Spend a night with friends making your way from one bar to the next bar to the next bar. Plenty of towns throughout the state are just the place for this.
Bar hopping is a perfect way to spend your youngest friend’s 21st birthday or do something more than just sitting at one bar ordering the same drink several times over again.
Explore a local town’s nightlife in a whole new and dynamic way.
To take out the stress of planning, we’ve organized 8 bar hops in various towns with signature drinks that we recommend getting at each one!
Note: Local favorites are marked with a blue star.
This bar crawl in Sea Bright spans a round-trip of about around two miles. But, if you exclude EvenTide and Drifthouse it only spans a little over half a mile. Enjoy ocean or river views as you sip a cocktail or beer by the shore. Not all of these are open year round, so plan accordingly!
The Ocean Ave Bar Crawl
Bar 1: Tommy’s Tavern & Tap
Happy Hour is 3 – 6 p.m. Monday- Friday. During the summer, happy hour lasts until closing time. Gluten-free beers are offered here, too.
Drink Recommendation: Tommy’s Sea Bright Session IPA
Bar 2: DIVE! Coastal Bar & Food Joint
Happy Hour is on weekdays from 4-7 p.m.
Drink Recommendation: The Sea Bright Breeze
Bar 3: Rory’s Pub
Happy Hour is weekdays from 3 – 6:30 p.m. and Sunday-Thursday 9:30 p.m to close. Their Courtyard is dog-friendly!
Drink Recommendation: Guinness Black and Tan
Bar 4: EvenTide Grille
Happy Hour is Monday- Thursday from 3-6 p.m. offering $2 off all drinks each day. The front porch area and back tiki bar area outside both are dog-friendly for your pup. EvenTide usually draws in an older crowd in the bar area.
Drink Recommendation: Tequila Shot
Bar 5: Drifthouse Bar & Grill by David Burke
Happy Hour is weekdays from 4-6 p.m.
Drink Recommendation: Tic Tac Tito
Bar 6: Donovan’s Reef 
Happy Hour is Monday thru Friday 4-6 p.m. Sit inside or at the outside tiki bar. Offering beautiful sunset views over the Shrewsbury River!
Note: Donovan’s is cash only and opens on Memorial Day weekend for the summer months and part of September.
Drink Recommendation: Rum Bucket
Bar 7: Woody’s Ocean Grille Sea Bright
Happy Hour aka “Crush Hour” is Monday-Friday 3-6 p.m.
Drink Recommendation: Woody’s Famous Orange Crush
Red Bank is a popular downtown area with shops, restaurants, and most importantly, bars. Explore nightlife up, down, and around Broad Street. This journey spans around a mile round trip.
Navesink Bar Crawl
Bar 1: 26 West on the Navesink
Happy Hour is Monday thru Friday from 4-6 p.m.
Drink Recommendation: Gin and Tonic with Victoria Pink Gin (ask bartender!)
Bar 2: The Downtown
Happy Hour is from 4-7 p.m. from Saturday to Wednesday and until close on Thursday. On Friday, Happy Hour is 4-7 p.m. downstairs and continues from 7-10 p.m. upstairs.
Note: There is a $5 or $10 cover charge to go upstairs, depending on the band that is playing upstairs.
Drink Recommendation: $4 Jameson Shot (Monday-Thursday)
Bar 3: Red Rock Tap & Grill
Happy Hour is weekdays 4-7 p.m. Red Rock features three levels, including a rooftop level each with a view of the Navesink River.
Drink Recommendation: Narrangansett (16 oz, canned)
Bar 4: The Globe Hotel Co
Happy Hour is Monday-Friday 4-6 p.m. This is a typical sports bar offering pub fare.
Drink Recommendation: Arnold Palmer (for adults) or one of their 30 domestic/foreign brews
Bar 5: Catch 19
Happy Hour is 12-2 p.m., 4-6 p.m., and 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.! Catch 19 offers an extensive drink selection.
Drink Recommendation: Oyster Shooter ($5 on Mondays!) – This is not a beverage but are delicious and they have 5 options with different alcohols and oysters for you to choose from. This makes for a unique and refreshing treat in the middle of your bar crawl.
