Cha Cha’s Surf Avenue Bar and Grill, Coney Island. April 2012
Cha Cha’s of Coney Island, which relocated to Surf Avenue last spring after losing their lease on the Boardwalk, is closing for good. The announcement was made last night via the bar and restaurant’s Facebook and twitter:
Reactions from fans and followers ranged from “NOOOO!” and “I’ll miss those gogo times we had!!” to “Thanks for the good times over the years.”
As recently as January, the plan was to fix the place up after flood damage from Sandy and make a go of it. “OK! we had our meeting and the game plan is being set in motion to rebuild and open the old Cha Chas space on Surf Ave by spring. As info comes in we’ll keep everyone informed with the new and improved space on Surf Ave.”
Yesterday’s announcement did not give a reason for the closing. Given the challenges faced by businesses in their rebuilding efforts, we’d have to guess that Sandy is responsible for shuttering this Coney Island mainstay, which had survived the death of its manager “JT” and eviction by Zamperla. Cha Cha’s former Boardwalk location was the site of the original Club Atlantis and is now Tom’s Restaurant.
Coney Island After Sandy: Cleanup at Cha Cha’s Surf Avenue, November 17, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita
John “Cha Cha” Ciarcia also owns Cha Cha’s In Bocca Al Lupo in Manhattan’s Little Italy. Last season, in addition to relocating his Coney Island bar to Surf Avenue, he put his name on Cha Cha’s Steeplechase Park on Thor’s Stillwell Avenue property. The park had carnival rides as well as an al fresco bar. Will Cha Cha’s name turn up in another location in Coney Island? That depends whether he still has sand in his shoes after Sandy. We’re not saying goodbye to Coney Island’s “Home of Wild Women and Wise Guys” and “Live Entertainment for the Hole Family” just yet.
Cha Cha’s Bar & Cafe on the Coney Island Boardwalk. June 1, 2009. Photo © Tricia Vita
Related posts on ATZ…
May 17, 2012: Coney Island’s Cha Cha Puts His Name on Steeplechase
April 7, 2012: Cheers! First Drink at Relocated Cha Cha’s of Coney Island
January 16, 2012: Photo of the Day: Signs of Coney’s Club Atlantis Resurface
October 30, 2011: Nov 1: Auction Sale at Cha Cha’s, 4 Others on Coney Island Boardwalk
Amusing the Zillion 
I miss everyone from the Coney island cha cha.family who could forget me the dominican that would do what ever for the team . Plus I have alway been the ladies man .
[…] “Home of Wild Women and Wise Guys” was forced off the boardwalk in 2011 and briefly reopened on Surf Avenue, with a caricature of Ciara’s grinning face serving as the logo. Sadly, it […]