Were you can be a zeek a freak and wade in the creek. Come on down to the riverside. People come and go the river row row row. Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul. read more

Riverside Inn - Dive Bars Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

Bartender gave my wife a problem over her ID, she is 25 years old. Refused to accept that her ID was real and was hesitant giving back the ID, and would not serve us. I wouldn't recommend this place read more

Came for Taco nights on Monday and it was amazing! Great dive bar and friendly crowd. Service was quick, tacos hot and comes with salsa and sour cream. Had a margarita as well which hit the spot on the hot humid summer days. I would definitely come back here again for more tacos and/or drinks! read more

The staff is obnoxious. There are mice running along the pipe above the back door. The guy Louis that works there is dirty and rude. He smelled like feces and told us he didn't need our tip because he doesn't need 2 dollars. The $2 tip was for ONE 7 Dollar beer. read more

Best chicken Cesar wrap in town ! Perogies were great as well. Paired with a Peach Highnoon, perfect meal!

Really lively place, great atmosphere, can get crowded pretty quickly because of how small it is. They had a good selection of alcohol and food, but the food was not great (still good! Just not great!). Will be coming back :) read more

So I moved to Cranford 6 months ago, and I'm kicking myself that I didn't come into Riverside sooner! This place doesn't try to be something it's not, the owners have embraced that they're a "dive" and I can appreciate that. The place is small but cozy, and has a few tables set up outside where my group chose to sit. There's no waiters, all ordering is done through the bartender. My group started with Yuenglings on draft ($3.75 a pint). We went back up to order our food: 2 dive burgers, Mongo cheese steak sandwich, large order of fries and onion rings. The food came out promptly and was really good. We ended up having 10 beers amongst the group and including the food the bill was $65 ($28 for food for 3 people). Plus they had a live band playing (no cover). Riverside offers great value, tasty food and I will be back! read more

Riverside Inn - View from tables outside, live band w/ no cover - Dive Bars Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

If you like dive townie bars, this is the place to be. The bar is full of different aged group type people. Cheap food and drinks. Unfortunately they don't carry high end alcohols such as grey goose and really don't make any fancy cocktails. Went there for st paddy's and my friend got clocked in the face for trying to get to the bar to order a drink. Let's just say the night ended pretty late with a police report. Good luck coming to this shenanigan read more

Great "dive" bar! The drinks are well balanced and well made. I asked the bartender to make something up for me using watermelon vodka and she nailed it. Prices are dive bar prices, which I love! Now I measure dive bars by the drinks (of course), burgers and wings. I've been twice so far (in the same week. Don't judge me). First time I went with the alpine burger, add bacon (because I am an American after all... what's a burger without bacon)? Second visit straight buffalo wings. Burger was cooked as ordered, it was juicy and flavorful, and for me too big to finish. Wings were just how I like them: NOT breaded, fried and sauce with both flavor and a touch of heat. Also there are tater tots, soooo.... that should seal the deal. My new go-to! read more

Riverside Inn - Alpine burger with bacon - Dive Bars Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

See all

Not sure how we never wrote a review for Riverside? Pre Irene this place was a sweet dive bar right here in Cranford. They pull in bands, have great food, outdoor seating, cheap drinks, and a great group of customers. Post Irene Riverside has cleaned up a little bit but hasn't lost it's divey charm. We love ya Riverside and will keep you on our list of local bars we like to frequent. read more

Riverside Inn - Dive Bars Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

See all

Love this place. The owner and staff are awesome and they surprisingly have the best burgers in the county.

