Surf City

**Review of Surf City in Jersey City, New Jersey** I recently visited Surf City in Jersey City to celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday and my sister-in-law's completion of her graduate degree. Unfortunately, what should have been a joyous occasion was marred by the unprofessionalism and lack of communication among the staff at this establishment. From the moment we arrived, it was evident that the staff lacked coordination and professionalism. The level of disorganization was concerning, and it became clear that the communication between team members was almost nonexistent. This led to several frustrating experiences throughout the evening, with staff members providing inconsistent information and demonstrating an overall lack of awareness about what was happening within the venue. The most troubling incident occurred with the security staff, whose conduct was completely unacceptable. When I attempted to clarify a misunderstanding, rather than listening and addressing the issue professionally, a security staff member dismissed me by placing their hand up to my face. This gesture was not only disrespectful but also indicative of a larger problem within the establishment’s approach to customer service and conflict resolution. Such behavior is entirely inappropriate, especially in a customer-facing role where respect and clear communication are crucial. It is disappointing that instead of fostering a welcoming environment, the actions of the staff, particularly the security team, contributed to a negative experience on what should have been a celebratory night. Given these experiences, I cannot recommend Surf City to others. The management needs to seriously address the issues of staff professionalism and communication to ensure that future patrons are treated with the respect and courtesy they deserve.

Really amazing vibe and good place for a drink. Food leaves a lot to be desired though. Ordered their mussels tonight and they were so over cooked there was essentially nothing left to them and we gave up on eating them, wasn’t worth it. Not the first time I’ve been disappointed in their food. Key lime pie was decent but was very small.

Took the family out for dinner ! We went early in the evening since we were taking the kids. The food was delicious. They kids enjoyed the scenery, the service is great before it gets crazy busy.

Anna, the new hostess on the outside bar came from the Ukraine. It was her 7th day in America & 4th day working at Surf City. She did an amazing job getting us seated. Big ups to her. Our waitress could have done a better job by staying on top of our food order but it was extremely busy there. The food there was excellent. I will definitely go back there.

If you want a delicious Lobster Roll and are in Jersey City area COME HERE! Great views, Great Music, and Great Drinks. Plenty of parking and can even catch the ferry right from the pier. Sad part is they close for the winter but still plenty of time in the year to enjoy. I’ve been here with family early in the day and friends late into the night. Thanks for the memories!

Great food & drinks. Lobster was delicious! Kid friendly atmosphere! We just left it was such a HOT but beautiful day. Susie was amazing. She was taking care of multiple tables however she was extremely attentive, KIND, friendly & professional. Thank you Surf city

I went yesterday afternoon and caught it right in time because after that they were packed all day! Super fun, cute place by the water with some sand and a bunch of outside tables. The seafood was great, or at least it looked it, I hate seafood. The bees sure loved the shrimp! I saw a bee straight up cut a piece of it, firmly grasp it, then take off with it. The drinks were really good. I had the Banana Daiquiri, my mom had the Strawberry Daiquiri, my mother-in-law had the Miami Vice, and so did hubby. We also got a pitcher of the Coney Island Mermaid beer, and it was pretty good.

This is pretty nice place if you're in Jersey City and it's nice out. We went on a Thursday at 4 (time they open) and were one of the few there. Alot more people started rolling in close to 5. I've been here before on a weekend and it gets pretty packed. The food was good and the prices were pretty decent. The drinks were good and really hit the spot on a nice hot day. We ordered Mac and cheese, corn and warm lobster rolls. First time I had a lobster roll and it was really good. Loved the corn with butter and salt and Mac and cheese good as well. The service was good and the staff was friendly. You can go up and order your food and drinks and find a table or you can go to service area, get seated, and have the waiter bring you a menu. Our waitress was nice, greeted us with a smile and checked up on us often. Like the atmosphere here. Just seems laid back and peaceful. Enjoying the sun with good food and a drink is always the best. There's also a sandbar to hang out and have a drink. This time parking was fine but when busy it's hard to get parking. Bouncer at the entrance asks for ID. Not if you look old though lol.

