Is it time for the Jersey Dive Bar History Tour? Let us know your favorites.
MLH has created an interactive map of over 100 classic dive-bars in Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey.
What an excellent assignment. Traveling Jersey, it’s always fun to drop into a cool classic dive bar. So here’s how we’re going to get started. By asking you! Where are Jersey’s most classic dive bars (we want NYC, too!)
The term “dive bar” originated in the United States in the 1880s and was initially used as a derogatory term. It referred to drinking establishments often located in basements or below street level, where patrons would “dive” down into the venue. These bars were often associated with being disreputable, rowdy, or seedy, catering to working-class individuals and those looking for inexpensive drinks.
We started this map project because we know a few friends in low places.
Volunteers, Mr. Local History Project
Over time, the term lost much of its negative connotation and began to be used more affectionately, especially as “dive bars” became celebrated for their authenticity, charm, and connection to local culture. Today, while still used to describe simple or unpolished bars, “dive bar” often carries a sense of nostalgia and appreciation rather than disdain.
We started our map because we know a few friends in low places. We have some great memories and history stories, and we thought you might too. So we went to Vintage New Jersey Saloons and Bars on Facebook to jumpstart the effort. We’re on our way! Now, it’s up to you to add the great ones, and then we’ll begin our research, traveling to everyone we can to capture some of Jersey’s best history.
Our Dive Bar Definition
A DIVE BAR IS…….
- Has at least one cheap beer so that most walks of life can afford to drink there. And they use those small 8oz. draft glasses.
- Most customers are locals who live in the area and the bartender knows all the regulars and has worked there for years.
- You can have great food but simple. Food like chips, peanut butter cheese crackers, pickled eggs, or some local guy’s homemade venison jerky is an automatic dive bar.
- Jukebox, darts, pool, shuffleboard, or that ring toss and it should have a retro-looking neon sign out front and a screen door!
- Lastly, the place needs some cool history – some crazy stories, fights, famous drop-ins and stuff like that. Simply put – you’ know if you’re in a dive bar!
Tell us if you have a CLASSIC DIVE BAR YOU’D WANT REPRESENTED ON THE MAP!
Circle the Calendar
National Dive Bar Day is July 7th
You Can Be Part of The Jersey Dive Bar Wall of Fame
Below are some pics from readers who’ve sent in iconic dive bar images. Now it’s your turn. Just click one and look at our wall of Jersey Dive fame! Go get a few fun dive bar images and send them in using the form below.
JERSEY DIVE BAR HALL OF FAME NOMINATION WORTHY? Send a photo!
Send us your recommendation along with a photo, and you might make our Jersey Dive Bar Hall of Fame!
More MLH-Related Jersey History Bar Stories
North Jersey Dive Bars
- Boonton – Johnnies Tavern
- Branchburg – The Royal Bar
- Branchville – Gyp’s Tavern
- Bridgewater – Top O’Th’ Hill Tavern
- Clifton – Dingo’s Den
- Clifton – Rutt’s Hut
- Cranford – Riverside Inn Bar
- Cranford – Ye Olde Rathskeller
- Garwood Lanes
- Hackensack – The Straphanger Saloon
- Harrison – Vinnie’s All-Star Bar & Grill
- Hoboken – D.C.’s Tavern
- Jersey City – Astor Bar & Grill
- Jersey City – New Park Tavern
- Kearny – Matson’s Tavern
- Kenilworth – Buffy’s Tavern
- Lake Hopatcong – McKenna’s Pub
- Little Falls – Great Notch Inn
- Monroe Township – Dock’s Corner Tavern
- Montclair – Tierney’s Tavern
- Morris Plains – Hoover’s Tavern
- Morristown – Tavern off the Green
- Newark – Krug’s Tavern
- Newark – McGoverns Tavern
- Newark – The Deep Inn
- Nutley – The Old Canal Inn
- Paterson – Duffy’s Tavern
- Paterson – Patsy’s Tavern & Restaurant
- Rahway – Butch Kowal’s Tavern
- Rockaway – Tavern On the Rocks
- Roselle Park – Frenchy’s Bar & Grill
- Sandyston – Flatbrook Tap House
- Stirling – The Stirling Hotel
- Union – Joe’s Place
- Union – Liberty Tavern
- Union – Paddy’s Place
- West Orange – Dillon’s Tavern
- Wharton – Knotty Pine Pub
- Whippany – Zagursky’s Bar & Grill
Central Jersey Dive Bars List
- Asbury Park – Bond Street Bar
- Brick Township – Arrowhead Inn
- Edison – Chestnut Inn
- Edison – Chestnut Inn Inc.
- Farmingdale – Tom’s Tavern
- Freehold – Moore’s Tavern
- Frenchtown – Rathskeller – The National Hotel
- Hopewell – Hillbilly Hall
- Lawrence Township – McGuinn’s Place
- Long Branch – Celtic Cottage Pub
- Long Branch – Nip n Tuck Bar & Grill
- Neptune – Kelly’s Tavern
- New Brunswick – Ale ‘N ‘Wich Pub
- Point Pleasant Beach – The Broadway Bar & Grill
- Princeton – Ivy Inn
- Pt pleasant – Frankie’s Bar & Grill
- Pt Pleasant Beach – Ark Pub & Eatery
- Somerville – Hotel Somerset
- South Amboy – Lagoda’s Saloon
- Toms River – Miracle Pub
South Jersey Dive Bars
- Alloway – Alloway Village Inn
- Atlantic City – Ducktown Tavern & Liquors / The Duck Hut
- Atlantic City – Tony’s Baltimore Grill
- Barrington – Old Rail Tavern
- Beach Haven – Hudson House
- Berlin – The Golden Nugget Tavern
- Bordentown – HOB Tavern
- Camden – Donkey’s Place
- Cape May – C-View Inn
- Cape May – Jake’s Bar & Grill
- Clementon – Hide-A-Way Tavern
- Ewing Township – Al’s Airport Inn Bar & Grill
- Franklinville – Villaris Sports Bar
- Gloucester City – The Highland Tavern
- Haddon Township – Tom Fischer’s Tavern
- Maple Shade – Jay’s Elbow Room
- North Wildwood – Super Tully Nut
- Pennsauken – Bobby Ray’s Tavern
- Riverside – Crawford’s Corner Bar & Kitchen
- Rosenhayn – Rosenhayn Tavern
- Sea Isle City – KIX
- Shamong – Pic-A-Lilli Inn
- Ship Bottom – Baker’s Port Hole Bar & Liquor Store
- Stone Harbor – Fred’s Tavern & Liquor Store
- Tabernacle – One More Bar & Grill
- Trenton – Joe’s Mill Hill Saloon
- Trenton – Tir na nOg
- Vineland – South Vineland Tavern
- Wildwood – Firehouse Tavern
- Wildwood – Ship ‘N Shore Bar
- Wildwood – Westside Saloon
- Woodstown Tavern
