So so happy I came to check out The Sinclair. My friends and I had bought tickets for the Badfish Concert and figured we would do dinner in the restaurant before since I had heard great things. The food was great; tasty, good portion (not too big or too small), and presented well. Some of the highlights were the deviled eggs, the gnuki, and the burger. They had a great beer selection and some awesome cocktails as well. In terms of the concert venue, absolutely loved it! It's small and intimate. We weren't even in there that early and still got up close to the front. The best thing about the night was that you werent shoulder to shoulder being knocked around by some weird dance moves either. There was plenty of room for everyone to have some space. You also could get drinks really easily during the show - which was obviously a plus! read more

I visited The Sinclair for "Stars with Guitars" hosted by country radio station 102.5. I had an amazing time at the show and love the set-up of The Sinclair. The venue is small enough to give you a nice intimate feel while still providing excellent sound. I like that the performers are able to have conversations with the audience between songs. There are two bars...one upstairs and one downstairs. I never had to wait in line at the bar to get a drink...pretty awesome! My only critique would be the set-up of the coat checks. I waited about 30 minutes to check my coat in and another 30 minutes to check my coat out. They need to figure out a better system to minimize wait times. Overall, I had a wonderful experience at The Sinclair and would most certainly return. read more

Came here for the Naked and Famous show and it was great! The venue's got a separate bar room from the concert room so not everyone is trying to listen to music and crowd the bartender all at the same time. For a few bucks there's also coat check (protip: get your coat during encore or prepare to wait!). They had one opening band that started promptly at 8 and played some good vibes for about an hour until the NaF took stage and did their thing until about 10:15pm or so. I've gone to places that have 2 pre-shows and that gets very tedious to stand around and wait for your fav. band to come on, so I appreciated that they just had one pre-band here. Bar's got a variety of beers on tap and in cans & wines, all between $5-$10, which is reasonably prices IMO. Upper level gives a good view of the band if you can get a standing room along the railing. There were a few seating tables, but literally maybe 3 tables total? If you want to hear the bass and see your band up close, feel your heart beat to the booms of the bass, and check out everyone's facial expression, then down stairs, front and center is where it's at! read more

Saw Deer Tick here last night- amazing show. Think this is my new favorite concert venue in Boston. Great sound, great view of the stage even from way in the back, lots of balcony space too. I can't wait to come back. No 5th star because my 4 oz plastic cup of Hendricks & tonic was $10.50. To be fair, who drinks Hendricks and tonics at a show? I got the point and swiftly switched to 4$ Narragansetts. read more

This is for the roofdeck portion of this place - We went here for drinks and snacks a few weeks back. I definitely wasn't impressed - the beer selection was OK (overpriced as well), and our server was definitely strange. The other people I was with had mixed drinks and wine, which were OK (nothing amazing on either end and not really a stand out place) The inside looked cool, but I don't know if I'll be back. This may be totally different during a show, but for drinks/snacks on the roof deck, you're better off going somewhere else. read more

Note: this was an unsubmitted review from summer 2013 on the resto, not the venue (which is great!). I have not been back for food since... I am due for a re-visit. Way overpriced, but decent to good food. $15 for a burger and fries? It was rich, but a tad over well... this is no Craigie Burger. $9 for a small, good, but gluey mac n cheese that came on a cast iron plate that was suspiciously luke warm. And I chose the special: a crab and lobster roll that came on a brioche roll with mango chutney/slaw. Tasty, but nothing to write home about at $22... particularly being mostly crab and in danger of being completely overshadowed by the mango. Service:great at 7:30 on a Thu. Seating: a tad uncomfortable on slippery stools with no backs while eating, but pretty tables and bar with plenty of space to stretch out. Next time I see a show downstairs, I might stop in for a bev or to try desert first, but will prob eat elsewhere. read more

Came here for a light dinner and saw a rat crawl by after I had finished my meal and threw up a little in my mouth. The food was decent but the rat made me feel a little disgusted (pic of rat uploaded). I ordered the fish tacos and deviled eggs, which were pretty good. I probably wouldn't come back here for food, but not a bad place to have drinks outside in a cool environment. read more

