Nightlife in Cambridge

Crush Kitchen & Winehouse

In addition to its elegant, warmly decorated lounge and hand-selected stock of wine, Crush Kitchen doubles as an intimate gathering place—a place that lets groups connect over small plates and test pairing tips doled out by knowledgeable servers. The wine list features premium, uncommon wines crafted by small producers from around the world, and wine-tasting events give patrons a chance to learn about pinot noir or American varietals from wine experts. Crush also makes all of its breads, dressings, desserts, and soups in-house everyday, and daily specials encourage patrons to try out new dishes.

Slate Wine Bar + Bistro

Slate Wine Bar + Bistro, carries on the family tradition of pouring fine wines in welcoming surroundings. A carefully curated selection of bottles—with an emphasis placed on wines—pairs with brunch, lunch, and dinner menus of New American cuisine. The wait staff offers insight so guests can perfectly match their meals of pan-seared duck breast with a red wine cherry sauce, grass-fed burgers, or seasonal risotto, and wine experts provide in-depth information in curated tasting events.

Red Eye's Dock Bar is renowned for its bikini contests, but it's also a great place to eat with the family. It's the perfect summer spot for boaters, bikers, parrot heads, and business-folk alike. Sit outside on our huge outdoor seating area, right on the water, or up in our cool, air conditioned inside bar.

To get a sense of The Greene Turtle's commitment to the neighborhood, one need only sit at the bar and look up. Dozens of mugs hang above the counter, emblazoned with the pub's logo and a unique number—each one belongs to a recurring patron. The Mug Club awards its members with draft-beer discounts and other specials, but more importantly, it allows loyal patrons to feel as though they own small slices of the venue without tattooing their names on the bartender's arm. This sense of shared familiarity is what fuels the entire franchise, which refrains from calling its locations "restaurants" in favor of friendlier terms: gathering places, communities, havens.

Many of the locations contribute more than mugs to their districts. Staff members who participate in the annual Tips for Tots program donate the entirety of one day's tips to a nearby Toys for Tots initiative, and Tuesday Funds for Friends events benefit local organizations. These efforts have been chronicled by press sources such as Food and Drink magazine, with features that liken The Greene Turtles' philanthropic generosity to the generous portions of comfort food that leave the kitchens.

From cheeseburger sliders and flatbread pizzas to handmade lump-crab cakes, the offerings on the menu embrace barroom traditions along with ingenuity. The steak and chicken entrees arrive with classic sides of green beans and yukon gold mashed potatoes, whereas the eastern shore mac ‘n’ cheese updates a comfort staple with chopped bacon, lump crab, scallions, and Old Bay seasoning. Diners can enjoy their meals by the glow of private flat-screen TVs—there's one in every booth—or beneath one of many larger televisions broadcasting sports games throughout the venue.

The seasoned chefs at Waterman's Tavern outsmart hunger and thirst with an upscale pub menu showcasing more than 90 brews. Sweep meaty cravings under your lip curtains with the half-pound bison burger smothered in American cheese ($10.95) or try the tavern meat loaf, a medley of beef, veal, and pork glazed with a sauce as sweet and smoky as a candyland forest fire ($12.95). Hoppy delights, such as Sam Smith's Organic and Stella Artois ($2.25–$6), cleanse palates, and french baguettes and tortilla chips escort Waterman's crab dip with cheddar cheese ($12.95) into vacated belly hovels. Seal the meal with homemade bread pudding inundated with irish cream and vanilla, tossed with chocolate chips and crowned with whipped, spiked, and iced creams ($5.95).

Outside Severna Park Taphouse, you can hear the clink of a horseshoe, or the thud-and-slide of a little bean bag sinking into a board during a game of cornhole. Inside, the beer bar proudly displays a huge array of craft beer bottlecaps and labels along its bar, where the staff pours cold ones from 28 rotating taps and pops the tops off of more than 75 bottled selections. Proudly a family-friendly spot, the kitchen serves up a kids menu alongside adult-sized burgers, blackened rockfish tacos, and tangy homemade buffalo-chicken dip.

Signature service: Social Dancing Lessons
Established: Before 1950
Reservations/Appointments: Required
Staff Size: 2–10 people
Average Duration of Services: 30–60 minutes
Pro Tip: No partner needed , no experience needed.