Went here with my girlfriend for the first time to check it out after hearing so many good things. With out a doubt we will be returning. We had an absolute blast dancing and drinking. The atmosphere is just a chill divey place with a stage, good sized dance floor and good people having fun. Great vibes.
Make sure you hit the ATM before you as it's a cash only venue. A little inconvenient, but not the end of the world. Drinks are moderately priced and the staff is plenty accommodating.
It took over a decade of living on Boston to finally get here so when I was surprised with tickets to a show at Great Scott last weekend I was really excited to FINALLY check it out. Â Everything about this venue is cool. Â The decor, the space, the bartenders... and the energy is just a bunch of happy people meeting at a happy place to hear some happy music. Â Drinks weren't expensive and though the place got packed, no one stole my seat at the bar when I ran outside. Â I'll definitely come back to this venue for more live music.
Review Source:Too bad there aren't a lot of good music venues around here or this place would be getting two stars. But basically it's a bad dive with a live music stage and a sizable dance floor.
The bar *only takes cash*, which is an automatic one star deduction in my book. Have you checked the calendar lately? We are in 2013 and even most food trucks on Boston streets take credit cards.
They serve no food as far as I know so if you came here hungry an hour before the show you'd be out of luck - there goes another star.
Finally, the place just feels dated in almost every respect. The decor hasn't been changed probably since the 90s, the sound system is just ok and they crank it way louder than is necessary for the relatively small space. The crowd is also a mixed bag - there's a decent share of regular people who like live music but they also attract a good amount of hipsters and the alternative/counter-culture crowd.
In fairness, they often have pretty decent acts performing on stage and the dance floor does get going after a couple of sets, although beware of moshing upfront, which is not entirely unexpected given the audience.
Like I said, this place only squeaks by with three stars because they have decent music and little competition in the area.
I don't come here to dance. Â I don't come here for drinks. Â I don't come here to meet new people. Â I don't come here to watch the game.
What I do come here for is ROCK. Â Loud rock and metal, specifically. Â The sound system makes for one of the better sound experiences in a small(ish) club in this city, and they have sound engineers who know how to tweak it oh so right.
They book a solid lineup of local and touring bands, and they don't kill you at the door with an outrageous cover charge. Â The beers are cheap enough, and there's plenty of space if you don't want to be right up in front. Â The staff is quick to smile and quick with the drinks, and it's just a really fun place to catch a show.
It's dark in here, it's loud on the weekends, it's falling apart a little bit, it smells like a sweat sock, but Great Scott is standard right-of-passage if you live in the Allston Brighton area. Â I have been going to shows at this place since I moved to the city (and was legal to drink), and it's just part of life in this neighborhood. Â You know the staff, and everyone who frequents this bar, or you're just bound to see someone you know here. Â If you don't want to be bothered, you can sit with the older crowd during the day and have a much needed beer. Â The patio is also a "nice" touch in the summer, where you can drink a cold beer and watch everyone walk by. Â
It's a staple.
I don't understand why people are saying that this place is overpriced. Â The cover is reasonable and if it's a show you want to see why would you be lame about paying? Â The bands need to get paid. Â And the beers are expensive? Â I really don't think that a $3.50 PBR tall boy is unreasonable and a $4 bud is on the low end of what you'd pay if you were downtown or what not.
I've consistently had a good time at this venue whether I've been playing or going to a show. Â The staff are very nice unlike some other venues in the city, the bartenders are very polite and good at what they do.
This is a great spot to check out a show and hang with your friends. Â A big, big plus for being open until 2.
Cute little bar/music venue to boogie the night away. Cover charge isn't crazy unrealistic, there is a good amount of space for hang before and during any musical guests are performing, and the place is relatively clean. What more could you ask for?!
Oh, I know. A better online ticket purchasing experience. $10 cover + service fee (33.5% of the price) = more expensive than if you set up booking with ticketmaster. Honestly. Totally uncool. Subtract one star.
Update will come after my friend's band performs in April!
I came here one weeknight to have some beers and listen to some music with a friend. When I walked in I was i was assaulted by a wall of awful music and told the bouncer there was no way I would be paying a cover to listen to that garbage. He agreed and let me in.
