The least Harvardian of the Square bars, Whitney's is for the students who want to escape and the plaid-shirt townies who can't. The uncomfortable dark barroom offers darts, golfing games, gruff company, and fine people-watching from the window seats. Bottles of Bud are $3, and if you can't hack it, a pint of "those other beers" (like Harpoon) costs $3.75. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

For an "insiders" look at how Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts feels, frolics and feeds itself, Casablanca restaurant and bar is the place to go. Casablanca, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, is a casual, neighborhood "joint" that has grown to near-legendary status. Students and their professors, writers and their subjects, musicians and their muses all congregate at 40 Brattle Street. Casablanca offers a relaxed drinking environment with a bit more flair than other restaurants. If the exotic, Moroccan-inspired decor doesn't already remind you of the Academy Award-winning movie, then the gigantic wall mural of Bergman and Bogart probably will. Visit Casablanca and enjoy a glass of merlot with friends at one of the intimate tables. Is it the mildly exotic atmosphere? The enticing Mediterranean cuisine? The chance to tipple at the bar elbow-to-elbow with a nuclear physicist, a poet, or the next Kanye West? Who knows?

In the basement of “Upstairs on the Square” sits another one of those ‘Harvard' bars, Grendel's, a mountain-town pub shoehorned into contemporary Cambridge. Most nights of the week Grendel's is filled with a lively mix of locals, grads, undergrads, and the occasional professor, who all huddle around cozy, dimly-lit tables for an atmosphere that's more low-key than anything its nearby competitors can provide. Compared to the nearly perpetual happy hours at Grendel's, other bars seem downright melancholy. The crowded red-bricked basement interior, faux-Tuscan tiled tables, and small plates make for a medieval dining hall meets college pub experience. The menu is a motley mix of cuisines, from cheeseburgers and pizza ($5.50) to falafel. Everything is half-price with min. beverage purchase of $3 daily 5-7:30pm and Su-Th 9-11:30pm. Express lunch specials M-F go for only $3.95. A wonderful way to round off the weekend, “The Sunday Seven” menu features 7 items at $1 each, again with $3 min. beverage purchase. Youngsters, beware: they frequently don't admit those under 21 after 5pm (especially F and Sa), so call ahead. Entrees $5-8. The beers on tap are an excellent variety of microbrews and imports (no “Bud” here, but at $4/pint Paulaner Hefeweizen has risen as a crowd favorite). The Grendel's Happy Hour offers half-price menu items with min. $3 drinks (daily 5-7:30pm and Su-Th 9-11:30pm). Cheap, tasty food and a warm-fuzzy-glo atmosphere make Grendel's a convenient budget locale for those who like to munch while they imbibe. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Sequestered in a corner of the The Charles Hotel, Noir is a sophisticated bar and lounge with prices to match. As its name suggests, the decor recalls 1940s film noir, with atmospheric red lights overhead and dark corners for darker deeds. Fortunately, Noir doesn't take itself too seriously, making for a fun and even cozy night out. On weekends, the bar lets its hair down a little: live music occasionally hits the joint, and the crowd starts wearing jeans and, shockingly, sometimes flannel. The innovative menu, designed by Rialto's Jody Adams, satisfies late-night cravings of all sizes with everything from a single chocolate chip cookie ($1) to soy ginger beef skewers ($7), as well as an extensive selection of pressed sandwiches and grilled flatbreads ($8-10). Drinks from the bar are mostly top-shelf alcohols (bottled beers $4-7, mixed drinks $9-13). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. The key is to show up between 5 and 7 p.m. on weeknights, when the food is all steeply discounted (everything $5 or less). Definitely worth a trip.

Template:Jazz Music Contrary to what your beatnik friends may have told you, the finest jazz clubs often reside in the hearts of swanky hotels, and Regattabar is no exception. Hosting big-name national jazz acts (Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Diane Schuur, and McCoy), the jazz bar also showcases a wide variety of emerging talent, most notably during its annual Regattabar Jazz Festival held every Feb.-Mar. Don't show up expecting your crush to pull up a stool next to you—there's a better chance that the attractive man next to you will turn out to be your History professor. A limited number of general admission tickets are available 1hr before the first show of the evening. Cover tends to be steep at $12+; min. 1 beverage per patron on F/Sa nights. Casual to semi-formal dress. The website lists the Regattabar's performance schedule and ticket information ($1.50 surcharge for online bookings). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Club Passim's Cambridge basement incubates its share of acclaimed folkies and other musicians angling for renown. Bluesman Taj Mahal played here in his early days; other alumni include Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Shawn Colvin, though not Bruce Springsteen, who was turned down for rocking just a bit too hard. No alcohol is served, and the place doubles as the earth-friendly Veggie Planet restaurant. Tu night is open mic. Cover $8-25; member discount $2+. Casual. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

The Border packs patrons in eights days a week, with lines stretching around the corner and down the street. On weekends, a vibrating beeper at this local hot spot will signal your entrance into the cajun-popcorn-promised-land after what can sometimes be a 2hr wait. A bottomless basket of homemade chips and salsa graces each table, but be careful: the entrees are both tasty and filling, if not mammoth. While Tex-Mex seems to be the name of the Border Cafe's game, their Cajun dishes are more delicious and inventive than somewhat predictable enchiladas and the like. Complete vegetarian menu. Take out available. Most entrees $7-12. With a waiting area packed tighter than a Japanese subway car, Border certainly looks like the place to be. Like the restaurant, the bar is always lively and packs in college kids drinking to forget they're students and young professionals drinking to forget they aren't. Pass the (long) time waiting for a table with any of a number of delicious margaritas ($5+). The late-night menu (appetizers, chips) starts at 11pm, F-Sa at midnight. Fire hazard? I don't see any fire hazard. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Small cozy pub with an excellent selection of beers and a small patio where smoking and dogs are allowed! The sunken cobblestone patio of Shays is the place to while away a warm night with a group of friends and a pint or two. Inside, crumbling brick walls, exposed piping, and a laid-back crowd give this pub a cozy, lived-in feel. All drafts $4, bottles $3-5.50. Excellent appetizers range from the standard (nachos $5.75) to the distinctive (baked brie $5). All appetizers $3 after 6pm. Sandwiches, burgers, salads, and other pub fare ($3-6) available until 10pm.

The Cambridge Hong Kong is a favorite destination for college students and early 20 something's. After more than 30 years of contributing to Cambridge's late-night party scene, the party is still going. Check pretension at the door and get your game face on, because this is a party that does not stop until the last bouncer forces you out. Indulge in the Hong Kong's famous Scorpion Bowl or chug cheap beer and mixed drinks all night long. Anything will do if you want to shake it at this Harvard hotspot. Thu-Su the 3rd floor doubles as a comedy club from 8-10pm (Tu $10; W, Th, and Su $7; F-Sa $9). Bar food is served downstairs for those with the late night munchies.

Template:Comedy Club Rounding out the Kong's holy trinity of things that make your stomach hurt (food, alcohol, and laughs), this club sits atop the restaurant and bar in Harvard Square. Every Tu the Mystery Lounge ($10) dazzles audiences with its professional magicians, while F-Sa ($9) showcases a selection of the best of the Comedy Studio's talents, ranging from up-and-coming local performers to lesser-known national comedians. Shows on W, Th, and Su nights feature stand-up acts, sketches, and other antics presented by regulars ($7). Visit their website for a $1-off coupon. Full bar and Hong Kong food menus available during shows. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.