3 Gay Bars in Asbury Park, NJ — LGBTQ+ Nightlife

Poolside at the Empress Hotel, this club blends drag shows, live music, and dancing with a swimming pool you can actually use. Summer is prime time here, but the party runs year-round with karaoke, cocktail lounge vibes, and a lively mixed crowd that skews 20s and 30s. Friday nights bring drag shows; Saturday nights feature male strippers, which draws a lot of straight couples and groups. The bartenders keep things moving, and since it's one of the few dance floors at the shore, the energy stays high. Cover varies by date and event, so check ahead.

This is a friendly casual neighborhood bar where locals and visitors mingle over cheap drinks. It bills itself as Asbury Park's gay 'Cheers' and delivers on that promise with a welcoming dive bar atmosphere, plus a seasonal outdoor patio. Regular events keep things lively: karaoke on Wednesdays and Saturdays, drag shows on Thursdays. Cash only, but there's an ATM on site. The bar also serves American comfort food like burgers and sandwiches.

The Atlantic Ocean frames the view from this boardwalk cocktail lounge, where the waves compete with clinking glasses. Watermark opened in 2008 as a return to the classic cocktail lounge, designed to feel upscale but inclusive. Drinks are the draw: the menu was created by mixologist Philip Ward, and everything from the ginger beer to the spirit infusions happens in-house. Tapas-style small plates and seasonal finger foods accompany them. Reviewers call the atmosphere beautiful and the staff accommodating. The outdoor section is especially nice in warm weather. It's open Thursday through Saturday evenings, with a diverse crowd that's mixed gay and straight. A wedding party celebrated here in 2014 and praised the proprietor as a class act.