Povo World: all tags in Cambridge

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?

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.

A stop at this quintessentially Cambridge bar can make the territory between Harvard and Central seem a lot less like Siberia, even on a frigid winter night. The inside reveals an all-too-snug bar packed with the proletariat—and a sprinkling of area college students. An unassuming crowd is inviting to all; if you're having a bad hair day, it's too dark for anyone to notice, but be careful, since wayward darts might zip your way. (The dart boards are a carryover from long ago when the space was Drumlins, a towny darts bar.) People's is a great destination after the Cellar closes at 1am. All pint-sized drafts and bottles $4, Bud just $2.50. No cover. Cash only.

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Always crowded, always loud, and always great fun, The Plough attracts college sorts and working types alike for a good pint of British or Irish ale. A 20oz. “Imperial Pint” of Guinness is $4, a pint of Bud is $2.75. The Plough's satellite hookup allows it to show English football matches on its 2 TVs; don't be surprised to rub elbows with loud ex-pats from across the pond. Live music kicks off every night around 9pm and Sa 4-7pm, usually featuring local rock or bluegrass bands. Cover Th-Sa up to $6 once the music starts. For a complete listing of entertainment, check out their calendar.Believe it or not, it's a bistrot by day; lunch menu includes chowder ($3+) and ribs ($8). A great Central Square hangout.

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

R.I.P B-SIDE, NOVEMBER 3, 2008

A Cambridge Institution noted for their hardboiled eggs offered as bar snacks to hungry patrons in need of some protein. Voted Best of Boston. Serving Lunch, Dinner and Brunch.

Open for: Lunch Tues-Sat 11:30-4:00

         Dinner 7 Nights 5:30-12:00
         Brunch Sat 11:30-4:00
                Sun 11:00-4:00

Introduced to Cambridge by 2 brothers from Galway, Ireland, Daedalus is the bar of choice among undergrads and grads, though the food options are usually more favored by an older crowd. Two floors (and 2 bars) provide innumerable nooks for conversation over one of the 12 beers on tap or any other tasty and expertly prepared drink. The simple yet vivid space with a greenhouse-esque second floor is great for a casual dinner. Menu options change frequently, and are often culinarily ambitious, but Daedalus does best when it keeps things simple, such as with the warm spinach salad ($9) or the sweet-cheese french toast ($8). The chocolate explosion ($7) is top-notch for dessert. Entrees $11-22. Daedalus has quickly soared to prominence in the Harvard Square bar scene. On summer afternoons, patrons can drink too close to the sun on the greenhouse-esque second floor. With 12 beers on tap, an atmosphere that fuses dark, moody maroons with an airy open storefront in good weather, and proximity to the river, Daedalus has become a Square staple.

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

From the outside, Miracle of Science looks just like a regular MIT dining space. But inside, a fun restaurant and bar pays cheeky homage to the “miracle of science,” appropriately close to that university up the street. Hardwood stools, jet-black countertops, and a periodic table-themed menu may make you feel like you're in lab, though Chem 15 never tasted this good. MoS is a great place for lunch if you're in the MIT area. At night, trendy 20-somethings congregate for a wide range of specialty beers and tasty bar food (burgers, quesadillas, and kebabs; $4.50-11).

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

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.

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.

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.

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This local micro-brewery, on the corner of Hampshire and Broadway, has on tap its very own golden, pale, amber, and porter beers, plus at least 2 creative seasonal specials that change monthly: favorites include pumpkin ale (fall), barley beers (winter), and wheat beers (summer). The crowd that fills the California-style interior consist mostly of after-work software designers, but the beer is good enough to compensate for the nerd-turned-yuppie factor. Kendall Cinema movie-goers can bring their stubs in for a free beer Su-Th night with the purchase of food. Pints run $4+; pitchers $12-12.75; sampler (5 oz. tasting of any beer, min. 3 samples) $1.25 a pop. For the truly inspired, order a beer tower, a plastic-tube concoction that will last through the night if you can ($21+). Temper your beer buzz with hearty selections from their extensive menu. Entrees $10-15.

