Westbrook is a historic paper-mill city on the Presumpscot River, just west of Portland, and it has quietly become one of southern Maine's music hubs. It's home to an 8,200-capacity outdoor concert pavilion, a downtown taproom open mic and a riverfront arts scene, with Portland's busy jams and listening rooms 15 minutes away. This guide covers Westbrook's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Westbrook
The falls of the Presumpscot River were a fishing and gathering place for the Wabanaki peoples. Colonial settlers built sawmills at Saccarappa Falls in the 1700s, and the village of Saccarappa grew around them. The town that included it was renamed Westbrook in 1814 in honor of Colonel Thomas Westbrook, an early colonial official and mill owner, and it became a city in 1891.
In 1854, Samuel D. Warren bought a paper mill on the river, and the S.D. Warren Company grew into one of the largest paper makers in the world, famous for high-quality coated papers. The mill shaped Westbrook's economy, its neighborhoods and its identity for more than a century, alongside textile mills like the Dana Warp Mill.
As the paper industry shrank, Westbrook reinvented itself. Old mill buildings have become offices, studios and apartments, a riverwalk lines the Presumpscot downtown, and the former quarry and industrial site at Rock Row has been redeveloped into a shopping and entertainment district.
The Westbrook Music Scene
In 2019, the Maine Savings Pavilion at Rock Row opened as southern Maine's largest outdoor concert venue, with room for about 8,200 people, bringing national rock, country and indie tours to Westbrook every summer. Downtown, Westbrook Common and its taproom host community music events, swing dances and an open mic, and the Westbrook Performing Arts Center stages concerts and productions.
Westbrook is part of greater Portland's tight-knit scene. Portland's One Longfellow Square, Port City Music Hall and State Theatre are minutes away, along with brewery bluegrass jams, jazz sessions and singer-songwriter open mics.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Westbrook
- Maine Savings Pavilion at Rock Row – An outdoor amphitheater for about 8,200 fans, hosting summer tours.
- Westbrook Common / Westbrook On Tap (downtown) – A community gathering space and taproom with live music and an open mic.
- Mast Landing Brewing Company (920 Main St.) – A Westbrook taproom that has hosted open mics.
- Westbrook Performing Arts Center – A theater for concerts and productions.
- Portland venues – One Longfellow Square, Port City Music Hall, the State Theatre and Port City Blue are about 15 minutes east.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Westbrook
Westbrook has a downtown taproom open mic, and Portland's jams and open mics are a short drive away. Below are the best options, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics and jams change hosts, nights and venues often, and Maine winters can cancel events. Always check the venue's or host's social media before heading out with your gear.
In Westbrook
- Open Mic at Westbrook On Tap / Westbrook Common (downtown) – A weekly open mic in the early evening. It has been listed on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. and on Fridays at 6:00 p.m., so confirm the current night with the venue.
- Mast Landing Westbrook Open Mic (920 Main St.) – Mast Landing's Westbrook taproom has hosted Thursday evening open mics (6:30–8:30 p.m.) with sound provided. Check the brewery's events calendar.
Nearby in Portland
- Definitive Brewing Company Open Mic (35 Industrial Way, Portland) – Mondays, 6:00–9:00 p.m. Performers get $5 pints.
- Root Grass Jam at Root Wild Kombucha (135 Washington Ave., Portland) – A recurring acoustic bluegrass jam hosted by Colin McKenna, 6:00–8:00 p.m. on scheduled Wednesdays. Acoustic instruments only.
- Jazz Sesh at Port City Blue (Portland) – A weekly jazz jam (it has run on Tuesday nights). Confirm the current night.
- One Longfellow Square Open Mic (Portland) – Monthly, in one of the city's best listening rooms.
Westbrook-Area Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open Mic (6 p.m.) | Definitive Brewing, Portland | All Styles |
| Tuesday (confirm) | Jazz Sesh | Port City Blue, Portland | Jazz |
| Wednesday (scheduled) | Root Grass Jam (6 p.m.) | Root Wild Kombucha, Portland | Bluegrass |
| Thursday or Friday (confirm) | Open Mic | Westbrook On Tap / Westbrook Common | All Styles |
| Thursday (check calendar) | Open Mic (6:30 p.m.) | Mast Landing, Westbrook | All Styles |
| Monthly | Open Mic | One Longfellow Square, Portland | Singer-Songwriter |
Tips for Playing Westbrook-Area Open Mics and Jams
- Pair Westbrook with Portland. Route 25 and the Turnpike connect them in about 15 minutes.
- Plan for winter. Let instruments warm up in their cases before tuning, and watch for storm cancellations.
- Catch a show at Rock Row. Summer concerts bring big crowds and are a fun night out for local musicians.
Helpful Local Resources
- Discover Downtown Westbrook – Downtown event calendar, including open mics.
- Bluegrass Music Association of Maine (mainebluegrass.org) – Southern Maine bluegrass jams.
- Bluz Junky (bluzjunky.com) – Maine blues, jazz and roots listings.
