A new seafood-forward restaurant — called Blue Anchor Bar + Kitchen — opened this month in the Newport section of Jersey City at 166 River Drive. The restaurant is located in The Beach complex on the Jersey City waterfront, and serves up locally-sourced seafood and craft cocktails, among other things. Read on for what we know about Blue Anchor Bar + Kitchen, Hudson County’s newest waterfront seafood restaurant.
The Details
Blue Anchor Bar + Kitchen was originally looking to open in fall 2023, but we now know that the new full-service bar and restaurant soft-opened on Thursday, September 5th, 2024 inside The Beach — a waterfront apartment complex in Jersey City’s Newport neighborhood. The restaurant is located at 166 River Drive.
Read More: The Best Shrimp Dishes in Hoboken
The eatery takes up the northernmost retail space on the ground floor of the building, spanning over 2,200 square feet. The ownership team includes restauranteur Johnny Leung, who runs Jersey City restaurant Komegashi Too, as well as Chris Kong, Admen Kong, Alan Lau, and Kelvin Yiu — who are all partners at authentic Japanese teppanyaki-style restaurant Teppan Territory in Downtown Brooklyn.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the beautiful Newport neighborhood, an energetic community that offers a flourishing, innovative culinary scene created by the best of local and national chefs and restauranteurs,” Chris Kong said in a press release. “Blue Anchor offers a new kind of dining experience and we’re eager for the local community to dive into our menu and enjoy the flavors we are so passionate about.”
Blue Anchor Bar and Kitchen looks to deliver a coastal dining and elevated casual seafood experience to guests. The menu is seafood-forward, showcasing fresh ingredients and locally-sourced items. Menu options include lobster rolls, a brisket burger, shrimp scampi, crab cakes, scallops, octopus, pan-seared branzino, and more, as well as raw bar items like oysters and shrimp cocktail. We recently took a trip here, and some of our favorite dishes included the octopus + hamachi crudo, lobster bisque soup, and the lobster vol au vent. Blue Anchor also serves brunch on weekends from 11:30AM-3PM.
As for the drinks, the menu includes a variety of handcrafted cocktails + mocktails and an expansive wine list. We loved the kiwi mocktail (pictured below). There is also outdoor seating with waterfront views overlooking the Hudson River and New York skyline for the warmer months.
See More: Inside Montclair’s Family-Owned Seafood Market, Fratelli Freschi
For more information on Blue Anchor Bar + Kitchen, visit the website and follow along on Instagram.
Follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram + TikTok to stay in the know with all of the Hoboken + Jersey City news, and sign up for our newsletter that shares all of our top stories to your inbox here.
15 Unique Valentine’s Day Date Ideas in the Hoboken + Jersey City Area
Since February is such a love-filled month (as in we'd love for it to be spring so we can get outdoors more), it’s a good time to plan a fun and romantic date night — or extended weekend — with your partner or pals. While local places have lots of Valentine’s Day specials, we've rounded up some of the unique date spots and ideas in our area, in addition to a few other venues if you want to think outside the box this year. Read on for fifteen unique date ideas for Valentine's Day in the Hoboken + Jersey City area.
Aerow Archery | 98 Forrest Street, Jersey City
Aerow is perfect for archers of all levels and a great option for a fun Valentine's Day date night. The spot delivers a unique and healthy way to move your body and features 24 lanes of tournament-style targets — ranging from 11 to 22 meters. If your Valentine is the adventurous type, this is the spot to go.
Bowling at Hudson Lanes | 1 Garfield Avenue. Jersey City
A long-standing bowling alley in Jersey City, Hudson Lanes is a staple. Three group packages are available, with the basic package starting with five people per lane for two hours of bowling and shoe rental. Higher-priced deals include food and soda. For more information, check out the website or call 201-432-5900.
Read More: Restaurants With the Coolest Interiors in Hoboken + Jersey City
Café Archetypus | 266 Old River Road, Edgewater
This one-of-a-kind eatery in Edgewater is set up with several private dining “caves” carved into the wall, perfect for an intimate night out. Featuring casual dinner fares like quesadillas, French bread pizzas, and salad bowls, the major draw here is dessert, with a whole page of ice cream, cheesecake, and Ghirardelli brownie sundaes to choose from. With sundaes like the Coyopa — banana and vanilla ice cream with fudge, caramel, and crushed potato chips — get two or more varieties and share. HG pro tip: this restaurant is a BYOB so you be sure to bring your honey’s favorite beverage.
