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To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
September 2013Vol 2 • no 8
Where it’s happening!NJ’s Premier Dining & Entertainment Guide
LIKE US!
Special Feature:
N J C ome d y C l u b s
Restaurant Profiles
Sports Bars
Pro Sports Schedules
Local Band/Artist Profiles
Mixologist-of-the-Month
Comic Relief
Dining Guide
Broadway Shows
Two on the Aisle
Happy Hours
Local Entertainment Listings
Concerts & Theater
AC Entertainment
ENUES
FREE
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com 5To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.Venues-NJ.com
Website Facebook
Oceanfront Dining
at the
Jersey Shore’s
Island Getaway
Casual Dining with a View & LIVE Entertainment Offering:Tiki Bar •Sushi Bar • Raw Bar • Shrimp Bar • Beach Bar On-Site Catering for all Occasions
22 To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj March 2013
308–310 Boardwalk Point Pleasant Beach, NJ • 732.892.0131 www.tikibar.com
TIKI BAR • SEA BREEZE RESTAURANT • BEACH CLUB
BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY 732.982.0131
Visit Our Sea Breeze Restaurant for Nightly Dinner Specials
September 2013
JOIN MARTELL’S VIP TEXT CLUB
Text Tiki to 51864(Standard text message rates apply)
September Entertainment
308-310 Boardwalk Point Pleasant Beach, NJ • 732.892.0131 www.tikibar.com
TIKI BAR • SEA BREEZE RESTAURANT • BEACH CLUB
Band Schedule
Dinner @ Our Oceanfront Sea Breeze Restaurant
MON - LOBSTER NIGHT WED - SHRIMP NIGHT TUES - CRAB NIGHT THURS - PRIME RIB NIGHT
MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY
732.892.0131
Fri. 8/30 Drop Dead Sexy 9pmSat. 8/31 Big Bang Baby 9pmSun. 9/1 New Power Soul 8pmMon. 9/2 Don’t Call Me Francis 7pmThurs. 9/5 Sensational Soul Cruisers 9:30pmFri. 9/6 Dangerous New High 9pmSat. 9/7 Overboard 8pmFri. 9/13 Mike Dalton Band 9pmSat. 9/14 JoBonanno & Godsons 9pmFri. 9/20 The Neighbors 9pmSat. 9/21 Generation Next 9pm
Steve DiSalvo Tuesday @ 2pm 9/3
Dr. Cheeko Saturday & Sunday @12:30pm
8/31, 9/1, 9/2, 9/14, 9/15, 9/21, 9/22, 9/28, 9/29
Mike Dalton trio Friday @ 2pm8/30
Ask about our many Private
Rooms for Holiday &
Corporate Parties
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com 3
Why Not A Week Night?
ZAGAT RATED &COMFORTABLE ATMOSPHERE
ALL DAYSUNDAY
15% OFF All Food&
Half Price Drinks(Only At The Bar)
LUNCHENTREESStarting at $5.95
SaturdayBar Will Be Open
During Lunch Hours
HAPPYHOUR
All DrinksHalf Price
WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY
10 oz. 14 oz. 24 oz.$18.95 $21.95 $34.95Includes Garden Salad
Imaginative American Cuisine with International Flavors in a
Classic Tavern Setting
ALL DAYSPECIALS
$10.95Grilled Skirt Steak,
Shell Steak,(+$2)
Choice of 2 sides.No Sharing or Splitting.
PASTA Wednesday$5.95
WING Thursday1/2 Price
Any Style Buffaloor Asian Wings
To Advertise Call 732-995-1714 • www.BarflyNYNJ.com May 2012 Page 3
Barfly-MAY-2_BAR Layout 4/19/12 1:57 PM Page 3
HAPPY HOUR
Mon – Fri 3-6pmWed 3-7pmSun All Day
All DrinksHalf Price
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY
Prime Rib* Certified USDA Prime Quality
10 oz. 14oz. 24oz.
$21.95 $24.95 $34.95
Includes Garden Salad
Available after 4pm
LUNCH ENTREESStarting at $5.95Monday – Saturday
11am-3pm
Bar Will Be Open During Lunch Hours
ALL DAY SUNDAY
15% off All Food&
Half Price Drinks(Only At The Bar)
A L L D AY S P E C I A L S
STEAK Monday*$10.95
Grilled Skirt Steak, Rib Eye Steak, Shell Steak,
8 oz. Filet Mignon
LOBSTER Tuesday*$16.95
PASTA Wednesday$5.95
CHICKEN ThursdaysChicken Dish
Any Style $9.95
*Prices Subject To Change According to Market Conditions
LIKE US!
Ladies NightFri & Sat
½ Price Drinks9pm - close
*
September 2013
Mon - Fri 3pm - 5pm
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.comTo Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj
LIKE US!
Letter to Our Readers Laughter is the best medicine. We’ve heard this phrase all our lives -- and it’s true! According to scientific researchers, a good belly laugh can provide both physical and mental benefits relieving physical tension and stress as it relaxes muscles. Well, within the borders of our state, there are many venues available where you can receive such “medicine.” The comedy clubs in New Jersey offer fun, relaxation and a wide variety of talent for our enjoyment. Read “Laugh Lines,” this month’s main feature, and hear from some experts in the field of comedy about their business and their experiences. Looking for a gathering place for Irish tradition and family fun? An eatery where you can enjoy great food and drink at great prices? Look no further than Ryan’s Pub & Sports Bar located in Monroe. Take a moment to review this month’s restaurant profile to learn more. Two teachers/musicians met at Freehold Boro High School almost 40 year ago and have been bringing their crisp, smooth sound to Jersey Shore venues ever since. Read about Stan and Heshy, also known as the Half Brothers. Then, learn a bit about a “hockey mom”/bartender who juggles her life serving drinks at MJ’s in Tinton Falls, driving her nine-year-old son to hockey practice and actually playing in a hockey league that she and her other hockey mom friends started. Get to know this month’s Mixologist, Kimmy Ehlbeck. Rounding out this issue, and expanding on the comic vibe, we introduce you to a lawyer turned comedian! (Yes, the jokes could just about write themselves). Kevin Israel performs at clubs and venues throughout the Northeast including college gigs, corporate events and fundraisers. Learn more in our Comic Relief feature. The balance of this issue of Venues NJ provides you with timely information on dining and entertainment establishments to visit, relax and enjoy yourselves. Now, go out and try someplace different for a change of pace.
BobByrne,Publisher
Sports Bars & Quiz .................................................................. Page 6Restaurant Profile ............................................................... Page 10Band Profile ......................................................................... Page 12 Mixologist-of-the-Month ................................................. Page 14Main Feature: NJ Comedy Clubs .................................. Page 18Catering ................................................................................ Page 20Libations ................................................................................ Page 21BYO Restaurants ...................................................................Page 22Two on the Aisle ................................................................. Page 24Comic Relief ....................................................................... Page 26Dining Pleasures ................................................................ Page 28Happy Hours ........................................................................ Page 30Where it’s happening! ....................................................... Page 31Concerts & Theater ............................................................. Page 32Plugged into AC ................................................................. Page 33Venues NJ Cares .................................................................. Page 34The Last Word ...................................................................... Page 34
PublisherBob Byrnerfbyrne@att.net
EditorLisa Schofield
.Graphics & DesignDaria Kenny
Advertising Sales732-995-1714
Contributing WritersClare Marie CelanoSteve OrtliebTim Kolupanowich
© 2013 Venues NJ LLC. All rights reserved.
In This Issue:
4 September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com 53To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj
3To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj
A relaxing cross between Margaritaville and Tommy Bahama
LUNCH - Mon. - Sat. 11:30am - 3:00pmBRUNCH - Sun. 10:30am - 2:00pmDINNER (Summer Hours): KITCHEN: Sun. - Thurs. closes at 10pm; Fri & Sat 11pm BAR: Sun. - Thurs. closes at Midnight; Fri & Sat 1:30am
Mon - Sat 2pm - 6pm / Sunday All Day Beer Flights* $5.00 (* Four different 4oz glasses served on a paddle)
Featuring1/2 Priced Appetizers • 16 Draft Beers •$5 Svedka Vodka Drinks$4 House Wine by the Glass • $2 Yuengling & Coors Light Pints
Relax & Enjoy watching our 10 HDTV’s
Monday - Trivia Night Tuesday - Lobster NightWednesday – Ladies Night: Live Music 6pm – 9pmThursday – Snow Crab Night; Live Music 7pmFriday & Saturday - Live Music 8pm - MidnightSunday Brunch - 10:30am - 2:00pm $21.95 Adults/$10.95 Kids (10 & younger)Early Bird Specials - Sunday thru Friday 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Have Your Next Function in
Our Party Room
Overlooking the Scenic
Metedeconk River
Sun. 9/1 Rhyme & ReasonMon. 9/2 Gary PhilipsTues. 9/3 Gary CookWed. 9/4 TomardoThurs. 9/5 Lisa BouchelleFri. 9/6 UndisputedSat. 9/7 Billy LawlorMon. 9/9 Trivia NightTues. 9/10 Gary CookWed. 9/11 TomardoThurs. 9/12 Floyd MurrayFri. 9/13 License To ChillSat. 9/14 Phil Engel Band
Mon. 9/16 Trivia NightTues. 9/17 Gary CookWed. 9/18 TomardoThurs. 9/19 LeftyFri. 9/20 Nicole & DeniseSat. 9/21 BallyhaunisMon. 9/23 Trivia NightTues. 9/24 Gary CookWed. 9/25 TomardoThurs. 9/26 Lisa BouchelleFri. 9/27 High Tide & Vintage JohnnySat. 9/28 Brue CrewMon. 9/30 Trivia Night
732.920.8900 • 799 Rt. 70, Brick, NJ 08723www.Riverwatchbricknj.com
TRIVIA NIGHT
MONDAYS @ 7:30 PMOpen D
aily fo
r
LUNCH !
Daily Specials
Happy Hour
Football Sundays!!!
First there was Sinatra, then Martin, then Darin … NOW…Tomardo Every Wednesday
6pm – 9pm
September EntertainmentCruise up to the marina dock @ RiverwatchTie up & come inside for lunch/dinner or
Call ahead and we’ll have your meal ready for pick up(select beverages available in plastic containers)
See our complete menu on our website.
Sept. 11th … Ladies Shopping Day Extravaganza
September 2013
EVERY THURSDAY
Join Us
Win a $50 Gift Card
Join us for FOOTBALL SUNDAYS
w/ Hot Buffet & Specials on
Select BeersGiant / Jet T-Shirt
Giveaways
Snow Crab Day1lb. Snow Crab Entreé - $20. per person
Up to 10 booths featuring Jewelry, Perfume, Lotions, Clothing, Crafts and other neat stuff!
Psychic Readings Available - c all 732.814.8576.
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
ABERDEENCourt Jester 732-566-6674
ASBURY PARKCabana Club 732-988-4500
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDSTwin Light Taphouse 732-872-1345
BELMAR507 Main 732-681-6301Boathouse 732-681-5221Connolly Station 732-280-2220
BRICKBrickhouse 732-279-3743Buffalo Wild Wings 732-475-7645River Rock 732-840-1110Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza 732-262-5180
BRIELLESandBar 732-528-7750Simko’s 732-528-9989
CLARKSBURGClarksburg Inn 732-259-2558
COLTS NECKHuddy’s 732-431-0194
EATONTOWNBogart’s 732-542-1836
EAST BRUNSWICKBrunswick Grove 732-254-0495Gusto Grill 732-651-2737Tilted Kilt 732-992-8532
EAST WINDSORBrewster’s Pub 732-448-2258City Streets 732-426-9400
FARMINGDALEMulligan’s 732-938-6166Woody’s 732-938-6404
HAZLETPark East 732-739-2002
HIGHLANDSChubby Pickle 732-872-7000Clam Hut 732-291-2526The Claddagh 732-291-0099Windansea 732-872-2266
HIGHTSTOWNTavern on the Lake 609-426-9345
HOWELLChapter House 732-462-0056Ivy League 732-370-2206
KEYPORTBlue Rock 732-583-7699McDonagh’s 732-264-0999
LAKE COMOBar A 732-681-7422PK Shamrock 732-681-3111
LOCH ARBOURLakehouse 732-531-5555
LONG BRANCHJack’s 732-870-8800Draft House 732-272-1598
MANALAPANThe Sycamore Grill 732-792-7722
MANASQUANLeggett’s 732-223-3951O’Neill’s 732-526-5666
MARLBOROFireside Grill 732-780-7900Nonna’s 732-536-9050
MATAWANKat Shack 732-441-1030MJ’s Buttonwood 732-566-6220
MIDDLETOWNMJ’s 732-918-9700
MONROERyan’s Pub & Sports Bar 732-251-1709
NEPTUNEClancy’s Tavern 732-776-6999East Coast Cookery 732-922-0003Headliner 732-775-6200Kelly’s 732-775-9517MJ’s 732-918-9700Sunsets 732-775-9911
OLD BRIDGEBig Ed’s BBQ 732-583-2626Pine Tavern 732-727-5060
PT. PLEASANTFarrell’s 732-892-2090Frankie’s 732-892-6000Idle Hour 732-899-2102Martell’s 732-892-0131Wharfside 732-892-9100
RED BANKBrannigan’s 732-741-0224The Downtown 732-741-2828Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza 732-262-5180Walt Street Pub 732-741-5936
RUMSONBarnacle Bill’s 732-747-8396Molly Maguire’s 732-530-2882
SEA BRIGHTWoody’s 732-976-1300
SEA GIRTEdgar’s 732-449-4114Harrigan’s 732-449-8228Rod’s 732-449-2020
SPRING LAKEThe Porch 732-449-5880St. Stephen’s Green 732-449-2626
TINTON FALLSApplebee’s 732-935-1158MJ’s 732-542-3131Pour House 732-842-4337
TOMS RIVERMcIntyre’s 732-349-0420Mulligan’s 732-255-3900
WALLApplebee’s 732-280-3676Four Winds 732-223-9579
WOODBRIDGEBig Shots Sports Bar 732-750-5050Chris Michael’s 732-634-5355
Test Your US Open Tennis Smarts
Match the winner with the year he won.
