TT the Bear’s Place

Gone to Heroes 80’s dance night a couple times this month, only after hearing that T. Ts would be closing. It’s a fun atmosphere and really unlike anything else in the nightlife scene these days. Fun to dance in the same club my mom dance in decades earlier. RIP.

Warning: This review uses the word «cute» incorrectly.
This place is cute. It’s divey, dark and with just a hint of seedy, staffed with bartenders that don’t look particularly happy to serve you and drinks in bulk plastic cups. If you make a list of everything you wanted from a dive bar with a dance floor, you’d basically be describing TT the Bear’s. The crowd is all colors of the hipster spectrum, and the age range is all over the place. Dancing is a necessity, and it’s sweaty and dirty and kind of gross, but it’s exactly what you’d be looking for if you came into a place like this.
Just a cute bar all around.

The music scene was pretty good… Not too big, I’m really short and I could see most the stage, and the sound was decent.
The bartender tried to take $ 19 on a $ 21 bill tip (paid with 2 twenty dollar bills) and then all the bartenders gave me embarrassing attitude when I asked for my money. I felt so uncomfortable, so I left. I don’t think I can go back.

I’ve played a few shows at TTs and been to several. I loved the vibe the first few times, but I think that’s because I didn’t know what a shathole this place was yet.
1) Dirrrrrrty dirty dirty tap lines and NO bottled beer. You’re pretty much forced to poison yourself if you don’t wanna pay for their liquor. Check out that hangover the next day, you’ll know what I’m talkin about — it only takes a beer or two for some memory lapse and an epic headache. DIRTY dirty dirty lines.
2) Any TT veteran knows the sound is gawdawful. The sound guy has some sort of inferiority complex that’s seriously gettin in the way of any potential improvements. Tried chatting with him about levels during our sound check, like you’d do at any goddamn venue before a show, and as if I had disturbed a great master the dude spat back «yeah, that’s my job». Anyone who’s been there knows the sound is absolute garbage. It’s one thing if you know what you’re doing and you let the band know you’ve got it under control… but it’s another if the venue is infamous for shit sound and you’re not taking any advice.
3) The bartenders are frightening. Bless their cool hard exteriors, maybe they’re sweet on the inside, but overall they’re just major bummers to be anywhere near. I’d be pretty bummed too if I worked at TTs.
4) Bathrooms. That is all.
Good luck TTs — i pray for you all da time.

Where to begin… I arrived here with friends, all with Massachusetts licenses. It’s cash-​only, so they can cook the books, so we hurriedly scramble to collect $ 21 in cash for the three of us. I show my license– Washington, DC. The bouncer (heavy-​set and pink-​haired) says «I need a passport.» I responded «um, well, I did not bring my passport out, so guess we are going elsewhere?» We then leave, while I text message my friend inside that we aren’t allowed in. He also expressed confusion, as he had a Rhode Island license. We return, to ask why this is. The bouncer thought the District of Columbia was a FOREIGN COUNTRY and therefore I was using foreign identification. Seriously, how stupid do you have to be?
Once in the bar, it was okay. Very, very hipster, but thats to be expected for Cambridge. Not as cheap as it should be, but again, to be expected in Cambridge. In all honesty (door issue aside), there are better places in Central Square to spend your time and money.

I went for Weezer and Jimmy Eat World cover bands so they had me at hello — really cool layout here with the big oval bar next to the stage and dancing area. Very cool crowd — just normal people and less guys in getting-​laid costumes. One complaint, which I suppose is a rather big one for a music venue — the sound is pretty bad… turn up the vox dudes.

The acoustics in the place are so horrible I left after 6 songs of a favorite artist, there was simply no enjoyment. The sound person also was making zero effort of improving said sound.

I wish I could give this place more stars strictly on the fact there are a huge lack of music venues in this town and this place is sort of a cambridge landmark. BUT the sound is pretty terrible. The liquor is way over priced and everything is in plastic cups (for the cost of the cover and the booze you’d think maybe they could spring for glasses? Maybe even just the shot glasses? The place is pretty grimy. The ladies bathroom has a huge dirty hole in the floor right between your legs when you go to sit down and the door is barely on it’s hinges. The bartenders leave you wishing you really didn’t have to interact with them at all. As I said, I would like to give it more stars. I have seen some great bands play at TT’s but the experience is always a pretty bad one. Sorry guys.

