The Asgard

The AsgardThe Asgard
The AsgardThe Asgard
Bar, Eatery

350 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139-4182
United States

(617) 577-9100 | map
classicirish.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.78
Reviews:
12
Ratings:
21
pDev:
9.52%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.7 by wc94wc from California

May 15, 2019
 
Rated: 3.73 by scxcrunner from Massachusetts

Apr 03, 2016
 
Rated: 3.8 by DrJay from Texas

Mar 16, 2015
 
Rated: 4.33 by 31Sam13 from New Hampshire

Mar 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.64 by Dicers from California

Feb 28, 2015
Photo of ricp215
Rated by ricp215 from Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +11.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25
Great Selection of beers that rotates throughout the year.
Food is great.
Mac and Cheese with corned beef is out of this world.
Jan 16, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by mklisz from New Hampshire

Sep 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by ZDSmith87 from Massachusetts

Aug 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by MattGrimley from Massachusetts

Jun 21, 2014
Photo of NEhophead
Reviewed by NEhophead from Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4
Located conveniently on Mass Ave in Central Square. The vibe is typical for a Cambridge pub: casual, slightly sports-centric, but not quite 'Irish'-authentic. The atmosphere is clean and open with lots of hightop tables in addition to a wrap-around bar.

With approximately 20 selections on tap including: Thomas Hooker Liberator, Southern Tier Chokolate, CBC Big Man Ale, Harpoon Leviathon Double IPA, etc., this 'Irish' pub certainly surprises.

Service was prompt, but it was evident that our server was out of her element when it came to beer recommendations or anything beer-related for that matter. At least proper glassware was used in every instance.

One positive for friends of the craft beer drinker is that this place also serves a wide variety of cocktails, so if a brewpub that serves only beer is out of the question for an office gathering, the Asgard is a popular alternative.
Jan 17, 2011
Photo of SSJeep
Reviewed by SSJeep from Massachusetts

3.66/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4
Went here on the Boston Beer Week Pub crawl. I only had a couple beers here. The place was very crowded (lots of soccer on tv) and at one point it was one out one in. The service was a little slow wait staff ( our waitress walked by when i had an empty glass and didnt even bother to ask if i wanted another beer). The beer selection wasn't huge, but they did have some great craft beers on tap. The atmosphere seemed to be a little odd, but i wasn't there to look at the walls either. The menu looked good thought i didn't get to try any food.
Jun 16, 2010
Photo of deltatauhobbit
Reviewed by deltatauhobbit from Maine

3.83/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Came here by chance, we were just looking for a place to eat and found it along our walk near the Central stop.

Place is definitely fake-ish in theme, but can fun to look at nevertheless, not very laid back for an "Irish" themed restaurant/bar though, which its sister restaurant the Kinsale excels at being (even when packed).

The selection of beers was nice and found several that were not available in Maine, if I had more time I would have ordered another round or two, as such I went with Oskar Blue's Gordon and found it to be very good.

The food was fairly typical for a pub/Irish themed restaurant and adequate, of the meals my friends and myself had partaken in, none of them really stood out.

A place I wouldn't mind going back to if I'm looking for a place to eat along the red line, but I prefer the Kinsale over the Asgard.
Mar 21, 2010
Photo of SunDevilBeer
Reviewed by SunDevilBeer from Massachusetts

3.35/5  rDev -11.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3
Although this is one of the seemingly endless number of ubiquitous faux-Irish pubs in the Boston area, I can handle the Asgard due to their beer selection and somewhat upscale atmosphere.

The beer list isn't going to wow the ticker crowd, but has several solid local/regional selections that are in good shape and are reasonaly priced (example: 20 oz Ommegang Hennepin for $5.75). Harpoon 100 Barrel and Leviathan series beers are always on.

Service was a bit spotty - our server announced she was new and things were slow....but I wasn't in a hurry so I didn't mind.

I went with the fish and chips which were pretty mediocre, but my standards for the dish in the Boston area are high. Most of my other DC's had similar opinions of their food.

All in all a decent place to go if you're in the neighborhood, but not a destination per se.
Mar 14, 2010
Photo of LeeMarvin
Reviewed by LeeMarvin from Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +22.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Hit this place on a Saturday afternoon and was pleasantly surprised by the beer selection. ST Choklat, NC Rasputin, Flower Power, DFH. Bartender knew what she was talking about and was very attentive, the music was great (deep cut classic rock) and the chicken tenders were great -- BBQ Honey, probably frozen, but very good. One of the best beer experiences I've had in Cambridge in a while. Not sure about the night life, but for a nice Saturday afternoon inebriated stroll, it's a necessary destination for me from now on.
Feb 13, 2010
Photo of JTWILDOATS
Reviewed by JTWILDOATS from Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Right off the bat, one thing I'd like to say about the Asgard is that, although they do not present the absolute largest selection of beer--what they do carry is excellent and varied.

This is an enjoyable place to relax with a group of people...perhaps a tad too loud, but at least there are sections and rooms that are quieter if that's you're going for. You'll feel like a King in a throne. Great interior.

The service is excellent. The waitstaff seemed to me to be like an omni-present force that stayed out of your way but was there whenever you needed them. And the staff, the bardtenders in particular, are extremeley knowledgeable about the brews that they are carrying.

Like I mentioned earlier, this establishment doesn't flaunt the largest selection, but what they do have is continuouslly changing, seasonal, some local, some imported, some Belgians. Something for everyone, but not the standard spread that you'll find everywhere. For example, you could structure the night with a popular Young's Double Chocolate Stout on-tap, follow through with an Ommegang Saison Seasonal, and even try the rotating line of Cambridge Brewing Company--conceived literally right down the road in Cambridge, MA.