YEAR PLAYER2012 Novak Djokovic 2011 Roger Federer2010 Marat Safin2009 Andy Roddick 2008-04 Raphael Nadal2003 Andy Murray 2002 Juan Martin del Potro2001 Andre Agassi 2000 Lleyton Hewitt1999 Pete Sampras
Bonus:
What year did the US Open start? Who won?
(Answers on page 20)
6
S por t s Ba r L i s t i n g s
September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
Sit, relax & enjoy!Sit, relax & enjoy!Sit, relax & enjoy!
www.mjsrestaurant.comwww.mjsrestaurant.comwww.mjsrestaurant.com
MJ*s at rt. 66rt. 66 west - neptune
MJ*s at rt. 66rt. 66 west - neptune
MJ*s at rt. 66rt. 66 west - neptune
MJ*s at the FallsSycamore Ave - Tinton Falls
MJ*s at the FallsSycamore Ave - Tinton Falls
MJ*s at the FallsSycamore Ave - Tinton Falls
MJ*s at rt. 35rt. 35 north - middletown
MJ*s at rt. 35rt. 35 north - middletown
MJ*s at rt. 35rt. 35 north - middletown
Download our FREE app for Iphone & Android to keep up w/ what’s going on at MJ*s!!
View our menu, access each location’s nightly entertainment & so much more! Just search MJ’s Restaurant in the
Apple or Google Play store.
Download our FREE app for Iphone & Android to keep up w/ what’s going on at MJ*s!!
View our menu, access each location’s nightly entertainment & so much more! Just search MJ’s Restaurant in the
Apple or Google Play store.
Download our FREE app for Iphone & Android to keep up w/ what’s going on at MJ*s!!
View our menu, access each location’s nightly entertainment & so much more! Just search MJ’s Restaurant in the
Apple or Google Play store.
Brunch menu at MJ*s @ the Falls
ANDLakeside Brunch
Buffet at MJ*s @ Buttonwood
every Sunday11am - 2pm
with drink specials.
Brunch menu at MJ*s @ the Falls
ANDLakeside Brunch
Buffet at MJ*s @ Buttonwood
every Sunday11am - 2pm
with drink specials.
Brunch menu at MJ*s @ the Falls
ANDLakeside Brunch
Buffet at MJ*s @ Buttonwood
every Sunday11am - 2pm
with drink specials.
MJ*s at Buttonwoodrt. 34 north - matawanMJ*s at Buttonwood
rt. 34 north - matawanMJ*s at Buttonwood
rt. 34 north - matawan
HAPPY HOURat the bar
every M-F!!Drink specials M-F 4-7pm!1/2 price appsM-Th 4-6pm!
FREE hot & coldbuffet every
Friday 4-6pm!
Watch the NFL games with us!ALLDirect TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket, huge at screens,
giveaways, drink specials & every greatSunday enjoy our game-time appetizer menu:
Kick-Off Chicken Wings $4.25(6)Grid-Iron Nachos $4.99
Sideline Meatball Parm Sandwich $4.99Angus Blitz Burger Bites w/ chips $4.99(2)
Pigskin Pulled Pork Tacos $4.99(2)End Zone Traditional Crust Bar Pie $4.99MJ*s Champion-Chip Cheese Fries $4.99
The Superbowl Sampler $18.99(Kick off wings, Champion-Chip cheese fries,
2 Angus Blitz Burger Bites & 2 Pigskin Pulled Pork Tacos)
7September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
PRO SPORT SCHEDULES
MLB NY Yankees & NY Mets
PGA Pro Tour ScheduleSep 12 - Sep 15 BMW Championship Conway Farms Golf Club, Lake Forest, ILSep 19 - Sep 22 TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, GAOct 3 - Oct 6 The Presidents Cup Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, OH
Sun, Sep 1 vs BaltimoreMon, Sep 2 vs White SoxTue, Sep 3 vs White SoxWed, Sep 4 vs White SoxThu, Sep 5 vs BostonFri, Sep 6 vs BostonSat, Sep 7 vs BostonSun, Sep 8 vs BostonMon, Sep 9 @ BaltimoreTue, Sep 10 @ BaltimoreWed, Sep 11 @ BaltimoreThu, Sep 12 @ BaltimoreFri, Sep 13 @ BostonSat, Sep 14 @ BostonSun, Sep 15 @ BostonTue, Sep 17 @ TorontoWed, Sep 18 @ TorontoThu, Sep 19 @ TorontoFri, Sep 20 vs San FranciscoSat, Sep 21 vs San FranciscoSun, Sep 22 vs San FranciscoTue, Sep 24 vs Tampa BayWed, Sep 25 vs Tampa BayThu, Sep 26 vs Tampa BayFri, Sep 27 @ HoustonSat, Sep 28 @ HoustonSun, Sep 29 @ Houston
Sun, Sep 1 @ WashingtonMon, Sep 2 @ AtlantaTue, Sep 3 @ AtlantaWed, Sep 4 @ AtlantaFri, Sep 6 @ ClevelandSat, Sep 7 @ ClevelandSun, Sep 8 @ ClevelandMon, Sep 9 vs WashingtonTue, Sep 10 vs WashingtonWed, Sep 11 vs WashingtonThu, Sep 12 vs WashingtonFri, Sep 13 vs MiamiSat, Sep 14 vs MiamiSat, Sep 14 vs MiamiSun, Sep 15 vs MiamiTue, Sep 17 vs San FranciscoWed, Sep 18 vs San FranciscoThu, Sep 19 vs San FranciscoFri, Sep 20 @ PhiladelphiaSat, Sep 21 @ PhiladelphiaSun, Sep 22 @ PhiladelphiaMon, Sep 23 @ CincinnatiTue, Sep 24 @ CincinnatiWed, Sep 25 @ CincinnatiThu, Sep 26 vs MilwaukeeFri, Sep 27 vs MilwaukeeSat, Sep 28 vs MilwaukeeSun, Sep 29 vs Milwaukee
Watch ALL Your Favorite Sports @
8 September 2013
NASCAR - Sprint Cup SeriesSun, Sep 1 7:30 PM ET NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at AtlantaAtlanta Motor SpeedwaySat, Sep 7 7:30 PM ET NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at RichmondRichmond International RacewaySun, Sep 15 2:00 PM ET GEICO 400 at ChicagoChicagoland SpeedwaySun, Sep 22 2:00 PM ET NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at New HampshireNew Hampshire Motor SpeedwaySun, Sep 29 2:00 PM ET NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at DoverDover International Speedway
Nationwide SeriesFri, Sep 6 7:30 PM ET NASCAR Nationwide Series at RichmondRichmond International RacewaySat, Sep 14 3:30 PM ET NASCAR Nationwide Series at ChicagoChicagoland Speedway
Sat, Sep 21 7:30 PM ET NASCAR Nationwide Series at KentuckyKentucky SpeedwaySat, Sep 28 3:30 PM ET NASCAR Nationwide Series at DoverDover International Speedway
Watch All this Season’s Games @ Fireside$2.50 Coors Light Btls.
& Drafts, during all NFL gamesPrizes & Giveaways
during *every game.
Sun, Sep 8 @ DallasSun, Sep 15 vs DenverSun, Sep 22 @ CarolinaSun, Sep 29 @ Kansas CitySun, Oct 6 vs PhiladelphiaThu, Oct 10 @ ChicagoMon, Oct 21 vs MinnesotaSun, Oct 27 @ PhiladelphiaBYE WEEKSun, Nov 10 vs OaklandSun, Nov 17 vs Green BaySun, Nov 24 vs DallasSun, Dec 1 @ WashingtonSun, Dec 8 @ San DiegoSun, Dec 15 vs SeattleSun, Dec 22 @ DetroitSun, Dec 29 vs Washington
Sun, Sep 8 vs Tampa BayThu, Sep 12 @ New EnglandSun, Sep 22 vs BuffaloSun, Sep 29 @ TennesseeMon, Oct 7 @ AtlantaSun, Oct 13 vs PittsburghSun, Oct 20 vs New EnglandSun, Oct 27 @ CincinnatiSun, Nov 3 vs New OrleansBYE WEEKSun, Nov 17 @ BuffaloSun, Nov 24 @ BaltimoreSun, Dec 1 vs MiamiSun, Dec 8 vs OaklandSun, Dec 15 @ CarolinaSun, Dec 22 vs ClevelandSun, Dec 29 @ Miami
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com 11To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.njMarch 2013
Cocktail Menu
Website Facebook
HAPPY HOURMONDAY-FRIDAY
NOON-7pm
Watch ALL Yankee & Mets
Games @ Fireside!
www.FIRESIDEGRILLANDBAR.com
133 South Main St. (Route 79) Marlboro, NJSEE OUR WEBSITE FOR COMPLETE LUNCH & DINNER MENUS
732.780.7900
BAR ONLY
DAILY SPECIALS7 Days A Week
½ Price AppetizersAfter 10pm
MONDAYMONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
$2.50 Coors Light During the GameTUESDAY
TRIVIA NIGHT$4 Pinnacle Drinks
$3 Corona & Corona LightPrizes & Giveaways 8pm – close
WEDNESDAY½ Price Appetizers 8pm – close
$2.50 Miller Lite $3 Heineken & Heineken Light
THURSDAY½ Price Wine by the Bottle
All Night$3 Corona Light 9pm – close
$2.50 Coors Light Draft & Bottles9pm – close
FRIDAYLIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Extended Happy Hour ‘til 8pm
DJ 10pm - close
WEDNESDAY - ½ Price Appetizers 8pm – close
9September 2013
Jones vs. GustafsonUFC 165 SAT. SEP. 21 LIVE FROM TORONTO
UFC 164HENDERSON VS. PETTIS
Sat. Aug. 31Live from Milwaukee
Are You reAdY For Some FootbAll?
SUNDAY FOOTBALL ENJOY ALL THE GAMES @ FIRESIDE$2.50 COORS LIGHT DURING GAMESPRIZES & GIVEAWAYSEVERY WEEK
Join Us @ Fireside Sat. Sept
14thFloyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez
“Congratulations to Fireside Grill & Bar on their 2nd Anniversary”
from MGM / Las Vegas
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
Ryan’s PUB & SPORTS BAR
Come to an eatery that welcomes families with hearty food, generous portions at great prices, and an atmosphere that is all a neighborhood corner Irish pub should be. “You get a lot for your money here,” emphasizes Gina Dipierro, General Manager of Ryan’s Pub & Sports Bar in Monroe. “We offer great meals for families without breaking the bank, especially at this time with the tough economic climate.”
If you’ve any doubt that an Irish pub is where you are, just look around; you’ll be greeted by a portrait of leprechauns, a magic tree, rainbows and yes -- a pot of gold, all courtesy of a local artist and regular customer at Ryan’s Pub and Sports Bar. You will also feel the inviting comfort of this pub with its wainscoting, chair railing, wood floors and Irish memorabilia on the walls. Add in the green-and-white gingham tablecloths and green leather upholstered dining chairs and it all spells, “Irish pub.”
The pub-style restaurant offers a dining room and bar, a family-friendly environment with a “kids” menu, an upbeat sports bar with 15 TVs and 17 beers on tap, some rocking nightlife, drink specials, menu specials, Happy Hour and live entertainment on weekends.
This casual pub offers 10 oz. Angus juicy burgers on a large kaiser roll, pizza, wings that come in a variety of “heat” levels and lots more. Ryan’s also offers its patrons nightly dine-in specials on delicious food to make family dining a bit easier. Take the family to Ryan’s on Monday and buy one entree and get one at half price. Tuesday offers a “buy one burger and get one half off.” Wednesday offers half price appetizers and Thursday, a popular family dining night, is “buy
one pizza and get one free.”
Chef Dave Nieratko brings his talents and his catering company, Culinary Classics, to Ryan’s Pub & Sports Bar. Incorporating his Portuguese and Polish heritage, the chef brings a vast array of flavors to satisfy customers. Sous-Chef Brad Eckman brings his creativity to Ryan’s Pub as well, creating daily specials.
Hearty Irish fare, such as Shepherd’s Pie, Fish and Chips, Corned Beef Sandwiches and Reuben’s all await patrons. Ryan’s Pub & Sports Bar also offers Irish appetizers, including, “Drunk Clams,” clams cooked in beer broth. Customer’s love these so much, says Dipierro, they actually ask to take home a container of the beer broth!”
Try the Irish Nachos, which is a big seller-- home-cooked potato chips, layers of cheddar cheese, Bleu cheese, topped with crumbled bacon and scallions, and baked in the oven.
Pizza is also a very popular selection here, including bar pies, Margherita, and plain pies. Or, create your own pizza from a selection of tempting toppings, including mushrooms, black olives, Italian sweet sausage, meatballs, onions and peppers.
There are also fantastic sports event specials such as $5 bar pies and 50-cent wings, which DiPierro describes as “very large.” The wings are offered in hot buffalo, mild buffalo, Cajun or dry, with sauce on the side.
