The Brown Room at Congress Hall is the best "upscale" bar in all of Cape May. Complete with live quiet music, great ambience, decent draft beer selection, excellent spirits and cocktails.
Service: 5
Christell Leon Aviles
The Brown Room was an absolute terrible and over-rated cocktail experience. The male bartender had a huge attitude and seemed to not really want to serve my boyfriend and I. He notably made eye contact several times and ignored us. After finally acknowledging us, he then made an absolutely undrinkable cocktail, gave it one shake (this is not an exaggeration) and served it to us. We normally do not complain but this was one of THE worst drinks we’ve ever had. For the prices of the drinks, I think it is reasonable to expect a nice cocktail. He seemed to be uninterested in the product that he put forth and seemed annoyed when we said we could not drink it. It was literally all sour mix! We were there on March 16th, 2024.Food & drinks: If you’re looking for a good cocktail… this is NOT THE PLACE! This place and its bartender seem to just ride off the reputation (which has declined significantly). Bartender was rude, had an attitude and made us a terrible drink. There are so many other places to go for better drinks in cape may… And places that actually care about you as a customer. I don’t even think this will phase the management there. After all, you’re just another visitor and there will be more. We NEVER leave negative reviews but this experience was so off putting that we felt compelled to share with others.
Service: 1
Bill Dooley
Fletcher was a great bartender & made the experience that much better.
Service: 5
KAREN GLASS
We went to the Brown Room Saturday December 23rd after having Dinner at the Blue Pig. I stood at the bar for 20 mins there were 2 bartenders working neither one would even look at me. I’m pretty tall 5 foot 10 so it’s not like they can’t see me. The older Woman bartender was extremely rude, she started waiting on people that came after me. When I said something she looked at me and had a rude reaction. I walked away because I was about to blow up. My husband and my Cousin and I went downstairs to the broiler room it was like we walked into another world. It was 2 men deep at the bar but the bartenders were on their game. We got drinks in 3 minutes. I do not mind waiting but when you go out to spend a lot at a bar or restaurant and the workers are rude and do not even look at you is unacceptable. Due to the fact Congress Hall is so expensive the workers should be nice. I definitely do not recommend the Brown Room. Go down stairs to the boiler room you’ll get better service.
Service: 1
Rosemary M.
Hubby and I went to The Brown Room at Congress Hall on 12/28/23 for a cocktsil. We encountered the rudest bartender. It took him ten minutes to clear the dishes and another five minutes to take our order because we had to wait for him to finish complaining about his coffee other to a coworker. We are really not demanding people, so I don't lnow what we did to get his bloomers in a twist. He was slamming glasses on the bar, and he portrayed to us like we should be honored to be sitting on his presence. We did have reservations at the Blue Pig later in the day, which wr promptly cancelled. We have been visiting Cape May for years and have never encountered such obnoxious behavior. There are so many other classy establishments in Cape May who appreciate your business, so there is no need to slum it in the Brown Room at Congress Hall.
Michael Guarnieri
We only went to the Bar. We loved it. Lively, good service, nicely decorated and an overall good
Service: 5
Katie R.
This cocktail bar is BEAUTIFUL. The setting is stunning, the service is attentive and everyone who works there is knowledgable and professional. I got the seasonal Blood Orange Martini, which was good! It was a bit sweet for me to get more than one, so I got a Grey Goose Gibson & it was GREAT! Love when a cocktail bar knows how to make a good Gibson. My husband got the Bees Knees, which was a very balanced cocktail. I even liked it and I don't like gin. He also ordered the Manhattan which he said was phenomenal. We didn't order any small plates, but everything looked amazing. It was a bit pricey, but it is worth a cocktail or two before or after dinner.
Kelly G.
Best nightlife in Cape May! An elegant and initmate setting with live music, wonderful drinks and incredible service. All of the bartenders were very knowledgeable and helpful. We wish we had more time to come back for more evenings! It is an elegant setting so dressing niceley is encouraged (and may be required, but we came after a nice dinner) It gets crowded, even in the off season and there are not many tables, so be prepared to stand on the outskirts of the bar and enjoy if need be!
Ben M.
So glad this place is finally open. We've visited Congress Hall for several years and this always seemed like underutilized space. No longer! This is a great place to enjoy a seasonal cocktail and some small bites before a bigger meal. I tried one of the summer cosmos and the cured farm meats and cheeses plate. We sat at a table near the live performer and passed a few enjoyable hours.
Cocktails are very overpriced and it's nearly impossible to get your drink order in, but the atmosphere is lovely.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
David McKenzie (McKenzie Law Firm, P.C.)
Perfect extra dirty martini and old fashioned!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
McKenzie Law Firm, P.C.
Perfect extra dirty martini and old fashioned!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Kristen P
We had a wonderful weekend at the Congress Hall hotel. Opted for an ocean view room which overlooked the great lawn. We loved being able to hear the music outside in the evenings and sat on our patio enjoying it. The service was top notch in the hotel and at the beach. They make everything easy for their guests.
Experience60988
Full disclosure I didn’t stay at Congress Hall but the cancellation policy is ridiculous. They will not waive on the $100 fee to cancel and this is for all there resorts. I booked a room here a few days ago (it’s July) for a Christmas stay for my moms milestone birthday. They sell out in like October for this time. My family like 15 of them decide they want to come but Congress hall at $700 a night is not in the budget for them. We are all planning to come to the festivities at Congress Hall breakfast, lunch etc: So I cancelled and asked for a waiver of the $100 admin fee and they said no. I asked for a coupon and they said no clearly in the fine print. Ridiculous it’s 6 months in advance and they still need to charge us $100 to hit the delete button. Will not be staying with them. Gladly staying somewhere else and will try to avoid it at all costs. Don’t make a reservation unless you are prepared to immediately throw your money away.