The Sinclair - The rat we saw while eating outside. - Music Venues Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I am a 25 year-old, Caucasian male professional living and working in Cambridge. I went to the Sinclar to see a live show for a friends birthday. I was ejected from the club because one employee made an error in judgement and was too proud to admit her mistake. This employee lost The Sinclair 7 paying customers that night. Full story - Not 15 minutes after I had entered the club, an employee (female, mid-twenties) approached me and told me that I could not vape in the club. I had just entered the club and do not use or own a vape, so I chalked it up to a mistake and explained that to her. 10 minutes later the same employee returns angrily, and tells me that I need to come outside with her. I walk out into the hall, wondering how we are going to amiably resolve this clear error on her part. She asks me to empty my pockets. I empty my pockets - no vape. Her boss walks out and asks what is going on. She turns to the boss and tells him "I saw this kid vaping, I gave him a warning and then he continued to vape." I ask her what I can do to clear myself. My 8 friends (all sober, cohent, educated 25-year-olds) come out and offer to empty their pockets to clear me. She will not listen to them or hear any logical suggestion. She tells me that my night is over and throws my drink in the trash. The Sinclair lost many paying customers that night. read more

Easily the favorite live music venue of mine in Boston. Awesome set up with a total of 4 different bars on 2 floors, open floor space, and some of the best talent in the world come through their doors. Holy Ghost!, Classixx, Delorean, Julio Bashmore, Disclosure, and countless other artists play at Sinclair when in the Boston area. They do indeed have genres of all music, but they're hands down the venue of New England for premiere electronic music, both established and up-and-coming. Follow them on Facebook and you'll see they have free shows as well about once a month and the artists are the real deal too (Zola Jesus, Holy Ghost!, etc...) P.S. Everything in the restaurant is awesome and they have a great outdoor patio upstairs to hang out on whether it be a Sunday afternoon or before a show. read more

I went here back in September during my east coast visit, I am FINALLY getting around to reviewing it. Bad girl. Saw The Feelies here with my friend my first night back in town. The place is new to me and couldn't have been around too long. But I dig it! Walk up a tall set of steps on Church St, Harvard Sq and you're there - but overlooking all the little people. The front (back room to me more precise) is where you buy your drinks and t-shirts.Prices are reasonable - for Boston. The room gets very crowded before and after the show but is an easy refuge during. The main room is an odd setup - sort of narrow and long - it would be difficult to get to the front where the stage is, even for a seasoned professional like myself. Then again, I don't quite have the balls I used to. But there's balconies on either side of the stage where you can find a seat or at least a comfy place to stand and lean, and where you can absolutely see/hear the band fine and take awsome camera pics as you Yelp and Facebook to your friends! Clean bathrooms, clean and basic in general, this place is a nice addition to the Cambridge music scene. Especially now that Hard Rock is gone (or gone from Cambridge and gone to the dogs). I will look forward to seeing a show here next time I'm round! read more

Ok, guys, I'm going to be very honest: I had never been to The Sinclair *AND* I did not know that the concert hall and the restaurant were not one and the same. Rather, I knew that both were options at this joint, but until it was absolutely necessary, I did not know that the kitchen was not part of the music hall. Ya get me? Hopefully you're following because this is another celiac-friendly review. There was a brass band next door tonight (at the venue). The lines to enter The Sinclair are usually very long, not so tonight. I always get anxious that people think I am going to cut them, but I discovered today that there is a door on the side that says KITCHEN where non concert-goers go. There were very few other diners from what I could tell, but I was also not seated all that centrally. I chose the location because they can do gluten free options. I had the roasted chicken. Do take note: chicken is my main food group. The food took a little while to come out, which was okay since I'd just had a light snack. Anyway, then it came out and it was... delicious.. and served alongside some tasty vegetables. It was actually cooked--by far, the least bland gluten free food I've ever had. It is also the first time I ever I have not asked for an adjustment on a menu item because it was already fine as it was. Guys, what are you doing not coming here? It was so yummy; I'd come back again and again and again... read more

