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The Brightside Tavern

3.7 (376 reviews)
Open • 9:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
Updated over 3 months ago

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The Brightside Tavern Photos

THE BRIGHTSIDE TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - The Brightside Tavern

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Reviews With Photos

Mango Margarita!!! Perfectly made
Chmere M.

Best place for brunch!!!! I always enjoy my time at Brightside and i finally made it back to brunch after a few years! They open at 9:30 and the Brunch menu is extensive and the food is delicious!!! Try the Mimosas!!!

Gin blossom
Sara G.

Servers are almost always super friendly. The owner two scoops Tommy is in often and loves to make friends either everyone. Food is awesome bar food. Extensive brunch, lunch, and dinner menu. If you come in the morning you get free muffins. Combo of old school and dive--y vibes inside. Party room upstairs with games.

Crab cake sliders
Danielle G.

Brightside is the best local bar for casual food in the area. Their crab cake sliders are a winner every time. Also such friendly service. Great staff and Tommy always knows how to make you feel welcomed.

A delicious Bloody Mary!
Joshua A.

The food, staff and ambiance were great! Huge fan of all the breakfast items we tried! Also loved the drinks as well! But the best part was meeting the owner, Tom "Tommy 2 Scoops"! An amazing person whose connection to the community is one to strive for!

Richard C.

I stopped by The Brightside Tavern, 141 Bright Street, Jersey City, NJ, around 10:30 a.m. today to have breakfast. A busy morning today, so I decided to stop in early. Wow, I had the most amazing Poached Eggs Florentine over English Muffin breakfast. It was healthful and tasty. The spinach was so fresh and flavorful. I had an iced coffee with it. Server Mina was personable and efficient. I can tell she is a big addition to the Brightside Tavern team by her personality alone. I give this tavern / eatery the highest possible rating.

Grilled Salmon Wrap and Sweet Potato Fries
Jackie R.

Todays visit was spontaneous. Brightside is great got your usual bar food. The staff is extremely pleasant and you can almost always expect chill vibes. I love salmon and gave the wrap a try. I was underwhelmed. The taste of the mixed greens took over the wrap. The salmon wasn't well seasoned. The avocado added a nice touch but could've been fitted from a nice or more seasoned piece of salmon. I wouldn't order this particular item again. The sweet potato fries were great! Until next time.

Bandstand
Ron G.

They have a nice room off to the side with a nice ambiance. A few tvs with fireplaces on screen and brick walls give the place a warm & cozy charm. The servers were polite and responsive. The owner, Tommy was there and is so friendly and outgoing, getting to know we newbies as we came in. He made us feel at home right away. The food is your typical bar fare, but a bit higher end. The menu is expansive and not expensive. We came on a Monday evening when they had live jazz music. The professionals were fantastic and we enjoyed every single time they played. There were three players to start, but as the night progressed, more musicians joined in. So entertaining! Parking on the street was easy and well lit, an important thing to consider in Jersey City. Our server was great, very attentive and making sure we were kept satisfied throughout the night. Overall a great night out for not a lot of money.

Fried Pickles
Jonathan C.

Delivery order review: Pizza is good, not great. Better options out there for the price. Also ordered fried pickles, I understand that they are not going to be super crunchy when you order them for delivery but they were completely soggy and little to no flour on them at all to be fried. Customer service also wasn't great. I asked for a refund about the pickles and they told me "that's how they make them" so that's not so great either. Recommend another place based on the delivery aspect.

French Fries
Melinda W.

Went in for some shots and drinks while waiting for our table to be ready for the Hot Pot nearby! The owner/manager was really friendly and gave us free fries! Also took our pic, and sent it to some app that displayed on the large screens in the bar. May have also given the free fries because we spent a lot on shots!

Italian Omelette
Eileen D.

Came here for brunch at ~9:30 on a Tuesday and the staff had just got in but were super nice and sat us down and started breakfast :) The portions are HUGE.

