Majority of the concerts I've been to have been at Middle East -- music fests, cultural concerts, EDM nights, funk nights, PAX East nights -- and I've lost count of how many hip-hop/rap shows I've seen here. Some of the best concerts I've ever been to have been here. Downstairs, Upstairs, ZuZu -- each space has its own charm, and I'll always have a soft spot for all of them. Tickets are always fairly priced; I've never paid more than $65. The bartenders are chill, and the bar itself is standard -- nothing special -- but it's a concert venue. If you're looking for something craftier, head to Brick & Mortar down the street. Five stars for all the memories, and more to come! read more

I went for the first time for a JUTES concert- jutes was amazing, the venue itself was alright. When waiting in line for the bathroom I looked up at the wall and saw the vent caked with dust- definitely a fire hazard. I would come back again for a concert. read more

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Houseboi @ ZuZu A genderqueer dance party for humans and their friends. A safe space for queer humans and their friends. An awesome event. DJ Char, Single White Female, DJ Pussywillow and fabulous performances by Severity Stone, Violencia and Champayne. Awesome people! L read more

So this gets four stars. We are here prepping for a heavy metal show and this joint just doesn't stop. Different venues and different bars under one city block. I showed up to load in the band and Nabul greeted me. He's been here since 1970. With warmth he gave us coffee and hospitality. All that goes along with a production and us wee starving artist father annoyingly at the bar with hunger in our eyes. The menu is amazing. I hot down with some shawarma. Local made bread accompanied a bean and rice plate with perfectly cooked medium rare beef. The flavor was perfect with just a little heat to cause deep thinking and contemplation. Unger the bar tender took great care of us whilst reminiscing about past acts and shows. Come and check this joint out. It's chocked full of history, great food and even better ambiance. I would say this is the CBGB of this little area. read more

The Middle East - Unger taking care of wayward metal heads. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Very inclusive venue and fantastic service! Thank you for creating such a safe space for all.

I realize I'm missing part of the experience from this restaurant by ordering for takeout, but I still enjoyed the food and have some positive notes to mention. However, it should be noted that this restaurant is also a bar and music venue, so there may be additional details about the actual location that I will miss. For delivery, I ordered the Middle East Burger with onion rings. I didn't ask for/pay for cheese, but it came with cheese so that was a nice plus. As for the food itself: Middle East Burger - I don't think there is anything unique about this burger that makes it from the "Middle East" (no unique seasonings/preparation), but instead it's just a burger from the restaurant "Middle East." Still, it was pretty tasty. The patty itself was large and meaty - and the bun was sturdy and also oversized compared to other burgers I've had before. They gave a lot of pickles and not a lot of lettuce, which was a little strange but not necessarily a bad thing. The meat tasted like it was seasoned well, and again the portion size was a big plus. It wasn't anything over the top and it wasn't the most amazing burger ever, but it was definitely a solid and filling burger that I'd order again. Onion Rings - These were above-average for sure. Even when delivered, they were extremely crunchy and not oily at all. The onion itself tasted sweet and flavorful, and each onion ring was a real pleasure. I'd definitely recommend choosing these over fries, and they don't even cost anything extra! All in all, I give this place a 4/5 because although the food wasn't the best I've ever had, it is still a really solid burger with great onion rings. The price ($15) was also very reasonable, and I'd definitely come back here again! read more

The Middle East - Middle East Burger and Onion Rings - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I actually didn't realize they served food as we have always gone here for the night scene. However we needed something quick and in the area. And we were pleasantly surprised. Although the menu had some American options, which made us question the authenticity of the Mediterranean menu. Nonetheless we opted for the Mediterranean options such as lamb shank, zu zu platter for 2 and the grilled kebab dinner. It was the perfect amount of food for four and had a great variety. Everything was great, except the steak from was mediocre. Although they were putting away tables and getting ready to switch to their night scene, we didn't feel rushed in any way. read more

