Looking for something to do on a Friday or Saturday night but discouraged by the strict 21 Boston nightlife?  Have no fear!  Search a little deeper and you’ll find fun spots scattered around the city; for example, the student-run Café 939 at Berklee, located at 939 Boylston Street.  This hip coffee shop by day, all ages music venue by night, serves everything from sweet cinnamon rolls and steaming hot Americanos to refreshing upcoming artists such as Chris Ayer and, my personal favorite, Matt White. 

With shows almost every night between Wednesday and Saturday at affordable prices, usually between 8 and 15 dollars, Café 939 can serve as the perfect hangout or date spot.  Shows usually start around 8 and end around 11.  Café 939 prides itself on attracting musicians and fans from every walk of life. They also don’t subject themselves to one specific musical niche; they put it as being “Musically-Blind.”

On a given week this intimate venue can hold an upcoming hip-hop artist and a bluegrass band within 24 hours of each other, as long as both have substance and quality. And for you musicians out there, Café 939 occasionally has free open mic nights, offering unknown bands their 15 or in some cases 20 minutes of fame!  The next one just happens to be on March 2nd (hint, hint).  This intimate yet exciting setting allows artists to connect with their fans on a deeper and more personal level. 

If you’re not buying my praise for this small jewel hidden in Back Bay, take the Massachusetts State House’s word for it.  In 2009 Legislature announced that Café 939 was in fact one of the 1,000 greatest places in Massachusetts.

To recap, shows are for all ages, affordable, and there is great food. Running out of reasons to not check this place out?  I thought so.

If you know of any other 18 venues that you’d like other students to check out, do not hesitate to E-Mail [email protected].