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Newtowne Grille
Categories: Restaurants Pizza Nightlife Bars Pubs Restaurants American (New) Pizza, Pubs, American (New)
1945 Massachusetts AveCambridge, MA 02140
Neighborhood: Porter Square
(617) 661-0706
- Nearest Transit:
-
Massachusetts Ave @ Davenport St (77, 83, 96)
Massachusetts Ave Opp Beech St (77, 83, 96)
Massachusetts Ave @ Beech St (77, 83)
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 1 am
Thu-Sat 11 am - 2 am
Sun 12 pm - 1 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
126 reviews for Newtowne Grille
Review Highlights
"This bar makes me want to move to Porter Square."
(in 20 reviews)
"A pitcher of pbr and a pizza for 11 bucks and its yummy."
(in 12 reviews)
"But this place has surprisingly great pizza and cheap beer."
(in 11 reviews)
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126 reviews in English
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Review from Elizabeth K.
Somerville, MA
11/12/2011
I love this place! I can't believe it took me 3 years of living in Somerville to go. I've been twice in a month and both times we're great. Service was friendly and attentive, pizza was delicious, everything was super cheap - what's not to love? ($4 for pizza with ANY pitcher - we got Pumpkinhead the first time - which was only $14! The second time they were out of Pumpkinhead - still on the menu, just tapped the keg - , but, I forgive them, it was November, I wasn't expecting it to be there anyway...)
Last time we went on a Thursday and didn't realize it was trivia night, which was a bonus for us because we love trivia, but, the place was packed when we got there - 45 minutes before trivia even started, so be warned for Thursdays. I think we got the last or second to last table. -
Review from simon l.
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Can't really go wrong here. Cheep beer, cheap and quick food with lots of televisions. Bar pizza was excellent - perfect size, drippy cheese, crisp crust, pepperoni. Buffalo wings hotter 'n hell - they led to long night. Crisp skin, tender suck of the bone meat. Nice!
Good nightly specials. Easily accessible by any kind of train, car or bus. Open late. friendly people. And they have a "world famous" double lobster roll special - it's actually really good. -
Review from Erin B.
Somerville, MA
1/11/2012
You can't really complain about this place because what you see is what you get. I mean, there's a scratch ticket vending machine, carpeted floors and bright lighting. The waitresses are usually cranky and the beer selection is not for the snob. Seriously, though, $12 for a large cheese pizza and a pitcher of beer? If you're looking for a cheap night out with a group, this is it!
I don't recommend this place to watch sports if you're an avid fan. The crowds usually aren't into it and the TVs aren't big enough. -
Review from Christian H.
Middlesex, MA
1/1/2012
Just down the street from Porter Square on Mass Ave, this little place is a great place to get some good solid food.
Whether with friends or by yourself, Newtowne Grille provides reasonably priced food, good drinks and chill atmosphere. For starters, it in no way presents itself as an overpriced pub which is a relief, so it can fit in anyone's budget.
Just only having the burger and some Woodchuck, the amount of food you are served is a good solid one size for some and two for others. The menu presents so many different options, from a mozzarella sandwich to pizza and a variety of sandwiches. The waitstaff is also really friendly, and all walks of life find their way into this place. With the TVs playing sports at a minimal volume, it doesn't get all that loud.
This place has been around for a while it seems, as anyone who lives in the Porter or Cambridge area or for anyone else who finds themselves wandering away from Harvard, you have to at least try it once. With its bright yellow sign bright for all passerbys, give it a go by yourself or bring your friends. Either way, you will have a good time.
If you find yourself in the area on an evening, just looking for a drink and some comfort food, this for sure a recommendation. -
Review from Laura K.
11/29/2011
After fleeing the Harvard Square Saturday night parking scene, my date and I were attracted to Newtowne by both the large parking lot next door and my gut feeling from past experiences that a table here wouldn't be hard to come by.
I was here for the cheap PBR ($7 pitcher) and one of 12 readily-available booths (seat yourself in the bar area). However, upon further contemplation, I decided I could eat. Shocking. #don'tjudge
I went with the turkey club -- a baconless doubledecker with enough turkey to feed a hungry family of four; just edible and disappointing for my first and only meal of the day. He chose some sort of southwestern burger that arrived in the form of a softball, succeeded swimmingly at spewing its contents and failed to impress in any other way.
