Dewey’s Lounge Brings Jazz, Cocktails, and Comfort Food to Springfield

Craft cocktails, Sunday brunch, live music… Dewey’s Lounge brings that smooth, relaxed jazz life to downtown Springfield.

This post is part of Swallow Estates Group‘s Best in the Nest Series, which highlights the best local businesses in Springfield, Western Massachusetts, and the Greater Pioneer Valley region.

Billie’s Holiday, Louis’s Lemonade, Duke’s Margarita—the cocktail list at Dewey’s Lounge is as much of an homage to the golden age of jazz as the set list itself, which highlights regional artists including Malado!, the Eric Bascom Trio, and the Jeremy Turgeon Quintet.

Located in downtown Springfield on Worthington Street—the heart of the growing Dining District—Dewey’s Lounge is the latest in culinary and cocktail artistry in the region. Chicken and waffles? Check. Raspberry cheesecake pancakes? Check. House-made limoncello and barrel-aged spirits? Check. Dewey’s has got it all.

Opened  on June 12, the restaurant, bar, and live music venue features full-service dining, two bar areas, a mezzanine-level performance stage, and an impressive 1,500-square foot outside dining patio. Sized for 150 guests, Dewey’s is sure to please a wide variety of patrons, from the craft cocktail lover and jazz aficionado to the bougie foodie and nightlife adventurer.

Look no further than Dewey’s Lounge to solve your chicken and waffles hankering. (Photo courtesy of Dewey’s Lounge)

Co-owner and Springfield native Kenny Lumpkin is passionate about being back and building a business in his hometown after spending nearly a decade living, working, and earning a business degree in Boston.

“I was a regular at a few jazz restaurants in Boston,” Lumpkin says. “It was kind of like my church—every Sunday at 7 p.m. I would just zen out, and it brought me peace before my work week. It also inspired me to develop my own concept.”

Lumpkin could have stayed in Boston, but instead, he returned to his roots.

“We could have brought this concept to Boston, but the market was really saturated,” Lumpkin says. “A community like Springfield really needs this. So, I thought, let’s bring it home.”

Springfield, indeed, is welcoming him back with open arms. At the soft launch on June 11, Lumpkin attested to being surprised by the turnout—and the grand opening was even more packed and celebrated. It just goes to show he was spot-on with the concept.

A full bar at Dewey’s Lounge. (Photo courtesy of Dewey’s Lounge)

Lumpkin says it’s the culture and service style at Dewey’s that sets them apart.

“We’ve focused on developing a family-like culture,” Lumpkin says. “We make sure we prioritize guests’ needs before anything else. But also from an employer perspective, I’ve really been on top of making sure our staff and team feels wanted and needed and feel taken care of. It’s all about the culture and hospitable service at Dewey’s that makes us special.”

Ginger Glazed Atlantic Salmon at Dewey’s Lounge. (Photo courtesy of Dewey’s Lounge)

Lumpkin says he’s excited to see bands and musicians out gigging again. The coronavirus pandemic shook many local establishments and put a lot of artists’ livelihood on hold—as the world begins to open up again, artists are back on the circuit, and new venues like Dewey’s are giving them a place to reconvene the community around their music.

Food, booze, music, and community—what more could ya ask for?

Kenny’s Local Recommendations

Kenny Lumpkin, co-owner of Dewey’s Lounge, talks with guests at the bar. (Photo courtesy of Dewey’s Lounge)

“I challenge people to come check out Worthington Street—the Dining District,” Dewey’s Lounge co-owner Kenny Lumpkin says. “Fort, Smokey’s, 350, Theodore’s, Dewey’s, and anywhere between, come give us a try and support these local businesses.”

Lumpkin recommends a few downtown gems, which he himself frequents: 

• Smokey Joe’s Cigars & Spirits Lounge is a cigar lounge featuring a wide selection of smokes, a large bar selection, billiards tables, and a tiered membership offering private humidor locker access, discounts, and guest passes. Kenny is a member himself.
• 350 Grill is a staple steakhouse on Worthington Street. Kenny says he’s a frequent diner at the grill and recommends the filet mignon and the truffle lobster mac and cheese.
• White Lion Brewing, brewed right in Springfield, is the city’s local brewery of choice. The full-production brewery—along with its tap room, commercial kitchen, and private event space—are based out of Tower Square at 1500 Main Street.
• Theodore’s Blues, Booze, and BBQ is another Worthington Street staple. If you’re looking for barbecue—from beef brisket to pulled pork—this is your spot.
• The Ethnic Study, located next door to Dewey’s and co-owned by Kenny’s sister Stephany Marryshow, is a co-working space focused on elevating the leadership skills, business opportunities, and voices of BIPOC folks in the region. The space has a cafe and bookstore which are open to the public.

Find Dewey’s Lounge online and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Yelp.