I saw Disclosure here back in February, and loved it immediately. I came back for Boombox in April and like it as much as I did the first time around. The Sinclair isn't a big club, but it somehow manages to feel roomy, even with the number of people that were at the Disclosure show (which sold out months in advance). I can't say this for any of the other major concert venues in Boston - I've been to mostly all of them. The crowd is laid-back and friendly (no rave babies here). Employees are cool, and will treat you like friends rather than adversaries, which sounds simple, but it's pretty much the other way around at HOB or Middle East. The place looks and feels clean. I didn't go upstairs but it looked roomy and fun from the bottom. My only gripe is that the bass was definitely clipping during Disclosure's set, but the sound was perfect when I came back for Boombox, so no complaints. What other Boston venues do wrong, the Sinclair does right - if I remember correctly, and nothing has changed in the past few months, coat check is a reasonable $2, tall boys of Gansett : PBR are ~$4, and simple mixed drinks are ~$5. These prices are virtually unheard of for a premier music venue in Boston. I haven't eaten here, but the Sinclair is one of the best places to see a show in Boston. read more

My friend and I recently went to the Sinclair for drinks and dinner. I was excited to check it out, since I had heard so many good things. Overall, I felt the food and atmosphere were okay. There wasn't anything particularly outstanding about the experience. Both my friend and I had a couple of glasses of wine and some homemade pasta. I didn't think the pasta was bad, but it wasn't exceptional. The Sinclair definitely loses a star for their mediocre hostess with poor communication skills. She made no effort to set me up with a table when I inquired about where to sit for food and drinks. Instead directed me to the bar. We ended up obtaining a table on our own. Additionally, a huge annoyance, the waitress rang up my tip incorrectly. Granted it was only a dollar, so I'm not going to call the restaurant to complain, but I felt like it was sloppy service. Definitely make me inclined to eat elsewhere next time I'm in Harvard Square. read more

Very good food, good place for a concert. My wife and high school daughter and I went last night for a bite before the Jeremy Zucker (and Charlie Burg) concert. The food was very good, and we're vegetarians who still could find great choices for us. Our server was attentive and helpful. The decor was good, and they had 5 pinball machines - a definite bonus:) The concert itself was also great - good acoustics and visuals and two strong young performers. read more

I wanted this review to be about the tasty food I enjoyed with my drink at the Sinclair, but I wasn't able to order any... Met a friend for drinks and apps, and was able only to enjoy the drinks. I had a tasty glass of sauv blanc and she enjoyed an excellent (albeit pricey) sangria. We were offered a bar snacks menu, but minutes later told that before our bartender would put in an order she had to make sure they could do it. Fine, I thought, perhaps they ran out of some items during the day. We selected the calamari, and were again told that she had to check if they could do it. About a minute later, she came back and told us that they couldn't. I was fine with this, disappointed but fine. BUT THEN she told us we could have it at 5pm when dinner started. So wait, I can't order it now, but if I wait 25 minutes you'll make it for me? So why did you bother to give me a menu? Why not just say that you can't eat till 5---and I'm curious what it is you can make, or what must be pre-made and reheated, that you CAN eat off this menu. We paid for the drinks and left. No thanks, Sinclair. read more

Stopped in on a Saturday afternoon with a group of 4 for some quick cocktails. I got a spicy mezcal cocktail that was very delicious, but became a bit hard to finish due to the pepper that made its way to the bottom. The other three in the group had a cocktail, a beer and a bourbon on the rocks. The second cocktail was pretty on point. I was happy to see the bartender started with well ice, then chucked it before grabbing a large 2" by 2" cube for the Knob Creek bourbon. Keep that ice game strong. Rooftop patio was comfortable and I'd love to come back for a show the next time I'm in town. read more

Really tasty food and drinks, great ambiance, beautiful decor, attentive wait staff. I ordered the seared salmon entree (haricots verts, almonds, pearl onions, fennel, pomegranate vin) which was magnificent. The haricots verts was reminiscent of pesto, and it was served on a bed of cous cous. Highly recommended. For my cocktail, I ordered the Floating to Nowhere, which was a light, bright, and refreshing bourbon and cava drink. It actually paired quite nicely with the salmon, in my opinion. We sat on the roofdeck which was decorated with stringed lights. Great ambiance, very photogenic. Looking forward to my next visit to The Sinclair. read more

It takes real cheek to advertise a show at your venue as starting at one time, then ask your customers to wait more than two hours for that show. And no, publishing the set times on your Twitter feed alone (which contradicts your website anyway) 9 hours before the event, when all the tickets have been purchased anyway, doesn't count. This is my first, and last, time at the Sinclair. Powerfully insulting to one's patrons to bore them to death. read more

