Jersey Shore Nightlife
From Atlantic City's world-class clubs to Asbury Park's legendary music scene to Wildwood's Irish pubs. Your complete guide to going out at the shore.
Find Your Scene
Beach Bars
Oceanfront and beachside bars perfect for sunset drinks, casual vibes, and that classic Jersey Shore atmosphere.
13 venues
🎸Live Music Venues
Concert halls, rock clubs, and intimate stages featuring local bands, touring acts, and legendary performers.
11 venues
🪩Nightclubs
Dance floors, DJs, and late-night energy. From intimate clubs to mega venues with bottle service.
9 venues
🏳️🌈LGBTQ+ Venues
Welcoming spaces celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, from historic gay bars to inclusive dance clubs.
3 venues
🌅Rooftop Bars
Elevated experiences with panoramic views, craft cocktails, and upscale atmosphere above the shore.
1 venues
☘️Irish Pubs
Traditional Irish pubs with live music, pints of Guinness, and that warm pub atmosphere Wildwood is famous for.
2 venues
Nightlife by Town
Atlantic City
Vegas of the East
The undisputed nightlife capital of the Jersey Shore. World-class casino clubs, the eclectic Orange Loop, rooftop pools, and 24/7 action.
Asbury Park
Rock & Rainbow
Legendary music scene meets vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife. The Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, and a walkable downtown packed with bars and clubs.
Wildwood
Irish Summer Party
Irish pub capital of the shore plus boardwalk bars and beach clubs. Predominantly summer-only but absolutely packed Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Belmar
Young & Wild
Home to legendary Bar Anticipation and D'Jais, drawing thousands of 20-somethings every summer weekend. The party epicenter of Monmouth County.
Cape May
Classy & Relaxed
Refined nightlife in America's oldest seaside resort. Wine bars, craft cocktails, and live jazz. Sophisticated and year-round.
Sea Isle City
Philly by the Sea
Landis Avenue is the place to be. Ocean Drive, La Costa, and Dead Dog Saloon anchor a lively summer scene.
Seaside Heights
Boardwalk Party
Boardwalk bars and the famous Bamboo Bar. A shore classic with strong MTV: Jersey Shore nostalgia.
Point Pleasant Beach
Family to Party
Martell's Tiki Bar and Jenkinson's anchor a family-friendly-by-day, party-by-night scene.
Long Branch
Upscale Oceanfront
Pier Village offers upscale oceanfront dining and bars. A more refined alternative to the party scenes.
Your Night-by-Night Guide
Not every night is created equal at the shore. Here's what's happening—and where—throughout the week.
Thursday
Locals' night / Pre-weekend warm-up
Best for: Avoiding weekend crowds, meeting locals, live music
Asbury Park
Live bands at The Stone Pony and Wonder Bar. Locals pack cookman Ave bars. No cover at most venues.
Belmar
D'Jais starts the party early with $5 drinks. Bar A has acoustic acts. Younger crowd testing the weekend waters.
Atlantic City
Low-key casino action. Pool After Dark at Harrah's has reduced covers. Cheaper bottle service.
Friday
Weekend kickoff / High energy
Best for: Starting the weekend strong, after-work crowds, DJs
Atlantic City
Casino clubs open with full DJ lineups. HQ2 at Ocean Casino draws big names. Cover charges kick in ($20-40).
Belmar
Beach bars fill by 5pm with NYC commuters. Bar A rooftop opens. D'Jais gets crowded by 10pm—arrive early.
Sea Isle City
The OD fills with Philly crowd. Ocean Drive's deck is the place to be at sunset.
Saturday
Peak night everywhere
Best for: Full nightlife experience, premium events, celebrity DJs
Atlantic City
Biggest DJ names at Premier at Borgata and HQ2. Dress codes strictly enforced. VIP tables sell out—book ahead.
Belmar
D'Jais line starts at 9pm. Bar A at capacity by 11. Pre-game at Matisse or Connollys then hit the main bars.
Wildwood
Irish pubs like Shamrock Pub and Fitzpatrick's packed. Family-friendly boardwalk gives way to bar crowds after 9pm.
Sunday
Sunday Funday / Day drinking
Best for: Day parties, rooftop sessions, winding down the weekend
Belmar
Sunday Funday capital of the shore. D'Jais opens at 1pm. Bar A rooftop all afternoon. Party runs until sunset.
Sea Isle City
OD deck party continues. Dead Dog Saloon fills up. More relaxed vibe than Saturday.
Asbury Park
Brunch crawls on Cookman Ave. Afternoon shows at Stone Pony Summer Stage. Langosta Lounge rooftop.
