Where to Refuel for the Head of the Charles Regatta This Weekend

By Naomi Kooker

This weekend marks the 48th Head of the Charles Regatta. Haven’t heard of it? It’s an annual invitation for the best crew teams around the world to compete on the Charles River, flanked by Boston and Cambridge. It’s fun and exciting, and you’ll need to fuel up if you’re gonna watch - cheering takes a lot of effort! Here are a few places where you can pick up some grub.

The Boathouse: Aptly named and decorated, this New American pub with Irish accents in Harvard Square, and from the same owners as Daedalus, has a decent array of brews (six on tap, upwards of 15 bottle selections) not to mention the pub grub to go with, all under $15 (617-349-1650).

Daedalus: If it’s warm enough, grab a seat on the roof deck and fuel up with a classic bacon cheeseburger (under $11) and a pint at this steadfast Harvard Square eatery, or, to take off the impending fall chill, sip a Nutty Irish Coffee, whipped cream and all (617-349-0071).

Dante: This upscale Italian right on the River Charles will open the bar at 2:30 PM specially for this weekend (it’s usually dinner-only), and offer an array of cocktails, such as the autumn tea, a combo of bourbon infused with allspice, vanilla, cloves and apples), becherovka, housemade ginger syrup and lemon (617-497-4200).

Grafton Street: With more than a dozen beers on tap and enough room for the rowing team, this Harvard Square New American pub is a good resting and refueling place. Rustic pizzas are $12 and under, and for those who like to stay up late, there’s a late-night menu (buttermilk fried calamari, sloppy joes) going until 1 AM Friday and Saturday, and midnight on Sunday (617-497-0400).

John Harvard’s Brewery & Ale House: Walker Modic, the master brewer of this classy pub in Harvard Square has created a few brews in honor of the 48th annual Head of the Charles. Sculler’s Brew is an American golden ale with malt sweetness with a dry finish; Blades of Glory Pale Ale promises a balanced with a citric hop finish (also an American-style pale ale); and Collegiate Eights Cask Ale is an unfiltered ale served at cellar temperature. The ales range from $3.25-$16, from 10-ounce and 20-ounce pours to pitchers (617-868-3585).