It’s Friday night. It’s been a long week and you’re in need of a good cocktail (or mocktail) to vent about your workday with some friends. After consulting the group chat, you’re set on finding a bar to match a place that has a specific ambiance for the night — a bar that’s not a club later on, nothing too (TOO) crowded, and ultimately: a bar that will make it possible to spend time with your friends in a relaxed way. Dozens of bars around Hoboken + Jersey City have the perfect balance of good music, dim lighting, and a great menu to fit a vibey night, so we decided to compile them. You may not agree with all of them, but they’re our favorites. Here’s a list of some of the coolest bars for a chill night throughout Chilltown and the Mile Square City.
Hoboken
Antique Bar + Bakery | 122 Willow Avenue
The name of this spot nails the vibe. It feels classic and old school when walking into Antique Bar for a drink with friends. It is open late throughout the week for guests to stop by on their way home and enjoy a cocktail after dinner. The one thing: the bar is small, so you may need a table, which requires a reservation + food ordering, and at times, reservations are hard to come by.
Backstage | 1039 Washington Street
Located at the back of Sirenetta, Backstage has a chill night listening to good tunes while enjoying a nice cocktail with a date or good friends. The cocktails draw inspiration from old and new music, such as A Cruel Summer with watermelon-infused rum, watermelon, lemon, absinthe, and Aperol or the Here Comes The Sun with coconut-washed tequila, Cointreau, mango, lime, agave, and spicy bitters. HG pro-tip: To get the most out of the music vibe, visit on Wednesdays when there’s live music.
Barbes | 1300 Park Avenue
For feeling like you’re in the northern part of Paris, Barbes is the go-to. The name comes from the famous Paris quartier at the Sacré-Cœur, known as a little piece of North Africa. It’s a cool blend of French and Moroccan culture, owned by two locals.
Read More: The Best Cocktail Bars in Hoboken for a Self-Guided Cocktail Crawl
Belo Bar + Kitchen | 104 Hudson Street
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This bar will not be below your vibe expectations. If the night calls for good cocktails and a fun atmosphere, hit up Belo Bar + Kitchen. The bar is decorated with dozens of polaroids, the perfect backdrop for a *slams laptop shut til Monday* Instagram story post. For tequila fans, consider trying the “HOSSEGAR.” It’s Ghost Tequila, watermelon strawberry juice, lo-fi apertivo, lime juice, and absinthe mist for $17.
Little Bar | 1401 Hudson Street
This bar might be small, but it brings big elegant vibes for your next night out. Treat the group to champagne and caviar to start the night or stop by after dinner for a sweet treat to cap your night out. It’s owned by the same group as Halifax, and reservations are a must.
Metropolis | 96 River Street
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Just a short walk from the Hoboken train station is Metropolis, Belo’s sister bar. It has a rooftop bar, but the lounge has some cute vibes for a date night or birthday drink. Stop by for happy hour from 12PM to 6PM Monday through Friday for a Skinny Cucumber Margarita or Hot N Dirty Martini.
Sorellina | 1036 Washington Street
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The old-school Italian spot, Sorellina, sets the scene for good vibes with good friends. Aside from a tasty menu of pastas, Italian craft beers, and signature cocktails, it has a lovely wine list with only Italian wines. The cherry on top of the vibe sundae at Sorellina is the 25-foot bar that’s been the anchor of the establishment since the 1930s.
Stingray Lounge | 1210 Washington Street
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If the night’s vibes require oysters, Stringray is the place to be. Groovy music floats through the bar while guests chat over fresh seafood and tasty cocktails. It’s a great spot to bring friends for a light bite before going out.
The Waiting Room | 72 Hudson Street
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The vibes of The Waiting Room are worth the wait year-round. The bar hosts different experiences that change throughout the year, so each visit can be one-of-a-kind. Its location near the PATH station makes it an easy choice to start the night here or end the night with a fun drink.
