Iconic Hoboken Rock Club Maxwell's to Close

At the end of July, after more than three decades in business, Maxwell's, the renowned Washington Street restaurant and epicenter of Hudson County's indie rock scene, will close, The Star-Ledger reported. 

The club's booking agent and co-owner told the paper that the decision to close had more to do with the changing character of Hoboken than the rising cost of rent.

"The culture in Hoboken is driven by reality TV now," co-owner Todd Abramson said. "A lot of the bars downtown are fighting with each other for who has the most giant TVs. That's what Hoboken nightlife has become."

He said the Mile Square city no longer attracts the type of clientele Maxwell's once drew when Hoboken's rents were less prohibitive and parking was easier to come by.

"Parking has always been difficult in this town," Abramson told the paper. "But now, for all intents and purposes, it's been outlawed. I've had bands whose vans have been booted because the signs are so unclear." 

Abramson, who lives in Hoboken, said he's planning a final show on July 31 that will feature the Bongos and the band "a," the first act to ever perform in the venue's backroom.

"We're going to go out the way we came in," he said.