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Diva Lounge

3 star rating
based on 39 reviews

Category: Lounges  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Davis Square
248 Elm St
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 629-4963
Nearest Transit:

Davis (Red)

Good for Groups:
No
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Price Range:
$$
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Music:
DJ
Best Nights:
Mon, Tue, Wed
Happy Hour:
No
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
No
Coat Check:
No

39 reviews for Diva Lounge

Review Highlights   

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"The $40 covered 7 tapas, 2 drinks, a meal, and a dessert." (in 8 reviews)
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"a) how often do you get a bar WITH Indian food." (in 11 reviews)
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"I just had a cocktail but oh boy it was sooo good." (in 4 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Stephen G.

 

1

17

Stephen G.

Somerville, MA

4 star rating
11/14/2009

UHHH YEAH! The consensus and shit I'm seeing here is that the drinks are too strong and that the decor is too tacky, well I got to say, "Hell, yeah!" The drinks got me fucked up! And who really cares how the joint looks when you can't see past the end of your nose?!

LET'S GET OUT THERE!

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Photo of Jessica M.

Elite '09

16

71

Jessica M.

Cambridge, MA

2 star rating
10/2/2009

The $10 signature cocktails are a huge joke. I've made the mistake of ordering one on two different occasions. Never again.

Design is neat of course.

I find the bar stools to be uncomfortable, but the booths are cozy at least.

Both occasions I've had one drink here and left. Eh.

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Photo of Meghan D.

 

15

38

Meghan D.

Shrewsbury, MA

4 star rating
10/6/2009

Had a buywithme gift certificate for $40 and went on a Monday night and sat in the lounge.  The $40 covered 7 tapas, 2 drinks, a meal, and a dessert.  Went with my best friend and it was the perfect amount of food.  

Great atmosphere, though completely dead, we were the only people in the lounge for the majority of the meal - seats were comfortable - on the less busy nights good for first dates.  Less impressed with the bartender's service - she was engaged in conversation and it took me approaching the bar to get water refilled, appetizers, and even dessert.

Our main meal:  Chicken Tikka Masala - absolutely awesome - the "medium" was not very spicy (so keep that in mind when ordering) but it was amazing - tasted like basil tomato cream sauce - more italianish than indian.  

The tapas we ordered were also great, and all $1!!!:
lamb sliders
cheese and mushroom samposa
mini cheese dosa

especially good - kali mirchi kar tikka:  chicken with crushed pepper in a delicious sauce...

Never have gone for the nightclub aspect - but its worth a early week treat!

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Photo of Jamie K.

Elite '09

32

69

Jamie K.

Somerville, MA

4 star rating
9/23/2009

DOLLAR TAPAS.
really.
a dollar.
granted i had had a bit to drink before we wandered in at 8:30 on a tuesday night, but i thought i misunderstood. really? a dollar?

yes, the mixed drinks are about $9 or $10 each.
yes, the tapas are ridiculously teeny.
yes, the place is all velvet-roped, cover-charged, high-heeled, mini-skirted, rolled-up-sleeved popped-collared button-downed on a friday or saturday night.

but that's not what i'm here for. tapas are supposed to be little. one plate does not a meal make - it's supposed to be a little snack to have with your drink. and they're a dollar each. A DOLLAR.

SO. here's the game plan. go on a monday. a tuesday. a wednesday. maybe even a thursday. wear whatever the hell you want. there was a guy sitting at the bar in sweatpants. the place will be relatively empty. the music will be at a level where you can still have a conversation. order an expensive drink. order approximately 6 different tapas. it all evens out. you just spent $16 on a swanky drink and some delicious Indian food morsels, sat in a lovely booth in an odd white plastic bubbled wonderland, and had my ideal diva lounge experience.

you're welcome.

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Photo of P. C.

 

2

23

P. C.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
10/31/2009

Though I've had some questionable, customer service related issues at the Diva restaurant, I've never had anything but an enjoyable time at the Diva Lounge. The ambiance is just plain awesome - from the crazy bubble-wrapped, glass walls and ceiling to the pod-bathrooms - this is an awesome place to take drunken, cameraphone pics. The bartenders are friendly, the $1 Indian tapas menu is fab, the drinks are stiff, the DJ usually plays good tunes, and it's usually not very crowded. I did read the Tufts article about the racism, and while I don't discount it and feel terribly for these women, I cannot base my opinion on someone else' experience; since I've always had a great time here, I have to give it 5 stars.

