These are 6 of the best dive bars in North Jersey loved by locals
POV: You're a college kid getting ready to come home for Thanksgiving break, and you've caught the nostalgia bug.
You yearn to take to the streets of your old stomping grounds, catch up with childhood friends and satisfy the part of you that secretly misses the town you grew up in.
On the flip side, however, you've grown up a bit, and want to continue doing exactly what you were doing on campus (if you know what we mean).
Well, good news, students: Dive bars exist! And they're for much more than Thanksgiving weekend.
So, if you'd like to reintegrate yourself into the cozy fabric of North Jersey — while still drinking in the dark — now's your chance (as long as you're 21).
From Morris County to Bergen, here are six beloved neighborhood bars to visit in the area.
Blue 42, Elmwood Park
Compared to many other dive bars (which've been neighborhood staples for decades, if not longer), Blue 42 in Elmwood Park is a bit of a newcomer to the booze and bites scene. Since opening in 2014, however, the vibrant sports bar has made a serious name for itself; primarily through its 150+ flavors of chicken wings.
Stop in on a Sunday night, for example, and watch the Giants play the 49ers while savoring crispy Garlic Parmesan bangers. Visit during the week — as Simone Biles once did — and shoutout the team for their unique Buffalo Cool Ranch Dorito variety.
Pair a whiskey soda with Sweet Chili Buffalo flats, or opt for tequila with Teriyaki drumettes, and be wowed by a roadside hot spot with food as fun as its drinks.
Tavern on the Rocks, Rockaway
The pool table at Tavern on the Rocks in Rockaway.
Rockaway's Tavern on the Rocks epitomizes the idea of a dive bar — it's partially in a basement, strung with hundreds of lights, plastered with stickers and the host of events like trivia, band nights and karaoke. From a service standpoint, the bartenders know their guests by name (think a Morris County version of "Cheers"), and the owners are regularly on site. As for food, the menu revolves around elevated versions of pub grub essentials. Whether considering the sips, vibes or decor, then, the lively hole-in-the-wall is a nearly a poster child for the genre.
When we personally stop in, we choose to pair house margaritas with the Taco Bell-inspired Crunch Wrap. Many others, however, chase their beers with boneless wings, Spicy Boy burgers or other selections from the spot's self-advertised "f*cking great" fare.
Whatever drinks or snacks you order, though, you're sure to get them with a side of open mics, sports games or "big prize" bingo.
Tierney's Tavern, Montclair
Tierney's Tavern in Montclair, nominated as one of USA Today's Bars of the Year, is pictured June 18, 2024.
Making a list of Jersey dive bars without including Tierney's Tavern would be like making a list of popular Jersey sandwiches without the Italian sub — you just wouldn't do it. Since 1934, the family-owned Irish hangout has been North Jersey's go-to for catching up with friends, cheering (through the screen) for touchdowns and slurping down cool, frothy stouts. From the haunt-like decor to the town Rugby tees hanging on the walls, there's not a thing about the place that doesn't scream neighborhood gem.
When regulars visit Tierney's, the most popular drink to order is, of course, a Guinness. Accompanied by the team's famed "Buddy Burger" (a cheeseburger topped with Worcestershire-grilled onions), the beverage will connect you to scores of other Essex County locals, Montclair State students and booze-loving families who've once enjoyed the same.
Great Notch Inn, Woodland Park
The Great Notch Inn on Route 46 in Woodland Park.
Great Notch Inn is a North Jersey landmark, hosting bands, bikers and thirsty folk since 1936. In fact, it was one of the first New Jersey bars to receive a liquor license out of Prohibition. As such, it almost looks a little out of place in our bustling corner of the state, what with its wooden roadhouse edifice, but like a siren song, the Inn calls out to thirsty passers-by on Route 46 with the promise of a good time.
This family-owned and -operated bar has the requisites for a great dive: a casual and lively atmosphere and good and affordable beer, plus a regular lineup of live music. The musical offerings, and the connections fostered at the Inn, were the subject of a short documentary in 2020.
Go: 400 Route 46, Woodland Park; 973-256-7742.
Krug's Tavern, Newark
Krug's Tavern in Newark.
This Newark icon has served libations and, notably, great burgers and bar pies since 1932. It's been passed down through the family — first the Krugs and then the LaMottas — and, despite a lot of changes in the Ironbound neighborhood were it resides, hasn't lost the casual, divey feel and great fare that's made it so beloved.
You'll be tempted by the mural outside to order a Guinness — and surely the folks at Krug's have the pour down pat — but you can also grab a local brew, a cocktail, hard seltzer or wine for relatively affordable prices. Watch sports, chat with friends and locals and chow down on its esteemed 12-ounce burger on your visit.
Old Canal Inn, Nutley
Nutley's oldest bar, the Old Canal Inn, is a quintessential dive, with a long, narrow bar, a bunch of TVs, a shuffleboard table, regular live music and a menu of elevated pub grub. We appreciate its long list of local craft beer; stop by on Wednesdays for craft beer night, with reduced prices on some and a new craft brew released.
More than anything though, the vibe here is immaculate as the Inn itself urges folks to make it their go-to place, "whether your hiding out from bill collectors, waiting for the in-laws to go home or you've just had another confrontation with your spouse." And if you go, make sure to ask why it's considered one of the most haunted restaurants in New Jersey — just don't sit in the "death seat."