Newtowne's still A-OK in my book. Cheap pizza and beer with readily available parking and seating always makes for a good start to an enjoyable evening. -
Review from Kate P.
Arlington, MA
1/18/2012
I LOVE this place. I earned my first bartending gig at a dive bar, and this place reminds me of home. Cheap beers (even the good stuff, like Sam Adams or Lagunitas), cheap pub food, perfectly townie regulars and bartenders that talk back (but respectfully). Decent tap list (amazing for the price), gets very packed during sports events. Love to go there for a night cap, never had a bad experience. Loses one star from me because of the tap selection, but I go there whenever I can.
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Review from Jesse F.
Somerville, MA
12/26/2011
My home away from home! Pitcher of beer and a large pizza for $12 when the pizza is so tasty is such a great deal!!
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Review from Alexa D.
Mastic Beach, NY
11/16/2011
Ooops, I did it again.
I became a regular at another Porter Square bar.
I love this bar. My roomate loves this bar. we love this bar.
And that love only grew when I found out they have half off apps during NFL games.
I drink a lot of cider beer, and they don't have Magners or Strongbow, but they do have Woodchuck, and always have the accompanying Woodchuck seasonal. And for the win....its a whopping $3.50. TOUCHDOWN * Start Tebowing*
The bartenders are really cool, and so is Sean, the manager.
All in all, its a good twice a week bar. -
Review from Che S.
WOODLAND HLS, CA
10/27/2011
Their two really nice greek guys.
It's pretty good pizza. They have a take out space, a sit down restaurant space and a bar space.
Now because people like having a restaurant and a bar so close to each other and because it's one of the only pizza places in porter square this place gets A LOT of business.
They have done new thing with the menu... I should know, I met the guy who was hired to it.
Unfortunately i haven't tested out the changes out.
But the pizza is thin and well flavored. Has some garlic and basil and it's pretty good to stop buy and grab a slice and whatever else you want on the go. -
Review from Dinara E.
Shrewsbury, MA
12/23/2011
Went here with my dad, friend, and myself. I only remember that the boneless buffalo wings were too spicy and I couldn't eat more than one strip while my dad's burger was very dry. Their fries were yummy and I don't remember anything else - which speaks for itself.
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Review from Stu G.
Somerville, MA
11/30/2011
Great local dive. Cheap drinks, good food, and lots of TVs for the games. I love the charm of this local establishment and will now plan to watch my sporting events here. The menu is good- 12 bucks for a pitcher and a large pizza. Great deal.
Skip the other places. Newtowne is a great place to go to drink and eat. -
Review from joseluis a.
Miami Beach, FL
1/9/2012 2 Check-ins Here
my friend J wanted to meet up here. bit of a dive, which is good. 1 large pizza and a pitcher of pbr for $12. hows that for you? service was nice both times i was here in m recent four day visit to boston. will i be back? for sure.
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Review from jamie d.
Cambridge, MA
10/6/2011
Their pitcher of beer and pizza combo cannot be beat.
Prices are good, and the pizza is quite tasty.
I don't care about sports- but they are on the TVs.
They also even have good take out pizza. I am sure they have other food as well, which may be good, but honestly I always just go for pizza and beer.
Another plus- Newtowne remained opened throughout Hurricane Irene! So they provided me with delicious pizza when many other places had their doors closed. -
Review from Bob S.
Boston, MA
8/13/2011
Whether it is love or lust
I can not say for sure
How I love your pizza
I'll be back for more.
Good old fashioned pizza..with real dough..not a cracker, booths,very casual,keno, great lobster rolls..............I want to rent a room here. -
Review from Damien S.
2/18/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Newtowne is the most infectious kind of fungus.
First things first, I love it. The rumors of dirt cheap, palatable pizzas are absolutely true. At the last juncture, a pitcher of PBR and the large cheese ran $12, so $2 a pint and $4 for the pie? Shake out the change ladies, it's time to invite the bingo club!
Can't beat the location, next to a 24 hour Shaw's for postprandial, slightly intoxicated grocery shopping (recommended by experts) and a Tibetan goods shop for that singing bowl you and your whiskey-befuddled mind have to own right now! Can't wait! Honestly, look around Porter. There aren't any other lowdown, dirty restos (it's NOT a dive; dives don't serve food) in the area. No, Toad, you're too classy despite attracting the grunge-clingers of the 90s. I'm sorry. Still love you, but I'm sorry. By default, Newtowne runs the show.
