It’s inconceivable you’ll ever experience another place like it. Uptight need not apply. It is an original in every sense of the word and faught like hell to keep it from ever changing. Just relax, go with the flow & live it.
It was long overdue, but we finally made it. First time there and we liked it more than we should! Great crowd, lovely vibe, and amazing music. I'm afraid it's gonna be a regular thing now..
I've been coming here for almost 20 years now and not much has changed and that's a good thing. Definitely a nice place to stop in while you're riding your motorcycle.
Zero stars- Female's watch out! This place is an absolute nightmare. Despite it being disgusting in general. There is something nefarious happening at this place. The owner is some creep who walks around yelling at young women, definitely putting something extra in drinks. I've contacted the appropriate authorities about my experience. Please be safe and extra aware of your surroundings if you go to this place. Do not leave your drinks unattended. Do not trust the bartender's. Just avoid-Literally a house of horrors. Hopefully they will be shut down soon.
I had "great expectations" for this historic roadhouse, being a history buff et al, but it lacked any sort've vibe musically or otherwise. It's deceptively quite small on the inside too. I've not tried the food tho there didn't appear to be any menus nor was I asked if I'd like one. Also being in the service industry, here's how to welcome folks: Bartender: "What can I get for you?" Instead of a surly nothing. Local watering hole only and certainly not a friendly crowd!
Historic place in NJ! The last standing type “Roadhouse” around! WFMU had a remote broadcast. Two awesome bands rocked the house. Lots of people showed up and had a blast. Glad it’s still standing and hope it will for many more construction projects around it! It’s nice they added a back way to get in and out without going on Rt. 46.
A bit hard to describe. It's got a log cabin feel and rustic. It's not that big inside. There is a bar counter with some seating. There is also a large porch where you can stand or sit. Often have live rock bands performing.
Food and drinks are Ok and like a typical bar. Tends to draw an older crowd.
For me this is more of a place to hang out with some friends. Would not do much a place to bring a date.
I can’t believe a place this cool exists in New Jersey. You will love this place if you like music, drinking, wood interiors, interesting wall decor, kindness from the gracious owner, and something different. It’s old and it shows. It’s the real deal I felt like I was in Nashville for a second. Love this place!!!
Love this place. Every night they have a great band, music never disappoints. I can easily say the best spot around NNJ for music lovers -rock, blues, the good stuff- and friendly vibe! Don't let the bikes out front intimidate you! Go in!
Legendary old-school Jersey stop in what used to be a 10+-year road construction project. Great Notch emerged with a new big parking lot and the same vibe! Live music, cash only, no real food other than the occasional snack. Friendly owners/bartenders are always working hard to make sure everyone has a good time. Standard dive bar drink selection with a local craft selection on draft (Ghost Hawk stout the last winter night we went - solid!). Don't miss the turn off or you will have to wind back around. It is possible to access from the road in the back and that's the way I usually go to avoid that tricky stretch of the route 46 raceway. Awesome live music starts around 9pm most nights - usually blues and Jersey rock. Bikers will feel at home. Crowd can be a bit older but also a rite of passage for MSU students. Great Notch forever!
Great place to stop for a drink and listen to some amazing local bands. Saw a trio play there the other night and the owner sat in on drums for their last song. He is everywhere making sure you are well taken care of and plays drums in between. Really cool. Wish they had food to offer.
Aging crowd. Music is too loud. Owner is too full of himself and is a rude low class big guy.
Women are mostly drunk and loud. Guys are low class bikers and want to be ones, they wear handkerchiefs on their heads and shoes with high heels, hugging each other all the time. But if you willing to ignore all the above the great rock music is the only redeeming value
This place is a cool decorated chill local dive bar. It's been around for a long time. It's quaint, good cocktails, does not serve food, but has great live music. It wasn't full of people. However, it did have the regulars which were really fun to get to know.
I'd go again. Look up when they have live music and enjoy!
