The Middle East Nightclub and Restaurant

Awful door policies, rude workers. My girlfriend and I made a 3 hour trip to see a show here and after having to go back to get her ID (being from CT and unaware of a supposed law that you need them regardless of intention to drink or not) we were still denied entry to the show. People at the door seemed amused by our misfortune and we made the trip only to have to go all the way home. No band will make me buy tickets for another Middle East show.…

Nice mid-size venue. The Middle East is definitely a staple for hosting mid-sized bands that trek through Boston. The Downstairs venue has got to be my favorite: there are Christmas lights strung all over, the lighting is perfectly dim, and the sound is pretty great. And who could forget the $2 PBRs?! Cheap ticket prices - I've never had to pay more than $15 for a show. Keep bringing back the ska bands, Middle East!…

Rude service, bad food. Cons: The wait staff (some, not all) are rude. I showed up with 2 other people on a Friday before a concert. In short, they really didn't want to serve us drinks or food. I was reminded 3 times that they have an $8 minimum for sitting at a table. Once is fine, I say... 3 times is rude.

Ordered drinks and we never got them. 15 minutes later they wanted to take away one of the two sewing-machine tables we were sitting at to give to some other people who wanted a table. Great, so 3 people can comfortably sit at a 12" square sewing machine table with no leg room...

Saw the concert downstairs. Would be fine if they would turn a vent fan on once in a while. It went up to 80 degrees and 90% humidity. Good thing I didn't get a chance to eat anything first...

Went there another time for dinner. It was cold (ok, winter) but it was about 55 degrees upstairs and they wouldn't turn the heat up. The pieces of pita that came with whatever I ordered were obviously leftovers from a day or two ago. Stale and dry.

I've vowed to not go back, at least until I hear they've changed their act.…

Multi-purpose venue with several rooms offers alternative rock and dependable bar food from its namesake region.. This legendary landmark exudes a woody, lived-in feel that works quite well around about midnight, when things usually get hopping on the dancefloor and around the bars. Local bands and national acts alike bring sweaty throngs to the Downstairs. Upstairs is significantly smaller and brighter. Admission to each room is separate. Belly dancing takes over the Corner, however, on Sunday nights, with no cover. 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.

Photo by Christine Liu…