Thirteen years ago, on December 3, Patrick Cross opened The Thirsty Scholar Pub on Beacon Street, then a no-man’s land, because “I’ve always had a passion for pubs!” Today it’s a “hidden jewel, close to Harvard, Central, and Inman Squares, and rather close to Tufts,” said Cross.

Hidden jewel indeed. In October, David Fincher, the director filming “The Social Network,’ the story of Facebook’s founders (and Harvard grads), chose the pub over 35 other sites. It will be featured in the first 5 to 8 minutes of the film, to be released next October. And Thirsty Scholar was one of only three places – along with Fenway and Elephant Walk – to make it into Rachel Ray’s “Tasty Travels” segment on Boston a few years ago.

In honor of its anniversary, the pub has rolled back beer prices all month. Drafts (25 on tap) are $4.00, imported bottles are $3.75, and domestic bottles are $3.00. The pub also offers a few organic beers. This month Wolaver’s, a coffee organic porter, is available.

The chef, who cooked for seven years at Legal Sea Foods, prepares two daily specials, reasonably priced. On the day I called, the lunch specials were a grilled chicken sandwich with spinach and roasted peppers ($7.95) and three-cheese tortellini with spinach and mushrooms ($8.95). Chili dogs with French fries ($5.95) are also often served. The specials change at dinner.

Why the name? “I grew up in Cork, and there was a tavern with that name near the university. And being so close to Harvard, it just seemed like a natural fit,” Cross explained. He has been here 25 years, having worked in the hospitality industry in Ireland before emigrating. The pub attracts a good college crowd, especially for Sunday night’s Trivia Quiz, from 8 to 10 p.m. “It’s been a big hit, and we always give out prizes,” said Cross.

Speaking of prizes, and to help celebrate his 13 years in business, Cross is raffling off a snowboard, in partnership with Harpoon. Anyone who orders a Harpoon in December will get a ticket. There will be a special 2-hour Harpoon event on January 8, and the board will be raffled off. The winner must be present.

Thirsty Scholar is one of the first Somerville restaurants to sign on with a new, next-generation marketing tool for smart phones provided by CaptureCode. If you sign up for the “Thirsty Scholar ‘A’ List” at http://scholar.capturecode.com, you will be assigned a unique 2D bar code and receive a gift certificate for $10.00 toward food. At each visit, your code will be scanned, from your phone or an e-mail you print out, and you will receive credit towards future goodies, like gift certificates and tee-shirts. Like plastic loyalty cards, the system tracks what you purchase and tailors special offers to those interests. With savvy outreach like this, Thirsty Scholar is sure to be around for many more anniversaries.

(NB: If you’re having one of those days, the ditty on the homepage should cheer you up.)