KEYPORT: Up The Creek Tavern is a great local spot with gorgeous views of the Matawan Creek and marina. Leashed and friendly dogs are allowed on their second story outdoor deck and there is a staircase to the left of the building to go up. Depending on the season, there could be wait service or you have to go inside to order. The food menu is American-style comfort food and a full bar of drink options. read more

Up the Creek Tavern - American Near Me - Keyport, New Jersey

Noisy,slow service, great views prone to floods and strange clientele. Food isn't bad drinks reasonable priced.

Great news ....kitchen opening January 2, 2025 under new Ownership. Experienced cook with homeade bar pies, garlic knots. Mac n cheese bowls. Fast and fit grilled and herb marinated shrimp and chicken. Too much to list. Come check it out. Looking forward to delicious changes. read more

Up the Creek Tavern - Up the creek tavern off deck - American Near Me - Keyport, New Jersey

I've never had a problem here. Good drinks and prices. Oh and the pool table. Stumbled on it wroth my cousin.

Why the hate for this spot? Is it fancy? Hell no, but that's the point. Up the creek is a no-frills hybrid sports-dive-bayside bar that serves up cheap food, cheap drinks, and cheap company, in the best possible way. You're not coming here to be fancy, you're coming to watch the Mets, Yankees, Giants, or Jets on one of the huge TVs they have everywhere, while sucking down 3$ beers, and when the time calls for it, a porkroll* with cheese on a roll and an order fries. You can choose the bar, a high top, or the outdoor bar when the weather is nice enough (you'll always find me at the bar). There are some stairs to get up here, but you'll be rewarded with a view of the marina...and route 35....and if you look hard enough the parkway....ok there are stairs that lead up to a bar, that's all you gotta know. It's the perfect spot to catch the game and hang with the locals. Come in, say hey to Linda, and drink enough that you need some greasy food to make everything feel better. Doesn't get much better in my humblest of opinions. _____________________ *Call it "Taylor ham" and you're dead to me. read more

Up the Creek Tavern - Porkroll I'm home - American Near Me - Keyport, New Jersey

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We returned to one of our favorite stops either on our way to or from the Jersey Shore, Keyport; a small town with a great walkable downtown and boardwalk within walking distance, offering plenty of great restaurants and shops! On one of our most recent visit we briefly visited Up the Creek in the Marina Basin, not an area we usually frequent. It was a warm summer day and we were very happy to sit at the deck bar where we appreciated the boats coming in and the tranquility of the waterways; oh at the distance you can also devise the traffic on Route 35. The place is a favorite of locals we could tell, all patrons we talked conveyed a bit of the place's history and provided us with recommendations on drinks, food and best time to visit... A really friendly crowd! The service was also very attentive, our bartender related to the proprietor who also owns the marina was exceptional! She prepared a super refreshing mixed drink on the fly when I hesitantly asked her. Unfortunately we were not in the mood to eat but reviewed the menu nerveless. The prices are reasonable, offering standard American bar food, chicken wings, hamburgers, sandwiches, and such. The hamburgers seemed to have been mentioned the most and will definitely give it a try next time. We truly enjoyed the outdoor space but the inside was cozy and packed even at an early time. If you are ever in the area and will like to explore all Keyport has to offer, stop by Up the Creek, you will enjoy it too! read more

Up the Creek Tavern - American Near Me - Keyport, New Jersey

I LOVE this place! I definitely don't come here for fine dining. The food is food you eat when you're going to drink, already drinking or drunk. The have a pool table and jukebox, they also have a DJ on Saturday nights. The regulars are click-y but welcoming. The bartenders are always nice and never try to cheat you. This place is a clean dive/hole in the wall. If you got your nose in the air go somewhere else, this isn't the place for you. I have so much fun every time I go, even when I'm alone. read more

Welcome back and better than ever. Still have their chili. Overlooks great views of the water. Very clean newly built restaurant bar. Reasonable drinks, great service, TV's, pool table, indoor and outdoor bar. Didn't eat here yet since they reopened but food looked good. Great neighborhood bar. read more

