Listen to this article

After a decade in business, Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen is closing its doors for good.

In a Jan. 2 social media post announcing the news, the critically acclaimed Morristown-based restaurant’s owner, Chris Cannon, wrote, “Since the Covid pandemic, significant changes in consumer behavior, labor and cost increases across the board have made operating and producing the high-quality product we have been known for, increasingly difficult.”

The former New York City restauranteur said, “We had sought to find a buyer for the restaurant this past year and a deal was in place to take effect in December. The purchaser backed out at the eleventh hour and we find ourselves with no choice but to say goodbye.”

Located inside the historic Vail Mansion, Jockey Hollow featured four distinct spots: a high-end dining room, oyster-and-wine bar, cocktail lounge and lower level rathskeller.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen (@jockeyhollowbk)

‘Proud and humbled’

According to hyperlocal news site Morristown Green, a Madison hospitality group acquired the 3.4-acre property for $2.8 million in 2023. Located on South Street, the mansion features 15,000 square feet of space. The transaction also included 36 luxury condos adjacent to the mansion known as The Residences at Vail Mansion.

Cannon added he was “very proud and humbled” to have earned so many accolades over the years. The eatery boasted frequent features on New Jersey Monthly’s annual list of the state’s best restaurants. Additionally, Jockey Hollow received awards from magazines like Esquire and Wine Spectator.

He also thanked his staff, partners, customers and the community “for contributing to our success.”

“It has been an honor to call the Vail Mansion my home these past years. I will forever be entranced by its beauty and am happy that we were able to give it purpose as one of the central lynchpins of Morristown’s impressive revival after it had experienced twenty plus years of neglect,” Cannon said.

Don’t miss this food news:

• Order up: New restaurants hitting NJ’s dining scene
• 4 of the US’s last 20 Boston Market restaurants are in NJ
• Mehtani Restaurant Group leaving HQ Plaza after 30 years