Self-Guided Visit
Visit the Death Seat
Explore the bar at your own pace, view the roped-off 'Death Seat' barstool with its resident skeleton, and soak up the 100+ years of Morris Canal-era atmosphere.
- Duration:
- 1 hr
No photograph
on file
Est. 1908on file
HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena — as catalogued
- 01Apparitions of former staff and owners
- 02Lights and TVs switching on/off without cause
- 03Kitchen activity when building is empty
- 04Lightbulb bursts in basement
+ 1 further entry on record
Haunted Dining / Bar
Old Canal Inn
A century-old Nutley tavern built in 1908 steps from the historic Morris Canal, home to the notorious 'Death Seat' barstool linked to multiple patron deaths under unexplained circumstances.
2 East Passaic Avenue, Nutley, NJ 07110
Wheelchair Accessible
Research-Backed · 4 sources
Research updated May 2026
Age
21+
Cost
$
Bar and restaurant pricing; no cover charge. Death Seat Burger Platter available Mondays.
Access
Wheelchair OK
Flat interior, street-level entrance
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1908 · Morris Canal heritage site · Continuously operating neighborhood tavern since 1908 · Associated with the Skorupski family and the Conca family
The building at 2 East Passaic Avenue in Nutley, Essex County, New Jersey, was constructed in 1908 at the edge of what was once the Morris Canal corridor — a mid-nineteenth-century transportation artery that connected the Delaware River at Phillipsburg to Jersey City. By the time the structure opened as a tavern, the canal had already been abandoned (1924), but the neighborhood retained its working-class, canal-era character.
The Skorupski family took over operations around 1934, running it as JoJo's Tavern for roughly fourteen years. In 1948, the owners renamed the establishment the Old Canal Inn in homage to the Morris Canal's legacy in the surrounding community. The current owners, Mark Conca and his brothers, acquired the property in 2011 and have maintained its dive-bar character while leaning into its haunted reputation.
The tavern has operated continuously for over 115 years with relatively few structural changes. Its tin ceilings, dim lighting, and original bar fixtures are largely intact, giving the interior a period atmosphere that regulars find part of the draw. A Bearfort Paranormal investigation was conducted on the premises in 2013, and the bar has been featured in regional media outlets including Weird NJ, NJ1015, and Montclair Girl.
Sources
- https://www.themontclairgirl.com/old-canal-inn-bar-history-nutley-new-jersey/
- https://spookeats.com/2018/10/08/new-jersey-old-canal-inn/
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/food/new-jersey/death-themed-tavern-nj
- https://943thepoint.com/ixp/392/p/haunted-bar-nutley-nj/
Apparitions of former staff and ownersLights and TVs switching on/off without causeKitchen activity when building is emptyLightbulb bursts in basementSense of presence near the Death Seat barstool
The Death Seat legend centers on a barstool at the far end of the bar, nearest the front windows. According to accounts documented by Weird NJ and regional outlets, two men reportedly fought over this particular seat and both died of heart attacks within thirty days of each other — an event dated to the 1960s. Around 1964, two additional men sat in the chair and both suffered fatal cardiac events within days. A third incident, reportedly in 1986, added to the chair's grim reputation.
Today the stool is permanently roped off, with a skeleton mounted on it and signage reading 'Free Seating at the Death Seat Tonight Only.' Owner Mark Conca has stated publicly that he is '150% something is happening here,' citing kitchen activity when the space is empty, full-bodied apparitions of former bartenders and owners, and episodes in the basement where lightbulbs burst without explanation.
A Bearfort Paranormal investigation conducted in 2013 examined the reported phenomena. Staff continue to report lights and televisions switching on and off without apparent cause. The legend has been covered by multiple regional media outlets, and the bar has embraced it with a signature 'Death Seat Burger Platter' served on Mondays.
Important note: The reported deaths are local legend and have not been independently verified through historical records or death certificates. They are presented here as documented folklore.
Notable Entities
Unidentified apparitions of former bartenders and owners
Media Appearances
- Weird NJ (written feature)
- Bearfort Paranormal investigation (2013)
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Old Canal Inn family-friendly?
21+ bar environment. The Death Seat is a conversation piece, not a theatrical attraction. Children not admitted. Overall family fit: Not Recommended.
How much does it cost to visit Old Canal Inn?
Bar and restaurant pricing; no cover charge. Death Seat Burger Platter available Mondays.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Old Canal Inn wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Old Canal Inn is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Flat interior, street-level entrance.