Since its beginnings in 2012, Night Shift Brewing has seen many iterations, from its flagship taproom in Everett to the Owl’s Nest beer garden on the Esplanade. The company is now setting down year-round roots in Boston proper with its recently opened full-service spot in Lovejoy Wharf, where founders Michael Oxton, Mike O’Mara and Rob Burns are also brewing a new type of beverage: Coffee.

“There’s so much crossover between coffee and beer,” Oxton says of the addition of Night Shift Roasting. “There’s all sorts of intricacies to it and, from our perspective, we’re already offering the night-shift beverage, let’s go after the morning-shift beverage as well. Morning and night, we have you covered.”

SHIFT WORKS: Night Shift’s new taproom near TD Garden offers sustenance for all three meals of the day.

Open daily for lunch and dinner, the kitchen serves shareable plates such as a Reuben flatbread topped with sauerkraut, black pastrami, mozzarella, red onions and a creamy drizzle made from the Morph IPA. There’s also sandwiches, like the Brewer’s Brat featuring bratwurst, sauteed onions, peppers and a spicy beer slaw piled on a roll, as well as salads, including the goddess bowl, a mixture of quinoa, purple potatoes, avocado, candy cane beets, carrots and a Pfaffenheck pilsner-based vinaigrette. Spearheaded by production manager Anna Jobe, the beer program boasts a 10-barrel brewing system with an emphasis on experimental, small-batch suds and a taproom with 30 lines proffering options such as the Darkling 2019 stout and Nite Lite lager.

“We looked at what was in this neighborhood and what we could add that didn’t really exist,” Oxton says. “I think we’re offering creative twists on some familiar comfort items at really affordable prices.”

With capacity for 400, the space features Oktoberfest-style tables, as well as decor such as a giant neon owl, a wall of aluminum cans and a 6,000-square-foot mural by local artist James Weinberg featuring a hand toasting a drink and sporting a watch stopped at 4:36—the exact time the company ended its first brew session in 2012. During the warmer months, visitors can sit on the 80-seat patio looking out at the Zakim Bridge and enjoy coffee and pastries from chef Lira Mondal—formerly of Bistro du Midi, Grill 23, Oleana and Sofra.

“You can try coffee made by us, beer made by us and food made by us, all within a single location,” Oxton says. “I think that’s super exciting.”

Night Shift Brewing 1 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston (617-456-7687) nightshiftfamily.com


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