SPIRIT Bar in Boston

By John Gorman
Love of Sports Correspondent

There’s more in Cambridge (right across the Charles from Boston) than prepped out old money and prodigies that make your school’s resident nerd appear to be a special ed student.

No, really.

There also happens to be one killer sports bar just a five minute walk out of Davis Square and just a short stroll up Mass. Avenue from Harvard.

If you’re reading this site, you probably enjoy a casual bar where all the hipsters take timeout from being too hip to chill, catch the game and chow on some mega-tasty sloppy food. I know you do. That’s why I’m letting you in on this little secret: The up-and-coming SPIRIT Bar beats the legendary Cask ‘n Flagon as Boston’s best sports-themed watering hole.

Slip that in your chowdah and slurp it.

Don’t let the appearance from the outside fool you. This joint is larger than it looks (but not too large.)

And don’t let the proximity to Harvard or MIT fool you, either. This ain’t no swanky lounge. This is a classed-up take on the classic sports bar, done as only the classiest city in America could.

There are six plasmas and one 10–foot big screen in front of which you may park yourself. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Sox, Bruins, Pats, Celtics or any of the several major colleges in the area playing on game night. If it’s happening somewhere, it’s on in here.

Patriot fans can drink in good company – and on a budget - during games courtesy of the beer bucket specials. That’s five beers and 20 wings for 20 bucks. So, essentially, that’s enough booze and grub for your afternoon right there. (Unless you’re native Boston – and Irish – in which case you may need more beer, of course.)

The SPIRIT bartenders are vibrant, skilled, and are probably cheering louder at the television than you are. You want a Wicked Ale? Wicked awesome! You want a Strawberry Mojito with dark rum and muddled lime? Yeah, they can handle that, too, but you’re gonna get some eye rolls from the clientele, you prissy.

The appetizers are flat-out delicious. There’s something in the fryer oil there that makes everything from the Jalapeno Poppers (highly recommended) to the nachos glisten with intense flavor.

And let’s just say, hypothetically speaking, you’re from out of town and Jonesin’ for a little taste of Western New York. SPIRIT’s five-alarm wings are hot enough to more than satisfy your yen.

The prices are ultra-reasonable, by Boston standards, so it’s also a great place to meet up with the fellas (or the ladies) anyday of the week without causing MIW (moths in the wallet) Syndrome – game or no game.

On weekends, SPIRIT becomes an absolute sea of the youngest, hottest, hippest and most well-educated Bostonians. Bring your people-watching goggles and your best pickup lines. No, that one about the map and getting lost in her eyes doesn’t work here, dude.

So, go down there some summer night when the Sox are out of town. Grab a couple of your boys and a good stool. There are no bad seats in this house. Slam a few Sammies, order up some apps and get ready to chee-ah wicked loud. This SPIRIT Bar is on its way to becoming a Boston-area legend.

How do you like them apples?

The SPIRIT Bar
2046 Mass Ave., Porter Square
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 868-1555
http://theSPIRITbars.com