Up the Creek Tavern - Wow - American Near Me - Keyport, New Jersey

I would give no stars if possible. Worst service ever! Bartender Jen took our order at a table and carded JUST 2 of us and no one else at my table. I'm 36, when I didn't have ID she said, "sorry, but that's my job." I was fine with it as it is the law but then proceeded to only card my friend next to me and not the other two people. We are all around the same age. Now onto food! We ordered apps and dinner altogether. She brought out the apps in less than 10 mins. She didn't check in with us for a long time and then proceeded to tell us the kitchen was slammed. A table next to us with 6 people got their food, bill, and she even brought the bill back to them. We sat there waiting and waiting. She filled up my soda but never asked my alcohol drinking friends for a refill. She went back and forth to the kitchen about 5 times and didn't come out with food. She didn't offer us drinks. My friend finally said something to her. My friend and I ordered soup. She didn't offer to bring that out for us or a round of drinks. We watched as she served drinks and came out the kitchen empty handed another 5 times. She didn't come over to us. We ordered soup and grilled cheese!? It doesn't take an hour to pour soup and melt cheese on bread. We finally just got up and left. We will not be going back... which is sad because the buffalo wings were great. Don't go here unless you clear your schedule for the night!!! read more

I love the setting of this place, we stopped for drinks last week. Drinks are very reasonable. One menu item which we always enjoy as a side is the tuna mac. Nice cool inside & there is an outside area also. Its a long staircase to bar but there's a elevator. read more

Very disappointing night. Never again. Boy did this place change. FOOD WAS HORRIBLE. Sauce tasted like a bottle of bbq sauce fell into it, all fish was over cooked and all food came out at different times. USED TO BE VERY GOOD, NO MORE. read more

Up the Creek Tavern - American Near Me - Keyport, New Jersey

Honestly I didn't expect much, however, the most unfriendly inattentive staff.. long wait for food when it was not very busy. Buffalo wings were terrible. read more

Up the Creek Tavern - American Near Me - Keyport, New Jersey

I'm happy the Creek is BACK OPEN!!! Of course with the COVID restrictions it's only 25% capacity, no pool tables and social distancing practices but you SHOULD order food if you're gonna enjoy a few drinks. We did, I got a bacon cheese burger w/fries , husband got a smothered ribeye ( it's sautéed onions, peppers,mushrooms and Swiss cheese) w/fries. My teenager ordered a Cuban w/tuna Mac, my oldest ordered Swiss mushroom burger w/ bacon and potato salad. My mom had a pork roll and cheese w/ tuna Mac, The order took a little while but the food is super fresh, cooked to order and was REALLY GOOD!! We'll definitely be going back. The bartenders were super friendly and the place has a friendly cheers like vibe -even with the Covid-19 orders in place. I will say there wasn't many people ordering food and that's a shame. read more

The lady cooking in the kitchen was rubbing and wiping her nose with her bare hand while slicing what I think was a block of cheese and had her phone buried in her shoulder while talking on it ....so disgusting read more

I love the food & the staff is very friendly. Up the Creek is one of my favorite places. If your on motorcycles it's a nice place to stop, just be careful on the gravel parking lot. The bar on the back deck also has a great view. read more

Up the Creek Tavern - American Near Me - Keyport, New Jersey

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I'm only the second reviewer but I can tell you what the other can't: Don't go into a dive bar expecting anything else. I came here with a group of people after another died out and excitement (and BAC's) were running high. I have a soft spot for the dives though, this particular one is right across from a marina and is clearly a house remodeled into a bar. What gave it away? Maybe the wood paneling basement/bar and the sliding glass doors that led to the patio. The kind of tackiness I can appreciate from a place such as this. In any case, you can get a beer and shot (don't expect top shelf- they don't have it) for $7. A small fight happened in the parking lot but every patron there quickly broke it up and everyone shook hands while a patron put "Kung Fu Fighting" on the jukebox and everyone had a laugh. It's very friendly and most people are clearly a regular. Sometimes these are little treats out. Although. I'd probably avoid it during summer fishing season after everyone disembarks the boats. A dive bar restroom can only go so far freshening a fisherman up. read more

Great views. Great bartenders. DJs on weekends. Very relaxed, fun atmosphere and the best beer prices in town.

