***UPDATES FOR WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 6-7 IN ASBURY***

There are two events happening in Asbury on Saturday, Dec 6th - you can check them out - they look fun. But, also, this means there will be lots of people around so be mindful of parking and crowds at restaurants and bars.

KRAMPUS - events include a shopping market with some interesting vendors. https://paranormalbooksnj.com/krampusasburypark/

SANTA RUN - 10am on OCEAN AVENUE (between hotel & boardwalk) - https://www.apsantarun.com/

ASBURY PARK HOLIDAY BAZAAR - shop local!! Great vendors on Saturday & Sundays in the Asbury Area - https://www.asburyparkbazaar.com/holiday-bazaar-2025

Greetings from Asbury Park! This wonderful city by the sea is a very special place for us, and we are so excited to share all it has to offer with you! There are wonderful restaurants, shopping, and legendary music history right outside your door when youu2019re visiting Asbury. We hope you take the time to allow yourself to have a fun weekend while you are in AP. Below are some of our favorite things to do/see/visit/shop/eat/drink/hear. We recommend making restaurant reservations if possible. Enjoy - we canu2019t wait to hear about all the fun things you get up to!

There are two sections of Asbury where it all happens - we will refer to them as The Boardwalk and Cookman areas. Porta (location of the wedding) and The Asbury Hotel (location for the welcome party) are located near the Boardwalk. Everything within these areas is walkable. It is about a mile walk from the Boardwalk area to the Cookman area. Street parking is hourly via a parking app. There are electric scooters available around Asbury that you can rent via the app if youu2019d like (its fun!).

COFFEE SPOTS

Offshore Coffee Co. Asbury Park - located in Convention Hall near the Boardwalk

Asbury Park Roastery - located on Main Street, near the train station

Booskerdoo Coffee - located near Main Street, near the train station

Odyssey Coffee - located in Ocean Grove (neighboring town, but, short walk/ride away) - lovely stop on Main Street in Ocean Grove while you are strolling and shopping - this is a Fitz fam favorite!

Cafe Volan - located near the Cookman area of Asbury Park - a Tara & Tim favorite!

EATS

Cookman Area:

TAKA - fun sushi spot with delicious drinks - great bar to eat or drink! One of Tara & Bretts faves.

Talulas - great brunch/lunch/dinner spot with delicious food. .

Pascal & Sabine - great brunch or dinner spot - upscale French bistro vibes; dark, sexy bar to grab a martini and a snack.

Brandos Citi Cucina - upscale Italian steakhouse - delicious food - good date/special occasion spot.

Reyla - Middle Eastern inspired menu with great ambiance and fun bar to grab drink/bite.

Black Swan Public House - upscale British/Irish pub with fun bar and beautiful dining room.

Purple Glaze Donuts - unique, filled-to-order donuts

Cardinal Provisions - cute spot for brunch/lunch - very popular!

Mogo Tacos - Korean taco fusion - casual and delicious! Eat-in location on Cookman Ave - get the beef bulgogi or fish tacos!

Homesick and Lovesick - charming and cute ambience and centrally located; offers brunch/lunch/dinner

Toast Asbury Park - busy and popular brunch/lunch spot.

Franks Deli & Restaurant - an Asbury Park institution! Anthony Bourdain went here with Southside Johnny! They just filmed the new Bruce Springsteen movie here! If you are going to get a pork roll, egg and cheese while in town, this is the place to do it!

R Bar - a southern-themed restaurant bar - the greenhouse on the 2nd floor has a great bar (and you can get food up there) - you might be able to catch a local band playing!

Barrio Costero - upscale Mexican - fun vibes, great bar with great drinks! A date spot fave for Tara & Brett (get the Jalisco is Burning margarita and nachos!)

Playa Bowls - great for breakfast/smoothies

Cookman Creamery - fun ice cream shop open year-round on Cookman Street

Boardwalk Area:

Asbury Lanes Diner - located next to the Asbury Park hotel - offers an upscale u201cJersey Dineru201d experience. Located inside the iconic Asbury Lanes. Great for breakfast.

Mutiny Beach - a delicious BBQ spot located in the Convention Hall

AP Rooftop - newly opened bar and restaurant on Boardwalk - fun & chic atmosphere, great drinks, amazing views!

