One of the best things about warmer weather is getting to kick back in your yard with a bunch of friends and a few good beers. Unfortunately for us living in the Hoboken/Jersey City Area, backyard space is hard to come by. But starting this weekend, not only can you throw back a few cold ones with your bests in an airy, backyard-like space, but you can do it all while gazing at the unbeatable NYC skyline {backyard = upgraded}. The Hudson River Waterfront kicks off the summer season on the day before Cinco de Mayo with the opening of the Lutze — the first open-air biergarten on the waterfront that will feature, craft beer, German brews, cocktails, sangria, a variety of foods including bratwurst, pretzels, crab cakes, and a raw bar {on weekends} along with hosting live music and lawn games, fire pits + more.
Located at 15 Second Street in Jersey City, the Lutze Biergarten is named for Wilhelm {Willy} Lutze who was born in Jersey City in 1900 to German immigrant parents. He spent his life in JC, raised a family there, and his legacy, along with the influence of the early German-American settlers to the area, are the inspiration behind the Lutze.
^The view from the Lutze
So, why would a German-inspired biergarten choose to open with a Cinco de Mayo celebration? CEO Michael J. DeMarco explains in a letter to patrons on the opening of their webpage: “Jersey City’s first outdoor, waterfront biergarten was influenced by its rich history of accepting and welcoming new arrivals and creating a place where they could thrive and add to America’s rich tapestry of culture. We built this biergarten to activate and share the waterfront that we love so much and to honor all of our heritages.” The website continues, “There’s no better day to launch the Lutze than Cinco De Mayo – a nationally known celebration representative of the vast culture and diversity that define Jersey City; therefore, it is only fitting that it’s our opening day.” We’ll drink to that!
The opening will take place on Thursday, May 4th from 5:00 pm until midnight with a ribbon cutting at 3:30 PM. A Cinco de Mayo party will follow, with an insanely awesome list of over 100 vendors will be there along with food trucks, games, giveaways, and a fireworks celebration at 8:55 PM. While permanent food vendors will be Jersey City’s own Bacon Me Crazy + Jake’s Downtown, the Cinco celebration will feature food from places like Aranchini Bros, Brooklyn Oyster Party, Bro-Ritos, Dark Side of the Moo, Glazed and Confused, Ma and Pa Tex Mex, Soda City, Taco Shelly, The Guac Spot and oh so many more.
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While this post is sponsored, with a celebration like this, we’ve never been more excited for a Friday — or May 5th, for that matter. Join us in JC today {May 4th} and on Cinco de May to say willkommen! and bienvenido! to the new kid on the waterfront and be sure to share your pics from the Lutze with us on Instagram @HobokenGirlBlog or #HobokenGirl.
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