Sad.

I hope Chuck Slate bought the place.

Well, this certainly came out of nowhere. I remember what it looked like before they remodeled it. Sad that the quieter and more lowkey places are closing.

Hopefully something with some good beer comes in!

The sad part is that the new bar is suppose to be called Haleys Comet. Not sure what time of clientele that name will attract but it doesn't sound like a quiet bar that will offer a good selection of anything. Heard Walsh is involved which means another raucous bar in MoTown. I can assure you that Chuck Slate and his trio will just be a memory to those of us who remember him. Sad! First Obama wins, then Sandy hits and now nowhere to drown my sorrows:(

Eh... out of all the bars in town, I think I have gone here the least. I know people who love this bar, but all in all, I am not really to surprised that it is closing down. Its never really busy. Its not really the hip/trendy bars like the rest of Morristown has. Hopefully something good will replace it.

The statement that the Walsh family is all involved is 100% false. Couldn't be farther from the truth, I assure you.

Rumor has it that Art Flynn and Paul Haley are the buyers but are being backed by the Walsh family. Which would be the 5th liquor license in town the Walshes are a part of. (Dark Horse, Tashmoo, Sona, Colonial, Hennessey's).

Heard there was a silent partner hmmmm wonder who could be ?

I hear Mayor Dougherty owns Iron Bar and Gran Cantina with his friends. Does anyone know if this is true?

@MotownRes. That is what I heard too. Hense, the name Haleys Comet. The plot thickens.

Morristown need to reduce the number of bars by 50 percent,but that will never happen because of something known as corruption.

I also heard the "Iron Bar" is owned by a trust in addition to Jimmy, which did not have to disclose the trust ownership. It's hard to believe that the ownership of the trust couldn't be disclosed somehow, does anyone have an idea how to pursue that?

So sad to hear this! I love Hennessey's for being one of the last of its kind around here. People who come here to drink do exactly that- drink. No worries of packed crowds, covers, expensive drinks, getting dressed up, overly loud music, or any other of the now "club setting" types the bars have turned into. And it's nice to see the same bartenders and familiar faces. Oh and the biggest disappointment- it's the best for St. Pattys Day! I vote Hennesseys anyday over Dublin Pub, Sona, Grasshopper, or any other "Irish" themed bar in Motown. What a shame :(

All good things in this world come to an end guys. Let's just home that the new owners do diligently in the name of building character (like Hennesy's had), craft beer and maybe an upscaled tech. approach (possibly ordering with a tablet that the server carries) to streamline things (especially because they are increasing the dining seating) to make up for closing down something we all knew and loved.

This is a sad announcement. Fifteen years ago I changed employment and ended up in Morristown. I was introduced to Jim Hennessey and his non trendy place and became a regular customer. That old show Cheers could have been based on Hennessey's. Sure the place attracted a wide range of personalities...but it was always friendly. It was normal to strike up a conversation with the stranger sitting next to you, who then was a stranger no more. The draw of the place was its personality (and good beer), and unfortunately I haven't found another one even close to being that comfortable for any customer of any ilk to walk in and sit down and feel welcome. I hope Jim enjoys his retirement. I will miss him and his comfortable and welcoming bar where everybody knows your name.

Glad to read that new owners are thinking larger dining and less bar space. It would be nice to have a decent "grown up" place for residents to go for cocktails and dinner, even better would be small plates/tapas. Right now the only place that fills the bill for that is David Todd's.

David Todd's is a "grown up" place with "grown up" prices. $40 for drinks before dinner, (1 round) and $250 for dinner and apps. for four. (I know, you have to pay to play)...............

Good for Jim bad for those of us who have patronized the place we called "the Wash", "ham-bones" and "second home" for 35 years or more. Go in and look at the picture of the original Washington Hotel near the front door. There is a history and legacy there! You can't stop progress but we can hope for simple reminders of how it used to be and Hennessey's always reminded me of the good old days.

Very sad for Hennessy's patrons. Hope he enjoys a happy & well deserved retirement. Many fond memories of good conversations while sitting on the pew before remodeling...;-)