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Phoenix Landing
Categories: Restaurants Irish Nightlife Bars Pubs Nightlife Dance Clubs Irish, Pubs, Dance Clubs [Edit]
512 Massachusetts AveCambridge, MA 02139
Neighborhood: Central Square
(617) 576-6260
- Nearest Transit:
-
Brookline St @ Green St (47)
Green St @ Pearl St (47, 64, 70, 70A)
Massachusetts Ave @ Pearl St (1, 47, 64, 70, 70A, CT1)
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 1 am
Thu-Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat 10 am - 2 am
Sun 10 am - 1 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ages Allowed:
- 21+
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
213 reviews for Phoenix Landing
Review Highlights
"Central square is great and this is the best place there."
(in 23 reviews)
"...for a number of years and it is a great drum n' bass party."
(in 8 reviews)
"so nice to see the world cup alive and well."
(in 8 reviews)
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213 reviews in English
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Review from Kayleigh M.
Brighton, MA
10/27/2011 12 Check-ins Here
First off, the Phoenix Landing is the bar of the official Liverpool Supporters Club in Boston. They will show all Liverpool matches, even those that start really early in the morning. They also show other Premier League matches, and I've seen matches from Serie A and La Liga, but Liverpool will get priority for sound and screens.
They have a good menu and cheap breakfast options, which is mostly what I end up ordering because I'm there so early. The staff is a really friendly and great bunch that work really hard. The service can be spotty during the Liverpool games on account of how many people they draw, so if you're planning on going for brunch I would check their site to see who's playing first.
I haven't been here for a late night, but I was once leaving around 10 pm after a the LFC Boston Christmas do. The one thing I will say about the crowd of people who came streaming in on a Saturday night... Eurotrashy.
All in all, if you like Soccer/Football, yummy pub food, and a good atmosphere then I couldn't recommend a better place than The Landing. -
Review from Jason J.
Medford, MA
1/10/2012
I came here on a random Thursday for the drum & bass night so I could dance like a well-caffeinated amoeba. The atmosphere was much like a typical run-down sports bar with a large dance floor and a stage for a DJ or a small band. I'm not sure what the typical crowd is like, but on this particular night it was fairly eclectic, ranging from straight up duders all the way to neckbeards and then back to hipsters. Somewhere in that triangular range is where I fit in, and it was surprisingly enjoyable.
Within 10 minutes of entering the place I saw a blatant drug deal/pass right on the dance floor, and it set the right tone for the night.
After another 20 minutes of dancing someone spilled their entire mixed drink on my back and then ran away. I like to think it was to cool down my hot as ice dance moves. Fortunately for me, I absorb alcohol through osmosis in a process I call awesomeosis.
I probably won't be back, but if someone suggests coming here again, I would not protest. -
Review from Clare F.
Boston, MA
12/27/2011
Review for 80s night only:
My buddies and I dressed to the 9s for 80s night - I even sewed beads to a cutoff tee to stay on theme.
One of us was under 21, but the web site said 18+. When they went to check her ID at the door, the bouncer said "You aren't 21." She, clearly, said no, she wasn't. And he told her she could not come in. We told him the web site said 18+ for 80s night, and he denied, denied, denied. Now, if we were bringing along someone under 21, who used her real ID, don't you think we would choose a place where she could get in?
Anyway, poor girl went home and the rest of the crowd showed up. It was a lot of fun, we danced to our hearts content, but they didn't play only 80s - lots of top 40 hits too, which was disappointing. I might opt for a different venue next time, especially if I'm going to go to the trouble of bedazzling my own shirt.
2 stars for music and bouncer
4 stars for fun -
Review from Jeremy K.
12/21/2011
3 maybe 4 stars, but with 200+ reviews, what does it really matter?
