This week’s Bokenology takes us to Court Street, 61 Sixth St. This family owned pub and restaurant is well-known and loved by locals who like to frequent this spot. The pub is known for its fantastic food and weekly specials. Lobsterfest Wednesdays, anyone? But the appeal goes beyond good food and hearty portions. Many of the staff members have worked at Court Street for a long time, making any trip here feel more like a visit to a friend’s house. One such staff member is Jeff, who tends bar with an equal mix of wit, charm, and efficiency. He might not approve of trendy cocktails, but he’ll make any visitor feel at home.

DS: How long have you worked at Court Street?

Jeff: Eleven years.

DS: What is the best part of your job?

Jeff: The end of the night! No but seriously, it’s the regulars. All the regulars that come in here and we get to hang out and talk.

DS: What is the most life affirming thing you have witnessed?

Jeff: For my birthday, Meghan had printed up some old pictures of me from Facebook. And when I came in to work she had hung them all over the bar and Whitesnake was playing. Another year, I came in and Meghan was standing on a chair and she had everyone sing happy birthday to me. There is nothing like walking to work and having 50 strangers sing happy birthday to you.

DS: It sounds like a great place to work.

Jeff: That’s why I’ve worked here so long- and some people here have worked here even longer.

DS: What have you learned while working here?

Jeff: Can I use a life line? I didn’t know this was going to be an S.A.T. test! Humility. The value of a good, hard day’s work. How hard it really is to work in this industry. No one really knows it unless they’ve done it.

DS: What is the best drink you make?

Jeff: Bud Light bottle!

DS: What is a drink you make that people compliment you on?

Jeff: I’m trying to think what people say I do well. Oh, I got it – a bottle of Bud!

DS: What is the strangest thing you’ve ever witnessed?

Jeff: We usually don’t get bar crawls in here, but we had one Christmas bar crawl in the middle of the summer. There was this guy dressed exactly like Cousin Eddie from “Christmas Vacation.” He had on green slacks, a white sweater and a black turtleneck Dickie.

DS: So tell me, how did you come up with the idea of hanging movie pictures on the wall?

Jeff: I wanted people to be able to relate to it in some way or to generate conversation. To have people say, ‘Do you remember that movie? It was great.’ Or when they look at the celebrity kid pictures, to have people guess who the celebrity is.

DS: Single best tip?

Jeff: These hedge fund guys came in around Christmas and left me $100. After they left we said, ‘It’s going to be a good Christmas!’

DS: What advice would you give a 21 year-old going out in Hoboken?

Jeff: There is so much I want to say to these kids. Pull up your pants! Know how to order a drink. It’s amazing how many people don’t know how to do it.

DS: What would make the top of your list?

Jeff: Ordering a drink wrong. Or I’ll walk up to a group when it’s busy and they still don’t know what they want.

Photos by Krista Kelly.