We've come here for a couple years now; ever since our regular place for decades closed down. It's a straight ahead bar and grill sorta place that's disappearing to quickly in central NJ. It seems like there's a lively night atmosphere with a couple pool tables and maybe a dart league. But we just meet for lunch. Always sit at the bar, the miller lite is cold from the tap. I've only ever had the Cheese Burger and fries. Always comes out exactly like I order it. Never had a problem with the food. My friend always finishes his, alternating between specials. Between a plate of food and 1 or 2 beers, never more than around $25 each with tip. I'm giving it 4 stars because these sorts of good local taverns are getting hard to find anymore. read more

The food was good... excellent staff... very attentive and friendly... the atmosphere is always the best

My wife and myself, showed up for the birthday of a great longtime friend. We had such a great time, and food was brilliant. And I even sent a tweet to Dave Portnoy to get him to come for a pizza review. My favorite pizza, a tavern style pie, was from a place in Bayonne that Mr Portnoy gave a very high ratin. This is so much Better. We will be eating there again very soon... maybe show up and take a try at the Kareoke Friday nights. read more

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"Hi Rosemary, I just wanted to thank you for a great time at Monaghan's this evening. We had such a great time, and with you helping celebrating mark's birthday ( he's riches' (goober) brother from the VFW post 7508) Your always great at the hospitality of the place, I just wanted to know that even he's looking forward to our next visit. Loved it all, pizza, wings and even the Bud Zero read more

The place is a dump, I went there one day and a cockroach walked on top of the bar, the food portions are small and the prices have gone up. No thanks read more

TLDR: great place for ice cold beer and decent bar food. Longer version: overall a pleasant experience. It looks and feels like a normal bar, but the people are very welcoming. The bartender was very nice and took the time to learn our names and was overall very friendly. The place is filled by local people, and they were all playing pool and having a great time. There was a birthday going on and they even shared cake with us! They have a cocktail menu, however they didn't have any of the mixers to be able to make the drinks. The bartender was very accommodating and we managed to find a cocktail that my wife enjoyed. The food was all made fresh which means they took a bit long, but it was worth the wait. The French onion soup was ok, not great. The chicken quesadilla and the shrimps were both delicious. The Jersey burger had potential to be great but it was only good (I asked for a medium patty but they over cooked it). In overall, a great spot for a quick bite and drink during a late night if you are a local or are in the area. Prices are decent and staff is great! read more

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I have been here before on several occasions and always had decent service however, yesterday it was horrendous. We arrived at 5pm and the bar was crowded and only one server/bartender so we took a high top. I decided to go up and order our drinks and a menu. I took our drinks back to the table and we reviewed the menu and I returned back to the bar and placed our order. I thought it was easier than waiting for the server. I repeated our order twice (a bar pie and chicken wings). 25 minutes later no food. Once again I go back to the bar to check on the order. I am told that they were busy with takeout orders. No one was eating at the bar and we saw 2 people picked up takeout. I repeat the order once again as I assume she never put it in. 20 minutes later still no food. Food was good but the server throughout the time we were there was caught up with her regulars. I had to go to the bar to request our check and a box. She never brought it and I went to the kitchen myself. Packed our leftovers and had to stop at the bar to pay our bill. Did she acknowledge us no. I honestly thought to just walk out. I realize this is a local establishment and you have your regulars but I hope the owner either increases servers or be there to assist. I for one will not return. read more

Nice Jersey dive bar. Large bar with a few tables a 2 pool tables. Half a dozen beer on tap. We ordered a gyro and chicken quesadilla. Both were delicious. Patrons were friendly and the bathrooms were clean. 5 stars if the bar was stocked a little better. No Jim Beam! read more

Kitchen puts out some great specials. Good old school joint with music on the weekends

We had a small 50th birthday party downstairs in their newly renovated room and it was great. Nicole was very accommodating from the beginning of planning to book. The day of she made sure everything was perfect as well. I would recommend this place for any quaint gathering. read more

