Your reasons for relocating to Cambridge might be all about your career or your education, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be living it up and having fun! Home to some of the country’s most famous educational institutes including Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the city is buzzing with young, educated, and creative people. It’s just across the Charles River from Boston but still maintains its own distinct vibe. The city is packed with cool restaurants and cafes, and nightlife in Cambridge is just what you might expect from a town populated by young, educated liberals.
Of the many bars in Cambridge we chose to focus on the city’s best underground bars, and by underground, we mean literally subterranean- in the basement, cellar, or lower ground floor.
Grendel’s Den Restaurant & Bar
This basement bar is known as a down to earth place to enjoy a handpicked selection of beers and freshly made, high-quality food at great prices. It’s a family business, established in 1971 and run by the founders’ daughter since 2003. On top of its great food and drink choices and friendly service, Grendel’s is also a certified Green Restaurant, which means they are held to a high standard in terms of water efficiency, energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling, and so on.
The Cellar
A casual bar located in, well, a cellar, with a great array of drinks and food, a cash-only policy and friendly service. Classic, cozy and simple, just the way God intended bars to be.
Shays Pub & Wine Bar
A small basement bar with a smoky patio, Shays offers a good selection of beers, wines, and food in a comfortable atmosphere. With its effortless charm and great service, Shays is a perfect choice for a casual drink and some nibbles.
Tasty Burger
Tasty Burger at Harvard Square has a basement bar, tasty burgers, fries, and onion rings, and it closes at 4 am, which makes it a perfect place to head for when you want to keep the party going or wrap it up with some delicious munch.
Beat Brasserie
The most sophisticated bar on this list, Beat Brasserie is a bar/restaurant serving fresh seasonal food and celebrating American spirits and wine. Some of the wines featured on the wine list are exclusively crafted for Beat Brasserie by some of the country’s top small-batch winemakers. To heighten Beat Brasserie’s sensual experience it also hosts live music performances, varying in style from jazz and blues to world music, funk, and R&B.
Lizard Lounge
With its hole-in-the-wall sort of charm and awesome live music, Lizard Lounge is one of the city’s most well-loved music venues. The intimate atmosphere allows for a rare musical experience, with performances by local and national artists as well as weekly staples like poetry night and open mic. Add a great selection of drinks and eats and you’ve got yourself a winner!
The Cambridge Queen’s Head
Run by Harvard students and catering to the university’s staff, students, and alumni, this bar is located on campus and situated on the ground level of Memorial Hall. To enjoy the bar’s affordable beers, spirits, and food you need to present your Harvard ID, though guests of Harvard Affiliates are welcome too.
Still undecided about moving to Cambridge or the Boston Metropolitan? Check out this blog post to find out why you should move there. Once you’re ready, click here to check out the best movers in Cambridge.
