3 best towns for bar hopping in Central Jersey

Michael Politz | Correspondent

Show Caption Hide Caption Morristown food crawl Esther Davidowitz and Tim Schafer food crawl Morristown, N.J., in search of the best dishes and cocktails Morristown has to offer.

Every day while I’m working, I’m always asked the same question — “What are the best places to go bar hopping?”

In Central Jersey, we are surrounded by towns and cities that have ample parking and multiple bars within a short walking distance from each other. Luckily for us, most of these towns are very accessible through public transportation and are also home to some of the most popular bars around.

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New Brunswick

Home to the state university, this major city also has some great bars within a short walk from one other, and not far from the NJ Transit train station. Those on a budget will enjoy the Olde Queens Tavern and Stuff Yer Face, both local haunts frequented by college students as well as visiting alumni.

Many other bars pack the city, including Destination Dogs which offers exotic and internationally inspired hot dogs as well as a full drink menu plus INC American Bar & Kitchen, which is nestled on the side of the Heldrich Hotel and offers an exorbitant amount of whiskies and bourbons. With more than dozen bar choices here, New Brunswick has it all for the adventurous to explore.

Somerville

Somerville —the borough that I call home — has grown into a powerhouse of bars and restaurants. Most are along Main Street, convenient to parking and to the NJ Transit train station (NJ Transit buses also go through downtown, too). Wolfgang’s Steakhouse offers great wines and spirits in an upscale environment, and its neighbor Alfonso's, a casual Italian restaurant with a bar inside, are great places to start your night.

Hop across the street to Central Pizzeria which has a bar frequented by locals and then go over Mannion’s, an Irish pub that's only a block away. If you want extravagant cocktails and a speakeasy vibe, Verve is a short walk east down Main Street. Craving sushi and a beer? Wasabi also has a bar and is convenient for those who are on the other end of the downtown area.

Morristown

Morristown is not just known for its important Revolutionary War sites, but also for its restaurant and bar scene. Boasting tons of bars near the College of Saint Elizabeth, Drew University and Fairleigh Dickinson University, Morristown is the place for young and not-so-young alike.

Along South Street, there are many bars to hop to including the Stirling Tavern, which is known for great wings and 16 beers on tap, and the Laundromat, a speakeasy-style that allows you to enter through 'washing machine.' With many other notable bars including the renowned Jockey Hollow inside the historic Vail Mansion and the Iron Bar, a top club scene pick, the choices are varied and have appeal to those looking for a sophisticated stop or crazy night out.

These four destinations are great places to spend a night bar hopping with some friends. As these towns and our state continue to grow and redevelop, so do the eating and drinking options for those looking for a night out on the town.

Michael Politz, a lifelong New Jersey resident, has worked in the restaurant and bar industry for 20 years. He currently bartends at Water and Wine Ristorante, an upscale Italian eatery and bar in Watchung. His beer, wine and liquor column, Spirits of N.J., appears Wednesdays.