New Jersey
Raise a Glass: Discover these top 12 happy hour spots in NJ
🍸 Half-priced drinks and apps make for a good happy hour
🍸 Here is a list of 12 of the best happy hour spots in New Jersey
🍸 What’s your favorite watering hole in the state?
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right?
Work is done for the day. It’s still light outside. It’s warm, breezy, and it’s summer. It’s the perfect season to grab a few friends or co-workers and hit up a good happy hour. But where can you go to sip on a few cocktails and munch on some apps at reasonable prices?
Here are 12 of the best happy hour spots in New Jersey broken down by region — North, Central, South, and the Jersey Shore.
North Jersey
Barrow House (Google Street View)
The Barrow House
1296 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton
Happy Hour is only available in the bar area from Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Specials:
- $6 – giant pretzel, crispy cauliflower
- $8 – wings, mac n’ cheese
- $10 – crispy brussels sprouts, margherita pizza, short rib tacos, spinach and artichoke dip
- $5 – select drafts
- $6 – house spirits
- $8 – select wines
- $10 – specialty cocktails
- $25 – select bottled wine
The Craftsman (Facebook)
The Craftsman
1609 Maple Avenue, Fair Lawn
Happy Hour is available Tuesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Specials:
- $6 – Craftsman draft beers
- $6 – red or white wine
- $9 – select cocktail specials
- $65 – Craftsman punch bowl
- $9 – pretzel, stuffed meatballs, chicken crackling and shishito peppers
Wicked Wolf Hoboken
120 Sinatra Dr, Hoboken
Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Specials:
- $4 – well-mixed drinks, all draft beers and select glasses of wine
- $5 – select appetizers
Central Jersey
Salt Creek Grille, Princeton (Google Street View)
Salt Creek Grille
1 Rockingham Row, Princeton
Happy Hour is only available in the bar and lounge Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Specials:
- Half-priced all wine by the glass
- Half-priced all draft beer
- $5 – edamame and seaweed salad
- $7 – sake salmon
- $8 – California roll
- $9 – salt and vinegar chips
- $10 – roasted garlic hummus, tomato bruschetta, eggplant parmesan rolls, spicy salmon roll and shrimp tempura roll
- $11 – Bavarian pretzel bites, sliders and fire cracker
- $13 – short rib mac n’ cheese
Killarney’s Publick House (Facebook)
Killarney’s Publick House
1644 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, Hamilton
If Irish fare with a flair is your thing, then check out this Happy Hour on Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Specials:
- $3 – Miller Lite
- $4 – Nutrl Orange
- $5 – Guinness combos
- $6 – Surfsides, Tito’s drinks and Hornitos drinks
- $12 – espresso martini
- $7 – edamame
- $8 – chicken sweet chili potstickers, hummus duo, mac and jacks
- $9 – bang bang shrimp
- $10 – wings
- $11 – mussels
- $15 – pound pick and peel shrimp
Elixir Bar and Grill (Facebook)
Elixir Bar and Grill
2222 Woodbridge Ave, Edison
There are so many snacks and drinks to enjoy during the Elixir Bar and Grill’s Happy Hour. Drink specials are available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily and during all NFL games. Appetizer specials are also available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
The Drink Specials:
- $1 off pints, beer bottles, and malternatives
- $5 – Fireball, Screwball, Red Stag or Caza Cafe shot
- $6 – Jack, Crown, Jameson or DonJ shot. Tito’s, Jack, Jameson, Don Julio, or Bacardi mixed drink.
- $6 – sangria or wine by the glass
- $7 – bomb shot
- $9 – on the rock’s elixirita’s, rumrita’s, mojito’s or mules
- $10 – house martini, Long Island Ice Teas and specialty cocktails
The Food Specials
- $4 – chips and salsa
- $6 – two soft tacos
- $7 – half-order of nachos
- $8 – buffalo cauliflower, tostadas, and small bites
- $9 – queso and chips
- $10 – Mexican street corn dip, half-dozen boneless wings and fries, traditional quesadilla and Mexican pizza
- $11 – half-dozen wings and fries, two sliders and fries, and grande burrito with chips and salsa
- $12 – guacamole and chips
- $13 – five soft tacos
The Jersey Shore
Mister C’s (Facebook)
Mister C’s Beach Bistro
Allen Avenue & Ocean Place, Allenhurst
Happy Hour at Mister C’s takes place daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and all day on Sundays
The Specials:
- $4 – Budweiser, Bud Lite, Coors Lite, Miller Lite and Yuengling
- $6 – Corona Extra, Corona Light, Heineken, Heineken Light, Stella Artois, Blue Moon, Yuengling Black & Tan and O’Douls
- $6 – house drinks, martinis and wine
- $8 – Tito’s drink special
- $10 – Tito’s martini
- $6 – South West chicken egg roll, short rib empanada and zucchini sticks
- $8 – vegetable spring rolls
- $9 – blackened tuna bites, wings, blistered shishito peppers and hummus
- $9.50 – sweet sausage, peppers, and onions
- $10 – everything Pretzel
- $11 – tempura shrimp
- $14 – PEI mussels
- $18 – Mister C’s margherita pizza
- $24 – charcuterie and ahi tuna nachos
Tuckers (Google Street View)
Tuckers Tavern
101 Southwest Ave, Beach Haven, NJ
If you’re hanging out on Long Beach Island this summer, then check out the Happy Hour at Tucker’s which is Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Specials:
- $6 – Manafirkin, Coors Light, Blue Moon, Yuengling, and Stella
- $7 – house wine
- $8 – well drinks and specialty cocktails
- $1 – Buck a Shuck oysters
- $7 – soup of the day
- $8 – onion rings
- $11 – super frico caesar
- $12 – French onion flatbread
- $13 – lacquered chicken wings
- $14 – crispy fish sandwich
One Willow (Facebook)
One Willow
1 Willow Street, Highlands
This seafood and raw bar restaurant located on the waterfront in Highlands is perfect for a happy hour get-together. Happy Hour at One Willow runs Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Specials:
