CAMBRIDGE — In a country where watering holes are named The Cock, The Flying Pig and Spread Eagle, I wasn’t shocked when I walked into a bar named after a moo juice dispenser.
The Cow, next to the Corn Exchange theater in the city center, is a bar that is sort of a mix between a pizzeria and a nightclub. Patrons can choose from 15 choices of pizza, all baked in a stone oven until 10:30 p.m. every night.
Hamiz Kuhadine often can be seen behind the counter preparing pizzas in the flaming oven. He believes pizza is what makes the bar.
“It’s the best,” Kuhadine said, bragging about the bar’s culinary delights.
The Algerian native also boasted about the diverse workforce manning the bar.
“We have other people from Slovakia, Britain and Spain who work here, too,” he said.
When the kitchen closes at 10:30, drinks usually begin to flow as partygoers do their thing.
On the weekends, the bar starts to pick up when clientele depart from nearby pubs that close at 11 p.m. I’ve rarely had problems finding a table to sit, although there have been times when it’s just standing room only, especially following a show at the theater.
If the “fishbowl” table is open, head for it; it’s hidden in a corner and surrounded by windows. When you sit there, people walking past the bar outside can’t help but look into the windows to see what you’re up to.
There is enough seating for six to eight people at the table, which at times can be a good meeting place. I’ve chatted up locals and university students while enjoying pints of beer sitting there.
The upstairs bar has about seven beers on tap, including Guinness, Stella Artois and Japan’s own Kirin Ichiban, as well as other international favorites in bottles. For wine lovers, the bar has 17 types of wine to try, in addition to a small selection of the bubbly.
The downstairs area has another bar, more seating and a small dance floor with a live disc jockey on the weekends. A lot of times this area is closed off for private parties. Even when it’s open, the dance floor is rarely used except for the occasional few who feel like Usher or Jennifer Lopez when they’ve had too much to drink.
For those over six feet tall, watch out for the low ceiling if you walk downstairs and also in the men’s bathroom. Not sure about the women’s bathroom, though.
Overall, The Cow is a decent bar to stay the entire night or to serve as a pre-game before hitting a nearby Cambridge club.
See previous After Hours reviews here.
The Cow
Location: Next door to the Cambridge Corn Exchange theater.
Entertainment: Live DJs on the weekends. Groups can reserve the downstairs bar for 50 pounds by calling a manager at 01223 308871.
Drinks: A variety of international beer on tap and in bottles, as well as a good selection of wine. On Thursday nights, The Cow has two-for-one cocktail and pitcher specials.
Food: Pizza is the mainstay at this place. There are 15 choices of pizza to choose from that run about 7 pounds for a 12-inch pizza. There is a two-for-one pizza special every Tuesday.
Clientele: Mainly locals and university students.
Dress code: None.
Hours: The bar closes at 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, midnight on Thursdays and 11 p.m. on other nights.
Web site:http://cow.barroombar.com.