Palmetto Southern Kitchen & Bar - newly opened by Chef James Avery from Hellu2019s Kitchen and located on Boardwalk

Shucked by Local 130 Seafood - newly opened Oyster and Seafood bar in the Convention Center - run by the Fitz family favorite fish mongers, 130 Seafood!

Iron Whale - great location on boardwalk - pub vibes.

Robinsons Ale House - Danny Fitzs Fave - great location under Tim McLoones Supper Club on the Boardwalk (fun fact - the building is an old, restored Howard Johnson!)

Other Areas:

Buttered Biscuit - located in neighboring town, Bradley Beach. Great for breakfast!

Grand Tavern - located in Neptune City. Upscale and fancy!

Vics Italian Restaurant - located in neighboring town, Bradley Beach. Classic Jersey Italian red-sauce spot - pizza was rated very high on the Dave Portnoy Once Slice reviews - a Fitz/Huber fam favorite!

Pete & Eldas - located in a neighboring town, Neptune City. Low key and casual pizza/bar spot - - pizza was rated very high on the Dave Portnoy Once Slice reviews - another Fitz/Huber fam favorite!

Jimmys Italian Restaurant - this is another classic Jersey red-sauce Italian spot. You are NOT going here for ambience - rather, this is part of Jersey culture. A few years ago, Paul McCartney ate here at Bruce Springsteenu2019s recommendation!

CatBird - darling small BYOB located on the river deep into Asbury with wood-fired pizzas.

Judy & Harrys - located in Saint Laurent Hotel - has received rave reviews for its Jewish spin on Italian classics - chef David Viana was featured on Top Chef!

Netties House of Spaghetti - located in the neighboring town, Tinton Falls - cool vibes, great food.

LOCAL BREWERIES (Brett approved!)

note: New Jersey law does not allow food service at breweries

KANE - great beers, great vibes - Kane Head High is very popular! This is one of Tara & Brettu2019s faves.

Asbury Park Brewery Taphouse - located on Cookman - try the Sea Dragon, one of Tara's favorites. You might get lucky, and a local band may be playing. This is one of Tara & Brettu2019s faves.

Carton Brewing - located in Atlantic Highlands - if you like trying new local beers, this would be a fun place to make a stop if you make a trip to Sandy Hook!

Bradley Brew Project - located in neighboring town, Bradley Beach

Bakes Brewing Co. - located in Belmar

Little Dog Brewing Co.- located in neighboring town, Neptune City. Small 4-seater bar. Rumor has it, Southside Johnny likes to get a beer here!

DRINKS

Boardwalk Area:

Kim Maries - this Irish themed bar is adored by locals. Fun fact, this was the place where Tara & Brett had their first date!

Swimcrush - beach themed bar on Boardwalk

Watermark - popular and swanky bar located on boardwalk with amazing ocean views

Cookman Area:

Johnny Macs - another fave - is popular with the young crowd because you get free pizza with your drink! Hit it early if you can and vacate before the youth arrive. But the music is good.

Bond Street Bar - another dive bar adored by locals - cash only! Be cool! One of Tara & Brettu2019s faves!

Bond Street Basement - secret entrance through Bond Street Bar (IYKYK - and now you know!) - or, you can enter through the Capitoline Restaurant. Dance vibes, gets crowded.

Laylow - hidden bar in basement of Reyla restaurant. Music themed with exquisite and fun cocktails - cool vibes - one of Taras faves!

DANCING & TUNES

The Stone Pony - Classic. Legend. Iconic. Go see a show or just pay homage. Its not to be missed!

Wonder Bar - another legend. Bruce Springsteen is known to go for a burger and beer here. Check the schedule for bands!

Transparent Clinch Gallery - This Danny Clinch run art gallery sometimes has bands playing in the small space. Danny Clinch is an Asbury Legend - he is the photographer that is behind some of the most iconic rock photos in history. Its worth a spin around his gallery no matter what. It is connected to the Asbury Hotel. This is one of Tara & Brettu2019s favorite spots to hang! Also sells records.

Asbury Lanes - fun venue for a concert in the old iconic Fast Lanes - check the schedule to see who is in town!

R Bar - check the schedule if a band is playing in the downstairs! Some of Tara & Brett's favorite local bands (Dark City Strings, The Ocean Avenue Stompers) have regular shows here and are not to be missed!

Low Dive - great location on boardwalk and has cool bands on most weekend nights - one of Tara & Brettu2019s faves.

House of Independents - located on Cookman Avenue - maybe one of your favorite bands is playing!

