The Back to School Issue

Get to know Worcester.

So, you’ve settled into your dorm and now you want to explore Worcester. Having had roommates from all around New England ~ and being from Worcester myself ~ I can see how our city can be daunting. You’re in luck, as students from Worcester’s many colleges have chimed in with the hope of helping you become comfortable in the Heart of the Commonwealth.

Plus, there’s our handy list, which will help you find everything from great pizza to a reputable mechanic. Whether it be the great food, the great entertainment, the volunteer experience or just grabbing a drink with friends, you’ll be covered this year.

The College List.

Food of the gods
Great pizza
Brick oven: Volturno, 2Ovens
Great atmosphere: The Boynton
When you’re studying: Little Caesar’s, Blue Jeans Pizza
Just good pizza: Corner Grille, Anzio’s, Paesano’s, Pepe’s
App: Pizza Finder

After the club
Late-night eats
Chinese: Red Lantern, Mai Tai
Pizza: Blue Jeans Pizza, Golden Pizza
Diner: Parkway, Boulevard, Kenmore, Café Manzi
Mexican: Olé
Delivery: Wings Over Worcester
App: EazyEatz

What’s that?
When the college cafeteria doesn’t live up to expectations
Burger: The Fix, Wild Willy’s, Brew City
Italian: Leo’s Ristorante, Piccolo’s, Mare e Monti, La Scala,
Greek: Mezé Greek Tapas Bar & Grill, Zorba’s
BBQ: Smokestack, West Side Steak & BBQ
Sushi: Kenichi, Baba, 7Nana, Sakura Tokyo
Wings: Wings Over Worcester
Mexican: Mezcal, Mexicali Grille, Plaza Azteca, Moe’s
Breakfast: Café Manzi, Annie Clark’s, Miss Worcester Diner, Dinky’s, Lou Roc’s, Parkway, The Breakfast Bar
Bakery: Bean Counter, Miranda Bread, Sweet
Vegetarian: Belmont Vegetarian, Pure Juz
App: Urban Spoon

By the numbers
Dining based on your budget
When you’re broke: Coney Island, Regatta Deli, New England Roast Beef
When your parents are paying: Ceres Bistro, Joey’s, 111 Chop House, Bocado, Coral Seafood, The Sole Proprietor, The People’s Kitchen
App: Menu Pages

Finally scoring that first date
Great first dates
Casual: The Boynton, The Mill, The Dive Bar, Elm Park Grill
Ethnic: El Basha, Pho Dakao, Ya Mon, Mezé Greek Tapas Bar & Grill
Vegan: Lovin’ Hut
Gastropub: Armsby Abbey, Brew City
Places to go: Elm Park, Worcester Art Museum
Just coffee: In House Coffee, Starbucks, Bean Counter, NuCafé
App: First Date Guru

Just friends
Places to hang out
Drinks: Mai Tai, Kenchi, Mezcal, Flying Rhino, Scorz,
Bar food: Loft 266, The Boynton, Funky Murphy’s, The Citizen, Flying Rhino, The Mill
Irish bar: The Grey Hound Pub, O’Connor’s, The Press Box, Fiddler’s Green, Mickey O’Neill’s, The Banner
Bar atmosphere: 7Nana, Ritual, Michael’s Cigar Bar, Ceres
Place to play pool: Jillian’s
Hookah/Cigar bar: Spiritual Haze, Electric Haze, Victory Bar & Cigar, Smokey Joe’s, Michael’s Cigar Bar
App: Poynt

Cool sounds
Great places to hear music, dance, etc.
Dance club: Club Rumors, Perfect Game, Dance Ranch Saloon, Industry, Loft 266
Gay club: Male Box
Live music: Lucky Dog, Palladium, Ralph’s Rock Diner, Jillian’s, Raven, Beatnik’s, JJ’s, Michael’s Cigar Bar, Electric Haze, Greendales, Blue Plate Lounge, Rivalry’s, The Mill
Karaoke: The Mill, Loft 266
Open Mic: Canal Restaurant & Bar, Greendale’s Pub, NuCafé, Three G’s Sports Bar, Union Music
App: Bands in Town

Lookin’ good
Keep your style fresh
Salons/spas: J’Adore, D’Iorios, Rinse, Head Shop Hair Factory, Paul Conzo’s, Hot Set Hair Studio
Barbershops: Goodfellas, RB’s, Tommy M’s, Justin’s
Nail salons: Cherry Nails, Orchid Nails, VIP Nails
Body art/piercings: Miraculous Creations, Piercing Emporium, Secret Society, Zaza Ink, The Tattoo Project
Thrift shops: Savers, Grime, Salvation Army, Trunk and Disorderly
App: SpaFinder

