The Cellar 991 Massachusetts Ave tel 617/876-2580. An eclectic mix of students and locals gather in this laid-back niche between Harvard and Central squares. Two stories, two bars and some live entertainment on weekends.

Club Passim 47 Palmer St, Harvard Square tel 617/492-5300. A four-decades-old, intimate "coffee house" that has been a noted folk/blues venue since Joan Baez performed here as an unknown 17-year-old.

House of Blues 96 Winthrop St, Harvard Square tel 617/497-2229. The original, surprisingly small branch of this popular chain of live music venues features high-quality blues nightly. There's also a decent Cajun-themed restaurant and a heaving bar.

Man Ray 21 Brookline Ave, Central Square tel 617/864-0400. Nightly themes draw very different crowds to Cambridge's most popular dance club. Wed is gothic/industrial, Thurs and Sat (when the club is known as Campus ) draw a lively gay crowd, and Fri is reserved for the fetish/bondage scene.

Middle East 472/480 Massachusetts Ave, Central Square tel 617/864-EAST. Cambridge's best alternative music venue with three stages and a good, inexpensive Arabic restaurant. Cover usually $3-10 in the main rooms with free music in the restaurant - acts to have played here gratis include Morphine, Buffalo Tom and Tracy Bonham.

Phoenix Landing 512 Massachusetts Ave, Central Square tel 617/576-6260. Affable neighborhood bar and restaurant with soccer beamed in from Europe and a down-to-earth mix of music at weekends.

Ryles Jazz Club 212 Hampshire St tel 617/876-9330. Eclectic jazz and world music club charging $10-20 covers.

Plough & Stars 912 Massachusetts Ave, between Harvard and Central squares tel 617/441-3455. Time-worn Irish pub with music most nights. Cover free or up to $8.

Western Front 343 Western Ave, Central Square tel 617/492-7772. This former jazz and blues club is now dedicated to reggae, with live music Fri and Sat nights, and Jamaican food Thurs-Sat.