A lot of people seem to like it here. Although I'm not exactly sure why. The Model Cafe is the go to definition for dive the bar. The doorman is salty and hackneyed, and should they be past capacity will let you in for ten dollars without apology to the rest of the line. Which is basically the policy that they go by at the Model. They don't really care if you have a good time or feel insulted by the quality of your experience, because you are going to come in anyways. On the weekends the place is packed. Too packed actually as there is only a narrow walkway between the bar and the wall as you try to meander through the various scene kids, and grown ups who have yet to figure out that hair bands weren't cool in the eighties, and the crowd only likes it because they haven't figured out that realism is the new irony. The bar is cash only which is probably to your benefit because it's going to take forever to get your plastic cup full as it is, and you really need to get back to that girl with the swallow tattoo across her chest before neon indian guy beats you too it. There are probably a dozen or so better things to do in Allston, but if you are nostalgic for the Brooklyn of 2006 and the joyless love affair you had with the poly amorous girl you met at an MGMT concert, you probably belong here. read more

10/10 experience EXCEPT for "Dj David". I asked him to play "Fuck The Pain Away" by popular band "Peaches" and he said he wouldn't and then he didn't .... he is dead to me forever read more

Model Café - Good party - Dive Bars Near Me - Allston, Massachusetts

Yes, it's everything everyone says it is: a snotty, obnoxious hipster joint with cheap beer, a good jukebox, that is pretty much always overcrowded with non-model types. (How ironic - maybe that's what keeps the hipsters comin' back!) But I digress... I don't come here often, but when I do, I always seems to be served by the elderly owner who reminds me of my grandma (I don't actually know that she's the owner for a fact, but I've heard). It kind of makes me feel guilty for getting plastered, but she is so damn cute that I can't help but order up more beers just for the chance to talk to her. But be careful - if you get too rowdy, and she sees you, she WILL reprimand you. Just like you'd expect a grandmother would. And you might like it. I give the Model 4 stars just for her!!! read more

I have written before that I give five stars to an establishment when it accomplishes what it intends to do or if I have guests visitng from out of town and must take them there. It doesn't necessarily mean upscale, trendy, or that it has a celeb chef and so on. The Model Cafe, for the first reason, gets five stars from me. This is the dive bar - worthy of Webster's. The only reason you will find a model in here is so (s)he can get directions to get out of the vicinity. This rundown watering hole is filled with friendly misfits and thus there are no misfits. Wear what you want, smell what you want to smell like but be nice while you slurp on your cheap drinks. read more

A survey for your dive bar-seeking convenience. MODEL "CAFÉ" Café? No Lounge? No Salty locals? No Ironic facial hair? Yes Big Buck Hunter? Yes Darts? No Pinball? Yes Pool? No Cheap beer? Yes Free popcorn of questionable origin? No Cute hipster girls? Yes Drunk whoo girls? Yes SILHOUETTE "LOUNGE" Café? No Lounge? No Salty locals? Yes Ironic facial hair? Yes Big Buck Hunter? Yes Darts? Yes Pinball? No Pool? Yes (thanks!) Cheap beer? Yes Free popcorn of questionable origin? Yes Cute hipster girls? Yes Drunk wooh girls? Generally, no. They're frightened of the smell. So not much separating the two, but if you want darts and pool, go to the Silhouette. If you want pinball and a night free from popcorn of questionable origin, go to the Model. But I know which one I prefer. read more

I loved this place when I first got here to Boston, but it's changed a lot and I got too lazy to walk that far home after drinking. It used to be a little more rough around the edges, and yes I've had chicks pick fights with me, crazy people talk to me, a man asked me to do porn for him but lololololol this is why I go out. I liked it a lot except for the crowds. So between the lack of either Jameson or a pool table, the silly girls with attitude and the long walk home, I lost the energy to frequent it. But I'd go back anytime, I love it. Looking for a dive bar rife with stories to make? Head for the Model. read more

