The Middle East
Multi-purpose venue with several rooms offers alternative rock and dependable bar food from its namesake region.
(617) 401-7822
472 Massachusetts Ave
(at Brookline Street)
Cambridge,
MA
02139
42.3638
-71.1011
Neighborhood: Cambridgeport
What People Are Saying About The Middle East
The Owner
The Middle East
Owner
The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub consists of three live-music performance rooms, two family-style restaurants with full-service bars and an elegant restaurant named ZuZu.
Enjoy live entertainment with bands, Djs, belly dancing and free WiFi while the friendly staff serves delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. Several of the rooms at this Boson Middle Eastern restaurant also serves as art galleries, offering a fresh showcase for local and international artists on a monthly basis.
The Middle East first opened its doors in 1970 as a family-owned and operated Lebanese eatery. Customers were won over by the authentic Middle Eastern home cooking, and the restaurant's unique, eclectic ambiance. Perfect for luncheons, banquets, meetings, catering and private events-come visit The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub today.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
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
User Reviews
martinlk
July 06, 2009
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.
read full reviewAnonymous
October 22, 2008
a really great venue that brings in top talent. i remember seeing death cab for cutie a million years ago before they got big. too bad there aren't more places like this in boston
read full reviewAnonymous
October 06, 2008
Upstairs or downstairs, the Middle East gets the best bands to come play there. I cant even count the number of times I have seen live music here. Prices are very reasonable for Cambridge- stop by for lunch or dinner too- they make a killer falafel and kibbah!
read full reviewThe Details on The Middle East
The Extras:
Impress your date with a pre-show meal at the club's upscale bistro, ZuZu.
Parking:
Meters can be hard to find on weekend nights; there's an inexpensive lot a few blocks away on Green Street.
Save Money:
The small stage upstairs in the Corner offers an eclectic mix of acoustic and jazz-oriented music, free to the public.
Category:
Bars & Clubs, Lounges, Bars & Pubs, Nightclubs, Neighborhood Bars
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
Bar & Pub Special Features:
Cuisine:
Bar & Club Type of Music:
Reggae, Folk & Bluegrass, Disco, Alternative Rock, Punk, Irish & Celtic, Techno & Industrial, Hip-Hop & Rap, World, Ska, Rock & Pop, Electronica, Hard Rock & Heavy Metal, Latin
Bar & Club Special Features:
Minimum Age:
18
Smoking Permitted:
No
As Seen In…
Message from The Middle East
- Live Music, DJs
- Serving Lunch & Dinner
- Full Service Bar
The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub consists of three live-music performance rooms, two family-style restaurants with full-service bars and an elegant restaurant named ZuZu.
Enjoy live entertainment with bands, Djs, belly dancing and free WiFi while the friendly staff serves delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. Several of the rooms at this Boson Middle Eastern restaurant also serves as art galleries, offering a fresh showcase for local and international artists on a monthly basis.
The Middle East first opened its doors in 1970 as a family-owned and operated Lebanese eatery. Customers were won over by the authentic Middle Eastern home cooking, and the restaurant's unique, eclectic ambiance. Perfect for luncheons, banquets, meetings, catering and private events-come visit The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub today.
