The Sinclair

the venue is cute and intimate, however with the brick flooring your feet will get very tired very fast, so comfortable shoes are a must. I'm also not sure if this was just for the show that I was at, but being 3-4 rows from the stage will make it feel like you're getting flash-banged from the stage lights. The building is shared with a club (Glitter Boys) so beware that anyone setting the smoke alarm off in one will cause an evacuation in the other

Gone down to the Sinclair 3 times in the past 3 years, all 3 times for Carbon Leaf. Great venue, always very clean, the staff sometimes can seem a bit abrupt/offputting. But considering they are in the heart of Cambridge I can't blame them for their attitude towards the general populace. No real complaints about the place. No on site parking but there is paid parking just across the way from it.

I'm 60 years old with gray hair. They check IDs for everyone, including me. I only had a foreign ID, but that wasn't enough to be allowed to buy a drink. Fine. But then protocol is to write a big black X, ON BOTH HANDS WITH TOXIC SHARPIE. So this is a warning to any foreigner planning a visit here, you need to show a passport or YOU WILL BE DENIED A DRINK AND A BIG X WILL BE DRAWN ON BOTH HANDS. REGARDLESS OF AGE. After this trip, I will never go back.

I went here for a Talib Kweli show. I enjoyed the place. It’s a small set up but good enough to enjoy yourself without bumping into people. Like every show drinks are pricey but they have a good selection.

First time there. Never thought I’d be standing front row at the country concert when two other ladies/bystanders stole 2 of the hats I brought from home behind my back. This happened near the end of the show and before I knew it was too late because they scurried out of the venue. Disappointed and hurt because nobody should be a victim of theft. Especially at a concert where you love music. Never again.

Capacity 525 people. Great venue in Harvard Square for new and upcoming artists. Just saw Livingston there. Parking across street arrive early as it fills up.

I had the best experience here. Went to see Meg Myers and the whole package was better than I expected. From the parking right across the street to the smaller intimate venue. The sound quality was superb and the viewing area was perfect. I love nothing more than to see some of my favorite acts here in this establishment. The entry was so easy and the folks were so friendly. I can't say enough good things. It was perfect.

Good time. 3 bars. Upstairs and downstairs bathrooms. Ga is good viewing but it did get packed later on

One of my favorite things about seeing shows is checking out new venues. There is something about a music venue that really enhance the experience, especially when it is small and intimate. The Sinclair does just that. I recently went to the Sinclair, as a favorite artist of mine was performing there. The venue itself is amazing. Upon walking in, you feel like you are in an underground venue with the dark lighting. The venue has two sections; one section with a bar, coat check, and bathrooms, and then the actual stage area that has elevated standing room or standing room by the stage. There is not a bad spot to stand within the venue, as it is small. The staff and bartenders were incredibly nice and made sure things were organized. And it was convenient that there was one bar in each section of the venue, so that you could order a drink without leaving the stage section. Overall, the Sinclair was a solid music venue, and I would definitely be excited to go back for another show!

Honestly this is the best venue in the greater Boston area for me. Very few spots where you can't see the bands. Every show Ive seen here has been wonderful.

I am writing this review for the music venue. The venue is extremely well run and gets so many points from me. The interior is great with multiple areas to hang out in and a mezzanine. There are several bars and reasonably priced selection of 16oz beers and seltzers. Fast and friend service. The lighting, sound, and intimacy of the stage and proximity to the band is perfect. If you're looking to see a band in an intimate but not tiny space this is a fantastic option. Also they allow re-entry which is very cool if you want some fresh air between sets. Door staff were also excellent getting people into the venue quickly and securely while making everyone feel comfortable. Rare to find a venue that hits in all these fronts. Highly recommend checking out a show here.

Cool Warm Club We didn't eat here, so can't vouch for the food. But as far as a concert venue, it was nice. I liked the atmosphere there. There was limited seating upstairs if someone needed it, otherwise the event we went to was general admission and standing room. Go Donny Benet!!! Thanks

I came here to see my cousins band play. I thought it was a pretty nice venue with a main area in front of the stage and then a mezzanine around three of the 4 sides, so you could go to different areas for different vibes. There are three bars, all with a water station. One is in the main lobby area, another to the side on the floor in front of the stage, and one on the mezzanine. The bathrooms were also very clean and there was one in the lobby area, and one on the mezzanine.

