Jersey Shore Bars (It's Been A Long Time)

We lived in a time and a world of our own
Making up the rules as we went along
Just one coat between us and we never felt cold
We were never gonna get old

Playing cards 'till the sun came up, rollin' dice
Down to the club and listen to the blues all night
Girls out on the corner get lonely now and then
We'd never be that free again

It's been a long time since we laughed together
It's been a long time since we cried
Raise your glass for the comrades we've lost
My friend it's been a long, long time

Workin' just enough to pay the rent
Money got made, baby, money got spent
Sleeping when we had nothin' left to do
Under the boardwalk and up on the roof

We never quite fit, baby, we never played the game
Came out explodin' like a runaway train
Up all night talkin' about dreams of better days
Ain't it funny how some things don't change?

It's been a long time since we laughed together
It's been a long time since we cried
Raise your glass for the comrades we've lost
My friend it's been a long, long time

We lived in a time and a world of our own
Making up the rules as we went along
Just one coat between us and we never felt cold
We were never gonna get old

It's been a long time since we laughed together
It's been a long time since we cried
Raise your glass for the comrades we've lost
My friend it's been a long, long time


-- Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes: "It's Been A Long Time"

I've raised many a glass in Jersey Shore bars, and over the next few weeks of summer I'm going to profile them here on the Bay Head Blog, including:

• Cheers in Long Branch
• Donovan's Reef in Sea Bright
• Martell's Tiki Bar in Pt. Pleasant Beach
• The Stone Pony in Asbury Park

In the meantime, please comment here...remind me which ones I've missed, your favorite(s), and why (start with "Once upon a time...")

Martell’s Tiki Bar on the Boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

I've been going to Martell's Tiki Bar on the boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, since I was in high school and had to use a 35-year-old woman's driver's license to get in, and it just gets better every year. Maybe ten years back, Martell's brought in some live palm trees (I believe they have to be replaced every year after the winter ravages them) to add to the tropical paradise of frozen drinks.

Rex and I always go to see Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at Martell's around Labor Day. Now that I've purchased my tickets online, I can reveal the dates – August 25^th and August 26^th – as well as a link for you to buy your own tickets.

Here's a quick calendar of upcoming shows at Martell's Tiki Bar, kicking off with Memorial Day Weekend:

• Friday, May 23^rd, 2pm-6pm: Undisputed Trio
  
• Friday, May 23^rd, 9pm: Big Baby Ernie
  
• Saturday, May 24^th, 1pm-6pm: Dr. Cheeko
  
• Saturday, May 24^th, 9pm: New Power Soul
  
• Sunday, May 25^th, 1pm-6pm: Dr. Cheeko
  
• Sunday, May 25^th, 9pm: Full Effect
  
• Monday, May 26^th, 1pm-6pm: Dr. Cheeko
  
• Saturday, May 28^th, 9pm: Don't Call Me Francis
  

Martell's Tiki Bar is located on the boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ. Call (732) 892-0131

Back to the Beach! Saturday Dinner at Shipwreck Grill -- Brielle, NJ

Rex and the girls and I are opening up the beach house tomorrow and we're having dinner at The Shipwreck Grill in Brielle on Saturday night!

Maybe when we get back from the beach on Sunday night (you can thank Comcastic for my lack of Internet down in Bay Head) I'll write my own review, but for now you'll have to settle for Deb's over on Jersey Bites: http://www.jerseybites.com/2007/09/to-kick-off-our-restaurant-write-ups-i.html

Martell's Tiki Bar in Pt. Pleasant, NJ

Every summer, we go to see one of my favorite bar bands, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, at Martell's Tiki Bar in Pt. Pleasant, NJ. Dates for 2008 have not yet been announced, but Southside usually shows up at Martell's around Labor Day. We'll keep you posted when tickets go on sale.