Best. Night. Ever. $4 Knob Creeks? $4 Jack n'Cokes? Charlie, you're killing me! And I made so many trips to the peanut machine that patrons started offering me their quarters. Every bar should have a nut machine--work on it! "HERE COMES JOHNNY YEN AGAIN. WITH LIQUOR AND DRUGS. AND A FLESH MACHINE. HE'S GONNA DO ANOTHER STRIPTEASE. (This is where you need to start screaming with no regard to other bar patrons) HEY MAN WHERE'D YOU GET THAT LOTION?!?!?!?!?!" After looking up from my third drink in under twenty minutes, I realized that I was surrounded by really, really handsome guys (in addition to my weirdo friends) and ladies (though the 35-year-old Cougar hitting on my friend was about an 8 on the Creep Factor). But when "Lust For Life" came on, I knew I was going to spend the rest of the night dancing and yelling instead of slobbering on some Local Josh. My male companions were especially impressed that the DJs were ladies; I was just happy at their selection of punk classics and occasional ARETHEYKIDDING track. I mean, they played Korn at one point. And you know what? Everyone was unpretentious enough to sing along. Because that was the jam back in high school and you know it. Great Scott who? read more

This place is perfect if you want to get dirty looks from guys wearing girl jeans and mascara. Call me a hater but I cant do those kind of scenes anymore. I love Dive bars but I would rather "Dive" into a pool without water then go here again. read more

2.5 stars... but not quite 3. I'm not sure about this place. It seems that they don't know what they want to do, there's a swordfish on the wall next to a giant skull. I feel they are trying TOO HARD to be hipster and cool. I love metal/death/rock music as much as the next guy. But blaring in a room full of people consistently, not so much. I mean I love rocking out, but not for several hours straight unless I'm at a show. The crowd itself seemed to be very poser-ish. Maybe it's because it's so close to all the colleges. Again, it just feels like the whole atmosphere is trying so hard to be edgy, but it's so not. read more

Maybe they should change the name to the RE-Model Cafe? This place seems to change every few months. Back in the day this place was the coolest bar in Boston. The filth and grit was part of its charm in addition to the awesome people who run the place, cheap drinks, and the crowd who were drawn to it. Now they have art-deco lighting and marble tables? C'mon. Not only that, but there's no juke box anymore and the plan is to bring in a D.J. :( The good news: The people who work there are still friendly and take good care of ya, the drinks aren't *that* expensive, and if you ever went there back when it was still cool you can reminisce and feel like you're part of local history. I just don't believe it. read more

I've had some fun times here, and was lucky to have experienced the days of a real jukebox, not those fancy disco ones, with the swirly neon lights. A real jukebox full of non-Britney Spears music that people actually put time and thought into. I have to say: once the jukebox dies, the forecast for a bar looks mighty grim. Music was part of the character that made the Model. Not just the Model but many bars far and wide. The Model is still quirky, still decorated haphazardly (a swordfish, anyone?) and still fun. Yet I can't help but be saddened by the fact that anyone, at anytime, can play Enrique Iglesias or Pray by MC Hammer. Funny when you're alone on your computer; lame when you're in a packed bar. This place is crowded most nights and they've implemented a doorman for help. If the quirky neighborhood folks and varied crowd don't lure you back, the KFC across the street surely will. So cheap; so, so bad. read more

Went here in search of alt bi chicks for a female friend of mine. She's cute too, and nice chest, so she should have no problems picking up a chick. Funny thing is she asks for some tips from ME about picking up! Well, I'm awkward as hell (well we're both awkward as hell) but I have had marginal success depending on your defn of success, so I told her what I know. She was under the impression that almost everyone who was there already knew each other. A fair number of good looking alt chicks here though, so that gets a star. For our last attempt I say, let's go dance with them, and you need to look them in the eye, see if they look back/are interested. So we head over and are sort of dancing with each other while trying to make eyes, and that's when I say. "Okay, that's it. I've had it with this fucking smell. We're out of here." She didn't argue. These dudes seriously smelled like they hadn't showered all weekend. Offending my olfactory senses, that loses a star. I didn't stay too long. The music didn't rock my world, but it didn't suck either. Maybe this is just me, I never did like wearing hats, but...wearing a beanie inside = coke head? read more

Um, I just realized there's a whole 'nother side to this place where some crazy dancing occurs. Yesssss...... Not to mention I came here the other night and my gin and tonic was 90% gin and 10% tonic. Another big Yesssssssssss..... read more

