The Middle East

Taking up multiple storefronts along bustling Mass Ave., this sprawling venue has long been one of New England's leading rock clubs, and a major player on the national and local music scenes. A Middle Eastern restaurant as well as a club, it was the nurturing ground for Boston's alternative and indie music scenes, beginning in the mid-1980s in the smaller upstairs room. The larger downstairs venue was added later and, like many of Boston's basement clubs, was once a bowling alley. In the restaurant, musicians play the corner stage, where there's never a cover charge, and in keeping with the Middle Eastern theme, a variety of exotic fare is available to keep the party going. ZuZu sits in-between the upstairs and downstairs stages, offering food, DJ nights and bands.