Ask Tufts University students what made them decide to head to the Hill, and they'll probably mention a number of factors that influenced their decision.
They'll tell you about the outstanding academics and the brilliant professors. They'll bring up loads of extracurricular activities, like clubs and sports teams, and finally they'll mention the kicker: location, location, location.
But what exactly does location mean? If we're talking zip code, Tufts is not exactly a city school. In fact, it's more Medford Square than Metro Boston. But for most Tufts students that's beside the point. They can live the city life without even hopping on the T, right in their very own hub: Davis Square.
Davis is the commercial center closest to Tufts. A quick walk down College Ave. or a brief ride on the Joey and you'll land smack in the middle of this trendy Somerville neighborhood.
Once a declining local city square, Davis has been revived in recent years thanks to an influx of business and real estate developments motivated by the Red Line Extension, which delivered a T stop, as well as plenty of young professionals, to the area.
In 1997 the Utne Reader recognized Davis's full potential, naming the square one of the "hippest places to live" in the United States. And things have only improved since then.
Today, Davis boasts a wonderful array of restaurants, businesses and boutiques that offer everything from cocktail dresses to curried chicken, and Tufts students are reaping the benefits.
For Tufts senior Shaina Tofias, living close to Davis has been one of the biggest advantages of her off-campus apartment. "I've enjoyed this year living on the Davis side of campus," Tofias said.
Being within walking distance of the square grants Tofias and her roommates easy access to Davis' many bars and restaurants. On many weekend nights they find themselves heading to Davis to meet friends for a few beers or listen to live music.
"Davis Square is a fun place for young people to be at night," Tofias added. "There's a good variety of bars; the Burren, Redbones and Joshua Tree all offer different styles of nightlife."
Beyond the requisite Irish pubs and dive bars that have kept Tufts students and Somerville locals alike tipsy for years, the openings of two new nightspots this spring have taken Davis in a decidedly trendier direction.
Diva Loungs, a sister business to the popular eatery Diva Indian Bistro, has brought a taste of downtown to Davis. Even from the street, Diva Lounge stands out among the wooden and brick store fronts of this Somerville square.
The nightspot's walls are made of bubbled plastic that filter the outside light bathing the bar in a warm soft glow, and once inside, small tables and low benches topped with pillows provide a comfy spot to sip on one of the bar's signature cocktails or taste something off the Indian tapas menu.
According to one bartender, Tufts students have already been stopping by and taking advantage of the new venue, particularly on weekend evenings when disc jockeys spinning house music raise the lounge's seriously hip vibe.
While Diva Lounge boasts delicious drinks and interesting snacks in a sensational space, for sports fans the nightspot lacks one particular amenity: big televisions.
With baseball season now in full swing, it can be hard to convince members of Red Sox nation to go anywhere without a TV. Enter 400 Highland.
Open for just over a month, this upscale bar and restaurant provides a comfy place to watch the game while dining on anything but standard bar fare.
Assistant manager Brian Crum described executive chef Zachary Lord's menu as having "lots of French influence with a California kick."
Not sure what that means? Think pan-roasted local halibut served with beef steak tomatoes and yellow wax beans or sesame tuna tartar with lotus root chips. And for Tufts students looking for a burger to go with their beer, 400 Highland's is made with American Kobe beef, the perfect accompaniment to a Bruins game or a cold beverage.
But Davis Square also has plenty to offer before the sun goes down.
"There are definitely good places for students to utilize," Tufts senior Gabriel Lubart said, "There's a lot of places that students might not even know about."
One such gem is Dave's Fresh Pasta, a local shop that gives Somerville residents a good reason not to cook dinner and Tufts students an alternative to dining hall food. "I know when you're in college you tend to eat a lot of crappy food," manager Christina Theophanis said. "We try to make a lot of good fresh food. Kudos for healthy eating."
Dave's opened in Davis about seven years ago as a specialty pasta shop offering homemade pasta, ravioli and sauces. And last spring Dave's took over the storefront next door, expanding to include freshly prepared hot food and lunches.
With a brand new liquor license, now Dave's even offers a variety of beers and wines to go with your Italian sandwich or butternut squash ravioli. "We deal mostly with smaller distributors," Christina explained, "wine from small vineyards and mostly micro-brewed beers."
And apparently Dave's has the right idea. As Tufts senior Adam Lasker eagerly explained, "I go to Davis for food and beer."
With businesses old and new going strong, Davis offers Jumbos plenty of both.
