Nutley is a town that is predominantly known for its pizza, and not so much for its pubs. However, in the center (literally on Centre Street) of town lies Cowans Public. Once known as the Nutley Pub and other names before that, Cowans Public has updated a historic spot in Nutley, mixing old-town charm with what today’s customers want.
So the other night me and my family took a stroll over to Cowans from our new place, which is right around the block to see what it’s all about.
In the rest of this article, I’m going to give you the in’s and out’s of Cowans, this way you could make an informed decision the next time you’re thinking about a night out in Nutley.
Cowans Public Location And Hours
229 Centre Street, Nutley
Regular Hours:
- Thursday: 4 PM – 12 AM
- Friday: 4 PM – 1 AM
- Saturday: 11 AM – 1 AM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Monday (Columbus Day): 4 PM – 12 AM (Hours might differ)
- Tuesday: 4 PM – 12 AM
- Wednesday: 4 PM – 12 AM
Happy Hours:
- Everyday: 4 – 7 PM
Brunch Hours:
- Saturday & Sunday: 11 AM – 3 PM (Closed on other days including Columbus Day).
First Impressions Of Cowans Public
When walking in, you feel like you just took a time machine back in time. From the dimmed lights, polished wood furnishings, and vintage stuff on the walls, you feel as if you’ve stepped into the early 20th century. When I think of Cowans Public, the first thing that comes to mind is speakeasies.
Another thing that I noticed right away (being that I’m a big sports fan) is that there are no TV’s. I believe this is to keep the “speakeasy” vibe, as speakeasies didn’t have TV’s for many reasons including the low visibility environment, and historical timing (tv’s weren’t common household items when speakeasies were around).
At first I wasn’t a big fan of this, but after thinking about it I appreciated spending time with my family and talking rather than checking the TV every two seconds. So one thing that seemed like a con of the place actually turned into a pro for me.
On top of that, everyone at the bar seemed to be in a deep and meaningful conversation due to the fact that there were no TV’s or other distractions.
Cowans Public Cocktails
We are talking about a pub. Pub short for public house stands for a drinking establishment licensed to serve alcohol. With that being said, it’s important that we dive into Cowan Public’s cocktails first.
I obviously couldn’t try every single cocktail, but with that being said, I will share my experience with the one I did have.
Ambrosia
Ambrosia, as you could see on the cocktail menu, is made with Old Forester Single Barrel, Cardamaro, Demerara, Mole Bitters, guava cinnamon syrup, and last but not least, lemon. This cocktail presents a blend of sweet, spicy, citrusy, and herbal flavors, with a warm depth from the bourbon and the bitters.
The waitress who helped us (didn’t catch her name) sold me on this one when she said it was like sitting by a warm fireplace.
I’m a Bourbon Whiskey kind of guy as it is so it didn’t take much to sell me on this one.
Overall, the only drink I got was great and since I moved around the block, I will be updating this article as I try more of them (will try to get every single one).
The Food: Limited But Good
I couldn’t help but realize that Cowan’s Public feels like an upscale gastropub or modern tavern. With its gourmet takes on pub classics like “Fried Green Tomato Sliders” with kimchi purée and the quirky “Gas Station Charcuterie.” Moreover, the menu brilliantly fuses different flavors. Mixing Spanish touches in dishes like “Crispy Potato with Chorizo” and adding an Asian kick with items like “Wasabi Peas. So not only am I excited about the cocktails, but I’m also interested in slowly trying the different “shares” and other items on the menu.
The place is known for its cocktails, so the food menu wasn’t too extensive. However, the food I got was still really good.
I got a fried chicken sandwich with Fried a hot pickles and lemon mayo. You could get a side of a house salad or french fries and of course I chose the fries (which were very good).
My son got the burger with just cheese and nothing else on it (he’s picky) and he thought it was very good as well.
As a whole, based on the cocktail I got I would say that the cocktails of Cowans outweigh the food, but that’s how it should be at a pub.
Customer Service
The next thing I want to talk about is customer service. The waitress we got was very nice and despite the fact that she was waiting on multiple tables, she still managed to provide us with attentive and personalized service.
Her multitasking skills were commendable, and she never made us feel neglected or rushed, even in the midst of the restaurant’s busy atmosphere.
She frequently checked in on us, ensuring that our drinks were refilled (I got two Ambrosias) and our needs were met. Whenever we had questions about the menu, she was knowledgeable and offered insightful recommendations (which is why I got the Ambrosia cocktail, because of her advice).
So Who Is Cowans Public For?
Cowans Public could be for a group of friends looking to get out to have dinner and good cocktails. It could be a good place for a family to go, and last but not least it’s a great setting to take someone on a date.
The only person Cowans Public is not for is the person looking to watch the game that night.
Overall, I had a great experience and definitely will be back to try more food and more of their cocktails.