The Brown Room at Congress Hall is the best "upscale" bar in all of Cape May. Complete with live quiet music, great ambience, decent draft beer selection, excellent spirits and cocktails.
Service: 5
The Brown Room was an absolute terrible and over-rated cocktail experience. The male bartender had a huge attitude and seemed to not really want to serve my boyfriend and I. He notably made eye contact several times and ignored us. After finally acknowledging us, he then made an absolutely undrinkable cocktail, gave it one shake (this is not an exaggeration) and served it to us. We normally do not complain but this was one of THE worst drinks we’ve ever had. For the prices of the drinks, I think it is reasonable to expect a nice cocktail. He seemed to be uninterested in the product that he put forth and seemed annoyed when we said we could not drink it. It was literally all sour mix! We were there on March 16th, 2024.Food & drinks: If you’re looking for a good cocktail… this is NOT THE PLACE! This place and its bartender seem to just ride off the reputation (which has declined significantly). Bartender was rude, had an attitude and made us a terrible drink. There are so many other places to go for better drinks in cape may… And places that actually care about you as a customer. I don’t even think this will phase the management there. After all, you’re just another visitor and there will be more. We NEVER leave negative reviews but this experience was so off putting that we felt compelled to share with others.
Service: 1
Fletcher was a great bartender & made the experience that much better.
Service: 5
We went to the Brown Room Saturday December 23rd after having Dinner at the Blue Pig. I stood at the bar for 20 mins there were 2 bartenders working neither one would even look at me. I’m pretty tall 5 foot 10 so it’s not like they can’t see me. The older Woman bartender was extremely rude, she started waiting on people that came after me. When I said something she looked at me and had a rude reaction. I walked away because I was about to blow up. My husband and my Cousin and I went downstairs to the broiler room it was like we walked into another world. It was 2 men deep at the bar but the bartenders were on their game. We got drinks in 3 minutes. I do not mind waiting but when you go out to spend a lot at a bar or restaurant and the workers are rude and do not even look at you is unacceptable. Due to the fact Congress Hall is so expensive the workers should be nice. I definitely do not recommend the Brown Room. Go down stairs to the boiler room you’ll get better service.
Service: 1
Hubby and I went to The Brown Room at Congress Hall on 12/28/23 for a cocktsil. We encountered the rudest bartender. It took him ten minutes to clear the dishes and another five minutes to take our order because we had to wait for him to finish complaining about his coffee other to a coworker. We are really not demanding people, so I don't lnow what we did to get his bloomers in a twist. He was slamming glasses on the bar, and he portrayed to us like we should be honored to be sitting on his presence. We did have reservations at the Blue Pig later in the day, which wr promptly cancelled. We have been visiting Cape May for years and have never encountered such obnoxious behavior. There are so many other classy establishments in Cape May who appreciate your business, so there is no need to slum it in the Brown Room at Congress Hall.
We only went to the Bar. We loved it. Lively, good service, nicely decorated and an overall good
Service: 5
This cocktail bar is BEAUTIFUL. The setting is stunning, the service is attentive and everyone who works there is knowledgable and professional. I got the seasonal Blood Orange Martini, which was good! It was a bit sweet for me to get more than one, so I got a Grey Goose Gibson & it was GREAT! Love when a cocktail bar knows how to make a good Gibson. My husband got the Bees Knees, which was a very balanced cocktail. I even liked it and I don't like gin. He also ordered the Manhattan which he said was phenomenal. We didn't order any small plates, but everything looked amazing. It was a bit pricey, but it is worth a cocktail or two before or after dinner.
Best nightlife in Cape May! An elegant and initmate setting with live music, wonderful drinks and incredible service. All of the bartenders were very knowledgeable and helpful. We wish we had more time to come back for more evenings! It is an elegant setting so dressing niceley is encouraged (and may be required, but we came after a nice dinner) It gets crowded, even in the off season and there are not many tables, so be prepared to stand on the outskirts of the bar and enjoy if need be!
So glad this place is finally open. We've visited Congress Hall for several years and this always seemed like underutilized space. No longer! This is a great place to enjoy a seasonal cocktail and some small bites before a bigger meal. I tried one of the summer cosmos and the cured farm meats and cheeses plate. We sat at a table near the live performer and passed a few enjoyable hours.
Classy place to enjoy an evening cocktail.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Cocktails are very overpriced and it's nearly impossible to get your drink order in, but the atmosphere is lovely.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
Perfect extra dirty martini and old fashioned!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Perfect extra dirty martini and old fashioned!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
We had a wonderful weekend at the Congress Hall hotel. Opted for an ocean view room which overlooked the great lawn. We loved being able to hear the music outside in the evenings and sat on our patio enjoying it. The service was top notch in the hotel and at the beach. They make everything easy for their guests.
Full disclosure I didn’t stay at Congress Hall but the cancellation policy is ridiculous. They will not waive on the $100 fee to cancel and this is for all there resorts. I booked a room here a few days ago (it’s July) for a Christmas stay for my moms milestone birthday. They sell out in like October for this time. My family like 15 of them decide they want to come but Congress hall at $700 a night is not in the budget for them. We are all planning to come to the festivities at Congress Hall breakfast, lunch etc: So I cancelled and asked for a waiver of the $100 admin fee and they said no. I asked for a coupon and they said no clearly in the fine print. Ridiculous it’s 6 months in advance and they still need to charge us $100 to hit the delete button. Will not be staying with them. Gladly staying somewhere else and will try to avoid it at all costs. Don’t make a reservation unless you are prepared to immediately throw your money away.