By Friday afternoon, most people who hosted Thanksgiving are tired of leftovers and ready to get out of the house. Family is still in town, the football is still on, and nobody wants to cook. That is the moment Mule Barn Tavern in Highlands was made for: a relaxed place at the edge of Sandy Hook with a full menu, a full bar, and plenty of screens.
Why the Weekend After Thanksgiving Works at the Shore
The Jersey Shore in late November is quiet in a way it never is in July. The beaches are empty, the parking is easy, and the air is cold and clear. For a long weekend with family in town, it is an easy outing: a walk at Sandy Hook, then a warm table and a hot meal.
Mule Barn Tavern sits at 36 Kearney Road in Highlands, at the scenic tip of Sandy Hook, which puts it right on the way out of the park.
A Good Home Base for Football
Thanksgiving weekend is packed with football, and the tavern is set up for it. Multiple screens are spread across the bar and dining areas, so wherever your group sits, the game is in view. If you want more detail on how game day runs here, read our guide to watching football at Mule Barn Tavern.
For a table full of relatives who care about different games, multiple screens make it easy to follow more than one. A wide menu means everyone can eat what they want while they watch.
The Food That Works After a Big Meal
Some people want something light after a heavy holiday dinner. Others want a second round. The menu covers both.
Lighter choices. The salads include the Caesar, Southwest, Wedge, Arugula, Mule Salad, Cobb, and Apple Walnut, and any of them can be topped with grilled chicken, shrimp, crab cake, or salmon.
Shareable starters. The Bavarian pretzel, homemade fried mozzarella, tavern calamari, lobster sliders, and oven roasted wings in seven flavors suit a group that is picking at food through a game.
Comfort food. The Jersey Shore burger with pork roll and a fried egg, lobster mac and cheese, and short ribs braised in a red wine reduction are the dishes people order when they want something substantial.
Pizza for the table. Traditional, Margherita, Buffalo Chicken, Meat Lovers, and the house Lighthouse pie are easy for a mixed group.
For the kids. The kids menu includes chicken fingers and fries, pizza, rigatoni and meatballs, mac and cheese, and rigatoni with butter.
Cold Beer and a Full Bar
The tavern pours a rotating lineup of New Jersey craft beer on tap, alongside Guinness, Heineken, and Blue Moon. The bar also makes mule cocktails and handcrafted drinks, and soft drinks, coffee, and hot tea are available for anyone who prefers them.
Bring the Whole Group
Walk-ins are welcome for parties of fewer than eight guests. If you are bringing a larger group, such as a full family during the holiday weekend, reservations are recommended for parties of eight or more. Call ahead to reserve your table.
Check the Holiday Hours
Mule Barn Tavern is open 11 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. Holiday hours can differ from the usual schedule, so call the tavern before you plan around Thanksgiving Day itself.
A Few Ideas for the Weekend
Friday: a late lunch after the holiday, with football on the screens.
Saturday: a morning at Sandy Hook, then lunch or an early dinner at the tavern. Read about Sandy Hook in the fall for what to see in the park.
Sunday: a family dinner before everyone heads home.
Visitors Welcome
Out-of-town family often want to see something local. The tavern's own story is one of the better ones: it is a restored mule barn that once supported Fort Hancock. Read the history of Fort Hancock and the Mule Barn before you bring guests, so you can tell them what they are sitting in.
A Relaxed Alternative to Black Friday Crowds
Black Friday sends many people to malls and shopping centers. A table at the tavern is a good counterweight: no lines, no doorbusters, and a full menu with food that arrives hot. If you are shopping during the day, a meal at the end of it is a good reward. The tavern is open 11 AM to 9 PM, which leaves room for a late lunch or an early dinner.
Tips for a Smooth Visit
Arrive early for game windows when seating is limited
Ask for a table with a clear view of the screens you want
For a group of eight or more, call to reserve
Come hungry, because portions are generous
Confirm holiday hours before you travel
A Note on Timing
The long weekend is the busiest stretch of the holiday season for restaurants everywhere. If your group is large or you need a particular time, calling ahead is the simplest way to avoid waiting. A short phone call can save a long wait.
Plan Your Weekend
Whether you want a lively game, a relaxed meal, or a break from cooking, Mule Barn Tavern is an easy choice for the long weekend.