If you're Latino, I strongly recommend you avoid this place. The waiter - a white man wearing high boots - acted like I didn't even exist. I waited for several minutes to place my order, and he just walked right past me. Then, when a white American customer arrived, he served them immediately. I was so shocked that I didn't even know how to react. This happened at around 7:30 PM on a Tuesday. Horrible experience. I left feeling extremely uncomfortable and unwelcome. read more

Im at 18 years lived in the Boston area, and never been to the Middle East. Heck even as I walked in, I guess I was at a point in the night where they were converting over to night club mode. Funny thing is didn't even go in for the entertainment, didnt even put two and two together that folks were waiting outside in the other entrance for a band. I was tired and just wanted some Lebanese food. So restaurant wasn't really packed. Had the chicken kebob dinner side of tahini, and the flavors were spot on, chicken kabob was done just right, black beans were fresh, and finally another place where the tahini is not watered down! It's surprising how many places serve watered down tahini, but not this place! Sorry all forgot the picture of that. I had the opportunity though to meet the owner, what a nice guy! Got some homemade Baklava, was a great end read more

It's got a good beat and you can dance to it. As a young man 30 years ago, I saw lots of great bands. Now as an adult, I can't stand this crazy music you teenagers listen to, but I still go to the Middle East and etc. for food, drinks, service, and atmosphere. Expect to pay $40 per person read more

I had so much fun. From the cool security at the door to the patrons inside. I had the pleasure of chatting it up with Remmi, he is one of the security guards there. Such an insightful and kind person, he kept me company outside as I smoked because I was out there alone. The DJ definitely created a vibe, he was playing all the songs that get you hype. New and old school, he for sure catered to all demographics. He and his partner were both super chill. The establishment is pretty clean, there is only one bathroom, so it is obviously shared. You would think that it would be messy or dirty, but it isn't. There is plenty of dancing space and booths to accommodate large groups. The only bad experience I had here was at the bar. I went to get a drink and there was only one person ahead of me. I let the bartender know I needed her after, she acknowledged me then for some reason took care of everyone else that walked up to the bar after me. I tried getting her attention because she served 4 ladies that had just walked up to the bar and asked the guy next to me to buy his drink to let them cut, then proceeded to attend to everyone else after her. I was left wondering what the disconnect was which is the saddest part of all this is. I can understand a busy bar, but if you can serve ppl that walked up after me then there should be no reason I should have to wait. I absolutely hate having to wonder if race played any part in this but unfortunately that was the feeling I was left with. The security personnel here look serious as fudge but are down to earth. I saw one of them picking up stuff from the empty tables, helping clean up. That was awesome cause I love to see those types of things, everyone helping. I went on a Saturday, there was no cover charge. The demographic is great. The music: Old school with New school and everything in between Free parking in the lots behind the stores. Free after 8 pm read more

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I've been here for a few shows and never have any issues. Have come early for set up and had dinner too of the hummus plate and it was really good. read more

Went to a rave here last night. Energy was great. Super packed and fun. Will probably return. read more

The Middle East - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Met friends here for dinner by accident, thinking that "Middle East Restaurant" was just a description as we were looking for the place next door. We got past that quickly enough with good service and flavorful good food. Imported Lebanese and "Palestinian" beers I'd never had before were very nice to see and went well with our meal. We started off with a combination plate that included hummus and tabouli. Both were very good. The hummus was smooth and rich flavor. The tabouli was crunchy and delicious. Another plate of grape leaves were delicious. Nicely assembled and bite size. Yum. For main course, I chose the lamb kebab plate which came with grilled vegetables, a big portion of rice pilaf and a small salad. The lamb was cooked nicely and tender. All meat. Yum. Great service and very delicious. I can see returning here again. read more

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This review is solely for the music venue, not food. Please come out and support this venue which puts on many local/small bands that work their behind off to make music. The prices are reasonable and it is important to support venues of this size. And bartenders are friendly! read more

