‘Flat Top Johnny’s’ Gives It Another Shot in Kendall Square

Flat Top Johnny’s, a Kendall Square hangout offering pool, pinball, pub fare, and drinks reopened Friday after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The newly-opened Flat Top Johnny’s sits at 238 Main Street, a few blocks away from its original location at One Kendall Square.

Friday and Saturday saw high turnout, founder John Adams said in an interview, adding that many customers who had frequented the location prior to its shutdown returned for the reopening.

Adams said it was “very nice to see the community back.”

He added that his aim was to “recreate” what existed at the previous location as closely as possible, while still taking advantage of the industrial “charm” of the new space.

Adams commissioned Stephanie Vecellio, a local artist and patron of Flat Top Johnny’s, to reproduce a pool-themed cartoon mural that was a focal point of the original location.

The physical characteristics of the space are not the only holdovers from the previous location: According to Adams, 60 percent of Flat Top Johnny’s staff are returning employees.

“It says a lot for the space and the community that these guys wanted to come back and work here again,” Adams said.

He said longtime customer favorites such as chicken wings and tenders remained big sellers, but added that drinks from a revamped cocktail list were also hits over the weekend.

However, the food and drink alone are not all that drew customers back, according to Adams, who said the combination of pool, pinball and pub fare makes the eatery unique.

“It's providing people something to do, something to go along with their food and drink,” Adams said.

Looking ahead, Adams said he expects rising costs for space, supplies, and wages to continue to pose a challenge, but said he is excited about the pool hall’s future.

“We're looking to make some people happy when they come in through the door, and have some employees who are working in a place that they feel good about,” Adams said.

He said Flat Top Johnny’s has developed a devoted clientele drawn from the local cycling, art, and music scenes and has gotten involved with local charities including Bikes Not Bombs and Best Buddies.

Adams said this local engagement gives him the motivation to push forward with the reopening.

“That makes it all worth trying again,” he said.

—Staff writer Michael A. Maines can be reached at michael.maines@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @m_a_maines.