I went to The Sinclair two Saturdays ago for the first time to see a concert. I was pleasently surprised at how awesome of a venue it was! It's small, but it was not cramped at all. There was ample room on the floor for everyone. The bar area was never crowded and the drinks were fairly priced. I stuck to drinking Gansett's all night, and they were only $4 a pop. The accoustics were great, I didn't have any trouble hearing the band, and even with taller people around me, I was able to see the stage. If any of my favorite artists play here, I will easily go back. read more

Tonight I met several friends at the restaurant and we chose to eat on the deck. Before our drink order I thought that I saw a mouse in my periphery. Not A mouse...but many throughout our dinner came scurrying out onto the deck. In addition, the food was not tasty. Brussels sprouts should have been roasted to avoid blandness. I ate dinner with my feet elevated! Not a good night. read more

Great night - or noon - out in Cambridge. The food is good. The brunch is delicious, and there's always something new worth checking out on the menu. The drinks are fabulous - whether you're having a flight of mimosas or a reasonably-priced cider at the bar, you can't go wrong. I really love this place as a music venue. The prices are reasonable for just checking something out ($20-40, usually, and you can see a few bands for that price). The ticketing is easy. The variety of seating - balcony, standing, stadium seating overlooking the dance floor - makes this great for either grooving or kicking back. It also sounds really lame, but I love the brick floor - not only does it make for great acoustics, it also stays in one place no matter how many people jump on it. I find it really hard to enjoy good music when I feel like the floor is about to cave in, and I never feel that way here. PS: you never know what kind of adventure you'll have here. Group sing-along? The band selling oysters beforehand? Wait and see! read more

I have yet to eat at the Sinclair since I never seem to leave myself enough time to grab food before going to a show here. that said I have been to a few shows here and have yet to be disappointed, from the staff to the sound and the raves all the performers have given this venue I am sure it will become one of my favorite spots in the area to see music. Cambridge/Boston really needed a place like this and this size, thanks to who ever is responsible and keep up the great work. See ya soon Sinclair read more

Shit. Sinclair as a venue: 5 stars. Hell, they can have 6 stars, for all I care. As a venue (see my previous review) - outstanding. But for brunch? Meh. Prices: high. Offerings: weird. If you're in-the-know with foodie/tribe jargon that "gravalax" are in fact "lox," that'd be a solid breakfast go-to. I've never ordered lox at a restaurant before that came with zero form of starch. It was like 4 or 5 strips of smoked salmon and a poached egg, but nothing to put it on/sop it up with. I'm fine with no bagel, but to me, breakfast is as much about protein as it is about starch, and if you're serving a brunch item that isn't inherently starchy (like pancakes or french toast or something), especially when you're serving a dish as traditional as lox, there should at least be some toast or something available. I asked for some form of bread/toast and they brought over some crostinis post-haste, which was great. It just seems strange to me that that wouldn't be part of the offering in the first place. With that said - my food was good. I tried a bite of the duck confit hash, the disco fries, and the chilaquiles, too, and those were all good. It wasn't busy at all, and service was pretty on top of their game considering we were a party of 10. I just don't think the food is worth it. Their menu was similar to that of Deep Ellum's, with the lox & the hash (my 2 standard items there), so it was hard to not draw a direct comparison. Except I like the food better at the Ellum and it's cheaper there, too. I wouldn't eat at the Sinclair again for brunch - there are definitely better options around for the money. Food - 3 stars. Music - 6 stars. Overall - 4.49999 stars. I still love you Sinclair, but it appears you and I are only destined to dance in the dark. read more

Despite taking longer than expected to open The Sinclair is a welcome addition to the Cambridge nightlife. Offering a slightly more upscale experience than its likely rival the Middle East, it attracts tours for all different kinds of music and is conveniently located in Harvard Square. I went to a few shows at the Sinclair before I finally decided to eat there. Unfortunately for all the awesome thing about seeing a show here the food is unremarkable. The menu is a disorganized anthology of fusion dishes and while I can't go into all the specifics I will talk about the one I ordered. I got the Kimcheesesteak which is, as you might have guessed, is a cheese steak with kimchee. It took a while to get to me which made it difficult to eat in time for the show I was going to go see. I even go there early to ensure I had enough time but the slow service ate up all of my time. Perhaps it was because I wasn't drinking but who knows. Anyways, this thing gets to me and its a gigantic mess. I was kind of expecting it but I wasn't expecting it to be like this. The bread was completely soggy and saturated in sauce and juice and basically fell apart. I ended up eating the meal sans bread. It was good but very salty and for the price (I think $16) it was not worth it. I'll stick to shows here and may give the restaurant one more chance but I am weary about doing that. If I do eat here again it will be a burger because if they manage to screw that up I can close the books on it for sure. Shows, yes. Food, no. read more

