Let me preface this by saying this is the most important blog I have ever written. I don’t take giving recommendations lightly and want everyone who takes the time to read this piece to learn something valuable.

I’ve been going to the shore since my family moved down to the area when I was a child. We frequented the beaches in Belmar and Avon. Then, I got older, my 21st birthday was celebrated at the shore. It was a Tuesday so I celebrated at Bar A and enjoyed my first beat the clock night. Since then I’ve enjoyed some of the best spots Monmouth and Ocean County have to offer.

When I was 24 years old in the summer of 2021 I lived in a shore house in Belmar for the summer. Not just any shore house either, arguably the biggest dump in Belmar. I was working nights, my work schedule was Sunday Thursday leaving my weekends largely free. It was a summer I’ll never ever forget.

Here’s a few basic rules I have for going out down the shore for the summer. Always have cash. All the big bars around here hit you with a cover. No point in waiting on the line if when you get to the front you have to get off to hit the ATM. Holiday weekends are a nightmare but the weekends after are elite. Don’t wear your nicest shoes to the bar. Keep a second form of ID. If possible, get stamped early in the day to avoid a line at night. Please mix in a water. And above all else…

My Favorite Bars

D’Jais

I won’t sugar coat it, I love D’Jais. D’Jais is truly a world unto itself. This bar is probably single-handedly responsible for a majority of the hair gel use in this country and keeping axe body spray in business. Here’s what you need to know about D’Jais. Where you stand means something. When you walk into D’Jais immediately to your right is East Bar. Generally more of a local crowd East is right by the DJ Booth which isn’t easy on the ears. Immediately to your left is window bar and the main bar. If you keep walking across through the middle of D’Jais you’ll then see West Bar. This is generally the bar I’ve hung at most in my D’Jais career. West is normally a Staten Island family reunion. No matter what time of day or night it is there are dudes just leaning against the wall with their sunglass on. If you proceed to the bathrooms there are two small bars across from the men’s room/ATM’s which can come in handy if you are in need of quick stop. Then out back is Camp Belmar. A lot of tables under a tent and a bar. Final notes grails are to be chugged not sipped on.

Don’t touch the blinds. If you’re a guy don’t try getting on stage. Most importantly learn every single word to Calling. If you’re big on personal space D’Jais probably isn’t the spot for you, otherwise you’ll have a blast.

The Columns

I didn’t go to The Columns until about 2 years ago. Me and my friends took a risk and tried something new on the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend 2023 and I have been grateful ever since. The Columns is definitely a little classier than D’Jais but it’s not quite as pretentious as the Parker House crowd. Another huge plus is it’s a live music bar. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood when Pat Roddy Band is serenading you with some Bruce Springsteen. Can’t recommend The Columns enough, great bar.

On a side note I took my mother here for Mother’s Day 2022 and had a wonderful late lunch early dinner. A little pricey but that’s to be expected on Mother’s Day.

The Osprey and Leggetts

Two Bars right next door to each other that both hold a special place in my heart.

The Osprey is a huge indoor bar. When you enter The Osprey you can go one of two way. One side is more akin to D’Jais, It’s pitch dark, loud clubby music bumping at all times. I’ve spent approximately 5 minutes on this side of Osprey. On the other side of Osprey is a large space with a stage. Usually a pop punk cover band takes that stage around 10 PM. I’ve had some great nights at Osprey, one in particular being in 2019.

I watched Todd Frazier hit this epic game tying home run and then Michael Conforto walked it off on Sean Doolittle. Me and dozens of Mets fans went wild, good times.

Then about 100 feet down the sidewalk is Leggetts. Leggetts has the feel of your hometown bar in beautiful Manasquan, New Jersey. I’ve had plenty of good times at shot wheel night on Thursday and also don’t sleep on the pizza, very solid. The Leggetts Mix on Spotify also slaps.

Bird and Betty’s

About as far south as I’ll go in the summer is Long Beach Island. Anywhere south of here is pretty much Philly. Bird and Betty’s is an incredible bar. Downstairs has the stage a dance floor and 2 bars. Upstairs features another bar and area to hang out if you want to listen to the music and avoid the crazies on the dance floor. The absolute best part of Bird’s is upstairs outside. A stunning deck with another huge bar. There’s usually a DJ outside as well.

Finally there’s a few bars that don’t make my list but deserve mentions. Bar A on Tuesdays is elite, but Bar A suffers from it being so spread out. I wouldn’t recommend it on a Friday or Saturday night. But a Saturday afternoon on a holiday weekend is decent. Jenks is a madhouse I went a bunch of times in 2021 and haven’t been back since. Bathroom situation is an absolute nightmare. Parker House is a very beloved spot. My knock on it is a few things. It feels like a wanna be Hamptons bar and I feel like I’m intruding on a CBA/RBC class reunion. It’s just not for me.

My final note is this, enjoy it. Enjoy every second of it. The days are long but the months and years are short.

On twitter you can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon.