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 ^_^. Â 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.
Review Source:Tiny space, over zealous sound equipment. The "poetry slam" was to begin at 7:30, but didn't start until nearly 8:15. Cover was $5. A $5 cover should explain all about the caliber of events held at the LL. I've just experienced way better poets in even tighter spaces. If you're one of the first there, you might be pulled to be a judge. Sit against the bar if you don't want to be seen.
Review Source: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. Â 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". Â
I think that's a good way to end the review...
* Tasty burgers & curly fries (prepared upstairs at Cambridge Common)
* I've only gone to the LL on Sunday nights when there is SLAM poetry.
*Come early if you want to ensure entry. I've arrive an hour or so after the start time and the lounge was over capacity.
*Atmosphere is reminiscent of a jazz club
* Jeff Robinson and crew are fantastic. I love when they freestyle in the backdrop of poets' performances during the Open Mic session.
* My only complaint is not about the place itself, but about the crowd it sometimes attracts. Sometimes the crowd does not give those amazing poets and poems their due justice.
I have to admit, I rarely go to the Lizard Lounge except to see Session Americana, but god damn if that isn't the best possible venue to see those fools. The setting is incredibly intimate, it feels like everyone knows each other (whether or not that's actually true), the beer is great, and you can order Cambridge Common food. If only there weren't a cover, I'd be there every night--and, honestly, given the length of shows here, the cover really isn't that bad. What were you going to spend that money on anyway? A movie? Groceries? You don't even like groceries.
Apparently fire codes were just revised, meaning that they can't allow as many people into the dimly lit basement, which is a mixed bag. On the one hand, you're more likely to snag a table and be able to see the band, but on the other, whenever you remove people from a space, it'll affect the energy of the room, and this is no exception. Which is not to say that the place is empty, but it's definitely not *crowded,* and there's something about not having to elbow my way past gaggles of drunk people singing out "Beer town!" that I just can't get on board with.
Outside Session, every act I've seen here has been stellar, and the experience has been great. The one real gripe I have is that I wish doors opened earlier so it would be possible to get there and eat dinner at a reasonable hour and then wait around for the show. But that's not a major problem; it certainly hasn't kept me from coming back.
I've been to the Lizard Lounge twice, once on the Poetry Slam night and again two nights ago. Â The poets were local, all ages, with diverse and at times provacative styles; I enjoyed that night very much and the bartender concocted a delicious (and on the house!) cocktail for me, and I loved to see him later jump on stage to recite! Â Lovely staff.
Couple nights ago was fun. Â The place has a true underground, local, dimlit ambience and somehow perfect acoustics. Â Again I had a strong, tasty Uncommon Rum Punch. Â I take away the star only because the acts somehow fell short both times, but I think that's my personal taste.
Thanks to the Cambridge Common being upstairs, the Lizard Lounge has a great beer selection and a decent vegetarian food selection that you can enjoy while listening to music or attending the awesome Sunday Night Poetry Slam. Â There is a cover but it's definitely worth it. Â Get there early to get a good table. Â There's often a line before the doors open. Â It's a nice (tattered, but nice) intimate (yes that does mean small) place to watch people perform. Â Always seems to be an enthusiastic crowd.
If you go, and you should, plan on staying a while. Â It's worth it!!!
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...
Lizard Lounge reminds me of being in someone's (very cool) basement. It is tied with it's sister club Toad for my favorite small venue for live music.
The room limit is about 110 and can feel crowded when at capacity, but the acts are top notch, the sound is great and the crowds friendly. For popular acts, it is best to buy tickets in advance (they use Brown Paper Tickets, so the surcharge is low).
They have very good beer, both downstairs and upstairs at Cambridge Common. I like to eat upstairs (before a show) and can recommend the burgers.
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. Â 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.
I finally came to Lizard Lounge last night!
Based on all the great Yelp reviews, I had a feeling it would be my kind of place... and it was! Walked in around 11 last night (Friday) and it was pretty pretty crowded. No problem getting a drink at the bar though... speaking of which, they have an AWESOME beer selection!! I LOVE beer, and the Lizard had so many great and obscure options.
