River Gods

River GodsRiver Gods
River GodsRiver Gods
Bar, Eatery

125 River St
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139-3806
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.68
Reviews:
10
Ratings:
13
pDev:
7.34%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by NJbeerman:
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Reviewed by NJbeerman from New Jersey

2.95/5  rDev -19.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 3.5
I have to agree with Todd's review. The beer selection here is definitely lacking - surprising because it appears to be a perfect location for good beer. We were there on a Friday night but according to the waitress, it gets much busier later. The seating is very comfortable - we grabbed a couch and chair to the left of the front door. Very dark, deep colors and dark wood - very comfy - almost too much so (this was our fourth bar of the night and about our 8th beer).

The taps were very basic - the only thing I found was a Sierra. The bottle list looked to have a few but never got a chance to try it out.

the food here is fantastic - we got the skewers - one chicken, one beer and one shrimp. We were very happy with these but had to keep going or we would have gotten too tired.

Worth a stop but do not go out of your way except for the food.
Aug 05, 2005
More User Ratings:
 
 
Rated: 4 by cshafer7 from Massachusetts

Sep 16, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by Nbrown04 from Massachusetts

Sep 14, 2014
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Reviewed by Andrew041180 from Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -6.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3
My wife and I stopped in here for a couple drinks while walking around the Harvard Square area. Okay, we were walking along the river away from Harvard Square. Anyways, I'd always wanted to stop in here and see what it was like. The décor borders on the bizarre, but in a good sort of way. It's reasonably dark, except for the "boat?" with flowers in it on a bright pink-lighted backdrop. Small draft setup with typical choices, although the Hoegarden and Leffe Blondes that we ordered probably stretch the typically available description a bit. We didn't order any food, so can't comment there. It's a decent place, I could see how it would draw lots of locals, however, it's not a place for which I would make a special trip to visit.
Jul 21, 2014
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Reviewed by Trailmix242 from Nevada

3.45/5  rDev -6.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5
The River Gods is not much of a "beer bar" with limited tap and bottle selections. Food is pretty decent and it has kind of a cool vibe to the place. Back to the beer, you will not find anything here that you can not find everywhere else in the Boston area so I would not make it a destination to look for something special. On the other side they do have a decent selection of hard alcohol if that is what you are looking for. Not a bad bar to hang and have a pint and food was pretty decent.
Apr 07, 2009
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Reviewed by morebeergood from Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -8.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5
River Gods is about a ten minute walk from Central Square. We stopped by here last Saturday night for dinner before a concert at the Middle East. Tiny place inside. Weird fairy god hanging above the bar, pinwheels all around, stone gods faces and crosses adorn the walls, and the chairs and tables look like they were stolen out of a church. Unique atmosphere to say the least. Service was good, our waitress checked on us a few times and was friendly. Food was served in a timely manner. As for the menu, a somewhat small selection was available. My friend got the bbq ribs and I just went with the cheeseburger. On a side note, why charge $1 for a squirt of aioli? Kinda cheap to do that. For the beers, kinda boring. Nothing good in bottles. The best they can muster up for tap beers were Belhaven and Ipswich IPA. Food was only above average and the beer selection was below average. Now that I've checked this place, there's no real reason to head back to this bar. Nothing grabbed me.
Jun 17, 2008
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Reviewed by Hibernator from Massachusetts

3.56/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
Located off of the Central Square beaten path is River Gods. Decorated with different nordic god statues and Irish pub appeal. Touches of green ivy really add to the vibe of this place.

Space in minimal, as I can only imagine how crowded this place must be on a Saturday night. There is a marvelous DJ space above the bar to the right. The DJ area is truly an architectural delight.

There were 8 beers on tap. Nothing that impresses, but expect some solid selections like Ipswich Ale, Stella Artois, Guinness & Hoegaarden. Bottles are limited with Red Stripe as a decent choice. I also enoyed a nice mid-sunday afternoon shot of Jagermeister.

Food and appetizers such as the hummus plate and Korean handrolls look really good, but we passed on food. Service was average, beers were fresh & atmosphere enjoyable. Worth checking out if the neighborhood, but don't go out of your way.
Mar 25, 2007
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Reviewed by nfo from Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev +4.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3
A little bit further from Central Square than I expected, so I was a little confused on the way there, but it's nice to get away from the crowds of drunk people on Mass Ave.