Two mega-cons are a ridiculously overcrowded trivia night and the fact that the rest of their grub is just ok. Never should a venue be held accountable for their own popularity, so the just-under-perfect score stems only from the latter. Wings and a crazy pastrami sandwich stuffed with fries and cheese and all good aortal enemies, definitely satisfied but couldn't warrant a fifth star. I hear the honey chipotle is the way to go, so an update might be a-brewin'.
Plus, $4 wells. Damn. -
Review from Julia F.
Updated - 2/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
How do you approach Newtowne? Possibly, with caution, if you've never been. What is the best way? With a group of friends who like wicked cheap pizza and like to share pitchers of beer.
This has always been a slightly strange block of Mass Ave, it's just past Porter Square, and then there is a whole lot of not much until you hit Arlington Center... which is... a collection of not much (in my opinion..).
You can usually find parking here without much trouble. People who have Somerville parking stickers can park over on Elm and walk down, people who have Cambridge parking stickers can usually find resident parking along the side streets. Those of whom don't have either? There are meters all over the place that stop at 6pm, and if you REALLY want to chance it, there is parking in the Porter Square shopping center, but the spots were designed by somebody who has never seen what an actual car looks like, so don't be surprised if your car gets scratched up... Also, you could be towed. That's not fun.
The people who work here are about as "down-to-earth" as it gets. They are the originals, the OGs, they are running around making sure that everybody has what they need, when they need it - they were able to make sure a tab for about 20 of us didn't get messed up, and some people were able to have their own tabs, or pay as they left. They take credit cards, which is nice, and somewhat suprising - if you don't want to go that route, there is an (sum) ATM right across the street that doesn't charge a service fee.
This place, it'll cure what ails ya.Listed in: pizza... pizza, Dive right in!, cheap eats
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/1/2007
Wicked dive. But I used to go and enjoy totally greasy pizza and pitcher upon pitcher of cheap beers… Read more »
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Review from Kyra T.
Brookline, MA
6/12/2011
This is a bar what every neighborhood wishes they had.
Q:Why is Newtowne awesome?
A: 1) $11.99 Large cheese pizza and pitcher of PBR(with proper pizza self-serve seasonings- grated cheese, oregano, and chili peppers)
2) The local sports games are always on multple tvs
3) Staff are friendly, efficient, and accustomed to large groups
4) Touch tunes juke box
5) Stratch off lottos and keno
6) Menu boasts other comfort and pub favorites
7) During football season they offer half price apps for MNF
8) Trivia is offered every Thursday night
9) Mixed clientelle, students and locals co-mingling
Words of advice: If you plan to meet a group of friends to watch a Boston game, get there at least 30 minutes early and grab a few tables before it fills up.
Newtowne, I love you. -
Review from Jordan A.
Somerville, MA
4/25/2011
Again, this is a three stars in a good way. (I have just decided I can't give 4-5 stars unless it is really out of the ordinary great.)
Boyfriend and I came here Friday night with a couple of friends we are trying to convince to move to the area from Salem. We wanted post-busy week of work beer and bar food. That is exactly what we got.
I am not sure how the bar exists in Porter Square, but I am glad it does. It somehow isn't a college bar and has a little more of a Boston feel to me, which we all liked.
We ordered (don't judge) 5 pitchers of Sam Seasonal and each had a meal. I had a calzone - it was delicious and HUGE. Bill was about $35 / person for dinner and a lot of beer (including tip)... not bad, right? We'll be back here, for sure.
I think the atmosphere and the cheap(ish) beer -- oh and our waitress was really good -- is what will bring me back. Food was good, but you have to be craving fries and cheese. -
Review from Brian D.
2/10/2011
To the tune of:
a. 'This is the End, my only friend........the End'...you know the Doors song popularized by Apocalypse Now...
b. patrons screaming at the Bruins game
c. the smooth sounds of people cursing as they lose money on endless rounds of Keno
I merrily drank first Guinness then delightful scotch and soda at the Newtone.
I think I love this place. Not like how I love my wife, my dog or my Mom but rather like I love settling in on the couch after a crappy day at work.
And it's cheap.
And it redeems Porter Square for me. -
Review from Skye G.
