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OT: What's up with Corner Tavern?

R

RutgerZ

Freshman
Oct 2, 2014
145
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0
I've frequented Corner Tavern on many occasions and almost every time I've been there it's been close to empty aside from myself and my friends. No way it makes enough money to survive. Is the owner independently wealthy and just gets a kick out of running a dive bar in NB? Is it involved in money laundering of some sort?

There's gotta be a story.
 
RUskoolie

RUskoolie

Hall of Famer
Aug 1, 2007
221,784
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My understanding is it is inherited by some of the kids. Half want to sell the other half don't. None want to sink a dime of money into the property. They let the apartments above pay some bills and let a diamond go to waste.
 
R

Rutgers1982

Senior
Sep 13, 2016
581
421
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That was always a strange place. I rarely went there as a student because whenever I did, there was hardly anyone there, or just a few oddballs.

My father also went to RU, University College/night school. He tells me that he and his classmates occasionally went there after class. Apparently a bit more popular back then
 
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F

FanuSanu52

All-Conference
Nov 8, 2011
11,256
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Never understood it. One of the larger, nicer bar infrastructures in town but nobody there. Meanwhile people pack into hole-in-the-walls like rats.

Good place for a low-key night of a couple beers (sitting!!) and some pool, but not much else. And honestly, better places for a low key couple beers.

Gotta think they could make a fortune there with a little vision.
 
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M

mikebal9

All-Conference
Oct 15, 2005
5,738
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Like every RU student with a small drinking problem, my friend and I dreamed of buying it and turning it into what it should be. But alas, it never came to pass.
On another note, my roommates did enjoy going there for quarter tequila shots on occasion.
 
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S

Source

All-American
Aug 1, 2001
11,228
6,263
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The owner is the son of the owner and the Corner Tavern dates back to March of 1934 after Prohibition ended. It was originally both a restaurant and bar and has never changed its name. In the 1970-80s, bands played there (and maybe later in time too, I dunno). After WWII, it was the RU-veteran alumni that met there during Reunion Weekend to toast each other and those left behind on the battle fields abroad.

Corner Tavern, Old Queens and Tumulty's (back then known as University Pub across from the train station) date back to the 1930s. Everybody else, after that.

And one for InGregITrust... the Olive Branch started as Patti’s Restaurant with a liquor license back to 1963 and was the Loyal Order of the Moose before then.
 
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R

RUaMoose_rivals

All-American
Oct 31, 2004
17,240
7,062
113
Those of us that grew up in South Amboy in the 70s remember the Corner Tavern at Broadway and Augusta. It became the Landmark Tavern for about two decades and is now called something else
 
J

Jetsjets8897

Sophomore
Jun 7, 2016
236
168
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The Owner is Vinne Inzano. He still bartends most nights and is a Retired New Brunswick Firemen. There was a Big write up a Year ago about the history I will see if I can find it and post. It's very interesting!
 
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RUSONIC

All-Conference
Sep 18, 2001
2,694
3,316
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Graduated High school in 79, as a 15 /16 year old in high school we would spend many a night drinking there. Never once got carded, no one did. Drinking age was 18, but still I was 15!
 
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S

Source

All-American
Aug 1, 2001
11,228
6,263
0
Jetsjets8897 said:
The Owner is Vinne Inzano. He still bartends most nights and is a Retired New Brunswick Firemen. There was a Big write up a Year ago about the history I will see if I can find it and post. It's very interesting!
Click to expand...

I'd love to read that. I actually brought a color copy of a 1966 Scarlet Letter yearbook picture of Mr. Inzano's father behind the bar at Corner Tavern. Father and son were identical looking!
 
D

_dave_

All-Conference
Aug 16, 2004
4,505
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AreYouNUTS said:
Okay but who (else) here actually got to hang out in the basement room (before it was condemned)??!!! It was like being in the basement of one of the fraternity houses lol!
Click to expand...
In the early 90s that room was filled with football players and wrestlers. I remember it taking about 20 minutes to get downstairs because the place was wall to wall people.
 
A

AreYouNUTS

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
124,711
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_dave_ said:
In the early 90s that room was filled with football players and wrestlers. I remember it taking about 20 minutes to get downstairs because the place was wall to wall people.
Click to expand...

Exactly when I was there and spot-on!!
 
