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Boston
Guide
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Restaurants
| Nightlife | Tours
| Shopping
| Sports | Art
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NightLife
Places to have fun! |
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Nothing
more exciting that Boston at night with or without a date... |
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The
Middle East
The giant of the
alternative rock scene in Cambridge, Boston and possibly the Northeast.
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472-480
Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
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Phone
(617) 354-8238
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The
Scene
There's a heavy bent toward local bands, but national acts do
roll in each month. Downstairs is where the headliners set up.
There's a huge space to jam in front of a large stage, two
good-sized bars, a coat check and a woody, smoky feel that works
quite well about midnight when the place is packed. Upstairs is
significantly smaller and brighter with a moderate bar.
Admission to each room is separate. The small stage upstairs in
the Corner is often home to eclectic music: sometimes acoustic,
sometimes jazz-oriented and always free.
The Food
The restaurant is nothing fancy: your basic coffeehouse setup,
with recycled treadle tables and scuffed-up captain's chairs,
but you'll find a wide array of classic Middle Eastern dishes to
choose from. |
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T.T.
the Bear's Place
Homey, feel-good
club that hasn't lost its place among the best in the Central Square
underground music scene.
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10
Brookline St
Cambridge, MA 02139-4152
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Phone
(617) 492-2327
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The
Music
Live. Rock. Quality. Loooooud! No need to guess what you'll
hear. It'll be traditional rock and roll. The neighboring Middle
East may have invaded large sections of the square, but the old
guard stands firmly at the gate in this cozy club. Past acts
that have appeared here include Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana,
and national and international stars still grace its stage. Yet,
the local scene hasn't been abandoned. Up-and-comers from the
area can be heard every Sunday, Tuesday and most Wednesdays.
The Scene
It's a young crowd (18 and over gets in), and the doors shut
tight at 1am, even on weekends.
The Feel
Local artwork adorns the walls, and the two pool tables in the
backroom give it a gritty feel. The club is small, but provides
good angles of the stage. |
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Bill's
Bar
Funk, traditional
rock and head-banging live acts: It's a diverse music scene at this
Landsdowne club.
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5
1/2 Lansdowne St
Boston, MA 02215-3412
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Phone
(617) 421-9678
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Cross
streets
Ipswich Street |
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The
Scene
Dead rock stars adorn the walls. Stroll past Marley, Hendrix,
Lennon and Joplin en route to the Elvis bathroom. Yes, it's
morbid, particularly the King tribute, which includes a copy of
the drug prescription that killed him in the, yes, bathroom. The
women's room is devoted to Marilyn Monroe.
The Draw
Nestled among Landsdowne's elite clubs, here the concept is
diversity. There are metal bands on Monsta Monday. Groove Night
comes every Wednesday. It's the best of the Boston underground
on Thursday and straight-up rock on weekends. Reggae is the
music of choice on mellow Sundays. Big sound and a small stage
make for a strange experience. The biggest upset is that the red
ball lights hanging over the bar don't shatter when the amps
ignite. |
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Boston
Billiard Club
The perfect place to
impress your visiting friend from Goldman Sachs with your stickwork.
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126
Brookline Ave
Boston, MA 02215
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Phone
(617) 536-7665
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The
Scene
Boston Billiard is definitely a boy's club--halfway between a
college frat house and your uncle's basement pool room. The
jukebox blares classic and aggro rock, and most of the patrons
bent over the 42 pool tables are wearing collars, khaki, or
caps. Adding to the "gentleman's club" ambience,
waitresses all wear black mini-dresses and thigh-high boots,
with dollars tucked suggestively in their shoulder straps. (The
service on the night we visited was a mite slow, but none of us
quite minded.)
The Bar
Separated from the pool tables is a more relaxed bar area,
tastefully decorated in mahogany and forest green. The beer
selection is limited, but the bar does stock a full selection of
top shelf liquor and an extensive
"martini menu" with unusual offerings like the Cognac
Martini and the Lustful Kiss (Absolut Mandarin and Raspberry
Pucker). Bar food is reasonably priced, and includes the four
basic food groups: burgers, nachos, potato skins, and wings. |
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Karma
Club
Exotic, enticing
and...okay, slightly gimmicky--but the music is worth the price of
admission.
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9
Lansdowne St
Boston, MA 02215-3412
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Phone
(617) 421-9595
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Cross
streets
Brookline Avenue |
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The
Decor
Darkly lit, with that Indian-Tibetan atmosphere that just makes
you want to philosophize. Think opium den, the kind you remember
from the token psychedelic scene in those lame '60s
youth-culture flicks. But here's the stunner: It works! Ornate,
carved wooden doors open to oval archways and an impressive
collection of Eastern artwork. The layout is a labyrinthine of
inspiration. Take a right and there's a dance floor and stage,
left and the Mambo Lounge, straight ahead and private, dimly lit
booths.
The Scene
Upscale international, and those who wish they were.
The Music
Choose your night, and your sound. Weekends are devoted to
modern dance, with an emphasis on exotic-sounding tracks that
fit the mood. Wednesdays are time for the gay-friendly
"Hump," and Thursday is "Groove Factory."
It's nearly as inventive as some of the pick-up lines. |
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