The Plough and Stars

The Plough and Stars is a music venue occupying a corner building on Massachusetts Avenue with dark wood and low lighting throughout. The space maintains a traditional Irish pub layout where visitors move between a main bar area and smaller performance spaces.

The venue opened in 1969 and quickly became a central gathering place for Cambridge's music scene. It has remained continuously active as a performance space, maintaining its role as an important cultural landmark in the city.

The name references a famous Irish play and reflects the Irish heritage that defines this place. Visitors experience an environment shaped by Irish musical traditions, with live performances creating a sense of connection to Irish culture throughout the space.

The venue hosts music most nights, where visitors can find a seat and watch from different vantage points. Those arriving should expect crowded conditions and should wear comfortable shoes, as the floors and layout can be uneven in places.

The space gave birth to Ploughshares literary journal in 1971, which later became a respected publication for writers and poets. This literary connection reveals that the venue served creative people beyond just live music performances.

Location: Cambridge

Inception: 1969

Address: 912 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139

Website: http://ploughandstars.com

GPS coordinates: 42.36830,-71.10870

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:03