The website is a bit more pretentious than necessary, which made me hesitant to try this place but friends wanted to go before a show at the Sinclair. I was pleasantly surprised by everything about the experience. The space is gorgeous and well designed, the staff is (mostly) pleasant, the cocktails are original, the dozen or so draft wines a nice touch, and the food phenomenal. So if you're looking for an alternative to the usual Russel House and dearly departed Upstairs on the Square for a special occasion in the square, don't be put off by how seriously it seems to take itself and give Beat Hotel a shot.
From the moment you walk in to the Beat Hotel, you can feel the cool vibe and automatically know you've chosen the right spot to grab drinks! This place is nicely tucked in Harvard Square, and the scene was not too college-like and not too "old." Service in the bar area was excellent, drink menu was unique. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Colleen H.
The beat hotel is located in the strangest spot ever...under the Gap! It doesn't matter though, because it's great. It's a HUGE space, with super friendly staff, an awesome drink menu (had the "perfect perfect martini" which matched it's name, and the VFW which is a modernized old fashion), and some interesting food choices. It was definitely American hearty food, but they manage to throw a couple hearty healthy dishes on there! Vegan options as well, which I was surprised to see. We got the brussel sprout salad which was fresh. Wasn't a huge fan of the smoked trout on top, but I'm not a crazy smoked fish fan, so don't take my word for it. I will say, the truffled deviled egg on top in heaven. You can order extra on the side if you're fighting with someone over it. ;) The mussels were tasty. The sauce was thick with a hearty roasted tomato flavor - definitely took the bread to town in the leftovers. And then we got the Inka Bowl which had quinoa, kale, sweet potato, other stuff and topped with salmon. It was right about when we were getting full, so we took it home. But it's a hearty dish for sure. The live music last night was really good - which I didn't have much expectations for seeing as it was a Wednesday night. But overall a really cool atmosphere. Worth crossing the river for!
(5)
Marissa W.
We went to the Beat Hotel for my father's birthday and had an AMAZING experience from start to finish. Going on a Sunday early allowed us time to really enjoy ourselves, and every dish we tried. We started out with the lamb nachos, which were delicious and very filling. I think there was more than enough lamb included with the nachos, although I always like guacamole with my nachos, regardless of the dish. The crispy tuna rolls were really amazing--the raw sashimi-grade tuna was perfection, and the asian slaw that accompanied it was crisp and refreshing. Our favorite appetizer though, was the sweet chipotle BBQ spare ribs. Fall-off-the-bone is an understatement--it MELTED off of the bone and the sauce was heavenly. My southern gentleman said it was the best ribs he'd ever tasted, and he's quite biased on the matter. The 4 of us chose different entrees: Earth bowl with salmon (super filling dish, and I can see why it's their signature--lots of different proteins, dipping sauces, flavors and seasonal vegetables); halibut with curry, peas and cauliflower (great, deep tastes with a huge hunk of local fish); seared duck breast with cherry glaze and whipped corn pudding (CAN I SCREAM OUT LOUD ABOUT THE CORN PUDDING?! It's like liquid gold in your mouth. I would eat a vat of it if I could. Seriously.) and salmon with the autumn quinoa, which was perfect for the birthday guy. We finished the night the chocolate and peanut butter cake with sea salt caramel ice cream--it was richly divine and enough for 4 people to share bites of after a fulfilling meal. We literally had not a single complaint about every dish that came out, and the waitstaff was attentive, knowledgeable, and kind and the ambience is gorgeous as well. I can see how on a Friday or Saturday night things can get busy, loud and perhaps a little lost in the shuffle, but please be open-minded to the experience--it's absolutely worth it!
(5)
Sarah S.
Amazing and exciting food! I highly recommend ordering their Black Birch Julep. It was like nothing I have ever tasted before. Also, the service was great and informative. Special thanks to Logan our server who didn't rush our bill when we asked if we could stay at the table for a little longer. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Gabi R.
To die for - so excited to have this new gem around the corner. Food: -lamb nachos - delicious, salty spicy and hit the spot without being too cheesy -calamari - a tiny bit overdone, but delicious overall, especially the veggies -earth bowl - oh my god. That's all I can say. I'm a meat person, but got this vegan and it blew my mind, especially the pumpkin tahini -seitan gyro - again, mind blowing. Not big into cheese but the feta sauce was to die for Service: incredibly nice, attentive, and forthcoming when asked for recommendations Ambience: fun place to catch up with friends, great for parents. Also great for a date if early in the evening- once the music begins though, it gets loud....
(4)
Steph S.
I have been the Beat Hotel several times since its opening and have had nothing but fun. For me, it is hard to dislike a place where there is live music every night, and the service is friendly and knowledgable. For dinner, I brought a professional acquaintance here. I was a little unsure, given the vibe is a little hippy-dippy, but on Thursdays, you can catch live jazz. It was perfect. The menu is trendy and sophisticated- I had the duck with corn pudding. It was great. The meat was perfectly done, flavored nicely, and went wonderfully with the wine I had (recommended by my server). My guest was impressed, and loved the live music. They were older, so it was awesome that despite the live music, we could still carry on a conversation without screaming. I would say, that if you're looking for a place to grab a burger and fries and a show, try some of the other awesome joints in Harvard Square and drop by later for a cocktail. I found the burger a little underwhelming, but it's not really that kind of place.
(4)
Yumiko F.
Great to see some place like this in Harvard Sq! I remember seen shoes, clothes down there but now all turned into nice cool spot! Decorations are cool. Some art work are all by local artist. Great for dinner and also chandelier was pretty awesome. Really nice stuff and you could be going there as dressed up and nice dinner or sit by the bar side to have a great wine selections that is on the tap! Yes Wines are on the tap! Live music is playing everyday as well!
(4)
John H.
I didn't like the docor it seemed cheesey. Also not a fan of basement bars. Great bartenders and good food though.
(3)
N T.
First time I came, it was OK (3.5 stars). Music was pretty nice for a Saturday brunch. Second time I came, the waiter was extremely slow (5 minutes for water, 15+ minutes for serving). We were not pleased and left before getting served. Please don't try to go between lunch and dinner time. The service is horrid then (hence, my low review)
(2)
Corina G.
Cool place, kinda kitschy-hipstery but cool nonetheless. Every Sunday they have a live jazz band for brunch which was a nice surprise seeing as how we had no idea what to expect and it was the day of our first anniversary. The waiter was super chill. His name escapes me though :/ I got the eggs Benedict and my husband got a burger. Really really good stuff. We stayed for a bit after finishing our food to enjoy the music. We would probably go back if ever in the area again.
(4)
Thomas N.
wow the reviews are all over the place, but we walked by while visiting the boston celtic music program, saw they had jazz (during the day) so we tried it, were not disappointed.....used to be a big upscale clothing store and is a big rectangular shape, with 2 long bars along one wall and a place for music in the back, actually very attractive and it was wonderful having music during the day....we ate at the bar where there is just one tv if you are interested....server, bartender, was pleasant and attentive, drinks were good and reasonably priced for the area, food was a little on the expensive side, but the burger was excellent and the brisket cheese sandwich was also....so what's not to like....was pretty busy and having the music during the day was great.......
(4)
Lyndon R.
I have been to the beat hotel a number of times. I want to commend them on bringing something unique to town. The atmosphere is lively and fun. It's clear that a lot of thought went into the place. The people who work there seem to really like being there and make the experience enjoyable. I was there last night for the Cuban themed night and had the mojito and the grouper, both great and the music topped it off. As someone who likes wine, the wine on tap is a great option. When I first heard about this I thought it was strange, but the selection is really serious and it gives me a chance to try wines that I wouldn't normally have access to. Given the quality of what's offered, I think the prices are really fair. I also can't believe they don't charge a cover for the music, which is excellent and adds to the vibe. It's a great place to go to hang with my friends, have a decent glass of wine, good food, hear live music and get in some great people watching.
(5)
Stephanie S.
Fantastic, friendly and personable service from the bartenders. Very attentive. Food was delicious and drinks were great. I love the vibe of this place!
(5)
Fred A.
Terrible service. They told us 20 minutes but We waited more than an hour to be seated then the rude manager asked us to leave before be ordered and offered to make us wait again. We'll never go back. Worst service ever. Rudest restaurant manager ever. The worst restaurant experience of my life. I have had never seen ruder manager in my life.
(1)
Fay F.
Came here with a group of friends. Nice ambience and good food. I had the earth bowl, a yummy and healthy choice!
(4)
Jenn H.
Wow, what an addition to Harvard Square. Spacious and beautifully decorated, with a huge bar area. The menu is a little overwhelming, but who doesn't love options?? The food is awesome and the drinks are great. Nice wine menu and even better cocktails. And of course, this is a sister restaurant to Beehive, so you know you're gonna get some friggin amazing live jazz. This place does it all.
(4)
Dom K.
Good food but slow service. Tuna roll, salmon tartare, and deviled eggs were great. Their smoke salmon is really good too. All in all a nice food experience if you're not in too much of a rush.
(4)
Maria E.
Very annoying service. Great food, dessert and live music at reasonable price. However, the service was really getting on our nerves - after we finished with the dinner, but were not looking to go anywhere, our waiter immediately brought us the check. Not sure if that was a hint that we had to go or what. We stayed longer, because that's the whole point of coming to a place with live music. Well, the waiter pretty much made sure to remind ourselves of his existence every 5 minutes. This person literally stopped by 5 or 6 times asking whether we are done with our plates, whether we needed anything else, and the like. It was borderline offensive. This was coupled by cheesy jokes.
(3)
John R.
cool vibe, great music, knowledgable server, interesting food... what's not to love?
(4)
Joy Y.
Came in for the jazz brunch last Sunday with some friends. We didn't make a reservation but that wasn't a problem since we snagged a spot at the bar easily. Given the size of this place, I was definitely surprised that reservations were needed, but I guess since it's kind of a new hot spot, craziness tends to ensue. Anyway, it seems that I had a similar experience to many of the other yelpers around here. The service definitely left something to be desired. To be honest, if I wasn't so engrossed in my conversation, I would have been waaaaaay more annoyed by how long it took them to take our order. It was at least a half hour. The drinks were heavy on the booze though and kept us going while we were waiting. I got the meat omelette and it was pretty tasty. I was particularly a fan of the havarti dill cheese, although the meat itself was somewhat tough, forgettable and should have been cut into smaller pieces. There was definitely a lot of food,but for the price tag ($14 for an omelette) I don't think I would have expected less. It's a strange and eclectic menu and I found the brunch menu to lean a little more on the lunch end. Their drinks were creative (I especially liked the one with apple cider, st. germaine and bourbon- yum!) and strong. The jazz was not overpowering and more like background noise than the starring show. Overall? Probably worth a visit, at the very least check it out and judge for yourself.
(4)
eliza b.
Really enjoyed Beat Hotel for the music and atmosphere. Menu is average and wine by the glass is sold in ounces, and to buy a bottle at minimum is $65. Next time I would prefer to hit the bar and have a cocktail listen to the music.
(4)
Betsy B.
It's nice that there's such a large venue in HS, allowing people to hang out at the bar, in the dining room, or over near the music. But this place felt really schizophrenic to me: 1) very busy, eclectic decor (flower child?) that has no bearing on the Beats 2) for the prices, the menu is pretty average, as is the cooking. Not a lot creativity in the choices available, and given that they're sort of run of the mill and not really well executed, I think the prices should be lower for a lot of the menu items. The bar's not bad. I'd say it's a good place to meet up for a drink and maybe listen to music, but I'd invest the same money in a better meal elsewhere.
(2)
Jessie E.
Been quite a few times for drinks, brunch and multiple dinners. Service can be great. I was a bit dissappointed at my last visit. Im in the midst of some health issues, made a reservation and I requested a table away from the stage because I cannot hear well at all. Lovely maitre'd said just a few minutes for a table that would accomodate my needs. Waited almost 45 minutes past our reservation time and they sat us, no joke, one table away from the stage. I spoke to the manager and he graciously moved us but it was a bit awkward to do so. After 45 minutes of waiting and an awful table the gracious thing would have been to offer a round of drinks or something to apologize. Absolutely nothing was offered. Was a bit dissapointing especially considering how often I frequent the restaurant and how little it would have taken to make our group feel well taken care of.
(4)
Paul C.
Dress up and head to the Beat Hotel for jazz, booze and hippie feel to dance the night away.
(4)
Michael M.
Brunch review: Slow to seat, even though not busy. The server had a bit of an attitude and was hard to track down, he never once asked how the food was. Had to ask another server for our bill when we were finally done and sitting there for awhile staring at our plates. The eggs Benedict was okay, not bad not great. The weird potato chip-like things weren't very good. They were soggy and flavorless. The one redeeming thing about brunch was the jazz, which again was only okay. But even okay live music is better than none at all. Too many good brunch options around to go back here.
(2)
Erik S.
Been here three times for dinner and drinks. Vibe: The vibe is great. Very relaxed and comfortable. The space is huge so you don't feel crowded and you can sit as close or far from the stage as you want (depending on whether you are more into the music or conversation) - that flexibility is something you just can't find in other similar venues around Boston/Cambridge. The music is consistently high quality and the sound is great. Drinks: Good selection and well constructed cocktails. Good beer selection - not huge, but they picked good ones. Price - pretty typical for Harvard Square. Food: It's a little hit or miss. The lamb nachos are fantastic. The earth bowl is really good. The short-rib lasagne really really good (especially on a cold winter night). I had a BBQ pulled pork sandwich once that was meh. And one other entree that was forgettable so I forgot it. I think I only had desert once it was a double chocolate mouse thing and it was really rich and delicious. Overall great place. I wish more places had live music.
(4)
D G.
Wine was sour. Sea bass was undercooked and potatoes were raw. Eggplant had ingredients that were not listed on menu. Food was so bad I left restaurant still hungry. Wait staff were professional and helpful. Space is very nice. Music was pleasant. Overpriced. I will not be back.
(1)
Paul R.
I went to the Beat Hotel on a Saturday night with two other people. It is clear that this place is trying hard to be hip, which is ok. However, it does have a very corporate, wannabe hipster vibe, which I generally find to be the worst kinda hip. The place is big, decorated nicely, has live music, but was totally packed. This came as no surprise as it was a weekend evening in Harvard Square. They had a couple open tables up front, but they were only set for two people. We asked if it was ok if the three of us sat at the table and they replied with surprising rudeness that seating three at a two person table was strictly forbidden. Not cool dude, but if that is their policy, so be it. So, instead we tried to find a nook or cranny where we could stand. While we were trying to find a spot, the same employee came up to us every 30 seconds or so (this seriously happened ~5 times) and told us we couldn't stand in an empty 6 foot-wide "fire lane" (where they going to drive a truck through or something?!). We had no intention of standing in their "fire lane" for long, but the "official standing room area" was totally packed--I mean these people were making me question the Kepler conjecture and rethink closest packing lattice regimes. I though it might be possible for us to squeeze in if a Japanese railway pusher showed up, but short of that we were SOL. So, after growing tired of the constant reminders that we had to move, couldn't sit, and had no place to stand, we had to abandon the Beat Hotel and seek out a less stuffy joint. We made the right choice and I doubt I will ever go back. Not cool, not cool at all.
(2)
Daniel A.
Just got home from an absolutely wonderful evening at Beat Hotel. Dinned with my team of employees for our company retreat. We had a really fun server who was knowledgeable about the menu and was attentive. We ordered a lot of different things including margaritas swordfish tacos chocolate cake french fries brussels sprouts salads and fillet mignon. What I love about the hotel is that even though they have live music the band doesn't play so loud that you can't hear your own conversations. Great addition to Harvard Square!
(5)
Kelsey F.
If you're looking for a restaurant with a unique 'sphere, the Beat Hotel offers a great vibe for a fun brunch or night out. I went with a few girlfriends for brunch. The Veggie Omelette was balanced in taste and texture and my mimosa was made well. My friends were pleased with their Earth Bowls. Drinks are on the pricer side, but you're paying for the locale. All around solid addition to the area restaurant scene.
(4)
Maeve O.
I had the Inca Bowl, one of the vegetarian options. It was incredibly good. I don't know what sauce they used but I would like to put it on everything, and possibly bath in it. My salad was very good as well. My brother ordered the french onion soup which was a bit weird, more soggy bread and melted cheese than broth but the filet mignon was very good as his main dish. The service was a bit slow but honestly my food was so good that I didn't care.
(4)
Mabel L.
I came here expecting a top notch bloody mary and was disappointed. "Spicy" meant more tabasco, but couldn't detect the essential horseradish. Very fresh, however, will ask for specific things like horseradish and olives next time. Being veg, I ordered the Inca Bowl (vegan version). Definitely delightful upon delivery. Good portions, lots of tofu/tempeh (thankfully not another portabella mushroom based veg option). For a $20 entree, I had high expectations. Good variety of beans, veg, quinoa, avocado, etc, but couldn't pinpoint the flavor, but assumed my taste buds were off and went with the fact that it was a higher quality veg meal at a bar, and didn't question it. Definitely overpriced for the flavor available in the neighborhood, but very nice atmosphere, great staff, and looking forward to drinks there in the future. I probably won't need to order the Inca Bowl again, but would prefer the always amazing Cambridge One pizza around the corner. 1/2 the price and twice the flavor. What I'd like to see in the future: 1. Better bloody mary (raise the bar for the recipe). 2. lower the price on the food.....better drinks should help pay the rent. (food prices just might drive customers away....a lot of competition in the hood). This should get repeat customers coming in. We like the room, just give us a little more reason to come back!
(3)
John A.
I predict an early demise. An indescribably weird experience - first of all, the place is HUGE. And it's decorated like (with apologies to Spinal Tap) an Australian's nightmare. Elaborate? Yes. Coherent? Not so much. On Saturday night around 10, the place was deserted - acres of empty tables and, even so, indifferent service. Beers were way overpriced and the apps we had, while decent tasting, were likewise so. The only reason for an extra star is the band who were playing Latin jazz with some verve. Shamefully, they were relegated to a small, floor-level stage at the very back of the deep, weird grotto. The band leader was clearly overmatched by his 6-string bass and continually behind the beat, but everyone else was excellent, especially the drummer (Mark?) who played actual music (for a drummer no less!) at EXACTLY the right volume level. If I do go back, it would be to hear some more of that excellent drumming and Latin jazz. But, more likely, I'll remember that this place is just weird and not bother. To judge by the business they were doing on a Saturday night, it probably won't be long before there isn't that option anymore.
(2)
Emily A.
Overrated and overpriced. But the ambiance is nice, unless you're sitting right next to the stage, which is where we unfortunately sat, even though the server promised us that their "state of the art sound system" prevents obnoxiously loud-conversation prohibiting noise. He was terribly wrong and we ended our overpriced dinner quicker than expected since we couldn't hear each other speak. Basically, the drinks are good, the food is "eh" and overpriced, decorations are nice and hostesses are over zealous...in the obnoxious and fake type of way.
(3)
Liri K.
As regulars at the Beehive for years we were excited for this spot to open. We loved the menu, especially how well it catered to everyone (with dedicated vegan or gluten free dishes). The tuna spring rolls were fantastic! Reminded us of the RIP Pho Republic. One thing we did not enjoy was the service. The server did make a great effort to recommend items from the menu and was attentive. He also didn't let us go before he recommended some upcoming shows, which was a nice touch. However, other staff showed no accommodation to us. For example, we booked a table for 2, and noted in the reservation that 2 more people will be joining us for drinks once we finished dinner. Since it was a mid-week night, the place was half empty and there were plenty of tables for 4 open. Strict to their guidelines though, were told only diners can sit and therefore we will have to get up once we finished dinner and wanted to have drinks with our friends. Wrong approach. Also- when my friend (who happens to be particular about wine, since she works in the upscale restaurant industry for years) asked to taste a couple of wines before she chooses, she was told they bring out no tastings. Wrong approach again. We are regulars at places like Toro, Coppa, Myers+Chang and the like, all those places are happy to let you taste a wine before you obligate to it! With that said, we will be back there for food and ambiance, hoping they will get their service act together once they get through the opening period.
(4)
R M.
Beat Hotel, from the owners of the Beehive in the South End, is a new brasserie/bar in Harvard Sq. Located in the basement area that was the old Tannery, the Beat Hotel is an absolutely beautiful space. The decor, artwork, and layout are top notch and will be appreciated for years to come. And the live music will undoubtedly add a really fun and interesting element to the area. Pretty much all the liquor, beers, and wines are American-made. They opened today and I stopped in for a drink or two. I had a pleasant experience overall; the cocktails were solid and the wines (all on tap!) were interesting. That said, the prices are high. No cocktails under $11.50. No apps under $12. Entrees are well over 20. I don't feel like a drink made with Old Overholt Rye should be $11.50. It's a great "cheap" rye almost anywhere else, but here it's as pricey as Bulleit is elsewhere. I also sampled some of the wine, and they were quite good. But American wines at $9-14 for a 5oz pour are not worth it to me. They offer 2.5oz pours, too, for about 55% of the 5oz price. Unfortunately, they wont let you taste any of the wines without purchasing them, despite the fact that they are on tap. Finally, I tried the calamari/veggie fritters ($12) on recommendation from the bartender. The batter was pleasant and light, but there was nothing extraordinary about them. That said, I look forward to trying more of the food here. So here's my breakdown: Service: 4 stars -- staff was really great and friendly. Had a small hiccup with my first drink (was served on the rocks when it should have been up), but no big deal. Atmosphere: 5 stars -- this is one of the most beautiful restaurant spots in Harvard, if not the best. And when the music starts, I'm sure it will be next level. Food: 3 stars -- hard for me to really judge on one dish, obviously, but this dish didn't knock my socks off. Drinks: 4 stars -- cocktails were solid, and wine was quite good. Value: 2 stars -- I realize this is Harvard Sq, but I can't see myself coming here regularly when the prices are so high. I'm a firm believer that cocktails with spirits like Overholt should not be more than $10. With multiple options nearby for that, I will lube up elsewhere before coming here for some live music. Average: 3.5 stars
(3)
Rachel C.
What a happy find! My boyfriend and I were in the area this past Saturday for a book reading at the Brattle, and when it was his turn to wander around while I held our place in line he noticed a place that looked interesting and new. Afterwards we decided to wander over, it was around dinner time and we at least were looking for a place to get a bite to eat and drink. As we debating going in/trying to figure out if it was even open yet, a couple came out and told us to not even think, just go! They said dinner was fantastic and the place had just opened that Thursday, but they weren't announcing their opening to avoid a rush and overwhelming the staff. Already, I am won over with that statement! So we went in, and I was overwhelmed with how beautiful everything is. From the host/hostess stand, to the light fixtures and the painted walls, the immense space felt cozy. We were seated immediately and given a chance to look over the menu. It was pricy, as someone else has written, no entree is under $20 and appetizers are all over $12. But based on the descriptions, the prices seemed fair for what the food was. They have a small but well rounded tap list for beers, and a very extensive wine list. It wasn't till later in the evening that I found out they were on tap as well! This explained the prices for 2.5 oz, 5 oz, and I think 12.5 oz. servings. My boyfriend tried Pretty Things Fluffy White Rabbit and later in the evening was even given a sample of another beer before committing to ordering it. For $9.50, I picked a 5 oz of Troublemaker, and California red blend. It tasted very fresh on tap! Our server, Meredith, who also works at the Beehive, was excellent! As was our meals of apple and bacon stuffed pork loin on cider braised red cabbage for me and chicken piccata with gnocchi for him. I love when I go to restaurant and get a meal that I know I couldn't recreate at home. The pork was just that good. It was definitely an unexpectedly nice dinner out, and our bill reflected that, but I will definitely come back! The atmosphere, the food, the drinks and the service make it money well spent! Though, I have a feeling the next time we are there, it will be a lot busier and we won't enjoy having empty tables around us!
(5)
Anne W.
Came in on a Friday for drinks and some live music. Place was packed so we couldn't get near the band and wound up standing near the door. Awesome looking venue. Slightly hipster feel at the bar. The dinning room seemed to be a more mixed crowd. From what we could hear, the band seemed pretty cool. If you want to hear the music, try to get there a little earlier as if fills up quickly. But definitely a great space and awesome that there is no cover charge.
(4)
Kristy G.
On the pricey side, but great for an evening with friends (to splurge a bit). Good food, good drinks, and lively atmosphere.
(4)
James C.
Went here on a friday night and ordered nachos and a hurger. Nachos were cold and rhe "medium" burger was way ober cooked. Terrible foo especially for the price
(1)
Abate D.
The mussels and frites were amazing, the pulled lamb nachos were a great addition as well. Great ambiance, live band, ask for Debbie!
(5)
Danielle R.
This is probably one of my favorite spots in Harvard Square. The nightly live music is a huge plus--and it certainly helped make the general ambiance of the restaurant hip yet relaxing. The space was quiet enough for a nice conversation with friends, though, which I think is something typically difficult to achieve within in-restaurant performance venues. The food was absolutely fantastic, and I think that it was well priced for its caliber. Beat Hotel prefers to present more simple fare "done right" and I think it really works for them. I ordered the Spaghetti with Artichokes and found it to be well-seasoned and perfectly al dente. My friends ordered the roasted duck and Earth Bowl with wild salmon and also gave their dishes complimentary reviews.
(5)
N K.
I was incredibly disappointed in the service I received when making reservations for my 30th birthday celebration at Beat Hotel. Both times, once when initially making the reservation, and again while confirming, the reservationists and manager were very rude to me on the phone. They were so rude that I was close to cancelling my birthday plans all together. As a regular customer, and one who chose to celebrate a big milestone event at Beat Hotel, I was floored by how unaccommodating they were to my needs. They basically implied I should just cancel my reservation instead of them making simple accommodations for me. I ended up keeping the reservation only because it was too last minute to find somewhere else to go, but I was frustrated all evening that they were getting the business of me and my many close friends. Luckily, the food and service was good so it made up for the horrible experience hours before my birthday dinner. It was supposed to be a happy occasion spent with close friends at a place I normally love, but the rudeness left the worst taste in my mouth. I couldn't wait to write this review to get the experience off my chest. I don't think I'll ever foot step in there again. I guess I need to find a new local spot to enjoy. And p.s. I honestly wanted to give zero stars, but I want to give the waiter some credit. I'm sorry he has to work with such rude and careless people.
(2)
Kathy D.
No Substitutions Please! Went for brunch and give Beat Hotel an overall good rating but definitely some misses. The grilled banana bread coffee cake is outstanding. The brioche french toast is outstanding and requires no maple syrup or even the rhubarb berry compote that is supposed to come with it that they forgot. Biggest complaint is absolutely no substitutions. No alternate veggies in the veggie scramble and no bacon instead of ham in the meat scramble. The waitress did so kindly offer us to order a side of bacon if we wanted bacon in the scramble. And the salad with devil eggs was the most ordinary out of a bag salad, didn't even have tomato in it. Buffalo cauliflower was also great. Portions are very large. Our waitress was hot and cold. The decor is fun and festive and the live jazz does not over power.
(3)
Murphy L.
Now this place is a hidden gem. Decent food, good service, and wonderful live music. The bar area does get crowded if you are just going there for a drink; would suggest getting a dinner table for an enjoyable evening
(5)
N C.
Overall good to very good food BUT tonight I ordered one of their "bowls" with skirt steak and without warning, the first piece of the steak was apicy beyond belief. Being with guests, I politely persevered to the second slice which was spicy but manageable. One of my guests tried a bite and observed that it was "quite spicy indeed". I persevered but the third piece was so spicy I sent the whole dish back to the kitchen. I ve been writhing in pain with abdominal spasms for the past two hours. I CONSIDER THAT LEVEL OF HOT SPICE ON A DISH WITHOUT EXPRESSING IT IN THE MENU TO BE BORDERLINE CRIMINAL. In my case, I am recovering from pancreatic and liver cancer surgery and I am in bed unable to sleep, praying that this thoughtless omission doesn t cause me more complications. They are a nice venue and aside from the silverware noise and poor listening environment, they welcome lots of local professional musicians.
(3)
Dave R.
I can say without question this was the best brunch I've had in the Boston area and quite possibly life. Previously living in Hoboken and Manhattan, I had access to a seemingly infinite array of brunch spots and never found this combination of awe-insiring, meticulous decoration, great service, live music, and AMAZING food. I got the veggie omelette and my girlfriend got the french toast, both of which were amazing. The frites you get with most meals are ridiculous....they're like super flavorful versions of McDonalds fries...all skinny and crispy....good God. I'll be back for dinner some time for sure.
(5)
Chaude J.
I will never go to this place again! I work directly across the street from this establishment. I've been there before and I always tell clients and friends to go there. Today I was leaving work with a couple of my coworkers looking for a place to go to eat and have a drink when I walked by one of there valet harassing this old man who was playing music. This man has a permit to play and isn't bothering anyone. This man as well as another employee came up on the man yelling at him. I of course see this man yelling at this elderly man and confront him and tell him if he has a problem call the police. THE BEAT HOTEL VALET starts calling me a b*tch, tells me to get a life, go f myself. The valet! Then when I talk to a manager, Mark I think his name is, he tells me that he doesn't know what to do and he'll speak to him after shift. Seriously! I finally get the manager to walk out with me and the valet starts yelling I need to get a life. But he's the one yelling and pushing a 80 year old man who he thinks is annoying. I will never tell anyone to go here. I cannot believe the ignorance of that man and the fact that the manager was dumbfounded and had no idea what to do!
(1)
Leslie M.
Love, love, love. Just as cool as the Beehive space but definitely its own animal. It's funky, eclectic and has a Cambridge-y vibe. Chill scene with very interesting people surrounding you. Great jazz music, wines on tap, the vegan Earth bowl was really good and filling. Line at the door at 10pm on a Friday. Get there early.
(5)
Jeff D.
This place was OK, but the hippy-vibe really wasn't our thing so I doubt we'll be back. My wife had the burger. Loved the meat but the bun was average. I had the swordfish tacos which were top notch. Very tasty. Great beer menu as well and it seemed like the bar was pretty hopping. I'm sure this place will be a big hit with the hipsters. I'm just a bit outside that demographic though.
(3)
Shaina P.
I convinced my husband to go to the Tannery with me, but to my surprise, found Beat Hotel in its place. (Tannery's been gone for a while ... I know there's a new one around the corner. Really, we just wanted a cocktail). This garden-level space is HUGE. Two bars, dining space, lots of additional standing/drinking/socializing space. A stage (obviously). Art everywhere: on the walls, support columns, ceilings. Noteworthy bathrooms. Worth a visit just for the ambience. A bit hipstery-er than its Boston brother, but I ain't complaining because I don't think Cambridge can have too many music venues or cocktail bars (albeit pricey ... $12.50 for an Old Fashioned). And Beat Hotel is an excellent combination of both.
(4)
Jamie W.
Pros - Marvelous musicians. I have heard some good Latin music here including Mango Blues. - No cover charge despite good live music. - Large dining seating area. - Good vegan dish but limited options for vegetarians. Cons - No dancing. Be prepared to be evicted for not listening to the warning. Dancing is illegal in this bar despite the amazing musicians that play there. You sit eat drink and listen and maybe sway in your chair a little, and then pay your check. This place could be so much more with a dance floor. Five stars but deducting one for dancing being illegal here.
(4)
Luke B.
My favorite place in Cambridge for a chill yet very fun night of having some good drinks with friends. Bar is hug. Live Jazz music is at the perfect sound level; where it is not hard to talk to people.
(5)
Morgan S.
Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was not really impressed by this restaurant. A friend of mine calls it "a disappointment" and I couldn't really have said it better myself. The food is okay... Nothing notable, as is the atmosphere. The lighting was so bright on a Saturday night and the restaurant was just a large rectangle - it reminded me of a biergarten. I would not recommend anyone going out of their way to go to this restaurant.
(3)
sondarya R.
Our friends invited us to visit this place for dinner on the lower floor. The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for food, drinks and live music. I would definitely come here again. I had the mango martini -Perfect for my taste buds! Not too sweet & not watered down/bland taste. We ordered Roasted wild mushrooms. Loved the well prepared dish. FIsh we order was perfect and next dish we ordered was Gluten free. There was some thing for all of us to order acording to over choice. The front row next to live music made is superb! The service was slow as Place was very busy. The live music, drinks and over all ambiance of this place is a decent.
(4)
Keo H.
The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for food, drinks and live music. I'd definitely be here again. I had the mango martini & blueberry martini all night. Both really good. You could smell the fruits, taste the fruits & you knew the alcohol was there. Not too strong, not too sweet & not watered down/bland taste. We ordered the: 1) PEI mussles - seriously good, fresh & flavorful. 2) Crispy tuna spring roll - came with side of soy sauce. The roll itself was "okay". But the deep fried roll was plated on top of something like cole slaw so it got soft & soggy. Why would you do that? Put the slaw on the side or on a different plate! 3) Grilled octopus - we had to return this dish as it was char burnt! (It did come out on a nice bed of lettuce though. Lol...) 4) Roasted wild mushrooms. This was surprisingly very good. Loved the flavor & texture of both the mushrooms & polenta. It was a busy Friday night & the service was rather slow like molasses. Although when I sat down, I asked the server to either wipe down the sticky counter or give me a wet napkin - she didn't do either. That totally bothered me. The live music, drinks & overall ambiance of this place is a decent enough reason to return.
(3)
Julie D.
I came here for my 21st birthday after I was turned away from its sister restaurant, the Beehive, due to the size of our party. What a great twist of fate! We pretty much ordered one of everything on the menu, and the food was to die for! Good vibes and the absolute friendliest waitors! I can't believe I hadn't been here before, and I'll definitely be back soon.
(5)
Renato C.
I suffered social abuse by a manager and staff who wouldn't let me and a group of friends properly finish our food and drinks.
(1)
Rob B.
Shrimp cocktail was very good but a little bit overpriced the Aztec salad was really really really good Service was great!
(4)
Tashombe H.
I was invited here for brunch on Sunday w/o a reservation. The service up to meal delivery was great. Once we got our food, it seems we were forgotten about. I was greeted, there was a short wait (since we did not have a reservation) then seated about 1/2 way towards the stage. We both enjoyed our drinks that were served quickly. There was not a long wait for the food either. It's priced a bit more than I'd like to pay for eggs and a salad but eh I guess you have to cover the music cost. It's worth coming back for drinks and checking out the talent.
(3)
Jason S.
cool bar, large inside so a safer place to go and either find a bar stool, high-top table or side ledge to pony up to. Good drinks, friendly staff, great music.
(4)
Alex M.
Con: Ridiculous ID policy (bring your PASSPORT of you want to drink here), insanely slow, clumsy service (two drinks spilled on my brother), wait to get in, ineffectual management (checked our IDs THREE TIMES for three legitimately of-age people and still wouldn't let one drink). Pro: Tasty food. Free bread and butter is really great. Truly excellent music.
(2)
Corey D.
I'm really in love with this place - I've never had a bad experience here with the food or the service. My latest was the duck with Risotto and Sour Cherries. The duck was cooked to perfection and I'm super picky about how my duck is cooked. The first time I went was for brunch, which was great. I'd just recently gotten back from NOLA and having withdrawals, so having brunch with a Jazz band was fantastic. The atmosphere/theme is awesome as well - The restaurant is really big and open - I've rarely had trouble getting a table without a reservations - although on the weekends you'll want one. I will say that the price point is a little higher than normal for Harvard Square - with entrees between $25-30 - but the quality of the food makes up for it. I would recommend this place for any Harvard Square trip. Recommend: Any of the Bowls Seared Duck Breast Caesar Salad Prime Natural Beef Hamburger
(5)
Kate L.
After coming for a real meal at the bar, I absolutely LOVE the food here. The buffalo cauliflower was OUT OF THIS WORLD - tasted like you were eating a 300000 calorie meal and was relatively healthy. The short ribs were TO DIE FOR. Melted in your mouth. Heaven. Kind of pricey on the drinks but apps are large so I recommend eating apps at the bar.
(5)
Shayna Y.
Overall: I only came here for a quick pre-dinner drink, but I loved the hipster atmosphere. Likes: - ambiance is very cool, funky chandeliers and lot up peace signs - drink menu is plush with wine and cocktail offerings Gripes: - none, I need to go back!
(4)
Karen S.
Well...the food stands alone as fantastic and delicious but I'm not reviewing the food. One word...Brian. I have been a bartender in Boston for almost twenty years and I have not found anyone even close to him. He is welcoming, funny, attentive and absolutely bloody fantastic at what he does. A definite asset to your establishment and the reason I will be returning on a regular basis. Thank you Brian...
(5)
L S.
Beware: out of state IDs will not are not accepted for folks between the ages of 21-24. Only a passport or a military ID will be allowed. The Beat Hotel abides strictly by MA law...? Having lived in MA for six years now, I have not once heard of this law. At first, I was denied entry - pretty concerning because I'm sure many tourists and young MA transplants will face the same issue. Afterwards, the policy was explained twice more with varying degrees of clarity. I was determined to enjoy the show, but I can't say that the inquisitorial attitude didn't have a damper on the night - especially when some patrons were waved right through the door. Apparently this establishment has been facing some strict oversight, but I'm sure there is a way to avoid guests feeling targeted and alienated... We almost thought we were being 86'd! The live music was really awesome, as was decor. Our server was really, really great. :) The food was pretty standard, no complaints.
(2)
Glenn C.
Excellent bar for good, live jazz and atmosphere. Also, the wait and host/hostess staff is accommodating. Also, thank-you for having Buffalo Trace bourbon available for me on my recent visit with both my Mother and Mother in Law.
(4)
Des B.
This is the kind of place you can go to for dinner, order whatever you want, be incredibly pleased and not feel guilty afterwards! Entrees are a little on the pricier side- but hey, you get what you pay for and I'll definitely be back! I ordered the Bowl Azteca...will do again. The only slightly weird thing is being seated at the long community tables if you don;t have a reservation. You're being asked to squeeze in & dine right next to a complete stranger less than 6 inches to your right and left. AWKWARD! The uncomfortable feeling does go away after a little while. If you know you're headed there, just call ahead and make a reservation. MOST IMPORTANTLY: You must have the bread pudding.. Even if you don't like bread. Even if you don't like pudding.
(4)
Emma R.
Amazing amazing amazing! Atmosphere is very hipster and chic. Jazz band is playing which adds a perfect touch to the evening. Staff was off the charts. My date and I had a million different questions and she was very patient and knowledgable. We also had a question about the food when we got it and she took it back to ask the chef, all okay! And then another lady, I think the manager came over to check up on us. Overall great experience, would defninetly go again. Only thing, dinner is a little pricey so beware
(5)
Helena W.
This is a one stop shop if you want a relaxed and fun place with good food and drinks. It is easily accessible from the red line and the place is spacious enough for more than four people, a common conundrum when out on the town in Boston. The live music is legit and you don't have to be in fear of suffering through bad music. The drinks here are solid and the bartenders are friendly. The food is above average, but so is the price. This is a great place to come if you have someone visiting and want a fun, but relaxed vibe. It feels a bit hidden away since it is below ground, 10+ hipster points.
(4)
Ian S.
I've only been here once so far, and only for a drink, but I loved it! Really fun, funky-but-classy atmosphere. It has a vaguely free-spirited, bohemian vibe, but it's impeccably decorated, even elegant (not the kind of grimy joint I would normally associate with Beat culture). I was here recently with a group of friends and our server took good care of us. (She split our bills without even being asked, which we appreciated.) I ordered a cocktail that was something like a root beer mint julep and it was delicious. Tasted just like root beer, garnished with some fresh mint. Really tasty! I look forward to coming back again some time to try the food.
(5)
Jon S.
Came for the jazz brunch around 11. Didn't make a reservation, but the bar was empty (and had tables to accommodate our party of 5), so we didn't have to wait. I was worried that the jazz band was going to overpower our conversations, but it was the exact opposite. They were actually so quiet, you barely noticed they were playing. The brisket grilled cheese was bomb. The best grilled cheese I have ever had in my entire life. The brisket was tender, the bread was fresh and grilled perfectly, and the combination of cheeses hit the spot. Their fries were interesting. I don't usually like potato wedges, but these were thinly sliced giving the perfect fried coating to potato ratio. I really enjoyed them. The pickle spear and the slaw weren't my favorite. The pickle was sort of at a weird crossroads between cucumber and pickle that came off a little slimy. The portions in general are big. The prices are a little on the high side, but at least you get a lot of (good!) food. I think for dinner it gets a little pricier, but it's not bad for brunch! I'll definitely be back. I hear the pancakes are delicious...
(4)
Larry M.
Awesome cocktails. Didn't get to eat dinner but I'm spying others dinners and I'm drooling. This night, Sunday night, is a no cover awesome big band jazz night. I understand the next bunch of Sundays will be no-cover big band nights as well. Get over here.
(5)
Stephanie A.
So, the Beat Hotel is great for a group of friends. It's a super fun atmosphere, the drinks are delicious, and the food is surprisingly tasty as well. They have some creative menu items and put together some flavors that aren't very common. The live music adds a really dynamic and exciting touch to the already "disco-esque" vibe they have going. I look forward to eating here again.
(4)
Heidi L.
Swung by Beat Hotel for spontaneous drinks, so this review won't comment on the food but I have to say that BH was better than I expected (based on the Beehive lol). I got the Rum Cha Yen (which is Thai tea rum, tea liqueur, condensed milk syrup, Bittermens Burlesque bitters, soda...can't go wrong with condensed milk). The music was good and the space is beautiful, even if I'm confused about the theme. Pricing is with the Harvard Square premium, so ultimately, I'd rank this above Daedalus but below Park.
(3)
Casey M.
First of all, this place creates a wait in order to have a line outside. They want to be seen. The wait is unnecessary. They also do not accept out of state ID's which is insane for a place in the middle of Cambridge where pretty much everyone is from out of state. Music is fine but I wouldn't recommend this place to anybody who wants friendly service.
(2)
Jeff T.
We love the ambiance - the history behind the name - and of course the food.
(4)
Sakina B.
oh dear, my worst review ever; located under The Gap; I found something I could eat: fresh turkey hash; as opposed to canned corned beef hash at other breakfast places (so like 5 star on that). the decor is uniquely artisty/ bohemian. service was below my standards (sorry to say something negative) and quality drinks were limited, it's new but has grungy feel; maybe it's my issue with basements?.
(2)
Meg M.
Michelle is the best bartender in the city. So knowledgable and personable and funny. She doesn't know I am her newest regular!
(5)
Stacey R.
The Beat Hotel was extremely disappointing. I made the reservation three weeks in advance. When the hostess sat us, we were given the table directly next to the singer. Very loud and there were plenty of other tables that we walked past. It was clear they wanted to give us a bad table and see if we wouldn't say anything. We order a few appetizers but none of them stood out. Our meals were even less impressive. Scallops were bland and rubbery. Mussels were okay but the frites were brunt and salty. Swordfish tacos was decent but the presentation looked like it could have come from a low end chain restaurant. Wine portions were pretty small. Overall, we had looked forward to trying this place but would not go back. The music was the only highlight. Go for a drink. Don't stay for the food.
(1)
James T.
The place looks beautiful and has some great music, it only has one main problem. The wait staff are incredibly rude and nasty to customers. The guy at the front door checking ID's began the unprofessional behavior and the hostess and waitresses continued it. No matter how great the place is it's not worth being treated terribly by the staff.
(2)
Clay N.
Facts: - The music is better than the food - The staff is terrific - The bar is extensive and expensive Go if: - You need a good date spot - You are looking to feel classy - You are sick of seeing undergrads at bars in cambridge We were fortunate enough to find this place right after it opened and in fact when three times in the first week. There is music every night (this place is owned by the same guy that owns the beehive, so you know it's good) and the bartenders are talented/knowledgeable. I've met the manager three times and the owner twice, both remembered my name and were incredibly friendly: talk about good service! Be warned, the food is not up to par with some of Boston's elite restaurants and may be a tad overpriced; however the atmosphere more than makes up for it. If you come on a weekend, push to get to the back of the bar, close to the stage: there is always room back here for some reason, often with a bar stool or two. If you run into any trouble, just drop my name. It won't help anything, but this is certainly the kind of place where I would like to develop a reputation :)
(4)
John S.
I should state I am not a big of jazz... But this place avoids the typical jazz bar douch ness. Beat is not a bad place to grab a drink... Although tends to be crowded and difficult to get the bartenders attention. Decent place fir brunch
(3)
Laura S.
EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. however our food was pretty delicious, and I didn't totally hate our server, which I have a tendency to do. We started with the pulled lamb nachos, which were amazing. I love lamb, so I may be biased but they were GOOD. For dinner my boyfriend had short rob lasagna, which seemed under portioned for the price, and I had the lamb osso buco, which was incredible. dessert was totally cheating because they have coconut red velvet cake and I LOVE red velvet cake, and coconut! I think overall I preferred beehive in the south end over beat hotel, prices were better, food was better, and ambience was better at beehive. I wish I could rate 3.5 stars!
(4)
Leslie P.
I loved it! We were there on Sunday morning for a birthday celebration. We had a reservation at 11:30. Two of our guests were stuck in a road race traffic jam, but the staff was very accommodating and held our table until they arrived. While waiting we had drinks at the bar, which is really nice. Our table was down toward the front of the restaurant where the Jazz band was playing. The music was delightful, just the right level of sound to fade into the background of conversation, but still loud enough to enjoy. Everyone enjoyed their meal. Two of us had the Earth Bowl which was really good. The short rib grilled cheese sandwich was enormous! The restaurant itself has a really fun decor - lots of things to look at. It fits right into the Harvard Square vibe. This is definitely a fun place to bring someone who is new to the area!
(5)
Erica D.
Well it would have been nice to be let in, but I, as well as the rest of my group of 25, were denied. We came here for an event that was booked a good week ahead of time for a corporate outing. The manager and bouncers refused to let us in. We arrived on a charter bus and they claimed that they saw a cooler of drinks on board and therefore we must have drank too much and couldn't enter. They didn't give anyone the time of day or even see us one by one to confirm that we were sober enough and OK to come in. They flat out refused to let anyone in. The leader of our group argued with the bouncer and one manager for a good 25 minutes while our entire group stood outside shivering in the cold (It was about 20 degrees out). Then the bouncer got aggressive and pushed my manager, HARD. He, of course pushed back and the two of them had a short brawl of sorts until it was broken up and we left. Oh, they called the police on us too, and we were stuck there for a good hour before they finally let us go. Yeah, THEY called the cops on US, for a fight their impulsive bouncer started. Greeeaaaaatt hospitality. I will certainly never come back here. Too bad, because the cocktail menu looked decent. And I say this as a seasoned bartender. Too bad, too bad.
(1)
Amy F.
Good wine. Tasty cocktails. Mediocre, overpriced food. My husband and I had a night out and I felt it was a bit of a waste. I got the brisket which was very dry and the broccolini consisted two tiny pieces perched on the brisket. Not my idea a veggie side but a garnish. My husband had the fish tacos. While the tacos were fine the beans and rice were a mere garnish as well and were covered in a thick layer of cheese rendering it inedible. I'd return for music and drinks but skip the food.
(3)
Sarah M.
I went here for dinner Saturday and was really impressed. It's a really cool place, very different from other places in the Boston area. They also have live music Saturday nights which was good and also not too loud so we could still talk. We started with the Bohemian platter which was amazing. Our entrees and cocktails were also delicious. The service was very friendly and attentive. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Macie S.
My new favorite restaurant. Delicious food, impeccable service and awesome decor. The mussels were incredible as was the Azteca Bowl! Can't wait to come back here!!
(5)
Virginia Z.
At first glance, I wasn't sold on Beat Hotel. Sure, it seemed like a wide open, clean place with some interesting accent painting. But, it seemed a bit too hip a place for me. Looking at the menu, I couldn't quite conceptualize the dishes. I'm glad that we stayed. We had 6 in our party without a reservation, which was not a problem for an early meal. I would advise reserving if after 6pm, since it seems to fill up quickly. Though I could not partake in adult beverages, my dining mates could and it seems that they do a nice mix of classic cocktails and the menu offerings. There were no complaints from those who ordered. We skipped appetizers since none of us was ravenous and ordered for dinner- getting a good mixture of the menu. I ordered the Bowl Azteca, wtih adobo-spiced quinoa, tomatillo soaked hominy, lightly sauteed spinach, some fresh corn, summer squash, and a spice rubbed chicken. It was delightful. Fellow diners ordered the Earth Bowl, with root vegetables and squash, and added shrimp, the Bowl Azteca with shrimp, Mahi Mahi fish tacos, steak frites, and a Caesar salad topped with skirt steak- all of which were delicious and very fresh offerings. I admit that a return visit full of appetizers will have to happen since the buffalo cauliflower (!?!) at a nearby table smelled delicious and pulled pork nachos are calling my name. The service was good, including asking if a menu request I made (no avocado) was a request or allergy-related; it's always good when a place will ensure an allergy free experience. Mine was a request and it was honoured. All in all, it was a great experience.
(4)
Gabe R.
You can't pretend to be a hippie joint and charge $25 for a rice bowl. It makes for a pretty weird vibe. Overpriced food, decent drinks and music, apathetic staff, condescending hostess.
(2)
Kristen K.
I was so excited to try this place out. I've been a fan of Beehive and love places with live (especially Jazz) music. I came for drinks which was not appreciated by the restaurant (exception being the hostess who was excellent). Demerits for inhospitable staff and surprisingly harsh attitude. I invited friends (everyone aged 30+ and no roudy or disrespectful kids in the group) to meet here for celebratory drinks on a Thursday night. Upon arrival I sat with friends at the bar. The female bar tender was very accomodating until things got busy and then she started to get snippy when a couple of people sitting at the bar tried to order drinks. I can understand the pressure volume in the bar brings but snideness was unnecessary. Our group grew to 7 people. The bar was not crowded and we were happy to stay there and keep ordering drinks. The hostess, who was very kind, offered to sit us at a table. We let her know we did not plan on ordering entrees. She said we could still sit at a table and order drinks. We were happy to be seated but let hostess know 1 additional person may come later. We were sat at the table and all adults continued to order drinks and many appetizers. The food was very good. The drinks were good also. When the waitress tried to take an entree order we said we'd be sticking with drinks and appetizers and the waitress scoffed(!!) The only reason we took seats at a table was because the restaurant was encouraging us to. Eventually, the last person joined the group and sat on the booth where there was plenty of room. We were not encrouching on the space of the table next to us. A manager came over to the table and scolded us for adding an additional person! We explained we'd been upfront about this but clearly it was a problem for the Beat Hotel. In short, I was embarassed at having told friends to come to this place when multiple people copped attitude at us (bartender, waitress, and manager) after we had been very upfront about being there for the drinks, appetizers, and ambience.
(3)
Rachel F.
HAHA to Julie's review below. I've never had dinner here but the bar service is equally as terrible. The bartender was SO rude! Drink was awful and pricey. Music was the only good thing.
(2)
Lauren H.
I love this place. Great vibe, friendly service, interesting and delicious food, and reasonable prices for Harvard Square. Beat Hotel fills that sweet spot between casual and festive and makes it easy to relax and have fun. I was concerned that it would become a "scene," but six months later, it's still a solid, chill option without a scenester in sight. I stopped by for brunch today and was happy to discover that it's equally fab in the daylight. Cheers.
(4)
Sarah L.
I've only gotten dinner to-go, but it was very yummy. I'd like to go back to eat there. Also, staff (bartender and hostesses) were really nice. Pros: Vegan and vegetarian options. The roasted brussel sprouts appetizer is really, really (really) good. Yum! They also have a couple of entrees that can be ordered vegetarian/vegan -- sides, too. Cons: Really expensive! $20 for the aforementioned vegan entree seems crazy. It's about $3 worth of food. I realize there's a mark-up on that, but it's a little much. Apparently they'll be adding brunch to their offerings sometime soon...
(4)
Jenna M.
This place is great! Not only is the fare healthy yet tasty, but it is mostly sustainably farmed, a unique concept even for this area. The space is also very cozy, while it is one of a few place in Harvard Square that can easily accommodate a large group. The murals and hangings are distinctly funky, yet tasteful. Live jazzy music after 8 pm is also a big plus. Most importantly, the food is phenomenal! Duck breast with black lentils and veggies was superb- tender meat with a tasty sauce, topped with browned onions. The Azteca bowl was also really good, with a variety of super fresh veggies. Much of the wine is sustainably or organically grown, and in the US. Prices seem high, but considering the lessened environmental impact and decreased cruelty of livestock, it is quite fair.
(4)
Chrysanthe P.
I've been to the Beat Hotel on two occasions: once to grab some drinks with friends and another time for belated Mother's Day brunch - just me and the mama. Cocktails here are wonderful. I honestly can't remember what I ordered (probably something with gin), but I do remember some standouts that my friends ordered. Favorites of the night were the Purple Door (vodka, blueberry puree, and some legit maple syrup) and the American Breed (Maker's Mark, Elderflower liqueur, and apple cider). I was pleasantly surprised that neither was overly sweet and both delicious. Be warned that the American Breed is quite strong (all the more reason to order it, in my opinion). Admittedly, the bartenders were a little standoff-ish at times, but it was busy and they weren't rude, by any means. Moving on to consumption of food (and alcohol). First off, there's jazz brunch. Who doesn't love that? Sociopaths is the answer, but I hope you aren't one of them. Starting with drinks (it's the natural order of things): I was curious as to whether or not they had iced coffee and,as they did not, my waiter kindly suggested an iced americano. Does this guy know me or something? Yes, please! Anyways, my mom and I are both Bloody Mary lovers, so both had one each since we were on our best brunch behavior that day. Nothing special there, but solid Bloody Mary. Ok, food: I had the vegetarian bowl azteca. Really generous portion of some yummy veggie goodness. The mom ordered their spring vegetable soup, which was super flavorful, as well as the bohemian platter, which had some yummy hummus and such that I sampled. All around a good experience. The decor and ambiance is pretty and pleasant. I would definitely recommend checking it out here.
(4)
Sara F.
This is the type of bar I've been looking for. It is a unique gem for Cambridge. I came on a Friday night for drinks with a large group of coworkers. The vibe and the atmosphere was immediately lovable. The place is huge and the lighting is perfect. The live music was charming and not over whelming. The crowd was big and loud but still polite and classy. The bar was filled with professionals, not rowdy college kids. Although crowded and loud it wasn't TOO crowded and loud. I wasn't being pushed around. There wasn't a long wait for drinks. I could still have conversations. It was a hopping night, but still comfortable. I can not speak to the food as I did not have any, but I would definitely return again for a fun night of drinking with good company!
(5)
Mick T.
Great atmosphere, lovely staff, live music, decent mixed drinks, but mediocre overpriced food. Last time I was here I ordered the Mussels entree, the previous time I had the Mussels appetizer & Lamb Nachos. I ask the barman what the difference was between the Mussels starter it and the Mussels appetizer, he stated it was bigger and came with fries. For 23 bucks I got the lamest amount of mussels with a paltry amount of fries. Previously when I had the lamb nachos, they were cold. Both times that I've had ate here I should have complained, but I was starved and wolfed everything down. I've learned my lesson, drink here, get appetizers, but don't have dinner as it's overpriced for what it is.
(3)
Catherine D.
This place has too much personality and unsolicited live music. I hate live music I did not ask or pay for... but I suppose I can understand why others might enjoy this sort of thing. Seems like a great place for yuppies to enjoy the pseudo-hippie-aesthetic (is that what they are going for? Did I get that right? Bah, whatever.) without having to actually interact with hippies. I only had drinks. The drinks were okay.
(3)
Jon F.
The Beat Hotel has a unique ability to attract people from all of the crowds one might find in Cambridge. YoPros, hipsters, and middle aged corporate employees congregate under the chandeliers and next to the folk band. Drinks are standard for Harvard Square: $9-14 for a glass of wine, $10-12 for a distinctively named cocktail, and $6 for a beer. If you are looking for a place nicer than a Grendel's Den without needing to exchange jeans for a suit, The Beat Hotel is the place for you.
(4)
Jane S.
The funky decorations really make this place, it feels like you're eating dinner inside an Anthropologie. I came with a group to celebrate a friend's birthday and we all had a great time. Most of the party got variations of the Inca bowl and really liked it. I couldn't stomach paying $20+ for a 'healthy' entree, so I went for the burger, which was fantastic. We also got a dessert sampler to split, which was delicious as well.
(4)
Sarkis A.
Bartender attitude sucks! I was just there today at about 4:50. After looking at the menu asked the bartender if that's all they had, a tiny small menu. He snottily said yes, that's all he had. Then at 5 o'clock exactly I see a menu change! Humm! Would it have been too much for him to say that the dinner menu starts in 10 minutes or gone ahead and given me one to look at? It's the type of nasty attitude in the service industry that we don't need. So pissed. . AVOID. Attitude in the whole place. Nasty!
(1)
Rebecca L.
Snotty staff (you know this just a Cambridge bar ,right?), unappealing cheap tables, too loud to talk for diners, but too strict to make it a "party place" Ex: no dancing. Won't be back.
(1)
Jenn S.
FOOD: I had some of the best tuna here. I ordered it with the pesto mashed potatoes and it was spectacular. However, we did not receive bread and we were a party of 10. I wish we would have since we waited awhile for our reservation table to open up. STAFF: Bartenders I agree with some people that they were not as friendly as they could have been and it took FOREVER to get a drink when they were not that busy. Our waitress was extremely nice and she made our experience great. ATMOSPHERE: I loved the live music and even though we were all the way by the door we could still hear everything.
(4)
Abhirup D.
Disclaimer: This is not food review. I am sure their brunch is amazing, but I am just here to talk about the weekend evenings. The first time I went to Beat Hotel, I loved it. Live music adds an extra color to the place. Drinks are on the expensive side, but worth it. This seemed like a really unique bar/restaurant for Harvard Square, and I was excited to come back soon. However, I was really disappointed on my second visit. I arrived at 8:30 pm and had to stand in a long line to get in to the bar (they were only letting people in who had reservations for table). In any case, I put my name in for a table and after a 20 minute wait was able to get in to the bar. We had a round of drinks at the bar before being finally seated. My friends and I were hoping to get some appetizers later and savor it with a few more rounds of drinks. But to our dismay, we were told that when seated, customers are expected to get full dinner service. So no apps and drinks, we have to order entrees. So in a nutshell, as a customer, you do not have any discretion over the quantity of food you want to eat. In addition, we felt a nasty judgmental vibe when we asked if they can serve Vodka with "RED BULL." So apparently, we get judged when we ask for drinks of our choice. I gave this a 3 star b/c I liked it when I went there for the first time, and had a totally different experience. The second time was an utter disaster. No thanks, I will go to Beehive.
(3)
Teri L.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! I've dined here a few times and each time has been fantastic! In fact, I ate there tonight and felt compelled to write a review because of the excellent service. I made a reservation for 5 and I was the first to arrive. After a brief discussion with the friendly hostesses, I went to the bar and had a drink. The bartender was very attentive and I had a lovely glass of wine. When we were seated at our table (which was very close to the live band), we were greeted by a very nice gentleman who was our server. He made great recommendations and kept checking up on us through out the evening. I wanted to pay for my table as a gift and made a smooth getaway to the bathroom where I found our server and asked that he place the check on my card to avoid the "I'm going to pay!" argument that was definitely going to happen with my guests. The server was understanding, charged my card, and quietly left the receipt for me to sign. It couldn't have gone more smoothly. Everyone had a great meal, drinks, music and we left really happy. I wish I could remember our server's name because he was very good. Beat Hotel people, if you're reading this, he mentioned he's from the South. Again, great service. The only thing I wish I could change is the parking situation. But it's Harvard Square and no one can really do anything about that... Take the T.
(5)
Amanda M.
Very impressed with this cool, trendy brunch spot. Free live music, unique menu, great wait staff.
(5)
D J.
First Lauren is a terrific host. The night was okay, we enjoyed the food and musical backdrop. If you're looking for a cool spot with a hip vibe (lil funky)...Beat Hotel works. I deducted two star for a lack of diversity but...it's Harvard Sq (location).
(3)
Addie R.
The atmosphere here is amazing! I didn't know about the beat generation before, but now I do. Don't miss the paintings on the wall - the artwork here is gorgeous and full of fun little details. The chandeliers and beaded curtains really add to the feel of that generation. I went on a Saturday about 8:30 pm and the bouncer was one of the most PLEASANT, friendly and non-pretentious people ever! He just seemed like a great, chill guy, very welcoming and cool. Being a Saturday, the place was packed - no chance we were getting a table or any space at the bar. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people stand at the bar, around empty chairs, blocking others from getting to them and taking up more space than necessary. I know it's not the bartender's job to call people out on that ("sit down or move so someone else can"), but it was so egregious here and the bar area was so full! My group of four went to the very front of the restaurant, in a waiting area of sorts, and took our drinks over there. I had a mango-vodka cocktail and it was great! It tasted like an alcoholic mango lassi - just incredibly delicious. I actually think sitting in the waiting area near the front was better for our conversation because it was quieter and we could actually hear each other. The opposite end of the venue has a stage with live music - which is fun, however loud. The beat hotel was a great night out spot on Saturday - can't wait to go again!
(4)
Jack D.
We had the Maine scrod which was to die for! Well prepared in a mix of fish & vegetable stock. The Thai bowl was more pedestrian although the shrimp were well prepared and clearly cared for. We were there in the early evening prior to theater on a Saturday night and had no problem getting a table for dinner. Great staff and an amazing mix of customers: families with and without children, couples, and seniors. Some pretty good jazz to to along with the meal was a nice touch.
(4)
Kaveh D.
Great ambience and great live music that is not too loud! that's a huge plus around this area. Reasonably priced beers. Foods are on the pricy side, but of good quality. There is a lot of space but a long wait too.
(4)
Laura S.
Great food and atmosphere but slow service. My favorite time to come is for brunch - I'm a huge fan of the Bowl Azteca or the Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes. The prices for brunch are more reasonable than for dinner. The only negative is the extremely slow service. If you are very hungry definitely order an appetizer because the food typically takes around 30 minutes at a minimum after you order. But the live jazz band and great quality food make this place worth a visit.
(4)
Amin F.
Waitress with attitude, bad service, carelessly set table, uncooked meat, annoying music, etc.
(1)
John G.
I should have listened to my gut: distrust a restaurant with hippie decor and valet parking. Woody Allen's opening line in Annie Hall was tailor-made for this place. "The food here is terrible... and such small portions!" Service was by-the-book attentive. If they're going to offer bread would it kill them to serve it warm? Butter was frozen. I got a skirt steak, which was OK, but for the price I would have hoped for a larger portion. My partner, on the other hand, regrets not sending back his blackened shrimp. Too spicy, and not adequately skinned. Stomach bothered him afterwards. Came with McDonalds-level frites and a bean salad that was four green bean segments on a pile of frisee. There are dozens of other restaurants in Harvard Square. If I'm going to get a $20-$30 entree, I can go to Russell House where I know it will be good. If I want a place to get a drink after work, I'll go to Tory Row where the decor doesn't pander and patronize. If I want a sit-down dinner with said drink, I can go to Cambridge One and get great pizza. If I want a burger and a beer, I have numerous options. But here? The food's too small, too expensive, and just plain not good. The service is indifferent, and the decor is hypocritical. Why would we ever come here again?
(1)
Chris H.
Good ambience, nice music, and friendly servers. Tried the dinner farmer salad with shrimp as well as the fish tacos. They were good but felt unnecessarily high priced for what you get. It would seem more appropriate if they were $15 rather than $25, but it was still good and I enjoyed it.
(4)
Nathan B.
I was really excited about Beat Hotel - it has all the trappings of a great new brunch place or place to grab a drink after work. The decor was great, the jazz fun, spacious dining room. But there were some significant problems. The staff seems woefully unprepared for the brunch crowd, even with tons of staff flitting around, the service was super slow. We waited for well over an hour for our food. Rather than being forward with us that the kitchen was backed up, we got word from our waitress maybe five minutes before our food came out. Someone at our table ordered the coconut carrot cake, which was okay enough. When our entrees came out the manager sent over another carrot cake to the table...I guess as an apology for the late food, but we didn't want another large piece of cake...we just wanted our entrees. When a manager eventually made it to our table to apologize, it was a half-apology and more of a "thanks for not yelling at us" type thing. No real apology and certainly no gesture to the table (maybe just giving us the cake for free, or our drinks?). We could see many other tables struggling with late food, as well, each with a manager fake apologizing to them, too. The food had taken so long to get to us that it was cold when arrived at our table, which seemed odd given their explanation that it was the kitchen that was backed up. My meal was good, a breakfast bowl with hummus and fixings. Other at my table were unimpressed by the more American brunch foods (eggs, etc), especially for the prices. All in all this place has potential but right now the kinks are definitely not worked out. Save yourself some frustration and wait a few months til they get things ironed out.
(2)
Noshii R.
Went back to Beat Hotel for brunch as one of our favorite local musicians was playing. MUSIC WAS GREAT!!! Oh, where do I begin... Lady pouring us the coffee spilled coffee all over the saucer and table whilst only filling my initial cup of joe to the half way point and never came back to clean up the mess--???? WHEN DID IT BECOME OKAY TO SPILL COFFEE ALL OVER A CUSTOMERS LAP???? btw the coffee is atrocious. I ordered the burger and it was a bit small and dry but okay--the pictures posted on this are not at all what my burger looked like so be warned. Had one of the desserty breakfast dishes too and that was pretty good--but you can't really go wrong with something that is glazed in apple butter. The only good side for brunch on a Sunday is that its kid friendly as we were in a large group with a few who brought toddlers and they had ample space to run around and enjoy. The service at this place is in need of major overhaul...seriously!! It seems like they put a lot of effort into this place and are still playing with the menu and the prices like playing with the stock market but they are inching toward a more realistic price point but for the love of god teach your staff some basics.
(1)
Colleen M.
I really wanted to like the Beat Hotel. My daily commute takes me through Harvard square and I had been to the Beehive several times and enjoyed it. After attempting to visit 4 different times and being turned away by the bouncer because they were having a private event (Beat Hotel: Are you a public restaurant/club or a private music hall?) finally went in last week and had an okay time. We had drinks at the bar and I had a wine that I liked---after the bartender gave me a taste. I'm a big wine drinker but if I am unfamiliar with the wine I always ask for a taste first. I am the first person to spend way too much on a glass of good wine but have a rather finicky palate. We went again last night and I couldn't remember the name of the wine I had been drinking so I asked for a taste of the one I thought it was. I was told if I wanted a taste (we're talking 2-3 sips here) that I would have to buy one to the tune of $6.50. Bar tender wouldn't budge so I asked to talk to the manager. Manager wouldn't budge either so I left and wont be back. Customer to retailer: I would like to try this dress on before buying it. Retailer to customer: ok, it's $20 to try it on. Way to discourage business Beat Hotel.
(1)
Charlie J.
The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for drinks and live music but the food is less than average and over priced.
(2)
Philipp W.
Praise the lord! Finally - a Jazz Bar in Boston that knocks it out of the park. I mean... Wally's never gets old, and the occasional trip to Beehive, Regatta Bar, or Scullers is fun.. but Beat Hotel really hits on all fronts: 1. The music is killin. These players/singers have chops. 2. You can get in without paying for expensive tickets or covers. 3. The place can hold more than 30 people (sorry Wally's, still love you) 4. The decor is fantastic. 5. The food & drink is legit. Earth bowl? Seafood stew? Octupus appetizer? Bohemian platter? Heaven. It took me ten minutes to realize how great this place was. I've been waiting for a joint like this in Boston... hopefully this will be a success with similar openings to follow.
(5)
Lauren H.
#13 of 52 in 2014. First impression: the tannery was WAY bigger than I thought it was. Very cool space, sprawling bar area, not the usual cramped boston area bar. We had swordfish tacos and they were pretty tasty. Good cocktails. This place is NOT cheap. I guess I should have expected that being in Harvard Sq, but I was looking for thirsty Thursday and this place put me in the poor house for the rest of the weekend.
(3)
Alyssa B.
Great new spot for Harvard square. A restaurant with a distinctive personality and excellent night scene.
(4)
Ae C.
My new favorite place of all time! "The Beat Hotel" in Harvard Sq. I don't know what to say but OMG I could eat this place every single meal! I can't recall how sexy the food was and the taste of it is just pure awesomeness! #Oysters #Shrimp #ChiptoleRibs #BestSteakEver!
This is an incredible hidden gem. In a basement in Harvard square this exquisite restaurant is not only equipped with delicious food but also contains wonderful artwork from MassArt students themselves. The live jazz music along with the colorful lighting is a wonderful ambience to be surrounded by while eating. The cocktails are imaginative and delicious. I recommend the earth bowl, that I are with salmon. The fresh grilled veggies and delicious rice mix was more than plenty but left me feeling healthy. This is definitely not one of those restaraunts where you finish a dish feeling uncomfortably full and regret your meal... The perfect portion sizes and the ingredients are refreshing and definitely leave you wanting more. The bread pudding dessert was also incredible. This "hotel" is wonderful for a birthday celebration, a pit stop or drinks or a first date! Perfect venue for any occasion if you intend to wow your guests.
(5)
Liz B.
I've had this restaurant recommended to me by a few different people since its opening and finally made it for brunch. The decor certainly lived up to its reputation, I would use the word "groovy" - and I don't use that word often. Its an open floor plan which you don't see often, but they've managed to still make it fun and interesting. Our seats included a back rest behind the booth as a place to store coats and bags - very good thinking! The jazz music was perfect, not too loud, but still present and enjoyable. The food was great and certainly lived up to its Beehive roots. If you've ever been to The Beehive in the Sound End the menu is very similar. I ordered the Inca Bowl vegetarian style, which was delicious, however, the tempeh was extremely overcooked to the texture of rubber, making it impossible to eat. Other than that the flavors were good and my mother's quiche was delicious. As you may expect, the drinks were also great. I had the Kir Royale and my mother had the Orange dream - perfect. Not too sweet or sour and good alcohol ratio. I will certainly be back, too many delicious things to try on the menu. I also plan to visit the Beat Hotel at night for some drinks and live music
(4)
Howe L.
I had a great experience. Strong drinks and solid food menu. I loved the lamb nachos and our entrees (duck breast and stuffed pork) were equally delicious. Of course, the live music is an awesome touch. Bread was an afterthought. A little pricey, but that's expected. I had no complaints with the service. Loved the attentive water service!!
(5)
Noor B.
i and a friend were the first customers at the first brunch ever offered at Beat Hotel today. we got great food, and incredible service (from Ali!!). a highlight was the yogurt/granola appetizer with fresh berries; it's just a little sweet, and this allows you to really appreciate the incredible richness of the home-made, strained, sheep's milk yogurt. thier yogurt : greek yogurt :: greek yogurt : regular yogurt. i might recommend that 2 people split this since it's so rich. the pumpkin bread was delicious, and came with excellent whipped butter. would recommend and would get again. the mexican tofu scramble was a nice, and when i mentioned that they forgot the avocado, Ali and the team made sure i got extra! this place is great and makes a wonderful effort to make customers happy. they're also really responsive to feedback, and since i live close-by, i'll definitely take advantage of this to tailor this place to my preferences, haha i've also been here for dinner once, and the dishes are creative and well-done. bravo. the space is large and open which is unique for harvard square. a nice change. OVERALL: great new place that covers all meals + late night. great service. large open space and live music often. highly recommend a try.
(5)
Ben J.
Feels like a 1940's acid trip... in a good way.
(5)
Cody C.
went for dinner with one of my best friends in the first few nights of opening. usually i'm wary of heading to a new place without giving them a few weeks to work out the kinks - but operations were incredibly smooth for a newly opened spot. cool musician with a ukelele started playing halfway through the meal...very cool vibe throughout. started with the ribs for an appetizer because we were freaking famished... and they were excellent. almost had to fight over the last one (guys give us an even number to save friendships and relationships!) i got the organic chicken piccata and my friend got the apple stuffed pork. my chicken piccata was very tasty.... but my friend's dish was OUT of this world. i will hands down order that next time i go in (oh and there willlll be a next time). be careful when you head the the restroom - it's over by the "concierge desk" .... NOT to the left of the bar. :). made it almost into the kitchen before a server turned me around. haha! wines on tap were all very tasty and our waiter was super knowledgable.... even when we asked obnoxious questions like... "what exactly is vegan wine... and why isn't all wine vegan?" apparently it comes down to the filtration.... i guess you learn something every day. happy to have the beat in the neighborhood. look forward to my next visit... especially since i see pulled lamb nachos are an app!! YUM.
(4)
Will C.
I had the privilege of sitting at the bar for 5 hours and loved every min. It's relatively new and the staff, the drinks and food are pretty good. They have a very interesting wine system that's barreled in kegs so it's never exposed to air. The owner is a wine som and hand picked the list. Great vibe and fun staff. Off to a great start.
(4)
Andrew M.
Great times. Excellent apps. And hands down the best bar tender ever. Jessamyn hooked us up with super well balanced manhattans and bourbon sidecars. Super top notch.
(5)
R Q.
I really like the Beehive so was interested to check this place out. Been there a couple times at this point and it's extremely disappointing. Beers were good but drinks were weak and expensive. Service was also very slow and actually surprisingly rude (not so much for food but definitely for drinks). The security people here need to take a deep breath. I might give it another shot in the future but highly doubtful. It's really too bad because the concept works well in the South End. Execution is borderline terrible... Plenty of other spots on Harvard Square.
(1)
Mark K.
Sat at the bar. The bartender was awesome. And he could make drinks too. Great place.
(5)
Loren A.
"Love this place. Great bartenders, friendly staff, good food, and great music!!"
(4)
Amanda Z.
This place is terrible. Long wait, even with a reservation, and the manager comes over to apologize without offering anything. Skip to the meal, went during dine out Boston and there was almost nothing included in the special price - everything had an extra charge. The duck meatballs were good but the grilled octopus was oily. Our main dishes, the lamb chops and inca bowl, were both half warm half cold and a terrible value for the price. To boot, dessert was included in the special and we asked to have one now and one to go - we got two scrappy pieces of cake wrapped to go. When I brought it up to the waitress she simply said need anything else? Don't waste your time or money, not what I look for in a "special".
(2)
Sara B.
Good but not great. Decor and ambiance is fantastic, but that's not necessarily why one dines out. Still, a fun lively place to go in fabulous heels and be sassy. Live music was good- would have loved to hear more of the jazz set, but that was a timing thing on our part. Order Pulled Lamb Nachos (great), and Lobster for dinner (very over-rated). Will try again, but not rushing back. Decent wine list, but Cab Sav choice is average. Went this past Saturday night. Make rezzies well in advance.
(3)
Alexandra D.
I went for the first time last Friday night and the food was eh..I had the calamari and burger. However I ended up getting food poisoning! I let them know just to let them know out of concern and never got a response. You would think a restaurant would address a customer who received food poisoning from their restaurant..
(1)
Joel A.
The ambiance and music are great. One of the few places where you can find good live music regularly. I have been there on week nights and it is a perfect spot for conversation and a relaxing time. Drinks are expensive but good.
(5)
Mark F.
Horrible bar service. Waited 35 minutes before just giving up, and was ignored multiple times by the bar tenders who are obviously under-staffed. Go somewhere else, the service sucks.
(1)
J U.
I really like it here, but it really depends on the service. One night we had a great waiter who took the time to talk to us about what was on the menu. Another time I was pretty sure the waiter already hated me. However, I really like the food and the music....and that is why you go to a place, right?
(3)
Sarah A.
Loved this place. A little expensive but a really nice atmosphere; a welcome alternative to the average Boston bar.
(5)
Ed K.
I just don't understand the complaints in other reviews. The music was mellow, the service first rate, the menu really interesting, and the food was terrific. The scallops and the Inca Bowl both had flavors that exploded in the mouth. Totally satisfied!!
(5)
Carl H.
Very good, my wife and I love the beehive and are exited to have local version. Cocktails were very good, started with one at the bar before being seated. We had the tuna egg rolls and meatballs for apps, perfect. My wife had the chicken and I had the steak frites, entrees were excellent as well. The next we go, the only thing we hope for is to not have the same server, never good to be constantly looking around to get a refill on your drink or order your dinner, bus staff was great, server just seemed disinterested which was off putting. Other than that everything else was awesome, we will be back
(4)
Joe G.
They act super hard here but unjustifiably. The bouncers are good guys but the bartenders are needlessly rude and insulting, making this experience altogether more negative than it should be. It could become a great bar, but a change of culture is needed.
(2)
K. O.
I so wanted to love this place. The Beehive in the South End is a longtime favorite, and I was excited to see what the owners had in store for Harvard Square. Unfortunately, I found the staff to be incredibly inexperienced and the food to be sub-par. A friend and I met here and sat at the bar for drinks and a quick bite on a Thursday night. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it took 45 minutes before we could get a server to take our drink order. Granted, it was a busy night and there appeared to be a corporate function taking place at the same time--but 45 minutes? The staff seemed very young and not at all aware of what they should be doing (like taking orders from patrons). We ordered the charcuterie platter, which was unceremoniously plopped down in from of us with no explanation of the different friend foods, meats and cheeses on it. It wasn't very good. At this point, we had been there two hours and just wanted to get out of there. Oh well. I'll be sticking with the Beehive, but hoping this place finds a groove because the location and space are great.
(2)
Anya C.
I had the unfortunate experience of being incorrectly charged for my meal. I understand that mistakes happen, but the fact that the manager never called me back is indisputably a disgusting lack of decent customer service and not to mention entirely illegal to not rectify the mistake. I will now have to take this to my credit card company to report the fraudulent charge. Nice job Beat Hotel. This place needs to hire competent servers and managers that actually do their job; otherwise, dine at your own risk. This place is more hassle then it is worth.
(1)
t w.
This place is like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. They are trying to create a swanky uptown experience when what they're dealing with are college kids and young professionals in a college town. I loved the decor. I loved the music. They have this weird policy of no dancing??? My friends got booted from the place for dancing in front of the live band on a previous week. On this occasion, I wanted to eat a meal and talked to a waitress about sitting at one of the tables. The waitress told me any table without a white paper was a cocktail table with first come first serve. In a sea of 20 empty tables, I sat at the one closest to the music. Immediately, a security guy (buzz cut with tatoos) descends on me and asks if there are more than two people in my group. I told him no and he asks me to move to a two-person table. I asked him why and he explained this table was a 6-person table and he wanted to keep it open for a 6-person group. Let me repeat, there were 20 EMPTY TABLES next to me. I could tell the wait staff were embarrassed by this guy. They apologized profusely for having to move us. And as we are eating our OK meal, groups to the right and left of us get up. Now there is NO ONE in the back dining area, but here we are adhering to their weird rules. About 1/2 hour later, a group of four sits at the six-person table, but the buzz cut security dude doesn't say a thing. Weird weird weird. I will probably avoid this place. I went to Saloon in Davis square last night, similar vibe, very chill and a much better place for what you're looking for. As for the food: French onion soup - the short rib was tough. Cheese was gooey and heavy French fries - crispy and delicious but not on the menu.
(2)
J. N.
Awesome. Awesome vibe, great bar/drinks, fantastic food. We had the salad w roasted chickpeas, the tuna spring rolls (ah-mazing) and I had salmon tartare which was truly delicious. Tasted the brisket - great too. A super night out and will definitely add Beat Hotel to my list of faves.
(5)
Karen B.
Great live music and food in Harvard square! We were there for the third time the other night and had another great experience. We started with the crispy spring roll and octopus salad followed by the earth bowl and chicken piccata.-all delicious. Bobby Keyes, one of the coolest musicians, was on the the stage. A completely unique musical and culinary experience!
(5)
Sarah S.
So we love the Beehive and were really looking forward to this sister restaurant. The atmosphere is very congenial and the greeting staff were nice. But there were several disappointments for our Easter Brunch, prix fix. To start, the first course of breads were uninspiring. For our table of four, we received two baskets - each with one scone and one piece of bread. They told us the bread is sweet so butter is not required. Well, I love sweet bread and this was the driest bread I have been served! Normally baked goods come with an assortment - as the Beehive does - but this was not assorted and also not good! I could not eat it. Then we received the wrong drinks. The waitress tried to tell us they were correct, but we know the difference between Champagne and wine! We had one child who wished to order off the adult menu. He selected one first course and then for the second course requested one of the main courses from the much cheaper child's menu. He was told he could not combine, even if we were paying the adult price of $35 instead of the child price of $15.It just could not be done. The main courses were nicely prepared and with interesting flavors. But when the meal starts with a no choice stale bread and wrong drinks, and you can't get what you want to eat even if you are willing to pay a lot extra, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. If I were a college kid looking to hang a a bar with music I might like it, but then I probably could not afford it. So we will not be returning.
(2)
Katie C.
This is a great spot for Harvard Square, which was much in need of a place with both great food and great music in the same spot (and not in a hotel). The decor is whimsical and carefully thought out with unexpected touches (the painted supporting poles, etc). When I first heard about the decor I was expecting a more grungy beatnik feel, and not the classy art deco vibe. Reminded me a bit of Cuchi Cuchi, actually. I came here for drinks with colleagues Friday and was so impressed that I came back for dinner on Saturday. We got placed at a front row table where we could still enjoy conversation at a normal level, even when a live trio played just feet away from us. The food was good if pretty standard upscale gastropub food that you can find at other places in the Boston area. I did like how you can choose a main and then pair it with the sides of your choice so you can get exactly what you want. The portion of my salmon with mashed potatoes was huge and it lasted me two other meals after my dinner. Yes, it's a bit pricey but for a nice meal, not outrageous. There were less expensive options (chicken club sandwich, burgers, etc) as well. I will say that the pumpkin cheesecake dessert was phenomenal. My only problem with dinner is that the food came out so quickly when we wanted more time to enjoy our prime seating! After dinner we moved to the bar to take in the main act of the night, a really wonderful blues trio. It's nice that there is one bar down by the music for those who want primarily to enjoy that (although, again, not so loud you couldn't have easy conversation) and another bar slightly higher that was a lot livelier with people socializing. It's great that they have so many wines on tap, too! Very unusual. Beer selection wasn't huge but the options they had were great. Our servers were all eager to please and helpful/friendly. So happy to have this spot and hoping it stays cover-free so that we can come back to enjoy the live music more often!
(4)
Helen G.
I was extremely disappointed with The Beat Hotel. I am sure the food is great, but I don't care. I was digging the ambience, but I don't care at all about that. Because I feel like I was deceived. I ordered a glass of wine from the waiter. He showed me the wine list. There were 3 categories. I just assumed like every bar/restaurant that the 3 categories were glass/half bottle/bottle. I ordered the glass with the recommendation from the waiter. He plopped a glass on the table and came back much later with a measured out amount of wine. It was tasty. But never did he tell me that the menu is deceiving and the actual glass price is the second option and the first option is a HALF GLASS. REALLY!!! Who orders a half glass of wine?! That is crazy. It's like those stupid food labels that tell you the calories and nutrients per serving and in tiny letters say that there is 3 servings per package. I had ordered 2 glasses in total thinking that my bill would be under $15 for both glasses. I got a bill for over $30. I was stunned. I asked the waiter and it was then that he explained that the menu goes by half glass/glass/half carafe. SERIOUSLY!! That is so stupid and it also was in milliliters. Who the hell orders in milliliters? It's not even the money that I am mad about. It's the fact that I felt intentionally deceived. And the waiter didn't even try to work it out with me since he was the one who didn't mention this messed up wine menu. So for that, I will never ever go there again. I am a wine drink and have been to restaurants and bars all over the world. Never have I seen a stupid menu like that. If you want to make money on your wine, just be up front about it like everyone else.
(1)
Carolyn P.
This place is amazing!!!! We came here for my friends bachelorette party!!!!! We have the most amazing server Allison !!!! So attentive , and just a fun server..... Food came out perfect , drinks were awesome!!!! Plus the bartender John was grate!!!!!!
(5)
Picky B.
Gorgeous space tucked away under the Gap store at Harvard Square. Wooden long tables perfect for sharing, arabesque chandeliers, a jazz bar at the end, and a loooong bar that was packed with people having a good time end to end. Great place for cocktails and plates to share (although they need to improve a bit on cocktails). We didn't get much to eat this time except the Mediterranean sharing platters and calamari. All very tasty. Service also needs a little finessing.
(4)
Tony V.
Waitstaff friendly. Wines decent but price on menu said $7/glass and on the bill it was $14/glass! Waitress said, "yes that's the price for medium." It was never asked if we wanted to pick a size, so we had an unexpected $28 on our tab. One dinner (brisket) was very good, but the earth bowl with shrimp was way over salted, and the shrimp so heavily seasoned with cayenne, garlic and SALT! that they were in edible. Too bad, because it should have been delicious with all the great ingredients. They've only been open 6 weeks, the ambiance was fun, so we'll give them another chance. Numerous families with young kids there (we were on the early side) -6:45- but not much on menu seems kid-friendly.
(2)
Bill L.
What a terrible experience we had at this restaurant today! The service couldn't have been worse! Sat at the bar for more than thirty minutes with dirty plates staring us in the face. When the bartender finally arrived she asked "what do you want" without ever lifting a finger to clear away the refuge from the previous occupant of our seats. When I asked her if she planned to offer us clean place settings she just scowled at me and walked away. fifteen minutes later she was back with the question "Have you decided what you want?" We ordered coffee and a beer while ignoring the those dirty plates still taking up all that space in front of us. Coffee was deliver within ten minutes but that beer? Well, .... It was poured, placed to the side of the taps and never delivered. Over an hour after we we had sat down with great expectations we left. No beer, no food and those dirty plates? Still holding strong right where they had been guarding the seats that we had recently vacated as we left in disgust! If you're looking for an expensive place where you can drop some serious green in an extremely loud environment with the worse service imaginable this place is for you. As for the food? Well, it looked good. Maybe within five or six hours of being seated someone would have served us.
(1)
Tanya G.
I had the bowl. By far one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Granted I love healthy food and vegetables..but sometimes things can be bland.not here! Savory and tasty!!! And I am picky! The tuna roll for app is great also. Drinks are very expensive.but food is great and vibe is upbeat and fun.
(5)
Gary P.
Beat is a long space with a lowish ceiling, two bars, a music stage and a lot of tables. It is not cozy. The music is at the far end, away from the street. No one stops talking, so if it's not a big band it's probably going to be inaudible. The music is hard to hear, but the conversation isn't. So if you are looking for somewhere to converse without talking quite loudly, this is not the place for you. If there is a musical act - which there always is - they won't seat you at an individual table anywhere in the restaurant if you don't want full dinner service - in that case you get to sit at one of the long communal tables. So if you have anything to talk about that you mind strangers listening to, and you don't want the full dinner experience, or even one of your party doesn't, then this is not the place for you. This policy is despite the fact that many of the tables are nowhere near the music stage. The bar staff are serving drinks that some of them don't know how to make correctly. For example, Tequila Sunrise is meant to have a sunrise effect through how it is built in layers, but this was missing in mine. Old Fashioned is served without a garnish. I would also counsel any young bartender that their personal life is less likely than more to be of interest to a mature patron; although I understand there are exceptions. On the positive side the staff are friendly and effective and doing their best to make the format work. In particular I found the female maitre'd to be quite engaging. The food is good, although someone I talked to mentioned that the French onion soup with ribs was strangely sweet. All-in-all, Beat is not the place for me. However, if, as many people do, you like to immerse yourself cheek-by-jowl and elbow-to-elbow in a hip and happening, noisy crowd, with good food and a hint of live music in the background, you will feel quite at home.
(3)
David H.
Stay here for the drinks and atmosphere, but don't bother with the food. The skirt steak is incredibly dry and the calamari tasted burnt and bland. They work with a high volume of customers so be prepared to either wait for 10+ minutes for table service when you get there (even with a reservation) or rushed out of the restaurant as you're trying to pay your check. Maybe with time this place could be great, but for a place that charges what it does for food and that advertises itself as the sister restaurant/bar to Beehive I really expected better.
(3)
Josh S.
Really cool place. We stumbled upon this place visiting Boston. They took good care of us. The food was interesting, artistic and fresh. Lots of healthy choices. The ambience is really cool. The live jazz was just right to set the mood. Nicholas, our server was just right. My only complaint might be that I wish they had more IPAs on tap to choose from. Tuna spring roll- greasy, not amazing Brisket - great, interesting tang. Big . Bandanna pudding with Vanilla bean- to die for
(4)
Abby R.
The atmosphere is 5 stars. Very jazzy, kind of funky, a bit speakeasy, with a mile long bar and a stage at the back which is visible from pretty much any of the tables. The service definitely rates 5 stars as well. My waiter was personable, helpful when we asked for suggestions, and chatty without being overbearing. 5 stars for the Grapefruit Julep, the only summer cocktail you'll ever need. The Buffalo Cauliflower gets 6 stars because it was one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. Seriously, I could never eat buffalo chicken again and if I had this I wouldn't care. Plus, everyone knows vegetables=health. Even if they're breaded and smothered in buffalo sauce. Don't quote me on that. The rest of the food... meh. 2 stars. I got the Luxe Nachos. Luxe? I asked about it and the waiter described the nachos in a way that had my eyes glazed over and my mouth snapped shut so no drool would come out. The guy said the word "marbled" to describe the double-baked cheese. He was a professional. I'd hire him just to stand there and describe my meals to me while I ate them. Unfortunately the nachos themselves didn't live up to the description. Not enough chips for the toppings, and way too much juice in the bottom of the dish, so that more than half the chips were getting mushy in Soggsville. The pulled pork didn't taste like it had any kind of flavoring on it, and other toppings were few and far between. The only thing luxe about them was the price tag at close to $20. My friends also didn't love their brisket, it was kind of fatty and the sides were small and heaped underneath the meat. The music gets 5 stars because the sound system wasn't too overpowering on any instrument, something even a layman such as I can sense, especially with jazz. The talent was good and I liked that they actually had brass instead of just piano, singer, bass.
(4)
Samantha L.
Since we were lucky to land a parking space in Harvard Square on a Friday night, I checked on OpenTable which restaurants had a last minute opening and Beat Brasserie happened to be one of them. When we got there, the hostess told us that they couldn't sit us until the whole party was present and that we would be placed on a waitlist (with an unknown wait time) but I mentioned on OpenTable that there was an opening so they sat us right away. I liked how restaurant was dim setting. However, the tables were placed so close together, often times we'd bump into each other when exiting the tables. The live music playing in the background made it difficult to hold conversations. Tonight, we ordered a variety of items off the menu, mostly appetizers. I ordered the Squid Ink Pasta which was topped with crabmeat, leeks, and roasted tomatoes, and garnished with basil leaves. I did manage to find a lonely english pea in this appetizer. The sauce resembled a mildly spicy Fra Diavolo sauce with a strong lemon juice flavor. I specifically requested the dish not to be spicy due to a dietary restriction but the chef ignored it. I also ordered the entree version of Steamed Maine Mussels, which was cooked in a tomato based beer broth and topped with old bay. I requested it to have no spicy red flakes and I'm glad they followed through with this request. I didn't like how the broth had a bitter after taste. However, it was supposed to come with toast points or fries but our server must have forget them because it never came. My mom ordered the Crispy Tuna Spring Roll, which consisted of deep fried, wonton wrap filled with avocado, tomato, wasabi, rice, and soy, sliced in half, and served with a sesame oil infused soy sauce. She also ordered a Harvard Beet Salad, which consisted of roasted golden and red beets around a bed of arugula served over herbed yogurt and topped with thin, crispy potato strips. My brother ordered the Nantucket Fluke Ceviche, which consisted of chopped fluke, diced cucumber, and diced tomato, drizzled with lime juice, and topped with jalapeño and cilantro. He said the ceviche was spicy, just the way he likes it. My dad ordered a Prime Natural Beef Burger, which consisted of lettuce, tomato, thick beef patty, slice of cheddar cheese, crispy fried onions, and port wine aioli between a sweet, toasted, buttery bun. It came with a dill pickle (sliced in half) and hand cut fries. Sadly, it was probably my favorite item of the night.
(3)
Nisha P.
A great place for a nice cocktail in Harvard Square. Everything is a little expensive for Boston, but the the cocktails are quite potent and delicious. I personally recommend American Breed, if you like whiskey! Beat Hotel also has live music every night, which is a cool perk! Tends to be a mixture of jazz, blues stuff. Very laid back and nice. Not too loud so you can still chat with people.
(4)
Rob K.
The food was pretty good. It looked like it would be great but it was obvious it did not get to us fast enough due to lack of staff and over worked people. This is by no means a slight on the staff who assisted us. They were obviously doing their best. I am not sure what the owners are thinking. I was there on Saturday for dinner and because I liked the food; I came back in for brunch on Sunday and the same people were working! They looked over worked and exhausted. I truly felt for them. I have lived in the area for a long time and have heard that the ownership has piss poor management skills and treats their people like garbage. It was quite obvious! I will not be returning. I hate posting bad reviews but this one was necessary not because of the food but because of the apparent lack of respect for employees working there.
(2)
Grace M.
This place is just not for me. Beginning with the music and overall style and ending (most importantly) with the food, I'm just not into it. I'd been in once before for a drink but most recently had some food that was EXTREMELY disappointing. I ordered the tuna spring rolls & vegetarian nachos. Both sound delicious and decadent but they were equally bland. The tuna spring rolls barely had any tuna but most notably, they were filled with lettuce and soggy/poorly cooked RICE. Why on earth would you stuff a spring roll with rice? I wonder if they were kind of mimicking the burrito concept? Whatever the case, it just didn't work. And even if it did work, at LEAST cook the rice properly! The lettuce was disconcerting as well.. I don't like the concept of typically crisp/fresh veggies like lettuce or cucumber being cooked in hot oil. Finally, the rolls were not fried at a proper temperature because they were soggy and oily instead of crisp. Ah, and they came w/ a side of napa cabbage slaw that was also poorly seasoned and unflavorful. The vegetarian nachos looked promising. I loved the quality of the chip & the overall quality of the ingredients (namely, the cheese), but they were totally dry (no guac/pico de gallo or anything moist). Also, they had some unseasoned/plain cabbage on them which seemed like a missed opportunity (for flavor and moisture.. wish it was pickled cabbage, for example). Wasn't impressed. If I never come back here again, I won't mind at all-! Important to note however, that my dining companions had a burger and really enjoyed it. I figure it only fair to report this part since maybe it's a good place for particular menu items but not all. Try it at your own risk!
(1)
Joeli G.
Buddha bowl + Salmon was fantastic. So were the ribs. Can't beat the wine on tap. It's pricy but it's Harvard Square. They have live music every night and the atmosphere is jazzy. Pretty people staffed. Service was prompt. Great place for a barstool date or to meet a group of friends.
(4)
Ryan H.
Went in last night with my friends. Bartender didn't give us menus, walked away when we needed help, and when we finally did get our drinks, she looked at us to pay, but never gave us a receipt or a price. Extremely unprofessional, and the drinks weren't even that good. The bar wasn't busy and it wasn't close to closing time, so this bartender had no reason to give us bad service except for her lack of talent in the service industry.
(1)
Michael K.
Stumbled across this place while looking for a quick drink or two before dinner. It's downstairs underground and maybe a bit tricky to find. We weren't sure what was down there but we found a large room with two bars, a stage and live music at only 6pm. On our visit there was a trio playing laid back bluesy jazz with a young lady scatting(?). It was nice background to our conversations at the bar. They have a good selection of beers on tap and an even better one of wine on tap as well. They had this twelve or so spigot device for dispensing an eclectic selection of wines. Folks were eating oysters next to us but we were just there for liquids. Our bartender was a lovely young lady with a bright smile who took a few minutes to explain to us the story behind the place that is not a hotel at all.
(4)
Julia C.
I've been a few times in various contexts--a few times with friends for dinner and drinks, once with parents and other relatives from out of town, and even alone once or twice (had to satisfy a craving for the Bowl Azteca and the flourless cake). Beat worked well for all of these scenarios. Entrees are around $18-25, so it's not a super budget friendly spot, but perfect for special evenings. I usually get the Bowl Azteca (comes fantastic tomatillo sauce!). I tried a grilled octopus appetizer once with the family and everyone loved it. It's hard to go wrong with the food, everything I've tried I've enjoyed. The flourless cake is also delicious! The live music is really fun, but can be loud or VERY loud depending on where you're seated, so if you are coming with a group that wants to talk a lot, you're best bet is to make a reservation and indicate your preference to not to sit right beside the band.
(5)
Ellie W.
For any fans of The Beehive in the South End, this is essentially its slightly more artsy, hipster sibling. The food leaves a lot to be desired--I'd much rather walk down the street to Alden & Harlow if I'm looking for top-notch food--but the scene is what you come here for. The kitschy ambiance, jazz tunes, some woman belting out some lyrics in french which sound plenty romantic, but she could be singing about tomatoes for all I know... It's cute, intimate -- perfect for dates, and small get-togethers. Again, the food is a bit lacking -- not sure why the Crispy Tuna Springroll came out with zero flavor and looking like a giant fried burrito cut in half -- but you can't beat the ambiance and the drinks here. It's a 'sway a little while you listen to jazz and sip your cocktail, close your eyes and pretend it's 1920' kind of spot, and hands down one of the best intimate little joints in Cambridge.
(4)
Ric S.
I'm currently sitting in The Beat, enjoying a martini and some marinated olives before ordering the Cape Cod Diver Scallops with clams and Mussels and a small batch artisan rose on tap, and I can't help but feel like I've taken a time machine back into the Mad Men beatnick "Zoobie Zoobie Zoo" days... And it's good. So good. They take the "college vibe" and combine it with great food and a groovy atmosphere. Well done.
(5)
Jesse-Marie K.
The service although fast was terrible. The bartender was argumentative. Maybe just having a bad day, but a glass of wine our party had was bad, perhaps it was the glass itself. When we told the bartender, she claimed that we didn't know wine. We ordered something else, she did not take it off the bill even though we did not drink it. When she brought a different glass of wine she stated it was from the same company and perhaps I've never had cask wine! I drank that glass and the. When my friend paid the bill, he left her only 15%. As a former bartender I thought she deserved more, she still poured the drinks after all. When I slipped her a 10, she proceeded to tell me that some people just don't know wine that well!!!! I didn't respond because at this point it was just absurd. You served a bad glass of wine, own up to it, and get the customer something else. There is a much better way to handle these situations! None of us will be going back. I understand that because of the location there are probably a lot of young kids who go in there are cheap and rude. However, we were not those customers. Each bar round was 70+ Know your customers!
(1)
Jane A.
We were here with a few friends a few weeks ago, on a recommendation from another friend. I arrived early and had a Tulum Fizz at the bar while I waited. Once everyone arrived we were seated. The waitress came by a little later and explained what was going on. They were busier than normal, the coffee machine had stopped working and they were literally serving Dunkin Donuts coffee while the machine was being fixed. We ordered our coffee and kept looking at the menu. Eventually we ordered- Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes, Mahi Mahi Tacos, Short Rib & Tomato Grilled Cheese with an egg, and I had the Sweet Chili Laquered Baby Back Ribs as well as two Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. The portions were huge! Everyone seemed to enjoy their food. I felt that the flavor of the ribs were good but the meat was dry. The shrimp were delicious and fresh. My boyfriend thought his pancakes were very good. Service was just okay.
(3)
Mariana R.
5 stars for atmosphere, 3 stars for drinks - wish I could give it 3.5 stars overall. I would go back in a heartbeat for the music and atmosphere alone. Went with a group of 5 for after dinner drinks and it was great for that. Drinks were disappointing but I'm a huge snob in that department. If you go I would stick with beer and wine rather than bartender crafted cocktails.
(3)
Tina P.
Been wanting to try Beat hotel for awhile. Had an excellent time with a few friends. The ambience, decor and music is a big plus. I especially liked hearing songs dedicated to the people of Gaza and Ferguson. Yes! Food was on point. Salmon tartar, bohemian platter for two, seafood platter for two, grilled octopus (excellent!!), & buffalo cauliflower were all great. American bass drink (with elderberry liquor, whiskey, & apple cider) was very well done. Strong! Service could improve. Overall, great place to enjoy with friends. Would come back!
(4)
Matthew B.
Note: I just had drinks here. I'll update once food becomes part of the equation. The drink selection was great and the layout was awesome. I was impressed by the open design, friendly staff and fun menu of drink options. The bartender made some impressive gin drinks on a warm afternoon and all was well. I highly recommend dropping in for a beer or cocktail.
(4)
Kimmy U.
So hip. So trendy. So not a hotel! I bet the hostesses were like "oh no... not again" when they saw our friend with her luggage coming down the stairs. Jk! She came straight from the airport :p Beat Hotel is definitely a place to admire the atmosphere in addition to the food. The restaurant is large and spacious with a bar area/high tables, booths for sit down meals, and even a stage at the front for some live music! Their menu has a good amount of options and a HUUUGE selection of wines on tap! As in the entire back side of the menu is all drinks. holyy It is a little pricey, but I think it's worth it (at least the options we chose)! They don't skimp out on portions, and the entrees we got were all cooked very nicely. My brother and I decided to share, so we got 2 appetizers and 1 entree -Steamed mussels appetizer- omg that SAUCE!! I'm used to a white wine/cream sauce when I order mussels, but this one came with a wine/tomato sauce. Soo delicious, especially when you soak the bread in it mmmm... the mussels were just ok though. -Grilled octopus appetizer- a little too much char for me, but it went well with the arugula and heirloom tomatoes. I probably wouldn't get this one again -Duck entree- Perfectly cooked! Chef's recommendation is medium rare, and it was so on point. It comes with a risotto that I wasn't a huge fan of because it lacked flavor and wasn't soft enough for me, but the sauce from the duck paired well with it. There was just enough fat on the duck and it came with about 8 slices. So so good. I would definitely get this again. Overall a nice experience! Next time I'll come back for BRUNCH
(3)
Iris S.
The one other time I tried to check out the Beat to get drinks, I was turned away because of a private event, so I don't know how frequently that happens but check before you go! This time, I caught up with a friend on a Sunday night for dinner, and found out that they only have live music about 4x a week in August (picking back up in the fall) so that was a little disappointing and I'm sure I didn't get the full experience. Regardless, the ambience was nice with an old school feel and the food quite tasty as well. I got the Mother Earth bowl with brown rice, lentils, tofu, and grilled/roasted veggies. I enjoyed this dish thoroughly and liked how the veggies were roasted, but besides the natural flavors of the items, the dish lacked a little flavor, as I just couldn't taste the pesto. My one other comment is that it is not cheap. I paid closer to $30 including tip/tax, and with only veggies I'm not sure this dish was worth the price tag.
(3)
Isabella C.
I have passed by this place many times and dismissed it because of its very handwritten and freestyle signage, but recently heard a rave review and decided to check it out. I was incredibly surprised by the decor -- the sign outside doesn't at all correlate to the interior of Beat Hotel. It's beautiful -- decorated, but not overdone. There are natural, rustic touches, with soft lighting and comfortable seating all around. It's very spacious for a restaurant in Harvard Square. On weekend mornings, they start brunch at 10am, an hour earlier than most other places in the area. This is a huge plus. When we got there just around 10:30, the place was fairly quiet and empty but the live jazz band was already playing, which made it feel like an intimate private concert. The music was just the right volume -- not too loud for conversation but also not too quiet so as to make us strain to hear them. The food was served quite quickly. I loved the omelette with goat cheese, leek, and kale. It was just the right combination of textures, the egg was soft and moist, and the bread that accompanied it was whole grain and hearty. The home fries were sliced lengthwise, as if they were fries rather than cubes, and crispy and salted appropriately. The Eggs Benedict was soft, served on a bed of salmon and English muffin, and the Hollandaise was creamy and sour, though not as sour as I personally prefer. Overall, though, the service was great. Loved the ambiance. I could hardly believe I was steps away from the bustle of Harvard Yard while inside Beat Hotel. I would love to come back and see how the atmosphere is at night.
(4)
Alejandro L.
I guess the atmosphere is very nice inside, I couldn't tell. Unfortunately, we were not allowed in because they wouldn't accept temporary licenses as means of identification. Not just that, they were extremely rude about it. Well, it's their loss. This is one place that I will not go to in Harvard Square
(1)
Diane H.
The ambiance is really cool here. I initially was very hesitant to come but group vote wins and here I was. For a Wednesday night--it was packed! Our server was great, he checked up multiple times and was very lively. I thought this was a hotel...hence "Beat Hotel" but it's really a restaurant that took over the space of the old Tannery store. I tried the frogs leap wine, a glass was at $22 and also at the end I ordered the mango martini made from real mango puree which was DELICIOUS. All the drinks were great from what i heard around the table. For apps we got the raw bar? Oysters, shrimps..I think that is it..nothing too special. Also tried the tuna egg roll which has jasmine rice which was really delicious when paired with the dipping sauce. I had the mussels which were good too...the sauce was yummy on it though there wasn't alot. For entree, half of us got the daily special which was lobster risotto which was yummy. I do feel that there could have been more of a taste for the risotto part but it wasn't bad...just kinda plain but as I ate on it got better. There was asparagus which was cooked perfect. The lobster was overcooked so I was like eh. Did not get a chance to try dessert this time...maybe next time. The music is a plus++ They start playing really good music around 8, before then there isn't as much music. The drink menu is fantastic---so huge. Give it a go!
(4)
Pam C.
I had passed by the Beat Hotel so many times without ever dropping in - I definitely have a bit of an aversion to anything located in a basement. Finally had a chance to check it out, and I really wish I had come sooner! The interior is extremely spacious - the entire bar is one large open space. You don't really notice that you're subterranean, with the decor. There's really nice neon lighting on the sides, and some really cool glowing wall art. They had a pretty cool, jazzy live band when we came on a Friday night. Overall, very very swanky, 70's vibe. Service was very prompt and friendly, and unlike a lot of bars there is a lot of table space so you never feel crowded. The food was pretty good for bar food, and they have a good selection of specialty cocktails. The cocktails themselves weren't extremely creative - mostly recreations of classics like sidecars and old fashions. Beat Hotel is a really cool space, and definitely worth checking out!
(4)
Wiser S.
A resident of Cambridge, I went in to find out what the 'Beat' Brasserie was all about. Apparently it's loosely modeled after the Beat Hotel in London. And there are some framed quotes of Kerouac in the toilet. But the similarity ends there. There's no poetry to this venue. Goons with ear pieces rudely patrol the aisles telling patrons where they need to sit and stand. I guarantee you Kerouac and Ginsberg would not even piss in the general direction of this ultra pretentious place.
(1)
Jude P.
It's sort of weird coming here knowing it was formerly the Tannery which was one of my top shoe store when I was younger. All in all, what Beat Hotel has provided to this space is pretty tremendous. First I'll mention the negative though, the last couple of times I've been here, my group & I weren't treated well and all we did was just walk in. No rude or loudness from us, and our clothes were fit well. It wasn't fun being looked at differently and being spoken to in a different tone. Aside from that, and other good experiences, I won't let my review be isolated to those experiences. The drinks first off are always great, done right, and they have a great selection to choose from. Always been treated well by the bartenders and they didn't know there drinks and never been fuzzy on when asked for their suggestion. As for the food, alone it was above average towards 4 stars. The Thai bowl was a great portion and my friend had the swordfish in which she killed immediately and constantly mentioned of its good worth. My favorite was the Frog's Leap wine which hit me instantly as well as dominantly good and look forward to having a reunion with it. Last and best part is the music. The times I've been there, I was lucky to catch the acts play and they would be better than all of what I would experience so kudos to whomever selects the bands. Listen, just go and thank me later
(4)
Jessica R.
Seriously in the top 5 meals I've ever had. My only regret is that I didn't discover this place earlier. Make reservations and try one of the earth bowls!
(5)
Pawan J.
Possibly one of the best burgers I've ever ate in my life. Make sure you add the cheddar and bacon! A bit pricey but worth it. I'll definitely be back
(5)
Dave P.
Reserved a table for 7PM on a Wednesday night. I requested to be seated near the stage in the OpenTable reservation's note box. When we arrived, the hostess initially sat us pretty far away from the stage. Yet, the place was fairly empty. I thought it was strange but I didn't want to make a scene about it so I let it go. Within minutes, another hostess came by and let us know how sorry they were. They must've read the reservation as we sat down. They apologized and we were moved pretty close to the stage. Great customer service. We ordered: Tuna caparccio - excellent. order it. Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos - well portioned; well seasoned; but my fish was so overcooked it was rubbery Skirt Steak Aztec Bowl - Delicious. order it. I was initially weary of poor service after having read some of the reviews on Yelp but to my surprise, we received some of the best service we've received at any restaurant. It was great. And the food -- despite my fish taco disaster -- was delicious. Perfect for a date night.
(4)
Rachel D.
My review is based solely on drinks and atmosphere. I didn't have any food, but next time in town I'll have to try to grab a bite. I'm a big fan of the Beehive from way back when so I'd be happy to try the food here at Beat Hotel. In terms of ambiance and cocktails this place is fantastic. Harvard Square has really upped it's game since I used to work in the square. They have fancy cocktails, beer and wine options as well as a bar menu and full dinner menu. There was a trio playing jazz the entire time we were there (we were there about an hour and a half so I'm thinking they have live music for the majority of the night), and they were fantastic. We had to kill time before our dinner reservation and this was the perfect oasis to do that in. I had the Violette cocktail (quite interesting and obviously light purple) and a couple of their other options based on my servers recommendations. Some friends met us there for drinks and overall it was a great experience. If you're looking for great atmosphere and good drinks head here! Also in true Beehive fashion the bathroom was amazing, decked out with retro beads and all. I don't know what they use for handsoap at their locations but I need it in my life.
(4)
Kyle G.
Finally made it in to eat here the other night. A friend works at the Beat and had been trying to get me to try it for at least a year. It was a hot day and I wasn't that hungry so I went for the deep fried spring roll. Wow really good and bigger than I was expecting. The people to my left had a plate of ribs that smelled rich and inviting. The woman to my right had a Burrata salad which she was raving about, along with their drinks.
(4)
Karis O.
#yaaaaaassssssssss. The best time to go for brunch is on the early side, when the Harvard kids are slowly awakening to their hangovers and haven't established whether or not they can make it out into public. This is approximate time frame in order to grab a table for some lovely jazz music and one of the more eclectic brunch menus in the area. As the US Ambassador for all things eggs benedict, I highly recommend the dish with braised short rib. Also, "You can't each nachos for breakfast," they said. "It's not good for you," they said. Oh really? If that's so, then why are slow-roasted pork nachos on the menu here?! A definite indulgence, *maaaaybe* a tad bit too early for brunch but man, do they do a good job. Pump up on the bottomless coffee, get the jazzy vibes going and fill up on the delicious goodness at the Beehive's sister location!
(4)
Kenny C.
Beat Hotel is a little on the classier side (think after work lounge. They feature live music and it was pretty popular on a Friday night. As the name implies, their theme is a hotel. The host and hostesses are at a reception desk when you walk in, which is unique. I had been told that they serve the best burger in town. And I have to say, it was pretty damn good. Medium with gorgonzola was perfect. Good fries too - crispy and not too heavy. We started out with the Buffalo cauliflower and the Bohemian platter. The cauliflower was great. Nice and spicy. The blue cheese dressing was super chunky. The Bohemian platter was okay, but not enough things to dip. Service was great. Their OpenTable policy was a little strict, but the host I spoke to on the phone 3x was very accommodating of last minute changes. Definitely call ahead to make a reservation because you'll get an awesome table. I made a reservation the day of for three people and they sat us right in the middle of the pit in the front.
(5)
Farnaz S.
Fantastic food, amazing decoration,& friendly staff with good music. What else I can ask for?!
(5)
Michael C.
From the same owners of the Beehive, the Beat Hotel. I have been here much more often for drinks than for food. The vibe here on most nights is very jazzy. Like the type of jazz where I should be reading poetry to the bands music and saying "snap snap" while reading random words off paper. This place brings a good crowd most nights, a little on the intimate side, not the spot for a guys night out. A definite no fail date spot though.
(4)
Ralph O.
The beat hotel is unavoidable. It is a good-enough place to spend a couple of hours with friends in Harvard Sq. But give me a sustitute and I will jump right in. It is a major tourist-trap. Even if the location and ambience are well-produced, the place lacks a caring owner. It also lacks category. The Beat Hotel is the Ruby-Tuesday of newly sophisticated crowds. Expect to be treated as a tourist and to be blatantly manhandled by personnel. They also make everything extremely complicated and bureaucratic. Customers need to follow rules that benefit management at the cost of good service. For example, I went to ask for a drink at the bar because the table waiter had abandoned us completely. They wouldn't serve me at the bar because I was at a table, even if the tab was closed. Waiter was nice when he came to the table, though. When closing, they will kick you out with no tact or grace. I understand staff is tired, but train them to kick clients out with a better protocol. Wine at the Beat tastes more like and rancid Ocean Spray juice. Also, no offence to vegans but having "Gluten free" or "Vegan safe" in a wine description is like putting a "led-free paint" sticker over an oil painting. If it is important to the drinker, let them ask if the wine has these characteristics. A waiter (if they are around) may guide you through the vegan-safe wine. Food is very ah-ok. All of the above is considering price. I would give Ruby Tuesday many more stars because of their value offer. If you are going to over-charge me for eatable food, give me good service. All this said, see you next week! If you leave near Harvard Sq, you will have to go there. In spite of everything, it is fun, they have some good drinks, and the crowd is nice. I usually like to eat before going and just having drinks, without seating on a table.
(1)
Pieta B.