Awesome food, pizza, pierogies, steak, I've never eaten anything I didn't like 100% here. Great bartenders and a friendly local hangout read more

Hello This dive bar has great staff and great food I love the pizza and burgers Their menu is small but they have plenty of rotating specials and specials like discounted prices on certain days If you just want to hang there are plenty of tv's and keno read more

Went to see a particular singer/songwriter who I also consider a friend. The wife and I sat at a tall table off to one side. We were there 30 minutes. One of the bartenders walked past us twice to have a smoke. In those 30 minutes no one asked us for drink orders or gave us a menu. We walked out and DM'ed and apology to the performer. My wife and I will NEVER go back no matter who is performing. read more

The food was amazing when they had Joe working there, I was there the other day for a burger and it sucked. They got my order wrong. And they didn't cook it the way I wanted it I never had that problem when Joe was there, and if he's not gonna be there, no more neither will I and all of my friends. read more

On Monday we met with friends from Bergen County at Monaghan's. It's a half way point for us, coming from Ocean County. When we first walk in I thought, what a dump. But I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, the service and the general family feel of this hole in walk. We spoke to the new owner, Nicole. Told us she recently bought the place and in the spring is going to do much needed renovations. Oh, one last thing. I always judge a establishment by the conditions of the restroom. If the bathroom is disgusting, I can only imagine what the kitchen is like. It was SPOTLESS! It's going to be the place we meet our friends from N. Jersey from now on. read more

Good food ! Cold beer. Beer pricing is ok. Don't get shots. Their "shots" are a joke !

Unassuming place, almost drove past it. It was busy considering it was a Tuesday afternoon at 2pm. I had 3 min to kill so I stopped in for a cold beer. Atmosphere is ok, a bit dicey but the beer is ice cold. It's roomy and has a friendly bartender. On Tuesdays as well, it looks like their domestic draft beers are $2.25, quite a bargain. I'd drop in the next time I'm in the area read more

This is my place to get away and meet some friends for some beers and a burger. When done right, the cajun wings are great.

Came here on a Tuesday night--service was attentive but it was definitely empty at the bar. We ordered drinks and pierogis--since I've never had them I have nothing to reference them to but they were just okay. I ordered the potato and onion pierogis and tried my friend's bacon one, and if I ever were to eat them again, definitely with meat. All in all, a hole in the wall but if you're with good company, its a good enough place. read more

Nice place great pies. I had a couple of beers and ordered a bar pie Togo. I lingered and asked the chef if he could hold it for me. He was very nice guy dressed in black. It was almost closing time so and when he handed me my pizza he asked he I would like him to make me another because it was a old by that time. It was almost closing time so I didn't want to ask him to buy he said he couldn't let me go with something like that. Good place and nice people definitely coming back. read more

This is always my family, and friends' go to place when we don't want to eat in our area. Great pub fare in a friendly atmosphere. The staff are awesome. Very highly recommended. read more

The bartenders are all WONDERFUL. The food is GREAT. However the mixed drinks and shots are AWFUL. Everything is metered and the drinks are EXTREMELY WEAK! Over $150 tab and we walked out SOBER! Walked in with a good buzz one night and had one mixed drink and a shot and walked out without a buzz. Left quickly when the drink tasted like a non alcoholic beverage. I feel bad because I enjoy the atmosphere and the bartenders, but I am not happy with the lack of alcohol. Even the shots are metered and not a full shot. Maybe they'd have more business in the evenings if the bartenders were allowed to make a "REAL" drink. read more

