This is a fun little dive located at the Lincoln Park Airport in New Jersey. They welcome everyone, stating that they hope “everyone leaves with plans to return.” At an airport, you kind of have to have that motto, don’t you?
Considering its location, you might not think of it as being a local hangout, but it most certainly is. The general consensus seems to be that the food is okay, but the drink specials and entertainment are excellent! They offer $5 cosmos, live music Thursday-Sunday, and a rotating selection of craft beers. If you’ve ever been to Jersey, you know the conversation will be plentiful and exhilarating.
But one insider, who is choosing to remain anonymous, has a fun story involving a differentkind of entertainment. She was out with a couple of gym pals when “a couple of local drunks started talking shit.” One of her friends was slightly inebriated as well, and when one of the other guys tripped and fell into him, he broke a bottle over his head.
Dinner and a show, right?
We can’t say if this is the sort of thing you’ll find at the Sunset Pub & Grill on a typical night, but we do know it hasn’t stopped people from pouring into this dive. It’s a cool little place where you can spend a warm evening sitting on the patio watching the planes and helicopters fly in. There’s even an outdoor bar, where you can hang out and survey the collection of neon beer signs. The al fresco dining seems to be a big draw, so be sure to get there early if you want a table!
Alternatively, you can hang out at the bar inside next to the sturdy brick pillars and local barflies. There’s always a great special going on, like Burger Night or $5 cocktails. The staff is friendly, and everyone agrees that the chance of seeing the planes and helicopters up close is a real crowd—and kid—pleaser.
(Obviously, we might recommend bringing the kids during the day and saving the evening for a solo trip. You never know when you might run into our anonymous friend and her gym buddies out for a night on the town!)
While the service is friendly, they certainly aren’t dying to impress. You might wait a while to be seated or to see your food. If you have any issues, you won’t see a crisply-dressed manager approaching your table, brimming with apologies. There are plenty of chain restaurants that can fulfill those needs.
But if what you love is a local dive with good music and decent folk, DBT recommends you fly in or drive in to the Sunset Pub & Grill! Coordinates are listed on their website for your convenience.
It seems to us that you either love this place or hate it, and isn’t that true of most dive bars? But those who do love it become a “Sunsetter” a.k.a. a part of this bar’s family.
Location: Lincoln Park, New Jersey
Be sure to try: some of their spiked seafood!
