Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

And then there were 10.

After much deliberation, we have the 10 finalists in our N.J.'s best bar showdown.

To recap, we started last month with a call for nominations. A total of 405 bars were nominated. All were put on ballots, separated into six categories: neighborhood bars, dive bars, craft beer bars, wine/whiskey/martini bars, sports bars, and restaurant or hotel bars.

The top five vote-getters in the neighborhood bar category, plus the top four vote-getters in each of the other categories, were 25 of our semifinalists; I picked the other 25, and visited all 50 semifinalists over three weeks. I alone picked the 10 finalists; no voting was involved in their selection.

Many legendary bars were left off the finalist list, and there were surprise newcomers. But as with all of our previous N.J.'s best showdowns, this competition wasn't about popularity, ranking or reputation — it was about the best bar, based on tradition, history, atmosphere, service, food and other factors.

You can vote starting now for the Readers' Choice winner; the poll is below. I will pick the overall winner.

The 10 finalists are listed in no particular order.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Clydz, New Brunswick

New Brunswick is practically being besieged by development, but Clydz remains a calm, untouched refuge. The bar, which opened in 1997, is acknowledged as one of the state's preeminent cocktail bars. A total of 128 drinks are on the menu, broken down into vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey/rye, brandy/cognac, sparkling, punch and dessert sections.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Why it made the top 10: A staggering cocktail selection, but it's about quality not quantity here. Dive into the Blue Lagoon (photo), made with lemon vodka, Cointreau, blue curacao and lemonade. Clydz is as much known for its wild game menu as its cocktails. Braised python ravioli, wild boar and buffalo meatballs, and grilled bison hanger steak are among the offerings. Standout dish: the French toast, pork belly and fried eggs. I wish they would bottle the chipotle/blueberry/maple honey syrup; it's that good.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Riverside Inn, Cranford

There are many dive bars, but there is only one The Dive. That's the name regulars give to the Riverside Inn. Tropical Storm Irene left 4 feet of water in the joint, which caused local wags to dub it "The River-Inn-side.''

Cyrus Drake's Landing was located here in colonial days; there was a Model A dealership, speakeasy and flower shop in more recent times. Pete Jacobs - the big bearded guy who looks like one of the regulars - has been the owner since 1995.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Why it made the top 10: There's a certain scruffy charm to The Dive, where dishes are colorfully illustrated on paper plates (photo), Great jukebox. It's as friendly as can be; Jacobs mixes easily with the regulars, and you'll never feel alone here. Chef John McCarthy works wonders in a kitchen the size of most closets.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Mt. Royal Inn, Mt. Royal

Byron Driscoll, owner of the Mt. Royal Inn, saved the building from a bitter fate a year and a half ago; an investor wanted to tear it down and build a liquor store. "I made them a better offer,'' Driscoll said with a smile. It's a rambling restaurant/bar, with a beer-filled bathtub behind the bar and an ever-lively crowd.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Why it made the top 10: Lively neighborhood hangout; the place was packed on our Wednesday night visit. Excellent wings; they made my most recent N.J.'s best wings list. It's not just shots and a beer here; the Bloody Mary (photo), topped with lump crab meat, steamed shrimp and candied bacon, is proof the bar is not adverse to getting a little crazy and kooky.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Verve, Somerville

The casually stylish restaurant/bar, with main floor bar and dining room and upstairs 1933 Room, has been open 20 years. Rick St. Pierre, owner of Verve, is a tireless booster of Somerville and often hosts fundraisers for worthy causes.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Why it made the top 10: Swanky but not stuffy cocktail lounge surroundings, with top-flight bartenders. The 1933 Room, with its handsome bar, is a cozy little hideaway. Good food; try the Verve Burger, with aged white cheddar; the Bang Dumplings; and don't you dare skip dessert. Recommended: the chocolate souffle, with house-made mint ice cream. Sweet dreams are made of this.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Deep Inn, Newark