Drink specials abound at Ryan’s and include 75-cent
domestic mugs all day and $1 off shots every Monday. All day $1 domestic mugs and $1 off shots are on tap on Tuesday. During football season sports bar specials can include Bud or Coors, including $1.75 pints and $2.50 bottles.
Enjoy specialty nights at Ryan’s Pub, including Karaoke on Tuesday night and a DJ on Thursday (except during football season). Friday a live band entertains, and “Surprise Saturday” offers patrons a smaller, more intimate band, or DJ.
Game days offer give-a-ways such as free tickets or Miller light specials on Rutgers game nights. During the NFL season, specials offered at half-time can include give-a-ways from free T-shirts to NFL Jerseys.
Ryan’s Pub & Sports Bar also offers its patrons Happy Hour, Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm, with $2 domestic pints.
This casual and comfy Irish pub can also accommodate
your private birthday parties,
showers and holiday parties in the dining
room. So whether it’s a family dinner
out, an evening of entertainment and late night snacks, or
an upbeat sports game viewing venue with great
food, wings and libations, Ryan’s Pub & Sports Bar will give you all that and more! Dipierro summarizes, “People will tell us they’ve gone somewhere else, but they end up stopping back here. They say it’s like home base to them.”
by CLARE MARIE CELANO
10 September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.comTo Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj
HAPPY HOURSMon-Fri 3pm-7pmSat-Sun 1pm-7pm
A gathering place for Irish tradition
and family fun!
MONDAY75¢ Domestic Mugs
$1 off all shotsBuy one entree,
Get one half price(Dine in only)
TUESDAY$1 Domestic Mugs
$1 off all shotsBuy one burger,
get one half price(Dine in only)
WEDNESDAYLadies Night @7pm
Half Price Apps(Limit 1)(until 8pm)
THURSDAYBogo Free Pizza
TUESDAYS - Karaoke
THURSDAYS - DJ @ 10pm
FRIDAYS - Live Band @ 10pm
9/6 THE BUTCHERS 9/13 MAMA’S STEW 9/20 RADIO DAZE 9/27 BLACK NIGHT
SURPRISESATURDAYS @10pm
Stop in. You never know who’ll be entertainimg…
A Live Band?…A DJ? …or ????
www.RyansPubNJ.com299 Spotswood-Englishtown Road • Monroe Township, NJ 08831• (732) 251-1709
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj
299 Spotswood Englishtown Rd, Monroe
732-251-1709
PART IRISH PUB! PART SPORTS BAR! ALL FAMILY FRIENDLY!
SPORTS ALL DAY ON 15
FLATSCREEN TV’S!
$4.95 LUNCH
SPECIALS MONDAY—FRIDAY
SUNDAY FOOTBALL &
MON/THURS NT FOOTBALL 1/2TIME
LIGHT COMPLIMENTARY SNACKS
DAILY MENU SPECIALS
MON & TUES DINE-IN
SPECIALS HALF PRICE
APPS WED. BOGO PIZZA
THURSDAYS
DAILY DRINK SPECIALS
MUGSHOT MONDAY KARAOKE TUES. LADIES NT WED
DJ ON THIRSTY THURS.
LIVE BANDS ON FRI SAT SURPRISE
SPORTS SUNDAYS
FOOTBALL SPECIALS!SUNDAYS - $1.75 Bud / Bud Lt. Pints • $2.50 Btls $5 Bar Pies • .50c WingsComplimentary Half-time Snacks • Half-time Giveaways
MON. / THURS - $1.75 Coors Lt Pints • $2.50 Btls$5 Bar Pies • .50c WingsComplimentary Half-time Snacks • Half-time Giveaways
SATURDAYS – Rutgers Games (only) $1.75 Miller Lt. Pints • $2.50 Btls • $5 Bar Pies •.50c WingsComplimentary Half-time Snacks • Half-time Giveaways
SEPTEMBER ENTERTAINMENT
Daily Drink & Menu Specials
11September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
by Tim Kolupanowich
September 2013
They met as teachers at Free-hold Boro High School almost 40 years ago and Stan Koba and Heshy Moses have been
bringing their crisp, smooth sound up and down the Jersey Shore ever since.
The moniker of Half-Brothers was first instilled early on in their teach-ing careers: while Koba taught social studies and Moses focused on psy-chology, they were the only teachers with long hair and people kept ask-ing them if they were related. Their enthusiasm on stage stems directly from their passion in the classroom. “When I teach a lot of it is about ex-pressing and trying to get students to understand, sort of live what I’m trying to say and experience what I’m trying to say,” said Koba. “When I’m playing I just take what I like to do in the classroom and I transfer
it into my music.” Moses, who also coached boys and girls soccer, is now retired, and Koba is now in an ad-ministrative role in Howell.
Koba, born in Middletown, Connecticut, first learned guitar in fifth grade when his mother forced him to take lessons and sang all throughout Catholic school. He played in a band called The Critic’s Choice in high school be-fore moving on to Central Connecticut State College.
He moved to Freehold directly after graduation in 1973. Moses, from As-bury Park, was inspired by The Roll-ing Stones’ Keith Richards during a show in his hometown’s Convention Hall, and promptly had his mother buy him a guitar. He honed his tal-ent while attending the University of Miami. He spent one year teaching at Camden High School before coming to Freehold.
Picking up the guitar is always a joy, but Moses especially enjoys down-town Freehold’s Court Jester right before Thanksgiving because he gets to be with people he hasn’t seen in years. “I love that night, that night is wild,” he laughs. “I would rather almost talk to people than play mu-sic because you haven’t seen these people in so long.” Koba particularly
relishes his time spent playing at the Laurita Winery in New Egypt, Surf Taco in Jackson and Union Landing Restaurant in Bri-elle. To watch them play is to travel across generations of mu-sic, though they still prefer the old-er tunes they grew up with. You’ll hear
them cover Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson and John Mayer, but they always go back. “People always ask for The Dead, Rolling Stones, it nev-er stops. They like all that old stuff,” says Moses.
Half-Brothers plays regularly enough and cater to a wide audience who ap-preciate being entertained, and the ability to just escape their lives for a little while. “I taught psychology for a long time so to me, it’s all about get-ting stuff out,” muses Moses. “A lot of people keep stuff inside and that’s why they have problems. Music to me is just a great re-lease.”
When the two H a l f - B r o t h e r s first started out the drinking age was only 18 so some of their students were able to watch them perform. Even after it changed to 21 the old faces would continue come back and soon former students were bringing kids of their own. They even used to perform with their stu-dents at their annual end-of-school show “Half-Brothers and Others” and have featured former students in their act.
Koba spent five days at Woodstock in 1969 taking in one of the great-est scenes in music history -- and this still resonates today when he plays with Moses as the Half-Broth-ers. “There were 300,000 people at Woodstock and there was no hatred,” he remembers. The atmosphere today is just as relaxed and friendly when Half-Brothers play.
For more information including sched-ule and booking, be sure to check out halfbrothers.com.
12
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com 13September 2013 13To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.njMarch 2013
Happy St Patrick’s Day! from the OC Girls
227 West Front Street • Keyport NJ • 732-888-0081Mon – Sat 11am - 7pm • Sun Noon - 5pm
w w w . O u t t a C o n t r o l S m o k e S h o p . c o m
The Coolest Store on the Jersey Shore
13To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.njMarch 2013
227 West Front Street • Keyport NJ • 732-888-0081Mon – Sat 11am - 7pm • Sun Noon - 5pm
www . O u t t a C o n t r o l S m o k e S h o p . c o m
The Coolest Store on the Jersey Shore
Happy Labor Day
From the OC Girls
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
ixologist
Kimmy EhlbeckBY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Kimmy Ehlbeck does it all. This energetic barkeep at MJ’s Pizza, Bar & Grill in Tinton Falls, is “mom” to two sons by day and bartender at MJ’s by night. In between her shifts at MJ’s, Ehlbeck manages to change hats and become what she calls “hockey mom” helping to coach her 9-year-old son’s Middletown Youth Association’s roller hockey team. That is of course, in addition to mothering her youngest son, just two years old. In the midst of all that, she and her “hockey moms” also created their own hockey league, “a league of their own” so to speak, where the moms of the young hockey players get together and have their own sports fun. Hockey is in the blood, according to Ehlbeck, who said her dad coached hockey for years and, as a child, she always wanted to play. She took her enthusiasm for high school sports, which included playing basketball, field hockey and softball, and made the activity a part of her adult years well, and is loving the idea of playing
hockey a s well as what it does for her. And, although the logistics are sometimes tough, she loves playing on the league and says, “It keeps me in shape.” The 12-year veteran bartender began her career in the restaurant industry, starting at Chili’s where she worked as a server before she moved up to bartender. She worked at Chili’s for over 10 years, then moved to the Steak Exchange in Hazlet, for 5 years as a bartender. In between her shifts as bartender at Chili’s, Ehlbeck
attended the Ultrasound Diagnostics School in Edison, and studied to become a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). For a time, Ehlbeck said she worked full-time in the medical field as an RMA while maintaining part-time status as a bartender at Chili’s. “It was getting to be too much,” she said, after her first son was born, so she left the work as RMA, opting to work more hours in her bartending career. “It was really hard to drop the bartending for a ‘real” job,’” she said. “I missed it. And, I really enjoyed the socialization, the interaction and friends I made at my bartending job,” she said. “And it was a good income,” she added. “I love the pace,” she
says of her bartending job. “And, I enjoy watching people
have fun, watch the games on TV and
eat great food. MJ’s is the best place I have
ever worked. The owners, the staff,
and the customers are all like family here.”
Ehlbeck says that it’s great to see everyone at her job when she arrives for work, and it “makes it easier to go to work when you like being with those you work with.” If you have a chance, stop in to MJ’s in Tinton Falls; have a drink and talk sports with Kimmy!
14 September 2013
CALL FOR TICKETS AND DINNER SHOW PACKAGESCHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST SCHEDULE
WWW.UNCLEVINNIESCOMEDYCLUB.COM
@UNCLEVINNIESCC
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
Tommy’s Red Bank 2 Bridge Ave. @ The Galleria
Red Bank, New Jersey(732) 212-1700
Wine Martinis Sangria Beer & Wings
Pizza Done Right
315
Tommy’s Paramus700 Paramus Park
Paramus, New Jersey
(201) 261-1380
September 2013
Now in Brick OnlyKARAOKE
Saturdays
9pm – close
Tommy’s Brick515 Route 70
Brick, New Jersey
(732) 262-5180
Now in Brick Only
Happy HoursMon – Thurs 4pm – 7pm
Fridays 4pm – 7pm & 10pm – closeSat & Sun ALL Day
Weekly Bar SpecialsHalf Price
Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday
Now in Brick
Only
Tommy’s Full Service Catering Menu & To Go Menu Available
www.TommysCoalFiredPizza.Com
½ Price on Select Beers $4 House Wines * $4 Well Drinks
Menu($7 each or any 2 for $12)
Italian Chopped Salad * Apple SaladPersonal Pies ($1 per topping)
Personal Calzones ($1 per topping)Coal Oven Roasted Wings
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com16 September 201325To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.njMarch 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
Dine in a Family-Friendly AtomsphereWhile Watching ALL the
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17September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.comTo Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com18 September 2013
Laugh Lines!! New Jersey’s top comedy club owners talk about why laughing is not only such good business -- it’s great for you too.It is often said that “laughter is the best medicine.” And indeed, there’s much truth to this statement. In fact, scientific research demonstrates both physical and mental health benefits: rollicking laughter can relieve physical tension and stress as it relaxes muscles. A damn good guffaw boosts the immune system, as it decreases stress hormones and increases infection-fighting antibodies. A hearty belly laugh or a series of delightful giggle fits can trigger the release of endorphins, those feel-really-good biochemicals. And laughter can increase blood flow, which is good for your heart.
And in New Jersey -- there’s so much to laugh at. Our comedy clubs are renowned and revered in the entertainment capitals of Los Angeles and New York. Humor comes in numerous styles and forms and our comedy clubs offer a wide variety to get any chuckle-motor revved up.
Although it’s all about a laughing matter, comedy clubs are serious businesses. They’re here to entertain you and ensure you have the most pleasant experience, including food and drinks in a comfortable environment. Owners and management of
these clubs sit through dozens and dozens of auditions of hopefuls, to see who can grace their spotlights.
The mid-1980s was a “very exciting” time for comedy, recalls Bob Kephart, founder and owner of The Comedy Stop in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. From the entertainment centers of Los Angeles and New York, comedy clubs exploded all over. “They filled a need, but the bad thing about it was that so many of these new clubs were putting people on stage who had no business being on stage, they didn’t know what they were doing. Because of this, many people tended to think that all clubs and comedians sucked because they saw one lousy performance.”
By 1990 or so, he adds, the influx started to go down again; the cream rose to the top and many of the fly-by-night clubs went out of business. Kephart took advantage and opened the Comedy Stop in Las Vegas in 1991; he describes it as “the best comedy club on the strip.”
Dino Ibelli, founder and owner of Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club, one of only two freestanding venues devoted solely to comedy in New Jersey, observes that during the past decade the economy’s free fall a few years ago impacted disposable income previously used for entertainment. “Normally, when people would go out to dinner about twice a week, they cut back on average to once a week, and
comedy clubs were hurt even more.”
Ibelli does see it turning around and when it rises back to what it used to be prior to 2008, the comedy business will once again benefit from t h e b o o m .
B u t
that’s not to say, he is quick to point out, that it’s a bust at all -- in downtimes, people need merriment
and l a u g h t e r even more.