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Photo of ericalynn g.

Elite '09

268

510

ericalynn g.

Cambridge, MA

2 star rating
8/25/2009

A lot of hoopla and hullaballoo for what is really just subpar and not so fantastic.   Yes, I suppose it is interesting and certainly unique to sip cocktails in a long room that looks like a technicolor bubble bath while watching Bollywood on mute while a DJ provides a bumpin' soundtrack, but when those cocktails come with a $10+ price tag and they're seriously watered down and small, suddenly those bubbles just don't do it for you.

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Photo of Laura C.

 

2

33

Laura C.

Boston, MA

1 star rating
9/3/2009

First, this place makes awful drinks. A drink is supposed to be a balanced mixture of elements, not just really strong alcohol in a glass. Gross.
Second, it confuses me that this place is in Davis Square. Davis Square is comfortable and casual and unpretentious - the bars here are not for getting dressed up and drinking expensive martinis. Diva Lounge seems like an awkward transplant. It's like a swanky lounge that's too sketchy and subpar to actually be in an expensive part of town. The people at the table next to me honestly looked like a backstreet boy and two middle-aged Russian prostitutes.
This place is just depressing.

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Photo of Jasjot K.

 

11

38

Jasjot K.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
1/24/2009

Went to Diva Lounge tonight with about 8 or 9 people at 8 pm on a Saturday night.  The seating was awkward, but they were able to move us to a bigger spot when it opened us... and surprising the "help" was somewhat gracious about it... however. The Eastern European waitress was dumb and rude and didnt know how to talk to customers.  The bar tender on the other hand was a kick and totally loved her.  We had a good time and loved the food and the beer selection and the cocktails were strong and quite tasty.  The server could have been more attentive, she kept on forgetting to bring us waters! Like seriously, how hard is to remember to bring water to a table!  

And since it was our frist time at the "lounge" I had no idea that it turns into a raging night club by 11 pm.  I talked to the bouncer a little bit and he was friendly.  I recommend going here to the lounge and chilling for a good time.

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Photo of Katie P.

 

6

8

Katie P.

Somerville, MA

2 star rating
3/16/2009

We go here perhaps once a year for a really expensive (but delicious) martini of choice and a dessert to split. Other than that, not a place I would frequent. I know that the design was on the cover of Architectural Record, etc., but I could take or leave it. I do like the "pod" bathrooms, but last time I was there all 3 toilets were clogged/overflowing and when I told the waitress, she pointed to them and said, "The bathrooms are right there." Wow. Not the brightest bubble in the bubble wall.

Also, seems to be attracting an increasingly large number of tools. Then again, you never know if you are one of them.

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Photo of K M.

 

0

18

K M.

Somerville, MA

3 star rating
7/27/2009

First of all, this place has some serious vibe going on; I don't know how to describe it except being inside a fluorescent game of Tetris.  It's what attracted me to Diva in the first place, although after a full meal, I still don't know whether I'd say it was pleasant or not.  I give props for the restaurant serving full meals in the Lounge area, but I would sincerely recommend getting different tables; Indian food usually requires at least three plates per person, and these bitsy tables had some sort of weird nipple in the middle that completely prevent you from resting a plate there.  Finally, and this in no way is a critique of the restaurant, be warned that pieces of paper (in my case, a photograph) can and will slip behind the booth cushions, and there will be no obvious way to retrieve it.   In our case, the photo wasn't a vital one, so we didn't make much of an effort, but be warned!

So far as food goes, I would recommend, even to the most spice-phobic customer, to get at least medium spice with your dish.  I am very frightened of spices and don't like curry, but while I could tell that my mildly-spiced lamb dish was perfectly pleasant, nothing stood out in terms of flavor, as opposed to my boyfriend's dish, whose flavors popped considerably.  I would also recommend being adventurous with the dessert menu; I had to strong-arm my boyfriend into ordering the cassata, a dessert vaguely described as being traditional, with cream, chocolate, cherries, and pecans, but which might be better described as fruitcake ice cream surrounded by cold chocolate and custard (yum!)  Overall,

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Photo of Drew S.

 

9

15

Drew S.

