Central Square

As Harvard Square [1] “jumped the shark,” the alternative crowds moved to the next square down Massachusetts Avenue, which became the unwashed center for Boston’s [2] 1990s rock renaissance. Bands including the Lemonheads, Morphine, Juliana Hatfield, and the Pixies all got their start at the legendary Middle East [3]and other rock clubs in this stretch.

Even as some chain stores have filled in the gaps (and The Gap), this section of Cambridge [4] is still seen as more “real” by the tattooed and tongue-pierced crowd. Ethnic restaurants, art stores, and dance studios line the avenue, while the rock clubs still pack them in at night.