35 Best Bars near Franklin Park

“Fantastic food and service. We’ve been visiting this place for last 10 years and never been disappointed. We’ve tried almost every vegetarian dish and they are excellent and consistent in taste every time we visit. All the guests, whom we brought here, have praised the place.“

“Salt is hands down the best pre-theater dinner in New Brunswick. We totally enjoyed the fried calamari appetizer and 2 entree specials: a red snapper and a seared tuna. Highly recommended! Been there several times and already looking forward to going back.“

“We loved our Team dinner! 6 team members attended...5 of the 6 had never eaten at S52 and everyone was impressed! The food, drinks and service were perfect! We enjoyed Salmon, Scallops and Lamb as entrees...delicious desserts, perfectly portioned, and sharable appetizers! Thank you for a great experience!“

“I absolutely love this place. Everything is fresh and delicious. These dogs are creative, are made in house, and the options are endless. I am consistently going back to try them all.Vegetarian options: Can switch out any hot dog with a soy dog“

“What's there to say? People that have been to this place know they just know is amazing. The food is amazing. The vibe is amazing been going in for years . The downside it's ALWAYS packed so if you get a seat right away you are LUCKY enjoy ? .“

“Went on a Sunday afternoon to watch some NFL Playoff football. Bartenders were fast/friendly, drinks were cold/served perfect, and food was good. There are TV's everywhere, so there really isn't a bad seat. Great atmosphere, friendly crowd, with a sports bar look and feel. Plenty of parking and bathrooms are spotless. When in town again, we will definitely stop in.“

“Great food and energetic environment. Worth every penny if you want good seafood as well as other great pasta dishes! Try the calamari, crispy lobster dumplings and Italian sausage appetizers, you can't go wrong with either one! The pappardelle bolognese is amazing, my favorite dish thus far. The surf & turf is amazing as well, it will not disappoint!“

“Came here to meet up with my friend for lunch! Super cute vibes, amazing service. Me & my friend are so clumsy she spilled her entire drink all over, they were super quick with the pick up and even brought her back out the drink she ordered. Would definitely come back. Calamari was yum!!!“

“Witherspoon Grill was amazing. We were greeted by our server within seconds of sitting down. He took excellent care of us, from talking about the daily specials to ensuring our drinks were topped off. The food was simply amazing. I had the fresh caught cod with a lemon beurre blanc sauce and the house salad. 10/10 will hopefully be back soon!“

“This is my second visit to The Dinky Bar and Grill in Princeton which offers great views of the campus. We were going to see a play at McCarter and it is so convenient being across the street. The Dinky has an intimate vibe. Being the original Train Depot the feel of the place is still a train depot which I love. The menu is limited but certainly enough to choose from. There are shareable plates as well full entrees. Very good food and drinks. Our server Kayla was amazing. She needs to be recognized because she was extraordinary. A very busy place pre theater but Kayla never stopped smiling Great experience all around. Will definitely be going again.“

“PROS: Amazing place that was built in the 1840s and was a home, school, prison, and more throughout the years. Looks old in and out of it while the restaurant extends to the basement as well. nice food, well priced, good variety, atmosphere is amazing, staff is friendly CONS: Parking is extremely scarce as their lot is only 6 spacious. You must also make a reservation for dinner otherwise you're gambling to get a table OVERALL: You must come here if you're in the area. This is THE place to come to, to eat!“

“Great selection of cocktails, wines, beers, etc! It's a small and cozy space with seating at the bar and smaller tables/barrels. There is a private room in the back that can be reserved as well. I tried the yuzu cocktail and it was light and refreshing. The margherita pizza was good as well. Service was quick and attentive. They also sell a limited selection of alcohol. Would definitely return!“

“I love this place! Good quality food, nice employees + all employees are on top of their service. Fun place to eat and enjoy drinks. All employees are welcoming, especially Ashley. She's fun and friendly. No complaints whatsoever of this place, highly recommend for anyone looking for quick service, quality food, and a good time. 5 stars!“

“It was my first time their, and the live music was amazing. The atmosphere and the food were also one of the best I ever had. I would recommend this place to anyone who like fast service, Mexican food, and having a good time. In the end, this place is different than most restaurants.“

“33's Tavern has slammin’ tacos and great wings! I’ve had the fish tacos multiple times before and they never disappoint. Today was the first time we got wings and they were big and juicy! My husband got the steak tacos and they were also scrumptious! They are located right on Old Bridge Turnpike! (There is one wing missing that was consumed before I thought about sharing this gem!) 33’s is a bar, but you can totally go in and eat and/or grab takeout! Prices are extremely reasonable for what you get! ??“

