The Secret Behind the Magic of The Stone Pony is Community…read more There is something about The Stone Pony that goes beyond music. What made the venue legendary was never the walls, the bar, or even the stage lights. It was the community. In the 1970s and 1980s, Asbury Park became a kind of laboratory for musicians. Night after night, artists gathered in clubs along the Jersey Shore to play, experiment, collaborate, and refine their craft in front of real audiences. The Stone Pony became one of the central meeting points for this growing creative ecosystem. Musicians sat in with each other's bands, traded ideas, tested new songs, and sometimes performed several nights a week. Instead of guarding their talent, they shared it. Instead of competing, they elevated one another. Out of that environment emerged artists who would later become internationally known, including Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, and Steven Van Zandt. They were shaped by thousands of hours playing together in small rooms filled with passionate listeners. The sound that developed in Asbury Park reflected this collaboration. It blended rock, soul, rhythm and blues, and big-band horn arrangements into what many came to call the Jersey Shore sound. Part of what made this ecosystem so special was the geography. Within just a few walkable blocks were other gathering places where musicians and fans flowed throughout the night, including Asbury Lanes, Tim McLoone's Supper Club, and the legendary Wonder Bar, all just steps from the Atlantic Ocean and the Asbury Park boardwalk. Music, ocean air, and a close-knit creative community blended together in a vibrant hub where musicians could play one venue and then wander down the block to hear another band. My curiosity about this history grew from a personal place. Over the past year my son, Chris Renner, a young guitar player who has only been playing for two years, has had the opportunity to perform rock cover songs on stages throughout Asbury Park. Chris's playing has reminded many listeners of the legendary precision and melodic passion of Randy Rhoads. His style focuses on melodic solos and phrasing influenced by classical music rather than typical head-banging metal. Because of the NJ music community, Chris has already had the opportunity to perform as lead guitarist on stages including The Stone Pony, Asbury Lanes, Tim McLoone's, Wonder Bar, and even the Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Show at the Cutting Room in Manhattan. Watching him step onto those stages sparked a deeper interest in the story behind the NJ music scene and the culture that continues to nurture musicians today. One of the most interesting aspects of the Asbury Park scene is how cover music and original music live side by side. Many bands begin by performing well-known songs while gradually introducing their own material. The cover band scene plays an important role. It allows musicians to build stage experience, connect with audiences, and become part of the local circuit. Those shared songs create a common language between bands and fans and foster a welcoming camaraderie. Something even more inspiring has been happening recently. Several of Chris's friends from the local music community have begun forming their own original bands and performing their own songs. Chris loves supporting them, showing up to their shows and cheering them on as they cheer him. This is how music scenes grow. Musicians celebrate the music that inspired them, refine their skills through live performance, collaborate with other players, and eventually discover their own voice. Even today the Stone Pony carries that legacy. Musicians still show up, plug in, and play. Fans still crowd close to the stage the way they did decades ago. Great cultural movements rarely begin in boardrooms or corporate offices. They begin in communities, in small venues, shared stages, and the willingness of people to create together. The Stone Pony and the Asbury Park music community are proof that when talent, opportunity, and collaboration come together in one place, something extraordinary can happen. Joanna Renner NJ Realtor | Life Coach Proud Mom of Musician Chris Renner 646-296-6864

Just stopped in here briefly to look around while a show was going on. Definitely a bucket list…read moreplace to visit if you're going to be in the area considering all the amazing musicians that have been here over the years.

Great place to go for a concert, before a show elsewhere or just to hang with friends. Delicious…read morefood and spacious seating. A must visit if you're going to be in Asbury Park!

After doing some research, it seems that the 1 star reviewers of Wonder Bar are primarily upset…read morethat you are not allowed to bring in your children. It seems Wonder Bar has a policy that no one under 21 is allowed in the bar, a policy that I think is more than fair and I think pretty standard when it comes to bars and club atmospheres. There's plenty of other places that cater to children? Confused about this. I had an absolutely fabulous time out on the Wonder Bar patio. We stopped in pre-music festival and were helped by an incredibly kind and smiley bartender. A band had started playing, vibes were high, and the weather was perfect. I love how quirky it is and you can tell it's an institution for a reason. I opted for a standard vodka soda and was happy to see they use Tito's for a fairly reasonable price. I love that they have yappy hours and are super dog friendly as well! I look forward to heading back here anytime I am in Asbury Park! Thanks for the great experience.

I was here for a work event where they provided us breakfast and lunch. We provided a few of our…read moreown items as part of the setup. The service was friendly, and the buffet trays were refilled quickly. Scrambled Eggs - These were cooked fine, just no seasoning. Breakfast Potatoes - They had a nice crisp with some chopped peppers. Bacon - This was good and cooked well. Breakfast Sausage Links- These were cooked too long so they dried out. Pasta Primavera - This was nicely done and cooked appropriately with plenty of vegetables. Chopped Salad - Everything seemed fresh, no issues. Chicken Bruschetta - This was breaded chicken which was tasty with plenty of cheese and tomatoes, and the right amount of balsamic incorporated too. Will I go back? I would attend.

They seated us right away without a reservation. There was a storm brewing so happy we were able to…read moresit for a bit. The service and atmosphere was great. Food was yummy. One downside is the overwhelming amount of flies by our table area.

