New owner with a familiar face for John Brewer’s Tavern

What happened at the end of Mike Morse’s first shift at the former Malden location of John Brewer’s Tavern stuck with him longer than he ever expected. 

Not long after his 16th birthday — November 11, 2008, to be exact — Morse planned to walk home after his debut bussing tables. Owner Bill Honeycutt offered him a ride, a small but memorable token of appreciation for the new guy on the block.

Now some 16 years later, Honeycutt will turn over the Waltham location of John Brewer’s to Morse, now his dedicated general manager. As of January 1, 2026, the 32-year-old Morse and his wife, Hannah, will become the proud owners of the 39 Main St. establishment. 

“It’s always been a positive work environment, and I’ve had a very close relationship with the current owner since the beginning,” Morse said. “He’s always been a mentor of mine, even more so as time’s gone on. 

“It’s not something I knew way back [that] I was going to do it forever, but the passion has grown over time.”

Honeycutt remembers Morse’s first shift too. He told him he was impressed. Morse worked hard and treated the business as his own. Honeycutt is still impressed and “proud”. 

“I’m happy now to help him have his own business,” Honeycutt said. “He was someone that’s always there and made himself the obvious choice. It’s very cool for me.” 

Located near the Watertown line, John Brewer’s Tavern is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. The business pays homage to what was once “The Brewer Tavern” located across the street in the late 1700s. Following its 1780s closure, according to John Brewer’s Tavern’s website, half of the building was moved to the land where it sits today. Bill and Susan Honeycutt opened the restaurant in 1998.

“The Brewer’s name will continue. I created the concept and I’m proud of our longevity but it’s time for me to move on,” Honeycutt said “It’s my time to exit, I don’t want to stay at the party too long.” 

The Honeycutts now live on Martha’s Vineyard and will focus on their brewpub, Offshore Ale Company. Some of their beers are served at John Brewer’s. 

The Malden location of John Brewer’s was open from 2008-2023. A Newton location was open from 2012-2021. Honeycutt did not want to close the last John Brewer’s, and instead sought a new owner. He hadn’t planned to renew the lease at year’s end, but he and Morse collaborated on financing and came up with a plan to continue the John Brewer’s business.

A Medford native and Malden resident, Morse climbed the food service ladder rung by rung. He has held nearly every role in the restaurant business, all for a single proprietor. He worked as the bar manager in Waltham from 2015-19 and returned in 2022 as the general manager. 

Morse met his future wife Hannah while working together at the John Brewer’s in Malden. The couple continues to work together today. They have two young children. 

Morse plans few, if any, changes. He loves the identity the establishment has built over time. 

“I’m going to keep it going as long as I possibly can,” Morse said. “It’s been such a good part of my life.”