Midway cafe is exactly what Jamaica Plain needs -- an edgier, queer-friendly dive bar. From drag shows to karaoke to live music, Midway really does have everything. The space is pretty intimate which makes shows special. The bartenders are nice and the drinks aren't expensive. I don't think they serve food. Definitely stop by and support this neighborhood bar! read more

I can't stress enough how fucking awesome this place is. It is a safe place for young people to hang out in a queer environment. The staff are experienced and have been looking out for the clientele for decades. And that music is off the hook! It gets mad hot though wear a T-shirt. read more

Fun place for a night out!! Small place but makes it feel more cozy. Different events on different nights, something for everyone. FYI: Cash only!!! read more

Midway Cafe - Karaoke - Music Venues Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

See all

Bad bad service!!! They charged us $60 for 6 people to enter to simply have zero seating, no place to stand or sit and then they tell us some virgin drinks we brought in from a festival at the park was not allowed. We asked for money back and we would leave after only being there 60 seconds so we left. This was piss poor service at its finest. We were a party of 6 from out of town and planned on ordering a bunch of drinks and hanging out but the he ruined that. We will ensure none of our traveling friends ever go here!!! read more

Cool people and events (comedy, karaoke, burlesque), cheap drinks with good service, and I love all the beer signs and kitsch.

Quick stop for a watering hole, I hit up the Midway Cafe for a beer and a quiet table in the early evening to use my laptop. No, they don't have a wifi that I was able to hook on to but I did find a power outlet to charge my phone and tether to it. So that's cool. Cheap beer, I had a UFO white that was $7 with tip for the bartender who poured it and provided the requisite orange wedge. It was quiet while I was here but as I was leaving, the bands were coming in and getting set up. Midway is a small place but I think the music is gonna rock. read more

Midway Cafe - Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain - Music Venues Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

See all

Came here on a Saturday without knowing much about this place. What a GEM. Awesome live music, great brews, nice people. I'll be back soon!

Has a super blast at their Polynesian pounce. Amazing blue Hawaiians and Labretta Suede and her band were fun too Def be back. read more

See all

Played here a few times and it is always top notch. Perfect local indie venue for a spot like JP. Nice guys doing the sound and bar tending, good list of beers and full bar, great sounding room. Always a fun time in a cozy space. Cash only though read more

Every Thursday night at 10PM there is a huge line outside of Midway and it is NOT to watch a band. It is for Queeraoke! I will be honest, I have never been to Midway during the day or any other day that wasn't associated with a LGBTQIA event so I am not sure about the vibe during those times, but Queeraoke is really the place to be. It is a constant flow of cheap beer with good friends watching or performing various hilarious karaoke attempts to a usually loud but unbelievably accepting crowd. It is divey, it is sweaty, but it is always a great time. It is cash only and on Thursdays it is a $5 cover. read more

Small, tight. Loaded with lesbians to see 5 Funny Females - an all vajay stand-up comedy extravaganza. A bartender that poured drinks stiffer than Kanye's mom (first to review?) and only $4.50 a pop! Tables, or something. 12 stools at the bar, I believe. There's nothing remarkable about the night I went but the place itself had a most excellent feel. I respect that. Too far for me to go back but a solid nook for JP natives. Recognize. read more

Midway has been around since 1987. Since when did it become drivel when we are this close to Berklee? All the houses are owned by Boston Symphony and Boston Pops... they don't live here, but I like to imagine they're here... Midway was about real musicians cutting their teeth with maybe 'garage band level' music, but always trying to 'get it.' I'm not seeing that, anymore. It's time to find another place. read more

First off, I read the review of the "really nice ladies room" and had to laugh. I wouldn't know if it is or isn't. It probably is nice, but I was here this past Saturday in the men's room standing in a 1/4"-1/2" of piss/PBR when I was in the men's room. Whatever, it wasn't a shock for that bar or anything for me. Anyway, I've been here a couple of times and it's been entertaining each time. I ended up there this past Saturday at "Nerd Night" where they have kids get up and dork out on their favorite topics, such as Ham Radio. Anyway, entertaining shit. Also, I've been for the karaoke/dance night thing on Thursday. It's fun and you actually don't HAVE to be a lesbian to attend, just don't be a douche and you'll be fine. It's cheap, zany and fun. read more

