Hidden in a "hide your kids, hide your wife" kind of environment, a scrumptious burger awaits the brave who conquers their fear of the surrounding neighborhood.
It isn't that bad. Also, there aren't any bright signs or outlandish claims on banners that advertise this place, but that's part of its humble charm. The buns are amazing and compliments the patty really well (except for one time the buns were noticeable stale). The patties themselves are big and not tightly packed which results in a moist and airy patty which drips with juice when you bite into it. Then the buns absorb the juice and brings everything full-circle.
Last words: It's hard not to through around the overly used phrase, "the best," to describe the burgers here, but it's pretty darn close. My two gripes about this place is that the quality of the burgers suffers the more crowded the bar is and the quality of the buns is inconsistent. Poor guy behind the bar is both the grill master AND the bartender, so give him a break.
If you're looking for a good old fashioned, dark, local pub, this is the place. The sandwiches and fries are dynamite, the beer is cold, and the people are friendly. The burgers are as good as you will find in jersey. They also have a real nice little courtyard that I did not expect to find, but it was a nice touch. Â
If you are looking for a swanky joint with candles and tablecloths, this isn't it. Â But if you want good burgers and good beer in an old -school dive bar, this is the place
This bar doesn't need anymore good reviews but here is another one.
A pretty bad area, but that's the charm. Keeps the yuppies, hiptsters, and n00by snoody downtowners away. Â Parking can be hard to come by even though they have a lot. Only ever came during the winter, but they do have a small outside space in the back which is open all year. The inside is the definition of a pub. Firefighters and cops frequent here, so don't worry about any riffraff.
Cheap beer and great burgers. Hidden gem of Jersey City.
This is essentially the best oldschool/divey but nice bar in the city. The beer is cold, the service decent, and the burger is amongst the best you'll ever have. It helps immensely that the prices are nil and no one will feel out of place (I'm in my mid-30s and was easily one of the (if not the) youngest people in there) because most of the patrons are cops, firefighters, city workers and the people who don't mind bribing them or are related to them.
Yea the neighborhood is kinda scary, but this is a beer and corned beef haven with really no excuse not to go to.
** I come here time and time again to confirm why this place smashes it. **
- Its took 40+ minutes to make my burger and fries. Â Its was fuckin deeeelish and worth the wait.
- The Irish bartender (with the dope brogue) told me that even though this bar is in a bad JC 'hood, there isn't any trouble...ever. Â Why? Â Because the patrons are all cops and firefighters....and their families.
- I saw em. Â I felt safe. Â Born n raised JC-ers....love em.
coming out of West Side Ave on a cold rainy day into this place is a shock... fireplace going, wood smoke in the air, wood and brick everywhere, dim lights... could not be more comfy... it's as close to a country inn as you're likely to get around NYC... Smithwick's on tap is 4.50 a pint... Â the hamburger, as everyone says, is diesel... someone noted it's like Corner Bistro's, but bigger, and I guess I'd agree... don't know how far I'd travel for it, but def a great place to have a beer and a burger if you're in JC...
Review Source:best $9 ever spent!
$9 gets you an enormous, quality, juicy but not greasy bacon cheeseburger with fries.
Although delicious, just be warned you cannot designate how you want it cooked and you will wait a long time for it - even if it's not crowded because only one guy runs the show.
there are only 4 other menu items on the chalkboard menu- this is for real a dive.
beer selection is also great and i dig the ambiance- all dark and wooden with a real fireplace and no windows. Â
it's not a restaurant, it's a pub that just happens to have excellent food.
I really lamented moving away from Krug's in Newark. Â I am a huge fan of their burgers, and thought that I wouldn't find another place like it. Â Lo and behold, Yelp led me to New Park Tavern.
