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OT: Your Favorite Neighborhood Bar in NJ

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Zak57

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Jul 5, 2011
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Proud NJ Sports Fan said:
Patsys in Paterson?
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Correct.

As for bars some of my faves from the last few years. The Ivy, Tiger's Tale, Petrock's, Willie McBrides, Wildflowers, Bills & Jojo's, Killarney's.

Used to love The Keg and Cork in Old Bridge on 9 but that is gone. Old Bridge does have the most liquor store bars than any other town I know.
 
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Proud NJ Sports Fan

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Zak57 said:
Correct.

As for bars some of my faves from the last few years. The Ivy, Tiger's Tale, Petrock's, Willie McBrides, Wildflowers, Bills & Jojo's, Killarney's.

Used to love The Keg and Cork in Old Bridge on 9 but that is gone. Old Bridge does have the most liquor store bars than any other town I know.
Click to expand...

I’ll have to hit it up for lunch when I’m in Jersey later this month. Then go over to Duffy’s a few blocks north
 
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mildone_rivals

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Plum Street said:
@mildone paid their tab and they left without saying goodbye . Grandma , mom and daughter lived happily ever after.
The end 😂
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I didn't pay their tab and wouldn't with anybody in any situation like that. Doing that would be way too possessive and condescending - potentially insulting to them, IMO. I did buy them a round because I like doing that. I'd buy you a round, too.

The woman flirting with me offered (several times) to buy me and my friend drinks or food - again, she was a little drunk. Her daughter was finishing up a lobster and filet entree. I’m guessing they aren’t hurting for money.

We hung out for awhile, had a great time. We exchanged contact info. They didn't leave without saying goodbye. Nice, classy people.

I only brought up sheep a little bit. 🙂
 
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Zak57

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RU-AGK said:
For THIN crust?

Nah, man. Everybody says that about Nancy's Townehouse in Rahway.

And they're right.
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Nancy's is up there as well for sure. My point was Kinchley's is great and in the 1st tier but not definitively the best.
 
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Proud NJ Sports Fan

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CranfordKnight said:
I've spent many nights over the years at the Cranford Elks Lodge getting hammered after school fundraising events.
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I’ve been at a few crazy bachelor parties at Elks/American Legion/Italian Social Clubs

I have faint memories from a blackout at the Saddle Brook or Garfield AL on Midland Ave , after doing Jager shots pregame at a liquor store/bar on outwater
 
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yesrutgers01

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Zak57 said:
Nancy's is up there as well for sure. My point was Kinchley's is great and in the 1st tier but not definitively the best.
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It's funny- I have been in the Ramsey area for about 20 years. And maybe had Kinchley's twice and never inside the place. But- if you are in NNJ- near NYC, it is the place everyone talks about. I have no idea about any of the central/South NJ places.
So- if they are better- that is great! I brought it up as no one really thinks of it as a pub...
 
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yesrutgers01

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I grew up in the so called "upstate NY" (Poughkeepsie/Hyde Park- Culinary Institute) So not really familiar with the NJ Pub/bar scene. Love the thread as it sort of gives me a good feel of the areas.
Up here in Northern NJ - way north- Bergen Mahwah, Ramsey, etc- there really has not seemed to ever be a local spot. All, mostly chains and or places the 40's+ drink at but not the 20's- they all take the trip to Hoboken or NYC to party.
 
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mikebal9

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A few I like
1933 Room in Somerville...very pricey, but amazing
Project PUB (Does this still exist?) in Somerville
Olive Branch in New Brunswick
Delta in New Brunswick
The Bar on 22 in Green Brook....this is inside NJWineseller, and you'd never know it's there. It's an amazing little bar with great food, interesting beers, and exeptionally friendly staff
 
BossNJ

BossNJ

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RUinPinehurst said:
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?
Click to expand...
Mickey Rourke did a great Charles Bukowski in Barfly..
 
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BossNJ

BossNJ

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Wonder Bar -Asbury Park
Court Jester- Freehold

Also shout out to NB’s defunct Melody Bar (the best ever..) and Aldo’s in Lyndhurst
 
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RU848789

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RAHWAYBOB said:
I prefer Flynn's.
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Flynn's is nice too, but the WR was just "our place" if you know what I mean. I knew the owner, who was the nephew of one of my work colleauges from our factory in Clonmel, Ireland. At one time he owned Flynn's and Cubanu, but it's been several years since I ran into him, so not sure he still owns them.
 
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RU Golfer

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yesrutgers01 said:
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
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I Like the ABG too!
 