12/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great Unofficial Yelp Event (UYE)
+++++ Jason B - Thank you
For what people call I dive bar I think it is a cut above.
+ PBR beer by the pitcher and good large, I mean large pizza
+ Great whole clam meal with sweet potato fries and coleslaw for $15
+ Great staff on their toes and kept the food, beer, and tab straight and moving
+ They take credit cards
- metered parking is around but hard to come by
- small woman's bathroom
Looking forward to going back! -
Review from Jessica M.
Cambridge, MA
Updated - 10/13/2010
Strange things happen at the Newtowne Grille.
I take back every shitty thing I've ever said about this place.
Pizza is great. Steak tips are fucking great. Beer and drinks are cheap.
The bartenders still put up with me. This is saying a lot at this point.
Half price appetizers during NFL games on Sunday and Monday.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/7/2009
Everything is just ok.
Cheap drinks. Cheap pitchers. Cheap edible food. I've been about 7-10 times,… Read more »
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Review from shannon c.
Somerville, MA
1/2/2011
Yup, this is a five start joint because it certainly will exceed your expectations.
I don't see this place as a dive bar, more of a townie bar and there is a wold of a difference: isn't run down with peeling booths, low lighting, and hip people taking over weekend nights.
There is a Keno, a friendly staff, cheap beer and food, and no tolerance for the b.s. It's a great place to go.
The food is actually pretty good for what you may expect. I'm not going to give them the best pizza or burger of the year award but they do a great job. Their pizza works for me (it's not Regina's but it's decent) and their apps do it just right.
I've spent many hours parked at this bar next to the same regulars that are always there.
If you want a day out in the area to watch a game or sit and chat with friends without crazy college co eds hooting around you check this place out. You'll be glad. -
Review from Steve K.
Somerville, MA
2/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
If you are looking for a beer and some tasty bar food, this is your place!
All the people who give this place 5 or 4 stars, well I just don't get it. I mean, I like this place a lot, don't get me wrong. They have plenty of beer, sports on the tube, and tasty bar food; but I'm sorry, this place is a sports bar, not a 4/5 star restaurant.
Their "bar pizza" is great, their other apps are very tasty, and they have PBR (what more could I ask for?). Oh wait, I could ask for good prices... CHECK! It's nice to find a bar/sports pub that has better than just mediocre food (as do most in the area). It's also nice to have a sports bar in the area that recognizes what they are... a sports bar... and not try to charge you an arm and a leg for food, pitchers, and a couple hours in front of the Bruins game! -
Review from Jason J.
Medford, MA
8/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
$8 pitchers of PBR.
$4 large cheese pizza.
/reviewListed in: Places along the Mass Ave 77…
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Review from David M.
12/14/2010
Its the end of a pub crawl - do you know where your late night pizza is?
We dragged our butts in here at the end of a pub crawl only to find that the kitchen had just closed. Fortunately, a few people in our party arrived a few minutes earlier, and put in an order for a 3 large pizzas.
Awesome!
They always have a few good beers on tap and some rediculously cheap special (the last few years they have a pitcher and pizza (large pizza) for 11 bucks). You really can't go wrong here.
Oh yeah, the bar tender put up with my fairly drunk roommate yelling "MA'Dam!" to get her attention. He did tip well... but I still think she deserves props for finding it funny and not kicking him out... or just kicking him in general. -
Review from Vanilla P.
San Lorenzo, CA
8/12/2010
I don't know if we were nicer than her normal customers, but our waitress was amazing. Each time we drained a pitcher (3 woo hoo!), she was there to fill up a new one. When we said we needed a little more time to decide, she cracked jokes and made us feel at home. What a pleasure for a bunch of mommies who never get out.
We found a booth immediately and settled in for the night, able to talk at normal conversation levels, savor the $4 pizza (which was very good - thx yelperz), and weren't bothered by anyone. Our total for a pleasant evening, $49. $49/5 is cheap. We were all happy gals. -
Review from Calvin F.
Cambridge, MA
11/3/2010
I ate so much food here last night that I felt like I was about to start doing the Wal Mart Waddle. Good food too, mind you! And I didn't even taste the much-lauded pizza. The sweet potato fries are killer, and I asked the waitress for *thirds* on the jalapeno ketchup. The PBR on tap tasted delicious (PBR, mind you!) and was $8 for a good-sized pitcher.