Like Krug's, the bartender is also the line cook. Â Despite the craziness, both bartenders were really friendly and efficient. Â I had a cheeseburger and split an order of fries with my fiancee. Â The burger was cooked perfectly. Â It was still pink inside, and it wasn't packed so tightly that the patty could be confused with a hockey puck. Â I put all five pickles on mine for some added crunch. Â The fries were weirdly good. Â While I enjoy fries, they never really stand out for me. Â These were freaking perfect. Â I do wonder if maybe some of the flavor comes from ages of grease in fryers that aren't cleaned as often as other restaurants. Â But that's just fine by me as long as the fries taste that good.
Krug's does have the upper hand when it comes to the menu. Â New Park Tavern offers pretty much burgers and fries, so followers of Krug's calamari might be disappointed. Â However, what New Park Tavern lacks in terms of selection, it makes up for in atmosphere. Â The music was great, and all of the patrons were friendly. Â There was a private party the night that I was there, but all of the families graciously cleared their coats off of a table so that we could sit down. Â They all seemed to know the place well, and I have a suspicion that they had been going there for years. Â
I cannot wait to go back this summer and hang out on the patio. Â This place is pretty special, and I am no longer homesick for Krug's because of it.
Oh Park Tavern. A perfectly good dive bar with a perfectly good burger that has fallen prey to what I call the "Yelp OMG syndrome". Â Basically, a place's reputation gets so big that Yelpers start dropping 5 star ratings like dollar bills at Stilleto (for something similar, see Krugs Tavern in Newark)
The place itself is a dive, but dives usually come out with some pretty tasty food. In this sense, Park Tavern met expectations. The burger came out juicy but definitely not memorable. It's not the type of burger that would make me drop what I'm doing and drive / walk / hike to go get (in fairness, I've only had that feeling from very few burgers in my life).
The bartender was as friendly to me as he was to what appeared to be his more regular customers, so kudos for that. Try this place out for the history and the simplistic charm, but don't expect anything glorious or life changing.
Pros:
solid burger
lots of street parking nearby
Cons:
dark and divey even by dive bar standards
overhyped burger
This bar has more history with JC then you can possibly imagine, one of those bars that has been around forever.
I still remember my first time there years and years ago. Looking at the unassuming front with no signs and what looked to be a thick heavy door that you weren't even sure you should open. You look at the place and wonder if it is even open or ok to go in. But over the years i have come to appreciate that. It keeps it a sort of word of mouth type place, even though that word is spread by everyone and everyone around here knows about it.
You walk in and its got an old irish pub feel right off the bat. Â First thing you see is all the thick wood furniture and a dart board. It has a very classic old school friendly vibe.
The bartender is great and they always have cheap beers on tap , its a lot of locals and it is really popular with a lot of the JCFD and JCPD guys. Â Its almost a certainty that there are a few cops and FD guys hanging around inside and they tend to be pretty good company at this place.
Not much on the food selection but there doesnt need to be. The burgers there is AMAZING its like the type of burger you would get at a really high end burger place, but with more of a homemade feel to it, the burger alone is worth the trip.
Parking can be tricky , there is a small lot attached to it and parking on the street but sometimes its all full.
If you ever want mellow night with cheap beers and a great burger this is your place. Â Its so good here id even say its a great place to start night off with some cheap pregaming.
Protip: Â Come here after the saint pats parade in JC, always a great crowd and amazing time.
I love Park Tavern. Disregard its windowless shady exoskeleton. Inside its an authentic Irish Public House with a heart as true as William Wallace. When I'm on the East Coast and am catching up with old friends I have not seen in a while and I want to watch oh I dunno a National Championship college football game. Park Tavern is the perfect place.
Its not too crowded, not too noisy, but you still get the feel that this place could get rowdy if the stars align just right.
This place is kind of a kept secret, no one really knows its there. The other 'secret' it keeps is was one the best surprises in the entire NJ food scene.
THE CHEESE BURGER
In my sometimes humble but often bombastic opinion, it's the best Burger in the state of NJ.
Were talking people should be driving in from Pennsylvania and it should be  featured on the next season of Diners Drive Thrus and Dives good.
