Welcome everyone to Next 2 Nothing, where you come to discover ways to save in the Boston area.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The Tam Is my new Jam!

THE TAM
This is where you will find me during the week. It's 5'oclock somewhere! It is located perfectly in the theater district/Boston Common/Chinatown/Boylston Green Line T stop. You walk and almost don't know what to expect. You automatically bump into the vending machine for necessary munchies. But the best part.... wait for it.... the bartenders are the biggest lovers of Boston, crazy welcoming, and heavy handed when it comes to pouring drinks. Very inexpensive. I usually get a whiskey and ginger (which is really 3 parts whiskey and 1 part gingerale) for 7 bucks which will lay me flat on my ass. They do not shortchange you. I love a good dive bar, but I think this is the ultimate one with a bunch of oldtimers who seem to have been going there for decades. Definitely a good place to go after work with friends as it is placed in downtown. On the weekend, the atmosphere changes and the college kids pack it in. They turn on the music real loud and it turns into a dance party. I love this place. See Ya there!

What's the deal:
"No nonsense, cash-only watering hole for boozing and socializing in the Theater District"
Address: 222 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
Phone (617) 482 9182
Hours: Sunday thru Tuesday: 8am -1am   Wednesday thru Saturdays: 8am - 2am

Monday, November 24, 2014

Hangover Brunch

THE ROX DINER
Granted I live in this part of town, but let me tell you, this is a hidden gem. Small little townie diner where you get a bang for your buck. The food is amazing and there is a great selection on the menu always comes out  nice and hot and within 5 minutes of you placing your order. Now THAT is service. They have amazing omelettes that you can add anything to and some of the best egg's benedict specials. If you're above the age limit, don't forget to try their mimosas for the bartender must be heavy handed. $8 - $11 for a nice portion of food on your plate (and the nicest waitresses in the world). I'll take it!

1881 Centre Street                                       Hours:  Monday - Friday 6am - 2:30pm
West Roxbury, MA 02132                                       Saturday - Sunday 7am - 3:00pm


SORELLA'S
This place is like the classic dive bar of breakfast places. Oh, you want a website you can go to? Ha. They aint got time for that. Oh you want an organized menu. Your best bet is just going here. Oh you want choclatechip pancakes and bacon cooking into the pancake. I doubt you will hear a no. They hand you a menu, but there are 100 more dishes plastered all over the wall written on chalkboard or random pieces of construction paper they randomly found. Everything is cheap. They give you so much food that you are usually full half way through. All of it tastes amazing. Coffee refills for free. Bring it on! If you are hungover, don't even bother going anywhere else but here. Only three staff members work at this place and have been working at this place for years. They are quick They are a part of the community. People of the community to come back for more. For good reason. Not only just because most meals range from $6 - $9.

388 Centre Street                         Hours: 730 am - 1:30 pm (daily)
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130            Cash Only    617 - 524 - 2016


Anytime I have every gone to this place. There was a line, I think they have 60 seats tops in this place. food moves quickly, people more quickly. There is a line for a reason. Not only do you feel classy because it is in the South end and because the food is awesome, but you also get a mound of food. You literally will be mind blown at how fast the cooks are. The waitresses clean and set up the table in 30 seconds or less. It somehow is still laid back here. Their lunch and dinner I have no tried. But I heard it is spectacular. Supposedly people like Guy Fieri and famous athletes, governors, mayors, and even presidents come here when they are in town. I would just come here to meet Beyonce if she were ever in town. Take a look at the menu, everything is under 9 bucks. They give you soo much food. I have to say, I usually take home my world's biggest omelette. It tastes amazing even after a couple of hours of sitting in my fridge. Do it! 

1714 Washington Street            Hours: 6 am - 3pm Daily
Boston MA, 02118                    617 - 267 - 9393


Thursday, November 20, 2014

Cask by day... Olivers by night

I'm sure every one of you knows Fenway Park, or at least where it is located. If you don't find out, because not only it is one of the most historic sites in the city it's also surrounded with some of the most renowned nightlife in the area. The one of the most famous venues, located next to the ballpark, the Cask N' Flagon.

Cask 'n Flagon at Boston's Fenway Park / Boston Bars near Fenway - www.boston-discovery-guide.com

The Cask N' Flagon (a.k.a. The Cask) is known for being the premier bar to view Red Sox games, among other local teams and the atmosphere follows suit. There are flat-screens everywhere you look that will keep you locked onto the games. There is no mistake that this bar is a shrine to everything Boston sports. It has been operating for over half a century in the same location and shows no sign of vacating anytime soon. Something that many people my age don't know, including myself until I looked into it, is that the Cask was originally opened as Oliver's in the 1960's and every famous classic rock band to come from Boston played there.

