Asbury Park is for the dogs. The revitalized “city by the sea” is known for its boardwalk and lively music and arts scene. However, there’s something else you’ll notice walking around. Dogs. Asbury Park is one of the most dog-friendly towns at the Jersey Shore, offering a number of dog-friendly restaurants and activities for you and your dog to enjoy together.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Dog Beach and Boardwalk: From May 16 – September 14, dogs are NOT allowed on the Asbury Park boardwalk at any time. The dog beach is also only open 6:00pm – 8:30am between those dates. We have met out-of-town visitors arriving at 10am expecting to go to the dog beach so plan ahead.
- Just because you CAN doesn’t mean you SHOULD: The number of visitors to Asbury Park increases every year. Summer weekends can get especially crowded. If crowds or noise overwhelm your dog, it might be best to leave him/her at home.
- Leash Your Dog: Outside of the dog beach, dogs must be leashed. Too many times we have been rushed by an off-leash dog whose owner does not have control. Off leash dogs running up to other dogs can result in reactivity issues, at best, or serious injury/death at worst. Leashing your dog is not just the law, it’s for the safety of yours and others’ dogs as well as humans.
- Clean Up: There are poop bags and trash cans positioned on almost every street in Asbury. Please be respectful and clean up after your dog.
PLACES FOR YOUR DOG TO PLAY
Asbury Park Dog Beach/Dog Parks
Asbury Park Dog Beach
The beach area located around 8th Ave. Use the Deal Lake Drive entrance onto the beach or the entrance at the north end of the Fisherman’s Parking Lot.
May 16 – September 14: Dogs are allowed 6:00pm to 8:30am (they WILL kick you off promptly at 8:30am). Dogs are also not allowed on the boardwalk at any time.
September 15 – May 15: Dogs allowed at all times on the dog beach and boardwalk.
Wonder Bar Yappy Hour
Sip a margarita from the outdoor bar while letting your dog play in the fenced-in outdoor space equipped with kiddie pools and picnic tables. Dogs must be neutered/spayed and proof of rabies vaccination is required.
Hours: 12pm – 6pm Monday, Thursday – Sunday but check their Instagram and Facebook pages for updates, as they will close or delay opening due to excessive heat/thunderstorms/fireworks for the safety of the pups.
Fees: $10 admission that is donated to local rescue groups and shelters
Wolf Hill Off-Leash Dog Park
1.5 acre dog park with a small dog and large dog area about 8 miles from downtown. The dog beach is not enclosed, so Wolf Hill is an option for those with a dog who needs to run in a fenced-in area.
Hours: Open 7am to dusk year-round.
Day Care/Boarding Near Asbury Park
Have plans and can’t take your dog? There are several daycare/boarding facilities within 20 minutes from Asbury Park. Proof of vaccination is required. Make sure to call or check their websites for specific information.
The Dawg Joint: downtown Asbury Park on Bangs Ave.
Greenleaf Pet Resorts: 5.7 miles from downtown in Oakhurst
Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts: Manasquan location is 7.7 miles from downtown. Tinton Falls location is 9.6 miles from downtown
RESTAURANTS AND BARS THAT ALLOW DOGS
Dog-Friendly Restaurant Patios Downtown
Breakfast/Lunch Spots
Cardinal Provisions: Walk-ins only, no reservations. BYOB. Our favorite brunch spot!
Toast City Diner: Walk-ins only, no reservations. BYOB.
Purple Glaze Donuts: Neighborhood donut and coffee shop. Delicious!
Lunch/Dinner Spots
Asbury Ale House: Sports bar accepting reservations and walk-ins. Doggy menu available.
Cross and Orange: Casual, contemporary American food. Dogs allowed at outdoor tables on the sidewalk and a quieter side facing Kennedy Park. Dog bowls and a dog menu available.
Crust and Crumble: Laid-back eatery and bakery facing Wesley Lake that offers a quieter outdoor experience than Cookman Ave.
Talula’s: Pizza/brunch spot accepting walk-ins and reservations. Try the Beekeeper’s Lament and Gin and Jam!
The Black Swan Public House: European gastropub. Outdoor seating is set up during the summer.
For a Pup Cup
Playa Bowls: Grab a small pup cup (coconut oil and peanut butter) for your pooch.
For a Beer/Cocktail
Wild Air Beerworks: No food, but you can bring your own. Dogs are allowed inside or outside.
Lola’s: European cafe offering yummy cocktails, cheeseboards, paninis, gelato, and more.
Bond Street Bar: Small outdoor space to enjoy your beer. Food is available from the bar (you must walk inside to order).
Dog-Friendly Restaurants On and Near the Boardwalk
For Brunch/Dinner
The Break: Boardwalk seating with an ocean view. Walk-ins and reservations accepted.