From the outside, the Deep Inn looks grim and grubby. Inside, it's a cozy, well-kept retreat, with a pool table out back. The Ironbound dive bar was once a funeral parlor; Joe and Marianne Downar have owned it since 1987. He's a corrections officer, and tooted his trumpet to mark our arrival. There's no food menu, but they put out a free buffet during football games and special events. Their son, Joseph, is one of the bartenders.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Why it made the top 10: Raffishly charming dive bar. Fixtures include a deer-foot lamp on a table out back, and the beer selection doesn't get more complicated than Corona, Bud Light and PBR. Diverse clientele. The Irish coffee-like concoction of Bailey's, chocolate almond milk and RumChata was one of the dozen best cocktails sampled on this entire journey.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, Clifton

Located next to the Shannon Rose, Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas opened in 2012 and has acquired a reputation as a wine wonderland and spirits sanctuary. In-house mixologist Alexis Morgan is always on the lookout for creative cocktails and promising vintages. There are about 500 bottles of wine, and 50 kinds of wine available by the glass.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Why it made the top 10: Extraordinary wine selection. An in-house mixologist who loves to discuss her craft. Excellent food; try the Spuntino Board or one of the pizzas.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray I NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Brewers Towne Tavern, Haddon

The Brewers Towne Tavern, according to owner Glenn Weir, is the longest-running business in Westmont, a section of Haddon. It started pre-Prohibition as an ice cream store, and was later a gentleman's club. It's gone through several names as a bar - Crystal Tavern, Walt's, Pat's.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Why it made the top 10: Lively neighborhood hangout, where regulars have their regular seats. "White collar, blue collar, no collar - everyone is welcome here,'' a regular told me. For a neighborhood bar, the menu is quite expansive.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Taphouse 15, Jefferson

The former New Orleans Steak House has undergone a dramatic transformation into Taphouse 15, "a new American grill'' specializing in craft food, beer and cocktails. The beer list is practically telephone-book-sized, with 100+ brews in all styles, from summery blondes and kolschs to sours, porters and stouts.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Why it made the top 10: One of the state's best craft beer lists. Pretty good food; try the Terminator (photo), an Eiffel Tower of meat (50% house burger blend, 50% bacon blend), bun, bacon and onion rings. Excellent wings - they made my most recent N.J.'s best wings list - and the tacos, with cilantro and jalapeno salsa, are highly recommended.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Twisties on the Bay, Strathmere

The only true waterfront bar among our finalists, Twisties on the Bay may have operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Al Capone ate here, or so the legend goes. A previous owner, Harold Charleston, was responsible for the weird and wonderful collection of coconut heads, carved by Seminole Indians, above the bar. The bar, named after former owners Jimmy and Rose Twist, is now owned by Gary and Denise Riordan. The Twists' nephew was named - what else? - Oliver.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Why it made the top 10: A surprisingly varied menu, everything from steamers, mussels and tempura tuna roll to flatbread pizza, char-grilled pork chop and salmon tabbouleh. Great waterfront setting, in a town many New Jerseyans couldn't find on a map. My favorite thing here: the maple cinnamon sweet potato fries.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Hudson House, North Beach Haven

The Hudson House really is a house, on a side street, and there's no big neon sign. It's cash only, and there's no food unless you count potato chips and pretzels. "We added beef jerky (recently),'' bartender Jackie Sneyers said on our last visit. The shuffleboard board dates to the '50s and the general atmosphere is laid-back and leisurely. There's no website or official Facebook page. The Hud is compact, cozy and stuck in time.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Why it made the top 10: They don't make them like this any more, especially on LBI. Cash-only, no food, shuffleboard table: it's a dive bar, and proud of it. The beer selection is better than you might expect, with 16 beers on tap, including Goose Island IPA, Ship Bottom Lager, Kane Sneak Box and Asbury Park Blonde.

Don't Edit

Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

What's next

Now it gets serious. I will visit all 10 finalists starting tomorrow - two bars a day all the way through Saturday. Watch for the trip schedule later today; show up and support your favorite bar during our visit. Next week we will announce the winner live on NJ.com. Don't forget to vote for our readers choice winner.

If you love New Jersey food, you’re going to love Jersey Eats, our new Facebook group dedicated to New Jersey restaurants and all of our favorite foods.

Join the group and let's talk Jersey Eats! Click here to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jerseyeats/

Don't Edit