Wolfeboro Inn to close for renovations?

fmgate · 01-07-2008, 02:42 PM

Is there any truth to the rumor that the Wolfeboro Inn will be closing for several months as they undertake a renovation of the property?

nj2nh · 01-07-2008, 06:09 PM

I googled "wolfeboro inn renovations" and found a bunch of job postings, looking for someone willing to take "ownership" of a restaurant during a major renovation this winter.

nj2nh

Zee · 01-08-2008, 12:16 AM

We went there for dinner a week ago and was told by the waitress that the restaurant will be closed for renovations. She was not sure of the date but it would likely be this month and last for several months. Patrons who own some of the hanging pewter mugs are being told to take them home because they are not sure they will be hanging them again.

upthesaukee · 01-09-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zee

We went there for dinner a week ago and was told by the waitress that the restaurant will be closed for renovations. She was not sure of the date but it would likely be this month and last for several months. Patrons who own some of the hanging pewter mugs are being told to take them home because they are not sure they will be hanging them again.

rumor has it that they will be closed for renovations, and when they reopen, they will not be running the "pub", it will be dining only. Not sure that they will be open year round once they re-open.

secondcurve · 01-09-2008, 09:24 PM

That would truly be a travesty. That pub has been there since the beginning. I hope this isn't true.

secondcurve · 01-09-2008, 09:28 PM

I got the below quotes right off their web site. I hope they don't let this gem go. Usually when a restaurant says it is closed for renovations that is a sign it is in financial duress....

Wolfe's Tavern... here is New England as it used to be, dark and historic with row upon row of pewter beer mugs hanging from the beams"
–Waterside Escapes in the NorthEast

"This Inn dates back to 1812; thanks to its 1988 expansion, it offers the region's finest accommodations and one of its better restaurants"
–New Hampshire: An Explorer's Guide

GTO · 01-10-2008, 10:01 AM

My parents stayed there this past New years. They were told then that they were closing sections for renovations. Something about replacing the fireplace in the main lobby or something like that. Anyway, that was also the weekend of a couple of snowstorms. When the guests woke in the morning to go to their cars, they found that their cars were all cleared off and a path shoveled to the doors of their cars. Great service from the staff!! When I was A DJ, I performed about 5 weddings there. A great place for a function with great service and food.

hazelnut · 01-10-2008, 03:27 PM

We stayed there overnight the day after Christmas. I love the unpretentious atmosphere. Rooms were clean and the tavern is awesome. It really does have so much character. The old wood beams and pine floor transport you back in time. The new section of the bar is bright and open. I would go back.

secondcurve · 01-11-2008, 06:44 PM

If anyone is in Wolfeboro this weekend and has time can they stop by the Tavern and try and get the "scoop" from one of the bartenders? Hopefully, this place is reopening for the summer.

Thanks

mcdude · 01-11-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

The Wolfe's Tavern Beer Challenge

Over 1900 pewter mugs adorn the ceiling here at the Wolfe's Tavern. You can add your very own personalized mug to the collection.
Here are the rules:
1. Obtain a beer card from your server or bartender
2. Drink no more than two beers each time you visit and have your server or bartender punch and initial the corresponding beers off the card
3. When you finish the last beer ring the bell at the bar and kiss the infamous moose.
4. After you complete all steps tell your server and your mug will be ordered. At this time you will receive discounts on draft beers Forever. Cheers!

Secondcurve: Have you kissed the moose?

tis · 01-11-2008, 08:59 PM

No, I don't think it will close. It has been sold and the new owners just want to remodel.

secondcurve · 01-12-2008, 05:18 PM

McDude:

I'm about three beers away form getting my mug. I have been going there for 20-years, but I have lost my card about 5-times! I finally thought that I was going to get the chance to kiss the moose and there is talk the bar is closing. Although, that sounds like more of a rumor than anything else.

I spoke with someone in the know who told be they are closing the lower bar area and perhaps the mug program, but not the main bar. Evidently, the new owners are going to spend $3.2MM to upgrade the entire facility, which is certainly a lot of money. They plan to "reposition" the bar, restaurant and inn so it appeals to a more upscale clientele. There are a lot of regulars who aren't too pleased with the plan.

Alton Bay · 01-12-2008, 11:03 PM

We have been going to the Tavern for years and have both kissed the moose. Guess we'd better grad our mugs.
It's obvious that there have been issues there over the years but I hope they don't change it and make it so upscale it isn't fun any more! It's great to hop off the boat and grab and sandwich and a beer and not worry about being dressed up enough. It's great to have a casual place to go with good food. Now that it's non smoking...it's even better.
Hope they don't mess with the Winni Belle. Love those Thursday night cruises!

