Shine Square Pub

Hanging out in Boston on business and it's #WingWednesday! So I did some research which lead me to the Shine Square Pub in Cambridge, MA which is a little east-northeast of Boston. Here's how it went! Atmosphere/Appearance: It's a bit of a dive bar and there's nothing wrong with that at all. There's lots of seemingly random swag that covered the dark wooden/brick walls of the open floorplan style restaurant. There are lots of TVs and this place just gives off nice sports bar vibes! Service: Ron the bartender/owner himself was taking care of the entire restaurant so he was killing it! He still was quick, efficient, did things with a smile and still made time to chat! Food: I'm here for the wings and I was able to try out 4 flavors! There are 14 sauces to choose from, but I only had enough room for 4. Lol. First up were the Cinnamon Chipotle Dry Rub. They were a decent size, super juicy, crispy, cooked perfectly. The seasoning was a bit on the salty side and I didn't get a whole lot of cinnamon, but it was there to cut the sauce and give it a extra layer of flavor. Next up was the Honey Honey which had great sauce coverage. They gave me a bit of a grilled/caramelized feel. These had a good kick to them and the honey was blended in nicely. Next up were the Roasted Garlic & Aji! These had a more traditional flavor profile that reminded me of your favorite straight-up roasted chicken. Very class and very good. Lastly, was the hottest sauce on the menu, Chernobyl. These were a BRIGHT RED like a poison dart frog warning you not to eat it. Lol. It didn't smell too intimidating, but Ron did say it was a ghost pepper based wing. Upon tasting them, there was an immediate sensation of heat. Good, pepper-rich sweetness up front. These were very good, but not as spicy as I had predicted, which is totally okay! Value: You get 6 wings for $11.00. A little on the pricey side, but it's Boston, sort-of downtown, but it's okay! It's not bad at all and the food was totally worth it. I loved this place and I'm so happy I finally found a good wing spot here in the Cambridge area. I'll surely try some more flavors and other things from their menu!

From the minute we walked in the bar- service was phenomenal. It was football Sunday and the bartender Dave recommended seats for us where we could watch our teams game, he kept us hydrated, entertained and fed. We met great locals and loved it so much we came back for a night cap and late night nibbles. Great local spot where we were made feel very welcome- we’ll be back! Thanks Dave!

Our new favorite Boston bar! The food was great the regulars were friendly and welcoming. Dave behind the bar was awesome. So much fun we went for the game and then came back late night. Can’t recommend highly enough!

This is such a great spot in Cambridge for stellar service and a grub. The prices are insanely reasonably for the Boston area, you really can't go wrong! I am a big fan of the wings, I like them hot and these wings don't disappoint, plenty of beers and cocktails to wash them down! You will love your visit, highly recommend!

I was there on a friday night and my leather jacket got stolen. When I started looking for it the people working at the bar threw me and my friends out aggressively and basically threatened and forced us to leave. I came back a couple of days later and asked if I could see cctv, but the person at the bar working there told me it’s not possible. I asked why but he couldn’t give me a reason. He told me he had asked “every single person” who had been at the bar since whether they had seen the jacket, which didn’t sound authentic. Pretty weird, cannot recommend this bar.

Happened on this place by chance after Somerville's Porchfest, and was very glad we did. First off, unlike a lot of sports bars which have a few large screens and small screens scattered around, this has many small screens everywhere. This way, you're never out of view of a game. Saves your neck a lot of turning. Then, the drinks are pretty good. And they pour a beautiful glass of Guinness. The food was great, loved the fries with parmesan. Overall, an awesome place to grab a drink and watch the game with a couple of friends.

Friendly sports bar. Plenty of games on with cheap drinks and cheap food. Food isnt anything too special but it is good bar food if thats what youre looking for. I thought menu online was pre-covid years old bc of the price but nope they have 6$ apps and beers in the big year of 2025.

Great bar. Manager made us feel at home. Great place to watch sports (& I'm quoting my fiancée!)