A lot has changed but it's still a hangout spot worth checking out. Back in the day this used to be called Sandbar, and it was a hell of an experience. You had a tough time just finding parking (in a huge empty lot). You had a tough time getting to the bar for a drink. You didn't have a tough time meeting people and getting into fights. Fast forward, Surf City is a much more tamed venue. It still has a big parking lot even though they put some kind of field in the middle of it. The inside layout is huge and open, but mainly everyone comes here to sit on the dock enjoying the shore view and seeing the yachts. It's huge to still have that outdoor bar so you don't have to go far to grab a drink. Plenty of benches, a fireplace seating area, high chairs, bar chairs, and plenty of standing space. The drinks were made nice and strong, but I did not try the food.

I reckon this has to get 5 stars just for its general premise, not that I'm claiming it's a top-notch bar or even that I would be the best judge of such a thing. No doubt you could find an equally pleasant emporium by driving 80 or so miles, but its presence in JC borders on miraculous. I haven't been here enough to strong opinions on whether it's a proper food spot, or just a venue that happens to have food, but my tablemates' raving about the lobster made me at least confident enough try to the mahi mahi sandwich. The fish itself was first-rate and had just enough sauce. Also enjoyed grilled corn. To be sure these aren't seafood shack prices but you're paying for the real estate. Thumbs for the vast waterfront space, and for the choice of waiter or self-serve.

This is a cute bar on the water. It gets pretty packed but we've been able to find seats the past 2 times we went. Drinks are a little pricey but to be expected for the area. As other reviews have mentioned, the food leaves something to be desired. I ordered a chicken sandwich with pepper jack cheese, a side of mac and cheese and crab fries. The woman taking my order misheard me put in regular fries which was fine. My fiancé said the chicken sandwich was fine. Probably not worth $19 but did the job. For the $8 you get a lot of fries and they are tasty. The mac and cheese was pretty terrible. It wasn't cheesy at all. I basically paid $10 for butters noodles with a few Parmesan shavings on top. This is a fun outdoor bar. They also have an indoor area as well. Next time I come I'll just stick with fries and booze.

Here we go!!!! I am going to give it four stars, and this was my first time going I try to find something to do on my days off or before I go to work, because the weather is finally clearing up and outside was calling me On this particular sunny Sunday at the waterfront, Surf City caught my eye. I was doing research during the week on some of the best places to eat for outdoor seating/a good vibe/rooftop and Surf City was on that list When I finally decided to head out, it was after 12 pm My friend and I linked up, hopped on the Path and arrived at Marin Blvd. You walk off the Path, turn to your right, and follow the crow and music You are greeted by the waterfront, boats, and aquatic activities. There are small shops along the way but a large parking lot. When you walk in, it gives "dive bar and I LOVE IT!!! Surf City was already packed when my friend and I arrived There are no frills or putting on airs, what you see is what you get There is a host area, next to that is the bathroom, there is a bar outside and inside. You will need to note that you can grab a menu, look over it at the table or inside because they have a designated area for placing orders/paying for the food, and then picking up your order Its not complicated just follow the signs and instructions The music was bumping, the bar was packed, the boats/jet skis/kayaks were hitting the water giving me a good show At first, my friend and I grabbed drinks (you won't be disappointed they were strong but be mindful...if you order double liquor it will cost you...we will get back to that) We started at the bar but when I saw a couple get up and leave two seats facing the water...I jumped at the opportunity and thanked the couple for leaving LOL Now remember I told you there is designated to place your order/pay for your food/pick up your food. Well, my friend was kind enough to order for me, herself, and pay while I continued to drink, enjoy the sun, and good vibes We played it safe and opted for the Fried Shrimp Platter, but if we do go back soon we must try the Lobster Roll (it looks worth it tons of meat) The Fried Shrimp Platter I could taste the Old Bay in the seasonings (I am from Maryland LOL) The food was fresh, fried to perfection, and the fries were darn good too I like the personal touch of the small bottle of hot sauce that goes along with the lemon for garnish Now getting back to those drinks, remember I told you to be mindful of how much you alcohol you order? Well, before we exited the bar area, a gentleman came over to our bartender and inquired about what he paid $93 for? Well it turns out, when he ordered double liquor for 4 Sex on the Beaches, that was him basically ordering 8 drinks . As soon as I heard that, I turned to my friend and said "Guess what we will not be ordering or drinking?" It was a funny way to end the night, the gentleman walked off and said he needed a cigarette .. As for my friend and I, we enjoyed ourselves and will be back again