After hearing a couple more songs that were awful I started cracking wise to my friend that the wasn't enough booze in the bar to make these bands palatable, the bartender disagreed and challenged me to a drinking contest.
The Bartender won because he drank more, I also won because I didn't have to pay.
My friend barfed everywhere so she lost.
The place has some decent bands play and if your are as handsome and witty as me you might be able to drink for free.
Five stars all the way for Great Scott. The Pill on friday nights is the best time to go. Expect great music (brit pop, indie, electronic dance shit) and lots of cheap booze. The crowd there is a interesting mix of people but everyone always seems to be having a goodtime once the dance floor fills up and drunk people start tearing up the stage.
I have been there so many times and I keep coming back. I guess its because I have yet to find another bar in Boston which has the music and the vibe that Great Scott has.
Hey, you're cute, can I have your number? Oh, what!? You'll let me come and hang out 7 days a week? And you play killer tunes (90%, but hey, not all my friends are perfect).
I hope we meet again. Your atmosphere was nice and no one stole my coat. I like how you're laid out long ways, dancers can boogie woogie without knocking the beers out of the bar flies hands. And POLES for amateur drunk pole dancing, you're too kind Great Scott, too kind.
Great Scott...more like...Great Time!
Seriously though, this is about the most fun you can have in Boston. It's a really intimate venue for shows, and The Pill is easily the best dance night in Boston. The music is well mixed, fun without being stupid, and interesting enough to persuade you to go home and download the entire set list from itunes.
The beer selection is fantastic. Really and truly. Better yet it's very well priced. I work in the liquor industry, and I know when I'm getting an unfair deal, and a la fin du monde or hop devil for $7 is more than fair considering you are a captive market. I'm just pleased they respect their clientele enough to give you the option of good beer.
The crowd is easy going and fairly approachable.
Friday Nights, Great Scott(The Pill), it'll blow your skirt up. The live acts they get the rest of the week are always top notch as well.
The glory of my night at Great Scott can be summarized in one word: STRONGBOW.
I have been looking everywhere for my favorite English cider on tap and I finally found it at Great Scott.  If only I had known, during all those evenings waiting for the T at Harvard Ave, that it was right across the street, I would have skipped  the T entirely and just continued drinking.
I went here for a concert this week and really enjoyed it. Â The music was LOUD (as in, bring earplugs or buy some at the bar if you don't want your ears to ring for days) but the scene was really fun. Â The people were friendly, there was free and easily accessible water to help keep non-drinkers hydrated, and I thought I really got my money's worth.
On that note, it's cash only for everything. Â There are Bank of America's on either side of the street in case the in-house ATM is broken (it was on Monday), so it's not a huge problem, but something to keep in mind.
The show I saw had a relatively small and tame crowd, but I would definitely go back for another event or just for a drink.
Great Scott is my favorite music venue in Boston hands down. Â The place is small with great sound quality and there's an intimate atmosphere that allows you to get right up close to the performers. Â Literally next to them as they rock out. Â Often times, the performers are just mingling with crowd before the show, having a beer, and having a good time. Â I saw a band from Helsinki, Finland at Great Scott last night and they inspired me to grow a more burly beard and wear more flannel!
The folks at Great Scott even look out for their customers! Â There's a sign behind the bar that says, "Cash Only. Â Great Scott encourages you to live within your means." Â With $3.00 PBR tall boys you can definitely afford to see a great band, get drunk, and have a good time. Â Cheers to Great Scott!
Great Scott used to be just your average college neighborhood brew bar, but a couple years ago they realized that they have a great space for live music and DJ nights. Â Excellent move. Â
I've been here several times over the years, and have always enjoyed myself. Â Great for some afternoon beveroonies with a couple budzos. Â
At night, Fridays they got DJ playing tunes. Â He played good shit when I was here this past Friday - the kids love it. Â Good to know there's still a place in Boston that isn't "clubby" where you can go and dance and let loose. Â Â
Also a great joint for seeing bands - the layout of the room makes for good sound, and they get some good acts to come through. Â Rock City lives on.