The Real Dress Code Guide
Getting turned away at the door ruins a night. Here's exactly what to expect at each type of venue—and what the bouncers are actually looking for.
Atlantic City Casino Clubs
Strict✓ What to Wear
Collared shirts or fitted t-shirts for men. Dress shoes or clean designer sneakers. Women: cocktail attire, heels.
✗ Avoid
Athletic wear, baggy jeans, jerseys, flip-flops, hats (especially backwards), work boots, tank tops on men.
The reality: Premier at Borgata and HQ2 turn people away nightly. Bouncers check shoes first—invest in a clean pair of loafers or fashion sneakers. Groups of all guys face extra scrutiny; mixed groups get in easier.
Rooftop Bars
Moderate✓ What to Wear
Smart casual. Button-down or nice polo. Clean jeans or chinos. Boat shoes or loafers.
✗ Avoid
Beachwear, tank tops, flip-flops. Some spots won't allow shorts after 8pm.
The reality: Most rooftops like Bar A's upper level or Asbury Ocean Club are lenient during day hours. After dark, they tighten up. When in doubt, bring a light jacket to throw over a casual shirt.
Beach Bars
Casual✓ What to Wear
Literally anything. Swimsuits with coverups, tanks, flip-flops, cutoffs—all fine.
✗ Avoid
Nothing really, but going barefoot sometimes gets flagged. Bring flip-flops.
The reality: D'Jais, Dead Dog Saloon, Ketch—all beachwear-friendly. This is where you wear whatever you wore on the sand. Just don't be too sandy.
Music Venues
Varies by show✓ What to Wear
Casual to dressy depending on the act. Bigger names = dressier crowds. Jeans and band tees always work.
✗ Avoid
Nothing specifically, but emo shows and DJ nights have different vibes—read the room.
The reality: Stone Pony and Wonder Bar in Asbury are come-as-you-are. Atlantic City shows at Borgata Event Center lean dressier since people are casino-hopping after.
Irish Pubs
None✓ What to Wear
Whatever you've got on. Wildwood's Irish pubs welcome all.
✗ Avoid
Nothing. These are come-as-you-are neighborhood spots.
The reality: Shamrock, Fitzpatrick's, Mulligan's—no dress codes, just good times. Perfect for when you don't want to think about what you're wearing.
Getting Home Safe
The shore's biggest party killer is the 2am scramble for a ride home. Plan ahead and you'll thank yourself.
Book a Hotel in the Action
The smartest move for a big night out. In Belmar, stay at The Inn at the Shore or rental houses near D'Jais. In Atlantic City, stay on-property at whichever casino you're clubbing at—you can stumble upstairs.
💡 Summer weekend hotels book months ahead. No availability? Look at North Wildwood or Ocean City if hitting Wildwood; Brigantine if doing AC.
Pre-Schedule Your Uber
Uber and Lyft let you schedule rides up to 7 days ahead. Book your 2am pickup before you start drinking. Saturday night surge pricing at bar close can hit 3-4x normal rates.
💡 Schedule for 15 minutes before you actually want to leave. Driver arrival times are unpredictable at peak hours.
Know the Walkable Bar Crawls
Some shore towns are built for walking between bars. No car needed if you stay in the right zone.
💡
Designate a Driver (For Real)
If someone in your group isn't drinking, they're a hero. Shore town parking lots fill up by 8pm on Saturdays—arrive early if driving.
💡 Beach parking usually opens after 6pm for free. Belmar meters are enforced until 8pm. Atlantic City casino parking is always free.
When Surge Pricing Hits Hardest
| Time | Surge Level | What's Happening |
|---|---|---|
| 11pm-12am | Moderate | People moving between venues. |
| 12am-1am | Low | Lull before bar close rush. |
| 1:30am-2:30am | Extreme | Everyone leaves at once. 3-5x surge common. |
| 2:30am-3am | Very High | Still packed with demand, drivers getting tired. |
| After 3am | High | Fewer drivers. Wait times 20-40+ minutes. |
Featured Venues
HQ2 Nightclub
Casino Club • Atlantic City
Atlantic City's premier mega-club inside Ocean Casino Resort. A 19,000 sq ft multi-level space with world-class DJs, VIP bottle service, and a Vegas-caliber experience. The hottest club in AC.
- +Largest nightclub in Atlantic City
- +Top EDM and hip-hop DJs weekly
- +Connected to Ocean Casino amenities
Best For
Tip: Book a VIP table for faster entry and better experience. Thursday is industry night with locals.