“This is always, always my go to place for a great craft draft. In the midst of the Heineken and Sam Adams they have never disappointed to have a hidden gem of a beer available. Every few weeks they cycle through a different great beer. The service is super friendly and welcoming, and a chill dive atmosphere with the rest of the patrons is tye vibe here. Def get the tots!!!! Touchtunes available as well. Love having this place as my local dive.“

“What a gem of a place in the Plainsboro area (which doesn’t have many bars to begin with). Good food, great prices, amazing service, clean. No super loud music means you can actually talk with the people at your table. Great place to chill out after a long day or work.“

“Great food, nice staff and a pretty large space! Really enjoyed meeting my in laws and gma here for a quick early lunch on a Thursday. Service was great- we ordered salads and all of them were huge and delicious. I really liked the burrata- very good and took 1/2 home! Thanks for a great meal! Would absolutely go back- huge parking lot was across the street and used a few quarters I had! So easy!“

“You know the deal… Daddy David Portnoy told the public this place was AN 8.9. So you know me and Rj had to spin the block to Princeton. We got a large pie and devoured it like frickin animals. Unfortunately because of the crispness of the slice, Rj’s sperm count became a little too low and he died. Rip Rj. 5 Stars!“

“Originally a blacksmith shop and inn before turning into a tavern with the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. I may have been thrown out of here, several times. This bar is proudly #14 on NJ.com's Best Dive Bars list. I really like this place, wish it was closer to home. We used to find it by the giant satellite dish they had outside. I once tried to kiss a girl who worked here. She was so horrified she ran into the street. "Nooo..." Good times. Recently renovated before Covid. Bar top is lacquered plywood with a knotty pine fascia and walls. No foot rail but the floor is burnished (scorched) plywood. Stools are metal frame backed with cushion seats. Open 11AM to 2AM. Package goods available. Allegedly, there's a prison style two seater bathroom, sans privacy screen. More local history at keenbug.blogspot.comEvidence of billiards and electronic darts. Unused fireplace and hearth. They should should throw the Mp3 juke in the fire. Outside pen for smokers & dining al fresco. I'm told they have better food. I've seen the new menu and it looks like standard bar fare with a few salads thrown in to confuse you. Still, I miss it so...keenbug.blogspot.com/202…“

“We stopped in for lunch and had a really good time. Our server, Anthony, was extremely friendly and on point throughout our whole visit. We aren’t local to the area but between the great food and service we would go out of our way to eat there again.“

“Always a hometown feel going to the Pub. Friendly, inviting and a nice safe environment to drink. The bartenders truly bring a hometown feel to the bar. Grab a beer, try their Pub Sauce specialty wings and meet Val, Sylvia, and Chris they are FANTASTIC. Give it a shot on Tuesday nights for Bingo!“

“Second trip to Stage Left. Very much worth the drive from OH. The food was excellent. The gnocchi were silky soft and wonderful. The filet mignon was cooked to perfection, and the house made sauces were amazing. The service was beyond compare. Our server Joel was awesome, he took great care of everyone in our party (there were 4 of us). Max helped keep our table cleared and ready for the next course. Joel and Christian helped us plan out our meal and provided the best selection of wine to go with the meal. All the courses were excellent - cheeses, salad, pasta, steak, and dessert. The house made gelato is to die for. We are already planning our next visit for the summer when we can sit out on the patio.“

“We had the absolute time at Victoria's! We ordered Calamari and Salmon and both were amazing!! The fresh homemade bread was scrumptious! Joe the bartender was so friendly and made the best cocktails. Irene greeted us at the door and made sure we felt welcome and at home. From start to finish it was a wonderful experience. Definitely recommend! we will be coming back“

“I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for the incredible catering service you provided for my son's wedding. The food was absolutely delicious and exceeded our expectations in every way. From the presentation to the flavors, everything was top-notch. Our guests are still raving about the meal! Your professionalism and attention to detail made the entire experience seamless and stress-free. Thank you for helping make our special day truly unforgettable. We will definitely be recommending your restaurant to friends and family! Coralia Rocha“

“Certainly a mouthful, Garden State Bar + Ryders Lane Wine & Spirits in Milltown, is the definition of a hidden gem, offering a very cozy and laid-back atmosphere that's perfect for unwinding. The bar boasts a simple yet diverse menu, featuring options like wings, flatbreads, comfort foods, hummus platters, tex-mex, burgers, and Mama's special selection that has bhel, thepla, and plenty of tandoori style options. I opted for the Tandoori Masala Sauce Chicken Wings, a unique and flavorful choice, paired with a refreshing Miller Lite.What sets this place apart is its rare combination of serving Chaat-style Indian foods alongside alcoholic beverages. It's a distinctive offering that you won't easily find elsewhere, especially in New Jersey. While not a large venue, it's an ideal spot for a few friends to enjoy affordable drinks, catch a sports game, or grab a quick lunch in the Milltown area.Garden State Bar stands out as a welcoming local watering hole, providing a relaxed, well priced, and friendly environment for its patrons.“