The name surely fits, as I couldn't help but mutter those very words every time I visited Great Scott. Â I guess there's something appealing about their Cheer Up Emo Kid nights, or perhaps people just really love to fight for the right to purchase an expensive drink. Â
*puts on best Doc Brown face*
The location is pretty sweet, and there's a cab station right across the street, so this is key if you are the type to party it up in Allston and need to get yourself home safely. Â One thing is for sure: you'll never, ever be bored when you are in Great Scott! Â Not even possible. Â If your company is not up to snuff, then you can successfully people-watch and you'll be sure to have a story to tell your friends the next day.
Your friends who went to what most likely was a better bar.
But at least you'll have stories!!
Admittedly, this is a totally biased review. Â I went here with Alli T and company for The Pill... some dance night. Â It reminded me of a lamer version of Lipstick at Old Ironsides back in Sacramento.
Big mix of styles and even ages, and the music was all over the map. Â There were some AWFUL, AWFUL choices and then some really good and surprising ones. Â I rocked my goddamn ass off to Metric's "Combat Baby" like no one else on the floor.
I guess this is sounding like more of a review of the night than it is of the place itself, but hey, I can review it however the hell I want! Â HA! Â
So anyway, bad music, no dancing until after 11 because people are lamewads and can't be the first on the floor (we all were the first one's to dance). Â Bad dancing by the patrons for the most part and terrible air conditioning. Â I had to leave before midnight because I was fucking melting. Â
They have 3 dollar tall cans of PBR, that's cool, and 4.50 pints, which is decent as well. Â Only one entrance/exit that I found which made going in and out tough. Â
This place was decent, and the night was decent, but it wasn't Lipstick, that's for sure.
I went to check out The Pill at Great Scott mainly because of yelp, somewhat because of lazy Allston friends, and well...
It wasn't what I was expecting. Â Really dark and grimy, girls dressed to kill, spending inordinately long amounts of time holed up together in the bathrooms...
Eh, I'm at a loss. Â It was fun, the bartenders were really nice, the scene was a little too cool for school, but not too standoffish. Â
Conclusion: Â I'll have to go again before passing final judgment, but so far I would say that it's like Harper's Ferry with hipsters dressed to the 9's.
Fun! Yep, this is the place to come and shake your ass without the threat of every skeevy guy in Boston groping you or looking you up and down as you dance. Or at least, those hipster boys are a helluva lot more subtle when they undress you with their eyes.
Dance! Dance! I love to dance here. Basstown has put on some great events here, and plenty of great bands pass through here as well. I like getting up on the stage whenever possible. Because I'm ridiculous like that.
They just need a coat check! And I think the $7 cover is a little steep for a hipster bar in Allston. But whatever, I pay it, so it must be worth it.
I am going to totally lose whatever "street cred" I have, but I have a secret....
I really don't like Great Scott.
But Tristan! They have cool events all the time! They have cool bands! They have cheap drinks! They're supportive to burgeoning music scenes! They are within biking distance to your apartment and near the 66!
Yes! I know! This is awesome! But that doesn't change the fact that 1) The place is in general laid out like shit, 2) They oversell, and 3) Did I mention it's laid out terribly?
Seriously, when you're at a show that has more than a half good showing, you are not going to dance. You are going to stand there awkwardly, get hand, crappy beer, and look at the luscious, precious floor-space that is to the left of the stage and go "Oh man, if I could only go there...", but you don't because you can't hear anything or see anything.
Despite this, I'm not going to stop going there any time soon.
The Pill All Night Dance Party was the most fun I've had in a while. And that's saying a lot, because I have a lot of freakin' fun. All the time. And I hate dancing.
Great drink prices, easy going staff, a water cooler (thank god), great, great music (where else will the crowd cheer when The Knife's Heartbeats is the last track of the night) and really interesting people watching. This is also a good place to rock those outlandish Urban Outfitters purchases that initially left you with buyer's regret.
So kick back and enjoy the $2.50 PBR tall boys and Tears for Fears remixes. I certainly will be checking this place out on a regular basis.
