Just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, your favorite neighborhood bar will be back and better than ever. At 11 a.m. on Friday, July 2, JSQ Lounge will reopen after being shuttered for nearly a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
47 weeks ago, JSQ Lounge didn’t say goodbye but “see you later, alligator” on Instagram and drew timely inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Journal Square’s favorite watering hole temporarily closed and asked everyone to stay healthy, safe, and hopeful.
JSQ Lounge debuted its old-school-new vibe in March 2019 when bar owner Joseph Barone sold what was then Journal Square Pub after 28 years. Since then, JSQ has been staying true to the regulars and building a loyal following of newcomers.
Reimagined by Jersey City natives Frank and Sebastian Cupo as a “Jersey City bar for Jersey City, by Jersey City,” JSQ Lounge quickly became a new neighborhood staple while honoring its history as Journal Square Pub and the infamous Tube Bar before that.
With the expertise of Hooked JC’s Tory Aunspach behind the scenes, JSQ Lounge became “The Waldorf of dive bars,” as Tory likes to say, serving craft cocktails alongside beers and shots in an eclectic setting complete with gorgeous antique light fixtures and funky tchotchke.
JSQ Lounge also became known for nightly events like burlesque bingo and Jersey Digs has learned that JSQ Lounge was still hard at work during the pandemic, adding a stage downstairs. The Jersey City Comedy Show hosted by Irv Hernandez will be back this Friday and karaoke with Johnny C and DJ Raun starts Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. A collaboration with JC-based artist MR Mustart for a mural on the front of the building is also in the works.
Outdoor seating was introduced last summer and will be approved for use again later this summer. No food will be served and JSQ will be closed one day a week, but you can be sure hope has prevailed and the drinks will be flowing this Friday!
JSQ Lounge is located at 50 Journal Square Plaza, directly across the street from the Journal Square Transportation Center and next door to the historic Loew’s Jersey Theatre. Please visit jsqlounge.com and follow @jsqlounge on Instagram.