TT’s is a great place to see a show or attend one of the numerous dance nights. It is not the biggest place, but there is plenty of room and a lot of open space. Unlike other nearby spots, dancing at TT’s is largely a laid-​back, judgement-​free and without the aggressive «man I need to get laid tonight» types you might expect.
One complaint: the price of non-​alcoholic beverages. Look, I understand a bar makes its money from alcohol, I know all about markup… but $ 3 for a coke? I later asked for a water and got a bottle of Poland Springs… also $ 3. When something that is usually $ 1 – 2 (and in many instances, free) comes to be almost the same price as beer, there is a problem. Not everyone out at a bar can or does drink alcohol, so this is something the management should consider. I see other Unilocal have similar complaints. That aside, TT’s is a great venue.

A small venue with an intimate setting to see a band you love. This is the only cool part. I walked in to a borderline empty venue that was not air conditioned or clean. I had a two hour wait during opening acts until my band came on. I tried to go outside to get some air only be informed that regardless of my ticket and stamp on my hand that THEY had given me on the way in, that there was absolutely no way to be readmitted. For those of you that haven’t been to this place, it is the size of a large living room. I would have been able to go outside and still talk to my friends that were at the bar. Not to mention there were a grand total of 11 people there… and that didn’t change. Ironically and strategically, in order to kill time while being held captive inside, we ordered a couple of drinks. An angry orchard and an 8 ounce patron silver and tonic water. $ 18. I’m not cheap by any means, but apparently either are they. The prices at the gahhhden to catch a game were a steal compared to the drinks at this joint. I actually thought she was kidding. She wasn’t. The 11 person crowd was starting to make a lot of sense. She handed us our… drinks…then WAITED for a tip. Due to dehydration and the bear grylls intimidation factor of this Amazonian lady, I handed her two bucks.(Side note: it is so important to tip your servers but the way she waited and basically held out her hand made me not want to.) $ 20. Next round was a soda and a water. $ 7. No I’m not kidding. This place could be an absolutely gem but they just don’t seem to care… about anything.

I am traveling with a band and we have been on the road for 3 weeks now and play shows almost every night. Most every venue we have been to has been kind, welcoming, and accommodating. We played at T.T. The Bears, and I have to say I was thoroughly disappointed, mainly in the staff. They were incredibly rude to a few of us, and acted as if we were a terrible inconvenience, even though we packed out their bar. I was in the service industry for 6 years so I am patient with waitstaff, but this was absolute blatant rudeness. It was mainly just shocking because we all try our best to be respectful and kind. Also, it felt very very dirty. So, if you’re a band playing at this venue or even just a paying customer who wants a beer, beware that tipping them even 5% will be incredibly difficult to do.

Ok, a couple of interesting things about this place: beware this place is cash only, but they do have an ATM located inside. If you want water you have to get it from a cooler yourself and the water is not cold, just room temperature.
Now that that’s out of the way let’s talk about the experience. My friend and I came here for 80s night and had an AMAZING time! The dancing started at 10pm, but don’t bother coming until 11pm cause the first hour is pretty dead. The clientele was the most diverse I’ve ever seen and I’m from LA. A mixture of goths, gays, lesbians, straights, and singles all dancing with themselves or each other. No douche bags and bros, it was definitely a place where you could simply be who you are. My friend and I danced all night, and even on stage. If you’re looking for the ultimate Cambridge nightlife experience then definitely check out Heroes @ TT The Bears.

First time ever in this bar was last Saturday for their Mardi Gras party. We paid $ 12 to get in which was fine — and then got a few beers for only $ 12 which is even better for Boston!
We were able to play a game of pool with no wait and enjoyed watching the total mix of burlesque and band. The mic’s were pretty crappy and it wasn’t easy to hear the singers, the crowd was a super mix of young and old and it was an overall relaxed environment to hangout in.
Yay for having a free place to hang your coat at the entrance.