Comedy, observes Suzy Rose Yengo, Esq., chief executive officer and bottle washer of Catch a Rising Star, “has been great thanks to a low ticket price, television and radio. Comics are the rock stars of this decade!”
Comedy clubs such as those featured in this article are all invested in this specific form of entertainment -- you won’t find dramatic poetry readings or a jazz trio, or a singing contest. As such, it’s serious business to remain in business. Says Ibelli, “In my area, there are many places that have tried comedy, like restaurants and pizzerias doing comedy nights. But the problem is they are not booking real comedians, but those at the open mic level and this hurts our business.”
Because these budding comics don’t have the grit of real experience, they can often falter on pacing and rhythm, which will lose the audience -- or they just aren’t too funny to begin with. Now of course, all the greats started somewhere, but comedy audiences tend to be more finicky when faced by someone who is there to purposefully get them to laugh their asses off. “So,” says Ibelli, “when people go to these open-mic type of comedy events at restaurants they are often disappointed. They then translate this poor experience to all live comedy events, including professional comedy clubs. It hurts the reputation.”
Kephart agrees with Ibelli: “If someone isn’t funny, this kind of pisses off the audience. When the comedy business exploded, everyone thought they could just use their room, get a mic and open it up.”
As such, owners of comedy clubs especially those that have been in business for a long time, weathering bad economies, etc., have got to hit it right with every show and talent they hire. “My guys all have credits and are paid comedians,” Ibelli says. He admits that he doesn’t personally like everyone he books and that, he feels, is not the point. He says that about 25 percent of those he books he personally doesn’t think are a hoot, but they have strong fan bases and they can make the customers laugh. “If they make the customers laugh then they’re number-one in my eyes; it’s
about the customers, not me.”
The Comedy Stop’s formula for selection is to ensure all three acts
a p p e a r i n g
for a night’s comedy are all of equal impact. “Instead of having the first one being passable, the middle one being OK and the final being great, we start out with the bang. All three guys or women are all capable of headlining.”
Laugh addicts can certainly get their comedy fixes on Comedy Central -- but there is nothing like the live experience, unfiltered, unedited and most important, no commercials. Ibelli explains that when you view a Comedy Central half-hour special, you’re only seeing about 15 or 20 minutes, edited, of the original performance.
“It’s kind of like people going to the Indy 500 hoping for a crash,” compares Kephart. He also observes that many people who regularly go to comedy clubs are actually wannabe comics so they think they can criticize. “Other than that, audiences enjoy the social and interpersonal experience and the reactions of both their audience peers and the comic. At a comedy club you are in the moment.”
Yengo summarizes the experience succinctly: “It’s live, in your face, you get instant reactions.”
There’s more on the horizon -- Uncle Vinnie’s is expanding on October 11 Friday nights only at Tuscan House in Toms River. Catch a Rising Star is looking forward to re-opening its Princeton location this month; date and talent to be announced.
This is great news and reflects Kephart’s assertion: “Everyone needs laughter.”
And Now ... A Word from Our Heckler!Part of any comedy show is always the dude (or woman) in the audience who is compelled to heckle. Meaning, lobbing a smart-ass remark aimed at the c o m e d i a n / c o m i c , who then often masterfully delivers a total smackdown to the cowed and embarrassed heckler.
Some of these tit-for-tats have been absolutely epic. If you feel the need to
heckle, you may not want to after reading these real-life incidents.
Ibelli recalls the first time Andrew Dice Clay performed at his club and a guy from Point Pleasant Beach “thought he was the show.” Clay would use a keyword, “timeout,” which would indicate to the club staff that the heckler/pain in the ass was to be escorted out. Clay said the magic word and Ibelli went to the heckler, telling him he had to leave. “Suddenly, Dice just said, ‘Don’t let him go, he paid to be here. Instead, just let him sit in the bathroom for 10 minutes.’ I complied, taking the guy into the bathroom and making sure he didn’t leave. We hear Dice say, “OK! Ten minutes are up; let him out
where he can sit back in his chair!’ The guy didn’t utter a peep the rest of the night.”
Recently, Rich Vos from Opie and Anthony was headlining Uncle Vinnie’s. Ibelli describes one guy in the audience who was already buzzed when he came in, and got progressively louder and more obnoxious, and then, “Vos just buried him into no tomorrow to the point where the guy’s wife was crying and they ended up leaving.”
Yengo laughs as she relates, “So the comic’s on the stage, there’s a dreaded bridal party. He says a joke, the guest, who was actually the niece of the club location’s general manager, shoves the guy onstage and then cracks a glass over his head! He protected himself with the mic stand and the cops shut the club down!”
Most comics are prepared for hecklers and have standard comebacks in their routines that reflect their unique personalities. The comeback lines that have always cracked Kephart up are: “Hey, I work alone.” “Do I come to your job and teach you how to flip a burger?” “Great! Thanks for your help.” “This
is why birth control should be retroactive.” “Oh, you’re from down south, the only place where you can buy a satellite dish that comes with a free trailer home.” “Dad, didn’t I tell you to not come to my shows anymore?”
Point is, says Ibelli, don’t heckle, “you’ll never win. The guy on the stage has the microphone and the audience. And if you’re pissing off the comic, you’re pissing the audience off too -- they paid to hear him or her, not you after six Budweisers.”
by Lisa Schofield
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.comTo Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com 19September 2013
Laugh Lines!! New Jersey’s top comedy club owners talk about why laughing is not only such good business -- it’s great for you too.It is often said that “laughter is the best medicine.” And indeed, there’s much truth to this statement. In fact, scientific research demonstrates both physical and mental health benefits: rollicking laughter can relieve physical tension and stress as it relaxes muscles. A damn good guffaw boosts the immune system, as it decreases stress hormones and increases infection-fighting antibodies. A hearty belly laugh or a series of delightful giggle fits can trigger the release of endorphins, those feel-really-good biochemicals. And laughter can increase blood flow, which is good for your heart.
And in New Jersey -- there’s so much to laugh at. Our comedy clubs are renowned and revered in the entertainment capitals of Los Angeles and New York. Humor comes in numerous styles and forms and our comedy clubs offer a wide variety to get any chuckle-motor revved up.
Although it’s all about a laughing matter, comedy clubs are serious businesses. They’re here to entertain you and ensure you have the most pleasant experience, including food and drinks in a comfortable environment. Owners and management of
these clubs sit through dozens and dozens of auditions of hopefuls, to see who can grace their spotlights.
The mid-1980s was a “very exciting” time for comedy, recalls Bob Kephart, founder and owner of The Comedy Stop in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. From the entertainment centers of Los Angeles and New York, comedy clubs exploded all over. “They filled a need, but the bad thing about it was that so many of these new clubs were putting people on stage who had no business being on stage, they didn’t know what they were doing. Because of this, many people tended to think that all clubs and comedians sucked because they saw one lousy performance.”
By 1990 or so, he adds, the influx started to go down again; the cream rose to the top and many of the fly-by-night clubs went out of business. Kephart took advantage and opened the Comedy Stop in Las Vegas in 1991; he describes it as “the best comedy club on the strip.”
Dino Ibelli, founder and owner of Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club, one of only two freestanding venues devoted solely to comedy in New Jersey, observes that during the past decade the economy’s free fall a few years ago impacted disposable income previously used for entertainment. “Normally, when people would go out to dinner about twice a week, they cut back on average to once a week, and
comedy clubs were hurt even more.”
Ibelli does see it turning around and when it rises back to what it used to be prior to 2008, the comedy business will once again benefit from t h e b o o m .
B u t
that’s not to say, he is quick to point out, that it’s a bust at all -- in downtimes, people need merriment
and l a u g h t e r even more.
Comedy, observes Suzy Rose Yengo, Esq., chief executive officer and bottle washer of Catch a Rising Star, “has been great thanks to a low ticket price, television and radio. Comics are the rock stars of this decade!”
Comedy clubs such as those featured in this article are all invested in this specific form of entertainment -- you won’t find dramatic poetry readings or a jazz trio, or a singing contest. As such, it’s serious business to remain in business. Says Ibelli, “In my area, there are many places that have tried comedy, like restaurants and pizzerias doing comedy nights. But the problem is they are not booking real comedians, but those at the open mic level and this hurts our business.”
Because these budding comics don’t have the grit of real experience, they can often falter on pacing and rhythm, which will lose the audience -- or they just aren’t too funny to begin with. Now of course, all the greats started somewhere, but comedy audiences tend to be more finicky when faced by someone who is there to purposefully get them to laugh their asses off. “So,” says Ibelli, “when people go to these open-mic type of comedy events at restaurants they are often disappointed. They then translate this poor experience to all live comedy events, including professional comedy clubs. It hurts the reputation.”
Kephart agrees with Ibelli: “If someone isn’t funny, this kind of pisses off the audience. When the comedy business exploded, everyone thought they could just use their room, get a mic and open it up.”
As such, owners of comedy clubs especially those that have been in business for a long time, weathering bad economies, etc., have got to hit it right with every show and talent they hire. “My guys all have credits and are paid comedians,” Ibelli says. He admits that he doesn’t personally like everyone he books and that, he feels, is not the point. He says that about 25 percent of those he books he personally doesn’t think are a hoot, but they have strong fan bases and they can make the customers laugh. “If they make the customers laugh then they’re number-one in my eyes; it’s
about the customers, not me.”
The Comedy Stop’s formula for selection is to ensure all three acts
a p p e a r i n g
for a night’s comedy are all of equal impact. “Instead of having the first one being passable, the middle one being OK and the final being great, we start out with the bang. All three guys or women are all capable of headlining.”
Laugh addicts can certainly get their comedy fixes on Comedy Central -- but there is nothing like the live experience, unfiltered, unedited and most important, no commercials. Ibelli explains that when you view a Comedy Central half-hour special, you’re only seeing about 15 or 20 minutes, edited, of the original performance.
“It’s kind of like people going to the Indy 500 hoping for a crash,” compares Kephart. He also observes that many people who regularly go to comedy clubs are actually wannabe comics so they think they can criticize. “Other than that, audiences enjoy the social and interpersonal experience and the reactions of both their audience peers and the comic. At a comedy club you are in the moment.”
Yengo summarizes the experience succinctly: “It’s live, in your face, you get instant reactions.”
There’s more on the horizon -- Uncle Vinnie’s is expanding on October 11 Friday nights only at Tuscan House in Toms River. Catch a Rising Star is looking forward to re-opening its Princeton location this month; date and talent to be announced.
This is great news and reflects Kephart’s assertion: “Everyone needs laughter.”
And Now ... A Word from Our Heckler!Part of any comedy show is always the dude (or woman) in the audience who is compelled to heckle. Meaning, lobbing a smart-ass remark aimed at the c o m e d i a n / c o m i c , who then often masterfully delivers a total smackdown to the cowed and embarrassed heckler.
Some of these tit-for-tats have been absolutely epic. If you feel the need to
heckle, you may not want to after reading these real-life incidents.
Ibelli recalls the first time Andrew Dice Clay performed at his club and a guy from Point Pleasant Beach “thought he was the show.” Clay would use a keyword, “timeout,” which would indicate to the club staff that the heckler/pain in the ass was to be escorted out. Clay said the magic word and Ibelli went to the heckler, telling him he had to leave. “Suddenly, Dice just said, ‘Don’t let him go, he paid to be here. Instead, just let him sit in the bathroom for 10 minutes.’ I complied, taking the guy into the bathroom and making sure he didn’t leave. We hear Dice say, “OK! Ten minutes are up; let him out
where he can sit back in his chair!’ The guy didn’t utter a peep the rest of the night.”
Recently, Rich Vos from Opie and Anthony was headlining Uncle Vinnie’s. Ibelli describes one guy in the audience who was already buzzed when he came in, and got progressively louder and more obnoxious, and then, “Vos just buried him into no tomorrow to the point where the guy’s wife was crying and they ended up leaving.”
Yengo laughs as she relates, “So the comic’s on the stage, there’s a dreaded bridal party. He says a joke, the guest, who was actually the niece of the club location’s general manager, shoves the guy onstage and then cracks a glass over his head! He protected himself with the mic stand and the cops shut the club down!”
Most comics are prepared for hecklers and have standard comebacks in their routines that reflect their unique personalities. The comeback lines that have always cracked Kephart up are: “Hey, I work alone.” “Do I come to your job and teach you how to flip a burger?” “Great! Thanks for your help.” “This
is why birth control should be retroactive.” “Oh, you’re from down south, the only place where you can buy a satellite dish that comes with a free trailer home.” “Dad, didn’t I tell you to not come to my shows anymore?”
