I had lunch here with the always fun Dan C this past Monday. Given that it was a gorgeous day out, my only stipulation for our dining locale was that it have outdoor seating and be within a five minute walk from my office: The Asgard was the winner by default. Thank god we didn't sit inside, because The Asgard looks like their decorator (or someone with kitschy restaurant taste) went crazy at the Celtic Viking store. I love an Irish pub as the next Boston resident, but jeez, I don't need to pretend I'm in some olde tymey Celtic lodge. It just felt like overkill to me. Meh. On to the the food: I ordered a Diet Pepsi (what, no Coke?) and the Rosemary Tomato Cheeseburger ($12), which the waitress said was her favorite thing on the menu. The menu describes it as being "Topped with a sugar crusted, slow roasted, rosemary olive oil marinated tomato. Topped with melted Brie cheese." It was a pretty tasty burger; the marinated tomatoes were excellent, and who doesn't love melted brie? I know I dooooo. However, I must say that the mere fact that they put a slice of blah old tomato, a piece of lettuce, and bermuda onion on the bun detracted from the burger. There were already delicious tomatoes on my burger; why would I want a bland one that would do nothing but get in the way? Poor judgment call on their part. I don't remember which burger Dan ordered, but I do know that they wouldn't serve it rare. The service was fine; our waitress was friendly and Dan's double entendre went completely over her head (trust me, it's a good thing). I can't think of any real reason why I wouldn't come here again, but I'm not sure that I would go out of my way, either.
(3)
J S.
I usually go here once a month for the Indie Games meetings. A bunch of independent video game designers drinking beer and talking shop. The girl who usually is our waiter wasnt there one night and it was hell. My friends waited 45 mins before being approached by the waiter for service. My friend asked before if we could order and he blew us off. Lucky I arrived early and ordered before the masses got there. I had some fantastic buffalo wings that night thought.
(3)
Dan C.
Lookin' to grab a bite after working late in university park, or how about at 10:30 pm and you go to school/live near MIT, perhaps are you a viking looking to rape and pillage a Celtic Quesadilla? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Asgard is for you! The unfortunate named restaurant has a huge bar section and similar dining section. Food is your usual kind of casual dining experience...with a celtic twist. If it isn't an Irish stew, or bangers n' mash, then be certain it has some kitchy Irish flair in the name somewhere. The service is alright, the food is edible (the elvis burger is awesome: burger, fried egg, peanut butter), but some of the chairs are gigantic...like something out of Conan the Barbarian. It also has live music, trivia night, karaoke, and whatever other gimmicks it needs to put butts in barstools. Bottom line: sometimes you are hungry and just want to grab a Guinness and a shepherd's pie. You don't always need to go to great restaurants, this is a safe backup.
(2)
Kat V.
I am stuck between 2 and 3 stars here. I walk past this place on a semi-regular basis, always scoping the menu on the window and seeing who is coming and going. Finally, I went...and while it as alright, it was not what I wanted it to be. First, the hostess was messing with her personal belongings when we walked in, and she continued to while talking to us...odd. (Especially since later she yelled at a fellow staff member, not a server, for smoking near the building where she could see him in front of us...rude, and odd). The set up of the place is strange. Probably the farthest thing from an intimate setting I have ever experienced (not that I was expecting Gaelic and Viking nookie sessions, but it is still part of the ambiance). The over sized tables, the large hanging lights, etc. Just, strange. Now...onto the food. My salad - the pear and goat cheese salad (sans goat cheese of course) was AMAZING! So good! It is a little pricey for a salad ($11) - don't get me wrong, it was a good portion...but not $11 worth of cool. My meal, Chicken-n-chips. Meehh, I expected more, much more. The chicken was dry and more breading than chicken in most spots. The fries, aka chips, were pretty good - not earth moving, but good. The service was alright, pretty slow considering they were not busy, but the order was right and she did not have a crappy attitude - so no real complaints. Side note: they have a decent beer selection.
(3)
Andrew C.
I visited the Asgard on a warm, Saturday night and most of the other bars in Central Square had lines and covers. We decided to skip out on lines and went to the Asgard. To our surprise, there was a live band and no cover! The Asgard features al fresco seating as well as comfortable couches and bar stools. The booths and stools around the stage area were full, so we sat down in the step-down dining room area. -Drinks- The drink menu is nice and varied. It features almost twenty interesting beers on tap as well as the standard fare in bottles. The bar also has specialty mixed drinks for $10 each, if you're into that sort of thing. -Service- There were several beers that were out of stock the night I went and while the waitress mentioned which ones were out -- I, of course, was distracted and didn't pay enough attention. I ordered 2 out of the 3 (man, I'm good) beers she mentioned were fresh out. The waitress was very patient about it and continued to be really friendly and attentive the rest of the night. -Conclusion The band was doing a great job keeping everyone entertained while cold, frothy beer flowed -- all without the hassle of standing in line or paying a cover.
(4)
Paul C.
Wherever I go I'm usually with 6-10 people. That's just how we roll. The Asgard is a very cool bar with great food, excellent beer and great bar tenders. Our first night there, we had to spread out because the place was bumping but we went back for the 10 cent wings night and it was an experience! This isn't the best place to bring a dozen kids but the draught beer they have makes the crowd totally worth it.
(4)
Shane K.
Second time here last night and I was very impressed. The decor is pretty cool, stone and dark wood everywhere. The drinks menu is pretty extensive. The food menu is also equally impressive with your typical Irish fare and the standard American staples. We ordered nachos, pear & goats cheese salad and calamari. Yeah a strange mix but everything was absolutely delicious. I was left wanting more afterwards, not because the portions were small, but because it all tasted so good. They have a pretty cool feature where you have a touch screen remote at every table which allows you to order drinks, food, play games and request your check. So basically a solid place with good food and drinks at reasonable prices.
(4)
Robyn R.
I was pleasantly surprised at this place when my friends told me we were going to an irish bar for lunch. Just not my style, but I was impressed with this place immediately - great decor, style and atmosphere...kinda like mid-evil times! Next, I was very surprised and pleased with the menu - they had some great gourmet type salads and dishes, not just chicken fingers, cobb salad and wings - bravo! Beer selection is awesome, service decent. Didn't get to eat much, but would def go back for drinks and dinner sometime!
(3)
Mark W.
ok I don't know why so many people are reviewing this place and knocking stars off because they have to wait or because they thought the inside looked different than what they were expecting. Come on this is a bar/pub not l'espalier. On both points this place did fine. For me this place was great. This place had much more beer selections on tap than most of the other bar/pubs i've been to in boston. I went at night on friday and it was packed. But not suffocating packed. Me and a bunch of friends were able to find a table and have a great time watching the game and talking at the same time. The food itself was pretty good. I had a chicken cobb salad and it was actually a really decent chicken cobb. The salads are huge. Also i had 3 beers. I had some youngs double chocolate and some other tier chocolate that was on their seasonal menu. Both were great. The Young's is always a great choice. The service was pretty quick and attentive. They always came by to ask if we needed more to drink and they brought us water and changed it when needed. This is a solid place if you're craving a burger, salad or sandwich and some beer with friends.
(4)
Inna H.
Decent pub, with reasonably priced drafts that come in two sizes.
(3)
Francesca R.
I will always have a soft spot for the Asgard because this is where we watched the Germany-Italy game during the World Cup when we found Phoenix Landing to be too massively overcrowded. We managed to get a table, and it was fun to be in such a big place with so many people (even though Germany lost...it was a great atmosphere). I am also a sucker for overtly ornate decor, and The Asgard definitely doesn't hold back with its semi-Celtic, semi-medieval appointments. I also like that service here is always oddly quirky and over-familiar while managing to be endearing. The food - whatever. It's OK; it's not amazing or anything. Overall I find this place to be inoffensive and fun, albeit definitely not authentic or original. Speaking of not authentic - they have a dish called "Fenian Chicken Pasta." Needless to say, a chicken pasta dish with sun dried tomatoes is not one you'd traditionally find in Irish homes. But the real problem with this dish is the word "Fenian," which is an offensive term for Catholics in Ireland and the UK. I took my Scottish Catholic in-laws here and they picked up on it immediately (I'd never noticed it before). Luckily they found it amusing, but were also quick to point out that that would *not* fly back home.
(3)
Stephanie W.
I've been there on week nights several times and there is never a wait, and the food is pretty good. They have a fairly large menu, as well; lots of interesting salads and tasty burgers. They serve pretty good rolls there (complimentary), but you have to ask your waitress for them!
(4)
Hisham K.
I'm really tempted to dock two stars here, but the rest of the Asgard shouldn't have to suffer so badly because of one terrible hostess. She greeted me at the door with about as much warmth as a chemical wart remover. She had long blonde hair and was wearing a gray sweater with a loose neckline, a matching gray tight skirt, and ugly gray boots. My friends and I were there for ten-cent wings, which you can only get if you sit in the bar area of the Asgard - however last time I was here, they were providing seating in the back for the wings as well. The hostess, however, didn't seem to think that my experience was real. Me: "Can we sit in the back and get the ten-cent wings?" Her: "No, we've never done seating in the back." "Oh they did it last time. I was just wondering if you were doing it today." "No, we've never done that." "Yes you have, I was there." "No we haven't." (This woman is basically calling me a liar now.) "Is there someone I can ask?" "Excuse me??" she asked with a faceful of attitude. "Is. There. Someone. I. Can. Ask." "You can ask my manager, he'll be here in a minute." Well, lucky for her, I was less worried about finding her manager than about finding a table and getting some delicious wings into my belly. I do, however, hope the manager reads this and gives her some sort of training on how to properly talk to customers who have actually sat in the back and gotten ten-cent wings.
(3)
Peg P.
The Asgard is a great place to go for a snack and a good bar atmosphere. It is a pretty big space that includes a nice sized bar as well as ample seating in the dining portion of the building. It can accommodate large parties, which is nice and has a pretty standard menu as far as American-Irish bars go. The Asgard has a few vegetarian options and is reasonable priced. I have not been "wowed" by the food, but have been satisfied with my choices every time I have gone. The service is not the greatest.. I feel like each time I have been there the server is relatively new to the job. Everyone is friendly, but "a bit green." The bar has a nice selection of beers, wine and mixed drinks. They pout a decent pint of Guinness as well. I have been there a few times when they have entertainment, which has varied from cover bands to more traditional Irish music. They also have trivia nights.
(3)
Smiling C.
Warning: Stick to pub food and don't get adventurous with their 6 page menu. I learned my lesson by ordering the fish tacos and they were among the worst I've ever had. The fish were fried pieces of blandness with not much else on the taco to flavor things up. The service was below average (our waitress was out of it). However, the atmosphere is actually pretty fun with a wide open bar and plenty of seating, both at the bar and on some comfy chairs. My impression is mostly the science folks who work nearby tend to hang here. All in all, Asgard is best enjoyed as a place to hang with friends and grab a beer. By the way, when I went on Monday night, they were having 10 cent wings at the bar.
(2)
Jason P.
I've been here a few times now, and while it's an alright place for a drink, and maybe a sandwich, I think most of us can find something better... Don't get me wrong, the place isn't terrible-they actually have a decent selection of brews, but prices on some drinks can get spendy, and frankly it's just a corporate-Irish pub wannabe. Oh yeah, it's pretty damn loud in there when there is any kind of crowd...because they keep the music up loud even though most people are there to eat and talk (well save Karaoke night). I would give it 2.5 stars if I could, but I can't bear to give it 3 stars. That said, service was decent and in a pinch I would go back. My recommendation is go almost anywhere else in Cambridge and you will do better.
(2)
Grym R.
Here's the deal: The food is good, maybe a bit pricey, but as bar fare goes they execute well. The beer selection is really wide, but sometimes you can't see all the selections from one end of the bar, so read the cheat sheet. Parking sucks. really. The bar crew can be hit or miss. But they do have one guy with super-hearing. Or maybe ESP. Karaoke. Well, if you like your date being given the once, twice, and three times over by the sketchy guy running it, well then go right ahead. He also does a poor job organizing it. And, finally, it has been invaded by members of Boston Improv. I only bring this up because one member told me, "Well, I don't mean to be condescending, but I have stage presence..." This made me wonder why he didn't have a black eye, hahahahaha! Anyway, pick your poison!
(2)
patrick w.
this is about as far away from an irish pub as you can get. To put it another way it has the same relationship to a real Irish pub as tasteless factory produced mid-west Parmesan cheese has to authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy. Loud, younger crowd. Food is overpriced and boring. Don't bother.
(2)
Matt K.
The problem I have with the Asgard is also one of the reasons I like it. It's huge for a bar and that can go either way. My first visit to the Asgard was a St. Pattys day a few years ago and I had so much fun. Me and my date showed up early to claim a table, The best part was how many people were there. Being it was a drinking holiday it was packed, a couple hundred people easily. Everyone drunk and in a great mood. I loved the Asgard for that day. But alas the next time I went was a Monday night with a friend. We showed after work and we were the only people in there. They had most the lights off and the entire place just seemed lonely. When the place is empty it's borderline depressing, with so many unused seats you get the impression they were going out of business. Food wise, nothing cutting edge but still really good. The shepards pie is a favorite of mine. The bar service is always great fast. I have nothing negative to say about them. Lesson learned, never go on a slow night.
(3)
Zev X.
Cool decor ... excellent variety of beers on tap. we had the spicy calamari appetizer - it was really flavorful and not too spicy. the calamari was flash fried, so it wasn't too greasy or battered. Yum! I had the coconut shrimp and avocado salad - It was delicious. six crispy pieces of coconut battered shrimp over a salad of fresh field greens and avocado slices. My date had the Shepard's pie and she really enjoyed it. very flavorful and tasty. we went back on another night and had the Guiness stout pie. It was a huge portion and had two huge pieces of flaky crust on top. The dish was a bit too soupy. I would recommend getting the Shepard's pie over the Guiness stew. no complaints on the service. always attentive.
(4)
Brennon S.
If your idea of a good time is hanging out in a spacious lodge hussied up like an Irish bar with a Norse name, then the Asgard is for you. If you like rubbing elbows with Blackberry-humping suits downing overpriced beers over expensive food ... the Asgard is for you. If none of this sounds appealing, well, you're in my boat. I went on a Wednesday night and noticed a sign outside that said, "Best Karaoke in Boston." Or maybe it said "Best Karaoke Ever." Either way, it was wholly unimpressive. The DJ had a nice voice and sang some country tunes, but the LARPer that came up after him was grating and everybody was making fun of her, including the frat boy with the finely plucked eyebrows. But that's neither here nor there. The waiter took an exceptionally long time serving our drinks, even though said drinks were just beers. I didn't eat but a friend had a sandwich and soup, said they were good. Good for you, sandwich and soup. Clap clap clap. You're still way overpriced. At least this joint doesn't try to shill authentic Irish food, because authentic Irish food is fucking crap.
(2)
Ashleigh P.
Let me start off by saying that if I could, I'd give Asgard 3.5 stars. Came here on a Friday night for a friend's birthday. It was ridiculously packed - I could barely walk to the back room where my friends were. I was running late and everyone already had their food, so I had to order quickly. I would have liked to try some of the appetizers with some people, but I was a little late for that, so I just ordered the crab cake melt sandwich. It wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't horrible either - it was just good, maybe a little dry. The Asgard certainly is not shy on its prices though, which is one reason why I think it loses a star - this is bar food, but sitting down, not a super-fancy place. The other reason it loses some points is that we had the whole back room to ourselves, but they didn't do a good job putting the tables together. Maybe 12-14 people were seated at one long table in one part of the room, and the rest of us were at small tables by the windows. I ended up at a table of only 2 other people (whom I didn't even know before dinner), kind of isolated from everyone else - which is not the point of a birthday dinner. Sure I was late, but they could have somehow arranged the tables better. One person also ordered the blueberry cobbler martini - drink menu said it was supposed to come with whipped cream and a pie crust - it had neither. I don't know if I'll ever say "hey, let's go to the Asgard for dinner," but I wouldn't try to talk a person out of a birthday dinner here, either, if that is where said person wanted to go. So I'd say it was average-good.
(3)
Francisco A.
I've been here many times. The food is ok (nothing amazing, but no disappointments), they usually have some kind of cover ban (again, nothing amazing, but no disappointments) and they have a great selection of beer. Just another Bar/Rest in Cambridge.
(3)
Amanda Z.
I like this place. When we first walked in at 7:30pm it was crowded but it wasn't too long before a few seats at the bar. The hostess was nice about explaining the rules of Monday night's ten cent wing special. The special only applies to diners in the pub area. The wings are really good. Especially the golden and asian-style ones. The general trend seems to be that you order wings in tens. So for a $1 a pop, you get ten wings with a great number of beers on tap like Dogfish Head's Immort Ale or Young's Double Chocolate Stout. We'll definitely be going back. Note: The waitstaff may take a few minutes getting your drink orders, but it is very busy and they only have a few waitstaff dedicated to the pub area so patience isn't too much to ask when your bill at the end of the night will be much smaller in comparison to the usual.
(4)
Marie C.
Where else can you witness a rap battle on karaoke night? Or someone singing 99 Luftballoons...in perfect German. Or a guy who looks like an MIT student belting out Aretha? Go, be entertaining and be entertained.
(5)
Brian H.
I have found this place hit or miss depending on what night. I feel like it tries to accomodate everyone, but that can get a bit annoying. If you like karaoke Wednesday nights can be pretty entertainig. I would not recommend watching a sporting even on a Wed. though...the karaoke takes total control. I have never had a bad meal there, and they have plents of suds on tap to choose from.
(3)
Anastasia R.
It is agreed that the Asgard seems more like a theme park restaurant than a Irish restaurant you'd find in the heart of Central Sq. It is also agreed that for the quality of dining experience and food, it's a bit overpriced. However there is a MUST TRY on the menu, and it's the Fried Cheesecake. It's a slice of cheese cake wrapped egg roll style in a flaky dough then deep fried, rolled in cinnamon and sugar, served with a raspberry drizzle and vanilla ice cream. I've seen other attempts at this kind of idea, the fried snickers comes to mind from Tavern in the Square, but the Asgard actually has a much better execution and end result. Otherwise the place was mediocre. But our waiter was attentive and got real excited when he saw the gf give me a kiss and confessed in a whisper "My mom's a lesbian!"
(3)
Andrew D.
I stopped in here with friends on a hot and humid Wednesday night, looking for some great (read: awful) karaoke to accompany my chilled beverages and greasy bar food. While the bar food was indeed greasy, and the karaoke sometimes sounded like they were slowly strangling a cat over the microphone while jumping up and down on a squeaky mattress and occasionally dragging broken beer bottles down a chalkboard, that was about the best of it. The seating area around the bar was crowded with unnecessarily bulky low-set chairs that you could not lean back in without being so far removed from your table as to need a hearing aid to keep up with the conversation. It was pretty dark so I can't really comment on the decor, but I've been to The Kinsale before so I have a pretty good idea of the over-the-top "Irish" theme they have going. The waitress stopped by our table maybe once every 15 minutes or so, but we did sit in the corner behind all the crowds, so I can't really blame her for not wanting to navigate around all the drunkards very often. As for the food and drinks, it was slightly above average but nothing to write home about. The Asgard Burger was fairly generic and bland, but at least the fries were good. My first drink was the Pomegranate Metro, which was basically Grey Goose and a little bit of pink stuff to take the edge off, but it wasn't bad. Next up was a coffee stout off of the beer list, which I quite enjoyed and it's probably the main reason for that 3rd star up there. Overall, if you like Karaoke and want a long beer list to go with it, there are far worse places than The Asgard on Wednesday nights.
(3)
Courtney H.
I ate here for the first time on a thursday night, and I was unimpressed. The descriptions of their dishes make them sound way better than they really are. Their tater tot appetizer is just a bunch of tater tots from a frozen bag covered in shredded cheese. Big deal, I could make that at home. They do have a large selection of alcoholic beverages, but I don't drink much, so that doesn't do it for me.
(2)
Colleen M.
A friend took me to Asgard for their karaoke night and I had a blast. Great beer selection and very attentive wait staff meant that we could kick back and enjoy the karaoke, and someone else would be there to help refill our beers - a huge plus in a crowded spot. The karaoke itself is a blast - good mix of songs, good mix of folks. Will definitely be back for more and will be bringing friends!
(4)
Claire S.
The Asgard karaoke night is pretty fun, but the food is gross and the drinks are worse. Prepare yourself for bland overpriced greasy food in weird portions. The more you pay the smaller the portion. The ravioli I had there was maybe half of what would be served at other places. Also depending on the night, the music is like the 90's threw up its worst all over.
(2)
Becky M.
I went here yesterday for lunch, or a meal at like 3:30pm. I don't know if that's still considered lunch. After furniture shopping we decided to stop here for something since we passed it on the #1 bus on the way over. It's dimly lit with lots of wood, big wooden chairs, huge wraparound bar, and a cool atmosphere. It was pretty dead so we pulled up a chair at the bar. The bartender was friendly and wondered why we were just having soda...hungover perhaps? What I just downed 3 huge glasses of water in 5 minutes? I'm fine! What's dehydration? I had a veggie burger that came with smoked gouda cheese (my favorite!) It was good. Really good fries also. My boyfriend had the steak sandwich which lacked a little flavor but was still pretty tasty. Mine was about $10 and his was $12. A little expensive just for sandwiches but I liked the atmosphere enough to come back and check it out at night. I guess there is live music most nights...
(4)
Daniel H.
Meh. Overpriced, medium quality. My friends want to go there more often then I do, sigh.
(2)
Kathy K.
I would put the Asgard more at 2.5, but felt bad lowering it to a 2. The positives of this place are that it's large, has live music, and is an uncrowded place to have a drink or hang-out for a bit on a weekend night. If you are not counting on having the crowd amuse you, but are going with amusing people, it's fine. Also, the front area is very open and inviting and it is really pretty "neat and clean" compared to some places with more "atmosphere" in Central Square. The food is nothing awe-inspiring or truly Irish. It's not bad though. This place used to be the Austin Grill, a absoulute favorite of mine in D.C, but it arrived in this space before it have hit by a tidal wave of new office buildings, apartments, condos, etc. The place had wonderful food, but in Northern Virginia and D.C. have smaller venues and more steady, loyal traffic. I was saddened when the place was gutted and over-the-top "Irish" styling was put in. I am still trying to figure out how all the imposing cow horns sticking out of things should make me feel Celtic.
(3)
Abbey L.
I agree that there is an odd mix of people at the Asgard, but I have been on several Saturday nights (late night) for the live music, and really enjoyed it. It's a bit laid back but not in a bad way.
(3)
Seth O.
I'm generally completely uninspired by this place, and have been completely unexcited by it except for before they opened when all I could think was 'Cool, a viking bar'. I'd really like a viking bar around here; where the bouncer's wear funky viking hats and carry an axe.......but no; just another knockoff irish pub by the same people who brought us half a dozen irish hotspots around the town. I will say, I've enjoyed the fish and chips; but being able to serve a good plate of fish and chips really isn't anything to write home about, now, is it?
(2)
Erin D.
I can see why other people would hate this place, part of me does too for it's cheezy pub aesthetic and bad cover bands on the weekend. However, the Asgard is a fabulous place to go for a birthday drink if you want to invite lots of friends (it's a huge space). It is also a great place to visit on a snow day because they have large windows for snow-gazing, delicious coffee drinks (with alcohol- yum), and comfort food (tasty tater tots).
(3)
Aaron B.
Decent happy hour spot. Bar food is actually not bad (bruschetta is pretty greasy though). The crowd is unpretentious, both for good and bad. Friendly service but sometimes a little slow. Sometimes the place is dead and sometimes it's packed to the faux Irish tavern rafters - seemingly without logic.
(3)
S W.
If you are looking for a quick dinner without a wait, look no further- Nothing earth shattering on the menu and the food is adequate. If you are looking for a drink with friends at night, look elsewhere. This place is a haven for loud shitty bands who range from shitty reggae to shitty fake Dave Matthews. If you wish to hear your friend talk over the music, your wish will not be granted. That is, unless you are friends with the band. Then you will hear them just fine.
(2)
Brian D.
You know what makes the Asgard a stand up Irish style joint? Nothing. In a neighborhood riddled with bars and lounges and crack heads and MIT geeks, this joint operates as the Friday's or Appleby's in a land where the chain restaurant has not managed to sink it's claws in on the local business. Don't get me wrong, this is a perfectly fine place to get a Corona or to use the bathroom but don't order that beer that you would like to try because they will be out of it. Or you could get the almost passable honey bbq wings, if you like warm carrots and soggy celery on the side. Nuffsaid.
(2)
traveler Y.
We tried to have dinner here on July 4th. Tried is the operative word. Granted it was July 4th and right near the start of the fireworks, so we understood that we had to wait for awhile to get a seat. We waited 40min for our table, we were okay with that. We placed our order soon after since we've been studying the menu for the past 40min. We asked for 1 soda and 1 water. Our server brought us 2 sodas after 15min. We asked for water again and bread and another 20min before we got water, but no bread. I think it was another 15min before we got bread. We waited for a total of 1hr and 45min after we got seated, we got 2 baskets of bread, but not our food. The fireworks were about to start and I was starving, so we paid for our soda and left to find food. Can't say if the food was good or not, but service was definitely lousy and my fork was filthy with chocolate gunk.
(1)
Dachary C.
Alright, I'm going to risk contradicting the crowd - this is one of my favorite pubs. (Although I do agree that I was a little shaken by the Norse name referring to an "Irish Pub." You'd think that someone opening a restaurant would do a *little* research and at least get the correct culture!) I like the decor. It feels very comfortable, warm and inviting. I've chatted up most of the bar staff, and once you get them going, it's a pretty friendly group. There's plenty of seating, although the place is always packed on a weekend evening (and seating is generally not available at those times.) I even managed to train one of the senior bartenders in one of my favorite drinks that no-one ever knows how to make - he did a great job. There have been several drinks that the bar was not equipped to make, in spite of the fact that the bar seems very well stocked, but the bar manager is always willing to offer solutions, compromises, and alternate recommendations. As far as my general bar experiences, this place is the best of all the spots in the Boston area that I've visited so far. The food is another point worth mentioning. Everything that I've tried at the Asgard (Irish/American fare) has been above-average tasty. The portion sizes are also large. I'm always on a quest for good Shepherd's Pie, and the stuff here is the second-best I've had (the best, sadly, being at a bar in Dorchester.) The chili is average to good... many of the deserts are awesome... just good food. The Asgard also claims to have live music, from time to time (on the weekends) but everytime I've been in on a weekend, the band was unable to play for some reason (lead singer sick, etc.) So I've gotta disagree with many of the people who have posted here - the Asgard is definitely worth a stop, whether you're looking for good food, good bartending, or a comfortable atmosphere.
(4)
Al A.
Good prices. Good food. Good service. Crowded sometimes. Slightly slow for food prep.
(4)
Kimble M.
So, they might not have the best food, their drinks are pricey, and the service can be downright rude, but there is a good selection of said drinks and it's worth it to overpay for drinks on 10 cent wing nights (Monday). Get there early, stake out a table for your friends and order an absurd number of wings with a glass or two of beer. You'll regret it later, but you'll go back the next week.
(3)
Ralph K.
They don't post the prices for the fancy imports on the blackboard, and my server didn't mention them. You may end up with a $9.50 8oz beer. It might be great tasting, but it's nice to know up front so you can think about how good it must be if it costs that much. Beer selection and freshness have been good. Don't expect much from the food menu. Service depens on your server. The atmosphere is decent with high ceilings, good light level, faux but functional decor and furniture.
(3)
Lee H.
Ate here a number of times since I worked around the corner. Nice ambiance, good location. Food very unexciting. Good for large groups, but don't go for the food. Lunch service poor.
(2)
susie k.
Terrible service. The waiter was rude and slow. We waited forever to order and even longer to pay. He didn't give us the correct change, but we were just glad to get out of there. The location is very convenient and parking was easy to fund so I really wanted to like the place- the food was ok but not that would make me want to go back. Very disappointed.
(1)
Jen C.
Came here for a friend's bday party on a Wednesday night (karaoke night!). The rooms in the back have enough space for a smallish party (~20 ppl), and the high ceilings and open windows made for great atmosphere. Beer list was lengthy enough, even though I stuck to Guiness for the night. Unfortunately, the food - updated pub fare - was kinda inconsistent. Bangers and mash were all around solid: the sausages were firm and well seasoned, and the mashed potatoes (a signature item) had good texture and flavor. The fish in the fish and chips was disappointing; breaded coating and dry flavorless cod was reminiscent of cafeteria fish sticks that got left a little too long in the fryer. Made me a little sad, since I loves me some good fish and chips. The base of the salads looked like bagged salad - iceberg, red cabbage, and shredded carrots. Again, disappointing. The place cleared out, but we stayed for karaoke. Didn't get a chance to get up there and do our thing, since another party had booked so many songs. The selection was pretty good, so I'm game for giving karaoke night at the Asgard another try. Overall verdict: Skip dinner and go straight to shooters and songs.
(3)
Christine T.
This place has grown on me... its one of the post-work bars all the biotech people in the area hang out at. So no matter what time of day it is i tend to know someone there. The bar can be packed after 5pm on the weekdays. I've worked in the area for the past 6 or 7 yrs...wow...anywho, if you eat there everyday you get sick of the food. but its actually good (lately, when i first started going it was mediocre on the verge of bad). Most of the wait staff is awesome even in the bar area. There's this one short mousy brunette girl who looks like she sucks on lemons that's been there for i dunno 3-4 yrs now, and she is AWFUL... she's never friendly , dawdles, and its like pulling teeth to get her to re-up your booze. I don't like her, but then again maybe she just doesn't like me *shurg* In my opinion the mixed drinks tend to be a little low in alcohol content. Alas I keep going back for some reason. For an Irish bar i don't know why its the Asgard? The vikings probably pillaged the Emerald Isle but i didn't know their culture was so integrated with the Irishs'...
(3)
Jane D.
.10c wings on Mondays... AMAZING. they are the big wings not the itty bitty ones that a lot of people give away with the deal. it usually gets very crowded, but there is a lot of places to sit. good beer selection.
(4)
Robert H.
The Asgard is an excellent - if high-end - Irish pub. Before you get confused over the name, let's take a moment to remember that Dublin was founded by the Vikings. Everything make sense now? Okay, moving on... I have a great time every time I go to the Asgard. It's good for a few quiet pints with friends on a weekend afternoon, and it's good for a rollicking bout of karaoke on Wednesday nights. The wait staff is friendly and engaging, and the food that I've had has always been fantastic. I really dig the ambience in here as well. Of course, I'm a fan of dark woods and stone floors. That's half of why I like pubs and mountain lodges. A well-located fireplace or two wouldn't hurt things a bit.
(5)
greg l.
The 10 cent wings are now 25 cents and smaller. I would suggest that they had priced at 20 cents if they really needed to increase. I really don't think they have any competitive advantage over any other 25 cent wing night on Monday.
(3)
Al G.
My friends and I go almost every Monday night now for ten cent wings. Get there early, as ten cent wing night gets mighty busy. The "Gold Fever" flavored wings are the best, its a combination of BBQ and Buffalo sauce. I start to crave them the rest of the week until the next Monday rolls around. If you are there for anything other than ten cent wings, I would only give this place 2.5 stars. The food is just kind of okay and the service could be better. Ten cent wings!!! Catch the Gold Fever.
(4)
Andrew M.
This is a huge place with mediocre grub, nice decor, little authenticity.
(3)
Becka D.
Good drinks, although a bit on the high side as far as pricing goes. Good food & the fries are amazing. The decor maybe a a bit over the top for some, but I think it's kind of cool...you can pretend to be queen-for-a-day if you get seated in one of the massively huge chairs. A bit of a hike from the T, but worth if if you're looking for a place where you'll be able to grab a table.
(3)
Sarah H.
heh, heh, ass-guard. heh. middle school humor aside, this place is pretty bad. Its stuffy. The food is inauthentic, a confusion between Irish-American-Mexican cuisine. Its pretty bland, and has definitely come out luke-warm before. Also: how do you confuse black bean soup with New England Clam chowder? Yes, that has actually happened before. Their buffalo chicken salad was pretty terrible. How do you mess up a salad? Okay, probably not the smartest thing to order. I did like their bangers and mash. I guess I'll throw in an extra star for that, and for the location. And because they have beer, and I approve of beer. Especially a decent selection of beer, which they do have, shockingly.
(2)
Josh O.
I'll give this place a three. I wasn't particularly impressed, but I didn't hate it either. The food was pretty good, they've got a standard selection of beer, and the atmosphere was pretty much 'hey, look at us, we're a bar, come drink here'. Not really anything special, but they sell beer, so how bad can it be, right? Also, why would an Irish bar have a Norse name?
(3)
Lynda M.
Not a bad looking pub, its large and it has a great location. Its simply hit or miss, sometimes its fun and sometimes its awful. These articles may shed some light on the norse/Irish connection. wsu.edu/~dee/MA/NORSE.HTM asgard2.ie/about.html
(3)
Richard L.
If you want to hang out and have a beer in a noisy place, Asgard is just fine. If you want decent pub food, this is NOT the place. Service is fine, but the food is close to cafeteria level.
(2)
Paul F.
Come here every week for trivia on tuesday night. Fun environment. The food is decent, not extraordinary, and reasonably priced. They have a wide selection of beers. The staff is usually friendly and helpful. A fun place for trivia, although it can be very crowded and you need to get there early to get a table.
(4)
Mark L.
Fifth time at Asgard (live nearby), this one on Sunday Aug 14 at 5:30pm. Drink beer here but save the food calories and eat elsewhere- food here has been just basic, nothing memorable. My wife was served a truly poor Sauvignon Blanc, happily they took it off the check. We ordered a burger each. The "carmelized onions" on mine were merely sauteed, my med rare was served definitely rare. And about time they freshen up the Irish/Viking decor.
(2)
Deepa C.
tom e.'s review was spot on. the place just looked fake. for a pub, the ceilings are too high, there is too much light, it is WAY too clean, and too "decorated". i went to seatards trivia on tuesday and it was a good time, but i think the trivia buzz was holding the place up. the place had no feel, no atmosphere and no vibe. but it did have seats, which was nice. the bartenders were fairly prompt, the beer was beer and the prices weren't bad. good location and all the drivers found parking near by. i'll be back for trivia. or if i need to use the bathroom or something...
(3)
Andrea D.
Not a bad place at all. It's a good place to head after work for a couple drinks. I've been here several times and the service is pretty good. They have a good sized bar area which is really good for hanging out and having a good time. Most of the people here after work are all biotech people, but that's cool. It's a pretty casual environment. I haven't had much of the food, but the boneless buffalo wings are pretty good and I get them almost everytime I go here.
(4)
Felecia C.
I will dare to counter the majority opinion and state that I like the Asgard. Oooooh. Maybe there are a few issues with service, as in it's not the best, and decor, as in everything is oversized and makes you feel like you're on a ship. But overall, I like the warm yet gothic atmosphere of this bar. I have been here at several times of day - lunch, dinner, happy hours, nights out. I've always eaten a tasty meal in the form of a large salad, and my food restrictions were well received and accommodated. Drinks have always been large and strong, especially those from the martini/frozen drinks menu. I am not too familiar with the nighttime scene but when I was there, a live jazz band was playing. I do not have a problem with this. The Asgard may not THE BEST BAR ever near MIT/Central Square, but since it's so big and convenient to the local work crowd, it will continue to draw a crowd.
(3)
Amy P.
Mediocre food, mediocre service. Sunday afternoon for the football game, my friend and I snagged two seats at the bar in front of two large television sets. So far, so good, I thought. But it took forever for one of the many servers to even acknowledge that we were there. Not even eye contact or an "I'll be right with you." And even longer to get the bar wiped of debris from the previous diners. When a female bartender finally asked us if we wanted a drink, she was brusque. So, okay, I thought, a bad day. But then she was all Miss Congeniality with the patrons next to us. We weren't high maintenance, either. Just beer and sandwiches. I ordered the Ruben ($10). The corned beef was tasty but sparse. The dressing was missing. It should have been billed as a sauerkraut sandwich. How does one ruin a Rueben? My friend got a burger ($12) which was dry. The onions (for which he paid extra) were incompletely caramelized. Like, hey, who can't caramelize onions or build a standard sandwich? These are basic errors. The fries have a fancy name but they're really really really ordinary. Really ordinary. Oh, and while the sound seems muted while the games or analysis are on, during commercials, the sound is so loud that we couldn't hear anything but the commercial. It was louder than your-worst-nightmare band. What's with that? I know that advertisers pitch Viagra (and other wonders of the modern world) at increased volume, but that doesn't mean bar management has to go along. Why not mute the sound or play something else? Was anyone paying attention? The evidence suggests not. So, yeah, mediocre.
(2)
David V.
Went here for lunch during the week. The place is huge, very clean, nice atmosphere, great service. The food was good, but not great. I had the Shepard's pie, lunch portion, which was $10 and not enough food. My friend had some sort of beef stew, which was little bigger, but more money. Overall, it's a very nice place, but maybe next time I go I'll stick with something simple like a burger and fries.
(3)
Marisa C.
Good food, drinks, and atmosphere.
(4)
Shannon S.
Meh, this place isn't my scene anyway, so it seems wrong to review it because I'm biased against it before stepping inside. However, Trivia night was very fun, and I heart the Truffle Tater Tots since I always cherish adult versions of my childhood favorites. The beer selection is okay, and the bar was loaded with hard liquor. Meanwhile, I rocked Magic Hat # 9 while rocking out to Tuesday STUMP trivia night. IT was pretty busy for a Tuesday night with the usual collared shirt crowd. The people sitting at the bar always seem annoyed when you try to order a drink there and I had a lot of trouble flagging down waitresses and had to pry food & drinks out of them. They were all totally nice, but man, can a girl catch a break?
(3)
Sarah L.
Ugh. Never again. Nothing of value at this place. Go to one of the other fantastic establishments surrounding it.
(1)
Sarah T.
I've gone to the Asgard for lunch and it is great pub food that is reminiscent of what eating in Ireland would be like with a modern and upscale feel to the restaurant. Loved it and I would definitely return again.
(4)
Tracee D.
"wow cool! big furniture" thats it. that's all there is to the Asgard. Word is they are the leader in fruit fly infestation in Central..but every restaurant has fruit flies all summer long so don't fret. The ladies in the ladies room of the Asgard (ie intoxicated patrons) aren't smiley. All ladies in the ladies room after a couple of drinks should be friendly...thats how lame the asgard is..
(3)
Jessica R.
Seems upscale and tries very hard to appear so with it's over the top decor and expensive menu.
(2)
erin e.
Great place to hear some "wicked" Boston accents, dude. Tries a little to hard, or something.
(2)
Khalid S.
I was very impressed by the decor and ambiance of this place. The castle like walls, furniture and stoned floor is aesthetically appealing. Location is prime as well. Food was just about average though. I had Chicken Strips with fries.
(3)
Kevin M.
Went here last week to hear my friend's band play. Acoustics are not great for a live band. The decor is distinctive, very homey.. but the drinks are AWFUL, way too strong (which is normally not a bad thing. :) ... but I at least like to be able to enjoy them until I get a buzz on! After that, my tongue will be numb and I'd drink gasoline at that point.
(2)
Tez C.
Good vibe, nice bartenders and decent beer selection. The space is pretty large with a good variety of sitting options like the bar, large tables with stools, couches, and regular tables. We went for trivia night which was the largest showing I've ever seen. Fun times overall and I would go back again just to hang.
(4)
amanda n.
I'm not sure what it is, but there's something I like about the Asgard... The decor maybe, the large airy space, not crowded necessarily. Our waitress in the bar area didn't come by as much as we'd have liked. I needed something to munch on so we ordered the quesadilla. It was ok, pretty well filled in fact, but I have no idea why they'd put barbeque chicken in it. Do they have any control over the musicians who play? The one man act who was playing when we got there was terrible. I've been there a few times and I'm not sure why the music has to be quite so loud that you need to yell to the other members of your party...
(3)
Emily M.
Since I've been coming here regularly for a while now I've gotten to know the staff and I love them. Bret knows more about beer than anyone I've met and Anne will whip you up a tasty cocktail if you just tell her what kind of drink you feel like. The turkey burger is my favorite and with loose cannon (triple IPA ), harpoon's leviathan series, and cbc's IPA on tap there's always deliciousness.
(4)
R F.
above average but not by much meh it's ok food good list of beers, but i'd probably expect more with the size of this place and the ridiculously overdesigned layout and furniture... hmph you probably won't find me going back here
(3)
Dana B.
I love this place! The food is priced well and there is something for everyone on the menu. HOWEVER, I would go there on wednesday nights for their karaoke. It's a completely supportive environment (thanks to my friends and I) and the DJ jas an EXTENSIVE karaoke list. Asgard also has great beers on tap. The only problem is that the service is a little slow. I find that they have as many hostesses as they do bartenders. MORE BARTENDERS!!
(4)
Bryanne R.
Their nachos are excellent! (especially after a few beers...) My co-workers have turned me into quite the beer snob, so in my jaded opinion their drought beer list is a bit lacking. It's a fun atmosphere with excellent service though. Great place to hang out and grab some drinks and a snack.
(4)
Joshua P.
Wednesday night is karaoke night here, and it's a blast. Bunches of tanked 20-30 somethings singing anything from Sonny & Cher to Whitesnake. They have a great beer selection, but good luck getting one, the service leaves something to be desired. The guy who runs karaoke is a riot. He takes pictures of people looking ridiculous while they're singing then posts them on the big screen.
(4)
Joe P.
To me the Asgard is an upscale horrible place where they don't let you in even if you have a valid ID. Just looking at it from the outside make cringe. However, it could have just been one bad experience, but still.
(1)
Nick S.
The only reason we went to Asgard was because every other bar in Central Square was packed with lines out front (it was a Saturday night). So --- right away I thought that was a good thing. Plus the name evokes something from Lord of The Rings to this admittedly ignorant sod, which is also kinda fun. But frankly the place seems to have a bit of an identity crisis - the interior is all faux rustic old-world decor intermingled with loft-like exposed ducts, full length windows, etc - nothing wrong with that, but also kind of theme-park like, which is a bit creepy - why not simply let it be what it is...a modern bar in a new building? In terms of the suds, I had a black and tan, which was about 80 tan and 20 percent black...I could have said something, but I don't think this was a priority for the bartender. What I can only call a corporate acoustic rock band (due to the fact that I mistook their banner for some sort of sponsor messaging) was playing *lite* music from Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, and other rather bland rock outfits - I don't know, not really my cup of tea. I'd rather hear what, Irish music perhaps in an Irish bar? At least there is some foot stompin passion and vim that we could all tap into with Irish music...All in all fairly benign, I guess - but I am looking to register a little higher on the fun/enjoyment scale than benign. Not terrible, but not much fun either.
(2)
Natalie S.
My 4 star rating is based on my two experiences at The Asgard, both of which were very positive. The service both times (one was a large party) was excellent! (We didn't sit at the bar either time.) The food is yummy and the menu vast. I really enjoyed their coconut shrimp salad with avocado and the sweet potato fries were pretty darn tasty. I love their beer selection so that is ftw!! Yes, friendly server, you can get me another Loose Cannon, thanks! The atmosphere is cool, kind of traditional Irish with a splash of castle theme thrown in there with the metal chandeliers and vaulted ceilings. There was no trouble getting seated either times. Overall, despite some not-so-positive reviews from other Yelpers, my personal experience was dandy!
(4)
darcy d.
Aside from what everyone else said about nice portions and good ambiance, the Asgard has awesome live DJs every Friday nite! They spin everything from soul to world to funk music. Both have spun at Soul-eh-lu-jah (at zuzu) in the past, but the Asgard stole them away... VERY worth going to every Friday nite.
(3)
Jessica F.
Great beer, good food, and a great place to go if you just want to hang out with your friends. The service can be slow, but it's usually because they're busy or a group of 50 has reserved most of the dining room. Definitely try the nachos and their tater tot appetizer. More restaurants should serve tater tots. They also didn't mind that we brought in our own birthday cake and even gave us plates and utensils. It's definitely a place I enjoy visiting.
(4)
Arik C.
This place is confusing just as much as its an Irish bar named after a place in Norse mythology. Wannabe Irish decor and no irish working there! Seems very tourist and not a place I would return to again for a beer.
(3)
Rod B.
I freaking hate this place. Filled with wanky local office-workers round 6pm, enjoying the "Celtic Quesadillas" or "Galway Buffalo Wings", it's the most depressing faux-Oirish bar I've seen. Add in the overly-loud git on a fiddle, and it's like a Disney-land version of an Irish bar... "TGI O'Malleys", if you will. Avoid!
(1)
karl p.
I went over to the Asgard the other day they have these really great touchscreen devices on the tables... makes the experience really great! Oh, and the food is really good too!
(3)
Meredith S.
Decent food and a nice place to stop in for a beer before a baseball game. I've been here a few times and have never had a problem getting a table. Loved the truffle tots and the bruschetta appetizer.
(4)
Matt W.
The Asgard joins the ranks of my regular lunch spots. I have actually never been there after 2pm which is maybe why I enjoy the place. The menu is quite large so everyone can find something they like.....though the food they recieve isn't always that amazing. I really like their fries and the turkey burger with gouda....but then again, those items are a bit hard to mess up. Their beer, as with all beer, is good. I applaud their attempts at making the place look castle-ish despite their obvious failure to do so, and the lounge area up front is cozy. This is also one of the few places in central where you can sit outside and have a drink which is why we often head here on nice days. I give the place an average 3 stars simply for the large menu, outdoor seating, and laughter it envokes upon close examination of the decor.....seriously though, the place ain't bad for lunch!
(3)
Evan G.
Not a bad place for lunch. Very large food selection, and most of it is pretty good. Good beer selection as well. The waitstaff is on and off, some of them are real nice, but I feel like there's a quick turnover of people. The food is a bit overpriced, but not crazy. Don't try the brunch though, it actually made me sick for the rest of the day. Took me a while to forgive the Asgard for ruining one of my sundays.
(3)
rishi h.
Everytime I pop in here on the weekends the place is totally packed. This isn't my kinda place and my sole reason for even popping in each time is to figure out what the draw is (i've even asked people smoking outside and their response was a perplexed "i dont know". wtf people!!). The place is huge with lots of dining room so I imagine if you've got a group it would make a decent spot to get drinks and eat. I tried the food once and though it's nothing to write about, it did hit the spot.
(3)
Amy B.
It is what it is, take it or leave it, but it satisfies the imbibing needs of the people that work in the area. I am one of those people. I can't tell you how many times I have had lunch there with co-workers or how many times I have been there for a drink after work they are too numerous to count. We don't go there because the place is amazing, we go there because it's there. If it was located any place else (as in more than a block away from my office) I wouldn't make the effort to go there at all, and you certainly won't find me there on a Friday or Saturday night. To sum up the draw to the place: the space is large and suitable for co-workers to mingle, they serve alcohol, the service is mediocre, and the food is consistently okay as in edible, but often ends ups seeming delicious after a few beers.
(3)
Day B.
Oy. This place is pretty bad. The food I believe is all frozen. Nowhere to park. Not very unique. Not much more to say.
(1)
Richard S.
Not a bad place to be if you bring your own party - even though by that logic you can squeeze three stars out of anywhere. Everything about it is safe, familiar and dependable in that franchise/chain sort of way. Don't expect surprises and you won't be disappointed. The windows open for summer breezes and you can sit outside on Sidney Street in the afternoon glare. It's pretty big and seems a little dumber for that. But it works on this corner and the neighborhood is better for its being here.
(3)
Patrick M.
If you're there, try the Belhaven Scottish Ale. It is one of the best I've had. They have a great selection of beer. The food is your average bar food. I like The Asgard a lot- people watching is great there. I've met up with friends there multiple times and it is always bustling. I was there on trivia night once and not being into it perhaps, I thought it was a little annoying. It is a lot more interesting than Miracle of Science because of all the people. I like both though.
(4)
Fen Z.
Asgard is a pretty trippy place. I always though the chairs and name of the place gave it a really traditional Nordic theme, but all the food is Irish themed. And by "Irish Themed" I mean that they have dishes like "Emerald Isle Nachoes" (which, by the way is fantastic, and feeds a family of four).
(4)
Eugene H.
if there was Ye Olde Irish Pub in Disneyland, this is what it would look like. Plastic bricks. Crappy music. Lousy service.
(1)
HJ U.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who calls it the Ass-Guard. There are so many better Irish (and fake Irish) pubs in Boston, why waste your time here?
(2)
Tanya A.
Good pub food, especially the shepherd's pie with cheesy mashed potato topping. Fries are good too, as are the crab cakes. But their brie with apples/pita appetizer is only mediocre, despite being recommended by our server. Haven't tried dessert, but I give them props for bringing us small plates so we could serve the homemade cheesecake we'd brought in for a birthday celebration. None of this "plating fee" stuff they do at the more expensive restaurants!
(4)
Kelly G.
meh, no one here on a Thursday night at midnight. feels more like a sports bar than an irish pub. but they've got franziskaner on tap :)
(3)
Dylan C.
This place is all about atmosphere. The prices are high, but the foods only OK. I do like the beer selection though.
(3)
Kevin B.
I am never sure why this place is never packed on Sunday Mornings. I have gone here on more than a few occasions for brunch and always enjoyed myself. It has never blown me away but the food is good and the service is always exceptional. This is probably due to the fact that it is almost empty as opposed to my charm and wit but I am hoping they are so good to me because of my charm. (My review. I get to bend reality to my liking people) I like the atmosphere. They had this amazing special of banana pecan pancakes that were so tasty. I would have preferred that they came with home fries and bacon but they were inexpensive enough that I just ordered them on the side. . And their home fries are so good. (They are actually Potatoes O'Brien. The addition of bell peppers makes home fries into Potatoes O'Brien for those of you who don't know.) Hmm Hmm Hmm. I do have one little complaint. They have a really mediocre tea selection. I mean Lipton? Really? Really? Please, say it ain't so Asgard. I might just start carrying around my own tea.
(4)
Kristin G.
Meh. That about sums this place up for me. The sound "meh." It's within walking distance from my friends' apt, so I've been here on numerous occasions. I think the food is mediocre. Trivia night is pretty fun, though.
(3)
M.A. F.
I wouldn't disagree with what everyone else has written... but despite all of that, I do love this place. The space is huge which makes it a great spot for going with a group of friends. Decent beer selection, good drinks, decent food... I choose this place over most others in that area.
(5)
So S.
American fare. Decent food but a bit pricey for just uinventive food offerings similar to Uno's which is cheaper. Nice sandwiches and salads. Very good steak salad! Always crowded with biotech people making up the after-work crowd. Service is slow but friendly.
(3)
Sandra C.
Overpriced and not great service. They did have a good french onion soup and a good corned beef and cabbage stew.
(3)
Michelle D.
Huh! My experience with the Asgard is different than that of the prior two reviewers. I haven't experienced the long lines and I enjoy the food. Particularly the Steak Salad and the desserts. The Coco Melon martini is delicious. It's styled after an old Irish castle and the owner/designer spent a lot of time picking out the right furnishings. Kinda goth, kinda Celtic. Located in a more remote spot in Cambridge -- that is, neither Harvard or Central Squares -- but nearer to MIT.
(3)
Ruth P.
The asgard is expensive and sometimes has unjustifiably long lines. This confuzes me. The only thing I like about the asgard is the comfy couches... it kind of feels like you're hanging out drinking beer in someone's big fancy study or library. They also make a pretty mean hot chocolate for those alcohol-free nights.
(3)
Daniel B.
I go here regularly, but trivia night is the draw. It's highly entertaining and challenging. Otherwise, I wouldn't come here much. Sometimes the food is really yummy, but most of the time it is just average, and I've had a night or two when it's not good at all. Unlike some other reviewers, I actually like the design of the place, which admittedly has a bizarre medieval feel. There are some comfy chairs and couches in the bar that are pretty welcoming.
(4)
Juliette V.
This is a large hotel style Irish pub. They have live music on a regular basis and it is ok for a change of pace. The service is nice but I always get the feeling that everyone is visiting from out of town.
(3)
Cindy C.
I ordered a mussel appetizer at The Asgard a few years ago, which was not in the least bit appetizing. The platter was slammed down in front of me by a surly waiter, and the bivalves were overcooked to the point of being shriveled up, dry, and hard. Yuk! The waiter didn't ask why I didn't eat anything to see what was wrong, and he had such a tough demeanor and angry look, I didn't dare say peep. I returned with a group recently for drinks, and the beer was somewhat flat and not nearly cold enough. The place was so loud, we couldn't converse, and quite a few of the customers appeared one beer away from a brawl. The atmosphere is as crude and rude as the food and service. The bouncer and hostess at the door were very nice and welcoming, though. The Asgard doesn't have to care about quality or pleasing customers, because the local area, which was once run down, barren, and dumpy, is being developed with upscale office and condo buildings, so there is a ready supply of clientele without much competition. I wish better pubs and restaurants would open in this area that are commensurate with the improved surroundings, but until then, I'm steering clear of this place. Life is too short to put up with unpleasant experiences.
(1)
Sarah I.
The servers here are beautiful, kind, and super awesome at their jobs. The bartenders are amazing. And the managers were looking cool.
(5)
Phil C.
Generous with three stars here, Great ambiance, but if an Irish pub went corporate this would be it. Beer options are the Irish staples, I wish there was more craft brews though. Food- very average and a bit over priced. Dont bother with the humus plate, seriously underwhelming. The salmon entre was ok, uninspired though. Go here to have a beer and talk, eat somewhere else.
(3)
Bryan N.
I've been here at least half a dozen times, and had some sort of negative experience at least half the time. The food is very average and most of the servers don't seem to try so hard. Some of the negative experiences: On one occasion, the bartender clearly forgot to put in our order, and instead of admitting it, punched in our order and blamed the kitchen staff. On another occasion, we tried using a gift card that we had won the week before, but we were told that the one card machine that could read it was accidentally taken home by another employee. In addition to these, our group has received incorrect orders and then on the same night, had additional orders added to our bill. Normally I'll let a bad experience or two slide when giving a review, but when it is negative more often than positive, I can't.
(2)
April P.
I've been going here for years- mostly for the trivia night. I was actually getting bored of the trivia, and decided to try a new place. Well, that made me appreciate how great trivia is here. I am sorry I ever doubted you Asgard! I think the food is okay but totally overpriced.
(3)
Usagi T.
The good, the bad and the ugly. 1. The Good: Very attractive restaurant with high ceilings and decent decor. Based on appearance alone, it would make a nice place for a date, casual dinner or even a business lunch. Thanks to this, they get the one star. 2. The Bad: The food is incredibly over priced for the quality. We shared a couple sandwiches and fries. They did not even come out of the kitchen as ordered and there appeared to be no attempt at plate presentation. Normally I wouldn't care at a pub, but at those prices and the niceness of the restaurant interior, we just expected much more. Also the booth/chairs were incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. I was sitting at a different height than the rest of my party. 3. The Ugly: The server had an incredibly nasty attitude. My coffee was given to me in a dirty cup with coffee spilling all down the sides of it, as was my boyfriend's coffee (only his was only half full). She rarely returned to the table to check on us at all. When my friend's sandwich came out with the wrong side, she didn't check until much later to see if everything was good, and actually said, "So do you really want to correct side?" well yeah, we ordered it!!! Then returned a minute later with the correct side and almost threw it on the table and waltzed off immediately. She never offered us coffee refills or asked if I wanted another cider (thankfully the cider was good, or I might have just gotten up and left). Honestly, we felt like we were messing up her day by being there! I don't understand why she was working at all! The area of her section was dirty, stuff all over the floor and we were never given silverware or napkins (had to get up and ask someone for them after our food came and had been sitting for a bit). Overall, this was not only the worst pub I've visited during my New England trip, but in my entire pub experience. This will be a mistake that won't happen again.
(1)
Anna T.
Came here for brunch with a few friends and had high hopes despite the not-so-great reviews on here. Guess I should have listened because I wasn't too impressed. I'll start off on a positive note with the atmosphere. The place is beautiful inside yet has a very casual feel, which is nice. I came when there was a race that had just ended, so the place was absolutely packed to the brim but it wasn't overly loud where I couldn't hear the people at my table talking. Now on to the food. I thought it was a bit pricey for what I got. I had the Salmon Goat Cheese Fritata which was good but not great, a little bland, and not a very sizable portion. It also took an hour for our food to arrive, which I understand it was busy, but most of the runners were drinking, not eating, and an hour for food is quite ridiculous. While the food wasn't stellar, I was hoping at least the service would be good, wrong again. Worst service I've seen in a while. I get that Boston seems to be dubbed a terrible food service place, but come on. We had to ask for refills on our coffee, which had turned cold before we got them refilled. The waitress didn't smile once or make any kind of effort to small talk, just asked what we wanted to order and left until she returned with our food. I would probably go back here for drinks or something, but it would be nice if the service improved.
(3)
Erik S.
The bartender and manager at this bar apparently think it's funny to cut people off and kick them out when they aren't behaving drunkenly in the slightest. If you're looking for overpriced booze and the possibility of being arbitrarily booted onto the street at 11:30, Asgard is your place.
(1)
Andrew H.
Service at the bar was great; very friendly staff. Great atmosphere and great drinks.
(4)
Dustin L.
I/we've been here a handful of times lately and one thing is consistent about the Asgard; the service is horrible. Each time we've been, we sit in a different section or just at the bar and everything from the spaced out hostess' to the non existing waitstaff is terrible about the place. I wasn't going to write a review but after my girlfriend and four of her other friends went in tonight and had a horrible experience. All five of them are industry workers, waitstaff and bartenders, and they couldn't get a drink for over twenty minutes. Their waiter had no clue what they were out of and consistently walked away without saying a word or even taking an order. It amazes me that a place like this can be so lackadaisical about their customers. But not to just point fingers at the waitstaff because honestly it seems like there is always only one bartender or one waiter on at a time. The "manager" was hanging out by the hostess stand or the end of the bar simply just taking up space. Not once did they step in and assist their staff in taking drink orders, dropping off drinks or simply just checking on the tables. I could go on for paragraphs about issues with this "Irish Bar" (although they were out of Guinness....) But the fact is, none of us will be back to spend a dollar. Tough to lose customers this way.
(1)
Imran G.