Plus it comes with not French Fries but these monstrous and well salted steak fries. It's served in a lunch tray that seems as if is made out of recycled newspaper but that's quite alright. It serves as the perfect place to keep your ketchup so you can dip those steak fries.
But please just keep this between you and me. You dont want anyone to find out. If that were to happen Park Tavern would just not be as special.
My friend and I have been wanting to try this place for a long time after reading the reviews. Â Once again it proves you can always depend on Yelp. Â
The area is definitely a little sketchy. Â There is no way of knowing the place even exists from the outside if you were to walk by. Â However, once inside, it is a regular townie, hole in the wall bar. Â
Now, most importantly, the food. Â The burgers are delicious. Â Huge. Â Greasy. Â Cheesy. Â Delicious. Â Greasy. Â Cheap.
Bring Tums.
Cheap, cheap drinks! $4 for a Jack and Coke. Can't go wrong.
Burgers here are truly great as well. Amazingly fresh and moist patties. Â Potato skin fries, yum. I compare the burgers here to Corner Bistro in Manhattan, but bigger. it does take awhile to get your burger so order it as soon as you get in.
1. No windows (are there any?), no sign, half the time I don't know if I will ever make my way inside.
2. BURGERS. BURGERS. BURGERS.
3. Cheap, good drinks.
4. Bartender is nice.
5. BLT. FRIES. Â My boyfriend says the CORNED BEEF also deserves the caps.
Yes, please.
Also, for those not familiar with this neighborhood of Jersey City - this part of West Side is really not as sketchy as people make out it out to be. Â No, it's not Grove Street and this isn't 'downtown' and I don't expect many people who don't live close to Park Tavern to end up at Park Tavern, but it's not Greenville either, people.
On the few and rare occasions that I am craving, hard, a cheeseburger this is the only place I want  to go to.
A Guinness, a burger with the works and fries.
I sit in the yard if the weather permits. At the bar if with friends. Or at a table if with hubby and its too cold to eat outside.
The last time we went when my hubby took a bite of his perfect medium burger and all that juice fell into his basket, he looked up at me over his burger and said..."Is it wrong to drink the meat juice from the basket ?"
After watching all that meat juice fall into the basket and knowing how much he loves it and how great the burgers here are I thought  " I don't  think it is."
The jukebox rocks, classically.
This place is the best stop in Jersey City, hands down, especially if you're a burger connoisseur.
Lets start with it's flaw: It's too dam far. Â With that being said, this place has everything I look for when I just want to get a little drunk with friends; great music that isn't unbearably loud, awesome atmosphere, cheap drinks, and amazing food.
With it being so unassuming (no sign outside), you hardly ever have to worry about it being crowded, but you never have to concern yourself with it being eerily dead. So, expect to  pop in a few quarters into the jukebox, enjoy some Clash, and have a great burger.
You ever see that episode of "How I Met Your Mother" when Marshall is on an endless search for the Best Burger in New York, and it ends up being this sketchy, hidden gem. Â
I imagine that burger joint was based off of New Park Tavern. Â My 4 ingredient burger - bacon, american cheese, poppy seed roll and ground beef - was amazing. Â So delicious and juicy and SIMPLE. No aioli. Â No gruyere. Â No truffle oil. No blue cheese. No artisan bread. For once the meat wasn't covered up with fixin's.
The burger - cooked perfectly to medium, with extra-crispy bacon cooked on a griddle that has probably been around since prohibition. Â And this wasn't your McDonald's style "quarter-pounder." Â These hand formed patties definitely packed a whollop of at least a 1/2 lb. Â The fries were pretty darn good, too. Â Â Â
While the entrance to NPT is pretty sketchy, everyone inside is very friendly. Â They have a great selection of beers on tap, a few flat screens and nice back-deck area.
I only wish the TVs were bigger so we could have bigger groups there to watch games. Â Oh well.