Club d'Elf was playing... jazzy and fun. Most people were just chillin, but a few were going crazy and busting a couple moves, which added to the fun vibe. Typical Cambridge crowd, mixed age which I liked. I enjoyed Lizard Lounge a lot, and I will definitely be back to check out some other acts!
If you want to watch good live music with a bunch of music loving fans go no further. Â
This place always has great local music groups stopping by to jam. Â I think the best nights to go are usually Tuesdays or Thursdays, but I have been pleasantly suprised on more then one Sunday.
The atmosphere is great, and I have rarely thought the acoustics seemed off. Â It does get really busy depending on who is playing, so getting a drink can be a pain. Â This is made up for by the selection of beer, especially when the music is good.
Five stars for the Jeff Robinson Trio and Sunday's Poetry Jam at the Lizard Lounge. Â I've lapsed in my attendance, but this place is, as far as I'm concerned, the lifeblood of the local poetry scene. Â None of the staid offerings that might be expected of other poetry joints, the Lizard is where its at. Â
Worth remembering that they never start on time, head over for 9pm or later.
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. Â Food & Â 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
Great little spot to catch local and a little more than local acts. The Tuesday night residencies are always a crowd pleaser and the place is so small you can not help but get an intimate feeling from the show.
The beer selection is pretty good and reasonably priced. The bar is kind of pain to get to, but that is probably just as well, then I wont drink so much. And I just saw on someones review that there is food here too, huh I guess I will have to check that out next time.
This is a quite alright place, the restaurant upstairs is nothing special, but it is quite a cozy place to watch some live band.
The band is off stage, just in the middle of the room w some carpets and stuff it is a good experience.
The Beer selection is limited but good at the same time... Try the Cambridge Ale... I like it.
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.
When I first moved to Cambridge in 2004, I hung out at this spot every Sunday...The poetry slam is amazing, and I have told so many people about this place, you would think they pay me. Great band and atmosphere also.
The last time I was there was during the slam finals last spring. Â It was a whole lotta fun.
If you love poetry, you will love this spot. Reasonable drinks and bar fare. Â The curly fries are great! $5 entry for the poetry slam event on Sunday.
This downstairs section of Cambridge Common is pretty awesome, although a little bit tight on space. But while some would say it's "cramped," indicating severe seating discomfort and trouble moving around, I would say it's "cozy," implying a very intimate atmosphere with your friends and fellow audience. Besides, if there was enough room for us to bust out a dance or two, it can't be that bad!
We went on a Friday night to watch a live band (Holmes) perform, and they played some great jazz. The way the place is laid out allows you to watch the band perform from every angle except from directly behind, which is how it should be in my opinion. Who wants to watch a bunch of hineys perform? (If that's your thing go to a strip joint.)
I loved the interior. I don't have much of an eye for interior design, but this place had a very intimate feel just by clever use of the color red. The walls are red, and the ambient lighting is red as well, making the jazz feel even sexier. I was really digging some of the Persian rugs they had as well, which is an awesome touch - I would not mind having a few of those rugs in my house, lemme tell ya! Add to that a few inconspicuous candles and some well-placed mirrors, and suddenly there's a bit more perceived space. Coat hangers are everywhere, so there's none of that "let's pile our jackets here on this seat which we could have used for a human being because we're not pressed for space already." (Note sarcasm.)
Bar staff was very friendly, and seems to be much nicer to the ladies. I ordered a drink and a burger, which the bartender asked me to come back for in 10 minutes to pick up from the bar. My friend Heidi ordered the same thing an hour later and he brought them to her - AND charged her less! Ladies, work the cleavage. You just might get a discount.
It sucks that there was a $5 cover, and the small space could become an issue if you're not good at Tetris, but the bathrooms are clean, the staff is friendly, the beer selection is good, and the atmosphere is awesome. We also lucked out with good music. I'll be coming back for sure.
