Our community's beloved waterfront gathering place is back. Twisties Tavern on the Bay in Strathmere quietly reopened this past weekend, ending more than a year of uncertainty about the fate of one of Cape May County's most storied establishments.
The tavern at 236 Bayview Drive resumed operations without fanfare, marking the return of a Jersey Shore institution with roots stretching back roughly 95 years. The reopening follows the business's closure during the entire 2025 season, when it was put up for sale and its future hung in the balance.
"This has been a long time coming for all of us. I can finally announce Twisties Tavern on the Bay will reopen today after approximately 582 days of holding back the treasured stories (many of those told last night), great food, and amazing views," read Saturday's social media announcement. "We will be serving a modified menu and ice cold drinks. Hope to see everyone soon."
A Living Piece of History
The red bayfront building's story begins in the Prohibition era, when it operated as the Strathmere Inn Café under Harold Charleston and his wife Gert. From 1929 to 1933, the establishment reportedly functioned as a speakeasy—a hidden chapter that adds to the tavern's mystique.
Local legend has it that mob figure Al Capone once visited, and Gert Charleston supposedly lent Capone's wife a dress so she could go fishing. Whether entirely true or embellished over decades of retelling, these stories have become part of the fabric that makes Twisties special to generations of patrons.
The Charlestons established a tradition that continues today: decorating the space with maritime artifacts. Mounted fish including barracuda, sailfish, moray eels and grouper hang on wooden plaques throughout the tavern. Above the bar, carved "coconut heads" crafted by Seminole artisans watch over the room—unique pieces of folk art that have become synonymous with the Twisties experience.
Changing Hands, Keeping Character
In the 1950s, Jimmy and Rose Twist, Philadelphia natives, took over operations and ran a full-service restaurant known for its Italian dishes. Their stewardship left such an impression that when the business changed hands again, their legacy would be honored in its name.
Local Realtor Marty Riordan purchased the property in the early 1970s and renamed it the Bayview Inn. By then, the building had already developed a reputation as a nostalgic destination, drawing both longtime locals and visitors intrigued by what became known as the "red building on the bay."
In 2000, Riordan's son, Gary, and his wife, Denise, assumed control of the business and renamed it Twisties Tavern on the Bay—a tribute to the Twist family's legacy. Under their stewardship, many original features remained intact: the paneled walls, mounted fish, hardwood bar and collection of coconut heads. A jukebox stocked with classic and contemporary songs continued to anchor the tavern's laid-back atmosphere.
A Welcome Return
The closure in 2025 raised genuine concerns among regulars about the potential loss of one of our shore's most storied establishments. For more than 580 days, the waterfront remained quiet, the red building dark, and the community wondered if Twisties would ever return.
This spring's quiet reopening has been met with enthusiasm from patrons eager to see the landmark back in business. While the tavern is currently operating with a modified menu, the essentials that defined it for generations remain: the waterfront setting, casual vibe, sunset views over the bay, and that deep sense of history embedded in every mounted fish and carved coconut head.
Twisties is open Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. The establishment is closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
For a community that treasures its connections to the past, the return of Twisties Tavern on the Bay represents more than just another restaurant reopening—it's the preservation of a living piece of Jersey Shore history, ready to create new memories while honoring nearly a century of stories told within its walls.