I went here to see the pats vs. jesus game, good times, not so much for any broncos fans, but they werent there anyway.
by the time we got there, it was about 430 or so on a sunday. colleges just let out, so i bet that had something to do with the ease of parking/no lines/etc. pretty quiet inside, sure there were fans here and there. they have several tvs, hd quality which is important. they also have the grand viewing screen for i guess the lucky party who gets there early enough, we did not. I was sitting at a high top smack in the middle of the place, it was tough to focus on the game as there were 6 other tv's showing 3 different games. was that their fault? no, but i wish the viewing was less stimulating.
I had a few pops while i was there, good selection, i had this peak organic nut brown ale, pretty good. they had several others i would have like to try, but the whole driving thing was also important to me too.
I had their fish tacos for dinner, not bad, not great. i think the catfish fillets they use could have been a touch better quality, but all in all good. others had the burger, which i would have liked, and the fries they served look awesome. they also have sweet potato puffs, which i really wanted, so i ordered them on the side, and i got sweet potato fries instead, which came from a bag, you can tell. the puffs would have also, but i wanted them!!! no worries, it was ok.
service was decent, for a dead sunday night, i expected a little more, but so is life.
that is all. -
Review from Karen F.
Boston, MA
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Shepherd Pie and Fried Chicken Sandwich never fail for a comfort food dinner.
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Review from joseluis a.
Miami Beach, FL
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
smallest pour of my life. a joke. a fucking joke. my next drink was a beer and thats hows its always going to have to be. service was just ok but the clientele was much nicer than the bartender.
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Review from Keith A.
Wilmette, IL
9/26/2011
I was in town visiting and I needed a place to watch the United/stoke match. While I may not have been the happiest with the result from the match, phoenix landing certain more than did it's job.
The draft selection was solid. Your normal irish and euro taps along with other major boston/new england brews on tap as well.
There was a good crowd for the match. While it wasn't packed to the gills, there were plenty of seats taken and it was a crowd that certainly wanted to watch the match.
It was a pretty good atmosphere and it did make for fun while watching the match. I don't know how this is during different circumstances, but this is a good place to watch a match -
Review from Remen O.
Chicago, IL
6/8/2011
If you live in Cambridge, and you love the sport that everyone in the world except for Americans call football, then there is no better place to get your fix than the Landing. You can walk into the place for an 8am Sunday fixture and still get the raucous atmosphere one would expect from a primetime sporting event. Get ready to sing some fight songs and to hug some strangers.
The breakfast menu isn't huge but it will satisfy most looking for some pre-game grub. The selection of beers is pretty good, although I didn't do a lot of drinking since I was usually out the doors before noon.
There's really no better place to watch some footie and scream your lungs out with 200 of your closest friends at 9am. If that's not your thing, I guess you could just sleep in like normal people. -
Review from Qui C.
6/8/2011
We had a great time coming here for some Friday night loving and drinking, along with dancing and meeting new friends! My friend's favorite place for nights that you want more than a bar scene. The DJ was good but his music was a little dated, even when he played Top 40s, it was like Top 40s from months ago. I still love him anyway, since he played "Give me everything tonight" by ne-yo upon our request :)
The wells were kind of week but it got the job done once I was on my 5 gin n tonic. Didn't have coat check so we just threw our jackets in a corner and hoped for the best. It was super crowded so we left soon after 1. There's a $5 cover fyi.Listed in: Bean Town
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Review from Dan C.
7/1/2011
Other notable reviews would imply there is a lot more to this place, but my experience at Pheonix Landing has been limited to the later evening dance floor type nights.
The $5 cover isn't too bad for a dance floor. Granted I wouldn't really call P.L. a "club" in the academic sense of the word, but if you can squeeze in and move to music, its technically a bar/club, right? The hype and inevitable wait to get in though can be a little taxing. I can't really blame them so much for this because they didn't make the laws, but I have forsaken the Landing on nights where 30 minutes waiting just don't seem worth it.
