Cambridge's Historic Middle East Music Venue Could Turn Into A Hotel

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Cambridge music venue could be your next place to stay. The property owners of Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub in Central Square have submitted a proposal with plans to turn the historic music venue into a hotel.

The submitted proposal would entail demolishing the building and putting a hotel in its place. WBZ's Matt Shearer spoke to some locals who have mixed feelings about the proposal.

"I don't know, I kind of like the weird vibe of Central, and I think it would just make it more corporate," Kate from Cambridge said.

The restaurant and music venue first opened its doors in 1970 and became well known for hosting rock bands and other musical artists. The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub is made up of three live-music performance rooms, and two family-style restaurants with full-service bars, including ZuZu, the restaurant next door, according to The Middle East and ZuZu website.

"Don't do it, keep it going, this is a special place, it's part of history here I think and we need it," Carla Harvey from the band Butcher Babies said when Shearer told the singer about the news. The band is performing at the Middle East nightclub Wednesday night.

"I wouldn't be sad," Charles from Boston said. He hasn't been inside the venue in years, but tells residents who are upset by the news to, "Get [up] and do something about it."

WBZ's Matt Shearer (MattWBZ) has more:

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