Cambridge, MA

3 star rating
10/4/2009

I like this place; the first time I went here, I admit that I was a little put off; the atmosphere is very different from the usual "dark bar with loud rock" that I usually like, but a friend swore by it, and after a drink or two, and chilling there, I've found that it's good for the occasional stop.  Not an all-the-time kind of place by any means, but nice for when you want to go someplace a little trashy.

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Photo of marie c.

Elite '09

48

133

marie c.

Somerville, MA

4 star rating
9/13/2008

Yes, this place looks like a futuristic bubble.  Yes, the seating options are limited.  Yes, the music is too loud once the DJ sets up.  Yes, the drinks are $10 a pop.

All that being said, however, I did have the best cocktail I've ever had tonight.  If you're fond of chai tea, or just love good things, make a special trip to Diva and order the Assam.  It was so incredibly good.

Also enjoyed the Shiva, which tasted like delicious burning.  Who knew cayenne pepper in a drink would be delicious?

Seriously, if you live anywhere near Davis, or come here often, do yourself a favor and stop in for the Assam cocktail.  You won't regret it.

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Photo of Jackie A.

 

13

38

Jackie A.

Somerville, MA

2 star rating
9/11/2008

Initial thoughts upon seeing the place:
Oooooh, how trendy that looks... like really hip bubble wrap... I want to pop those bubbly things...

Thoughts once you're in there:
Oh... oh wow, um, this is effing weird... this bubble wrap is giant and bulging towards me... and this place is REALLY long and skinny, and the bubble wrap that is bulging towards me is surrounding me because it's on the ceiling and the walls and the back of the room and everywhere... the entire room is BULGING TOWARDS ME in an extremely despotic way... is there negative pressure in here or something?... should I have a space suit on?... negative pressure makes people explode or expand or some shit, right?... oh god... um, HOW much did you say that drink cost me just now??... I have to pay that much money to drink in a room that I'm going to explode in??... are you sure I'm in Davis Square?... what the F???

That was how I felt anyway.

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Photo of stacey l.

 

7

99

stacey l.

MA

5 star rating
6/16/2009

I was planning on giving this place 4 starts, but figured after reading some of the low starred reviews that were lame I would slide the extra star in there to negate one.  The rating is for the food only.  I do not dig lounge/techno music/ultra pop vibes, but I knew that the ambiance was like this because it's a place called Diva Lounge...duh...I will not detract stars for my preference of pub style bars.  What I will say is the tapas was really tasty.  I have been eating Indian cuisine for the past 8 years or so and never had the opportunity to eat it tapas style.  The menu spanned from more traditional offerings to heavily influenced American/Indian fusion (lamb sliders and naan pizza) and we tried some of both.  In my opinion they should stick with the tradititonal...the flavor in the raj kachori chaat was tasty and refreshing and the special of the day, spinach and cheese naan was so much better than their tandori chicken naan pizza.  The presentation and portion sizes were fair and the prices were reasonable considering their size and creativeness. Another plus in my book was the list of desserts, it's not often that there is such a large selection of Indian desserts so it was fun to try those out as well.  I'll definitely be going back for more!  

The service was attentive and friendly.  It was a slow weeknight, so I image the opposite to be true on the weekend.  Their specialty drinks are martinis which looked pretty inventive and were all priced in the normal martini range of 10 bucks.  Will go back for a drink and some more noshing soon....

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Photo of Kiwi H.

 

334

953

Kiwi H.

London

UK

3 star rating
2/25/2008

I really like the cool bubble wall inside, it looks great with the hanging lights they've got. Service was surprisingly fast for how crowded it was, and we had a good night. Music was pretty good, but I realised later that I knew the DJ from uni, so I may be biased... hehe.

A bar with Indian food and snacks is a great idea to me, and I love a good lounge. The upbeat music keeps things from getting too chill and Buddha-Bar-esque. Although I love me some Buddha Bar, if you consider that the place is rather small, I think this is actually a good thing, otherwise it could possibly get too sleepy and be the sort of place where a few people are lulled into their booths and thats about it, no liveliness. Basically, it's just not big enough to pull of the 'superchill lounge' atmopshere since it seems like they'd have barely any turnover then, and is better off going with upbeat lounge, which it is.

Overall, it's nice to have something a little different right in the middle of Davis. I was appalled when I first read that Tufts article, and being a Jumbo-alum who knew some of the people involved, I was especially horrified. But the problem staff have apparently since gone, and it seems like they've picked up their act and people have been pretty decent since, which is good.

