The beginning of summer at the Jersey Shore is the most wonderful time of the year. For many, it's the excitement of upcoming beach days. For others, the start of summer means the reopening of beloved bars and restaurants that closed for the winter. JSG missed these spots so much that we decided to create a list of our favorite places to eat and drink, which we finally have back for the season. Keep reading to learn more about Jersey Shore restaurants and bars reopening for summer 2025.

2nd Jetty Seafood | 140 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright

2nd Jetty is a seafood restaurant with a patio in Sea Bright. It reopened for the season on March 18th. Its spring hours are Wednesday through Saturday, with doors opening at 4PM. The menu changes regularly, so follow its Instagram here for updates on food and summer hours.

Read More: 19 Jersey Shore Restaurants + Bars to Visit Before the Summer Rush

9th Ave Pier | 905 NJ-35, Belmar

 

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9th Ave Pier is a waterfront restaurant + bar at the Belmar Marina. It has American pub-style food and is known for its rum buckets. 9th Ave Pier will have live music for the summer of 2025 on Monday-Saturday from 6PM-10PM and Sundays from 3PM-7PM. JSG was told that the 9th Ave Pier plans to be open on May 9th (weather permitting), so stay tuned by following its social.

AVA Beach Bar | 23 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch

AVA Beach Bar, the former Surfside Beach Bar, is located in Pier Village in Long Branch. It is scheduled to open on May 16th, and its live entertainment will begin on May 22nd. AVA's big kickoff for the season is MDW; on May 24th, it is hosting Bass Jackers. Doors open at 12PM, the show starts at 4PM, and tickets can be purchased here.

Barry's Do Me A Favor | 309 Centre Street, Beach Haven

 

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Barry's Do Me A Favor is a low-key, after-beach eatery in Beach Haven. Its opening day for 2025 is May 2nd, which will be its 38th summer season. Barry's will be open Friday through Sunday from 11:30AM-9PM, where customers can grab fun bites like cheesesteaks and fish tacos, or try one of its 24 flavors of Arctic ice cream.

The Beach Bar | 1300 Ocean Avenue North, Asbury Park

The Beach Bar overlooks Asbury Park's beach and offers fun live music and drink specials. In the spring, it is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30AM to 7PM. The Beach Bar’s summer hours, which start on May 24th, are Monday through Thursday, 12PM to 11PM, and Friday through Sunday, 12PM to 1AM.

The Beach House LBI | South 13015 Long Beach Boulevard, Beach Haven

The Beach House has served hungry patrons seafood, steak, and pasta in LBI for over 20 years. The 2025  summer season began on April 18th. The restaurant has curbside pick-up and indoor or outdoor seating, but JSG recommends a reservation if dining in. The Beach House LBI is open Friday and Saturday at 5PM, and it is BYOB. FYI: The restaurant is open seven days a week starting Father’s Day weekend.

Bird + Betty's | 529 Dock Road, Beach Haven

Bird + Betty's is a restaurant, bar, nightclub, and live music venue on the water in Beach Haven. It's a classic LBI go-to spot with fun porch vibes and happy hours. Its opening day was May 1st. There's already a lineup of entertainment scheduled for the entire summer, which can be viewed ​here.

Blue Water Cafe | 11205 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach

Blue Water Cafe is a restaurant with patio seating in Long Beach that serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. Its opening day is May 1st. Its signature dishes include the lobster roll, banana foster French toast, and bouillabaisse. FYI: Blue Water Cafe is BYOB and accepts walk-ins only.

Boondocks Fishery | 1 Marine Park, Red Bank

Boondocks Fishery is a seafood shack on the banks of the Navesink River in Red Bank. This hidden gem has a special Party Like a Lobster special deal on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays starting at 4PM where patrons can get two lobsters, corn, and potatoes for $36.95. Boondocks Fishery reopens on May 20th.

The Columns | 601 Ocean Avenue, Avon-By-The-Sea

The Columns is a bar and restaurant in a Victorian mansion across the street from Avon-by-the-Sea's beach. Its pre-season party begins at 5PM on May 4th, and its opening day starts at 2PM on May 10th. The Columns has live music planned for both dates and a full summer entertainment lineup, which is linked here.

D'Jais | 1801 Ocean Avenue, Belmar

A staple of the Jersey Shore since 1959, D'Jais is a popular dance club, bar, and restaurant in Belmar. Its opening party is on May 3rd, featuring bingo games and food, and drink specials (which is common for D'Jais). While D'Jais has many fun themes, JSG loves its after-work party on Fridays in the summer — including a buffet, drink specials, no cover, a spin the wheel for prizes, and a live DJ.

