Cambridge Nightlife

I will always love Toad.

I worked close to Toad for a while, and was an after-work regular when the graffiti on the bathroom walls was math formulas thanks to the many MIT students and professors who lived nearby. The crowd was different the last time I went, younger, and less math-y, but the music was every bit as good, and the bartenders were as wonderful as ever. Want proof? I was five years away, and Jeff remembered my name and my drink.

You say, the photo here shows “Christopher’s,’ what gives? Toad is the little window-front on the left, and it is exactly as big as it looks. Capacity is about 60, making this one of the most intimate performance places in town. I’ve helped float drum gear overhead to the table-sized stage, and ducked under bass guitars to get to the aforementioned bathrooms. If a band has too many musicians, they sit at one of the six tables with you.

Toad is owned by the same people who own Christopher’s, which means if you ask the bartenders nicely you might be able to bring something over. They also own Cambridge Commons and the Lizard Lounge (down Mass Ave., closer to Harvard), so check the music schedules for both – if Toad is full, you might be able to see the same bands over there.

Please PLEASE note: it is not “The Toad.” It is Toad.

And it is glorious.

Dress Code: None

The entire place is an eclectic random mix of styles from the walls to the menu. The decor is always changing but I love the dominatrix barbies they hang from the ceiling at Halloween. It's a small cramped place with throne-like chairs that will make you feel like you are dining in a medieval pub. This only adds to the charm. They have different DJs in the booth nightly. I'm a fan of their Angular Hair & Guitars, a New Wave/Post Punk night held one Saturday p/month.

The food is great (Boursin Burger w/ crispy thin fries) and drinks are averagely priced. They have vegetarian/vegan options.

There is no dress code. Come dressed as you will.

People come here mostly for the music. They feature different DJs every night of the week and for the most part they are excellent. It can actually be quite the event and can have a really artsy vibe. Some of the best nights can be found the second and fourth Tuesday of every month for Hearthrob, or the last Wednesday of the month for SoSoLimited. Go to the website for upcoming events and descriptions.

When you walk in you’ll find a square room with minimal décor and high exposed ceilings. The tables and benches are low and on wheels so you can “create your own space.” Mostly it serves as an easy way for people to open up a dance floor. Oh and they WILL dance. The clientele is a strange mix of hipsters, super-nerds, college kids, and average folk. You can easily wear a tank top and high-heels or a t-shirt and ripped jeans and fit in all the same.

On Fridays and Saturdays there is a $5 cover after 9 pm and a ridiculous line. I don't think waiting in line, it’s not worth it. Get a drink next door instead.

Pros: music, food, a cool space to lounge if you get there at the right time. Drinks are reasonably priced for Cambridge ($6 for a vodka & soda). I’d go on a Thursday.

Cons: lines, few beers on tap, the vibe of the night depends on the crowd.

*SoSo is currently on hiatus working on other projects*

This is a really great restuarant but the bar is a place where nice looking well educated women go who actually want to get scooped. The staff has over qualified Ph.D's on hand and a fireplace to warm by in the back. There is no parking anywhere except in the market lot across the street after hours. During the day non-store parkers get towed. Street parking opposite the market lot on Elm. Porter Sq subway station is across the street but it is closed after midnight

Dress Code: casual

Speaking of your hole in the wall friendly establishments. No wait, its sort of underground. Grendel's Den will remind you of the one friend that never grew out of high school back in the day, but always had that neat cellar apartment. You know the one. Always had Frank Zappa albums playing, bead doorways, and a cool place to hang out. Well anyway, that's the feeling you get at Grendel's. A lot of collage students and locals grab a inexpensive lunch or dinner special and a brew. Its rather cozy with a lot of people watching going on. The barkeeps and staff are friendly, always willing to engage in a conversation about the fun they have working there. Time permitting of course. And oh yeah, like the sign over the bar says. " Don't ask for a Bud" or corp brands, cuz they don't got none. Hey its Boston.. get a Sam. I would recomand a Dark and Stormy..

Dress Code: What ever your wearing is fine. Shorts, Tee's, jeans, ties, It don't matter. Very layed back.

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The Burren is your basic Irish bar. It's similar to one of the many, many other Irish bars we have in the greater Boston vicinity. There's a backroom where live bands perform and it has a run of the mill bar food menu.

Dress Code: Whatever makes you happy!

The Kendall Square Cinemas is what you might call an arthouse multiplex, with a half-dozen screens showcasing the latest independent and foreign releases. It’s part of the Landmark theatres company, and they have the resources to give you the good parts of the multiplex experience: good-sized screens, comfy seats and pretty decent concessions, along with a selection of movies that outdoes the real multiplexes pretty much any night of the week. Now and then they go a bit overboard on the obscure documentaries, but generally there’s plenty here that can entertain while keeping the brain ticking over.

If you in the afternoon, sometimes you’ll be the only one at a movie (which seems amazing, given the Boston area’s 250,000 college students, never mind others with flexible hours!).

Dress Code: None!

There is no sign, just a door with a red elephant on it right next to Central Kitchen. Upstairs you'll find a corridor of a room that is dark, rich, and alluring. Several platforms line the walls where you can kick off your shoes and lounge with friends amidst the moroccan decor. They have a pretty interesting drink selection most of which will cost you about $9. They also offer some light dishes, the hummus plate is delicious. The quality of the waitstaff is wildly varied and they seemed to be understaffed the last couple of times I stopped in. Still it's a pretty laid-back spot to get the evening started.

Everytime I have gone I have enjoyed it up to a certain point....11pm. This is the time to make a decision. Depending on the type of person you are, you can either leave while the vibe is still mellow or stay to get your dance on when the freak switch gets flipped and the volume goes up. There will be a DJ if you go from Wed - Sat, or you may catch the occasional live show. A lot of people will probably be "shaking it" in your face if you happen to be lounging.

Also be prepared for a line or even a small cover charge if you get there late or go on a friday or saturday night.

Dress Code: There's really no dress code but you'll find yourself amongst 20 - 30 something hipsters, young professionals, and students. To blend, your best bet is to just dress up jeans.