Brookline Bar Facing Eviction Amid Landlord Dispute: Report

BROOKLINE, MA — A popular Coolidge Corner bar is fighting eviction as it remains locked in a lease dispute with its landlord, according to a report from Brookline.News.

Hamilton Restaurant and Bar, which opened in 2018 on Beacon Street, was served with a notice in December terminating its tenancy-at-will agreement. Court documents indicate the restaurant was asked to vacate the property by Jan. 31, 2026, but it has continued operating while the dispute plays out in Brookline District Court. A hearing is scheduled for June 18.

Owner Greg Johnston said the eviction stems from a misunderstanding over a 27-year lease agreement. Johnston acknowledged he did not submit a required renewal notice after the lease's first seven years, but said a separate repayment agreement tied to a COVID-era rent discount demonstrates his intent to remain in the space.

The latest legal action follows a separate dispute earlier this year in which the landlord sought to evict the restaurant over alleged unpaid rent. That case was ultimately settled in September before the current conflict emerged.

Public records show the restaurant has faced multiple complaints filed with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office since 2022 related to wage and tipping issues. The state has assessed nearly $4,000 in restitution and penalties against Brookline Dining Group, the LLC that operates Hamilton. Johnston disputed claims that workers were underpaid, saying some employees misunderstood how taxes on tipped income affected their paychecks.

Named after Alexander Hamilton, the restaurant has become a well-known neighborhood gathering spot in Coolidge Corner, serving pub fare and hosting weekly trivia nights.

Read more at Brookline.News.

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