Sea.Hear.Now begins tomorrow in Asbury Park, and the city will be busy with things to do.
Whether it’s museums to restaurants to music, you’ll have tons of options to do this weekend other than the festival.
Things to Eat
Food is everywhere in Asbury Park. If you’re looking for something outside the festival grounds, then below is a list of the best places to go. However, the list of food vendors inside the festival is expansive and there are many adaptations for dietary restrictions.
Kim Marie’s: This is the best place to go for late-night eating. Kim Marie’s, located behind the Berkeley Hotel, is open well into the morning hours of the next day. Though it will be packed after the festival, you can order takeout and eat on the go.
MOGO: A fan favorite in Asbury Park. Not only is there a MOGO Korean-Infused taco location inside the festival, there is also a location on Cookman Ave.
Maruca’s: Looking for Asbury Park’s best pizza slice? Head to Maruca’s. Located on the boardwalk, you can get a giant slice or regular-sized takeout slices, along with full pies. Be advised that it may be card-only depending on how long the lines are.
Asbury Park Brewery
There will be drinks everywhere – inside the festival grounds, the Wonder Bar, Kim Marie’s – everywhere. However, Asbury Park Brewery is dedicated to serving drinks, and always have specials on tap.
Additional Music
Looking for more music after the festival? Here is your guide:
Saturday at the Stone Pony: The Ocean Ave Stomp, featuring the Tangiers Blues Band and the Ocean Ave Stompers is the coolest show you’ll see all year. It takes you right back to The Stone Pony from the ’70s and ’80s, with guests popping in randomly. In 2023, The Killers’ Brandon Flowers showed up to perform at the club-sized venue.
Saturday at the Wonder Bar: BERTHA, a Grateful Dead tribute are headlining the Wonder Bar on Saturday night. It’ll be fun for anyone looking for some jam music or just to hang out and have some drinks.
Sunday at Asbury Lanes: Asbury Lanes will be hosting an afterparty for Sea.Hear.Now on Sunday night, featuring The Chesterfield Kings, Bobby Mahoney, Wyldlife, The Shang Hi Los, and Joy Buzzer. The stacked lineup will have music from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am.
Clinch Gallery
The Transparent Clinch Gallery pop-up tent inside the festival grounds is the one thing you cannot miss at Sea.Hear.Now this year. But if you’re looking for more of Danny Clinch’s work, a legendary photographer from New Jersey, check out his permanent building next to The Asbury Hotel. It features some of his work, cool instruments, and merch.
Silverball Retro Arcade
Silverball Retro Arcade is one of the coolest attractions in Asbury Park. It features tons of old pinball machines, some of the earliest looks at Skee-Ball, air hockey, food, and everything else you’d expect in a retro arcade.
You can buy a timeslot and play unlimited games for the time that you’re in the building from.
NJ Music Festivals 