Dive Bars & Drinking Saloons of Central Jersey:
Taverns where drinking takes precedence over food, if there even is any. Some are nice places with clean bathrooms while others have questionable sanitation. Quite a few are known for their food on a limited menu with tiny kitchens. All of them function as working class watering holes during the day while some have a younger crowd at night.
Liquor store bars make up a good deal of the list as they seem to have become the workhorse of the modern dive bar. There are quite a few I know only by reputation and bar stories. Let me know what I've missed or if you have some salient detail to add to yer favorite liquor fountain. Regardless, please don't write and tell me that your establishment is not a dive bar. If you let me drink there then...
“I'd never belong to any club that would have me for a member.” ~ Groucho Marx
Ace's Liquors & Bar (Sayreville)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Ader's (Union Beach)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Good food, try the stuffed pepper soup if Allen felt like making it. I'm told his name isn't Allen but that what I've always called him. There are rumors he retired, he was a good cook.
Airport Bar & Liquors (Hazlet)
Strip mall bar, popular with folks who like to do their laundry next door and wait for their doctors' appointments or grumble about the DMV. There is no airport, well not for 50 years now. Historic photos in the Perkins next door.
Ale House Tavern & Tap (South Amboy)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Ale ’N Wich (New Brunswick)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Foosball hustlers will work you for drinks. This is the last of the bars I remember from the 90's. DevCo demolished the rest to build parking decks. #5 on NJ.com's Best Dive Bars list.
Al's Airport Inn (Ewing)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. This bar is #9 on NJ.com's Best Dive Bars list.
Andy's Shore Bar aka No Name Bar (Highlands)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Missing a sign for many years til recently. The CD jukebox features rock from the 60's and 70's. I hate MP3 jukeboxes. Some sort of limited liquor store in front area. One time my friends thought I was walking into someone's house because there was no sign out front.
Antini's Bar & Liquor (Old Bridge)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Applejacks II (Keansburg)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Renovated before and after every hurricane. Decent food but a rough crowd. Watch yourself in the parking lot. Evidence of Billiards.
Bacchstadt's (East Keansburg)
Closed while the owner wrangles with some estate issues, allegedly. Shuffleboard and a phone booth in a place where time stood still. Oh, I may have been thrown out of here once before. Another landmark, soon to become condos.
Baker's American Bar & Grille (Monroe)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Bill's Olde Tavern (Mercerville)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Black Betty Saloon (South Amboy)
I know what yer gonna say, this is a GO-GO bar and not a dive bar. They're all a lil dive-y but I felt ill at ease here, not for the faint of heart.
Bliz's Tavern (Hamilton)
Yelpers say “Cheap drinks, interesting locals, and you are almost guaranteed to see a fight.” Well, I'm sold.
Bond Street Bar (Asbury Park)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. No sign jus a picture of an eyeball. Sierra Nevada always on tap, none of the taps change. The music sounds like my iPod, 80's and 90's punk rock. Decent food from a simple menu. Look for the secret exit, it's not really an exit tho. Definitely deserves it's position as #2 on NJ.com's Best Dive Bars list.
Brass Monkey (Sayreville)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Good food and bartender double times as the cook. I'm told the owner's wife will cook, tend bar and play pool at the same time. Bartenders seem to do all of this effortlessly. Good burgers and a 53 ounce ribeye, do you need to know more? Evidence of Billiards.
Broadway Bar (Trenton)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Buzz Bar & Grill (Trenton)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Cassville Tavern Bar (Jackson)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Celtic Cottage Pub (Long Branch)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
The Court Jester (Freehold)
Favorite watering hole of lawyers and unlucky jurors. Original location, open since 1977 in the 149 year old Stewart Brown building.
The Court Jester (Aberdeen)
Satellite location opened in 1995, in a strip mall. I'm told some people come here for the salad bar. Quite a bit more elbow room than Freehold.
Covello Liquor & Bar (South Amboy)
I've not yet been throw out of here. Newly renovated with outdoor seating for the smokers.
Crestwood Bar & Food Store (South River)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time) Does this place even have a bar?
