Where To Make Yourself At Home in Hoboken

You just moved to Hoboken. You’re 24 years old. These are the best times of your life, right? The sizzling, spectacular 20’s… your body can still handle some good partying on the weekends, or even a weeknight, and your career can still handle those rough Friday mornings on little sleep with a grainy cup of imitation espresso from the company kitchen.

Yet there is one tiny problem standing in your way! You realize there are dozens of bars on every corner and you don’t know anyone yet except your old pal Petesey from elementary school and your neighbor, Sue, who mentions that knitting and Hogan Knows Best reruns are among her favorite free-time activities.

Where can you go to meet new people, have a few reasonably priced drinks, and soak in the atmosphere of a new town? One option in the uptown sector of Hoboken, just a few blocks from the main street, is Ted and Jo’s, everybody’s favorite neighborhood bar.

Here’s the thing: you know exactly what you’re getting the moment you walk in the door. From the super-friendly greeting that the owner himself offers, to the half-creepy, half-dopey smile on the bartender’s face, there’s something in the air that screams “comfort”. Your options include a Yuengling, a Bud Light, or a Guiness from the selection of fine draft beers, or a straight vodka martini with a splash of OJ. All are great ways to start off your tab. Perhaps you’d prefer something from the varied selection of wines, or a Bloody Mary early Sunday morning - no problem at Ted and Jo’s.If you’re hungry and would like anything from a snack to a full dinner, the food is excellent - top to bottom. Although not noted for their menu, the balsamic chicken dish is a crowd favorite and the pastas are tasty, but the burgers and chicken sandwiches are excellent, definite crowd favorites.The set-up of Ted and Jo’s is simple; it’s a bar, surrounded by plenty of televisions (great, if you’re looking to catch whatever game is on), and plenty of side bar tables for some conversation. Dinner service from one of the many cute, cheery waitresses is available at these side tables or in the smaller dining area. At night, the jukebox goes on and the owner joins the rest of the crowd — occasionally even buying a round — and everyone is singing along to U2’s “Rattle And Rum” before you know what hit you.

The drinks are strong, the crowd is diverse, and you leave the bar feeling like you had a relaxing, easy couple of hours at a neighborhood bar that feels like old Hoboken. It isn’t too fancy or trendy, and it doesn’t try to be something it’s not. With fair prices and great service in a comfortable setting, the aura oozes fun, without the pretentiousness found in so many of Hoboken’s newer bars.

When the owner himself isn’t afraid to be a runner or a bus-boy on a busy night, you know you’ve got yourself a place where no one is trying to impress anyone, and it’s easy to make new friends. If Petesey is busy at Texas Arizona’s and Sue is busy watching the Hulkster scare off Brooke’s potential boyfriends, venture out to Ted and Jo’s for a drink or two … or maybe ten, you just never know.

Ted and Jo’s Oak Bar and Restaurant
219 11th St
Hoboken
(201) 222-6670

— by Johnny Strongarms
Johnny Strongarms is a Jersey native currently residing in Hoboken.

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