In 2017, The Cantab Lounge was named one of America’s 15 Best Dive Bars. Located in multi-ethnic, multi-generation Central Square in Cambridge, MA, it was also named one of the 50 Best Small Music Venues In America. Bluegrass Tuesdays at The Cantab Lounge began in September of 1993 and have grown to host regional and national artists on stage, and serve as a weekly gathering place for the local bluegrass community. For 27 years, Tuesday Night Bluegrass at The Cantab Lounge was hosted by Geoff Bartley, about whom reviewer Nate Dow wrote, “If Massachusetts were ever to appoint a Folk Laureate, the honor would have to go to the one and only Geoff Bartley.”

Geoff welcomed nationally-known bluegrass artists to The Cantab stage including Dale Ann Bradley, Tony Trischka, Darol Anger, David Grier, Missy Raines, Jim Hurst, Chris Jones, Molly Tuttle, and the late James King. Bluegrass Tuesdays have also been a place where many bluegrass musicians have met and “cut their teeth”, including members of The Infamous Stringdusters, Crooked Still, Della Mae, The Gibson Brothers, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Mile Twelve, ​and Alan Bibey & Grasstowne. The Cantab Lounge has now been reinvigorated under new owner Tim Dibble, manager Mike Cronin, and Bluegrass Tuesdays host Tony Watt.