Image Via Wikipedia
Former location –
Now the location of the Hotel Commonwealth, The Rathskeller (aka The Rat) was a Kenmore Square live music venue that was open from 1974 to 1997.
Often described as “Boston’s CBGB,” the Rat became the city’s premier venue for punk, new wave, hardcore, and alternative rock. Its small stage, low ceilings, and notoriously rough atmosphere created an intimate environment.
For three decades, The Rat was considered one of Boston’s premier music venues featuring rock, soul, jazz and pop artists including:
Aerosmith
Angry Samoans
B-52s
Bad Brains
Blondie
The Cars
Dead Kennedys
English Beat
Hole
Human Sexual Response
The Jam
Joan Jett
Metallica
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Patti Smith
The Pixies
The Police
The Ramones
The Replacements
R.E.M.
Rick James
The Smithereens
Sonic Youth
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Talking Heads
Thin Lizzy
Tom Petty
U2
The Rathskeller closed in November 1997 amid rising real estate pressures and changing city dynamics. The building was demolished in 2000, and the site is now occupied by the Hotel Commonwealth.
Rathskeller
528 Commonwealth Ave
Boston MA 02215
Circa 1980, the Rat had the most difficult pinball machine I have ever played.
The Rat had the best jukebox.
I Loved The RAT. I wish I was still a RAT!!!