I LOVE this place. It is my fave venue in the area, mainly because it is teeny and I can see really cool British bands here for under $10 when they are selling out huge venues back home. The acoustics are surprisingly good for such a small place too. Even better, you can chat with the bands after cos most of them come out for a beer, which obviously makes my day cos I'm a shameless groupie. Friday nights are also highly recommended - the Pill is pretty much the only dance night I deign to go to in Boston since you won't find people doing the weird "shimmy shimmy I'm a pole dancer grinding" thing that seems to pass for dancing in this city. Its great to relive the good old days of Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Suede et al and have a bit of bouncing along to Parklife. Drinks are a steal at $5 for a G and T (I was well upset when it went up from $4) and the bar staff are always friendly.
The only thing bad I have to say about this place is KEEP YOUR EYES ON YOUR BAG. I'm a very trusting soul and leave it close to where I dance and got stung - some b*****d emptied my wallet for me leaving me with no cab fare for the way home. Cheers, douchebag (can you tell I've been dying to use that phrase)
I have always loved this place - for the shows and for The Pill.
Its small and intimate...and, the beer is priced right.
Plus, there are a lot of cute boys there. You should see the one that I picked up last summer! Not only is he hot, he is also a cutie when he dances...Yum. Â
So when you are ready for love, cheap brews, and good music, Go Go GO!
Despite it's close proximity to BU and the DBness thereof, the Great Scott team deserves a serious high five for having their fingers on the pulse of the underground. I've gone to many an aurally delicious night from indie rock to techno to happy boy dance parties.
You're bound to get jostled trying to get a drink so come ready to wait or assert. The bartenders have always made it up to me in the past though. Also notable was their genius idea to stick a water cooler to the side of the main area, stay hydrated!
All in all, I'm always down to kick it at GS with a couple of buddies who are down to get grimey but it's certainly not a place I'd go just to chill.
The stage is so close you can reach out and touch the performers. Hey... that guy in the puffy jacket is actually trying to reach out and touch the performer. She doesn't seem happy about that...
I like my intimate venues, but it seems some people take it too far. All that does is leave me with some fun stories, and the assumption Asobi Seksu won't be playing here for a while.
That's okay though, Great Scott has  an excellent ability to pick out up and comers. This is one of the best places in Boston to see a good indie group or a small band on their way to getting big. Or at least before they get a booking at the Middle East.
While not every band the plays here is on their way to fame on partial noteriety, it's always a good show. The truth is this: I have never once been disappointed with a show I saw at the Great Scott. The cover is usually cheap and so are the beers.
Really, that's all I need in life.
My memory is a bit foggy (Ambien side effects) but I think I may have been to Great Scott when it wasn't so great. I made it there on a Saturday night just after a super secret event I shall call "charity walk for the eager dancer" which took place on Comm Ave. for an undisclosed number of blocks with only four participants. Luckily we all made it, power naps inside a car can do wonders *points at Damien*
The place wasn't packed or anything close to it, no lines, a $5 cover, the only drink I had was good and strong- just how I like'em. Â Great Scott seems perfect for what it advertises, local/indie bands, DJ nights with the option of just staying around the bar and chill.
Great Scott, I'll be checking you out.
Okay, so I heard about the place on Yelp and even signed up for an event there through this site. I'm pretty proud of myself. Oh! And I wore my "I love Yelp" tank top.
The music tonight (Basstown) was really good.
Good sized dance floor that didn't fill up with drunks until around 12:30 or 1am. I wish more people were dancing - only because the energy in a room with pounding bass and seven people dancing just seems a little off. Don't get me wrong - I am kind of an exhibitionist and I love to take up space on the dance floor - I'm just saying that sometimes it helps to have other people around to spike my energy... especially if I'm, um, sober.
I have not been to Great Scott's in a while now, but i thought i would make my first review on Yelp about it.
