Brown Room At Congress Hall — Restaurant in Cape May

I did not stay at the hotel so I was really looking forward to seeing what this place was about. I had a specific vision in mind before I went, and it exceeded every expectation except 1. More on that later.

First, the live music was impressive. For a random Tuesday night, there was a man playing the acoustic guitar who knew exactly how to keep the crowd entertained and could finger pick with the best of them. His song selection was very well thought out, and he could convert songs to acoustic and interpret them very fluidly. It's not an easy feat and not just your average cover band.

The drinks were great and well crafted by the mixologists. The service was right on time each time, even though I went solo at a cocktail bar. Pretty impressive service for not sitting at the bar.

So even though I gave it a 5 star I did miss one thing I thought I would see...I thought it would be a little more dressy and full of brown leather chairs that were easy to sit back in and so cushy they are hard to get out of. However, there was not a single brown leather chair in sight. I also think it would have been cool to have a private cigar smoking area.

Either way. It's not my place, so all I can say is don't miss this history filled bar with great music and...

The Brown Room is an excellent, well designed cocktail bar that used to be among my favorite bars anywhere but definitely the best in Cape May.

When I first started coming here years ago you needed a reservation and there was an element of exclusivity which enhanced the experience. It was a relaxing top tier atmosphere with live music and excellent cocktails.

They seem to have significantly softened on the reservation / entry policies and the place has become a free for all. Tons of kids at times which I don’t feel is appropriate for this setting- all the other dining areas in Congress Hall are much more kid friendly. It’s often too crowded and they seem to have done away with reservations altogether even for Congress Hall guests which I can’t understand.

The cocktails are still great as are the bartenders and the live entertainment but the overall experience has been really disappointing of late. I would really consider going back to a reservation based system and having some level of...

We went to the Brown Room Saturday December 23rd after having Dinner at the Blue Pig. I stood at the bar for 20 mins there were 2 bartenders working neither one would even look at me. I’m pretty tall 5 foot 10 so it’s not like they can’t see me. The older Woman bartender was extremely rude, she started waiting on people that came after me. When I said something she looked at me and had a rude reaction. I walked away because I was about to blow up. My husband and my Cousin and I went downstairs to the broiler room it was like we walked into another world. It was 2 men deep at the bar but the bartenders were on their game. We got drinks in 3 minutes. I do not mind waiting but when you go out to spend a lot at a bar or restaurant and the workers are rude and do not even look at you is unacceptable. Due to the fact Congress Hall is so expensive the workers should be nice. I definitely do not recommend the Brown Room. Go down stairs to the boiler room you’ll get...