I've had great experiences here, sitting at the bar. My most recent visit, though, I made a reservation for 8. I chose the Beat Hotel because I thought it was big enough to accommodate a large group. Not really. We were seated at 4 tiny tables stuck together. It was very uncomfortable. We were also right in front of the stage, which some people would like, but was just too loud for my taste. I asked to be moved and never heard from the hostess again, even though the restaurant was not very full. My wine came, and it was not right. My server argued that it couldn't be off because of the fancy system they use that keeps the wine from coming into contact with air. But I have had a lot of Hess Chardonnay and it did not taste as it should have. She didn't take it away until she saw that I was passing it around the table for people to sniff, rather than drinking it. The food, of course, was great. It always is. The vegetarian options are abundant, creative and fresh. And then, although I was obviously not happy with my experience, we were charged an automatic gratuity. That makes me really mad. I did complain to the manager on my way out, and there was not much he could do at that point. So, I would go back, but definitely not with a large group and only to sit at the bar. And I won't order the Hess Chardonnay.
(3)
Jenny H.
Beautiful people, trendy spot, great food, good drinks, AND live music. Such a place does exist and it is at Beat Hotel. My girlfriend and I got to sit up close to the stage while the group rocked the mic. The scene seemed to shatter my preconceived notions of the genre. The band had a vibe that was a cross between an American Apparel menswear catalog + artisan-baristas-by-day-reggae-band-by-night. We ordered a couple of cocktails throughout the night while sharing the Inca Bowl and their octopus starter dish. We didn't want food that was too heavy and both were perfect. Was a great way to end my first night in Boston.
(4)
Carly B.
Classy, hip brunch spot near Harvard Square. I have not looked into whether there is actually a hotel associated, but I dug the underground location with a live jazz band playing on Sunday morning and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There was also no wait for two spots at the long bar. What I really appreciated about their brunch offerings were hearty-yet-not-heavy offerings. I had an Azteca Bowl with eggs and it came with quinoa, corn, salsa, and vegetables. Great flavors and I didn't feel like I needed to be rolled out of there or take a nap (vital, when you're exploring the city on foot). I also enjoyed a bloody mary. Our bartender/server was friendly and attentive, despite having a very long bar to look after. Prices seemed a bit high on paper, but the quality/flavor of the food was in line.
(4)
Wayne K.
Great vibe, great decor that hints of the 60s with a very current menu. If you're doing brunch, the warm, homemade coffee cake is a must. The array of breakfasts we ordered for brunch were amazing. Must return for brunch and try dinner.
(5)
Mick S.
Myself and my friend showed up at the beat motel last night a little after midnight, and I had to run straight into the bathroom for a pee. When I came out I saw my friend had been confronted by some Neanderthal bouncer who was yelling at him. I asked said Neanderthal what the problem was and he completely ignored me and told my friend to go outside to continue the discussion. Now understand, I'm 66 years of age and obviously not looking for trouble, (we had had a very nice evening thus far) and I felt I deserved some kind of response to my question . Anyhow, I led the way outside, and again I asked I asked him what the problem was. His answer was to tell us to go up the stairs because he "felt uncomfortable ". The arrogant prick, how did he think I felt, a grown man being treated like a teenage drunk....let me explain here I had to pee because I'd had a couple beers in a NICE place across the street where everyone was polite and courteous , but I was far from drunk. I got to the top of the stairs and turned again to ask him what the problem was, but by this time he was screaming at my friend....and I just gave up trying to understand. The man obviously has a violent disposition and to say the least is not diplomatic in any way shape or form which is a pretty scary disposition for a bouncer. If he had answered my thrice asked question the first time the whole situation would easily have been defused but he chose to ignore me an continue to yell..... We could had had a fun night there but it was ruined by a psychopathic head case....I'd never go back there, and I feel the management should look more closely at their staff....
(1)
Gabrielle F.
Oh my gentle Jesus, their wildflower honey & lemon pancakes were the best I have ever had. Love the decor, wonderful service too. A must-go to when in Cambridge.
(5)
Samuel F.
This is an amazing-looking venue in the space formerly occupied by the old Tannery location in Harvard Square. Retro decor, enjoyable music, beautiful presentation of the food, everything sings with color! The food is delicious, and the cocktail menu is pretty cool, but I'm not sure it justifies the price. On the other hand, the music is good, and they don't charge a cover. I picked the Inca Bowl in part because it listed avocado among the ingredients, and then found it had only a tiny sliver of avocado in the salad. It was delicious, but that did cause a brief moment of disappointment. However, overall a tasty and filling dish. I was a bit surprised to find I couldn't finish it all, and I enjoyed the leftovers the next day. It's certainly a loud venue, another reason to recommend the appetizers and drinks route. On a busy night, it's hard to hear someone across the table. The service was friendly, but really slow (on a busy Friday night), though they kept our water glasses reliably full. The wait for seats was incredibly long, and they refused to give much in the way of information about wait time. Tip to customers: If there's a long wait, you may be able to get in earlier by inquiring if there are still open reservations. Tip to the restaurant: Continuing to fill reservations slots night-of while there's a lengthy list of walk-ins is a terrible way to manage your line! There's ample space to stand while you wait, but getting some snacks or drinks for the wait took more persistence than we could muster. At least they take a phone number for the list. If you want to cafe hop while you wait, nearby Crema Cafe is open until 9PM, Tealuxe is open until at least 10.
(3)
Jamie W.
This place is awesome for a drink and listening to live music. Love the wines on tap and creative cocktails. Food wise, their stuff is somewhat overpriced, but pretty delicious. We liked the Aztec bowl best. The scallops were delicious and perfectly cooked, but the squid ink pasta they came on was underwhelming. The reason for the three star rating is the waiter service. We barely saw our waiter. We probably would have had another round of drinks or maybe dessert, but just getting our order put in was almost impossible. I recommend coming for the music/drinks and leaving dinner to all the places in Harvard that actually have a sufficient waitstaff.
(3)
Sara M.
I used to frequent the Beehive in the past and love the live music. When I was informed that the same owners opened this place up, I was excited to check it out. It has this eclectic feel - with parts cool jazz hipster granola trendy. We were seated close to the stage per my date's request but it did make it a little hard to hear. However, I enjoyed the music and watching the performers, which I wish I was able to do a little more. Our server was pleasant and friendly, while sometimes very absent and other times checking in. The grilled octopus salad appetizer was delightful without being chewy. It was nicely dressed so the octopus really shone through. I had a few bourbon cocktails, which were mixed well. I tried the earth bowl with medium-rare steak. I loved this even though I wish it was in more of a bowl than a shallow platter. The mix of vegetables gave a complex taste and the steak was tasty. The funny thing is that I don't think the meat went with everything else but I ate it separately anyway. I don't know what the damage came to in the end (although I did insist to split) but I enjoyed the restaurant. I would definitely come back with some friends.
(4)
Mariel J.
I really enjoyed this restaurant - located right in Harvard Square. We went for Sunday brunch, and there was live music, sort of folksy, which we like, and it was the perfect volume - you could hear it, but it didn't interfere with conversation at all. Great service, and the food was really creative - the menu changes all the time, so I can't look up what I had, but it was a really unique set of flavors - sort of brunch meets Moroccan meats Mexican. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Peter B.
So disappointing. The ambience was great, the menu looked good. But the food? The bread on the sandwiches was stale, the fries were greasy and burnt. The service was fair at best (I only got a small bit of coffee and no top ups, our waitress was hard to find). And then on top of all that - it was crazy expensive. Too bad, we wanted to love it.
(1)
V V.
I went there this past Saturday for dinner. I thought the place was really well done. It does has a nice vibe to it. Very sizeable bar area (although I didn't go there). The service was good. The meal I thought was really good. I read some reviews here about food not being good. Not sure what that was about or maybe I just got lucky. I thought it was good. The only negs I thought was the valet was $18, when parking is right around the corner between 12-14. I didn't realize that, otherwise I would have done it myself. The only other part that I can remember as a neg was the band setup. I was there from 8 til about 1. Between 9-10:30 it looked like the band or stage folks where struggling with the sound system or setup. I would have liked the band to have been on longer or earlier. Other than that it was a good experience.
(4)
Sarah B.
I'm giving this place 5 stars based on the staff. The food is meh...but the service is impeccable. I'm a Sox fan and was up this way for a game. Friends of mine live in town so they took me over here for some drinks and grub the night before a game. I love discovering new bars in towns I barely know. Once we walked up to the joint, one of my friends had to take a call so I was stuck waiting outside. The bouncer, a guy with the most amazing red beard, was super friendly. We got to talking about the area, and explained how little I know of Boston. Super informative and incredibly friendly. Once my friend was off the phone, the bouncer was able to help us locate the great spot at the bar without hesitation. What kind of bouncer goes above and beyond to help people INSIDE the bar? Impeccable ones with great service, that's who. The mango martini was ridiculous, and by ridiculous, I mean delicious. Went down way too easy so of course I had too many to count. When in Harvard Square I recommend coming here for the staff alone. Friendly, go-out-of-their-way service. Five stars indeed! Can't wait to go back to Boston.
(5)
Brady B.
Just had brunch here and it was fantastic! My friend and I both started with bloody marys and French onion soup. The soup was to die for. Rich broth, plenty of melt in your mouth short rib and a healthy topping of glorious cheese. Next we shared two entrees. A killer omelet with salami, prosciutto, asparagus and mozzarella cooked to fluffy perfection. The accompanying frittes were thinly cut and tasty as well. The other entree was eggs Benedict with brisket...fucking A!!! I swear it was the best Benedict that both of us have ever had...right down to the hollandaise. The service was fantastic and the decor was lovely. Will most definitely be going back and will be telling all of my clients to go as well.
(5)
Lady J.
The guy at the front desk that is going bald with the glasses is an asshole. Love the food Love the waiters. However I think this guy ruined the experience.. He also states that he's a manager. I am not typically a person who likes to throw around where I work or the connections I have. But I work for a company that has access to unlimited funds and throws a lot of private events. I thought that this could be a location that I could regularly have these events and bring a lot of business to. However due to the treatment that me my boss and colleagues received from this supposed manager, unfortunately I will have to bring my business elsewhere. My poor rating is not due to the food or service. This is strictly due to my dealings with the guy at the front desk. Now to the food. Calamari, Big Marinara fan.. As you know grew up going to school in the north end so I know what I like. My palette didn't like that marinara. It tasted like tomato soup almost. The calamari had no taste super bland. My colleague got the lamb nacho's those were good. That's all I can say is good.. Lol I had the steak strip with mashed potatoes bourdelaise*** sauce and green peas. I don't understand why they would put green pees with mashed potatoes and not asparagus. The strip was great, full of flavor and cooked to perfection. The mashed potatoes were ok they weren't anything special. (I have had some amazing mashed potatoes with steak) I would say do like a garlic, goat cheese or rosemary infused mashed. (just a suggestion) The food was great but pricey. I would say for the money you spend on a steak I think it was $28.00 you are better off going to a genuine steak house. I was here before had the prime burger definitely delicious.. I don't know if it is $16.00 delicious but you should try it.
(1)
Jane N.
This place is waaaay over priced for what you get. Seriously? $27 for the dinner-sized salad?? Service was polite but not particularly knowledgeable and apparently every cocktail on the list is "the best!". I ordered the steak frites (same price as the salad!) which had a nicely cooked hanger steak but this dish has nothing more in common with steak frites. The steak was not sliced, it was smothered in a very salty gravy, and the "frites" were essentially home-fries. My friend had the Inca bowl which was massive but not particularly tasty. The worst part was the disturbing seed-crunch in the quinoa that sounded like uncooked quinoa but that wasn't it. She stopped eating the quinoa component after the second encounter. Overall, the meal was meh and completely not worth the ridiculous prices. There are SO many better options in Cambridge, there is no reason to waste my money on a place that is more style than substance.
(2)
Lindsay M.
This place is nice, the ambiance and decor is great. The music is actually just right for a restaurant especially live. What I wasn't fussy on was the service. For starters we had a large group on a Saturday, they would not seat us until everyone had arrived and would only allow for a 15 minute window, not giving anyone a second if they say got caught in the ridiculous traffic around here or couldn't find parking! Even when all but one person had made it, they finally gave us a seat (the last person was stuck in traffic due to an accident no one can really help that) but we really had to push them to do so (had it been packed and they were in need of tables I could understand, but the place was only 60% full the entire time we were there) we finally got our table and we had a good server but she was honestly a but pushy with trying to rush us! The food was decent, but it wasn't great by any means, it wasn't bad and no one had any problems but it was decent. The prices are really outrageous. For the price you're paying the food really should be much higher quality! I will say the consensus was the fries were fantastic! It's worth it to go if you can afford to throw away $100 for a dinner for 2 on dinner worth $50 don't have too high of expectations though, their high priced menu is more of a reflection of their location more than their food.
(3)
Lauren G.
I took my mother out for her birthday all around the city yesterday (Aug 25th) & this place was the perfect end to our celebration. We just stopped in for drinks originally, but ended up staying for food because the burger came highly recommend from another patron at the bar. Our bartender, Mona, was so attentive & great at mixing up drinks. She made my mothers very specific drink perfectly & she mixed me up a delicious coffee drink that she thought up on her own. The burgers came out exactly as we ordered. I loved the fry like chips they served on the side! The music set the perfect mood as well as the decor. I will be recommending this place to all my friend & clients in Harvard square.
(5)
Sarah G.
Note: This review is just for drinks--since they had about 20 open tables that were all reserved for dinner, but 45 minutes after we asked if we could order some apps at one of those empty tables, they were all still empty. The manager or someone even came over and asked us to move our backpack away from the dinner table---the EMPTY set of 20 tables for dinner. There was no one in that area eating, and no one came to sit at that table even within the next 15 minutes after that man asked us to move our backpack....interesting way to treat people your first weeks of business I say... Good thing Beat Hotel clearly spent a ton of effort in designing this space. It is absolutely beautiful inside. Almost like an art gallery inside with cool beaded chandeliers and light tassels, colorful paintings on all of the walls, it really feels almost magical inside and like you are truly escaping Harvard Square for something totally different. Their drink list is also pretty decent, with a few local beers on tap, some in bottles, a ton of wines on tap (yes, on tap!), and some inventive cocktails too. I got their Purple Door cocktail which was tito's vodka with a blueberry puree that was so so tasty and addictive to drink. I drank it faster than I should have (especially for it being $11), but that definitely makes me want to go back at least for drinks again!
(4)
Tiffney B.
The food was very good and the live music every night is a really great addition! Service was also very good. The only complaint is I feel the wine list is super over priced, so be prepared for it & you'll have a fantastic time!
(4)
P G.
It's definitely a very lively and upbeat place...however its not all that. The food was mediocre and the service...eh! So we decided to get there on a Friday night and were running couple minutes late...the front desk staff was not very pleasant to deal with. I ordered the mojito and it was basically lemonade with mint (so much for drinking on a Friday night) We ordered the Aztec bowl and Thai bowl...both were bland and did not have the wow factor. I definitely won't be going back again and won't recommend this place in the future. The major reason for not going back will be the food and front desk staff.
(2)
Irene C.
DRINKS: Atmosphere here in the evening cannot be beat. The space is huge yet separated into sections so it's still intimate, and there are several bars. The bartender we met was extremely friendly, and the drinks themselves were delicious. FOOD: When I came here for dinner, I had the Chicken Milanese, which was very underwhelming, especially for $25. SERVICE: Waiter and bartender were excellent on both occasions. While I was eating dinner, the manager stopped by to introduce herself and ask about our food, which was a nice touch since at that point Beat Hotel was pretty new in town. OVERALL: Go for the drinks but not for the food if the quality does not improve or the price does not drop.
(4)
Rafal W.
Oxford alumnus rejected from a Harvard establishment, an offense that will not get unnoticed for years to come. Both the bouncer and manager quoted Mass. law only accepting Mass. or passport ID, which is fair enough but does not constitute part of common sense. I was left alone at the age of 23, offended by all involved, stripped of my group of friends, to an unknown town. I definitely do not recommend a visit.
(1)
Rann B.
I went to The Beat Hotel for the first time on Wednesday, August 20. I fell in love with the decor and ambiance immediately upon entering the restaurant, thoroughly enjoyed the unique food and drinks, and was impressed with the flamingo group from Buenos Aires. However, during the performance a group of self absorbed millennial ruined my experience. Not only did they ignore the performance, competing with the music and singing with their loud bar talk, they had audacity to sing Happy Birthday to a friend in the middle of a song being performed by the group. How rude! When I complained to the manager, he promised to quiet them down, but never approached them. If these entitled children want to drink and talk, they should go to a bar without entertainment. I will think twice before revisiting and/or recommending this restaurant.
(2)
Julie C.
This place is a gimmick. I went for dinner at the Beat Hotel twice. The first time I went, I was really weirded out but I thought I would give it another chance because I wanted so badly to like it here. Both experiences were laughable. -food is not good and it's way overpriced. I honestly can not recommend one item out of the many items we ordered -the live music is a plus and the decor is interesting, but those are the only positive things -the staff is egregious, snobby and way too intense. I felt like I was being watched by somebody the entire time. Our server basically rolled her eyes when we asked to take our leftovers home and when I declined a drink the 5 times she asked if I wanted one (just a couple of examples of the many instances where I felt like I was being judged)..YEAH.. Not going back!
(1)
Jennifer L.
This place has too many rules. No dancing and no ordering drinks in certain places. Host/Hostess was nowhere to be found. Overpriced for the service too. The live music was good, though.
(1)
Dave B.
Great place, good food, solid bands. They lose a star only because every time I go they make me and whomever I'm with wait for "the last member of our party" to arrive before seating us at our table. Pretty frustrating. But they win me back once the apps come! But seriously, seat me. I'm not lying, there ARE 5 of us.
(4)
Dan C.
I am not sure what this place was, maybe the Tannery, but Beat Hotel is new to me since my last visit to Cambridge. It may also be in a basement, but it is huge. It also has an odd "hippie" theme that doesn't quite work for me, especially with aged filet mignon on the menu, but whatevs. The room is spacious and although I was there on a busy Saturday night (for drinks only), I was still able to find some space in the bar area and get a drink quickly and not be crushed while I enjoyed my cocktail. The staff was friendly and the prices are reasonable as well. There is live music here during dinner, too if you are into that stuff.
(3)
Anna G.
Beat Hotel, I had higher hopes for you when I suggested a Friday night gathering for dinner and drinks. At least you showed your true colors early, I suppose. Expensive drinks, limited beer selections and HORRIBLY OVERPRICED FOOD. We sat down and ordered tequila shots and cocktails to shake off the week. Fine, no huge issue yet. Then on to apps, we settled on the Bohemian Platter (dips and spreads and pickled things for the table). The waitress insisted that we order the large not the small. When this $23 selection arrived we thought it was a joke. We thought it was 1 of 2 or 3 plates that would follow. 4 scoops of dips on a tiny plate with some bland pita chips. We didn't even eat it so I shouldn't say bland but I want you to know what we were working with here. Also, when I say 4 scoops I mean small. I mean, I would eat that whole thing to my face in 5 minutes. I don't think Oleana or some of the really fabulous middle eastern places would charge you $23 for what was put in front of us. It was pathetic and we made that known. We didn't even order something else after that. We sent it back, asked for the check and hurried out of there to go somewhere else. On our way out the waitress whispered to me, "well at least we won't charge a cover". Lady, I would NEVER pay a cover to go back. Honestly, unless you are a tourist or enjoy forking over lots of cash for little return, please don't go here. There are so may other great spots in the neighborhood.
(1)
seth g.
I really enjoy the Beehive so when I heard about Beat Hotel I was intrigued. I went with a small group for dinner. I walked into the restaurant and said "Wow, this is cool". At the end of the night I walked out dissatisfied and angry. Dinner started out well. The waitperson went over the menu and made reccomendations. My initial Smoky the Bear mixed drink was delicious but the second was not mixed like the first and heavy on the vermouth. Our appetizers and entrees were good, although perhaps a little overpriced for the quality. Desserts were very good. However, as dinner progressed more and more staff attempted to clear our plates prematurely. Near the end of our meal the check was hastily dumped on the table before we were finished, really irritating me. If we had overstayed our time slot someone should have been gracious enough to let us know. The live muisc was very good. So good that we watched inspired couples start to dance together throughout the night. Those couples were systematically chased down by staff and instructed to stop. Then, at the end of the night, on the way out we were told to keep moving when a preson in our party stopped to put on her jacket before leaving. There's a no stopping zone down the central walkway. I probably would have been happy if I had had gone for wine or beer at the bar. In the end Beat Hotel felt impersonal and pushy. It seemed like a Disney establishment or Las Vegas hotel bar; well designed and made to feel you were having a good time, but rigidly managed and impersonal. It's too bad. Harvard square needs the type of place Beat Hotel is trying to be.
(2)
Danielle S.
I was excited when this place opened because the night-life around Harvard Square is sub-par in my opinion. The space is big with a good amount of standing room, which i love. The live music is also a plus. Overall, a nice atmosphere. They have a large selection of beer and wine on tap. You heard me right - wine on tap. In my opinion, if 99.9% of restaurants are not serving wine on tap, there is probably a reason. Despite my reservations, I gave it a shot. Meh. Not impressed. Because this is one of the newer places to go near campus, it's pretty jam-packed on most nights. At least once every week, classmates will suggest meeting up at the Beat Hotel. I like it all right, but there are other places i'd rather go.
(3)
Dave C.
Hard Rock Cafe's pricier, jazz-themed brand. Reminds me of the great theme restaurants of yesteryear: Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, etc. Exploits jazz and "beat" cultures as well as the customers wallet. Lots of security walking around with little bluetooth headsets, creating an environment that feels very uneasy.
(2)
M T.
I went to dinner and drinks. I originally wanted to bring a bigger group for dinner however they were very busy and I had to limit my dinner party. Therefore I compromised and decided to have an early dinner at 6pm and meet others at the bar 8:30pm. I communicated so much with the management the week before of my plans. After dinner, I was told that I would have the next bar table so I did not have to hover over tables as people finish their stay. They lied to me and the next table was taken by another group. I approached the staff again, they told me I could have the next table. A table became available and I checked with the host and asked if my party could occupy this table. He said yes and therefore I moved my party to this open table. Soon after, the host approached me to tell me that these bar tables were being used for dinner tables. He had made a mistake. . Then the host said that he would make an exception, a favor, however only 4 of my group could sit at the tables and the other members could not stand nearby. It was ridiculous to ask that I split up my party in the bar area. So my entire group had to evacuate these tables and go back to our original area. Management did nothing to accommodate my group in the bar. They seemed to accommodate others but not my group. All I that wanted was good customer services and not special favors. I guess I did not know how to earn the host's good favor. These bar tables are in the middle of the bar and are meant for people to sit and stand around. These tables are suppose to be bar tables on the first-come first serve basis. In fact I had asked if I could reserve these tables for dinner and I was told no. I had brought 15 people to their bar and restaurant. They had the power to help me find a nice comfortable place for my group and they refused. I was very disappointed and will definitely not return. The management seemed to be snobby and discriminate service to a select few. Otherwise, the restaurant has a artsy bohemian atmosphere and the music is good.. The food was a bit expensive.
(1)
P C.
Great vibe and music last night but the staff needs to chill out. We wanted to sit and asked a couple that had two seats available at thier table if we could pull the extra table away and sit. They had no issue with it. Along comes Beat staff and tells us you can't pull the table apart from the other. Silly silly worthless attitude!
(4)
N H.
The Beat Hotel is a fun place to get a drink, no doubt. The atmosphere is funky and the live music on the weekends is good. I would recommend The Beat Hotel for a drink. The Beat Hotel for a dinner experience? Not so much. My experience for dinner was disappointing from when I arrived. I went with a group of friends for my birthday. I made reservations in advance, arrived a few minutes early and checked in. Understandably, the table wasn't ready, so we hung out at a small table near the bar until it was. I noticed a large table had been cleared and set for some time (a little over 5 minutes after my reservation), yet no one had come and notified us. I had to go over to the hostess and ask about my table again, to then be notified that yes indeed that very table was for us and ready. Once we were seated, our waters were poured but the very last glass was only filled a third of the way since the pitcher ran out of water. Instead of the glass being promptly filled soon afterwards, I had to ask if this glass could be topped off when our server was taking our order. Having someone come over to top this glass off with water also took a long time. I was also disappointed by the food, especially given how much we were paying for our meals. My friends also brought a cake in with us and asked the server if they could serve it to us. We were notified that the restaurant has a $2/person serving fee. I guess some restaurants have this fee. Instead, my friends decided to order me a chocolate tart complete with a lit candle. When the bill finally came, to all of our surprise, we were charged for the tart. Most restaurants will comp a single birthday dessert. Overall, I felt my dinner experience was very disappointing, considering we were each paying at least $40 per person. The food was definitely not worth this much money, and neither was the service. I would not recommend The Beat Hotel for a nice dinner.
(2)
Joud K.
We came here on Valentine's night 2015. We arrived at 930 for dinner and they had already run out of 3 of their main items (out of 6!) I ordered the filet mignon medium well. I got a tiny piece of some overlooked stake - sucked! The music was nice otherwise I would give the place 1 star at best.
(2)
Frederic M.
I felt an obligation to write this review, as I was surprised to see the amount of negative reviews on this place. The Beat Hotel is a huge (underground) space in the middle of Harvard Square. I love how they decorated the place. There is a fancy bar and a stage to host bands. The Beat Hotel is not a cheap place, but it is a bit of an upscale place that is looking for the right balance between being fun, funky and stylish. I think they did a great job. It is the kind of place that Harvard Square so badly needed! Sure, they suffer from some children-diseases: service is ok but not excellent yet, the food is ok but could use a bit more refinement. But overall, I am very happy to finally have a place like that in Harvard Square. I'll definitely be going back!
Excellent dinner here with friends last week. Had duck as entree it was so good I think I had tears. Had the bread pudding for dessert it was very good..subtle..not overpoweringly sweet. The management seemed s little forced, extra vigilant which isn't a bad thing except they had no sense of humor. We joked with our waiter a few times but he was just too ..something. The hosts were equally taciturn. Take the edge off people...
(4)
Melody N.
As an fyi, we only came for drinks and music. They were playing live jazz music and we were able to get seated at a cocktail table. The bar was pretty crowded so it was good we were able to get a good view and get some drinks our way. Service was a little on the slow side at first but they were pretty tuned into when we needed refills once the ball got rolling. Mixed drinks were on the pricey side(running a little more than 10 dollars, and that would be for a cheaper end). I forgot the name of mine, but it was gin based, limey, and fizzy. It was really good and had good oomph. After watching "whiplash", hearing live jazz music was a treat. The food looked pretty interesting and sounded pretty organic but it looked expensive for a meal(mostly in $20 range). Overall great place for a night of lounge/jazz music and great place for drinks that isn't "i just turned 21, let's get shit faced' type of place.
(4)
Minju K.
LOVE THE INTERIOR DESIGN of this place! The drinks are amazing too! The only thing that hesitates me is the price....
(4)
Amanda M.
Service sucks here. It really sucks. Basically, here's how they operate: you walk in, put your name down, ask how long the wait is and get told it "looks good" you're the next table of four to be seated. They'll text you when it's ready. You wait 20 minutes. You see two tables of four get seated ahead of you. You check in with the hostess to see why this is. She tell you, oh, those people had reservations. Oh really, you say, then why did you lead me to believe I was next on the list for a table of four? She assures you that now, you really are next. No reservations ahead. You wait, 10 minutes, then 10 more. You watch a man approach the hostess and tell her she is grossly incompetent, that she has strung them along for over an hour, and they will never return. You start to get the feeling you won't be getting a table tonight. You inquire about the status of your table again. While doing this, you watch them seat people at a four person table they have now pulled apart to make two tables of two. You state your frustration. She continues to assure you that you really will be seated next. She refuses to give you a time estimate. It is at this point you convene with your group and decide to cut your losses, it's been close to an hour of waiting. You go to tell the hostess you won't be needing that table now, but she is nowhere to be found. You leave. You eat at another restaurant 75 feet away, with no wait, far better prices, and delicious food. You never do receive that text message....
(1)
Anna S.
Super cool place! It's sort of underground - literally - like you walk down a half-flight to get there. Very unique and kitschy place with all sorts of incredible artwork, lighting and accessories. We went for Sunday Brunch which had live jazz, and sat at the bar with Michelle our server/bartender. All the food was incredible - short rib lasagna, roast pork nachos, eggs Benedict and banana bread/cake for dessert. My ONLY complaints are that 1) as someone who isn't native to Boston, the pricing was really expensive and 2) my lasagna was not fully heated-through. All in all - FANTASTIC experience.
(4)
Jason N.
Nice casual restaurant with a really decent menu. We were recommended this place by the hotel staff up the road. After a little walk, we found this place in the middle of Harvard Square. We walked down the stairs into the cavernous room with a ton of people of all ages and a great Cuban band at the far end. It's really loud but a great ambiance and a fun vibe. They have a bunch of sustainable wines on tap and a good beer selection. The menu had some nice selections as well. We had the pork nachos for an app which were great. I had duck breast/risotto/greens and my co worker had the filet. Pretty good but the risotto was a little sweet for me. The staff was really nice and helpful and the pumpkin cheesecake dessert al la mode was unbelievable. Would definitely go back with a work group.
I wish I could give this this place five stars because I really thought it would be more popping than it was. Me and my gals went on a Friday night for the music and I just expected more. We listened to the first hour of music ready to buy drinks for the rest of the night but honestly, dare I say, it sounded like elevator music... For a Friday night? I did like my drinks though. I got the makers mark mixed drink which was really tasty. My friend tried a couple martinis which were sweet. The service was excellent and the manager personally checked in on us which I thought was a nice touch. That's why I'm giving you 4 stars instead of less. Might possibly try again but there's a few other live music joints in Boston that are much less boogey and more funky.
(4)
Helia Z.
Sweet baby Jesus, this place was good! I went for their bluegrass brunch with my mom and we were both in such a wonderfully delicious food coma by the time we left. It's pricey like it's sister restaurant, The Beehive, but the food and ambiance was much better and worth it. The bluegrass band was more enjoyable than the jazz one at The Beehive. I'm dreaming of honey-lemon pancakes and the Aztec bowl. So much yum.
(5)
Meg K.
First: I LOVE this place. The ambiance is great, the live music is super fun, and ohhh the buffalo cauliflower is what dreams are made of. However, I' haven't been back since they caused me a huge headache over my post-wedding brunch in May. You can read the full story in the previous review, but basically: 1) They promote themselves for large groups. 2) I called to make a reservation for a large group, 3) They said no, they didn't want to take a large group (EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD THE TABLE SPACE, 4) They never responded to my follow-up requests, 5) I ended up going around their event planner and just made four separate reservations to accommodate everyone in my party. It all turned out fine. When we arrived for brunch, they seated us at 4 large tables near each other (I think we had about 30 people in total). But the SUPER annoying part: their restaurant was half empty (or more). After this WHOLLEEEE thing and having them not want to accept my large reservation, they couldn't fill half of their tables. Wtf? If my group of 30 hadn't been there, the place would have been nearly empty. I'm the only reason they had any brunch business at all that morning-- but they were so worried about saving table space for their imaginary customers that they damaged their relationship with an existing one. Beat Hotel, if you're reading this: fire your event planner ASAP. She is losing money for your business. There's no need to make idle threats. I'll be back. I like the food, space, and music... but it's going to take a few more weeks for my temper to come back down.
(4)
Kimberly C.
I met a friend here for dinner and we had good service, tasty meals, and a cool crowd that was solid from 6pm past midnight. The Maine Sole with kale and peas was perfectly crispy on the outside, salty and savory. They offer 3 pouring sizes for wines, making trying a couple even more fun. A couple of pinots polished off my meal nicely. Hands down, the Beat Hotel is the best conversion of a former boot store, and brings some much needed energy to the Harvard Square nightlife.
(4)
Myrto B.
The food and drinks were great but I've never felt so rushed at a restaurant before! They would try to clear our plates and drinks before we were done. We went to have dinner and listen to music. If you knew anything about restaurants that offer live music.... It's not about turning tables. I'm sorry we took 2 hours to celebrate and eat dinner, but you don't have to push us out like that. If I wanted to eat a quick meal and leave, I would have gone to a fast food restaurant.
(3)
Monique S.
As a jazz lover, I am always happy to find new venues that are jazz oriented. The Beat Hotel is in the same spot where the Tannery used to be. I made reservations on open brunch for the jazz dinner. We arrived a little early and were seated at the bar. There, I had the French onion soup. It was warm and cheesy, and the bread was delicious too. Once we were seated, the waiter was very attentive. The manager was as well and even charged my phone for me! I had a burger, but it was very well seasoned and hearty. My friend had a vegetable plate and loved it. The jazz was cool. They were probably Berklee students. The music was a great backdrop to dinner.
(4)
Jerry S.
Ayayay! This place is awesome. Went last night after the World Cup game to celebrate and honor Bastille Day--there was no cover, a really hip decor, and a very talented Senegalese band! We tried some cool cocktails and sat right by the stage, eating delicious fried soft-shell crab, slow-cooked BBQ pork nachos, and some roasted duck! Yum. It's so cool because it's the same owners as the Beehive! It had people even though it was a Sunday--can't wait to go on a Thurs/Fri/Sat! Highly recommended.
(5)
Michelle S.
I'm a huge fan of the ambiance more than the food. It's casual but hip, lively, and uplifting. It's a great place to enjoy drinks/appetizers (rather than dinner) with friends. I came for a birthday dinner and had an OK experience. The atmosphere was definitely the highlight of the meal, which isn't a terribly good sign. I ordered the earth bowl with chicken and the ingredients were high quality and fresh, which I appreciated. It was pretty tasty but I believe that for a ~$30 dish, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere.
(3)
Paul R.
First time at Beat Hotel and we had a blast. Great ambiance, really funky decor. I didn't know that it is the same ownership as the BeeHive in the South End, another great place. Grabbed 2 margaritas, pulled pork nachos and the tuna spring rolls (which was an old Pho Republique dish). Great cocktails blended up by Michelle and the food was just what we wanted. Two huge bars make it easy to grab a seat. Only drawback was the nice weather and you are downstairs but I'm splitting hairs here. We will be back!
(4)
Barbara A.
I am at an age now where I don't wait in line for anything anymore - no movies, no new iPhones, and not hip and trendy restaurants. If I can not make a reservation, too bad for me. It was my birthday and my cousins wanted to take me out so they made a reservation here. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I have been in search of the perfect Sidecar and although it is not listed on their menu, any good bartender worth their weight can make one. While not perfect (not cold enough), it was pretty darn close - not too sweet, not to bitter. We decided to just order a bunch of appetizers and split them. We got the bbq spare ribs, crispy tuna spring rolls, pork nachos, and buffallo cauliflower. Every thing we sampled wsa pretty good. My favorite and the stand out dish of the bunch was the cauliflower. I know what you are thinking but it was delicious and I don't even like cauliflower. I am not sure if it was fried up but it seemed crispy somehow and had the distinctive buffalo sauce and the obligatory blue cheese dip. It was so good that I am actually drooling as I write this thinking about it. My second favorite was the crispy tuna spring rolls. I am still new to eating tuna (never been my go to) but I thought it was well excuted. The ribs and nachos were ok - of the two, I would probably order the ribs again because they fell off the bone nicely but the pork nachos were uninspired. While it is nice that they have valet, I believe it is over-priced. Any experienced Harvard Square parker will find a spot and if not, they do validate for some of the lots close by in the area and for way less than valet.
(4)
A.G. B.
Okay, this place is the bomb. Free jazz seven nights a week. Great cocktails and food...but I had really bad service here my first time visiting.. It was a guy with the worst body odor and halitosis known to man. If you're serving the public, you need to take care of this kind of thing...and if you can't recognize it, then the management should! That's just the beginning. Our server gave the duck tamale, when we had distinctly ordered the veggie option. Then, when the food server notified him, he came back up to our table and said "How is everything?"...pretending he had no clue what happened. He didn't even apologize. He didn't give us the dessert menu..just the check..we had to ASK for the dessert menu. We ordered it and the order came out wrong...on top of that he forgot our drink . He was lousy. I went back another time and we had much better service. I hope the management reads this and can let their wait staff know to wear under arm deodorant and suck on breath mints.
Great spot to have brunch. The ambience was lovely. The band was so good. The staff is super cool and hip. If it was just closer to me i would be here every Sunday. But is still very close to the Harvard square T station. Is very spacious insude and for that they have the capability to seat big parties.
(5)
Ann K.
For starters, the ambiance cannot be BEAT! Hand painted murals? Yes! Chandeliers? Yes! Strange fiber art hanging from the ceiling? YES! Add to that the live music (chill jazz on Sunday mornings!), friendly hosts and waitstaff (super accommodating and knowledgeable), and ample, comfortable seating, and you're well on way to a lovely dinner or brunch experience. Try the Vegan Bowl Azteca; I'm not even vegan, but the textures and the flavors are so intriguing and delicious, I order it almost every time. And the jazz brunch! What could be better? Try the Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes, which come with a huge helping of berry compote. My boyfriend recommends their eggs benedict!
(5)
Charles K.
Had my first date here a few days ago and I'd definitely recommend it. There's low lighting and a casual ambiance both of which I'm a huge fan off. Our waitress wasn't anything special but there's nothing to nitpick over on that end. School hasn't resumed yet so it wasn't as crowded or noisy so I had no issues holding up a convo and the music was stellar. Cons: - This place can be hard to find; it has a small sign that really doesn't stick out. - It is also quite pricey for both food and drink, so beware (With just two cocktails and an appetizer, I had already sunk $55)
(4)
Curt W.
OK. This is more of a place-holder then a full-on review because both times we've been here, they were walk-in situations with no reservations. Our mistake! Place seems to always be hoppin'. (Full review will come later when reservations are made and a sit-down meal is had.). But going by a few small bar plates, and their cocktails, I'm a fan, and recommend this place for something slightly different in Harvard Square. This is a good place for going for cocktails.....seems to be a big long bar down the side with lots of first come first grab seating. Good strong drinks that aren't too precious.
(4)
Joanna F.
Came back in last night. Atmosphere was bumping and it was crazy crowded. Still like the atmosphere a lot. So why the one star review? The bartender charged me $16 for two drinks, I gave him a $20 and he gave me $3 back (assuming I was too drunk to notice, I guess)? I didn't say anything and just left less of a tip. I mentioned this to some friends and the bartenders had apparently been overcharging every single person I talked to. So ridiculously unprofessional, and I'm fairly sure it's not legal. I will probably not be back.
(1)
Gabriella M.
Went here for dinner with my spouse one night. It was busy there, but the environment was nice and cool. Table service was horrible because we waited for BREAD which is a starter at any restaurant and we waited for nearly 20 mins when the waiter finally came the bread was cold. The meals were filling and worth the price, but not what we paid to be sitting around waiting all night for one server who was running probably nearly 4 tables on his own.
(2)
Francesca R.
Love love love. It's like the inside of my brain. Colorful, cheerful, jazzzzzz. We went for the brunch on a Saturday and it was brilliant. Three toddlers and all. The jazz was playing at the right decibel for a civilized conversation. The food was delectable, from the kiddie pancakes to the huevos rancheros. Can't speak for other times of day but the brunch kicks ass, takes names, and is kid-friendly while not skimping on adult quality.
(5)
Joe T.
What an experience! Where to start? Loved the decorations--tie die and glitter and the bathrooms are even better! Everywhere you look, you see something cool to look at, and that includes both decorations and a crowd of well-dressed people dancing. Awesome. A fun, exciting, loud band came and played beautiful, up-beat music right in front of us! The singer / bongo player sang in Spanish, so I struggled to understand what he was saying. But after each song, the trumpet player or singer gave an English translation of the general meaning of the song. I absolutely loved the mango martini. What!? They actually crushed up a real mango and put it in my drink!? It's unheard of luxury! This martini actually involves DRINKING A MANGO, which also has some alcohol in it. Really, really cool. Fabulous place for vegans! My girlfriend and I both loved the vegan bowls--she got the Inca bowl and I got the Earth bowl--with delicious triangles of tempeh and tofu, a million different vegetables and grains, and succulent sauces! Beautiful music, beautiful place, beautiful crowd, delicious food, and delicious drinks! This is great place to go if you want to feel like you're living the big city life. I think this just might be my favorite bar I've ever gone to... and it's in Cambridge of all places!
(4)
Lizzy S.
My favorite restaurant in Cambridge. I come here all the time -- after a long week at work, for brunch with friends, when we have to entertain someone from out of town. I always get some version of the Earth Bowl and a glass of Chandon. It's healthy, delicious meal. The staff are all unfailingly lovely.
(5)
Stu A.
Beat Hotel has a cool vibe to it - music playing through dinner, organic food offerings, wines on tap, etc. Unfortunately, while some dishes were very good, overall the food was just average. On the plus side, the burger was excellent - tasty, large and served with great fries. The other main courses in our group missed the mark - the portion size of sole special was small and the fish was dry (plus a request to remove mushrooms from the dish went unfulfilled) and the mussels were small/not meaty. Outside of the mushroom issue, the service was generally good. While we were aware that Beat puts a limit of 90 minutes on tables less than six, it felt like there was a clock ticking behind the scenes to push us along. When we go out to dinner we like to take our time, and while not overt, here we felt rushed One additional decision that needs to be made at Beat is about the music. The restaurant is long and deep and we were seated at the furthest point away from the stage. Maybe the music was loud up front but we could barely hear it, which was disappointing to us. Next time we'll let the welcome desk know we'd like to sit closer. Overall, we were expecting more from Beat, but at least on this night it didn't deliver.
(3)
Jennifer C.
I'd give it 5 stars if it wasn't for the horrible service we received. Our waiter Colin failed to put in not only our drink order but our dinner as well, then have us a half assed apology claiming it was "because I've been here since brunch bro." The food was delicious but the service makes me question if I'd come back again.
(3)
Aziz A.
Very nice atmosphere , very good food and grate music ..I have recommend it to many friends , they enjoyed it ..
(5)
Katie R.
Updating my review for another star because on a recent bar crawl for a friends life event Bryan the bar tender was pretty amazing and my friend liked this bar the best. Also pumpkin daiquiri. so there's that.
(4)
Craig Lee B.
Un peu de tour-de-siècle Paris, au cœur de Harvard Square! A subterranean treasure, with just a hint of subversion to go with. Bartender Brian, aka thebostonbarman at tumblr.com , is a scholar and a gentleman, and constructs a "Henry's Kid's Sister's Horse RADISH!" par excellence (see photo). I kept expecting to see Satie, Stravinsky, Nijinsky, Gris, Miró, Le Corbusier, Leger, Toklas, Stein, Braque, Cezanne, Cocteau, Modigliani, Chagall, Matisse, Apollinaire and/or Picasso (who supposedly once said something to the effect that "I COULD have painted like Rubens... when I was 15!")... to saunter in at any moment. And maybe they'll be there, impossibly or not, the next time I return (and it shall be soon, and with friends!).
(5)
Anya L.
My review is based on one visit for brunch. I should say that prior to this point, I visited Beat Hotel one or two other times and found the beer selection to be on par with other good places around Cambridge when considering variety and price. The proceeding review pertains to my first dining experience: A group of friends made a reservation at BH on a Sunday morning. We were forced to take an earlier reservation time as we were told that large groups were already expected at 11am. Okay, fine, so we take a 10am reservation. Once seated, drink orders were taken. And then we waited...and waited...and waited a bit more. It took awhile for our food orders to finally go in, which was a bit surprising because the place was not busy at all. On the plus side, the food came out quickly and almost all at once, which was appreciated. As to the food, I had the Azteca Bowl with poached eggs. The dish was good, but for $17, I definitely expected more. The dish lacked spice, and while it's nice to find a healthier option on a brunch menu, there wasn't much to make it a truly filling dish. Seeing how quickly several friends finished their meals, I sense that they also found their meals on the small side. Again, not so bad if the prices were less, but the cheapest dish was ~$15! That's quite hefty! Similarly, brunch drinks were crazy expensive. I wanted to order something fun, but the cheapest cocktail started at $11! Come on, now--it's one thing if you are serving a truly unique or different beverage, but if you are just combining a bit of champagne and OJ, you need not charge $11. I couldn't fork over that kinda money, and I have to admit, I'm glad I didn't after seeing how much I paid for the meal alone. So overall: ambiance is nice; service is cordial albeit slow; menu options are interesting but overpriced. If BH can balance price to performance, I think it will be a great Cambridge option. Until then, I'll likely just stop by for the occasional beer.
(3)
Allison L.
Hip without being obnoxious! I came here with friends for my birthday but it was too late to get a big reservation so we hung out in the bar area until we finally got a big enough table. The wait staff were rooting for us and gave us great service. The food was fantastic from beginning to end. For someone with food allergies, it can be hard to eat out, but there were so many great options.
(5)
Alyssa B.
Phenomenal brunch! Don't be put off by the slightly higher than average prices - the portions are huge! And this isn't your greasy diner breakfast, we're talking healthy, all-natural, top quality ingredients brilliantly paired for a truly enjoyable meal. Plus, who doesn't love live jazz accompanying your meal! The decor is fun and speakeasy-themed, the staff are friendly and attentive and the location can't be beat - right off the T. They change up the menu depending on what's fresh, but you can't go wrong with the veggie scramble. On this occasion, the eggs were scrambled with spinach, fresh mozz and something else that's escaping me. Served with a mixed greens salad topped with summer squash and lightly dressed with a vinaigrette, thick cut lightly buttered multi grain toast and the best breakfast potatoes this side of the Charles IMHO. Sliced long, extra crunchy, lightly salted and mixed with crunchy kale bits...potato perfection! Eat here immediately!!
(5)
Tamara W.
I really liked this place! Came here around 9 on a Saturday and had no issue getting a table or a place at the bar around 11pm when we returned from bar hopping other places. I didn't eat the food but the drinks were OK and could be made to be less sweet (i.e. they happily substituted the juice for seltzer in the tequila drinks). I for sure would recommend it; their bathrooms are CLEAN and the hostesses and waiter was really nice as well. Also, I loved how it was not loud. I don't like live music really or jazz for that matter so was happy that even though they have "music" and advertise as such it was just a normal bar scene where it was easy to enjoy conversation vs. loud music! Will be back if I ever come to C-Bridge from Boston again!
(4)
Karmen C.
Will definitely come again for the food and great vibe! I arrived on a weekday at around 5:30pm and the place was pretty empty but by the time I left all the tables were pretty packed! The service is great, but they do tend to be a little over attentive and ask you if you need anything every 15 minutes. We ordered the calamari and mussels for appetizers and these were pretty standard dishes. If you're in the mood for them definitely get them. For an entree I ordered the Salmon Aztec bowl (recommended by a lot of other yelp reviews) and was pretty happy with the dish - I would say it was a little too salty for my tastes though.
(4)
Michael F.
I had a great time here, so I went two weeks in a row. I went for the 10AM brunch. A live band played for us twice. It was great atmospheric music - nothing too overpowering. Brunch options were great. Every standard offering I enjoy was available, but with a slight twist that made it stand out. The burrito was flavorful, savory, and filling. The pancakes I got the next week were soft, sweet, and delectable. And the coffee wasn't bad, to top it off. Great brunches, great experiences. More than I could ask for.
(5)
Allison R.
If there's one thing I hate (and makes me decidedly American) at restaurants, it's waiting. I've been to the Beat Hotel twice and both times experienced pretty absurd wait times for either food to arrive or for the check. Both times, I sat at the back bar, and both times, drinks (and once, a large birthday cake) were awkwardly served between me and my friend. I ate there once and the food was fine, but we did order a dessert item (some kind of mascarpone/ricotta bowl with fruits) that was supposed to be garnished with balsamic, but was not. Otherwise, that dessert was fabulous, though. So points for the final course. Maybe it's just because it gets loud at the bar, but my most recent server didn't get me a water that I ordered (pet peeve) and didn't catch the guy wedged between me and my friend waiting with his tequila shot because he'd asked twice for a lime and salt and she didn't hear him. I've been sorely underwhelmed both times I've come here, and would really avoid it with so many options nearby.
(2)
Jasmine C.
I went for brunch and got the Greek yogurt, which was wonderfully thick but definitely overpriced in terms of how much fruit/granola I got to actually deal with the thickness of the yogurt itself. The vibe is very much like a bar, quite dark and not great for photography as well as quite uncomfortable, but it certainly fits a certain aesthetic.
(3)
Simon L.
The burger sits nestled in a fluffy bun. A perfect med-rare with aioli and crisped onions and plenty of juicy fat provided a wonderful combination. Lam ribs are smoked to tender smokiness. Sweet and crisped. Excellent. Tandoori chicken wings with chick peas are juicy and a bit on the firey side. A seafood cioppini ($23) bowl with tender scallops, giant shrimp, fresh mussels and calamari in a thick tomato onion and fennel broth is served with grilled french bread. An excellent lunch menu. An excellent service.
(4)
Cristina R.
What's better than a live music brunch to jazz up a sleepy Sunday? Extra points if it makes you feel super hip. Cue Beat Hotel. Beat Hotel is not a hotel at all. I know. CRAZY, right? Misleading names are hip. As is the space. The funky interior decor of the large room features hemp. Hip hemp. The stage is on the far end of the restaurant, so from where we were sitting the music wasn't too loud and provided a nice backdrop to our conversation. If you're more into the jazz part of jazz brunch, try to sit closer to the stage because I kept forgetting about the performers. The waitress arrives and says she's here to "guide us through our brunch experience." We're pumped. Every brunch should be an experience. My buddies' bloody mary's are savory and spicey. They dig 'em. I order some tea, but for some reason the waitress brings a third bloody mary along with it. She's confused and asks if we want it. "Well... I don't really need another one. Will it just be thrown in the trash if we don't take it?" asks my thirsty but broke friend ($10 for a b'mary - no matter how tasty - is no joke). "Probably" is the only response my friend receives. We don't want to straight up ask our waitress if it would be free, but my friend assumes so and agrees to take it. I mean, we can drink it if we really have to. And the food? Also hip. Classic brunch staples with a twist appear alongside more nontraditional offerings like bowls a la Life Alive in Central. I opt for the Inca bowl which features a nice mix of quinoa, avocado, greens, hominy, and other tasty morsels. You can pick your protein, and I opt for poached eggs. It's brunch, after all. The eggs were not runny at all, so I don't know what they think a poached egg is, but the mix of goodness was yummy, filling, and at least seemed healthy. A brunch slam dunk. My other friend enjoyed her soy-based Earth bowl, and my more traditional brunch copatriot dug into her American breakfast featuring truffled scrambled eggs, bacon, and skinny frites that rivaled McD's in tastiness with far more class. Triple hip. The check comes around, and y'all this place ain't exactly cheap. We're disappointed to see that that extra bloody mary was in fact charged. Not hip. We were deciding whether we should be annoying and ask about it, when a manager comes up to our table saying that she heard us say something was "obnoxious" and wanted to see if it was something to do with the restaurant. The walls have ears! Embarrassing. We then explain the bloody mary mishap, and she agrees that it shouldn't have been charged. It was so nice of them to go out of their way to make sure we were pleased with our experience (albeit a little creepy that they were listening to our conversations.. who knows what else they heard)! A nontraditional, hip brunch experience is waiting for you at Beat Hotel. The mixture of delectable food, funky ambiance, and soothing live music makes me wish it actually were a hotel so I could stay longer.
(4)
gina w.
I'm a fan of this place even if it's out of my way. thus, I don't get here often but I really like going here to hang in the bar area ...so fun!! such a good vibe here with the live music and comfortable but lively ambiance. Just visited for dinner the other evening and the service and food was very good. Didn't know what to choose and had the server describe two of the dishes: BBQ ribs and beef brisket ...both sounded wonderful but I opted with the beef brisket because it came with some broccolini.... Yum :) the salmon was so delicious ...seasoned and cooked to perfection - only had a bite but wish I could have had more. Also love the half glass of wine ...it was fun to try different ones. can't remember the cocktail but it's some kind of julep ...I have to come back for this cocktail next time!
(4)
Fred R.
Very cool, trendy environment with great drinks. Live music on weekend nights makes the atmosphere that much swankier.
(5)
Amy B.
This is a hidden gem in Harvard Square and the food is consistently delicious. Everything is always fresh and healthy. I highly recommend the bowl azteca and the fish tacos. You can never go wrong with the crispy tuna rolls. And if you aren't feeling adventurous, order the burger and you won't be disappointed. The specialty cocktails are tasty and refreshing and the servers are always smiling. Beat Brasserie has my vote!
(5)
Ashley C.
Honestly, love this restaurant. Went here with a few friends for the Sunday jazz brunch. The music was perfect, it sounded good, but it wasn't so loud that you couldn't have a conversation in a normal tone of voice (definitely a low point with some live music). The food was delicious, and I thought the prices were very fair for the amount of food you get! If I had to choose one issue, it may be the side salad that comes with many of the dishes. I thought it was potentially a little overdressed with the vinaigrette, so some of the greens were a bit soggy, but I still enjoyed it! Thanks for a good brunch!
(5)
Tin P.
Stop by beat hotel for a quick drink and some snacks with my long lost Boston hommies. I got American Breed as a drink since i love Whiskey and roasted pork nachos as a snack. Drink: It is a wonderful drink, you can taste the apple cider blended with a good old Maker's Mark Bourbon. Tasty. I devoured the first drink and quickly get the 2nd drink. Totally recommend this drink to any whiskey lover! 4 stars Food: The Nachos is above average. There were a bit too much cheese on the nachos, perhaps overwhelming. I am not a cheese lover, but not a cheese hater either. This is still little too much cheese. 3 stars! Bar decoration: The bar is beautifully decorated with the hip ambiance. I also heard there is a live music at night at this hotel. Awesome! 4 stars. Overall, 4 stars for beat hotel's brasserie bar
(4)
Karina L.
The atmosphere is kickass. Very hippie (read: beaded curtains before you enter the restroom), cool, jazzy, laidback vibe. Drinks are strong and tasty. The little of the music we caught was nice -- we went in around 7pm and the bands were switching. I would come here for after-work drinks and relaxation or a date and some appetizers. But, to say that our food was overpriced would be a bit of an understatement (bowls of quinoa and chicken for a whopping $23, etc.). I got the swordfish tacos, which were pretty tasty but the fish was overly salted and the tortillas a little tough. About 2/3rds of my plate was taken up by black beans. My boyfriend's seafood stew went heavy on the cheaper seafoods listed (whitefish, etc.) and had broccoli instead of the promised broccoli rabe.
(3)
Vanessa P.
I came here with a party of seven and it seemed like a really nice place with unique atmosphere and live music. I split a vegan bowl and the buffalo cauliflower with my friend. The vegan bowl was fantastic and the buffalo cauliflower was tasty as well but then I noticed the celery which was not washed which is completely unacceptable in any restaurant and the server was probably the coldest server I have ever encountered. As much as I liked the atmosphere and the food, I'm definitely not coming back here again, ecoli is not worth it.
(2)
Jeff W.
Get the Buffalo Cauliflower. Next time, we'd order more apps and treat them like tapas. Lots of great tastes on the menu.
(5)
Julie G.
LOVE the vibe here. Very eclectic decor accompanied by live jazz (which apparently I like). Quirky & delicious menu with great cocktails. A bit pricey, but worth it for a nice date night.
(4)
Dana L.
I stopped in this past weekend for brunch. I've been to The Beehive multiple times and have been waiting to try The Beat. The place is huge and extremely cute. Every detail was attended to when it comes to the feel-good hippy vibe. Braided hemp curtains as you walk into the bathrooms, colorful hand painted walls, support beams and art, and a jazz band jamming the morning away. The food doesn't disappoint either. We started with a huge piece of pumpkin walnut crumb cake and then feasted on steak, poached eggs and frites along with a massive burger with Gorgonzola, cheddar, and bacon. We left fat and happy, ready for am afternoon nap.
(5)
Kaitlyn H.
Expensive drinks. Cool ambiance. Can't believe how big the space is. Musical acts are great.
(3)
Maura S.
We made reservations for 12 people and were told we could not be seated at the same table due to the room set up. When we arrived, there were 2 tables of 6 set up next to each other but there were many options along the banquette to push tables together to make one table for 12 so I am not sure why we couldn't be accommodated. In addition, even though we were seated next to each other, we had two separate waiters and the timing of the meals and order were completely off. The food was mediocre at best, my lobster risotto special was luke warm when delivered and the lobster was tough...not what I expected for the special of the day. Lastly, we ordered a dessert for the birthday celebrant which took over 25 minutes to be served...not cool.
(1)
Ashley G.
GROSSLY overpriced is an understatement. A salad with grilled steak is $27. I wish I were kidding. Between apps, entrees, drinks and tip, be ready to spend $100 per person.
(1)
Laura H.
Wonderful bohemian atmosphere (imagine a chic Urban Outfitters, if that's your thing), a menu of healthy delicious options, great wine/cocktail list, and very knowledgeable and friendly staff make this a must visit in Cambridge. A tad bit pricey, but the dishes are suitable for sharing which takes the sting out of it. We split the earth bowl with chicken along with the highly recommended Black Birch Julep (which tastes a lot like root beer) and left full and happy.
(4)
Jonathan D.
Beat hotel has some great features. The wine selection, while pricy (it's that kind of place), is full of really great-tasting wines. I've had all of the reds, and you can't go wrong with any of them. Their entrees are fine, but the earth bowl is the way to go. The tuna spring roll appetizer is perfect. I've been here four times. On the fourth time, I did not sit, and I don't think I will be back. My friend and I arrived at about 4:45PM on a particularly cold and windy Sunday. We had went by Starbucks to grab some coffee to help warm us up, and done a little shopping. I had finished with my coffee, and she was almost done, but we both still had our cups. The conversation went like this: Me: "Hi, can we get a table for two, for dinner, please?" Her (Hostess): "No, Dinner doesn't start until 5:00." Me, after looking at watch: "That's OK, we'll just have a glass of wine or two at the bar while we wait." Her: "No, not with those cups." OK, I get it. No outside food (even at the bar?) - I knew going in that they might not like it. I would have completely accepted it, had we been given even just a hint of a smile. The woman seemed to be upset that we were there; she barely looked at us, and grimaced throughout the 60-second interaction. Next time, might I suggest something like: "I"m sorry, we have a no-outside-food policy and I can't seat you with those drinks. If you're done, may I take them for you?" I would love to go back here, but management really needs to train their employees to be more polite and work on their demeanor. Smile at customers; it's not going to kill you. Make eye contact. Otherwise, you come off as rude. And while the food is great, the theme of the negative yelp reviews for this place all have the same thing in common: the staff can be rude. That's especially bad when you're billing yourself as high-end, and trying to extract high-end prices. I understand you have rules, and I respect that. Just show me respect in return, and be pleasant to your customers.
(1)
Reza H.
There's much to like about the Beat Hotel, unfortunately there are also things that makes one take pause. Firstly, it's a great space (used to be the old Tannery). For those of you who like to eat at the bar, you'll be happy to find two of longest bars I've ever seen. Their food is quite good. We started with the Butcher's Platter and my signature dish Earth Bowl were both delicious. I also really liked the Petite Sirah there. Unfortunately, the service was a little sketchy at times. As I was waiting for my friends, I got a drink at the bar. When I asked for a wine taste, because I couldn't decide between two wines, the bartender curtly told me, "We don't give out free samples here" (wrong choice of words, me thinks). From there I was obviously paying attention. The primary server of our table was excellent, she was friendly, attentive and efficient, but some of the other supporting staff could've been better. Like the one bringing drinks to people who already had drinks and ignoring those who did not. Or another staff who spilled water on our table only to bring a towel so we could clean it ourselves. We all thought it would've been great when we got the Butcher's Platter if someone pointed out what each items were. In their defense, the restaurant is only two months old. No doubt they'll work out the kinks.
(2)
Karen D.
This place fills a hole for Harvard Square. I'm reviewing my overall experience, but can't comment really on the food yet. My BF and I stumbled in here late on Saturday. First, we were given a warm greeting at the door. I was really surprised at how big the space was since the old Tannery was cramped and small. The decor is shabby chic and the place had a really cool vibe. We were lingering at the bar which was full when an employee came over and offered us a table. We got a nice little table with a good view of the stage. The band was on break, so we had no idea what type of music it was. It was well past dinner, so ordered a snack. Skimming the menu, most of it is up there in price, so the food would have to be excellent to be worth it. I did see some burgers being served and they looked fantastic, so I would go back another time to try one. Our server was very friendly and we ordered cocktails and the buffalo cauliflower. The drinks and the dish were great. The band came on and I was really impressed. They billed themselves as Brooklyn funk and instead of just having a nightcap, we stayed until the end of the night. It's nice to have a place you can wander into without a cover charge and check out some decent music and decide to have just a drink or to make a night of it depending on your mood. When we left, the person at the door thanked us and said she hoped we enjoyed our evening, which is a really small think, but gave me a lasting impression that made me glad I spent my money there. I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)
Lauren P.
I love the Beat Hotel, especially when getting brunch. The food, coffee, drinks from the bar and live music are excellent. This past time I was there however, our server Gabriel was disappointingly rude. He very obviously only made eye contact with one of us and when addressing the table only spoke to the one person. He never asked how any of the others at the table was enjoying their meal and was very inattentive overall. all other people working there, were very friendly and engaging. I would recommend that he work on this as a server.
(3)
Richard C.
The folks behind The Beehive in the South End opened up the Beat Hotel in Harvard Square and pretty much made a similarly delightful burger. The Prime Burger ($15) is a tall one, staring right back at you like many classic pub-looking burgers before it. The menu offers no hint of what's to come, but after digging a little deeper I learned this burger comes with a Port Wine aioli, crispy tobacco onions, served on a Hi-Rise potato roll and a side of vinegar slaw. Interesting that none of that is listed on the actual menu and even more interesting that I probably found it more favorable before I learned all that, since you could barely taste any of it. But I digress; it's forgivable because it's quite delicious no matter how you slice it. The beef and the beef alone is the clear star of this burger. It may seem obvious but too frequently burgers are engulfed by too many toppings and misguided choices of buns and accompaniments. There is no hidden agenda regarding the Beat burger: it's beefy, thick, juicy throughout, and seasoned just about as flawlessly as you can get. Grill marks give it some decent char, which creates a bitter element that works well to counteract the big, bold, beefy flavors that are fully represented. It is cooked to medium-rare mostly across the board and those juices are slow and steady, seeping into the bun which is sturdy and holds it all in. At first glance the bun looks like an oncoming train-wreck because it appears much too tall and thick. However, despite being over-toasted with a crunch that is borderline excessive, the bun is actually light on the inside and ultimately is a wise choice for those aforementioned juices. Melted cheddar (an extra 50 cents) is assertive, very pronounced, and easily worth the price of admission. The aioli was nowhere to be found, and I'm still convinced it was not even on there, and a few sprinkles of not super crispy tobacco onions end up mushy under the bun and pressed up against the patty. The side slaw is refreshing and light, high on the vinegar and not a bad couple of bites after such a rich and decadent burger. A side of fries are similar to The Beehive; thick slices are presented differently from the norm and are crazy crispy and even crazier on the salt content, bordering on much too salty but definitely better over than under seasoned. The burger at the Beat Hotel isn't necessarily original but it hardly matters. I'm, okay with the $15 fee because you can tell the quality of the beef and it is executed the right way. The fries, slaw and bun work their magic but the beefy, salty and juicy burger that is the showcase really comes through.
(4)
Sue M.
I've been for dinner and brunch. Sat in the bar area for dinner and liked the atmosphere both there and in the dining area. Food is very good. Prices are on the average to high side (especially for veggie type dishes). There are lots of dining/drinking options in Harvard Square -- this wins points for a unique atmosphere.
(4)
Tracy L.
We went back to the Beat Hotel--this time for dinner with some local friends. I'm happy to say our experience was much improved. The staff we incredibly friendly and the service was much better--much warmer than last time. The food was very good too (we had the buffalo cauliflower to start, which was delicious. I had the earth bowl--which was a huge portion!) And, the atmosphere was excellent (nice light jazz music, the perfect volume for talking). I ordered a cocktail--and it turned out well. I'm giving four stars only because of the cost--it's still a bit expensive--but makes for an enjoyable evening!
(4)
Nicole C.
Between The Beehive and Beat Hotel, The Beehive wins by a large margin. I went here for Saturday brunch when a very "meh" jazz band was playing. We, a party of two, were told there would be a wait of 15 minutes, even though they didn't look busy. In total we waited closer to an hour, but the hostess was apologetic all throughout and provided updates and explanations for the delay. The layout and atmosphere of Beat Hotel is nothing like The Beehive, which I can best describe as "intoxicating" -- dark, comfortable, and utterly romantic. Beat Hotel has an elongated, partitioned layout that made for a weirdly disconnected and uninviting feeling. Our seating section felt miles away from anyone else in the restaurant and was frankly a little depressing. Beat Hotel's saving grace is that their food is on par with The Beehive's. Only thing I got kind of aggravated with was that they were short-staffed and refused to make substitutions that would accommodate my ridiculous diet. We ended up getting the tandoori chicken wings (UNREAL) and a skirt steak salad that was unique and tasty, with unusual additions like cauliflower that actually worked. But. If I'm going to pay these kinds of prices, I'd feel better spending the money on the full experience at The Beehive -- not just food, but better music and better atmosphere.
(3)
Karishma R.
I went to Beat Hotel with a few friends on a Saturday night, and I would have easily given them 5 stars if not for a few kinks with the service. The food, for one, was out of this world. The swordfish tacos were amazing, and my friends were raving about the Earth Bowl. The salads looked unbelievable as well, although I didn't get to try them this time (but can't wait to when I go back!). The vibe of the restaurant itself is super fun, even down to the bathrooms (which have Kerouac quoted on the walls in keeping with the name). Our waitress was great, but the food was extremelyyy slow. So slow that the manager came out to apologize. Also, they accidentally charged a random amount $60 more than our actual bill to my credit card (but they did apologize and voided it). They also have a convenient valet service for $18. All around, a great dinner, and I think I would rank this place above their sister restaurant the Beehive. Will definitely be back!!
(4)
Mike I.
The decor was quite nice. Very Aztec. The bathroom was tolerable. The service at the bar was awful. We waited for about fifteen minutes, with 6 bartenders all wandering around serving drinks at a glacial pace. After being winked at by the barman a couple times then being completely ignored for a drunk order, we have up and left. Don't worry about us filling up your busy bar again
(2)
Megan A.
Love this place, staff is always helpful, had dinner with my friends yesterday and loved the live music that they play on the weekends. Would def. recommend it!
(5)
Kevin A.
Not awful, but a little lackluster. Food: Appetizers were good. They were creative and well thought out. However, the entrees were less impressive. I'm used the the price point, but the food seemed to be more trying to masquerade as being more fancy than it is. Some of the prices on the food were a little aggressive. Drinks: Really underwhelming. Harvard Square has many good places to get a drink. I thought the cocktails lacked creativity. $13 for a basic cocktail is a bit meh. The cocktail menu definitely did not imply much exciting was going on behind the bar. Wasn't bad, just a little lackluster. For $50/person, you can find some other great options nearby. Our server was nice though.
(2)
Liz L.
Fantastic for drinks! Lots of wine (on tap!!!!) choices and some great drink ideas. The decor is great - funky, upscale hippie chic vibe. Live music every night, but not loud, overbearing music, more like live background hum? This is a perfect place to bring someone you want to convince that you are effortlessly cool. I enjoyed the food - lots of choices, all well-prepared, beautifully plated, and delicious. The thing is, it is expensive to eat here. Just a little more expensive than the restaurant calls for, you know?
(4)
Rob G.
Fantastic food, really fun environment, fast and attentive service, but I think the best part is the innovative menu. Every time we go, we get to try something we've never had before and we have yet to be be disappointed.
(5)
Arthur D.
I am sitting at this bar right now and felt inclined to write a review. I don't write many reviews but figured I would forget or get lazy later. Bad service - served a lamb nacho (which sounds amazing) with barely any lamb. It tasted like an Applebee's Unfriendly staff - bar tenders didn't smile. They were not friendly and acted like I am wasting their time. Also made a bad manhattan which is hard to screw up. We are with a friend in a wheelchair and asked for a table or area where we can go to and they never came back to answer us... Thanks for nothing. I will not return which sucks because It looks nice inside.
(2)
Ricardo E.
this place was really cool. great place to meet with friends. staff was friendly. i sat at the bar with some friends, bartender monica was very helpful (versatile) describing the menu, and the wine list. we had a blast! i dont think this place is pricy specially if the bartenders (staff) help you order. food drinks, ambience were awesome!
(4)
Kaitlyn O.
I love the vibe of this place. And I think there menu is refreshing - its full of vegetables with health protein add-ons. I would say the food is good but not great - so the four stars is for the great variety of (seemingly) healthy options and all the great vegetables and the cool vibe. It can be loud though, as there is often live music, so if you aren't into then you won't like the vibe.
(4)
Jessica M.
It's been far too long since I've gone to a restaurant for the first time and have come out raving. Walking into this place, I was pleasantly surprised at how much bigger it is than I thought. I was also impressed by the comfortable-yet-stylin' bohemian decor. And this was before even trying the drinks and food! The wine list by the glass is extensive, and you can choose to try a half glass if you are the indecisive or experimental type. Though I did not order mixed cocktails, they looked delicious! I had the earth bowl with skirt steak as my entree and was wowed by the meal. The combination of flavors and variety of vegetables was incredible. Those I was with also enjoyed the duck and the swordfish tacos. I would order the earth bowl again and again! Our dinner was accompanied by live music and excellent service. Thanks to the Beat Hotel for a great night!
(5)
JLH ..
Ok, the reviews are here are all over the place, but this is without a doubt, the best place in Harvard Square. It's a simple as that. Yes, the drinks are pricey. That's what you encounter when you go to an upscale restaurant and lounge with free live music and incredible and unique atmosphere right in the center of a major tourist attraction. It's everything I want in a night out. I was taking my mom here who's visiting from out of town and she was blown away. Everything from the stage to the bathroom stalls are breathtaking. We only came for appetizers and cocktails, so I can't comment on the dining portion, but our server Amy was really a gem. She was so sweet and it was obvious she was passionate about her job and the menu. The super friendly and funny female manager also made a point to drop in and say hi. Being open till 2 am doesn't hurt for the late night crowd who rarely has a place to go after the usual 1 shut down in Boston! Go here.
My new go-to brunch spot. The ambiance is amazing, plenty of room and a variety of seating (tables, high tops, long tables, bar seats) close to or distant from the music. Decor is pretty spankin nifty and our service was spectacular. We enjoyed boozy brunch cocktails (bloody marys and mimosas, duh) and great food for our meals. The live jazz was perfect (and the musicians were pretty cute) and made me feel oh so relaxed! I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Brittany O.
I've been here twice, on two separate Saturday nights. The first we spent the evening at the bar with a group of friends and had a blast listening to the music and drinking away merrily. After perusing the menu but not ordering anything, I knew that I would be back to try their food everyone so raves about. The second time around my other half and I made dinner reservations at 9:15 pm on a Saturday night. We were sat pretty close to the live band. You can easily bring a group of 8-10 here and sit at The large round tables. Ryan had their lamb dish and I tried their Inca bowl. Not a single complaint other than I couldn't finish it all! The prices are high, but you absolutely get your money's worth. The band that was playing that night (Karma Exchange) really set the mood and we were living every minute of it. We didn't leave our table four three hours and finished out four/five rounds of drinks with their nachos. The service was beyond fantastic. Our waitress (Jen I believe) was on top if everything and had great suggestions for drinks. We will definitely be back here again in the near future! So far I've recommended it to three or four close friends who also agree that this is a fun/quality spot. Keep up the great work!
(5)
A G.
This place is amazing! Large ample area with rows of tables and live jazz music. Nice set up plus a good location. Now about the rest: The wine list is super expensive so you are doomed to drink the small carafes of wine that are going for a good penny too. Besides, you don't even get to see the bottle and remember what you drank. So the wine loses its name. The food was ok. Service was mediocre with small amounts of bread for example one 6 inch piece of bread for 4 people! Luckyly another waiter came by to rescue us with two more small pieces of bread. As for ambience it looked like the neo yuppies like it.
(2)
Elena H.
This is one of the strangest bars I have ever been to, it felt like a bar modeled after a prison. - security guys monitoring everyone - no dancing policy - can't push tables together - no standing policy, must sit down at table - bartender escorted one member of our group out for appearing drunk This places makes you paranoid about your every movement. They are control freaks.
(2)
Robert A.
When I first heard about this place I thought it was located in a hotel. I had gone for a birthday party & so glad I stopped by. Love the Ambiance , Food, Cocktails ,the service & the live music, the whole set up. Two huge bars great seating space & lighting. The place is has a very cool concept and great decor. I have been here on two different occasions and they've had live music both times. So glad a place like this exists in Boston.
(5)
Lynn C.
came here to meet a large group. nice atmosphere with cute chandeliers everywhere! loved the live music scene ... they were playing some version of song from Little Dragon! Only 4 stars bc the bartenders were inattentive and seemed uninterested in taking orders. the cocktails sound intriguing - but ended up tasting very generic and sugary.
(4)
Mandy C.
There are few times in life when an amazing experience can be ruined by a terrible employee. The venue and the vibe of this bar exceeded my expectations. I stayed for a few hours and had a great time until I went to the bar for last call and waited...and waited... The bartender was very aloof and I spent ten minutes patiently waiting for my last beer. When the bartender finally came over I was told that the bar was closed and I couldn't get a drink. I explained that I had waited for ten minutes patiently and he was very dismissive. He then proceeded to serve other people after close while I stood there waiting. I asked him why he didn't want my business but he was willing to serve others and he became really aggressive, unprofessional, and rude. Until someone appropriately trains the Beat Hotel employees, myself and my 30 friends who came with me will no longer patronize this bar. This bartender is simply unbearable in his current state and you as a customer do not deserve to be treated like a second class citizen.
(1)
Kate B.
I really liked Beat Hotel- it's super chic and the decor is flawless in that "Edie Sedgwick used to hang out here/pampered hippie sort of way," which I personally adore. Service is phenom- friendly, helpful, and professional, and the music is awesome. The food leaves a little to be desired, unfortunately, which is why only 3 stars. Although the buffalo cauliflower is the stuff dreams are made of, the Salmon bowl I got was pretty bland, and my husband's steak wasn't awesome. It's a bit overpriced for what it is. Drinks, however, are smashing!
(3)
Ben R.
Seems like management must've gotten the message, and they've seriously upped the customer service game. Looking forward to lots more great times here!
(4)
Anne-Marie A.
Great vibe, good food -- nice ambience, made even nicer by the attention of Christa Phaneuf, Restaurant Manager who not only knows her stuff (food, wine, etc.) but stops by to check in, make sure everything is "great" -- without being intrusive. And, the little "sweet" she sent at the end was just a lovely touch. Christa made our evening all the better --
(4)
Karah R.
Met a friend for brunch here at 10am, so no wait, but I bet having a reservation is the way to go, as the restaurant filled quickly. Had very attentive service. I ordered the bowl Azteca with poached eggs. It was FANTASTIC! So so so many great flavors. And lots of variety of vegetables in the dish- corn, squash, spinach, green beans, tomato, radishes, jicama. I would eat there again when I revisit Boston. Lovely jazz too.
(5)
Fausto C.
Went to this place to have some good time listening to a local salsa band but instead it was very disappointing, not only I was not allowed to dance but couldn't even stand next to my seat to pretend I was dancing. I was constantly harassed by security, later I found out they kicked out a couple for standing. I have no idea why would a club bring a salsa band and don't allow any dancing, specially when they have plenty of space available for dancing. Oh did I mentioned I spent $200 that night, I took the punishment because the band was great, Mango Blu
(1)
Brian D.
So, now I've been to Beat Hotel. I've officially had an alcoholic beverage in pretty much every conceivable location in Harvard Square aside from the alleyway in between the former Casablanca and the Cambridge Center for Adult Education with the fauxmeless (faux-homeless) kids who call that home for the warm New England months. Mark my words, eclectic but not really sure what makes a 'beatnik' experience. I mean, they accept credit cards, nobody is getting high and not a single person was dressed in black snapping fingers to spoken-word poetry. That being said, Holy Lamb of God - the pulled lamb nachos are awesome and I declare them to be (without having had tried anything else on the menu) the winner of best item on the menu. And, from the look of things, one of the best values on the menu. That was another - non beatnick observation - Holy Capitalist Price Gorging! The scenery is a bit weird. I'll give or take a star for that. Sort of like 'Austin Powers' meets 'abandoned former retail space'. Seems sort of thrown together. I feel like they are definitely going someplace with the look but it's a bit too forced-hippy vs. beatnik. I'll some this up in true beat-style....man..... Beat... Hotel... is....for the..... cats and kittens with fat wallets, jack.... come on in... and... pay... for... nachos... I'll...be back, for more... nachos... (finger snapping)
(3)
Michelle D.
Went to The Beat Hotel with about 15 -20 co-workers for a going away gathering, you know a bunch of folks get together for drinks and appetizers. The space was great - one of the larger, not crowded spaces in the square. Nice bar, good tall tables in the bar area - good for gathering with larger groups. BUT You had to have a waiter and one tab at the tall tables. This would have been OK if the waiter was not so overwhelmed. It was hard to have people order, get drinks in a timely manner, and pay as they left early. A tough set up for parties where people were coming and going through out the evening. The other drawback was the prices. HOLY COW! $16.50 for a hamburger? $10 for an appetizer sized chowder? Seems a little steep - at least offer more of a range. Also I wanted to get fries as an appetizer/side and was told I could not, even though there were plates of fries coming out with the hamburgers. All in all a good atmosphere, fancy menu, and high food prices. Would I go back - maybe if some else wanted to, but probably not on my own.
My friend and I stumbled upon this place while walking around Harvard Square, so we decided to go in for their "Santa Brunch," which seemed to be their regular music brunch + Santa wandering around greeting people. We loved our whole experience here, from their eclectic decor and lovely music (how often do you get to hear live strings?) to the dishes we shared. Mmmm the french toast and meat omelette were both delicious, and their frites were possibly the best fries I've ever had.
(4)
Amy W.
Maybe my expectations were a little too high, but this place didn't blow me away. Upon walking in, I was impressed with how different the decor is from any other establishment in Boston/Cambridge. As a purple fanatic, I loved the lighting and chandeliers, and the waiters and waitresses were all impeccably dressed. The hostess was beautiful and very welcoming and friendly. We had also called about 10 minutes before our arrival because we were going to be late for our reservation, due to traffic, and the man who answered the phone was very understanding and relaxed about it. Despite all of the purple, the atmosphere is still a little strange because the restaurant is so large and open, and almost has a weird, cafeteria-esque feel to it, due to how open and - I don't know how else to say it - flat the dining area is. Everyone is sitting on the same level, which makes it louder than I like, especially considering I was there at about 6:00pm, which is very early, and typically the time where you'd be able to easily have a conversation with your dining mate. I felt like we were forced to talk at a significantly raised volume, and like we were competing with those around us. The place was packed, so it's obviously doing well business-wise. I ordered the Earth Bowl with shrimp and would not order it again. The shrimp was great, well cooked and seasoned, but the rest of the dish was very bland and dry. Most of the veggies were hard and undercooked, and the rice pilaf had no flavor at all. My friend ordered the chopped sirloin with mashed potatoes and peas, and while it looked filling and satisfying, it was too small to be worth the ~$25 she paid for it. If I had seen a dish that wished I had ordered instead, or came across a great Groupon or something, I might give this place another chance, but $50 (my entree and one glass of red wine) is a high price to pay for the underwhelming experience I had here.
(3)
Emma S.
I had no real expectations coming here. I was definitely surprised at the decor; it feels kind of hippie and casual, and is a huge dining room, which to me is all good. We came for dinner, and were sat right on time for our reservation. I ordered a cocktail that sounded unusual; I asked the waiter about it and he said, "You either love or hate it. I hate it." I decided to live dangerously, and loved it (it was really strong!). I really appreciated his honesty and willingness to take time chatting about it with me, even though the place was packed. The food was excellent too, with a really varied menu that is accessible for vegetarians. They have these quinoa life-alive inspired bowls that are healthy, affordable, and looked delish (a friend got one of those). Would definitely come back here too!
(4)
Melanie F.
The lamb nachos were delicious. I have never heard of such a menu item and HAD to give it try I was not let down! My entree was the pork chop and it was quite a meaty serving I was overstuffed after the nachos. Debbie was a helpful and charming server who showed me and boyfriend a great first time.
(5)
Voravut R.
Almost every aspect of this establishment was off putting. We choose to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday at midnight here. The music & atmosphere drew us in but immediately after having our IDs checked the trouble began. A manager stopped us on the stairs on the way down & declared that his establishment is a classy place for adult & told us he would not stand for any boisterous behavior like high fiving, hooting or hollering. Mind you that even though my friend was turning 21, most of the party was well versed in adult beverages & our ages reflected that. Our party looked passed it & headed to the bar to start celebrating. The bartender seemed not to know how to pour a drink. It took him over 5 minutes to take 7 drink orders & most of them were beers. Again we looked passed this & headed to a table, of which there was many. Strange for a Saturday night but a nice surprise. We settled into a few tables & after a few minutes a hostess came over to tell us that these tables were reserved for table service only. Once again not trying to harp on the negative we requested menus to fulfill the request of the hostess. Fast forward 15 minutes, no menus, not even one server came to ask us for anything, no water, no refills on our clearly empty glasses, just dirty looks. Some of the worse service I have ever had anywhere. Now for the few positive notes, the initial staff member who checked our ID was very nice & congratulated our newly anointed 21 year old, the music was pleasant & the atmosphere was nice but the way we were treated, scolded & ignored would lead me to say that I will never revisit or recommend this establishment to anyone. Fortunately we walked to Charlie's instead & had a great time.
(1)
Jacqui M.
Wish I could give a rating of 0 starts. I came here with a friend last Tuesday night. I ordered the mussels and frites (which were okay) while my friend ordered the burger (which he liked). Unfortunately I spent the rest of the night sick and in the ER due to food poisoning which they found was due to seafood. I called the management to at least see if I could get a refund on my meal and they refused. This restaurant has the WORST customer service and I will never come back.
(1)
Geoff P.
Phenomenal place that is not a hotel at all but a restaurant with terrific food and drinks. The woman I was with started off with a fresca cocktail while I had a mango margarita. We then sampled some of the different wines they had on the menu-- the waiter was a terrific help here. The food was amazing. I had the blackened swordfish tacos, and she had scallops (I am not a scallops fan, but she thought it was great). Overall great atmosphere for a romantic dinner and the service was excellent. Also I am not usually a jazz fan but really enjoyed the different sets here.
(5)
Peter D.
Great drinks, service, and atmosphere! Would gladly recommend for dinner, drinking, or partying. Oh, and the music was awesome.
(5)
Holly A.
First things first, this is the first review I have ever written, The Beat Hotel bothered me this much! I had been interested in going to the Beat Hotel for a while, so because the restaurant was participating in Boston's Restaurant week I thought it would be a good time to go and get a nice sample of their menu. When we arrived they made no mention of Restaurant week and had no set 3 course menu for the advertised $33 (on Boston Restaurant Week webpage). When we asked the waitress if the restaurant was indeed participating she explained that they do not do anything special but the menu items highlighted in red would get you to the price. This still confuses me because it was supposed to be 3 courses for $33 but my appetizer and main equaled that and our bill still seemed like $30 more expensive than it should of been. Okay, well not what I expected. What they had was just lame, french onion soup, house salad, side salad. I ordered a side salad. What came out was just wrong. It was romaine lettuce with a few tomatoes and sliced radishes and what tasted like Kraft Italian dressing. I should mention that earlier that same day I had gone to Grafton Street in Cambridge and had an awesome side salad that featured micro greens, blue cheese crumbles, a sliced pear and a delicious vinaigrette, for $1 less I might add. As for our main course options, all lame again, a uninspiring pork chop, mussel frittes and a basic no meat added Inca or Earth bowl. I settled for the Mussels and Frites. The fries were great, they were seriously over salted but as a person who can deal with too much salt on her fries I forgive it. The mussels were okay, I could not figure out how I felt about the broth they were in. I ended up leaving a lot of mussels in the bowl, which is not something I would normally do. Dessert was god awful. I had their deconstructed cannoli. Gross, no other word, just nasty. My boyfriend ordered the chocolate cheesecake, which was okay, it tasted great compared to my cannoli but nothing special. Overall I felt that while the ambiance is cool and the bar, a nice looking place to meet some friends for a drink, the food was SUCH a let down as was the menu and I felt like what we got for what we paid for was a huge scam. I will not go back for dinner or any other meal again.
(2)
Steve B.
Meh. The food looked good and the drinks were good, but everything was overpriced by a bit and I really didn't like the wide open layout it made the place feel cavernous and made it easy to notice all the empty seats.
(3)
Brian H.
I've been here twice and both visits were just amazing! The staff is super friendly and the music is so fine! I had the braised beef lasagna with a few cocktails. I've always been a fan of The Bee Hive and I was more impressed with this place.
(5)
Ed D.
Great service by bartender Andrew from Kansas City. The drinks are awesome and there's a great variety. The atmosphere is very cool. Eclectic decor. Had drinks and appetizers at the bar. Duck meatballs, octopus and shrimp salad, oysters and mussels were all delicious!
(5)
Jordan M.
A few weeks ago we came into the Beat Hotel to enjoy some live jazz music and an afternoon cocktail. We were promptly greeted by our bartender, Michael Kane and little did we know we were in for a treat. Michael was the best bartender I have been served by in my life. He was educated, entertaining, polite and friendly. He made our experience so much fun and unforgettable, we now plan to make a point to visit Michael in the future. Michael is the text book definition of an all-star employee and if I owned a restaurant I would have done anything to get him to work for my company. Beat Hotel, you are very lucky to have him! He is the kind of employee that will keep your customers coming back for more! We will be back for sure because of our amazing experience with Michael.
(5)
James S.
I came here for an event that was booked and reserved several days ahead do time for a corporate outing. The manager and bouncers refused to let us in. Why? Because they had sat people in our section and did not have anymore room. They made up several stupid reasons why we couldn't get in but all I had to do was pull up the emails I had with another manager on my phone to prove them wrong. They got belligerent and acted very childish and refused to give names when I asked them. The best part was the place wasn't even that busy, they just spread the guest out in the restaurant. I will never come back here and suggest trying any one other restaurants around.
(1)
Janet Y.
Decent food and nice live entertainment. What really left a foul taste in my mouth was our openly rude waitress. Inattentive service is one thing, but repeatedly slamming drinks down is really unacceptable behavior. I have no idea what we did to offend her, but even then, how is acting unprofessionally going to help the situation? If I needed to be talked down to, I would just go to a bar in Back Bay. Of course, she was nicer towards the end of the meal. Oh, so now this jerk is thinking about her tip? Should've thought about that when we got seated. I wanted to talk to a manager, but my friends didn't want me to "embarrass" them. Sorry, but when service is really bad, something needs to be said. At least there's Yelp!, I guess... It's too bad because we did enjoy the food, especially the duck entree and mussels appetizer. But if you get the artificial red-head waitress, have fun testing your patience! That woman is a disgrace to the generally overworked, underappreciated food service industry workers who can perform their jobs without behaving so repugnantly.
(2)
Buda M.
The place just reopened a few days ago. We made a reservation for 30 people. Even though the bar was half-empty, they made us wait in front of the bar just to create a fake impression that the place is popular. When asked for clarification, the guys were just enjoying the role of authority. Another nonsense for the new place were prices: everything is at least 30% more expensive than in other places. ($10 for french fries??!) I don't know about the other customers, but this bar will not see many of HKS students again.
(1)
William M.
This place deserves every single star. We got a reservation for 4 on a Thursday night ( this place is hopping all the time, apparently!) and when we showed up almost 20 min early the table was almost ready for us (even though all tables were full). Service was great, fast and attentive. We ordered lasagna, earth bowl, a hamburger, and two appetizers, lamb nachos and shredded brussels sprouts with smoked salmon. EVERY SINGLE THING WAS DELISH!! A note on the appetizers: do not assume they are half the size of the regular entrees. They're not. It was like getting two separate entrees - they were HUGE! Especially the nachos. I was kinda confused since they were half the price of the reg. entrees. But not complaining ;) We sat right next to the stage but the music was nice and not too loud to still carry a conversation. The first gig is 8pm-8:30, and the next one started at 9 pm and looked a little more entertaining but we had to get going - wish we could have stayed and enjoyed some more. Would definitely come back again!!
(5)
BP Y.
The only thing I would complain about this place is that food was too salty. Live music makes it special in Cambridge. Overall very good service!
(4)
Paul C.
Came here for Cinco de Mayo - it was awesome. They had the mariachi band which was fun. The food was really good - their menu offerings seem pretty broad which is one reason we plan on returning. The layout and atmosphere is also really cool - very open and more natural light than I would expect for being below ground.
(4)
Briana G.
I came here for brunch for a friends' birthday, and was extremely disappointed start to finish. First, after placing our order, it took over an hour for our food to come out. Once it finally did, it was lukewarm at best, clearly having been sitting in the kitchen for a while. My two friends and I all ordered the same earth bowl, which turned out to be a bad choice once my friend (whose birthday it was) found a maggot larvae in his food. This turned all three of our stomachs and our breakfasts went just about untouched. We informed the server, who informed the manager, and both tried to make light of the situation, joking that "sometimes maggots get into bags of quinoa." They didn't charge my friend for his food, but sadly two of the uneaten earth bowls were still on our bill. To make up for the problem, they gave us all "VIP cards" which they said we could use to get to the front of the line at any time. Lo and behold, I came back a few weeks ago (for drinks ONLY) and was told by the bouncer that VIP cards were not being used that night, and I had to go to the back of the line. Although I do understand that sometimes accidents happen in restaurants, the way the matter was handled by the waitstaff and manager was completely unacceptable. Needless to say I will never pay for their ridiculously overpriced food or drink again.
(1)
Divie E.
Dear Beat Hotel - After nearly one year of being one of your loyal patrons - attending weekly jazz nights and encouraging fellow members of the Harvard community to also spend copious amounts of money in your establishment - I am saddened that for the first time in my life, I was denied entry into your restaurant on the morning of Friday, August 28, 2014 for not having a passport or a Massachusetts state ID. It's not the embarrassment of having recommended your bar as a stop along the Harvard GSAS Grad Student Residence Hall Pub Crawl last night, or being with several other students who were excited because I had highly recommended your establishment, that really gets to me, but that in all of the screen shots I have of your website, your twitter page, and outside your restaurant on that day, there is not one indication that an American well over the age of 21 with a government-issued ID would be required to have 1) traveled to the world or 2) change citizenship to enter into your bar. I'm suspicious of what your doorman and your manager, AJ, said - that the policy was started on that day - and I remain confused about how my Michigan driver's license is not, as your website indicates, "proper 21+ ID." I find it a sad reflection of our society when my mom - who I also brought to your bar once - encourages me to appease you. And frankly, while I understand according to Massachusetts policy that you have the ability to deny entry based on this criteria, and as a U.S. citizen with government-issued ID over the age of 25, I am very concerned with your inconsistent application of this policy. This lack of transparency and tact will further discrimination in this community. I will continue to share this experience with others in the Harvard community and beyond in my network. I would highly encourage you to publicly post this newly-enforced policy to avoid losing other loyal patrons. Cambridge, Harvard, Beat Hotel - I thought I missed you a over the summer, but you know what I didn't miss? Discrimination.
(1)
Mason H.
Beat hotel usually has great music. However the service was fucking miserable tonight. The women at the hostess stand were just rude and not even close to nice to us. Hostess stand is your first contact with the restaurant - they need to be unfailingly nice to customers. If you need to get someone to be mean make it be the manager.
(2)
Darci N.
Enter Friday night, the end of a VERY long week, and an agreement made with a friend on Tuesday that we would have a "girls night out!" Ugh. Regretting Tuesday. A few friends bail, and we re-route our plan due to rumor of West African drumming happening at some new somehow-related-to-the-Beehive-place. A big fan of live music, and in particular, drumming, my friend and I rush through the doors like children on Christmas morning. The musicians were in between sets, so we giddily cozied up to the bar and got our drinks. The place was pretty crowded, and we were standing next to the service bar. My only complaint was getting asked to move further away from the service bar (I get it, I'm in the way, but where else would you like me to stand?), and then with each move further, still getting asked to move further away. They were finally satisfied when my drink was sitting on the bar, and I was a good four feet away from it, not even able to reach it. I swear I showered. The space was absolutely beautiful, and the service was friendly and attentive. Live music at no additional cost/cover charge -- amazing. Worth paying a few more $$ on the food/drink knowing you're getting an incredible experience as well. We didn't try the food, but they appeared to have a pretty comprehensive drink list. Lots of tapped wine options, if you're into ecologically friendly wine practices. Oh, I guess I have one more complaint. No dancing. Though hilarious to watch security asking people to stop bopping to live, invigorating, West African drumming; please get your Cabaret License ASAP.
(4)
Tim B.
Stumbled on this place for brunch and was surprised to see how large the subterranean space was, with two long bars flanking the right side of the room and a small stage at the far back. Colorful examples of quasi-primitive art dotted the place. There was a jazz trio quietly noodling away at Christmas standards while we dug into our food. My wife got the veggie omelette while I opted for the American breakfast. It was hard to pass up the Sun Ra earth bowl but as we wanted breakfast, the veggie homage to Herman Blount will have to wait for another time. The prices are kinda high but the food was uniformly excellent and there was more than enough of it. The bacon in particular gets high marks. Crispy and thick, very lean. Not a huge fan of truffled scrambled eggs but they were OK. Maybe they can do over easy next time. Salad is kind of a weird side for breakfast but was tasty. Even weirder was frites but they were really good. The place looks like its got a good beer list and may be a good place to pre-game before a show at The Sinclair.
(4)
Joshua R.
This review is for drinks only, because I've never actually been able to get a table there. We always decide to go too late for reservations, and you're basically not going to get a table if you just show up. The drinks are pretty expensive, but they make up for it with the phenomenal live music - normally jazz.
(4)
Lauren M.
Harvard Square's hippest new spot for a no-cover evening with live music, great food, and amazing drinks!
(5)
Emily S.
This place was great! Went on a Friday night for 7:30 reservations with a group if four. The atmosphere here is really funky and cool, would be a great date spot too. A live jazz band came on while we were eating and they were so seamless that we didn't even notice that we were enjoying live music at first! We got a buffalo cauliflower appetizer, which was really good to try if you like buffalo sauce. I got the mahi mahi fish tacos for dinner, which were good but not the best I've ever had, but the rice and beans it came with were very yummy. My friend got the duck and raved about it, particularly the orzo it came with. Drinks also look good and very different, although I got a beer for myself. The only downside to the beat hotel is the price. Drinks were average $12 and entrees were $25+. So if you want someplace where you can stick around to drink, I would pick someplace else, or come here for dinner and one drink and go someplace else after. I would definitely return here and try something else on the menu like the ribs or the vegetarian lasagna.
(4)
Louise K.
We only went to have a drink and listen to some live jazz. We had a drink called "American Breed": MAKER'S MARK, ST. ELDER ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR, APPLE CIDER. Highly recommended! Many of the drinks sounded sweet, this was poured on the rocks after being shaken. The apple cider is not evident but must give the drink the balance. The music was good, the service was excellent, loved the atmosphere. The food looked good but we had already eaten.
(4)
John E.
Very cool place. Had the Hamachi sushi appetizer and it was delicious. Great atmosphere.
(5)
L K.
I've made this place my favorite go-to place for anything from my finance friends living in Beacon Hill, my HBS and HLS classmates, and dates. Aside from the lack of hot people among patrons that's typical of Boston (so not Beat's fault). there is only real problem that keeps this otherwise fine establishment from becoming the place that engenders the kind of memories that hotspots like Club Passim used to for locals during my aunt's time on campus: the Staff. I had my birthday party here, have had over ten dates here, other birthday parties and dinners. Every time, the employee serving us drinks or food has been aloof. But not in a cool New York or sexy LA way that people (including myself) clearly like. I raised this at my friend's birthday party at Beat last night, and one of us said "it's almost like they were told to act like that on purpose--it's artificial" which a lot of us agreed with. You're in Cambridge--Harvard Square of all places--you are overweight, bald, old-looking, or pinchy-faced. WHY are you ignoring people trying to wave you down for a fork for her friend's birthday cake? The virtue of Boston nightlife is that people are friendly even when there's extreme demand. You know you're not a 10 living in The City and you know that the value system that runs our town and places like Harvard is different than in New York. Stop trying. Your servers are not aspiring actors and actresses hoping to make it big in LA or screenwriters moonlighting at night as bartenders in The City--you are in Cambridge. Stop trying to make fetch happen.
(3)
Jency P.
Really enjoyed the brunch menu and the atmosphere with the music. The inner decor is absolutely lovely as well. Staff was nice as well. Tried their mimosa, coffee cake, and their pancakes. Coffee cake: absolutely delicious... it's extra sinful with the honey butter mmmm~ so good. Pancakes: Very generous portion and very good. The compote I think though had a bit too much of rhubarb or something cus it seemed a bit tart. But it nevertheless still pretty good. I tried a bite of short ribs eggs benedict. It was pretty good...not my cup of tea because I don't particularly love that much meat in the morning. Also, the best thing I enjoy about an Eggs Benedict is its simple taste with the Hollandaise sauce. However, I think the brisket taste kind of overpowers the palate. Overall, I think the price of the brunch menus are quite reasonably for the atmosphere and the music. I recommend checking this place out!
(4)
Elie H.
I went to the Beat Hotel for Brunch on Sunday. It was a lot of fun and the ambiance is totally cool. A mix of mid 20s to 50s crowd. A Jazz Trio was playing in the background at a comfortable sound level which was good for conversations. The selections on the Brunch are basic except for the bowls which are very unique and a good healthy choice if you don't want the usual breakfast dishes or burgers. The shrimp, Roasted Artisanal Vegetables, 5-Grain Pilaf, Pumpkin Tahini Sauce was delicious ( there was no need for the extra sauce, the food is flavored enough) The Gotham Project Cabernet was a great wine. Overall my experience was great.
(4)
Libby R.
Came in for drinks before going to dinner reservations elsewhere. I definitely liked the space and the funky decor was unique and cool. The band was also great and hit that sweet spot of being loud enough that they were not just background music, but not so loud that they were overwhelming the people eating at tables close by. Wine selection was decent, and mixed drink was a-okay. It was easy to get the bartender's attention and he was quick. I'll likely be back to give the food a try.
(3)
Bethany K.
My friends and I typically love this place, but last night we saw a different side. The atmosphere is awesome and drinks tend to be a bit pricy especially the wine on tap which was 15 buck per glass. When I first ordered a drink from the bartender she gave me such attitude and told me to look at the drink menu. I brushed it off and thought ok maybe she's having a bad night whatever no big deal. But then the manager spilt a drink all over my friend and did not even apologize. I said "i think you owe us a drink for that" and he said absolutely not. The staff was ridiculously rude here and even after my friend is soaked in cranberry juice he continued to be rude. He could tell we were upset so he offered to pay for dry cleaning and never even gave us his card. We left shortly after and were astounded at how rude all of the staff were to us. Then we were talking about how rude the staff was and they approached us to leave for having the conversation!! I was shocked.
(1)
Hubert H.
Dropped a star because of some over-pricing on some of the food. Had a so-called 'stuffed lobster' dish - there was barely any lobster meat, and too much bread stuffing mixed in in general. However, the short rib lasagna was nice and rich, and very flavorful. The music was excellent as well, and once again it's nice to have a venue like this in Harvard Sq that mixes food, music, and drink.
(4)
Lucy L.
Went for thanksgiving dinner. This place gives absolutely no notice for lines and they ran out of turkey when we ordered. They should've given notice before we sat down, I found this to be very unprofessional.
(1)
Keith F.
Once again I didn't believe the yelps about the reservation problems but it happened to us SCREW THAT MANAGER AND HIS TOTALARION TREATMENT OF CLIENTS UR R AN ASS and I left with my party and spent 245.00 dollars at NUBAR
(1)
Brianna S.
Good food, good drinks, terribly slow service. One bartender at 130p on a Saturday for the whole bar and restaurant. Sat at the bar for 15 minutes without any acknowledgment until someone else came out.
(2)
Oliver S.
Came in for brunch this morning and the hostess wouldn't let me in with the 6oz of cappuccino I had just gotten at Crema next door. "No outside food or drink." And acted like she was doing me a favor by not sending me outside to finish it. What kind of a pathetic excuse for hospitality is this? As an admitted snob about my coffee, I have brought my own coffee to brunch in many, many places and never been rudely refused service before. If I hadn't been meeting friends (who were already seated), I would have left and not spent $30 on brunch. I certainly won't be back. You got a second star because the food was pretty good.
(2)
Parissa S.
The ambiance and decor are inviting. I love the fact that there's daily live quality music without a cover, yet you can still have a conversation. I would come back for that reason alone. The layout is unfortunate, though; there is no space for dancing. The bartenders are friendly and there's a unique selection of wines on tap and pricey cocktails. The beer list is limited, but they did have Fluffy White Rabbits. I wouldn't come back for dinner. I've had less expensive and more enjoyable experiences getting drinks and an appetizer at the bar. We waited for our table on a Saturday night despite getting a reservation for 9 pm beforehand, service was slow (maybe they need to hire more servers), and the entrees were overpriced. Our group was underwhelmed by the steak, chicken, and clam chowder. The salmon tartar was my exception; I would order that again at the bar. Makes the most sense to get a drink here and experience some live music.
(4)
Sat C.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE: EXTREMELY RUDE BOUNCER AND MANAGEMENT...AVOID THIS PLACE When Beat Hotel was relatively new, I used to frequent this place and introduced it to a lot my friends. it was one of my favorite spots. After a gap, I went there recently with a bunch of friends for dinner. My friends arrived before us and were having a drink inside waiting for my wife and I to join. When we arrived there was no line, we showed the bouncer our IDs but he rudely asked us to step aside and wait till he asked us for the IDs. He asked us what we were there for and if we had a reservation. He called in to the hostess stand to verify if we really had a reservation. I didn't know which friend had put their name down so I called my friends who were inside to ask them which one us had the name on the reservation. With an extremely dismissive and aggressive attitude he said that till I give him the exact name he wouldn't let us in. After such a heavy handed treatment, we started losing out desire to eat and spend any money in this place. I asked to speak to the management. The manager came to speak with us. He too was extremely rude and totally ineffective in handling the situation. He couldn't find the reservation and finally managed to find our name and didn't even apologize for the misunderstanding. I told him how arrogant and rude the bouncer was and told him that he was acting as though he was doing us a favor in allowing entry to the restaurant. The manager instead of apologizing, said that we should should respect the bouncer instead. All my friends came out and witnessed this and decided to leave their drinks unfinished and eat elsewhere. As we were leaving, the bouncer told us that we made a wise decision by leaving. We were flabbergasted by the treatment we received even though I was a loyal patron. Some has terribly changed in Beat Hotel and they need a lesson in how to treat customers. They are not doing us a favor in letting us in their bar/restaurant. There are plenty of other fine establishments will be willing to treat us properly and win our loyalty and business. Needless to say, my friends and I will never step into Beat Hotel ever again!!
(1)
Kyra T.
A great addition to the square. The space is large and bohemian chic. Plenty of bar seating and easily recognizable to the Beehive vibe. It boasts long bars and lots of seating. In the far back there is a stage for performers. The drink list is eclectic and funky. The draft list is not long, but has quality craft beers. There was a drummer and a pianist playing light jazz while we ate our dinner which was extremely enjoyable. Given the size of the restaurant and the live music it was still easy to have a conversation -- major plus. Food was very good here. The portions were generous (you get what you pay for). Service was good.
(4)
Sam M.
Ordered mussels. 14 bucks for 13 mussels. That's like a 1.08 per. You can buy mussels for 3 bucks a huge bag. Bartender was nice, but Jim Beam was 8 bucks. Nuts. Boston prices are a parody of themselves. This bar is tragically hip, but you know what would be actually hip, counter-culture, and genuinely "artsy"? Normal, human being, reasonable, anti-uber-capitalist prices. Like 6 bucks for cheap bourbon and 10 bucks for mussels. Whatever.
(2)
George M.
I frequent Harvard Square, and I would like to give these guys a good review, but just too many bad factors. First off, we had a reservation there, and they tried to place us in this general area which was "non-reserved". When we asked to be seated in one of the better tables, the response was "we are saving those", without any additional explanation. At that point, there couldn't have been more than 10 people in the place (6:30PM dinner on a Sunday). Needless to say, had a terrible round of drinks and left. Second, the drinks were over-priced and not good at all. Finally, during our 10-15 minutes in the restaurant, I noticed two people return their plates. I have no idea why, but did see the plates go back; never a good sign. Walked by 2 hours later, on the way back to the car, and noticed that there wasn't more than 10 people in there; so why try to hold the tables? The good; they had some interesting and obscure music playing in the background, which I thought was a good Harvard Square "fit".
(1)
Anna B.
This place is noticeably more casual than Beehive so if you don't want to dress up on a slushy night this may be the option for you. Thoroughly enjoyed Beat Hotel. The music is the right volume that you can hear it well enough but still talk. The duck, short ribs lasagna, crispy tuna roll app, pate and red velvet dessert were all tasty. I think the duck was the favorite though there was something else on the plate with the duck that was supposed to be corn pudding but I think was actually a yellow sponge from the kitchen. If there hadn't been a piece of corn visible I would have no doubt that's what it was. Seriously though we'd had enough food we didn't care. Service was attentive. The prices are on the high side for Harvard Square but considering the live jazz and good service it's understandable. The music wasn't outstanding the night we were there but it wasn't bad either. I considered 5 stars but Beehive is still the better option for the same prices - and somehow I spent a lot more than I usually spend at Beehive - I think the wine on tap adds up faster then you expect because it's harder to gauge the amount you're drinking. (Don't you hate it when that happens?)
(4)
Tanya G.
I absolutely loved our dinner here last night! The food, decor, music, bar, just the overall vibe was fantastic! I would recommend this place to anyone! Hubby had the short rib lasagne and I had the earth bowl with skirt steak! Both were equally delicious! Portions are on the smaller side. But more room for dessert! Had the coconut red velvet cake, which was to die for! Tap wine is a must and the bar makes a mean old fashioned! Can't wait to go back :)
(5)
Robert R.
I Should Have Skirted the Skirt Steak Although this was a disappointing first visit, I wouldn't call it a total disaster. The atmosphere is inviting and wide open, softly lit and comfortable. The service was excellent, although the friendliness felt just slightly forced (fierce smiles). Here's what we had and how it rated: Two Appetizers: The Smokey Chipotle BBQ Spare Ribs were tender, flavorful, and fall off the bone easy to eat. Perhaps they could have been a bit more spicy (more heat), but we loved them! The Crispy Tuna Springrolls were excellent too. One large roll was sliced in half on the diagonal. The wraps were light and crunchy, the tuna and greens inside were fresh, and the sauce complemented well. Very well executed. Two Entrees: The FAROE ISLAND SALMON with Cous Cous, Lentils, Spinach, Carrot Miso Puree was okay. The salmon was cooked properly. Most of the flavor was in the skin, but that's fine. My dining companion enjoyed it, however the accompanying cous cous was undercooked and tasted of uncooked pasta. The SKIRT STEAK with Frites, Peppercorn Jus, and Pickles was heinous. I believe skirt steak should not be on the menu if you aren't familiar with its characteristics and how to prepare it. I ordered mine cooked MEDIUM because I know skirt steak can be stringy. Preparing it rare can be disastrous. You can go medium rare if you marinate it and season it properly and then slice it with the grain into serving size pieces. Unfortunately, my skirt steak was prepared blood rare and served as one large piece plopped smack atop of a large pile of thinly sliced undercooked very brown potatoes (frites). I struggled cutting the stringy steak. It had a minimum of seasoning. After a bite or two, I lifted the steak off the pile of potatoes and put it aside to try the potatoes. (Why did they plate the steak on top of the potatoes anyway?) Trying to cut into a potato slice, my steak knife had a tougher time than with the steak. The potato was like leather. I was baffled. I chewed on a piece of potato. It was definitely undercooked and saturated in grease, which made it rubbery, REALLY rubbery. I do not exaggerate. I had to stop trying after poking a few more potatoes with my fork and knife and not being able to pierce them. What did they do to them? After the nice appetizers, my skirt steak plate was a sad let down. I didn't love the steak. I couldn't eat the potatoes. They transformed them into something that bore no resemblance to potatoes. There was no white potato flesh to be found. Thin, brown slices of rubbery ick. (Okay, I'll stop.) I shared my skirt steak with my dining companion, but it was slow work chewing on that. Our server stopped by soon after we were served and I pointed out that my steak was rare instead of medium, as I had ordered. She offered to take it back, but I declined because experience has taught me that sending back food is an exercise in futility. Restaurant food rarely comes back quickly, or improved, once you've sent it back. Besides, don't you worry they might get funky with it? As our plates were being cleared, I explained my disappointment to a friendly bus person who promised to pass along my comments. Soon after, the concerned manager came and listened with great patience as I explained my dissatisfaction with my entree while at the same time heaping praise on the appetizers. The manager explained that the restaurant is new and the kitchen was just trying out the potato dish. She expressed genuine interest in my feedback about the skirt steak and the frites, and she made every effort to make us feel valued. She also offered to pay for my entree, which I felt was the right thing to do. It wouldn't be fair to ask me to pay $24 for what was served to me. Including our appetizers and sodas, our bill (with the one entree taken off) was about $75. We tipped well for the excellent service. I'll conclude by saying the vibe at this restaurant is very good. The food needs to follow suit in order to generate repeat business. Nothing should leave the kitchen that wouldn't delight a patron. I would not discourage anyone from trying Beat Hotel for dinner. (For now, just take a cue from what I ordered and hopefully you'll "skirt" any disappointment.)
(3)
Lucinda C.
The decor is beautiful, nice long bar, one of the few places that opens at 4. The food I've had has been great, the rib appetizer, buffalo cauliflower, the earth bowl... The drinks are meh that are on the menu. But, the bartenders will make whatever you want and some of the bartenders are really great at whipping up something you will love. The menu is pretty diverse so it is a crowd pleaser. I haven't gone for music yet, but will someday. Overall a nice place.
(4)
Megan S.
The ambiance is awesome and the bartenders pour heavy...at least ours did! Live music and good drinks what more could you want?!
(5)
Carly B.
Classy, hip brunch spot near Harvard Square. I have not looked into whether there is actually a hotel associated, but I dug the underground location with a live jazz band playing on Sunday morning and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There was also no wait for two spots at the long bar. What I really appreciated about their brunch offerings were hearty-yet-not-heavy offerings. I had an Azteca Bowl with eggs and it came with quinoa, corn, salsa, and vegetables. Great flavors and I didn't feel like I needed to be rolled out of there or take a nap (vital, when you're exploring the city on foot). I also enjoyed a bloody mary. Our bartender/server was friendly and attentive, despite having a very long bar to look after. Prices seemed a bit high on paper, but the quality/flavor of the food was in line.
(4)
Wayne K.
Great vibe, great decor that hints of the 60s with a very current menu. If you're doing brunch, the warm, homemade coffee cake is a must. The array of breakfasts we ordered for brunch were amazing. Must return for brunch and try dinner.
(5)
David H.
Stay here for the drinks and atmosphere, but don't bother with the food. The skirt steak is incredibly dry and the calamari tasted burnt and bland. They work with a high volume of customers so be prepared to either wait for 10+ minutes for table service when you get there (even with a reservation) or rushed out of the restaurant as you're trying to pay your check. Maybe with time this place could be great, but for a place that charges what it does for food and that advertises itself as the sister restaurant/bar to Beehive I really expected better.
(3)
Nisha P.
A great place for a nice cocktail in Harvard Square. Everything is a little expensive for Boston, but the the cocktails are quite potent and delicious. I personally recommend American Breed, if you like whiskey! Beat Hotel also has live music every night, which is a cool perk! Tends to be a mixture of jazz, blues stuff. Very laid back and nice. Not too loud so you can still chat with people.
(4)
Mick S.
Myself and my friend showed up at the beat motel last night a little after midnight, and I had to run straight into the bathroom for a pee. When I came out I saw my friend had been confronted by some Neanderthal bouncer who was yelling at him. I asked said Neanderthal what the problem was and he completely ignored me and told my friend to go outside to continue the discussion. Now understand, I'm 66 years of age and obviously not looking for trouble, (we had had a very nice evening thus far) and I felt I deserved some kind of response to my question . Anyhow, I led the way outside, and again I asked I asked him what the problem was. His answer was to tell us to go up the stairs because he "felt uncomfortable ". The arrogant prick, how did he think I felt, a grown man being treated like a teenage drunk....let me explain here I had to pee because I'd had a couple beers in a NICE place across the street where everyone was polite and courteous , but I was far from drunk. I got to the top of the stairs and turned again to ask him what the problem was, but by this time he was screaming at my friend....and I just gave up trying to understand. The man obviously has a violent disposition and to say the least is not diplomatic in any way shape or form which is a pretty scary disposition for a bouncer. If he had answered my thrice asked question the first time the whole situation would easily have been defused but he chose to ignore me an continue to yell..... We could had had a fun night there but it was ruined by a psychopathic head case....I'd never go back there, and I feel the management should look more closely at their staff....
(1)
Gabrielle F.
Oh my gentle Jesus, their wildflower honey & lemon pancakes were the best I have ever had. Love the decor, wonderful service too. A must-go to when in Cambridge.
