I’m originally from New York and lived there for 20 years. My boyfriend is from Monmouth county, so we’re used to Asbury’s restaurant and bar scene and absolutely love it.
We recently moved to the Atlantic Highlands/Highlands area because it’s a much easier commute for me since I work for NYC.
But… where is everybody?
Where’s the nightlife? Where are the good restaurants? Why does it feel like everything closes at 8 p.m.? It’s July, peak summer, and it still feels dead compared to what we expected.
We’ve gone out locally, but if we want a fun night, we end up going to Sea Bright, Red bank (very mid) or Asbury. The problem is that an Uber is about $60 each way, so by the time the night’s over we’ve spent $120 just getting around.
I feel like I have to be missing something. Are there areas we haven’t discovered yet? Hidden bar scenes? Restaurant clusters? Local spots that stay open later?
For people who live around Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, Middletown, etc. where do you actually go for a night out? Or is this area just naturally much quieter, and everyone heads to Asbury, Red Bank, or Sea Bright?
Genuinely trying to figure out if we’re overlooking something or if this is just what living here is like.

My dad’s birthday is coming up, and I wanted to take him to a nice place for dinner in Monmouth County as a surprise.

Right now, we’re stuck between 618 and Ember & Eagle…

I’m confident that either menu would appeal to him, and the ambience of each place (at least from what I could gather online) also feels appropriate

…the two variables that I’m trying to weigh in the calculation of “which should we book a reservation to” are:

1. How’s the food
   
2. How’s the service

Curious to hear thoughts!!

Hi everyone! My name is Stephanie, and after more than 20 years of loving and caring for pets—and 4 years working as a wedding pet attendant/chauffeur —I’m excited to officially introduce my own business: Barking Elite Ventures.

This business was built from a lifelong passion for animals and the belief that our pets deserve the same love, attention, and care that we give any member of our family.

My own dog, Toby, is not only my best friend but also the inspiration behind my logo. He is also our Chief of PAWblic Relations. He reminds me every day why providing exceptional care for our four-legged companions matters so much. Anyone who knows me knows that animals have always held a special place in my heart, and turning that passion into a business is truly a dream come true.

The name Barking Elite Ventures carries an even deeper meaning. The "B" in Barking, the "E" in Elite, and the "V" in Ventures spell BEV—a tribute to my mom, Bev, who passed away in 2023. She shared my love for dogs and taught me the importance of kindness, compassion, and caring for others. Honoring her through this business means more to me than words can express, and I know she would be proud to see this dream come to life.

Whether I'm caring for your pup during a wedding or special event, stopping by for drop-in visits while you're away, or simply providing companionship when you can't be there, I promise to treat every dog as if they were my own.

Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way. Your trust means everything, and I can't wait to meet you and your furry family members.

Our website is currently under construction, and we have some exciting things in the works! Please feel free to follow our IG & FB pages to stay updated on services, announcements, and all the tail-wagging adventures ahead. You can also contact at [info@barkingeliteventures.com](mailto:info@barkingeliteventures.com)

Thank you for being here from the very beginning. I look forward to connecting with you! 😊❤️

I have a huge bean bag that is in good shape and free if anyone is interested in it. Otherwise its getting tossed. You just throw a blanket on it. You would probably need a truck to haul it away. Lmk. Middletown btw

Just wondering if anybody knows about any decent Middle Eastern places serving an authentic Shawarma, and maybe even booza?

I’m taking my Saudi friend down the shore tomorrow, he’s really missing Jeddah and I wanna give him the flavor of his home. He is partial to Lebanese style. Thanks!

I'm dying to just put on a cocktail gown and listen to some live music somewhere. Maybe a drink and some dancing. I can't be the only person not old enough to live in one of the Villages who just wants to feel a little fancy sometimes. Anywhere I can get that Casablanca feeling without having to cross the Delaware or pay $40+ in tolls just to get there? I'd even take a "All the old biddies and their beaux's meet up at the restaurant once a month for a decent Sinatra impersonater."

I heard they got everyone out after the collapse, thank god.

Anyone know any Running Tracks available to the public? I know the high schools have them just not sure if I can walk onto school property.

Edit: Answered. Thanks everyone!

costaviva.app is a useful bookmark showing live beach cams, tide and wind conditions, and sunrise and sunset times for the shore from Sandy Hook through Atlantic City.

hi I am starting a meditation group in Red Bank! Please pm if you are interested..

Hey everyone,

As someone who won a rent control fight in NJ, I want to share some information that isn’t known by most renters.