Watermark is basically what happens when great cocktails, ocean views, and summer vibes all decide…read moreto show off at the same time. The Matcha Matcha Man was smooth, creamy, and dangerously easy to drink -- the matcha coconut cream with the ginger beer gave it such a unique refreshing kick. The Lady Marmalade tasted like sunshine in a glass with the perfect citrusy balance and just enough sweetness from the marmalade. The food menu is definitely more small plates/appetizer style, but honestly everything tasted super fresh and packed with flavor. The coconut shrimp were jumbo and crispy with the perfect sweetness, the mango habanero chicken bites super fresh, and the wagyu sliders disappeared embarrassingly fast. The real star though? The outdoor lounge setup overlooking the ocean. It's the kind of place where you go for "one drink" and suddenly it's three hours later and you're debating ordering another round just to stay for sunset. It's walk in only but wasn't too packed ...we went around 5pm but seems to have a packed late night vibe and crowd as well during summer !

First time at this place and it was a hit!!! The bartenders and bouncers are super nice and the…read moreambiance was laid back and social. The drinks were very good! The plus side is you can hear the concert from the stone pony. (Not to mention you have a nice view over looking the shore!) Our crew will definitely be back!

Great venue with awesome sound system, great lights and plenty of space. Saw The Four Horsemen…read moreMetallica Tribute here on 04/24/2025 and it was killer, felt like seeing the band in their early days! Love that this venue is small / independent and they have a ticket kiosk & sell tickets directly so you can avoid "ticket fees" which were an ~40% upcharge ($9.05 "fee" on a $25.00 ticket) Def recommend buying directly from this great venue and avoiding those ridiculous charges. They also put out free cold water and cups for guests, always a welcome amenity. I'll definitely be back to see more shows at this fantastic club!

We went to the show, Bingo Loco and was very disappointed. The venue was overcrowded to the point…read morewhere it was unsafe. We could barely move in our seats, and when the show required people to stand, it was chaotic. People actually had to crawl under the table just to get out, to get a drink, food or go to the bathroom, which seemed like a serious fire hazard. There was no table service. The show itself was just as bad. The prizes were bizarre and low-quality. Things like dildos and a cardboard cutout of Snoop Dogg, nothing like the prizes you typically get at this type of event. Overall, I can't say much good about either the show or the venue. It was uncomfortable, unsafe, and not very enjoyable.

Best rock 'n' roll joint in Asbury Park. Small club great for up-and-coming bands. Not sure if…read morethey're still open but give them a call. I saw the Churchill there, Matthew Sweet, the Lemonheads, even Bruce Springsteen stopped by there. I I saw Ron Haney, I killed me, and the outcry there. That's all I remember. The 50 Cent beers really are a crowd pleaser. Sometimes a DJ. This club is often featured in movies made in New York and New Jersey.

I'll start off by saying that this bar can be a good time if you fit in with the crowd. Very dimly…read morelit atmosphere with a grungy/hipster aesthetic. Poster-covered walls and rainbow lights strung across the room. Enter through the side door with all the stickers on it (not the door that says "The Saint" in big lettering; ironic I know lol). There's a cover fee when you enter. Cost varies depending on the band playing that night. My friends and I paid $10 per person. Pros: live band and cheap booze. Two ciders and a Yuengling were only $17. Cons: place was tiny, and very little seating. You can quickly feel out of place if you don't like the type of music or vibe. I definitely stuck out like a sore thumb in this bar. I think its more suited toward the middle age folks and those who like indie/rock. Huge hipster vibe in here. It was cool, but not for me!

One of the best concert venues I've ever been to. It was easy getting into the shows even though it…read morewas packed. There are great vendors in here for food and merch. Got to see the Gaslight Anthem here twice. Once in the spring of 2013 after Hurricane Sandy hit the Jersey shore and once in 2018 during their '59 Sound 10 year reunion tour.

Being an avid music fan from New Jersey, one might assume that I had been to the Stone Pony or its…read moreSummer Stage by this point, but, you would have assumed incorrectly. Well, until recently at least. My friend, who had been there many times, and I just happened to go to a sold out show, arriving halfway through the set of the second of three bands. When we arrived, the crowd was already at least 50 rows deep from the massive stage, but, despite its size, we could barely see the musicians. In addition, the sound was very spotty. The Summer Stage was actually a parking lot that was fenced in and repurposed for seasonal performances, so it was not really a true venue, but, still, it was completely uncomfortable, which hampered my experience. Scattered around the edges of the lot were food and beverage stations, as well as merch tables, but they were nearly impossible to reach. There were also no screens on the side of the stage to offer a visual alternative. Speaking of displays, there were also no televisions inside the Stone Pony, where my friend and I went to escape the crowds in between bands two and three. The place was much smaller than I had expected with a large stage and bar, but not a ton of viewing room. At least the inside bar was readily accessible, so we grabbed some drinks and headed back to see the final band. However, we did not even make it to the end of the concert, because it was just too crowded and distracting. I would not rush back here to see a show, especially if it was for a sold-out performance.

One of the coolest parts of Asbury Park is the historic architecture, and Convention Hall is a a…read moregreat example. It's home to the Paramount Theater along with a mix of shops and restaurants. It's a unique space, great for getting out of the summer sun (or winter wind), but it can also be a bit disorienting as the sound bounces all over the place and many of the shops have different hours. Still, it's a unique building, great for browsing, shopping for knick-knacks, or a decent meal. It's not my go-to area for shopping or food, but if you're by the beach, it's not bad at all!

I have so many memories at this place. Especially with going to shows here as a teenager. Was here…read morefor Warped Tour and Skate and Surf festival. Saw so many amazing bands in and around the convention hall. Would be amazing if Warped Tour came back for a reunion tour.