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scarletschuyler

Junior
Jan 30, 2007
903
234
0
Wow, did this topic ever hit me. As a junior in 1969 and senior in 1970 I bartended on Sunday and Tuesday nights at the CT for the old man, Sam Inzano. I would drink beer at the CT during my junior year while underaged, and Sam asked me one day to work for him. When buddies celebrated my 21st birthday the next year on a night I was working, Sam became furious at me and fired me, only to hire me back a week later.
 
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D

_dave_

All-Conference
Aug 16, 2004
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late knight said:
I used to bounce there. Thursday's were insane in the early 90s with $3 pitchers and Saturday's were pretty good in the winter. The basement was great/disgusting depending on your tastes, and the pissing trough in the men's room should go into the RU hall of fame.
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Lol. I just mentioned that nasty trough in another thread. It was even worse than the Shea Stadium troughs in the 80s.
 
M

MorrisAsh

All-Conference
Dec 5, 2015
2,635
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Only time I went there was in my cap and gown 20 minutes before graduation ceremonies were to kick off. We were a little late.
 
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FanuSanu52

All-Conference
Nov 8, 2011
11,256
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Not sure a sports bar is what is needed. How many college kids want to hang out at a sports bar every weekend? And how many Easton bars already have TVs playing games for those that want to see something?

Downtown seems like a better spot for a sports bar.
 
K

Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,642
16,634
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scarletschuyler said:
Wow, did this topic ever hit me. As a junior in 1969 and senior in 1970 I bartended on Sunday and Tuesday nights at the CT for the old man, Sam Inzano. I would drink beer at the CT during my junior year while underaged, and Sam asked me one day to work for him. When buddies celebrated my 21st birthday the next year on a night I was working, Sam became furious at me and fired me, only to hire me back a week later.
Click to expand...

Great story, thx for posting! I also have a CT story from back then.

As a 2nd semester freshman I joined a nearby frat and as pledge I would often go to the CT on Sunday nites for the brothers and pickup draft beers in Sandpails for them. A typical run for a pledge incld 6-8 quart containers of Bud products. I was 18 yo but the frat house account with the CT had been established for generations and getting carded was not happening. And the quart of bud draft cost $1. Different times.
 
S

sct1111

All-American
Nov 30, 2014
6,119
8,409
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It has a prime location but it seems the owners don't want college kids in there. A trendy bar/restaurant like Destination Dogs would be perfect for that spot. It's basically right in the middle of College Ave Campus, J&J and RWJ.

I really hope the owners make some changes or just sell it.
 
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T

TODDB33

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2007
3,937
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Back in 60's my uncle was the bartender there. Had lots of good stories. Place was the place to go if you were RU student
 
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Ole Cabbagehead

All-American
Apr 21, 2011
8,075
6,323
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Zak57 said:
Someone with money needs to buy them out and open a real NB sports bar and then they'll be making more money. Easton is a joke.
Click to expand...

Not to be a dick, but you couldn't possibly be further off the mark. Sports bars are disaster business model. They dont work. People not in the industry think they are a good idea, but there is a reason they always go out of business. As to CT specifically, if the property ever sold, there will never be a bar there ever again.

The monstrosity across the street was supposed to be where the CT is now. All the other lots were in line, except the CT. They held up the development of that entire block.

The simple reality is that the property was inherited by the heirs of the original owners, and they disagree about what to do with it. Eventually, they will come to terms, the property will sell, the owners will all be rich, and there will be a gigantic apartment building there. Its sad but inevitable.
 
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C

CornerTavern

Senior
Jul 7, 2008
12,900
601
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It’s a shame that the place flooded down in the basement in hurricane Floyd. Some nice memories of playing the Spook Handy show down there.

Also, the bar had the most charmingly decrepit shuffle board table and dartboard that I’ve ever seen in my life. We loved hanging out there, I was very glad it was an old man bar and not a typical college bar. That’s the only reason we went there, LOL. Especially after the old Ale n Witch which closed.
 
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T

TM514

Junior
Nov 6, 2006
976
382
63
Great place, always my favorite. Have to stop,by ASAP to enjoy b4 the inevitable. Too many old school neighborhood bars closing in the central Jersey towns.
 
S

sugarkane2

Sophomore
Aug 27, 2008
681
170
43
Jetsjets8897 said:
The Owner is Vinne Inzano. He still bartends most nights and is a Retired New Brunswick Firemen. There was a Big write up a Year ago about the history I will see if I can find it and post. It's very interesting!
Click to expand...
His Father Sam ran the place when I was at RU, (68-72). Was very popular back then and was often packed..I have fond memories of that saloon.
 
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