***3.5 stars*** most experienced runners go for pasta or pizza or some other form of "high" carb meal the evening before a race or long run. me, not so much. the eve of the annual boston marathon, i decided that i wanted medi food, partially b/c this was a source of comfort for me - pita bread, hummus, skewered chicken & salmon, om nom nom! not surprisingly, i ordered a combo dish with a wild salmon & chicken skewer over a bed of rice, black beans, and green salad ($15.98). hubby ordered a beef shawarma rollup w/french fries ($11.97), and we shared a small plate of olives ($3.98) the portions were quite generous for the price, but we both felt that the taste fell a bit flat. both the chicken skewer & salmon lacked flavor, and were a bit on the dry side. i'm not a huge spice/sauce person, but i was left wanting some on my dish. the service was pretty good since we had the waitress most to ourselves, given that we came for a very early dinner (around 1600?) and the restaurant was rather empty. great location, near mit & harvard, next to the central t station. read more

The Middle East - two plates of food on a table - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I was severely disappointed. This bar refused to serve myself and my friend (both adult women), for appearing "young." They then escorted us to two additional establishment doors (while still in possession of my friend's identification), to tell bouncers not to grant her entry for "false ID." Middle East staff continued to say they were "almost 100% sure it was fake" (while this is a valid, state-granted drivers license). They did not attempt to use an ID scanner. While we are glad to appear so youthful, we were very disappointed in the staff's choices. At the very least, please use an actual ID scanner. In addition to this, it is wrong to take anyone's identification off of the premises. read more

I love this place. It is not the newest and nor is it fancy, but if you want great service and very delicious food, this is the place. Especially if you go to one of the shows. I had the grape leaves and my friend had the falafel burger, both meals were amazing. Prices for food and drink are reasonable as well. The shows are fun and prices for tickets are around $30, and the venues have a full bar. I have been coming here off and on for many years and have always had the best time. read more

This review is for their nightclub downstairs. Came here for one of their Friday night events. Pros: -the bathrooms are kept fairly clean and are well stocked with toilet paper, soap, paper towels, etc. -there are two bars downstairs and bartenders are super friendly and helpful -the dancefloor isn't the biggest, but it's pretty long so it can fit a decent amount of people -the bar has water pitchers and lots of paper cups so you don't have to wait to get a bartender's attention if you just want some water -coat check accepts credit card payments, and it's $3 to check a coat Cons: -there were random people hanging out on the stage with the DJ the whole time. They weren't talking to the DJ but were talking to each other. I thought that was pretty weird -the drink cups are these small flimsy plastic cups. A simple drink like a tequila sunrise is $8, which is pretty normal for a club in the area but the cup sizes here are much smaller. The drink also wasn't very strong-- I could barely taste or feel the alcohol. I would come back again if there is another event I'm interested in attending. read more

Cool vibe. Lots of eclectic folks there -- somewhere everyone fits in. Good live music too. Funny staff as well. If you don't have plans and you want to see where the night leads you this is a good place to start. Good for solo dolo or with a close friend. Big groups probably not as fun. It's more of a low-key vibe. read more

The service was outstanding so I wish I could give 5 stars however the food was meh. My falafel wrap was stale tasting and dry. The lettuce in it tasted a little wilted and the falafel was a little dry as well. My partner had a well done burger with fries and stated his burger could have been seasoned a little better. It was a nice atmosphere though! read more

The Middle East - 1/2 lb. All Natural Cheeseburger - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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This was my first time here. My husband and I drove up from Connecticut to see a concert. It was a band from London England. This place totally reminded me of an old pub/bar in England. I can't say I tried the food but it smelled delicious. The bartender was super busy but still managed to get our drinks. Employees seemed low key. Loved how raw/punk the bar was. Really just made me feel like I was an old pub in London! read more