If you're in Jersey City and it's nice out, this is a nice place to hangout at. The sandbar to hang out and have a drink, is the first plus! The food (for a vegetarian) was limited and decent; the prices were a little steep ($$$). The drinks were good though, I'm confused on the pricing (this particular weekend, I ordered 3 rum and cokes in the time I was there and all 3 times I had different charges by different bartenders on the outside). The staff were friendly, but I still didn't get the pricing answer. You can go up and order your food and drinks and find a table or you can go to service area, get seated, and have the waiter bring you a menu.

Well I'm a little behind. We visited surf city a couple times while staying in New Jersey enjoying the skyline from Journey. It was kind of cool we were able to take our tender scooter across less than a five minute ride and enjoy a meal there first time Peggy went with me second time she sent me out to bring something back It's a pretty laid-back atmosphere very popular, you put your order in you pick it up, And you go set at a table. There is a section where they have servers but we skipped that.

A hidden gem in jersey city! This spot is great if you're looking for a place to grab a drink on the water or sit down and eat. They have covered seating, a sand area, and are right on the water. The drinks are a fantastic for the size and price! Especially since for an added $2 you can get an additional shot on the side. I ordered the twin lobster rolls and shared with my friend! How great a deal $32 for two full size lobster rolls and a side of fries. We also ordered a side of Mac and cheese to share for the table, it was flavorful and you could tell the used quality cheeses to make it. Personally I added a little salt but otherwise great. Our friends ordered the crab fries to share and oh my we wish we knew how big a portion was, all of the fries were crisp and seasoned to perfection. The crap dip was warm and delicious, very filling and heavy. The pizza had a great crunch and taste. I will definitely be back as it is a great place for groups! Service was maybe a little slow as they were definitely understaffed but all of our food was out quick and so were our drinks. It definitely has a bit of a dive bar vibe to it but well worth it. Also they have a giant parking lot next door which is a huge plus for jersey city!

Would literally only come here for the drinks and the vibe. Eat before you come the food was awful. I wouldn't even recommend to just get a side of fries because my fries were horrible. The shrimp was so hard and greasy. Tried to take it back the guy said he didn't speak English. I just told him to keep the food. Waste of money

Great place for a night out to just hang out with friends and grab a drink, very spacious many food options . Came here on a Saturday night had a pina colada and one drink was definitely enough for me to feel a good buzz. Been here before and also have had the Mac and cheese which was amazing. Only gave it three stars because I didn't get food recently so can't give real opinion on food right now . Service was decent they had two bars open so no big lines.

Going here for the second time. This place has a very different vibe and environment. It's mostly outdoor and close to the water. Has got Excellent views of New York. There's a fireplace too just so it gets cold at night. A fun place to visit with larger groups. Their beers and cocktails are great especially the Maliboo May breeze. And the service was quicker too though it was crowded both the times. Coming to food, the crab cake was yum. Must try!

The draw is waterfront location and mainly outdoor picnic table dining. But this place is mainly an age (youth!) thing. Very crowded noisy bar and hangout scene. There's a sand section, great for kids. There's a waiter-only section but forget it without a reservation (long wait) and even then not worth it. Super long wait for service despite friendly waitstaff (kitchen overwhelmed). The food once it arrives is good, sizy portions, decent fish and chips. Drinks are all frozen options plus beer. I'm too old to want to return but my kids probably will!