Inside is smash packed and loud as hell. Not necessarily saying that's a bad thing for a dance hall, but it's not the place you wanna try busting out the "windmill move" you've been working on. The music is alright and pretty typical of what you might expect to please crowds. Pending the night you may hear 80's/MJ remixes stirred up with some of those "Hey I know that song!" type hits that drunkards fall over (literally).
My one biggest gripe with this place.... The smell. I wouldn't say such things if this was a one time incident.... Or even if I had only been a few times... BUT EVERY DAMN TIME. THERE IS THE SMELL OF OPEN ASS THAT PERMEATES THE ENTIRE BAR. Others have tried to speculate where this comes from. Poor ventilation? Odiously placed bathrooms? Roving packs of dancers coming from taco bell earlier? Regardless, it's pretty heinous and ALWAYS an issue.
I'm not saying it's a bad time. Central really doesn't offer too too much in terms of clubs, but know what's what. And having a poor sense of smell couldn't hurt either. -
Review from Christina Z.
Winthrop, MA
6/6/2011
I don't know what about an Irish Bar gets me hankering for some tequila (in margarita or shot form, I do not discriminate), but PL, you make it happen. I arrive at 10:30, wait an inordinate amount of time in line, adamantly refuse to pay the $2 or whatever for coat check, and then dance my buns off. I have an absolutely smashing time.
The DJ is off the hook. At a certain time in the night (not that I'm looking at the time), all the tables are swept away and you are left with The Dance Floor. Once on The Dance Floor, you dodge Camb hipsters with stashes and plaid, Eurotrash (who want to watch Eurofootball and stayed past their allotted time), and probably some Central Square homeless who have wandered in. Is there a cover? I think so. I have to be honest - you go drunk, you leave drunk. It's that kind of little slice of happiness. -
Review from Bryan G.
Cambridge, MA
3/24/2011
Okay, I'll tell you the truth. I used to go here on Friday nights. In fact, I spent the majority of my 2008 Friday nights here. And I loved every second of it! DJ Vinny plays the same music, over and over again. There isn't much variety. It's mostly 80s, though he will throw in some other stuff too. But I will stress again, if you go two Friday nights in a row, don't expect to hear any different songs than you heard last week.
What I like about the place is its casual, non-clubby feel. Sure, you dance elbow-to-elbow (or ass-to-ass, depending on how you want to play it), but you rarely find a show-off at the PL. People go there to cut loose, not to impress anyone. Most of the people go there with groups of friends and dance with each other, not to pick people up (though you certainly can if you want).
I outgrew this place when I found myself a fiance and passed the big 3-oh, but I still go there on occasion. Drinks are quite cheap, and last call is as late as it gets in Boston. And having a divey pizza place open late next door helps too. I've had many good nights at the PL. You will too, as long as you're not the world's greatest dancer. -
Review from Julia F.
Updated - 6/7/2011
I like what they've done with the place. It looks good with a paint job, ecc.
I still wouldn't wait in line to get in... It's just not that exciting to me.Listed in: Watch the game here,, Dive right in!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/1/2008
I stay away while football/soccer is on, because it's a crowed little spot when something… Read more »
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Review from Nik B.
Soccer bar. Enough said.
There is no atmosphere quite like the Phoenix Landing to watch a soccer game. I visited here a few times for the 2010 World Cup and it was always a blast. You have to show up very early for Liverpool, England or USA games but I promise you it is always worth it. The singing, the chanting and the camaraderie are the essentials that make it a great soccer bar.
Additionally, there is a great and currently expanding beer selection including some from my hometown's brewery, Goose Island, from which they have 312 and Mathilda.
I haven't tried much of the food here besides the Breakfast Pizza, which was definitely delicious, and was a great bellyfiller while waiting for the 2010 World Cup Final match.
I wish there were more bars like this in Boston, but for now, I'll have to stick with the trek to Phoenix Landing. -
Review from Alex C.
Boston, MA
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just recently came here to watch the FIFA women's World Cup, which was a crazy but fun shit show. This place attracts very different crowds, depending on what kind of night it is. It's always possible to find a great drink deal, particularly on beer. The food is actually pretty good, considering how grimy the place can look sometimes. Bartenders will give you the right amount of attention if they aren't too busy.
