Locke Ober's

Locke-Ober Cafe was a true joy. Old world Boston. You were treated like royalty the moment you walk through the door.
The restaurant remained as it had for years. Ceiling to floor hand carved mahogany panels and Tiffany style stained glass windows. As you entered the restaurant you were faced with a Bronze sculpture called "Glori Victis" by French sculpture Marcus Jean Antonin Mercil, known as "Boston's most famous hat rack"
The most distinguishing characteristic of the dining room was 7 large silver Tureens with a system of pulleys and wires to lift the lids. Its said the heavy silver lids can be lifted with one finger.



Locke-Ober started as a small "cellar cafe" somewhere around 1870 by a fellow by the name of Louis Philippe Ober. After the "Great Fire" of 1872 the restaurant soon grew into a grander eating establishment at 4 Winter Place.
Louis Ober sold the Restaurant 25 years later to "Wood and Pollard" a wholesaler of liquor.
Two years later the owner of a restaurant at 2 Winter Place, next door, Frank Locke bought Ober's Restaurant Parisian. He had run a successful restaurant called "Frank's Wine Room" serving Wine, Liquor and Lunch. The location for the most part was a men's restaurant and closed to women except between the hours of 9:00-11:00 am for viewing only.
His ownership of Ober's was short lived. He passed away in April of 1894.
Two months after Frank Locke's death the restaurant was again purchased by Wood and Pollard. The two restraunts were combined.
The restraunt was then sold to Emil Camis where he combined not only the two menu's, but also the names. Locke-Ober. With the help of J.B.Bailhe' Head chef for "Ober's Restaurant Parisien",they ran a successful restaurant for 40 years.
Since then Locke-Ober has been owned by many different folks, All keeping the old world charm that had you feeling you have gone back in time.

Locke-Ober Closed its doors for good yesterday. Its sad to see it go. Its about time that the city of Boston should step in and save our dieing past. Places like this need to be preserved for generations to come. Possibly a school for young waiters to learn old world charm.
I will miss Locke-Ober