Paradise Asbury Park - LGBTQ friendly - located in the Empress Hotel - dance the night away at this go-go boy club!

Georgies LQBTQ friendly - known for its karaoke nights!

Porta - did you know that on weekends Porta turns into a night club? Great dance music in the back - but donu2019tu2019 spoil it - youu2019ll be dancing there on Saturday night for the wedding!

SHOPPING

Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar - if youu2019re lucky, local vendors will be set up in the Convention Center for this annual Bazaar! Get your Christmas shopping done while supporting local businesses.

Rebel Supply - Tarau2019s Favorite! Located on Cookman.

Antique Emporium - Brettu2019s favorite for vintage finds and records!

Foolish Ginger - Another one of Tarau2019s favorites. Located on Cookman.

Severed Wing - more vintage and records - another one of Brettu2019s favorites!

Unwind Records and Comics - new vinyl shop on the Asbury Park Boardwalk - support this cool local business.

Lofidelic Records - located in Belmar - one of Tara & Brettu2019s favorite record shops - check it out!

Market Street Mission Thrift - sustainable thrifting for a good cause - located on Memorial Drive. A Brett fave!

ReStore - sustainable thrifting for home decor where proceeds go to a good cause (Habitat for Humanity). Located one block from Mission Thrift. A Brett fave!

Goodwill - Ocean Township (near Target) - great vintage/thrifted finds!

Patriae

Glide Surf Co.

Outlets in Tinton Falls

Style Rocket

Wanderlust Land and Sea Outfitters

Asbury Park Funhouse

Carla Gizzi

Interwoven

SITESEEING

The Stone Pony - a historic venue that shaped the music scene of Asbury Park.

Wonder Bar - a historic venue that shaped the music scene of Asbury Park.

Ocean Grove Grand Auditorium - a short walk from Asbury, Ocean Grove is a historical community known for their Grand Auditorium, Victorian homes and shopping on Main Street.

Silverball Museum and Retro Arcade - $20 for all you can play pinball and arcade games right on the boardwalk! Anthony Bourdain played pinball with Southside Jonny here!

Madame Marieu2019s Temple of Knowledge - Bruce Springsteen wrote about Madame Marie in his song u201c4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)u201d. The fortune telling booth is still on the Boardwalk!

Asbury Lanes - the old Fast Lanes venue, which is historic for Asbury Park music history. Bruce Springsteen saw the Ramoneu2019s play here and Joey Ramone asked him to write him a song, and he wrote Hungry Heart. Bruce kept ultimately kept the song for himself at the urging of his manager.

Wooden Walls Project - Asbury is known for their graffiti throughout - its one of the best parts of Asbury Park - keep your eyes peeled and youu2019ll find art everywhere. Some of the best work is on the North Boardwalk on the north side of the Convention Center. Be sure to be on the lookout for Tara & Brettu2019s favorite artist, Porkchop! He has many murals throughout Asbury (on buildings, in restaurants and bars, on the boardwalks). Let us know how many of his murals you spot (there are many!).

Parlor Gallery - one of Tarau2019s favorite galleries on Cookman

Transparent Clinch Gallery - one of Tara & Brettu2019s favorite places to hang in Asbury.

Sandy Hook/Atlantic Highlands - approximately a 30 minute drive from Asbury to the famous Sandy Hook and Fort Hancock - you know Tara loves a historical cannon moment! (hit up one of Brett & Tarau2019s favorite places for lunch or drinks on your way home in Atlantic Highlands - The Chubby Pickle)

NECESSITIES

Wawa - snacks, fountain sodas, hoagies, gas - whatever you need to fill your soul. Closest is located on Corolies Avenue in Asbury Park on the corner of Route 35.

Wegmans - high end grocery store with liquor store attached! Located in Ocean Township on Route 35.

Stop and Shop - grocery store with liquor store attached! Located in Neptune City on Route 35.

LUSH Wines - boutique liquor store in Asbury on Cookman Ave, across the street from TAKA.

Target - no explanation needed - located in Ocean Township on Route 66.

LINKS

Travel & Leisure just named Asbury Park the Best Beach Town in the US!

https://www.travelandleisure.com/guide-to-asbury-park-new-jersey-11787455

Do your homework! If youu2019re looking for an amazing oral history of Asbury Park and the music, check out the book u201cI Donu2019t Want To Go Homeu201d by Nick Corasaniti.