I love the Lizard Lounge! A friend of mine kept begging me for months to go to the poetry slam on Sunday night. I hemmed and hawed because I never thought I'd like to see poetry read. Boy, did I have the wrong impression. It's a cute little underground club, great food, great atmosphere, very diverse (which sadly, you don't often see in Boston area clubs). There is a nice mix of people who get up to do the slam, and then you get some jazz, a featured poet, and some open mic stuff. Love it - I've been back many times and it's always a fun night! read more

Very laid back vibe with a range of personalities from 20s and up, coming to enjoy themselves. The signature drinks run about $8 and admission for Monday night open mic is typically $5 ($3 if you sign up to perform). Some of the people are really talented. I've been about 3 times and always meet an eccentric character, or run into someone I know. It's a cozy atmosphere and the staff is friendly. read more

This place is a great little basement venue. It's a great place to get a few beers and come tater tots with friends and catch an intimate little show. There's always an interesting band, a lot of my friends play shows here and it's always a good time. The beer can be a bit pricey but they do have a great low end selection and frankly I love High Life so I'm a happy girl. I love the slightly dirty authentic feeling of this place, I highly recomend it. read more

I loved how funky the music got late at night on Friday. I'll return soon

The door woman....Jo is so rude. She was raising her voice at my friend and I because we were not 21 she was completely disrespectful to us. We were very calm and left without a scene while she was being incredibly condescending . Rating: D- (the music was great. ) read more

A dark, dimly lit, cozy basement, the Lizard Lounge is enjoyably low-key. The stage is just a central area where performers take as much room as they need. It's small and comfortable, especially if you can find a seat in the corner, and the sound is surprisingly good, too. The central location of the stage and its proximity means the impact of chattering audiences is minimized, if you're there for the music alone. Also, they share the same beer list as the Cambridge Common upstairs, and this is a very good thing. read more

Very cute place, equally good for a casual date or groups. Finger food is fine, you can order a bunch of stuff and share with friends. The service was always friendly, and we were never rushed. Poetry reads and performances were always great! read more

I lived down the street from this building for most of my life, and have watched it change ownership, name and physique a few too many times, but it is finally a really cool place, and seems to be doing very well. They now have great big windows in the front and a bumping concert scene in the downstairs. This is a great place to grab a bite or see a show. read more

As a performer, I wasn't impressed with this venue. The staff was really nice and all but the sound quality and the space itself just wasn't good enough. The ambiance was cool. It had an intimate feel and was big enough to get a full band in there although it's an acoustic venue. I really wish I had more to say. It is what it is. read more

Nice place to see small local bands. Crowded and a little scruffy but lots of nooks to sit or stand. Ambience is classic Cambridge, acoustics are good. Big selection of beer, full bar and good prices. read more

This is a charming little place that had a very affordable cover.

Great beers, good food-occasional good music. Cool venue that needs to book more diverse music.. Let's face it, that Cambridge folk scene is so white and so lame.. Staff/bartenders on wednesday nights are great/helpfull people. read more

Monday night open mics are fun as hell. The host is hilarious, the beer is good, and the music is excellent because they're strummin' for dolla dolla bills y'all. read more

I've been here twice now, first time to see John Powhida, and second to see the Click 5, which inexplicably included John Powhida for a cameo. Good thing, as he is a great entertainer and well worth checking out here. This place has low ceilings, great acoustics, good selection of beer and can get really loud. It's just the perfect kind of place to check out local bands - exactly what you'd hope for in a small, underground music club. Highly recommended! read more

The open mic on monday night is the best around - hands down - great crowd that actually listens, and a good solid diverse group of musicians - Tom who runs it is top notch and a pro... 5 stars read more

Awesome beer selection, amazing live music bands, lyric, interesting people - these all make truly unique atmosphere of Lizard Lounge. It's a place where creative people will find their inspiration! read more

It's nice having a place like this in Porter Square. Usually you have to go to Central or Allston for this kind of atmosphere. This place is just great! Great taste in bands, and drinks. If you're new to the area, or if you've never been, this is a great night spot to experience the area. If you like music, you'll like this place. read more

I've been to Lizard lounge many times over the past 10 years and I've never encounter the rudeness and mean spirited control freak door people that worked there last night. First off the venue was shut off from patrons to see a live band when there clearly was room for the last ten people waiting to get in. There were empty seats at tables and plenty of space. The way the door people and manager handled the situation was so controlling and rude one felt like you were being handled by the mob! Really bad scene and bad experience. read more

2 more words - session americana. that and what everyone else said.

