The Cantab Lounge — Restaurant in Cambridge

I never knew what a dive bar was until I came into this place. Everyone is friendly, laid back, they only accept cash, it sometimes smells of pee, there's always live music, and the patrons are in general above 40 years old. Save for the usual small group of young folks that show up for fun.

On Mondays is amateur night and you get to hear a mixture of a bunch of bad musicians sprinkled with some amazing ones that appear rarely and seemingly out of the blue.

The staff is very friendly and there are a lot of characters working there. Sort of like a sitcom. The nights when the professional bands are playing it's possible to dance and have fun and the crowd is usually...

Popped in here for what was meant to be a nightcap after a show at the Middle East. As soon as I walked in, I realized that THIS was the main event! Great jazz band playing on a small stage near the front filled the room with great sound, and although there were few seats available, it wasn't crowded.

Clean bar runs the length of the room, good beer selection, good prices. The Jazz band became a blues band, and a set break later, the dance floor was full of people grooving and singing along to soul standards.

Definitely going to become my go-to for a fun drink on a Friday night....

i wish i could give this less than one star. i have been to many a bar with my partner in the cambridge and somerville area, and never have i EVER been pushed out the back door. this bar, decided that me and my partner (mlm) were "aggressive and disrespectful" for dancing and kissing. they said "lets talk" and locked us out of the back door. if cambridge isn't a safe space for queer folks, then where is. do not go to this bar. if they appear as queer and trans friendly, because they are a cambridge/central bar, do not go. there are so many other places that will love and...