Jenna Giustino There are certain landmarks that just feel synonymous with Asbury Park. Convention Hall, the Casino, The Stone Pony, and, of course, The Empress Hotel all come to mind. Just steps from the boardwalk, The Empress has roots dating back to the 1960s and has become an iconic part of the city, particularly for its longstanding support of the LGBTQ+ community. Today, the 21+ hotel is known for much more than a place to spend the night. There’s a lively pool scene, Paradise Nightclub downstairs, Sunday Tea Dances, ocean views, and plenty of Asbury Park history packed into one building. JSG recently got to experience a stay at The Empress, which gave us an even closer look at the property locals have been walking past, dancing inside, and making memories at for decades. Read on to learn more about The Empress Hotel, from its history and LGBTQ+ roots to what it’s like to stay, swim, and go out at this Asbury Park staple.
The History
The Empress Hotel originally opened as The Empress Motel in 1961. At the time, it operated as a luxury family resort for those vacationing at the Jersey Shore and became known for hosting some noteworthy guests along the way.
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Of course, it wouldn’t be an Asbury Park history lesson without a Bruce Springsteen connection. Before becoming The Boss, Springsteen reportedly worked as a busboy at The Empress during the summer of 1962. Years later, the property made another appearance in his story when the picture sleeve for his 1980 single Hungry Heart featured a photo of Springsteen on the Asbury Park boardwalk with The Empress visible in the background.
Another notable chapter came in June 1968 with a visit from Judy Garland. The legendary singer was performing a multi-night engagement at the nearby Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel and planned to stay at The Empress Motel.
Her time at the Jersey Shore later became the inspiration for Judy Garland at the Empress, a play written by Dr. Larry Myers that explored the actress’s reportedly chaotic stay. Fans are said to have taken over the motel lobby, eventually leading Garland to leave the property and head down the boardwalk to the Berkeley-Carteret Hotel. The story has since become another piece of The Empress Hotel’s long connection to Asbury Park history.
Asbury Park itself entered a difficult period in the decades that followed. Economic decline, racial tensions, and the civil unrest of July 1970 had a lasting impact on the city. Tourism continued to struggle throughout the decade, with the opening of Atlantic City casinos in 1978 adding another challenge for the once-thriving seaside destination.
The Empress managed to hold on for some time. A manager reportedly noted in 1976 that all 101 rooms were occupied despite the challenges facing the surrounding city. By 1988, however, the property was no longer operating at full capacity and eventually closed its doors.
The building entered a different chapter in 1993 when it became Extreme Fahrenheit, a strip club that later closed after a series of legal issues.
A major turning point came in 1998 when American record producer, songwriter, and DJ Shep Pettibone purchased the abandoned building and opened Paradise Nightclub inside. The club quickly became a destination for the LGBTQ+ community and helped bring new visitors to Asbury Park at a time when the city was beginning its resurgence.
The Empress + Asbury Park’s LGBTQ+ Community
Today, The Empress Hotel is closely intertwined with Asbury Park’s LGBTQ+ community. The property has provided an inclusive space for people to stay, gather, dance, and celebrate for decades, becoming part of the culture that makes Asbury Park feel like Asbury Park.
The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a period of major change for the city, and The Empress and Paradise became part of that next chapter. As more LGBTQ+ visitors began making Asbury Park a destination, the hotel provided a welcoming home base just steps from the beach and boardwalk.
That connection can still be felt today, particularly during Asbury Park’s annual Pride celebrations, when the surrounding area fills with events, parties, and visitors from throughout New Jersey and beyond.
Shep Pettibone still owns The Empress Hotel today, and his background in music feels fitting for a property where music and nightlife are such a big part of the experience. The result is a place that feels equal parts hotel, pool party, nightclub, and community gathering spot.
The Pool
The pool at The Empress Hotel is an entire vibe.
A tiki bar sits alongside the pool, lounge chairs line the deck, and a disco ball hanging above the scene makes it pretty clear that this isn’t exactly the place for a silent afternoon swim. JSG recommends ordering a piña colada from the bar and taking in the poolside scene.
The social atmosphere is one of the best parts. Conversations happen both in and around the pool, music keeps the energy going, and it’s easy to understand why people end up spending an entire afternoon here.
Pool hours typically run from 10AM to 8PM. Hotel guests have access during a stay, while non-guests can contact the front desk or stop by to ask about day-pass availability and current rates.
Sundays bring another longstanding Empress tradition: Sunday Tea Dances.
The weekly event takes place poolside at Paradise from 5PM to 9PM and has long been a beloved gathering for the LGBTQ+ community. Guest DJs, dancing, and drag performances are all part of the experience.
JSG suggests checking the Paradise events calendar before heading over for current cover charges, performers, and DJ information.
Paradise Nightclub
A trip to The Empress can easily turn into a full night out without ever leaving the property.
Paradise Nightclub is downstairs and is one of Asbury Park’s go-to spots for LGBTQ+ nightlife. Dance parties, drag shows, karaoke nights, DJs, and community events regularly fill the calendar.
The atmosphere feels fun and judgment-free. Flashing lights, music, dancing, and a crowd that genuinely looks like it’s having a good time make Paradise the kind of place where it’s pretty easy to stay out later than planned.
Paradise typically operates from 10PM to 2AM, depending on the night and event. A cover charge is common for certain events, while nightclub admission is included for guests staying at The Empress Hotel.
Staying at The Empress Hotel
The Empress Hotel is a 21+ property with 101 rooms, many of which include private outdoor spaces.
Location is one of the biggest perks here. Depending on the room, guests can find views overlooking the ocean, pool, Wesley Lake, or even The Stone Pony Summer Stage.
JSG got to spend the night in a room with an unreal wraparound balcony overlooking the Summer Stage. As Asbury Park locals, we have to admit that watching a show from a private balcony might be one of the best views in town. Plus, in the morning, we had the prettiest view of sunrise over the beach.
The rooms have the essentials for a comfortable stay, including complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee makers, and toiletries. Select rooms also have mini fridges.
The biggest amenity, though, has to be everything waiting right outside the room. Paradise and the pool are downstairs, while the beach, boardwalk, restaurants, bars, and downtown Asbury Park are all within walking distance. A stay here can easily go from beach day to poolside drink to a night of dancing without getting back in the car.
The JSG Take
More than six decades after it first opened its doors, The Empress Hotel has lived through several very different eras of Asbury Park.
Its story has included celebrity guests, a future rock star working as a busboy, periods of decline, a major transformation, and eventually a new identity as one of the city’s most recognizable LGBTQ+ destinations.
Today, The Empress Hotel is still much more than a place to sleep. It’s a place where locals and visitors come together to swim, dance, celebrate, and experience a piece of Asbury Park history in real time.
The disco balls, pool parties, Paradise nights, and ocean views are of course part of the appeal, but the decades of history behind them are what make The Empress such an interesting part of the city. Asbury Park has changed quite a bit since The Empress Motel first opened in 1961, and somehow, this property has found a way to change right along with it.
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The Empress Hotel is located at 101 Asbury Avenue in Asbury Park. More information about hotel reservations, Paradise nightclub, pool access, and upcoming events can be found on The Empress Hotel and Paradise websites.
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