Best of the Jersey shore

DRINKING  |  DINING  |  SHOPPING  |  ACCOMMODATIONS  |  OTHER ATTRACTIONS

DRINKING

Best shanty
Far from the gleaming new shops of Long Branch's Pier Village is Ron’s West End Pub (103 West End Ave, Long Branch, NJ; 732-229-7611), a shabby pub in a house dating to 1718. The history of the shore hangs about the place, with accumulated bric-a-brac adorning the walls; photos depicting the old, long-gone pier; and wooden tables bearing the carved inscriptions of vacationers from decades ago. But we recommend you settle into one of the porch rocking chairs during the daily happy hour (4–7pm) for a beach pleasure that is utterly timeless.

Best outdoor drinking (cheesy version)
Leaving no cliché unturned, Joey Harrison’s Surf Club (1900 Ocean Ave at New Jersey Ave, Ortley Beach, NJ; 732-793-6625) packs its stretch of sand with the obligatory palm trees and thatched bars. But that sand is the club's alone—it owns a small strip of private beach behind its multistory establishment, granting admittance to patrons only for a nightly cover that varies from $5 to $20. In addition to the usual mix of theme parties (Thursday teen night, Monday oldies), this self-proclaimed “multigenerational gathering place” is also a full-fledged concert venue, booking a mix of local and/or cover bands throughout the season.

Best outdoor drinking (classy version)
When visiting Mr. C’s Beach Bistro (Ocean Ave at Allen Ave, Allenhurst, NJ; 732-531-3665), request patio seating and bask in the idyllic beachfront location of this longtime shore favorite. Its current location is a new one, but the panoramic Atlantic views are just as stunning, and the generally older crowd remains appreciative of the varied (if rather fruity) martini selection and large wine list.

Best gay scene
Paradise (101 Asbury Ave, Asbury Park, NJ; 732-988-6663) has everything you need for a big gay weekend, starting with its deluxe hotel, the Empress. On Fridays catch the drag show Paradise Follies, hosted by Miss Paradise, Nikky Sky Blake. Owner and DJ Shep Pettibone—a onetime Madonna producer—flaunts his million-dollar sound system (with a light show!) on Saturdays, and you can cap off the weekend with a signature cocktail from the tiki bar by the pool. Mark your calendars now for the seventh annual Road Trip Gay & Lesbian weekend, July 18–20, when Paradise will be at the heart of the party.

Best beachy Irish pub
No black and gold signage here. From the outside, Dublin House (30 Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ; 732-747-6699) looks like a seaside B&B, replete with patio seats and umbrellas on the outside. Indoors, however, the familiar pub camaraderie is as good as you'd find in your favorite urban Fenian hall, and the Guinness pour is more than respectable. The bar menu isn't bad either.

Best meat market
No worries if you've had a few too many on the beach and forgotten the address for Bamboo Bar (201 Boulevard, Seaside Heights, NJ; 732–830-3660). The giant neon palm trees flanking its entrance provide a beacon for hookup-minded revelers up and down the shore. The singles scene that rages inside the cavernous dance hall is just as unsubtle, fueled by equal parts tipsy bachelorette parties and still-frisky divorcées. Two-dollar beers till midnight on Friday and Saturday assure that many who visit get what they came for.

—additional reporting by Peter Chiu, Billie Cohen, Beth Greenfield, Ally Millar, Lucy Quintanilla, Cinzia Reale-Castello, Dan Reilly, Jordana Rothman and Jason Trobman