First off, the atmosphere is great. Small but not cramped. Kind of Celtic/Gothic, big heavy wooden chairs. The music is good - there's a DJ nook overlooking the room, and there was a DJ spinning a wide range of music on vinyl.

The beer selection is small, with some basics (Sam, Guinness), and a couple taps with other stuff (one of us had Ipswich IPA - I had a nice fresh Hoegaarden). Service was friendly and timely, mixed drinks seemed fine, and prices were reasonable ($4.50 pints).

Didn't try the food, since we had already eaten, but I hear it's good.
Aug 14, 2006
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Reviewed by taez555 from Vermont

3.4/5  rDev -7.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4.5
Located on the one way street, River Street, River Gods is only a short walk from Central Square.

A small hole of a bar that holds maybe 50 at most. A dark, very run down, gothic style room. A small bar along one wall with “old man” style vinyl bar stools. Tables along the other side of the room are accented by tall throne style chairs. A suit of Armor in back, and walls covered in “god” based knick knack, plus the night I was in they were playing 50’s rock and roll. It’s an odd, rather eclectic, but overly inviting atmosphere

Beer selection is limited. 7 taps and only a few more bottles. Mostly common imports and local micros: Guinness, Stella, Ipswich, Magic Hat, etc. Tap beers however were extremely fresh and I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed an Ipswich IPA so much in my life.

Food selection isn’t huge, but the quality and uniqueness make up for that. It’s an interesting mix with Curry dishes, humus, pizza, Korean Kim chee, skewers, pizza, burgers, quality salads, etc. Food is all extremely fresh and very tasty.

I work down the street and walk past here twice a day on my way to and from work. The after work crowd is mellow and actually pretty sparse, but late nights and weekends it’s elbow to elbow. Parking is tricky so it’s definitely recommended you take the T. Overall it makes a good spot for a quick bite on a pub crawl, or some good eats if you live or work in the area, but not really worth going out of your way for.
Sep 22, 2005
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Reviewed by Todd from Finland

3.6/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 2 | food: 4.5
Located a few blocks out of the heart of Central Square, the River Gods is a haven for locals. Quite small and a tight-squeeze, like many Cambridge bars/pubs, and very inviting. Dark, dim lighting, warm woods, mis-matched furniture, high-back chairs, and Gaelic influence and subtleties scattered about make-up the overall character of the place. River Gods is known for its unique DJ nights, and even has a small second floor DJ location that peers over the place from a window cutout of the wall. Music can range from modern, to the unknown, to underground, to turn of the century country ... and on and on. Music can get a bit loud at times, so sit close if you plan on having a conversation.

Although the beer selection is not impressive (Sam Adams, Guinness, Sierra Nevada and two others on tap and a handful in the bottle), the quality is always top-notch. If you are coming here solely for the beer, you might want to go elsewhere.

Food is always incredible, taking the typical and twisting it. Fries that are served with garlic aioli, Texas-style Chicken Chili, rustic pizzas, crepes, and even basics like Irish sausages with beans, or burgers with cheddar and bacon. Check the specials.

Service is always friendly ... just be prepared to wait a few minutes if there's only one server on the floor. Relax. Have a pint and soak in the place for what it is ... a small, new-age-like, Irish pub that's true to the Central Square Cambridge vibe.
Jul 05, 2003
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Reviewed by Jason from Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4
Mother of the Gods, they must want you to feel like a god … between the huge archaic wooden chairs, the healthy sized portions and attentive service you can’t complain. The food was more than I expected, I’m not talking just about portions I and talking about the freshness and sheer goal to reach a flavour.

As for the beer which is the most important part right, pretty much the same old run of what most Irish Pubs have … a great pint is what I mean even though the selection lacks.
Jun 24, 2003
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Reviewed by scottum from Vermont

3.98/5  rDev +8.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
This place looks super cool. I love the DJ window up over the bar. The service is good. Quite a few regulars seem to frequent here which is often a good sign. Some good brews on tap. I stuck with Guinness and was very pleased with the pour. The steak was really really good. I may have to return for another dinner sometime soon.
Mar 26, 2003
River Gods in Cambridge, MA
Place rating: 3.68 out of 5 with 13 ratings