Midway Cafe - Music Venues Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

No food & cash only! It might look a little sketchy from the outside but once you walk inside, it's not a bad spot for a beer! It's an adorable small music venue. The drinks are listed in colorful chalk on the boards on the wall and they have little Christmas lightings around the place. Hey! It adds character! (: Plus, they have a prettay prettay decent selection of drinks and beers to choose from! read more

Midway Cafe - Music Venues Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

See all

I was 8th on the karaoke list and was 16th by the time 8 went by.....the DJ admitted that he favors people he doesnt want to anger... Thats not okay.... Also, when someone in your bar grabs someone else, nothing is done at all, apparently... read more

Today I'm reviewing places I frequent that are too obvious for me to review, apparently. I don't frequent the Midway, but I've spent some time there. It's significantly uglier than any dive bar I've been to, but it's obvious that they know it (or they don't) and they own it. They have music and performance and queereoake just about every night of the week. They don't just have crappy beers, for less than you'd pay for crappy beers elsewhere. It's kind of nice in that respect. read more

I swear the door guy has been off his face whenever I've gone, which means that he's friendly, giggly, loud, and offers you half-eaten pizzas and I think some kind of chip dip. For Free! Seriously though, the drinks are cheap (ca$h only) but strong and the bands are entertaining for the cover. A-OK is right! read more

Your typical hole in the wall, however great for live music keeping the jp live music scene alive. If your looking for live music around Boston def a place to checkout read more

I come here for the beer. Midway has a decent selection and a few that are new to me. I love coming here to try something new. The bartenders are friendly and well mannered. The place is dark, but that doesn't bother me. As for the music, I'm not going to hate on it because I'm really a House/Trance/Techno fan...yet the bands that play here manage to put a smile on my face. When the place brings in a small crowd, it becomes a small show and I can see how the customers enjoy themselves. I'll always come here for a beer and a good time. read more

Midway Cafe - I walked in here for some beer. I decided to try this and it was such a happy moment. - Music Venues Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

I have had the pleasure of performing at this amazing sounding venue several times!! Staff is always friendly and helpful!!! Sound engineer is amazing!!! Good drink s and prices!!! Booking is always accommodating and responsive!! read more

A killer dive bar that embraces the grunge, but washes its hands. We'll look past the misnomer. Wicked nice bartenders. Thanks for the shot, Dickey! And a chill place to have a brew to yourself and a buddy on a Monday or Tuesday. The collage art here is amazing too. I like the pair of felines behind the stage, inspiring work. Have yet to come when it's crackin' but I'm open to the madness. I'm jealous of JP. read more

Midway Cafe - Music Venues Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

Consistently, this has been the WORST night I have EVER gone to, but I can't stop going! It's the same music every week, the same people singing the same songs every week, and me asking myself the same question @ 2:00 am "why the FUCK did I do that again?!" Don't get me wrong, Karaoke @ Club Cafe is the WORST night in general, but I think my car refuses to drive there. This night is awful, but it finds ways to salvage itself. NEVER go here alone. Only go if 5+ friends are going. Do NOT go to see the same 3-4 girls sing "Don't Stop Believing"... try to get there after 12:00 to avoid it ... you'll thank me later. Do NOT go if you don't plan on drinking ... you will start complaining before your hand is stamped. If you are a TRUE Karaoke fan (and I hope there is no such thing), I'm sure you will have fun here. I just can't get into the idea of watching the same girl sing Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" (with infinite technical difficulties), observe the audience DANCE to it, and call that a night out. :( Otherwise, I have fun being in the company of my friends, and getting wasted while trying to tune out what's happening on stage. I wish there was an Applebee's in JP. :'( read more

