In September, Hoboken Girl got the exclusive information that legendary bar Golden Cicada, located at at 195 Grand Street was in fact going to be opening as a completely different concept with new ownership — yet keeping the old name. And now, the official reopening date is happening quite soon – read on for the details.
Originally, Golden Cicada opened in the 1980s by owner Cheng “Terry” Tan and was known for its quirky dive bar vibes. Then, the building was sold in 2019, and the purchaser was SILVERMAN, in partnership with Field Development Group.
We recently discovered that Jersey City business owners Eva Johannesdottir and Gary Keating are responsible for the revitalization of the beloved bar. Eva and Gary are the owners of The Cliff, a neighborhood favorite in the Heights. We spoke to them two months ago for a behind-the-scenes look at what to expect when the concept changes.
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“The Golden Cicada is going to be a re-imagined Mexican beer garden, with premium food and drinks,” Gary said. “We plan to have sports, live music, and live karaoke events.”
The space’s namesake has been debated by locals, with some calling the change upsetting, as it will be completely changing the original concept’s focus.
Gary and Eva said that they will keep the name the same, even though the vibe will be different.
“The original Golden Cicada was such a legendary landmark and a huge part of Jersey City. We want to be aware and respectful of the family that Terry created at the original Cicada. We want to pay homage to what Terry built here; it feels like such an honor to carry the baton of this place.” Eva said that many aspects of the original bar will be included, such as the barstools, and the bar itself.
A centerpiece of the new bar is the outdoor space, which will have stadium seating, a bar, and a setup for live music. “We are taking over the empty lot next to the bar, which had never been used for anything other than a parking lot before,” Gary said. “It feels like a summer vacation.”
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She added that the wine list will have an emphasis on natural, biodynamic wines with low sulfites, and the cocktails will be prepared in simple, traditional ways.
Locals will be able to check out the new Golden Cicada as of November 27, 2021 at 5PM.