I FOUND MANRAY! Although, its probably been here since 2005, but who knew? If you used to go to Manray, all of the same people are there. Same dj, same bartenders and some of the same people too. Excellent music for 80s dancing, but none of that sports bar 80s crap. Here you will dance to things like the Smiths, Depeche Mode, New Order… you get the idea. If you are finding yourself scratching your head and wondering where Katrina and The Waves is then you better think twice about going here.
Oh…this was Saturday night… the other nights, I dont know!
The ages range from early 20s to maybe late 40s.
The ONLY thing that makes me sad is that most people don’t know much of the music, but at least they keep dancing! Most people are pretty friendly here, not like the douchey places that are all around.
$ 7 to get in.

oh, so I went to there last night and because it seemed like to be the only place in town allowed 18+ people in. And of course it’s not that good. I am not a fan of the music and people around us were just kinda weird. Oh, there’s no cute girls and no way to get laid. lol

I saw a show here last night and it was my first time staying for more than an hour at TTs. The lineup was amazing, and the venue is great as a small and intimate setting for live music.
However, there was some electronica/​dance music happening at the Middle East at the same time and the loud, heavy bass was impossible to ignore. It should’ve been very embarrassing for TTs, as all the artists onstage were performing soft, acoustic sets and they had to joke about/​address how ridiculous it was to try to perform while the bass from the next room was shaking the floor.
Also, my bartender sucked and it was very painful to tip her. I work in customer service so I usually have sympathy, but she was asking for too much.
I’ll only come again if there’s an artist I like performing, and even then I’ll check the calendar for the Middle East first.

so look, i’m not always super into TTs. i think heroes is kind of creepy with meth spice and pop-​and-​lock cutting it up in the dark, and i don’t like going to see shows and feeling the middle east downstairs vibrations seep through the floor.
i *will* say, tho, that TTs houses some pretty sick events. i mean, the rock ‘n roll rumble?! that jam is awesome! one of the most community-​fostering series of shows in the boston area. and the fact that they donated the space following the april 15^th explosions for a flash benefit concert — well, that’s just all kinds of awesome.
result? TTs is solid, yo.
quicktip: the ladies room finally got a lock put on it, i’m told. so there’s that, anyhow.

I wish, really I do, that I could give TTs more stars. The place is a GREAT place to see music, which should be what matters and honestly if it wasn’t for that this would only be one star.
I have been going to TTs for years, not a destination, but if someone I like plays here I am happy. But over the last 6 mos I have been here 3 – 4 times, early shows on the weekends and weeknights. Again, everyone sounds great, I cannot stress that enough.
But GOD could everyone who works here be less happy? The door people, the person selling me a ticket to a future show, the bartenders, EVERYONE acts like I am putting them out by asking them to DO THEIR JOB. I am sorry I have to give you my id and ticket, I am sorry I want a beer while in your club, I wouldn’t want you to actually have to interact with me or GOD FORBID MAKE EYE CONTACT OR OTHER SUCH PLEASANTRIES.
I am an easy customer, I know people have off nights. The staff here is always having an off night.
I will still come to shows here but I am more apt to see if there is a stop on tour elsewhere I can go to (RI, CT, NYC are not THAT far away) or to do my drinking before or after and just come for the act I want to see and not stay the night.

The bar is cash only.
I’ve been to 80’s night and to goth night (pretty much the same crowd at both), and have had a good time: the music is varied, there are nooks in which to get away from the crowd if you need to, there are 2 bars, self-​service water, and pool tables. The beer selection on draft is limited but they have your basics and a couple of good surprises (Harpoon Dark, anyone?). The proximity to the Central station on the red line is also a perk. Overall, not a bad setup.
Money: I’m never a fan of cover fees at the door, but the $ 5 charged here isn’t outrageous. The coat check is another $ 2. Beers will run around-​ish $ 5 (depending on what you get). One of my friends got a (tiny) mixed drink and it cost her $ 12.
Which brings us back to the cash only policy. There is no ability to open up a tab, no incentive to have 2 beers instead of 1 for the evening, no choice but to ferret away cash in your tight pants or in your corset instead of ferreting away a more compact and sturdy debit/​credit card with your ID. Ultimately, no attempt to make visiting this club a more pleasant experience for the patrons.

Decent sound and a good amount of space!
I came here for a rescheduled show a week and a half ago and it was a fun time. After moshing I lost an ear plug, and for a buck the bar gave me a new pair.
Any venue who is game for ear protection gets two thumbs up in my book.
And, also while moshing, my carabiner snapped and my keys spilled all over the floor. End of the night: I was able to collect them all (either by checking the floor or at the bar). That is something special, and surprising.
If they get more artists I follow, I’ll be back.