{"id":238260,"date":"2026-09-09T21:00:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T01:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/?p=238260"},"modified":"2026-09-09T10:02:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T14:02:19","slug":"empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of Asbury Park\u2019s Iconic Empress Hotel"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"custom_featured_image\" style=\"display:none;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj-800x533.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"empress hotel asbury park nj\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj-585x390.jpg 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj-263x175.jpg 263w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div><div id=\"custom_category\" style=\"display:none;\">local landmarks<\/div><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are certain landmarks that just feel synonymous with <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/date-night-activities-asbury-park-jersey-shore-nj\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Asbury Park.<\/a> Convention Hall, the Casino, <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/stone-pony-summer-line-up-2025-asbury-park-nj\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Stone Pony<\/a>, 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/lgbtq-owned-businesses-jersey-shore-nj\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LGBTQ+ community<\/a>. Today, the 21+ hotel is known for much more than a place to spend the night. There\u2019s 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. <\/span><b>Read on to learn more about The Empress Hotel, from its history and LGBTQ+ roots to what it\u2019s like to stay, swim, and go out at this Asbury Park staple.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-238265\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"empress hotel asbury park nj\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj-585x390.jpg 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj-263x175.jpg 263w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-asbury-park-nj.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>The History<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>See More: <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/new-jersey-6-original-counties-history\/\">Meet New Jersey\u2019s 6 Original Counties<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, it wouldn\u2019t be an Asbury Park history lesson without a Bruce Springsteen connection. Before becoming <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Boss<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 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 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hungry Heart<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> featured a photo of Springsteen on the Asbury Park boardwalk with The Empress visible in the background.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another notable chapter came in June 1968 with a visit from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/asburyempress.com\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Judy Garland<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Her time at the Jersey Shore later became the inspiration for <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Judy Garland at the Empress<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a play written by Dr. Larry Myers that explored the actress\u2019s 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\u2019s long connection to Asbury Park history.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Empress + Asbury Park\u2019s LGBTQ+ Community<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, The Empress Hotel is closely intertwined with Asbury Park\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That connection can still be felt today, particularly during Asbury Park\u2019s annual Pride celebrations, when the surrounding area fills with events, parties, and visitors from throughout New Jersey and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Pool<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pool at The Empress Hotel is an entire vibe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019t exactly the place for a silent afternoon swim. JSG recommends ordering a pi\u00f1a colada from the bar and taking in the poolside scene.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-238268\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-pool-800x800.jpg\" alt=\"empress hotel pool\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-pool-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-pool-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-pool-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-pool-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-pool-1170x1170.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-pool-585x585.jpg 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-pool.jpg 1206w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The social atmosphere is one of the best parts. Conversations happen both in and around the pool, music keeps the energy going, and it\u2019s easy to understand why people end up spending an entire afternoon here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sundays bring another longstanding Empress tradition: Sunday Tea Dances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JSG<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggests checking the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paradisenj.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paradise events calendar<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before heading over for current cover charges, performers, and DJ information.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Paradise Nightclub<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A trip to The Empress can easily turn into a full night out without ever leaving the property.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-238266\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nightclub-800x800.jpeg\" alt=\"empress hotel nightclub\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nightclub-800x800.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nightclub-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nightclub-200x200.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nightclub-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nightclub-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nightclub-2048x2048.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nightclub-1920x1920.jpeg 1920w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nightclub-1170x1170.jpeg 1170w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nightclub-585x585.jpeg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paradise Nightclub is downstairs and is one of Asbury Park\u2019s go-to spots for LGBTQ+ nightlife. Dance parties, drag shows, karaoke nights, DJs, and community events regularly fill the calendar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The atmosphere feels fun and judgment-free. Flashing lights, music, dancing, and a crowd that genuinely looks like it\u2019s having a good time make Paradise the kind of place where it\u2019s pretty easy to stay out later than planned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Staying at The Empress Hotel<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Empress Hotel is a 21+ property with 101 rooms, many of which include private outdoor spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-238269\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nj-800x800.jpg\" alt=\"empress hotel nj\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nj-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nj-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nj-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nj-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nj-1170x1170.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nj-585x585.jpg 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/09\/empress-hotel-nj.jpg 1206w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JSG<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>The JSG Take<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than six decades after it first opened its doors, The Empress Hotel has lived through several very different eras of Asbury Park.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019s most recognizable LGBTQ+ destinations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, The Empress Hotel is still much more than a place to sleep. It\u2019s a place where locals and visitors come together to swim, dance, celebrate, and experience a piece of Asbury Park history in real time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>See More: <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/world-of-blue-hotel-east-rutherford-nj\/\">World of Blue Hotel Opens Near MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/asburyempress.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Empress Hotel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is located at 101 Asbury Avenue in Asbury Park. More information about hotel reservations, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paradisenj.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paradise nightclub<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, pool access, and upcoming events can be found on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/asburyempress.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Empress Hotel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paradisenj.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paradise<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> websites.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Follow @thejerseyshoregirl_ on&nbsp;<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thejerseyshoregirl_\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thehobokengirl\/?hl=en\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">Instagram<\/a>&nbsp;for the latest Jersey Shore updates,&nbsp;<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/twilight-lion-90332.myflodesk.com\/jrf4qhj7qk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/view.flodesk.com\/pages\/62f92877e5ea6b3d8aea50ad\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">sign up for our weekly newsletter here<\/a>&nbsp;that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our&nbsp;<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/events\/\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">events calendar<\/a>, which has over 40+ events weekly to peruse.<\/p>\n<div class=\"categories\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/category\/lifestyle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lifestyle<\/a>&nbsp;<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>local landmarksThere are certain landmarks that just feel synonymous with Asbury Park. Convention Hall, the Casino, The Stone Pony, and, of course,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":391,"featured_media":238265,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[9644,7997,9640,9593,567],"tags":[9677,9683,9662,9702,9678,9755],"class_list":["post-238260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asbury-park","category-lifestyle","category-jersey-shore-towns","category-local-girl-rss-feed","category-travel","tag-asbury-park","tag-historic-landmarks","tag-history","tag-lifestyle","tag-new-jersey","tag-tlg"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The History of Asbury Park\u2019s Iconic Empress Hotel - 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