X Z.

I had a great time here with my bf. I went here for the Thursday night jazz performance plus the comedy show, which was excellent. The jazz show is very professional and amazing. The comedy show was hilarious, and is pulling its weight for the price, if not better than some of the shows j have heard in Ny. The owner is also very friendly, and very passionate about the locals having a good time. The appetizers were also quite nice, can't go wrong with some chicken wings and onion rings. In all, it was a very convivial experience. Glad to support local business. If we have free time, we are likely to go again.

Bar
Priscilla W.

This is my friends neighborhood bar. I really enjoyed how personal and friendly they were fir the exception of one blonde bar tender. Unfortunately she never greeted us and served the other guest before making her to us to see if we were being helped. I really fell in love with Buffalo wings and the blue cheese sauce. This was my second time eating there and things keep getting better. I definitely recommend this bar for game day or just to pre game. They have big tvs and clean restrooms. The service was great except for the blond bar tender but even her her lack of customer service wouldn't stop me from coming back

I had Huevos Rancheros with home fries. My hubby had Chicken and Waffles  yum yum yummy

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11 months ago

Everything here was delicious and the atmosphere inside was fun and welcoming. The service was great and we would definitely return.

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11 months ago

Food & service was awesome. We choice the outside seating to better fit our mood. Everyone was very friendly.

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3 years ago

Great neighborhood staple I had my 30th bday and my engagement party here as well as many brunches bdays etc

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The Brightside Tavern Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Brightside Tavern

Is this place kid friendly?

Absolutely! There are high chares and several eating areas for families of all sizes from what I saw.

Is there parking available?

Street parking is available

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O'Hara's Downtown

O'Hara's Downtown

3.6(323 reviews)
0.6 mi
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My expectations of bars are fairly minimal. I'm really going there to have a drink and probably…read morewatch some TV while writing some emails, writing some texts, or doing something productive. Not much else. O'Hara's fills that role for me. Can't really ask for more as the drink selection is pretty solid. Good variety of local beers too. Plenty of screens to enjoy something you'd like. Bartenders are pretty responsive too. You can get quick service here. Prices are also quite reasonable, at least based on what I think.

If I lived in Jersey City, O'Hara's would know my order, my birthday, my secrets AND I'd be 100…read morepounds heavier without a single regret. This place is dangerously additive and has something on the menu for everyone. For starters I tried their chicken egg rolls, which were crispy, tasty and left me wanting more. This place has THE best chicken Caesar wrap I've ever had!!! Deliciously cooked, crunchy chicken topped with fresh lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, bundled up in a thin wrap. As I'm typing this, my inner foodie is plotting an hour-long pilgrimage to Jersey City......because yes, it really was THAT good. My date ordered the rigatoni special and he's still talking about it. If you're not sure what you're looking for but want a yummy bite, on point service and a lively atmosphere where you feel like family, this is your place. Thank me later :)

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Lucky 7

Lucky 7

3.9(178 reviews)
0.4 mi
•$

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've been attending the Lucky 7 bbq-- both as a musician and in the crowd -- for over 5 years. I've…read moreseen it grow, evolve, and consistently deliver some of the most inspiring live performances in Jersey City. Dancing Tony is the best for keeping the JC hopping with music. But this year, a dark stain on that otherwise vibrant experience came from Lucky 7 bar itself. Let's be clear -- this wasn't just a case of being busy or understaffed. This was blatant, willful ignoring of anyone who didn't fit a very specific mold. Myself and several others waited patiently (and obviously) at the bar, cash in hand, only to be passed over again and again while bartenders prioritized regulars, deep-pocketed bros, and the kind of performative hipsters who drink PBRs out of obligation like their hot topic t-shirt to a punk band way beyond their years. What's worse: there was no acknowledgment, no "we'll be right with you," not even a glance. Just a pointed refusal to serve anyone who didn't register as familiar, flashy, or fashionable. Or, who knows what reason. We gave up after 15 minutes. Luckys is a great a dive bar that's lived through the different incantations of the JCs arts scene but the bartenders working during the festival this year, particularly the woman, worked with a particular set of blinders that you had to bow down to. Looking forward to next year but hopefully with better service inside the bar.

