Home Food + DrinkBars The Best Spots in Hoboken + Jersey City to Go to Alone

The Best Spots in Hoboken + Jersey City to Go to Alone

by Lara Cohn
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For those nights when it’s been a rough day and friends or your S.O. are stuck at work or have other plans, but you really, really don’t want to go home — take yourself out. Check out the best bars and spots in Hoboken and Jersey City to unplug, unwind, and have a drink or two, alone. Sit back, people watch, join in on the karaoke or trivia nights, cheer on your favorite team, get a bite, or make a new friend or two, even if it’s the bartender. Read on for our list of the best spots in Hoboken + Jersey City that are sure to offer any solo drinker a good time.

Hoboken

The Ale House Hoboken | 1034 Willow Avenue

Hoboken’s favorite neighborhood bar on 11th and Willow is a great place to go alone. There is free pool every day, shuffleboard, darts, and karaoke. Thursday night is ladies’ night with half-priced well, wine, and drafts. They have daily and weekend specials, plus it’s dog-friendly, so bring a four-legged best friend (though you might not be alone for long).

Vepo Clean

Bin 14 | 1314 Washington Street

Oenophiles rejoice. Enjoy a personal wine tasting with flights (groups of three or four samples of wine) to explore grapes, regions, and flavors. The list offers more than 75 wines by the glass, at Hoboken’s first and only wine bar. Their wine list is constantly changing with the seasons,  even from week to week. Whether you’re seeking out roséor the perfect fruity red to pair with their Italian tapas menu, there’s always a new bottle on their shelves and the bartenders are very friendly and knowledgeable and happy to discuss wines all night.

sojo spa

The Brass Rail | 135 Washington Street

brass rail

Hobbs Inc

Not just a great brunch spot, this downtown Hoboken landmark restaurant and bar is a great setting to enjoy a cocktail or dinner by yourself. Stop in for their happy hour, Monday-Friday from 4:00PM-7:00PM with half-priced drafts and wine.

Carpe Diem | 1405 Grand Street

Carpe Diem Pub and Restaurant was a neighborhood joint before there was a neighborhood. Away from the maddening crowds of Hoboken’s Washington Street bars,  this welcoming establishment is a great place to enjoy a quiet drink alone or watch the game at the bar. With everything from steaks to sandwiches, authentic Irish pub fare to award-winning chicken wings, and an extensive + well-balanced wine, beer, and spirits selection, it’s worth having a night alone for a reason to stop by this hidden gem.

Court Street | 61 Sixth Street

Pull up a stool at the bar at one of the oldest restaurants in the heart of Hoboken and treat yourself to a meal and see why they have been awarded Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for their exceptional wines (at reasonable prices, too). 

AXIS School of Dance

Elysian Cafe | 1001 Washington Street

Opened in 1895, Elysian continued through Prohibition Era as an ice cream parlor and as a hair salon and was Hoboken’s first 100% smoke-free bar. Sit at the expansive saloon-style bar to make new friends or at one of the cute French bistro tables, perfect for one.  Check it out and see why it’s a Hoboken treasure.

House of ‘Que | 340 Sinatra Drive

house of que

Serving up authentic Austin-style barbecue, sit at the open window bar with sweeping views of the picturesque NYC skyline and enjoy pitmaster Mike Rodriguez’s 18-hour smoked brisket, ribs, or chicken paired with some local Texas beers. There are daily complimentary events from karaoke, live music, trivia, and football. On Monday-Friday from 12:00PM-7:00PM, enjoy happy hour with $3 Bud Lights, half-price daily cocktails, $5 house wines, and Tito’s vodka drinks.

See More: The Best Girls’ Night Out Spots and Specials in Hoboken + Jersey City 

The Madison Bar and Grill | 1316 Washington Street

This roadhouse style local bar is low key during the week with friendly staff and a great selection of beers, wine, and even skinny cocktails.  Plant yourself at the bar for Wine Down Wednesdays and karaoke, happy hour specials, and don’t forget tequila and taco Tuesdays.

Onieal’s | 343 Park Avenue

The warm and welcoming neighborhood pub off Church Square Park is a casual spot to belly up to the bar and get a drink + a quick bite to eat (Buffalo chicken salad and burgers for days). Every Wednesday night from 7:00PM-10:00PM there is free live music, too. Check out their daily food and drink specials, happy hour, and late-night menu are available.

