Came here on Sunday afternoon a couple of hours before a concert. This is the perfect place to eat prior to a concert. It is right around the corner from the Prudential Center. There was no way for me to make a reservation online so I took my chance. I was there with two other people and we were lucky to get enough to get there when we did. The place started to get packed quickly. We got a table on the top floor (there is a bottom floor). Our waitress/bartender CiCi was great. She was busy but still attentive. We got Louie Char Grilled Oysters, thai chili wings Catfish nuggets, fries and burger with fries. For drinks, we got blueberry lemon drop martini and margaritas. Both drinks were tad a bit too tart and not strong enough. Our food was delicious. Though I wish the fries were shoestrings fries and it they had a parmesean truffle option. Great place to listen to music, have some good food and drinks before a concert at the Prudential Center read more

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I was there to meet with a friend before a concert. Sat at the bar and had a drink . We ordered several drinks before heading to the venue. If you want a martini be very exact as to how you want it. My friend's first version was weirdly sweet with triple sec added. The bartender claimed that was how it was made at their bar. Once I instructed him how I wanted it made it was fine. Both bartenders were friendly nD drinks came out quickly read more

Bar Vanquish - Menu - New American Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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The best bar in town! We were visiting for three days and found this hidden gem! The atmosphere is amazing, playing upbeat music, the food is to die for and the service is out of this world! Their charred oysters are a must try! The catfish bites are delicious as well! Also don't miss the onion rings! The staff treats you like family! We simply loved it! We decided to go again on a Friday night and we were not disappointed! Great drinks, food and amazing service! If you want to dance you can go to the bottom level. They have a DJ on Fridays and Saturdays! We will be back and highly recommend Black Oyster! read more

Went in on a Sunday from NY to wait for my ride because I saw that they had happy hour all day. Nice bar fully stocked and ample seating with tvs for watching sports. Not too lively because it is a Sunday in Jersey, after all. I sat at the bar and waited for about 5 min until a bartender finally came to serve me. I understand it's slow, but attention should always be at the door. I ordered a vodka pineapple and asked about the oysters. The waitress recommended oysters with crabmeat, and I agreed to try them. The oysters looked good, and they were tasty, nothing too spectacular. Drink was strong. The menu is simple and not overwhelming. It's close to the path and I like the area. The waitress was pleasant. Oysters ran me $28 bucks because I didn't pay attention to the menu. Happy hour on Sundays should also include the food; half off would be ideal; $50 bucks for some oysters, and a drink is wild. And not to mention the 3% fee for using CC plus gratuity. I would recommend going there for a quick bite or happy hour on Sundays. And I myself will probably go back on a different day to see how the vibe is. All in all, it seems like a cool spot. read more

This use to be my fav spot I frequent this place. I came on Sunday 9/7 and the waitress so SO RUDE!!! There were 3 other people in there it wasn't crowded at all. Her attention was mainly on one man in particular she took shots with him and gave him free shots as well along with another man. She was very friendly and jolly with the men but when it came to our table no smile just straight face an nasty attitude. Never had service like this there so I was shocked! I always get the Cajun pasta it was very soupy I know the restaurant changed names not sure if it's a new owner but my food tasted very off. The one guy when it was time for him to leave the waitress and him were hugging an he's groping her butt just very I appropriate. Not to mention our drinks were awful. read more

So I'm giving this place 2 stars because the music is great with a live DJ and the food is tasty. But let's talk about the service (smh) we waited over an hour for our food. To note sliders should never take this long. It was 3 of us the sliders came before my simple order of fries and charbroil oysters. I want to love this place but the slow kitchen service it not ok. I don't know where the disconnect is with the kitchen or the waitress/ bartender but it needs improvement. I won't come here again. Nothing was offered to us to compensate the extremely long wait. Had to cancel my food order after being here for 2 hours with no food. Drinks are strong tho so go at your own risk. read more

Bar Vanquish - Fried salmon sliders - New American Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

Pros :the location is perfect . Right downtown near so many attractions. The vibe is cool Cons: The drinks were over priced , & I could sense a bit of attitude when I explained to the server $13 for a shot was a lot of money . Also they add in tax and gratuity. Which is also over priced . Prices : high $16 and up I wouldn't really recommend going to this spot if you aren't "loaded with money " it's not a spot to go to to be free and drink on a budget . A bit too pricey for me . read more

