Beat Brasserie. Review

Great live jazz music here a couple nights a week. If you have and out of state license bring your passport because they don't always accept non-mass ID's.

Live show was enjoyable, and food was satisfactory.

Good food, good service, good atmosphere, and often good music. It can be a little crowded on the weekends but takes reservations and it is worth planning ahead.

Very nice atmosphere, and music. Food was good however very few options to choose from---this was for brunch so maybe for dinner they have more options? Overall good place to enjoy a nice meal.

The Beat Brasserie was my absolute favorite place for jazz brunch, and we would go every time there was a special occasion. They always had a different kind of amazing coffee cake every time we went, my wife always got the bowl azteca, and I usually ordered the quiche since they would grill it upside down for a second to make both sides crispy while the interior remained fluffy. My daughter and I would go dance to the music after coffee cake and before the main meal. It was perfect.

Then they changed everything. The coffee cake is off the menu, as are the bowl azteca and the quiche. The prices have always been high, but worth it; at our last meal there, however, not a single person liked their food and it was all way overpriced. There's also no more jazz brunch: they've substituted big TV screens in all the corners instead. When I asked them to turn the TV right above us off, since my toddler was so distracted she wouldn't even eat, the management actually told me NO, even though there wasn't anyone else in there!!!

It's as if they took a survey of all the things that were good about the Beat Brasserie and made sure to destroy them when they re-branded, introducing a bunch of aspects that make it inhospitable for families. I'm guessing they are trying to draw in some frat boy crowds, but let's be honest, the frat boys are going to go someplace where plates are less than $15, so all they've really done is make sure that I never come back. It's a dam shame.

Loved the cocktails, loved the bar menu (pork belly and buffalo cauliflower). Best of all, the band Gold chain baby was fantastic. Music wasn't too loud, which made the evening out enjoyable!

It's a really nice looking place, been there several times since it has opened, but once again left with a poor experience. Went in for a Sunday brunch to meet friends. There was great music playing and the atmosphere was cool, but once again, had the bartender forget my drink order, took about 10 minutes for a bloody maria after I asked again and eventually made by someone else on the staff .
This place seems to eat up bartenders. The first few months it was open, they had some really skilled, amiable bartenders, but they all left one by one.
As for the brunch, the duck comfit egg was amazingly salty. Burn the back of your throat salty. I switched with the girl I was with and forced it down because I was so hungry (regrettably) but my friend could not finish my eggs Benedict for the same salty reason. I mentioned it to the bartender and he told me he would tell the kitchen, but I somehow doubt it.
The brunch for 3 people, 5 drinks and three meals came out 98 bucks. Once again, not impressed and will not speak highly of the place. Which makes me sad, because of such squandered potential.

The vodka cranberry is pretty good here. The grub is also tasty and goes well with the drinks. Lastly, this place has a shuffle board!! I love playing shuffle board occasionally and enjoy that there's one here! I would definitely recommend swinging by for a drink, some food, and the shuffle board!

We went to get some live music vibe to Beat Brew Hall. The band was great! Lively music as well as a small space for people who want to get up and dance. We had a mix of both vegetarian and meat eaters at our table. The Buffalo cauliflower was amazing( hot, tangy and everything you would wish for) and the flat bread was okay. Our meat eating friends ordered a burger and ribs which was 4 stars according to them. There was a decent selection of beers, cocktails and wine. They also have some bar games like Jenga and battleship. Would I go there again???? DEFINITELY, YES!

Great place for brunch, especially if you go early. Plenty of tables, good service, diverse and tasty menu.

Great experience, good selection of beer, and service was fantastic! The bloody Mary is what I ordered to drink and it was awesome!

Service was slow, but the food was the main offender. Two lackluster entrees in the skirt steak salad and the haddock. The big Aztec black shrimp bowl was pretty tasty, but keep in mind it was 24 dollars. Great atmosphere, maybe just come for drinks and live music

Just went to grab a bite. The seating hostess informed me of the Thanksgiving menu that is a fixed price of $60 but I was informed that I can sit at the bar front and back and order individual items from the Thanksgiving menu. I go to the back bar as the front was full and then told rudely by a ginger haired bartender that I couldn t sit at the bar and there was no other seating available at the front bar. Mind you the back room had people and the back bar had the only bar seats. I m not sure what type of running gag that was but pretty lousy.

