South Jersey's Sober Party Girl

Sometimes chains just hit . Don’t you dare roll your eyes at endless soup, salad, and breadsticks. When you need bottomless bowls, warm garlic-butter breadsticks, and a bill that doesn’t make you gasp, Olive Garden shows up like a cozy, carb-loving hero. With Snow-maggedon looming, I was fully in “buy soup by the gallon and hibernate” mode. Truly, name another place where you can get a full meal under $15 and soup so good you want to take it home in bulk. I’ll wait… and also gladly take your recs. But the real plot twist of this visit? ✨ A handcrafted mocktail menu . ✨ Yes, Olive Garden has entered its sober-curious era, and I am here for it. The Mocktails Desert Pear Limonata Tart, bright, and bubbly with a bold pear flavor that isn’t cloying. Lightly sweet, super refreshing, and a stunning purple color you rarely see in a glass. No garnish (rude), but the flavor made up for it. I could have easily had five… or ten. Strawberry Passion Fruit Sweeter and more juice-forward, with bubb...

Everyone knows Ocean City, NJ is a dry town. No bars, no alcohol—just waves, seagulls, and that iconic loudspeaker proudly declaring it “America’s Greatest Family Resort.” (You can practically hear it echoing in your head right now, can’t you?) You’d think by now someone would have opened a chic little mocktail lounge to fill the void. Sure, smoothie bars and those smoky, dry-ice drinks the kids love are fun… but sometimes a girl wants something that feels a little more grown-up. Luckily, it only takes a short drive over the 34th Street bridge to find your fix. Just minutes away sits Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern. After more than 40 years, the McIntyre family sold the spot in 2022 to Tim Fox, who many locals know from the Deauville Inn in Strathmere. His first move? A full glow-up. The once-old-school bar is now a lively tavern with Philly sports energy, walls of memorabilia, and massive light-up letters declaring: FLY EAGLES FLY. Honestly? Instant vibe. My husband Joe has been dreamin...

Atlantic City gets mixed reviews, but I’ve always thought it’s truly a playground for grown-ups. World-class restaurants, an eclectic boardwalk full of the usual souvenirs plus things you can’t find anywhere else, and nonstop entertainment. The tricky part? When you’re with a group, everyone wants something different. One person wants a show, another wants karaoke, someone else is craving a brewery. Our crew was leaning toward the brewery route… until someone remembered: Atlantic City has a distillery. And even better, they were hosting trivia that night. Decision made. Off to trivia we went. Enter Little Water Distillery, tucked on the corner of Lexington and Baltic Ave. It’s one of those places you might miss if you’re not looking for it, but once you walk in, you’re greeted with a cool warehouse vibe, plenty of tables, and a warm, welcoming bar. Opened in March of 2017, they serve cocktails, flights, martinis, and sell their own spirits by the bottle. No full food menu, but there ar...

  Happy New Year, dear Partiers — hello, 2026! I’m predicting a year filled with great company, festive vibes, and plenty of mocktails. To kick things off, before we rang in the new year, a visit to the newly renovated A Touch of Italy —and wow, does it look different than I remember. If you’re unfamiliar with the backstory, A Touch of Italy suffered a significant fire in April 2023 and officially reopened in early December. The transformation is impressive. The space now feels clean, modern, and refreshed, with a stunning floor-to-ceiling wine wall dividing the bar from the dining room. Add in thoughtfully placed holiday décor, and the whole place gives off a polished, sophisticated vibe without losing its warmth. This family-owned restaurant has been serving Italian cuisine to the community for over 40 years, proudly stating that every dish is made to order using carefully selected ingredients. So yes—expectations were high. Drinks First (Always 🍹) Once seated, my husband Joe an...