The Jersey Shore nightlife scene is known for its DJs and beachside dance parties. But every so often, everyone needs an evening out with friends that has a vibe that’s a bit more low-key. Everyone loves a space that is yap-friendly which The Jersey Shore Girl has decided is a bar with good drinks + background music that is low enough that you don’t have to scream, “What?” over and over again in the middle of your friend’s story. Keep reading for a list of bars down the Jersey Shore that are vibey for a low-key (or demure?) night out.
21A on Broadway | 202 Broadway, Long Branch
21A on Broadway is an American restaurant with a Mediterranean fusion in Long Branch. It brings a fun vibe with a happy hour menu and live weekly entertainment. The two-story restaurant has high ceilings and is vibey with hanging lights and modern artwork alongside one of its trendy cocktail options.
Albarino | 508 Broad Street, Shrewsbury
Albarino is a tapas + wine bar with Spanish-inspired dishes located in Shrewsbury. The menu alone sets the vibe for a laid-back night out with friends; its plates, like the salads, paella, or 10-inch pizzas, are meant for sharing and fit the upscale yet fun environment of the restaurant. It also has happy hour from 3PM to 6PM at the bar or high tops only, and it often hosts wine tastings + ladies’ nights.
Read More: 50+ Ways to Spend a Winter Day at the Jersey Shore
AP Rooftop | 1200 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park
AP Rooftop has such a pretty ambiance that it’s challenging to decide on just one aesthetic choice that makes this rooftop a complete vibe. JSG loves the fireplaces, but the hanging greenery and panoramic ocean views are also nice. Plus, the extensive cocktail list feels like an exclusive experience that will keep the vibes high all night.
The Beach Gallery | 260 Beachway Avenue, Keansburg
The Beach Gallery is a rooftop bar and entertainment hub open year-round. It has all the vibes covered in one location with its inclusive events — from dueling pianos to mixology classes to being the space for a book club meeting. JSG recommends going to The Beach Gallery for brunch: the luxury mimosa and flowering spritz tower look + taste as good as it sounds.
Centrada | 8 West Front Street, Red Bank
Centrada is a Pan-Latin dining experience located in downtown Red Bank. The vibes at Centrada are thriving as it blends the vibrancy of Tulum with the style of Cuba and the intimacy of Barcelona — something that everyone in the friend group will love for a chill night out. It also has a library of exotic tequilas, mezcals, craft beers, and wines that top off a chic girls’ night out.
The Columns | 601 Ocean Avenue, Avon-By-The-Sea
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The Columns is a restaurant + club located in Avon-By-The-Sea. It’s a Jersey Shore favorite for a night out because of its live music lineup. The Columns is part of this list because the Victorian mansion sets a vibe right from the start, and the ocean view is a welcoming addition to setting a chill environment.
Ember + Eagle | 2000 Lowther Drive, Eatontown
Ember and Eagle is a steakhouse open to members and non-members at Suneagles Golf Club inside Tillinghouse Golf Club. It makes the list of JSG’s vibey bars because arriving feels like stepping inside a luxurious mansion — one that is a good choice for a trendy night out for cocktails. JSG recommends visiting the Parlor Bar, which has a classical rounded bar area and a consistent live music schedule.
The Grand Tavern | 1105 6th Avenue, Neptune
The Grand Tavern, beloved by locals for its comforting food options and inventive cocktails, is in Neptune. The Grand Tavern is typically dimly lit, which sets a calming environment for ordering one of its glamour shots — like the PB&J (picture peanut-butter washed bourbon and mixed berry). JSG recommends snagging a res, as it tends to get crowded on the weekends.
Lana | 32 Laird Street, Long Branch
Lana is an upscale spot for wine by the glass or bottle, conveniently located in Pier Village. Lana has all the features of a trendy night out, like its Nespresso Martini, often paired with one of its carefully crafted dishes like a shareable charcuterie board. Lana has an elegant ambiance, DJs + bands + loungeable areas, making this a refined yet cozy location.
Lovesick | 530 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park
Lovesick is a cute wine bar located in downtown Asbury Park. It has an Insta-ready backdrop for a girl’s night out with its purple-painted brick walls, multi-colored light fixtures over the bar, and a neon pink heart at the door entrance. Lovesick often has DJs spinning vinyl records that set a groovy vibe while customers sip on one of its 75 wines or taste an option from its small bites menu. FYI: There is a cute + loungey spot for a group right by the entrance of this wine bar — JSG recommends arriving early to snag it.
