Asbury Park

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Review

Fire Island is not the only gay beach that a 2 hour train ride from Manhattan can get you to. If you’re in the mood to try something different, hop on the New Jersey transit train from Penn Station and head south to the quaint beach town of Asbury Park on the Jersey Shore.

Asbury Park’s former glory dates back to the first part of the 20th century during which this small seaside community was transformed into a bustling beach destination, complete with a long wooden boardwalk, an amusement park, imposing hotels, a casino and orchestra pavilion in grandiose beaux arts style. In a turn of fate similar to that of the Atlantic City or Coney Island, Asbury fell into decadence in the latter part of the century, and many of the glorious waterfront properties were abandoned, boarded up and sometimes demolished.

But in the past decade, Asbury Park as experienced a startling renaissance, in part thanks to the local gay and lesbian community which began buying some of the cheap properties and artfully renovate them. Nowadays, the once dilapidated boardwalk has been restored to its glory, and the boarded up casino is now home to a concert hall where world famous DJ’s and artists perform.

So, what’s there to do in Asbury Park these days? The beach is definitely one of the main draw, and many gay and lesbian beach goers tend to congregate towards the area just south of the convention hall. Every year, usually on the the second weekend of July, takes place on the beach a large outdoor dance party which is part of a weekend-long series of festivities dubbed “Sandblast”.

The second main attraction of Asbury Park is the Paradise club, located in the Empress Hotel, owned by none other than the legendary New York DJ and producer Shep Pettibone (who worked on several song with Madonna from the Erotica album). Paradise is the main gay nightlife destination in New Jersey in the summer, and boasts several rooms playing different styles of music, and an outdoor pool which is always the scene of many shenanigans worthy of a Jersey Shore episode. On Sundays, Paradise plays host to a very popular Tea Dance, from 4 PM to 8 PM which is just as good as Low Tea in the Pines.

There are also many restaurant options, for every budget. We highly recommend the Twisted Tree Café, a delicious and inexpensive health food restaurant with a great, casual atmosphere. As you make your way to the beach from the Train Station, take a stroll down Cookman Avenue where most restaurants are located, alongside elegant art and furniture stores sporting classic contemporary pieces.

Asbury Park is only 90 minutes from Manhattan. There’s a train departing from Penn Station every hour and the round trip cost just $30.