I really love going here! It says a lot that I go waaaay out of my way to get to this shady neighborhood to hang at this joint, but the burgers are amazing, the beer is cold/cheap and the vibe is chill. I have always had friendly bartenders who are cool, but unobtrusive. Without doubt one of the coolest places in JC!
Review Source:My favorite dive bar in an especially sketchy area.
It isn't easy to get to unless you are driving (they have a parking lot at least that gets very crowded most nights) or take a bus.
The burgers are always consistently great. You won't find any anheuser busch products here and according to the bartender it is because they kept trying to sell it to them.
Cheap prices, great food, simple drinks. Martini my mom ordered came in a wine glass!
As a transplant from Southern New Jersey it was pretty cool to walk in a place and feel like I was back home again, right down to the jukebox with a variety of music. The last thing I expected to be hearing when I walked in was sweet southern rock blaring from the jukebox. This was when I knew I would be a regular here. The bar itself is nothing fancy however it is roomy and there is outside seating available. The drinks are reasonably priced and served at the right temperature. Their menu is also very limited however what they do make is freaking good! From 21 to 61, everyone will find something they'll liike here.
Review Source:Finally came here after many replies from Yelpers when told where I live they say. "Have you ever been to New Park Tavern?" "No." "Awww, you should definitely check it out!" "I will" Well I finally did and I gotta say so not what I expected for the area it is in. When I got in the first thing I heard was Thin Lizzy. "The Boys Are Back In Town"? On West Side and Communipaw? Am I in the right part of Jersey City? Yes I am because this place is literally a five min walk from my home. This may be my new favorite joint.
This place has a juke box with excellent selections and a great local vibe going. Seats in the rear section for those that prefer to sit and a nice long bar up front for those like me who prefer to belly up. Devils game one was on this night and there were a number of Devils fans watching the game to add to the vibe of the place. I love it when a bar is behind a sporting event. Really brings people together. The bartender was a really cool guy who explained the "expansive" menu to me. "Burger or corn beef sand-which". Hmmm. Having heard and read the legend of the burger I went with that. Okay, first bite. Holy S***! That's good beef. I don't know if its that the bartender hand rolls the beef or what. They may put crack in it, I don't know! The burger was AWESOME! Yes it takes awhile for it to come become the solo bartender is also cooking your food. The fries are also fantastic. To quote the patron next to me "These are the best effing fries I've ever had!"
Touche to my fellow Yelpers on the insistence of me trying this place. This is an instant classic to be visited time and time again. In fact I may go back right now.
This place has absolutely nothing on the outside to indicate is is (a) a restaurant or (b) open.
We actually came here once and figured it was closed so went somewhere else. Â Then, after checking in on yelp, decided to try once more a few weeks later. Â I had a living social deal for 2 burgers and 2 beers, so we came here after work.
It was super quiet (Tues nite) but the man and I had alot to catch up on, and sipped our beers as we waited for our burgers. Â The bartender was helpful and friendly, and knew how to cook a mean burger!
They were totally worth the wait, and we devoured every bite. Â Def one of the best burgers I've had. Â I don't eat burgers too often so not sure I'd go back, just bc I like to see what's out there, but it was a great great burger. Â Great service, and a good price too.
The only knock on this place is its lack of craft/micro brews. Other than that, it's my favorite place to go in Jersey City.
The back patio is key in the summertime. We go down with our dog and baby, and just kick back and enjoy the weather. In the winter, the inside is cozy and smells like firewood smoke. Basically reminds me of my family vacation cabin while growing up.
The burgers are stellar, but some of the bartenders cook them better than others. They take a long time, because they are so thick, but totally worth the wait.
From the looks of this place on the outside... it shouldn't exist. It doesn't look like anyone has stepped foot into this building in 30 years. When you open the door, you see that it's filled with people watching the game or families sitting down for a drink and some food. And the food was the reason I came.. I had heard grand myths that New Park Tavern had the best burger in Jersey City.. hell, even Jersey! So I had to try it for myself.
