Bar of the Week: BUNGALOW in Long Branch, New Jersey

Long Branch is a wonderful destination year-round and Bungalow, the NJ Shore's first boutique, luxury hotel has a stylish and welcoming bar and lounge with signature cocktails, a fine wine list, and local beers on draft. The bar is also home to a cozy fireplace and games like billiards, foosball, checkers or backgammon. Visit them and relax over drinks. Bungalow will likely become one of your favorite spots whenever you're in the area.

We stopped by Bungalow on a Sunday evening and tried a few of their creative signature cocktails. The bar menu is changed regularly to reflect seasonal ingredients. Their "Espresso Martini" is a delightful drink with just the right amount of sweetness. It is made with Vanilla Vodka, a shot of espresso, and a mix of Baileys, Kahlua and Frangelico. An ideal wintertime cocktail is the "Good Tidings" with Captain Morgan, lime juice, house-made cranberry simple syrup, and apple cider.

The cocktail menu currently includes a light, refreshing choice, "Apple Cider Sangria" with Josh Chardonnay and Apple Cider with Apple, Orange and Cranberries. The "Snow Day" will warm you up with hot chocolate and a topper of coffee liquor and the option of rich whipped cream. Their "Irish Coffee" is a perfect blend of hot coffee spiked with a shot of Jameson. And the "Smoked-Winter Old Fashioned" has Makers Mark bourbon over muddled orange and cranberries with a dash of bitters and house-made cranberry simple syrup. Bungalow's current selection of artisanal cocktails are priced between $9 and $11.

Be sure to check out Bungalow's daily Happy Hour from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and on Fridays from 4:00 pm to midnight. Happy Hour specials include $5 Wines, $5 Well drinks like Gin & Tonic, Vodka Club or Rum & Coke but excludes Grey Goose, Hendricks, Patron and Blue Label. Happy Hour includes $4 select beers and $5 select cocktails. The bar at Bungalow is open until the last orders are taken at 1:30 am.

Bungalow is located at 50 Laird Street in Long Branch just a block from the boardwalk and beachfront. It is located about 1 hour South of New York City and 1 hour North of Philadelphia. For more information call them at 732.229.3700 and visit their web site at bungalowhotel.net.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Bungalow