Point is, says Ibelli, don’t heckle, “you’ll never win. The guy on the stage has the microphone and the audience. And if you’re pissing off the comic, you’re pissing the audience off too -- they paid to hear him or her, not you after six Budweisers.”
by Lisa Schofield
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.comTo Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj
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Sports Bar Answers
BELMARVeggie Works732-280-1141
BRICKBuffalo Wild Wings
732-475-7645
Happy Catering732-477-5111
Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza732-262-5180
BRIELLECraig’s
732-295-7929
The River Belle732-528-6620
COLTS NECKHuddy’s Inn
732-431-0194
EAST BRUNSWICKBrunswick Grove
732-254-0495
Gusto Grill732-651-2737
Tilted Kilt732-992-8532
EAST WINDSORBrewster’s Pub609-448-2258
EATONTOWNBogart’s
732-542-1836
FARMINGDALELorenzo’s
732-919-1177
Catering by Alex732-462-9154
Woody’s732-938-6404
FREEHOLDAmerican Hotel732-431-3220
The Cabin732-462-3090
El Mason732-308-9494
Metropolitan Café732-780-9400
HIGHLANDSOff The Hook732-872-2006
HIGHTSTOWNTavern on the Lake
609-426-9345
JACKSONSurf Taco
732-364-8226
KEYPORTBurlew’s Seafood & Steak
732-497-0500
LITTLE SILVERLittle Szechuan732-842-3823
LONG BRANCHJack’s
732-870-8800
Windmill732-870-8282
MANALAPANTuscany
732-972-2500
MARLBOROCrown Palace732-780-8882
Fireside Grill732-780-7900
Nonna’s732-536-9050
Tuscany732-308-1118
MATAWANButttonwood Manor
732-566-6220
Catering by Maria732-566-7299
La Cashina732-834-0025
La Riviera732-566-8400
Mayer’s Catering732-591-8180
Sultan’s Palace732-566-1234
MIDDLETOWNMJ’s
732-918-9700
MONROERyan’s Pub & Sports Bar
732-251-1709
MORGANVILLERobertsville Catering
732-591-8454
Unforgettable732-970-0396
NEPTUNEKelly’s
732-775-9517
MJ’s732-918-9700
Pete & Elda’s732-774-6010
OLD BRIDGEBig Ed’s BBQ732-583-2626
Double D732-679-2999
Salsarita’s732-882-8530
Tuscany732-521-4500
PARAMUSTommy’s Coal Fired Pizza
201-261-1380
PT PLEASANTFerrara’s
732-899-3900
Martell’s732-892-0131
RED BANKSilver Spoon
732-450-0391
Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza732-212-1700
RUMSONSalt Creek Grille
732-933-9272
SHREWSBURYSan Remo
732-345-8200
SOUTH RIVERRia Mar
732-257-1100
SPRING LAKEThe Porch
732-449-5880
TINTON FALLSMJ’s
732-542-3131
Applebee’s732-935-1158
TOMS RIVERMulligan’s
732-255-3900
Shogun Legacy732-286-9888
Tg’s Catering732-573-0510
Thirty Seven West732-341-2400
WALLApplebee’s
732-280-3676
YEAR WINNER2012 Andy Murray2011 Novak Djokovic2010 Raphael Nadal2009 Juan Martin del Potro2008-04 Roger Federer2003 Andy Roddick2002 Pete Sampras2001 Lleyton Hewitt2000 Marat Safin1999 Andre AgassiBonus: 1881; Richard Sears
The month of September brings with it the end of Summer and the beauty of the Fall season:Football, tailgating and the baseball playoffs. All good reasons to get together with friends & family to enjoy the festivities.
Let one of the establishments listed below help plan and supply your catering needs so you can join in on the fun.
20 To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.Venues-NJ.com September 2012
BELMARVeggie Works 732-280-1141
BRICKBuffalo Wild Wings
732-475-7645
Happy Catering 732-477-5111
BRIELLECraig’s
732-295-7929
The River Belle 732-528-6620
COLTS NECKHuddy’s Inn
732-431-0194
EAST BRUNSWICKBrunswick Grove
732-254-0495
Gusto Grill 732-651-2737
EAST WINDSORBrewster’s Pub 609-448-2258
EATONTOWNBogart’s
732-542-1836
ENGLISHTOWNAangan Restaurant
732-617-9200
Cutting Board 732-536-1400
FARMINGDALELorenzo’s
732-919-1177
Catering by Alex 732-462-9154
Woody’s 732-938-6404
FREEHOLDAmerican Hotel 732-431-3220
The Cabin 732-462-3090
El Mason 732-308-9494
Metropolitan Café 732-780-9400
HIGHLANDSOff The Hook 732-872-2006
HIGHTSTOWNTavern on the Lake
609-426-9345
JACKSONSurf Taco
732-364-8226
KEYPORTBayside Grill 732-264-7000
LITTLE SILVERLittle Szechuan 732-842-3823
LONG BRANCHJack’s
732-870-8800
Windmill 732-870-8282
MANALAPANMichael’s Cucina
732-409-4777
Tuscany 732-972-2500
MARLBOROCrown palace 732-780-8882
Fireside Grill 732-780-7900
Nonna’s 732-536-9050
Tuscany 732-308-1118
MATAWANButttonwood Manor
732-566-6220
Catering by Maria 732-566-7299
La Cashina 732-834-0025
La Riviera 732-566-8400
Mayer’s Catering 732-591-8180
Sultan’s Palace 732-566-1234
MIDDLETOWNMJ’s
732-918-9700
MORGANVILLERobertsville Catering
732-591-8454
Unforgettable 732-970-0396
NEPTUNEKelly’s
732-775-9517
Pete & Elda’s 732-774-6010
OLD BRIDGEBig Ed’s BBQ 732-583-2626
Double D 732-679-2999
Salsarita’s 732-882-8530
Tuscany 732-521-4500
PT PLEASANTFerrara’s
732-899-3900
Martell’s 732-892-0131
RED BANKSilver Spoon 732-450-0391
RUMSONSalt Creek Grille 732-933-9272
SHREWSBURYSan Remo
732-345-8200
SOUTH RIVERRia Mar
732-257-1100
SPRING LAKEThe Porch
732-449-5880
TINTON FALLSMJ’s
732-542-3131
Applebee’s 732-935-1158
TOMS RIVERMulligan’s
732-255-3900
Tg’s Catering 732-573-0510
Thirty Seven West 732-341-2400
WALLApplebee’s
732-280-3676
PARTY HEARTYThe month of September brings with it the end of Summer and the beauty of the Fall season: football, tailgating and the baseball playoffs. All good reasons to get
together with friends & family to enjoy the festivities. Let one of the establishments listed below help plan and supply your catering needs so you can join in on the fun
Sports Bar Answers PLAYER TEAM Andrew Luck Indianapolis Robert Griffin III Washington Matt Kalil Minnesota Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Morris Claiborne Dallas Bruce Irvin Seattle Kendall Wright Tennessee Dont’a Hightower New England A.J. Jenkins San Francisco Stephen Gilmore Buffalo
20 September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com 21September 2013
SHOWTIMES:Sun. to Thurs. 10pm
Fri. & Sat. 9pm & 11:15pm“Like Us On Facebook”
Go to: “www.facebook.com/comedystop”
The Number 1 Comedy Club in A.C. for 30 Years!
Tickets available at our box offi ce,Call 1-877-FUNNY AC
Or call Ticketmaster 1-800-736-1420www.TheComedyStop.com
Kephart & Corti Productions, Inc.
The longest running show on the boardwalkKEPHART’S COMEDY STOP
Celebrating 30 Great Years!2 FOR 1 COUPON
Monday to Thursday, buy one ticket and get the second one free with this coupon.
Cash purchases only. Must be at least 18 years of age. Prior ticket purchases not included. Offer good at Comedy Stop Box Offi ce located at the Comedy Stop in the Quarter. Minimum one drink purchase required. Must be purchased day of show.
Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. One Per Customer. Not valid for Magic Show. Cash purchases only. Coupon valid Thursday, Sept. 12th & Sunday, Sept. 15th to Thurs., Sept. 19th
Brian McFadden9/9 to 9/15
Tommy Blaze9/9 to 9/159/9 to 9/15
Located on the 3rd Floor
Starting Sept. 16th new schedule - Sun. to Thurs. 9pm
ibations
About the Brand
Proud owner of The Patrón Spirits Company, John Paul “JP” DeJoria has known the hard ride - and then the smooth taste of success, as one of America’s most prominent entrepreneurs. The co-founder, chairman and CEO of John Paul Mitchell Systems draws on nearly three decades of product development, marketing and merchandising skills as he continues to nurture his “labor of love,” The Patrón Spirits Company. Proud owner of The Patrón Spirits Company, John Paul “JP” DeJoria has known the hard ride - and then the smooth taste of success, as one of America’s most prominent entrepreneurs. The co-founder, chairman and CEO of John Paul Mitchell Systems draws on nearly three decades of product development, marketing and merchandising skills as he continues to nurture his “labor of love,” The Patrón Spirits Company.
In 1989 two visionaries, Paul Mitchell Systems co-founder John Paul DeJoria, and entrepreneur Martin Crowley formed The Patrón Spirits Company with the singular goal of producing “the best tequila in the world.”
They took the 100% pure Weber blue agave, grown in the hills of Jalisco Mexico, and blended traditional techniques with modern technology. They created the world’s first ultra-premium tequila.
Patrón Tequila is today the world’s number one ultra-premium tequila, available in more than 140 countries across the globe. The Company’s headquarters are in Las Vegas
Patrón Mojito
1 1/2 oz. Patrón Silver1 cut lime1 oz. simple syrupclub soda6-8 fresh mint leaveslime wedge for garnish
METHODIn a tall glass, muddle mint leaves, lime, and simple syrup. Add a cup of ice and Patrón Silver, and top with club soda. Stir gently.Garnish with a lime wedge.
Perfect Patrón Margarita1 1/2 oz. Patrón Reposado1/2 oz. Patrón Citrónge1/4 oz. orange juice2 oz: sweet & sour mixjuice of 1/2 limelime wheel for garnish
METHODIn a mixing
glass full of ice, combine
Patrón Reposado, Patrón Citrónge,
orange juice, lime juice, and sweet
and sour mix. Shake well, strain,
and serve in a martini glass.
Garnish with a lime wheel.
Patrón Tonic
2 oz. Patrón Silvertonic waterlime wedge for garnish
METHODCombine Patrón Silver with tonic water, beginning with a well-iced highball glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com22
Bottle of Red... Bottle of White... Bottle of... !
Bring Your Own Restaurants
ASBURY PARKBistro Ole ............. 732-897-0048Laila’s .................... 732-988-8806Plan B ................... 732-807-4710Sister Sue’s .......... 732-502-8383Taka ...................... 732-775-1020
AVONClementine’sCafé ...................... 732-988-7979Tedman’s.............. 732-361-8784
BELMARBrandl................... 732-280-7501Casa Solar ............ 732-556-1144Matisse ................. 732-681-7680Oyama................ 732-280-5983Ragin Cajun ......... 732-280-6828Vivas ..................... 732-681-1213
BRADLEY BEACHBamboo Leaf ...... 732-774-1661Bella Sogno ......... 732-869-0700Cerratos ............... 732-775-3800Citricos ................. 732-988-6565Joey Gia’sTrattoria ............... 732-775-1177
BRICKAntonino’sSunset Grill .......... 732-892-1500Ikko ....................... 732-477-6077La Strada.............. 732-458-5228Mexico Lindo ...... 732-202-1930
EATONTOWNFar East Taste ...... 732-389-9866
ENGLISHTOWNTrattoriaRavello ................. 732-792-9696
FAIR HAVENLe Fandy .............. 732-530-3338
FREEHOLDA Little bitof Cuba ................ 732-577-8506Basiles .................. 732-866-4085Café Calore .......... 732-462-2233El Mason .............. 732-308-9494La PlazzaSeafood ............... 732-462-3310Main StreetBistro .................... 732-294-1112Oyako Tso........... 732-866-1988San Marzano ....... 732-845-5400Solo Trattoria..... 732-780-2337
HIGHLANDSBay AvenueTrattoria ............... 732-872-9800
HOLMDELKOBE ..................... 732-275-0025Kyoto Sushi& Hibachi ............. 732-367-3333
HOWELLBamboo Leaf ...... 732-761-3939Sushi By Kazu ..... 732-570-2528
JACKSONSolo Bella ............. 732-961-0951Kyoto Sushi& Hibachi ............. 732-367-3333
KEYPORTDrew’s BaysideBistro................... 732-739-9219
LAKE COMOAntonio’sTrattoria.............. 732-681-2813
LAKEWOODFrank’s Pizza& Restaurant ....... 732-477-4103
LINCROFTManow AsianBistro .................... 732-933-1688Saigon II ............... 732-933-1964
LONG BRANCHIl Piccolo Forno ... 732-571-8922Izu ......................... 732-870-0807Michael Angelo’s ... 732-222-8490Tre Amici .............. 732-571-8922
MANALAPANSpargo’s Grille .... 732-294-9921Kuzu MediterraneanGrill ....................... 732-557-8825
MARLBOROBrioso’s ................. 732-617-1700La Cashina ........... 732-834-0025
MATAWANAby’s MexicanRestaurant ........... 732-583-9119Café de Thai ........ 732-566-3651Shanghai Bun ..... 732-765-8388West LakeSeafood ............... 732-290-2988
MIDDLETOWNNavesink Fishery ................. 732-291-8017Pasitano’s............. 732-617-2777
MILLSTONELuchento’s ........... 732-446-8500
MONMOUTH BEACHMichael Angelo’s ... 732-229-2500
OCEAN GROVESeagrass .............. 732-869-0770
OLD BRIDGESalsarita’s ............. 732-597-0333
PT. PLEASANT & BEACH
Daniel’s Bistro ..... 732-899-5333
Isohama ............... 732-899-9927Latitude 40N ....... 732-892-8553Red’s Lobster ...... 732-295-6622Spikes Fish Market &Restaurant ........... 732-295-9400
RED BANKBienvenue ........... 732-936-0640The Bistro atRed Bank ............. 732-530-5553The Chowda House .................... 732-747-1500Gaetano’s ............. 732-741-1321Osteria Dante ..... 732-530-0602Savanna ............... 732-741-6333Siam Garden ....... 732-224-1233Thyme Square .... 732-450-1000
SEA BRIGHTThe Palm .............. 732-212-1313Yumi ..................... 732-212-0881
SEA GIRTMichael Angelo’s . 732-974-2100
SHREWSBURYFuji ........................ 732-544-8828
SPRING LAKEBlack Trumpet .... 732-449-4700Island Palm Grill . 732-449-1909
TINTON FALLSKanji ..................... 732-544-1600
TOMS RIVERAamantran .......... 732-341-5424Bistro 44 .............. 732-818-7644Il Giardinello’s ..... 732-286-9111Nobi ...................... 732-244-7888Osaka ................... 732-929-3900Pisces SeafoodRestaurant ........... 732-270-3300Serenity Café ...... 732-270-2088Tang Dynasty ...... 732-286-1505
WALLSiam Basil ............ 732-974-7300
September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com 23September 2013
H a p p y H o u r D a i l y 4 p m - 7 p mT h u r s d a y s 4 p m 1 1 p m
$ 5 Lunch Specials
Mon - Fri
11am - 4pm
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
26 To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
Two on the Aisle
O N B R O A D W A Y
24
A Review
Newsies the Musical Since our subject today is newspapers and the people who hawk them, I’m going to ask you to try to imagine a special kind of super tabloid. It would consist of nothing but headlines, all set in extra-large type, all goal-posted with exclamation points and all proclaiming essentially the same thing. Now imagine that tabloid set to music, and you’ve got “Newsies the Musical,” which is performed at the Nederlander Theater. This Disney Theatrical Productions is made up largely of numbers that feel like blazing banner headlines. Here are a few titles of the songs by Alan Menken (music) and Jack Feldman (lyrics): “Carrying the Banner,” “The World Will Know,” “Seize the Day,” “Something to Believe In” and “Once and for All.” And if you asked me to explain what distinguishes one of these songs from another, I couldn’t begin to without consulting the show’s director, Jeff Calhoun, and book writer, Harvey Fierstein. You see, these are songs that take their cues from the hard-sell tactics of the show’s title characters, feisty lads of the urban jungle who make their living pushing the papes (to borrow their
lingo). And if attracting the attention of potential customers requires yelling, pushing and pandering to baser sentimental instincts, well, a boy’s gotta do what a boy’s gotta do. Yes, what’s being marketed here is Urchin Appeal. You remember urchins, right? They’re those plucky, resourceful ragamuffins — preferably orphans — whom America once embraced in movies like the Dead End Kids and Bowery Boys series and musicals like “Oliver!” and “Annie.” “Newsies makes a bold claim to be the ultimate urchin crowd-pleaser. “Da’boys” never stop burning energy like toddlers on a sugar high at a birthday party. As choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, they keep coming at us in full-speed-ahead phalanxes. There are back flips, cartwheels, somersaults and kick lines galore, not to mention enough pirouettes to fill a whole season of “Swan Lake.” Though there is little originality in these dance numbers, they have enough raw vitality to command the attention and even stir the blood. But just when you think a number is over, it starts up again, and no sooner are you recovering from that one, then there’s another one. I commend the cast members for always appearing to be excited by what they’re doing.