I went to the Sinclair for a show the night before Mother's Day. I was very excited to take my mom to the show because she rarely goes to events with me. Firstly, parking was very hard to find. We got lucky and found a street space for free. I would've been upset if we had to pay a fortune to park at the lot across the street. Make sure you give yourself enough time to park. As we were walking into the venue we accidentally walked down the ramp and one of the employees almost had a fit over it. I guess the artists parks down there and they did not want people in the area. Maybe they should put up a sign. We got into the venue right as the opener finished. I noticed that they had tables upstairs but all were taken. I was a little worried about where my mom would sit. She has a problem with her hip and can't stand for too long. Halfway trough the show my mom could not bear standing anymore and went to ask the venue for somewhere to sit. I know most venues are good about handling disabilities but the employee was super rude and said "sorry this is a general admission show". His solution was for her to sit on the steps which were all taken. So my poor mom had to stand all night. I was very disappointed in the employees bad attitude. I go to a lot of shows so I don't mind standing but a seat option would have been nice. I had two issues here. 1. The venue was extremely hot and I was sweating all show. Gross. 2. The stage was very high. I was in the front and hurt my neck by holding it up all night. After the show ended I saw a set list on stage. I asked one of the venue employees who was cleaning up if I can have it. He was so rude about it! He told me to "ask nicely" and then said "it's not mine to give"! He gave it to me anyway but I guess thought he would look cool to be a jerk about it. I found my mom right after and she told me about the rude treatment she received from the employees too. Luckily the artist we were seeing put on a great show so the night wasn't a loss. read more

After meeting up with my friends, Tom and Natalie for the Red Sox game earlier in the day against the Champions Chicago Cubs (which was a fun exciting game, but the sox lost unfortunately), we went to Sinclair. Once the game was over, we all went to Sinclair to enjoy a live music concert together. Once we got there the place was packed with people having a good time and liking the music performances that were playing that night. As the night went on the music was good all around with a great atmosphere on a Saturday Night!!! For myself, I had a great time with a lot of fun and was very entertained! Seemed like a really popular place to go to for a music concert nightlife setting. Also at this venue there is a small balcony level area above the floor where people can also watch the performance but it is only standing room only. An awesome look with everything else inside the venue. This review is based on the music venue only, highly recommend going to this place to anyone that is looking to have a great time at a music concert nightlife atmosphere!! read more

The Sinclair - Music Venues Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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As others have noted, the food at The Sinclair is excellent but the service is HORRENDOUS. When my friends and I arrived here last weekend, we were told that the wait would be approximately a half-hour. I gave the hostess my cell number and she said that she would text me when our table was ready. Two hours later, still no text. When we came back to check on our table, she said that she texted me a number of times. Hmmm. When we sat down, it took approximately 15 minutes before a waitress came to our table. We promptly ordered cocktails and food. The cocktails were decent and the food did come out rather quickly. My girlfriend ordered the burger, which was on the smaller side, but quite tasty. The fries were fantastic. I got the shrimp and grits, which was better than any of the 10-or-so shrimp and grits dishes I tried on my Southern US vacation last summer. For those Southern food aficionados, yes, I tried the shrimp and grits at Hominy Grill and The Sinclair's versions destroyed theirs. The head-on prawns were cooked to absolutely perfection and the grits were so smooth and creamy. I still dream of this dish occasionally. After we finished our meal, we didn't see a member of the wait staff for the next twenty minutes. I complained to the hostess and approximately 5 minutes later a waiter came over. I put my credit card in the bill and...you guessed it, another 20 minute wait. I approached the hostess once again, asking for a wait staff member. I also stated that I will be leaving a $0 tip, and that this would be a first for me. She semi-apologized, saying that this was our waitress's first day. I hope that it was her last as well. Prices were appropriate. Just be warmed that this place can get incredibly loud around 9 or 10 PM. I am used to loud dining environments, but the bar/dining area was so loud that my ears were ringing when I got home. I hope that the management (as well as the wait staff) can get their act together because the chefs know what they are doing here. Those shrimp and grits were magical. Too bad the service was not. read more

