Stopped by on a Thursday and loved that they had some live music playing in the back. A friend and…read moreI started with the duck poutine and even though the cheese curds weren't squeaky, it was still delicious. For my main, I went with the dry aged bleu burger. It was cooked to a perfect medium-rare, though the burger itself was very thick (more round than patty) and could have used a pinch more seasoning. That said, the bleu cheese and caramelized onions balanced everything out. Great service all around and I'll definitely be back to try the duck burger next time.

Come for to drink, eat somewhere else…read more For those looking to make their liver work, the Monsieur Edouard is spicy and smokey, while the Craig St. Michael blends scotch with rum for a drink that's guaranteed to knock you on your behind. Or keep the last vestiges of summer alive with the tropical-themed Iguana Assembly, full of rum, tea punch and coconut lime. If you're sober or the night's DD, you'll enjoy the tart and fruity Blackberry Jab with lemon, pineapple, pomegranate, and of course, blackberry. However, save your stomach space for elsewhere. We were intrigued by the unique-sounding dishes (no mozzie sticks here, y'all) and excited to try them. But words on paper didn't translate to tastes on tongue--most things felt off or fell flat. - Duck Poutine: As someone born and raised in the Great White North, my arteries basically pump poutine (or are clogged by them, I'm not sure which anymore). So I was looking forward to this duck confit twist on my national dish. Unfortunately, what I got was an over-peppered cauldron of soggy fries with a few nubs of cheese curds in an oddly seasoned gravy. It might be the only time in my life I've pushed away a plate of poutine. No bueno. - Brussels Sprouts Caesar: This was fine, though I failed to taste any miso in the dressing. Generous portions size. - Spicy Elk Meatballs: Spicy tomato sauce, yes. But the elk again tasted over-peppered. And I'm all for trying new meats, but I'm not sure elk translates well as a meatball--too tough and chewy for my liking, even when drowning in aforementioned sauce. The accompanying swiss chard and goat cheese polenta weren't bad--wish there'd been more of those. Service was decent the first time we visited, but not so great the second time. It's also worth noting that the inside is DARK dark and the menu is via QR code, so prepare to blind everyone with your phone throughout the night unless you were bitten by a radioactive spider with night vision.

Came here on a quiet Wednesday afternoon to grab a drink in peace. It's truly a dive bar vibe…read more Decent selection of drafts and a hip staff serving drinks. I enjoyed sitting near the window to get a glimmer of sunlight while responding to emails. Happy hour deals are not too bad either, though I didn't bother with any food. But definitely a lot of character and fun vibes to this place. I recommend residents, tourists, etc. to at least stop by for a drink.

I absolutely adore this dive. Excellent deals on drinks and food, small and cramped space, weird…read moredecoration choices, typically pretty rude service. 10/10

As someone who loves a good rooftop moment, I had to check out Rooftop at Exchange Place during our…read moreJersey City trip, and visiting on Juneteenth turned out to be the perfect choice. The weather was absolutely ideal -- warm enough to enjoy being outside but still crisp, with very little humidity. Basically, rooftop weather perfection. The biggest draw here is, without question, the view. The space itself is beautiful, with a nice mix of indoor and outdoor seating, but seeing the Manhattan skyline illuminated at night is what makes this place special. It's one of those views that reminds you why people romanticize New York and the surrounding area so much. They offer a full food menu, although it appeared to be available primarily for guests seated indoors. The outdoor area seemed to focus more on drinks and lighter bites. Just know before you go: this is definitely a splurge spot. Everything is priced at a premium, so prepare yourself accordingly. Unfortunately, the service experience got off to a rough start. Both the security staff and hostess came across as unwelcoming and not particularly friendly. Whether they were overwhelmed or simply having an off night, it didn't create the best first impression. My biggest disappointment, however, was the restroom situation. By around 9:30 p.m., the bathroom was already in pretty terrible condition. Honestly, it was hard to believe it had deteriorated that much in just a few hours, and it gave the impression that it may not have been properly cleaned earlier in the day. Overall, Rooftop at Exchange Place delivers exactly what most people come for: spectacular views, a beautiful atmosphere, and an unforgettable skyline backdrop. Just be prepared for premium prices, a potentially lukewarm welcome, and hope that someone has checked on the bathrooms before you arrive.

