The Middle East
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: (617) 864-3278
Fax: (617) 547-3930
- Cross Street:
- Brookline Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- Live Music Venue 2006
- Hours:
- Mon-Wed, Sun 11am-12am, Thu-Sat 11am-1am
Message from The Middle East
Boston's home for live music 7 nights a week on 3 stages
- Live Music
- Two Stages
- Full Bar
Paid advertisement by The Middle East.
Editorial Review for The Middle East – by Citysearch Staff
The Scene
There's a heavy bent toward local bands at this popular landmark, but national acts do roll in each month. Headliners set up downstairs, and there's a huge space to jam in front of its large stage. There are also two good-sized bars and a coat check. Upstairs is significantly smaller and brighter with a moderate bar. Admission to each room is separate. Belly dancing takes over the Corner, however, on Sunday nights, with no cover.
The Draw
The place exudes a woody, lived-in feel that works quite well around about midnight, when things usually get hopping. The restaurant is nothing fancy: A basic coffeehouse setup, with recycled treadle tables and scuffed-up captain's chairs, though the menu surprises by including a wide array of inexpensive, classic Middle Eastern dishes to choose from.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
The ExtrasImpress your date with a pre-show meal at the club's upscale bistro, ZuZu.
ParkingMeters can be hard to find on weekend nights; there's an inexpensive lot a few blocks away on Green Street.
Save MoneyThe small stage upstairs in the Corner offers an eclectic mix of acoustic and jazz-oriented music, free to the public.
User Reviews for The Middle East
09/30/2007 Posted by geoffpynn
Why would you turn away a balding guy obviously over 30 from the 18+ show he drove 25 miles to see with his wife because his ID was expired -- instead of just giving him the "under 21" bracelet? And then why would you tell him that this is because you are "following the law as it's written" when you and he both know that there is certainly NO such law? I have no idea; you'd have to ask the management of The Middle East. Deliberately alienating your customers by irrationally keeping them out and then lying about the reason seems like a strange business strategy.
08/13/2006 Posted by brettd
Catch a show- but not the food. Our party of 3 wasn't given the proper number of utensils when we were seated, and the waitress almost threw them at us when I asked for a third set. When one person went to the bathroom and we placed our drink order(s), the waitress didn't return to collect the third person's drink order. A friend declared "the juices are great here!", so I ordered a Cranberry juice- and watched as the waitress used the soda gun to make it. It was sickeningly sweet artificial junk, served with an r0tten slice of lemon cut too thin to squeeze. We ordered our food, and the waitress had to RETURN TWICE to ask what we had ordered; once for two of us, and then a second time for one of the orders she had asked about already. Two out of our party of three were served our meals; it was several minutes before the third plate showed up and we could start eating, and the 'late dish was identical to mine. The 'steak' kabobs were clearly the cheapest meat they could get their hands on and very chewy, though they were at least cooked correctly. The salad had a disgusting dressing, and beans on the side were soupy. A huge chunk of onion was placed next to the kabobs; do they not understand that the veggies and onion go TOGETHER on the skewer?
Schedule
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