I worked for a music venue for quite some time, so I know how venues tend to absorb the character of the current show & therefore are not fully responsible for the vibe of the night. We went to see Tinariwen last night (a show we've been looking forward to for months) & it was such a pleasant experience. Tinariwen is an iconic group. The fans were respectful & kind. The energy of the venue was buzzing with happiness & celebration. It would've been a great show even if it were in a empty parking lot. The Sinclair absorbed all of that good energy, but can't take credit for Tinariwen's vibe. HOWEVER, it's clear that underneath all of that good stuff, The Sinclair is still just a solid venue. Yes, the show would've been great if it were in a parking lot, but it was spectacular because it was at The Sinclair. - Beautiful entrance & marquee - Talented sound techs - Clean bathrooms - LGBTQ respectful - Friendly bartenders - Variety of choices at the bar - Multiple different levels for different vantage points THANK you for bringing Tinariwen to Boston. I was able to witness something truly remarkable because of The Sinclair. I won't forget it.

I've been here a few times but I went recently and had a great experience! The staff were very friendly, both at the bar and at merchandise table. The drinks were a typical price for the area. The venue is a smaller room so it feels intimate inside! Can't wait to see more shows there in the future!!

It's no Santorini but it's where Donny Benet was playing. First off- thank you Sinclair for booking Benet! What a cool opportunity to see this Australian music teacher who has hit it 'big'(on a low level.) The venue is nestled into a side alley in Harvard Square. This means its pretty cool to head to the area park, go eat and bar hop before and after shows. Optimal options for success here. Thats what we did! Upon entering the Sinclair it was pain to download another app for the tickets but you do what you have to do. Caution to those who hit too many bars ahead of time- a series of stairs are needed to get up before entering the establishment. We get inside and there's a bar and a merch table before entering into the music hall. (This won't pertain to many shows but it was super cool that the man Mr. Bonet was selling his own merch. Super smart on his behalf and just downright cool. Great photo opps occurred.) Also in this main room, loved the old style subway wall with The Sinclair added in like a stop on the red line. The music venue I thought was a decent size but some call it more intimate. Either way You had the opportunity to head to the front and get close, hang on the side and have a great view, linger in the back and still have a great view. After I got home, i did review the photos and videos- realized what didn't bother me was the overhang made an appearance and altered my videos. I didn't affect me live and in person but just an FYI to others...

This is a great place to see music, small and intimate. But the beer prices are outrageous. i got a single 16 oz craft beer and with tip it cost over $22. If the prices were posted that would be ok but they are not, so I was pretty surprised it cost so much.

Could've used a couch against the wall up in the mezzanine section, but otherwise a nice venue. Parking right across the street is convenient if they have openings.

I went to the Sinclair for the John B. concert. The ambience was amazing and the show was great. Drinks were good and service was good. The bartender went over and beyond to satisfy the customers.

Saw a show at The Sinclair on Saturday night. It was a fun atmosphere at this smaller venue, which I would return to for the right show. Quality: A decent venue and one of the better ones I have been to in Boston. While it was a bit snug for a sell-out show, there was still enough space to easily fit everyone into the main room. The design was okay, but since it was small it avoided a lot of crowd problems. Sound quality was good, however could have done more to pump sound into the bar area. Quantity: Small to mid-tier venue, can host around 500. Value: Depends on the show, and can skyrocket for sell-outs. Ambiance: The Sinclair is a music venue located in Harvard Square. It appears to have an attached restaurant, but we went just for a show. When you enter they have a bar area, which also included the merchandise table. The second larger room contained the stage and two additional smaller bars. There was an upstairs horseshoe overlooking the stage. While I wish the main floor had a bit more of a slope, it still provided decent views. Crowd: Sold out show, and the floor in front of the stage was packed. Service: Coat check line was a mess, but security and the bar moved quickly. Parking: Tough to find nearby parking in this busy area.

Awesome smaller venue that has a hole in the wall feel while actually being set up for a real concert! Great lighting and sound, and looked like there were plenty of options at the bar. We saw Here Come the Mummies and Quadrapeg and I'm looking for another show to come back to!

