Emerson College
- Nightlife

Milky Way Lounge & Lanes

The Milky Way Lounge is great for live music on Friday nights. The lounge hosts shows ranging from indie rock to Latin jazz. There are also candlepin bowling lanes available to rent by the hour. Though it’s a little steep for just a date, it’s affordable and fun for a group of friends.

T.T. the Bear’s Place

T.T. the Bear’s is right next to The Middle East and operates similarly. The club presents indie, punk, and hip-hop shows seven nights a week. The club is only open until midnight, however, because of a local curfew for live music. There is no dress code. Cover charges are usually collected, and they average about $10

The Enormous Room

The Enormous Room isn’t exactly a club, but feels like one when things get going. It’s upstairs from the Central Kitchen in Central Square. Ironically, the Enormous Room is rather small, but is amazing fun. The place plays world music and reggae in the evening, and usually features DJs at night. IDs are checked.

The Middle East Restaurant & Nightclub

The Middle East is the most popular spot for Emerson students to go on the weekends, or even during the week. The space has two rooms for shows; the upstairs is cozier, while the downstairs is large, but still intimate enough to see your favorite band pretty well. Both upstairs and downstairs have bars. The club is really anal about checking IDs, so don’t even bother if you don’t have a driver’s license. The shows are 18-and-over, but they still card if you aren’t planning on drinking. Most shows cost between $8 and $12. On Sundays and Wednesdays, there is belly dancing in the “Corner,” which is in part of the restaurant.

Triple D’s

Triple D’s is kind of a dive bar in Jamaica Plain that can be difficult to get to, unless you know the buses, or want to drop cash for a cab. But the place is definitely worth the hike. With cheap drinks and amazing karaoke, the bar is popular with Emerson students looking for a good time.

Bukowski’s Tavern

This bar is known for its 99 bottles of beer on the wall, and awesome grilled cheese sandwiches. Some students think it’s a bit too pricy, and others gag at the lame Charles Bukowski theme that would make the poet roll in his grave. Others enjoy the atmosphere and brit-pop and ‘80s music that they play.

Students under 21 can always catch a good show at one of the many venues in Boston, such as the Orpheum Theater, The Middle East, The Paradise Rock Club, or the Hard Rock Café. The theater district is known to have some great Broadway shows, and students can often get student rush discount tickets.