(5)
Aziz A.
Very nice atmosphere , very good food and grate music ..I have recommend it to many friends , they enjoyed it ..
(5)
Katie R.
Updating my review for another star because on a recent bar crawl for a friends life event Bryan the bar tender was pretty amazing and my friend liked this bar the best. Also pumpkin daiquiri. so there's that.
(4)
Craig Lee B.
Un peu de tour-de-siècle Paris, au cœur de Harvard Square! A subterranean treasure, with just a hint of subversion to go with. Bartender Brian, aka thebostonbarman at tumblr.com , is a scholar and a gentleman, and constructs a "Henry's Kid's Sister's Horse RADISH!" par excellence (see photo). I kept expecting to see Satie, Stravinsky, Nijinsky, Gris, Miró, Le Corbusier, Leger, Toklas, Stein, Braque, Cezanne, Cocteau, Modigliani, Chagall, Matisse, Apollinaire and/or Picasso (who supposedly once said something to the effect that "I COULD have painted like Rubens... when I was 15!")... to saunter in at any moment. And maybe they'll be there, impossibly or not, the next time I return (and it shall be soon, and with friends!).
(5)
Anya L.
My review is based on one visit for brunch. I should say that prior to this point, I visited Beat Hotel one or two other times and found the beer selection to be on par with other good places around Cambridge when considering variety and price. The proceeding review pertains to my first dining experience: A group of friends made a reservation at BH on a Sunday morning. We were forced to take an earlier reservation time as we were told that large groups were already expected at 11am. Okay, fine, so we take a 10am reservation. Once seated, drink orders were taken. And then we waited...and waited...and waited a bit more. It took awhile for our food orders to finally go in, which was a bit surprising because the place was not busy at all. On the plus side, the food came out quickly and almost all at once, which was appreciated. As to the food, I had the Azteca Bowl with poached eggs. The dish was good, but for $17, I definitely expected more. The dish lacked spice, and while it's nice to find a healthier option on a brunch menu, there wasn't much to make it a truly filling dish. Seeing how quickly several friends finished their meals, I sense that they also found their meals on the small side. Again, not so bad if the prices were less, but the cheapest dish was ~$15! That's quite hefty! Similarly, brunch drinks were crazy expensive. I wanted to order something fun, but the cheapest cocktail started at $11! Come on, now--it's one thing if you are serving a truly unique or different beverage, but if you are just combining a bit of champagne and OJ, you need not charge $11. I couldn't fork over that kinda money, and I have to admit, I'm glad I didn't after seeing how much I paid for the meal alone. So overall: ambiance is nice; service is cordial albeit slow; menu options are interesting but overpriced. If BH can balance price to performance, I think it will be a great Cambridge option. Until then, I'll likely just stop by for the occasional beer.
(3)
Allison L.
Hip without being obnoxious! I came here with friends for my birthday but it was too late to get a big reservation so we hung out in the bar area until we finally got a big enough table. The wait staff were rooting for us and gave us great service. The food was fantastic from beginning to end. For someone with food allergies, it can be hard to eat out, but there were so many great options.
(5)
Alyssa B.
Phenomenal brunch! Don't be put off by the slightly higher than average prices - the portions are huge! And this isn't your greasy diner breakfast, we're talking healthy, all-natural, top quality ingredients brilliantly paired for a truly enjoyable meal. Plus, who doesn't love live jazz accompanying your meal! The decor is fun and speakeasy-themed, the staff are friendly and attentive and the location can't be beat - right off the T. They change up the menu depending on what's fresh, but you can't go wrong with the veggie scramble. On this occasion, the eggs were scrambled with spinach, fresh mozz and something else that's escaping me. Served with a mixed greens salad topped with summer squash and lightly dressed with a vinaigrette, thick cut lightly buttered multi grain toast and the best breakfast potatoes this side of the Charles IMHO. Sliced long, extra crunchy, lightly salted and mixed with crunchy kale bits...potato perfection! Eat here immediately!!
(5)
Tamara W.
I really liked this place! Came here around 9 on a Saturday and had no issue getting a table or a place at the bar around 11pm when we returned from bar hopping other places. I didn't eat the food but the drinks were OK and could be made to be less sweet (i.e. they happily substituted the juice for seltzer in the tequila drinks). I for sure would recommend it; their bathrooms are CLEAN and the hostesses and waiter was really nice as well. Also, I loved how it was not loud. I don't like live music really or jazz for that matter so was happy that even though they have "music" and advertise as such it was just a normal bar scene where it was easy to enjoy conversation vs. loud music! Will be back if I ever come to C-Bridge from Boston again!
(4)
Karmen C.
Will definitely come again for the food and great vibe! I arrived on a weekday at around 5:30pm and the place was pretty empty but by the time I left all the tables were pretty packed! The service is great, but they do tend to be a little over attentive and ask you if you need anything every 15 minutes. We ordered the calamari and mussels for appetizers and these were pretty standard dishes. If you're in the mood for them definitely get them. For an entree I ordered the Salmon Aztec bowl (recommended by a lot of other yelp reviews) and was pretty happy with the dish - I would say it was a little too salty for my tastes though.
(4)
Michael F.
I had a great time here, so I went two weeks in a row. I went for the 10AM brunch. A live band played for us twice. It was great atmospheric music - nothing too overpowering. Brunch options were great. Every standard offering I enjoy was available, but with a slight twist that made it stand out. The burrito was flavorful, savory, and filling. The pancakes I got the next week were soft, sweet, and delectable. And the coffee wasn't bad, to top it off. Great brunches, great experiences. More than I could ask for.
(5)
Allison R.
If there's one thing I hate (and makes me decidedly American) at restaurants, it's waiting. I've been to the Beat Hotel twice and both times experienced pretty absurd wait times for either food to arrive or for the check. Both times, I sat at the back bar, and both times, drinks (and once, a large birthday cake) were awkwardly served between me and my friend. I ate there once and the food was fine, but we did order a dessert item (some kind of mascarpone/ricotta bowl with fruits) that was supposed to be garnished with balsamic, but was not. Otherwise, that dessert was fabulous, though. So points for the final course. Maybe it's just because it gets loud at the bar, but my most recent server didn't get me a water that I ordered (pet peeve) and didn't catch the guy wedged between me and my friend waiting with his tequila shot because he'd asked twice for a lime and salt and she didn't hear him. I've been sorely underwhelmed both times I've come here, and would really avoid it with so many options nearby.
(2)
Jasmine C.
I went for brunch and got the Greek yogurt, which was wonderfully thick but definitely overpriced in terms of how much fruit/granola I got to actually deal with the thickness of the yogurt itself. The vibe is very much like a bar, quite dark and not great for photography as well as quite uncomfortable, but it certainly fits a certain aesthetic.
(3)
Cristina R.
What's better than a live music brunch to jazz up a sleepy Sunday? Extra points if it makes you feel super hip. Cue Beat Hotel. Beat Hotel is not a hotel at all. I know. CRAZY, right? Misleading names are hip. As is the space. The funky interior decor of the large room features hemp. Hip hemp. The stage is on the far end of the restaurant, so from where we were sitting the music wasn't too loud and provided a nice backdrop to our conversation. If you're more into the jazz part of jazz brunch, try to sit closer to the stage because I kept forgetting about the performers. The waitress arrives and says she's here to "guide us through our brunch experience." We're pumped. Every brunch should be an experience. My buddies' bloody mary's are savory and spicey. They dig 'em. I order some tea, but for some reason the waitress brings a third bloody mary along with it. She's confused and asks if we want it. "Well... I don't really need another one. Will it just be thrown in the trash if we don't take it?" asks my thirsty but broke friend ($10 for a b'mary - no matter how tasty - is no joke). "Probably" is the only response my friend receives. We don't want to straight up ask our waitress if it would be free, but my friend assumes so and agrees to take it. I mean, we can drink it if we really have to. And the food? Also hip. Classic brunch staples with a twist appear alongside more nontraditional offerings like bowls a la Life Alive in Central. I opt for the Inca bowl which features a nice mix of quinoa, avocado, greens, hominy, and other tasty morsels. You can pick your protein, and I opt for poached eggs. It's brunch, after all. The eggs were not runny at all, so I don't know what they think a poached egg is, but the mix of goodness was yummy, filling, and at least seemed healthy. A brunch slam dunk. My other friend enjoyed her soy-based Earth bowl, and my more traditional brunch copatriot dug into her American breakfast featuring truffled scrambled eggs, bacon, and skinny frites that rivaled McD's in tastiness with far more class. Triple hip. The check comes around, and y'all this place ain't exactly cheap. We're disappointed to see that that extra bloody mary was in fact charged. Not hip. We were deciding whether we should be annoying and ask about it, when a manager comes up to our table saying that she heard us say something was "obnoxious" and wanted to see if it was something to do with the restaurant. The walls have ears! Embarrassing. We then explain the bloody mary mishap, and she agrees that it shouldn't have been charged. It was so nice of them to go out of their way to make sure we were pleased with our experience (albeit a little creepy that they were listening to our conversations.. who knows what else they heard)! A nontraditional, hip brunch experience is waiting for you at Beat Hotel. The mixture of delectable food, funky ambiance, and soothing live music makes me wish it actually were a hotel so I could stay longer.
(4)
gina w.
I'm a fan of this place even if it's out of my way. thus, I don't get here often but I really like going here to hang in the bar area ...so fun!! such a good vibe here with the live music and comfortable but lively ambiance. Just visited for dinner the other evening and the service and food was very good. Didn't know what to choose and had the server describe two of the dishes: BBQ ribs and beef brisket ...both sounded wonderful but I opted with the beef brisket because it came with some broccolini.... Yum :) the salmon was so delicious ...seasoned and cooked to perfection - only had a bite but wish I could have had more. Also love the half glass of wine ...it was fun to try different ones. can't remember the cocktail but it's some kind of julep ...I have to come back for this cocktail next time!
(4)
Fred R.
Very cool, trendy environment with great drinks. Live music on weekend nights makes the atmosphere that much swankier.
(5)
Amy B.
This is a hidden gem in Harvard Square and the food is consistently delicious. Everything is always fresh and healthy. I highly recommend the bowl azteca and the fish tacos. You can never go wrong with the crispy tuna rolls. And if you aren't feeling adventurous, order the burger and you won't be disappointed. The specialty cocktails are tasty and refreshing and the servers are always smiling. Beat Brasserie has my vote!
(5)
Ashley C.
Honestly, love this restaurant. Went here with a few friends for the Sunday jazz brunch. The music was perfect, it sounded good, but it wasn't so loud that you couldn't have a conversation in a normal tone of voice (definitely a low point with some live music). The food was delicious, and I thought the prices were very fair for the amount of food you get! If I had to choose one issue, it may be the side salad that comes with many of the dishes. I thought it was potentially a little overdressed with the vinaigrette, so some of the greens were a bit soggy, but I still enjoyed it! Thanks for a good brunch!
(5)
Tin P.
Stop by beat hotel for a quick drink and some snacks with my long lost Boston hommies. I got American Breed as a drink since i love Whiskey and roasted pork nachos as a snack. Drink: It is a wonderful drink, you can taste the apple cider blended with a good old Maker's Mark Bourbon. Tasty. I devoured the first drink and quickly get the 2nd drink. Totally recommend this drink to any whiskey lover! 4 stars Food: The Nachos is above average. There were a bit too much cheese on the nachos, perhaps overwhelming. I am not a cheese lover, but not a cheese hater either. This is still little too much cheese. 3 stars! Bar decoration: The bar is beautifully decorated with the hip ambiance. I also heard there is a live music at night at this hotel. Awesome! 4 stars. Overall, 4 stars for beat hotel's brasserie bar
Excellent dinner here with friends last week. Had duck as entree it was so good I think I had tears. Had the bread pudding for dessert it was very good..subtle..not overpoweringly sweet. The management seemed s little forced, extra vigilant which isn't a bad thing except they had no sense of humor. We joked with our waiter a few times but he was just too ..something. The hosts were equally taciturn. Take the edge off people...
(4)
Melody N.
As an fyi, we only came for drinks and music. They were playing live jazz music and we were able to get seated at a cocktail table. The bar was pretty crowded so it was good we were able to get a good view and get some drinks our way. Service was a little on the slow side at first but they were pretty tuned into when we needed refills once the ball got rolling. Mixed drinks were on the pricey side(running a little more than 10 dollars, and that would be for a cheaper end). I forgot the name of mine, but it was gin based, limey, and fizzy. It was really good and had good oomph. After watching "whiplash", hearing live jazz music was a treat. The food looked pretty interesting and sounded pretty organic but it looked expensive for a meal(mostly in $20 range). Overall great place for a night of lounge/jazz music and great place for drinks that isn't "i just turned 21, let's get shit faced' type of place.
(4)
Minju K.
LOVE THE INTERIOR DESIGN of this place! The drinks are amazing too! The only thing that hesitates me is the price....
(4)
Amanda M.
Service sucks here. It really sucks. Basically, here's how they operate: you walk in, put your name down, ask how long the wait is and get told it "looks good" you're the next table of four to be seated. They'll text you when it's ready. You wait 20 minutes. You see two tables of four get seated ahead of you. You check in with the hostess to see why this is. She tell you, oh, those people had reservations. Oh really, you say, then why did you lead me to believe I was next on the list for a table of four? She assures you that now, you really are next. No reservations ahead. You wait, 10 minutes, then 10 more. You watch a man approach the hostess and tell her she is grossly incompetent, that she has strung them along for over an hour, and they will never return. You start to get the feeling you won't be getting a table tonight. You inquire about the status of your table again. While doing this, you watch them seat people at a four person table they have now pulled apart to make two tables of two. You state your frustration. She continues to assure you that you really will be seated next. She refuses to give you a time estimate. It is at this point you convene with your group and decide to cut your losses, it's been close to an hour of waiting. You go to tell the hostess you won't be needing that table now, but she is nowhere to be found. You leave. You eat at another restaurant 75 feet away, with no wait, far better prices, and delicious food. You never do receive that text message....
(1)
Anna S.
Super cool place! It's sort of underground - literally - like you walk down a half-flight to get there. Very unique and kitschy place with all sorts of incredible artwork, lighting and accessories. We went for Sunday Brunch which had live jazz, and sat at the bar with Michelle our server/bartender. All the food was incredible - short rib lasagna, roast pork nachos, eggs Benedict and banana bread/cake for dessert. My ONLY complaints are that 1) as someone who isn't native to Boston, the pricing was really expensive and 2) my lasagna was not fully heated-through. All in all - FANTASTIC experience.
(4)
Jason N.
Nice casual restaurant with a really decent menu. We were recommended this place by the hotel staff up the road. After a little walk, we found this place in the middle of Harvard Square. We walked down the stairs into the cavernous room with a ton of people of all ages and a great Cuban band at the far end. It's really loud but a great ambiance and a fun vibe. They have a bunch of sustainable wines on tap and a good beer selection. The menu had some nice selections as well. We had the pork nachos for an app which were great. I had duck breast/risotto/greens and my co worker had the filet. Pretty good but the risotto was a little sweet for me. The staff was really nice and helpful and the pumpkin cheesecake dessert al la mode was unbelievable. Would definitely go back with a work group.
I wish I could give this this place five stars because I really thought it would be more popping than it was. Me and my gals went on a Friday night for the music and I just expected more. We listened to the first hour of music ready to buy drinks for the rest of the night but honestly, dare I say, it sounded like elevator music... For a Friday night? I did like my drinks though. I got the makers mark mixed drink which was really tasty. My friend tried a couple martinis which were sweet. The service was excellent and the manager personally checked in on us which I thought was a nice touch. That's why I'm giving you 4 stars instead of less. Might possibly try again but there's a few other live music joints in Boston that are much less boogey and more funky.
(4)
Helia Z.
Sweet baby Jesus, this place was good! I went for their bluegrass brunch with my mom and we were both in such a wonderfully delicious food coma by the time we left. It's pricey like it's sister restaurant, The Beehive, but the food and ambiance was much better and worth it. The bluegrass band was more enjoyable than the jazz one at The Beehive. I'm dreaming of honey-lemon pancakes and the Aztec bowl. So much yum.
(5)
Meg K.
First: I LOVE this place. The ambiance is great, the live music is super fun, and ohhh the buffalo cauliflower is what dreams are made of. However, I' haven't been back since they caused me a huge headache over my post-wedding brunch in May. You can read the full story in the previous review, but basically: 1) They promote themselves for large groups. 2) I called to make a reservation for a large group, 3) They said no, they didn't want to take a large group (EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD THE TABLE SPACE, 4) They never responded to my follow-up requests, 5) I ended up going around their event planner and just made four separate reservations to accommodate everyone in my party. It all turned out fine. When we arrived for brunch, they seated us at 4 large tables near each other (I think we had about 30 people in total). But the SUPER annoying part: their restaurant was half empty (or more). After this WHOLLEEEE thing and having them not want to accept my large reservation, they couldn't fill half of their tables. Wtf? If my group of 30 hadn't been there, the place would have been nearly empty. I'm the only reason they had any brunch business at all that morning-- but they were so worried about saving table space for their imaginary customers that they damaged their relationship with an existing one. Beat Hotel, if you're reading this: fire your event planner ASAP. She is losing money for your business. There's no need to make idle threats. I'll be back. I like the food, space, and music... but it's going to take a few more weeks for my temper to come back down.
(4)
Kimberly C.
I met a friend here for dinner and we had good service, tasty meals, and a cool crowd that was solid from 6pm past midnight. The Maine Sole with kale and peas was perfectly crispy on the outside, salty and savory. They offer 3 pouring sizes for wines, making trying a couple even more fun. A couple of pinots polished off my meal nicely. Hands down, the Beat Hotel is the best conversion of a former boot store, and brings some much needed energy to the Harvard Square nightlife.
(4)
Myrto B.
The food and drinks were great but I've never felt so rushed at a restaurant before! They would try to clear our plates and drinks before we were done. We went to have dinner and listen to music. If you knew anything about restaurants that offer live music.... It's not about turning tables. I'm sorry we took 2 hours to celebrate and eat dinner, but you don't have to push us out like that. If I wanted to eat a quick meal and leave, I would have gone to a fast food restaurant.
(3)
Monique S.
As a jazz lover, I am always happy to find new venues that are jazz oriented. The Beat Hotel is in the same spot where the Tannery used to be. I made reservations on open brunch for the jazz dinner. We arrived a little early and were seated at the bar. There, I had the French onion soup. It was warm and cheesy, and the bread was delicious too. Once we were seated, the waiter was very attentive. The manager was as well and even charged my phone for me! I had a burger, but it was very well seasoned and hearty. My friend had a vegetable plate and loved it. The jazz was cool. They were probably Berklee students. The music was a great backdrop to dinner.
(4)
Jerry S.
Ayayay! This place is awesome. Went last night after the World Cup game to celebrate and honor Bastille Day--there was no cover, a really hip decor, and a very talented Senegalese band! We tried some cool cocktails and sat right by the stage, eating delicious fried soft-shell crab, slow-cooked BBQ pork nachos, and some roasted duck! Yum. It's so cool because it's the same owners as the Beehive! It had people even though it was a Sunday--can't wait to go on a Thurs/Fri/Sat! Highly recommended.
(5)
Michelle S.
I'm a huge fan of the ambiance more than the food. It's casual but hip, lively, and uplifting. It's a great place to enjoy drinks/appetizers (rather than dinner) with friends. I came for a birthday dinner and had an OK experience. The atmosphere was definitely the highlight of the meal, which isn't a terribly good sign. I ordered the earth bowl with chicken and the ingredients were high quality and fresh, which I appreciated. It was pretty tasty but I believe that for a ~$30 dish, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere.
(3)
Paul R.
First time at Beat Hotel and we had a blast. Great ambiance, really funky decor. I didn't know that it is the same ownership as the BeeHive in the South End, another great place. Grabbed 2 margaritas, pulled pork nachos and the tuna spring rolls (which was an old Pho Republique dish). Great cocktails blended up by Michelle and the food was just what we wanted. Two huge bars make it easy to grab a seat. Only drawback was the nice weather and you are downstairs but I'm splitting hairs here. We will be back!
(4)
Barbara A.
I am at an age now where I don't wait in line for anything anymore - no movies, no new iPhones, and not hip and trendy restaurants. If I can not make a reservation, too bad for me. It was my birthday and my cousins wanted to take me out so they made a reservation here. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I have been in search of the perfect Sidecar and although it is not listed on their menu, any good bartender worth their weight can make one. While not perfect (not cold enough), it was pretty darn close - not too sweet, not to bitter. We decided to just order a bunch of appetizers and split them. We got the bbq spare ribs, crispy tuna spring rolls, pork nachos, and buffallo cauliflower. Every thing we sampled wsa pretty good. My favorite and the stand out dish of the bunch was the cauliflower. I know what you are thinking but it was delicious and I don't even like cauliflower. I am not sure if it was fried up but it seemed crispy somehow and had the distinctive buffalo sauce and the obligatory blue cheese dip. It was so good that I am actually drooling as I write this thinking about it. My second favorite was the crispy tuna spring rolls. I am still new to eating tuna (never been my go to) but I thought it was well excuted. The ribs and nachos were ok - of the two, I would probably order the ribs again because they fell off the bone nicely but the pork nachos were uninspired. While it is nice that they have valet, I believe it is over-priced. Any experienced Harvard Square parker will find a spot and if not, they do validate for some of the lots close by in the area and for way less than valet.
(4)
A.G. B.
Okay, this place is the bomb. Free jazz seven nights a week. Great cocktails and food...but I had really bad service here my first time visiting.. It was a guy with the worst body odor and halitosis known to man. If you're serving the public, you need to take care of this kind of thing...and if you can't recognize it, then the management should! That's just the beginning. Our server gave the duck tamale, when we had distinctly ordered the veggie option. Then, when the food server notified him, he came back up to our table and said "How is everything?"...pretending he had no clue what happened. He didn't even apologize. He didn't give us the dessert menu..just the check..we had to ASK for the dessert menu. We ordered it and the order came out wrong...on top of that he forgot our drink . He was lousy. I went back another time and we had much better service. I hope the management reads this and can let their wait staff know to wear under arm deodorant and suck on breath mints.
Great spot to have brunch. The ambience was lovely. The band was so good. The staff is super cool and hip. If it was just closer to me i would be here every Sunday. But is still very close to the Harvard square T station. Is very spacious insude and for that they have the capability to seat big parties.
(5)
Keo H.
The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for food, drinks and live music. I'd definitely be here again. I had the mango martini & blueberry martini all night. Both really good. You could smell the fruits, taste the fruits & you knew the alcohol was there. Not too strong, not too sweet & not watered down/bland taste. We ordered the: 1) PEI mussles - seriously good, fresh & flavorful. 2) Crispy tuna spring roll - came with side of soy sauce. The roll itself was "okay". But the deep fried roll was plated on top of something like cole slaw so it got soft & soggy. Why would you do that? Put the slaw on the side or on a different plate! 3) Grilled octopus - we had to return this dish as it was char burnt! (It did come out on a nice bed of lettuce though. Lol...) 4) Roasted wild mushrooms. This was surprisingly very good. Loved the flavor & texture of both the mushrooms & polenta. It was a busy Friday night & the service was rather slow like molasses. Although when I sat down, I asked the server to either wipe down the sticky counter or give me a wet napkin - she didn't do either. That totally bothered me. The live music, drinks & overall ambiance of this place is a decent enough reason to return.
(3)
Julie D.
I came here for my 21st birthday after I was turned away from its sister restaurant, the Beehive, due to the size of our party. What a great twist of fate! We pretty much ordered one of everything on the menu, and the food was to die for! Good vibes and the absolute friendliest waitors! I can't believe I hadn't been here before, and I'll definitely be back soon.
(5)
Renato C.
I suffered social abuse by a manager and staff who wouldn't let me and a group of friends properly finish our food and drinks.
(1)
Jamie W.
Pros - Marvelous musicians. I have heard some good Latin music here including Mango Blues. - No cover charge despite good live music. - Large dining seating area. - Good vegan dish but limited options for vegetarians. Cons - No dancing. Be prepared to be evicted for not listening to the warning. Dancing is illegal in this bar despite the amazing musicians that play there. You sit eat drink and listen and maybe sway in your chair a little, and then pay your check. This place could be so much more with a dance floor. Five stars but deducting one for dancing being illegal here.
(4)
Ian S.
I've only been here once so far, and only for a drink, but I loved it! Really fun, funky-but-classy atmosphere. It has a vaguely free-spirited, bohemian vibe, but it's impeccably decorated, even elegant (not the kind of grimy joint I would normally associate with Beat culture). I was here recently with a group of friends and our server took good care of us. (She split our bills without even being asked, which we appreciated.) I ordered a cocktail that was something like a root beer mint julep and it was delicious. Tasted just like root beer, garnished with some fresh mint. Really tasty! I look forward to coming back again some time to try the food.
(5)
Des B.
This is the kind of place you can go to for dinner, order whatever you want, be incredibly pleased and not feel guilty afterwards! Entrees are a little on the pricier side- but hey, you get what you pay for and I'll definitely be back! I ordered the Bowl Azteca...will do again. The only slightly weird thing is being seated at the long community tables if you don;t have a reservation. You're being asked to squeeze in & dine right next to a complete stranger less than 6 inches to your right and left. AWKWARD! The uncomfortable feeling does go away after a little while. If you know you're headed there, just call ahead and make a reservation. MOST IMPORTANTLY: You must have the bread pudding.. Even if you don't like bread. Even if you don't like pudding.
(4)
Emma R.
Amazing amazing amazing! Atmosphere is very hipster and chic. Jazz band is playing which adds a perfect touch to the evening. Staff was off the charts. My date and I had a million different questions and she was very patient and knowledgable. We also had a question about the food when we got it and she took it back to ask the chef, all okay! And then another lady, I think the manager came over to check up on us. Overall great experience, would defninetly go again. Only thing, dinner is a little pricey so beware
(5)
Helena W.
This is a one stop shop if you want a relaxed and fun place with good food and drinks. It is easily accessible from the red line and the place is spacious enough for more than four people, a common conundrum when out on the town in Boston. The live music is legit and you don't have to be in fear of suffering through bad music. The drinks here are solid and the bartenders are friendly. The food is above average, but so is the price. This is a great place to come if you have someone visiting and want a fun, but relaxed vibe. It feels a bit hidden away since it is below ground, 10+ hipster points.
(4)
Ann K.
For starters, the ambiance cannot be BEAT! Hand painted murals? Yes! Chandeliers? Yes! Strange fiber art hanging from the ceiling? YES! Add to that the live music (chill jazz on Sunday mornings!), friendly hosts and waitstaff (super accommodating and knowledgeable), and ample, comfortable seating, and you're well on way to a lovely dinner or brunch experience. Try the Vegan Bowl Azteca; I'm not even vegan, but the textures and the flavors are so intriguing and delicious, I order it almost every time. And the jazz brunch! What could be better? Try the Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes, which come with a huge helping of berry compote. My boyfriend recommends their eggs benedict!
(5)
Charles K.
Had my first date here a few days ago and I'd definitely recommend it. There's low lighting and a casual ambiance both of which I'm a huge fan off. Our waitress wasn't anything special but there's nothing to nitpick over on that end. School hasn't resumed yet so it wasn't as crowded or noisy so I had no issues holding up a convo and the music was stellar. Cons: - This place can be hard to find; it has a small sign that really doesn't stick out. - It is also quite pricey for both food and drink, so beware (With just two cocktails and an appetizer, I had already sunk $55)
(4)
Curt W.
OK. This is more of a place-holder then a full-on review because both times we've been here, they were walk-in situations with no reservations. Our mistake! Place seems to always be hoppin'. (Full review will come later when reservations are made and a sit-down meal is had.). But going by a few small bar plates, and their cocktails, I'm a fan, and recommend this place for something slightly different in Harvard Square. This is a good place for going for cocktails.....seems to be a big long bar down the side with lots of first come first grab seating. Good strong drinks that aren't too precious.
(4)
Joanna F.
Came back in last night. Atmosphere was bumping and it was crazy crowded. Still like the atmosphere a lot. So why the one star review? The bartender charged me $16 for two drinks, I gave him a $20 and he gave me $3 back (assuming I was too drunk to notice, I guess)? I didn't say anything and just left less of a tip. I mentioned this to some friends and the bartenders had apparently been overcharging every single person I talked to. So ridiculously unprofessional, and I'm fairly sure it's not legal. I will probably not be back.
(1)
Gabriella M.
Went here for dinner with my spouse one night. It was busy there, but the environment was nice and cool. Table service was horrible because we waited for BREAD which is a starter at any restaurant and we waited for nearly 20 mins when the waiter finally came the bread was cold. The meals were filling and worth the price, but not what we paid to be sitting around waiting all night for one server who was running probably nearly 4 tables on his own.
(2)
Joe T.
What an experience! Where to start? Loved the decorations--tie die and glitter and the bathrooms are even better! Everywhere you look, you see something cool to look at, and that includes both decorations and a crowd of well-dressed people dancing. Awesome. A fun, exciting, loud band came and played beautiful, up-beat music right in front of us! The singer / bongo player sang in Spanish, so I struggled to understand what he was saying. But after each song, the trumpet player or singer gave an English translation of the general meaning of the song. I absolutely loved the mango martini. What!? They actually crushed up a real mango and put it in my drink!? It's unheard of luxury! This martini actually involves DRINKING A MANGO, which also has some alcohol in it. Really, really cool. Fabulous place for vegans! My girlfriend and I both loved the vegan bowls--she got the Inca bowl and I got the Earth bowl--with delicious triangles of tempeh and tofu, a million different vegetables and grains, and succulent sauces! Beautiful music, beautiful place, beautiful crowd, delicious food, and delicious drinks! This is great place to go if you want to feel like you're living the big city life. I think this just might be my favorite bar I've ever gone to... and it's in Cambridge of all places!
(4)
Lizzy S.
My favorite restaurant in Cambridge. I come here all the time -- after a long week at work, for brunch with friends, when we have to entertain someone from out of town. I always get some version of the Earth Bowl and a glass of Chandon. It's healthy, delicious meal. The staff are all unfailingly lovely.
(5)
Stu A.
Beat Hotel has a cool vibe to it - music playing through dinner, organic food offerings, wines on tap, etc. Unfortunately, while some dishes were very good, overall the food was just average. On the plus side, the burger was excellent - tasty, large and served with great fries. The other main courses in our group missed the mark - the portion size of sole special was small and the fish was dry (plus a request to remove mushrooms from the dish went unfulfilled) and the mussels were small/not meaty. Outside of the mushroom issue, the service was generally good. While we were aware that Beat puts a limit of 90 minutes on tables less than six, it felt like there was a clock ticking behind the scenes to push us along. When we go out to dinner we like to take our time, and while not overt, here we felt rushed One additional decision that needs to be made at Beat is about the music. The restaurant is long and deep and we were seated at the furthest point away from the stage. Maybe the music was loud up front but we could barely hear it, which was disappointing to us. Next time we'll let the welcome desk know we'd like to sit closer. Overall, we were expecting more from Beat, but at least on this night it didn't deliver.
(3)
Luke B.
My favorite place in Cambridge for a chill yet very fun night of having some good drinks with friends. Bar is hug. Live Jazz music is at the perfect sound level; where it is not hard to talk to people.
(5)
Karina L.
The atmosphere is kickass. Very hippie (read: beaded curtains before you enter the restroom), cool, jazzy, laidback vibe. Drinks are strong and tasty. The little of the music we caught was nice -- we went in around 7pm and the bands were switching. I would come here for after-work drinks and relaxation or a date and some appetizers. But, to say that our food was overpriced would be a bit of an understatement (bowls of quinoa and chicken for a whopping $23, etc.). I got the swordfish tacos, which were pretty tasty but the fish was overly salted and the tortillas a little tough. About 2/3rds of my plate was taken up by black beans. My boyfriend's seafood stew went heavy on the cheaper seafoods listed (whitefish, etc.) and had broccoli instead of the promised broccoli rabe.
(3)
sondarya R.
Our friends invited us to visit this place for dinner on the lower floor. The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for food, drinks and live music. I would definitely come here again. I had the mango martini -Perfect for my taste buds! Not too sweet & not watered down/bland taste. We ordered Roasted wild mushrooms. Loved the well prepared dish. FIsh we order was perfect and next dish we ordered was Gluten free. There was some thing for all of us to order acording to over choice. The front row next to live music made is superb! The service was slow as Place was very busy. The live music, drinks and over all ambiance of this place is a decent.
(4)
Morgan S.
Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was not really impressed by this restaurant. A friend of mine calls it "a disappointment" and I couldn't really have said it better myself. The food is okay... Nothing notable, as is the atmosphere. The lighting was so bright on a Saturday night and the restaurant was just a large rectangle - it reminded me of a biergarten. I would not recommend anyone going out of their way to go to this restaurant.
(3)
Jeff D.
This place was OK, but the hippy-vibe really wasn't our thing so I doubt we'll be back. My wife had the burger. Loved the meat but the bun was average. I had the swordfish tacos which were top notch. Very tasty. Great beer menu as well and it seemed like the bar was pretty hopping. I'm sure this place will be a big hit with the hipsters. I'm just a bit outside that demographic though.
(3)
Shaina P.
I convinced my husband to go to the Tannery with me, but to my surprise, found Beat Hotel in its place. (Tannery's been gone for a while ... I know there's a new one around the corner. Really, we just wanted a cocktail). This garden-level space is HUGE. Two bars, dining space, lots of additional standing/drinking/socializing space. A stage (obviously). Art everywhere: on the walls, support columns, ceilings. Noteworthy bathrooms. Worth a visit just for the ambience. A bit hipstery-er than its Boston brother, but I ain't complaining because I don't think Cambridge can have too many music venues or cocktail bars (albeit pricey ... $12.50 for an Old Fashioned). And Beat Hotel is an excellent combination of both.
(4)
Jon S.
Came for the jazz brunch around 11. Didn't make a reservation, but the bar was empty (and had tables to accommodate our party of 5), so we didn't have to wait. I was worried that the jazz band was going to overpower our conversations, but it was the exact opposite. They were actually so quiet, you barely noticed they were playing. The brisket grilled cheese was bomb. The best grilled cheese I have ever had in my entire life. The brisket was tender, the bread was fresh and grilled perfectly, and the combination of cheeses hit the spot. Their fries were interesting. I don't usually like potato wedges, but these were thinly sliced giving the perfect fried coating to potato ratio. I really enjoyed them. The pickle spear and the slaw weren't my favorite. The pickle was sort of at a weird crossroads between cucumber and pickle that came off a little slimy. The portions in general are big. The prices are a little on the high side, but at least you get a lot of (good!) food. I think for dinner it gets a little pricier, but it's not bad for brunch! I'll definitely be back. I hear the pancakes are delicious...
(4)
Larry M.
Awesome cocktails. Didn't get to eat dinner but I'm spying others dinners and I'm drooling. This night, Sunday night, is a no cover awesome big band jazz night. I understand the next bunch of Sundays will be no-cover big band nights as well. Get over here.
(5)
Stephanie A.
So, the Beat Hotel is great for a group of friends. It's a super fun atmosphere, the drinks are delicious, and the food is surprisingly tasty as well. They have some creative menu items and put together some flavors that aren't very common. The live music adds a really dynamic and exciting touch to the already "disco-esque" vibe they have going. I look forward to eating here again.
(4)
Heidi L.
Swung by Beat Hotel for spontaneous drinks, so this review won't comment on the food but I have to say that BH was better than I expected (based on the Beehive lol). I got the Rum Cha Yen (which is Thai tea rum, tea liqueur, condensed milk syrup, Bittermens Burlesque bitters, soda...can't go wrong with condensed milk). The music was good and the space is beautiful, even if I'm confused about the theme. Pricing is with the Harvard Square premium, so ultimately, I'd rank this above Daedalus but below Park.
(3)
Casey M.
First of all, this place creates a wait in order to have a line outside. They want to be seen. The wait is unnecessary. They also do not accept out of state ID's which is insane for a place in the middle of Cambridge where pretty much everyone is from out of state. Music is fine but I wouldn't recommend this place to anybody who wants friendly service.
(2)
Jeff T.
We love the ambiance - the history behind the name - and of course the food.
(4)
Sakina B.
oh dear, my worst review ever; located under The Gap; I found something I could eat: fresh turkey hash; as opposed to canned corned beef hash at other breakfast places (so like 5 star on that). the decor is uniquely artisty/ bohemian. service was below my standards (sorry to say something negative) and quality drinks were limited, it's new but has grungy feel; maybe it's my issue with basements?.
(2)
Samuel F.
This is an amazing-looking venue in the space formerly occupied by the old Tannery location in Harvard Square. Retro decor, enjoyable music, beautiful presentation of the food, everything sings with color! The food is delicious, and the cocktail menu is pretty cool, but I'm not sure it justifies the price. On the other hand, the music is good, and they don't charge a cover. I picked the Inca Bowl in part because it listed avocado among the ingredients, and then found it had only a tiny sliver of avocado in the salad. It was delicious, but that did cause a brief moment of disappointment. However, overall a tasty and filling dish. I was a bit surprised to find I couldn't finish it all, and I enjoyed the leftovers the next day. It's certainly a loud venue, another reason to recommend the appetizers and drinks route. On a busy night, it's hard to hear someone across the table. The service was friendly, but really slow (on a busy Friday night), though they kept our water glasses reliably full. The wait for seats was incredibly long, and they refused to give much in the way of information about wait time. Tip to customers: If there's a long wait, you may be able to get in earlier by inquiring if there are still open reservations. Tip to the restaurant: Continuing to fill reservations slots night-of while there's a lengthy list of walk-ins is a terrible way to manage your line! There's ample space to stand while you wait, but getting some snacks or drinks for the wait took more persistence than we could muster. At least they take a phone number for the list. If you want to cafe hop while you wait, nearby Crema Cafe is open until 9PM, Tealuxe is open until at least 10.
(3)
Jamie W.
This place is awesome for a drink and listening to live music. Love the wines on tap and creative cocktails. Food wise, their stuff is somewhat overpriced, but pretty delicious. We liked the Aztec bowl best. The scallops were delicious and perfectly cooked, but the squid ink pasta they came on was underwhelming. The reason for the three star rating is the waiter service. We barely saw our waiter. We probably would have had another round of drinks or maybe dessert, but just getting our order put in was almost impossible. I recommend coming for the music/drinks and leaving dinner to all the places in Harvard that actually have a sufficient waitstaff.
(3)
Sara M.
I used to frequent the Beehive in the past and love the live music. When I was informed that the same owners opened this place up, I was excited to check it out. It has this eclectic feel - with parts cool jazz hipster granola trendy. We were seated close to the stage per my date's request but it did make it a little hard to hear. However, I enjoyed the music and watching the performers, which I wish I was able to do a little more. Our server was pleasant and friendly, while sometimes very absent and other times checking in. The grilled octopus salad appetizer was delightful without being chewy. It was nicely dressed so the octopus really shone through. I had a few bourbon cocktails, which were mixed well. I tried the earth bowl with medium-rare steak. I loved this even though I wish it was in more of a bowl than a shallow platter. The mix of vegetables gave a complex taste and the steak was tasty. The funny thing is that I don't think the meat went with everything else but I ate it separately anyway. I don't know what the damage came to in the end (although I did insist to split) but I enjoyed the restaurant. I would definitely come back with some friends.
(4)
Mariel J.
I really enjoyed this restaurant - located right in Harvard Square. We went for Sunday brunch, and there was live music, sort of folksy, which we like, and it was the perfect volume - you could hear it, but it didn't interfere with conversation at all. Great service, and the food was really creative - the menu changes all the time, so I can't look up what I had, but it was a really unique set of flavors - sort of brunch meets Moroccan meats Mexican. I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Peter B.
So disappointing. The ambience was great, the menu looked good. But the food? The bread on the sandwiches was stale, the fries were greasy and burnt. The service was fair at best (I only got a small bit of coffee and no top ups, our waitress was hard to find). And then on top of all that - it was crazy expensive. Too bad, we wanted to love it.
(1)
V V.
I went there this past Saturday for dinner. I thought the place was really well done. It does has a nice vibe to it. Very sizeable bar area (although I didn't go there). The service was good. The meal I thought was really good. I read some reviews here about food not being good. Not sure what that was about or maybe I just got lucky. I thought it was good. The only negs I thought was the valet was $18, when parking is right around the corner between 12-14. I didn't realize that, otherwise I would have done it myself. The only other part that I can remember as a neg was the band setup. I was there from 8 til about 1. Between 9-10:30 it looked like the band or stage folks where struggling with the sound system or setup. I would have liked the band to have been on longer or earlier. Other than that it was a good experience.
(4)
Sarah B.
I'm giving this place 5 stars based on the staff. The food is meh...but the service is impeccable. I'm a Sox fan and was up this way for a game. Friends of mine live in town so they took me over here for some drinks and grub the night before a game. I love discovering new bars in towns I barely know. Once we walked up to the joint, one of my friends had to take a call so I was stuck waiting outside. The bouncer, a guy with the most amazing red beard, was super friendly. We got to talking about the area, and explained how little I know of Boston. Super informative and incredibly friendly. Once my friend was off the phone, the bouncer was able to help us locate the great spot at the bar without hesitation. What kind of bouncer goes above and beyond to help people INSIDE the bar? Impeccable ones with great service, that's who. The mango martini was ridiculous, and by ridiculous, I mean delicious. Went down way too easy so of course I had too many to count. When in Harvard Square I recommend coming here for the staff alone. Friendly, go-out-of-their-way service. Five stars indeed! Can't wait to go back to Boston.
(5)
Brady B.
Just had brunch here and it was fantastic! My friend and I both started with bloody marys and French onion soup. The soup was to die for. Rich broth, plenty of melt in your mouth short rib and a healthy topping of glorious cheese. Next we shared two entrees. A killer omelet with salami, prosciutto, asparagus and mozzarella cooked to fluffy perfection. The accompanying frittes were thinly cut and tasty as well. The other entree was eggs Benedict with brisket...fucking A!!! I swear it was the best Benedict that both of us have ever had...right down to the hollandaise. The service was fantastic and the decor was lovely. Will most definitely be going back and will be telling all of my clients to go as well.
(5)
Lady J.
The guy at the front desk that is going bald with the glasses is an asshole. Love the food Love the waiters. However I think this guy ruined the experience.. He also states that he's a manager. I am not typically a person who likes to throw around where I work or the connections I have. But I work for a company that has access to unlimited funds and throws a lot of private events. I thought that this could be a location that I could regularly have these events and bring a lot of business to. However due to the treatment that me my boss and colleagues received from this supposed manager, unfortunately I will have to bring my business elsewhere. My poor rating is not due to the food or service. This is strictly due to my dealings with the guy at the front desk. Now to the food. Calamari, Big Marinara fan.. As you know grew up going to school in the north end so I know what I like. My palette didn't like that marinara. It tasted like tomato soup almost. The calamari had no taste super bland. My colleague got the lamb nacho's those were good. That's all I can say is good.. Lol I had the steak strip with mashed potatoes bourdelaise*** sauce and green peas. I don't understand why they would put green pees with mashed potatoes and not asparagus. The strip was great, full of flavor and cooked to perfection. The mashed potatoes were ok they weren't anything special. (I have had some amazing mashed potatoes with steak) I would say do like a garlic, goat cheese or rosemary infused mashed. (just a suggestion) The food was great but pricey. I would say for the money you spend on a steak I think it was $28.00 you are better off going to a genuine steak house. I was here before had the prime burger definitely delicious.. I don't know if it is $16.00 delicious but you should try it.
(1)
Meg M.
Michelle is the best bartender in the city. So knowledgable and personable and funny. She doesn't know I am her newest regular!
(5)
Jane N.
This place is waaaay over priced for what you get. Seriously? $27 for the dinner-sized salad?? Service was polite but not particularly knowledgeable and apparently every cocktail on the list is "the best!". I ordered the steak frites (same price as the salad!) which had a nicely cooked hanger steak but this dish has nothing more in common with steak frites. The steak was not sliced, it was smothered in a very salty gravy, and the "frites" were essentially home-fries. My friend had the Inca bowl which was massive but not particularly tasty. The worst part was the disturbing seed-crunch in the quinoa that sounded like uncooked quinoa but that wasn't it. She stopped eating the quinoa component after the second encounter. Overall, the meal was meh and completely not worth the ridiculous prices. There are SO many better options in Cambridge, there is no reason to waste my money on a place that is more style than substance.
(2)
Lindsay M.
This place is nice, the ambiance and decor is great. The music is actually just right for a restaurant especially live. What I wasn't fussy on was the service. For starters we had a large group on a Saturday, they would not seat us until everyone had arrived and would only allow for a 15 minute window, not giving anyone a second if they say got caught in the ridiculous traffic around here or couldn't find parking! Even when all but one person had made it, they finally gave us a seat (the last person was stuck in traffic due to an accident no one can really help that) but we really had to push them to do so (had it been packed and they were in need of tables I could understand, but the place was only 60% full the entire time we were there) we finally got our table and we had a good server but she was honestly a but pushy with trying to rush us! The food was decent, but it wasn't great by any means, it wasn't bad and no one had any problems but it was decent. The prices are really outrageous. For the price you're paying the food really should be much higher quality! I will say the consensus was the fries were fantastic! It's worth it to go if you can afford to throw away $100 for a dinner for 2 on dinner worth $50 don't have too high of expectations though, their high priced menu is more of a reflection of their location more than their food.
(3)
Lauren G.
I took my mother out for her birthday all around the city yesterday (Aug 25th) & this place was the perfect end to our celebration. We just stopped in for drinks originally, but ended up staying for food because the burger came highly recommend from another patron at the bar. Our bartender, Mona, was so attentive & great at mixing up drinks. She made my mothers very specific drink perfectly & she mixed me up a delicious coffee drink that she thought up on her own. The burgers came out exactly as we ordered. I loved the fry like chips they served on the side! The music set the perfect mood as well as the decor. I will be recommending this place to all my friend & clients in Harvard square.
(5)
Sarah G.
Note: This review is just for drinks--since they had about 20 open tables that were all reserved for dinner, but 45 minutes after we asked if we could order some apps at one of those empty tables, they were all still empty. The manager or someone even came over and asked us to move our backpack away from the dinner table---the EMPTY set of 20 tables for dinner. There was no one in that area eating, and no one came to sit at that table even within the next 15 minutes after that man asked us to move our backpack....interesting way to treat people your first weeks of business I say... Good thing Beat Hotel clearly spent a ton of effort in designing this space. It is absolutely beautiful inside. Almost like an art gallery inside with cool beaded chandeliers and light tassels, colorful paintings on all of the walls, it really feels almost magical inside and like you are truly escaping Harvard Square for something totally different. Their drink list is also pretty decent, with a few local beers on tap, some in bottles, a ton of wines on tap (yes, on tap!), and some inventive cocktails too. I got their Purple Door cocktail which was tito's vodka with a blueberry puree that was so so tasty and addictive to drink. I drank it faster than I should have (especially for it being $11), but that definitely makes me want to go back at least for drinks again!
(4)
Tiffney B.
The food was very good and the live music every night is a really great addition! Service was also very good. The only complaint is I feel the wine list is super over priced, so be prepared for it & you'll have a fantastic time!
(4)
P G.
It's definitely a very lively and upbeat place...however its not all that. The food was mediocre and the service...eh! So we decided to get there on a Friday night and were running couple minutes late...the front desk staff was not very pleasant to deal with. I ordered the mojito and it was basically lemonade with mint (so much for drinking on a Friday night) We ordered the Aztec bowl and Thai bowl...both were bland and did not have the wow factor. I definitely won't be going back again and won't recommend this place in the future. The major reason for not going back will be the food and front desk staff.
(2)
Irene C.
DRINKS: Atmosphere here in the evening cannot be beat. The space is huge yet separated into sections so it's still intimate, and there are several bars. The bartender we met was extremely friendly, and the drinks themselves were delicious. FOOD: When I came here for dinner, I had the Chicken Milanese, which was very underwhelming, especially for $25. SERVICE: Waiter and bartender were excellent on both occasions. While I was eating dinner, the manager stopped by to introduce herself and ask about our food, which was a nice touch since at that point Beat Hotel was pretty new in town. OVERALL: Go for the drinks but not for the food if the quality does not improve or the price does not drop.
(4)
Rafal W.
Oxford alumnus rejected from a Harvard establishment, an offense that will not get unnoticed for years to come. Both the bouncer and manager quoted Mass. law only accepting Mass. or passport ID, which is fair enough but does not constitute part of common sense. I was left alone at the age of 23, offended by all involved, stripped of my group of friends, to an unknown town. I definitely do not recommend a visit.
(1)
Rann B.
I went to The Beat Hotel for the first time on Wednesday, August 20. I fell in love with the decor and ambiance immediately upon entering the restaurant, thoroughly enjoyed the unique food and drinks, and was impressed with the flamingo group from Buenos Aires. However, during the performance a group of self absorbed millennial ruined my experience. Not only did they ignore the performance, competing with the music and singing with their loud bar talk, they had audacity to sing Happy Birthday to a friend in the middle of a song being performed by the group. How rude! When I complained to the manager, he promised to quiet them down, but never approached them. If these entitled children want to drink and talk, they should go to a bar without entertainment. I will think twice before revisiting and/or recommending this restaurant.
(2)
Julie C.
This place is a gimmick. I went for dinner at the Beat Hotel twice. The first time I went, I was really weirded out but I thought I would give it another chance because I wanted so badly to like it here. Both experiences were laughable. -food is not good and it's way overpriced. I honestly can not recommend one item out of the many items we ordered -the live music is a plus and the decor is interesting, but those are the only positive things -the staff is egregious, snobby and way too intense. I felt like I was being watched by somebody the entire time. Our server basically rolled her eyes when we asked to take our leftovers home and when I declined a drink the 5 times she asked if I wanted one (just a couple of examples of the many instances where I felt like I was being judged)..YEAH.. Not going back!
(1)
Jennifer L.
This place has too many rules. No dancing and no ordering drinks in certain places. Host/Hostess was nowhere to be found. Overpriced for the service too. The live music was good, though.
(1)
Dave B.
Great place, good food, solid bands. They lose a star only because every time I go they make me and whomever I'm with wait for "the last member of our party" to arrive before seating us at our table. Pretty frustrating. But they win me back once the apps come! But seriously, seat me. I'm not lying, there ARE 5 of us.
(4)
Tashombe H.
I was invited here for brunch on Sunday w/o a reservation. The service up to meal delivery was great. Once we got our food, it seems we were forgotten about. I was greeted, there was a short wait (since we did not have a reservation) then seated about 1/2 way towards the stage. We both enjoyed our drinks that were served quickly. There was not a long wait for the food either. It's priced a bit more than I'd like to pay for eggs and a salad but eh I guess you have to cover the music cost. It's worth coming back for drinks and checking out the talent.
(3)
Anna G.
Beat Hotel, I had higher hopes for you when I suggested a Friday night gathering for dinner and drinks. At least you showed your true colors early, I suppose. Expensive drinks, limited beer selections and HORRIBLY OVERPRICED FOOD. We sat down and ordered tequila shots and cocktails to shake off the week. Fine, no huge issue yet. Then on to apps, we settled on the Bohemian Platter (dips and spreads and pickled things for the table). The waitress insisted that we order the large not the small. When this $23 selection arrived we thought it was a joke. We thought it was 1 of 2 or 3 plates that would follow. 4 scoops of dips on a tiny plate with some bland pita chips. We didn't even eat it so I shouldn't say bland but I want you to know what we were working with here. Also, when I say 4 scoops I mean small. I mean, I would eat that whole thing to my face in 5 minutes. I don't think Oleana or some of the really fabulous middle eastern places would charge you $23 for what was put in front of us. It was pathetic and we made that known. We didn't even order something else after that. We sent it back, asked for the check and hurried out of there to go somewhere else. On our way out the waitress whispered to me, "well at least we won't charge a cover". Lady, I would NEVER pay a cover to go back. Honestly, unless you are a tourist or enjoy forking over lots of cash for little return, please don't go here. There are so may other great spots in the neighborhood.
(1)
seth g.
I really enjoy the Beehive so when I heard about Beat Hotel I was intrigued. I went with a small group for dinner. I walked into the restaurant and said "Wow, this is cool". At the end of the night I walked out dissatisfied and angry. Dinner started out well. The waitperson went over the menu and made reccomendations. My initial Smoky the Bear mixed drink was delicious but the second was not mixed like the first and heavy on the vermouth. Our appetizers and entrees were good, although perhaps a little overpriced for the quality. Desserts were very good. However, as dinner progressed more and more staff attempted to clear our plates prematurely. Near the end of our meal the check was hastily dumped on the table before we were finished, really irritating me. If we had overstayed our time slot someone should have been gracious enough to let us know. The live muisc was very good. So good that we watched inspired couples start to dance together throughout the night. Those couples were systematically chased down by staff and instructed to stop. Then, at the end of the night, on the way out we were told to keep moving when a preson in our party stopped to put on her jacket before leaving. There's a no stopping zone down the central walkway. I probably would have been happy if I had had gone for wine or beer at the bar. In the end Beat Hotel felt impersonal and pushy. It seemed like a Disney establishment or Las Vegas hotel bar; well designed and made to feel you were having a good time, but rigidly managed and impersonal. It's too bad. Harvard square needs the type of place Beat Hotel is trying to be.
(2)
Rob B.
Shrimp cocktail was very good but a little bit overpriced the Aztec salad was really really really good Service was great!
(4)
Corey D.
I'm really in love with this place - I've never had a bad experience here with the food or the service. My latest was the duck with Risotto and Sour Cherries. The duck was cooked to perfection and I'm super picky about how my duck is cooked. The first time I went was for brunch, which was great. I'd just recently gotten back from NOLA and having withdrawals, so having brunch with a Jazz band was fantastic. The atmosphere/theme is awesome as well - The restaurant is really big and open - I've rarely had trouble getting a table without a reservations - although on the weekends you'll want one. I will say that the price point is a little higher than normal for Harvard Square - with entrees between $25-30 - but the quality of the food makes up for it. I would recommend this place for any Harvard Square trip. Recommend: Any of the Bowls Seared Duck Breast Caesar Salad Prime Natural Beef Hamburger
(5)
Kate L.
After coming for a real meal at the bar, I absolutely LOVE the food here. The buffalo cauliflower was OUT OF THIS WORLD - tasted like you were eating a 300000 calorie meal and was relatively healthy. The short ribs were TO DIE FOR. Melted in your mouth. Heaven. Kind of pricey on the drinks but apps are large so I recommend eating apps at the bar.
(5)
Shayna Y.
Overall: I only came here for a quick pre-dinner drink, but I loved the hipster atmosphere. Likes: - ambiance is very cool, funky chandeliers and lot up peace signs - drink menu is plush with wine and cocktail offerings Gripes: - none, I need to go back!
(4)
Karen S.
Well...the food stands alone as fantastic and delicious but I'm not reviewing the food. One word...Brian. I have been a bartender in Boston for almost twenty years and I have not found anyone even close to him. He is welcoming, funny, attentive and absolutely bloody fantastic at what he does. A definite asset to your establishment and the reason I will be returning on a regular basis. Thank you Brian...
(5)
L S.
Beware: out of state IDs will not are not accepted for folks between the ages of 21-24. Only a passport or a military ID will be allowed. The Beat Hotel abides strictly by MA law...? Having lived in MA for six years now, I have not once heard of this law. At first, I was denied entry - pretty concerning because I'm sure many tourists and young MA transplants will face the same issue. Afterwards, the policy was explained twice more with varying degrees of clarity. I was determined to enjoy the show, but I can't say that the inquisitorial attitude didn't have a damper on the night - especially when some patrons were waved right through the door. Apparently this establishment has been facing some strict oversight, but I'm sure there is a way to avoid guests feeling targeted and alienated... We almost thought we were being 86'd! The live music was really awesome, as was decor. Our server was really, really great. :) The food was pretty standard, no complaints.
(2)
Glenn C.
Excellent bar for good, live jazz and atmosphere. Also, the wait and host/hostess staff is accommodating. Also, thank-you for having Buffalo Trace bourbon available for me on my recent visit with both my Mother and Mother in Law.
(4)
Jason S.
cool bar, large inside so a safer place to go and either find a bar stool, high-top table or side ledge to pony up to. Good drinks, friendly staff, great music.
(4)
Alex M.
Con: Ridiculous ID policy (bring your PASSPORT of you want to drink here), insanely slow, clumsy service (two drinks spilled on my brother), wait to get in, ineffectual management (checked our IDs THREE TIMES for three legitimately of-age people and still wouldn't let one drink). Pro: Tasty food. Free bread and butter is really great. Truly excellent music.
(2)
John S.
I should state I am not a big of jazz... But this place avoids the typical jazz bar douch ness. Beat is not a bad place to grab a drink... Although tends to be crowded and difficult to get the bartenders attention. Decent place fir brunch
(3)
Laura S.
EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. however our food was pretty delicious, and I didn't totally hate our server, which I have a tendency to do. We started with the pulled lamb nachos, which were amazing. I love lamb, so I may be biased but they were GOOD. For dinner my boyfriend had short rob lasagna, which seemed under portioned for the price, and I had the lamb osso buco, which was incredible. dessert was totally cheating because they have coconut red velvet cake and I LOVE red velvet cake, and coconut! I think overall I preferred beehive in the south end over beat hotel, prices were better, food was better, and ambience was better at beehive. I wish I could rate 3.5 stars!
(4)
Leslie P.
I loved it! We were there on Sunday morning for a birthday celebration. We had a reservation at 11:30. Two of our guests were stuck in a road race traffic jam, but the staff was very accommodating and held our table until they arrived. While waiting we had drinks at the bar, which is really nice. Our table was down toward the front of the restaurant where the Jazz band was playing. The music was delightful, just the right level of sound to fade into the background of conversation, but still loud enough to enjoy. Everyone enjoyed their meal. Two of us had the Earth Bowl which was really good. The short rib grilled cheese sandwich was enormous! The restaurant itself has a really fun decor - lots of things to look at. It fits right into the Harvard Square vibe. This is definitely a fun place to bring someone who is new to the area!
(5)
Erica D.
Well it would have been nice to be let in, but I, as well as the rest of my group of 25, were denied. We came here for an event that was booked a good week ahead of time for a corporate outing. The manager and bouncers refused to let us in. We arrived on a charter bus and they claimed that they saw a cooler of drinks on board and therefore we must have drank too much and couldn't enter. They didn't give anyone the time of day or even see us one by one to confirm that we were sober enough and OK to come in. They flat out refused to let anyone in. The leader of our group argued with the bouncer and one manager for a good 25 minutes while our entire group stood outside shivering in the cold (It was about 20 degrees out). Then the bouncer got aggressive and pushed my manager, HARD. He, of course pushed back and the two of them had a short brawl of sorts until it was broken up and we left. Oh, they called the police on us too, and we were stuck there for a good hour before they finally let us go. Yeah, THEY called the cops on US, for a fight their impulsive bouncer started. Greeeaaaaatt hospitality. I will certainly never come back here. Too bad, because the cocktail menu looked decent. And I say this as a seasoned bartender. Too bad, too bad.
(1)
Amy F.
Good wine. Tasty cocktails. Mediocre, overpriced food. My husband and I had a night out and I felt it was a bit of a waste. I got the brisket which was very dry and the broccolini consisted two tiny pieces perched on the brisket. Not my idea a veggie side but a garnish. My husband had the fish tacos. While the tacos were fine the beans and rice were a mere garnish as well and were covered in a thick layer of cheese rendering it inedible. I'd return for music and drinks but skip the food.
(3)
Virginia Z.
At first glance, I wasn't sold on Beat Hotel. Sure, it seemed like a wide open, clean place with some interesting accent painting. But, it seemed a bit too hip a place for me. Looking at the menu, I couldn't quite conceptualize the dishes. I'm glad that we stayed. We had 6 in our party without a reservation, which was not a problem for an early meal. I would advise reserving if after 6pm, since it seems to fill up quickly. Though I could not partake in adult beverages, my dining mates could and it seems that they do a nice mix of classic cocktails and the menu offerings. There were no complaints from those who ordered. We skipped appetizers since none of us was ravenous and ordered for dinner- getting a good mixture of the menu. I ordered the Bowl Azteca, wtih adobo-spiced quinoa, tomatillo soaked hominy, lightly sauteed spinach, some fresh corn, summer squash, and a spice rubbed chicken. It was delightful. Fellow diners ordered the Earth Bowl, with root vegetables and squash, and added shrimp, the Bowl Azteca with shrimp, Mahi Mahi fish tacos, steak frites, and a Caesar salad topped with skirt steak- all of which were delicious and very fresh offerings. I admit that a return visit full of appetizers will have to happen since the buffalo cauliflower (!?!) at a nearby table smelled delicious and pulled pork nachos are calling my name. The service was good, including asking if a menu request I made (no avocado) was a request or allergy-related; it's always good when a place will ensure an allergy free experience. Mine was a request and it was honoured. All in all, it was a great experience.
(4)
Sarah M.
I went here for dinner Saturday and was really impressed. It's a really cool place, very different from other places in the Boston area. They also have live music Saturday nights which was good and also not too loud so we could still talk. We started with the Bohemian platter which was amazing. Our entrees and cocktails were also delicious. The service was very friendly and attentive. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Macie S.
My new favorite restaurant. Delicious food, impeccable service and awesome decor. The mussels were incredible as was the Azteca Bowl! Can't wait to come back here!!
(5)
Gabe R.
You can't pretend to be a hippie joint and charge $25 for a rice bowl. It makes for a pretty weird vibe. Overpriced food, decent drinks and music, apathetic staff, condescending hostess.
(2)
Kristen K.
I was so excited to try this place out. I've been a fan of Beehive and love places with live (especially Jazz) music. I came for drinks which was not appreciated by the restaurant (exception being the hostess who was excellent). Demerits for inhospitable staff and surprisingly harsh attitude. I invited friends (everyone aged 30+ and no roudy or disrespectful kids in the group) to meet here for celebratory drinks on a Thursday night. Upon arrival I sat with friends at the bar. The female bar tender was very accomodating until things got busy and then she started to get snippy when a couple of people sitting at the bar tried to order drinks. I can understand the pressure volume in the bar brings but snideness was unnecessary. Our group grew to 7 people. The bar was not crowded and we were happy to stay there and keep ordering drinks. The hostess, who was very kind, offered to sit us at a table. We let her know we did not plan on ordering entrees. She said we could still sit at a table and order drinks. We were happy to be seated but let hostess know 1 additional person may come later. We were sat at the table and all adults continued to order drinks and many appetizers. The food was very good. The drinks were good also. When the waitress tried to take an entree order we said we'd be sticking with drinks and appetizers and the waitress scoffed(!!) The only reason we took seats at a table was because the restaurant was encouraging us to. Eventually, the last person joined the group and sat on the booth where there was plenty of room. We were not encrouching on the space of the table next to us. A manager came over to the table and scolded us for adding an additional person! We explained we'd been upfront about this but clearly it was a problem for the Beat Hotel. In short, I was embarassed at having told friends to come to this place when multiple people copped attitude at us (bartender, waitress, and manager) after we had been very upfront about being there for the drinks, appetizers, and ambience.
(3)
Rachel F.
HAHA to Julie's review below. I've never had dinner here but the bar service is equally as terrible. The bartender was SO rude! Drink was awful and pricey. Music was the only good thing.
(2)
Lauren H.
I love this place. Great vibe, friendly service, interesting and delicious food, and reasonable prices for Harvard Square. Beat Hotel fills that sweet spot between casual and festive and makes it easy to relax and have fun. I was concerned that it would become a "scene," but six months later, it's still a solid, chill option without a scenester in sight. I stopped by for brunch today and was happy to discover that it's equally fab in the daylight. Cheers.
(4)
Sarah L.
I've only gotten dinner to-go, but it was very yummy. I'd like to go back to eat there. Also, staff (bartender and hostesses) were really nice. Pros: Vegan and vegetarian options. The roasted brussel sprouts appetizer is really, really (really) good. Yum! They also have a couple of entrees that can be ordered vegetarian/vegan -- sides, too. Cons: Really expensive! $20 for the aforementioned vegan entree seems crazy. It's about $3 worth of food. I realize there's a mark-up on that, but it's a little much. Apparently they'll be adding brunch to their offerings sometime soon...
(4)
Jenna M.
This place is great! Not only is the fare healthy yet tasty, but it is mostly sustainably farmed, a unique concept even for this area. The space is also very cozy, while it is one of a few place in Harvard Square that can easily accommodate a large group. The murals and hangings are distinctly funky, yet tasteful. Live jazzy music after 8 pm is also a big plus. Most importantly, the food is phenomenal! Duck breast with black lentils and veggies was superb- tender meat with a tasty sauce, topped with browned onions. The Azteca bowl was also really good, with a variety of super fresh veggies. Much of the wine is sustainably or organically grown, and in the US. Prices seem high, but considering the lessened environmental impact and decreased cruelty of livestock, it is quite fair.
(4)
Chrysanthe P.
I've been to the Beat Hotel on two occasions: once to grab some drinks with friends and another time for belated Mother's Day brunch - just me and the mama. Cocktails here are wonderful. I honestly can't remember what I ordered (probably something with gin), but I do remember some standouts that my friends ordered. Favorites of the night were the Purple Door (vodka, blueberry puree, and some legit maple syrup) and the American Breed (Maker's Mark, Elderflower liqueur, and apple cider). I was pleasantly surprised that neither was overly sweet and both delicious. Be warned that the American Breed is quite strong (all the more reason to order it, in my opinion). Admittedly, the bartenders were a little standoff-ish at times, but it was busy and they weren't rude, by any means. Moving on to consumption of food (and alcohol). First off, there's jazz brunch. Who doesn't love that? Sociopaths is the answer, but I hope you aren't one of them. Starting with drinks (it's the natural order of things): I was curious as to whether or not they had iced coffee and,as they did not, my waiter kindly suggested an iced americano. Does this guy know me or something? Yes, please! Anyways, my mom and I are both Bloody Mary lovers, so both had one each since we were on our best brunch behavior that day. Nothing special there, but solid Bloody Mary. Ok, food: I had the vegetarian bowl azteca. Really generous portion of some yummy veggie goodness. The mom ordered their spring vegetable soup, which was super flavorful, as well as the bohemian platter, which had some yummy hummus and such that I sampled. All around a good experience. The decor and ambiance is pretty and pleasant. I would definitely recommend checking it out here.
(4)
Sara F.
This is the type of bar I've been looking for. It is a unique gem for Cambridge. I came on a Friday night for drinks with a large group of coworkers. The vibe and the atmosphere was immediately lovable. The place is huge and the lighting is perfect. The live music was charming and not over whelming. The crowd was big and loud but still polite and classy. The bar was filled with professionals, not rowdy college kids. Although crowded and loud it wasn't TOO crowded and loud. I wasn't being pushed around. There wasn't a long wait for drinks. I could still have conversations. It was a hopping night, but still comfortable. I can not speak to the food as I did not have any, but I would definitely return again for a fun night of drinking with good company!
(5)
Mick T.
Great atmosphere, lovely staff, live music, decent mixed drinks, but mediocre overpriced food. Last time I was here I ordered the Mussels entree, the previous time I had the Mussels appetizer & Lamb Nachos. I ask the barman what the difference was between the Mussels starter it and the Mussels appetizer, he stated it was bigger and came with fries. For 23 bucks I got the lamest amount of mussels with a paltry amount of fries. Previously when I had the lamb nachos, they were cold. Both times that I've had ate here I should have complained, but I was starved and wolfed everything down. I've learned my lesson, drink here, get appetizers, but don't have dinner as it's overpriced for what it is.
(3)
Catherine D.
This place has too much personality and unsolicited live music. I hate live music I did not ask or pay for... but I suppose I can understand why others might enjoy this sort of thing. Seems like a great place for yuppies to enjoy the pseudo-hippie-aesthetic (is that what they are going for? Did I get that right? Bah, whatever.) without having to actually interact with hippies. I only had drinks. The drinks were okay.
(3)
Jon F.
The Beat Hotel has a unique ability to attract people from all of the crowds one might find in Cambridge. YoPros, hipsters, and middle aged corporate employees congregate under the chandeliers and next to the folk band. Drinks are standard for Harvard Square: $9-14 for a glass of wine, $10-12 for a distinctively named cocktail, and $6 for a beer. If you are looking for a place nicer than a Grendel's Den without needing to exchange jeans for a suit, The Beat Hotel is the place for you.
(4)
Jane S.
The funky decorations really make this place, it feels like you're eating dinner inside an Anthropologie. I came with a group to celebrate a friend's birthday and we all had a great time. Most of the party got variations of the Inca bowl and really liked it. I couldn't stomach paying $20+ for a 'healthy' entree, so I went for the burger, which was fantastic. We also got a dessert sampler to split, which was delicious as well.
(4)
Sarkis A.
Bartender attitude sucks! I was just there today at about 4:50. After looking at the menu asked the bartender if that's all they had, a tiny small menu. He snottily said yes, that's all he had. Then at 5 o'clock exactly I see a menu change! Humm! Would it have been too much for him to say that the dinner menu starts in 10 minutes or gone ahead and given me one to look at? It's the type of nasty attitude in the service industry that we don't need. So pissed. . AVOID. Attitude in the whole place. Nasty!
(1)
Rebecca L.
Snotty staff (you know this just a Cambridge bar ,right?), unappealing cheap tables, too loud to talk for diners, but too strict to make it a "party place" Ex: no dancing. Won't be back.
(1)
Dan C.
I am not sure what this place was, maybe the Tannery, but Beat Hotel is new to me since my last visit to Cambridge. It may also be in a basement, but it is huge. It also has an odd "hippie" theme that doesn't quite work for me, especially with aged filet mignon on the menu, but whatevs. The room is spacious and although I was there on a busy Saturday night (for drinks only), I was still able to find some space in the bar area and get a drink quickly and not be crushed while I enjoyed my cocktail. The staff was friendly and the prices are reasonable as well. There is live music here during dinner, too if you are into that stuff.
(3)
Jenn S.
FOOD: I had some of the best tuna here. I ordered it with the pesto mashed potatoes and it was spectacular. However, we did not receive bread and we were a party of 10. I wish we would have since we waited awhile for our reservation table to open up. STAFF: Bartenders I agree with some people that they were not as friendly as they could have been and it took FOREVER to get a drink when they were not that busy. Our waitress was extremely nice and she made our experience great. ATMOSPHERE: I loved the live music and even though we were all the way by the door we could still hear everything.
(4)
Abhirup D.
Disclaimer: This is not food review. I am sure their brunch is amazing, but I am just here to talk about the weekend evenings. The first time I went to Beat Hotel, I loved it. Live music adds an extra color to the place. Drinks are on the expensive side, but worth it. This seemed like a really unique bar/restaurant for Harvard Square, and I was excited to come back soon. However, I was really disappointed on my second visit. I arrived at 8:30 pm and had to stand in a long line to get in to the bar (they were only letting people in who had reservations for table). In any case, I put my name in for a table and after a 20 minute wait was able to get in to the bar. We had a round of drinks at the bar before being finally seated. My friends and I were hoping to get some appetizers later and savor it with a few more rounds of drinks. But to our dismay, we were told that when seated, customers are expected to get full dinner service. So no apps and drinks, we have to order entrees. So in a nutshell, as a customer, you do not have any discretion over the quantity of food you want to eat. In addition, we felt a nasty judgmental vibe when we asked if they can serve Vodka with "RED BULL." So apparently, we get judged when we ask for drinks of our choice. I gave this a 3 star b/c I liked it when I went there for the first time, and had a totally different experience. The second time was an utter disaster. No thanks, I will go to Beehive.
(3)
Jack D.
We had the Maine scrod which was to die for! Well prepared in a mix of fish & vegetable stock. The Thai bowl was more pedestrian although the shrimp were well prepared and clearly cared for. We were there in the early evening prior to theater on a Saturday night and had no problem getting a table for dinner. Great staff and an amazing mix of customers: families with and without children, couples, and seniors. Some pretty good jazz to to along with the meal was a nice touch.
(4)
Kaveh D.
Great ambience and great live music that is not too loud! that's a huge plus around this area. Reasonably priced beers. Foods are on the pricy side, but of good quality. There is a lot of space but a long wait too.
(4)
Teri L.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! I've dined here a few times and each time has been fantastic! In fact, I ate there tonight and felt compelled to write a review because of the excellent service. I made a reservation for 5 and I was the first to arrive. After a brief discussion with the friendly hostesses, I went to the bar and had a drink. The bartender was very attentive and I had a lovely glass of wine. When we were seated at our table (which was very close to the live band), we were greeted by a very nice gentleman who was our server. He made great recommendations and kept checking up on us through out the evening. I wanted to pay for my table as a gift and made a smooth getaway to the bathroom where I found our server and asked that he place the check on my card to avoid the "I'm going to pay!" argument that was definitely going to happen with my guests. The server was understanding, charged my card, and quietly left the receipt for me to sign. It couldn't have gone more smoothly. Everyone had a great meal, drinks, music and we left really happy. I wish I could remember our server's name because he was very good. Beat Hotel people, if you're reading this, he mentioned he's from the South. Again, great service. The only thing I wish I could change is the parking situation. But it's Harvard Square and no one can really do anything about that... Take the T.
(5)
Amanda M.
Very impressed with this cool, trendy brunch spot. Free live music, unique menu, great wait staff.
(5)
D J.
First Lauren is a terrific host. The night was okay, we enjoyed the food and musical backdrop. If you're looking for a cool spot with a hip vibe (lil funky)...Beat Hotel works. I deducted two star for a lack of diversity but...it's Harvard Sq (location).
(3)
Addie R.
The atmosphere here is amazing! I didn't know about the beat generation before, but now I do. Don't miss the paintings on the wall - the artwork here is gorgeous and full of fun little details. The chandeliers and beaded curtains really add to the feel of that generation. I went on a Saturday about 8:30 pm and the bouncer was one of the most PLEASANT, friendly and non-pretentious people ever! He just seemed like a great, chill guy, very welcoming and cool. Being a Saturday, the place was packed - no chance we were getting a table or any space at the bar. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people stand at the bar, around empty chairs, blocking others from getting to them and taking up more space than necessary. I know it's not the bartender's job to call people out on that ("sit down or move so someone else can"), but it was so egregious here and the bar area was so full! My group of four went to the very front of the restaurant, in a waiting area of sorts, and took our drinks over there. I had a mango-vodka cocktail and it was great! It tasted like an alcoholic mango lassi - just incredibly delicious. I actually think sitting in the waiting area near the front was better for our conversation because it was quieter and we could actually hear each other. The opposite end of the venue has a stage with live music - which is fun, however loud. The beat hotel was a great night out spot on Saturday - can't wait to go again!
(4)
John G.
I should have listened to my gut: distrust a restaurant with hippie decor and valet parking. Woody Allen's opening line in Annie Hall was tailor-made for this place. "The food here is terrible... and such small portions!" Service was by-the-book attentive. If they're going to offer bread would it kill them to serve it warm? Butter was frozen. I got a skirt steak, which was OK, but for the price I would have hoped for a larger portion. My partner, on the other hand, regrets not sending back his blackened shrimp. Too spicy, and not adequately skinned. Stomach bothered him afterwards. Came with McDonalds-level frites and a bean salad that was four green bean segments on a pile of frisee. There are dozens of other restaurants in Harvard Square. If I'm going to get a $20-$30 entree, I can go to Russell House where I know it will be good. If I want a place to get a drink after work, I'll go to Tory Row where the decor doesn't pander and patronize. If I want a sit-down dinner with said drink, I can go to Cambridge One and get great pizza. If I want a burger and a beer, I have numerous options. But here? The food's too small, too expensive, and just plain not good. The service is indifferent, and the decor is hypocritical. Why would we ever come here again?
(1)
Chris H.
Good ambience, nice music, and friendly servers. Tried the dinner farmer salad with shrimp as well as the fish tacos. They were good but felt unnecessarily high priced for what you get. It would seem more appropriate if they were $15 rather than $25, but it was still good and I enjoyed it.
(4)
Nathan B.
I was really excited about Beat Hotel - it has all the trappings of a great new brunch place or place to grab a drink after work. The decor was great, the jazz fun, spacious dining room. But there were some significant problems. The staff seems woefully unprepared for the brunch crowd, even with tons of staff flitting around, the service was super slow. We waited for well over an hour for our food. Rather than being forward with us that the kitchen was backed up, we got word from our waitress maybe five minutes before our food came out. Someone at our table ordered the coconut carrot cake, which was okay enough. When our entrees came out the manager sent over another carrot cake to the table...I guess as an apology for the late food, but we didn't want another large piece of cake...we just wanted our entrees. When a manager eventually made it to our table to apologize, it was a half-apology and more of a "thanks for not yelling at us" type thing. No real apology and certainly no gesture to the table (maybe just giving us the cake for free, or our drinks?). We could see many other tables struggling with late food, as well, each with a manager fake apologizing to them, too. The food had taken so long to get to us that it was cold when arrived at our table, which seemed odd given their explanation that it was the kitchen that was backed up. My meal was good, a breakfast bowl with hummus and fixings. Other at my table were unimpressed by the more American brunch foods (eggs, etc), especially for the prices. All in all this place has potential but right now the kinks are definitely not worked out. Save yourself some frustration and wait a few months til they get things ironed out.
(2)
Noshii R.
Went back to Beat Hotel for brunch as one of our favorite local musicians was playing. MUSIC WAS GREAT!!! Oh, where do I begin... Lady pouring us the coffee spilled coffee all over the saucer and table whilst only filling my initial cup of joe to the half way point and never came back to clean up the mess--???? WHEN DID IT BECOME OKAY TO SPILL COFFEE ALL OVER A CUSTOMERS LAP???? btw the coffee is atrocious. I ordered the burger and it was a bit small and dry but okay--the pictures posted on this are not at all what my burger looked like so be warned. Had one of the desserty breakfast dishes too and that was pretty good--but you can't really go wrong with something that is glazed in apple butter. The only good side for brunch on a Sunday is that its kid friendly as we were in a large group with a few who brought toddlers and they had ample space to run around and enjoy. The service at this place is in need of major overhaul...seriously!! It seems like they put a lot of effort into this place and are still playing with the menu and the prices like playing with the stock market but they are inching toward a more realistic price point but for the love of god teach your staff some basics.
(1)
Colleen M.
I really wanted to like the Beat Hotel. My daily commute takes me through Harvard square and I had been to the Beehive several times and enjoyed it. After attempting to visit 4 different times and being turned away by the bouncer because they were having a private event (Beat Hotel: Are you a public restaurant/club or a private music hall?) finally went in last week and had an okay time. We had drinks at the bar and I had a wine that I liked---after the bartender gave me a taste. I'm a big wine drinker but if I am unfamiliar with the wine I always ask for a taste first. I am the first person to spend way too much on a glass of good wine but have a rather finicky palate. We went again last night and I couldn't remember the name of the wine I had been drinking so I asked for a taste of the one I thought it was. I was told if I wanted a taste (we're talking 2-3 sips here) that I would have to buy one to the tune of $6.50. Bar tender wouldn't budge so I asked to talk to the manager. Manager wouldn't budge either so I left and wont be back. Customer to retailer: I would like to try this dress on before buying it. Retailer to customer: ok, it's $20 to try it on. Way to discourage business Beat Hotel.
(1)
Charlie J.
The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for drinks and live music but the food is less than average and over priced.
(2)
Philipp W.
Praise the lord! Finally - a Jazz Bar in Boston that knocks it out of the park. I mean... Wally's never gets old, and the occasional trip to Beehive, Regatta Bar, or Scullers is fun.. but Beat Hotel really hits on all fronts: 1. The music is killin. These players/singers have chops. 2. You can get in without paying for expensive tickets or covers. 3. The place can hold more than 30 people (sorry Wally's, still love you) 4. The decor is fantastic. 5. The food & drink is legit. Earth bowl? Seafood stew? Octupus appetizer? Bohemian platter? Heaven. It took me ten minutes to realize how great this place was. I've been waiting for a joint like this in Boston... hopefully this will be a success with similar openings to follow.
(5)
Josh S.
Really cool place. We stumbled upon this place visiting Boston. They took good care of us. The food was interesting, artistic and fresh. Lots of healthy choices. The ambience is really cool. The live jazz was just right to set the mood. Nicholas, our server was just right. My only complaint might be that I wish they had more IPAs on tap to choose from. Tuna spring roll- greasy, not amazing Brisket - great, interesting tang. Big . Bandanna pudding with Vanilla bean- to die for
(4)
Samantha L.
Since we were lucky to land a parking space in Harvard Square on a Friday night, I checked on OpenTable which restaurants had a last minute opening and Beat Brasserie happened to be one of them. When we got there, the hostess told us that they couldn't sit us until the whole party was present and that we would be placed on a waitlist (with an unknown wait time) but I mentioned on OpenTable that there was an opening so they sat us right away. I liked how restaurant was dim setting. However, the tables were placed so close together, often times we'd bump into each other when exiting the tables. The live music playing in the background made it difficult to hold conversations. Tonight, we ordered a variety of items off the menu, mostly appetizers. I ordered the Squid Ink Pasta which was topped with crabmeat, leeks, and roasted tomatoes, and garnished with basil leaves. I did manage to find a lonely english pea in this appetizer. The sauce resembled a mildly spicy Fra Diavolo sauce with a strong lemon juice flavor. I specifically requested the dish not to be spicy due to a dietary restriction but the chef ignored it. I also ordered the entree version of Steamed Maine Mussels, which was cooked in a tomato based beer broth and topped with old bay. I requested it to have no spicy red flakes and I'm glad they followed through with this request. I didn't like how the broth had a bitter after taste. However, it was supposed to come with toast points or fries but our server must have forget them because it never came. My mom ordered the Crispy Tuna Spring Roll, which consisted of deep fried, wonton wrap filled with avocado, tomato, wasabi, rice, and soy, sliced in half, and served with a sesame oil infused soy sauce. She also ordered a Harvard Beet Salad, which consisted of roasted golden and red beets around a bed of arugula served over herbed yogurt and topped with thin, crispy potato strips. My brother ordered the Nantucket Fluke Ceviche, which consisted of chopped fluke, diced cucumber, and diced tomato, drizzled with lime juice, and topped with jalapeño and cilantro. He said the ceviche was spicy, just the way he likes it. My dad ordered a Prime Natural Beef Burger, which consisted of lettuce, tomato, thick beef patty, slice of cheddar cheese, crispy fried onions, and port wine aioli between a sweet, toasted, buttery bun. It came with a dill pickle (sliced in half) and hand cut fries. Sadly, it was probably my favorite item of the night.
(3)
Matthew B.
Note: I just had drinks here. I'll update once food becomes part of the equation. The drink selection was great and the layout was awesome. I was impressed by the open design, friendly staff and fun menu of drink options. The bartender made some impressive gin drinks on a warm afternoon and all was well. I highly recommend dropping in for a beer or cocktail.
(4)
Simon L.
The burger sits nestled in a fluffy bun. A perfect med-rare with aioli and crisped onions and plenty of juicy fat provided a wonderful combination. Lam ribs are smoked to tender smokiness. Sweet and crisped. Excellent. Tandoori chicken wings with chick peas are juicy and a bit on the firey side. A seafood cioppini ($23) bowl with tender scallops, giant shrimp, fresh mussels and calamari in a thick tomato onion and fennel broth is served with grilled french bread. An excellent lunch menu. An excellent service.
(4)
Abby R.
The atmosphere is 5 stars. Very jazzy, kind of funky, a bit speakeasy, with a mile long bar and a stage at the back which is visible from pretty much any of the tables. The service definitely rates 5 stars as well. My waiter was personable, helpful when we asked for suggestions, and chatty without being overbearing. 5 stars for the Grapefruit Julep, the only summer cocktail you'll ever need. The Buffalo Cauliflower gets 6 stars because it was one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. Seriously, I could never eat buffalo chicken again and if I had this I wouldn't care. Plus, everyone knows vegetables=health. Even if they're breaded and smothered in buffalo sauce. Don't quote me on that. The rest of the food... meh. 2 stars. I got the Luxe Nachos. Luxe? I asked about it and the waiter described the nachos in a way that had my eyes glazed over and my mouth snapped shut so no drool would come out. The guy said the word "marbled" to describe the double-baked cheese. He was a professional. I'd hire him just to stand there and describe my meals to me while I ate them. Unfortunately the nachos themselves didn't live up to the description. Not enough chips for the toppings, and way too much juice in the bottom of the dish, so that more than half the chips were getting mushy in Soggsville. The pulled pork didn't taste like it had any kind of flavoring on it, and other toppings were few and far between. The only thing luxe about them was the price tag at close to $20. My friends also didn't love their brisket, it was kind of fatty and the sides were small and heaped underneath the meat. The music gets 5 stars because the sound system wasn't too overpowering on any instrument, something even a layman such as I can sense, especially with jazz. The talent was good and I liked that they actually had brass instead of just piano, singer, bass.
(4)
Rob K.
The food was pretty good. It looked like it would be great but it was obvious it did not get to us fast enough due to lack of staff and over worked people. This is by no means a slight on the staff who assisted us. They were obviously doing their best. I am not sure what the owners are thinking. I was there on Saturday for dinner and because I liked the food; I came back in for brunch on Sunday and the same people were working! They looked over worked and exhausted. I truly felt for them. I have lived in the area for a long time and have heard that the ownership has piss poor management skills and treats their people like garbage. It was quite obvious! I will not be returning. I hate posting bad reviews but this one was necessary not because of the food but because of the apparent lack of respect for employees working there.
(2)
Grace M.
This place is just not for me. Beginning with the music and overall style and ending (most importantly) with the food, I'm just not into it. I'd been in once before for a drink but most recently had some food that was EXTREMELY disappointing. I ordered the tuna spring rolls & vegetarian nachos. Both sound delicious and decadent but they were equally bland. The tuna spring rolls barely had any tuna but most notably, they were filled with lettuce and soggy/poorly cooked RICE. Why on earth would you stuff a spring roll with rice? I wonder if they were kind of mimicking the burrito concept? Whatever the case, it just didn't work. And even if it did work, at LEAST cook the rice properly! The lettuce was disconcerting as well.. I don't like the concept of typically crisp/fresh veggies like lettuce or cucumber being cooked in hot oil. Finally, the rolls were not fried at a proper temperature because they were soggy and oily instead of crisp. Ah, and they came w/ a side of napa cabbage slaw that was also poorly seasoned and unflavorful. The vegetarian nachos looked promising. I loved the quality of the chip & the overall quality of the ingredients (namely, the cheese), but they were totally dry (no guac/pico de gallo or anything moist). Also, they had some unseasoned/plain cabbage on them which seemed like a missed opportunity (for flavor and moisture.. wish it was pickled cabbage, for example). Wasn't impressed. If I never come back here again, I won't mind at all-! Important to note however, that my dining companions had a burger and really enjoyed it. I figure it only fair to report this part since maybe it's a good place for particular menu items but not all. Try it at your own risk!
(1)
Joeli G.
Buddha bowl + Salmon was fantastic. So were the ribs. Can't beat the wine on tap. It's pricy but it's Harvard Square. They have live music every night and the atmosphere is jazzy. Pretty people staffed. Service was prompt. Great place for a barstool date or to meet a group of friends.
(4)
Michael K.
Stumbled across this place while looking for a quick drink or two before dinner. It's downstairs underground and maybe a bit tricky to find. We weren't sure what was down there but we found a large room with two bars, a stage and live music at only 6pm. On our visit there was a trio playing laid back bluesy jazz with a young lady scatting(?). It was nice background to our conversations at the bar. They have a good selection of beers on tap and an even better one of wine on tap as well. They had this twelve or so spigot device for dispensing an eclectic selection of wines. Folks were eating oysters next to us but we were just there for liquids. Our bartender was a lovely young lady with a bright smile who took a few minutes to explain to us the story behind the place that is not a hotel at all.
(4)
Jenny H.
Beautiful people, trendy spot, great food, good drinks, AND live music. Such a place does exist and it is at Beat Hotel. My girlfriend and I got to sit up close to the stage while the group rocked the mic. The scene seemed to shatter my preconceived notions of the genre. The band had a vibe that was a cross between an American Apparel menswear catalog + artisan-baristas-by-day-reggae-band-by-night. We ordered a couple of cocktails throughout the night while sharing the Inca Bowl and their octopus starter dish. We didn't want food that was too heavy and both were perfect. Was a great way to end my first night in Boston.
(4)
Julia C.
I've been a few times in various contexts--a few times with friends for dinner and drinks, once with parents and other relatives from out of town, and even alone once or twice (had to satisfy a craving for the Bowl Azteca and the flourless cake). Beat worked well for all of these scenarios. Entrees are around $18-25, so it's not a super budget friendly spot, but perfect for special evenings. I usually get the Bowl Azteca (comes fantastic tomatillo sauce!). I tried a grilled octopus appetizer once with the family and everyone loved it. It's hard to go wrong with the food, everything I've tried I've enjoyed. The flourless cake is also delicious! The live music is really fun, but can be loud or VERY loud depending on where you're seated, so if you are coming with a group that wants to talk a lot, you're best bet is to make a reservation and indicate your preference to not to sit right beside the band.
(5)
Ellie W.
For any fans of The Beehive in the South End, this is essentially its slightly more artsy, hipster sibling. The food leaves a lot to be desired--I'd much rather walk down the street to Alden & Harlow if I'm looking for top-notch food--but the scene is what you come here for. The kitschy ambiance, jazz tunes, some woman belting out some lyrics in french which sound plenty romantic, but she could be singing about tomatoes for all I know... It's cute, intimate -- perfect for dates, and small get-togethers. Again, the food is a bit lacking -- not sure why the Crispy Tuna Springroll came out with zero flavor and looking like a giant fried burrito cut in half -- but you can't beat the ambiance and the drinks here. It's a 'sway a little while you listen to jazz and sip your cocktail, close your eyes and pretend it's 1920' kind of spot, and hands down one of the best intimate little joints in Cambridge.
(4)
Ric S.
I'm currently sitting in The Beat, enjoying a martini and some marinated olives before ordering the Cape Cod Diver Scallops with clams and Mussels and a small batch artisan rose on tap, and I can't help but feel like I've taken a time machine back into the Mad Men beatnick "Zoobie Zoobie Zoo" days... And it's good. So good. They take the "college vibe" and combine it with great food and a groovy atmosphere. Well done.
(5)
Jesse-Marie K.
The service although fast was terrible. The bartender was argumentative. Maybe just having a bad day, but a glass of wine our party had was bad, perhaps it was the glass itself. When we told the bartender, she claimed that we didn't know wine. We ordered something else, she did not take it off the bill even though we did not drink it. When she brought a different glass of wine she stated it was from the same company and perhaps I've never had cask wine! I drank that glass and the. When my friend paid the bill, he left her only 15%. As a former bartender I thought she deserved more, she still poured the drinks after all. When I slipped her a 10, she proceeded to tell me that some people just don't know wine that well!!!! I didn't respond because at this point it was just absurd. You served a bad glass of wine, own up to it, and get the customer something else. There is a much better way to handle these situations! None of us will be going back. I understand that because of the location there are probably a lot of young kids who go in there are cheap and rude. However, we were not those customers. Each bar round was 70+ Know your customers!
(1)
Jane A.
We were here with a few friends a few weeks ago, on a recommendation from another friend. I arrived early and had a Tulum Fizz at the bar while I waited. Once everyone arrived we were seated. The waitress came by a little later and explained what was going on. They were busier than normal, the coffee machine had stopped working and they were literally serving Dunkin Donuts coffee while the machine was being fixed. We ordered our coffee and kept looking at the menu. Eventually we ordered- Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes, Mahi Mahi Tacos, Short Rib & Tomato Grilled Cheese with an egg, and I had the Sweet Chili Laquered Baby Back Ribs as well as two Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. The portions were huge! Everyone seemed to enjoy their food. I felt that the flavor of the ribs were good but the meat was dry. The shrimp were delicious and fresh. My boyfriend thought his pancakes were very good. Service was just okay.
(3)
Mariana R.
5 stars for atmosphere, 3 stars for drinks - wish I could give it 3.5 stars overall. I would go back in a heartbeat for the music and atmosphere alone. Went with a group of 5 for after dinner drinks and it was great for that. Drinks were disappointing but I'm a huge snob in that department. If you go I would stick with beer and wine rather than bartender crafted cocktails.
(3)
Kimmy U.
So hip. So trendy. So not a hotel! I bet the hostesses were like "oh no... not again" when they saw our friend with her luggage coming down the stairs. Jk! She came straight from the airport :p Beat Hotel is definitely a place to admire the atmosphere in addition to the food. The restaurant is large and spacious with a bar area/high tables, booths for sit down meals, and even a stage at the front for some live music! Their menu has a good amount of options and a HUUUGE selection of wines on tap! As in the entire back side of the menu is all drinks. holyy It is a little pricey, but I think it's worth it (at least the options we chose)! They don't skimp out on portions, and the entrees we got were all cooked very nicely. My brother and I decided to share, so we got 2 appetizers and 1 entree -Steamed mussels appetizer- omg that SAUCE!! I'm used to a white wine/cream sauce when I order mussels, but this one came with a wine/tomato sauce. Soo delicious, especially when you soak the bread in it mmmm... the mussels were just ok though. -Grilled octopus appetizer- a little too much char for me, but it went well with the arugula and heirloom tomatoes. I probably wouldn't get this one again -Duck entree- Perfectly cooked! Chef's recommendation is medium rare, and it was so on point. It comes with a risotto that I wasn't a huge fan of because it lacked flavor and wasn't soft enough for me, but the sauce from the duck paired well with it. There was just enough fat on the duck and it came with about 8 slices. So so good. I would definitely get this again. Overall a nice experience! Next time I'll come back for BRUNCH
(3)
Iris S.
The one other time I tried to check out the Beat to get drinks, I was turned away because of a private event, so I don't know how frequently that happens but check before you go! This time, I caught up with a friend on a Sunday night for dinner, and found out that they only have live music about 4x a week in August (picking back up in the fall) so that was a little disappointing and I'm sure I didn't get the full experience. Regardless, the ambience was nice with an old school feel and the food quite tasty as well. I got the Mother Earth bowl with brown rice, lentils, tofu, and grilled/roasted veggies. I enjoyed this dish thoroughly and liked how the veggies were roasted, but besides the natural flavors of the items, the dish lacked a little flavor, as I just couldn't taste the pesto. My one other comment is that it is not cheap. I paid closer to $30 including tip/tax, and with only veggies I'm not sure this dish was worth the price tag.
(3)
Isabella C.
I have passed by this place many times and dismissed it because of its very handwritten and freestyle signage, but recently heard a rave review and decided to check it out. I was incredibly surprised by the decor -- the sign outside doesn't at all correlate to the interior of Beat Hotel. It's beautiful -- decorated, but not overdone. There are natural, rustic touches, with soft lighting and comfortable seating all around. It's very spacious for a restaurant in Harvard Square. On weekend mornings, they start brunch at 10am, an hour earlier than most other places in the area. This is a huge plus. When we got there just around 10:30, the place was fairly quiet and empty but the live jazz band was already playing, which made it feel like an intimate private concert. The music was just the right volume -- not too loud for conversation but also not too quiet so as to make us strain to hear them. The food was served quite quickly. I loved the omelette with goat cheese, leek, and kale. It was just the right combination of textures, the egg was soft and moist, and the bread that accompanied it was whole grain and hearty. The home fries were sliced lengthwise, as if they were fries rather than cubes, and crispy and salted appropriately. The Eggs Benedict was soft, served on a bed of salmon and English muffin, and the Hollandaise was creamy and sour, though not as sour as I personally prefer. Overall, though, the service was great. Loved the ambiance. I could hardly believe I was steps away from the bustle of Harvard Yard while inside Beat Hotel. I would love to come back and see how the atmosphere is at night.
(4)
Alejandro L.
I guess the atmosphere is very nice inside, I couldn't tell. Unfortunately, we were not allowed in because they wouldn't accept temporary licenses as means of identification. Not just that, they were extremely rude about it. Well, it's their loss. This is one place that I will not go to in Harvard Square
(1)
Diane H.
The ambiance is really cool here. I initially was very hesitant to come but group vote wins and here I was. For a Wednesday night--it was packed! Our server was great, he checked up multiple times and was very lively. I thought this was a hotel...hence "Beat Hotel" but it's really a restaurant that took over the space of the old Tannery store. I tried the frogs leap wine, a glass was at $22 and also at the end I ordered the mango martini made from real mango puree which was DELICIOUS. All the drinks were great from what i heard around the table. For apps we got the raw bar? Oysters, shrimps..I think that is it..nothing too special. Also tried the tuna egg roll which has jasmine rice which was really delicious when paired with the dipping sauce. I had the mussels which were good too...the sauce was yummy on it though there wasn't alot. For entree, half of us got the daily special which was lobster risotto which was yummy. I do feel that there could have been more of a taste for the risotto part but it wasn't bad...just kinda plain but as I ate on it got better. There was asparagus which was cooked perfect. The lobster was overcooked so I was like eh. Did not get a chance to try dessert this time...maybe next time. The music is a plus++ They start playing really good music around 8, before then there isn't as much music. The drink menu is fantastic---so huge. Give it a go!
(4)
Pam C.
I had passed by the Beat Hotel so many times without ever dropping in - I definitely have a bit of an aversion to anything located in a basement. Finally had a chance to check it out, and I really wish I had come sooner! The interior is extremely spacious - the entire bar is one large open space. You don't really notice that you're subterranean, with the decor. There's really nice neon lighting on the sides, and some really cool glowing wall art. They had a pretty cool, jazzy live band when we came on a Friday night. Overall, very very swanky, 70's vibe. Service was very prompt and friendly, and unlike a lot of bars there is a lot of table space so you never feel crowded. The food was pretty good for bar food, and they have a good selection of specialty cocktails. The cocktails themselves weren't extremely creative - mostly recreations of classics like sidecars and old fashions. Beat Hotel is a really cool space, and definitely worth checking out!
(4)
Wiser S.
A resident of Cambridge, I went in to find out what the 'Beat' Brasserie was all about. Apparently it's loosely modeled after the Beat Hotel in London. And there are some framed quotes of Kerouac in the toilet. But the similarity ends there. There's no poetry to this venue. Goons with ear pieces rudely patrol the aisles telling patrons where they need to sit and stand. I guarantee you Kerouac and Ginsberg would not even piss in the general direction of this ultra pretentious place.
(1)
Tina P.
Been wanting to try Beat hotel for awhile. Had an excellent time with a few friends. The ambience, decor and music is a big plus. I especially liked hearing songs dedicated to the people of Gaza and Ferguson. Yes! Food was on point. Salmon tartar, bohemian platter for two, seafood platter for two, grilled octopus (excellent!!), & buffalo cauliflower were all great. American bass drink (with elderberry liquor, whiskey, & apple cider) was very well done. Strong! Service could improve. Overall, great place to enjoy with friends. Would come back!
(4)
Jude P.
It's sort of weird coming here knowing it was formerly the Tannery which was one of my top shoe store when I was younger. All in all, what Beat Hotel has provided to this space is pretty tremendous. First I'll mention the negative though, the last couple of times I've been here, my group & I weren't treated well and all we did was just walk in. No rude or loudness from us, and our clothes were fit well. It wasn't fun being looked at differently and being spoken to in a different tone. Aside from that, and other good experiences, I won't let my review be isolated to those experiences. The drinks first off are always great, done right, and they have a great selection to choose from. Always been treated well by the bartenders and they didn't know there drinks and never been fuzzy on when asked for their suggestion. As for the food, alone it was above average towards 4 stars. The Thai bowl was a great portion and my friend had the swordfish in which she killed immediately and constantly mentioned of its good worth. My favorite was the Frog's Leap wine which hit me instantly as well as dominantly good and look forward to having a reunion with it. Last and best part is the music. The times I've been there, I was lucky to catch the acts play and they would be better than all of what I would experience so kudos to whomever selects the bands. Listen, just go and thank me later
(4)
Jessica R.
Seriously in the top 5 meals I've ever had. My only regret is that I didn't discover this place earlier. Make reservations and try one of the earth bowls!
(5)
Pawan J.
Possibly one of the best burgers I've ever ate in my life. Make sure you add the cheddar and bacon! A bit pricey but worth it. I'll definitely be back
(5)
Dave P.
Reserved a table for 7PM on a Wednesday night. I requested to be seated near the stage in the OpenTable reservation's note box. When we arrived, the hostess initially sat us pretty far away from the stage. Yet, the place was fairly empty. I thought it was strange but I didn't want to make a scene about it so I let it go. Within minutes, another hostess came by and let us know how sorry they were. They must've read the reservation as we sat down. They apologized and we were moved pretty close to the stage. Great customer service. We ordered: Tuna caparccio - excellent. order it. Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos - well portioned; well seasoned; but my fish was so overcooked it was rubbery Skirt Steak Aztec Bowl - Delicious. order it. I was initially weary of poor service after having read some of the reviews on Yelp but to my surprise, we received some of the best service we've received at any restaurant. It was great. And the food -- despite my fish taco disaster -- was delicious. Perfect for a date night.
(4)
Farnaz S.
Fantastic food, amazing decoration,& friendly staff with good music. What else I can ask for?!
(5)
Michael C.
From the same owners of the Beehive, the Beat Hotel. I have been here much more often for drinks than for food. The vibe here on most nights is very jazzy. Like the type of jazz where I should be reading poetry to the bands music and saying "snap snap" while reading random words off paper. This place brings a good crowd most nights, a little on the intimate side, not the spot for a guys night out. A definite no fail date spot though.
(4)
Rachel D.
My review is based solely on drinks and atmosphere. I didn't have any food, but next time in town I'll have to try to grab a bite. I'm a big fan of the Beehive from way back when so I'd be happy to try the food here at Beat Hotel. In terms of ambiance and cocktails this place is fantastic. Harvard Square has really upped it's game since I used to work in the square. They have fancy cocktails, beer and wine options as well as a bar menu and full dinner menu. There was a trio playing jazz the entire time we were there (we were there about an hour and a half so I'm thinking they have live music for the majority of the night), and they were fantastic. We had to kill time before our dinner reservation and this was the perfect oasis to do that in. I had the Violette cocktail (quite interesting and obviously light purple) and a couple of their other options based on my servers recommendations. Some friends met us there for drinks and overall it was a great experience. If you're looking for great atmosphere and good drinks head here! Also in true Beehive fashion the bathroom was amazing, decked out with retro beads and all. I don't know what they use for handsoap at their locations but I need it in my life.
(4)
Kyle G.
Finally made it in to eat here the other night. A friend works at the Beat and had been trying to get me to try it for at least a year. It was a hot day and I wasn't that hungry so I went for the deep fried spring roll. Wow really good and bigger than I was expecting. The people to my left had a plate of ribs that smelled rich and inviting. The woman to my right had a Burrata salad which she was raving about, along with their drinks.
(4)
Karis O.
#yaaaaaassssssssss. The best time to go for brunch is on the early side, when the Harvard kids are slowly awakening to their hangovers and haven't established whether or not they can make it out into public. This is approximate time frame in order to grab a table for some lovely jazz music and one of the more eclectic brunch menus in the area. As the US Ambassador for all things eggs benedict, I highly recommend the dish with braised short rib. Also, "You can't each nachos for breakfast," they said. "It's not good for you," they said. Oh really? If that's so, then why are slow-roasted pork nachos on the menu here?! A definite indulgence, *maaaaybe* a tad bit too early for brunch but man, do they do a good job. Pump up on the bottomless coffee, get the jazzy vibes going and fill up on the delicious goodness at the Beehive's sister location!
(4)
Kenny C.
Beat Hotel is a little on the classier side (think after work lounge. They feature live music and it was pretty popular on a Friday night. As the name implies, their theme is a hotel. The host and hostesses are at a reception desk when you walk in, which is unique. I had been told that they serve the best burger in town. And I have to say, it was pretty damn good. Medium with gorgonzola was perfect. Good fries too - crispy and not too heavy. We started out with the Buffalo cauliflower and the Bohemian platter. The cauliflower was great. Nice and spicy. The blue cheese dressing was super chunky. The Bohemian platter was okay, but not enough things to dip. Service was great. Their OpenTable policy was a little strict, but the host I spoke to on the phone 3x was very accommodating of last minute changes. Definitely call ahead to make a reservation because you'll get an awesome table. I made a reservation the day of for three people and they sat us right in the middle of the pit in the front.
(5)
Ralph O.
The beat hotel is unavoidable. It is a good-enough place to spend a couple of hours with friends in Harvard Sq. But give me a sustitute and I will jump right in. It is a major tourist-trap. Even if the location and ambience are well-produced, the place lacks a caring owner. It also lacks category. The Beat Hotel is the Ruby-Tuesday of newly sophisticated crowds. Expect to be treated as a tourist and to be blatantly manhandled by personnel. They also make everything extremely complicated and bureaucratic. Customers need to follow rules that benefit management at the cost of good service. For example, I went to ask for a drink at the bar because the table waiter had abandoned us completely. They wouldn't serve me at the bar because I was at a table, even if the tab was closed. Waiter was nice when he came to the table, though. When closing, they will kick you out with no tact or grace. I understand staff is tired, but train them to kick clients out with a better protocol. Wine at the Beat tastes more like and rancid Ocean Spray juice. Also, no offence to vegans but having "Gluten free" or "Vegan safe" in a wine description is like putting a "led-free paint" sticker over an oil painting. If it is important to the drinker, let them ask if the wine has these characteristics. A waiter (if they are around) may guide you through the vegan-safe wine. Food is very ah-ok. All of the above is considering price. I would give Ruby Tuesday many more stars because of their value offer. If you are going to over-charge me for eatable food, give me good service. All this said, see you next week! If you leave near Harvard Sq, you will have to go there. In spite of everything, it is fun, they have some good drinks, and the crowd is nice. I usually like to eat before going and just having drinks, without seating on a table.
(1)
Ryan H.
Went in last night with my friends. Bartender didn't give us menus, walked away when we needed help, and when we finally did get our drinks, she looked at us to pay, but never gave us a receipt or a price. Extremely unprofessional, and the drinks weren't even that good. The bar wasn't busy and it wasn't close to closing time, so this bartender had no reason to give us bad service except for her lack of talent in the service industry.
(1)
Pieta B.
I've had great experiences here, sitting at the bar. My most recent visit, though, I made a reservation for 8. I chose the Beat Hotel because I thought it was big enough to accommodate a large group. Not really. We were seated at 4 tiny tables stuck together. It was very uncomfortable. We were also right in front of the stage, which some people would like, but was just too loud for my taste. I asked to be moved and never heard from the hostess again, even though the restaurant was not very full. My wine came, and it was not right. My server argued that it couldn't be off because of the fancy system they use that keeps the wine from coming into contact with air. But I have had a lot of Hess Chardonnay and it did not taste as it should have. She didn't take it away until she saw that I was passing it around the table for people to sniff, rather than drinking it. The food, of course, was great. It always is. The vegetarian options are abundant, creative and fresh. And then, although I was obviously not happy with my experience, we were charged an automatic gratuity. That makes me really mad. I did complain to the manager on my way out, and there was not much he could do at that point. So, I would go back, but definitely not with a large group and only to sit at the bar. And I won't order the Hess Chardonnay.
(3)
Laura S.
Great food and atmosphere but slow service. My favorite time to come is for brunch - I'm a huge fan of the Bowl Azteca or the Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes. The prices for brunch are more reasonable than for dinner. The only negative is the extremely slow service. If you are very hungry definitely order an appetizer because the food typically takes around 30 minutes at a minimum after you order. But the live jazz band and great quality food make this place worth a visit.
(4)
Amin F.
Waitress with attitude, bad service, carelessly set table, uncooked meat, annoying music, etc.
(1)
Lauren H.
#13 of 52 in 2014. First impression: the tannery was WAY bigger than I thought it was. Very cool space, sprawling bar area, not the usual cramped boston area bar. We had swordfish tacos and they were pretty tasty. Good cocktails. This place is NOT cheap. I guess I should have expected that being in Harvard Sq, but I was looking for thirsty Thursday and this place put me in the poor house for the rest of the weekend.
(3)
Alyssa B.
Great new spot for Harvard square. A restaurant with a distinctive personality and excellent night scene.
(4)
Ae C.
My new favorite place of all time! "The Beat Hotel" in Harvard Sq. I don't know what to say but OMG I could eat this place every single meal! I can't recall how sexy the food was and the taste of it is just pure awesomeness! #Oysters #Shrimp #ChiptoleRibs #BestSteakEver!
This is an incredible hidden gem. In a basement in Harvard square this exquisite restaurant is not only equipped with delicious food but also contains wonderful artwork from MassArt students themselves. The live jazz music along with the colorful lighting is a wonderful ambience to be surrounded by while eating. The cocktails are imaginative and delicious. I recommend the earth bowl, that I are with salmon. The fresh grilled veggies and delicious rice mix was more than plenty but left me feeling healthy. This is definitely not one of those restaraunts where you finish a dish feeling uncomfortably full and regret your meal... The perfect portion sizes and the ingredients are refreshing and definitely leave you wanting more. The bread pudding dessert was also incredible. This "hotel" is wonderful for a birthday celebration, a pit stop or drinks or a first date! Perfect venue for any occasion if you intend to wow your guests.
(5)
Liz B.
I've had this restaurant recommended to me by a few different people since its opening and finally made it for brunch. The decor certainly lived up to its reputation, I would use the word "groovy" - and I don't use that word often. Its an open floor plan which you don't see often, but they've managed to still make it fun and interesting. Our seats included a back rest behind the booth as a place to store coats and bags - very good thinking! The jazz music was perfect, not too loud, but still present and enjoyable. The food was great and certainly lived up to its Beehive roots. If you've ever been to The Beehive in the Sound End the menu is very similar. I ordered the Inca Bowl vegetarian style, which was delicious, however, the tempeh was extremely overcooked to the texture of rubber, making it impossible to eat. Other than that the flavors were good and my mother's quiche was delicious. As you may expect, the drinks were also great. I had the Kir Royale and my mother had the Orange dream - perfect. Not too sweet or sour and good alcohol ratio. I will certainly be back, too many delicious things to try on the menu. I also plan to visit the Beat Hotel at night for some drinks and live music
(4)
Danielle S.
I was excited when this place opened because the night-life around Harvard Square is sub-par in my opinion. The space is big with a good amount of standing room, which i love. The live music is also a plus. Overall, a nice atmosphere. They have a large selection of beer and wine on tap. You heard me right - wine on tap. In my opinion, if 99.9% of restaurants are not serving wine on tap, there is probably a reason. Despite my reservations, I gave it a shot. Meh. Not impressed. Because this is one of the newer places to go near campus, it's pretty jam-packed on most nights. At least once every week, classmates will suggest meeting up at the Beat Hotel. I like it all right, but there are other places i'd rather go.
(3)
Dave C.
Hard Rock Cafe's pricier, jazz-themed brand. Reminds me of the great theme restaurants of yesteryear: Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, etc. Exploits jazz and "beat" cultures as well as the customers wallet. Lots of security walking around with little bluetooth headsets, creating an environment that feels very uneasy.
(2)
M T.
I went to dinner and drinks. I originally wanted to bring a bigger group for dinner however they were very busy and I had to limit my dinner party. Therefore I compromised and decided to have an early dinner at 6pm and meet others at the bar 8:30pm. I communicated so much with the management the week before of my plans. After dinner, I was told that I would have the next bar table so I did not have to hover over tables as people finish their stay. They lied to me and the next table was taken by another group. I approached the staff again, they told me I could have the next table. A table became available and I checked with the host and asked if my party could occupy this table. He said yes and therefore I moved my party to this open table. Soon after, the host approached me to tell me that these bar tables were being used for dinner tables. He had made a mistake. . Then the host said that he would make an exception, a favor, however only 4 of my group could sit at the tables and the other members could not stand nearby. It was ridiculous to ask that I split up my party in the bar area. So my entire group had to evacuate these tables and go back to our original area. Management did nothing to accommodate my group in the bar. They seemed to accommodate others but not my group. All I that wanted was good customer services and not special favors. I guess I did not know how to earn the host's good favor. These bar tables are in the middle of the bar and are meant for people to sit and stand around. These tables are suppose to be bar tables on the first-come first serve basis. In fact I had asked if I could reserve these tables for dinner and I was told no. I had brought 15 people to their bar and restaurant. They had the power to help me find a nice comfortable place for my group and they refused. I was very disappointed and will definitely not return. The management seemed to be snobby and discriminate service to a select few. Otherwise, the restaurant has a artsy bohemian atmosphere and the music is good.. The food was a bit expensive.
(1)
P C.
Great vibe and music last night but the staff needs to chill out. We wanted to sit and asked a couple that had two seats available at thier table if we could pull the extra table away and sit. They had no issue with it. Along comes Beat staff and tells us you can't pull the table apart from the other. Silly silly worthless attitude!
(4)
Julie G.
LOVE the vibe here. Very eclectic decor accompanied by live jazz (which apparently I like). Quirky & delicious menu with great cocktails. A bit pricey, but worth it for a nice date night.
(4)
N H.
