Drop a nickel in the jukebox at The Mojo Lounge and enjoy your favorite songs while pounding a lager with friends near the pool table. Weekends are a blast at the cozy neighborhood pub and grill on Westside Avenue in Jersey City, where the local young professionals go to hang out.
Just a few blocks passed Lincoln Park, Mojo’s has become a party destination without the cosmetics of a Coors Light commercial. Owners Mike Beck and Joma Araneta take a no-nonsense approach to drinking, partying and running a bar. They opened Mojo’s almost two years ago.
"We like to have fun, but if somebody wants to fight, then they’re outta here," Araneta said.
Mojo’s has infiltrated into the fabric of its community. Patrons often recognize each other, and there are drink specials every night. The bar runs the length of the room with a dozen stools, while a few tables near the jukebox sits a half-dozen patrons comfortably. The bar’s jukebox has been praised by a Jersey nightlife magazine, and Beck and Araneta play the role of chef while they tend bar.
"We have a solid menu with the basic bar foods," Beck said.
Indeed, their specialties include burgers, hot dogs, wings, fries, chicken sandwiches, wraps and mozzarella sticks. The menu ranges from $3 to $6. Every Thursday and Saturday Mojo’s host karaoke on the second floor lounge, and happy hour is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week.
Wing it
During a recent visit to the friendly dive, I enjoyed a terrific order of hot and teriyaki wings with blue cheese ($6) with a few beers. The sauce was not ridiculously hot, and the teriyaki flavor was sweet. I also tried a grilled chicken sandwich ($4.50), served with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. Surprisingly, the chicken was juicy and very tasty. It’s perhaps the best item on the limited menu.
Mojo’s also offers a drinking club on Tuesdays for the real party animals. For $10, patrons may drink all the domestic drafts they can from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Beck and Araneta constantly recruit players for their pool team, which competes in the county’s American Poolplayers Association.
"We always have good teams competing during the year," Araneta said.
The Mojo Lounge is located at 130 Westside Ave. in Jersey City. For information call (201) 333-9092 or visit www.themojolounge.com. q