Oliver's nightclub at Boston's Fenway Park / Boston Bars near Fenway - www.boston-discovery-guide.com

Oliver's is now a weekend only nightclub located in the rear of Cask N' Flagon behind large iron fencing. Every time I had been to this bar I had never ventured into Oliver's because I'd never heard anything about it so I assumed it was not worth going... I assumed wrong. When the fence opens on Friday nights that place gets going, hard. As I took the corner around the entrance I was immersed in a place that would rival many other clubs in Boston. The bar was huge, and the quick service was appreciated. The atmosphere was more casual than other clubs, but with a lounge area located behind the 400 sq. foot dance floor. it was still aesthetically upscale. Speaking of which, the pricing was hardly that. It is slightly more expensive than other places featured on this blog, however the value of the experience is worth the extra few bucks.

I will be returning to this club one weekend very soon, I suggest you should do the same.


Monday, November 17, 2014

Royale: Girls Night!


Location: 279 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02116
(617) 338-7699
Website:  www.royaleboston.com
Phone: (617) 338-7699
Price: $$
Ambience: big groups of young adults, older college students

From the minute I stepped inside Royale, I knew I was gonna have the best night! And I was 100% correct! There was a massive palace looking staircase and the main dance hall was HUUUUGE! I loved everything about it, especially since it was a themed night. And according to the facebook page, there's frequently events held here. The night i went, it was a glow party and I see they hold other themed parties - "interstellar", DJ residences, "Haunted Chocolate Factory", so on and so forth!

The music played in Royale is a complete mix, proper bump and grind R&B to dance music to cheesy pop songs, and everyone is happy! Me and my friends were loving life!! The atmosphere was fab, for a Saturday night it wasn't too crowded and nobody was grouchy and impatient trying to move around the club, although it was busy. 

And for prices. Girls are in luck: free until Midnight! Guys were around $15, however I'm unsure as to whether it differs depending on nights, events, etc. And drinks...I drink vodka cranberry and vodka, and it was only $6. For a Saturday i was fairly impressed by these prices! Although....I ordered that drink and there may have been some confusion with my crappy accent, and I was given a cranberry and TEQUILA and it cost me $10. So don't get that...although it's all I needed that night, so it may have been a good mistake?



Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Shake Shack VS Tasty Burger: Burgers Worth the Bills

Shake Shack is widely known for the longest lines you have ever seen. What brings them in? Is it the amazing burgers, fries, and shakes? Or is it the line that creates a longer line? Do people become brainwashed? Is it worth the $8.50? Some say YES. You probably wouldn't even want to eat anything else that day because it wouldn't even match up to this taste. You can pretty much anything on this burger! Ooh baby, do you know what that's worth, oooh  Shake Shack is a place on earth, you make heaven a place on earth.

Harvard Square   -   92 Winthrop Street   -   Cambridge, MA 02138   -   617.758.8495  --  11AM-11PM




Tasty Burger. Perhaps I am bias because this was the first "upscale" burger I have ever tried. Or maybe because I tried it when I was wasted and it hit my flavor sensors like like Mariah Carey hits the highest of all notes. The "Rise and Shine" burger really changed my life. Tasty Burger  is officially the love of my life. As a student, for $10, you can get a burger, fries, and a can of beer. Come on! It may not be as cheap, but it is defnitely worth the bucks! Also it's totally hip.



FENWAY  -  1301 Boylston Street  -  Boston MA 02215  -  Open 11AM to 2AM
HARVARD SQUARE  -  40 JFK Street  -  Cambridge, MA 02138  -  Open 11AM  to 4AM

Monday, October 27, 2014

Food Trucks!

 Sometimes you feel too lazy to go into a restaurant, sit down, wait for the waitress/waiter, order your drink, wait again, order your meal and wait then again. You just want to have food immediately and easy. So why not picking one of the more and more upcoming food trucks with their delicous on-the-hand food! Below you can find a list of some of the best foodtrucks in Boston. They are definetly worth a visit!

 

 

 

Mei Mei Street Kitchen 

http://www.meimeiboston.com/

Mei Mei Boston is a Chinese-American food truck and restaurant company serving up creative  cuisine made from locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. You can find them on a weekly changing location schedule all around Boston: http://www.meimeiboston.com/foodtruck/
Their food is very tasty and fresh and gets sold for reasonable prices. So if you see one of their trucks its definetly worth it chasing after them! 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roxy's Grilled Cheese

http://www.roxysgrilledcheese.com/

As the name says, Roxy's Grilled Cheese is concentrating on grilled cheese sandwiches in tons of different variations but also some Burgers. And the most expensive item in there menu is about 7 dollars...thats a reasonable price for such a delicious meal. It is getting more and more popular in Boston, so be aware of sometimes quiet long lanes infront of the truck. It is driving around Boston during the week holding on at several prespecified locations: http://www.roxysgrilledcheese.com/locations/ 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clover

http://www.cloverfoodlab.com/

Clover is impressing by its very simple but at the same time very various-tasting food. Like Mei Mei, it also has trucks but at the same time restaurants to enjoy their food. The staff is very laid-back, the prices are reasonable and they also sell vegetarian stuff for those who try to avoid eating beings, that once lived. They have a very widespread location network all over Boston, so it is easy to find one of their trucks, if you are searching for a fast and delicious satisfaction: http://www.cloverfoodlab.com/location-and-hours/

