The Brass Rail (Hoboken, New Jersey)

The Brass Rail is a two-story restaurant located in historic downtown Hoboken,[1] at 135 Washington Street. Originally built and opened around the turn of the 20th century, it has for many years been known for its raspberry beer,[2] as well as its French cuisine.[3] Residents of Hoboken recommend the Brass Rail to visitors,[3] although the restaurant does retain a local crowd.[4] In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Brass Rail was frequented by many poets, during an emerging literary revival period in Hoboken. They met there, drank and discussed their art.[5] The restaurant in the 1980s was owned by Michael Peters,[6] and the building suffered a devastating fire.[7] It was reportedly caused by a careless smoker; the damage forced the building to close down, and Michael Peters sold the restaurant and opened up another restaurant in Kinsale, Ireland.[6]

By 1989, the Brass Rail was rebuilt with etched-glass doors, red velvet banquettes and painted cherubs along the ceiling.[8] The first floor holds the pub,[8] while formal dining in a French salon style is on the second floor.[3] Hanging on one of the walls of the Brass Rail is a large oil mural depicting the history of Hoboken.[4] It has been restored to its original 1900s' style,[1] and a wooden spiral staircase wraps around the wall facing Washington Street, which along the ground floor has been revamped into a part of a lounge.

A New York Times review called the Brass Rail "very good."[8] Zagat has rated it as excellent.[9]

• Bell, Madison Smartt (1985). Waiting for the end of the world. Ticknor & Fields. pp. 322. ISBN 0-89919-377-3.
• Heide, Robert; Gilman, John (2006). O'New Jersey: Daytripping, Backroads, Eateries, Funky Adventures. Macmillan. pp. 259. ISBN 0-312-34156-3.
• Sullivan, Al (2001). Everyday people: profiles from the Garden State. Rutgers University Press. pp. 243. ISBN 0-8135-2950-6.

• Official website

40.738206°N 74.030753°W / 40.738206; -74.030753