Bars & Nightlife in South Orange
Craft cocktails, house-brewed beer, wine bars, and the right neighborhood dive — all walkable.
South Orange covers the spectrum: Papillon for serious cocktails, Gaslight for craft beer and summer patios, Bunny's when you want none of the above. The Valley St and South Orange Ave corridors keep everything walkable.
South Orange's best cocktail bar. Seasonal menus that actually rotate, skilled bartenders who make proper drinks, and a martini program that earns the loyalty. Small room — arrive early on Fridays.
💡 The dry martini is the benchmark move.
One of the oldest craft breweries in NJ. House-brewed lagers, IPAs, and seasonals on tap plus a full pub menu. The outdoor patio is the best outdoor drinking spot in town all summer.
💡 Patio fills up fast on summer Fridays — go early or weeknight.
Cold beer, sports on every screen, great jukebox, no attitude. The kind of place that's been the same for decades and the regulars like it that way.
💡 Cash preferred.
Sitting at the Bistro bar with a glass of Burgundy and the charcuterie board is one of the better evenings South Orange offers. A proper bar program attached to a proper French kitchen.
💡 Walk-in seating at the bar even when the dining room is full.
Good for pre-dinner cocktails or a late-night old fashioned after a SOPAC show. Strong spirits program, elevated bar bites, polished room.
💡 Post-SOPAC the bar gets a cultured late crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best bars in South Orange, NJ?
Papillon 25 at 25 Valley St is South Orange's best cocktail bar, Gaslight Brewery & Restaurant is the spot for craft beer, and Bunny's Bar is the no-attitude neighborhood sports bar.
Is there a brewery in South Orange?
Yes. Gaslight Brewery & Restaurant at 15 S Orange Ave is one of the oldest craft breweries in NJ, pouring house-brewed lagers, IPAs, and seasonals alongside a full pub menu.
Where can I drink outside in South Orange?
The Gaslight Brewery patio is the best outdoor drinking spot in town all summer. It fills up fast on summer Fridays, so go early or on a weeknight.
Where should I get a drink after a SOPAC show?
Felina Bar at 101 S Orange Ave is good for a late-night old fashioned after a SOPAC show, and the bar draws a cultured post-show crowd.
Is there a wine bar in South Orange?
The bar at Bistro d'Azur, 14 Academy St, pairs a proper wine and bar program with a French kitchen. There is walk-in seating at the bar even when the dining room is full.