25 cent wings :) Only downside is that you have to order a $5 drink. Its all good though. It passed the wing test. Eat spicy ass wings with some fresh soda, and you have a recipe for disaster when you get back home. That's only if the wings are spicy enough to make you drink enough soda. The acidity will just eat the wings for you, and before you know it, you'll be ready for a midnight snack again. Sauce on the wings was good, ranch was good, some of the wings were a little bit overdone, but I'll accept it. Pepsi + 10 wings = $7.50, not bad, not bad. Oh and its about a 2 minute walk from my place. Now you know.
(4)
M F C.
Been here 3-4 times I'd say. Never really had a bad experience, but nothing ever wowed me either. Pub food, regular beer. Could use more irregular beers or something to spice things up. If I'm nearby and thirsty, I'll stop in for 1, but if I'm planning ahead, not sure it would make the top of my list.
(3)
Lisa F.
while I think the food is pretty good here, I have to say, the waitstaff all walk around like they have smelled dog shit. I have been coming here on and off for about 8 years , and no one is genuinely nice. The location is convenient, but it wouldn't kill them to hire people that smile.
(2)
Lauren P.
I haven't eaten out for ten bucks in years. But at the Asgaard on Mondays, this is entirely possible. A beer and 25 cent wings - who would miss this? Go with friends who won't judge you for getting bbq sauce all over your face. Go early if you want a table. Definitely order the gold fever, that is the best flavor, but all are pretty good. The wings come out fast, but expect to wait a bit for refills on your beer - they get busy. And for heaven's sake please tip the servers properly anyway. They are college students and your meal was cheap.
(4)
Rohit S.
Asgard is a great place for having nice conversations with friends over food/drinks with a decent sized crowd and lively environment on most days. I have been here for Brunch (good offers), Lunch, Dinner, Drinks and Live band Karaoke. Its one of the best places to hangout with my friends.
(4)
Sharon O.
We went for a private event in the small-ish back room, so I can't comment on the prices. However, the ambiance was nice for the gathering- the two guests of honor got giant medieval-style chairs, which was cute. We had one main server for the 20 of us, who was a super sweet gentleman that was very attentive. He deserves another star. The food and drinks were good- nothing in particular stood out. Our options from the menu that our hosts chose (I assume) were the Asgard burger, Reuben sandwich, Caesar salad, or Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. No salad takers and the one person who got the buffalo chicken sandwich didn't eat it, so that couldn't have been a good sign. The Reuben and the Asgard burger were fine, though. What was gross, was the number of fruit flies and/or gnats in the private room. Eek. We, like other Yelpers, don't really understand what was Irish about the joint- being that its name seems to be Norse and the menu doesn't seem to represent their theme stylistically or with the options offered. Overall, the guests of honor had a very good time (which, of course, is the whole point!), as the ambiance was just their style and the private room accommodated the number of people very nicely.
(3)
Fay F.
There dishes are getting better and better. We often come for wings night on Monday. My personal favorite at this place is the spinach salad.
(3)
Emily W.
Great beer selection and love wing night! If you're lucky enough to get the comfy chairs, it makes for a very fun time with friends.
(5)
Leah C.
Went here with my dad to grab a bite to eat before a show. We told the lady who seated us that we didn't have a lot of time and our waitress Brittney (sp?) was amazing! She got our food to us less than 10 minutes after we ordered and it was perfect! We even had enough time to eat without rushing. She was super nice about it all too. Would go back for that alone, but they have really good fries too. Can't wait to go back and try more from the menu.
(5)
Anthony N.
Great place, decent drink prices, quick service unless it gets busy. Love the couch and chair setup they have as well. I frequently drop in this place when I'm waiting for a table at Veggie Galaxy across the street.
(4)
Christopher M.
Why?
(1)
Steph W.
Came here for brunch. Ordered the chai apple french toast (gold star for creativity!). I love chai and was so excited to have a food that was chai flavor. The taste was great but it was a bit too soggy almost like they had soaked the french toast way too long. If it had been a little less soggy it would have been great. It was really busy this day because the Asgard had sponsored a 5k that just ended but the service was SO slow. it took a solid 45-60 minutes to get our food. The other thing is the service was mediocre. She wasn't horrible but she wasn't great. I asked if she had more raw cane sugar (who wants to mix cane and regular sugar?) and she was like " i don't know " and then didn't bring me any until my 2nd cup. Now, maybe this seems nitpicky and high maintenance but I used to work in a breakfast place and asking for a specific sugar (when you run out at the table) is not that strange. I'd go back to Asgard but I do hope they can be a little more speedy and smile a little more.
(3)
Lyndsey C.
Very nice staff, large and variety-filled menu. Food was very good and quick. Liked the interior of this place too.
(4)
Juan B.
Went in amused at the name and in hopes of getting a nice beer and bangers. Instead I got my ID broken in half and kidnapped for 10 minutes. Needlessly to say that I left with only a half assed apology by the manager only after I called them out on breaking the ID avoiding any compensation.
(1)
Peter S.
What a great find! Searching for dinner near Le Meridien hotel in Cambridge, we came upon The Asgard, and are feeling lucky indeed! A warm welcome and honest drinks (Jack Daniels on the rocks) made for nice open. While enjoying the breadth of menu choices, we kept things straightforward - Flank steak for me & harissa chicken for my bride - both with the "small" green salad [which is anything but small] with a snappy sesame ginger dressing - zing! Perfect!. Both dishes came with generous portions of broccoli - done al dente - still a bit crisp, exactly as we like. The steak was wonderful - tender and perfectly marinated. Flank steak, if you are unfamiliar with it, is very lean and needs some help to make it tender and juicy. Asgard has gotten it just right! The harissa chicken was new to us, but absolutely delicious - tender, nicely seasoned and an ample serving. Service was very pleasant and attentive - we are looking forward to a return 'engagement' tha next time we're nearby. This is a nice spot, reasonably priced and well worth seeking out..
(5)
Jacqui C.
I really wanted to love the Asgard, but alas, it was not meant to be. I work nearby and have eaten here now 3 times. I thought it only fair to wait until I've had a few experiences before leaving my review and, unfortunately, the problems were the same each time I came. The food is quite good. I've had a steak salad, a classic Reuben sandwich, and their Irish Farmer's burger, and all were quite nice, delish, and well plated. Why 2 stars? Service. Each time I felt like each waitress would take their time getting to us, take our orders in a rush, and then we'd just sit and wait, and wait, and wait. All three times I waited for more than 15 minutes to get my drink and another 15 to get my entree...and I was at a table where we all got salads! I even told the waitress the last time that we were in a hurry and it still took forever. Now, it's not that the waitstaff is bad, necessarily, they just were never really "present" and were hard to get a hold of. My problem is with the kitchen. It should not take that long for a well organized kitchen to send out their food a little faster during a lunch crowd. A rare burger and a chicken Caesar salad does not take 30 minutes to throw together. The reason I know it's the kitchen and not the staff? The meals came out piping hot, and they clearly had NOT been sitting under a heat lamp. These were fresh..so either the waitstaff took forever to fire the orders, despite no appetizers, or the kitchen is really slow. Since this happened with 3 different servers, I blame the kitchen. I've worked in restaurants, I know how a well run, well organized kitchen can function...and this was unacceptably slow. So, the food gets 4 stars, the waitstaff gets 3, and the kitchen gets 1.
(2)
Leigh K.
I was unsure how many stars to give this place. I'm torn between my feelings as a bar patron and a bruncher. I've given the average of the two, as I would give 2 stars for the bar and 4 for the brunch. As a bar, I find the Asgard to be overpriced and to be trying a bit too hard to be an "Irish pub." They have a great selection of beers and alcohol, but I just don't really care for the atmosphere or the prices. Brunch has been fairly good both times I've been. Still overpriced, but the food was definitely quality. The most recent visit was with my parents: my mom loved the chai apple french toast (I had a bite, too, and I agree!) and my dad was happy with his Irish omelet. I had the BBQ brisket with eggs. I thought the biscuit was great; the BBQ and eggs was adequate. We seemed to be the waitresses first table for the day, and she seemed, well, like maybe she'd been at the Asgard until close the night before ;) She was very pleasant and did an excellent job, however, so props to her for working through it. Overall, a perfectly decent place for beers or brunch, but nothing special.
(3)
J C.
Relatively mediocre food with weak cocktails. I had the reuben with sweet potato fries. The reuben was relatively small and the russian dressing was pretty weak tasting. The sweet potato fries were oversalted.
(3)
Cody D.
Nice decor and tasty food.
(4)
Justin M.
This place is just stupid.
(2)
Jackie K.
Good beer selection, nice waiters, not too attentive bartenders. There is zero parking around so be prepared to drive around for awhile or have to park near mem drive.
(3)
Jackie V.
Loved the look of the place and had a pretty good steak tip dinner. We sat at the bar and had a good time despite our bartender. When we sat down he just stared, no greeting. Them once I said hello he barely opened his mouth with a response. I think he responded once maybe twice verbally, the rest were head nods. The other bartenders were nice though!
Good food- Try the buffalo sliders The staff was nice It was a bit chilly / the tables were low so you couldn't cross your legs under them
(3)
Jen L.
Pretty safe bet most nights if you want to hang out with a group. No complaints but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Ina E.
Came here on Saturday night. Place was almost completely full. We were able to grab a table. It's a Irish stile pub food so we went with it., Shepard pie.. It was ok.. Fish and chips... So-so.. Stayed ad have few beers bc live music was on. Nice place to come out, listen to the music have some fun times with friend.
(3)
Cristina C.
Whoamygoodness I forgot about this place until somebody just reviewed it and I said, "whoacrapIgottagetonthat!" I was in here one fateful night in December or January and man.. what a time. My friend S and I decided to go there, we were picking her brother up and wanted to kill some time. "So much for a quite night out," was the title of that Facebook album. The bartenders were fantastico! The food we had, I don't remember.. I swear, I didn't drink that much.. The drinks... yeaaahbuddy. The place, big. Lots of people and there was karaoke that night, or some sort of open-mic thing going on. We were watching the B's on the TV at the bar. Waitstaff, chatty Cathy's with us, we had a blast! Bathroom, from what I remember, A-OK. Two/three stalls, well lit. Lighting overall, dark. It was night time, going for that lounge-ey feel. I haven't been back in a long while, but we did have a really fun time. I would check it out again for sure someday.
(3)
john e.
I give 4 stars for atmosphere and beer range. Deduct one star for poor value for money, for overall prices. Deduct one star for the awful salty fake bloody mary mix and deduct one star for dry cold fries and onion rings that were all batter and over-salted. Deduct one star for the rest of the bland, not-much-flavor food and and add a star for the nice staff. The result a generous two stars..
(2)
Stephen C.
Food here is mediocre at best. The brunch isn't bad, but there are plenty of other better brunch places in the area. On the plus side it's got a pretty good sized bar area and a decent place to grab a drink. My favorite reason to go to the Asgard is their 25¢ wing night on Mondays. The wings are the exception to the mediocre food it serves. However, it fills up quick and is pretty difficult to get a seat. You'll probably have to hover around a table as you wait for people to leave. Sure it's probably a little rude, but if you don't fight for your table you'll never get your wings.
(3)
Jon T.
I want to like this place. When it's off-peak hours, it has a good vibe. You can sit down at the bar with some friends and have a couple pints and unwind. But when it's the weekend, or game-time, this place is bro central. I guess that is the plight of many Boston and Cambridge pubs...and a big reason why I moved!
(2)
Su-Yee L.
The 10 cent wings (on Mondays) with the gold coast sauce were delicious although nothing extraordinary. The waitress, though, really gave us an attitude just for being there; sorry if we're first-timers and haven't memorized your beer list and all the sauces! Loud, not much seating space but who can resist cheap wings? Things to note: 10 cent wings come in an order of 10 (so $1) and there's a $5 drink minimum.
(2)
Chris L.
Great beer selection and the 25 cent wings (used to be 10 cents though!), which is the main reason I like this place. The "gold fever" wings are amazing. Other than the wings, the food here is okay, but nothing special. Honestly, we only frequent here for the beer selection and the cheap wings on Monday. The atmosphere and decor in the place is also very nice, but the music is often too loud to really have a conversation with friends. Outdoor seating is nice in the summer when you just want to grab some beers with friends. The main reason the rating is only 2 star is the service is not that great. No matter how busy the place is we are always constantly waiting and having to flag or chase down the waitress for more drinks or food - this happens whether we are sitting in the bar area, dining area, or outside. Waitresses also often know little about the beer on tap, so if I inquire about a beer I've never had they have never been helpful. Again, great place for beer and wings, just don't go there if you are in a hurry.
(2)
Jonny C.
I miss being able to walk here from my office. Fucking economy, making my office move from Cambridge to Waltham for cheaper rent. Ugh. I really like the Asgard as a restaurant, even happy hour scene, but I think I would skip it as a drinking only establishment (with the exception of their well executed trivia night). Nothing is perfect, but everything i have ever had has been good or better. A couple of standouts: - Excellent buffalo wings which are a dime on Monday nights. A dime! - An Irish Stout stew, which is like Sheppard's pie, except better. It is the perfect grub for a blustery winter day. - Pretty damn good burgers, excellent fries - Decent soups - Fish tacos (at an Irish place?) that were not half bad - Pretty solid corned beef on rye - $5.50 20oz Loose Cannon? 4 of those will get you spicy, laddy. Great atmosphere for any number of eating situations: - Lunch time and a beer - Group dinner with colleagues, friends, clients - Quiet beer and appetizer on the corner couches - Pre-night out dinner and drinks - Al fresco - With kids - The aforementioned happy hour. There are actually remarkably few restaurants in Boston/Cambridge that offer this kind of versatility. This would have definitely been a four star, but they lost one because they offered this "customer loyalty" perk where you accumulate points per meal and earn discounts. I had a ten dollar discount that it took me 4 visits to apply, which was really annoying, because each time, the manager would tell me that "next time it will be applied" after he took some weird photo of a customer ID bar code on my phone with an iPhone app and tried to match it to who I was. He literally was taking a pic of my phone's screen. The discount never was, until I finally sort of threw my hands up and said - "Look, give me the points based discount or discontinue the program" It finally worked, but it was such a hassle that it made the discount almost moot. Digression, and I am petty for detracting a star. But dont incentivize, and then have punitive disorganization for cashing in the incentives. Anyways, a great standby when nothing else sounds good. You will leave full, satisfied and not too light in the pocket.
(3)
Saba N.
I've come here maybe 10,000 times. After work, bar crawls down mass ave, and after v-ball games (team mass spikes whattttuppp?!) What can I say? I guess I'm a regular. I like everything about this place: good drinks, decent food, and they have small desserts (best concept ever!) BUTTTTTTTTT (always a but) slowest.service.ever. If you're sitting a table.. good luck man. the bar isn't as bad, and I've never sat in the actual dining area so maybe that's better... but man oh man if you're sitting at table in the bar area... sheesh! Also: if you're in a big group, you might want to tell them separate tabs in advance. they will probably tell you no, but worth a shot.
(3)
Alden G.
Good Shepard's pie, great clam chowder. Friendly staff.
(4)
Mike T.
OK. The drink selection is good, the meals however are overpriced. Not fantastic, but one of the better places in central square. Can't say the irish food is the most authentic I've tasted. Atmosphere is loud if you go there at night-time or for dinner. Pretty quiet for lunch. Service can be slow.
(3)
David W.
This is probably the best place to wind down for a drink in the Cambridge area. I've always had a blast coming with friends and just drinking it up. The beers are amazing and so delicious. The bar and place itself is really nice as well, so it makes for a fancy night out as well.
(5)
Andrew H.
Not bad. I honestly would give it 2.5 stars if I could. Came here for dessert and drinks because it was right next to the hotel. Decent experience. The food was pretty enjoyable, the decor is excellent, and there's a decent beer selection. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure our waiter was stuck in some sort of gravitational pit of doom. Once we had our drinks, he forgot we existed. I'm not sure why you wouldn't return to or check on a table that has nothing but empty drinks on it but that's what happened. Ended up having to get ANOTHER waiter to go and fetch him. Maybe he had an off night? Hard to say. Wouldn't be adverse to coming back, but next time I'm in Cambridge I'll probably frequent somewhere else.
(2)
Norman F.
We came over twice for dinner about 10 days ago, lodging at the Meridien Cambridge Hotel (1 min walk away). I haven't been back to the Central Square area in almost 30 years, when this part of Cambridge was a lot less vibrant. This review is mostly about the dinner fare, which was excellent. My daughter had the Irish Cod Sandwich which I wanted to finish. The Irish Farmer Burger (with a fried egg), was very good as well. Pricing was very reasonable in my opinion. The other patrons seemed to be having a good time. If I'm ever back in the area, I will certainly dine here again.
(4)
Joanna W.
The interior of this place is very deceptive. As in, I was anticipating wildly delicious food from the beautiful and fancy decor in this place. Sadly, this place has worse-than-dining-hall food. Which is pretty pathetic for a restaurant. *sigh* So a good friend and I were planning for a meal with good conversation and decent food. Not impressed by the food. :( 2 major points of complaint: - We ordered "Crispy Calamari," which on retrospect we probably should not have chosen since we were at an Irish Pub, but I was craving Calamari. Anyway, the Calamari was neither "Crispy" nor freshly cooked. And the sauce that came with the Calamari was like sweet-and-sour duck sauce I could get at any Chinese restaurant. When we complained that the Calamari was disappointing, the waiter told us it's "obviously not the best Calamari around" and then proceeds to tell us how it was "actually cooked per order." Suspicious, very suspicious, but we let that slide. - We both ordered the Asgard burgers. It sounded SO delicious on the menu, so we decided to give it a try. It came with a pickle and some fries. With my burger, I ordered Applewood Smoked Bacon (for an additional dollar) while my friend picked Fresh Avacados. What arrived was: 4 small pieces of bacon (stale) and 4 pieces of avacado (you can't go wrong with avacado). Clearly not worth $1 for that, but we let that slide as well. The fries were not fresh AT ALL, and the pickle was soft. The burger had no taste, so we had to flavor it up with our not-so-fresh ketchup (it had a thick layer of ketchup skin solidified on top). My patty was alright, but my friend's patty was well-charred, not the medium that she had requested. If I were only judging by the quality of food, I would not recommend to go back there ever again. (only 1 star) But the beer my friend and I ordered were reasonable. ONLY come here for drinks, avoid ordering anything made in this place. Unless of course, you have already had too many drinks and cannot soberly judge the quality of food you are consuming. So, ONLY order food if you are mildly drunk and too hungry to walk to a better restaurant nearby (of which there are many in Central Square). I'm being generous with 2 stars.
(2)
Julie B.
This bar looks like it belongs in Hogsmeade AKA I've been dying to come here ever since I saw the big gold gothic-y looking Celtic symbol on the sign outside! I didn't try the food, but I love a place with a big beer selection. And I especially love bartenders who will sit with me and discuss what types of beer I'd like, then fill up numerous shot glasses for me to taste test. My favorites were the abita purple haze raspberry wheat and the southampton double white ale. I was also happy to see they had Harpoon's Leviathan Imperial IPA on tap! Out of all the bars I stopped by during SANTACON 2010, the Asgard was by far the best. They stocked the bar with bartenders, were prepared to deal with hundreds of drunk Santas, and made it look like they were actually enjoying the frequent "ho ho ho" chants. Can't wait to come back on a regular night :)
(4)
scott g.
The Asgard (and it's sister Kinsale) is among the best pub food you can get in Cambridge. Where they stand out, is in some of their non-standard pub fare which they serve up. There are quite a few pasta dishes which I highly recommend trying. The staples that I go for is the meatloaf and the standard beef burger. The prices may seem a dollar or two more than other places, but once you get your food you will understand. Be prepared to ask for a doggie bag or leave with an extremely full stomach. Almost every night they have an event going on from live professional music to karaoke. Check their website or call ahead for what's going on. If you happen to be in town on a Monday night, be prepared to fight for a seat as it's WING NIGHT. They have an entertaining list of 'Poultry Policies' which lists the rules of Wing Night (photo uploaded to Yelp). Be sure to get there right after work so you can grab a table. Don't be offended if the service isn't great, the waitress' are constantly scrambling to get drink orders in. On the plus side, once you place an order for wings, they're typically out within 5 minutes. The wings will go until the entire 600 lb of wings is spent. On an average night this means shortly after 9pm the wings are gone and you're going to have to spend more than $1.00 on their food. SUMMARY: For good brews and good food, the Asgard is a must.
(5)
Fanasha D.
Server was not pleasant, had an attitude and seriously looked like she hates her job. Oh, did I mention that she circled the total on the receipt about 50 times to ensure she got her proper tip? Ridiculous. Beer was good...burger was fair...fries undercooked.
(1)
Louisa N.
The atmosphere and drink selection are great, but the food is overpriced and just meh. That said, the truffled tater tots totally beat the ones down at Tavern in the Square. Last night was my second time to the Asgard (first time was for lunch on Saturday, so a different genre altogether) and we came for live band karaoke. The band was kickin', and it seemed like everyone who got up to sing was actually pretty talented. Would definitely come back on a Thursday night. My friend ordered the fish tacos, which looked and smelled great, and our waitress was a total doll. Unfortunately, the bartender is kind of a dick and definitely did not deserve the 20% tip I left him out of the kindness of my heart. Although, if I were working Thursday nights behind at the bar at The Asgard, I might be kind of a dick too. Overall: Good for an Irish bar night, not great for much else.
(3)
Tanya S.
It's a great place to have around the corner. Not super-memorable but the food is easy and tasty (pulled pork is great!) and the beer selection is plentiful (love the blueberry beer). Wish the bar wouldn't run out of things as often but it's great for a dinner or latenight snack/hangout (although desserts are kinda lacking). There is usually space available!
(4)
Michael P.
This is an aggregate review of negative experiences I've had here: 1) Unhygenic restrooms, ugh! They ALWAYS run out of paper towels in the men's restroom in the late evenings. This is aggravated by the fact that to exit the restroom, you have to pull on this small knob on the door, which clearly is sticky from god knows what. Optimistically, I hope it's just beer, but 100% sure it's not since more than half the guys using restrooms don't even wash their hands. Going to the restroom here totally ruins my dining experience. 2) Waitress had the nerves to demand more tip even though she was terrible with service. Terrible! She never came around to check on us, forgot about drinks we ordered, and completely gave us lip when I went to the bar just to order WATER. Sure if I had ordered a beer from the bar, I can understand why you'd want your tip, but nevertheless, you shouldn't get any tip if I had to resort to servicing myself. 3) When all those Santas flashmobbed the place for a pubcrawl and pushed the place to overcapacity, my party didn't get to enter even though we had made table reservations for a birthday dinner. They should have limited the bar occupancy while honoring all table reservations, yeesh.
(1)
Greg S.
Great beer selection. Shepherd's Pie was ok - actually kinda good after a much more generous dose of salt & pepper than I'd normally use. That's about the only praise I can give this place. My brother & I sat at the bar and our bartender was pretty terrible. Zero personality, not at all attentive and actually went so far as to ask us to retrieve some dirty glasses and a plate for him at one point. Granted, the bar itself was designed poorly in that it's so wide the bartenders weren't able to reach all the way across, hence why he asked us to pass him someone else's dishes after they left. Ummm, sorry - his lazy ass still should've walked around the bar and gotten them himself. I saw him repeat this with other bar patrons as well. The rest of the bar staff also seemed to be fairly inattentive & borderline rude. Who knows, maybe I caught them on a bad night after some demoralizing staff meeting...The service was that lame. My brother had the Vegetable Orecchiette pasta. It was bland & underwhelming. I wouldn't go back.
(2)
Sarah D.
My yelp app recently informed me that I am a regular here. I was a little taken aback by that and not all that pleased about it, but yeah. I guess I come here sometimes. Soooo. I don't really like it here. Most of the food is bad and the room itself is just not a nice place to hang out in. BUT. They always have some decent beers on tap, and none of them seem to go above the $5-$6 range. Can't complain about that. Also, their wings are good. Especially good when they are only 10 cents on mondays, but still serviceable for full price. Just don't really try to eat anything else here. And you can pretty much always get a seat. Because it's not that awesome. But anyway, it's hard to eat wings standing up without making a giant mess of things. So I guess I'm giving a big ol' WHATEV to this place at which I am a regular. It doesn't make me cry at least.
(3)
Jose A.
Can never go wrong with a glass of Pretty Things Jack D'or and their sweet potato fries. However I've never had an aversion to karaoke as much Thursdays there. I just have one word for them, 'no'! Bring it down a few decibels you're messing with the taste of my beer.
(3)
Celia N.
I've been here on multiple occasions. Great setting for dinner (even for large groups) or drinks. Watching the game can be tough, but if you can get a seat at the bar it's great! The nachos are a big mess of delicious. The chicken fingers are pretty good, and the fries are yummy too. Great beer selection. Service is usually satisfactory. Call ahead for karaoke, they weren't doing it when we went! They also card at the door after a certain time, so beware for your underage friends.
(4)
Alie K.
Best sweet potato fries I've ever had! So many places overcook them and they were perfect. The steak salad was amazing... Huge pieces of steak and they got all the items I asked them to leave out correct. The only bad was the service... So slow! My Dad had to go to the bar and ask to have his diet coke refilled because the waitress was no place to be found.
(4)
Sarah W.
I'd go with 2.5 stars but I'll round up. The food was ok but I've definitely had better irish pub fare elsewhere. The cider on tap was quite tasty, and so was the ghiradelli brownie dessert. The atmosphere is definitely better if you're looking for a little more rowdy experience, we went in while there was a game and the entire place was .. loud.
(3)
Amanda F.
They only played top 40 music. And they played it loud. My boyfriend and I nachos there and they were filling after a night of beers, but don't expect extraordinary from this place. It reeks of bros, and screechy girls during the late night hours. There is nothing really "Irish" about this place, and they've decorated with viking horns everywhere. Not really Irish? There is a lot of space here for big groups, and always a drunk girl dancing for your nightly entertainment.
(2)
Bryce B.
Located conveniently around the corner from the Le Meridien (the hotel I stay at in Cambridge) is the Asgard, an Irish bar and restaurant the boasts a strong beer menu with regularly rotating selections. Of the 3 times I visited during my week in town, I took advantage of the East Coast heavy options. In particular was a British-styled IPA from BBC called "Lost Sailor" that was being served on nitro. Creamy and well balanced. Other favorites were the Troegs "Hop Back" amber ale and the Clipper City "Loose Cannon". The food is merely OK pub grub, although I had a very nice burger on my 2nd visit. Service is very friendly, even when the place is packed.
(4)
Alyssa K.
I went for Monday night football $.25 wings. The wings were pretty good. I was a little peeved that you could only get the wing deal at the bar. The wing deal was a great deal, but the bar was really crowded. So finding a seat was difficult.The food was okay. Maybe more staffing for such a busy night.
(3)
Turner H.
Really like this place, GREAT beer selection, good food. Beers are a tiny bit pricey, but not any more so than most places in Cambridge.
(4)
Ethan S.
Decent food with some nice dinner options besides pub fare (but not Miracle of Science level), decent selection of drinks (but not CBC level of options). A lot of space, excellent for large groups. Nice ambiance for what's a sports-ish bar. $2 wing tuesdays are excellent! (I recommend the peach habenero wings if avialable)
(3)
Jenny C.
Decent food and decent beer, but nothing to write home about. Sometimes will make an effort to come here for 25cent wings on Tuesdays or trivia on Wednesdays, but that's about it.
(2)
Jeff D.
I've been here a few times and always enjoyed it. They have a good selection of wings of varying spiciness (for those of you who can't handle the heat) and always pour a good pint. They also seem to have a pretty good lineup of weekly events (karaoke, pub trivia, bands, etc) though I haven't checked those out yet. They bill themselves as an Irish joint but the design and decoration remind me more of a Viking drinking hall. I think they should add mead to the drink menu and run with it.
(3)
Anthony R.
Loved the interior of this place. Very rustic, dark wooden tables. I felt like I was in a pub in Lord of the Rings. Casual seating (small stools at tables) and with the high ceilings it feels really spacious and comfortable at the same time. The beer selection is great - I tried some seasonals and they were both really good. The waiter brought over a taste of the one I inquired about which was nice. Lunch was out in literally 5 minutes flat. Not sure how anyone can put together dishes that fast! I tried the reuben sandwich and was pleasantly surprised, although it could have used a little more dressing. The fries were great too. All in all I was pleased. Leaving off a star for service. Although it was quick and attentive up front, it took forever to get our bill even though the place was nearly empty and my friend's order was wrong. The dude also seemed to have a chip on his shoulder about something and didn't partake in any conversation with us although I tried to talk and ask questions. I'd go back if I was in the area to try again.
(3)
Shaina P.
Aside from the feeling that you've entered some strange Irish castle ... Asgard has a decent selection of beers and a very big bar area. Even some I hadn't heard of (Mad Elf??). Yes, I will add to my Brews list. Yes. I would not choose to come here if it weren't so cold out last night and it was the next closest to Miracle (okay, All Asia's fairly close too, but that place makes me nervous...pretty sure I saw a bear playing the drums in there one night).
(3)
Erin C.
Everything here is decent. Nothing is outstanding or crazy great, but its all solid. They have Original Sin on tap, 10 cent wings on Mondays, and truffle tater tots. Hello? Do you need to know more?
(3)
Casey B.
Went here last night for the first time in a while. I used to come here with friends for a beer every now and then which was fine. But last night was SO GROSS and unsanitary. We were sitting at a 4-top in the back of the restaurant, enjoying some beers and nachos when we noticed MICE running around on the floors coming out of the radiators. I wish I was kidding. Mice + Food = not okay. Where are the health inspectors when you need them!? We pointed out the mice to multiple servers and they didn't seem to care. Or move us.
(1)
Tom M.
As my wife says, it's a "restaurant run by MBAs." They pick a theme based on market research, a location based on market research, a menu based on market research, and then pay employees to put up with customers in exchange for money. If I'm wrong in those assumptions, the owners of that place should have tried harder to dispel that feeling. There is no love at The Asgard. Frankly, they could have called it J.J. O'Smellyballs' Ye' Olde Taverne and the name would have fit.
(2)
Benny D.
The beer & alcohol selection is really good here, especially if you like whiskey. I seem to always come here to the bar and it is pretty quiet before 3pm. If you come here for dinner, it's busier! You can also play with the iPad when you are here for dinner. Love this place! For the alcohol selection, TV, and iPad use!
(5)
connie l.
Been here several times for drinks. Worth going for the Monday night 10 cent wings and some beers. AVOID all other times. Ate an actual meal here yesterday for lunch and food was below average. Boyfriend ordered the pastrami, and I ordered the crab cake sandwich that came with a side of cole slaw and french fries. Asked if I could substitute the cole slaw for another vegetable side, but was rejected. That's fine. Things got weird after I got my food.. Crab cake sandwich had half a dollop of the aioli sauce that was mentioned in the menu. It was tasteless! I asked for some sauce, aioli, tarter, really just anything to make it taste like something. Waiter rolled her eyes and said the management was stingy and told me no..unless I want to pay an extra 50 cents for it. Yes, 50 cents isn't much, but after showing her the lack of sauce in my sandwich, she wouldn't budge. Whatever, super annoying! Then 10 minutes after we were eating, the waiter comes over, mumbles something incoherent, and takes away my half-eaten coleslaw. WTF??!! I was so confused, annoyed and just hungry. SUMMARY: 1. Management is stingy (as witnessed and quoted by the server) 2. Paying $30 for two mediocre/below average sandwiches and cold fries sucks 3. Hold on to your food or it might get randomly taken away by the server!!!
(1)
John L.
I've decided to bump Asgard down a star. The bartenders are still excellent, and the food is still decent (truffle tater tots ftw!), but the space issues on trivia night are problematic. This becomes even more problematic when there are oodles of people there for reunions (or for whatever conventions seem to be happening here). This, coupled with a late trivia start time, and Asgard refusing to let trivia players have seats below, even if they are more than willing to order food, and you have a situation where space is an unnecessarily problematic issue. I like the place, but the rules seem a little out of whack.
UNDERCOOKED FOOD :-( I ordered the Bangers 'N Mash ($14), which consists of "Grilled light-seasoned pork sausages served on Colcannon mashed potatoes with onion gravy" and topped with onion straws. The mashed potatoes were yummy and had bits of green onion on the inside. The onion gravy was unique and hearty. Now, I'm a fan of sausages (no homo) but I was shocked. They were actually undercooked, merely seered on the outside. I was only able to finish one. Minutes after my stomach confirmed my suspicion. You can't undercook your food; that's unacceptable, especially if your customers have to drop a 20 spot. Iced tea was odd tasting, a little sweet but mostly neutral. If I come back, I'm sticking to the common bar food (burgers, chicken.) Hopefully those will be cooked.
(1)
john k.
The service was terrible. I guess our waitress had a rough night. She brought out the wrong food for my daughter and she had to wait another 20 minutes for her food. If it was busy I could understand but there were only 2 tables!!!!! I asked for dry rye toast three times and I get wheat toast with butter. Asking for a refill on the coffee; time measured with a calendar. The food was quite good.
(1)
Natalia O.
Lovely! I used to live nearby and have gone several times for brunch and dinner. The food is always good quality. Super nice atmosphere and never too loud in spite of the bar area. The back room is great for private functions, and I've used it for several meetup.com gatherings for brunch. Highly recommended!
(5)
Sara D.
This is one of the best places to eat in Cambridge, if not the best (can't say for sure, just moved here in December)! We stayed at Le Meridien for a few weeks before finding our home, and ate here twice during our stay. Service wasn't the best, as it was very busy and a great deal of holiday parties, it took a while to get our check. The food more than makes up for what service is lacking, though. I almost never finish my meal when I go out to eat, and usually end up taking half home, but not at the Asgard, I ate everything, and then started picking off my husband's plate! First time around I had Shepard's Pie, and the second time i had chicken and dumplings. This is a great place to eat if you're looking for that filling meal to satisfy both your taste buds and fill the void in your heart only your grandmother's cooking could fill. The menu is extremely diverse and they have a great selection of beers. Irish bands play here a lot and the bar scene is very friendly and lively. Bartenders are attentive and fun! I can't wait to check out their sister store!
(5)
Nikki I.
I went here with a group of 8 on a Friday night. We made a reservation and the staff was very patient while the were waiting for some of my late friends to arrive. The beer selection changes frequently and they have great infusions available at the bar..mmm. The food was OK, just your typical bar food. It was a great place for dinner and drinks with a group of friends.
(3)
Rake O.
The wings were a cheap meal. And the beer is cold. Beyond that, no, not much going for it.
(3)
Misty S.
I have friends that always want to come here and love the place, but I just don't really get it. The food is ok. Typical pub food and a little salty. The draft beer selection is good, but not as impressive as other places in Cambridge (ie. Lord Hobo). We did have great service last night, and I was happy that they were able to accommodate a party of 9 for dinner at 10:30pm.
(2)
Luis P.
I ordered the "black and blue" burger medium. The meat came back well done and dry. Barely any blue cheese or bbq sauce on the bun, so overall was a terrible meal.
(2)
Bill C.
I've been hitting Miracle of Science, Cafe Luna, and Toscanini's brunches a little too hard the last couple of weeks and needed to branch out. My girlfriend and I went to Asgard (side note: Asgard? Isn't that Norse? And I definitely get a Norse vibe, what with the horned helmets and axes on the walls, but it's an Irish pub? Can someone please explain that one to me?). The place was pretty empty, surprising, because it was around 12:00 p.m. on a Sunday. Selection was pretty straightforward and simple. I think the most exotic option was the Irish breakfast. I don't see how baked beans and breakfast are supposed to get along after a long night of drinking. I went for the steak and eggs ($) 13and my girlfriend went with the Eggs O'Hara ($10). The steak was better than I expected, because so many brunch spots fry up the steak on a flat top. Here, it tasted like it had actually spent some time on a grill/under a broiler. The eggs, scrambled (lame, I know), weren't anything magical. The Eggs O'Hara, if you'll pardon my language, looked like a fat fuck. And I don't really mean for that to be taken as a negative. It's scrambled eggs mixed with/on top of potatoes, onions, mushrooms, two kinds of cheese, sausage, and bacon. Served with homefries and toast. So when I call it a fat fuck, I think you could pick it out of a lineup based on its name alone. It tasted okay, and that's coming from a guy who eats all kinds of fatty bar food. It was a little overcooked, but on the whole, nothing special. This place gets three stars, but one gets docked for cleanliness. The chairs were covered in all kinds of scmutz that had been brushed off the table, and the pepper mill had some congealed grease inside the container. I'm genuinely curious as to how that happened, but don't want to look at/use it when dining.
(2)
Kathleen F.
Solid experience at the bar here with my dad. They had a great beer selection on tap and we got to sample a nice selection. We did not really try the food but did try a nice basket of sweet potato fries which were really good. Bartender was nice and pretty knowledgeable about the beers. I liked that the bar was so big and the space was so open, it seemed like a great place to come have some beers with friends. There were also TVs so it would be good for watching sporting events as well. We wandered in here because we were at the MIT museum but if i was in the area again I would definitely come back.
So I heard last semester about this mythical place where one could find $0.10 chicken wings doused in the nectar of the gods and cheap(ish) beer. And this mythical place was less than a mile away from my dorm. Unfortunately, the wings only made an appearance on Mondays, and I had horrible problem sets to turn in on Tuesdays. Which means that my Mondays were mostly spent double-fisting Red Bulls rather than Carlsbergs. But the semester was over, and so my friends dragged me over to said place. We ordered a round of beers, and then 80 chicken wings magically appeared on the table. We got some honey-bbqish wings, some Asian-ey wings sprinkled with sesame seeds (because, you know, anything with sesame seeds is Asian), some Buffalo wings, and some weird ones that were still good. This place is pretty casual, so feel free to be messy. There's a roll of paper towels on the table and everything, and they have the wet wipey things. And, while the service is slow when the place is packed, you can't beat pigging out in a nice pub with your friends for cheap. They also have a full menu, in case you don't feel like winging it. But I come strictly for the wings.
(4)
Dallas S.
Okay, so I'm going to keep my initial 3 stars but I am going to update a few other things: 1) I have now tried the food and it is EXCELLENT! I LOVE the Mozzarella, Tomato sandwich and yummy fries! 2) Karaoke is ANNOYING. I retract anything I've ever said about this place having great karaoke. There are far too many people here; you're lucky if you get to sing 1 or 2 songs. You may be promised you'll get a song or two in but that might not happen and then Paul B will avoid you the next time you come in. On top of it, prepare for a group of "I don't mean to be condescending...." (but they proceed as such anyways) Boston Improv posse that takes over the entire evening. I've tried many karaoke places and although Paul has every song imaginable, be prepared for a tiny screen to sing off of and obnoxious group of people singing songs that are equally obnoxious. 3) Logically, if there is a 1 and a 2, there should be a 3. So, I will try to come up with one...The drinks are strong, which is good because you want to get your money's worth when throwing it down the toilet on alcohol. To wrap things up: If I come back to this place, it will simply be for a couple of drinks and dinner and then I'm bolting as soon as Karaoke starts and going somewhere else to sing.
(3)
Romulo R.
This is an excellent bar with a great beer selection and a happy atmosphere. Service from the bartenders was top-notch and efficient. a great place to come hangout with friends
(4)
Chang K.
This was really close to the client site, so we ended up eating here more often than we should have. It's okay. Nothing spectacular about it, but nothing to detract from it. Good food, good beer, good service. Don't ask for a martini or a porterhouse here, but a medium rare burger and Guinness? they'll do that just fine. It's good stuff. But there's a better burger joint up the block, and more fun bars a few blocks down. But then again, it was the closest restaurant to the client site. So.
(3)
Aaron G.
When your soul is dead, and your likeness is printed on a laminated computer chip enabled badge of one of the giant pharma conglomerate companies lining the streets surrounding this place, you come to the Asgard to get drunk. If this were ancient Greek mythology, the Asgard would be a dingy inn, ramshackle and settled into a dreary corner of the afterlife, playing host to miserable dead souls before they are plunged into the river Lethe. I think they bring all the fun of the drab Greek afterlife into their service philosophy: the bartenders have been slackjawed zombies hawking their alcohol with monosyllabic grunts and disaffected glances. The servers are usually too busy trying to remember their sales scripts to make eye contact, and I know they don't look down at the food too often, probably for fear of what their stomachs would retch up at the sight of that grey, slabby mush the kitchen spills out by the ton. People decide to come to the Asgard in one of two ways: 1. They are ignorant of this place and decide to give it a try. 2. They are in a group of people without a clear leader, and the choice of where to go falls to this corporate establishment because it offends everyone equally. This is akin to the process that causes people to use Microsoft Sharepoint for services it was never intended for. No one hates this place, no one loves this place. It is a lonely, persona-less wanderer lost in a field of better restaurants and bars with character.
(2)
Susan N.
While Asgard has a decent beer selection and the burger and fries the boy had the other night seemed above average, I'm really not crazy about this place, especially after the incident that happened the other night and the way it was handled. The boy, another couple and I wandered in for drinks the other night at around midnight. We grabbed late night munchies and some drinks. When it was time to close out our tabs, the bartender brought the bill holder with the cards to us. We had two tabs going on. So we just left it sitting there for 10 minutes while talking. After 10 minutes, my friend goes to sign the credit card slip and doesn't see his card in there. He starts looking through his pockets and on the floor and calls the bartender over to ask where the card is. So basically the bartender leaves to glance around and doesn't come back. Instead someone else comes and my friend's now irrate. Wouldn't you be if a place lost your credit card? So now this other guy's taking the heat from my friend and saying they looked through the other bills to see if it's there, though it really didn't look like they made much effort at all to look. The guy basically says that my friend has the card and the bar doesn't. Uhhh no. You think we do this for fun? Accuse random bars of stealing credit cards? So it turns out this guy's a manager. Instead of saying, I'm the manager and trying to rectify or diffuse the problem, he basically looked like he wanted to get rid of us. He refused to look through the other bills again. He was accusatory and blatantly said not only do they not have it but my friend probably has it. Even after he emptied his pockets to show them. Then he said that maybe my friend didn't give the card at all, though they ran the bill so they had to have it in the first place. Most likely they gave it to another patron. And instead of being apologetic about the whole situation, they were a bit hostile to us. Not cool. And for that total lack of customer service, plus having barhops who aren't smart enough to give the right credit cards to the right person (it really wasn't very crowded at all), I give this place one star, though I wish I could go negative on it.
(1)
H S.
Nothing like going to a reasonably authentic Irish bar in Boston and getting bud light and wings... .... but don't mind me... Asgard has a lot of charm and what looks like a very good drink menu and yummy food. Love that they can pull off being a sports-y 25 cent wing night place, a nerdy trivia night place, and a fun live music place.
(4)
EricaLynn J.
I am reviewing this primarily for the Karaoke night, which apparently is Wednesday. I say 'apparently' because after my evening spent at the Asgard, my mind and body seem to not be communicating with one another anymore. I keep writing October as the month on all correspondence today. Not even a date, either. Just simply: "October". Do you know how weird that is to, well, everyone? Well, not *everyone*; I'm kind of thinking that the Oxi Clean guy (the one who is ALWAYS SCREAMING) probably thinks that every day is FRIDAY!!!! So he might understand. The Asgard's faithful, high-energy karaoke-obsessed pile into a large corner towards the front of the restaurant and, thanks to Paul - the DJ who has "at least thirty thousand songs, all on a computer, if you don't see it in the book just ask" - you can sing yourself silly and you're guaranteed a sweet audience. But listen up, this is important: you gotta be ready to show your stuff! Karaoke newbs and the faint of heart need not tiptoe into The Asgard. You don't have to be Mariah Carey's vocal equivalent but you absolutely must be ready to rock it out and love every minute of it. Do a showtune! Pick some Mr. Mister! Duets! Anything. Just do it with every ounce of awesomeness in you.
(5)
Matt W.
The service is absolutely terrible. I live in central square and have been here several times. I went 90 minutes before trivia time, and our waitress stopped by out table twice (with 5 other tables seated total in the entire place.) Once trivia started, she stopped by another 2 times in 2.5 hours. We had to go to the bar to get our own drinks. We never ordered food. Just drinks. I believe the service is terrible because they will automatically "include" an 18% tip in the check. But, I crossed out the tip and left exactly the billed amount. The service staff expects this 18% tip, so they just don't care. Hopefully, if more people leave them no tip at all, they will start caring.
(2)
Rob C.
Not a lot of love for this place, and until recently, i'd be inclined to agree that it was exceedingly average; clean, corporate, and doth protest too much about authenticity. Honestly, though, it's much improved. The beer selection has gone from an adequate Guinness and a few other things to a really quite good array of imports and microbrews, many of which i'd go so far as to call cheap (at $5.50 for 20oz of Young's Double Chocolate Stout, i feel like i'm getting away with something). The food's pretty good, still; the tater tots as an appetizer are a brilliant idea and more places should have those (dressed up with fancy cheese or no). It's expensive, yeah, and the portions are not as suitable for stuffing yourself until you extrude food out your eyes as other places might be. Nothing worthy of effusive praise, maybe, but hardly something to condemn. It's comfortable with a variety of interesting places to sit, the waitstaff knows the beer and the food well, but seemed a little overworked at times. Even if there are more interesting places nearby, this, too, is a perfectly good place to wind up.
(3)
Emily M.
I have been going to the Asgard for a few years now. I am not always satisfied with the food but I gave the 5 star review because no matter what, the staff makes sure I have an excellent visit. They frequently have Whales Tale Pale Ale on draft, which I love. Wing night! Monday is insane and filled with MIT students and Cambridge locals. It can be worth it though, patience is totally necessary. But honestly, this place has solid food and a supreme beer list.
(3)
Oleana B.
This is probably a good place for students to hang out and drink beer, but I am not a student and I do not drink beer. When I come to a place and pay close attention to the food and the mixed alcohol. I am sure I got the wrong thing (clearly) but the Moroccan Chicken Salad came with uncooked squash and tasteless dressing. I got wine because I was afraid of getting a mixed drink in this kind of establishment. Wine was unremarkable. I also tried the nachos and the sliders both of which I cannot recommend. With so many great restaurants in Cambridge I do not think I need to come here again.
(2)
Tiffany Z.
An Irish-themed pub -- but in that over the top fake sort of way. The food isn't bad but it's not very good -- it's your standard pub fare not very well executed. I assume the beer selection is good, but as a wine/cocktail drinker, there's not a very good selection. Definitely don't order the sangria (I don't know what I was thinking) :) The atmosphere is of the chain bar type -- lacking any charm or personality where it feels almost like a late night version of Chili's.
(2)
Alana H.
I have been here now twice and both times have been great! The first time was a going away party for one of my former co-workers and we came on Monday night for 10 cent wings. The wings were GOOD! We got a bunch of different flavors from BBQ, buffalo, teriyaki, all so delicious. The have cider on tap which always makes me a happy girl. I recently came here for lunch with my co-workers when the place we initially wanted to go to had a wait. We got to sit outside since the weather was gorgeous. I ordered the Crab Cake and Avocado Salad. I would recommend it to everyone! The mixed greens are lightly dressed with a citrus vinaigrette and the mixture of whole slices as well as diced slices of mango gave a sweet side to the salad. The avocado was creamy and the crab cake was crunchy so I loved the different textures there were to the salad. I felt satisfied at the end but not heavy or overly full. People in my office definitely come here once in a while and with good food and drinks there is no reason to argue it!
(3)
Melanie H.
Oh Asgard, what can I say? We've shared many great moments together on Monday wing night. I love that you have Allagash White on draught because so few bars in Boston do. I also like that your wings are only 10 cents and I can get 10 for only $1. While I wouldn't go out of my way for you, you are oh so convenient as a go-to when I am in the neighborhood. Cheers to the Asgard!
(3)
Jon H.
Trivia night = fun times, fun questions, great for big group activities. (tues 9pm) Beer selection = extensive, impressive. The white ale is real good. Food = so-so, typical average bar food. Crowd = young college to yuppie crowd, hence the trivia night being fun Price = decent Overall = A-OK.
(3)
Mykal D.
This place is like a middle school gf/bf, always seems better in your memories: see it again and it makes you wonder what you were smoking all those years ago. I first went to asgard about 8 years ago, and thought the place was pretty cool. The old me might have given the place 4-5 stars. The new me wishes there was a 1.5-star rating. I stopped in on a sunday afternoon hoping for some irish fare. While they have a pretty good selection of Irish beer and faux-irish decor, the place seems like the Friday's-Dublin edition. A friend and I both got the burgers, which were both well done, despite requesting medium. The clam chowder was ok for something store bought, but is not going to change your life. The truly awful thing here are the cocktails. I had the "harvey's last word", and by the taste, his last word must've been an expletive as his lay dying from this poison. I didn't even drink it. The "white manhattan" was so bad the bartender didn't even let me order it. After the fiasco, I ordered lemonade, and was relieved to see that it was Newman's Own and not any kind of house-made concoction. So in short, after what I remember to be a fairytale affair, now seems like a nightmare...sometimes swans become ugly ducklings.
(2)
Ana R.
Came here for Sunday brunch with the ladies. Menu was limited. I ordered the steak tips and eggs medium-rare (heavy on the rare). One came cooked perfect, the rest were all well-done. Disappointment there. Everything else was great. Prices could be better, though. Staff was very friendly, fun and attentive. Great atmosphere, great seating, decor, etc. Didn't use the restrooms. My friend did mention the Norse name/Irish bar confusion... Probably would go back if invited, but I wouldn't make a special trip to go there.
(3)
Harrison F.
Great Bar right in the square....Don't eat anything...ANYTHING.
(3)
Daniel Z.
this rating of four stars is not because the asgard has an amazing ambiance but for your friendly neighborhood bar its a perfectly great place to go. I've never had trouble getting into the Asgard, even with groups of 8-10. Theres usually enough seating or standing space for everyone to mingle. Decent selection of beer and mixed drinks as long as your not expecting anything fancy. The bar food is pretty good, but I think the entrees are just alright.
(4)
Alexandra T.
I went here for lunch and got the California Turkey Club Wrap. It was very bland and tasteless. The fries weren't bad, but completely unmemorable. All in all not worth anywhere near the $10 they charged. Most of my other coworkers felt the same way. My friend who ordered the veggie burger did not finish it. It says in minuscule print on the bottom of one page of the menu to ASK for the complimentary bread, they don't just give it to you. Can you say cheap? I thought the seats were extremely uncomfortable. They're supposed to fit in with the whole Irish theme, but they and the rest of decor just seemed weird and completely unauthentic. Maybe this place is more fun as a bar but I don't plan on finding out.
(2)
Orly M.
Ok, I might be ostracized by all of my friends for saying this, but whatever. I do not like like the Assguard. It's just not my scene. The food is overpriced for mediocre faux-Irish food. The live music is usually bad covers of the music people listened to in college that i didnt really understand then, like The Dave Matthews Phish String Cheese Ani DiFranco Incident. This place also bores me. Really, a faux Irish bar populated by college kids and grad students in Boston? So rare and exotic. Central Square has a wealth of much more interesting places like ZuZu!!!?!?!, the Cantab, Phoenix Landing, or if you want to be classy Middlesex or Cuchi Cuchi, or if you don't want to be the CVS and Bank of America vestibule are fine places to drink.
(2)
Amina O.
Came here for a birthday dinner with five friends on Monday night which happened to be a special on wings the bar was packed but we were sat immediately. They offer bread if you ask which was pretty good and we shared the spinach dip which was awesome! Our server was really friendly and gave us suggestions on beer choices, they have a lot of craft beer which was great and she seemed to know her stuff. I got the shepards pie which was huge and tasty and everyone else had nothing but good things to say about their food, all plates were cleaned off. Will be back again when I'm back in town!
(3)
Heather B.
I finally went here for the first time yesterday afternoon, after wanting to for a while simply because the viking decor looked pretty awesome (they have a long table with a giant throne-like chair, stained glass windows with norse/celtic designs, and they have "castle rooms" you can rent for functions). The food was awesome and pretty well-priced (got the Asgard burger with Irish chedder - delish). The only downside to the experience was that our waitress kept coming back to take our extra silverware, like she was overly obsessed with making sure we only had one fork each or something. Weird.
(3)
Nadia T.
I once met a Black Irish man in a far off land. The tall, dark and "tortured writer" type. You know, the kind. All the ladies seemed smitten. I was hesitant to give in. But, once I got to know him, I found he was also lively and full of character. Before I knew it, it was love. He was a warm log cabin in the woods I wanted to snuggle in to and wake up the next morning with no regrets. This is the Asgard. Cozy Irish cabin LOVE, baby. The Asgard is a great Irish pub with a wonderful atmosphere. The place itself is beautiful. (Or maybe I just noticed because I've stumbled off a stool after a few beers and got a good look at the fine craftsmanship put into the wooden beams.) The doorman and hostess are always genuinely welcoming. And the people aren't your typical douche-y bar folk. No, a more sophisticated, laid-back crowd gather here. It's all about kicking back and having a good time, with no worries about the drunk asshole with his ridiculous pick-up lines. This is one of my favorite places to meet up with friends or co-workers after clocking out of the 'ol 9-5. They have a good variety on tap. And I'm always down for their 10cent wing deal on Mondays! They got 4 different types of wing flavors, people! Yes, like my Irish lover, the wings are flavorful, saucy, sometimes spicy, and served with a side of cheese. (Well, at least my favorite wings, the gold fever, come with delicioso blue cheese dressing.)
(4)
Heather G.
Why am I such a fan? Three words: 10 cent wings. You've read the reviews, you know this place has a reputation for bad food. HOWEVER, if you're out on a Monday night and want some cheap wings and beer, this is the place to satisfy your cravings. The place has a decidedly-young/vibrant/buzzing feel on Monday nights. Grad students gather to eat-out on a budget, and I basically spend all of $1 to stuff my belly with all-sorts of wings tossed in various sauces. However, Asgard is no idiot - what you save on food, you more than make up for in beer purchases. GENIUS. Give away the low-margin food and lure people in to pay-up for the higher-margin stuff. That's marketing 101. Get there early, as there will be a wait for a table...but then settle in for a night of wing-eating contests and attempt to perfect your strategy for efficiently sucking the most meat off the bone without getting too messy/sticky (that's what she said! Sorry, it was just too easy to ignore).
(4)
Sarah F.
Food is OK. Buffalo tenders come with buffalo sauce mixed with blue cheese instead of a side of.bluecheese. Turkey burger served on whole grain ciabattas which is kind of weird. Beer selection could be better and more varied. Trivia is fun though.
(3)
Jeff B.
So, some friends & I hit up The Asgard almost every Monday because they've got a 10¢ chicken wings special; sit in the bar area, buy one drink $5 or more, and enjoy all the $1 plates of wings you can eat! Since we're regulars, we've gotten very friendly with the staff, and they're awesome. The wings are tasty, a few different sauces, and the beers are great. Only trouble is finding a table... get there early!
(4)
Jake G.
An enormous draft selection is one of the big pros for this Irish Pub. As well, they pour an immaculate Guiness, especially Graz, the best bartender there. For food, go for the Truffle Tater Tots (Tots tossed in Truffle oil with Parmigiano Reggiano) and the Turkey Burger (with chipotle aioli and avocado slices).
(4)
Jarrod C.
The Asgard, or is it the Assgard... was simply a 'meh' experience. After a 35 minute wait on a Thursday night, our large group was seated in the back. Drink and food orders were placed, and while beers came out in a rather timely fashion, it took nearly 50 minutes for the food to come out. Uh hello? And speaking of the food... my grilled turkey burger was actually not bad, and the fries that came with it pretty good too. Thankfully it was the company of good friends that made the night because it certainly wasn't anything The Asgard did. Skip this restaurant if it's on your list.
(2)
J. L.
Good food in a good location. At first I wasn't always satisfied with my food here. I just discovered this OUTSTANDING salad though. If you're a salad person I highly recommend the mediterranean salad. Worth the $12. Very very good and very very filling. People who work there are friendly. Kind of dark inside, but other than that very satisfied.
(4)
Nick M.
The Asgard, similar to mythology telling, looks grand from the outside... but inside this Asgard, is a different story. I guess I was expecting it to be themed after the Norse gods but it was your every day bar/ restaurant. One giant room with high ceilings (too loud because of this), dark woods followed by rich/ warm colors, a pool table, a combination of high/ low seating and tables, and then a long wraparound bar. Another let down was the staff, (don't expect to be treated like a god that's for sure) I actually had to go find our waitress three times. Once to take our order (just drinks), another time due to a friend showing up needing a drink, and then the last time to get our check, it was only worth staying for a single drink. Forget trying to grab a bite here, you might never even get to order it. ****Update -I bumped it up to two stars Ok so maybe they meant the Asgard, a 51ft yacht, formerly owned by the English-born Irish nationalist, and writer Robert Erskine Childers. It was bought for £1,000 in 1904 from one of Norway's most famous boat designers, Colin Archer. Its most famous trip was in 1914. Childers, his wife and a small crew, made the then treacherous channel crossing with a hold full of rifles from Germany into Howth harbor just North of Dublin, to arm the Irish Volunteers. Maybe I'm wrong again because I saw no yacht material. So why did we come back, well because it was the only bar left open near the hotel. Ok fine by then I couldn't even see anymore I didn't know where I was going and only god knows what kind of nonsense I was speaking to the bartender. Apparently I was trying to pick a fight... ah that Irish blood in me (though he probably was being an ass). Regardless of what happened earlier in the night this little visit was much better. We grabbed a seat at the bar, thank heaven the bartenders were much better then the staff (well, except for that one dude)... at least I think they were, I dunno at this point my memory is kind of hazy. So go in and check it out for yourself.
(2)
Erin R.
Stopped by for lunch outside during the week and had an okay lunch. I was a little worried based on the reviews but the food was fine. The service as everyone has already mentioned isn't the best. I had the chicken club sandwich with fries and they were both tasty...especially the fries! The ice tea is not fresh so it was disgusting but I'm sure most people don't go to an Irish pub for tea. Overall it was fine for lunch.
(3)
Laurinda U.
I was here last night for dinner at 8PM. While the food was good, the service was not. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich ($10) and it comes with a side of fries, three onion rings, and a pickle. It was definitely delicious. Only thing is that it took 40 minutes for it to get to me after ordered. I didn't have a place setting initially and pilfered my friend's fork when my food arrived. Further, we had to ask for the check twice. Although normally I'm not in a rush, we wanted to head over to Middlesex before they charged cover. Sadly because service was so slow, we were three minutes late. Still, the food is pretty good. One friend got the lobster sliders ($16) which she said was yummy and my other friend got the fried eggplant ($13) with a side of basil ravioli. Although the eggplant dish appeared scanty, it was just the right size although personally I do prefer more generous portions. Ultimately, I rec it for the food but not the service.
