OT: Your Favorite Neighborhood Bar in NJ

KK1827

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Nov 4, 2023
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Lucky 7s in Jersey City was a great spot when I lived in those parts 10+ years ago. Olive Branch in New Brunswick (and Clydz is a great neighborhood spot though different vibe than other spots named here). Had some fun nights at McGoverns in Newark too.
My buddy loves lucky 7’s. They did a big fundraiser there for a shelter the other night
 
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RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
64,378
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Have not heard Hoovers for many years but that was a good time back in the 80s

Back in the day it was Patti’s now Olive Branch. Went there every Friday and Saturday when I lived on Guilden St to start the night. Met my wife there when she was a bartender and waitress. Now it’s The Deauville Inn or Twisties in Strathmere and Anchorage in Somers Point
Lived around the corner from Patti's in the summers of 82, 83, and 84 (was on Ray St.), so also went there plenty. And I forgot the Deauville - best place to watch sunset over the water on the NJ Atlantic coast (since the inlet/marshes go so many miles inland from there).
 
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Purple-Ed

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Mar 12, 2006
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RU-AGK

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Aug 2, 2001
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Let’s keep this thread NJ
I have found some great ones too in the Pensacola area

Here are two in Union :
Joe’s Place
Liberty Tavern
Love this place but it's been a slow swirl since Dennis shook loose the mortal coil.

You wouldn't happen to know if Eileen is still behind the bar on the weekends? She's taken the owner's death VERY hard and a once great barkeep has just become a bitter old woman looking to be combative with customers. I don't need that nonsense when I just want to kick back, watch a game and drink a PBR draft. Food's always good. Only place I know of that still serves a liverwurst and onion sandwich.
 
May 11, 2010
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Linwood tap house in linden - Good pizza and pub food . Lots of TVs to watch games

They got fined for being open the early days of Covid if you supported that sort of thing

I shot pool there often when I lived in Rahway
Along with the now defunct Midtown Tavern down the road
 

RUinPinehurst

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Aug 27, 2011
8,372
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OK bar fans, for a interesting, related work, give Pete Hamill's "A Drinking Life" a read.

From Amazon...
"As a child during the Depression and World War II, Pete Hamill learned early that drinking was an essential part of being a man, inseparable from the rituals of celebration, mourning, friendship, romance, and religion. Only later did he discover its ability to destroy any writer's most valuable tools: clarity, consciousness, memory.

"In A Drinking Life, Hamill explains how alcohol slowly became a part of his life, and how he ultimately left it behind. Along the way, he summons the mood of an America that is gone forever, with the bittersweet fondness of a lifelong New Yorker."

Edit: Authors Jim Harrison and Charles Bukowski also present interesting perspectives on the drinking culture. Many other infamous writer-drinkers, of course. Your favs?
 
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RU-AGK

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Aug 2, 2001
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Still a great dive bar, but it can get very crowded and it's not a place to relax and have a conversation. I much prefer Ye Olde Rathskeller, especially during the warmer months when you can sit outside.
GREAT cheeseburgers!

Oh and a cop always parked just outside their parking lot trying to pick off people making an illegal left off the Parkway exit.
 
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Plum Street

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Jun 21, 2009
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I don't much hang at bars these days. But went out for a drink with a buddy last weekend, we wanted a quiet place 'cause we had to talk a little business. He wanted to go to the Bonefish Grille in Woodbridge. I was skeptical, but figured why not give it a shot.

Turned out to a very fun place. And quiet, so you could actually talk to people.

Only two seats were open at the bar, right next to a couple of very beautiful young ladies. The one closest to me starting flirting with me almost the minute I sat down (she was a little drunk - I mean, she'd have to be). Turns out, she was the mother of the other one.

I would've swore the mom was late 20s at most while the daughter was early 20s. Honestly was mind-blowing how young this mom looked, and she also had a 28 year old daughter and a 2 year old granddaughter. Holy fountain of youth!