Model Café is hands down the worst bar I have ever been to in my life. I arrived there with a larger group of friends, to which the female bartender with the shaved head refused to serve. The other blonde bartender was nice enough to go around and take drink orders from us. As the night went on, it was extremely difficult to get the shaved head bartender to take drink orders from any of us. This bar is cash only, so they have an ATM inside. My friend tried to withdraw some money which she never received, but she was still charged over $100. There was a taller male worker with a skinny flashlight that came over and started yelling at her and mansplaining that she didn't get charged- but she DID. He made everyone extremely uncomfortable. As her friends, we chose to cover her drinks so she could try to enjoy the night anyways! Towards the end of the night we chose to order five green tea shots before leaving, to which the shaved head bartender was noticeably reluctant to make (she had complained about making green tea shots to my friends in the past). She brought them over and told us $50. Ok no problem! My friend and I split the price as no one else had any more cash. We still wanted to tip her but only had $1 dollar bills left. We gave her what we could for the tip and everyone took their shots and went outside. I happen to be slow with shots so I was still inside when the bald bartender came back around to collect the money. She grabbed the money and yelled "you guys can fuck off with this bullshit!!". I stared at her and said "are you serious?? Give me my money back then?". I waited to take my shot till she came back around. She threw a crumpled 5 dollar bill at me. I took my shot and slid the glass to her as hard as I could (without throwing the glass), and took the crumpled tip back. She then proceeds to make a scene and yell "GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY BAR!!", to which I gladly replied, "I would love to!", waved a sarcastic goodbye and left. I don't know what this bald woman's problem with us was, but never in my life have I been treated so unprofessionally by a person who is on the job. She threw a temper tantrum because we couldn't tip her to her liking, so rather than just accepting what we had given her, she lost money and about 15 new customers. The experience was so awful that I almost started crying. If you want to experience probably the worst bartender in Boston, the Model is your spot. This was my first and last time going here, and I assume she treats all her customers this way. I wouldn't be surprised if she loses her job, as she is making an excellent effort at driving customers away and creating a negative atmosphere. We went to a new bar and told everyone about what she had done. If this place falls into debt it's definitely because of her, and if I was the manager, I would seriously reconsider her position at the restaurant. Seriously one of the worst bar experiences I've ever had, and will continue to tell others about how shitty this place is. Great job guys! read more

Are you looking for a spot to be drunk and ridiculous with a handful of friends on a Sunday night? If so, Model is exactly what you are looking for. It was empty; the bartender was attentive; the ambience was perfection. Model is supposedly a big "scene" bar in Allston... I can't report on that, as we had the place to ourselves. Spaciously awesome... we found a great nightcap to our evening of debauchery. Also noteworthy is the fancy furniture. Cheetah print covered stools at an Antiques Roadshow high table... it doesn't get much better than that. Well, I suppose anatomically correct robots delivering your beers might be better... or a midget-tossing station -- but hey, we can't win all the time, right? I have no idea how it is on the weekends, but if you want to rule the school on a Sunday night, high-tail it to Model. read more

The Model Cafe is the best bar in Boston. Seriously. There are a thousand and one horrible sports bars with a TV plastered to every single flat surface in the greater Boston area. If you want those wretched places, don't come to the Model Cafe. You can go watch TV in some other bar. If you want a fancy upscale bar where the drinks are $12 a pop and lawyers are chasing trophy wives, don't come to Model Cafe. If you want an awesome bar where bartenders will chat with you, where the patrons are colorful, and you can't possibly look weird or out of place if you try, the Model Cafe is your bar. People will strike up conversation like it is the west coast. You get a crazy mix of people and the music is generally good (assuming that you are sick of the top 40 in all the other other bars). If you want a nice franchise bar, the Model Cafe is not your place. If hate your fellow humans and like to go to bars to watch 20 HD TVs on every single freaking flat surface, the Model Cafe is not for you. If you want colorful and crazy locals, talkative bartenders, and atmosphere that doesn't scream franchise chain or sports bar, the Model Cafe is the best bar in all of Boston, hands down. People who find the Model Cafe scary or weird have nothing but my utmost pity. They need to go flee back to the 'burbs or their frat house. read more