(3)
Helen T.
Came here when I was under 21 so I can't judge the beer selection.... wait, I can :) Food was okay, nothing particularly special. Good fall back for lunch and appetizers. Lots of space for drinking with friends. Once, I had a blueberry beer that was light and sweet. It was weird. good. weird.
(3)
Bridget B.
I really like Irish food. Not unlike Anthony Bourdain I feel like it gets a bad rap, so when I heard a new Irish restaurant was opening up down the street from me (back when I lived in Central Square) I was psyched, though confused by the name since it has Scandinavian roots, not Irish ones. That should've been my first clue that things were going to be a little wonky, but I remained optimistic. Until I read the menu. Ok, I'm sorry, but you cannot be an Irish Pub and serve "Celtic Quesadillas" on the menu and expect to have any iota of credibility. I mean, maybe if they were branded with Celtic knots or something...but I mean, really. I'm guessing the International Plaza in Epcot Center is more authentic. It would be like having an "Authentic German Restaurant" that served Berlin Wall French Toast strips or something. Mediocre beer selection, same goes for the food. There were very few things on the menu that jumped out to me as being "classically Irish" aside from throwing some sort of Irishism into the name. I mean, last time I was there they didn't even have curry fries, which were something I found all-over-Ireland. Having a trivia night is pretty cool though. Maybe I will go and write my answers on my Claddagh Ring Pepperoni Pizza.
(1)
Meredith M.
Wednesday Karaoke Night. Tons of regulars that are fun and welcoming. The guy who hosts it, Paul, is pretty easy going and welcoming to new-comers. He has THOUSANDS of songs. The crowd was mostly 20s and 30s. Just a fun group of people who seemed to enjoy the good, and the off-pitch pretty equally. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. You will need to be over 21 as they are pretty strict at the door after a certain time. 4 stars for atmosphere, service, drinks and ...karaoke!
(4)
Bootz B.
weird weird weird. is this where cambridge "professionals" and MIT grad students go to hang out?? i dont get it. really unattractive and nonsensical mix of people. also i think they let underage amateurs in because there was a group of what appeared to be 17 year old girls slurring, tripping all over themselves, doing shots and hugging each other like they had never had a drop of alcohol before. this place reminded me why i hate the bar scene & would rather stay home watching planet earth & petting my cat.
(2)
Alika Marie W.
Got a unfortunate message from someone named Brett H. I explained that if you speak to patrons condescendingly your not going to be popular. Nor should you be serving. Find yourself a desk job.
(1)
Lisa M. K.
First and foremost, in an urban area chock full of stellar Irish pubs, the Asgard falls a bit flat. It seems like more of an "Irish Theme Restaurant" where the "Irish" was an after-thought; as if they threw up some Guinness posters and other Eire trappings and said, "let's be Irish!". (Although, strangely, they have the same owners as Kinsale in Government Center. I don't get that same vibe at the Kinsale). The food is okay/average. Not terrific but passable and the menu is fairly large. It's mostly bar food and sandwiches with some dinners. The pros: it is pretty large and thus convenient if you are going with a bigger group and can be a good place to watch a game. The atmosphere is actually not too bad. It is a good location: very centrally located but not TOO centrally located (as it doesn't get as mobbed as other places right in the heart of Central Square). If you are just looking for a large bar/restaurant with a good variety, then this place fits the bill. If you want a great Irish pub in the area, go to the Druid.
(3)
Art B.
Good location. Food pretty good. Excellent veggie burger!
(3)
Michael F.
Went to Asgard last evening with friends. Asked waitress how burgers were and she said they were great. Ordered the kinsale burger, came out in a reasonable amount of time no problems there. The problem I had was they dont know how to cook. I asked to have medium rare and got well done. I ate it because I was starving after shoveling all day. The waitress did offer to replace, but my feelings are get it right the first time!! I hate eating after everyone else is done. Go elsewhere if you are in the mood for a great burger.
(2)
Adam E.
This place seemed like a restaurant from an amusement park. Like, Irishland, geet yar chips end vinegar here! Only there was no vinegar. It's always a bad sign when the Irish food place doesn't have malt vinegar on the table, or at least offer it when you order fish and chips. Our waiter seemed nervous and awkward, which I can understand but I don't think are the best attributes for a waiter. He was ok, just not outgoing or very interested in seeing if we needed anything else. I did enjoy the Apricot beer, but that's because I'm a little gay in addition to being Irish. And the food was decent, but portions could've been bigger for the price. Two fish sticks, even really good, beer battered fish sticks, don't make me feel like I spent my $12 well. Maybe I'm spoiled because I live in JP, within earshot of a few pretty great Irish pubs.
(3)
Barney B.
Beware of waitresses that don't know the beers on tap so make stuff up - and beware of a slider plate that comes with more sauces than sliders - they are trying to cover something up. and that something, apparently, is food bourne illnesses. let's just say that the Porcelain God thinks I am a wonderfully devout religious individual these past few days.
(1)
Emily G.
You should go here if... 1) you like pubs 2) you like pub food 3) you just want to hang out with friends 4) you like a great selection of beer that is rotating during different seasons 5) you like Ithaca beer (yup, this was an awesome surprise and brought back many memories of my college days...oh, those were the days.) You don't want to go here if... 1) you want a quiet place to chat with someone (not a romantic place) 2) you want healthy food or are watching what you are eating 3) you can't hear well because it is REALLY loud in there I had the onion soup and it was some of the best I've had. Definitely go with that if it is a cold or rainy day. Also, the tater tots aren't bad...they are unique with cheese on the top. I would definitely go back with some friends or maybe to try out brunch.
(4)
Josephine L.
$0.10 wings, baby, $0.10 wings. Sure, they're not the tastiest...or tenderest....or juiciest....or largest.....or--okay, I'm not really selling it, am I? But they're $0.10 each! So if you're not picky about where your meat comes from or how it's made or whether it tastes totally right in your mouth, you'll like it here.
(3)
Andrew K.
When I walked in, I was completely surprised this was a 3 on Yelp. It was booming. The place was modern and clean. It had a pleasant vibe. But, it wasn't special - no X factor. Patently so. So, it gets a 3.
(3)
John S.
The Asgard wears a lot of hats. It's a college/neighborhood bar for the MIT and Mass Ave crowd. It's a trivia and karaoke place for the brainy or shameless Cantabrigians. It's a B+ American pub grub restaurant with decent service. And it's a place that can do private parties without a lot of lead time. I occasionally debate whether or not the Asgard is my favorite bar in Cambridge. And while my answer oscillates between yes and no every time, I constantly find myself recommending it to people. "I've got no plans this Wednesday, what should I do?" "Asgard for karaoke." "I want to have a dinner for like twelve people and not pay too much." "Asgard, get one of the back rooms." "In Norse mythology, what was the capital city of the gods?" "Asgard. Also, go to the bar of the same name in Central Square." I'm a regular here, and I find myself wanting other people I know to be regulars too. The food is always good, if maybe a dollar too expensive. The drinks are poured well and served quickly. The karaoke is top notch. The trivia is solid. The locals are friendly. Sure, it may be a little too big to be a favorite intimate bar, but I can't think of a place I tell people about more if they're in the mood for a quick bite or a beer.
(4)
Erik O.
This place is cool. they redid the menu a little while ago, after realizing that they where referred to as the "ass-gaurd). and they did a good job. solid irish pub food. great wings.
(4)
Jeremy K.
Although it sound Irish, offers Irish food and have an Irish staff, the place diversified and serves a lot more than just Irish food. They have Mexican and American food too and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. I have always enjoyed my meals there, from the breakfasts to the late night dinners. Their beer selection is decent and their full bar serves up many combinations of whatever you want. I like their atmosphere and staff there, and the crowd is decent, mostly composed of bio tech workers and MIT students. Come to think of it, this review has now just reminded me that I should start going there again for brunch on Sundays. It's not too busy, and really lovely. Speaking of which, on nice days in the Spring and Summer, they also have a very pleasant terrace!
(4)
Jamie S.
Argh! Came here on Sunday because the menu online said 35cent wings during all NFL games. Not so. No specials on Sunday but our server, Matthew, was great with the bad news. In fact he was great with everything. Happy and helpful it was like we came here because our best friend was working. Matthew was now that guy. Sometimes you want to review the staff more than the establishment and this is one of those times. Shepherd's Pie was so-so. I liked that 20oz drafts were only 60cents more than regular pints. That was cool. Woulda been cooler if the Ravens won on Sunday night but that's no fault of the bar.
(4)
Tom V.
We've enjoyed the Asgard as a place to eat...outdoors. The inside tends to get very noisy, but the outdoor tables offer a very pleasant venue for dinner. We tend to stick with our tried and true favorites.... clam chowder, fried calamari, fried seafood platter, the salads. The waitstaff is friendly, attentive and helpful. We've found the desserts to be excessively sweet and gooey, but then again, Toscanini's is right across the street :-) :-) :-) :-) :-P
(4)
Taylor B.
I booked a friend's 30th birthday party here. Everything was fantastic! Nicole the function manager was so helpful the during the whole thing! Even the staff! So friendly! Awesome beer selection! All my guests had a wonderful time! I'd definitely book here again. Or even stop by for a pint and order from the "bar bites" menu. The fried pickles and Irish-cini's sound delish!
(5)
Jeff M.
I've been to the Asgard many times for drinks but never had dinner here until a friend recommended it. Irish beef stew was just OK pub grub. Pretty cheap though. I won't be here again for a meal.
(2)
Ioan B.
Great for beer, mediocre for food.
(3)
Rayshauna G.
I go to the Asgard for nachos. Yes, I am a cheese fiend. Yes, I am lactose intolerant. Yes, it is worth it. How you like them clear and concise apples, William Carlos Williams?
(3)
Gordon B.
Strange, but the past three times we've been here for dinner I've had bad experiences. So bad, in fact, that The Asgard is now officially off the list for places we take people from out-of-town. I don't know what happened (new ownership or chef?) but I'm with Andy - the place sucks now. They still have a great beer selection and unlike some places in Central you can get in easily even on a Friday or Saturday night. Table service up front is poor and not much better in the back.
(2)
Jenny N.
I felt like I was dining at Medieval Times. But despite my initial skepticism, I must say that the Asgard is great for big groups (staff was very accommodating with our rotating party of 10-13) and they do a decent job with food. The menu offers something for everyone and portions are large. I do realize that this is a review of a pub, but I didn't partake in any drinks other than H20, so I can't comment on the bar offerings. Nachos were very tasty, but kettle chips tasted like they'd been left in the kettle too long....Grilled chicken and avocado salad with curry dressing sounded good in theory, but there was a certain something lacking in the execution. Or perhaps I was just too stuffed from the apps to enjoy myself 100%... But if our group was any indication, the Asgard is a prime spot for meeting eligible bachelors in residence at MIT. Not sure if it would be considered a good date spot, but the trivia nights sound like they'd be a good icebreaker!
(3)
Jim Z.
80% of the fun of this place is getting drunk and telling people on the phone that you've got an ass guard.
(3)
Lea A.
The service is very slow and something goes wrong every time we go. The food is edible but nothing to be desired. Only reason we go is because it is close to work and there is a good range of food and drinks.
(2)
Rachel C.
So wings are now $0.25, which is on par with what most bars have as their wing deals. So wing night isn't quite the spectacular bargain it used to be. However, raising the price has cut down significantly on the crowds. It is pretty nice to be able to drink and dine with some elbow room. And while the wings, specifically Golden Fever, are still some of my favorite in the city, I probably will make the effort to come out to MIT less often.
(3)
John C.
The Asgard is a great pub. Great beer selection and, you guessed it, great pub food. The place is packed most of the time for those reasons. Last time I was there I performed THE TEST. I ordered a Reuben. You can always tell how good a tavern is by their Reuben and believe me I have had Reubens from hundreds of pubs all over the country so I know. They passed the test. It was a good Reuben, not the best I ever had, but very good and well above the threshold for THE TEST. Service is good. Management is good. Once I went there on a game day and it was nuts. The line was out the door and they did a great of job of fitting me in anyway. Feel free to ignore the low ratings by idiot students complaining about random stuff. Seriously, who gives a pub a low rating because they thought they got overcharged for a sandwich? What a loser. Go back to the MIT union cafeteria, cheapskate.
(4)
Mike M.
We went here for trivia on a night that the Celtics and Bruins both had playoff games. First of all - how does a Boston bar still have TRIVIA when both local teams have playoff games!?!?! Second, they didnt even have the sound on for the games even before trivia started - pretty weak. The beer selection is pretty epic but the food was kinda lame. I ordered a steak and it was charred to a crisp despite my order for medium rare. Their portions are typically huge so if you feel like having leftovers for 3 days, that should work out. The trivia was typical Stump, but run SUPER slow by the guy. Competition was good with some Harvard, MIT teams, but overall a pretty weak experience. Also, apparently they have 10cent wings on Monday nights and the place is SWARMING with people. The waiter said it is the grossest thing he has ever seen and they sell a couple thousand wings.
(1)
Jonathan D.
The Asgard would perhaps merit a better rating if all they bothered to serve was booze and a small selection of pub grub. They have a pretty full lunch and dinner menu though, and it is pretty poor. The food all seems to be pre-made and just gets a warming up. Friends have had the salmon, which was described as fairly dry and over-herbed. I have had a rather depressing Shepard's pie that was a samall dish of ground beef with an nondescript tomato sauce covered with instant mashed potato with some cold peas on the side. And WTF is a Celtic Quesadilla? There are so many other bars with better food in the area to go to, and they don't leave you with a hollow feeling of having suffered through yet another chain-like dining experience. The only reason I would chose here over somewhere else would be if you were having to deal with a large group of people and you needed their capacity.
(2)
Herb D.
This place sucks, plain and simple. I used to work in the area and went here religiously on Friday afternoons, starting at 4-4:30 ish. Well, the best thing about getting laid off there was that I didn't have to come here anymore. Beers are overpriced, food is mostly bland but the wings looked good, but the real detractor is the absolutely dreadful lack of service. Good luck getting any semblance of service after 4 on a Friday. I don't know if this is the only day, or if it's a nightly sort of thing, but a group would sit down (yay large automatic tip, right?) and the waitress would come over and take our order...15 minutes later she'd come back with our drinks....30-45minutes later she'd check on us to see if we needed another. More often than not I'd lose my buzz by the time she came back and want to just leave to go someplace else. I gave the place 2 stars because I came here for lunch a couple of times and the gentleman that waited on me was fast and efficient, and (OH WOW) actually came by as our drinks were getting low to ask if we wanted more. The best part is they won't let you go to the bar if you're sitting in the pub area and are getting shitty service from one of the waitresses....you have to wait for her to stop picking her nose and come over to the table. Thanks for the attitude, bro! Leave this place and head to any of the other good or decent bars in the area...middlesex, miracle, the field, the phoenix, green street after 5, anywhere...just not here.
(2)
Elaine L.
After having been here a couple times, I still can't say there's something special about it, nor is there something wrong with it. It's got something for everyone and especially good seafood offerings for an Irish pub. My crabcake sandwich had bits of shell in it, though :-/. The shepherd's pie is also ok and one of the cheaper entrees that will fill you up. The burger offerings are also generous and interesting based on the descriptions -- I'll try them next time, for sure. The desserts can be ordered in half portions at reduced price, which is incredibly considerate. In general, it's a great place to go to if you're lacking inspiration. It's got a wonderful atmosphere and great drinks selection. It's also good for large groups, something that not many restaurants in the area can probably accommodate. Don't expect a culinary tour de force from Asgard, but do expect decent pub/American classics.
(3)
Christian K.
The Asgard is a great place for Karaoke on Wednesday nights. For those seeking food, you can do better. The fare at the Asgard leaves me feeling lukewarm. The atmosphere is fun, and the menu seems like eclectic pub fare... so you're hopeful... until you bite into their bland-ass fish tacos, or their stringy buffalo chicken, or sample a specialty beer from the not so reliable beer list... For the cost of this food, I would expect to taste a pinch of love. Service was lame to boot, with the waitress unable to take much time for eye contact, and unwilling to indulge a few lame jokes to lighten the mood... I'm happy to sing a bar or two with the kickass karaoke crowd, but I'm not planning on wasting my hard earned keep on dinner at the Asgard ever again.
(2)
Denise W.
I'm basing this entirely on a Monday night special wherein you get a plate of 10 wings for $1. Two friends and I went, got three different types (I think 6 choices total?), and shared the lot. Most of the time I think that ten cent wings are a disaster in the making because they're going to give you some dinky, tough pieces. These were surprisingly meaty, well-sauced, and just all-around fantastic. We were full after the first round, bringing our food total to $3. Also had some drinks, and I have to echo the mild wait we incurred. To be fair, there were about a billion people there .. Overall, I was particularly surprised and charmed by the whole experience. We're even thinking about hitting up the trivia Tuesdays.
(5)
Bill M.
Plenty of room here and the bartender (Chris...I think) dIid a good job. Plenty of TV's to watch the games and a live band when the game was over. Lots of variety on the draft beer and food looked good too. Manager was doing a good job as well. Running around making sure everything was running smooth. All in all a good place. Good for a group too. Like I mentioned - lots of room.
(4)
Anne W.
I went here for a late night dinner and was pleasantly surprised it was Karaoke night. The service was good.. the food was okay and a bit overpriced.. and yes, you feel like you're eating at a castle themepark. Is it supposed to be an Irish castle? The bad singing.. well, that's not their fault. The bathrooms are clean.. so that's another plus in my book. And the beer isn't too much of a ripoff here. I should come here for trivia night.
(3)
Sab M.
Good food and beer. However, the service was HORRIBLE. I have never complained about any server in my entire life, but this was over the top. This waitress must have been running a clinic on how to make guests feel unwelcome and unwanted. I thought we might have been on candid camera. It ruined my first and last experience at this restaurant.
(1)
Lance C.
Not too pretty bad
(4)
Liz M.
If not for the company, I would've given this place 1 star for the food + service. I'm sure its a great place for beer + fries and everything nice, but DONT get the fish tacos. Why did I get them? The waiter suggested it. Oh, silly me. My friend ordered the chicken pot pie which .... looked....decent, but she barely touched it because it was way too salty. Service? Eh. Women's Bathroom? Kinda/sorta sketch with toilet paper all over the floor. I dunno. It was only 8pm, doesn't that happen at the end of the night?
(2)
x s.
If your criteria for a good meal is sitting in a giant wooden throne and nothing much else, than the Asgard is the place for you!!!! Seriously. I've seen Chinatowns more "celtic" than this place attempts to be. I used to like their shephards pie, but it's 90% meat, and 10% yellow cheese. The fish n chips is OK, passable. Oh, the service is pretty good actually. I had the Irish stout stew once and had to send it back, it was so weird and salty. The Asgard. Your convenient neighborhood pub that just won't go away.
(2)
Lisa I.
Your typical Irish pub, but the food is better than most. Plus, 10 cent wings during Happy Hour on Mondays?! I'm sold. Actually, they're now 25 cents, but that's still pretty good. And the atmosphere is nicer than most Irish pubs, with comfy chairs and bar stools. The service is pretty quick too. I'm not usually a big fan of Irish pubs (a sin here in Boston, I know), but I actually like this place.
(3)
Sanel S.
Service: it was slow, incompetent and not friendly. Atmosphere: Tacky! I don't care for fake medieval decor. If you can't afford actual medieval tools and importing a wall from some old fortress in Ireland then don't create a fake one. The outside and inside clash visually. Outside makes it seem modern and hip, and inside is filled with faux-medieval decor. I would imagine the only people it would appeal to would be 18 year old testosterone filled frat boys. Yeah I understand that importing pieces of an actual fortress would be impractical and impossible. All the more reason not to build tacky fake crap then. Food was alright. The Omelet I ordered had more stuff in it than the menu stated it would. Conversely, the omelet was also lacking things. If the menu says "comes with fries" I expect to see fries, not potato halves.
(2)
Lisa C.
I'd been wanting to try this place for a while since I work a few blocks away, but could just never seem to get there between endless meetings and hectic schedules and ya know, winter...anyway, I finally got here today with a coworker and was pleasantly surprised. The outside seating area was comfortable, though the service was sort of slow (not sure if it was our waitress or what). The California turkey wrap was decidedly not Irish, but still tasty. I opted to skip out on a heavy meal like Shepherd's Pie for lunch, so I'd like to go back and try it. They have a great wine and beer list (though we clearly couldn't imbibe).
(4)
Nana J.
The rating for their cleanliness is 1 star. The rating for their current menu is 3 stars. The rating for their old menu was 5 stars. The average would have been 3 stars, but I'm disappointed that they changed the menu and still do such a lousy job cleaning the tables that they get 2 stars (because I'm feeling generous and they do have trivia nights and outdoor seating).
(2)
Aditi R.
Went here because Middlesex had a line winding half of Mass Ave. And I'm not one for waiting. They had a live band which I'm a always a fan of and they played some classics of course. Fairly good, but nothing special. They made all of us dance and that's the biggest thing for a live band, great or not. The beer on tap is good, but the selection could be slightly bigger. Other than that there is ample amounts of space to socialize and fall over when slightly inebriated :) Also known as, your average neighborhood bar.
(3)
amy a.
Great beer list. Had appetizers of vegetarian chili nachos (yum), calamari (too small a portion but YUM) and the crab cake salad for dinner. Then...I saw the mice. Same night as the other reviewer apparently - running around and across the dining room as the sun went down. Mentioned to the waitress, and she said "Oh where?" Told her, ummmmm...right there (---me pointing) and she said she'd take care of it. Really, dude?
(1)
Anna F.
So, I might have given them 2.5 stars on an ordinary night... but being Valentines and me on a budget with two dates- the $17 fix prixe seemed like a good idea. I like the decor and the food has always been decent. So here was the horror that ensued: - didn't offer us the Valentine's menu- strike one -no mood lighting, no candles and crappy WBCN music- strike two - seated not one but two large parties with children next to us in the otherwise empty restaurant (yes, it was early)- big strike three! The food was mediocre at best. I didn't realize until my surf and turf came that they never asked how I wanted it cooked. Portions were about half on the regular menu (and more expensive) . The desserts were underwhelming and not as expected. The cappuccino cake was a lava cake with a scoop of coffee ice cream. The mud pie was ice cream in cake shape with a bit of chocolate sauce and whipped cream (no oreo crust?!). And last but not least, my sidecar tasted like a whiskey sour. Blah! If you want a nice Irish pub, the River Gods is cozier, friendlier and all around superior.
(2)
Betsy E.
I'm having a hard time articulating my thoughts about this place. On the pros side, it's close to my apartment, and easily accessible from many other places, it's huge, and drinks are pretty reasonable. The band that was playing the last time I was there wasn't horrible either. But there's just. . .something about this place that is so corporate and soul-less. Whenever my friends and I are looking to go someplace in the Central/Kendall area, the Asgard never comes up because as someone (Gertrude Stein?) wisely said, "there's no there there." This place feels like it was dreamed up by some corporate overlord who envisioned tons of money coming from biotech employees at happy hour. That's fine, money is money, but if I'm going to an Irish bar in Central Square, I'll stick with the Field.
(3)
Leslie P.
I went here twice while attending ROFLCon II at MIT, as it was the place chosen by the conference organizers as the go-to after party place both nights of the conference. The conference sponsored party was held in the back room. It was mostly dark, hot and crowded, with a high noise level. It was nice to meet the people from the conference in a social setting, but when the waiters are dropping glasses because there isn't room to walk by the customers without getting elbowed, it may be time to find a bigger function room to hold your after party. Just sayin' Also, people kept complaining how slow the service was, but from what I could see it was as if the waitstaff had to do battle just to get drinks out into the crowd, so I'm not sure what would have sped that up for everyone. As for the Asgard itself, on night two I decided to pass on the crowded back room for a little bit and have dinner and drinks at the front while watching the games (Bruins on one TV and Red Sox on the other). I had Truffle Tater Tots, which were bland and which came with uninventive ketchup instead of something more interesting to dip them in. I also had some kind of house specialty egg roll, also bland. My bartender, happily, was on the ball, though, and kept an attentive eye on both my wine and my water - a good thing. Eventually I wandered back to the function I was supposed to be attending, but while in the front room found the place to be obnoxiously noisy, as if there were something off about the acoustics, as well as crowded and not overly friendly. It seemed it wasn't the kind of place to foster great conversations and meeting new people. I think I'll pass on going back to the generic pseudo Irish bar and stick to finding new places to see when I am in the city.
(3)
Kelly C.
If I worked in the area, I'd definitely go more often. Had the chili and was STUFFED. The 10 cent wing deal caught my eye, but go early...The place was SLAMMED by the time I was leaving around 7:30.
(3)
Elizabeth F.
I haven't been there since they stopped doing Wednesday karaoke. The food's eh and the drinks are eh, so without karaoke, there's no reason to go to the Asgard.
(1)
Jolene S.
I have got to say that Wed. night karaoke really brings this place alive. The pulled pork sandwich is worthwhile (and the fries and onion rings were pretty good too). Our server was pleasant. I will be back to check out the Wed. night shenanigans again.
(3)
Matt M.
The Asgard... Great beer selection, we we're seated very promptly. As our party grew the waitress held a neighboring table for our other guests to join us... By the end of the night we might have been a little bit more boisterous than most other patrons and that was treated with a smile and another round of beers. I had the Asgard burger with bacon... When I asked for bacon I did not realize I was going to get half of Miss Piggy... That was a pleasant surprise. The nachos missed the strike zone though... There was an ample amount of guacamole, cheese and salsa but no chips. It was a 2 to 1 ratio of scooped goodness to chip... Leaving us with a platter of unused condiments. Messing up nachos will cost you a whole star.
(3)
Laura G.
I'm not usually an Irish bar-food kind of gal but when I was in Boston my parents and I stumbled inside on a snowy night. I ordered a filet with a blue cheese sauce and a side of asparagus, the pictures still show the euphoria of my first bite into that meal. I strongly recommend this restaurant. The staff is attentive and kind. This small pub left a craving in my stomach because I have traveled all over the world and eaten many fantastic meals but I still yearn for a bite of this food.
(5)
Andrew H.
What I like about the Asgard- decor. Very nicely done. One of the best in Boston among the Irish pubs. What could be better: Music- I don't really go to Irish pubs to hear gangsta rap. They need a better music selection; Bathroom- You can't take a piss without the entire restaurant seeing you at the urinal; Food- for an Irish pub the Irish selection is limited, they could kick up the Irish element a bit. What I don't like-As with most American "pubs", the 5 dozen megasized TVs probably kill conversations.
(4)
Neil Z.
Located more or less across the street from the Miracle of Science, the Asgard is the Miracle's bizarro twin. The Miracle is tiny; the Asgard is huge. The Miracle has an original, subtle schtick; the Asgard is the least authentic Irish bar in a city full of inauthentic Irish bars (except you, The Druid -- you're cool). The Miracle's loud because it's full of people, the Asgard is loud because they're playing The Joshua Tree cover-to-cover (um, figuratively). But it's not actually that bad. For starters, they have a lot of excellent beer on tap (if you haven't, try the Allagash White). Getting a table is at least nominally possible on a Saturday night. And it's close to MIT. If all you want to do is drink beer with some friends, then why sweat the rest? I wouldn't take a date here, but taking dating advice from me is a terrible idea anyway. The food's unremarkable and the slightest bit expensive, though they have no-BS 10-cent wings on Monday nights. Avoid the cocktails at all costs. Also beware karaoke night -- not that I had to tell you that.
(3)
Molly S.
The service is solid, even at the busy bar. The wait staff is just attentive enough, they always know when I'm almost ready for another beer - so I'm never left with an empty glass (and that's called being good at your job!). The beer selection leaves a little to be desired, how do they only have one Harpoon offering? But Carlsberg and Allagash get it done for me. And I can't dote on the 10-cent wings enough. The flavor is great, the first time I was really surprised by what a great value this is. Whenever my Bio-tech crew gets together, we hit Asgard up for this deal and TALK TALK TALK and the chicken is still hot! I've had one sit down meal here, wasn't too impressed, but for general bar shenanigans, Asgard does the trick.
(3)
Yeah R.
The Asgard: Clean House! The good: pretty good food (qual. & quant; even the offbeat authentic Irish victuals), decent beer selection, patrons/crowd, decor, TVs, restroom. The bad: terrible service, lacking coat rack/hooks, loud (TV, music, whatever), slightly overpriced. Ate &/or drank drafts there 3 times, alone, each in a different bar area/space (i.e., not formal dining space): very late midweek had a couple watching the Australian Open Tennis live (bar; joint nearly empty); one evening w/ band then karaoke (I remember neither week-day nor -part; quite fun) (shared hi-top; joint full); and Super Bowl Sunday watching the game (rail; joint half full). My first visit, the bar-tender saw me but ignored me until he had finished some chores: Very, very, ultra annoying. After that, reasonable service, including a fulfilled channel change request and some banter. One's spot (bar or table), no matter how filthy, will not be wiped-down/cleaned automatically between seatings (free-for-all in bar area): one has to ask. (The staff are bizarrely clueless about table turn-over, in general.) The servers don't know the food and beer menus well yet pretend to do so annoyingly & exasperatingly obstinately. Me: "Look, I''m telling you! It comes in a can. I've had it HERE PREVIOUSLY. Look here at the menu." When staff (never one's, "server") deliver the food, be sure to quickly - before s/he moves on w/out noticing - inform her/him that napkins & eating utensils have not been provided. It won't be long before the, "server" comes by (pouting) to deliver (unapologetically)... The worst service is at the rail/bench/shelf/trough/side-bar(?) abutting/paralleling the longer/north side of the bar. Why? Because there is no service. When I gave up & went to the bar for service, a staff member presented himself offering help. He gave me doublespeak and I told him to get lost. He then uttered more doublespeak so I ignored him & he went away. Neither the bar-tender nor the food-deliverer provided me utensils & napkins. I delivered my finished plate to the bar-end surreptitiously & watched gleefully one staff member after another look at it quizzically then ignore it. It eventually passed through the nearby (2 meters) doors into the kitchen. On a trip to the bar for a draft refill, staff swiped the napkins (paper towels) I had procured from the men's room, the utensils I had borrowed from a dining area table, & my glass of water. Why? I don't know? Doesn't a coat, hat, scarf, & back-pack on an adjacent stool indicate an active customer-spot? Why, all of a sudden, attention? The greeter/hostess/maître d' SB Sun may as well not have come to work. Not only no help upon arrival, but also no greeting - not even a, "Welcome," "Hello," or, "How are you." Moreover, while socializing w/ a dining friend for at least 2 quarters (including sitting), she many times fetched food & drink for him - each errand a walk twice past customers at the rail oblivious to their plight (being ignored nearly the entire 1st half of the Super Bowl.) But several staff just walked by. We were still ignored even after 2 nearby & similarly-situated patron-friends secured service by shouting at a staff member who had repeatedly passed by unawares. Oy vey.
(1)
Jeff B.
Ate here on Saturday afternoon with my girlfriend. They sat us outside at a dirty table (we had to ask for it to be cleaned after they sat us). One of the bread plates was also dirty. We both ordered sandwiches and after 10 minutes the waiter told me that they couldn't make mine because they weren't serving the lunch menu yet. I asked when the lunch menu started and he asked me what time it was now. I said 1:40pm and he said he didn't think it started until 2pm. So I had to order something else. Ten minutes later my girlfriend's meal arrived but without the chicken (tomato, basil, mozzarella, with chicked) and the waiter told me that mine would be right out. Another 10 minutes later mine finally came but my girlfriend had already finished her meal. Asked for the check and when it didn't come, we had to ask for it again. The kicker was that the restaurant was pretty empty. About 10 tables seated outside and a couple inside. Would not go back for a meal, maybe drinks only.
(1)
Mike T.
Yet another shitty fake Irish bar that looks identical to every other fake Irish bar in Boston. Asgard, Kinsale and Solas all in one city? Do they sell "Build Your Own Shitty Irish Bar" kits? Does a shipping container full of barrels, iron light fixtures, rough wooden tables and Guinness posters just show up in front of a building with a crew of construction workers dressed as Leprechauns? The food sucks, the waiters are punks, the bartenders take forever and the bouncers are overly aggressive due to a combination of roid rage and the painful realization that their parents probably lie to people when they are asked "What does your son do for a living?" Update: Apparently my review upset one of the staff members. For a hilarious read as well as a troubling look into the state of the Attleboro school system, check out Brett H.'s only review on yelp. He must love singing 'Danny Boy' on karoke night while eating nachos and drinking one of Asgard's 25 BEERS!!!!!!!!!
(1)
Robert Z.
This used to be one of my favorite places to go for a pint after work and perhaps a burger with it, sadly, as a result I have also been party to watching it's decline over to years. While the beer selection is still good, when I ate here recently with friends, all of us ordered different dishes (Tomato Basil Mozzarella Sandwich, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, Asgard Burger, and Bangers 'N Mash) and split the Truffle Tater Tots as an appetizer and all of us got food poisoning to varying degrees. Needless to say we will not be going back as a result of this. One person getting food poisoning after eating somewhere might be a exception, but everyone at a table getting sick is an indication that something might be amiss in the kitchen. In addition to the issues with the food, all of us agreed that the wait staff was both rude and inattentive to our table while the table directly next to us (with more guests) got better service. The dinning section was not packed so this level of service was unacceptable. When we caught one of the waiters to indicate we were ready to order and if they could find out waitress, he just walked off afterwards without getting her and we ended up having to catch her as well. Dirty looks were abound from the waitress as they were walking away from our table even though our table was polite (if hungry). All of that said though, a poor experience with the staff still pales in contrast to all of us getting food poisoning after eating there and it bears reiterating that fact.
(1)
Emily S.
I remember coming here a few years ago when my friend and I had to bail on a ridiculously awful MIT frat Halloween party and finding it really decent. They served up a decent drink and a decent late night jambalaya with a decent late night menu and offered decent live musical entertainment. I had a nice time, but that may have been circumstantial. Anyway, remembering that lovely time I took another friend there for brunch this past weekend when we couldn't find a table at Miracle of Science. And oh boy, what a disappointment. Now, I like the decor and the concept of the place a lot. It's like a lodge. To me, that's important because I see dining as an overall experience- but it started with me being impressed with the decor and everything went downhill from there. Things just weren't done intelligently. Nobody there seems to think about what they're doing. First, the hostess tried to seat us at a high bar table on stools when the place was two thirds empty and there were tons of regular tables with comfy chairs sitting around in the exact same area. I asked to be seated at a table and she complied. Then I looked at the menu. It was 11:30 and I was in the mood for a sandwich, cept that the menu informed me they don't serve lunch at all on weekends, so it was the highly limited brunch menu or zilch. I had a hard time finding something that was both healthy and something I would actually like to eat. I gave in to the latter and got eggs bennedict. Now, they offered it both traditionally and with crabcakes. I thought that was a rather interesting concept, but I thought it might be too rich for morning, so I asked the waiter if it still came with Canadian ham. He said yes. I thought, OK, I'll pay the $2 extra then, and if i don't like the crabcakes I'll take them off, eat my benedict the traditional way and have the crabcakes to take home in a box for later! The plate came with a side of homefries and I figured that my main course more than covered my cholesterol requirement for the day, so I ordered the griddled tomatoes on the side. Now, the menu offered griddled tomatoes. I said "I'll have the tomatoes." This is foreshadowing. Five minutes later our waiter returns. Portions were small, not heinously, just not the bounty one would expect when you pay for brunch - and this was not cheap, less expensive places offer more. The underside of my friend's plate was literally half covered in sticky, bright yellow congealed egg yolk goo. Not just a little. It was ... something that no waiter could possibly miss, and that I imagine most waiters would think to wipe off. After all, his fingers were in it. Mine came and it was the smallest portion of eggs benedict i've ever seen. My griddled tomatoes? Perhaps I should've specified griddled, because what I got was a sliced tomato. That's it. If I had known it'd be that I would've just gotten the home fries. But what I really enjoyed is that AS HE WAS SETTING DOWN MY PLATE the waiter explained to me that apparently he was wrong and the crabcake eggs benedict doesn't also come with ham. With no follow up. No "is that OK?," nada. He was nice, but seriously, what? I then proceeded to make a frowny face to see if he'd notice and offer to get me some f- ehem, freaking ham free of charge but it didn't occur to him. Wasn't worth it to me to get into it, too early in the morning. But that's what he should've done. This establishment akes absolutely no pride in its brunch service. I don't understand why they even have brunch if they're going to half-ass the whole thing. Limited menu, small portions, mediocre food that leaves no lasting impression at prices too high for mediocre food, and no thought put into their customer service whatsoever. And you know what? The place was almost empty. Why do they even bother? Beh.
(2)
Nathan P.
Good for happy hour. Lots of choices in apps, tons of beer and a bunch of seats. Gets crowded for sure, but isn't that what happy hour is all about?
(3)
Doris K.
People, people, people! I had a great time at the Asgard, but maybe that's because I came for dinner and sat at a table instead of the bar. I started out with a bartender concocted drink that was vodka, champagne, and pineapple. It sounded good but I didn't really enjoy it. The waiter was really knowledgeable about beer and was able to recommend something suitable for the hubby. I ordered the apple cider pork chop with roasted potatoes, and the hubby had the bangers and mash. My pork chop was AMAZING. It was the most tender piece of pork I have ever had in my life. Really amazing, perfectly grilled, and expertly seasoned. The hubby's bangers were dry, but the mash was good, just needed more gravy. I know that they are suppose to be an Irish pub but I think that probably their non-Irish food items may be better than their Irish food items. The people next to us had the steak and fish and chips which both looked really good. Someone else looked like they ordered a tuna steak and when it came out it looked like it was cooked perfectly. Our server could not have been better. I think his name was Jonathan. He was one of the best servers I have had in Boston. After being triple sat with a large party, he still managed to take care of us without any flaws.
(4)
Becki W.
So, I need to preface this by saying I have only paid full price for my stuff here once. So, I have found the prices to always be more than reasonable ( yes, the prices are reasonable to begin with). But if you come with Beth E on trivia night, you will be more than likely to find as gift certificate in her purse from the last Trivia Night (Because Yelpers kick ass on Stump Night!!) Their food is decent, but nothing to tell mom about. I have only had a burger there so, I don't know if my burger was a standard example of their cuisine, but let's just say it is. They have a small selection of wines, and a good selection of beers, if you like that sort of thing. For people like me that have cocktails (Good selection of rums and vodkas) and also Magners (Seriously... are there any bars in Boston that carry cider besides Magners?) What brings this up to 4 stars for me is that on a night when Trivia people are running rampant and you have to bushwhack your way from your table to the trivia host, the servers are pretty attentive. I even had one come up to me at the Trivia table asking if I wanted my drink there, or should being it to the table (and he wasn't even my waiter.. just helping carry out) So food = meh, price = okay, service = Yay. Not great overall, but definitely not bay.
(4)
Angie A.
Had dinner here last night. FABULOUS atmosphere with the high ceilings and wood architectural influence. And everyone at our table enjoyed the food. I had the crab cake sandwich and sweet potato fries. Very good. But my friend had the Shephard's Pie - outstanding! We were all eating out of her plate!
(4)
Nick L.
The Applebee's of Irish Pubs. Generic. Watered down. Not really Irish, what with the Mexican food and burgers and such, but I can't fault them for that. I mostly fault them for being boring. I can't think of why you'd choose The Asgard over other places in Central, unless of course you're walking from MIT and can't be bothered to go a couple more blocks before drinking away the tears and the equations. There's a lot of seating, so it's a reasonable destination for groups. The prices aren't exorbitant, but they're nothing to write home about. The drink list is acceptable. I've never been for Trivia Night, so maybe I'm missing out. They occasionally have bands. I really didn't like this place, to be honest, but I ended up going a lot with friends who did. Now they've left town and I don't see myself going back.
(2)
Melissa C.
Totally standard pub grub with one exception: surprisingly vegetarian friendly options. They have both a beef chili and a veg chili; they make their own veggie burger (with ground nuts in it for a rich flavor), they have a tower of local veggies as an appetizer, they have a cheese plate, they make a portobello sandwich, a veggie pasta, and several salads. If friends are in the mood for an Irish-style pub, I will suggest the Asgard (though their Guinness doesn't taste like it is poured with a nitrogen tap) because there's something for everyone (even me, rare at bars!). The decor is gothic, a bit more of Disneyworld's version of an Irish pub than I'd like, but still fun. The waitstaff can be hit or miss. We had a waitress the other night who was all smiles but couldn't remember a thing about our order (and seemed to have too much pride to write it down). We've also had people for servers who I swear are actually robots. No emotions found. It's often crowded but never really rowdy. All the good kids go there. And the prices are what you'd expect for Cambridge. Higher than the suburbs, but not stupid expensive (yet...).
(3)
Melissa M.
This review is for their Trivia Night. It is a great little pub. Dark wood tables surround the place. I didn't even mind standing since they were out of chairs. Their pinot noir is really good and for 7.5 bux, it's okay to get 2 glasses! I didn't get any food, but everyone's meals looked and smelled good. Their service was very nice, she clearly was very busy but remained pleasant so I tipped her well. The music they play was great too. I'm glad I made the trek from Allston to Central for this! I'll be back! Oh, yeah -- our team WON! We are awesome!
(4)
John P.
They no longer have Boston's best karaoke. So they are now a perfectly average Irish bar in a neighborhood filled with Irish bars. You know what you're getting into.
(3)
Abby N.
I have spoken to the manager. He stated that the bartender and waitress are sincerely sorry. He said the two will also be organizing a charity event with the Special Olympics and will volunteer so they can learn more about the organization and its members. I'm quite pleased with how this situation was handled. I can only hope that in the future the two will think twice before using certain words and actions.
(3)
Sherry C.
Delicious beer. Mediocre food. I walked in last night for a beer and a takeout dinner. The bartender was very friendly despite my muddy athletic attire. I don't know if it was because my order was later in the night or taken just after a large group at another table ordered... but my Rueben sandwich came out 30 minutes later soggy, cold and gross. I'd come back here to grab a beer with friends, but I won't be ordering food again.
(2)
Oz L.
Great drafts on tap and 10 cent wings on Mondays!!! Monday night football is right around the corner!!! Get there early!!
(4)
Jess L.
Some friends and I stopped in here randomly. I really liked the wood paneling and tall ceilings. There were also lots of different types of seating areas - standing, lounge-y, eating - so that was neat, too. It was definitely loud, though, and some of the seats were too close together. It's a good place for people watching. Extensive liquor menu.
(3)
Claudia R.
My friends and I stumbled upon this place by accident on our way back to our hotel after our first night out & about in Boston. We realized the we are too old for the club scence now that we are in our thrties and quickly bailed to return to our hotel. When we arrived at the Asgard around 11:30 on Friday it was pretty well populated. As girls who grew up on the East Coast and who love hip-hop we were really surprised by the old school hip hop that was being played in an Irish Pub. Regardless we loved it and drank untill close. I will deffinatley make this a stop again if I am ever in Boston. The wait staff at this establishment was great. Quick to see when we were finishing a beer and bring another right along. Thank goodness our hotel was right behind this pub :o)
(5)
Whitney K.
This place has a beautiful interior... I wish I could say the same for the management. I went outside to make a phone call and asked the hostess to hold my table (with 3 drinks on it) and came back to find our drinks gone and our table occupied. As a veteran of the service industry (busser, hostess, server, asst. manager) I am accustomed to making the customer happy. Asgard did the exact opposite. The hostess notified the manager and he had the bartender fill our beers less than half way. The hostess felt so bad she went to talk to the manager because she obviously knew something about customer service and then the manager proceeded to yell at her in front of the whole restaurant. If anything the hostess should be running the place because the manager knows nothing about customer service. 3 beers cost him 3 customers... was it worth it?
(1)
sunny n.
I wish I could remember..but this place used to something back in the day..and was actually pretty good..but now with the Guard of the Ass named venue...it certainly doesnt live up to my expectation... the decor...well lets see.where do i begin...celtic..ish....medivial..ish..maybe even americano...who knows wtf the decorator was thinkin...food portions were huge..but not at all flattering...i was pretty hungry when i arrived and with pleasant company..so decided not to complain..but the chicken fingers...were so bad..hard....ouch....and ya i confess..I ate..coz it was my first solid meal of the day...place is huge...so good for big groups......! Definately overpriced....i may jus swing by here on a desperate cold night again for a drink..while pondering on MassAve....!
(2)
Wendy K.
I was here for a late dinner with some friends, and while the experience was generally good, the food left something to be desired at times. The decor was rustic and comfortable and the service was great - bussers filled water glasses flawlessly, everyone got their food at the same time and within a reasonable time frame, and the waitress seemed knowledgable about the beer selection. We ordered the spinach dip, which was tasty, but the menu says that it's served with pita chips, while ours was served with tri-colored tortilla chips, and the truffle tater tots, which didn't taste particularly truffle-y, and didn't seem to have any Parmesan cheese or pepper on it, as the menu states, but tasted more like cafeteria food circa fourth grade. They were still good, don't get me wrong - just not "restaurant good". Not exactly what I would expect from a nicer restaurant... I got the Steak Wedge Salad, and while it tasted fine, there were three tiny steak tips on it, and though the paper menu said that the dressing was served on the side, it was POURED onto my iceberg wedge, drowning most of the other flavors. Remind me why this cost $13? On the other hand, the people I was with enjoyed their meals which were the Fish Tacos and the Paddy Melt. In conclusion, the food is hit or miss. And inconsistent with what the menu says. And not worth the money it costs to consume it.
(3)
Brian M.
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Irish pubs. Love cos: - I'm happy anywhere that I can indulge my love of tasty cold pints - the food is generally reliable. Not exciting, not amazing, but reliable - occasionally I meet a compatriot and can have one of those Irish conversations that involves a lot of nods, use of expressions like 'grand' and "y'know yourself' and very occasionally discovery of a mutual acquaintance (put two Irish people together and count how long it is before one says to the other "Do you know...?" Then there's the flipside: - I didn't come 3000 miles to hang out in a pale imitation of the places I misspent my youth. - the patrons can be a pain in the hole; bitter expats complaining about how much the oul country has changed, 'locals' who loudly proclaim their Irishness every 5 minutes and a few college kids who are too suburban to drink in a real dive bar. - The menu can be predictable to the point of tears The Asgard ticks most of these boxes and yet I seem to find myself there at least once a month without fail. They've a pretty decent beer selection, the food is generally good and the service is always competent and pleasant enough. I'll never love the Asgard, but I'm glad it's there.
(3)
Arturo P.
Fun Trivia Night, Decent Beer Selection, Decent Food, Good Service I've been coming here for a while almost every Tuesday for trivia night, so my review is mostly for that. The staff is great and friendly, their beer selection is solid (new stuff pretty regularly), and the food is ok. Overall, a fun place to grab some drinks and food. Four stars, only because I'm not in love with the food.
(4)
Chuck C.
Man, you gotta come in for brunch! Magnificent! Great beer selection and a fabulous bloody mary :-) We popped in Saturday and Sunday because the food and service were great.
(4)
David G.
So I've gone back for the first time in 2009 to give them one last shot and I see they've made some major improvements. The improvements being less about the food that was chief source of complaint before, but to the beer menu. They now have quality and thoughtful selections here on tap-quite a few in fact. They've managed to avoid mainstream boredom and put out some interesting and unusual brews, so I applaud them for that. Service is friendly from behind the bar and the bar manager seems like a good guy. However, the food is still mediocre at best though unfortunately. Their sandwiches disappoint in both size and taste. The other dishes I see going out looked very unimpressive and brought back bad memories of my last visit here for lunch. Fix the food and I could learn to really like this place. It could even become great.
(3)
Jillian Y.
I could give the Asgard 5 stars for their lighting and cavelike atmosphere alone, but I won't. Okay, yes, I will. They also have a great beer selection, yummy soups and salads (and a lot else, but those are my favorite foods lately).
(5)
Jesse R.
I recently had dinner at the Asgard, the last time I was here was just for a quick drink on the way to somewhere else. As someone who has been to Ireland, I think the Asgard is a modern, gastropub spin, on a traditional Irish pub. The expansive bar made of wood, copper and glass and mirrors is really cool, and in general the interior is a cozy place...all they need is a couple of working fireplaces to really set the mood. The food is very good. I had the fish and chips, two nice crispy filets with very moist cod inside. My friend had the Shepherd's Pie which was also quite tasty. They have a huge selection of beers, many local brews and also several UK and Ireland imports. The bartender recommended Young's Double Chocolate Stout, a British import with a bittersweet chocolate finish that is really pleasant. Would definitely come here again if I was in the MIT / Cambridge area. Trivia night is on Tuesday!
(4)
Derek B.
This is a tough review b/c the experience is so variable. I've been to Asgard a few times. The food is serviceable but def nothing to write home about. (If you go for brunch, get the corned beef hash). The servers do try really hard but you get the feeling that they are overcome by the demands of customers and an inefficient kitchen process. Not a good feeling when you're a customer...you really shouldn't even be thinking about the kitchen process. The food came out cold a few times (it can be expected after an hour wait for an appetizer...how hard is it to pour soup). Nonetheless, the management recognized the issue and did comp the meal. I wish I could say that the quality of the food and the management's foresight was enough to get me back but it's not. The food would have to be significantly better to overcome the service issues.
(2)
Jason H.
Ten cent wings on Mondays, good irish pub feel really close to mit.
(3)
Chris G.
The skinny: I really like hanging out here especially on off nights since it is spacious. i also like their veggie burger. Music gets too loud sometimes. Full story: A place full of Cambridge after work crowd earlier in the evening and young pros, grad students, and older people for dinner and later on. It empties out after 1130 I think as people head over to Middlesex to dance or off to Boston. Menu is ok - I like the veggie burger alot - other stuff is just ok i think though friends have liked various items. I like the ambiance a lot, and when i want to hang out with friends and TALK, I like coming here. Some nights, the live music near the front of the place is too loud (after 10) so I sit near the back. Last time, I sat in the throne chair. This is one of my default hang out places.
(4)
Tarah H.
The Asgard is brimming with mediocrity. The waitstaff is very hit or miss. (we've had cold and sparse service to very chatty and friendly) The food, while pretty okay, was a little pricey for what they were offering. The beer selection is respectable and pretty average to a little high in price. Kudos on the Tuesday trivia, though. Seemingly, other than during trivia time, this place is pretty empty. Come Tuesday, people start filtering in around 8:30 in anticipation of the fun and factoids to be had at 9. The girl that runs trivia is lovely and very tolerant of risque names and our often rowdy group. The patrons are a mishmash of MIT folk, after work types, neighborhood hipsters and a few randoms. As far as decor, it's a bit of a cluster-f*** of viking and irish pub wanna be that has that lovely watered-down-ness that really only America can offer. In that respect, it kind of reminds me of bad Chinese food - tastes kind of okay, but after an hour, makes you feel a little funny. I'll keep coming for the occasional Tuesday trivia, but otherwise, there's better places in the city. Fun Fact: Magners is listed twice on their tap lists.
(3)
Emily M.
I can't even get a budlight for under 5 dollars when I go out. Their beers are 3x more potent, 5x more delicious, and cheaper! Well, at least some of them. Great beer selection. The Troegs Troegenator was awesome. Also had a dark and stormy which was delicious. I will definitely come here again.
(4)
Victoria W.
I've only once been to the Asgard 1) on any day other than Wednesday and 2) before 9 p.m. That said, I'm there every week. The karaoke is the best in Boston and the karaoke crowd is one of the best ones you can ever hope to find at a watering hole on a weekday night. I adore the Asgard. You should too.
(5)
Jennifer N.
10 cent wings is an AMAZING deal. You have to buy a $5 drink but that's dinner for what $6+tip. WIN. They are about as good as 10 cent wings can get Gets super crowded after 5pm. Service was meh. Hostess was somewhat lost or airheaded. Didn't understand the wing+drink concept well. The bartender ignored me and my boyfriend for 5 minutes before I flagged her down. But otherwise a good experience. I would go back
(3)
_ _.
Scale of 1-10 (multiple visits): 4 Food 7 Service 8 Atmosphere 5 Value
(2)
Sarah R.
SEATARDS HOOOOOOOOOOOO!! It turns out that I've now been here thrice instead of merely twice, my first time having been during the Boston Bunny Bar Hop down Mass Ave. 5 months later, I can only remember that night in tattered, beer-soaked remnants. The other two times have been for Yelp Trivia, during which the Asgard was assailed by legions of Seatards on an otherwise normal Tuesday night. I'd heard disparaging "things" about the Ass Gard before I'd actually made it there, and I must say that I was somewhat pleasantly surprised upon arrival. The beer selection is decent, though I can't speak for the quality of their mixed drinks. They put real blueberries in the Wachusett, though not the tiny little dainty ones used at Boston Beer Works which bounce up and down within the glass. I also had a pumpkin ale that was decent, but again, not as good as the one @ Boston Beer Works. The food is okay, but not earth-shatteringly amazing. I had the Chicken Roll-Up and the fries, which were a big hit. The menu combines a good mix of "traditional" offerings with more ubiquitous bar food (see my choice). There's even ravioli, apparently. I guess it's one of Asgard's attempts to try to reach out to everyone. The biggest problem with trying to eat at Asgard is just that--the attempt to flag down a server to take your order. Granted, we were there on a relatively busy night, but it might benefit them to have a few more servers on hand during those busy times. The prices for both food and drink are reasonable. I noticed that immediately following trivia, most people migrated out of the bar, so Asgard's not really a hopping destination when it comes to nightlife. This seems to be simply a stop on the journey to booze it up on Mass Ave, not unlike my experience with my fellow Bunnys all those months ago.
(4)
T I.
I really like the atmosphere. The furniture and the wooden walls. The chairs are really cute. The food is good too! Close to MIT campus. Looks kind of expensive but it's not really I think! the waitresses are usually really good. Good place to watch soccer or Red Sox. Great for group partying. It even has a nice separate room in the back for private parties. Big TV screens.
(4)
Jeffrey H.
Pros: *Food; Pretty decent and I think a good place to grab lunch. *Price; It's always nice to find clean establishments in Boston that don't charge you an arm & a hooha. *Place; Clean. Spacious. Good for large groups. *Location; Not too far from the red line Cons: *Nightlife; Isn't really 'hoppin' unless you've come with a group. *Location; You have to walk thru Sketchy Mcsketch Land from the red line to the bar...be prepared to take a stroll thru Hobo Village...right beyond Crackhead Valley. *People; MIT students and middle-aged office workers not really my scene. ***9.25.07 edit: Waitress; a snooty one at trivia last night who said I couldn't order from the bar because I was sitting at a table...mind you I had just walked in the door and was STANDING in between two tables saying 'Hola' to Yelpers. She also said they didn't have my low-carb Mich Ultra...so I ordered a Coors Light on draft...then when she was gone I snuck over to the bar and ordered a Mich Ultra since ya know, I've ordered it a bazillion times before...and I'd rather tip the cutey behind the bar instead of the miserable Punky Brewster look alike. I'd recommend it for grabbing a bite but not for staying late night.
(3)
Ryan C.
Amazingly good wings, and probably the best shepherds pie in the area. Good beer selection too. Go here on your way to the Sox game...
(4)
Zach T.
$0.10 wing night on Monday nights, a good pint of Guiness, a big beer menu, and a constantly rotating beer stock. The food is ok, nothing that special about a fish 'n' chip platter for $13.
(3)
Ligaya T.
The closest I ever came to the Asgard was the bus stop on the same block. Until last night when I flung open it's doors and sensed an evening of promise. Armed with beer and a blueberry sangria (nasty), our team, Revel in Hugginess, took up the Tuesday Trivia gauntlet. We spent the night racking our brains, being Seatarded (it's the genus, you know? R in H is the species), dodging the oversized furniture like regular quarterbacks to turn in our answers, cheering for the Sox during breaks (tvs viewable from every spot in the bar) and taking silly photos. "Peter Jennings" "Yamaha" "Montana" - X "Lungs" "Celine Dion" "An Inconvenient Truth?!" - X "Drive-in movie theater" In the end, Seatard team "Bitches, hoes and Russ" triumphed with our magic # 69, winning 3rd place! Sorry MITers, yelpers RULE. See you again, but only on Tuesdays!
(3)
Howe L.
Admittedly, I only come here on Mondays when its super busy for its 10 cent wings. Nonetheless, the poor service is inexcusable. The wings are actually decent, and the bar actually serves (on tap!) one of my favorite beers, Franziskaner.
(3)
Charoline D.
Not really sure why I hadn't gotten around to reviewing The Asgard, but quite possibly it's because it leaves really no distinguishable impression on me. The place just seems like a GIANT bar with way too many open spaces. If I'm at a pub, I kind of prefer it to be dark and intimate. And by intimate, I don't mean like...lingerie, candles, and rose petals. I've been here a number of times over the past couple years and it just seems really poorly put together. The bar area is so ginormous and awkward, feels more like this should be the location for a TGIFridays or something equally corporate and sterile. Unless we're talking like...Jack in the Box sterile.... Drinks are definitely overpriced, be it beer on tap or cocktails, everytime I leave here I feel like I've gotta scan over my receipt to make sure there are no errors and I'm not being charged for more than I actually drank. But then again, what kind of discretion can I really have when I sort of start to lose count? We came here for trivia last night and our team "The Seatards", a group of smarmy yelp folk scored 4th place, or so I think. It's a pretty good time and I think we felt fairly brainy in beating that godawful "pirate chicks with dicks" team. A fun event and hopefully we'll have more to come and winnings to share.
(3)
Matthew F.
Above-average draft list almost makes me forget I'm in a chain Irish bar. Almost.
(2)
Kenny L.
Official gathering locale for Yelp Stump Trivia, SEATARDS, and Infectious but Curable (reunion?)! 1. What sci-fi movie based in the jungles featured two actors that later became actual US state governors? 2. What are Ligaya's top three favorite places to do her Yelping? 3. What are the ingredients that goes into a Naked Speedo? 4. Does Trish have "The Dish" written on her birth certificate? Did I mention that the announcer girl sounded sexy?
(3)
Russ S.
