What’s better than a free lunch? A free limousine ride to a great Hoboken bar every weekend. So now, every Friday and Saturday, Willie McBride’s (616 Grand St.) is offering free pick-up and drop-off service in Hoboken after 9 p.m. to and from the Sixth and Grand Street bar.
The bar, which is located away from the bustling PATH-area nightlife, is offering the service to attract more customers.
Chauffeur Karl Pherson, the newest employee at Willie McBride’s, gets a paycheck from the bar and doesn’t depend on cab fare or tips, leaving absolutely no hidden costs to his passengers.
“We want people to understand that it’s completely free,” said Willie McBride’s owner Maura Hession last week. “You don’t have to tip or anything, unless you really want to, but he’s well paid. It is really a free ride.” How do you get the ride?
“All you have to do is hail him like a cab while he’s driving around Washington Street and the PATH, and it doesn’t matter if you’re only one person or four people,” said Hession.
To receive door-to-door limo service from your home to the bar, gather up a party of four or more, call Karl on his cell phone at 681-7550, and not only will he pick you up, he’ll bring you back home.
“It’s great because you don’t have to worry about a designated driver,” said Hession. “If it’s cold out or raining, you can just take the limo straight here without worrying about transportation. And if you have a really large party, Karl will make a few trips. He’s there to be at the disposal of the people.”
And as an added incentive for patrons to take advantage of the new shuttle service, anyone who arrives at the bar in the limo is exempt from paying a cover to see the live bands.
The free limo service is only available on weekends for now. If there is a great demand, Hession said it will be expanded to weekdays. In a few weeks, look for the Bud Light girls cruising around in the limo on Washington Street.
Willie McBride’s offers an ample selection of ales and lagers, including Yeungling, Murphy’s, McSorley’s, Bass, Harp, Carlsberg, Cider Jack, Woodpecker and Guinness. The bar offers traditional Irish and eclectic cuisine for dinner and Sunday brunch, and live bands play every Saturday and Sunday. – LT