Charmingly dingy atmosphere? Check. Greasy-but-not-too-greasy bar food? Check. Good prices? Check. Best little dive bar I've found in Boston. -
Review from Josie G.
Boston, MA
7/12/2010
A friend and I took a venture on THIS side of the river, and randomly chose to drink in Porter Square. By chance, we walked into Newtowne. If you're into dives and good-times, this is your place. It's not fluffy or fancy at all- YESSSSS.
We got a couple of rounds, and a few pitchers.. Unfortunately I don't remember the cost (they did their job), but I do remember saying "YESSSSSSSS" for them being so cheap :) Clientele varies, from college-age kids, to middle age, to grandparent-age. Love them all, super friendly :)
And even more thumbs-ups! I told a bunch of friends that I went here, and they all said they loved it! -
Review from Rachael W.
Somerville, MA
5/30/2011
On a good night, business is slow, service is fast, and there's no one else putting money in the jukebox filled with terrible music. On a bad night, it's loaded with college students, service is confused and a little slow, and the douchebags at the table next to you are bitching over the wine selection. However, $11 for a pitcher and a pizza (really, REALLY good pizza) and ridiculous hot wings, win this place five stars whether it's a good night or not.
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Review from Nate C.
Roslindale, MA
9/24/2010
The Newtowne is a fantastic dive bar in Porter Sq. with a decent sized population of regulars saddled up to the bar most every night. The jukebox is generally playing something classic you haven't heard in far too long and as everyone else has mentioned ad nauseum in their reviews, the pizza and pitcher special is a fantastic deal. People looking to drink appletini's and read The New Yorker should try a different bar.
They have a very lively trivia night on Thursday, and while lots of people cheat or shout out the answers it can still be fun if you are there hanging out with friends. Serious trivia afficiandos, though, would do best to avoid that night. The wait staff is generally very friendly and attentive, especially as it gets busier. They also do take out, should you not want to watch one of the large flat screen TV's while you dine. Gambling addicts, never fear, as they have Keno and a scratch ticket machine.
A lot of the pros I've covered, and if you are looking for a cheap night out at the bar, a good time with friends or a fun place to watch a game then the Newtowne is for you. Since I love dive bars, holes-in-the-wall etc. my friends and I often find ourselves drinking PBR and eating slices here.
There are some cons to note that knock this from 5 to 4 stars in my eyes. For starters, the pizza. It's by no means bad, and well worth the few dolalrs you'll spend on it, but it's really greasy. Saturated, even. Consider yourself warned.
Also, the bathroom. WOW! I mean sure, I get that it's a local watering hole and the whole ambiance is geared around locals and 20-30 somethings drinking cheap beer, eating cheap pizza and having a good time, not piano music and bathroom attendants. That doesn't mean your restrooms have to look like they have never been cleaned. The men's room honestly looks (and smells) like it hasn't seen a good cleaning since 1987.
On the whole though, the Newtowne is great and while I'm sad I don't live around the corner anymore, my liver probably isn't too broken up about it. -
Review from Mary B.
2/22/2010
"OUR NEWTOWNE"
by Thornton Wilder
Screenplay by Mary B.
FADE IN
INT. MARY B.'S APARTMENT - SUNDAY MORNING
The harsh light of a winter morning streams through the windows and awakens MARY B. She stumbles into the living room to find her friend KEVIN B. sleeping fitfully, but soundly on the couch with Fatty Addie the kitty baby. MARY begins to sweep up popcorn debris littering the floor that she threw around the night before and reviews her sent text messages, making a face as if she's wondering, "How has it come to this?"
FLASHBACK
INT. NEWTOWNE GRILLE - THE PREVIOUS SATURDAY EVENING
MARY and KEVIN enter a sparsely occupied bar located conveniently on Mass Ave. by Porter Square. The frenemies settle into a small booth and begin their dinnertime consumption of pitchers of PBR ($11.99) and shots of Jameson ($6.)
MARY
Wow, they gave us doubles of whiskey when I asked for a shot. This is going to be quite an evening, I can tell already.
KEVIN
Uh huh! Let us have one of those $4 bar pizzas available with the purchase of a pitcher. It will probably kill me! [Ed. note. - It nearly does.]
