The largest Irish Festival on the East Coast is coming to North Wildwood’s Entertainment District from Thursday, September 22 to Sunday, September 25. Read on to find some of the Wildwoods’ best places to go for Irish specials and entertainment all weekend long!
1. Anglesea Pub
1st & New Jersey Aves., North Wildwood
(609) 729-1133, www.angleseapubnj.com
If you want to visit Ireland’s corner pub in North Wildwood, visit Angelsea Pub! Angelsea Pub has a jam-packed Irish Fall Festival entertainment lineup including the Sean Fleming Band, Jamie and the Quietmen, Patsy Bradley, DJ entertainment and more, starting as early as Wednesday. On Friday, experience an Irish Happy Hour with Jamie Ratchford from 4:30 to 7 p.m. With 20 craft beers on tap and multiple food and drink specials, you can keep the fun going all Irish weekend long!
2. Backfin Blues Bar & Grill
517 W. Rio Grande Ave., Wildwood
(609) 522-0243, www.backfinwildwood.com
Spend your Irish Weekend viewing spectacular sunsets at Backfin Blues’ rooftop bar, where you can enjoy daily Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. featuring $2 domestic drafts, $2.50 domestic bottles and a special food menu. Stop by on Sunday and get Happy Hour prices for an extended amount of time, from 12 to 6 p.m.! Live entertainment includes Toe in the Sand on Friday night, and Dale Barth on Saturday night.
3. Beach Creek Oyster Bar & Grille
500 W. Hand Ave., Wildwood
(609) 522-1062, www.beachcreek.net
What’s an Irish celebration at the shore without some beach vibes? Sunsets, stained glass, palm trees and tropical flowers are what you’ll find at Beach Creek’s waterfront restaurant. The outside bar is a great place to get beachy before getting Irish on the streets of North Wildwood! Check out the three-course menu for $25, and enjoy Happy Hour specials from 3 to 5 p.m. Beach Creek will also feature live music Friday through Sunday.
4. Boathouse Restaurant & Marina Deck
506 W. Rio Grande Ave., Wildwood
(609) 729-5301, www.boathouseonline.net
Have some Irish fun in the sun at Boathouse Restaurant! Enjoy drinks and a meal on the Marina Deck while taking in the spectacular view and listening to live music all weekend long. Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. features select half price appetizers and drink specials, and Sunset Specials include two entrees for just $29 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
5. Casey’s on Third Bar & Grille
3rd & New York Aves., North Wildwood
(609) 522-7759, www.caseysonthird.com
Casey’s on Third is “where the Irish come to play!” During Irish Fall Festival, Casey’s will have live entertainment from the Sindi Raymond Band on Thursday, and Jamison on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, The Lost Bards will play Friday at 5 and 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2, 5 and 8 p.m. You’ll also catch some authentic Irish entertainment – bagpipes with a twist! With Casey’s being just walking distance from North Wildwood’s Entertainment District, you’ll definitely want to stop in for an Irish experience.
6. Colleen’s By The Sea
222 E. Schellenger Ave., Wildwood
(609) 854-3822, colleensbythesea.com
Although it’s not traditional Irish fare, you won’t want to miss Colleen’s specialty prime steaks and fresh seafood. Enjoy live entertainment Friday and Saturday, with Saturday featuring Ray Mixon and Jamie Walsh from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Happy Hour from 4 to 7:30 p.m. includes awesome food and drink specials, including a $5 bar menu!
7. The Crab House and Two Mile Restaurant & Bar
1 Fish Dock Rd., Wildwood Crest
(609) 522-1341, www.twomilelanding.com
Two Mile Landing might be on the opposite end of the island from Irish Fall Festival, but the crabs are worth it! Make your way over and experience 500 feet of waterfront dining, all you can eat crabs, Happy Hour specials and more!
8. Dogtooth Bar & Grill
100 East Taylor Avenue, Wildwood
(609) 522-8383, www.dogtoothbar.com
Dogtooth celebrates Irish Weekend with plenty of food and drink specials all weekend long. If you’re feeling lucky, play “Name that Tune” with DJ Denny O at 9 p.m. on Friday night – 1st place gets a prize! On Saturday night, enjoy the sounds of Ryan Tennis & the Clubhouse Band at 9 p.m. Don’t miss the great Happy Hour specials on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.!
