By DON STINE
One of the longest continuing operating bars in Asbury Park, the Cameo Bar, is scheduled to be relocated to the city’s downtown near Johnny Mac House of Spirits.
The building where the Cameo is now located at 1213 Main St. will eventually be put up for sale.
Cameo owner John McGillion, who also owns Johnny Mac House of Spirits also on Main Street, said the Cameo will be relocated in a building adjacent to an expansion project he has underway at Johnny Mac. The Cameo’s liquor license would then be available to use in both of the adjacent buildings.
“We are not leaving the business but just moving it to the new complex next to Johnny Mac. It will still be a gay-themed bar,” he said.
McGillion has city approvals to expand Johnny Mac House of Spirits, at 208 Main St., north across an existing parking lot and to a nearby building at the corner of Main Street and Mattison Avenue, which formerly housed the Bistro Ole restaurant. The project consists mostly of facades and the actual Johnny Mac building is not being expanded.
The new restaurant in the old Bistro Ole location will be called Mary Mac’s
McGillion said it could take up to a year to finalize the move. The old Cameo Bar building, at 1213 Main St., would then be put up for sale, without a liquor license.
McGillion said he hopes to bring the iconic cameos from the bar to the new facility and perhaps other items, like the old wooden bar.
“It’s still too early to say,” he said.
McGillion bought the Cameo a year ago. He also owns Kim Marie’s Eat and Drink Away on Kingsley Street.