Low Dive: Laid-back boardwalk bar with bar food/pizza. Walk-ins only.
The Robinson Ale House: American food menu. Walk-ins and reservations accepted.
Seahorse: Upscale beach cuisine. Their indoor patio in Convention Hall is dog-friendly.
Kim Marie’s Eat n Drink Away: Local pub a block off the boardwalk. Dog menu available.
For a Pup Cup
Betty’s Ice Box: Located in Convention Hall on the boardwalk. Ice cream pup cup available.
Playa Bowls: Boardwalk location on the south side of Convention Hall. Pup cups available.
Dog-Friendly Coffee Spots
Asbury Park Roastery: Convention Hall location is dog-friendly. There is also a 2nd Ave. location.
The Counter at The Asbury Hotel: Grab a coffee from their spot on the left side of the hotel lobby. Enjoy it with your dog at any of the seating areas in the downstairs lobby.
Booskerdoo Coffee & Baking Co.: “Park” your dog at the designated spot outside while you get your coffee inside. Adirondack chairs out front and several small tables on the parking lot side offer several seating options for you and your dog.
Cafe Volan: There is no enclosed patio, but it does have a small seating area on the sidewalk for you to sit with your dog.
DOG-FRIENDLY SHOPPING IN ASBURY PARK
Paws Barkery and Boutique
Two locations (one inside Convention Hall on the boardwalk and one downtown inside The Shoppes in the Arcade on Cookman Ave.). The dog-friendly shop sells pet accessories, toys, leashes and human grade homemade dog treats. The shop is also a regular vendor at the Sunday farmers’ market during the warmer months.
Carla Gizzi
A great spot to grab some Asbury Park or Jersey Shore goods, the shop sells vintage-inspired jewelry, clothing and home decor. The Convention Hall location is dog-friendly, and there is a second location on Memorial Ave.
Hot Sand
For $50, you can bring your dog to the Hot Sand glass blowing studio and create a glass keepsake of your dog’s paws. Make an appointment to visit the studio or you can do an at-home kit for $80. Hot Sand is located downtown on Cookman Ave.
Asbury Fresh Farmers and Makers Market
During the warmer months, visit the market in downtown Asbury for food and specialty items from local vendors.
DOG-FRIENDLY SPOTS FOR LIVE MUSIC
Walk on or near the Asbury boardwalk and you’re likely to hear live music flowing most nights of the week. You won’t be able to take your dog to a concert at the Stone Pony (nor would this be wise), but you can relax and catch some live music with your dog at a couple of locations in Asbury. While we all want to spend time with our dogs, don’t forget to be mindful of how noise and music might affect your dog.
The Asbury Hotel
The first floor lobby is dog-friendly, which is also where the hotel bar and Soundbooth stage is located. From jamming with the Sandy Mac Jam Band on Wednesdays to featuring local artists every Friday, the Soundbooth offers a range of live music most nights of the week. Check their events calendar for more information.
Low Dive
The former Asbury Park Yacht Club, the laid-back boardwalk bar has kept most things the same, including its live music Friday through Monday nights. Dogs are allowed on their patio but it can get loud and crowded later in the night so be mindful of what is best for your dog. Because it is open-air, you can hear the music from their sister restaurant, The Break, next door or hang out on the boardwalk in a quieter environment. Check their music calendar for specific acts.
DOG-FRIENDLY ASBURY PARK HOTELS
The Asbury Hotel
All 110 rooms are pet-friendly, along with the lobby (just not on the furniture) and pool area outside of the water. Guests must pay a one-time fee of $100 for up to 2 dogs. The Asbury donates half of the fee to Rescue Ridge, a local rescue.
The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel
Rooms on the fourth floor are pet-friendly. One dog less than 50lbs or one cat less than 30lbs allowed per room for a one-time fee of $100 plus $25/night. Pets can’t go in any food/beverage area, fitness center, or pool area.
VETERINARIANS IN ASBURY PARK
We all hope our pups are safe and healthy on any trip, but there’s always the chance of an unexpected issue or emergency. Luckily, there is a veterinary hospital right in Asbury Park and a 24 hour emergency/critical care hospital right down the road in Tinton Falls.
City By The Sea Veterinary
Location: 1309 Memorial Drive in Asbury Park
Services: Everything from wellness check-ups to emergency services
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9am – 8pm; Friday: 9am – 5pm; Saturday: 9am – 3pm
Garden State Veterinary Specialists
Location: 1 Pine Street in Tinton Falls (4.5 miles from downtown Asbury)
Services: Referral-only specialists; Emergency/Critical Care (no referral needed)
Hours: Open 24/7 every day of the year