Discovering Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern

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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 dreaming about Yesterday’s ever since they debuted their now-legendary (at least in our household) dry rub wings. So naturally, we went on Wing Wednesday—aka half-price wings and full-on flavor.

But first… the mocktail situation.

I scanned the menu. Cocktails. Beer. Wine. Zero mocktails. If you heard a tiny crack, that was my sober heart breaking. Our server kindly confirmed they don’t have a mocktail list, but she could make a Shirley Temple. Crisis averted.

My Shirley arrived pale pink with two cherries. The cherry flavor was subtle and the soda water taste came through, but hey—better than nothing, and those cherries always feel like a small victory.

Joe, meanwhile, wasted no time ordering the dry rub wings. I would show you a photo, but they disappeared faster than a plate of boardwalk fries on a hot July night.

We also tried two specials: tomato soup and the Creekside Tavern Burger.

The Food

Tomato Soup:
 The texture was more like a thick pizza sauce than a classic creamy soup—not bad, just unexpected. It was well-seasoned with more of an Italian herb profile than tomato basil and had a nice little kick.

Creekside Tavern Burger:
 The true star of the night. A towering double smash burger layered with melted American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion, served with crispy hot fries and a crunchy dill pickle spear. Juicy, fresh, and unapologetically classic. This is a real-deal tavern burger

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After my Shirley, I switched to water and soaked in the atmosphere. The room buzzed with laughter, clinking glasses, and the glow of multiple TVs playing different sports and playoff replays. Philly jerseys and vintage photos lined the walls, and the big central bar felt like the heart of a true locals’ hangout.

We left happy, full… and just a little mocktail-deprived. The food absolutely delivers, and the vibe is fun and lively. But if you’re coming specifically for creative non-alcoholic drinks, this might not be your spot. For now, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that Ocean City’s smoothie bars stay open late.

Until next time,
 The Sober Party Girl

Sober Party Girl Score: 6/10

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern – Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • 🍔 Outstanding Creekside Tavern Burger — juicy, cheesy, and stacked high

  • 🍗 Famous dry rub wings (especially a steal on Wing Wednesday)

  • 🏈 Fun Philly sports theme with tons of memorabilia

  • 📺 Lots of TVs showing games — great for sports fans

  • 🎉 Lively “locals’ spot” atmosphere with energy and character

  • 🚗 Super close to Ocean City — easy hop over the bridge

Cons:

  • 🍹 No real mocktail menu (sober party girls, beware)

  • 🍒 Shirley Temple was basic and lightly flavored

  • 🥤 Limited non-alcoholic drink creativity (only soda options)

  • 🍅 Tomato soup texture may surprise traditional soup lovers

  • 👶 More tavern vibe than family-friendly calm

Overall:
Great food and a fun sports-bar atmosphere, but a definite miss for anyone seeking thoughtful, creative mocktails.
Location: Marmora, Upper Township, NJ 08223, USA

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