It’s the first week of July and the happy hours will not disappoint that need for refreshing summer cocktails. With the 4th of July smack in the middle of the week {wishful thinking} celebrate your week with fireworks and independence, but also with some of Hudson County’s finest drink specials. {Speaking of the holiday, if you’re looking for Independence Day plans, we’ve listed out the area’s best 4th of July festivities + firework displays.}
Monday – July 3rd
Half-Off at Mikie Squared {Hoboken}
Start your week off with dinner at Mikie’s Squared. We’re talking half-off your dinner and drinks all night which include entrees like steak + burgers, and drinks like sangria – and the list goes on. They also offer a full lunch and breakfast menu if you’re looking for something to eat earlier in the day.
PS: Pet owners — stop by House of Que to meet SNIFF Dog Walkers with your pup and pick up some dog-friendly swag while you’re at it.
Margs at O’Hara’s {Jersey City}
Satisfy your margarita craving at O’Hara’s Downtown with six different flavored margaritas plus 20% off selected bites. Sounds like a happy Margarita Monday to us!
Tuesday – July 4th
Summer Cocktails at Zack’s {Hoboken}
Head over to Zack’s Oak Bar + Restaurant on Tuesday to try out their brand new summer cocktails menu. We’re obsessed with all the delicious + refreshing drinks Hudson County offers in the summer and Zack’s has a bunch you should try out, fo sho.
Half-Off Sushi at the Wine + Whiskey Bar at Grove Square {Jersey City}
Don’t miss out on happy hour at the Wine + Whiskey Bar from 4PM – 8PM this July 4th. They offer $4 craft beers, $6 specialty drinks, and 1/2-off selected apps and sushi. It’s the perfect dinner special for a sweet summer night.
Read more: 4th of July Activities and Fireworks Happening
Wednesday – July 5th
Prix Fixe at Court Street {Hoboken}
From 4PM – 6PM at Court Street you can enjoy their Prix Fixe menu – a three course meal that comes with an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $21.95. This special offers an array of options like zucchini bruschetta app, salmon filet entree, and homemade cheesecake for dessert.
$2 Beer at Barcade {Jersey City}
Celebrate Hump Day and a return to work with Barcade on Wednesday. Stop in from 12PM – 7PM to snag $2 off any draft beer. They also have a $10 lunch special until 3PM. Arcade games + drink/food specials sound like a great way to release some mid-week tension.
Thursday – July 6th
Signature Cocktails at The Shep {Hoboken}
Get $2 off all signature cocktails and $6 well drinks after 7 PM at The Shepherd + the Knucklehead. Their mixologists create new drinks like the Bourbon + Basil with Ginger Spiced Whiskey {pictured above}. Stop in and see what cocktail they’ve conjured up this Thursday.
Comedy Open Mic at Porta {Jersey City}
Laugh through the end of the week with comedy and drink specials on Thursday with Porta‘s comedy open mic night from 8PM – 10PM. If you’re interested in bringing the humor – comedians with any level experience are welcome to perform for $5 for five minutes. They’ll be choosing performers based off of a random lottery.
Read More: Places to Get a {Quality} Glass of Wine in JC
Friday – July 7th
$1 Green Tea Shots at 1 Republik {Hoboken}
TGIF! Cheers to 1 Republik‘s happy hour specials from 4PM – 7PM with $3 Bud/Bud Lites, $4 Yungling, $4 house wines, $4 well drinks, and $1 Miller Lites or green tea shots from 4PM – 5PM. You should also definitely try one of their new signature summer cocktails – Gin Punch, Peachy Mule, and Southern Prescription Julep pictured above.
Specials at VB3 {Jersey City}
Get ready to have a great Friday night with Villa Borghese III‘s happy hour specials, featuring 1/2-off appetizers like wings, mussels, and calamari. For drinks, they have $3 bottled beer, $3 drafts, $4 wines, $5 cocktails + lady’s martinis, and $3 shots.