Dock's Corner Tavern (Monroe)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. This bar is proudly #14 on NJ.com's Best Dive Bars list. I really like this place, wish it was closer to home. We used to find it by the giant satellite dish they had outside. I once tried to kiss a girl who worked here. She was so horrifed she ran into the street. Good times.
Dory's Diamond Bar (Trenton)
This is an interesting part of town. Yelpers say “The worst place in Trenton...” and “High crime area”. Who wants to let me know?
Double Dyme Tavern (South Amboy)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Dowling's (Union Beach)
Imperial pints of Guinness with an engaging staff. They have trivia and bingo nights every week. Odd décor, someone thought it was a good idea to nail pallets to the ceiling?
Driftwood Liquors & Bar (Highlands)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Should be the called the Highlands town center, everyone goes here eventually. Luncheonette on the side that always seems to change hands.
Firkin Tavern (Ewing)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Flat Iron Tavern (Perth Amboy)
My favorite bar in this part of the Amboys. They used to play a movie every day at lunch. We tested our foreman's patience one afternoon, when they played the Godfather. Short day, long lunch.
Franklin Corner Tavern aka The Bottom Half (Lawrenceville)
You feel a bit like you're drinking in someone's basement and that's because you are. There are fake windows to simulate light and ventilation. Jon Stewart used to frequent this bar a lot in the 90's. He grew up in Lawrenceville.
Game Time Bar and Grill (Freehold)
This horrible place is located inside iPlayAmerica. If McDonald's opened a bar it would be like this, a hollow corporate shell with zero personality. Send your enemies here.
Garden Bar Liquors aka Sprengels (Neptune)
I'm not sure which one is the bar and which one is the liquor store, maybe both? I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Garden State Bar (Milltown)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Gateway Liquors & Bar (Atlantic Highlands)
The sunken bar makes you feel tall. They used to keep snacks fresh in mason jars but that was before Covid, not sure now. Karaoke on Saturdays. The one cashier should start a Ramones cover band and no I don't think that's an insult.
George C.'s Tavern (Trenton)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
General Saloon (Old Bridge)
Wide open space with a long copper clad bar. Looks like an old hitching post saloon with rusty tractors and wooden wagons outside, where your children can get splinters and tetanus. Decent thin crust, bar pizza but bathrooms are ice cold. I do like this place despite the children present. Sometimes yer drink will jump when you lean on the counter. Bring your own nails or secure your beverage.
G.T. 502 Bar & Lounge (Trenton)
This is an interesting part of town. (No Info at this time)
Hidden Lake Liquors and Bar (Somerset)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
The Hub Liquors and Bar (New Brunswick)
I've not yet been throw out of here but I've heard good things. (No Info at this time)
Ivy League Bar (Howell)
I've not yet been throw out of here but I've heard good things. (No Info at this time)
Johnny Mac House of Spirits (Asbury Park)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Free pizza and skeeball, what more do you need to know? Always say yes to pizza tix and give them to one of the poor students drinking Pabst on your way out.
JFJ Liquor & Bar (Matawan)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
J R's Pub (Fords)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Junction Liquors & Bar (Middletown)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. They have Summer BBQ deals out back. Limited food in Winter. Tent for smokers.
Keelen's (Keansburg)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Imperial pints of Guinness and 40 beers on tap that no one seems to drink. MP3 jukebox always seems to be playing Metal. Evidence of Billiards.
Kelly's Korner (New Brunswick)
Another great bar permanently closed. One of the few working class bars not over run by students. They made good hamburgers but I don't think anything else, even tho I've seen pictures to the contrary.
Kennedy's Bar (Trenton)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Lagoda's Saloon (South Amboy)
Last Call Bar (Sayreville)
Well worn bar top and stools. Formally known as Clarkies or Big Shots. Originally served as both a hotel and the local post office. Cash and carry, no tabs, no cards. I'm not sure why they have a POS system, no one seems to use it? DeWalt job box radio used to sidestep the MP3 jukebox. Microwave and popcorn available. Sadly, no hard boiled eggs. Second register to the side for lottery and other sundries.
Evidence of billiards and Widdy darts. Evidence of gambling. They have mugs and pints along with plastic shot glasses. Outside pen for smokers. Package goods available and ample parking. All the cool kids use the back entrance. Opens at 11AM on weekends for the hungover. Watching a hyped up guy, frantically work through his scratchers at the bar gave me a real Tree's Lounge vibe.
