Green Knoll Grill's Outdoor Music May Be In Jeopardy

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Green Knoll Grill's ability to play outdoor music is in jeopardy as some residents are complaining about late-night noise. Others have started a petition to defend the Bridgewater restaurant.

The discussion recently came up as the restaurant at 645 Route 202/206 in Bridgewater, has its liquor license renewal expected in August. When that vote comes up, some neighboring residents are asking the township council to amend the license to no longer allow outdoor music.

Victor and Julie Caliman, who live on Village Drive across from the restaurant, said at the June 23 council meeting that the Green Knoll Grill has repeatedly played music past the allowable cut-off time.

"They have an apparent disregard to neighbors in the community and the will of the council when it comes to playing this music," said Victor Caliman.

Caliman asked the council members to consider revoking the Green Knoll Grill's ability to host outdoor music.

Currently, the restaurant, known for its outdoor patio and Tiki bar, is allowed to play live music three days a week.

"I am very upset. I can't live in my home... I only have three days of peace the way you did their liquor license. You did not think of the people who live across the street," said Julie Caliman.

Victor Caliman asked the council to remember the concerns of the families who live across the street when renewing the liquor license.

David Cassidy, an attorney for Green Knoll Grill, told Patch the residents really made the whole situation into something huge and he thinks it is disingenuous.

"The owners of the Green Knoll Grill are pretty good citizens and they have the most liquor restrictions of any place by far. They are always cooperating. Across the street, you only hear trucks going by 287. They are not in a residential neighborhood blaring music," said Cassidy.

Cassidy also noted there have only been five noise complaints in the past year with three of them made by two residents.

A request by Patch to the Bridgewater Police Department for the number of noise complaints filed against Green Knoll Grill was not fulfilled.

Additionally, Cassidy said the Green Knoll Grill has been providing outdoor live entertainment for more than a decade even before the townhomes were built across the street.

"Nothing has changed at all. We do not have larger speakers and a lot of the times it is just a small 3-person band performing," said Cassidy. "I personally think the town is overlooking the tiki bar as an attraction for Bridgewater."

Council President Allen Kurdyla said the Mayor and administration is taking the agreement with the Green Knoll Grill "very seriously" and there have been discussions and will be future discussions on how they would like to proceed.

Mayor Matthew Moench said he sat outside the restaurant on a Friday night and also alerted police to the issue to increase enforcement.

While officers will be on alert, Moench noted that the township "can't have an officer stationed out there four nights a week to ensure compliance."

Other residents and patrons of the restaurant have started a petition to show their support of the Green Knoll Grill's live music.

"People have put in false complaints about noises. The establishment is on main commercial road with not many houses nearby and the complaints came from a house that was way out of the radius of GKG," according to the petition.

"Please support GKG in keeping their live entertainment on the patio. There are many people that will be affected by this. Having live entertainment is part of the experience that they provide for people and so many memories are made from this way. Help keep this summer fun and live!" continued the petition.

The petition has more than 750 signatures as of Friday. To read or sign the petition click here.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.