The food was pretty good for "bar" food. Good portions and really fresh. A bit off the beaten path, but great happy hour prices.

A local bar that looks kind of scary on the outside and confirmed on the inside. I was hesitant to try this place from the looks of it. Inside the place was full of locals who stopped in for a cold brew. We stayed inside for 3 mins (smelled) and went outside to their outdoor bar. Ordered some peel/eat shrimp (bigger than other places and pretty good). Had the fried flounder, scallop, shrimp platter...decent. Anything fried is good. Prices are cheap, food is average and the atmosphere is scary. Not a place I would ever return to.... read more

Cold beer, a good steak sandwich and very good fries. Low tide so no flooding. A good afternoon break!

Awesome after the renovation. The bar was built higher than the original. Everything is new. The food is great. Burgers are the best in the area. Great happy hour specials. Beers on tap are fresh. Bathrooms are clean and nice. There is a deck on the back of the bar for drinks and/or food. read more

Up the Creek Tavern - Up the Creek renovated after the storm. Looking Good! - American Near Me - Keyport, New Jersey

I LOVE this place. First time here and me and hubby were amazed. Lisa is a joy. We will definitely be back a lot of times!!

This bar has the BEST bartender (Tomasina) on Thursdays and Sundays (outside at their tiki bar) .. and BEST chef Nancy (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Thursday) .. great views, great crowd, friendly atmosphere.. but honestly the staff is what brings me back ... without them it would be just another bar. read more

Excellent Food & Service! Mushroom Swiss burger was perfect. Potato salad and tuna mac on point.

My wife and I stopped in to the Up the Creek Tavern today for some cheeseburgers and fries. We walked into the restaurant area and sat at a table. It should be noted that there were other diners eating there at two other tables and already had their food. There were two female bartenders behind the bar and about 10 patrons at the bar. We sat and waited over 10 minutes, and neither bartender even looked our way no less came to take our order. They both just continued to serve the bar patrons only. We then got up and left the establishment and no one bothered to say a thing to us.. What a way to run a restaurant !! We will not be returning anytime soon. read more

I'm here right now I have been waiting more than an hour for a GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH. Are you kidding?! A table that sat the same time as us has eaten and received their check and we have nothing... NOTHING. No offer of a drink or anything, no regular check ins, horrible. What a joke. read more

Not bad. Newly renovated after Sandy so the place looks great. We stopped in looking to satisfy our seafood craving. Given the location and with a fishery down the menu is poorly lacking in seafood options. Sadly what they do have on the menu was not very satisfying. The seafood platter consisted of fired shrimp, scallops and flounder. All of which lacked seasoning for flavor and the founder seemed to come from a box that was in the freezer. In the end this is nothing but a good bar to grab some drinks and enjoy the area on the outside patio. read more

Good local tavern. Food selection and presentation is good and varies from seafood,sandwiches and burgers.Has drink specials and $2 domestic pints daily. Restaurant is located at the Keyport Marine Basin. It has an outdoor deck and bar overlooking the marina. Seating inside also has a view of boats and waterways. Bar attracts locals and boaters. Dress is casual. If a local tavern and good food is on your menu, you've found it here. If local patrons and some fisherman at the bar bother you then you either need to move on or get over it. Sorry for putting it so plainly but read a few 1 star reviews and this seems to be their only complaint. Enjoy! read more

Just had lunch at Up the Creek. Actually, I was pleasantly surprised. They've done a great job remodeling since Sandy (now you can tell how long it's been). Had the lunch special (Pastrami Reuben and Tuna pasta), which was really good. It's your local neighborhood bar, with locals, but overall it was really good. Outside bar over the bay, which allows you to take in the salt air and enjoy the boats coming in off the bay. Good times. read more

Local dive bar, great looking rebuild, but not my cup of tea. Too many locals here for me.