I didn't eat here, so I can't review the food. I've been to this venue a couple times before for concerts, more than 5 years ago. The venue itself is fine-- cozy, sounds decent, clean. The bartender was awesome, very friendly and upbeat. The venue and bartender are the reason I'm giving it 2 stars. The other staff though-- wow, I have never been to a more unfriendly/unwelcoming venue. The website said they have a "seasonal coat check." But this is New England, where weather is fickle. Yes, the calendar says it's early May. Mother Nature says it's early April...it was 47* and raining outside. We had raincoats or light jackets, and nowhere to put them. We asked politely if there was a coat check and the response was given in a very curt/rude tone. I get that it's supposed to be "seasonal", but read the room; the forecast was known for days. But the coat check being closed was not the real problem, it was the staff members attitude while answering our question. Then when the show ended, the staff was insanely pushy about herding us out of the stage area. Like, within 3 minutes of the show ending. Our friend was drinking a couple cups of water next to the water dispenser (she was parched after dancing and cheering all night), and we were waiting for her literally 5 feet from the steps leading down the stairs to the lobby. A staff member told us to exit the room so they could clean up. His tone was fine, not super polite but not rude. When my friend said "yeah, we're just waiting for our friend," his tone changed to a sort of sarcastic one: "Yup, and you can wait for them in the lobby." I get that it's a small venue, but we don't leave friends behind in a crowded place. We don't separate from each other without communicating where we'll meet up. TLDR: the bartender was great and the venue was fine. The staff members we interacted with were unfriendly. We will only return to The Sinclair if it's for a show by one of our absolute favorite artists, because we will have no other option.

Had a great spot up top and an HOUR in they ask us to move for accommodation seating. fuck the sinclair and the people who show up an hour late. if the seats were there to begin with no big deal but are you serious? fuck this place.

We went to see Livingston for my niece's 23rd birthday. The performance was excellent, but they put the ADA seats up a flight of stairs, and the ASL interpreters were way up high in a corner, so those of us who are deaf or hard of hearing had to either turn to watch the ASL *OR* watch the performers. We also were unable to see the keyboard. It was a very poor experience as far as ADA goes. The venue was fine, but I think they oversold because it was REALLY tight!

This may have been one of the worst experiences I have ever encountered. Their staff was rude and out of line. I would not come back here ever again. This may be the worst place I have ever been in Boston. Please go elsewhere trust me.

I got kicked out of entering the glitter boys because because I was trying to make the line that i stood in for an hour fun. 30 minutes before I got to the front of the line I picked up a can that had been littered and started throwing it up in the air for my friend to shoot at with her laser pointer keychain. Mind you I only did this like 4 times. The bouncer waited until I got to the front of the line after waiting an hour to say that I wasn't allowed into the venue for throwing a can. Also I recycled the can afterwards. Like at least tell me before I wait another 30 minutes...literally wasted a whole night in that line. Disappointing because I really used to like the glitter boys and they would've enjoyed playing my game I just know It.

I've been here many times under many different circumstances, yet one thing remains the same. The security guards hate women. They must hate young woman, because it's the only way to explain the ludicrous behavior they exhibited against us. I truly have never felt less appreciated as a human being than at the Sinclaire by their security guards. I hope this establishment changes their ways, because they truly ruined my night with their excessive rudeness and tenacious disrespect.

My wife and I are older and each has spinal issues that prevent us from being in most modern clubs, standing and being pushed throughout the show. Knowing this, the people at the Sinclair guided us to an elevator and took us to reserved seating upstairs along the side. After the show, which was fantastic, they came back to guide us to the elevator and safely outside. This was a remarkable display of care from a venue that does not need our business, and it ensured our positive feedback and return when possible.

Security is absolutely inhumane. They ruined my friend group's night for absolutely no reason and tricked us into paying by saying the whole group would get in soon - 1.5 hours later and half of us were still waiting in the freezing cold.

Amazing venue. Great place to see any band. Good views from everywhere. Seen so many great band here!

Still steadily one of the better venues for a concert in Boston. Room size is perfect for a more intimate experience and the sound is always well mixed. Bar tenders and staff always professional and efficient. Have yet to try to restaurant next door

The staff has 0 human decency. A women was recently drugged and calling out for help to the staff. They did nothing.

