Future Cherry Hill Restaurant Gets Liquor License: Here's When Tommy's Tavern Could Open

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Tommy's Tavern + Tap received approval to serve alcohol at its future Cherry Hill restaurant — an indicator of progress toward opening day.

The Township Council voted unanimously Monday for the transfer of a plenary retail consumption license to Tommy's. The licenses allow businesses, such as restaurants, to sell alcohol for on-premise consumption.

Tommy's Tavern estimates that its Cherry Hill location will open next spring, ownership told Patch on Wednesday. The restaurant will replace Houlihan's, which abruptly closed last January at 2050 Route 70.

The liquor license was transferred from a business registered as Cherry Hill Three, LLC.

Tommy's Tavern materialized early in the COVID-19 pandemic, opening several restaurants around New Jersey during a difficult time in the industry. The family-run chain currently has eight eateries in New Jersey, one in Staten Island and another in Delaware. The first South Jersey location opened last summer in Mount Laurel.

The restaurant chain prides itself on having something for everyone, including pizza, sushi, wings and alcoholic beverages. Founder Thomas Bonfiglio died in July 2022 at age 62, but his family continues to run the business and carry his legacy.

Bonfiglio founded the Triple T Hospitality Group, which owns all Tommy's restaurants, along with Tio Taco + Tequila Bar. The latter has four locations, including one in Marlton.