The Beat Hotel is a fun place to get a drink, no doubt. The atmosphere is funky and the live music on the weekends is good. I would recommend The Beat Hotel for a drink. The Beat Hotel for a dinner experience? Not so much. My experience for dinner was disappointing from when I arrived. I went with a group of friends for my birthday. I made reservations in advance, arrived a few minutes early and checked in. Understandably, the table wasn't ready, so we hung out at a small table near the bar until it was. I noticed a large table had been cleared and set for some time (a little over 5 minutes after my reservation), yet no one had come and notified us. I had to go over to the hostess and ask about my table again, to then be notified that yes indeed that very table was for us and ready. Once we were seated, our waters were poured but the very last glass was only filled a third of the way since the pitcher ran out of water. Instead of the glass being promptly filled soon afterwards, I had to ask if this glass could be topped off when our server was taking our order. Having someone come over to top this glass off with water also took a long time. I was also disappointed by the food, especially given how much we were paying for our meals. My friends also brought a cake in with us and asked the server if they could serve it to us. We were notified that the restaurant has a $2/person serving fee. I guess some restaurants have this fee. Instead, my friends decided to order me a chocolate tart complete with a lit candle. When the bill finally came, to all of our surprise, we were charged for the tart. Most restaurants will comp a single birthday dessert. Overall, I felt my dinner experience was very disappointing, considering we were each paying at least $40 per person. The food was definitely not worth this much money, and neither was the service. I would not recommend The Beat Hotel for a nice dinner.
(2)
Joud K.
We came here on Valentine's night 2015. We arrived at 930 for dinner and they had already run out of 3 of their main items (out of 6!) I ordered the filet mignon medium well. I got a tiny piece of some overlooked stake - sucked! The music was nice otherwise I would give the place 1 star at best.
(2)
Frederic M.
I felt an obligation to write this review, as I was surprised to see the amount of negative reviews on this place. The Beat Hotel is a huge (underground) space in the middle of Harvard Square. I love how they decorated the place. There is a fancy bar and a stage to host bands. The Beat Hotel is not a cheap place, but it is a bit of an upscale place that is looking for the right balance between being fun, funky and stylish. I think they did a great job. It is the kind of place that Harvard Square so badly needed! Sure, they suffer from some children-diseases: service is ok but not excellent yet, the food is ok but could use a bit more refinement. But overall, I am very happy to finally have a place like that in Harvard Square. I'll definitely be going back!
(4)
Stacey R.
The Beat Hotel was extremely disappointing. I made the reservation three weeks in advance. When the hostess sat us, we were given the table directly next to the singer. Very loud and there were plenty of other tables that we walked past. It was clear they wanted to give us a bad table and see if we wouldn't say anything. We order a few appetizers but none of them stood out. Our meals were even less impressive. Scallops were bland and rubbery. Mussels were okay but the frites were brunt and salty. Swordfish tacos was decent but the presentation looked like it could have come from a low end chain restaurant. Wine portions were pretty small. Overall, we had looked forward to trying this place but would not go back. The music was the only highlight. Go for a drink. Don't stay for the food.
(1)
James T.
The place looks beautiful and has some great music, it only has one main problem. The wait staff are incredibly rude and nasty to customers. The guy at the front door checking ID's began the unprofessional behavior and the hostess and waitresses continued it. No matter how great the place is it's not worth being treated terribly by the staff.
(2)
Clay N.
Facts: - The music is better than the food - The staff is terrific - The bar is extensive and expensive Go if: - You need a good date spot - You are looking to feel classy - You are sick of seeing undergrads at bars in cambridge We were fortunate enough to find this place right after it opened and in fact when three times in the first week. There is music every night (this place is owned by the same guy that owns the beehive, so you know it's good) and the bartenders are talented/knowledgeable. I've met the manager three times and the owner twice, both remembered my name and were incredibly friendly: talk about good service! Be warned, the food is not up to par with some of Boston's elite restaurants and may be a tad overpriced; however the atmosphere more than makes up for it. If you come on a weekend, push to get to the back of the bar, close to the stage: there is always room back here for some reason, often with a bar stool or two. If you run into any trouble, just drop my name. It won't help anything, but this is certainly the kind of place where I would like to develop a reputation :)
(4)
Maura S.
We made reservations for 12 people and were told we could not be seated at the same table due to the room set up. When we arrived, there were 2 tables of 6 set up next to each other but there were many options along the banquette to push tables together to make one table for 12 so I am not sure why we couldn't be accommodated. In addition, even though we were seated next to each other, we had two separate waiters and the timing of the meals and order were completely off. The food was mediocre at best, my lobster risotto special was luke warm when delivered and the lobster was tough...not what I expected for the special of the day. Lastly, we ordered a dessert for the birthday celebrant which took over 25 minutes to be served...not cool.
(1)
Ashley G.
GROSSLY overpriced is an understatement. A salad with grilled steak is $27. I wish I were kidding. Between apps, entrees, drinks and tip, be ready to spend $100 per person.
(1)
Laura H.
Wonderful bohemian atmosphere (imagine a chic Urban Outfitters, if that's your thing), a menu of healthy delicious options, great wine/cocktail list, and very knowledgeable and friendly staff make this a must visit in Cambridge. A tad bit pricey, but the dishes are suitable for sharing which takes the sting out of it. We split the earth bowl with chicken along with the highly recommended Black Birch Julep (which tastes a lot like root beer) and left full and happy.
(4)
Jonathan D.
Beat hotel has some great features. The wine selection, while pricy (it's that kind of place), is full of really great-tasting wines. I've had all of the reds, and you can't go wrong with any of them. Their entrees are fine, but the earth bowl is the way to go. The tuna spring roll appetizer is perfect. I've been here four times. On the fourth time, I did not sit, and I don't think I will be back. My friend and I arrived at about 4:45PM on a particularly cold and windy Sunday. We had went by Starbucks to grab some coffee to help warm us up, and done a little shopping. I had finished with my coffee, and she was almost done, but we both still had our cups. The conversation went like this: Me: "Hi, can we get a table for two, for dinner, please?" Her (Hostess): "No, Dinner doesn't start until 5:00." Me, after looking at watch: "That's OK, we'll just have a glass of wine or two at the bar while we wait." Her: "No, not with those cups." OK, I get it. No outside food (even at the bar?) - I knew going in that they might not like it. I would have completely accepted it, had we been given even just a hint of a smile. The woman seemed to be upset that we were there; she barely looked at us, and grimaced throughout the 60-second interaction. Next time, might I suggest something like: "I"m sorry, we have a no-outside-food policy and I can't seat you with those drinks. If you're done, may I take them for you?" I would love to go back here, but management really needs to train their employees to be more polite and work on their demeanor. Smile at customers; it's not going to kill you. Make eye contact. Otherwise, you come off as rude. And while the food is great, the theme of the negative yelp reviews for this place all have the same thing in common: the staff can be rude. That's especially bad when you're billing yourself as high-end, and trying to extract high-end prices. I understand you have rules, and I respect that. Just show me respect in return, and be pleasant to your customers.
(1)
Reza H.
There's much to like about the Beat Hotel, unfortunately there are also things that makes one take pause. Firstly, it's a great space (used to be the old Tannery). For those of you who like to eat at the bar, you'll be happy to find two of longest bars I've ever seen. Their food is quite good. We started with the Butcher's Platter and my signature dish Earth Bowl were both delicious. I also really liked the Petite Sirah there. Unfortunately, the service was a little sketchy at times. As I was waiting for my friends, I got a drink at the bar. When I asked for a wine taste, because I couldn't decide between two wines, the bartender curtly told me, "We don't give out free samples here" (wrong choice of words, me thinks). From there I was obviously paying attention. The primary server of our table was excellent, she was friendly, attentive and efficient, but some of the other supporting staff could've been better. Like the one bringing drinks to people who already had drinks and ignoring those who did not. Or another staff who spilled water on our table only to bring a towel so we could clean it ourselves. We all thought it would've been great when we got the Butcher's Platter if someone pointed out what each items were. In their defense, the restaurant is only two months old. No doubt they'll work out the kinks.
(2)
Karen D.
This place fills a hole for Harvard Square. I'm reviewing my overall experience, but can't comment really on the food yet. My BF and I stumbled in here late on Saturday. First, we were given a warm greeting at the door. I was really surprised at how big the space was since the old Tannery was cramped and small. The decor is shabby chic and the place had a really cool vibe. We were lingering at the bar which was full when an employee came over and offered us a table. We got a nice little table with a good view of the stage. The band was on break, so we had no idea what type of music it was. It was well past dinner, so ordered a snack. Skimming the menu, most of it is up there in price, so the food would have to be excellent to be worth it. I did see some burgers being served and they looked fantastic, so I would go back another time to try one. Our server was very friendly and we ordered cocktails and the buffalo cauliflower. The drinks and the dish were great. The band came on and I was really impressed. They billed themselves as Brooklyn funk and instead of just having a nightcap, we stayed until the end of the night. It's nice to have a place you can wander into without a cover charge and check out some decent music and decide to have just a drink or to make a night of it depending on your mood. When we left, the person at the door thanked us and said she hoped we enjoyed our evening, which is a really small think, but gave me a lasting impression that made me glad I spent my money there. I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)
Lauren P.
I love the Beat Hotel, especially when getting brunch. The food, coffee, drinks from the bar and live music are excellent. This past time I was there however, our server Gabriel was disappointingly rude. He very obviously only made eye contact with one of us and when addressing the table only spoke to the one person. He never asked how any of the others at the table was enjoying their meal and was very inattentive overall. all other people working there, were very friendly and engaging. I would recommend that he work on this as a server.
(3)
Richard C.
The folks behind The Beehive in the South End opened up the Beat Hotel in Harvard Square and pretty much made a similarly delightful burger. The Prime Burger ($15) is a tall one, staring right back at you like many classic pub-looking burgers before it. The menu offers no hint of what's to come, but after digging a little deeper I learned this burger comes with a Port Wine aioli, crispy tobacco onions, served on a Hi-Rise potato roll and a side of vinegar slaw. Interesting that none of that is listed on the actual menu and even more interesting that I probably found it more favorable before I learned all that, since you could barely taste any of it. But I digress; it's forgivable because it's quite delicious no matter how you slice it. The beef and the beef alone is the clear star of this burger. It may seem obvious but too frequently burgers are engulfed by too many toppings and misguided choices of buns and accompaniments. There is no hidden agenda regarding the Beat burger: it's beefy, thick, juicy throughout, and seasoned just about as flawlessly as you can get. Grill marks give it some decent char, which creates a bitter element that works well to counteract the big, bold, beefy flavors that are fully represented. It is cooked to medium-rare mostly across the board and those juices are slow and steady, seeping into the bun which is sturdy and holds it all in. At first glance the bun looks like an oncoming train-wreck because it appears much too tall and thick. However, despite being over-toasted with a crunch that is borderline excessive, the bun is actually light on the inside and ultimately is a wise choice for those aforementioned juices. Melted cheddar (an extra 50 cents) is assertive, very pronounced, and easily worth the price of admission. The aioli was nowhere to be found, and I'm still convinced it was not even on there, and a few sprinkles of not super crispy tobacco onions end up mushy under the bun and pressed up against the patty. The side slaw is refreshing and light, high on the vinegar and not a bad couple of bites after such a rich and decadent burger. A side of fries are similar to The Beehive; thick slices are presented differently from the norm and are crazy crispy and even crazier on the salt content, bordering on much too salty but definitely better over than under seasoned. The burger at the Beat Hotel isn't necessarily original but it hardly matters. I'm, okay with the $15 fee because you can tell the quality of the beef and it is executed the right way. The fries, slaw and bun work their magic but the beefy, salty and juicy burger that is the showcase really comes through.
(4)
Sue M.
I've been for dinner and brunch. Sat in the bar area for dinner and liked the atmosphere both there and in the dining area. Food is very good. Prices are on the average to high side (especially for veggie type dishes). There are lots of dining/drinking options in Harvard Square -- this wins points for a unique atmosphere.
(4)
Oliver S.
Came in for brunch this morning and the hostess wouldn't let me in with the 6oz of cappuccino I had just gotten at Crema next door. "No outside food or drink." And acted like she was doing me a favor by not sending me outside to finish it. What kind of a pathetic excuse for hospitality is this? As an admitted snob about my coffee, I have brought my own coffee to brunch in many, many places and never been rudely refused service before. If I hadn't been meeting friends (who were already seated), I would have left and not spent $30 on brunch. I certainly won't be back. You got a second star because the food was pretty good.
(2)
Nicole C.
Between The Beehive and Beat Hotel, The Beehive wins by a large margin. I went here for Saturday brunch when a very "meh" jazz band was playing. We, a party of two, were told there would be a wait of 15 minutes, even though they didn't look busy. In total we waited closer to an hour, but the hostess was apologetic all throughout and provided updates and explanations for the delay. The layout and atmosphere of Beat Hotel is nothing like The Beehive, which I can best describe as "intoxicating" -- dark, comfortable, and utterly romantic. Beat Hotel has an elongated, partitioned layout that made for a weirdly disconnected and uninviting feeling. Our seating section felt miles away from anyone else in the restaurant and was frankly a little depressing. Beat Hotel's saving grace is that their food is on par with The Beehive's. Only thing I got kind of aggravated with was that they were short-staffed and refused to make substitutions that would accommodate my ridiculous diet. We ended up getting the tandoori chicken wings (UNREAL) and a skirt steak salad that was unique and tasty, with unusual additions like cauliflower that actually worked. But. If I'm going to pay these kinds of prices, I'd feel better spending the money on the full experience at The Beehive -- not just food, but better music and better atmosphere.
(3)
Karishma R.
I went to Beat Hotel with a few friends on a Saturday night, and I would have easily given them 5 stars if not for a few kinks with the service. The food, for one, was out of this world. The swordfish tacos were amazing, and my friends were raving about the Earth Bowl. The salads looked unbelievable as well, although I didn't get to try them this time (but can't wait to when I go back!). The vibe of the restaurant itself is super fun, even down to the bathrooms (which have Kerouac quoted on the walls in keeping with the name). Our waitress was great, but the food was extremelyyy slow. So slow that the manager came out to apologize. Also, they accidentally charged a random amount $60 more than our actual bill to my credit card (but they did apologize and voided it). They also have a convenient valet service for $18. All around, a great dinner, and I think I would rank this place above their sister restaurant the Beehive. Will definitely be back!!
(4)
Mike I.
The decor was quite nice. Very Aztec. The bathroom was tolerable. The service at the bar was awful. We waited for about fifteen minutes, with 6 bartenders all wandering around serving drinks at a glacial pace. After being winked at by the barman a couple times then being completely ignored for a drunk order, we have up and left. Don't worry about us filling up your busy bar again
(2)
Megan A.
Love this place, staff is always helpful, had dinner with my friends yesterday and loved the live music that they play on the weekends. Would def. recommend it!
(5)
Kevin A.
Not awful, but a little lackluster. Food: Appetizers were good. They were creative and well thought out. However, the entrees were less impressive. I'm used the the price point, but the food seemed to be more trying to masquerade as being more fancy than it is. Some of the prices on the food were a little aggressive. Drinks: Really underwhelming. Harvard Square has many good places to get a drink. I thought the cocktails lacked creativity. $13 for a basic cocktail is a bit meh. The cocktail menu definitely did not imply much exciting was going on behind the bar. Wasn't bad, just a little lackluster. For $50/person, you can find some other great options nearby. Our server was nice though.
(2)
Liz L.
Fantastic for drinks! Lots of wine (on tap!!!!) choices and some great drink ideas. The decor is great - funky, upscale hippie chic vibe. Live music every night, but not loud, overbearing music, more like live background hum? This is a perfect place to bring someone you want to convince that you are effortlessly cool. I enjoyed the food - lots of choices, all well-prepared, beautifully plated, and delicious. The thing is, it is expensive to eat here. Just a little more expensive than the restaurant calls for, you know?
(4)
Rob G.
Fantastic food, really fun environment, fast and attentive service, but I think the best part is the innovative menu. Every time we go, we get to try something we've never had before and we have yet to be be disappointed.
(5)
Arthur D.
I am sitting at this bar right now and felt inclined to write a review. I don't write many reviews but figured I would forget or get lazy later. Bad service - served a lamb nacho (which sounds amazing) with barely any lamb. It tasted like an Applebee's Unfriendly staff - bar tenders didn't smile. They were not friendly and acted like I am wasting their time. Also made a bad manhattan which is hard to screw up. We are with a friend in a wheelchair and asked for a table or area where we can go to and they never came back to answer us... Thanks for nothing. I will not return which sucks because It looks nice inside.
(2)
Ricardo E.
this place was really cool. great place to meet with friends. staff was friendly. i sat at the bar with some friends, bartender monica was very helpful (versatile) describing the menu, and the wine list. we had a blast! i dont think this place is pricy specially if the bartenders (staff) help you order. food drinks, ambience were awesome!
(4)
Vanessa P.
I came here with a party of seven and it seemed like a really nice place with unique atmosphere and live music. I split a vegan bowl and the buffalo cauliflower with my friend. The vegan bowl was fantastic and the buffalo cauliflower was tasty as well but then I noticed the celery which was not washed which is completely unacceptable in any restaurant and the server was probably the coldest server I have ever encountered. As much as I liked the atmosphere and the food, I'm definitely not coming back here again, ecoli is not worth it.
(2)
Jeff W.
Get the Buffalo Cauliflower. Next time, we'd order more apps and treat them like tapas. Lots of great tastes on the menu.
(5)
Jessica M.
It's been far too long since I've gone to a restaurant for the first time and have come out raving. Walking into this place, I was pleasantly surprised at how much bigger it is than I thought. I was also impressed by the comfortable-yet-stylin' bohemian decor. And this was before even trying the drinks and food! The wine list by the glass is extensive, and you can choose to try a half glass if you are the indecisive or experimental type. Though I did not order mixed cocktails, they looked delicious! I had the earth bowl with skirt steak as my entree and was wowed by the meal. The combination of flavors and variety of vegetables was incredible. Those I was with also enjoyed the duck and the swordfish tacos. I would order the earth bowl again and again! Our dinner was accompanied by live music and excellent service. Thanks to the Beat Hotel for a great night!
(5)
JLH ..
Ok, the reviews are here are all over the place, but this is without a doubt, the best place in Harvard Square. It's a simple as that. Yes, the drinks are pricey. That's what you encounter when you go to an upscale restaurant and lounge with free live music and incredible and unique atmosphere right in the center of a major tourist attraction. It's everything I want in a night out. I was taking my mom here who's visiting from out of town and she was blown away. Everything from the stage to the bathroom stalls are breathtaking. We only came for appetizers and cocktails, so I can't comment on the dining portion, but our server Amy was really a gem. She was so sweet and it was obvious she was passionate about her job and the menu. The super friendly and funny female manager also made a point to drop in and say hi. Being open till 2 am doesn't hurt for the late night crowd who rarely has a place to go after the usual 1 shut down in Boston! Go here.
Good food, good drinks, terribly slow service. One bartender at 130p on a Saturday for the whole bar and restaurant. Sat at the bar for 15 minutes without any acknowledgment until someone else came out.
(2)
Brittany O.
I've been here twice, on two separate Saturday nights. The first we spent the evening at the bar with a group of friends and had a blast listening to the music and drinking away merrily. After perusing the menu but not ordering anything, I knew that I would be back to try their food everyone so raves about. The second time around my other half and I made dinner reservations at 9:15 pm on a Saturday night. We were sat pretty close to the live band. You can easily bring a group of 8-10 here and sit at The large round tables. Ryan had their lamb dish and I tried their Inca bowl. Not a single complaint other than I couldn't finish it all! The prices are high, but you absolutely get your money's worth. The band that was playing that night (Karma Exchange) really set the mood and we were living every minute of it. We didn't leave our table four three hours and finished out four/five rounds of drinks with their nachos. The service was beyond fantastic. Our waitress (Jen I believe) was on top if everything and had great suggestions for drinks. We will definitely be back here again in the near future! So far I've recommended it to three or four close friends who also agree that this is a fun/quality spot. Keep up the great work!
(5)
A G.
This place is amazing! Large ample area with rows of tables and live jazz music. Nice set up plus a good location. Now about the rest: The wine list is super expensive so you are doomed to drink the small carafes of wine that are going for a good penny too. Besides, you don't even get to see the bottle and remember what you drank. So the wine loses its name. The food was ok. Service was mediocre with small amounts of bread for example one 6 inch piece of bread for 4 people! Luckyly another waiter came by to rescue us with two more small pieces of bread. As for ambience it looked like the neo yuppies like it.
(2)
Elena H.
This is one of the strangest bars I have ever been to, it felt like a bar modeled after a prison. - security guys monitoring everyone - no dancing policy - can't push tables together - no standing policy, must sit down at table - bartender escorted one member of our group out for appearing drunk This places makes you paranoid about your every movement. They are control freaks.
(2)
Robert A.
When I first heard about this place I thought it was located in a hotel. I had gone for a birthday party & so glad I stopped by. Love the Ambiance , Food, Cocktails ,the service & the live music, the whole set up. Two huge bars great seating space & lighting. The place is has a very cool concept and great decor. I have been here on two different occasions and they've had live music both times. So glad a place like this exists in Boston.
(5)
Lynn C.
came here to meet a large group. nice atmosphere with cute chandeliers everywhere! loved the live music scene ... they were playing some version of song from Little Dragon! Only 4 stars bc the bartenders were inattentive and seemed uninterested in taking orders. the cocktails sound intriguing - but ended up tasting very generic and sugary.
(4)
Mandy C.
There are few times in life when an amazing experience can be ruined by a terrible employee. The venue and the vibe of this bar exceeded my expectations. I stayed for a few hours and had a great time until I went to the bar for last call and waited...and waited... The bartender was very aloof and I spent ten minutes patiently waiting for my last beer. When the bartender finally came over I was told that the bar was closed and I couldn't get a drink. I explained that I had waited for ten minutes patiently and he was very dismissive. He then proceeded to serve other people after close while I stood there waiting. I asked him why he didn't want my business but he was willing to serve others and he became really aggressive, unprofessional, and rude. Until someone appropriately trains the Beat Hotel employees, myself and my 30 friends who came with me will no longer patronize this bar. This bartender is simply unbearable in his current state and you as a customer do not deserve to be treated like a second class citizen.
(1)
Kate B.
I really liked Beat Hotel- it's super chic and the decor is flawless in that "Edie Sedgwick used to hang out here/pampered hippie sort of way," which I personally adore. Service is phenom- friendly, helpful, and professional, and the music is awesome. The food leaves a little to be desired, unfortunately, which is why only 3 stars. Although the buffalo cauliflower is the stuff dreams are made of, the Salmon bowl I got was pretty bland, and my husband's steak wasn't awesome. It's a bit overpriced for what it is. Drinks, however, are smashing!
(3)
Ben R.
Seems like management must've gotten the message, and they've seriously upped the customer service game. Looking forward to lots more great times here!
(4)
Anne-Marie A.
Great vibe, good food -- nice ambience, made even nicer by the attention of Christa Phaneuf, Restaurant Manager who not only knows her stuff (food, wine, etc.) but stops by to check in, make sure everything is "great" -- without being intrusive. And, the little "sweet" she sent at the end was just a lovely touch. Christa made our evening all the better --
(4)
Karah R.
Met a friend for brunch here at 10am, so no wait, but I bet having a reservation is the way to go, as the restaurant filled quickly. Had very attentive service. I ordered the bowl Azteca with poached eggs. It was FANTASTIC! So so so many great flavors. And lots of variety of vegetables in the dish- corn, squash, spinach, green beans, tomato, radishes, jicama. I would eat there again when I revisit Boston. Lovely jazz too.
(5)
Louise K.
We only went to have a drink and listen to some live jazz. We had a drink called "American Breed": MAKER'S MARK, ST. ELDER ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR, APPLE CIDER. Highly recommended! Many of the drinks sounded sweet, this was poured on the rocks after being shaken. The apple cider is not evident but must give the drink the balance. The music was good, the service was excellent, loved the atmosphere. The food looked good but we had already eaten.
(4)
John E.
Very cool place. Had the Hamachi sushi appetizer and it was delicious. Great atmosphere.
(5)
Brian D.
So, now I've been to Beat Hotel. I've officially had an alcoholic beverage in pretty much every conceivable location in Harvard Square aside from the alleyway in between the former Casablanca and the Cambridge Center for Adult Education with the fauxmeless (faux-homeless) kids who call that home for the warm New England months. Mark my words, eclectic but not really sure what makes a 'beatnik' experience. I mean, they accept credit cards, nobody is getting high and not a single person was dressed in black snapping fingers to spoken-word poetry. That being said, Holy Lamb of God - the pulled lamb nachos are awesome and I declare them to be (without having had tried anything else on the menu) the winner of best item on the menu. And, from the look of things, one of the best values on the menu. That was another - non beatnick observation - Holy Capitalist Price Gorging! The scenery is a bit weird. I'll give or take a star for that. Sort of like 'Austin Powers' meets 'abandoned former retail space'. Seems sort of thrown together. I feel like they are definitely going someplace with the look but it's a bit too forced-hippy vs. beatnik. I'll some this up in true beat-style....man..... Beat... Hotel... is....for the..... cats and kittens with fat wallets, jack.... come on in... and... pay... for... nachos... I'll...be back, for more... nachos... (finger snapping)
(3)
Michelle D.
Went to The Beat Hotel with about 15 -20 co-workers for a going away gathering, you know a bunch of folks get together for drinks and appetizers. The space was great - one of the larger, not crowded spaces in the square. Nice bar, good tall tables in the bar area - good for gathering with larger groups. BUT You had to have a waiter and one tab at the tall tables. This would have been OK if the waiter was not so overwhelmed. It was hard to have people order, get drinks in a timely manner, and pay as they left early. A tough set up for parties where people were coming and going through out the evening. The other drawback was the prices. HOLY COW! $16.50 for a hamburger? $10 for an appetizer sized chowder? Seems a little steep - at least offer more of a range. Also I wanted to get fries as an appetizer/side and was told I could not, even though there were plates of fries coming out with the hamburgers. All in all a good atmosphere, fancy menu, and high food prices. Would I go back - maybe if some else wanted to, but probably not on my own.
My friend and I stumbled upon this place while walking around Harvard Square, so we decided to go in for their "Santa Brunch," which seemed to be their regular music brunch + Santa wandering around greeting people. We loved our whole experience here, from their eclectic decor and lovely music (how often do you get to hear live strings?) to the dishes we shared. Mmmm the french toast and meat omelette were both delicious, and their frites were possibly the best fries I've ever had.
(4)
Amy W.
Maybe my expectations were a little too high, but this place didn't blow me away. Upon walking in, I was impressed with how different the decor is from any other establishment in Boston/Cambridge. As a purple fanatic, I loved the lighting and chandeliers, and the waiters and waitresses were all impeccably dressed. The hostess was beautiful and very welcoming and friendly. We had also called about 10 minutes before our arrival because we were going to be late for our reservation, due to traffic, and the man who answered the phone was very understanding and relaxed about it. Despite all of the purple, the atmosphere is still a little strange because the restaurant is so large and open, and almost has a weird, cafeteria-esque feel to it, due to how open and - I don't know how else to say it - flat the dining area is. Everyone is sitting on the same level, which makes it louder than I like, especially considering I was there at about 6:00pm, which is very early, and typically the time where you'd be able to easily have a conversation with your dining mate. I felt like we were forced to talk at a significantly raised volume, and like we were competing with those around us. The place was packed, so it's obviously doing well business-wise. I ordered the Earth Bowl with shrimp and would not order it again. The shrimp was great, well cooked and seasoned, but the rest of the dish was very bland and dry. Most of the veggies were hard and undercooked, and the rice pilaf had no flavor at all. My friend ordered the chopped sirloin with mashed potatoes and peas, and while it looked filling and satisfying, it was too small to be worth the ~$25 she paid for it. If I had seen a dish that wished I had ordered instead, or came across a great Groupon or something, I might give this place another chance, but $50 (my entree and one glass of red wine) is a high price to pay for the underwhelming experience I had here.
(3)
Emma S.
I had no real expectations coming here. I was definitely surprised at the decor; it feels kind of hippie and casual, and is a huge dining room, which to me is all good. We came for dinner, and were sat right on time for our reservation. I ordered a cocktail that sounded unusual; I asked the waiter about it and he said, "You either love or hate it. I hate it." I decided to live dangerously, and loved it (it was really strong!). I really appreciated his honesty and willingness to take time chatting about it with me, even though the place was packed. The food was excellent too, with a really varied menu that is accessible for vegetarians. They have these quinoa life-alive inspired bowls that are healthy, affordable, and looked delish (a friend got one of those). Would definitely come back here too!
(4)
Melanie F.
The lamb nachos were delicious. I have never heard of such a menu item and HAD to give it try I was not let down! My entree was the pork chop and it was quite a meaty serving I was overstuffed after the nachos. Debbie was a helpful and charming server who showed me and boyfriend a great first time.
(5)
Voravut R.
Almost every aspect of this establishment was off putting. We choose to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday at midnight here. The music & atmosphere drew us in but immediately after having our IDs checked the trouble began. A manager stopped us on the stairs on the way down & declared that his establishment is a classy place for adult & told us he would not stand for any boisterous behavior like high fiving, hooting or hollering. Mind you that even though my friend was turning 21, most of the party was well versed in adult beverages & our ages reflected that. Our party looked passed it & headed to the bar to start celebrating. The bartender seemed not to know how to pour a drink. It took him over 5 minutes to take 7 drink orders & most of them were beers. Again we looked passed this & headed to a table, of which there was many. Strange for a Saturday night but a nice surprise. We settled into a few tables & after a few minutes a hostess came over to tell us that these tables were reserved for table service only. Once again not trying to harp on the negative we requested menus to fulfill the request of the hostess. Fast forward 15 minutes, no menus, not even one server came to ask us for anything, no water, no refills on our clearly empty glasses, just dirty looks. Some of the worse service I have ever had anywhere. Now for the few positive notes, the initial staff member who checked our ID was very nice & congratulated our newly anointed 21 year old, the music was pleasant & the atmosphere was nice but the way we were treated, scolded & ignored would lead me to say that I will never revisit or recommend this establishment to anyone. Fortunately we walked to Charlie's instead & had a great time.
(1)
Holly A.
First things first, this is the first review I have ever written, The Beat Hotel bothered me this much! I had been interested in going to the Beat Hotel for a while, so because the restaurant was participating in Boston's Restaurant week I thought it would be a good time to go and get a nice sample of their menu. When we arrived they made no mention of Restaurant week and had no set 3 course menu for the advertised $33 (on Boston Restaurant Week webpage). When we asked the waitress if the restaurant was indeed participating she explained that they do not do anything special but the menu items highlighted in red would get you to the price. This still confuses me because it was supposed to be 3 courses for $33 but my appetizer and main equaled that and our bill still seemed like $30 more expensive than it should of been. Okay, well not what I expected. What they had was just lame, french onion soup, house salad, side salad. I ordered a side salad. What came out was just wrong. It was romaine lettuce with a few tomatoes and sliced radishes and what tasted like Kraft Italian dressing. I should mention that earlier that same day I had gone to Grafton Street in Cambridge and had an awesome side salad that featured micro greens, blue cheese crumbles, a sliced pear and a delicious vinaigrette, for $1 less I might add. As for our main course options, all lame again, a uninspiring pork chop, mussel frittes and a basic no meat added Inca or Earth bowl. I settled for the Mussels and Frites. The fries were great, they were seriously over salted but as a person who can deal with too much salt on her fries I forgive it. The mussels were okay, I could not figure out how I felt about the broth they were in. I ended up leaving a lot of mussels in the bowl, which is not something I would normally do. Dessert was god awful. I had their deconstructed cannoli. Gross, no other word, just nasty. My boyfriend ordered the chocolate cheesecake, which was okay, it tasted great compared to my cannoli but nothing special. Overall I felt that while the ambiance is cool and the bar, a nice looking place to meet some friends for a drink, the food was SUCH a let down as was the menu and I felt like what we got for what we paid for was a huge scam. I will not go back for dinner or any other meal again.
(2)
Steve B.
Meh. The food looked good and the drinks were good, but everything was overpriced by a bit and I really didn't like the wide open layout it made the place feel cavernous and made it easy to notice all the empty seats.
(3)
Brian H.
I've been here twice and both visits were just amazing! The staff is super friendly and the music is so fine! I had the braised beef lasagna with a few cocktails. I've always been a fan of The Bee Hive and I was more impressed with this place.
(5)
Ed D.
Great service by bartender Andrew from Kansas City. The drinks are awesome and there's a great variety. The atmosphere is very cool. Eclectic decor. Had drinks and appetizers at the bar. Duck meatballs, octopus and shrimp salad, oysters and mussels were all delicious!
(5)
BP Y.
The only thing I would complain about this place is that food was too salty. Live music makes it special in Cambridge. Overall very good service!
(4)
Paul C.
Came here for Cinco de Mayo - it was awesome. They had the mariachi band which was fun. The food was really good - their menu offerings seem pretty broad which is one reason we plan on returning. The layout and atmosphere is also really cool - very open and more natural light than I would expect for being below ground.
(4)
William M.
This place deserves every single star. We got a reservation for 4 on a Thursday night ( this place is hopping all the time, apparently!) and when we showed up almost 20 min early the table was almost ready for us (even though all tables were full). Service was great, fast and attentive. We ordered lasagna, earth bowl, a hamburger, and two appetizers, lamb nachos and shredded brussels sprouts with smoked salmon. EVERY SINGLE THING WAS DELISH!! A note on the appetizers: do not assume they are half the size of the regular entrees. They're not. It was like getting two separate entrees - they were HUGE! Especially the nachos. I was kinda confused since they were half the price of the reg. entrees. But not complaining ;) We sat right next to the stage but the music was nice and not too loud to still carry a conversation. The first gig is 8pm-8:30, and the next one started at 9 pm and looked a little more entertaining but we had to get going - wish we could have stayed and enjoyed some more. Would definitely come back again!!
(5)
Divie E.
Dear Beat Hotel - After nearly one year of being one of your loyal patrons - attending weekly jazz nights and encouraging fellow members of the Harvard community to also spend copious amounts of money in your establishment - I am saddened that for the first time in my life, I was denied entry into your restaurant on the morning of Friday, August 28, 2014 for not having a passport or a Massachusetts state ID. It's not the embarrassment of having recommended your bar as a stop along the Harvard GSAS Grad Student Residence Hall Pub Crawl last night, or being with several other students who were excited because I had highly recommended your establishment, that really gets to me, but that in all of the screen shots I have of your website, your twitter page, and outside your restaurant on that day, there is not one indication that an American well over the age of 21 with a government-issued ID would be required to have 1) traveled to the world or 2) change citizenship to enter into your bar. I'm suspicious of what your doorman and your manager, AJ, said - that the policy was started on that day - and I remain confused about how my Michigan driver's license is not, as your website indicates, "proper 21+ ID." I find it a sad reflection of our society when my mom - who I also brought to your bar once - encourages me to appease you. And frankly, while I understand according to Massachusetts policy that you have the ability to deny entry based on this criteria, and as a U.S. citizen with government-issued ID over the age of 25, I am very concerned with your inconsistent application of this policy. This lack of transparency and tact will further discrimination in this community. I will continue to share this experience with others in the Harvard community and beyond in my network. I would highly encourage you to publicly post this newly-enforced policy to avoid losing other loyal patrons. Cambridge, Harvard, Beat Hotel - I thought I missed you a over the summer, but you know what I didn't miss? Discrimination.
(1)
Mason H.
Beat hotel usually has great music. However the service was fucking miserable tonight. The women at the hostess stand were just rude and not even close to nice to us. Hostess stand is your first contact with the restaurant - they need to be unfailingly nice to customers. If you need to get someone to be mean make it be the manager.
(2)
Tracy L.
We went back to the Beat Hotel--this time for dinner with some local friends. I'm happy to say our experience was much improved. The staff we incredibly friendly and the service was much better--much warmer than last time. The food was very good too (we had the buffalo cauliflower to start, which was delicious. I had the earth bowl--which was a huge portion!) And, the atmosphere was excellent (nice light jazz music, the perfect volume for talking). I ordered a cocktail--and it turned out well. I'm giving four stars only because of the cost--it's still a bit expensive--but makes for an enjoyable evening!
(4)
Hubert H.
Dropped a star because of some over-pricing on some of the food. Had a so-called 'stuffed lobster' dish - there was barely any lobster meat, and too much bread stuffing mixed in in general. However, the short rib lasagna was nice and rich, and very flavorful. The music was excellent as well, and once again it's nice to have a venue like this in Harvard Sq that mixes food, music, and drink.
(4)
Briana G.
I came here for brunch for a friends' birthday, and was extremely disappointed start to finish. First, after placing our order, it took over an hour for our food to come out. Once it finally did, it was lukewarm at best, clearly having been sitting in the kitchen for a while. My two friends and I all ordered the same earth bowl, which turned out to be a bad choice once my friend (whose birthday it was) found a maggot larvae in his food. This turned all three of our stomachs and our breakfasts went just about untouched. We informed the server, who informed the manager, and both tried to make light of the situation, joking that "sometimes maggots get into bags of quinoa." They didn't charge my friend for his food, but sadly two of the uneaten earth bowls were still on our bill. To make up for the problem, they gave us all "VIP cards" which they said we could use to get to the front of the line at any time. Lo and behold, I came back a few weeks ago (for drinks ONLY) and was told by the bouncer that VIP cards were not being used that night, and I had to go to the back of the line. Although I do understand that sometimes accidents happen in restaurants, the way the matter was handled by the waitstaff and manager was completely unacceptable. Needless to say I will never pay for their ridiculously overpriced food or drink again.
(1)
Darci N.
Enter Friday night, the end of a VERY long week, and an agreement made with a friend on Tuesday that we would have a "girls night out!" Ugh. Regretting Tuesday. A few friends bail, and we re-route our plan due to rumor of West African drumming happening at some new somehow-related-to-the-Beehive-place. A big fan of live music, and in particular, drumming, my friend and I rush through the doors like children on Christmas morning. The musicians were in between sets, so we giddily cozied up to the bar and got our drinks. The place was pretty crowded, and we were standing next to the service bar. My only complaint was getting asked to move further away from the service bar (I get it, I'm in the way, but where else would you like me to stand?), and then with each move further, still getting asked to move further away. They were finally satisfied when my drink was sitting on the bar, and I was a good four feet away from it, not even able to reach it. I swear I showered. The space was absolutely beautiful, and the service was friendly and attentive. Live music at no additional cost/cover charge -- amazing. Worth paying a few more $$ on the food/drink knowing you're getting an incredible experience as well. We didn't try the food, but they appeared to have a pretty comprehensive drink list. Lots of tapped wine options, if you're into ecologically friendly wine practices. Oh, I guess I have one more complaint. No dancing. Though hilarious to watch security asking people to stop bopping to live, invigorating, West African drumming; please get your Cabaret License ASAP.
(4)
Lucy L.
Went for thanksgiving dinner. This place gives absolutely no notice for lines and they ran out of turkey when we ordered. They should've given notice before we sat down, I found this to be very unprofessional.
(1)
Keith F.
Once again I didn't believe the yelps about the reservation problems but it happened to us SCREW THAT MANAGER AND HIS TOTALARION TREATMENT OF CLIENTS UR R AN ASS and I left with my party and spent 245.00 dollars at NUBAR
(1)
Tim B.
Stumbled on this place for brunch and was surprised to see how large the subterranean space was, with two long bars flanking the right side of the room and a small stage at the far back. Colorful examples of quasi-primitive art dotted the place. There was a jazz trio quietly noodling away at Christmas standards while we dug into our food. My wife got the veggie omelette while I opted for the American breakfast. It was hard to pass up the Sun Ra earth bowl but as we wanted breakfast, the veggie homage to Herman Blount will have to wait for another time. The prices are kinda high but the food was uniformly excellent and there was more than enough of it. The bacon in particular gets high marks. Crispy and thick, very lean. Not a huge fan of truffled scrambled eggs but they were OK. Maybe they can do over easy next time. Salad is kind of a weird side for breakfast but was tasty. Even weirder was frites but they were really good. The place looks like its got a good beer list and may be a good place to pre-game before a show at The Sinclair.
(4)
Joshua R.
This review is for drinks only, because I've never actually been able to get a table there. We always decide to go too late for reservations, and you're basically not going to get a table if you just show up. The drinks are pretty expensive, but they make up for it with the phenomenal live music - normally jazz.
(4)
Lauren M.
Harvard Square's hippest new spot for a no-cover evening with live music, great food, and amazing drinks!
(5)
Kaitlyn O.
I love the vibe of this place. And I think there menu is refreshing - its full of vegetables with health protein add-ons. I would say the food is good but not great - so the four stars is for the great variety of (seemingly) healthy options and all the great vegetables and the cool vibe. It can be loud though, as there is often live music, so if you aren't into then you won't like the vibe.
(4)
Emily S.
This place was great! Went on a Friday night for 7:30 reservations with a group if four. The atmosphere here is really funky and cool, would be a great date spot too. A live jazz band came on while we were eating and they were so seamless that we didn't even notice that we were enjoying live music at first! We got a buffalo cauliflower appetizer, which was really good to try if you like buffalo sauce. I got the mahi mahi fish tacos for dinner, which were good but not the best I've ever had, but the rice and beans it came with were very yummy. My friend got the duck and raved about it, particularly the orzo it came with. Drinks also look good and very different, although I got a beer for myself. The only downside to the beat hotel is the price. Drinks were average $12 and entrees were $25+. So if you want someplace where you can stick around to drink, I would pick someplace else, or come here for dinner and one drink and go someplace else after. I would definitely return here and try something else on the menu like the ribs or the vegetarian lasagna.
(4)
L K.
I've made this place my favorite go-to place for anything from my finance friends living in Beacon Hill, my HBS and HLS classmates, and dates. Aside from the lack of hot people among patrons that's typical of Boston (so not Beat's fault). there is only real problem that keeps this otherwise fine establishment from becoming the place that engenders the kind of memories that hotspots like Club Passim used to for locals during my aunt's time on campus: the Staff. I had my birthday party here, have had over ten dates here, other birthday parties and dinners. Every time, the employee serving us drinks or food has been aloof. But not in a cool New York or sexy LA way that people (including myself) clearly like. I raised this at my friend's birthday party at Beat last night, and one of us said "it's almost like they were told to act like that on purpose--it's artificial" which a lot of us agreed with. You're in Cambridge--Harvard Square of all places--you are overweight, bald, old-looking, or pinchy-faced. WHY are you ignoring people trying to wave you down for a fork for her friend's birthday cake? The virtue of Boston nightlife is that people are friendly even when there's extreme demand. You know you're not a 10 living in The City and you know that the value system that runs our town and places like Harvard is different than in New York. Stop trying. Your servers are not aspiring actors and actresses hoping to make it big in LA or screenwriters moonlighting at night as bartenders in The City--you are in Cambridge. Stop trying to make fetch happen.
(3)
Dana L.
I stopped in this past weekend for brunch. I've been to The Beehive multiple times and have been waiting to try The Beat. The place is huge and extremely cute. Every detail was attended to when it comes to the feel-good hippy vibe. Braided hemp curtains as you walk into the bathrooms, colorful hand painted walls, support beams and art, and a jazz band jamming the morning away. The food doesn't disappoint either. We started with a huge piece of pumpkin walnut crumb cake and then feasted on steak, poached eggs and frites along with a massive burger with Gorgonzola, cheddar, and bacon. We left fat and happy, ready for am afternoon nap.
(5)
Kaitlyn H.
Expensive drinks. Cool ambiance. Can't believe how big the space is. Musical acts are great.
(3)
Kat O.
My new go-to brunch spot. The ambiance is amazing, plenty of room and a variety of seating (tables, high tops, long tables, bar seats) close to or distant from the music. Decor is pretty spankin nifty and our service was spectacular. We enjoyed boozy brunch cocktails (bloody marys and mimosas, duh) and great food for our meals. The live jazz was perfect (and the musicians were pretty cute) and made me feel oh so relaxed! I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Jennifer C.
I'd give it 5 stars if it wasn't for the horrible service we received. Our waiter Colin failed to put in not only our drink order but our dinner as well, then have us a half assed apology claiming it was "because I've been here since brunch bro." The food was delicious but the service makes me question if I'd come back again.
(3)
Jency P.
Really enjoyed the brunch menu and the atmosphere with the music. The inner decor is absolutely lovely as well. Staff was nice as well. Tried their mimosa, coffee cake, and their pancakes. Coffee cake: absolutely delicious... it's extra sinful with the honey butter mmmm~ so good. Pancakes: Very generous portion and very good. The compote I think though had a bit too much of rhubarb or something cus it seemed a bit tart. But it nevertheless still pretty good. I tried a bite of short ribs eggs benedict. It was pretty good...not my cup of tea because I don't particularly love that much meat in the morning. Also, the best thing I enjoy about an Eggs Benedict is its simple taste with the Hollandaise sauce. However, I think the brisket taste kind of overpowers the palate. Overall, I think the price of the brunch menus are quite reasonably for the atmosphere and the music. I recommend checking this place out!
(4)
Elie H.
I went to the Beat Hotel for Brunch on Sunday. It was a lot of fun and the ambiance is totally cool. A mix of mid 20s to 50s crowd. A Jazz Trio was playing in the background at a comfortable sound level which was good for conversations. The selections on the Brunch are basic except for the bowls which are very unique and a good healthy choice if you don't want the usual breakfast dishes or burgers. The shrimp, Roasted Artisanal Vegetables, 5-Grain Pilaf, Pumpkin Tahini Sauce was delicious ( there was no need for the extra sauce, the food is flavored enough) The Gotham Project Cabernet was a great wine. Overall my experience was great.
(4)
Libby R.
Came in for drinks before going to dinner reservations elsewhere. I definitely liked the space and the funky decor was unique and cool. The band was also great and hit that sweet spot of being loud enough that they were not just background music, but not so loud that they were overwhelming the people eating at tables close by. Wine selection was decent, and mixed drink was a-okay. It was easy to get the bartender's attention and he was quick. I'll likely be back to give the food a try.
(3)
Bethany K.
My friends and I typically love this place, but last night we saw a different side. The atmosphere is awesome and drinks tend to be a bit pricy especially the wine on tap which was 15 buck per glass. When I first ordered a drink from the bartender she gave me such attitude and told me to look at the drink menu. I brushed it off and thought ok maybe she's having a bad night whatever no big deal. But then the manager spilt a drink all over my friend and did not even apologize. I said "i think you owe us a drink for that" and he said absolutely not. The staff was ridiculously rude here and even after my friend is soaked in cranberry juice he continued to be rude. He could tell we were upset so he offered to pay for dry cleaning and never even gave us his card. We left shortly after and were astounded at how rude all of the staff were to us. Then we were talking about how rude the staff was and they approached us to leave for having the conversation!! I was shocked.
(1)
Parissa S.
The ambiance and decor are inviting. I love the fact that there's daily live quality music without a cover, yet you can still have a conversation. I would come back for that reason alone. The layout is unfortunate, though; there is no space for dancing. The bartenders are friendly and there's a unique selection of wines on tap and pricey cocktails. The beer list is limited, but they did have Fluffy White Rabbits. I wouldn't come back for dinner. I've had less expensive and more enjoyable experiences getting drinks and an appetizer at the bar. We waited for our table on a Saturday night despite getting a reservation for 9 pm beforehand, service was slow (maybe they need to hire more servers), and the entrees were overpriced. Our group was underwhelmed by the steak, chicken, and clam chowder. The salmon tartar was my exception; I would order that again at the bar. Makes the most sense to get a drink here and experience some live music.
(4)
Sat C.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE: EXTREMELY RUDE BOUNCER AND MANAGEMENT...AVOID THIS PLACE When Beat Hotel was relatively new, I used to frequent this place and introduced it to a lot my friends. it was one of my favorite spots. After a gap, I went there recently with a bunch of friends for dinner. My friends arrived before us and were having a drink inside waiting for my wife and I to join. When we arrived there was no line, we showed the bouncer our IDs but he rudely asked us to step aside and wait till he asked us for the IDs. He asked us what we were there for and if we had a reservation. He called in to the hostess stand to verify if we really had a reservation. I didn't know which friend had put their name down so I called my friends who were inside to ask them which one us had the name on the reservation. With an extremely dismissive and aggressive attitude he said that till I give him the exact name he wouldn't let us in. After such a heavy handed treatment, we started losing out desire to eat and spend any money in this place. I asked to speak to the management. The manager came to speak with us. He too was extremely rude and totally ineffective in handling the situation. He couldn't find the reservation and finally managed to find our name and didn't even apologize for the misunderstanding. I told him how arrogant and rude the bouncer was and told him that he was acting as though he was doing us a favor in allowing entry to the restaurant. The manager instead of apologizing, said that we should should respect the bouncer instead. All my friends came out and witnessed this and decided to leave their drinks unfinished and eat elsewhere. As we were leaving, the bouncer told us that we made a wise decision by leaving. We were flabbergasted by the treatment we received even though I was a loyal patron. Some has terribly changed in Beat Hotel and they need a lesson in how to treat customers. They are not doing us a favor in letting us in their bar/restaurant. There are plenty of other fine establishments will be willing to treat us properly and win our loyalty and business. Needless to say, my friends and I will never step into Beat Hotel ever again!!
(1)
Kyra T.
A great addition to the square. The space is large and bohemian chic. Plenty of bar seating and easily recognizable to the Beehive vibe. It boasts long bars and lots of seating. In the far back there is a stage for performers. The drink list is eclectic and funky. The draft list is not long, but has quality craft beers. There was a drummer and a pianist playing light jazz while we ate our dinner which was extremely enjoyable. Given the size of the restaurant and the live music it was still easy to have a conversation -- major plus. Food was very good here. The portions were generous (you get what you pay for). Service was good.
(4)
Sam M.
Ordered mussels. 14 bucks for 13 mussels. That's like a 1.08 per. You can buy mussels for 3 bucks a huge bag. Bartender was nice, but Jim Beam was 8 bucks. Nuts. Boston prices are a parody of themselves. This bar is tragically hip, but you know what would be actually hip, counter-culture, and genuinely "artsy"? Normal, human being, reasonable, anti-uber-capitalist prices. Like 6 bucks for cheap bourbon and 10 bucks for mussels. Whatever.
(2)
George M.
I frequent Harvard Square, and I would like to give these guys a good review, but just too many bad factors. First off, we had a reservation there, and they tried to place us in this general area which was "non-reserved". When we asked to be seated in one of the better tables, the response was "we are saving those", without any additional explanation. At that point, there couldn't have been more than 10 people in the place (6:30PM dinner on a Sunday). Needless to say, had a terrible round of drinks and left. Second, the drinks were over-priced and not good at all. Finally, during our 10-15 minutes in the restaurant, I noticed two people return their plates. I have no idea why, but did see the plates go back; never a good sign. Walked by 2 hours later, on the way back to the car, and noticed that there wasn't more than 10 people in there; so why try to hold the tables? The good; they had some interesting and obscure music playing in the background, which I thought was a good Harvard Square "fit".
(1)
Jacqui M.
Wish I could give a rating of 0 starts. I came here with a friend last Tuesday night. I ordered the mussels and frites (which were okay) while my friend ordered the burger (which he liked). Unfortunately I spent the rest of the night sick and in the ER due to food poisoning which they found was due to seafood. I called the management to at least see if I could get a refund on my meal and they refused. This restaurant has the WORST customer service and I will never come back.
(1)
Geoff P.
Phenomenal place that is not a hotel at all but a restaurant with terrific food and drinks. The woman I was with started off with a fresca cocktail while I had a mango margarita. We then sampled some of the different wines they had on the menu-- the waiter was a terrific help here. The food was amazing. I had the blackened swordfish tacos, and she had scallops (I am not a scallops fan, but she thought it was great). Overall great atmosphere for a romantic dinner and the service was excellent. Also I am not usually a jazz fan but really enjoyed the different sets here.
From the moment you walk in to the Beat Hotel, you can feel the cool vibe and automatically know you've chosen the right spot to grab drinks! This place is nicely tucked in Harvard Square, and the scene was not too college-like and not too "old." Service in the bar area was excellent, drink menu was unique. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Anna B.
This place is noticeably more casual than Beehive so if you don't want to dress up on a slushy night this may be the option for you. Thoroughly enjoyed Beat Hotel. The music is the right volume that you can hear it well enough but still talk. The duck, short ribs lasagna, crispy tuna roll app, pate and red velvet dessert were all tasty. I think the duck was the favorite though there was something else on the plate with the duck that was supposed to be corn pudding but I think was actually a yellow sponge from the kitchen. If there hadn't been a piece of corn visible I would have no doubt that's what it was. Seriously though we'd had enough food we didn't care. Service was attentive. The prices are on the high side for Harvard Square but considering the live jazz and good service it's understandable. The music wasn't outstanding the night we were there but it wasn't bad either. I considered 5 stars but Beehive is still the better option for the same prices - and somehow I spent a lot more than I usually spend at Beehive - I think the wine on tap adds up faster then you expect because it's harder to gauge the amount you're drinking. (Don't you hate it when that happens?)
(4)
Tanya G.
I absolutely loved our dinner here last night! The food, decor, music, bar, just the overall vibe was fantastic! I would recommend this place to anyone! Hubby had the short rib lasagne and I had the earth bowl with skirt steak! Both were equally delicious! Portions are on the smaller side. But more room for dessert! Had the coconut red velvet cake, which was to die for! Tap wine is a must and the bar makes a mean old fashioned! Can't wait to go back :)
(5)
Robert R.
I Should Have Skirted the Skirt Steak Although this was a disappointing first visit, I wouldn't call it a total disaster. The atmosphere is inviting and wide open, softly lit and comfortable. The service was excellent, although the friendliness felt just slightly forced (fierce smiles). Here's what we had and how it rated: Two Appetizers: The Smokey Chipotle BBQ Spare Ribs were tender, flavorful, and fall off the bone easy to eat. Perhaps they could have been a bit more spicy (more heat), but we loved them! The Crispy Tuna Springrolls were excellent too. One large roll was sliced in half on the diagonal. The wraps were light and crunchy, the tuna and greens inside were fresh, and the sauce complemented well. Very well executed. Two Entrees: The FAROE ISLAND SALMON with Cous Cous, Lentils, Spinach, Carrot Miso Puree was okay. The salmon was cooked properly. Most of the flavor was in the skin, but that's fine. My dining companion enjoyed it, however the accompanying cous cous was undercooked and tasted of uncooked pasta. The SKIRT STEAK with Frites, Peppercorn Jus, and Pickles was heinous. I believe skirt steak should not be on the menu if you aren't familiar with its characteristics and how to prepare it. I ordered mine cooked MEDIUM because I know skirt steak can be stringy. Preparing it rare can be disastrous. You can go medium rare if you marinate it and season it properly and then slice it with the grain into serving size pieces. Unfortunately, my skirt steak was prepared blood rare and served as one large piece plopped smack atop of a large pile of thinly sliced undercooked very brown potatoes (frites). I struggled cutting the stringy steak. It had a minimum of seasoning. After a bite or two, I lifted the steak off the pile of potatoes and put it aside to try the potatoes. (Why did they plate the steak on top of the potatoes anyway?) Trying to cut into a potato slice, my steak knife had a tougher time than with the steak. The potato was like leather. I was baffled. I chewed on a piece of potato. It was definitely undercooked and saturated in grease, which made it rubbery, REALLY rubbery. I do not exaggerate. I had to stop trying after poking a few more potatoes with my fork and knife and not being able to pierce them. What did they do to them? After the nice appetizers, my skirt steak plate was a sad let down. I didn't love the steak. I couldn't eat the potatoes. They transformed them into something that bore no resemblance to potatoes. There was no white potato flesh to be found. Thin, brown slices of rubbery ick. (Okay, I'll stop.) I shared my skirt steak with my dining companion, but it was slow work chewing on that. Our server stopped by soon after we were served and I pointed out that my steak was rare instead of medium, as I had ordered. She offered to take it back, but I declined because experience has taught me that sending back food is an exercise in futility. Restaurant food rarely comes back quickly, or improved, once you've sent it back. Besides, don't you worry they might get funky with it? As our plates were being cleared, I explained my disappointment to a friendly bus person who promised to pass along my comments. Soon after, the concerned manager came and listened with great patience as I explained my dissatisfaction with my entree while at the same time heaping praise on the appetizers. The manager explained that the restaurant is new and the kitchen was just trying out the potato dish. She expressed genuine interest in my feedback about the skirt steak and the frites, and she made every effort to make us feel valued. She also offered to pay for my entree, which I felt was the right thing to do. It wouldn't be fair to ask me to pay $24 for what was served to me. Including our appetizers and sodas, our bill (with the one entree taken off) was about $75. We tipped well for the excellent service. I'll conclude by saying the vibe at this restaurant is very good. The food needs to follow suit in order to generate repeat business. Nothing should leave the kitchen that wouldn't delight a patron. I would not discourage anyone from trying Beat Hotel for dinner. (For now, just take a cue from what I ordered and hopefully you'll "skirt" any disappointment.)
(3)
Colleen H.
The beat hotel is located in the strangest spot ever...under the Gap! It doesn't matter though, because it's great. It's a HUGE space, with super friendly staff, an awesome drink menu (had the "perfect perfect martini" which matched it's name, and the VFW which is a modernized old fashion), and some interesting food choices. It was definitely American hearty food, but they manage to throw a couple hearty healthy dishes on there! Vegan options as well, which I was surprised to see. We got the brussel sprout salad which was fresh. Wasn't a huge fan of the smoked trout on top, but I'm not a crazy smoked fish fan, so don't take my word for it. I will say, the truffled deviled egg on top in heaven. You can order extra on the side if you're fighting with someone over it. ;) The mussels were tasty. The sauce was thick with a hearty roasted tomato flavor - definitely took the bread to town in the leftovers. And then we got the Inka Bowl which had quinoa, kale, sweet potato, other stuff and topped with salmon. It was right about when we were getting full, so we took it home. But it's a hearty dish for sure. The live music last night was really good - which I didn't have much expectations for seeing as it was a Wednesday night. But overall a really cool atmosphere. Worth crossing the river for!
(5)
Marissa W.
We went to the Beat Hotel for my father's birthday and had an AMAZING experience from start to finish. Going on a Sunday early allowed us time to really enjoy ourselves, and every dish we tried. We started out with the lamb nachos, which were delicious and very filling. I think there was more than enough lamb included with the nachos, although I always like guacamole with my nachos, regardless of the dish. The crispy tuna rolls were really amazing--the raw sashimi-grade tuna was perfection, and the asian slaw that accompanied it was crisp and refreshing. Our favorite appetizer though, was the sweet chipotle BBQ spare ribs. Fall-off-the-bone is an understatement--it MELTED off of the bone and the sauce was heavenly. My southern gentleman said it was the best ribs he'd ever tasted, and he's quite biased on the matter. The 4 of us chose different entrees: Earth bowl with salmon (super filling dish, and I can see why it's their signature--lots of different proteins, dipping sauces, flavors and seasonal vegetables); halibut with curry, peas and cauliflower (great, deep tastes with a huge hunk of local fish); seared duck breast with cherry glaze and whipped corn pudding (CAN I SCREAM OUT LOUD ABOUT THE CORN PUDDING?! It's like liquid gold in your mouth. I would eat a vat of it if I could. Seriously.) and salmon with the autumn quinoa, which was perfect for the birthday guy. We finished the night the chocolate and peanut butter cake with sea salt caramel ice cream--it was richly divine and enough for 4 people to share bites of after a fulfilling meal. We literally had not a single complaint about every dish that came out, and the waitstaff was attentive, knowledgeable, and kind and the ambience is gorgeous as well. I can see how on a Friday or Saturday night things can get busy, loud and perhaps a little lost in the shuffle, but please be open-minded to the experience--it's absolutely worth it!
(5)
Sarah S.
Amazing and exciting food! I highly recommend ordering their Black Birch Julep. It was like nothing I have ever tasted before. Also, the service was great and informative. Special thanks to Logan our server who didn't rush our bill when we asked if we could stay at the table for a little longer. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Gabi R.
To die for - so excited to have this new gem around the corner. Food: -lamb nachos - delicious, salty spicy and hit the spot without being too cheesy -calamari - a tiny bit overdone, but delicious overall, especially the veggies -earth bowl - oh my god. That's all I can say. I'm a meat person, but got this vegan and it blew my mind, especially the pumpkin tahini -seitan gyro - again, mind blowing. Not big into cheese but the feta sauce was to die for Service: incredibly nice, attentive, and forthcoming when asked for recommendations Ambience: fun place to catch up with friends, great for parents. Also great for a date if early in the evening- once the music begins though, it gets loud....
(4)
Steph S.
I have been the Beat Hotel several times since its opening and have had nothing but fun. For me, it is hard to dislike a place where there is live music every night, and the service is friendly and knowledgable. For dinner, I brought a professional acquaintance here. I was a little unsure, given the vibe is a little hippy-dippy, but on Thursdays, you can catch live jazz. It was perfect. The menu is trendy and sophisticated- I had the duck with corn pudding. It was great. The meat was perfectly done, flavored nicely, and went wonderfully with the wine I had (recommended by my server). My guest was impressed, and loved the live music. They were older, so it was awesome that despite the live music, we could still carry on a conversation without screaming. I would say, that if you're looking for a place to grab a burger and fries and a show, try some of the other awesome joints in Harvard Square and drop by later for a cocktail. I found the burger a little underwhelming, but it's not really that kind of place.
(4)
Yumiko F.
Great to see some place like this in Harvard Sq! I remember seen shoes, clothes down there but now all turned into nice cool spot! Decorations are cool. Some art work are all by local artist. Great for dinner and also chandelier was pretty awesome. Really nice stuff and you could be going there as dressed up and nice dinner or sit by the bar side to have a great wine selections that is on the tap! Yes Wines are on the tap! Live music is playing everyday as well!
(4)
John H.
I didn't like the docor it seemed cheesey. Also not a fan of basement bars. Great bartenders and good food though.
(3)
N T.
First time I came, it was OK (3.5 stars). Music was pretty nice for a Saturday brunch. Second time I came, the waiter was extremely slow (5 minutes for water, 15+ minutes for serving). We were not pleased and left before getting served. Please don't try to go between lunch and dinner time. The service is horrid then (hence, my low review)
(2)
Corina G.
Cool place, kinda kitschy-hipstery but cool nonetheless. Every Sunday they have a live jazz band for brunch which was a nice surprise seeing as how we had no idea what to expect and it was the day of our first anniversary. The waiter was super chill. His name escapes me though :/ I got the eggs Benedict and my husband got a burger. Really really good stuff. We stayed for a bit after finishing our food to enjoy the music. We would probably go back if ever in the area again.
(4)
Lucinda C.
The decor is beautiful, nice long bar, one of the few places that opens at 4. The food I've had has been great, the rib appetizer, buffalo cauliflower, the earth bowl... The drinks are meh that are on the menu. But, the bartenders will make whatever you want and some of the bartenders are really great at whipping up something you will love. The menu is pretty diverse so it is a crowd pleaser. I haven't gone for music yet, but will someday. Overall a nice place.
(4)
Megan S.
The ambiance is awesome and the bartenders pour heavy...at least ours did! Live music and good drinks what more could you want?!
(5)
Peter D.
Great drinks, service, and atmosphere! Would gladly recommend for dinner, drinking, or partying. Oh, and the music was awesome.
(5)
Jordan M.
A few weeks ago we came into the Beat Hotel to enjoy some live jazz music and an afternoon cocktail. We were promptly greeted by our bartender, Michael Kane and little did we know we were in for a treat. Michael was the best bartender I have been served by in my life. He was educated, entertaining, polite and friendly. He made our experience so much fun and unforgettable, we now plan to make a point to visit Michael in the future. Michael is the text book definition of an all-star employee and if I owned a restaurant I would have done anything to get him to work for my company. Beat Hotel, you are very lucky to have him! He is the kind of employee that will keep your customers coming back for more! We will be back for sure because of our amazing experience with Michael.
(5)
James S.
I came here for an event that was booked and reserved several days ahead do time for a corporate outing. The manager and bouncers refused to let us in. Why? Because they had sat people in our section and did not have anymore room. They made up several stupid reasons why we couldn't get in but all I had to do was pull up the emails I had with another manager on my phone to prove them wrong. They got belligerent and acted very childish and refused to give names when I asked them. The best part was the place wasn't even that busy, they just spread the guest out in the restaurant. I will never come back here and suggest trying any one other restaurants around.
(1)
Janet Y.
Decent food and nice live entertainment. What really left a foul taste in my mouth was our openly rude waitress. Inattentive service is one thing, but repeatedly slamming drinks down is really unacceptable behavior. I have no idea what we did to offend her, but even then, how is acting unprofessionally going to help the situation? If I needed to be talked down to, I would just go to a bar in Back Bay. Of course, she was nicer towards the end of the meal. Oh, so now this jerk is thinking about her tip? Should've thought about that when we got seated. I wanted to talk to a manager, but my friends didn't want me to "embarrass" them. Sorry, but when service is really bad, something needs to be said. At least there's Yelp!, I guess... It's too bad because we did enjoy the food, especially the duck entree and mussels appetizer. But if you get the artificial red-head waitress, have fun testing your patience! That woman is a disgrace to the generally overworked, underappreciated food service industry workers who can perform their jobs without behaving so repugnantly.
(2)
Buda M.
The place just reopened a few days ago. We made a reservation for 30 people. Even though the bar was half-empty, they made us wait in front of the bar just to create a fake impression that the place is popular. When asked for clarification, the guys were just enjoying the role of authority. Another nonsense for the new place were prices: everything is at least 30% more expensive than in other places. ($10 for french fries??!) I don't know about the other customers, but this bar will not see many of HKS students again.
(1)
Sarah S.
So we love the Beehive and were really looking forward to this sister restaurant. The atmosphere is very congenial and the greeting staff were nice. But there were several disappointments for our Easter Brunch, prix fix. To start, the first course of breads were uninspiring. For our table of four, we received two baskets - each with one scone and one piece of bread. They told us the bread is sweet so butter is not required. Well, I love sweet bread and this was the driest bread I have been served! Normally baked goods come with an assortment - as the Beehive does - but this was not assorted and also not good! I could not eat it. Then we received the wrong drinks. The waitress tried to tell us they were correct, but we know the difference between Champagne and wine! We had one child who wished to order off the adult menu. He selected one first course and then for the second course requested one of the main courses from the much cheaper child's menu. He was told he could not combine, even if we were paying the adult price of $35 instead of the child price of $15.It just could not be done. The main courses were nicely prepared and with interesting flavors. But when the meal starts with a no choice stale bread and wrong drinks, and you can't get what you want to eat even if you are willing to pay a lot extra, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. If I were a college kid looking to hang a a bar with music I might like it, but then I probably could not afford it. So we will not be returning.
(2)
Katie C.
This is a great spot for Harvard Square, which was much in need of a place with both great food and great music in the same spot (and not in a hotel). The decor is whimsical and carefully thought out with unexpected touches (the painted supporting poles, etc). When I first heard about the decor I was expecting a more grungy beatnik feel, and not the classy art deco vibe. Reminded me a bit of Cuchi Cuchi, actually. I came here for drinks with colleagues Friday and was so impressed that I came back for dinner on Saturday. We got placed at a front row table where we could still enjoy conversation at a normal level, even when a live trio played just feet away from us. The food was good if pretty standard upscale gastropub food that you can find at other places in the Boston area. I did like how you can choose a main and then pair it with the sides of your choice so you can get exactly what you want. The portion of my salmon with mashed potatoes was huge and it lasted me two other meals after my dinner. Yes, it's a bit pricey but for a nice meal, not outrageous. There were less expensive options (chicken club sandwich, burgers, etc) as well. I will say that the pumpkin cheesecake dessert was phenomenal. My only problem with dinner is that the food came out so quickly when we wanted more time to enjoy our prime seating! After dinner we moved to the bar to take in the main act of the night, a really wonderful blues trio. It's nice that there is one bar down by the music for those who want primarily to enjoy that (although, again, not so loud you couldn't have easy conversation) and another bar slightly higher that was a lot livelier with people socializing. It's great that they have so many wines on tap, too! Very unusual. Beer selection wasn't huge but the options they had were great. Our servers were all eager to please and helpful/friendly. So happy to have this spot and hoping it stays cover-free so that we can come back to enjoy the live music more often!
(4)
Helen G.
I was extremely disappointed with The Beat Hotel. I am sure the food is great, but I don't care. I was digging the ambience, but I don't care at all about that. Because I feel like I was deceived. I ordered a glass of wine from the waiter. He showed me the wine list. There were 3 categories. I just assumed like every bar/restaurant that the 3 categories were glass/half bottle/bottle. I ordered the glass with the recommendation from the waiter. He plopped a glass on the table and came back much later with a measured out amount of wine. It was tasty. But never did he tell me that the menu is deceiving and the actual glass price is the second option and the first option is a HALF GLASS. REALLY!!! Who orders a half glass of wine?! That is crazy. It's like those stupid food labels that tell you the calories and nutrients per serving and in tiny letters say that there is 3 servings per package. I had ordered 2 glasses in total thinking that my bill would be under $15 for both glasses. I got a bill for over $30. I was stunned. I asked the waiter and it was then that he explained that the menu goes by half glass/glass/half carafe. SERIOUSLY!! That is so stupid and it also was in milliliters. Who the hell orders in milliliters? It's not even the money that I am mad about. It's the fact that I felt intentionally deceived. And the waiter didn't even try to work it out with me since he was the one who didn't mention this messed up wine menu. So for that, I will never ever go there again. I am a wine drink and have been to restaurants and bars all over the world. Never have I seen a stupid menu like that. If you want to make money on your wine, just be up front about it like everyone else.
(1)
Carolyn P.
This place is amazing!!!! We came here for my friends bachelorette party!!!!! We have the most amazing server Allison !!!! So attentive , and just a fun server..... Food came out perfect , drinks were awesome!!!! Plus the bartender John was grate!!!!!!
(5)
Picky B.
Gorgeous space tucked away under the Gap store at Harvard Square. Wooden long tables perfect for sharing, arabesque chandeliers, a jazz bar at the end, and a loooong bar that was packed with people having a good time end to end. Great place for cocktails and plates to share (although they need to improve a bit on cocktails). We didn't get much to eat this time except the Mediterranean sharing platters and calamari. All very tasty. Service also needs a little finessing.
(4)
Tony V.
Waitstaff friendly. Wines decent but price on menu said $7/glass and on the bill it was $14/glass! Waitress said, "yes that's the price for medium." It was never asked if we wanted to pick a size, so we had an unexpected $28 on our tab. One dinner (brisket) was very good, but the earth bowl with shrimp was way over salted, and the shrimp so heavily seasoned with cayenne, garlic and SALT! that they were in edible. Too bad, because it should have been delicious with all the great ingredients. They've only been open 6 weeks, the ambiance was fun, so we'll give them another chance. Numerous families with young kids there (we were on the early side) -6:45- but not much on menu seems kid-friendly.
(2)
Bill L.
What a terrible experience we had at this restaurant today! The service couldn't have been worse! Sat at the bar for more than thirty minutes with dirty plates staring us in the face. When the bartender finally arrived she asked "what do you want" without ever lifting a finger to clear away the refuge from the previous occupant of our seats. When I asked her if she planned to offer us clean place settings she just scowled at me and walked away. fifteen minutes later she was back with the question "Have you decided what you want?" We ordered coffee and a beer while ignoring the those dirty plates still taking up all that space in front of us. Coffee was deliver within ten minutes but that beer? Well, .... It was poured, placed to the side of the taps and never delivered. Over an hour after we we had sat down with great expectations we left. No beer, no food and those dirty plates? Still holding strong right where they had been guarding the seats that we had recently vacated as we left in disgust! If you're looking for an expensive place where you can drop some serious green in an extremely loud environment with the worse service imaginable this place is for you. As for the food? Well, it looked good. Maybe within five or six hours of being seated someone would have served us.
(1)
Tanya G.
I had the bowl. By far one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Granted I love healthy food and vegetables..but sometimes things can be bland.not here! Savory and tasty!!! And I am picky! The tuna roll for app is great also. Drinks are very expensive.but food is great and vibe is upbeat and fun.
(5)
Gary P.
Beat is a long space with a lowish ceiling, two bars, a music stage and a lot of tables. It is not cozy. The music is at the far end, away from the street. No one stops talking, so if it's not a big band it's probably going to be inaudible. The music is hard to hear, but the conversation isn't. So if you are looking for somewhere to converse without talking quite loudly, this is not the place for you. If there is a musical act - which there always is - they won't seat you at an individual table anywhere in the restaurant if you don't want full dinner service - in that case you get to sit at one of the long communal tables. So if you have anything to talk about that you mind strangers listening to, and you don't want the full dinner experience, or even one of your party doesn't, then this is not the place for you. This policy is despite the fact that many of the tables are nowhere near the music stage. The bar staff are serving drinks that some of them don't know how to make correctly. For example, Tequila Sunrise is meant to have a sunrise effect through how it is built in layers, but this was missing in mine. Old Fashioned is served without a garnish. I would also counsel any young bartender that their personal life is less likely than more to be of interest to a mature patron; although I understand there are exceptions. On the positive side the staff are friendly and effective and doing their best to make the format work. In particular I found the female maitre'd to be quite engaging. The food is good, although someone I talked to mentioned that the French onion soup with ribs was strangely sweet. All-in-all, Beat is not the place for me. However, if, as many people do, you like to immerse yourself cheek-by-jowl and elbow-to-elbow in a hip and happening, noisy crowd, with good food and a hint of live music in the background, you will feel quite at home.
(3)
Flannery O.
The website is a bit more pretentious than necessary, which made me hesitant to try this place but friends wanted to go before a show at the Sinclair. I was pleasantly surprised by everything about the experience. The space is gorgeous and well designed, the staff is (mostly) pleasant, the cocktails are original, the dozen or so draft wines a nice touch, and the food phenomenal. So if you're looking for an alternative to the usual Russel House and dearly departed Upstairs on the Square for a special occasion in the square, don't be put off by how seriously it seems to take itself and give Beat Hotel a shot.
(4)
Fausto C.
Went to this place to have some good time listening to a local salsa band but instead it was very disappointing, not only I was not allowed to dance but couldn't even stand next to my seat to pretend I was dancing. I was constantly harassed by security, later I found out they kicked out a couple for standing. I have no idea why would a club bring a salsa band and don't allow any dancing, specially when they have plenty of space available for dancing. Oh did I mentioned I spent $200 that night, I took the punishment because the band was great, Mango Blu
(1)
Francesca R.
Love love love. It's like the inside of my brain. Colorful, cheerful, jazzzzzz. We went for the brunch on a Saturday and it was brilliant. Three toddlers and all. The jazz was playing at the right decibel for a civilized conversation. The food was delectable, from the kiddie pancakes to the huevos rancheros. Can't speak for other times of day but the brunch kicks ass, takes names, and is kid-friendly while not skimping on adult quality.
(5)
eliza b.
Really enjoyed Beat Hotel for the music and atmosphere. Menu is average and wine by the glass is sold in ounces, and to buy a bottle at minimum is $65. Next time I would prefer to hit the bar and have a cocktail listen to the music.
(4)
Betsy B.
It's nice that there's such a large venue in HS, allowing people to hang out at the bar, in the dining room, or over near the music. But this place felt really schizophrenic to me: 1) very busy, eclectic decor (flower child?) that has no bearing on the Beats 2) for the prices, the menu is pretty average, as is the cooking. Not a lot creativity in the choices available, and given that they're sort of run of the mill and not really well executed, I think the prices should be lower for a lot of the menu items. The bar's not bad. I'd say it's a good place to meet up for a drink and maybe listen to music, but I'd invest the same money in a better meal elsewhere.
(2)
Emily A.
Overrated and overpriced. But the ambiance is nice, unless you're sitting right next to the stage, which is where we unfortunately sat, even though the server promised us that their "state of the art sound system" prevents obnoxiously loud-conversation prohibiting noise. He was terribly wrong and we ended our overpriced dinner quicker than expected since we couldn't hear each other speak. Basically, the drinks are good, the food is "eh" and overpriced, decorations are nice and hostesses are over zealous...in the obnoxious and fake type of way.
(3)
Jessie E.
Been quite a few times for drinks, brunch and multiple dinners. Service can be great. I was a bit dissappointed at my last visit. Im in the midst of some health issues, made a reservation and I requested a table away from the stage because I cannot hear well at all. Lovely maitre'd said just a few minutes for a table that would accomodate my needs. Waited almost 45 minutes past our reservation time and they sat us, no joke, one table away from the stage. I spoke to the manager and he graciously moved us but it was a bit awkward to do so. After 45 minutes of waiting and an awful table the gracious thing would have been to offer a round of drinks or something to apologize. Absolutely nothing was offered. Was a bit dissapointing especially considering how often I frequent the restaurant and how little it would have taken to make our group feel well taken care of.
(4)
Paul C.
Dress up and head to the Beat Hotel for jazz, booze and hippie feel to dance the night away.
(4)
Michael M.
Brunch review: Slow to seat, even though not busy. The server had a bit of an attitude and was hard to track down, he never once asked how the food was. Had to ask another server for our bill when we were finally done and sitting there for awhile staring at our plates. The eggs Benedict was okay, not bad not great. The weird potato chip-like things weren't very good. They were soggy and flavorless. The one redeeming thing about brunch was the jazz, which again was only okay. But even okay live music is better than none at all. Too many good brunch options around to go back here.
(2)
Erik S.
Been here three times for dinner and drinks. Vibe: The vibe is great. Very relaxed and comfortable. The space is huge so you don't feel crowded and you can sit as close or far from the stage as you want (depending on whether you are more into the music or conversation) - that flexibility is something you just can't find in other similar venues around Boston/Cambridge. The music is consistently high quality and the sound is great. Drinks: Good selection and well constructed cocktails. Good beer selection - not huge, but they picked good ones. Price - pretty typical for Harvard Square. Food: It's a little hit or miss. The lamb nachos are fantastic. The earth bowl is really good. The short-rib lasagne really really good (especially on a cold winter night). I had a BBQ pulled pork sandwich once that was meh. And one other entree that was forgettable so I forgot it. I think I only had desert once it was a double chocolate mouse thing and it was really rich and delicious. Overall great place. I wish more places had live music.
(4)
R Q.
I really like the Beehive so was interested to check this place out. Been there a couple times at this point and it's extremely disappointing. Beers were good but drinks were weak and expensive. Service was also very slow and actually surprisingly rude (not so much for food but definitely for drinks). The security people here need to take a deep breath. I might give it another shot in the future but highly doubtful. It's really too bad because the concept works well in the South End. Execution is borderline terrible... Plenty of other spots on Harvard Square.
(1)
Mark K.
Sat at the bar. The bartender was awesome. And he could make drinks too. Great place.
(5)
Paul R.
I went to the Beat Hotel on a Saturday night with two other people. It is clear that this place is trying hard to be hip, which is ok. However, it does have a very corporate, wannabe hipster vibe, which I generally find to be the worst kinda hip. The place is big, decorated nicely, has live music, but was totally packed. This came as no surprise as it was a weekend evening in Harvard Square. They had a couple open tables up front, but they were only set for two people. We asked if it was ok if the three of us sat at the table and they replied with surprising rudeness that seating three at a two person table was strictly forbidden. Not cool dude, but if that is their policy, so be it. So, instead we tried to find a nook or cranny where we could stand. While we were trying to find a spot, the same employee came up to us every 30 seconds or so (this seriously happened ~5 times) and told us we couldn't stand in an empty 6 foot-wide "fire lane" (where they going to drive a truck through or something?!). We had no intention of standing in their "fire lane" for long, but the "official standing room area" was totally packed--I mean these people were making me question the Kepler conjecture and rethink closest packing lattice regimes. I though it might be possible for us to squeeze in if a Japanese railway pusher showed up, but short of that we were SOL. So, after growing tired of the constant reminders that we had to move, couldn't sit, and had no place to stand, we had to abandon the Beat Hotel and seek out a less stuffy joint. We made the right choice and I doubt I will ever go back. Not cool, not cool at all.
(2)
Daniel A.
Just got home from an absolutely wonderful evening at Beat Hotel. Dinned with my team of employees for our company retreat. We had a really fun server who was knowledgeable about the menu and was attentive. We ordered a lot of different things including margaritas swordfish tacos chocolate cake french fries brussels sprouts salads and fillet mignon. What I love about the hotel is that even though they have live music the band doesn't play so loud that you can't hear your own conversations. Great addition to Harvard Square!
(5)
Kelsey F.
If you're looking for a restaurant with a unique 'sphere, the Beat Hotel offers a great vibe for a fun brunch or night out. I went with a few girlfriends for brunch. The Veggie Omelette was balanced in taste and texture and my mimosa was made well. My friends were pleased with their Earth Bowls. Drinks are on the pricer side, but you're paying for the locale. All around solid addition to the area restaurant scene.
(4)
D G.
Wine was sour. Sea bass was undercooked and potatoes were raw. Eggplant had ingredients that were not listed on menu. Food was so bad I left restaurant still hungry. Wait staff were professional and helpful. Space is very nice. Music was pleasant. Overpriced. I will not be back.
(1)
Maeve O.
I had the Inca Bowl, one of the vegetarian options. It was incredibly good. I don't know what sauce they used but I would like to put it on everything, and possibly bath in it. My salad was very good as well. My brother ordered the french onion soup which was a bit weird, more soggy bread and melted cheese than broth but the filet mignon was very good as his main dish. The service was a bit slow but honestly my food was so good that I didn't care.
(4)
Mabel L.
I came here expecting a top notch bloody mary and was disappointed. "Spicy" meant more tabasco, but couldn't detect the essential horseradish. Very fresh, however, will ask for specific things like horseradish and olives next time. Being veg, I ordered the Inca Bowl (vegan version). Definitely delightful upon delivery. Good portions, lots of tofu/tempeh (thankfully not another portabella mushroom based veg option). For a $20 entree, I had high expectations. Good variety of beans, veg, quinoa, avocado, etc, but couldn't pinpoint the flavor, but assumed my taste buds were off and went with the fact that it was a higher quality veg meal at a bar, and didn't question it. Definitely overpriced for the flavor available in the neighborhood, but very nice atmosphere, great staff, and looking forward to drinks there in the future. I probably won't need to order the Inca Bowl again, but would prefer the always amazing Cambridge One pizza around the corner. 1/2 the price and twice the flavor. What I'd like to see in the future: 1. Better bloody mary (raise the bar for the recipe). 2. lower the price on the food.....better drinks should help pay the rent. (food prices just might drive customers away....a lot of competition in the hood). This should get repeat customers coming in. We like the room, just give us a little more reason to come back!
(3)
John A.
I predict an early demise. An indescribably weird experience - first of all, the place is HUGE. And it's decorated like (with apologies to Spinal Tap) an Australian's nightmare. Elaborate? Yes. Coherent? Not so much. On Saturday night around 10, the place was deserted - acres of empty tables and, even so, indifferent service. Beers were way overpriced and the apps we had, while decent tasting, were likewise so. The only reason for an extra star is the band who were playing Latin jazz with some verve. Shamefully, they were relegated to a small, floor-level stage at the very back of the deep, weird grotto. The band leader was clearly overmatched by his 6-string bass and continually behind the beat, but everyone else was excellent, especially the drummer (Mark?) who played actual music (for a drummer no less!) at EXACTLY the right volume level. If I do go back, it would be to hear some more of that excellent drumming and Latin jazz. But, more likely, I'll remember that this place is just weird and not bother. To judge by the business they were doing on a Saturday night, it probably won't be long before there isn't that option anymore.
(2)
Loren A.
"Love this place. Great bartenders, friendly staff, good food, and great music!!"
(4)
Amanda Z.
This place is terrible. Long wait, even with a reservation, and the manager comes over to apologize without offering anything. Skip to the meal, went during dine out Boston and there was almost nothing included in the special price - everything had an extra charge. The duck meatballs were good but the grilled octopus was oily. Our main dishes, the lamb chops and inca bowl, were both half warm half cold and a terrible value for the price. To boot, dessert was included in the special and we asked to have one now and one to go - we got two scrappy pieces of cake wrapped to go. When I brought it up to the waitress she simply said need anything else? Don't waste your time or money, not what I look for in a "special".
(2)
Liri K.
As regulars at the Beehive for years we were excited for this spot to open. We loved the menu, especially how well it catered to everyone (with dedicated vegan or gluten free dishes). The tuna spring rolls were fantastic! Reminded us of the RIP Pho Republic. One thing we did not enjoy was the service. The server did make a great effort to recommend items from the menu and was attentive. He also didn't let us go before he recommended some upcoming shows, which was a nice touch. However, other staff showed no accommodation to us. For example, we booked a table for 2, and noted in the reservation that 2 more people will be joining us for drinks once we finished dinner. Since it was a mid-week night, the place was half empty and there were plenty of tables for 4 open. Strict to their guidelines though, were told only diners can sit and therefore we will have to get up once we finished dinner and wanted to have drinks with our friends. Wrong approach. Also- when my friend (who happens to be particular about wine, since she works in the upscale restaurant industry for years) asked to taste a couple of wines before she chooses, she was told they bring out no tastings. Wrong approach again. We are regulars at places like Toro, Coppa, Myers+Chang and the like, all those places are happy to let you taste a wine before you obligate to it! With that said, we will be back there for food and ambiance, hoping they will get their service act together once they get through the opening period.
(4)
R M.
Beat Hotel, from the owners of the Beehive in the South End, is a new brasserie/bar in Harvard Sq. Located in the basement area that was the old Tannery, the Beat Hotel is an absolutely beautiful space. The decor, artwork, and layout are top notch and will be appreciated for years to come. And the live music will undoubtedly add a really fun and interesting element to the area. Pretty much all the liquor, beers, and wines are American-made. They opened today and I stopped in for a drink or two. I had a pleasant experience overall; the cocktails were solid and the wines (all on tap!) were interesting. That said, the prices are high. No cocktails under $11.50. No apps under $12. Entrees are well over 20. I don't feel like a drink made with Old Overholt Rye should be $11.50. It's a great "cheap" rye almost anywhere else, but here it's as pricey as Bulleit is elsewhere. I also sampled some of the wine, and they were quite good. But American wines at $9-14 for a 5oz pour are not worth it to me. They offer 2.5oz pours, too, for about 55% of the 5oz price. Unfortunately, they wont let you taste any of the wines without purchasing them, despite the fact that they are on tap. Finally, I tried the calamari/veggie fritters ($12) on recommendation from the bartender. The batter was pleasant and light, but there was nothing extraordinary about them. That said, I look forward to trying more of the food here. So here's my breakdown: Service: 4 stars -- staff was really great and friendly. Had a small hiccup with my first drink (was served on the rocks when it should have been up), but no big deal. Atmosphere: 5 stars -- this is one of the most beautiful restaurant spots in Harvard, if not the best. And when the music starts, I'm sure it will be next level. Food: 3 stars -- hard for me to really judge on one dish, obviously, but this dish didn't knock my socks off. Drinks: 4 stars -- cocktails were solid, and wine was quite good. Value: 2 stars -- I realize this is Harvard Sq, but I can't see myself coming here regularly when the prices are so high. I'm a firm believer that cocktails with spirits like Overholt should not be more than $10. With multiple options nearby for that, I will lube up elsewhere before coming here for some live music. Average: 3.5 stars
(3)
Rachel C.
What a happy find! My boyfriend and I were in the area this past Saturday for a book reading at the Brattle, and when it was his turn to wander around while I held our place in line he noticed a place that looked interesting and new. Afterwards we decided to wander over, it was around dinner time and we at least were looking for a place to get a bite to eat and drink. As we debating going in/trying to figure out if it was even open yet, a couple came out and told us to not even think, just go! They said dinner was fantastic and the place had just opened that Thursday, but they weren't announcing their opening to avoid a rush and overwhelming the staff. Already, I am won over with that statement! So we went in, and I was overwhelmed with how beautiful everything is. From the host/hostess stand, to the light fixtures and the painted walls, the immense space felt cozy. We were seated immediately and given a chance to look over the menu. It was pricy, as someone else has written, no entree is under $20 and appetizers are all over $12. But based on the descriptions, the prices seemed fair for what the food was. They have a small but well rounded tap list for beers, and a very extensive wine list. It wasn't till later in the evening that I found out they were on tap as well! This explained the prices for 2.5 oz, 5 oz, and I think 12.5 oz. servings. My boyfriend tried Pretty Things Fluffy White Rabbit and later in the evening was even given a sample of another beer before committing to ordering it. For $9.50, I picked a 5 oz of Troublemaker, and California red blend. It tasted very fresh on tap! Our server, Meredith, who also works at the Beehive, was excellent! As was our meals of apple and bacon stuffed pork loin on cider braised red cabbage for me and chicken piccata with gnocchi for him. I love when I go to restaurant and get a meal that I know I couldn't recreate at home. The pork was just that good. It was definitely an unexpectedly nice dinner out, and our bill reflected that, but I will definitely come back! The atmosphere, the food, the drinks and the service make it money well spent! Though, I have a feeling the next time we are there, it will be a lot busier and we won't enjoy having empty tables around us!
(5)
Anne W.
Came in on a Friday for drinks and some live music. Place was packed so we couldn't get near the band and wound up standing near the door. Awesome looking venue. Slightly hipster feel at the bar. The dinning room seemed to be a more mixed crowd. From what we could hear, the band seemed pretty cool. If you want to hear the music, try to get there a little earlier as if fills up quickly. But definitely a great space and awesome that there is no cover charge.
(4)
Kristy G.
On the pricey side, but great for an evening with friends (to splurge a bit). Good food, good drinks, and lively atmosphere.
(4)
James C.
Went here on a friday night and ordered nachos and a hurger. Nachos were cold and rhe "medium" burger was way ober cooked. Terrible foo especially for the price
(1)
Abate D.
The mussels and frites were amazing, the pulled lamb nachos were a great addition as well. Great ambiance, live band, ask for Debbie!
(5)
Danielle R.
This is probably one of my favorite spots in Harvard Square. The nightly live music is a huge plus--and it certainly helped make the general ambiance of the restaurant hip yet relaxing. The space was quiet enough for a nice conversation with friends, though, which I think is something typically difficult to achieve within in-restaurant performance venues. The food was absolutely fantastic, and I think that it was well priced for its caliber. Beat Hotel prefers to present more simple fare "done right" and I think it really works for them. I ordered the Spaghetti with Artichokes and found it to be well-seasoned and perfectly al dente. My friends ordered the roasted duck and Earth Bowl with wild salmon and also gave their dishes complimentary reviews.
(5)
N K.
I was incredibly disappointed in the service I received when making reservations for my 30th birthday celebration at Beat Hotel. Both times, once when initially making the reservation, and again while confirming, the reservationists and manager were very rude to me on the phone. They were so rude that I was close to cancelling my birthday plans all together. As a regular customer, and one who chose to celebrate a big milestone event at Beat Hotel, I was floored by how unaccommodating they were to my needs. They basically implied I should just cancel my reservation instead of them making simple accommodations for me. I ended up keeping the reservation only because it was too last minute to find somewhere else to go, but I was frustrated all evening that they were getting the business of me and my many close friends. Luckily, the food and service was good so it made up for the horrible experience hours before my birthday dinner. It was supposed to be a happy occasion spent with close friends at a place I normally love, but the rudeness left the worst taste in my mouth. I couldn't wait to write this review to get the experience off my chest. I don't think I'll ever foot step in there again. I guess I need to find a new local spot to enjoy. And p.s. I honestly wanted to give zero stars, but I want to give the waiter some credit. I'm sorry he has to work with such rude and careless people.
(2)
Kathy D.
No Substitutions Please! Went for brunch and give Beat Hotel an overall good rating but definitely some misses. The grilled banana bread coffee cake is outstanding. The brioche french toast is outstanding and requires no maple syrup or even the rhubarb berry compote that is supposed to come with it that they forgot. Biggest complaint is absolutely no substitutions. No alternate veggies in the veggie scramble and no bacon instead of ham in the meat scramble. The waitress did so kindly offer us to order a side of bacon if we wanted bacon in the scramble. And the salad with devil eggs was the most ordinary out of a bag salad, didn't even have tomato in it. Buffalo cauliflower was also great. Portions are very large. Our waitress was hot and cold. The decor is fun and festive and the live jazz does not over power.
(3)
Murphy L.
Now this place is a hidden gem. Decent food, good service, and wonderful live music. The bar area does get crowded if you are just going there for a drink; would suggest getting a dinner table for an enjoyable evening
(5)
N C.
Overall good to very good food BUT tonight I ordered one of their "bowls" with skirt steak and without warning, the first piece of the steak was apicy beyond belief. Being with guests, I politely persevered to the second slice which was spicy but manageable. One of my guests tried a bite and observed that it was "quite spicy indeed". I persevered but the third piece was so spicy I sent the whole dish back to the kitchen. I ve been writhing in pain with abdominal spasms for the past two hours. I CONSIDER THAT LEVEL OF HOT SPICE ON A DISH WITHOUT EXPRESSING IT IN THE MENU TO BE BORDERLINE CRIMINAL. In my case, I am recovering from pancreatic and liver cancer surgery and I am in bed unable to sleep, praying that this thoughtless omission doesn t cause me more complications. They are a nice venue and aside from the silverware noise and poor listening environment, they welcome lots of local professional musicians.
(3)
Dave R.
I can say without question this was the best brunch I've had in the Boston area and quite possibly life. Previously living in Hoboken and Manhattan, I had access to a seemingly infinite array of brunch spots and never found this combination of awe-insiring, meticulous decoration, great service, live music, and AMAZING food. I got the veggie omelette and my girlfriend got the french toast, both of which were amazing. The frites you get with most meals are ridiculous....they're like super flavorful versions of McDonalds fries...all skinny and crispy....good God. I'll be back for dinner some time for sure.
(5)
Chaude J.
I will never go to this place again! I work directly across the street from this establishment. I've been there before and I always tell clients and friends to go there. Today I was leaving work with a couple of my coworkers looking for a place to go to eat and have a drink when I walked by one of there valet harassing this old man who was playing music. This man has a permit to play and isn't bothering anyone. This man as well as another employee came up on the man yelling at him. I of course see this man yelling at this elderly man and confront him and tell him if he has a problem call the police. THE BEAT HOTEL VALET starts calling me a b*tch, tells me to get a life, go f myself. The valet! Then when I talk to a manager, Mark I think his name is, he tells me that he doesn't know what to do and he'll speak to him after shift. Seriously! I finally get the manager to walk out with me and the valet starts yelling I need to get a life. But he's the one yelling and pushing a 80 year old man who he thinks is annoying. I will never tell anyone to go here. I cannot believe the ignorance of that man and the fact that the manager was dumbfounded and had no idea what to do!
(1)
Leslie M.
Love, love, love. Just as cool as the Beehive space but definitely its own animal. It's funky, eclectic and has a Cambridge-y vibe. Chill scene with very interesting people surrounding you. Great jazz music, wines on tap, the vegan Earth bowl was really good and filling. Line at the door at 10pm on a Friday. Get there early.
(5)
Howe L.
I had a great experience. Strong drinks and solid food menu. I loved the lamb nachos and our entrees (duck breast and stuffed pork) were equally delicious. Of course, the live music is an awesome touch. Bread was an afterthought. A little pricey, but that's expected. I had no complaints with the service. Loved the attentive water service!!
(5)
Noor B.
i and a friend were the first customers at the first brunch ever offered at Beat Hotel today. we got great food, and incredible service (from Ali!!). a highlight was the yogurt/granola appetizer with fresh berries; it's just a little sweet, and this allows you to really appreciate the incredible richness of the home-made, strained, sheep's milk yogurt. thier yogurt : greek yogurt :: greek yogurt : regular yogurt. i might recommend that 2 people split this since it's so rich. the pumpkin bread was delicious, and came with excellent whipped butter. would recommend and would get again. the mexican tofu scramble was a nice, and when i mentioned that they forgot the avocado, Ali and the team made sure i got extra! this place is great and makes a wonderful effort to make customers happy. they're also really responsive to feedback, and since i live close-by, i'll definitely take advantage of this to tailor this place to my preferences, haha i've also been here for dinner once, and the dishes are creative and well-done. bravo. the space is large and open which is unique for harvard square. a nice change. OVERALL: great new place that covers all meals + late night. great service. large open space and live music often. highly recommend a try.
(5)
Ben J.
Feels like a 1940's acid trip... in a good way.
(5)
Cody C.
went for dinner with one of my best friends in the first few nights of opening. usually i'm wary of heading to a new place without giving them a few weeks to work out the kinks - but operations were incredibly smooth for a newly opened spot. cool musician with a ukelele started playing halfway through the meal...very cool vibe throughout. started with the ribs for an appetizer because we were freaking famished... and they were excellent. almost had to fight over the last one (guys give us an even number to save friendships and relationships!) i got the organic chicken piccata and my friend got the apple stuffed pork. my chicken piccata was very tasty.... but my friend's dish was OUT of this world. i will hands down order that next time i go in (oh and there willlll be a next time). be careful when you head the the restroom - it's over by the "concierge desk" .... NOT to the left of the bar. :). made it almost into the kitchen before a server turned me around. haha! wines on tap were all very tasty and our waiter was super knowledgable.... even when we asked obnoxious questions like... "what exactly is vegan wine... and why isn't all wine vegan?" apparently it comes down to the filtration.... i guess you learn something every day. happy to have the beat in the neighborhood. look forward to my next visit... especially since i see pulled lamb nachos are an app!! YUM.
(4)
Will C.
I had the privilege of sitting at the bar for 5 hours and loved every min. It's relatively new and the staff, the drinks and food are pretty good. They have a very interesting wine system that's barreled in kegs so it's never exposed to air. The owner is a wine som and hand picked the list. Great vibe and fun staff. Off to a great start.
(4)
Andrew M.
Great times. Excellent apps. And hands down the best bar tender ever. Jessamyn hooked us up with super well balanced manhattans and bourbon sidecars. Super top notch.
(5)
Sara B.
Good but not great. Decor and ambiance is fantastic, but that's not necessarily why one dines out. Still, a fun lively place to go in fabulous heels and be sassy. Live music was good- would have loved to hear more of the jazz set, but that was a timing thing on our part. Order Pulled Lamb Nachos (great), and Lobster for dinner (very over-rated). Will try again, but not rushing back. Decent wine list, but Cab Sav choice is average. Went this past Saturday night. Make rezzies well in advance.
(3)
Alexandra D.
I went for the first time last Friday night and the food was eh..I had the calamari and burger. However I ended up getting food poisoning! I let them know just to let them know out of concern and never got a response. You would think a restaurant would address a customer who received food poisoning from their restaurant..
(1)
Joel A.
The ambiance and music are great. One of the few places where you can find good live music regularly. I have been there on week nights and it is a perfect spot for conversation and a relaxing time. Drinks are expensive but good.
(5)
Mark F.
Horrible bar service. Waited 35 minutes before just giving up, and was ignored multiple times by the bar tenders who are obviously under-staffed. Go somewhere else, the service sucks.
(1)
J U.
I really like it here, but it really depends on the service. One night we had a great waiter who took the time to talk to us about what was on the menu. Another time I was pretty sure the waiter already hated me. However, I really like the food and the music....and that is why you go to a place, right?
(3)
Thomas N.
wow the reviews are all over the place, but we walked by while visiting the boston celtic music program, saw they had jazz (during the day) so we tried it, were not disappointed.....used to be a big upscale clothing store and is a big rectangular shape, with 2 long bars along one wall and a place for music in the back, actually very attractive and it was wonderful having music during the day....we ate at the bar where there is just one tv if you are interested....server, bartender, was pleasant and attentive, drinks were good and reasonably priced for the area, food was a little on the expensive side, but the burger was excellent and the brisket cheese sandwich was also....so what's not to like....was pretty busy and having the music during the day was great.......
(4)
J. N.
Awesome. Awesome vibe, great bar/drinks, fantastic food. We had the salad w roasted chickpeas, the tuna spring rolls (ah-mazing) and I had salmon tartare which was truly delicious. Tasted the brisket - great too. A super night out and will definitely add Beat Hotel to my list of faves.
(5)
Lyndon R.
I have been to the beat hotel a number of times. I want to commend them on bringing something unique to town. The atmosphere is lively and fun. It's clear that a lot of thought went into the place. The people who work there seem to really like being there and make the experience enjoyable. I was there last night for the Cuban themed night and had the mojito and the grouper, both great and the music topped it off. As someone who likes wine, the wine on tap is a great option. When I first heard about this I thought it was strange, but the selection is really serious and it gives me a chance to try wines that I wouldn't normally have access to. Given the quality of what's offered, I think the prices are really fair. I also can't believe they don't charge a cover for the music, which is excellent and adds to the vibe. It's a great place to go to hang with my friends, have a decent glass of wine, good food, hear live music and get in some great people watching.
(5)
Stephanie S.
Fantastic, friendly and personable service from the bartenders. Very attentive. Food was delicious and drinks were great. I love the vibe of this place!
(5)
Fred A.
Terrible service. They told us 20 minutes but We waited more than an hour to be seated then the rude manager asked us to leave before be ordered and offered to make us wait again. We'll never go back. Worst service ever. Rudest restaurant manager ever. The worst restaurant experience of my life. I have had never seen ruder manager in my life.
(1)
Fay F.
Came here with a group of friends. Nice ambience and good food. I had the earth bowl, a yummy and healthy choice!
(4)
Jenn H.
Wow, what an addition to Harvard Square. Spacious and beautifully decorated, with a huge bar area. The menu is a little overwhelming, but who doesn't love options?? The food is awesome and the drinks are great. Nice wine menu and even better cocktails. And of course, this is a sister restaurant to Beehive, so you know you're gonna get some friggin amazing live jazz. This place does it all.
(4)
Dom K.
Good food but slow service. Tuna roll, salmon tartare, and deviled eggs were great. Their smoke salmon is really good too. All in all a nice food experience if you're not in too much of a rush.
(4)
Maria E.
Very annoying service. Great food, dessert and live music at reasonable price. However, the service was really getting on our nerves - after we finished with the dinner, but were not looking to go anywhere, our waiter immediately brought us the check. Not sure if that was a hint that we had to go or what. We stayed longer, because that's the whole point of coming to a place with live music. Well, the waiter pretty much made sure to remind ourselves of his existence every 5 minutes. This person literally stopped by 5 or 6 times asking whether we are done with our plates, whether we needed anything else, and the like. It was borderline offensive. This was coupled by cheesy jokes.
(3)
John R.
cool vibe, great music, knowledgable server, interesting food... what's not to love?
(4)
Joy Y.
Came in for the jazz brunch last Sunday with some friends. We didn't make a reservation but that wasn't a problem since we snagged a spot at the bar easily. Given the size of this place, I was definitely surprised that reservations were needed, but I guess since it's kind of a new hot spot, craziness tends to ensue. Anyway, it seems that I had a similar experience to many of the other yelpers around here. The service definitely left something to be desired. To be honest, if I wasn't so engrossed in my conversation, I would have been waaaaaay more annoyed by how long it took them to take our order. It was at least a half hour. The drinks were heavy on the booze though and kept us going while we were waiting. I got the meat omelette and it was pretty tasty. I was particularly a fan of the havarti dill cheese, although the meat itself was somewhat tough, forgettable and should have been cut into smaller pieces. There was definitely a lot of food,but for the price tag ($14 for an omelette) I don't think I would have expected less. It's a strange and eclectic menu and I found the brunch menu to lean a little more on the lunch end. Their drinks were creative (I especially liked the one with apple cider, st. germaine and bourbon- yum!) and strong. The jazz was not overpowering and more like background noise than the starring show. Overall? Probably worth a visit, at the very least check it out and judge for yourself.
(4)
Karen B.
Great live music and food in Harvard square! We were there for the third time the other night and had another great experience. We started with the crispy spring roll and octopus salad followed by the earth bowl and chicken piccata.-all delicious. Bobby Keyes, one of the coolest musicians, was on the the stage. A completely unique musical and culinary experience!
(5)
Sarah A.
Loved this place. A little expensive but a really nice atmosphere; a welcome alternative to the average Boston bar.
(5)
Ed K.
I just don't understand the complaints in other reviews. The music was mellow, the service first rate, the menu really interesting, and the food was terrific. The scallops and the Inca Bowl both had flavors that exploded in the mouth. Totally satisfied!!
(5)
Carl H.
Very good, my wife and I love the beehive and are exited to have local version. Cocktails were very good, started with one at the bar before being seated. We had the tuna egg rolls and meatballs for apps, perfect. My wife had the chicken and I had the steak frites, entrees were excellent as well. The next we go, the only thing we hope for is to not have the same server, never good to be constantly looking around to get a refill on your drink or order your dinner, bus staff was great, server just seemed disinterested which was off putting. Other than that everything else was awesome, we will be back
(4)
Joe G.
They act super hard here but unjustifiably. The bouncers are good guys but the bartenders are needlessly rude and insulting, making this experience altogether more negative than it should be. It could become a great bar, but a change of culture is needed.
(2)
K. O.
I so wanted to love this place. The Beehive in the South End is a longtime favorite, and I was excited to see what the owners had in store for Harvard Square. Unfortunately, I found the staff to be incredibly inexperienced and the food to be sub-par. A friend and I met here and sat at the bar for drinks and a quick bite on a Thursday night. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it took 45 minutes before we could get a server to take our drink order. Granted, it was a busy night and there appeared to be a corporate function taking place at the same time--but 45 minutes? The staff seemed very young and not at all aware of what they should be doing (like taking orders from patrons). We ordered the charcuterie platter, which was unceremoniously plopped down in from of us with no explanation of the different friend foods, meats and cheeses on it. It wasn't very good. At this point, we had been there two hours and just wanted to get out of there. Oh well. I'll be sticking with the Beehive, but hoping this place finds a groove because the location and space are great.
(2)
Anya C.
I had the unfortunate experience of being incorrectly charged for my meal. I understand that mistakes happen, but the fact that the manager never called me back is indisputably a disgusting lack of decent customer service and not to mention entirely illegal to not rectify the mistake. I will now have to take this to my credit card company to report the fraudulent charge. Nice job Beat Hotel. This place needs to hire competent servers and managers that actually do their job; otherwise, dine at your own risk. This place is more hassle then it is worth.
(1)
t w.
This place is like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. They are trying to create a swanky uptown experience when what they're dealing with are college kids and young professionals in a college town. I loved the decor. I loved the music. They have this weird policy of no dancing??? My friends got booted from the place for dancing in front of the live band on a previous week. On this occasion, I wanted to eat a meal and talked to a waitress about sitting at one of the tables. The waitress told me any table without a white paper was a cocktail table with first come first serve. In a sea of 20 empty tables, I sat at the one closest to the music. Immediately, a security guy (buzz cut with tatoos) descends on me and asks if there are more than two people in my group. I told him no and he asks me to move to a two-person table. I asked him why and he explained this table was a 6-person table and he wanted to keep it open for a 6-person group. Let me repeat, there were 20 EMPTY TABLES next to me. I could tell the wait staff were embarrassed by this guy. They apologized profusely for having to move us. And as we are eating our OK meal, groups to the right and left of us get up. Now there is NO ONE in the back dining area, but here we are adhering to their weird rules. About 1/2 hour later, a group of four sits at the six-person table, but the buzz cut security dude doesn't say a thing. Weird weird weird. I will probably avoid this place. I went to Saloon in Davis square last night, similar vibe, very chill and a much better place for what you're looking for. As for the food: French onion soup - the short rib was tough. Cheese was gooey and heavy French fries - crispy and delicious but not on the menu.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Late Night Parking : Valet, Garage, Street, Validated Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Flannery O.
The website is a bit more pretentious than necessary, which made me hesitant to try this place but friends wanted to go before a show at the Sinclair. I was pleasantly surprised by everything about the experience. The space is gorgeous and well designed, the staff is (mostly) pleasant, the cocktails are original, the dozen or so draft wines a nice touch, and the food phenomenal. So if you're looking for an alternative to the usual Russel House and dearly departed Upstairs on the Square for a special occasion in the square, don't be put off by how seriously it seems to take itself and give Beat Hotel a shot.
(4)Caitlin A.
A friend of mine had decided that he wanted an intimate birthday dinner for his 25th birthday and after a little chatting around with some coworkers he found out about the Beat Hotel. I'm pretty sure his mind was made up within seconds of looking at the menu. We had reservations for a Saturday night at 9:00. The hostess was very friendly and sat us as soon as our entire party of 5 had arrived. Upon seating us, the server came over and from the second she took drink orders to the second she dropped the check she was personable, down to earth, and professional. The atmosphere was whimsical and original. It is definitely an underground, hip, season and food conscious gem hidden in Harvard square. Drinks around the table included the Mango Martini, Granny Takes a Trip, Soursop Fresca, Orange Dream and beers. The Mango Martini was by far the favorite of the night; thick, strong and perfectly sweet, this baby went down easy. Please mind that the orange chunk at the end of the toothpick is NOT a piece of fresh mango, but rather dried, candied mango. The other cocktails were also good and I would also recommend the Soursop if you often enjoy gin. For appetizers we started with the buffalo cauliflower and the smoked chipotle BBQ spare ribs. The Cauliflower was delicious and tasted exactly like buffalo chicken, expect better! They really nailed this one on the head. The spare ribs were also fall off the bone fantastic. There was quite a bit of fat, but that wasn't a problem for most of us. The chipotle sauce with chopped fresh scallion made me want to lick my fingers (but I didn't, I held it together). For dinner, the birthday boy ordered the short rib lasagna and enjoyed every bite with an ear to ear grin. I ordered the Mussels and Frites with a side of sautéed fiddleheads. The Mussels were fantastic and the red broth they were served with was salty and sweet and exactly what my mouth had watered for when my eyes read the word 'mussels'. The fries were nothing great, but were obviously the perfect side to dip in the broth. I have never had fiddle heads before and these little buggers were delicious. I can only describe them as similar to broccoli rabe, but more full of flavor. They are only in season a few weeks of the spring/summer, so the fact that Beat Hotel had them available, made me need to get them. My friend ordered the Earth Bowl with free range chicken, and while this isn't my cup of tea, it was pretty flavorful. The chicken was perfectly cooked; skin darkened, and meat juicy. The veggies and pilaf were spicy and every bite was a slightly different adventure fort the taste buds. The other two diners at the table ordered the Prime Hamburger and both were very happy with their decisions. I believe they both got the burger with cheddar, but personally I would have tried the gorgonzola for some added flavor. For dessert, the five of us shared some sort of red velvet, coconut cake. When it arrived, we all sang "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy and after a ton of "action shots" of blowing out his candles, we dug in. I am definitely planning to come back to Beat Hotel and trying more things on the menu on a date night. This place is totally worth going back to.
(4)D O.
From the moment you walk in to the Beat Hotel, you can feel the cool vibe and automatically know you've chosen the right spot to grab drinks! This place is nicely tucked in Harvard Square, and the scene was not too college-like and not too "old." Service in the bar area was excellent, drink menu was unique. I will definitely be back!
(4)Colleen H.
The beat hotel is located in the strangest spot ever...under the Gap! It doesn't matter though, because it's great. It's a HUGE space, with super friendly staff, an awesome drink menu (had the "perfect perfect martini" which matched it's name, and the VFW which is a modernized old fashion), and some interesting food choices. It was definitely American hearty food, but they manage to throw a couple hearty healthy dishes on there! Vegan options as well, which I was surprised to see. We got the brussel sprout salad which was fresh. Wasn't a huge fan of the smoked trout on top, but I'm not a crazy smoked fish fan, so don't take my word for it. I will say, the truffled deviled egg on top in heaven. You can order extra on the side if you're fighting with someone over it. ;) The mussels were tasty. The sauce was thick with a hearty roasted tomato flavor - definitely took the bread to town in the leftovers. And then we got the Inka Bowl which had quinoa, kale, sweet potato, other stuff and topped with salmon. It was right about when we were getting full, so we took it home. But it's a hearty dish for sure. The live music last night was really good - which I didn't have much expectations for seeing as it was a Wednesday night. But overall a really cool atmosphere. Worth crossing the river for!
(5)Marissa W.
We went to the Beat Hotel for my father's birthday and had an AMAZING experience from start to finish. Going on a Sunday early allowed us time to really enjoy ourselves, and every dish we tried. We started out with the lamb nachos, which were delicious and very filling. I think there was more than enough lamb included with the nachos, although I always like guacamole with my nachos, regardless of the dish. The crispy tuna rolls were really amazing--the raw sashimi-grade tuna was perfection, and the asian slaw that accompanied it was crisp and refreshing. Our favorite appetizer though, was the sweet chipotle BBQ spare ribs. Fall-off-the-bone is an understatement--it MELTED off of the bone and the sauce was heavenly. My southern gentleman said it was the best ribs he'd ever tasted, and he's quite biased on the matter. The 4 of us chose different entrees: Earth bowl with salmon (super filling dish, and I can see why it's their signature--lots of different proteins, dipping sauces, flavors and seasonal vegetables); halibut with curry, peas and cauliflower (great, deep tastes with a huge hunk of local fish); seared duck breast with cherry glaze and whipped corn pudding (CAN I SCREAM OUT LOUD ABOUT THE CORN PUDDING?! It's like liquid gold in your mouth. I would eat a vat of it if I could. Seriously.) and salmon with the autumn quinoa, which was perfect for the birthday guy. We finished the night the chocolate and peanut butter cake with sea salt caramel ice cream--it was richly divine and enough for 4 people to share bites of after a fulfilling meal. We literally had not a single complaint about every dish that came out, and the waitstaff was attentive, knowledgeable, and kind and the ambience is gorgeous as well. I can see how on a Friday or Saturday night things can get busy, loud and perhaps a little lost in the shuffle, but please be open-minded to the experience--it's absolutely worth it!