I'm pretty annoyed with how this place treats its customers. I went here recently to see a show. Some friends of mine were in the opening band for a live show and I drove an hour and a half from another state to Cambridge to see my friends perform. Driving in Boston, as you can imagine, is no trivial thing. You have to have the patience of a saint. It was a very long, stressful drive, compounded by the fact that parking in Cambridge is next to impossible. By the time I arrived, I had missed half my friend's set due to traffic and a closed parking garage in Cambridge that forced me to look for parking for a half hour. After all the effort made to finally get to the Middle East, when I arrived and tried to pay for a ticket with my credit card - I was turned down. It had to be cash - they said. For the record, the tickets were FORTY dollars. If a venue is going to ask people to pay THAT much money to see a band, they should accept credit cards. This isn't open mic night at a local pub where you pay 5 measly bucks to get in. Middle East is a rock venue that has concerts regularly and suddenly acting like credit cards don't exist in 2022 is just insane. It just so happened I didn't have enough money in my debit account at the time to make a $40 (plus fees) withdrawal, so I thought relying on my credit card until my check cleared was a no-brainer. I did not anticipate the chaos that would ensue over trying to pay with my credit card to get in. I had to call a friend I was meeting there and she withdrew money from her bank account and I paid her back using Venmo. Needless to say, I missed my friend's show because of this needless BS. Middle East could have accepted my credit card. What it's all about at the end of the day is greed on their part - plain and simple. read more

This shithole pulled Ghostface not even an hour into his show and charged us 30$ to be in their dungeon. Never ever see a show at Middle East. Thank God this was only my first show there but it's for sure my last. The best thing you can do with anything middle east related is never go there. read more

The Middle East - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

i went to the middle east for a show on wednesday night. i normally love going to the middle east and their shows are so fun, but on wednesday night, i saw one of the lead band members (i dont remember his name or band) stage dive a girl. she was maybe 5 feet and he was definitely over 6ft. when that happened, i saw her crying and her boyfriend get angry (as i also would be). the middle east did nothing and the man never apologized or anything. it was so disappointing because i expected better from the metal community and the middle east to treat their audience better. they should have kept her safe i saw them escort her out. no one did anything. i am no longer going to any of their shows because of this. if you want to be in a safe, secure place, the middle east is not where you should go. read more

Went for a hosted event; the bouncers seemed on some sort of power trip, ended up harassing and touching my girlfriend; would rate 0/5... I genuinely hope they switch the bouncer detail or go out of business. aside from that, the actual space was dirty, nicely lit but run down, very average place read more

One restaurant, two dining spaces (ZuZu stands between), and a formal outdoor dining area separated from the public sidewalk with relatively permanent fencing. The first entrance is located right on the corner of Mass Ave and Brookline St, and the 2nd is down the block just a bit, towards the river. The room was brighly colored though not brightly lit, and cheerfully decorated with artwork on the walls, yet the furniture looked a bit worn. I did however like the convenient touch of the hooks on the walls - I used mine to hold my bag. Service was casual yet friendly. I appreciated that it was proactively pointed out to me that the red sauce on my plate was spicy, as was the toasted seasoned pita that came in a basket. I hesitantly used both, however, when I found that my dish - the Kibby Labanieh $13 (Kibby - layers of lamb & beef, cracked wheat and seasonings - served with rice pilaf and topped with garlic yogurt sauce) to be a tad bland. The crisp flavorful pita chips and a touch of the red sauce did wonders for the meal, which was basically a rather large piece of meatloaf. A baggy of fresh pita triangles came with, but that just ended up coming home with me since I had made do with the pita crisps. I wonder if I'd have preferred the Pumpkin Kibby Labanieh $11. I'd be willing to give this place another try - perhaps for the Pumpkin Kibby Labanieh or one of their affordable sandwich selections. *** 8/2013 visit *** I took a seat in the dining space that is located on the corner. Windows were open so it was a bit windy. The concert space is in the basement, so it was kind of noisy. While Oldies played through the speaker, I could also feel/hear a drum beat from below. Service was quite nice. Food a bit lacking, however. The Homemade Veggie Burger $6 sounded tempting as the server named a number of veggies as well as the ubiquitous beans. He said it could be rather dry, however, suggesting that I add cheese ($1 surcharge), but I inquired about the hummus instead, which he was able to give me a side portion of for $1. Adding onion rings for $1.50 and there was my meal. A basket of pita - both fresh triangles and toasted & seasoned pieces - showed up on my table, and my water was refilled several times through the evening. The burger arrived with a slice of tomato, a few pieces of onion and some lettuce on the side. I layered it on my burger and spackled it on with the hummus. The vegetable patty was good sized with appetizing looking grill marks, however it was all soft and mushy with no textural contrast, which made it not very satisfying or interesting. The fries were acceptable, the onion rings a bit on the overcooked side, but preferred of the two sides, as the crispness provided the necessary contrast to my meal that was so lacking in the burger. Baklava was $3 for 3 pieces. The server offered to mix the regular (pistachio based) and chocolate on the same plate, which was much appreciated. They were good, but not overly gooey like my fave of this layered treat. Perhaps I'll try the chicken Shawarma next time, even though I have been informed that they don't have a spit out back, but rather the chicken is cut up and grilled. read more

