Hoboken is famous in the metropolitan area for its bar scene — for better and for worse. The mile-square town has long been a magnet for young commuters on weekends, and Washington Street can feel rowdy on a Friday night. There are gems in the mix though. Pilsener Haus & Biergarten on Grand Street is a long-tabled German beer hall with a covered courtyard. The Brass Rail on Washington has been there since the 1920s, an old-school neighbourhood bar-restaurant with a long marble bar.
For coffee and quieter mornings, bwé kafe on Washington Street and Hoboken Coffee Roasters on Newark Street roast their own and have decent space to work. Mile Square Theatre near the Terminal sometimes hosts live theatre and music with drinks; check listings.