Where to Drink Right Now: Tally Ho

Something magical happened in Hoboken recently: I stepped foot inside 215 Washington Street for the first time in years. Long-time residents might recognize that address as the old location of Bahama Mamas – and the current location of Tally Ho.

To say that Bahama Mamas wasn’t a place that attracted a man of my, er, dignity would be an understatement: Bahama Mamas, for a lot of people, was the sort of bar you went to once, blinked around in confusion and alarm for an hour, and vowed to never return to (unless compelled by friends who had lower standards).

So when Bahama Mamas shuttered and Tally Ho emerged from the chrysalis like a shiny new butterfly, I was intrigued. And they’ve done a fantastic job with the place – it’s actually a great spot to bring some friends to and have a few pops on week night or weekend.

Room to Breathe

One of the great things about Tally Ho is the sense of space – you walk in and there’s no sense of being crowded (unless there’s a huge bunch of people there, of course). The bar is big and roomy and inviting. Compared to some of the places in Hoboken that cram as many tables and seats into a space as possible, it’s a welcome alternative.

The bar is fine. It’s fairly standard – some beers on tap, liquor and wine behind the bar, nothing to get especially excited about but it does the job. There’s also no kitchen, but they’ve cleverly made an arrangement with Planet Mac next door; you can order through the bar or waiter and they bring the food from next door via a connecting door, so it’s like having a kitchen (and yes, Planet Mac serves things other than mac and cheese).

All About the Atmosphere

What makes Tally Ho great right now is it’s an affordable, comfortable place on Washington Street. You walk in and it’s an easygoing vibe, good service, and some fun stuff like the neon beer pong table in the back. So far it’s always been a comfortable place to grab a drink and relax for a bit, and such an improvement over Bahama Mamas there’s literally no comparison. They also have a daily happy hour on weekdays (4-8pm) with 1/2 price drinks and food specials.

I do sort of feel like Tally Ho is still trying to find its identity. Let’s hope whatever it is they hang onto the casual, comfy vibe they’ve got going. Check it out! And let us know what you think.