Kelly’s Tavern In Neptune City Turns 75
Kelly’s Tavern in Neptune City, a beloved Jersey Shore gathering spot is celebrating their 75th Anniversary! None of us here at the WRAT are strangers at Kelly’s, especially Gotts,
Their famous over the top Reuben is what first drew me to Kelly’s Tavern. The bartenders, the burgers, the locals, and the servers kept me coming back on a somewhat regular basis through the late 90’s and 2000’s.
Now that I live in Ocean County I don’t show up as often as I once did. However, my colleague and baby brother, Gotts is a regular at Kelly’s.
On Friday mornings just after 10am, I get calls in the studio from patrons sitting at the bar asking where Gotts is.
According to the regulars at Kelly’s, Gotts winds up there on Fridays for breakfast and a beer or 5 after he gets off the air. If he’s not there by 10:15, the regulars get worried and call into the RAT request line asking his whereabouts.
Gotts once found a dog left behind by a patron and was kind enough to get the ball rolling for the pup’s return to it’s forgetful owner.
Congratulations to owners, Ed & Kevin Kelly on 75 years of serving the Jersey Shore.
The big celebration is happening on Saturday, June 22, 2024, starting at 4pm, featuring live music performed by Eamonn Ryan and the Express and Tom Gentile.
A Little History On Kelly’s Tavern
According to Tap Into Neptune, When the Kelly’s arrived at the Jersey Shore, the Garden State Parkway had yet to be built, and “Kelly’s Korner Tavern” was already becoming an institution among the local population. After Mr. Kelly’s death, his son Bill and wife Gerry joined his mother in the family business. By the late 1950’s the business had outgrown the original tavern and in 1959, the present location was opened at 43 Route 35 South. Read more about Kelly’s history HERE.
Kelly’s remains a family business and Ed & Kevin Kelly have been running this iconic local establishment since the 1970’s.
A few years after WRAT arrived on the Jersey Shore back in 1996, Kelly’s started serving breakfast. For some of us dirty stay outs back in the day, Kelly’s breakfast offerings were a blessing.
I’m no longer staying out late, but I will get up early for Kelly’s steak and eggs or the Irish Wrap, filled with corned beef, scrambled eggs, onions and Swiss cheese, don’t forget the spicy Bloody Mary.
Kelly’s has the best Bloody Mary on the shore. Kelly’s was voted “Best Bloody Mary” on the Jersey Shore in the WRAT Shore Awards as voted by our WRAT listeners.
If you’ve never had one of Kelly’s famous Reubens, you’re totally missing out. But you must come hungry because these things are as big as the plate they’re served on. You can always opt for the “Mini Reuben” if you’re not adventurous.
This Thursday, I’m going to stop by for dinner with Gotts for Kelly’s Garlic Steak Night where one can enjoy the tender grilled London Broil, sliced thin and bathed in garlic butter served over toast points with a choice of potato and a vegetable.
Kelly’s is one of those places where you always feel. The food is good and the people are fun and friendly.
Kelly’s is open everyday from 7am – 2am.
We’ll see you soon for a pint.