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Lucky 7 - Cheesesteak at Luckys is sooooo goood.

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Hudson Hall - Reuben

Hudson Hall

3.8(354 reviews)
0.6 mi
•$$

JP didn't just run the bar at the beer hall. He made the whole afternoon. We had a big group,…read morefamilies, kids, grandparents, the whole mix. It was a full afternoon of food and drinks, and the kind of event where a lot of moving pieces have to come together for it to actually work. JP was the reason it worked. What stood out most wasn't the drinks. It was the kids. There were a lot of them, running around, excited, in the middle of everything. JP knew every single one of them by name before the afternoon was half over. Not in a performative way. He just made a point to learn who they were and made them feel like they belonged there as much as anyone else. He was checking in on them, getting them what they needed, keeping them engaged. Parents noticed. Everyone noticed. Beyond the kids, he was everywhere. Anticipating what people needed before they asked. Moving fast without ever seeming rushed. Making sure nobody was waiting, nobody was forgotten, and everybody was having a good time. The food, the drinks, the whole flow of the afternoon, it all ran smoothly because JP was paying attention to all of it. My sister-in-law's celebration was exactly what it was supposed to be. A big part of that is JP. If you are booking an event here, request him specifically. You will not regret it.​​​​​​​​​​​​

Super fun spot to watch a big game! They have a bunch of TVs and major game day specials, such as…read more$25 for 20 wings! Food was a little slow, and the wings were a tad dry, but still so fun!! Lively adult vibe perfect to cheer on the Knicks!

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Hudson Hall
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Schnitzel sandwich. Little burnt. Ordered sauce on side. Sauce is on sandwich. And where is the avocados?

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Healys Tavern - Onion Rings $7.00 (06/27/25). @Healys_Tavern #JerseyCity #DiveBar #OnionRings #Beer

Healys Tavern

4.2(84 reviews)
0.5 mi
•$

Just had a bite at Haley's Tavern. I needed some food before going to another event so I decided to…read morestop at the nearby Haley's Tavern. As I walked in the music was at a pleasant volume. They were playing country music and the bar area was pretty much almost full. I was quickly greeted by the bartender who was a very nice lady, and she immediately took my order of mozzarella sticks to go. The price was reasonable however I did not know that I would be charged a dollar (technology) fee to use my credit card, but maybe it was an oversight by me. The food did not take long to be ready and in less than 10 minutes I was back out the door. The mozzarella sticks were good. You got about six of them, marinara sauce and they were tasty. When I first saw the amount, I got nervous, but I'm glad that they tasted good. They were just the right temperature and the marinara sauce was good as well. If you're in the area, and need a quick bite this may be your spot. By the way, parking is trash in the area so good luck with that.

