Their French dip is absolutely delicious. Always friendly great service love our Renee.read more

Dive bar with good service & food. Sat at the bar & ordered the grilled shrimp app. Mistakenly…read morethe bartender thought I ordered a different shrimp dish so I had to wait a little bit for it - NP, things happen. Shrimp came out barely grilled - they probably rushed it as I was waiting I guess. My husband enjoyed the breakfast combo but wished the bacon was crispy. Nice local joint - comfortable!

It is what it is. It's a really nice bar with great people working there filled with friendly…read moreneighbors and patrons... Serving good food at decent prices. That's really all you need to know about it. Go and experience a local gem.

Decent neighborhood bar. I had wings. She had Chicken Bruschetta sandwich. Both were good. Service…read morewas also good. More like a 3.5.

A quintessential dive bar of the best variety. Don't feel shy walking in; you'll be looked at, but…read morethen made to feel like family. Service is friendly and efficient. I forget our bartenders name but she's of the same essence as Stevie nicks. Frozen Feds pizzas are offered. Beer of all types. Pool games, great music & even better conversation--what's not to love ?

FARMINGDALE: Tom's Tavern is a great locals bar and dogs are allowed inside!…read more It is a small place with a full bar, small food menu with specials, a pool table, and friendly people. Don't be intimidated by any motorcycles parked outside. We thank somebody we met in our travels for telling us about this place. It has a great hometown vibe and inexpensive.

Why the hate for this spot?…read more Is it fancy? Hell no, but that's the point. Up the creek is a no-frills hybrid sports-dive-bayside bar that serves up cheap food, cheap drinks, and cheap company, in the best possible way. You're not coming here to be fancy, you're coming to watch the Mets, Yankees, Giants, or Jets on one of the huge TVs they have everywhere, while sucking down 3$ beers, and when the time calls for it, a porkroll* with cheese on a roll and an order fries. You can choose the bar, a high top, or the outdoor bar when the weather is nice enough (you'll always find me at the bar). There are some stairs to get up here, but you'll be rewarded with a view of the marina...and route 35....and if you look hard enough the parkway....ok there are stairs that lead up to a bar, that's all you gotta know. It's the perfect spot to catch the game and hang with the locals. Come in, say hey to Linda, and drink enough that you need some greasy food to make everything feel better. Doesn't get much better in my humblest of opinions. _____________________ *Call it "Taylor ham" and you're dead to me.

KEYPORT: Up The Creek Tavern is a great local spot with gorgeous views of the Matawan Creek and…read moremarina. Leashed and friendly dogs are allowed on their second story outdoor deck and there is a staircase to the left of the building to go up. Depending on the season, there could be wait service or you have to go inside to order. The food menu is American-style comfort food and a full bar of drink options.

First off, this is NOT a dive bar... it's a SPEAKEASY! That said, let's keep this place a secret…read morebetween you and I.... because it will lose it's charm otherwise! Don't let the "basement bar" concept scare you away. Murphy's Tavern dates all the way back to the Prohibition Era (originally opened by Mary Murphy) and even though drinking is back in business with the 21st amendment, the concept of the intimate space to mingle, drink, and socialize is still there. The owner (not the original, but through generations, has kept the Speakeasy vibe going since the 1920s) runs the show. He's an older gentleman with smokey grey hair and bar tends, busses, and let's you finish every drop of alcohol you want- until 2AM! Then, bam, the light's brighten, and it's closing time! Don't worry, though, he blinks the lights around 1:45 for last call! He is also very personable, relaxed, and makes a mean old fashioned! What is great about this place is it really does transport you back in time. The drinks to order here are the classics, strong liquor, high end cocktails, or beer! Side cars, Manhattans, an old fashioned, etc. Single malt scotch. Whiskey, neat. You can also order beer or a vodka soda, or even a club soda. Prices are reasonable. There is ONE TV in the place. It's refreshing. This is the type of space where you actually TALK to your friends or make new ones. You can also play a variety of games. Darts, shuffle board, or the jukebox (it is modernized and takes dollar bills). Age groups ranged anywhere from 25 to 65. Pleasant crowd. Amazing Place. Classy. If you want to check it out, just keep an eye out. The sign is small, but it's there, and it's real! "Prohibition only drives drunkenness behind doors and into dark places..." Mark Twain SHHHHH!!! (see you there!)