Dive Bar Trifecta: Gambling, well worn bar top and abandoned kitchen.
Liberty Tavern (Fords)
I've not yet been throw out of here but I've heard good things. (No Info at this time)
Locals Only Bar formerly Olde York Inn (Manalapan)
Cavernous bar on the corner of an odd strip mall. Opens at 3 but if you catch the bartender they'll open sooner. 12 taps mostly macro beers with 3 micro selections. Drip tray is piped directly into drain. Why doesn't every bar do this? Black Terazzo top with a tile foot rail. Wooden backed stools. Smoking pen out front with cushioned patio couch.
Small food menu known for Russian dumplings and homemade burgers. Two pool tables and two English dart boards. Mp3 juke box, ATM and Quick Pik machine. Michelob Ultra bottles are 5 except $4.25 during happy hours.
Mainbrook Tavern (Manalapan)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Main Street Bar & Grill (Ocean)
(Defunct). Another victim of Covid.
Main Tavern (Woodbridge)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Marina Bar (Keansburg)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Sometimes the kitchen is open. Quiet bar, everyone seems to mind themselves. Parking lot is patrolled by a family of stray cats who live in crawl space.
Cigarette machine for convenient cancer. MP3 jukebox. Well worn bartop and stools. Outside pen for smokers. Two pool tables. No online presence.
On a warm day, you might meet Cigarette Man. He likes to collect your stubbs and make his own special blend. I'm not kidding.
Dive Bar Trifecta: Resident bar pets, cigarette machine and abandoned kitchen.
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Marissa  |
Marty's Place-Bar & Grill (Trenton)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
McGuinn's Place (Lawrenceville)
A local college hang out but mostly blue collar during the day. Now they have bands and an outside deck area. This place gets nicer each time it catches fire. Three times renovated, allegedly.
McManimon's Pub (Trenton)
I've not yet been throw out of here but I've heard good things. (No Info at this time)
Middlebrook Bar & Spirits (Ocean)
Google says “Located in: Kohl's” That's probably a mistake. I've been told it's a lil “ghetto” by a friend. That just makes it sound all the more appealing. Closed during Covid.
Mikey's Bar and Grill (Trenton)
This is an interesting part of town. (No Info at this time)
Mill Hill Saloon (Trenton)
I've not yet been throw out of here but I've heard good things. This bar #31 on NJ.com's list of best dive bars. I'm not sure if that means it's the best or the worst?
Moby Dick's Restaurant Lounge (Seawaren)
It's much bigger on the inside than it looks from outside, kinda like clown car. Still, it fills up quickly with pipefitters from the refinery and fishermen from the boat launch. Outside pen for the filthy smokers.
Mulligan's Bar & Restaurant (Farmingdale)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Really good food, gets quite crowded with families at night. Known for pizza and corned beef platters. Up the road a piece from Tom's Tavern.
Munk-Ee Bar (South Amboy)
Friendly bar known for their food a bit more than their drinks.
Murphy's (Rumson)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Once was a speakeasy during prohibition, allegedly. This bar is #9 on NJ.com's Best Dive Bars list. A dive in Rumson? C'mon, this place is quite nice and well run. The tiny bar can be difficult to find on a residential side street. Shuffleboard and a quiet crowd.
Murphy's Bar (Long Branch)
I've not yet been throw out of here but I've heard good things. (No Info at this time)
M & M Bar & Liquor Store (Trenton)
This is an interesting part of town. (No Info at this time)
Nic’s Hometown Tavern aka the Hiawatha (Hazlet)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Hiawatha moved from Hwy 35 to Hwy 36 then it changed hands a few times. Currently home to Hey Burger, a piggyback franchise. No more Billiards.
Nip n Tuck Bar & Package Goods (Long Branch)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Old Bridge Bar & Liquors (South Amboy)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Olde Liberty Tavern aka Gersh's Place (Trenton)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. St patrick's Day parade would start here, well for me it would start here. Completely renovated now, looks nice. I once fought two marauding females who tried to take over the men's room one St. Patrick's Day. Evidence of Billiards.