(5)Sarah S.
Amazing and exciting food! I highly recommend ordering their Black Birch Julep. It was like nothing I have ever tasted before. Also, the service was great and informative. Special thanks to Logan our server who didn't rush our bill when we asked if we could stay at the table for a little longer. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Gabi R.
To die for - so excited to have this new gem around the corner. Food: -lamb nachos - delicious, salty spicy and hit the spot without being too cheesy -calamari - a tiny bit overdone, but delicious overall, especially the veggies -earth bowl - oh my god. That's all I can say. I'm a meat person, but got this vegan and it blew my mind, especially the pumpkin tahini -seitan gyro - again, mind blowing. Not big into cheese but the feta sauce was to die for Service: incredibly nice, attentive, and forthcoming when asked for recommendations Ambience: fun place to catch up with friends, great for parents. Also great for a date if early in the evening- once the music begins though, it gets loud....
(4)Steph S.
I have been the Beat Hotel several times since its opening and have had nothing but fun. For me, it is hard to dislike a place where there is live music every night, and the service is friendly and knowledgable. For dinner, I brought a professional acquaintance here. I was a little unsure, given the vibe is a little hippy-dippy, but on Thursdays, you can catch live jazz. It was perfect. The menu is trendy and sophisticated- I had the duck with corn pudding. It was great. The meat was perfectly done, flavored nicely, and went wonderfully with the wine I had (recommended by my server). My guest was impressed, and loved the live music. They were older, so it was awesome that despite the live music, we could still carry on a conversation without screaming. I would say, that if you're looking for a place to grab a burger and fries and a show, try some of the other awesome joints in Harvard Square and drop by later for a cocktail. I found the burger a little underwhelming, but it's not really that kind of place.
(4)Yumiko F.
Great to see some place like this in Harvard Sq! I remember seen shoes, clothes down there but now all turned into nice cool spot! Decorations are cool. Some art work are all by local artist. Great for dinner and also chandelier was pretty awesome. Really nice stuff and you could be going there as dressed up and nice dinner or sit by the bar side to have a great wine selections that is on the tap! Yes Wines are on the tap! Live music is playing everyday as well!
(4)John H.
I didn't like the docor it seemed cheesey. Also not a fan of basement bars. Great bartenders and good food though.
(3)N T.
First time I came, it was OK (3.5 stars). Music was pretty nice for a Saturday brunch. Second time I came, the waiter was extremely slow (5 minutes for water, 15+ minutes for serving). We were not pleased and left before getting served. Please don't try to go between lunch and dinner time. The service is horrid then (hence, my low review)
(2)Corina G.
Cool place, kinda kitschy-hipstery but cool nonetheless. Every Sunday they have a live jazz band for brunch which was a nice surprise seeing as how we had no idea what to expect and it was the day of our first anniversary. The waiter was super chill. His name escapes me though :/ I got the eggs Benedict and my husband got a burger. Really really good stuff. We stayed for a bit after finishing our food to enjoy the music. We would probably go back if ever in the area again.
(4)Thomas N.
wow the reviews are all over the place, but we walked by while visiting the boston celtic music program, saw they had jazz (during the day) so we tried it, were not disappointed.....used to be a big upscale clothing store and is a big rectangular shape, with 2 long bars along one wall and a place for music in the back, actually very attractive and it was wonderful having music during the day....we ate at the bar where there is just one tv if you are interested....server, bartender, was pleasant and attentive, drinks were good and reasonably priced for the area, food was a little on the expensive side, but the burger was excellent and the brisket cheese sandwich was also....so what's not to like....was pretty busy and having the music during the day was great.......
(4)Lyndon R.
I have been to the beat hotel a number of times. I want to commend them on bringing something unique to town. The atmosphere is lively and fun. It's clear that a lot of thought went into the place. The people who work there seem to really like being there and make the experience enjoyable. I was there last night for the Cuban themed night and had the mojito and the grouper, both great and the music topped it off. As someone who likes wine, the wine on tap is a great option. When I first heard about this I thought it was strange, but the selection is really serious and it gives me a chance to try wines that I wouldn't normally have access to. Given the quality of what's offered, I think the prices are really fair. I also can't believe they don't charge a cover for the music, which is excellent and adds to the vibe. It's a great place to go to hang with my friends, have a decent glass of wine, good food, hear live music and get in some great people watching.
(5)Stephanie S.
Fantastic, friendly and personable service from the bartenders. Very attentive. Food was delicious and drinks were great. I love the vibe of this place!
(5)Fred A.
Terrible service. They told us 20 minutes but We waited more than an hour to be seated then the rude manager asked us to leave before be ordered and offered to make us wait again. We'll never go back. Worst service ever. Rudest restaurant manager ever. The worst restaurant experience of my life. I have had never seen ruder manager in my life.
(1)Fay F.
Came here with a group of friends. Nice ambience and good food. I had the earth bowl, a yummy and healthy choice!
(4)Jenn H.
Wow, what an addition to Harvard Square. Spacious and beautifully decorated, with a huge bar area. The menu is a little overwhelming, but who doesn't love options?? The food is awesome and the drinks are great. Nice wine menu and even better cocktails. And of course, this is a sister restaurant to Beehive, so you know you're gonna get some friggin amazing live jazz. This place does it all.
(4)Dom K.
Good food but slow service. Tuna roll, salmon tartare, and deviled eggs were great. Their smoke salmon is really good too. All in all a nice food experience if you're not in too much of a rush.
(4)Maria E.
Very annoying service. Great food, dessert and live music at reasonable price. However, the service was really getting on our nerves - after we finished with the dinner, but were not looking to go anywhere, our waiter immediately brought us the check. Not sure if that was a hint that we had to go or what. We stayed longer, because that's the whole point of coming to a place with live music. Well, the waiter pretty much made sure to remind ourselves of his existence every 5 minutes. This person literally stopped by 5 or 6 times asking whether we are done with our plates, whether we needed anything else, and the like. It was borderline offensive. This was coupled by cheesy jokes.
(3)John R.
cool vibe, great music, knowledgable server, interesting food... what's not to love?
(4)Joy Y.
Came in for the jazz brunch last Sunday with some friends. We didn't make a reservation but that wasn't a problem since we snagged a spot at the bar easily. Given the size of this place, I was definitely surprised that reservations were needed, but I guess since it's kind of a new hot spot, craziness tends to ensue. Anyway, it seems that I had a similar experience to many of the other yelpers around here. The service definitely left something to be desired. To be honest, if I wasn't so engrossed in my conversation, I would have been waaaaaay more annoyed by how long it took them to take our order. It was at least a half hour. The drinks were heavy on the booze though and kept us going while we were waiting. I got the meat omelette and it was pretty tasty. I was particularly a fan of the havarti dill cheese, although the meat itself was somewhat tough, forgettable and should have been cut into smaller pieces. There was definitely a lot of food,but for the price tag ($14 for an omelette) I don't think I would have expected less. It's a strange and eclectic menu and I found the brunch menu to lean a little more on the lunch end. Their drinks were creative (I especially liked the one with apple cider, st. germaine and bourbon- yum!) and strong. The jazz was not overpowering and more like background noise than the starring show. Overall? Probably worth a visit, at the very least check it out and judge for yourself.
(4)eliza b.
Really enjoyed Beat Hotel for the music and atmosphere. Menu is average and wine by the glass is sold in ounces, and to buy a bottle at minimum is $65. Next time I would prefer to hit the bar and have a cocktail listen to the music.
(4)Betsy B.
It's nice that there's such a large venue in HS, allowing people to hang out at the bar, in the dining room, or over near the music. But this place felt really schizophrenic to me: 1) very busy, eclectic decor (flower child?) that has no bearing on the Beats 2) for the prices, the menu is pretty average, as is the cooking. Not a lot creativity in the choices available, and given that they're sort of run of the mill and not really well executed, I think the prices should be lower for a lot of the menu items. The bar's not bad. I'd say it's a good place to meet up for a drink and maybe listen to music, but I'd invest the same money in a better meal elsewhere.
(2)Jessie E.
Been quite a few times for drinks, brunch and multiple dinners. Service can be great. I was a bit dissappointed at my last visit. Im in the midst of some health issues, made a reservation and I requested a table away from the stage because I cannot hear well at all. Lovely maitre'd said just a few minutes for a table that would accomodate my needs. Waited almost 45 minutes past our reservation time and they sat us, no joke, one table away from the stage. I spoke to the manager and he graciously moved us but it was a bit awkward to do so. After 45 minutes of waiting and an awful table the gracious thing would have been to offer a round of drinks or something to apologize. Absolutely nothing was offered. Was a bit dissapointing especially considering how often I frequent the restaurant and how little it would have taken to make our group feel well taken care of.
(4)Paul C.
Dress up and head to the Beat Hotel for jazz, booze and hippie feel to dance the night away.
(4)Michael M.
Brunch review: Slow to seat, even though not busy. The server had a bit of an attitude and was hard to track down, he never once asked how the food was. Had to ask another server for our bill when we were finally done and sitting there for awhile staring at our plates. The eggs Benedict was okay, not bad not great. The weird potato chip-like things weren't very good. They were soggy and flavorless. The one redeeming thing about brunch was the jazz, which again was only okay. But even okay live music is better than none at all. Too many good brunch options around to go back here.
(2)Erik S.
Been here three times for dinner and drinks. Vibe: The vibe is great. Very relaxed and comfortable. The space is huge so you don't feel crowded and you can sit as close or far from the stage as you want (depending on whether you are more into the music or conversation) - that flexibility is something you just can't find in other similar venues around Boston/Cambridge. The music is consistently high quality and the sound is great. Drinks: Good selection and well constructed cocktails. Good beer selection - not huge, but they picked good ones. Price - pretty typical for Harvard Square. Food: It's a little hit or miss. The lamb nachos are fantastic. The earth bowl is really good. The short-rib lasagne really really good (especially on a cold winter night). I had a BBQ pulled pork sandwich once that was meh. And one other entree that was forgettable so I forgot it. I think I only had desert once it was a double chocolate mouse thing and it was really rich and delicious. Overall great place. I wish more places had live music.
(4)D G.
Wine was sour. Sea bass was undercooked and potatoes were raw. Eggplant had ingredients that were not listed on menu. Food was so bad I left restaurant still hungry. Wait staff were professional and helpful. Space is very nice. Music was pleasant. Overpriced. I will not be back.
(1)Paul R.
I went to the Beat Hotel on a Saturday night with two other people. It is clear that this place is trying hard to be hip, which is ok. However, it does have a very corporate, wannabe hipster vibe, which I generally find to be the worst kinda hip. The place is big, decorated nicely, has live music, but was totally packed. This came as no surprise as it was a weekend evening in Harvard Square. They had a couple open tables up front, but they were only set for two people. We asked if it was ok if the three of us sat at the table and they replied with surprising rudeness that seating three at a two person table was strictly forbidden. Not cool dude, but if that is their policy, so be it. So, instead we tried to find a nook or cranny where we could stand. While we were trying to find a spot, the same employee came up to us every 30 seconds or so (this seriously happened ~5 times) and told us we couldn't stand in an empty 6 foot-wide "fire lane" (where they going to drive a truck through or something?!). We had no intention of standing in their "fire lane" for long, but the "official standing room area" was totally packed--I mean these people were making me question the Kepler conjecture and rethink closest packing lattice regimes. I though it might be possible for us to squeeze in if a Japanese railway pusher showed up, but short of that we were SOL. So, after growing tired of the constant reminders that we had to move, couldn't sit, and had no place to stand, we had to abandon the Beat Hotel and seek out a less stuffy joint. We made the right choice and I doubt I will ever go back. Not cool, not cool at all.
(2)Daniel A.
Just got home from an absolutely wonderful evening at Beat Hotel. Dinned with my team of employees for our company retreat. We had a really fun server who was knowledgeable about the menu and was attentive. We ordered a lot of different things including margaritas swordfish tacos chocolate cake french fries brussels sprouts salads and fillet mignon. What I love about the hotel is that even though they have live music the band doesn't play so loud that you can't hear your own conversations. Great addition to Harvard Square!
(5)Kelsey F.
If you're looking for a restaurant with a unique 'sphere, the Beat Hotel offers a great vibe for a fun brunch or night out. I went with a few girlfriends for brunch. The Veggie Omelette was balanced in taste and texture and my mimosa was made well. My friends were pleased with their Earth Bowls. Drinks are on the pricer side, but you're paying for the locale. All around solid addition to the area restaurant scene.
(4)Maeve O.
I had the Inca Bowl, one of the vegetarian options. It was incredibly good. I don't know what sauce they used but I would like to put it on everything, and possibly bath in it. My salad was very good as well. My brother ordered the french onion soup which was a bit weird, more soggy bread and melted cheese than broth but the filet mignon was very good as his main dish. The service was a bit slow but honestly my food was so good that I didn't care.
(4)Mabel L.
I came here expecting a top notch bloody mary and was disappointed. "Spicy" meant more tabasco, but couldn't detect the essential horseradish. Very fresh, however, will ask for specific things like horseradish and olives next time. Being veg, I ordered the Inca Bowl (vegan version). Definitely delightful upon delivery. Good portions, lots of tofu/tempeh (thankfully not another portabella mushroom based veg option). For a $20 entree, I had high expectations. Good variety of beans, veg, quinoa, avocado, etc, but couldn't pinpoint the flavor, but assumed my taste buds were off and went with the fact that it was a higher quality veg meal at a bar, and didn't question it. Definitely overpriced for the flavor available in the neighborhood, but very nice atmosphere, great staff, and looking forward to drinks there in the future. I probably won't need to order the Inca Bowl again, but would prefer the always amazing Cambridge One pizza around the corner. 1/2 the price and twice the flavor. What I'd like to see in the future: 1. Better bloody mary (raise the bar for the recipe). 2. lower the price on the food.....better drinks should help pay the rent. (food prices just might drive customers away....a lot of competition in the hood). This should get repeat customers coming in. We like the room, just give us a little more reason to come back!
(3)John A.
I predict an early demise. An indescribably weird experience - first of all, the place is HUGE. And it's decorated like (with apologies to Spinal Tap) an Australian's nightmare. Elaborate? Yes. Coherent? Not so much. On Saturday night around 10, the place was deserted - acres of empty tables and, even so, indifferent service. Beers were way overpriced and the apps we had, while decent tasting, were likewise so. The only reason for an extra star is the band who were playing Latin jazz with some verve. Shamefully, they were relegated to a small, floor-level stage at the very back of the deep, weird grotto. The band leader was clearly overmatched by his 6-string bass and continually behind the beat, but everyone else was excellent, especially the drummer (Mark?) who played actual music (for a drummer no less!) at EXACTLY the right volume level. If I do go back, it would be to hear some more of that excellent drumming and Latin jazz. But, more likely, I'll remember that this place is just weird and not bother. To judge by the business they were doing on a Saturday night, it probably won't be long before there isn't that option anymore.
(2)Emily A.
Overrated and overpriced. But the ambiance is nice, unless you're sitting right next to the stage, which is where we unfortunately sat, even though the server promised us that their "state of the art sound system" prevents obnoxiously loud-conversation prohibiting noise. He was terribly wrong and we ended our overpriced dinner quicker than expected since we couldn't hear each other speak. Basically, the drinks are good, the food is "eh" and overpriced, decorations are nice and hostesses are over zealous...in the obnoxious and fake type of way.
(3)Liri K.
As regulars at the Beehive for years we were excited for this spot to open. We loved the menu, especially how well it catered to everyone (with dedicated vegan or gluten free dishes). The tuna spring rolls were fantastic! Reminded us of the RIP Pho Republic. One thing we did not enjoy was the service. The server did make a great effort to recommend items from the menu and was attentive. He also didn't let us go before he recommended some upcoming shows, which was a nice touch. However, other staff showed no accommodation to us. For example, we booked a table for 2, and noted in the reservation that 2 more people will be joining us for drinks once we finished dinner. Since it was a mid-week night, the place was half empty and there were plenty of tables for 4 open. Strict to their guidelines though, were told only diners can sit and therefore we will have to get up once we finished dinner and wanted to have drinks with our friends. Wrong approach. Also- when my friend (who happens to be particular about wine, since she works in the upscale restaurant industry for years) asked to taste a couple of wines before she chooses, she was told they bring out no tastings. Wrong approach again. We are regulars at places like Toro, Coppa, Myers+Chang and the like, all those places are happy to let you taste a wine before you obligate to it! With that said, we will be back there for food and ambiance, hoping they will get their service act together once they get through the opening period.
(4)R M.
Beat Hotel, from the owners of the Beehive in the South End, is a new brasserie/bar in Harvard Sq. Located in the basement area that was the old Tannery, the Beat Hotel is an absolutely beautiful space. The decor, artwork, and layout are top notch and will be appreciated for years to come. And the live music will undoubtedly add a really fun and interesting element to the area. Pretty much all the liquor, beers, and wines are American-made. They opened today and I stopped in for a drink or two. I had a pleasant experience overall; the cocktails were solid and the wines (all on tap!) were interesting. That said, the prices are high. No cocktails under $11.50. No apps under $12. Entrees are well over 20. I don't feel like a drink made with Old Overholt Rye should be $11.50. It's a great "cheap" rye almost anywhere else, but here it's as pricey as Bulleit is elsewhere. I also sampled some of the wine, and they were quite good. But American wines at $9-14 for a 5oz pour are not worth it to me. They offer 2.5oz pours, too, for about 55% of the 5oz price. Unfortunately, they wont let you taste any of the wines without purchasing them, despite the fact that they are on tap. Finally, I tried the calamari/veggie fritters ($12) on recommendation from the bartender. The batter was pleasant and light, but there was nothing extraordinary about them. That said, I look forward to trying more of the food here. So here's my breakdown: Service: 4 stars -- staff was really great and friendly. Had a small hiccup with my first drink (was served on the rocks when it should have been up), but no big deal. Atmosphere: 5 stars -- this is one of the most beautiful restaurant spots in Harvard, if not the best. And when the music starts, I'm sure it will be next level. Food: 3 stars -- hard for me to really judge on one dish, obviously, but this dish didn't knock my socks off. Drinks: 4 stars -- cocktails were solid, and wine was quite good. Value: 2 stars -- I realize this is Harvard Sq, but I can't see myself coming here regularly when the prices are so high. I'm a firm believer that cocktails with spirits like Overholt should not be more than $10. With multiple options nearby for that, I will lube up elsewhere before coming here for some live music. Average: 3.5 stars
(3)Rachel C.
What a happy find! My boyfriend and I were in the area this past Saturday for a book reading at the Brattle, and when it was his turn to wander around while I held our place in line he noticed a place that looked interesting and new. Afterwards we decided to wander over, it was around dinner time and we at least were looking for a place to get a bite to eat and drink. As we debating going in/trying to figure out if it was even open yet, a couple came out and told us to not even think, just go! They said dinner was fantastic and the place had just opened that Thursday, but they weren't announcing their opening to avoid a rush and overwhelming the staff. Already, I am won over with that statement! So we went in, and I was overwhelmed with how beautiful everything is. From the host/hostess stand, to the light fixtures and the painted walls, the immense space felt cozy. We were seated immediately and given a chance to look over the menu. It was pricy, as someone else has written, no entree is under $20 and appetizers are all over $12. But based on the descriptions, the prices seemed fair for what the food was. They have a small but well rounded tap list for beers, and a very extensive wine list. It wasn't till later in the evening that I found out they were on tap as well! This explained the prices for 2.5 oz, 5 oz, and I think 12.5 oz. servings. My boyfriend tried Pretty Things Fluffy White Rabbit and later in the evening was even given a sample of another beer before committing to ordering it. For $9.50, I picked a 5 oz of Troublemaker, and California red blend. It tasted very fresh on tap! Our server, Meredith, who also works at the Beehive, was excellent! As was our meals of apple and bacon stuffed pork loin on cider braised red cabbage for me and chicken piccata with gnocchi for him. I love when I go to restaurant and get a meal that I know I couldn't recreate at home. The pork was just that good. It was definitely an unexpectedly nice dinner out, and our bill reflected that, but I will definitely come back! The atmosphere, the food, the drinks and the service make it money well spent! Though, I have a feeling the next time we are there, it will be a lot busier and we won't enjoy having empty tables around us!
(5)Anne W.
Came in on a Friday for drinks and some live music. Place was packed so we couldn't get near the band and wound up standing near the door. Awesome looking venue. Slightly hipster feel at the bar. The dinning room seemed to be a more mixed crowd. From what we could hear, the band seemed pretty cool. If you want to hear the music, try to get there a little earlier as if fills up quickly. But definitely a great space and awesome that there is no cover charge.
(4)Kristy G.
On the pricey side, but great for an evening with friends (to splurge a bit). Good food, good drinks, and lively atmosphere.
(4)James C.
Went here on a friday night and ordered nachos and a hurger. Nachos were cold and rhe "medium" burger was way ober cooked. Terrible foo especially for the price
(1)Abate D.
The mussels and frites were amazing, the pulled lamb nachos were a great addition as well. Great ambiance, live band, ask for Debbie!
(5)Danielle R.
This is probably one of my favorite spots in Harvard Square. The nightly live music is a huge plus--and it certainly helped make the general ambiance of the restaurant hip yet relaxing. The space was quiet enough for a nice conversation with friends, though, which I think is something typically difficult to achieve within in-restaurant performance venues. The food was absolutely fantastic, and I think that it was well priced for its caliber. Beat Hotel prefers to present more simple fare "done right" and I think it really works for them. I ordered the Spaghetti with Artichokes and found it to be well-seasoned and perfectly al dente. My friends ordered the roasted duck and Earth Bowl with wild salmon and also gave their dishes complimentary reviews.
(5)N K.
I was incredibly disappointed in the service I received when making reservations for my 30th birthday celebration at Beat Hotel. Both times, once when initially making the reservation, and again while confirming, the reservationists and manager were very rude to me on the phone. They were so rude that I was close to cancelling my birthday plans all together. As a regular customer, and one who chose to celebrate a big milestone event at Beat Hotel, I was floored by how unaccommodating they were to my needs. They basically implied I should just cancel my reservation instead of them making simple accommodations for me. I ended up keeping the reservation only because it was too last minute to find somewhere else to go, but I was frustrated all evening that they were getting the business of me and my many close friends. Luckily, the food and service was good so it made up for the horrible experience hours before my birthday dinner. It was supposed to be a happy occasion spent with close friends at a place I normally love, but the rudeness left the worst taste in my mouth. I couldn't wait to write this review to get the experience off my chest. I don't think I'll ever foot step in there again. I guess I need to find a new local spot to enjoy. And p.s. I honestly wanted to give zero stars, but I want to give the waiter some credit. I'm sorry he has to work with such rude and careless people.
(2)Kathy D.
No Substitutions Please! Went for brunch and give Beat Hotel an overall good rating but definitely some misses. The grilled banana bread coffee cake is outstanding. The brioche french toast is outstanding and requires no maple syrup or even the rhubarb berry compote that is supposed to come with it that they forgot. Biggest complaint is absolutely no substitutions. No alternate veggies in the veggie scramble and no bacon instead of ham in the meat scramble. The waitress did so kindly offer us to order a side of bacon if we wanted bacon in the scramble. And the salad with devil eggs was the most ordinary out of a bag salad, didn't even have tomato in it. Buffalo cauliflower was also great. Portions are very large. Our waitress was hot and cold. The decor is fun and festive and the live jazz does not over power.
(3)Murphy L.
Now this place is a hidden gem. Decent food, good service, and wonderful live music. The bar area does get crowded if you are just going there for a drink; would suggest getting a dinner table for an enjoyable evening
(5)N C.
Overall good to very good food BUT tonight I ordered one of their "bowls" with skirt steak and without warning, the first piece of the steak was apicy beyond belief. Being with guests, I politely persevered to the second slice which was spicy but manageable. One of my guests tried a bite and observed that it was "quite spicy indeed". I persevered but the third piece was so spicy I sent the whole dish back to the kitchen. I ve been writhing in pain with abdominal spasms for the past two hours. I CONSIDER THAT LEVEL OF HOT SPICE ON A DISH WITHOUT EXPRESSING IT IN THE MENU TO BE BORDERLINE CRIMINAL. In my case, I am recovering from pancreatic and liver cancer surgery and I am in bed unable to sleep, praying that this thoughtless omission doesn t cause me more complications. They are a nice venue and aside from the silverware noise and poor listening environment, they welcome lots of local professional musicians.
(3)Dave R.
I can say without question this was the best brunch I've had in the Boston area and quite possibly life. Previously living in Hoboken and Manhattan, I had access to a seemingly infinite array of brunch spots and never found this combination of awe-insiring, meticulous decoration, great service, live music, and AMAZING food. I got the veggie omelette and my girlfriend got the french toast, both of which were amazing. The frites you get with most meals are ridiculous....they're like super flavorful versions of McDonalds fries...all skinny and crispy....good God. I'll be back for dinner some time for sure.
(5)Chaude J.
I will never go to this place again! I work directly across the street from this establishment. I've been there before and I always tell clients and friends to go there. Today I was leaving work with a couple of my coworkers looking for a place to go to eat and have a drink when I walked by one of there valet harassing this old man who was playing music. This man has a permit to play and isn't bothering anyone. This man as well as another employee came up on the man yelling at him. I of course see this man yelling at this elderly man and confront him and tell him if he has a problem call the police. THE BEAT HOTEL VALET starts calling me a b*tch, tells me to get a life, go f myself. The valet! Then when I talk to a manager, Mark I think his name is, he tells me that he doesn't know what to do and he'll speak to him after shift. Seriously! I finally get the manager to walk out with me and the valet starts yelling I need to get a life. But he's the one yelling and pushing a 80 year old man who he thinks is annoying. I will never tell anyone to go here. I cannot believe the ignorance of that man and the fact that the manager was dumbfounded and had no idea what to do!
(1)Leslie M.
Love, love, love. Just as cool as the Beehive space but definitely its own animal. It's funky, eclectic and has a Cambridge-y vibe. Chill scene with very interesting people surrounding you. Great jazz music, wines on tap, the vegan Earth bowl was really good and filling. Line at the door at 10pm on a Friday. Get there early.
(5)Jeff D.
This place was OK, but the hippy-vibe really wasn't our thing so I doubt we'll be back. My wife had the burger. Loved the meat but the bun was average. I had the swordfish tacos which were top notch. Very tasty. Great beer menu as well and it seemed like the bar was pretty hopping. I'm sure this place will be a big hit with the hipsters. I'm just a bit outside that demographic though.
(3)Shaina P.
I convinced my husband to go to the Tannery with me, but to my surprise, found Beat Hotel in its place. (Tannery's been gone for a while ... I know there's a new one around the corner. Really, we just wanted a cocktail). This garden-level space is HUGE. Two bars, dining space, lots of additional standing/drinking/socializing space. A stage (obviously). Art everywhere: on the walls, support columns, ceilings. Noteworthy bathrooms. Worth a visit just for the ambience. A bit hipstery-er than its Boston brother, but I ain't complaining because I don't think Cambridge can have too many music venues or cocktail bars (albeit pricey ... $12.50 for an Old Fashioned). And Beat Hotel is an excellent combination of both.
(4)Jamie W.
Pros - Marvelous musicians. I have heard some good Latin music here including Mango Blues. - No cover charge despite good live music. - Large dining seating area. - Good vegan dish but limited options for vegetarians. Cons - No dancing. Be prepared to be evicted for not listening to the warning. Dancing is illegal in this bar despite the amazing musicians that play there. You sit eat drink and listen and maybe sway in your chair a little, and then pay your check. This place could be so much more with a dance floor. Five stars but deducting one for dancing being illegal here.
(4)Luke B.
My favorite place in Cambridge for a chill yet very fun night of having some good drinks with friends. Bar is hug. Live Jazz music is at the perfect sound level; where it is not hard to talk to people.
(5)Morgan S.
Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was not really impressed by this restaurant. A friend of mine calls it "a disappointment" and I couldn't really have said it better myself. The food is okay... Nothing notable, as is the atmosphere. The lighting was so bright on a Saturday night and the restaurant was just a large rectangle - it reminded me of a biergarten. I would not recommend anyone going out of their way to go to this restaurant.
(3)sondarya R.
Our friends invited us to visit this place for dinner on the lower floor. The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for food, drinks and live music. I would definitely come here again. I had the mango martini -Perfect for my taste buds! Not too sweet & not watered down/bland taste. We ordered Roasted wild mushrooms. Loved the well prepared dish. FIsh we order was perfect and next dish we ordered was Gluten free. There was some thing for all of us to order acording to over choice. The front row next to live music made is superb! The service was slow as Place was very busy. The live music, drinks and over all ambiance of this place is a decent.
(4)Keo H.
The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for food, drinks and live music. I'd definitely be here again. I had the mango martini & blueberry martini all night. Both really good. You could smell the fruits, taste the fruits & you knew the alcohol was there. Not too strong, not too sweet & not watered down/bland taste. We ordered the: 1) PEI mussles - seriously good, fresh & flavorful. 2) Crispy tuna spring roll - came with side of soy sauce. The roll itself was "okay". But the deep fried roll was plated on top of something like cole slaw so it got soft & soggy. Why would you do that? Put the slaw on the side or on a different plate! 3) Grilled octopus - we had to return this dish as it was char burnt! (It did come out on a nice bed of lettuce though. Lol...) 4) Roasted wild mushrooms. This was surprisingly very good. Loved the flavor & texture of both the mushrooms & polenta. It was a busy Friday night & the service was rather slow like molasses. Although when I sat down, I asked the server to either wipe down the sticky counter or give me a wet napkin - she didn't do either. That totally bothered me. The live music, drinks & overall ambiance of this place is a decent enough reason to return.
(3)Julie D.
I came here for my 21st birthday after I was turned away from its sister restaurant, the Beehive, due to the size of our party. What a great twist of fate! We pretty much ordered one of everything on the menu, and the food was to die for! Good vibes and the absolute friendliest waitors! I can't believe I hadn't been here before, and I'll definitely be back soon.
(5)Renato C.
I suffered social abuse by a manager and staff who wouldn't let me and a group of friends properly finish our food and drinks.
(1)Rob B.
Shrimp cocktail was very good but a little bit overpriced the Aztec salad was really really really good Service was great!
(4)Tashombe H.
I was invited here for brunch on Sunday w/o a reservation. The service up to meal delivery was great. Once we got our food, it seems we were forgotten about. I was greeted, there was a short wait (since we did not have a reservation) then seated about 1/2 way towards the stage. We both enjoyed our drinks that were served quickly. There was not a long wait for the food either. It's priced a bit more than I'd like to pay for eggs and a salad but eh I guess you have to cover the music cost. It's worth coming back for drinks and checking out the talent.
(3)Jason S.
cool bar, large inside so a safer place to go and either find a bar stool, high-top table or side ledge to pony up to. Good drinks, friendly staff, great music.
(4)Alex M.
Con: Ridiculous ID policy (bring your PASSPORT of you want to drink here), insanely slow, clumsy service (two drinks spilled on my brother), wait to get in, ineffectual management (checked our IDs THREE TIMES for three legitimately of-age people and still wouldn't let one drink). Pro: Tasty food. Free bread and butter is really great. Truly excellent music.
(2)Corey D.
I'm really in love with this place - I've never had a bad experience here with the food or the service. My latest was the duck with Risotto and Sour Cherries. The duck was cooked to perfection and I'm super picky about how my duck is cooked. The first time I went was for brunch, which was great. I'd just recently gotten back from NOLA and having withdrawals, so having brunch with a Jazz band was fantastic. The atmosphere/theme is awesome as well - The restaurant is really big and open - I've rarely had trouble getting a table without a reservations - although on the weekends you'll want one. I will say that the price point is a little higher than normal for Harvard Square - with entrees between $25-30 - but the quality of the food makes up for it. I would recommend this place for any Harvard Square trip. Recommend: Any of the Bowls Seared Duck Breast Caesar Salad Prime Natural Beef Hamburger
(5)Kate L.
After coming for a real meal at the bar, I absolutely LOVE the food here. The buffalo cauliflower was OUT OF THIS WORLD - tasted like you were eating a 300000 calorie meal and was relatively healthy. The short ribs were TO DIE FOR. Melted in your mouth. Heaven. Kind of pricey on the drinks but apps are large so I recommend eating apps at the bar.
(5)Shayna Y.
Overall: I only came here for a quick pre-dinner drink, but I loved the hipster atmosphere. Likes: - ambiance is very cool, funky chandeliers and lot up peace signs - drink menu is plush with wine and cocktail offerings Gripes: - none, I need to go back!
(4)Karen S.
Well...the food stands alone as fantastic and delicious but I'm not reviewing the food. One word...Brian. I have been a bartender in Boston for almost twenty years and I have not found anyone even close to him. He is welcoming, funny, attentive and absolutely bloody fantastic at what he does. A definite asset to your establishment and the reason I will be returning on a regular basis. Thank you Brian...
(5)L S.
Beware: out of state IDs will not are not accepted for folks between the ages of 21-24. Only a passport or a military ID will be allowed. The Beat Hotel abides strictly by MA law...? Having lived in MA for six years now, I have not once heard of this law. At first, I was denied entry - pretty concerning because I'm sure many tourists and young MA transplants will face the same issue. Afterwards, the policy was explained twice more with varying degrees of clarity. I was determined to enjoy the show, but I can't say that the inquisitorial attitude didn't have a damper on the night - especially when some patrons were waved right through the door. Apparently this establishment has been facing some strict oversight, but I'm sure there is a way to avoid guests feeling targeted and alienated... We almost thought we were being 86'd! The live music was really awesome, as was decor. Our server was really, really great. :) The food was pretty standard, no complaints.
(2)Glenn C.
Excellent bar for good, live jazz and atmosphere. Also, the wait and host/hostess staff is accommodating. Also, thank-you for having Buffalo Trace bourbon available for me on my recent visit with both my Mother and Mother in Law.
(4)Des B.
This is the kind of place you can go to for dinner, order whatever you want, be incredibly pleased and not feel guilty afterwards! Entrees are a little on the pricier side- but hey, you get what you pay for and I'll definitely be back! I ordered the Bowl Azteca...will do again. The only slightly weird thing is being seated at the long community tables if you don;t have a reservation. You're being asked to squeeze in & dine right next to a complete stranger less than 6 inches to your right and left. AWKWARD! The uncomfortable feeling does go away after a little while. If you know you're headed there, just call ahead and make a reservation. MOST IMPORTANTLY: You must have the bread pudding.. Even if you don't like bread. Even if you don't like pudding.
(4)Emma R.
Amazing amazing amazing! Atmosphere is very hipster and chic. Jazz band is playing which adds a perfect touch to the evening. Staff was off the charts. My date and I had a million different questions and she was very patient and knowledgable. We also had a question about the food when we got it and she took it back to ask the chef, all okay! And then another lady, I think the manager came over to check up on us. Overall great experience, would defninetly go again. Only thing, dinner is a little pricey so beware
(5)Helena W.
This is a one stop shop if you want a relaxed and fun place with good food and drinks. It is easily accessible from the red line and the place is spacious enough for more than four people, a common conundrum when out on the town in Boston. The live music is legit and you don't have to be in fear of suffering through bad music. The drinks here are solid and the bartenders are friendly. The food is above average, but so is the price. This is a great place to come if you have someone visiting and want a fun, but relaxed vibe. It feels a bit hidden away since it is below ground, 10+ hipster points.
(4)Ian S.
I've only been here once so far, and only for a drink, but I loved it! Really fun, funky-but-classy atmosphere. It has a vaguely free-spirited, bohemian vibe, but it's impeccably decorated, even elegant (not the kind of grimy joint I would normally associate with Beat culture). I was here recently with a group of friends and our server took good care of us. (She split our bills without even being asked, which we appreciated.) I ordered a cocktail that was something like a root beer mint julep and it was delicious. Tasted just like root beer, garnished with some fresh mint. Really tasty! I look forward to coming back again some time to try the food.
(5)Jon S.
Came for the jazz brunch around 11. Didn't make a reservation, but the bar was empty (and had tables to accommodate our party of 5), so we didn't have to wait. I was worried that the jazz band was going to overpower our conversations, but it was the exact opposite. They were actually so quiet, you barely noticed they were playing. The brisket grilled cheese was bomb. The best grilled cheese I have ever had in my entire life. The brisket was tender, the bread was fresh and grilled perfectly, and the combination of cheeses hit the spot. Their fries were interesting. I don't usually like potato wedges, but these were thinly sliced giving the perfect fried coating to potato ratio. I really enjoyed them. The pickle spear and the slaw weren't my favorite. The pickle was sort of at a weird crossroads between cucumber and pickle that came off a little slimy. The portions in general are big. The prices are a little on the high side, but at least you get a lot of (good!) food. I think for dinner it gets a little pricier, but it's not bad for brunch! I'll definitely be back. I hear the pancakes are delicious...
(4)Larry M.
Awesome cocktails. Didn't get to eat dinner but I'm spying others dinners and I'm drooling. This night, Sunday night, is a no cover awesome big band jazz night. I understand the next bunch of Sundays will be no-cover big band nights as well. Get over here.
(5)Stephanie A.
So, the Beat Hotel is great for a group of friends. It's a super fun atmosphere, the drinks are delicious, and the food is surprisingly tasty as well. They have some creative menu items and put together some flavors that aren't very common. The live music adds a really dynamic and exciting touch to the already "disco-esque" vibe they have going. I look forward to eating here again.
(4)Heidi L.
Swung by Beat Hotel for spontaneous drinks, so this review won't comment on the food but I have to say that BH was better than I expected (based on the Beehive lol). I got the Rum Cha Yen (which is Thai tea rum, tea liqueur, condensed milk syrup, Bittermens Burlesque bitters, soda...can't go wrong with condensed milk). The music was good and the space is beautiful, even if I'm confused about the theme. Pricing is with the Harvard Square premium, so ultimately, I'd rank this above Daedalus but below Park.
(3)Casey M.
First of all, this place creates a wait in order to have a line outside. They want to be seen. The wait is unnecessary. They also do not accept out of state ID's which is insane for a place in the middle of Cambridge where pretty much everyone is from out of state. Music is fine but I wouldn't recommend this place to anybody who wants friendly service.
(2)Jeff T.
We love the ambiance - the history behind the name - and of course the food.
(4)Sakina B.
oh dear, my worst review ever; located under The Gap; I found something I could eat: fresh turkey hash; as opposed to canned corned beef hash at other breakfast places (so like 5 star on that). the decor is uniquely artisty/ bohemian. service was below my standards (sorry to say something negative) and quality drinks were limited, it's new but has grungy feel; maybe it's my issue with basements?.
(2)Meg M.
Michelle is the best bartender in the city. So knowledgable and personable and funny. She doesn't know I am her newest regular!
(5)Stacey R.
The Beat Hotel was extremely disappointing. I made the reservation three weeks in advance. When the hostess sat us, we were given the table directly next to the singer. Very loud and there were plenty of other tables that we walked past. It was clear they wanted to give us a bad table and see if we wouldn't say anything. We order a few appetizers but none of them stood out. Our meals were even less impressive. Scallops were bland and rubbery. Mussels were okay but the frites were brunt and salty. Swordfish tacos was decent but the presentation looked like it could have come from a low end chain restaurant. Wine portions were pretty small. Overall, we had looked forward to trying this place but would not go back. The music was the only highlight. Go for a drink. Don't stay for the food.
(1)James T.
The place looks beautiful and has some great music, it only has one main problem. The wait staff are incredibly rude and nasty to customers. The guy at the front door checking ID's began the unprofessional behavior and the hostess and waitresses continued it. No matter how great the place is it's not worth being treated terribly by the staff.
(2)Clay N.
Facts: - The music is better than the food - The staff is terrific - The bar is extensive and expensive Go if: - You need a good date spot - You are looking to feel classy - You are sick of seeing undergrads at bars in cambridge We were fortunate enough to find this place right after it opened and in fact when three times in the first week. There is music every night (this place is owned by the same guy that owns the beehive, so you know it's good) and the bartenders are talented/knowledgeable. I've met the manager three times and the owner twice, both remembered my name and were incredibly friendly: talk about good service! Be warned, the food is not up to par with some of Boston's elite restaurants and may be a tad overpriced; however the atmosphere more than makes up for it. If you come on a weekend, push to get to the back of the bar, close to the stage: there is always room back here for some reason, often with a bar stool or two. If you run into any trouble, just drop my name. It won't help anything, but this is certainly the kind of place where I would like to develop a reputation :)
(4)John S.
I should state I am not a big of jazz... But this place avoids the typical jazz bar douch ness. Beat is not a bad place to grab a drink... Although tends to be crowded and difficult to get the bartenders attention. Decent place fir brunch
(3)Laura S.
EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. however our food was pretty delicious, and I didn't totally hate our server, which I have a tendency to do. We started with the pulled lamb nachos, which were amazing. I love lamb, so I may be biased but they were GOOD. For dinner my boyfriend had short rob lasagna, which seemed under portioned for the price, and I had the lamb osso buco, which was incredible. dessert was totally cheating because they have coconut red velvet cake and I LOVE red velvet cake, and coconut! I think overall I preferred beehive in the south end over beat hotel, prices were better, food was better, and ambience was better at beehive. I wish I could rate 3.5 stars!
(4)Leslie P.
I loved it! We were there on Sunday morning for a birthday celebration. We had a reservation at 11:30. Two of our guests were stuck in a road race traffic jam, but the staff was very accommodating and held our table until they arrived. While waiting we had drinks at the bar, which is really nice. Our table was down toward the front of the restaurant where the Jazz band was playing. The music was delightful, just the right level of sound to fade into the background of conversation, but still loud enough to enjoy. Everyone enjoyed their meal. Two of us had the Earth Bowl which was really good. The short rib grilled cheese sandwich was enormous! The restaurant itself has a really fun decor - lots of things to look at. It fits right into the Harvard Square vibe. This is definitely a fun place to bring someone who is new to the area!
(5)Erica D.
Well it would have been nice to be let in, but I, as well as the rest of my group of 25, were denied. We came here for an event that was booked a good week ahead of time for a corporate outing. The manager and bouncers refused to let us in. We arrived on a charter bus and they claimed that they saw a cooler of drinks on board and therefore we must have drank too much and couldn't enter. They didn't give anyone the time of day or even see us one by one to confirm that we were sober enough and OK to come in. They flat out refused to let anyone in. The leader of our group argued with the bouncer and one manager for a good 25 minutes while our entire group stood outside shivering in the cold (It was about 20 degrees out). Then the bouncer got aggressive and pushed my manager, HARD. He, of course pushed back and the two of them had a short brawl of sorts until it was broken up and we left. Oh, they called the police on us too, and we were stuck there for a good hour before they finally let us go. Yeah, THEY called the cops on US, for a fight their impulsive bouncer started. Greeeaaaaatt hospitality. I will certainly never come back here. Too bad, because the cocktail menu looked decent. And I say this as a seasoned bartender. Too bad, too bad.
(1)Amy F.
Good wine. Tasty cocktails. Mediocre, overpriced food. My husband and I had a night out and I felt it was a bit of a waste. I got the brisket which was very dry and the broccolini consisted two tiny pieces perched on the brisket. Not my idea a veggie side but a garnish. My husband had the fish tacos. While the tacos were fine the beans and rice were a mere garnish as well and were covered in a thick layer of cheese rendering it inedible. I'd return for music and drinks but skip the food.
(3)Sarah M.
I went here for dinner Saturday and was really impressed. It's a really cool place, very different from other places in the Boston area. They also have live music Saturday nights which was good and also not too loud so we could still talk. We started with the Bohemian platter which was amazing. Our entrees and cocktails were also delicious. The service was very friendly and attentive. I will definitely be back!
(5)Macie S.
My new favorite restaurant. Delicious food, impeccable service and awesome decor. The mussels were incredible as was the Azteca Bowl! Can't wait to come back here!!
(5)Virginia Z.
At first glance, I wasn't sold on Beat Hotel. Sure, it seemed like a wide open, clean place with some interesting accent painting. But, it seemed a bit too hip a place for me. Looking at the menu, I couldn't quite conceptualize the dishes. I'm glad that we stayed. We had 6 in our party without a reservation, which was not a problem for an early meal. I would advise reserving if after 6pm, since it seems to fill up quickly. Though I could not partake in adult beverages, my dining mates could and it seems that they do a nice mix of classic cocktails and the menu offerings. There were no complaints from those who ordered. We skipped appetizers since none of us was ravenous and ordered for dinner- getting a good mixture of the menu. I ordered the Bowl Azteca, wtih adobo-spiced quinoa, tomatillo soaked hominy, lightly sauteed spinach, some fresh corn, summer squash, and a spice rubbed chicken. It was delightful. Fellow diners ordered the Earth Bowl, with root vegetables and squash, and added shrimp, the Bowl Azteca with shrimp, Mahi Mahi fish tacos, steak frites, and a Caesar salad topped with skirt steak- all of which were delicious and very fresh offerings. I admit that a return visit full of appetizers will have to happen since the buffalo cauliflower (!?!) at a nearby table smelled delicious and pulled pork nachos are calling my name. The service was good, including asking if a menu request I made (no avocado) was a request or allergy-related; it's always good when a place will ensure an allergy free experience. Mine was a request and it was honoured. All in all, it was a great experience.
(4)Gabe R.
You can't pretend to be a hippie joint and charge $25 for a rice bowl. It makes for a pretty weird vibe. Overpriced food, decent drinks and music, apathetic staff, condescending hostess.
(2)Kristen K.
I was so excited to try this place out. I've been a fan of Beehive and love places with live (especially Jazz) music. I came for drinks which was not appreciated by the restaurant (exception being the hostess who was excellent). Demerits for inhospitable staff and surprisingly harsh attitude. I invited friends (everyone aged 30+ and no roudy or disrespectful kids in the group) to meet here for celebratory drinks on a Thursday night. Upon arrival I sat with friends at the bar. The female bar tender was very accomodating until things got busy and then she started to get snippy when a couple of people sitting at the bar tried to order drinks. I can understand the pressure volume in the bar brings but snideness was unnecessary. Our group grew to 7 people. The bar was not crowded and we were happy to stay there and keep ordering drinks. The hostess, who was very kind, offered to sit us at a table. We let her know we did not plan on ordering entrees. She said we could still sit at a table and order drinks. We were happy to be seated but let hostess know 1 additional person may come later. We were sat at the table and all adults continued to order drinks and many appetizers. The food was very good. The drinks were good also. When the waitress tried to take an entree order we said we'd be sticking with drinks and appetizers and the waitress scoffed(!!) The only reason we took seats at a table was because the restaurant was encouraging us to. Eventually, the last person joined the group and sat on the booth where there was plenty of room. We were not encrouching on the space of the table next to us. A manager came over to the table and scolded us for adding an additional person! We explained we'd been upfront about this but clearly it was a problem for the Beat Hotel. In short, I was embarassed at having told friends to come to this place when multiple people copped attitude at us (bartender, waitress, and manager) after we had been very upfront about being there for the drinks, appetizers, and ambience.
(3)Rachel F.
HAHA to Julie's review below. I've never had dinner here but the bar service is equally as terrible. The bartender was SO rude! Drink was awful and pricey. Music was the only good thing.
(2)Lauren H.
I love this place. Great vibe, friendly service, interesting and delicious food, and reasonable prices for Harvard Square. Beat Hotel fills that sweet spot between casual and festive and makes it easy to relax and have fun. I was concerned that it would become a "scene," but six months later, it's still a solid, chill option without a scenester in sight. I stopped by for brunch today and was happy to discover that it's equally fab in the daylight. Cheers.
(4)Sarah L.
I've only gotten dinner to-go, but it was very yummy. I'd like to go back to eat there. Also, staff (bartender and hostesses) were really nice. Pros: Vegan and vegetarian options. The roasted brussel sprouts appetizer is really, really (really) good. Yum! They also have a couple of entrees that can be ordered vegetarian/vegan -- sides, too. Cons: Really expensive! $20 for the aforementioned vegan entree seems crazy. It's about $3 worth of food. I realize there's a mark-up on that, but it's a little much. Apparently they'll be adding brunch to their offerings sometime soon...
(4)Jenna M.
This place is great! Not only is the fare healthy yet tasty, but it is mostly sustainably farmed, a unique concept even for this area. The space is also very cozy, while it is one of a few place in Harvard Square that can easily accommodate a large group. The murals and hangings are distinctly funky, yet tasteful. Live jazzy music after 8 pm is also a big plus. Most importantly, the food is phenomenal! Duck breast with black lentils and veggies was superb- tender meat with a tasty sauce, topped with browned onions. The Azteca bowl was also really good, with a variety of super fresh veggies. Much of the wine is sustainably or organically grown, and in the US. Prices seem high, but considering the lessened environmental impact and decreased cruelty of livestock, it is quite fair.
(4)Chrysanthe P.
I've been to the Beat Hotel on two occasions: once to grab some drinks with friends and another time for belated Mother's Day brunch - just me and the mama. Cocktails here are wonderful. I honestly can't remember what I ordered (probably something with gin), but I do remember some standouts that my friends ordered. Favorites of the night were the Purple Door (vodka, blueberry puree, and some legit maple syrup) and the American Breed (Maker's Mark, Elderflower liqueur, and apple cider). I was pleasantly surprised that neither was overly sweet and both delicious. Be warned that the American Breed is quite strong (all the more reason to order it, in my opinion). Admittedly, the bartenders were a little standoff-ish at times, but it was busy and they weren't rude, by any means. Moving on to consumption of food (and alcohol). First off, there's jazz brunch. Who doesn't love that? Sociopaths is the answer, but I hope you aren't one of them. Starting with drinks (it's the natural order of things): I was curious as to whether or not they had iced coffee and,as they did not, my waiter kindly suggested an iced americano. Does this guy know me or something? Yes, please! Anyways, my mom and I are both Bloody Mary lovers, so both had one each since we were on our best brunch behavior that day. Nothing special there, but solid Bloody Mary. Ok, food: I had the vegetarian bowl azteca. Really generous portion of some yummy veggie goodness. The mom ordered their spring vegetable soup, which was super flavorful, as well as the bohemian platter, which had some yummy hummus and such that I sampled. All around a good experience. The decor and ambiance is pretty and pleasant. I would definitely recommend checking it out here.
(4)Sara F.
This is the type of bar I've been looking for. It is a unique gem for Cambridge. I came on a Friday night for drinks with a large group of coworkers. The vibe and the atmosphere was immediately lovable. The place is huge and the lighting is perfect. The live music was charming and not over whelming. The crowd was big and loud but still polite and classy. The bar was filled with professionals, not rowdy college kids. Although crowded and loud it wasn't TOO crowded and loud. I wasn't being pushed around. There wasn't a long wait for drinks. I could still have conversations. It was a hopping night, but still comfortable. I can not speak to the food as I did not have any, but I would definitely return again for a fun night of drinking with good company!
(5)Mick T.
Great atmosphere, lovely staff, live music, decent mixed drinks, but mediocre overpriced food. Last time I was here I ordered the Mussels entree, the previous time I had the Mussels appetizer & Lamb Nachos. I ask the barman what the difference was between the Mussels starter it and the Mussels appetizer, he stated it was bigger and came with fries. For 23 bucks I got the lamest amount of mussels with a paltry amount of fries. Previously when I had the lamb nachos, they were cold. Both times that I've had ate here I should have complained, but I was starved and wolfed everything down. I've learned my lesson, drink here, get appetizers, but don't have dinner as it's overpriced for what it is.
(3)Catherine D.
This place has too much personality and unsolicited live music. I hate live music I did not ask or pay for... but I suppose I can understand why others might enjoy this sort of thing. Seems like a great place for yuppies to enjoy the pseudo-hippie-aesthetic (is that what they are going for? Did I get that right? Bah, whatever.) without having to actually interact with hippies. I only had drinks. The drinks were okay.
(3)Jon F.
The Beat Hotel has a unique ability to attract people from all of the crowds one might find in Cambridge. YoPros, hipsters, and middle aged corporate employees congregate under the chandeliers and next to the folk band. Drinks are standard for Harvard Square: $9-14 for a glass of wine, $10-12 for a distinctively named cocktail, and $6 for a beer. If you are looking for a place nicer than a Grendel's Den without needing to exchange jeans for a suit, The Beat Hotel is the place for you.
(4)Jane S.
The funky decorations really make this place, it feels like you're eating dinner inside an Anthropologie. I came with a group to celebrate a friend's birthday and we all had a great time. Most of the party got variations of the Inca bowl and really liked it. I couldn't stomach paying $20+ for a 'healthy' entree, so I went for the burger, which was fantastic. We also got a dessert sampler to split, which was delicious as well.
(4)Sarkis A.
Bartender attitude sucks! I was just there today at about 4:50. After looking at the menu asked the bartender if that's all they had, a tiny small menu. He snottily said yes, that's all he had. Then at 5 o'clock exactly I see a menu change! Humm! Would it have been too much for him to say that the dinner menu starts in 10 minutes or gone ahead and given me one to look at? It's the type of nasty attitude in the service industry that we don't need. So pissed. . AVOID. Attitude in the whole place. Nasty!
(1)Rebecca L.
Snotty staff (you know this just a Cambridge bar ,right?), unappealing cheap tables, too loud to talk for diners, but too strict to make it a "party place" Ex: no dancing. Won't be back.
(1)Jenn S.
FOOD: I had some of the best tuna here. I ordered it with the pesto mashed potatoes and it was spectacular. However, we did not receive bread and we were a party of 10. I wish we would have since we waited awhile for our reservation table to open up. STAFF: Bartenders I agree with some people that they were not as friendly as they could have been and it took FOREVER to get a drink when they were not that busy. Our waitress was extremely nice and she made our experience great. ATMOSPHERE: I loved the live music and even though we were all the way by the door we could still hear everything.
(4)Abhirup D.
Disclaimer: This is not food review. I am sure their brunch is amazing, but I am just here to talk about the weekend evenings. The first time I went to Beat Hotel, I loved it. Live music adds an extra color to the place. Drinks are on the expensive side, but worth it. This seemed like a really unique bar/restaurant for Harvard Square, and I was excited to come back soon. However, I was really disappointed on my second visit. I arrived at 8:30 pm and had to stand in a long line to get in to the bar (they were only letting people in who had reservations for table). In any case, I put my name in for a table and after a 20 minute wait was able to get in to the bar. We had a round of drinks at the bar before being finally seated. My friends and I were hoping to get some appetizers later and savor it with a few more rounds of drinks. But to our dismay, we were told that when seated, customers are expected to get full dinner service. So no apps and drinks, we have to order entrees. So in a nutshell, as a customer, you do not have any discretion over the quantity of food you want to eat. In addition, we felt a nasty judgmental vibe when we asked if they can serve Vodka with "RED BULL." So apparently, we get judged when we ask for drinks of our choice. I gave this a 3 star b/c I liked it when I went there for the first time, and had a totally different experience. The second time was an utter disaster. No thanks, I will go to Beehive.
(3)Teri L.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! I've dined here a few times and each time has been fantastic! In fact, I ate there tonight and felt compelled to write a review because of the excellent service. I made a reservation for 5 and I was the first to arrive. After a brief discussion with the friendly hostesses, I went to the bar and had a drink. The bartender was very attentive and I had a lovely glass of wine. When we were seated at our table (which was very close to the live band), we were greeted by a very nice gentleman who was our server. He made great recommendations and kept checking up on us through out the evening. I wanted to pay for my table as a gift and made a smooth getaway to the bathroom where I found our server and asked that he place the check on my card to avoid the "I'm going to pay!" argument that was definitely going to happen with my guests. The server was understanding, charged my card, and quietly left the receipt for me to sign. It couldn't have gone more smoothly. Everyone had a great meal, drinks, music and we left really happy. I wish I could remember our server's name because he was very good. Beat Hotel people, if you're reading this, he mentioned he's from the South. Again, great service. The only thing I wish I could change is the parking situation. But it's Harvard Square and no one can really do anything about that... Take the T.
(5)Amanda M.
Very impressed with this cool, trendy brunch spot. Free live music, unique menu, great wait staff.
(5)D J.
First Lauren is a terrific host. The night was okay, we enjoyed the food and musical backdrop. If you're looking for a cool spot with a hip vibe (lil funky)...Beat Hotel works. I deducted two star for a lack of diversity but...it's Harvard Sq (location).
(3)Addie R.
The atmosphere here is amazing! I didn't know about the beat generation before, but now I do. Don't miss the paintings on the wall - the artwork here is gorgeous and full of fun little details. The chandeliers and beaded curtains really add to the feel of that generation. I went on a Saturday about 8:30 pm and the bouncer was one of the most PLEASANT, friendly and non-pretentious people ever! He just seemed like a great, chill guy, very welcoming and cool. Being a Saturday, the place was packed - no chance we were getting a table or any space at the bar. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people stand at the bar, around empty chairs, blocking others from getting to them and taking up more space than necessary. I know it's not the bartender's job to call people out on that ("sit down or move so someone else can"), but it was so egregious here and the bar area was so full! My group of four went to the very front of the restaurant, in a waiting area of sorts, and took our drinks over there. I had a mango-vodka cocktail and it was great! It tasted like an alcoholic mango lassi - just incredibly delicious. I actually think sitting in the waiting area near the front was better for our conversation because it was quieter and we could actually hear each other. The opposite end of the venue has a stage with live music - which is fun, however loud. The beat hotel was a great night out spot on Saturday - can't wait to go again!
(4)Jack D.
We had the Maine scrod which was to die for! Well prepared in a mix of fish & vegetable stock. The Thai bowl was more pedestrian although the shrimp were well prepared and clearly cared for. We were there in the early evening prior to theater on a Saturday night and had no problem getting a table for dinner. Great staff and an amazing mix of customers: families with and without children, couples, and seniors. Some pretty good jazz to to along with the meal was a nice touch.
(4)Kaveh D.
Great ambience and great live music that is not too loud! that's a huge plus around this area. Reasonably priced beers. Foods are on the pricy side, but of good quality. There is a lot of space but a long wait too.
(4)Laura S.
Great food and atmosphere but slow service. My favorite time to come is for brunch - I'm a huge fan of the Bowl Azteca or the Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes. The prices for brunch are more reasonable than for dinner. The only negative is the extremely slow service. If you are very hungry definitely order an appetizer because the food typically takes around 30 minutes at a minimum after you order. But the live jazz band and great quality food make this place worth a visit.
(4)Amin F.
Waitress with attitude, bad service, carelessly set table, uncooked meat, annoying music, etc.
(1)John G.
I should have listened to my gut: distrust a restaurant with hippie decor and valet parking. Woody Allen's opening line in Annie Hall was tailor-made for this place. "The food here is terrible... and such small portions!" Service was by-the-book attentive. If they're going to offer bread would it kill them to serve it warm? Butter was frozen. I got a skirt steak, which was OK, but for the price I would have hoped for a larger portion. My partner, on the other hand, regrets not sending back his blackened shrimp. Too spicy, and not adequately skinned. Stomach bothered him afterwards. Came with McDonalds-level frites and a bean salad that was four green bean segments on a pile of frisee. There are dozens of other restaurants in Harvard Square. If I'm going to get a $20-$30 entree, I can go to Russell House where I know it will be good. If I want a place to get a drink after work, I'll go to Tory Row where the decor doesn't pander and patronize. If I want a sit-down dinner with said drink, I can go to Cambridge One and get great pizza. If I want a burger and a beer, I have numerous options. But here? The food's too small, too expensive, and just plain not good. The service is indifferent, and the decor is hypocritical. Why would we ever come here again?
(1)Chris H.
Good ambience, nice music, and friendly servers. Tried the dinner farmer salad with shrimp as well as the fish tacos. They were good but felt unnecessarily high priced for what you get. It would seem more appropriate if they were $15 rather than $25, but it was still good and I enjoyed it.
(4)Nathan B.
I was really excited about Beat Hotel - it has all the trappings of a great new brunch place or place to grab a drink after work. The decor was great, the jazz fun, spacious dining room. But there were some significant problems. The staff seems woefully unprepared for the brunch crowd, even with tons of staff flitting around, the service was super slow. We waited for well over an hour for our food. Rather than being forward with us that the kitchen was backed up, we got word from our waitress maybe five minutes before our food came out. Someone at our table ordered the coconut carrot cake, which was okay enough. When our entrees came out the manager sent over another carrot cake to the table...I guess as an apology for the late food, but we didn't want another large piece of cake...we just wanted our entrees. When a manager eventually made it to our table to apologize, it was a half-apology and more of a "thanks for not yelling at us" type thing. No real apology and certainly no gesture to the table (maybe just giving us the cake for free, or our drinks?). We could see many other tables struggling with late food, as well, each with a manager fake apologizing to them, too. The food had taken so long to get to us that it was cold when arrived at our table, which seemed odd given their explanation that it was the kitchen that was backed up. My meal was good, a breakfast bowl with hummus and fixings. Other at my table were unimpressed by the more American brunch foods (eggs, etc), especially for the prices. All in all this place has potential but right now the kinks are definitely not worked out. Save yourself some frustration and wait a few months til they get things ironed out.
(2)Noshii R.
Went back to Beat Hotel for brunch as one of our favorite local musicians was playing. MUSIC WAS GREAT!!! Oh, where do I begin... Lady pouring us the coffee spilled coffee all over the saucer and table whilst only filling my initial cup of joe to the half way point and never came back to clean up the mess--???? WHEN DID IT BECOME OKAY TO SPILL COFFEE ALL OVER A CUSTOMERS LAP???? btw the coffee is atrocious. I ordered the burger and it was a bit small and dry but okay--the pictures posted on this are not at all what my burger looked like so be warned. Had one of the desserty breakfast dishes too and that was pretty good--but you can't really go wrong with something that is glazed in apple butter. The only good side for brunch on a Sunday is that its kid friendly as we were in a large group with a few who brought toddlers and they had ample space to run around and enjoy. The service at this place is in need of major overhaul...seriously!! It seems like they put a lot of effort into this place and are still playing with the menu and the prices like playing with the stock market but they are inching toward a more realistic price point but for the love of god teach your staff some basics.
(1)Colleen M.
I really wanted to like the Beat Hotel. My daily commute takes me through Harvard square and I had been to the Beehive several times and enjoyed it. After attempting to visit 4 different times and being turned away by the bouncer because they were having a private event (Beat Hotel: Are you a public restaurant/club or a private music hall?) finally went in last week and had an okay time. We had drinks at the bar and I had a wine that I liked---after the bartender gave me a taste. I'm a big wine drinker but if I am unfamiliar with the wine I always ask for a taste first. I am the first person to spend way too much on a glass of good wine but have a rather finicky palate. We went again last night and I couldn't remember the name of the wine I had been drinking so I asked for a taste of the one I thought it was. I was told if I wanted a taste (we're talking 2-3 sips here) that I would have to buy one to the tune of $6.50. Bar tender wouldn't budge so I asked to talk to the manager. Manager wouldn't budge either so I left and wont be back. Customer to retailer: I would like to try this dress on before buying it. Retailer to customer: ok, it's $20 to try it on. Way to discourage business Beat Hotel.
(1)Charlie J.
The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for drinks and live music but the food is less than average and over priced.
(2)Philipp W.
Praise the lord! Finally - a Jazz Bar in Boston that knocks it out of the park. I mean... Wally's never gets old, and the occasional trip to Beehive, Regatta Bar, or Scullers is fun.. but Beat Hotel really hits on all fronts: 1. The music is killin. These players/singers have chops. 2. You can get in without paying for expensive tickets or covers. 3. The place can hold more than 30 people (sorry Wally's, still love you) 4. The decor is fantastic. 5. The food & drink is legit. Earth bowl? Seafood stew? Octupus appetizer? Bohemian platter? Heaven. It took me ten minutes to realize how great this place was. I've been waiting for a joint like this in Boston... hopefully this will be a success with similar openings to follow.
(5)Lauren H.
#13 of 52 in 2014. First impression: the tannery was WAY bigger than I thought it was. Very cool space, sprawling bar area, not the usual cramped boston area bar. We had swordfish tacos and they were pretty tasty. Good cocktails. This place is NOT cheap. I guess I should have expected that being in Harvard Sq, but I was looking for thirsty Thursday and this place put me in the poor house for the rest of the weekend.
(3)Alyssa B.
Great new spot for Harvard square. A restaurant with a distinctive personality and excellent night scene.
(4)Ae C.
My new favorite place of all time! "The Beat Hotel" in Harvard Sq. I don't know what to say but OMG I could eat this place every single meal! I can't recall how sexy the food was and the taste of it is just pure awesomeness! #Oysters #Shrimp #ChiptoleRibs #BestSteakEver!
(5)Marco G.
Absolutely one of my favorite spots! Just opened last September, owned by Beehive owners, this American cuisine restaurant seems to have an influence by Greeks with some of their dishes Greek included. Its hippie decor exposes artwork by several artists as each of them were given a section of the restaurant to create their paintings and eclectic pieces. They offer live music every evening, bringing artists from New York and Philly but mostly local artists. Two bands perform evening around 6:30 & 8:30 playing jazz & funk. And just like the vibe, decor of the place, they serve creative and and flavorful dishes. Highly recommend the grilled octopus & pulled lamb nachos. Needless to say, HIGHLY RECOMMEND the restaurant. If I lived near Boston, my fiancé and I would absolutely become regulars. Have at it!!!
(5)Melissa D.
This is an incredible hidden gem. In a basement in Harvard square this exquisite restaurant is not only equipped with delicious food but also contains wonderful artwork from MassArt students themselves. The live jazz music along with the colorful lighting is a wonderful ambience to be surrounded by while eating. The cocktails are imaginative and delicious. I recommend the earth bowl, that I are with salmon. The fresh grilled veggies and delicious rice mix was more than plenty but left me feeling healthy. This is definitely not one of those restaraunts where you finish a dish feeling uncomfortably full and regret your meal... The perfect portion sizes and the ingredients are refreshing and definitely leave you wanting more. The bread pudding dessert was also incredible. This "hotel" is wonderful for a birthday celebration, a pit stop or drinks or a first date! Perfect venue for any occasion if you intend to wow your guests.
(5)Liz B.
I've had this restaurant recommended to me by a few different people since its opening and finally made it for brunch. The decor certainly lived up to its reputation, I would use the word "groovy" - and I don't use that word often. Its an open floor plan which you don't see often, but they've managed to still make it fun and interesting. Our seats included a back rest behind the booth as a place to store coats and bags - very good thinking! The jazz music was perfect, not too loud, but still present and enjoyable. The food was great and certainly lived up to its Beehive roots. If you've ever been to The Beehive in the Sound End the menu is very similar. I ordered the Inca Bowl vegetarian style, which was delicious, however, the tempeh was extremely overcooked to the texture of rubber, making it impossible to eat. Other than that the flavors were good and my mother's quiche was delicious. As you may expect, the drinks were also great. I had the Kir Royale and my mother had the Orange dream - perfect. Not too sweet or sour and good alcohol ratio. I will certainly be back, too many delicious things to try on the menu. I also plan to visit the Beat Hotel at night for some drinks and live music
(4)Howe L.
I had a great experience. Strong drinks and solid food menu. I loved the lamb nachos and our entrees (duck breast and stuffed pork) were equally delicious. Of course, the live music is an awesome touch. Bread was an afterthought. A little pricey, but that's expected. I had no complaints with the service. Loved the attentive water service!!
(5)Noor B.
i and a friend were the first customers at the first brunch ever offered at Beat Hotel today. we got great food, and incredible service (from Ali!!). a highlight was the yogurt/granola appetizer with fresh berries; it's just a little sweet, and this allows you to really appreciate the incredible richness of the home-made, strained, sheep's milk yogurt. thier yogurt : greek yogurt :: greek yogurt : regular yogurt. i might recommend that 2 people split this since it's so rich. the pumpkin bread was delicious, and came with excellent whipped butter. would recommend and would get again. the mexican tofu scramble was a nice, and when i mentioned that they forgot the avocado, Ali and the team made sure i got extra! this place is great and makes a wonderful effort to make customers happy. they're also really responsive to feedback, and since i live close-by, i'll definitely take advantage of this to tailor this place to my preferences, haha i've also been here for dinner once, and the dishes are creative and well-done. bravo. the space is large and open which is unique for harvard square. a nice change. OVERALL: great new place that covers all meals + late night. great service. large open space and live music often. highly recommend a try.
(5)Ben J.
Feels like a 1940's acid trip... in a good way.
(5)Cody C.
went for dinner with one of my best friends in the first few nights of opening. usually i'm wary of heading to a new place without giving them a few weeks to work out the kinks - but operations were incredibly smooth for a newly opened spot. cool musician with a ukelele started playing halfway through the meal...very cool vibe throughout. started with the ribs for an appetizer because we were freaking famished... and they were excellent. almost had to fight over the last one (guys give us an even number to save friendships and relationships!) i got the organic chicken piccata and my friend got the apple stuffed pork. my chicken piccata was very tasty.... but my friend's dish was OUT of this world. i will hands down order that next time i go in (oh and there willlll be a next time). be careful when you head the the restroom - it's over by the "concierge desk" .... NOT to the left of the bar. :). made it almost into the kitchen before a server turned me around. haha! wines on tap were all very tasty and our waiter was super knowledgable.... even when we asked obnoxious questions like... "what exactly is vegan wine... and why isn't all wine vegan?" apparently it comes down to the filtration.... i guess you learn something every day. happy to have the beat in the neighborhood. look forward to my next visit... especially since i see pulled lamb nachos are an app!! YUM.
(4)Will C.
I had the privilege of sitting at the bar for 5 hours and loved every min. It's relatively new and the staff, the drinks and food are pretty good. They have a very interesting wine system that's barreled in kegs so it's never exposed to air. The owner is a wine som and hand picked the list. Great vibe and fun staff. Off to a great start.
(4)Andrew M.
Great times. Excellent apps. And hands down the best bar tender ever. Jessamyn hooked us up with super well balanced manhattans and bourbon sidecars. Super top notch.
(5)R Q.
I really like the Beehive so was interested to check this place out. Been there a couple times at this point and it's extremely disappointing. Beers were good but drinks were weak and expensive. Service was also very slow and actually surprisingly rude (not so much for food but definitely for drinks). The security people here need to take a deep breath. I might give it another shot in the future but highly doubtful. It's really too bad because the concept works well in the South End. Execution is borderline terrible... Plenty of other spots on Harvard Square.
(1)Mark K.
Sat at the bar. The bartender was awesome. And he could make drinks too. Great place.
(5)Loren A.
"Love this place. Great bartenders, friendly staff, good food, and great music!!"
(4)Amanda Z.
This place is terrible. Long wait, even with a reservation, and the manager comes over to apologize without offering anything. Skip to the meal, went during dine out Boston and there was almost nothing included in the special price - everything had an extra charge. The duck meatballs were good but the grilled octopus was oily. Our main dishes, the lamb chops and inca bowl, were both half warm half cold and a terrible value for the price. To boot, dessert was included in the special and we asked to have one now and one to go - we got two scrappy pieces of cake wrapped to go. When I brought it up to the waitress she simply said need anything else? Don't waste your time or money, not what I look for in a "special".
(2)Sara B.
Good but not great. Decor and ambiance is fantastic, but that's not necessarily why one dines out. Still, a fun lively place to go in fabulous heels and be sassy. Live music was good- would have loved to hear more of the jazz set, but that was a timing thing on our part. Order Pulled Lamb Nachos (great), and Lobster for dinner (very over-rated). Will try again, but not rushing back. Decent wine list, but Cab Sav choice is average. Went this past Saturday night. Make rezzies well in advance.
(3)Alexandra D.
I went for the first time last Friday night and the food was eh..I had the calamari and burger. However I ended up getting food poisoning! I let them know just to let them know out of concern and never got a response. You would think a restaurant would address a customer who received food poisoning from their restaurant..
(1)Joel A.
The ambiance and music are great. One of the few places where you can find good live music regularly. I have been there on week nights and it is a perfect spot for conversation and a relaxing time. Drinks are expensive but good.
(5)Mark F.
Horrible bar service. Waited 35 minutes before just giving up, and was ignored multiple times by the bar tenders who are obviously under-staffed. Go somewhere else, the service sucks.
(1)J U.
I really like it here, but it really depends on the service. One night we had a great waiter who took the time to talk to us about what was on the menu. Another time I was pretty sure the waiter already hated me. However, I really like the food and the music....and that is why you go to a place, right?
(3)Sarah A.
Loved this place. A little expensive but a really nice atmosphere; a welcome alternative to the average Boston bar.
(5)Ed K.
I just don't understand the complaints in other reviews. The music was mellow, the service first rate, the menu really interesting, and the food was terrific. The scallops and the Inca Bowl both had flavors that exploded in the mouth. Totally satisfied!!
(5)Carl H.
Very good, my wife and I love the beehive and are exited to have local version. Cocktails were very good, started with one at the bar before being seated. We had the tuna egg rolls and meatballs for apps, perfect. My wife had the chicken and I had the steak frites, entrees were excellent as well. The next we go, the only thing we hope for is to not have the same server, never good to be constantly looking around to get a refill on your drink or order your dinner, bus staff was great, server just seemed disinterested which was off putting. Other than that everything else was awesome, we will be back
(4)Joe G.
They act super hard here but unjustifiably. The bouncers are good guys but the bartenders are needlessly rude and insulting, making this experience altogether more negative than it should be. It could become a great bar, but a change of culture is needed.
(2)K. O.
I so wanted to love this place. The Beehive in the South End is a longtime favorite, and I was excited to see what the owners had in store for Harvard Square. Unfortunately, I found the staff to be incredibly inexperienced and the food to be sub-par. A friend and I met here and sat at the bar for drinks and a quick bite on a Thursday night. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it took 45 minutes before we could get a server to take our drink order. Granted, it was a busy night and there appeared to be a corporate function taking place at the same time--but 45 minutes? The staff seemed very young and not at all aware of what they should be doing (like taking orders from patrons). We ordered the charcuterie platter, which was unceremoniously plopped down in from of us with no explanation of the different friend foods, meats and cheeses on it. It wasn't very good. At this point, we had been there two hours and just wanted to get out of there. Oh well. I'll be sticking with the Beehive, but hoping this place finds a groove because the location and space are great.
(2)Anya C.
I had the unfortunate experience of being incorrectly charged for my meal. I understand that mistakes happen, but the fact that the manager never called me back is indisputably a disgusting lack of decent customer service and not to mention entirely illegal to not rectify the mistake. I will now have to take this to my credit card company to report the fraudulent charge. Nice job Beat Hotel. This place needs to hire competent servers and managers that actually do their job; otherwise, dine at your own risk. This place is more hassle then it is worth.
(1)t w.
This place is like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. They are trying to create a swanky uptown experience when what they're dealing with are college kids and young professionals in a college town. I loved the decor. I loved the music. They have this weird policy of no dancing??? My friends got booted from the place for dancing in front of the live band on a previous week. On this occasion, I wanted to eat a meal and talked to a waitress about sitting at one of the tables. The waitress told me any table without a white paper was a cocktail table with first come first serve. In a sea of 20 empty tables, I sat at the one closest to the music. Immediately, a security guy (buzz cut with tatoos) descends on me and asks if there are more than two people in my group. I told him no and he asks me to move to a two-person table. I asked him why and he explained this table was a 6-person table and he wanted to keep it open for a 6-person group. Let me repeat, there were 20 EMPTY TABLES next to me. I could tell the wait staff were embarrassed by this guy. They apologized profusely for having to move us. And as we are eating our OK meal, groups to the right and left of us get up. Now there is NO ONE in the back dining area, but here we are adhering to their weird rules. About 1/2 hour later, a group of four sits at the six-person table, but the buzz cut security dude doesn't say a thing. Weird weird weird. I will probably avoid this place. I went to Saloon in Davis square last night, similar vibe, very chill and a much better place for what you're looking for. As for the food: French onion soup - the short rib was tough. Cheese was gooey and heavy French fries - crispy and delicious but not on the menu.
(2)J. N.
Awesome. Awesome vibe, great bar/drinks, fantastic food. We had the salad w roasted chickpeas, the tuna spring rolls (ah-mazing) and I had salmon tartare which was truly delicious. Tasted the brisket - great too. A super night out and will definitely add Beat Hotel to my list of faves.
(5)Karen B.
Great live music and food in Harvard square! We were there for the third time the other night and had another great experience. We started with the crispy spring roll and octopus salad followed by the earth bowl and chicken piccata.-all delicious. Bobby Keyes, one of the coolest musicians, was on the the stage. A completely unique musical and culinary experience!
(5)Sarah S.
So we love the Beehive and were really looking forward to this sister restaurant. The atmosphere is very congenial and the greeting staff were nice. But there were several disappointments for our Easter Brunch, prix fix. To start, the first course of breads were uninspiring. For our table of four, we received two baskets - each with one scone and one piece of bread. They told us the bread is sweet so butter is not required. Well, I love sweet bread and this was the driest bread I have been served! Normally baked goods come with an assortment - as the Beehive does - but this was not assorted and also not good! I could not eat it. Then we received the wrong drinks. The waitress tried to tell us they were correct, but we know the difference between Champagne and wine! We had one child who wished to order off the adult menu. He selected one first course and then for the second course requested one of the main courses from the much cheaper child's menu. He was told he could not combine, even if we were paying the adult price of $35 instead of the child price of $15.It just could not be done. The main courses were nicely prepared and with interesting flavors. But when the meal starts with a no choice stale bread and wrong drinks, and you can't get what you want to eat even if you are willing to pay a lot extra, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. If I were a college kid looking to hang a a bar with music I might like it, but then I probably could not afford it. So we will not be returning.
(2)Katie C.
This is a great spot for Harvard Square, which was much in need of a place with both great food and great music in the same spot (and not in a hotel). The decor is whimsical and carefully thought out with unexpected touches (the painted supporting poles, etc). When I first heard about the decor I was expecting a more grungy beatnik feel, and not the classy art deco vibe. Reminded me a bit of Cuchi Cuchi, actually. I came here for drinks with colleagues Friday and was so impressed that I came back for dinner on Saturday. We got placed at a front row table where we could still enjoy conversation at a normal level, even when a live trio played just feet away from us. The food was good if pretty standard upscale gastropub food that you can find at other places in the Boston area. I did like how you can choose a main and then pair it with the sides of your choice so you can get exactly what you want. The portion of my salmon with mashed potatoes was huge and it lasted me two other meals after my dinner. Yes, it's a bit pricey but for a nice meal, not outrageous. There were less expensive options (chicken club sandwich, burgers, etc) as well. I will say that the pumpkin cheesecake dessert was phenomenal. My only problem with dinner is that the food came out so quickly when we wanted more time to enjoy our prime seating! After dinner we moved to the bar to take in the main act of the night, a really wonderful blues trio. It's nice that there is one bar down by the music for those who want primarily to enjoy that (although, again, not so loud you couldn't have easy conversation) and another bar slightly higher that was a lot livelier with people socializing. It's great that they have so many wines on tap, too! Very unusual. Beer selection wasn't huge but the options they had were great. Our servers were all eager to please and helpful/friendly. So happy to have this spot and hoping it stays cover-free so that we can come back to enjoy the live music more often!
(4)Helen G.
I was extremely disappointed with The Beat Hotel. I am sure the food is great, but I don't care. I was digging the ambience, but I don't care at all about that. Because I feel like I was deceived. I ordered a glass of wine from the waiter. He showed me the wine list. There were 3 categories. I just assumed like every bar/restaurant that the 3 categories were glass/half bottle/bottle. I ordered the glass with the recommendation from the waiter. He plopped a glass on the table and came back much later with a measured out amount of wine. It was tasty. But never did he tell me that the menu is deceiving and the actual glass price is the second option and the first option is a HALF GLASS. REALLY!!! Who orders a half glass of wine?! That is crazy. It's like those stupid food labels that tell you the calories and nutrients per serving and in tiny letters say that there is 3 servings per package. I had ordered 2 glasses in total thinking that my bill would be under $15 for both glasses. I got a bill for over $30. I was stunned. I asked the waiter and it was then that he explained that the menu goes by half glass/glass/half carafe. SERIOUSLY!! That is so stupid and it also was in milliliters. Who the hell orders in milliliters? It's not even the money that I am mad about. It's the fact that I felt intentionally deceived. And the waiter didn't even try to work it out with me since he was the one who didn't mention this messed up wine menu. So for that, I will never ever go there again. I am a wine drink and have been to restaurants and bars all over the world. Never have I seen a stupid menu like that. If you want to make money on your wine, just be up front about it like everyone else.
(1)Carolyn P.
This place is amazing!!!! We came here for my friends bachelorette party!!!!! We have the most amazing server Allison !!!! So attentive , and just a fun server..... Food came out perfect , drinks were awesome!!!! Plus the bartender John was grate!!!!!!
(5)Picky B.
Gorgeous space tucked away under the Gap store at Harvard Square. Wooden long tables perfect for sharing, arabesque chandeliers, a jazz bar at the end, and a loooong bar that was packed with people having a good time end to end. Great place for cocktails and plates to share (although they need to improve a bit on cocktails). We didn't get much to eat this time except the Mediterranean sharing platters and calamari. All very tasty. Service also needs a little finessing.
(4)Tony V.
Waitstaff friendly. Wines decent but price on menu said $7/glass and on the bill it was $14/glass! Waitress said, "yes that's the price for medium." It was never asked if we wanted to pick a size, so we had an unexpected $28 on our tab. One dinner (brisket) was very good, but the earth bowl with shrimp was way over salted, and the shrimp so heavily seasoned with cayenne, garlic and SALT! that they were in edible. Too bad, because it should have been delicious with all the great ingredients. They've only been open 6 weeks, the ambiance was fun, so we'll give them another chance. Numerous families with young kids there (we were on the early side) -6:45- but not much on menu seems kid-friendly.
(2)Bill L.
What a terrible experience we had at this restaurant today! The service couldn't have been worse! Sat at the bar for more than thirty minutes with dirty plates staring us in the face. When the bartender finally arrived she asked "what do you want" without ever lifting a finger to clear away the refuge from the previous occupant of our seats. When I asked her if she planned to offer us clean place settings she just scowled at me and walked away. fifteen minutes later she was back with the question "Have you decided what you want?" We ordered coffee and a beer while ignoring the those dirty plates still taking up all that space in front of us. Coffee was deliver within ten minutes but that beer? Well, .... It was poured, placed to the side of the taps and never delivered. Over an hour after we we had sat down with great expectations we left. No beer, no food and those dirty plates? Still holding strong right where they had been guarding the seats that we had recently vacated as we left in disgust! If you're looking for an expensive place where you can drop some serious green in an extremely loud environment with the worse service imaginable this place is for you. As for the food? Well, it looked good. Maybe within five or six hours of being seated someone would have served us.
(1)Tanya G.
I had the bowl. By far one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Granted I love healthy food and vegetables..but sometimes things can be bland.not here! Savory and tasty!!! And I am picky! The tuna roll for app is great also. Drinks are very expensive.but food is great and vibe is upbeat and fun.
(5)Gary P.
Beat is a long space with a lowish ceiling, two bars, a music stage and a lot of tables. It is not cozy. The music is at the far end, away from the street. No one stops talking, so if it's not a big band it's probably going to be inaudible. The music is hard to hear, but the conversation isn't. So if you are looking for somewhere to converse without talking quite loudly, this is not the place for you. If there is a musical act - which there always is - they won't seat you at an individual table anywhere in the restaurant if you don't want full dinner service - in that case you get to sit at one of the long communal tables. So if you have anything to talk about that you mind strangers listening to, and you don't want the full dinner experience, or even one of your party doesn't, then this is not the place for you. This policy is despite the fact that many of the tables are nowhere near the music stage. The bar staff are serving drinks that some of them don't know how to make correctly. For example, Tequila Sunrise is meant to have a sunrise effect through how it is built in layers, but this was missing in mine. Old Fashioned is served without a garnish. I would also counsel any young bartender that their personal life is less likely than more to be of interest to a mature patron; although I understand there are exceptions. On the positive side the staff are friendly and effective and doing their best to make the format work. In particular I found the female maitre'd to be quite engaging. The food is good, although someone I talked to mentioned that the French onion soup with ribs was strangely sweet. All-in-all, Beat is not the place for me. However, if, as many people do, you like to immerse yourself cheek-by-jowl and elbow-to-elbow in a hip and happening, noisy crowd, with good food and a hint of live music in the background, you will feel quite at home.
(3)David H.
Stay here for the drinks and atmosphere, but don't bother with the food. The skirt steak is incredibly dry and the calamari tasted burnt and bland. They work with a high volume of customers so be prepared to either wait for 10+ minutes for table service when you get there (even with a reservation) or rushed out of the restaurant as you're trying to pay your check. Maybe with time this place could be great, but for a place that charges what it does for food and that advertises itself as the sister restaurant/bar to Beehive I really expected better.
(3)Josh S.
Really cool place. We stumbled upon this place visiting Boston. They took good care of us. The food was interesting, artistic and fresh. Lots of healthy choices. The ambience is really cool. The live jazz was just right to set the mood. Nicholas, our server was just right. My only complaint might be that I wish they had more IPAs on tap to choose from. Tuna spring roll- greasy, not amazing Brisket - great, interesting tang. Big . Bandanna pudding with Vanilla bean- to die for
(4)Abby R.
The atmosphere is 5 stars. Very jazzy, kind of funky, a bit speakeasy, with a mile long bar and a stage at the back which is visible from pretty much any of the tables. The service definitely rates 5 stars as well. My waiter was personable, helpful when we asked for suggestions, and chatty without being overbearing. 5 stars for the Grapefruit Julep, the only summer cocktail you'll ever need. The Buffalo Cauliflower gets 6 stars because it was one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. Seriously, I could never eat buffalo chicken again and if I had this I wouldn't care. Plus, everyone knows vegetables=health. Even if they're breaded and smothered in buffalo sauce. Don't quote me on that. The rest of the food... meh. 2 stars. I got the Luxe Nachos. Luxe? I asked about it and the waiter described the nachos in a way that had my eyes glazed over and my mouth snapped shut so no drool would come out. The guy said the word "marbled" to describe the double-baked cheese. He was a professional. I'd hire him just to stand there and describe my meals to me while I ate them. Unfortunately the nachos themselves didn't live up to the description. Not enough chips for the toppings, and way too much juice in the bottom of the dish, so that more than half the chips were getting mushy in Soggsville. The pulled pork didn't taste like it had any kind of flavoring on it, and other toppings were few and far between. The only thing luxe about them was the price tag at close to $20. My friends also didn't love their brisket, it was kind of fatty and the sides were small and heaped underneath the meat. The music gets 5 stars because the sound system wasn't too overpowering on any instrument, something even a layman such as I can sense, especially with jazz. The talent was good and I liked that they actually had brass instead of just piano, singer, bass.
(4)Samantha L.
Since we were lucky to land a parking space in Harvard Square on a Friday night, I checked on OpenTable which restaurants had a last minute opening and Beat Brasserie happened to be one of them. When we got there, the hostess told us that they couldn't sit us until the whole party was present and that we would be placed on a waitlist (with an unknown wait time) but I mentioned on OpenTable that there was an opening so they sat us right away. I liked how restaurant was dim setting. However, the tables were placed so close together, often times we'd bump into each other when exiting the tables. The live music playing in the background made it difficult to hold conversations. Tonight, we ordered a variety of items off the menu, mostly appetizers. I ordered the Squid Ink Pasta which was topped with crabmeat, leeks, and roasted tomatoes, and garnished with basil leaves. I did manage to find a lonely english pea in this appetizer. The sauce resembled a mildly spicy Fra Diavolo sauce with a strong lemon juice flavor. I specifically requested the dish not to be spicy due to a dietary restriction but the chef ignored it. I also ordered the entree version of Steamed Maine Mussels, which was cooked in a tomato based beer broth and topped with old bay. I requested it to have no spicy red flakes and I'm glad they followed through with this request. I didn't like how the broth had a bitter after taste. However, it was supposed to come with toast points or fries but our server must have forget them because it never came. My mom ordered the Crispy Tuna Spring Roll, which consisted of deep fried, wonton wrap filled with avocado, tomato, wasabi, rice, and soy, sliced in half, and served with a sesame oil infused soy sauce. She also ordered a Harvard Beet Salad, which consisted of roasted golden and red beets around a bed of arugula served over herbed yogurt and topped with thin, crispy potato strips. My brother ordered the Nantucket Fluke Ceviche, which consisted of chopped fluke, diced cucumber, and diced tomato, drizzled with lime juice, and topped with jalapeño and cilantro. He said the ceviche was spicy, just the way he likes it. My dad ordered a Prime Natural Beef Burger, which consisted of lettuce, tomato, thick beef patty, slice of cheddar cheese, crispy fried onions, and port wine aioli between a sweet, toasted, buttery bun. It came with a dill pickle (sliced in half) and hand cut fries. Sadly, it was probably my favorite item of the night.
(3)Nisha P.
A great place for a nice cocktail in Harvard Square. Everything is a little expensive for Boston, but the the cocktails are quite potent and delicious. I personally recommend American Breed, if you like whiskey! Beat Hotel also has live music every night, which is a cool perk! Tends to be a mixture of jazz, blues stuff. Very laid back and nice. Not too loud so you can still chat with people.
(4)Rob K.
The food was pretty good. It looked like it would be great but it was obvious it did not get to us fast enough due to lack of staff and over worked people. This is by no means a slight on the staff who assisted us. They were obviously doing their best. I am not sure what the owners are thinking. I was there on Saturday for dinner and because I liked the food; I came back in for brunch on Sunday and the same people were working! They looked over worked and exhausted. I truly felt for them. I have lived in the area for a long time and have heard that the ownership has piss poor management skills and treats their people like garbage. It was quite obvious! I will not be returning. I hate posting bad reviews but this one was necessary not because of the food but because of the apparent lack of respect for employees working there.
(2)Grace M.
This place is just not for me. Beginning with the music and overall style and ending (most importantly) with the food, I'm just not into it. I'd been in once before for a drink but most recently had some food that was EXTREMELY disappointing. I ordered the tuna spring rolls & vegetarian nachos. Both sound delicious and decadent but they were equally bland. The tuna spring rolls barely had any tuna but most notably, they were filled with lettuce and soggy/poorly cooked RICE. Why on earth would you stuff a spring roll with rice? I wonder if they were kind of mimicking the burrito concept? Whatever the case, it just didn't work. And even if it did work, at LEAST cook the rice properly! The lettuce was disconcerting as well.. I don't like the concept of typically crisp/fresh veggies like lettuce or cucumber being cooked in hot oil. Finally, the rolls were not fried at a proper temperature because they were soggy and oily instead of crisp. Ah, and they came w/ a side of napa cabbage slaw that was also poorly seasoned and unflavorful. The vegetarian nachos looked promising. I loved the quality of the chip & the overall quality of the ingredients (namely, the cheese), but they were totally dry (no guac/pico de gallo or anything moist). Also, they had some unseasoned/plain cabbage on them which seemed like a missed opportunity (for flavor and moisture.. wish it was pickled cabbage, for example). Wasn't impressed. If I never come back here again, I won't mind at all-! Important to note however, that my dining companions had a burger and really enjoyed it. I figure it only fair to report this part since maybe it's a good place for particular menu items but not all. Try it at your own risk!
(1)Joeli G.
Buddha bowl + Salmon was fantastic. So were the ribs. Can't beat the wine on tap. It's pricy but it's Harvard Square. They have live music every night and the atmosphere is jazzy. Pretty people staffed. Service was prompt. Great place for a barstool date or to meet a group of friends.
(4)Ryan H.
Went in last night with my friends. Bartender didn't give us menus, walked away when we needed help, and when we finally did get our drinks, she looked at us to pay, but never gave us a receipt or a price. Extremely unprofessional, and the drinks weren't even that good. The bar wasn't busy and it wasn't close to closing time, so this bartender had no reason to give us bad service except for her lack of talent in the service industry.
(1)Michael K.
Stumbled across this place while looking for a quick drink or two before dinner. It's downstairs underground and maybe a bit tricky to find. We weren't sure what was down there but we found a large room with two bars, a stage and live music at only 6pm. On our visit there was a trio playing laid back bluesy jazz with a young lady scatting(?). It was nice background to our conversations at the bar. They have a good selection of beers on tap and an even better one of wine on tap as well. They had this twelve or so spigot device for dispensing an eclectic selection of wines. Folks were eating oysters next to us but we were just there for liquids. Our bartender was a lovely young lady with a bright smile who took a few minutes to explain to us the story behind the place that is not a hotel at all.
(4)Julia C.
I've been a few times in various contexts--a few times with friends for dinner and drinks, once with parents and other relatives from out of town, and even alone once or twice (had to satisfy a craving for the Bowl Azteca and the flourless cake). Beat worked well for all of these scenarios. Entrees are around $18-25, so it's not a super budget friendly spot, but perfect for special evenings. I usually get the Bowl Azteca (comes fantastic tomatillo sauce!). I tried a grilled octopus appetizer once with the family and everyone loved it. It's hard to go wrong with the food, everything I've tried I've enjoyed. The flourless cake is also delicious! The live music is really fun, but can be loud or VERY loud depending on where you're seated, so if you are coming with a group that wants to talk a lot, you're best bet is to make a reservation and indicate your preference to not to sit right beside the band.
(5)Ellie W.
For any fans of The Beehive in the South End, this is essentially its slightly more artsy, hipster sibling. The food leaves a lot to be desired--I'd much rather walk down the street to Alden & Harlow if I'm looking for top-notch food--but the scene is what you come here for. The kitschy ambiance, jazz tunes, some woman belting out some lyrics in french which sound plenty romantic, but she could be singing about tomatoes for all I know... It's cute, intimate -- perfect for dates, and small get-togethers. Again, the food is a bit lacking -- not sure why the Crispy Tuna Springroll came out with zero flavor and looking like a giant fried burrito cut in half -- but you can't beat the ambiance and the drinks here. It's a 'sway a little while you listen to jazz and sip your cocktail, close your eyes and pretend it's 1920' kind of spot, and hands down one of the best intimate little joints in Cambridge.
(4)Ric S.
I'm currently sitting in The Beat, enjoying a martini and some marinated olives before ordering the Cape Cod Diver Scallops with clams and Mussels and a small batch artisan rose on tap, and I can't help but feel like I've taken a time machine back into the Mad Men beatnick "Zoobie Zoobie Zoo" days... And it's good. So good. They take the "college vibe" and combine it with great food and a groovy atmosphere. Well done.
(5)Jesse-Marie K.
The service although fast was terrible. The bartender was argumentative. Maybe just having a bad day, but a glass of wine our party had was bad, perhaps it was the glass itself. When we told the bartender, she claimed that we didn't know wine. We ordered something else, she did not take it off the bill even though we did not drink it. When she brought a different glass of wine she stated it was from the same company and perhaps I've never had cask wine! I drank that glass and the. When my friend paid the bill, he left her only 15%. As a former bartender I thought she deserved more, she still poured the drinks after all. When I slipped her a 10, she proceeded to tell me that some people just don't know wine that well!!!! I didn't respond because at this point it was just absurd. You served a bad glass of wine, own up to it, and get the customer something else. There is a much better way to handle these situations! None of us will be going back. I understand that because of the location there are probably a lot of young kids who go in there are cheap and rude. However, we were not those customers. Each bar round was 70+ Know your customers!
(1)Jane A.
We were here with a few friends a few weeks ago, on a recommendation from another friend. I arrived early and had a Tulum Fizz at the bar while I waited. Once everyone arrived we were seated. The waitress came by a little later and explained what was going on. They were busier than normal, the coffee machine had stopped working and they were literally serving Dunkin Donuts coffee while the machine was being fixed. We ordered our coffee and kept looking at the menu. Eventually we ordered- Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes, Mahi Mahi Tacos, Short Rib & Tomato Grilled Cheese with an egg, and I had the Sweet Chili Laquered Baby Back Ribs as well as two Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. The portions were huge! Everyone seemed to enjoy their food. I felt that the flavor of the ribs were good but the meat was dry. The shrimp were delicious and fresh. My boyfriend thought his pancakes were very good. Service was just okay.
(3)Mariana R.
5 stars for atmosphere, 3 stars for drinks - wish I could give it 3.5 stars overall. I would go back in a heartbeat for the music and atmosphere alone. Went with a group of 5 for after dinner drinks and it was great for that. Drinks were disappointing but I'm a huge snob in that department. If you go I would stick with beer and wine rather than bartender crafted cocktails.
(3)Tina P.
Been wanting to try Beat hotel for awhile. Had an excellent time with a few friends. The ambience, decor and music is a big plus. I especially liked hearing songs dedicated to the people of Gaza and Ferguson. Yes! Food was on point. Salmon tartar, bohemian platter for two, seafood platter for two, grilled octopus (excellent!!), & buffalo cauliflower were all great. American bass drink (with elderberry liquor, whiskey, & apple cider) was very well done. Strong! Service could improve. Overall, great place to enjoy with friends. Would come back!
(4)Matthew B.
Note: I just had drinks here. I'll update once food becomes part of the equation. The drink selection was great and the layout was awesome. I was impressed by the open design, friendly staff and fun menu of drink options. The bartender made some impressive gin drinks on a warm afternoon and all was well. I highly recommend dropping in for a beer or cocktail.
(4)Kimmy U.
So hip. So trendy. So not a hotel! I bet the hostesses were like "oh no... not again" when they saw our friend with her luggage coming down the stairs. Jk! She came straight from the airport :p Beat Hotel is definitely a place to admire the atmosphere in addition to the food. The restaurant is large and spacious with a bar area/high tables, booths for sit down meals, and even a stage at the front for some live music! Their menu has a good amount of options and a HUUUGE selection of wines on tap! As in the entire back side of the menu is all drinks. holyy It is a little pricey, but I think it's worth it (at least the options we chose)! They don't skimp out on portions, and the entrees we got were all cooked very nicely. My brother and I decided to share, so we got 2 appetizers and 1 entree -Steamed mussels appetizer- omg that SAUCE!! I'm used to a white wine/cream sauce when I order mussels, but this one came with a wine/tomato sauce. Soo delicious, especially when you soak the bread in it mmmm... the mussels were just ok though. -Grilled octopus appetizer- a little too much char for me, but it went well with the arugula and heirloom tomatoes. I probably wouldn't get this one again -Duck entree- Perfectly cooked! Chef's recommendation is medium rare, and it was so on point. It comes with a risotto that I wasn't a huge fan of because it lacked flavor and wasn't soft enough for me, but the sauce from the duck paired well with it. There was just enough fat on the duck and it came with about 8 slices. So so good. I would definitely get this again. Overall a nice experience! Next time I'll come back for BRUNCH
(3)Iris S.
The one other time I tried to check out the Beat to get drinks, I was turned away because of a private event, so I don't know how frequently that happens but check before you go! This time, I caught up with a friend on a Sunday night for dinner, and found out that they only have live music about 4x a week in August (picking back up in the fall) so that was a little disappointing and I'm sure I didn't get the full experience. Regardless, the ambience was nice with an old school feel and the food quite tasty as well. I got the Mother Earth bowl with brown rice, lentils, tofu, and grilled/roasted veggies. I enjoyed this dish thoroughly and liked how the veggies were roasted, but besides the natural flavors of the items, the dish lacked a little flavor, as I just couldn't taste the pesto. My one other comment is that it is not cheap. I paid closer to $30 including tip/tax, and with only veggies I'm not sure this dish was worth the price tag.
(3)Isabella C.
I have passed by this place many times and dismissed it because of its very handwritten and freestyle signage, but recently heard a rave review and decided to check it out. I was incredibly surprised by the decor -- the sign outside doesn't at all correlate to the interior of Beat Hotel. It's beautiful -- decorated, but not overdone. There are natural, rustic touches, with soft lighting and comfortable seating all around. It's very spacious for a restaurant in Harvard Square. On weekend mornings, they start brunch at 10am, an hour earlier than most other places in the area. This is a huge plus. When we got there just around 10:30, the place was fairly quiet and empty but the live jazz band was already playing, which made it feel like an intimate private concert. The music was just the right volume -- not too loud for conversation but also not too quiet so as to make us strain to hear them. The food was served quite quickly. I loved the omelette with goat cheese, leek, and kale. It was just the right combination of textures, the egg was soft and moist, and the bread that accompanied it was whole grain and hearty. The home fries were sliced lengthwise, as if they were fries rather than cubes, and crispy and salted appropriately. The Eggs Benedict was soft, served on a bed of salmon and English muffin, and the Hollandaise was creamy and sour, though not as sour as I personally prefer. Overall, though, the service was great. Loved the ambiance. I could hardly believe I was steps away from the bustle of Harvard Yard while inside Beat Hotel. I would love to come back and see how the atmosphere is at night.
(4)Alejandro L.
I guess the atmosphere is very nice inside, I couldn't tell. Unfortunately, we were not allowed in because they wouldn't accept temporary licenses as means of identification. Not just that, they were extremely rude about it. Well, it's their loss. This is one place that I will not go to in Harvard Square
(1)Diane H.
The ambiance is really cool here. I initially was very hesitant to come but group vote wins and here I was. For a Wednesday night--it was packed! Our server was great, he checked up multiple times and was very lively. I thought this was a hotel...hence "Beat Hotel" but it's really a restaurant that took over the space of the old Tannery store. I tried the frogs leap wine, a glass was at $22 and also at the end I ordered the mango martini made from real mango puree which was DELICIOUS. All the drinks were great from what i heard around the table. For apps we got the raw bar? Oysters, shrimps..I think that is it..nothing too special. Also tried the tuna egg roll which has jasmine rice which was really delicious when paired with the dipping sauce. I had the mussels which were good too...the sauce was yummy on it though there wasn't alot. For entree, half of us got the daily special which was lobster risotto which was yummy. I do feel that there could have been more of a taste for the risotto part but it wasn't bad...just kinda plain but as I ate on it got better. There was asparagus which was cooked perfect. The lobster was overcooked so I was like eh. Did not get a chance to try dessert this time...maybe next time. The music is a plus++ They start playing really good music around 8, before then there isn't as much music. The drink menu is fantastic---so huge. Give it a go!
(4)Pam C.
I had passed by the Beat Hotel so many times without ever dropping in - I definitely have a bit of an aversion to anything located in a basement. Finally had a chance to check it out, and I really wish I had come sooner! The interior is extremely spacious - the entire bar is one large open space. You don't really notice that you're subterranean, with the decor. There's really nice neon lighting on the sides, and some really cool glowing wall art. They had a pretty cool, jazzy live band when we came on a Friday night. Overall, very very swanky, 70's vibe. Service was very prompt and friendly, and unlike a lot of bars there is a lot of table space so you never feel crowded. The food was pretty good for bar food, and they have a good selection of specialty cocktails. The cocktails themselves weren't extremely creative - mostly recreations of classics like sidecars and old fashions. Beat Hotel is a really cool space, and definitely worth checking out!
(4)Wiser S.
A resident of Cambridge, I went in to find out what the 'Beat' Brasserie was all about. Apparently it's loosely modeled after the Beat Hotel in London. And there are some framed quotes of Kerouac in the toilet. But the similarity ends there. There's no poetry to this venue. Goons with ear pieces rudely patrol the aisles telling patrons where they need to sit and stand. I guarantee you Kerouac and Ginsberg would not even piss in the general direction of this ultra pretentious place.
(1)Jude P.
It's sort of weird coming here knowing it was formerly the Tannery which was one of my top shoe store when I was younger. All in all, what Beat Hotel has provided to this space is pretty tremendous. First I'll mention the negative though, the last couple of times I've been here, my group & I weren't treated well and all we did was just walk in. No rude or loudness from us, and our clothes were fit well. It wasn't fun being looked at differently and being spoken to in a different tone. Aside from that, and other good experiences, I won't let my review be isolated to those experiences. The drinks first off are always great, done right, and they have a great selection to choose from. Always been treated well by the bartenders and they didn't know there drinks and never been fuzzy on when asked for their suggestion. As for the food, alone it was above average towards 4 stars. The Thai bowl was a great portion and my friend had the swordfish in which she killed immediately and constantly mentioned of its good worth. My favorite was the Frog's Leap wine which hit me instantly as well as dominantly good and look forward to having a reunion with it. Last and best part is the music. The times I've been there, I was lucky to catch the acts play and they would be better than all of what I would experience so kudos to whomever selects the bands. Listen, just go and thank me later
(4)Jessica R.
Seriously in the top 5 meals I've ever had. My only regret is that I didn't discover this place earlier. Make reservations and try one of the earth bowls!
(5)Pawan J.
Possibly one of the best burgers I've ever ate in my life. Make sure you add the cheddar and bacon! A bit pricey but worth it. I'll definitely be back
(5)Dave P.
Reserved a table for 7PM on a Wednesday night. I requested to be seated near the stage in the OpenTable reservation's note box. When we arrived, the hostess initially sat us pretty far away from the stage. Yet, the place was fairly empty. I thought it was strange but I didn't want to make a scene about it so I let it go. Within minutes, another hostess came by and let us know how sorry they were. They must've read the reservation as we sat down. They apologized and we were moved pretty close to the stage. Great customer service. We ordered: Tuna caparccio - excellent. order it. Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos - well portioned; well seasoned; but my fish was so overcooked it was rubbery Skirt Steak Aztec Bowl - Delicious. order it. I was initially weary of poor service after having read some of the reviews on Yelp but to my surprise, we received some of the best service we've received at any restaurant. It was great. And the food -- despite my fish taco disaster -- was delicious. Perfect for a date night.
(4)Rachel D.
My review is based solely on drinks and atmosphere. I didn't have any food, but next time in town I'll have to try to grab a bite. I'm a big fan of the Beehive from way back when so I'd be happy to try the food here at Beat Hotel. In terms of ambiance and cocktails this place is fantastic. Harvard Square has really upped it's game since I used to work in the square. They have fancy cocktails, beer and wine options as well as a bar menu and full dinner menu. There was a trio playing jazz the entire time we were there (we were there about an hour and a half so I'm thinking they have live music for the majority of the night), and they were fantastic. We had to kill time before our dinner reservation and this was the perfect oasis to do that in. I had the Violette cocktail (quite interesting and obviously light purple) and a couple of their other options based on my servers recommendations. Some friends met us there for drinks and overall it was a great experience. If you're looking for great atmosphere and good drinks head here! Also in true Beehive fashion the bathroom was amazing, decked out with retro beads and all. I don't know what they use for handsoap at their locations but I need it in my life.
(4)Kyle G.
Finally made it in to eat here the other night. A friend works at the Beat and had been trying to get me to try it for at least a year. It was a hot day and I wasn't that hungry so I went for the deep fried spring roll. Wow really good and bigger than I was expecting. The people to my left had a plate of ribs that smelled rich and inviting. The woman to my right had a Burrata salad which she was raving about, along with their drinks.
(4)Karis O.
#yaaaaaassssssssss. The best time to go for brunch is on the early side, when the Harvard kids are slowly awakening to their hangovers and haven't established whether or not they can make it out into public. This is approximate time frame in order to grab a table for some lovely jazz music and one of the more eclectic brunch menus in the area. As the US Ambassador for all things eggs benedict, I highly recommend the dish with braised short rib. Also, "You can't each nachos for breakfast," they said. "It's not good for you," they said. Oh really? If that's so, then why are slow-roasted pork nachos on the menu here?! A definite indulgence, *maaaaybe* a tad bit too early for brunch but man, do they do a good job. Pump up on the bottomless coffee, get the jazzy vibes going and fill up on the delicious goodness at the Beehive's sister location!
(4)Kenny C.
Beat Hotel is a little on the classier side (think after work lounge. They feature live music and it was pretty popular on a Friday night. As the name implies, their theme is a hotel. The host and hostesses are at a reception desk when you walk in, which is unique. I had been told that they serve the best burger in town. And I have to say, it was pretty damn good. Medium with gorgonzola was perfect. Good fries too - crispy and not too heavy. We started out with the Buffalo cauliflower and the Bohemian platter. The cauliflower was great. Nice and spicy. The blue cheese dressing was super chunky. The Bohemian platter was okay, but not enough things to dip. Service was great. Their OpenTable policy was a little strict, but the host I spoke to on the phone 3x was very accommodating of last minute changes. Definitely call ahead to make a reservation because you'll get an awesome table. I made a reservation the day of for three people and they sat us right in the middle of the pit in the front.
(5)Farnaz S.
Fantastic food, amazing decoration,& friendly staff with good music. What else I can ask for?!
(5)Michael C.
From the same owners of the Beehive, the Beat Hotel. I have been here much more often for drinks than for food. The vibe here on most nights is very jazzy. Like the type of jazz where I should be reading poetry to the bands music and saying "snap snap" while reading random words off paper. This place brings a good crowd most nights, a little on the intimate side, not the spot for a guys night out. A definite no fail date spot though.
(4)Ralph O.
The beat hotel is unavoidable. It is a good-enough place to spend a couple of hours with friends in Harvard Sq. But give me a sustitute and I will jump right in. It is a major tourist-trap. Even if the location and ambience are well-produced, the place lacks a caring owner. It also lacks category. The Beat Hotel is the Ruby-Tuesday of newly sophisticated crowds. Expect to be treated as a tourist and to be blatantly manhandled by personnel. They also make everything extremely complicated and bureaucratic. Customers need to follow rules that benefit management at the cost of good service. For example, I went to ask for a drink at the bar because the table waiter had abandoned us completely. They wouldn't serve me at the bar because I was at a table, even if the tab was closed. Waiter was nice when he came to the table, though. When closing, they will kick you out with no tact or grace. I understand staff is tired, but train them to kick clients out with a better protocol. Wine at the Beat tastes more like and rancid Ocean Spray juice. Also, no offence to vegans but having "Gluten free" or "Vegan safe" in a wine description is like putting a "led-free paint" sticker over an oil painting. If it is important to the drinker, let them ask if the wine has these characteristics. A waiter (if they are around) may guide you through the vegan-safe wine. Food is very ah-ok. All of the above is considering price. I would give Ruby Tuesday many more stars because of their value offer. If you are going to over-charge me for eatable food, give me good service. All this said, see you next week! If you leave near Harvard Sq, you will have to go there. In spite of everything, it is fun, they have some good drinks, and the crowd is nice. I usually like to eat before going and just having drinks, without seating on a table.
(1)Pieta B.
I've had great experiences here, sitting at the bar. My most recent visit, though, I made a reservation for 8. I chose the Beat Hotel because I thought it was big enough to accommodate a large group. Not really. We were seated at 4 tiny tables stuck together. It was very uncomfortable. We were also right in front of the stage, which some people would like, but was just too loud for my taste. I asked to be moved and never heard from the hostess again, even though the restaurant was not very full. My wine came, and it was not right. My server argued that it couldn't be off because of the fancy system they use that keeps the wine from coming into contact with air. But I have had a lot of Hess Chardonnay and it did not taste as it should have. She didn't take it away until she saw that I was passing it around the table for people to sniff, rather than drinking it. The food, of course, was great. It always is. The vegetarian options are abundant, creative and fresh. And then, although I was obviously not happy with my experience, we were charged an automatic gratuity. That makes me really mad. I did complain to the manager on my way out, and there was not much he could do at that point. So, I would go back, but definitely not with a large group and only to sit at the bar. And I won't order the Hess Chardonnay.
(3)Jenny H.
Beautiful people, trendy spot, great food, good drinks, AND live music. Such a place does exist and it is at Beat Hotel. My girlfriend and I got to sit up close to the stage while the group rocked the mic. The scene seemed to shatter my preconceived notions of the genre. The band had a vibe that was a cross between an American Apparel menswear catalog + artisan-baristas-by-day-reggae-band-by-night. We ordered a couple of cocktails throughout the night while sharing the Inca Bowl and their octopus starter dish. We didn't want food that was too heavy and both were perfect. Was a great way to end my first night in Boston.
(4)Carly B.
Classy, hip brunch spot near Harvard Square. I have not looked into whether there is actually a hotel associated, but I dug the underground location with a live jazz band playing on Sunday morning and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There was also no wait for two spots at the long bar. What I really appreciated about their brunch offerings were hearty-yet-not-heavy offerings. I had an Azteca Bowl with eggs and it came with quinoa, corn, salsa, and vegetables. Great flavors and I didn't feel like I needed to be rolled out of there or take a nap (vital, when you're exploring the city on foot). I also enjoyed a bloody mary. Our bartender/server was friendly and attentive, despite having a very long bar to look after. Prices seemed a bit high on paper, but the quality/flavor of the food was in line.
(4)Wayne K.
Great vibe, great decor that hints of the 60s with a very current menu. If you're doing brunch, the warm, homemade coffee cake is a must. The array of breakfasts we ordered for brunch were amazing. Must return for brunch and try dinner.
(5)Mick S.
Myself and my friend showed up at the beat motel last night a little after midnight, and I had to run straight into the bathroom for a pee. When I came out I saw my friend had been confronted by some Neanderthal bouncer who was yelling at him. I asked said Neanderthal what the problem was and he completely ignored me and told my friend to go outside to continue the discussion. Now understand, I'm 66 years of age and obviously not looking for trouble, (we had had a very nice evening thus far) and I felt I deserved some kind of response to my question . Anyhow, I led the way outside, and again I asked I asked him what the problem was. His answer was to tell us to go up the stairs because he "felt uncomfortable ". The arrogant prick, how did he think I felt, a grown man being treated like a teenage drunk....let me explain here I had to pee because I'd had a couple beers in a NICE place across the street where everyone was polite and courteous , but I was far from drunk. I got to the top of the stairs and turned again to ask him what the problem was, but by this time he was screaming at my friend....and I just gave up trying to understand. The man obviously has a violent disposition and to say the least is not diplomatic in any way shape or form which is a pretty scary disposition for a bouncer. If he had answered my thrice asked question the first time the whole situation would easily have been defused but he chose to ignore me an continue to yell..... We could had had a fun night there but it was ruined by a psychopathic head case....I'd never go back there, and I feel the management should look more closely at their staff....