I love karaoke and I was beyond excited to learn of this gem when I moved to the area in September. I've been there on awesome nights and some not so awesome nights. The place is smallish, dive-y, the beers are cheap, and the bartenders nice. I can always find a place to store my coat (but I'm not telling you where my favorite hiding spot is) and if I manage to get there before 10:30, I don't have to wait in line. All this sounds pretty good, right? A bunch of queer ladies belting out tunes and hitting the dance floor and on each other. But something has happened and I will admit that I am part of the problem: I started bringing my straight friends. I thought "this is so much fun, I should invite them, they'll love it!" And they did. And now there is a critical mass of straight people and queeraoke is all but ruined. So I am making this appeal: please don't come to queeraoke unless you are queer. Especially don't bring straight male friends that don't know their ass from their PGP or what consent means. I am sure they are nice dudes that I would even be willing to briefly rub my butt against if I were at, say, Phoenix Landing. But not here. Not this queer night. Please- I beg you. I just want to come here and drink a little too much, dance a little too hard, sing WAY off key, but still get a cutie's digits. And it's damn hard to do that when the straights are crowding the dance floor. Tl;DR: I love you, straight people, but get your ass off my queer dance floor. read more

OK Queeraoke So I agree with David D. Don't go here if you don't plan on drinking. I went here once while I was on antibiotics and I was horrified. I kept turning in a circle trying to find somewhere to look that didn't make my skin crawl. And the singing oh god the singing. So the booze of your choice numbs the eye-widening fear that would usually accompany a sober queeraoke night. I go, i drink, i sing, i dance to the same Le Tigre song I've been dancing to for years and i stay till the end even if i didn't plan to. I never see anything I would have missed but i go week after week anyway. Love/Hate. A few pointers to everyone: 1. Don't sing 'Come to my Window' any more. 2. Don't propose marriage on stage 3. Don't stand in the middle of the amazingly small dance floor and make out, you get in the way. And, while i don't speak for everyone, I'm pretty sure that no one wants to see that when they rock out to Dio or Mariah. ok please stop kthxbai. read more

That duct tape on your barstool could save your life, dude. Leave it alone. Come on Thursdays and sing your guts out at Queeraoke. It's my favorite place to let loose and have fun with my amazing queer pals. Shit, if Bonnie G. is there, you know it's freakin rockin! read more

A staple for queer kids in JP this dive bar has been around since I needed to show an ID to get in! I don't go as often as I used to but Thursday night Queeraoke is really fun and a good way to meet people outside of the clubs. There is even a stage to perform on, though my poor vocals prevent such dreams from coming true. The place is small but makes dancing more fun and intimate rather then crowded and sweaty. Usually there is a small cover around $5 so not bad. My only negative is that the bar does not take credit cards which just kills me at any establishment! read more

A great bar and music venue in JP - which features a lot of local bands (not always my taste, but def. always interesting and worth listening to). The vibe there is very frantic - Matt R. made a good point - this is not the place to go for a conversation and drinks with your friends. Go hear to listen to crazy loud, thumping music when you need to cut loose. read more

The Midway rules for live little shows. And its right in my backyard. Everyone's a little straight, so why aren't you a little queer? I used to go see crust punk bands here, ahh The classic Glamorous Stunt Cocks, The Enemy Myself, Superpower, etcetera ecdrunkengoodtimes cetera. In more recent years its the noise band--Neptune. Ah and I have seen Pagan Kennedy, local author, and old indie scenster, read here, yes the Midway has literary events. I have been to the Queerioke and it can be a great dance party and gets packed. Then there's Musk on Wednesday with some punky metally electric crunk. Come see for yourself, Dave's the man. I've been to Nerd Night, where you can heckle people why they read their thesis aloud, or get down with some palindromes, and Vulvapalooza, where--- -well I can't quite discuss that in polite society. And the beat goes on. No cards accepted but you can go to Doyles next store and give the generic ATM a big fat tip. Don't be afraid of getting beat up by some tough old neighborhood broads. Just dive in. read more