The bathrooms are really odd - it's a little weird going into the alien-pod-like things and I'm not sure how comfortable I felt in there, but hey, it's unique I guess. One thing I didn't like, though, was how hard it was to walk through the place - trying to get from the bathrooms back to the front of the bar was like pushing my way through a jungle. A jungle of older bro-dude businessfolk-types attempting to shake their booty and grind on some over-smiley chicks. I know, sounds mean, but again it's just the sort of thing where it depends what night you go somewhere and what kind of clientele are attending that night. And whether that clientele would move out of the way to let people pass through or not, since they're too busy booty-grinding to get out of the way from the bloody bar.

While it's not neccessarily somewhere I would frequent, it's not bad for a chill night once in a while, and getting some drinks with good friends in a lively bar-loungey atmosphere around Davis.

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Photo of Hannah L.

Elite '09

44

278

Hannah L.

New York, NY

3 star rating
2/22/2009

interesting interior design.
never been to an indian restaurant/hookah lounge before, but that's cool!

the ambiance was cool, but the men working there are especially creepy and stare at you creepily-sexually/don't speak english that well. definitely an ambiance ruiner.

shudder

too bad. i wish the waitstaff was cooler so i didn't feel mentally raped! maybe i'll come back with some guys.

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Photo of Keiko Z.

 

6

24

Keiko Z.

Somerville, MA

4 star rating
5/12/2009

Diva Lounge, situated right next door to the restaurant, is a good holding ground if you're waiting for a table next door or just a place to catch a few drinks. The space itself is very funky inside- a little narrow and awkward in terms of seating, but the space is decorated interestingly enough to hold your attention.

The bubble wall lights or the sleek techno in the background leave me feeling like Diva Lounge is trying to be the cool kid on the block, when it really just needs to let its bar speak for itself, b/c that's where the real talent can be found. The cocktail menu rotates seasonally and is one of the most creative martini menus I've ever seen. In the winter, I definitely recommend the Seeb Masala martini - apple cider, cardamom (who puts cardamom in a cocktail??), vodka, and some other tasty ingredients make for a martini that will really warm you up in the bitter Boston winter! Really innovative concoctions, that, despite the initial sticker shock, are actually quite reasonably priced for the off-the-beaten path liquor selections found in them. My only hangup is that some of the bartenders really know their own Lounge's cocktails, and some do not. Unfortunately, I know none of the bartenders' names, but usually, if it's the guy who I think is related to the owner, the martinis are mixed perfectly. Their expanded "Indian Tapas" menu also provides a great compliment to their cocktail menu if you've got the munchies.

If you're looking for somewhere clean, sleek, and hip with a refreshingly creative cocktail menu, Diva Lounge In Davis is a nice alternative to pricier venues downtown.

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Photo of Yumiko F.

 

58

79

Yumiko F.

Brighton, MA

3 star rating
2/24/2008

Love the interior.
This is another place i wish boston has more of place like this.
I wanted to do 3stars and half cause i have not tried their food yet.
I just had a cocktail but oh boy it was sooo good!
yummy chai cocktail that i never thought i would be able to have such a kind of drink!
you must try!

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Photo of JEM C.

 

3

29

JEM C.

Malden, MA

1 star rating
3/31/2007

Read this...
http://www.tuftsdaily....

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Photo of Lindsay E.

 

2

27

Lindsay E.

Acton, MA

3 star rating
5/5/2009

Really yummy martinis - very different than any ive had anywhere else.  I am not that into Indian food but the appetizers my friends and I ordered were really yummy.  I think the lounge should be bigger and it seems to get kind of clubby at night.  But otherwise I would recommend it.

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Photo of Marjorie O.

Elite '09

11

97

Marjorie O.

Cambridge, MA

3 star rating
10/6/2007

The place is frickin' weird looking. The music is WAAAAAAAAY too loud when the "DJ" is in. The tables are small. The service is iffy (sit at the bar for better luck). The tapas, although tasty, are teeny.

3 stars though, because the drinks rock. Go for the Shiva or the Karma Sutra. Yum.

I just wish they'd ditch the "DJ" concept. On weekend nights, the volume becomes--literally--unbearable, and it is impossible to even attempt to carry on a conversation. It's a cocktail bar, not a dance club. Worth 4 stars if you go on a night when the DJ is not there!