Great spot but why why why are the prices so $$$ Why??? Also no happy hour??? Cmon Once the only gig in town is now amidst 100's of places Yes it's outdoors and you are on the water with views but you are still a neighborhood spot Lower your drink price-at least between happy hour hours! Food is always decent to good Great fish and chips and fisherman's platter

While visiting Jersey City we decided to try Surf City and are so glad we did! We wanted a casual fun outdoor setting by the water and Surf City was perfect. We loved looking at the boats, canoes and jet skis going by. I was with a group so we tried a few things and everything was delicious! The lobster bisque had chunks of lobster and was perfect. The drunken shrimp boil had such nice sized shrimps and peeling the shrimp was part of the fun. We tried the lobster rolls and we all thought they were the very best with large pieces of lobster. The cocktails were perfect. As for the four stars instead of five, it was our server. We asked for plates and water numerous times and unfortunately she was just too busy to worry about her tables.

I've been here once years ago. This was my second time coming and I got to experience it with my girlfriends. The amount of food we ordered was insane and so good. We each got a frozen drink, my favorite was the mango tango and our entrees consisted of pepperoni pizza, a side of Mac and cheese, twin lobster rolls, and a side of crab fries. All four of ate from everything and definitely will be coming back. We also had a great server named Jackie who was super attentive to us during our time there.

Outstanding food, drinks and NYC'S skyline along the water. Definitely the place to go either with friends or that special someone in your life!

Cute place and great vibe! Love being near the water! Our server was a little slow and kept forgetting stuff, but he was really kind. Overall, the food was good. 2 lobster rolls for $30 is a great deal, and they tasted great. The lobster Mac & cheese needed A LOT of salt and pepper but was good once added. The chicken tenders and fries were simple but delicious. Overall, I would go back for the vibe and grabbing a drink but would probably not eat here again unless nibbling on some fried & tenders.

Great summer spot from May to October. Food is deep fried and they have a pizza oven. They just installed an outdoor sand volleyball court and about to set up a tournament. Service stays on top of you. It feels a little intrusive and excessive but they have to because the turn over for the tables need to make a certain amount of money every 90 minutes. It's a great getaway from the city.

Great view, good vibes, and decent drinks. Good place to go for happy hour or out with friends.

I've only been here for 5 minutes and I've gotten so much attitude from waiters and terrible service. Drinks taste like juice barely any alcohol in them mights as well get a soda. Ambiance is ok but if you come here just don't come to the waiter area

Place is a nice place however I had the mahi mahi burger and my food poisoning has been incredibly insane. Please don't eat that.

The food is okay. Come for the drinks and view. Good spot for large groups. Enjoyed my pina colada.

I was excited to try this place for the first time. As in all the other reviews, it is a cute hangout spot by the water. I went with a group. So our waiter was nice enough but so slow that when the food was finally delivered it was cold. I had the mahi mahi burger with fries and couldn't eat it. I will say, that after talking with the manager, they didn't charge my food or drink.

A must go every summer. Such a fun open place. Lots of space to walk around and hang out. In summers they always have something or another going on. Art shows, live bands playing. Beautiful Sunset sight. My favorite has to be the twin hot lobster rolls. Multiple bars, love the vibe, love the place!!

Surf City is a chill spot if you want to get drinks and nibble on some food on the waters. I had enjoyed the vibes here. On a Friday night, it was packed but not overwhelmingly packed which was good. Like most reviews, I would say skip on the food unless you are too turnt, I would suggest the fries lol. The food line was super long and the food took awhile to make. The people taking the orders and working in the kitchen don't seem to be friendly but whatever. Drinks here are overpriced but honestly, I think it's worth it only because of the location. It's to be expected. They had music playing and areas with sand so you can get that type of ambiance where you're drinking on the beach. The night we went was a bit weird, their system was down and was having technical difficulties. They were also banging on tables in the back for some reason which had gotten a bit annoying after awhile. Overall, this is like City Island but in JC and it was dope. I would def give this a second chance.

