GAME ON

Football season is BACK, and there’s nothing quite like the thrill of cheering on your favorite team surrounded by fellow fans, cold drinks, and big screens. If you’re searching for the ultimate game-day experience at the Jersey Shore, look no further. We’ve scoured the coast to bring you the top must-try sports bars. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking for a lively spot to enjoy the game, these venues are sure to become your go-to destination this football season!

SPOTLIGHT ON:
Baseline Social, Oceanport
{675 Oceanport Way, Oceanport; 732-430-2533; baselinesocialnj.com}
Located in Oceanport, Baseline Social is the place to “have fun, sharpen your game, and enjoy a state-of-the-art, full-service bar with all of your favorite sports and teams.” Their multiple televisions are huge, spanning nearly the whole restaurant, so you’ll be sure to catch your favorite team on the big screen. There are also always fun events going on for sports lovers of all kinds, such as US Open watch parties, F1 watch parties, and more. Not only that, but they also have golf swing suites, so you can play a round of simulated golf with your friends, and then grab a bite and a drink. On top of that, Baseline also has its own golf league that you can join. With so much to do and so much to watch, Baseline Social really is a sport aficionado’s dream!

FEATURED FINDS:
Belmar
Marina Grille
{905 NJ-35, Belmar; 732-894-3211; marinagrillenj.com}
Marina Grille in Belmar is Jersey’s ultimate waterfront dining destination. Not only do they have a huge patio deck and tiki bar, but it’s almost the perfect atmosphere to catch a game. Serving lunch and dinner, they have an extensive menu of fresh seafood, gourmet pizza, and specialty cocktails. Whether you are looking for a lively waterfront dinner, or looking to catch the game in an upbeat environment, Marina Grille has what you are looking for. Grab a beer, wine, or sangria pitcher and enjoy all that Marina Grille has to offer.

Bradley Beach
D’Arcy’s Tavern
{310 Main St, Bradley Beach; 732-774-9688; darcystavernnj.com}
Soccer fans, this one for you! D’Arcy’s Tavern is the #1 Soccer Bar at The Jersey Shore that shows all European soccer matches LIVE so make sure to check out their schedule on their website to see when your favorite team is playing. As for food, D’Arcy’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and of course, a full bar featuring beers on tap, wines, and cocktails. Menu items include classic pub favorites like wings, burgers, quesadillas, and their fan-favorite D’Arcy’s Chicken Sandwich with Grilled chicken, toasted ciabatta, apple cured bacon, and Tillamook sharp cheddar cheese. Plus, they sometimes have live music outside, so stay up to date on their music schedule on their website as well!

Brick
River Rock Restaurant & Marina Bar
{1600 NJ-70, Brick Township; 732-840-1110; riverrockbricknj.com}
River Rock has it all, from live music, to karaoke, sports, and waterfront dining. For our sports fans out there looking for the perfect spot to catch their favorite games, River Rock has 45 HDTVs spread out across three bars PLUS the largest video board in Ocean County, so there is no question that you’ll be able to catch your favorite team play. Enjoy beer on tap, cocktails, rum buckets, and more, plus tasty pub favorites like wings, nachos, and mac and cheese bites. They also have a full sushi bar, pizza, entrees, and sandwiches, so there is something for every foodie and every sports fan!

Long Branch
Jack’s Goal Line Stand
{149 Brighton Ave, Long Branch; 732-870-8800; jacksgoallinestand.com}
At Jack’s Goal Line Stand in Long Branch, you will be greeted with over 50 flat-screen TVs spread throughout the restaurant, so there is no question that you’ll be able to watch your favorite team’s game at Jack’s! The massive amount of TVs, however, isn’t the only form of entertainment, as there are also arcade games in the back of the bar. Enjoy over 60 beers on tap, hard seltzers, their “World Cup Sandwiches,” burgers, wings, gourmet pizzas, and of course, their famous ribs: fall-off-the-bone hickory smoked baby back ribs. With so much to offer, one visit and you’ll want to come back for more!

Manasquan
Leggett’s SandBar
{217 1st Ave, Manasquan; 732-223-3951; leggetts.us}
Leggett’s is a happening place where you can always expect live music, sports games, and events, including weekly Bingo Nights and Shot Wheel Thursday. Plus, they also offer shuffleboard and darts, and serious players can join their dart league. If all of this entertainment isn’t enough to entice you, they serve a full bar including beer, wine, and cocktails, plus over ten pizzas, classic pub apps like mozzarella sticks, wings, nachos, as well as tons of burger and sandwich options. 

Matawan
Maloney’s Pub & Grill
{119 Main St, Matawan; 732-583-4040; maloneyspubnj.com}
Over 100 beers on tap? Yes, please! Located in the heart of downtown Matawan, Maloney’s is a casual, family-friendly bar and restaurant. Rotating seasonally, their massive tap list includes meads, ciders, IPAs, stouts & lagers, so there is surely something for all palates. Catch your favorite team on TV and dig into some of their classic pub favorites like artichoke dip, flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches, and much more. 

Neptune
Brick House Tavern & Tap
{3655 Route 66, Neptune Township; 732-922-0800; brickhousetavernandtap.com}
At Brick House Tavern, friends might want to snag a cozy booth near the inviting fireplace and kick off the night with a warm, delicious pretzel before diving into the extensive menu of dinner options and drinks. The spacious bar features 30 TVs, ensuring you can watch your favorite sports team while catching up with friends.

Neptune City
Pete & Elda’s / Carmen’s
Pizzeria
{96 Woodland Ave, Neptune City; 732-774-6010; peteandeldas.com}
For over 50 years, Neptune City’s resident sports bar Pete & Elda’s/Carmen’s Pizzeria has been serving their famous thin-crust pies! You’ve most likely heard of this spot because of their “Whole Pie Eater Challenge,” where customers try to eat a whole XXL pie in 30 minutes or less, and winners get a free t-shirt! As of now, they have over 260 t-shirts, and they release a new design each month. The pies are 18 inches in diameter, so each slice is roughly a foot long. Not only is their Whole Pie Eater Challenge their claim to fame, but they also feature classic Italian fare, seafood, and pub favorites as well as beers on tap, wine, and cocktails. Stop by Pete & Elda’s/Carmen’s Pizzeria to catch your favorite game and win a t-shirt in the process!

Sea Bright
Tommys Tavern + Tap
{1030 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright; 732-842-5044; tommystavernandtap.com}
Just a short walk to the beach lies Tommy’s
Tavern + Tap on Ocean Ave in Sea Bright. They have tons of weekly drink specials like half-priced wine on Tuesdays, half-priced Sangria on Wednesdays, and $2 off all draft beers on Thursdays. They have tons of menu choices like burgers and sandwiches, pizza and flatbreads, and even a full sushi menu! Catch the game, grab a bite, and sip on a drink special at Tommy’s! Check out their location in Freehold, too!

Toms River
Waterstreet Bar & Grill
{4 Robbins Pkwy, Toms River, 732-240-4800; waterstreetnj.com}
Located on the water in Tom’s River, Waterstreet Bar & Grill boasts gorgeous waterfront views, live music, a heated patio, and of course, a place to catch all of your favorite games! They have everything on the menu, from a raw bar and seafood dishes, to pizza, bowls, sandwiches, and more. They also have a gluten-free menu for those with dietary restrictions. Sit out on their patio by the fire, or sit at the bar and catch the game on one of their TVs while enjoying beer, wine, cocktails, and more.