MARY scopes out the scene at the bar, which is completely full of regulars. One, who looks remarkably like Myra Hindley, stops by their table and commends MARY'S selection of Heart and Van Halen on the computer jukebox. Another is so visibly drunk already at 7 PM that he rubs his cellphone around on his face as he attempts to talk into it. He eventually gives up and resumes hitting on whatever specimen of female is currently occupying the bar stool next to his.
FLASHFORWARD
INT. MARY B.'S APARTMENT - SUNDAY MORNING
Back in MARY'S apartment, she smiles to herself as more of the previous night's greatness comes back to her. She vows to become a regular at NEWTOWNE GRILLE, and that next time KEVIN better prepare his liver and stomach.
FADE OUT -
Review from Jason B.
4/15/2010
I am not sure how I made it this far in life without writing a review of Newtowne.
To:
Socrates
From:
Jason B.
Re: Newtowne Grill
MSG: Never change a thing.
Cheap Drinks & Bitch got started here. A pitcher of PBR and a large cheese for 11.99. And it's decent pizza, too. If you're sitting at the bar, a PBR can be had for sofa change, and you can get a personal pizza for 4.00. I love Mr. Socrates and his wonderful place.Listed in: Pizza in Boston
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Review from Dave M.
Cambridge, MA
9/18/2008
Great place for a decent pizza, and a great place to listen to some of the most inane ridiculous conversations ever.
"I totally wanted to be a mouseketeer, but I also felt bad because I really liked watching the Brady Bunch, and it felt like I was cheating."
Did you just say that, in public, to everyone in a 15 foot radius? High five!
Get the Buffalo Chicken Pizza... it's wtf good. Also, the service is the best I've had in the Porter neighborhood. -
Review from Tarah H.
Boston, MA
10/24/2007
(happy tom?)
Things I definitely did not want to do at Newtowne:
-order a beer
-tip on the beer I didn't want to order
-let my friend drink some water so she could sober up a bit to drive
Things I wanted to do at Newtowne:
-be ignored by the bartender
-wonder about the sketchiness of the ripping, pleather upholstered bar stools
-watch as others get served whilst still being ignored
-tip two dollars on a tiny plastic cup of water
-debate the possibility of domestic violence exacted and received by fellow patrons
-waste 20 minutes of my life
Thanks Newtowne and staff for being everything I hoped you could be and more!
That's right. No beer, 20 minutes of being ignored...even when we put down $2 to show that we'd tip. I appreciate dives, but I mean really. I think the floor even had carpeting, adding to the sceeve factor. I think a couple came in at sat at the bar while we sat at the bar. The girl had a black eye, so we enjoyed pondering how she got it. I think I forgot I was in Cambridge, not some back-woods watering hole for a little while. I swear the Tam never looked so good.
The second star is because the regulars seemed to be enjoying it. -
Review from Deepa C.
Somerville, MA
10/31/2007
Came here to watch a game at the beginning of October (we won) and had a decent time. The place was all but empty (a handful of people watching the game at the bar on a Sunday afternoon) so my group of 5 grabbed a table and started ordering beers. Then beers turned to nachos. Nachos turned to pizza. Then we needed beer to wash it all down.
Plus one star: Good service. The waitress wasn't hard to track down. Great for our staggered orders.
Plus one star: Good food., The pizza wasn't stellar, they they split two different kinds onto one and it had cheese on it. Fine by me.
Plus one star: We has space to watch the game and breathe. I hate standing for four hours in a crowded bar hoping to get a glimpse of the screen. Yay to being an empty dive. Nice and relaxing.
Minus one stars: No real ambiance. Not even dive-y ambiance!
Minus one star: A wee bit overpriced for what it is. But just a tad. -
Review from Dan C.
1/15/2009
Newtowne, also called Socrates, is THE dive bar of Porter Square. The beer here is cheap and in a pitcher. The regulars are disheveled and cranky. The bartender is old and surly. You will never feel bad about drooping $10 here to get plowed. By the end of the night, if you haven't bought some crazy old guy a drink, belted out a song, and hit on your waitress, then you are doing it all wrong.
