Carli Clesmere 
There always seems to be something new on the way in Jersey City, especially along Newark Avenue. Per the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District, two new food concepts, Bembe and Steaks Shakes + Harmony, are coming to 143 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. The address was previously home to Better Days, a bar + restaurant located on the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza. Read on for what we know so far about what’s coming to the former Better Days space.
About the Former Better Days Space
Earlier this year, The Hoboken Girl reported that Better Days, located at 143 Newark Avenue, was listed as permanently closed on Google. The bar + restaurant had been a go-to downtown spot for drinks, casual bites, and nights out on the pedestrian plaza. Better Days was located in the same building as 143 Social, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar that is still located at the same address. HG has reached out to the team behind 143 Social to see whether any changes are planned for that concept as part of the new updates at 143 Newark Avenue. This post will be updated as more information becomes available.
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What’s Coming to 143 Newark Avenue
HDSID recently shared that two new openings are coming to the former Better Days space: Bembe and Steaks Shakes + Harmony. According to HDSID, Bembe is expected to be a casual steak + raw bar, with Steaks Shakes + Harmony tucked away in the back. Few details have surfaced about Bembe so far, and at the time of writing, no social media accounts appear to have been created for the concept just yet.
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The second concept, Steaks Shakes + Harmony, has a little more information available. The concept comes from Chef D. Harmon and is centered around “real deal cheesesteaks” and milkshakes. It is currently open at 126 Christopher Columbus Drive in Jersey City. Chef Harmon is also connected to several other well-known restaurants and hospitality concepts in New Jersey and Philadelphia, including Amina, BlackHen, Fia, Avana, Don’t Tell Liv, Better Days, 143 Social, and Asbury Social.
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We did a little digging into the Steaks Shakes + Harmony menu, and there are already a few items on our radar. The Birthday Cake Poundshake, served on pound cake, immediately caught our attention, along with the gluten-free cheesesteak fries. The concept appears to lean into comfort food with a fun, chef-driven twist.
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What’s Next for Bembe + Steaks Shakes & Harmony
An official opening date for Bembe and the new Steaks Shakes + Harmony setup at 143 Newark Avenue has not yet been announced. HG has reached out to the teams behind the space for more information and will update this piece as additional details become available.
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