Last year, Biggie’s owner Steven Ranuro announced that the Biggie’s location on Newark Street would be closing. “It’s been a great 72 years and we really thank Hoboken and the surrounding area for giving our family the privilege to serve them over that time,” Steven Ranuro told Hoboken Girl before the closure.

After almost a year-long vacancy, however, a new concept is coming to the former family-owned and operated clam bar {that has been a New Jersey staple since 1946} — Monroe’s Cocktail Bar. Here’s a peek inside the new concept bar that has just soft-opened at 36-42 Newark Street in place of Biggie’s.

What We Know So Far

Monroe’s has been slowly making its way onto people’s radars via Instagram. The account, @monroeshoboken, only has a few posts, one which simply says, “COMING SOON TO HOBOKEN💋 We can’t wait to see you here! Follow us for updates and opening information!”

After visiting during their friends and family night, the bar will be Marylin Monroe-inspired with an emphasis on cocktails + food — given both the name, the number of Marilyn Monroe photos on their Instagram account, and of course, their logo {which is, you guessed it, a sketch of Monroe’s face}. The new bar will be decked out in 1950s and 1960s glamour, taking us all back to a simpler era, but only time will tell.

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Beyond the actual name, however, the Instagram account shared that the bar will specialize in cocktails, and now we can confirm that is definitely the case — and includes a “speakeasy” downstairs. In the latest post, Monroe’s shared, “We’re a 5000-square-foot rustic-chic space, inspired by the decadence of the 1950’s and the icon of that decade, Marilyn Monroe, with a mural dedicated to the legend. You can also join us downstairs in our speakeasy bar where you can enjoy all of our craft cocktails and wide selection top shelf of scotches, bourbons, Japanese whiskeys and Ryes.”

Luckily, one of our writers went to the soft opening night. Here’s more of a peek inside, and what to expect, from her reports:

Monroe’s underwent a full property renovation — even the bathrooms got a facelift, with a speakeasy below.

Photos: Victoria Moyeno for Hoboken Girl

^The new bathroom vibezzz

When you walk in, chandeliers adorn the ceiling, and a huge Marilyn Monroe mural covers the back wall. The decor is formal with an upscale ambiance, but the vibe is definitely casual — a dynamic that you could have a birthday party or corporate lunch, OR spend the night with friends in jeans + sneaks + happy hour.

^The interior

On the drink menu, this was a top pick:

^Ginger Dolly Rogers:

Absolut vodka, Bianco, yuzu bitters, suze, lemon juice, honey ginger Pom.

The signature cocktails were mixology originals, with options for everyone — hard liquor, fruity drinks, and presentation on-point. As far as food, fusion feels like the best words to describe it. Inspired by different cultures, the menu houses a mix of Asian, Latin, and American fare.

^Burgers + sandwiches, sushi, and other options available

All in all, a very interesting spot with potential; it will be fun to see where it goes from here!

Welcome to the neighborhood, Monroe’s.

But What About Biggie’s?

As for what was once the beloved Biggie’s, Ranuro assures Hoboken Girl that the family business is still around. Operating out of Carlstadt and Ramsey, New Jersey, the long-time team behind Biggie’s still offers off-site catering. Yes, even in Hoboken and the surrounding area.

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“We’re definitely still available,” Steven says. “So we will still have a presence in town when it comes to catering jobs and things like that. We’re not saying goodbye, we’re just, on day-to-day operations at Newark Street, [we’re] no longer… operating.”

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