Lola's Southern Seafood re-opened turned on Friday - for the third time in 20 years. Old favorites like Mussels ala Lola will still be offered, and so will a late night dancing scene, but this time mainly with DJs spinning the tunes.
It was never goodbye. It was always see you later.
Lola’s Southern Seafood, the restaurant and nightclub located at 15 Indian Inn road in Oak Bluffs is back — for the third time.
The Oak Bluffs hangout first opened its doors on the fourth of July in 1994 by owners and seasonal residents Kathy Lola Domitrovich and Paul Domitrovich. Lola’s quickly became known for pairing southern soul food with Smokey Robinson and the Supremes.
“Now it’s our 20th anniversary,” said Ms. Domitrovich, who is also a chef. “Well, give or take a few years.”
After 15 consecutive seasons Mr. and Ms. Domitrovich sold the business to Doug and Leslie Hewson, owners of the restaurant Mediterranean. Then, in August of 2010, after Mr. and Ms. Hewson announced they were not going to continue running Mediterranean, Mr. and Ms. Domitrovich returned to the Island and re-opened Lola’s. Two years later the Domitroviches sold the restaurant to Atria owners Christian and Greer Thornton, who opened a new restaurant there called Hooked in May 2012.
This past winter, Ms. Domitrovich heard that Mr. and Ms. Thornton were not going to run Hooked for another season.
“I heard this and said to my husband, ‘You know, we should return,’ and I thought he would say, ‘Not again!’ But he said, ‘Yes!’”
Mr. and Mrs. Domitrovich never sold the real estate. “That’s how we were able to get it back each time,” she said.
Lola’s officially re-opened on Friday, May 2. Ms. Domitrovich greeted guests at the door and Mr. Domitrovich talked up patrons at the bar.
“I’m the steak and he’s the sizzle,” Ms. Domitrovich said. “I’m Lola and he’s Mr. Lola. Not too much has changed, except our ages. My husband is 80 now, but we’re still the young souls that started this place.”
“Some things are a little different this time around, but the soul is still here,” she added.
What is different? For starters, the napkins.
“Apparently nobody makes leopard print cloth napkins anymore,” said Ms. Domitrovich. “But we found these fabulous multicolored ones and I absolutely love them.”
Also new is the addition of chef Chad Ford. “He’s a great chef for the restaurant. I gave him all the old Lola’s menus and he put his own twist on some things.”
Rest assured, old favorites like Mussels ala Lola will still be offered, Ms. Domitrovich said.
Highlights from the new menu include magic dusted fried chicken wings served with a watermelon wedge, Georgia peach salad with grilled shrimp and Bad Martha’s Beer battered catfish with tiger fries.
Using DJs will also be new, Ms. Domitrovich said. “We’ll still have dancing and music seven nights a week but not as much live music. The age of live music is hard and just not in the cost. But we do have a couple of good local bands and some good DJs.”
“What I realized when Lola’s wasn’t open was that there was nowhere for people over 40 to dance,” Ms. Domitrovich added. “I like to fill that niche. At Lola’s someone who is 22 could be dancing next to a bunch of 80-year-olds.”
The grand opening and 20th anniversary party for Lola’s is Saturday, May 10 at 9 p.m.

Comments
Welcome back,looking forward
Joseph Paul Uranker Oak BluffsWelcome back,looking forward and to enjoying Mussels ala Lola again and again,putting in my reservations for Mother Day today.
Welcome back home. We will be
Artur BenDavid Oak Bluffs, Ma.Welcome back home. We will be there for the Mussels.
We missed you SO much! Please
Nancy New YorkWe missed you SO much! Please have the jambalaya - both regular and veggie! We are SO excited.
Finally somewhere to dance
Jessica EdgartownFinally somewhere to dance again!!!
Lola's is a coming home..
Catherine English New York, NYLola's is a coming home...When I visit the vineyard it is not the same when
Lola's is not there.
Hi Kathy, so happy to know
Pamela Hollingsworth MiamiHi Kathy, so happy to know you'll be back! See you soon!
Mmmmm... Hope the Smoked
Jack O'Callaghan Vineyard HavenMmmmm... Hope the Smoked Grilled Calamari is back as well !!!
My husband and I have been
Beth Tafuri Mamaroneck, NYMy husband and I have been visiting the Island for many years and Lola's was one of the first places we went. We always check to see if you are there and the years you weren't made us sad. Can't wait to come back and eat your great food and dance the night away!
Welcome back!
Nick Turdean EdgartownWelcome back!
We hope you'll continue the great live local band tradition with Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish among others.
Please tell me you will serve
Barney CaliforniaPlease tell me you will serve the delicious onion rings again!
Welcome back....we surely
Ann Haley Pittsburgh, PAWelcome back....we surely missed you and can't wait to taste that chicken again.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frank & Linda Murray Oak BluffsYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME BACK!!!! We will look forward to picking up where with left off with a new "Twist".
Awesome....Simply awesome....
T.O. and Shellie Johnson Jupiter, Fla.Awesome....Simply awesome....
Best of luck with your grand
The Tomlinsons Tampa, FLBest of luck with your grand re-opening! We love you guys and hope to make it up there this summer!
Kathy and Paul, we have
Karen Selsey New YorkKathy and Paul, we have missed having you as a part of our Island life. Thanks for coming back. See you soon
Hallelujah! Lola's always
Liz Wayne, PAHallelujah! Lola's always has been a favorite of our entire family. A wonderful place where you always feel welcome, the food is amazing, and Yes the dancing across Generations! Welcome Home!
THERE IS A GOD!
Ally PhiladelphiaTHERE IS A GOD!
Everyone in my family and our
Dennis McAndrews Wayne, PaEveryone in my family and our friends are all thrilled to hear of the triumphant return of Lola's. At Lola's, we always feel so welcome, the food is great, and the atmosphere is fantastic! Welcome home!
Really glad you are back.
Dexter and Marilyn East ChopReally glad you are back. Looking forward to seeing Mark behind the bar again. See you this weekend,
Jacqui and I are looking
stiles, Kenneth J. Randolph, MAJacqui and I are looking forward to enjoying a great dinner and dancing with Paul and Renee Metell this summer.
Glade your back, Lola.
Our mouth is watering weigh
Francine & Mike Buono Huntington Beach CaliforniaOur mouth is watering weigh envy because we are not there for your grand opening! Best of luck & God speed with Lola's return
This is the best news I've
Deb McDonagh BostonThis is the best news I've heard in awhile. Thanks Kathy & Lola. Can't wait!
My sons are THRILLED you are
Denise Litchfield, CTMy sons are THRILLED you are back! As they say, "It's not the same on the Vineyard without being able to go to Lola's!"
Welcome back! We look forward
Calvin and Nora Price Madison CtWelcome back! We look forward to our visit. We always enjoy the great food .
Welcome back. I think I was
Phil Hart HollywoosWelcome back. I think I was the first customer when Lola's first opened in 1994.
great to see that you are bck
Joseph D njgreat to see that you are bck
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