We realize that even the most sheltered freshman has likely already had at least a cursory introduction to Harvard Square; yes, we know that Border Cafe's good when the margarita mood strikes and that you can do up your dorm room in style at Urban Outfitters. But there is much more waiting to be discovered on the Square's crooked cobblestone streets.
Dear old Hahvahhd is still the academic and cultural heart of Cambridge, and, just two short stops away on the Red Line, the area is a perennial favorite for Tufts students in search of an afternoon of off-campus adventures. Here are some favorite destinations that we thought were worth mentioning.
As you ascend from the Harvard T station, you'll immediately encounter a sunken area known affectionately as "the Pit," a stomping ground for an eclectic assortment of characters. On nice afternoons you can take in a performance by street musicians or break dancers, but it's always a good spot to ogle truly tragic fashion victims, argue with an evangelical or, just for fun, count the number of drug deals that take place within an hour. From here you can see the outdoor assemblage of chessboards in front of the Au Bon Pain; go on and challenge that grandfatherly type with the benign smile and the sign that reads "The Chessmaster." Take the bait, I dare you.
To get in touch with the area's happening hippie history, head to 47 Palmer Street, home to Club Passim. Founded in 1958, the famed nonprofit club has long been ground for folk and acoustic musicians from Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, to Shawn Colvin and Tufts alum Tracy Chapman. In addition to showcasing performances by up-and-coming musicians, comedians, storytellers, and poets, the intimate brick basement venue also hosts art exhibitions and offers a groovy selection of vegetarian and vegan fare.
Of course, if you're in a more carnivorous mood, there is no better burger joint than Mr. and Mrs. Bartley's Burger Cottage, located at 1246 Mass. Ave, right next to the Harvard Book Store (whose extensive used and remainders section is, incidentally, a favorite habitat for the region's most prevalent native species, the cash-strapped bibliophile). The family-owned establishment boasts a huge selection of burgers, all cleverly named after celebrities and politicians. Expect crowded seating and less-than-solicitous service, but be ready to bite into the best darn burger you've ever tasted. (Their golden onion rings and malted milkshakes are also memorable).
Cafes and coffee shops, where one catches professors commiserating about their students' latest lackluster efforts while aspiring auteurs scribble away furiously in their notebooks, are a Harvard Square staple. Although it's easy to miss the inconspicuous sign at 52-D Brattle Street, passing through the velvet-curtained doorway will reveal the cozy interior of a chocolatier/cafe Burdick's, and the crowd within perusing the shop's fine selection of handmade chocolates, freshly-baked pastries, and other confections.
Though it may be hard to tear your eyes away from the caloric carnival behind the display case, (the adorable little chocolate mice are particularly hard to resist), make sure to try some of their delicious drinks, available in both hot and iced forms. The white hot chocolate is a creamy dream to die for, but be warned -- unless you possess taste buds of Teflon, steer clear of their dark hot chocolate, a black and bitter brew that has been known to induce comas even among confessed chocoholics.
For those in search of beverages with an even higher octane, Shilla's is a must-stop. The restaurant, located in a mall-like building at 57 JFK Street, offers decent Japanese and Korean fare, but groups of college kids are more likely to come for some sake bombing. For those not in the know, the raucous ritual involves suspending one's cup of rice wine over a pint of beer with chopsticks; shouts of "One, two, three, sake bomb!" are followed by thunderous table-pounding that drops the sweetish sake into the bitter beer bath. The concoction is gulped down immediately, but don't worry -- it doesn't taste as bad as it sounds.
Those who wish to jump on the boho-bandwagon, find the perfect outfit for that next themed costume party, or simply spice up a so-so wardrobe with some inspired pieces should pay a visit to an area institution at 1210 Mass. Ave. Oona's has been enabling fashionistas' addiction to vintage for more than thirty years; with offerings from the '20s to the '70s, they stock an eclectic assortment of everything from fake furs and feather boas to motorcycle jackets and formal tuxes.
And of course, no guide to Harvard Square would be complete without some nod to our supposed arch nemesis, the hallowed educational institution that lends the funky area its name. Bypass the tourists snapping shots of Harvard's stately columns and towering oaks, for a far more interesting sight can be found just outside the Yard at 46 Plympton Street. Once a haven for the artsy crowd, the Adams House dormitory is home to a subterranean labyrinth of twisting tunnels with walls covered with graffiti left by generations of creative crimson-wearers. The works in this impromptu underground gallery are silly, spooky, subversive and sublime, and well worth a look -- if you can manage to get inside the building (just don't tell Harvard security that the Daily made you do it).