I have conflicting feelings about this place. On the one hand, its a cool artsy/hipster atmosphere where you wont find spikey haired douche bags with popped collars trying to nail every girl in sight. The beer is cheap and the drinks are strong (well some of them). Ive been to a few shows and love this place as a venue as well. The sound is great and It is very intimate.There is no back stage area...if you don't count the bathroom, so the artists hang out in the bar area before they play. I had a small talk with Rocky Vatolato there last time he played a show. Well, actually is was an awkward exchange with me telling him that Waxwing was my favorite band in a inaudible mumble and him rushing out of the bathroom trying to get on stage and not really caring. I don't blame him, i suck at interactions.
On the other hand the Pill (which is the only night i have attended, besides going to a show) seems to be hit or miss. One night they will play really good dance music and the next, its almost like the DJ is trying show everyone how obscure his record selection is...Although I must say, I haven't had a bad time there. I usually am too drunk to care and dance like I'm in an 80's movie...
I give it 4 stars. All in all a good place to hang out, grab some beers with friends, listen to some good music and not have to worry too much about some frat dude trying to start fights and bang your girl friend.
I went to see Klaxons here last night and I've got to say I think this is the best venue I've been to yet in Beanietown...
-- Perfect size for having room to dance but also get close to the band (take that Orpheum!)
-- Lively people determined to have fun and dance rather than act all cool (in your face Paradise!)
-- Good sound system that doesn't leave residual tinnitus (not this time Axis!)
-- Friendly hipster kids that aren't all snobbish and cliquey (sorry Middle East!)
-- Non-rip off prices for drinks and plenty of PBR swigging (don't even think about it Banknorth Gardens!)
Yeah, Great Scott is great stuff. For a minute last night I thought some of the crowd were trying a bit too hard when a couple of young kids with flock of seagulls haircuts walked past, haha - but they turned out to be the Klaxons so my fears were subsided.
By far the best place in the city to see music, and the best lineup of events and artists, national and the best of local. I've put on a fashion show here and performed here and so has almost everyone I know, and I've never heard a complaint.
The staff is friendly, the bartenders funny and totally on top of things even in nights the club is at capacity. Cocktails are $4.50 (!!! and they dont skimp on the booze.) and beer, a couple bucks.
Cover varies from nothing to up to like $10 (rarely!)
Friday night is a decade old indie-rock Brit-pop dance party called the Pill that deservedly has been named the citys best dance night. People dress edgy and stylish and the crowd is of the self-deprecating hipster variety. Most people are attractive musicians, photographers, designers and artists or just total nutcases, between 21 and about 35. The jocks and "Todd"s from the sportsbar scene GS used to be are long gone. DJ Ken is obliging with appropriate requests and attention-whores can dance all over the stage. He knows how to read a crowd and keep the party going.
Its open till 2, right across from the T stop, and an all around great venue.
Bathrooms are well-kept, modern and bright.
Performers, theres no backstage. But theres a side entrance you can load in and out from.
Summertime, they have great cookouts during the day too.
When I first moved to the Boston area this bar was a dive. I would go and listen to some incredily average local music and get charged way too much for small drinks.
But this place has come a long way. I went last Saturday to listen to some live music and was surprised by how much better it is. It still has a little sleazy (as every rock bar should) but the quality of drinks, food and most importantly music is much improved.
Keep up the good work
Like others who have already commented, I was pleasantly surprised by my first visit to Great Scott. It had always been known as a meathead hangout so  was leery of it when we went to go see a band there this past weekend. Lo and behold, the place was pretty cool inside, with very courteous bartenders and a decent layout.
The crowd was pretty cool - the closest you could come to accusing them of being poseurs was that there was a bit too much Ben Sherman wear in the house but, more importantly, there wasn't any attitude.
My one significant complaint is that the acoustics in the place are really, really dead and the bathrooms are located in a tight squeeze adjacent to the stage. But those are fairly minor complaints. overall, definitely one of Boston's (few remaining) good places to see local music.
First off, I'll say I'm nothing close to an Allston hipster and I still love this place. Â
Simply put, they have reasonbly priced drinks, a hip atmostphere, and lots of good live music. Â Don't be afraid to go there if you're not an Allston hipster, just be ready to be surrounded by them. Â I'm well, fairly preppy, at least in my outward appearence, and as long as you're down, people are cool. Â There's usually a cover on Th, F, Sat nights bc of the live music, but unlike a lot of other places downtown the cover is worth it, bc the live music is really good.