The place became terrible recently. New Interior design sucks. We were told the late night menu will be available after 10pm but after placing the order the waiter told us that it s actually not available. My beer wasn t cold and they were out of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Can it get any worse than that???

Nice environment, play jazz at brunch on weekends. Good food and good selection of drinks.

Only had one drink here because it was really overpriced

The place got pretty packed later in the evening and they had a live band that played a few songs. Drinks and cocktails were standard price. I thought the combo house lager + Jameson shot was a good deal. After a misunderstanding over broken glassware, the manager was cordial and professional. Props to that guy in the bow tie! He took a potential problem and made it a positive experience

Neat spot! The brunch food is good, and the cocktails are interesting. We tried to go back on an evening for the multi-person cocktail bowl, but they were closed for a private event.

Nice club in Harvard Sq. in which you can have very good cocktails listening good live music. It's a nice place to meet new people.

Dinner for two. Great service - waiter was very attentive and helped us make good cocktail choices. We had the tuna tartare, bison bolognese and a burger. Great live music, though a little on the loud side. If you want to converse easily, if suggest sitting in the back half of the main dining hall.

A unique American Mediterranean food selection with a sort of New Orleans atmosphere to it. I like the food!

nice atmosphere especially when live music is on...it's bustling...plus it has good lighting. don't expect to be able to engage in any real conversation or hear every word your friends are saying though, just enjoy the atmosphere. food? sort of an afterthought...they try though.

I went in with a friend who already knew this place as one of the most fun places in the area. They have live music with awesome bands, great drinks and a really cool atmosphere all together. It has a sort of vintage feel and the service is great. You should come here

Fun place that often has live music. Great atmosphere. Big, but often crowded.

Great music, there are games to play and other guests were very friendly

I liked the atmosphere, drinks were well crafted; delicious. Great comfort food, and good portion sizes. Consistently great musicians. Note this is not a hotel. I did not give them 5 stars and I was close to giving them 3 despite these great qualities. This is because, with a vibe like that, and drinks; people really like to dance, and have room to move around and socialize. There is absolutely no space to do this. There a huge space in front of the stage for this, but it is filled with crammed in dining tables right up to the front of the stage. My suggestion, since of course they need to make money off of dining is at a certain point in the evening to move tables to the side, and open up some free space for this. Every other club of this type in the city has dance space and they get packed. Also, I would move the price of the food and drinks from 2 stars to 3.

OK cocktails and good food, but great music and atmosphere.

The beer selection is unbeatable in Boston. The fried chicken plate anchors the food menu. The staff and management are phenomenal. All in all this place is a destination.

Good vibe. Couldn't provide me with the basic drink I ordered because of missing liquor (Crown Royal)

They cater to the sloppy, drunk fools with no taste for food or alcohol. Servers are aggressive and unwelcoming. Drink and food is unoriginal and tasteless.

Great menu taste and health wise! Tasty and great service too!

Gorgeous food, extraordinary cocktails, spectacular live music and wonderful atmosphere!

Monday night is trivia night!! Spencer is great - you can come for the trivia and be pleased by a great selection of beer. I did get a long island iced tea here that wasn't the best - but it is a beer hall after all!

It s a big place and tucked under the main streets of Harvard Square, but the prices of the drinks do not justify spending much time here.

Very warm atmosphere and the live music is upbeat and enjoyable

Large, open floor plan jazz lounge. Attentive and knowledgeable bar tenders. I plan to go back often!

Great selection of beers, wines, and solid tasting food but pricey. Nice ambiance and live music is a plus.

Great staff, amazing atmosphere, tasty food, and delicious booze!!"

Fun bar with decent drinks. The cocktail variety isn't quite as good as some other places, and the prices are a bit high for the quality, but it's a big fun place with a decent aesthetic in a part of town with far too few bars.

Awesome location in the heart of Harvard square. Often, great musicians. Middle of the road, drinks and food.

Good place for a drink at night. Not a huge college crowd like many of the bars in the area.

Cozy place to mingle with friends/co workers afterwork

Good vibes. Nice location. Overpriced and beware of bait and switch with beers.

Awesome atmosphere, but staff can be full of themselves.

