TLDR
Best cocktails: Pig & Prince. Best neighborhood pub: Tierney's Tavern. Best wine bar: Frenchie Wine Bar. Best late night: The Gaslight. Montclair's bar scene is small but high-quality.
Best Bars in Montclair NJ (2026)
Montclair's nightlife is concentrated along Bloomfield Avenue and a handful of side streets. It's not a big bar town — but what's here is genuinely good. The cocktail program at Pig & Prince is legitimately one of the best in Essex County, and the neighborhood pub scene around Tierney's has real character.
Craft Cocktail Bars
Pig & Prince
71 Bloomfield Ave
The best cocktail bar in Montclair. The bar program is serious — seasonal menus, well-sourced spirits, and a team that clearly knows what they're doing. The food is excellent too (creative American, not just bar bites). Gets busy Thursday–Saturday; reservations recommended for dinner.
Must order: Any of the seasonal craft cocktails — they rotate frequently. Ask the bartender what's new.
The Gaslight
Bloomfield Ave area
More of a late-night venue than a craft cocktail spot, but solid drinks and a lively weekend crowd. Popular post-Wellmont-show destination. Good energy, louder atmosphere, younger demographic than Pig & Prince.
Must order: Classic cocktails — G&T, old fashioneds done well
Neighborhood Pubs
Tierney's Tavern
174 Valley Rd
The quintessential Montclair local bar. Unpretentious, welcoming, excellent beer selection, and a genuinely local crowd. Dark wood, comfortable booths, and regulars who've been coming for years. Live music some weekends. The best place to actually meet Montclair people.
Must order: Whatever's on draft — they rotate interesting craft beers
Just Jakes
30 Park St
A Montclair institution for over two decades. American bar and grill format with solid burgers and a dependable beer selection. More casual than Pig & Prince, busier than Tierney's on weekends. Good for groups.
Must order: Draft beer, the burger
Wine Bars
Frenchie Wine Bar
Bloomfield Ave area
A genuinely good wine bar with a thoughtful, rotating list focused on natural and European wines. Small plates are excellent — mostly charcuterie and cheese but with creative additions. The most relaxed, intimate setting on this list. Perfect for a date or a quiet night out with a friend.
Must order: Ask for their natural wine recommendation — they know their list and genuinely want to help you find something you'll love.
FAQ
What is the best bar in Montclair NJ?
Pig & Prince is the most acclaimed bar in Montclair — exceptional cocktails and a great food menu. For a classic neighborhood pub, Tierney's Tavern is the local favorite. For wine, Frenchie Wine Bar is the standout.
Does Montclair NJ have a nightlife scene?
Montclair has a modest but high-quality bar scene concentrated around Bloomfield Avenue. It's not a 'party town' — it's a suburb with good cocktail bars and neighborhood pubs. Show nights at the Wellmont Theater bring the most energy to the area.
What time do bars close in Montclair NJ?
Most bars serve until 2am (NJ state last call). The Gaslight and Pig & Prince tend to be open latest on weekends. Weeknights wind down earlier.