Why is it that every time I come to the Model, I'm already drunk? Maybe because it's one of those places that requires one to be at least buzzed before entering. It also seems to be my new favorite place to go to after a bout of singing at Do Re Mi. At any rate, I really like Model, despite having found poo on the ladies' room toilet seat on my first visit. This discovery made me run screaming from the bathroom in true eight-year-old fashion. You know, if eight-year-olds got drunk and stuff. I told you I was hardcore! Don't come here expecting the most obscure microbrews on tap; your choices are limited to some lawnmower beers and maybe a few more "upscale" brands (like Sam Adams, if Sam could be considered upscale). People watching is at its prime here. The last time I went, some middle-aged dude and his entourage rolled up to the Model in a limousine. I think that was the first and last time I'd ever seen a limo in Allston. Truly that was one for the history books. read more

When I first met my fiance I threw him a surprise 30th birthday at the Model; we drank them out of Jameson and I am pretty sure hell froze over at that point. PBR on draft for super cheap, the latest last call in Allston/Brighton, Look at this Fucking Hipster (live), Unger the awesome bartender (and the grumpy bartender!) and Galaga. Yes please! They also have djs some nights by some cool local kids, a pretty awesome jukebox, and three bathrooms instead of just two. Oh, and I could wear my pajamas here and know no one is judging me. I am not going to admit that I have. read more

This place has changed quite a bit since my heady days of '03-05.No more pool table squished up in a corner, fewer hipster chicks in tight jeans (which is like saying 'fewer chicks in tight jeans in tight jeans, i know) -- and no more painting of Charlie (the old gray haired barkeep) up on the wall. Friday, as he hands me one of several $4.50 Sapphire and tonics (this is the only bar on the planet where I can afford to be crunk on Saph) I ask where the painting went. Charlie: They took it down when they repainted the place... Me: Did you take it home? Charlie: ...and they put it down in the basement... Me:.... Charlie: ...where it fuckin belongs. read more

I went through a brief Model phase and it was one that delivered me the most debilitating hangovers. I don't know what's in it, or why it's been dubbed the name it's been given....but the Summer Snatch. Tastes like candy and bad decisions. My last trip to the model i spent my evening drinking those bad boys and as a result spent the entire next day curled up on my couch cradling a purple Gatorade. There is definitely an eclectic crowd here. I don't think I really ever fit in, but it never mattered to me. The music was always good and the drinks cheap. Bouncers were never happy and the bar tender eventually started to warm up to me. All in all, it depends on what kind of night your looking to have. Low key, divey, but still messed up enough to dance and maybe make out with a stranger? This may be your place. read more

The first time I went here I had just received a bunch of gold doubloons from the charlie card ticket machine after putting a $20 bill in and had no other cash on me. while sitting at a table the waitress not only took my gold coins but was excited. Cheap booze interesting crowd. have not been back in a while but heard they have couches and a T2 pinball machine & Golden T. read more

Dear Model, Things have clearly changed. I moved out of Allston two years ago and thought we were done for good. This was not the case. I couldn't keep myself from your amazingly stiff $4 beverages and I came back this past weekend. What's up with the renovated lounge area? You're looking good, Model - I have to say, the couch is a big plus. I also noticed you added some video games and things. I had a wonderful time having such lovely cheap drinks and playing some Monkey Bash. Sad to say that you're still not interested in serving me Long Island Iced Teas, but I understand. Damn BC kids. Missed you - see you soon, TK read more

Meh. I kinda hate the model. But it is cheap and is open till 2....not like the silly sil which closes early. I like it here better when no one is in it, and it's a true dive. Otherwise it's the kinda place that everyone knows your name - if your name is hipster foo. oh. if you do get dragged here at some point order a pineapple upside down shot. Holy crap yes. read more

Oh, the Model. It sometimes changes, but it always stays the same. Stiff drinks, loud music, rock-n-rollers tryin' to push their band, and close-talkers yelling in your ear about....I don't know I can't hear them. Not really listening either, just tryin to focus on my glass of booze with a splash of coke. The Model is always the afterbar. After the Sill closes, or after a show at O'Brien's, Greatt Scott's, or Harper's gets out, chances are you'll see the bar patrons, the band that played, and the bartender at the other bar, all waiting in line at 1:15 tryin to get in. Shoulda left earlier, tsk tsk, you know better. It's dark, it's gritty, it's filled with Rockers, but there's a new crowd that discovered this place recently, and it's kind of a clash with the regular clientele. On the weekends you'll see fancy clothes, slick haircuts, and actual dancing to the music, and not just fist pumping, bro hugging, and floor punching. It's ok though, they usually don't last after they see the bleeding that happens between 1:45-2:30am. If there's a place to be a non-functional fall down drunk, it's the Model. Drink some water before you go to bed there champion, it's gonna be a rough morning. read more

This is the ultimate dive bar. Stiff drinks, no atmosphere, an eclectic mix of people from your standard hipster to your potentially homeless guy (sometimes indistinguishable from the hipster) to your average grad student looking to unwind to strange punk-goth-somethings dancing to 80's pop. I love this place for the cheap alcohol and the cheap alcohol and also it's open late and did I mention the cheap alcohol? There is no other reason to come here other than a couple old arcade games. And I don't need one. read more

This is a staple in the Allston area. Often refereed to as a "Hipster Bar" and I'm completely okay with that. You won't find frat boys or club girls here and that's just the way the crowd likes it. There is a good mix of punks, hardcore kids, nerds, college norms and old drunks. The music is usually on par for the night and Boston sports games are always on. Cheap drinks. Cash only. Nice bartenders. Good crowd. Check it out if you're looking for low key. Note: you will stand in line after 1030/11 on Friday and Saturday. read more

Dear DJ, You said you would play "Hammertime"... You didn't... You are dead to me forever. Fun night though! read more

I came here 3 years ago - when I was a youngin to the Boston area - (had only lived here 1 year and a half...so much to learn!). It was during that crazy snowstorm in 2005, around mid-January or early February. My car got trapped under a 8 foot drift next to my friend's apartment in Brighton! What (were we) to do? We both had no idea where to go and party that night. I couldn't sit in the house and watch "Sex in the City" reruns any longer! I was a Somerville gal at the time and she had just moved to Brighton/Allston area, and we knew very little about the party scene. After a rather tame night at the KELLS, we were informed by some "random dude" that the 1/2 mile troop through the four foot snow drifts was worth it, if we could make it to the "best dive bar in Boston" - aka the Model Cafe on Cambridge street. We eventually arrived and a fun, although fuzzy, time was had by all! The funny thing is, I came back here two weeks ago with my boyfriend. He suggested the place after we had already gone to dinner downtown with friends and we still wanted to keep the night going...or errrhh drinking more. I had a major case of de ja vu as soon as I walked in. I really never thought I would have a reason to come back here...turns out my summer sublet is just 2 blocks away.. All I can say is... $2 Coors light drafts, anyone? Ummm...hell yes. So in the words of the Terminator, "I'll BE BACK" read more

Ugh. I think I left my dignity here last night. The place is gross. The bartenders are rude. The dark haired week night waitress is sweet; the weekend waitress is... not sweet. The owner keeps trying to update the place but instead of buying crappy art should consider hiring someone to keep up with the tiny bathrooms. You'd think it was Patty Hearst's closet in there :( There is a tranny dj who is hands down awesome. All the other djs blow. THEY BLOW. The drinks aren't particularly cheap for such a dump, either- $5.00 for small vodka and diet coke? no thanks. the worst part about the model? the crowd. it gets worse and worse every year. that said, i come back every weekend :( read more

Model is great but Barbara is a gosh dang liar. They've gone up to $2.75. I trusted you, Barbara. Model Café 5/5; Barbara 2/5.

Unironic dive bar. This seems to be the real thing, not a bar simply redecorated to look like a dive. It smelled funny (at least the night I was there), had enough fish mounted on the walls to make a taxidermist happy, and a waitress who was easily over 70. Staff and patrons seemed nice enough. I suppose I'd come back a bit if I lived in the neighborhood, as it did seem like a nice, friendly place that is just in need of a good scrubbing. read more

Probably my favorite bar in Allston for hanging out and drinking. It's gritty and awesome. I used to go on Saturday nights and sip on cheap $4 gin & tonics with a friend while people watching. Dave the bartender knew our orders by heart and was always nice to us. Now I tend to frequent the Model more when its "Rescue Night" on Sundays, which has gotten really popular but still remains fun for dancing if you're into Morrissey, Smiths, Cure, Bloc Party, that kind of thing. It also makes my night when the DJ plays 'Bad Romance'. I usually see everyone jumping up and down and body thrashing to it, much like myself, but in a non-douchey way. It's impossible to get in the bar if you arrive later than 12:30 AM or if you do, expect to wait angrily in line. The bouncers here mean business. Always get my drunkles on and have fun here. Love you, Model Cafe! read more

