LIVE MUSIC

 

While many of Boston’s bars and clubs offer occasional or weekly live music, this is a list of nightspots offering a wealth of themes, games and opportunities to hear some great bands. Some offer unique ideas while others seem to offer very little – but all of them are popular.

Cigar Masters
176 Newbury Street
100 Huntington Avenue
(617) 266-4400 / (888) 95-CIGAR

Boston's first cigar café offers 300 varieties of cigars as well as
accessories, pipes and gifts. Cigars are becoming the in thing, spotted in
the hands of celebrities and inspiring the magazine "Afficianado". This spot
is growing with the trend (or fad) and serves wine, beer, appetizers and
dessert.
Parking: Street
Cover: None
MBTA Stop: Copley

 

Common Ground
85 Harvard Avenue
(617) 783-2071

Themes change within this casual club, some nights posing as a sports bar complete with a satellited large screen, others hosting ever-changing theme nights. The nice thing about this place is that it’s unpretentiousness. Wednesday is Mod Night playing the latest in Brit pop while Thursday's crew grooves to local reggae acts.

Parking: Street

Cover: Varies $2 to $5

MBTA Stop: Harvard Avenue

 

Dick's Last Resort
55 Huntington Avenue
(617) 267-8080

Picture young, over-25 professionals at a garage sale and that's what you have in this Texas-themed roadhouse. The live music is classic rock and the food (meat a favorite) can be eaten straight from a bucket if you so desire. This is the perfect spot in which to plop yourself down at one of the picnic tables and enjoy a beer.

Parking: Street

Cover: None

MBTA Stop: Prudential or Copley

 

Fire and Ice Bar & Grill
50 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge
(617) 547-9007

Fire and Ice provides a themed casual environment with improvisational grill and cuisine. Guests here can make their own grilled meals and drinks.

Parking: Street

Cover: None

MBTA Stop: Harvard

 

The Good Life
28 Kingston Street
(617) 451-2622

The Good Life is just that – good. This is probably the city's most popular theme bar that isn't Irish. What? A non-Irish bar in Boston? That's right. You'll hear a DJ who plays the classics of the Rat Pack. Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Dean Martin will croon you into a smile over a delicious meal. The club hosts live jazz shows on weekends.

Parking: Street

Cover: None

MBTA Stop: Park Street

 

House of Blues
96 Winthrop Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge
(617) 491-2583

The House of Blues is much like those in other major cities, featuring a themed restaurant/bar complete with cool jazz and blues music and live performances. Because it's a commercial giant, big-name acts become regulars here and make it worth your attention.

Parking: Street

Cover: Varies, $6 to $20

MBTA Stop: Harvard

 

Jake Ivory's
1 Lansdowne Street
(617) 247-1222

This unique nighttime destination boasts of dueling pianos and a sports piano. But this isn't just any piano joint. Its atmosphere is spirited and noisy, and its dress code casual. The spirit and fun surrounding these pianos make it worth the visit.

Parking: Street

Cover: $5

MBTA Stop: Kenmore Square

 

Jillian's
145 Ipswich St.
(617) 437-0300

Jillian's is becoming better recognized as a three-floor, multidimensional entertainment megaplex for adults. They have everything you're imagining. Within its 70,000 square feet are 52 pool tables, darts, ping-pong, foosball, just-for-fun blackjack, a redemption center with prizes, a motion odyssey ride and more than 250 video games. Located above Atlas, Jillian’s links itself with the dance club a couple of nights a week to add dancing flavor.

Parking: Street, valet and nearby lots

Cover: None

MBTA Stop: Kenmore Square

 

Lizard Lounge
1667 Massachusetts Avenue
(617) 547-0759

This is one lounge that seems to change with each passing fad, but it does a good job. It pulled off the leopard print thing, then survived the swing music phase, and now it's a semi-concert venue for rock, jazz and singer-songwriter types – plus it hosts some pretty entertaining poetry jams. They love creative types, so jot down a few lines and dive right in.

Parking: Street

Cover: Varies $3 to $10

MBTA Stop: Harvard

 

Middle East
472-480 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
(617) 354-8238

The Middle East features some of the hottest live music around, including rock and jazz, and local bands in the smaller upstairs venue. This infamous landmark also dishes up some scrumptious hummus and baklava.

Parking: Street

Cover: Varies $6 to $25

MBTA Stop: Central Square

 

The Rack
24 Clinton Street
(617) 725-1051

The Rack stands in a side pocket of Faneuil Hall, prominently adjacent to the Bostonian Hotel. It is a casual, trendy club and a new addition to the growing popularity of billiard sites in the city. Novices and experts meander among the 22 pool tables, a decent arcade area and dine amid diverse music including dance, Top 40, jazz and ska. Live music is offered nightly, with a DJ on Saturday nights. The later you get there the more packed it will be.

Parking: Street and nearby garages

Cover: None

MBTA Stop: Government Center

 

Regattabar
1 Bennett Street, Harvard Square
(617) 661-5000

Located on the third floor of the Charles Hotel in bustling Harvard Square, Regattabar is a popular, intimate jazz club frequented by true music-lovers. Warm and dark with a cozy vibe, the ambiance is soothing and is the perfect locale for a romantic evening or a little musical education. Live music is offered Tuesday through Saturday. Casual dress is acceptable.

Parking: Street and garage

Cover: Varies $8 to $24

MBTA Stop: Harvard