Can be a bit of a meat market so watch out! (Or don't...if that's what you're into.) -
Review from Robert B.
Waltham, MA
6/23/2011
This is a soccer bar. Come here if you want to watch soccer and not be bothered by the waitstaff, as they seemed very inattentive towards visiting your table or even to bring you your drink.
The food offerings, especially the hamburgers on the menu, seemed to be interesting. However, opting for the buffalo fries instead was a mistake on my part, as they were soggy and undercooked, and felt as if someone had just thrown some random condiments on a pile of microwaved leftover fries from the night before.
Furthermore, don't expect the "rare to the area" craft beers on the menu to still be on tap, so you'll be stuck with the more standard beer fare at normal to higher than usual prices.
On the plus side, the trivia they offer on Wednesday nights is a decent change from the standard offerings, with challenging questions. However, the trivia hosts lack a real presence, and struggle to truly keep the audience engaged as they plug along through questions at a disinterested pace.
The most obvious sign that this is a place to pass on (unless you're a die-hard soccer fan) was the attitude of our waitress, who came over as we were leaving and asked if we were planning on tipping more, despite us having left an appropriate 15% amount (despite having to go out of our way to get any attention at our table). This certainly speaks volumes of the type of service offered here, and we will not be coming back. -
Review from Marco V.
Peabody, MA
6/7/2011
I come here for nightlife dancing. I was having trouble on a Drum n' Bass Thursday to decipher what crowd is drawn to this place. Hipsters, Europeans, and oddly enough a few same sex female couples were really getting freaky on the dance floor. The dance floor was secluded for the most part all night. Here you have little ol me who just wants to dance with someone and everybody is content to not.
I ordered beers all night and had a shot of tequila only because when I ordered an "Irish Car Bomb" the bartender said no because "It's offensive to the Irish" A little silly if you ask me. Prices were acceptable. The drinks I get back home in Salem are at most an extra dollar or two here. -
Review from Tanya S.
Cambridge, MA
2/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I like Phoenix for dancing - awesome mix of 80s, 90s and now-music. The DJs tend to fail with transitions, but it's definitely a ton of fun to sing along to! There tends to be a line after 10:30pm, no $5 cover if you come before 9:30pm (or 9?) (while they're serving food) and they don't serve Long Islands...
Food and burgers are not bad either. -
Review from alex t.
9/24/2010
Came here for some DNB by DJ Element....loved it!
some guy was trying to sell us drogas...but i declined. :)
Drinks are cheap and the crowd is awesome...everyone was dancing with everyone and their mama. Love that.
Will definitely be back, Boston. -
Review from Antigone P.
Weymouth, MA
2/15/2011
I attended w a party of six, and every single one of us was blown away by how amazing the food was. Starting with first dish-- the ginger soup. We cldnt wait to see how amazing rest was going away bc already after the soup we were dying f to try the rest. The starters were sooooo delish. I have never had mussels in my entire life and everyone made me try some. And I am so glad I did!! The stuffed peppers were one of my favs, even though I had the stuffed dates. All so good. My friend and I cldnt decide btwn the fillet mignon or gnocci (spelling?) So we each ordered one so we cld try both. Every single one of us cleared our plates. Another thing that we all really enjoyed was PERFECT portions of all dishes. I can't wait to attend the nxt prix fixe Chef Hunter puts on @Phoenix Landing!!!
-b. felhazy -
Review from Sarah d.
9/20/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Remember that time you were dancing and drunk and too young to know better than to give your real number to the creepy old man who kept trying to grind on you and then you spent the next six months ignoring sporadic and disturbing phone calls? No? Liar. Anyway, it probably happened here.