Bourre
Bar • Atlantic City
The beating heart of the Orange Loop. A sprawling Cajun-themed bar and music venue with multiple rooms, live bands, DJs, and a legendary late-night scene. Atlantic City's best alternative to casino nightlife.
- +Orange Loop flagship
- +Live music almost every night
- +Cajun food until late
Best For
Tip: Start here and work your way through the Orange Loop. Check their calendar for touring acts.
The Stone Pony
Live Music Venue • Asbury Park
The legendary venue where Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi got their start. Still hosting major acts on the main stage and emerging artists in the smaller room. A rock pilgrimage site and the soul of Asbury Park.
- +Springsteen's home venue
- +Summer Stage outdoor shows
- +Rock and roll history
Best For
Tip: Summer Stage shows are magical - get tickets early. Check for surprise Springsteen appearances.
Wonder Bar
Bar • Asbury Park
Iconic Asbury Park venue on the boardwalk with live music, a famous dog-friendly "Yappy Hour," and a welcoming LGBTQ+ vibe. Indoor/outdoor space with ocean views and legendary Sunday dance parties.
- +Famous Yappy Hour
- +Ocean views
- +Sunday dance party
- +LGBTQ+ landmark
Best For
Tip: Sunday afternoon is the legendary party. Bring your dog to Yappy Hour weekdays.
Open Year-Round
Planning an off-season visit? These venues keep the party going after Labor Day.
HQ2 Nightclub
Casino Club • Atlantic City
Premier 19,000 sq ft mega-club at Ocean Casino with top DJs
Bourre
Bar • Atlantic City
Legendary Orange Loop anchor with live music and Cajun vibes
The Stone Pony
Live Music Venue • Asbury Park
Legendary rock venue where Springsteen got his start
Wonder Bar
Bar • Asbury Park
Boardwalk icon with live music, Yappy Hour, and LGBTQ+ welcome
LGBTQ+ Nightlife
Asbury Park is the heart of LGBTQ+ nightlife at the shore, with a welcoming scene that's been thriving since the 2000s revival.
Find Your Sound
Nightlife by Season
Summer (Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Peak season with all venues open. Beach bars packed, outdoor stages active, and Atlantic City brings in top DJs. Book VIP tables in advance.
Best towns: Belmar, Sea Isle City, Wildwood, Atlantic City
Off-Season
Atlantic City runs year-round. Asbury Park stays active with indoor shows. Beach bars close but local pubs and breweries thrive.
Best towns: Atlantic City, Asbury Park, Long Branch
Nightlife Tips
Dress Codes
Atlantic City clubs enforce dress codes (no sneakers, no athletic wear). Beach bars are casual. When in doubt, call ahead.
Getting Home Safe
Uber and Lyft operate at the shore but surge pricing is common on weekends. Book a hotel within walking distance if you're going out.
Cover Charges
Many beach bars are free until 9-10pm. Atlantic City clubs can charge $20-50+ on weekends. Guest lists can help.
Best Nights
Saturday is peak everywhere. Thursday is popular in Belmar and Asbury. Sunday Funday is huge at beach bars. Weekdays are locals' nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best nightlife towns at the Jersey Shore?▼
Atlantic City is the top destination with world-class casino clubs. Asbury Park offers legendary music venues and LGBTQ+ nightlife. Belmar (Bar A, D'Jais) is perfect for 20-somethings. Wildwood has famous Irish pubs. Each town has its own vibe.
Are Jersey Shore bars open year-round?▼
Atlantic City and Asbury Park have year-round nightlife. Beach bars in towns like Belmar, Sea Isle City, and Wildwood are typically open Memorial Day to Labor Day only. Some venues have limited off-season hours.
What is the dress code at Jersey Shore bars and clubs?▼
Atlantic City casino clubs enforce upscale dress codes (no sneakers, athletic wear, or baggy clothing). Beach bars are casual. Asbury Park venues range from casual to smart casual. When in doubt, call ahead.
How much do cover charges cost at Jersey Shore clubs?▼
Beach bars are often free until 9-10pm. Atlantic City clubs charge $20-50+ on weekends, with VIP tables requiring bottle service minimums. Many bars have no cover on weekdays.
What is the legal drinking age in New Jersey?▼
The legal drinking age in New Jersey is 21. Most nightlife venues are 21+, though some concerts and events are all-ages with wristbands for alcohol.
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Beyond the Bars: Live Entertainment
Looking for shows, concerts, and performances? The shore has a vibrant entertainment scene beyond the nightlife venues - from casino headliners to summer concert series.
Explore Shore Entertainment →Explore the Top Nightlife Destinations
Dive deeper into the shore's biggest party towns.