Park Social Lounge | 1311 NJ-35, Neptune City
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Park Social is a restaurant, lounge, + bar located in Neptune City. It has a vintage glam aesthetic with an old Hollywood feel fitting for an evening out with friends. There are elevated food options, and the cocktails are as chic as the gold and velvet details that make this a pretty bar option.
Proving Ground | 56 Shrewsbury Avenue, Highlands
Proving Ground is a good option for a vibey night with waterfront views + fire pits. Proving Ground specializes in always having the newest craft beers and cocktails that are a fun addition to a relaxed evening. Proving Ground also frequently has different events and local live music to create a calm environment.
The Rum Runner | 816 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright
The Rum Runner is a seafood restaurant in Sea Bright. It has a riverfront deck that creates a coastal vibe for a cocktail with a pretty view. JSG loves Wednesdays at The Rum Runner because it’s wine + cheese night (which is a vibe all in itself) — customers can get a bottle of wine + cheese plate for $40.
The St. Laurent Social Club Lounge | 408 7th Avenue, Asbury Park
The St. Laurent Social Lounge is a classic-style bar inside the boutique hotel, The St. Laurent, in Asbury Park. The space mimics the casual glamour of Asbury Park’s history as being known as the city by the sea. The bartenders at the lounge are mixologists who carefully curate balanced drinks for sipping at the bar or to enjoy at one of its cute lounge areas.
See More: 21 Vibey Bars for a Low-Key Night Out in Hoboken + Jersey City
Watermark | 800 Ocean Ave Second Floor, Asbury Park
Watermark is a sleek, sprawling indoor and outdoor rooftop bar with ocean views directly on Asbury Park’s boardwalk. Watermark has so many cocktail options that the menu reads like a book, and these trendy drinks are typically sipped while sitting on one of the comfortable lounge seats. The fireplaces also set a comforting vibe, creating a pretty backdrop for catching up with friends.
Whitechapel Projects | 15 2nd Avenue, Long Branch
The Whitechapel Projects is a neighborhood spot with an industrial chic aesthetic. It has food, drinks, events, and live music that set an inclusive vibe. The brick walls, string lights, and hanging plants create an artsy feel for an evening of chatting and spending an eclectic evening by the shore.
A Guide to Healthy Eating at the Jersey Shore
Even though most people think of boardwalk fries and ice cream cones when thinking about food options at the Jersey Shore, there is also a vibrant selection of spots offering healthful choices. From farm-to-table to vegan to sans-inflammatory-ingredient-diet based options, there is something for everyone. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it is sure to get anyone started on the right foot. Read on for some great health-themed restaurants serving up flavor in a big way at the Jersey Shore.
Asbury Park
Juice Beach | 701 Cookman Avenue
Juice Beach serves up a refreshing menu of smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and wellness shots crafted to fuel the day. Known for its three-day juice cleanse, this spot also features smoothie bowls and vegan-friendly snacks. Juice Beach is on a mission to make the world a healthier place, one day at a time, with a sip of its rainbow-colored variety of juices.
Read More: A Guide to Healthy Eats in the Asbury Park Area
Local 130 Seafood | 1305 Memorial Drive
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From ocean to table, Local 130 is dedicated to providing fresh, sustainable seafood sourced directly from local fishermen. The small storefront situated on Memorial Drive in Asbury Park serves up a variety of fresh fish, shellfish, prepared meals, and other specialty items. It also has same-day delivery when possible in Monmouth and Ocean Counties for orders placed before 12PM. While many fish suppliers engage in practices that are harmful to the fish population, Local 130 dedicates itself to just the opposite.
Makana's | 609 Cookman Avenue
The flavors of Makana's instantly transport visitors to the beautiful shores of Hawaii. Each dish is crafted with high-quality ingredients representative of the local flavors found all throughout the island, such as the loco moco, kalua pork sliders, or their musubis. Whether it's time for a delicious breakfast, a nutritious lunch, or anything in between, Maka’s has everyone covered.
Playa Bowls | Various Locations
Playa Bowls, with locations across the country, is the original acai bowl shop that started on the Jersey Shore. There are two locations in Asbury Park: the downtown shop on 701 Cookman Avenue and, for beachgoers, a storefront at 1200 Ocean Avenue. Using the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, it serves healthy, delicious açaí, pitaya, and coconut bowls and smoothies with sustainability and community in mind. There is even a special winter menu featuring peppermint and gingerbread flavors that, although served cool, will warm up anyone's soul no matter what the forecast is.
