The warm weather is officially on its way and flowers have bloomed — we’re ready to start enjoying some drinks outdoors and enjoying the sunshine. There are plenty of great outdoor spaces to enjoy the best of what the warm weather has to offer and indulge in some alfresco drinking. Read on to discover outdoor + rooftop bars in Hoboken + Jersey City.
Jersey City
902 Brewing Co. | 101 Pacific Avenue
Get some cold refreshing beer at 902 Brewing Co. while taking in the views on its rooftop, an experience you do not want to miss.
Read More: Best Spots for a Margarita in Hoboken + Jersey City
Departed Soles Brewing Company | 150 Bay Street
Departed Soles has the option to sit outdoors while sipping on its gluten-free beer. They also have a tasting room so be sure to check it out.
Harry’s Daughter | 339 Communipaw Avenue
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Yes, Harry’s Daughter does have palm trees at its restaurant. The spot brings the vacation vibes to Jersey! Be sure to head over and check out the outdoor seating.
The Hutton | 225 Hutton Street
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If you are in Jersey City Heights, head over to The Hutton for food and drinks with friends and family, and check out its outdoor patio area.
Porta | 135 Newark Avenue
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Visitors can enjoy the bar on the rooftop of this spacious Italian pizza joint (originally hailing from Asbury Park), and while the rooftop menu at Porta is limited, the appetizing brick oven pizza and small bites are available for sharing.
RoofTop at Exchange Place | 1 Exchange Place
Just a short walk over from the Exchange Place Light Rail or PATH stop, this rooftop bar is open all-year-round (with table service during the warmer months) and has a beautiful view of the NYC skyline. Try dishes like mac and cheese, crab cakes, and garlic parm fries, as well as lots of fun cocktails while enjoying the spring air from above (complete with killer views).
Six26 Lounge + Rooftop | 128 Christopher Columbus Drive
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This LGBTQ lounge that shares a rooftop with The Ashford (and combined is actually the largest rooftop in the downtown JC area) features awesome events like drag bingo and karaoke. With sunset champagne toasts on top of all the fun activities, Six 26 is a great place to grab a drink on a Friday night.
Skinner’s Loft | 146 Newark Avenue
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The quaint rooftop at Skinner’s Loft is the perfect place to enjoy a weeknight dinner or Sunday brunch on Newark Avenue.
Smorgasbar | 3 Second Street
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From the team behind Smorgasburg, Smorgasbar is a seasonal beer garden with a full bar that serves up beers on tap and frozen drinks, among other options.
Sophia Rooftop | 143 Newark Avenue
Located in Downtown Jersey City, Sophia Rooftop is a private and secure venue with a sophisticated ambiance. Expect fresh, seasonal ingredients, innovative cuisine, and exemplary service. Keep in mind that Sophia Rooftop is a private space — head to the website to book an event there.
Stork Club Rooftop | 2 Chapel Avenue
Stork Club in Jersey City is a rooftop bar and lounge (above Felina Steak) with unparalleled views of NYC, a rooftop firepit, a 360-degree bar, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, an extensive cocktail menu, and a hanger-style door that opens to the outdoor deck. The space is a tribute to the original, famed club of the same name in Manhattan.
Surf City | 1 Marin Boulevard
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Just a short walk from the Marin Boulevard light rail stop, this spacious waterfront hangout has plenty of eats like burgers and seafood — so cut that work day short and get your happy hour on. You’ll feel like you’re down the shore, but surprise — you’re in Jersey City.
Zeppelin Hall | 88 Liberty View Drive
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Gather a group of pals and head over to this indoor/outdoor Biergarten. Choose from a large number of drafts on tap and check out the bratwurst (we recommend the cheese brat) or a variety of authentic German dishes that can be enjoyed outdoors. Outdoor spots are open whenever the weather permits.
Hoboken
City Bistro | 56 14th Street
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Pop into this uptown restaurant/bar on 14th Street for dinner or brunch, and check out the adorable rooftop that is ideal for cocktails on a sunny afternoon. They also have frozen sangria, chocolate martini, and SPICY margarita machines.
Farside Tavern | 531 Washington Street
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Part of the Hoboken community since 1997, Farside Tavern has always been there to provide the Hoboken community with many drinks and lots of fun. Head over to its outdoor patio and soak up the sun.
