Not sure if it is simply a coincidence, but every time we have been there, most of the late night patrons are gays and lesbians. Love That. What the hell are you speaking about?

I thought I had already written a review for this place, but I can't seem to find it.

The wife and I have visited Port-O Lounge three times, the most recent one being a week ago. The first time we visited, we went in to have a glass of wine and just chill. It was nice, but dead. Our next visit was a much better experience overall. During that second visit, we ordered three dishes (their so called tapas are really entrees!) and thought the food was very good. Their "stewed" chorizo tapa was REALLY good. We also had some cocktails and a few glasses of wine and felt everything was great. To top it off, this place is really inexpensive for the quality and amount of food. Their staff was also very nice. The biggest difference that night was that the place got crowded around midnight. Pretty crowded, actually. Music was good, ambiance was great and it was a fun night. Our most recent visit was equally good. This time around the place was definitely crowded from the moment we showed up (around 10 PM) but it was not unbearable. They had a live DJ spinning from about 11 PM. Overall, another thumbs up. This time around we only went in for some wine and sat at the bar. The bartender was a really nice lady who has been there during all three of our visits. She is very nice and never makes you feel rushed. Around midnight, after having consumed some glasses of wine, I started to feel a bit hungry, but their kitchen had closed already. She put together a basket of bread (warmed Portuguese rolls!) with some olives and a butter spread and brought it out as if I had ordered a full meal. Very nice gesture!! Overall, this is a great place. I will be happy to keep patronizing them.

In the interest of full disclosure, and a warning to those who might find it off-putting, I should note that this place seems to be very popular with gays and lesbians. Not sure if it is simply a coincidence, but every time we have been there, most of the late night patrons are gays and lesbians. If you are cool with that, or even indifferent, you should visit Port-O Lounge and enjoy the food, drinks and ambiance. I think it is awesome to see a local establishment that welcomes and caters to all customers equally, with great food and drink. I wish them continued success!

My husband and I have eaten there twice and really enjoyed it. It's very reasonable for the amount of food (don't assume that just cause it's 'tapas' style it means small plates). We actually found the bread very good, fresh and warm and perfect for dipping into the many sauces/broths that accompany the main plates. We're happy to have another good place to go to and can see ourselves eating there every 3 weeks or so.

Went over the weekend with a group of people and ordered tapas. We had the octopus and loved it. Also the quail was great - crispy and delicious.

The decor is all over the place. There's gotta be 10 different lighting schemes going on there at once. Including lavender can lights and even some illuminated art on the walls.

The service was pretty bad. First we had a guy who took 10 min to take our drink orders and then 10 min to bring our drinks. Then ten minutes to bring some water. Then he forgot about us for a while. Then some ditzy girl took over until a group of attractive men showed up in the bar and we were abandoned. Then we had no server. Then we had an overbearing guy who was trying to be all buddy-buddy with us. The free round of port (because we were such a "fun group" according to the girl) was nice but I'd rather have semi-attentive service instead.

Almost forgot: neither of the restrooms seemed to have operational locks on the doors and they open almost right onto the bar.

Not sure about online menu, but this place has turned into a whole new spot with their restaurant open now. I enjoyed the "lounge" for a fun Fri or Sat night out, but wasn't something I was always up for...the new tapas on the other hand...wow!

Enjoy!

Anyone see a menu online? Tia :)

My wife and I tried this place last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. The tapas prices do seem a little high until you find out that the portions are huge - we initially told our waiter we wanted 4 different tapas and he said something to the effect of "I'd have to move a second table over here to accommodate all that food". We paired down to two options and considering all the food that we got the prices the price suddenly became extremely reasonable - they actually might do themselves a favor on the menu and call some of the tapas items "family style" to prevent people from being turned off by seemingly high prices for what most people associate with tapas portions. The food itself was great; we had the cockles and pork cubes, both very well done. The pork dish is heavy but offset nicely with the addition of some pickled vegetables, and the cockle broth was delicious with a good amount of garlic and cilantro, very fresh tasting. Good bread as well.

The service we had was excellent, which is refreshing for a new restaurant in Jersey City.

