McCarthy’s Brings the Beat to Porter Square

Porter Square’s newest Irish pub, McCarthy’s & Toad, has become a hit among Harvard students and Cambridge residents alike.

The pub, located at 1920 Massachusetts Ave., opened in April and features a menu of plant-based options along with traditional Irish fare, as well as live music from local bands.

Thomas McCarthy, the owner of McCarthy’s and Boston-area Irish pubs like Davis Square’s The Burren and Seaport’s The Bebop, said he wanted his restaurant to revitalize the music scene in Harvard Square and Cambridge.

“I was really, really disappointed when the House of Blues closed their first location,” McCarthy said, referring to a jazz club and restaurant in Harvard Square that closed 22 years ago. “I saw so many great shows there at the end of the day.”

“I just feel Harvard Square has lost a Bohemian feel. It’s just so plastic,” he added.

Every night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., McCarthy’s hosts live Irish music sessions with different bands and singers. The pub also hosts Scottish-themed brunches on Sundays. Other activities include trivia and open mic nights.

Though Harvard Square is home to many live music and concert venues, like The Sinclair and Lou’s Jazz Bar, McCarthy’s has distinguished itself for the extra space it offers student performers.

“They have two rooms, separate rooms, a main room and a smaller room, that host student bands,” Nghia L. Nguyen ’26, a Crimson Sports editor, said. “I think that’s pretty great because most bars in Harvard Square don’t have the space for student bands performing.”

Cassandra H. Hay, a local resident who frequently visits McCarthy’s, said the pub has been “an easy after work hangout opportunity.”

“The music is actually a really nice touch. It’s not too loud, it doesn’t take it over,” Hay said.

“It’s nicer to have the live music than have it be piped in, and there aren’t TVs everywhere, so you’re not barraged with sports if you don’t want to be barraged with sports,” Hay added.

Ashley C. Voltz, a regular at McCarthy’s, agreed that the live music has complemented her experience at the pub.

“We sat right next to it last week and it wasn’t too loud,” Voltz said. “The acoustics in there must be good for it. I’ve been in other bars where they have bands playing in the corner, and it’s overwhelming.”

In addition to pub food, McCarthy’s serves plant-based options such as cauliflower tacos and eggplant pizzas. McCarthy said he was inspired by the Boston-based vegetarian restaurant chain Life Alive.

“The one in Davis Square, the one in Harvard Square, the one in Kendall Square, they’re all full,” McCarthy said. “So my idea, if we could bring this with a pint of Guinness and live music, it’s something that might take off.”

Despite the pub’s distance from Harvard Square, McCarthy encourages Harvard students to explore their options outside of campus.

“Sometimes the best place in the village, it could be half a mile outside the town,” McCarthy said.

Nguyen said McCarthy’s gives Harvard students the opportunity to get outside the Harvard bubble.

“I think it’s going to bring a new offering that will get people outside of campus and more into Cambridge,” Nguyen said. “We have Harvard Square, and it’s great, but sometimes the student body is very isolated from the rest of the community.”

— Staff writer Jaya N. Karamcheti can be reached at jaya.karamcheti@thecrimson.com.

— Staff writer Kevin Zhong can be reached at kevin.zhong@thecrimson.com.