Home to some of the country’s most prestigious universities, Cambridge has always been known as a hotbed of intellectual and cultural sophistication. However, if you look beyond the MIT buildings that surround Cambridge Center, you’ll find some quaint side streets filled with character, unpretentious fun, and delicious restaurants from some of the city’s top chefs. Here’s your guide to a relaxed date night around Kendall Square.
Thrift Like a Pro at The Garment District (200 Broadway)
If you’re feeling bold, sift through the “by the pound” area—you’ll be able to tell a lot about your date depending on what they pick out. You can either stay downstairs and search for next year’s Halloween costumes or head upstairs to my personal favorite area: all the way in the back, where you’ll find racks of amazing '70s and '80s couture.
Share a Pie at Emma’s Pizza (40 Hampshire St.)
After your adventure at The Garment District, step around the corner for a romantic table for two at Emma’s Pizza. The only hard part will be settling on toppings for your custom pie: choose from gourmet options such as thyme-roasted mushrooms and roasted sweet potatoes, or keep it simple with some sweet italian sausage. I love grabbing a cold beer and sitting down at the mismatched chairs—sometimes the most romantic spots are the most understated.
Shots and Shuffleboard at State Park (1 Kendall Square)
Come for a game of shuffleboard and stay for the bourbon and barbecue. This recently opened Kendall Square “dive bar” is the little sister to Cambridge’s beloved Hungry Mother, which features more upscale southern dining. The ambiance at State Park is moody and dark—perfect for drinking enjoying an after-dinner cocktail (or two).
Cozy Up for a Flick at Kendall Square Cinema (1 Kendall Square)
Going to the movies is one of my favorite pastimes. It can feel so indulgent if you do it right. Don’t come for the latest blockbuster hit—Kendall Square Cinema is known for showcasing smaller indie flicks. The theater is small and intimate, perfect for cozying up with a bag of freshly popped popcorn (topped with real butter!).
Be sure to check Groupon first for more shopping, date-night restaurants, and things to do in Boston.
Photos by Natalie Chassaigne Kurtzman
Read More
Nightlife in Newburyport
Advertisement
They feel bad, so they found you these other deals to make up for it.
Select Local Merchants
Warm lighting blankets the rustic interior of Riverside Lounge, creating a relaxing retreat for enjoying a draft beer, cocktail, or full meal. The flickering flames of the fireplace invite couples to cozy up beside it as they share portions of lightly battered calamari and lobster mac and cheese. The bar, meanwhile, blends chic woodwork with brick walls and an inviting atmosphere where patrons can relax and sip one of 17 draft beers, a seasonal wine, or a pitcher of white or red sangria. A collection of sports-showing TVs decorates the bar like wreaths on a door, while outside the view offers the natural splendor of the Powwow River Waterfall, which flows adjacent to the lounge’s canopied tables and violin-playing sparrows.
37 Main St
Amesbury,
MA
US
The Honey Pot Bar and Lounge is the Seacoast new hot-spot. Not only are we an excellent restaurant serving 25 flavors of wings, special and unique dinner and lunch items and a late night menu, but we also offer a lounge environment and nightly entertainment. We have a stage for live bands and a dance floor!
920 Lafayette Rd
Seabrook,
NH
US
The instructors at Dance Technics believe there's something to be learned and earned from all forms of body expression. That's why they teach myriad dance styles?everything from ballet to tumbling to hip hop?within their third-floor studio. There, students join in on classes divided by age and skill level, and show off their moves against exposed brick walls and padded floors. The classes can mix styles or focus on competitive dance, and range from 30- to 120-minutes. The instructors also offer private lessons for one-on-one practice or choreographing solo routines.
20 Merrimac Sq
Merrimac,
MA
US
Chunky's Cinema Pub has been mixing the polished glimmer of modern technology with the gauzy glow of yesteryear for almost two decades. Eight screens mingle first-run blockbusters with themed throwback classics catering to children of the ’50s or ’80s. There, in the glow of the previews, is another testament to the melding of time—a contemporary dinner-and-a-movie setup brings with it the nostalgia of old-school drive-ins. Instead of traditional cinema chairs, individual cushy Lincoln Continental surround communal dinner tables, and the seats roll and recline to let guests maximize their comfort and customize their sightlines as they catch the onscreen action and pretend to be backseat drivers. At their tables, American pub snacks and entrées from the extensive menu spread out, combining movies with burgers, quesadillas, and steak tips.
While the theater blends old with new, Chunky's Bio Truck zooms into the future with a gas tank full of the 100% trans-fat-free canola oil used for cooking in the kitchen. The bio-fuel reduces the truck's greenhouse emissions and helps to decrease its carbon footprint, spreading an eco-conscious message to the community.
371 Lowell Ave
Haverhill,
MA
US
The chefs at Essex Street Grille fill their menu with dishes ranging from fish to tempura shrimp and Jamaican pork tenderloin. They place these delectables on white plates and send them out into a dining room. Bartenders add to the scene by mixing dessert martinis with Godiva chocolate liqueur and Bailey's Irish cream. On Friday nights, a DJ blends tunes by diverse artists such as the Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, and a family of whales.
25 Essex St
Haverhill,
MA
US