UPDATE: The co-owner actually contacted me and spoke to me at the Midway after I originally posted this review, and he assured me that steps were taken to ensure that Dave would be out on the floor much less and not bugging people anymore. Super polite, nice guy. And it's true, I haven't seen Dave since. My friend's band played here and I've never heard them sound better live. They had what looked like two or three sound guys running around perfecting everything, and they did a fantastic job. This place rules. ------------------------------------------------ The doorman/owner completely ruins the experience. Seriously. So Dave the doorman (and apparently the owner now?) is really loud and obnoxious. Normally this wouldn't be an issue in a dive bar with a music stage, but whenever he gets bored or concerned that he isn't the center of attention anymore, he'll start screaming random words or heckling the band, making everybody in the bar extremely uncomfortable. The dude thinks he's hilarious and charming, but he's really just a big sad man-child. For example, somebody spilled a drink, which prompted Dave to start screaming "CLEAN-UP ON AISLE TWO!!" about twelve times, to make sure everybody in the bar heard just how hilarious and witty he is. We get it, dude. It wasn't funny the first time. Can we stop paying attention to you now? Imagine if Michael Scott was a doorman. Incredibly disrespectful to the bands and patrons. When a band he clearly doesn't care for is playing and asks for a tweak on the sound board, he'll basically tell them to fuck off and make a big scene of mock-adjusting the knobs on the sound board. Seriously? This accomplishes nothing but making everybody is the bar feel very on edge, awkward, and uncomfortable. The bar itself is cool enough; good atmosphere, good crowd, good bands. But I would avoid any place that has a loud awkward man-baby storming around the place making everybody sad. Wouldn't you? read more

This place has a nice bathroom for the ladies....spacious compared to other dive bars I've been in and the waiting line is inside the bathroom...no having to wait outside...you can busy yourself in the mirror, fixing your eye make-up or wiping away the blood while you wait for the stall. I go on Wednesday nights to MUSK, organized by a super sweet guy, and it is a very fun dance night...sometimes there are bands before the DJ sets and sometimes there aren't. The cover is $0 - $5, varies from week-to-week....a bit more expensive when the fun Varietae preforms (a cabaret-like revue of old songs-with-twists/plot lines/recurring characters, etc.)....if you appreciate creativity, good music, fun people it's a good time. read more

What isn't there to love about this place? You can whine about not liking the bands, the bar being too dive-y, or the neighborhood being "sketchy," (Yes, a high school and a famous restaurant - so sketchy!) but if you feel so inclined, stop and re-evaluate what you're whining about. This is an affordable bar that showcases live music every night. Stop and repeat that to yourself a few times, oh whiner, and realize what you've gotten yourself into. Now quit whining and have fun. read more

Queereoke has its good nights and its bad nights. There's generally a pretty good feeling of community going on, with everyone singing and dancing through a lot of the songs. The dance breaks in between are generally fun. I have been here occasionally surrounded by groups of chicks who can't hold their liquor and are damn annoying when drunk, but I find that there are more good nights than bad. One of the first times I went, a Japanese tourist couple wandered in, looked around, and hid in the back for awhile--they seemed like they really wandered into the wrong place. Then they got up on stage, sang a ridiculously cutely-accented and enthusiastic rendition of "Twist and Shout," and got the whole crowd jumping, clapping, dancing, and singing. It was unspeakably adorable. If you do want to sing, get there early-ish to get on the list, or you might be going right at last call--or next week. read more

The Midway itself is a divey mcdive bar- but every Thursday the queers come out, drink up, and get up on stage and sing everything from GNR to George Michael to Melissa Etheridge....to ok I sing Walk Like an Egyptian on the somewhat-regular (it's my happy place). DJ Summer's Eve keeps it fresh as promised. The dancing is fun. The drinking is pretty cheap. The queers are a party. The cover is $3 - hello, fab! And Angie the bartender wins awards every year. I don't get to JP very often-- but I try to schedule my trip across the river to coincide with queereoke. It's a dancy, sweaty, fun time. read more

Best freakin dive bar ever. $3 'Gansett tall boy? Sold. Avoid the crowds and hit the place at about 5pm and hang with the locals. read more

If you're new in the area and have never frequented the Midway on it's infamous Queereoke night (the only night I've attended, besides the Neighborhood), you may need a primer for dress and attitude: * Peg legged denim or corduroy pants that narrow toward an impossibly tight ankle (regardless of whether this flatters your figure). Such pants are preferably bought at Boomerangs. CHECK *Dirty bandana, even though you are not from the Midwest and could not explain, if asked, why someone besides a bank robber wears a bandana. CHECK *A pouch for your hand-rolled tobacco, which you fashion into a cigarette with effortless flair. CHECK *A semi-vacant stare. CHECK *A desire to applaud any boozehound friend who sings "Come to My Window" CHECK Do I say this with judgment? Of course not (except for the bandana comment, because I was sporting my red Kansas neckrag while most of JP dykes were still in fanny packs). And if I had a pouch for my Bali Blonde Shag, I would certainly sport it. Granted, the Midway can be a bit of scene, but I'm fairly convinced that the hipsters are legitimate. The Midway has grit, and that makes it feel real--dirty, scummy, with bathrooms that require WetNaps, but nonetheless real. When I'm at school in Long Island and I make it back during a break or holiday, the Midway feels...cozy. A happy scene, full of silly queers gleefully being themselves. Cover and drink prices are reasonable ($3 cover, 3.50-4.50 drinks), and while you sometimes wait way too long for a beer, it's not because the 'tenders are pokey. The room gets crowded fast, and dancing efforts usually involve rubbing up against a lot of people besides your dance partner (and getting whacked by arms, shoulder and asses), because you're trying not to fall onto that suspiciously sticky floor. Tuck some hand sanitizer into that bandana (because no girl is gonna let you anywhere near the fun spot with unidentifiable Midway "gunk" on your hands) and be prepped for a good time, a random makeout, or at least one blazing rendition of "Come to My Window". read more

Small, rugged, and loud. A great little bar in JP that has shows with local bands pretty frequently. Don't go here if you're looking to sit down and have a conversation at normal volumes, be ready for the rock. read more

Midway Cafe - a crowd of people at a party - Music Venues Near Me - Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

See all

Oh good, the server at work is down, so I can write a review or two... After going to the Midway for the first time last night, I have to say I rather like the self-proclaimed "best venue for live music in boston". They seem to embody that inclusive "whatever your deal is, we've seen it a million times and its fine by us" kinda vibe, and boast queer kareoke nights, dance nights, local and travelling bands of seemingly every and any genre.... It reminded me of a smaller Freddy's Back Room back in Brooklyn, which is awesome. If you are looking for a fun neighborhood dive bar-cum-safe haven for social misfit types, and want to hear random live music, the Midway is a top notch spot. The beer selection was really good. The bartender was pleasant and quick with my drinks. read more

This one time I was standing outside the midway on Queereoke night I heard a lady behind me ask another lady "Hey, come here often?" and this second lady responded, "No. only when I need to feel better about myself." Don't get me wrong. I go to this event basically every week. For the most part this is a friendly, wonderful night. People here are definitely not afraid to fly their freak flags. For a low pressure, high fun queer evening, it's basically the best there is. read more

I think the Midway is a lot of fun. I don't get how you could call it a dive bar, but then I'm from Richmond Virginia and maybe dive bars are different there:-) It's a really cute cozy space with great cheap beers and live music. I was there for dyke night/queereoke. I was a little disappointed that the crowd was so clearly under-30. Where do lesbians over 30 hang out in Boston anyway?! Oh, and the bathroom was the stinkiest I've ever been in, even though it appeared clean. Strange. But overall I love this place and will definitely return. read more

I met some friends here on a Friday night. They said there were good bands that played here. We must have chosen the wrong night. This place was a fun dive bar but the band was horrible. We had to wait in the snow while they had a one in one out policy, but the guy at the door would ask the people leaving if they were coming back. If they were going to have a smoke, their place inside was saved. It took us a really long time to get in because of this. Every other one in one out rule I've encountered included smokers and they would have to wait to get back in. After we got in, it wasn't even packed. The band was crap. They set up for 15 minutes and then warmed up for almost another 15. Then the lead singer did a horrible stand up routine introducing all 6 people in the band. Then they proceeded to do the most piss poor cover songs. It made drunken rock band by college kid sound like Grammy award nominees. The backup singers were off key and they had ear splitting instrumentals. Not cool. Their bar is cash only, so bring your dough in paper. Cover is around $ 10. All I can say is that after taking 30 minutes to get there by the T and then not even lasting longer than that is bad. Perhaps I will try it again after doing research and making sure the band is solid before I trek down there again, but this is definitely not on the top of my venues for musical entertainment. read more