| Bahrs | |
|---|---|
Bahrs Restaurant and Marina in Highlands, New Jersey |
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1917 |
| Food type | Seafood |
| Street address | 2 Bay Avenue |
| City | Highlands |
| State | New Jersey |
| Country | United States |
| Website | www.bahrslanding.com |
Bahrs Landing Famous Seafood Restaurant and Marina (locally known as Bahrs Restaurant, Bahrs Landing, or simply Bahrs) is a seafood restaurant, bar and marina, located in Highlands, New Jersey.
The restaurant was established in 1917 by John Bahrs, the son of a ship captain. Long before establishing the restaurant, Bahrs, along with his wife Florence, ran a small neck tie manufacturing business in Newark. Unfortunately, a robbery took place where the entire supply of silk was gone that caused the business to close. The Bahrs' sold whatever equipment remained and headed for a new ambition. This brought them to Highlands, where they purchased a beached houseboat being used for a sport fisherman's motel and as a rowboat rental business. In 1917, a severe Nor'easter affected the area and wiped out every single rowboat. Consequently, they started serving meals to the fishermen staying aboard the boathouse motel. This occurred around the same time when the Bahrs' signed the contracts for the opening of their restaurant. At the time of the restaurant's success, the Bahrs' children helped run the new operation. As the establishment by the sea became more popular among seafood lovers, it expanded to seat more people. Soon after the expansion, the Great Depression occurred, affecting the restaurant. Fortunately during these hard times, the restaurant had an ample amount of seafood, as well as customers, who came by boat, car and a train line that ran from Hoboken through Highlands, ending up in Long Branch (which is currently no longer in use). The restaurant remains one of the oldest family run restaurants in the Raritan Bayshore area and in the state of New Jersey.
Bahrs Restaurant is situated on the Sandy Hook Bay, overlooking Sandy Hook. The restaurant has a marina on the bay. Indoor and outdoor dining (with weather permitting) is available year round. On a clear day, patrons can see the New York Skyline and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge across the Sandy Hook Bay and Raritan Bay. The Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge, which carries Route 36, is nearby the restaurant.