Read More: Restaurants That Are Perfect for Date Night
Saturday – July 8th
Bloody Mary Bar at Bin 14 {Hoboken}
There’s no way to do your weekend right if it doesn’t include brunch. For those Bloody Mary fans, Bin 14‘s Bloody Bar has great choices all made with their house-made Bloody Mary mix. From a traditional Bloody Mary {$6} to their Bacon Bloody with bacon bourbon {$8}, you’ll definitely want to order one of these. If Bloody’s aren’t quite your thing, don’t worry — they also have mimosas {$7} and amazing breakfast cocktails {$10} like their Breakfast Martini.
Beach Party at the Hoboken Motorcycle Club {Jersey City}
On Saturday, the Hoboken Motorcycle Club is hosting their Summer Beach Party at the club in Jersey City. Support the HMC and enjoy a live band, DJ, and vendors with free food and beer {while supplies last}. 50 Hoboken Avenue, Jersey City is the address — confusing, isn’t it?
Sunday – July 9th
City Bistro {Hoboken}
Sunday at City Bistro is a must – especially since their rooftop is open for summer. Stop by in the AM for a $4 mimosa or Bloody Mary until 4 PM. Starting at 5PM, they have half off bottles of wine.
$10 Wings at Corkscrew Bar {Jersey City}
Chicken wings for brunch? Why not! Corkscrew Bar in JC has quite the fun brunch menu. Get a dozen chicken wings from $10 or half dozen for $6 with any sauce of your choice. Snag a bunch of other brunch menu items for $10 including eggs benny, a brunch burger, tacos, veggie frittata, brunch cubano, or Belgian waffles for $8.
No matter how you spend your time, we hope you make all your hours happy ones! Be sure to tag us in your fun on Instagram @HobokenGirlBlog or #HobokenGirl. Enjoy the week of festivities :)
Ghost Truck Kitchen Opening New Jersey City Location in Bergen Hall
After closing its original Jersey City location at 356 Varick Street in summer 2024, Ghost Truck Kitchen (formerly known as gtk) will return to Chilltown this spring. The team shared on Tuesday, February 18th, that its new Bergen-Lafayette outpost will open at 295 Johnston Avenue, inside the forthcoming Bergen Hall. Ghost Truck Kitchen has become a popular local eatery over the years, known for its creative and customizable takeout options. Read on for more about Ghost Truck Kitchen's new Bergen-Lafayette spot, opening inside Bergen Hall in Jersey City soon.
Photo Credit: gtk
The New BeLa Spot
While the Ghost Truck Kitchen team had its eye on expansion, various problems plaguing the project have resulted in redirection. First, the original location at Varick Street closed. According to information provided exclusively to The Hoboken Girl in August 2024, the closure stemmed from a variety of building-related challenges that made it impossible to continue operations. The Hoboken location still provides delivery to Jersey City residents. For the time being, Hoboken will serve as the central hub for operations. The team has worked to expand delivery options to cover a wider range of Hoboken and Jersey City.
Second, the new location at 295 Johnston Avenue inside the 295J Apartments in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood of Jersey City is still in development but will be solely operated by Ghost Truck Kitchen. In June 2024, The Hoboken Girl reported: "While there is no timeline on the opening just yet, a source close to the project shared with HG that Andrew Martino, founder and operator of GTK, “is working on a new model that will help satisfy the neighborhood’s need for family-friendly dining, event space, and great takeout all-in-one space, in partnership with Southeast-based legacy BBQ brand Sticky Fingers Ribhouse.” Sticky Fingers Ribhouse is no longer a part of the development in Bergen-Lafayette, and Ghost Truck Kitchen will be operating the space as a sole proprietor.
Read More: Julietta Gelato Cafe Soft Opening in Hoboken on 2/20
As of February 18th, 2025, Ghost Truck Kitchen confirmed that its new Bergen-Lafayette spot has plans to open this spring, per a press release.
