80's Music In Boston, MA

80's music is alive and well in Massachusetts at “Heroes”, a theme night at T.T. The Bears in Cambridge, MA. On two Saturdays per month, DJ Chris Ewen (made famous from Man Ray Club, which closed in 2005) spins the best dance music from the 80s. The mix tends to be alternative, new wave, goth with a little mainstream (ex. Madonna) tossed in.

On a recent visit, Depeche Mode was playing when I walked in followed by Siouxee & The Banshees, New Order, The Smiths, Bauhaus and Billy Idol in the subsequent hours. Chris does a fantastic job choosing the tunes, and the dance floor stays packed till the wee hours.

The night is considered 18+, doors usually open at 9PM and the cover charge is only $7. The crowd is mainly a mix of gals & guys in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Heroes has its own My Space page linked here.

Wondering what to wear? The patrons’ dress tends to be a mix of jeans and tee shirts, black goth gear and a sprinkling of latex/PVC fetish outfits. Tattoos and piercings abound. One of the good things about this club is that you don’t have to dress up.. you can wear something that’s comfortable for you. When in doubt, stick with all black. (They do have a coat check, which is great in the cold weather.)

The club holds several hundred patrons, has two bars, pool tables and some limited seating. Inexpensive parking is available in the Green Street parking garage right around the corner. If you want to use public transportation, the Central Square MBTA station is a quick walk away.

If you are more of a goth fan, T.T.’s hosts X-Mortis, a monthly goth night, usually on Fridays. DJ Chris Ewen and DJ static spin goth, industrial and electro tunes. Unlike Heroe’s, a dress code is strictly enforced.. Black, fetish, latex, leather, pvc… you get the idea. Visit www.myspace.com/xmortisnight or www.xmortis.com for more info.

T.T. the Bears was awarded the “Best of Boston” Small-Medium Size music club by Boston Magazine in 2007 and 2008. Per Boston magazine’s website, “Boston has no shortage of excellent small music venues, but T.T.'s just keeps edging out the competition. ….It's cramped, it's sticky, it's totally authentic—and it's unbeatable.”

Another 80's music option in the Boston area is The Common Ground, restaurant and bar in Allston, MA. They runs 80’s nights on Thursdays with DJ Brian. The Common Ground is more of a student hangout with a mainly 20 something crowd.

For more info, visit their website at www.commongroundbarandgrill.com.