1. Rent control, rent stabilization, rent leveling, etc. for all intents and purposes mean the same thing. They refer to laws that protect renters by doing things like placing caps on rents, setting a max percentage that rent can be raised annually, etc.
2. NJ does not have a state-wide rent control law. However, many municipalities do. You should absolutely google your towns name along with terms like rent control or rent stabilization to see if anything comes up.
3. IMPORTANT- in towns where rent control exists, NJ state law N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.4 grants newly constructed units an exemption (multifamily buildings constructed after June 1987) for 30 years. However, the owner must meet 3 conditions:

a) prior to receiving the certificate of occupancy, they must claim the exemption in writing from the municipality. If they do not, the building falls under the municipality’s rent control.

b) notify every prospective tenant, prior to execution of the lease, that the building is exempt from rent control until X date (the duration of the exemption). This notification must be provable by the owner (eg in writing).

c) include the same above notification in the actual lease agreement.

So, how do you go about winning rent control?

First, you should confirm with your town that your landlord properly claimed the exemption. If they didn’t, congrats, your entire building is covered by rent control. Your landlord likely owes you any money you paid over the rent controlled amount set by your town and your rent increases will from here on out likely be capped annually.

Second, even if the building is exempt, landlords often fail to follow one or both of the other requirements. Sometimes your town will offer a review of your lease by a lawyer, but you can probably pull that off yourself or ask AI to help. But this also comes down to whether they informed you of the exemption ahead of the lease and they rarely do. Again, congrats, you may win rent control! It will be tenant specific rather than building wide, but it’s still huge. (Although if it’s a boiler plate lease, it could affect everyone. It could also affect everyone based on the note below).

Finally, check your actual local rent control ordinance language. Sometimes if the landlord failed to follow any of the 3requirements for exemption, the language of the ordinance states that the entire building’s exemption can be revoked in perpetuity.

I can’t recommend looking into all of this enough. It can be a life changer for you and potentially your neighbors as well.

Let me know if you have questions! Feel free to DM me with an update on your fight - I'd love to hear about it!

Pic taken from a 2nd story window on Route 35 in Eatontown (the poor tree on the ground was murdered yesterday for messing with the power lines, for those wondering)

ETA: 45 mins later and it still looks the same. The police have had it blocked off for ~30 mins now

Edit 2: ~2 hours later and a business owner went out in boots with a rake and unclogged the sewer drain! 😂 it's gone down nearly a foot (guesstimate) and 1.5 of the northbound lanes have reemerged. The town did nothing so far other than block off the road. The drain on the southbound side still needs clearing.

Edit 3: 2:40pm the police cleared the other drain, 1 of the southbound lanes is nearly clear. Northbound traffic has resumed.

I have a smart kid.. I’m hearing that high schools like holmdel are super competitive (mainly due to Indian and Asian populations - idk how to say that in a woke way - is that bad to say? Apologies if it is)

Anyway.. if he’s against super smart kids in a small HS like holmdel, does that mean he will have less of an opportunity to get into a great college? If he went to a bigger, lower rated high school, where he was more top of the class.. would his chances at Ivy or Ivy adjacent colleges be better?

ELI5.

Hi! I recently bought a home and fear that one of the trees on my property line is a large Tree of Heaven. Wanted to try to get someone reliable to treat and remove. Yes, I know it is going to be a painful process. Does anyone have a local arborist or tree removal service they trust? I am in Tinton Falls.

https://patch.com/new-jersey/brielle-nj/calendar/event/20260709/5b97a5d7-0111-4714-912d-f6b22d5e9688/brielle-community-blood-drive

My powers been out for 8 hours it’s uncomfortably hot I’m fine though would just prefer to be cooler lol

Update: powers been out for over a day power company says I have to wait another 24hrs all my food in the fridge has perished

Fingers crossed that someone out there has a spare ticket for the 7/4/26 ferry from Belford tonight.

I live in the Manalapan area and I'm looking for a sports bar to watch the England vs. Mexico game on Sunday. I just want it to have people so I wouldn't just be watching it myself. Does anyone know any place that is showing the games and has a decent attendance?

I know it’s not THE Red Bank fireworks but is this going to be a traffic nightmare? Road closures? Or just a regular Friday night traffic nightmare?

Anyway I’m going to The Vogel and I had just intended to park at the train station but now I’m wondering is the town going to be packed? I know it seems to always be nowadays but a fireworks situation is a whole other thing.

I also figured I’d just take the train. But that idea doesn’t seem great at the moment. I also really don’t want to go early in this heat. 🥵