While the bar scene in the Square is largely limited to those over the age of 21, the recent trend towards late-night hours provides food for anyone wanting a bite after midnight.
DiCenso attributed the post-midnight sales rush to what he called the “partying crowd,” which he said consists of both Harvard students and local residents.
“A lot more bars are open until 1 or 2 a.m. and when people have a few drinks at night, they feel like eating,” DiCenso said. “When bars close, they stumble around the Square looking for somewhere to eat.”
Whan Lee ’15, a Crimson editorial editor, who considers himself part of this crowd, said that the accessibility of these restaurants is key.
“After a late night of having fun, you don’t want to walk very far. The convenience factor is an important one,” he said.
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Students listed Pinocchio’s, Tasty Burger, and Felipe’s among their favorite late-night joints. Lee said that these places not only have delicious food but also offer a “chatty and social” atmosphere that undergraduates enjoy.
“The Kong is usually the best for atmosphere. It’s a sit-down place, and it’s good for talking with other people,” Lee said.
Though their choices might be limited for now, students said they are generally satisfied with the available eateries in Harvard Square past midnight. They named Starbucks and Au Bon Pain as places to grab a quick evening bite and the 24-hour Market In the Square as a convenient place to pick up a sandwich or wrap at any hour of the night.
“I’d definitely love more options, but these current options have been treating me well,” Whitney S. Anderson ’16 said.
PUMPING UP THE NIGHT SCENE
Established late-night businesses have felt the impact of the past year’s increased presence of late-night options.
Brush said that when Felipe’s opened nine years ago as a late-night venue, “it was a mob scene in Felipe’s at two o’clock in the morning on Friday or Saturday nights.” Nowadays, he said, “it still gets very full, but it doesn’t get quite as crazy.”
Brush added that operating at odd times is not without its challenges, since unlike standard lunch or dinner hours, late-night business is influenced by multiple variables including weather and the day of the week. Staffing can also be difficult with public transportation shutting down around 12:30 a.m.
Yet despite these challenges and the pressures of increased competition for existing late-night businesses, Harvard Square continues to add new options.
Josh Bhatti, head of The Bowery Presents: Boston, cited this nighttime energy as one of the reasons why his company chose the Square as the setting to open dining and concert venue The Sinclair.
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