Ghost Truck Kitchen will operate its takeout-only spot within a larger concept — Bergen Hall (more on that below) — and become its new home base. While sharing a large kitchen with the new concept, Ghost Truck Kitchen will maintain its own dedicated entrance, pickup area, and branded presence, "ensuring the same fast, reliable experience customers expect."
“We’re thrilled to bring gtk back to Jersey City with a convenient place, in an amazing neighborhood, for people to grab the variety and quality of our takeout and delivery options” Andrew Martino, founder of gtk and Martino Hospitality, said in the release.
With the new location also comes an addition to the staff. Ghost Truck Kitchen shared that Brant Schweinsberg, a longtime local with 15 years of experience in hospitality and craft beer, will join the Jersey City team. Brant was previously the Beer Manager at the now-closed Iron Monkey in Jersey City, and also worked with New Jersey Beer Company in North Bergen, as well as Departed Soles Brewery in Jersey City.
About Bergen Hall
So, what is Bergen Hall? Per a press release, the space will be a "casual, modern American dining experience" located at 58 Maple Street.
"Whether you’re stopping by for an afterwork drink, enjoying a dinner with the kids, or watching Sunday football with friends, Bergen Hall is designed to make every visit feel effortless and inviting," the website reads.
About Ghost Truck Kitchen
Ghost Truck Kitchen was launched in 2019 at 356 Varick Street in downtown Jersey City. Andrew wanted to serve high-quality takeout food made with organic ingredients. The spot is known for items like its chicken Caesar wrap, wings, and mac and cheese. It also serves a variety of delicious, health-conscious options like salads, wraps, and protein-packed rice bowls. The menu also has gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.
Photo credit: @sayheysocial
In 2023, a Ghost Truck Kitchen location opened in Hoboken at 1014 Washington Street as "go to kitchen." At the same time, the team announced plans for another location at the 295J apartment building in Jersey City, located in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood. In August 2024, the team announced the closure of the Varick Street location.
Back to Basics
When gtk opened its Hoboken location, the brand underwent a redefinition, moving away from "Ghost Truck Kitchen" to "Go-To Kitchen" as a way to distance itself from some of the negative perceptions surrounding ghost kitchens.
However, with the transition of the original Jersey City location and the evolution of the business, The Hoboken Girl previously learned exclusively that gtk has returned to its original name — Ghost Truck Kitchen. The decision reflects a decision to return to the brand's roots, embracing the identity that first made it a local favorite.
Photo credit: @sayheysocial
The team hinted at the possibility of this via the FAQ section of its updated website, which went live in July 2024, writing:
“When we first opened in 2019, we called our concept "Ghost Truck Kitchen" because like ghosts, no food trucks actually existed in our kitchen. But, we wanted to create a takeout experience that mimicked that of a food truck festival -- where everyone can easily order the best of the best of whatever they're craving. So, our culinary team created a variety of menu concepts that allowed us to serve our neighborhoods in just this way! In 2021, after some confusion around our name and realization that our true customers call us "gtk", we shifted our brand name to go-to kitchen. But, as Jon Bon Jovi said, who said you can't go home, right? Keep an eye out for updates here in 2024 on our updated brand vision for the future. ”
Andrew said, “the Ghost Truck Kitchen concept was inspired by the tastebud overload experience that is eating at a food truck festival, minus the ‘everyone standing in different, long lines’ part – this idea that everyone can find any and all of the unique flavors they could be craving all in one place. But, on top of confusion that we had an actual truck, the connotation around 'ghost kitchens' in the hospitality industry that just any business can pop up out of a commercial kitchen led to confusion around our chef-driven concept.”
See More: Must-Try Sandwich Spots in Essex County That Should Be On Your Radar
As gtk navigates this transition, Andrew previously shared with HG “the team remains deeply committed to the community that has supported them from the beginning. The closure of the Varick Street location may be a temporary setback, but we’re looking ahead with optimism and a focus on doing what we do best, with a space that allows us to serve more people in more ways."
Follow @hellogtk and @bergenhall for updates on the new space, including hiring opportunities and the official opening date — which has not been set at the time of this writing.
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