Lizard Lounge

I’ve been to Lizard Lounge a couple of times for Open Mic nights. This is a contest for those who perform their music/​songs/​etc.
The interior is pretty warm, nice location: close to subway and bus stops.
The menu is simply a bar food, nothing fancy. The best item in the menu is mini-​burgers. On the other hand, cocktail and drinks card is rather long, many good choices.
I’d recommend this place if you’d like to try something new.

I was brought here a while ago on a lovely summer Tuesday. We had started our evening with drinks at Top of the Hub in Back Bay before venturing over to Cambridge for dinner. We were wrapped up in conversation that we didn’t want to end, so he turned to me and said, «Do you want want some awesome cider?»
So we walked over to Lizard Lounge and made our way downstairs. Eva Walsh was on stage with some delightfully upbeat tunes. I didn’t want to get my own drink because Asian glow was already setting in from the one I had earlier. However, as soon as I took a sip of his cider, I was hooked. I took more sips of his sweet, cold glass of fruity goodness and settled into a chair wedged between two other tables in the crowded room to enjoy the music. Even though I had just eaten earlier, the food coming out of the kitchen smelled delicious and the cocktails parading about looked tempting.
After a few sets, he went to check out some of her CDs before we left. It was a fun evening, and the venue was great. There is a wide variety of options on tap, and the cocktails are reasonably priced (under $ 10). Definitely a fun time to hang out, enjoy a cold drink, and indulge in yummy bar bites. The tater tots and mac n cheese bites were practically calling my name, so I’ll be saving room for those at my next visit!

I went on a Monday open mic night to support a friend who was playing, and I’m so happy I did. It’s a friendly and supportive crowd in an affordable and comfortable venue. The cover charge is fair, and the beer prices are too. At the bar, I ordered a veggie burger and curly fries which were magically delivered to my table, for less than ten bucks, in about twenty minutes.
The performers included solo guitar singers, trios, quirky foursomes, a comic, and an electric guitarist who plays with a rock legend. Most performers played original music. Some of the lyrics were lovely or amusing and others were amusingly repetitious and boring.
The host kept things moving so we heard ten performers over two hours, with a few more thrown in at the end. During turnovers I could talk briefly with friends — really briefly. The host’s loud and profane patter made it hard to ignore the show. It’s a happy place.

LOVED THIS PLACE! Went to hear my friends band on a Saturday night and it was so great! It’s very small and intimate (and maybe a tiny bit too loud at times) but I would be back in a heartbeat.
My advice would be to get a ticket for the event you are going to ahead of time. I didn’t know and it got sold out but luckily we heard ahead of time and got there right at 8:30 to get the door tickets (they only save a few).

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!

When it comes to live local music, the Lizard Lounge gets it right. Located below the Cambridge Common, the space is incredibly intimate — low ceiling, no windows, oriental rug and a red-​ish sort of glow for lighting. Sound quality is excellent (I have seen the same band play here as well as other venues and the Lizard Lounge is superior). If you like craft brews you’ll enjoy the robust selection on draft. I’d suggest arriving early for a show if you want seating. The staff are always friendly and accommodating — Kosta in the ticket booth is just a doll. If you love local music and good beer, the Lizard Lounge won’t let you down!

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.)

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

The Liz always has great live music, friendly staff, good prices, a brand new sound system, good food, TONS of great craft beers options, plus a nice selection of gluten-​free/​g-​free drink options. I was there the other night and they had Estrella Damm Daura, cranberry Downeast cider, and another cider. Not bad!
One kinda weird thing that I really like about this place is that instead of a men’s bathroom and a women’s bathroom, they have three unisex single-​person bathrooms, meaning basically no waiting in line and everyone gets a little privacy. Let’s just have this be the standard everywhere!
Anyway, great venue. The only reason I’m not going 5 stars is that the layout is kinda weird and it’s super small, so when it’s crowded (it’s basically always sold out) it gets pretty cramped in there. Couple that with the fact that you’re underground and it has a low ceiling and let’s just say it’s cozy.
Otherwise great place!

Do not get the chicken pot-​pie. The «pie» part of it was literally a square shaped croissant plopped on top of the chicken. Not pleased. But I did give it another chance and I recommend just ordering a burger and fries. The curly fries are to die for! Very good burger too. Nice wait staff as well. They were very helpful and friendly.