(Drank 06/27/2025 FR @ 10:30pm and 07/06/2024 SA @ 6:30pm): This tavern had a way of healing one's…read morethirst! In my quest to explore the various cuisine scenes and things to do throughout Jersey City and specifically the Heights, some friends and I made the short downhill walk from the Historic Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery where Day 1 of the 2025 Goatchella Music Festival was held. I'd been here once before last year only for a quick drink and hoped to return... which I did. I loved dive bars (a quasi one in this case), and we desperately needed something to eat because there wasn't any food at the music festival. Would our hunger be healed at this nearby tavern!? PURCHASE Yuengling Brewery Traditional Lager American Amber Red Beer 16floz Draft ($7.00): Copper red color, malty sweet aroma, low body, malty sweet flavor, clean finish, and smooth malty sweet aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=IK-gGbhbel7snfqWUNxFQQ [ONION RINGS/STRAWS/STRINGS ALERT - 3.0 of 5.0 STARS] Onion Rings w/Ranch Dipping Sauce ($7.00): A large portion of uniform slim ring sizes, these were hot, medium/dark brown, lightly crunchy, and had a slight tendency to crumble when bitten into while the onion ring (not sweet Maui) didn't pull out rather it broke apart. They weren't very oily (a plus), the ranch dipping sauce was a bit watery and somewhat needed because the rings lacked flavor. These helped to fill my stomach and absorb some alcohol, but these were a one-and-done for me. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=k_xnTqsztpwi532djVfb1A 902 Brewing Heaven Hell Or Hoboken IPA Beer 16floz Can ($7.00): Bright amber color, light hoppy aroma, low body, light hoppy flavor, crisp finish, and light hoppy aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=814Bgltx9H3EH1JdhCy5uw SERVICE We casually walked in, grabbed an open high table next to the bar, and a female server quickly greeted us with glasses of water, menus, and some time to decide what we wanted. Minutes later, she returned, took our order, quickly returned with our drinks, and no more than five minutes later our food arrived. Once we were done, we called her over, settled up, and headed on our way. Everything was straightforward - easy-peasy! PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance) Generally speaking, this was an easy flat-to-downhill 20-minute walk from my friend's place. Otherwise, there appeared to be plenty of spots (no known private lot) along the main drag of Newark Ave. and all surrounding roads - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A bit "fancier" than your standard dive bar, the simple yet somewhat snug floorplan was highlighted by the central circular bar https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=6IwZzouh4fBQUWDeXCppvw with ample stools, several standard and high tables throughout (there was also a small front outdoor patio area), and your typical beer advertisement on the walls. Decent natural lighting came through the many large tinted windows while minimal electric lights filled in the rest. There were several muted TVs while music only played in the background if someone fed the old-school jukebox. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=HWy9upn6jGmNFIkVUGFz4A ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL Healy's Tavern was a fun option if I wanted to go slumming while I watched some games with an onsite kitchen for food and the ability to use credit cards. Each time, I felt the local neighborhood touch, but other than that, there wasn't anything in particular that stood out. The prices were affordable, the menu options decent, and the service was easy and simple. And, I always loved supporting small businesses whenever possible. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience between the two visits was around $22.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS

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Healys Tavern - Inside

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The Hutton - Spice Rubbed Onion Rings w/Goat Cheese $15.00 (04/01/25). @TheHuttonJC #JerseyCity #SportsBar #FoodPorn

The Hutton

4.3(454 reviews)
2.0 mi
•$$

The Hutton has been on my list of spots to try for so long, but out of sight out of mind sometimes…read more We finally took a short walk and landed here for dinner over the weekend. On a Saturday evening there was quite a long wait for the patio but the 3 picnic tables outside were free and clear...perfect! Delicious food Great cocktails Kindest staff that brought water out for our pup All good things. We got the apple guac to start and loved that it was like a sweeter, chuckier guacamole. It was served with plantain chips and great for a hotter night app. For my main, I got the Grain Bowl. So good, so filling and I had plenty left over for lunch the next day. It had quinoa, tofu, chickpeas, yams, and a green goddess dressing. This will officially be added to the rotation of lunch/dinner spot. Cannot wait to come back.

Finally stopped at the Hutton for some food. I've been walking past this place for the past year or…read moreso. We ordered the burger LTO and the chicken caprese. The sides were Caesar salad and fries. It was delicious, the server was quick and attentive making sure we were happy with our meal. The presentation of the food was superb it was a nice stop and I am sure I'll be back at some point. Seemed to be a nice dive bar in the heights not many places like this in the area.

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The Hutton - Indoor bar

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The Hutton - Jerk Fried Calamari w/Pickles Tartar Sauce $16.00 (04/01/25). @TheHuttonJC #JerseyCity #SportsBar #FoodPorn

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The Brightside Tavern - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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