I've only heard good things about the Sinclair. A refreshing alternative to some of the other run-of-the-mill bars that saturate the Boston nightlife scene, the Sinclair has a reputation for good performers, time-warp discos, and a fun crowd. I'd agree with most of that. My main complaint and why I won't be going back soon? The hour and half I waited outside in the freezing cold rain to get into this place. Once inside, the 90 minutes of my life I'll never get back, the contracted trench foot, the communal boo'ing of large groups who were "on the guest list" skipping the snaked line were not at all made worth it. The line was told that the club was "at capacity" and that's why it was moving so slowly. It literally felt like that scene from It's Always Sunny when Mac and Charlie try to get into this elite pool club (with more than enough room) only to be told that they're at capacity, in which the two leave and get stranded in a barren hole that once had a diving pool filling it. I might've enjoyed that more than the Sinclair this night. At capacity, yet accepting droves of glittered guest list parties. At capacity, yet once you make it inside, the place is half full. At capacity, yet there's enough space to park about two and half mini vans on the dance floor. It sounds dramatic, I know. That's because it is. Cool vibe and place for sure but a hellish 90-minute line is acceptable for the RMV and the RMV only.

The Sinclair is a great place for shows and is easily one of my favorite larger venues. I've seen multiple bands play here (Tigers Jaw, Wild Nothing, The Hotelier, Bouncing Souls) and the sound is great every single time. The Sinclair seems to be really on top of their game when it comes to encompassing different sounds and such. They have a standing area on the ground level as well as a standing area on the second floor! You can get awesome views of the stage from the top level, especially if you're on the lefthand side! The middle standing area (top level) is okay, but you can run the risk of getting your view obscured by someone if they're standing in front of you. The lighting they use is great, but during one of my visits last summer, I found them to be too glaring- especially from where I was standing (very up front ground level, on the left)! They have a bar (PBR is $5) which is directly across from the merch tables so it can get a bit crowded sometimes, especially post-show. Definitely try to catch a show here when you can! They also have a restaurant here so you can get your pre-show dining on, but I've never tried it. There are lots of restaurants around the area, though!

Strolling down the sidewalk... I joined the decently long line extending out from the Sinclair's doors. Thrilled by the mild February temps that night, the line steadily shortened as the Sinclair's neon sign lit the way. The Sinclair is a restaurant and music-venue. What's better than food AND live tunes? This review focuses on the venue only. At the top step to the venue, a few employees were efficiently checking ID's and wristbanding guests. Security came next. In no time, I found myself indoors. The somewhat dated, worn interior gave the place its initial charm. Everything is well signed, from the bathroom to the mezzanine. The stage area had a cool vibe to it. Space on the upper and lower levels to stake out a spot for the show. Seems to be a great view of the stage no matter where you stand. It was a bit crowded by the end of the evening at this sold out show but nothing that couldn't be easily maneuvered. Sound was fantastic, intimate feel to the space. I would definitely catch a show here again. Depending on the evening, parking can be a bit tough due to the level of activity in that area of Cambridge. A couple of pay lots available in the area though you might get lucky enough to secure a spot on the road if you're patient. I would definitely come back again! Great space!

The staff here are abusive bullies who call women the C word. On Friday, October 27th, my friends and I got in line early to get in for the Glitter Boys event. We had about an hour and a half to wait, so some people were holding hard seltzer cans. After about 20 minutes in line, he came over and spotted the cans, took them away, and told those of us holding them we wouldn't be getting into the show. Nobody argued or fought back, we were breaking the rules and we accepted that fact, but at that point, half our group would be getting in and half wouldn't be so we were standing there trying to figure out if we'd be separating or leaving together when the bouncer came over and started berating us about leaving the line. I explained that we were regrouping, and he just kept telling us that he had made an announcement that there was no alcohol in line. We had heard him come over and announce which line was which four or five times but that had been it so we told him that. He started yelling at us that we needed to leave the line and being unbelievably rude reiterated that we weren't trying to come in for the show. After this, the bouncer, in front of a line of about a hundred people, yelled at me and called me a C***. Rightfully so, my boyfriend stepped up to tell the bouncer not to call me that word. He did get close to him, but did NOT touch him. In turn, the bouncer shoved him backward which escalated the situation even more. After we stepped away from the situation, we asked to speak to a manager. We were told multiple times that wasn't an option but we persisted until someone came out. By then, the situation had cooled down and my boyfriend calmly and politely explained the situation, telling the manager what I had been called and that the bouncer had put his hands on him first. The bouncer even admitted that he had called me that, gotten aggressive, and pushed my boyfriend first, but tried to justify it. The manager told us that while he didn't support the word I had been called, that we had to leave immediately and that it was none of our business if the bouncer was disciplined or not. Feeling defeated, embarrassed, and unbelievably disrespected, we realized that no one there would be making an effort to right the wrong.