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Photo of Phil W.

 

14

42

Phil W.

Somerville, MA

3 star rating
8/29/2007

The mixed drinks are fine.  I don't usually order them, but I've tried a few, and was never disappointed.  I was a regular there for a while, and one night the bartenders were experimenting with the key lime pie martini recipe. (That worked out well in my favor - yay, free drinks!)  My standard is bourbon on the rocks, and that's pretty hard to screw up.

The food menu is tapas style.  If you want a huge dinner, go next door, but for a snack, it's cool.  The lamb nan and the chicken skewers work out to be a good meal.

The service is fine if you sit at the bar.  If you sit at one of the booths, your mileage may vary based on how busy the place is.  Also worth mentioning - most of the tables are lousy if you have more than 3 people in your party.  Not a great layout.

I've read the Tufts article, and from what I know the employee who was responsible is no longer working there.  And from what I've heard, the employee turnover there is fairly high.  

I like heading there for a quiet drink at the bar after work; it's a little less comfortable when there's a DJ blasting music to the 8 people in the bar.  Dude, turn it down!  You're not impressing anyone, especially when there's a line out the door at the Burren and the Joshua Tree.

So overall, I dig it for a change of pace, but you'll more often find me at the bar at Gargoyles, downstairs at Redbones, or at Sligo's.

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Photo of Michael m.

Elite '09

29

328

Michael m.

Brooklyn, NY

1 star rating
1/26/2009

The Bubble Bar. A friend & I stumbled in on a St. Paddy's day in search of another friend, and when it became clear that he was not there, we decided we might as well get a drink. We pointed to a jar with fruit in it and said 'two of those, please'. We asked the bartender if she ever went to Sligo pub across the street. She said 'when I was 14', which is too bad, because we still go there. Anyway, we get the two drinks, and they're not shots like we thought they would be. No sir, they were martinis. So, as classy guys who prefer Sligo's, we knocked them back and left for Sligo pub and away from the Bubble Bar.

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Photo of Scott F.

 

0

34

Scott F.

Allston, MA

1 star rating
10/12/2007

I believe this is the article Jem C. wants you to read.  It is pretty shocking.

http://media.www.tufts...

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Photo of David M.

Elite '09

18

141

David M.

Somerville, MA

3 star rating
4/9/2008

This is the bar/lounge side of Diva the restaurant. The food and drinks are really good, but so outrageously priced, you'd think you were in NYC or at least downtown Boston. They have a DJ at times, so you never know if its going to be eerily quite, or so loud you can't here the person next to you.
The sofa style seating was cool at first, but with the loud music, its impossible to carry on conversations.
The service was friendly, and fairly quick. They retain three stars despite the price discrepancy because, the last time I was there, I dropped my scarf on the way out. When I went back to get it, I didn't even ask for it. I walked in the front door, and the bartender called me over and handed it to me.

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Photo of Rebecca S.

Elite '09

41

140

Rebecca S.

Somerville, MA

1 star rating
5/21/2007

The inside makes you feel as though you are stuck in some futuristic lounge done up by some overly-excitable interior design student. Actually, the only thing that's untrue about that sentence is that you aren't stuck...you can leave.

I wanted to leave as soon as we walked in, but drinks were ordered quickly, so we stuck around for one round.

After reading that piece from the Tufts student, Diva Lounge moves from unappealing to downright awful.

They can have the one star that I'm require to give because they had free snacks on the bar (and because I can't take it away).

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Photo of Aaron B.

 

2

32

Aaron B.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
7/1/2007

I give Diva Lounge kudos for having a cool and sleek design in a stroller-saturated neo-Cambridge neighborhood that is nothing of the sort.  There is considerably less spilled beer on the floor here than at the Joshua Tree or the Burren, so either like or dislike it for that.  
Drinks are great, especially their cocktails.  On par with Om in Harvard Sq.  Service can be hit or miss depending on who is at the bar or waiting tables.

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Photo of Ricardo A.

 

0

23

Ricardo A.

Somerville, MA

2 star rating
9/9/2007

Welcome to The Diva Lounge, conveniently located in the future, as conceptualized by Gene Roddenberry in 1962. Sometimes I walk in here to use the bathroom, and I feel like Kirk landing on a planet inhabited by cold bartenders with a flamboyant sense of style.

