Ocean City Drone Show, Squares and Fare Pizza & The Roost Review: South Jersey Summer Adventures

It has been a busy week around South Jersey!

One of the highlights was finally checking out the new Ocean City, NJ Drone Show with our friends from Belize. If you love travel blogs, definitely check out their adventures at Real Life Recess, and if you're ever planning a trip to Belize, their gorgeous Driftwood Gardens Guesthouse is still living rent-free in my head. Seriously... I think about that place almost every day.

Ocean City, NJ Drone Show Review

The new Ocean City drone show takes place over the boardwalk in between the Music Pier and the old Wonderland Pier, and it was honestly a really cool experience. Hundreds of synchronized drones light up the night sky to create colorful shapes and animations that are surprisingly impressive.

If you've never been to a drone show before, I'd definitely recommend adding it to your South Jersey summer bucket list.

My only hope is that they rotate the designs throughout the season. Seeing new themes every few weeks would give people a reason to come back again and again.

Now... let's talk about the crowd.

Parking was an absolute nightmare, and the boardwalk was shoulder-to-shoulder with people. But honestly? That's just July in Ocean City. If you're planning to go, arrive early, expect to walk, and pack a little patience. It's worth it to see , at least once, before the summer is over .

Finally Trying Squares and Fare in Somers Point

Another first for me this week was finally making it to Squares and Fare in Somers Point.

If you've lived in South Jersey for a while, you probably remember when getting one of their pizzas felt like winning the lottery.

Back then, you had to join a Facebook group and hope, pray, really, that you'd score one of the limited pizza appointments. It was complete chaos, and somehow I never managed to get lucky.

Thankfully, those days are over. A couple of years ago, Squares and Fare opened their brick-and-mortar location in Somers Point, making it much easier to finally see what all the hype was about.

We ordered four slices to eat there and brought home a traditional pie for later.

So... was it worth the years of anticipation? Yes... and no.

Before the pizza fans come for me, hear me out. The pizza was really good. It's thick, fluffy, incredibly flavorful, and obviously made with care.

But… I'm a thin-and-crispy pizza girl through and through.

If you love Detroit-style pizza with a soft, airy crust, you'll probably be obsessed. If you're like me and usually gravitate toward a crisp, foldable slice, you might enjoy it without putting it at the very top of your list.

Would we go back? Absolutely.

Would I wait a month for an appointment like the old days? Probably not.

Luckily, South Jersey has no shortage of incredible pizza spots, so there's plenty of delicious competition.

If you're curious about everything we ordered, you can also read about our visit in Shore Local Newsmagazine!

The Roost in Egg Harbor Twp

A few days later, we made our way to The Roost at Harbor Pines in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, and this is where the real review begins.

Getting there is part of the adventure. You'll wind your way through the beautiful Harbor Pines neighborhood before arriving at the golf course, driving range, pro shop, and finally The Roost, located inside the Harbor Pines clubhouse.

Parking is plentiful, but keep in mind that this is a popular golf course. If you visit during peak golfing hours, you may have to circle for a spot. Once you're parked, just follow the large signs pointing toward The Roost.

Fair warning, though; you might accidentally get sidetracked in the pro shop. It has just about every golf accessory you could imagine, and I may or may not have spent a little too much time eyeing the clearance section. But we had a mission, and that mission was mocktails!

More Than Just a Golf Course Restaurant

If you've ever followed The Roost on social media, you already know this place is constantly hosting something fun.

Live music? Check.

Tribute bands? Yep.

Trivia nights? Of course.

Bingo? Absolutely.

Golf tournaments, seasonal celebrations, community events... if there's an excuse to throw a party, they're doing it.

And honestly? We love that.

I've also attended private events in the connected Harbor Pines banquet room, so I already knew the kitchen could deliver. The food has always been excellent, and I'd heard great things about their bar program, so my expectations were already pretty high.

Walking inside, you're greeted by a bright, modern dining room with an energetic atmosphere. The bar was packed, conversations were flowing, and everyone looked like they were genuinely having a great time. It felt welcoming. The kind of place where you instantly understand why people keep coming back.

Cue the Angel Choir... They Have a Mocktail Menu!

You guys. There is an actual mocktail menu. Cue the heavenly music.

Not only that, but they also offer several non-alcoholic beers and alcohol-free spirits, which instantly earns bonus points from your favorite Sober Party Girl.

Naturally, I had to sample a few. When in Rome...

Clean Mule

Starting off strong!

The Clean Mule is made with Clean V, ginger beer, and fresh lime. It has all the refreshing zing you'd expect from a classic mule without setting your throat on fire. The ginger has a pleasant kick, but it stays balanced and easy to drink.

This was easily my favorite of the three.

Sunset Spritz

Next came the Sunset Spritz, featuring non-alcoholic Aperol and Mionetto.

This one completely confused me. It somehow tasted like it had a lot of flavor... and no flavor... at the exact same time.

