Let’s face it. The work week is long (really who thought of a five day work week versus a two day weekend!), which is exactly why we all need a little happy in our life, especially in the middle of the week. Enter our compilation of some of our favorite central Jersey happy hours.
We’ve gathered the ultimate local’s guide to central Jersey happy hours from our own experience (that was fun) and insider information from our readers. These happy hours are much more than just drink specials. We’re talking about can’t beat’em deals on food (even oysters) to craft beers and fancy cocktails.
So, don’t leave your happy for the weekend. Instead, take advantage of these deals and steals at some of the garden state’s most prized restaurants, long standing pubs, and just plain old fun bars to make any day of the week, the best day of the week. (For more happy hours throughout the state, check out our local’s guide to Jersey Shore happy hours in Monmouth and Ocean Counties!)
A Local’s Guide to Central Jersey Happy Hours
618 Restaurant, Freehold
From Tuesday through Sunday, you can experience happy hour at its finest. Enjoy $3 house wines, $4 well drinks, and $5 Cosmos and Margaritas all day from Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30-6pm Friday and Saturday and 4-9pm on Sunday. Pair them with appetizers ranging from Granny’s Meatballs for $3 to Cajun Shrimp and Grits for $5. 618 Park Avenue, Freehold 732-577-0001 618nj.com/
Ale N’Wich Pub, New Brunswick
Pick a day, any day at Ale N’Wich Pub and you’ll score some happy hour treats that last till the clock on the wall reads 2am. From $2.50 Kamikaze shots on Friday and Saturday evenings to $7 Wich Ale pitchers on Wednesday nights, it’s not shocking that they’ve been making people smile (especially college students) for the past 40 years. Did we mention there’s free pool too? 426 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick 732-745-9496 www.alenwich.com/
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten, Asbury Park
If you’re a fan of beer, most likely you’ve visited this popular Asbury establishment for their larger than your head glasses of beer. If you’re an industry insider (read anyone in the service industry), head there on Monday nights for half off… wait for it… everything! 527 Lake Avenue, Asbury Park 732-997-8767 asburybiergarten.com
Cafe Luna, Old Bridge Twp.
This upscale restaurant located in a strip mall (don’t let that fool you) has one of the best happy hours around with food and drink specials from 4-7pm. You’ll enjoy $5 martinis, $4 glasses of wine, $3 beers, and $5 appetizers. Once you go, you’re guaranteed to become a regular. 3679 U.S. 9, Old Bridge 732-965-5490 cafelunanj.com/
Clydz, New Brunswick
Look like you know what you’re doing when you head underground at Clydz. Snack on $6 happy hour bites including Duck Confit Deviled Eggs and Rabbit Confit Arancini while you choose what to drink from over 50 cocktails that are just $7.50. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 4-7pm at the bar only. Go ahead, indulge! 55 Paterson Street, New Brunswick 732-846-6521 clydz.com
Due Mari, New Brunswick
You know Happy Hour is going to be good when their motto is “Why limit happy to an hour. Stop by any day after work, Monday through Friday from 4-7pm for specials on cocktails, wine, and $8 half portion of their insanely delicious housemade pasta dishes. That’s reason enough for us. 78 Albany Street, New Brunswick 732-296-1600 duemarinj.com
Federici’s, Freehold
Also known as “Fed’s Hour,” come by the bar Thursday through Saturday from 9-11pm for a long list of appetizers that are only $6 and under. Your late night munchies include Mozzarella Sticks, an Individual Pizza, and Stuffed Mushrooms with crabmeat. It’s your last stop before you go home or a pit stop for you night owls. 14 E Main Street, Freehold 732-462-1312 www.federicis.com/
The Frog and The Peach, New Brunswick
Up your happy hour game at The Frog and The Peach all work week long and on Sundays from 4-6:30pm. As you choose a glass of wine from their extensive collection, you’ll enjoy half off all bar food. Try the Half Shell Fishers Island Oysters, Black Truffle Ricotta Gnocchi, and you can never go wrong with the Carolina Shrimp Po’Boy! 29 Dennis street, New Brunswick 732-846-3216 www.frogandpeach.com/
Gusto Grill, East Brunswick
Take a seat at the bar at Gusto Grill and be prepared to enjoy one of the happiest hours in Central Jersey. Available every day of the week including all day on Thursday and Sunday, the crew at Gusto is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, even after the day you had. 1050 NJ-18, East Brunswick 732-651-2737 www.gustogrill.com
Hailey’s Harp & Pub, Metuchen
Half price appetizers and $1 off drinks, Monday through Thursday from 3-6pm. Because the Irish know that you always need some good pub grub to go with that tall pint. 400 Main Street, Metuchen 732-321-0777 haileysharpandpub.com
INC American Bar, New Brunswick
Standing for “Ingredients N Craft,” you know you’re in for a treat with one look at INC American Bar’s menu. Lucky for you, you can enjoy it some of their most craveable bites starting from just $6. Add on Chef Ryan’s infamous Picklebacks for $5 and you may feel like you’re just one of the regulars. Monday through Friday, 4-7pm. 302 George Street, New Brunswick 732-640-0553 increstaurant.com/
Metuchen Inn, Metuchen
If history is your thing, then the happy hour at Metuchen Inn is the place for you. Set in a building dating back to 1843, you can get your happy on (in your happy place) with an amped up bar menu that includes Black Angus Bacon cheddar Sliders and Sliced Seared Tuna with Uba Noodles, both for just $6. Drink specials include $3 domestic beers, $5 wines by the glass and well drinks. Their bar is calling your name Monday through Friday from 4-7pm. 424 Middlesex Avenue, Metuchen 732-494-6444 metucheninn.net
