Paul Kushner
People outside Garden State may only be familiar with Newark as a part of the New York metropolitan area. However, the city has a history and character all its own, including the nightlife scene.
Head to a neighborhood dive after a hockey game or sample the tasty tapas at a fancier establishment.
The Gateway City has many bars to try out, but you’ll want to start at the best bars in Newark, New Jersey. Here are our recommendations.
Mompou Tapas Bar & Restaurant
77 Ferry St, Newark, NJ 07105
Phone: (973) 578-8114
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Mompou Tapas Bar & Restaurant, located in Newark’s North Ironbound neighborhood, sets a rustic yet contemporary vibe. Beer, wine, and cocktails are all staples, but the mixed drinks stand out with tongue-in-cheek names like Peeping Tom.
Mompou’s offers a wide range of this to eat, too. They are most well-known for delicious tapas with global and Spanish influences.
McGovern’s Tavern
58-60 New St, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 643-3984
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Located in the Central Ward near Rutgers University, McGovern’s Tavern started as a community gathering space for Irish immigrants.
After the bar’s establishment in 1936, it quickly became a neighborhood bar where everyone could enjoy themselves!
Though the tavern has Irish origins, it isn’t reflected on the menu where you’ll find bar food classics like nachos. Stop by to sample more than a dozen beers on draft.
Blitz Sportsbar
179 Wilson Ave #5317, Newark, NJ 07105
Phone: (973) 465-1313
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Head to the Ironbound neighborhood for a sports bar experience with a modern aesthetic. Drink wine by the glass, try a draft, or take a classic Pickle Back Shot.
Blitz Sportsbar caters to everyone. There’s a little bit of everything on the menu, too, from grilled kabobs to glazed salmon. The bar also has several TVs, so you can catch the game while you relax.
Krug’s Tavern
118 Wilson Ave, Newark, NJ 07105
Phone: (973) 465-9795
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Krug’s Tavern is a few blocks from Blitz on Wilson Avenue. It’s one of the oldest bars in Newark, serving clients since 1932.
The tavern is renowned among the locals as a relaxing place for simple eats, like their awarding-winning burger. So if you plan to eat at Krug’s, go hungry.
The portions are generous, and you’ll want to save room for their shrimp appetizer!
Bello’s Pub and Grill, Newark’s First Gastropub
376 Market St, Newark, NJ 07105
Phone: (973) 465-0052
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On the western edge of the North Ironbound neighborhood, Bello’s Pub and Grill, Newark’s First Gastropub provides more options than most.
They have bar classics but also higher-end items like baked salmon and flank steak. Plus, they offer desserts! Bello’s has a great selection of bottled beer from breweries around the east coast.
Redd’s Biergarten
220 Market Street, 37 Edison Pl, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 877-6600
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Redd’s Biergarten boasts a prime location across from Prudential Center, home of the New Jersey Devils, in Downtown Newark.
Beer lovers flock to the traditional German beer garden with a contemporary edge for a diverse collection of brews. Redd’s offers food, too, specializing in bar food with a German flair.
Try their Bavarian soft pretzel with a cheddar mustard dipping sauce with a beer of your choice for the perfect pairing.
The Deep Inn
60 Pulaski St, Newark, NJ 07105
Phone: (973) 943-8008
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In the Ironbound neighborhood near Independence Park, The Deep Inn is a neighborhood dive with a historic look and a moody atmosphere. Expect low lighting at this relaxed bar.
If you’re a fan of fancy cocktails and seasonally rotating menus, you won’t find them here. What The Deep Inn does have is cheap drinks, friendly service, and a great spot for locals to gather.
Pour Abbey’s Bar & Grill
107 Hawkins St, Newark, NJ 07105
Phone: (973) 522-1000
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Pour Abbey’s Bar & Grill in Newark’s East Ferry region is a local favorite with an industrial edge and a few kitschy highlights but an overall contemporary vibe.
Depending on the night, you’ll catch music here from DJs or live bands. Abbey’s is a high-energy but relaxing spot with bar staples like mozzarella sticks and Portuguese-inspired tapas.
Cozy Sports Bar
329 Ferry St, Newark, NJ 07105
Phone: (973) 491-9500
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Back in the North Ironbound neighborhood, Cozy Sports Bar keeps this simple and lighthearted. A sports bar with a modern but relaxed vibe, serving draft beers alongside mason jar daiquiris.
The food specialties here are thin burgers stacked high with toppings and shareable finger food. Though Cozy offers something for everyone, the fun atmosphere keeps people coming back.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re staying in Newark to check out historical landmarks or The Newark Museum of Art, there’s plenty to see and do in the city. While you’re there, check out the best bars Newark, New Jersey, offers!
Did we miss your favorite dive or upscale wine bar in Newark? Leave us your recommendation in the comments below!
Best Bars in Newark
- Mompou Tapas Bar & Restaurant
- McGovern’s Tavern
- Blitz Sportsbar
- Krug’s Tavern
- Bello’s Pub and Grill, Newark’s First Gastropub
- Redd’s Biergarten
- The Deep Inn
- Pour Abbey’s Bar & Grill
- Cozy Sports bar
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