“I was surprised that all of a sudden it was happening, very much out of the blue,” said the owner of two of the first four participating restaurants.
By Brianna Borghi • Published June 12, 2026 • Updated on June 12, 2026 at 11:36 pm
Cambridge launched new outdoor drinking zones Friday, allowing people to carry alcoholic drinks outside in designated areas for the next seven weeks under a new Massachusetts law.
The city is preparing for an influx of visitors during the World Cup, but the rollout was slow on Day 1, as some restaurants and visitors were still learning how the program works.
Under the new state law, people can drink alcohol outdoors only within approved drinking zones. Cambridge has six zones, including parts of Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard Square, Central Square, Inman Square and Kendall Square.
Customers must buy drinks from participating restaurants. As of Friday, only four restaurants were participating: Grendel’s Den Restaurant and Bar and The Sea Hag in Harvard Square, The Phoenix Landing in Central Square and Row 34 in Kendall Square.
“I was surprised that all of a sudden it was happening, very much out of the blue,” said Kari Kuelzer, who owns Grendel’s Den and The Sea Hag.