The Thirsty Whale Pub and Grill or "the Whale" as locals affectionately call it, is nestled in the heart of historic downtown Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Their slogan is:

"Good friends!
Good food!
Great times!"

And judging by this photo, great Bloody Marys too:

The Thirsty Whale is more than a local watering hole. It is an integral piece of Newburyport's community and history. There is even a private Facebook group called "Thirsty Whale family" where regulars and employees from the past and present connect, share, and make fun of tourists as they walk by. (haha!)

According to Newburyport News the restaurant shut down back in March of 2020 for the initial Covid-19 lockdown and has been closed ever since. The article explains that a gal by the name of Stephanie Romano was working as a bartender at The Whale and also as a police dispatcher in Newburyport at the time they closed. Stephanie tended the bar there for 13 years and she always had dreams of owning the place. Stephanie kept in close touch with the property owners these past 16 months and finally, with the help of her fiancé Haven Marceau, her dream of owning the Whale is becoming a reality!

Stephanie and Haven signed a 5 year lease and are aiming to re open the Whale's doors in December. So what can we expect from this newly operated Thirsty Whale?  They will offer a smaller pizza and sandwich menu and of course bring back their often imitated but never duplicated Thirsty Mai Tai. OH! And they are bringing back their dart league! What a time to be alive!

Follow the Thirsty Whale on Facebook  for all of the updates.

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