Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 11/09/2025
(NEWARK, NJ) -- While the city across the river may never sleep, Newark, New Jersey remains the city to never sleep on. After decades of dynamic growth in Downtown Newark, a group of majority/minority Newark-based investors are bringing the Newark Culture Club to the Brick City.
"In the last decade, there's been a lot of exciting progress in Newark on so many fronts,” said Justin Williams, managing member of the investment group backing this venture. “As a group of friends who share a love for our city, we're happy to play a part in expanding the downtown nightlife and entertainment options."
Located at 563 Broad Street/Mayor Kenneth Gibson BLVD, the live entertainment and craft cocktail venue adds a 2,000 sq ft live entertainment hub to an area which has undergone a recent revival over the past 20 years.
Decorated with art from an everchanging group of Newark-based artists, Newark Culture Club will feature local entertainment and local and/or Black-owned and eco-friendly products for their rotating menu of libations.
Patrons of the intimate 80-seat venue can sip from a selection of $14 craft cocktails made with spirits from Newark’s award-winning All Points West Distillery, craft beers from Newark Local Beer, Pallet Brewery, and Montclair Brewery. Newark Culture Club will also feature award-winning Black-owned wines by South Africa’s Kumusha and New Jersey’s LoveLee.
Open six days a week with late-night hours (until 2:00am) Thursday-Saturday, Newark Culture Club will host:
* The Brick City Comedy Revue: Newark’s most popular comedy showcase for over a decade.
* Harmonica Does Bingo!: Drag host Harmonica Sunbeam presents her fun game night fit for making new friends.
* Weeding Out The Stoned: Alex Grubard’s nationally-touring comedic game show of sobriety tests.
* Ha! or Nah!: A Joke Lab!: Actress and comedian Lauren LoGiudice hosts a night of heartwarming absurdity as they bring you their joke experiments in the most exciting new joke show from NYC... that's also a Time Out New York pick!.
* New Talent Open Mic: Joe Markz hosts this showcase of the best up-and-coming comedians, musicians, and spoken word artists.
* Live Music: Every Saturday at 7:00pm will feature extended sets from Newark’s best musicians, including Janétza Miranda, Josué Simon, Sophia’s Daughter, and Chaancé Barnes.
* Headline DJ Sets: Late on weekends, a roster of resident DJs including DJ Brighter Daze, Gonzalo Silva, Dana J, DJ Sienna Chanel, TheCainMarko, and The IZM will be spinning Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, House, Disco, and Jersey Club.
* … and more.
In addition to highlighting the talent of Newark, the investor group wants to ensure that the Newark Culture Club offers economic benefits to the community they lovingly call home.
“When it comes to staffing, Newark residents will be given hiring priority,” said Williams, noting that with the support of The Audible Business Attraction Program’s Live Local and Shop Local incentives, the club will pay higher wages than other comparable jobs in New Jersey. “We are also using Newark-based and minority-owned firms for the completion of the project,” he added.
For a current menu of craft cocktails, local beer, a curated wine list and event calendar with ticket information, visit NewarkCultureClub.com or follow the establishment on social media at Facebook.com/NewarkCultureClub-NJ and @NewarkCultureClub on Instagram.
EVENT PREVIEWS
37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival to Take Place June 27-28, 2026
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Manayunk Development Corporation is excited to celebrate the 37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 11:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The tradition of being the tri-state area's largest outdoor juried art festival - and the largest in Pennsylvania - will continue as Main Street hosts approximately 300 different local and nationally known artists and crafters.
Carteret's Independence Day Festival to feature country star Walker Hayes
(CARTERET, NJ) -- One of New Jersey's most popular Independence Day Festivals will take place in Carteret's Civic Center Park (100 Cooke Avenue) from 6:00pm to midnight on Friday, July 3, 2026 in celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Bergen County presents 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular
(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen 250 Initiative are excited to announce that Bergen County's 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular will return July 4, 2026 at Overpeck County Park. All are invited to attend this patriotic afternoon of family fun which will include live music, children's activities, over 20 food trucks, a beer and wine garden, carnival attractions, and stunning fireworks to conclude the evening over Overpeck Creek.
Washington Crossing Historic Park Launches Community-Wide Call to Support Expanded Independence Day Celebration in America's 250th Anniversary Year
(WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA) -- Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) in Pennsylvania plans to host an expanded Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 4:00pm to 9:30pm featuring immersive living history experiences, family-friendly activities, live music, and the return of fireworks over the Delaware River. Designed as a community-wide celebration of America250, the event is intended to create a meaningful space for residents and visitors to commemorate this historic milestone year. Please note: Admission is required; registration is recommended only for the 4:00pm ‐ 8:00pm Living History Program. The evening concert and fireworks are free and open to the public; no registration is required to attend those portions of the event.
Passage Theatre Company presents 3rd Annual Word on Front festival
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Passage Theatre Company's third annual Word on Front event is set to be its biggest yet. In celebration of the United States of America's 250th Anniversary, the company is presenting Word on Front 250, three consecutive weekends of a variety of live arts from June 26 to July 12, 2026. This festival of spoken word, music, and solo performance will celebrate the untold and underrepresented stories of America.
Centenary Stage Company Announces Lineup for SUMMERFEST 2026
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's SUMMERFEST 2026 is set to take center stage in the Lackland Performing Arts Center with four productions running through the summer months. SUMMERFEST will feature, A Taste of Ireland presented by Pace Live, The Wedding Singer, Four Sticks: The Music of Led Zeppelin, and Maltby & Shire's Closer Than Ever.
Hallmark Stars Take the Stage at The Carteret PAC on July 22nd during First-Time Multi-City Tour Experience Hallmark Stars Live
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Hallmark and Gershwin Entertainment are proud to announce Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, a new live tour kicking off at URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7:30pm where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling.
Hallmark Stars Live comes to MPAC on July 26th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, is a new live tour kicking off this summer where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling. The tour comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