Wow. I'm a little bummed out this place only has three stars as of my review writing. The only times I have been to the Asgard have been on Tuesday trivia nights, and this one time when I went on a Boston Bunnyhop Bar Crawl. The barhop doesn't figure into my review, because it was a saturday night and we brought about 80 people into the place. Not very representative of your average Asgard experience. Trivia nights, however, are a pretty good time. The only drawback to the place is that it feels like it's impossible sometimes to flag a waitress down, and the waitstaff doesn't have the same sort of personable flavor that I am accustom to at some other bars. But a short list of things that I like about the Asgard on a Tuesday: -- This chicken penne pasta cream sauce thing I got last time was really really awesome -- They have plenty of space and plenty of tables -- The have Wachusett Blueberry beer with the little blueberries in them. -- The trivia lady will read out your team name, whatever it is, and 80% of the teams playing pick the dirtiest thing they can think of. -- Not too choady considering they have a ton of huge TVs showing the game. -- Beer prices are reasonable Yeah, that about sums it up. The Asgard doesn't hold a special place in my heart, by any means, but it's definately got it's moments. And most of those moments are on a Tuesday night with kids who watched a lot of TV and stuff growing up. SEATARDS 4 LIFE.
(4)
Kate S.
Glaciers recede faster than the service here.
(1)
Beth E.
This place is getting 4 stars just for being our main Yelp trivia location. I've never eaten anything here, so I can't comment on that. They have a good selection of beer, and the prices are reasonable. Really, it's a great space for trivia, lots of room, especially when a group of 20 of us show up and split into teams and spend the night answering questions and running around chatting with each other. Plus, it's across the street from the Middlesex, and Tueday night trivia is a good lead-in for hearthrob.
(4)
Kristina D.
The Asgard does seem out of place for being fake-Irish/fake-Nordic next to all the original bars in Central Square. Like: Trivia night on Tuesdays with Jill Turkey burger with avocado and gouda Lots of capacity (except it's hard to get a table during trivia night) Neutral Opinion: Beer list--you can't go wrong with Harpoon IPA or Guinness, but the rest are so-so. Dislike: Boring atmosphere. I had enough of this in D.C. and Virginia (Molly Malone's [now O'Sullivan's], Ri Ra, Kitty O'Shea's, Four Courts, Four P's...)
(2)
Chris S.
The Asgard feels as much a genuine neighborhood Irish bar as your nearest Taco Bell. It's meticulously decorated and sits on the stuffy side of Sidney St, which separates gritty Central Square from a glittering MIT office park. Even still, the food was good enough when I lived in the neighborhood to keep me coming back a couple of times each week. The seafood stew in a rich tomato base was a particular favorite, again despite not being very Irish. Don't go to the Asgard if you're looking for a small Irish pub with a friendly atmosphere; the Phoenix Landing is two blocks down Mass Ave and is a much better place to drink with friends. But If you want a decent meal, there are many worse places to dine in Central Square.
(3)
Olivier C.
Really cool place, nice people, and they make your favorite drinks, just ask...
(4)
Shannon A.
Would I got out of my way to go to the Asgard? Probably not. Would I go there as a convenient place to meet for drinks and some noshing after work? Probably. Everything about this place is average. The food - average. The beer selection - average. The staff - average. The Asgard serves a purpose, and that is it's big enough, centrally located enough, and inexpensive enough to draw a decent enough crowd to thrive. One of the positives The Asgard has going for it is the size. The place is cavernous with ample seating and a good sized bar area to accommodate the after work crowd. What amazes me about the Asgard is that it's a generic Irish pub in a city full of authentic/semi-authentic Irish pubs. I would expect to see a place like this is Vegas or Phoenix, but not Boston. It's because of that I'm sort of fascinated that the place has been able to exist for as long as it has. I guess people are happy enough with the mediocrity to go there.
(3)
Dessa R.
Like your beat up Toyota from high school, the Asgard still needs alot of work. The space isn't bad- it's large and has an interesting Norse deco theme. The food is merely ok, and attempts to follow an Irish theme, although I am pretty sure I would not find corn beef potato skins on a food tour of Dublin. I will say that the burgers are pretty decent. The music, however, is horrifyingly god-awful. I went on a Friday night last week with a friend visiting from out of town, and we literally struggled to get through our mozzarella wedges as droning soft rock assaulted our ears. It was painful, and we rushed through our snack to escape. The joint was nearly empty at midnight, and the guy at the door hassled us about the validity of our IDs- we're in our 30s, so although we should have been flattered, we were mostly irritated.
(3)
Claudia H.
An Irish Pub-like restaurant. On a nice day, ask to be seated outside (which we did). The restaurant offers an American menu, so expect the usual (burgers, sandwiches, etc.). You can also choose to sit inside, and the bar scene at night becomes active inside. I would recommend either the sliders or the chicken sandwich. The food is reasonably priced. You will probably pay $10-20 per person.
(3)
Erik L.
Asgard is terrific, because I'm always impressed when I'm here. Over the past two years, I think I had dinner three times. You think you're entering an Irish pub/restaurant, so you don't necessarily expect anything above average. Not only is the food above average, it is really good; considering the price its fantastic. Last time I had the fire-roasted vegetables pasta. I'm not a vegetarian but this meal was all I needed. The sauce was perfect - it really has the fire-roasted flavor. Another time I had beef stew, which was done to perfection and also with the perfect flavor. Add to all this a very decent beer list, a merry wait staff, and what do you have? Right, a good time! They even have some outdoor seating, which, although kind of squashed against the side of the building, is still very pleasant now that summer has arrived. If I was in the area more often I'd definitely come a lot more than I do.
(5)
Vanessa C.
I have to say after a flight from LAX and then checking into Le Meridien this place was the perfect distance for us. The staff were all super friendly and the atmosphere were all college kids to professor age. The clam chowder was very flavorful and the beers tasted straight from the brewery. The buffalo chicken sandwich on ciabatta bread was a little dry for me but still filling. The steak salad was excellent and perfectly marinated. If in Cambridge you must stop here for a late dinner it hits the spot.
(4)
Jen H.
The Asgard has never done me wrong, so I have no complaints, and only positive things to say about them. There is a German group who meets here a couple times a month, and the Asgard is always able to accomodate the group. The food that I've tasted here has never been bad, drinks are made well, selection of alcohol is good, they just added one of the few beers that I like to drink (Leinenkugel) on tap, and the staff is always pleasant and helpful. Last night they had a live band that wasn't half bad, got the crowd sining and dancing along, so it was nice and chill. Asgard is a good spot for grabbing a bit to eat, pregaming, or having a more relaxing night of going out when you don't want to deal with the club/crowded bar scene.
(4)
Jessica B.
I am an idiot. I want that to be clear from the get-go. My friend was in town and we were in Cambridge looking for a drink and something to eat. Another friend and former Boston resident used to work at either the Miracle of Science or the Asgard and had recommended one (or both maybe?) So, Brian and I are wandering around looking for the Miracle of Science, which (here's where idiocy comes in) I cannot find. But the Asgard is there, clear as day. We pony up to the nearly empty bar and wait to be served. And wait. And wait a little more. No hello. A barest glance of acknowledgement that does not apparently imply future service. No menus. Nada. Maybe we should have taken a table, but the hostess seemed disinclined to lead us to one. When we finally are served, I get potentially the weirdest veggie quesadilla I've ever had. Y'all do seem to like your broccoli and zucchini in Mexican food here. Ok. But eggplant? And watery guacamole? Ew.
(2)
L D.
In a neighborhood where you can spit in any direction and hit a bar, there is no need for the Asgard. The furniture is massive and uncomfortable. My legs are always hitting the bar or the table legs, resulting in unsightly bruises and a constant utterance of curse words. The beer selection is okay but the prices are at least $1 too high. The food is awful. Really awful. The appetizers appear to be purchased in bulk and thawed to order (though I can't be sure). As for the entrees, I only had a full meal here once or twice and don't even remember what I ordered. So why the two stars with all this hatred? The AssGuard doesn't belong in Central but it's a convenient option when Miracle is too crowded. There's a reason you can always get a seat at the AssGuard.
(2)
Tom E.
I can't take this place seriously as a pub. I mean, it feels just like one of those pubs you get in shopping malls, airports or Vegas casinos. It just doesn't work - they never do. It all feels contrived like something from a theme park. Yes, it's the offensive alcoholic Irishman ride! (you must be this tall to enter) Pubs have to have history and character and you can't create it by doing up the room next to the gym to look like a 'olde worlde' Irish bar. If you have a modern building and you want to get people drinking, open a bar.
(2)
Emma H.
I like going here. It has a viking longhouse kinda feel. Lots of wood decor. It's on Mass ave within a short walking distance of the redline's Central square stop. On tuesdays they have a fun trivia night that starts at 9pm, which is what I usually go for. Show up early to get a good table for that. Drinks are good and they have a variety of options, although I've found the mixed drinks to be a bit overpriced for the amount of alcohol in them. I generally stick to beer or wine. They have a pretty large dinner menu. You probably won't eat anything mind blowing, but the food is great in terms of bar food. I've had a quesadilla (adequate), spinach artichoke dip (warm cheesy goodness), steak salad (yummy) and pulled pork burger (super yummy and filling).
(4)
John W.
One of my friends is moving to SF this week, so a bunch of people got together at one of our favorite hang-outs for a rockin' going-away party. Our favorite hang-out is not the Asgard - it's the Miracle of Science. But when more and more people kept showing up, we were forced to relocate the party to this more spacious Viking-Irish pub across the street. I though I had been to the Asgard before, but as soon as I saw the medieval decor, I knew I hadnt. Our waiter was a nice gal, but a little clueless. It took a long time for us to order food, which I must add, is pretty mediocre. I had the veggie-burger with gouda cheese, and I sampled a friends veggie quesadilla. Their selection of beer on tap is pretty decent, but nothing special. All in all, we had a good time. I wish we could have stayed at MoS all night, but I'm even more glad we had such a big send-off for my friend on a Monday night.
(3)
Liz K.
Great selection of drinks. They had a band on Sat night that kept things moving . However by the end of the night the crowd dimmed down.
(3)
Roni E.
Oh the ASS-Guard! Well... not really, this bar/restaurant is quite pleasant. The decor reminds me of the Renaissance/Medieval Times theme with a castle-like atrium, high ceiling, carved out wooden chairs, etc. The bathrooms are clean. The staff are pretty attentive. The food is a bit overpriced, but not bad by any means. But of course, this may also have been due to my EUI (Eating Under Influence). I'll pay whatever I have to, to get rid of the drunchies. This seems to be one of the hot spots for Yelpers for Tuesday night Trivia though. Although, I'm not guarding my ass here, you bet I am on Mass Ave!
(3)
Marc H.
Irish pubs such as the Asgard don't really do it for me, probably because I have spent so much time in Ireland and prefer the real deal when it comes to the pub scene. And Asgard is not the real deal. The atmosphere is pleasant, and the servers are mostly ok, but the food seems rather average and the place just feels a bit too generic to me. For a fun night at an authentic Irish pub, I guess I'd rather hit a place such as James's Gate in Jamaica Plain, The Druid in Inman Square, or O'leary's in Brookline.
(2)
Jamie A.
Agreeing with Ligaya's review below, I'll probably only be seeing this "Irish-theme-park-style" pub on Tuesdays! ...but I promise that Tuesdays are fun and well worth it for the trivia! This was my second visit to the Asgard, the first being another Tuesday for trivia. On my previous visit, I did order some food, which was tasty appetizers, the highlight being the truffle tots! (...which I'll be looking forward to ordering with my other third-place trivia teammates of Bitches, Hoes, & Russ with our gift certificate!) It's a big place, but hella-crowded when I've been there. Don't expect to find a place to sit down, but be prepared to huddle around some high tables with your friends. It's best to just go up to the bar and order, as the waitresses are difficult to find amidst the crowds. The crows are definitely half MIT-kids and half Kendall-workers, which isn't too bad of a mix. Not exactly my typical crowd, but everyone's pretty fun for trivia.
(3)
Katya B.
The only way that I can describe this place is The Olive Garden gone Irish, and to be honest, I'm not really sure what typical Irish pub food is, but I'm pretty sure this ISN'T it. After the hostess showed us to out table by wading us through a crowd of people at the bar tables when she could have just as easily gone around I struggled to find something on the menu. I finally settled on a turkey burger and I can't really say it was turkey. Possibly beef, possibly pork, possibly a combination of the two or simply all the extra meat in the kitchen thrown together. I will never know and I will not be returning to find out. The fries weren't bad but I would have enjoyed them a whole lot more with a selection of beer I couldn't find at my local dive-bar.
(1)
jim I.
I had to remove my posting from Craigslist: SWM looking for mediocre bar that is trying pull off the "Hip, Old Irish Pub in Boston" theme, but has no discernable soul other than pricey draft beer. That said, I was impressed that the Karoke DJ had Dynamite Hack's cover of Easy-E's "Boyz in the hood." Money.
(2)
Lekan W.
Really good turkey sirloin tips, served with trendy asparagus and fluffy quinoa. Decent beer selection too. We were apparently there for $0.25 wing night, which explains the huge Monday night crowd.
(4)
Tim W.
Had brunch here, and while the service was excellent the food was terrible. Brunch elsewhere.
(2)
Meredith K.
eh - it's ok. They have some decent beers on tap, but finding your waitress is no small task. Food is standard pub food - it's not great, but certainly edible. However, if you have a large group of people out for drinks it's a great space for that.
(3)
Sara C.
I'm not Irish, so I'm not the best judge of an Irish pub. BUT, I love a hearty meal and the Irish Stout Pie and the Shephard's Pie are delicious here! The atmosphere is plenty nice too, but it was pretty empty on a Friday night and the service was mediocre. Ah, and we had to ask for the free bread--maybe that's their way of being environmentally-conscious but cmon, who wouldn't want free bread?
(3)
Diane I.
ugh. i try to avoid this place like the plague. however due to long lines every where else a trip to the asgard ensued last saturday. it killed my buzz instantly. a horrible band was on and they were way to loud. it wasn't even worth trying to shout at the person next to you. the highlight of the evening was watching all the groupies try to flirt while watching the show and then pounce on the lead singer one-by-one as they packed up. this place deserves 1-star. but because its spacious, always has seating available, and no cover it gets an extra one. but seriously. not worth the trip - unless you're out of all other options. oh and their food is gross and overpriced.
(2)
Megan M.
3.5 rounded up. Came here for brunch on Sunday because we couldn't get a table at Cafe Luna. The food was pretty good and the crowd started to pick up around when we were leaving (2ish). The inside of the bar is actually pretty big and my boyfriend didn't seem to mind that there were tvs so he could watch the Red Sox game either.
(4)
Trish F.
Asgard is the after work hang out for the pharmaceutical companies in the area.. so around quittin' time it always seems to be a little too crowded for me. I like the waitstaff there, although I used to be a semi-regular, but I doubt that counts. This one time I was pretty much forgotten (kind of happens to me a lot though) and had to wait for 30 minutes after I had already called in my order.. they gave me a ginormous sandwich to compensate. In another instance they ran out of soup containers and put soup into one of the plastic sandwich containers. Kind of inconvenient, but there was also a large amount of soup in there. I dig the onion soup, the quesadillas, the steak salad, the chicken apple and walnut salad (pretty much chicken salad over salad), and the chicken club roll up. The pasta and turkey burgers are okay. LOVE the boursin and chive mashed potatoes as well as the tomato mozzarella sandwich. Not really a fan of the crab cakes or corned beef sandwich. Like I said I ate here a lot. lol Never tried brunch or lunch (they hae a few more lunch items than dinner). Also the occasional live music and trivia nights are pretty sweet. I don't know why people don't like this place. Oh.. and just for reference.. they have a back room you can use for functions.
(4)
Nicole B.
Okay food, but it was ruined by the terrible service. I went to the Asgard on a Tuesday night, meeting up with a group of friends (9 people total, so not a huge group). We sat out on the patio, which was pretty nice to enjoy the weather, but noisy with the fire station across the street. The menu looked awesome (my first visit) and my husband appreciated the beer menu. I ordered the mojito and it was delicious, however for $8.50 it was tiny and my glass was 90% ice. I think I drank the whole thing in about 4 sips. That was a disappointment. My husband enjoyed his beer, something raspberry flavored. I couldn't decide what to order (so many things sounded delicious!) but I settled on the crab cake sandwich since I *love* crab cakes. In fact, 3 in our group ordered it (must be popular). My husband went with the 1 lb of honey BBQ wings and a Caesar salad. We put our order in and enjoyed the ambiance outside. We were pretty hungry, so we were happy when the food arrived. Well, everything came except my dinner and my husband's salad. I figured the waiter's hands were full and they'd be back with my food. No such luck. A few minutes later the (rather clueless) waitress came back to ask if we needed anything. Um, yeah, how about my dinner? She hadn't even noticed my food didn't come out. She went back in to check and came back with some excuse that a huge group just came in, the kitchen was overloaded and someone grabbed my plate (not sure what happened to the salad). She said they'd make me another one quickly and take it off the bill. While I appreciated the immediate offer to not charge for it, I didn't like the excuses and it took about 20 mins for our stuff to come out. Nothing sucks more than being in a large group of people with them all eating and you sitting awkwardly without food. So the food? I shared my husband's wings and they were pretty good (the marinade was tasty), but they were luke warm when they came out. I like my food hot, they seemed like they were sitting for a while before they got served. Also, it did not look like a pound of wings. When I finally got my crab cake sandwich, it was okay, but I've definitely had better. The fries were good. But then I realized they forgot the coleslaw that it should have come with. I only knew that because the others at our table who ordered the same thing had it. I had to ask for that too. My husband's Caesar salad was not very good at all. Overall, I was pretty disappointed with the Asgard. I hope they can improve on their service. The restaurant wasn't even that busy, so I'm not sure why they had so many service issues. Food was definitely not worth going back for.
(1)
Hans R.
A good place to go for lunch or after work. There is a good selection of pub priced reasonably. The food is just OK but there is a great selection of alcohol and the service is good. There is also allot of seating depending on the time of day and week. Would go back there.
(3)
Michael L.
This place is not bad at all, it's just not great. Yes, it's an "Irish pub" with a Celtic name and decor. A little, uh stupid but the giant throne-like chairs in the back room are kind of awesome. I got a salad, and guess what?! It was pretty good! It was pretty lame to pay $4 for PBR on tap, but whatever. It looks nice in there, and the staff was incredibly attentive. Almost too attentive. We so busy trying to discern what the first-date couple next to us was awkwardly jabbering about that we took quite a while to order. He (the waiter) was very nice about it though. Middle priced ($8-18) for a dish, but pretty good food, with generous portions. Not the place to stick around and drink at.
(3)
jay s.
Prince Edward Island mussels!!!! With tiny pieces of Anjou sausage in a butter/herb/tomato medley. Most excellent. Bartenders are on their game as well - another Guinness in my hand within a minute. Got there around 5:30, were still chairs at the bar (quite comfortable, I might add). Huge relief from the Grafton/Redline/Daedilus crowd - these were professionals but not full of themselves. Good crowd, great service (and P.E.I. mussels!)
(5)
mickey l.
This place is themed up like a fair ground ride corky deutschland dorky--It surely earns goof ball points Hipsters, it's ok if you start showing up and owning this place at night, there is no scene afoot this pub but the lunch time bio-tekkers, and they are amiss after 100pm. I won't get mad if you crunch my no-wait table outside mistress of the night. If you knock out that keg of Cambridge Pumkin ale before I've had my fill, then we're having a little talk! Ahh, the Pumpkin ale from Cambridge Brewing Co. on tap - very good beer. just the subtle notes of a spicy pumpkin seed, not too fleshy, deep amber and orange colors--we had four pints with our just like any other fried pub food good enough for me when I'm a drinkin food grub food a pleasant night on sidewalk seating, looking at the western sky my mandate and I were talking to each other, the african cab driver's cultural/business gathering center across the street with full leafy trees in the back ground. It is my secret, that mr. medium mit guy Asgard is a local hide out for those in the know. I shouldn't be yelping it so positively! But I sure enjoyed the fresh fried hot crispy potato chips cajun spicy I like that I can always go here and find zero scenesters, dorky places, out of the loop, sometimes my scene I confess
(4)
Mikell T.
I used to work within walking distance of The Asgard. It's the restaurant we would take customers to in order to keep them out of the office for a long time while we worked on stuff in the lab. The service is reliably slow for lunch and there's not a lot of attention in the bar area even at night. The drinks are pretty decent (and they have some good hot ones in the winter), while the food is okay. Not really authentic Irish pub material, but doable.
(2)
N S.
Great shepherd's pie to share on a cold winter's day. NB: it's pretty cheese heavy, so request otherwise if you prefer.
(4)
Sarah A.
Quality place. If you like the Kinsale in Government Center, you will like this place. Very affordable, high quality food and a reasonable pub atmosphere, although I was there during a Pats game and some people got a little rowdy (in the sense of screaming and yelling at the television, a phenomenon I cease to understand...but I digress). I had the steak tips salad which was excellent. Awesome marinade. Fries are awesome. They have lots of beers on tap, which always makes me happy. I will definitely return for quality food and good beer at a totally reasonable price.
(4)
Maitland L.
This bar is generally not worth it. The food is mediocre (don't get the tuna melt -- just don't). The beer selection is meh. The prices are so-so. However, it does have a couple of things pushing it from 2 stars to 3 stars. 1. Kickass furniture. Makes me wish I had a battle axe and some +2 studded leather armor. 2. Real nice waitstaff. 3. *AWESOME* Wednesday night karaoke! One of the better selections in Boston.
(3)
Dana L.
The beer selection here is pretty much the same as at every other bar in the area, and the ambiance is a bit wanting. Its annoying that when the place is crowded, you have to walk through the restaurant to get to the bar. I've eaten here once, and wasn't impressed by the food, but that was several years ago. I'm surprised that its still here.
(2)
Ross C.
The food at the Asgard kind of sucks, the service isn't great and it's often packed with corporate yahoos and MIT grad students . Yet I find myself at the Asgard once a week. The food is about as Irish as Wesley Snipes and the wine list is limited, crappy and over priced. The wait staff is nice but often walk around from table to table with plates of food that need a home because they apparently have no idea who ordered it. All this being said: They have four giant plasma TVs, one of the best trivia nights around (Tuesdays) and they are not trying to be something they are not. It's an Irish bar with crappy food and plenty of beers. I think that's what they are hoping for. The place is always packed and it has a lot of regulars so people seem happy despite the terrible Celtic quesadillas. The Good: Good place to watch a game or play some trivia. The Bad: Just about everything else. The Bottom line: Don't expect great food or service but chances are you'll have fun and go back.
(2)
Andrea B.
I came here recently with a couple people for drinks and apps and left with mixed feelings. The truffle tater tots were amazing, and honestly The Asgard is worth a try simply for those little puffy balls of potato alone. And my Moscow Mule was delicious, too. But my chicken quesadillas were a bit dry. It was really the avocado that saved them. My two friends were also unimpressed with the hummus plate and chicken sliders. Service was pleasant. But I was so underwhelmed by the food that it is unlikely I'll be back. Well, maybe for those tots..
(3)
Cheryl S.
I was staying at Hyatt on a business trip and got lost searching for John Harvard's Brew House (which I've never been to but someone made the recommendation). I ended up eating here because the battery on my phone was dying and I didn't know my way around town. The crab cake salad sounded different and it was a hot night, so that's what I went with. First, I was annoyed because a very annoying (and homeless and/or drug addict?) started yelling at some patrons sitting next to me to leave and was telling the bartender "you KNOW I was here FIRST!" Unfortunately, the nice couple left, not wanting to cause a scene, and I was left to eating my crab cake salad next to a drug addict trying to have a conversation with me about what hotel I was staying at. I was annoyed that the bartender didn't call the manager over and have the guy escorted out the door. Instead, I had my salad boxed up and left. It wasn't all that great anyway, so the positive spin is that he kept me from eating a lot of fat/calories that I probably shouldn't have otherwise eaten, anyway. Maybe that's what brought him there in the first place. :) My complaint re the crab cakes: as with many places, they tasted more like bread cakes with a hint of crab.
(2)
Mercy D.
I can't speak to the actual restaurant experience, but my significant other and I ordered from here for takeout this weekend. It was down the block from our hotel so it was incredibly convenient and the menu looked good. Our food was ready when we arrived about 25 minutes later and paying was easy. Back at the hotel though we were mostly disappointed. The plus side was that the portion sizes were huge, we definitely had leftovers for the next day. All those tater tots for $3.50? Heck yes! Also dessert, the blackberry Cabernet cheesecake, was really good. Other than that our food was warm at best, and while flavorful, there were ingredients MISSING! I ordered the white cheddar gouda mac and cheese and it was missing the peas, the cheese sauce was light handed, and while not a big deal that it was orecchiette pasta it was not what I was expecting for Mac and cheese. Meanwhile my guy's Fenian chicken pasta was missing the CHICKEN! This was orecchiette too, which added to mine not feeling like Mac and cheese (and many of them were clumped together, which tells me there wasn't enough stirring of the pasta). Despite the mishaps I hope this was just a fluke and I'll likely try this place again in the future.
(3)
Frank O.
Solid food in a bar atmosphere. Price okay, and portion sizes are large. Service good enough, we sat outside so that might have had an effect. I had the Fenian Chicken Pasta, an Irish Classic. There was no Guinness in it, but the cream sauce was a moderate flavor, letting the chicken and bacon shine through. The tomatoes/red onion/mushrooms/basil made it a bit healthier, but did not provide much of the flavor. They also had a wide beer selection, the Wachusett's Blueberry Ale smelled very aromatic, while having a hint of blueberry for a light and refreshing ale. My party also had the Steak Tips (smaller size) and the Country Fried Chicken.
(3)
Ryan M.
It is the 4th of July at 9PM. I just got my food. Still waiting for my water...I got the calamari, water would have helped with the amount of salt the chef threw on. Extremely chewy, way overcooked. Said buttermilk on menu, hard to believe that given the texture. I just ate a plate of rubber. Second the steak was ordered medium rare some were done well and so so salty also! Honey bbq wings also a bit overcooked? ? Really disappointed. First time here and after I heard good reviews I am guessing the date caught you off guard with staff. Seems a bit busy. Overpaid for what I ate, really disappointed. Let me know what nights are best and when the best cook is there. Cut the over salting guys. . Ryan McGinley
(2)
Tim S.
Sometimes I wish there was a way to give a 7/10 instead of a 3/5. What do I like about Asgard? I like trivia nights (hi, Caleb!) and the beer selection in general. The food is pretty good, too! There are specials for $5 flatbreads, which is a pretty good deal, you guys. The high ceiling is also kinda cool: definitely makes for a unique atmosphere. What would I change to like Asgard more? I wish they didn't run out of beers so fast. Every time I come in I've tried to order the ever-elusive Stone IPA and they have always already run out of it. I wish the live music was a little quieter (that might just be me). I wish the service was a little faster sometimes. Steve, my usual waiter, is a total sweetheart. I just wish he had a little more help sometimes when there are 17 tables to take care of.
(3)
Cristina R.
The staff at the Asgard were so hospitable to our group of volunteers! We contacted them about hosting a One Brick Boston social event there on a Wednesday night, and they generously provided complimentary appetizers including nachos, a hummus plate, artichoke dip, and tater tots. The sweet potato fries are also tasty, and easy to eat with a drink in your other hand. On this particular Wednesday evening, there was a representative from Shipyard Brewering handing out free swag and tastes of their seasonal Smashed Blueberry ale which Asgard just got on tap that day. Their rotating beer selection is fantastic, and the bartenders will gladly give you a taste of what's on draught if you're undecided (CBC Amber Ale ftw). On Thursdays, live band karaoke is a different take on this (typically bland) bar singing activity. It can get loud, but it's worth it to hear the impressive singers (and occasional drunk trainwreck) take the stage with a live band to back them up - or rescue them if needed.
(4)
Denise J.
The Shepherds's Pie was delicious (made with ground beef and lamb, yum!) and our server kept the Irish Coffees coming (double yum!), I have no complaints.
(5)
Phillip M.
The asgard has a cool feel to it, but I would call it only ok. The food is alright, beer selection is ok as well. Overall, its not a bad choice, but its not a great choice either. If you're near the Western half of MIT, this is probably one of your best choices. If you're in Kendall Square, there are better options for you there.
(3)
Taylor F.
Imagine the worst experience and treatment an establishment could possibly provide. That's what the staff at Asgard managed to accomplish last night. If I could give zero stars I would!! My parents, boyfriend, and I decided to grab drinks after the Sox game. This bar/restaurant had a live band, and the basketball game was on, so it was a no-brainer to stop here. We were immediately seated at a table in the back. I let the guy know we were only there for drinks and he sent us back to the bar. In the process he made a comment to my parents "don't worry the band is leaving soon." So rude to assume anyone over the age of 30 is annoyed by noise, music, and entertainment! We grabbed beers and sat down at a low table in the bar area. Two minutes later a waitress came over and said we need to "get off her table if we aren't ordering food". Every other occupied table in the bar area was filled with people just sitting around enjoying drinks. I guess she expected a dinner rush after 11:00pm (sarcasm). Still, we gladly moved and sat at the bar. As we stood up a group of young college-aged girls immediately took the table and sat down with their drinks. I waited and waited for the waitstaff to make them move. But they never did. In fact, I noticed the place was half empty and NO ONE was eating! (One couple had nachos.) So what's the big deal?! Why were we being treated like the plague?! The more I sat at the bar, the more angry I got at the attitude of the staff. I asked the bartender to close my tab. We all agreed it wouldn't be hard to find someplace more comfortable and friendly! I waited 10 minutes while he stood and chatted with his coworkers. I again asked him to close my tab...15 minutes later, he finally got around to printing out my bill. If I ever want people to make me feel like I'm less of a human-being... This is definitely where I'll go!! Congratulations Asgard! You are officially the worst establishment I've ever been to.
(1)
Trina T.
Food: large portions and delicious. We had their famous tater tots, fried calamari, bangers and mash, fish n chips and Guinness beef stew. Everything was really good. Our waitress was nice and efficient. Service was great overall. It's a fun place to be in with a date or with groups of friends. They have great sitting areas for large groups.
(5)
Guv M.
In Cambridge/Boston for a week-long stay, my wife and I were anxious to try out the local fare. The Asgard was right around the block from our hotel, and my wife likes Irish pub food. Also being in Boston, we were anxious to try out some lobster rolls. They had a special that night of lobster sliders. We ordered the lobster sliders, and a chicken Caesar wrap. Both were just awful. The lobster roll was absolutely without flavor, I later said there was more flavor in the imitation lobster (cod) you buy in supermarkets, than on what was on her buns. My Caesar wrap was sooo dry I had to get some ranch dressing to work it down. Even with the dressing, I could only choke down half. On the plus side, the onion rings were delicious. Go for the drinks, and the onion rings, forget the food
(1)
Ha K.
Was not allowed to sample wine, and for $8 a glass ended up with either a horrifying Chardonnay or a so so reisling.... For 8/13$... Would expect to be able to sample
(1)
Moose M.
This is quite possibly the worst place in the MIT area to grab dinner and drinks. The food is certainly awful most of the time (cold) due to the surly servers taking their sweet time to get it out of the kitchen, Also, most of the bands that play at this place are absolutely DREADFUL. Who books this place and how do they choose entertainment? We were there on August 15th and the band they had that night was seriously miserable. Sure, you can't hit it out of the park every time, but what about getting musicians in there that can actually play and servers that are generally kind to the guests? I will not be coming back to this establishment any time soon and suggest you do the same.
(1)
Alexandra C.
Great corner bar with awesome beers and food. Was here a lot when I was on vacation in Boston since I stayed at a hotel around the corner. Service was always Good, reasonable prices, decent food. Glad I checked it out!
(3)
Mindy L.
A friend of mine held her rehearsal dinner here (in the private space in the back) as it was the place where her and her (now) husband had their very first date. I thought it was a cozy little spot. We were sitting at a table with a few out-of-towners (New York and San Fran to be exact). I heard a few times that "we just don't have bars like this in our area" so it does, seemingly, exude a certain charm that isn't lost on visitors to the area. The Truffle Tater Tots were awesome. I will now be buying bags upon bags of frozen tater tots and sprinkling truffle salt all over them. The hint of truffle definitely elevates an otherwise standard treat. For dinner we had Shepherd's Pie and Mac'N'Cheese. The Shepherd's Pie was coated with a thick layer of gooey cheese which I have never seen before. It was really tasty, but I'm not sure how traditional that is? I have never seen cheese in Shepherd's Pie before, but I'm not going to complain. I ate it. The Mac'N'Cheese was tasty as well. I remember wishing it was a little creamier. There was a clumpy quality to it that I wasn't loving. The flavors were there though. I thought that staff did well given the large party of 60 people. They have baseboard heaters next to the windows that made it impossible to squeeze into seats. We ended up having to push the tables away from the heaters and made it near impossible for the staff to make their way down the center of the room. I have to imagine this happens a lot since the room is far too narrow for larger parties. They did well navigating the crowd and keeping people's drinks refreshed.
(3)
Dawn L.
Beautiful restaurant! Great service! Huge portions and great food! I had the Moroccan chicken salad!! It was tremendous! Also try the Rueben
(5)
Kelly T.
Used to like this place. Now it's about as bad as it gets. Avoid if you can. Beers in Boston are a commodity. You can get them anywhere without the shitty power tripping attitudes the management and staff give you. Unfortunately it seems there will always be eager college students who don't know any better and will continue to keep this business afloat.
(1)
Tony W.
I've been here several times with my Bocce league - apparently there is some sort of agreement where teams get discounted Sapporo and apps after each competition? The good: The food is typical 'Irish' gastropub food (a decent, well prepared mixture of traditional Irish fare and American burgers, steak tips, etc), the beer prices are surprisingly reasonable, and the trivia is inexplicably not as hard or as competitive as one might think for a place that lives in the umbrage of MIT and Harvard. There are giant puffy couches and chairs located in the bar section of the establishment that are almost never occupied when we're there. I used to scoff at 'Friends' every time they showed the entire cast occupying the comfy couch in the middle of a packed 'Central Perk' - like it's always THAT easy to get the most premium seats in the place. Apparently at Asgard, it IS that easy. The bad: Folks, the bad for me is pretty bad. The last time I was there (and it's the last time for a reason), I accidentally left my credit card in the receipt holder with my receipt; it's an easy thing to do because my card is dark blue and hard to see against the black receipt holder. I returned to the Asgard literally within 10 minutes and tracked down my server. She acknowledged that she knew I had left my card, but then could not locate it anywhere they normally put cards that are left behind. She said that a busboy who had cleared the table with her *could* have picked up the card; unfortunately he had already left by this point (no cell phone?). I left my name with the manager, and he said he would follow up with a phone call the next day. The next day rolled around, and I never receive the call. The afternoon of the day after that I called back and spoke to another server. When I explained my situation to her, she checked around to see if anything had been found. Nothing. She also gathered my contact information and told me that someone would call to follow up. Guess what? No call. Two days after that (during which time I was monitoring my account to make sure there was no unauthorized activity), I stopped in to see if anything had turned up. The server popped out back for 5-10 minutes and came back empty handed. Still no card. I ended up canceling my card and getting a new one reissued. Anyway, while the food is fine, the care and responsibility they take with your personal possessions is not. If they had made any attempt to follow up with me as they said they would (twice) and give me the bad news, then this would probably be a positive review. As it stands, because of this experience I'll never go back again - which is sad, because I really liked the trivia.
(1)
Dipak S.
This is my favourite place in Cambridge and is a refresher for all the worked out MIT graduates. Food - Food is yummy. Among my favorites are the salmon and the Irish Stew. Portions are quite large and a small portion should be sufficient after a round of drinks and appetizers. Ambience - Plays great music and the energy in this place is crazy. The bar area gets crowded soon. I suggest reserving a table for a big group Service - Always found cheerful folks here. A good smile has always ensured great service for me. Cost - ~26 For drinks + ~20 for food. Do check the bill while leaving. Have had faults in the bills multiple times.
(5)
Rena M.
CONS: The Asgard is the sponsor bar for several of the Social Boston Sports leagues, and it's a great location/fun place to hang out, but even though they are our sponsor bar, it seems like they don't particularly like it when people from SBS come in. I also don't really understand why they agreed to be the sponsor bar, since they only offer the SBS discounts every once in a while. Usually we have to ask to see the discount menu, and most of the time the wait staff doesn't know anything about this particular menu. The service can be pretty slow, but they always get pretty busy so that's understandable. I came here with my roommate once, and she kindly asked the bartender if he could make her drink less sweet (it was a mango mojito and tasted like pure syrup) and he was rude to her. We didn't appreciate that. PROS: It is nice that they have a bunch of tv screens and are always playing whatever game is on at the time. Also, they have an excellent selection of drinks, and the chicken wings are delicious. All the food, although a bit on the expensive side, is pretty good. I've liked everything I've eaten here, especially the truffle tater tots and mac and cheese. They also have a pretty wide drink menu
(3)
A N.
Depending on the random guy at the door, you might need to present a full TSA approved, immigration ready, legally perfect documentation just to enter this mediocre joint. Oh, and it doesn't matter if you're over 30 and pregnant - you're still a suspect with the potential of drinking yourself to death at the bar. No thanks.
(1)
Morgan B.
The Asgard has slightly better-than-average pub food, and a decent draft beer selection. I do not like the chicken pot pie, but everything else is great. Why did I give four stars to a slightly better-than-average pub with a disappointing chicken pot pie? Brunch. There is no wait for brunch, ever. If you can drag yourself out of bed on Sunday, you can be seated immediately, and have a delicious stuffed french toast in front of you within minutes. Central Square has a lot of great brunch options, and the Asgard, while good, is certainly not the best. However, most of the competitors will have an hour-long wait for brunch on a sunny weekend morning. The Asgard will have a table ready for you.
(4)
Patrick T.
2nd time to happen to me. Shame on me. Don't, don't, don't order your entire meal at once. You'll wait... and then, everything comes out at once. If I had pre-ordered desert & coffee - then that would of arrived with the drinks & appetizers as well. Sent it back to have my meal 20min under a heat lamp. It is clear that food & service quality is a lost art here.
(1)
Heesun L.
Walking into Asgard (which sounds like something from the Lord of the Rings) is like walking into a large ski lodge with its wood paneled walls. They offer a selection of local and national beers (the blueberry beer was unique and left a nice aftertaste of blueberry) as well as cocktails. The service was pretty good for a bar and there was no ratchetry (which can be a pro or con depending on what kinda night you're looking for). It's also conveniently located to a lot of restaurants if you're looking to satisfy your drunchies.
(3)
Jenn S.
Ok so I didn't realize this was an Irish Pub for some reason until I went inside. I met a couple friends here after work and we sat outside for some drinks and food. The tots were so good and the rest of the food (mostly apps) we got was good too. Nothing stood out as amazing so I would like to go back and try it again sometime, perhaps some full dinners. Now I don't like to complain about service unless something weird happens and this time our waitress was kinda flying on another planet. She was forgetting to come back to us and when we paid we had cash and one card and had money leftover. She never brought the change - it was meant for part of our tip anyhow so that was fine. Our friend signed his card and we added more cash tip (I always tip good being a waitress in the past) and she came and picked it back up. We sat there for a minute talking and then she came back over to tell us we still owe $10 and brought us back ALL of our cash minus $20. We we so confused and explained we had money left over before she rang the card and we added extra for tip but she was like blank. Anyhow, another 15 min later a different waiter told us we were all set and that was that.... very strange but also very entertaining! I would go back but not on the top of my list at the moment. Stay tuned for an update.
(3)
Nandanie S.
Came here the other night, and service was pretty good as well as the lovely cocktail that I ordered. Best part about our meal were the truffle tater tots. We practically devoured them. Our entrees were all right - we ordered apps for entrees because we weren't that hungry. I ordered the chicken sliders, and I thought that the chicken was a little dry to be in a slider. Dry in general...I asked for the sauce on the side for the occasional dip, but I found that I was drenching the chicken in it to get some juiciness going on. I mean they were dry, but filling. The jicama and yellow pepper toppings with the tiny brioche buns were a good addition to the chicken. My friends got the chicken avocado quesadilla and the hummus plate with a salad, they were somewhat satisfied. Let's just say that the truffle tots won us over. The menu changed a little, so items such as the buffalo chicken sliders, triple pork sliders (my fav!!), and beef mac and cheese are not currently available.
(3)
Marvin T.
Came here with a bunch of friends for their karaoke night and the place wasn't super crowded, but somehow none of the people I came with were called to sing. So that was annoying, but the female bartender was extremely rude. We asked her what bottled beer she had that was like Blue Moon or Corona and she walked over to the fridge, took it out and held it up. Clearly, it was way too far to see it so we asked her if she could come a little closer and she looked mad that we did. I was done with her after that and didn't order anything from her. How are you that angry at work? As a bartender? I don't know her name but she either had red or pink and a "f*ck off" face that was way too natural. The other bartender was cool though and hooked it up. Don't think I'll be back here though
(2)
Courtney S.
Quick service, knowledgeable staff, great menu. I came here with thee friends on a Sunday afternoon. We were seated immediately by a friendly hostess. Our server appeared shortly after to taken our drink orders. The service was quick without making us feel rushed. The menu notes which ingredients can be removed to make dishes gluten-free, which items are gluten-free as is, and which items are vegetarian, which absolutely thrilled me and prevented me from annoying the server with a million questions. I got the pear goat cheese salad, and it was delectable. It was an enormous portion, well worth the price. One friend had asked for regular fries instead of the sweet potato fries his dish came with. They brought sweet potato fries, but immediately and courteously corrected the oversight. Bonus points: the bathrooms are clean and well maintained. I enjoyed my experience and would absolutely return to this allergy-friendly restaurant.
(4)
Mark H.
While staying at the Le Meridien hotel, we found this pub just moments away and ended up eating here twice. The food was standard "pub" food and the service was good. Though this is not a "stand-out"place, it certainly is a restaurant I can recommend if in the area and hungry. The fish and chips were decent as was the buffalo chicken sandwich.
(3)
Serrano H.
I've been trying to reach the Asgard Group. With a little work I found their only online presence, the pub. But it requires answering a complicated puzzle I can't solve just to send feedback. Really?! I'm just trying to communicate to the HQ I think they do not want feedback.
(1)
Lillian C.
There is trivia here on Tuesday nights beginning at 8pm/9pm, which is my favorite time to come! I've been here a few times with friends and really enjoy the atmosphere! There's usually plenty of seating, comfortable chairs and lots of food/beer selection! Although I love coming here, I'm giving this place 3 stars for its food. Its food is simply, average American food. There's nothing special or bad about the food. You can get burgers, chicken wings, salads...pretty much anything 'American'. I would highly recommend coming here when there is trivia! The food / drinks aren't bad, and the atmosphere is fun!
(3)
Dalia D.
The Good: Our waitress was lovely (unfortunately, I forget her name) and the truffle tater tots may be some of the best I've ever had. The seating and atmosphere is decent. The Bad: Everything else I tried. I ordered the hummus platter and steak salad for my main meal - both of which were practically inedible. The hummus looked like sludge and the olive tapenade it comes with was the consistency of chewed leaves. The steak on my salad was so overdone and tasteless that I really should have sent it back. My friends ordered the quesadillas and the chicken sliders and they both said their meals were just ok (althought they enjoyed their Moscow Mules!). Bottom Line: Don't waste your time but if you do, stick to drinks and the truffle tater tots.
(2)
Tiffany Y.
I came to this place only because I was staying at the Le Meridien hotel across the street. I wanted to watch the Patriots game at a bar and had driven half the day to get to Boston, so I settled for this place. This place has a really nice interior and my husband and I sat by the bar to watch the game. They had a good selection of beers and they were decently priced. Food was the typical bar food but it took longer than expected to come out. we weren't served bread right away and was only given bread after waiting about 15-20 mins or so. Our waitress, Brittany, was nice and did apologize for the wait on the food. I ordered the chicken avocado quesadillas with a ginger beer and my husband got a chicken sandwich, New England calm chowder with their BBC porter. Again, food was alright (overpriced for a bar) and beer selection was good. I would suggest people to come here only for a drink and to watch the game. Otherwise there's nothing crazy about this bar.
(2)
Evan A.
It's okay. The staff was friendly and attentive. The food isn't terrible, but isn't great either. Clam chowder was a little soupy for my liking. Turkey burger was (again) okay. Edible. The best thing it has going for it is its proximity to Le Meridien when you're exhausted and don't feel like going very far.
(3)
Meg R.
We went last night for St. Patricks day, and all three bartenders were super rude to my roommate, and myself. There were three interactions, with all of the bartenders that were shockingly rude. One of them even rolled their eyes when we asked about a draft beer, and then told us to move so he could help someone behind us (the people behind us were our friends who we were paying for..) I would not recommend this bar, nor would I ever come back. I was really disappointed in the service.
(2)
DJ Micaiah M.
I love that they have a special portion of their menu dedicated to Irish and British foods. And they have some unique offerings that most other bars don't have. Their Reuben egg rolls are pretty good and so is their shepherds pie!
(4)
Tom D.
Great food and service. Fair prices. Good beer on tap and bottles. Good menu. Success! Thank God I didn't get talked into going to Cheers where everyone doesn't know your name.
(5)
Aaron D.
Secret breakfast gem! From the outside, not a place that "looks" like a good breakfast spot but - BUT - on the inside you'll find the city's finest corned beef hash and home fries. Noteworthy mentions include grilled tomatoes, sweet cream butter, and freshly herbed eggs. Under $15 pp!!
(5)
Cat C.
We came here twice, Once for dinner, and once for brunch. Dinner was fantastic, and it was nice to already be at a bar when we were done. Brunch was delicious as well, if a bit .. lonely. The place was pretty empty. Great menu selection of drinks and beer, good irish selections of food. We really enjoyed ourselves here.
(4)
Emily M.
I had heard mixed reviews about this place but thought I'd try it out. Ugh. Never again. I came in with two friends and we were seated for a table in the dining room, I was having dinner but my friends were just having drinks. The dining room was mostly empty with one other table seated near us. I ordered a turkey burger and we all got beers. The beer list was pretty good so we were happy. Our server was great. We all had our beers when a manager (? she did not introduce herself) told us there had been a miscommunication and since we all weren't ordering dinner we could not sit in this empty dining room. So we were kicked out of our table mid meal and had to find a new place to sit on our own. None of us had been here before so we werent sure exactly where to go from there. The bar was full so we carried our beers over to a table next to the front door and had to ask a host if we could have the table. That table was ok with that host who had brought us to our first table. The chairs are oversized arm chairs where you either are so far back you can't hear your friends across from you or you have to perch at the top of the seat. I really just wanted the regular table we had. I honestly cannot believe a manager would kick patrons out of an empty dining room and then make them fend for themselves to find a new table in the middle of a meal. Of course we watched the section to see the big dinner rush that had to be coming for this to make any sense. Nobody else sat in that section so when we left at 10 pm we had to tip the lounge server who refilled our waters and not the server who had taken our order, answered our questions and brought our beers.
(2)
Phoebe D.
This was disappointing. Some friends and I decided to hit this place up after work for their 25cent wing special. So when we arrived we were greeted with "wings, food, or beer?" I didn't know how to respond, other than saying "all of the above." Then with zero grammar or punctuation -- "ID." There's something that bugs me about a service industry that lacks the use of sentences. Anyway, let me get started on the "rules" that come with wing night -- cuz man I should have studied up before arriving. 1. We weren't allowed to sit anywhere but the bar if we wanted wings (okay, I can't argue). 2. We were told we had to order a drink that's at least $5 to get wings (this isn't listed anywhere in the promotion, but I'm not arguing). 3. You have to order a minimum of 10 wings (well, 10 isn't too much, I'm sure I can just take home the rest). 4. You can't take home the rest (I was told that this was so people didn't order 100 wings and take them all to go...let's use some discretion here people, I had 4 wings left!). And to top it all off, I was told there were these rules because they lose money on wing night (well, if you lost money on wing night, maybe you shouldn't be having wing night or maybe it's because your customer service is horrible!) All in all, this experience was overwhelming and aggravating. I will not be back. I'm not even going to touch on the fact that the "special" wings were ridiculously salty.
(2)
Amyko I.
Fair warning, the Bloody Mary tastes like BBQ sauce, and the Southwestern Fried Eggs aren't made with hot delicious pinto beans, but instead with canned cold sugar baked beans. Weird choices to be sure. The decent service and cool eclectic design of the restaurant could use with some cooking talent support from the kitchen.
(3)
Ashley N.
My favorite beer is on draft here. Julius Echter. Try it. Thursdays is karaoke night and can get very very loud. Fridays is a cool night to go. It's a mixture of crowd from the older people to the young college crowd. I saw on tables that they had ipads that you can order and pay on. Looks cool. I liked the place. Lots of room. They have tables, couches, and bars that you can sit at. Bathrooms are clean! Good bar, I'd come back for my favorite beer!
(3)
Jess M.
I hate this place. So much that when my boyfriend starting referring to it as the "Ass Guard" I started calling it that too. (He's not very creative) I used to come here with a giant group for brunch because it's one of the only places super empty for Sunday brunch so there's no problem seating 40 with last minute notice. The food is pretty bad and the service isn't that great. I could see the occasional 4 star review from someone who was drunk before they came in, but I think the 5 star reviews are fake.
(2)
Bren P.
I really dislike this place, but I keep ending up coming back with friends because it is one of the few places near MIT that serves alcohol and has a decent amount of seating space. The food is okay, but overpriced for the quality and quantity. I don't drink, so I can't attest to their beer, but my friends seem to like it for that reason. The worst part is the wait staff, which varies from person to person, but is usually rude, but you don't notice it too often since the service is so bad they don't stop by the table much (or are even in eyeshot). You usually have to send someone to find them. The kitchen also is very slow, even when they are not very busy, I never understood this. Anyway, there are many better places to eat, if you just want a beer and don't mind rude service it is okay.
(2)
Emily C.
Went here with a group on a quiet Sunday night. The restaurant was almost totally empty but we still went 30+ minute stretches without seeing a waiter. Had to chase down a manager to get checks. Mixed drinks are weak, menu selection is crappy Applebee's style junk food, the shepherd's pie looks and tastes like Alpo. Check out the weird little screens on the tables, you can play little games while you wait for your waitress - but only for a minute or two before they try to charge you!
(2)
Dave H.
The only real drawback to this place is that they don't turn the volume up on the televisions during important sports games. Aside from that, though, this place is five stars. Great food and drinks , a nice staff, and fun trivia nights.. a great meeting place. Highlights include portabello burger and an amazing vegetarian chili.
(4)
Al N.
Pretty good food. The waiter with leprechaun looking facial hair was very friendly. The service was kinda slow. I had the Fenian chicken pasta, eh. Shoulda had a rebuen instead. Beer selection seems limited for an Irish bar. None of it really stood out. Place was large enough. When in an Irish pub/restaurant, get irsh food! But I was in the mood for pasta.
(4)
Jennifer T.
I do not know why I keep coming, but I have been here on 5 separate occasions since 2010, and the service consistently blows. The food isn't bad though, for whatever that's worth. I mean, it's not going to blow your freaking mind, but the burgers are decent and they have truffle tots and a few stand-out entrees. Otherwise, it's your basic pub grub. The beer selection (in theory) is pretty good, but (in practice) not so much. On more than one occasion, I have ordered something from their draught list only for them to tell me they're out. It's also kind of a hot spot for DUDE BROS, MIT students, and terrible first dates (usually with the aforementioned DUDE BROS and students), so take that under advisement. Now, about the service... Here's the thing: I'm pretty sure there is a circle of Hell that is presided over by Asgard waitstaff, where they ignore you for 5 minutes short of eternity, never give you menus, stare at you vacantly while you attempt to guess what beer you would like to order, and then distractedly wander away before you are done talking to them. Then they return to you 25 minutes later to tell you that--whoops!--like, yesterday they ran out of the beer you ordered. Don't even try to ask for a glass of water. Because in Asgard hell, you must thirst FOREVER. If you should order food, it is my sincere wish that you get the right items sent to your table on the first attempt. Good luck with that. I don't know what sort of drugs the waitstaff take to remain so blissfully apathetic to presence of other human beings, but I should very much like to get my hands on some. Please start offering that on the menu. In summation, Food: C+, Beer List B, Service F---, Atmosphere C+. Constructive criticism for Asgard: Train your staff, please. Some of us would like to order something. Like, today.
(2)
Justin S.
Reuben Egg Rolls were terrific, and wings had a great sauce. Shepherd's Pie was excellent. Lively atmosphere and attentive service.
(4)
Erica S.
The look and feel of this bar is so nice! Big yet cozy with tables, bar, and lounge seating options. We only had drinks but bar service was great. My margarita was superb and that usually doesn't happen at pub type places. I would go back to try the food!
(4)
Joe S.
Asked the waiter about the lunch specials to which I get "you don't want any of them". Ok how are the reubens then and am told that they are excellent. Took two bites and needless to say one of the worst reubens ever. The meat was very rubbery and not cut right. Little surprised that the waiter didn't say anything after he clearly noticed that I barely touched it.
(1)
Ryan S.
Ordered food one hour ago. Still sitting here waiting. Should have ordered lunch not breakfast.
(1)
Mike M.
Went for trivia and it was an OK setting. My main complaints are with the service. We got stuck at the bigger lounge chairs and were expecting more people. Because we weren't all eating dinner we were told we weren't allowed to sit down below and were denied being able to borrow one of the thirty empty chairs to bring to our table. While it wasn't anything personal, this policy is ridiculous. The food was alright but nothing spectacular. I generally feel like this place lacks character and is a fake Irish bar (one of too many in Boston). You can do a lot better in the Central area.
(2)
Alex A.
Been here a few times now and the live music is nice but the talent is a little lacking. On the plus side the shots are massive but a big negative is that the Guinness tastes way too iron-y which tells me that they haven't cleaned their taps in a while which is pretty sad when you're at an Irish pub
(3)
Eric F.
Wow, I need to break this unlucky streak of subpar brunches. My friends and I figured this was worth a shot since neither of us had ever been, but both the food and service were underwhelming. Cold and underseasoned homefries, a misleading beef brisket dish that was essentially a small omelette with some diced beef thrown in and slow, inattentive service that made me wait far too long for crappy, lukewarm coffee. Thank goodness Tosci's was a stone's throw away to save the day.
(1)
M L.
Came here for an easy Saturday night dinner, and ended up with crappy, over-priced bar food and bad service. Table had grilled chicken tenders and sweet potato fries (Given 3 of the tiniest tenders I've ever seen - is that what happens when you ask for grilled instead of fried? Essentially a kiddie meal?) and a turkey burger (dry and bland). Everything tastes totally pre-fab. Seriously, go anywhere else if you want a palatable meal.
(2)
Regina P.
I am giving the Shephard's Pie a 4. It is so good and tastes authentic. I am staying next door at the Le Meridian and was at a conference all day. I felt like some good take out and thought I would give Asgard a try since it was convenient. I sat at the bar long enough to order my take out dinner. The staff was friendly and attentive. My food was prepared promptly and came out hot. The only downfall to this establishment was that it was pretty dark inside and loud. It's a bar though...so what else do you expect? :)
(4)
Unique T.
The food is good. And the first time we went the service was good. But I took my gf and our parents there this past mother's day, and the waitress was so rude to me and had an attitude when I asked for or about something. She acted like I was inconveniencing her to ask for another drink or so ketchup. Lastly, I personally asked for the check as I was paying, and she put it OPEN in front of my gf. Just an FYI guys, whoever ASKS for the check should have the check placed in front of THEM. I'm all set with this place.
(3)
Patricia C.
My friends and I have frequented this establishment many times and we are consistently frustrated and annoyed with the unsatisfactory and subpar service. Servers neglect to ask if patrons need or want anything more and can have a condescending and rude tone. The service is slow and the servers are not that knowledgeable either. We have even had to ask the hostess if a server was going to come over or not because it took so long on a not terribly busy night. In general, it can be a very frustrating situation. Most recently, my friends and I happened to be here on a night where (unbeknownst to us) there was a 25 cent wing promotion going on. Thinking it would be a good idea, we ordered some of the wings to enjoy. When it came to the end of the night, we kindly asked if we could have a small box to take the couple of leftover wings home, thinking this was a pretty normal request for a restaurant establishment. We did not want to waste the food. However, we were met with resistance from the server, explaining that it was under their policy that because the wings were discounted we could not take them home even though we had paid for them already. The manager was called into the situation and was of absolutely no help either. The manager could not deny that the policy made no sense at all, but claimed that because there was a security camera in place, he could not hand us a box in fear of "being lectured" by the management. It was totally ridiculous and instead we were forced to wrap up the wings in napkins to take home for ourselves. They would rather waste the food and throw it away then just hand us a simple small box to take it home. Both the server and the manager were more concerned about the management than the actual patrons of their establishment. Clearly customer service is not very important to them... None of it made any sense and having experienced this on top of their lackluster service, it is doubtful that we will return any time soon.
(1)
Dianna S.
During our New England honeymoon that started today, I picked this restaurant because it was right next to our hotel. Being a Friday afternoon, it wasn't too busy and we were seated right away. The atmosphere was pleasant, and we had no problem with our service (as other reviewers did). Had to have the classic Irish fare in an Irish pub. Which means we ate Shepherd's Pie and Guiness Beef Stew. Both were very flavorful and hearty, so much so that we left a lot of food on our plates as we were full. However, if we were locals we would have boxed them up and taken them home for later. The con was the Truffled Tator Tots .. these were not executed the way we thought they would be. It was a drizzle of truffle oil on top so not all the tots had the truffle flavor. And the dipping sauce? Ketchup. Not a bad start to our honeymoon. It definitely filled us up and we left satisfied.
(3)
Jon B.
Awesome value no entrees over $20 or apps over $10 and awesome rotating beer list. Best Shepard's Pie anywhere in metro Boston
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Lauren R.
I had lunch here with the always fun Dan C this past Monday. Given that it was a gorgeous day out, my only stipulation for our dining locale was that it have outdoor seating and be within a five minute walk from my office: The Asgard was the winner by default. Thank god we didn't sit inside, because The Asgard looks like their decorator (or someone with kitschy restaurant taste) went crazy at the Celtic Viking store. I love an Irish pub as the next Boston resident, but jeez, I don't need to pretend I'm in some olde tymey Celtic lodge. It just felt like overkill to me. Meh. On to the the food: I ordered a Diet Pepsi (what, no Coke?) and the Rosemary Tomato Cheeseburger ($12), which the waitress said was her favorite thing on the menu. The menu describes it as being "Topped with a sugar crusted, slow roasted, rosemary olive oil marinated tomato. Topped with melted Brie cheese." It was a pretty tasty burger; the marinated tomatoes were excellent, and who doesn't love melted brie? I know I dooooo. However, I must say that the mere fact that they put a slice of blah old tomato, a piece of lettuce, and bermuda onion on the bun detracted from the burger. There were already delicious tomatoes on my burger; why would I want a bland one that would do nothing but get in the way? Poor judgment call on their part. I don't remember which burger Dan ordered, but I do know that they wouldn't serve it rare. The service was fine; our waitress was friendly and Dan's double entendre went completely over her head (trust me, it's a good thing). I can't think of any real reason why I wouldn't come here again, but I'm not sure that I would go out of my way, either.
