How about a story about a bar that has survived for decades? Welcome to the Cantab Lounge. This Cambridge dive bar’s history dates back to 1938. It has become a Central Square institution.
The Cantab Lounge got its name from “Cantabrigian”. That term refers to things from Cambridge. The Cantab has offered such a variety of entertainment, you might think you were in a different place each night. But you were still in Cambridge’s Central Square.
For over 50 years, the Cantab was more than just a place “where everybody knows your name”. It was a spot where patrons knew the performers by name too.
R&B and soul formed the Cantab’s musical foundation. Many famous musicians have played here. But Little Joe Cook & The Thrillers were the most popular. Cook made the Cantab a must-visit Cambridge nightlife spot. From 1980 to 2007, they were a Central Square fixture. Cook’s yellow 1970s Cadillac Seville was iconic. It had a golden peanut hood ornament and the “Nut Man” vanity plate. This referred to his 1957 hit single “Peanuts”. The group played at the Cantab five nights a week. Fans lined up down the street to see them.
The Cantab has long been intertwined with live music. Bluegrass nights have been a staple for decades. The Cantab also hosted the Boston Poetry Slam for many years. The Slam started every Wednesday in October 1992. It became the longest-running slam in the Boston/Cambridge area. Mickey Bliss ran the Tuesday Night Bluegrass series. He also booked bands in the Cantab’s basement under his Club Bohemia. Singer/songwriter Geoff Bartley hosted it. Open-mic nights took place on Sundays and Wednesdays. Anyone could take the stage for a song or two.
The Cantab, like many venues, struggled when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It closed for months. Owner Richard “Fitzy” Fitzgerald decided to sell in late 2000.
Tim Dibble, from Alta Equity, bought the Cantab in 2021. He had fallen in love with the Cantab years before. He promised upgrades and reassured people it would remain the same club. The Cantab reopened in November 2021 after being closed for 20 months.
Renovations brought fresh paint and flooring. The new Cantab respects the dive bar’s charm. The ancient awning still stands over the front door with the old “Cantab Lounge” lettering. Vintage Budweiser lights hang over the refinished bar. The walls are clean. Christmas lights drape from the ceiling. The stage hosts live music every night. The Cantab Lounge’s rebirth has drawn a crowd to keep the space alive. So come on in and experience a piece of Cambridge history at the Cantab Lounge.