Bar 6: Char Steakhouse
Happy Hour is 4-6 p.m. Skip the dining area, and head straight to the full-service bar. This is a more upscale restaurant and might turn you down if you show up in ripped jeans or flip flops so keep this in mind if you choose to include it in your crawl.
Drink Recommendation: Shot, any shot
Bar 7: Jamian’s Food and Drink
Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. They offer live local music and entertainment every night for no cover! Open Mic is every Sunday 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. with sign-ups starting at 6.
Drink Recommendation: Carton 077XX
Bar 8: Dublin House
Happy Hour is weekdays 4-6 p.m. at this classic Irish pub.
Drink Recommendation: Half and Half (half Guinness half Harp)
Bar 9: Robinson Ale House
Happy Hours is 4 p.m. – close on Mondays and until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday.
Drink Recommendation: Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita
Make your way straight down the boardwalk for a half-mile and enjoy seven bars! The infamous boardwalk, known for having some of the best food, rides, and clubs, is the perfect place for a crawl once it gets hot out.
NJ’s Most Iconic Boardwalk Bar Crawl
Bar 1: EJ’s Tap House
With a divey atmosphere and tables for ping pong and pool, this is a great first stop for fun and drinks.
Drink Recommendation: $5 Pint (We recommend Kona)
Bar 2: Aztec Ale House
Happy Hour is everyday from 4-8 p.m. The bar is seasonal and closed during the winter and has recently been remodeled! It’s the closest to the beach on the entire boardwalk and regularly has DJ nights and various events.
Drink Recommendation: Rum Bucket
Bar 3: Jimbo’s Bar & Grill
Happy Hour is weekdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with additional drink specials on the weekends and every day of the week!
Drink Recommendation: Cherry Bomb Shot
Bar 4: JR’s Ocean Bar & Grill
Check out different drink specials every night. Fun events for younger crowds such as Beer Pong Tournaments in the summer. Maruca’s Tomato Pies, a pizza legend, is attached to the bar so you can take a taste of their acclaimed tomato pie.
Drink Recommendation: Green Tea Shot
Bar 5: Spicy Bar & Lounge
This is a popular spot for younger crowds later in the night. They are known for having the largest tequila selection at the Jersey Shore and the largest vodka selection in Seaside!
Drink Recommendation: Corona-Rita
Bar 6: Beachcomber Bar & Grill
Live music is played on weekends with no cover charge and with plenty of dancing space to get your groove on.
Drink Recommendation: $1.50 Bud and Bud Light Drafts (all day, everyday)
Bar 7: The Sand Bar
The Sand Bar is technically in Seaside Park but only a short walk from Beachcomber. End the crawl with a relaxing frozen drink, their specialty, right by the beach.
Drink Recommendation: Any of the $5 Frozen Drinks
New Brunswick bars are popping with Rutgers students, especially throughout the school year. Most, if not all, of these have younger crowds in their early 20’s. This bar hop was created by Rutgers graduate and Monmouth County local, Thomas DeMarco as a graduation bar crawl for him and his friends.
Funky T’s Bar Crawl
Bar 1: Kelly’s Korner
For a dive bar atmosphere in New Brunswick, Kelly’s is the top pick. It’s quieter than the other bars around town and has a dart board and juke box. If you’re hungry, they often offer $1.50 burgers.
Drink Recommendation: Jaagerbomb
Bar 2: Olive Branch Bar & Restaurant
Happy Hour is weekdays 3-8 p.m. Some of the best food and drink happy hour specials around! Get a 50 cent pizza slice with a $1.50 pint of Coors. This is a more relaxed sports bar compared to the others around New Brunswick. Check out their Trivia Nights.
Drink Recommendation: Coors Light Pint
Bar 3: Stuff Yer Face
Stuff Yer Face is famous for two things: Strombolis and fishbowls. The atmosphere allows you to uphold a conversation while enjoying a drink with a few friends. They have outdoor seating where you can take in a beautiful day, too.
Drink Recommendation: Fishbowl, specifically Blue Bang
Bar 4: Evelyn’s
Full bar and outdoor patio where you can enjoy your drinks!