“Best-value and best tasting coffee offered around campus/town - an important accolade when even the campus-run outlets are draining bank accounts for very basic offerings. Important for new or unfamiliar campus staff to know that all are welcome, even though it is in the basement of the "Campus Club" building.“

“Went here with my partner tonight for our 4th anniversary. A go to spot for us. He got a Manhattan to drink and I got a Rothaus. For food we got the pulled pork nachos, the “landing” burger and the honey glazed salmon. Everything came out quickly and was very good. With it being a Saturday night our server (Viv) was very attentive with how busy it was. All of the staff was very helpful and we’ll definitely continue to come here.“

“A legend in New Brunswick. You must try it at least once. Boli (stromboli) is like two slices of pizza rolled up. Near infinite number of filling combinations to satisfy the most carnivorous as well as the most vegan. Bar and outside tables are also popular. Excellent and expeditious service.“

“Found this gem after a Rutgers Basketball Game! The food was delicious from the appetizers to the desserts. The prices were accurate in today's high economy as were the drink prices. The service was great; friendly staff. The place was clean and tables were spaced apart from each other. I did a call ahead and our table was waiting for us when we arrived. Would highly recommend and will go back!“

“Love the Chesnut!!!!!! Grab a couple cocktails and play a little pool in a quiet area. Right off route 1 easy access to all highways they have a cozy backyard if you wanna have a smoke with your drink nestled out the back behind some cover.“

“My cousin is attending Rutgers College and wanted to meet after class, and this was the place he picked. I was excited to check it out. When I walked in, I was carded it's been a while since that happened to me, so I was flattered, to say the least. Don't wait to be seated. Just find your spot, I found mine in front of the TV they had both basketball games on. While sitting I noticed no one came over to take my order I thought that was a bit odd, when my cousin came in we made our way over to the bar and we received all the service we needed. This is the first place I ever visited that didn't come to you. You had to come to them, lol. Different, but everyone was nice and had a smile. I had naked wings and house salad. I'm not sure what they use for the Buffalo sauce, but it was good. I left nothing but bone, lol. The salad was fresh, and I so enjoyed the Greek vinaigrette. It was delicious. They also had BINGO, and we played about 3 games before we headed out. Over all ot was a great experience, and I'll be back for those naked wings. Oh, and they gave me a drink, Cozy, as well, lol“

“Came here with a group of 6 girlfriends. It was a bit early so we were seated right away. Let begin to say this is the first time at a Mexican restaurant with a HUGE array of menu options! We were greeted by our server Abel he was fantastic! We all started with a flight of margaritas which were tasty but had no alcohol in them we even mentioned it to the server. He did not bring out extra tequila or anything. The flight cost us $30 each for juice, that is the reason I took 1 star off!! We all shared two orders of guac... really good. Most of us had the mixed fajitas, my other 2 friends had the enchiladas and the sirloin steak and shrimp on a stone. Our food was great, good flavor and portions. At the end, we all were given a shot of tequila, even that shot felt watered down! I would come back here for the food, they definitely need to work on their drinks! If they start to get the drinks right this place would be out of this world!“

“Nothing has changed here in 20+ years (and that's a good thing!). Always good food at a reasonable price. Some of the best burgers around. An attentive and friendly Waite staff. Decor right out of the mid-80"s (again, not a bad thing). It's a comfortable place where you just fit in, whether you are here for the first time or an old timer.“

“I've come to roosters spending a number of times at various times. I've come here late night when friends were doing karaoke and I've come to dinner here with my wife and other friends. I like the industrial design of the interior and think it is pretty chic. The staff here has always been helpful and friendly and I have never had bad service coming here where they're having a drink or sitting down for dinner. As far as the food goes, the last time I came My wife wanted the deviled eggs which we got and shared, I wasn't super hungry otherwise I would have ordered my own appetizer, and if I was hungry I think I would have wanted my own appetizer. Ford the dinner. I got the double fried chicken and that was very good. I love crispy chicken and this did not disappoint at all. The worst part about this place is shared amongst many downtown New Brunswick locations. Is that you're stuck with street parking? However, there is a garage very close to here so that is always an option. All in all, I think You can't go wrong with stopping here and if you do, definitely try the double fried chicken.“