The Windlass
The Windlass is a building and restaurant located on Lake Hopatcong in Jefferson Township, situated on Nolan's Point with views over the water. It features a simple, solid structure with wooden beams inside, dining spaces both indoors and on the porch, as well as a boat-themed bar and an outdoor area called the Italian Garden.
The building emerged as part of Nolan's Point, a late 1800s resort center where rail service brought visitors to relax by the lake and amusement facilities like the Lake Pavilion Hotel operated. After the amusement park declined in the 1930s, the building gradually transformed into a tavern, then was converted in 1963 under the Spinelli family into the Windlass restaurant, before new ownership took over in 2014.
The Windlass functions as a gathering place where visitors and locals come together to share meals and create memories in a laid-back setting. The restaurant draws people who value genuine hospitality and the chance to experience how the place fits into the rhythm of the local community.
The restaurant operates year-round with seating available indoors or on the porch overlooking the water. Visitors can dine on site, take food to go, or have it delivered through the online ordering app, offering flexibility depending on how you prefer to experience your visit.
The building originally was part of a large amusement center with carousel rides, concerts, and overnight lodging that was known as the Coney Island of Lake Hopatcong. This playful past as a vacation destination is barely visible today, yet it marks the site as a meeting point between history and modern leisure.
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