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RU Golfer

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yesrutgers01 said:
I grew up in the so called "upstate NY" (Poughkeepsie/Hyde Park- Culinary Institute) So not really familiar with the NJ Pub/bar scene. Love the thread as it sort of gives me a good feel of the areas.
Up here in Northern NJ - way north- Bergen Mahwah, Ramsey, etc- there really has not seemed to ever be a local spot. All, mostly chains and or places the 40's+ drink at but not the 20's- they all take the trip to Hoboken or NYC to party.
Click to expand...
What about

Mason Jar - Mahwah
Mahwah Bar and Grill - Mahwah
Grand Street - Dumont

Or travel down the road to Paramus and hit up the OL. That was one of my go to spots when I was in my 20's....granted I have not been in there in 25+ years or more but I believe it is still there....
 
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rurichdog

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Killarney's Publick House in Hamilton. They have good food and a big center bar. Their outdoor "Paddy O'" is a cool scene in the summer. They also support and sponsor a lot of events locally.

I also enjoy Rossi's and Pete's now that I'm getting older. Rossi's famous for their huge burgers. Pete's can get loud with a big crowd & live music right on top of everyone, but it's worth it for a cold beer and a roast pork & broccoli rabe on garlic bread...
 
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yesrutgers01

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RU Golfer said:
What about

Mason Jar - Mahwah
Mahwah Bar and Grill - Mahwah
Grand Street - Dumont

Or travel down the road to Paramus and hit up the OL. That was one of my go to spots when I was in my 20's....granted I have not been in there in 25+ years or more but I believe it is still there....
Click to expand...
I mentioned Mahwah B&G and Allendale B&G - And have been to the Mason Jar a bit...no kid at 21-25 is going to any of them knowing their buddies will be there any given time or day- and not going to hook up with anyone under 40 and female. lol
All of them are really cool local joints but up here- there just isn't that "go to" place.

20-30 years ago- there was a much better scene.
 
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Njbound1

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Earlier this year I happened upon Rocky’s Bar and Grill in Rahway. Since I love a bar with games/sports to play, I thought this place was great, not only because of the pool table and two dart boards, but because it seemed like there was always someone ready for a game. Good beer and decent food too.
 
Postman_1

Postman_1

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rurichdog said:
Killarney's Publick House in Hamilton. They have good food and a big center bar. Their outdoor "Paddy O'" is a cool scene in the summer. They also support and sponsor a lot of events locally.

I also enjoy Rossi's and Pete's now that I'm getting older. Rossi's famous for their huge burgers. Pete's can get loud with a big crowd & live music right on top of everyone, but it's worth it for a cold beer and a roast pork & broccoli rabe on garlic bread...
Click to expand...
I like Pete’s but their beer selection is weak. Their food is good though. I always enjoy the burgers at Rossi’s. Jojo’s too but it get packed in there a lot
 
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Plum Street

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mildone said:
I didn't pay their tab and wouldn't with anybody in any situation like that. Doing that would be way too possessive and condescending - potentially insulting to them, IMO. I did buy them a round because I like doing that. I'd buy you a round, too.

The woman flirting with me offered (several times) to buy me and my friend drinks or food - again, she was a little drunk. Her daughter was finishing up a lobster and filet entree. I’m guessing they aren’t hurting for money.

We hung out for awhile, had a great time. We exchanged contact info. They didn't leave without saying goodbye. Nice, classy people.

I only brought up sheep a little bit. 🙂
Click to expand...
I was joking… glad you had a good time !

I got sick at a bonefish … twice! And I usually have an iron stomach! So I would only drink there lol
 
CJ1987

CJ1987

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Njbound1 said:
Earlier this year I happened upon Rocky’s Bar and Grill in Rahway. Since I love a bar with games/sports to play, I thought this place was great, not only because of the pool table and two dart boards, but because it seemed like there was always someone ready for a game. Good beer and decent food too.
Click to expand...
If ever there was a dive bar, this is it! I've been going there for years and the locals are a show that must be seen first hand, to believe. This place aspires to be a dive bar, love it!
 
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RUPete

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RUinPinehurst said:
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?
Click to expand...
The Hamill book was very good. I also picked up a book of his essays/columns on one of those clearance tables somewhere and it's good to pick up every now and then to read a few.
 
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runrayrun

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RW90 said:
As far as Branchburg bars go, I'd also add The Royal. It's a small dive bar, but the food and especially the burgers from next door are excellent. Same owners also own Chimney Rock.
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Or, go across the street to "Mexicali Brews". Nice little bar in the basement.
 
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