(3)J S.
I usually go here once a month for the Indie Games meetings. A bunch of independent video game designers drinking beer and talking shop. The girl who usually is our waiter wasnt there one night and it was hell. My friends waited 45 mins before being approached by the waiter for service. My friend asked before if we could order and he blew us off. Lucky I arrived early and ordered before the masses got there. I had some fantastic buffalo wings that night thought.
(3)Dan C.
Lookin' to grab a bite after working late in university park, or how about at 10:30 pm and you go to school/live near MIT, perhaps are you a viking looking to rape and pillage a Celtic Quesadilla? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Asgard is for you! The unfortunate named restaurant has a huge bar section and similar dining section. Food is your usual kind of casual dining experience...with a celtic twist. If it isn't an Irish stew, or bangers n' mash, then be certain it has some kitchy Irish flair in the name somewhere. The service is alright, the food is edible (the elvis burger is awesome: burger, fried egg, peanut butter), but some of the chairs are gigantic...like something out of Conan the Barbarian. It also has live music, trivia night, karaoke, and whatever other gimmicks it needs to put butts in barstools. Bottom line: sometimes you are hungry and just want to grab a Guinness and a shepherd's pie. You don't always need to go to great restaurants, this is a safe backup.
(2)Kat V.
I am stuck between 2 and 3 stars here. I walk past this place on a semi-regular basis, always scoping the menu on the window and seeing who is coming and going. Finally, I went...and while it as alright, it was not what I wanted it to be. First, the hostess was messing with her personal belongings when we walked in, and she continued to while talking to us...odd. (Especially since later she yelled at a fellow staff member, not a server, for smoking near the building where she could see him in front of us...rude, and odd). The set up of the place is strange. Probably the farthest thing from an intimate setting I have ever experienced (not that I was expecting Gaelic and Viking nookie sessions, but it is still part of the ambiance). The over sized tables, the large hanging lights, etc. Just, strange. Now...onto the food. My salad - the pear and goat cheese salad (sans goat cheese of course) was AMAZING! So good! It is a little pricey for a salad ($11) - don't get me wrong, it was a good portion...but not $11 worth of cool. My meal, Chicken-n-chips. Meehh, I expected more, much more. The chicken was dry and more breading than chicken in most spots. The fries, aka chips, were pretty good - not earth moving, but good. The service was alright, pretty slow considering they were not busy, but the order was right and she did not have a crappy attitude - so no real complaints. Side note: they have a decent beer selection.
(3)Andrew C.
I visited the Asgard on a warm, Saturday night and most of the other bars in Central Square had lines and covers. We decided to skip out on lines and went to the Asgard. To our surprise, there was a live band and no cover! The Asgard features al fresco seating as well as comfortable couches and bar stools. The booths and stools around the stage area were full, so we sat down in the step-down dining room area. -Drinks- The drink menu is nice and varied. It features almost twenty interesting beers on tap as well as the standard fare in bottles. The bar also has specialty mixed drinks for $10 each, if you're into that sort of thing. -Service- There were several beers that were out of stock the night I went and while the waitress mentioned which ones were out -- I, of course, was distracted and didn't pay enough attention. I ordered 2 out of the 3 (man, I'm good) beers she mentioned were fresh out. The waitress was very patient about it and continued to be really friendly and attentive the rest of the night. -Conclusion The band was doing a great job keeping everyone entertained while cold, frothy beer flowed -- all without the hassle of standing in line or paying a cover.
(4)Paul C.
Wherever I go I'm usually with 6-10 people. That's just how we roll. The Asgard is a very cool bar with great food, excellent beer and great bar tenders. Our first night there, we had to spread out because the place was bumping but we went back for the 10 cent wings night and it was an experience! This isn't the best place to bring a dozen kids but the draught beer they have makes the crowd totally worth it.
(4)Shane K.
Second time here last night and I was very impressed. The decor is pretty cool, stone and dark wood everywhere. The drinks menu is pretty extensive. The food menu is also equally impressive with your typical Irish fare and the standard American staples. We ordered nachos, pear & goats cheese salad and calamari. Yeah a strange mix but everything was absolutely delicious. I was left wanting more afterwards, not because the portions were small, but because it all tasted so good. They have a pretty cool feature where you have a touch screen remote at every table which allows you to order drinks, food, play games and request your check. So basically a solid place with good food and drinks at reasonable prices.
(4)Robyn R.
I was pleasantly surprised at this place when my friends told me we were going to an irish bar for lunch. Just not my style, but I was impressed with this place immediately - great decor, style and atmosphere...kinda like mid-evil times! Next, I was very surprised and pleased with the menu - they had some great gourmet type salads and dishes, not just chicken fingers, cobb salad and wings - bravo! Beer selection is awesome, service decent. Didn't get to eat much, but would def go back for drinks and dinner sometime!
(3)Mark W.
ok I don't know why so many people are reviewing this place and knocking stars off because they have to wait or because they thought the inside looked different than what they were expecting. Come on this is a bar/pub not l'espalier. On both points this place did fine. For me this place was great. This place had much more beer selections on tap than most of the other bar/pubs i've been to in boston. I went at night on friday and it was packed. But not suffocating packed. Me and a bunch of friends were able to find a table and have a great time watching the game and talking at the same time. The food itself was pretty good. I had a chicken cobb salad and it was actually a really decent chicken cobb. The salads are huge. Also i had 3 beers. I had some youngs double chocolate and some other tier chocolate that was on their seasonal menu. Both were great. The Young's is always a great choice. The service was pretty quick and attentive. They always came by to ask if we needed more to drink and they brought us water and changed it when needed. This is a solid place if you're craving a burger, salad or sandwich and some beer with friends.
(4)Inna H.
Decent pub, with reasonably priced drafts that come in two sizes.
(3)Francesca R.
I will always have a soft spot for the Asgard because this is where we watched the Germany-Italy game during the World Cup when we found Phoenix Landing to be too massively overcrowded. We managed to get a table, and it was fun to be in such a big place with so many people (even though Germany lost...it was a great atmosphere). I am also a sucker for overtly ornate decor, and The Asgard definitely doesn't hold back with its semi-Celtic, semi-medieval appointments. I also like that service here is always oddly quirky and over-familiar while managing to be endearing. The food - whatever. It's OK; it's not amazing or anything. Overall I find this place to be inoffensive and fun, albeit definitely not authentic or original. Speaking of not authentic - they have a dish called "Fenian Chicken Pasta." Needless to say, a chicken pasta dish with sun dried tomatoes is not one you'd traditionally find in Irish homes. But the real problem with this dish is the word "Fenian," which is an offensive term for Catholics in Ireland and the UK. I took my Scottish Catholic in-laws here and they picked up on it immediately (I'd never noticed it before). Luckily they found it amusing, but were also quick to point out that that would *not* fly back home.
(3)Stephanie W.
I've been there on week nights several times and there is never a wait, and the food is pretty good. They have a fairly large menu, as well; lots of interesting salads and tasty burgers. They serve pretty good rolls there (complimentary), but you have to ask your waitress for them!
(4)Hisham K.
I'm really tempted to dock two stars here, but the rest of the Asgard shouldn't have to suffer so badly because of one terrible hostess. She greeted me at the door with about as much warmth as a chemical wart remover. She had long blonde hair and was wearing a gray sweater with a loose neckline, a matching gray tight skirt, and ugly gray boots. My friends and I were there for ten-cent wings, which you can only get if you sit in the bar area of the Asgard - however last time I was here, they were providing seating in the back for the wings as well. The hostess, however, didn't seem to think that my experience was real. Me: "Can we sit in the back and get the ten-cent wings?" Her: "No, we've never done seating in the back." "Oh they did it last time. I was just wondering if you were doing it today." "No, we've never done that." "Yes you have, I was there." "No we haven't." (This woman is basically calling me a liar now.) "Is there someone I can ask?" "Excuse me??" she asked with a faceful of attitude. "Is. There. Someone. I. Can. Ask." "You can ask my manager, he'll be here in a minute." Well, lucky for her, I was less worried about finding her manager than about finding a table and getting some delicious wings into my belly. I do, however, hope the manager reads this and gives her some sort of training on how to properly talk to customers who have actually sat in the back and gotten ten-cent wings.
(3)Peg P.
The Asgard is a great place to go for a snack and a good bar atmosphere. It is a pretty big space that includes a nice sized bar as well as ample seating in the dining portion of the building. It can accommodate large parties, which is nice and has a pretty standard menu as far as American-Irish bars go. The Asgard has a few vegetarian options and is reasonable priced. I have not been "wowed" by the food, but have been satisfied with my choices every time I have gone. The service is not the greatest.. I feel like each time I have been there the server is relatively new to the job. Everyone is friendly, but "a bit green." The bar has a nice selection of beers, wine and mixed drinks. They pout a decent pint of Guinness as well. I have been there a few times when they have entertainment, which has varied from cover bands to more traditional Irish music. They also have trivia nights.
(3)Smiling C.
Warning: Stick to pub food and don't get adventurous with their 6 page menu. I learned my lesson by ordering the fish tacos and they were among the worst I've ever had. The fish were fried pieces of blandness with not much else on the taco to flavor things up. The service was below average (our waitress was out of it). However, the atmosphere is actually pretty fun with a wide open bar and plenty of seating, both at the bar and on some comfy chairs. My impression is mostly the science folks who work nearby tend to hang here. All in all, Asgard is best enjoyed as a place to hang with friends and grab a beer. By the way, when I went on Monday night, they were having 10 cent wings at the bar.
(2)Jason P.
I've been here a few times now, and while it's an alright place for a drink, and maybe a sandwich, I think most of us can find something better... Don't get me wrong, the place isn't terrible-they actually have a decent selection of brews, but prices on some drinks can get spendy, and frankly it's just a corporate-Irish pub wannabe. Oh yeah, it's pretty damn loud in there when there is any kind of crowd...because they keep the music up loud even though most people are there to eat and talk (well save Karaoke night). I would give it 2.5 stars if I could, but I can't bear to give it 3 stars. That said, service was decent and in a pinch I would go back. My recommendation is go almost anywhere else in Cambridge and you will do better.
(2)Grym R.
Here's the deal: The food is good, maybe a bit pricey, but as bar fare goes they execute well. The beer selection is really wide, but sometimes you can't see all the selections from one end of the bar, so read the cheat sheet. Parking sucks. really. The bar crew can be hit or miss. But they do have one guy with super-hearing. Or maybe ESP. Karaoke. Well, if you like your date being given the once, twice, and three times over by the sketchy guy running it, well then go right ahead. He also does a poor job organizing it. And, finally, it has been invaded by members of Boston Improv. I only bring this up because one member told me, "Well, I don't mean to be condescending, but I have stage presence..." This made me wonder why he didn't have a black eye, hahahahaha! Anyway, pick your poison!
(2)patrick w.
this is about as far away from an irish pub as you can get. To put it another way it has the same relationship to a real Irish pub as tasteless factory produced mid-west Parmesan cheese has to authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy. Loud, younger crowd. Food is overpriced and boring. Don't bother.
(2)Matt K.
The problem I have with the Asgard is also one of the reasons I like it. It's huge for a bar and that can go either way. My first visit to the Asgard was a St. Pattys day a few years ago and I had so much fun. Me and my date showed up early to claim a table, The best part was how many people were there. Being it was a drinking holiday it was packed, a couple hundred people easily. Everyone drunk and in a great mood. I loved the Asgard for that day. But alas the next time I went was a Monday night with a friend. We showed after work and we were the only people in there. They had most the lights off and the entire place just seemed lonely. When the place is empty it's borderline depressing, with so many unused seats you get the impression they were going out of business. Food wise, nothing cutting edge but still really good. The shepards pie is a favorite of mine. The bar service is always great fast. I have nothing negative to say about them. Lesson learned, never go on a slow night.
(3)Zev X.
Cool decor ... excellent variety of beers on tap. we had the spicy calamari appetizer - it was really flavorful and not too spicy. the calamari was flash fried, so it wasn't too greasy or battered. Yum! I had the coconut shrimp and avocado salad - It was delicious. six crispy pieces of coconut battered shrimp over a salad of fresh field greens and avocado slices. My date had the Shepard's pie and she really enjoyed it. very flavorful and tasty. we went back on another night and had the Guiness stout pie. It was a huge portion and had two huge pieces of flaky crust on top. The dish was a bit too soupy. I would recommend getting the Shepard's pie over the Guiness stew. no complaints on the service. always attentive.
(4)Brennon S.
If your idea of a good time is hanging out in a spacious lodge hussied up like an Irish bar with a Norse name, then the Asgard is for you. If you like rubbing elbows with Blackberry-humping suits downing overpriced beers over expensive food ... the Asgard is for you. If none of this sounds appealing, well, you're in my boat. I went on a Wednesday night and noticed a sign outside that said, "Best Karaoke in Boston." Or maybe it said "Best Karaoke Ever." Either way, it was wholly unimpressive. The DJ had a nice voice and sang some country tunes, but the LARPer that came up after him was grating and everybody was making fun of her, including the frat boy with the finely plucked eyebrows. But that's neither here nor there. The waiter took an exceptionally long time serving our drinks, even though said drinks were just beers. I didn't eat but a friend had a sandwich and soup, said they were good. Good for you, sandwich and soup. Clap clap clap. You're still way overpriced. At least this joint doesn't try to shill authentic Irish food, because authentic Irish food is fucking crap.
(2)Ashleigh P.
Let me start off by saying that if I could, I'd give Asgard 3.5 stars. Came here on a Friday night for a friend's birthday. It was ridiculously packed - I could barely walk to the back room where my friends were. I was running late and everyone already had their food, so I had to order quickly. I would have liked to try some of the appetizers with some people, but I was a little late for that, so I just ordered the crab cake melt sandwich. It wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't horrible either - it was just good, maybe a little dry. The Asgard certainly is not shy on its prices though, which is one reason why I think it loses a star - this is bar food, but sitting down, not a super-fancy place. The other reason it loses some points is that we had the whole back room to ourselves, but they didn't do a good job putting the tables together. Maybe 12-14 people were seated at one long table in one part of the room, and the rest of us were at small tables by the windows. I ended up at a table of only 2 other people (whom I didn't even know before dinner), kind of isolated from everyone else - which is not the point of a birthday dinner. Sure I was late, but they could have somehow arranged the tables better. One person also ordered the blueberry cobbler martini - drink menu said it was supposed to come with whipped cream and a pie crust - it had neither. I don't know if I'll ever say "hey, let's go to the Asgard for dinner," but I wouldn't try to talk a person out of a birthday dinner here, either, if that is where said person wanted to go. So I'd say it was average-good.
(3)Francisco A.
I've been here many times. The food is ok (nothing amazing, but no disappointments), they usually have some kind of cover ban (again, nothing amazing, but no disappointments) and they have a great selection of beer. Just another Bar/Rest in Cambridge.
(3)Amanda Z.
I like this place. When we first walked in at 7:30pm it was crowded but it wasn't too long before a few seats at the bar. The hostess was nice about explaining the rules of Monday night's ten cent wing special. The special only applies to diners in the pub area. The wings are really good. Especially the golden and asian-style ones. The general trend seems to be that you order wings in tens. So for a $1 a pop, you get ten wings with a great number of beers on tap like Dogfish Head's Immort Ale or Young's Double Chocolate Stout. We'll definitely be going back. Note: The waitstaff may take a few minutes getting your drink orders, but it is very busy and they only have a few waitstaff dedicated to the pub area so patience isn't too much to ask when your bill at the end of the night will be much smaller in comparison to the usual.
(4)Marie C.
Where else can you witness a rap battle on karaoke night? Or someone singing 99 Luftballoons...in perfect German. Or a guy who looks like an MIT student belting out Aretha? Go, be entertaining and be entertained.
(5)Brian H.
I have found this place hit or miss depending on what night. I feel like it tries to accomodate everyone, but that can get a bit annoying. If you like karaoke Wednesday nights can be pretty entertainig. I would not recommend watching a sporting even on a Wed. though...the karaoke takes total control. I have never had a bad meal there, and they have plents of suds on tap to choose from.
(3)Anastasia R.
It is agreed that the Asgard seems more like a theme park restaurant than a Irish restaurant you'd find in the heart of Central Sq. It is also agreed that for the quality of dining experience and food, it's a bit overpriced. However there is a MUST TRY on the menu, and it's the Fried Cheesecake. It's a slice of cheese cake wrapped egg roll style in a flaky dough then deep fried, rolled in cinnamon and sugar, served with a raspberry drizzle and vanilla ice cream. I've seen other attempts at this kind of idea, the fried snickers comes to mind from Tavern in the Square, but the Asgard actually has a much better execution and end result. Otherwise the place was mediocre. But our waiter was attentive and got real excited when he saw the gf give me a kiss and confessed in a whisper "My mom's a lesbian!"
(3)Andrew D.
I stopped in here with friends on a hot and humid Wednesday night, looking for some great (read: awful) karaoke to accompany my chilled beverages and greasy bar food. While the bar food was indeed greasy, and the karaoke sometimes sounded like they were slowly strangling a cat over the microphone while jumping up and down on a squeaky mattress and occasionally dragging broken beer bottles down a chalkboard, that was about the best of it. The seating area around the bar was crowded with unnecessarily bulky low-set chairs that you could not lean back in without being so far removed from your table as to need a hearing aid to keep up with the conversation. It was pretty dark so I can't really comment on the decor, but I've been to The Kinsale before so I have a pretty good idea of the over-the-top "Irish" theme they have going. The waitress stopped by our table maybe once every 15 minutes or so, but we did sit in the corner behind all the crowds, so I can't really blame her for not wanting to navigate around all the drunkards very often. As for the food and drinks, it was slightly above average but nothing to write home about. The Asgard Burger was fairly generic and bland, but at least the fries were good. My first drink was the Pomegranate Metro, which was basically Grey Goose and a little bit of pink stuff to take the edge off, but it wasn't bad. Next up was a coffee stout off of the beer list, which I quite enjoyed and it's probably the main reason for that 3rd star up there. Overall, if you like Karaoke and want a long beer list to go with it, there are far worse places than The Asgard on Wednesday nights.
(3)Courtney H.
I ate here for the first time on a thursday night, and I was unimpressed. The descriptions of their dishes make them sound way better than they really are. Their tater tot appetizer is just a bunch of tater tots from a frozen bag covered in shredded cheese. Big deal, I could make that at home. They do have a large selection of alcoholic beverages, but I don't drink much, so that doesn't do it for me.
(2)Colleen M.
A friend took me to Asgard for their karaoke night and I had a blast. Great beer selection and very attentive wait staff meant that we could kick back and enjoy the karaoke, and someone else would be there to help refill our beers - a huge plus in a crowded spot. The karaoke itself is a blast - good mix of songs, good mix of folks. Will definitely be back for more and will be bringing friends!
(4)Claire S.
The Asgard karaoke night is pretty fun, but the food is gross and the drinks are worse. Prepare yourself for bland overpriced greasy food in weird portions. The more you pay the smaller the portion. The ravioli I had there was maybe half of what would be served at other places. Also depending on the night, the music is like the 90's threw up its worst all over.
(2)Becky M.
I went here yesterday for lunch, or a meal at like 3:30pm. I don't know if that's still considered lunch. After furniture shopping we decided to stop here for something since we passed it on the #1 bus on the way over. It's dimly lit with lots of wood, big wooden chairs, huge wraparound bar, and a cool atmosphere. It was pretty dead so we pulled up a chair at the bar. The bartender was friendly and wondered why we were just having soda...hungover perhaps? What I just downed 3 huge glasses of water in 5 minutes? I'm fine! What's dehydration? I had a veggie burger that came with smoked gouda cheese (my favorite!) It was good. Really good fries also. My boyfriend had the steak sandwich which lacked a little flavor but was still pretty tasty. Mine was about $10 and his was $12. A little expensive just for sandwiches but I liked the atmosphere enough to come back and check it out at night. I guess there is live music most nights...
(4)Daniel H.
Meh. Overpriced, medium quality. My friends want to go there more often then I do, sigh.
(2)Kathy K.
I would put the Asgard more at 2.5, but felt bad lowering it to a 2. The positives of this place are that it's large, has live music, and is an uncrowded place to have a drink or hang-out for a bit on a weekend night. If you are not counting on having the crowd amuse you, but are going with amusing people, it's fine. Also, the front area is very open and inviting and it is really pretty "neat and clean" compared to some places with more "atmosphere" in Central Square. The food is nothing awe-inspiring or truly Irish. It's not bad though. This place used to be the Austin Grill, a absoulute favorite of mine in D.C, but it arrived in this space before it have hit by a tidal wave of new office buildings, apartments, condos, etc. The place had wonderful food, but in Northern Virginia and D.C. have smaller venues and more steady, loyal traffic. I was saddened when the place was gutted and over-the-top "Irish" styling was put in. I am still trying to figure out how all the imposing cow horns sticking out of things should make me feel Celtic.
(3)Abbey L.
I agree that there is an odd mix of people at the Asgard, but I have been on several Saturday nights (late night) for the live music, and really enjoyed it. It's a bit laid back but not in a bad way.
(3)Seth O.
I'm generally completely uninspired by this place, and have been completely unexcited by it except for before they opened when all I could think was 'Cool, a viking bar'. I'd really like a viking bar around here; where the bouncer's wear funky viking hats and carry an axe.......but no; just another knockoff irish pub by the same people who brought us half a dozen irish hotspots around the town. I will say, I've enjoyed the fish and chips; but being able to serve a good plate of fish and chips really isn't anything to write home about, now, is it?
(2)Erin D.
I can see why other people would hate this place, part of me does too for it's cheezy pub aesthetic and bad cover bands on the weekend. However, the Asgard is a fabulous place to go for a birthday drink if you want to invite lots of friends (it's a huge space). It is also a great place to visit on a snow day because they have large windows for snow-gazing, delicious coffee drinks (with alcohol- yum), and comfort food (tasty tater tots).
(3)Aaron B.
Decent happy hour spot. Bar food is actually not bad (bruschetta is pretty greasy though). The crowd is unpretentious, both for good and bad. Friendly service but sometimes a little slow. Sometimes the place is dead and sometimes it's packed to the faux Irish tavern rafters - seemingly without logic.
(3)S W.
If you are looking for a quick dinner without a wait, look no further- Nothing earth shattering on the menu and the food is adequate. If you are looking for a drink with friends at night, look elsewhere. This place is a haven for loud shitty bands who range from shitty reggae to shitty fake Dave Matthews. If you wish to hear your friend talk over the music, your wish will not be granted. That is, unless you are friends with the band. Then you will hear them just fine.
(2)Brian D.
You know what makes the Asgard a stand up Irish style joint? Nothing. In a neighborhood riddled with bars and lounges and crack heads and MIT geeks, this joint operates as the Friday's or Appleby's in a land where the chain restaurant has not managed to sink it's claws in on the local business. Don't get me wrong, this is a perfectly fine place to get a Corona or to use the bathroom but don't order that beer that you would like to try because they will be out of it. Or you could get the almost passable honey bbq wings, if you like warm carrots and soggy celery on the side. Nuffsaid.
(2)traveler Y.
We tried to have dinner here on July 4th. Tried is the operative word. Granted it was July 4th and right near the start of the fireworks, so we understood that we had to wait for awhile to get a seat. We waited 40min for our table, we were okay with that. We placed our order soon after since we've been studying the menu for the past 40min. We asked for 1 soda and 1 water. Our server brought us 2 sodas after 15min. We asked for water again and bread and another 20min before we got water, but no bread. I think it was another 15min before we got bread. We waited for a total of 1hr and 45min after we got seated, we got 2 baskets of bread, but not our food. The fireworks were about to start and I was starving, so we paid for our soda and left to find food. Can't say if the food was good or not, but service was definitely lousy and my fork was filthy with chocolate gunk.
(1)Dachary C.
Alright, I'm going to risk contradicting the crowd - this is one of my favorite pubs. (Although I do agree that I was a little shaken by the Norse name referring to an "Irish Pub." You'd think that someone opening a restaurant would do a *little* research and at least get the correct culture!) I like the decor. It feels very comfortable, warm and inviting. I've chatted up most of the bar staff, and once you get them going, it's a pretty friendly group. There's plenty of seating, although the place is always packed on a weekend evening (and seating is generally not available at those times.) I even managed to train one of the senior bartenders in one of my favorite drinks that no-one ever knows how to make - he did a great job. There have been several drinks that the bar was not equipped to make, in spite of the fact that the bar seems very well stocked, but the bar manager is always willing to offer solutions, compromises, and alternate recommendations. As far as my general bar experiences, this place is the best of all the spots in the Boston area that I've visited so far. The food is another point worth mentioning. Everything that I've tried at the Asgard (Irish/American fare) has been above-average tasty. The portion sizes are also large. I'm always on a quest for good Shepherd's Pie, and the stuff here is the second-best I've had (the best, sadly, being at a bar in Dorchester.) The chili is average to good... many of the deserts are awesome... just good food. The Asgard also claims to have live music, from time to time (on the weekends) but everytime I've been in on a weekend, the band was unable to play for some reason (lead singer sick, etc.) So I've gotta disagree with many of the people who have posted here - the Asgard is definitely worth a stop, whether you're looking for good food, good bartending, or a comfortable atmosphere.
(4)Al A.
Good prices. Good food. Good service. Crowded sometimes. Slightly slow for food prep.
(4)Kimble M.
So, they might not have the best food, their drinks are pricey, and the service can be downright rude, but there is a good selection of said drinks and it's worth it to overpay for drinks on 10 cent wing nights (Monday). Get there early, stake out a table for your friends and order an absurd number of wings with a glass or two of beer. You'll regret it later, but you'll go back the next week.
(3)Ralph K.
They don't post the prices for the fancy imports on the blackboard, and my server didn't mention them. You may end up with a $9.50 8oz beer. It might be great tasting, but it's nice to know up front so you can think about how good it must be if it costs that much. Beer selection and freshness have been good. Don't expect much from the food menu. Service depens on your server. The atmosphere is decent with high ceilings, good light level, faux but functional decor and furniture.
(3)Lee H.
Ate here a number of times since I worked around the corner. Nice ambiance, good location. Food very unexciting. Good for large groups, but don't go for the food. Lunch service poor.
(2)susie k.
Terrible service. The waiter was rude and slow. We waited forever to order and even longer to pay. He didn't give us the correct change, but we were just glad to get out of there. The location is very convenient and parking was easy to fund so I really wanted to like the place- the food was ok but not that would make me want to go back. Very disappointed.
(1)Jen C.
Came here for a friend's bday party on a Wednesday night (karaoke night!). The rooms in the back have enough space for a smallish party (~20 ppl), and the high ceilings and open windows made for great atmosphere. Beer list was lengthy enough, even though I stuck to Guiness for the night. Unfortunately, the food - updated pub fare - was kinda inconsistent. Bangers and mash were all around solid: the sausages were firm and well seasoned, and the mashed potatoes (a signature item) had good texture and flavor. The fish in the fish and chips was disappointing; breaded coating and dry flavorless cod was reminiscent of cafeteria fish sticks that got left a little too long in the fryer. Made me a little sad, since I loves me some good fish and chips. The base of the salads looked like bagged salad - iceberg, red cabbage, and shredded carrots. Again, disappointing. The place cleared out, but we stayed for karaoke. Didn't get a chance to get up there and do our thing, since another party had booked so many songs. The selection was pretty good, so I'm game for giving karaoke night at the Asgard another try. Overall verdict: Skip dinner and go straight to shooters and songs.
(3)Christine T.
This place has grown on me... its one of the post-work bars all the biotech people in the area hang out at. So no matter what time of day it is i tend to know someone there. The bar can be packed after 5pm on the weekdays. I've worked in the area for the past 6 or 7 yrs...wow...anywho, if you eat there everyday you get sick of the food. but its actually good (lately, when i first started going it was mediocre on the verge of bad). Most of the wait staff is awesome even in the bar area. There's this one short mousy brunette girl who looks like she sucks on lemons that's been there for i dunno 3-4 yrs now, and she is AWFUL... she's never friendly , dawdles, and its like pulling teeth to get her to re-up your booze. I don't like her, but then again maybe she just doesn't like me *shurg* In my opinion the mixed drinks tend to be a little low in alcohol content. Alas I keep going back for some reason. For an Irish bar i don't know why its the Asgard? The vikings probably pillaged the Emerald Isle but i didn't know their culture was so integrated with the Irishs'...
(3)Jane D.
.10c wings on Mondays... AMAZING. they are the big wings not the itty bitty ones that a lot of people give away with the deal. it usually gets very crowded, but there is a lot of places to sit. good beer selection.
(4)Robert H.
The Asgard is an excellent - if high-end - Irish pub. Before you get confused over the name, let's take a moment to remember that Dublin was founded by the Vikings. Everything make sense now? Okay, moving on... I have a great time every time I go to the Asgard. It's good for a few quiet pints with friends on a weekend afternoon, and it's good for a rollicking bout of karaoke on Wednesday nights. The wait staff is friendly and engaging, and the food that I've had has always been fantastic. I really dig the ambience in here as well. Of course, I'm a fan of dark woods and stone floors. That's half of why I like pubs and mountain lodges. A well-located fireplace or two wouldn't hurt things a bit.
(5)greg l.
The 10 cent wings are now 25 cents and smaller. I would suggest that they had priced at 20 cents if they really needed to increase. I really don't think they have any competitive advantage over any other 25 cent wing night on Monday.
(3)Al G.
My friends and I go almost every Monday night now for ten cent wings. Get there early, as ten cent wing night gets mighty busy. The "Gold Fever" flavored wings are the best, its a combination of BBQ and Buffalo sauce. I start to crave them the rest of the week until the next Monday rolls around. If you are there for anything other than ten cent wings, I would only give this place 2.5 stars. The food is just kind of okay and the service could be better. Ten cent wings!!! Catch the Gold Fever.
(4)Andrew M.
This is a huge place with mediocre grub, nice decor, little authenticity.
(3)Becka D.
Good drinks, although a bit on the high side as far as pricing goes. Good food & the fries are amazing. The decor maybe a a bit over the top for some, but I think it's kind of cool...you can pretend to be queen-for-a-day if you get seated in one of the massively huge chairs. A bit of a hike from the T, but worth if if you're looking for a place where you'll be able to grab a table.
(3)Sarah H.
heh, heh, ass-guard. heh. middle school humor aside, this place is pretty bad. Its stuffy. The food is inauthentic, a confusion between Irish-American-Mexican cuisine. Its pretty bland, and has definitely come out luke-warm before. Also: how do you confuse black bean soup with New England Clam chowder? Yes, that has actually happened before. Their buffalo chicken salad was pretty terrible. How do you mess up a salad? Okay, probably not the smartest thing to order. I did like their bangers and mash. I guess I'll throw in an extra star for that, and for the location. And because they have beer, and I approve of beer. Especially a decent selection of beer, which they do have, shockingly.
(2)Josh O.
I'll give this place a three. I wasn't particularly impressed, but I didn't hate it either. The food was pretty good, they've got a standard selection of beer, and the atmosphere was pretty much 'hey, look at us, we're a bar, come drink here'. Not really anything special, but they sell beer, so how bad can it be, right? Also, why would an Irish bar have a Norse name?
(3)Lynda M.
Not a bad looking pub, its large and it has a great location. Its simply hit or miss, sometimes its fun and sometimes its awful. These articles may shed some light on the norse/Irish connection. wsu.edu/~dee/MA/NORSE.HTM asgard2.ie/about.html
(3)Richard L.
If you want to hang out and have a beer in a noisy place, Asgard is just fine. If you want decent pub food, this is NOT the place. Service is fine, but the food is close to cafeteria level.
(2)Paul F.
Come here every week for trivia on tuesday night. Fun environment. The food is decent, not extraordinary, and reasonably priced. They have a wide selection of beers. The staff is usually friendly and helpful. A fun place for trivia, although it can be very crowded and you need to get there early to get a table.
(4)Mark L.
Fifth time at Asgard (live nearby), this one on Sunday Aug 14 at 5:30pm. Drink beer here but save the food calories and eat elsewhere- food here has been just basic, nothing memorable. My wife was served a truly poor Sauvignon Blanc, happily they took it off the check. We ordered a burger each. The "carmelized onions" on mine were merely sauteed, my med rare was served definitely rare. And about time they freshen up the Irish/Viking decor.
(2)Deepa C.
tom e.'s review was spot on. the place just looked fake. for a pub, the ceilings are too high, there is too much light, it is WAY too clean, and too "decorated". i went to seatards trivia on tuesday and it was a good time, but i think the trivia buzz was holding the place up. the place had no feel, no atmosphere and no vibe. but it did have seats, which was nice. the bartenders were fairly prompt, the beer was beer and the prices weren't bad. good location and all the drivers found parking near by. i'll be back for trivia. or if i need to use the bathroom or something...
(3)Andrea D.
Not a bad place at all. It's a good place to head after work for a couple drinks. I've been here several times and the service is pretty good. They have a good sized bar area which is really good for hanging out and having a good time. Most of the people here after work are all biotech people, but that's cool. It's a pretty casual environment. I haven't had much of the food, but the boneless buffalo wings are pretty good and I get them almost everytime I go here.
(4)Felecia C.
I will dare to counter the majority opinion and state that I like the Asgard. Oooooh. Maybe there are a few issues with service, as in it's not the best, and decor, as in everything is oversized and makes you feel like you're on a ship. But overall, I like the warm yet gothic atmosphere of this bar. I have been here at several times of day - lunch, dinner, happy hours, nights out. I've always eaten a tasty meal in the form of a large salad, and my food restrictions were well received and accommodated. Drinks have always been large and strong, especially those from the martini/frozen drinks menu. I am not too familiar with the nighttime scene but when I was there, a live jazz band was playing. I do not have a problem with this. The Asgard may not THE BEST BAR ever near MIT/Central Square, but since it's so big and convenient to the local work crowd, it will continue to draw a crowd.
(3)Amy P.
Mediocre food, mediocre service. Sunday afternoon for the football game, my friend and I snagged two seats at the bar in front of two large television sets. So far, so good, I thought. But it took forever for one of the many servers to even acknowledge that we were there. Not even eye contact or an "I'll be right with you." And even longer to get the bar wiped of debris from the previous diners. When a female bartender finally asked us if we wanted a drink, she was brusque. So, okay, I thought, a bad day. But then she was all Miss Congeniality with the patrons next to us. We weren't high maintenance, either. Just beer and sandwiches. I ordered the Ruben ($10). The corned beef was tasty but sparse. The dressing was missing. It should have been billed as a sauerkraut sandwich. How does one ruin a Rueben? My friend got a burger ($12) which was dry. The onions (for which he paid extra) were incompletely caramelized. Like, hey, who can't caramelize onions or build a standard sandwich? These are basic errors. The fries have a fancy name but they're really really really ordinary. Really ordinary. Oh, and while the sound seems muted while the games or analysis are on, during commercials, the sound is so loud that we couldn't hear anything but the commercial. It was louder than your-worst-nightmare band. What's with that? I know that advertisers pitch Viagra (and other wonders of the modern world) at increased volume, but that doesn't mean bar management has to go along. Why not mute the sound or play something else? Was anyone paying attention? The evidence suggests not. So, yeah, mediocre.
(2)David V.
Went here for lunch during the week. The place is huge, very clean, nice atmosphere, great service. The food was good, but not great. I had the Shepard's pie, lunch portion, which was $10 and not enough food. My friend had some sort of beef stew, which was little bigger, but more money. Overall, it's a very nice place, but maybe next time I go I'll stick with something simple like a burger and fries.
(3)Marisa C.
Good food, drinks, and atmosphere.
(4)Shannon S.
Meh, this place isn't my scene anyway, so it seems wrong to review it because I'm biased against it before stepping inside. However, Trivia night was very fun, and I heart the Truffle Tater Tots since I always cherish adult versions of my childhood favorites. The beer selection is okay, and the bar was loaded with hard liquor. Meanwhile, I rocked Magic Hat # 9 while rocking out to Tuesday STUMP trivia night. IT was pretty busy for a Tuesday night with the usual collared shirt crowd. The people sitting at the bar always seem annoyed when you try to order a drink there and I had a lot of trouble flagging down waitresses and had to pry food & drinks out of them. They were all totally nice, but man, can a girl catch a break?
(3)Sarah L.
Ugh. Never again. Nothing of value at this place. Go to one of the other fantastic establishments surrounding it.
(1)Sarah T.
I've gone to the Asgard for lunch and it is great pub food that is reminiscent of what eating in Ireland would be like with a modern and upscale feel to the restaurant. Loved it and I would definitely return again.
(4)Tracee D.
"wow cool! big furniture" thats it. that's all there is to the Asgard. Word is they are the leader in fruit fly infestation in Central..but every restaurant has fruit flies all summer long so don't fret. The ladies in the ladies room of the Asgard (ie intoxicated patrons) aren't smiley. All ladies in the ladies room after a couple of drinks should be friendly...thats how lame the asgard is..
(3)Jessica R.
Seems upscale and tries very hard to appear so with it's over the top decor and expensive menu.
(2)erin e.
Great place to hear some "wicked" Boston accents, dude. Tries a little to hard, or something.
(2)Khalid S.
I was very impressed by the decor and ambiance of this place. The castle like walls, furniture and stoned floor is aesthetically appealing. Location is prime as well. Food was just about average though. I had Chicken Strips with fries.
(3)Kevin M.
Went here last week to hear my friend's band play. Acoustics are not great for a live band. The decor is distinctive, very homey.. but the drinks are AWFUL, way too strong (which is normally not a bad thing. :) ... but I at least like to be able to enjoy them until I get a buzz on! After that, my tongue will be numb and I'd drink gasoline at that point.
(2)Tez C.
Good vibe, nice bartenders and decent beer selection. The space is pretty large with a good variety of sitting options like the bar, large tables with stools, couches, and regular tables. We went for trivia night which was the largest showing I've ever seen. Fun times overall and I would go back again just to hang.
(4)amanda n.
I'm not sure what it is, but there's something I like about the Asgard... The decor maybe, the large airy space, not crowded necessarily. Our waitress in the bar area didn't come by as much as we'd have liked. I needed something to munch on so we ordered the quesadilla. It was ok, pretty well filled in fact, but I have no idea why they'd put barbeque chicken in it. Do they have any control over the musicians who play? The one man act who was playing when we got there was terrible. I've been there a few times and I'm not sure why the music has to be quite so loud that you need to yell to the other members of your party...
(3)Emily M.
Since I've been coming here regularly for a while now I've gotten to know the staff and I love them. Bret knows more about beer than anyone I've met and Anne will whip you up a tasty cocktail if you just tell her what kind of drink you feel like. The turkey burger is my favorite and with loose cannon (triple IPA ), harpoon's leviathan series, and cbc's IPA on tap there's always deliciousness.
(4)R F.
above average but not by much meh it's ok food good list of beers, but i'd probably expect more with the size of this place and the ridiculously overdesigned layout and furniture... hmph you probably won't find me going back here
(3)Dana B.
I love this place! The food is priced well and there is something for everyone on the menu. HOWEVER, I would go there on wednesday nights for their karaoke. It's a completely supportive environment (thanks to my friends and I) and the DJ jas an EXTENSIVE karaoke list. Asgard also has great beers on tap. The only problem is that the service is a little slow. I find that they have as many hostesses as they do bartenders. MORE BARTENDERS!!
(4)Bryanne R.
Their nachos are excellent! (especially after a few beers...) My co-workers have turned me into quite the beer snob, so in my jaded opinion their drought beer list is a bit lacking. It's a fun atmosphere with excellent service though. Great place to hang out and grab some drinks and a snack.
(4)Joshua P.
Wednesday night is karaoke night here, and it's a blast. Bunches of tanked 20-30 somethings singing anything from Sonny & Cher to Whitesnake. They have a great beer selection, but good luck getting one, the service leaves something to be desired. The guy who runs karaoke is a riot. He takes pictures of people looking ridiculous while they're singing then posts them on the big screen.
(4)Joe P.
To me the Asgard is an upscale horrible place where they don't let you in even if you have a valid ID. Just looking at it from the outside make cringe. However, it could have just been one bad experience, but still.
(1)Nick S.
The only reason we went to Asgard was because every other bar in Central Square was packed with lines out front (it was a Saturday night). So --- right away I thought that was a good thing. Plus the name evokes something from Lord of The Rings to this admittedly ignorant sod, which is also kinda fun. But frankly the place seems to have a bit of an identity crisis - the interior is all faux rustic old-world decor intermingled with loft-like exposed ducts, full length windows, etc - nothing wrong with that, but also kind of theme-park like, which is a bit creepy - why not simply let it be what it is...a modern bar in a new building? In terms of the suds, I had a black and tan, which was about 80 tan and 20 percent black...I could have said something, but I don't think this was a priority for the bartender. What I can only call a corporate acoustic rock band (due to the fact that I mistook their banner for some sort of sponsor messaging) was playing *lite* music from Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, and other rather bland rock outfits - I don't know, not really my cup of tea. I'd rather hear what, Irish music perhaps in an Irish bar? At least there is some foot stompin passion and vim that we could all tap into with Irish music...All in all fairly benign, I guess - but I am looking to register a little higher on the fun/enjoyment scale than benign. Not terrible, but not much fun either.
(2)Natalie S.
My 4 star rating is based on my two experiences at The Asgard, both of which were very positive. The service both times (one was a large party) was excellent! (We didn't sit at the bar either time.) The food is yummy and the menu vast. I really enjoyed their coconut shrimp salad with avocado and the sweet potato fries were pretty darn tasty. I love their beer selection so that is ftw!! Yes, friendly server, you can get me another Loose Cannon, thanks! The atmosphere is cool, kind of traditional Irish with a splash of castle theme thrown in there with the metal chandeliers and vaulted ceilings. There was no trouble getting seated either times. Overall, despite some not-so-positive reviews from other Yelpers, my personal experience was dandy!
(4)darcy d.
Aside from what everyone else said about nice portions and good ambiance, the Asgard has awesome live DJs every Friday nite! They spin everything from soul to world to funk music. Both have spun at Soul-eh-lu-jah (at zuzu) in the past, but the Asgard stole them away... VERY worth going to every Friday nite.
(3)Jessica F.
Great beer, good food, and a great place to go if you just want to hang out with your friends. The service can be slow, but it's usually because they're busy or a group of 50 has reserved most of the dining room. Definitely try the nachos and their tater tot appetizer. More restaurants should serve tater tots. They also didn't mind that we brought in our own birthday cake and even gave us plates and utensils. It's definitely a place I enjoy visiting.
(4)Arik C.
This place is confusing just as much as its an Irish bar named after a place in Norse mythology. Wannabe Irish decor and no irish working there! Seems very tourist and not a place I would return to again for a beer.
(3)Rod B.
I freaking hate this place. Filled with wanky local office-workers round 6pm, enjoying the "Celtic Quesadillas" or "Galway Buffalo Wings", it's the most depressing faux-Oirish bar I've seen. Add in the overly-loud git on a fiddle, and it's like a Disney-land version of an Irish bar... "TGI O'Malleys", if you will. Avoid!
(1)karl p.
I went over to the Asgard the other day they have these really great touchscreen devices on the tables... makes the experience really great! Oh, and the food is really good too!
(3)Meredith S.
Decent food and a nice place to stop in for a beer before a baseball game. I've been here a few times and have never had a problem getting a table. Loved the truffle tots and the bruschetta appetizer.
(4)Matt W.
The Asgard joins the ranks of my regular lunch spots. I have actually never been there after 2pm which is maybe why I enjoy the place. The menu is quite large so everyone can find something they like.....though the food they recieve isn't always that amazing. I really like their fries and the turkey burger with gouda....but then again, those items are a bit hard to mess up. Their beer, as with all beer, is good. I applaud their attempts at making the place look castle-ish despite their obvious failure to do so, and the lounge area up front is cozy. This is also one of the few places in central where you can sit outside and have a drink which is why we often head here on nice days. I give the place an average 3 stars simply for the large menu, outdoor seating, and laughter it envokes upon close examination of the decor.....seriously though, the place ain't bad for lunch!
(3)Evan G.
Not a bad place for lunch. Very large food selection, and most of it is pretty good. Good beer selection as well. The waitstaff is on and off, some of them are real nice, but I feel like there's a quick turnover of people. The food is a bit overpriced, but not crazy. Don't try the brunch though, it actually made me sick for the rest of the day. Took me a while to forgive the Asgard for ruining one of my sundays.
(3)rishi h.
Everytime I pop in here on the weekends the place is totally packed. This isn't my kinda place and my sole reason for even popping in each time is to figure out what the draw is (i've even asked people smoking outside and their response was a perplexed "i dont know". wtf people!!). The place is huge with lots of dining room so I imagine if you've got a group it would make a decent spot to get drinks and eat. I tried the food once and though it's nothing to write about, it did hit the spot.
(3)Amy B.
It is what it is, take it or leave it, but it satisfies the imbibing needs of the people that work in the area. I am one of those people. I can't tell you how many times I have had lunch there with co-workers or how many times I have been there for a drink after work they are too numerous to count. We don't go there because the place is amazing, we go there because it's there. If it was located any place else (as in more than a block away from my office) I wouldn't make the effort to go there at all, and you certainly won't find me there on a Friday or Saturday night. To sum up the draw to the place: the space is large and suitable for co-workers to mingle, they serve alcohol, the service is mediocre, and the food is consistently okay as in edible, but often ends ups seeming delicious after a few beers.
(3)Day B.
Oy. This place is pretty bad. The food I believe is all frozen. Nowhere to park. Not very unique. Not much more to say.
(1)Richard S.
Not a bad place to be if you bring your own party - even though by that logic you can squeeze three stars out of anywhere. Everything about it is safe, familiar and dependable in that franchise/chain sort of way. Don't expect surprises and you won't be disappointed. The windows open for summer breezes and you can sit outside on Sidney Street in the afternoon glare. It's pretty big and seems a little dumber for that. But it works on this corner and the neighborhood is better for its being here.
(3)Patrick M.
If you're there, try the Belhaven Scottish Ale. It is one of the best I've had. They have a great selection of beer. The food is your average bar food. I like The Asgard a lot- people watching is great there. I've met up with friends there multiple times and it is always bustling. I was there on trivia night once and not being into it perhaps, I thought it was a little annoying. It is a lot more interesting than Miracle of Science because of all the people. I like both though.
(4)Fen Z.
Asgard is a pretty trippy place. I always though the chairs and name of the place gave it a really traditional Nordic theme, but all the food is Irish themed. And by "Irish Themed" I mean that they have dishes like "Emerald Isle Nachoes" (which, by the way is fantastic, and feeds a family of four).
(4)Eugene H.
if there was Ye Olde Irish Pub in Disneyland, this is what it would look like. Plastic bricks. Crappy music. Lousy service.
(1)HJ U.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who calls it the Ass-Guard. There are so many better Irish (and fake Irish) pubs in Boston, why waste your time here?
(2)Tanya A.
Good pub food, especially the shepherd's pie with cheesy mashed potato topping. Fries are good too, as are the crab cakes. But their brie with apples/pita appetizer is only mediocre, despite being recommended by our server. Haven't tried dessert, but I give them props for bringing us small plates so we could serve the homemade cheesecake we'd brought in for a birthday celebration. None of this "plating fee" stuff they do at the more expensive restaurants!
(4)Kelly G.
meh, no one here on a Thursday night at midnight. feels more like a sports bar than an irish pub. but they've got franziskaner on tap :)
(3)Dylan C.
This place is all about atmosphere. The prices are high, but the foods only OK. I do like the beer selection though.
(3)Kevin B.
I am never sure why this place is never packed on Sunday Mornings. I have gone here on more than a few occasions for brunch and always enjoyed myself. It has never blown me away but the food is good and the service is always exceptional. This is probably due to the fact that it is almost empty as opposed to my charm and wit but I am hoping they are so good to me because of my charm. (My review. I get to bend reality to my liking people) I like the atmosphere. They had this amazing special of banana pecan pancakes that were so tasty. I would have preferred that they came with home fries and bacon but they were inexpensive enough that I just ordered them on the side. . And their home fries are so good. (They are actually Potatoes O'Brien. The addition of bell peppers makes home fries into Potatoes O'Brien for those of you who don't know.) Hmm Hmm Hmm. I do have one little complaint. They have a really mediocre tea selection. I mean Lipton? Really? Really? Please, say it ain't so Asgard. I might just start carrying around my own tea.
(4)Kristin G.
Meh. That about sums this place up for me. The sound "meh." It's within walking distance from my friends' apt, so I've been here on numerous occasions. I think the food is mediocre. Trivia night is pretty fun, though.
(3)M.A. F.
I wouldn't disagree with what everyone else has written... but despite all of that, I do love this place. The space is huge which makes it a great spot for going with a group of friends. Decent beer selection, good drinks, decent food... I choose this place over most others in that area.
(5)So S.
American fare. Decent food but a bit pricey for just uinventive food offerings similar to Uno's which is cheaper. Nice sandwiches and salads. Very good steak salad! Always crowded with biotech people making up the after-work crowd. Service is slow but friendly.
(3)Sandra C.
Overpriced and not great service. They did have a good french onion soup and a good corned beef and cabbage stew.
(3)Michelle D.
Huh! My experience with the Asgard is different than that of the prior two reviewers. I haven't experienced the long lines and I enjoy the food. Particularly the Steak Salad and the desserts. The Coco Melon martini is delicious. It's styled after an old Irish castle and the owner/designer spent a lot of time picking out the right furnishings. Kinda goth, kinda Celtic. Located in a more remote spot in Cambridge -- that is, neither Harvard or Central Squares -- but nearer to MIT.
(3)Ruth P.
The asgard is expensive and sometimes has unjustifiably long lines. This confuzes me. The only thing I like about the asgard is the comfy couches... it kind of feels like you're hanging out drinking beer in someone's big fancy study or library. They also make a pretty mean hot chocolate for those alcohol-free nights.
(3)Daniel B.
I go here regularly, but trivia night is the draw. It's highly entertaining and challenging. Otherwise, I wouldn't come here much. Sometimes the food is really yummy, but most of the time it is just average, and I've had a night or two when it's not good at all. Unlike some other reviewers, I actually like the design of the place, which admittedly has a bizarre medieval feel. There are some comfy chairs and couches in the bar that are pretty welcoming.
(4)Juliette V.
This is a large hotel style Irish pub. They have live music on a regular basis and it is ok for a change of pace. The service is nice but I always get the feeling that everyone is visiting from out of town.
(3)Cindy C.
I ordered a mussel appetizer at The Asgard a few years ago, which was not in the least bit appetizing. The platter was slammed down in front of me by a surly waiter, and the bivalves were overcooked to the point of being shriveled up, dry, and hard. Yuk! The waiter didn't ask why I didn't eat anything to see what was wrong, and he had such a tough demeanor and angry look, I didn't dare say peep. I returned with a group recently for drinks, and the beer was somewhat flat and not nearly cold enough. The place was so loud, we couldn't converse, and quite a few of the customers appeared one beer away from a brawl. The atmosphere is as crude and rude as the food and service. The bouncer and hostess at the door were very nice and welcoming, though. The Asgard doesn't have to care about quality or pleasing customers, because the local area, which was once run down, barren, and dumpy, is being developed with upscale office and condo buildings, so there is a ready supply of clientele without much competition. I wish better pubs and restaurants would open in this area that are commensurate with the improved surroundings, but until then, I'm steering clear of this place. Life is too short to put up with unpleasant experiences.
(1)Sarah I.
The servers here are beautiful, kind, and super awesome at their jobs. The bartenders are amazing. And the managers were looking cool.
(5)Phil C.
Generous with three stars here, Great ambiance, but if an Irish pub went corporate this would be it. Beer options are the Irish staples, I wish there was more craft brews though. Food- very average and a bit over priced. Dont bother with the humus plate, seriously underwhelming. The salmon entre was ok, uninspired though. Go here to have a beer and talk, eat somewhere else.
(3)Bryan N.
I've been here at least half a dozen times, and had some sort of negative experience at least half the time. The food is very average and most of the servers don't seem to try so hard. Some of the negative experiences: On one occasion, the bartender clearly forgot to put in our order, and instead of admitting it, punched in our order and blamed the kitchen staff. On another occasion, we tried using a gift card that we had won the week before, but we were told that the one card machine that could read it was accidentally taken home by another employee. In addition to these, our group has received incorrect orders and then on the same night, had additional orders added to our bill. Normally I'll let a bad experience or two slide when giving a review, but when it is negative more often than positive, I can't.
(2)April P.
I've been going here for years- mostly for the trivia night. I was actually getting bored of the trivia, and decided to try a new place. Well, that made me appreciate how great trivia is here. I am sorry I ever doubted you Asgard! I think the food is okay but totally overpriced.
(3)Usagi T.
The good, the bad and the ugly. 1. The Good: Very attractive restaurant with high ceilings and decent decor. Based on appearance alone, it would make a nice place for a date, casual dinner or even a business lunch. Thanks to this, they get the one star. 2. The Bad: The food is incredibly over priced for the quality. We shared a couple sandwiches and fries. They did not even come out of the kitchen as ordered and there appeared to be no attempt at plate presentation. Normally I wouldn't care at a pub, but at those prices and the niceness of the restaurant interior, we just expected much more. Also the booth/chairs were incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. I was sitting at a different height than the rest of my party. 3. The Ugly: The server had an incredibly nasty attitude. My coffee was given to me in a dirty cup with coffee spilling all down the sides of it, as was my boyfriend's coffee (only his was only half full). She rarely returned to the table to check on us at all. When my friend's sandwich came out with the wrong side, she didn't check until much later to see if everything was good, and actually said, "So do you really want to correct side?" well yeah, we ordered it!!! Then returned a minute later with the correct side and almost threw it on the table and waltzed off immediately. She never offered us coffee refills or asked if I wanted another cider (thankfully the cider was good, or I might have just gotten up and left). Honestly, we felt like we were messing up her day by being there! I don't understand why she was working at all! The area of her section was dirty, stuff all over the floor and we were never given silverware or napkins (had to get up and ask someone for them after our food came and had been sitting for a bit). Overall, this was not only the worst pub I've visited during my New England trip, but in my entire pub experience. This will be a mistake that won't happen again.
(1)Anna T.
Came here for brunch with a few friends and had high hopes despite the not-so-great reviews on here. Guess I should have listened because I wasn't too impressed. I'll start off on a positive note with the atmosphere. The place is beautiful inside yet has a very casual feel, which is nice. I came when there was a race that had just ended, so the place was absolutely packed to the brim but it wasn't overly loud where I couldn't hear the people at my table talking. Now on to the food. I thought it was a bit pricey for what I got. I had the Salmon Goat Cheese Fritata which was good but not great, a little bland, and not a very sizable portion. It also took an hour for our food to arrive, which I understand it was busy, but most of the runners were drinking, not eating, and an hour for food is quite ridiculous. While the food wasn't stellar, I was hoping at least the service would be good, wrong again. Worst service I've seen in a while. I get that Boston seems to be dubbed a terrible food service place, but come on. We had to ask for refills on our coffee, which had turned cold before we got them refilled. The waitress didn't smile once or make any kind of effort to small talk, just asked what we wanted to order and left until she returned with our food. I would probably go back here for drinks or something, but it would be nice if the service improved.
(3)Erik S.
The bartender and manager at this bar apparently think it's funny to cut people off and kick them out when they aren't behaving drunkenly in the slightest. If you're looking for overpriced booze and the possibility of being arbitrarily booted onto the street at 11:30, Asgard is your place.
(1)Andrew H.
Service at the bar was great; very friendly staff. Great atmosphere and great drinks.
(4)Dustin L.
I/we've been here a handful of times lately and one thing is consistent about the Asgard; the service is horrible. Each time we've been, we sit in a different section or just at the bar and everything from the spaced out hostess' to the non existing waitstaff is terrible about the place. I wasn't going to write a review but after my girlfriend and four of her other friends went in tonight and had a horrible experience. All five of them are industry workers, waitstaff and bartenders, and they couldn't get a drink for over twenty minutes. Their waiter had no clue what they were out of and consistently walked away without saying a word or even taking an order. It amazes me that a place like this can be so lackadaisical about their customers. But not to just point fingers at the waitstaff because honestly it seems like there is always only one bartender or one waiter on at a time. The "manager" was hanging out by the hostess stand or the end of the bar simply just taking up space. Not once did they step in and assist their staff in taking drink orders, dropping off drinks or simply just checking on the tables. I could go on for paragraphs about issues with this "Irish Bar" (although they were out of Guinness....) But the fact is, none of us will be back to spend a dollar. Tough to lose customers this way.
(1)Imran G.
25 cent wings :) Only downside is that you have to order a $5 drink. Its all good though. It passed the wing test. Eat spicy ass wings with some fresh soda, and you have a recipe for disaster when you get back home. That's only if the wings are spicy enough to make you drink enough soda. The acidity will just eat the wings for you, and before you know it, you'll be ready for a midnight snack again. Sauce on the wings was good, ranch was good, some of the wings were a little bit overdone, but I'll accept it. Pepsi + 10 wings = $7.50, not bad, not bad. Oh and its about a 2 minute walk from my place. Now you know.
(4)M F C.
Been here 3-4 times I'd say. Never really had a bad experience, but nothing ever wowed me either. Pub food, regular beer. Could use more irregular beers or something to spice things up. If I'm nearby and thirsty, I'll stop in for 1, but if I'm planning ahead, not sure it would make the top of my list.
(3)Lisa F.
while I think the food is pretty good here, I have to say, the waitstaff all walk around like they have smelled dog shit. I have been coming here on and off for about 8 years , and no one is genuinely nice. The location is convenient, but it wouldn't kill them to hire people that smile.
(2)Lauren P.
I haven't eaten out for ten bucks in years. But at the Asgaard on Mondays, this is entirely possible. A beer and 25 cent wings - who would miss this? Go with friends who won't judge you for getting bbq sauce all over your face. Go early if you want a table. Definitely order the gold fever, that is the best flavor, but all are pretty good. The wings come out fast, but expect to wait a bit for refills on your beer - they get busy. And for heaven's sake please tip the servers properly anyway. They are college students and your meal was cheap.