Drink Recommendation: Mango Mojito
Bar 5: Barca City
Happy Hour times vary for each day. Barca is a Spanish themed cafe and bar with a number of beers, wines, and cocktails.
Drink Recommendation: The Seasonal Draught Beer
Bar 6: Corner Tavern
This is a less popular and less crowded bar in New Brunswick. Come by after 9 p.m. to take advantage of various drink promotions.
Note: This establishment is cash only!
Drink Recommendation: Kamikaze Shot
Bar 7: Golden Rail Pub
Don’t miss out on karaoke nights.
Drink Recommendation: Spin the Wheel – whatever you land on, you drink!
Bar 8: Olde Queens Tavern
Happy Hour is 4-8 p.m. all week except Saturday nights. They even offer a free grilled cheese on Thursday and Friday nights! Queens is great for a lively night dancing and meeting people.
Drink Recommendation: Vodka Red Bull
Bar 9: Scarlet Pub
Take in the college dive bar ambiance with a few drinks in hand. Receive free drinks if you win their WCW competition through Instagram!
Drink Recommendation: BJ Shot
Bar 10: Huey’s Knight Club
This is a hot spot for drinks and dancing! They have different specials for drinks everyday of the week. Check out their game day specials.
Drink Recommendation: $5 Beer+Shot
Hoboken is a hot spot for nightlife and right across the river from the Big Apple. There are tens of bars to explore and we’ve arranged a crawl that can give you the most. With almost 20 bars, we recommend skipping some if you want to make it all the way around.
The “You Might Not Make It To The End” Crawl
Bar 1: Madd Hatter
Happy Hour is 4-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and until 8 p.m. on Friday. This will be the first of many sports bars on your trip. It has a late night menu served until 1:00 a.m. and enforces a casual-neat dress code after 9 p.m.
Drink Recommendation: Shock Top Personal Pitcher (36 oz)
Bar 2: Tally-Ho
Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. every Friday. This is a great bar for dancing with DJ’s who play everything from reggae to late 90’s and pop. Also featuring a beer pong table with tournaments every month!
Drink Recommendation: Shot of Jack
Bar 3: Black Bear Bar & Grill
Happy Hour is 4-8 p.m. on weekdays. Daily there is an assortment of drink specials on hard liquor drinks and beers and wines!
Drink Recommendation: Bomb Shot
Bar 4: Wicked Wolf Tavern
Happy Hour is 4-7 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
The bar offers beautiful city views over the Hudson. Come on a Wednesday for Trivia Night and play with your friends to win.
Drink Recommendation: $15 Beer Tower with Blue Moon (for a group)
Bar 5: The Dubliner
The Dubliner has 3 floors, 2 DJ’s, and a heated rooftop bar, making it the largest in Hoboken.
Drink Recommendation: Spicekey
Bar 6: Birch Hoboken
A brunch spot turned bar/nightclub at night. Great for dancing with friends or hanging out by the bar. If you want to go for the nightclub, try to put your name down for the VIP list to avoid paying the cover charge.
Drink Recommendation: Alcohol Infused Gelato: Rose, Sangria or Mimosa at the bar or Vodka Soda at the nightclub.
Bar 7: Mike’s Wild Moose Saloon
A country venue for those who are looking for something All-American and filled with country music and rock n’ roll.
Drink Recommendation: Bud Light Bottle
Bar 8: Cadillac Cantina
Happy Hour is Monday-Friday 4-8 p.m. If you’re really looking for something different, get a Mezcal shot with an agave worm inside. Luckily, this is bar #8 so you’ll already have some drinks in you when you’re ready to face a worm shot.
Drink Recommendation: Cadillac Signature Margarita
Bar 9: Texas Arizona
Happy Hour is Monday-Friday 12-1 p.m. A popular Steelers bar.
Drink Recommendation: Colt 45
Bar 10: Hotel Victor Bar & Grill
Happy Hour 11 a.m. til close on most days. Less crowded than its neighboring bars and with a cozier atmosphere.
Drink Recommendation: Seasonal Old Fashion
Bar 11: Green Rock Tap & Grill
Happy Hour is usually 5 p.m. – 2 a.m. Check out their website for specific specials for each day.