Mistral Bar, Princeton
The happy hour at Mistral Bar may be the best kept secret in Princeton with a full menu of $10 classic cocktails, $7 wines by the glass, $5 draft beers, and a different food special every night of the week. It’s a chance for you to sit back, sip on your Brown Derby while snacking on beignets and dirty arancini. Oh you’re sophisticated now. 66 Witherspon Street, Princeton 609-688-8808 www.mistralprinceton.com/happy-hour
MJ’s Restaurant, Matawan
There’s always something going on at MJ’s in Matawan. We’re kind of obsessed with Tequila and Taco Tuesdays where you can eat trio of tacos for under $10 while sipping on a cold Corona. If tacos aren’t for you, there’s always burger night on Thursdays, Sangria Saturdays, Bird is the Word Wednesdays, and Pizza and Pint Mondays. 845 Route 34, Matawan 732-566-6220 mjsrestaurant.com
Nugent’s Tavern, Elizabeth
The original owner of Nugent’s Tavern started offering workers a hot meal for just 50 cents in the 30s. With the repeal of Prohibition, Nugent’s Tavern quickly became the favorite neighborhood tavern. Today, it still is, happy hour or not. With a large selection of whiskeys, draft beer, and all your favorite pub grub material, happy hour at Nugent’s Tavern is a nod to the past. 844 Newark Avenue, Elizabeth 908-282-1914 nugentstavern.com
Old Bay Restaurant, New Brunswick
If you love New Orleans (whether it’s the drinking or the food), you’ll love Old Bay Restaurant. A hot spot for college students over the weekend, with live bands and DJ’s, Old Bay also is big on bringing in the 9-5 worker with their Happy Daze Happy Hour on Monday where you can kick back from opening to close and enjoy 25% off drinks, appetizers, snacks, and sandwiches. 61 Church Street, New Brunswick 732-246-3111 Oldbayrest.com/
Paragon Tap & Table, Clark
Head to this Central Jersey Happy Hour for a real treat from Chef Eric LeVine. Enjoy specials on award winning, gastro pub cuisine including $6 appetizers, and $4 select craft beers (they always have 20 artisan beers on tap) With five large screen TVs, this could be your new hang out. Monday through Friday, 4-7pm. 77 Central Avenue, Clark 732-931-1776 www.paragonnj.com/
16 Prospect Wine Bar, Westfield
Looking for live music with your happy hour? Look no further than 16 Prospect Wine Bar. In addition to local artists playing their heart and soul out, you’ll enjoy a ridiculous selection of wine (it is a wine bar) with specials on small plates, Tuesday through Friday from 4:30-6pm. Come for the wine, stay for the food and music. 16 Prospect Street, Westfield 908-232-7320 www.16prospect.com/
Sheelen’s Crossing, Fanwood
With two happy hours to choose from, Sheelen’s Crossing guarantees that whether you’re coming from work or making a last stop before heading home, you’ll be happy. From 3-6pm and again from 11pm – 1am, you’ll be drinking $3.50 pints, $4 glasses of wine, and wings… lots and lots of wings (18 for just $12). 200 South Avenue, Fanwood 908-753-4500 sheelenscrossing.com/
Steakhouse 85, New Brunswick
Stop at Steakhouse 85 after work for happy bites including 5 Blue Point Oyster for just $5, $7 wines, $5 draft beer, and $5 mixed well drinks. Do we really need to say more now that we’ve mentioned oysters? We think not. Monday through Friday 4-6:30pm. 85 Church Street, New Brunswick 732-247-8585 www.steakhouse85.com
Stuff Yer Face, New Brunswick
This iconic Rutgers hangout truly needs no introduction. They’re always packed thanks to a plethora of strombili, burgers, and pizzas that you can literally stuff yer face with. Sample their large selection of beers from around the world during their happy hour, Monday through Friday 4-7pm, for $1 off all drafts and bottles, $2 pints and bottles of Miller Lite and Coors Lite, and $1 off all appetizers. You may even see Mario there. 49 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick 732-247-1727 stuffyerface.com
Sweet Waters Steak House, Westfield
Since 2001, Sweet Waters Steak House has grown to become the “Crown Jewel” of Westfield. Known for their cooked to order steaks and martinis, this jewel also has a gem of a happy hour every Monday – Friday from 3-6pm for half price appetizers and drink specials. 43 Elm Street, Westfield 908-317-2599 www.sweetwaterssteakhouse.com/
The Court Jester, Freehold
The happy hour at The Court Jester is no joke. From Monday through Friday, 4-6pm, you’ll drink from Monster Mugs for just $4.50, three tacos for just $2.95, and ½ of the grande nachos for just $5.95. Oh and there’s more, but you have to go check it out for yourself otherwise the jokes on you. 16 E. Main Street, Freehold 732-462-1040 https://www.jestersweb.net/
The Thirsty Turtle Tap & Grill, Cranford
When the word “thirsty” is in the restaurant name, you know their happy hour must be worth your while, and we’re here to tell you it is. Besides extraordinary deals on drinks ($4 craft beers of the month and $3 off all martinis), there’s also a long list of $5 appetizers that pair perfectly. 1-7 South Avenue, Cranford 908-324-4140 www.thirstyturtle.com/
Villa Tequila Bar + Cocina, Roselle
People have described this as their happy place, and it’s no wonder. We’ve discovered this central jersey happy hour and even though we kind of want to keep it to ourselves, we won’t be that selfish. From $5 margaritas and Chicharronis on Wednesdays to Sunday Funday with happy hour all night long, it’s always a fiesta when tequila and tacos are involved. 586 Raritan Road, Roselle 908-241-0600 www.villanj.com/
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