(4)Rohit S.
Asgard is a great place for having nice conversations with friends over food/drinks with a decent sized crowd and lively environment on most days. I have been here for Brunch (good offers), Lunch, Dinner, Drinks and Live band Karaoke. Its one of the best places to hangout with my friends.
(4)Sharon O.
We went for a private event in the small-ish back room, so I can't comment on the prices. However, the ambiance was nice for the gathering- the two guests of honor got giant medieval-style chairs, which was cute. We had one main server for the 20 of us, who was a super sweet gentleman that was very attentive. He deserves another star. The food and drinks were good- nothing in particular stood out. Our options from the menu that our hosts chose (I assume) were the Asgard burger, Reuben sandwich, Caesar salad, or Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. No salad takers and the one person who got the buffalo chicken sandwich didn't eat it, so that couldn't have been a good sign. The Reuben and the Asgard burger were fine, though. What was gross, was the number of fruit flies and/or gnats in the private room. Eek. We, like other Yelpers, don't really understand what was Irish about the joint- being that its name seems to be Norse and the menu doesn't seem to represent their theme stylistically or with the options offered. Overall, the guests of honor had a very good time (which, of course, is the whole point!), as the ambiance was just their style and the private room accommodated the number of people very nicely.
(3)Fay F.
There dishes are getting better and better. We often come for wings night on Monday. My personal favorite at this place is the spinach salad.
(3)Emily W.
Great beer selection and love wing night! If you're lucky enough to get the comfy chairs, it makes for a very fun time with friends.
(5)Leah C.
Went here with my dad to grab a bite to eat before a show. We told the lady who seated us that we didn't have a lot of time and our waitress Brittney (sp?) was amazing! She got our food to us less than 10 minutes after we ordered and it was perfect! We even had enough time to eat without rushing. She was super nice about it all too. Would go back for that alone, but they have really good fries too. Can't wait to go back and try more from the menu.
(5)Anthony N.
Great place, decent drink prices, quick service unless it gets busy. Love the couch and chair setup they have as well. I frequently drop in this place when I'm waiting for a table at Veggie Galaxy across the street.
(4)Christopher M.
Why?
(1)Steph W.
Came here for brunch. Ordered the chai apple french toast (gold star for creativity!). I love chai and was so excited to have a food that was chai flavor. The taste was great but it was a bit too soggy almost like they had soaked the french toast way too long. If it had been a little less soggy it would have been great. It was really busy this day because the Asgard had sponsored a 5k that just ended but the service was SO slow. it took a solid 45-60 minutes to get our food. The other thing is the service was mediocre. She wasn't horrible but she wasn't great. I asked if she had more raw cane sugar (who wants to mix cane and regular sugar?) and she was like " i don't know " and then didn't bring me any until my 2nd cup. Now, maybe this seems nitpicky and high maintenance but I used to work in a breakfast place and asking for a specific sugar (when you run out at the table) is not that strange. I'd go back to Asgard but I do hope they can be a little more speedy and smile a little more.
(3)Lyndsey C.
Very nice staff, large and variety-filled menu. Food was very good and quick. Liked the interior of this place too.
(4)Juan B.
Went in amused at the name and in hopes of getting a nice beer and bangers. Instead I got my ID broken in half and kidnapped for 10 minutes. Needlessly to say that I left with only a half assed apology by the manager only after I called them out on breaking the ID avoiding any compensation.
(1)Peter S.
What a great find! Searching for dinner near Le Meridien hotel in Cambridge, we came upon The Asgard, and are feeling lucky indeed! A warm welcome and honest drinks (Jack Daniels on the rocks) made for nice open. While enjoying the breadth of menu choices, we kept things straightforward - Flank steak for me & harissa chicken for my bride - both with the "small" green salad [which is anything but small] with a snappy sesame ginger dressing - zing! Perfect!. Both dishes came with generous portions of broccoli - done al dente - still a bit crisp, exactly as we like. The steak was wonderful - tender and perfectly marinated. Flank steak, if you are unfamiliar with it, is very lean and needs some help to make it tender and juicy. Asgard has gotten it just right! The harissa chicken was new to us, but absolutely delicious - tender, nicely seasoned and an ample serving. Service was very pleasant and attentive - we are looking forward to a return 'engagement' tha next time we're nearby. This is a nice spot, reasonably priced and well worth seeking out..
(5)Jacqui C.
I really wanted to love the Asgard, but alas, it was not meant to be. I work nearby and have eaten here now 3 times. I thought it only fair to wait until I've had a few experiences before leaving my review and, unfortunately, the problems were the same each time I came. The food is quite good. I've had a steak salad, a classic Reuben sandwich, and their Irish Farmer's burger, and all were quite nice, delish, and well plated. Why 2 stars? Service. Each time I felt like each waitress would take their time getting to us, take our orders in a rush, and then we'd just sit and wait, and wait, and wait. All three times I waited for more than 15 minutes to get my drink and another 15 to get my entree...and I was at a table where we all got salads! I even told the waitress the last time that we were in a hurry and it still took forever. Now, it's not that the waitstaff is bad, necessarily, they just were never really "present" and were hard to get a hold of. My problem is with the kitchen. It should not take that long for a well organized kitchen to send out their food a little faster during a lunch crowd. A rare burger and a chicken Caesar salad does not take 30 minutes to throw together. The reason I know it's the kitchen and not the staff? The meals came out piping hot, and they clearly had NOT been sitting under a heat lamp. These were fresh..so either the waitstaff took forever to fire the orders, despite no appetizers, or the kitchen is really slow. Since this happened with 3 different servers, I blame the kitchen. I've worked in restaurants, I know how a well run, well organized kitchen can function...and this was unacceptably slow. So, the food gets 4 stars, the waitstaff gets 3, and the kitchen gets 1.
(2)Leigh K.
I was unsure how many stars to give this place. I'm torn between my feelings as a bar patron and a bruncher. I've given the average of the two, as I would give 2 stars for the bar and 4 for the brunch. As a bar, I find the Asgard to be overpriced and to be trying a bit too hard to be an "Irish pub." They have a great selection of beers and alcohol, but I just don't really care for the atmosphere or the prices. Brunch has been fairly good both times I've been. Still overpriced, but the food was definitely quality. The most recent visit was with my parents: my mom loved the chai apple french toast (I had a bite, too, and I agree!) and my dad was happy with his Irish omelet. I had the BBQ brisket with eggs. I thought the biscuit was great; the BBQ and eggs was adequate. We seemed to be the waitresses first table for the day, and she seemed, well, like maybe she'd been at the Asgard until close the night before ;) She was very pleasant and did an excellent job, however, so props to her for working through it. Overall, a perfectly decent place for beers or brunch, but nothing special.
(3)J C.
Relatively mediocre food with weak cocktails. I had the reuben with sweet potato fries. The reuben was relatively small and the russian dressing was pretty weak tasting. The sweet potato fries were oversalted.
(3)Cody D.
Nice decor and tasty food.
(4)Justin M.
This place is just stupid.
(2)Jackie K.
Good beer selection, nice waiters, not too attentive bartenders. There is zero parking around so be prepared to drive around for awhile or have to park near mem drive.
(3)Jackie V.
Loved the look of the place and had a pretty good steak tip dinner. We sat at the bar and had a good time despite our bartender. When we sat down he just stared, no greeting. Them once I said hello he barely opened his mouth with a response. I think he responded once maybe twice verbally, the rest were head nods. The other bartenders were nice though!
(3)Kamille W.
I stopped by this place for the first time last night with a couple of people, ready to drink and have a good time. I did drink, and I did have a good time, but I can't say that I would go back to the Asgard. Let me first give credit where credit is due. The Asgard has a really cool vibe and atmosphere. It's absolutely beautiful on the inside, with lots of exposed beams and tables carved with Celtic designs. The drink selection was impressive too. I stuck with my usual drink though -- a Jameson on the rocks. I also had a few sips of my boyfriend's bourbon as well as the BBC Coffeehouse Porter (which was extra delicious). For food, we ordered the nachos, bangers and mash, and some sautéed veggies. Everything was tasty. What killed the experience for me was the service. I try to give a lot of leeway to servers because I know that it's such hard work on a Friday night, but the service here was honestly pretty bad. It took way too long for us to get our drinks, and our server was not attentive or friendly at all. Those things would have been excusable if our bill hadn't been so terribly botched. When they first brought the check out to us, it was for like $90. Once we got everything sorted, our bill was for $50. They nearly overcharged us by like 80%. Not good! As I said before though, the food and drinks themselves were perfectly fine. If you do decide to check this place out, make sure that you take a good look at the check at the end of the night.
(2)Noelle W.
Good food- Try the buffalo sliders The staff was nice It was a bit chilly / the tables were low so you couldn't cross your legs under them
(3)Jen L.
Pretty safe bet most nights if you want to hang out with a group. No complaints but nothing to write home about.
(3)Ina E.
Came here on Saturday night. Place was almost completely full. We were able to grab a table. It's a Irish stile pub food so we went with it., Shepard pie.. It was ok.. Fish and chips... So-so.. Stayed ad have few beers bc live music was on. Nice place to come out, listen to the music have some fun times with friend.
(3)Cristina C.
Whoamygoodness I forgot about this place until somebody just reviewed it and I said, "whoacrapIgottagetonthat!" I was in here one fateful night in December or January and man.. what a time. My friend S and I decided to go there, we were picking her brother up and wanted to kill some time. "So much for a quite night out," was the title of that Facebook album. The bartenders were fantastico! The food we had, I don't remember.. I swear, I didn't drink that much.. The drinks... yeaaahbuddy. The place, big. Lots of people and there was karaoke that night, or some sort of open-mic thing going on. We were watching the B's on the TV at the bar. Waitstaff, chatty Cathy's with us, we had a blast! Bathroom, from what I remember, A-OK. Two/three stalls, well lit. Lighting overall, dark. It was night time, going for that lounge-ey feel. I haven't been back in a long while, but we did have a really fun time. I would check it out again for sure someday.
(3)john e.
I give 4 stars for atmosphere and beer range. Deduct one star for poor value for money, for overall prices. Deduct one star for the awful salty fake bloody mary mix and deduct one star for dry cold fries and onion rings that were all batter and over-salted. Deduct one star for the rest of the bland, not-much-flavor food and and add a star for the nice staff. The result a generous two stars..
(2)Stephen C.
Food here is mediocre at best. The brunch isn't bad, but there are plenty of other better brunch places in the area. On the plus side it's got a pretty good sized bar area and a decent place to grab a drink. My favorite reason to go to the Asgard is their 25¢ wing night on Mondays. The wings are the exception to the mediocre food it serves. However, it fills up quick and is pretty difficult to get a seat. You'll probably have to hover around a table as you wait for people to leave. Sure it's probably a little rude, but if you don't fight for your table you'll never get your wings.
(3)Jon T.
I want to like this place. When it's off-peak hours, it has a good vibe. You can sit down at the bar with some friends and have a couple pints and unwind. But when it's the weekend, or game-time, this place is bro central. I guess that is the plight of many Boston and Cambridge pubs...and a big reason why I moved!
(2)Su-Yee L.
The 10 cent wings (on Mondays) with the gold coast sauce were delicious although nothing extraordinary. The waitress, though, really gave us an attitude just for being there; sorry if we're first-timers and haven't memorized your beer list and all the sauces! Loud, not much seating space but who can resist cheap wings? Things to note: 10 cent wings come in an order of 10 (so $1) and there's a $5 drink minimum.
(2)Chris L.
Great beer selection and the 25 cent wings (used to be 10 cents though!), which is the main reason I like this place. The "gold fever" wings are amazing. Other than the wings, the food here is okay, but nothing special. Honestly, we only frequent here for the beer selection and the cheap wings on Monday. The atmosphere and decor in the place is also very nice, but the music is often too loud to really have a conversation with friends. Outdoor seating is nice in the summer when you just want to grab some beers with friends. The main reason the rating is only 2 star is the service is not that great. No matter how busy the place is we are always constantly waiting and having to flag or chase down the waitress for more drinks or food - this happens whether we are sitting in the bar area, dining area, or outside. Waitresses also often know little about the beer on tap, so if I inquire about a beer I've never had they have never been helpful. Again, great place for beer and wings, just don't go there if you are in a hurry.
(2)Jonny C.
I miss being able to walk here from my office. Fucking economy, making my office move from Cambridge to Waltham for cheaper rent. Ugh. I really like the Asgard as a restaurant, even happy hour scene, but I think I would skip it as a drinking only establishment (with the exception of their well executed trivia night). Nothing is perfect, but everything i have ever had has been good or better. A couple of standouts: - Excellent buffalo wings which are a dime on Monday nights. A dime! - An Irish Stout stew, which is like Sheppard's pie, except better. It is the perfect grub for a blustery winter day. - Pretty damn good burgers, excellent fries - Decent soups - Fish tacos (at an Irish place?) that were not half bad - Pretty solid corned beef on rye - $5.50 20oz Loose Cannon? 4 of those will get you spicy, laddy. Great atmosphere for any number of eating situations: - Lunch time and a beer - Group dinner with colleagues, friends, clients - Quiet beer and appetizer on the corner couches - Pre-night out dinner and drinks - Al fresco - With kids - The aforementioned happy hour. There are actually remarkably few restaurants in Boston/Cambridge that offer this kind of versatility. This would have definitely been a four star, but they lost one because they offered this "customer loyalty" perk where you accumulate points per meal and earn discounts. I had a ten dollar discount that it took me 4 visits to apply, which was really annoying, because each time, the manager would tell me that "next time it will be applied" after he took some weird photo of a customer ID bar code on my phone with an iPhone app and tried to match it to who I was. He literally was taking a pic of my phone's screen. The discount never was, until I finally sort of threw my hands up and said - "Look, give me the points based discount or discontinue the program" It finally worked, but it was such a hassle that it made the discount almost moot. Digression, and I am petty for detracting a star. But dont incentivize, and then have punitive disorganization for cashing in the incentives. Anyways, a great standby when nothing else sounds good. You will leave full, satisfied and not too light in the pocket.
(3)Saba N.
I've come here maybe 10,000 times. After work, bar crawls down mass ave, and after v-ball games (team mass spikes whattttuppp?!) What can I say? I guess I'm a regular. I like everything about this place: good drinks, decent food, and they have small desserts (best concept ever!) BUTTTTTTTTT (always a but) slowest.service.ever. If you're sitting a table.. good luck man. the bar isn't as bad, and I've never sat in the actual dining area so maybe that's better... but man oh man if you're sitting at table in the bar area... sheesh! Also: if you're in a big group, you might want to tell them separate tabs in advance. they will probably tell you no, but worth a shot.
(3)Alden G.
Good Shepard's pie, great clam chowder. Friendly staff.
(4)Mike T.
OK. The drink selection is good, the meals however are overpriced. Not fantastic, but one of the better places in central square. Can't say the irish food is the most authentic I've tasted. Atmosphere is loud if you go there at night-time or for dinner. Pretty quiet for lunch. Service can be slow.
(3)David W.
This is probably the best place to wind down for a drink in the Cambridge area. I've always had a blast coming with friends and just drinking it up. The beers are amazing and so delicious. The bar and place itself is really nice as well, so it makes for a fancy night out as well.
(5)Andrew H.
Not bad. I honestly would give it 2.5 stars if I could. Came here for dessert and drinks because it was right next to the hotel. Decent experience. The food was pretty enjoyable, the decor is excellent, and there's a decent beer selection. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure our waiter was stuck in some sort of gravitational pit of doom. Once we had our drinks, he forgot we existed. I'm not sure why you wouldn't return to or check on a table that has nothing but empty drinks on it but that's what happened. Ended up having to get ANOTHER waiter to go and fetch him. Maybe he had an off night? Hard to say. Wouldn't be adverse to coming back, but next time I'm in Cambridge I'll probably frequent somewhere else.
(2)Norman F.
We came over twice for dinner about 10 days ago, lodging at the Meridien Cambridge Hotel (1 min walk away). I haven't been back to the Central Square area in almost 30 years, when this part of Cambridge was a lot less vibrant. This review is mostly about the dinner fare, which was excellent. My daughter had the Irish Cod Sandwich which I wanted to finish. The Irish Farmer Burger (with a fried egg), was very good as well. Pricing was very reasonable in my opinion. The other patrons seemed to be having a good time. If I'm ever back in the area, I will certainly dine here again.
(4)Joanna W.
The interior of this place is very deceptive. As in, I was anticipating wildly delicious food from the beautiful and fancy decor in this place. Sadly, this place has worse-than-dining-hall food. Which is pretty pathetic for a restaurant. *sigh* So a good friend and I were planning for a meal with good conversation and decent food. Not impressed by the food. :( 2 major points of complaint: - We ordered "Crispy Calamari," which on retrospect we probably should not have chosen since we were at an Irish Pub, but I was craving Calamari. Anyway, the Calamari was neither "Crispy" nor freshly cooked. And the sauce that came with the Calamari was like sweet-and-sour duck sauce I could get at any Chinese restaurant. When we complained that the Calamari was disappointing, the waiter told us it's "obviously not the best Calamari around" and then proceeds to tell us how it was "actually cooked per order." Suspicious, very suspicious, but we let that slide. - We both ordered the Asgard burgers. It sounded SO delicious on the menu, so we decided to give it a try. It came with a pickle and some fries. With my burger, I ordered Applewood Smoked Bacon (for an additional dollar) while my friend picked Fresh Avacados. What arrived was: 4 small pieces of bacon (stale) and 4 pieces of avacado (you can't go wrong with avacado). Clearly not worth $1 for that, but we let that slide as well. The fries were not fresh AT ALL, and the pickle was soft. The burger had no taste, so we had to flavor it up with our not-so-fresh ketchup (it had a thick layer of ketchup skin solidified on top). My patty was alright, but my friend's patty was well-charred, not the medium that she had requested. If I were only judging by the quality of food, I would not recommend to go back there ever again. (only 1 star) But the beer my friend and I ordered were reasonable. ONLY come here for drinks, avoid ordering anything made in this place. Unless of course, you have already had too many drinks and cannot soberly judge the quality of food you are consuming. So, ONLY order food if you are mildly drunk and too hungry to walk to a better restaurant nearby (of which there are many in Central Square). I'm being generous with 2 stars.
(2)Julie B.
This bar looks like it belongs in Hogsmeade AKA I've been dying to come here ever since I saw the big gold gothic-y looking Celtic symbol on the sign outside! I didn't try the food, but I love a place with a big beer selection. And I especially love bartenders who will sit with me and discuss what types of beer I'd like, then fill up numerous shot glasses for me to taste test. My favorites were the abita purple haze raspberry wheat and the southampton double white ale. I was also happy to see they had Harpoon's Leviathan Imperial IPA on tap! Out of all the bars I stopped by during SANTACON 2010, the Asgard was by far the best. They stocked the bar with bartenders, were prepared to deal with hundreds of drunk Santas, and made it look like they were actually enjoying the frequent "ho ho ho" chants. Can't wait to come back on a regular night :)
(4)scott g.
The Asgard (and it's sister Kinsale) is among the best pub food you can get in Cambridge. Where they stand out, is in some of their non-standard pub fare which they serve up. There are quite a few pasta dishes which I highly recommend trying. The staples that I go for is the meatloaf and the standard beef burger. The prices may seem a dollar or two more than other places, but once you get your food you will understand. Be prepared to ask for a doggie bag or leave with an extremely full stomach. Almost every night they have an event going on from live professional music to karaoke. Check their website or call ahead for what's going on. If you happen to be in town on a Monday night, be prepared to fight for a seat as it's WING NIGHT. They have an entertaining list of 'Poultry Policies' which lists the rules of Wing Night (photo uploaded to Yelp). Be sure to get there right after work so you can grab a table. Don't be offended if the service isn't great, the waitress' are constantly scrambling to get drink orders in. On the plus side, once you place an order for wings, they're typically out within 5 minutes. The wings will go until the entire 600 lb of wings is spent. On an average night this means shortly after 9pm the wings are gone and you're going to have to spend more than $1.00 on their food. SUMMARY: For good brews and good food, the Asgard is a must.
(5)Fanasha D.
Server was not pleasant, had an attitude and seriously looked like she hates her job. Oh, did I mention that she circled the total on the receipt about 50 times to ensure she got her proper tip? Ridiculous. Beer was good...burger was fair...fries undercooked.
(1)Louisa N.
The atmosphere and drink selection are great, but the food is overpriced and just meh. That said, the truffled tater tots totally beat the ones down at Tavern in the Square. Last night was my second time to the Asgard (first time was for lunch on Saturday, so a different genre altogether) and we came for live band karaoke. The band was kickin', and it seemed like everyone who got up to sing was actually pretty talented. Would definitely come back on a Thursday night. My friend ordered the fish tacos, which looked and smelled great, and our waitress was a total doll. Unfortunately, the bartender is kind of a dick and definitely did not deserve the 20% tip I left him out of the kindness of my heart. Although, if I were working Thursday nights behind at the bar at The Asgard, I might be kind of a dick too. Overall: Good for an Irish bar night, not great for much else.
(3)Tanya S.
It's a great place to have around the corner. Not super-memorable but the food is easy and tasty (pulled pork is great!) and the beer selection is plentiful (love the blueberry beer). Wish the bar wouldn't run out of things as often but it's great for a dinner or latenight snack/hangout (although desserts are kinda lacking). There is usually space available!
(4)Michael P.
This is an aggregate review of negative experiences I've had here: 1) Unhygenic restrooms, ugh! They ALWAYS run out of paper towels in the men's restroom in the late evenings. This is aggravated by the fact that to exit the restroom, you have to pull on this small knob on the door, which clearly is sticky from god knows what. Optimistically, I hope it's just beer, but 100% sure it's not since more than half the guys using restrooms don't even wash their hands. Going to the restroom here totally ruins my dining experience. 2) Waitress had the nerves to demand more tip even though she was terrible with service. Terrible! She never came around to check on us, forgot about drinks we ordered, and completely gave us lip when I went to the bar just to order WATER. Sure if I had ordered a beer from the bar, I can understand why you'd want your tip, but nevertheless, you shouldn't get any tip if I had to resort to servicing myself. 3) When all those Santas flashmobbed the place for a pubcrawl and pushed the place to overcapacity, my party didn't get to enter even though we had made table reservations for a birthday dinner. They should have limited the bar occupancy while honoring all table reservations, yeesh.
(1)Greg S.
Great beer selection. Shepherd's Pie was ok - actually kinda good after a much more generous dose of salt & pepper than I'd normally use. That's about the only praise I can give this place. My brother & I sat at the bar and our bartender was pretty terrible. Zero personality, not at all attentive and actually went so far as to ask us to retrieve some dirty glasses and a plate for him at one point. Granted, the bar itself was designed poorly in that it's so wide the bartenders weren't able to reach all the way across, hence why he asked us to pass him someone else's dishes after they left. Ummm, sorry - his lazy ass still should've walked around the bar and gotten them himself. I saw him repeat this with other bar patrons as well. The rest of the bar staff also seemed to be fairly inattentive & borderline rude. Who knows, maybe I caught them on a bad night after some demoralizing staff meeting...The service was that lame. My brother had the Vegetable Orecchiette pasta. It was bland & underwhelming. I wouldn't go back.
(2)Sarah D.
My yelp app recently informed me that I am a regular here. I was a little taken aback by that and not all that pleased about it, but yeah. I guess I come here sometimes. Soooo. I don't really like it here. Most of the food is bad and the room itself is just not a nice place to hang out in. BUT. They always have some decent beers on tap, and none of them seem to go above the $5-$6 range. Can't complain about that. Also, their wings are good. Especially good when they are only 10 cents on mondays, but still serviceable for full price. Just don't really try to eat anything else here. And you can pretty much always get a seat. Because it's not that awesome. But anyway, it's hard to eat wings standing up without making a giant mess of things. So I guess I'm giving a big ol' WHATEV to this place at which I am a regular. It doesn't make me cry at least.
(3)Jose A.
Can never go wrong with a glass of Pretty Things Jack D'or and their sweet potato fries. However I've never had an aversion to karaoke as much Thursdays there. I just have one word for them, 'no'! Bring it down a few decibels you're messing with the taste of my beer.
(3)Celia N.
I've been here on multiple occasions. Great setting for dinner (even for large groups) or drinks. Watching the game can be tough, but if you can get a seat at the bar it's great! The nachos are a big mess of delicious. The chicken fingers are pretty good, and the fries are yummy too. Great beer selection. Service is usually satisfactory. Call ahead for karaoke, they weren't doing it when we went! They also card at the door after a certain time, so beware for your underage friends.
(4)Alie K.
Best sweet potato fries I've ever had! So many places overcook them and they were perfect. The steak salad was amazing... Huge pieces of steak and they got all the items I asked them to leave out correct. The only bad was the service... So slow! My Dad had to go to the bar and ask to have his diet coke refilled because the waitress was no place to be found.
(4)Sarah W.
I'd go with 2.5 stars but I'll round up. The food was ok but I've definitely had better irish pub fare elsewhere. The cider on tap was quite tasty, and so was the ghiradelli brownie dessert. The atmosphere is definitely better if you're looking for a little more rowdy experience, we went in while there was a game and the entire place was .. loud.
(3)Amanda F.
They only played top 40 music. And they played it loud. My boyfriend and I nachos there and they were filling after a night of beers, but don't expect extraordinary from this place. It reeks of bros, and screechy girls during the late night hours. There is nothing really "Irish" about this place, and they've decorated with viking horns everywhere. Not really Irish? There is a lot of space here for big groups, and always a drunk girl dancing for your nightly entertainment.
(2)Bryce B.
Located conveniently around the corner from the Le Meridien (the hotel I stay at in Cambridge) is the Asgard, an Irish bar and restaurant the boasts a strong beer menu with regularly rotating selections. Of the 3 times I visited during my week in town, I took advantage of the East Coast heavy options. In particular was a British-styled IPA from BBC called "Lost Sailor" that was being served on nitro. Creamy and well balanced. Other favorites were the Troegs "Hop Back" amber ale and the Clipper City "Loose Cannon". The food is merely OK pub grub, although I had a very nice burger on my 2nd visit. Service is very friendly, even when the place is packed.
(4)Alyssa K.
I went for Monday night football $.25 wings. The wings were pretty good. I was a little peeved that you could only get the wing deal at the bar. The wing deal was a great deal, but the bar was really crowded. So finding a seat was difficult.The food was okay. Maybe more staffing for such a busy night.
(3)Turner H.
Really like this place, GREAT beer selection, good food. Beers are a tiny bit pricey, but not any more so than most places in Cambridge.
(4)Ethan S.
Decent food with some nice dinner options besides pub fare (but not Miracle of Science level), decent selection of drinks (but not CBC level of options). A lot of space, excellent for large groups. Nice ambiance for what's a sports-ish bar. $2 wing tuesdays are excellent! (I recommend the peach habenero wings if avialable)
(3)Jenny C.
Decent food and decent beer, but nothing to write home about. Sometimes will make an effort to come here for 25cent wings on Tuesdays or trivia on Wednesdays, but that's about it.
(2)Jeff D.
I've been here a few times and always enjoyed it. They have a good selection of wings of varying spiciness (for those of you who can't handle the heat) and always pour a good pint. They also seem to have a pretty good lineup of weekly events (karaoke, pub trivia, bands, etc) though I haven't checked those out yet. They bill themselves as an Irish joint but the design and decoration remind me more of a Viking drinking hall. I think they should add mead to the drink menu and run with it.
(3)Anthony R.
Loved the interior of this place. Very rustic, dark wooden tables. I felt like I was in a pub in Lord of the Rings. Casual seating (small stools at tables) and with the high ceilings it feels really spacious and comfortable at the same time. The beer selection is great - I tried some seasonals and they were both really good. The waiter brought over a taste of the one I inquired about which was nice. Lunch was out in literally 5 minutes flat. Not sure how anyone can put together dishes that fast! I tried the reuben sandwich and was pleasantly surprised, although it could have used a little more dressing. The fries were great too. All in all I was pleased. Leaving off a star for service. Although it was quick and attentive up front, it took forever to get our bill even though the place was nearly empty and my friend's order was wrong. The dude also seemed to have a chip on his shoulder about something and didn't partake in any conversation with us although I tried to talk and ask questions. I'd go back if I was in the area to try again.
(3)Shaina P.
Aside from the feeling that you've entered some strange Irish castle ... Asgard has a decent selection of beers and a very big bar area. Even some I hadn't heard of (Mad Elf??). Yes, I will add to my Brews list. Yes. I would not choose to come here if it weren't so cold out last night and it was the next closest to Miracle (okay, All Asia's fairly close too, but that place makes me nervous...pretty sure I saw a bear playing the drums in there one night).
(3)Erin C.
Everything here is decent. Nothing is outstanding or crazy great, but its all solid. They have Original Sin on tap, 10 cent wings on Mondays, and truffle tater tots. Hello? Do you need to know more?
(3)Casey B.
Went here last night for the first time in a while. I used to come here with friends for a beer every now and then which was fine. But last night was SO GROSS and unsanitary. We were sitting at a 4-top in the back of the restaurant, enjoying some beers and nachos when we noticed MICE running around on the floors coming out of the radiators. I wish I was kidding. Mice + Food = not okay. Where are the health inspectors when you need them!? We pointed out the mice to multiple servers and they didn't seem to care. Or move us.
(1)Tom M.
As my wife says, it's a "restaurant run by MBAs." They pick a theme based on market research, a location based on market research, a menu based on market research, and then pay employees to put up with customers in exchange for money. If I'm wrong in those assumptions, the owners of that place should have tried harder to dispel that feeling. There is no love at The Asgard. Frankly, they could have called it J.J. O'Smellyballs' Ye' Olde Taverne and the name would have fit.
(2)Benny D.
The beer & alcohol selection is really good here, especially if you like whiskey. I seem to always come here to the bar and it is pretty quiet before 3pm. If you come here for dinner, it's busier! You can also play with the iPad when you are here for dinner. Love this place! For the alcohol selection, TV, and iPad use!
(5)connie l.
Been here several times for drinks. Worth going for the Monday night 10 cent wings and some beers. AVOID all other times. Ate an actual meal here yesterday for lunch and food was below average. Boyfriend ordered the pastrami, and I ordered the crab cake sandwich that came with a side of cole slaw and french fries. Asked if I could substitute the cole slaw for another vegetable side, but was rejected. That's fine. Things got weird after I got my food.. Crab cake sandwich had half a dollop of the aioli sauce that was mentioned in the menu. It was tasteless! I asked for some sauce, aioli, tarter, really just anything to make it taste like something. Waiter rolled her eyes and said the management was stingy and told me no..unless I want to pay an extra 50 cents for it. Yes, 50 cents isn't much, but after showing her the lack of sauce in my sandwich, she wouldn't budge. Whatever, super annoying! Then 10 minutes after we were eating, the waiter comes over, mumbles something incoherent, and takes away my half-eaten coleslaw. WTF??!! I was so confused, annoyed and just hungry. SUMMARY: 1. Management is stingy (as witnessed and quoted by the server) 2. Paying $30 for two mediocre/below average sandwiches and cold fries sucks 3. Hold on to your food or it might get randomly taken away by the server!!!
(1)John L.
I've decided to bump Asgard down a star. The bartenders are still excellent, and the food is still decent (truffle tater tots ftw!), but the space issues on trivia night are problematic. This becomes even more problematic when there are oodles of people there for reunions (or for whatever conventions seem to be happening here). This, coupled with a late trivia start time, and Asgard refusing to let trivia players have seats below, even if they are more than willing to order food, and you have a situation where space is an unnecessarily problematic issue. I like the place, but the rules seem a little out of whack.
(3)Olivia F.
It was much, much better than I expected and exceeded many of the reviews I read on Yelp before going. The atmosphere was typical faux Irish pub, our waitress was attentive, and we were endlessly entertained by the electronic trivia/game board on our table. I had the Reuben with a side of sautéed garlic, tomato and broccoli. The vegetables were tasty and cooked properly. The Reuben was actually really good for a restaurant (I am very biased toward the Reubens my parents make). It had good sauerkraut. In an ideal world, this one would have a little less corned beef and a little more sauerkraut, and it would have been on marble bread like the menu said instead of just straight-up rye...but I can't complain. Boyfriend had the blueberry beer (yum) and the turkey burger. I had a few bites and it was good, but not as good as mine. He said the fries were nothing special. Reasonable prices and I'd definitely go here again. I'd love to try the shepherd's pie next time.
(3)Amelia M.
Meh. This place is okay.
(2)Abhi M.
The venue is good. The food is soooooo bad.
(1)Alex S.
UNDERCOOKED FOOD :-( I ordered the Bangers 'N Mash ($14), which consists of "Grilled light-seasoned pork sausages served on Colcannon mashed potatoes with onion gravy" and topped with onion straws. The mashed potatoes were yummy and had bits of green onion on the inside. The onion gravy was unique and hearty. Now, I'm a fan of sausages (no homo) but I was shocked. They were actually undercooked, merely seered on the outside. I was only able to finish one. Minutes after my stomach confirmed my suspicion. You can't undercook your food; that's unacceptable, especially if your customers have to drop a 20 spot. Iced tea was odd tasting, a little sweet but mostly neutral. If I come back, I'm sticking to the common bar food (burgers, chicken.) Hopefully those will be cooked.
(1)john k.
The service was terrible. I guess our waitress had a rough night. She brought out the wrong food for my daughter and she had to wait another 20 minutes for her food. If it was busy I could understand but there were only 2 tables!!!!! I asked for dry rye toast three times and I get wheat toast with butter. Asking for a refill on the coffee; time measured with a calendar. The food was quite good.
(1)Natalia O.
Lovely! I used to live nearby and have gone several times for brunch and dinner. The food is always good quality. Super nice atmosphere and never too loud in spite of the bar area. The back room is great for private functions, and I've used it for several meetup.com gatherings for brunch. Highly recommended!
(5)Sara D.
This is one of the best places to eat in Cambridge, if not the best (can't say for sure, just moved here in December)! We stayed at Le Meridien for a few weeks before finding our home, and ate here twice during our stay. Service wasn't the best, as it was very busy and a great deal of holiday parties, it took a while to get our check. The food more than makes up for what service is lacking, though. I almost never finish my meal when I go out to eat, and usually end up taking half home, but not at the Asgard, I ate everything, and then started picking off my husband's plate! First time around I had Shepard's Pie, and the second time i had chicken and dumplings. This is a great place to eat if you're looking for that filling meal to satisfy both your taste buds and fill the void in your heart only your grandmother's cooking could fill. The menu is extremely diverse and they have a great selection of beers. Irish bands play here a lot and the bar scene is very friendly and lively. Bartenders are attentive and fun! I can't wait to check out their sister store!
(5)Nikki I.
I went here with a group of 8 on a Friday night. We made a reservation and the staff was very patient while the were waiting for some of my late friends to arrive. The beer selection changes frequently and they have great infusions available at the bar..mmm. The food was OK, just your typical bar food. It was a great place for dinner and drinks with a group of friends.
(3)Rake O.
The wings were a cheap meal. And the beer is cold. Beyond that, no, not much going for it.
(3)Misty S.
I have friends that always want to come here and love the place, but I just don't really get it. The food is ok. Typical pub food and a little salty. The draft beer selection is good, but not as impressive as other places in Cambridge (ie. Lord Hobo). We did have great service last night, and I was happy that they were able to accommodate a party of 9 for dinner at 10:30pm.
(2)Luis P.
I ordered the "black and blue" burger medium. The meat came back well done and dry. Barely any blue cheese or bbq sauce on the bun, so overall was a terrible meal.
(2)Bill C.
I've been hitting Miracle of Science, Cafe Luna, and Toscanini's brunches a little too hard the last couple of weeks and needed to branch out. My girlfriend and I went to Asgard (side note: Asgard? Isn't that Norse? And I definitely get a Norse vibe, what with the horned helmets and axes on the walls, but it's an Irish pub? Can someone please explain that one to me?). The place was pretty empty, surprising, because it was around 12:00 p.m. on a Sunday. Selection was pretty straightforward and simple. I think the most exotic option was the Irish breakfast. I don't see how baked beans and breakfast are supposed to get along after a long night of drinking. I went for the steak and eggs ($) 13and my girlfriend went with the Eggs O'Hara ($10). The steak was better than I expected, because so many brunch spots fry up the steak on a flat top. Here, it tasted like it had actually spent some time on a grill/under a broiler. The eggs, scrambled (lame, I know), weren't anything magical. The Eggs O'Hara, if you'll pardon my language, looked like a fat fuck. And I don't really mean for that to be taken as a negative. It's scrambled eggs mixed with/on top of potatoes, onions, mushrooms, two kinds of cheese, sausage, and bacon. Served with homefries and toast. So when I call it a fat fuck, I think you could pick it out of a lineup based on its name alone. It tasted okay, and that's coming from a guy who eats all kinds of fatty bar food. It was a little overcooked, but on the whole, nothing special. This place gets three stars, but one gets docked for cleanliness. The chairs were covered in all kinds of scmutz that had been brushed off the table, and the pepper mill had some congealed grease inside the container. I'm genuinely curious as to how that happened, but don't want to look at/use it when dining.
(2)Kathleen F.
Solid experience at the bar here with my dad. They had a great beer selection on tap and we got to sample a nice selection. We did not really try the food but did try a nice basket of sweet potato fries which were really good. Bartender was nice and pretty knowledgeable about the beers. I liked that the bar was so big and the space was so open, it seemed like a great place to come have some beers with friends. There were also TVs so it would be good for watching sporting events as well. We wandered in here because we were at the MIT museum but if i was in the area again I would definitely come back.
(4)Christopher M.
There are two types of restaurants. There are destination restaurants, where I'll go specifically for the food & experience - when I'm at one of these restaurants, the restaurant is the purpose of my outing. Then there are utility restaurants, where the restaurant is just there to feed and host my friends and me while we're on a greater mission. The food and atmosphere doesn't matter so much as the fact that they have a table for 20 with no reservation, are T accessible, and everyone can afford something off the menu. Asgard is a utility restaurant. To me the Asgard is a step up from a 99 and conveniently located right next to MIT. The food is decent, the bar is decent, the décor is decent. They have enough room for a large group. You'll like it, and forget about it the moment you walk out the door. I'm sure I'll be back...
(3)Milena P.
So I heard last semester about this mythical place where one could find $0.10 chicken wings doused in the nectar of the gods and cheap(ish) beer. And this mythical place was less than a mile away from my dorm. Unfortunately, the wings only made an appearance on Mondays, and I had horrible problem sets to turn in on Tuesdays. Which means that my Mondays were mostly spent double-fisting Red Bulls rather than Carlsbergs. But the semester was over, and so my friends dragged me over to said place. We ordered a round of beers, and then 80 chicken wings magically appeared on the table. We got some honey-bbqish wings, some Asian-ey wings sprinkled with sesame seeds (because, you know, anything with sesame seeds is Asian), some Buffalo wings, and some weird ones that were still good. This place is pretty casual, so feel free to be messy. There's a roll of paper towels on the table and everything, and they have the wet wipey things. And, while the service is slow when the place is packed, you can't beat pigging out in a nice pub with your friends for cheap. They also have a full menu, in case you don't feel like winging it. But I come strictly for the wings.
(4)Dallas S.
Okay, so I'm going to keep my initial 3 stars but I am going to update a few other things: 1) I have now tried the food and it is EXCELLENT! I LOVE the Mozzarella, Tomato sandwich and yummy fries! 2) Karaoke is ANNOYING. I retract anything I've ever said about this place having great karaoke. There are far too many people here; you're lucky if you get to sing 1 or 2 songs. You may be promised you'll get a song or two in but that might not happen and then Paul B will avoid you the next time you come in. On top of it, prepare for a group of "I don't mean to be condescending...." (but they proceed as such anyways) Boston Improv posse that takes over the entire evening. I've tried many karaoke places and although Paul has every song imaginable, be prepared for a tiny screen to sing off of and obnoxious group of people singing songs that are equally obnoxious. 3) Logically, if there is a 1 and a 2, there should be a 3. So, I will try to come up with one...The drinks are strong, which is good because you want to get your money's worth when throwing it down the toilet on alcohol. To wrap things up: If I come back to this place, it will simply be for a couple of drinks and dinner and then I'm bolting as soon as Karaoke starts and going somewhere else to sing.
(3)Romulo R.
This is an excellent bar with a great beer selection and a happy atmosphere. Service from the bartenders was top-notch and efficient. a great place to come hangout with friends
(4)Chang K.
This was really close to the client site, so we ended up eating here more often than we should have. It's okay. Nothing spectacular about it, but nothing to detract from it. Good food, good beer, good service. Don't ask for a martini or a porterhouse here, but a medium rare burger and Guinness? they'll do that just fine. It's good stuff. But there's a better burger joint up the block, and more fun bars a few blocks down. But then again, it was the closest restaurant to the client site. So.
(3)Aaron G.
When your soul is dead, and your likeness is printed on a laminated computer chip enabled badge of one of the giant pharma conglomerate companies lining the streets surrounding this place, you come to the Asgard to get drunk. If this were ancient Greek mythology, the Asgard would be a dingy inn, ramshackle and settled into a dreary corner of the afterlife, playing host to miserable dead souls before they are plunged into the river Lethe. I think they bring all the fun of the drab Greek afterlife into their service philosophy: the bartenders have been slackjawed zombies hawking their alcohol with monosyllabic grunts and disaffected glances. The servers are usually too busy trying to remember their sales scripts to make eye contact, and I know they don't look down at the food too often, probably for fear of what their stomachs would retch up at the sight of that grey, slabby mush the kitchen spills out by the ton. People decide to come to the Asgard in one of two ways: 1. They are ignorant of this place and decide to give it a try. 2. They are in a group of people without a clear leader, and the choice of where to go falls to this corporate establishment because it offends everyone equally. This is akin to the process that causes people to use Microsoft Sharepoint for services it was never intended for. No one hates this place, no one loves this place. It is a lonely, persona-less wanderer lost in a field of better restaurants and bars with character.
(2)Susan N.
While Asgard has a decent beer selection and the burger and fries the boy had the other night seemed above average, I'm really not crazy about this place, especially after the incident that happened the other night and the way it was handled. The boy, another couple and I wandered in for drinks the other night at around midnight. We grabbed late night munchies and some drinks. When it was time to close out our tabs, the bartender brought the bill holder with the cards to us. We had two tabs going on. So we just left it sitting there for 10 minutes while talking. After 10 minutes, my friend goes to sign the credit card slip and doesn't see his card in there. He starts looking through his pockets and on the floor and calls the bartender over to ask where the card is. So basically the bartender leaves to glance around and doesn't come back. Instead someone else comes and my friend's now irrate. Wouldn't you be if a place lost your credit card? So now this other guy's taking the heat from my friend and saying they looked through the other bills to see if it's there, though it really didn't look like they made much effort at all to look. The guy basically says that my friend has the card and the bar doesn't. Uhhh no. You think we do this for fun? Accuse random bars of stealing credit cards? So it turns out this guy's a manager. Instead of saying, I'm the manager and trying to rectify or diffuse the problem, he basically looked like he wanted to get rid of us. He refused to look through the other bills again. He was accusatory and blatantly said not only do they not have it but my friend probably has it. Even after he emptied his pockets to show them. Then he said that maybe my friend didn't give the card at all, though they ran the bill so they had to have it in the first place. Most likely they gave it to another patron. And instead of being apologetic about the whole situation, they were a bit hostile to us. Not cool. And for that total lack of customer service, plus having barhops who aren't smart enough to give the right credit cards to the right person (it really wasn't very crowded at all), I give this place one star, though I wish I could go negative on it.
(1)H S.
Nothing like going to a reasonably authentic Irish bar in Boston and getting bud light and wings... .... but don't mind me... Asgard has a lot of charm and what looks like a very good drink menu and yummy food. Love that they can pull off being a sports-y 25 cent wing night place, a nerdy trivia night place, and a fun live music place.
(4)EricaLynn J.
I am reviewing this primarily for the Karaoke night, which apparently is Wednesday. I say 'apparently' because after my evening spent at the Asgard, my mind and body seem to not be communicating with one another anymore. I keep writing October as the month on all correspondence today. Not even a date, either. Just simply: "October". Do you know how weird that is to, well, everyone? Well, not *everyone*; I'm kind of thinking that the Oxi Clean guy (the one who is ALWAYS SCREAMING) probably thinks that every day is FRIDAY!!!! So he might understand. The Asgard's faithful, high-energy karaoke-obsessed pile into a large corner towards the front of the restaurant and, thanks to Paul - the DJ who has "at least thirty thousand songs, all on a computer, if you don't see it in the book just ask" - you can sing yourself silly and you're guaranteed a sweet audience. But listen up, this is important: you gotta be ready to show your stuff! Karaoke newbs and the faint of heart need not tiptoe into The Asgard. You don't have to be Mariah Carey's vocal equivalent but you absolutely must be ready to rock it out and love every minute of it. Do a showtune! Pick some Mr. Mister! Duets! Anything. Just do it with every ounce of awesomeness in you.
(5)Matt W.
The service is absolutely terrible. I live in central square and have been here several times. I went 90 minutes before trivia time, and our waitress stopped by out table twice (with 5 other tables seated total in the entire place.) Once trivia started, she stopped by another 2 times in 2.5 hours. We had to go to the bar to get our own drinks. We never ordered food. Just drinks. I believe the service is terrible because they will automatically "include" an 18% tip in the check. But, I crossed out the tip and left exactly the billed amount. The service staff expects this 18% tip, so they just don't care. Hopefully, if more people leave them no tip at all, they will start caring.
(2)Rob C.
Not a lot of love for this place, and until recently, i'd be inclined to agree that it was exceedingly average; clean, corporate, and doth protest too much about authenticity. Honestly, though, it's much improved. The beer selection has gone from an adequate Guinness and a few other things to a really quite good array of imports and microbrews, many of which i'd go so far as to call cheap (at $5.50 for 20oz of Young's Double Chocolate Stout, i feel like i'm getting away with something). The food's pretty good, still; the tater tots as an appetizer are a brilliant idea and more places should have those (dressed up with fancy cheese or no). It's expensive, yeah, and the portions are not as suitable for stuffing yourself until you extrude food out your eyes as other places might be. Nothing worthy of effusive praise, maybe, but hardly something to condemn. It's comfortable with a variety of interesting places to sit, the waitstaff knows the beer and the food well, but seemed a little overworked at times. Even if there are more interesting places nearby, this, too, is a perfectly good place to wind up.
(3)Emily M.
I have been going to the Asgard for a few years now. I am not always satisfied with the food but I gave the 5 star review because no matter what, the staff makes sure I have an excellent visit. They frequently have Whales Tale Pale Ale on draft, which I love. Wing night! Monday is insane and filled with MIT students and Cambridge locals. It can be worth it though, patience is totally necessary. But honestly, this place has solid food and a supreme beer list.
(3)Oleana B.
This is probably a good place for students to hang out and drink beer, but I am not a student and I do not drink beer. When I come to a place and pay close attention to the food and the mixed alcohol. I am sure I got the wrong thing (clearly) but the Moroccan Chicken Salad came with uncooked squash and tasteless dressing. I got wine because I was afraid of getting a mixed drink in this kind of establishment. Wine was unremarkable. I also tried the nachos and the sliders both of which I cannot recommend. With so many great restaurants in Cambridge I do not think I need to come here again.
(2)Tiffany Z.
An Irish-themed pub -- but in that over the top fake sort of way. The food isn't bad but it's not very good -- it's your standard pub fare not very well executed. I assume the beer selection is good, but as a wine/cocktail drinker, there's not a very good selection. Definitely don't order the sangria (I don't know what I was thinking) :) The atmosphere is of the chain bar type -- lacking any charm or personality where it feels almost like a late night version of Chili's.
(2)Alana H.
I have been here now twice and both times have been great! The first time was a going away party for one of my former co-workers and we came on Monday night for 10 cent wings. The wings were GOOD! We got a bunch of different flavors from BBQ, buffalo, teriyaki, all so delicious. The have cider on tap which always makes me a happy girl. I recently came here for lunch with my co-workers when the place we initially wanted to go to had a wait. We got to sit outside since the weather was gorgeous. I ordered the Crab Cake and Avocado Salad. I would recommend it to everyone! The mixed greens are lightly dressed with a citrus vinaigrette and the mixture of whole slices as well as diced slices of mango gave a sweet side to the salad. The avocado was creamy and the crab cake was crunchy so I loved the different textures there were to the salad. I felt satisfied at the end but not heavy or overly full. People in my office definitely come here once in a while and with good food and drinks there is no reason to argue it!
(3)Melanie H.
Oh Asgard, what can I say? We've shared many great moments together on Monday wing night. I love that you have Allagash White on draught because so few bars in Boston do. I also like that your wings are only 10 cents and I can get 10 for only $1. While I wouldn't go out of my way for you, you are oh so convenient as a go-to when I am in the neighborhood. Cheers to the Asgard!
(3)Jon H.
Trivia night = fun times, fun questions, great for big group activities. (tues 9pm) Beer selection = extensive, impressive. The white ale is real good. Food = so-so, typical average bar food. Crowd = young college to yuppie crowd, hence the trivia night being fun Price = decent Overall = A-OK.
(3)Mykal D.
This place is like a middle school gf/bf, always seems better in your memories: see it again and it makes you wonder what you were smoking all those years ago. I first went to asgard about 8 years ago, and thought the place was pretty cool. The old me might have given the place 4-5 stars. The new me wishes there was a 1.5-star rating. I stopped in on a sunday afternoon hoping for some irish fare. While they have a pretty good selection of Irish beer and faux-irish decor, the place seems like the Friday's-Dublin edition. A friend and I both got the burgers, which were both well done, despite requesting medium. The clam chowder was ok for something store bought, but is not going to change your life. The truly awful thing here are the cocktails. I had the "harvey's last word", and by the taste, his last word must've been an expletive as his lay dying from this poison. I didn't even drink it. The "white manhattan" was so bad the bartender didn't even let me order it. After the fiasco, I ordered lemonade, and was relieved to see that it was Newman's Own and not any kind of house-made concoction. So in short, after what I remember to be a fairytale affair, now seems like a nightmare...sometimes swans become ugly ducklings.
(2)Ana R.
Came here for Sunday brunch with the ladies. Menu was limited. I ordered the steak tips and eggs medium-rare (heavy on the rare). One came cooked perfect, the rest were all well-done. Disappointment there. Everything else was great. Prices could be better, though. Staff was very friendly, fun and attentive. Great atmosphere, great seating, decor, etc. Didn't use the restrooms. My friend did mention the Norse name/Irish bar confusion... Probably would go back if invited, but I wouldn't make a special trip to go there.
(3)Harrison F.
Great Bar right in the square....Don't eat anything...ANYTHING.
(3)Daniel Z.
this rating of four stars is not because the asgard has an amazing ambiance but for your friendly neighborhood bar its a perfectly great place to go. I've never had trouble getting into the Asgard, even with groups of 8-10. Theres usually enough seating or standing space for everyone to mingle. Decent selection of beer and mixed drinks as long as your not expecting anything fancy. The bar food is pretty good, but I think the entrees are just alright.
(4)Alexandra T.
I went here for lunch and got the California Turkey Club Wrap. It was very bland and tasteless. The fries weren't bad, but completely unmemorable. All in all not worth anywhere near the $10 they charged. Most of my other coworkers felt the same way. My friend who ordered the veggie burger did not finish it. It says in minuscule print on the bottom of one page of the menu to ASK for the complimentary bread, they don't just give it to you. Can you say cheap? I thought the seats were extremely uncomfortable. They're supposed to fit in with the whole Irish theme, but they and the rest of decor just seemed weird and completely unauthentic. Maybe this place is more fun as a bar but I don't plan on finding out.
(2)Orly M.
Ok, I might be ostracized by all of my friends for saying this, but whatever. I do not like like the Assguard. It's just not my scene. The food is overpriced for mediocre faux-Irish food. The live music is usually bad covers of the music people listened to in college that i didnt really understand then, like The Dave Matthews Phish String Cheese Ani DiFranco Incident. This place also bores me. Really, a faux Irish bar populated by college kids and grad students in Boston? So rare and exotic. Central Square has a wealth of much more interesting places like ZuZu!!!?!?!, the Cantab, Phoenix Landing, or if you want to be classy Middlesex or Cuchi Cuchi, or if you don't want to be the CVS and Bank of America vestibule are fine places to drink.
(2)Amina O.
Came here for a birthday dinner with five friends on Monday night which happened to be a special on wings the bar was packed but we were sat immediately. They offer bread if you ask which was pretty good and we shared the spinach dip which was awesome! Our server was really friendly and gave us suggestions on beer choices, they have a lot of craft beer which was great and she seemed to know her stuff. I got the shepards pie which was huge and tasty and everyone else had nothing but good things to say about their food, all plates were cleaned off. Will be back again when I'm back in town!
(3)Heather B.
I finally went here for the first time yesterday afternoon, after wanting to for a while simply because the viking decor looked pretty awesome (they have a long table with a giant throne-like chair, stained glass windows with norse/celtic designs, and they have "castle rooms" you can rent for functions). The food was awesome and pretty well-priced (got the Asgard burger with Irish chedder - delish). The only downside to the experience was that our waitress kept coming back to take our extra silverware, like she was overly obsessed with making sure we only had one fork each or something. Weird.
(3)Nadia T.
I once met a Black Irish man in a far off land. The tall, dark and "tortured writer" type. You know, the kind. All the ladies seemed smitten. I was hesitant to give in. But, once I got to know him, I found he was also lively and full of character. Before I knew it, it was love. He was a warm log cabin in the woods I wanted to snuggle in to and wake up the next morning with no regrets. This is the Asgard. Cozy Irish cabin LOVE, baby. The Asgard is a great Irish pub with a wonderful atmosphere. The place itself is beautiful. (Or maybe I just noticed because I've stumbled off a stool after a few beers and got a good look at the fine craftsmanship put into the wooden beams.) The doorman and hostess are always genuinely welcoming. And the people aren't your typical douche-y bar folk. No, a more sophisticated, laid-back crowd gather here. It's all about kicking back and having a good time, with no worries about the drunk asshole with his ridiculous pick-up lines. This is one of my favorite places to meet up with friends or co-workers after clocking out of the 'ol 9-5. They have a good variety on tap. And I'm always down for their 10cent wing deal on Mondays! They got 4 different types of wing flavors, people! Yes, like my Irish lover, the wings are flavorful, saucy, sometimes spicy, and served with a side of cheese. (Well, at least my favorite wings, the gold fever, come with delicioso blue cheese dressing.)
(4)Heather G.
Why am I such a fan? Three words: 10 cent wings. You've read the reviews, you know this place has a reputation for bad food. HOWEVER, if you're out on a Monday night and want some cheap wings and beer, this is the place to satisfy your cravings. The place has a decidedly-young/vibrant/buzzing feel on Monday nights. Grad students gather to eat-out on a budget, and I basically spend all of $1 to stuff my belly with all-sorts of wings tossed in various sauces. However, Asgard is no idiot - what you save on food, you more than make up for in beer purchases. GENIUS. Give away the low-margin food and lure people in to pay-up for the higher-margin stuff. That's marketing 101. Get there early, as there will be a wait for a table...but then settle in for a night of wing-eating contests and attempt to perfect your strategy for efficiently sucking the most meat off the bone without getting too messy/sticky (that's what she said! Sorry, it was just too easy to ignore).
(4)Sarah F.
Food is OK. Buffalo tenders come with buffalo sauce mixed with blue cheese instead of a side of.bluecheese. Turkey burger served on whole grain ciabattas which is kind of weird. Beer selection could be better and more varied. Trivia is fun though.
(3)Jeff B.
So, some friends & I hit up The Asgard almost every Monday because they've got a 10¢ chicken wings special; sit in the bar area, buy one drink $5 or more, and enjoy all the $1 plates of wings you can eat! Since we're regulars, we've gotten very friendly with the staff, and they're awesome. The wings are tasty, a few different sauces, and the beers are great. Only trouble is finding a table... get there early!
(4)Jake G.
An enormous draft selection is one of the big pros for this Irish Pub. As well, they pour an immaculate Guiness, especially Graz, the best bartender there. For food, go for the Truffle Tater Tots (Tots tossed in Truffle oil with Parmigiano Reggiano) and the Turkey Burger (with chipotle aioli and avocado slices).
(4)Jarrod C.
The Asgard, or is it the Assgard... was simply a 'meh' experience. After a 35 minute wait on a Thursday night, our large group was seated in the back. Drink and food orders were placed, and while beers came out in a rather timely fashion, it took nearly 50 minutes for the food to come out. Uh hello? And speaking of the food... my grilled turkey burger was actually not bad, and the fries that came with it pretty good too. Thankfully it was the company of good friends that made the night because it certainly wasn't anything The Asgard did. Skip this restaurant if it's on your list.
(2)J. L.
Good food in a good location. At first I wasn't always satisfied with my food here. I just discovered this OUTSTANDING salad though. If you're a salad person I highly recommend the mediterranean salad. Worth the $12. Very very good and very very filling. People who work there are friendly. Kind of dark inside, but other than that very satisfied.
(4)Nick M.
The Asgard, similar to mythology telling, looks grand from the outside... but inside this Asgard, is a different story. I guess I was expecting it to be themed after the Norse gods but it was your every day bar/ restaurant. One giant room with high ceilings (too loud because of this), dark woods followed by rich/ warm colors, a pool table, a combination of high/ low seating and tables, and then a long wraparound bar. Another let down was the staff, (don't expect to be treated like a god that's for sure) I actually had to go find our waitress three times. Once to take our order (just drinks), another time due to a friend showing up needing a drink, and then the last time to get our check, it was only worth staying for a single drink. Forget trying to grab a bite here, you might never even get to order it. ****Update -I bumped it up to two stars Ok so maybe they meant the Asgard, a 51ft yacht, formerly owned by the English-born Irish nationalist, and writer Robert Erskine Childers. It was bought for £1,000 in 1904 from one of Norway's most famous boat designers, Colin Archer. Its most famous trip was in 1914. Childers, his wife and a small crew, made the then treacherous channel crossing with a hold full of rifles from Germany into Howth harbor just North of Dublin, to arm the Irish Volunteers. Maybe I'm wrong again because I saw no yacht material. So why did we come back, well because it was the only bar left open near the hotel. Ok fine by then I couldn't even see anymore I didn't know where I was going and only god knows what kind of nonsense I was speaking to the bartender. Apparently I was trying to pick a fight... ah that Irish blood in me (though he probably was being an ass). Regardless of what happened earlier in the night this little visit was much better. We grabbed a seat at the bar, thank heaven the bartenders were much better then the staff (well, except for that one dude)... at least I think they were, I dunno at this point my memory is kind of hazy. So go in and check it out for yourself.