But, despite my love of lasers and green painted women, I cannot give this a good rating. In fact the only thing saving this from a lower score is my weakness for lasers and green women (there are no green women here, but I feel like there could be).

I recently had the misfortune of actually sitting for a round of drinks with my friends. I kind of wished that Kirk had destroyed the mainframe of the semi-sentient computer that ran this place. The inhabitants of the bar are mostly gaudy, obese and/or unattractive, while the bartender just kind of ignored us. It was strange. The waiter stood on the side of the wall and the bartender just cleaned glasses right infront of us. I eventually ordered a beer, but my friends ordered some mixed drinks that made their faces contract in new and exciting ways. After we downed our drinks and used the bathrooms, we beamed out of there as quick as we could. I'm only going back to use the bathroom.

The future sucks.

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Elite '09

53

380

Alyssa N.

New York, NY

4 star rating
6/30/2007

The Hookaberry is an amazing drink, and it alone is a reason for me to return to Diva. Fresh mango puree with muddled blackberries and rum. It was mixed perfectly, without the overbearing taste of alcohol that you find in some fancy libations.

We sampled the Lounge and the restaurant.

The Lounge was flawless, save for the wobbly stools at the bar and the bar itself. The actual bar is made of some sort of handcrafted, knotty wood. This makes balancing drinks on its less-than-flat surface somewhat of a challenge. The bubble-themed decor is fun (and must mess with the minds of the very drunk), as are the pod-like bathrooms. The drink concoctions are fabulous, but it takes a great bartender to bring out the best in a drink. I knew that the bartenders at Diva Lounge were really talented when one dining companion said that they didn't screw up his (traditional) martini (he said something about the right amount of Vermouth). The staff was helpful without being overattentive.

UPDATE: I've been back several times and really like the way they use fresh fruits, unusual combinations, and muddling in the drinks. They're like drinking delicious alcoholic drinks that are good for me too.

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Photo of Heather E.

 

5

10

Heather E.

Somerville, MA

4 star rating
5/9/2008

Wow. That article below from the Tufts newspaper is pretty upsetting. I guess you have to watch out for those Somerville townies!  I knew they were scrappy, but what happened to those Tufts students is really shameful. I'm shocked that these things still happen. I must say that my experience with Diva Lounge was positive, but now I'm wondering if it was because the place wasn't exactly packed or because I'm white - or both?

Here's my experience at Diva Lounge:

I went there on a Friday around 7 p.m. and the place was pretty empty. I was told the DJ would be in later by the waitress and bartender, who were both very friendly and made good drink/food recommendations. I love the weird pseudo-futuristic decor. As a child, this is what I pictured all restaurants would look like in the year 2008. (Where is my hover car dammit?!)

So, I ordered a few drinks with friends and found that while they are overpriced, they really pack a punch! Nothing watered down here folks, just tasty and creative cocktails. First, I had the "Maya," a mango, passion fruit and vodka concoction. It was a nicely balanced drink. Next I had the "Assam," which is simply chai infused vodka and a splash of coconut milk. I'm a chai addict so this one was my favorite. But be careful folks... it doesn't taste like there's a lick of alcohol in this drink! I can assure you that it's pretty much Vodka. The third drink I had was (if memory serves, and believe me, my memory was pretty weak after the "Assam") was the "Godiva." It tasted like chocolate milk. Another deceptively strong drink.  After these lovely drinks and a serving of  wonderful curried garbanzo beans with puffed bread, my friends took my silly, drunken butt home and hooked me up with a glass of water and some Tylenol. Then I promptly passed out.

So I can understand how it may seem like a lot of money, but you'd pay the same amount of money to get tipsy and/or drunk on decent beer, right? I'm not a big fan of beer, so I really dug this place.  It was good for a happy hour with the girls.

(Oh and my friend had this one fruity drink in it with a dash of cayenne pepper on top - sounds odd, but it was great!)

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Elite '09

145

362

Shaina G.

Cambridge, MA

2 star rating
7/10/2008 1 photo

Too club-action-style-y for the Davis Square I know and love.  Drinks too expensive.  Waitresses too dumb.  Me, too drunk to care much too often since I somehow find myself here at least once on a night out in Davis.  Maybe it's to poke fun at the pee pods, the patrons, and the waitress.  Maybe it's because the drinks aren't half bad (try the Lychee Martini, but don't try the one with the boysenberry - looks like boot).  These thing's for sure, the seats are uncomfortable, the service stanks, the music is weird, and the seats are uncomfortable.  Bleh.

