After more than a decade in South Boston, GrandTen Distilling is preparing to close its production space, tasting room, and craft cocktail bar at 383 Dorchester Ave, with a final day of service slated for October 19. But the distillery isn’t going away for good.
The team announced the news in a recent Instagram update, thanking guests for their loyalty over the years. “With immense gratitude, we thank each and every one of you for your support and for sharing a drink with us,” wrote Matt Nuernberger, who co-founded the distillery in 2011 with his cousin Spencer McMinn. “Your visits to our distillery have made our journey unforgettable, and consider this your invitation to join us one more time before we head out.”
GrandTen helped pioneer the city’s small-batch spirits scene with its signature gin, whiskey, cordials, and cocktails poured on-site. Over the years, the tucked-away Southie spot has become a neighborhood fixture, welcoming thousands of visitors for tours and tastings.
But increasing expenses have pushed the distillery to seek new ground. “The truth is that all things must change,” Matt explained. “Like many businesses, we are facing the challenge of rising costs in the city we love. This has made it increasingly difficult for us to operate from our current location.”
The distillery is now in the process of finalizing a new location outside of Boston Proper, a move Matt views as both practical and expansive. Rather than simply relocating, he described the change as effectively opening a second site—one that will take on much of the manufacturing while also serving customers.
By shifting a portion of the production to the new facility, GrandTen will have more flexibility as it works toward eventually reestablishing a presence in the city. “Once we’re set up in the new space, it’ll be easier to make a return into the city—maybe in 2026 or 2027,” Matt told What Now Boston.
Though the tasting room will go dark for a period, GrandTen’s bottles will remain stocked on shelves throughout Boston. The distillery has built a robust retail and distribution network, ensuring customers won’t see gaps in availability during the move.
Looking ahead, Matt sees opportunity in the change. The new site may allow GrandTen to expand offerings, open more days of the week, and even introduce outdoor seating. “It won’t be the same industrial Americana vibe we had [in Southie],” he noted. “We’ll need to transform the space that we move into… But, if things go as planned, I think our customers will be very satisfied.”
Matt hopes to have the new space up and running by December 2025. In the meantime, GrandTen is encouraging fans to visit while they still can: “We still have five, six weeks of service here in South Boston, so I hope people are able to stop in and see us for one last drink.”
For updates on GrandTen’s relocation, be sure to follow @grandten on Instagram.