(2)Erin R.
Stopped by for lunch outside during the week and had an okay lunch. I was a little worried based on the reviews but the food was fine. The service as everyone has already mentioned isn't the best. I had the chicken club sandwich with fries and they were both tasty...especially the fries! The ice tea is not fresh so it was disgusting but I'm sure most people don't go to an Irish pub for tea. Overall it was fine for lunch.
(3)Laurinda U.
I was here last night for dinner at 8PM. While the food was good, the service was not. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich ($10) and it comes with a side of fries, three onion rings, and a pickle. It was definitely delicious. Only thing is that it took 40 minutes for it to get to me after ordered. I didn't have a place setting initially and pilfered my friend's fork when my food arrived. Further, we had to ask for the check twice. Although normally I'm not in a rush, we wanted to head over to Middlesex before they charged cover. Sadly because service was so slow, we were three minutes late. Still, the food is pretty good. One friend got the lobster sliders ($16) which she said was yummy and my other friend got the fried eggplant ($13) with a side of basil ravioli. Although the eggplant dish appeared scanty, it was just the right size although personally I do prefer more generous portions. Ultimately, I rec it for the food but not the service.
(3)Helen T.
Came here when I was under 21 so I can't judge the beer selection.... wait, I can :) Food was okay, nothing particularly special. Good fall back for lunch and appetizers. Lots of space for drinking with friends. Once, I had a blueberry beer that was light and sweet. It was weird. good. weird.
(3)Bridget B.
I really like Irish food. Not unlike Anthony Bourdain I feel like it gets a bad rap, so when I heard a new Irish restaurant was opening up down the street from me (back when I lived in Central Square) I was psyched, though confused by the name since it has Scandinavian roots, not Irish ones. That should've been my first clue that things were going to be a little wonky, but I remained optimistic. Until I read the menu. Ok, I'm sorry, but you cannot be an Irish Pub and serve "Celtic Quesadillas" on the menu and expect to have any iota of credibility. I mean, maybe if they were branded with Celtic knots or something...but I mean, really. I'm guessing the International Plaza in Epcot Center is more authentic. It would be like having an "Authentic German Restaurant" that served Berlin Wall French Toast strips or something. Mediocre beer selection, same goes for the food. There were very few things on the menu that jumped out to me as being "classically Irish" aside from throwing some sort of Irishism into the name. I mean, last time I was there they didn't even have curry fries, which were something I found all-over-Ireland. Having a trivia night is pretty cool though. Maybe I will go and write my answers on my Claddagh Ring Pepperoni Pizza.
(1)Meredith M.
Wednesday Karaoke Night. Tons of regulars that are fun and welcoming. The guy who hosts it, Paul, is pretty easy going and welcoming to new-comers. He has THOUSANDS of songs. The crowd was mostly 20s and 30s. Just a fun group of people who seemed to enjoy the good, and the off-pitch pretty equally. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. You will need to be over 21 as they are pretty strict at the door after a certain time. 4 stars for atmosphere, service, drinks and ...karaoke!
(4)Bootz B.
weird weird weird. is this where cambridge "professionals" and MIT grad students go to hang out?? i dont get it. really unattractive and nonsensical mix of people. also i think they let underage amateurs in because there was a group of what appeared to be 17 year old girls slurring, tripping all over themselves, doing shots and hugging each other like they had never had a drop of alcohol before. this place reminded me why i hate the bar scene & would rather stay home watching planet earth & petting my cat.
(2)Alika Marie W.
Got a unfortunate message from someone named Brett H. I explained that if you speak to patrons condescendingly your not going to be popular. Nor should you be serving. Find yourself a desk job.
(1)Lisa M. K.
First and foremost, in an urban area chock full of stellar Irish pubs, the Asgard falls a bit flat. It seems like more of an "Irish Theme Restaurant" where the "Irish" was an after-thought; as if they threw up some Guinness posters and other Eire trappings and said, "let's be Irish!". (Although, strangely, they have the same owners as Kinsale in Government Center. I don't get that same vibe at the Kinsale). The food is okay/average. Not terrific but passable and the menu is fairly large. It's mostly bar food and sandwiches with some dinners. The pros: it is pretty large and thus convenient if you are going with a bigger group and can be a good place to watch a game. The atmosphere is actually not too bad. It is a good location: very centrally located but not TOO centrally located (as it doesn't get as mobbed as other places right in the heart of Central Square). If you are just looking for a large bar/restaurant with a good variety, then this place fits the bill. If you want a great Irish pub in the area, go to the Druid.
(3)Art B.
Good location. Food pretty good. Excellent veggie burger!
(3)Michael F.
Went to Asgard last evening with friends. Asked waitress how burgers were and she said they were great. Ordered the kinsale burger, came out in a reasonable amount of time no problems there. The problem I had was they dont know how to cook. I asked to have medium rare and got well done. I ate it because I was starving after shoveling all day. The waitress did offer to replace, but my feelings are get it right the first time!! I hate eating after everyone else is done. Go elsewhere if you are in the mood for a great burger.
(2)Adam E.
This place seemed like a restaurant from an amusement park. Like, Irishland, geet yar chips end vinegar here! Only there was no vinegar. It's always a bad sign when the Irish food place doesn't have malt vinegar on the table, or at least offer it when you order fish and chips. Our waiter seemed nervous and awkward, which I can understand but I don't think are the best attributes for a waiter. He was ok, just not outgoing or very interested in seeing if we needed anything else. I did enjoy the Apricot beer, but that's because I'm a little gay in addition to being Irish. And the food was decent, but portions could've been bigger for the price. Two fish sticks, even really good, beer battered fish sticks, don't make me feel like I spent my $12 well. Maybe I'm spoiled because I live in JP, within earshot of a few pretty great Irish pubs.
(3)Barney B.
Beware of waitresses that don't know the beers on tap so make stuff up - and beware of a slider plate that comes with more sauces than sliders - they are trying to cover something up. and that something, apparently, is food bourne illnesses. let's just say that the Porcelain God thinks I am a wonderfully devout religious individual these past few days.
(1)Emily G.
You should go here if... 1) you like pubs 2) you like pub food 3) you just want to hang out with friends 4) you like a great selection of beer that is rotating during different seasons 5) you like Ithaca beer (yup, this was an awesome surprise and brought back many memories of my college days...oh, those were the days.) You don't want to go here if... 1) you want a quiet place to chat with someone (not a romantic place) 2) you want healthy food or are watching what you are eating 3) you can't hear well because it is REALLY loud in there I had the onion soup and it was some of the best I've had. Definitely go with that if it is a cold or rainy day. Also, the tater tots aren't bad...they are unique with cheese on the top. I would definitely go back with some friends or maybe to try out brunch.
(4)Josephine L.
$0.10 wings, baby, $0.10 wings. Sure, they're not the tastiest...or tenderest....or juiciest....or largest.....or--okay, I'm not really selling it, am I? But they're $0.10 each! So if you're not picky about where your meat comes from or how it's made or whether it tastes totally right in your mouth, you'll like it here.
(3)Andrew K.
When I walked in, I was completely surprised this was a 3 on Yelp. It was booming. The place was modern and clean. It had a pleasant vibe. But, it wasn't special - no X factor. Patently so. So, it gets a 3.
(3)John S.
The Asgard wears a lot of hats. It's a college/neighborhood bar for the MIT and Mass Ave crowd. It's a trivia and karaoke place for the brainy or shameless Cantabrigians. It's a B+ American pub grub restaurant with decent service. And it's a place that can do private parties without a lot of lead time. I occasionally debate whether or not the Asgard is my favorite bar in Cambridge. And while my answer oscillates between yes and no every time, I constantly find myself recommending it to people. "I've got no plans this Wednesday, what should I do?" "Asgard for karaoke." "I want to have a dinner for like twelve people and not pay too much." "Asgard, get one of the back rooms." "In Norse mythology, what was the capital city of the gods?" "Asgard. Also, go to the bar of the same name in Central Square." I'm a regular here, and I find myself wanting other people I know to be regulars too. The food is always good, if maybe a dollar too expensive. The drinks are poured well and served quickly. The karaoke is top notch. The trivia is solid. The locals are friendly. Sure, it may be a little too big to be a favorite intimate bar, but I can't think of a place I tell people about more if they're in the mood for a quick bite or a beer.
(4)Erik O.
This place is cool. they redid the menu a little while ago, after realizing that they where referred to as the "ass-gaurd). and they did a good job. solid irish pub food. great wings.
(4)Jeremy K.
Although it sound Irish, offers Irish food and have an Irish staff, the place diversified and serves a lot more than just Irish food. They have Mexican and American food too and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. I have always enjoyed my meals there, from the breakfasts to the late night dinners. Their beer selection is decent and their full bar serves up many combinations of whatever you want. I like their atmosphere and staff there, and the crowd is decent, mostly composed of bio tech workers and MIT students. Come to think of it, this review has now just reminded me that I should start going there again for brunch on Sundays. It's not too busy, and really lovely. Speaking of which, on nice days in the Spring and Summer, they also have a very pleasant terrace!
(4)Jamie S.
Argh! Came here on Sunday because the menu online said 35cent wings during all NFL games. Not so. No specials on Sunday but our server, Matthew, was great with the bad news. In fact he was great with everything. Happy and helpful it was like we came here because our best friend was working. Matthew was now that guy. Sometimes you want to review the staff more than the establishment and this is one of those times. Shepherd's Pie was so-so. I liked that 20oz drafts were only 60cents more than regular pints. That was cool. Woulda been cooler if the Ravens won on Sunday night but that's no fault of the bar.
(4)Tom V.
We've enjoyed the Asgard as a place to eat...outdoors. The inside tends to get very noisy, but the outdoor tables offer a very pleasant venue for dinner. We tend to stick with our tried and true favorites.... clam chowder, fried calamari, fried seafood platter, the salads. The waitstaff is friendly, attentive and helpful. We've found the desserts to be excessively sweet and gooey, but then again, Toscanini's is right across the street :-) :-) :-) :-) :-P
(4)Taylor B.
I booked a friend's 30th birthday party here. Everything was fantastic! Nicole the function manager was so helpful the during the whole thing! Even the staff! So friendly! Awesome beer selection! All my guests had a wonderful time! I'd definitely book here again. Or even stop by for a pint and order from the "bar bites" menu. The fried pickles and Irish-cini's sound delish!
(5)Jeff M.
I've been to the Asgard many times for drinks but never had dinner here until a friend recommended it. Irish beef stew was just OK pub grub. Pretty cheap though. I won't be here again for a meal.
(2)Ioan B.
Great for beer, mediocre for food.
(3)Rayshauna G.
I go to the Asgard for nachos. Yes, I am a cheese fiend. Yes, I am lactose intolerant. Yes, it is worth it. How you like them clear and concise apples, William Carlos Williams?
(3)Gordon B.
Strange, but the past three times we've been here for dinner I've had bad experiences. So bad, in fact, that The Asgard is now officially off the list for places we take people from out-of-town. I don't know what happened (new ownership or chef?) but I'm with Andy - the place sucks now. They still have a great beer selection and unlike some places in Central you can get in easily even on a Friday or Saturday night. Table service up front is poor and not much better in the back.
(2)Jenny N.
I felt like I was dining at Medieval Times. But despite my initial skepticism, I must say that the Asgard is great for big groups (staff was very accommodating with our rotating party of 10-13) and they do a decent job with food. The menu offers something for everyone and portions are large. I do realize that this is a review of a pub, but I didn't partake in any drinks other than H20, so I can't comment on the bar offerings. Nachos were very tasty, but kettle chips tasted like they'd been left in the kettle too long....Grilled chicken and avocado salad with curry dressing sounded good in theory, but there was a certain something lacking in the execution. Or perhaps I was just too stuffed from the apps to enjoy myself 100%... But if our group was any indication, the Asgard is a prime spot for meeting eligible bachelors in residence at MIT. Not sure if it would be considered a good date spot, but the trivia nights sound like they'd be a good icebreaker!
(3)Jim Z.
80% of the fun of this place is getting drunk and telling people on the phone that you've got an ass guard.
(3)Lea A.
The service is very slow and something goes wrong every time we go. The food is edible but nothing to be desired. Only reason we go is because it is close to work and there is a good range of food and drinks.
(2)Rachel C.
So wings are now $0.25, which is on par with what most bars have as their wing deals. So wing night isn't quite the spectacular bargain it used to be. However, raising the price has cut down significantly on the crowds. It is pretty nice to be able to drink and dine with some elbow room. And while the wings, specifically Golden Fever, are still some of my favorite in the city, I probably will make the effort to come out to MIT less often.
(3)John C.
The Asgard is a great pub. Great beer selection and, you guessed it, great pub food. The place is packed most of the time for those reasons. Last time I was there I performed THE TEST. I ordered a Reuben. You can always tell how good a tavern is by their Reuben and believe me I have had Reubens from hundreds of pubs all over the country so I know. They passed the test. It was a good Reuben, not the best I ever had, but very good and well above the threshold for THE TEST. Service is good. Management is good. Once I went there on a game day and it was nuts. The line was out the door and they did a great of job of fitting me in anyway. Feel free to ignore the low ratings by idiot students complaining about random stuff. Seriously, who gives a pub a low rating because they thought they got overcharged for a sandwich? What a loser. Go back to the MIT union cafeteria, cheapskate.
(4)Mike M.
We went here for trivia on a night that the Celtics and Bruins both had playoff games. First of all - how does a Boston bar still have TRIVIA when both local teams have playoff games!?!?! Second, they didnt even have the sound on for the games even before trivia started - pretty weak. The beer selection is pretty epic but the food was kinda lame. I ordered a steak and it was charred to a crisp despite my order for medium rare. Their portions are typically huge so if you feel like having leftovers for 3 days, that should work out. The trivia was typical Stump, but run SUPER slow by the guy. Competition was good with some Harvard, MIT teams, but overall a pretty weak experience. Also, apparently they have 10cent wings on Monday nights and the place is SWARMING with people. The waiter said it is the grossest thing he has ever seen and they sell a couple thousand wings.
(1)Jonathan D.
The Asgard would perhaps merit a better rating if all they bothered to serve was booze and a small selection of pub grub. They have a pretty full lunch and dinner menu though, and it is pretty poor. The food all seems to be pre-made and just gets a warming up. Friends have had the salmon, which was described as fairly dry and over-herbed. I have had a rather depressing Shepard's pie that was a samall dish of ground beef with an nondescript tomato sauce covered with instant mashed potato with some cold peas on the side. And WTF is a Celtic Quesadilla? There are so many other bars with better food in the area to go to, and they don't leave you with a hollow feeling of having suffered through yet another chain-like dining experience. The only reason I would chose here over somewhere else would be if you were having to deal with a large group of people and you needed their capacity.
(2)Herb D.
This place sucks, plain and simple. I used to work in the area and went here religiously on Friday afternoons, starting at 4-4:30 ish. Well, the best thing about getting laid off there was that I didn't have to come here anymore. Beers are overpriced, food is mostly bland but the wings looked good, but the real detractor is the absolutely dreadful lack of service. Good luck getting any semblance of service after 4 on a Friday. I don't know if this is the only day, or if it's a nightly sort of thing, but a group would sit down (yay large automatic tip, right?) and the waitress would come over and take our order...15 minutes later she'd come back with our drinks....30-45minutes later she'd check on us to see if we needed another. More often than not I'd lose my buzz by the time she came back and want to just leave to go someplace else. I gave the place 2 stars because I came here for lunch a couple of times and the gentleman that waited on me was fast and efficient, and (OH WOW) actually came by as our drinks were getting low to ask if we wanted more. The best part is they won't let you go to the bar if you're sitting in the pub area and are getting shitty service from one of the waitresses....you have to wait for her to stop picking her nose and come over to the table. Thanks for the attitude, bro! Leave this place and head to any of the other good or decent bars in the area...middlesex, miracle, the field, the phoenix, green street after 5, anywhere...just not here.
(2)Elaine L.
After having been here a couple times, I still can't say there's something special about it, nor is there something wrong with it. It's got something for everyone and especially good seafood offerings for an Irish pub. My crabcake sandwich had bits of shell in it, though :-/. The shepherd's pie is also ok and one of the cheaper entrees that will fill you up. The burger offerings are also generous and interesting based on the descriptions -- I'll try them next time, for sure. The desserts can be ordered in half portions at reduced price, which is incredibly considerate. In general, it's a great place to go to if you're lacking inspiration. It's got a wonderful atmosphere and great drinks selection. It's also good for large groups, something that not many restaurants in the area can probably accommodate. Don't expect a culinary tour de force from Asgard, but do expect decent pub/American classics.
(3)Christian K.
The Asgard is a great place for Karaoke on Wednesday nights. For those seeking food, you can do better. The fare at the Asgard leaves me feeling lukewarm. The atmosphere is fun, and the menu seems like eclectic pub fare... so you're hopeful... until you bite into their bland-ass fish tacos, or their stringy buffalo chicken, or sample a specialty beer from the not so reliable beer list... For the cost of this food, I would expect to taste a pinch of love. Service was lame to boot, with the waitress unable to take much time for eye contact, and unwilling to indulge a few lame jokes to lighten the mood... I'm happy to sing a bar or two with the kickass karaoke crowd, but I'm not planning on wasting my hard earned keep on dinner at the Asgard ever again.
(2)Denise W.
I'm basing this entirely on a Monday night special wherein you get a plate of 10 wings for $1. Two friends and I went, got three different types (I think 6 choices total?), and shared the lot. Most of the time I think that ten cent wings are a disaster in the making because they're going to give you some dinky, tough pieces. These were surprisingly meaty, well-sauced, and just all-around fantastic. We were full after the first round, bringing our food total to $3. Also had some drinks, and I have to echo the mild wait we incurred. To be fair, there were about a billion people there .. Overall, I was particularly surprised and charmed by the whole experience. We're even thinking about hitting up the trivia Tuesdays.
(5)Bill M.
Plenty of room here and the bartender (Chris...I think) dIid a good job. Plenty of TV's to watch the games and a live band when the game was over. Lots of variety on the draft beer and food looked good too. Manager was doing a good job as well. Running around making sure everything was running smooth. All in all a good place. Good for a group too. Like I mentioned - lots of room.
(4)Anne W.
I went here for a late night dinner and was pleasantly surprised it was Karaoke night. The service was good.. the food was okay and a bit overpriced.. and yes, you feel like you're eating at a castle themepark. Is it supposed to be an Irish castle? The bad singing.. well, that's not their fault. The bathrooms are clean.. so that's another plus in my book. And the beer isn't too much of a ripoff here. I should come here for trivia night.
(3)Sab M.
Good food and beer. However, the service was HORRIBLE. I have never complained about any server in my entire life, but this was over the top. This waitress must have been running a clinic on how to make guests feel unwelcome and unwanted. I thought we might have been on candid camera. It ruined my first and last experience at this restaurant.
(1)Lance C.
Not too pretty bad
(4)Liz M.
If not for the company, I would've given this place 1 star for the food + service. I'm sure its a great place for beer + fries and everything nice, but DONT get the fish tacos. Why did I get them? The waiter suggested it. Oh, silly me. My friend ordered the chicken pot pie which .... looked....decent, but she barely touched it because it was way too salty. Service? Eh. Women's Bathroom? Kinda/sorta sketch with toilet paper all over the floor. I dunno. It was only 8pm, doesn't that happen at the end of the night?
(2)x s.
If your criteria for a good meal is sitting in a giant wooden throne and nothing much else, than the Asgard is the place for you!!!! Seriously. I've seen Chinatowns more "celtic" than this place attempts to be. I used to like their shephards pie, but it's 90% meat, and 10% yellow cheese. The fish n chips is OK, passable. Oh, the service is pretty good actually. I had the Irish stout stew once and had to send it back, it was so weird and salty. The Asgard. Your convenient neighborhood pub that just won't go away.
(2)Lisa I.
Your typical Irish pub, but the food is better than most. Plus, 10 cent wings during Happy Hour on Mondays?! I'm sold. Actually, they're now 25 cents, but that's still pretty good. And the atmosphere is nicer than most Irish pubs, with comfy chairs and bar stools. The service is pretty quick too. I'm not usually a big fan of Irish pubs (a sin here in Boston, I know), but I actually like this place.
(3)Sanel S.
Service: it was slow, incompetent and not friendly. Atmosphere: Tacky! I don't care for fake medieval decor. If you can't afford actual medieval tools and importing a wall from some old fortress in Ireland then don't create a fake one. The outside and inside clash visually. Outside makes it seem modern and hip, and inside is filled with faux-medieval decor. I would imagine the only people it would appeal to would be 18 year old testosterone filled frat boys. Yeah I understand that importing pieces of an actual fortress would be impractical and impossible. All the more reason not to build tacky fake crap then. Food was alright. The Omelet I ordered had more stuff in it than the menu stated it would. Conversely, the omelet was also lacking things. If the menu says "comes with fries" I expect to see fries, not potato halves.
(2)Lisa C.
I'd been wanting to try this place for a while since I work a few blocks away, but could just never seem to get there between endless meetings and hectic schedules and ya know, winter...anyway, I finally got here today with a coworker and was pleasantly surprised. The outside seating area was comfortable, though the service was sort of slow (not sure if it was our waitress or what). The California turkey wrap was decidedly not Irish, but still tasty. I opted to skip out on a heavy meal like Shepherd's Pie for lunch, so I'd like to go back and try it. They have a great wine and beer list (though we clearly couldn't imbibe).
(4)Nana J.
The rating for their cleanliness is 1 star. The rating for their current menu is 3 stars. The rating for their old menu was 5 stars. The average would have been 3 stars, but I'm disappointed that they changed the menu and still do such a lousy job cleaning the tables that they get 2 stars (because I'm feeling generous and they do have trivia nights and outdoor seating).
(2)Aditi R.
Went here because Middlesex had a line winding half of Mass Ave. And I'm not one for waiting. They had a live band which I'm a always a fan of and they played some classics of course. Fairly good, but nothing special. They made all of us dance and that's the biggest thing for a live band, great or not. The beer on tap is good, but the selection could be slightly bigger. Other than that there is ample amounts of space to socialize and fall over when slightly inebriated :) Also known as, your average neighborhood bar.
(3)amy a.
Great beer list. Had appetizers of vegetarian chili nachos (yum), calamari (too small a portion but YUM) and the crab cake salad for dinner. Then...I saw the mice. Same night as the other reviewer apparently - running around and across the dining room as the sun went down. Mentioned to the waitress, and she said "Oh where?" Told her, ummmmm...right there (---me pointing) and she said she'd take care of it. Really, dude?
(1)Anna F.
So, I might have given them 2.5 stars on an ordinary night... but being Valentines and me on a budget with two dates- the $17 fix prixe seemed like a good idea. I like the decor and the food has always been decent. So here was the horror that ensued: - didn't offer us the Valentine's menu- strike one -no mood lighting, no candles and crappy WBCN music- strike two - seated not one but two large parties with children next to us in the otherwise empty restaurant (yes, it was early)- big strike three! The food was mediocre at best. I didn't realize until my surf and turf came that they never asked how I wanted it cooked. Portions were about half on the regular menu (and more expensive) . The desserts were underwhelming and not as expected. The cappuccino cake was a lava cake with a scoop of coffee ice cream. The mud pie was ice cream in cake shape with a bit of chocolate sauce and whipped cream (no oreo crust?!). And last but not least, my sidecar tasted like a whiskey sour. Blah! If you want a nice Irish pub, the River Gods is cozier, friendlier and all around superior.
(2)Betsy E.
I'm having a hard time articulating my thoughts about this place. On the pros side, it's close to my apartment, and easily accessible from many other places, it's huge, and drinks are pretty reasonable. The band that was playing the last time I was there wasn't horrible either. But there's just. . .something about this place that is so corporate and soul-less. Whenever my friends and I are looking to go someplace in the Central/Kendall area, the Asgard never comes up because as someone (Gertrude Stein?) wisely said, "there's no there there." This place feels like it was dreamed up by some corporate overlord who envisioned tons of money coming from biotech employees at happy hour. That's fine, money is money, but if I'm going to an Irish bar in Central Square, I'll stick with the Field.
(3)Leslie P.
I went here twice while attending ROFLCon II at MIT, as it was the place chosen by the conference organizers as the go-to after party place both nights of the conference. The conference sponsored party was held in the back room. It was mostly dark, hot and crowded, with a high noise level. It was nice to meet the people from the conference in a social setting, but when the waiters are dropping glasses because there isn't room to walk by the customers without getting elbowed, it may be time to find a bigger function room to hold your after party. Just sayin' Also, people kept complaining how slow the service was, but from what I could see it was as if the waitstaff had to do battle just to get drinks out into the crowd, so I'm not sure what would have sped that up for everyone. As for the Asgard itself, on night two I decided to pass on the crowded back room for a little bit and have dinner and drinks at the front while watching the games (Bruins on one TV and Red Sox on the other). I had Truffle Tater Tots, which were bland and which came with uninventive ketchup instead of something more interesting to dip them in. I also had some kind of house specialty egg roll, also bland. My bartender, happily, was on the ball, though, and kept an attentive eye on both my wine and my water - a good thing. Eventually I wandered back to the function I was supposed to be attending, but while in the front room found the place to be obnoxiously noisy, as if there were something off about the acoustics, as well as crowded and not overly friendly. It seemed it wasn't the kind of place to foster great conversations and meeting new people. I think I'll pass on going back to the generic pseudo Irish bar and stick to finding new places to see when I am in the city.
(3)Kelly C.
If I worked in the area, I'd definitely go more often. Had the chili and was STUFFED. The 10 cent wing deal caught my eye, but go early...The place was SLAMMED by the time I was leaving around 7:30.
(3)Elizabeth F.
I haven't been there since they stopped doing Wednesday karaoke. The food's eh and the drinks are eh, so without karaoke, there's no reason to go to the Asgard.
(1)Jolene S.
I have got to say that Wed. night karaoke really brings this place alive. The pulled pork sandwich is worthwhile (and the fries and onion rings were pretty good too). Our server was pleasant. I will be back to check out the Wed. night shenanigans again.
(3)Matt M.
The Asgard... Great beer selection, we we're seated very promptly. As our party grew the waitress held a neighboring table for our other guests to join us... By the end of the night we might have been a little bit more boisterous than most other patrons and that was treated with a smile and another round of beers. I had the Asgard burger with bacon... When I asked for bacon I did not realize I was going to get half of Miss Piggy... That was a pleasant surprise. The nachos missed the strike zone though... There was an ample amount of guacamole, cheese and salsa but no chips. It was a 2 to 1 ratio of scooped goodness to chip... Leaving us with a platter of unused condiments. Messing up nachos will cost you a whole star.
(3)Laura G.
I'm not usually an Irish bar-food kind of gal but when I was in Boston my parents and I stumbled inside on a snowy night. I ordered a filet with a blue cheese sauce and a side of asparagus, the pictures still show the euphoria of my first bite into that meal. I strongly recommend this restaurant. The staff is attentive and kind. This small pub left a craving in my stomach because I have traveled all over the world and eaten many fantastic meals but I still yearn for a bite of this food.
(5)Andrew H.
What I like about the Asgard- decor. Very nicely done. One of the best in Boston among the Irish pubs. What could be better: Music- I don't really go to Irish pubs to hear gangsta rap. They need a better music selection; Bathroom- You can't take a piss without the entire restaurant seeing you at the urinal; Food- for an Irish pub the Irish selection is limited, they could kick up the Irish element a bit. What I don't like-As with most American "pubs", the 5 dozen megasized TVs probably kill conversations.
(4)Neil Z.
Located more or less across the street from the Miracle of Science, the Asgard is the Miracle's bizarro twin. The Miracle is tiny; the Asgard is huge. The Miracle has an original, subtle schtick; the Asgard is the least authentic Irish bar in a city full of inauthentic Irish bars (except you, The Druid -- you're cool). The Miracle's loud because it's full of people, the Asgard is loud because they're playing The Joshua Tree cover-to-cover (um, figuratively). But it's not actually that bad. For starters, they have a lot of excellent beer on tap (if you haven't, try the Allagash White). Getting a table is at least nominally possible on a Saturday night. And it's close to MIT. If all you want to do is drink beer with some friends, then why sweat the rest? I wouldn't take a date here, but taking dating advice from me is a terrible idea anyway. The food's unremarkable and the slightest bit expensive, though they have no-BS 10-cent wings on Monday nights. Avoid the cocktails at all costs. Also beware karaoke night -- not that I had to tell you that.
(3)Molly S.
The service is solid, even at the busy bar. The wait staff is just attentive enough, they always know when I'm almost ready for another beer - so I'm never left with an empty glass (and that's called being good at your job!). The beer selection leaves a little to be desired, how do they only have one Harpoon offering? But Carlsberg and Allagash get it done for me. And I can't dote on the 10-cent wings enough. The flavor is great, the first time I was really surprised by what a great value this is. Whenever my Bio-tech crew gets together, we hit Asgard up for this deal and TALK TALK TALK and the chicken is still hot! I've had one sit down meal here, wasn't too impressed, but for general bar shenanigans, Asgard does the trick.
(3)Yeah R.
The Asgard: Clean House! The good: pretty good food (qual. & quant; even the offbeat authentic Irish victuals), decent beer selection, patrons/crowd, decor, TVs, restroom. The bad: terrible service, lacking coat rack/hooks, loud (TV, music, whatever), slightly overpriced. Ate &/or drank drafts there 3 times, alone, each in a different bar area/space (i.e., not formal dining space): very late midweek had a couple watching the Australian Open Tennis live (bar; joint nearly empty); one evening w/ band then karaoke (I remember neither week-day nor -part; quite fun) (shared hi-top; joint full); and Super Bowl Sunday watching the game (rail; joint half full). My first visit, the bar-tender saw me but ignored me until he had finished some chores: Very, very, ultra annoying. After that, reasonable service, including a fulfilled channel change request and some banter. One's spot (bar or table), no matter how filthy, will not be wiped-down/cleaned automatically between seatings (free-for-all in bar area): one has to ask. (The staff are bizarrely clueless about table turn-over, in general.) The servers don't know the food and beer menus well yet pretend to do so annoyingly & exasperatingly obstinately. Me: "Look, I''m telling you! It comes in a can. I've had it HERE PREVIOUSLY. Look here at the menu." When staff (never one's, "server") deliver the food, be sure to quickly - before s/he moves on w/out noticing - inform her/him that napkins & eating utensils have not been provided. It won't be long before the, "server" comes by (pouting) to deliver (unapologetically)... The worst service is at the rail/bench/shelf/trough/side-bar(?) abutting/paralleling the longer/north side of the bar. Why? Because there is no service. When I gave up & went to the bar for service, a staff member presented himself offering help. He gave me doublespeak and I told him to get lost. He then uttered more doublespeak so I ignored him & he went away. Neither the bar-tender nor the food-deliverer provided me utensils & napkins. I delivered my finished plate to the bar-end surreptitiously & watched gleefully one staff member after another look at it quizzically then ignore it. It eventually passed through the nearby (2 meters) doors into the kitchen. On a trip to the bar for a draft refill, staff swiped the napkins (paper towels) I had procured from the men's room, the utensils I had borrowed from a dining area table, & my glass of water. Why? I don't know? Doesn't a coat, hat, scarf, & back-pack on an adjacent stool indicate an active customer-spot? Why, all of a sudden, attention? The greeter/hostess/maître d' SB Sun may as well not have come to work. Not only no help upon arrival, but also no greeting - not even a, "Welcome," "Hello," or, "How are you." Moreover, while socializing w/ a dining friend for at least 2 quarters (including sitting), she many times fetched food & drink for him - each errand a walk twice past customers at the rail oblivious to their plight (being ignored nearly the entire 1st half of the Super Bowl.) But several staff just walked by. We were still ignored even after 2 nearby & similarly-situated patron-friends secured service by shouting at a staff member who had repeatedly passed by unawares. Oy vey.
(1)Jeff B.
Ate here on Saturday afternoon with my girlfriend. They sat us outside at a dirty table (we had to ask for it to be cleaned after they sat us). One of the bread plates was also dirty. We both ordered sandwiches and after 10 minutes the waiter told me that they couldn't make mine because they weren't serving the lunch menu yet. I asked when the lunch menu started and he asked me what time it was now. I said 1:40pm and he said he didn't think it started until 2pm. So I had to order something else. Ten minutes later my girlfriend's meal arrived but without the chicken (tomato, basil, mozzarella, with chicked) and the waiter told me that mine would be right out. Another 10 minutes later mine finally came but my girlfriend had already finished her meal. Asked for the check and when it didn't come, we had to ask for it again. The kicker was that the restaurant was pretty empty. About 10 tables seated outside and a couple inside. Would not go back for a meal, maybe drinks only.
(1)Mike T.
Yet another shitty fake Irish bar that looks identical to every other fake Irish bar in Boston. Asgard, Kinsale and Solas all in one city? Do they sell "Build Your Own Shitty Irish Bar" kits? Does a shipping container full of barrels, iron light fixtures, rough wooden tables and Guinness posters just show up in front of a building with a crew of construction workers dressed as Leprechauns? The food sucks, the waiters are punks, the bartenders take forever and the bouncers are overly aggressive due to a combination of roid rage and the painful realization that their parents probably lie to people when they are asked "What does your son do for a living?" Update: Apparently my review upset one of the staff members. For a hilarious read as well as a troubling look into the state of the Attleboro school system, check out Brett H.'s only review on yelp. He must love singing 'Danny Boy' on karoke night while eating nachos and drinking one of Asgard's 25 BEERS!!!!!!!!!
(1)Robert Z.
This used to be one of my favorite places to go for a pint after work and perhaps a burger with it, sadly, as a result I have also been party to watching it's decline over to years. While the beer selection is still good, when I ate here recently with friends, all of us ordered different dishes (Tomato Basil Mozzarella Sandwich, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, Asgard Burger, and Bangers 'N Mash) and split the Truffle Tater Tots as an appetizer and all of us got food poisoning to varying degrees. Needless to say we will not be going back as a result of this. One person getting food poisoning after eating somewhere might be a exception, but everyone at a table getting sick is an indication that something might be amiss in the kitchen. In addition to the issues with the food, all of us agreed that the wait staff was both rude and inattentive to our table while the table directly next to us (with more guests) got better service. The dinning section was not packed so this level of service was unacceptable. When we caught one of the waiters to indicate we were ready to order and if they could find out waitress, he just walked off afterwards without getting her and we ended up having to catch her as well. Dirty looks were abound from the waitress as they were walking away from our table even though our table was polite (if hungry). All of that said though, a poor experience with the staff still pales in contrast to all of us getting food poisoning after eating there and it bears reiterating that fact.
(1)Emily S.
I remember coming here a few years ago when my friend and I had to bail on a ridiculously awful MIT frat Halloween party and finding it really decent. They served up a decent drink and a decent late night jambalaya with a decent late night menu and offered decent live musical entertainment. I had a nice time, but that may have been circumstantial. Anyway, remembering that lovely time I took another friend there for brunch this past weekend when we couldn't find a table at Miracle of Science. And oh boy, what a disappointment. Now, I like the decor and the concept of the place a lot. It's like a lodge. To me, that's important because I see dining as an overall experience- but it started with me being impressed with the decor and everything went downhill from there. Things just weren't done intelligently. Nobody there seems to think about what they're doing. First, the hostess tried to seat us at a high bar table on stools when the place was two thirds empty and there were tons of regular tables with comfy chairs sitting around in the exact same area. I asked to be seated at a table and she complied. Then I looked at the menu. It was 11:30 and I was in the mood for a sandwich, cept that the menu informed me they don't serve lunch at all on weekends, so it was the highly limited brunch menu or zilch. I had a hard time finding something that was both healthy and something I would actually like to eat. I gave in to the latter and got eggs bennedict. Now, they offered it both traditionally and with crabcakes. I thought that was a rather interesting concept, but I thought it might be too rich for morning, so I asked the waiter if it still came with Canadian ham. He said yes. I thought, OK, I'll pay the $2 extra then, and if i don't like the crabcakes I'll take them off, eat my benedict the traditional way and have the crabcakes to take home in a box for later! The plate came with a side of homefries and I figured that my main course more than covered my cholesterol requirement for the day, so I ordered the griddled tomatoes on the side. Now, the menu offered griddled tomatoes. I said "I'll have the tomatoes." This is foreshadowing. Five minutes later our waiter returns. Portions were small, not heinously, just not the bounty one would expect when you pay for brunch - and this was not cheap, less expensive places offer more. The underside of my friend's plate was literally half covered in sticky, bright yellow congealed egg yolk goo. Not just a little. It was ... something that no waiter could possibly miss, and that I imagine most waiters would think to wipe off. After all, his fingers were in it. Mine came and it was the smallest portion of eggs benedict i've ever seen. My griddled tomatoes? Perhaps I should've specified griddled, because what I got was a sliced tomato. That's it. If I had known it'd be that I would've just gotten the home fries. But what I really enjoyed is that AS HE WAS SETTING DOWN MY PLATE the waiter explained to me that apparently he was wrong and the crabcake eggs benedict doesn't also come with ham. With no follow up. No "is that OK?," nada. He was nice, but seriously, what? I then proceeded to make a frowny face to see if he'd notice and offer to get me some f- ehem, freaking ham free of charge but it didn't occur to him. Wasn't worth it to me to get into it, too early in the morning. But that's what he should've done. This establishment akes absolutely no pride in its brunch service. I don't understand why they even have brunch if they're going to half-ass the whole thing. Limited menu, small portions, mediocre food that leaves no lasting impression at prices too high for mediocre food, and no thought put into their customer service whatsoever. And you know what? The place was almost empty. Why do they even bother? Beh.
(2)Nathan P.
Good for happy hour. Lots of choices in apps, tons of beer and a bunch of seats. Gets crowded for sure, but isn't that what happy hour is all about?
(3)Doris K.
People, people, people! I had a great time at the Asgard, but maybe that's because I came for dinner and sat at a table instead of the bar. I started out with a bartender concocted drink that was vodka, champagne, and pineapple. It sounded good but I didn't really enjoy it. The waiter was really knowledgeable about beer and was able to recommend something suitable for the hubby. I ordered the apple cider pork chop with roasted potatoes, and the hubby had the bangers and mash. My pork chop was AMAZING. It was the most tender piece of pork I have ever had in my life. Really amazing, perfectly grilled, and expertly seasoned. The hubby's bangers were dry, but the mash was good, just needed more gravy. I know that they are suppose to be an Irish pub but I think that probably their non-Irish food items may be better than their Irish food items. The people next to us had the steak and fish and chips which both looked really good. Someone else looked like they ordered a tuna steak and when it came out it looked like it was cooked perfectly. Our server could not have been better. I think his name was Jonathan. He was one of the best servers I have had in Boston. After being triple sat with a large party, he still managed to take care of us without any flaws.
(4)Becki W.
So, I need to preface this by saying I have only paid full price for my stuff here once. So, I have found the prices to always be more than reasonable ( yes, the prices are reasonable to begin with). But if you come with Beth E on trivia night, you will be more than likely to find as gift certificate in her purse from the last Trivia Night (Because Yelpers kick ass on Stump Night!!) Their food is decent, but nothing to tell mom about. I have only had a burger there so, I don't know if my burger was a standard example of their cuisine, but let's just say it is. They have a small selection of wines, and a good selection of beers, if you like that sort of thing. For people like me that have cocktails (Good selection of rums and vodkas) and also Magners (Seriously... are there any bars in Boston that carry cider besides Magners?) What brings this up to 4 stars for me is that on a night when Trivia people are running rampant and you have to bushwhack your way from your table to the trivia host, the servers are pretty attentive. I even had one come up to me at the Trivia table asking if I wanted my drink there, or should being it to the table (and he wasn't even my waiter.. just helping carry out) So food = meh, price = okay, service = Yay. Not great overall, but definitely not bay.
(4)Angie A.
Had dinner here last night. FABULOUS atmosphere with the high ceilings and wood architectural influence. And everyone at our table enjoyed the food. I had the crab cake sandwich and sweet potato fries. Very good. But my friend had the Shephard's Pie - outstanding! We were all eating out of her plate!
(4)Nick L.
The Applebee's of Irish Pubs. Generic. Watered down. Not really Irish, what with the Mexican food and burgers and such, but I can't fault them for that. I mostly fault them for being boring. I can't think of why you'd choose The Asgard over other places in Central, unless of course you're walking from MIT and can't be bothered to go a couple more blocks before drinking away the tears and the equations. There's a lot of seating, so it's a reasonable destination for groups. The prices aren't exorbitant, but they're nothing to write home about. The drink list is acceptable. I've never been for Trivia Night, so maybe I'm missing out. They occasionally have bands. I really didn't like this place, to be honest, but I ended up going a lot with friends who did. Now they've left town and I don't see myself going back.
(2)Melissa C.
Totally standard pub grub with one exception: surprisingly vegetarian friendly options. They have both a beef chili and a veg chili; they make their own veggie burger (with ground nuts in it for a rich flavor), they have a tower of local veggies as an appetizer, they have a cheese plate, they make a portobello sandwich, a veggie pasta, and several salads. If friends are in the mood for an Irish-style pub, I will suggest the Asgard (though their Guinness doesn't taste like it is poured with a nitrogen tap) because there's something for everyone (even me, rare at bars!). The decor is gothic, a bit more of Disneyworld's version of an Irish pub than I'd like, but still fun. The waitstaff can be hit or miss. We had a waitress the other night who was all smiles but couldn't remember a thing about our order (and seemed to have too much pride to write it down). We've also had people for servers who I swear are actually robots. No emotions found. It's often crowded but never really rowdy. All the good kids go there. And the prices are what you'd expect for Cambridge. Higher than the suburbs, but not stupid expensive (yet...).
(3)Melissa M.
This review is for their Trivia Night. It is a great little pub. Dark wood tables surround the place. I didn't even mind standing since they were out of chairs. Their pinot noir is really good and for 7.5 bux, it's okay to get 2 glasses! I didn't get any food, but everyone's meals looked and smelled good. Their service was very nice, she clearly was very busy but remained pleasant so I tipped her well. The music they play was great too. I'm glad I made the trek from Allston to Central for this! I'll be back! Oh, yeah -- our team WON! We are awesome!
(4)John P.
They no longer have Boston's best karaoke. So they are now a perfectly average Irish bar in a neighborhood filled with Irish bars. You know what you're getting into.
(3)Abby N.
I have spoken to the manager. He stated that the bartender and waitress are sincerely sorry. He said the two will also be organizing a charity event with the Special Olympics and will volunteer so they can learn more about the organization and its members. I'm quite pleased with how this situation was handled. I can only hope that in the future the two will think twice before using certain words and actions.
(3)Sherry C.
Delicious beer. Mediocre food. I walked in last night for a beer and a takeout dinner. The bartender was very friendly despite my muddy athletic attire. I don't know if it was because my order was later in the night or taken just after a large group at another table ordered... but my Rueben sandwich came out 30 minutes later soggy, cold and gross. I'd come back here to grab a beer with friends, but I won't be ordering food again.
(2)Oz L.
Great drafts on tap and 10 cent wings on Mondays!!! Monday night football is right around the corner!!! Get there early!!
(4)Jess L.
Some friends and I stopped in here randomly. I really liked the wood paneling and tall ceilings. There were also lots of different types of seating areas - standing, lounge-y, eating - so that was neat, too. It was definitely loud, though, and some of the seats were too close together. It's a good place for people watching. Extensive liquor menu.
(3)Claudia R.
My friends and I stumbled upon this place by accident on our way back to our hotel after our first night out & about in Boston. We realized the we are too old for the club scence now that we are in our thrties and quickly bailed to return to our hotel. When we arrived at the Asgard around 11:30 on Friday it was pretty well populated. As girls who grew up on the East Coast and who love hip-hop we were really surprised by the old school hip hop that was being played in an Irish Pub. Regardless we loved it and drank untill close. I will deffinatley make this a stop again if I am ever in Boston. The wait staff at this establishment was great. Quick to see when we were finishing a beer and bring another right along. Thank goodness our hotel was right behind this pub :o)
(5)Whitney K.
This place has a beautiful interior... I wish I could say the same for the management. I went outside to make a phone call and asked the hostess to hold my table (with 3 drinks on it) and came back to find our drinks gone and our table occupied. As a veteran of the service industry (busser, hostess, server, asst. manager) I am accustomed to making the customer happy. Asgard did the exact opposite. The hostess notified the manager and he had the bartender fill our beers less than half way. The hostess felt so bad she went to talk to the manager because she obviously knew something about customer service and then the manager proceeded to yell at her in front of the whole restaurant. If anything the hostess should be running the place because the manager knows nothing about customer service. 3 beers cost him 3 customers... was it worth it?
(1)sunny n.
I wish I could remember..but this place used to something back in the day..and was actually pretty good..but now with the Guard of the Ass named venue...it certainly doesnt live up to my expectation... the decor...well lets see.where do i begin...celtic..ish....medivial..ish..maybe even americano...who knows wtf the decorator was thinkin...food portions were huge..but not at all flattering...i was pretty hungry when i arrived and with pleasant company..so decided not to complain..but the chicken fingers...were so bad..hard....ouch....and ya i confess..I ate..coz it was my first solid meal of the day...place is huge...so good for big groups......! Definately overpriced....i may jus swing by here on a desperate cold night again for a drink..while pondering on MassAve....!
(2)Wendy K.
I was here for a late dinner with some friends, and while the experience was generally good, the food left something to be desired at times. The decor was rustic and comfortable and the service was great - bussers filled water glasses flawlessly, everyone got their food at the same time and within a reasonable time frame, and the waitress seemed knowledgable about the beer selection. We ordered the spinach dip, which was tasty, but the menu says that it's served with pita chips, while ours was served with tri-colored tortilla chips, and the truffle tater tots, which didn't taste particularly truffle-y, and didn't seem to have any Parmesan cheese or pepper on it, as the menu states, but tasted more like cafeteria food circa fourth grade. They were still good, don't get me wrong - just not "restaurant good". Not exactly what I would expect from a nicer restaurant... I got the Steak Wedge Salad, and while it tasted fine, there were three tiny steak tips on it, and though the paper menu said that the dressing was served on the side, it was POURED onto my iceberg wedge, drowning most of the other flavors. Remind me why this cost $13? On the other hand, the people I was with enjoyed their meals which were the Fish Tacos and the Paddy Melt. In conclusion, the food is hit or miss. And inconsistent with what the menu says. And not worth the money it costs to consume it.
(3)Brian M.
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Irish pubs. Love cos: - I'm happy anywhere that I can indulge my love of tasty cold pints - the food is generally reliable. Not exciting, not amazing, but reliable - occasionally I meet a compatriot and can have one of those Irish conversations that involves a lot of nods, use of expressions like 'grand' and "y'know yourself' and very occasionally discovery of a mutual acquaintance (put two Irish people together and count how long it is before one says to the other "Do you know...?" Then there's the flipside: - I didn't come 3000 miles to hang out in a pale imitation of the places I misspent my youth. - the patrons can be a pain in the hole; bitter expats complaining about how much the oul country has changed, 'locals' who loudly proclaim their Irishness every 5 minutes and a few college kids who are too suburban to drink in a real dive bar. - The menu can be predictable to the point of tears The Asgard ticks most of these boxes and yet I seem to find myself there at least once a month without fail. They've a pretty decent beer selection, the food is generally good and the service is always competent and pleasant enough. I'll never love the Asgard, but I'm glad it's there.
(3)Arturo P.
Fun Trivia Night, Decent Beer Selection, Decent Food, Good Service I've been coming here for a while almost every Tuesday for trivia night, so my review is mostly for that. The staff is great and friendly, their beer selection is solid (new stuff pretty regularly), and the food is ok. Overall, a fun place to grab some drinks and food. Four stars, only because I'm not in love with the food.
(4)Chuck C.
Man, you gotta come in for brunch! Magnificent! Great beer selection and a fabulous bloody mary :-) We popped in Saturday and Sunday because the food and service were great.
(4)David G.
So I've gone back for the first time in 2009 to give them one last shot and I see they've made some major improvements. The improvements being less about the food that was chief source of complaint before, but to the beer menu. They now have quality and thoughtful selections here on tap-quite a few in fact. They've managed to avoid mainstream boredom and put out some interesting and unusual brews, so I applaud them for that. Service is friendly from behind the bar and the bar manager seems like a good guy. However, the food is still mediocre at best though unfortunately. Their sandwiches disappoint in both size and taste. The other dishes I see going out looked very unimpressive and brought back bad memories of my last visit here for lunch. Fix the food and I could learn to really like this place. It could even become great.
(3)Jillian Y.
I could give the Asgard 5 stars for their lighting and cavelike atmosphere alone, but I won't. Okay, yes, I will. They also have a great beer selection, yummy soups and salads (and a lot else, but those are my favorite foods lately).
(5)Jesse R.
I recently had dinner at the Asgard, the last time I was here was just for a quick drink on the way to somewhere else. As someone who has been to Ireland, I think the Asgard is a modern, gastropub spin, on a traditional Irish pub. The expansive bar made of wood, copper and glass and mirrors is really cool, and in general the interior is a cozy place...all they need is a couple of working fireplaces to really set the mood. The food is very good. I had the fish and chips, two nice crispy filets with very moist cod inside. My friend had the Shepherd's Pie which was also quite tasty. They have a huge selection of beers, many local brews and also several UK and Ireland imports. The bartender recommended Young's Double Chocolate Stout, a British import with a bittersweet chocolate finish that is really pleasant. Would definitely come here again if I was in the MIT / Cambridge area. Trivia night is on Tuesday!
(4)Derek B.
This is a tough review b/c the experience is so variable. I've been to Asgard a few times. The food is serviceable but def nothing to write home about. (If you go for brunch, get the corned beef hash). The servers do try really hard but you get the feeling that they are overcome by the demands of customers and an inefficient kitchen process. Not a good feeling when you're a customer...you really shouldn't even be thinking about the kitchen process. The food came out cold a few times (it can be expected after an hour wait for an appetizer...how hard is it to pour soup). Nonetheless, the management recognized the issue and did comp the meal. I wish I could say that the quality of the food and the management's foresight was enough to get me back but it's not. The food would have to be significantly better to overcome the service issues.
(2)Jason H.
Ten cent wings on Mondays, good irish pub feel really close to mit.
(3)Chris G.
The skinny: I really like hanging out here especially on off nights since it is spacious. i also like their veggie burger. Music gets too loud sometimes. Full story: A place full of Cambridge after work crowd earlier in the evening and young pros, grad students, and older people for dinner and later on. It empties out after 1130 I think as people head over to Middlesex to dance or off to Boston. Menu is ok - I like the veggie burger alot - other stuff is just ok i think though friends have liked various items. I like the ambiance a lot, and when i want to hang out with friends and TALK, I like coming here. Some nights, the live music near the front of the place is too loud (after 10) so I sit near the back. Last time, I sat in the throne chair. This is one of my default hang out places.
(4)Tarah H.
The Asgard is brimming with mediocrity. The waitstaff is very hit or miss. (we've had cold and sparse service to very chatty and friendly) The food, while pretty okay, was a little pricey for what they were offering. The beer selection is respectable and pretty average to a little high in price. Kudos on the Tuesday trivia, though. Seemingly, other than during trivia time, this place is pretty empty. Come Tuesday, people start filtering in around 8:30 in anticipation of the fun and factoids to be had at 9. The girl that runs trivia is lovely and very tolerant of risque names and our often rowdy group. The patrons are a mishmash of MIT folk, after work types, neighborhood hipsters and a few randoms. As far as decor, it's a bit of a cluster-f*** of viking and irish pub wanna be that has that lovely watered-down-ness that really only America can offer. In that respect, it kind of reminds me of bad Chinese food - tastes kind of okay, but after an hour, makes you feel a little funny. I'll keep coming for the occasional Tuesday trivia, but otherwise, there's better places in the city. Fun Fact: Magners is listed twice on their tap lists.
(3)Emily M.
I can't even get a budlight for under 5 dollars when I go out. Their beers are 3x more potent, 5x more delicious, and cheaper! Well, at least some of them. Great beer selection. The Troegs Troegenator was awesome. Also had a dark and stormy which was delicious. I will definitely come here again.
(4)Victoria W.
I've only once been to the Asgard 1) on any day other than Wednesday and 2) before 9 p.m. That said, I'm there every week. The karaoke is the best in Boston and the karaoke crowd is one of the best ones you can ever hope to find at a watering hole on a weekday night. I adore the Asgard. You should too.
(5)Jennifer N.
10 cent wings is an AMAZING deal. You have to buy a $5 drink but that's dinner for what $6+tip. WIN. They are about as good as 10 cent wings can get Gets super crowded after 5pm. Service was meh. Hostess was somewhat lost or airheaded. Didn't understand the wing+drink concept well. The bartender ignored me and my boyfriend for 5 minutes before I flagged her down. But otherwise a good experience. I would go back
(3)_ _.
Scale of 1-10 (multiple visits): 4 Food 7 Service 8 Atmosphere 5 Value
(2)Sarah R.
SEATARDS HOOOOOOOOOOOO!! It turns out that I've now been here thrice instead of merely twice, my first time having been during the Boston Bunny Bar Hop down Mass Ave. 5 months later, I can only remember that night in tattered, beer-soaked remnants. The other two times have been for Yelp Trivia, during which the Asgard was assailed by legions of Seatards on an otherwise normal Tuesday night. I'd heard disparaging "things" about the Ass Gard before I'd actually made it there, and I must say that I was somewhat pleasantly surprised upon arrival. The beer selection is decent, though I can't speak for the quality of their mixed drinks. They put real blueberries in the Wachusett, though not the tiny little dainty ones used at Boston Beer Works which bounce up and down within the glass. I also had a pumpkin ale that was decent, but again, not as good as the one @ Boston Beer Works. The food is okay, but not earth-shatteringly amazing. I had the Chicken Roll-Up and the fries, which were a big hit. The menu combines a good mix of "traditional" offerings with more ubiquitous bar food (see my choice). There's even ravioli, apparently. I guess it's one of Asgard's attempts to try to reach out to everyone. The biggest problem with trying to eat at Asgard is just that--the attempt to flag down a server to take your order. Granted, we were there on a relatively busy night, but it might benefit them to have a few more servers on hand during those busy times. The prices for both food and drink are reasonable. I noticed that immediately following trivia, most people migrated out of the bar, so Asgard's not really a hopping destination when it comes to nightlife. This seems to be simply a stop on the journey to booze it up on Mass Ave, not unlike my experience with my fellow Bunnys all those months ago.
(4)T I.
I really like the atmosphere. The furniture and the wooden walls. The chairs are really cute. The food is good too! Close to MIT campus. Looks kind of expensive but it's not really I think! the waitresses are usually really good. Good place to watch soccer or Red Sox. Great for group partying. It even has a nice separate room in the back for private parties. Big TV screens.
(4)Jeffrey H.
Pros: *Food; Pretty decent and I think a good place to grab lunch. *Price; It's always nice to find clean establishments in Boston that don't charge you an arm & a hooha. *Place; Clean. Spacious. Good for large groups. *Location; Not too far from the red line Cons: *Nightlife; Isn't really 'hoppin' unless you've come with a group. *Location; You have to walk thru Sketchy Mcsketch Land from the red line to the bar...be prepared to take a stroll thru Hobo Village...right beyond Crackhead Valley. *People; MIT students and middle-aged office workers not really my scene. ***9.25.07 edit: Waitress; a snooty one at trivia last night who said I couldn't order from the bar because I was sitting at a table...mind you I had just walked in the door and was STANDING in between two tables saying 'Hola' to Yelpers. She also said they didn't have my low-carb Mich Ultra...so I ordered a Coors Light on draft...then when she was gone I snuck over to the bar and ordered a Mich Ultra since ya know, I've ordered it a bazillion times before...and I'd rather tip the cutey behind the bar instead of the miserable Punky Brewster look alike. I'd recommend it for grabbing a bite but not for staying late night.
(3)Ryan C.
Amazingly good wings, and probably the best shepherds pie in the area. Good beer selection too. Go here on your way to the Sox game...
(4)Zach T.
$0.10 wing night on Monday nights, a good pint of Guiness, a big beer menu, and a constantly rotating beer stock. The food is ok, nothing that special about a fish 'n' chip platter for $13.
(3)Ligaya T.
The closest I ever came to the Asgard was the bus stop on the same block. Until last night when I flung open it's doors and sensed an evening of promise. Armed with beer and a blueberry sangria (nasty), our team, Revel in Hugginess, took up the Tuesday Trivia gauntlet. We spent the night racking our brains, being Seatarded (it's the genus, you know? R in H is the species), dodging the oversized furniture like regular quarterbacks to turn in our answers, cheering for the Sox during breaks (tvs viewable from every spot in the bar) and taking silly photos. "Peter Jennings" "Yamaha" "Montana" - X "Lungs" "Celine Dion" "An Inconvenient Truth?!" - X "Drive-in movie theater" In the end, Seatard team "Bitches, hoes and Russ" triumphed with our magic # 69, winning 3rd place! Sorry MITers, yelpers RULE. See you again, but only on Tuesdays!
(3)Howe L.
Admittedly, I only come here on Mondays when its super busy for its 10 cent wings. Nonetheless, the poor service is inexcusable. The wings are actually decent, and the bar actually serves (on tap!) one of my favorite beers, Franziskaner.
(3)Charoline D.
Not really sure why I hadn't gotten around to reviewing The Asgard, but quite possibly it's because it leaves really no distinguishable impression on me. The place just seems like a GIANT bar with way too many open spaces. If I'm at a pub, I kind of prefer it to be dark and intimate. And by intimate, I don't mean like...lingerie, candles, and rose petals. I've been here a number of times over the past couple years and it just seems really poorly put together. The bar area is so ginormous and awkward, feels more like this should be the location for a TGIFridays or something equally corporate and sterile. Unless we're talking like...Jack in the Box sterile.... Drinks are definitely overpriced, be it beer on tap or cocktails, everytime I leave here I feel like I've gotta scan over my receipt to make sure there are no errors and I'm not being charged for more than I actually drank. But then again, what kind of discretion can I really have when I sort of start to lose count? We came here for trivia last night and our team "The Seatards", a group of smarmy yelp folk scored 4th place, or so I think. It's a pretty good time and I think we felt fairly brainy in beating that godawful "pirate chicks with dicks" team. A fun event and hopefully we'll have more to come and winnings to share.
