FIRST LOOK at Jack’s Bar at Morey’s Piers
When I did my “What’s New on the Wildwood Boardwalk” video a few weeks ago, I told everyone there was one place I really wanted to come back to once everything was finished. That place was Jack’s Bar.
If you’ve spent any amount of time around Morey’s Piers over the years, chances are you know who Jack Morey was. He wasn’t just one of the owners. Jack was the guy behind so many of the fun ideas that made Morey’s Piers what it is today.
FIRST LOOK at Jack’s Bar at Morey’s Piers
After he passed away a few years ago, it left a huge hole for a lot of people who worked with him, including me. I worked for Jack for about seven or eight years, so it’s really special to see Morey’s honor him in a way that fits his personality perfectly.
Believe it or not, this was one of the last projects Jack had his hands in.
To watch the video tour, scroll down to the bottom of this article
Jack’s Bar is located underneath Joe’s Fish Company on Surfside Pier. (think behind Curley’s Fries).
If you’ve been there before, Joe’s used to take up both floors. Now the restaurant is mostly upstairs, while the lower level has been transformed into this brand-new bar.
The first thing you’ll notice is that this place doesn’t feel like your typical bar. It’s colorful, it’s loud, it’s fun, and honestly, it’s exactly how Jack would have wanted it. He always believed Wildwood should embrace being fun and a little tacky, and that’s the theme throughout the entire place.
Once you start walking around, you’ll realize there’s a lot more here than just a place to grab a drink.
The walls are filled with original Morey’s Piers history. There are ride pieces from attractions like the Tea Cups, artwork from longtime Morey’s artist Peter Bieling, old photographs, and plenty of little Easter eggs that longtime visitors will recognize immediately.
One of my favorite parts was seeing some of the original Tea Cups from the ride that many of us grew up spinning way too fast. They even have an original carousel horse on display in the back, along with pieces from old midway games, historic photos, and a timeline showing how Morey’s Piers has evolved over the decades.
There’s also a framed letter that Jack received years ago, encouraging him to lean into Wildwood’s “tacky” personality instead of trying to change it.
Looking around this place, it’s pretty clear he took that advice to heart.
The menu is also different from what you’ll find upstairs at Joe’s Fish Company.
The menu follows that same fun approach. On the drink side, you’ll find signature cocktails like the Painted Pony, Jack Rabbit, Surfside Pain Chiller, and the Spirit of ’76, along with local draft beers and plenty of other options.
The food leans toward elevated boardwalk favorites with items like Lobster Pops, crispy pork belly bites, fire-grilled shrimp skewers, a fried chicken sandwich, flounder po’boy, double smash burger, steak sandwich, and a lobster and shrimp roll. It’s the kind of menu that’s perfect whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite after the beach or sitting down with friends for a few drinks.
For me, though, the history is what really makes this place stand out, including the ‘secret’ backroom.
I probably spent just as much time looking at the old memorabilia as I did checking out the menu. Everywhere you turn there’s another piece of Morey’s history, another old photo, or another story waiting to be discovered.
If you’re heading to the Wildwood Boardwalk this summer, I’d definitely recommend stopping in. Even if you’re not looking for food or drinks, it’s worth walking through just to appreciate everything they’ve packed into the space. It’s one of the coolest tributes to Wildwood history I’ve seen in a long time, and I think Jack would have absolutely loved it.