Tipsy Cowboy Country Dive Opens in Salem

A Nashville-style bar has come to the North Shore. 

According to its website, Tipsy Cowboy Country Dive is now open in Salem, replacing Rivalry Sports Lounge & Kitchen within the Hampton Inn  on Washington Street in what looks to be a rebrand. The website for the new spot indicates that it offers comfort food, cocktails, live country music, line dancing, and more, with its menu including such options as deep-fried shrimp in chili sauce, fried hot honey Brussels sprouts, pulled pork sandwiches, Nashville hot fried chicken sandwiches, cheesy shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, cornbread cake, and more. 

The address for Tipsy Cowboy Country Dive is 221 Washington Street, Salem, MA, 01970. Its website can be found at https://www.tipsysalem.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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The Babe Opens in Salem

A new bar has come to the North Shore after being in the works for more than a year, moving into the space where a longtime drinking spot had once been.

According to a post from @berkie1, The Babe is now open in Salem, taking over the former Major Magleashe's space on Washington Street. The website for the place--which is run by local restaurateur Seth Gerber--indicates that it is a "friendly neighborhood bar and sandwich shop" that offers such items as burgers, Italian subs, cheese steaks, meatball sandwiches, wings, and bar nuts, along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

Major Magleashe's first opened in the space in 1978.

The address for The Babe is 268 Washington Street, Salem, MA, 01970. Its website can be found at https://www.thebabesalem.com/

[Earlier Article]
Seth Gerber (MIDA) Purchases Major Magleashe's Space in Salem

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

 

Dire Wolf Tavern Is Replacing Opus in Salem

A North Shore restaurant and bar known in part for its live music venue downstairs is shutting down and being replaced by a new spot under the same ownership.

According to an article from Vanyaland, Opus in Salem is closing its doors, with the restaurant part on the ground floor planning to say farewell after business hours on Saturday, January 7 while the Opus Underground music club had its final night on New Year's Eve. The post mentions that parent company Serenitee Restaurant Group (Maggie's Farm, 15 Walnut, Cala's Restaurant, Hale Street Tavern, The Spot, Minglewood Harborside, Alchemy), is reconcepting the space, though no details have been given as to the plans--and it doesn't appear that live music will be part of those plans.

The address for Opus (and Opus Underground) is 87 Washington Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

[January 13 update: A check on the place confirms that Opus is now closed, including both the restaurant and the music club.]

[February 14 update: A Facebook post from Creative North Shore indicates that the restaurant/bar replacing Opus will be called Dire Wolf Tavern, and its menu shows salads, sandwiches sushi, and brunch items; its website can be found at https://www.direwolfsalem.com/] 

[March 22 update: According to a source (and confirmed by the website for the place), Dire Wolf Tavern is now open.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Seth Gerber (MIDA) Purchases Major Magleashe's Space in Salem

A local restaurateur has bought the North Shore space where a longtime bar had been until closing recently.

According to Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting, Seth Gerber has purchased the space in Salem that had been home to Major Magleashe's Pub, with an Instagram post from Gerber saying the following:

I love the North Shore. This is my home. So there is no better place to dig in with a new concept besides "Witch City" Salem, MA. This space has been a restaurant since at least the 1960's. Frank's Cafe to Witches Brew to the beloved Major Magleashe's that has been operating since 1978. I am incredibly proud to honor the history here while bringing this venue into its next life.

Gerber is a business partner at Douglass Williams's MIDA, an Italian restaurant in Boston's South End, that also has Brian Lesser as a partner; another location of MIDA can be found in Newtonville while a third is being planned for East Boston as well. (The team also runs APIZZA at Hub Hall by North Station in Boston.)

The address for the upcoming spot from Seth Gerber (and the old Major Magleashe's Pub) is 268 Washington Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

[September 6, 2023 update: According to a source (Kalie Belvin), the new dining and drinking spot taking over the former Major Magleashe's space will be called The Babe, with various online job posts confirming this.]

[Earlier Article]
Major Magleashe's Pub in Salem Has Closed

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

 

Major Magleashe's Pub in Salem Has Closed

A popular North Shore bar has shut down, and it is not known what will become of the space.

According to a Facebook post from Zachary Antczak of Behold Brands (and formerly Notch Brewing), Major Magleashe's Pub closed its doors last night, as the owners are apparently retiring. It appears that a new dining/drinking spot may move into the Washington Street space, though no specific details have been given as of yet.

Major Magleashe's Pub, which first opened in 1978, was known in part for its burgers and steak tips.

The address for Major Magleashe's Pub was 268 Washington Street, Salem, MA, 01970.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!