Walk into the South Cove Commons plaza in Bayonne today and something feels fundamentally off. For years, the anchor of that parking lot wasn’t the nearby Stop & Shop or the TJ Maxx; it was the warm, slightly chaotic, and reliable glow of the Houlihan’s Bayonne sign.
It was the kind of place where you’d find a Little League team celebrating a win in one corner and a couple on a nervous first date in the other. But if you’ve driven by lately, you’ve seen the dark windows. No more stuffed 'shrooms. No more Long Island Iced Teas on a Tuesday night.
Honestly, the way it ended was pretty brutal.
The Abrupt End of an Era at 151 Lefante Way
In late August 2025, the Bayonne community woke up to a shock. There was no "Closing Soon" sale or a sentimental "Thank You" banner draped over the entrance. Instead, employees showed up for their shifts only to find a paper notice taped to the door.
Locked. Done. Over.
Social media went nuclear. A local employee, Stuart Trejos Abarca, took to Facebook to vent the frustration shared by dozens of staff members who were suddenly out of a job with zero warning. Imagine working somewhere for a decade, knowing the regulars by their first names and their drink orders, only to be "greeted" by a deadbolt.
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It wasn't just a Bayonne thing, though. This was part of a larger, much quieter collapse. By early 2026, the Houlihan’s footprint had shriveled by over 55%. Locations in Hershey, Dallas, and even other Jersey spots like Bridgewater and Parsippany vanished overnight.
Why Did Houlihan’s Bayonne Actually Close?
You’ll hear a lot of theories at the local barbershops or on the Bayonne NJ Reddit threads. Some people swear the rent at South Cove Commons became astronomical. Others think the shift toward third-party delivery apps like DoorDash ate the profit margins until there was nothing left but crumbs.
The truth is probably a messy mix of corporate restructuring and local real estate shifts.
Houlihan’s is owned by Landry’s, Inc. (the same massive conglomerate behind Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Morton’s The Steakhouse). While Landry’s hasn’t been chatty about the specific reasons for the Bayonne exit, there are persistent rumors that the Alessi organization—which owns the plaza land—has bigger plans for that specific corner.
Whispers of a "boutique hotel" or a residential mixed-use building have been floating around for months. It makes sense, kinda. That area of Bayonne is prime real estate right now, and a sprawling, one-story casual dining chain doesn't always fit the high-density vision developers have for 2026.
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What We’re Missing Most
Let’s be real: Houlihan’s wasn’t fine dining. It was "neighborhood-fancy." It filled a very specific gap in the Bayonne food scene. You had your classic pizza spots and your high-end Italian joints, but Houlihan’s was where you went when one person wanted a burger, another wanted Thai-style dumplings, and someone else just wanted a massive salad.
The menu was a chaotic masterpiece. People are still mourning specific dishes:
- The Stuffed 'Shrooms: These were basically legendary. Garlic-herb cream cheese stuffed into breaded mushrooms—you couldn't eat just one.
- Chicken Avocado Eggrolls: A total calorie bomb, sure, but served with that house-made salsa and sour cream? Perfection.
- The Kansas City Burger: Topped with brown sugar bacon and BBQ carnitas. It was a lot, but that was the point.
- Firecracker Cauliflower: Even the "I hate vegetables" crowd ordered this because of that chile aioli.
The Impact on the South Cove Community
The loss of Houlihan’s Bayonne leaves a massive physical and social hole. For years, it was the "after-work" spot for teachers from nearby schools and workers from the industrial side of town.
It also served as a training ground for half the youth in the city. How many Bayonne kids had their first "real" job there as a busser or a hostess? That loss of entry-level employment in a tight-knit community like this matters.
And then there's the movie theater issue. The Frank Theatres South Cove 12 next door has had its own saga of closures and weird transitions. Without the "dinner and a movie" synergy, that corner of the plaza feels a bit like a ghost town.
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Where Do We Go From Here?
If you’re still craving that specific Houlihan’s vibe, your options in New Jersey are thinning out fast. As of early 2026, only a handful of locations remain in the state, including spots like Secaucus and Paramus. But let’s be honest: driving to Secaucus isn't the same as having a spot in your own backyard.
If you’re looking for a local alternative that hits similar notes, you might want to check out some of the newer spots opening up along Broadway or the revitalized Bergen Point area. Bayonne is in the middle of a massive "Gold Coast" boom, so while one door closes (literally), others are popping up.
Actionable Steps for the "Displaced" Regulars
If you have unspent Houlihan’s gift cards or rewards points, don't wait. Since Landry's owns a massive portfolio, you can often use those cards at their other brands. Check the back of the card or the Landry's website to see if you can redeem them at a nearby McCormick & Schmick’s or even a Rainforest Cafe if you're feeling nostalgic for robotic gorillas.
Also, keep an eye on the planning board meetings for the South Cove area. If a hotel or a new residential complex is indeed coming to 151 Lefante Way, those public hearings are the only place you'll get the real scoop on what’s replacing our favorite happy hour spot.
It’s a bummer to see it go. Houlihan’s Bayonne wasn't just a restaurant; it was a landmark in a city that’s changing faster than most of us can keep up with.
Next Steps:
- Check your gift cards: Verify if they are valid at other Landry's properties.
- Support local: Shift your Friday night ritual to one of the independent gastropubs on Broadway.
- Stay informed: Monitor the Bayonne Planning Board agendas for updates on the 151 Lefante Way redevelopment.