Otto's Tavern (Ocean)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Olde Village Pub (Middletown)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. The prime rib special (Thursday?) is a good deal but it sells out early. There must be some way to reserve a meal for regulars, I've noticed. All the cool kids use the back entrance.
Olde Silver Tavern (Middletown)
Parkside Tavern aka Sloppys (Jamesburg)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. This place was great but but closed for good in 2019 after 80 years of service. They had great food specials in the back and a small bar in the front. Owners did not enjoy being called Mr and Mrs Sloppy.
Pat's Pub Inc (Sayreville)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Patrick's Pub (New Brunswick)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Peter's Place (Trenton)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Pleasure Bay Liquors and Bar (Long Branch)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Poole Avenue Liquors & Bar (Hazlet)
I may have been thrown out of here once before.
Portside Bar & Liquors (Port Monmouth)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Located just off the Henry Hudson trail, you can ride your bike here. They bake their own roast beef fresh, every week. Half priced burgers on Monday. The food is better than most of the restaurants in the area. The bar is filled with fisherman who hate fish.
Rittmans Bar & Liquor (Trenton)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Premiere location for the St. Patrick's Day parade. I used to enjoy making rum & cokes outside on the window ledge, in front of the bartender. He would shake his fist at me but I don't think he meant it. Evidence of Billiards.
The Rock aka Blue Rock (Keyport)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Owner will often fill jukebox with crooners in the morning to the dismay of some early patrons. During Hurricane Sandy, a boat landed right in the middle of bar, requiring extensive renovations. Outside bar on deck. Evidence of Billiards.
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Sammy D's Bar, Wine & Spirits (Old Bridge)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Sean's Pub N' Grub (Parlin)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Scenic Liquors & Bar (Atlantic Highlands)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Tiny, sunken bar with friendly bartender owner. Soon to be demolished for condos I am told, allegedly.
Smith's Liquor Shop & Bar aka Smitty's (Keyport)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
South River Pub (South River)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
South Stevens Pub (South Amboy)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Sportsmen's Pub (Trenton)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Suburban Bar & Liquors (Long Branch)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Tap And Growler Bar & Grill (Sayreville)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Tara's Tavern (North Hanover)
I've not yet been throw out of here but I'v heard good things. (No Info at this time)
Tavern On The Lake aka The Court Jester (Hightstown)
No longer part of the Court Jester empire, there is still two left in Freehold and Aberdeen. I'm not sure when it changed hands.
Teddy's Bar (South Amboy)
I've not yet been throw out of here but I'v heard good things. (No Info at this time) Evidence of Billiards.
Tir na nOg aka Over Billy's (Trenton)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. If yer here when they play the Irish national anthem, you best stand up. I had an Italian friend who had an unpleasant experience when he initially refused to stand. There's a jar that says Northern Aid Fund on the bar and a picture of Bobby Sands on the wall. One of the crazier places I've drank.
Tom's Tavern (Farmingdale)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Townsquare Liquor & Bar (Matawan)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Odd hours (2PM to 9PM) but go here for the bargain priced Long Island Iced Teas. Beer tastes fine but they always seem to have problems with the odd tap system they use. All liquor is fed through a digital reader that rings the register automatically. Evidence of Billiards.
Union Plaza Liquors aka Frank's Bar (Hazlet)
Allegedly part of the Ader's-Portside consortium. No food but a friendly crowd.
Up The Creek Tavern (Keyport)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. Completely renovated after Hurricane Sandy. Raised 15 feet with a great view of the harbor. People used to leave the bar at high tide, only to find their car surrounded by water as parking lot used to flood. Outside bar on deck. Evidence of Billiards.
Whiskey Tango Bar & Liquors (Fords)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
Woody's Roadside Tavern (Farmingdale)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time)
The 404 Bar (Sayreville)
I've not yet been throw out of here. (No Info at this time) Evidence of Billiards.
33's Tavern (South River)
I may have been thrown out of here once before. I drank here every week day for a month. I still have a drink chip, wonder if they'll honor it? Evidence of Billiards.
Resources:
https://talesofthecocktail.org/culture/10-ways-you-know-youre-legit-dive/
