Alcohol

Alcohol
The Legal Age
The legal drinking age in Massachusetts is 21. Pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs are very strict about this. Nearly all bars will request photo IDs from all members of the party and restaurants will request for it when alcohol is ordered. Quite often, if you are under 21 you are not even allowed to enter the pub. 
ID
Most establishments require an American driving license or a passport as proof of age. However some places will accept a UK photo driving license.
If a bar does accept a UK driving licence, the bouncer can get confused with the date of birth because Americans write dates in the form mm/dd/yy e.g. April 2 is confused with February!
Campus bars
Unlike in Cambridge, the bar is not a big social gathering point for MIT undergraduates as alcohol is treated very differently at MIT.  There are 2 bars on campus; both “The Thirsty Ear” and “The Muddy Charles” admit CMI students.
The Thirsty Ear
This is the graduate bar in the basement of Ashdown Dorm. It is a bit of a dive but the closest thing you will find to a college bar.
The Thirsty is officially open:
            Monday:             9pm-1am
            Tuesday-Thursday:    7pm-1am
            Friday:            4pm-2am
However, there were frequent “lock-ins” in 2001/2002.
The Thirsty offers a wide selection of bottles and has 3 beers on tap but no spirits. If you are feeling brave, you can drink your way through the 24 bottles on the “frequent flyers” card and get your very own Thirsty Ear T-shirt. Prices vary from $1.50 to $3.50 a bottle.
Last year The Thirsty was relatively lenient about carding. However it is strict on a Friday night.
The main features of The Thirsty are the dartboard, the chatty barmen, the unisex toilets, the large TV and the karaoke/music. It is a great place to chill after working but watch out: you might not get home till 4.
The Muddy Charles
This is a more refined establishment in which you can often find faculty members. Situated in Walker Memorial, it is also open during lunch time and has a nice atmosphere during the summer.
Buying Alcohol
You cannot buy alcohol in Supermarkets but have to go to specific off licences. There are 2 off licences near MIT – one in Central Square and the other on the Boston side of Harvard Bridge about 100m down from the banks.
Alcohol in Dorms
MIT is a dry campus: the admins are very sensitive about alcohol and you will not find any alcohol at university functions unless they are sure everyone is over 21!
Some of the dorms are stricter then others but do not be surprised if you are asked not to drink in communal areas in case someone under 21 is about. If you are under 21, they may get very upset if you drink. However if they do have a problem, the best answer is to pour your drink into a cup.
Generally, open frat parties are dry and guest list parties require ID before you can be issued an armband, which gives you the right to drink. Drinks are generally served in the all too classy red cups as seen on American Pie, etc.!