Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileBrick & Mortar
Cambridge, MA · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Brick & Mortar is a cocktail bar that leans into creative, ingredient-driven drinks. The menu runs from a mezcal-sherry Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test to a tequila-mezcal Old Fashioned Aura, with a DTO (daiquiri time out) for groups. A deep spirits list and several zero-proof options round out the program. Customers consistently praise the cocktails and the speakeasy vibe.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test for a mezcal-sherry interplay. Old Fashioned Aura offers a reposado-mezcal twist with chocolate bitters. For a lighter option, try The Rusty Ducati sparkling cocktail. If with friends, the DTO (daiquiri time out) delivers four shots for $20.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking inventive combinations and a speakeasy atmosphere. Also suitable for spirits collectors interested in rare pours like Parker's Heritage or Yamazaki 12, and for those wanting zero-proof options without compromise.
- When should I go?
- Evenings fit the dark, intimate ambiance. The DTO is positioned as a session starter, suggesting early gatherings. Weekends may be crowded and loud, so a weeknight visit could allow more focus on the drinks.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $16-$20, with the DTO at $20 for four shots. Spirits pours range $13-$38. Champagne reaches $495, while beers are $3-$12. Zero-proof cocktails are around $15.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The menu's playful names and unexpected ingredients—like Aztec chocolate bitters and absinthe in a coconut-tequilana cocktail—set it apart. The DTO format encourages communal drinking. A Studio Ghibli themed menu has been noted, adding a layer of whimsy.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Creative, well-received cocktails with inventive ingredients and a range of styles. The DTO adds a social, value-oriented option.
Menu strengths
- — Creative and inventive cocktail menu with unique ingredients.
- — DTO (daiquiri time out) offers a fun, shareable format.
Standout selections
- — Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test: Mezcal, Amontillado Sherry, strawberry puree, lemon.
- — Old Fashioned Aura: Tequila Ocho Reposado, mezcal, agave, Aztec chocolate bitters.
- — Night of the Iguana: Coconut Tequilana, pineapple liqueur, lime, absinthe.
- — The Rusty Ducati: Sparkling Brut, mango liqueur, Sicilian vermouth, Peychaud's bitters.
Pricing: Cocktails range from $16 to $20; DTO is $20 for four shots.
Wine
Wine selection includes sparkling, white, rosé, and red, with several certified organic options. Champagne list features major houses, but pricing is only available for the top end.
Menu strengths
- — Champagne list includes Dom Pérignon and Pol Roger.
Standout selections
- — Crespaia 2024: Certified Organic Bianchello from Marche, Italy.
- — Montenidoli Canaiuolo 2025: Certified Organic Canaiolo from Tuscany.
- — Dom Pérignon Brut 2010 Vintage: Champagne, $495.
Pricing: Champagne prices range from $120 to $495; other wine prices are not listed.
Beer
A compact beer list with a mix of local and international options, including a non-alcoholic IPA and a hard cider. Priced affordably.
Menu strengths
- — Includes local Aeronaut IPA and international classics like Guinness.
Standout selections
- — Aeronaut the great Northern IPA: New England IPA, 6.3% ABV.
- — Guinness Extra Stout: St. James Gate, Dublin, 5.6% ABV.
- — All Good Non-Alcoholic hazy IPA: Less than 0.5% ABV.
Pricing: Beer prices range from $3 to $12.
Nonalcoholic
A thoughtful zero-proof program with crafted cocktails like a non-alcoholic spritz and a zero-proof Negroni, plus a non-alcoholic IPA. Priced competitively.
Menu strengths
- — Multiple zero-proof cocktail options available.; Includes a non-alcoholic hazy IPA.
Standout selections
- — Less Than Zero: Zero-alcohol spritz with non-alcoholic amaro, strawberry, lime, grapefruit.
- — The Count Camillo: Zero-proof Negroni with non-alcoholic gin, aperitivo, and amaro.
- — Hong Kong Garden: Low ABV, non-alcoholic ginger spirit, pineapple, lime, Peychaud's.
Pricing: Less Than Zero priced at $15.
Spirits
An extensive spirits list with depth across categories and rare limited editions, including Parker's Heritage and Yamazaki 12. Well-priced pours.
Menu strengths
- — Deep and diverse spirits selection with rare offerings.
- — Includes barrel selections like Privateer Rum Graffiti Alley.
Standout selections
- — Glenmorangie 18 year: Extremely Rare, County Ross-Shire, $38.
- — The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 year: Aged in classic oak, finished in rum casks, $26.
- — Springbank 12 year Cask Strength: Single malt, Campbeltown, Scotland, $28.
- — Bookers Storyteller Batch 2023: 128 Proof, Clermont, Kentucky, $22.
Pricing: Spirit prices range from $13 to $38 for listed pours.
How it sits with the food
Menu includes oysters, crostini, and deviled eggs, which pair naturally with the sparkling and sherry-based cocktails. The Brut sparkling in The Rusty Ducati or a glass of Banshee Ten of Cups would complement oysters, while the mezcal in Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test could stand up to deviled eggs.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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