Spaghetti Club Opens Full Time

The Spaghetti Club, a bar and restaurant located at 95 Winthrop St., has re-opened its doors after business was suspended for 39 days as a result of repeated underage drinking violations.

City officials forced the club to close because of an incident in June involving underage drinking and fighting, and a judge originally ordered the club to serve two 30-day suspensions, Cambridge License Commission Executive Officer Richard V. Scali said.

But because the club was able to convince, the License Commission that it will no longer serve underage patrons, the club was permitted to re-open two weeks ago on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.

Matthew R. Boudette, the club's new general manager, said the club features new management and a host of changes, including new measures to prevent underage drinking.

"Anyone who has even tried to get in this place with a false ID has not had any success at all," Boudette said.

Assistant Manager John E. Torres said that the new management "hired a whole new staft" and that they are "trying to get a good kitchen."

Boudette said that the club, affectionately known as "The Spag" is now aimed at people aged 21 through 40, but that the club will maintain its focus on local college students.

Free student passes will offer 25 percent off the food. In addition, there will be specials and theme nights, Boudette said.

One possible theme night is a "Melrose Monday." Tuesday might feature classic movies like "Cad dyshack," Boudette said.

Wednesday nights will be Harvard nights, although Boudette said he is not sure yet what they will do to promote them.

Several Harvard students are currently employed at the Spaghetti Club.

Marcie L. Borgal '96, one of the club's employees, said she thinks the changes at the club are positive.

"They're just not letting in the people they used to," said Borgal. "The crowd has gotten older, more mature."

Borgal said she has seen a decrease in the number of fights at the club since she worked there last year.

As part of the new atmosphere, Boudette said he was actively trying to reduce the number of altercations.

"[In the past] they had a lot of confrontations because of the people who were allowed in here," Boudette said.

"I'd like to create an atmosphere where people can come down, have some fun and they know they're gonna have a good time," said Boudette

Wednesday nights will be Harvard nights, although Boudette said he is not sure yet what they will do to promote them.

Several Harvard students are currently employed at the Spaghetti Club.

Marcie L. Borgal '96, one of the club's employees, said she thinks the changes at the club are positive.

"They're just not letting in the people they used to," said Borgal. "The crowd has gotten older, more mature."

Borgal said she has seen a decrease in the number of fights at the club since she worked there last year.

As part of the new atmosphere, Boudette said he was actively trying to reduce the number of altercations.

"[In the past] they had a lot of confrontations because of the people who were allowed in here," Boudette said.

"I'd like to create an atmosphere where people can come down, have some fun and they know they're gonna have a good time," said Boudette