As a staunch supporter of Cambridge Common upstairs, it had been an unreasonably long time between me coming to adore that place and coming to the Lizard Lounge for the first time a couple months ago for open mic night. That was great, but what's kept me coming back recently is Session Americana's Tuesday night residency - I went with a few friends the last couple weeks - what a fun group!
Lizard Lounge has the same great beer selection, and a significant  subset of the delicious and reasonably priced food from Cambridge Common upstairs. (The blackjack burger is even tastier while watching live music!)
My only wish is that they didn't charge cover all the time -- if you don't know the band already or haven't researched them online it can be discouraging to just pop in on a whim.
I don't have much to leak on the Lizard as my time there amounted to a half hour tops. Â My biggest impression was the lack of space. Â This could potentially be a great venue for a very, very small show... but if the headliner is anything bigger than a garage band, don't expect to move around the room comfortably.
The entire time I was there, all I could think about was the Rhode Island night club fire.
S to the C to the A-R-Y.
I cannot believe I have not reviewed this place yet. Â It's okay....
It's true the drinks are expensive. Â The space can get stuffy. Â The room can be awkward and doesn't leave much for impromptu dancing. Â The poles block a lot of views. Â (In particular the current Sunday bartender looks like a kid lost in the mall, and is so obviously bad at what he does you can't even get mad but just feel sorry for him. Â I have too many examples to back this statement up to start listing now, but to start, I guess I'll find out next week if he figured out he shorted me $10!?!)
All that being said, it's true about the lighting, very flattering. Â If you're particularly hard up, take you're first dates here - seriously, I think it'll work in everyone's favor! Â They also get TONS of great tunes!!! Â The cover charges go from reasonable to WTF!?! Â I'm not one to generally complain about cover charges because I realize they typically pay the band, so I've only come across "WTF!?!" prices maybe thrice over 3 years...
The Sunday night Poetry Jam is a particular love of mine and why this place gets 4 stars in my eyes despite the above discrepancies!
The Jeff Robinson Trio is astounding when it comes to backing the feature and open mic!!! Â They start with a slam which is typically pretty killer, but I really find the band helps sway even the most hesitant of listeners. Â Performance poetry is a completely different genre which I find sweetly emphasized at this venue with the Trio!
Also props for the open mic on Monday nights, summer Tuesdays with Session Americana, and Club d'Elf (usually the 1st Thursday of every month)!
This is without a doubt a venue to scope out!
By far my faborite venue in town - small, intimate, and good to local artists.  I have seen  more shows that I can count on a completely random basis after having a bite upstairs, then just wandering down - some of the artists I have seen in this way have become regular plays on my iPod.
Get there early, grab a table up close and experience something new - even if it's not your style, you will have a great story to tell after the fact
I'm a regular for Club D'elf! Â I love going to see this band once or twice a month on Thursday night. Â Amazing musicians and different every month, you never know what the sound might be!
The music is great. Â Intimate and comfortable. Â Good food and drinks. Â All around a really great place to hang out. Â
If you haven't been there, I'd suggest you check it out!
This is the perfect place for a small performance. Â The atmosphere is incredibly nice (the oriental rugs on the floor give a nice touch to the mix of seats and barstools). Â The beer selection is incredibly good as well, with both high quality stuff and the cheap classics (PBR!). Â Â And they've got a menu for food as well, which is always a good sign (I didn't try any of it, but I appreciated that they had it).
The best part of the place is the music area itself: Â on top of the atmosphere, the acoustics are good, and the shows are quite intimate.
Many may not know my slam name. It's Yellow Snow. Dig it? Cooo... My first experience seeing slam poetry in Boston (Cambridge) was at the Lounge. In fact, the first time I went I saw Yelper Kit Y. throw it down (something something about female toys something something.. heh). Strange enough a couple years later.. I'm Yelp Yelp Yelpin away and hey.. I know you!
