Boston is a land of squares. If you actually have a friend that leaves campus, chances are he or she will be going to a square. Whether it be Davis, Porter, Harvard, Inman or that often forgotten haven of nightlife, Central Square.
First stop, Phoenix Landing (512 Massachusetts Ave). This popular night spot is a club that disguises itself by day as an Irish pub with plenty of Guiness on tap, where you can grab some pub food and watch the English Premier League.
For those of you interested in European sporting endeavors Phoenix Landing will usually show all the big games, however they may charge a cover for the events that would make the bar excruciatingly crowded if they didn't.
What most people dig about the bar however, is that it transforms into a club at night. Once the sun goes down, the DJ sets up and the celtic atmosphere melts away as the local ravers hit the scene and the dance floor gets all crazy-like. Gea!
The music, spun live from a raised DJ area, ranges from House to Reggae to Drum and Bass to Acid Jazz to Funk depending on the night.
But never all at once.
If you want to shake, shimmy, jive or juke, this is your place. If you were offended by my use of rather lame terminology, this is probably also your scene, although one of the perks of the Landing is its lack of attitude or dress code. So no digging through your closet for that one pair of ambiguous really-dark-brown-so-they-can-also-pass-for-black dress shoes, the dirty Asics are all good.
Right across the street from the Landing is the Enormous Room (567 Mass Ave.) Don't be fooled however, it ain't that big. I could go on an on about the misleading name of this upscale Exotic themed club but the chill vibe and the unique layout of the place makes up for it.
The inside of the club looks like it was inspired by the inside of an Arabian prince's desert tent. Different levels are decked out in lavish carpets and pillows, where patrons lounge and sip cocktails delivered by svelte waitresses in New York black. While there are some comfy couches, chairs are shunned.
Drinks are pretty standard, with some exceptions like a tequila sweet-and-sour ($9) made with fresh lime and pomegranate juice. The beer selection is ok - they have Jamaican Red Stripe, but it's not as moderately priced as it should be. However, the bartender did put a slice of lime in my Corona without me asking.
There are North African dishes for those feeling peckish which include skewered spiced beef, harissa chicken or herb rubbed salmon along with couscous, and baba ganoush.
If you're there to figuratively get down, aka dance, this is not the place. However, if you want a place to lie down in a relaxed atmosphere that encourages reclining this is the bar for you.
The one problem with the place is that the music tends to get a little loud for a bar where no one dances and everyone is lounging on pillows. But, if you don't mind raising your voice, it's as if you've entered an exotic sleepover party where you can stretch out, get buzzed and have a good time.
