Nicquel Terry

@NTerryAPP



ASBURY PARK – Sipping on a Loose Cannon beer while relaxing on the beach with her mother Wednesday afternoon was like paradise for Gina DeFalco, the 22-year-old said.

"This is perfect," DeFalco said, pulling her heart-shaped sunglasses over her eyes as the sun cast its rays over the bar at The Anchor's Bend. "This is what I dream of."

DeFalco, of Scotch Plains, was enjoying a luxury just recently introduced to this city by the sea that allows commercial establishments adjacent to the beach to serve alcohol in a fenced-off area of the sand.

The city amended its sidewalk cafe ordinance last week to allow alcohol on this stretch of beach after waterfront developer Madison Marquette and The Anchor's Bend proposed the concept to the city.

City Manager Jack Kelly said it is the first time Asbury Park has allowed businesses to serve alcohol in the sand, with the exception of the Bamboozle Festival. The ordinance previously permitted only food and beverages to be served on the boardwalk or sidewalks at establishments that obtained an annual sidewalk cafe permit, city Attorney Fred Raffetto said.

The amended ordinance says merchants who opt to serve patrons on the sand can expand their premises 30 feet away from the business.

POLL: Yes or No: Alcohol on the beach in Asbury Park?

The Anchor's Bend, which opened about a year ago in the city, officially opened its beach bar on Saturday. Patrons are served outside from noon until sunset during the week and noon until demand wanes on the weekends.

The drink-service area, enclosed by a wooden fence, is adjacent to the venue's patio bar and has powder-blue umbrellas, wooden beach chairs and a wooden path that leads throughout.

There is also a bar set-up where drinks can be prepared and served.

Kelly likened the beach bar to a tropical resort.

"We want to deliver a fabulous experience and bring as many people to Asbury, as well," Kelly said. "And I think providing an opportunity where people can have their feet in the sand and have a beer is a great experience."

Asbury Park isn't the first Jersey Shore town to allow commercial establishments to serve alcohol on the beach.

The Avenue Beach Club at Pier Village and the Ocean Place Resort, both in Long Branch, are permitted to serve alcohol in designated areas on the beach as part of each entity's redevelopment agreement with the city. The agreements extend the permitted area to include the beach, under previously approved state Alcoholic Beverage Control regulations, said Kevin Hayes, the city's director of Building and Development. Long Branch does not charge any additional fees for that, he said.

Carrie Turner, director of retail for bar owner Madison Marquette, said the expansion of The Anchor's Bend is meant to to enhance the waterfront experience in Asbury Park. She said the developer has no immediate plans to expand The Beach Bar.

The Anchor's Bend and The Beach Bar, both located at Convention Hall, are the only establishments here that can set up bars in the sand because they are alongside the beach, city officials say.

John George, 26, was visiting Asbury Park from Warren on Wednesday and said The Anchor's Bend beach bar would help patrons out with an ages-old quandary.

"It's great because normally you have to sneak liquor on the beach," George said. "And here you can do it legally."

Contributing: Staff writer Carol Gorga Williams

Nicquel Terry: 732-643-4023; nterry@app.com