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Tara M.

Somerville, MA

1 star rating
3/30/2007

I won't ever be sad if I don't go back to this place.  
I have been intrigued by it since it opened.  It's interior makes me feel like I am wrapped in incandescent bubble wrap.  The service was...well what service really?  A friend of mine spilled her drink while telling a story and no one came to help us clean it up.  We had to get towels from the not busy bartender and when the busboy came by to get the dirty towels from us, he gave us a look that said "How dare you make me work".  Sorry, our bad.
As for drinks, the Espresso Martini is the only thing this place has going for it.  My Pear Passion was too strong and when I got to the bottom of it it had a strange puree in it that gave it a texture no drink should ever have.  Repulsive.  I ordered a beer after that and it took so long to arrive that I had actually forgetten I'd ordered it.  This would be slightly more acceptable if the place hadn't been so slow.  There were 2 other occupied tables in the place.  
A bar like this in Davis Square is trying too hard.  Maybe it would do better Downtown or in Brookline, but only if it tried really, really hard.  It would get eaten alive if it were this bad anywhere else in town, but in Somerville, it's doomed to suck more unsuspecting people in, night after night.  Beware all!

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Elite '09

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352

Erica S.

Somerville, MA

2 star rating
6/23/2008

I'm SO not into the weird/ ugly bubble walls. I know they are going for chic, but for me they seem tacky and cheap. The drinks are excellent I will admit, but just so damn expensive! My girlfriends all love this place inexplicably (err I guess because it's swanky, and within walking distance?), but I say you're better off buying some liquor and mixers, staying home, and turning on your own disco ball. You'll meet about as many new people that way, you'll spend a lot less, and you don't have to deal with the walk/ ride home. Voila!

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Elite '09

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316

Susan D.

Burlington, MA

4 star rating
6/2/2008

The only ritzy bar in Davis Square. It reminds me of funky places you would find in NYC. I was mesmerized by the ongoing Bollywood music videos. Fun costumes and simple plots make for easy entertaining. The drinks are inventive and delicious; although on the expensive side. The decor is psychedelic like someone robbed a bubble factory, but I liked it. I would come back.

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Elite '09

80

365

Lynda M.

Brighton, MA

1 star rating
9/5/2007

My friend had booked a large private party here, and found the owner to be difficult, rude, and unfriendly. Thank God he pulled the plug and moved the party to Orleans. Dont bother with this place.

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Kasra G.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
9/15/2007

I'm surprised by how many issues, problems, etc. other Yelpers have had with this place. Is it ugly? Yes, in an absolutely beautiful way. Is the service top-notch? No, but all I've ever had to do was flag down the server and VOILA...drinks. The drinks are fairly creative, sometimes a little too cute, but a little too cute once-and-again hits the damn spot. I've gone here a half-dozen times with friends for a quick drink before dinner, which seems like the right 'use' for this place. We've always enjoyed it, have had great chats with bartenders and waitresses, liked the tapas style food including the calamari and nan (terrific), and have left with just the right kind of light buzz we wanted before entering the mysterious night surrounding us.

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Elite '09

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183

Ruth M.

Oakland, CA

3 star rating
2/9/2008

a) how often do you get a bar WITH Indian food?

b) the place looks cool.

c) the bathrooms.  Stop by some time and check out the bathrooms.  They're worth the trip.

It's kinda expensive, and they don't have much a beer selection (Flying Horse Flying Horse Flying Horse).  Not my favorite, but it adds to the eclectic-Davis Square feel.  Which means I can walk by knowingly and not have to go inside.

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5

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Jill C.

Medford, MA

3 star rating
9/19/2007

Ok - so we all know the service sucks here, and I hesitated between two and three stars.  I gave this place three stars for the sole purpose that they have the takeout option and the food is decent.  It's a pretty embarassing place to have respectable company sit through, if you ever go in for drinks or dinner.  Oddly enough, I have never seen one Indian person working there , well, at least not out front- coincidence?  I think not...

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Jessica N.

Somerville, MA

2 star rating
7/17/2008

So the drinks are really good.  But the vibe is weird.  It's too fancy/trendy for the area.  They have a dress code.   Service sucks!  But the drinks are tasty and it is walking distance from my house, so I'll give it 2.

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