Bar of the week
The Independent

Samantha Conti

From the outside lanterns and the old-school board with specials scrawled in chalk—to the interior of dark wood, dim lights and bookshelves full of leather bound editions— The Independent looks like your typical Irish bar. All the regulars trade war stories over a beer inside or a smoke out front.

But the Indo, as it is affectionately known as, is more than a place to grab a pint. It’s a second home.

The inventive menu allows you to choose from duck paté, mussels and fries, tender veal with marrow bones, deviled eggs or fish and chips. Entrees are often pricey but always good. For those on a budget they offer a selection of pressed sandwiches. The late-night menu serves up appetizers and sandwiches until 12:30 am, 1:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays when the bar is open till 2:00 am.

Whether you are up for a wicked dirty martini or a glass of pinot noir, you can sip contentedly at the bar or at a cozy candlelit table either in the restaurant or on the pub side. And there is no lack of stellar brews, including many from local favorites from Cambridge Brewing Company, Berkshire Brewing Company, and old standbys of Harpoon I.P.A, Stella Artois, Guinness, and Pabst Blue Ribbon—all on tap.

If the atmosphere, clientele, and the food are not enticing enough, the musically-inclined can find satisfaction as well. Most nights a DJ spins tunes in the pub from reggae to jazz to rock, and the bar often features local bands.

To deal with your post brunch food coma, you can mellow out in the pub and watch a movie every Sunday at 1:00 pm. And if you are in the mood to try something new, whether you are a foodie or a cheese whiz aficionado, The Independent hosts a cheese tasting the first Wednesday of the month.

Good food, good people, and good booze. Check it out once, and you might start having your mail forwarded to The Independent.

The Independent
75 Union Square (map)
Somerville MA
617.440.6022
http://www.theindo.com/

Samantha Conti can be reached at sconti@theoysteronline.com

02/22/2006   |   Permalink