When you’re looking for a beach getaway, just ask The Boss about his favorite seaside escape. Bruce Springsteen immortalized the Jersey Shore town on the cover of his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park. While the main appeal for vacationers has always been the lively beaches and boardwalk entertainment, the town now has upscale accommodations and a bounty of culinary options. It truly caters to groups of friends seeking an inclusive, joyful vibe. This story is part of our May Battle of the Beaches issue. Check back as we break down our favorite beaches in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Where to Stay
The St. Laurent Social Club is a beautifully restored guest house with rooms that flex for sleeping and working (if you have to). The hotel’s restaurant, Judy’s, is the hottest table in town thanks to James Beard Award–winning chef David Viana and his Italian creations. Asbury Ocean Club Hotel overlooking the boardwalk features a private pool deck and floor-to-ceiling windows that make you feel like you’re floating above the ocean. Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel offers guests a variety of accommodations, including beachfront suites. The historic hotel was once owned by singer Johnny Cash.
Where to Play
From Memorial to Labor Day, beachgoers pay $6 per weekday and $10 on weekends for a spot in front of the mile-long boardwalk. This provides easy access to all the eateries, souvenir shops, mini golf, and food trucks. On the boardwalk, visit Silverball Retro Arcade and challenge your friends to video games and pinball. If your furry friend is tagging along, check out The Wonder Bar, a retro burger hangout known for “Yappy Hour,” where dogs and their owners mingle on an outdoor patio.
Where to Eat
After a day with your toes in the sand, usher your group to 5th Avenue Pavilion to dine at AP Rooftop, a new Mediterranean restaurant with panoramic views of the shoreline. The menu features pizzas and signature cocktails like Earth, Gin & Fire. Groups love sitting in the circular booths at Pascal & Sabine, an upscale brasserie and lounge filled with comfy armchairs and an espresso bar. The weekend brunch features a caviar menu and cheese platter perfect for noshing. R Bar & Restaurant offers an authentic taste of New Orleans at the beach. Snag a table on the rooftop or outdoor patio and share blue crab beignets and deviled eggs while enjoying the sounds of a jazz trio. Locals swear by the Hawaiian shave ice from Betty’s Icebox and milkshakes at Day’s Ice Cream, which opened in 1876 in the adjacent town of Ocean Grove.
Where to Gather with Friends
Music is an integral part of Asbury Park’s nightlife, and The Stone Pony is where Springsteen got his start. The club hosts a year-round calendar of notable groups including Tramps Like Us, a Bruce Springsteen tribute band. From May to September, the party moves outside to the Stone Pony Summer Stage. Take a break from surfing the waves to tour the Grand Arcade at Convention Hall. Constructed in 1928, the concert hall once hosted the likes of Blondie, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones, but today houses boutiques and food stands. Combine bowling with karaoke at Asbury Lanes or take a 30-minute tour of Asbury Park Distillery Co. Most Wednesday and Friday nights in the summer, the town gathers for Bonfire on the Beach to watch the skies darken and the stars come out.
Feature image of The St. Laurent Social Club courtesy visit Monmouth
This story originally ran in our May Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
