Jennifer Tripucka 
Many know 800 Jackson Street’s Southeast corner restaurant location in Hoboken to be a spot that has not been able to sustain a tenant for more than a short-lived period of time. BYRD, a fine dining spot, closed at this location, and the space is now officially up for rent again. A “For Lease” sign has popped up in the windows last week, signaling yet another new chapter for this serially rebranded space in West Hoboken. And then, in late October, a sign for “Empyrean Indian Kitchen” discreetly appeared in the window. Empyrean has now confirmed that this will be its second Hoboken location in November 2025. Read on for more about this spot and what’s next in the revolving door of restaurants.
About the Space
According to the latest LoopNet listing, the 4,000+ square-foot space is fully fitted for restaurant use, complete with kitchen, venting, and even a liquor license option. It’s at the base of the Metrostop building, right by the 9th Street Light Rail stop. On its northern side, Black Rail Coffee continues to draw in locals and light rail riders alike, with its sandwiches and coffees made in-house.
Most recently home to BYRD, the short-lived but well-reviewed fine-dining offshoot from the Common Lot team, is now officially up for rent again. BYRD opened in early summer 2024 with big culinary ambitions and a sleek dining room. But by early 2025, it had permanently closed after less than a year.
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Before that, it was Sangria Wine Bar + Tapas, which barely made it past its first anniversary before shuttering quietly. Before that, Privé Gastrobar opened for a record week only in 2019, replacing Taphaus, which replaced Tilted Kilt, the inaugural pub that opened in 2011 in the space. That’s five concepts in about a decade, and barely any made it to a second birthday.
Elsewhere in the neighborhood, Gotan opened last year to a seemingly well-received local audience. The Monroe Center is teeming with local businesses, families, and even school children. 7 Seventy House, Metrostop, and others are at full capacity.
The Latest Update
Just this week, a new signage was spotted by a passerby, shared with The Hoboken Girl team. Empyrean Indian Kitchen, an already established restaurant in Hoboken, looks to be opening in the space.
Currently at 20 Hudson Place near the PATH, Empyrean Kitchen is a well-reviewed Indian restaurant that serves curries, tandoori, and other Indian specialties. It opened in 2021 and has become a go-to in the area, hidden to many in plain sight. The owners confirmed with The Hoboken Girl that this will be its second Hoboken location.
The signage on 800 Jackson reads, “Empyrean Indian Kitchen, Indian Restaurant, Bar, Party, & Events.”
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Per its website, the Indian restaurant has two different chefs leading the kitchen: one specializing in Tandoori items and one specializing in various curry items. There are a variety of items on the menu, and appetizers include fish pakoda, samosa, paddi chat, as well as various rice and biryanis entrees, all served with raita, plus different kinds of bread, including garlic naan, onion kulcha, and lachha paratha. This downtown spot has a full bar, so with the liquor license at 800 Jackson, a full-bar space is likely.
As of November 19th, signage is up and the space has been updated. According to the owner, the restaurant will officially open the week of November 24th.
We’ll update this piece with more info as it is received.
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