This is such a great spot in Cambridge for stellar service and a grub. The prices are insanely reasonably for the Boston area, you really can't go wrong! I am a big fan of the wings, I like them hot and these wings don't disappoint, plenty of beers and cocktails to wash them down! You will love your visit, highly recommend!

Hanging out in Boston on business and it's #WingWednesday! So I did some research which lead me to the Shine Square Pub in Cambridge, MA which is a little east-northeast of Boston. Here's how it went! Atmosphere/Appearance: It's a bit of a dive bar and there's nothing wrong with that at all. There's lots of seemingly random swag that covered the dark wooden/brick walls of the open floorplan style restaurant. There are lots of TVs and this place just gives off nice sports bar vibes! Service: Ron the bartender/owner himself was taking care of the entire restaurant so he was killing it! He still was quick, efficient, did things with a smile and still made time to chat! Food: I'm here for the wings and I was able to try out 4 flavors! There are 14 sauces to choose from, but I only had enough room for 4. Lol. First up were the Cinnamon Chipotle Dry Rub. They were a decent size, super juicy, crispy, cooked perfectly. The seasoning was a bit on the salty side and I didn't get a whole lot of cinnamon, but it was there to cut the sauce and give it a extra layer of flavor. Next up was the Honey Honey which had great sauce coverage. They gave me a bit of a grilled/caramelized feel. These had a good kick to them and the honey was blended in nicely. Next up were the Roasted Garlic & Aji! These had a more traditional flavor profile that reminded me of your favorite straight-up roasted chicken. Very class and very good. Lastly, was the hottest sauce on the menu, Chernobyl. These were a BRIGHT RED like a poison dart frog warning you not to eat it. Lol. It didn't smell too intimidating, but Ron did say it was a ghost pepper based wing. Upon tasting them, there was an immediate sensation of heat. Good, pepper-rich sweetness up front. These were very good, but not as spicy as I had predicted, which is totally okay! Value: You get 6 wings for $11.00. A little on the pricey side, but it's Boston, sort-of downtown, but it's okay! It's not bad at all and the food was totally worth it. I loved this place and I'm so happy I finally found a good wing spot here in the Cambridge area. I'll surely try some more flavors and other things from their menu!

Best staff, sliders and cold beer! Parking can be tricky but place is pretty cool. Great music

Great food and service, bartenders are awesome. The classic slider is amazing, and the wings are slept on.Highly recommend, do not have keno.

A great place to watch a game and eat some grub. Lots of TVs, Boston spots memorabilia up, it's definitely a dive bar but it's pretty spacious tbh since they didn't pack us all in like sardines, has quick bar service, and the food was good too. All around a great time!

Scrumptious! Ido recommend the fries and the lighting is just to die for! Best place to eat and the best service I've ever seen.

I haven't been there in yrs. Did u buy this sports barrow another owner? I don't remember this name. Are u in porter sq.?

If you like a solid neighborhood bar, I'd say this is your place. Dark, loud, and lots of TV screens. We got there at 1140pm, about 5 minutes before last call for food. We quickly ordered some fried chicken sliders that tasted pretty good! Diet cokes, were off...kind of flat but guessing most folks go for the harder stuff. There was an argumentative customer sitting near us and I have to say that the bartender (owner?) really handled it well. Didn't escalate the situation and was firm but respectful with the customer. Kudos to you! I liked the sense of humor I saw on the bill where the suggested tip included 100%!

I am so glad I went to this place again (wasn't lucky enough the first time during a weekend as the place was at full capacity). Went in on a Thursday night. Ordered some beers, margarita, veggie slider and fries. The fries were extremely salty, they changed it for unsalted fries when we let them know. The veggie slider was great. Margarita was strong. If you are looking to have some drinks and have fun (specially on a game day), this is your place. I'll surely visit again. Great food, extremely good service. Highly recommended.

Love this place!! Great little sports bar with lots of TVs. Food and drinks are good and very reasonably priced (love the fried pickles!) Good service and fun vibes would definitely come here again!

Big fan of the chicken and sliders. A small menu done right! Great beer selection. Bartenders make you feel welcome. Comfortable atmosphere.

