Wednesdays At The Junkyard

Walking into the bar at Austin’s Restaurant, you could easily assume you just entered an average sit-and-sip bar. Complete with a few booths, Deer Hunter game, and Touch Tune jukebox, Austin’s could make an unwitting patron content to pull up a seat and just unwind. On weekend nights, the first floor bar is busy, but not crowded. If a greater level of privacy (and food) is desired, you can cross the bar and head into the dining room. The menu features a Texas BBQ-style variety from burgers and wraps, to sizzling steaks and chops…

But that’s not why I’m here tonight.

Away from the relaxed area and platters of food, I’m heading upstairs, where patrons regularly pay $8 (its steep, I know, but hear me out) on a Wednesday night.

As I walk up the stairs, my hand slides over walls lined with band stickers. The atmosphere changes seamlessly from a typical Bergen County watering hole to a dimly-lit urban grunge bar. The reality is that the upstairs at Austin’s, affectionately named “The Junkyard” is neither typical, nor grungy. Around the interior are tires, hub caps, and other junkyard-related items. It gives the place an authentic feel and it’s not tacky and doesn’t block you from moving through the crowd. The “organized chaos” of the décor speaks volumes: this is not reserved for the passive bar patron. If you’re ready to rock, they’re ready to roll.

If I didn’t know I had parked less than a mile from the Garden State Parkway, I would think I stumbled (upstairs) into a watered-down city rock bar. The entertainment area (two bars, a stage, and a DJ booth) is why it costs so much at the door.

Tonight, the stage is set for Lifespeed. Considered one of the premier cover bands in North Jersey, Lifespeed regards the Junkyard its home base and has a regular Wednesday performance here.

As cover bands go, these guys (lead singer, 2 guitars, bass, drums) are some of the best. They tour NJ on a regular basis, returning to the Junkyard every week (luckily, it’s a small state). They play a mix of Top 40 rock and hits from the 90’s to now. Utilizing several of the band members’ vocals, they bring an authentic sound to each song, rather than having the same guy sing every song, whether his voices scratches like The Boss, or whimpers like an emo frontman. Their catalog is varied enough to satisfy a wide range of rock appreciation. With modern classics like Nine Inch Nail’s “Closer”, and songs from the more recent chart-topper Fallout Boy, they seems to grab the audience with a rock experience worth the relatively expensive cover charge (compared to most bars in the area). Of course, $8 is a real bargain if you’re used to trekking over to NYC for cover bands.

The special for the evening, $0.50 10oz Bud Light drafts, is as much novelty as thrifty. I order $5 worth of these cups, arranging them like an alcoholic conveyor belt. The empties are stacked to the side, boldly flaunting my ability to take advantage of a beer bargain. The shots are reasonably priced, too, and my only complaint was that they did not have Jamesons Irish Whiskey at the upstairs bar! (I guess Jack Daniel’s is more rock ‘n’ roll anyway…)

So get ready to call in sick on Thursday. Saddle up four or five party animals (there was a relatively good male-to-female ratio despite the testosterone-pumped atmosphere) and try to make your “hump day” mean what you always hoped and dreamed it would mean. If the party is too loud upstairs, the downstairs (bathroom and bar area) is a great place to relax and continue that conversation you started upstairs.

A note on parking: park across the street in the commuter lot for better spots. [We used to drive by The Junkyard all the time, and it always seemed to us that cops just sit and wait in the parking lot across the street for people to leave. We've seen as many as five cops at a time on any given night. -Ed.]

The Junkyard at Austin’s
352 West Passaic Street
Rochelle Park
(201) 843-1343
Junkyardnj.com

— by Jimi
A lifetime NJ resident and former Eagle Scout, this fun-loving, beer-chugging sports fan holds a Biology degree from The College of New Jersey in Trenton. A budding comedian, Jimi has done amateur performances at Caroline’s on Broadway. He's always looking for a new audience and a cold beer.

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