I've now been to 2 different shows. On both, the sound was spot on and the venue is small enough to be intimate and large enough to rock. It is perfect. If it's a show you really want to see I would get there early as things filled up and its first come first serve. But we strolled in a few minutes before the band went on and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. As far as the bar/grille part of it, it's better than one would think. My vegetarian wife and I were both able to get meals. However, I need to suggest the brussel sprouts. SO random, but literally the best brussel sprouts we have both ever had in our life. We were planning to meet up with a big group at a nearby bar before the show but were running late so ended up just going there for drinks/quite bite. What a great choice that was! Drinks were a bit pricey, as was the food, but it is a venue (whats a beer cost at Fenway/Garden these days?), with a good restaurant and great service as well. The bartenders were nice. We will be back. read more

It's been a while since there was a new restaurant in Harvard Square that I've liked this much. Went there for lunch with a friend - the food was excellent and the service was friendly and efficient. The menu is southern-inspired, which is a nice addition to the usual Harvard Sq fare. I had the Shrimp Po' Boy with horseradish mayo (delicious!) and my friend had their burger with ailoi and crispy onions which she raved about (and which was listed as one of the 25 hottest burgers in America at Eater.com). Both came with really excellent french fries (a rarity in Harvard Sq). The dishes were slightly smaller than we expected, but after finishing them we both agreed that the size was actually just right. Their bar seems well stocked and I was pleased that they carried Angry Orchard hard cider, a favorite of mine. I'm definitely going back to try more things off their menu. I notice that some yelpers have complained about the service, but I wonder if that's because they were eating there in the evening when the place is more crowded for a concert. When we went for lunch, there was no crowd and no service issues. In fact, the manager came over and chatted with us for a bit. read more

We attended a jazz event (Julian Lage, whom we've seen and met before) and left early due to sound problems. Apparently it's a function of where we were -- in the stage-left mezzanine where there the Sinclair maintained a few un-reserved chairs (probably for folks like me who can't stand due to disabilities). That space gets alot of noise from the air circulation system, which sounds like a constant whistle -- or 4th member of the trio. It was awful, as was the manager's response to us on our way out. (My bet is that he wouldn't stand for the noise, at $76/ticket.) We won't return. There are many other options for great music in the Boston area, and the Sinclair can and should do much better. read more

This review is purely for the restaurant/bar area, as I didn't get a chance to check out a show. However, I really thought the food was stellar (my friend and I split the duck confit tacos and the tartine), and they had a great selection of beers. We were lucky enough to snag a great booth underneath the stairs and although the music was pretty loud, we could hear one another. Would definitely like to check out a show here sometime! read more

Went for lunch with coworkers and had quite a nice experience! While the menu might not be as large as some and is plentiful in it's fancy word use, the food was quite delicious. Our table had the golden beets, farro salad, steak tartare, spinach + ricotta gnudi, spicy chicken succotash, and the burger. Everyone loved every last bite of their food. I personally ordered the beets and succotash and they were both great - the gnudi (of which I had a bite) was also excellent, though swimming in butter (but, really, it says butter sauce on the menu so you should be prepared). The service is wonderful, as is the atmosphere. The best surprise is that all of the desserts we tried were awesome too! Like - REALLY awesome, and I have pretty high dessert standards. I particularly recommend the bananas foster - mmmmmmm. Will definitely return here for lunch, and would like to try dinner! read more

I ordered the mac'n'cheese, which I was really hopeful about since it's such a small menu. However, it was way too salty. The first bite was good, but I couldn't get more than halfway through the dish before I had to stop from the sodium overload (and I love salt!). I had a small bite of the crispy pork sandwich and it was simply fine. BBQ crispy pork is just not nearly as good as BBQ pulled pork. I wouldn't recommend it. A friend ordered the raviolo and said it was also overly salted. The disco fries were resting in cheese soup. It would have been great had the cheese been drizzled over it, but instead the crispy fries turned soggy in the cheese soup. The only reason I'm giving the place 3 stars instead of 2 is that the burger looked delicious. Also, the cocktails look pretty promising. If you like ginger beer, you should get it here because it is wonderfully spicy. read more