Friday night dance party is always a good time. They play the kind of songs that you know all the words to but really wish you didn't. I have had some good times here over the years, but there is always this feeling of bitter disappointment when I realize this is where the night is heading. Nothing ever changes. Hard dancing and spilled beers. Michael Jackson pretty much every 3 songs. The love/hate relationship with dancefloor creeps. The cover is dumb, and the inside is not built for dancing. But dance anyway, because peer pressure isn't always a bad thing.
If i ever find myself missing the single-life, a night at the phoenix erases that feeling mad quickly. -
Review from Jace F.
Allston-Brighton, MA
12/2/2010
I like the atmosphere in this spot, especially when there's a barclay's game on.. love the soccer/football hooligan vibe.
It's a pretty great spot to grab some drinks and watch some matches with the guys.
I had the thai burger here once and was pleasantly surprised.
I've been on a certified green restaurant lately, and the shortage of bars and pubs that are certified by the green restaurant association is a bit of a downer. I would love a great spot like the Phoenix to look into it.. -
Review from Pete J.
10/29/2010 3 Check-ins Here
I've only ever been here in the mornings to watch the English Premier League games, so can't speak for the choice of music in the evenings.
Good breakfast, reasonably priced. Mostly attentive service, but they do often get overwhelmed by 100+ football (soccer for the 'Mericuns) fans arriving at once, which is surprising as we don't just randomly turn up, they know we are coming!
Lost the star though for not applying for the 10am Sunday liquor license. In Boston all you have to do is send a letter to City Hall asking for the earlier opening time, I'm sure Cambridge isn't much different. The Commonwealth has already passed the law, all you have to do is ask for it!
Give me a beer at 10am on Sunday and I'll give you another star! :) -
Review from Jeremy D.
Brooklyn, NY
9/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
On my last night living in Boston- I knew this is the place where I wanted to go!
Weekend nights it turns into a rollicking good time. It's a pretty small place and the main floor gets cleared of tables and becomes a crowded dance floor with all sorts of music- usually a mix of new stuff and some random fun music thrown in from the 80s and 90s. On the side of the bar there is a bench built into the wall and you'll often find some people standing on there dancing too- but The Phoenix Landing doesn't have that "club" atmosphere at all, which I'd say is a bonus.
The bartenders are all very cool and the prices are decent. The crowd is usually pretty cool (typically younger, single) and just looking to have fun. I'd say (particularly if you're in your 20s) a visit to Central Square would be incomplete without stopping here (and maybe having a little too much to drink). -
Review from Bret R.
New York, NY
6/9/2010
Went there for lunch to day as I've heard they have a new menu. They do, although most items are the same. They removed their 3-way french fries, easily the best item on their old menu. I got the Grilled Chicken Sandwich which comes with potato salad on the side. One bite of that was all I needed. The sandwich was decent.
The reason this place is getting a 2 is because our service was absolutely terrible. It took about 10 minutes for the four of us to get our drinks. My co-worker ordered a salad and elected to get the optional chicken skewer. When the salad came out it had no chicken. Each time the waitress dropped something off and ran away, causing us to have to shout "Excuse me" at her back to try and catch her if we needed anything. My friend asked for his chicken skewer (which _she_ forgot) and she tells us that we're killing her... apparently ordering your drinks, and then politely asking for the rest of the food you had ordered is a nuisance. I'm very hesitant to talk bad about waitstaff because I think it's a pretty terrible job, but this was some of the worst service I've received.
I'd give it 1 star but I know some friends like to come here at night. Decent bar atmosphere and lots of dancing if that's your thing. -
Review from Lindsey M.
East Watertown, MA
12/18/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I typically frequent this place on Thursday nights for Element's Drum and Bass. The cover is $5 unless someone big is playing like Evol Intent for example, then you can expect to pay $15 or $20. It's wise to bring ear plugs as well, they get it bumping and no one has qualms about shaking a tail feather. The music gets 4 stars, but today I'm rating the food. I have to say I was impressed by the food, I didn't have high hopes because it was a pub but everything was pretty good. I ordered a mushroom risotto that was creamy delicious but a bit on the rich side. The table service was so very slow, so it loses a star.
