Since opening its doors in May 2023, Queen Jayne’s in Somers Point has quickly become a standout in the Shore’s nightlife scene. With its eclectic style, chic lighting, plush seating, elevated menu and magnetic vibe, the cocktail lounge offers guests a fresh take on upscale nightlife—without losing the cozy familiarity of a beloved local hangout.
Tucked into a shopping center and accessible through a striking purple door, Queen Jayne’s has an almost speakeasy-style feel. But once you step inside, you’re transported. It feels as if you’ve left Somers Point behind and landed in New York City.
“Founder Michael Bray saw a need in the community for an upscale place to get a great cocktail or exquisite glass of wine without having to travel into Atlantic City or beyond. As it neared completion, he was inspired to name it after his mom, who sadly passed away from MS. They had always called her ‘Queen Jayne,’ referencing the Bob Dylan song ‘Queen Jane Approximately,’” the Queen Jayne’s team said.
With just a few tables and bar seats, the space is intimate by design. It’s the kind of place where you can show up alone and leave with friends. The team’s mission is to create an atmosphere of warmth, hospitality and connection, always making guests feel like they’re among friends—just with the added luxury of someone keeping your glass full and your plate ready.
“Queen Jayne’s takes a lot of inspiration from the modern era of craft cocktails that has existed in major cities for almost 30 years,” the team explained. “With a beverage prep list of 40 house-made ingredients and a laser focus on genuine hospitality, we aim to show South Jersey that you don’t need to travel to Philly or NYC to have a top-tier experience. With our latest menu, we’ve taken it a step further, combining beautiful artwork with inspired food and drink pairings to encourage our guests to slow down just a bit to really savor the moment.”
Choosing just one drink can be a challenge. The Queen Jayne’s Cosmo has reigned supreme as the top seller since the bar opened—and for good reason. But since their latest menu update in May, the Quetzalcoatl cocktail has quickly risen to fan-favorite status. The Cosmo, though, remains the signature cocktail and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Hungry? The Bacon & Brie Grilled Cheese is the most popular menu item—so popular, in fact, that groups often order three or four at a time while hanging out at the bar.
Looking for a perfect pairing? Queen Jayne’s has thought of that, too. “Our entire Catalyst section consists of 10 cocktails with intentionally designed recommended food pairings inspired by a ‘catalyst’—someone or something we consider to be a major agent of change.”
Along with its stylish atmosphere and stellar menu, Queen Jayne’s keeps things exciting with seasonal pop-ups and special events. Their “Frosted Crown” winter wonderland was a hit during the holidays, while “The Royal Rose” offered a more low-key, food-focused Valentine’s Day experience. They’ve also hosted single-night events like “Gin-Tiki” with Natasha Bahrami of The Gin Room in St. Louis.
“Coming up, we’re thrilled to announce our Tiki Disco pop-up! Beginning in August, this one will be a super fun mash-up of Tiki-style drinks, food and decor while harking back to the Disco era of cocktails and vibe. This one will be a bit more like the Frosted Crown where, for a little over a month, you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a completely different space,” the team shared.
Queen Jayne’s is open Wednesday through Saturday. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Their happy hour, served from 4 to 6 p.m. each day they’re open, offers major appeal with $5 margaritas, house white and red wine, snacks, and Queen Jayne’s own hibiscus pilsner.
The Queen Jayne’s team is always looking forward. “Onward and upward” is the motto, with plans in the works for a big closeout bash the second weekend in September, a new pop-up event before the return of Frosted Crown, and updates like new signage and refreshed uniforms.
“We’re hoping to capture the attention of those traveling from Philly and North Jersey via Ocean City. We’re so close to the dry-town shore destination and will be doing some on-the-ground promotion to let all of our seasonal guests know we’re here and excited to serve them,” the team said. “For now, we are just so grateful to all of our guests and hope we can continue to improve and make every single person feel better than when they arrived.”
