Here’s the thing you need to know about Ocean City NJ: it’s a completely dry town. No alcohol sold anywhere on the island, AND you can’t bring your own to restaurants either. Ocean City is stricter than most dry towns—no BYOB allowed. But don’t worry. There are excellent bars and restaurants just minutes away, and the alcohol-free OCNJ experience has its own appeal once you understand how it works.

Understanding Ocean City’s Dry Town Status

Ocean City has been dry since it was founded in 1879 by Methodist ministers. The town has voted repeatedly to stay dry, and honestly? Many locals and visitors like it that way. It keeps the beaches family-friendly, the boardwalk safe, and restaurants calm.

What surprises many visitors: you can’t even bring your own wine to restaurants. Unlike typical dry towns where BYOB is standard, Ocean City restaurants serve no alcohol at all. The only exception is “dinner clubs” like Dockside Kitchen, where members can enjoy drinks with their meal.

But when you want a drink with dinner or a night out at a bar, plenty of options exist just minutes away.

Bars in Somers Point (5 Minutes Away)

Cross the 9th Street bridge and you’re in Somers Point—the closest option and the de facto bar scene for Ocean City visitors. This is where OCNJ goes when they want a drink.

Smitty’s Clam Bar

Vibe: Lively waterfront bar, the quintessential Somers Point experience

What to Expect: Live music, outdoor seating, craft drinks, fresh seafood, party atmosphere on weekends

Why Go: This is THE spot. Locals and visitors pack Smitty’s on summer evenings. The bay views, live bands, and lively crowd make it worth the five-minute drive.

Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar

Vibe: More upscale, nice for dinner with drinks

What to Expect: Quality food, full bar, slightly more refined atmosphere than Smitty’s

Why Go: When you want a proper sit-down dinner with wine or cocktails, Gregory’s delivers. Good date night option.

Anchorage Tavern

Vibe: Classic neighborhood tavern, casual

What to Expect: Steaks, seafood, full bar, reasonable prices

Why Go: Reliable food, unpretentious atmosphere, good for groups and families who want drinks available.

Charlie’s Bar & Restaurant

Vibe: Local dive, late-night spot

What to Expect: Basic bar fare, pool tables, TVs, casual regulars

Why Go: When you want a simple, no-frills bar with cheap drinks and a local feel.

Bay Ale House

Vibe: Craft beer focused

What to Expect: Extensive beer selection, pub food

Why Go: Beer lovers will appreciate the rotating taps and selection.

Bars in Sea Isle City (15 Minutes)

Head south to Sea Isle for a more active bar scene—this town is known for its nightlife.

The OD (Ocean Drive)

Vibe: Legendary Jersey Shore bar, party central

What to Expect: Live bands, massive outdoor deck, crowds on weekends, the full shore bar experience

Why Go: The OD is famous up and down the shore. If you want the classic wild Jersey bar night, this is it. Not for the quiet-drink crowd.

Kix McNutley’s

Vibe: Sports bar with good food

What to Expect: Multiple TVs, wings, burgers, cold beer, game-day crowds

Why Go: Great for watching games. More laid-back than The OD.

Dead Dog Saloon

Vibe: Beach bar vibes

What to Expect: Outdoor seating, live music, cocktails

Why Go: Nice middle ground—fun atmosphere without The OD’s intensity.

La Costanera

Vibe: Upscale rooftop

What to Expect: Peruvian-Japanese cuisine, craft cocktails, beautiful views

Why Go: When you want something elevated with good food and drinks.

Bars in Margate/Ventnor (15-20 Minutes)

Head north for more options:

Maynard’s Cafe (Margate)

Vibe: Upscale casual, great food and drinks

What to Expect: Quality American cuisine, full bar, live music some nights

Why Go: One of the best restaurants in the area that also has a proper bar scene.

Steve & Cookie’s (Margate)

Vibe: Fine dining with bar

What to Expect: Excellent seafood, wine list, sophisticated atmosphere

Why Go: Special occasion dining with drinks.

Ventura’s Greenhouse (Margate)

Vibe: Italian with full bar

What to Expect: Classic Italian-American, cocktails and wine

Why Go: Good Italian food with drinks available.

Atlantic City (20 Minutes)

For full nightlife—casinos, clubs, late-night bars—Atlantic City is the destination. It’s a completely different experience from family-friendly Ocean City, which is precisely the point of each town.

What You’ll Find

• Casino bars and lounges
• Nightclubs (Pool, HQ, Daer)
• Beach bars (on warm days)
• 24-hour establishments

AC is the “if you want to party party” option. Just don’t drink and drive—use a rideshare.

The Dinner Club Option: Dockside Kitchen

Want drinks with dinner without leaving Ocean City? Dockside Kitchen operates as a dinner club, meaning members can enjoy alcoholic beverages with their meal. This is the only way to drink at a restaurant on the island.

How it works: Contact Dockside Kitchen about membership. As a member, you can enjoy wine, beer, or cocktails with your meal at their upscale restaurant.

Why it matters: For special occasions when you don’t want to leave the island, this is your option.

Drinking at Your Rental

Many OCNJ visitors simply embrace rental house drinking:

• Happy hour on the deck with bay views
• After-beach beers in the outdoor shower (a Jersey Shore tradition)
• Wine on the porch after the kids go to bed
• Pre-dinner cocktails before walking to a restaurant

Where to Stock Up

Buy before you cross onto the island:

• Canal’s Discount Liquors (Somers Point): Huge selection, good prices, right on the 9th Street route. This is the go-to.
• Circle Liquors (Somers Point): Another solid option near the bridges.
• Joe Canal’s (Egg Harbor Township): Worth the detour for volume discounts if you’re buying for a group.

Pro Tip: Stock up when you arrive. Running out means a trip off-island.

Planning Your Nights

Option 1: Drinks in Somers Point

Head to Smitty’s or Gregory’s for dinner and drinks. Five-minute drive, full bar experience, return to OCNJ afterward.

Option 2: Dinner in OCNJ, Drinks in Somers Point

Enjoy an excellent (alcohol-free) dinner at an Ocean City restaurant, then head to Somers Point for drinks afterward.

Option 3: Full Night Out in Sea Isle or AC

For a bigger night out, head to Sea Isle or Atlantic City. Plan for rideshare or designated driver.

Option 4: Embrace the Dry Town

Many visitors find they don’t miss alcohol at all. The boardwalk at night, ice cream, sunset walks—Ocean City offers plenty of evening entertainment without drinks. Save the drinking for your rental deck.

The Verdict

Yes, Ocean City is completely dry—no alcohol at restaurants, period. But excellent bars exist just minutes away in Somers Point, Sea Isle, and beyond. The dinner club option at Dockside Kitchen lets you drink on-island for special occasions. And for many visitors, the rental house setup—stock up at Canal’s, enjoy drinks on your deck—works perfectly. Ocean City’s dry status isn’t a limitation so much as a different approach to the shore experience.

For dining in Ocean City, check our restaurant directory. For the one place you can drink on-island, look into Dockside Kitchen dinner club.