You could argue that such relentlessness suits the show’s plot, in which newsies learn that in solidarity (and tenacity) there is strength. The enemy they must conquer is the press baron Joseph Pulitzer who decides to cut costs by charging the newsies more for the papers they sell. Mobilized by the brawn of the popular Jack and the brains of the more reticent Davey, the young newsies are initiated into the fine arts of unionizing and business negotiations. Their fold includes the obligatory brave little man with a crutch, named Crutchie and the wisecracking, deadpan child prodigy. There are a few Dickensian villains hanging around too, and a helpful burlesque queen. And, oh yes, there’s a deus ex machina named Theodore Roosevelt. Aglow with feminine competence, Ms. Lindsay has the show’s best and most atypical song. It’s called “Watch What Happens,” and it is about, of all things, writer’s block, and trying to find the words to capture momentous events. Mr. Feldman’s lyrics are spot-on, while the melody reminds us just how charming a composer Mr. Menken can be. It also provides a sorely needed oasis of relief from all that extra! extra! enthusiasm.
NO-RULES STREET DEFENSE
ISRAELI KRAV MAGA IS HERE!
KRAV MAGA TRAINING DIRECTLY FROM ISRAEL
CLASSES ARE TAUGHT BY AN
IKMA-CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR WE ALSO OFFER:
— MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING
FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 - 13
— TAI CHI CLASSES BY
APPOINTMENT
— CardioSTRENGTH
KICKBOXING CLASSES
NEW JERSEY KARATE CLUB
6 Thoreau Drive
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 252-9376
Web: www.njkarateclub.com
E-mail: bduarte@njkarateclub.com
TRY A FREE
CLASS TODAY!
NO-RULES STREET DEFENSEIsraeli Krav Maga is Here!
Krav Maga Training Directly from Israel
NEW JERSEY KARATE CLUB 6 Thoreau Drive • Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 252-9376
We Also Offer:3 Martial Arts Training for Children Ages 3-133 Tai Chi Classes By Appointment3 CardioSTRENGTH Kickboxing Classes
Classes are Taught By an IKMA-Certified Instructor
www.njkarateclub.com E-mail: bduarte@njkarateclub.com
24 September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com 25September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com26 September 2013
Kevin Israel Two months ago, when last we appeared on these pages, our interviewee was Jono Zalay, a comedian with a PhD. in neuroscience! This month, I’ve interviewed Kevin Israel, an attorney
turned comedian, not quite
as impressive sounding but nonetheless a heck of an accomplishment (and shouldn’t those jokes just write themselves?).
Kevin Israel performs at clubs and venues throughout the Northeast, as well as private and corporate events, colleges and fundraisers. He can also be heard on XM Radio’s “Rascals Comedy Hour.”
Venues NJ: So how’d you go from being the brunt of all those lawyer jokes to the other side of the mic?
Kevin Israel: When I became a lawyer I realized my parents were so proud. They were genuinely happy for me. I then decided after years of their torment it wasn’t fair that they should be so happy as I was spending hours every week in therapy. So, I left law, and became a comedian. Now, when asked how their son is doing, my folks say, “he passed away last year.”
In reality I’ve been doing comedy for 10 years and went to law school in the middle of all that. I worked at a great firm for a while but missed the stage. So here I am. The billable hours are not as impressive but I still have my diploma!
VNJ: I see from your website that you are a Bill Cosby fan (as am I). While he wasn’t a lawyer, he did try real jobs and college before settling, quite comfortably, into his chosen line of work. Do you have any “end zone” in sight or is it more about the journey?
KI: I love Mr. Cosby’s story telling style, those stories came from real life experiences and real places. Luckily, I’ve had a few of those myself, maybe too many. But I really have no idea where this is going, which is what I’ve told most of the women in my life. Maybe
that’s why I’m still single. I love to write, and I’m currently working on a pilot for a sitcom…so, who knows. Maybe Bill can play my father.
VNJ: Right now your “real” job is working for a politician. Conflict of interest or are you there strictly for the easy-to-gather material?
I mean really, a politician? that’s almost like cheating for an easy joke isn’t it?
KI: The political scene in New Jersey is enough of a joke without me adding to it. I actually leave my work at the office. I give credit to political comics, but that just ain’t me.
VNJ: I’ve watched a couple of your videos and I loved them. I don’t see your name on IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base) yet. Soon?
KI: The day I have an IMDB profile it will most likely be for writing. I’ve never had too much interest in acting. I’m sure George Clooney and Bradley Cooper are somewhere breathing a sigh of relief while women reading this are crying their eyes out. But let’s be honest, I’d never say no -- that’s my motto and I should probably think about changing it since it once wound me up in a cheap hotel room with a woman named Ralph who seemed to think I owed her $35.
You can learn more about Kevin, a 1994 graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven High School, from his website, of which he’s a founding member: comediansatlaw.com
In a little follow up on two of our previous interviews here are two links not to be missed. The first is about Craig Mahoney and the second is an article written by Selena Coppack, and both links are from the Huffington Post.
huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/28/grown-up-calvin-and-hobbes-craig-mahoney_n_3346746.html
huffingtonpost.com/selena-coppock/can-rape-jokes-be-funny-s_b_3398921.html
24 To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj March 2013
Comic Relief
Sadly, Selena Coppack’s aBostonian and doesn’t understand that the only real teams to root for are in NY and NJ. I jest of course (kinda, sorta). Coppack has been performing stand up for eight years and her new book, The New Rules For Blondes, launches in April.
Were you “the funny one” growing up?
I come from a very funny home and my older sister Laurel is a comedian, too. So I wasn’t really ‘the funny one’ at home so much as Laurel and I spent a lot of time writing musicals in our bedrooms, choreographing strange dance numbers, and watching “Saturday Night Live” since age 7. I think that my parents and oldest sister Emily are super hilarious, too. But yes, I’ve always been a bit of a ham and really interested in comedy and performing.
Along those lines, did you do all the school productions? Where’d you grow up? Or rather, if you’re anything like me, where were you raised?
I grew up outside of Boston and I did all of the school plays growing up -- I absolutely loved performing and the excitement of rehearsing and being in shows. I did some professional theater in Boston (at the Boston Baked Theater--now gone) and in high school I became interested in singing, too. I went to college in upstate NY where I majored in English and didn’t do any of the plays on campus; but I was in the only co-ed a cappella group on campus (the Hamilton College Hamiltones) and the improv troupe. After school I moved to Chicago
to study improv comedy further and it was improv that really led me to standup. I did improv for years and eventually I just got sick of working with other people, which makes me sound like a total curmudgeon, I know.
Stand up is very tough. You have to be able to take rejection. How’d you handle your first bomb, unless you’re the one comic who’s never experienced that?
The rejection is definitely hard and it’s something that everyone -- even my comedy idols -- have experienced at some point. Early on I think that I wanted the audience to like me, which can be dangerous territory, especially for female comedians. You have to be confident and feel entitled to be up there with the microphone and that took me a while to figure out -- how to just own the stage and trust myself more. I think of standup as like training a dog -- if you get out there and you’re confident and in control, the audience is with you. But if you exude a sense of nervousness or you seem insecure, they’ll eat you alive. I’ve been doing standup for about eight years and even now sometimes I’ll have a show where I can sense that certain people in the audience aren’t completely on board with me and it makes me feel nervous, but I know to just plow through it and keep on going and eventually I’ll hit on a joke or reference that wins them over.
Is this a means to an end? “SNL”, sitcoms, head writer--what’s your goal?
I definitely don’t think of standup as a means to an end and I think that comedians who do are pretty miserable people. It has to be its own reward or else you’re crazy to do this thing. But as far as my goal, mine is pretty broad: I’d like for my comedy (performance, writing) to pay for my life. I don’t know exactly how that will shake out, but I’d like my job to be what I love to do, which is write and perform comedy. I have a book coming out in April (The New Rules for Blondes, from It Books/HarperCollins), which I hope will open up new opportunities for me. It’s a collection of humorous essays celebrating and subverting the blonde stereotype, but it’s for readers of all hair colors.
Selena Coppockby Steve Ortlieb
by Steve Ortlieb
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com 27September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
For Y
our
28
Dini
ng P
leasur
e AberdeenCourt Jester
Aberdeen Town Sq. Rt. 34
732-566-6674
AtlanticHighlands
Copper Canyon51 First Ave.
732-291-8444
Julia’s91 First Street732-872-1007
On the Deck2 Simon Lake Dr.
732-872-1424
Wine Bar40 First Ave
732-291-1377
Asbury ParkPosillipos
715 Second Ave.732-774-5819
Stella Marina800 Ocean Avenue
732-775-7776
The Harrison808 Fifth Ave.732-774-2200
Tim McLoone’s Supper Club
1200 Ocean Ave.732-744-1400
AvonClementine’s Café
306 Main Street732-988-7979
BelmarBrandl
703 Belmar Plaza732-280-7501
Klein’s708 River Road732-681-1177
Matisse1301 Ocean Ave.
732-681-7680
Vivas801 Belmar Plaza
732-681-1213
Bradley BeachCitricos
812 Main Street732-988-6565
BrickBrickhouse
979 Cedarbridge Ave.732-279-3743
Buffalo Wild Wings2770 Hooper Ave.
732-475-7645
Riverwatch799 Rt. 70
732-920-8900
River Rock1600 Rt. 70
732-840-1110
Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza515 Rt. 70
732-262-5180
BrielleSimkos Grille
403 Higgins Ave.732-528-9989
Colts NeckColts Neck Inn
6 Rt. 537732-462-0383
East Brunswick
Gusto Grill1050 Rt. 18 N732-651-2737
Brunswick Grove327 Milltown Rd.
732-254-0495
Tilted KiltRt. 18 South
732-992-8532
East WindsorBrewster’s Pub529 Rt. 130 N609-448-2258
EatontownBogart’s
613 Hope Road732-542-1836
Fair HavenLa Fandy
609 River Road732-530-3338
FarmingdaleWoody’s Roadhouse
Tavern105 Academy Street
732-938-6404
FordsMcLoone’s @ Favorites
3 Lafayette Rd.732-512-5025
FreeholdA Little Bit of Cuba
2 E. Main Street732-577-8506
Basile’s536 Park Ave.732-866-4085
The Cabin984 Rt. 33
732-462-3090
Café Calore3333 US Hwy 9N
732-462-2233
Court Jester16 E. Main Street
732-462-1040
Market Yard Grille18 E. Main Street
732-431-3220
Metropolitan Café8 E. Main Street732-780-9400
Park 33618 Park Ave.732-761-1300
San Marzano31 E. Main Street
732-845-5400
Solo Trattoria7 South Street732-780-2337
HazletLakeside Manor
410 Hwy 36 S732-739-2700
Park East3352 Hwy 35 S732-739-2002
HighlandsBahr’s Landing
2 Bay Ave.732-872-1245
Bay Ave. Trattoria122 Bay Ave.732-872-9800
Chilango272 Bay Ave.732-708-0505
The Chubby Pickle23 Bay Ave.
