Imagine a Boston where Back Bay was once a cool place to hang out—where you and your friends could chain-smoke on a porch with good beer and people-watch for hours on end without being hassled. Cue the OTHERSIDE CAFE: a local institution with one of the best beer lists in town, bangin’ vegan/veggie food options, and rotating local artwork on display regularly. The staff was always tuned into what was happening in town because in one way or another, they were all part of the scene here. The location allowed the JP and Cambridge/Somerville kids an equidistant meetup spot that helped bridge those crowds and let the music scene flourish. Until wistfully, after years of false alarms, their building was finally sold in 2012 to an overpriced furniture store (puke), ending their reign as one of the best places you could hang in Boston.

Sorry if you missed the glory days of Back Bay, but at least local photographer/Cambridge barfly MATT TEUTEN was there to capture what was going on. Right now he’s putting together a beautiful bound book documenting some mammals and moments that made the Otherside Cafe thus. Teuten’s gotta sophisticated eye and a knack to track the fleeting. This guy’s work will make you appreciate where you live. No question this book is gonna be worth owning.

Stay tuned for a release date and purchasing info.