An otherwise good night ruined by a rude door man on a sad power trip. The door man working the Joe Kay show on 3/24 with the gray pony tail should not be interacting with patrons. Really bizarre experience being singled out while a crowd looked on in disbelief as I was screamed at and forced to stand in the pouring rain while I waited for an Uber. Completely sober, followed all the rules, got punished for it. An experience I won't soon forget.

Id rate this 0 stars if I could. My friend and I bought concert tickets at this venue. The bouncer refused to let us drink, even though we are both 23, because he claims we brought alcohol onto the premises. (Context: I was looking for a place to throw away an empty can, and the bouncer invited me up, so I assumed to use the bin outside the entrance. Nope.) We were not being disruptive at all, but got kicked out because I ordered a tequila soda. Again, I'm 23. What's really messed up is we talked to another girl in the bathroom who was obviously under the influence and said the bouncer told her she "could drink at 8". She looked underage. Security is trash and on some power trip complex, I wish I threw my drink on the guy. 0/10 would recommend.

Just in for drinks at the bar with a friend. They take all the chair off the chair around 10 pm on fridays at least. It's a music venue. But they could've left the chairs around the bar great drinks and bar service tho

The Sinclair used to be one of my favorite spots in Cambridge, but it's all gone downhill sometime in the past year. A group of friends and I would regularly come every other Tuesday night for appetizers and drinks. We used to inhale the brussels sprouts, gobble up the calamari, and eat way too much creme brulee. We loved that it was never too crowded and that it was a nice spot to catch up and enjoy a calmer atmosphere. Sadly, it all came to an end when management or the kitchen changed over (not really sure what happened) and they introduced a new menu. The brussels sprouts are tiny and overly salty but without flavor, the calamari is mostly just breading, and the vegan nachos are disgusting. The mac n cheese is still tasty, but there's an alarming amount of oil oozing out of it that leaves you feeling a little sick. The wings are fine and have stayed about the same. Thank goodness the creme brulee is still good. The staff has also became less friendly and I've never seen anyone play any of the pinball machines, but they take up a lot of room. We've had to move on to find a new favorite spot. I'll always fondly remainder our Sinclair days, but it's clear that there's only memories and creme brulee left.

I came here on a beautiful Sunday morning for some brunch. We sat at the bar and I tried the waffle flight, where you get to chose 3 different types of waffles from a decent amount of options. They were so delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed each one of them. I also got the duck eggs Benedict, which was a must try for me. I recommend both of those choices! Overall, the service was great and the food was worth a second visit when I am in town again.

I was taken back at how impressed I ended up being with the food and ambience at The Sinclair. Luckily, I got to snag a table in the rooftop deck which settled the rest of the experience perfectly. Food: I ordered the stuffed pork chop, okay sounds casual, nothing unique or out of the ordinary right? Wrong. This meal was heavenly. Let me just tell you the best part with an example first. You know how when you get eggs benedict and everyone does that thing where they take their knife/fork and cut slowly down the middle to watch the yolk dribble down? No? Just me? Well, since you have some imagery in your mind now, picture having the pork chop in front of you...cutting it down the middle and now the mozzarella comes dribbling down instead. Small pieces of spinach are also coming out along with it. YES. They did that, and yes it was beautiful. Another considerable thing to note is that they will accomodate food to gluten free if you have any allergies. Our waiter was very polite and mindful to our needs but, the food took a while to come. It could also be due to how packed it got, but when you're hungry it can be a bit of a buzzkill. Events: They always have different shows with live bands playing, tickets can be purchased online. I've only been to one briefly in the past and from my experience I feel as though it typically attracts a younger crowd 20s-30s. Never a bad time though, wherever you are inside is a great view to the stage. Recommended for a night out with friends or just simply for the exquisite food!

The Sinclair is a decent option if you don't have many others for brunch, but it is definitely expensive for the quality of food. Pros: wait staff is somewhat knowledgeable about allergies, breakfast tacos were a large portion, upstairs patio is spacious. Cons: expensive for the taste and quality -- neither myself or my friend would order the same dish if we go back. Wait staff wasn't super friendly or attentive. I would go back and try it again for dinner and give it the benefit of the doubt, but I think this just might not be a brunch place.

