Savin Hill, Boston, October 11, 2025
News Summary
Savin Bar & Kitchen in Boston’s Savin Hill neighborhood has come under fire for displaying a mugshot of notorious mobster Whitey Bulger at its entrance. Longtime residents are outraged, claiming the display is offensive and sends the wrong message about the community’s history. While the restaurant owners argue the intent is to acknowledge the site’s complex past, controversy remains as community members voice their concerns and a civic association meeting proposes a petition for removal.
Boston
Restaurant displays Whitey Bulger mugshot at entrance, prompting neighborhood backlash
Savin Bar & Kitchen in the Savin Hill neighborhood is facing backlash for displaying photos of Boston mobsters, including infamous mobster Whitey Bulger. The display includes a mugshot of Whitey Bulger that now hangs at the entrance of the restaurant as part of a recently completed revamp. The images have drawn complaints from longtime residents and prompted discussion at a local civic association meeting.
What happened
The restaurant’s recent interior changes included the installation of historical photographs depicting known Boston mobsters. The mugshot of Whitey Bulger is positioned prominently at the restaurant entrance. Owners of the establishment described the intent as preserving and interpreting the building’s history rather than romanticizing criminal activity.
Community response
Reaction among neighborhood residents is mixed but includes strong objections from people who have longstanding ties to the area. A lifelong resident expressed outrage, calling the display offensive and saying it sends the wrong message about the community. That resident also stressed that Bulger and his associates had a direct negative impact on the community and characterized the inclusion of such images as immoral.
At a recent meeting of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association, the issue was formally raised. A proposal was put forward to launch a petition seeking the removal of the mobster images from the restaurant. The civic group intends to revisit the matter at their November meeting. Members of the civic association additionally noted that the community would have been willing to help the restaurant with business troubles had the owners communicated their needs.
Owners’ explanation and mixed local views
The restaurant’s owners have emphasized that the intent of displaying Bulger’s image is to acknowledge the neighborhood’s complex history, not to celebrate his crimes. They contend the building once housed the Bulldog Tavern, a site associated with Bulger’s Winter Hill Gang during the 1970s, and that the photographs are meant to document that past.
Newer residents of the area offered different perspectives. Some do not see an issue with the display and say the location is a good restaurant, while suggesting that those who disapprove may choose not to visit. These comments illustrate a division between long-established residents who object on moral and historical grounds and newer residents for whom the images are less personally charged.
Next steps and context
The Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association plans to return to this topic at its November meeting. No formal change to the restaurant’s display has been reported at this time. The debate touches on broader questions about how neighborhoods acknowledge difficult or criminal aspects of their past, how businesses interpret local history, and who gets to decide what is publicly displayed in community spaces.
Background
The building now occupied by Savin Bar & Kitchen has historical links to the Bulldog Tavern, a location identified with members of the Winter Hill Gang in the 1970s. The Winter Hill Gang and individuals associated with it have a known history in Boston. The current controversy centers on balancing historical interpretation with sensitivities of residents who experienced harm linked to those figures.
FAQ
Why is Savin Bar & Kitchen facing backlash?
Savin Bar & Kitchen in the Savin Hill neighborhood is facing backlash for displaying photos of Boston mobsters, including infamous mobster Whitey Bulger.
What specific image is causing controversy?
The mugshot of Whitey Bulger now hangs at the entrance of the restaurant as part of a recently completed revamp.
What do residents want?
A lifelong resident expressed outrage, stating that the display is offensive and sends the wrong message about the community.
What reason did the restaurant give for the display?
The restaurant’s owners indicated that the display is meant to preserve and interpret the building’s history, not romanticize it.
Does the building have a historical connection to mob activity?
The location once housed the Bulldog Tavern, a key place for Bulger’s Winter Hill Gang during the 1970s.
How did the civic association respond?
At a recent meeting of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association, McColgan proposed a petition to remove the mobster images from the restaurant.
Will the issue be revisited?
The civic group plans to revisit the issue in their November meeting.
Quick reference
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | Savin Bar & Kitchen |
| Neighborhood | Savin Hill |
| Controversial display | The mugshot of Whitey Bulger now hangs at the entrance of the restaurant as part of a recently completed revamp. |
| Historical site | The location once housed the Bulldog Tavern, a key place for Bulger’s Winter Hill Gang during the 1970s. |
| Community action | At a recent meeting of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association, McColgan proposed a petition to remove the mobster images from the restaurant. |
| Next civic review | The civic group plans to revisit the issue in their November meeting. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- CBS News: Boston restaurant displays Whitey Bulger mugshot at entrance
- NBC Boston: Noreaster Boston storm track, timing, and impacts
- Boston 25 News: Boston police officer hospitalized after being struck by vehicle
- WCVB: Boston area faces coldest temps since April
- Wikipedia: Whitey Bulger
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