I genuinely appreciate restaurants offering sophisticated spirit-free cocktails, but this one just wasn't for me. If you're someone who enjoys the bitter, herbal profile of a traditional Aperol Spritz, you'll probably appreciate it much more than I did.

Spicy Paloma

Last up was the Spicy Paloma, made with Clean T, grapefruit juice, and fresh jalapeño slices.

And let me tell you… She came to fight.

The jalapeño definitely took center stage. Personally, I wish the grapefruit had been a little bolder to balance out the heat, but if you're a spice lover, this may be right up your alley.

My Mocktail Verdict

The Roost leans toward creating alcohol-free versions of classic cocktails rather than sweet, fruit-forward mocktails.

That's not a bad thing; it just depends on what you're looking for.

If your goal is to enjoy the experience and flavor profile of traditional cocktails without the alcohol, you'll probably love these.

If you're like me and tend to gravitate toward creative, refreshing mocktails that don't try to imitate liquor, your mileage may vary.

The Clean Mule was absolutely my winner, while the other two had a bitterness that reminded me just a little too much of medicine.

Still… Any restaurant that puts real effort into a dedicated mocktail menu gets applause from me.

The Food

Chicken Soup

We started with a comforting bowl of chicken soup that was exactly what you'd hope for: warm, flavorful, and the perfect way to kick off the meal.

Crab Cake Sandwich

This.

Was.

Legendary!

The crab cake was packed almost entirely with crab meat. No unnecessary filler, no thick breading, just sweet, fresh crab held together perfectly.

Served simply with lettuce, tomato, and onion, it let the quality of the seafood shine. Sometimes simple really is best.

The Roost Burger

Of course, Joe ordered the biggest burger on the menu.

I swear it's in his contract.

The Roost Burger arrived stacked high with melted cheese, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and a giant onion ring balancing proudly on top.

His side of sweet potato fries disappeared almost immediately. You could tell they had just come out of the fryer because they were perfectly crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. I definitely stole more than one.

Building a Community, Not Just Serving Food

One of my favorite parts of visiting The Roost was getting the chance to chat with the General Manager, Ara Daglian.

Everyone we met was incredibly friendly and attentive, and it quickly became clear that they're trying to create something bigger than just another restaurant attached to a golf course.

Ara explained that the goal is for The Roost to become everyone's clubhouse.

Whether you're a golfer, a local family, or just looking for a fun night out in Egg Harbor Township, they want people to feel welcome.

That philosophy shows in their event calendar.

From Christmas in July celebrations with live music, kids' crafts, cookies and cocoa station, toy drives, and ugly T-shirt contests to Sip & Paint nights, trivia, bingo, and community gatherings, there's almost always something happening.

The adjoining Harbor Pines banquet facility is equally impressive, hosting everything from weddings and showers to corporate events beneath beautiful chandeliers and beside a cozy fireplace.

Simply put, there's always a reason to stop by The Roost.

And yes… The mocktails definitely help.

Final Thoughts

By the time we finished dinner, packed up our cheesesteak egg rolls to enjoy later, and walked toward the parking lot, Joe had already stopped to admire the beautifully maintained golf course.

He stood there watching golfers finish their evening rounds with that unmistakable look in his eyes. I knew exactly what he was thinking.

We'll be back. Probably sooner than later.

Until next time,

The Sober Party Girl

⭐ Final Sober Party Girl Score: 8/10

🍹 The Roost at Harbor Pines (Egg Harbor Township) – 

✅ Pros

🌟 Dedicated Mocktail Menu – Bonus points every time a restaurant gives non-drinkers more than soda and lemonade!

🍔 Excellent Food – The crab cake sandwich was packed with crab (no filler!), and the burger and sweet potato fries were both delicious.

🎉 Always Something Happening – Live music, trivia, bingo, tribute bands, holiday parties, Sip & Paint nights, golf events—you'll never be bored.

🏌️ Beautiful Setting – Nestled inside Harbor Pines Golf Club with scenic views of the course.

😊 Friendly Staff – Everyone from the hostess to the management team was welcoming and genuinely passionate about creating a community atmosphere.

🍺 Alcohol-Free Options – In addition to mocktails, they offer non-alcoholic beers and spirit alternatives.

🎊 Great Community Vibe – It truly feels like they're building a neighborhood clubhouse that's open to everyone, not just golfers.

💍 Event & Banquet Space – A gorgeous venue for weddings, showers, corporate events, and celebrations.

🚗 Plenty of Parking – There are lots of spaces available, especially if you avoid peak golf hours.

❌ Cons

🅿️ Parking Can Fill Up – Golfers keep the lot busy during peak times, so arriving early is a smart move.

🌶️ Mocktails Lean Bitter – If you prefer fruity, creative mocktails, some of the spirit-forward options may not be your favorite.

🛺 A Little Hidden – First-time visitors may wonder if they're driving into the wrong neighborhood before finding the clubhouse.

⛳ Golf Traffic – Expect a busier atmosphere during tournaments and popular tee times.

💸 Premium Dining Prices – The quality is there, but this isn't your budget burger joint.