The Shannon | 106 1st Street

This TV-lined Irish pub sports bar (that might be filled with fresh-out-of-college types on weekends), is chilled out during the week. The Shannon has a variety of drinks to choose from and you can enjoy their amenities like a giant Jenga, Connect 4, and their two pool tables.

Sorellina Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar | 1036 Washington Street

It’s always Negroni time at the newly renovated space, which blends rustic charm with contemporary flair, creating a warm and welcoming environment for all. The original 25-foot bar from the 1930s remains the anchor of the restaurant. Enjoy an exclusively Italian wine list, an assortment of Italian craft beers, signature cocktails, and homemade pasta. They open at 4:30PM Tuesday-Friday.

Stingray Lounge | 1210 Washington Street

stingray lounge

A modern space with an edge, sit upfront at the long bar where the bartender will pull into his bag of tricks to make a specialty cocktail with house-made syrups and juices. If the bar isn’t your thing,  relax on one of the oversized lounge chairs around the corner in the oyster bar to enjoy your solo time. Happy hour specials are daily from 4:00PM-8:00PM.

Urban Souls Yoga | 100 Hudson Street

Enjoy a little yoga with some vino. Every Friday night at 7:00PM, yogis at this downtown yoga studio start their weekend wine down with a one-hour flow and restore class. Be sure to stay afterward for wine and cheese on the house and chance to mix + mingle with new friends.

W Hotel | 225 River Street

The lobby bar Living Room lounge is a modern take on the standard lobby bar where a vibrant atmosphere is accompanied by various delightful cocktails and bites. Sit at the small bar to unwind with a drink and chat with locals and travelers or in one of the many comfy couches and chairs to enjoy solitude. The bar opens at 5:00PM Monday-Friday.

Wilton House | 58 Newark Street

Stop by this no-frills dive bar and chat with their super friendly bartender who will talk to anyone who takes a seat. Note, make sure to have cash, as Wilton House is a cash-only establishment (but the drinks are inexpensive, $2.75 for a draft beer).  They don’t serve food, but there are lots of options just steps away.

Jersey City

Barcade | 163 Newark Avenue

Barcade is the place to drink American craft beer, play classic video games (Ms. Pacman and Tetris). pinball, and not have to mingle or talk to people. Happy hour and kitchen specials are available daily. The menu consists primarily of sandwiches, appetizers, and shareable plates with creative variations of classic pub food and regional specialties. Put Thursday, October 24th on the calendar, too, as they celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the first Barcade with a special tap list of rare beers plus cocktail specials, food specials, merch specials, and more.

Departed Soles Brewing Company | 150 Bay Street

Trade the bar stool for a yoga mat with Yoga + beer at Departed Soles Brewing Company, where $10 gets you an hour of yoga, a brewery tour, and a glass of beer. The class is held  7:00PM-8:00PM on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Hang out after class and enjoy all the Tasting Room has to offer with new friends. No experience is necessary, but it is BYOM (bring own mat}. RSVPs are encouraged by emailing QandA@DepartedSoles.com

Jersey Social | 837 Jersey Avenue

Before heading back home, stop by this welcoming local spot in the Cast Iron Lofts building for Social Hour from 5:00PM-7:00PM Tuesday through Thursday, or enjoy live music on Thursday nights from 7:00PM-10:00PM with food and cocktail specials. Their new bar bites menu has some delicious deals, including the mouth-watering General Tso Cauliflower for $7 from 10:00PM-11:00PM, Tuesday-Thursday.

Read More: The Best Reward and Loyalty Programs in Hoboken + Jersey City

Skinner’s Loft | 146 Newark Avenue

skinners loft jersey city

Located in the heart of Downtown Jersey City’s Pedestrian Mall, just a half-block from the Grove Street PATH station, Skinner’s Loft is a family-run restaurant and local watering hole in a comfortable setting. Stop in for one of their draft beer specials or specialty cocktails at the cozy bar downstairs.

White Star Bar | 179 Warren Street and 230 Brunswick Street

With a casual Cheers-like vibe at the spacious bar with TVs at either end, this spot is ideal for one of their craft beers or a juicy burger (they use Pat LaFrieda meat and bread from the famed Balthazar) to savor during the game. 

“So, I sat there and had a glass of wine alone. No books, no man, no friends, no armor, no faking,” Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City. Hey, if Carrie can do it, so can you.

What’s your fave spot to go alone? Let us know in the comments and we will add it to the list!

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