From Steamers to Signature Seafood: How DP’s Pub Became a Garfield Institution—and Why It Still Feels Like Home

On a stretch of River Drive in Garfield, there is a corner that has quietly served as a gathering place for generations. Long before craft cocktails, social media check-ins, and curated bar menus became part of the landscape, locals were already finding their way through the doors at 732 River Drive for a good meal, a familiar face behind the bar, and the kind of easy conversation that defines a true neighborhood pub.

Today, DP’s Pub stands as one of Garfield’s longest-running and most deeply rooted establishments, a place that has earned its reputation over more than half a century not by chasing trends, but by staying relentlessly loyal to what matters most in a community bar: consistency, quality food, and genuine hospitality.

For residents and visitors looking to explore authentic neighborhood hangouts across the state, DP’s remains a standout among New Jersey’s most welcoming local bars, representing exactly what a hometown pub should feel like.

Walking into DP’s, the first impression is not polish or pretense—it is comfort. The room carries the familiar hum of conversation, televisions quietly tracking the day’s games, regulars greeting staff by name, and new guests quickly feeling as though they have stumbled into a place where no one stays a stranger for long. It is equally suited for a casual lunch, a relaxed dinner, or an unplanned stop to unwind after work with friends.

That atmosphere has been carefully protected across multiple generations of ownership, even as the surrounding town has evolved. DP’s does not attempt to reinvent itself every few years. Instead, it continues to refine what it already does exceptionally well.

Food is at the heart of that identity.

While many neighborhood pubs rely heavily on frozen or pre-packaged fare, DP’s has built its name on freshness and local sourcing long before those ideas became marketing buzzwords. The kitchen prioritizes quality ingredients and regional suppliers whenever possible, allowing the menu to remain both approachable and surprisingly elevated for a traditional pub setting.

Seafood remains the defining signature of the house, and it is not by accident. Much of the fresh catch served at DP’s comes from Peter’s Fish Market, a trusted regional supplier known for consistency and quality. From classic pub seafood staples to rotating seasonal specials, the kitchen has created a reputation that draws diners well beyond Garfield’s borders.

The same philosophy extends to the rest of the menu. Poultry is sourced from a nearby local farm, reinforcing the pub’s longstanding commitment to supporting regional producers. Steaks and burgers are selected for quality rather than price point, allowing the kitchen to deliver comfort food that feels thoughtfully prepared rather than mass-produced.

It is this balance—approachable pricing paired with ingredients that meet higher standards—that has helped DP’s remain relevant across decades of shifting dining trends.

The building itself carries a history that mirrors Garfield’s own evolution.

Uncovering the full tavern lineage of the property is not simple, but with help from the Garfield Historical Society, a clearer picture has emerged. The site has reportedly functioned as a tavern or public gathering place as far back as the 1800s, though more verifiable records begin to appear in the early twentieth century.

By the 1930s, the location was operating under the name Steve’s Bar, serving as a familiar local stop during a period when neighborhood taverns played a central role in community life. In the 1960s, ownership passed to Nelson Kelly, who ran the establishment as Kelly’s Tavern, further cementing the site as a consistent fixture in Garfield’s social fabric.

The transformation into what residents now recognize as DP’s began in the early 1970s, when a man named Anthony purchased the bar with help from friends Dominic and Pete. Together, they renamed the business DP’s Pub, a name that would soon become synonymous with reliable food, welcoming service, and a strong neighborhood following.

Not long afterward, a new chapter began when a man named Dave came across a small newspaper listing that simply read, “DP’s for sale.” He took the leap, purchased the pub, and unknowingly laid the foundation for what many longtime patrons still consider the golden era of DP’s rise.

Dave preserved an old tradition that would become one of the bar’s defining features—steamer nights. Twice a week, locals packed in for fresh steamers, and word spread quickly. The growing popularity of those seafood nights revealed something important: the neighborhood wanted more than basic bar food.

Rather than expanding with shortcuts, Dave doubled down on quality.

He began making frequent trips to the Fulton Fish Market in New York City, often several times a week, personally sourcing fresh seafood to bring back to Garfield. Over time, seafood became not just a specialty, but a cornerstone of the pub’s identity. As the menu expanded and the kitchen grew more confident, DP’s quietly developed a reputation that reached well beyond the surrounding blocks.

At the same time, Dave assembled a staff that would become just as recognizable as the menu. Servers, bartenders, and kitchen employees formed relationships with customers that extended beyond transactions. For many locals, DP’s became a place where milestones were celebrated, friendships were built, and routines were formed.

In the mid-2000s, Dave passed the torch to two longtime employees, later transitioning to a single owner who had already spent years inside the operation. That continuity mattered. The new leadership preserved the culture, recipes, and rhythms that regulars valued, allowing DP’s to move forward without losing its soul.

The most recent chapter began in 2019, when former patron Don Warnet, along with his wife Rosa and stepson Anthony, purchased DP’s with a clear and simple promise: continue serving fresh, high-quality food at prices that remain accessible to the community.

Unlike many new owners who arrive with sweeping renovation plans or dramatic concept changes, the Warnet family focused instead on stewardship. They preserved the menu’s core identity, maintained relationships with trusted suppliers, and reinforced the personal, guest-first service that had defined DP’s for decades.

That philosophy proved especially meaningful in the years that followed, as the hospitality industry faced unprecedented challenges. DP’s survived not because it reinvented itself, but because it already had what many establishments were scrambling to create—deep community loyalty, a reputation for fairness, and a genuine connection to its customers.

Today, DP’s continues to operate as a true neighborhood anchor. The lunch crowd blends construction workers, office employees, retirees, and students. Evenings bring families, longtime regulars, and newcomers who heard about the seafood or followed a recommendation from a friend. Weekend nights fill with laughter, familiar faces, and the easy rhythm of a bar that knows exactly who it serves.

In a dining landscape increasingly dominated by chains and fleeting concepts, DP’s Pub remains refreshingly grounded. Its history stretches back through multiple owners, multiple generations, and nearly a century of tavern culture on the same corner. Yet what makes it special is not nostalgia alone. It is the ongoing commitment to fresh food, local partnerships, and a welcoming environment that still feels effortless.

For Garfield, DP’s is more than a place to eat or drink. It is a living piece of the town’s history—one plate of seafood, one handshake at the bar, and one familiar conversation at a time.