Tony Nominee Matt Doyle's Day Off in Jersey City Involves a Haircut and the Farmer's Market
The star of Broadway's Company has to keep his fade fresh on his free Mondays.
By Esther Zuckerman and Matt Doyle
Published on 5/26/2022 at 12:00 PM
Matt Doyle | Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Starring on Broadway in the acclaimed (and gender swapped) revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company means Matt Doyle has only Monday off—that's the one day he's not performing as Jamie, the neurotic husband-to-be who sings the tongue twisting song "Not Getting Married Today." The newly minted Tony nominee likes to spend his time loading up on produce, having favorite meals, and walking his three dogs on the waterfront in Jersey City, where he lives.
We do eight shows a week and very little else can be done during the week than our Broadway schedule. My day off usually is everything that I can't possibly get done in the week and then also trying to rest and relax at the same time. I try to treat myself, whether that's with a meal that I wouldn't necessarily eat during the week or an expensive dinner or a nice haircut or anything that's going to make me feel lighter and better after a very difficult and physically taxing week. When I wake up on Mondays, my body is almost frozen to the bed.
I lived in Midtown Manhattan for about eight years, and I was going through a breakup at the time and I walked out of my apartment one day and ran into probably eight other actors just on the way to get coffee. And I finally snapped and was like, I need to get away. I looked into Jersey City because I had a few friends tell me, "Jersey City's beautiful, it's up and coming, and it's really easy to get to." And I kind of didn't believe them. But then I just went out on the PATH train one day, and it was so easy to get to and beautiful. I just fell in love with it.
I started going to Hybrid when they opened this past August. Jersey City's growing so, so quickly. It seems like there's a new restaurant or coffee shop here every day, but Hybrid really nailed it for me. The owner, Evan, is the loveliest guy, greets me every time I go in. And he takes his coffee very seriously. I liked that I was learning about the coffee that I was drinking as well. They make acai bowls that are to die for with their own in-house made granola. I typically go in there and just get a black cold brew and an acai bowl almost every day.
Etiket | Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
"I try to treat myself a little bit, whether that's with a meal that I wouldn't necessarily eat during the week or an expensive dinner or a nice haircut or anything that's just going to make me feel a little bit lighter and better after a very difficult and physically taxing week."
We wanted Jamie in Company to have a really very, very distinct haircut, especially because he does talk about his haircut at one point in the scene. We give Jamie a very distinct fade, and I have to get it cleaned up every two weeks because it grows out so quickly. And I get it done at this barber shop, Etiket. I've been going to them for probably four or five years now. And they're the best in the area. They even have started selling cannabis products now that weed is legal in Jersey and it's become one of the places in the area where you can actually buy cannabis products. It's just a very relaxed and very welcoming vibe and they make their own hair products.
I have three dogs. My day off really does become my dogs because it's the most time I get to spend with them all week. My partner and I usually take the dogs on a long walk along the waterfront. I think what everyone is shocked by when they come to Jersey City for the first time is that we do actually have the best view of Manhattan.
The best thing about the farmer's market is that there's always new stands and local artists in the area that come to the farmer's market. But in general, we go to Stony Hill Farms. That's where we get our produce and they also do handmade ice cream and sorbet. They have the most amazing strawberry sorbet ever and I get that every week as well. So we love just stocking up on our fresh produce there so that we can get it directly from the farm.
If we want to feel a little bit of a hipster vibe with some—I would say—maybe healthier food, maybe higher-end food, we'll go to Dullboy, which is a local cocktail bar. It's got a real speakeasy, feel to it, and the bartenders there are amazing. I mean, they're famous for their cocktails in the area, and they make a really good "Penicillin," which is a ginger honey whiskey drink that I always order.
Hudson Hall | Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
"I think what everyone is shocked by when they come to Jersey City for the first time is that we do actually have the best view of Manhattan."
If we want beer and a more open beer garden feel, we usually end up at Hudson Hall. We love it there. We get the pretzel there, and they have just like the most amazing selection of draft beers. They just gave me a local beer that was a watermelon IPA that was so good. They've got amazing chicken tenders and I get a grain bowl there all the time. It's this great place for us to meet other people in the area, meet some of our neighbors, and feel like we can actually socialize, it doesn't feel too cramped, and it's easy for us to kick back there.
We love O'Hara's as well. O'Hara's is a staple downtown in Jersey City. It's been here forever. And it's a local Irish pub and they make unbelievable food and that is where we go if we want fried anything. And it's the best fried food I've ever had in my life. I get fried pickles there at least two or three times a week.
As told to Esther Zuckerman.
Places to Eat & Drink
Hybrid Coffee + Kitchen
398 Manila Avenue
Dullboy
364 Grove Street
Hudson Hall
364 Marin Boulevard
O'Hara's
172 1st Street
Things to See & Do
Get a haircut at Etiket
335 Grove Street
Stroll the waterfront
Go to the Jersey City Farmer's Market
Grove Street