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Banshee Bar

Banshee
Location:  934 Dorchester Ave,
Website:  www.bansheeboston.com
Phone: 617-436-9747
Price: $$
Ambience: students, football fans, families during the day, groups of people

Every Thursday I go to Banshee with a group of other international students and it's always a GREAT night. The atmosphere in Banshee is always really welcoming. The bar staff are really friendly and the bouncers at the door are never unapproachable, and always have good banter with the smokers of our group. 


I've eaten in Banshee once before the drinking commenced and I was really impressed. I had the macaroni cheese and it was only $8.49 and tasted amazing! If mac and cheese isn't your thing, the menu at Banshee is quite extensive. There's a big selection of burgers, starting at $8.49. You order at the bar, and the service is really quick. I think we only waited 10 minutes and there was actually 6 or 7 of us! Drinking wise, I am an avid vodka/cranberry girl, and in Banshee it's only $5 and the vodka levels are extreme - you'll be drunk after one - and beers are around $4.50. All other mixers with vodka are roughly around $5 as well. 

On Wednesday's, Banshee hold a trivia night that's really popular amongst large groups of friends and younger students. This bar particularly won the affection of my fellow British roommate, as they show Premier League games, which could attend to your interests also if you like that. My affection, however, was won by the karaoke that they host on a Thursday. It's highly entertaining, everyone is up for a good time and also, some dancing, depending on the alcohol levels - which are usually high anyway!

I would recommend a drinking night in Banshee to anybody visiting the area, it's a comfortable environment and everyone is always in good spirits here!



Monday, October 20, 2014

Too Hungry with Two Bucks

The Red Hat
The Red Hat
Location: 9 Bowdoin Street, Boston MA 
Phone: 617- 523 - 2175
Direction: Red Line to MGH or Orange Line to Haymarket or Blue Line to Bowdoin

This place is super divey, but everyone is so friendly and they actually come to your table to take your order. Don't be surprised if you see a rally of sports team coming through after their games. But not only is the  music up to date (but not poppy) but they also serve world's best wings Sunday-Tuesday for 10 cents. 10 cent per wing. You just have to order a beverage. Uhhh... you'll have to order a drink if you are buying wings. Seriously though, 10 wings cost 1 dollar. can't be beat


Tremont 647
Location: 647 Tremont Street, Boston MA 02118
Phone: 617- 266 - 4600
Direction: Orange Line to Backbay

This place may seem a little classy because it's on tremont and everything in the South End is for the filthy rich. Don't you worry, this location not only has the best brunch in town and supposedly a poptart with a glaze but they also have Tuesday $2 tacos.  I hear it's all the rage. Get there early, I hear it gets packed. Oh and make sure to grab yourself a margarita for 9.50.


The Avenue Bar & Grille
The Avenue Bar
Location: 1249 Commonwealth Ave, Allston, MA 02134
Phone:  617-903-3110
Directions: Green Line (B) to Harvard & Commonwealth

I must start with the fact that this place has 30 beers on tap and it has an awesome atmosphere. On the wekends, it is usually loud making it a great place to make new friends. Now to the good stuff, they have $2 burgers on Mondays. Before the dip in the market it was $1, but they had to change it up. It is amazing, they put some crazy sauce on it that makes it orgasmic. I promise. It's so worth the trip to Allston.

Zuma Tex Mex Grill
Locaation: 7 North Market Street (Faneuil Hall)
Phone: 617-367-9114
Directions: Blue line to Aquarium or State OR Orange line to

Let's just into it. They have $1 Taco Tuesday from 5pm to close for half off of apps and $4 margaritas. You can't beat it. Forget about the atmosphere and get your taco eating feast on!






Regina Pizzeria
Location: 353 Cambridge Street, Allston MA 02134
Phone: 617-783-2300
DIrections: 66 bus OR Greenline to Harvard & Commonwealth

This place looks really cool. You wouldn't expect any deals here. But it is Allston. A lot o people aren't aware of the late night deals they have. Every night after 11pm - 1 am they offer $1 cheese slices and $2 pepperoni slices. On weekends this deal is available from 11pm - 2am. But to get this deal, you have to buy a beverage. It's allston though, you can get a $2 tallboy everywhere. If you don't know what a tallboy is, get out of Allston asap.