[Ed note: This article was updated on December 4, 2012, to reflect a name change for the place.]
A nightclub along the eastern edge of Cambridge's Central Square is shutting its doors and moving up the road a bit, and it will be reopening under a new name.
According to Cambridge Day, the All Asia Bar at 344 Mass. Ave. is going to be torn down to make way for redevelopment by MIT, and the club will be moving to 675 Mass. Ave. in the heart of the square (where Prospect Street and Mass. Ave. meet), with its new name being Valhalla. [NOTE: The new place will now be called Prospect Lounge--see note below.] The article mentions that the new spot will be larger than the old, with about 5,000 square feet of space, with the space formerly being home to Cambridge Community Television (CCTV), which moved to 438 Mass. Ave.
Much like the All Asia Bar, it appears that Valhalla will be a nightclub with music, including entry-level acts, though more national acts may be also coming as well, according to Cambridge Day. The article does not specifically mention anything about food at Valhalla, but a bar menu has been in place at the All Asia Bar, so it seems that food may be offered at the new spot as well.
[December 14 update: According to their Twitter page, Valhalla will "offer many beers, wines, other exotic beverages and an infusion of international cuisine in a classic, comfortable atmosphere and decor." This indicates that the place may be more of a restaurant than a club, as All Asia Bar was. (As more confirmation, their sign says "Valhalla International Restaurant and Lounge".)]
[October 12, 2012 update: More than a year after we first reported on it, Valhalla appears nowhere near opening (and All Asia Bar is still open in its present space). Cambridge Day is reporting that Cambridge city law says that bars and clubs in the Central Square area have to have a main entrance either on Mass. Ave. or Main Street, which causes a problem for Valhalla, whose entrance is on Prospect Street. While the city continues to discuss the issue about Valhalla's side street entrance, All Asia has gotten a reprieve from closing because construction at the site has been delayed.]
[December 4, 2012 update: As mentioned above, All Asia Bar will be called Prospect Lounge rather than Valhalla once it moves into its new home. In addition, it appears that the plans are now moving along, with the move becoming more and more likely. Thanks to Cambridge Day for this information (via Eater Boston).]
[July 15, 2013 update: According to their Facebook page, the last days in business for All Asia Bar will be July 20 and 21, with a "liquidation party" occurring those two days. The note says "if you want a piece of History come on down Saturday or Sunday, get drunk, and barter with us. Or just come down and party..."]
The address for this upcoming spot in Central Square will be: Prospect Lounge, 675 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.
Thanks to food writer Christine Liu for initially bringing this to our attention.
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