The verdict? New Park Tavern definitely has the best burger in Jersey City, and one of the finest burger's I have ever tasted. No frills. Just great seasoned beef on a toasted bun with pickles, lettuce and tomatos. That's all you really need out of a great burger. The price was amazing as well. Â Just remember, cash only.
Highly recommended. I'll be back quite a bit.
Service in this outstanding burger/bar joint can be spotty. Â It's family-run and they might or might not have two people behind the bar when they should. Â And the bartender also is chef and makes all the food, fresh by the order, while pouring alcohol, etc.
I'll take the wait. Â They mean well, and those burgers are kryptonite to any demanding customer. Â Top quality, done perfectly, great fries (that's most of the menu, along with hot corned beef sandwiches and a couple of other like items), Park Tavern burgers are a GREAT burger eating experience.
Nice, dark, comfortable seating at tables made of huge old shellacked wooden spools from some old factory, is my guess. Â Outside seating was still available and being used yesterday, at the end of November.
A couple of buses run between Journal Square and the Park Tavern's door. Â Off-street parking.
I brought a good friend for his first visit there. Â My friend is a food and drink reviewer and great appreciator, and he was very impressed with the experience as a whole...especially those burgers!!
I went to New Park Tavern to redeem a coupon I bought from living social. I went on a friday evening, around 7. The neighborhood was not the best, and the place does not have a sign up front. So, I want to thank the other yelpers that posted pictures of the entrance, without your help I would never have found the place!
Anyway, as we opened the front door, we almost walk the other way because we thought it was closed. but we stepped in and sat by the bar. We order a couple of beers and two burgers with fries. When we got our burgers, we looked at each other and said these have to be the juiciest burgers we've ever had!
There is nothing to the burgers, we literally saw the bartender/cook make them and it was nothing but salt and pepper, but you wouldnt be able to that was all. These burgers are fenomenal.
I've had some pretty good burgers, but I gave this place 5 stars because of the combination of quality and service. The burgers were fenomenal, the beer was great (not a large selection, but a well chosen small, fresh selection), and the service was outstanding. The bartender/cook Bobby was super welcoming and no overbearing. He came to talk to us in multiple occassions and asked us about our experience. He truly made our experience worthwhile.
I cannot wait to return here, next time I'll visit for football on a sunday or monday.
P.S. they do not take credit, so bring some cash!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place so much! They have awesome bartenders, cheap drinks, and delicious food. I can't think of 1 bad thing about this place.
The burger are awesome, they do take a long time to cook (roughly 30 minutes) but totally worth it! Awesome back patio area when the weather permits. I used to bring my dog back there with me and get no complaints from the bartenders; in fact they'd bring her out food sometimes.
The place is generally pretty empty so it's a good spot to get some friends gathered and take them there. And they have a good music selection on the juke box!
When i am craving a Juicy, mouth watering, meaty, and satisfying burger this is the place i think of. Â The Bacon cheeseburger that come with a side of crispy golden fries is, in this guys opinion is second to none. Â idk what they do to make that thick piece of ground beef so juicy. Â Damn i want one right now!!!! Â The whole sandwich is a salty-meaty delight...makes you crave for the next bite. Â i usually drink my drafted guiness first so i can savor the flavor of this sandwich because i dont want the flavors to leave my mouth. Â LOL
but besides the Best Burger in the State on NJ this bar is a neighbor hood local where everyone knows ur name. Â always packed on Jersey City St. pattys day. Â and you will always run into someone u know there. Â so craving a refreshing Guiness or a deluctable Bacon Cheese burger this is ur spot.
Great little neighborhood pub. Nuff' said about the burgers-sublime. The jukebox is hands down the BEST I've seen ever. Obscure oldies from the 70's to the 90's. Not the ones you hear on the radio. In the summer there is a little shady area out back to sit outside. Wouldn't bring a stroller there (so-you've been warned). This is not a suburban kid-friendly place. Go to Chili's at 440 mall for that.