Not into this place at all. I went one time when the Silhouette was at capacity and this place was barely 1/4 full (that should have been an immediate sign right there). When I walk in I greeted by a rude crotchety woman screeching about ID's. I get past her and head over to the bar to order a drink. A few minutes later the bartender who looks like that creepy uncle you stay away from finally asks what I want, after making sure to ask all the people in the bar with vagina's what they wanted first even when patiently waiting and trying to get his attention. Anyway I get my PBR and it's $2.50 (still cheap but more than the Silhouette), so i barely give the crappy bartender a tip and walk over to my table. The music was crappy, and the vibe was horrible. It was so dull and the whole otherside of the place behind the bar was empty. I finished my beer and went over to the SIlhouette and then was able to get in. Yay! The only good part of the night. This was also a Saturday Night. If you want a good dive in Allston just walk the 3 blocks to Silhouette and have a MUCH better time, with better people, for less money. read more

Holy sticky floors! That's probably the only real downfall. I'm used to bars in Brooklyn/NYC. I'm also used to hanging out with skateboarders n stuff, and this seems like the spot u go to if you're into that jam, like me. Loud, ridiculous and rowdy dudes seem to gravitate here... Good crowd I watched the bartenders pour drinks (i came here to sober up, I was drinking all day before I got here) and the bar tenders seem to pour pretty stiff overall. Music was kind of all over the place, but there were some good jams playing for sure... I definitely shook my hips a bit. If you're a smoker, they have a ton of room out front to keep your stories Rollin with a big crowd. I'd come back if my friends offered to take me without too much a struggle. read more

I'm just not sure that I "get" the appeal of the Model. Sure it's a nice place with cheap beers, but the atmosphere alwasy seems to throw me off. I just can't get as comfortable as I get at the Sil or Our House West. The cheap beers earn it 3 stars though. read more

Pretty rad place if you want to see beards, tattoos, suicide girls, punks, & art snobs all in the same place. My kind of mix. Bring cash bc you cannot run credit cards. read more

Dammit! You really can't go back home. Back in Boston on St. Pat's weekend, one of the bars we hit in the "warm-up" to the parade (which actually made me miss the parade I drove all the way up for, I was so fuckin hung-over) was the Model, for my nostalgia reasons mostly. Pool table's gone. Didn't see Jaime (or anyone else for that matter) working the door. No Sarah, no Charlie, none of the bartenders I remembered at all. It felt foreign to me, but it was probably my fault for not having been back in so long. "I'm still big, it's the pictures that got small". Eh, I woulda given it 1 star based on my completely subjective comparison of now versus back in the day, but, in all honesty it was okay, and it being only one stop-over in a very long night, I was too damn drunk and the stay too short to honestly and accurately say it was bad. read more

Awesome vibe and awesome people during the week. Monster-hipsters and entitled "artist" brats on the weekend. Allston has this weird transformation that occurs on the weekends where alllll of the worst kinds of people show up at or near allll of the places I love (when colleges are in session). This place has a queue past 10pm Thursday through Saturday so beware of chilly waits and secondhand smoke. I saw my first gang fight in front of the Model over the summer. I always run into interesting people and have conversation here. People are kind and open and usually super drunk in the positive way. Note if you didn't read any other review: Cash only, suckahs. read more

This is my favorite spot to go on a Friday night. The crowd is great, DJ Evve is playing by far the best music in th city and the dance floor can get crowded, but in the best way. The staff are all friendly and it's cash only. But $2 PBR's make $20 go a long way. This had become a weekly stop for my friends and I. Love this place! read more

So, maybe Thursdays aren't their 'big' night as I was there until about 9, and so were 5 other dudes - not my kind of party. But....the beer is cheap, the lights are flourescent, the bathroom reeks, the juke is actual full albums and not that internet download/make mine first crap, and they have PBR on tap ladies and gentlemen, we have a dive. perhaps not a 'Dive worth a drive' but definitely a joint I would hit on occasion if I were stumbling distance away. read more