I have been to this bar a handful of times, mostly in the summer during fishing season. I have always had a great experience. Yes, it is a dive bar but I enjoy places such as this. The people are all very welcoming and the staff is always very friendly. My first time here I was a little skeptical about ordering something to eat. I have had a number if let downs and bad experiences with food from dive bars. I was absolutely shocked when my dinner came to me. It was amazing! This is not your typical dive bar food. I have had food this quality in fine dining places. The first time I ate there I ordered the seafood stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer, and burgundy beef tips with mushrooms for my entree. Both were so delicious! But just a little tip, the mushrooms go fast so get them while you can!!! I have eaten there almost every time I have gone, and was never disappointed. As for anywhere, if you order fried seafood, expect to get exactly that! They have an outside bar/deck that is overlooking the marina. On nice summer days it is a great place to go have a drink and some lunch. I have brought my two children there with me and it seemed to be that once children were on the deck, not one swear was heard and everyone was well behaved. We had our yellow lab with us once and the bartender was courteous enough to bring him some water, and asked if she could give him some roast beef. Although we don't let him have table food, it was a very nice gesture. As for the so called smell....I have only noticed it after the water had entered the building. I wouldn't expect it to smell like roses after that. It seems to flood during a new moon tide with no way to prevent it. The water doesn't seem to bother any of the regulars, as most of them will stay and wait it out! All in all, I think anyone that tried this place will enjoy it and appreciate the place for what it is. read more

Good bang for your buck. MOST times its generous portions, sometimes its hit or miss. Pint beers and shots are cheap. Outdoor bar, tvs, pool table and music player. Cant go wrong in my opinion. read more

After seeing the other reviews I was skeptical to check it out. My friends and I stopped in on Wednesday night just to have a quick drink and ended up staying for a few hours. I did notice a lot of local people, but I don't understand why that should be an issue with anyone who visits the place. Every establishment is going to have local people. I thought the prices were EXCELLENT! I have been to a few of the other bars in the area and they don't compare. I thought the people were friendly and the bartender was very attentive. We ended up ordering mushrooms stuffed with seafood and they were amazing! We are going to go back again on the weekend when the outside deck is open and see how we like it. read more

I wish they could keep a bartender ! Everytime I go, it's always someone new. Last one was an old chic no personality ! One before younger had one. Confused ...! Just like the crowd . Step it up UP THE?? read more

The food is ok and the beer prices are good. The only thing is that it's too loud!!! I've heard so many complaints about that as well. Maybe if they toned it down a bit, we would go there more often. It's loud at 6:00 pm (dinner hour)! read more

I mean,im not going here for a seafood dinner,lmao...nice burger or wings fine,drinks are cheap,juke box nice..pool table...friendly locals i dont mind,lots of reviewers say too many "locals" what that mean,lol..it is what it is,like it read more

Good food but if you say the kitchen is open until 10pm don't turn away customers at 9:55pm. Good way to loose customers to the near by Blue Rock. read more

I haven't been here in many years. Hurricane Sandy (enter many bad words) destroyed this wonderful Lil hole in the sand!! Ok, You BITCH!!!! I took my yearly trip to the "G Beach" and decided to stop by. Soooooo happy I did. It is rebuilt and looks great! Not that rustic Lil dive but much more spacious. The staff was friendly and I talked to the owner daughter. Great people! I wish them the best!!! read more

Where to begin....my wife and I go to this bar ever so often, we just love it! for a beer and shot type of place the food is great, as far as the people being scary, they are just down to earth hard working folk that go there to see there friends and blow off some steam, we don't know anyone there personally but ever time we go we have a great time and everyone is very nice, as far as a smell! what do you expect, the place is water level and floods regular, we are lucky to have a waterfront place like this in NJ! if I lived closer I would be a regular myself, summer time is the best time when the boats come back in, why wouldn't you enjoy hearing a good fishing story at a place like this on a hot summer day with a cold cocktail? keep up the good work guys and please don't wash away! read more