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A Guide To The Real Jersey Shore

The cast of the Jersey Shore is gearing up for next season. And let's be honest: They haven't shown America much besides a hazy, blacked-out version of New Jersey's coast. Natives know there is a lot more to offer than bar brawls and grenades. The Jersey shore offers plenty of after hour entertainment where you don't have to look like J-Woww to get in. If the only bars you've heard of are Karma and Bamboo, check out this guide to the real Jersey shore below before you book your next trip to find some of the area's best nightlife, including bars, drinks, casinos and style tips. By Emily Tamburri.

Nightlife

Night Club
(credit: Don Murray / Getty Images)

With all the choices of Jersey shore night life, it's a challenge to find what fits your style, so we've listed a few of the best.

Bar-Anticipation
703 16th Avenue
Lake Como, NJ 07719-3081
732) 681-7422
bar-a.com

Known better as Bar-A, this Jersey Shore hotspot has been rated as one of the best nightclubs in the area, as well as the best happy hour. Weekly promos, live events, indoor and outdoor dining as well as private cabanas make Bar-A a great location for your down the shore party settings. Wear your bathing suit for day-long festivities at Bar-A's newest edition to their already spacious facility, Grotto Beach, to indulge in beach-bar specials and volleyball.

D'Jais
1801 Ocean Avenue
Belmar NJ 07719
732-681-5055
djais.com

Featuring daily bucket of beer specials, D'Jais is the perfect setting to kick back with your shore buddies and is located conveniently in Belmar, one of the Jersey shore's premier night life locales. A New Jersey landmark, D'Jais has been cooling shore goers off since 1959 with their ocean view seating, famous happy hours and Ladies Nights. D'Jais has a party atmosphere that fits everyone's style with contests, prizes and a range of music that spans classic rock to club mix.

Martell's Tiki Bar
308 Boardwalk
Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
(732) 892-0131
tikibar.com

If you've been to the Point Pleasant boardwalk, you have certainly passed Martell's Tiki Bar. Jetting out onto the beach from the boardwalk to tip of the breaking waves, Martell's is a party on stilts. Neon palm trees and lights line the railings and tables, and, with beach access, this spot is perfect for some post-sunbathing cocktails and beach snacks like Malibu coconut shrimp. At night, if you don't mind a bit of a crowd, Martell's offers a lounge type of atmosphere with a dance floor and many areas to hang out dispersed throughout the large facility. The Tiki Bar is also famous for their specialty drinks, such as Tiki Tea and fresh squeezed OJ and vodka.

Hemingways
612 Blvd
Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
(732) 830-1255
hemingwaysnj.com

Hemingways is the anti-Karma of Seaside. It has a relaxing atmosphere for billiards, darts, live music, and local DJs. After dinner hours, the tables are shuffled to create one the largest dance floors in Seaside and surrounding areas, so if you want to step up the night's entertainment level, you can get to dancing. Hemingways is a casual mix of club and bar with a wide enough selection to please even the pickiest party go-er.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City
(credit: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

With so much to do in one area, we had to give Atlantic City its own section. Feeling lucky? Craps, Black Jack, Roulette and slots can lead to an interesting night down the shore. Atlantic City boasts an entire board walk of casinos and resorts for all of your guilty pleasures. Some favorite themed casinos that line the boardwalk are the Taj Mahal, The Showboat and of course, Caesar's.

If you're not much of a gambler, or, didn't end up meeting Lady Luck during your stay, you can head on over to Atlantic City's multiple bars and lounges located within the hotels. If you've never made it to Harrah's Pool After Dark, go early and brave the line, because this celeb studded venue is a New Jersey nightlife must-see. Feeling frisky? Club Providence at the Tropicana has a sexy-sleek edge where you can dress to impress.

Looking for something to do before a night out?
Grab tickets for any one of Atlantic City's hotels extensive lineups of events for every night of the week. Between concerts, theatrical shows, comedic stand up and attractions, you'll be hard pressed to find something you didn't want to see—and with all the deals and affordable ticket prices, you won't have a reason to miss out!

Find a list of events here.

Late Night Eateries

Late Night Eateries
(credit: MIRA OBERMAN/AFP/Getty Images)

If you're staying near own of these shore towns, stop by these boardwalk favorites for some post-partying snacks.

Joey Tomatoes
300 Ocean Ave
Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
732) 295-2624

Joey Tomatoes has some of the best pizza you'll find at the Jersey shore. Try the smoked mozzarella or their famous chicken parm slice.

Midway Steak House
Webster Ave & Boardwalk
Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
(732) 793-6617

Midway's menu is full of afterhour's munchies, everything from cheese steaks with all the fixings, to sausage and peppers. Be sure to try the cheese balls—a wad of fried mozzarella that will definitely curb your late night cravings.

Windmill Restaurant
1201 State Route 35
Belmar, NJ 07719
(732) 681-9628

Windmill's is late night food without sacrificing quality. You can stop here after a night of partying at Bar-A, which is right down the street, for large portions of fried delicacies and king-sized hot dogs.

Style Tips For Her

Girls of Jersey Shore
(credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Like we said, you don't have to look like a cast member of Jersey Shore to spend your summer nights at these locations—style all your own, but here are some tips to make the evening flawless.

Wear less makeup: When you're dancing in a crowded room of people in 85+ degree weather, the last thing you need is to be worrying about your makeup! Putting on the layers of foundation, cover up bronzer and blush that you would in the winter, only adds to excess sweat in the summer, making your makeup run and clogging your pores. You'll be tanned from laying out during the day, so stick to simple eye makeup for a quick and easy summer look.

Hats: Ladies old-fashioned, wide brimmed hats are perfect for beach lounging or sipping cocktails at a waterfront bar. Cotton and straw oversized hats will keep your head cool and protect your face from the sun.

Foldable Flats: Many bars have flip-flops listed as a no-no on their dress code policies. Stash your favorite brand of foldable flats in your purse to relieve your feet in style.

Keep Your Own Style: You don't need glitter, Christian Audigier, or skin tight spandex dresses to fit in down the shore! Keep your own style, and stick to breezy, lightweight or simple outfits and let your accessories do the talking.

Style Tips for Him

The Situation
(credit: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Guys: You don't have to rock the spiked hair, tan, polos or abs like the guys of the Jersey Shore to fit in while at the shore. Here are our tips.

Find a summer scent: If you don't already have one, purchase lighter, fresher cologne for summer; try something with a hint of citrus. This also goes for how much you apply—summer weather changes your body chemistry and requires less sprits. (If you want to smell like the guys from the Jersey Shore, you can check out "The Sitch" a fragrance by cast member Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino.

Wear breathable shoes: Boat shoes or Espadrilles are great for summer—they are breathable, yet sturdy enough to withstand the amount of walking you'll be doing at the Jersey shore, all while supporting your feet.

Invest in light-weight fabrics: Your typical white t-shirt isn't going to cut it. Dress it up with lose fitting (not to be confused with baggy to too-big) chambray or short sleeved button down and fitted t-shirt.

Summer Skin Care:

Sunblock
(credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Sunscreen: While the cast of the show is all about the tanning regimen, real Shore-goers know to be smart about their skin. Stop by any drugstore in your area to pick up 30 SPF of higher to keep your skin protected—you wouldn't want to be peeling while you're out on the dance floor. Also, check out our guide to summer (and skin!) safety.

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