Favorite bar in North Cambridge! Friendly staff/customers, good vibe, not too loud for talking, affordable price. I like that the place always has just right amount of crowd, as I'm usually not a fan of crowded bar.

I've been to this bar three times now and have witnessed the owner/bartender being disrespectful and rude to customers. I gave this place a few chances, but it's safe to say I won't be going back.

I came here on a Saturday night. The place had a classic sports bar vibe. The drinks menu was pretty solid and the food was above average for a pub. The kitchen stayed open relatively late and everything was reasonably priced. I would go back if I ended up in Porter Square at night.

If you like good bar food in a neighborhood atmosphere, this is your place. We were in town to see our Phillies play. The bartender was nice enough to put the game on when we visited on our first night. The sliders were delicious. I had the blackened chicken sliders. A little spicy. but delicious. I then opted for the BLT slider. So good. Great beer choices also!

Not a lot to go on, so can't really commit to the fifth star, yet. Popped in for a couple of beers. A nice draft selection, though they could stand to be a little colder. Slight hipster vibe, maybe, but during the day, it's a nice, relaxed place to hang. Seems clean. Limited food menu, but some nice sauces and rubs (apparently) for the wings, and they have other decent-seeming appetizers, a burger, etc. Simple menu, but often simple is good. Will definitely try the grub soon. Bartender Dylan was on. I'm an old square and he's a young dude with a man bun, so I was skeptical (OK, prejudiced) in the way many middle-aged men are. But he turned out to be a super nice guy. Informative, without being too chatty. I was one of three people in the place (odd time -- 2 p.m.) when I walked in, and was the only customer left when I walked out, so I can't vouch for service when it gets busy. Lots of TVs. A pinball machine and one of those hunting video games, I think (unless it was Golden Tee -- I wasn't really paying attention). Didn't need to shake hands with the unemployed, so I have no intel on the cleanliness of the bathrooms, but my wager is they're OK. Prices higher than at the Newtowne, but the place has definitely been updated a little more recently. Still, very confortable barroom -- not precious, like so much in Cambridge.

Really dope spot. The dry rub wings alone are enough to go back, but on top of that the staff absolutely rocks. Sliders were ehh tho but everything else was bussin

I love this bar so friggin much. Dave, Ron, and Mike are running a great show - they're fantastic company and the food is delicious. Best fare at any pub I've been into in the area. The wings and chicken sliders are just SO DAMN GOOD. And the beer selection is great too - they've got everything from specialty craft beers (the Maine Lunch is my personal favorite) to your solid fallbacks like PBR and Bud Light (I prefer Miller honestly but I think I can forgive them on this one given everything else they've got going). More than anything though, they've made this bar into a neighborhood sort of joint. They go out of their way to make you welcome, and they'll remember your name when you come back. I'd be here every night of the week if I could!! Check it out, friends!! You won't regret it.

Great food, Great TVs, Great fun Bartenders, Great Sports atmosphere...very decent prices. Because of all this, I am now a regular there.

Best sports bar in Somerville. Dave and the guys will always greet with with a smile and a good conversation. Sliders a great as well.. Come meet the guys make it a regular occurrence. Classic Boston bar that is also inclusive.

Great Atmosphere to watch a game. Owners are the the dudes. Chicken Parm and Po Boy Sliders are crave worthy. Best in town.

Love the service, food and ambiance. Owned and operated with some amazing guys. You'll be sure to be entertained

The bartender here was insanely disrespectful to our group. It was 12:30am and we asked for a water and beer. Apparently he was done pouting water for the night and immediately responded with an aggressive attitude. Whole family almost got in a brawl with this guy, and luckily for him, cooler heads prevailed and we left. Please skip this spot and spend your money elsewhere.

Was in the area so decided to stop by to watch the Thursday night game and have a beer and had an absolute blast. The food is surprisingly good and beers are reasonably priced. The owner/bartender Dave had a great personality and was super friendly.

Only go here if you want to have a great time, smile a lot, drink well-made cocktails, meet some fun loving bartenders, and eat some damn good food. Otherwise, you might not dig it. This is a great spot to catch the game, or just catch up with an old friend. Trust me, you'll have a good time!!

