Boiler Room at Congress Hall — Restaurant in Cape May

4 1/2 stars

Boiler Room was the one place I really wanted to go during our recent Cape May debauchery weekend, pretty much entirely because it looked like it was literally in a boiler room and the food appeared to be at least edible. I'm high maintenance, but not at all. This was our first official stop for dinner this past Friday night. After being dropped off at Congress Hall by a friendly Uber driver (who reaffirmed this as a recommendation during the drive), we made our way into the building and found this place fairly easily. For any of the businesses within Congress Hall, there are numerous signs throughout with arrows pointing in the direction of said establishments. You will be stunned to learn that one of the arrows for Boiler Room pointed down into the basement, where we were promptly shown a table a few feet from the island bar. As an aside, all of Congress Hall was pretty spiffy/historic, and we would have had zero issue lingering after dinner at one of the other establishments if it hadn't been so crowded.

As expected, the interior was a lot of fun to look at. It's sort of grimy but VERY intentional; it's like a gentrified unfinished basement. There's a lot of exposed stonework, but not like foofy English garden walls - it literally looks like you took a chisel to your own basement and got rid of the plaster. There was also a small DJ/dance area off to the side that presumably got pretty rocking after my bedtime. Lot of fun.

Our waiter was a delight. Admittedly the service WAS a bit sluggish to start off (and to be fair, it seemed chaotic/busy initially), but he redeemed himself pretty quickly. He looked like a poor man's Eddie Redmayne and was very charming/friendly. Beyond that initial wait, I don't think there was any other point during the adventure where we were actively looking around for him. The orders were relayed promptly and correctly. I also of course forgot my credit card at the table, and he rushed over to us by the exit with it and rescued me from what would undoubtedly have been a very annoying Saturday morning.

I had diligently been chugging 120 ounces of water a day for the prior week, so I had no qualms about perusing the cocktail menu immediately. I went with Lavender & Lemon ($14), which came as zero surprise to my dining companions, who have been down this road with me before (I have a floral beverage weakness). I'm not crazy about the citrus family, but this is definitely an exception - the lavender complemented and ultimately negated a lot of the lemon for me, and the sparkling wine gave it a nice kick. I had two and easily could have convinced myself to get a third if we had lingered a bit longer.

We split the meatball app ($10) and a few pizzas, though I stayed true to the pepperoni ($16). I'm not usually crazy about getting toppings, but the pepperoni was strongly recommended by prior reviewers and deservedly so. The pepperoni had a nice smoky char to it, and was the only one of three pizzas not to survive the night.

The bathrooms were...interesting. One of my chums came back commenting that it reminded her of a Macy's dressing room, which I can't really argue with. The bathroom stall doors are slatted so it DOES feel a little exposed, but you'd have to be a really creative peeping tom to do any damage there. The stalls themselves are pretty small but allow for just enough space for a personal sink, which I thought was a nice touch.

There aren't a lot of basements I'd go out of my way to eat in, but this is one of them....

If you’re looking for Cape May’s hottest subterranean hotspot, look no further than The Boiler Room. This place has everything: wood-fired pizza, Caesar salads that slap, neon lights, exposed brick, and a sound system that’ll knock your Birkenstocks off.

And the staff? Honey. First, let’s talk about Matt, the food and beverage manager. He’s like the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain, pulling levers of flavor and hospitality. Ever had a martini that made you cry from joy? You will. Now add Johnny and Kyle behind the bar—Cape May’s dynamic duo. They pour, they shake, they stir, and they SERVE. Watching them in action is like seeing a choreographed dance, except everyone gets a drink at the end.

Now let’s get into the pizza. This pizza? This pizza is like if Naples and Brooklyn had a baby that went to culinary school in Rome. It’s crispy, chewy, saucy perfection. And don’t even get me started on the Caesar salad—it’s crunchy, briny, creamy, and anchovy-whispered. I’d write it a love letter and send it first class.

But that’s not all. When the sun goes down, this place transforms. The Boiler Room becomes an underground concert hall of dreams. The live bands? They funk, boogie, and rock ‘n’ roll like it’s their job (because it is). Think Parliament meets Tom Petty in a dance-off judged by Prince. They groove party anthems and timeless classics that’ll have you screaming, “This is MY SONG!” while you dance like it’s 1999.

The Boiler Room has everything: brick oven dreams, Caesar epiphanies, killer cocktails, craft beers, sultry lighting, beautiful people, bar legends, and music that hits like a vintage disco ball to the soul.

So if you’re in Cape May and you’re not at the Boiler Room, what are you even doing...

The only good thing coming out of that place is Eddy the bar manager because he saved my credit card when our rushing around waitress had lost it. Thanks Eddy!

She also Tried to convince us that a cheese pizza is a margarita pizza bc they ran out of basil… I’m sorry but there is more to a margarita pizza than just basil.

We ordered the margarita pizza and was brought a cheese pizza. Then when we questioned our waitress about it she said well we’re out of basil and walked away.. Instead of just saying from the beginning hey guys looks like we’re out of basil do you want a different pizza bc the margarita pizza is a no go INSTEAD she just gaslight us into thinking a cheese pizza is the same thing as a margarita pizza minus the basil. Like bro u only sell pizzas and salads, it’s not that difficult.

It was just a very frustrating experience and she needs to not be a waitress. Especially if you’re going to loose someone’s credit card as you’re handing them the bill. We said “where is our card you never gave it back to us” she goes “it’s in there” walks away… like no it’s not. Thank god the bar manager Eddy had found it LYING ASTRAY on the floor. Anyway…. I don’t remember her name but she had dark hair and tattoos and was a bigger woman.

Please find an exact replica of this waitress but...