For such a popular Rock nightclub, who knew that the food could be amazing? One of the top places one must go to before leaving Boston. Opened as a Lebanese restaurant in 1970, the Middle East spans three storefronts filled with throngs of patch-covered jackets and wallet chains who come to enjoy a provocative symbiosis of sensuous Middle-eastern cuisine (falafel sandwiches $3.75), belly-dancing (W), and cutting-edge modern American rock and punk acts. Featuring live bands every night, the Middle East is a major landmark on any tour of Boston's alternative music scene, with no less than 3 separate stages. Local and regional bands, including Harvard's own, play in the small upstairs area, while larger names grace the more spacious downstairs. Music ranges from ska to hip-hop, but leans in favor of experimental acts testing the limits of what can be called music. Good selection of foreign and domestic beers (bottles $3.50). Cover $8-10 upstairs, $12-25 downstairs. Check the website for a full list of musical acts. The restaurant area features acoustic performances and folk music and never charges a cover. The two eating areas inside the club provide delicious and affordable middle eastern food. For fancier edibles, check out ZuZu which is a part of the Middle East complex but has its own distinct personality. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Named after the owner's teddy bear hamster Tough Teddy, T.T. the Bears Place was voted 'Best of Boston,' by Boston Magazine. T.T.'s has live music seven nights a week and showcases everything from candypop to heavy metal. It's a friendly bar decorated with cubist artwork and fairy lights. Check the website or go to T.T.s for a monthly schedule. Who knows, maybe they'll hit it big; after all, Letters to Cleo got their start here. Cover ranges from free to $30 (cash only, with tickets for some shows available through Ticketmaster). All shows are 18+, making T.T.s a great place for the under- and over-21 crowd to mix. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Tucked down a side street in Central Square, T.T.'s has provided a venue for small musical acts of all genres since the late 1970s. Several huge bands--including Nirvana, who performed for only 13 people--played their first area show here. The crowd depends wholly on the entertainment, as one night might bring up-and-coming indie rockers, and the next a goth act or an acoustic folk duo. On Feb. 13th, they are hosting a "Vampy Valentine's day" for a bit of a Gothic/Vampire celebration to the holiday....

The Phoenix delivers a uniquely hip fusion with “pub-style club music” of every possible genre (live music Tu and Th, Top 40 F). Vinyl tablecloths and funky recessed red lights set the stage for dancing college kids and chill twentysomethings. Typical bar fare until 10pm. The Phoenix opens earlier when English football plays on the weekend. Appetizers only $3.50 from 5-7pm, and Irish Breakfast is served on Sa. Beer and limited cocktails $4.25. Cover $3-5. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

n a new location, Cheapo Records, is full of the same great and ecclectic clientele, it's always had. This is a great place to browse or buy the lastest CD's or vinyl around. Boston's best source for new and used music (RECORD and CD) including SOUL,OLDIES,ROCK,JAZZ,HIP-HOP, and more. Conveniently located in Central Square on the RED LINE and OPEN EVERY DAY.

Welcome to the secret society of the Cambridge elite. The Enormous Room is so exclusive, it doesn't even have a sign on the door. Look for the door next to Central Kitchen with an elephant on it and head up the stairs to a spacious expanse of avant-garde heaven. Depending on the DJ of the night, funk, house, soul, or blues plays in the background while grad students sit cross-legged around “enormous plates”—trays of appetizers including hummus and grape leaves, goat cheese-pine nut briouats, salmon skewers, and anything the chef feels like adding ($14, vegetarian $12). Drinks are more than reasonable, so feel free to sample the ever-popular Stoli Raspberry ($6). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

_

Template:Music Store A major neighborhood presence for over 50 years, Cheapo boasts over half a million records, from blues to be-bop, for as little as $0.25 to as high as $100+ (most average $2-10). It's an especially good place to look for rare and discontinued records. Knowledgeable employees will graciously help you navigate through extensive bins of soul, jazz, gospel, early rock, country, and folk. No better place to trade your old records for some cash. Find fliers with information on upcoming local gigs and guitar teachers at the front counter. Also has a sizeable CD (new $12-16) and cassette collection, as well as videos, DVDs, and LPs. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Some like it hot. Luckily for them, Green Street Grill is a Carribean-inspired mecca for all things “jerk,” “spicy,” and “hot.” The quiet location and rather faded sign belies the restaurant's inviting interior, decorated with modern artwork and framed with dark wood moldings. Tropical cocktails like the Dark and Stormy (Gosling's Rum and ginger beer, $7) set the mood for a creative selection of dishes, from green papaya and mango salad with grilled squid ($8) to tantalizing jerk spiced grilled chicken wings ($7). Entrees like grilled mahi mahi ($18) and coconut curried goat stew ($16), served with jasmine rice and fried plantains, range from moderately to extremely spicy. The rotating dessert options are limited but delicious, especially the banana bread pudding ($6) or warm flourless chocolate cake ($5). Wherever you are in this intimate setting, you'll be close enough to enjoy the live band on any given night; African drums on Su, jazz, rock, and blues on Tu, W, Th, respectively. Cover F-Sa for a wild Cuban roots and salsa gig. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Recording Studios

A haven for the area's folk scene—pop in to learn about upcoming concerts, find a balalaika tutor, or catch the weekly “old timey” jam (M 8pm), when anyone is invited to bring an instrument and play. Sandy's buys, sells, and repairs most stringed instruments, specializing in the “old or unusual,” so this may be the best place to go for mandolins, ukuleles, and banjos, and even the odd bodhran. The staff is unobtrusive, so ask if you have questions. New CDs can be pricey ($15+) but worth it if you are looking for local artists or compilations. Used records ($2-6) are more reasonable. The store also supports the UMass Boston's WUMB folk radio channel, 91.9FM in Boston.