In my non-food experience... a few of the bar tenders tend to be heavy handed with the liquor drinks, so don't say that you haven't been warned. Another side note, what ever you do don't ask for an Irish Car Bomb, my friend made this mistake once, to which the reply was... "I don't come to your city and ask for a 9/11." The tough love from the bar is admirable.
I'm also glad they put new bathroom stalls in, investing back into your establishment really makes your frequent customers take note. Bravo! -
Review from Joe G.
Updated - 6/13/2010 4 Check-ins Here
The Landing is an even bigger madhouse for the World Cup this year than it was in 2006. Absolutely insane. After the US scored to tie England, you could see Guinness stuck to the ceiling and slowly dripping down, as people threw their pints into the air to celebrate the goal. Guys dancing on tables, crowd-surfing, the whole nine yards.
It's sweaty and headache-inducing and crowded and completely awesome.Listed in: World Cup 2010 in Boston
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/26/2009
If there's one word to describe this place it would be 'eclectic.' You've got your share of homeless… Read more »
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Review from Kelly C.
Somerville, MA
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nothing special to say the least. Been here twice, they seem to always be out of something at the bar. I've never been able to just get what I first order.....they have half-priced apps from like 4-7 on weekdays but the last time I went...I kinda vomited after. I cant say for sure it was their food but I haven't vomited in years and had only 2 drinks so it made no sense....I would steer clear of the calamari if i were you!
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Review from Tom E.
1/28/2007 ROTD 2/7/2007
Have you ever looked into the Phoenix Landing on a weekend morning? Would it shock you hear that this dingy dirty little Irish bar can often be standing-room only at 9am on a Sunday? I've even seen a line outside for the 8am opening - and even joined it. It's all because the Phoenix is THE place in New England to watch the live football of Old England.
On a typical Saturday morning they can show 3 or 4 games from 8am to 1pm and they usually don't charge a cover unlike other bars can. You can fore-go natural light and the first several hours of your weekend to have a great time watching the games, talking to the ex-pat football addicts around you and getting free refills of coffee with your run-of-the-mill cholesterol-busting Irish breakfast.
For the full experience try to go when Liverpool are playing a key match against another big team such as Arsenal. The Phoenix has it's own Liverpool supporters club who are always there, complete with customised T-shirts, 9am Guinnesses and singing songs throughout the game. It's the kind of sports atmosphere you have to see to believe.Listed in: My Review of the Days
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Review from Jess C.
Boston, MA
7/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went here for Wednesday Re: Set twice. This is their electronic local music night and it's pretty fun. I wish I could say I have seen this place packed because I have heard that it can be really cool when it's crowded! They have a disco ball too so things could really get poppin! I will say they have a GREAT beer selection. I'm gonna keep trying to catch this place on a packed Wednesday night.
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Review from May N.
1/18/2009 ROTD 6/18/2009
I was looking for a good happy hour (cheap food, not booze, being in the Boston area) and a group of us tried out this place. It was not too busy on Wednesday night and there were plenty of little space heaters spread out around the area.
There's a separate section of happy hour plates with lots of fried goodies/appetizers - fish cakes, garlic fries, hummus plate, tortilla chips with green tomatillo salsa, and burgers - all about half their regular price. Good selection of beers on tap - Newcastle, Stella, Harpoon, and Magners. We stayed for a few hours hanging out and having fun chats with our waitress. It was a really chill place with great music mostly reminiscent of childhood/adolescence for me like No Doubt and Michael Jackson, but it wasn't too loud as to prevent conversation.
They seem to have a lot of dance nights here with house and drum and bass in which the tables and chairs get moved and people actually dance. The first time I was here was when I came up to the area to apt-hunt and they featured a session with a drummer who'd worked with tons of cool people. Would definitely come back to hang out or shake my groove thang.Listed in: Living in Central Square
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Review from George S.
