Daily specials still hit. Tuesday had $1.50 tacos and they were on flavorful and a great value. Service is like any other college bar. Location is a bit dark with an awesome wrap around bar and plenty of seats, booths and games. Always a great time at the branch! read more

Olive Branch Bar & Restaurant - Branch loaded fries - American Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

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i'm aggravated because i loved this place. idk where bars around here find their bouncers, but it was 10 or so minutes to close, my friend was vomiting outside so she ran into the closest place near her. I understand we didn't hangout or drink here, but i've came many times to say hi to my fav bartender and even just ask to use bathroom and never got issues. bullshit fr. he literally BANGED on the door and screamed at us like he was our father or something. also why wouldn't you lock the doors if it was that serious? we came in and ppl were still in there. i want to give it another chance but i didn't appreciate the way we we're approached but these two men. read more

If you are looking for a fun restaurant with a huge bar, flat screen TVs and all your standard pub fare near Rutgers campus literally a block away from College Ave, look no further! Olive Branch has a fun atmosphere from the music (lots of 2000s jams) & the aforementioned multiple TVs surrounding the bar ensuring that whether you're there to watch NBA, MLB, UFC, boxing, baseball, NFL or some combination of the above, its definitely on. The food while being your standard pub fare was delicious. No disgusting congealed gelatinous cheese sauce in any of their apps but actual melted shredded cheese. I opted for the potato skins that came with plenty of cheese and ample amounts of crispy bacon. Definitely going to try the mozzarella sticks, cheese quesadilla, nachos & branch fries on future visits. If you're looking for a chill bar to hang out in downtown New Brunswick, look no further than Olive Branch! read more

I love promoting here college kids here are so lively and fun. The ambience is very cultural and American in true to American roots. You can always count on this location to show the games you wanna watch and the food is amazing service is great. read more

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One of THE best spots in New Brunswick for Happy Hour!! They have so many happy hour deals, drinks that are the perfect balance between strong and delicious, and food that will definitely satisfy your cravings! My absolute favorite deal and the reason that my friends and I come here for happy hour so often is their $0.50 pizza slices (that's $4 per pie)!! Their cheese fries are also so good! They have great deals for beers and pitchers, $5 margs, and $4 BIG 10 shots. My boyfriend has made it a personal goal to try all of the BIG 10 shots! So far, we have 3 left to try but my favorite so far is the Wildcat Shot! They also have OB Coladas for $6.50 during HH, which is my go-to mixed drink. I also LOVE their $5 Sangria!! Aside from HH deals, their drinks are all fair-priced, well-made, and are worth the money! They've been open for outdoor seating for the last few months, but I recently heard they just opened up their indoor area (with limited capacity)! OB is right next Rutgers campus, so the crowd is all college students. Unlike other bars in the area, though, OB is much more relaxed, yet the energy is very social! They also play the best music, ranging from throwbacks you forgot existed to the latest hits. Even when they get really busy, their service is impeccable. The staff is extremely friendly and very attentive. They also recently launched a DELIVERY SERVICE: OB2YOU.com where you can order their beers/drafts, mixed drinks, shots, food items. read more

Olive Branch Bar & Restaurant - OB Colada ($6.50) and Miller ($3) - American Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

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First off, great nostalgic bar. Been going since the 90's. Bartenders are generally nice. I don't understand the food situation. Burgers are fine. Pizza is what you'd get in Arkansas. Wings and other apps are great. When they changed owners, they should have kept the old owners pizza recipe. I'll be back but really wish the food was better read more

$10.70 for beer & 3 slices (each) for three people...need I say more?! Very slow service, despite reduced foot traffic during spring break. read more

Olive Branch Bar & Restaurant - American Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Went here last night and I already left a review on their drinks but last night I tried their wrap and it was AWESOME! I figured it would be a hit or miss since they specialize more in drinks but I got their greek wrap which included grilled chicken, feta, olives, tomatoes, lettuce and it was super filling and had such a great taste. I was happy to know they had healthier meal options! read more

The ULTIMATE Jersey Power Move! Yes, I cheers with breakfast sandwiches. This beauty surpassed many others places I have gotten a taylor ham (or pork roll ), egg and cheese from. First of all, I didn't have to wrestle with it and putting the cheese on at the very end was a nice touch. It wasn't all messy and melty just PERFECT. Plus the brioche roll put this over the top, good bread always makes the sandwich. They didn't skimp on the taylor ham, it was loaded with it as well as a hash brown in the middle. I repeat a hash brown was put in this as well. read more

Olive Branch Bar & Restaurant - American Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

