Paper Mill Playhouse Is Reopening Historic Restaurant In Millburn

MILLBURN, NJ — The Paper Mill Playhouse celebrated a major milestone earlier this week: the reopening of the F.M. Kirby Carriage House Restaurant.

For nearly three decades, the Carriage House has been the quiet prelude to an evening at the Millburn theater venue – a candlelit pause before curtain time. Now, the historic restaurant is stepping into a starring role of its own.

Currently undergoing a sweeping $8.5 million renovation, the Carriage House is being transformed from a 124-seat dining room into a 228-seat, multi-level culinary and cultural destination.

The reopening will roll out in phases, beginning April 8, when the restaurant welcomes Paper Mill donors and ticket holders during the run of the musical “1776.” The public grand opening is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 5 – marking the official debut of the expanded dining rooms and event spaces. The restaurant will then be open weekly from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

The project is part of Paper Mill’s larger $48.7 million “Next Act Campaign” to renovate and upgrade all of the facilities and grounds of its five-acre campus. The campaign is backed by individual donors and funders, with additional support from the state of New Jersey and Millburn Township.

The expansion is ambitious, but also respectful of the building’s past, spokespeople said:

“The Carriage House sits on land once occupied by The Thistle Paper Mill, established in 1795. When Paper Mill Playhouse began renovations in the 1930s, the Carriage House was the first structure to be completed. That layered history remains intact, but the footprint is dramatically expanding by 4,000 square feet. The new first-floor Carrington Dining Room (named after co-founder of Paper Mill Playhouse, Frank Carrington) will seat 70 guests, including 16 at the bar, with a mix of banquettes and high tops designed for both pre-theater efficiency and relaxed dining. Upstairs, the newly constructed Club Room introduces something entirely new to the campus: a flexible event space for up to 100 guests (standing), complete with built-in technology for performances, business gatherings, and private rentals, which further expands opportunities for programming.”

The Blue Room and The Davis Loft of the original Carriage House have been preserved and refreshed. The Blue Room will now feature a coffee bar and seat 32 guests, while The Davis Loft continues as an intimate cocktail lounge and private dining space, also accommodating 32.

The outside is also eye-catching, spokespeople said:

“Architecturally, the most striking addition may be the recreated facade of the theater itself. In a move that satisfies both historic preservation goals and aesthetic ambition, the south-facing facade of the new Carriage House replicates the iconic front of Paper Mill Playhouse, creating a grand new gateway to the campus. Inside, large windows in the Club Room overlook Baldwin Court, flooding the space with natural light and connecting diners directly to the theater’s energy.”

The renovation is led by Merilee Meacock of KSS Architects, with interiors designed by Danielle Lozzi of KSS and Paul Tate dePoo III, scenic designer of “The Great Gatsby” and “Take the Lead” at Paper Mill Playhouse. Phelps Construction Group is acting as the construction manager.

Mark Hoebee, producing artistic director at Paper Mill Playhouse, said theater staff are excited to relaunch and grow the “Carriage House Presents” series, which will bring back audience favorites like murder mystery, improv and trivia nights – while introducing live music, stand-up, poetry and other live performances.

“The reopening and expansion of the Carriage House will transform the Paper Mill experience, elevating dining for our theatergoers while creating a vibrant, contemporary gathering space,” said Mike Stotts, executive director at Paper Mill Playhouse.

“The expanded space will also accommodate board meetings, private rentals, and community events, establishing the Carriage House as a dynamic hub for entertainment and engagement,” Stotts said.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Chef Jacques Marra has led the Carriage House kitchen since 2021.

A veteran of the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center and a fixture of the New York dining scene, Marra said the goal is to make the entire experience “as immersive as possible.”

“While you will always find a perfectly crafted cheeseburger on our à la carte menu, our pre-theater dining is a passport,” Marra said. “Depending on the show on our mainstage, we may transport you to the rustic kitchens of Little Italy, the refined bistros of France, or the vibrant spice markets of Latin America.”

Paul O’Bando, who has helped launch major restaurant concepts in Manhattan and at large venues like Rutgers’ SHI Stadium, will serve as director of food and beverage.

“Our mission is to create a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere where people can connect and unwind,” O’Bando said.

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