Bar Vanquish - New American Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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I feel I have to patronize a black own restaurant. What I hate is because its black own they tack on all these damn extra charges that makes no sense. 18% gratuity automatically added. 3.5% added to the bill when you use a credit card. WHY! AND THE FOOD SUCKS!! come on..... it cost me about $135. Just me. Oysters, salmon sliders and salad 2 glasses of wine 2 martini's. I am not complaining about the bill if I ate my food because if it was good. Nope. Left all there. Do better. read more

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Fantastic experience! We always go to Redd's pre devils games but to be honest it's gotten stale for me, i don't drink beer, their menu is boring and overpriced and last time I could definitely tell you the fryer oil was old. Anyway it was nice to pregame somewhere with a real menu, fantastic food (catfish bites are a must! Salmon Caesar was great too) and real drinks (the blackberry peach vodka with lemonade is phenomenal!). Staff is top notch, friendly and welcoming. Beautiful ambience and extremely clean. I'm excited to return! read more

This restaurant is located in a nice area. We walked in, and everyone was pleasant.. We sat ourselves. The vibe was on point. Music is playing in the back round.. Waitress was really nice and paid attention to us.. Drinks were really good. We ordered the grilled oysters and mussels.. they were so flavourful.. And the shrimp pasta is very good. Not salty at all... Chefs really did there, thang... We will be coming back.. TG read more

Great food, but deceptive tipping practice. They automatically charge you 20% tip and then present you a bill with a tip line. If you are not careful, you end up tipping twice as I did. read more

Friendly bar. I've gone a few times and always meet nice people. The bartenders are cool too. Always a friendly smile and a stiff drink. The bites are ok. Some things better than others. The chef came out and chatted. Also very friendly and professional. All the food comes out piping hot and fresh. I'll continue to patronize this establishment in the neighborhood. read more

Stopped here on the suggestion of family and yes! The decor is farm chic love there is even a nice speak easy type area downstairs. The bar tenders were nice and the drinks on point. I love when a drink taste like the drink and not alcohol signs of a great bartender! Tried the Caribbean tacos, catfish bites and fries. All great! My friends had the oxtail which apparently you can only get on Sunday and we'll worth the wait. Also saw some very good looking French toast. The owner was there and you can tell she had pride in her bar and community it's the black owned woman owned for me!! read more

The wings were amazing and I had the best service from Cece . I will always come back

Bar Vanquish has a lovely vibe, great for a quick date night or girls night. I went during happy hour , there wasn't any food included in the happy hour but there were a few drinks such as beer, margaritas and wine. I got a strawberry mango margarita which was tasty & a sidecar (not included in the happy hour) which was nice and strong. One drink honestly does the trick! The jerk wings were amazing , and the Cajun salmon pasta was a little over Salted but still very tasty . It is on the pricey side (just a call out) and they automatically include 18% gratuity on all bills. I paid close to 3 figures for a appetizer , 2 drinks and a main course. read more

Bar Vanquish - Cajun Pasta with Salmon paired with a strawberry mango margarita - New American Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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We sat downstairs in a very cool space that appears to be original brick walls , timber ceilings, etc. Couch seating is comfy and unique. Our server was very eager to please. But many issues; Cellphone service in basement is nonexistent but they want you to scan for the menu. Which you can't do. When we asked for the Wi-Fi code, they said they don't share it because it messes something else up. Huh? Everyone in the basement had the same issue - and they only had two printed menus. Sad and comical at the same time. My double Hendricks was NOT Hendricks but I didn't complain because . . . Not enough staff! We waited way too long for our food ( server apologized repeatedly). We ordered Hot Nashville sliders but they gave us the BLT sliders instead - without the bacon. We ended up running out to get to our Elton John show or else I would have asked for the manager, not to complain but to point out the many issues that need fixing. I think they are fairly new so hopefully they will get their act together. Lots of potential. read more

Disappointing. We placed and order for pickup and we're told 30 minutes. We have extra time because it sounded busy only to get there and be told they were too busy for a private event. The owner said she communicated with her staff not to take any takeout orders and there's nothing she could do. They would let us know when/if they get to the order. What a shame. I was really looking forward to supporting this business but never again. Bad service is the biggest turnoff. read more

Beautiful, great atmosphere! Love it! Music is nice and it's close to Prudential. There is a downstairs area with couches. Nice place to drink and relax. Drinks are affordable and food tasty. read more

I'm not familiar with the bar scene @ Newark, but this place has it all spades! What a well designed environment, great service, great, bartending, great bar, food. A new generation of libations for the next generation. read more

