Asbury Park, New Jersey's rock beach
The gay community was the first to notice, a couple of decades ago now, of the potential of this small villa by the sea that brush maker James A. Bradley founded in 1871 as a residential area. Its recent history of ups and downs, starring strong racial riots in the 70s, seems further away every day. Asbury Park blooms today at breakneck speed with the same broad smile 'Tillie', your pet.
Tillie, the best known inhabitant of Asbury Park
Asburite social life extends fundamentally over two zones, the promenade (the boardwalk) and the cookman street , which connects the beach with the train station. Cookman has undergone a very important transformation process in recent years and the results are visible. A good number of restaurants, cafes and bars they welcome the visitor, starting with Johnny Mac's, the Irish pub opposite the station that is looking more and more like an amusement park. Few corners remain without a recurring phrase, a riddle or some old piece turned into decoration; so much so that irish has spread to a summer patio (also open, and tempered with stoves in winter) where they succeed their beers entitled to free pizza and their Sunday Bloody Maries with tortillas.
welcome to new jersey
Coffee lovers can enjoy good flavors and comfort at both Café Volan and America's Cup, although when it comes to a classic American breakfast there is no place better than Frank's. The walk from the center to this cafeteria is more than justified: has been serving the best steak sandwiches in the county for nearly four decades . If you want to look like a local, you'll only see one thing on the menu: “Pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich” .
At Frank's you'll find the most classic atmosphere in New Jersey, relaxed, informal and rocker ; not in vain Bruce Springsteen shot part of his video there ** 'We take care of our own' **, in which he talks about the strength of character of the natives of New Jersey (Do not forget that the scourge of Hurricane Sandy caused damage to millions and left hundreds of families homeless in this area) .
Asbury Park Coffee and Breakfast
Before going to the beach (in high season, adults from 5 to 7 dollars ), a walk through two of the city's most emblematic buildings is essential, the Convention Hall and the Paramount Theater . This architectural complex, where legendary bands such as The Doors, Janis Joplin and Johnny Cash (who lived in Asbury for a while) performed, was designed by Warren & Wetmore, the architects who devised New York's Grand Central Station. On this occasion, the building complex has a much more playful character, with colorful moldings in the form of marine symbols. “Welcome to Asbury Park” , is read in large letters illuminated at night, a phrase that is already the emblem of the town, but that was originally was part of the title of Bruce Springsteen's first album , who was born and grew up a few kilometers away.
Janis Joplin performing at Asbury Park Convention Hall
The stage where the musician has performed more times in his life (although his name never appeared on the poster) is just a few steps away, it is The Stone Pony . Lots of live music lovers flock to its façade, even from other countries, aware that this is one of the few remaining stages from the golden age of Rock and Roll. At a recent concert, The Doors guitarist, Robby Kriegger, affirmed that his performance there was without a doubt the best of the entire tour.
In summer, The Stone Pony poster lights up in even bigger letters with the presence of an outdoor stage worthy of the best music festival: The Pixies, Cake or The Kooks are some of the bands that will be there this season.
The Wonder Bar
If The Stone Pony lineup doesn't interest you, it's easy to find other live music options: just a few steps away, The Wonderbar is another classic. Every Monday during the summer offers at least three different bands for free . Before you sit down to enjoy yourself, you've more than likely already heard local musicians like Stringbean in the area, who offer an amalgamation of blues, reggae and round-cut folk.
Very rocker and more petfriendly
That your thing is rather alternative and punk? No problem, the Asbury Lanes bowling alley scene also continues to rage almost daily. This place, where you can still play bowling while listening to a live , is still standing against all odds with its psychedelic interior and 60s pop. A classic cocktail that they prepare well here is the Long Island Tea (it has everything except tea, although it tastes similar) , yes, it may complicate the bowling game a bit, since you will have to keep track of the points from memory.
In the field of vintage, very present in the city, the Silverball Pinball Museum is a good corner where you can not only admire, but also play more than 250 Pinball machines of all time, from relics with thirty and forty years in perfect condition, to the latest news.
Returning to live music, this time on the other side of the village, The Saint is another unspoiled classic in downstate New York that keeps its tiny interior alive with the passage of national and international bands in transit from Philadelphia, like the Spanish-Argentine band Capsula, who stopped here on their last North American tour.
If all this activity has whetted your appetite, here there is no lack of recommendations for eating well . Starting with one of the latest additions, the Festhall Biergarden is a post-industrial german brewery that has hit the coast with its long list of imported beers and its fantastic terrace overlooking the lake.
Berlin in New Jersey
If you are more of ingredients of the land (New Jersey is known as the 'Orchard State' for the goodness of its land.) Don't miss Talula's, a pizzeria serving only organic and seasonal produce grown locally. Also very popular for its menu, its pleasant patio and its disco area is the Porta pub-restaurant.
Collectors of oddities and curios will enjoy the variety at The Shoppes at the Arcade, the place to pick up everything from reclaimed wood sunglasses to vintage comics to vintage furniture. Redmoon and Interwoven are two other key stops where you can find gifts, decoration details and clothing. 'made in America'.
american-style
If you have been wanting to learn more about the spirit behind this vibrant city, come and say hello to the Words library! , the mind behind the Second Life Bikes bicycle repair shop, or those responsible for the solidarity menu at Kula Café .
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Old Asbury Park Casino