By Mark Greenlaw | April 12, 2025
SOUTH EGREMONT, MA — After a quiet winter and months of uncertainty, a beloved Berkshires music hub is ready to raise the curtain once again. The Egremont Barn, a cornerstone of the region’s live music scene, is reopening May 14 under new ownership—and with its soul very much intact.
“It’ll be The Barn as usual,” says longtime co-owner and music booker Jenny Rubin. “But we do have a new owner, and we’re really excited about it. We think it’s a great fit.”
That new owner is Doug Grabe, a Connecticut-based entrepreneur and live music enthusiast who owns the popular Little Pub chain. Rubin says his energy and background make him a natural match for the venue’s next act.
“He loves live music,” Rubin says. “In fact, I think he was planning something with live music before COVID hit. This feels like the perfect fit for him—and for us.”
Regarding the purchase, Grabe said, “It’s not the transaction, it’s the tradition. I’m honored to work alongside such vibrant community builders and super happy to provide the backstop to keep The Barn rocking for generations to come.”
Grabe has acquired the entire Egremont Barn property, including the Egremont Village Inn and adjacent land, opening the door for some fresh possibilities. Rubin hints at the return of a full-service restaurant at the Inn—an idea previously shelved due to construction and other issues. “People could eat there, then come here for the show,” she says. “It just makes sense.”
Despite the transition, many of The Barn’s core elements remain: the staff, the vibe, and of course, the music. Rubin will continue booking acts, running the bar, and managing the team that helped build The Barn’s reputation as a hidden gem for top-tier talent.
“I’ll still be here,” she says. “Open mics, Sunday karaoke, the bands you love—it’s all coming back.” Rubin’s husband and former co-owner, Nick Keene, will initially stay on in a consulting capacity.
The venue will reopen with its familiar Wednesday through Saturday hours (5–11 PM), with plans to expand to Sundays starting Memorial Day weekend. Eventually, the goal is to run seven nights a week—an ambitious move for any rural venue, but one Rubin believes is within reach.
The menu will start with familiar pub-style fare, but Grabe’s food truck fleet may appear during summer, offering more variety. “There will be a mix of old and new,” Rubin says. “Subtle changes as we go.”
The Barn’s return is not just about business—it’s personal for Rubin, who moved to the Berkshires in 2016 to help bring the venue to life after meeting co-owner Nick Keene. She brought a rich background in music and nightlife, having cut her teeth at iconic NYC spots like Wetlands and Mo Pitkin’s.
From those early days to now, The Barn has earned a reputation for drawing national talent to an intimate, barnwood-lined room. “It started with a few personal connections,” Rubin says. “Artists felt at home here, and word just spread.”
That welcoming energy is what she believes makes The Barn so special.
“People walk in and immediately feel at home,” she says. “Music has this power to bring people together, and we see that here all the time. Whether it’s a loud party band or someone like Sean Rowe leaving everyone spellbound, there’s always a shared experience.”
After a tough winter and a longer-than-expected hiatus, Rubin is eager to see the lights come up again. “More than anything, I missed the community,” she says. “Now, it feels like things are coming back—and I’m so excited.”
So mark your calendars for opening night, May 14, which will be an open mic night, which Rubin said is a nice way to get things restarted. The Wanda Houston Project will perform on May 15, followed by Rounders Revival on May 16 and Jordan Weller and the Feathers on May 17. Other confirmed performances include Four Sticks, BTUs, Chantell, James Maddock, Jamie McLean Band, Sean Rowe, Dead Man’s Waltz, Billy Keane, and the Tangiers Blues Band.
The Egremont Barn is back, and it’s ready to make the Berkshires sing again.
Once formally announced, you’ll be able to find all of The Egremont Barn’s performances on our music calendar. Check The Egremont Barn’s website or follow them on Instagram or Facebook for updates on upcoming shows and announcements.