It’s finally summer, and that means warmer weather and outside dining with friends. The Jersey City bar and food scene is overflowing and provides endless options for locals looking for their next go-to dwelling spot. Some enjoy the larger crowds at the likes of Porta or South House. But when you’re looking for a place with great food, delicious drinks, and a low-key vibe, look no further than The Archer 176 Newark Avenue in downtown Jersey City. Keep reading to learn all about the exotic meats + cocktail drinks available at The Archer in Jersey City.
How The Archer Came to Be
Owners Jesse Weeks and Kent Baker opened their doors at the end of 2015, and The Archer quickly became a favorite among Jersey City locals. Upon entering the bar, the décor hits you with a rustic-chic cabin feel. The brick walls are decked out with deer antlers, hunting arrows, and cozy lit candles throughout the space. Over by the bar, there is a speakeasy library feel with the floor-to-ceiling wall of old books and a lit fireplace below.
This is definitely the spot we will be hanging at come wintertime for that cozy, safe from the snow feel. The bar even features live music throughout the week. Be sure to check The Archer’s Instagram {@archerbar} for the latest lineup of weekly music performances.
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The Drinks
Available nightly from 5:00PM-7:00PM is the workman’s comp cocktail hour. All drinks like the Bee’s Knees {gin + lemon + honey} and daiquiri {rum + lime + simple syrup} are just $8 and incredibly delicious. From the classic side of the drink menu, the sidewinder’s fang and daiquiri deluxe transport you straight to the tropics with these rum-based drinks.
On the house specialties aside, the Ghosted and Brass Button drinks are especially tasty. But if you don’t see something on the menu that sparks your interest, the mixologists are always happy to craft up a drink of your choice.
Let’s Talk Food
The menu is broken out into bites, salads, plates, sandwiches, and sides. Pretty extensive for a bar of its size. First things first, the duck poutine is the starter you need to pair with a delicious craft cocktail. It’s served in a cast-iron bowl and is sure to warm you up on the coldest of days. Other savory favorites include deviled duck eggs, smoked mac + cheese gratin, and bison sliders.
For the salad enthusiast, the fried pimento cheese salad is next level and tossed in a bourbon-maple vinaigrette with whiskey sugar roasted tomatoes, pickled red onion, celery, and piquillo peppers {yummm!}. For a lighter option, the beets + blackberries salad has walnuts, goat cheese, shaved Brussel sprouts, and rosemary vinaigrette.
Now on to the sandwiches: The wild boar sloppy Joe is a favorite and it is definitely nothing like any sloppy Joe you’ve had before. This sandwich is topped with slaw, pickled cucumber, smoked tomato, crispy shallots, and served on a brioche bun. Everything about this combination is delicious. Another can’t miss item is the venison cheesesteak. If you are a fan of venison and a tangy kick, this sandwich is for you. And it’s served on a pretzel baguette and you can’t go wrong with that.
Last but not least, the large plates. Most of the items on the menu are a bit hearty but are full of flavor and will definitely leave you feeling full. Some of the must-order items are the Carolina gold rice risotto, forest mushroom spätzle, and rye campanelle with smoked boar. Everything on the menu is unique and won’t be found at any other restaurant in town. So, grab some friends, a few drinks and enjoy all the unique bites The Archer has to offer.
Read More: Where to Find Authentic Portuguese Food in Newark
The Hours
The bar opens every day at 5:00PM and closes around 2:00AM during the week and 3:00AM on Fridays and Saturdays. The kitchen stays open until 11:00PM during the weekdays, and 1:00AM on Friday + Saturday.
Have you visited The Archer yet? Let us know in the comments!
