Brattle Hall

Brattle Hall is a Colonial Revival building in Cambridge constructed in 1889 by architects Longfellow, Alden & Harlow, featuring brick sections and several community spaces inside. The structure houses a restaurant and cafe along with event rooms for gatherings.

The building was constructed in 1889 when the Cambridge Social Union created it to house their library and meeting spaces next to the William Brattle House. It became part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and joined the Harvard Square Historic District in 1988.

The building contains the Brattle Theatre, a nonprofit-run movie house that has shown classic, international, and independent films since 1953. This venue serves as a cultural gathering place where visitors watch films in the historic spaces.

Visitors will find dining options inside the building with a restaurant in the basement and a cafe on the main floor. The location near Harvard Square makes it easy to reach and surrounded by other shops and attractions.

The building was originally part of the Cambridge Social Union estate and stood next to the much older William Brattle House from the 1700s. This connection between the two buildings remains visible today through their side-by-side placement in the heart of Harvard Square.

Location: Cambridge

Inception: 1889

Architects: Longfellow, Alden & Harlow

Architectural style: Colonial Revival architecture

Part of: Harvard Square

GPS coordinates: 42.37353,-71.12153

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:01