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Favorite biker bar forever. Good friend on the harmonica celebrating his birthday bash. This place is a landmark known for good drinks, beer, burgers, pizza live entertainment.
Big Thanks to Rich Hempel and Eliz for opening the iconic Great Notch Inn for our office party on their day off. Party was an awesome and unique event! Catered by Matt from Mathews Italian Restaurant in Clifton, and WIld Bill and Rachel Wise providing some incredible music entertainment. Staff commented best office party we had in 20 years! Everyone loved receiving a Great Notch Inn tee shirt thank you great Notch Inn!
This is a really nice place. I bring my disabled client here once a week and we’re always treated with the utmost respect. They have a full bar and the owner is a gifted musician who has been known to pop out from behind the bar to beat out some AC/DC on the drum kit. The owner hand selects the bands and they are top notch! It’s a small place, so when the bands play it offers a nice level of togetherness where everyone’s good vibes sort of coalesce. I would recommend this place to anyone.
On a warms summers night, you see hundreds of motorcycles lined up outside & live music can be heard from the parking lot.
The Beers are flowing, & conversations between liked minded about bikes, and the next motorcycle run or chili cook off take place on the front porch. People gather to meet old friends & make new ones. Some have gotten married here because they met at “The Notch”
Famous musicians from Jersey have been here to film their music videos, and even a pirogi commercial was filmed here!
The Great notch inn has history, heart & Grit.
Young & old stop by this road house to enjoy a beer on the porch, and make more memories.
The owner Richy & his family will always greet you with a smile , a cold beverage, and share stories with you about their families Bar and how it got started in the 50’s. When 46 was nothing more then a dirt road!
When you stop by, make sure you tell Rich the (Clown) sent you
I’ll see you on the Porch
live music, love the vibe~ dive bar at it's finest!!!!$5 wines served by awesome bartenders . music is spot on! sign the book.if you're a first timer.can't wait to go back!
This is a bar! This is what you expect a real bar to look like. Yes is a good old bar, that you go to enjoy yourself.
The bartender was great helping us to pick a few good beers being it first time here. And explain the differences in the beers which helped me decide and I got a great one from the new brewery in Clifton by Rutt's Hut ( I'll add the name later)
All in all I'm thrilled that this location survived another highway remodel and will still be around after it's done!
Great place and staff! Live music regularly. I have to drink NA beer and for some reason it is prohibitively expensive at $7! No food, just great times and great music. Big covered front porch
I've been driving by it for the past 14 years wondering how it would be like inside, today I finally made my way in there and had a blast. The place is very rustic and unique lots of history, it was kind quiet when I was there but I can easily tell how much fun it can be on a popular night, I can't wait to see it on one of those nights. The owner, Rich is very nice and communicative, we had some nice conversations along with some nice live music from one of the many musicians that come and play regularly. I definitely recommend this place for anyone looking for a cool laid back back bar to listen to some music and have fun.
Finally stopped in for a pint with my pal Lenny after driving by this intriguing watering hole on Rt 46 the past 30 years. It was long overdue. Don’t have a bike, but that doesn’t matter…all are welcome. The owner Richie greeted us and couldn’t have been nicer. When 9 PM rolled around, he came out from behind the bar and sat in with the band to play drums. Fantastic old time rock and roll. Nice to experience a seat at the bar and soak up the ambiance and later hang on the porch to listen to the live music. They literally take the front door off its hinges to open up the small space. Very cool! Recommend getting there at 8 and watch the place transform from a chill drinking bar into a bustling music scene. Also fun to watch the bikers roll in and park their bikes in formation. Highly recommend you stop by to support this legendary landmark.
The Great Notch Inn! An absolute blast, just a great local bar that's all about the music. Live band almost every night. Some may say it's small but it doesn't take away from the experience. Whether it's inside or under the covered deck go see awesome longtime bartender Greg for a drink at this popular biker waterhole.