This is a good place to meet up with friends & grab a drink. Kitchen closes at 10pm I believe. The last 3 times I've been here, it's crazy busy & the 2 bartenders (as good as they are) just can't keep up with serving drinks & clearing the tables, etc. Need another employee assisting them. read more

I wish I could give this bar zero stars. If your bartenders do not know how to check out of state ID's they should not be bartenders anyways. How embarrassing and disappointing. The bartenders were so rude to me, someone with an out of state ID that did not bring a passport out with me and they refused to serve me with a picture of a passport and a vaccination card because it wasn't a "physical" copy. Don't waste your money in this smelly place. read more

Super friendly and great food! We ordered two soft shell crab platters and a lobster roll. They were so delicious. My only comment was the fires were soggy but I think it's because I ordered take out and it got soggy during the car ride home. Other than that everything was great. You should give this place a try!! read more

Husband and love the dive and their food is always simple but superbly good. Unfortunately they are taking a very lapsed approach to COVID safety, at least the night we went 2 weeks ago. Staff wasn't wearing gloves, occasionally no masks, parties are seated together very closely (no6ft apart). that night we also had to wait 1hr+ for the food that was consequently completely overcooked (both burger and lobster roll) but I have some patience for that considering the circumstances and it was busy that night. However Just not taking the COVID precautions seriously is not ok! Be aware. Not going back anytime soon. 3 stars taking into account pre covid, zero for the last experience read more

My favorite dive bar. It's such a fun vibe, and they have great food specials. I came for football, the TVs are small but it's fun. They had 50 cent wings. Good prices overall. Nothing fancy here, but they will make you whatever drink you want. read more

This place is great! Mind blowing prices... get there at 9:30 for the party to start! read more

Riverside Inn - Dive Bars Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

I have been craving lobster rolls from the dive for forever and they did not disappoint one bit. We ordered lobster rolls, tots, and burgers with fries. Everyone loved their food. Burgers were cooked just as requested. Good amount of food served. Wish I had pictures to share... but we are too fast! read more

Greatest dive bar around. The drinks are tasty and reasonable and the food is surprisingly good. Great spot for pregame post game or the game itself with a jukebox that you can play from your phone and a crowd that's not engrossed in theirs. Specials are drawn on plates and weekly specials are unrivaled. 75 cent tacos on Monday nights? Yes!!! 50cent wings for football? Of course. $2.5 for hotdogs? Oh yea! And with any topping you like. Can't beat it. The Dive is Alive! read more

Can you guys PLEASE instruct the bartenders to wash the glasses as if THEY were about to drink from them? Is really too much to ask from adults? There's nothing worse than watching a bartender take less than 2 seconds to clean a used glass. I've just watch her... dunk, rinse, rinse. I can't believe that's how she does it at her house ... or maybe it is? And time to replace the paper towel dispenser in the men's restroom read more

From the outside you wouldn't expect much, but never judge a book by its cover! This is an awesome bar with some awesome food options that you can't go wrong with. They have a menu as well as specials they continuously update and you can't go wrong with! The servers are also very friendly and attentive to everyone. Just be aware on the weekends this place does tend to get a little busy so make sure to get there a little earlier if you want to order food! read more

The Riverside Inn is a special experience. To say anything less is a petty insult. You don't go to "the dive" for a pretentious 5 star meal. You go to The Dive for the experience it is. An experience you don't understand until you have experienced it. Its salt of the earth and home felt atmosphere are the pinnacle of its quality. It's the kind of place where you are known, you are recognized, and you are respected. If you are a snobby person, this isn't your kind of place (and you know who you are). You come here because you want familiarity, you want to be in a welcoming and warm environment. I promise you, as someone who recognizes not only good food but a good environment, The Riverside Inn (or "The Dive" as the locals know it) is a simple but beautiful place where heart-warming food and light-hearted company create the ultimate atmosphere. If you disagree, your taste is questionable. read more

Best dive bar ever! Awesome environment and the food is always on point! The staff is friendly and the drinks are always strong... make sure to ask for Heather she's the best ever! The decor gives you that divey vibe that we all need in our lives, there's a mix of locals and new people checking it out - from young to old there's always a great mix of people! read more

Beer is cheap, $6 for 16 oz craft brew is pretty good around here. But they serve the crafty stuff in a frozen glass, which is a big no-no if you're a beer nerd. Which I am. But looks like most of the regulars here are not, which is why there's a Miller Lite bottle in front of everyone at the bar, and three Budweisers on every table. So make sure you ask for a non-frozen glass. You'll get a funny look from the bartender but who cares. They have a couple of good beers on tap. Drink them the way the lord intended. Slightly chilled in a room temperature glass. read more