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My review is based on the brunch experience. I used to go to Zuzu but today they were closed early for a private event. I was guided to go to the next door restaurant and realized that they have the similar brunch menu and shared the same kitchen. My favorite dish here is the biscuits and gravy with scramble eggs and house fries. Perfect taste, generous portion, and affordable price. I look forward to come here for lunch all the time. The guy here who manages here is so friendly and nice. Most of the time, this place (as well as Zuzu) is quite empty despite the great food here. I hope my review will be helpful for others who are looking for a great brunch place around this area :-) read more

It is one of the popular places along Mass Ave between Central sq and MIT, especially during dinner time and when there is live music. There's often long lines outside waiting to get in the night club for the performance. I have been here a few times for lunch. The service was typically quick and the price was good. Having tried all the lunch plates, I like all the kebabs and the lamb shank, and am not so much into the kibby. read more

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Horrible Bouncers kicked me out after we paid to host event. Under 21 but repped x on hand old dude in bathroom yelled at me and kicked me out for washing hands. read more

This review is for the dessert I had. They had very good baklava! Very interest crowd on the weekends. They have a lot of live bands. read more

Known as a legendary night club/concert venue by the most, it has become our family's Sunday brunch spot in pre-COVID times. I haven't seen that balance of price and quality anywhere in town. We came many times with our family friends, and while the kids enjoyed their waffles and pancakes I used to order what I remember as the best lamb shank in town, or even the best I've ever tried. Their menu is a mix of American diner staples and middle-eastern dishes (as the name suggests), so you can't go wrong with the food, especially if you want a healthier/less carb-intense option. On top of that, there was a guy with an electric piano who played some oldies, and the kids used to dance to it. Perfection! Staff and other guests also always been friendly and accommodating, even if the kids got too loud. Hope they re-open soon! read more

great live music every night. small corner bar is usually free, downstairs has almost 600 capacity and some premiere electronic acts. I love every site I've seen. One of the last Independently run music venues in Boston. and jeez my dad had his bachelor party here. what like 35 years ago read more

The Middle East - slum raisins rocking the corner bar - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This is not where you go for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, but this is definitely where you go for live music in an intimate setting! The venue is simple, if not downright bare. But you can walk up to the stage and literally feel the sweat drip off of your favorite artist onto your forehead. Everyone has to experience live music at least once, at this place. read more

