Newport Music Hall

Former names	State Theater, Agora Ballroom
Address	1722 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio
Coordinates	39°59′51″N 83°00′27″W / 39.99746°N 83.00741°W / 39.99746; -83.00741
Public transit	1, 2, 8, 22, 31, 102
Parking	Hourly-fee garages
Owner	PromoWest Productions
Capacity	1,700
Current use	Live music venue
Opened	21 December 1921 (1921-12-21)
Website
Official website

Newport Music Hall is a music venue located in the University District of Columbus, Ohio, across the street from the Ohio Union of the Ohio State University. It is "America's Longest Continually Running Rock Club".^[1]

History

Newport Music Hall opened in 1921; it was then known as the State Theater.^[2][3] In the 1970s, it became known as the Agora Ballroom. The hall seats 2,000 and most of the original decor is intact. It is one of the many music venues on High Street in Columbus, and the oldest continually running venue. In the past, they have had indoor and outdoor events. Tickets are sold at the Newport box office (open at noon on show days).

Newport was the last American venue at which John Lee Hooker performed before his death in 2001.^{[citation needed]}

The Newport was purchased by PromoWest in 1984, reopening as the Newport Music Hall. Located next to the campus of the Ohio State University, Newport Music Hall maintains the preservation of its historical ballroom architecture and the legacy of its past and present performers. With a 2,000 person capacity and hosting over 150,000 guests a year, the Newport Music Hall has become one of the most famous rock clubs in the country.

In 2020, the building that houses Newport was put up for sale by its owners, but this will not directly affect the venue.^[4]