Category Archives: Bars

Waiting Room plans patio area

For those of you looking for more outdoor dining options in Rahway, take heart, there’s something on the way. Rahway’s most popular bar, The Waiting Room received Planning Board approval Tuesday night to build a 1,089-square foot concrete patio behind the building at 66 E. Cherry St.

Owner Chris Wenson said the patio would cover the entire area behind his building on East Cherry Street but only part of it would be used for outdoor dining. He expects it could be open by next spring, with as many as 10 to 15 tables.

The Waiting Room will mark its third year at its new location on Saturday. It relocated from the corner of Lewis and Irving streets to make way for the parking garage.

Station Bar & Grill slated for Irving Street

Ever been to the Station Bar and Grill in downtown Garwood? Another one’s coming to downtown Rahway.

The Planning Board last night unanimously approved a minor site plan for a vacant, one-story office building at 1530 Irving St., across from Park Square.

Continue reading Station Bar & Grill slated for Irving Street

Bachmann’s reconstruction moving along

Could this be the fastest-moving project in Rahway?

The old Bachmann’s Tavern was knocked down last fall and construction on a new building started just a few months ago, with a frame going up by February. Six weeks later, fencing still surrounds the property at St. Georges and West Lincoln avenues but it looks like the roof, along with a steeple, has been completed and most windows installed.

New Bachmann’s rising on St. Georges

It’s been a busy couple of weeks but I managed to snap a few photos of construction on the new Bachmann’s Tavern.

The project has been taking shape over the past several months. Demolition of the original building, near the corner of St. George’s and West Lincoln avenues, occurred last fall.

Plan for Koza’s comes back


A new plan for Koza’s bar on West Scott Avenue was deferred Monday night until next month’s meeting, Oct. 20. Only five members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment were present, barely enough for a quorum.

Only Rahway Rising had the story last December when the Zoning Board of Adjustment rejected a concept plan for 12 units at the 3/4-acre site that would have renovated the 1920 structure and added a second floor. While Zoning Board members appreciated the plan, there was some concern about the density. The new plan includes nine townhouses but still requires a bulk variance and use variance.
Koza’s didn’t fare too well in our “What’s your favorite bar in Rahway?” poll this past spring, but it must be considered one of the “elder statesemen” of Rahway bars (read: old school), as I’ve heard the second-shifters at Merck used to patronize it back in the day.

The Waiting Room by a mile

So did everyone go to Hot Rods and Harleys on Saturday? As you can see, my friend Batman stopped by for the festivities. Between Friday’s monsoon and Sunday’s gray skies and rain, we really lucked out with the weather.

Continue reading The Waiting Room by a mile