732-872-7000
Claddagh Irish Pub297 Bay Ave.732-291-0099
Havana300 Shore Drive
732-708-0000
Lusty Lobster88 Bay Ave.
732-291-1548
Off the Hook1 Navesink Ave.732-872-2006
Twin Light Taphouse128 Bay Ave.732-872-1345
Windansea56 Shrewsbury Ave.
732-872-2266
HightstownTavern on the Lake
101 Main Street609-426-9345
HolmdelVilla Soma
37 West Main Street732-946-8857
HowellChapter House
1454 Rt. 9 S732-462-0056
Ivy LeagueRt. 9 N & E. 3rd
Street732-370-2206
JacksonKyoto Sushi & Hibachi
21 S. Hope Chapel Road
732-367-3333
Solo Bella426 Chandler Road
732-961-0951
Surf Taco21 S. Hope Chapel
Road732-364-8226
KeyportBurlew’s Seafood
& Steak59 West Front Street
732-497-0500
McDonagh’s2 West Front Street
732-264-0999
Little SilverSickles
Harrison Ave. (off Rumson Rd)
732-741-9563
Village Bistro151 Markham Place
732-450-0444
Long BranchDraft House
100 Brighton Ave.732-272-1598
Dino’s444 Ocean Blvd. N
732-923-0033
Jack’s149 Brighton Ave.
732-870-8800
Pearl of the Sea46 S. Broadway732-263-1050
McLoone’s Pier House
1 Ocean Ave.732-923-1006
The Mix71 Brighton Ave.
732-923-9100
September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com 29
Wine Loft32 Laird Street732-222-7770
ManalapanMezza Luna357 Rt. 9 S
732-536-0207
Spargos Grille130 Rt. 33
732-294-9992
The Sycamore Grille @ Knob Hill
1 Shinnecock Drive732-792-9909
MarlboroBrioso’s
184-Rt. 9 N732-617-1700
Nonna’s190 Rt. 9 N
732-536-9050
Sam Vera476 Rt. 520
732-834-9889
Fireside Bar & Grille133 Rt. 79
732-780-7900
MatawanBart’s
74 Main St.732-566-0267
MJ’s Buttonwood Manor
845 Hwy 34732-566-6220
Café 34Hwy 34
732-583-9700
La Riviera113 Main Street732-566-8400
Mediterranean Chateau
27 Freneau Ave (Rt. 79)732-758-0800
MiddletownBaja Fresh500 Rt. 35 S
732-758-0058
Heavenly HamHwy 35 & S Union
Sq. Mall732-842-1115
MJ’s1005 Rt. 35 N732-796-1400
Neelam1178 Rt. 35
@ Village Mall732-671-8900
MillstoneLuchento’s
520 Rt. 33 W732-446-8500
MonroeRyan’s Pub & Sports Bar
299 Spotswood-Englishtown Rd(732) 251-1709
NeptuneDon Chuchos1647 Rt. 35 N732-531-7555
Kelly’s Tavern43 Rt. 35 S
732-775-9517
MJ’s3205 Rt. 66
732-918-9700
Pete & Elda’s96 Woodland Ave.
732-774-6010
Old BridgeA Tavola
Rt. 9 S @ Deep Run Shopping Ctr.732-607-1120
Benvenuti3857 Hwy 516732-607-1115
Big Ed’s BBQ305 Hwy 34 Na732-583-2626
Café Luna3679 Rt. 9 N
732-965-5490
Pine TavernRt. 34 & Cottrell Rd.
732-727-5060
Salsarita’s3843 Rt. 9 N
732-591-0333
Pt. Pleasant709
709 Arnold Ave.732-295-0709
Frankie’s414Rt. 35 S
732-892-6000
Martell’s308-310 Boardwalk
732-892-0131
Red BankBasil T’s
183 Riverside Ave.732-842-5990
Buona Sera50 Maple Street732-530-5858
The Downtown Street
10 W. Front732-741-2882
Dublin House30 Monmouth Street
732-747-6699
La Pastaria6 Linden Place732-224-8699
Melting Pot2 Bridge Ave.732-219-0090
New Corner22 E. Front Street
732-530-1007
Savanna10 Bridge Ave.732-741-6333
Siam GardenIn the Galleria732-224-1233
Sogno69 Broad Street732-747-6969
Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza
2 Bridge St.732-212-1700
Zebu20 Broad Street732-936-9330
RumsonBarnacle Bill’s1 First Street
732-747-8396
Molly Maguire’s Black Point Inn
132 East River Road732-530-2882
Salt Creek Grille4 Bingham Ave.732-933-9272
Sea BrightMcLoone’s Riverside
816 Ocean Ave.732-842-2894
Woody’s Grille1 E. Church Street
732-976-1300
Sea GirtRod’s
597 Washington Blvd.732-449-2020
ShrewsburyCJ McLoone’s
560 Shrewsbury Ave.732-758-0800
FujiRt. 35 & Treasure Is.
Plaza732-544-8828
Shadowbrook1 Obre Place732-747-0200
South AmboyBlue Moon
114 S. Broadway732-525-0014
South RiverRia Mar
25 Whitehead Ave.732-257-1100
Spring LakeBlack Trumpet7 Atlantic Ave.732-449-4700
The Mill101 Old Mill Road
732-449-1800St. Stephen’s Green
2031 Rt. 71 S732-449-2636
Tinton FallsApplebee’s
14 Park Road732-935-1158
MJ’s1213 Sycamore Ave.
732-542-3131
Toms RiverMulligan’s
1850 Hooper Ave.732-255-3900
Union BeachCervino’s
300 Union Ave.732-888-0737
Piero’s1411 Rt. 36
732-264-5222
Shogun Legacy1536 North Bay Ave.
732-286-9888
WallApplebee’s
2007 Hwy 35732-280-3676
Four Winds1310 Jefferson Ave.
732-223-9579
WoodbridgeBig Shots Sport Bar
780 Rt. 1 North732-750-5050
Chris Michaels40 Oakwood Ave.
732-634-5355
The Shannon Rose855 St Georges Ave.
732-636-6100
September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.comTo Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj
Ther
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re... VENUES MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
30
Applebee’s (TintonFalls/Wall) 3pm - 6pm; 3pm - 6pm; 3pm -6pm; 3pm - 6pm; 3pm - 6pm; — —
Big Ed’s BBQ ALL DAY ALL DAY ALL DAY ALL DAY ALL DAY — —
Big Shots Sports Bar 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —
Blue Moon 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —
Bogart’s 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —
Brandy’s Tavern 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm
Brass Rail 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm — —
Brickhouse 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm — —
Buffalo Wild Wings 4pm - 7pm; 4pm - 7pm; 4pm - 7pm; 4pm - 7pm; 4pm - 7pm;(Brick) 10pm - close 10pm - close 10pm - close 10pm - close 10pm - close — —
The Cabin 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm — —
Café 34 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm — —
Chapter House 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 4pm - 6:30pm —
Colts Neck Inn 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm — —
Court Jester(Aberdeen/Freehold) 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm — —
The Downtown 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm —
Dublin House 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm
Fireside Grill 12N - 7pm 12N - 7pm 12N - 7pm 12N - 7pm 12N - 7pm — —
Gusto’s Grill 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 12N - 7pm 12N - 7pm 12N - 7pm
Ivy League 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —
Jack’s Goal Line 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm
Klein’s 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm — —
La Riviera 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 11pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm ALL DAY
Market Yard Grille 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm
McDonagh’s 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —
Metropolitan Café 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —MJ’s (Middletown, ButtonwoodNeptune/Tinton Falls) 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —
Molly Maguires 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm — —
Moore’s Tavern 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 1pm - 5pm 1pm - 5pm
Mulligan’s (Toms River) 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm — —
Nonna’s 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm — —
Off the Hook 3pm - 8pm 3pm - 8pm 3pm - 8pm 3pm - 8pm 4pm - 7pm — —
On the Deck 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —
Park 33 Noon - 6pm Noon - 6pm Noon - 6pm Noon - 6pm Noon - 6pm Noon - 6pm —
Park East 4pm - 8pm 4pm - 8pm 4pm - 8pm 4pm - 8pm 4pm - 8pm 4pm - 8pm 4pm - 8pm
Pine Tavern 3pm - 5pm 3pm - 5pm 3pm - 5pm 3pm - 5pm 3pm - 5pm — ALL DAY
PK’s Shamrock Rose 12N - 7pm 12N - 7pm 12N - 7pm 12N - 7pm 12N - 7pm — —
Riverwatch 2pm - 6pm 2pm - 6pm 2pm - 6pm 2pm - 6pm 2pm - 6pm 2pm - 6pm 2pm - 6pm
Ryan’s Pub & Sports Bar 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 1pm - 7pm 1pm - 7pm
Sunsets 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 12N - 4pm
Surf Taco (Jackson) 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm 4pm - 6pm — ALL DAY
Tavern on the Lake 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 3pm - 6pm 12N - 5pm ALL DAY
The Shannon Rose 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm — —
Tilted Kilt 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm 3pm - 7pm — — 9pm - close 9pm - close 9pm - close 9pm - close — — 9pm - close
Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —(Brick) 7pm - close 7pm - close 7pm - close 7pm - close 7pm - close ALL DAY ALL DAY
Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —(Red Bank) 7pm - close 7pm - close 7pm - close 7pm - close 7pm - close ALL DAY ALL DAY
The Sycamore Grille 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —
Twin Light Taphouse 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm — —
Windansea 4pm - 6:30pm 4pm - 6:30pm 4pm - 6:30pm 4pm - 6:30pm 4pm - 6:30pm — —
Wine Loft 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm 4pm - 7pm
September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.comTo Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj
Applebee’s / Tinton Falls14 Park Rd., Tinton Falls
732-935-1158Applebee’s / Wall2007 Rt. 35, Wall
732-280-3676Big Shots Sports Bar
780 Rt. 1 North, Woodbridge
732-750-5050Blue Moon
114 S. Bway, S. Amboy732-525-0014
Brass Rail80 Rt. 79, Matawan
732-290-8400Brickhouse
979 Cedarbridge, Brick732-279-3743
Buffalo Wild Wings / Brick2770 Hooper Ave., Brick
732-475-7645Burlew’s Seafood & Steak
59 West Front Street, Keyport732-497-0500
The Cabin984 Rt. 33, Freehold
732-462-3090CJ McLoone’s
560 Shrewsbury Ave., Tinton Falls
732-758-0800Café Luna
3679 Rt. 9N, Old Bridge732-965-5490
Claddagh Irish Pub297 Bay Ave, Highlands
732-291-0099Colts Neck Inn
6 Rt. 537732-462-0383
Court Jester / FreeholdE. Main St., Freehold
732-462-1040The Downtown
10 W. Front St., Red Bank732-741-2828Dublin House
30 Monmouth St., Red Bank732-747-6699Fireside Grill
133 Rt. 79, Marlboro732-780-7900
Gusto’s Grill1050 Rt. 18N, East Brunswick
732-651-2737Ivy League
Rt. 9N, Howell732-370-2206
Jack’s Goal Line149 Brighton Ave., Long Branch
732-870-8800La Riviera
113 Main St, Matawan732-566-8400Maloney’s Pub
117 Main St., Matawan732-583-4040
Market Yard Grille18 E. Main St., Freehold
732-431-3220Martell’s
Boardwalk, Pt. Pleasant732-892-0131
McLoones @ Favorites3 Lafayette Rd., Fords
732-512-5025McLoone’s Pier House
1 Ocean Pl., Long Branch732-923-1006
Metropolitan Café8 E. Main St., Freehold
732-780-9400Mediterranean Chateau27 Freneau Ave. (Rt. 79),
Matawan732-780-9400
MJ’s Middletown1005 Hwy 35N, Middletown
732-796-1400MJ’s Neptune
3205 Rt. 66, Neptune732-918-9700
MJ’s Tinton Falls1213 Sycamore Ave, Tinton Falls
732-542-3131Molly Maguire’s
132 East River Road, Rumson732-530-2882
Mulligan’s / Toms River1850 Hooper Ave., Toms River
732-255-3900Nonna’s
190 Rt. 9N, Marlboro732-536-9050Off the Hook
1 Navesink Ave., Highlands732-872-2006
On the Deck2 Simon Lake Dr,
Atlantic Highlands732-872-1424
Park 33618 Park Ave, Freehold
732-761-1300Pine Tavern
154 Rt. 34N, Old Bridge732-727-5060
PK’s Shamrock Rose415 18th Ave., Belmar
732-681-3111Park East
3352 Rt. 35S., Hazlet732-739-2002
Prime 341212 Rt. 34S., Aberdeen
732-441-9663Riverwatch
799 Rt. 70, Brick732-920-8900
Ryan’s Pub & Sports Bar299 Spotswood-Englishtown Rd
Monroe Township(732) 251-1709Salt Creek Grille
4 Bingham Ave, Rumson732-933-9272
Shogun Legacy1536 North Bay Ave.,
Toms River, NJ732-286-9888
St. Stephen’s Green2031 Rt. 71, Spring Lake
732-449-2636Sunsets
302 S. Concourse Ave., Neptune732-775-9911
Surf Taco / Jackson21 S. Hope Chapel, Jackson
732-364-8226Tavern on the Lake
101 Main St., Hightstown609-426-9345
The Shannon Rose / Woodbridge855 St. George’s Ave.