The Middle East - Skyler Spence @ the Middle East on 10/7/2017 - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I truly wish I could give this place 0 stars. Attended for a show and found an incredible amount of issues with this place. First of all, door staff were lovely but no-one was checking id's for guest list - anyone could use your name - and nobody checked bags walking in. With how many instances there's been of bad things happening at concerts, checking bags is crucial to making sure those people don't slip through security checks. There's no policy about leaving and returning, which again is dangerous. Anyone could bring anything into the venue and nobody would know because security don't check it. Security within the main part of the venue isn't any better. Two people who are wholly unqualified for the job stood near the stage but didn't do their jobs. First was a guy, no older than 23, on a power trip. Rolled his eyes whenever the tour manager caught crowd surfers but did nothing to help. When he didn't get his way, after yelling at people in the immediate area for a while, he stormed off and didn't return for at least 20 minutes leaving the stage unmanned. Despite there being a line on the floor, fans started to move further up the ramp to side stage and again the tour manager had to do their job. A woman took the first guys place, though she wasn't any better. Didn't help anyone, someone fainted and the tour manager helped her out - venue security just watched as he walked by. The first security guy came back and the two stood out of the way, one even sitting on a chair, using their phones the rest of the night. There is a severe lack of care and responsibility from this venue and it's not a place I'd ever want to attend again. Update: It's come to light that because of how terrible he security was, a number of girls were sexually harassed at this same show by an individual. Security were too busy on their phones to notice or care, the safety of those who visit should be of the upmost importance and clearly the the Middle East this isn't the case. read more

The food in the restaurant upstairs is amazing. I sometimes just come here for food. Serving size is generous. Club is not bad either. They have themed nights few times a year that I really like. Went to their 90s night few months ago and it was fun. read more

How does this place even exist in 2022? 1) I am visiting from out of town and am known as a very shy and polite person, it takes a lot of disrespect to break me down and this place managed to succeed at that. Each and every person I interacted with I approached with curiosity and a smile and they responded both rude and cold to me, behaving as though I was a burden to them, when I simply asked for assistance to find the music venue I had purchased a ticket for. When I confirmed that someone would approach me if I took a seat, I watched my clock for almost 20 min waiting for someone in a bar that was sparsely packed for someone to approach me. There was no clear indication that the person worked at the bar so I could not tell if they were an employee or a creep given I am a visitor and alone in the city, and the sarcasm and attitude they gave me when I asked to confirm my safety was truly not necessary on top of the previous 3 staff members who had already been cold and rude to me. The server also had ZERO clue for how things worked in the back area where the live music venue took place and seemed almost defensive about it. I felt like I was getting gaslit by every person there - literally nobody seemed to know what was going on except maybe the first staff person I bumped into (who also behaved incredulous that I was asking for assistance to confirm I was in the right place.) 2) Feeling unsafe: I didn't tip well, not sure how anyone would have the audacity to expect that after all the above. It's my money I work hard for, and I have every right not to share with people who have not treated me with some minimal level of service or dignity. The server pursued me to where I was waiting to enter the music venue and called me out on this in front of other staff and customers. I'm a skinny 5'6" - this server was a man twice my size. How exactly could I get out of that situation if I felt unsafe? At this point it was confirmed to me that the staff would not be supportive of me or do anything to keep me safe. When I entered the venue I chose to hover near the security person. 2) Cultural appropriation: The most egregious insult is that all the above is packaged into a place called "the Middle East", with a menu of "middle eastern" dishes that taste like they came out of a can with zero seasoning but cost 2-3x as much as buying the canned version from a corner store. Not one person of middle eastern heritage seen eating there or among the staff. The only middle eastern thing about this place are the orientalist motifs in the signage. How is a town full of extremely educated people get away with such a racist and culturally appropriative way to draw in customers?? Sad that I got fooled, if you're coming for a music performance eat elsewhere and then go straight to the back for your music event. My advice to the owner: if your restaurant and bar are meant to be a front to the music venue, ditch the racism and rebrand as just that, call yourself "House of Rock" or something more catchy and appropriate and just serve basic bar food (which can include middle eastern dishes if you still need it to). There are plenty of examples out there to inspire you with out you capitalizing on many people's culture. And I say this as a middle eastern person who just came in looking extremely forward to enjoying some heritage food before seeing a live performance. The staff is clearly underpaid and unmotivated so I can't blame them for subpar service, but do note that they also represent your business. How this place can ever dare to be on Boston's list of top live music offerings is an ironic and tragic joke I will be warning friends and colleagues about if they ever go to Boston or Cambridge. read more