Metropolis | 96 River Street
This spot in the old The Dubliner space also has a rooftop. Metropolis provides a great space for watching sports, and also includes a full restaurant, a wine + cocktail bar, and a spot for rooftop brunch.
Mulligan’s Pub | 159 1st Street
For more drinks and outdoor fun, be sure to visit Mulligan’s Pub’s outdoor area.
Northern Soul | 700 1st Street
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Northern Soul’s spacious outdoor seating area also has Soul Shacks for even more outdoor dining fun.
Pier 13 | 1301 Sinatra Drive North
If you can snag a riverside seat while enjoying frozen cocktails at this outdoor venue, it is well worth the trip on a nice spring day. Plenty of food trucks have an array of snacking options, including Amanda Bananas and Lobster Trap. Be sure to check Facebook + Instagram for updates @pier13hoboken as they only open when weather permits.
See More: Must-Visit Rooftop + Outdoor Bars in the Montclair Area
Pilsener Haus + Biergarten | 1422 Grand Street
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Hoboken’s Biergarten serves up plenty of Austro-European treats fresh off the grill (including desserts) and an extensive domestic and international beer list. The outdoor area here is just about always open, set up with igloos in the cooler months and open-air seating in the spring and summer.
A History of Oreos in Hoboken
We all know that Hoboken brought us famous figures like Maria Pepe, one of the first girls to ever play Little League baseball; Buddy Valastro, the mastermind behind Cake Boss; and of course, Frank Sinatra, who needs no intro. But fun fact, Hoboken also gave us that chocolate deliciousness that is the Oreo cookie. Yes, that classic treat, snack, and dessert has some bona fide Mile Square roots. Let's take a look back at just where the Oreo originated and how it came to be. Chances are, it might just look a little familiar. Read on to learn all about the history of the Oreo in Hoboken, New Jersey.
History of the Oreo
The Oreo — then known as the Oreo Biscuit — was the brainchild of Nabisco, which in 1912 was called the National Biscuit Company. Nabisco developed the Oreo in Chelsea, Manhattan in what is known today as the Chelsea Market. Ninth Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets remains an homage to the Oreo to this day, as it's known as Oreo Way.
The first Oreo design featured a wreath-like look around the edge of the cookie. "OREO" was printed in the center, as it still is today, but the price point was significantly different. In the early days, Oreos were 25 cents a pound, and instead of being sold on shelves in plastic packaging, the chocolate-and-vanilla-frosting cookies came in metal canisters.
Read More: The Matriarch of Iconic Baked Goods Brand Entenmann's is From Hoboken
So, where does Hoboken come in? Well, when it came time to sell the Oreo as a product, the first transaction happened right here in the Mile Square. The very first Oreo Biscuit was sold on March 6th, 1912 in Hoboken, according to TIME. That makes Hoboken home of the first-ever Oreo sale.
That first Oreo went to Hoboken grocer S.C. Theusen. Theusen had a grocery store on 10th and Washington Street and because of his serendipitous cookie purchase, paved the way for the Mile Square to be the very first city to enjoy the now-famous Oreo.
How It Came to Be
The filling of the Oreo was developed in New York by food scientist Sam Porcello. Porcello, who also created a version of the Oreo covered in dark chocolate and white chocolate, started the creme filling recipe with a trans fat called lard. It's since been replaced with hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is why the cookie is a fan favorite among plant-based eaters.
How the Oreo Has Changed
Remember that original name, the Oreo Biscuit? Since 1912, the goodness of the Oreo hasn't changed, but the name certainly has several times. In 1921, it became the "Oreo Sandwich" and then it changed again in 1948 to the "Oreo Crème Sandwich." Then in 1974, it changed for one final time, becoming the Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookie, which remains the official name of the Oreo to this day, over 50 years later.
See More: The Ultimate Guide to Desserts in Montclair
Other Snacks Hoboken Is Famous For
Hoboken has a decorated history of providing the nation with delectable snacks. From Twinkies to Tootsie Rolls, several manufacturing and distributing factories got their start in Hoboken as early as the 1800s — Hostess, the ice cream cone, and more.
But needless to say, we're big fans of the Oreo. So, celebrate National Oreo Day by grabbing a box of these delicious treats and enjoy eating them in and around Hoboken.