I sat at the bar here for an hour alone before my friends came for our reservation (Valentine's day - reservations should always be made for v-day, if you want to eat). I listened and watched the servers and bartenders while I sipped on a few glasses of beer (very welcome suggestion from one of the servers - Battery Street Kineo, which was really good - hoppy and cloudy, but still lighter and had a nice clean finish - could drink that all night). They obviously care about their jobs and were looking to make the customer's experience a good one.

Our server was excellent. The fries are incredible. We will definitely return!

Fun spot with a cool interior; great for a group night out for drinks. Didn't try the food, but they had a good drink selection. Nice spot to hang out.

I liked it, it's cool, it has games, good beers. French fries have a lot of oil.

This place is a rip off. Save your money. They constantly over charge and try to add additional dollars to the bill. Buyer beware! The food sucks and the band just yells nonsense the whole night. I REPEAT DO NOT GO HERE! Over priced GARBAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great place for food people are friendly wait staff is friendly atmosphere is life

Nice venue but the portions (small but good) and prices (high) are mismatched with the overall vibe of a beer hall. Was better in it's previous iteration.

Unique, delicious appetizers and entres; an excellent, attentive staff, and a cool name!

Good eats and decor; often great music - but you cant hear em cause the restaurant and bar are way too loud ;-(

They changed their menu a while back, I'm not happy with the new choices, specifically the chicken

I love this place for the location. But for some reason in Boston the quality of the music it is much better.
I order nachos and the name it is fancy nachos. Really?
You guys kill the food, with vegetables on the top and lime?

Also the portions size it is too small and priced.

Great up scale bar perfect for a classy night out without feeling like you have to wear a monocle. Great mixed drinks as well as a decent selection of beer.

We love this place and come here before every Sinclair show!!! Great staff, amazing atmosphere, tasty food, and delicious booze!! Or visa versa.... You'd be a fool to pass by....

Fun and trendy bar. Great food, good cocktails and fantastic live music. A gem in Harvard Square.

Great drinks, food and fun atmosphere!!! It can get quite loud here but if you enjoy that it is a lively spot. Can also get quite pricey.

Cute little basement restaurant and bar right in Harvard Square. Wandered in for a drink and an app. Excellent draft selection. They also happen to carry my favorite cider - bRose by Citizens Cider. It s grossly overpriced at $12 for a 12 oz can which is what keeps this establishment from a full 5 stars. I guess they have to keep the lights on! Service was fantastic. I will probably be back.

They either billed me $30 extra for things we didn t order or they changed the tip from 20% to 40% after the fact. Never going back.

Food was excellent however the wait staff was slow to respond. Music was very loud as was the restaurant itself. Would have liked a chair with a back. Location is good and easy to find.

Love the vibe of Beat. Not to mention the delicious weekend brunch!

Great food (the duck pasta is good), live music is always a hit and the vibe is great (maybe don't sit right at the front for your ears' sake)

Just stumbled into this spot. Really enjoyed the live music! Can't wait to come back

We went on a Wednesday night, and it was pretty dead. They had a good beer selection though and plenty of games. The music they played was perfect.

No dancing... but the bands they have a phenomenal! Drinks are Harvard Square posh prices. Haven't had the food, yet but it smells fantastic.

Great music, though it's a bit like Footloose because they don't allow dancing :(

Owned by the same people as The Beehive, this is also a space with live music, a large bar, and a good amount of tables. You will experience a wait on weekend nights and the drinks are fine as are the food. I think it's a cool spot to grab a drink with friends.

Funky setting for inventive cocktails and wine on tap. Fun food as well.

This was one of my favorite bars in Harvard before they changed from a lounge to a beer hall. The ambiance, food and alcohol selection went downhill. For food, our meals were mediocre at best (bbq short rib and duck risotta, which was the better of the two. Bbq was too sweet and sticky rice wasnt sticky). The drinks, took 5 requests before we found one they had on tap, and ambiance, they put a wall up in the middle between the band and the rest of the hall... it cuts it off. The staff were nice enough, no complaints there.

Cool little place hidden away really nice decor and a great atmosphere

A great place for drinks with a nice atmosphere in Harvard Square. The Beat commonly has wonderful live jazz bands. It is a bit pricey, but well worth the price.

One of my favorite places. I come in 45 minutes from the south to go here. Good food, drinks, atmosphere, and live music..highly recommended

music is not good. service is not good. food is less than ok.