I came back here mostly in spite of the bartender that denied me my veggie burger (read previous review) just to see if he'd give me one. So I walked up to the bar and stood on the little foot rail at the bottom in order to incur a sense of dominance and confidence over my opponent. Trust me, it was menacing. He came over to my side of the bar, which was right next to the kitchen window, and asked what I wanted. I looked at him in the eye and said, "Do you remember me?" He was confused for a moment, but I reminded him, "I'm the one who wanted a veggie burger and you wouldn't give it to me." He chuckled and said, "Ohh yeah I remember." Playfully I poked back, "Well, do you have 'em?" He looked through the kitchen window and made a mocking face at the cook, asking if they had veggie burgers. Mocking as if this was a dive bar, as if the bartender didn't have a hipster haircut and a "vintage" band t-shirt he "found" in his "dad's closet." The cook laughed along, at me, and said, "Uhh let me check." I whipped my head around and said to Dumb and Dumber, "Are you guys laughing at me?! It's on your menu!" (Playfully, of course. I wouldn't dare start an actual fight with the cook). They didn't reply, but continued to snicker. I was a combination of amused and bemused at their reaction. Like, if you don't want to serve veggie burgers take it off your menu broseph. After checking, they said they had it and asked with a cocky smile if I, indeed, wanted it. Yes, of course I did, and I want fries alongside. "Also, my name is Alyssa." "Max." Hands were shaken. Bonds were made. I've officially won over the cocky ass bartender and I definitely will be returning. read more

Max is the best bartender ever! Riverside makes the best mini burgers with fresh bakery rolls to fit the burgers. GREAT CRAB DIP Brother John Brown Band on Sundays ROCK read more

Great spot. Good food. Good prices. Good people. Chill. Apparently that wasn't long enough so I'm writing some more stuff. Amanda the bartender is great. read more

My friends and I have affectionately referred to this place as "Riverdive" for years because that's what it is: a dive. It's definitely a good local spot for a drink and a snack. Great outdoor/indoor feel when they open their huge front windows. On a nice night, it's perfect. Parking for a newcomer can be deceiving. You have to go down to the light by Cervantes of Spain restaurant, pull in their lot, go to the back and turn left behind the place and go alllllll the way down the long strip behind the storefronts. Park near the end and you can walk in the back of Riverdive. Not sure if that makes sense. I did my best guys. GOSH. read more

Great Dive Bar. We had burgers which were tasty and a great glass of Sauv Blanc. We ended up here with 2 kids as our original pick was closed for renovations.. definitely a little loud to bring kids but I'd definitely come back without them. read more

The Riverside Bar is just off the main section of quaint and well-brushed downtown Cranford. From the outside, it looks like a neat little bistro that fits right in with the somewhat trendy culture that the city is trying to cultivate. Once you're in the bar proper, however, the real idea becomes known: it's a kind of a dive bar. I say "kind of" a dive bar because it's actually quite nice in there. The glasses are clean, the seats don't fall apart, and the bartender is a cool guy who gets your orders with a smile and a handshake, if that's how you like it. The beer selection runs from Coors to Guinness on tap, and there's a whole big shelf of alcohol over there, just begging you to dive in and think about 12 step programs later. There was a little bit of chafing when we ordered some of the hot apple cider (w/ apple jack) and other seasonal drinks and they were just plum out of them, and they ran out of the scotch we were drinking while we were there, but nothing really disappointing. The real charm, though, is the toilets. Have you seen trainspotting? I think they surgically implanted these horrible toilets just so they could call it a dive bar. It reminds me of Municipal Stadium in Cleveland in the 1980s, before they tore it down. They're just awful. So, um, pee somewhere else if you can. read more

Good local dive bar. Came here to grab food and drinks. I must say the burger I had was great. I ordered my burger medium and it was super juicy. The flavors were amazing, probably one of the best burgers I've had so far in cranford. The drinks are not as cheap as other dive bars I've been to but not crazy expensive either. This place gets pretty packed on the weekends. read more

