Pharmacie Liquor Bar Restaurant at The WellmontDecember 5, 2018 is the 85th anniversary of Prohibition being repealed. Why not mark the occasion this month by hitting one of New Jersey’s modern day speakeasies, some that originated in the 20s.
Those establishments claimed to sell only the soft stuff but actually peddled booze. A whispered code at the door was required to gain admission into speakeasies, which had unmarked, sometimes secret entrances. Thankfully, no one will be arrested for frequenting one of these fun spots (though many still have secret doors). They’re especially cozy places to enjoy a cocktail on a chilly winter’s evening.
Pharmacie Liquor Bar Restaurant opened in 2018 in The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair. The menu puts a modern spin on classic bar food, with a selection of small plates perfect for sharing. The cocktail menu really shines, and there is also a selection of beer and wine. Try the Chips N’ Dip with cured trout roe, creme fraiche and yolk jam, or the Mussels with tarragon cream and mezcal.
5 Seymour St., Montclair, NJ 973-968-5303
Murphy’s Tavern in Rumson opened around 1919 in the basement of a house on Ward Lane. Its location near a hidden cove on the Navesink River enabled rum-runners and smugglers to visit the Tavern without being seen. Murphy’s was a well-known secret. Today Murphy’s Tavern offers handcrafted drinks, snacks, Happy Hour specials, live music, bingo, and shuffleboard.
(732) 842-1600 – 17 Ward Lane, Rumson NJ, 07760
Bar in the Basement of The Laundromat Bar, Photo Courtesy of The Laundromat Bar
The Laundromat Bar in Morristown is a newer speakeasy with a narrow room full of washing machines and dryers on the first floor. Doors disguised as dryers lead to stairs that descend into a cavernous room with a bar and live music. The Laundromat offers a multitude of drinks. Their minimum age for entry is 23.
(973) 455-0200 – 4 Dehart Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
Thirty3 In The Basement of Rails Steak House, Photo Courtesy of Thirty3
Thirty3 in Towaco is located in the basement of Rails Steakhouse. You need to pull a specific book from the crowded bookcase to gain entrance into the bar. Someone will help you if you can’t figure out which one it is. There are hidden passageways to explore. Mixologists, not bartenders, create crafted drinks. A tasty small bites menu also awaits at Thirty3.
(973) 335-0006 – 10 Whitehall Road, Towaco, NJ 07082
Sammy’s Downstairs Speakeasy, Photo Courtesy of Sammy’s Ye Old Cider Mill
Sammy’s Ye Old Cider Mill in Mendham was a genuine speakeasy in the 1920s. The founder’s grandchildren now operate the restaurant. To this day there’s no sign outside. Guests place their orders when they enter the restaurant and head downstairs to the speakeasy to enjoy cocktails while the critically acclaimed food is prepared. There are games to play downstairs while you drink.
(973) 543-7675 – Sammy’s Ye Old Cider Mill, 353 Mendham Road West (Route 24), Mendham, NJ 07945
Cowans Public, Photo Courtesy of Cowans Public
Cowans Public In Nutley is housed in a 1920s building that became a bar in 1934, after the Prohibition. Several different bars have existed in that space throughout the years. Cowans Public pays homage to the 1920s with a curved Art Deco Bar with stained glass and the Cabinet of Curiosity containing relics from the Prohibition to the Great Depression. Cowans offers artisanal spirits and and a “modern twist on the traditional pub menu” including vegetarian and vegan dishes. They also serve brunch.
(973) 542-8151 – 229 Centre Street, Nutley, NJ 07110
Jersey City seems to be the speakeasy capital of New Jersey.
Dullboy Bar, Photo Courtesy of Dullboy Bar
Dullboy Bar in Jersey City has a speakeasy vibe with dark mood lighting. One wall is covered in books and another wall has typewriters attached to it. They offer an extensive menu of cocktails and delicious food. Some of Dullboy’s specials include Happy Hour, $1 Oyster Night on Tuesdays, and Wine Down Thursdays.
(201) 795-1628 – 364 Grove Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
The Factory, Photo Courtesy of The Factory
The Factory in Jersey City is a former auto parts factory decorated in wood and iron. They feature a vast cocktail selection as well as delectable Italian and North & Latin American cuisine. The Factory has weekday Happy Hour, Sunday Brunch, and Buy One Get One Free specials.
(201) 630-4396 – 451 Communipaw Ave with Berry Lane, Jersey City, NJ 07304
The Pet Shop in Jersey City has classic and non-classic cocktails, craft and not craft beers, natural wines, and vegetarian food. Special events include live music, Taqueria Tuesday, lectures on natural wine, Seinfeld Trivia night, and more.
(201) 984-2170 – 193 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
The Archer Bar, Photo Courtesy of The Archer Bar
The Archer Bar in Jersey City has a rustic and dark wood interior with deer trophy heads on the walls and a gamey menu. They offer many types of drinks and unusual food dishes. The Archer Bar also has live music.
(201) 309-1090 – 176 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Miss Wong’s, Photo Courtesy of Talde
Miss Wong’s in Jersey City is located in the lower level of Talde in Jersey City (near the Grove Street PATH). There’s no sign so you have to ask a bouncer upstairs for the entrance. They offer an assortment of interesting beverages as well as Asian and American specialties. Miss Wong’s serves brunch.
(201) 630-0077 – 8 Erie Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
And for those who like their booze on the sweeter side, check out Luigi’s Ice Cream @Ani Ramen, New Jersey’s first “ice cream speakeasy,” located in Jersey City. Luigi’s is truly an Jersey-based business, with all ice cream made in small batches at it Red Bank, NJ facility (they have retail locations in Red Bank and Metuchen). At Ani Ramen, they are presenting their hand-rolled ice cream, boozy and non-boozy (so you can take the kids too).
Some of the boozy flavors include: RumChata Liqueur with Vanilla Ice Cream and Cinnamon Toast Crunch finished with Chocolate Syrup and Whip Cream, Hennessy and Pineapple Homemade Ice Cream, or Godiva Dark Liqueur Rolled Ice Cream.
218B Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302
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