I haven't performed there.. yet. Muhahaha
Lizard Lounge is in my top 5 list for best performance spaces in the greater Boston area. I've been here on regular nights for shows with both local and national acts. Dim lights, rugs, 2 person tables, cozy cozy feel. And great sound. The sound guys here usually walk around during the show to make sure everyone is getting the best musical experience. Local bassist extraordinaire Tom Bianchi hosts an Open Mic challenge on Monday with CA$H prizes. Sunday they have a poetry slam followed by a feature poet and The Jeff Robinson Trio followed by an open mic. LOVE the trio.
They've got a great beer selection, sweet potato fries I live for, and generally good bar food. The staff is awesome and the bartenders are super nice. Major plus = there's never a line for the bathroom because they have 3 unisex stalls. They definitely have their wear and tear but they're not as narsty as other places in Boston.
One complaint I've gotten is the red lighting. It gave one of my friend's an intense headache.. but I just put my Motown baseball hat on her and she was good to go. Booyah.
As another reviewer above already explained in some detail, Tom Bianchi's Lizard Lounge Monday Night Open Mike Challenge is a true treat. Â I play there every week, and nothing in the area's open mike scene matches it.
You can show up at 8 PM if you wish to not miss any music. Â 7:30 is when a musician who is not signed up already should venture over to see if room can be made. Â Tom is accommodating within the slack the night's signups permit him, particularly if you travelled from afar.
If you are a connoisseur of these things, the elements that make LL's open mike so extraordinary are:
1. Â Like Passim, it is a listening room, but only slightly less so. Â This means that you can have your beer and exchange quiet observations with your friends as to what you're hearing, but something more rambunctious might get you some looks imploring you to hold it in check. Â If you want a more boisterous night of the same, The Burren on Tuesday might meet your aims better.
2. Â This room has the best sound system in town, from a performer's perspective. Â Great monitors, and Tom, a fellow musician, at the board.
3. Â Tom himself. Â There are other good open mike hosts, but none of them really play a strong role in being an MC. Â Tom does, and this is a good thing. Â He is like Chuck Barris, but much MUCH more entertaining. Â As cutting as he can be, Tom is a sweetheart toward the musicians and establishes the mood where every performer is made to feel welcome and their strengths applauded no matter what weaknesses might come with them. Â
The food is pretty darn good. Â I like the "boneless chicken wings", which are very lightly fried. Â Get them BBQ style. Â The curly fries are also fantastic, but with nothing "light" about them.
Other nights of the week have different goings on. Â Most nights of gigging performance have an early act (no cover) and a late act from 9 or so on, where a cover charge is not uncommon.
I came here to see a friend's show and was instantly impressed by Lizard Lounge's flattering mood lighting- increasing the hotness is always a plus. Â
The venue itself feels unpretentious and intimate- Â even thought it's about three times the size of Toad down the street- with ten or so small circular tables surrounding the stage. Â You can order from the menu of the restaurant upstairs or just spend your evening lusting over the onion rings of the table to your right.
I recommend checking Lizard Lounge out if you want to take in some live music with a slightly older I-graduated-college-five-to-ten-years-ago crowd with a thirty something population mixed in there as well. Â It's one of the best music venues in Boston and definitely worth the epic ten minute walk from the T.
The Lizard Lounge feels like an opium den. Â And I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Â
I have only ever been here for their poetry slams (hi Kit!) Â but I will concur that they are an awesome venue for poetry. Â Even if you aren't a poet, come check it out - it's some of the best poetry in town, consistently, every week. Â Come be a judge. Â
If you are an poet, I have to warn you - as a poet, I find this place intimidating. I am not a strong performer, I am not a confident poet, and while I read regularly at the Amazon, I have only slammed at Lizard once, I think. Â It's intimidating, because everyone there is so good, and usually very, very intense. Â Sometimes a little pandering (as in, we don't need to hear how racism is bad, or domestic violence is bad, and how awesome you are because you speak out against it... tell us something new) Â but almost always very good. Â And that can be intimidating as a poet, but amazing as a listener. If this is true for you too, I, recommend starting off with their open mic, which is after the slam and the feature. Â It's a little less intimidating. Â
Come check it out.