Zee · 01-13-2008, 08:20 PM

Husband finally kissed the moose three weeks ago. He is waiting for the mug to come in. I hope we get it before they close.

01-07-2008, 02:42 PM	#1
fmgate Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 43 Thanks: 10 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Wolfeboro Inn to close for renovations? Is there any truth to the rumor that the Wolfeboro Inn will be closing for several months as they undertake a renovation of the property?

01-07-2008, 06:09 PM	#2
nj2nh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 529 Thanks: 80 Thanked 47 Times in 27 Posts	I googled "wolfeboro inn renovations" and found a bunch of job postings, looking for someone willing to take "ownership" of a restaurant during a major renovation this winter. nj2nh __________________

01-10-2008, 10:01 AM	#7
GTO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,091 Thanks: 338 Thanked 354 Times in 162 Posts	great service My parents stayed there this past New years. They were told then that they were closing sections for renovations. Something about replacing the fireplace in the main lobby or something like that. Anyway, that was also the weekend of a couple of snowstorms. When the guests woke in the morning to go to their cars, they found that their cars were all cleared off and a path shoveled to the doors of their cars. Great service from the staff!! When I was A DJ, I performed about 5 weddings there. A great place for a function with great service and food. __________________ GTO

01-10-2008, 03:27 PM	#8
hazelnut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,348 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 508 Thanked 462 Times in 162 Posts	Thumbs up We stayed there overnight the day after Christmas. I love the unpretentious atmosphere. Rooms were clean and the tavern is awesome. It really does have so much character. The old wood beams and pine floor transport you back in time. The new section of the bar is bright and open. I would go back.

01-13-2008, 08:20 PM	#14
Zee Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Union Wharf, Tuftonboro Posts: 173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	Kissed the Moose! Husband finally kissed the moose three weeks ago. He is waiting for the mug to come in. I hope we get it before they close.

01-08-2008, 12:16 AM	#3
Zee Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Union Wharf, Tuftonboro Posts: 173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	We went there for dinner a week ago and was told by the waitress that the restaurant will be closed for renovations. She was not sure of the date but it would likely be this month and last for several months. Patrons who own some of the hanging pewter mugs are being told to take them home because they are not sure they will be hanging them again.

01-09-2008, 09:24 PM	#5
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,118 Thanks: 1,331 Thanked 559 Times in 288 Posts	That would truly be a travesty. That pub has been there since the beginning. I hope this isn't true.

01-09-2008, 09:28 PM	#6
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,118 Thanks: 1,331 Thanked 559 Times in 288 Posts	I got the below quotes right off their web site. I hope they don't let this gem go. Usually when a restaurant says it is closed for renovations that is a sign it is in financial duress.... Wolfe's Tavern... here is New England as it used to be, dark and historic with row upon row of pewter beer mugs hanging from the beams" –Waterside Escapes in the NorthEast "This Inn dates back to 1812; thanks to its 1988 expansion, it offers the region's finest accommodations and one of its better restaurants" –New Hampshire: An Explorer's Guide

01-11-2008, 06:44 PM	#9
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,118 Thanks: 1,331 Thanked 559 Times in 288 Posts	If anyone is in Wolfeboro this weekend and has time can they stop by the Tavern and try and get the "scoop" from one of the bartenders? Hopefully, this place is reopening for the summer. Thanks

01-11-2008, 08:59 PM	#11
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,770 Thanks: 755 Thanked 1,462 Times in 1,018 Posts	No, I don't think it will close. It has been sold and the new owners just want to remodel.

01-12-2008, 05:18 PM	#12
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,118 Thanks: 1,331 Thanked 559 Times in 288 Posts	McDude: I'm about three beers away form getting my mug. I have been going there for 20-years, but I have lost my card about 5-times! I finally thought that I was going to get the chance to kiss the moose and there is talk the bar is closing. Although, that sounds like more of a rumor than anything else. I spoke with someone in the know who told be they are closing the lower bar area and perhaps the mug program, but not the main bar. Evidently, the new owners are going to spend $3.2MM to upgrade the entire facility, which is certainly a lot of money. They plan to "reposition" the bar, restaurant and inn so it appeals to a more upscale clientele. There are a lot of regulars who aren't too pleased with the plan.

01-12-2008, 11:03 PM	#13
Alton Bay Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 188 Thanks: 73 Thanked 24 Times in 21 Posts	We have been going to the Tavern for years and have both kissed the moose. Guess we'd better grad our mugs. It's obvious that there have been issues there over the years but I hope they don't change it and make it so upscale it isn't fun any more! It's great to hop off the boat and grab and sandwich and a beer and not worry about being dressed up enough. It's great to have a casual place to go with good food. Now that it's non smoking...it's even better. Hope they don't mess with the Winni Belle. Love those Thursday night cruises!