Cambridge, MA
8/7/2011
I can't say if I like the Phoenix Landing or not. I've been there for lunch, which was solid. I've also been there for Elements Drum'n'Bass (every Thursday). Somehow, the Drum'n'Bass events don't particularly excite me. I've been to many Drum'n'Bass events in my life and Boston just doesn't really seem to be the scene for it. However, if you're really craving it, you should go. It's not bad either. And, as I said, the food is good. Phoenix Landing is also a good place to have a beer with friends - it's reasonably quiet during the day, and has a nice pub atmosphere in the early evening. Later in the evening, it gets loud, and they start moving tables around to prepare for the night's event.
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Review from Nick B.
Philadelphia, PA
6/14/2006
So they tell me they've got a great Drum & Bass night here on Thursdays, and I suppose I have no reason to doubt them. But all I can really attest to is Friday night, and that was just downright atroucious.
Suffice it to say that I came here with two female friends and spent most of the night throwing blocks between them and the hordes of stereotypical drunk Boston dudes who were trying to grind everything that moved. And the music was the typical 80's Michael Jackson/Madonna/Sir Mix a Lot blend that you could stay home and hear on the radio. Sheesh, the ironic 80's revival has outlasted the 80's themselves.
So, in conclusion, if you like 80's pop and a meat market atmosphere, the Phoenix is the perfect place to spend a Friday night. Just don't say Nick B. didn't warn ya. -
Review from Mats K.
Cambridge, MA
6/5/2006
Wow is this place gross.
I enjoy electronic music and all (though I prefer old school pop-based stuff over anything even remotely related to house/trance/drum&bass etc.) but even for an electronic music lover this place is awful.
Gross dudes and girls grinding everywhere. The floor sticky with year-old spilled drinks...
The smell... God the smell!
Never setting foot in this place again. -
Review from Shaina P.
5/3/2008 2 Check-ins Here
The Phoenix lives by it's name. Although I've never seen it burn down, the menu changes every time I stop in.
Another good name for the Phoenix might be Chameleon, because I swear this place transforms depending on the time of day and day of the week.
Why? Might you ask? Well ...
1. During Happy Hour, from 5-7, Phoenix offers cheap-o apps. Recently, they changed happy hour from half-priced apps to an exclusive happy hour menu. Still, great deals, such as a $4 cheeseburger and fries. Great for groups.
2. Around 8-9 PM, the Phoenix begins to remove its tables, lower the lights, prop the stage for the DJ, and open the doors to the night prowlers. Stop in for 80s night and dance on the benches.
3. And, as Tom E. mentioned, and I have partaken, on the usual Saturday, this places opens up for English Premiere League Football. It truly is the place to be, no cover charge, and edible English breakfast. But beware, if you've got a ManU vs Liverpool matchup ... watch out for swinging fists!
Unfortunately, general service is just so-so and the food isn't anything special. But if you come for any of the above reasons, you're sure to be satisfied.Listed in: My Cambridge: the…
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Review from Larissa C.
New Orleans, LA
9/18/2008
As my first review I hate to rate this place so poorly, but on the two occasions that I've visited the Phoenix Landing I've wished I hadn't.
I was originally lured here with the promise of good music and dancing, however, I made the mistake of showing up on the night they were playing top 40s. The choice of music was not my thing, but my bad for showing up on the wrong night.
The second time I went here was a completely different story. This time I wasn't interested in dancing, I just wanted to sit at the bar and kill time until a friend got out of work. The problem with this plan was that the 3 sketchiest men in the world were at the bar.
Man 1 = very very drunk man who kept telling me he loved me
Man 2 = 45 year old man (only know the age because he kept telling me his age) who kept calling me darling *much rage*
Man 3 = young man who made some really inappropriate sexual comments involving me and my scarf
After feeling abased and afraid of being followed home and killed, I called a cab and left to meet my friend elsewhere (far away from said gentlemen). Needless to say I will not be coming back here again.