Anyway, if you're into relatively intimate places, quiet, decent scotch selection (I had 18 year Macallan at a very reasonable price), and extremely friendly customers, I can recommend that place. I'll go back for sure.
@mildone paid their tab and they left without saying goodbye . Grandma , mom and daughter lived happily ever after.
The end 😂
 
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WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,358
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Lived around the corner from Patti's in the summers of 82, 83, and 84 (was on Ray St.), so also went there plenty. And I forgot the Deauville - best place to watch sunset over the water on the NJ Atlantic coast (since the inlet/marshes go so many miles inland from there).
The Deauville Inn changed hands a few years ago. They added another outdoor spot where they used to rent kayaks and paddle boards. They are gone and it's now like a beach lounge. Also upgraded the inside. Unbelievable the changes. However, food is expensive for a casual place. Beer and rail drinks are normal for the shore but specialty drinks $$$. Can arrive by boat and get drinks brought out to you without ever stepping out of your boat.
 

newell138

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
35,626
45,164
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Charlie's, Somers Point. Great pub food. Fun atmosphere. Good selection of tap beers and very reasonable prices for the shore.
In season, by far my favorite place from Sandy Hook to Cape May is the Surfing Pig in North Wildwood.

I do like the surfing pig but sometimes flies can be an issue
 

newell138

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
35,626
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The Deauville Inn changed hands a few years ago. They added another outdoor spot where they used to rent kayaks and paddle boards. They are gone and it's now like a beach lounge. Also upgraded the inside. Unbelievable the changes. However, food is expensive for a casual place. Beer and rail drinks are normal for the shore but specialty drinks $$$. Can arrive by boat and get drinks brought out to you without ever stepping out of your boat.

new owners of Deauville I feel made it much better, the beach bar is PACKED with bikinis on Sundays. They also own Yesterdays now in Marmora.
 
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RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
64,378
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The Deauville Inn changed hands a few years ago. They added another outdoor spot where they used to rent kayaks and paddle boards. They are gone and it's now like a beach lounge. Also upgraded the inside. Unbelievable the changes. However, food is expensive for a casual place. Beer and rail drinks are normal for the shore but specialty drinks $$$. Can arrive by boat and get drinks brought out to you without ever stepping out of your boat.
Yes, I recall that. We go there at least once a year during our OCNJ rental and their prices went way up the past 2 years. And last year, it was way too crowded with a very long wait on a weeknight, so we ate elsewhere, but came back to hang out with drinks in the Adirondack chairs on that new little beach and watched sunset from there.
 
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WhiteBus

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Oct 4, 2011
39,358
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new owners of Deauville I feel made it much better, the beach bar is PACKED with bikinis on Sundays. They also own the Anchorage now in Marmora.
Also owns Yesterday's too and has upgraded that as well.
Deauville is packed everyday. It's almost like a resort type of place.
 
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newell138

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
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Also owns Yesterday's too and has upgraded that as well.
Deauville is packed everyday. It's almost like a resort type of place.

You are right, i meant Yesterdays, not the ANchorage, the new owners there are a local family from Somers Pt
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
121,564
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Kinchley's - Ramsey
DP's Pub - Garfield
Belmont Tavern - Bellville
River Road Tavern - Piscataway
Cryan's Tavern - Annandale
Broadway - Point Pleasant
The Ark - Point Pleasant
Miracle Pub - Toms River

Just to name a few that have not been mentioned.
Never thought of Kinchley's as a Pub...though, pretty much everyone says their thin crust pizza is the best in NJ.

Mahwah and Allendale's Bar and Grill are great local pubs though with great burgers and wings
 

Zak57

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Jul 5, 2011
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Never thought of Kinchley's as a Pub...though, pretty much everyone says their thin crust pizza is the best in NJ.

Mahwah and Allendale's Bar and Grill are great local pubs though with great burgers and wings

Everyone does not say that. Star, Vics, Federici's, Patsy's. Delucia's, etc.
 
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SouthJerseyRU

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Jan 30, 2002
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Charlie's, Somers Point. Great pub food. Fun atmosphere. Good selection of tap beers and very reasonable prices for the shore.
In season, by far my favorite place from Sandy Hook to Cape May is the Surfing Pig in North Wildwood.
Good picks, Charlies is my favorite South Jersey bar.