Good Times For Music-Lovers in Hoboken

Ah, Maxwell’s. This is one of my favorite spots in Hoboken to pass the time away. Besides the chill vibe, I love the pockets of variety it offers. When gathering a group of people with different ideas of fun, options are important. Maxwell’s on Washington Street has a hanger for your coat, food and drink, a funky jukebox with soul, a questionable VIP lounge and a back room for live music. What’s not to dig about this joint?

The first time I ventured to this street corner establishment, I met friends for dinner and drinks where we chatted up the friendly people at the bar. Good times. On the return visit I went to see a band, which was a completely different yet pleasurable experience. Good times again. There will be a third exposure. I just don’t know when.

On the band visit, around 8p.m., I marched straight through the door, bypassing some “do not enter” sign. I was halted by the ticket collector guy because the band was in the middle of a sound check. Oops! As I turned around, I had to shuffle past a series of disgusted stares. Honestly, I didn’t even notice the line of people. The place was fairly crowded so I figured against the wall was the only vacant area to hang. I joked with my friends that I was obviously giving my boyfriend, the drummer, a good luck kiss before the show. Are you wondering what I’m wondering? Why didn’t one of the twenty cool hipster kids say a single word to me? Perhaps I did look like I was with the band? One may never know.

So my comrades and I walked straight to the bar to pick up a brew and find a place to perch. We ventured over to a corner area where people were eating at tables on one side of us and a mysterious curtain hung on the other. Dying to know what was behind door number one, I walked straight through the drapes to inspect. It seemed like it could have been a private party, so I asked a group of people if this was the VIP lounge. One smartypants blurted, “This isn’t the VIP lounge but you found the VIP,” as he popped his collar. It is idiots like that guy that give Jersey a bad name. In disgust, I flung the curtain out of my way to tell my buds that there was nothing important to see there, whatever that room was for.

In time we waltzed towards the back room to have the word “atlas” stamped on our right hands, visible only near a black light, and we continued to wait for the first opener. To entertain myself, I mingled with the merch table, filled with the usual band tee-shirts, cds, pins and the unusual, colored kazoos. The show lasted until well after midnight and was the perfect-sized venue if you enjoy intimate settings. The room held about a hundred-plus people and I even stole a decent snapshot of the band. Thumbs up to seeing more shows at Maxwell’s.

If you’re in Hoboken wondering where to chill, first of all, may the parking fairy grant you a space in less than forty-five minutes. When parking is accomplished, be sure to hit up Maxwell’s. You’ll enjoy the no fuss atmosphere, maybe have dinner or just a drink and, without a doubt, share good times in the midst of cool people. And someone, please, promise to report back to me if they happen to figure out what that random VIP lounge area is all about. I’d sleep much better if I knew.

Maxwell’s
1039 Washington Street
Hoboken
(201) 653-1703
www.maxwellsnj.com

— by Michele Santo
Michele, a NJ dweller for twenty-four years, takes exit 120 off the Garden State Parkway. She fears leaving the house without a pen and is known to put way too much ketchup on her food.

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