Somerville Nightlife

The Somerville Theatre is the cheapest place in the Boston area to watch a movie, with evening shows at $7 and afternoon shows at just $5 on weekdays. They show a varied assortment of movies: mainstream flicks that are a month or two old, or more arty fare that may have just departed the independent theatres - and in 2006 they began to add in first-run films.

The theatres are pretty basic compared to the average multiplex, but then you're paying a few bucks less. In spring 2007, the theatre got a liquor license and they now serve beer (Harpoon) and wine, making this one of just a tiny handful of places where you can get a drink at the movies (and the only one we know locally which isn't a movie theatre/restaurant combo).

They also have plenty of concerts here, mostly folk/roots and world music.

Good Times has something for all ages. Half sports bar and half amusement park, there are video games, Laser Tag, rides, batting cage, billiards and booze. I hate when people bring their kids here at night so they can stumble around drunk while the kids play video games. You will literally see 5 year olds there at midnight. In that respect, Good Times is high on the creepy scale. However, if you are going with a group of adult friends you will not want for things to do. There are a myriad of activities including drinking, eating and live bands.

Dress Code: Casual

Fun, friendly Irish pub with a number of good beers (including local ones) on tap, many for good prices (try a pint of Anchor Steam, America's only indigenous steam beer for $2.75-$3.00). The jukebox claims to be 'the world's coolest', meaning that there's usually good music playing. The waitresses aren't the friendliest, but overall the atmosphere is great. Food is pretty good, and the Irish breakfast served at Sunday brunch can be the perfect way to shake off Saturday night and get ready for the week to begin.

Dress Code: none

The Burren, named after that famous rocky expanse in County Clare, Ireland is great place to drink beers and catch some live music.

You can often see little impromptu bands of musicians gather in the front room playing tradition Irish jigs. The back room sports an actual stage (albeit a small one) for other live acts playing all sorts of music.

There is no shortage of Irish pubs in the greater Boston area, but there is something of a shortage of high quality pubs.

The Burren is one of the highest quality. With traditional Irish music almost nightly, running the gamut from sessions big name artists to the set dancing lessons, this pub is quite a happening spot.

We especially like it for the wide selection of beer on tap.

Dress Code: How you dress will depend more on you than anything else. More often than not, we go the Burren after playing sports. If they don't mind a table full of dirty, rowdy athletes, they'll take anyone.

This is my favorite bar in Somerville, and indeed one of my favs in all the Boston Area. The Scholar is one of those bars that just feels comfortable, add a few interesting locals and throw in a great selection of beers (although I typically only drink three different beers here: Guinness, Newcastle & Shipyard) and one can easily spend an entire day or night here.

I say that becuase The Scholar also has good food. My personal favorite dish is the steamed mussels, I have had reputed argurements with O'Shea on this topic as I have stated that The Scholar's mussels are better than "his" favorite mussels at the Village Fish. The fish & chips and the steak tip dinner and Guinness Beef Stew are also good entrées.

Oh, and I should mention that they also serve up a great Sunday brunch. And to this I say, I'll have the Irish breakfast or the Eggs Benedict...I can never decide.

The Burren is a very good Irish Pub / Restaurant. I can't speak for the food - never ate here, but the beer list is excellent. There is Irish music every night in the front room: a traditional session with musicians with their beers at a table. There is also modern music in the back room.