The Dubliner bar in Boston, Massachusetts, closed its doors on June 23, 2026, the same day as England's World Cup match against Ghana, with a note saying it was giving staff a break after a heavy week of partying with Scotland fans. The pub has been a headquarters for the Tartan Army during the World Cup, with Scots drinking the place dry over the previous week.
Pub Closure Sparks Social Media Reactions
A video shared on X showed the pub's doors closed with a note reading: "Closed today to give staff a break." The accompanying tweet said: "The Dubliner in Boston has closed its doors to England fans today! Clearly like the Scottish more." The Dubliner also posted on Instagram: "We've decided to give our staff a day off and are closing today, they've worked incredibly hard over the last two weeks and deserve it." In a possible dig at England's match, they added: "Thankfully there's nothing happening in Boston today so we will be back tomorrow. #noscotlandnoparty."
Social media users found the closure amusing. One commented: "Love my petty besties at the Dubliner for being closed during the England match. And bravo for giving the staff a day of rest!" Another wrote: "Lovely, hard-working people who were hopefully tipped generously by the tartan army!! Thanks for all your hospitality." A third said: "This is so funny bro."
England Fans React to Early Pub Closures
England fans hit back, with one writing: "Spend your money somewhere else. Their loss." Another chimed in: "Clearly don't like money." Other bars across Boston also shut early at 10pm on the same day, just hours after England drew 0-0 with Ghana. An England fan on TikTok filmed the scene outside Hennessy's Bar on Union Street, saying: "They've shut all the pubs down here at 10pm. Big queues and you can't drink on the street" as hundreds of England fans stood outside. He added: "So the update in Boston is all the places are closed now. Police or councillors said shut down at 10 so people are just being pushed out to other areas."
Scotland fans found this amusing, commenting: "Try singing Flower of Scotland." Another wrote: "We were in there partying till 5am." Someone else added: "We were on the streets drinking until 3am too."
Boston's Alliance with Scotland Fans
The Dubliner was considered one of the Tartan Army's main headquarters in Boston. The city formed such a strong bond with Scotland that the mayor announced a sister city partnership with Glasgow after locals begged the Tartan Army not to move on to Miami. The Scots have since moved to Miami, where they were given the go-ahead by the Miami Commissioner to place traffic cones on statues. Tonight, Steve Clarke's team faces Brazil at Miami Stadium in their final World Cup match ahead of the knockout stages.