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Came for lunch with family, and, despite this place giving off a very college bar vibe, was glad we ended up here! It's right across the street from the College Ave parking lot for those who are familiar with Rutgers. We were greeted, seated, and placed our order. The place was packed since this was after Obama had just visited, so it took a long time (more than 30 min) to get our food. Our server was nice about it though and kept refilling our beer/water. I got a chipotle chicken panini (see picture) with side salad. It was absolutely amazing- perfectly warm and crispy, while the bacon bits gave extra texture and flavor. Salad was Greek I think, and I got no dressing since I'm likely getting a heart attack anyway. Overall, well worth the wait and would give 5 stars if not for the sticky floors (again, college bar vibe) and slow service. Food made me hungrier with each bite, which is a sure sign of success. read more

Olive Branch Bar & Restaurant - Chipotle chicken panini with bacon and cheese, plus salad so I don't get a heart attack - American Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

So I always fondly remembered my times at the Branch, especially their killer happy hour! How could any college student not love dollar drafts and fifty cent slices in a fun, chill happy hour atmosphere? I always wondered if I just enjoyed the pizza because I was had too much to drink and had pizza "beer goggles" on. Well yesterday, I was pleased to learn that I enjoyed the pizza because it was decent pizza! All the cards of the table, I'm a fan of thin crust pies. This isn't the most gourmet pizza in the world, but the proportions were all correct- sauce, cheese, crust. I was pleasantly surprised how large the slices were too. At least last night, the slice was probably at least double from what I remembered. Coors was the beer on happy hour special and now $2, not $1. However I seem to recall in the past the beers were in mugs and yesterday it came in a pint glass. I'd say fair trade off. The bar also hasn't changed in years. I'm happy to say my fond memories can live on into the future. read more

Olive Branch Bar & Restaurant - 50 cent slices and Coors light happy hour special - American Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

For what it's worth, if you are a 21 year old college student, this is a really awesome place. Coors Light beers are $2, Jaeger shots are $2, and pizza slices are $.50. Actually a pretty decent slice of pizza for that cost. I had two slices myself. Not quite sure if they make much money off that but someone they've been offering this special for years even when I was a student like 10 years ago. After many years, I came back here with some co-workers and we hung out a little after 5pm until a little before 8pm. Somewhere in the middle of our visit, they turned on the music and it was SUPER loud considering how early it felt but then again given the college vibe environment it seemed okay to everyone else, haha. But, I wouldn't recommend it if you were intending to talk much to one another. Or if you aren't interested in hanging around the young college crowd. Honestly, it was still a great time and I enjoyed myself. My husband and I ordered two beers (not the $2 specials) and five slices of pizza for about $13 which was super cheap. I hear their bar food is pretty okay but I didn't get a chance to try it. read more

I love this place so much, but the guy who runs trivia IS SO SLOW it's actually absurd. Easily 3 minutes between every question. it's truly insane and makes the whole situation so unenjoyable read more

The Olive Branch is the quintessential college bar. Cheap beer, good food, friendly staff, and lots of people. Happy hour goes everyday weekday until 8:00, so it tends to be very crowded during that time. But if you're willing to brave the crowds, $0.50 pizza slices and $1 Coors Light is your reward. The place almost literally empties once happy hour is over, and the atmosphere becomes one of a calm neighborhood watering hole, which is the side of the Olive Branch that I love. The wings are crisp and saucy, they make tasty "dirty" sandwiches (sandwiches made with garlic bread), the beer is ice cold, and there are at least 10 TVs to stare at. There is also a jukebox, which is unfortunately often played way too loudly during happy hour. You may also want to note that there is a $10 credit card minimum, and table service ends at or before 10:00, at which point you have to get your own drinks from the bar. read more

Olive Branch Bar & Restaurant - $0.50 slices and $1 Coors Lights happy hour - American Near Me - New Brunswick, New Jersey

The only downside to this place is that my exes also go here. Everything else is pretty sweet. Bartenders are hot too.

Ah! College memories! Even though I didn't go to Rutgers! I was last here earlier in the summer. Not much has changed. The tables/booths get a little cramped. It doesn't get too crowded, except during happy hour, but I've never had a problem finding a parking spot. But it's cheap and of course, nothing beats $.50 pizza slices. (: read more

This is hands down the best Happy Hour bar at Rutgers. $1.50 beers and $0.50 slices of pizza every weekday from 3-8pm. This bar is not on Easton Ave so it's a bit out of the way compared to other bars and not one of the normal "party" bars compared to this on Easton. I come here a lot with friends if we're trying to have a few beers during happy hour. Really nice staff and really nice people here. I'll see you at OB happy hour! read more

