Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Theme a Little Theme
The
Hard Rock Cafe,
24 Clinton St. (
&
617/424-ROCK;
www.hardrock.com), is a
fun link in the fun chain—just ask the other tourists all around you. The memo-
rabilia that covers the walls celebrates rock musicians, and the kid-friendly
menu features salads, burgers, sandwiches, and barbecue. The Hard Rock
moved from the Back Bay to this cavernous space across the street from Faneuil
Hall Marketplace in 2007.
Kids
On summer Thursdays at 6pm, the
Boston Harbor Hotel
(
&
617/491-2100;
www.bhh.com) sponsors free performances on the “Blues Barge,” behind the hotel.
Cantab Lounge
Follow your ears to this friendly neighborhood bar, which
attracts a lively three-generation crowd. When the door swings open at night, deafen-
ing music—usually blues, rock, or folk—spills out. Downstairs is the Cantab Under-
ground, which schedules bluegrass on Tuesday, poetry on Wednesday, and improv on
Thursday.
738 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge.
&
617/354-2685.
www.cantab-lounge.com. Cover
$3-$10. T: Red Line to Central.
Regattabar
The Regattabar's selection of local and international jazz artists is
often considered the best in the area, but be sure you check the lineup at Scullers Jazz
Club (see below) before you make up your mind. Irma Thomas, Madeleine Peyroux,
and McCoy Tyner have appeared recently. The large third-floor room holds about
200. Buy tickets in advance or try your luck at the door an hour before show time.
Open Tuesday through Saturday and some Sundays, with one or two performances
per night, but frequently closed for private events.
In the Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Cam-
bridge.
&
617/661-5000
or 617/395-7757 for tickets. www.regattabarjazz.com. Tickets $12-$35. T: Red
Line to Harvard.
Ryles Jazz Club
This popular spot, which doubles as a barbecue joint, books a
wide variety of excellent blues, jazz, R&B, world beat, and Latin in two rooms. Sun-
day jazz brunch runs from 10am to 3pm. Open Tuesday through Sunday at 5pm;
shows start at 9pm.
212 Hampshire St., Inman Sq., Cambridge.
&
617/876-9330.
www.ryles.com.
Cover for music $8-$20 (usually $12 or less). T: Red Line to Central, then a 10-min. walk.
Scullers Jazz Club
Overlooking the Charles River, Scullers is a lovely, com-
fortable room with a top-notch sound system. The club celebrates its 20th anniversary
in 2009; check ahead for celebratory events. It books acclaimed singers and instru-
mentalists—recent notables include Tower of Power, Abbey Lincoln, Herb Alpert, and
Bobby Caldwell. Patrons tend to be more hard-core than the crowds at the Regattabar
(above), but it depends on who's performing. There are usually two shows a night
Tuesday through Saturday; the box office is open Monday through Saturday from
11am to 6pm. Ask about dinner packages ($47-$75 per person), which include pre-
ferred seating and a three-course meal, and overnight packages (from $99).
In the Dou-
bletree Guest Suites hotel, 400 Soldiers Field Rd.
&
617/562-4111.
www.scullersjazz.com. Tickets
$15-$50. Validated parking available.
Wally's Cafe
This Boston institution, near a busy corner in the South End,
opened in 1947. Its New Orleans-style all-about-the-music atmosphere draws a
notably diverse crowd—black, white, straight, gay, affluent, indigent. Live jazz, by
