The Grog

For decades, Newburyport, Massachusetts pulsated with the energy of a dynamic music scene, and The Grog was one of its cornerstones. Opened in 1971 just off the city’s main drag, State Street, the venue’s basement-level space, Downstairs at The Grog, became renowned across the region for presenting a diverse array of artists and ensembles, from blues and rock to jazz and folk. Its intimate, low-lit setting created an atmosphere cherished by musicians and patrons alike, making it a must-visit destination for music lovers throughout the region. Although live performances were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, the return of music in September 2026 marked a welcome new chapter in the venue’s long history.

“SUNDAY NIGHT BLUES PARTY,” “HOOT NIGHT,” NATIONAL ACTS

One of The Grog’s most celebrated traditions was its “Sunday Night Blues Party,” which started in 1990, was hosted by renowned blues harpist Parker Wheeler and became a staple for blues enthusiasts. Wheeler’s dedication provided a platform for local talent and drew acclaimed musicians from across New England and beyond, fostering a thriving musical community and ensuring that people could listen to live music in the heart of Newburyport. Another key figure in The Grog’s musical legacy is Doug Johnson, who played a central role in establishing its reputation as a live-music venue for over two decades. A musician himself, he first performed at The Grog in 1971 with his duo Sweet Potato Pie following a summer of gigs on Martha’s Vineyard. After impressing The Grog’s owner enough to be hired, he relocated to the area and in 1973 began running  “Hoot Night,” (meaning “hootenanny”) every Tuesday. Johnson ran the acoustic shows in an open-mic-style, starting with a few songs himself before introducing the roster of local performers, and they became an incubator for emerging talent.

During that time, musical events were held in The Grog’s main dining area on the ground floor, which was outfitted with a small stage, a couple of microphones, and minimal lighting. Johnson eventually began booking live music six nights a week, with only Mondays left dark. Despite Newburyport being a shadow of its future self in the early 1970s – with boarded-up buildings and few signs of its massive late-‘70s urban renewal – the shows attracted people across the socioeconomic spectrum, from carpenters, bricklayers and fishermen to doctors, lawyers and artists. As its popularity grew, so did the number of noise complaints from neighbors, resulting in owner Richard Simpkins expanding the property in the early ‘80s by purchasing the adjacent building and digging out the basement to create a dedicated music room. Downstairs at The Grog opened in ’82, equipped with professional lighting, sound and a substantial stage, and Johnson began booking acts five to seven nights a week.

In an effort to boost attendance, Johnson brought in national touring artists on Thursdays, a night when many were looking for a stopover gig between bigger ones on Friday or Saturday in Boston or Portland, Maine. Among the well-known artists who took the stage were Donovan, Laura Nyro, Taj Mahal, Dave Mason, Livingston Taylor, John Sebastian, Doc Watson, Melanie, Maria Muldaur, Dave Van Ronk, James Montgomery, John Hartford, Bobby Keyes, Tom Hambridge, Leo Kottke, Jim Kweskin, Tom Paxton, Dan Hicks, Toni Lynn Washington and Herb Reed & The Platters. Johnson worked as The Grog’s booker for almost 25 years while also bartending, but management changes led to a decline in music programming, he says, and he was phased out in 1997.

THE FIRST GROG ALBUM, ECLECTIC ROSTER, NOTABLE BLUES ACTS

In 1982, The Grog further cemented its role on the regional scene by releasing The First Grog Album, a compilation featuring musicians from the Newburyport area that showed the venue’s commitment to promoting local talent by providing artists with much-needed exposure. The venue continued this spirit by maintaining an eclectic booking policy, welcoming both emerging acts and seasoned performers, and its booking choices ensured that every night was a chance to experience something new. In addition to the “Sunday Night Blues Party,” jazz artists gave the lineup a sophisticated flair, folk acts brought storytelling, rock ones provided high energy, singer-songwriters performed deeply personal originals, cover bands helped the audience relive the classics and open-mic nights fostered broader community engagement.

Blues was always a mainstay at The Grog, with renowned artists such as Diane Blue, Cheryl Arena, and Chris “Stovall” Brown delivering powerhouse performances. Bluesman and author Charlie Sawyer added depth to the venue’s blues repertoire, while Delta Blues aficionados Peter Chase and Paul Prue brought the raw, authentic sound of the genre to the space. Other notable acts included Wendell Jenkins and Ricky “King” Russell.

COVID CLOSING, BYFIELD COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER, MUSIC RETURNS

Despite its storied past, The Grog’s live music programming came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic. Government-mandated public health restrictions in 2020 led to the suspension of live performances, and the hiatus continued long after those restrictions were lifted. In September 2026, however, The Grog announced the return of live music to its downstairs space, reopening a chapter in Newburyport’s musical history that had remained dormant for six years. During the extended absence, the spirit of its celebrated “Sunday Night Blues Party” found a new home at the Byfield Community Arts Center (BCAC) in the village of Byfield, about six miles from Newburyport, where Parker Wheeler and his band, The All Stars, have continued the tradition. By welcoming the Blues Party, the BCAC has helped preserve an important part of the region’s musical heritage while expanding its own role as a venue for live performances.

The return of live music to The Grog represents more than the reopening of a performance space. It reconnects Newburyport with a musical tradition that helped shape the city’s cultural identity for more than five decades. The venue’s commitment to diverse programming, its support of local and touring artists, and its long association with musicians such as Parker Wheeler have left an indelible mark on the community. With music once again filling its downstairs room, The Grog has an opportunity to build upon that legacy and introduce a new generation of performers and audiences to a venue that holds a special place in Newburyport’s musical history.

(by Karl Sharicz)

Karl Sharicz is the author of Rock & Roll Underdogs: Hidden Gems Within the Shadows of Stardom, Volumes 1 and 2 (Palmetto Publishing, 2025 and 2026).