Drink Recommendation: Seasonal Ale
Bar 12: Wilton House
Great spot for cheap drinks! Older crowds typically occupy the place in the early evening.
Drink Recommendation: Shots, shots, shots!
Bar 13: Mulligan’s Pub
A sports bar that’s great for soccer games and Eagles fans. Has a relaxed environment and pool table!
Drink Recommendation: Pint of Guinness
Bar 14: Marty O’Brien’s Social Club
Drink specials vary throughout the week. Thursday night is Trivia Night!
Drink Recommendation: Brooklyn Lager
Bar 15: McSwiggan’s
Happy Hour starts at 4 p.m. and lasts until 8, 9, or 10 p.m. If you plan your crawl with McSwiggans, they’ll offer you specials including $3 Coors Light and Bud Light Drafts and $2 Shooters. Join their darts, softball, or pool leagues.
Drink Recommendation: Phoenix Shots
Bar 16: The Shannon
The Shannon usually draws a younger crowd due its fun and active environment. Visit the back room to play games such as beer pong, darts, Jenga, and more! There is also a DJ and a dance floor in the back to enjoy!
Drink Recommendation: Uncle Mike’s Pickleback
Bar 17: Mills Tavern
Mills is similar to Black Bear but features a more rustic environment. A variety of drink and food specials throughout the week!
Drink Recommendation: Bulleit & Ginger
Bar 18: Brass Rail
Brass Rail features a premium bar and an interesting variety of drinks and cocktails. This is a hot spot for meals and drinks in Hoboken.
Drink Recommendation: Pimm’s No. 1 Punch
Stone Harbor is located on the Seven Mile Island, North of the Wildwoods. Enjoy this crawl where you will smell the ocean and feel its breeze every step of the way.
The Island Bar Crawl
Bar 1: Stone Harbor Pizza Pub
Happy Hour is Pizza+Beer and is everyday from 4-6 p.m. The special is 2 slices of plain or one-topping with with a domestic draft beer for $8.
Drink Recommendation: Skip the pizza, get a Beer Flight (4 beers on tap)
Bar 2: Bucket’s Margarita Bar & Cantina
Happy Hour is everyday 2-5 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 11 p.m.- 1 a.m. Live music plays every night from 8-11 p.m. Outdoor seating with Mexican food and bay views!
Drink Recommendation: Margarita (get a grande and share with the group!)
Bar 3: Harbor Burger Bar
Happy Hour is weekdays from 3-5 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. The setting of this joint is inside the lobby of a movie theater, giving it a unique atmosphere. Great beers on tap and spiked shakes for a sweet treat!
Drink Recommendation: Fireball Shot
Bar 4: Water Star Grille At The Reeds
Happy Hour is Monday-Thursday 3-6 p.m. A great place to watch the sunset over the bay! Slightly more upscale and expensive.
Drink Recommendation: A domestic draft beer
Bar 5: The Watering Hull
Happy Hour is 4-6 p.m. everyday. Live music is featured on Friday and Saturday nights!
Drink Recommendation: Strawberry Jalapeno Margarita
Bar 6: Stone Harbor Bar & Grill
Happy Hour is weekdays 3-6 p.m. A great selection of beers on tap!
Drink Recommendation: Slack Tide Angry Osprey IPA
This crawl goes straight down South Street where you will pass a number of other restaurants and shops. This is great for beer-lovers, too! Many of these restaurants feature craft beers on tap on rotation, so we recommend getting flights from each one so you ends up trying up to 12 craft beers in this crawl!
South Street Swigs
Bar 1: The Famished Frog
Themed nights and specials every night including dance party and corn hole night. A contemporary cafe with inventive cocktails and beers on tap with rotating specials. Free popcorn, too!
Drink Recommendation: Dr. Pepper Bomb
Bar 2: HOPS Craft Bar
“Hoppy” Hour is Monday thru Friday 5-7 p.m. featuring $4 pints. Tucked inside the Famished Frog.
Drink Recommendation: Beer Flight (4)
Bar 3: Roots Steakhouse
This is a slightly more upscale place and ambiance.