The Monday night open mic used to be Great!!! when Tom was host and Mike was bartender. We went almost every Monday, spent tons of money and had loads of fun supporting local music. We've still been going sometimes, in hopes, but now, don't waste your money or time. read more

shhhhhhhh.....I guess I have not written a review yet as this is my favorite hidden gem in boston area for live music, good brews and late nite eats...I have seen some great intimate shows here over the years and always feel right at home in this basement living room. tons of beers on tap, good pub grub served late and a 2am curfew. get here at 9pm in order to ensure a seat. standing is no fun here...seems like everytime I come here I leave full from the food, beers and wonderful music and people..if only I could get our the door before 2am and actually have luck grabbing a cab..another secret since I am revealing them, park in back for free with no worries of being towed..drink! read more

Great small live music room. Some of the best sound around...they don't use a conventional PA system..they have little speakers set up all over the room. Great beer selection and not too expensive. Cool goth interior without overdoing it. Laid-back crowd, just about anyone could fit in here..young, old, hip, nerd. read more

nice small basement music venue. this is not a place to talk, but to listen, but it has a really nice vibe. good beer on tap. good prices. no cover for the band we saw. recommended. read more

What a nice change of pace from the city! Although it's kinda out there (for me) it was well worth the trip. I went for the Tea Party Tuesdays and saw Southern Belle and Mystery Roar for $7! Both bands were great and got involved with the crowd. The bar itself has a ton of beers on tap and all of them are delicious. This is a far cry from the standard set of mediocre beers in Boston establishments (north end, south end, back bay, beacon hill) at which the coolest thing you can get is a stella. I only ordered fries and they were decent. I saw some other people with some good looking burgers. The setup inside was intimate and casual, making everyone there comfortable and relaxed. It's not the biggest of places, but that's what makes the place intimate and special. There's no fancy decor but that's not why people go there. They go to hangout with friends, people watch, listen to music and drink good beers! read more

Great beer list, good bar food. Friendly staff, the perfect size to see a small show. If you're looking for a casual spot to listen to music, you can't ask for more. read more

In most respects the Lizard gets 4 stars from me. It's cozy, and it's dim so no one can see how old you are (note - this place does attract an older crowd, or at least a mixed-age crowd, which is refreshing). It feels hidden away in this divey basement made somehow romantic and theatrical with its red velvet curtains and intimate "stage" - i.e the center of the room, with the musicians setting up on a large, worn Persian rug. If you get there early like I do, you can even grab a table and practically be sitting in the band's lap. Over the years I've seen a lot of good music there and the sound is always good. However, I remember a year ago getting a Dogfish Head beer in a pint glass and paying about $5. The other night, I got that same beer for $7.50 served in a 10 oz tulip glass. It felt like a rip off. My friend's white wine was $6.50 and she said it was unremarkable. I hate it when my favorite little places that used to offer good deals suddenly get yuppified in their pricing and attitude. But, other than that, I love the Lizard. read more

What a fun venue! Great beer on tap and just a wonderful place to hear acoustic music for a low cover charge. Show up early to get a good seat. Highly recommended. If they have Stella Artois cider on tap, do try it. Delicious! read more

Great food and drinks, and a great sounding room for live music. There is no stage; the bands basically play in the center of the floor. Usually there are free shows by folk-ish singer-songwriters during the early evening and live bands at night. read more

Came here at the end of a long Saturday in Cambridge and was pleasantly surprised. We arrived early (around 8:45PM) and were able to secure a table front-and-center. The venue was dimly lit and intimate with a full bar (credit cards accepted), friendly staff, and great music. We were fortunate enough to catch both Mieka Pauley and Christian McNeill + Sea Monsters, and both put on memorable performances. My one tip would be to show up on the earlier side because the show ultimately did sell-out and several people were denied entrance after 10PM. 5 stars for the music! read more

The room-dimly lit with red lights-provides an amazing, low key atmosphere for the poets to perform. I came here on a Sunday night, and the environment was perfectly low key. The performers were fantastic, and the drinks were STRONG. Definitely suggest paying this place a visit if you're in the mood to mellow out. read more

Bad vibes last night. Been here many times, food is ok and music tipically good. Watch out for the late night grab of your money. With 15 minutes left of live music, the doorman still took $10 each from friends who were meeting up before midnight. Manager Gabe was not cool, did not care that we were taken.....needs some training. read more

I love my lounge de lizard. I add the possessive 'my' because I always feel welcome and at home here. Mostly supporting Wednesday nites (Dennis brennan band), with the occasional thurs (club d'elf) and Sunday poetry jam featuring the Jeff Robinson trio (have been to Monday open mic nite a few times and been pleased. Starbucks' monopoly has left a vast chasm where coffee houses used to fill in terms of open mic. I've caught many talented folks, and been blown away by a handful) Beer selection is usually stellar and the service is unpretentious and speedy. The two gents that tend the ba on Wednesdays are kind and prompt (and nice eye candy...). They have always steered me in thr right direction with their beer knowledge and suggestions. I love the venue. It's like descending down into my friend's grandparents basement. Oriental carpets. Red walls. Dim lighting. It's simply a sexy venue that I love to support. Fantastic musicians (most nites) and great service. Oh, and access to Cambridge common's menu = big plus. read more

A great place for venues. A great place for excellent beer. I love Rogue beer and was delighted that they even had it on tap. AMAZING. Quality place. You need to check it out if you haven't. read more

Best small live music venue in Boston. The wednesday night residency with Dennis Brennan is awesome, and the overall programming is fantastic. Get there early enough to get a table and actually eat there. The burgers are delicious and you have to try the curly fries. read more