Location is great and wish there were more places like this in the city. Nice place by the water. Service was incredibly slow, so come prepared to wait. Food is meh; lobster guacamole is not as good as people told me, but the lobster roll was okay (it's hard to screw up a lobster roll). The pina colada was the worst I've ever had, it was just a slushee with some added flavor--Stick to draft and some fries, and you won't be disappointed. There's a section covered in sand, which is great if you have kids, so bring sand toys!

Cute beach bar in downtown jersey city. Parking is $10 now (it used to be free) so that's a con. The music was absolutely terrible. It was a mix of slow country and slow pop songs that's I've never even heard before. Food was average. The lobster rolls were the best thing. The guacamole literally just tasted like avocado. No seasoning or anything. The calamari was also pretty bland. Overall it was just a really average experience.

It was the perfect day to be outdoors! During my visit to NJ to see family, I really wanted to find a place to get my family together. My requirements were: 1. Outdoor seating 2. Casual 3. Not expensive 4. Great food 5. Group and Kid friendly - this location met all my requirements and more. It was perfect! Even wheelchair accessible for my grandfather! The watermelon salad was unique and refreshing. One of the pickier eaters was most impressed by their entree and had no complaints. Service was fast, friendly and Everyone enjoyed their dish. We even took a stroll around Liberty State park following lunch. Couldn't ask for a more perfect day with the fam!

Surf city is all about views and the amazing Pina Coladas you get! Went in here for a sunset views of the skyline. Also you get pizza but it's maintained by not surf side. Tables were quickly available and

Absolutely a great find. The food is great and the staff is brilliant. Multiple bars and plenty of room make this place an ideal spot for lunch and a drink.. stay for dinner it's good too. I've been back 3 times and all of them met with flying stars. Looking forward to another

Still 5 stars! Came here twice in the past two weeks. I love how large and open this place is. Even on a Sat night we found quiet area by the water to eat. Had the paella for 2 and it was huge with plenty of lobster. It had a great flavor. For $40 not that bad. My friend got the mahi burger plus other things, the size of the fish on that burger looked really good and next time I want to try it. We always heard a gong go off at the bar towards the furthest end. Turns out its an homage to the golden cicada bar that closed recently. You take a shot of a chinese grain alcohol. So we had to get the shots. Wasn't that strong. My friend who had the shot at the actual bar before it closed said its not the same, the one at the original bar was the real deal and much stronger. But the gong gimmick is cute, nice to do it once.

Loved the shrimp rolls! They have a nice menu and great location on the water. I went with a huge group after a boat ride. Everyone was hungry and ordered from their menu. We went on a Saturday night and the line to get in was reallllly long! Definitely a chill place to hang out with friends to drink and eat! I'd go back!

Nice place to relax out by the water with fresh seafood and drinks. I got the twin lobster roll. It comes with melted butter for you to pour on yourself thin that was a great addition. The lobster rolls were delicious. Only downside was it was a bit to bready so I had to tear a bunch of bread off but other than that was great. Nice boat views

First and last visit. Left after 20 mins. No one took our order. Asked a host at some point and she sent no one over. Made eye contact with a server who helped the neighboring the table and began to open my mouth to ask for help--they kept it moving and ignored us. Tried to get another server's attention also who ignored us. Thought this place was a vibe at first but left fucking annoyed.

Great would say unique location. Looking at the Statue of Liberty and to NYC skyline. Food a little pricey but good. Live music is an add on but staying up late is the best.

On saturday July 20, 2024 I visited surf city for drinks with my daughter. I got the twin lobster rolls which were delicious. The reason for the one star is due to the fact that my daughter was verbally harrased by the front door bouncer while waiting online to use the ladys room I had no idea until she told me when we got home. Wont ever go back Surf City again. And if management is reading this do the right thing and get rid of the freak at the front door. He sits towards the left when you first walk in.

First time here and it was way bigger and more crowded than I expected.. but it was also opening day. Ordered a banana daiquiri and received mango. My friend ordered mango and received strawberry. There were a lot of used drinks sitting around so it was hard to tell if certain seats were taken or not. I plan to give it another try on a not so busy day.. enjoyed the music and the ambience.