I am about to move to South Amboy and decided to check this place out. I had a great burger and enjoyed the mellow ambience. It was a Saturday afternoon and the bartender was friendly. I think the prices are pretty reasonable and the portions are large. I will definitely return. read more

i didn't know about this bar until they started following me on instagram! that's when i realized they had some great deals. Buy one get one burger mondays. Taco tuesdays. & more. they also have their own rewards system connected to your phone number. after (i think) 3 visits, you get a reward! they have awesome pierogies. their kilbasa & sauer kraut one is quite delicious. their burgers are amazing. they also have those crinkle cut french fries - those are the best! it also seems like they have cool activities. they have two pool tables, which is always fun. definitely check this place out if you're from south amboy or in the area. get a drink or two or three. read more

I'm not sure how people could possibly give this bar more than one star. Granted they are operating during COVID-19, the service is less than ideal and the food was deplorable to say the least. The only thing that makes this place somewhat decent is the amazing staff. Otherwise, the food and ambience itself is less than gratifying. This serves as more of a "get drunk alone" kind of setting. Will avoid returning if possible. read more

I use to come here before COVID-19 with my cousins and say 5 stars for the young lady Beth that barkeeps here.... Wonderful and attentive young lady...may be the. Best thing to happen to this business in a. Long time...... hopefully things turn around..... food was O.K..... can not believe shot system still here needs to GO!!!!!! read more

My wife and I tried the place. Place was almost empty. We half finished our drinks and left ASAP. I don't know the clientele that goes here, and I don't want to. read more

Up until last Friday night, I could say Monaghan's was one of my favorite local stops, unfortunately I cannot say that any more. It has always been a friendly, atmosphere with reliably good food and service, Friday the vibe was completely different. To start the cook and bartender complained about their co-workers from the moment we walked in. The bar was filthy, not just where we were sitting but all around us. The beer was not cold and had an odd taste. This was the topic of conversation among the patrons. My husband ordered their fish platter, the scallops were burnt on the outside but cold inside. All his fish had a burnt look. He was told by the cook that they didn't leave him any cocktail sauce, so he hoped he didn't want any.(he didn't know how to make it?) We sent the scallops back and were given 4 more that were even darker. I ordered the chicken quesadilla, well at least in one small portion there was a chicken finger cut up in the cheese that was not completely melted. Our fries were cold and soggy. There was no cutlery to eat with, as the bartender told us the cook had not cleaned any. They took the cost of the fish off the bill considering he barely ate any of it. It is a shame, it was a really great place, however it appeared the staff that night had no training and/or little care about the customers. I hope things change, this was a great neighborhood bar. read more

I would have given this place 5 Stars but the the food went south when Ramon left. @John M there is nothing wrong with the crowd in Monghans clearly you are a douche bag. read more

Average bar service. They have really good food from pizza to the daily specials to the wings. Enjoy...

PBR on tap and some of the best food ever. Steak special on Thursday. And thin crust pizza that is the best around. Very friendly staff. My favorite bar of all time. read more

One of my favorite pizzas in town and it's not even a pizza joint. Excellent pie for a great price. They also have great pierogis and chicken fingers (I know they are just chicken fingers but for some reason they taste even better here) cheap drinks and great food what more could you want? The place looks like it was remodeled during the Cold War so don't expect nothing fancy but go there knowing exactly that and enjoy the food and drinks! read more

Love the pizza! best pizza in town. My husband and I stop by and order pizza to go and like to sit at the bar and have a few beers while we wait! read more

Love coming here for their thin crust pizza and pitcher of beer. Good food and nice comfy atmosphere.

This place seems nice but they don't serve you if you are black. My niece had the same experience. Came in with a group of friends and got totally ignored. Tonight I came in and although it was quite busy, I waited and waited. Finally the lady next to me asked, "is she ever gonna serve you?" Meanwhile the barmaid was looking for things to do, studiously avoiding looking at me. Eventually I left after loudly wishing everyone "Happy Holidays". If you don't think racism still exists, go here and watch it in action! read more

Place was almost empty then filled up with the most pleasant of area people. Food was delicious and the barmaid Megan could not have been more pleasant and more attentive read more