Best bars and pubs in Monmouth County, NJ

38 local picks across 26 towns, hand-picked by Monmouth Guide.

Irish pubs, beach bars and neighborhood taverns for a pint, a game or live music. Here are 38 bars and pubs across 26 Monmouth County towns, from Asbury Park to Ocean Township.

Local favorites

• Ader's Tavern

  Union Beach · American, pub food · Rated 4.5 across 130+ reviews

  Neighborhood tavern on Florence Avenue serving pub food and drinks.

• Brickwall

  Asbury Park · American tavern · Downtown Asbury revival original, reopened 2026

  Revived 2006 Cookman Avenue tavern (reopened summer 2026) serving comfort tavern food, classic cocktails and an all-American beer list.

• D'Arcy's Tavern

  Bradley Beach · Irish pub · Soccer bar

  Self-described #1 soccer bar at the Jersey Shore, showing every match with a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu.

• Deal Lake Bar + Co.

  Loch Arbour · American · Lakeside patio, live music, and events like boozy bingo brunch

  American bar and restaurant on Deal Lake with three bars, a large dining room and a 90-seat lakeside patio with its own bar.

• Donovan's Reef

  Sea Bright · Bar food, breakfast, seafood · 21+ only; bars are cash only (ATMs on site); summer cover charge

  Landmark 21+ beach bar with its own beach, decks and a walk-up kitchen serving breakfast through dinner.

• Driftwood Tiki Bar

  Sea Bright · Bar food, cocktails · Sunday brunch 11am-2:30pm; open to the public October through May

  Beachfront tiki bar at the Driftwood Cabana Club with an indoor, temperature-controlled space, handcrafted cocktails and a food menu.

• Harrigan's Pub

  Sea Girt · Irish Pub · Famous sizzling steak sandwich

  Irish pub serving its signature sizzling sliced steak sandwich for over 38 years, with craft beer and live music.

• Jack's Goal Line Stand

  Long Branch · Sports bar / American · Named Best Sports Bar in NJ by NJ.com

  West End sports bar with 60+ TVs, 60+ beers on tap and homemade pub food.

• Kelly's Tavern

  Neptune City · American pub food · Four generations of family ownership; open 7am-2am daily

  Family-run Route 35 tavern, open since the Kelly family took over a local bar in 1949, serving pub food and drinks.

• McCann's Tavern

  Lake Como · American, pub · 4.6 stars across 150 reviews

  Neighborhood tavern on Main Street with pub food and live music.

• McDonagh's Pub & Restaurant

  Keyport · Irish Pub · Live music and a big craft/Irish beer selection

  Irish pub in a turn-of-the-century brick building by the bay, known for fish and chips, corned beef, pizza, live music and a deep beer list.

• St. Stephen's Green Publick House

  Spring Lake Heights · Irish pub · Most-reviewed spot in town (500+ reviews, 4.3 stars)

  Irish pub on Route 71 serving Irish specialties, sandwiches and steaks, plus an Irish brunch.

• The Bar Room + Kitchen

  Deal · American · 4.6 stars across 120+ reviews

  Old-school neighborhood bar in Deal with a full food menu, opened by a local bartender after Superstorm Sandy.

• The Black Swan Public House

  Asbury Park · British gastropub · New Jersey Monthly best in Asbury Park

  British-style gastropub in a historic building serving Scotch eggs, bangers and mash and fish and chips with a deep beer list.

• The Court Jester

  Freehold Borough · American · Wings voted best in Monmouth County

  Family-friendly downtown bar and restaurant since 1977, known for wings, burgers and 25+ beers on tap.

• The Court Jester

  Aberdeen · American / Southwestern pub · Serving Monmouth County since 1977; known for its wings

  Long-running local pub serving wings, burgers and Southwestern dishes with 25+ beers on tap and nightly specials.

• The Parker House

  Sea Girt · Seafood / American · Sea Girt landmark porch scene

  Historic seaside inn and bar steps from the beach, famous for its wraparound porch, raw bar and live bands.

