History of JP's Steakhouse and Rhythms

JP's Steakhouse

Even with a large assortment of foods this wasn't enough to get non music clubbers to stop in to eat. In 2007 a change was made, the result was the addition of the establishment's second name, Johnny Pett's Steakhouse.

Several high end steak and seafood choices were added to the menu. In the spring 2008 more pasta dishes, burgers and several wrap sandwiches were then added to the menu.

2007 Nor'easter

"We flooded a foot inside, but it wasn't too bad!" No, The Huggers didn't play that night! The Millstone River again rose on that weekend.

Rhythms reopened a few weeks later after a quick cleanup.

Rhythms of the Night opens

John Pettoni bought Rhythms in 2000 and then gutted everything inside to create his vision of a music club and restaurant – the building's age dates to the 1930s. From floor to ceiling, the restaurant is littered with musical memorabilia, ranging from old musical instruments (including John's first accordion) to record album covers, which line the inside top shelf of the main bar, to pictures of some of the greatest musicians of all time; Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, and "Ol' Blue Eyes" to name a few.

A wide elevated stage was constructed in the back of the restaurant. The attic above the stage and dance floor was replaced with a cathedral style ceiling with skylights.

Hurricane Floyd

The September 1999 flood disaster was the worst ever to hit Manville. The Millstone River had suffered a number of severe flooding events over the past 200 years. Hurricane Floyd produced a particularly severe flood. The vacant, building was ravaged by Hurricane Floyd. Inside, standing on what seems to be the floor which was covered with inches of mud, leaves, and other debris. Now, try to picture a beautiful room full of tables, chairs, booths, a bar...no, make that two bars, a dance floor, and a stage where the band will play. Can't? Neither could anyone else; that is, except for John Pettoni, CPA and restaurateur.

The Yellow Rose

Crystal Roller Palace

Crystal Roller Palace "The roller rink....was there in the late 70's early 80's. It was called the Crystal Roller Palace. My cousin used to be the DJ there. I believe the original use for the building was the Knights of Columbus."

Crystal Roller Palace DJ 1982-87

"Bobby Durnye owned a rink in Manville in the 70's"

Last day from Facebook group: Crystal Roller Palace

Date of "Crystal Roller Palace" opening unknown - citation eneeded.

The Hullabaloo - Teen nightclub

Early video of the garage band Witches Bru performing at The Hullabaloo in Manville, NJ (circa 1966). The Hulla­baloo is now Rhythms of the Night. The Hullabaloo clubs were a chain of independently owned clubs.

Dates of "Teen nightclub" operation unknown.

Manville formed

Manville was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 1, 1929, with a referendum held on April 18, 1929; prior to that it was a section of Hillsborough. The section of Weston on the west side of the Millstone River and the remainder south of Zarephath was not included in Zarephath when it was formed in 1906. The section of Weston on the west side of the Millstone River later became a part of Manville.

J.R. Connell farm

From a 1860 map of Hillsborough the property Rhythms is built on was a part of the farm of J.R. Connell.

Mill, Dam and Bridge

The Weston Mill was built as Schenck's Mill about the 1740s and operated for nearly 250 years. It was later named Van Neste's Mill by it's second owner, Abraham Van Neste. It was the scene of a bloody skirmish during the American Revolution, when raiding British were searching for flour.

When William Rodgers owned the mill between 1823 and 1843, he changed the name of the area to Weston, purportedly to reflect the name used at the time for an area across the river from the mill (where Rhythms is).

Wilbur Smith was the mill's last owner, beginning in the 1920s. In 1982, the mill structure collapsed and in 1983 the remains of the mill burned in a fire. The mill's dam is still present and connects the island (visible from Rhythms back deck) to the eastern shore of the Millstone River. The bridge is on the present-day site of the causeway between Zarephath and Manville (visible from the south end of the deck - towards Krauser's).

Millstone River

Millstone River at Weston NJ United States Geological Survey gauge number 01402540 is located behind Rhythms. Installed on the downstream center pier on Wilhouski Street bridge over the bypass channel - visible from the south side of Rhythms deck. Shiny cylinder and white pipe in the picture.