PELASE DONT TEAR IT DOWN. I haven't met a single person who doesn't love the old-school vibe of this place. It matches the crowd and smaller artists. We have so many new and generic McVenues, we need some genuine ones. Thinking of Big Night Live, Roadrunner, House of Blues. The Middle East is by far the best venue hands down. And now with them doing Raves, it's complete. The basement couldn't be a better place.

I’ve attended countless hardcore / metal gigs across various Middle East venues and have never been disappointed! The staff members are professional and courteous, sets are always punctual and another big positive is the fact that they don’t use Ticketmaster / livenation for bookings! Long live Middle East \,,/

2 Basement Rooms - both of them RAP/HIP HOP Street Level Entrance- Good Food, Bar and Smaller Room- Seen Mostly Jazz One More Room; Couldn't Tell if it was Street Level or Upstairs - But Definitely For Hard & Soft Rock & Heavy Def Metal Whole Place = OFF THE CHAIN. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE 4.9🌟 ALSO🔥🔥🙏

Went to support a friend for open mic night! (stand up comedy) Josh day (the MC) did not appreciate that a big group was here to support someone and taking up space/making noise and heckled us while we paid hefty tips. He also cut off our friend by interrupting him for 2 minutes and then cutting him off. I don’t know what issue he had with us but he kept on disrespecting us throughout the show by flipping us off as he walked off stage. Will never come to the Middle East again and if anyone wants to do stand up I would recommend they don’t come here either.

Stopped in for a drink on a Thursday when they were having karaoke night. Think I was there too early, but it was still ok.

Great food and friendly service. Portions are large, all food comes with Harrisa sauce on the side so if you have children or someone who doesn’t tolerate spicy food be sure to inform the waiter. Most of dishes are Halal apart from burgers and stake! Their outdoor sitting is small but cozy!

Been here so many times and it’s always been one I look forward to! Andrew ran sound and absolutely crushed it. So accommodating and helpful from load in to load out. They do there best to help bands with parking and have been helpful with anything else a touring band could need. Thank y’all!

Decent venue for a multitude of things, like metal shows, nightclub events etc. Only thing I have to say is the DJ some nights was rude as hell when I tried to request a song or compliment on a sample that wasn't the preferred genre. The security guys at the door for the most recent show I went to were very nice. However on the website it said the show was $20. Then when I went in, it was $22. Please make sure you update the prices on your advertising

I only went here for a show and never had the food so idk how it is however the concert here was great and the set up was nice. These small clubs go wicked hard and i love it. Also drinks are only $10 which is amazing since MGM Fenway charges $18-$22

It serves its purpose. The stage is set up so you can get close to your favorite artist but a lot of people may think that's a negative because the security isn't as high. It's a small place and it gets really hot in there when you're watching a show. A bar that is an upscale but shows artists perform here

Haven't been there here in a long time, but I used to see bands there often and really enjoyed it. Small, intimate place so you e got a great view no matter where you are!

zero concept if this is a good restaurant or club, what I will tell you is that Emo night rules here. Cheap drinks and great cover bands. Bring a $50 bill and go nuts.

Went to the basement venue for a hard rock show, No Resolve, Halocene, The Haunt and Hooked Like Helen. Great venue for live, loud music. Went by myself, people were so friendly and fun!

Absolutely rude staff. Two of my friends (who are over 21) got kicked out. One for talking on the phone and one for ordering a drink while being over 21. Would have been okay if the employees had been kinder, but I have genuinely never experienced such rude staff. They called us names and yelled at us. I will never come back here.

Guy was very aggressive to my girlfriend and shoved her. I stepped in and told him not to touch her. Guess who got kicked out? This bar is not a great place for women. Edit: bouncer is friends with the person who assaulted her. Fantastic place for women!

Solid spot, 3 restaurant/bar places all together. With a downstairs venue. Decent sized, definitely a basement show. Gotta give a shout out to the owner Nabil. Grab a bite and see a show.

Venue is exciting, bar is a deal , and does host exciting shows, however with small mistakes like walking the wrong way - security WILL act overly aggressive , yell and put hands on you even while you are complying. My partner is visually impaired - while looking for the restroom she walked inside of the empty venue in the back of the restaurant- we complied as soon as we were called but security still advanced upon us and acted extremely aggressive, yelled and corned us. I had a hand put on me as we were desperately looking for the exit door (actually labeled EMERGENCY EXIT, right by the STAFF door). It’s quite ironic when security makes you feel LESS safe than being around the club’s own patrons. I needed to relieve this tightness by talking to security supervisory calmly - they each became defensive, lied about putting their hand on my back, and cussed us out (2 bearded white men, blonde white woman). At a high level this venue feels unsafe for women, queer people and possibly other minorities concerning the nature and ratio of the security staff. This incident and the review posted by Jake leads me to believe that these same security staff will side with abusers in the venue if that still ever was brought to concern. I can only recommend this place if they had a significant change in security staff.

Fantastic experience! Fast service and the owner was so welcoming! Got to sit anywhere we wanted to eat and the Choco Martini was super yummy :) Attended a concert in the upstairs venue and it was such an intimate concert experience! 10/10 will be coming back in the future for a show!

I love the atmosphere! Good music & art.. Friendly & attentive staff! However, first experience with the food wasn't good. "Middle East salad" was 11$ and was.. like a 6$ side salad at a diner.

This is one of the best underground concert and club venues in Cambridge. I had so many memories and the atmosphere is one of the best.

This is one of the best places to catch metal/hardcore/punk shows. In fact it's one of the only places, too, so I cherish this establishment and the many venues it hosts. I've seen so many good bands here. The bar is reasonably priced and has a good enough selection. It's not exactly the cleanest place ever, and someone standing near me at the last show ripped a fart and their diet must consist of nothing but pepperoni, otherwise I'd give the atmosphere 5 stars.

Ya'll are absolutely wild. 2 Double captain and cokes, and 2 white tea shots that the male bartender never heard of, I got charged 68 dollars with an added in gratuity of 10 bucks!. I drove 3 hours just to watch zeke beats, and I don't care who plays here, ill never be back. Clean the downstairs also. It was so nasty. Floor was sticky before the show even started last night.

A beloved concert venue in the heart of Cambridge. I've seen rock, rap, & all kinds of shows in my years. Whether you're at Sonia, upstairs, or downstairs the venue is amazing.

Great for local music. Look out for lineups with Earl on Earth..they bring 🔥🔥🔥 sets everytime

Great ambience - setting complete with relaxing music and comfy chairs to sink into. The staff was very welcoming and we ate medium steak. He then recommended putting it in this bread too, which brings out the great flavorful burst!

Always cool shows and events going on! Especially if you're into heavier music or any kind of goth or synth type stuff

Love the Middle East, been going there for over 30 years, which means I'm in my 60s and I need a place to sit down if I'm going to make it through a show, had to leave early cuz my feet and knees were killing me after 2 hours, but was well worth it!

One of the oldest and best places in Cambridge for live music great food and plentiful drink options. The staff is always on point and I've been going here for music food and a great hangout spot 100% I can't recommend this place enough.

Went to see Hub City Stompers, who were AMAZING! A really nice place, which I didn't know had so much music history attached to it. Not much mask wearing, but I kept mine on, and was fine afterwards.

Went there to watch the extraordinary Aristocrats perform live, for a ridiculously low priced ticket. The Aristocrats are easily some of the best musicians in the world. So Middle East club gets 5/5 stars.

Love this place. Hope it never changes and it hasnt seemed to in the past 10-20 years. Thank the music gods! Great spot for a show or to grab some grub or a drink in the restaurant.