9. Flip Flopz Beach Bar & Grill
Spruce & Olde New Jersey Aves., North Wildwood
(609) 522-3350, www.flipflopzbarandgrill.com
Kick off Irish Weekend at Flip Flopz on Thursday night with the fabulous Coast-to-Coast Band at 8 p.m. Enjoy the entertainment over some great food and drink specials during Happy Hour from 3 to 7 p.m., also featured on Friday night. Throughout the rest of the weekend, don’t miss live Irish entertainment from Bogside Rogues, Malarkey Brothers, Five Quid and the ShamRogues. On Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., check out the pool party upstairs at Tiki Topz complete with DJ entertainment (weather permitting).
10. Ice House Restaurant & Bar
4415 Park Blvd., Wildwood
(609) 522-0033, www.icehousewildwood.com
Ice House welcomes the Irish to come party on the deck! The deck offers awesome views and fabulous sunsets overlooking Otten’s Harbor, as well as food and drink specials during Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. The deck is open Friday and Saturday at 3 p.m. Stop by early for the Early Bird special until 6 p.m. – three courses for just $20!
11. Mulligan’s Shore Bar and Grill
310 W. Hildreth Ave., Wildwood
(609) 522-4883
Have some fun at Mulligan’s Shore Bar and Grill as Billie McGovern takes the stage at 9 p.m. on Friday night, and Dave Catling performs at 9 p.m. on Saturday night. Take advantage of Happy Hour specials Thursday and Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Get your Irish on all night long during reverse Happy Hour on Thursday and Sunday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.!
12. Owen’s Pub
17th Ave., North Wildwood
(609) 729-7290
Owen’s Pub will be full of entertainment for Irish Fall Festival! All weekend long, Owen’s Pub will have DJ entertainment and Irish dancers, along with many Irish food specials including Irish burgers, grilled Reuben sandwiches and Shepherd’s Pie. On Sunday, be sure to catch the Essex County Police & Firemen Emerald Society Pipe Band performing at 3 p.m. Join Owen’s Pub for the Irish Jog, the 15th Annual Tink Haldeman Memorial 5K Run & 1M Walk on Saturday, September 24 at 8:30 a.m. Run with USA Olympian Joe Maloy! All proceeds go to Wildwood Catholic High School. Visit www.TheIrishJog.com for more information.
13. Ship N’ Shore
434 W. Montgomery Ave., Wildwood
(609) 522-0377
When you find yourself heading toward Wildwood, be sure to visit Ship N’ Shore for Happy Hour prices all day every day, and awesome food and drink specials all weekend long. If you’re looking for a different way to celebrate Irish Fall Festival, Ship N’ Shore will host its annual Hawaiian Luau & Irish BBQ on Saturday, September 24 featuring their famous green pig!
14. Urie’s Waterfront Restaurant
588 W. Rio Grande Ave., Wildwood
(609) 522-4189, www.uries.net
Take a break from Ireland and be swept away to the tropics at Urie’s! All your friends can pull up a seat at the outside Tiki Bar and Raw Bar, where you can get lost in the sights and sounds of the shore. Join in on the fun of all you can eat crabs, or stop by between 4 and 6 p.m. for a $15 early bird menu. Be sure to bring the kids for Urie’s delicious children’s meals and huge arcade!
15. Westy’s Irish Pub
101 E. Walnut Ave., North Wildwood
(609) 522-4991, www.westysirishpub.com
Head over to Westy’s for an Irish Fall Festival menu full of classic Irish cuisine. Catch a loaded entertainment lineup Thursday through Sunday featuring the Flip-N-Mickeys, Radio Neon, The Hooligans, the Paul Moore Band and more! Happy Hour on Thursday is from 4 to 6 p.m. so be sure to pair that night’s live entertainment with some delicious food and drink specials!
16. The Wharf
708 W. Burk Ave., Wildwood
(609) 522-6336, www.thewharfnj.com
When you want to step away from North Wildwood’s lively Entertainment District, sit back and relax at the Wharf, your hideaway on the waterway. Aside from stunning waterfront views, you can enjoy great food and drink specials such as $19.95 sunset dinners from 4 to 6 p.m. and a Thursday and Friday Happy Hour with $2 domestic drafts. Enjoy tunes from the Sindi Raymond Band on Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m.!
Check out the DoTheShore section to see all of the places to celebrate Irish Fall Festival!