(617) 354-2685
738 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge,
MA
02139
42.366
-71.1051
Neighborhood: Riverside
What People Are Saying About The Cantab Lounge
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene – Reflecting Central Square's colorful palette of residents and students, Cantab's regulars come in all shapes and sizes. By day, the down-on-their-luck (or those who pretend to be) suck down beers and watch TV through the dingy room's thick clouds of smoke. At night, the action heats up via live entertainment (a Cantab staple since 1975). Grizzled, congenial bartenders look and act like they've seen it all. – – The Draw – The lounge's fulcrum is none other than "Little" Joe Cook, who's entertained area crowds for decades with an upbeat R&B act that includes…
12/23/08
Best R&B in the Boston Area!!!
by BellaWootsie at Citysearch
Do not miss out on The Fat Back Band. It does not get any better. They are there on Friday and Saturday, Candy, The Couper Brothers and Bruce. The music is sweet!! The crowd is friendly and the Cantab rocks on!! Wednesday night with Lenny Bradford is worth coming out to hear. The place may be funky but the music and crowd is no where else but....The Cantab. It just keeps getting better!!! Hard to believe but easy to dance!!! It's showtime so shake your bootie!!
- Pros: friendly crowd, GREAT music, everyone is welcome.
- Cons: always crowded, hard to find a seat, standing room only.
12/09/08
Little Joe Cook and the Thrillers
by Cornelius at Citysearch
Does Little Joe Cook and the Thrillers still play a weekly gig here? I remember seeing them 20 years ago and having a blast.
08/26/08
DO NOT GO TO OPEN MIC MONDAYS!!!
by a579334 at Citysearch
If you are in to open mic nights, this is probably about one of the worst scenes there is. The old burnt out hippie who's in charge it, Jeff, is usually very drunk by 9 o'clock. He forgets to write down the names of people who want to perform, so you might not get to play even if you show up early and remind him multiple times. He's also one of those "close talkers" with a lot of extra saliva.
Even though they advertise that they give preference to first-timers, they actually do the complete opposite and give regulars and "friends" preference, most of which are horrendous and also very drunk. They always let the sound guy PJ play too - if you call standing on stage and growling angry lyrics playing.
On top of that the Cantab is one of the dirtiest, grungiest bars in the Boston area, and that's saying something. The waitresses are extremely surly and rude and the bathrooms are disgusting. On top of that, they're cash only! It's called the "Can Tab" but you can't start a tab! The only good thing I can say is that it does draw a diverse (if mostly older) crowd, so there is the occasional good act, but that is far overshadowed by the arrogance of Jeff and his drunken burned out clique.
The Details on The Cantab Lounge
Know Before You Go:
Make sure you visit the ATM on the corner before entering; the lounge doesn't take plastic.
Save Money:
Even if you're not tempted by the nightly entertainment, stop by for a cheap dinner. A small, satisfying menu of affordable favorites (pizza, nachos, burgers) is served Monday-Saturday from 5pm to 11pm.
Parking:
If there are no spaces out front, check out the municipal lot in back.
Category:
Restaurants, Piano Bars, Bars & Clubs, Neighborhood Bars, Lounges, Dive Bars
Bar & Club Type of Music:
Folk & Bluegrass, Jazz, Funk, Soul & R&B, Blues, DJ - Soul & Funk
Bar & Club Special Features:
Minimum Age:
21
Smoking Permitted:
No
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