Ed Chen
Walker Memorial, constructed in 1916, is one of the early and most iconic buildings on MIT’s Cambridge campus, built in honor of former MIT President Francis A. Walker and designed in a classic neoclassical style that gives it a timeless presence along Memorial Drive. 
Normally, students find themselves here for a few classic MIT-only reasons:
1. Midterm and final exams at Walker Gym on the 3rd floor — a rite of passage for large classes and a great vantage point for people-watching when you finish early. 
2. Events in the grand spaces like Morss Hall on the 1st floor — where lectures, mixers, cultural celebrations, and student group showcases bring the building to life. 
3. The beloved Muddy Charles Pub tucked into the 1st-floor corner closer to the river — an unbeatable spot to unwind after problem sets, especially with a view of the Charles. 
There are no restrooms on the first floor, they’re in the basement and up on the third, so plan your coffee breaks accordingly. But part of the fun of Walker is discovering its quirks: climbing up staircases past banners, finding that secret meeting room tucked away on 3F, or just lingering in the main entry hall framed by tall murals. 
If you’ve got the luxury of a spare afternoon and no pressing psets, Walker Memorial isn’t just a building — it’s a place to explore. Between the echoes of conversation in its high ceilings, the student radio station humming in the basement, and the corner pub views over the river, it captures a bit of MIT’s community spirit like no other spot on campus.
… moreAlejandro Nuñez-Jimenez
Typical university bar. Low prices, loud crowd, no-frills pub. Located in a beautiful corner that looks out to a grass field and the Charles River, the Muddy Charles pub offers a nice place for MIT students to socialize. Beer is very cheap but the selection is limited. *Only cash* (which is a shame for a pub at MIT!). Photo ID and MIT badges needed (although MIT members can bring one guest).
… moreSandy Cooper
My colleagues and I had a really horrible experience with the young man working the entrance. He was extremely rude and arrogant and aggressive. It honestly made for a very bad impression of MIT for our guest. The young man working there was wearing glasses and a T-shirt I believe and had dark hair. I did not get his name as I was so shocked by the behaviour. He treated my colleague who unknowingly had the wrong kind of ID like he was a criminal trying to break in. He didn’t know the rules and when he pulled out his ID at the entrance, the young man working their pushed his ID away like it was disgusting, shook his head and pointed at the door. My colleague was shocked and politely asked what was wrong with his ID. The young man continued to point at the door, shake his head and look at him in disgust. We were all confused at this point and asked a couple more times if he could please explain what was needed here, or just say anything. The young man huffed and rolled his eyes and finally spoke some words to us and aggressively told him to get out of there while still pointing at the door. We were in shock and my colleague asked why the young man was speaking to our guest like that and if he could explain the problem. He then looked at him in disgust and pointed at a sign on the opposite side of the door which stated either US ID or passports were accepted. We responded it was our guest’s first time and he did not know, but would of course leave to get the right ID. He rolled his eyes again and turned his back on us. The whole time he could have just politely said hey we don’t accept that ID, please either bring a US ID or passport. He was on some sort of unprofessional power trip. Still in shock at such treatment and will not be returning to this bar. Will also be making a formal complaint to the institute as no one should be subject to such treatment.
… moreNelson Feliciano
A great pub for the MIT community and their guests. Beer n wine at well beyond reasonable prices. The staff is friendly, there are games to play, the view of the Charles River is grand and it is housed in the iconic Walker Memorial building.
… morecolin cotter
Outstanding beer collection.
Don’t forget to look at the google sheets menu as there is a much bigger selection than you think.
The pitcher deal is the best in Boston
… moreMina Ha
This is not open to general public. You either need to know someone with an MIT badge or play at the radio station to be able to enter… But once you’re in it’s great! It is so cozy with an active fireplace the night I went in. Super tall ceiling and big windows. Just lovely. Cheap drinks and cash bar.
… moreElias
Great vibes (MIT students/affiliates only).
Gets really loud in the PM when people get off work.
… moreMurat Onen
Low price and wide variety of beers, sure, but hardly ever one can find a good one. The (old) manager is quite rude but all the remaining staff are nice and friendly in general. Cash only, MIT only, neither of which is pleasant. Very loud and crowded, as can be expected from a university bar. To be fair, unlike my opinion, many people love the place, so give it a try and see if it suits you..
… moreMichael Nolan
It can get busy and a bit messy, and there isn’t a massive amount of room, but it’s a student bar in a cozy old student center.
The beer is dang cheap and surprisingly good, but it’s only open to MIT students and their guests. If that’s you, then it’s a nice place to cap off a Friday.
… moreAlfred Marshall
Nice bar for MIT students to drink and socialize in. Beer and wine are cheap, cash only but no one minds this. It overlooks a beautiful lawn and the Charles River. So many things that are amazing about this pub, except for one thing… (if you’ve been to the bar before, you know what I’m about to write)
THE MANAGER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ASAP. Haven’t met a single student who has said a single nice thing about this guy. It’s as if he thrives on being rude, disrespectful and simply a jerk to everyone who comes to the Muddy Charles to unwind. In what world is it acceptable to treat your customers with such a lack of respect? I know so many students who avoid going to the Muddy simply because they don’t want to encounter the manager ever again. This guy doesn’t embody the values of MIT and should be let go immediately. The Muddy Charles will be far better off without him.
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