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 ImprovBoston Family Show is short-form improv appropriate for kids, mom, dad, grandma, and the entire family. Running every Saturday, the evening is full of interactive games, performed by the ImprovBoston Family Show Crew, and is sure to bring out the child in everyone. For years this was in Inman Square, and after a large fundraising effort, just moved to a larger Central Square location at 40 Prospect Street.

ImprovBoston offers youth programs that encourage and nurture students' innate curiosity, creativity, and ability to make connections with others. The professionally trained instructors create a fun and supportive environment within which students can explore, develop, and succeed. Sessions are offered during school vacations and summer break.

Other shows based on themes that are not always so wholesome. I drove by one night and saw a sign outside said that whores get in free.

NAKED COMEDY SHOWCASE: (First Wednesday of every month)

For the past few years, Andy Ohfiesh and his troupe of fearless comedians tackle everyone’s worst fear: standing in front of a packed house in the buff. That’s right—completely sans clothes.

Naked stand-up comedy? Yep, it’s as cringeworthy and awkward as it sounds. At ImprovBoston’s The Naked Comedy Showcase held the first Wednesday of every month, Boston’s up-and-coming comics are literally, um, the butt of the jokes.

The Field

This buzzing, convivial spot, with a pool table, dart board, and Irish-tinged décor, is one of the most happening spots around. A carefree crowd of 30-something professionals and erstwhile grad students gathers in 3 warmly and eclectically decorated rooms to linger for hours over pints ($3.75) and mixed drinks ($4.50).

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

The authentically Irish destination is famous for its "flaming Irish Car Bombs"--a take on the usual Car Bomb--and less-than-steller restrooms.

The Druid

This Inman Square Irish pub and restaurant caters to a young, and working crowd. With a good selection of beer, congenial atmosphere and hearty pub food, this is a great place to go and simmer down after a long day at work. Also, great entertainment Wed- Saturday nights ranging from live music, dj's, and trivia for all to enjoy.

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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.

A bar/pub on the MIT campus for MIT graduate students, faculty, and alumni. From their website: The Muddy Charles Pub was founded in 1968. It is a sub-committee of the MIT Graduate Student Council. The Muddy Charles Pub Board of Governors oversees and directs the operations of the Pub. The Chair of the Board is a current MIT Graduate Student. The Board membership is chosen from the patrons of the pub, and is open to MIT staff, faculty, and graduate students. Further information on the Board may be found in Article II.D.10 of the GSC Bylaws.

Toad (the owner's college nickname) classifies itself as a “little neighborhood bar,” and it certainly is just that—a loud, lively, and very cozy haunt with a small stage and a laid-back feel. Live music starts nightly at 10pm, sometimes earlier; acts range from folk to jazz to rock (schedules are available at the door or by calling ahead). 12 beers on tap; never a cover. Informal. Cash only.

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Toad always has live music and its proud, as it should be, to never have a cover charge. It's a tiny little bar adjacent to (and owned by) Christopher's Restaurant. The unassuming bar could easily be overlooked if not for the great music that escapes into the streets when the door is open (and sometimes when it's not!)

Without the neon fanfare and sloshed singles of Jillian's or The Rack, Flat Top Johnny's is a straightforward, quality pool hall. Winner of Boston Magazine's Best in Boston award every year since 2000, its 12 tournament-sized pool tables host Kendall Square professionals, academics, and veritable pool-sharks alike. Those humiliated by their lack of skill can hang out at the dart boards or video games. A full bar also offers 12 different beers on tap (domestics $3.50, imports $4), as well as sandwiches ($6.95), salads ($4.95-6.95) and typically greasy appetizers like Mexican potato boats ($6.95) or Nine Ball Nachoes ($7.95). Tables are $6/hr before 6pm daily, $10 after 6pm Su-Th and $12 after 6pm F-Sa. Tu night is ladies' night: a woman pays half price for a table. Free pool W nights after 11pm. 9 ball tournament M nights at 6 7pm.

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

The younger brother of the Boston bar of the same name. This Inman Square hidden gem is a sopt for those in the know.

Check out the buck-burger (technically $1.69 between noon and 8pm on weekdays...and not on the menu!). Add a basket of fries for $1.10. Also, half-price meals after midnight during the week!

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.