Seriously?! Can you get better then 50cent pizza slices and $1 mugs? No way. This is my favorite place to go at Rutgers, it's not as crazy, drunken, "I just turned 21" kind of bar. It's more of the "I'm tired of being overly crowded by stupid people" bar. There's booths and tables to sit and hang out with friends with a bunch of TVs, on different channels, to watch all the sports games. The bar is really big with a lot of high top seating. Darts. Good food, good atmosphere. The french fries are awesome. It's not overly crowded except maybe during Rutgers football or any really important sports game. They recently have a "beer fest" type in the spring time, you pay a set amount and get to drink all day. Recently, they have a DJ coming in on weekends, I'm not so much a fan of them trying to be like the other bars but it's not terrible. It sucks when you're just trying to have a conversation. Other nights it's not like this. I love the atmosphere and this is my go-to happy hour/bar. The spring/summer time it's nice to skip class and go to happy hour. It's street parking but there's a lot across the street that you can park in after hours. They're pretty strict on checking IDs, I wouldn't try a fake at this place. Go somewhere else for that. read more

Haiku: Very attentive Bartenders are serving drinks... Shots are watered down. The floor is so clean Practically fit for a queen Dirt is nowhere seen. Bathrooms are okay Would come back another day. To get the food here. read more

I've have been here a few times as a youngster and I returned recently. Nothing has changed. It is super loud, super cheap and full off college kids. They have darts and the ladies room surprisingly was not all that bad. The staff does a nice job at giving out warnings or tossing someone out if need be. My date went to the bathroom and I was quickly approached by a nice young man maybe 21 and a half named Kyle. He asked me in a slurred speech If I would like to dance. Its not really a dancing place I said to Kyle but thanks for asking....I don't think Kyle had much of a game plan before he approached me. Thanks Olive Branch for making me feel young I needed it. read more

I used to bring dates here when I was a youngster at RU...it was meh back then... 411: ...there's an area to have a calm date night...and there's a giant oblong-shaped bar...which is hella wide (I'll get to that in a sec) for crazed college kids to get mangled and hit on anything that moves. Let's play ball: ...came here with my date after my formative college years and the bouncer says with a smile, "wow, you and I are both kinda old for a college bar" [STRIKE 1!] ...as soon as we sat at the bar, there were two shirtless pudgy young dudes dancing on the wide bar top...with NO chicks...NO CHICKS...man, fat boys need to check themselves, yo [STRIKE 2!] ...when I went to the restroom, some drunk punk started kickin it to my date...psssh, he was lucky I wasn't splashed or it woulda been the end of him [STRIKE 3!] [Yooooouuuuuuu'rrrrrreeeee OUT!!!!!] read more

In short, an awesome place for happy hour. They have 50 cent pizza slices and $2 Coors. I wish they had more drinks for happy hour, but hey, for that price, I'm not complaining at all. The pizza slices are bigger than I expected. Some of my friends say it tastes like frozen pizza heated up, but I don't think it's bad at all. Of course, it's not the most amazing pizza I've had; it's pretty good considering what you're paying. They do have other food specials for happy hour, but I only get the pizza, so I can't really tell you much. If you go with a lot of friends, get a beer bong. It's pretty cool and it's fairly cheap! Service is a bit slow though. I don't know where these servers/bartenders disappear off to, but it takes a while to flag someone down. read more

OB is a great college spot. You get cheap drinks and cheap pizza (50 scent pizza ) during happy hour. Trivia is great love it here

I've been meeting up with friends here for after hours drinks and snacks for the past couple months. The service staff is excellent. The beer is, well, beer. It's cold and it's as good as expected. The food is better than most bars I've been to. But the most surprising hit is the cheese pizza. I've been spoiled by NYC pizza for decades. But this simple plain cheese pizza is so good I would gladly give up NY pizza. It might have been the alcohol talking but I stand by my words. Give it a try. You won't regret it. read more

Being so close to Rutgers, let's go back to college with some simple math... Start with... Location close to campus + alcohol + DAILY specials on that alcohol + specials on food (50 cent pizza) + Just a touch of shady-ness/Dive bar-ness ---------------------------------------------------------------- = Ideal College Bar While this fits the niche of a college hang out, I have never been to the Olive Branch when it was even close to being full of people. You'd think that with this formula, there'd be a line around the corner, but for some reason, that is not the case. I say if you are looking for a cheap night out with your friends, stop on by. Otherwise, you can spend your time and effort elsewhere. read more

Happy hours are the best time to go. $1 mugs and 0.50 cent slices! Somehow i always manage to spend $20 though. The place is usually cool and relaxed. The male waitstaff are friendly but the several the female bartenders and waitresses i've encountered act like they have something stuck up their ass. read more

-Summary- Pros: Open space, places to sit, good happy hour, plesant staff Cons: Can be tricky to navigate around the bar. My good college bar at RU, Olive branch is what I like in a college dive-ish bar experience. Drinks served and consumed with the intention of getting drunk, busy but not insanely overcrowded, good happy hours, and a nice staff. Location is decent, a very good fall-back bar. read more

