The entire Sandy Hook area is filled with nightlife hotspots. From small bars that cater to locals to Manhattan-like lounges that offer a sleek night out, you’ll always find something to do in the evening here.

Sea Gulls’ Nest Oceanfront Deck Restaurant & Bar is located at Area D inside Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area. The Nest boasts a 360- degree panoramic view of the coastal area. The open-air bar is an ideal place to enjoy food and drinks while enjoying live entertainment. A tented section for catered events or casual dining wraps around a full-service bar.

While Bobo’s 33 in Atlantic Highlands serves up Mediterranean cuisine, there’s also a lively nightlife scene here. This is a relaxing place to enjoy good food and drink that’s truly distinctive. Salle Tee’s Grille in nearby Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, is another popular destination serving up signature cocktails in a fun environment that caters to adults of all ages.

Donovan’s Reef, located in Sea Bright, provides a relaxing place to enjoy a drink. With indoor and outdoor bars, as well as plenty of live entertainment, drink specials and themed events, there is always something worthwhile going on here. This is an all-ages sort of place, so it’s perfect for just about anyone who wants to enjoy a drink on the beach.

McLoone’s Rum Runner is also a popular destination. Located in Sea Bright, New Jersey, this is an upscale restaurant that heats up at night with a sophisticated crowd, signature drinks and plenty of interesting events. This Zagat-rated venue features a popular piano bar and offers a chic place to enjoy drinks with friends.

Located in Sea Bright, Elements is a swanky lounge that’s great for meeting people. It’s got a small taste of Manhattan down the Jersey Shore. The two story nightclub boasts an 18 foot waterfall and delicious sushi, in addition to great cocktails. Fantastic martinis are a favorite here, where the gorgeous décor lends a relaxing, warm atmosphere that other clubs at the Shore don’t have. Co-owner Matthew Bongiovi, (Jon Bon Jovi’s brother), pulls in a pretty good looking and quite sexy crowd at this more upscale venue.

You’ll always find something entertaining in the Sandy Hook area. And if all else fails, Red Bank is only a short drive and is brimming with even more nightlife options.

When you want to party hard, Bamboo Bar is the place. You won’t find a casual crowd here; it’s mostly younger folks that enjoy meeting new people and having drinks. There are also plenty of
themed events, such as pajama parties and holiday affairs, and some of them are hosted by semi-celebrities. But live music and a steady flow of drinks seems to keep many people coming back to this Seaside Heights, New Jersey, hotspot.

Club XS is similar to Bamboo, with a younger crowd and plenty of dancing and drinking. The nightclub gets packed in the summer with a visible line outside. There are plenty of drink specials and themed events here, as well as live entertainment and DJs. Several bars offer plenty of cocktails and the ability to spread out and mingle with others.

Along the boardwalk you’ll find The Beach Bar, a place to dance and drink with friends. There’s live entertainment on the weekends and you can enjoy cocktails and good company while overlooking the ocean. Actually, you’ll find plenty of bars just walking down the boardwalk.

When it comes to pub-types, Klees Bar and Grill and Beachcomber Bar are enjoyable places to enjoy good beer, fabulous cocktails and munchies with friends. These offer a relaxed atmosphere and a casual place to enjoy dinner and drinks with friends.

There are too many venues to mention in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, and they’re all hopping during the summer. Things stay busy on the off-season, but not as eventful as things are in the summer.

Europa South, located on route 35 South, is known for Portuguese and Spanish cuisine, but its bar is just as sizzling. It caters to all ages and isn’t as rowdy as some of the other venues here.

Jenks Club is the premier nightclub in Point Pleasant Beach. It attracts mostly a younger crowd with live music from some of the areas hottest acts such as The Nerds, and has several bars. It’s a very spacious club located right on the beach and is a good place to enjoy dancing and cocktails with friends.

Just down the boardwalk is Martell’s Tiki Bar, a pier that reaches out over the ocean and offesr a fabulous place to enjoy cocktails. It’s a more adult crowd here and plenty of fun to be right over the ocean.

Frankie’s Bar and Grill, located on Route 35 South, is a fabulous place for good food and drink. It’s a restaurant and turns into a nightlife hotspot after hours. The people here are lively and it’s a great crowd.

Just a town over in Point Pleasant Borough on route 88 is Hart’s Idle Hour, a small pub that features live entertainment and great food and drink. The drinks are delicious here, and there’s a small dance floor where you can enjoy a spin to your favorite area band. It’s also a restaurant so you can get a meal before your big night out. This venue is one of those unique bars that attracts all ages—and they mingle and have fun in perfect harmony. While not in Point Pleasant Beach, it’s worth a mention because of the warm, casual environment.

