Back in February 2022, Porta opened up in Montclair — making it the bar + restaurant’s third location in New Jersey in addition to Jersey City and Asbury Park (FYI: check out @thejerseyshoregirl_ on Instagram). Located at 499 Bloomfield Avenue, the Montclair location of this bar and restaurant is in the former Social Club Space. In July 2023, it was announced that Porta received the green light on a new project — a second-floor outdoor deck for outdoor dining. The new outdoor space has now been open for Montclair locals for almost a month now — and we recently stopped by to check it out. Read on for more about the new rooftop space at this MTC locale, and what we love about Porta.
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The New Outdoor Space
Montclair locals now have another rooftop space to enjoy food and drinks at. Baristanet (now a part of Montclair Local) reported in July 2023 that the township of Montclair’s planning board approved Porta’s application for a 1,106-square-foot second-floor deck in the rear of the building. Per the application, the space would be about 62 feet long and would seat up to 48 people at tables with removable umbrellas. The space would be accessed by two overhead garage doors at the back of Porta’s upper level, and also includes an enlarged trash enclosure, new lighting, landscaping, and re-striping the five parking spaces.
Per Porta’s Instagram, the outdoor deck is now open for locals as of this May, just in time for the summer weather. The outdoor area is adorned with flowers, and provides a little escape from the hustle and bustle of Bloomfield Avenue.
Read More: Must-Visit Rooftop + Outdoor Bars in the Montclair Area
About Porta
Porta’s motto is “Eat, drink, be honest” which rings true to locals who frequent the locations for brick oven pizza, craft cocktails, live music, rooftop views, and an overall great time. The industrial-style vintage aesthetic with raw brick walls, wines served in water glasses, and mismatched chairs are all a part of Porta’s charm.
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Our sister site The Hoboken Girl did a deep dive into Porta’s history, culture, and what makes it such a sought-after food and entertainment venue in Jersey City that opened in 2014.
“Porta means doors. Here the doors are open to everyone.” Marianne Pinaha, hospitality leader at Porta Jersey City, told the team.
The Food
Pizza, pizza, pizza — Porta’s love language. The Neapolitan flaky-crusted pizza is one of the reasons the restaurant draws crowds. “The thin, black-freckled crust juts out even when a loaded piece is lifted up. Tear open the crisp, puffy outer lip, the interior is steamy, and soft, with a complex savory flavor. Equally excellent are the toppings. Of course, one can always go with the classic Margherita, expertly prepared with bright and sweet San Marzano tomatoes and blobs of buttery mozzarella — Yiwei, contributing writer for MG, explained.
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“Our specialty ingredients are imported from Italy. The seasonal vegetables are sourced from local suppliers. The pizza doughs and fresh cheese are made in-house daily,” Marianne said. “It requires a lot of attention to detail. The pizza chef taste tests every batch of Margherita sauce to ensure consistent saltiness and acidity. The server checks the crust of every single pie before sending it out (even for pick-up) to make sure it is fired correctly.”
Porta also serves up sandwiches, pasta, and salads, among other food.
Expanding to Montclair
On November 6th, 2021 a post popped up on a new Instagram page @portamontclair, signaling the first formal announcement of Porta Montclair.
See More: Outdoor + Rooftop Bars in Hoboken + Jersey City
The space at 499 Bloomfield Avenue is where the Social Club, another restaurant, had operated for about two years. It temporarily closed in March 2020 and officially closed in November of 2020. Prior to the space becoming a restaurant, it was vacant for nearly a decade after being a go-to venue for comedy in the area. Now, Porta has reimagined the two-story space. The spot officially opened up in Montclair in February 2022.
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