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August 5, 2024 @ 7:30 pm
This Freehold Sports Bar is a Living Historic Landmark
The Jersey Shore has many historic locations — the Barnegat Lighthouse, Allaire Village, and Cape May's historic district. Freehold Borough is one of Monmouth County's original three townships and the site of the Battle of Monmouth during the Revolutionary War — it is also the home of Moore's Tavern + Sports Bar, a restaurant with roots dating back to the 18th century. In 2025, Moore's is now a good spot to watch a sports game, listen to live music, and feast on American food — all while taking in the tavern's historical architecture. JSG stopped by this beloved sports bar to get an inside look. Keep reading to learn more about Moore's Tavern + Sports Bar: a living museum of Freehold's past and a mainstay of its present.
Photo Credit: Moore's Tavern
The History
Beginning Stages
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Moore's Tavern's story begins in 1787 when it first functioned as a stagecoach stop, a facility near a trade route where travelers could rest and/or replace tired horses. In the 1700s, the now-popular sports bar was called Monmouth House. Those who traveled between Philadelphia and New York City grew to love its establishment for its welcoming atmosphere.
The Tavern's location in Monmouth County, which was a hub for revolutionary affairs, meant that it was a prime location for legendary nationalists.
The Moore's Tavern Team told JSG, "...our establishment was a meeting ground for patriots to gather and discuss strategy and ill content for the British crown. As legend has it, icons of colonial American history such as George Washington and Molly Pitcher may have once passed through our doors."
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A 19th Century Speakeasy
The beginning of the 19th century was a time of transformation; the stagecoach stop morphed into a tavern and inn. The establishment went through renovations to adapt to the necessary changes. Despite the challenges of the prohibition era in the 1920s, Moore's continued to serve its community by reinventing itself into a speakeasy.
A Sports Era
By the time the late 20th and 21st centuries hit, it was evident that professional sports games were growing in popularity and creating community amongst people. As a result, the Moore's Tavern Team added the sports bar so that locals could have a fun space to watch the games while creating long-lasting memories.
Modern Day Moore's Tavern + Sports Bar
The Food
Photo Credit: Moore's Tavern
In 2025, Moore's Tavern + Sports Bar, which is owned and operated by Chefs International Inc., is known for its American-style plates. The menu has small plates that are easy to share, like its traditional wings, mozzarella sticks, and nacho platters. Moore's also has a large selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches/wraps. It also has wood-fired pizza, which customers are instantly aware of when walking into the new dining area, as the brick oven is close to the entrance, and the smell of baking pizza is hard to miss.
The menu also has comfort foods like shepherd's pie and fish + chips. Still, the Moore's Tavern Team mentioned that the restaurant is "...most known for [their] Buy One, Get One Burger special available every Tuesday for dine-in customers." FYI: There are plenty of different burgers to pick from, ranging from classic cheese to its Jersey Burger (which, of course, has a pork roll).
Moore's also has a dessert menu— JSG's favorite is the chocolate molten cake. Plus, there are fun cocktails, wines + draft/bottled beers, and a separate gluten-free menu.
The Experience
Moore's Tavern + Sports Bar is a known member of the Freehold community — it often hosts fundraisers, gatherings, and local events. The restaurant is a go-to location for bonding with friends after work or a weekend family dinner.
The Moore's Tavern Team described to JSG that "...the recent addition of our new dining area and expanded Sports Bar is home to a wide array of modern amenities, such as a vast quantity of tv's to help you root on your favorite teams, live music, and a phenomenal beer selection."
The countless number of televisions makes it almost impossible to miss any live sports game, making this a good pick for a group with different favorite teams. The lively atmosphere makes it a fun choice for football season, March Madness, or playoff baseball.
It's also a hub for late-night outings. JSG was told, "Moore's Tavern is host to live music from some of the Jersey Shore's best bands every Friday and Saturday night from 9:30PM-12:30AM." Those interested in the live music lineup can stay updated here.
Moore's Tavern: A Living Historic Landmark
While the new dining area has fun options for customers, JSG loves that the tavern's original structure is also preserved.
If you walk inside Moore's and go to the left, you'll find The Tavern Bar. The team told JSG that this part of the bar faces "Main Street, [and] is part of the original 18th-century structure. Inside, you'll find centuries-old woodwork, hand-forged nails, and preserved period details. This space has always been a rendezvous for locals and travelers alike, and it continues to serve that purpose today."
JSG suggests having a drink before or after dinner at The Tavern Bar to get an up-close look at its historic architecture.
Paranormal Experiences
Given its rich history, it makes sense that Moore's Tavern + Sports Bar would also house paranormal experiences.
The team told JSG, "Over the years, staff have reported unexplained voices, ghostly sightings, and eerie late-night occurrences. Paranormal investigators have even visited to confirm the claims—so if you ever feel a chill while sipping your drink, you're not alone!"
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A Community Restaurant
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Locals have come to view Moore's as a staple of the neighborhood.
The team at Moore's reflected that their "...favorite part about Freehold is [the] rich history and strong community. Moore's Tavern has seen generations of families come through its doors, sharing memories over great food and drinks. There's a real hometown pride here, and it's special to be a part of that."
For those who love history, sports, live music, or pub-grub food, Moore's Tavern + Sports Bar is a go-to historic Jersey Shore location.
