Northeastern and Nia Grace Open Underground Cafe and Lounge in Roxbury

BOSTON — July 22, 2026 — Northeastern University and restaurateur Nia Grace open the Underground Cafe and Lounge in Roxbury. The grand opening ceremony at the Lightview residential development, held July 22, drew Mayor Kim Janey, state Representative Chyna Tyler, and city council at-large candidates Ruthzee Louijeune, Erin Murphy, and David Halpert. Grace, founder of Daryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen, described the new cafe as "the intersection of culture and community" and timed the opening to coincide with Daryl's third anniversary. Tyler presented a citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and credited the partnership as evidence that Northeastern is responding to neighborhood demands: "It's partnerships like this that actually change the game." American Campus Communities, which manages the Lightview building, partnered with Grace to occupy the development's retail space. Artwork on the cafe's walls was produced by young people in the Artists for Humanity program, curated by Rob Gibbs and Brenda Leon.