Summer days in New Jersey should be spent on the beach, but when day turns to night, you need somewhere to spend the rest of your evening. Regardless of what kind of bar you prefer, New Jersey has you covered. Whether you want dinner by the beach, live music, or somewhere to dance – there’s a place for everyone. In no specific order, here are our top nine NJ beach bars you shouldn’t skip this summer.
Bar Anticipation – Lake Como
If you’re heading out with a big group, Bar Anticipation—known as Bar A—in Lake Como is a great choice thanks to its spacious layout and multiple bars. While it’s not directly on the beach, its outdoor sandy area, called The Grotto, offers a similar vibe. Inside, guests can dance to a DJ and enjoy live music, while outside there’s plenty of room to mingle and catch up with friends. Bar A is well known for its events and specials, especially on Tuesdays when the popular Beat the Clock event offers draft beers starting at just 50 cents a pour.
Leggett’s Sand Bar – Manasquan
When you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a drink and a casual night out, Leggetts in Manasquan is the place. This restaurant and bar offers the perfect place to sit with friends and enjoy drinks and maybe a pizza or two. Like the other beach bars, Leggetts loves a special. Every day there’s a different offer, so check their website. Are you a $3 Bud Light or a shot wheel person?
Martell’s Tiki Bar – Point Pleasant Beach
Martell’s Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant Beach is a boardwalk favorite that brings the party right to the sand. With ocean views, frozen drinks, and a massive pier to spread out on, it’s the perfect place to hit after soaking up the sun. During the day, people swing by for drinks and easy bites. At night, the energy kicks up with live music, DJs, and dancing. Tiki Mondays are a Martell’s tradition, packed with drink specials, DJs, and a crowd that’s always ready to start the week off right.
Bird and Betty’s – Long Beach Island
Bird and Betty’s knows every day feels like the weekend once summer hits. Open seven days a week, this spacious spot offers something for everyone with a cozy fire pit and two floors filled with live music. With so much room, it is easy to find the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the night. To keep things hassle free, Bird and Betty’s runs a summer shuttle bus that picks up guests from designated locations and brings them straight to the bar. What more could you ask for?
Donovan’s Reef – Sea Bright
Donovan’s Reef is the place to be this summer. Right on the water in Sea Bright, it has a beach bar, great music, and a fun, easygoing crowd. The drinks are strong, especially the rum buckets, and the food is good, classic bar grub that hits the spot. It’s cash only, with a $10 cover most nights and $20 on weekends. Parking is limited and costs $15, but paid lots are available nearby. The atmosphere and views make it worth the trip.
PigDog – Asbury Park
If you want to sip drinks on the beach and have a great time, PigDog delivers. Located at the end of the pier, it offers great views, live music every day, and a lively atmosphere with plenty of visual entertainment. Guests can rent cabanas on the sand, enjoy excellent food and drinks, and relax while feeling the ocean breeze. It’s also pet friendly, so furry friends can tag along for the good vibes.
The Beach Bar – Asbury Park
The Beach Bar in Asbury Park brings high energy and unbeatable views right on the boardwalk. With rum buckets, daily DJs and a crowd that keeps things lively, it is a prime spot for beachside partying. The music is always on point, the staff is friendly and the views of the beach and boardwalk make it a standout. Even when it is packed, it still feels like the perfect place to have a good time.
Dead Dog Saloon – Sea Isle City
Some might say the best Jersey bars are near Exit 100, but South Jersey likes to party too. If you’re a below-exit 50 beachgoer, check out the Dead Dog Saloon. The Dead Dog is a reprieve from hectic club nightlife. The tavern offers live acoustic music to enjoy. The Dead Dog is open every day during the summer, and like every good beach bar, offers different themes and daily specials!
Jenks Club – Point Pleasant Beach
Jenks Club is a go-to spot for young people along the Jersey Shore. Located on the Point Pleasant Boardwalk, it blends beach bar energy with a dive bar feel. In true Jersey fashion, the club has multiple bars, some indoors and others right on the sand. By day, Jenks Club operates as the Jenkinson Pavilion, serving up a mix of boardwalk eats. At night, it transforms into a live music hub with bands playing Friday through Sunday and often during the week. From early 2000s cover bands to Springsteen Sundays, Jenks keeps the vibe going for every kind of music fan.
What are your favorite NJ beach bars? Let us know in the comments.
- Julia DiGeronimohttps://thedigestonline.com/author/juliadigeronimo/
- Julia DiGeronimohttps://thedigestonline.com/author/juliadigeronimo/