(1)Gabrielle F.
Oh my gentle Jesus, their wildflower honey & lemon pancakes were the best I have ever had. Love the decor, wonderful service too. A must-go to when in Cambridge.
(5)Samuel F.
This is an amazing-looking venue in the space formerly occupied by the old Tannery location in Harvard Square. Retro decor, enjoyable music, beautiful presentation of the food, everything sings with color! The food is delicious, and the cocktail menu is pretty cool, but I'm not sure it justifies the price. On the other hand, the music is good, and they don't charge a cover. I picked the Inca Bowl in part because it listed avocado among the ingredients, and then found it had only a tiny sliver of avocado in the salad. It was delicious, but that did cause a brief moment of disappointment. However, overall a tasty and filling dish. I was a bit surprised to find I couldn't finish it all, and I enjoyed the leftovers the next day. It's certainly a loud venue, another reason to recommend the appetizers and drinks route. On a busy night, it's hard to hear someone across the table. The service was friendly, but really slow (on a busy Friday night), though they kept our water glasses reliably full. The wait for seats was incredibly long, and they refused to give much in the way of information about wait time. Tip to customers: If there's a long wait, you may be able to get in earlier by inquiring if there are still open reservations. Tip to the restaurant: Continuing to fill reservations slots night-of while there's a lengthy list of walk-ins is a terrible way to manage your line! There's ample space to stand while you wait, but getting some snacks or drinks for the wait took more persistence than we could muster. At least they take a phone number for the list. If you want to cafe hop while you wait, nearby Crema Cafe is open until 9PM, Tealuxe is open until at least 10.
(3)Jamie W.
This place is awesome for a drink and listening to live music. Love the wines on tap and creative cocktails. Food wise, their stuff is somewhat overpriced, but pretty delicious. We liked the Aztec bowl best. The scallops were delicious and perfectly cooked, but the squid ink pasta they came on was underwhelming. The reason for the three star rating is the waiter service. We barely saw our waiter. We probably would have had another round of drinks or maybe dessert, but just getting our order put in was almost impossible. I recommend coming for the music/drinks and leaving dinner to all the places in Harvard that actually have a sufficient waitstaff.
(3)Sara M.
I used to frequent the Beehive in the past and love the live music. When I was informed that the same owners opened this place up, I was excited to check it out. It has this eclectic feel - with parts cool jazz hipster granola trendy. We were seated close to the stage per my date's request but it did make it a little hard to hear. However, I enjoyed the music and watching the performers, which I wish I was able to do a little more. Our server was pleasant and friendly, while sometimes very absent and other times checking in. The grilled octopus salad appetizer was delightful without being chewy. It was nicely dressed so the octopus really shone through. I had a few bourbon cocktails, which were mixed well. I tried the earth bowl with medium-rare steak. I loved this even though I wish it was in more of a bowl than a shallow platter. The mix of vegetables gave a complex taste and the steak was tasty. The funny thing is that I don't think the meat went with everything else but I ate it separately anyway. I don't know what the damage came to in the end (although I did insist to split) but I enjoyed the restaurant. I would definitely come back with some friends.
(4)Mariel J.
I really enjoyed this restaurant - located right in Harvard Square. We went for Sunday brunch, and there was live music, sort of folksy, which we like, and it was the perfect volume - you could hear it, but it didn't interfere with conversation at all. Great service, and the food was really creative - the menu changes all the time, so I can't look up what I had, but it was a really unique set of flavors - sort of brunch meets Moroccan meats Mexican. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Peter B.
So disappointing. The ambience was great, the menu looked good. But the food? The bread on the sandwiches was stale, the fries were greasy and burnt. The service was fair at best (I only got a small bit of coffee and no top ups, our waitress was hard to find). And then on top of all that - it was crazy expensive. Too bad, we wanted to love it.
(1)V V.
I went there this past Saturday for dinner. I thought the place was really well done. It does has a nice vibe to it. Very sizeable bar area (although I didn't go there). The service was good. The meal I thought was really good. I read some reviews here about food not being good. Not sure what that was about or maybe I just got lucky. I thought it was good. The only negs I thought was the valet was $18, when parking is right around the corner between 12-14. I didn't realize that, otherwise I would have done it myself. The only other part that I can remember as a neg was the band setup. I was there from 8 til about 1. Between 9-10:30 it looked like the band or stage folks where struggling with the sound system or setup. I would have liked the band to have been on longer or earlier. Other than that it was a good experience.
(4)Sarah B.
I'm giving this place 5 stars based on the staff. The food is meh...but the service is impeccable. I'm a Sox fan and was up this way for a game. Friends of mine live in town so they took me over here for some drinks and grub the night before a game. I love discovering new bars in towns I barely know. Once we walked up to the joint, one of my friends had to take a call so I was stuck waiting outside. The bouncer, a guy with the most amazing red beard, was super friendly. We got to talking about the area, and explained how little I know of Boston. Super informative and incredibly friendly. Once my friend was off the phone, the bouncer was able to help us locate the great spot at the bar without hesitation. What kind of bouncer goes above and beyond to help people INSIDE the bar? Impeccable ones with great service, that's who. The mango martini was ridiculous, and by ridiculous, I mean delicious. Went down way too easy so of course I had too many to count. When in Harvard Square I recommend coming here for the staff alone. Friendly, go-out-of-their-way service. Five stars indeed! Can't wait to go back to Boston.
(5)Brady B.
Just had brunch here and it was fantastic! My friend and I both started with bloody marys and French onion soup. The soup was to die for. Rich broth, plenty of melt in your mouth short rib and a healthy topping of glorious cheese. Next we shared two entrees. A killer omelet with salami, prosciutto, asparagus and mozzarella cooked to fluffy perfection. The accompanying frittes were thinly cut and tasty as well. The other entree was eggs Benedict with brisket...fucking A!!! I swear it was the best Benedict that both of us have ever had...right down to the hollandaise. The service was fantastic and the decor was lovely. Will most definitely be going back and will be telling all of my clients to go as well.
(5)Lady J.
The guy at the front desk that is going bald with the glasses is an asshole. Love the food Love the waiters. However I think this guy ruined the experience.. He also states that he's a manager. I am not typically a person who likes to throw around where I work or the connections I have. But I work for a company that has access to unlimited funds and throws a lot of private events. I thought that this could be a location that I could regularly have these events and bring a lot of business to. However due to the treatment that me my boss and colleagues received from this supposed manager, unfortunately I will have to bring my business elsewhere. My poor rating is not due to the food or service. This is strictly due to my dealings with the guy at the front desk. Now to the food. Calamari, Big Marinara fan.. As you know grew up going to school in the north end so I know what I like. My palette didn't like that marinara. It tasted like tomato soup almost. The calamari had no taste super bland. My colleague got the lamb nacho's those were good. That's all I can say is good.. Lol I had the steak strip with mashed potatoes bourdelaise*** sauce and green peas. I don't understand why they would put green pees with mashed potatoes and not asparagus. The strip was great, full of flavor and cooked to perfection. The mashed potatoes were ok they weren't anything special. (I have had some amazing mashed potatoes with steak) I would say do like a garlic, goat cheese or rosemary infused mashed. (just a suggestion) The food was great but pricey. I would say for the money you spend on a steak I think it was $28.00 you are better off going to a genuine steak house. I was here before had the prime burger definitely delicious.. I don't know if it is $16.00 delicious but you should try it.
(1)Jane N.
This place is waaaay over priced for what you get. Seriously? $27 for the dinner-sized salad?? Service was polite but not particularly knowledgeable and apparently every cocktail on the list is "the best!". I ordered the steak frites (same price as the salad!) which had a nicely cooked hanger steak but this dish has nothing more in common with steak frites. The steak was not sliced, it was smothered in a very salty gravy, and the "frites" were essentially home-fries. My friend had the Inca bowl which was massive but not particularly tasty. The worst part was the disturbing seed-crunch in the quinoa that sounded like uncooked quinoa but that wasn't it. She stopped eating the quinoa component after the second encounter. Overall, the meal was meh and completely not worth the ridiculous prices. There are SO many better options in Cambridge, there is no reason to waste my money on a place that is more style than substance.
(2)Lindsay M.
This place is nice, the ambiance and decor is great. The music is actually just right for a restaurant especially live. What I wasn't fussy on was the service. For starters we had a large group on a Saturday, they would not seat us until everyone had arrived and would only allow for a 15 minute window, not giving anyone a second if they say got caught in the ridiculous traffic around here or couldn't find parking! Even when all but one person had made it, they finally gave us a seat (the last person was stuck in traffic due to an accident no one can really help that) but we really had to push them to do so (had it been packed and they were in need of tables I could understand, but the place was only 60% full the entire time we were there) we finally got our table and we had a good server but she was honestly a but pushy with trying to rush us! The food was decent, but it wasn't great by any means, it wasn't bad and no one had any problems but it was decent. The prices are really outrageous. For the price you're paying the food really should be much higher quality! I will say the consensus was the fries were fantastic! It's worth it to go if you can afford to throw away $100 for a dinner for 2 on dinner worth $50 don't have too high of expectations though, their high priced menu is more of a reflection of their location more than their food.
(3)Lauren G.
I took my mother out for her birthday all around the city yesterday (Aug 25th) & this place was the perfect end to our celebration. We just stopped in for drinks originally, but ended up staying for food because the burger came highly recommend from another patron at the bar. Our bartender, Mona, was so attentive & great at mixing up drinks. She made my mothers very specific drink perfectly & she mixed me up a delicious coffee drink that she thought up on her own. The burgers came out exactly as we ordered. I loved the fry like chips they served on the side! The music set the perfect mood as well as the decor. I will be recommending this place to all my friend & clients in Harvard square.
(5)Sarah G.
Note: This review is just for drinks--since they had about 20 open tables that were all reserved for dinner, but 45 minutes after we asked if we could order some apps at one of those empty tables, they were all still empty. The manager or someone even came over and asked us to move our backpack away from the dinner table---the EMPTY set of 20 tables for dinner. There was no one in that area eating, and no one came to sit at that table even within the next 15 minutes after that man asked us to move our backpack....interesting way to treat people your first weeks of business I say... Good thing Beat Hotel clearly spent a ton of effort in designing this space. It is absolutely beautiful inside. Almost like an art gallery inside with cool beaded chandeliers and light tassels, colorful paintings on all of the walls, it really feels almost magical inside and like you are truly escaping Harvard Square for something totally different. Their drink list is also pretty decent, with a few local beers on tap, some in bottles, a ton of wines on tap (yes, on tap!), and some inventive cocktails too. I got their Purple Door cocktail which was tito's vodka with a blueberry puree that was so so tasty and addictive to drink. I drank it faster than I should have (especially for it being $11), but that definitely makes me want to go back at least for drinks again!
(4)Tiffney B.
The food was very good and the live music every night is a really great addition! Service was also very good. The only complaint is I feel the wine list is super over priced, so be prepared for it & you'll have a fantastic time!
(4)P G.
It's definitely a very lively and upbeat place...however its not all that. The food was mediocre and the service...eh! So we decided to get there on a Friday night and were running couple minutes late...the front desk staff was not very pleasant to deal with. I ordered the mojito and it was basically lemonade with mint (so much for drinking on a Friday night) We ordered the Aztec bowl and Thai bowl...both were bland and did not have the wow factor. I definitely won't be going back again and won't recommend this place in the future. The major reason for not going back will be the food and front desk staff.
(2)Irene C.
DRINKS: Atmosphere here in the evening cannot be beat. The space is huge yet separated into sections so it's still intimate, and there are several bars. The bartender we met was extremely friendly, and the drinks themselves were delicious. FOOD: When I came here for dinner, I had the Chicken Milanese, which was very underwhelming, especially for $25. SERVICE: Waiter and bartender were excellent on both occasions. While I was eating dinner, the manager stopped by to introduce herself and ask about our food, which was a nice touch since at that point Beat Hotel was pretty new in town. OVERALL: Go for the drinks but not for the food if the quality does not improve or the price does not drop.
(4)Rafal W.
Oxford alumnus rejected from a Harvard establishment, an offense that will not get unnoticed for years to come. Both the bouncer and manager quoted Mass. law only accepting Mass. or passport ID, which is fair enough but does not constitute part of common sense. I was left alone at the age of 23, offended by all involved, stripped of my group of friends, to an unknown town. I definitely do not recommend a visit.
(1)Rann B.
I went to The Beat Hotel for the first time on Wednesday, August 20. I fell in love with the decor and ambiance immediately upon entering the restaurant, thoroughly enjoyed the unique food and drinks, and was impressed with the flamingo group from Buenos Aires. However, during the performance a group of self absorbed millennial ruined my experience. Not only did they ignore the performance, competing with the music and singing with their loud bar talk, they had audacity to sing Happy Birthday to a friend in the middle of a song being performed by the group. How rude! When I complained to the manager, he promised to quiet them down, but never approached them. If these entitled children want to drink and talk, they should go to a bar without entertainment. I will think twice before revisiting and/or recommending this restaurant.
(2)Julie C.
This place is a gimmick. I went for dinner at the Beat Hotel twice. The first time I went, I was really weirded out but I thought I would give it another chance because I wanted so badly to like it here. Both experiences were laughable. -food is not good and it's way overpriced. I honestly can not recommend one item out of the many items we ordered -the live music is a plus and the decor is interesting, but those are the only positive things -the staff is egregious, snobby and way too intense. I felt like I was being watched by somebody the entire time. Our server basically rolled her eyes when we asked to take our leftovers home and when I declined a drink the 5 times she asked if I wanted one (just a couple of examples of the many instances where I felt like I was being judged)..YEAH.. Not going back!
(1)Jennifer L.
This place has too many rules. No dancing and no ordering drinks in certain places. Host/Hostess was nowhere to be found. Overpriced for the service too. The live music was good, though.
(1)Dave B.
Great place, good food, solid bands. They lose a star only because every time I go they make me and whomever I'm with wait for "the last member of our party" to arrive before seating us at our table. Pretty frustrating. But they win me back once the apps come! But seriously, seat me. I'm not lying, there ARE 5 of us.
(4)Dan C.
I am not sure what this place was, maybe the Tannery, but Beat Hotel is new to me since my last visit to Cambridge. It may also be in a basement, but it is huge. It also has an odd "hippie" theme that doesn't quite work for me, especially with aged filet mignon on the menu, but whatevs. The room is spacious and although I was there on a busy Saturday night (for drinks only), I was still able to find some space in the bar area and get a drink quickly and not be crushed while I enjoyed my cocktail. The staff was friendly and the prices are reasonable as well. There is live music here during dinner, too if you are into that stuff.
(3)Anna G.
Beat Hotel, I had higher hopes for you when I suggested a Friday night gathering for dinner and drinks. At least you showed your true colors early, I suppose. Expensive drinks, limited beer selections and HORRIBLY OVERPRICED FOOD. We sat down and ordered tequila shots and cocktails to shake off the week. Fine, no huge issue yet. Then on to apps, we settled on the Bohemian Platter (dips and spreads and pickled things for the table). The waitress insisted that we order the large not the small. When this $23 selection arrived we thought it was a joke. We thought it was 1 of 2 or 3 plates that would follow. 4 scoops of dips on a tiny plate with some bland pita chips. We didn't even eat it so I shouldn't say bland but I want you to know what we were working with here. Also, when I say 4 scoops I mean small. I mean, I would eat that whole thing to my face in 5 minutes. I don't think Oleana or some of the really fabulous middle eastern places would charge you $23 for what was put in front of us. It was pathetic and we made that known. We didn't even order something else after that. We sent it back, asked for the check and hurried out of there to go somewhere else. On our way out the waitress whispered to me, "well at least we won't charge a cover". Lady, I would NEVER pay a cover to go back. Honestly, unless you are a tourist or enjoy forking over lots of cash for little return, please don't go here. There are so may other great spots in the neighborhood.
(1)seth g.
I really enjoy the Beehive so when I heard about Beat Hotel I was intrigued. I went with a small group for dinner. I walked into the restaurant and said "Wow, this is cool". At the end of the night I walked out dissatisfied and angry. Dinner started out well. The waitperson went over the menu and made reccomendations. My initial Smoky the Bear mixed drink was delicious but the second was not mixed like the first and heavy on the vermouth. Our appetizers and entrees were good, although perhaps a little overpriced for the quality. Desserts were very good. However, as dinner progressed more and more staff attempted to clear our plates prematurely. Near the end of our meal the check was hastily dumped on the table before we were finished, really irritating me. If we had overstayed our time slot someone should have been gracious enough to let us know. The live muisc was very good. So good that we watched inspired couples start to dance together throughout the night. Those couples were systematically chased down by staff and instructed to stop. Then, at the end of the night, on the way out we were told to keep moving when a preson in our party stopped to put on her jacket before leaving. There's a no stopping zone down the central walkway. I probably would have been happy if I had had gone for wine or beer at the bar. In the end Beat Hotel felt impersonal and pushy. It seemed like a Disney establishment or Las Vegas hotel bar; well designed and made to feel you were having a good time, but rigidly managed and impersonal. It's too bad. Harvard square needs the type of place Beat Hotel is trying to be.
(2)Danielle S.
I was excited when this place opened because the night-life around Harvard Square is sub-par in my opinion. The space is big with a good amount of standing room, which i love. The live music is also a plus. Overall, a nice atmosphere. They have a large selection of beer and wine on tap. You heard me right - wine on tap. In my opinion, if 99.9% of restaurants are not serving wine on tap, there is probably a reason. Despite my reservations, I gave it a shot. Meh. Not impressed. Because this is one of the newer places to go near campus, it's pretty jam-packed on most nights. At least once every week, classmates will suggest meeting up at the Beat Hotel. I like it all right, but there are other places i'd rather go.
(3)Dave C.
Hard Rock Cafe's pricier, jazz-themed brand. Reminds me of the great theme restaurants of yesteryear: Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, etc. Exploits jazz and "beat" cultures as well as the customers wallet. Lots of security walking around with little bluetooth headsets, creating an environment that feels very uneasy.
(2)M T.
I went to dinner and drinks. I originally wanted to bring a bigger group for dinner however they were very busy and I had to limit my dinner party. Therefore I compromised and decided to have an early dinner at 6pm and meet others at the bar 8:30pm. I communicated so much with the management the week before of my plans. After dinner, I was told that I would have the next bar table so I did not have to hover over tables as people finish their stay. They lied to me and the next table was taken by another group. I approached the staff again, they told me I could have the next table. A table became available and I checked with the host and asked if my party could occupy this table. He said yes and therefore I moved my party to this open table. Soon after, the host approached me to tell me that these bar tables were being used for dinner tables. He had made a mistake. . Then the host said that he would make an exception, a favor, however only 4 of my group could sit at the tables and the other members could not stand nearby. It was ridiculous to ask that I split up my party in the bar area. So my entire group had to evacuate these tables and go back to our original area. Management did nothing to accommodate my group in the bar. They seemed to accommodate others but not my group. All I that wanted was good customer services and not special favors. I guess I did not know how to earn the host's good favor. These bar tables are in the middle of the bar and are meant for people to sit and stand around. These tables are suppose to be bar tables on the first-come first serve basis. In fact I had asked if I could reserve these tables for dinner and I was told no. I had brought 15 people to their bar and restaurant. They had the power to help me find a nice comfortable place for my group and they refused. I was very disappointed and will definitely not return. The management seemed to be snobby and discriminate service to a select few. Otherwise, the restaurant has a artsy bohemian atmosphere and the music is good.. The food was a bit expensive.
(1)P C.
Great vibe and music last night but the staff needs to chill out. We wanted to sit and asked a couple that had two seats available at thier table if we could pull the extra table away and sit. They had no issue with it. Along comes Beat staff and tells us you can't pull the table apart from the other. Silly silly worthless attitude!
(4)N H.
The Beat Hotel is a fun place to get a drink, no doubt. The atmosphere is funky and the live music on the weekends is good. I would recommend The Beat Hotel for a drink. The Beat Hotel for a dinner experience? Not so much. My experience for dinner was disappointing from when I arrived. I went with a group of friends for my birthday. I made reservations in advance, arrived a few minutes early and checked in. Understandably, the table wasn't ready, so we hung out at a small table near the bar until it was. I noticed a large table had been cleared and set for some time (a little over 5 minutes after my reservation), yet no one had come and notified us. I had to go over to the hostess and ask about my table again, to then be notified that yes indeed that very table was for us and ready. Once we were seated, our waters were poured but the very last glass was only filled a third of the way since the pitcher ran out of water. Instead of the glass being promptly filled soon afterwards, I had to ask if this glass could be topped off when our server was taking our order. Having someone come over to top this glass off with water also took a long time. I was also disappointed by the food, especially given how much we were paying for our meals. My friends also brought a cake in with us and asked the server if they could serve it to us. We were notified that the restaurant has a $2/person serving fee. I guess some restaurants have this fee. Instead, my friends decided to order me a chocolate tart complete with a lit candle. When the bill finally came, to all of our surprise, we were charged for the tart. Most restaurants will comp a single birthday dessert. Overall, I felt my dinner experience was very disappointing, considering we were each paying at least $40 per person. The food was definitely not worth this much money, and neither was the service. I would not recommend The Beat Hotel for a nice dinner.
(2)Joud K.
We came here on Valentine's night 2015. We arrived at 930 for dinner and they had already run out of 3 of their main items (out of 6!) I ordered the filet mignon medium well. I got a tiny piece of some overlooked stake - sucked! The music was nice otherwise I would give the place 1 star at best.
(2)Frederic M.
I felt an obligation to write this review, as I was surprised to see the amount of negative reviews on this place. The Beat Hotel is a huge (underground) space in the middle of Harvard Square. I love how they decorated the place. There is a fancy bar and a stage to host bands. The Beat Hotel is not a cheap place, but it is a bit of an upscale place that is looking for the right balance between being fun, funky and stylish. I think they did a great job. It is the kind of place that Harvard Square so badly needed! Sure, they suffer from some children-diseases: service is ok but not excellent yet, the food is ok but could use a bit more refinement. But overall, I am very happy to finally have a place like that in Harvard Square. I'll definitely be going back!
(4)Wilma O.
The atmosphere here is AMAZING, the food and drinks - not so much. However, this gets 4 stars for being a unique and memorable spot that stands out from the other cocktail bars in the area. I'm a huge fan of the decor. It looks like a tropical tiki ship plus the Great Gatsby plus a hippie lounge. The jazz is nice yet not too loud to overwhelm any conversations. This is a great spot for a date, having a classy night out with friends, or grooving to music up front. The cocktails are so-so; although there are unique mixes - like blueberry purée with maple syrup - in reality there aren't any drinks that stand out in terms of taste. The wine is tasty (though almost all from CA) but pricey. The food is of the style where it seems gourmet but doesn't taste amazing. My friend and I shared the duck meatballs, and while the sauce was good, the meat was bland (and his grandma had a foie gras farm, so he knew his duck!). We also had the salmon tartar, which I felt had too many other flavors (too strong lemon and dill), overwhelming the niceties of raw salmon. The service is often very busy and hard to hail down, but friendly. The guy at the door is extremely friendly and has an uncannily good face memory! Overall, come here for the great, schnazzy atmosphere you don't find often in Boston, but you're not likely to find any food or dishes you'll fall in love with.
(4)E.G. S.
Excellent dinner here with friends last week. Had duck as entree it was so good I think I had tears. Had the bread pudding for dessert it was very good..subtle..not overpoweringly sweet. The management seemed s little forced, extra vigilant which isn't a bad thing except they had no sense of humor. We joked with our waiter a few times but he was just too ..something. The hosts were equally taciturn. Take the edge off people...
(4)Melody N.
As an fyi, we only came for drinks and music. They were playing live jazz music and we were able to get seated at a cocktail table. The bar was pretty crowded so it was good we were able to get a good view and get some drinks our way. Service was a little on the slow side at first but they were pretty tuned into when we needed refills once the ball got rolling. Mixed drinks were on the pricey side(running a little more than 10 dollars, and that would be for a cheaper end). I forgot the name of mine, but it was gin based, limey, and fizzy. It was really good and had good oomph. After watching "whiplash", hearing live jazz music was a treat. The food looked pretty interesting and sounded pretty organic but it looked expensive for a meal(mostly in $20 range). Overall great place for a night of lounge/jazz music and great place for drinks that isn't "i just turned 21, let's get shit faced' type of place.
(4)Minju K.
LOVE THE INTERIOR DESIGN of this place! The drinks are amazing too! The only thing that hesitates me is the price....
(4)Amanda M.
Service sucks here. It really sucks. Basically, here's how they operate: you walk in, put your name down, ask how long the wait is and get told it "looks good" you're the next table of four to be seated. They'll text you when it's ready. You wait 20 minutes. You see two tables of four get seated ahead of you. You check in with the hostess to see why this is. She tell you, oh, those people had reservations. Oh really, you say, then why did you lead me to believe I was next on the list for a table of four? She assures you that now, you really are next. No reservations ahead. You wait, 10 minutes, then 10 more. You watch a man approach the hostess and tell her she is grossly incompetent, that she has strung them along for over an hour, and they will never return. You start to get the feeling you won't be getting a table tonight. You inquire about the status of your table again. While doing this, you watch them seat people at a four person table they have now pulled apart to make two tables of two. You state your frustration. She continues to assure you that you really will be seated next. She refuses to give you a time estimate. It is at this point you convene with your group and decide to cut your losses, it's been close to an hour of waiting. You go to tell the hostess you won't be needing that table now, but she is nowhere to be found. You leave. You eat at another restaurant 75 feet away, with no wait, far better prices, and delicious food. You never do receive that text message....
(1)Anna S.
Super cool place! It's sort of underground - literally - like you walk down a half-flight to get there. Very unique and kitschy place with all sorts of incredible artwork, lighting and accessories. We went for Sunday Brunch which had live jazz, and sat at the bar with Michelle our server/bartender. All the food was incredible - short rib lasagna, roast pork nachos, eggs Benedict and banana bread/cake for dessert. My ONLY complaints are that 1) as someone who isn't native to Boston, the pricing was really expensive and 2) my lasagna was not fully heated-through. All in all - FANTASTIC experience.
(4)Jason N.
Nice casual restaurant with a really decent menu. We were recommended this place by the hotel staff up the road. After a little walk, we found this place in the middle of Harvard Square. We walked down the stairs into the cavernous room with a ton of people of all ages and a great Cuban band at the far end. It's really loud but a great ambiance and a fun vibe. They have a bunch of sustainable wines on tap and a good beer selection. The menu had some nice selections as well. We had the pork nachos for an app which were great. I had duck breast/risotto/greens and my co worker had the filet. Pretty good but the risotto was a little sweet for me. The staff was really nice and helpful and the pumpkin cheesecake dessert al la mode was unbelievable. Would definitely go back with a work group.
(3)Nicole W.
Beat Hotel desperately needs to review the cost to value ratio of their menu. I paid $25 ($30 with tip) for the saddest looking portion of salad ever. The bone of the chicken was the size of my pinky. There were two zucchini/squash shavings, a couple of pieces of shredded beets, a small handful of spinach and maybe one bunch of frisée. I suggest they drop the "big" out of the "big dinner salad" title ASAP. My roommate got the pork chop, also $25, and enjoyed it. The atmosphere was lively and the decor was impeccable. We waited about 35 minutes for our food, then another 10 minutes when they got my order wrong and forgot to bring my roommate a knife for her pork chop. Would come back for brunch, but won't be back for dinner.
(3)Emily A.
I wish I could give this this place five stars because I really thought it would be more popping than it was. Me and my gals went on a Friday night for the music and I just expected more. We listened to the first hour of music ready to buy drinks for the rest of the night but honestly, dare I say, it sounded like elevator music... For a Friday night? I did like my drinks though. I got the makers mark mixed drink which was really tasty. My friend tried a couple martinis which were sweet. The service was excellent and the manager personally checked in on us which I thought was a nice touch. That's why I'm giving you 4 stars instead of less. Might possibly try again but there's a few other live music joints in Boston that are much less boogey and more funky.
(4)Helia Z.
Sweet baby Jesus, this place was good! I went for their bluegrass brunch with my mom and we were both in such a wonderfully delicious food coma by the time we left. It's pricey like it's sister restaurant, The Beehive, but the food and ambiance was much better and worth it. The bluegrass band was more enjoyable than the jazz one at The Beehive. I'm dreaming of honey-lemon pancakes and the Aztec bowl. So much yum.
(5)Meg K.
First: I LOVE this place. The ambiance is great, the live music is super fun, and ohhh the buffalo cauliflower is what dreams are made of. However, I' haven't been back since they caused me a huge headache over my post-wedding brunch in May. You can read the full story in the previous review, but basically: 1) They promote themselves for large groups. 2) I called to make a reservation for a large group, 3) They said no, they didn't want to take a large group (EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD THE TABLE SPACE, 4) They never responded to my follow-up requests, 5) I ended up going around their event planner and just made four separate reservations to accommodate everyone in my party. It all turned out fine. When we arrived for brunch, they seated us at 4 large tables near each other (I think we had about 30 people in total). But the SUPER annoying part: their restaurant was half empty (or more). After this WHOLLEEEE thing and having them not want to accept my large reservation, they couldn't fill half of their tables. Wtf? If my group of 30 hadn't been there, the place would have been nearly empty. I'm the only reason they had any brunch business at all that morning-- but they were so worried about saving table space for their imaginary customers that they damaged their relationship with an existing one. Beat Hotel, if you're reading this: fire your event planner ASAP. She is losing money for your business. There's no need to make idle threats. I'll be back. I like the food, space, and music... but it's going to take a few more weeks for my temper to come back down.
(4)Kimberly C.
I met a friend here for dinner and we had good service, tasty meals, and a cool crowd that was solid from 6pm past midnight. The Maine Sole with kale and peas was perfectly crispy on the outside, salty and savory. They offer 3 pouring sizes for wines, making trying a couple even more fun. A couple of pinots polished off my meal nicely. Hands down, the Beat Hotel is the best conversion of a former boot store, and brings some much needed energy to the Harvard Square nightlife.
(4)Myrto B.
The food and drinks were great but I've never felt so rushed at a restaurant before! They would try to clear our plates and drinks before we were done. We went to have dinner and listen to music. If you knew anything about restaurants that offer live music.... It's not about turning tables. I'm sorry we took 2 hours to celebrate and eat dinner, but you don't have to push us out like that. If I wanted to eat a quick meal and leave, I would have gone to a fast food restaurant.
(3)Monique S.
As a jazz lover, I am always happy to find new venues that are jazz oriented. The Beat Hotel is in the same spot where the Tannery used to be. I made reservations on open brunch for the jazz dinner. We arrived a little early and were seated at the bar. There, I had the French onion soup. It was warm and cheesy, and the bread was delicious too. Once we were seated, the waiter was very attentive. The manager was as well and even charged my phone for me! I had a burger, but it was very well seasoned and hearty. My friend had a vegetable plate and loved it. The jazz was cool. They were probably Berklee students. The music was a great backdrop to dinner.
(4)Jerry S.
Ayayay! This place is awesome. Went last night after the World Cup game to celebrate and honor Bastille Day--there was no cover, a really hip decor, and a very talented Senegalese band! We tried some cool cocktails and sat right by the stage, eating delicious fried soft-shell crab, slow-cooked BBQ pork nachos, and some roasted duck! Yum. It's so cool because it's the same owners as the Beehive! It had people even though it was a Sunday--can't wait to go on a Thurs/Fri/Sat! Highly recommended.
(5)Michelle S.
I'm a huge fan of the ambiance more than the food. It's casual but hip, lively, and uplifting. It's a great place to enjoy drinks/appetizers (rather than dinner) with friends. I came for a birthday dinner and had an OK experience. The atmosphere was definitely the highlight of the meal, which isn't a terribly good sign. I ordered the earth bowl with chicken and the ingredients were high quality and fresh, which I appreciated. It was pretty tasty but I believe that for a ~$30 dish, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere.
(3)Paul R.
First time at Beat Hotel and we had a blast. Great ambiance, really funky decor. I didn't know that it is the same ownership as the BeeHive in the South End, another great place. Grabbed 2 margaritas, pulled pork nachos and the tuna spring rolls (which was an old Pho Republique dish). Great cocktails blended up by Michelle and the food was just what we wanted. Two huge bars make it easy to grab a seat. Only drawback was the nice weather and you are downstairs but I'm splitting hairs here. We will be back!
(4)Barbara A.
I am at an age now where I don't wait in line for anything anymore - no movies, no new iPhones, and not hip and trendy restaurants. If I can not make a reservation, too bad for me. It was my birthday and my cousins wanted to take me out so they made a reservation here. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I have been in search of the perfect Sidecar and although it is not listed on their menu, any good bartender worth their weight can make one. While not perfect (not cold enough), it was pretty darn close - not too sweet, not to bitter. We decided to just order a bunch of appetizers and split them. We got the bbq spare ribs, crispy tuna spring rolls, pork nachos, and buffallo cauliflower. Every thing we sampled wsa pretty good. My favorite and the stand out dish of the bunch was the cauliflower. I know what you are thinking but it was delicious and I don't even like cauliflower. I am not sure if it was fried up but it seemed crispy somehow and had the distinctive buffalo sauce and the obligatory blue cheese dip. It was so good that I am actually drooling as I write this thinking about it. My second favorite was the crispy tuna spring rolls. I am still new to eating tuna (never been my go to) but I thought it was well excuted. The ribs and nachos were ok - of the two, I would probably order the ribs again because they fell off the bone nicely but the pork nachos were uninspired. While it is nice that they have valet, I believe it is over-priced. Any experienced Harvard Square parker will find a spot and if not, they do validate for some of the lots close by in the area and for way less than valet.
(4)A.G. B.
Okay, this place is the bomb. Free jazz seven nights a week. Great cocktails and food...but I had really bad service here my first time visiting.. It was a guy with the worst body odor and halitosis known to man. If you're serving the public, you need to take care of this kind of thing...and if you can't recognize it, then the management should! That's just the beginning. Our server gave the duck tamale, when we had distinctly ordered the veggie option. Then, when the food server notified him, he came back up to our table and said "How is everything?"...pretending he had no clue what happened. He didn't even apologize. He didn't give us the dessert menu..just the check..we had to ASK for the dessert menu. We ordered it and the order came out wrong...on top of that he forgot our drink . He was lousy. I went back another time and we had much better service. I hope the management reads this and can let their wait staff know to wear under arm deodorant and suck on breath mints.
(3)Kárenly N.
I've tried so many nachos around Boston and none compare to the Pork Nachos from the Beat Hotel in Cambridge. Just a train ride away, I had the chance to indulge in Rosé wine and those heaven-like nachos. Went for the Peruvian night and the music was really enjoyable as well as the atmosphere. It's really the place to go on a free night.
(5)Leyani L.
Great spot to have brunch. The ambience was lovely. The band was so good. The staff is super cool and hip. If it was just closer to me i would be here every Sunday. But is still very close to the Harvard square T station. Is very spacious insude and for that they have the capability to seat big parties.
(5)Ann K.
For starters, the ambiance cannot be BEAT! Hand painted murals? Yes! Chandeliers? Yes! Strange fiber art hanging from the ceiling? YES! Add to that the live music (chill jazz on Sunday mornings!), friendly hosts and waitstaff (super accommodating and knowledgeable), and ample, comfortable seating, and you're well on way to a lovely dinner or brunch experience. Try the Vegan Bowl Azteca; I'm not even vegan, but the textures and the flavors are so intriguing and delicious, I order it almost every time. And the jazz brunch! What could be better? Try the Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes, which come with a huge helping of berry compote. My boyfriend recommends their eggs benedict!
(5)Charles K.
Had my first date here a few days ago and I'd definitely recommend it. There's low lighting and a casual ambiance both of which I'm a huge fan off. Our waitress wasn't anything special but there's nothing to nitpick over on that end. School hasn't resumed yet so it wasn't as crowded or noisy so I had no issues holding up a convo and the music was stellar. Cons: - This place can be hard to find; it has a small sign that really doesn't stick out. - It is also quite pricey for both food and drink, so beware (With just two cocktails and an appetizer, I had already sunk $55)
(4)Curt W.
OK. This is more of a place-holder then a full-on review because both times we've been here, they were walk-in situations with no reservations. Our mistake! Place seems to always be hoppin'. (Full review will come later when reservations are made and a sit-down meal is had.). But going by a few small bar plates, and their cocktails, I'm a fan, and recommend this place for something slightly different in Harvard Square. This is a good place for going for cocktails.....seems to be a big long bar down the side with lots of first come first grab seating. Good strong drinks that aren't too precious.
(4)Joanna F.
Came back in last night. Atmosphere was bumping and it was crazy crowded. Still like the atmosphere a lot. So why the one star review? The bartender charged me $16 for two drinks, I gave him a $20 and he gave me $3 back (assuming I was too drunk to notice, I guess)? I didn't say anything and just left less of a tip. I mentioned this to some friends and the bartenders had apparently been overcharging every single person I talked to. So ridiculously unprofessional, and I'm fairly sure it's not legal. I will probably not be back.
(1)Gabriella M.
Went here for dinner with my spouse one night. It was busy there, but the environment was nice and cool. Table service was horrible because we waited for BREAD which is a starter at any restaurant and we waited for nearly 20 mins when the waiter finally came the bread was cold. The meals were filling and worth the price, but not what we paid to be sitting around waiting all night for one server who was running probably nearly 4 tables on his own.
(2)Francesca R.
Love love love. It's like the inside of my brain. Colorful, cheerful, jazzzzzz. We went for the brunch on a Saturday and it was brilliant. Three toddlers and all. The jazz was playing at the right decibel for a civilized conversation. The food was delectable, from the kiddie pancakes to the huevos rancheros. Can't speak for other times of day but the brunch kicks ass, takes names, and is kid-friendly while not skimping on adult quality.
(5)Joe T.
What an experience! Where to start? Loved the decorations--tie die and glitter and the bathrooms are even better! Everywhere you look, you see something cool to look at, and that includes both decorations and a crowd of well-dressed people dancing. Awesome. A fun, exciting, loud band came and played beautiful, up-beat music right in front of us! The singer / bongo player sang in Spanish, so I struggled to understand what he was saying. But after each song, the trumpet player or singer gave an English translation of the general meaning of the song. I absolutely loved the mango martini. What!? They actually crushed up a real mango and put it in my drink!? It's unheard of luxury! This martini actually involves DRINKING A MANGO, which also has some alcohol in it. Really, really cool. Fabulous place for vegans! My girlfriend and I both loved the vegan bowls--she got the Inca bowl and I got the Earth bowl--with delicious triangles of tempeh and tofu, a million different vegetables and grains, and succulent sauces! Beautiful music, beautiful place, beautiful crowd, delicious food, and delicious drinks! This is great place to go if you want to feel like you're living the big city life. I think this just might be my favorite bar I've ever gone to... and it's in Cambridge of all places!
(4)Lizzy S.
My favorite restaurant in Cambridge. I come here all the time -- after a long week at work, for brunch with friends, when we have to entertain someone from out of town. I always get some version of the Earth Bowl and a glass of Chandon. It's healthy, delicious meal. The staff are all unfailingly lovely.
(5)Stu A.
Beat Hotel has a cool vibe to it - music playing through dinner, organic food offerings, wines on tap, etc. Unfortunately, while some dishes were very good, overall the food was just average. On the plus side, the burger was excellent - tasty, large and served with great fries. The other main courses in our group missed the mark - the portion size of sole special was small and the fish was dry (plus a request to remove mushrooms from the dish went unfulfilled) and the mussels were small/not meaty. Outside of the mushroom issue, the service was generally good. While we were aware that Beat puts a limit of 90 minutes on tables less than six, it felt like there was a clock ticking behind the scenes to push us along. When we go out to dinner we like to take our time, and while not overt, here we felt rushed One additional decision that needs to be made at Beat is about the music. The restaurant is long and deep and we were seated at the furthest point away from the stage. Maybe the music was loud up front but we could barely hear it, which was disappointing to us. Next time we'll let the welcome desk know we'd like to sit closer. Overall, we were expecting more from Beat, but at least on this night it didn't deliver.
(3)Jennifer C.
I'd give it 5 stars if it wasn't for the horrible service we received. Our waiter Colin failed to put in not only our drink order but our dinner as well, then have us a half assed apology claiming it was "because I've been here since brunch bro." The food was delicious but the service makes me question if I'd come back again.
(3)Aziz A.
Very nice atmosphere , very good food and grate music ..I have recommend it to many friends , they enjoyed it ..
(5)Katie R.
Updating my review for another star because on a recent bar crawl for a friends life event Bryan the bar tender was pretty amazing and my friend liked this bar the best. Also pumpkin daiquiri. so there's that.
(4)Craig Lee B.
Un peu de tour-de-siècle Paris, au cœur de Harvard Square! A subterranean treasure, with just a hint of subversion to go with. Bartender Brian, aka thebostonbarman at tumblr.com , is a scholar and a gentleman, and constructs a "Henry's Kid's Sister's Horse RADISH!" par excellence (see photo). I kept expecting to see Satie, Stravinsky, Nijinsky, Gris, Miró, Le Corbusier, Leger, Toklas, Stein, Braque, Cezanne, Cocteau, Modigliani, Chagall, Matisse, Apollinaire and/or Picasso (who supposedly once said something to the effect that "I COULD have painted like Rubens... when I was 15!")... to saunter in at any moment. And maybe they'll be there, impossibly or not, the next time I return (and it shall be soon, and with friends!).
(5)Anya L.
My review is based on one visit for brunch. I should say that prior to this point, I visited Beat Hotel one or two other times and found the beer selection to be on par with other good places around Cambridge when considering variety and price. The proceeding review pertains to my first dining experience: A group of friends made a reservation at BH on a Sunday morning. We were forced to take an earlier reservation time as we were told that large groups were already expected at 11am. Okay, fine, so we take a 10am reservation. Once seated, drink orders were taken. And then we waited...and waited...and waited a bit more. It took awhile for our food orders to finally go in, which was a bit surprising because the place was not busy at all. On the plus side, the food came out quickly and almost all at once, which was appreciated. As to the food, I had the Azteca Bowl with poached eggs. The dish was good, but for $17, I definitely expected more. The dish lacked spice, and while it's nice to find a healthier option on a brunch menu, there wasn't much to make it a truly filling dish. Seeing how quickly several friends finished their meals, I sense that they also found their meals on the small side. Again, not so bad if the prices were less, but the cheapest dish was ~$15! That's quite hefty! Similarly, brunch drinks were crazy expensive. I wanted to order something fun, but the cheapest cocktail started at $11! Come on, now--it's one thing if you are serving a truly unique or different beverage, but if you are just combining a bit of champagne and OJ, you need not charge $11. I couldn't fork over that kinda money, and I have to admit, I'm glad I didn't after seeing how much I paid for the meal alone. So overall: ambiance is nice; service is cordial albeit slow; menu options are interesting but overpriced. If BH can balance price to performance, I think it will be a great Cambridge option. Until then, I'll likely just stop by for the occasional beer.
(3)Allison L.
Hip without being obnoxious! I came here with friends for my birthday but it was too late to get a big reservation so we hung out in the bar area until we finally got a big enough table. The wait staff were rooting for us and gave us great service. The food was fantastic from beginning to end. For someone with food allergies, it can be hard to eat out, but there were so many great options.
(5)Alyssa B.
Phenomenal brunch! Don't be put off by the slightly higher than average prices - the portions are huge! And this isn't your greasy diner breakfast, we're talking healthy, all-natural, top quality ingredients brilliantly paired for a truly enjoyable meal. Plus, who doesn't love live jazz accompanying your meal! The decor is fun and speakeasy-themed, the staff are friendly and attentive and the location can't be beat - right off the T. They change up the menu depending on what's fresh, but you can't go wrong with the veggie scramble. On this occasion, the eggs were scrambled with spinach, fresh mozz and something else that's escaping me. Served with a mixed greens salad topped with summer squash and lightly dressed with a vinaigrette, thick cut lightly buttered multi grain toast and the best breakfast potatoes this side of the Charles IMHO. Sliced long, extra crunchy, lightly salted and mixed with crunchy kale bits...potato perfection! Eat here immediately!!
(5)Tamara W.
I really liked this place! Came here around 9 on a Saturday and had no issue getting a table or a place at the bar around 11pm when we returned from bar hopping other places. I didn't eat the food but the drinks were OK and could be made to be less sweet (i.e. they happily substituted the juice for seltzer in the tequila drinks). I for sure would recommend it; their bathrooms are CLEAN and the hostesses and waiter was really nice as well. Also, I loved how it was not loud. I don't like live music really or jazz for that matter so was happy that even though they have "music" and advertise as such it was just a normal bar scene where it was easy to enjoy conversation vs. loud music! Will be back if I ever come to C-Bridge from Boston again!
(4)Karmen C.
Will definitely come again for the food and great vibe! I arrived on a weekday at around 5:30pm and the place was pretty empty but by the time I left all the tables were pretty packed! The service is great, but they do tend to be a little over attentive and ask you if you need anything every 15 minutes. We ordered the calamari and mussels for appetizers and these were pretty standard dishes. If you're in the mood for them definitely get them. For an entree I ordered the Salmon Aztec bowl (recommended by a lot of other yelp reviews) and was pretty happy with the dish - I would say it was a little too salty for my tastes though.
(4)Michael F.
I had a great time here, so I went two weeks in a row. I went for the 10AM brunch. A live band played for us twice. It was great atmospheric music - nothing too overpowering. Brunch options were great. Every standard offering I enjoy was available, but with a slight twist that made it stand out. The burrito was flavorful, savory, and filling. The pancakes I got the next week were soft, sweet, and delectable. And the coffee wasn't bad, to top it off. Great brunches, great experiences. More than I could ask for.
(5)Allison R.
If there's one thing I hate (and makes me decidedly American) at restaurants, it's waiting. I've been to the Beat Hotel twice and both times experienced pretty absurd wait times for either food to arrive or for the check. Both times, I sat at the back bar, and both times, drinks (and once, a large birthday cake) were awkwardly served between me and my friend. I ate there once and the food was fine, but we did order a dessert item (some kind of mascarpone/ricotta bowl with fruits) that was supposed to be garnished with balsamic, but was not. Otherwise, that dessert was fabulous, though. So points for the final course. Maybe it's just because it gets loud at the bar, but my most recent server didn't get me a water that I ordered (pet peeve) and didn't catch the guy wedged between me and my friend waiting with his tequila shot because he'd asked twice for a lime and salt and she didn't hear him. I've been sorely underwhelmed both times I've come here, and would really avoid it with so many options nearby.
(2)Jasmine C.
I went for brunch and got the Greek yogurt, which was wonderfully thick but definitely overpriced in terms of how much fruit/granola I got to actually deal with the thickness of the yogurt itself. The vibe is very much like a bar, quite dark and not great for photography as well as quite uncomfortable, but it certainly fits a certain aesthetic.
(3)Simon L.
The burger sits nestled in a fluffy bun. A perfect med-rare with aioli and crisped onions and plenty of juicy fat provided a wonderful combination. Lam ribs are smoked to tender smokiness. Sweet and crisped. Excellent. Tandoori chicken wings with chick peas are juicy and a bit on the firey side. A seafood cioppini ($23) bowl with tender scallops, giant shrimp, fresh mussels and calamari in a thick tomato onion and fennel broth is served with grilled french bread. An excellent lunch menu. An excellent service.
(4)Cristina R.
What's better than a live music brunch to jazz up a sleepy Sunday? Extra points if it makes you feel super hip. Cue Beat Hotel. Beat Hotel is not a hotel at all. I know. CRAZY, right? Misleading names are hip. As is the space. The funky interior decor of the large room features hemp. Hip hemp. The stage is on the far end of the restaurant, so from where we were sitting the music wasn't too loud and provided a nice backdrop to our conversation. If you're more into the jazz part of jazz brunch, try to sit closer to the stage because I kept forgetting about the performers. The waitress arrives and says she's here to "guide us through our brunch experience." We're pumped. Every brunch should be an experience. My buddies' bloody mary's are savory and spicey. They dig 'em. I order some tea, but for some reason the waitress brings a third bloody mary along with it. She's confused and asks if we want it. "Well... I don't really need another one. Will it just be thrown in the trash if we don't take it?" asks my thirsty but broke friend ($10 for a b'mary - no matter how tasty - is no joke). "Probably" is the only response my friend receives. We don't want to straight up ask our waitress if it would be free, but my friend assumes so and agrees to take it. I mean, we can drink it if we really have to. And the food? Also hip. Classic brunch staples with a twist appear alongside more nontraditional offerings like bowls a la Life Alive in Central. I opt for the Inca bowl which features a nice mix of quinoa, avocado, greens, hominy, and other tasty morsels. You can pick your protein, and I opt for poached eggs. It's brunch, after all. The eggs were not runny at all, so I don't know what they think a poached egg is, but the mix of goodness was yummy, filling, and at least seemed healthy. A brunch slam dunk. My other friend enjoyed her soy-based Earth bowl, and my more traditional brunch copatriot dug into her American breakfast featuring truffled scrambled eggs, bacon, and skinny frites that rivaled McD's in tastiness with far more class. Triple hip. The check comes around, and y'all this place ain't exactly cheap. We're disappointed to see that that extra bloody mary was in fact charged. Not hip. We were deciding whether we should be annoying and ask about it, when a manager comes up to our table saying that she heard us say something was "obnoxious" and wanted to see if it was something to do with the restaurant. The walls have ears! Embarrassing. We then explain the bloody mary mishap, and she agrees that it shouldn't have been charged. It was so nice of them to go out of their way to make sure we were pleased with our experience (albeit a little creepy that they were listening to our conversations.. who knows what else they heard)! A nontraditional, hip brunch experience is waiting for you at Beat Hotel. The mixture of delectable food, funky ambiance, and soothing live music makes me wish it actually were a hotel so I could stay longer.
(4)gina w.
I'm a fan of this place even if it's out of my way. thus, I don't get here often but I really like going here to hang in the bar area ...so fun!! such a good vibe here with the live music and comfortable but lively ambiance. Just visited for dinner the other evening and the service and food was very good. Didn't know what to choose and had the server describe two of the dishes: BBQ ribs and beef brisket ...both sounded wonderful but I opted with the beef brisket because it came with some broccolini.... Yum :) the salmon was so delicious ...seasoned and cooked to perfection - only had a bite but wish I could have had more. Also love the half glass of wine ...it was fun to try different ones. can't remember the cocktail but it's some kind of julep ...I have to come back for this cocktail next time!
(4)Fred R.
Very cool, trendy environment with great drinks. Live music on weekend nights makes the atmosphere that much swankier.
(5)Amy B.
This is a hidden gem in Harvard Square and the food is consistently delicious. Everything is always fresh and healthy. I highly recommend the bowl azteca and the fish tacos. You can never go wrong with the crispy tuna rolls. And if you aren't feeling adventurous, order the burger and you won't be disappointed. The specialty cocktails are tasty and refreshing and the servers are always smiling. Beat Brasserie has my vote!
(5)Ashley C.
Honestly, love this restaurant. Went here with a few friends for the Sunday jazz brunch. The music was perfect, it sounded good, but it wasn't so loud that you couldn't have a conversation in a normal tone of voice (definitely a low point with some live music). The food was delicious, and I thought the prices were very fair for the amount of food you get! If I had to choose one issue, it may be the side salad that comes with many of the dishes. I thought it was potentially a little overdressed with the vinaigrette, so some of the greens were a bit soggy, but I still enjoyed it! Thanks for a good brunch!
(5)Tin P.
Stop by beat hotel for a quick drink and some snacks with my long lost Boston hommies. I got American Breed as a drink since i love Whiskey and roasted pork nachos as a snack. Drink: It is a wonderful drink, you can taste the apple cider blended with a good old Maker's Mark Bourbon. Tasty. I devoured the first drink and quickly get the 2nd drink. Totally recommend this drink to any whiskey lover! 4 stars Food: The Nachos is above average. There were a bit too much cheese on the nachos, perhaps overwhelming. I am not a cheese lover, but not a cheese hater either. This is still little too much cheese. 3 stars! Bar decoration: The bar is beautifully decorated with the hip ambiance. I also heard there is a live music at night at this hotel. Awesome! 4 stars. Overall, 4 stars for beat hotel's brasserie bar
(4)Karina L.
The atmosphere is kickass. Very hippie (read: beaded curtains before you enter the restroom), cool, jazzy, laidback vibe. Drinks are strong and tasty. The little of the music we caught was nice -- we went in around 7pm and the bands were switching. I would come here for after-work drinks and relaxation or a date and some appetizers. But, to say that our food was overpriced would be a bit of an understatement (bowls of quinoa and chicken for a whopping $23, etc.). I got the swordfish tacos, which were pretty tasty but the fish was overly salted and the tortillas a little tough. About 2/3rds of my plate was taken up by black beans. My boyfriend's seafood stew went heavy on the cheaper seafoods listed (whitefish, etc.) and had broccoli instead of the promised broccoli rabe.
(3)Vanessa P.
I came here with a party of seven and it seemed like a really nice place with unique atmosphere and live music. I split a vegan bowl and the buffalo cauliflower with my friend. The vegan bowl was fantastic and the buffalo cauliflower was tasty as well but then I noticed the celery which was not washed which is completely unacceptable in any restaurant and the server was probably the coldest server I have ever encountered. As much as I liked the atmosphere and the food, I'm definitely not coming back here again, ecoli is not worth it.
(2)Jeff W.
Get the Buffalo Cauliflower. Next time, we'd order more apps and treat them like tapas. Lots of great tastes on the menu.
(5)Julie G.
LOVE the vibe here. Very eclectic decor accompanied by live jazz (which apparently I like). Quirky & delicious menu with great cocktails. A bit pricey, but worth it for a nice date night.
(4)Dana L.
I stopped in this past weekend for brunch. I've been to The Beehive multiple times and have been waiting to try The Beat. The place is huge and extremely cute. Every detail was attended to when it comes to the feel-good hippy vibe. Braided hemp curtains as you walk into the bathrooms, colorful hand painted walls, support beams and art, and a jazz band jamming the morning away. The food doesn't disappoint either. We started with a huge piece of pumpkin walnut crumb cake and then feasted on steak, poached eggs and frites along with a massive burger with Gorgonzola, cheddar, and bacon. We left fat and happy, ready for am afternoon nap.
(5)Kaitlyn H.
Expensive drinks. Cool ambiance. Can't believe how big the space is. Musical acts are great.
(3)Maura S.
We made reservations for 12 people and were told we could not be seated at the same table due to the room set up. When we arrived, there were 2 tables of 6 set up next to each other but there were many options along the banquette to push tables together to make one table for 12 so I am not sure why we couldn't be accommodated. In addition, even though we were seated next to each other, we had two separate waiters and the timing of the meals and order were completely off. The food was mediocre at best, my lobster risotto special was luke warm when delivered and the lobster was tough...not what I expected for the special of the day. Lastly, we ordered a dessert for the birthday celebrant which took over 25 minutes to be served...not cool.
(1)Ashley G.
GROSSLY overpriced is an understatement. A salad with grilled steak is $27. I wish I were kidding. Between apps, entrees, drinks and tip, be ready to spend $100 per person.
(1)Laura H.
Wonderful bohemian atmosphere (imagine a chic Urban Outfitters, if that's your thing), a menu of healthy delicious options, great wine/cocktail list, and very knowledgeable and friendly staff make this a must visit in Cambridge. A tad bit pricey, but the dishes are suitable for sharing which takes the sting out of it. We split the earth bowl with chicken along with the highly recommended Black Birch Julep (which tastes a lot like root beer) and left full and happy.
(4)Jonathan D.
Beat hotel has some great features. The wine selection, while pricy (it's that kind of place), is full of really great-tasting wines. I've had all of the reds, and you can't go wrong with any of them. Their entrees are fine, but the earth bowl is the way to go. The tuna spring roll appetizer is perfect. I've been here four times. On the fourth time, I did not sit, and I don't think I will be back. My friend and I arrived at about 4:45PM on a particularly cold and windy Sunday. We had went by Starbucks to grab some coffee to help warm us up, and done a little shopping. I had finished with my coffee, and she was almost done, but we both still had our cups. The conversation went like this: Me: "Hi, can we get a table for two, for dinner, please?" Her (Hostess): "No, Dinner doesn't start until 5:00." Me, after looking at watch: "That's OK, we'll just have a glass of wine or two at the bar while we wait." Her: "No, not with those cups." OK, I get it. No outside food (even at the bar?) - I knew going in that they might not like it. I would have completely accepted it, had we been given even just a hint of a smile. The woman seemed to be upset that we were there; she barely looked at us, and grimaced throughout the 60-second interaction. Next time, might I suggest something like: "I"m sorry, we have a no-outside-food policy and I can't seat you with those drinks. If you're done, may I take them for you?" I would love to go back here, but management really needs to train their employees to be more polite and work on their demeanor. Smile at customers; it's not going to kill you. Make eye contact. Otherwise, you come off as rude. And while the food is great, the theme of the negative yelp reviews for this place all have the same thing in common: the staff can be rude. That's especially bad when you're billing yourself as high-end, and trying to extract high-end prices. I understand you have rules, and I respect that. Just show me respect in return, and be pleasant to your customers.
(1)Reza H.
There's much to like about the Beat Hotel, unfortunately there are also things that makes one take pause. Firstly, it's a great space (used to be the old Tannery). For those of you who like to eat at the bar, you'll be happy to find two of longest bars I've ever seen. Their food is quite good. We started with the Butcher's Platter and my signature dish Earth Bowl were both delicious. I also really liked the Petite Sirah there. Unfortunately, the service was a little sketchy at times. As I was waiting for my friends, I got a drink at the bar. When I asked for a wine taste, because I couldn't decide between two wines, the bartender curtly told me, "We don't give out free samples here" (wrong choice of words, me thinks). From there I was obviously paying attention. The primary server of our table was excellent, she was friendly, attentive and efficient, but some of the other supporting staff could've been better. Like the one bringing drinks to people who already had drinks and ignoring those who did not. Or another staff who spilled water on our table only to bring a towel so we could clean it ourselves. We all thought it would've been great when we got the Butcher's Platter if someone pointed out what each items were. In their defense, the restaurant is only two months old. No doubt they'll work out the kinks.
(2)Karen D.
This place fills a hole for Harvard Square. I'm reviewing my overall experience, but can't comment really on the food yet. My BF and I stumbled in here late on Saturday. First, we were given a warm greeting at the door. I was really surprised at how big the space was since the old Tannery was cramped and small. The decor is shabby chic and the place had a really cool vibe. We were lingering at the bar which was full when an employee came over and offered us a table. We got a nice little table with a good view of the stage. The band was on break, so we had no idea what type of music it was. It was well past dinner, so ordered a snack. Skimming the menu, most of it is up there in price, so the food would have to be excellent to be worth it. I did see some burgers being served and they looked fantastic, so I would go back another time to try one. Our server was very friendly and we ordered cocktails and the buffalo cauliflower. The drinks and the dish were great. The band came on and I was really impressed. They billed themselves as Brooklyn funk and instead of just having a nightcap, we stayed until the end of the night. It's nice to have a place you can wander into without a cover charge and check out some decent music and decide to have just a drink or to make a night of it depending on your mood. When we left, the person at the door thanked us and said she hoped we enjoyed our evening, which is a really small think, but gave me a lasting impression that made me glad I spent my money there. I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)Lauren P.
I love the Beat Hotel, especially when getting brunch. The food, coffee, drinks from the bar and live music are excellent. This past time I was there however, our server Gabriel was disappointingly rude. He very obviously only made eye contact with one of us and when addressing the table only spoke to the one person. He never asked how any of the others at the table was enjoying their meal and was very inattentive overall. all other people working there, were very friendly and engaging. I would recommend that he work on this as a server.
(3)Richard C.
The folks behind The Beehive in the South End opened up the Beat Hotel in Harvard Square and pretty much made a similarly delightful burger. The Prime Burger ($15) is a tall one, staring right back at you like many classic pub-looking burgers before it. The menu offers no hint of what's to come, but after digging a little deeper I learned this burger comes with a Port Wine aioli, crispy tobacco onions, served on a Hi-Rise potato roll and a side of vinegar slaw. Interesting that none of that is listed on the actual menu and even more interesting that I probably found it more favorable before I learned all that, since you could barely taste any of it. But I digress; it's forgivable because it's quite delicious no matter how you slice it. The beef and the beef alone is the clear star of this burger. It may seem obvious but too frequently burgers are engulfed by too many toppings and misguided choices of buns and accompaniments. There is no hidden agenda regarding the Beat burger: it's beefy, thick, juicy throughout, and seasoned just about as flawlessly as you can get. Grill marks give it some decent char, which creates a bitter element that works well to counteract the big, bold, beefy flavors that are fully represented. It is cooked to medium-rare mostly across the board and those juices are slow and steady, seeping into the bun which is sturdy and holds it all in. At first glance the bun looks like an oncoming train-wreck because it appears much too tall and thick. However, despite being over-toasted with a crunch that is borderline excessive, the bun is actually light on the inside and ultimately is a wise choice for those aforementioned juices. Melted cheddar (an extra 50 cents) is assertive, very pronounced, and easily worth the price of admission. The aioli was nowhere to be found, and I'm still convinced it was not even on there, and a few sprinkles of not super crispy tobacco onions end up mushy under the bun and pressed up against the patty. The side slaw is refreshing and light, high on the vinegar and not a bad couple of bites after such a rich and decadent burger. A side of fries are similar to The Beehive; thick slices are presented differently from the norm and are crazy crispy and even crazier on the salt content, bordering on much too salty but definitely better over than under seasoned. The burger at the Beat Hotel isn't necessarily original but it hardly matters. I'm, okay with the $15 fee because you can tell the quality of the beef and it is executed the right way. The fries, slaw and bun work their magic but the beefy, salty and juicy burger that is the showcase really comes through.
(4)Sue M.
I've been for dinner and brunch. Sat in the bar area for dinner and liked the atmosphere both there and in the dining area. Food is very good. Prices are on the average to high side (especially for veggie type dishes). There are lots of dining/drinking options in Harvard Square -- this wins points for a unique atmosphere.
(4)Tracy L.
We went back to the Beat Hotel--this time for dinner with some local friends. I'm happy to say our experience was much improved. The staff we incredibly friendly and the service was much better--much warmer than last time. The food was very good too (we had the buffalo cauliflower to start, which was delicious. I had the earth bowl--which was a huge portion!) And, the atmosphere was excellent (nice light jazz music, the perfect volume for talking). I ordered a cocktail--and it turned out well. I'm giving four stars only because of the cost--it's still a bit expensive--but makes for an enjoyable evening!
(4)Nicole C.
Between The Beehive and Beat Hotel, The Beehive wins by a large margin. I went here for Saturday brunch when a very "meh" jazz band was playing. We, a party of two, were told there would be a wait of 15 minutes, even though they didn't look busy. In total we waited closer to an hour, but the hostess was apologetic all throughout and provided updates and explanations for the delay. The layout and atmosphere of Beat Hotel is nothing like The Beehive, which I can best describe as "intoxicating" -- dark, comfortable, and utterly romantic. Beat Hotel has an elongated, partitioned layout that made for a weirdly disconnected and uninviting feeling. Our seating section felt miles away from anyone else in the restaurant and was frankly a little depressing. Beat Hotel's saving grace is that their food is on par with The Beehive's. Only thing I got kind of aggravated with was that they were short-staffed and refused to make substitutions that would accommodate my ridiculous diet. We ended up getting the tandoori chicken wings (UNREAL) and a skirt steak salad that was unique and tasty, with unusual additions like cauliflower that actually worked. But. If I'm going to pay these kinds of prices, I'd feel better spending the money on the full experience at The Beehive -- not just food, but better music and better atmosphere.
(3)Karishma R.
I went to Beat Hotel with a few friends on a Saturday night, and I would have easily given them 5 stars if not for a few kinks with the service. The food, for one, was out of this world. The swordfish tacos were amazing, and my friends were raving about the Earth Bowl. The salads looked unbelievable as well, although I didn't get to try them this time (but can't wait to when I go back!). The vibe of the restaurant itself is super fun, even down to the bathrooms (which have Kerouac quoted on the walls in keeping with the name). Our waitress was great, but the food was extremelyyy slow. So slow that the manager came out to apologize. Also, they accidentally charged a random amount $60 more than our actual bill to my credit card (but they did apologize and voided it). They also have a convenient valet service for $18. All around, a great dinner, and I think I would rank this place above their sister restaurant the Beehive. Will definitely be back!!
(4)Mike I.
The decor was quite nice. Very Aztec. The bathroom was tolerable. The service at the bar was awful. We waited for about fifteen minutes, with 6 bartenders all wandering around serving drinks at a glacial pace. After being winked at by the barman a couple times then being completely ignored for a drunk order, we have up and left. Don't worry about us filling up your busy bar again
(2)Megan A.
Love this place, staff is always helpful, had dinner with my friends yesterday and loved the live music that they play on the weekends. Would def. recommend it!
(5)Kevin A.
Not awful, but a little lackluster. Food: Appetizers were good. They were creative and well thought out. However, the entrees were less impressive. I'm used the the price point, but the food seemed to be more trying to masquerade as being more fancy than it is. Some of the prices on the food were a little aggressive. Drinks: Really underwhelming. Harvard Square has many good places to get a drink. I thought the cocktails lacked creativity. $13 for a basic cocktail is a bit meh. The cocktail menu definitely did not imply much exciting was going on behind the bar. Wasn't bad, just a little lackluster. For $50/person, you can find some other great options nearby. Our server was nice though.
(2)Liz L.
Fantastic for drinks! Lots of wine (on tap!!!!) choices and some great drink ideas. The decor is great - funky, upscale hippie chic vibe. Live music every night, but not loud, overbearing music, more like live background hum? This is a perfect place to bring someone you want to convince that you are effortlessly cool. I enjoyed the food - lots of choices, all well-prepared, beautifully plated, and delicious. The thing is, it is expensive to eat here. Just a little more expensive than the restaurant calls for, you know?
(4)Rob G.
Fantastic food, really fun environment, fast and attentive service, but I think the best part is the innovative menu. Every time we go, we get to try something we've never had before and we have yet to be be disappointed.
(5)Arthur D.
I am sitting at this bar right now and felt inclined to write a review. I don't write many reviews but figured I would forget or get lazy later. Bad service - served a lamb nacho (which sounds amazing) with barely any lamb. It tasted like an Applebee's Unfriendly staff - bar tenders didn't smile. They were not friendly and acted like I am wasting their time. Also made a bad manhattan which is hard to screw up. We are with a friend in a wheelchair and asked for a table or area where we can go to and they never came back to answer us... Thanks for nothing. I will not return which sucks because It looks nice inside.
(2)Ricardo E.
this place was really cool. great place to meet with friends. staff was friendly. i sat at the bar with some friends, bartender monica was very helpful (versatile) describing the menu, and the wine list. we had a blast! i dont think this place is pricy specially if the bartenders (staff) help you order. food drinks, ambience were awesome!
(4)Kaitlyn O.
I love the vibe of this place. And I think there menu is refreshing - its full of vegetables with health protein add-ons. I would say the food is good but not great - so the four stars is for the great variety of (seemingly) healthy options and all the great vegetables and the cool vibe. It can be loud though, as there is often live music, so if you aren't into then you won't like the vibe.
(4)Jessica M.
It's been far too long since I've gone to a restaurant for the first time and have come out raving. Walking into this place, I was pleasantly surprised at how much bigger it is than I thought. I was also impressed by the comfortable-yet-stylin' bohemian decor. And this was before even trying the drinks and food! The wine list by the glass is extensive, and you can choose to try a half glass if you are the indecisive or experimental type. Though I did not order mixed cocktails, they looked delicious! I had the earth bowl with skirt steak as my entree and was wowed by the meal. The combination of flavors and variety of vegetables was incredible. Those I was with also enjoyed the duck and the swordfish tacos. I would order the earth bowl again and again! Our dinner was accompanied by live music and excellent service. Thanks to the Beat Hotel for a great night!
(5)JLH ..
Ok, the reviews are here are all over the place, but this is without a doubt, the best place in Harvard Square. It's a simple as that. Yes, the drinks are pricey. That's what you encounter when you go to an upscale restaurant and lounge with free live music and incredible and unique atmosphere right in the center of a major tourist attraction. It's everything I want in a night out. I was taking my mom here who's visiting from out of town and she was blown away. Everything from the stage to the bathroom stalls are breathtaking. We only came for appetizers and cocktails, so I can't comment on the dining portion, but our server Amy was really a gem. She was so sweet and it was obvious she was passionate about her job and the menu. The super friendly and funny female manager also made a point to drop in and say hi. Being open till 2 am doesn't hurt for the late night crowd who rarely has a place to go after the usual 1 shut down in Boston! Go here.
(5)Sean J.
Great music, great drinks, great service and great appetizers....but the entrées are very meh. I have come here for the bar many times, they have a decent selection of beer and the bartenders make good drinks. They also have live jazz music with no cover which is a huge plus. The appetizers are delicious. I've had both the nachos and buffalo cauliflower which I would order again and recommended to others. However, the one time I came here for an actual sit down meal I was wildly unimpressed by my main course. I ordered the duck breast, which the waitress insisted the chef chose to cook medium rare. I don't mind medium rare duck, but I personally wanted it a little more crispy and the cut I was given was about 35% fat, which when left rare or medium rare is very unappetizing. I will come here again for drinks and aps, but I will choose to go elsewhere for a sit down dinner.
(3)Kat O.
My new go-to brunch spot. The ambiance is amazing, plenty of room and a variety of seating (tables, high tops, long tables, bar seats) close to or distant from the music. Decor is pretty spankin nifty and our service was spectacular. We enjoyed boozy brunch cocktails (bloody marys and mimosas, duh) and great food for our meals. The live jazz was perfect (and the musicians were pretty cute) and made me feel oh so relaxed! I'll definitely be back!
(5)Brittany O.
I've been here twice, on two separate Saturday nights. The first we spent the evening at the bar with a group of friends and had a blast listening to the music and drinking away merrily. After perusing the menu but not ordering anything, I knew that I would be back to try their food everyone so raves about. The second time around my other half and I made dinner reservations at 9:15 pm on a Saturday night. We were sat pretty close to the live band. You can easily bring a group of 8-10 here and sit at The large round tables. Ryan had their lamb dish and I tried their Inca bowl. Not a single complaint other than I couldn't finish it all! The prices are high, but you absolutely get your money's worth. The band that was playing that night (Karma Exchange) really set the mood and we were living every minute of it. We didn't leave our table four three hours and finished out four/five rounds of drinks with their nachos. The service was beyond fantastic. Our waitress (Jen I believe) was on top if everything and had great suggestions for drinks. We will definitely be back here again in the near future! So far I've recommended it to three or four close friends who also agree that this is a fun/quality spot. Keep up the great work!
(5)A G.
This place is amazing! Large ample area with rows of tables and live jazz music. Nice set up plus a good location. Now about the rest: The wine list is super expensive so you are doomed to drink the small carafes of wine that are going for a good penny too. Besides, you don't even get to see the bottle and remember what you drank. So the wine loses its name. The food was ok. Service was mediocre with small amounts of bread for example one 6 inch piece of bread for 4 people! Luckyly another waiter came by to rescue us with two more small pieces of bread. As for ambience it looked like the neo yuppies like it.
(2)Elena H.
This is one of the strangest bars I have ever been to, it felt like a bar modeled after a prison. - security guys monitoring everyone - no dancing policy - can't push tables together - no standing policy, must sit down at table - bartender escorted one member of our group out for appearing drunk This places makes you paranoid about your every movement. They are control freaks.
(2)Robert A.
When I first heard about this place I thought it was located in a hotel. I had gone for a birthday party & so glad I stopped by. Love the Ambiance , Food, Cocktails ,the service & the live music, the whole set up. Two huge bars great seating space & lighting. The place is has a very cool concept and great decor. I have been here on two different occasions and they've had live music both times. So glad a place like this exists in Boston.
(5)Lynn C.
came here to meet a large group. nice atmosphere with cute chandeliers everywhere! loved the live music scene ... they were playing some version of song from Little Dragon! Only 4 stars bc the bartenders were inattentive and seemed uninterested in taking orders. the cocktails sound intriguing - but ended up tasting very generic and sugary.
(4)Mandy C.
There are few times in life when an amazing experience can be ruined by a terrible employee. The venue and the vibe of this bar exceeded my expectations. I stayed for a few hours and had a great time until I went to the bar for last call and waited...and waited... The bartender was very aloof and I spent ten minutes patiently waiting for my last beer. When the bartender finally came over I was told that the bar was closed and I couldn't get a drink. I explained that I had waited for ten minutes patiently and he was very dismissive. He then proceeded to serve other people after close while I stood there waiting. I asked him why he didn't want my business but he was willing to serve others and he became really aggressive, unprofessional, and rude. Until someone appropriately trains the Beat Hotel employees, myself and my 30 friends who came with me will no longer patronize this bar. This bartender is simply unbearable in his current state and you as a customer do not deserve to be treated like a second class citizen.
(1)Kate B.
I really liked Beat Hotel- it's super chic and the decor is flawless in that "Edie Sedgwick used to hang out here/pampered hippie sort of way," which I personally adore. Service is phenom- friendly, helpful, and professional, and the music is awesome. The food leaves a little to be desired, unfortunately, which is why only 3 stars. Although the buffalo cauliflower is the stuff dreams are made of, the Salmon bowl I got was pretty bland, and my husband's steak wasn't awesome. It's a bit overpriced for what it is. Drinks, however, are smashing!
(3)Ben R.
Seems like management must've gotten the message, and they've seriously upped the customer service game. Looking forward to lots more great times here!
(4)Anne-Marie A.
Great vibe, good food -- nice ambience, made even nicer by the attention of Christa Phaneuf, Restaurant Manager who not only knows her stuff (food, wine, etc.) but stops by to check in, make sure everything is "great" -- without being intrusive. And, the little "sweet" she sent at the end was just a lovely touch. Christa made our evening all the better --
(4)Karah R.
Met a friend for brunch here at 10am, so no wait, but I bet having a reservation is the way to go, as the restaurant filled quickly. Had very attentive service. I ordered the bowl Azteca with poached eggs. It was FANTASTIC! So so so many great flavors. And lots of variety of vegetables in the dish- corn, squash, spinach, green beans, tomato, radishes, jicama. I would eat there again when I revisit Boston. Lovely jazz too.
(5)Fausto C.
Went to this place to have some good time listening to a local salsa band but instead it was very disappointing, not only I was not allowed to dance but couldn't even stand next to my seat to pretend I was dancing. I was constantly harassed by security, later I found out they kicked out a couple for standing. I have no idea why would a club bring a salsa band and don't allow any dancing, specially when they have plenty of space available for dancing. Oh did I mentioned I spent $200 that night, I took the punishment because the band was great, Mango Blu
(1)Brian D.
So, now I've been to Beat Hotel. I've officially had an alcoholic beverage in pretty much every conceivable location in Harvard Square aside from the alleyway in between the former Casablanca and the Cambridge Center for Adult Education with the fauxmeless (faux-homeless) kids who call that home for the warm New England months. Mark my words, eclectic but not really sure what makes a 'beatnik' experience. I mean, they accept credit cards, nobody is getting high and not a single person was dressed in black snapping fingers to spoken-word poetry. That being said, Holy Lamb of God - the pulled lamb nachos are awesome and I declare them to be (without having had tried anything else on the menu) the winner of best item on the menu. And, from the look of things, one of the best values on the menu. That was another - non beatnick observation - Holy Capitalist Price Gorging! The scenery is a bit weird. I'll give or take a star for that. Sort of like 'Austin Powers' meets 'abandoned former retail space'. Seems sort of thrown together. I feel like they are definitely going someplace with the look but it's a bit too forced-hippy vs. beatnik. I'll some this up in true beat-style....man..... Beat... Hotel... is....for the..... cats and kittens with fat wallets, jack.... come on in... and... pay... for... nachos... I'll...be back, for more... nachos... (finger snapping)
(3)Michelle D.
Went to The Beat Hotel with about 15 -20 co-workers for a going away gathering, you know a bunch of folks get together for drinks and appetizers. The space was great - one of the larger, not crowded spaces in the square. Nice bar, good tall tables in the bar area - good for gathering with larger groups. BUT You had to have a waiter and one tab at the tall tables. This would have been OK if the waiter was not so overwhelmed. It was hard to have people order, get drinks in a timely manner, and pay as they left early. A tough set up for parties where people were coming and going through out the evening. The other drawback was the prices. HOLY COW! $16.50 for a hamburger? $10 for an appetizer sized chowder? Seems a little steep - at least offer more of a range. Also I wanted to get fries as an appetizer/side and was told I could not, even though there were plates of fries coming out with the hamburgers. All in all a good atmosphere, fancy menu, and high food prices. Would I go back - maybe if some else wanted to, but probably not on my own.
(2)Kristen R.
Loved, loved, loved the Beat Hotel. The food was outstanding, the service was unbelievably friendly and efficient, and the live jazz music was the perfect accompaniment to the evening. Did I mention that the service was truly a well-oiled, choreographed dance to behold? The earth bowls were delicious; try anything with the skirt steak. If they have it, also try the brussell sprout salad. And save room for dessert. The brûlée banana nut bread pudding was an exquisite way to end the best meal I've had in many months. Cannot wait to go back.
(5)Jessica D.
My friend and I stumbled upon this place while walking around Harvard Square, so we decided to go in for their "Santa Brunch," which seemed to be their regular music brunch + Santa wandering around greeting people. We loved our whole experience here, from their eclectic decor and lovely music (how often do you get to hear live strings?) to the dishes we shared. Mmmm the french toast and meat omelette were both delicious, and their frites were possibly the best fries I've ever had.
(4)Amy W.
Maybe my expectations were a little too high, but this place didn't blow me away. Upon walking in, I was impressed with how different the decor is from any other establishment in Boston/Cambridge. As a purple fanatic, I loved the lighting and chandeliers, and the waiters and waitresses were all impeccably dressed. The hostess was beautiful and very welcoming and friendly. We had also called about 10 minutes before our arrival because we were going to be late for our reservation, due to traffic, and the man who answered the phone was very understanding and relaxed about it. Despite all of the purple, the atmosphere is still a little strange because the restaurant is so large and open, and almost has a weird, cafeteria-esque feel to it, due to how open and - I don't know how else to say it - flat the dining area is. Everyone is sitting on the same level, which makes it louder than I like, especially considering I was there at about 6:00pm, which is very early, and typically the time where you'd be able to easily have a conversation with your dining mate. I felt like we were forced to talk at a significantly raised volume, and like we were competing with those around us. The place was packed, so it's obviously doing well business-wise. I ordered the Earth Bowl with shrimp and would not order it again. The shrimp was great, well cooked and seasoned, but the rest of the dish was very bland and dry. Most of the veggies were hard and undercooked, and the rice pilaf had no flavor at all. My friend ordered the chopped sirloin with mashed potatoes and peas, and while it looked filling and satisfying, it was too small to be worth the ~$25 she paid for it. If I had seen a dish that wished I had ordered instead, or came across a great Groupon or something, I might give this place another chance, but $50 (my entree and one glass of red wine) is a high price to pay for the underwhelming experience I had here.
(3)Emma S.
I had no real expectations coming here. I was definitely surprised at the decor; it feels kind of hippie and casual, and is a huge dining room, which to me is all good. We came for dinner, and were sat right on time for our reservation. I ordered a cocktail that sounded unusual; I asked the waiter about it and he said, "You either love or hate it. I hate it." I decided to live dangerously, and loved it (it was really strong!). I really appreciated his honesty and willingness to take time chatting about it with me, even though the place was packed. The food was excellent too, with a really varied menu that is accessible for vegetarians. They have these quinoa life-alive inspired bowls that are healthy, affordable, and looked delish (a friend got one of those). Would definitely come back here too!
(4)Melanie F.
The lamb nachos were delicious. I have never heard of such a menu item and HAD to give it try I was not let down! My entree was the pork chop and it was quite a meaty serving I was overstuffed after the nachos. Debbie was a helpful and charming server who showed me and boyfriend a great first time.
(5)Voravut R.
Almost every aspect of this establishment was off putting. We choose to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday at midnight here. The music & atmosphere drew us in but immediately after having our IDs checked the trouble began. A manager stopped us on the stairs on the way down & declared that his establishment is a classy place for adult & told us he would not stand for any boisterous behavior like high fiving, hooting or hollering. Mind you that even though my friend was turning 21, most of the party was well versed in adult beverages & our ages reflected that. Our party looked passed it & headed to the bar to start celebrating. The bartender seemed not to know how to pour a drink. It took him over 5 minutes to take 7 drink orders & most of them were beers. Again we looked passed this & headed to a table, of which there was many. Strange for a Saturday night but a nice surprise. We settled into a few tables & after a few minutes a hostess came over to tell us that these tables were reserved for table service only. Once again not trying to harp on the negative we requested menus to fulfill the request of the hostess. Fast forward 15 minutes, no menus, not even one server came to ask us for anything, no water, no refills on our clearly empty glasses, just dirty looks. Some of the worse service I have ever had anywhere. Now for the few positive notes, the initial staff member who checked our ID was very nice & congratulated our newly anointed 21 year old, the music was pleasant & the atmosphere was nice but the way we were treated, scolded & ignored would lead me to say that I will never revisit or recommend this establishment to anyone. Fortunately we walked to Charlie's instead & had a great time.
(1)Jacqui M.
Wish I could give a rating of 0 starts. I came here with a friend last Tuesday night. I ordered the mussels and frites (which were okay) while my friend ordered the burger (which he liked). Unfortunately I spent the rest of the night sick and in the ER due to food poisoning which they found was due to seafood. I called the management to at least see if I could get a refund on my meal and they refused. This restaurant has the WORST customer service and I will never come back.
(1)Geoff P.
Phenomenal place that is not a hotel at all but a restaurant with terrific food and drinks. The woman I was with started off with a fresca cocktail while I had a mango margarita. We then sampled some of the different wines they had on the menu-- the waiter was a terrific help here. The food was amazing. I had the blackened swordfish tacos, and she had scallops (I am not a scallops fan, but she thought it was great). Overall great atmosphere for a romantic dinner and the service was excellent. Also I am not usually a jazz fan but really enjoyed the different sets here.
(5)Peter D.
Great drinks, service, and atmosphere! Would gladly recommend for dinner, drinking, or partying. Oh, and the music was awesome.
(5)Holly A.
First things first, this is the first review I have ever written, The Beat Hotel bothered me this much! I had been interested in going to the Beat Hotel for a while, so because the restaurant was participating in Boston's Restaurant week I thought it would be a good time to go and get a nice sample of their menu. When we arrived they made no mention of Restaurant week and had no set 3 course menu for the advertised $33 (on Boston Restaurant Week webpage). When we asked the waitress if the restaurant was indeed participating she explained that they do not do anything special but the menu items highlighted in red would get you to the price. This still confuses me because it was supposed to be 3 courses for $33 but my appetizer and main equaled that and our bill still seemed like $30 more expensive than it should of been. Okay, well not what I expected. What they had was just lame, french onion soup, house salad, side salad. I ordered a side salad. What came out was just wrong. It was romaine lettuce with a few tomatoes and sliced radishes and what tasted like Kraft Italian dressing. I should mention that earlier that same day I had gone to Grafton Street in Cambridge and had an awesome side salad that featured micro greens, blue cheese crumbles, a sliced pear and a delicious vinaigrette, for $1 less I might add. As for our main course options, all lame again, a uninspiring pork chop, mussel frittes and a basic no meat added Inca or Earth bowl. I settled for the Mussels and Frites. The fries were great, they were seriously over salted but as a person who can deal with too much salt on her fries I forgive it. The mussels were okay, I could not figure out how I felt about the broth they were in. I ended up leaving a lot of mussels in the bowl, which is not something I would normally do. Dessert was god awful. I had their deconstructed cannoli. Gross, no other word, just nasty. My boyfriend ordered the chocolate cheesecake, which was okay, it tasted great compared to my cannoli but nothing special. Overall I felt that while the ambiance is cool and the bar, a nice looking place to meet some friends for a drink, the food was SUCH a let down as was the menu and I felt like what we got for what we paid for was a huge scam. I will not go back for dinner or any other meal again.
(2)Steve B.
Meh. The food looked good and the drinks were good, but everything was overpriced by a bit and I really didn't like the wide open layout it made the place feel cavernous and made it easy to notice all the empty seats.
(3)Brian H.
I've been here twice and both visits were just amazing! The staff is super friendly and the music is so fine! I had the braised beef lasagna with a few cocktails. I've always been a fan of The Bee Hive and I was more impressed with this place.
(5)Ed D.
Great service by bartender Andrew from Kansas City. The drinks are awesome and there's a great variety. The atmosphere is very cool. Eclectic decor. Had drinks and appetizers at the bar. Duck meatballs, octopus and shrimp salad, oysters and mussels were all delicious!
(5)Jordan M.
A few weeks ago we came into the Beat Hotel to enjoy some live jazz music and an afternoon cocktail. We were promptly greeted by our bartender, Michael Kane and little did we know we were in for a treat. Michael was the best bartender I have been served by in my life. He was educated, entertaining, polite and friendly. He made our experience so much fun and unforgettable, we now plan to make a point to visit Michael in the future. Michael is the text book definition of an all-star employee and if I owned a restaurant I would have done anything to get him to work for my company. Beat Hotel, you are very lucky to have him! He is the kind of employee that will keep your customers coming back for more! We will be back for sure because of our amazing experience with Michael.
(5)James S.
I came here for an event that was booked and reserved several days ahead do time for a corporate outing. The manager and bouncers refused to let us in. Why? Because they had sat people in our section and did not have anymore room. They made up several stupid reasons why we couldn't get in but all I had to do was pull up the emails I had with another manager on my phone to prove them wrong. They got belligerent and acted very childish and refused to give names when I asked them. The best part was the place wasn't even that busy, they just spread the guest out in the restaurant. I will never come back here and suggest trying any one other restaurants around.
(1)Janet Y.
Decent food and nice live entertainment. What really left a foul taste in my mouth was our openly rude waitress. Inattentive service is one thing, but repeatedly slamming drinks down is really unacceptable behavior. I have no idea what we did to offend her, but even then, how is acting unprofessionally going to help the situation? If I needed to be talked down to, I would just go to a bar in Back Bay. Of course, she was nicer towards the end of the meal. Oh, so now this jerk is thinking about her tip? Should've thought about that when we got seated. I wanted to talk to a manager, but my friends didn't want me to "embarrass" them. Sorry, but when service is really bad, something needs to be said. At least there's Yelp!, I guess... It's too bad because we did enjoy the food, especially the duck entree and mussels appetizer. But if you get the artificial red-head waitress, have fun testing your patience! That woman is a disgrace to the generally overworked, underappreciated food service industry workers who can perform their jobs without behaving so repugnantly.
(2)Buda M.
The place just reopened a few days ago. We made a reservation for 30 people. Even though the bar was half-empty, they made us wait in front of the bar just to create a fake impression that the place is popular. When asked for clarification, the guys were just enjoying the role of authority. Another nonsense for the new place were prices: everything is at least 30% more expensive than in other places. ($10 for french fries??!) I don't know about the other customers, but this bar will not see many of HKS students again.
(1)William M.
This place deserves every single star. We got a reservation for 4 on a Thursday night ( this place is hopping all the time, apparently!) and when we showed up almost 20 min early the table was almost ready for us (even though all tables were full). Service was great, fast and attentive. We ordered lasagna, earth bowl, a hamburger, and two appetizers, lamb nachos and shredded brussels sprouts with smoked salmon. EVERY SINGLE THING WAS DELISH!! A note on the appetizers: do not assume they are half the size of the regular entrees. They're not. It was like getting two separate entrees - they were HUGE! Especially the nachos. I was kinda confused since they were half the price of the reg. entrees. But not complaining ;) We sat right next to the stage but the music was nice and not too loud to still carry a conversation. The first gig is 8pm-8:30, and the next one started at 9 pm and looked a little more entertaining but we had to get going - wish we could have stayed and enjoyed some more. Would definitely come back again!!
(5)BP Y.
The only thing I would complain about this place is that food was too salty. Live music makes it special in Cambridge. Overall very good service!
(4)Paul C.
Came here for Cinco de Mayo - it was awesome. They had the mariachi band which was fun. The food was really good - their menu offerings seem pretty broad which is one reason we plan on returning. The layout and atmosphere is also really cool - very open and more natural light than I would expect for being below ground.
(4)Briana G.
I came here for brunch for a friends' birthday, and was extremely disappointed start to finish. First, after placing our order, it took over an hour for our food to come out. Once it finally did, it was lukewarm at best, clearly having been sitting in the kitchen for a while. My two friends and I all ordered the same earth bowl, which turned out to be a bad choice once my friend (whose birthday it was) found a maggot larvae in his food. This turned all three of our stomachs and our breakfasts went just about untouched. We informed the server, who informed the manager, and both tried to make light of the situation, joking that "sometimes maggots get into bags of quinoa." They didn't charge my friend for his food, but sadly two of the uneaten earth bowls were still on our bill. To make up for the problem, they gave us all "VIP cards" which they said we could use to get to the front of the line at any time. Lo and behold, I came back a few weeks ago (for drinks ONLY) and was told by the bouncer that VIP cards were not being used that night, and I had to go to the back of the line. Although I do understand that sometimes accidents happen in restaurants, the way the matter was handled by the waitstaff and manager was completely unacceptable. Needless to say I will never pay for their ridiculously overpriced food or drink again.
(1)Divie E.
Dear Beat Hotel - After nearly one year of being one of your loyal patrons - attending weekly jazz nights and encouraging fellow members of the Harvard community to also spend copious amounts of money in your establishment - I am saddened that for the first time in my life, I was denied entry into your restaurant on the morning of Friday, August 28, 2014 for not having a passport or a Massachusetts state ID. It's not the embarrassment of having recommended your bar as a stop along the Harvard GSAS Grad Student Residence Hall Pub Crawl last night, or being with several other students who were excited because I had highly recommended your establishment, that really gets to me, but that in all of the screen shots I have of your website, your twitter page, and outside your restaurant on that day, there is not one indication that an American well over the age of 21 with a government-issued ID would be required to have 1) traveled to the world or 2) change citizenship to enter into your bar. I'm suspicious of what your doorman and your manager, AJ, said - that the policy was started on that day - and I remain confused about how my Michigan driver's license is not, as your website indicates, "proper 21+ ID." I find it a sad reflection of our society when my mom - who I also brought to your bar once - encourages me to appease you. And frankly, while I understand according to Massachusetts policy that you have the ability to deny entry based on this criteria, and as a U.S. citizen with government-issued ID over the age of 25, I am very concerned with your inconsistent application of this policy. This lack of transparency and tact will further discrimination in this community. I will continue to share this experience with others in the Harvard community and beyond in my network. I would highly encourage you to publicly post this newly-enforced policy to avoid losing other loyal patrons. Cambridge, Harvard, Beat Hotel - I thought I missed you a over the summer, but you know what I didn't miss? Discrimination.
(1)Mason H.
Beat hotel usually has great music. However the service was fucking miserable tonight. The women at the hostess stand were just rude and not even close to nice to us. Hostess stand is your first contact with the restaurant - they need to be unfailingly nice to customers. If you need to get someone to be mean make it be the manager.
(2)Darci N.
Enter Friday night, the end of a VERY long week, and an agreement made with a friend on Tuesday that we would have a "girls night out!" Ugh. Regretting Tuesday. A few friends bail, and we re-route our plan due to rumor of West African drumming happening at some new somehow-related-to-the-Beehive-place. A big fan of live music, and in particular, drumming, my friend and I rush through the doors like children on Christmas morning. The musicians were in between sets, so we giddily cozied up to the bar and got our drinks. The place was pretty crowded, and we were standing next to the service bar. My only complaint was getting asked to move further away from the service bar (I get it, I'm in the way, but where else would you like me to stand?), and then with each move further, still getting asked to move further away. They were finally satisfied when my drink was sitting on the bar, and I was a good four feet away from it, not even able to reach it. I swear I showered. The space was absolutely beautiful, and the service was friendly and attentive. Live music at no additional cost/cover charge -- amazing. Worth paying a few more $$ on the food/drink knowing you're getting an incredible experience as well. We didn't try the food, but they appeared to have a pretty comprehensive drink list. Lots of tapped wine options, if you're into ecologically friendly wine practices. Oh, I guess I have one more complaint. No dancing. Though hilarious to watch security asking people to stop bopping to live, invigorating, West African drumming; please get your Cabaret License ASAP.
(4)Tim B.
Stumbled on this place for brunch and was surprised to see how large the subterranean space was, with two long bars flanking the right side of the room and a small stage at the far back. Colorful examples of quasi-primitive art dotted the place. There was a jazz trio quietly noodling away at Christmas standards while we dug into our food. My wife got the veggie omelette while I opted for the American breakfast. It was hard to pass up the Sun Ra earth bowl but as we wanted breakfast, the veggie homage to Herman Blount will have to wait for another time. The prices are kinda high but the food was uniformly excellent and there was more than enough of it. The bacon in particular gets high marks. Crispy and thick, very lean. Not a huge fan of truffled scrambled eggs but they were OK. Maybe they can do over easy next time. Salad is kind of a weird side for breakfast but was tasty. Even weirder was frites but they were really good. The place looks like its got a good beer list and may be a good place to pre-game before a show at The Sinclair.
(4)Joshua R.
This review is for drinks only, because I've never actually been able to get a table there. We always decide to go too late for reservations, and you're basically not going to get a table if you just show up. The drinks are pretty expensive, but they make up for it with the phenomenal live music - normally jazz.
(4)Lauren M.
Harvard Square's hippest new spot for a no-cover evening with live music, great food, and amazing drinks!
(5)Emily S.
This place was great! Went on a Friday night for 7:30 reservations with a group if four. The atmosphere here is really funky and cool, would be a great date spot too. A live jazz band came on while we were eating and they were so seamless that we didn't even notice that we were enjoying live music at first! We got a buffalo cauliflower appetizer, which was really good to try if you like buffalo sauce. I got the mahi mahi fish tacos for dinner, which were good but not the best I've ever had, but the rice and beans it came with were very yummy. My friend got the duck and raved about it, particularly the orzo it came with. Drinks also look good and very different, although I got a beer for myself. The only downside to the beat hotel is the price. Drinks were average $12 and entrees were $25+. So if you want someplace where you can stick around to drink, I would pick someplace else, or come here for dinner and one drink and go someplace else after. I would definitely return here and try something else on the menu like the ribs or the vegetarian lasagna.
(4)Louise K.
We only went to have a drink and listen to some live jazz. We had a drink called "American Breed": MAKER'S MARK, ST. ELDER ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR, APPLE CIDER. Highly recommended! Many of the drinks sounded sweet, this was poured on the rocks after being shaken. The apple cider is not evident but must give the drink the balance. The music was good, the service was excellent, loved the atmosphere. The food looked good but we had already eaten.
(4)John E.
Very cool place. Had the Hamachi sushi appetizer and it was delicious. Great atmosphere.
(5)L K.
I've made this place my favorite go-to place for anything from my finance friends living in Beacon Hill, my HBS and HLS classmates, and dates. Aside from the lack of hot people among patrons that's typical of Boston (so not Beat's fault). there is only real problem that keeps this otherwise fine establishment from becoming the place that engenders the kind of memories that hotspots like Club Passim used to for locals during my aunt's time on campus: the Staff. I had my birthday party here, have had over ten dates here, other birthday parties and dinners. Every time, the employee serving us drinks or food has been aloof. But not in a cool New York or sexy LA way that people (including myself) clearly like. I raised this at my friend's birthday party at Beat last night, and one of us said "it's almost like they were told to act like that on purpose--it's artificial" which a lot of us agreed with. You're in Cambridge--Harvard Square of all places--you are overweight, bald, old-looking, or pinchy-faced. WHY are you ignoring people trying to wave you down for a fork for her friend's birthday cake? The virtue of Boston nightlife is that people are friendly even when there's extreme demand. You know you're not a 10 living in The City and you know that the value system that runs our town and places like Harvard is different than in New York. Stop trying. Your servers are not aspiring actors and actresses hoping to make it big in LA or screenwriters moonlighting at night as bartenders in The City--you are in Cambridge. Stop trying to make fetch happen.
(3)Jency P.
Really enjoyed the brunch menu and the atmosphere with the music. The inner decor is absolutely lovely as well. Staff was nice as well. Tried their mimosa, coffee cake, and their pancakes. Coffee cake: absolutely delicious... it's extra sinful with the honey butter mmmm~ so good. Pancakes: Very generous portion and very good. The compote I think though had a bit too much of rhubarb or something cus it seemed a bit tart. But it nevertheless still pretty good. I tried a bite of short ribs eggs benedict. It was pretty good...not my cup of tea because I don't particularly love that much meat in the morning. Also, the best thing I enjoy about an Eggs Benedict is its simple taste with the Hollandaise sauce. However, I think the brisket taste kind of overpowers the palate. Overall, I think the price of the brunch menus are quite reasonably for the atmosphere and the music. I recommend checking this place out!
(4)Elie H.
I went to the Beat Hotel for Brunch on Sunday. It was a lot of fun and the ambiance is totally cool. A mix of mid 20s to 50s crowd. A Jazz Trio was playing in the background at a comfortable sound level which was good for conversations. The selections on the Brunch are basic except for the bowls which are very unique and a good healthy choice if you don't want the usual breakfast dishes or burgers. The shrimp, Roasted Artisanal Vegetables, 5-Grain Pilaf, Pumpkin Tahini Sauce was delicious ( there was no need for the extra sauce, the food is flavored enough) The Gotham Project Cabernet was a great wine. Overall my experience was great.
(4)Libby R.
Came in for drinks before going to dinner reservations elsewhere. I definitely liked the space and the funky decor was unique and cool. The band was also great and hit that sweet spot of being loud enough that they were not just background music, but not so loud that they were overwhelming the people eating at tables close by. Wine selection was decent, and mixed drink was a-okay. It was easy to get the bartender's attention and he was quick. I'll likely be back to give the food a try.
(3)Bethany K.
My friends and I typically love this place, but last night we saw a different side. The atmosphere is awesome and drinks tend to be a bit pricy especially the wine on tap which was 15 buck per glass. When I first ordered a drink from the bartender she gave me such attitude and told me to look at the drink menu. I brushed it off and thought ok maybe she's having a bad night whatever no big deal. But then the manager spilt a drink all over my friend and did not even apologize. I said "i think you owe us a drink for that" and he said absolutely not. The staff was ridiculously rude here and even after my friend is soaked in cranberry juice he continued to be rude. He could tell we were upset so he offered to pay for dry cleaning and never even gave us his card. We left shortly after and were astounded at how rude all of the staff were to us. Then we were talking about how rude the staff was and they approached us to leave for having the conversation!! I was shocked.
(1)Hubert H.
Dropped a star because of some over-pricing on some of the food. Had a so-called 'stuffed lobster' dish - there was barely any lobster meat, and too much bread stuffing mixed in in general. However, the short rib lasagna was nice and rich, and very flavorful. The music was excellent as well, and once again it's nice to have a venue like this in Harvard Sq that mixes food, music, and drink.
(4)Lucy L.
Went for thanksgiving dinner. This place gives absolutely no notice for lines and they ran out of turkey when we ordered. They should've given notice before we sat down, I found this to be very unprofessional.
(1)Keith F.
Once again I didn't believe the yelps about the reservation problems but it happened to us SCREW THAT MANAGER AND HIS TOTALARION TREATMENT OF CLIENTS UR R AN ASS and I left with my party and spent 245.00 dollars at NUBAR
(1)Brianna S.
Good food, good drinks, terribly slow service. One bartender at 130p on a Saturday for the whole bar and restaurant. Sat at the bar for 15 minutes without any acknowledgment until someone else came out.
(2)Oliver S.
Came in for brunch this morning and the hostess wouldn't let me in with the 6oz of cappuccino I had just gotten at Crema next door. "No outside food or drink." And acted like she was doing me a favor by not sending me outside to finish it. What kind of a pathetic excuse for hospitality is this? As an admitted snob about my coffee, I have brought my own coffee to brunch in many, many places and never been rudely refused service before. If I hadn't been meeting friends (who were already seated), I would have left and not spent $30 on brunch. I certainly won't be back. You got a second star because the food was pretty good.
(2)Parissa S.
The ambiance and decor are inviting. I love the fact that there's daily live quality music without a cover, yet you can still have a conversation. I would come back for that reason alone. The layout is unfortunate, though; there is no space for dancing. The bartenders are friendly and there's a unique selection of wines on tap and pricey cocktails. The beer list is limited, but they did have Fluffy White Rabbits. I wouldn't come back for dinner. I've had less expensive and more enjoyable experiences getting drinks and an appetizer at the bar. We waited for our table on a Saturday night despite getting a reservation for 9 pm beforehand, service was slow (maybe they need to hire more servers), and the entrees were overpriced. Our group was underwhelmed by the steak, chicken, and clam chowder. The salmon tartar was my exception; I would order that again at the bar. Makes the most sense to get a drink here and experience some live music.
(4)Sat C.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE: EXTREMELY RUDE BOUNCER AND MANAGEMENT...AVOID THIS PLACE When Beat Hotel was relatively new, I used to frequent this place and introduced it to a lot my friends. it was one of my favorite spots. After a gap, I went there recently with a bunch of friends for dinner. My friends arrived before us and were having a drink inside waiting for my wife and I to join. When we arrived there was no line, we showed the bouncer our IDs but he rudely asked us to step aside and wait till he asked us for the IDs. He asked us what we were there for and if we had a reservation. He called in to the hostess stand to verify if we really had a reservation. I didn't know which friend had put their name down so I called my friends who were inside to ask them which one us had the name on the reservation. With an extremely dismissive and aggressive attitude he said that till I give him the exact name he wouldn't let us in. After such a heavy handed treatment, we started losing out desire to eat and spend any money in this place. I asked to speak to the management. The manager came to speak with us. He too was extremely rude and totally ineffective in handling the situation. He couldn't find the reservation and finally managed to find our name and didn't even apologize for the misunderstanding. I told him how arrogant and rude the bouncer was and told him that he was acting as though he was doing us a favor in allowing entry to the restaurant. The manager instead of apologizing, said that we should should respect the bouncer instead. All my friends came out and witnessed this and decided to leave their drinks unfinished and eat elsewhere. As we were leaving, the bouncer told us that we made a wise decision by leaving. We were flabbergasted by the treatment we received even though I was a loyal patron. Some has terribly changed in Beat Hotel and they need a lesson in how to treat customers. They are not doing us a favor in letting us in their bar/restaurant. There are plenty of other fine establishments will be willing to treat us properly and win our loyalty and business. Needless to say, my friends and I will never step into Beat Hotel ever again!!
(1)Kyra T.
A great addition to the square. The space is large and bohemian chic. Plenty of bar seating and easily recognizable to the Beehive vibe. It boasts long bars and lots of seating. In the far back there is a stage for performers. The drink list is eclectic and funky. The draft list is not long, but has quality craft beers. There was a drummer and a pianist playing light jazz while we ate our dinner which was extremely enjoyable. Given the size of the restaurant and the live music it was still easy to have a conversation -- major plus. Food was very good here. The portions were generous (you get what you pay for). Service was good.
(4)Sam M.
Ordered mussels. 14 bucks for 13 mussels. That's like a 1.08 per. You can buy mussels for 3 bucks a huge bag. Bartender was nice, but Jim Beam was 8 bucks. Nuts. Boston prices are a parody of themselves. This bar is tragically hip, but you know what would be actually hip, counter-culture, and genuinely "artsy"? Normal, human being, reasonable, anti-uber-capitalist prices. Like 6 bucks for cheap bourbon and 10 bucks for mussels. Whatever.
(2)George M.
I frequent Harvard Square, and I would like to give these guys a good review, but just too many bad factors. First off, we had a reservation there, and they tried to place us in this general area which was "non-reserved". When we asked to be seated in one of the better tables, the response was "we are saving those", without any additional explanation. At that point, there couldn't have been more than 10 people in the place (6:30PM dinner on a Sunday). Needless to say, had a terrible round of drinks and left. Second, the drinks were over-priced and not good at all. Finally, during our 10-15 minutes in the restaurant, I noticed two people return their plates. I have no idea why, but did see the plates go back; never a good sign. Walked by 2 hours later, on the way back to the car, and noticed that there wasn't more than 10 people in there; so why try to hold the tables? The good; they had some interesting and obscure music playing in the background, which I thought was a good Harvard Square "fit".
(1)Anna B.
This place is noticeably more casual than Beehive so if you don't want to dress up on a slushy night this may be the option for you. Thoroughly enjoyed Beat Hotel. The music is the right volume that you can hear it well enough but still talk. The duck, short ribs lasagna, crispy tuna roll app, pate and red velvet dessert were all tasty. I think the duck was the favorite though there was something else on the plate with the duck that was supposed to be corn pudding but I think was actually a yellow sponge from the kitchen. If there hadn't been a piece of corn visible I would have no doubt that's what it was. Seriously though we'd had enough food we didn't care. Service was attentive. The prices are on the high side for Harvard Square but considering the live jazz and good service it's understandable. The music wasn't outstanding the night we were there but it wasn't bad either. I considered 5 stars but Beehive is still the better option for the same prices - and somehow I spent a lot more than I usually spend at Beehive - I think the wine on tap adds up faster then you expect because it's harder to gauge the amount you're drinking. (Don't you hate it when that happens?)
(4)Tanya G.
I absolutely loved our dinner here last night! The food, decor, music, bar, just the overall vibe was fantastic! I would recommend this place to anyone! Hubby had the short rib lasagne and I had the earth bowl with skirt steak! Both were equally delicious! Portions are on the smaller side. But more room for dessert! Had the coconut red velvet cake, which was to die for! Tap wine is a must and the bar makes a mean old fashioned! Can't wait to go back :)
(5)Robert R.
I Should Have Skirted the Skirt Steak Although this was a disappointing first visit, I wouldn't call it a total disaster. The atmosphere is inviting and wide open, softly lit and comfortable. The service was excellent, although the friendliness felt just slightly forced (fierce smiles). Here's what we had and how it rated: Two Appetizers: The Smokey Chipotle BBQ Spare Ribs were tender, flavorful, and fall off the bone easy to eat. Perhaps they could have been a bit more spicy (more heat), but we loved them! The Crispy Tuna Springrolls were excellent too. One large roll was sliced in half on the diagonal. The wraps were light and crunchy, the tuna and greens inside were fresh, and the sauce complemented well. Very well executed. Two Entrees: The FAROE ISLAND SALMON with Cous Cous, Lentils, Spinach, Carrot Miso Puree was okay. The salmon was cooked properly. Most of the flavor was in the skin, but that's fine. My dining companion enjoyed it, however the accompanying cous cous was undercooked and tasted of uncooked pasta. The SKIRT STEAK with Frites, Peppercorn Jus, and Pickles was heinous. I believe skirt steak should not be on the menu if you aren't familiar with its characteristics and how to prepare it. I ordered mine cooked MEDIUM because I know skirt steak can be stringy. Preparing it rare can be disastrous. You can go medium rare if you marinate it and season it properly and then slice it with the grain into serving size pieces. Unfortunately, my skirt steak was prepared blood rare and served as one large piece plopped smack atop of a large pile of thinly sliced undercooked very brown potatoes (frites). I struggled cutting the stringy steak. It had a minimum of seasoning. After a bite or two, I lifted the steak off the pile of potatoes and put it aside to try the potatoes. (Why did they plate the steak on top of the potatoes anyway?) Trying to cut into a potato slice, my steak knife had a tougher time than with the steak. The potato was like leather. I was baffled. I chewed on a piece of potato. It was definitely undercooked and saturated in grease, which made it rubbery, REALLY rubbery. I do not exaggerate. I had to stop trying after poking a few more potatoes with my fork and knife and not being able to pierce them. What did they do to them? After the nice appetizers, my skirt steak plate was a sad let down. I didn't love the steak. I couldn't eat the potatoes. They transformed them into something that bore no resemblance to potatoes. There was no white potato flesh to be found. Thin, brown slices of rubbery ick. (Okay, I'll stop.) I shared my skirt steak with my dining companion, but it was slow work chewing on that. Our server stopped by soon after we were served and I pointed out that my steak was rare instead of medium, as I had ordered. She offered to take it back, but I declined because experience has taught me that sending back food is an exercise in futility. Restaurant food rarely comes back quickly, or improved, once you've sent it back. Besides, don't you worry they might get funky with it? As our plates were being cleared, I explained my disappointment to a friendly bus person who promised to pass along my comments. Soon after, the concerned manager came and listened with great patience as I explained my dissatisfaction with my entree while at the same time heaping praise on the appetizers. The manager explained that the restaurant is new and the kitchen was just trying out the potato dish. She expressed genuine interest in my feedback about the skirt steak and the frites, and she made every effort to make us feel valued. She also offered to pay for my entree, which I felt was the right thing to do. It wouldn't be fair to ask me to pay $24 for what was served to me. Including our appetizers and sodas, our bill (with the one entree taken off) was about $75. We tipped well for the excellent service. I'll conclude by saying the vibe at this restaurant is very good. The food needs to follow suit in order to generate repeat business. Nothing should leave the kitchen that wouldn't delight a patron. I would not discourage anyone from trying Beat Hotel for dinner. (For now, just take a cue from what I ordered and hopefully you'll "skirt" any disappointment.)
(3)Lucinda C.
The decor is beautiful, nice long bar, one of the few places that opens at 4. The food I've had has been great, the rib appetizer, buffalo cauliflower, the earth bowl... The drinks are meh that are on the menu. But, the bartenders will make whatever you want and some of the bartenders are really great at whipping up something you will love. The menu is pretty diverse so it is a crowd pleaser. I haven't gone for music yet, but will someday. Overall a nice place.
(4)Megan S.
The ambiance is awesome and the bartenders pour heavy...at least ours did! Live music and good drinks what more could you want?!
(5)Carly B.
Classy, hip brunch spot near Harvard Square. I have not looked into whether there is actually a hotel associated, but I dug the underground location with a live jazz band playing on Sunday morning and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There was also no wait for two spots at the long bar. What I really appreciated about their brunch offerings were hearty-yet-not-heavy offerings. I had an Azteca Bowl with eggs and it came with quinoa, corn, salsa, and vegetables. Great flavors and I didn't feel like I needed to be rolled out of there or take a nap (vital, when you're exploring the city on foot). I also enjoyed a bloody mary. Our bartender/server was friendly and attentive, despite having a very long bar to look after. Prices seemed a bit high on paper, but the quality/flavor of the food was in line.
(4)Wayne K.
Great vibe, great decor that hints of the 60s with a very current menu. If you're doing brunch, the warm, homemade coffee cake is a must. The array of breakfasts we ordered for brunch were amazing. Must return for brunch and try dinner.
(5)David H.
Stay here for the drinks and atmosphere, but don't bother with the food. The skirt steak is incredibly dry and the calamari tasted burnt and bland. They work with a high volume of customers so be prepared to either wait for 10+ minutes for table service when you get there (even with a reservation) or rushed out of the restaurant as you're trying to pay your check. Maybe with time this place could be great, but for a place that charges what it does for food and that advertises itself as the sister restaurant/bar to Beehive I really expected better.
(3)Nisha P.
A great place for a nice cocktail in Harvard Square. Everything is a little expensive for Boston, but the the cocktails are quite potent and delicious. I personally recommend American Breed, if you like whiskey! Beat Hotel also has live music every night, which is a cool perk! Tends to be a mixture of jazz, blues stuff. Very laid back and nice. Not too loud so you can still chat with people.
(4)Mick S.
Myself and my friend showed up at the beat motel last night a little after midnight, and I had to run straight into the bathroom for a pee. When I came out I saw my friend had been confronted by some Neanderthal bouncer who was yelling at him. I asked said Neanderthal what the problem was and he completely ignored me and told my friend to go outside to continue the discussion. Now understand, I'm 66 years of age and obviously not looking for trouble, (we had had a very nice evening thus far) and I felt I deserved some kind of response to my question . Anyhow, I led the way outside, and again I asked I asked him what the problem was. His answer was to tell us to go up the stairs because he "felt uncomfortable ". The arrogant prick, how did he think I felt, a grown man being treated like a teenage drunk....let me explain here I had to pee because I'd had a couple beers in a NICE place across the street where everyone was polite and courteous , but I was far from drunk. I got to the top of the stairs and turned again to ask him what the problem was, but by this time he was screaming at my friend....and I just gave up trying to understand. The man obviously has a violent disposition and to say the least is not diplomatic in any way shape or form which is a pretty scary disposition for a bouncer. If he had answered my thrice asked question the first time the whole situation would easily have been defused but he chose to ignore me an continue to yell..... We could had had a fun night there but it was ruined by a psychopathic head case....I'd never go back there, and I feel the management should look more closely at their staff....
(1)Gabrielle F.
Oh my gentle Jesus, their wildflower honey & lemon pancakes were the best I have ever had. Love the decor, wonderful service too. A must-go to when in Cambridge.
