Martha's Vineyard Chowder Company in Oak Bluffs is scaling back by moving to a new location.

The restaurant will move into the former location of Red Cat Kitchen, which has been remodeled. — Ray Ewing

The seafood restaurant and bar on Oak Bluffs avenue will relocate to 14 Kennebec avenue, former home to Red Cat Kitchen and Zapotec Restaurant. It’s expected to open in April 2026.

Owner-operator JB Blau, the Island restaurateur who also owns Sharky’s Cantina, announced the move on Facebook last month. He noted that the new location will be considerably smaller and deprioritize nightlife.

“After decades in the industry, our interest in the nightlife scene has waned,” he wrote. “As we move closer to retirement, we want to focus on a more manageable, high-quality experience rather than a high-volume club atmosphere.”

The Gazette could not reach Mr. Blau for comment.

Earlier this month, Island attorney Geoghan Coogan approached the Oak Bluffs select board on behalf of Mr. Blau and manager Daniel Peterson to secure a liquor license for the operation, which the board approved.

“It’s gonna be a little bit of a scaled-down Chowder Company,” said Mr. Coogan about the new location. “This is going to be quieter.… No entertainment, just residences above it. It’s gonna be a smaller operation.”

Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company opened in 2011 and has been a perennial contender for best chowder in Martha’s Vineyard Magazine’s Best of the Vineyard competition.