If you're looking for a clean efficient and exquisite food experience this is your stop. Whether it's the head chef Mike behind the kitchen or the two bar geniuses Ron and Dave you're in good hands. I've been here hundreds of times every time my food came out fast is fresh and tasted amazing. For no added charge at all to get to hang out with three really solid guys will have you laughing and enjoying a great meal after some crazy dark times during quarantine. So don't make yourself scarce they follow the full mask guidance of the CDC fully disinfect and they offer takeout food and drinks they also have dine in with ample social distancing table arrangements !!! Don't miss out go see the guys at shine Square today! Writing this with one hand because I'm currently enjoying an order of the mango habanero chicken wings and one of Dave's famous margaritas. Seriously you have to eat here

By far the best sports bar in the Boston area. Sight lines to all TVs are top notch, and the bar staff is super friendly. If you go there more than once, they know your name and usual drink order. Trivia on Wednesdays is super fun, in house rather than the standard cookie cutter fare. If you want to come watch a game, come here. If you don't, still come here.

This place is the best! The food is delicious and fun. They have great sliders and wings! The team there does everything they can to make the experience enjoyable. They are also super conscious of sanitizing properly and keeping their patrons safe during the pandemic. My favorite place to go!

This pub is one of the best! Always a friendly face to greet you, and remember you by name. Drinks are great, food is yummy and atmosphere is always a blast. It's great to see them still open during the pandemic which speaks to how many returning customers they have and what a great place it is!

The great Don Henley once said, "if you call some place paradise kiss it goodbye." So I was understandably hesitant to write this review. But Mike, Ron, and Dave deserve the business and the word needs to be spread. If you hate fun - keep walking. If you enjoy expensive drinks - you may have a reservation at the Five Horses. However, if you enjoy supporting a few local guys putting out great food and drinks at reasonable prices then stop by the Shine Square Pub for a few.

Great bar. Low key. Good food. Get the tenders. Very crispy. It's easy to get a seat any time of day and have a conversation. The bartenders are super attentive and I guarantee you will have a great time here.

My favorite bar! My friend and I happened upon this bar mid-Bruins season, and we were so excited to find a place that had a game-worthy atmosphere. We watched as many games as we could there. Now, into the summer I still love to pop in and grab some dinner and a few drinks. The food is DELICIOUS. The bartenders are super fun & friendly. There's always something going on whether it's a drink promotion, a silly event, trivia, or just Dave showing us his best magic/bar tricks. Stop by this place if you want to have a good time, a tasty meal, and a great drink. You won't want to leave!

Was visiting from Texas and stumbled upon this sports bar. Never had such a great time. We were there on Wednesday when they had a trivia night. Fun, fun, fun. The owners treated us as if we were loyal customers and of course made us feel right at home. The Cheers saying everyone knows your name applies to here. We toured New England and spent our last night in Cambridge, a Wednesday, before catching our plane home. Of course we immediately went back to the Shine for trivia night and Ron the bartender remembered our names and what we were drinking. Great times and will return. Love you guys.

Great vibe and food! The service was fantastic, very friendly and hospitable. Would definitely go back!

Best bar in Boston. Plenty of TVs, always willing to put the game on, cheap pitchers of Miller, great food, and the bartenders (Dave, Mike, Ron, and Dylan) are all great guys. If you're looking for somewhere to hang out, relax, and have a good time, this is it.

This place is the best place to watch a game, event, news, whatever. Staff caters to whatever you want and adjusted the menu to help with COVID Guidelines. Serving individual sliders for under $5.

Beers, drinks, sports, food. Everything you want. Nothing you don't. Don't over think it. The go-to bar in porter / Davis

Stopped into this location with friends while visiting family. Not only would the bartender barely service us (too busy speaking to his friends I guess) but he wouldn't even acknowledge our presence. They were all taking shots together. Which to each his own but it's frustrating when you are being ignored. Mediocre at best.

This is my favorite bar in Cambridge! Low-key but fun and friendly with great drinks and an awesome owner!!

Great laidback sports bar with a ton of TVs. Solid rotating draft list and killer wings.