(5)Aziz A.
Very nice atmosphere , very good food and grate music ..I have recommend it to many friends , they enjoyed it ..
(5)Katie R.
Updating my review for another star because on a recent bar crawl for a friends life event Bryan the bar tender was pretty amazing and my friend liked this bar the best. Also pumpkin daiquiri. so there's that.
(4)Craig Lee B.
Un peu de tour-de-siècle Paris, au cœur de Harvard Square! A subterranean treasure, with just a hint of subversion to go with. Bartender Brian, aka thebostonbarman at tumblr.com , is a scholar and a gentleman, and constructs a "Henry's Kid's Sister's Horse RADISH!" par excellence (see photo). I kept expecting to see Satie, Stravinsky, Nijinsky, Gris, Miró, Le Corbusier, Leger, Toklas, Stein, Braque, Cezanne, Cocteau, Modigliani, Chagall, Matisse, Apollinaire and/or Picasso (who supposedly once said something to the effect that "I COULD have painted like Rubens... when I was 15!")... to saunter in at any moment. And maybe they'll be there, impossibly or not, the next time I return (and it shall be soon, and with friends!).
(5)Anya L.
My review is based on one visit for brunch. I should say that prior to this point, I visited Beat Hotel one or two other times and found the beer selection to be on par with other good places around Cambridge when considering variety and price. The proceeding review pertains to my first dining experience: A group of friends made a reservation at BH on a Sunday morning. We were forced to take an earlier reservation time as we were told that large groups were already expected at 11am. Okay, fine, so we take a 10am reservation. Once seated, drink orders were taken. And then we waited...and waited...and waited a bit more. It took awhile for our food orders to finally go in, which was a bit surprising because the place was not busy at all. On the plus side, the food came out quickly and almost all at once, which was appreciated. As to the food, I had the Azteca Bowl with poached eggs. The dish was good, but for $17, I definitely expected more. The dish lacked spice, and while it's nice to find a healthier option on a brunch menu, there wasn't much to make it a truly filling dish. Seeing how quickly several friends finished their meals, I sense that they also found their meals on the small side. Again, not so bad if the prices were less, but the cheapest dish was ~$15! That's quite hefty! Similarly, brunch drinks were crazy expensive. I wanted to order something fun, but the cheapest cocktail started at $11! Come on, now--it's one thing if you are serving a truly unique or different beverage, but if you are just combining a bit of champagne and OJ, you need not charge $11. I couldn't fork over that kinda money, and I have to admit, I'm glad I didn't after seeing how much I paid for the meal alone. So overall: ambiance is nice; service is cordial albeit slow; menu options are interesting but overpriced. If BH can balance price to performance, I think it will be a great Cambridge option. Until then, I'll likely just stop by for the occasional beer.
(3)Allison L.
Hip without being obnoxious! I came here with friends for my birthday but it was too late to get a big reservation so we hung out in the bar area until we finally got a big enough table. The wait staff were rooting for us and gave us great service. The food was fantastic from beginning to end. For someone with food allergies, it can be hard to eat out, but there were so many great options.
(5)Alyssa B.
Phenomenal brunch! Don't be put off by the slightly higher than average prices - the portions are huge! And this isn't your greasy diner breakfast, we're talking healthy, all-natural, top quality ingredients brilliantly paired for a truly enjoyable meal. Plus, who doesn't love live jazz accompanying your meal! The decor is fun and speakeasy-themed, the staff are friendly and attentive and the location can't be beat - right off the T. They change up the menu depending on what's fresh, but you can't go wrong with the veggie scramble. On this occasion, the eggs were scrambled with spinach, fresh mozz and something else that's escaping me. Served with a mixed greens salad topped with summer squash and lightly dressed with a vinaigrette, thick cut lightly buttered multi grain toast and the best breakfast potatoes this side of the Charles IMHO. Sliced long, extra crunchy, lightly salted and mixed with crunchy kale bits...potato perfection! Eat here immediately!!
(5)Tamara W.
I really liked this place! Came here around 9 on a Saturday and had no issue getting a table or a place at the bar around 11pm when we returned from bar hopping other places. I didn't eat the food but the drinks were OK and could be made to be less sweet (i.e. they happily substituted the juice for seltzer in the tequila drinks). I for sure would recommend it; their bathrooms are CLEAN and the hostesses and waiter was really nice as well. Also, I loved how it was not loud. I don't like live music really or jazz for that matter so was happy that even though they have "music" and advertise as such it was just a normal bar scene where it was easy to enjoy conversation vs. loud music! Will be back if I ever come to C-Bridge from Boston again!
(4)Karmen C.
Will definitely come again for the food and great vibe! I arrived on a weekday at around 5:30pm and the place was pretty empty but by the time I left all the tables were pretty packed! The service is great, but they do tend to be a little over attentive and ask you if you need anything every 15 minutes. We ordered the calamari and mussels for appetizers and these were pretty standard dishes. If you're in the mood for them definitely get them. For an entree I ordered the Salmon Aztec bowl (recommended by a lot of other yelp reviews) and was pretty happy with the dish - I would say it was a little too salty for my tastes though.
(4)Michael F.
I had a great time here, so I went two weeks in a row. I went for the 10AM brunch. A live band played for us twice. It was great atmospheric music - nothing too overpowering. Brunch options were great. Every standard offering I enjoy was available, but with a slight twist that made it stand out. The burrito was flavorful, savory, and filling. The pancakes I got the next week were soft, sweet, and delectable. And the coffee wasn't bad, to top it off. Great brunches, great experiences. More than I could ask for.
(5)Allison R.
If there's one thing I hate (and makes me decidedly American) at restaurants, it's waiting. I've been to the Beat Hotel twice and both times experienced pretty absurd wait times for either food to arrive or for the check. Both times, I sat at the back bar, and both times, drinks (and once, a large birthday cake) were awkwardly served between me and my friend. I ate there once and the food was fine, but we did order a dessert item (some kind of mascarpone/ricotta bowl with fruits) that was supposed to be garnished with balsamic, but was not. Otherwise, that dessert was fabulous, though. So points for the final course. Maybe it's just because it gets loud at the bar, but my most recent server didn't get me a water that I ordered (pet peeve) and didn't catch the guy wedged between me and my friend waiting with his tequila shot because he'd asked twice for a lime and salt and she didn't hear him. I've been sorely underwhelmed both times I've come here, and would really avoid it with so many options nearby.
(2)Jasmine C.
I went for brunch and got the Greek yogurt, which was wonderfully thick but definitely overpriced in terms of how much fruit/granola I got to actually deal with the thickness of the yogurt itself. The vibe is very much like a bar, quite dark and not great for photography as well as quite uncomfortable, but it certainly fits a certain aesthetic.
(3)Cristina R.
What's better than a live music brunch to jazz up a sleepy Sunday? Extra points if it makes you feel super hip. Cue Beat Hotel. Beat Hotel is not a hotel at all. I know. CRAZY, right? Misleading names are hip. As is the space. The funky interior decor of the large room features hemp. Hip hemp. The stage is on the far end of the restaurant, so from where we were sitting the music wasn't too loud and provided a nice backdrop to our conversation. If you're more into the jazz part of jazz brunch, try to sit closer to the stage because I kept forgetting about the performers. The waitress arrives and says she's here to "guide us through our brunch experience." We're pumped. Every brunch should be an experience. My buddies' bloody mary's are savory and spicey. They dig 'em. I order some tea, but for some reason the waitress brings a third bloody mary along with it. She's confused and asks if we want it. "Well... I don't really need another one. Will it just be thrown in the trash if we don't take it?" asks my thirsty but broke friend ($10 for a b'mary - no matter how tasty - is no joke). "Probably" is the only response my friend receives. We don't want to straight up ask our waitress if it would be free, but my friend assumes so and agrees to take it. I mean, we can drink it if we really have to. And the food? Also hip. Classic brunch staples with a twist appear alongside more nontraditional offerings like bowls a la Life Alive in Central. I opt for the Inca bowl which features a nice mix of quinoa, avocado, greens, hominy, and other tasty morsels. You can pick your protein, and I opt for poached eggs. It's brunch, after all. The eggs were not runny at all, so I don't know what they think a poached egg is, but the mix of goodness was yummy, filling, and at least seemed healthy. A brunch slam dunk. My other friend enjoyed her soy-based Earth bowl, and my more traditional brunch copatriot dug into her American breakfast featuring truffled scrambled eggs, bacon, and skinny frites that rivaled McD's in tastiness with far more class. Triple hip. The check comes around, and y'all this place ain't exactly cheap. We're disappointed to see that that extra bloody mary was in fact charged. Not hip. We were deciding whether we should be annoying and ask about it, when a manager comes up to our table saying that she heard us say something was "obnoxious" and wanted to see if it was something to do with the restaurant. The walls have ears! Embarrassing. We then explain the bloody mary mishap, and she agrees that it shouldn't have been charged. It was so nice of them to go out of their way to make sure we were pleased with our experience (albeit a little creepy that they were listening to our conversations.. who knows what else they heard)! A nontraditional, hip brunch experience is waiting for you at Beat Hotel. The mixture of delectable food, funky ambiance, and soothing live music makes me wish it actually were a hotel so I could stay longer.
(4)gina w.
I'm a fan of this place even if it's out of my way. thus, I don't get here often but I really like going here to hang in the bar area ...so fun!! such a good vibe here with the live music and comfortable but lively ambiance. Just visited for dinner the other evening and the service and food was very good. Didn't know what to choose and had the server describe two of the dishes: BBQ ribs and beef brisket ...both sounded wonderful but I opted with the beef brisket because it came with some broccolini.... Yum :) the salmon was so delicious ...seasoned and cooked to perfection - only had a bite but wish I could have had more. Also love the half glass of wine ...it was fun to try different ones. can't remember the cocktail but it's some kind of julep ...I have to come back for this cocktail next time!
(4)Fred R.
Very cool, trendy environment with great drinks. Live music on weekend nights makes the atmosphere that much swankier.
(5)Amy B.
This is a hidden gem in Harvard Square and the food is consistently delicious. Everything is always fresh and healthy. I highly recommend the bowl azteca and the fish tacos. You can never go wrong with the crispy tuna rolls. And if you aren't feeling adventurous, order the burger and you won't be disappointed. The specialty cocktails are tasty and refreshing and the servers are always smiling. Beat Brasserie has my vote!
(5)Ashley C.
Honestly, love this restaurant. Went here with a few friends for the Sunday jazz brunch. The music was perfect, it sounded good, but it wasn't so loud that you couldn't have a conversation in a normal tone of voice (definitely a low point with some live music). The food was delicious, and I thought the prices were very fair for the amount of food you get! If I had to choose one issue, it may be the side salad that comes with many of the dishes. I thought it was potentially a little overdressed with the vinaigrette, so some of the greens were a bit soggy, but I still enjoyed it! Thanks for a good brunch!
(5)Tin P.
Stop by beat hotel for a quick drink and some snacks with my long lost Boston hommies. I got American Breed as a drink since i love Whiskey and roasted pork nachos as a snack. Drink: It is a wonderful drink, you can taste the apple cider blended with a good old Maker's Mark Bourbon. Tasty. I devoured the first drink and quickly get the 2nd drink. Totally recommend this drink to any whiskey lover! 4 stars Food: The Nachos is above average. There were a bit too much cheese on the nachos, perhaps overwhelming. I am not a cheese lover, but not a cheese hater either. This is still little too much cheese. 3 stars! Bar decoration: The bar is beautifully decorated with the hip ambiance. I also heard there is a live music at night at this hotel. Awesome! 4 stars. Overall, 4 stars for beat hotel's brasserie bar
(4)Wilma O.
The atmosphere here is AMAZING, the food and drinks - not so much. However, this gets 4 stars for being a unique and memorable spot that stands out from the other cocktail bars in the area. I'm a huge fan of the decor. It looks like a tropical tiki ship plus the Great Gatsby plus a hippie lounge. The jazz is nice yet not too loud to overwhelm any conversations. This is a great spot for a date, having a classy night out with friends, or grooving to music up front. The cocktails are so-so; although there are unique mixes - like blueberry purée with maple syrup - in reality there aren't any drinks that stand out in terms of taste. The wine is tasty (though almost all from CA) but pricey. The food is of the style where it seems gourmet but doesn't taste amazing. My friend and I shared the duck meatballs, and while the sauce was good, the meat was bland (and his grandma had a foie gras farm, so he knew his duck!). We also had the salmon tartar, which I felt had too many other flavors (too strong lemon and dill), overwhelming the niceties of raw salmon. The service is often very busy and hard to hail down, but friendly. The guy at the door is extremely friendly and has an uncannily good face memory! Overall, come here for the great, schnazzy atmosphere you don't find often in Boston, but you're not likely to find any food or dishes you'll fall in love with.
(4)E.G. S.
Excellent dinner here with friends last week. Had duck as entree it was so good I think I had tears. Had the bread pudding for dessert it was very good..subtle..not overpoweringly sweet. The management seemed s little forced, extra vigilant which isn't a bad thing except they had no sense of humor. We joked with our waiter a few times but he was just too ..something. The hosts were equally taciturn. Take the edge off people...
(4)Melody N.
As an fyi, we only came for drinks and music. They were playing live jazz music and we were able to get seated at a cocktail table. The bar was pretty crowded so it was good we were able to get a good view and get some drinks our way. Service was a little on the slow side at first but they were pretty tuned into when we needed refills once the ball got rolling. Mixed drinks were on the pricey side(running a little more than 10 dollars, and that would be for a cheaper end). I forgot the name of mine, but it was gin based, limey, and fizzy. It was really good and had good oomph. After watching "whiplash", hearing live jazz music was a treat. The food looked pretty interesting and sounded pretty organic but it looked expensive for a meal(mostly in $20 range). Overall great place for a night of lounge/jazz music and great place for drinks that isn't "i just turned 21, let's get shit faced' type of place.
(4)Minju K.
LOVE THE INTERIOR DESIGN of this place! The drinks are amazing too! The only thing that hesitates me is the price....
(4)Amanda M.
Service sucks here. It really sucks. Basically, here's how they operate: you walk in, put your name down, ask how long the wait is and get told it "looks good" you're the next table of four to be seated. They'll text you when it's ready. You wait 20 minutes. You see two tables of four get seated ahead of you. You check in with the hostess to see why this is. She tell you, oh, those people had reservations. Oh really, you say, then why did you lead me to believe I was next on the list for a table of four? She assures you that now, you really are next. No reservations ahead. You wait, 10 minutes, then 10 more. You watch a man approach the hostess and tell her she is grossly incompetent, that she has strung them along for over an hour, and they will never return. You start to get the feeling you won't be getting a table tonight. You inquire about the status of your table again. While doing this, you watch them seat people at a four person table they have now pulled apart to make two tables of two. You state your frustration. She continues to assure you that you really will be seated next. She refuses to give you a time estimate. It is at this point you convene with your group and decide to cut your losses, it's been close to an hour of waiting. You go to tell the hostess you won't be needing that table now, but she is nowhere to be found. You leave. You eat at another restaurant 75 feet away, with no wait, far better prices, and delicious food. You never do receive that text message....
(1)Anna S.
Super cool place! It's sort of underground - literally - like you walk down a half-flight to get there. Very unique and kitschy place with all sorts of incredible artwork, lighting and accessories. We went for Sunday Brunch which had live jazz, and sat at the bar with Michelle our server/bartender. All the food was incredible - short rib lasagna, roast pork nachos, eggs Benedict and banana bread/cake for dessert. My ONLY complaints are that 1) as someone who isn't native to Boston, the pricing was really expensive and 2) my lasagna was not fully heated-through. All in all - FANTASTIC experience.
(4)Jason N.
Nice casual restaurant with a really decent menu. We were recommended this place by the hotel staff up the road. After a little walk, we found this place in the middle of Harvard Square. We walked down the stairs into the cavernous room with a ton of people of all ages and a great Cuban band at the far end. It's really loud but a great ambiance and a fun vibe. They have a bunch of sustainable wines on tap and a good beer selection. The menu had some nice selections as well. We had the pork nachos for an app which were great. I had duck breast/risotto/greens and my co worker had the filet. Pretty good but the risotto was a little sweet for me. The staff was really nice and helpful and the pumpkin cheesecake dessert al la mode was unbelievable. Would definitely go back with a work group.
(3)Nicole W.
Beat Hotel desperately needs to review the cost to value ratio of their menu. I paid $25 ($30 with tip) for the saddest looking portion of salad ever. The bone of the chicken was the size of my pinky. There were two zucchini/squash shavings, a couple of pieces of shredded beets, a small handful of spinach and maybe one bunch of frisée. I suggest they drop the "big" out of the "big dinner salad" title ASAP. My roommate got the pork chop, also $25, and enjoyed it. The atmosphere was lively and the decor was impeccable. We waited about 35 minutes for our food, then another 10 minutes when they got my order wrong and forgot to bring my roommate a knife for her pork chop. Would come back for brunch, but won't be back for dinner.
(3)Emily A.
I wish I could give this this place five stars because I really thought it would be more popping than it was. Me and my gals went on a Friday night for the music and I just expected more. We listened to the first hour of music ready to buy drinks for the rest of the night but honestly, dare I say, it sounded like elevator music... For a Friday night? I did like my drinks though. I got the makers mark mixed drink which was really tasty. My friend tried a couple martinis which were sweet. The service was excellent and the manager personally checked in on us which I thought was a nice touch. That's why I'm giving you 4 stars instead of less. Might possibly try again but there's a few other live music joints in Boston that are much less boogey and more funky.
(4)Helia Z.
Sweet baby Jesus, this place was good! I went for their bluegrass brunch with my mom and we were both in such a wonderfully delicious food coma by the time we left. It's pricey like it's sister restaurant, The Beehive, but the food and ambiance was much better and worth it. The bluegrass band was more enjoyable than the jazz one at The Beehive. I'm dreaming of honey-lemon pancakes and the Aztec bowl. So much yum.
(5)Meg K.
First: I LOVE this place. The ambiance is great, the live music is super fun, and ohhh the buffalo cauliflower is what dreams are made of. However, I' haven't been back since they caused me a huge headache over my post-wedding brunch in May. You can read the full story in the previous review, but basically: 1) They promote themselves for large groups. 2) I called to make a reservation for a large group, 3) They said no, they didn't want to take a large group (EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD THE TABLE SPACE, 4) They never responded to my follow-up requests, 5) I ended up going around their event planner and just made four separate reservations to accommodate everyone in my party. It all turned out fine. When we arrived for brunch, they seated us at 4 large tables near each other (I think we had about 30 people in total). But the SUPER annoying part: their restaurant was half empty (or more). After this WHOLLEEEE thing and having them not want to accept my large reservation, they couldn't fill half of their tables. Wtf? If my group of 30 hadn't been there, the place would have been nearly empty. I'm the only reason they had any brunch business at all that morning-- but they were so worried about saving table space for their imaginary customers that they damaged their relationship with an existing one. Beat Hotel, if you're reading this: fire your event planner ASAP. She is losing money for your business. There's no need to make idle threats. I'll be back. I like the food, space, and music... but it's going to take a few more weeks for my temper to come back down.
(4)Kimberly C.
I met a friend here for dinner and we had good service, tasty meals, and a cool crowd that was solid from 6pm past midnight. The Maine Sole with kale and peas was perfectly crispy on the outside, salty and savory. They offer 3 pouring sizes for wines, making trying a couple even more fun. A couple of pinots polished off my meal nicely. Hands down, the Beat Hotel is the best conversion of a former boot store, and brings some much needed energy to the Harvard Square nightlife.
(4)Myrto B.
The food and drinks were great but I've never felt so rushed at a restaurant before! They would try to clear our plates and drinks before we were done. We went to have dinner and listen to music. If you knew anything about restaurants that offer live music.... It's not about turning tables. I'm sorry we took 2 hours to celebrate and eat dinner, but you don't have to push us out like that. If I wanted to eat a quick meal and leave, I would have gone to a fast food restaurant.
(3)Monique S.
As a jazz lover, I am always happy to find new venues that are jazz oriented. The Beat Hotel is in the same spot where the Tannery used to be. I made reservations on open brunch for the jazz dinner. We arrived a little early and were seated at the bar. There, I had the French onion soup. It was warm and cheesy, and the bread was delicious too. Once we were seated, the waiter was very attentive. The manager was as well and even charged my phone for me! I had a burger, but it was very well seasoned and hearty. My friend had a vegetable plate and loved it. The jazz was cool. They were probably Berklee students. The music was a great backdrop to dinner.
(4)Jerry S.
Ayayay! This place is awesome. Went last night after the World Cup game to celebrate and honor Bastille Day--there was no cover, a really hip decor, and a very talented Senegalese band! We tried some cool cocktails and sat right by the stage, eating delicious fried soft-shell crab, slow-cooked BBQ pork nachos, and some roasted duck! Yum. It's so cool because it's the same owners as the Beehive! It had people even though it was a Sunday--can't wait to go on a Thurs/Fri/Sat! Highly recommended.
(5)Michelle S.
I'm a huge fan of the ambiance more than the food. It's casual but hip, lively, and uplifting. It's a great place to enjoy drinks/appetizers (rather than dinner) with friends. I came for a birthday dinner and had an OK experience. The atmosphere was definitely the highlight of the meal, which isn't a terribly good sign. I ordered the earth bowl with chicken and the ingredients were high quality and fresh, which I appreciated. It was pretty tasty but I believe that for a ~$30 dish, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere.
(3)Paul R.
First time at Beat Hotel and we had a blast. Great ambiance, really funky decor. I didn't know that it is the same ownership as the BeeHive in the South End, another great place. Grabbed 2 margaritas, pulled pork nachos and the tuna spring rolls (which was an old Pho Republique dish). Great cocktails blended up by Michelle and the food was just what we wanted. Two huge bars make it easy to grab a seat. Only drawback was the nice weather and you are downstairs but I'm splitting hairs here. We will be back!
(4)Barbara A.
I am at an age now where I don't wait in line for anything anymore - no movies, no new iPhones, and not hip and trendy restaurants. If I can not make a reservation, too bad for me. It was my birthday and my cousins wanted to take me out so they made a reservation here. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I have been in search of the perfect Sidecar and although it is not listed on their menu, any good bartender worth their weight can make one. While not perfect (not cold enough), it was pretty darn close - not too sweet, not to bitter. We decided to just order a bunch of appetizers and split them. We got the bbq spare ribs, crispy tuna spring rolls, pork nachos, and buffallo cauliflower. Every thing we sampled wsa pretty good. My favorite and the stand out dish of the bunch was the cauliflower. I know what you are thinking but it was delicious and I don't even like cauliflower. I am not sure if it was fried up but it seemed crispy somehow and had the distinctive buffalo sauce and the obligatory blue cheese dip. It was so good that I am actually drooling as I write this thinking about it. My second favorite was the crispy tuna spring rolls. I am still new to eating tuna (never been my go to) but I thought it was well excuted. The ribs and nachos were ok - of the two, I would probably order the ribs again because they fell off the bone nicely but the pork nachos were uninspired. While it is nice that they have valet, I believe it is over-priced. Any experienced Harvard Square parker will find a spot and if not, they do validate for some of the lots close by in the area and for way less than valet.
(4)A.G. B.
Okay, this place is the bomb. Free jazz seven nights a week. Great cocktails and food...but I had really bad service here my first time visiting.. It was a guy with the worst body odor and halitosis known to man. If you're serving the public, you need to take care of this kind of thing...and if you can't recognize it, then the management should! That's just the beginning. Our server gave the duck tamale, when we had distinctly ordered the veggie option. Then, when the food server notified him, he came back up to our table and said "How is everything?"...pretending he had no clue what happened. He didn't even apologize. He didn't give us the dessert menu..just the check..we had to ASK for the dessert menu. We ordered it and the order came out wrong...on top of that he forgot our drink . He was lousy. I went back another time and we had much better service. I hope the management reads this and can let their wait staff know to wear under arm deodorant and suck on breath mints.
(3)Kárenly N.
I've tried so many nachos around Boston and none compare to the Pork Nachos from the Beat Hotel in Cambridge. Just a train ride away, I had the chance to indulge in Rosé wine and those heaven-like nachos. Went for the Peruvian night and the music was really enjoyable as well as the atmosphere. It's really the place to go on a free night.
(5)Leyani L.
Great spot to have brunch. The ambience was lovely. The band was so good. The staff is super cool and hip. If it was just closer to me i would be here every Sunday. But is still very close to the Harvard square T station. Is very spacious insude and for that they have the capability to seat big parties.
(5)Keo H.
The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for food, drinks and live music. I'd definitely be here again. I had the mango martini & blueberry martini all night. Both really good. You could smell the fruits, taste the fruits & you knew the alcohol was there. Not too strong, not too sweet & not watered down/bland taste. We ordered the: 1) PEI mussles - seriously good, fresh & flavorful. 2) Crispy tuna spring roll - came with side of soy sauce. The roll itself was "okay". But the deep fried roll was plated on top of something like cole slaw so it got soft & soggy. Why would you do that? Put the slaw on the side or on a different plate! 3) Grilled octopus - we had to return this dish as it was char burnt! (It did come out on a nice bed of lettuce though. Lol...) 4) Roasted wild mushrooms. This was surprisingly very good. Loved the flavor & texture of both the mushrooms & polenta. It was a busy Friday night & the service was rather slow like molasses. Although when I sat down, I asked the server to either wipe down the sticky counter or give me a wet napkin - she didn't do either. That totally bothered me. The live music, drinks & overall ambiance of this place is a decent enough reason to return.
(3)Julie D.
I came here for my 21st birthday after I was turned away from its sister restaurant, the Beehive, due to the size of our party. What a great twist of fate! We pretty much ordered one of everything on the menu, and the food was to die for! Good vibes and the absolute friendliest waitors! I can't believe I hadn't been here before, and I'll definitely be back soon.
(5)Renato C.
I suffered social abuse by a manager and staff who wouldn't let me and a group of friends properly finish our food and drinks.
(1)Jamie W.
Pros - Marvelous musicians. I have heard some good Latin music here including Mango Blues. - No cover charge despite good live music. - Large dining seating area. - Good vegan dish but limited options for vegetarians. Cons - No dancing. Be prepared to be evicted for not listening to the warning. Dancing is illegal in this bar despite the amazing musicians that play there. You sit eat drink and listen and maybe sway in your chair a little, and then pay your check. This place could be so much more with a dance floor. Five stars but deducting one for dancing being illegal here.
(4)Ian S.
I've only been here once so far, and only for a drink, but I loved it! Really fun, funky-but-classy atmosphere. It has a vaguely free-spirited, bohemian vibe, but it's impeccably decorated, even elegant (not the kind of grimy joint I would normally associate with Beat culture). I was here recently with a group of friends and our server took good care of us. (She split our bills without even being asked, which we appreciated.) I ordered a cocktail that was something like a root beer mint julep and it was delicious. Tasted just like root beer, garnished with some fresh mint. Really tasty! I look forward to coming back again some time to try the food.
(5)Des B.
This is the kind of place you can go to for dinner, order whatever you want, be incredibly pleased and not feel guilty afterwards! Entrees are a little on the pricier side- but hey, you get what you pay for and I'll definitely be back! I ordered the Bowl Azteca...will do again. The only slightly weird thing is being seated at the long community tables if you don;t have a reservation. You're being asked to squeeze in & dine right next to a complete stranger less than 6 inches to your right and left. AWKWARD! The uncomfortable feeling does go away after a little while. If you know you're headed there, just call ahead and make a reservation. MOST IMPORTANTLY: You must have the bread pudding.. Even if you don't like bread. Even if you don't like pudding.
(4)Emma R.
Amazing amazing amazing! Atmosphere is very hipster and chic. Jazz band is playing which adds a perfect touch to the evening. Staff was off the charts. My date and I had a million different questions and she was very patient and knowledgable. We also had a question about the food when we got it and she took it back to ask the chef, all okay! And then another lady, I think the manager came over to check up on us. Overall great experience, would defninetly go again. Only thing, dinner is a little pricey so beware
(5)Helena W.
This is a one stop shop if you want a relaxed and fun place with good food and drinks. It is easily accessible from the red line and the place is spacious enough for more than four people, a common conundrum when out on the town in Boston. The live music is legit and you don't have to be in fear of suffering through bad music. The drinks here are solid and the bartenders are friendly. The food is above average, but so is the price. This is a great place to come if you have someone visiting and want a fun, but relaxed vibe. It feels a bit hidden away since it is below ground, 10+ hipster points.
(4)Ann K.
For starters, the ambiance cannot be BEAT! Hand painted murals? Yes! Chandeliers? Yes! Strange fiber art hanging from the ceiling? YES! Add to that the live music (chill jazz on Sunday mornings!), friendly hosts and waitstaff (super accommodating and knowledgeable), and ample, comfortable seating, and you're well on way to a lovely dinner or brunch experience. Try the Vegan Bowl Azteca; I'm not even vegan, but the textures and the flavors are so intriguing and delicious, I order it almost every time. And the jazz brunch! What could be better? Try the Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes, which come with a huge helping of berry compote. My boyfriend recommends their eggs benedict!
(5)Charles K.
Had my first date here a few days ago and I'd definitely recommend it. There's low lighting and a casual ambiance both of which I'm a huge fan off. Our waitress wasn't anything special but there's nothing to nitpick over on that end. School hasn't resumed yet so it wasn't as crowded or noisy so I had no issues holding up a convo and the music was stellar. Cons: - This place can be hard to find; it has a small sign that really doesn't stick out. - It is also quite pricey for both food and drink, so beware (With just two cocktails and an appetizer, I had already sunk $55)
(4)Curt W.
OK. This is more of a place-holder then a full-on review because both times we've been here, they were walk-in situations with no reservations. Our mistake! Place seems to always be hoppin'. (Full review will come later when reservations are made and a sit-down meal is had.). But going by a few small bar plates, and their cocktails, I'm a fan, and recommend this place for something slightly different in Harvard Square. This is a good place for going for cocktails.....seems to be a big long bar down the side with lots of first come first grab seating. Good strong drinks that aren't too precious.
(4)Joanna F.
Came back in last night. Atmosphere was bumping and it was crazy crowded. Still like the atmosphere a lot. So why the one star review? The bartender charged me $16 for two drinks, I gave him a $20 and he gave me $3 back (assuming I was too drunk to notice, I guess)? I didn't say anything and just left less of a tip. I mentioned this to some friends and the bartenders had apparently been overcharging every single person I talked to. So ridiculously unprofessional, and I'm fairly sure it's not legal. I will probably not be back.
(1)Gabriella M.
Went here for dinner with my spouse one night. It was busy there, but the environment was nice and cool. Table service was horrible because we waited for BREAD which is a starter at any restaurant and we waited for nearly 20 mins when the waiter finally came the bread was cold. The meals were filling and worth the price, but not what we paid to be sitting around waiting all night for one server who was running probably nearly 4 tables on his own.
(2)Joe T.
What an experience! Where to start? Loved the decorations--tie die and glitter and the bathrooms are even better! Everywhere you look, you see something cool to look at, and that includes both decorations and a crowd of well-dressed people dancing. Awesome. A fun, exciting, loud band came and played beautiful, up-beat music right in front of us! The singer / bongo player sang in Spanish, so I struggled to understand what he was saying. But after each song, the trumpet player or singer gave an English translation of the general meaning of the song. I absolutely loved the mango martini. What!? They actually crushed up a real mango and put it in my drink!? It's unheard of luxury! This martini actually involves DRINKING A MANGO, which also has some alcohol in it. Really, really cool. Fabulous place for vegans! My girlfriend and I both loved the vegan bowls--she got the Inca bowl and I got the Earth bowl--with delicious triangles of tempeh and tofu, a million different vegetables and grains, and succulent sauces! Beautiful music, beautiful place, beautiful crowd, delicious food, and delicious drinks! This is great place to go if you want to feel like you're living the big city life. I think this just might be my favorite bar I've ever gone to... and it's in Cambridge of all places!
(4)Lizzy S.
My favorite restaurant in Cambridge. I come here all the time -- after a long week at work, for brunch with friends, when we have to entertain someone from out of town. I always get some version of the Earth Bowl and a glass of Chandon. It's healthy, delicious meal. The staff are all unfailingly lovely.
(5)Stu A.
Beat Hotel has a cool vibe to it - music playing through dinner, organic food offerings, wines on tap, etc. Unfortunately, while some dishes were very good, overall the food was just average. On the plus side, the burger was excellent - tasty, large and served with great fries. The other main courses in our group missed the mark - the portion size of sole special was small and the fish was dry (plus a request to remove mushrooms from the dish went unfulfilled) and the mussels were small/not meaty. Outside of the mushroom issue, the service was generally good. While we were aware that Beat puts a limit of 90 minutes on tables less than six, it felt like there was a clock ticking behind the scenes to push us along. When we go out to dinner we like to take our time, and while not overt, here we felt rushed One additional decision that needs to be made at Beat is about the music. The restaurant is long and deep and we were seated at the furthest point away from the stage. Maybe the music was loud up front but we could barely hear it, which was disappointing to us. Next time we'll let the welcome desk know we'd like to sit closer. Overall, we were expecting more from Beat, but at least on this night it didn't deliver.
(3)Luke B.
My favorite place in Cambridge for a chill yet very fun night of having some good drinks with friends. Bar is hug. Live Jazz music is at the perfect sound level; where it is not hard to talk to people.
(5)Karina L.
The atmosphere is kickass. Very hippie (read: beaded curtains before you enter the restroom), cool, jazzy, laidback vibe. Drinks are strong and tasty. The little of the music we caught was nice -- we went in around 7pm and the bands were switching. I would come here for after-work drinks and relaxation or a date and some appetizers. But, to say that our food was overpriced would be a bit of an understatement (bowls of quinoa and chicken for a whopping $23, etc.). I got the swordfish tacos, which were pretty tasty but the fish was overly salted and the tortillas a little tough. About 2/3rds of my plate was taken up by black beans. My boyfriend's seafood stew went heavy on the cheaper seafoods listed (whitefish, etc.) and had broccoli instead of the promised broccoli rabe.
(3)sondarya R.
Our friends invited us to visit this place for dinner on the lower floor. The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for food, drinks and live music. I would definitely come here again. I had the mango martini -Perfect for my taste buds! Not too sweet & not watered down/bland taste. We ordered Roasted wild mushrooms. Loved the well prepared dish. FIsh we order was perfect and next dish we ordered was Gluten free. There was some thing for all of us to order acording to over choice. The front row next to live music made is superb! The service was slow as Place was very busy. The live music, drinks and over all ambiance of this place is a decent.
(4)Morgan S.
Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was not really impressed by this restaurant. A friend of mine calls it "a disappointment" and I couldn't really have said it better myself. The food is okay... Nothing notable, as is the atmosphere. The lighting was so bright on a Saturday night and the restaurant was just a large rectangle - it reminded me of a biergarten. I would not recommend anyone going out of their way to go to this restaurant.
(3)Jeff D.
This place was OK, but the hippy-vibe really wasn't our thing so I doubt we'll be back. My wife had the burger. Loved the meat but the bun was average. I had the swordfish tacos which were top notch. Very tasty. Great beer menu as well and it seemed like the bar was pretty hopping. I'm sure this place will be a big hit with the hipsters. I'm just a bit outside that demographic though.
(3)Shaina P.
I convinced my husband to go to the Tannery with me, but to my surprise, found Beat Hotel in its place. (Tannery's been gone for a while ... I know there's a new one around the corner. Really, we just wanted a cocktail). This garden-level space is HUGE. Two bars, dining space, lots of additional standing/drinking/socializing space. A stage (obviously). Art everywhere: on the walls, support columns, ceilings. Noteworthy bathrooms. Worth a visit just for the ambience. A bit hipstery-er than its Boston brother, but I ain't complaining because I don't think Cambridge can have too many music venues or cocktail bars (albeit pricey ... $12.50 for an Old Fashioned). And Beat Hotel is an excellent combination of both.
(4)Jon S.
Came for the jazz brunch around 11. Didn't make a reservation, but the bar was empty (and had tables to accommodate our party of 5), so we didn't have to wait. I was worried that the jazz band was going to overpower our conversations, but it was the exact opposite. They were actually so quiet, you barely noticed they were playing. The brisket grilled cheese was bomb. The best grilled cheese I have ever had in my entire life. The brisket was tender, the bread was fresh and grilled perfectly, and the combination of cheeses hit the spot. Their fries were interesting. I don't usually like potato wedges, but these were thinly sliced giving the perfect fried coating to potato ratio. I really enjoyed them. The pickle spear and the slaw weren't my favorite. The pickle was sort of at a weird crossroads between cucumber and pickle that came off a little slimy. The portions in general are big. The prices are a little on the high side, but at least you get a lot of (good!) food. I think for dinner it gets a little pricier, but it's not bad for brunch! I'll definitely be back. I hear the pancakes are delicious...
(4)Larry M.
Awesome cocktails. Didn't get to eat dinner but I'm spying others dinners and I'm drooling. This night, Sunday night, is a no cover awesome big band jazz night. I understand the next bunch of Sundays will be no-cover big band nights as well. Get over here.
(5)Stephanie A.
So, the Beat Hotel is great for a group of friends. It's a super fun atmosphere, the drinks are delicious, and the food is surprisingly tasty as well. They have some creative menu items and put together some flavors that aren't very common. The live music adds a really dynamic and exciting touch to the already "disco-esque" vibe they have going. I look forward to eating here again.
(4)Heidi L.
Swung by Beat Hotel for spontaneous drinks, so this review won't comment on the food but I have to say that BH was better than I expected (based on the Beehive lol). I got the Rum Cha Yen (which is Thai tea rum, tea liqueur, condensed milk syrup, Bittermens Burlesque bitters, soda...can't go wrong with condensed milk). The music was good and the space is beautiful, even if I'm confused about the theme. Pricing is with the Harvard Square premium, so ultimately, I'd rank this above Daedalus but below Park.
(3)Casey M.
First of all, this place creates a wait in order to have a line outside. They want to be seen. The wait is unnecessary. They also do not accept out of state ID's which is insane for a place in the middle of Cambridge where pretty much everyone is from out of state. Music is fine but I wouldn't recommend this place to anybody who wants friendly service.
(2)Jeff T.
We love the ambiance - the history behind the name - and of course the food.
(4)Sakina B.
oh dear, my worst review ever; located under The Gap; I found something I could eat: fresh turkey hash; as opposed to canned corned beef hash at other breakfast places (so like 5 star on that). the decor is uniquely artisty/ bohemian. service was below my standards (sorry to say something negative) and quality drinks were limited, it's new but has grungy feel; maybe it's my issue with basements?.
(2)Samuel F.
This is an amazing-looking venue in the space formerly occupied by the old Tannery location in Harvard Square. Retro decor, enjoyable music, beautiful presentation of the food, everything sings with color! The food is delicious, and the cocktail menu is pretty cool, but I'm not sure it justifies the price. On the other hand, the music is good, and they don't charge a cover. I picked the Inca Bowl in part because it listed avocado among the ingredients, and then found it had only a tiny sliver of avocado in the salad. It was delicious, but that did cause a brief moment of disappointment. However, overall a tasty and filling dish. I was a bit surprised to find I couldn't finish it all, and I enjoyed the leftovers the next day. It's certainly a loud venue, another reason to recommend the appetizers and drinks route. On a busy night, it's hard to hear someone across the table. The service was friendly, but really slow (on a busy Friday night), though they kept our water glasses reliably full. The wait for seats was incredibly long, and they refused to give much in the way of information about wait time. Tip to customers: If there's a long wait, you may be able to get in earlier by inquiring if there are still open reservations. Tip to the restaurant: Continuing to fill reservations slots night-of while there's a lengthy list of walk-ins is a terrible way to manage your line! There's ample space to stand while you wait, but getting some snacks or drinks for the wait took more persistence than we could muster. At least they take a phone number for the list. If you want to cafe hop while you wait, nearby Crema Cafe is open until 9PM, Tealuxe is open until at least 10.
(3)Jamie W.
This place is awesome for a drink and listening to live music. Love the wines on tap and creative cocktails. Food wise, their stuff is somewhat overpriced, but pretty delicious. We liked the Aztec bowl best. The scallops were delicious and perfectly cooked, but the squid ink pasta they came on was underwhelming. The reason for the three star rating is the waiter service. We barely saw our waiter. We probably would have had another round of drinks or maybe dessert, but just getting our order put in was almost impossible. I recommend coming for the music/drinks and leaving dinner to all the places in Harvard that actually have a sufficient waitstaff.
(3)Sara M.
I used to frequent the Beehive in the past and love the live music. When I was informed that the same owners opened this place up, I was excited to check it out. It has this eclectic feel - with parts cool jazz hipster granola trendy. We were seated close to the stage per my date's request but it did make it a little hard to hear. However, I enjoyed the music and watching the performers, which I wish I was able to do a little more. Our server was pleasant and friendly, while sometimes very absent and other times checking in. The grilled octopus salad appetizer was delightful without being chewy. It was nicely dressed so the octopus really shone through. I had a few bourbon cocktails, which were mixed well. I tried the earth bowl with medium-rare steak. I loved this even though I wish it was in more of a bowl than a shallow platter. The mix of vegetables gave a complex taste and the steak was tasty. The funny thing is that I don't think the meat went with everything else but I ate it separately anyway. I don't know what the damage came to in the end (although I did insist to split) but I enjoyed the restaurant. I would definitely come back with some friends.
(4)Mariel J.
I really enjoyed this restaurant - located right in Harvard Square. We went for Sunday brunch, and there was live music, sort of folksy, which we like, and it was the perfect volume - you could hear it, but it didn't interfere with conversation at all. Great service, and the food was really creative - the menu changes all the time, so I can't look up what I had, but it was a really unique set of flavors - sort of brunch meets Moroccan meats Mexican. I'd definitely go back.
(4)Peter B.
So disappointing. The ambience was great, the menu looked good. But the food? The bread on the sandwiches was stale, the fries were greasy and burnt. The service was fair at best (I only got a small bit of coffee and no top ups, our waitress was hard to find). And then on top of all that - it was crazy expensive. Too bad, we wanted to love it.
(1)V V.
I went there this past Saturday for dinner. I thought the place was really well done. It does has a nice vibe to it. Very sizeable bar area (although I didn't go there). The service was good. The meal I thought was really good. I read some reviews here about food not being good. Not sure what that was about or maybe I just got lucky. I thought it was good. The only negs I thought was the valet was $18, when parking is right around the corner between 12-14. I didn't realize that, otherwise I would have done it myself. The only other part that I can remember as a neg was the band setup. I was there from 8 til about 1. Between 9-10:30 it looked like the band or stage folks where struggling with the sound system or setup. I would have liked the band to have been on longer or earlier. Other than that it was a good experience.
(4)Sarah B.
I'm giving this place 5 stars based on the staff. The food is meh...but the service is impeccable. I'm a Sox fan and was up this way for a game. Friends of mine live in town so they took me over here for some drinks and grub the night before a game. I love discovering new bars in towns I barely know. Once we walked up to the joint, one of my friends had to take a call so I was stuck waiting outside. The bouncer, a guy with the most amazing red beard, was super friendly. We got to talking about the area, and explained how little I know of Boston. Super informative and incredibly friendly. Once my friend was off the phone, the bouncer was able to help us locate the great spot at the bar without hesitation. What kind of bouncer goes above and beyond to help people INSIDE the bar? Impeccable ones with great service, that's who. The mango martini was ridiculous, and by ridiculous, I mean delicious. Went down way too easy so of course I had too many to count. When in Harvard Square I recommend coming here for the staff alone. Friendly, go-out-of-their-way service. Five stars indeed! Can't wait to go back to Boston.
(5)Brady B.
Just had brunch here and it was fantastic! My friend and I both started with bloody marys and French onion soup. The soup was to die for. Rich broth, plenty of melt in your mouth short rib and a healthy topping of glorious cheese. Next we shared two entrees. A killer omelet with salami, prosciutto, asparagus and mozzarella cooked to fluffy perfection. The accompanying frittes were thinly cut and tasty as well. The other entree was eggs Benedict with brisket...fucking A!!! I swear it was the best Benedict that both of us have ever had...right down to the hollandaise. The service was fantastic and the decor was lovely. Will most definitely be going back and will be telling all of my clients to go as well.
(5)Lady J.
The guy at the front desk that is going bald with the glasses is an asshole. Love the food Love the waiters. However I think this guy ruined the experience.. He also states that he's a manager. I am not typically a person who likes to throw around where I work or the connections I have. But I work for a company that has access to unlimited funds and throws a lot of private events. I thought that this could be a location that I could regularly have these events and bring a lot of business to. However due to the treatment that me my boss and colleagues received from this supposed manager, unfortunately I will have to bring my business elsewhere. My poor rating is not due to the food or service. This is strictly due to my dealings with the guy at the front desk. Now to the food. Calamari, Big Marinara fan.. As you know grew up going to school in the north end so I know what I like. My palette didn't like that marinara. It tasted like tomato soup almost. The calamari had no taste super bland. My colleague got the lamb nacho's those were good. That's all I can say is good.. Lol I had the steak strip with mashed potatoes bourdelaise*** sauce and green peas. I don't understand why they would put green pees with mashed potatoes and not asparagus. The strip was great, full of flavor and cooked to perfection. The mashed potatoes were ok they weren't anything special. (I have had some amazing mashed potatoes with steak) I would say do like a garlic, goat cheese or rosemary infused mashed. (just a suggestion) The food was great but pricey. I would say for the money you spend on a steak I think it was $28.00 you are better off going to a genuine steak house. I was here before had the prime burger definitely delicious.. I don't know if it is $16.00 delicious but you should try it.
(1)Meg M.
Michelle is the best bartender in the city. So knowledgable and personable and funny. She doesn't know I am her newest regular!
(5)Jane N.
This place is waaaay over priced for what you get. Seriously? $27 for the dinner-sized salad?? Service was polite but not particularly knowledgeable and apparently every cocktail on the list is "the best!". I ordered the steak frites (same price as the salad!) which had a nicely cooked hanger steak but this dish has nothing more in common with steak frites. The steak was not sliced, it was smothered in a very salty gravy, and the "frites" were essentially home-fries. My friend had the Inca bowl which was massive but not particularly tasty. The worst part was the disturbing seed-crunch in the quinoa that sounded like uncooked quinoa but that wasn't it. She stopped eating the quinoa component after the second encounter. Overall, the meal was meh and completely not worth the ridiculous prices. There are SO many better options in Cambridge, there is no reason to waste my money on a place that is more style than substance.
(2)Lindsay M.
This place is nice, the ambiance and decor is great. The music is actually just right for a restaurant especially live. What I wasn't fussy on was the service. For starters we had a large group on a Saturday, they would not seat us until everyone had arrived and would only allow for a 15 minute window, not giving anyone a second if they say got caught in the ridiculous traffic around here or couldn't find parking! Even when all but one person had made it, they finally gave us a seat (the last person was stuck in traffic due to an accident no one can really help that) but we really had to push them to do so (had it been packed and they were in need of tables I could understand, but the place was only 60% full the entire time we were there) we finally got our table and we had a good server but she was honestly a but pushy with trying to rush us! The food was decent, but it wasn't great by any means, it wasn't bad and no one had any problems but it was decent. The prices are really outrageous. For the price you're paying the food really should be much higher quality! I will say the consensus was the fries were fantastic! It's worth it to go if you can afford to throw away $100 for a dinner for 2 on dinner worth $50 don't have too high of expectations though, their high priced menu is more of a reflection of their location more than their food.
(3)Lauren G.
I took my mother out for her birthday all around the city yesterday (Aug 25th) & this place was the perfect end to our celebration. We just stopped in for drinks originally, but ended up staying for food because the burger came highly recommend from another patron at the bar. Our bartender, Mona, was so attentive & great at mixing up drinks. She made my mothers very specific drink perfectly & she mixed me up a delicious coffee drink that she thought up on her own. The burgers came out exactly as we ordered. I loved the fry like chips they served on the side! The music set the perfect mood as well as the decor. I will be recommending this place to all my friend & clients in Harvard square.
(5)Sarah G.
Note: This review is just for drinks--since they had about 20 open tables that were all reserved for dinner, but 45 minutes after we asked if we could order some apps at one of those empty tables, they were all still empty. The manager or someone even came over and asked us to move our backpack away from the dinner table---the EMPTY set of 20 tables for dinner. There was no one in that area eating, and no one came to sit at that table even within the next 15 minutes after that man asked us to move our backpack....interesting way to treat people your first weeks of business I say... Good thing Beat Hotel clearly spent a ton of effort in designing this space. It is absolutely beautiful inside. Almost like an art gallery inside with cool beaded chandeliers and light tassels, colorful paintings on all of the walls, it really feels almost magical inside and like you are truly escaping Harvard Square for something totally different. Their drink list is also pretty decent, with a few local beers on tap, some in bottles, a ton of wines on tap (yes, on tap!), and some inventive cocktails too. I got their Purple Door cocktail which was tito's vodka with a blueberry puree that was so so tasty and addictive to drink. I drank it faster than I should have (especially for it being $11), but that definitely makes me want to go back at least for drinks again!
(4)Tiffney B.
The food was very good and the live music every night is a really great addition! Service was also very good. The only complaint is I feel the wine list is super over priced, so be prepared for it & you'll have a fantastic time!
(4)P G.
It's definitely a very lively and upbeat place...however its not all that. The food was mediocre and the service...eh! So we decided to get there on a Friday night and were running couple minutes late...the front desk staff was not very pleasant to deal with. I ordered the mojito and it was basically lemonade with mint (so much for drinking on a Friday night) We ordered the Aztec bowl and Thai bowl...both were bland and did not have the wow factor. I definitely won't be going back again and won't recommend this place in the future. The major reason for not going back will be the food and front desk staff.
(2)Irene C.
DRINKS: Atmosphere here in the evening cannot be beat. The space is huge yet separated into sections so it's still intimate, and there are several bars. The bartender we met was extremely friendly, and the drinks themselves were delicious. FOOD: When I came here for dinner, I had the Chicken Milanese, which was very underwhelming, especially for $25. SERVICE: Waiter and bartender were excellent on both occasions. While I was eating dinner, the manager stopped by to introduce herself and ask about our food, which was a nice touch since at that point Beat Hotel was pretty new in town. OVERALL: Go for the drinks but not for the food if the quality does not improve or the price does not drop.
(4)Rafal W.
Oxford alumnus rejected from a Harvard establishment, an offense that will not get unnoticed for years to come. Both the bouncer and manager quoted Mass. law only accepting Mass. or passport ID, which is fair enough but does not constitute part of common sense. I was left alone at the age of 23, offended by all involved, stripped of my group of friends, to an unknown town. I definitely do not recommend a visit.
(1)Rann B.
I went to The Beat Hotel for the first time on Wednesday, August 20. I fell in love with the decor and ambiance immediately upon entering the restaurant, thoroughly enjoyed the unique food and drinks, and was impressed with the flamingo group from Buenos Aires. However, during the performance a group of self absorbed millennial ruined my experience. Not only did they ignore the performance, competing with the music and singing with their loud bar talk, they had audacity to sing Happy Birthday to a friend in the middle of a song being performed by the group. How rude! When I complained to the manager, he promised to quiet them down, but never approached them. If these entitled children want to drink and talk, they should go to a bar without entertainment. I will think twice before revisiting and/or recommending this restaurant.
(2)Julie C.
This place is a gimmick. I went for dinner at the Beat Hotel twice. The first time I went, I was really weirded out but I thought I would give it another chance because I wanted so badly to like it here. Both experiences were laughable. -food is not good and it's way overpriced. I honestly can not recommend one item out of the many items we ordered -the live music is a plus and the decor is interesting, but those are the only positive things -the staff is egregious, snobby and way too intense. I felt like I was being watched by somebody the entire time. Our server basically rolled her eyes when we asked to take our leftovers home and when I declined a drink the 5 times she asked if I wanted one (just a couple of examples of the many instances where I felt like I was being judged)..YEAH.. Not going back!
(1)Jennifer L.
This place has too many rules. No dancing and no ordering drinks in certain places. Host/Hostess was nowhere to be found. Overpriced for the service too. The live music was good, though.
(1)Dave B.
Great place, good food, solid bands. They lose a star only because every time I go they make me and whomever I'm with wait for "the last member of our party" to arrive before seating us at our table. Pretty frustrating. But they win me back once the apps come! But seriously, seat me. I'm not lying, there ARE 5 of us.
(4)Tashombe H.
I was invited here for brunch on Sunday w/o a reservation. The service up to meal delivery was great. Once we got our food, it seems we were forgotten about. I was greeted, there was a short wait (since we did not have a reservation) then seated about 1/2 way towards the stage. We both enjoyed our drinks that were served quickly. There was not a long wait for the food either. It's priced a bit more than I'd like to pay for eggs and a salad but eh I guess you have to cover the music cost. It's worth coming back for drinks and checking out the talent.
(3)Anna G.
Beat Hotel, I had higher hopes for you when I suggested a Friday night gathering for dinner and drinks. At least you showed your true colors early, I suppose. Expensive drinks, limited beer selections and HORRIBLY OVERPRICED FOOD. We sat down and ordered tequila shots and cocktails to shake off the week. Fine, no huge issue yet. Then on to apps, we settled on the Bohemian Platter (dips and spreads and pickled things for the table). The waitress insisted that we order the large not the small. When this $23 selection arrived we thought it was a joke. We thought it was 1 of 2 or 3 plates that would follow. 4 scoops of dips on a tiny plate with some bland pita chips. We didn't even eat it so I shouldn't say bland but I want you to know what we were working with here. Also, when I say 4 scoops I mean small. I mean, I would eat that whole thing to my face in 5 minutes. I don't think Oleana or some of the really fabulous middle eastern places would charge you $23 for what was put in front of us. It was pathetic and we made that known. We didn't even order something else after that. We sent it back, asked for the check and hurried out of there to go somewhere else. On our way out the waitress whispered to me, "well at least we won't charge a cover". Lady, I would NEVER pay a cover to go back. Honestly, unless you are a tourist or enjoy forking over lots of cash for little return, please don't go here. There are so may other great spots in the neighborhood.
(1)seth g.
I really enjoy the Beehive so when I heard about Beat Hotel I was intrigued. I went with a small group for dinner. I walked into the restaurant and said "Wow, this is cool". At the end of the night I walked out dissatisfied and angry. Dinner started out well. The waitperson went over the menu and made reccomendations. My initial Smoky the Bear mixed drink was delicious but the second was not mixed like the first and heavy on the vermouth. Our appetizers and entrees were good, although perhaps a little overpriced for the quality. Desserts were very good. However, as dinner progressed more and more staff attempted to clear our plates prematurely. Near the end of our meal the check was hastily dumped on the table before we were finished, really irritating me. If we had overstayed our time slot someone should have been gracious enough to let us know. The live muisc was very good. So good that we watched inspired couples start to dance together throughout the night. Those couples were systematically chased down by staff and instructed to stop. Then, at the end of the night, on the way out we were told to keep moving when a preson in our party stopped to put on her jacket before leaving. There's a no stopping zone down the central walkway. I probably would have been happy if I had had gone for wine or beer at the bar. In the end Beat Hotel felt impersonal and pushy. It seemed like a Disney establishment or Las Vegas hotel bar; well designed and made to feel you were having a good time, but rigidly managed and impersonal. It's too bad. Harvard square needs the type of place Beat Hotel is trying to be.
(2)Rob B.
Shrimp cocktail was very good but a little bit overpriced the Aztec salad was really really really good Service was great!
(4)Corey D.
I'm really in love with this place - I've never had a bad experience here with the food or the service. My latest was the duck with Risotto and Sour Cherries. The duck was cooked to perfection and I'm super picky about how my duck is cooked. The first time I went was for brunch, which was great. I'd just recently gotten back from NOLA and having withdrawals, so having brunch with a Jazz band was fantastic. The atmosphere/theme is awesome as well - The restaurant is really big and open - I've rarely had trouble getting a table without a reservations - although on the weekends you'll want one. I will say that the price point is a little higher than normal for Harvard Square - with entrees between $25-30 - but the quality of the food makes up for it. I would recommend this place for any Harvard Square trip. Recommend: Any of the Bowls Seared Duck Breast Caesar Salad Prime Natural Beef Hamburger
(5)Kate L.
After coming for a real meal at the bar, I absolutely LOVE the food here. The buffalo cauliflower was OUT OF THIS WORLD - tasted like you were eating a 300000 calorie meal and was relatively healthy. The short ribs were TO DIE FOR. Melted in your mouth. Heaven. Kind of pricey on the drinks but apps are large so I recommend eating apps at the bar.
(5)Shayna Y.
Overall: I only came here for a quick pre-dinner drink, but I loved the hipster atmosphere. Likes: - ambiance is very cool, funky chandeliers and lot up peace signs - drink menu is plush with wine and cocktail offerings Gripes: - none, I need to go back!
(4)Karen S.
Well...the food stands alone as fantastic and delicious but I'm not reviewing the food. One word...Brian. I have been a bartender in Boston for almost twenty years and I have not found anyone even close to him. He is welcoming, funny, attentive and absolutely bloody fantastic at what he does. A definite asset to your establishment and the reason I will be returning on a regular basis. Thank you Brian...
(5)L S.
Beware: out of state IDs will not are not accepted for folks between the ages of 21-24. Only a passport or a military ID will be allowed. The Beat Hotel abides strictly by MA law...? Having lived in MA for six years now, I have not once heard of this law. At first, I was denied entry - pretty concerning because I'm sure many tourists and young MA transplants will face the same issue. Afterwards, the policy was explained twice more with varying degrees of clarity. I was determined to enjoy the show, but I can't say that the inquisitorial attitude didn't have a damper on the night - especially when some patrons were waved right through the door. Apparently this establishment has been facing some strict oversight, but I'm sure there is a way to avoid guests feeling targeted and alienated... We almost thought we were being 86'd! The live music was really awesome, as was decor. Our server was really, really great. :) The food was pretty standard, no complaints.
(2)Glenn C.
Excellent bar for good, live jazz and atmosphere. Also, the wait and host/hostess staff is accommodating. Also, thank-you for having Buffalo Trace bourbon available for me on my recent visit with both my Mother and Mother in Law.
(4)Jason S.
cool bar, large inside so a safer place to go and either find a bar stool, high-top table or side ledge to pony up to. Good drinks, friendly staff, great music.
(4)Alex M.
Con: Ridiculous ID policy (bring your PASSPORT of you want to drink here), insanely slow, clumsy service (two drinks spilled on my brother), wait to get in, ineffectual management (checked our IDs THREE TIMES for three legitimately of-age people and still wouldn't let one drink). Pro: Tasty food. Free bread and butter is really great. Truly excellent music.
(2)John S.
I should state I am not a big of jazz... But this place avoids the typical jazz bar douch ness. Beat is not a bad place to grab a drink... Although tends to be crowded and difficult to get the bartenders attention. Decent place fir brunch
(3)Laura S.
EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. however our food was pretty delicious, and I didn't totally hate our server, which I have a tendency to do. We started with the pulled lamb nachos, which were amazing. I love lamb, so I may be biased but they were GOOD. For dinner my boyfriend had short rob lasagna, which seemed under portioned for the price, and I had the lamb osso buco, which was incredible. dessert was totally cheating because they have coconut red velvet cake and I LOVE red velvet cake, and coconut! I think overall I preferred beehive in the south end over beat hotel, prices were better, food was better, and ambience was better at beehive. I wish I could rate 3.5 stars!
(4)Leslie P.
I loved it! We were there on Sunday morning for a birthday celebration. We had a reservation at 11:30. Two of our guests were stuck in a road race traffic jam, but the staff was very accommodating and held our table until they arrived. While waiting we had drinks at the bar, which is really nice. Our table was down toward the front of the restaurant where the Jazz band was playing. The music was delightful, just the right level of sound to fade into the background of conversation, but still loud enough to enjoy. Everyone enjoyed their meal. Two of us had the Earth Bowl which was really good. The short rib grilled cheese sandwich was enormous! The restaurant itself has a really fun decor - lots of things to look at. It fits right into the Harvard Square vibe. This is definitely a fun place to bring someone who is new to the area!
(5)Erica D.
Well it would have been nice to be let in, but I, as well as the rest of my group of 25, were denied. We came here for an event that was booked a good week ahead of time for a corporate outing. The manager and bouncers refused to let us in. We arrived on a charter bus and they claimed that they saw a cooler of drinks on board and therefore we must have drank too much and couldn't enter. They didn't give anyone the time of day or even see us one by one to confirm that we were sober enough and OK to come in. They flat out refused to let anyone in. The leader of our group argued with the bouncer and one manager for a good 25 minutes while our entire group stood outside shivering in the cold (It was about 20 degrees out). Then the bouncer got aggressive and pushed my manager, HARD. He, of course pushed back and the two of them had a short brawl of sorts until it was broken up and we left. Oh, they called the police on us too, and we were stuck there for a good hour before they finally let us go. Yeah, THEY called the cops on US, for a fight their impulsive bouncer started. Greeeaaaaatt hospitality. I will certainly never come back here. Too bad, because the cocktail menu looked decent. And I say this as a seasoned bartender. Too bad, too bad.
(1)Amy F.
Good wine. Tasty cocktails. Mediocre, overpriced food. My husband and I had a night out and I felt it was a bit of a waste. I got the brisket which was very dry and the broccolini consisted two tiny pieces perched on the brisket. Not my idea a veggie side but a garnish. My husband had the fish tacos. While the tacos were fine the beans and rice were a mere garnish as well and were covered in a thick layer of cheese rendering it inedible. I'd return for music and drinks but skip the food.
(3)Virginia Z.
At first glance, I wasn't sold on Beat Hotel. Sure, it seemed like a wide open, clean place with some interesting accent painting. But, it seemed a bit too hip a place for me. Looking at the menu, I couldn't quite conceptualize the dishes. I'm glad that we stayed. We had 6 in our party without a reservation, which was not a problem for an early meal. I would advise reserving if after 6pm, since it seems to fill up quickly. Though I could not partake in adult beverages, my dining mates could and it seems that they do a nice mix of classic cocktails and the menu offerings. There were no complaints from those who ordered. We skipped appetizers since none of us was ravenous and ordered for dinner- getting a good mixture of the menu. I ordered the Bowl Azteca, wtih adobo-spiced quinoa, tomatillo soaked hominy, lightly sauteed spinach, some fresh corn, summer squash, and a spice rubbed chicken. It was delightful. Fellow diners ordered the Earth Bowl, with root vegetables and squash, and added shrimp, the Bowl Azteca with shrimp, Mahi Mahi fish tacos, steak frites, and a Caesar salad topped with skirt steak- all of which were delicious and very fresh offerings. I admit that a return visit full of appetizers will have to happen since the buffalo cauliflower (!?!) at a nearby table smelled delicious and pulled pork nachos are calling my name. The service was good, including asking if a menu request I made (no avocado) was a request or allergy-related; it's always good when a place will ensure an allergy free experience. Mine was a request and it was honoured. All in all, it was a great experience.
(4)Sarah M.
I went here for dinner Saturday and was really impressed. It's a really cool place, very different from other places in the Boston area. They also have live music Saturday nights which was good and also not too loud so we could still talk. We started with the Bohemian platter which was amazing. Our entrees and cocktails were also delicious. The service was very friendly and attentive. I will definitely be back!
(5)Macie S.
My new favorite restaurant. Delicious food, impeccable service and awesome decor. The mussels were incredible as was the Azteca Bowl! Can't wait to come back here!!
(5)Gabe R.
You can't pretend to be a hippie joint and charge $25 for a rice bowl. It makes for a pretty weird vibe. Overpriced food, decent drinks and music, apathetic staff, condescending hostess.
(2)Kristen K.
I was so excited to try this place out. I've been a fan of Beehive and love places with live (especially Jazz) music. I came for drinks which was not appreciated by the restaurant (exception being the hostess who was excellent). Demerits for inhospitable staff and surprisingly harsh attitude. I invited friends (everyone aged 30+ and no roudy or disrespectful kids in the group) to meet here for celebratory drinks on a Thursday night. Upon arrival I sat with friends at the bar. The female bar tender was very accomodating until things got busy and then she started to get snippy when a couple of people sitting at the bar tried to order drinks. I can understand the pressure volume in the bar brings but snideness was unnecessary. Our group grew to 7 people. The bar was not crowded and we were happy to stay there and keep ordering drinks. The hostess, who was very kind, offered to sit us at a table. We let her know we did not plan on ordering entrees. She said we could still sit at a table and order drinks. We were happy to be seated but let hostess know 1 additional person may come later. We were sat at the table and all adults continued to order drinks and many appetizers. The food was very good. The drinks were good also. When the waitress tried to take an entree order we said we'd be sticking with drinks and appetizers and the waitress scoffed(!!) The only reason we took seats at a table was because the restaurant was encouraging us to. Eventually, the last person joined the group and sat on the booth where there was plenty of room. We were not encrouching on the space of the table next to us. A manager came over to the table and scolded us for adding an additional person! We explained we'd been upfront about this but clearly it was a problem for the Beat Hotel. In short, I was embarassed at having told friends to come to this place when multiple people copped attitude at us (bartender, waitress, and manager) after we had been very upfront about being there for the drinks, appetizers, and ambience.
(3)Rachel F.
HAHA to Julie's review below. I've never had dinner here but the bar service is equally as terrible. The bartender was SO rude! Drink was awful and pricey. Music was the only good thing.
(2)Lauren H.
I love this place. Great vibe, friendly service, interesting and delicious food, and reasonable prices for Harvard Square. Beat Hotel fills that sweet spot between casual and festive and makes it easy to relax and have fun. I was concerned that it would become a "scene," but six months later, it's still a solid, chill option without a scenester in sight. I stopped by for brunch today and was happy to discover that it's equally fab in the daylight. Cheers.
(4)Sarah L.
I've only gotten dinner to-go, but it was very yummy. I'd like to go back to eat there. Also, staff (bartender and hostesses) were really nice. Pros: Vegan and vegetarian options. The roasted brussel sprouts appetizer is really, really (really) good. Yum! They also have a couple of entrees that can be ordered vegetarian/vegan -- sides, too. Cons: Really expensive! $20 for the aforementioned vegan entree seems crazy. It's about $3 worth of food. I realize there's a mark-up on that, but it's a little much. Apparently they'll be adding brunch to their offerings sometime soon...
(4)Jenna M.
This place is great! Not only is the fare healthy yet tasty, but it is mostly sustainably farmed, a unique concept even for this area. The space is also very cozy, while it is one of a few place in Harvard Square that can easily accommodate a large group. The murals and hangings are distinctly funky, yet tasteful. Live jazzy music after 8 pm is also a big plus. Most importantly, the food is phenomenal! Duck breast with black lentils and veggies was superb- tender meat with a tasty sauce, topped with browned onions. The Azteca bowl was also really good, with a variety of super fresh veggies. Much of the wine is sustainably or organically grown, and in the US. Prices seem high, but considering the lessened environmental impact and decreased cruelty of livestock, it is quite fair.
(4)Chrysanthe P.
I've been to the Beat Hotel on two occasions: once to grab some drinks with friends and another time for belated Mother's Day brunch - just me and the mama. Cocktails here are wonderful. I honestly can't remember what I ordered (probably something with gin), but I do remember some standouts that my friends ordered. Favorites of the night were the Purple Door (vodka, blueberry puree, and some legit maple syrup) and the American Breed (Maker's Mark, Elderflower liqueur, and apple cider). I was pleasantly surprised that neither was overly sweet and both delicious. Be warned that the American Breed is quite strong (all the more reason to order it, in my opinion). Admittedly, the bartenders were a little standoff-ish at times, but it was busy and they weren't rude, by any means. Moving on to consumption of food (and alcohol). First off, there's jazz brunch. Who doesn't love that? Sociopaths is the answer, but I hope you aren't one of them. Starting with drinks (it's the natural order of things): I was curious as to whether or not they had iced coffee and,as they did not, my waiter kindly suggested an iced americano. Does this guy know me or something? Yes, please! Anyways, my mom and I are both Bloody Mary lovers, so both had one each since we were on our best brunch behavior that day. Nothing special there, but solid Bloody Mary. Ok, food: I had the vegetarian bowl azteca. Really generous portion of some yummy veggie goodness. The mom ordered their spring vegetable soup, which was super flavorful, as well as the bohemian platter, which had some yummy hummus and such that I sampled. All around a good experience. The decor and ambiance is pretty and pleasant. I would definitely recommend checking it out here.
(4)Sara F.
This is the type of bar I've been looking for. It is a unique gem for Cambridge. I came on a Friday night for drinks with a large group of coworkers. The vibe and the atmosphere was immediately lovable. The place is huge and the lighting is perfect. The live music was charming and not over whelming. The crowd was big and loud but still polite and classy. The bar was filled with professionals, not rowdy college kids. Although crowded and loud it wasn't TOO crowded and loud. I wasn't being pushed around. There wasn't a long wait for drinks. I could still have conversations. It was a hopping night, but still comfortable. I can not speak to the food as I did not have any, but I would definitely return again for a fun night of drinking with good company!
(5)Mick T.
Great atmosphere, lovely staff, live music, decent mixed drinks, but mediocre overpriced food. Last time I was here I ordered the Mussels entree, the previous time I had the Mussels appetizer & Lamb Nachos. I ask the barman what the difference was between the Mussels starter it and the Mussels appetizer, he stated it was bigger and came with fries. For 23 bucks I got the lamest amount of mussels with a paltry amount of fries. Previously when I had the lamb nachos, they were cold. Both times that I've had ate here I should have complained, but I was starved and wolfed everything down. I've learned my lesson, drink here, get appetizers, but don't have dinner as it's overpriced for what it is.
(3)Catherine D.
This place has too much personality and unsolicited live music. I hate live music I did not ask or pay for... but I suppose I can understand why others might enjoy this sort of thing. Seems like a great place for yuppies to enjoy the pseudo-hippie-aesthetic (is that what they are going for? Did I get that right? Bah, whatever.) without having to actually interact with hippies. I only had drinks. The drinks were okay.
(3)Jon F.
The Beat Hotel has a unique ability to attract people from all of the crowds one might find in Cambridge. YoPros, hipsters, and middle aged corporate employees congregate under the chandeliers and next to the folk band. Drinks are standard for Harvard Square: $9-14 for a glass of wine, $10-12 for a distinctively named cocktail, and $6 for a beer. If you are looking for a place nicer than a Grendel's Den without needing to exchange jeans for a suit, The Beat Hotel is the place for you.
(4)Jane S.
The funky decorations really make this place, it feels like you're eating dinner inside an Anthropologie. I came with a group to celebrate a friend's birthday and we all had a great time. Most of the party got variations of the Inca bowl and really liked it. I couldn't stomach paying $20+ for a 'healthy' entree, so I went for the burger, which was fantastic. We also got a dessert sampler to split, which was delicious as well.
(4)Sarkis A.
Bartender attitude sucks! I was just there today at about 4:50. After looking at the menu asked the bartender if that's all they had, a tiny small menu. He snottily said yes, that's all he had. Then at 5 o'clock exactly I see a menu change! Humm! Would it have been too much for him to say that the dinner menu starts in 10 minutes or gone ahead and given me one to look at? It's the type of nasty attitude in the service industry that we don't need. So pissed. . AVOID. Attitude in the whole place. Nasty!
(1)Rebecca L.
Snotty staff (you know this just a Cambridge bar ,right?), unappealing cheap tables, too loud to talk for diners, but too strict to make it a "party place" Ex: no dancing. Won't be back.
(1)Dan C.
I am not sure what this place was, maybe the Tannery, but Beat Hotel is new to me since my last visit to Cambridge. It may also be in a basement, but it is huge. It also has an odd "hippie" theme that doesn't quite work for me, especially with aged filet mignon on the menu, but whatevs. The room is spacious and although I was there on a busy Saturday night (for drinks only), I was still able to find some space in the bar area and get a drink quickly and not be crushed while I enjoyed my cocktail. The staff was friendly and the prices are reasonable as well. There is live music here during dinner, too if you are into that stuff.
(3)Jenn S.
FOOD: I had some of the best tuna here. I ordered it with the pesto mashed potatoes and it was spectacular. However, we did not receive bread and we were a party of 10. I wish we would have since we waited awhile for our reservation table to open up. STAFF: Bartenders I agree with some people that they were not as friendly as they could have been and it took FOREVER to get a drink when they were not that busy. Our waitress was extremely nice and she made our experience great. ATMOSPHERE: I loved the live music and even though we were all the way by the door we could still hear everything.
(4)Abhirup D.
Disclaimer: This is not food review. I am sure their brunch is amazing, but I am just here to talk about the weekend evenings. The first time I went to Beat Hotel, I loved it. Live music adds an extra color to the place. Drinks are on the expensive side, but worth it. This seemed like a really unique bar/restaurant for Harvard Square, and I was excited to come back soon. However, I was really disappointed on my second visit. I arrived at 8:30 pm and had to stand in a long line to get in to the bar (they were only letting people in who had reservations for table). In any case, I put my name in for a table and after a 20 minute wait was able to get in to the bar. We had a round of drinks at the bar before being finally seated. My friends and I were hoping to get some appetizers later and savor it with a few more rounds of drinks. But to our dismay, we were told that when seated, customers are expected to get full dinner service. So no apps and drinks, we have to order entrees. So in a nutshell, as a customer, you do not have any discretion over the quantity of food you want to eat. In addition, we felt a nasty judgmental vibe when we asked if they can serve Vodka with "RED BULL." So apparently, we get judged when we ask for drinks of our choice. I gave this a 3 star b/c I liked it when I went there for the first time, and had a totally different experience. The second time was an utter disaster. No thanks, I will go to Beehive.
(3)Jack D.
We had the Maine scrod which was to die for! Well prepared in a mix of fish & vegetable stock. The Thai bowl was more pedestrian although the shrimp were well prepared and clearly cared for. We were there in the early evening prior to theater on a Saturday night and had no problem getting a table for dinner. Great staff and an amazing mix of customers: families with and without children, couples, and seniors. Some pretty good jazz to to along with the meal was a nice touch.
(4)Kaveh D.
Great ambience and great live music that is not too loud! that's a huge plus around this area. Reasonably priced beers. Foods are on the pricy side, but of good quality. There is a lot of space but a long wait too.
(4)Teri L.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! I've dined here a few times and each time has been fantastic! In fact, I ate there tonight and felt compelled to write a review because of the excellent service. I made a reservation for 5 and I was the first to arrive. After a brief discussion with the friendly hostesses, I went to the bar and had a drink. The bartender was very attentive and I had a lovely glass of wine. When we were seated at our table (which was very close to the live band), we were greeted by a very nice gentleman who was our server. He made great recommendations and kept checking up on us through out the evening. I wanted to pay for my table as a gift and made a smooth getaway to the bathroom where I found our server and asked that he place the check on my card to avoid the "I'm going to pay!" argument that was definitely going to happen with my guests. The server was understanding, charged my card, and quietly left the receipt for me to sign. It couldn't have gone more smoothly. Everyone had a great meal, drinks, music and we left really happy. I wish I could remember our server's name because he was very good. Beat Hotel people, if you're reading this, he mentioned he's from the South. Again, great service. The only thing I wish I could change is the parking situation. But it's Harvard Square and no one can really do anything about that... Take the T.
(5)Amanda M.
Very impressed with this cool, trendy brunch spot. Free live music, unique menu, great wait staff.
(5)D J.
First Lauren is a terrific host. The night was okay, we enjoyed the food and musical backdrop. If you're looking for a cool spot with a hip vibe (lil funky)...Beat Hotel works. I deducted two star for a lack of diversity but...it's Harvard Sq (location).
(3)Addie R.
The atmosphere here is amazing! I didn't know about the beat generation before, but now I do. Don't miss the paintings on the wall - the artwork here is gorgeous and full of fun little details. The chandeliers and beaded curtains really add to the feel of that generation. I went on a Saturday about 8:30 pm and the bouncer was one of the most PLEASANT, friendly and non-pretentious people ever! He just seemed like a great, chill guy, very welcoming and cool. Being a Saturday, the place was packed - no chance we were getting a table or any space at the bar. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people stand at the bar, around empty chairs, blocking others from getting to them and taking up more space than necessary. I know it's not the bartender's job to call people out on that ("sit down or move so someone else can"), but it was so egregious here and the bar area was so full! My group of four went to the very front of the restaurant, in a waiting area of sorts, and took our drinks over there. I had a mango-vodka cocktail and it was great! It tasted like an alcoholic mango lassi - just incredibly delicious. I actually think sitting in the waiting area near the front was better for our conversation because it was quieter and we could actually hear each other. The opposite end of the venue has a stage with live music - which is fun, however loud. The beat hotel was a great night out spot on Saturday - can't wait to go again!
(4)John G.
I should have listened to my gut: distrust a restaurant with hippie decor and valet parking. Woody Allen's opening line in Annie Hall was tailor-made for this place. "The food here is terrible... and such small portions!" Service was by-the-book attentive. If they're going to offer bread would it kill them to serve it warm? Butter was frozen. I got a skirt steak, which was OK, but for the price I would have hoped for a larger portion. My partner, on the other hand, regrets not sending back his blackened shrimp. Too spicy, and not adequately skinned. Stomach bothered him afterwards. Came with McDonalds-level frites and a bean salad that was four green bean segments on a pile of frisee. There are dozens of other restaurants in Harvard Square. If I'm going to get a $20-$30 entree, I can go to Russell House where I know it will be good. If I want a place to get a drink after work, I'll go to Tory Row where the decor doesn't pander and patronize. If I want a sit-down dinner with said drink, I can go to Cambridge One and get great pizza. If I want a burger and a beer, I have numerous options. But here? The food's too small, too expensive, and just plain not good. The service is indifferent, and the decor is hypocritical. Why would we ever come here again?
(1)Chris H.
Good ambience, nice music, and friendly servers. Tried the dinner farmer salad with shrimp as well as the fish tacos. They were good but felt unnecessarily high priced for what you get. It would seem more appropriate if they were $15 rather than $25, but it was still good and I enjoyed it.
(4)Nathan B.
I was really excited about Beat Hotel - it has all the trappings of a great new brunch place or place to grab a drink after work. The decor was great, the jazz fun, spacious dining room. But there were some significant problems. The staff seems woefully unprepared for the brunch crowd, even with tons of staff flitting around, the service was super slow. We waited for well over an hour for our food. Rather than being forward with us that the kitchen was backed up, we got word from our waitress maybe five minutes before our food came out. Someone at our table ordered the coconut carrot cake, which was okay enough. When our entrees came out the manager sent over another carrot cake to the table...I guess as an apology for the late food, but we didn't want another large piece of cake...we just wanted our entrees. When a manager eventually made it to our table to apologize, it was a half-apology and more of a "thanks for not yelling at us" type thing. No real apology and certainly no gesture to the table (maybe just giving us the cake for free, or our drinks?). We could see many other tables struggling with late food, as well, each with a manager fake apologizing to them, too. The food had taken so long to get to us that it was cold when arrived at our table, which seemed odd given their explanation that it was the kitchen that was backed up. My meal was good, a breakfast bowl with hummus and fixings. Other at my table were unimpressed by the more American brunch foods (eggs, etc), especially for the prices. All in all this place has potential but right now the kinks are definitely not worked out. Save yourself some frustration and wait a few months til they get things ironed out.
(2)Noshii R.
Went back to Beat Hotel for brunch as one of our favorite local musicians was playing. MUSIC WAS GREAT!!! Oh, where do I begin... Lady pouring us the coffee spilled coffee all over the saucer and table whilst only filling my initial cup of joe to the half way point and never came back to clean up the mess--???? WHEN DID IT BECOME OKAY TO SPILL COFFEE ALL OVER A CUSTOMERS LAP???? btw the coffee is atrocious. I ordered the burger and it was a bit small and dry but okay--the pictures posted on this are not at all what my burger looked like so be warned. Had one of the desserty breakfast dishes too and that was pretty good--but you can't really go wrong with something that is glazed in apple butter. The only good side for brunch on a Sunday is that its kid friendly as we were in a large group with a few who brought toddlers and they had ample space to run around and enjoy. The service at this place is in need of major overhaul...seriously!! It seems like they put a lot of effort into this place and are still playing with the menu and the prices like playing with the stock market but they are inching toward a more realistic price point but for the love of god teach your staff some basics.
(1)Colleen M.
I really wanted to like the Beat Hotel. My daily commute takes me through Harvard square and I had been to the Beehive several times and enjoyed it. After attempting to visit 4 different times and being turned away by the bouncer because they were having a private event (Beat Hotel: Are you a public restaurant/club or a private music hall?) finally went in last week and had an okay time. We had drinks at the bar and I had a wine that I liked---after the bartender gave me a taste. I'm a big wine drinker but if I am unfamiliar with the wine I always ask for a taste first. I am the first person to spend way too much on a glass of good wine but have a rather finicky palate. We went again last night and I couldn't remember the name of the wine I had been drinking so I asked for a taste of the one I thought it was. I was told if I wanted a taste (we're talking 2-3 sips here) that I would have to buy one to the tune of $6.50. Bar tender wouldn't budge so I asked to talk to the manager. Manager wouldn't budge either so I left and wont be back. Customer to retailer: I would like to try this dress on before buying it. Retailer to customer: ok, it's $20 to try it on. Way to discourage business Beat Hotel.
(1)Charlie J.
The ambiance here is great for meeting up with friends for drinks and live music but the food is less than average and over priced.
(2)Philipp W.
Praise the lord! Finally - a Jazz Bar in Boston that knocks it out of the park. I mean... Wally's never gets old, and the occasional trip to Beehive, Regatta Bar, or Scullers is fun.. but Beat Hotel really hits on all fronts: 1. The music is killin. These players/singers have chops. 2. You can get in without paying for expensive tickets or covers. 3. The place can hold more than 30 people (sorry Wally's, still love you) 4. The decor is fantastic. 5. The food & drink is legit. Earth bowl? Seafood stew? Octupus appetizer? Bohemian platter? Heaven. It took me ten minutes to realize how great this place was. I've been waiting for a joint like this in Boston... hopefully this will be a success with similar openings to follow.
(5)Josh S.
Really cool place. We stumbled upon this place visiting Boston. They took good care of us. The food was interesting, artistic and fresh. Lots of healthy choices. The ambience is really cool. The live jazz was just right to set the mood. Nicholas, our server was just right. My only complaint might be that I wish they had more IPAs on tap to choose from. Tuna spring roll- greasy, not amazing Brisket - great, interesting tang. Big . Bandanna pudding with Vanilla bean- to die for
(4)Samantha L.
Since we were lucky to land a parking space in Harvard Square on a Friday night, I checked on OpenTable which restaurants had a last minute opening and Beat Brasserie happened to be one of them. When we got there, the hostess told us that they couldn't sit us until the whole party was present and that we would be placed on a waitlist (with an unknown wait time) but I mentioned on OpenTable that there was an opening so they sat us right away. I liked how restaurant was dim setting. However, the tables were placed so close together, often times we'd bump into each other when exiting the tables. The live music playing in the background made it difficult to hold conversations. Tonight, we ordered a variety of items off the menu, mostly appetizers. I ordered the Squid Ink Pasta which was topped with crabmeat, leeks, and roasted tomatoes, and garnished with basil leaves. I did manage to find a lonely english pea in this appetizer. The sauce resembled a mildly spicy Fra Diavolo sauce with a strong lemon juice flavor. I specifically requested the dish not to be spicy due to a dietary restriction but the chef ignored it. I also ordered the entree version of Steamed Maine Mussels, which was cooked in a tomato based beer broth and topped with old bay. I requested it to have no spicy red flakes and I'm glad they followed through with this request. I didn't like how the broth had a bitter after taste. However, it was supposed to come with toast points or fries but our server must have forget them because it never came. My mom ordered the Crispy Tuna Spring Roll, which consisted of deep fried, wonton wrap filled with avocado, tomato, wasabi, rice, and soy, sliced in half, and served with a sesame oil infused soy sauce. She also ordered a Harvard Beet Salad, which consisted of roasted golden and red beets around a bed of arugula served over herbed yogurt and topped with thin, crispy potato strips. My brother ordered the Nantucket Fluke Ceviche, which consisted of chopped fluke, diced cucumber, and diced tomato, drizzled with lime juice, and topped with jalapeño and cilantro. He said the ceviche was spicy, just the way he likes it. My dad ordered a Prime Natural Beef Burger, which consisted of lettuce, tomato, thick beef patty, slice of cheddar cheese, crispy fried onions, and port wine aioli between a sweet, toasted, buttery bun. It came with a dill pickle (sliced in half) and hand cut fries. Sadly, it was probably my favorite item of the night.
(3)Matthew B.
Note: I just had drinks here. I'll update once food becomes part of the equation. The drink selection was great and the layout was awesome. I was impressed by the open design, friendly staff and fun menu of drink options. The bartender made some impressive gin drinks on a warm afternoon and all was well. I highly recommend dropping in for a beer or cocktail.
(4)Simon L.
The burger sits nestled in a fluffy bun. A perfect med-rare with aioli and crisped onions and plenty of juicy fat provided a wonderful combination. Lam ribs are smoked to tender smokiness. Sweet and crisped. Excellent. Tandoori chicken wings with chick peas are juicy and a bit on the firey side. A seafood cioppini ($23) bowl with tender scallops, giant shrimp, fresh mussels and calamari in a thick tomato onion and fennel broth is served with grilled french bread. An excellent lunch menu. An excellent service.
(4)Abby R.
The atmosphere is 5 stars. Very jazzy, kind of funky, a bit speakeasy, with a mile long bar and a stage at the back which is visible from pretty much any of the tables. The service definitely rates 5 stars as well. My waiter was personable, helpful when we asked for suggestions, and chatty without being overbearing. 5 stars for the Grapefruit Julep, the only summer cocktail you'll ever need. The Buffalo Cauliflower gets 6 stars because it was one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. Seriously, I could never eat buffalo chicken again and if I had this I wouldn't care. Plus, everyone knows vegetables=health. Even if they're breaded and smothered in buffalo sauce. Don't quote me on that. The rest of the food... meh. 2 stars. I got the Luxe Nachos. Luxe? I asked about it and the waiter described the nachos in a way that had my eyes glazed over and my mouth snapped shut so no drool would come out. The guy said the word "marbled" to describe the double-baked cheese. He was a professional. I'd hire him just to stand there and describe my meals to me while I ate them. Unfortunately the nachos themselves didn't live up to the description. Not enough chips for the toppings, and way too much juice in the bottom of the dish, so that more than half the chips were getting mushy in Soggsville. The pulled pork didn't taste like it had any kind of flavoring on it, and other toppings were few and far between. The only thing luxe about them was the price tag at close to $20. My friends also didn't love their brisket, it was kind of fatty and the sides were small and heaped underneath the meat. The music gets 5 stars because the sound system wasn't too overpowering on any instrument, something even a layman such as I can sense, especially with jazz. The talent was good and I liked that they actually had brass instead of just piano, singer, bass.
(4)Rob K.
The food was pretty good. It looked like it would be great but it was obvious it did not get to us fast enough due to lack of staff and over worked people. This is by no means a slight on the staff who assisted us. They were obviously doing their best. I am not sure what the owners are thinking. I was there on Saturday for dinner and because I liked the food; I came back in for brunch on Sunday and the same people were working! They looked over worked and exhausted. I truly felt for them. I have lived in the area for a long time and have heard that the ownership has piss poor management skills and treats their people like garbage. It was quite obvious! I will not be returning. I hate posting bad reviews but this one was necessary not because of the food but because of the apparent lack of respect for employees working there.
(2)Grace M.
This place is just not for me. Beginning with the music and overall style and ending (most importantly) with the food, I'm just not into it. I'd been in once before for a drink but most recently had some food that was EXTREMELY disappointing. I ordered the tuna spring rolls & vegetarian nachos. Both sound delicious and decadent but they were equally bland. The tuna spring rolls barely had any tuna but most notably, they were filled with lettuce and soggy/poorly cooked RICE. Why on earth would you stuff a spring roll with rice? I wonder if they were kind of mimicking the burrito concept? Whatever the case, it just didn't work. And even if it did work, at LEAST cook the rice properly! The lettuce was disconcerting as well.. I don't like the concept of typically crisp/fresh veggies like lettuce or cucumber being cooked in hot oil. Finally, the rolls were not fried at a proper temperature because they were soggy and oily instead of crisp. Ah, and they came w/ a side of napa cabbage slaw that was also poorly seasoned and unflavorful. The vegetarian nachos looked promising. I loved the quality of the chip & the overall quality of the ingredients (namely, the cheese), but they were totally dry (no guac/pico de gallo or anything moist). Also, they had some unseasoned/plain cabbage on them which seemed like a missed opportunity (for flavor and moisture.. wish it was pickled cabbage, for example). Wasn't impressed. If I never come back here again, I won't mind at all-! Important to note however, that my dining companions had a burger and really enjoyed it. I figure it only fair to report this part since maybe it's a good place for particular menu items but not all. Try it at your own risk!
(1)Joeli G.
Buddha bowl + Salmon was fantastic. So were the ribs. Can't beat the wine on tap. It's pricy but it's Harvard Square. They have live music every night and the atmosphere is jazzy. Pretty people staffed. Service was prompt. Great place for a barstool date or to meet a group of friends.
(4)Michael K.
Stumbled across this place while looking for a quick drink or two before dinner. It's downstairs underground and maybe a bit tricky to find. We weren't sure what was down there but we found a large room with two bars, a stage and live music at only 6pm. On our visit there was a trio playing laid back bluesy jazz with a young lady scatting(?). It was nice background to our conversations at the bar. They have a good selection of beers on tap and an even better one of wine on tap as well. They had this twelve or so spigot device for dispensing an eclectic selection of wines. Folks were eating oysters next to us but we were just there for liquids. Our bartender was a lovely young lady with a bright smile who took a few minutes to explain to us the story behind the place that is not a hotel at all.
(4)Jenny H.
Beautiful people, trendy spot, great food, good drinks, AND live music. Such a place does exist and it is at Beat Hotel. My girlfriend and I got to sit up close to the stage while the group rocked the mic. The scene seemed to shatter my preconceived notions of the genre. The band had a vibe that was a cross between an American Apparel menswear catalog + artisan-baristas-by-day-reggae-band-by-night. We ordered a couple of cocktails throughout the night while sharing the Inca Bowl and their octopus starter dish. We didn't want food that was too heavy and both were perfect. Was a great way to end my first night in Boston.
(4)Julia C.
I've been a few times in various contexts--a few times with friends for dinner and drinks, once with parents and other relatives from out of town, and even alone once or twice (had to satisfy a craving for the Bowl Azteca and the flourless cake). Beat worked well for all of these scenarios. Entrees are around $18-25, so it's not a super budget friendly spot, but perfect for special evenings. I usually get the Bowl Azteca (comes fantastic tomatillo sauce!). I tried a grilled octopus appetizer once with the family and everyone loved it. It's hard to go wrong with the food, everything I've tried I've enjoyed. The flourless cake is also delicious! The live music is really fun, but can be loud or VERY loud depending on where you're seated, so if you are coming with a group that wants to talk a lot, you're best bet is to make a reservation and indicate your preference to not to sit right beside the band.
(5)Ellie W.
For any fans of The Beehive in the South End, this is essentially its slightly more artsy, hipster sibling. The food leaves a lot to be desired--I'd much rather walk down the street to Alden & Harlow if I'm looking for top-notch food--but the scene is what you come here for. The kitschy ambiance, jazz tunes, some woman belting out some lyrics in french which sound plenty romantic, but she could be singing about tomatoes for all I know... It's cute, intimate -- perfect for dates, and small get-togethers. Again, the food is a bit lacking -- not sure why the Crispy Tuna Springroll came out with zero flavor and looking like a giant fried burrito cut in half -- but you can't beat the ambiance and the drinks here. It's a 'sway a little while you listen to jazz and sip your cocktail, close your eyes and pretend it's 1920' kind of spot, and hands down one of the best intimate little joints in Cambridge.
(4)Ric S.
I'm currently sitting in The Beat, enjoying a martini and some marinated olives before ordering the Cape Cod Diver Scallops with clams and Mussels and a small batch artisan rose on tap, and I can't help but feel like I've taken a time machine back into the Mad Men beatnick "Zoobie Zoobie Zoo" days... And it's good. So good. They take the "college vibe" and combine it with great food and a groovy atmosphere. Well done.
(5)Jesse-Marie K.
The service although fast was terrible. The bartender was argumentative. Maybe just having a bad day, but a glass of wine our party had was bad, perhaps it was the glass itself. When we told the bartender, she claimed that we didn't know wine. We ordered something else, she did not take it off the bill even though we did not drink it. When she brought a different glass of wine she stated it was from the same company and perhaps I've never had cask wine! I drank that glass and the. When my friend paid the bill, he left her only 15%. As a former bartender I thought she deserved more, she still poured the drinks after all. When I slipped her a 10, she proceeded to tell me that some people just don't know wine that well!!!! I didn't respond because at this point it was just absurd. You served a bad glass of wine, own up to it, and get the customer something else. There is a much better way to handle these situations! None of us will be going back. I understand that because of the location there are probably a lot of young kids who go in there are cheap and rude. However, we were not those customers. Each bar round was 70+ Know your customers!
(1)Jane A.
We were here with a few friends a few weeks ago, on a recommendation from another friend. I arrived early and had a Tulum Fizz at the bar while I waited. Once everyone arrived we were seated. The waitress came by a little later and explained what was going on. They were busier than normal, the coffee machine had stopped working and they were literally serving Dunkin Donuts coffee while the machine was being fixed. We ordered our coffee and kept looking at the menu. Eventually we ordered- Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes, Mahi Mahi Tacos, Short Rib & Tomato Grilled Cheese with an egg, and I had the Sweet Chili Laquered Baby Back Ribs as well as two Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. The portions were huge! Everyone seemed to enjoy their food. I felt that the flavor of the ribs were good but the meat was dry. The shrimp were delicious and fresh. My boyfriend thought his pancakes were very good. Service was just okay.
(3)Mariana R.
5 stars for atmosphere, 3 stars for drinks - wish I could give it 3.5 stars overall. I would go back in a heartbeat for the music and atmosphere alone. Went with a group of 5 for after dinner drinks and it was great for that. Drinks were disappointing but I'm a huge snob in that department. If you go I would stick with beer and wine rather than bartender crafted cocktails.
(3)Kimmy U.
So hip. So trendy. So not a hotel! I bet the hostesses were like "oh no... not again" when they saw our friend with her luggage coming down the stairs. Jk! She came straight from the airport :p Beat Hotel is definitely a place to admire the atmosphere in addition to the food. The restaurant is large and spacious with a bar area/high tables, booths for sit down meals, and even a stage at the front for some live music! Their menu has a good amount of options and a HUUUGE selection of wines on tap! As in the entire back side of the menu is all drinks. holyy It is a little pricey, but I think it's worth it (at least the options we chose)! They don't skimp out on portions, and the entrees we got were all cooked very nicely. My brother and I decided to share, so we got 2 appetizers and 1 entree -Steamed mussels appetizer- omg that SAUCE!! I'm used to a white wine/cream sauce when I order mussels, but this one came with a wine/tomato sauce. Soo delicious, especially when you soak the bread in it mmmm... the mussels were just ok though. -Grilled octopus appetizer- a little too much char for me, but it went well with the arugula and heirloom tomatoes. I probably wouldn't get this one again -Duck entree- Perfectly cooked! Chef's recommendation is medium rare, and it was so on point. It comes with a risotto that I wasn't a huge fan of because it lacked flavor and wasn't soft enough for me, but the sauce from the duck paired well with it. There was just enough fat on the duck and it came with about 8 slices. So so good. I would definitely get this again. Overall a nice experience! Next time I'll come back for BRUNCH
(3)Iris S.
The one other time I tried to check out the Beat to get drinks, I was turned away because of a private event, so I don't know how frequently that happens but check before you go! This time, I caught up with a friend on a Sunday night for dinner, and found out that they only have live music about 4x a week in August (picking back up in the fall) so that was a little disappointing and I'm sure I didn't get the full experience. Regardless, the ambience was nice with an old school feel and the food quite tasty as well. I got the Mother Earth bowl with brown rice, lentils, tofu, and grilled/roasted veggies. I enjoyed this dish thoroughly and liked how the veggies were roasted, but besides the natural flavors of the items, the dish lacked a little flavor, as I just couldn't taste the pesto. My one other comment is that it is not cheap. I paid closer to $30 including tip/tax, and with only veggies I'm not sure this dish was worth the price tag.
(3)Isabella C.
I have passed by this place many times and dismissed it because of its very handwritten and freestyle signage, but recently heard a rave review and decided to check it out. I was incredibly surprised by the decor -- the sign outside doesn't at all correlate to the interior of Beat Hotel. It's beautiful -- decorated, but not overdone. There are natural, rustic touches, with soft lighting and comfortable seating all around. It's very spacious for a restaurant in Harvard Square. On weekend mornings, they start brunch at 10am, an hour earlier than most other places in the area. This is a huge plus. When we got there just around 10:30, the place was fairly quiet and empty but the live jazz band was already playing, which made it feel like an intimate private concert. The music was just the right volume -- not too loud for conversation but also not too quiet so as to make us strain to hear them. The food was served quite quickly. I loved the omelette with goat cheese, leek, and kale. It was just the right combination of textures, the egg was soft and moist, and the bread that accompanied it was whole grain and hearty. The home fries were sliced lengthwise, as if they were fries rather than cubes, and crispy and salted appropriately. The Eggs Benedict was soft, served on a bed of salmon and English muffin, and the Hollandaise was creamy and sour, though not as sour as I personally prefer. Overall, though, the service was great. Loved the ambiance. I could hardly believe I was steps away from the bustle of Harvard Yard while inside Beat Hotel. I would love to come back and see how the atmosphere is at night.
(4)Alejandro L.
I guess the atmosphere is very nice inside, I couldn't tell. Unfortunately, we were not allowed in because they wouldn't accept temporary licenses as means of identification. Not just that, they were extremely rude about it. Well, it's their loss. This is one place that I will not go to in Harvard Square
(1)Diane H.
The ambiance is really cool here. I initially was very hesitant to come but group vote wins and here I was. For a Wednesday night--it was packed! Our server was great, he checked up multiple times and was very lively. I thought this was a hotel...hence "Beat Hotel" but it's really a restaurant that took over the space of the old Tannery store. I tried the frogs leap wine, a glass was at $22 and also at the end I ordered the mango martini made from real mango puree which was DELICIOUS. All the drinks were great from what i heard around the table. For apps we got the raw bar? Oysters, shrimps..I think that is it..nothing too special. Also tried the tuna egg roll which has jasmine rice which was really delicious when paired with the dipping sauce. I had the mussels which were good too...the sauce was yummy on it though there wasn't alot. For entree, half of us got the daily special which was lobster risotto which was yummy. I do feel that there could have been more of a taste for the risotto part but it wasn't bad...just kinda plain but as I ate on it got better. There was asparagus which was cooked perfect. The lobster was overcooked so I was like eh. Did not get a chance to try dessert this time...maybe next time. The music is a plus++ They start playing really good music around 8, before then there isn't as much music. The drink menu is fantastic---so huge. Give it a go!
(4)Pam C.
I had passed by the Beat Hotel so many times without ever dropping in - I definitely have a bit of an aversion to anything located in a basement. Finally had a chance to check it out, and I really wish I had come sooner! The interior is extremely spacious - the entire bar is one large open space. You don't really notice that you're subterranean, with the decor. There's really nice neon lighting on the sides, and some really cool glowing wall art. They had a pretty cool, jazzy live band when we came on a Friday night. Overall, very very swanky, 70's vibe. Service was very prompt and friendly, and unlike a lot of bars there is a lot of table space so you never feel crowded. The food was pretty good for bar food, and they have a good selection of specialty cocktails. The cocktails themselves weren't extremely creative - mostly recreations of classics like sidecars and old fashions. Beat Hotel is a really cool space, and definitely worth checking out!
(4)Wiser S.
A resident of Cambridge, I went in to find out what the 'Beat' Brasserie was all about. Apparently it's loosely modeled after the Beat Hotel in London. And there are some framed quotes of Kerouac in the toilet. But the similarity ends there. There's no poetry to this venue. Goons with ear pieces rudely patrol the aisles telling patrons where they need to sit and stand. I guarantee you Kerouac and Ginsberg would not even piss in the general direction of this ultra pretentious place.
(1)Tina P.
Been wanting to try Beat hotel for awhile. Had an excellent time with a few friends. The ambience, decor and music is a big plus. I especially liked hearing songs dedicated to the people of Gaza and Ferguson. Yes! Food was on point. Salmon tartar, bohemian platter for two, seafood platter for two, grilled octopus (excellent!!), & buffalo cauliflower were all great. American bass drink (with elderberry liquor, whiskey, & apple cider) was very well done. Strong! Service could improve. Overall, great place to enjoy with friends. Would come back!
(4)Jude P.
It's sort of weird coming here knowing it was formerly the Tannery which was one of my top shoe store when I was younger. All in all, what Beat Hotel has provided to this space is pretty tremendous. First I'll mention the negative though, the last couple of times I've been here, my group & I weren't treated well and all we did was just walk in. No rude or loudness from us, and our clothes were fit well. It wasn't fun being looked at differently and being spoken to in a different tone. Aside from that, and other good experiences, I won't let my review be isolated to those experiences. The drinks first off are always great, done right, and they have a great selection to choose from. Always been treated well by the bartenders and they didn't know there drinks and never been fuzzy on when asked for their suggestion. As for the food, alone it was above average towards 4 stars. The Thai bowl was a great portion and my friend had the swordfish in which she killed immediately and constantly mentioned of its good worth. My favorite was the Frog's Leap wine which hit me instantly as well as dominantly good and look forward to having a reunion with it. Last and best part is the music. The times I've been there, I was lucky to catch the acts play and they would be better than all of what I would experience so kudos to whomever selects the bands. Listen, just go and thank me later
(4)Jessica R.
Seriously in the top 5 meals I've ever had. My only regret is that I didn't discover this place earlier. Make reservations and try one of the earth bowls!
(5)Pawan J.
Possibly one of the best burgers I've ever ate in my life. Make sure you add the cheddar and bacon! A bit pricey but worth it. I'll definitely be back
(5)Dave P.
Reserved a table for 7PM on a Wednesday night. I requested to be seated near the stage in the OpenTable reservation's note box. When we arrived, the hostess initially sat us pretty far away from the stage. Yet, the place was fairly empty. I thought it was strange but I didn't want to make a scene about it so I let it go. Within minutes, another hostess came by and let us know how sorry they were. They must've read the reservation as we sat down. They apologized and we were moved pretty close to the stage. Great customer service. We ordered: Tuna caparccio - excellent. order it. Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos - well portioned; well seasoned; but my fish was so overcooked it was rubbery Skirt Steak Aztec Bowl - Delicious. order it. I was initially weary of poor service after having read some of the reviews on Yelp but to my surprise, we received some of the best service we've received at any restaurant. It was great. And the food -- despite my fish taco disaster -- was delicious. Perfect for a date night.
(4)Farnaz S.
Fantastic food, amazing decoration,& friendly staff with good music. What else I can ask for?!
(5)Michael C.
From the same owners of the Beehive, the Beat Hotel. I have been here much more often for drinks than for food. The vibe here on most nights is very jazzy. Like the type of jazz where I should be reading poetry to the bands music and saying "snap snap" while reading random words off paper. This place brings a good crowd most nights, a little on the intimate side, not the spot for a guys night out. A definite no fail date spot though.
(4)Rachel D.
My review is based solely on drinks and atmosphere. I didn't have any food, but next time in town I'll have to try to grab a bite. I'm a big fan of the Beehive from way back when so I'd be happy to try the food here at Beat Hotel. In terms of ambiance and cocktails this place is fantastic. Harvard Square has really upped it's game since I used to work in the square. They have fancy cocktails, beer and wine options as well as a bar menu and full dinner menu. There was a trio playing jazz the entire time we were there (we were there about an hour and a half so I'm thinking they have live music for the majority of the night), and they were fantastic. We had to kill time before our dinner reservation and this was the perfect oasis to do that in. I had the Violette cocktail (quite interesting and obviously light purple) and a couple of their other options based on my servers recommendations. Some friends met us there for drinks and overall it was a great experience. If you're looking for great atmosphere and good drinks head here! Also in true Beehive fashion the bathroom was amazing, decked out with retro beads and all. I don't know what they use for handsoap at their locations but I need it in my life.
(4)Kyle G.
Finally made it in to eat here the other night. A friend works at the Beat and had been trying to get me to try it for at least a year. It was a hot day and I wasn't that hungry so I went for the deep fried spring roll. Wow really good and bigger than I was expecting. The people to my left had a plate of ribs that smelled rich and inviting. The woman to my right had a Burrata salad which she was raving about, along with their drinks.
(4)Karis O.
#yaaaaaassssssssss. The best time to go for brunch is on the early side, when the Harvard kids are slowly awakening to their hangovers and haven't established whether or not they can make it out into public. This is approximate time frame in order to grab a table for some lovely jazz music and one of the more eclectic brunch menus in the area. As the US Ambassador for all things eggs benedict, I highly recommend the dish with braised short rib. Also, "You can't each nachos for breakfast," they said. "It's not good for you," they said. Oh really? If that's so, then why are slow-roasted pork nachos on the menu here?! A definite indulgence, *maaaaybe* a tad bit too early for brunch but man, do they do a good job. Pump up on the bottomless coffee, get the jazzy vibes going and fill up on the delicious goodness at the Beehive's sister location!
(4)Kenny C.
Beat Hotel is a little on the classier side (think after work lounge. They feature live music and it was pretty popular on a Friday night. As the name implies, their theme is a hotel. The host and hostesses are at a reception desk when you walk in, which is unique. I had been told that they serve the best burger in town. And I have to say, it was pretty damn good. Medium with gorgonzola was perfect. Good fries too - crispy and not too heavy. We started out with the Buffalo cauliflower and the Bohemian platter. The cauliflower was great. Nice and spicy. The blue cheese dressing was super chunky. The Bohemian platter was okay, but not enough things to dip. Service was great. Their OpenTable policy was a little strict, but the host I spoke to on the phone 3x was very accommodating of last minute changes. Definitely call ahead to make a reservation because you'll get an awesome table. I made a reservation the day of for three people and they sat us right in the middle of the pit in the front.
(5)Ralph O.
The beat hotel is unavoidable. It is a good-enough place to spend a couple of hours with friends in Harvard Sq. But give me a sustitute and I will jump right in. It is a major tourist-trap. Even if the location and ambience are well-produced, the place lacks a caring owner. It also lacks category. The Beat Hotel is the Ruby-Tuesday of newly sophisticated crowds. Expect to be treated as a tourist and to be blatantly manhandled by personnel. They also make everything extremely complicated and bureaucratic. Customers need to follow rules that benefit management at the cost of good service. For example, I went to ask for a drink at the bar because the table waiter had abandoned us completely. They wouldn't serve me at the bar because I was at a table, even if the tab was closed. Waiter was nice when he came to the table, though. When closing, they will kick you out with no tact or grace. I understand staff is tired, but train them to kick clients out with a better protocol. Wine at the Beat tastes more like and rancid Ocean Spray juice. Also, no offence to vegans but having "Gluten free" or "Vegan safe" in a wine description is like putting a "led-free paint" sticker over an oil painting. If it is important to the drinker, let them ask if the wine has these characteristics. A waiter (if they are around) may guide you through the vegan-safe wine. Food is very ah-ok. All of the above is considering price. I would give Ruby Tuesday many more stars because of their value offer. If you are going to over-charge me for eatable food, give me good service. All this said, see you next week! If you leave near Harvard Sq, you will have to go there. In spite of everything, it is fun, they have some good drinks, and the crowd is nice. I usually like to eat before going and just having drinks, without seating on a table.
(1)Ryan H.
Went in last night with my friends. Bartender didn't give us menus, walked away when we needed help, and when we finally did get our drinks, she looked at us to pay, but never gave us a receipt or a price. Extremely unprofessional, and the drinks weren't even that good. The bar wasn't busy and it wasn't close to closing time, so this bartender had no reason to give us bad service except for her lack of talent in the service industry.
(1)Pieta B.
I've had great experiences here, sitting at the bar. My most recent visit, though, I made a reservation for 8. I chose the Beat Hotel because I thought it was big enough to accommodate a large group. Not really. We were seated at 4 tiny tables stuck together. It was very uncomfortable. We were also right in front of the stage, which some people would like, but was just too loud for my taste. I asked to be moved and never heard from the hostess again, even though the restaurant was not very full. My wine came, and it was not right. My server argued that it couldn't be off because of the fancy system they use that keeps the wine from coming into contact with air. But I have had a lot of Hess Chardonnay and it did not taste as it should have. She didn't take it away until she saw that I was passing it around the table for people to sniff, rather than drinking it. The food, of course, was great. It always is. The vegetarian options are abundant, creative and fresh. And then, although I was obviously not happy with my experience, we were charged an automatic gratuity. That makes me really mad. I did complain to the manager on my way out, and there was not much he could do at that point. So, I would go back, but definitely not with a large group and only to sit at the bar. And I won't order the Hess Chardonnay.
(3)Laura S.
Great food and atmosphere but slow service. My favorite time to come is for brunch - I'm a huge fan of the Bowl Azteca or the Wild Flower Honey & Lemon Pancakes. The prices for brunch are more reasonable than for dinner. The only negative is the extremely slow service. If you are very hungry definitely order an appetizer because the food typically takes around 30 minutes at a minimum after you order. But the live jazz band and great quality food make this place worth a visit.
(4)Amin F.
Waitress with attitude, bad service, carelessly set table, uncooked meat, annoying music, etc.
(1)Lauren H.
#13 of 52 in 2014. First impression: the tannery was WAY bigger than I thought it was. Very cool space, sprawling bar area, not the usual cramped boston area bar. We had swordfish tacos and they were pretty tasty. Good cocktails. This place is NOT cheap. I guess I should have expected that being in Harvard Sq, but I was looking for thirsty Thursday and this place put me in the poor house for the rest of the weekend.
(3)Alyssa B.
Great new spot for Harvard square. A restaurant with a distinctive personality and excellent night scene.
(4)Ae C.
My new favorite place of all time! "The Beat Hotel" in Harvard Sq. I don't know what to say but OMG I could eat this place every single meal! I can't recall how sexy the food was and the taste of it is just pure awesomeness! #Oysters #Shrimp #ChiptoleRibs #BestSteakEver!
(5)Marco G.
Absolutely one of my favorite spots! Just opened last September, owned by Beehive owners, this American cuisine restaurant seems to have an influence by Greeks with some of their dishes Greek included. Its hippie decor exposes artwork by several artists as each of them were given a section of the restaurant to create their paintings and eclectic pieces. They offer live music every evening, bringing artists from New York and Philly but mostly local artists. Two bands perform evening around 6:30 & 8:30 playing jazz & funk. And just like the vibe, decor of the place, they serve creative and and flavorful dishes. Highly recommend the grilled octopus & pulled lamb nachos. Needless to say, HIGHLY RECOMMEND the restaurant. If I lived near Boston, my fiancé and I would absolutely become regulars. Have at it!!!
(5)Melissa D.
This is an incredible hidden gem. In a basement in Harvard square this exquisite restaurant is not only equipped with delicious food but also contains wonderful artwork from MassArt students themselves. The live jazz music along with the colorful lighting is a wonderful ambience to be surrounded by while eating. The cocktails are imaginative and delicious. I recommend the earth bowl, that I are with salmon. The fresh grilled veggies and delicious rice mix was more than plenty but left me feeling healthy. This is definitely not one of those restaraunts where you finish a dish feeling uncomfortably full and regret your meal... The perfect portion sizes and the ingredients are refreshing and definitely leave you wanting more. The bread pudding dessert was also incredible. This "hotel" is wonderful for a birthday celebration, a pit stop or drinks or a first date! Perfect venue for any occasion if you intend to wow your guests.
(5)Liz B.
I've had this restaurant recommended to me by a few different people since its opening and finally made it for brunch. The decor certainly lived up to its reputation, I would use the word "groovy" - and I don't use that word often. Its an open floor plan which you don't see often, but they've managed to still make it fun and interesting. Our seats included a back rest behind the booth as a place to store coats and bags - very good thinking! The jazz music was perfect, not too loud, but still present and enjoyable. The food was great and certainly lived up to its Beehive roots. If you've ever been to The Beehive in the Sound End the menu is very similar. I ordered the Inca Bowl vegetarian style, which was delicious, however, the tempeh was extremely overcooked to the texture of rubber, making it impossible to eat. Other than that the flavors were good and my mother's quiche was delicious. As you may expect, the drinks were also great. I had the Kir Royale and my mother had the Orange dream - perfect. Not too sweet or sour and good alcohol ratio. I will certainly be back, too many delicious things to try on the menu. I also plan to visit the Beat Hotel at night for some drinks and live music
(4)Danielle S.
I was excited when this place opened because the night-life around Harvard Square is sub-par in my opinion. The space is big with a good amount of standing room, which i love. The live music is also a plus. Overall, a nice atmosphere. They have a large selection of beer and wine on tap. You heard me right - wine on tap. In my opinion, if 99.9% of restaurants are not serving wine on tap, there is probably a reason. Despite my reservations, I gave it a shot. Meh. Not impressed. Because this is one of the newer places to go near campus, it's pretty jam-packed on most nights. At least once every week, classmates will suggest meeting up at the Beat Hotel. I like it all right, but there are other places i'd rather go.
