where you can indulge in the rich, creamy goodness of the iconic Irish stout.

For many years in a row, the South Shore proudly holds the distinction of being home to the most "Irish zip codes" in America. Here's the break down of Irish residents according to WCVB:
02339 Hanover: 46.3%
02382 Whitman: 45.6%
02081 Walpole: 44%
02061 Norwell: 42.7%
20351 Abington: 42.3%
02190 South Weymouth: 41.7%
02184 Braintree: 41.6%
02188 Weymouth: 40.2%

With all of those Irish people, there's GOT to be good Irish bars on the South Shore, right? YES! Let's go find them in the following Towns of Weymouth, Norwell, Whitman, Abington and Hingham.

Many of these Irish pubs in this area offer a wide range of delicious dishes that pair perfectly with a pint of Guinness too! From hearty stews, to fish and chips, to savory pies and traditional Irish soda bread, the South Shore's culinary scene ensures that your Guinness experience is accompanied by mouthwatering flavors. Some of them even serve the famous "South Shore Pizza too!"
No matter what pub you attend, you will hear the sweet sounds of folky Irish music. Sometimes it's live music, and other times it's blasting through the pub's speakers. Either way it will leave you wanting to leave MA and hop on a flight to Ireland!

26 Union St, Weymouth MA
www.thecottageweymouth.com
"The Cottage was set up by 4 friends from Ireland who were looking to create a good, old-fashioned neighborhood Irish bar in the Columbian square area of Weymouth." The Cottage bar also has live music and traditional Irish sessions on weekends. You walk into this bar and you are greeted by a beautiful Irish accent.

800 Broad St Weymouth, MA 02189
The Red Rose Irish Pub is CASH ONLY, so keep that in mind when you visit this pub in Weymouth. They have live music, a full kitchen, and plenty of Guinness to go around! They don't have a website, but they keep their Facebook page pretty updated.

450 Washington St., Weymouth, MA
https://www.mcswiggansweymouth.com/
"The newly revamped McSwiggan’s is your cozy, local Irish Pub and Restaurant that prides itself on delicious comfort food that is sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. We have created a warm, inviting atmosphere, curated amazing beers and are stirring up cocktails with a twist." They have live music Friday and Saturday starting at 7:30pm and Sunday starting at 4:30pm.

969 Washington Street, Weymouth, MA
https://madhatterwey.com/
They have great food, a great buffet and enough room at the bar and the outdoor patio to have a fun time from open til close!

116 North St., Hingham, MA
https://www.snugpub.com/
The Snug Pub is exactly what the name sounds like... it's an adorable little cozy pub in the heart of downtown Hingham. When it's busy it gets pretty tight in there, but the atmosphere is awesome!

24 Raynor Ave, Whitman, MA
No website, but plenty of reviews on YELP! This Irish pub has almost 5-stars, and they do taco tuesday!

546 Washington St Whitman, MA
https://www.mcguigganspub.com/
Live music, KENO, pizza and beer! "Situated in a completely remodeled 19th century building, the pub's ambiance exudes history and charm. With all the class of a Boston pub, McGuiggan's serves a great pub menu in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere."

707 Main St, Norwell
https://www.thetinkersson.com/
"Named for a touching parable and poem penned in 1954 by Owner Brian Houlihan’s father, Liam, The Tinker’s Son is the realization of Brian’s dream to deliver authentic dishes from his native Ireland in a home guests will find as warm as their own." They also say that they pour the "perfect pint!"

246 Brockton Ave, Abington
http://www.jpryanstavern.com/
"Voted #1 Steak Tips on the South Shore, we pride ourselves on providing delicious pub food matched with excellent service and top notch entertainment."

https://country1025.com/listicle/thirsty-heres-every-brewery-and-winery-on-the-south-shore/

https://country1025.com/listicle/western-ma-is-big-and-out-there-and-so-is-their-brewery-scene/

https://country1025.com/listicle/cape-cod-breweries-wineries/

Ayla Brown is the host of "Country Mornings With Ayla Brown" from 5:30-9am on Country 102.5. You can read the rest of her blogs here.