Pulp | 516 Summerfield Avenue
Just around the corner of the bustling downtown of Asbury Park is Pulp, a locally sourced sustainable cafe. Fresh, basic ingredients are baked, blended, and whipped into healthy treats that shine on the menu. It is the ultimate destination for smoothie and juice lovers looking for fresh and vibrant flavors. The vegan chili is also not to be missed, it is so popular that it is available year-round.
Avon-by-the-Sea
Cave Bistro | 515 Sylvania Avenue
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Cavé Bistro serves a 100% gluten-free, farm-to-table dining experience. Its menu features organic produce, grass-fed and pasture-raised meats, and fresh, wild-caught seafood. The restaurant also has a weekly service in small batches alongside the daily service if finding a convenient way to stay committed to health through food is a priority. Bonus: Check out the Instagram page for Chef Doug’s insight into food and all things health related.
Seed to Sprout | 410 Main Street
Located in Avon-by-the-Sea, Seed to Sprout is a vegan café that has organic, plant-based dishes crafted from the freshest ingredients. Creative weekly specials include choices such as loaded kimchi fried rice and lemon red pepper lentil soup that is sure to warm anyone up during these winter months. The eclectic menu includes breakfast items, bowls, sandwiches, superfood smoothies, and fresh juices available for dine-in or takeout.
Belmar
Kaya’s Kitchen | 1000 Main Street
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The food served at Kaya’s Kitchen is as poetic as the performers who regularly take the stage here, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The menu features plant-based dishes, including house classics like lentil loaf and BBQ seitan ribs, as well as a variety of salads, sandwiches, and burgers. Kaya’s Kitchen is situated at the corner of 10th and Main in Belmar.
Nourished By Nature Smoothie + Cold Pressed Juice Shop | 801 Main Street, Unit 1A
If you're a '90s kid who jammed out to Naughty by Nature, it's time to get down with a different kind of NBN — Nourished By Nature. Located on Main Street in Belmar amidst many other colorful shops, NBN provides healthy alternatives that are easy and accessible while promising to be absolutely delicious. If stopping by to try one of the cold-pressed juices or nut milkshakes is not on the schedule, it offers delivery for juices and cleanses throughout New Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania.
Bradley Beach
Luna Verde | 400 Main Street
Photo Credit: Luna Verde
If learning more about vegan food is a goal, then a restaurant owned by vegans is a great place to start. The Hidalgo Family of Bradley Beach, owners of Luna Verde, share their love of delicious and homemade (vegan) Mexican food with all those who order their food for delivery or pickup. Instead of melted cheese on every dish, flavorful salsas and vegan sauces adorn the various dishes featured on the menu. Patrons should be sure to check Luna Verde’s social media accounts for current operating hours and specials of the day. There is no dine-in option.
Bamboo Leaf Thai Eatery | 722/724 Main Street
In the heart of Bradley Beach on Main Street is Bamboo Leaf Thai Eatery. A family-owned and operated establishment for over 25 years, it serves traditional Thai dishes, including favorites like Pad Thai, Panang Curry, and Drunken noodles “pad kee mao.” If planning to dine in, especially on a weekend, prepare for a wait, as it is very popular and has a small dining area.
Highlands
JÜS Organic | 135 1st Avenue
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JÜS Organic has been serving clean, organic, and natural foods and beverages in Atlantic Highlands, NJ since 2015. It serves bright and healthy breakfast options, snacks, light bites, and signature smoothies and juices, all served with a side of humor depicted on both the website and Instagram account. There is even a special menu for the budding healthy eaters who are not old enough to drive themselves to the store.
Et al | 300 Shore Drive
If doing a happy dance for food is a requirement, Et al inspires it. By Hand — From Scratch — w/ Love is not only the tagline; it is an ingredient in all of the dishes, so it is rumored. A cozy, well-appointed dining room welcomes visitors the moment the door opens to the restaurant, no matter the time of day. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the menu features smoothies and fresh juices, rice paper wraps flavored with julienne vegetables, avocado & mango, and a myriad of salads packed with protein.
Manasquan
Main Street Kitchen | 140 Main Street
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A quaint cafe situated on Main Street in Manasquan, Main Street Kitchen serves sandwiches, salads, soups, and grab-and-go choices. On the healthier side, all of the marinades, stocks, and sauces are made from scratch, so fresh flavors are the standard. Main Street also has 30 years’ experience as caterers + full-service event planners and can work with clients throughout the state.