One word of caution: even though this is a favorite watering hole of our brave men in blue, the neighborhood can get a little creepy after dark. This isn't Grove St. Westside Ave is hardcore south of Communipaw.
Not really much to say about this that hasn't already been said. So I will just describe my experience...
When the bartenders (yes, the bartenders not only keep your drinks filled, but they man the grill as well--the second time I have seen this in NJ in the last 2 months) make the handmade burgers they make it look as easy as pouring a beer from the tap. The difference is, like pouring a Guinness, it looks easy, but getting a perfect pour is a time-tested skill. The hand-made patty is about 2 inches thick and requires a cook time of about 20 minutes for medium rare (!), but the wait is totally worth it.... Add cheese, fried onions, slightly warmed bun, order of fries, a 2nd Harp and it seemed as though I was in old-school-JC-no-BS-or-pretense-all-wooden-Âsomewhat-dank-cop-bar-heaven. Add the fact that the Yankee game was on, the back doors were open, and you could hear the rain coming down on the back patio, and I can't think of a better way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon.
I have been back 3x and brought friends. They love it too.
Old school JC type bar with a cool & laid back atmosphere. Great beer on tap and the burgers....OMG the burgers are awesome! There is no menu just whatever is on the board, but trust me you won't need anything else.
Let's see what else....there's an outdoor sitting area, a toasty fireplace, parking, jukebox, nice bartenders..i could go on and on....I seriously love this bar!
one itty bitty tiny complaint.....empty ketchup bottles....but then again it might be just a Sunday night thing.
Thanks to the internet, information about a place like the Park Tavern can be shared with the masses. Â Pre-internet you either knew about it or you didn't - it was all word of mouth. Â No advertising, no phone number listed at 411, no sign outside the business for crying out loud. Â
This is an old time Irish JC bar. Â The regulars tend to be cops, firemen, blue collar guys, & people associated with St. Peter's College. Â
It's "divey" in a good way. Â It's like a comfortable old sweatshirt. Â Â
The "menu" is a chalkboard at the end of the bar, and it's usually limited to burgers and corned beef and taylor ham. Â And fries. Â After all, it's a classic bar and grill. Â
I don't know what the burgers are made of, but it can't be regular chop meat. Â I swear they're grounding up rib eye or filet mignon or something, because the taste is like no other burger you've ever had. Â You can get it with bacon, too. Â The corned beef is perfect, too. Â
Served in a plastic basket with fries. Â Total no frills, but what makes this place a real destination is the burgers. Â I've brought several friends (people who know burgers) here, and each one has concluded they now have a new favorite burger.
i so wanted to be first to review PT :( been coming here for years, now i coincidentally live right up the street so it's my favorite place to grab a bite and some booze. Pitchers of PBR? yes please. Bobby, the friendly bartender (who can never remember my name, but always seems to remember which boy i was in with previously......) is awesome too. And if you've never had a PT burger, you don't know what you are missing. they are the ultimate hangover cure.
also, as a smoker, I LOVE the back patio, cause i can take my beer out, smoke and relax :)
For what it is, it's the best place in Jersey City.
This is an Irish Pub, and the most real one I've ever been in.
The beers are cheap, the staff super nice, and the Burgers and Fries are UNBELIEVABLE. Â Best in Jersey City. Â It's basically what the Corner Bistro was 20 years ago.
You get cops, firemen, politicians, and a lot of locals...and that's what makes it great. Â
You can watch the game, play music on an excellent jukebox (not digital), play darts in the back, or sit at a huge round wooden table and get trashed with friends. Â They have a great fireplace for the cold months as well.
There's also a backyard/patio where you can drink, smoke, and listen to music.
It's a bit of a drive across town in JC, but it is oh so worth it. Â And they have a parking lot.
P.S. The corned beef is also awesome, and this comes from a brooklyn born jew.
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