Cambridge Common
Classic comfort elevated to its highest expression
The Thoughtful Splurge — worth every penny
Upscale gastropub with 30+ craft beers on tap. Locally-sourced American fare, great burger selection, and welcoming neighborhood atmosphere. Popular for brunch and late-night dining.
The Maitre d' Recommends
The Vibe
Cambridge Common is the neighborhood bar that never pretends to be anything else—and that's exactly why it works. Thirty craft beers on tap, comfort food in generous portions, prices that won't break a student budget, and an atmosphere that welcomes everyone from Harvard professors to construction workers. It's been doing this since 1996.
Energetic buzz—speak up a bit
Why It's Great
The Neighborhood Bar Harvard Square Needs
Cambridge Common opened in 1996 with a simple promise: good beer, good food, fair prices. Nearly three decades later, the formula hasn't changed because it didn't need to. The 30 craft beers on tap rotate constantly. The burgers are solid. The portions are generous. And the atmosphere remains stubbornly welcoming in a city that keeps getting more expensive.
The menu speaks to its mission. Comfort food dominates—burgers, wings, fish tacos, meatloaf. Nothing is trying to win awards, but everything satisfies. The legendary happy hour (all food half price, 5-7:30pm and late night) has fed generations of graduate students and locals who know the value of a cheap, good meal.
What makes Cambridge Common special isn't any single element—it's the combination. The beer selection rivals specialty bars. The food is better than it needs to be. The prices feel like a time warp. And the crowd mixes in ways that Cambridge, for all its education, sometimes struggles to achieve. At the bar, a professor might sit next to a plumber, and both feel equally at home.
The location, just off Harvard Square, positions it perfectly. Close enough to catch the student and tourist traffic, far enough to maintain neighborhood character. Cambridge Common knows what it is and does it well.
Happy hour: half-price food, a flight of craft beers, and the satisfaction of a good deal in expensive Cambridge.
1667 Burger
Named for the address—a solid pub burger done right
Buffalo Cauliflower
Vegetarian bar food that actually satisfies
Fish Tacos
Better than they need to be for a pub
Southern Fried Chicken
Comfort food in proper portions
Why It's In Our Guide
Cambridge Common has been Harvard Square's affordable neighborhood bar for nearly 30 years. The beer selection, the fair prices, and the genuine welcome make it essential.
“Cambridge Common is what every neighborhood deserves but few get—a bar that's actually for the neighborhood.”
— Boston Magazine“Thirty years later, the formula still works.”
— Cambridge ChronicleGraduate students have funded their dissertation writing with Cambridge Common's happy hour. The regulars have been coming for decades.
Insider Tips
Happy hour (5-7:30pm) for half-price food. Late night for the same deal.
No reservations—it's first-come, first-served. Large groups should arrive early for booth seating.
The booths are comfortable for groups. Bar seating offers the best beer conversation.
Take advantage of happy hour pricing. The beer selection rewards exploration—ask for recommendations.
Street parking on Mass Ave is challenging. Harvard T station is a 10-minute walk.
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 1,795 reviews
987 reviews
Updated 2024-12
808 reviews
Updated 2024-12
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambridge Common's happy hour runs from 5pm to 7:30pm daily, plus a late-night happy hour from 9pm to 11:30pm Sunday through Thursday. During happy hour, all food on the menu is half price with a $3 minimum beverage purchase per person.
Reddit Mentions
Contact Details
1667 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Mon-Thu: 11:30AM-1AM, Fri-Sat: 11:30AM-2AM, Sun: 10:30AM-1AM
10 min walk from Harvard
RedIn Cambridge, even casual dining involves a thesis statement.
“She was my Rushmore.”
— Herman Blume, on Cambridge dining