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.

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

I have only been here to see Session Americana, but it was the perfect venue and ambience for this show. Session Americana at Lizard Lounge is probably my favorite thing ever.

This place is small, cramped, dark, and acoustically unfavorable. Now that all that is out of the way, this place is FANTASTIC. The drinks are great (and so are the prices, no drink minimums to sit at a table to listen to poetry), the people coming to listen to the poetry are great, the poets are humble and bring a lot to the table. If you are a poet in the area, just come by to put a little somethin’ on it. My homegirl happened to win the poetry slam the night I went, so that made it even more enjoyable ^_​^. We didn’t stay for the band and the open mic, but if it was anything similar to the caliber of talent for the Poetry Slam I saw earlier in the night, you are in for a treat. This is another venue that I have to visit when I head back up to Mass.

Rate the poetry not the venue… ok the venue is great too!
As far as poetry in the Boston area, it’s some of the best. Great way to end the weekend and start the week. Over the years this place has become like a second home. Amazing poetry, amazing band, amazing people, amazing beer selection… really doesn’t get an better!

During my senior year in college I came here every Sunday night for the poetry slam. As a «grown up», I’m always reluctant to venture out for a late Sunday night, but I dug deep and headed to the LL this Sunday and did not regret it! Apart from being so cold in a 90 degree day that I had to put tights and a sweater on (yay for being prepared), it was a brilliant night… although the two gentlemen who accompanied me had less fun. The poetry slam is probably an acquired taste, and although I love it (like wine and fresca), it may not be everyones cup of tea. My friend texted me last night after the slam and said «I’m not sure if that was fun or deeply disturbing».
I think that’s a good way to end the review…

Snap…
Snap…
Snap…
These poets deserve a gold medal for how they cleverly meddle
with words that hit like bricks
stacked high by powerful links
embedded with valuable nuggets of new ways to think
The Lizard Lounge has creatively and thoughtfully allowed
the rawest form of passion to intricately speak aloud
Every Sunday night is slam night, and consistent with their vow
constantly moving you without physics, and to that– I bow.
Snap…
Snap…
Snap…

I wish I could give the Lizard Lounge 6 stars. Imagine a hip bar without the attitude. Everyone is welcome and feels at home. It’s the friendly neighborhood bar that I wish I had in my neighborhood. The space is small and dark with great «mood lighting». It gets cramped, but never uncomfortably so. Staff is friendly. Hell, last night I had to stand in that cut out in the bar that the staff uses to get from the floor to behind the bar and no one even asked me to move… just said «excuse me» with a smile while carring a dozen glasses.
Much has been said about the poetry night. Let me say I’ve never lived less than 3 hours from Boston but visit for work fairly often. I make sure I’m there on Sunday night. The LL has much more to offer than smart rhymes though. They always have good live music as well as a fantastic and affordable beer selection. I’ve yet to visit without meeting some pretty cool and interesting people and having an overall memorable night.

Truely a must go to spot on Sunday nights.
I’ve been going there since about 99 – 00? on Sunday nights where the Jeff Robinson trio perform and they’ve held it down with the same team since. They are the main reason why I go due to the music adjustments they do when poets, singers, and lyricists present themselves on the mic.
For me its, music first… the features are pretty good as well. Food & is standard but better than some other eateries around the area, but I must add they have the best sweet potatoe fries to date.
The only flaw, its a small joint so when it gets packed you have to stand… as said… the only flaw

I don’t know whether I’m reviewing the Lizard as much as the Session Americana residency, but the combination is as much fun as you can have on a Tuesday night.
The doors open at 8:30, but I like to arrive at about 8:10 so I can get in line for one of the better tables. You get your table, then head to the bar to order one of about 40 beers and tasty pub victuals from the Cambridge Commons upstairs. The all-​age crowd is affable and musically knowledgeable.
By the time you finish your food and retrieve your second beer (they have trendy martinis, too), Dinty Child is tuning the instruments. He is joined around the table on the Oriental carpet by the rest of the band, and pure musical bliss is in the offing.
Unfortunately, the Session Americana residency ends, temporarily, I hope, at the end of April.