Nightlife Down The Shore in Post-Sandy Seaside

Traveling through the crowded Garden State Parkway or the battered beach towns on Route 35, faithful visitors are heading down to the Shore for food, games, and a glimpse of progress on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk.

It's the first summer back since Hurricane Sandy, and the crowds rolled into Seaside for the holiday weekend and are staying for the fun. While the Fourth of July is traditionally packed, some say this year was the biggest crowd yet. 

“In 25 years of coming here every Fourth of July, I’ve never seen the boardwalk that crowded, ever.  So, that’s definitely good to see,” said Jill Thompson, a Seaside regular and Belmar native. 

Cousins Jill Thompson and Stephanie Syre-Hager said they are happy to be back in Seaside and in their condominium, but miss the staple of their summer vacation: Casino Pier.

“As a kid, that’s what you lived for.  You came here every summer, all the time.  So, to come and see the rides gone is tough,” Syre-Hager said.

Thompson agreed. “Casino Pier is heart breaking for me because that’s where me and my sister hung out all the time,” she said. 

Many long-time shore goers, while pleased with the reconstruction in Seaside, still mourn the vacant Casino Pier.

After spending every summer down the shore, Frank and Gina Parrillo of Union County were devastated to see Seaside without its signature destination.  

“Every year we come down to Seaside Heights for our son’s birthday, and for his 4th birthday we came down and he couldn’t go on any of the rides for the first time in his life.  So it was heartbreaking for him, who finally understands what a birthday is in celebrating and doing something.”

Frank Parrillo, who worked on Casino Pier as a teenager, was struck by the absence of one ride in particular.  

“I ran the Jet Star my senior year.  And that really hurt, knowing that that went into the water-- Something that I operated, that I worked on for two to three months.”  Before its removal from the ocean in early May, the Jet Star attracted visitors in itself, becoming the symbol of Sandy’s devastation to the Jersey Shore.

Though the Parrillos traveled to Point Pleasant for rides and rollercoasters, they were able to celebrate their sons birthday with boardwalk games, mini golf, and the refurbished carousel at Casino Pier.  And while rollercoasters are not an option this year, many agree that Seaside’s famous boardwalk food helps fill the void.

“For me, coming back, the food is nostalgic.  I had to have the ice cream from a special stand that I’ve been going to for forty years,” Syre-Hager said.  “I’ll probably go back five pounds heavier after vacation, but it’s worth it.”

Following Sandy’s destruction to boardwalk businesses, a few hunger-craving hallmarks were forced to move locations.  Maruca’s Tomato Pies moved further north on the boardwalk next to Seaside’s Original Steak House and Bubba’s Dog House is now conveniently located next to Jack N Bill’s Bar.

“I love that Bubba’s is a lot closer to my side of town, but it’s hard because this summer I’m trying NOT to munch out on a late night burger after Jack N Bills,” said Seaside Park resident Jillian O’Sullivan.

For the crowds who have outgrown the rides, and are trying to avoid the tempting foods, Seaside has plenty of options.  

Without even stepping off the boardwalk, of-age visitors can grab a cold drink or catch a live band at Aztec Bar, Jimbo’s, J.R.’s, Spicy Cantina, Beachcomber, Sawmill, and of course, Jack N Bills.  Yet, locals are still adapting to bar crawls and happy hours without the adored Beach Bar, which was leveled following major damage from Sandy.  

“I hate the fact that Beach Bar is gone- it was my favorite spot.  But the fact that the Beachcomber roof is finished makes up for it a little,” Sullivan said.

Although Seaside is missing a few crucial corners of its boardwalk this year, there are still great opportunities for nightlife.  Every Wednesday night throughout July and August, Seaside will present a fireworks show at 9:30pm. 

Movies on the beach begin at dusk on Hiering Avenue every Sunday for audiences 13-and-over and every Thursday for younger, G-rated audiences.  Guests are also invited to join the National Hot Dog Day fun on Tuesday, July 23rd for Casino Pier’s 1st Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Encouraging swift and sturdy progress for all Jersey Shore towns, the Parrillos are especially hopeful for the recovery of Seaside.  “For somebody who has come here all her life, and now having a four year old son who’s coming every year of his life, its nice to see that he’s going to be able to enjoy it just like I did as a kid,” Parrillo said.

While construction continues throughout the Jersey Shore, the Seaside boardwalk and beaches are open for summer.  Visitors will see rebuilding and repairs throughout the town, but can expect a promising vacation and an exciting nightlife.