The Hoboken Girl Team 
While many miss DC’s, one of Hoboken’s go-to dive bars tucked away on 8th Street, there is new life finally being breathed into the space. After much speculation over the past few months about what the space was to become, it has now been confirmed that a Turkish spot called ‘Istanbul Doner Kebab’ will take its place. Read on for the latest updates as they come to fruition with the new Turkish grill coming to Hoboken at 505 8th Street.
^ Oguz Kimil, owner of Pizzeria Hoboken and Old Lorenzo’s is opening a 3rd restaurant at the former DC’s location in Hoboken
Background on the Space
The DC’s space has been dormant for the last few years, with rumors of it being torn down, but also discussions of new life coming to the space — though unclear at the time what it might become.
One local restauranteur previously shared with The Hoboken Girl that they had looked at the space, but it required a lot of structural work to be usable in the future, and it didn’t seem feasible at the time. “The entire foundation needed to be replaced,” they explained.
We also called the broker who has the listing in 2024, as the property was still listed on Loopnet as of late September 2024, but he did not have any record of the property being leased up, despite a permit on the door.
“Approved, to be newly renovated as vanilla box and new exterior. Single-story 750sf. Open to restaurant uses; venting/shaft should easily be achievable being single-story; City to approve. Additional businesses/concepts to be considered as well,” was written on the listing.
Upon walking by in September 2024, it was easy to see that there was some movement at the space at 505 8th Street. There was caution tape and scaffolding all around the building.
But if there was no known tenant, who was doing the work, and to what end?
^ The space in September 2024
A member of the HG team walked by the space on November 14th, 2024, and there seemed to be even more progress at the space — although nothing was confirmed.
According to several sources, a Turkish grill + eatery was said to be possibly coming to the space — but it had yet to be confirmed at the time.
^ progress report as of March 25th, 2025
March 2025 Update
The Hoboken Girl confirmed back in March that the new spot taking over the former DC’s Tavern location in Hoboken will be called Istanbul Doner Kebab. The team behind the restaurant also operates Old Lorenzo’s on Jackson Street — and Pizzeria Hoboken, which is next door to the soon-to-be kebab spot. Oguz Kimil and a close friend opened Old Lorenzo’s in 1996. However, after the friend moved back to Turkey, Oguz decided to continue running the pizzeria on his own.
He then went on to open Pizzeria Hoboken on 8th and Jefferson, and now, the team shared exclusively with The Hoboken GIrl that they hope to have the new Turkish eatery up and running by late May or early June. See below for a few progress photos of the space as of April 24th.
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