• The Seafarer

  Highlands · American, bar food · Frequent live music right on the water

  Waterfront beach bar with fire pits, couches by the water and frequent live bands.

• Woody's Roadside Tavern

  Farmingdale · American, bar & grill · 4.5 stars across 260 reviews

  Bar and grill on Academy Street serving burgers, wings, salads and soups.

More bars and pubs to try

• Asbury Ale House (Howell)

  Howell · American

  Sports bar and restaurant in the historic Steinbach building with burgers, wings, flatbreads and a patio.

• Bar Bella

  Holmdel · Cocktail Bar

  Bell Works bar serving signature cocktails like the Bella Mule, craft beer and wine, Wednesday to Saturday 4-10pm.

• Baseline Social

  Oceanport · American, sports bar

  Sports bar and restaurant at Fort Monmouth with golf simulators (Swing Suites) and a full menu.

• Chapter House

  Howell · American

  Route 9 sports bar and American grill with twenty screens, a full bar, daily drink specials and burgers, wings and steaks.

• Colts Neck Pub

  Colts Neck · American

  Neighborhood pub and sports bar on Route 34 known for calamari, loaded fries and buffalo chicken sliders.

• Fireside Grill & Bar

  Marlboro · American

  Sports bar and American grill on South Main Street known for wings, short rib dumplings and soft pretzels.

• Heights 27 Bar & Grille

  Spring Lake Heights · American, bar & grill

  Bar and grill at 2407 Route 71 with live music.

• Joe's Surf Shack

  Lake Como · American, coastal

  Surf-themed bar and grill on 18th Avenue serving coastal bar food.

• Leggetts Sand Bar

  Manasquan · American / Pizza

  Classic beach-block bar near Manasquan Beach serving brick-oven pizza and pub food, first come, first served.

• Mainbrook Tavern

  Manalapan · American

  Local bar and grill with a full bar, draft beer, a spacious patio and weekly entertainment.

• Nic's Hometown Tavern

  Hazlet · Bar & Grill

  Neighborhood tavern on Route 36 with smash burgers, wings and cold beer, open late daily.

• Otto's Tavern

  Ocean Township · Bar & Grill

  Neighborhood bar and grill on West Park Avenue, open late daily.

• Poole Ave Bar & Liquors

  Hazlet · Bar & Grill

  Sports bar and grill with a package store on Poole Avenue.

• Street Kitchen & Pub

  Red Bank · Gastropub

  Downtown pub (opened fall 2025) with global street-food plates, craft cocktails and board games, open late.

• The Dublin House

  Red Bank · Irish Pub

  Historic Irish pub in a 19th-century house with Guinness on tap, a full pub menu, and a seasonal outdoor Temple Bar.

• The Elbow Room

  Bradley Beach · American pub

  'Eat and drink local' neighborhood bar and kitchen with elevated pub fare, trivia and live music.

• The Irish Rail

  Manasquan · Irish Pub

  Cozy Irish pub by the train station known for half-pound burgers, fish and chips and game-day crowds.

• The Sandbox at Seastreak Beach

  Highlands · Beach bar food

  Seasonal sand-floored beach bar with picnic tables beside the Seastreak ferry terminal on Sandy Hook Bay.

• The Whitechapel Projects

  Long Branch · American / Beer Garden

  Industrial-chic venue steps from Pier Village with indoor and outdoor spaces; the restaurant is seasonal, events run year-round.

Bars and Pubs by town

• Things to do in Asbury Park2 picks here
• Things to do in Bradley Beach2 picks here
• Things to do in Sea Bright2 picks here
• Things to do in Sea Girt2 picks here
• Things to do in Long Branch2 picks here
• Things to do in Lake Como2 picks here
• Things to do in Spring Lake Heights2 picks here
• Things to do in Highlands2 picks here
• Things to do in Howell2 picks here
• Things to do in Manasquan2 picks here
• Things to do in Hazlet2 picks here
• Things to do in Red Bank2 picks here

Quick answers

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