Because man can’t live by bread alone
Places to experience art and culture
Cultural destinations: Worcester Art Museum, EcoTarium, Hanover Theatre, Mechanic’s Hall, Sprinkler Factory
Annual events: Taste of Shrewsbury Street, Shrewsbury Street College Shuffle, stART on the Street, Worcester Music Awards, Art in the Park, Barstool Blackout Tour, Rock and Shock
Comic books/collectibles: That’s Entertainment, Newbury Comics
Book stores: Tatnuck Booksellers, Barnes and Noble
Just for fun: Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, Crystal Caves, Pins, X-Fire Paintball, Skylite Roller Skating Center
App: Yelp

The nuts and bolts
Great mechanics and other things you’ll need
Mechanics: Thomas Auto Body, Pro Transmission and Clutch, K2 Auto Specialists, Harry Heitin Auto Radiator Co.
Places to get glasses: Bello Opticians, Plante Opticians, Magay & Barron Eye Center
Specialty market: Ed Hyder’s, Living Earth, Eddie’s Market, Mekong Market, D’Errico’s Market, Bahnan’s International Marketplace, Bakery and Cafe

Further afield
Things to do outside of Worcester
Cultural: Fitchburg Art Museum, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Museum of Russian Icons
Just for fun: Wachusett Mountain, Mulligan’s Miniature Golf, Davis Mega Maze, Nashoba Valley, Sholan Farms
Great pizza: Blacksheep Tavern, Godfrey’s, Espresso, Paesano’s
Great Mexican/Texmex: Happy Jack’s, Mezcal, Southside Margarita Factory
Great Italian: Il Camino, Il Forno
Great bars: Sunset Tiki Bar, Bootleggers, Café Destare, Rye & Thyme, Columbia Tavern
Great restaurants: Rye & Thyme, Slattery’s, Bootleggers, Blueprint, Deven’s Grill, Sonoma
Great live music: Blacksheep Tavern, Rye & Thyme, Gardner Ale House, Bull Run, Simple Man Saloon, Classic’s Pub
Karaoke: Partner’s Pub, Classic’s Pub, Mickey Shea’s
Open Mic: Primetime Pub, Coffeelands Word Gifts, Espresso Café
Billiards: Break-Away Billiards, JC Fenwicks
Salon/Spas: The Clawshop, Trinity, New Outlook

What’s your favorite part of Worcester?

“Worcester is a great city to go to school in because of its diverse communities, great food and great opportunities. In the city, it is easy to find delicious food from many different countries around the world. As a college student, most places have discounts, student nights and other great offers. Some great finds are: Flying Rhino Café and Watering Hole, Boynton Family Restaurant, Nancy Chang, Mezcal Cantina and Sweet for dessert, which is a great end to a great meal. If you are the adventurous type, rock climbing at Central Rock Gym is always fun and so is disc golf in Newton Hill. … If you are interested in giving back to the Worcester community, there are many opportunities for volunteering. Churches, schools and Park Spirit are amongst many groups that are always looking for volunteers to help with their camps, after-school programs and park cleanups.”

~ Kirsten Vanhourne, College of the Holy Cross, Class of 2015

“Living in Worcester can be some of the best times of your life if you know where to go. If you’re looking to kill time after classes or on the weekends, Worcester has plenty to offer to keep you entertained for hours. Take a trip to the Worcester Art Museum, which displays over 5,000 years of art history, or head on over to the EcoTarium if you are a big animal/wildlife lover. For those wishing to see a Broadway play without having to pay for those New York City prices, Worcester’s Hanover Theatre provides musicals, stand-up comedians and much more. Worcester also provides plenty of entertainment for those over 21. Head over to Water Street and indulge yourself in bars such as the Perfect Game and the Blackstone Tap, which are very popular for the college crowd.”

~ Matthew Tomaiolo, Worcester State University, Class of 2014

“There are plenty of adventures to experience throughout Worcester, but you’ll need to explore and take your time to find some of the hidden gems. If that’s not something you’re interested in, here are some more popular and fun places to go. I recommend checking out what’s going on at the DCU Center. They always have great concerts there! In the past, they’ve had Demi Lovato, Imagine Dragons and Paramore. Going to concerts with friends always leads to a memorable night, especially here in Worcester. … Finally, if you’re simply looking for a quick bite to eat with some friends, either Wooberry or Nu Café is the place for you. Wooberry has some of the best frozen yogurt around, and they even have a few board games in the back to play while you eat! Nu Café has fantastic smoothies, breakfast sandwiches and wraps. They also offer Paint Nites, live music and board game nights.”

~ Alexandra Davis, Assumption College, Class of 2017

“I think the most important thing any college student living in Worcester can do is to get off campus and explore the city. Worcester is a bigger city than I think most people realize, and all of the different neighborhoods each have their own vibe and something different to offer. I often hear students from out of town complaining about Worcester and how it’s too boring or too run down, and it makes me wonder how much of the city they’ve actually seen. Even after living here my entire life, I don’t think I’ve seen it all!”