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Jamaica: Back to Life
Jamaica: Back to Life
We touched down in Montego Bay 11:30am half hour through customs. We walked out into a sea of people, its hot and unpolished. The major resorts have lounges for guests... Read more...
Florida
Florida
I was ramping up in stress level in Boston. Running away from some personal feelings.Swiping left and right and overstimulating myself. Too many dates, too much interaction with strangers that... Read more...
Sedona: Into the Vortex
Sedona: Into the Vortex
In love, we try to give ourselves to another person. It’s a process—opening up, trusting, letting go of fear, allowing, acceptance. When it works, it floods the body with beautiful... Read more...
Ayahuasca: My First Trip
Ayahuasca: My First Trip
I took ayahuasca, and it was basically an adult sleepover…if everyone had norovirus. The ceremony was held at a private home with a group of about 15 people. The first... Read more...
Chelsea: City Under the Bridge
Chelsea: City Under the Bridge
ODB hits the streets of Chelsea for good food, good folks, and a beefy view of the Tobin in Boston's nook. Read more...
The Legend of Ralph DeMasi
The Legend of Ralph DeMasi
A rough-riding and storied criminal, gangster Ralph DeMasi reigned terror on both Providence and Boston before the Feds caught up. Once feared as one of the most dangerous criminals in New England, this... Read more...
Chesty Morgan x The Combat Zone
Chesty Morgan x The Combat Zone
“It is 3am in the Combat Zone and the gay bars have closed, the fags, hookers, pimps and pushers roam the streets.” this is a quote taken from a 1973... Read more...
The Glass Slipper
The Glass Slipper
When I was 17 I got my first fake ID. My friend Harry found out about a shop in NY that would make you an ID for $20, this was... Read more...
The 2 O'Clock Lounge
The 2 O'Clock Lounge
"I showed up in Boston with $12k in cash, checked into a suite at the Ritz and headed for the Combat Zone. I planned to be dead in six months..." Read more...
Old Dirty Boston x Golden Deer Productions Podcast
Old Dirty Boston x Golden Deer Productions Podcast
Find out why I started the Old Dirty Boston Podcast and some history on Somerville's notorious Winter Hill Gang.  For more episodes of the Golden Hour Podcasts visit: http://goldendeer.productions/golden-hours-podcast   Read more...
Magnus Johnstone By One Who Knew Him Best
Magnus Johnstone By One Who Knew Him Best
Reminisce on the history of Boston’s alternative scene, and a few names come immediately to mind. However, it’s important to remember just how diverse the scene actually was. Incredible talents... Read more...
Phil In Phlash: A Look At Boston's Most Notorious Photographer
Phil In Phlash: A Look At Boston's Most Notorious Photographer
The punk scene in Boston holds a special place in the heart of its patrons. It’s always served as a memory of a time when the hub truly was Dirty... Read more...
Boston Breweries Of Old
Boston Breweries Of Old
When you mention Boston beer to the uninitiated, a few obvious names might come to mind. Particularly Sam Adams and Harpoon among a few others, but long before the age... Read more...
Ellis The Rim Man
Ellis The Rim Man
by Jim Botticelli/DirtyOldBoston.com Moe Ellis was a rebel because he never ever did what he should, at least as an adolescent. He should not have gotten into a fight with a... Read more...
Vargas In Boston
Vargas In Boston
Painting by Alberto VargasBy Jim Botticelli/Dirty Old BostonShe sits over the bar inside the Intermission Lounge right next to the Theater District. Once a seedy stop on the way to the Combat Zone, the... Read more...
Anthony!
Anthony!
By Jim Botticelli/Dirty Old Boston He's 61 years old now. His roots lie deep in the North End and in the hearts of DOB types everywhere. In 2013, "Anthony" was born again as film crews... Read more...
The Return Of Jethro Tull
The Return Of Jethro Tull
By Jim Botticelli/Dirty Old Boston  "It was a new day yesterday, but it's an old day now," That Tull title came to mind at Harbor Lights Sunday on the South Boston Waterfront.... Read more...
WMEX 1510
WMEX 1510
By Jim Botticelli, Creator of Dirty Old Boston In Dirty Old Boston, WMEX-AM was the only station for kids. WBZ and later WRKO were richer and more powerful, but this... Read more...
Soulvation At Sonia
Soulvation At Sonia
When legends perform there is revelry in the communion. Thelma Jones is an unlikely star, a relatively unknown LA based vocalist who once recorded for Barry Records when the labels attempted... Read more...
Death Of A Destination
Death Of A Destination
Harvard Square was once a durable destination with a variety of coffeehouses, bars, diners, boutiques and music venues, as well as being home to new and used book and record shops.... Read more...
My Cheri Amour
My Cheri Amour
From Box Office magazine, 1966: "Reportedly the world's first 'drive up' theater, Ben Sack's new luxury 800-seat Cheri Theater on the ground floor of the nine story 1000 car Auditorium Garage, in... Read more...
Jamaica Plain
Jamaica Plain
By Jim Botticelli/Dirty Old Boston Creator Jamaica Plain--let's call it JP--is a different sort of Boston neighborhood. The jury's out on the definitive origins of its name unfortunately but a... Read more...
Filene's Basement
Filene's Basement
By Jim Botticelli/Dirty Old Boston Founder They lined up well before it opened, ready to jump on serious bargains. Filene's Basement in Downtown Boston was Lord and Master of the... Read more...
Photo by Arthur Griffin
Eastie
You don't think of East Boston as part of Boston unless you live there only because entry and exit is--at times--a scandalous slog. Traffic bound for East Boston is usually Logan Airport bound and... Read more...
Summer Goes Straight To Hull
Summer Goes Straight To Hull
As summer begins its inevitable wane, we pay homage to the easily accessible beaches DOB types have long treasured. In their Golden Days, both Nantasket and Revere Beach were exciting honky tonks.... Read more...
Orange Is The New Black
Orange Is The New Black
The elevated Charlestown line stopped in Thompson Square in 1975. The Boston Transportation Review guys looked at the line in the 1970s and considered extensions to reach 128, with terminals... Read more...
RIP to a Brighton Breakfast Joint
RIP to a Brighton Breakfast Joint
Mandy & Joe's in  Brighton CenterSometimes it's good to see something familiar, something that was there in Dirty Old Boston and remains with us. That's Mandy & Joe's Restaurant at 328 Washington Street, Brighton Center, with... Read more...