- $3 – Miller Lite bottle and Narragansett Can
- $6 – draft beer, well spirits, and select wine
- $7 – cocktails
- $6 – potato chips and dip
- $9 – mussels, crispy eggplant, kani salad, wings, tuna taco and vegetable spring roll
South Jersey
Cinder Bar (Facebook)
Cinder Bar
410 Berlin Cross Keys Road, Williamstown (Gloucester County)
119 Berkley Road, Clarksboro (Gloucester County)
The Cinder Bar has two locations in Gloucester County. Happy Hour at both spots is Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Specials:
- $3 – Coors Light drafts, Miller Lite drafts, and Modelo drafts
- $4 – Blue Moon drafts
- $5 – house wines and canned cocktails
- $6 – select margaritas and martinis
Half-Off Select Appetizers:
- Cheesesteak egg rolls
- Ukrainian perogies
- Short rib poutine
- Pane and ricotta
- Jalapeno bombs
- Half-priced margherita pizzas
814 South Pub (Facebook)
814 South Pub
814 S White Horse Pike, Somerdale
Happy Hour is Tuesday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Specials:
- $4 – well drinks and wine
- $5 – Tito drinks and Orange Crush drinks
- $15 – Mic Ultra bucket and Miller Lite bucket
- $17.50 – Corona bucket
- $5 – burger and fries, meatball appetizer, almost pizza bread, mac n’ cheese wedges, fried pickles and onion rings
Keg & Kitchen (Facebook)
Keg & Kitchen
90 Haddon Ave, Haddon Township
Named “Best Bar Scene 2019” by NJ Monthly, the Keg & Kitchen offers Happy Hour specials on Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Specials:
$5 Everything
- Old fashioned
- Espolon margarita
- Guinness stout 16 oz
- IPA of the week
- Red blend
- Colombard-Sauvignon
- Everything spice pretzel bites
- Empanada
- Hummus
- Loaded chips
- Chef’s flatbread
- Chicken quesadilla
- Kimchi hot dog
- Arancini
- Tacos
- Cheeseburger
Of course, there are so many other happy hour places across the Garden State, so where ever you choose to go, “Cheers.”
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PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing
So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
FIFA and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have become embroiled in a war of words this past week as the prospect of $150 train tickets to travel to World Cup games and plans to close parts of New York’s Penn Station have angered residents.
The recent uproar began after reports surfaced April 6 that parts of Penn Station would be closed to NJ Transit commuters not attending World Cup games for four hours before kickoff during the eight matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
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Moreover, round-trip train tickets between Penn Station in Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, where the final of the FIFA World Cup is set to be played, were announced by NJ Transit to come in at $150 per person.
A return ride on the same line typically costs $12.90, according to NJ Transit.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026.
In a press release on April 17, Sherrill said the move to increase prices was caused by FIFA’s decision to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. The Democratic governor said price increases happened because FIFA did not agree to cover the costs of transporting fans.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day,” Sherrill said.
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More: Going to World Cup at MetLife Stadium? Expect $150 train tickets and no parking
FIFA, on the other hand, has said the price increase would have a “chilling effect” on fans attending games in New Jersey and said Sherrill’s demands asking FIFA to absorb transportation costs for fans were “unprecedented.”
“Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup,” Heimo Schirgi, COO for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The NJ Transit logo is seen in the lobby of the New Jersey Transit headquarters ahead of a press briefing on the New York/New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026 regional mobility plan in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026.
What are other cities doing with World Cup transportation?
New Jersey has not been the only place where transportation costs have been the subject of discussion ahead of the World Cup. In Boston, round-trip train train tickets on the MBTA from Boston’s South Station to Gillette Stadium are being sold for $80.
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Special event trains to Foxborough for New England Patriots NFL games and New England Revolution MLS matches are usually $20 for a round trip, according to local news station CBS Boston.
Other cities have not seen increases like the ones in New Jersey and Boston. In Atlanta, for example, train fares on the city’s MARTA will be $2.50 per ride, with children able to travel for free with a paying adult.
Kansas City is offering $15 round-trip shuttle rides for fans parking in four different park-and-ride locations, as well as those coming from FIFA’s Fan Festival in the city. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is offering fans a $3.50 round trip train ticket on its Metro Train.
SEPTA in Philadelphia is also keeping its prices low, with fans set to pay the base $2.90 fare for a ride on its Broad Street Line, which takes riders to Lincoln Financial Field, set to host six matches.
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Katie Sobko from USA TODAY Network’s NorthJersey.com contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup fans going to MetLife Stadium to pay $150 for NJT ticket
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