Five Jersey Shore Restaurants and Bars to Visit When Quarantine Ends

Here it is, your first-ever weekly dose of "Five Things Friday." Each week this list will give you a glimpse into how we're living life All About Apres. 

Let's face it, the time has come. Here in New Jersey, we've been in lockup since about mid-March and we're all getting a little stir crazy. The good news is that we won't have to wait much longer before we can get out and enjoy a decent restaurant-quality meal. This week, we’ll give you a glimpse into how we're living life apres surf by sharing some of our favorite Jersey Shore restaurants and bars.

Restaurants Re-Open as New Jersey Enters Phase 2 

This Monday, June 15, NJ enters phase 2 of their re-opening plan. What does this mean for you? Two words...OUTDOOR DINING. Yes, that's right, New Jersey restaurants and bars can now serve patrons on a limited basis...outdoors. Thank goodness. As much as I like to cook, I was getting a little tired of it. 

That said, I'll be lining up with the rest of you in supporting our Jersey Shore restaurants and bars as they re-open. Here are the first five spots that I'll hit up apres surf.

The Butcher's Block | Long Branch, NJ

As if this one wasn't an obvious choice. Having been open only a year, The Butcher's Block has catapulted itself right to the top of my list of best Jersey Shore restaurants. Fortunately for me, it happens to be about 10 minutes from my house and I can't wait to pay them a visit. 

While being closed, The Block has been crushing quarantine with its Block Box. Available at several price points, their version of a butcher's box was an excellent way to keep your meat-loving taste buds at bay while they remained closed. However, The Butcher's Block is more than just the meat (that just happens to be really good). It's really about how food serves as a vehicle to make connections with others. It's about the shared experience. 

This experience will be even better as the Blockheads have been hard at work.  By making renovations and expanding their outdoor dining area they'll be ready to serve you even better than before. 

The Seafarer Bar | Highlands, NJ

The Seafarer Bar is on a dock overlooking the water in Highlands and...it's all outdoors. You'd be hard-pressed to find an apres surf Jersey Shore bar more capable of hosting patrons than one that has been doing it throughout its entire existence. 

The views of the water are spectacular. The vibes here are always fun. And, they make some really creative beach cocktails to go along with their beer garden serving quality local brews. Did I mention that they have a food truck? Well, they do. And now it's run by award-winning BBQ Experts, Local Smoke. Talk about hitting the ground running on your way out of quarantine. 

Greek Spot the Restaurant | Red Bank, NJ

We stumbled upon the Greek Spot in the fall thanks to some friends and loved it. It is, hands down, one of the Jersey Shore restaurants we've missed the most since being confined to our homes. You simply cannot go wrong with this authentic Greek restaurant. 

The takeout is amazing! My wife and I often order the House Greek Salads and call it a day. However, to get the true Greek Spot experience you really need to go there. It's just like being in a Greek family's home. The atmosphere is warm and inviting complemented by a very friendly staff. The food is clean, delicious, and authentically Greek. And to top it all off, it is highly affordable and will not break the bank for a family of five, which I will be doing once the doors open again. 

Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten | Asbury Park, NJ

Photo credit: Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten Instagram Page @apbiergarten

Nothing beats springtime at the Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten. More commonly known as just The Beer Garden, it is a staple for my family that time of year. That is, unless, it is taken from you by quarantine. No rooftop beers accompanied by abnormally large (and tasty) Bavarian Pretzels for us this spring. 

Oh well, we'll just have to shift that pastime to the summer and head over when they open back up next week. But don't just go to take in the rooftop views of the ocean while downing Kostritzer upon Kostritzer. Stay for dinner too. Its mouthwatering sizable portions will not leave you wanting. 

Frankie's Bar and Grill | Point Pleasant, NJ

Frankie's Bar and Grill is legendary. This casual Jersey Shore haunt has withstood the test of time and is primed to welcome back that regulars that call it home. There's nothing fancy here. Just good old American comfort food, in a casual, old school kind of fun environment. 

For me, it's always the same order. Fried calamari (that I consider the area’s best) to start. Then one of their famous charbroiled burgers cooked right behind the bar over an open flame. I can smell them now. Throw in a couple of craft beers and your night is complete at this Jersey Shore bar.

Given that you probably haven’t had an excuse to leave your home for a while, you’ll need some new gear to rock when you head over to these amazing apres surf Jersey Shore restaurants and bars. My wife gets tons of compliments whenever she wears our First Tracks Bloody Mary Tee (available in men’s as well) but our entire catalog is perfect for an All About Apres lifestyle.