I am a local bartender, and I was very surprised by the level of service I was greeted with. It was professional. It was courteous, and I left very satisfied. read more

Such a cute vide, they were quick to give us our food. I had their jumbo buffalo shrimp it was amaaazing and my friend had their jerk wings - so good. Servers was very accommodating as well. We're going back! read more

So I walk in and I wait at the hostess stand for 3 mins. No one greets or signals me. I then walk to the bar and ask for a hostess. The bartender and a woman sitting at the bar says "just seat yourself". So I seat myself. The bartender comes from behind the bar and apparently she's my waitress. I order the broiled oyster appetizer. My sister arrives.. she orders a drink. The app arrives 15-20 minutes later after I ordered. We ordered the French toast, catfish, and fish and shrimp tacos. The food quality is subpar and mediocre. I returned the tacos because it wasn't even worth it to attempt to eat even one. The French toast is smothered in a strawberry sauce. The catfish is edible but not fresh. The oysters were pretty much the most descent item. I'll give the oysters a 7 out of 10 at best.. My sisters cocktail was not great as well. The restaurant charges 18% gratuity on ALL checks with an additional 3.5% charge if you use a credit card.. For a mandatory 18% the place should have a hostess. The bartender/waitress was very nice and sweet but she was dressed more like a hooter's waitress/bottle girl. Which is fine if you're at the bar serving looks, not if you're serving families at a table. I really don't want to have to look at overwhelming cleavage and booty shorts serving me food..especially if you're promoting the restaurant as a classy restaurant. Overall this restaurant is more concerned with aestetics, not delicious food and customer service. I suggest they hire a chef/skilled cook and not just a regular unskilled/untrained cook. Please save your money and time.. this place is definitely not worth it. read more

I love the atmosphere and the food is always so good. The Cajun pasta is the best I always try to go once a month for it. Excellent place to watch sports, safe environment. I don't drink but I hear the drinks are great. 10 stars across the board. read more

Bar Vanquish - New American Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

they make good pasta and mussels in garlic i definitely recommend this place for dinner read more

Bar Vanquish - a plate of food with bread - New American Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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I had stopped here before an event at the prudential center for a few drinks and some appetizers. While the food was wonderful, I felt I was not getting enough food for my money, specifically the calamari. I requested the manager. Our waitress went up to a short lady with short hair (I assume the manager) and motioned her over to our table, but the lady never came. Our waitress claimed the manager was "busy with a private event". Although the calamari was taken off of our bill, it was a little strange to me that the manager never spoke with us. After the event, I returned for another drink or two. Despite the busy nature of the bar, I watched the manager bark orders at the bartenders and scold them constantly. This made the ambiance of the bar unbearable, as I could tell how stressed the workers were. Getting my drinks also ended up taking longer than previously, as my bartender was busy being yelled at by the manager. Overall, the place is a little expensive but I believe it is worth the money. However, management ruined the entire night for me. I cannot support a business that treats its workers so terribly. read more

Gross...we both got sick after eating here...won't go back. Highly suspect seafood and bad wings

Good food and good vibes! The service was moving a little slow but that was probably due to the large amount of people. Overall would definitely recommend! read more

Heaven for Happy Hour! Absolutely perfect cocktails, sublime music, and the best sliders imaginable.

We were in Newark, NJ for the Elton John concert and EVERY other "nearby" restaurant was packed (with up to 60-minute waits). I honestly stumbled on Bar Vanquish looking for a place we could sit down, eat, get drinks and not have to wait (challenging in Newark near the Prudential Center on event nights). But there was Bar Vanquish (in between Mercado's Pies and Redd's Biergarten). What an absolute pleasant surprise. We were greeted warmly by the host and got a table (for 4). It's a limited food and beer menu but everything we had was excellent, as was the service. They are new and still working out some of the kinks, but I will be making this my Newark "go to" place for future events. Really enjoyable! read more

Ms T. And her staff were fabulous!!! We loved the food and drinks!! The atmosphere was welcoming. We will defiantly be back!!

This place is fairly new with local bartenders. The oysters are fabulous. The drinks are pricey. Margaritas as a special were $12 and regularly they are $14. Fresh ingredients aren't used to make drinks. They add gratuity to every check regardless of what you order plus a 3.5% fee for all credit card purchases. The bill can add up quickly. Would I come back? Yes but I wouldn't be a regular. They need a drink menu and more specials given the location and city. Friday and Saturday they have hookah in their small lounge downstairs. Enjoy. read more