There are few places left that still carry the quiet pulse of history. Murphy's Tavern is one of…read morethem. You walk down the old steps and the air changes cooler, darker, with the scent of wood and whiskey soaked into the walls. It feels honest, like a place built for men and women who have seen enough of the world to appreciate something simple and true. The story on the wall tells of Prohibition and rumrunners, of Mary Murphy and the river that once hid her secrets. You can still feel that in the glass you hold. The On a Yacht bourbon cocktail has the right burn, softened with mint and peach, the kind that lingers like a good memory. The Blackberry Bramble is bright and sharp, a summer night in a tumbler. You don't come to Murphy's for polish or pretense. You come because it feels alive, because the ghosts of the past sit quietly beside you, raising a glass in approval. A tavern like this doesn't chase the world it waits for those who still know how to listen.

One of, if not the top, of my favorite new discoveries in my area. Definitely made me wish I'd been…read morelooking around a lot sooner. Everything I've ordered at this place: burgers, sandwiches, sides, pretzel... all the food here is great. So are the bartenders who are extremely attentive and treat everyone really well. Only complaint I have is the draft beers that they have on top are odd and leaves me with very few choices. I do love the vibe here. Reminds of my old drinking hole from back home.

Friends of ours, turned us in to this place. A Tiny place, you would never find it, if someone…read moredidn't point it out. It's a liquor store in the front, and bar, grill in the back. I say this nicely, it's your typical hole in the wall joint that is totally awesome!! A HIDDEN GEM! We've gone twice, and both times food was excellent. Also a nice selection of beers. Service is great, staff friendly. The photo attached is your basic bacon cheeseburger, I asked for it rare...and lo and behold, it was perfect, along with perfectly cooked well done fries. Their french onion soup also rocks. I'll be going back.....soon. Hell, I am going to become a regular.

An absolute excellent choice was made while I was visiting the Sandbox, and there was the usual…read moreseveral food trucks to choose from outside of the beach venue. Service is customary fast food truck vibes, which is always quick and easy. The pork was juicy, the cheese was melty, and it was an automatic favorite. Fries were crunchy, I normally like mine a little soft, but I know that's a select few. I hope to see them outside again when I stop at the year round beach spot. If you happen to see this truck, I would certainly recommend stopping by and trying some of their goodies.

Had this at sandbox today. Just horrible. Dry pulled pork, terrible service. Absolutely disgusting.read more

A few friends were here so I joined them for a cocktail and lunch…read more We sat at the bar where it was quite enough to get caught up with each other. They have a nice selection of beer on tap. I had a stout brewed locally from a brewery that I haven't been to. I also ordered the pulled pork nachos which were loaded and enough for two with plenty of leftovers for another meal. The bartender was friendly and helpful with the beer and food orders. This is a popular local place. Right across the street from the beach so it is a great place to stop and enjoy the scenery along with a good meal.

With today being a very busy day and night, upcoming on this St. Patrick's Day people have a lot of…read moreoptions on where to go and what to eat? Everyone goes Corned Beef Crazy. I decided to stay closer to home and visit my favorite place for a quick lunch. Thanks to Carl for helping me pick out a new beer for me to try?

Great bar, great service! Awesome jukebox. Definitely feels like I was transported to the 90s.read more

True Score: 3.5 Stars…read more A true classic. This is a great local Tavern and a fine oasis away from the hectic crowds of summer. If you are looking for a great Tavern with great locals, fine bartenders, and courteous service, this is your stop. Very reasonable prices, and a friendly clientele. Your pit-stop on your visit to the Mid Jersey Shore. Thanks

I haven't been to jakebobs in a few years and was so sad to see they don't have the waterfront…read moreviews anymore!! Regardless of that, I always love coming here. It's a casual spot with live music and outdoor seating. I loved the lemon drop martini! We always get the clams & shrimp appetizer as well - SOO good! I had the chicken bacon ranch wrap as my entree and my boyfriend had the French dip. Love this spot!

Such a lovely summer spot! It is completely outdoors so choose your seating wisely on a hot day…read more Our original table ended up being directly in the sun and our server had no problem allowing us to move. Our server was extremely friendly and attentive. Our food was fresh and delicious. I highly recommend the chicken Caesar pasta salad. Anywhere that offers a rum bucket gets kudos in my book. :) If you're looking for chill, outdoor summer vibes, this is the place for you!