All said and done $49 pre-tip for two glasses of wine, two orders of huge tapas, 2 complimentary after-dinner ports, and dessert (almond and egg yolk pudding, awesome). Not bad at all for a comfortable place with good food and good service. Nice addition to the neighborhood.

The couple of dishes I tried were good. Prices seemed a bit high for tapas but the portions are much larger than typical tapas portions.

A nice and diverse crowd. Good DJ also. Great outdoor garden for better weather.

Went there for a 2nd time on Friday and was surprised to see how many tables they got around 11pm - great food, a lot of unique things like octopus and quail that you don't see at too many places in the area.

Agreed. Hope it tries to advertise more. We were walking by and noted it was finally open.

My wife and I finally went to Port-O-Lounge Saturday night. The food was excellent. The tapas selections are large and can easily satisfy as entrees. Prices were very reasonable. It\'s very nice inside with a bar in back and a fireplace. I peeked at the back yard seating area which is really spacious and well designed. When the weather gets warm again this will be a great place to eat outdoors. I think a lot of people are confused about this place because it has been open as a lounge a few nights a week for quite some time and they weren\'t previously serving food. I would like to see the owners do more to publicize that they are open for business. We are anxious to go again. This restaurant is a great addition to the neighborhood.

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It really seems like it is right on Newark Avenue at First -- it is a great place, but with a very odd name! It is one of the many new things on Newark Avenue -- for all those who seem to fail to see the change!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jersey- ... ort-o-Lounge/167772150361

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they do finally have signage. it's an easy place to spot: floor-to-ceiling windows and dark brown trim. a classy addition to that stretch of 1st street.

Is there a sign outside? I've never been there and am going to check it out this weekend.

in love w the brazilian bartender sarah ...

Ate there last weekend and was thoroughly impressed. Delicious sangria, good service, fantastic octopus and everything else we had was great too. Although they call many of their plates tappas, they're actually a decent size, especially when compared to the NYC definition of tappas.

YES, Porto is across from the Saffron Condominiums on Newark Ave although Porto might have a 1st Street Address. They recently opened daily for dinner and the place is beautiful!! We will try the food this week!

I live near Porto the restaurant kind of on Newark, but I believe technically on 2nd street across from the new development near Jersey.

I have looked in this place for a year.

I finally went in. I cannot believe I havent been going here. The place was amazing. Nice decor, great food, great wine.

A new gem. Hopefully it stays open.

Nice place but its completely idiotic that they are only open 3 nights per week. I can not understand why they wouldn't have a happy hour daily!

Has anybody been to Port-o at the corner of Newark and 1st? I read a sign on their door that said they're only open a couple nights a week for tapas and it always looks dark in there.

Ahh..So THAT'S where the attractive people go! I've always wondered where they disappeared to on saturday nights : )

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Attractive people? ......I'm staying away.

I think it's open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Kitchen is still not open yet.

Nice place for a drink. I don't mind it if they don't rush the tapas opening. That will be nice but in the meantime it's a good lounge space.

Yeah....do they have consistent hours of operation?

I went there first last summer, and it was lovely inside - nice decor, back garden area. I was just opening and didn't have a full wine/beer list, but the owner who I spoke too said they had plans for an extensive list as well as tapas. But I've hardly even seen any life in the place since. I'd love to go check it out again...just someone tell me when it's going to be open!

www.lookoverhere-abeaumont.blogspot.com

Went Sat as well. Definitely the best vibe I have seen in JC, good crowd, attractive people, great sound system and music.

We dropped in this past Saturday night and it was really packed! Good ambiance, eclectic crowd, easily one of the best outdoor spaces of any downtown JC spot. :) The decor was very classy and inviting. We bumped into a few of our neighbors there!

I was wary walking by for all these months, but so glad we decided to venture in!

crowd is pretty mixed. laid back. i'd say mainly late 20's to mid 30's. i havent been there in a while but it was never packed. close to full though.

It's amazing that this place isn't up to speed as of yet. wasn't it summer of 2009 when it had it's "soft opening" ?

I'd like to go there, but it's hard to plan on going if you're not sure it's going to in fact be open.

How is the crowd on the weekends?

1st and Newark near the Tattoo parlor between Coles/Jersey.

Where is this place?