Monmouth Health Foods | 181 Main Street
With 10,000 different natural and organic products and supplements, Monmouth Health Foods has something for everyone. If a health journey is an unfamiliar experience, the store has wellness experts available to help with nutrition needs. The store also provides third-party information on different supplements so that anyone can make well-informed decisions. The store features a full-service grocery department, discounted vitamins, herbs, nutraceuticals, and more.
Red Bank
Good Karma Cafe | 17 East Front Street
Good vibes and better eats make this cozy café that serves up a fully plant-based menu packed with flavor and freshness a destination. From nourishing bowls to hearty wraps and energizing smoothies, every dish is crafted with care and a commitment to sustainability. For extra karma points, whenever possible the restaurant uses local and fair trade products.
Good Life Organic Kitchen | 60 Broad Street, Red Bank
Photo Credit: Good Life
This health-forward cafe serves up high-quality, non-GMO, and organic food and drink. It features smoothie bowls, cold-pressed juices, and wholesome meals that make clean eating both easy and crave-worthy.
KITCH Organic | 75 Leighton Avenue, Red Bank
If fueling the body is a priority for a healthier and abundant life, then KITCH Organic is a go-to spot. All ingredients are 100% organic, free-range, gluten, wheat, and dairy-free. Whether it's ordering in the restaurant or getting delivery, KITCH Organic makes clean eating feel like a breeze.
Shrewsbury
Hearthly Burger | 520 Broad Street
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Burgers, but make them sustainable, grass-fed, cage-free, and hormone and antibiotic-free. In between every bun is a regionally sourced product that promises to provide a combination of flavors from Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Rhode Island, Upstate New York, and Brooklyn. Patrons can pair a burger with cauliflower fries or dill pickles, and that’s a meal that is as craveable as it is conscious.
Sweetgreen | 575 Broad Street
Sweetgreen is a counter-serve chain specializing in organic salads + bowls. With locations all over the country originating in Washington DC, this location is nestled in between several major retailers in a modern-designed strip mall off of Broad Street. A Sweetgreen experience means that the customer is at the heart of their own food experience, choosing from consciously raised chicken to plant forward options.
Toms River
Ocean Organics Juice Bar + Cafe | 570 Fischer Boulevard
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Since 2013, Ocean Organics has been serving fresh smoothies, smoothie bowls, yogurt parfaits, and other healthy breakfast and lunch items. The fries are air-fried, so indulge with less worry about trans fats being present. There is a variety of vegan options, including cashew cheese and jackfruit, and more herbal teas than London during high tea.
Honeygrow | 1201 Hooper Avenue, Suite A10
Honeygrow is a chain that is redefining what fast-casual means with fresh, wholesome ingredients and flavors that are both bold and courageous. At the Toms River location a diner can expect the same opportunity to customize a bowl or choose from a list of favorites such as the Sweet Soy Five Spice, the Buffalo Chicken Salad, or the Fruit and Granola from the Honeybar. Dining at honeygrow is always an experience full of healthy choices.
Healthy + Delicious | 1861 Hooper Avenue
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Tucked in the side of the Village Square strip mall, is a very unassuming doorway into a rustic and warm space that promises “food that tastes good and is better for you.” Healthy + Delicious serves made-to-order meals such as a chicken avocado wrap, southwest salad, and a side of hummus and veggies. It also serves a variety of vegan juices to accompany all of the high-quality ingredients and flavors being served daily.
Wall
Local Urban Kitchen | 1985 NJ-34 Suite A1A
With a second location in Point Pleasant Beach (closed for renovations at the moment), Local Urban Kitchen (LUK) is the true definition of a local, farm-to-table meets laid-back beach town spot. With a mission to provide a place for the community to eat that makes dining for every diet possible, LUK is committed to serving only the freshest organic ingredients that are transformed into hearty brunch plates and energizing smoothie bowls in its kitchen.
See More: The Best Salads in Hoboken: A Definitive List
Greens + Grains | 1861 NJ-35 Unit 105
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With several locations in Southern New Jersey (Atlantic, Monmouth, and Camden counties), Greens + Grains is a go-to for those looking for a vegan, plant-based dining experience. Greens + Grains is redefining the fast-casual game, making it easy for anyone to get a plant-based fix quickly and easily by serving up salads, sandwiches, bowls, and smoothies. But wait, there is more! There is even a vegan and vegetarian-based food truck driving around that can be brought to any event for a fast, healthy, and unique dining experience.