We hit up an open mic here the other night to see my boy's friend Sarah Donner play. (Check her out on myspace, by the way!)
Anyways, it's a homey basement venue with the local lovable crazies who  seem to play at the open mic every week.
Their house white wine is delish and much cheaper than their other drinks by the looks of the other reviews!
I wish the seating was more comfy or more conducive to just...hanging out with a few friends to enjoy the music. It's more like audience seating, which, at times, makes things a bit awkward.
It's a pretty cool place to see a show...if you're lucky to get one of the two tables that is actually in the view of the stage and/or not behind one of the huge support poles.
My friend ordered one of the beers they had listed on draught to find out they didnt really have it and before he could say his next choice the bartender had moved on to serving someone else.
Overall they get cool acts in and HAVE tables which gets them three stars, otherwise, I wouldn't go out of my way.
Along with Toad, the Lizard is one of the great music rooms on the scene. Â It's got a great beer list, great acts, and a good staff. Â Always love when my favorites get a gig here.
Open Mike review:
Open Mike night is Monday, 7:30pm start.
This is the best open mike in the area for original performers. Â The format is modeled after the famous Eddie's Attic open mike in Georgia. Â It's a contest, or "Open Mike Challenge", which means every week there is a judge. Â Everyone plays 2 songs, and then three finalists are chosen to play one song each. Â A winner is then chosen from those.
There is a cover charge, which usually I'm against. Â It's $3 for performers, and $5 for non-performers. Â The winner actually gets paid CASH out of the door.
There is no feature, nor does the host play.
Now, for those of you who think this is gimmicky, or cheap, or not in the spirit of a true open mike, you would probably be correct if not for one thing: Tom Bianchi. Â
Tom is a legend on the scene and has hosted other open mikes before. Â He has managed to keep this room and this open mike alive with a great spirit of community, which is what an open mike should be about. Â He's warm and funny and genuine with each performer. Â He also givers out a couple random prizes each week...like "best drug reference". Â Fun.
I really can't say enough about this open mike. Â The talent level is high and everyone brings their 'A' game. Â Beginners are welcome by the host and by the crowd, but mostly you will find gigging musicians or experienced songwriters. Â The Lizard is definitely a listening room on Mondays, so don't plan to get into long and/or loud conversation. Â It's about the music.
This is an open mike I would recommend to music lovers just to go listen to. Â Now that's saying something.
Sign-ups in advance by email or myspace <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspace.com%2Flizardloungemonday&s=6ee9de150b63b5c1d2b39fe4fb6736c028a17a989c8253354c6158db5923ccca" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.myspace.com/l…</a>.  The list fills quickly.  Get in touch with Tom...
As a former Lizard Lounge Slam team member, I am biased, but seriously, there is not better venue for slam in Boston.
The LL houses jazz bands, poets, and other music on different nights, but I go on Sundays to congregate with my fellow poets.
I also LOVE the sweet potato fries and will die for them.
Paired with a good beer(which they always have) and some spoken word, and it's heaven.
Wow.
Cambridge Common can sometimes look a little depressed, especially on a Tuesday night, but it's a safe bet for a (veggie) burger and sweet-potato fries long past the average Boston bedtime.
I stumbled downstairs to see if there was anything still going on in the basement. Â The place was packed with gorgeous (Cambridge?) people listening to quirky but damn good music. Â I wouldn't have pegged myself as anything close to a country music fan, but I'll be back next week.
I like it! I like it!
I really need to go out and listen to more live music in Boston. Stopped here since Toad was jam packed (still determined to try that place though). Caught 3 sets... good music... ala John Mayer when he first started out (there's a notable difference vs. his stuff today) with added edge. Cool atmosphere. Loaded with fashionable hipsters plus normal folks. Quite a few local beers on tap too. Â
The only minuses...the place was realllly warm...and packed. Be prepared to stand. Didn't seem like they were controlling how many people came down. But maybe they were trying to collect as many $10 "covers" as possible.
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