Moral of the story: Thank you three men for reminding me why women can't go to bars, or enjoy a drink, by themselves. -
Review from Ardit B.
San Francisco, CA
12/18/2006
It was crap, yet I ended up going in here a lot, b/c there is nothing else available.
On Friday and Saturday night they have the 80's night, and when they play the same damn song.
The crowd is pretty ugly, girls are the nerdy spillover from MIT/Harvard, and the dudes of course can't dance to save their lifes, but just stay in the side and watch.
The same DJ (the asian) dude is good, but very apathetic, like he is playing something that he hates. I am sure he is loosing his hair b/c he is tired hearing the same music, over and over and over, or he heavily sedates himself before starts dj ing.
They have a good selection of beers, and $5 cover, which sucks.
I am so glad I don't live in Cambridge anymore.
P.s As most true Irish pubs, this venue seems to play soccer games for the FA premier league, or the Euro or World Championship. -
Review from Susan N.
5/29/2007
How can you not love a place that is just this odd?
So this place is really great for what it is. A cheesy place with 80s music and other modern random crap thrown in with a college-type feel to it, though most are older. Expect no more and no less. But for those nights when that's what you want, this place rocks!
It's also great for meeting weirdo freaks who try to proposition you (as displayed by following conversation) so just try to avoid those people.
Friend and I having a cig outside, yammering away, approached by creepy looking middle aged dude.
Creepy dude: Hi.
Me: Hi (in a leave us alone way).
Creepy dude: So what are you girls doing?
Me: Smoking.
Creepy dude: So you guys doing anything right now?
Me: Uhh, smoking (thinking, didn't you just ask us).
Creepy dude: You don't want to talk to me?
Friend: Not really.
Creepy dude: So you want to have a menage tois?
Both of us: Ugh, no, go away!
Yay, Phoenix and your creepy dudes that follow us out! -
Review from Melissa A.
Cambridge, MA
8/23/2006
Yuk! This bar stinks. I went here once because some friends wanted to go dance. I couldn't drink any alcohol because of some medicine I was on at the time.
Note: NOT A GOOD PLACE TO GO IF YOU CAN'T DRINK.
In any event, there's not really anywhere to stand that isn't in the way of the meathead bouncers. Well, aside from standing next to some button -shirt, tucked-in, balding, sweaty middle-agers that were lurking and jabbing each other in the ribs in regards to all the nubile young lasses undulating and preening to the shitty dance music. And let's not forget to mention all the douchebag college students that were there that night.
And, strangely, two different people came in on wheelchairs and left right away cause, like I said, there's not really anywhere to stand or sit as the case may be.
But... this could have been an anomaly since it was a Friday night or something.Listed in: My neighborhood...
-
Review from Dragony F.
Cambridge, MA
1/20/2008
Me and my townie friend's gummin' for lashings of cheap scran since we were so skint from our previous night of arsing around followed by a rough morning involving a shite fall during my run resulting in one banjaxed knee that meant finding an eatin' house near my gaff in Central Square VS a Full Irish Breakfast and a short stack of pancakes
Full Irish breakfast = a wopper bag o'shwag of a fry-up, what brings back the health better than black pudding with a fierce clommel of cloves and nutmeg, white pudding filled with suet and oatmeal, a deuce of eggs, a couple o' bangers with beans, fried 'tatos and some toast. Suckin diesel man!
Pancakes = complete gobshite and topped with only a screed of banana compote even though the menu made it seem like the star. Plus, eating them was a fecking dose because they were so crumbly and underdone. I didn't want to be a serious neddy though so I declined to send them back.
Initially we felt completely on our tobler but eventually the usual football crowd dribbled in. We didn't want to be a bunch of knackers so I ordered a cup of scaldy and couple of Arthurs rather than some poof juice. After I knocked back a jar, I relaxed the cacks and joked with the rosspot waitresses who were totally grand and kept the refills coming!