Have been to this location for the 4th of July in the past and was beyond excited to go back again…read more I was deeply disappointed and angered by the way management managed the influx of reservations and walk ins. I had an 8:30 reservation and arrived 30 minutes prior (according to their strict directions via text). I waited in line for an hour and 15 minutes and only received a wristband as the fireworks were going off and after arguing with the manager Jude. He consistently let walk ins in before dealing with any reservations. We also paid 35 dollars in advance. Once I got up to the rooftop, I was informed I would have to wait longer as they were kicking people out of our table. I asked to speak with a manager and again was forced to wait 35 minutes and witnessed a hostess quit mid shift. I do want to note, while waiting in line, a kind security guard informed me that the manager was letting people in who were late to their reservation. For example, a couple came at 8:00 for their 7:15 reservation and were let in. This was a horrible experience and will never be back. I understand the craziness of the 4th of July but this could have been avoided. Do not spend your money here, there are plenty of amazing places in Jersey City. Check out District! We went there instead and it was 10/10.

Juno Attic Bar was such a beautiful experience. I truly appreciate the significance of a…read morewell-crafted cocktail, and every drink here reminded me of the precision and intention I felt when I was in Japan. I would 100000000% recommend getting the Dealer's Choice; the creativity and balance were outstanding. For a Monday night, the bar was surprisingly busy, yet the bartender handled everything with ease. The service felt personable yet intimate, and it really elevated the entire experience. I'm so glad I made the decision for my partner and I to come. And listen... I will absolutely be back, especially for that Hey Sweetie with sweet potato syrup. A masterpiece.

Cool speakeasy above Franklin Social for cocktails. They only allow parties of four of less due to…read morehow small it is. We snagged a cozy corner table for four, and had excellent service. Lots of unique cocktails to choose from - lots of smokey options as well as more fruity. I had a Frome the Ashes (mezcal) and my husband had the Smoke 'em If You Got 'em (bourbon) - both were excellent!

143 Social is located in the basement of Better Days restaurant (which also looks good too!)…read more Stopped in with a reservation right at opening on a Saturday evening. The decor is stunning! There are multiple stairs leading to the speakeasy downstairs. There are accessible bathrooms down there but even just having opened - the bathrooms were not that clean. They smelled and had garbage on the floor. All staff were attentive and helpful and provided drink recommendations. The drinks err on the side of Tiki drinks mostly but there's some interesting whiskey and bourbon drinks too. We had some small apps to eat and all were good! And the portions were plentiful. We had fries and the hushpuppies. Loved the sauces that came with each. The space was not crowded for a while but started to pick up around 7:30 or so. I feel like a reservation may not be needed here. The upstairs restaurant was also so empty when we left! Not sure why as it looked nice. The noise level at 143 was not bad either even when crowds started to show up. Overall a nice option for drinks and apps in JC!

This was such a disappointing experience for us…read more Service: Only 1 waiter and 1 bar tender were working a busy Friday night.. Drinks: Took way too long to come and were good but not great. Food: Before we even ordered, the table next to us made sure to tell us the food tasted of expired oil. We ordered the Island Dip and were served a bowl of soupy beans with only 4 plantain chips to share. The beans indeed tasted like old oil and the plantains quickly ran out leaving us with nothing to eat the dip with. The vibe was lacking as a whole as the waiter was clearly stretched thin. I can only imagine the stress!

The waterfront views really set the tone for the vibe. Seating outside and inside both offer plenty…read moreof skyline to admire. Excellent service everyone I interacted with was so attentive and friendly. I had The Specialty Burger du Jour and it was very very flavorful and cooked just right and the fresh mozzarella appetizer was also tasty. There is a happy hour at the bar only.

A five star experience based upon the food and great location. We were in town for the 4th of July…read morefestivities, and Hudson and Co is right in the center of it all. Great views of NYC, especially from the outdoor seats. We sat in the dining room, and the service was likely a bit off because of the large crowds and people visiting to watch the FIFA world cup soccer games. While the service was less than 100%, the breezed short ribs were amazing! If I lived in the area, I think I could order those short ribs everyday. Pricing is very reasonable for the area, even with the "included gratuity" of 18% that they threw on the bill, probably because of all the international travelers coming into watch soccer. I understood this was something they probably had to do specifically during the world cup. We paid about $70 per person all in, we were drinking soft drinks, so the bar can push the total bill much higher very quickly. Overall, I would certainly return to this restaurant for great views, amazing food, and a reasonable value.

Came on a sunny Thursday afternoon and they had outdoor seating. A very welcoming bar, and you get…read morefree popcorn with your drinks. I would definitely come back! Small space, but cozy. A local hidden gem.

I am a huge fan of Pint at 34 Wayne Street. It is a craft beer bar with many other wonderful drinks…read moreand drink specials. Basically a neighborhood meeting pub attracting gay, straights and others. It is quaint and cozy with a marvelous team of Tommy, Max, Cameron, Bryan and Jason. Jason coming aboard during Happy Hour on Fridays is a great addition to this stellar staff and bar.