In my early 20s I was like many people my age: I loved to go out after work, have a few beers and relax with friends. When you’re that young, you don’t always have a loyalty to one establishment. I was no exception. Around my 23rd birthday, I began playing soccer for a men’s team. I knew many of the players from playing against them over the years, whether in high school or college. We would play twice a week and, after the games, head to our sponsor bar, Jug Handle Inn. This now became my go-to bar.

Jug Handle Inn is located in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. It is by definition a dive bar, so much so, it’s not uncommon to see chickens and roosters walking around the parking lot or sitting in trees (who knew they sat in trees?). The inn is more than 100 years old. Jon and Betty Hirshman were the original owners. The inn is situated right next to Pennsauken Creek. Over the years an additional structure was built on top of the original house. The bar today features two floors, with the lower level offering a pool table, two dartboards and a shuffleboard table. During Prohibition the inn was a speakeasy that had illegal rum brought in at night from the creek below. The “Jug,” as it’s known locally, has only had four owners during its existence. The beer is always cold, and it’s still served in a pitcher, whatever they have on tap. As good as the beer is, the food is better.

Recently, my wife and I went to the Jug for dinner. The Jug will always hold a special place in our hearts as it was one of the first places we got to know each other before we even started dating more than 30 years ago. We found a high-top table (open seating) and were quickly approached by our waitress, Serena. We ordered a pitcher of beer and continued to look at the menu. While I was looking, it struck me that the place literally hasn’t changed in at least 30 years. The same layout, the same bar, the same tables, the same signs on the wall — everything was the same.

The Jug is known for its buffalo wings.

Legend has it Bob Bacon, a manager at the bar, brought the recipe for the wing sauce from Buffalo, New York. The ingredients have been so secret the owners of the bar mix large batches at home and bring it to the bar so as not to have the recipe stolen. I’m not sure how accurate the story is, but many of the bartenders have repeated the story over the years. When you go, you have to order the wings.

My wife and I ordered some wings, nachos and fried cheese balls (my favorite). It didn’t take long for the food to come out. The savory smell from the wings was unquestionable; it hasn’t changed in 30 years. As we ate, we reminisced about old times and friends with whom we spent time at the Jug over the years. Everything was delicious. We got our bill, and as I suspected, it was lower than what most other bars would have charged for the same order. We happily paid and were getting ready to leave when we saw a sign listing the Jug Handle Laws. This sign has been up for more years than I can remember, but I love reading it as it makes me laugh. Here’s what the sign says. 

Jug Handle Laws

1. You’re Home When You’re Here…
2. The restaurant is run for the enjoyment & pleasure of our guests, not the convenience of the staff or management.
3. Beef is tasty because it contains fat. If you want lean corned beef … order turkey.
4. We wait until your mouth is full to ask if you’re enjoying the meal. Nods, grins, and thumbs-up signals are all acceptable ways of letting us know.This is a bad place for a diet, but if you insist on being in better shape than we are? Just let us know and we’ll fix you up something.
5. Our portions are excessive because nothing succeeds like excess. If you can’t eat it all, we’ll be glad to wrap it up for you.
6. At THE JUG, we’re serious about food… But not much else. Relax and have a good time!
7. Prices are not negotiable! Half-priced wings during happy hour are for EAT IN ONLY! DON’T order 20 so you can take 10 home, SORRY!
8. “ALWAYS DO SOBER WHAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO DRUNK. THAT WILL TEACH YOU TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.” – ERNEST HEMINGWAY
9. PLEASE DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!!! IT’S THE ONLY OTHER THING WE TAKE SERIOUSLY AT THE JUG HANDLE INN!!!

I have passed on my love for this place to my two full-grown kids. My son texted my wife while we were at the Jug (not knowing we were there) that he and some friends had heard about a promotion the Jug was offering online: Buy a $25 gift card and get an additional $25 gift card for free. The tradition continues.

— Sean Olin, director of sales