Seems to be quite the polarizing joint! From dinner to the show, I'd have to say I was impressed with most aspects of The Sinclair. Al dente cavatelli tossed with braised lamb shank, apricots and toasted pumpkin seeds hit all the right notes, and is a fair helping for the $22 entree tag. Most of the cocktails are up pours, and the Roscoe Bryant - bold, spicy Bulleit rye, bittersweet amaro, herbal Pernod, Cocchi Americano for a citrus kick, aaaaand bitters - is easy drinking and basically checks every box as we round the palate. This and other 'tails run $12-13. The show space is cozier than expected, and with our crowd pushing 85% capacity (science!), it was just busy enough to ride the energy without feeling like you're humping the person in front of you every time a groove strikes. Not that a groove strikes often, but when it does, I'd rather not grind strange. Majority of folks stuck to the not-a-bad-angle floor section, while the mezz features a few two-tops for those who'd rather sit and listen. Most call these spectators "grandparents." Three (?) full service bars crank out a decent selection of drafts, cans and EZ booze drinks at modest stickers. Stick with beer for more buck bang. Loved most aspects of what The Sinclair has going, with only a few service hiccups and a grossly over-priced deviled eggs dish being the sole sore spots. Bacon and habanero or not, two eggs should never cost nine bones. That's wedge salad robbery!

Terrible customer service. I had tickets for a show on October 1st. Prior to that date, proof of negative covid test or proof of full vaccination was required to enter. I am not vaccinated but was happy to provide a test to enter. It just so happened that the date of the show was the first day of their new policy, no vaccine, no entry. When I purchased tickets, these rules were not in place, if they were I wouldn't have paid for tickets in the first place. They refused to refund me, let me transfer tickets to someone else and refused to let me go into the show with a negative test. They basically just stole my money. Thanks Sinclair crew.

Extremely rude bouncers. Turned us away even though we had a prepaid for tickets and had ids on hand. Yelled at us the second time after getting back in line to ask for our deserved spot inside. Seemed to be making up rules as to why my group and I couldn't enter. Bouncers were on a power trip and just didn't want to accept college students. Huge waste of time and money

I came here for brunch at 11am with a reservation for three people. We were seated upstairs, and promptly placed our orders. We had scoped out the menu the week before and all knew what we wanted. My friends and I ordered the chorizo eggs benedict, the biscuits and gravy, and chicken and waffles. My chicken and waffles were amazing. The honey butter served with it was so tasty I immediately shared it with my friends. It is so good that I'd buy it to take home if they sold it. The chicken was super crispy and flavorful, I was in constant battle of what to take a bite of next, the chicken or the waffle? I was so into my own plate I didn't even ask to try any of my friends' food. My friend loved her chorizo eggs benedict, while my other friend felt the biscuits and gravy left room for improvement. She mentioned there was not enough sausage for her liking in the sausage gravy. We had a good time here overall, and since we came early we avoided any crowds, as some other reviews mentioned it can get busy here. I'd call ahead and make a reservation if you're planning on coming after noon.

Been here for a handful of musical events. The staff is friendly, the venu is clean and the bars perfectly placed. This is one of the few bars that actually feels like they have the AC on lol. Definitely a good place to go to an event, imagine the middle east but cleaner, bigger and a better vibe. If you wanna host something here or are going here! Go!

Nestled in the heart of Harvard Square this medium sized venue is my perfect size for a concert. My friend and I attended the 7/16/15 Lenka concert and we had an excellent time with the affordable General Admission standing room! (We did not try the food or drinks there so this review is just on the concert venue.) We arrived a little before 7:30PM when the doors would open and a small line started forming. The security started letting us in promptly and we were able to scope out the best viewing areas. We naturally gravitated to the front of the stage, which was a bit high up so we had to tilt our necks back during the whole show. They also offer the option to stand on the second level and there were a few tables along the railings as well. I was not expecting anything fancy and the lights were just simple background additions. I was however, impressed with the acoustics of the place and unlike a lot of the other places I've gone to, standing at the front row can be deafening. The sound volume was just right. Even though I had originally expected to finish the concert around 10:30-11PM we did not end up leaving until 11:40PM. We were worried we would miss the last train of the night so we hustled back to the T station. I would definitely want to come back here for another concert! I love the intimate feel of this place especially if you are able to get in the front row. Plus I prefer not to pay an arm and a leg for the live music experience.

We came here last month for a show and absolutely loved how intimate a venue it is. If you can't get a spot on the floor the balcony offers close views and a spot to lean on if you get tired. There are bathrooms and bar(s), but just like any concert venue if you move you may not get your spot back.

