Blackthorn New Brunswick Will Open This Saturday, April 21

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Blackthorn restaurant and Irish pub, which moved into the location occupied for decades by Old Bay restaurant in downtown New Brunswick, announced they will officially open their doors this Saturday, April 21.

The restaurant will open at 5 p.m. sharp this Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and traditional Irish bag pipes. Blackthorn is located at 61 Church Street.

Many in central New Jersey were saddened to hear Old Bay restaurant closed its doors forever last November, in a surprise Facebook announcement from Old Bay owner Anthony Tola.

Blackthorn New Brunswick is owned by the same owners who own the existing Blackthorn in Kenilworth and Mellow Mushroom pizzeria in Toms River.

"We wanted to move into a location that's already really well-known and we want to become known as everyone's local spot," said Blackthorn marketing manager Carolyn Rhoades. "This is a great corner location right in downtown New Brunswick."

There will still be live music on Friday nights and a DJ on Saturdays at the new location. But expect some changes inside. "It's definitely going to look different than Old Bay," she said.

Blackthorn's executive chef will be Rodrigo Hernandez from Luke's Kitchen in Maplewood. Blackthorn and Mellow Mushroom are owned by I.P.E. Holdings, LLC.

Top photo from inside Blackthorn in Kenilworth; used with permission; bottom photo the exterior of Old Bay via Google Earth