Definetly recommend it.
I love what you've done with the place.
Not that long ago, this place was frat-boy heaven. And I dared not come in for fear of getting head-butted while trying to order a beer.
NOW... one of the BEST places to see live rock bands in Boston!!! I may be partial because some of my friends come play here, but it's always a great excuse to come out. The beers are cheap, the bartenders are quick to grab you another drink, and there's usually enough space up front near the stage to have some crazy dancing time with drunken buddies.
Also nice is the outdoor patio out front for the warm weather. Grab a pitcher of PBR and people-watch on Comm. Ave. to your heart's content.
Recently a friend asked me to meet her here to see a show. Remembering this from my college years as a BC frat boy watering hole, I must say i was disappointed in her choice of venue.
Boy was I mistaken and pleasantly surprised!! This went from frat boy fun bar to totally eclectic, cool underground hipster hangout.
The crowd seems a bit young for me but I enjoyed myself all the same...
Great Scott's I love your make-over.
I gotta hand it to a couple of those kids who really turned this place around about a year or two ago. Â It's becoming one of those bars that's turning into an actual venue that has good bands. Â It's like the Middle East outside of Cambridge.
Some of the coolest bands on indie labels are starting to play this venue, and the ticket prices aren't ever outrageous, nor are you ever too far away from the stage. Â
Parking is kind of a pain if you don't know the neighborhood well on the weekends. Â But you can usually find 2 hour guest spots a couple of blocks on some of the side streets in Brookline; just don't leave your car there after 2am or you'll get a ticket.
Since it's a cash only bar, drinks are generally cheap.
Friday nights is britpoop dance night at the Pill there (which is a hit or miss depending on the crowd and your mood) and Saturdays is The Plan which is more of a night for seeing a show. Â But plan on getting sweaty there when you go dancing cause it can become quite the 'hot box', if you know what i mean...
Friday's The Pill is always a great dance-fest with hipster indie kids going crazy in their Chuck Taylor's. Cover is usually 7 bones.
Their shows are totally fab. Very intimate if you're close.. (Obv). And a good soundsystem.
Pabst Blue Ribbon is the beer of choice here. Drink it with pride.
Nothing is worse than taking a girl out, dropping 20 bucks to get through the door to watch some scrawny guy in grape smuggling girl pants and black dyed hair puff his chest out with his hands at shoulder height and his elbows down while shouting things I cant even understand while the rest of his band can hardly hold their shit together..
Basically dont go unless you know who you're going to see. The atmosphere here is beat in the way it caters to suburban kids who move into the city get tooled out and have their parents cash to throw away in bundles. The crowd tends to be overly hipster, taking it to extremes that borderline ridiculous and dont warrant the pretentiousness they exhume. I feel this place is alot more about projecting image over containing actual substance as they slam you for the unbendable 7 at its lowest (and up to 15 or 16) dollar cover charge.
On that note, they do sometimes bring in larger named acts or smaller name acts that are pretty good. They have a variety of semi theme nights ("The Pill", etc- you can grab a copy of 'dig' anywhere and read about it) and if your into those I guess it makes sense to go.
Basic info: 3 dollar Pabst tall boy cans (16oz), good sound compared to other places, a medium size danceable area, cleaner than the dives, service is decent-
The one thing they are good for is the patio outside. Sometimes when I get out of work I like to get a beer, sit there, and read or look out at the Harvard ave T stop for awhile.
I LOVED this venue. I went last night for the first time to see Jimmy Edgar and JAMIE LIDELL (both of whom played incredible sets). The size of the venue was a welcome change from Paradise Rock (my other favorite live music establishment in Boston) - more intimate sometimes means crowds who are more into the music - this was def. true last night.
Acoustics were good - for the last part of the set my friend and I had great spots right in front of the stage (and also the speakers) - but the sound was still great, we weren't being blown away by bass etc. Staff were good - bar service was quick, and the music SHINED! You can't ask for anything more...
Love it.
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