On Saturday night at Oddfellows at 10 p.m., the dinner and bar crowd overlap. Oddfellows is known for its Cajun food, including jambalaya and po’ boys, and its New Orleans party atmosphere.
“It’s a lively bar,” says server Drew Cheben. “I’ve been to New Orleans twice now, and it brings some of the culture up here. I stand by the food 100 percent. Everything is fresh. The catfish and crawfish are flown up from New Orleans.”
Regular Susan Evani and her husband Lucky were king and queen of Oddfellows’ recent Marti Gras Celebration. “I guess we were selected because we were regulars,” says Susan. “We walked around giving out beads.” So what did people have to do to get the beads?
“Nothing,” says Susan. “We’re not that hard-core.”
Down from the ‘D’
Originally from Detroit, Susan and Lucky moved to Jersey City five years ago. They began coming to Oddfellows soon after it opened up.
“When we moved, there was nothing here. It was worse than Detroit. When this place opened up in October of 2001, it was the nicest place around. Before that, we went to New York City,” Susan says.
“It’s our local,” interjected a customer called Nirmal, who wouldn’t share his last name. (That’s right folks, it’s some other Nirmal!)
John in the corner offered up some ribald tales that he said happened in some off-limits corner of the bar. “You know I’m kidding, right?” he said. “But it might have happened, right? Probably did at some point!”
Off-duty bartender Sylvia Glowczynski was there having a drink after her shift.
“This place is funky. It’s a mixed crowd. You get from one end of the spectrum to another,” Sylvia said.
Francisco Basilio, an off-duty barback, added, “It’s fun. A lot of people come here. Lots of types come here and meet up. It’s a good place.”
Oddfellows has darts and video golf. The music included Billy Joel, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Van Halen, and Motley Crew. There is also room upstairs for parties.
George Garcia, a lawyer from Jersey City, was there playing the golf video game with his son Sebastian, 3. “I know everyone here,” said George. “And I live in the neighborhood. It’s a lively, friendly place to come out after work.”