[Note: This review focuses on the music venue -- not the bar/restaurant side.] Wow, this is a fantastic setting to enjoy a concert. After a recent visit to see a sold-out performance by local luminaries Buffalo Tom, The Sinclair immediately moved firmly into the #1 position as my favorite Boston-area venue. Wonderful sight lines, impeccable sound quality, plenty of room to move around (even during a sold-out show), and, dear god, a music venue that offers a decent range of craft beer (Pretty Things, Sixpoint, and more)? I may be in heaven. After the show they'll kick everyone out of the venue side, but that just means it's time grab a beer at the Sinclair's other bar and head upstairs to enjoy the restaurant's patio. Perfect way to end a warm spring/summer evening. read more

This is an update on the food quality, which in my opinion has gone downhill fast. The venue is still fantastic and my favorite in Boston. The menu has morphed over the last year into something incomprehensible. It's hard to find anything you would want to eat. The once fantastic kale salad has morphed into a weird mess. Last fall I enjoyed the kimcheese steak sandwich. Last night it was almost a half portion of steak served on double thick (and not so fresh) bread. Not quite a sandwich but more like coated bread. The fried were plentiful but had so much salt on them that I could only eat a few. Such a shame... I will keep coming back for the music, but it looks like I will be seeking other places to grab a bite before the shows, since what was once a highlight of the night has devolved into a disappointment. read more

I was worried about coming here b/c I felt it was just a music venue, however I was pleasantly surprised. There is a separate entrance to the bar/restaurant and to the music venue. We went for drinks and tasty treats. I got the Kentucky Luau, which was amazing! The essence of the bourbon was there, but none of the heat. It was perfectly created. They also have a decent (though small) draft list and a good bottle/can list. We tried the pickled pepperoni, which was just ok. I have heard brunch was good, so I may be back to try that out on their patio! read more

They changed the burger and now I just think it's too pricey for what it is. Stick to cocktails late night. (original menu review below) **THIS REVIEW IS EXPLICITLY OF THE KITCHEN** The burger is divine. Brioche plus basil aioli plus cooked perfectly=my mouth just filled with saliva--can't finish this review, must go now. The crispy pork is pretty good too. The onion rings are only ok. The brussels are bomb dot com. read more

New place in the square! Decor is a lot nicer and trendier than most places in the neighborhood which is kind of nice after several years working my way around the diners and other cheap food joints around Cambridge. Although most entrees were good, service and deserts were pretty disappointing! We waited over half an hour for a cookie plate and a carrot cake that didn't have any carrots whatsoever in it!! I'll still give it 3 starrs for the cool venue and good burger read more

I was excited to see my first show at the Sinclair, and it proved to be a great venue. The space feel intimate, and the mezzanine area is a great feature. Unfortunately I had a poor experience with the bartender. I ordered a $10 sangria, and paid with my card. I signed the receipt without adding a tip, since I was going to leave a single on the counter. While my friend was served, the bartender returned my receipt and said "there's a line for the tip, please fill that in." I don't know if it's because the bar credit minimum is $10, but i thought that was just rude. I wrote in the tip and left still feeling like he didn't deserve it. Next time I'll pay in cash and leave the bar immediately. read more

Ok let me start out with the food which was really great- the problem was after we were seated we waited about 20 minutes for our waiter. The water guy (who was adorable) filled my glass no less than 3 times. There were plenty of bus people but only one waiter and he disappeared for long periods of time (hey mowhawk guy I'm talking about you). As I said the food was great, and once we ordered it didn't take long to get it which is why the place gets two stars. The rest of the experience was not good. Only one waiter for a large patio and as I mentioned he kept disappearing. The bar is downstairs but come on, you guys knew that when you built the place. Why getting the waiter to pay attention and getting more drinks is such a problem I'll never know. There seem to be a lot of people just standing around and looking at all of us waiting for drinks or for someone to come over to our table. In the end I ordered a beer and after coming back to our table three times and saying "Oh yeah, your beer" I still didn't have it , we finally decided to leave and go to another place and when we asked for the check our waiter was like "Oh, I'll take that off". Almost like he was doing us a favor- of course you'll take it off, I NEVER GOT IT. I hope management is reading these reviews because my friends and I (there was 5 of us) will probably give this place one more shot on a Saturday and if the service isn't better I'll find another place. read more