I spoke to the manager (Evelyn I believe) had some concerns w my food after waiting 15+ minutes for her to come to my table..... she huffed about it and made me feel mad uncomfortable. There was a complete lack of mutual respect.

Cool place to hang out. The scenery and vibes were everything. I wasn't impressed with the drinks or food at all. My mac and cheese was very dry with no flavor at all. Shrimp batter seemed over seasoned so it was very salty. Loved the fries. The drinks tasted like there was no liquor at all. I spent $130 total and was very disappointed.

I have been past this place so many times and never got the chance to try this place but today I got the chance. When I arrived I parked in their private parking lot. We had a large party and all of us walked up together. There was security and an ID check with a machine. Seating was all outside by the water and our area was in the sand where the hostess sat us. We sat on long benches and the ambiance was cute and fun. We were served by Abraham and he was nice at first. We couldn't get separate checks but he said we could do separate cards. I ordered and arnold palmer with vodka and a beer and they weren't bad. I also ordered a BBQ burger with no bacon and fries. He didn't ask how I wanted the burger and they sent it back medium rare which I never have it but was able to tolerate and it wasn't too bad. One of the other girls had the lobster roll for $28 and she didn't like it. She said it was very dry. One of the other girls didn't like her lobster mac and cheese. So at our table it was hit or miss. This is where Abraham started to slack because he did not come around to check on us. I had to go find him to pay and someone had to find him to give us our cards back and he told her he was busy and for us to wait. Gratutity was included so I don't think he cared. All in all the best part was the atmosphere of the place. We had a decent time, not terrible but not great either.

A fantastic spot for drinks on the water! Unfortunately the food and service isn't so great. Back to location. When it comes to ambiance, Surf City really can't be beat. It's a little slice of the Jersey shore right here in JC. The space is absolutely massive, and because the bar sits along the waterfront there really isn't a bad view in the entire space. Lots of tropical cocktails, palm trees and sandy beach areas keep it on theme as a beach bar. Drinks are high priced, but it's to be expected at a bar this popular. You can usually expect a line to get in and to order drinks at the bar. You can wait on line to be seated with a server or you can order food at the takeout window if you'd like. While this is a great spot for waterfront drinks I would not return for the food. We initially ordered crab fries and they were covered in a hot and soupy fishy tasting seafood sauce. When I asked to swap it out for something else I was given an attitude. Luckily I was able to swap it out for fries and chicken tenders which were fine. However, for a fantastic ambiance Surf City is where it's at. This is a summer staple here in JC.

Such a great vibe!! It's such a cool place and feels like you've escaped the city and are at a beach! The prices are quite high, but the food was amazing. The crab dip for the crab fries was a 10/10!

This is pretty nice place if you're in Jersey City and it's nice out. We went on a Thursday at 4 (time they open) and were one of the few there. Alot more people started rolling in close to 5. I've been here before on a weekend and it gets pretty packed. The food was good and the prices were pretty decent. The drinks were good and really hit the spot on a nice hot day. We ordered Mac and cheese, corn and warm lobster rolls. First time I had a lobster roll and it was really good. Loved the corn with butter and salt and Mac and cheese good as well. The service was good and the staff was friendly. You can go up and order your food and drinks and find a table or you can go to service area, get seated, and have the waiter bring you a menu. Our waitress was nice, greeted us with a smile and checked up on us often. Like the atmosphere here. Just seems laid back and peaceful. Enjoying the sun with good food and a drink is always the best. There's also a sandbar to hang out and have a drink. This time parking was fine but when busy it's hard to get parking. Bouncer at the entrance asks for ID. Not if you look old though lol.