(3)Matthew F.
Above-average draft list almost makes me forget I'm in a chain Irish bar. Almost.
(2)Kenny L.
Official gathering locale for Yelp Stump Trivia, SEATARDS, and Infectious but Curable (reunion?)! 1. What sci-fi movie based in the jungles featured two actors that later became actual US state governors? 2. What are Ligaya's top three favorite places to do her Yelping? 3. What are the ingredients that goes into a Naked Speedo? 4. Does Trish have "The Dish" written on her birth certificate? Did I mention that the announcer girl sounded sexy?
(3)Russ S.
Wow. I'm a little bummed out this place only has three stars as of my review writing. The only times I have been to the Asgard have been on Tuesday trivia nights, and this one time when I went on a Boston Bunnyhop Bar Crawl. The barhop doesn't figure into my review, because it was a saturday night and we brought about 80 people into the place. Not very representative of your average Asgard experience. Trivia nights, however, are a pretty good time. The only drawback to the place is that it feels like it's impossible sometimes to flag a waitress down, and the waitstaff doesn't have the same sort of personable flavor that I am accustom to at some other bars. But a short list of things that I like about the Asgard on a Tuesday: -- This chicken penne pasta cream sauce thing I got last time was really really awesome -- They have plenty of space and plenty of tables -- The have Wachusett Blueberry beer with the little blueberries in them. -- The trivia lady will read out your team name, whatever it is, and 80% of the teams playing pick the dirtiest thing they can think of. -- Not too choady considering they have a ton of huge TVs showing the game. -- Beer prices are reasonable Yeah, that about sums it up. The Asgard doesn't hold a special place in my heart, by any means, but it's definately got it's moments. And most of those moments are on a Tuesday night with kids who watched a lot of TV and stuff growing up. SEATARDS 4 LIFE.
(4)Kate S.
Glaciers recede faster than the service here.
(1)Beth E.
This place is getting 4 stars just for being our main Yelp trivia location. I've never eaten anything here, so I can't comment on that. They have a good selection of beer, and the prices are reasonable. Really, it's a great space for trivia, lots of room, especially when a group of 20 of us show up and split into teams and spend the night answering questions and running around chatting with each other. Plus, it's across the street from the Middlesex, and Tueday night trivia is a good lead-in for hearthrob.
(4)Kristina D.
The Asgard does seem out of place for being fake-Irish/fake-Nordic next to all the original bars in Central Square. Like: Trivia night on Tuesdays with Jill Turkey burger with avocado and gouda Lots of capacity (except it's hard to get a table during trivia night) Neutral Opinion: Beer list--you can't go wrong with Harpoon IPA or Guinness, but the rest are so-so. Dislike: Boring atmosphere. I had enough of this in D.C. and Virginia (Molly Malone's [now O'Sullivan's], Ri Ra, Kitty O'Shea's, Four Courts, Four P's...)
(2)Chris S.
The Asgard feels as much a genuine neighborhood Irish bar as your nearest Taco Bell. It's meticulously decorated and sits on the stuffy side of Sidney St, which separates gritty Central Square from a glittering MIT office park. Even still, the food was good enough when I lived in the neighborhood to keep me coming back a couple of times each week. The seafood stew in a rich tomato base was a particular favorite, again despite not being very Irish. Don't go to the Asgard if you're looking for a small Irish pub with a friendly atmosphere; the Phoenix Landing is two blocks down Mass Ave and is a much better place to drink with friends. But If you want a decent meal, there are many worse places to dine in Central Square.
(3)Olivier C.
Really cool place, nice people, and they make your favorite drinks, just ask...
(4)Shannon A.
Would I got out of my way to go to the Asgard? Probably not. Would I go there as a convenient place to meet for drinks and some noshing after work? Probably. Everything about this place is average. The food - average. The beer selection - average. The staff - average. The Asgard serves a purpose, and that is it's big enough, centrally located enough, and inexpensive enough to draw a decent enough crowd to thrive. One of the positives The Asgard has going for it is the size. The place is cavernous with ample seating and a good sized bar area to accommodate the after work crowd. What amazes me about the Asgard is that it's a generic Irish pub in a city full of authentic/semi-authentic Irish pubs. I would expect to see a place like this is Vegas or Phoenix, but not Boston. It's because of that I'm sort of fascinated that the place has been able to exist for as long as it has. I guess people are happy enough with the mediocrity to go there.
(3)Dessa R.
Like your beat up Toyota from high school, the Asgard still needs alot of work. The space isn't bad- it's large and has an interesting Norse deco theme. The food is merely ok, and attempts to follow an Irish theme, although I am pretty sure I would not find corn beef potato skins on a food tour of Dublin. I will say that the burgers are pretty decent. The music, however, is horrifyingly god-awful. I went on a Friday night last week with a friend visiting from out of town, and we literally struggled to get through our mozzarella wedges as droning soft rock assaulted our ears. It was painful, and we rushed through our snack to escape. The joint was nearly empty at midnight, and the guy at the door hassled us about the validity of our IDs- we're in our 30s, so although we should have been flattered, we were mostly irritated.
(3)Claudia H.
An Irish Pub-like restaurant. On a nice day, ask to be seated outside (which we did). The restaurant offers an American menu, so expect the usual (burgers, sandwiches, etc.). You can also choose to sit inside, and the bar scene at night becomes active inside. I would recommend either the sliders or the chicken sandwich. The food is reasonably priced. You will probably pay $10-20 per person.
(3)Erik L.
Asgard is terrific, because I'm always impressed when I'm here. Over the past two years, I think I had dinner three times. You think you're entering an Irish pub/restaurant, so you don't necessarily expect anything above average. Not only is the food above average, it is really good; considering the price its fantastic. Last time I had the fire-roasted vegetables pasta. I'm not a vegetarian but this meal was all I needed. The sauce was perfect - it really has the fire-roasted flavor. Another time I had beef stew, which was done to perfection and also with the perfect flavor. Add to all this a very decent beer list, a merry wait staff, and what do you have? Right, a good time! They even have some outdoor seating, which, although kind of squashed against the side of the building, is still very pleasant now that summer has arrived. If I was in the area more often I'd definitely come a lot more than I do.
(5)Vanessa C.
I have to say after a flight from LAX and then checking into Le Meridien this place was the perfect distance for us. The staff were all super friendly and the atmosphere were all college kids to professor age. The clam chowder was very flavorful and the beers tasted straight from the brewery. The buffalo chicken sandwich on ciabatta bread was a little dry for me but still filling. The steak salad was excellent and perfectly marinated. If in Cambridge you must stop here for a late dinner it hits the spot.
(4)Jen H.
The Asgard has never done me wrong, so I have no complaints, and only positive things to say about them. There is a German group who meets here a couple times a month, and the Asgard is always able to accomodate the group. The food that I've tasted here has never been bad, drinks are made well, selection of alcohol is good, they just added one of the few beers that I like to drink (Leinenkugel) on tap, and the staff is always pleasant and helpful. Last night they had a live band that wasn't half bad, got the crowd sining and dancing along, so it was nice and chill. Asgard is a good spot for grabbing a bit to eat, pregaming, or having a more relaxing night of going out when you don't want to deal with the club/crowded bar scene.
(4)Jessica B.
I am an idiot. I want that to be clear from the get-go. My friend was in town and we were in Cambridge looking for a drink and something to eat. Another friend and former Boston resident used to work at either the Miracle of Science or the Asgard and had recommended one (or both maybe?) So, Brian and I are wandering around looking for the Miracle of Science, which (here's where idiocy comes in) I cannot find. But the Asgard is there, clear as day. We pony up to the nearly empty bar and wait to be served. And wait. And wait a little more. No hello. A barest glance of acknowledgement that does not apparently imply future service. No menus. Nada. Maybe we should have taken a table, but the hostess seemed disinclined to lead us to one. When we finally are served, I get potentially the weirdest veggie quesadilla I've ever had. Y'all do seem to like your broccoli and zucchini in Mexican food here. Ok. But eggplant? And watery guacamole? Ew.
(2)L D.
In a neighborhood where you can spit in any direction and hit a bar, there is no need for the Asgard. The furniture is massive and uncomfortable. My legs are always hitting the bar or the table legs, resulting in unsightly bruises and a constant utterance of curse words. The beer selection is okay but the prices are at least $1 too high. The food is awful. Really awful. The appetizers appear to be purchased in bulk and thawed to order (though I can't be sure). As for the entrees, I only had a full meal here once or twice and don't even remember what I ordered. So why the two stars with all this hatred? The AssGuard doesn't belong in Central but it's a convenient option when Miracle is too crowded. There's a reason you can always get a seat at the AssGuard.
(2)Tom E.
I can't take this place seriously as a pub. I mean, it feels just like one of those pubs you get in shopping malls, airports or Vegas casinos. It just doesn't work - they never do. It all feels contrived like something from a theme park. Yes, it's the offensive alcoholic Irishman ride! (you must be this tall to enter) Pubs have to have history and character and you can't create it by doing up the room next to the gym to look like a 'olde worlde' Irish bar. If you have a modern building and you want to get people drinking, open a bar.
(2)Emma H.
I like going here. It has a viking longhouse kinda feel. Lots of wood decor. It's on Mass ave within a short walking distance of the redline's Central square stop. On tuesdays they have a fun trivia night that starts at 9pm, which is what I usually go for. Show up early to get a good table for that. Drinks are good and they have a variety of options, although I've found the mixed drinks to be a bit overpriced for the amount of alcohol in them. I generally stick to beer or wine. They have a pretty large dinner menu. You probably won't eat anything mind blowing, but the food is great in terms of bar food. I've had a quesadilla (adequate), spinach artichoke dip (warm cheesy goodness), steak salad (yummy) and pulled pork burger (super yummy and filling).
(4)John W.
One of my friends is moving to SF this week, so a bunch of people got together at one of our favorite hang-outs for a rockin' going-away party. Our favorite hang-out is not the Asgard - it's the Miracle of Science. But when more and more people kept showing up, we were forced to relocate the party to this more spacious Viking-Irish pub across the street. I though I had been to the Asgard before, but as soon as I saw the medieval decor, I knew I hadnt. Our waiter was a nice gal, but a little clueless. It took a long time for us to order food, which I must add, is pretty mediocre. I had the veggie-burger with gouda cheese, and I sampled a friends veggie quesadilla. Their selection of beer on tap is pretty decent, but nothing special. All in all, we had a good time. I wish we could have stayed at MoS all night, but I'm even more glad we had such a big send-off for my friend on a Monday night.
(3)Liz K.
Great selection of drinks. They had a band on Sat night that kept things moving . However by the end of the night the crowd dimmed down.
(3)Roni E.
Oh the ASS-Guard! Well... not really, this bar/restaurant is quite pleasant. The decor reminds me of the Renaissance/Medieval Times theme with a castle-like atrium, high ceiling, carved out wooden chairs, etc. The bathrooms are clean. The staff are pretty attentive. The food is a bit overpriced, but not bad by any means. But of course, this may also have been due to my EUI (Eating Under Influence). I'll pay whatever I have to, to get rid of the drunchies. This seems to be one of the hot spots for Yelpers for Tuesday night Trivia though. Although, I'm not guarding my ass here, you bet I am on Mass Ave!
(3)Marc H.
Irish pubs such as the Asgard don't really do it for me, probably because I have spent so much time in Ireland and prefer the real deal when it comes to the pub scene. And Asgard is not the real deal. The atmosphere is pleasant, and the servers are mostly ok, but the food seems rather average and the place just feels a bit too generic to me. For a fun night at an authentic Irish pub, I guess I'd rather hit a place such as James's Gate in Jamaica Plain, The Druid in Inman Square, or O'leary's in Brookline.
(2)Jamie A.
Agreeing with Ligaya's review below, I'll probably only be seeing this "Irish-theme-park-style" pub on Tuesdays! ...but I promise that Tuesdays are fun and well worth it for the trivia! This was my second visit to the Asgard, the first being another Tuesday for trivia. On my previous visit, I did order some food, which was tasty appetizers, the highlight being the truffle tots! (...which I'll be looking forward to ordering with my other third-place trivia teammates of Bitches, Hoes, & Russ with our gift certificate!) It's a big place, but hella-crowded when I've been there. Don't expect to find a place to sit down, but be prepared to huddle around some high tables with your friends. It's best to just go up to the bar and order, as the waitresses are difficult to find amidst the crowds. The crows are definitely half MIT-kids and half Kendall-workers, which isn't too bad of a mix. Not exactly my typical crowd, but everyone's pretty fun for trivia.
(3)Katya B.
The only way that I can describe this place is The Olive Garden gone Irish, and to be honest, I'm not really sure what typical Irish pub food is, but I'm pretty sure this ISN'T it. After the hostess showed us to out table by wading us through a crowd of people at the bar tables when she could have just as easily gone around I struggled to find something on the menu. I finally settled on a turkey burger and I can't really say it was turkey. Possibly beef, possibly pork, possibly a combination of the two or simply all the extra meat in the kitchen thrown together. I will never know and I will not be returning to find out. The fries weren't bad but I would have enjoyed them a whole lot more with a selection of beer I couldn't find at my local dive-bar.
(1)jim I.
I had to remove my posting from Craigslist: SWM looking for mediocre bar that is trying pull off the "Hip, Old Irish Pub in Boston" theme, but has no discernable soul other than pricey draft beer. That said, I was impressed that the Karoke DJ had Dynamite Hack's cover of Easy-E's "Boyz in the hood." Money.
(2)Lekan W.
Really good turkey sirloin tips, served with trendy asparagus and fluffy quinoa. Decent beer selection too. We were apparently there for $0.25 wing night, which explains the huge Monday night crowd.
(4)Tim W.
Had brunch here, and while the service was excellent the food was terrible. Brunch elsewhere.
(2)Meredith K.
eh - it's ok. They have some decent beers on tap, but finding your waitress is no small task. Food is standard pub food - it's not great, but certainly edible. However, if you have a large group of people out for drinks it's a great space for that.
(3)Sara C.
I'm not Irish, so I'm not the best judge of an Irish pub. BUT, I love a hearty meal and the Irish Stout Pie and the Shephard's Pie are delicious here! The atmosphere is plenty nice too, but it was pretty empty on a Friday night and the service was mediocre. Ah, and we had to ask for the free bread--maybe that's their way of being environmentally-conscious but cmon, who wouldn't want free bread?
(3)Diane I.
ugh. i try to avoid this place like the plague. however due to long lines every where else a trip to the asgard ensued last saturday. it killed my buzz instantly. a horrible band was on and they were way to loud. it wasn't even worth trying to shout at the person next to you. the highlight of the evening was watching all the groupies try to flirt while watching the show and then pounce on the lead singer one-by-one as they packed up. this place deserves 1-star. but because its spacious, always has seating available, and no cover it gets an extra one. but seriously. not worth the trip - unless you're out of all other options. oh and their food is gross and overpriced.
(2)Megan M.
3.5 rounded up. Came here for brunch on Sunday because we couldn't get a table at Cafe Luna. The food was pretty good and the crowd started to pick up around when we were leaving (2ish). The inside of the bar is actually pretty big and my boyfriend didn't seem to mind that there were tvs so he could watch the Red Sox game either.
(4)Trish F.
Asgard is the after work hang out for the pharmaceutical companies in the area.. so around quittin' time it always seems to be a little too crowded for me. I like the waitstaff there, although I used to be a semi-regular, but I doubt that counts. This one time I was pretty much forgotten (kind of happens to me a lot though) and had to wait for 30 minutes after I had already called in my order.. they gave me a ginormous sandwich to compensate. In another instance they ran out of soup containers and put soup into one of the plastic sandwich containers. Kind of inconvenient, but there was also a large amount of soup in there. I dig the onion soup, the quesadillas, the steak salad, the chicken apple and walnut salad (pretty much chicken salad over salad), and the chicken club roll up. The pasta and turkey burgers are okay. LOVE the boursin and chive mashed potatoes as well as the tomato mozzarella sandwich. Not really a fan of the crab cakes or corned beef sandwich. Like I said I ate here a lot. lol Never tried brunch or lunch (they hae a few more lunch items than dinner). Also the occasional live music and trivia nights are pretty sweet. I don't know why people don't like this place. Oh.. and just for reference.. they have a back room you can use for functions.
(4)Nicole B.
Okay food, but it was ruined by the terrible service. I went to the Asgard on a Tuesday night, meeting up with a group of friends (9 people total, so not a huge group). We sat out on the patio, which was pretty nice to enjoy the weather, but noisy with the fire station across the street. The menu looked awesome (my first visit) and my husband appreciated the beer menu. I ordered the mojito and it was delicious, however for $8.50 it was tiny and my glass was 90% ice. I think I drank the whole thing in about 4 sips. That was a disappointment. My husband enjoyed his beer, something raspberry flavored. I couldn't decide what to order (so many things sounded delicious!) but I settled on the crab cake sandwich since I *love* crab cakes. In fact, 3 in our group ordered it (must be popular). My husband went with the 1 lb of honey BBQ wings and a Caesar salad. We put our order in and enjoyed the ambiance outside. We were pretty hungry, so we were happy when the food arrived. Well, everything came except my dinner and my husband's salad. I figured the waiter's hands were full and they'd be back with my food. No such luck. A few minutes later the (rather clueless) waitress came back to ask if we needed anything. Um, yeah, how about my dinner? She hadn't even noticed my food didn't come out. She went back in to check and came back with some excuse that a huge group just came in, the kitchen was overloaded and someone grabbed my plate (not sure what happened to the salad). She said they'd make me another one quickly and take it off the bill. While I appreciated the immediate offer to not charge for it, I didn't like the excuses and it took about 20 mins for our stuff to come out. Nothing sucks more than being in a large group of people with them all eating and you sitting awkwardly without food. So the food? I shared my husband's wings and they were pretty good (the marinade was tasty), but they were luke warm when they came out. I like my food hot, they seemed like they were sitting for a while before they got served. Also, it did not look like a pound of wings. When I finally got my crab cake sandwich, it was okay, but I've definitely had better. The fries were good. But then I realized they forgot the coleslaw that it should have come with. I only knew that because the others at our table who ordered the same thing had it. I had to ask for that too. My husband's Caesar salad was not very good at all. Overall, I was pretty disappointed with the Asgard. I hope they can improve on their service. The restaurant wasn't even that busy, so I'm not sure why they had so many service issues. Food was definitely not worth going back for.
(1)Hans R.
A good place to go for lunch or after work. There is a good selection of pub priced reasonably. The food is just OK but there is a great selection of alcohol and the service is good. There is also allot of seating depending on the time of day and week. Would go back there.
(3)Michael L.
This place is not bad at all, it's just not great. Yes, it's an "Irish pub" with a Celtic name and decor. A little, uh stupid but the giant throne-like chairs in the back room are kind of awesome. I got a salad, and guess what?! It was pretty good! It was pretty lame to pay $4 for PBR on tap, but whatever. It looks nice in there, and the staff was incredibly attentive. Almost too attentive. We so busy trying to discern what the first-date couple next to us was awkwardly jabbering about that we took quite a while to order. He (the waiter) was very nice about it though. Middle priced ($8-18) for a dish, but pretty good food, with generous portions. Not the place to stick around and drink at.
(3)jay s.
Prince Edward Island mussels!!!! With tiny pieces of Anjou sausage in a butter/herb/tomato medley. Most excellent. Bartenders are on their game as well - another Guinness in my hand within a minute. Got there around 5:30, were still chairs at the bar (quite comfortable, I might add). Huge relief from the Grafton/Redline/Daedilus crowd - these were professionals but not full of themselves. Good crowd, great service (and P.E.I. mussels!)
(5)mickey l.
This place is themed up like a fair ground ride corky deutschland dorky--It surely earns goof ball points Hipsters, it's ok if you start showing up and owning this place at night, there is no scene afoot this pub but the lunch time bio-tekkers, and they are amiss after 100pm. I won't get mad if you crunch my no-wait table outside mistress of the night. If you knock out that keg of Cambridge Pumkin ale before I've had my fill, then we're having a little talk! Ahh, the Pumpkin ale from Cambridge Brewing Co. on tap - very good beer. just the subtle notes of a spicy pumpkin seed, not too fleshy, deep amber and orange colors--we had four pints with our just like any other fried pub food good enough for me when I'm a drinkin food grub food a pleasant night on sidewalk seating, looking at the western sky my mandate and I were talking to each other, the african cab driver's cultural/business gathering center across the street with full leafy trees in the back ground. It is my secret, that mr. medium mit guy Asgard is a local hide out for those in the know. I shouldn't be yelping it so positively! But I sure enjoyed the fresh fried hot crispy potato chips cajun spicy I like that I can always go here and find zero scenesters, dorky places, out of the loop, sometimes my scene I confess
(4)Mikell T.
I used to work within walking distance of The Asgard. It's the restaurant we would take customers to in order to keep them out of the office for a long time while we worked on stuff in the lab. The service is reliably slow for lunch and there's not a lot of attention in the bar area even at night. The drinks are pretty decent (and they have some good hot ones in the winter), while the food is okay. Not really authentic Irish pub material, but doable.
(2)N S.
Great shepherd's pie to share on a cold winter's day. NB: it's pretty cheese heavy, so request otherwise if you prefer.
(4)Sarah A.
Quality place. If you like the Kinsale in Government Center, you will like this place. Very affordable, high quality food and a reasonable pub atmosphere, although I was there during a Pats game and some people got a little rowdy (in the sense of screaming and yelling at the television, a phenomenon I cease to understand...but I digress). I had the steak tips salad which was excellent. Awesome marinade. Fries are awesome. They have lots of beers on tap, which always makes me happy. I will definitely return for quality food and good beer at a totally reasonable price.
(4)Maitland L.
This bar is generally not worth it. The food is mediocre (don't get the tuna melt -- just don't). The beer selection is meh. The prices are so-so. However, it does have a couple of things pushing it from 2 stars to 3 stars. 1. Kickass furniture. Makes me wish I had a battle axe and some +2 studded leather armor. 2. Real nice waitstaff. 3. *AWESOME* Wednesday night karaoke! One of the better selections in Boston.
(3)Dana L.
The beer selection here is pretty much the same as at every other bar in the area, and the ambiance is a bit wanting. Its annoying that when the place is crowded, you have to walk through the restaurant to get to the bar. I've eaten here once, and wasn't impressed by the food, but that was several years ago. I'm surprised that its still here.
(2)Ross C.
The food at the Asgard kind of sucks, the service isn't great and it's often packed with corporate yahoos and MIT grad students . Yet I find myself at the Asgard once a week. The food is about as Irish as Wesley Snipes and the wine list is limited, crappy and over priced. The wait staff is nice but often walk around from table to table with plates of food that need a home because they apparently have no idea who ordered it. All this being said: They have four giant plasma TVs, one of the best trivia nights around (Tuesdays) and they are not trying to be something they are not. It's an Irish bar with crappy food and plenty of beers. I think that's what they are hoping for. The place is always packed and it has a lot of regulars so people seem happy despite the terrible Celtic quesadillas. The Good: Good place to watch a game or play some trivia. The Bad: Just about everything else. The Bottom line: Don't expect great food or service but chances are you'll have fun and go back.
(2)Andrea B.
I came here recently with a couple people for drinks and apps and left with mixed feelings. The truffle tater tots were amazing, and honestly The Asgard is worth a try simply for those little puffy balls of potato alone. And my Moscow Mule was delicious, too. But my chicken quesadillas were a bit dry. It was really the avocado that saved them. My two friends were also unimpressed with the hummus plate and chicken sliders. Service was pleasant. But I was so underwhelmed by the food that it is unlikely I'll be back. Well, maybe for those tots..
(3)Cheryl S.
I was staying at Hyatt on a business trip and got lost searching for John Harvard's Brew House (which I've never been to but someone made the recommendation). I ended up eating here because the battery on my phone was dying and I didn't know my way around town. The crab cake salad sounded different and it was a hot night, so that's what I went with. First, I was annoyed because a very annoying (and homeless and/or drug addict?) started yelling at some patrons sitting next to me to leave and was telling the bartender "you KNOW I was here FIRST!" Unfortunately, the nice couple left, not wanting to cause a scene, and I was left to eating my crab cake salad next to a drug addict trying to have a conversation with me about what hotel I was staying at. I was annoyed that the bartender didn't call the manager over and have the guy escorted out the door. Instead, I had my salad boxed up and left. It wasn't all that great anyway, so the positive spin is that he kept me from eating a lot of fat/calories that I probably shouldn't have otherwise eaten, anyway. Maybe that's what brought him there in the first place. :) My complaint re the crab cakes: as with many places, they tasted more like bread cakes with a hint of crab.
(2)Mercy D.
I can't speak to the actual restaurant experience, but my significant other and I ordered from here for takeout this weekend. It was down the block from our hotel so it was incredibly convenient and the menu looked good. Our food was ready when we arrived about 25 minutes later and paying was easy. Back at the hotel though we were mostly disappointed. The plus side was that the portion sizes were huge, we definitely had leftovers for the next day. All those tater tots for $3.50? Heck yes! Also dessert, the blackberry Cabernet cheesecake, was really good. Other than that our food was warm at best, and while flavorful, there were ingredients MISSING! I ordered the white cheddar gouda mac and cheese and it was missing the peas, the cheese sauce was light handed, and while not a big deal that it was orecchiette pasta it was not what I was expecting for Mac and cheese. Meanwhile my guy's Fenian chicken pasta was missing the CHICKEN! This was orecchiette too, which added to mine not feeling like Mac and cheese (and many of them were clumped together, which tells me there wasn't enough stirring of the pasta). Despite the mishaps I hope this was just a fluke and I'll likely try this place again in the future.
(3)Frank O.
Solid food in a bar atmosphere. Price okay, and portion sizes are large. Service good enough, we sat outside so that might have had an effect. I had the Fenian Chicken Pasta, an Irish Classic. There was no Guinness in it, but the cream sauce was a moderate flavor, letting the chicken and bacon shine through. The tomatoes/red onion/mushrooms/basil made it a bit healthier, but did not provide much of the flavor. They also had a wide beer selection, the Wachusett's Blueberry Ale smelled very aromatic, while having a hint of blueberry for a light and refreshing ale. My party also had the Steak Tips (smaller size) and the Country Fried Chicken.
(3)Ryan M.
It is the 4th of July at 9PM. I just got my food. Still waiting for my water...I got the calamari, water would have helped with the amount of salt the chef threw on. Extremely chewy, way overcooked. Said buttermilk on menu, hard to believe that given the texture. I just ate a plate of rubber. Second the steak was ordered medium rare some were done well and so so salty also! Honey bbq wings also a bit overcooked? ? Really disappointed. First time here and after I heard good reviews I am guessing the date caught you off guard with staff. Seems a bit busy. Overpaid for what I ate, really disappointed. Let me know what nights are best and when the best cook is there. Cut the over salting guys. . Ryan McGinley
(2)Tim S.
Sometimes I wish there was a way to give a 7/10 instead of a 3/5. What do I like about Asgard? I like trivia nights (hi, Caleb!) and the beer selection in general. The food is pretty good, too! There are specials for $5 flatbreads, which is a pretty good deal, you guys. The high ceiling is also kinda cool: definitely makes for a unique atmosphere. What would I change to like Asgard more? I wish they didn't run out of beers so fast. Every time I come in I've tried to order the ever-elusive Stone IPA and they have always already run out of it. I wish the live music was a little quieter (that might just be me). I wish the service was a little faster sometimes. Steve, my usual waiter, is a total sweetheart. I just wish he had a little more help sometimes when there are 17 tables to take care of.
(3)Cristina R.
The staff at the Asgard were so hospitable to our group of volunteers! We contacted them about hosting a One Brick Boston social event there on a Wednesday night, and they generously provided complimentary appetizers including nachos, a hummus plate, artichoke dip, and tater tots. The sweet potato fries are also tasty, and easy to eat with a drink in your other hand. On this particular Wednesday evening, there was a representative from Shipyard Brewering handing out free swag and tastes of their seasonal Smashed Blueberry ale which Asgard just got on tap that day. Their rotating beer selection is fantastic, and the bartenders will gladly give you a taste of what's on draught if you're undecided (CBC Amber Ale ftw). On Thursdays, live band karaoke is a different take on this (typically bland) bar singing activity. It can get loud, but it's worth it to hear the impressive singers (and occasional drunk trainwreck) take the stage with a live band to back them up - or rescue them if needed.
(4)Denise J.
The Shepherds's Pie was delicious (made with ground beef and lamb, yum!) and our server kept the Irish Coffees coming (double yum!), I have no complaints.
(5)Phillip M.
The asgard has a cool feel to it, but I would call it only ok. The food is alright, beer selection is ok as well. Overall, its not a bad choice, but its not a great choice either. If you're near the Western half of MIT, this is probably one of your best choices. If you're in Kendall Square, there are better options for you there.
(3)Taylor F.
Imagine the worst experience and treatment an establishment could possibly provide. That's what the staff at Asgard managed to accomplish last night. If I could give zero stars I would!! My parents, boyfriend, and I decided to grab drinks after the Sox game. This bar/restaurant had a live band, and the basketball game was on, so it was a no-brainer to stop here. We were immediately seated at a table in the back. I let the guy know we were only there for drinks and he sent us back to the bar. In the process he made a comment to my parents "don't worry the band is leaving soon." So rude to assume anyone over the age of 30 is annoyed by noise, music, and entertainment! We grabbed beers and sat down at a low table in the bar area. Two minutes later a waitress came over and said we need to "get off her table if we aren't ordering food". Every other occupied table in the bar area was filled with people just sitting around enjoying drinks. I guess she expected a dinner rush after 11:00pm (sarcasm). Still, we gladly moved and sat at the bar. As we stood up a group of young college-aged girls immediately took the table and sat down with their drinks. I waited and waited for the waitstaff to make them move. But they never did. In fact, I noticed the place was half empty and NO ONE was eating! (One couple had nachos.) So what's the big deal?! Why were we being treated like the plague?! The more I sat at the bar, the more angry I got at the attitude of the staff. I asked the bartender to close my tab. We all agreed it wouldn't be hard to find someplace more comfortable and friendly! I waited 10 minutes while he stood and chatted with his coworkers. I again asked him to close my tab...15 minutes later, he finally got around to printing out my bill. If I ever want people to make me feel like I'm less of a human-being... This is definitely where I'll go!! Congratulations Asgard! You are officially the worst establishment I've ever been to.
(1)Trina T.
Food: large portions and delicious. We had their famous tater tots, fried calamari, bangers and mash, fish n chips and Guinness beef stew. Everything was really good. Our waitress was nice and efficient. Service was great overall. It's a fun place to be in with a date or with groups of friends. They have great sitting areas for large groups.
(5)Guv M.
In Cambridge/Boston for a week-long stay, my wife and I were anxious to try out the local fare. The Asgard was right around the block from our hotel, and my wife likes Irish pub food. Also being in Boston, we were anxious to try out some lobster rolls. They had a special that night of lobster sliders. We ordered the lobster sliders, and a chicken Caesar wrap. Both were just awful. The lobster roll was absolutely without flavor, I later said there was more flavor in the imitation lobster (cod) you buy in supermarkets, than on what was on her buns. My Caesar wrap was sooo dry I had to get some ranch dressing to work it down. Even with the dressing, I could only choke down half. On the plus side, the onion rings were delicious. Go for the drinks, and the onion rings, forget the food
(1)Ha K.
Was not allowed to sample wine, and for $8 a glass ended up with either a horrifying Chardonnay or a so so reisling.... For 8/13$... Would expect to be able to sample
(1)Moose M.
This is quite possibly the worst place in the MIT area to grab dinner and drinks. The food is certainly awful most of the time (cold) due to the surly servers taking their sweet time to get it out of the kitchen, Also, most of the bands that play at this place are absolutely DREADFUL. Who books this place and how do they choose entertainment? We were there on August 15th and the band they had that night was seriously miserable. Sure, you can't hit it out of the park every time, but what about getting musicians in there that can actually play and servers that are generally kind to the guests? I will not be coming back to this establishment any time soon and suggest you do the same.
(1)Alexandra C.
Great corner bar with awesome beers and food. Was here a lot when I was on vacation in Boston since I stayed at a hotel around the corner. Service was always Good, reasonable prices, decent food. Glad I checked it out!
(3)Mindy L.
A friend of mine held her rehearsal dinner here (in the private space in the back) as it was the place where her and her (now) husband had their very first date. I thought it was a cozy little spot. We were sitting at a table with a few out-of-towners (New York and San Fran to be exact). I heard a few times that "we just don't have bars like this in our area" so it does, seemingly, exude a certain charm that isn't lost on visitors to the area. The Truffle Tater Tots were awesome. I will now be buying bags upon bags of frozen tater tots and sprinkling truffle salt all over them. The hint of truffle definitely elevates an otherwise standard treat. For dinner we had Shepherd's Pie and Mac'N'Cheese. The Shepherd's Pie was coated with a thick layer of gooey cheese which I have never seen before. It was really tasty, but I'm not sure how traditional that is? I have never seen cheese in Shepherd's Pie before, but I'm not going to complain. I ate it. The Mac'N'Cheese was tasty as well. I remember wishing it was a little creamier. There was a clumpy quality to it that I wasn't loving. The flavors were there though. I thought that staff did well given the large party of 60 people. They have baseboard heaters next to the windows that made it impossible to squeeze into seats. We ended up having to push the tables away from the heaters and made it near impossible for the staff to make their way down the center of the room. I have to imagine this happens a lot since the room is far too narrow for larger parties. They did well navigating the crowd and keeping people's drinks refreshed.
(3)Dawn L.
Beautiful restaurant! Great service! Huge portions and great food! I had the Moroccan chicken salad!! It was tremendous! Also try the Rueben
(5)Kelly T.
Used to like this place. Now it's about as bad as it gets. Avoid if you can. Beers in Boston are a commodity. You can get them anywhere without the shitty power tripping attitudes the management and staff give you. Unfortunately it seems there will always be eager college students who don't know any better and will continue to keep this business afloat.
(1)Tony W.
I've been here several times with my Bocce league - apparently there is some sort of agreement where teams get discounted Sapporo and apps after each competition? The good: The food is typical 'Irish' gastropub food (a decent, well prepared mixture of traditional Irish fare and American burgers, steak tips, etc), the beer prices are surprisingly reasonable, and the trivia is inexplicably not as hard or as competitive as one might think for a place that lives in the umbrage of MIT and Harvard. There are giant puffy couches and chairs located in the bar section of the establishment that are almost never occupied when we're there. I used to scoff at 'Friends' every time they showed the entire cast occupying the comfy couch in the middle of a packed 'Central Perk' - like it's always THAT easy to get the most premium seats in the place. Apparently at Asgard, it IS that easy. The bad: Folks, the bad for me is pretty bad. The last time I was there (and it's the last time for a reason), I accidentally left my credit card in the receipt holder with my receipt; it's an easy thing to do because my card is dark blue and hard to see against the black receipt holder. I returned to the Asgard literally within 10 minutes and tracked down my server. She acknowledged that she knew I had left my card, but then could not locate it anywhere they normally put cards that are left behind. She said that a busboy who had cleared the table with her *could* have picked up the card; unfortunately he had already left by this point (no cell phone?). I left my name with the manager, and he said he would follow up with a phone call the next day. The next day rolled around, and I never receive the call. The afternoon of the day after that I called back and spoke to another server. When I explained my situation to her, she checked around to see if anything had been found. Nothing. She also gathered my contact information and told me that someone would call to follow up. Guess what? No call. Two days after that (during which time I was monitoring my account to make sure there was no unauthorized activity), I stopped in to see if anything had turned up. The server popped out back for 5-10 minutes and came back empty handed. Still no card. I ended up canceling my card and getting a new one reissued. Anyway, while the food is fine, the care and responsibility they take with your personal possessions is not. If they had made any attempt to follow up with me as they said they would (twice) and give me the bad news, then this would probably be a positive review. As it stands, because of this experience I'll never go back again - which is sad, because I really liked the trivia.
(1)Dipak S.
This is my favourite place in Cambridge and is a refresher for all the worked out MIT graduates. Food - Food is yummy. Among my favorites are the salmon and the Irish Stew. Portions are quite large and a small portion should be sufficient after a round of drinks and appetizers. Ambience - Plays great music and the energy in this place is crazy. The bar area gets crowded soon. I suggest reserving a table for a big group Service - Always found cheerful folks here. A good smile has always ensured great service for me. Cost - ~26 For drinks + ~20 for food. Do check the bill while leaving. Have had faults in the bills multiple times.
(5)Rena M.
CONS: The Asgard is the sponsor bar for several of the Social Boston Sports leagues, and it's a great location/fun place to hang out, but even though they are our sponsor bar, it seems like they don't particularly like it when people from SBS come in. I also don't really understand why they agreed to be the sponsor bar, since they only offer the SBS discounts every once in a while. Usually we have to ask to see the discount menu, and most of the time the wait staff doesn't know anything about this particular menu. The service can be pretty slow, but they always get pretty busy so that's understandable. I came here with my roommate once, and she kindly asked the bartender if he could make her drink less sweet (it was a mango mojito and tasted like pure syrup) and he was rude to her. We didn't appreciate that. PROS: It is nice that they have a bunch of tv screens and are always playing whatever game is on at the time. Also, they have an excellent selection of drinks, and the chicken wings are delicious. All the food, although a bit on the expensive side, is pretty good. I've liked everything I've eaten here, especially the truffle tater tots and mac and cheese. They also have a pretty wide drink menu
(3)A N.
Depending on the random guy at the door, you might need to present a full TSA approved, immigration ready, legally perfect documentation just to enter this mediocre joint. Oh, and it doesn't matter if you're over 30 and pregnant - you're still a suspect with the potential of drinking yourself to death at the bar. No thanks.
(1)Morgan B.
The Asgard has slightly better-than-average pub food, and a decent draft beer selection. I do not like the chicken pot pie, but everything else is great. Why did I give four stars to a slightly better-than-average pub with a disappointing chicken pot pie? Brunch. There is no wait for brunch, ever. If you can drag yourself out of bed on Sunday, you can be seated immediately, and have a delicious stuffed french toast in front of you within minutes. Central Square has a lot of great brunch options, and the Asgard, while good, is certainly not the best. However, most of the competitors will have an hour-long wait for brunch on a sunny weekend morning. The Asgard will have a table ready for you.
(4)Patrick T.
2nd time to happen to me. Shame on me. Don't, don't, don't order your entire meal at once. You'll wait... and then, everything comes out at once. If I had pre-ordered desert & coffee - then that would of arrived with the drinks & appetizers as well. Sent it back to have my meal 20min under a heat lamp. It is clear that food & service quality is a lost art here.
(1)Heesun L.
Walking into Asgard (which sounds like something from the Lord of the Rings) is like walking into a large ski lodge with its wood paneled walls. They offer a selection of local and national beers (the blueberry beer was unique and left a nice aftertaste of blueberry) as well as cocktails. The service was pretty good for a bar and there was no ratchetry (which can be a pro or con depending on what kinda night you're looking for). It's also conveniently located to a lot of restaurants if you're looking to satisfy your drunchies.
(3)Jenn S.
Ok so I didn't realize this was an Irish Pub for some reason until I went inside. I met a couple friends here after work and we sat outside for some drinks and food. The tots were so good and the rest of the food (mostly apps) we got was good too. Nothing stood out as amazing so I would like to go back and try it again sometime, perhaps some full dinners. Now I don't like to complain about service unless something weird happens and this time our waitress was kinda flying on another planet. She was forgetting to come back to us and when we paid we had cash and one card and had money leftover. She never brought the change - it was meant for part of our tip anyhow so that was fine. Our friend signed his card and we added more cash tip (I always tip good being a waitress in the past) and she came and picked it back up. We sat there for a minute talking and then she came back over to tell us we still owe $10 and brought us back ALL of our cash minus $20. We we so confused and explained we had money left over before she rang the card and we added extra for tip but she was like blank. Anyhow, another 15 min later a different waiter told us we were all set and that was that.... very strange but also very entertaining! I would go back but not on the top of my list at the moment. Stay tuned for an update.
(3)Nandanie S.
Came here the other night, and service was pretty good as well as the lovely cocktail that I ordered. Best part about our meal were the truffle tater tots. We practically devoured them. Our entrees were all right - we ordered apps for entrees because we weren't that hungry. I ordered the chicken sliders, and I thought that the chicken was a little dry to be in a slider. Dry in general...I asked for the sauce on the side for the occasional dip, but I found that I was drenching the chicken in it to get some juiciness going on. I mean they were dry, but filling. The jicama and yellow pepper toppings with the tiny brioche buns were a good addition to the chicken. My friends got the chicken avocado quesadilla and the hummus plate with a salad, they were somewhat satisfied. Let's just say that the truffle tots won us over. The menu changed a little, so items such as the buffalo chicken sliders, triple pork sliders (my fav!!), and beef mac and cheese are not currently available.
(3)Marvin T.
Came here with a bunch of friends for their karaoke night and the place wasn't super crowded, but somehow none of the people I came with were called to sing. So that was annoying, but the female bartender was extremely rude. We asked her what bottled beer she had that was like Blue Moon or Corona and she walked over to the fridge, took it out and held it up. Clearly, it was way too far to see it so we asked her if she could come a little closer and she looked mad that we did. I was done with her after that and didn't order anything from her. How are you that angry at work? As a bartender? I don't know her name but she either had red or pink and a "f*ck off" face that was way too natural. The other bartender was cool though and hooked it up. Don't think I'll be back here though
(2)Courtney S.
Quick service, knowledgeable staff, great menu. I came here with thee friends on a Sunday afternoon. We were seated immediately by a friendly hostess. Our server appeared shortly after to taken our drink orders. The service was quick without making us feel rushed. The menu notes which ingredients can be removed to make dishes gluten-free, which items are gluten-free as is, and which items are vegetarian, which absolutely thrilled me and prevented me from annoying the server with a million questions. I got the pear goat cheese salad, and it was delectable. It was an enormous portion, well worth the price. One friend had asked for regular fries instead of the sweet potato fries his dish came with. They brought sweet potato fries, but immediately and courteously corrected the oversight. Bonus points: the bathrooms are clean and well maintained. I enjoyed my experience and would absolutely return to this allergy-friendly restaurant.
(4)Mark H.
While staying at the Le Meridien hotel, we found this pub just moments away and ended up eating here twice. The food was standard "pub" food and the service was good. Though this is not a "stand-out"place, it certainly is a restaurant I can recommend if in the area and hungry. The fish and chips were decent as was the buffalo chicken sandwich.
(3)Serrano H.
I've been trying to reach the Asgard Group. With a little work I found their only online presence, the pub. But it requires answering a complicated puzzle I can't solve just to send feedback. Really?! I'm just trying to communicate to the HQ I think they do not want feedback.
(1)Lillian C.
There is trivia here on Tuesday nights beginning at 8pm/9pm, which is my favorite time to come! I've been here a few times with friends and really enjoy the atmosphere! There's usually plenty of seating, comfortable chairs and lots of food/beer selection! Although I love coming here, I'm giving this place 3 stars for its food. Its food is simply, average American food. There's nothing special or bad about the food. You can get burgers, chicken wings, salads...pretty much anything 'American'. I would highly recommend coming here when there is trivia! The food / drinks aren't bad, and the atmosphere is fun!
(3)Dalia D.
The Good: Our waitress was lovely (unfortunately, I forget her name) and the truffle tater tots may be some of the best I've ever had. The seating and atmosphere is decent. The Bad: Everything else I tried. I ordered the hummus platter and steak salad for my main meal - both of which were practically inedible. The hummus looked like sludge and the olive tapenade it comes with was the consistency of chewed leaves. The steak on my salad was so overdone and tasteless that I really should have sent it back. My friends ordered the quesadillas and the chicken sliders and they both said their meals were just ok (althought they enjoyed their Moscow Mules!). Bottom Line: Don't waste your time but if you do, stick to drinks and the truffle tater tots.
(2)Tiffany Y.
I came to this place only because I was staying at the Le Meridien hotel across the street. I wanted to watch the Patriots game at a bar and had driven half the day to get to Boston, so I settled for this place. This place has a really nice interior and my husband and I sat by the bar to watch the game. They had a good selection of beers and they were decently priced. Food was the typical bar food but it took longer than expected to come out. we weren't served bread right away and was only given bread after waiting about 15-20 mins or so. Our waitress, Brittany, was nice and did apologize for the wait on the food. I ordered the chicken avocado quesadillas with a ginger beer and my husband got a chicken sandwich, New England calm chowder with their BBC porter. Again, food was alright (overpriced for a bar) and beer selection was good. I would suggest people to come here only for a drink and to watch the game. Otherwise there's nothing crazy about this bar.
(2)Evan A.
It's okay. The staff was friendly and attentive. The food isn't terrible, but isn't great either. Clam chowder was a little soupy for my liking. Turkey burger was (again) okay. Edible. The best thing it has going for it is its proximity to Le Meridien when you're exhausted and don't feel like going very far.
(3)Meg R.
We went last night for St. Patricks day, and all three bartenders were super rude to my roommate, and myself. There were three interactions, with all of the bartenders that were shockingly rude. One of them even rolled their eyes when we asked about a draft beer, and then told us to move so he could help someone behind us (the people behind us were our friends who we were paying for..) I would not recommend this bar, nor would I ever come back. I was really disappointed in the service.
(2)DJ Micaiah M.
I love that they have a special portion of their menu dedicated to Irish and British foods. And they have some unique offerings that most other bars don't have. Their Reuben egg rolls are pretty good and so is their shepherds pie!
(4)Tom D.
Great food and service. Fair prices. Good beer on tap and bottles. Good menu. Success! Thank God I didn't get talked into going to Cheers where everyone doesn't know your name.
(5)Aaron D.
Secret breakfast gem! From the outside, not a place that "looks" like a good breakfast spot but - BUT - on the inside you'll find the city's finest corned beef hash and home fries. Noteworthy mentions include grilled tomatoes, sweet cream butter, and freshly herbed eggs. Under $15 pp!!
(5)Cat C.
We came here twice, Once for dinner, and once for brunch. Dinner was fantastic, and it was nice to already be at a bar when we were done. Brunch was delicious as well, if a bit .. lonely. The place was pretty empty. Great menu selection of drinks and beer, good irish selections of food. We really enjoyed ourselves here.
(4)Emily M.
I had heard mixed reviews about this place but thought I'd try it out. Ugh. Never again. I came in with two friends and we were seated for a table in the dining room, I was having dinner but my friends were just having drinks. The dining room was mostly empty with one other table seated near us. I ordered a turkey burger and we all got beers. The beer list was pretty good so we were happy. Our server was great. We all had our beers when a manager (? she did not introduce herself) told us there had been a miscommunication and since we all weren't ordering dinner we could not sit in this empty dining room. So we were kicked out of our table mid meal and had to find a new place to sit on our own. None of us had been here before so we werent sure exactly where to go from there. The bar was full so we carried our beers over to a table next to the front door and had to ask a host if we could have the table. That table was ok with that host who had brought us to our first table. The chairs are oversized arm chairs where you either are so far back you can't hear your friends across from you or you have to perch at the top of the seat. I really just wanted the regular table we had. I honestly cannot believe a manager would kick patrons out of an empty dining room and then make them fend for themselves to find a new table in the middle of a meal. Of course we watched the section to see the big dinner rush that had to be coming for this to make any sense. Nobody else sat in that section so when we left at 10 pm we had to tip the lounge server who refilled our waters and not the server who had taken our order, answered our questions and brought our beers.
(2)Phoebe D.
This was disappointing. Some friends and I decided to hit this place up after work for their 25cent wing special. So when we arrived we were greeted with "wings, food, or beer?" I didn't know how to respond, other than saying "all of the above." Then with zero grammar or punctuation -- "ID." There's something that bugs me about a service industry that lacks the use of sentences. Anyway, let me get started on the "rules" that come with wing night -- cuz man I should have studied up before arriving. 1. We weren't allowed to sit anywhere but the bar if we wanted wings (okay, I can't argue). 2. We were told we had to order a drink that's at least $5 to get wings (this isn't listed anywhere in the promotion, but I'm not arguing). 3. You have to order a minimum of 10 wings (well, 10 isn't too much, I'm sure I can just take home the rest). 4. You can't take home the rest (I was told that this was so people didn't order 100 wings and take them all to go...let's use some discretion here people, I had 4 wings left!). And to top it all off, I was told there were these rules because they lose money on wing night (well, if you lost money on wing night, maybe you shouldn't be having wing night or maybe it's because your customer service is horrible!) All in all, this experience was overwhelming and aggravating. I will not be back. I'm not even going to touch on the fact that the "special" wings were ridiculously salty.
(2)Amyko I.
Fair warning, the Bloody Mary tastes like BBQ sauce, and the Southwestern Fried Eggs aren't made with hot delicious pinto beans, but instead with canned cold sugar baked beans. Weird choices to be sure. The decent service and cool eclectic design of the restaurant could use with some cooking talent support from the kitchen.
(3)Ashley N.
My favorite beer is on draft here. Julius Echter. Try it. Thursdays is karaoke night and can get very very loud. Fridays is a cool night to go. It's a mixture of crowd from the older people to the young college crowd. I saw on tables that they had ipads that you can order and pay on. Looks cool. I liked the place. Lots of room. They have tables, couches, and bars that you can sit at. Bathrooms are clean! Good bar, I'd come back for my favorite beer!
(3)Jess M.
I hate this place. So much that when my boyfriend starting referring to it as the "Ass Guard" I started calling it that too. (He's not very creative) I used to come here with a giant group for brunch because it's one of the only places super empty for Sunday brunch so there's no problem seating 40 with last minute notice. The food is pretty bad and the service isn't that great. I could see the occasional 4 star review from someone who was drunk before they came in, but I think the 5 star reviews are fake.
(2)Bren P.
I really dislike this place, but I keep ending up coming back with friends because it is one of the few places near MIT that serves alcohol and has a decent amount of seating space. The food is okay, but overpriced for the quality and quantity. I don't drink, so I can't attest to their beer, but my friends seem to like it for that reason. The worst part is the wait staff, which varies from person to person, but is usually rude, but you don't notice it too often since the service is so bad they don't stop by the table much (or are even in eyeshot). You usually have to send someone to find them. The kitchen also is very slow, even when they are not very busy, I never understood this. Anyway, there are many better places to eat, if you just want a beer and don't mind rude service it is okay.
(2)Emily C.
Went here with a group on a quiet Sunday night. The restaurant was almost totally empty but we still went 30+ minute stretches without seeing a waiter. Had to chase down a manager to get checks. Mixed drinks are weak, menu selection is crappy Applebee's style junk food, the shepherd's pie looks and tastes like Alpo. Check out the weird little screens on the tables, you can play little games while you wait for your waitress - but only for a minute or two before they try to charge you!
(2)Dave H.
The only real drawback to this place is that they don't turn the volume up on the televisions during important sports games. Aside from that, though, this place is five stars. Great food and drinks , a nice staff, and fun trivia nights.. a great meeting place. Highlights include portabello burger and an amazing vegetarian chili.
(4)Al N.
Pretty good food. The waiter with leprechaun looking facial hair was very friendly. The service was kinda slow. I had the Fenian chicken pasta, eh. Shoulda had a rebuen instead. Beer selection seems limited for an Irish bar. None of it really stood out. Place was large enough. When in an Irish pub/restaurant, get irsh food! But I was in the mood for pasta.
(4)Jennifer T.
I do not know why I keep coming, but I have been here on 5 separate occasions since 2010, and the service consistently blows. The food isn't bad though, for whatever that's worth. I mean, it's not going to blow your freaking mind, but the burgers are decent and they have truffle tots and a few stand-out entrees. Otherwise, it's your basic pub grub. The beer selection (in theory) is pretty good, but (in practice) not so much. On more than one occasion, I have ordered something from their draught list only for them to tell me they're out. It's also kind of a hot spot for DUDE BROS, MIT students, and terrible first dates (usually with the aforementioned DUDE BROS and students), so take that under advisement. Now, about the service... Here's the thing: I'm pretty sure there is a circle of Hell that is presided over by Asgard waitstaff, where they ignore you for 5 minutes short of eternity, never give you menus, stare at you vacantly while you attempt to guess what beer you would like to order, and then distractedly wander away before you are done talking to them. Then they return to you 25 minutes later to tell you that--whoops!--like, yesterday they ran out of the beer you ordered. Don't even try to ask for a glass of water. Because in Asgard hell, you must thirst FOREVER. If you should order food, it is my sincere wish that you get the right items sent to your table on the first attempt. Good luck with that. I don't know what sort of drugs the waitstaff take to remain so blissfully apathetic to presence of other human beings, but I should very much like to get my hands on some. Please start offering that on the menu. In summation, Food: C+, Beer List B, Service F---, Atmosphere C+. Constructive criticism for Asgard: Train your staff, please. Some of us would like to order something. Like, today.
(2)Justin S.
Reuben Egg Rolls were terrific, and wings had a great sauce. Shepherd's Pie was excellent. Lively atmosphere and attentive service.
(4)Erica S.
The look and feel of this bar is so nice! Big yet cozy with tables, bar, and lounge seating options. We only had drinks but bar service was great. My margarita was superb and that usually doesn't happen at pub type places. I would go back to try the food!
(4)Joe S.
Asked the waiter about the lunch specials to which I get "you don't want any of them". Ok how are the reubens then and am told that they are excellent. Took two bites and needless to say one of the worst reubens ever. The meat was very rubbery and not cut right. Little surprised that the waiter didn't say anything after he clearly noticed that I barely touched it.
(1)Ryan S.
Ordered food one hour ago. Still sitting here waiting. Should have ordered lunch not breakfast.
(1)Mike M.
Went for trivia and it was an OK setting. My main complaints are with the service. We got stuck at the bigger lounge chairs and were expecting more people. Because we weren't all eating dinner we were told we weren't allowed to sit down below and were denied being able to borrow one of the thirty empty chairs to bring to our table. While it wasn't anything personal, this policy is ridiculous. The food was alright but nothing spectacular. I generally feel like this place lacks character and is a fake Irish bar (one of too many in Boston). You can do a lot better in the Central area.
(2)Alex A.
Been here a few times now and the live music is nice but the talent is a little lacking. On the plus side the shots are massive but a big negative is that the Guinness tastes way too iron-y which tells me that they haven't cleaned their taps in a while which is pretty sad when you're at an Irish pub
(3)Eric F.
Wow, I need to break this unlucky streak of subpar brunches. My friends and I figured this was worth a shot since neither of us had ever been, but both the food and service were underwhelming. Cold and underseasoned homefries, a misleading beef brisket dish that was essentially a small omelette with some diced beef thrown in and slow, inattentive service that made me wait far too long for crappy, lukewarm coffee. Thank goodness Tosci's was a stone's throw away to save the day.
(1)M L.
Came here for an easy Saturday night dinner, and ended up with crappy, over-priced bar food and bad service. Table had grilled chicken tenders and sweet potato fries (Given 3 of the tiniest tenders I've ever seen - is that what happens when you ask for grilled instead of fried? Essentially a kiddie meal?) and a turkey burger (dry and bland). Everything tastes totally pre-fab. Seriously, go anywhere else if you want a palatable meal.
(2)Regina P.
I am giving the Shephard's Pie a 4. It is so good and tastes authentic. I am staying next door at the Le Meridian and was at a conference all day. I felt like some good take out and thought I would give Asgard a try since it was convenient. I sat at the bar long enough to order my take out dinner. The staff was friendly and attentive. My food was prepared promptly and came out hot. The only downfall to this establishment was that it was pretty dark inside and loud. It's a bar though...so what else do you expect? :)
(4)Unique T.
The food is good. And the first time we went the service was good. But I took my gf and our parents there this past mother's day, and the waitress was so rude to me and had an attitude when I asked for or about something. She acted like I was inconveniencing her to ask for another drink or so ketchup. Lastly, I personally asked for the check as I was paying, and she put it OPEN in front of my gf. Just an FYI guys, whoever ASKS for the check should have the check placed in front of THEM. I'm all set with this place.
(3)Patricia C.
My friends and I have frequented this establishment many times and we are consistently frustrated and annoyed with the unsatisfactory and subpar service. Servers neglect to ask if patrons need or want anything more and can have a condescending and rude tone. The service is slow and the servers are not that knowledgeable either. We have even had to ask the hostess if a server was going to come over or not because it took so long on a not terribly busy night. In general, it can be a very frustrating situation. Most recently, my friends and I happened to be here on a night where (unbeknownst to us) there was a 25 cent wing promotion going on. Thinking it would be a good idea, we ordered some of the wings to enjoy. When it came to the end of the night, we kindly asked if we could have a small box to take the couple of leftover wings home, thinking this was a pretty normal request for a restaurant establishment. We did not want to waste the food. However, we were met with resistance from the server, explaining that it was under their policy that because the wings were discounted we could not take them home even though we had paid for them already. The manager was called into the situation and was of absolutely no help either. The manager could not deny that the policy made no sense at all, but claimed that because there was a security camera in place, he could not hand us a box in fear of "being lectured" by the management. It was totally ridiculous and instead we were forced to wrap up the wings in napkins to take home for ourselves. They would rather waste the food and throw it away then just hand us a simple small box to take it home. Both the server and the manager were more concerned about the management than the actual patrons of their establishment. Clearly customer service is not very important to them... None of it made any sense and having experienced this on top of their lackluster service, it is doubtful that we will return any time soon.
(1)Dianna S.
During our New England honeymoon that started today, I picked this restaurant because it was right next to our hotel. Being a Friday afternoon, it wasn't too busy and we were seated right away. The atmosphere was pleasant, and we had no problem with our service (as other reviewers did). Had to have the classic Irish fare in an Irish pub. Which means we ate Shepherd's Pie and Guiness Beef Stew. Both were very flavorful and hearty, so much so that we left a lot of food on our plates as we were full. However, if we were locals we would have boxed them up and taken them home for later. The con was the Truffled Tator Tots .. these were not executed the way we thought they would be. It was a drizzle of truffle oil on top so not all the tots had the truffle flavor. And the dipping sauce? Ketchup. Not a bad start to our honeymoon. It definitely filled us up and we left satisfied.
(3)Jon B.
Awesome value no entrees over $20 or apps over $10 and awesome rotating beer list. Best Shepard's Pie anywhere in metro Boston
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