Jersey City
143 Social | 143 Newark Avenue
This spot is one of Jersey City’s newer bars that “captures the essence of modern mixology” right on the Newark Pedestrian Plaza. Along with great drinks and tasty food, one of the key ingredients in making 143 Social such a cool spot is cool people.
The Archer | 176 Newark Avenue
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This bar serves up tasty craft cocktails just a short walk from the Grove Street PATH Station. Guests who stop by on a Wednesday can catch the weekly live music, from bluegrass to reggae bands. It’s a great date-night vibe for you and your date to chat about the different ingredients in your drinks.
Cellar 335 | 335 Newark Avenue
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This spot is tucked right underneath White Eagle Hall, the concert venue in Downtown Jersey City. Large black and red couches greet visitors when entering the restaurant + bar. The menu has mostly Asian-inspired foods and hand-crafted cocktails. Consider splitting the Zombie Priest Punch with passion fruit, grapefruit, pineapple, cinnamon, and rum with a couple of friends for $40 before your next concert adventure.
dullboy | 364 Grove Street
For your next date night, stroll into the craft cocktail bar, dullboy. The dark mood lighting sets the vibe for scooching closer to your date or enjoying the outdoor patio when the weather cooperates. The cocktail menu includes a variety of drinks, both with or without alcohol. HG Pro Tip: Grab a burger + beer for $25 Sunday or Tuesday through Thursday.
Fox + Crow | 594 Palisade Avenue
This spot in The Heights has live music each week with acts from all over the country. The exterior wall is a vibe in itself with swirling colors and depictions of its namesake, a fox, and a crow. For a small cover fee on Thursdays and Sundays, guests can listen to some of the coolest and up-and-coming acts. Plus, the menu has not only a bunch of plates to share, but a brunch menu with avocado toast, a breakfast burrito, and tostadas to split with friends.
Frankie | 264 Grove Street
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Full of color, plants, and a disco ball, Frankie is a fun restaurant with groovy music. The name is a vibe in itself and was inspired by the owner’s chihuahua. This Aussie-owned, beach-inspired spot can brighten even the gloomiest day since it nearly always feels like summer here. HG Pro Trip: Look out for the Super Moon Fridays with vinyl DJS specializing in disco, house, and soul music.
Harry’s Daughter | 339 Communipaw Avenue
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This Caribbean spot in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood is a trip to the islands without luggage or a flight. The dinner menu has a ton of options so you and your friends can split a couple of plates while sipping on tropical cocktails.
Jane Doe | 333 Newark Avenue
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This cozy bar is another fun option to stop by before a concert next door at White Eagle Hall. The small, intimate seating is perfect for catching up with a girlfriend or getting to know a Hinge date on a weekend. The menu has several cocktails and mocktails to sip on while enjoying one of the Asian-inspired dishes.
Lokal | 2 2nd Street
The vibes at this bar and restaurant are high thanks to the lovely waterfront views. There isn’t a bad seat in the place thanks to the massive windows showing off the Hudson River and New York City. HG Pro Tip: Visit Monday through Sunday from 4PM to 6PM when the happy hour menu features three appetizers for $30 and a discount on beers and wines.
See More: The Most Instagrammable Restaurants in Essex County
Low Fidelity | 328 Palisade Avenue
This chill bar on the corner of Palisade Avenue and Ferry Street has both indoor and outdoor seating where you and some friends can enjoy Detroit-style pizza. The bar has beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails to choose from while enjoying the music and retro atmosphere.
Madame | 390 4th Street
Madame is another bar and restaurant located in the vicinity of White Eagle Hall that replaced Madame Claude. The cozy bistro has an industrial vibe with an array of craft cocktails and sharable plates. The spot has live music every so often, such as a live jazz night held earlier in August.
PS Wine Bar | 193 Newark Avenue
Located in the basement of Pet Shop, this bar has the vibe of your grunge friend’s backyard hangout. The menu has a small selection of natural wines along with some beer. It has a speakeasy feel and features live music, vinyl nights, and free comedy throughout the week.