The Sinclair is a fairly small venue tucked away into Harvard Square. Like, literally, it's so tucked away that I feel like I've walked past dozens of times without realizing it's there. But, it's a nice addition to the area. I think back to how often I used to hang out in Harvard Square, and how much I would have enjoyed having a venue there to see smaller bands when I was younger. Recently, I saw The Clientele perform there and it was such an intimate experience. The venue was a little less filled than the band probably would have liked, but it allowed me to get right up next to the stage. As for sound, no complaints there. They also seemed to have a fairly decent selection of beers, in case (like me) you're not willing to put away just any old crap beer. Looking forward to my next time around.

Fly in my drink and it wasn't comped. Harassed by fruit flies the whole time. Deviled eggs tasted off. Burger was mediocre. Place was filled with greasy-smoke when business picked up. Pretty terrible. Show was great.

Came here for the Rock and Roll Playhouse Grateful Dead show. LOVE that this group plays real rock and roll music for kids! Helps us parents raise our kids right :) If you come here for a Rock and Roll Playhouse concert in February, just know these things (since you are coming with kids) The venue is rather dark. There are few tables/places to sit. And like all other concerts, it's loud, cramped, and a little chaotic. So try your best not you bring trunks of things for your kids/strollers as the space is limited. BUT IT'S SO MUCH FUN! The group is somewhat interactive with the crowd. There are a few games/props they bring (a parachute for example). It's really a great "first concert" for kids. Everyone can let lose and dance and sing along... it's definitely a good time and i am glad we went.

It's hard to separate a venue from a show, but I'll try to here. A lot of spaces were blocked off for reserved seating which we didn't even see as an option when we bought tickets. The upstairs part has a stair/seating area (seats before the show, standing levels after) which would work a lot better pre show if it wasn't sticky.

Horrible service!!! Took my money and didn't let me in. DO NOT GO. Bouncer are shit and rude . REFUSED TO LET ME IN EVEN THOUGH IM OF AGE. Didn't bring drinks anywhere near yet they claim they saw me drinming.

I'm not sure if she was just having a bad night but this one sad female worker at the Hovvdy concert refused to let us stand inside for the four min wait for our Uber so we stood in the cold just outside the door while she watched from inside to her pleasure. She basically shoved us down the hall while yelling aggressively to get out so we asked why she was so rude to which she responded, "I'm not paid enough to be nice." This was less than five minutes following the end of the concert so we also had to chug our $10 beers we had just paid for. I could continue to say even worse things about our experience with her but this poor thing clearly needs this job so she can boss people around to boost her ego -- she'd clearly crumble without it. I wish her all the best

Kitchen/bar review, based on 2 visits. My most recent visit was just for some cocktails, and I have no major complaints with the selection and prices (although they were out of mint, which was a bummer because my heart was set on a whiskey smash). Service was standard/unmemorable. I did like how Sinclair has an extended bar with seats, so there's actual room to stand around/sit and hang out with some drinks. Overall, middle-of-the-road place to grab a drink. My other visit was back in summer for a special Pig Roast dinner (and I wanted to wait to write this review until I returned to Sinclair for another evaluation, to be fair). It initially sounded pretty awesome: reasonably priced, really interesting/tasty sounding menu and included rum drinks (see pic), a nice summer dinner out on the patio. Unfortunately, the execution fell really short. To start, while the dinner was supposed to begin at like 7, the food didn't even end up starting to come out of the kitchen until about 8-8:30... had we known, we would have had a snack beforehand to tide us over, because we were starved by the time the first course hit. Also, that meant we were still eating at like, 10-10:30, which for me isn't ideal, and I might have skipped the dinner altogether had I known the food was going to go that late and last that long. And when the last course was finally out, it took a full half hour to actually pay for the whole damn thing; servers basically disappeared, and then we had to wait forever as each table got to cash out before us. Would have been so much better to pre-pay and then leave whenever we wanted to. Really bad planning/service. But the worst was probably the food: for such a promising menu, we were so disappointed with the result. I don't often call food bad, but this meal really deserved it... even the best bite we had that night was mediocre at best. The crowning glory was the suckling pig, which had rubbery skin (!) and tasted like cheap ham steak. So frustrating. So, I've definitely experienced better. Hopefully the kitchen has gotten its act together since then, because what should have been an awesome pig roast dinner was a pretty miserable experience.