Just as James Brown was the ambassador of soul, Newtowne delivers drunk food with enough force that your knees will freeze and your bladder will splatter. The pizza is incredibly greasy, but if you are the kind to dab it with napkins don't worry, there's plenty. There is a pizza and pitcher special that will blow your mind. Being the lover of all things food I have a special place in my heart for food challenges, and Newtowne does not dissapoint. Get their one pound burger, eat it and all of the fries and you get a special prize...free dessert. Now the dessert is horribly crappy tiramisu that was frozen then nuked in a microwave, but you feel a sense of accomplishment. Now they also have "dinner" (like the vaguely named Italian dinner for 2 for $19.95), but this is no culinary haven.
Thursday night is the crowd night, everyone and their uncle are in by 6:30 for 7pm trivia. The trivia is played by writing down the answers and giving them to the MC, so you don't need to shout them out. First, second, and third places get prizes (money off their meal, ski lift tickets, etc.) and bragging rights.
Bottom Line: Get your team together and come for pizza, beer, and fun.Listed in: The GREAT burger Rankings, Story Time!, MAAAAAAAAAAAANnn!
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Review from Jen H.
2/1/2009
I know nothing of the food, and I know nothing of the drinks. Why am I still writing a review and giving it 5 stars? Two reasons...
PHOTO HUNT and Colorful Clientele.
I came here on a bday pub crawl with a group of about 15 people...we took over the place. There was the cutest old man sitting at the bar who basically insisted that we all sing "I've got friends in low places" with him before he went home to have dinner. Then... I discovered the photo hunt. Anywhere with a photo hunt machine, I start at 5 stars and work down b/c I'm addicted.... I freaking love that game. But, in regards to the drinks and such, I didn't hear anyone complain about the price, or how they were made, so they must have been OK, and from the looks of the reviews... people agree. -
Review from L D.
Montclair, NJ
3/27/2007
I've driven by the Newtowne hundreds of times and, for some reason, never thought to stop in for a drink. Now I have and let me say, this might be my new favorite bar. The bar is lined with regulars, belly up to the bar, drinking 23 oz beers. I'd call it a total dive but they have food and we all know a proper dive has nothing more than a dusty old snack machine.
Beers are super cheap ($2-something for a High Life!) and apparently there's an Italian Dinner for Two Special for $19.95. I double dog dare you to try it! The ladies room is exactly what you would expect. I had a distinct nauseous feeling in there and was more than a little concerned about the absence of locks on the doors. Otherwise, the place is clean. From what I was told, the men's room had a few issues but I'll leave that story for someone else to tell.
In closing, Titty Hunt!! -
Review from Nicolas C.
Cambridge, MA
8/19/2008
PIZZA and BEER! PIZZA and BEER!
You might be thinking "Well I could get that anywhere" and thats true but the quality and price can't be beat, a pitcher of PBR and a large cheese pizza is only ten bucks and that easily fills 4 petite women 3 average sized adults or 2 comic book guys.
This Towny classic has a great selection of alcohol and other beers besides PBR, if your into that good beer nonsense. Personally give me a stinging, watery, and carbonated brew and I'm all set.
Thursday is crowded for trivia so come early. The service can leave something to desire on these days of overpopulation, to fight this you should bring some good friends, good spirited conversation and a smile. You may even meet a special someone, I see many singles when I'm in there, keep your eyes opened. -
Review from Sarah G.
8/13/2009
Buy a pitcher and get a giant large extra cheesy pizza for $4!!!! I thought our waitress was lying when she told us about that special on Thursdays, but then I realized that almost every table around me had a large cheese pizza at it!!
And this large cheese pizza is pretty large. It is about half the table wide and would easily feed about 5-6 people, especially with beer taking up some of the room in everyone's bellies. ha ha But they don't have too many choices of beer on tap here--PBR, miller lite, sam adams....I think there are 6 options, and Sam Adams in a pitcher there is around $16 or so, which is kinda pricey for a pitcher if you ask me, and definitely pricey for the dive type of bar this place is!! I knew we should have ordered PBR!!
The booths here are old, the bar here is old, everything looks a little run down but that gives this place character I think. They do pub trivia here on thursdays too, so when you pair that with that cheese pizza? well that's pretty cool. And what would make it cooler? If the drunk fly came to hang out on your table like it did for us. A giant fly, we swear was plastered, literally landed in our empty beer glass and no matter what we did he just sat there passed out ha ha until eventually I guess his hangover subsided and he flew away. So random!!
Summary: Drunken flies, pub trivia, $4 large pizzas with pitcher purchase in a neighborhood dive bar
