Astor Bar & Grill
“Most were friendly and I made a good impression with a Frank Sinatra sing-along.”
“I would come here again to watch a football or basketball game for sure.”
Astor Bar & Grill
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
6 reviews
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I can't comment to the food, but the Yuegling's are cheap, I got a buy back on a shot of Tullamore Dew on my first visit, and since no one else has mentioned it-they have their own parking! It's one of those places like New Cypress on the JC/Bayonne border where even if the spaces are full you just park behind someone and you'll be asked to move your car if needed. I look forward to trying the bar pie among other things.
I am disappointed. After seeing decent reviews on Yelp, but I decided to give this place a try. I got yellow rice and steak with onions. The rice is not fully cooked, it is so dry and the core of the rice grain is still hard. Steak is very dry, my jaw feels tired chewing it.
This is great local bar in a Jersey City. As others have mentioned, the drinks are cheap. Drafts are $3 but not too interesting (Miller Light, Guinness, Yuengling, Coors Light and one other that I forgot). Bottles are about five bucks and you have a few more options including some seasonals. Shots and other drinks are also available and equally a great value. Nothing super fancy but they'll make you an old fashioned or most other "normal" cocktails. The food is all made to order. I had a cheese pizza which was really good. I was definitely impressed with it. They also have specials for football and other things that you can find out about on Facebook. I believe this has been in their family for more than 50 years. It's definitely a popular place and has a lot of regulars. I would come here again to watch a football or basketball game for sure.
I just realized that I have yet to review Astor bar and I'm appalled at myself!
First off, let me start by saying that this is not a 'five star' joint, only that I think it's pretty awesome for what it is (which is a stuck in the 70's dive bar). Onwards…
Buried in the middle of an 'up-and-coming' part of Jersey City, Astor Bar is a time capsule from days gone by. Virtually windowless with a low ceiling, linoleum bar (yes, really), a kick-ass juke box (if you, like me, love the music of Frank Sinatra, James Taylor, Elvis, etc), a perma christmas tree and really good "bar" pizza. Oh yeah, and it's wicked cheap.
This is one of the places I like to show off to all of my out-of-town friends as a part of the "real" New Jersey. It's the kind of place where old-timer barflies mingle with retired cops, and hipsters and everyone is at least 1/26th Irish on their mothers side (or some such). Come for the cheap drinks, stay for the camaraderie.
Astor Bar is a truly unique experience, and one you should have.
Pizza was pretty good. If you're allergic to or afraid of dogs, you might want to stay away. There were two there, large but super friendly and well behaved. But if you love hole in the wall bars, then you'll love this place. It seems like a respectable old neighborhood bar with a decent amount of regulars.
An "old man" bar. Simple and inoffensive, a staple that has survived a quickly changing neighborhood. I came in one night looking for a late dinner and a quick drink. The kitchen was closed but the bartender, Kelly (because everyone goes by last names in old man bars), kindly offered to make me a cheeseburger on the flat-top. Paired with a $4(!) vodka served, I settled in for a quiet outing. At the time of my visit there was a small group of regulars and they were clearly intrigued by the newb. Most were friendly and I made a good impression with a Frank Sinatra sing-along. One guy was way too in my personal space and making me uncomfortable. There's no bouncer but Kelly hovered close to make sure I was handling myself.
Not the kind of spot i'd frequent but if you like a place so classic it's approaching kitsch it's worth a visit.
tl;dr: super cheap drinks, kitchen closes early, lots of 50's & 60s music on the jukebox.