Old mother Hubbert gave her dive dog a bone, if that particular correspondence occurred right cheer, Fido would be happy. Not really sure where I was going with that analogy, but I like it, so there. Ode to a dive, why do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Warm non pretentious feel from the moment you enter and then again as your ass hits the bar stool ( swamp ass excluded) you know you're home. Specials scattered about on disposal white paper plates, making me feel like kinda 20 years younger at my favorite college dive. The big difference is the awesomely eclectic crowd ranging from 20 something's to 50 something's side by side sharing in the cheer and relaxed ambience while your favorite tunes jam over head ( Billy Joel's "Longest time" is currently flowing as I write this review at the bar) while a band is setting up for a Sunday night. Love it. Yes, hot bartenders are a plus and yes they have them, but beyond the appearance is the friendly welcome to a stranger and some refer to me as about as strange as they come. Buy back on my 1st visit on my 4th drink, that's what I'm talking about. Cajoling with locals within 20 mins after arriving, now that's cool. Kielbasa & kraut sammich at $7. The bar menu is quite affordable and surprisingly good as a few patrons and trusted Yelpers attest. $3.75 domestics & $3 shot specials, did I say Daddy found a home? Always something to gaze upon whether it be one of 7 flat screens or the countless memorabilia signs all over the place including a cool as hell bumper sticker collection on the beer cooler. Yep, when in Rome I'll stop my chariot for a quick watering and a bite. read more

CRANFORD PUB CRAWL!!!!! On a Sunday evening I ventured out on my own idea to do a Cranford Pub Crawl. This is where it begins folks. The pub crawl starts here only because it's the closest bar to my condo. Absolutely one of the quirkiest bars in Cranford. Sunday evening is live band night, and low and behold we have a Willie Nelson look alike. The crowd well, it's biker/grungy crowd but they seem pretty cool. Sometimes I feel like I walking into the 80s. I love this bar. read more

One of my faves. Catch Brother John Brown on a Sunday when the weathers good w the windows open to the street- ahh, can't beat it. read more

Riverside Inn - Dive Bars Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

I am amazed that the Riverside inn has 4 stars from our neighbors. We picked up...the order was wrong first of all. We could not tell the difference between the steak sandwiches and the French Dip - except for the tasteless French Dip gravy that I suppose went with one of the sandwiches (Could not tell which sandwich) I suppose you get what you pay for. So many wonderful restaurants to pick up from in our town - but, sorry...NEVER AGAIN! read more

This place was one of New Jersey's semi-finalists as the Best Bar. It's know as a "dive" bar. Dive? With Guinness, steamed clams and windows, what's divey about it? read more

See all

Maybe I went on an off night, but they don't seem to clean their beer taps terribly often. Stick with bottles 2 stars for nasty beer taps 4 stars for atmosphere (read: People engaging in debauchery) read more

Living in New Orleans, it's hard to find bar away from home with the same amazing food, drinks, music, and people I've come to take for granted. I'm in NJ regularly for business, and the Riverside feels like home away from home. So much so that I stay in a hotel closer to the Riverside than the office! I've always had a great time at the Riverside, and am writing this right before I head back over for what's sure to be another awesome dinner and night of drinks and good times! read more

Riverside Inn - Blackened Mahi taco with amazing pineapple salsa - Dive Bars Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

Good dive Bar. Little cramped and dark but excellent choice of ipa's and craft beers. Bar food was pretty good and a wide variety. The only downfall is the prices are a little high , 4.50 for a coors light and 6.00 for a Corona are high from what I normally pay. read more

Just an awesome dive in downtown Cranford. You can't really go wrong with the Riverside if all you're looking for is cheap drinks, Touchtunes, and, if you go on a Sunday, a live band. I love this place, mostly because you always know what you're gonna get. A casual, chill night at a dive bar with good friends. End of story. They have a bar menu, but you don't need to ask for it because a lot of their options are written on paper plates and taped to the wall behind the bar. I mean, where else in town could you get a fried bologna sandwich? I'm not looking to try that any time soon, but it's nice to know the option is there. Nice, fast, no-nonsense bartenders. They have some tables out front and a picnic table out back. Parking behind building but you can also park in the municipal lot next to the fire house and walk over. read more