Drink Recommendation: Tequila Shot and go!
Bar 4: Office Tavern Grill
Happy Hour is Monday-Friday 4-7 p.m.
Craft beer on rotation and a number of specialty cocktails!
Drink Recommendation: Beer Flight (4)
Bar 5: Iron Bar
Happy Hour is 3-8 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and lasts til 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Sundays it’s all day and night! Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights are the party nights with 2 levels, 3 rooms, 2 DJ’s, and one huge party! This is a more lively bar with a nightclub and plenty of college-aged crowds. For the evening bar and club, dress code is casual neat.
Drink Recommendation: Vodka Soda
Bar 6: Revolution, A Social Brew House
Happy Hour is weekdays from 3-5 p.m. and “Tappy Hour” continues from 5-7 p.m. Offering a variety of trendy craft brews that change daily.
Drink Recommendation: Beer Flight (4)
Bar 7: The Laundromat
This is a speakeasy that is 23 and older hidden in the basement of the building. It is only open Wednesday – Saturday. Live music every night!
Drink Recommendation: Ask for their homemade seasonal cocktail
Bar 8: Tashmoo Restaurant & Bar
Happy Hour is 3:30-6:30 p.m. on weekdays. They have regular and rotating drafts as well as seasonal cocktails.
Drink Recommendation: Homemade Pineapple-Infused Vodka On The Rocks
Bar 9: Dublin Pub
Enjoy drinks on “The Terrace” or “Na Lochtan” for an outdoor drinking experience.
Drink Recommendation: Guinness Pint
Make your way up, down, and around downtown Princeton. Right near Princeton University, you will find flags, alumni photos, Tigers apparel, and students themselves at these local bars. For a late night treat, stop by Hoagie Haven, a local favorite.
Tigers Crawl
Bar 1: Mistral
Happy Hour is Monday-Friday 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Sunday 12-6 p.m. An innovative cocktail menu and refreshing outdoor patio.
Drink Recommendation: Singapore Sling
Bar 2: Witherspoon Grill
Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. Jazz Night is every Tuesday 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Drink Recommendation: Kentucky Old Fashion
Bar 3: Triumph Brewing Company
Every Friday and Saturday nights they have live music starting at 10 p.m. Also featuring seasonal and draft beers in rotation!
Drink Recommendation: Amber Ale
Bar 4: Agricola Eatery
Happy Hour is 2:30-6 p.m. on Monday-Friday. The food menu here is farm to table and uses fresh in-season ingredients.
Drink Recommendation: Agricola Daily Specialty Cocktail
Bar 5: Winberie’s Restaurant and Bar
Happy Hour is weekdays 4-7 p.m. and Monday-Thursday 10 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Dynamic 23 taps that are always changing and alternating between craft beers.
Drink Recommendation: A sampler of tonight’s beer selection
Bar 6: Yankee Doodle Tap Room
Happy Hour is Monday thru Friday 4-7 p.m. This tap room is part of Nassau Inn and includes a beautiful patio overlooking Palmer Square.
Drink Recommendation: Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Tropical IPA
Bar 7: Mediterra Restaurant and Bar
Happy Hour is Monday thru Friday 4-6:30 p.m.
Drink Recommendation: Tequila On The Rocks
Bar 8: Alchemist & Barrister
Happy Hour is 4-7 p.m. on Monday thru Friday. Featuring 70 beers on tap and 40 in rotation!
Drink Recommendation: Moscow Mule
Organize your own crawl or join in on one that’s already planned! Companies such as PubCrawls.com, UCrawl, Elite Bar Crawls, and Bar Crawls offer organized and themed crawls or give you the chance to make your own. There are also websites that focus on specific themes such as 90’s music and Scavenger Hunts
Stay safe while drinking. Make sure you have a designated driver or be prepared to order a taxi.
Bar employees and nearby cops are always around to help with ordering a taxi and getting you where you need to be so don’t hesitate to ask.
If you are too intoxicated, bars will escort you out so drink at your own pace.
Are we missing any? Let us know!
Tell us your go-to bar hop with your itinerary and recommendations and we’ll include it and give you credit!