There’s always plenty to do in Point Pleasant Beach. Just north is Manasquan, New Jersey, with more nightlife options. But you probably won’t have to cross the Route 35 bridge to find something engaging for a fun night out.

The Brighton Bar is a notable venue for great live music in Long Branch. You’ll hear everything from rock to jazz—and even poetry—here, and the schedule is usually varied so you can catch a show you like. It does attract a younger crowd.

Want to spend a night out dancing? Avenue Beach Club is a chic restaurant and club that blends the brasserie style of France with the nightlife character of Saint Tropez. There is an international wine list, as well as drink specials every night of the week. The 5,000-square-foot space includes all, floor to ceiling windows, as well as a patio open late into the night during summer months.

For an Irish bar atmosphere, check out Celtic Cottage Pub, which has a traditional Irish atmosphere complete with great cocktails and a variety of domestic and imported beers.

For a hip night out, try Mix, located on Brighton Avenue in Long Branch. The drinks here are truly “signature,” including the Black Martini, which includes coffee. Actually martinis are huge here and the choice of martinis is extensive here. The atmosphere here is relaxed but includes a blend of Manhattan chic, too.

Avenue Nuit, which is a rooftop bar right on the ocean, has lovely views of both the beach and Pier Village, which is the big shopping, dining and apartment complex which was built just a few years ago and is making Long Branch the best place to be on the Jersey Shore! There are places to lounge outside and a raging dance floor inside. It makes for a very chic night out.

With so many entertainment options in Long Branch, New Jersey, it’s clear that this shore city will continue to be a stronghold on the Jersey Shore nightlife scene.

Even if you’re not Irish, you’ll enjoy the feel of the towns pubs. From Pat’s Pub to Jack’s Tavern, you’ll always get great beer and drinks served up in a casual environment.

D’Jais Oceanview Bar & Café is a big spot for tourists, as is Bar Anticipation, or Bar A. Since 1959 D’Jais is one of the Jersey Shore’s most talked about venues. D’Jais is the perfect place to cool off after a hot day at the beach or for a hot night on the town. Both venues feature live music, themed events and several bars where you can get a multitude of cocktails. There are also munchies at both bars. Bar A pulls in more of a local crowd and stays vibrant on the off-season here. They have regular events and are visited regularly by some of the top bands at the Shore including Mike Dalton Band and Screaming Broccoli.

Just over the bridge in Neptune, New Jersey, is Headliner, antoher prominent nightclub. It features dance music in the main room, as well as a chill outdoor venue to walk around and drink amidst a beautiful summer evening. Again, it caters to a mostly younger crowd, but offers drink specials and themed events that make nightlife at the Shore such fun.

For a truly laidback crowd, try The Boathouse. It is a very casual laidback bar, with a really cool crowd. Everyone seems very friendly in here and this place can really sizzle at night. It was a great time without the attitude that some bars possess.

There are plenty of smaller venues in Belmar. Most of the restaurants have bars that appeal to older, more sophisticated crowds. Try Paddy Mc’Donald’s Ale House on 18th Avenue or Jack’s Bar & Grill on 10th Avenue for something off the beaten path.

Explore Belmar, New Jersey, and you’re sure to find plenty of places to enjoy nightlife in this very vibrant Jersey Shore destination.

For a classy night out, try Moonstruck. This elegant restaurant offers a gorgeous bar and lounge with an upscale feel.

The Brickwall Tavern and Dining Room on Cookman Avenue remains a favorite around here. With great food and drinks, not to mention live music, an evening here makes for a fun night out. Carmine’s has a nice bar with good drinks and a lively crowd. Located on Main Street, this restaurant is a great place to meet with friends for after-hours fun.

The Stone Pony and The Saint also have bars, so if you’re catching a live music show in one of these well-known venues, you can always get a drink at them. The crowds may be a little noisy, however.

Nightlife here caters to the gay community as well, and Georgie’s is always a hit. Play pool or darts while you enjoy fabulous cocktails with a friendly crowd. Known as “The Gay ‘Cheers’ of Asbury Park,” there’s something happening here everyday of the week for people of all sexual orientations.

Cruisin’ the Circuit is another gay nightlife hotspot. Located on Kinsley Street, the nightclub features a sunken dancefloor (visible from anywhere in the club), three spacious bars, an outdoor patio bar and a smoking lounge. There’s always plenty of great special events and themed events, too! Paradise is another gay nightclub that features lively entertainment and themed events as well. This club has a truly tropical feel with an outdoor tiki bar, a huge dancefloor, swaky bars, an inviting atmosphere, and fabulous cocktails. Paradise is located on Asbury Avenue.

There are plenty of venues in the city that appeal to all ages and preferences. Explore Asbury Park, New Jersey, to find a nightlife destination that suits you best!