Middle East Restaurant and Club

Love this place. The staff was extremely helpful and nice. The food was interesting and different. Delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Bouncers are racist and wouldn’t let us in bc they thought we were “too drunk” despite us speaking coherently and were just a bit tipsy. He looked at a Middle Eastern man in our group and automatically said no despite him only having one drink. After they denied our access they started making fun of us despite us being in earshot and able to hear everything they were saying. Additionally, he wouldn’t listen to us when we were trying to explain our confusion and the owner just shushed us like we couldn’t understand basic English. If you are a non-white person who is under 18 trying to club here, I would NOT recommend coming to this place :))))))

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

For the record, I never or barely ever make a review anywhere I go. But The Middle East, it's worth writing about as I never had a good experience here.

Don't get me wrong, the atmosphere (according to other user reviews) has improved since put up for sale and possibly sold to a new owner sometime between now and 2020 I believe. Food has probably gotten better too, but not dramatically, but honestly, I don't really think people come for the food... They come for the shows.

Now for the show, well the show I went to was absolutely amazing. I had a blast and met all the performers which leads me to meeting the main act...

For one, when I entered the bouncers were just flat out rude as I always experienced in previous shows. They didn't really give an answer to any of my questions and clearly did not want to be there. I understand you guys are underpaid and understaffed, but I am too and so is every venue in America is too. But also a majority of Americans are generally a lot nicer in their workplaces then these bouncers and staff in general. Anyways, I wanted to get an autograph from all the performers and that included the main act who were only meeting those who were vip. I didn't pay for vip but I was photographing for all acts and the main band was very very kind enough to let me QUICKLY get an autograph in the VIP line. So I did. And the staff clearly hated that I did although it quite frankly took 2 minutes lol.

I'm not coming back. I'm not recommending anyone to go to this venue. I'm going to be asked to email the owner most likely, but I'm not going to give them the graces. I'm very grateful for the band, I'll keep my head up, and yeah don't go here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 1

THIS REVIEW IS ONLY FOR THE NIGHTCLUB

We were here today for a show. My son got in line at 8:30am to be first in line. Not only was he excited to be first, but he has joint problems and counts on leaning on the barricade to help his knee so he can stand during shows.

Doors open at 7pm. At around 6, ADA people come and get a separate line. With as many friends as they have with them (not just one person).

Then apparently if you dine at the restaurant you get to skip the line. So another 20 people got to go in before us. I have read this club’s website up and down and never did I see that. So you mean I could have slept in. Done the work I needed to and not sat on the sidewalk for over 11 hrs, had a little food and still gotten in before anyone? That’s insane.

After that (the line is wrapped around the block now, sold out show), two girls come up and ask where the line is. The bouncer feels bad sending them all the way to the end so lets them in with the skip the line crowd. When I say something, he says those are the last two …. We’re next.

Then after that the boy behind us has been asking the crew since 11:30am if there’s cost check. He came up from FL so has a backpack but also a guitar. Around 2pm someone finally confirmed there’s cost check. We get in, they tell him they have no such thing. Lucky for him I walked my kids in and then am waiting in the car for them so I held onto his things. But what if I hadn’t been there? No one cared.

I went inside. Venue looked fine. Guys in general were nice loading in all day. But I did get texts from my son that he’s having trouble with his knees already and is miserable. Needless to say we are selling our tickets for tomorrow night and tapping out.

As my friend says, it’s a good life lesson. You can be first. Work hardest. (Wait longest) And then people will still just walk in front of you.

Went last night for an event. The staff was extremely terrible. The bouncers and the bag check lady were disrespectful. They came to conclusions extremely fast. I have never ever experienced this level of disrespect in my whole life. Once I was inside the event I had a great time. The music was AMAZING don’t get me wrong. The issue is with the STAFF.

Atmosphere: 3

Service: 1

This place is a hidden gem that at 43 I just found!.. its a beautiful location, multiple restaurants and multiple places for artists of all kinds to perform for everyone. They had an option to dine in and skip the line. That was great. The drinks and apps were ordered were delicious as well. The staff was great, very helpful. The older gentleman actually walked us over to where we needed to go to see the show. Crazy this place has been open since 1970 and it's just gotten bigger over the years. It's a great place to see up and coming artists. They have everything from belly dancing, to rock and roll so there is something for everyone!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Mortician ruled, and the openers did, too. I didn't eat, so my five star review is for the beer.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

4 ate and had drinks 🍸 😋 for under $80

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My father used to party here in the early 90's, I partied here in the early 2010's. I went back and it hasn't changed a bit. Middle East will always have a special place in my heart. Love this spot.

Atmosphere: 5

The vibes and service of this place is great, but the food is anything but. The shawarmas had a weird sauce that I hadn't even seen before, which ruined the entire taste of it. You also couldn't taste anything besides the sauce and lettuce, no chicken or other vegetables. Their onion rings were stale and looked like they'd been cooked in the same oil from several days before. Avoid the place if you're looking for a decent food experience.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

This is a historical venue which operates as a restaurant, nightclub and bar split into three different distinct areas of the venue which have been open for over five decades. The upstairs bars are very narrow however there’s a back room with a stage and a very large basement with the largest stage which I believe holds around 500 people. If you’re from New York and you know what CBGBs was, this is the Boston and Cambridge equivalent to that iconic Venu. Most of the big names that do concerts and shows in Cambridge will do an appearance at the Middle East. It’s located on mass Avenue right down the street from MIT on one side and Harvard on the other. Expect a diverse crowd of excellent people and a few weirdos for fun.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I've been here a few times for concerts. While the venue is a bit on the smaller side I think that works really well in their favor and I have enjoyed going here each time.

Atmosphere: 5

I've had two dinners here and they both were very enjoyable sitting out on the patio. I typically don't like Street based seeding. However, in this case there is a bike lane and a barrier and it feels pretty quiet. The service is lovely and I particularly enjoyed the salmon. Perhaps I would describe it as no frills but it was a delicious piece of fresh fish that didn't need them. I've always enjoyed this music venue but definitely a solid choice for dinner!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Loved the bands I heard but woman collecting tickets couldn't have been more rude.

Atmosphere: 2