1. It was Cape May’s first post-Prohibition cocktail bar.
In June of 1934, Congress Hall unveiled Cape May’s first legal cocktail bar since 1920, in exactly the same space as The Brown Room occupies today.
2. Because who else can pull off that wallpaper?
Featuring custom wallcovering from Schumacher, The Brown Room is cozy AND exotic. And that’s a hard one to pull off!
3. The bartenders are from a bygone era.
The bartenders are friendly and efficient in equal measure. And their crisp white jackets evoke 1920s Manhattan, which is a good thing.
4. You don’t have to leave your comfy chair.
And why should you? Leave it to our unobtrusive but ever-observant cocktail servers to take care of your order while you converse and relax.
5. You can always make a new friend at the bar.
It’s true—there’s something about our gorgeous circular bar that makes people start up conversations with their neighbors. And we love that.
6. Incredible entertainment to match the atmosphere.
Want to sit back and enjoy the music? Perfect. You want to continue to chat with your group? That’s great, too. Our music sets the vibe.
Related Stories
The Summer White House
In the days before presidential motorcades and private jets, four commanders-in-chief made their way to Cape May—finding rest and renewal at Congress Hall.
Three Generations
For one local family, Cape Resorts is more than a workplace—it's woven into their story. Spanning multiple generations, their journey is one of commitment, leadership, and success.
Dishes and Holloware
When Congress Hall was renovated in 2001, an excavation of the foundation produced a true find: a box that dated back to the late 19th century.
The Key to Hospitality
In 2010, on the corner of Broadway and Perry Street, a contractor who'd been widening Cape May's drainage system spotted a key inscribed with the initials A.K.
Makers of Merry
It began as a conversation over cups of hot chocolate in the lobby of Congress Hall during the 2010 Christmas tree-lighting ceremony...
The History of Congress Hall
For more than two centuries, Congress Hall has offered hospitality to locals and visitors alike. It began life in 1816 as a simple boarding house...