Tufts Bubble [Tüftz Buh-buhl] - noun. The topographical anomaly that prevents good times-seeking Tufts students from venturing out of their natural habitat and habitude of grazing on free beer fields of Natty Light and chasing underclassmen for entertainment and mating reasons -- failing to explore and exploit the hedonistic resources of greater Boston.
A long, long time ago when I arrived at Tufts, I was a wide-eyed Southern girl with dreams of life in the big city. Sure, I chose Tufts because it is a fine institution of learning, a place that will nurture my mind and get me a kick-ass job after college ... blah, blah, blah.
But more importantly, Tufts is in Boston! I repeat - for clarity - Tufts is in Boston. Sorry, I just want to reiterate - just a 15-minute walk to the nearest T station (or a five-minute Joey ride, if you wish) is a major metropolitan area. And in this major metropolitan area lies a plethora of culture, nightlife and fun that every Tufts student should be experiencing - but isn't.
Now I have to give the younger generations of Jumbos credit, you do seem like a more active, carpe Boston group. But speaking for myself, I barely left South Hall my freshman year, and the "World Food" nights at Dewick were the closest I came to a gourmet meal. Now, as I prepare to leave the comfort of the Tufts Bubble for the great, terrifying unknown that is post-collegiate life, I want to pass along the knowledge that four years navigating the Boston scene has imbued into me. Whatever the occasion, Boston should be your destination du jour.
But here's the thing: You don't have to go far from home to enjoy a night apart from the vibrant and diverse social bazaar that is Tufts after dark (insert sarcasm).
Davis is a great place to start if you're new to life beyond Powderhouse Blvd. I think Dave's Fresh, followed by JP Licks, and a movie and a beer at the Somerville Theater, with friends or with someone special, is just right for a low-key evening. However, if you're willing to venture further, you'll find groups of people loitering outside The Burren and Joshua Tree. The Burren is a popular Tufts over-21 spot on Thursdays for its 80s cover band.
Let's face it: listening to Somerville locals sing "Pour some sugar on me!" is really Boston culture in a nutshell. As for the J-Tree, I have a gag reflex associated with an unfortunate incident that happened there last year which prevents me from ever returning. But it's got a full bar, big TVs and Guidos galore, if that's what you're into.
My personal Davis haunt is Redbones. Before I swore off meat, this was the place I'd go to cure homesickness with some down-home cookin'. I certainly recommend the ribs, but the mac and cheese, corn fritters and fried okra are comfort foods good enough to make you forget about poverty, war and the fact that you still have no idea what to do with your life. There are 20-plus beers on tap, but you only need one - Narragansett. Brewed by our fine neighbors in Rhode Island, God bless them, Redbones retails this tallboy for two bucks apiece!
If you had a classier night in mind, Gargoyle's is Davis chic. With $10 cocktails and imported wines by the glass, Gargoyle's rivals city flair but lacks the pretension. Orleans is another under-recognized option. Comfy couches and booths and perhaps a Tyler from "The Real World" sighting (last I heard, he bartended there) should provide you with a relaxing evening away from Tufts.
And most importantly, however you explore Davis, you get a taste of the city without venturing too far from the warmth of the Tufts comfort blanket.
Robin Alberts-Marigza is a senior majoring in psychology. She can be reached at Robin.Alberts_Marigza@tufts.edu.
