J. O’Neill’s opens at former Krainski’s bar
Familiar face on bar scene goes into business with sister-in-law
BY JOHN DUNPHY
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff Jennifer O’Neill (r) and Shannon Lalley work the taps Monday evening at the recently opened J. O’Neill’s Place, Thomas Street in Sayreville.

SAYREVILLE — Jennifer O’Neill wants to pour you a drink.

But if you’re expecting her to do so behind the bar she’s long occupied at the Sayreville Bar on Cecilia Street, you might be in for a surprise.

On July 1, O’Neill, along with Shannon Lalley, her business partner, opened J. O’Neill’s Place on Thomas Street.

Prior to the grand opening, J. O’Neill’s Place was the site of Krainski’s bar and restaurant, which had operated in the borough for nearly 75 years.

For O’Neill, who is the primary owner, J. O’Neill’s is the realization of a dream, one even she can’t fully explain.

“I don’t know why I wanted to own a bar,” she said. “I’ve just always loved the business.”

That love first began while she was working at the Sayreville Bar at the age of 16. At 21, she became manager of the popular bar and restaurant.

For Lalley, who is O’Neill’s sister-in-law, it was the opportunity to jump into a whole new career.

Prior to taking on the role of co-owner of a new business, Lalley had taught kindergarten at St. Ambrose School, Old Bridge, for 12 years.

“This is a whole new thing for me,” she said. “I’m very excited.”

Lalley said she loved teaching, but felt it was time to try something a little different.

At least, she thinks it’s different.

“Customers around here tell me this must be just like teaching kindergarten,” Lalley said. “Well, I haven’t had to put anybody in ‘time out’ yet.”

O’Neill said the name of the bar and restaurant came from the need to appeal to more than one demographic.

“We needed something conducive for a sports bar and a banquet hall,” she said. “You’re not going to grab a beer on Monday night at Jennifer’s and you’re not going to hold a baby shower at Beer Goggles.”

While J. O’Neill’s Place is currently serving food only on Friday’s, O’Neill said they would soon be expanding its bar menu and offering it every day. Eventually, they hope to have a full restaurant menu available.

Born Jennifer Terracciano, O’Neill said she would like to have a little Italian flag and a little Irish flag on her menus, to recognize the union between her and her husband, Ryan O’Neill. She said she might even offer a potato and pasta of the day to honor both nationalities.

“Kind of a little gimmick,” she said.

Despite having not yet completed a bulk of the renovations to the former Krainski’s bar, a project she expects will be finished by September, O’Neill said the overall response so far has been positive.

“People have said they’ve noticed some changes for the better,” she said. “We’re going to be doing some fun new things.”

In addition to various food and drink specials, O’Neill said they would like to bring in live entertainment, billiard and dart leagues, and add another seven or eight television sets to the three already there. This, she noted, would work well for the Sunday NFL ticket television package she anticipates will be in place for football season.

The bar, which presents the musical duo of Patrick and Joanna tonight, will feature live music every other Thursday night all summer.

In addition to the bar and restaurant, catering services are being offered to customers, effective immediately. The establishment has also begun booking parties.

Overall, O’Neill said she was glad to have fulfilled the promise she made to herself when she was a teenager.

“I didn’t want to work for someone my entire life,” she said. “I wanted to own a bar by the time I was 30.”

Having turned that age this year, it appears she’s right on time.

“Usually in life you regret the things you don’t do, not the things you do,” O’Neill said. “You’ve got to take a chance.”