Cheapest place to get drinks at Rutgers - their flavored shots (captain crunch, girlscout shots, etc) are $4. They used to have $5 flavored LITs that were awesome but I think they took it off the menu. Also, 50 cent pizza slices, need I say more? They also have a skee-ball machine and I think they have beer pong tournaments. The place has a laid back atmosphere more like a dive bar than a party spot, so if you're not into the party scene, this is a great bar for you. And since it is right behind the Rutgers Student Center, it is very easy to get to without a car. If you are driving and don't have a parking pass for Rutgers, be careful. They do give out tickets very late at night in the lot directly across the street - my friend and I know from experience. read more

Horrible service and manager. Asked to talk to manager and took over 2 days. I would not Go here for any reason other than cheap beer. Discrimination is very open here And I don't think anyone should eat or drink some where where ideas and opinions are not open with it not hurting anyone read more

The Olive Branch can be summed up pretty easily: $1 beers, and 50 cent slices of pizza during happy hour. That's the only time I go, and I would like to keep it that way. Otherwise the place just gets too insane and the people who work there stop being so nice. Otherwise I'd definitely recommend going for happy hour, watching Cash Cab on the tv's and playing with everyone else in the bar, and then getting the hell out of there before 9 or 10. I did leave my debit card there once by accident and the people there were nice enough to not use it/throw it away/etc., so that's a plus, thanks OB. read more

I may be a little biased because one of my good friends works here, but honestly, I don't think I am. The Branch is a great spot. Good variety of drinks at very reasonable prices, great food, great atmosphere. Great place to watch a game. Awesome staff. You name it The Branch has it. If you're in New Brunswick for any reason and you need a place to drink, look no further. read more

Waiters are rude. They don't act like they work at the restaurant- they act as if they are only helping the patrons, not there for their job. After ordering 4 slices of pizza at the bar, I waited a half hour and then yelled "yo" to the bartender (after screaming for him 6 times) to get his attention (he's the one that took the order). He then screamed back to me that he heard me the first time, yet he never acknowledged that he heard me. Extremely, extremely rude. read more

As far as happy hour deals go, the OB can't be beat in New Brunswick. As far as bartenders go, OB's staff SUCKS. Ugh, I know that's mean and I shouldn't say it but I've been going there for 2 years and the service remains the same. They take forever to serve you, even when there's only 10 other people in the place after 8pm when happy hour ends... But on the upside it really is the best place in the area to watch Rutgers football games. 6 out of 10 times the staff will be more drunk than you. read more

This is a great spot to watch Rutgers game at and I wish I could do it more often. The place has the audio of the game blasting while the majority of the TVs have the football or hoops game on. Besides sporting events, I remember this spot in my college days as a great spot to sit down and have a pint with friends, which makes it a little different from some of the college bars on Easton Ave which tend to encourage dancing. OB has your typical specials during the week and several of them are pretty darn good. The food is standard bar food but the drink specials, the ambiance and the fact that I can look down at the table I am sitting at and see all the things keyed into it makes this bar a favorite of mine. read more

The best bar in all the land - my home away from home. Every time I go back to RU, I stop here for cheap drinks and a good time. The best pizza in New Bruns and the best bartenders EVER. I love you OB! read more

50 cents slices? I THINK NOT. Last time I asked for some pizza there was no issue. This time They told me I was required to buy a beverage for that deal. Dont advertise that you have 50 cent slices if you're not willing to stick by it. Wont be coming back. read more

Unaware bartenders, mediocre beer selection. I don't come here and neither should you unless you're financially forced to

I've been coming to the Olive Branch for 10 years now, and this place never seems to change. Cheap beer, great seating, and a great bar if you want to stand all combine to make this a good spot to stop for a beer before a football game. They do hassle you for an ID, so don't even try to come if you don't have one. read more

If you go here early enough, maybe go straight here after work around 5pm then you can enjoy their happy hour deal which are domestic beers for a buck. Pizza is super cheap I think it was 0.50 cents, yes it was confirmed by Tanya N. that it is .50 cents! I remember eating I think 10 slices of them. Yeah I know Im a pig, but listen if you see how thin and small the pizza slices, you'd say to yourself, oh yeah I can eat more than that guy! Like I said, go here early to avoid the young drunk crowds! read more

I recently came here to get drinks and catch up with some of my friends who are Rutgers students. It's pretty much the textbook definition of a college bar: $.50 (big) slices of pizza and $1 beers during happy hour? It's not the world's finest pizza or the greatest selection of beers, but what's not to love there? It's not a fancy place, by any standards, but it also doesn't really try to be. Don't get me wrong, though; for the rock-bottom prices, this isn't trashy or sketchy at all. It's cheap, friendly, comfortable, and a great place to hang out after a busy day. If you're a student or in your early/mid-twenties, I'd definitely recommend it. read more