Lacey's Caffrey's Is Back With Same Family Atmosphere

LACEY, NJ — Caffrey's is back.

Caffrey's Tavern will reopen their doors to the public on Jan. 24, according to co-owner and founder Dan Coleman. The local favorite is located on Route 9 in Lacey and has been in business for 25 years.

Caffrey's Backyard, which touts itself as more bar than restaurant, opened Sept. 19, almost a year to the day when a grease fire devastated the Lacey favorite last year.

"Everything will be brand new, and we will keep everything the same right down to the popcorn machine," Coleman said.

Coleman said he is grateful for the community's prayers and encouragement since the Caffrey's restoration plan to return began. When Caffrey's Backyard opened, customers expressed heartfelt thanks and hugs, Coleman says. He said he is both thankful and humbled by the support of the close-knit community.

Caffrey's Tavern and Caffrey's Backyard are two separate entities with common ownership.

Jim Crawford, a Lacey resident for 15 years, grew up in northern Jersey. Crawford has been coming down to the area since he was a child with his parents for wings.

"It's a local staple, and I'm so glad they opened up," Crawford said. "The place is amazing. My fiancée and I call it 'Cheers'."

Caffrey's Backyard provides live entertainment, daily food and drink specials and televised Sunday NFL games. The menu boasts a wide array of bar food options. Favorites include Caffrey's wings, the chicken avocado wrap and tuna poke tacos, according to staff.

General manager and Lacey resident Matt Reilly said the restaurant is a close-knit family employment wise.

"We're looking to get back to where we left off, the 'Cheers' atmosphere with good food," Reilly said. "We got people from all over New Jersey that come down here. We have a lot of returning customers that have been coming here for years."

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