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 Cellar is the best place on a weekday night to gather a gaggle of rowdy friends. Wonderfully friendly barstaff happily permit all manner of revelry, even interpretive dancing around the bar's two large poles. Brick walls and low lighting provide a cozy atmosphere. The mood is relaxed and the beer cheap ($2.25-3.50); $4 will get you one of their 10 beers on tap, including Sierra Nevada, Pilsner Urquell, Bass, Guinness, or Newcastle. Be sure to sample barman Greg's “rum explosion,” a mandatory rite of passage. Live performances on the weekends make it worth the short trek away from the Square. Upstairs, they offer a Su brunch.

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

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.

All Asia, is a attracts all types. Known for its music, this is a great place to catch local bands, and some cheap eats. Visit their website to see the music calendar! Warning: One drink minimum for everyone, no matter what time of day.

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.

After sinking your teeth into one of Christopher's thin-crust portobello “pizzetas,” topped with caramelized onions, red peppers, and blue cheese, you'll realize that you're not in for an ordinary night of greasy bar grinds. Christopher's caters to serious eaters with sophisticated palates and delivers with such gourmet dishes as Yuppie Nachos (goat cheese, sundried tomates, and guacamole; $4), chicken piccata ($13), grilled salmon with mango chili salsa ($14), and hand-stuffed, homemade porcini ravioli ($13). If you're not into letting your meals outshine your drinks—and with 25 beers on tap and a full wine and mixed drink menu, Christopher's has a lot to offer—then saddle up to one of their basic “Burgahs” ($6 and up, 50¢ per topping) or burritos ($8-9). The charming brick interior is slightly offset by the strategically placed TV's, but the small screens keep the game in the background. Outstanding vegetarian options. Entrees $6-14.

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

This 2-floor establishment has a huge wrap-around bar downstairs and an artsy crowd in its comfy, if unexciting, confines. Brick walls and a cozy fireplace contribute to a subdued atmosphere that feels less like a bar and more like an Adams House common room. Christopher's offers an impressive 24 drafts ($3.50 and up), while beer-phobes can try 9 frozen drink concoctions and 12 varieties of martinis. Also serves excellent appetizers, including “yuppie nachos.”

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Hong Kong

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.

While it appears nondescript from the outside, the Paradise Café houses two levels of lively action for the alternative set. Live male dancers perform nightly and adult films play after 10pm. Great mixture of men of all ages. Cash only.

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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.

If you want to escape the pretentious outfits in the Square, Ryles is the place to go to for upbeat jazz and Latin music. Cheaper rents in Inman Square result in a large, sophisticated 2-story club that plays mainstream jazz on the first floor and Latin-oriented jazz on the second. With a cover charge ranging from $7-15 for live music, Ryles is considerably cheaper than other jazz places like the Regattabar. Temporada Latina conducts salsa lessons on Th nights ($12 before 9:15pm, $8 after), during which the place gets crowded fairly quickly. The club also serves 40 types of beer, a late-night menu, and a jazz brunch on Su of the same high standard as the nearby S&S Deli, owned and operated by the same family.

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

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Opened during Bob Marley's reefer-tinged heyday, this oddly constructed club will leave you in a haze with its multiple levels and entrances. Its table-top Pac-Man, vintage cigarette machine, and the “I hate prejudice” carved into the peeling paint of the bathroom stalls give the impression that little has changed in the club's 30-year history, other than the waning popularity of jah spirit reggae. The lounge could use a little more “movement of the people,” on some nights, but all is definitely not quiet for weeknight shows (like W jazz nights) and reggae Sa, both very hot scenes. Shows W-Th at 9pm, F-Sa at 10pm. Cover $5-10. Limited menu of Jamaican food served all night. Beer $3.50+, mixed drinks $5+.

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Thanks to its location in the One Kendall Square courtyard, this comfortable restaurant attracts area tecchies for lunch and after-work drinks. The bar area hosts live music (most weekends), and friendly waitresses deliver a steady stream of Guinness. Come summertime, open tables on the breezy outdoor patio can be hard to come by.

While not technically a sports bar (it has two average-sized TVs), this is one of the few area hangouts that reliably broadcasts British soccer matches. For a simple date, Kendall Square-style, combine dinner here with a foreign film at the nearby Kendall Square cinema.

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.