Asbury Park

United_States

Asbury Park is a popular resort town among gay people and original live music fans at the Jersey Shore, in the state of New Jersey in the United States. It was made famous in the 1970s by musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny.

Asbury Park was founded as a Christian retreat in the 1800s by a man named James A. Bradley. It remained one of the most popular family resorts in the United States until 1970, when race riots burned down much of the downtown area.

Soon radicals, beatniks, hippies, and musicians moved in, making Asbury Park a very diverse place. In 1988, the city had about enough of its new cultures, and a plan to redevelop the entire waterfront went into affect. Most businesses were ordered to be closed, so the boardwalk, casino, hotels and amusements all closed for the redevelopment. High rise hotels and condos began construction, but were then abandoned before they could be finished, leaving the waterfront an odd mix of abandoned buildings and rotting construction.

The city declined in the 1990s, after almost all businesses failed. Crime rose, and Asbury Park had higher crime than any other town in Monmouth County.

However, in 1998, Shep Pettibone converted an abandoned Hotel into a gay nightclub, drawing thousands of gay travelers to Asbury Park. Every Friday night the city became the only place on the East Coast that could rival Fire Island! Gay couples and artists began buying cheap homes, abandoned bars and nightclubs, closed storefronts downtown, and abandoned pavilions on the boardwalk, and restoring them to they way they once were.

Today, Asbury Park is popular amongst even mainstream tourists for its shopping, beaches and restaurants. Major summertime events hosted in Asbury Park include; the Wave Gathering, the Gay Pride Parade, Garden State Film Festival, Asbury Park Jazz Festival, "Road Trip", and the Tri-City Arts Tour.

Asbury Park was recently rated #5 in the top ten beaches of NJ.

Visiting art galleries, going to the beach, shopping, dining and more can all be done on foot and are within close proximity to each other. The downtown shopping district offers antiques, beach accessories, cafes, art galleries and more. The first Saturday of the month is celebrated with local discounts, events, and other promotions.

There are a smattering of shopping and restaurants on the boardwalk as well. As of June 2009, most shops are open. There are two clubs, the Stone Pony and the club at the Empress Hotel. The renovation of the Paramount Hotel and Convention Center is complete.

Nearby Wesley Lake connects the beach to downtown. On the south side of the lake are fresh condominiums, beach houses, and bed and breakfasts. The north side is split between the commercial area of downtown, a small patch of new luxury housing, and a rougher neighborhood with several active construction sites.

The city's website lists current events, has a feed from the radio station WKTU, and accepts contributions from visitors.

Downtown

  • Belmontes, 632 Cookman Ave. Italian Cuisine.
  • Brickwall Tavern, 522 Cookman Ave. Bar food, burgers, salads and sandwiches.
  • Carmines, 162 Main St. Italian Cuisine. (relocated to Allenhurst)
  • Crust & Crumble, 658 Cookman Ave. Artisan style pizzas and great cupcakes.
  • Lola's European Cafe, 539 Cookman Ave, +1 732-807-3777. Italian style gelato ice cream, panini and coffee shop.
  • Moonstruck, 517 Lake Ave. Restaurant and cocktail lounge.
  • Old Man Rafferty’s, 531 Cookman Ave. Local chain serving burgers, sandwiches and American style food.
  • Plan B Restaurant, 705 Cookman Ave. Featuring a frequently changing menu of seafood and American style cuisine.
  • Synaxis Restaurant, 660 Cookman Avenue. Greek / Mediterranean Cuisine.
  • Taka, 632 Mattison Ave. Fine Japanese contemporary cuisine.

At The Boardwalk

  • Biggies Clam Bar - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Fresh and friend clams, fries, salads and beach fare.
  • The Baker Boys - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Cupcakes and baked goods.
  • Ketchup Grill, 101 Asbury Ave. Housed inside the Empress Hotel.
  • Langosta Lounge, 1000 Ocean Ave. Vacation style cuisine.
  • Saltwater Beach Cafe, 1200 Ocean Ave. Fresh and local American style cuisine.
  • Tim McLoone’s Supper Club, 1200 Ocean Ave. American style with many seafood offerings.
  • O’Tooles Irish Pub - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Limited Irish inspired menu.
  • Stella Marina, 1200 Ocean Ave. Italian Cuisine.

Belmontes, 632 Cookman Ave. Italian Cuisine.

Brickwall Tavern, 522 Cookman Ave. Bar food, burgers, salads and sandwiches.

Carmines, 162 Main St. Italian Cuisine. (relocated to Allenhurst)

Crust & Crumble, 658 Cookman Ave. Artisan style pizzas and great cupcakes.

Lola's European Cafe, 539 Cookman Ave, +1 732-807-3777. Italian style gelato ice cream, panini and coffee shop.

Moonstruck, 517 Lake Ave. Restaurant and cocktail lounge.

Old Man Rafferty’s, 531 Cookman Ave. Local chain serving burgers, sandwiches and American style food.

Plan B Restaurant, 705 Cookman Ave. Featuring a frequently changing menu of seafood and American style cuisine.

Synaxis Restaurant, 660 Cookman Avenue. Greek / Mediterranean Cuisine.

Taka, 632 Mattison Ave. Fine Japanese contemporary cuisine.

Biggies Clam Bar - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Fresh and friend clams, fries, salads and beach fare.

The Baker Boys - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Cupcakes and baked goods.

Ketchup Grill, 101 Asbury Ave. Housed inside the Empress Hotel.

Langosta Lounge, 1000 Ocean Ave. Vacation style cuisine.

Saltwater Beach Cafe, 1200 Ocean Ave. Fresh and local American style cuisine.

Tim McLoone’s Supper Club, 1200 Ocean Ave. American style with many seafood offerings.

O’Tooles Irish Pub - Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. Limited Irish inspired menu.

Stella Marina, 1200 Ocean Ave. Italian Cuisine.

  • Paradise Nightclub, 101 Asbury Avenue. Dance club with outdoor pool, sundeck, piano bar, and lobby lounge. Big gay community, but "straight" people can come too.
  • The Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Avenue. The World Famous bar and rock music venue.
  • Georgies, 812 Fifth Avenue. Neighborhood bar. Karaoke, live music, piano bar.
  • Watermark, Ocean Avenue. High-class lounge with outdoor bar overlooking ocean. Inside is has a cozy fireplace.

Paradise Nightclub, 101 Asbury Avenue. Dance club with outdoor pool, sundeck, piano bar, and lobby lounge. Big gay community, but "straight" people can come too.

The Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Avenue. The World Famous bar and rock music venue.

Georgies, 812 Fifth Avenue. Neighborhood bar. Karaoke, live music, piano bar.

Watermark, Ocean Avenue. High-class lounge with outdoor bar overlooking ocean. Inside is has a cozy fireplace.