10/15/2025
A Farewell.
This is a really hard thing to write, dear friends, but I have decided to close Bar Bene.
I have poured my heart and soul into this place and had so many wonderful years with you all. I love Hudson, our community, our amazing friends who’ve kept us going and I am incredibly grateful to you for that. What unbelievable patrons we have (the best, honestly). I am also grateful for the other business owners who’ve been so supportive, kind, and welcoming.
Unfortunately, it’s become too difficult to keep the doors open. The slow winter months, rising costs, insurance, and volatility, including the tariffs all small business owners are struggling with, have made it untenable. That said, I am so incredibly proud of what we have done as a team with people I consider family:
Eric, the Renaissance man, is the most amazing GM anyone could have the pleasure to work with and I am so honored he came on this journey with me; it would not have been possible otherwise. He curated a beautiful wine list for certain, but it’s his crochet, dancing, roller skating, game-playing, marathon-training, hysterical brain I think of most.
Eugenie, whom I’ve known for a decade brought us her wit, talent, charm and made us laugh everyday, “don’t make me sing!”. She knows how to throw a party.
Angie (Panini!) and Gambrill (the earrings though) have made this last year one of the best ever. Not seeing all of these beautiful people everyday is the hardest part. A huge shout-out and thank you to the incredible staff that have worked with us throughout the years. I love them all dearly and feel so lucky to have had them in our Bar Bene family.
Lastly, providing a fun, safe space for the LGBTQ+ community was a goal, and one that I think we’ve achieved. I couldn’t be more proud that Bar Bene was your unofficial gay bar. We welcome everyone, as it should be, always.
Thank you all for this terrific journey. I’ll miss serving you terribly, and your doggies too! I really love you all.
-Marie
We will be closing the first week in December, will keep you posted on our closing party.
