B-Side Lounge
Cambridge, MA 02139-1504
Phone: (617) 354-0766
- Cross Street:
- Windsor Street
- Hours:
- Tue-Fri 11:30am-1am, Sat 11:30am-2am, Sun 11am-1am
Editorial Review for B-Side Lounge – by Eric Grossman
The Scene
Hipsters give each other the eye in this sophisticated, yet down-to-earth 1940s cocktail lounge. Beautiful industrial light fixtures hang from original 75-year-old tin ceilings. A large model bomber airplane hovers overhead, its propellers fanning smoke away from the fancy diner booths toward the sleek, attractive rectangular bar. Waitstaff in button-down shirts and ties tends to a crowd of businesspeople, tattooed regulars, cap-wearing bachelors and fashionable bachelorettes.
The Draw
Eccentric American food and drink menus draw loyal patrons, who rave about everything from fried calamari tossed with pickled peppers, herbs and paprika aioli to entrees like cod over creamed leeks, potatoes and seared spinach, topped with red pepper, crab and shrimp butter. The incredibly extensive cocktail selection offers everything from inventive martinis like the Stardust (light rum, Parfait Amour and lemon juice) to intriguing concoctions such as the Moscow Mule (vodka, lime juice and ginger beer).
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Insider Tips
When to GoThings start hopping around 10pm, especially on weekends; show up early to avoid long lines at the door.
ParkingLocals swear that parking in the "permit only" spots after 8pm won't get you towed or ticketed.
Save MoneySunday nights at 10pm, kick back with free food and organ music.
The ExtrasPeckish patrons snack on free deviled eggs at the bar.
User Reviews for B-Side Lounge
08/19/2007 Posted by bukmdano3
After staying in Boston as a visitor for a week, I was searching for great food and drinks at a good price and luckily happened upon B Side. What a find!!! We called ahead for seating and were seated immediately. The decor is retro chic, the music an eclectic mix of vintage country to current college/alternative. Unlike the previous bad review of the service, our server was very attentive, pleasant, and suggested the BEST appetizer on the menu...the baked gouda cheese with garlic cream sauce. Okay, for just $10 bucks, this black iron skillet full of melted heaven could feed 4 people easy. My partner and I split the Chicken BLT sandwich and it was really good. Beers were cold and cheap. What more could you ask for? Wish I lived in Boston and could hang out here all the time! Believe me, you won't be disappointed.
Pros: Great unique food at incredible prices.
Cons: Neighborhood just a tad sketchy?
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
08/18/2007 Posted by riotboy
I don't really know what has happened to the B-side in the past year or so. The place used to be great. I would rave about it to friends and family. The food and drinks were incredible. That was then. As of late, the service has been getting slower and slower. The food has taken a nosedive. I was willing to overlook several of the deficits in the recent months, but due to my last visit this week, I can officially say it will be my final visit to this once great institution. The short of the story is I went there with a friend. We got a table. The waitress walked by us at least 6 times without acknowledging us. She was busy waiting on the people who had sat after us. However, after twenty minutes with not so much as a water or a "I'll be right with you", we decided to take off. I talked to the hostess on the way out and she said she would comp the food and would send the waitress right over. Now, since it was getting late and I didn't want to drive to another location, we agreed. We sat back down. Several minutes later we were still there, waiting at the table. The waitress finally came by, but, instead of stopping to take our order, she gave a dirty look and kept going. At that point, I decided I would no longer put up with this horrid lack of service. When talking with the hostess on the way out, I told her what had transpired and asked to speak to someone who was in charge. Her response? "There really isn't anyone in charge here right now." At that point, I had given up all hope of the B-Side Lounge remaining what it had once been, a friendly, local hang with great food and drinks. It's now the complete opposite. One good thing did come out of this though, I found a great place with better food and drinks! Oddly enough, the place is called The West Side and it's on Mass Ave. in Cambridge. Save yourself an hour of frustration and just head over there first.
Pros: At least it's not a McDonald's.
Cons: Service, Food, Wait, Employees
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
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