A Brief History of
Kubel’s and Kubel’s Too
Kubel’s Too predecessor was the Inlet Inn in Holgate which operated legally from the end of Prohibition until the 1944 Hurricane closed its doors permanently (see photo on wall). Seeking higher and dryer ground, the DeFrietas family moved the liquor license to its present location in the LBI area known as Brighton Beach. The new bar and liquor store was renamed DeFrietas’ although almost everyone referred to it as the “O Bar” due to the shape of the tittle over the “i” on the outdoor sign.
While the shape of the building has remained constant over the years, the interior has morphed from LBI’s biggest bar with a small liquor store, to the biggest liquor store with two small bars, to the current configuration. Purchased in 1988 by Jim Morrison and Ken Egan, the owners of Kubel’s in Barnegat Light, the entire building was renovated in 1998, creating what you see today.
Kubel’s in Barnegat Light began life in 1927 as Paul’s— a food and lodging accompaniment to Paul’s rowboat business at the foot of 7th street. Thanks to the noble experiment known as Prohibition, alcohol could not be legally served there until 1933. This was a distinction few locals cared much about. Paul’s was briefly Rudi’s in the late 1930’s; after which the Kubelczikas family, experienced tavern owners from south Philly, purchased the bar. Hoping to save a little money on the new neon sign and also have a name that people could pronounce without sneezing, czikas was jettisoned and Kubel’s was born. The bar passed out of the Kubelczikas family in 1973 to the Stavish family; and on to Morrison and Egan in 1986. With over 50 years of colorful history under the Kubel’s banner, no one saw a reason to change names. And so it goes...
Both Kubel’s strive for the same goal—to be friendly neighborhood taverns serving good food and drinks at reasonable prices. A place where both locals and visitors can gather to socialize and discuss the events of the day. We are open daily year round for lunch and dinner.
Slainte