When will Woodbridge's 200-seat waterfront tiki bar begin serving drinks?
WOODBRIDGE – The line for Mai Tai's and other cocktails with mini umbrellas at Anchors, the new 200-seat tiki bar in the Sewaren section near the marina, is expected to start next month.
"We're a few weeks away from opening, hopefully by the Fourth of July," Mayor John E. McCormac said Tuesday, adding the township's annual Independence Day fireworks display on July 3 at the Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park in the Sewaren section will be visible from the bar and marina area.
He said in the past, people had been parking in the marina area to watch the fireworks, but now it's more official.
This spring's foul weather didn't help the construction timetable, the mayor said.
"The rain has really hampered our progress because there is an awful lot of concrete work and that can't be done even when there is a threat of rain because of the time it needs to cure," McCormac said.
"But we're excited about it. It's beautiful. The contractor has been phenomenal and we're really looking forward to having a great place to hang out in the summer. People love to be outdoors when dining and drinking and they love to be by the water and this gives them both," the mayor said.
Anchors, which will be run by the Woodbridge Arts Alliance, which operates Curtains Bar and Restaurant, part of the Avenel Performing Arts Center and Barbells Cafe in The Club at Woodbridge, has a capacity for about 200 people, but there is also a large grove area with picnic tables and a band stage. McCormac said people will be able to get food from food trucks stationed in the area, a drink from the bar and sit in the grove, relax and listen to music.
McCormac said his first drink at Anchors will be his usual, a Miller Light.
"They can have the fanciest martinis and daiquiris and margaritas, and I'll still drink my Miller Light," the mayor said. "No fruit and no umbrellas in my beers."
Anchors is part of the planned Sewaren Marina and Recreation Area, which also will include an expanded dog park. McCormac said the new dog park is expected to be done next year. There are also plans to dredge this fall to install a dock and dine and expand parking.
There also are plans to work with Middlesex County to build a bridge connecting the Sewaren section of the township property across the creek to the county-owned Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park, which would allow people to park on township property and walk to the county park.
While the cost for the dock and dine, dog park and bridge has not yet been calculated, McCormac said more than $10 million county and state grants has been acquired so the cost to township taxpayers has not been that great. He added there is also federal grant money to extend the riverwalk along Cliff Road.
Previously the township awarded a $4 million contract to McCauley Construction Co. of Long Branch for the Up Smith’s Creek Community Complex Tiki & Marina Project. The council's April agenda included a $94,877.48 change order increasing the contract amount to a total of $4,137,377.48.
"They won the bid and we're thrilled they did. They are a pleasure to work with and their craftmanship is exquisite," the mayor said. "It's just beautiful."
"It's going to be a very exciting and very special area and it will really positively impact the value of homes in the Sewaren area," McCormac said.
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Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Woodbridge NJ waterfront tiki bar expected to open in July
