Bonney Read in Asbury Park to close, with a new bar and lounge taking its place

Nine summers ago, James Avery opened his seafood restaurant, The Bonney Read, at the busy corner of Bangs and Cookman avenues in Asbury Park.

It was a place where the chef could serve locally caught fish, fresh oysters and "simple, fresh seafood," he told The Asbury Park Press when the restaurant opened in 2015. And it was named after two of the most famous female pirates (Anne Bonney and Mary Read), taking advantage of Asbury's beachy vibe.

But it's time to say bon voyage to the beloved Bonney Read as she sets sail from the historic Steinbach building on Saturday, Sept. 30, to make way for a hip new concept: The Mainstay Bar & Lounge.

“Ten years ago, that whole Brooklyn-industrial look [in the Bonney] was in style, but now, I want something more open and airy," Avery said. "… That corner has panoramic views of downtown, so I want to make the bar bigger and more open. I want it to be the 'mainstay' in Asbury, where we all go out downtown.

"It’s a little more energy than a restaurant, but not a full blown nightclub," he added.

In addition to meaning "the most important part of something, or providing support for everything else," the word "mainstay" also describes an important rope on a sailboat. The more casual "bar with a kitchen" is scheduled to open Wednesday, Nov. 1, Avery said.

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One major factor Avery cited as inspiration for the change is evolving dining trends.

"It will be more conducive to nightlife," he said. "I'm just seeing the writing on the wall. [People] want to go out and have some drinks. It's less about dropping $200 on dinner."

Bonney Read's raw bar is being removed to make way for more seating at a U-shaped bar. Tables and chairs will be swapped for more comfortable and conversational furniture, like couches and coffee tables. There will also be a frozen drink machine, more TVs, a DJ spinning chill tunes, happy hours, and themed nights like the Bonney's popular Lobster Night.

Avery described a very Mantauk/San Diego vibe, with shiplap and lighter floral colors.

“We need clean and simple, but I want you to feel that the spirit of the Bonney is still there,” he said. “Killer cocktails, with great food and spectacular service … with more ease.”

Taking inspiration from one of his favorite quotes from Jeff Bezos, Avery said "it’s better to change when you want to, not when you have to."

It had nothing to do with business though, considering you can't get a seat at the Bonney Read most weekends in the summer. It had to do with work-life balance, for him and his employees, who often work 60-hour work weeks in the summer but only 20 in the winter.

Bartender Jeff Fromm, whose face has become synonymous with the Bonney, will be returning, Avery said.

Mainstay will keep about 60% of the Bonney Read menu, like the popular Frosé (frozen rosé), coconut shrimp and Bonney Burger, Avery said.

He will remix other things, like converting the lobster roll into sliders. And he plans to add small dishes, like bao buns, jerk chicken nachos and tacos.

Avery, who also owns The Black Swan Public House, a European gastropub on Cookman Avenue, said we will see his name associated with new restaurants down the road.

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He hopes to open another seafood-centric restaurant in the future, but with a bigger, seasonal kitchen in a waterfront location.

“If the Bonney Read was the only restaurant I wanted to own, I could run it and it would be my life, but I’m trying to grow a restaurant group,” he said. “I’m 42. I want to have 10 restaurants by the time I’m 50, and in order to do that I need to be able to free up some time and space.

"... I’m not done," he added. "I’m just getting started.”

More information is at https://www.itsthemainstay.com.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected].

Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to [email protected] and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore restaurants: Bonney Read in Asbury Park NJ closing