Bond Street Bar — Restaurant in Asbury Park

I've been to Bond Street a bunch of times – Normally on slower nights, normally in the winter, normally with my brother. I grew up in Ocean Grove. I have a great love, respect, and understanding of the Shore, and its history. I'm also a gay female who has witnessed what the LGBTQ+ community has done for Asbury Park first hand, back to the beginning when Moonstruck relocated from OG to AP and no one else wanted to be here.

Well, last night was a Friday in the summer in Asbury. We've had a house for the past week, and I'd been enjoying playing tour guide – showing my friends some of the places off Ocean Ave, not just Porta or the Empress. Bond Street's setup – It admittedly is inventive, and has an adventure vibe – has always intrigued me so my friends and I (we're not in our 20s; we're all professionals in our mid-30s+, meaning we know how to behave) decided that we'd try it out. We had a round at our place, and headed out.

Just to understand the demo of our group – One male gay couple (mid 30s-40s), one female gay couple (mid 30s), and two straight couples (mid 30s).

A member of the gay male couple was wearing a romper.

We walked up to the bouncer at Bond Street. He looked directly at my friend in the romper (MFITR). He scanned him up and down, and scoffed.

MFITR gave his ID first. It's a Maryland issued ID, but my friend is clearly over the age of 21 (clearly in his mid 30s (I'm sorry if you read this)), so this shouldn't have really been an issue.

"Tell me your street name." "I'm sorry?" "Tell me your full address" "(Says full address)"

At this point our group of friends was a little on edge.

"Say the ABCs" "(Sings the first part of the ABCs)" MFITR stops incredulously, as this is getting weird. The bouncer looks at the ID again, looks at my friend.

"Nah, man. You missed like half the ABCs, you aren't getting in tonight."

Furious, because we all know what's happening here, we leave. I'm irate and I yell (I'm angry – I'm from the Shore – I'm in Asbury Park – I'm gay – I just witnessed homophobia in my home – It's 2018 – This isn't how anyone should ever feel).

We walk away. My blood is boiling. The bouncer starts laughing and pointing at us with a police officer. I stew and glare from the corner of Cookman. This was supposed to be a good night. Our straight friends saw it, we saw it. MFITR saw it, and was so shook, he and his boyfriend left and went home.

I've never been so shamed, so embarrassed (of my hometown), so distraught by someone's blatant bias.

Long story short – If you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, maybe don't go to Bond Street. Actions speak much louder than words (or your Stoli partnership and Pride...

I just had the best Cheeseburger that ever had at the Bond Street Bar and Grill that is tucked away and almost hidden on 208 Bond Street in Asbury Park, NJ. The It is a small bar and grill with a dark almost mystical ambiance on a small one-way street. The bar has a warm and welcoming personality featuring great food, good vibes, friendly staff all in an inviting space of a classic pub atmosphere. On nice days you can eat outside on a small patio or along Bond Street itself and even bring your dog. They have a water bowl strategically set up for “man’s (and woman’s) best friend” while enjoying your meal outside. My friends and family always rave about the Bond Street Bar and Grill. There's a big downstairs bar that is apparently the place to go on the Jersey Shore on weekends. They have a DJ, dance floor and a super fun atmosphere. Since I was a little boy, I always loved Asbury Park on the Jersey Shore. People call the Bond Street Bar and Grill a “dive bar,” once considered a derogatory term, but the term “dive bar” is now a coveted badge of honor especially in one of the most exciting places in Asbury Park on the Jersey Shore known for its music and art. The Bond Street Bar and Grill features an open eye logo and creative artwork painted on the side of the building. As a former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and former president and current executive board member of the New Jersey Public Health Association, I give the Bond Street Bar and Grill my highest recommendation for outstanding food and a fun place to visit and...

I've seen multiple reviews describing experiences similar to mine, which is concerning. My friends and I were on our way out of the bar with no issues—just dancing and enjoying our night. As we were walking up the stairs to leave, my boyfriend was suddenly grabbed and pushed out the side door without warning. Confused, I asked what was happening, only to be shoved behind him and have the door slammed on my head. Two massive bouncers threw both of us out with zero explanation.

I went back inside to ask why this happened, and every attempt to get an answer was dismissed. I waited outside for a supervisor and while waiting was told I was trespassing and would be arrested, WHILE OUTSIDE WAITING. The supervisor was not much help at all and does not seem to be a person to lead a group of security guards as his first words to me were "I am not legally obligated to answer any questions." I repeatedly explained that I was not arguing their legal obligations—I was just trying to understand why this happened when we were simply leaving.

While private establishments can remove patrons, doing so without reason—especially with unnecessary force—raises serious concerns. Bouncers cannot assault people under the guise of maintaining order. It felt like a complete power trip rather than any real enforcement of rules. I’d expect most bouncers to want a smooth, drama-free night, but at this place, it seems like they go out of their way to create chaos. Based on other reviews, it’s clear this is not an isolated incident.

Would...