Give this place a try if you're in the area.
Sep 11, 2009
Photo of Liverpool08
Reviewed by Liverpool08 from Massachusetts

4.11/5  rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Went here last Wed afternoon as part of my 40th birthday celebration.
Very nice and clean interior, nice dark woods with a Celtic/Nordic feel. Sat at the bar, which was very comfortable and inviting. The bartender was GREAT! Huge knowledge of all the beers on tap and in bottles. Made some great reccomendations and even let us have some free taste before we decided what to have. This is the kind of atmosphere and service you expect from a good beer bar. Good local selections from CBC and Peak Organic to nice imports, Duvel etc.
I will definately be back!
Jun 22, 2009
Photo of Hibernator
Reviewed by Hibernator from Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
An atypical & mighty unusual Tuesday afternoon led way to Asgard in Central Square...

The vibe is comfortable & cozy with an interior that reminds me of The Kinsale in Government Center. A classic sister-bar appeal awaits inside. Expect the food & beer selection to be solid. Service was efficient and focused. Atmosphere is clean with an over-sterile accent, but could be worse. Tuesday nights happen to be Trivia night for those who care.

A handy beer listing reveals about 20 drafts beers. I concentrated on Allagash White's that were presented in appropriate glassware. Beers were served fresh. I'd like to re-visit in the Fall/Winter. The patio adds to the potential of this place, yet something is lacking overall.

A solid option in the proximity of central sq. I'll be back soon to support and honestly... this visit was better than expected.
Aug 01, 2007
Photo of morebeergood
Reviewed by morebeergood from Massachusetts

3.13/5  rDev -17.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3
This was the second stop on a Friday afternoon pub crawl. This place is quite large, and has a fun Irish pub feeling to it. Sat at the bar and ordered a Allagash White, which was served in an Allagash glass. The bartender was quite attentive as he brought my beer quickly and changed the TV to accommodate the guys at the bar. The beer selection here is a bit more extensive than what you will find in the immediate area, with about 20 taps and 10 bottles. The food here is pretty good, with your typical pub food and also a few Irish favorites sprinkled in. When it comes to an Irish bar that is good to have a few beers at in the Kendall Sq area, this is the place.
Feb 16, 2007
Photo of jvdineen
Reviewed by jvdineen from Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -8.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3
I'll always remember the Asgard because there was one occasion where I recommended a Smithwicks to a Southern woman who wanted something "not as dark as Guinness and not as light as Bud". Suprisingly she liked it. Also this is the only place that I've seen a older (65+) have Brooklyn Brown Ale as his beer of choice rather than some macro.


The Asgard is also part of the "Classic Irish" chain that include's Government Center Boston's Kinsale and Rt. 9 Framingham's Desmond O'Malleys.
Dec 02, 2005
Photo of Todd
Reviewed by Todd from Finland

3.55/5  rDev -6.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 3
Typical Irish pub-style restaurant / pub. The place is airy, relaxing and themed. I kind of like it, although there's a heavy feeling of fabrication in the vibe. Like going to a theme-park restaurant ... you know it's all fake and provided for your entertainment. I like all of the big wood furniture, too.

You'll find at least 20 beers on-tap and around another 20 in bottle. For the most part the selection is typical, but you'll find the occasional special, like Harpoon 100 Barrel. All in all better than most of its genre, with many local fall-back beers. So even if you are a hardcore beer geek, you can still find something to suit your palate.

Food is average, but it's quality food. No frills, and expected. Bangers and mash, sheppard's pie, fish & chips, steaks ... you get the point.

Service is polite and attentive.

They also entertain with live pub-style music throughout the week. Check the website for listings.

Not a place to get excited about, but once and a while it's worth a visit and I've never had a complaint.
Oct 11, 2003
Photo of UncleJimbo
Reviewed by UncleJimbo from Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
The Asgard Irish Pub is located at the corner of Mass. Ave. & Sydney St. in Cambridge, between Central Square and MIT. It is in a building next to a hotel, and seems to get some of the hotel guest crowd. It is in the former location of a Tex-Mex restaurant (Austin Grill), and so the colors and some of the motif inside the pub are Southwest oriented. It is a very large room (entrance off Mass Ave.) with large glass window walls on Mass. Ave. and Sydney St.. The ceiling is high. The bar is long, and L-shaped, with a wooden surface. There are wine and liquor bottle racks on the wall behind the bar, and this wall has several large mirrors worked in. The seating at the bar is on square chairs with backs. There are many tables in the bar area for seating (and there is a purely restaurant area in the back, along Sydney St.). They list live musical acts Thur-Sat in Mar. & Apr. I saw one tv in the bar area.

I give this pub a higher score for selection than for "quality" because they do offer 20 beers on tap and 13 in bottles, but there are only a handful that I would bother having. The bartender was very friendly and helpful. On a Sat. night the place was pretty full, but not overly crowded, and there were seats at the bar. Overall a nice place to have a pint (draft beers are avail. in 16 and 20 oz).

[Tap: LaBatt Blue, Magners Cider, Blue Moon, Harpoon IPA, Sam Adams lager, Killians, Amstel Lt, Harp, Bass, Guinness, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Newcastle, Boddingtons, Murphy's, Magic Hat #9, Anchor Steam, Carlsberg, Pilsner Urquell, Becks, Stella Artois]

[Bottle: Pabst, Bud, Bud Lt, Coors Lt, Miller Lt, Rolling Rock, Sam Adams Lt, Corona, Molson, Heineken, Hoegaarden, Old Speckled Hen, Clausthauler]

Most recent visit: Jan. 2006. Service improved. Guinness was fresh.
Mar 02, 2003
The Asgard in Cambridge, MA
Place rating: 3.78 out of 5 with 21 ratings