Shore House Tavern — Restaurant in Point Pleasant

I rarely leave negative reviews, but my recent visit to this establishment compels me to share my experience. We came in this past Friday evening around 18:00 for an early dinner. The bar was beginning to pick up in pace, though there was no shortage of employees present. I understand this could have coincided with a shift change, and I fully appreciate that such transitions are necessary and often hectic. However, that does not excuse the manner in which we were treated. We were fiercely dismissed by the curly-haired blonde bartender, I can't recall her name. It may have been Antonia, Victoria, or Tonnane, whose demeanor made it abundantly clear that our presence was unwelcome.

Instead of being greeted or offered assistance, we were left waiting while several employees clustered together in conversation, showing no regard for whether guests were being served. It looked like some were off shift, and again, I understand the time swaps of shifts. However, at no point did anyone approach us to confirm if we had been helped or were ready to order. The result was a short and thoroughly unsatisfactory visit that ended with us leaving before placing any order.

I did not feel it was necessary to leave a negative review after our first two visits. We love supporting local businesses at the Shore, especially those recommended by friends who live here. However, a third visit with the same dismissive and unprofessional conduct is unacceptable. No employee, no matter who they are, should treat a paying customer with disrespect and indifference.

In reviewing other feedback, my husband and I noticed that many of the negative reviews echo our own experiences—rude and inattentive staff being the common theme. This is particularly disheartening because, as patrons in our early 50s, we had heard nothing but glowing praise about the food, energy, and atmosphere of this bar. Yet after three visits, it is clear these issues are not isolated incidents. On this most recent occasion, we ultimately chose to leave and go down the street to another local bar, where the service and hospitality were far superior.

To make matters worse, throughout our brief time there we overheard employees loudly discussing personal gossip that was wholly inappropriate in front of customers—including heavy drinking, intimate relationships, and openly disparaging their managers and workplace, calling everything “bullshit.” Not only was the language unprofessional, but the fact that it was shouted where guests could easily hear was shocking. Such behavior leaves a lasting negative impression that overshadows any potential positives.

As the parent of a bartender who works in a high-volume cocktail bar in North NJ, I understand how difficult this industry can be, and I respect those who dedicate themselves to providing genuine hospitality. That is exactly why it is so disheartening to encounter a staff so disengaged, careless, and dismissive of the very customers they are meant to serve.

I mean this with all seriousness, good luck, The Shore House Bar. Without addressing the behavior of certain employees, I am confident this establishment will continue to lose business by the way their employees treat their paying customers. I hope this review is taken not only as a reflection of my disappointment, but also as an opportunity to improve. I've heard nothing but amazing things about your Senior Management and Owners of this bar, and am disheartened to see that there have been no major changes needed from our last...

I used to frequent this bar quite often, but lately, its charm has faded. It's become clear that some places, once comfortable, no longer align with who you've become. This bar falls into that category.

One aspect that has soured the experience is the presence of a bartender named Tony. His demeanor often suggests dissatisfaction with both his job and the patrons he serves. This negativity was particularly evident during my recent visit with a friend and her coworkers.

Initially, things were pleasant. The previous bartender, a kind woman with dark long hair, provided excellent service. However, when Tony took over, the atmosphere shifted. He harbors an inexplicable animosity towards me, consistently displaying a gruff attitude for no apparent reason.

During the evening, a friend requested I place a round of shots under his tab. Hesitantly, I obliged. Before I could finish, Tony erupted, launching into a verbal tirade accusing me of trying to freeload on another's expense. Only when the patron directly confirmed his intent to purchase did Tony relent.

Upset by the incident, I shared my grievances with my group. Unfortunately, this prompted Tony to resort to vulgar insults, further escalating the situation. Witnessing this hostile behavior, my companions opted to leave, closing their tabs in solidarity.

The original bartender, long brown hair girl, attempted to de-escalate by urging me to remain silent. This fueled speculation among the group, leading to unsubstantiated rumors about their current sexual relations.

Ultimately, the entire experience highlighted the unprofessional and unpleasant environment fostered by Tony's negativity. His refusal to serve me after 11pm, without justification, felt more like a petty attempt at control than legitimate concern. These actions solidify my decision to move on from this bar and its toxic undertones.

While I wish Tony well in finding personal fulfillment, his current trajectory appears stagnant. Perhaps a career change, one that fosters positive interactions and personal growth, might be the key to breaking free from the cycle of negativity that currently defines his experience.

Moving forward, I'll choose establishments that align with my values and promote a welcoming, respectful atmosphere. Life is too short to waste time in places that drain your energy rather than replenish it.

• Tre you win this one. Olivia is the best and Phil has...

Unfortunately, I’ve had an ongoing issue with one of the bartenders, Toni Ann, that has negatively impacted my experience. A few months ago, she approached me for a part-time job for extra cash. I was happy to help and agreed to bring her on with one clear understanding: that no matter how the job went, it wouldn’t affect our friendship. Unfortunately, she showed up late consistently, and when I asked her to come in on time, things became strained.

Since then, her behavior toward me at Shore House has been noticeably hostile and abusive. I’ve been denied service when she’s working, and I’ve been excluded from participating in Tuesday night trivia..an event I really enjoyed. On my most recent visit, I sat in her section during $10 burger night and was not served at all. This required one of the other bartenders to serve me from across the bar. I received no silverware or condiments with my meal. This is not the first time this has happened but I let it go with hopes things would improve. Normally I don't even sit in her section, but there was only one open spot at the bar.

While I understand that personal dynamics can be complicated, I believe hospitality professionals have a responsibility to treat all patrons with courtesy and respect. I’m sharing this review not out of anger, but in the hope that management is made aware of the situation and can take steps to ensure the welcoming environment Shore House is known for remains intact.

Despite this experience, I’m still giving The Shore House 4 stars. It’s a great place, and the owner is a genuinely good person who has built something worth supporting. It’s just unfortunate when personal issues interfere with what should be a positive...