Monmouth County’s phoenix-like Asbury Park has been branded as the City “where music lives” thanks to a vigilant marketing campaign championed by City Manager Terry Reidy. Any mention of this city by the sea conjures up arich musical history with venues like

The Stone Pony

 The Paramount Theater, Convention Hall and in more recent years The Stone Pony and The Saint. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to entertainment in what was once known the “Queen City.” There are new places to discover popping up all the time.

The Wonder Bar

Chico’s House of Jazz, The Wonder Bar, McCloone’s Supper Club, and The Press Room are a few of them that have hit the scene over the last decade; and then you have music in many of the amazing restaurants to be discovered in Asbury Park as well.

Marilyn Schlossbach’s culinary empire has its own music division, “Kitschens Entertainment,” which is run by hot-sauce guru Pete Mantas who books killer bands on the boardwalk at Langosta Lounge as well as downtown at Trinity & The Pope. Other places you can catch some great shows are Holdfast Records (click on their link to check out some shows) the on Cookman Avenue above Russo Music, Georgie’s Bar on Fifth Avenue, Johnny Mac’s on Main and Ivan & Andy’s downtown. And there are others –basically any given night of the week, all year round, there’s something going down! If Priscilla is more your speed, Cee ‘Mour Cox’s “Drag Wars” is happening on the down low every Monday night at La Sierra on Main Street. Yes, there’s truly something for everyone…

For more on that note, check out the trailer below for documentary, “Asbury Park Musical Memories” by local film producer Susan Pellegrini.

Carl Chesna
Monmouth Arts Music Blogger