The Middle East is Central Square's legendary music venue — a complex of five adjacent rooms with different capacities, running from a small downstairs stage to a larger upstairs hall. Over three decades it helped launch dozens of bands that went on to major careers, and it remains one of the most important small venues in the Boston area. The booking tends toward indie rock, punk, and experimental music, with occasional metal and hip-hop shows.
The restaurant side serves Middle Eastern food — hummus, falafel, shawarma — and the food is genuinely good, not just an afterthought to the music. The complex runs seven nights a week, with multiple shows often happening simultaneously. The best way to find out what's on is to check their calendar online; weekend shows sell out and door entry is not always guaranteed.