Southwick is a lake town on the Connecticut border in western Massachusetts, famous for the "Southwick Jog" in the state line and its Congamond Lakes. The Southwick Inn has hosted open mics and a monthly blues jam, and Westfield's Bright Ideas Brewing, 10 minutes north, hosts jams and open mics. This guide covers Southwick's history, the local music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Southwick
The lakes and meadows of Southwick were part of the Woronoco and Agawam peoples' homelands. Colonists farmed the area as part of Westfield, and Southwick was incorporated in 1770.
A long-running boundary dispute between Massachusetts and Connecticut left Southwick with a notch in the state line, the "Southwick Jog." Tobacco farming, especially shade tobacco for cigar wrappers, flourished on its sandy soil.
Today Southwick is a residential and recreational town of about 10,000, known for the Congamond Lakes and its motocross track.
The Southwick Music Scene
Southwick's music life has centered on the Southwick Inn, which has hosted weekly open mics and a last-Sunday blues jam led by the band Cold Shot, plus summer events by the lakes.
Westfield, 10 minutes north, has Bright Ideas Brewing's jams and open mics, and Granby and Hartford, Connecticut, add more options to the south.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Southwick
- Southwick Inn (479 College Hwy.) – A local bar and restaurant with live music.
- Bright Ideas Brewing (109 Apremont Way, Westfield) – Live music, jams and a monthly open mic.
- Symphony Hall (Springfield) – The region's classic concert hall.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Southwick
Southwick has a local bar with a history of open mics and blues jams, and Westfield is close by. Below are the best options, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Some of these listings could not be confirmed as current. Always check the venue's or host's social media before heading out with your gear.
In Southwick
- Southwick Inn Open Mic and Blues Jam (479 College Hwy.) – Has hosted a Thursday open mic (8:00–11:00 p.m.) and a last-Sunday blues jam (6:00–10:00 p.m.) hosted by Cold Shot. Confirm the current schedule.
Nearby
- Bright Ideas Brewing (109 Apremont Way, Westfield) – A roughly monthly Thursday open mic (6:00 p.m.) and Ted's Backroom Jams on scheduled Thursdays (6:00–8:00 p.m.).
- Open Mic at Gifted Tones (Springfield) – A Tuesday early-evening open mic (recently 5:00 p.m.).
- Luthier's Co-op Open Mics (108 Cottage St., Easthampton) – Tuesdays and Wednesdays, roughly 7:00–10:00 p.m. No cover; all ages.
Southwick-Area Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday (confirm) | Open Mic (8 p.m.) | Southwick Inn | All Styles |
| Sunday (last, confirm) | Blues Jam (6 p.m.) | Southwick Inn | Blues |
| Thursday (scheduled) | Open Mic / Ted's Backroom Jams | Bright Ideas Brewing, Westfield | All Styles / Open Jam |
| Tuesday | Open Mic (5 p.m.) | Gifted Tones, Springfield | All Styles |
Tips for Playing Southwick-Area Open Mics and Jams
- Bring a blues shuffle. The Southwick Inn jam leans blues.
- Plan for winter. Snow and ice can cancel nights; check social media before heading out.
Helpful Local Resources
- Arts Hub of Western Mass (artshubwma.org) – Regional arts and music calendar.
- Explore Western Mass (explorewesternmass.com) – Regional event listings.
- openmikes.org – Musician-maintained open mic listings for Massachusetts.
