The Hoboken Cafe 

I can't think of a worse place to go at night, unless it is 10th and Willow. Many of the neighborhood bars in Hoboken are great to eat and drink at, such as AAA's or Zacks. But Willie McBrides and 10th and Willow should be shut down. On three separate occasions I have witnessed 20-30 year old guys thrown out of Willies, and then once outside they were bullied by the bouncers. One of the guys was thrown to the ground by the largest (and I don't mean muscular) of the bouncers and then the other two laughed at this poor drunk who was basically crying. When someone is given quasi-police power over a situation they should always be respectful and polite. You would think that after what happened last year in the fight near the path (one of the guys died) that our bar owners would have become a bit more intelligent.

I have been to Willie McB's many times. I have never had a problem

I can't speak for the bouncers total abuse of his given authority. That of course is uncalled for.

Taking action by firing the bouncer would be the best step, NOT closing the place down. Like I said, I've never had a problem.

To play devil's advocate for a second, you did say "Poor drunk".

After this 20 something year old got polluted, was he extremely disruptive ? Alcohol has a way of doing that ?

I'm not trying to be someone's father here, but is getting drunk and acting like a (fill in), a proper way to behave.
If in fact that is what caused this kid to be thrown out in the first place.

Not being a big drinker, I have a different angle.

I hate it when I am in a bar with some friends after work and some 22 year old, who is still in the "drinking is cool" stage of life acts like a jackass.

Be it ever so humble.....Just my opinion

I’m sorry I will have to clarify my thoughts. My rant carried me beyond my point. I agree with you that drunks can be annoying. That of course never gives an enforcer the right to abuse them when kicking them out, regardless of whatever asinine maneuver they just pulled. This goes to what I believe is the problems with such places as Willies and 10th and Willow. Idiots, at what could be some nice hangouts. For example, the bouncer at 10th and Willow will religiously card anyone who enters their establishment. Now I understand that this is for liability purposes and to comply with cookie-cutter liquor laws, but when someone who is obviously over the age of 27 wishes to enter a bar, the I.D. check is just annoying and shows how little intelligence these people have. I would appreciate discretion from these people just to show they can think for themselves. Also, since when are these guys the police? I have watched these guys from where I live (very close to Willies) often times forcibly tell people exiting the bar to be quiet, “the neighbors are sleeping.” We are now making high-school dropouts into officers of the peace? My point to this ranting is that I wish that Washington-type establishments would stay on Washington. They bring the 22 year old in the drinking is cool stage (and it is still cool even at my age, just not as rowdy if I can help it) to the neighborhood of Hoboken. And thus I have to rub shoulders with those who would probably do better at The Planet or Black Bear, where the abuse by bouncers is even greater. Even AAA’s is no longer immune; I would like an IQ test done on their newest bouncer.

What can I say... Hoboken is full of jocks, twenty-something kids who have something to prove.

I've lived in this town eight years now (I'm 30). I can't way to move into NY. There are several bars that I won't even step into now. Willie McBrides is one of them.

This is what you get for living in a frat town.

Maybe the abuse is justified. Or maybe these bouncers need to learn Jack Dalton's ("Road House") rules. Remember: Be nice until it's time not to be nice.

ID check is defin justified....how many times have you, generally speaking snuck into bars while under 21?

Although I’ve never had occasion to see the Willie’s bouncers in action, I’m not crazy about the place for other reasons. Namely the barmaids.

At most places the staff ranges from pleasant to indifferent. Willie’s niche is the other side of the spectrum: indifferent to obnoxious.

I mean what a snippy bunch. I’ve had several occasions where I wanted to shake them and say “If you hate your job so much get another job.” Luckily, they’re not the only game in town.

But, having said all this, bouncers telling exiting patrons to STFU because people are sleeping should be encouraged and rewarded.

well, I can't comment on Willie McBrides since I've never been there, but I do go often to 10th & Willow and I've never witnessed that type of behavior there. the bouncers have always seemed pretty nice. but I do agree that there are people that once they've been given some power it just goes right to their head and they abuse it.......

Willie's was already on my bad list - it's patrons are not quite my ilk. I haven't been there in so long I can't even remember what the staff was like.

I haven't spent too much time at Willies but have been there on a number of occasions when some of my fav bands were playing there, and the only exchange I had with the bouncer was when I had to make a phone call and he asked me to go accross the street as it seemed the neigbors had a problem with noise of people hanging outside the bar. I didn't have a problem with it and went accross the street to make my phone call. The bouncer was nice enough about it and I really didn't have a problem with it.

The regular scene there is not really for me, but that's what's great about having a choice and Hoboken certainly offers many choices. I found 3 Forty Grill to have a really nice atmosphere and that's probably because it's more upscale.

I think that anyone working at any establishement should treat everyone with respect and if someone is being abusive, you should certainly notify the manager about it. However, I think that saying the whole place should be shut down is being extreme. A lot of people go there so it must be offering something that many people like and that's fine for them. If it's not your scene then don't go there. There are plenty of bars to choose from in Hoboken.

-Mike