Summer Shore Series: Happy Hours & Bars (Monmouth County)
Hi everyone! New Jersey Isn’t Boring has a new contributor, Heidi Chaya, who lives near the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County! She has started a “Summer Shore Series” highlighting her favorite places in the Jersey Shore area during the Summer. Here is a list of her favorite happy hours and bar in her area. Enjoy!
The Jersey shore’s bars have great happy hours, perfect for after a day at the beach. Here are my five favorite spots in Monmouth County, chosen for their affordability, menu selection and location.
Favorite Happy Hours on the Shore (Monmouth Country)
Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant
100 Ocean Ave, Long Branch, NJ 07740 (off Cooper Avenue)
Phone: (732) 870-1200
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30 – 9:00, Fri & Sat 11:30-10:00, Sun 10:30-9:00
Happy Hour: M-F 3-6pm. $3 domestic drafts, $4 premium beers, $5 house wines and $7 house-made sangrias. $7 select appetizers and discounted raw bar (clams .75/each and Chesapeake oysters 1.25/ea).
Oceanfront seafood restaurant with an outdoor bar. Something for everyone (from fried calamari to baked artichoke dip in a bread bowl) with a view that can’t be beat.
Johnny Piancone’s
591 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Phone: (732) 229-0300
Hours: Mon-Thurs 2 – 10, Fri-Sat: 12:00 – 11, 12:00 – 11 Sun: 3-9
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 2pm-7pm; Sat 12pm-6pm; Sun 4-7pm. $2.75 Domestic Beers; $3.75 Imported Beers; $5.50 House Wine & House Martinis; $5-$7 Select Apps.
Fine Italian restaurant known for its large-portioned cuisine and cozy setting. Their happy hour menu is a refreshing departure from regular bar food, featuring antipastos, meatballs, artisan cheeses and more. Try the watermelon margarita!
Eventide Grille
1400 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright, NJ 07760
Phone: (732) 530-1414
Hours: Mon 11:30am–1am, Tues 11:30am–1am, Wed 11:30am–1am, Thurs 11:30am–1am, Fri 11:30am–1am, Sat 11:30am–1am Sun 11:30am–1am
Happy Hour: M-F 4-7pm, $2 off all drinks
Formerly the Dockside and restored after Hurricane Sandy. Eventide is located in a marina on the Shrewsbury River—making it great for “boat-watching.” Great place to chat with locals or have some fish and chips—outside!
Casa Comida
336 Branchport Ave, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Phone: (732) 229-7774
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 3-9:30, Fri-Sat: 3-10, Sun: 3-9
Happy Hour: M-F 3-6pm. $2.25 domestic beers, 2.75 imports, 3.50 house margaritas
Rustic Mexican joint with an outdoor seating area beside Branchport Creek. Happy hour features $4 frozen or on-the-rocks martinis and dirt-cheap munchables like breaded mushrooms, tacos and chili. They offer house-made tortilla chips and a buffet in addition to their large regular menu.
The Celtic Cottage Pub
608 2nd Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Phone: (732) 229-2123
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9am-2am and Sun. 12noon-2am (Kitchen Open until 1am)
Happy Hour: 9 am to 6pm every day. $2 Bud/Miller Lite pints, $2.50 select domestics and $3.50 well drinks
Located in trendy West End, the friendly Celtic is built like a traditional Dublin Pub with a fireplace and an outdoor garden patio area. Their round Cottage fries make a tasty accompaniment to their Blarney Burger.
Favorite Bar Food on the Shore (Monmouth Country)
Bar food–It’s not just for boring fried fare anymore. If you’re in Monmouth County and seeking excellent food, fun and scenery to go with your drinks, try these spots.
121 Brighton Ave, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Hours: Mon 8:30pm-2am, Tues 3:30pm-2am, Wed 8:30pm-2am, Thurs-Fri 1pm-2am, Sat 8pm-2am, Sun, 3pm-2am
Bond Street Bar
208 Bond St, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Phone: (732) 774-1575
Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm–2am; Sat & Sun 10am-2am
Relaxed, no-nonsense spot offering reasonably-priced drink and food specials, local craft beers and more. Try their own Espresso Bourbon. The Patty Melt and corn nuggets are also popular favorites.
Johnny Mac’s
208 Main Street, Asbury Park
Phone: (732) 776-6666
Hours: 7 days/week 11am – 2am
Irish pub with large beer selection, skee ball, eclectic décor and events. Any day, if you buy a beer, you get a ticket for a free personal pizza made on the spot. Brunch specials on weekends.
Jack’s Goal Line Stand *recently renovated
149 Brighton Ave, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Phone: (732) 870-8800
Sports bar with a large menu and beer selection, 50+ flatscreen TVs and great happy hour. Particularly beloved for its bar pies, chicken wings and nacho platters. Has something for the whole family with arcade machines, magic shows, music and more.
Tiki Bar, Beachwalk at Sea Bright
344 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright, NJ 07760
Phone:(732) 842-8450
Open 7 days: 8:00am – 10:00pm
Located in a motel, this spot features “dock and dine” for watercraft enthusiasts, with waterfront seating on the Navesink River. Try the softshell crab sandwich special (seasonal).
