Asbury Park

With a thriving gay community, Asbury Park is one of the country’s up-and-coming gay destinations. This beach destination had fallen into disrepair, but Asbury Park and its stock of faded Victorian houses were rediscovered by gay people and brought back to life during this past decade.

Many gays live in this tiny town year-round, but it’s especially popular in the summer, when locals throw party after party and folks from the New York metro area flock here. Look for local events like Road Trip, Sand Blast, The Diva on the Shore Weekend, the July Crush party, and the Summer Kiss Off party at Gay Asbury Park.

Asbury Park does not have a gay beach per se, but the 5th Avenue Beach just south of Convention Hall has the highest concentration of gay men. The closest gay beach is 20 minutes away at Gunnison Beach in Sandy Hook. This beach has a nude section too.

The ReVision Theatre, a professional regional theatre company, presents stage productions with fresh new perspectives; reinventions of previously produced classics, overlooked or forgotten work, and new works too.

Getting here

Many people drive to Asbury Park, as it’s just 60 miles south of New York City. There are also frequent trains and buses to get you in and out: see NJTransit for trains and Academy Bus

Getting around

A car is usually your best bet for getting around.

Local Media

Gay Asbury Park and Out in Jersey are two online sites for local gay information and events listings. AsburyPark.net is a general public website with some history of this resort town.

Going Out - Asbury Park

Georgie's (812 5th Ave) neighborhood bar, seven days of karaoke and live cabaret entertainment, pool leagues, smoking area.

Harrison Restaurant & Bar (716 Cookman Ave) good food, dining until 10pm Wednesday through Saturday, friendly atmosphere, wide selection of cocktails.

Paradise Club (101 Asbury St) restaurant, cocktail lounge, weekend dancing, Saturday country music, Friday drag shows, Saturday after-hours dancing, Sunday brunch.

Swell (911 Kingsley St) new Thursday through Sunday dance club with steamy go go dancers nightly.

Watermark (800 Ocean Ave) specialty drinks, spirits, beers, ales, wines and sparkle; also teas, ginger beer from scratch, and espresso bar.

Going Out - Central NJ

Den Nightclub (700 Hamilton St; Somerset, NJ) lively dance club near Rutgers and Princeton Universities, 18+ Saturdays, go go boys, male reviews, karaoke, Den Drag Diva shows, latin nights, restaurant.

See our map & listings tab above for accommodations and restaurant options in Asbury Park. For lodgings in Highlands NJ see Sandy Hook Cottage (36 Route 36).