(3)Dave C.
Hard Rock Cafe's pricier, jazz-themed brand. Reminds me of the great theme restaurants of yesteryear: Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, etc. Exploits jazz and "beat" cultures as well as the customers wallet. Lots of security walking around with little bluetooth headsets, creating an environment that feels very uneasy.
(2)M T.
I went to dinner and drinks. I originally wanted to bring a bigger group for dinner however they were very busy and I had to limit my dinner party. Therefore I compromised and decided to have an early dinner at 6pm and meet others at the bar 8:30pm. I communicated so much with the management the week before of my plans. After dinner, I was told that I would have the next bar table so I did not have to hover over tables as people finish their stay. They lied to me and the next table was taken by another group. I approached the staff again, they told me I could have the next table. A table became available and I checked with the host and asked if my party could occupy this table. He said yes and therefore I moved my party to this open table. Soon after, the host approached me to tell me that these bar tables were being used for dinner tables. He had made a mistake. . Then the host said that he would make an exception, a favor, however only 4 of my group could sit at the tables and the other members could not stand nearby. It was ridiculous to ask that I split up my party in the bar area. So my entire group had to evacuate these tables and go back to our original area. Management did nothing to accommodate my group in the bar. They seemed to accommodate others but not my group. All I that wanted was good customer services and not special favors. I guess I did not know how to earn the host's good favor. These bar tables are in the middle of the bar and are meant for people to sit and stand around. These tables are suppose to be bar tables on the first-come first serve basis. In fact I had asked if I could reserve these tables for dinner and I was told no. I had brought 15 people to their bar and restaurant. They had the power to help me find a nice comfortable place for my group and they refused. I was very disappointed and will definitely not return. The management seemed to be snobby and discriminate service to a select few. Otherwise, the restaurant has a artsy bohemian atmosphere and the music is good.. The food was a bit expensive.
(1)P C.
Great vibe and music last night but the staff needs to chill out. We wanted to sit and asked a couple that had two seats available at thier table if we could pull the extra table away and sit. They had no issue with it. Along comes Beat staff and tells us you can't pull the table apart from the other. Silly silly worthless attitude!
(4)Julie G.
LOVE the vibe here. Very eclectic decor accompanied by live jazz (which apparently I like). Quirky & delicious menu with great cocktails. A bit pricey, but worth it for a nice date night.
(4)N H.
The Beat Hotel is a fun place to get a drink, no doubt. The atmosphere is funky and the live music on the weekends is good. I would recommend The Beat Hotel for a drink. The Beat Hotel for a dinner experience? Not so much. My experience for dinner was disappointing from when I arrived. I went with a group of friends for my birthday. I made reservations in advance, arrived a few minutes early and checked in. Understandably, the table wasn't ready, so we hung out at a small table near the bar until it was. I noticed a large table had been cleared and set for some time (a little over 5 minutes after my reservation), yet no one had come and notified us. I had to go over to the hostess and ask about my table again, to then be notified that yes indeed that very table was for us and ready. Once we were seated, our waters were poured but the very last glass was only filled a third of the way since the pitcher ran out of water. Instead of the glass being promptly filled soon afterwards, I had to ask if this glass could be topped off when our server was taking our order. Having someone come over to top this glass off with water also took a long time. I was also disappointed by the food, especially given how much we were paying for our meals. My friends also brought a cake in with us and asked the server if they could serve it to us. We were notified that the restaurant has a $2/person serving fee. I guess some restaurants have this fee. Instead, my friends decided to order me a chocolate tart complete with a lit candle. When the bill finally came, to all of our surprise, we were charged for the tart. Most restaurants will comp a single birthday dessert. Overall, I felt my dinner experience was very disappointing, considering we were each paying at least $40 per person. The food was definitely not worth this much money, and neither was the service. I would not recommend The Beat Hotel for a nice dinner.
(2)Joud K.
We came here on Valentine's night 2015. We arrived at 930 for dinner and they had already run out of 3 of their main items (out of 6!) I ordered the filet mignon medium well. I got a tiny piece of some overlooked stake - sucked! The music was nice otherwise I would give the place 1 star at best.
(2)Frederic M.
I felt an obligation to write this review, as I was surprised to see the amount of negative reviews on this place. The Beat Hotel is a huge (underground) space in the middle of Harvard Square. I love how they decorated the place. There is a fancy bar and a stage to host bands. The Beat Hotel is not a cheap place, but it is a bit of an upscale place that is looking for the right balance between being fun, funky and stylish. I think they did a great job. It is the kind of place that Harvard Square so badly needed! Sure, they suffer from some children-diseases: service is ok but not excellent yet, the food is ok but could use a bit more refinement. But overall, I am very happy to finally have a place like that in Harvard Square. I'll definitely be going back!
(4)Stacey R.
The Beat Hotel was extremely disappointing. I made the reservation three weeks in advance. When the hostess sat us, we were given the table directly next to the singer. Very loud and there were plenty of other tables that we walked past. It was clear they wanted to give us a bad table and see if we wouldn't say anything. We order a few appetizers but none of them stood out. Our meals were even less impressive. Scallops were bland and rubbery. Mussels were okay but the frites were brunt and salty. Swordfish tacos was decent but the presentation looked like it could have come from a low end chain restaurant. Wine portions were pretty small. Overall, we had looked forward to trying this place but would not go back. The music was the only highlight. Go for a drink. Don't stay for the food.
(1)James T.
The place looks beautiful and has some great music, it only has one main problem. The wait staff are incredibly rude and nasty to customers. The guy at the front door checking ID's began the unprofessional behavior and the hostess and waitresses continued it. No matter how great the place is it's not worth being treated terribly by the staff.
(2)Clay N.
Facts: - The music is better than the food - The staff is terrific - The bar is extensive and expensive Go if: - You need a good date spot - You are looking to feel classy - You are sick of seeing undergrads at bars in cambridge We were fortunate enough to find this place right after it opened and in fact when three times in the first week. There is music every night (this place is owned by the same guy that owns the beehive, so you know it's good) and the bartenders are talented/knowledgeable. I've met the manager three times and the owner twice, both remembered my name and were incredibly friendly: talk about good service! Be warned, the food is not up to par with some of Boston's elite restaurants and may be a tad overpriced; however the atmosphere more than makes up for it. If you come on a weekend, push to get to the back of the bar, close to the stage: there is always room back here for some reason, often with a bar stool or two. If you run into any trouble, just drop my name. It won't help anything, but this is certainly the kind of place where I would like to develop a reputation :)
(4)Maura S.
We made reservations for 12 people and were told we could not be seated at the same table due to the room set up. When we arrived, there were 2 tables of 6 set up next to each other but there were many options along the banquette to push tables together to make one table for 12 so I am not sure why we couldn't be accommodated. In addition, even though we were seated next to each other, we had two separate waiters and the timing of the meals and order were completely off. The food was mediocre at best, my lobster risotto special was luke warm when delivered and the lobster was tough...not what I expected for the special of the day. Lastly, we ordered a dessert for the birthday celebrant which took over 25 minutes to be served...not cool.
(1)Ashley G.
GROSSLY overpriced is an understatement. A salad with grilled steak is $27. I wish I were kidding. Between apps, entrees, drinks and tip, be ready to spend $100 per person.
(1)Laura H.
Wonderful bohemian atmosphere (imagine a chic Urban Outfitters, if that's your thing), a menu of healthy delicious options, great wine/cocktail list, and very knowledgeable and friendly staff make this a must visit in Cambridge. A tad bit pricey, but the dishes are suitable for sharing which takes the sting out of it. We split the earth bowl with chicken along with the highly recommended Black Birch Julep (which tastes a lot like root beer) and left full and happy.
(4)Jonathan D.
Beat hotel has some great features. The wine selection, while pricy (it's that kind of place), is full of really great-tasting wines. I've had all of the reds, and you can't go wrong with any of them. Their entrees are fine, but the earth bowl is the way to go. The tuna spring roll appetizer is perfect. I've been here four times. On the fourth time, I did not sit, and I don't think I will be back. My friend and I arrived at about 4:45PM on a particularly cold and windy Sunday. We had went by Starbucks to grab some coffee to help warm us up, and done a little shopping. I had finished with my coffee, and she was almost done, but we both still had our cups. The conversation went like this: Me: "Hi, can we get a table for two, for dinner, please?" Her (Hostess): "No, Dinner doesn't start until 5:00." Me, after looking at watch: "That's OK, we'll just have a glass of wine or two at the bar while we wait." Her: "No, not with those cups." OK, I get it. No outside food (even at the bar?) - I knew going in that they might not like it. I would have completely accepted it, had we been given even just a hint of a smile. The woman seemed to be upset that we were there; she barely looked at us, and grimaced throughout the 60-second interaction. Next time, might I suggest something like: "I"m sorry, we have a no-outside-food policy and I can't seat you with those drinks. If you're done, may I take them for you?" I would love to go back here, but management really needs to train their employees to be more polite and work on their demeanor. Smile at customers; it's not going to kill you. Make eye contact. Otherwise, you come off as rude. And while the food is great, the theme of the negative yelp reviews for this place all have the same thing in common: the staff can be rude. That's especially bad when you're billing yourself as high-end, and trying to extract high-end prices. I understand you have rules, and I respect that. Just show me respect in return, and be pleasant to your customers.
(1)Reza H.
There's much to like about the Beat Hotel, unfortunately there are also things that makes one take pause. Firstly, it's a great space (used to be the old Tannery). For those of you who like to eat at the bar, you'll be happy to find two of longest bars I've ever seen. Their food is quite good. We started with the Butcher's Platter and my signature dish Earth Bowl were both delicious. I also really liked the Petite Sirah there. Unfortunately, the service was a little sketchy at times. As I was waiting for my friends, I got a drink at the bar. When I asked for a wine taste, because I couldn't decide between two wines, the bartender curtly told me, "We don't give out free samples here" (wrong choice of words, me thinks). From there I was obviously paying attention. The primary server of our table was excellent, she was friendly, attentive and efficient, but some of the other supporting staff could've been better. Like the one bringing drinks to people who already had drinks and ignoring those who did not. Or another staff who spilled water on our table only to bring a towel so we could clean it ourselves. We all thought it would've been great when we got the Butcher's Platter if someone pointed out what each items were. In their defense, the restaurant is only two months old. No doubt they'll work out the kinks.
(2)Karen D.
This place fills a hole for Harvard Square. I'm reviewing my overall experience, but can't comment really on the food yet. My BF and I stumbled in here late on Saturday. First, we were given a warm greeting at the door. I was really surprised at how big the space was since the old Tannery was cramped and small. The decor is shabby chic and the place had a really cool vibe. We were lingering at the bar which was full when an employee came over and offered us a table. We got a nice little table with a good view of the stage. The band was on break, so we had no idea what type of music it was. It was well past dinner, so ordered a snack. Skimming the menu, most of it is up there in price, so the food would have to be excellent to be worth it. I did see some burgers being served and they looked fantastic, so I would go back another time to try one. Our server was very friendly and we ordered cocktails and the buffalo cauliflower. The drinks and the dish were great. The band came on and I was really impressed. They billed themselves as Brooklyn funk and instead of just having a nightcap, we stayed until the end of the night. It's nice to have a place you can wander into without a cover charge and check out some decent music and decide to have just a drink or to make a night of it depending on your mood. When we left, the person at the door thanked us and said she hoped we enjoyed our evening, which is a really small think, but gave me a lasting impression that made me glad I spent my money there. I'm looking forward to going back.
(4)Lauren P.
I love the Beat Hotel, especially when getting brunch. The food, coffee, drinks from the bar and live music are excellent. This past time I was there however, our server Gabriel was disappointingly rude. He very obviously only made eye contact with one of us and when addressing the table only spoke to the one person. He never asked how any of the others at the table was enjoying their meal and was very inattentive overall. all other people working there, were very friendly and engaging. I would recommend that he work on this as a server.
(3)Richard C.
The folks behind The Beehive in the South End opened up the Beat Hotel in Harvard Square and pretty much made a similarly delightful burger. The Prime Burger ($15) is a tall one, staring right back at you like many classic pub-looking burgers before it. The menu offers no hint of what's to come, but after digging a little deeper I learned this burger comes with a Port Wine aioli, crispy tobacco onions, served on a Hi-Rise potato roll and a side of vinegar slaw. Interesting that none of that is listed on the actual menu and even more interesting that I probably found it more favorable before I learned all that, since you could barely taste any of it. But I digress; it's forgivable because it's quite delicious no matter how you slice it. The beef and the beef alone is the clear star of this burger. It may seem obvious but too frequently burgers are engulfed by too many toppings and misguided choices of buns and accompaniments. There is no hidden agenda regarding the Beat burger: it's beefy, thick, juicy throughout, and seasoned just about as flawlessly as you can get. Grill marks give it some decent char, which creates a bitter element that works well to counteract the big, bold, beefy flavors that are fully represented. It is cooked to medium-rare mostly across the board and those juices are slow and steady, seeping into the bun which is sturdy and holds it all in. At first glance the bun looks like an oncoming train-wreck because it appears much too tall and thick. However, despite being over-toasted with a crunch that is borderline excessive, the bun is actually light on the inside and ultimately is a wise choice for those aforementioned juices. Melted cheddar (an extra 50 cents) is assertive, very pronounced, and easily worth the price of admission. The aioli was nowhere to be found, and I'm still convinced it was not even on there, and a few sprinkles of not super crispy tobacco onions end up mushy under the bun and pressed up against the patty. The side slaw is refreshing and light, high on the vinegar and not a bad couple of bites after such a rich and decadent burger. A side of fries are similar to The Beehive; thick slices are presented differently from the norm and are crazy crispy and even crazier on the salt content, bordering on much too salty but definitely better over than under seasoned. The burger at the Beat Hotel isn't necessarily original but it hardly matters. I'm, okay with the $15 fee because you can tell the quality of the beef and it is executed the right way. The fries, slaw and bun work their magic but the beefy, salty and juicy burger that is the showcase really comes through.
(4)Sue M.
I've been for dinner and brunch. Sat in the bar area for dinner and liked the atmosphere both there and in the dining area. Food is very good. Prices are on the average to high side (especially for veggie type dishes). There are lots of dining/drinking options in Harvard Square -- this wins points for a unique atmosphere.
(4)Oliver S.
Came in for brunch this morning and the hostess wouldn't let me in with the 6oz of cappuccino I had just gotten at Crema next door. "No outside food or drink." And acted like she was doing me a favor by not sending me outside to finish it. What kind of a pathetic excuse for hospitality is this? As an admitted snob about my coffee, I have brought my own coffee to brunch in many, many places and never been rudely refused service before. If I hadn't been meeting friends (who were already seated), I would have left and not spent $30 on brunch. I certainly won't be back. You got a second star because the food was pretty good.
(2)Nicole C.
Between The Beehive and Beat Hotel, The Beehive wins by a large margin. I went here for Saturday brunch when a very "meh" jazz band was playing. We, a party of two, were told there would be a wait of 15 minutes, even though they didn't look busy. In total we waited closer to an hour, but the hostess was apologetic all throughout and provided updates and explanations for the delay. The layout and atmosphere of Beat Hotel is nothing like The Beehive, which I can best describe as "intoxicating" -- dark, comfortable, and utterly romantic. Beat Hotel has an elongated, partitioned layout that made for a weirdly disconnected and uninviting feeling. Our seating section felt miles away from anyone else in the restaurant and was frankly a little depressing. Beat Hotel's saving grace is that their food is on par with The Beehive's. Only thing I got kind of aggravated with was that they were short-staffed and refused to make substitutions that would accommodate my ridiculous diet. We ended up getting the tandoori chicken wings (UNREAL) and a skirt steak salad that was unique and tasty, with unusual additions like cauliflower that actually worked. But. If I'm going to pay these kinds of prices, I'd feel better spending the money on the full experience at The Beehive -- not just food, but better music and better atmosphere.
(3)Karishma R.
I went to Beat Hotel with a few friends on a Saturday night, and I would have easily given them 5 stars if not for a few kinks with the service. The food, for one, was out of this world. The swordfish tacos were amazing, and my friends were raving about the Earth Bowl. The salads looked unbelievable as well, although I didn't get to try them this time (but can't wait to when I go back!). The vibe of the restaurant itself is super fun, even down to the bathrooms (which have Kerouac quoted on the walls in keeping with the name). Our waitress was great, but the food was extremelyyy slow. So slow that the manager came out to apologize. Also, they accidentally charged a random amount $60 more than our actual bill to my credit card (but they did apologize and voided it). They also have a convenient valet service for $18. All around, a great dinner, and I think I would rank this place above their sister restaurant the Beehive. Will definitely be back!!
(4)Mike I.
The decor was quite nice. Very Aztec. The bathroom was tolerable. The service at the bar was awful. We waited for about fifteen minutes, with 6 bartenders all wandering around serving drinks at a glacial pace. After being winked at by the barman a couple times then being completely ignored for a drunk order, we have up and left. Don't worry about us filling up your busy bar again
(2)Megan A.
Love this place, staff is always helpful, had dinner with my friends yesterday and loved the live music that they play on the weekends. Would def. recommend it!
(5)Kevin A.
Not awful, but a little lackluster. Food: Appetizers were good. They were creative and well thought out. However, the entrees were less impressive. I'm used the the price point, but the food seemed to be more trying to masquerade as being more fancy than it is. Some of the prices on the food were a little aggressive. Drinks: Really underwhelming. Harvard Square has many good places to get a drink. I thought the cocktails lacked creativity. $13 for a basic cocktail is a bit meh. The cocktail menu definitely did not imply much exciting was going on behind the bar. Wasn't bad, just a little lackluster. For $50/person, you can find some other great options nearby. Our server was nice though.
(2)Liz L.
Fantastic for drinks! Lots of wine (on tap!!!!) choices and some great drink ideas. The decor is great - funky, upscale hippie chic vibe. Live music every night, but not loud, overbearing music, more like live background hum? This is a perfect place to bring someone you want to convince that you are effortlessly cool. I enjoyed the food - lots of choices, all well-prepared, beautifully plated, and delicious. The thing is, it is expensive to eat here. Just a little more expensive than the restaurant calls for, you know?
(4)Rob G.
Fantastic food, really fun environment, fast and attentive service, but I think the best part is the innovative menu. Every time we go, we get to try something we've never had before and we have yet to be be disappointed.
(5)Arthur D.
I am sitting at this bar right now and felt inclined to write a review. I don't write many reviews but figured I would forget or get lazy later. Bad service - served a lamb nacho (which sounds amazing) with barely any lamb. It tasted like an Applebee's Unfriendly staff - bar tenders didn't smile. They were not friendly and acted like I am wasting their time. Also made a bad manhattan which is hard to screw up. We are with a friend in a wheelchair and asked for a table or area where we can go to and they never came back to answer us... Thanks for nothing. I will not return which sucks because It looks nice inside.
(2)Ricardo E.
this place was really cool. great place to meet with friends. staff was friendly. i sat at the bar with some friends, bartender monica was very helpful (versatile) describing the menu, and the wine list. we had a blast! i dont think this place is pricy specially if the bartenders (staff) help you order. food drinks, ambience were awesome!
(4)Vanessa P.
I came here with a party of seven and it seemed like a really nice place with unique atmosphere and live music. I split a vegan bowl and the buffalo cauliflower with my friend. The vegan bowl was fantastic and the buffalo cauliflower was tasty as well but then I noticed the celery which was not washed which is completely unacceptable in any restaurant and the server was probably the coldest server I have ever encountered. As much as I liked the atmosphere and the food, I'm definitely not coming back here again, ecoli is not worth it.
(2)Jeff W.
Get the Buffalo Cauliflower. Next time, we'd order more apps and treat them like tapas. Lots of great tastes on the menu.
(5)Jessica M.
It's been far too long since I've gone to a restaurant for the first time and have come out raving. Walking into this place, I was pleasantly surprised at how much bigger it is than I thought. I was also impressed by the comfortable-yet-stylin' bohemian decor. And this was before even trying the drinks and food! The wine list by the glass is extensive, and you can choose to try a half glass if you are the indecisive or experimental type. Though I did not order mixed cocktails, they looked delicious! I had the earth bowl with skirt steak as my entree and was wowed by the meal. The combination of flavors and variety of vegetables was incredible. Those I was with also enjoyed the duck and the swordfish tacos. I would order the earth bowl again and again! Our dinner was accompanied by live music and excellent service. Thanks to the Beat Hotel for a great night!
(5)JLH ..
Ok, the reviews are here are all over the place, but this is without a doubt, the best place in Harvard Square. It's a simple as that. Yes, the drinks are pricey. That's what you encounter when you go to an upscale restaurant and lounge with free live music and incredible and unique atmosphere right in the center of a major tourist attraction. It's everything I want in a night out. I was taking my mom here who's visiting from out of town and she was blown away. Everything from the stage to the bathroom stalls are breathtaking. We only came for appetizers and cocktails, so I can't comment on the dining portion, but our server Amy was really a gem. She was so sweet and it was obvious she was passionate about her job and the menu. The super friendly and funny female manager also made a point to drop in and say hi. Being open till 2 am doesn't hurt for the late night crowd who rarely has a place to go after the usual 1 shut down in Boston! Go here.
(5)Sean J.
Great music, great drinks, great service and great appetizers....but the entrées are very meh. I have come here for the bar many times, they have a decent selection of beer and the bartenders make good drinks. They also have live jazz music with no cover which is a huge plus. The appetizers are delicious. I've had both the nachos and buffalo cauliflower which I would order again and recommended to others. However, the one time I came here for an actual sit down meal I was wildly unimpressed by my main course. I ordered the duck breast, which the waitress insisted the chef chose to cook medium rare. I don't mind medium rare duck, but I personally wanted it a little more crispy and the cut I was given was about 35% fat, which when left rare or medium rare is very unappetizing. I will come here again for drinks and aps, but I will choose to go elsewhere for a sit down dinner.
(3)Brianna S.
Good food, good drinks, terribly slow service. One bartender at 130p on a Saturday for the whole bar and restaurant. Sat at the bar for 15 minutes without any acknowledgment until someone else came out.
(2)Brittany O.
I've been here twice, on two separate Saturday nights. The first we spent the evening at the bar with a group of friends and had a blast listening to the music and drinking away merrily. After perusing the menu but not ordering anything, I knew that I would be back to try their food everyone so raves about. The second time around my other half and I made dinner reservations at 9:15 pm on a Saturday night. We were sat pretty close to the live band. You can easily bring a group of 8-10 here and sit at The large round tables. Ryan had their lamb dish and I tried their Inca bowl. Not a single complaint other than I couldn't finish it all! The prices are high, but you absolutely get your money's worth. The band that was playing that night (Karma Exchange) really set the mood and we were living every minute of it. We didn't leave our table four three hours and finished out four/five rounds of drinks with their nachos. The service was beyond fantastic. Our waitress (Jen I believe) was on top if everything and had great suggestions for drinks. We will definitely be back here again in the near future! So far I've recommended it to three or four close friends who also agree that this is a fun/quality spot. Keep up the great work!
(5)A G.
This place is amazing! Large ample area with rows of tables and live jazz music. Nice set up plus a good location. Now about the rest: The wine list is super expensive so you are doomed to drink the small carafes of wine that are going for a good penny too. Besides, you don't even get to see the bottle and remember what you drank. So the wine loses its name. The food was ok. Service was mediocre with small amounts of bread for example one 6 inch piece of bread for 4 people! Luckyly another waiter came by to rescue us with two more small pieces of bread. As for ambience it looked like the neo yuppies like it.
(2)Elena H.
This is one of the strangest bars I have ever been to, it felt like a bar modeled after a prison. - security guys monitoring everyone - no dancing policy - can't push tables together - no standing policy, must sit down at table - bartender escorted one member of our group out for appearing drunk This places makes you paranoid about your every movement. They are control freaks.
(2)Robert A.
When I first heard about this place I thought it was located in a hotel. I had gone for a birthday party & so glad I stopped by. Love the Ambiance , Food, Cocktails ,the service & the live music, the whole set up. Two huge bars great seating space & lighting. The place is has a very cool concept and great decor. I have been here on two different occasions and they've had live music both times. So glad a place like this exists in Boston.
(5)Lynn C.
came here to meet a large group. nice atmosphere with cute chandeliers everywhere! loved the live music scene ... they were playing some version of song from Little Dragon! Only 4 stars bc the bartenders were inattentive and seemed uninterested in taking orders. the cocktails sound intriguing - but ended up tasting very generic and sugary.
(4)Mandy C.
There are few times in life when an amazing experience can be ruined by a terrible employee. The venue and the vibe of this bar exceeded my expectations. I stayed for a few hours and had a great time until I went to the bar for last call and waited...and waited... The bartender was very aloof and I spent ten minutes patiently waiting for my last beer. When the bartender finally came over I was told that the bar was closed and I couldn't get a drink. I explained that I had waited for ten minutes patiently and he was very dismissive. He then proceeded to serve other people after close while I stood there waiting. I asked him why he didn't want my business but he was willing to serve others and he became really aggressive, unprofessional, and rude. Until someone appropriately trains the Beat Hotel employees, myself and my 30 friends who came with me will no longer patronize this bar. This bartender is simply unbearable in his current state and you as a customer do not deserve to be treated like a second class citizen.
(1)Kate B.
I really liked Beat Hotel- it's super chic and the decor is flawless in that "Edie Sedgwick used to hang out here/pampered hippie sort of way," which I personally adore. Service is phenom- friendly, helpful, and professional, and the music is awesome. The food leaves a little to be desired, unfortunately, which is why only 3 stars. Although the buffalo cauliflower is the stuff dreams are made of, the Salmon bowl I got was pretty bland, and my husband's steak wasn't awesome. It's a bit overpriced for what it is. Drinks, however, are smashing!
(3)Ben R.
Seems like management must've gotten the message, and they've seriously upped the customer service game. Looking forward to lots more great times here!
(4)Anne-Marie A.
Great vibe, good food -- nice ambience, made even nicer by the attention of Christa Phaneuf, Restaurant Manager who not only knows her stuff (food, wine, etc.) but stops by to check in, make sure everything is "great" -- without being intrusive. And, the little "sweet" she sent at the end was just a lovely touch. Christa made our evening all the better --
(4)Karah R.
Met a friend for brunch here at 10am, so no wait, but I bet having a reservation is the way to go, as the restaurant filled quickly. Had very attentive service. I ordered the bowl Azteca with poached eggs. It was FANTASTIC! So so so many great flavors. And lots of variety of vegetables in the dish- corn, squash, spinach, green beans, tomato, radishes, jicama. I would eat there again when I revisit Boston. Lovely jazz too.
(5)Louise K.
We only went to have a drink and listen to some live jazz. We had a drink called "American Breed": MAKER'S MARK, ST. ELDER ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR, APPLE CIDER. Highly recommended! Many of the drinks sounded sweet, this was poured on the rocks after being shaken. The apple cider is not evident but must give the drink the balance. The music was good, the service was excellent, loved the atmosphere. The food looked good but we had already eaten.
(4)John E.
Very cool place. Had the Hamachi sushi appetizer and it was delicious. Great atmosphere.
(5)Brian D.
So, now I've been to Beat Hotel. I've officially had an alcoholic beverage in pretty much every conceivable location in Harvard Square aside from the alleyway in between the former Casablanca and the Cambridge Center for Adult Education with the fauxmeless (faux-homeless) kids who call that home for the warm New England months. Mark my words, eclectic but not really sure what makes a 'beatnik' experience. I mean, they accept credit cards, nobody is getting high and not a single person was dressed in black snapping fingers to spoken-word poetry. That being said, Holy Lamb of God - the pulled lamb nachos are awesome and I declare them to be (without having had tried anything else on the menu) the winner of best item on the menu. And, from the look of things, one of the best values on the menu. That was another - non beatnick observation - Holy Capitalist Price Gorging! The scenery is a bit weird. I'll give or take a star for that. Sort of like 'Austin Powers' meets 'abandoned former retail space'. Seems sort of thrown together. I feel like they are definitely going someplace with the look but it's a bit too forced-hippy vs. beatnik. I'll some this up in true beat-style....man..... Beat... Hotel... is....for the..... cats and kittens with fat wallets, jack.... come on in... and... pay... for... nachos... I'll...be back, for more... nachos... (finger snapping)
(3)Michelle D.
Went to The Beat Hotel with about 15 -20 co-workers for a going away gathering, you know a bunch of folks get together for drinks and appetizers. The space was great - one of the larger, not crowded spaces in the square. Nice bar, good tall tables in the bar area - good for gathering with larger groups. BUT You had to have a waiter and one tab at the tall tables. This would have been OK if the waiter was not so overwhelmed. It was hard to have people order, get drinks in a timely manner, and pay as they left early. A tough set up for parties where people were coming and going through out the evening. The other drawback was the prices. HOLY COW! $16.50 for a hamburger? $10 for an appetizer sized chowder? Seems a little steep - at least offer more of a range. Also I wanted to get fries as an appetizer/side and was told I could not, even though there were plates of fries coming out with the hamburgers. All in all a good atmosphere, fancy menu, and high food prices. Would I go back - maybe if some else wanted to, but probably not on my own.
(2)Kristen R.
Loved, loved, loved the Beat Hotel. The food was outstanding, the service was unbelievably friendly and efficient, and the live jazz music was the perfect accompaniment to the evening. Did I mention that the service was truly a well-oiled, choreographed dance to behold? The earth bowls were delicious; try anything with the skirt steak. If they have it, also try the brussell sprout salad. And save room for dessert. The brûlée banana nut bread pudding was an exquisite way to end the best meal I've had in many months. Cannot wait to go back.
(5)Jessica D.
My friend and I stumbled upon this place while walking around Harvard Square, so we decided to go in for their "Santa Brunch," which seemed to be their regular music brunch + Santa wandering around greeting people. We loved our whole experience here, from their eclectic decor and lovely music (how often do you get to hear live strings?) to the dishes we shared. Mmmm the french toast and meat omelette were both delicious, and their frites were possibly the best fries I've ever had.
(4)Amy W.
Maybe my expectations were a little too high, but this place didn't blow me away. Upon walking in, I was impressed with how different the decor is from any other establishment in Boston/Cambridge. As a purple fanatic, I loved the lighting and chandeliers, and the waiters and waitresses were all impeccably dressed. The hostess was beautiful and very welcoming and friendly. We had also called about 10 minutes before our arrival because we were going to be late for our reservation, due to traffic, and the man who answered the phone was very understanding and relaxed about it. Despite all of the purple, the atmosphere is still a little strange because the restaurant is so large and open, and almost has a weird, cafeteria-esque feel to it, due to how open and - I don't know how else to say it - flat the dining area is. Everyone is sitting on the same level, which makes it louder than I like, especially considering I was there at about 6:00pm, which is very early, and typically the time where you'd be able to easily have a conversation with your dining mate. I felt like we were forced to talk at a significantly raised volume, and like we were competing with those around us. The place was packed, so it's obviously doing well business-wise. I ordered the Earth Bowl with shrimp and would not order it again. The shrimp was great, well cooked and seasoned, but the rest of the dish was very bland and dry. Most of the veggies were hard and undercooked, and the rice pilaf had no flavor at all. My friend ordered the chopped sirloin with mashed potatoes and peas, and while it looked filling and satisfying, it was too small to be worth the ~$25 she paid for it. If I had seen a dish that wished I had ordered instead, or came across a great Groupon or something, I might give this place another chance, but $50 (my entree and one glass of red wine) is a high price to pay for the underwhelming experience I had here.
(3)Emma S.
I had no real expectations coming here. I was definitely surprised at the decor; it feels kind of hippie and casual, and is a huge dining room, which to me is all good. We came for dinner, and were sat right on time for our reservation. I ordered a cocktail that sounded unusual; I asked the waiter about it and he said, "You either love or hate it. I hate it." I decided to live dangerously, and loved it (it was really strong!). I really appreciated his honesty and willingness to take time chatting about it with me, even though the place was packed. The food was excellent too, with a really varied menu that is accessible for vegetarians. They have these quinoa life-alive inspired bowls that are healthy, affordable, and looked delish (a friend got one of those). Would definitely come back here too!
(4)Melanie F.
The lamb nachos were delicious. I have never heard of such a menu item and HAD to give it try I was not let down! My entree was the pork chop and it was quite a meaty serving I was overstuffed after the nachos. Debbie was a helpful and charming server who showed me and boyfriend a great first time.
(5)Voravut R.
Almost every aspect of this establishment was off putting. We choose to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday at midnight here. The music & atmosphere drew us in but immediately after having our IDs checked the trouble began. A manager stopped us on the stairs on the way down & declared that his establishment is a classy place for adult & told us he would not stand for any boisterous behavior like high fiving, hooting or hollering. Mind you that even though my friend was turning 21, most of the party was well versed in adult beverages & our ages reflected that. Our party looked passed it & headed to the bar to start celebrating. The bartender seemed not to know how to pour a drink. It took him over 5 minutes to take 7 drink orders & most of them were beers. Again we looked passed this & headed to a table, of which there was many. Strange for a Saturday night but a nice surprise. We settled into a few tables & after a few minutes a hostess came over to tell us that these tables were reserved for table service only. Once again not trying to harp on the negative we requested menus to fulfill the request of the hostess. Fast forward 15 minutes, no menus, not even one server came to ask us for anything, no water, no refills on our clearly empty glasses, just dirty looks. Some of the worse service I have ever had anywhere. Now for the few positive notes, the initial staff member who checked our ID was very nice & congratulated our newly anointed 21 year old, the music was pleasant & the atmosphere was nice but the way we were treated, scolded & ignored would lead me to say that I will never revisit or recommend this establishment to anyone. Fortunately we walked to Charlie's instead & had a great time.
(1)Holly A.
First things first, this is the first review I have ever written, The Beat Hotel bothered me this much! I had been interested in going to the Beat Hotel for a while, so because the restaurant was participating in Boston's Restaurant week I thought it would be a good time to go and get a nice sample of their menu. When we arrived they made no mention of Restaurant week and had no set 3 course menu for the advertised $33 (on Boston Restaurant Week webpage). When we asked the waitress if the restaurant was indeed participating she explained that they do not do anything special but the menu items highlighted in red would get you to the price. This still confuses me because it was supposed to be 3 courses for $33 but my appetizer and main equaled that and our bill still seemed like $30 more expensive than it should of been. Okay, well not what I expected. What they had was just lame, french onion soup, house salad, side salad. I ordered a side salad. What came out was just wrong. It was romaine lettuce with a few tomatoes and sliced radishes and what tasted like Kraft Italian dressing. I should mention that earlier that same day I had gone to Grafton Street in Cambridge and had an awesome side salad that featured micro greens, blue cheese crumbles, a sliced pear and a delicious vinaigrette, for $1 less I might add. As for our main course options, all lame again, a uninspiring pork chop, mussel frittes and a basic no meat added Inca or Earth bowl. I settled for the Mussels and Frites. The fries were great, they were seriously over salted but as a person who can deal with too much salt on her fries I forgive it. The mussels were okay, I could not figure out how I felt about the broth they were in. I ended up leaving a lot of mussels in the bowl, which is not something I would normally do. Dessert was god awful. I had their deconstructed cannoli. Gross, no other word, just nasty. My boyfriend ordered the chocolate cheesecake, which was okay, it tasted great compared to my cannoli but nothing special. Overall I felt that while the ambiance is cool and the bar, a nice looking place to meet some friends for a drink, the food was SUCH a let down as was the menu and I felt like what we got for what we paid for was a huge scam. I will not go back for dinner or any other meal again.
(2)Steve B.
Meh. The food looked good and the drinks were good, but everything was overpriced by a bit and I really didn't like the wide open layout it made the place feel cavernous and made it easy to notice all the empty seats.
(3)Brian H.
I've been here twice and both visits were just amazing! The staff is super friendly and the music is so fine! I had the braised beef lasagna with a few cocktails. I've always been a fan of The Bee Hive and I was more impressed with this place.
(5)Ed D.
Great service by bartender Andrew from Kansas City. The drinks are awesome and there's a great variety. The atmosphere is very cool. Eclectic decor. Had drinks and appetizers at the bar. Duck meatballs, octopus and shrimp salad, oysters and mussels were all delicious!
(5)BP Y.
The only thing I would complain about this place is that food was too salty. Live music makes it special in Cambridge. Overall very good service!
(4)Paul C.
Came here for Cinco de Mayo - it was awesome. They had the mariachi band which was fun. The food was really good - their menu offerings seem pretty broad which is one reason we plan on returning. The layout and atmosphere is also really cool - very open and more natural light than I would expect for being below ground.
(4)William M.
This place deserves every single star. We got a reservation for 4 on a Thursday night ( this place is hopping all the time, apparently!) and when we showed up almost 20 min early the table was almost ready for us (even though all tables were full). Service was great, fast and attentive. We ordered lasagna, earth bowl, a hamburger, and two appetizers, lamb nachos and shredded brussels sprouts with smoked salmon. EVERY SINGLE THING WAS DELISH!! A note on the appetizers: do not assume they are half the size of the regular entrees. They're not. It was like getting two separate entrees - they were HUGE! Especially the nachos. I was kinda confused since they were half the price of the reg. entrees. But not complaining ;) We sat right next to the stage but the music was nice and not too loud to still carry a conversation. The first gig is 8pm-8:30, and the next one started at 9 pm and looked a little more entertaining but we had to get going - wish we could have stayed and enjoyed some more. Would definitely come back again!!
(5)Divie E.
Dear Beat Hotel - After nearly one year of being one of your loyal patrons - attending weekly jazz nights and encouraging fellow members of the Harvard community to also spend copious amounts of money in your establishment - I am saddened that for the first time in my life, I was denied entry into your restaurant on the morning of Friday, August 28, 2014 for not having a passport or a Massachusetts state ID. It's not the embarrassment of having recommended your bar as a stop along the Harvard GSAS Grad Student Residence Hall Pub Crawl last night, or being with several other students who were excited because I had highly recommended your establishment, that really gets to me, but that in all of the screen shots I have of your website, your twitter page, and outside your restaurant on that day, there is not one indication that an American well over the age of 21 with a government-issued ID would be required to have 1) traveled to the world or 2) change citizenship to enter into your bar. I'm suspicious of what your doorman and your manager, AJ, said - that the policy was started on that day - and I remain confused about how my Michigan driver's license is not, as your website indicates, "proper 21+ ID." I find it a sad reflection of our society when my mom - who I also brought to your bar once - encourages me to appease you. And frankly, while I understand according to Massachusetts policy that you have the ability to deny entry based on this criteria, and as a U.S. citizen with government-issued ID over the age of 25, I am very concerned with your inconsistent application of this policy. This lack of transparency and tact will further discrimination in this community. I will continue to share this experience with others in the Harvard community and beyond in my network. I would highly encourage you to publicly post this newly-enforced policy to avoid losing other loyal patrons. Cambridge, Harvard, Beat Hotel - I thought I missed you a over the summer, but you know what I didn't miss? Discrimination.
(1)Mason H.
Beat hotel usually has great music. However the service was fucking miserable tonight. The women at the hostess stand were just rude and not even close to nice to us. Hostess stand is your first contact with the restaurant - they need to be unfailingly nice to customers. If you need to get someone to be mean make it be the manager.
(2)Tracy L.
We went back to the Beat Hotel--this time for dinner with some local friends. I'm happy to say our experience was much improved. The staff we incredibly friendly and the service was much better--much warmer than last time. The food was very good too (we had the buffalo cauliflower to start, which was delicious. I had the earth bowl--which was a huge portion!) And, the atmosphere was excellent (nice light jazz music, the perfect volume for talking). I ordered a cocktail--and it turned out well. I'm giving four stars only because of the cost--it's still a bit expensive--but makes for an enjoyable evening!
(4)Hubert H.
Dropped a star because of some over-pricing on some of the food. Had a so-called 'stuffed lobster' dish - there was barely any lobster meat, and too much bread stuffing mixed in in general. However, the short rib lasagna was nice and rich, and very flavorful. The music was excellent as well, and once again it's nice to have a venue like this in Harvard Sq that mixes food, music, and drink.
(4)Briana G.
I came here for brunch for a friends' birthday, and was extremely disappointed start to finish. First, after placing our order, it took over an hour for our food to come out. Once it finally did, it was lukewarm at best, clearly having been sitting in the kitchen for a while. My two friends and I all ordered the same earth bowl, which turned out to be a bad choice once my friend (whose birthday it was) found a maggot larvae in his food. This turned all three of our stomachs and our breakfasts went just about untouched. We informed the server, who informed the manager, and both tried to make light of the situation, joking that "sometimes maggots get into bags of quinoa." They didn't charge my friend for his food, but sadly two of the uneaten earth bowls were still on our bill. To make up for the problem, they gave us all "VIP cards" which they said we could use to get to the front of the line at any time. Lo and behold, I came back a few weeks ago (for drinks ONLY) and was told by the bouncer that VIP cards were not being used that night, and I had to go to the back of the line. Although I do understand that sometimes accidents happen in restaurants, the way the matter was handled by the waitstaff and manager was completely unacceptable. Needless to say I will never pay for their ridiculously overpriced food or drink again.
(1)Darci N.
Enter Friday night, the end of a VERY long week, and an agreement made with a friend on Tuesday that we would have a "girls night out!" Ugh. Regretting Tuesday. A few friends bail, and we re-route our plan due to rumor of West African drumming happening at some new somehow-related-to-the-Beehive-place. A big fan of live music, and in particular, drumming, my friend and I rush through the doors like children on Christmas morning. The musicians were in between sets, so we giddily cozied up to the bar and got our drinks. The place was pretty crowded, and we were standing next to the service bar. My only complaint was getting asked to move further away from the service bar (I get it, I'm in the way, but where else would you like me to stand?), and then with each move further, still getting asked to move further away. They were finally satisfied when my drink was sitting on the bar, and I was a good four feet away from it, not even able to reach it. I swear I showered. The space was absolutely beautiful, and the service was friendly and attentive. Live music at no additional cost/cover charge -- amazing. Worth paying a few more $$ on the food/drink knowing you're getting an incredible experience as well. We didn't try the food, but they appeared to have a pretty comprehensive drink list. Lots of tapped wine options, if you're into ecologically friendly wine practices. Oh, I guess I have one more complaint. No dancing. Though hilarious to watch security asking people to stop bopping to live, invigorating, West African drumming; please get your Cabaret License ASAP.
(4)Lucy L.
Went for thanksgiving dinner. This place gives absolutely no notice for lines and they ran out of turkey when we ordered. They should've given notice before we sat down, I found this to be very unprofessional.
(1)Keith F.
Once again I didn't believe the yelps about the reservation problems but it happened to us SCREW THAT MANAGER AND HIS TOTALARION TREATMENT OF CLIENTS UR R AN ASS and I left with my party and spent 245.00 dollars at NUBAR
(1)Tim B.
Stumbled on this place for brunch and was surprised to see how large the subterranean space was, with two long bars flanking the right side of the room and a small stage at the far back. Colorful examples of quasi-primitive art dotted the place. There was a jazz trio quietly noodling away at Christmas standards while we dug into our food. My wife got the veggie omelette while I opted for the American breakfast. It was hard to pass up the Sun Ra earth bowl but as we wanted breakfast, the veggie homage to Herman Blount will have to wait for another time. The prices are kinda high but the food was uniformly excellent and there was more than enough of it. The bacon in particular gets high marks. Crispy and thick, very lean. Not a huge fan of truffled scrambled eggs but they were OK. Maybe they can do over easy next time. Salad is kind of a weird side for breakfast but was tasty. Even weirder was frites but they were really good. The place looks like its got a good beer list and may be a good place to pre-game before a show at The Sinclair.
(4)Joshua R.
This review is for drinks only, because I've never actually been able to get a table there. We always decide to go too late for reservations, and you're basically not going to get a table if you just show up. The drinks are pretty expensive, but they make up for it with the phenomenal live music - normally jazz.
(4)Lauren M.
Harvard Square's hippest new spot for a no-cover evening with live music, great food, and amazing drinks!
(5)Kaitlyn O.
I love the vibe of this place. And I think there menu is refreshing - its full of vegetables with health protein add-ons. I would say the food is good but not great - so the four stars is for the great variety of (seemingly) healthy options and all the great vegetables and the cool vibe. It can be loud though, as there is often live music, so if you aren't into then you won't like the vibe.
(4)Emily S.
This place was great! Went on a Friday night for 7:30 reservations with a group if four. The atmosphere here is really funky and cool, would be a great date spot too. A live jazz band came on while we were eating and they were so seamless that we didn't even notice that we were enjoying live music at first! We got a buffalo cauliflower appetizer, which was really good to try if you like buffalo sauce. I got the mahi mahi fish tacos for dinner, which were good but not the best I've ever had, but the rice and beans it came with were very yummy. My friend got the duck and raved about it, particularly the orzo it came with. Drinks also look good and very different, although I got a beer for myself. The only downside to the beat hotel is the price. Drinks were average $12 and entrees were $25+. So if you want someplace where you can stick around to drink, I would pick someplace else, or come here for dinner and one drink and go someplace else after. I would definitely return here and try something else on the menu like the ribs or the vegetarian lasagna.
(4)L K.
I've made this place my favorite go-to place for anything from my finance friends living in Beacon Hill, my HBS and HLS classmates, and dates. Aside from the lack of hot people among patrons that's typical of Boston (so not Beat's fault). there is only real problem that keeps this otherwise fine establishment from becoming the place that engenders the kind of memories that hotspots like Club Passim used to for locals during my aunt's time on campus: the Staff. I had my birthday party here, have had over ten dates here, other birthday parties and dinners. Every time, the employee serving us drinks or food has been aloof. But not in a cool New York or sexy LA way that people (including myself) clearly like. I raised this at my friend's birthday party at Beat last night, and one of us said "it's almost like they were told to act like that on purpose--it's artificial" which a lot of us agreed with. You're in Cambridge--Harvard Square of all places--you are overweight, bald, old-looking, or pinchy-faced. WHY are you ignoring people trying to wave you down for a fork for her friend's birthday cake? The virtue of Boston nightlife is that people are friendly even when there's extreme demand. You know you're not a 10 living in The City and you know that the value system that runs our town and places like Harvard is different than in New York. Stop trying. Your servers are not aspiring actors and actresses hoping to make it big in LA or screenwriters moonlighting at night as bartenders in The City--you are in Cambridge. Stop trying to make fetch happen.
(3)Dana L.
I stopped in this past weekend for brunch. I've been to The Beehive multiple times and have been waiting to try The Beat. The place is huge and extremely cute. Every detail was attended to when it comes to the feel-good hippy vibe. Braided hemp curtains as you walk into the bathrooms, colorful hand painted walls, support beams and art, and a jazz band jamming the morning away. The food doesn't disappoint either. We started with a huge piece of pumpkin walnut crumb cake and then feasted on steak, poached eggs and frites along with a massive burger with Gorgonzola, cheddar, and bacon. We left fat and happy, ready for am afternoon nap.
(5)Kaitlyn H.
Expensive drinks. Cool ambiance. Can't believe how big the space is. Musical acts are great.
(3)Kat O.
My new go-to brunch spot. The ambiance is amazing, plenty of room and a variety of seating (tables, high tops, long tables, bar seats) close to or distant from the music. Decor is pretty spankin nifty and our service was spectacular. We enjoyed boozy brunch cocktails (bloody marys and mimosas, duh) and great food for our meals. The live jazz was perfect (and the musicians were pretty cute) and made me feel oh so relaxed! I'll definitely be back!
(5)Jennifer C.
I'd give it 5 stars if it wasn't for the horrible service we received. Our waiter Colin failed to put in not only our drink order but our dinner as well, then have us a half assed apology claiming it was "because I've been here since brunch bro." The food was delicious but the service makes me question if I'd come back again.
(3)Jency P.
Really enjoyed the brunch menu and the atmosphere with the music. The inner decor is absolutely lovely as well. Staff was nice as well. Tried their mimosa, coffee cake, and their pancakes. Coffee cake: absolutely delicious... it's extra sinful with the honey butter mmmm~ so good. Pancakes: Very generous portion and very good. The compote I think though had a bit too much of rhubarb or something cus it seemed a bit tart. But it nevertheless still pretty good. I tried a bite of short ribs eggs benedict. It was pretty good...not my cup of tea because I don't particularly love that much meat in the morning. Also, the best thing I enjoy about an Eggs Benedict is its simple taste with the Hollandaise sauce. However, I think the brisket taste kind of overpowers the palate. Overall, I think the price of the brunch menus are quite reasonably for the atmosphere and the music. I recommend checking this place out!
(4)Elie H.
I went to the Beat Hotel for Brunch on Sunday. It was a lot of fun and the ambiance is totally cool. A mix of mid 20s to 50s crowd. A Jazz Trio was playing in the background at a comfortable sound level which was good for conversations. The selections on the Brunch are basic except for the bowls which are very unique and a good healthy choice if you don't want the usual breakfast dishes or burgers. The shrimp, Roasted Artisanal Vegetables, 5-Grain Pilaf, Pumpkin Tahini Sauce was delicious ( there was no need for the extra sauce, the food is flavored enough) The Gotham Project Cabernet was a great wine. Overall my experience was great.
(4)Libby R.
Came in for drinks before going to dinner reservations elsewhere. I definitely liked the space and the funky decor was unique and cool. The band was also great and hit that sweet spot of being loud enough that they were not just background music, but not so loud that they were overwhelming the people eating at tables close by. Wine selection was decent, and mixed drink was a-okay. It was easy to get the bartender's attention and he was quick. I'll likely be back to give the food a try.
(3)Bethany K.
My friends and I typically love this place, but last night we saw a different side. The atmosphere is awesome and drinks tend to be a bit pricy especially the wine on tap which was 15 buck per glass. When I first ordered a drink from the bartender she gave me such attitude and told me to look at the drink menu. I brushed it off and thought ok maybe she's having a bad night whatever no big deal. But then the manager spilt a drink all over my friend and did not even apologize. I said "i think you owe us a drink for that" and he said absolutely not. The staff was ridiculously rude here and even after my friend is soaked in cranberry juice he continued to be rude. He could tell we were upset so he offered to pay for dry cleaning and never even gave us his card. We left shortly after and were astounded at how rude all of the staff were to us. Then we were talking about how rude the staff was and they approached us to leave for having the conversation!! I was shocked.
(1)Parissa S.
The ambiance and decor are inviting. I love the fact that there's daily live quality music without a cover, yet you can still have a conversation. I would come back for that reason alone. The layout is unfortunate, though; there is no space for dancing. The bartenders are friendly and there's a unique selection of wines on tap and pricey cocktails. The beer list is limited, but they did have Fluffy White Rabbits. I wouldn't come back for dinner. I've had less expensive and more enjoyable experiences getting drinks and an appetizer at the bar. We waited for our table on a Saturday night despite getting a reservation for 9 pm beforehand, service was slow (maybe they need to hire more servers), and the entrees were overpriced. Our group was underwhelmed by the steak, chicken, and clam chowder. The salmon tartar was my exception; I would order that again at the bar. Makes the most sense to get a drink here and experience some live music.
(4)Sat C.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE: EXTREMELY RUDE BOUNCER AND MANAGEMENT...AVOID THIS PLACE When Beat Hotel was relatively new, I used to frequent this place and introduced it to a lot my friends. it was one of my favorite spots. After a gap, I went there recently with a bunch of friends for dinner. My friends arrived before us and were having a drink inside waiting for my wife and I to join. When we arrived there was no line, we showed the bouncer our IDs but he rudely asked us to step aside and wait till he asked us for the IDs. He asked us what we were there for and if we had a reservation. He called in to the hostess stand to verify if we really had a reservation. I didn't know which friend had put their name down so I called my friends who were inside to ask them which one us had the name on the reservation. With an extremely dismissive and aggressive attitude he said that till I give him the exact name he wouldn't let us in. After such a heavy handed treatment, we started losing out desire to eat and spend any money in this place. I asked to speak to the management. The manager came to speak with us. He too was extremely rude and totally ineffective in handling the situation. He couldn't find the reservation and finally managed to find our name and didn't even apologize for the misunderstanding. I told him how arrogant and rude the bouncer was and told him that he was acting as though he was doing us a favor in allowing entry to the restaurant. The manager instead of apologizing, said that we should should respect the bouncer instead. All my friends came out and witnessed this and decided to leave their drinks unfinished and eat elsewhere. As we were leaving, the bouncer told us that we made a wise decision by leaving. We were flabbergasted by the treatment we received even though I was a loyal patron. Some has terribly changed in Beat Hotel and they need a lesson in how to treat customers. They are not doing us a favor in letting us in their bar/restaurant. There are plenty of other fine establishments will be willing to treat us properly and win our loyalty and business. Needless to say, my friends and I will never step into Beat Hotel ever again!!
(1)Kyra T.
A great addition to the square. The space is large and bohemian chic. Plenty of bar seating and easily recognizable to the Beehive vibe. It boasts long bars and lots of seating. In the far back there is a stage for performers. The drink list is eclectic and funky. The draft list is not long, but has quality craft beers. There was a drummer and a pianist playing light jazz while we ate our dinner which was extremely enjoyable. Given the size of the restaurant and the live music it was still easy to have a conversation -- major plus. Food was very good here. The portions were generous (you get what you pay for). Service was good.
(4)Sam M.
Ordered mussels. 14 bucks for 13 mussels. That's like a 1.08 per. You can buy mussels for 3 bucks a huge bag. Bartender was nice, but Jim Beam was 8 bucks. Nuts. Boston prices are a parody of themselves. This bar is tragically hip, but you know what would be actually hip, counter-culture, and genuinely "artsy"? Normal, human being, reasonable, anti-uber-capitalist prices. Like 6 bucks for cheap bourbon and 10 bucks for mussels. Whatever.
(2)George M.
I frequent Harvard Square, and I would like to give these guys a good review, but just too many bad factors. First off, we had a reservation there, and they tried to place us in this general area which was "non-reserved". When we asked to be seated in one of the better tables, the response was "we are saving those", without any additional explanation. At that point, there couldn't have been more than 10 people in the place (6:30PM dinner on a Sunday). Needless to say, had a terrible round of drinks and left. Second, the drinks were over-priced and not good at all. Finally, during our 10-15 minutes in the restaurant, I noticed two people return their plates. I have no idea why, but did see the plates go back; never a good sign. Walked by 2 hours later, on the way back to the car, and noticed that there wasn't more than 10 people in there; so why try to hold the tables? The good; they had some interesting and obscure music playing in the background, which I thought was a good Harvard Square "fit".
(1)Jacqui M.
Wish I could give a rating of 0 starts. I came here with a friend last Tuesday night. I ordered the mussels and frites (which were okay) while my friend ordered the burger (which he liked). Unfortunately I spent the rest of the night sick and in the ER due to food poisoning which they found was due to seafood. I called the management to at least see if I could get a refund on my meal and they refused. This restaurant has the WORST customer service and I will never come back.
(1)Geoff P.
Phenomenal place that is not a hotel at all but a restaurant with terrific food and drinks. The woman I was with started off with a fresca cocktail while I had a mango margarita. We then sampled some of the different wines they had on the menu-- the waiter was a terrific help here. The food was amazing. I had the blackened swordfish tacos, and she had scallops (I am not a scallops fan, but she thought it was great). Overall great atmosphere for a romantic dinner and the service was excellent. Also I am not usually a jazz fan but really enjoyed the different sets here.
(5)Caitlin A.
A friend of mine had decided that he wanted an intimate birthday dinner for his 25th birthday and after a little chatting around with some coworkers he found out about the Beat Hotel. I'm pretty sure his mind was made up within seconds of looking at the menu. We had reservations for a Saturday night at 9:00. The hostess was very friendly and sat us as soon as our entire party of 5 had arrived. Upon seating us, the server came over and from the second she took drink orders to the second she dropped the check she was personable, down to earth, and professional. The atmosphere was whimsical and original. It is definitely an underground, hip, season and food conscious gem hidden in Harvard square. Drinks around the table included the Mango Martini, Granny Takes a Trip, Soursop Fresca, Orange Dream and beers. The Mango Martini was by far the favorite of the night; thick, strong and perfectly sweet, this baby went down easy. Please mind that the orange chunk at the end of the toothpick is NOT a piece of fresh mango, but rather dried, candied mango. The other cocktails were also good and I would also recommend the Soursop if you often enjoy gin. For appetizers we started with the buffalo cauliflower and the smoked chipotle BBQ spare ribs. The Cauliflower was delicious and tasted exactly like buffalo chicken, expect better! They really nailed this one on the head. The spare ribs were also fall off the bone fantastic. There was quite a bit of fat, but that wasn't a problem for most of us. The chipotle sauce with chopped fresh scallion made me want to lick my fingers (but I didn't, I held it together). For dinner, the birthday boy ordered the short rib lasagna and enjoyed every bite with an ear to ear grin. I ordered the Mussels and Frites with a side of sautéed fiddleheads. The Mussels were fantastic and the red broth they were served with was salty and sweet and exactly what my mouth had watered for when my eyes read the word 'mussels'. The fries were nothing great, but were obviously the perfect side to dip in the broth. I have never had fiddle heads before and these little buggers were delicious. I can only describe them as similar to broccoli rabe, but more full of flavor. They are only in season a few weeks of the spring/summer, so the fact that Beat Hotel had them available, made me need to get them. My friend ordered the Earth Bowl with free range chicken, and while this isn't my cup of tea, it was pretty flavorful. The chicken was perfectly cooked; skin darkened, and meat juicy. The veggies and pilaf were spicy and every bite was a slightly different adventure fort the taste buds. The other two diners at the table ordered the Prime Hamburger and both were very happy with their decisions. I believe they both got the burger with cheddar, but personally I would have tried the gorgonzola for some added flavor. For dessert, the five of us shared some sort of red velvet, coconut cake. When it arrived, we all sang "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy and after a ton of "action shots" of blowing out his candles, we dug in. I am definitely planning to come back to Beat Hotel and trying more things on the menu on a date night. This place is totally worth going back to.
(4)D O.
From the moment you walk in to the Beat Hotel, you can feel the cool vibe and automatically know you've chosen the right spot to grab drinks! This place is nicely tucked in Harvard Square, and the scene was not too college-like and not too "old." Service in the bar area was excellent, drink menu was unique. I will definitely be back!
(4)Anna B.
This place is noticeably more casual than Beehive so if you don't want to dress up on a slushy night this may be the option for you. Thoroughly enjoyed Beat Hotel. The music is the right volume that you can hear it well enough but still talk. The duck, short ribs lasagna, crispy tuna roll app, pate and red velvet dessert were all tasty. I think the duck was the favorite though there was something else on the plate with the duck that was supposed to be corn pudding but I think was actually a yellow sponge from the kitchen. If there hadn't been a piece of corn visible I would have no doubt that's what it was. Seriously though we'd had enough food we didn't care. Service was attentive. The prices are on the high side for Harvard Square but considering the live jazz and good service it's understandable. The music wasn't outstanding the night we were there but it wasn't bad either. I considered 5 stars but Beehive is still the better option for the same prices - and somehow I spent a lot more than I usually spend at Beehive - I think the wine on tap adds up faster then you expect because it's harder to gauge the amount you're drinking. (Don't you hate it when that happens?)
(4)Tanya G.
I absolutely loved our dinner here last night! The food, decor, music, bar, just the overall vibe was fantastic! I would recommend this place to anyone! Hubby had the short rib lasagne and I had the earth bowl with skirt steak! Both were equally delicious! Portions are on the smaller side. But more room for dessert! Had the coconut red velvet cake, which was to die for! Tap wine is a must and the bar makes a mean old fashioned! Can't wait to go back :)
(5)Robert R.
I Should Have Skirted the Skirt Steak Although this was a disappointing first visit, I wouldn't call it a total disaster. The atmosphere is inviting and wide open, softly lit and comfortable. The service was excellent, although the friendliness felt just slightly forced (fierce smiles). Here's what we had and how it rated: Two Appetizers: The Smokey Chipotle BBQ Spare Ribs were tender, flavorful, and fall off the bone easy to eat. Perhaps they could have been a bit more spicy (more heat), but we loved them! The Crispy Tuna Springrolls were excellent too. One large roll was sliced in half on the diagonal. The wraps were light and crunchy, the tuna and greens inside were fresh, and the sauce complemented well. Very well executed. Two Entrees: The FAROE ISLAND SALMON with Cous Cous, Lentils, Spinach, Carrot Miso Puree was okay. The salmon was cooked properly. Most of the flavor was in the skin, but that's fine. My dining companion enjoyed it, however the accompanying cous cous was undercooked and tasted of uncooked pasta. The SKIRT STEAK with Frites, Peppercorn Jus, and Pickles was heinous. I believe skirt steak should not be on the menu if you aren't familiar with its characteristics and how to prepare it. I ordered mine cooked MEDIUM because I know skirt steak can be stringy. Preparing it rare can be disastrous. You can go medium rare if you marinate it and season it properly and then slice it with the grain into serving size pieces. Unfortunately, my skirt steak was prepared blood rare and served as one large piece plopped smack atop of a large pile of thinly sliced undercooked very brown potatoes (frites). I struggled cutting the stringy steak. It had a minimum of seasoning. After a bite or two, I lifted the steak off the pile of potatoes and put it aside to try the potatoes. (Why did they plate the steak on top of the potatoes anyway?) Trying to cut into a potato slice, my steak knife had a tougher time than with the steak. The potato was like leather. I was baffled. I chewed on a piece of potato. It was definitely undercooked and saturated in grease, which made it rubbery, REALLY rubbery. I do not exaggerate. I had to stop trying after poking a few more potatoes with my fork and knife and not being able to pierce them. What did they do to them? After the nice appetizers, my skirt steak plate was a sad let down. I didn't love the steak. I couldn't eat the potatoes. They transformed them into something that bore no resemblance to potatoes. There was no white potato flesh to be found. Thin, brown slices of rubbery ick. (Okay, I'll stop.) I shared my skirt steak with my dining companion, but it was slow work chewing on that. Our server stopped by soon after we were served and I pointed out that my steak was rare instead of medium, as I had ordered. She offered to take it back, but I declined because experience has taught me that sending back food is an exercise in futility. Restaurant food rarely comes back quickly, or improved, once you've sent it back. Besides, don't you worry they might get funky with it? As our plates were being cleared, I explained my disappointment to a friendly bus person who promised to pass along my comments. Soon after, the concerned manager came and listened with great patience as I explained my dissatisfaction with my entree while at the same time heaping praise on the appetizers. The manager explained that the restaurant is new and the kitchen was just trying out the potato dish. She expressed genuine interest in my feedback about the skirt steak and the frites, and she made every effort to make us feel valued. She also offered to pay for my entree, which I felt was the right thing to do. It wouldn't be fair to ask me to pay $24 for what was served to me. Including our appetizers and sodas, our bill (with the one entree taken off) was about $75. We tipped well for the excellent service. I'll conclude by saying the vibe at this restaurant is very good. The food needs to follow suit in order to generate repeat business. Nothing should leave the kitchen that wouldn't delight a patron. I would not discourage anyone from trying Beat Hotel for dinner. (For now, just take a cue from what I ordered and hopefully you'll "skirt" any disappointment.)
(3)Colleen H.
The beat hotel is located in the strangest spot ever...under the Gap! It doesn't matter though, because it's great. It's a HUGE space, with super friendly staff, an awesome drink menu (had the "perfect perfect martini" which matched it's name, and the VFW which is a modernized old fashion), and some interesting food choices. It was definitely American hearty food, but they manage to throw a couple hearty healthy dishes on there! Vegan options as well, which I was surprised to see. We got the brussel sprout salad which was fresh. Wasn't a huge fan of the smoked trout on top, but I'm not a crazy smoked fish fan, so don't take my word for it. I will say, the truffled deviled egg on top in heaven. You can order extra on the side if you're fighting with someone over it. ;) The mussels were tasty. The sauce was thick with a hearty roasted tomato flavor - definitely took the bread to town in the leftovers. And then we got the Inka Bowl which had quinoa, kale, sweet potato, other stuff and topped with salmon. It was right about when we were getting full, so we took it home. But it's a hearty dish for sure. The live music last night was really good - which I didn't have much expectations for seeing as it was a Wednesday night. But overall a really cool atmosphere. Worth crossing the river for!
(5)Marissa W.
We went to the Beat Hotel for my father's birthday and had an AMAZING experience from start to finish. Going on a Sunday early allowed us time to really enjoy ourselves, and every dish we tried. We started out with the lamb nachos, which were delicious and very filling. I think there was more than enough lamb included with the nachos, although I always like guacamole with my nachos, regardless of the dish. The crispy tuna rolls were really amazing--the raw sashimi-grade tuna was perfection, and the asian slaw that accompanied it was crisp and refreshing. Our favorite appetizer though, was the sweet chipotle BBQ spare ribs. Fall-off-the-bone is an understatement--it MELTED off of the bone and the sauce was heavenly. My southern gentleman said it was the best ribs he'd ever tasted, and he's quite biased on the matter. The 4 of us chose different entrees: Earth bowl with salmon (super filling dish, and I can see why it's their signature--lots of different proteins, dipping sauces, flavors and seasonal vegetables); halibut with curry, peas and cauliflower (great, deep tastes with a huge hunk of local fish); seared duck breast with cherry glaze and whipped corn pudding (CAN I SCREAM OUT LOUD ABOUT THE CORN PUDDING?! It's like liquid gold in your mouth. I would eat a vat of it if I could. Seriously.) and salmon with the autumn quinoa, which was perfect for the birthday guy. We finished the night the chocolate and peanut butter cake with sea salt caramel ice cream--it was richly divine and enough for 4 people to share bites of after a fulfilling meal. We literally had not a single complaint about every dish that came out, and the waitstaff was attentive, knowledgeable, and kind and the ambience is gorgeous as well. I can see how on a Friday or Saturday night things can get busy, loud and perhaps a little lost in the shuffle, but please be open-minded to the experience--it's absolutely worth it!
(5)Sarah S.
Amazing and exciting food! I highly recommend ordering their Black Birch Julep. It was like nothing I have ever tasted before. Also, the service was great and informative. Special thanks to Logan our server who didn't rush our bill when we asked if we could stay at the table for a little longer. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Gabi R.
To die for - so excited to have this new gem around the corner. Food: -lamb nachos - delicious, salty spicy and hit the spot without being too cheesy -calamari - a tiny bit overdone, but delicious overall, especially the veggies -earth bowl - oh my god. That's all I can say. I'm a meat person, but got this vegan and it blew my mind, especially the pumpkin tahini -seitan gyro - again, mind blowing. Not big into cheese but the feta sauce was to die for Service: incredibly nice, attentive, and forthcoming when asked for recommendations Ambience: fun place to catch up with friends, great for parents. Also great for a date if early in the evening- once the music begins though, it gets loud....
(4)Steph S.
I have been the Beat Hotel several times since its opening and have had nothing but fun. For me, it is hard to dislike a place where there is live music every night, and the service is friendly and knowledgable. For dinner, I brought a professional acquaintance here. I was a little unsure, given the vibe is a little hippy-dippy, but on Thursdays, you can catch live jazz. It was perfect. The menu is trendy and sophisticated- I had the duck with corn pudding. It was great. The meat was perfectly done, flavored nicely, and went wonderfully with the wine I had (recommended by my server). My guest was impressed, and loved the live music. They were older, so it was awesome that despite the live music, we could still carry on a conversation without screaming. I would say, that if you're looking for a place to grab a burger and fries and a show, try some of the other awesome joints in Harvard Square and drop by later for a cocktail. I found the burger a little underwhelming, but it's not really that kind of place.
(4)Yumiko F.
Great to see some place like this in Harvard Sq! I remember seen shoes, clothes down there but now all turned into nice cool spot! Decorations are cool. Some art work are all by local artist. Great for dinner and also chandelier was pretty awesome. Really nice stuff and you could be going there as dressed up and nice dinner or sit by the bar side to have a great wine selections that is on the tap! Yes Wines are on the tap! Live music is playing everyday as well!
(4)John H.
I didn't like the docor it seemed cheesey. Also not a fan of basement bars. Great bartenders and good food though.
(3)N T.
First time I came, it was OK (3.5 stars). Music was pretty nice for a Saturday brunch. Second time I came, the waiter was extremely slow (5 minutes for water, 15+ minutes for serving). We were not pleased and left before getting served. Please don't try to go between lunch and dinner time. The service is horrid then (hence, my low review)
(2)Corina G.
Cool place, kinda kitschy-hipstery but cool nonetheless. Every Sunday they have a live jazz band for brunch which was a nice surprise seeing as how we had no idea what to expect and it was the day of our first anniversary. The waiter was super chill. His name escapes me though :/ I got the eggs Benedict and my husband got a burger. Really really good stuff. We stayed for a bit after finishing our food to enjoy the music. We would probably go back if ever in the area again.
(4)Lucinda C.
The decor is beautiful, nice long bar, one of the few places that opens at 4. The food I've had has been great, the rib appetizer, buffalo cauliflower, the earth bowl... The drinks are meh that are on the menu. But, the bartenders will make whatever you want and some of the bartenders are really great at whipping up something you will love. The menu is pretty diverse so it is a crowd pleaser. I haven't gone for music yet, but will someday. Overall a nice place.
(4)Megan S.
The ambiance is awesome and the bartenders pour heavy...at least ours did! Live music and good drinks what more could you want?!
(5)Peter D.
Great drinks, service, and atmosphere! Would gladly recommend for dinner, drinking, or partying. Oh, and the music was awesome.
(5)Jordan M.
A few weeks ago we came into the Beat Hotel to enjoy some live jazz music and an afternoon cocktail. We were promptly greeted by our bartender, Michael Kane and little did we know we were in for a treat. Michael was the best bartender I have been served by in my life. He was educated, entertaining, polite and friendly. He made our experience so much fun and unforgettable, we now plan to make a point to visit Michael in the future. Michael is the text book definition of an all-star employee and if I owned a restaurant I would have done anything to get him to work for my company. Beat Hotel, you are very lucky to have him! He is the kind of employee that will keep your customers coming back for more! We will be back for sure because of our amazing experience with Michael.
(5)James S.
I came here for an event that was booked and reserved several days ahead do time for a corporate outing. The manager and bouncers refused to let us in. Why? Because they had sat people in our section and did not have anymore room. They made up several stupid reasons why we couldn't get in but all I had to do was pull up the emails I had with another manager on my phone to prove them wrong. They got belligerent and acted very childish and refused to give names when I asked them. The best part was the place wasn't even that busy, they just spread the guest out in the restaurant. I will never come back here and suggest trying any one other restaurants around.
(1)Janet Y.
Decent food and nice live entertainment. What really left a foul taste in my mouth was our openly rude waitress. Inattentive service is one thing, but repeatedly slamming drinks down is really unacceptable behavior. I have no idea what we did to offend her, but even then, how is acting unprofessionally going to help the situation? If I needed to be talked down to, I would just go to a bar in Back Bay. Of course, she was nicer towards the end of the meal. Oh, so now this jerk is thinking about her tip? Should've thought about that when we got seated. I wanted to talk to a manager, but my friends didn't want me to "embarrass" them. Sorry, but when service is really bad, something needs to be said. At least there's Yelp!, I guess... It's too bad because we did enjoy the food, especially the duck entree and mussels appetizer. But if you get the artificial red-head waitress, have fun testing your patience! That woman is a disgrace to the generally overworked, underappreciated food service industry workers who can perform their jobs without behaving so repugnantly.
(2)Buda M.
The place just reopened a few days ago. We made a reservation for 30 people. Even though the bar was half-empty, they made us wait in front of the bar just to create a fake impression that the place is popular. When asked for clarification, the guys were just enjoying the role of authority. Another nonsense for the new place were prices: everything is at least 30% more expensive than in other places. ($10 for french fries??!) I don't know about the other customers, but this bar will not see many of HKS students again.
(1)Sarah S.
So we love the Beehive and were really looking forward to this sister restaurant. The atmosphere is very congenial and the greeting staff were nice. But there were several disappointments for our Easter Brunch, prix fix. To start, the first course of breads were uninspiring. For our table of four, we received two baskets - each with one scone and one piece of bread. They told us the bread is sweet so butter is not required. Well, I love sweet bread and this was the driest bread I have been served! Normally baked goods come with an assortment - as the Beehive does - but this was not assorted and also not good! I could not eat it. Then we received the wrong drinks. The waitress tried to tell us they were correct, but we know the difference between Champagne and wine! We had one child who wished to order off the adult menu. He selected one first course and then for the second course requested one of the main courses from the much cheaper child's menu. He was told he could not combine, even if we were paying the adult price of $35 instead of the child price of $15.It just could not be done. The main courses were nicely prepared and with interesting flavors. But when the meal starts with a no choice stale bread and wrong drinks, and you can't get what you want to eat even if you are willing to pay a lot extra, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. If I were a college kid looking to hang a a bar with music I might like it, but then I probably could not afford it. So we will not be returning.
(2)Katie C.
This is a great spot for Harvard Square, which was much in need of a place with both great food and great music in the same spot (and not in a hotel). The decor is whimsical and carefully thought out with unexpected touches (the painted supporting poles, etc). When I first heard about the decor I was expecting a more grungy beatnik feel, and not the classy art deco vibe. Reminded me a bit of Cuchi Cuchi, actually. I came here for drinks with colleagues Friday and was so impressed that I came back for dinner on Saturday. We got placed at a front row table where we could still enjoy conversation at a normal level, even when a live trio played just feet away from us. The food was good if pretty standard upscale gastropub food that you can find at other places in the Boston area. I did like how you can choose a main and then pair it with the sides of your choice so you can get exactly what you want. The portion of my salmon with mashed potatoes was huge and it lasted me two other meals after my dinner. Yes, it's a bit pricey but for a nice meal, not outrageous. There were less expensive options (chicken club sandwich, burgers, etc) as well. I will say that the pumpkin cheesecake dessert was phenomenal. My only problem with dinner is that the food came out so quickly when we wanted more time to enjoy our prime seating! After dinner we moved to the bar to take in the main act of the night, a really wonderful blues trio. It's nice that there is one bar down by the music for those who want primarily to enjoy that (although, again, not so loud you couldn't have easy conversation) and another bar slightly higher that was a lot livelier with people socializing. It's great that they have so many wines on tap, too! Very unusual. Beer selection wasn't huge but the options they had were great. Our servers were all eager to please and helpful/friendly. So happy to have this spot and hoping it stays cover-free so that we can come back to enjoy the live music more often!
(4)Helen G.
I was extremely disappointed with The Beat Hotel. I am sure the food is great, but I don't care. I was digging the ambience, but I don't care at all about that. Because I feel like I was deceived. I ordered a glass of wine from the waiter. He showed me the wine list. There were 3 categories. I just assumed like every bar/restaurant that the 3 categories were glass/half bottle/bottle. I ordered the glass with the recommendation from the waiter. He plopped a glass on the table and came back much later with a measured out amount of wine. It was tasty. But never did he tell me that the menu is deceiving and the actual glass price is the second option and the first option is a HALF GLASS. REALLY!!! Who orders a half glass of wine?! That is crazy. It's like those stupid food labels that tell you the calories and nutrients per serving and in tiny letters say that there is 3 servings per package. I had ordered 2 glasses in total thinking that my bill would be under $15 for both glasses. I got a bill for over $30. I was stunned. I asked the waiter and it was then that he explained that the menu goes by half glass/glass/half carafe. SERIOUSLY!! That is so stupid and it also was in milliliters. Who the hell orders in milliliters? It's not even the money that I am mad about. It's the fact that I felt intentionally deceived. And the waiter didn't even try to work it out with me since he was the one who didn't mention this messed up wine menu. So for that, I will never ever go there again. I am a wine drink and have been to restaurants and bars all over the world. Never have I seen a stupid menu like that. If you want to make money on your wine, just be up front about it like everyone else.
(1)Carolyn P.
This place is amazing!!!! We came here for my friends bachelorette party!!!!! We have the most amazing server Allison !!!! So attentive , and just a fun server..... Food came out perfect , drinks were awesome!!!! Plus the bartender John was grate!!!!!!
(5)Picky B.
Gorgeous space tucked away under the Gap store at Harvard Square. Wooden long tables perfect for sharing, arabesque chandeliers, a jazz bar at the end, and a loooong bar that was packed with people having a good time end to end. Great place for cocktails and plates to share (although they need to improve a bit on cocktails). We didn't get much to eat this time except the Mediterranean sharing platters and calamari. All very tasty. Service also needs a little finessing.
(4)Tony V.
Waitstaff friendly. Wines decent but price on menu said $7/glass and on the bill it was $14/glass! Waitress said, "yes that's the price for medium." It was never asked if we wanted to pick a size, so we had an unexpected $28 on our tab. One dinner (brisket) was very good, but the earth bowl with shrimp was way over salted, and the shrimp so heavily seasoned with cayenne, garlic and SALT! that they were in edible. Too bad, because it should have been delicious with all the great ingredients. They've only been open 6 weeks, the ambiance was fun, so we'll give them another chance. Numerous families with young kids there (we were on the early side) -6:45- but not much on menu seems kid-friendly.
(2)Bill L.
What a terrible experience we had at this restaurant today! The service couldn't have been worse! Sat at the bar for more than thirty minutes with dirty plates staring us in the face. When the bartender finally arrived she asked "what do you want" without ever lifting a finger to clear away the refuge from the previous occupant of our seats. When I asked her if she planned to offer us clean place settings she just scowled at me and walked away. fifteen minutes later she was back with the question "Have you decided what you want?" We ordered coffee and a beer while ignoring the those dirty plates still taking up all that space in front of us. Coffee was deliver within ten minutes but that beer? Well, .... It was poured, placed to the side of the taps and never delivered. Over an hour after we we had sat down with great expectations we left. No beer, no food and those dirty plates? Still holding strong right where they had been guarding the seats that we had recently vacated as we left in disgust! If you're looking for an expensive place where you can drop some serious green in an extremely loud environment with the worse service imaginable this place is for you. As for the food? Well, it looked good. Maybe within five or six hours of being seated someone would have served us.
(1)Tanya G.
I had the bowl. By far one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Granted I love healthy food and vegetables..but sometimes things can be bland.not here! Savory and tasty!!! And I am picky! The tuna roll for app is great also. Drinks are very expensive.but food is great and vibe is upbeat and fun.
(5)Gary P.
Beat is a long space with a lowish ceiling, two bars, a music stage and a lot of tables. It is not cozy. The music is at the far end, away from the street. No one stops talking, so if it's not a big band it's probably going to be inaudible. The music is hard to hear, but the conversation isn't. So if you are looking for somewhere to converse without talking quite loudly, this is not the place for you. If there is a musical act - which there always is - they won't seat you at an individual table anywhere in the restaurant if you don't want full dinner service - in that case you get to sit at one of the long communal tables. So if you have anything to talk about that you mind strangers listening to, and you don't want the full dinner experience, or even one of your party doesn't, then this is not the place for you. This policy is despite the fact that many of the tables are nowhere near the music stage. The bar staff are serving drinks that some of them don't know how to make correctly. For example, Tequila Sunrise is meant to have a sunrise effect through how it is built in layers, but this was missing in mine. Old Fashioned is served without a garnish. I would also counsel any young bartender that their personal life is less likely than more to be of interest to a mature patron; although I understand there are exceptions. On the positive side the staff are friendly and effective and doing their best to make the format work. In particular I found the female maitre'd to be quite engaging. The food is good, although someone I talked to mentioned that the French onion soup with ribs was strangely sweet. All-in-all, Beat is not the place for me. However, if, as many people do, you like to immerse yourself cheek-by-jowl and elbow-to-elbow in a hip and happening, noisy crowd, with good food and a hint of live music in the background, you will feel quite at home.
(3)Flannery O.
The website is a bit more pretentious than necessary, which made me hesitant to try this place but friends wanted to go before a show at the Sinclair. I was pleasantly surprised by everything about the experience. The space is gorgeous and well designed, the staff is (mostly) pleasant, the cocktails are original, the dozen or so draft wines a nice touch, and the food phenomenal. So if you're looking for an alternative to the usual Russel House and dearly departed Upstairs on the Square for a special occasion in the square, don't be put off by how seriously it seems to take itself and give Beat Hotel a shot.
(4)Fausto C.
Went to this place to have some good time listening to a local salsa band but instead it was very disappointing, not only I was not allowed to dance but couldn't even stand next to my seat to pretend I was dancing. I was constantly harassed by security, later I found out they kicked out a couple for standing. I have no idea why would a club bring a salsa band and don't allow any dancing, specially when they have plenty of space available for dancing. Oh did I mentioned I spent $200 that night, I took the punishment because the band was great, Mango Blu
(1)Francesca R.
Love love love. It's like the inside of my brain. Colorful, cheerful, jazzzzzz. We went for the brunch on a Saturday and it was brilliant. Three toddlers and all. The jazz was playing at the right decibel for a civilized conversation. The food was delectable, from the kiddie pancakes to the huevos rancheros. Can't speak for other times of day but the brunch kicks ass, takes names, and is kid-friendly while not skimping on adult quality.
(5)eliza b.
Really enjoyed Beat Hotel for the music and atmosphere. Menu is average and wine by the glass is sold in ounces, and to buy a bottle at minimum is $65. Next time I would prefer to hit the bar and have a cocktail listen to the music.
(4)Betsy B.
It's nice that there's such a large venue in HS, allowing people to hang out at the bar, in the dining room, or over near the music. But this place felt really schizophrenic to me: 1) very busy, eclectic decor (flower child?) that has no bearing on the Beats 2) for the prices, the menu is pretty average, as is the cooking. Not a lot creativity in the choices available, and given that they're sort of run of the mill and not really well executed, I think the prices should be lower for a lot of the menu items. The bar's not bad. I'd say it's a good place to meet up for a drink and maybe listen to music, but I'd invest the same money in a better meal elsewhere.
(2)Emily A.
Overrated and overpriced. But the ambiance is nice, unless you're sitting right next to the stage, which is where we unfortunately sat, even though the server promised us that their "state of the art sound system" prevents obnoxiously loud-conversation prohibiting noise. He was terribly wrong and we ended our overpriced dinner quicker than expected since we couldn't hear each other speak. Basically, the drinks are good, the food is "eh" and overpriced, decorations are nice and hostesses are over zealous...in the obnoxious and fake type of way.
(3)Jessie E.
Been quite a few times for drinks, brunch and multiple dinners. Service can be great. I was a bit dissappointed at my last visit. Im in the midst of some health issues, made a reservation and I requested a table away from the stage because I cannot hear well at all. Lovely maitre'd said just a few minutes for a table that would accomodate my needs. Waited almost 45 minutes past our reservation time and they sat us, no joke, one table away from the stage. I spoke to the manager and he graciously moved us but it was a bit awkward to do so. After 45 minutes of waiting and an awful table the gracious thing would have been to offer a round of drinks or something to apologize. Absolutely nothing was offered. Was a bit dissapointing especially considering how often I frequent the restaurant and how little it would have taken to make our group feel well taken care of.
(4)Paul C.
Dress up and head to the Beat Hotel for jazz, booze and hippie feel to dance the night away.
(4)Michael M.
Brunch review: Slow to seat, even though not busy. The server had a bit of an attitude and was hard to track down, he never once asked how the food was. Had to ask another server for our bill when we were finally done and sitting there for awhile staring at our plates. The eggs Benedict was okay, not bad not great. The weird potato chip-like things weren't very good. They were soggy and flavorless. The one redeeming thing about brunch was the jazz, which again was only okay. But even okay live music is better than none at all. Too many good brunch options around to go back here.
(2)Erik S.
Been here three times for dinner and drinks. Vibe: The vibe is great. Very relaxed and comfortable. The space is huge so you don't feel crowded and you can sit as close or far from the stage as you want (depending on whether you are more into the music or conversation) - that flexibility is something you just can't find in other similar venues around Boston/Cambridge. The music is consistently high quality and the sound is great. Drinks: Good selection and well constructed cocktails. Good beer selection - not huge, but they picked good ones. Price - pretty typical for Harvard Square. Food: It's a little hit or miss. The lamb nachos are fantastic. The earth bowl is really good. The short-rib lasagne really really good (especially on a cold winter night). I had a BBQ pulled pork sandwich once that was meh. And one other entree that was forgettable so I forgot it. I think I only had desert once it was a double chocolate mouse thing and it was really rich and delicious. Overall great place. I wish more places had live music.
(4)R Q.
I really like the Beehive so was interested to check this place out. Been there a couple times at this point and it's extremely disappointing. Beers were good but drinks were weak and expensive. Service was also very slow and actually surprisingly rude (not so much for food but definitely for drinks). The security people here need to take a deep breath. I might give it another shot in the future but highly doubtful. It's really too bad because the concept works well in the South End. Execution is borderline terrible... Plenty of other spots on Harvard Square.
(1)Mark K.
Sat at the bar. The bartender was awesome. And he could make drinks too. Great place.
(5)Paul R.
I went to the Beat Hotel on a Saturday night with two other people. It is clear that this place is trying hard to be hip, which is ok. However, it does have a very corporate, wannabe hipster vibe, which I generally find to be the worst kinda hip. The place is big, decorated nicely, has live music, but was totally packed. This came as no surprise as it was a weekend evening in Harvard Square. They had a couple open tables up front, but they were only set for two people. We asked if it was ok if the three of us sat at the table and they replied with surprising rudeness that seating three at a two person table was strictly forbidden. Not cool dude, but if that is their policy, so be it. So, instead we tried to find a nook or cranny where we could stand. While we were trying to find a spot, the same employee came up to us every 30 seconds or so (this seriously happened ~5 times) and told us we couldn't stand in an empty 6 foot-wide "fire lane" (where they going to drive a truck through or something?!). We had no intention of standing in their "fire lane" for long, but the "official standing room area" was totally packed--I mean these people were making me question the Kepler conjecture and rethink closest packing lattice regimes. I though it might be possible for us to squeeze in if a Japanese railway pusher showed up, but short of that we were SOL. So, after growing tired of the constant reminders that we had to move, couldn't sit, and had no place to stand, we had to abandon the Beat Hotel and seek out a less stuffy joint. We made the right choice and I doubt I will ever go back. Not cool, not cool at all.
(2)Daniel A.
Just got home from an absolutely wonderful evening at Beat Hotel. Dinned with my team of employees for our company retreat. We had a really fun server who was knowledgeable about the menu and was attentive. We ordered a lot of different things including margaritas swordfish tacos chocolate cake french fries brussels sprouts salads and fillet mignon. What I love about the hotel is that even though they have live music the band doesn't play so loud that you can't hear your own conversations. Great addition to Harvard Square!
(5)Kelsey F.
If you're looking for a restaurant with a unique 'sphere, the Beat Hotel offers a great vibe for a fun brunch or night out. I went with a few girlfriends for brunch. The Veggie Omelette was balanced in taste and texture and my mimosa was made well. My friends were pleased with their Earth Bowls. Drinks are on the pricer side, but you're paying for the locale. All around solid addition to the area restaurant scene.
(4)D G.
Wine was sour. Sea bass was undercooked and potatoes were raw. Eggplant had ingredients that were not listed on menu. Food was so bad I left restaurant still hungry. Wait staff were professional and helpful. Space is very nice. Music was pleasant. Overpriced. I will not be back.
(1)Maeve O.
I had the Inca Bowl, one of the vegetarian options. It was incredibly good. I don't know what sauce they used but I would like to put it on everything, and possibly bath in it. My salad was very good as well. My brother ordered the french onion soup which was a bit weird, more soggy bread and melted cheese than broth but the filet mignon was very good as his main dish. The service was a bit slow but honestly my food was so good that I didn't care.
(4)Mabel L.
I came here expecting a top notch bloody mary and was disappointed. "Spicy" meant more tabasco, but couldn't detect the essential horseradish. Very fresh, however, will ask for specific things like horseradish and olives next time. Being veg, I ordered the Inca Bowl (vegan version). Definitely delightful upon delivery. Good portions, lots of tofu/tempeh (thankfully not another portabella mushroom based veg option). For a $20 entree, I had high expectations. Good variety of beans, veg, quinoa, avocado, etc, but couldn't pinpoint the flavor, but assumed my taste buds were off and went with the fact that it was a higher quality veg meal at a bar, and didn't question it. Definitely overpriced for the flavor available in the neighborhood, but very nice atmosphere, great staff, and looking forward to drinks there in the future. I probably won't need to order the Inca Bowl again, but would prefer the always amazing Cambridge One pizza around the corner. 1/2 the price and twice the flavor. What I'd like to see in the future: 1. Better bloody mary (raise the bar for the recipe). 2. lower the price on the food.....better drinks should help pay the rent. (food prices just might drive customers away....a lot of competition in the hood). This should get repeat customers coming in. We like the room, just give us a little more reason to come back!
(3)John A.
I predict an early demise. An indescribably weird experience - first of all, the place is HUGE. And it's decorated like (with apologies to Spinal Tap) an Australian's nightmare. Elaborate? Yes. Coherent? Not so much. On Saturday night around 10, the place was deserted - acres of empty tables and, even so, indifferent service. Beers were way overpriced and the apps we had, while decent tasting, were likewise so. The only reason for an extra star is the band who were playing Latin jazz with some verve. Shamefully, they were relegated to a small, floor-level stage at the very back of the deep, weird grotto. The band leader was clearly overmatched by his 6-string bass and continually behind the beat, but everyone else was excellent, especially the drummer (Mark?) who played actual music (for a drummer no less!) at EXACTLY the right volume level. If I do go back, it would be to hear some more of that excellent drumming and Latin jazz. But, more likely, I'll remember that this place is just weird and not bother. To judge by the business they were doing on a Saturday night, it probably won't be long before there isn't that option anymore.
(2)Loren A.
"Love this place. Great bartenders, friendly staff, good food, and great music!!"
(4)Amanda Z.
This place is terrible. Long wait, even with a reservation, and the manager comes over to apologize without offering anything. Skip to the meal, went during dine out Boston and there was almost nothing included in the special price - everything had an extra charge. The duck meatballs were good but the grilled octopus was oily. Our main dishes, the lamb chops and inca bowl, were both half warm half cold and a terrible value for the price. To boot, dessert was included in the special and we asked to have one now and one to go - we got two scrappy pieces of cake wrapped to go. When I brought it up to the waitress she simply said need anything else? Don't waste your time or money, not what I look for in a "special".
(2)Liri K.
As regulars at the Beehive for years we were excited for this spot to open. We loved the menu, especially how well it catered to everyone (with dedicated vegan or gluten free dishes). The tuna spring rolls were fantastic! Reminded us of the RIP Pho Republic. One thing we did not enjoy was the service. The server did make a great effort to recommend items from the menu and was attentive. He also didn't let us go before he recommended some upcoming shows, which was a nice touch. However, other staff showed no accommodation to us. For example, we booked a table for 2, and noted in the reservation that 2 more people will be joining us for drinks once we finished dinner. Since it was a mid-week night, the place was half empty and there were plenty of tables for 4 open. Strict to their guidelines though, were told only diners can sit and therefore we will have to get up once we finished dinner and wanted to have drinks with our friends. Wrong approach. Also- when my friend (who happens to be particular about wine, since she works in the upscale restaurant industry for years) asked to taste a couple of wines before she chooses, she was told they bring out no tastings. Wrong approach again. We are regulars at places like Toro, Coppa, Myers+Chang and the like, all those places are happy to let you taste a wine before you obligate to it! With that said, we will be back there for food and ambiance, hoping they will get their service act together once they get through the opening period.
(4)R M.
Beat Hotel, from the owners of the Beehive in the South End, is a new brasserie/bar in Harvard Sq. Located in the basement area that was the old Tannery, the Beat Hotel is an absolutely beautiful space. The decor, artwork, and layout are top notch and will be appreciated for years to come. And the live music will undoubtedly add a really fun and interesting element to the area. Pretty much all the liquor, beers, and wines are American-made. They opened today and I stopped in for a drink or two. I had a pleasant experience overall; the cocktails were solid and the wines (all on tap!) were interesting. That said, the prices are high. No cocktails under $11.50. No apps under $12. Entrees are well over 20. I don't feel like a drink made with Old Overholt Rye should be $11.50. It's a great "cheap" rye almost anywhere else, but here it's as pricey as Bulleit is elsewhere. I also sampled some of the wine, and they were quite good. But American wines at $9-14 for a 5oz pour are not worth it to me. They offer 2.5oz pours, too, for about 55% of the 5oz price. Unfortunately, they wont let you taste any of the wines without purchasing them, despite the fact that they are on tap. Finally, I tried the calamari/veggie fritters ($12) on recommendation from the bartender. The batter was pleasant and light, but there was nothing extraordinary about them. That said, I look forward to trying more of the food here. So here's my breakdown: Service: 4 stars -- staff was really great and friendly. Had a small hiccup with my first drink (was served on the rocks when it should have been up), but no big deal. Atmosphere: 5 stars -- this is one of the most beautiful restaurant spots in Harvard, if not the best. And when the music starts, I'm sure it will be next level. Food: 3 stars -- hard for me to really judge on one dish, obviously, but this dish didn't knock my socks off. Drinks: 4 stars -- cocktails were solid, and wine was quite good. Value: 2 stars -- I realize this is Harvard Sq, but I can't see myself coming here regularly when the prices are so high. I'm a firm believer that cocktails with spirits like Overholt should not be more than $10. With multiple options nearby for that, I will lube up elsewhere before coming here for some live music. Average: 3.5 stars
(3)Rachel C.
What a happy find! My boyfriend and I were in the area this past Saturday for a book reading at the Brattle, and when it was his turn to wander around while I held our place in line he noticed a place that looked interesting and new. Afterwards we decided to wander over, it was around dinner time and we at least were looking for a place to get a bite to eat and drink. As we debating going in/trying to figure out if it was even open yet, a couple came out and told us to not even think, just go! They said dinner was fantastic and the place had just opened that Thursday, but they weren't announcing their opening to avoid a rush and overwhelming the staff. Already, I am won over with that statement! So we went in, and I was overwhelmed with how beautiful everything is. From the host/hostess stand, to the light fixtures and the painted walls, the immense space felt cozy. We were seated immediately and given a chance to look over the menu. It was pricy, as someone else has written, no entree is under $20 and appetizers are all over $12. But based on the descriptions, the prices seemed fair for what the food was. They have a small but well rounded tap list for beers, and a very extensive wine list. It wasn't till later in the evening that I found out they were on tap as well! This explained the prices for 2.5 oz, 5 oz, and I think 12.5 oz. servings. My boyfriend tried Pretty Things Fluffy White Rabbit and later in the evening was even given a sample of another beer before committing to ordering it. For $9.50, I picked a 5 oz of Troublemaker, and California red blend. It tasted very fresh on tap! Our server, Meredith, who also works at the Beehive, was excellent! As was our meals of apple and bacon stuffed pork loin on cider braised red cabbage for me and chicken piccata with gnocchi for him. I love when I go to restaurant and get a meal that I know I couldn't recreate at home. The pork was just that good. It was definitely an unexpectedly nice dinner out, and our bill reflected that, but I will definitely come back! The atmosphere, the food, the drinks and the service make it money well spent! Though, I have a feeling the next time we are there, it will be a lot busier and we won't enjoy having empty tables around us!
(5)Anne W.
Came in on a Friday for drinks and some live music. Place was packed so we couldn't get near the band and wound up standing near the door. Awesome looking venue. Slightly hipster feel at the bar. The dinning room seemed to be a more mixed crowd. From what we could hear, the band seemed pretty cool. If you want to hear the music, try to get there a little earlier as if fills up quickly. But definitely a great space and awesome that there is no cover charge.
(4)Kristy G.
On the pricey side, but great for an evening with friends (to splurge a bit). Good food, good drinks, and lively atmosphere.
(4)James C.
Went here on a friday night and ordered nachos and a hurger. Nachos were cold and rhe "medium" burger was way ober cooked. Terrible foo especially for the price
(1)Abate D.
The mussels and frites were amazing, the pulled lamb nachos were a great addition as well. Great ambiance, live band, ask for Debbie!
(5)Danielle R.
This is probably one of my favorite spots in Harvard Square. The nightly live music is a huge plus--and it certainly helped make the general ambiance of the restaurant hip yet relaxing. The space was quiet enough for a nice conversation with friends, though, which I think is something typically difficult to achieve within in-restaurant performance venues. The food was absolutely fantastic, and I think that it was well priced for its caliber. Beat Hotel prefers to present more simple fare "done right" and I think it really works for them. I ordered the Spaghetti with Artichokes and found it to be well-seasoned and perfectly al dente. My friends ordered the roasted duck and Earth Bowl with wild salmon and also gave their dishes complimentary reviews.
(5)N K.
I was incredibly disappointed in the service I received when making reservations for my 30th birthday celebration at Beat Hotel. Both times, once when initially making the reservation, and again while confirming, the reservationists and manager were very rude to me on the phone. They were so rude that I was close to cancelling my birthday plans all together. As a regular customer, and one who chose to celebrate a big milestone event at Beat Hotel, I was floored by how unaccommodating they were to my needs. They basically implied I should just cancel my reservation instead of them making simple accommodations for me. I ended up keeping the reservation only because it was too last minute to find somewhere else to go, but I was frustrated all evening that they were getting the business of me and my many close friends. Luckily, the food and service was good so it made up for the horrible experience hours before my birthday dinner. It was supposed to be a happy occasion spent with close friends at a place I normally love, but the rudeness left the worst taste in my mouth. I couldn't wait to write this review to get the experience off my chest. I don't think I'll ever foot step in there again. I guess I need to find a new local spot to enjoy. And p.s. I honestly wanted to give zero stars, but I want to give the waiter some credit. I'm sorry he has to work with such rude and careless people.
(2)Kathy D.
No Substitutions Please! Went for brunch and give Beat Hotel an overall good rating but definitely some misses. The grilled banana bread coffee cake is outstanding. The brioche french toast is outstanding and requires no maple syrup or even the rhubarb berry compote that is supposed to come with it that they forgot. Biggest complaint is absolutely no substitutions. No alternate veggies in the veggie scramble and no bacon instead of ham in the meat scramble. The waitress did so kindly offer us to order a side of bacon if we wanted bacon in the scramble. And the salad with devil eggs was the most ordinary out of a bag salad, didn't even have tomato in it. Buffalo cauliflower was also great. Portions are very large. Our waitress was hot and cold. The decor is fun and festive and the live jazz does not over power.
(3)Murphy L.
Now this place is a hidden gem. Decent food, good service, and wonderful live music. The bar area does get crowded if you are just going there for a drink; would suggest getting a dinner table for an enjoyable evening
(5)N C.
Overall good to very good food BUT tonight I ordered one of their "bowls" with skirt steak and without warning, the first piece of the steak was apicy beyond belief. Being with guests, I politely persevered to the second slice which was spicy but manageable. One of my guests tried a bite and observed that it was "quite spicy indeed". I persevered but the third piece was so spicy I sent the whole dish back to the kitchen. I ve been writhing in pain with abdominal spasms for the past two hours. I CONSIDER THAT LEVEL OF HOT SPICE ON A DISH WITHOUT EXPRESSING IT IN THE MENU TO BE BORDERLINE CRIMINAL. In my case, I am recovering from pancreatic and liver cancer surgery and I am in bed unable to sleep, praying that this thoughtless omission doesn t cause me more complications. They are a nice venue and aside from the silverware noise and poor listening environment, they welcome lots of local professional musicians.
(3)Dave R.
I can say without question this was the best brunch I've had in the Boston area and quite possibly life. Previously living in Hoboken and Manhattan, I had access to a seemingly infinite array of brunch spots and never found this combination of awe-insiring, meticulous decoration, great service, live music, and AMAZING food. I got the veggie omelette and my girlfriend got the french toast, both of which were amazing. The frites you get with most meals are ridiculous....they're like super flavorful versions of McDonalds fries...all skinny and crispy....good God. I'll be back for dinner some time for sure.
(5)Chaude J.
I will never go to this place again! I work directly across the street from this establishment. I've been there before and I always tell clients and friends to go there. Today I was leaving work with a couple of my coworkers looking for a place to go to eat and have a drink when I walked by one of there valet harassing this old man who was playing music. This man has a permit to play and isn't bothering anyone. This man as well as another employee came up on the man yelling at him. I of course see this man yelling at this elderly man and confront him and tell him if he has a problem call the police. THE BEAT HOTEL VALET starts calling me a b*tch, tells me to get a life, go f myself. The valet! Then when I talk to a manager, Mark I think his name is, he tells me that he doesn't know what to do and he'll speak to him after shift. Seriously! I finally get the manager to walk out with me and the valet starts yelling I need to get a life. But he's the one yelling and pushing a 80 year old man who he thinks is annoying. I will never tell anyone to go here. I cannot believe the ignorance of that man and the fact that the manager was dumbfounded and had no idea what to do!
(1)Leslie M.
Love, love, love. Just as cool as the Beehive space but definitely its own animal. It's funky, eclectic and has a Cambridge-y vibe. Chill scene with very interesting people surrounding you. Great jazz music, wines on tap, the vegan Earth bowl was really good and filling. Line at the door at 10pm on a Friday. Get there early.
(5)Howe L.
I had a great experience. Strong drinks and solid food menu. I loved the lamb nachos and our entrees (duck breast and stuffed pork) were equally delicious. Of course, the live music is an awesome touch. Bread was an afterthought. A little pricey, but that's expected. I had no complaints with the service. Loved the attentive water service!!
(5)Noor B.
i and a friend were the first customers at the first brunch ever offered at Beat Hotel today. we got great food, and incredible service (from Ali!!). a highlight was the yogurt/granola appetizer with fresh berries; it's just a little sweet, and this allows you to really appreciate the incredible richness of the home-made, strained, sheep's milk yogurt. thier yogurt : greek yogurt :: greek yogurt : regular yogurt. i might recommend that 2 people split this since it's so rich. the pumpkin bread was delicious, and came with excellent whipped butter. would recommend and would get again. the mexican tofu scramble was a nice, and when i mentioned that they forgot the avocado, Ali and the team made sure i got extra! this place is great and makes a wonderful effort to make customers happy. they're also really responsive to feedback, and since i live close-by, i'll definitely take advantage of this to tailor this place to my preferences, haha i've also been here for dinner once, and the dishes are creative and well-done. bravo. the space is large and open which is unique for harvard square. a nice change. OVERALL: great new place that covers all meals + late night. great service. large open space and live music often. highly recommend a try.
(5)Ben J.
Feels like a 1940's acid trip... in a good way.
(5)Cody C.
went for dinner with one of my best friends in the first few nights of opening. usually i'm wary of heading to a new place without giving them a few weeks to work out the kinks - but operations were incredibly smooth for a newly opened spot. cool musician with a ukelele started playing halfway through the meal...very cool vibe throughout. started with the ribs for an appetizer because we were freaking famished... and they were excellent. almost had to fight over the last one (guys give us an even number to save friendships and relationships!) i got the organic chicken piccata and my friend got the apple stuffed pork. my chicken piccata was very tasty.... but my friend's dish was OUT of this world. i will hands down order that next time i go in (oh and there willlll be a next time). be careful when you head the the restroom - it's over by the "concierge desk" .... NOT to the left of the bar. :). made it almost into the kitchen before a server turned me around. haha! wines on tap were all very tasty and our waiter was super knowledgable.... even when we asked obnoxious questions like... "what exactly is vegan wine... and why isn't all wine vegan?" apparently it comes down to the filtration.... i guess you learn something every day. happy to have the beat in the neighborhood. look forward to my next visit... especially since i see pulled lamb nachos are an app!! YUM.
(4)Will C.
I had the privilege of sitting at the bar for 5 hours and loved every min. It's relatively new and the staff, the drinks and food are pretty good. They have a very interesting wine system that's barreled in kegs so it's never exposed to air. The owner is a wine som and hand picked the list. Great vibe and fun staff. Off to a great start.
(4)Andrew M.
Great times. Excellent apps. And hands down the best bar tender ever. Jessamyn hooked us up with super well balanced manhattans and bourbon sidecars. Super top notch.
(5)Sara B.
Good but not great. Decor and ambiance is fantastic, but that's not necessarily why one dines out. Still, a fun lively place to go in fabulous heels and be sassy. Live music was good- would have loved to hear more of the jazz set, but that was a timing thing on our part. Order Pulled Lamb Nachos (great), and Lobster for dinner (very over-rated). Will try again, but not rushing back. Decent wine list, but Cab Sav choice is average. Went this past Saturday night. Make rezzies well in advance.
(3)Alexandra D.
I went for the first time last Friday night and the food was eh..I had the calamari and burger. However I ended up getting food poisoning! I let them know just to let them know out of concern and never got a response. You would think a restaurant would address a customer who received food poisoning from their restaurant..
(1)Joel A.
The ambiance and music are great. One of the few places where you can find good live music regularly. I have been there on week nights and it is a perfect spot for conversation and a relaxing time. Drinks are expensive but good.
(5)Mark F.
Horrible bar service. Waited 35 minutes before just giving up, and was ignored multiple times by the bar tenders who are obviously under-staffed. Go somewhere else, the service sucks.
(1)J U.
I really like it here, but it really depends on the service. One night we had a great waiter who took the time to talk to us about what was on the menu. Another time I was pretty sure the waiter already hated me. However, I really like the food and the music....and that is why you go to a place, right?
(3)Thomas N.
wow the reviews are all over the place, but we walked by while visiting the boston celtic music program, saw they had jazz (during the day) so we tried it, were not disappointed.....used to be a big upscale clothing store and is a big rectangular shape, with 2 long bars along one wall and a place for music in the back, actually very attractive and it was wonderful having music during the day....we ate at the bar where there is just one tv if you are interested....server, bartender, was pleasant and attentive, drinks were good and reasonably priced for the area, food was a little on the expensive side, but the burger was excellent and the brisket cheese sandwich was also....so what's not to like....was pretty busy and having the music during the day was great.......
(4)J. N.
Awesome. Awesome vibe, great bar/drinks, fantastic food. We had the salad w roasted chickpeas, the tuna spring rolls (ah-mazing) and I had salmon tartare which was truly delicious. Tasted the brisket - great too. A super night out and will definitely add Beat Hotel to my list of faves.
(5)Lyndon R.
I have been to the beat hotel a number of times. I want to commend them on bringing something unique to town. The atmosphere is lively and fun. It's clear that a lot of thought went into the place. The people who work there seem to really like being there and make the experience enjoyable. I was there last night for the Cuban themed night and had the mojito and the grouper, both great and the music topped it off. As someone who likes wine, the wine on tap is a great option. When I first heard about this I thought it was strange, but the selection is really serious and it gives me a chance to try wines that I wouldn't normally have access to. Given the quality of what's offered, I think the prices are really fair. I also can't believe they don't charge a cover for the music, which is excellent and adds to the vibe. It's a great place to go to hang with my friends, have a decent glass of wine, good food, hear live music and get in some great people watching.
(5)Stephanie S.
Fantastic, friendly and personable service from the bartenders. Very attentive. Food was delicious and drinks were great. I love the vibe of this place!
(5)Fred A.
Terrible service. They told us 20 minutes but We waited more than an hour to be seated then the rude manager asked us to leave before be ordered and offered to make us wait again. We'll never go back. Worst service ever. Rudest restaurant manager ever. The worst restaurant experience of my life. I have had never seen ruder manager in my life.
(1)Fay F.
Came here with a group of friends. Nice ambience and good food. I had the earth bowl, a yummy and healthy choice!
(4)Jenn H.
Wow, what an addition to Harvard Square. Spacious and beautifully decorated, with a huge bar area. The menu is a little overwhelming, but who doesn't love options?? The food is awesome and the drinks are great. Nice wine menu and even better cocktails. And of course, this is a sister restaurant to Beehive, so you know you're gonna get some friggin amazing live jazz. This place does it all.
(4)Dom K.
Good food but slow service. Tuna roll, salmon tartare, and deviled eggs were great. Their smoke salmon is really good too. All in all a nice food experience if you're not in too much of a rush.
(4)Maria E.
Very annoying service. Great food, dessert and live music at reasonable price. However, the service was really getting on our nerves - after we finished with the dinner, but were not looking to go anywhere, our waiter immediately brought us the check. Not sure if that was a hint that we had to go or what. We stayed longer, because that's the whole point of coming to a place with live music. Well, the waiter pretty much made sure to remind ourselves of his existence every 5 minutes. This person literally stopped by 5 or 6 times asking whether we are done with our plates, whether we needed anything else, and the like. It was borderline offensive. This was coupled by cheesy jokes.
(3)John R.
cool vibe, great music, knowledgable server, interesting food... what's not to love?
(4)Joy Y.
Came in for the jazz brunch last Sunday with some friends. We didn't make a reservation but that wasn't a problem since we snagged a spot at the bar easily. Given the size of this place, I was definitely surprised that reservations were needed, but I guess since it's kind of a new hot spot, craziness tends to ensue. Anyway, it seems that I had a similar experience to many of the other yelpers around here. The service definitely left something to be desired. To be honest, if I wasn't so engrossed in my conversation, I would have been waaaaaay more annoyed by how long it took them to take our order. It was at least a half hour. The drinks were heavy on the booze though and kept us going while we were waiting. I got the meat omelette and it was pretty tasty. I was particularly a fan of the havarti dill cheese, although the meat itself was somewhat tough, forgettable and should have been cut into smaller pieces. There was definitely a lot of food,but for the price tag ($14 for an omelette) I don't think I would have expected less. It's a strange and eclectic menu and I found the brunch menu to lean a little more on the lunch end. Their drinks were creative (I especially liked the one with apple cider, st. germaine and bourbon- yum!) and strong. The jazz was not overpowering and more like background noise than the starring show. Overall? Probably worth a visit, at the very least check it out and judge for yourself.
(4)Karen B.
Great live music and food in Harvard square! We were there for the third time the other night and had another great experience. We started with the crispy spring roll and octopus salad followed by the earth bowl and chicken piccata.-all delicious. Bobby Keyes, one of the coolest musicians, was on the the stage. A completely unique musical and culinary experience!
(5)Sarah A.
Loved this place. A little expensive but a really nice atmosphere; a welcome alternative to the average Boston bar.
(5)Ed K.
I just don't understand the complaints in other reviews. The music was mellow, the service first rate, the menu really interesting, and the food was terrific. The scallops and the Inca Bowl both had flavors that exploded in the mouth. Totally satisfied!!
(5)Carl H.
Very good, my wife and I love the beehive and are exited to have local version. Cocktails were very good, started with one at the bar before being seated. We had the tuna egg rolls and meatballs for apps, perfect. My wife had the chicken and I had the steak frites, entrees were excellent as well. The next we go, the only thing we hope for is to not have the same server, never good to be constantly looking around to get a refill on your drink or order your dinner, bus staff was great, server just seemed disinterested which was off putting. Other than that everything else was awesome, we will be back
(4)Joe G.
They act super hard here but unjustifiably. The bouncers are good guys but the bartenders are needlessly rude and insulting, making this experience altogether more negative than it should be. It could become a great bar, but a change of culture is needed.
(2)K. O.
I so wanted to love this place. The Beehive in the South End is a longtime favorite, and I was excited to see what the owners had in store for Harvard Square. Unfortunately, I found the staff to be incredibly inexperienced and the food to be sub-par. A friend and I met here and sat at the bar for drinks and a quick bite on a Thursday night. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it took 45 minutes before we could get a server to take our drink order. Granted, it was a busy night and there appeared to be a corporate function taking place at the same time--but 45 minutes? The staff seemed very young and not at all aware of what they should be doing (like taking orders from patrons). We ordered the charcuterie platter, which was unceremoniously plopped down in from of us with no explanation of the different friend foods, meats and cheeses on it. It wasn't very good. At this point, we had been there two hours and just wanted to get out of there. Oh well. I'll be sticking with the Beehive, but hoping this place finds a groove because the location and space are great.
(2)Anya C.
I had the unfortunate experience of being incorrectly charged for my meal. I understand that mistakes happen, but the fact that the manager never called me back is indisputably a disgusting lack of decent customer service and not to mention entirely illegal to not rectify the mistake. I will now have to take this to my credit card company to report the fraudulent charge. Nice job Beat Hotel. This place needs to hire competent servers and managers that actually do their job; otherwise, dine at your own risk. This place is more hassle then it is worth.
(1)t w.
This place is like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. They are trying to create a swanky uptown experience when what they're dealing with are college kids and young professionals in a college town. I loved the decor. I loved the music. They have this weird policy of no dancing??? My friends got booted from the place for dancing in front of the live band on a previous week. On this occasion, I wanted to eat a meal and talked to a waitress about sitting at one of the tables. The waitress told me any table without a white paper was a cocktail table with first come first serve. In a sea of 20 empty tables, I sat at the one closest to the music. Immediately, a security guy (buzz cut with tatoos) descends on me and asks if there are more than two people in my group. I told him no and he asks me to move to a two-person table. I asked him why and he explained this table was a 6-person table and he wanted to keep it open for a 6-person group. Let me repeat, there were 20 EMPTY TABLES next to me. I could tell the wait staff were embarrassed by this guy. They apologized profusely for having to move us. And as we are eating our OK meal, groups to the right and left of us get up. Now there is NO ONE in the back dining area, but here we are adhering to their weird rules. About 1/2 hour later, a group of four sits at the six-person table, but the buzz cut security dude doesn't say a thing. Weird weird weird. I will probably avoid this place. I went to Saloon in Davis square last night, similar vibe, very chill and a much better place for what you're looking for. As for the food: French onion soup - the short rib was tough. Cheese was gooey and heavy French fries - crispy and delicious but not on the menu.
(2)