Comedy Show at Dorrian's Red Hand | 555 Washington Boulevard
View this post on Instagram
Dorrian's is a local staple for those in search of a good weekend laugh. The Laugh Tour Comedy Club has shows every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, featuring a different lineup of talented comedians each week — and it's the perfect option for a couple who loves comedy. You can find tickets here.
dineDK Private Dining
View this post on Instagram
This boutique private dining company uses seasonal, on-trend menus and Michelin-star chefs to create food for anything from a large dining event at a venue to a charming dinner party for two right in your own home. Picks off the seasonal winter sample menu include items like tuna carpaccio, American waygu short rib, crispy rosemary polenta, and maple soufflé — check out the website here for more info on how to book your next date-night dinner.
Gaia's Cavern | 140 Wayne Street, Jersey City
Gaia's Cavern is an all-natural day spa in the heart of Jersey City. While Gaia's may be best known for it's recurring win for Best Facial in Jersey City from 2019-2023, the spa also has a Signature Blue Moon Foot Bath for couples (or solo). The Blue Moon Foot Bath features Butterfly Pea tea, Ylang Ylang, lavender, and neroli essential oils. Plus, it's paired with a relaxing hand, arm, and foot massage. To reserve a spot for Valentine's Day click here.
Gravity Vault | 1423 Clinton Street, Hoboken
Gravity Vault in Hoboken is hosting a Parents Night Out on Friday, February 14th from 5PM-8PM, allowing parents to drop off their kiddos (ages 5-13) for rock climbing, games, and pizza. Parents can enjoy a date night out, climb child-free, or truly whatever their hearts desire.
Ivy Mane Studio | 1012 Grand Street, Hoboken
View this post on Instagram
While this studio primarily sells handcrafted goods for the home, Ivy Mane Studio also hosts creative workshops for those interested in unlocking their creative sides. Experiences like Create Your Own ‘Drip Plant Pot’ and ‘Booty Planter’ — yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like — are always on the schedule at this local studio. Gift cards are also available and can be used towards a workshop or handcrafted goods.
Hudson Table | 1403 Clinton Street, Hoboken
Going out to eat is one thing, but preparing the entire meal together is an entirely different experience. Taking a cooking class at Hudson Table in uptown Hoboken is an interactive and fun date night. Upcoming events include a handmade pasta class on 2/7, an Italian desserts class on 2/11, and more.
Lokal | 2 2nd Street, Jersey City
City views, gourmet dining, and live music? Yes, please. This Valentine's Day Lokal in Jersey City is hosting a special five-course-prix-fixe menu with optional wine pairings. To learn more about the menu or make a reservation click here.
Maddy Rose at Liberty House Restaurant | 76 Audrey Zapp Drive Floor 1, Jersey City
View this post on Instagram
This elegant venue along the Hudson always guarantees a good meal and fine dining. Maddy Rose Restaurant at Liberty House will also have a three-course Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu for $90+ per guest. Some of the menu choices include tuna tartare, steak tartare, and of course, flourless chocolate cake. Also, for a post-Valentine's Day fun, there will be a "Boozy Brunch" event on February 22nd. It will feature a four-course brunch menu, with each course paired with a specialty cocktail. Purchase tickets here.
Painting Classes at ArteVino | 720 Monroe Street Suite C408, Hoboken
View this post on Instagram
This Hoboken paint + sip studio is constantly providing unique painting options at its Monroe Center studio. Painters can bring their own beverages and snacks, making it a customizable experience and you’ll get to bring home your artwork so you’ll have a memento of a great night.
See More: Valentine's Day Date Ideas in Montclair That Aren't Dinner
Tipsy Tie Dye | 155 First Street
View this post on Instagram
For the creative couple, Tipsy Tie Dye provides all of the essentials you’ll need to create your own tie-dyed goods. With a wide variety of dyeable merch including sweatshirts + pants, cropped hoodies, Turkish towels, scrunchies, onesies, dog outfits + more, this local spot is the perfect gift-able experience for that special someone on February 14th.
Rooftop at Exchange Place | 1 Exchange Place, Jersey City
Featuring a retractable glass roof and an awesome view of the skyline, Rooftop XP is located right in the heart of the Exchange Place area of Jersey City along the waterfront. Check out the tempting cocktails and menu selections like charcuterie, burgers, and tacos — as well as brunch selections, and enjoy occasional live music for beautiful dining with ambiance.
RPM Raceway | 99 Caven Point Road, Jersey City
View this post on Instagram
Adventure seekers can experience a rush of speed and fun at RPM Raceway in Jersey City . The immersive raceway and entertainment center has go-carts, arcade games, VR, and more. RPM Raceway even has a special Valentine's Day package for couples. For more information visit the RPM Raceway website or call 201-333-7223.