Absolutely completely appalled by this place that I've held dear to my heart for the last 15 years. I've been going to shows at the Middle East as long as I can remember. So I was super excited when they had an ALL AGES show with a punk rock band my daughter listens to. She's 10 and this was her first time going to see live music. My husband and I get a beer after we get there and the nicest bartender ever offers my daughter a Shirley temple for free and says he loves seeing the little ones at these shows. We're obviously super excited to feel welcomed cuz I was a little nervous bringing her there for the first time. Not even 10 mins later some person who works there comes up to us accusing us of giving our child alcohol cuz apparently someone said they saw us give our child a "red drink." Well, yes, we gave our daughter the Shirley temple she was given at the bar. I've been bartending for 20 years and never in my life would I EVER approach a customer with such accusations before first talking to staff to see if anyone served people with a child a red drink that had alcohol in it. There are ways to deal with this appropriately and this was handled absolutely wrong. Now not only will I never be back but you've tainted every good experience I had before this by accusing me of giving my LITERAL child alcohol just cuz someone saw her drink a red drink. Every parent and human with half a brain knows kids drink Shirley temples. Maybe don't make shows all ages if your going to treat people who bring someone young like shit for doing absolutely nothing wrong. All ages means ALL AGES and she just wanted to drink a soda and dance w her parents. You ruined her first concert cuz she was embarrassed and felt uncomfortable after that totally unnecessary conversation that could have been avoided by simply asking the very nice bartender what he gave us to drink. Bunch of pretentious snobs. If anyone is considering bringing their kid to an all ages show there maybe reconsider so you don't end up embarrassed and having your whole time ruined. read more

Scanning the reviews I was suprsied that people failed to mention that ME has not only hosted popular bands such as The White Stripes, The Strokes, Spoon, Architecture in Helsinki and Death Cab before they blew up, but provided the bedrock for the burgeoning hip-hop scene in Boston. Artists like Guru, Esoteric and Mr. Lif have all gifted the basement with their talent. Respect. I haven't eaten here or spent much time upstairs; I tend to hang in the dungeon (which can get pretty hot sometimes though I've heard the circulation has improved). The sound system thunders, so bring along some plugs. I am super excited to rediscover this spot though. No better alternative to getting glam to go out than being able to throw on a hoodie and some kicks and get down with a PBR. read more

The Middle East - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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I've only been to the upstairs of The Middle East. My first experience was kind of disappointing as it was dark as night in there (honestly, I couldn't see anything but the bands on stage) and was so crowded I barely had room to maneuver my beer to my mouth. Granted everyone and their mom were there for the heralded WBCN Rock N Roll Rumble and it sold out, but still. My second experience was much better - it wasn't overcrowded and I was able to see everything thanks to better lighting. The place is probably the smallest club I've been to around Boston, maybe the size of a two-car garage. Kind of like a garage in need of remodeling, but nonetheless a great spot to see a band up close and personal. I'm not sure if I'll ever take the opportunity to eat in the restaurant, which is where you have to walk through to get to the upstairs club. I feel bad standing in line waiting to get in as people around you are trying to eat. It has always been super crowded and loud - not really my idea of dinner atmosphere. Plus the booths and tables are pretty small. Kind of tight quarters everywhere you go at the Middle East, including the daunting bathrooms. I think this is going to be a concert-only place for me. Oh, and someone please do something about the colors outside. Purple and yellow? That's bush league. read more

The Middle East - Upstairs wall - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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