SHAME ON EVERYONE WHO GIVES THIS PLACE LESS THAN FOUR STARS. Surf city is awesome. Seriously. First of all, you can either make a reservation (I recommend this) and have waiter service at a table, or you can pick up food and seat yourself. Be aware that they get very busy. By 7:30pm on a Thursday evening there was already an hour and a half wait for a table. This place is HUGE. There's a beach area, multiple decks and bars, a back area with suffleboard, and a private party area. Not to mention, theres a club-like space indoors but hey, we live in COVID times now so couldn't take part in that. As for the food...is it the best you'll get? No, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I had the Surf City salad and added tuna and the portion of fish was very big. Calamari was decent, not great, but the lobster rolls were FILLED with meat...and not the usual small lobster pieces drenched in mayo, this was ACTUAL CHUNKS OF LOBSTER. We also had the crab fries and had no clue it would be such a massive portion. Service was great, the views seal the deal. Easily my favorite spot in JC. If you feel like being transported to vacationland, this is your spot.

I hate to do this bc Surf City was one of my FAVORITE spots in Jersey City the last few summers however this place how gone DOWNHILL. First off, the service was horrible, everyone is so rude and unwelcoming, there is NO organized wait system, you just stand on a line like at an amusement park waiting for a ride (rather than just putting your name down on a list or IPAD system like any normal restaurant, we waited standing on a long line for almost 45 minutes just to get a table). The bathrooms were GROTESQUE, garbage cans overflowing with female products and toilet paper, no soap at all and the dryers didn't even work either. Idk who is running this place but they are doing a horrible job as of summer 2024 and it is so sad to see as a Jersey city/Paulus Hook resident.

After years of wanting to go to surf city, I am highly disappointed in this place , I went to celebrate my birthday early with my family, by 6pm they already ran out of ice so no frozen cocktails that was #1 , #2 I went only for the lobster roll and was told they were out and would not have anymore for the rest of the night so ordered calamari that was suppose to come tossed with a sauce and was served regular fried calamari with no sauce whatsoever, the whole experience was disappointing

This place was the best outdoor bar I've ever seen! Outside they have two sand pit seating areas, a dining area under a roof, multiple bars around the premise, good looking waitresses, a food stand, and many tables along the water. They had a nice view of the Hudson and was very colorful with their lights. Their food was really good too and had decent prices. Definitely a bar I would hit up if you're ever in the area. The view, atmosphere, workers, menu options, size, and even the fire pit centerpiece and sand areas tie it all in together. I'd actually rather be here than on a rooftop bar

I love coming to Surf City -- not particularly for the food, but for the drinks and the atmosphere. It's a slice of Florida / Jersey Shore beach bar right here in Jersey City. This is one of my favorite happy hour spots in the area, with added points for being about 200 steps away from my apartment. It's got a great view of Manhattan, Liberty State Park, and the harbor, and the drinks are strong and pretty cheap. There are plenty of beers on tap and even when it's busy we never have to wait very long for service. The food is fine -- nothing in particular stands out, but if you want some fine fried food and perhaps a decent lobster roll, you'll feel right at home here. Check your ID at the door, have a drink in a plastic cup, and have an awesome time.

I love surf city. I'm surprised but not that it has a lower rating. The ambiance alone should be a 5! The inside area feels club-ish (probably why a lower rating from others). I think that could do so much more with the inside space but it gives a cheap beach vibe (think DJais in Belmar NJ). However, the outside is beautiful. It's on the water surrounded by boats and high rise buildings. It really is stunning. There's even a little sand pit area, and it's huge. In terms of the food I've only had a positive experience. The lobster quesadilla is no longer on the menu but it should be. It was awesome! I really miss it :( there are plenty of other lobster options (Mac and cheese, rolls, etc) but this one was the best. I had the crab fries a different time and they were good. Our server was nice, no complaints. You are able to rent out the tables for parties off to the side area of the outside venue, which is nice. There are 2 bars in that vicinity so you don't have to go inside or travel too far for a drink. They had a good selection of draft or canned beers. I've never tried the wine and probably won't just cause it's a beach vibe. No specialty cocktails which is a bummer. Nice spot for summer!

Terrible service. Understaffed!!!. This could be a money making venue but seriously neglected. I don't recommend it. It's great for the view and to be outdoors but unfortunately not there yet. Food was ok. Nothing crazy.