Live Music Venues in Cambridge, Massachusetts
The first area I recommend you hit is Central Square, the hub for live music in Cambridge. In Central Square you’ll find the Middle East restaurant and night club, the Middle East Downstairs, which is a larger venue located in the basement area below the Middle East which can accommodate more popular, higher ticket selling acts, and T.T. the Bear’s might club, which is right around the corner. It is a veritable block of rock.
At the Middle East and T.T. the Bear’s you’ll find the best and baddest of Boston’s local bands (check the local listings, most notably the Boston Phoenix, to see who’s playing, or just drop in and check out the scene). The Middle East has a full middle eastern restaurant that makes a fantastic kabob plate and a full bar if you need a break from the sound, and T.T. the Bears has a back room beyond the bar with a pool table and plenty of room to “hang”.
A straight out rock club, the Middle East Downstairs is a little more serious about its rock. You won’t find a hummus plate or a pool table, just a wide open space with good acoustics and a bar on either side. Generally speaking, you’ll need to purchase tickets to the acts that play the Downstairs, rather than just paying a cover. The venue attracts bands on the rise nationally and acts that are perhaps past their prime but can still pack a good sized club. It is always worth it to check out who’s playing the Middle East Downstairs.
If you still haven’t had your fill of the rock, head on up to the Lizard Lounge, located halfway between Harvard and Porter Squares, or pop on over to the Abbey Lounge in Inman Square. At either of these spots you can find some serious local rock any night of the week. The Abbey is a split room joint with a full bar dividing the stage and club from the wine bar on the other side. The Lizard is a two-level with a restaurant on top. Both are famous for packing a crowd.
If you just can’t take the noise after a few nights too many, a nice alternative is the famous Club Passim in Harvard Square. The historic club has been a cornerstone for Folk music in the Boston area for years and offers folk music seven nights a week.
Cambridge is a seriously rockin’ city with the hot spots to prove it. Come on out and check out the scene.
The Middle East Upstairs
472 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 492-9181
The Middle East Downstairs
480 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 864-EAST
T.T. the Bear’s Club
10 Brookline Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 492-BEAR
The Lizard Lounge
1667 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-0759
The Abbey Lounge
3 Beacon Street
Cambridge, MA 02143
(617) 441-9631
Club Passim
47 Palmer Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 492-5300