Donovan's Reef | 1171 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright

Donovan's Reef is a patio and tiki bar in Sea Bright. Since opening in 1976, it has become a popular beach bar for Jersey Shore locals and travelers; it's known for its rum, tequila, and vodka buckets. Donovan's opening day was April 17th, and it had a lineup of live music planned. Click here to learn more.

Harvey Cedars Shellfish Company | 7904 Long Beach Boulevard, Harvey Cedars

 

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Harvey Cedars Shellfish Company is a first-come, first-served seafood restaurant in LBI. It's opening MDW (starting on Thursday, May 22nd at 4:30PM) for indoor, outdoor, and takeout dining. FYI: Harvey Cedars is BYOB and has a fish market.

Howard's Seafood Restaurant | 13500 Baltic Avenue, Long Beach

Howard's Seafood Restaurant is in Long Beach. Popular menu items include the French Fried Lobster and New England Clam Chowder. Howard's reopened for its 75th season on May 1st.

Jenks Club | 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach

Jenks Club is an indoor and outdoor beach bar in Point Pleasant. While Jenks Club has sporadic events throughout the year, its summer kickoff starts on Friday, May 23rd, with an MDW weekend lineup of live music. Shortly after, on June 4th, starts its Country Wednesdays. Learn more about the live music schedule by visiting the calendar linked here.

Martell's Tiki Bar | 308 Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach

 

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Martell's is a beachfront restaurant and tiki bar in Point Pleasant Beach. It's known for its tropical drinks, views of the ocean, and live music (view its events calendar here). Martell's Tiki Bar opened back up at the end of March, and new menu items include the ahi tuna stack and fresh catch sandwiches.

The Osprey | 201 1st Avenue, Manasquan

The Osprey is a summertime staple in Manasquan. It features DJs, live bands, and summer room rentals. The Osprey has events starting mid-April, and its official summer opening is MDW.

Parker's Garage + Oyster Saloon | 116 Northwest Avenue, Beach Haven

Parker's is a seafood restaurant and private event venue in Beach Haven. The start of the season is staggered at Parker’s. It opens on May 11th and will also be open on the 15th and 18th. From there, it is open on May 22nd and every day of MDW. From late May to mid-June, except June 6th, it is open Thursdays through Mondays. The regular schedule begins on June 12th, when Parker's is open seven days a week. FYI: Taylor Swift was spotted at Parker's Garage, so the tricky schedule is worth it.

The Parker House | 290 1st Avenue + Beacon Boulevard, Sea Girt

The Parker House is a bar and restaurant in Sea Girt. It's set in a multi-floor Victorian beach house with features like a wraparound porch for dining. The Parker House's opening date is May 9th, and its entertainment schedule is linked here.

Red's Lobster Pot | 57 Inlet Drive, Point Pleasant Beach

 

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Red's Lobster Pot is a cute restaurant in Point Pleasant Beach. It serves fresh seafood and a full selection of cocktails, beer, and wine. Reservations were available starting April 30th to prepare for its opening date of May 9th. Red's is closed on Tuesdays and open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Monday.

The Sandbox at Seastreak Beach | 326 Shore Drive, Highlands

 

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The Sandbox at Seastreak Beach is a casual beach bar in Atlantic Highlands Seastreak Ferry Terminal. Beginning on May 22nd, The Sandbox is open Mondays-Thursdays at 4PM and Fridays-Sundays at 10AM. Its website updates the live music and food truck schedule here. 

Salvation | 210 Fifth Avenue, Asbury Park

Salvation is a rooftop bar at The Asbury Hotel with live music and DJ sets. Its grand opening is on May 1st, and the new menu features cocktails, shots, wine, beer, and snacks. Salvation will be open Monday through Thursday from 4PM to 12AM, Saturday from 2PM to 1AM, and Sunday from 2PM to 11PM.

The Shrimp Box + Outside The Box Patio Bar | 75 Inlet Drive, Point Pleasant Beach

The Shrimp Box is a waterfront restaurant and patio bar in Point Pleasant Beach. The Shrimp Box opened on March 5th for lunch and dinner, serving seven days a week. FYI: Outside The Box Patio Bar is a good spot to see a pretty sunset in the warmer months.

Star Beach Bar | 402 East Rochester Avenue, Wildwood Crest

Star Beach Bar is set on the sand in Wildwood Crest. Summer hours are 11AM-10PM from May 20th through September 8th, and it is open daily. Live music and entertainment take place at Star Beach Bar from 5PM-9PM Sunday through Thursday and 6PM-10PM Friday and Saturday through LDW.

See More: 50 Activities for Your Summer Bucket List 2025 in Hoboken + Jersey City

Wharfside Patio Bar | 101 Channel Drive, Point Pleasant Beach

The Patio Bar at the Wharfside is at Point Pleasant Beach. It's known for its rum buckets, casual seafood options, and live music lineup. The entertainment schedule officially starts on May 10th; read more about it here.