Woodbridge732-636-6100
The Sycamore Grille1 Shinnecock, Manalapan
732-792-7722Tilted Kilt
Rt. 18 South, East Brunswick732-992-8532
Tim McLoone’s Supper Club1200 Ocean Ave, Asbury
732-744-1400Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza/Brick
515 Rt. 70, Brick732-262-5180
Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza/Red Bank2 Bridge St.,
732-212-17001200 Ocean Ave, Asbury
732-744-1400Twin Light Taphouse
128 Bay Ave., Highlands732-872-1345
Windansea56 Shrewsbury Ave., Highlands
732-872-2266Wine Loft
32 Laird St., Long Branch732-222-7770
31
Friday, Aug. 30The Cabin – Eddie Testa BandFireside Grill – Live EntertainmentLa Riviera – Latin Night w/ DJMarket Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMartell’s - Mike Dalton Trio;
Drop Dead SexyMJ’s Buttonwood – Lisa & WendyMJ’s Middletown – Joey BMJ’s Neptune – Steve ReillyMJ’s Tinton Falls – Sean DunneRiverwatch – High Tide &
Vintage JohnnySaturday, Aug. 31Big Ed’s – KaraokeThe Cabin - UndercoverFireside Grill – UFC 164Market Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMartell’s – Dr. CheekoMartell’s – Big Bang Baby MJ’s Buttonwood – Marysue & KenMJ’s Middletown – Bobby & MeMJ’s Neptune – Wing ItMJ’s Tinton Falls – Different StringsRiverwatch – Seth Teiger BandTommy’s / Brick - KaraokeSunday, Sept. 01Martell’s – Dr. Cheeko; New
Power SoulRiverwatch – Rhyme & ReasonMonday, Sept. 02 Labor Day
Martell’s – Dr. Cheeko; Don’t Call me Francis
Riverwatch – Gary PhilipsTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Service Industry NightTuesday, Sept. 03Fireside Grill – Trivia NightMartell’s – Steve DiSalvo TrioMJ’s Buttonwood – 70’s Night & TriviaMJ’s Neptune - TriviaMJ’s Tinton Falls – KaraokeRiverwatch – Gary CookTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Trivia & KaraokeWednesday, Sept. 04Market Yard Grille – Gary PhilipsMJ’s Buttonwood – Rob GarciaMJ’s Middletown – Bob GaraffaMJ’s Neptune – 80’s Night w/ DJ JakeMJ’s Tinton Falls – Game On Riverwatch - TomardoTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Poker NightThursday, Sept. 05The Cabin – Bike Night w/
Jersey Shore CatsMarket Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMartell’s – Sensational Soul CruisersMJ’s Buttonwood – Football ThursdayMJ’s Middletown – Karaoke w/ KJ GiuseppeMJ’s Neptune – Football ThursdaysMJ’s Tinton Falls – Football ThursdayRiverwatch – Lisa BouchelleFriday, Sept. 06 The Cabin – Rock BottomColts Neck Inn – Two River Band
Fireside Grill – ive EntertainmentLa Riviera – Latin Night w/ DJMarket Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMartell’s – Dangerous New HighMJ’s Buttonwood – Linda & MikeMJ’s Middletown – Steve Reilly & Steve DevitoMJ’s Neptune – Ken & MarysueMJ’s Tinton Falls – Tim & AndyRiverwatch - UndisputedRyan’s Pub – The ButchersSaturday, Sept. 07Big Ed’s - KaraokeThe Cabin – Free PassColts Neck Inn – Taste This Market Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMartell’s – OverboardMJ’s Buttonwood – Andy RussoMJ’s Middletown – Mellissa Chill & Rob DyeMJ’s Neptune – Brew CrewMJ’s Tinton Falls – Rich GrazRiverwatch – Billy Lawlor Tommy’s / Brick - KaraokeMonday, Sept. 09Riverwatch – Trivia NightTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Service Industry NightTuesday, Sept. 10Fireside Grill – Trivia NightMJ’s Buttonwood – Karaoke w/ KJ GiuseppeMJ’s Neptune - TriviaMJ’s Tinton Falls – KaraokeRiverwatch – Gary CookTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Trivia & KaraokeWednesday, Sept. 11Market Yard Grille – Gary PhilipsMJ’s Buttonwood – Seth TeigerMJ’s Middletown – Dale TothMJ’s Neptune – 80’s Night w/ DJ JakeMJ’s Tinton Falls – Game OnRiverwatch - TomardoTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Poker NightThursday, Sept. 12Market Yard Grille – Live
EntertainmentMJ’s Buttonwood – Football ThursdaysMJ’s Middletown – Karaoke w/ KJ GiuseppeMJ’s Neptune – Football ThursdaysMJ’s Tinton Falls – Football ThursdayRiverwatch – Floyd Murray Friday, Sept. 13The Cabin - MoondoggieColts Neck Inn – Special RequestFireside Grill – Live EntertainmentLa Riviera – Latin Night w/ DJMarket Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMartell’s – Mike Dalton BandMJ’s Buttonwood – The Jam AcousticMJ’s Middletown – Seth TeigerMJ’s Neptune – Steve ReillyMJ’s Tinton Falls – Rachel AllynRiverwatch – License To ChillRyan’s Pub – Mama’s StewSaturday, Sept. 14
Big Ed’s – KaraokeThe Cabin – Eddie Testa BandColts Neck Inn – Night ShiftFireside Grill – PPV: Mayweather vs. AlvarezMarket Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMartell’s – Dr. Cheeko; Jo
Bonanno & GodsonsMJ’s Buttonwood – The Shore Side DuoMJ’s Middletown – Tom & TomMJ’s Neptune – Karaoke w/ KJ GiuseppeMJ’s Tinton Falls – Matt O’ReeRiverwatch – Phil Engel BandTommy’s / Brick - KaraokeSunday, Sept. 15Martell’s - Dr. CheekoMonday, Sept. 16 Riverwatch - Trivia NightTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Service Industry NightTuesday, Sept. 17Fireside Grill – Trivia NightMJ’s Buttonwood – 70’s Night & TriviaMJ’s Neptune – Bike NightMJ’s Tinton Falls – KaraokeRiverwatch - Gary CookTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Trivia & KaraokeWednesday, Sept. 18Market Yard Grille – Gary PhilipsMJ’s Buttonwood – Blues NightMJ’s Middletown – Matt O’ReeMJ’s Neptune – 80’s Night w/ DJ JakeMJ’s Tinton Falls – Game OnRiverwatch - TomardoTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Poker NightThursday, Sept. 19The Cabin – Bike NightMarket Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMJ’s Buttonwood – Football ThursdayMJ’s Middletown – Karaoke w/ KJ GiuseppeMJ’s Neptune – Football ThursdaysMJ’s Tinton Falls – Football ThursdayRiverwatch - LeftyFriday, Sept. 20The Cabin – Phil Engel BandColts Neck Inn – Sheri GilmoreFireside Grill – Live EntertainmentLa Riviera – Latin Night w/ DJMarket Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMartell’s – The NeighborsMJ’s Buttonwood – The Clifton BrothersMJ’s Middletown – Jeff PilgrimMJ’s Neptune – Lisa & WendyMJ’s Tinton Falls – Seth TeigerRiverwatch – Nicole & DeniseRyan’s Pub – Radio DazeSaturday, Sept. 21Big Ed’s – KaraokeThe Cabin - UpsideColts Neck Inn – Hair MetalFireside Grill – UFC 165Market Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMartell’s – Dr. Cheeko; Generation NextMJ’s Buttonwood – Different Strings
MJ’s Middletown – Lisa & WendyMJ’s Neptune – Wing ItMJ’s Tinton Falls – Paul BaccashRiverwatch – TBATommy’s / Brick - Karaoke Sunday, Sept. 22Martell’s - Dr. CheekoMonday, Sept. 23Riverwatch - Trivia NightTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Service Industry NightTuesday, Sept. 24Fireside Grill – Trivia NightMJ’s Buttonwood – Karaoke w/ KJ GiuseppeMJ’s Neptune - TriviaMJ’s Tinton Falls – KaraokeRiverwatch - Gary Cook Tilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Trivia & KaraokeWednesday, Sept. 25Market Yard Grille – Gary PhilipsMJ’s Buttonwood – Lakeside LeeMJ’s Middletown – Joey BMJ’s Neptune – 80’s Night w/ DJ JakeMJ’s Tinton Falls – Game OnRiverwatch - TomardoTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Poker NightThursday, Sept. 26Market Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMJ’s Buttonwood – Football ThursdaysMJ’s Middletown – Karaoke w/ KJ GiuseppeMJ’s Neptune – Football ThursdaysMJ’s Tinton Falls – Football ThursdayRiverwatch – Lisa BouchelleFriday, Sept. 27 The Cabin – Eddie Testa BandColts Neck Inn – Jody JosephFireside Grill – Live EntertainmentLa Riviera – Latin Night w/ DJMarket Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMJ’s Buttonwood – Dave McCartyMJ’s Middletown – Karaoke w/ KJ GiuseppeMJ’s Neptune - Steve ReillyMJ’s Tinton Falls – Carla BuffaRiverwatch – High Tide &
Vintage JohnnyRyan’s Pub – Black NightSaturday, Sept. 28Big Ed’s – KaraokeThe Cabin - UndercoverColts Neck Inn – YazmaticsMarket Yard Grille – Live EntertainmentMartell’s - Dr. CheekoMJ’s Buttonwood – Ken & MarysueMJ’s Middletown – Tim & AndyMJ’s Neptune – Shawn MarsMJ’s Tinton Falls – Different StringsRiverwatch – Brue CrewTommy’s / Brick - KaraokeSunday, Sept. 29Martell’s - Dr. CheekoMonday, Sept. 30Riverwatch - Trivia NightTilted Kilt / East Brunswick –
Service Industry Night
September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com32 To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj March 2013
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TS
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Saturday, Sept. 07WWE LiveIzod Center East Rutherford, NJ
Sunday, Sept. 08Grace Potter & The NocturnalsState TheaterNew Brunswick, NJ
Sunday, Sept. 08Rebelution & MatisyahuStone PonyAsbury Park, NJ
Sept. 14 – 29On Borrowed TimeTwin River TheaterRed Bank, NJ
Sunday, Sept. 15SinbadState TheaterNew Brunswick, NJ
Saturday, Sept. 21Sesame Street LivePrudential CenterNewark, NJ
Tuesday, Sept. 24Sylvia BrownCount Basie TheaterRed Bank, NJ
Wednesday, Sept. 25Josh TurnerState TheaterNew Brunswick, NJ
Wednesday, Sept. 25 Randy TravisCount Basie TheaterRed Bank, NJ
Sept. 29 – Oct. 06The Full MontyAlgonquin Arts TheatreManasquan, NJ
32 September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.comTo Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.facebook.com/venues.nj
PLUGGED INTO
Saturday, Sept. 07Golden Nugget
Blondie
Friday, Sept. 13Borgata
Russell Brand
Saturday, Sept. 14Tropicana
Kool & The Gang
Saturday, Sept. 14 Taj Mahal
Alan Jackson
Sunday, Sept. 15Broadway Hall
Miss America Final Competition
Saturday, Sept. 21BorgataLionel Richie
Saturday, Sept. 21Golden NuggetGraham Nash
Sunday, Sept. 22RevelToby Keith
Saturday, Sept. 28BorgataThe Beach Boys
Saturday, Sept. 28Caesar’sLisa Minnelli
33September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
LOYALTYThe tie binding a person to something to
which he or she is faithful.
As a publication, our mission is to build and maintain a loyal readership and audience. This is vital to the success of any publication. How do we accomplish this? By providing timely information that satisfies the needs of the audience we reach. Through continuous consumer research over many years, we have put together a combined product consisting of quality editorial plus select advertiser messages that answer the needs of our targeted Central NJ audience. And, we deliver our product in varied multi-media forms for easy access through print and digital editions.
As a dining and/or entertainment venue, the ability to build and maintain your successful business also depends on securing a loyal customer base that will provide both repeat business and will encourage friends and neighbors to frequent your venue. How is this accomplished? By providing a combination of quality food, good service and a clean atmosphere that will encourage repeat visits.
The frequently relied on discounting or couponing is a quick fix for building initial consumer traffic and awareness, but for lasting consumer loyalty, quality and service always trump a “deal.” Those customers who try a place because of a discounted price offer will discard loyalty when the “guy down the street” offers a more attractive deal. These folks do not create the loyalty customer base you seek.
Put yourself in your customer’s shoes for a minute. When you go out to dine, relax or to be entertained, what type venue do you seek? You probably want a venue where you feel comfortable, maybe a place where you’re known (ala Cheers) and a locale with consistent good food and service.
VENUES NJ strives to make you and your potential customers aware of the availability of such venues each and every month. Take advantage of the information we provide and let us know if we’re succeeding.
The Last Word.
NJ Troopers Assisting TroopsThis year’s event will bring 50 – 60 wounded warriors from Fort Drum, NY plus other wounded veterans from Texas and Florida to New Jersey for a three day program. Native NJ resident Joe Piscopo will be present to greet the troops.
This year’s program will include: • Reception/Lunch at the Scarborough Fair, Wall, NJ • Housing on the NJ Shore (Police Barracks, Sea Girt, NJ) • Band Concert by the NJ National Guard Band • Friday evening Reception/BBQ and entertainment by comedian Jeff Norris and the Retro Kings Band • Saturday Deep Sea Fishing/Boat rides- off the Manasquan Inlet • NJ State Police SWAT Team demonstration/display of equipment • Lunch at the Belmar Fishing Club/Massages. Veteran Administration Benefit Counseling • Evening Southern BBQ/Entertainment by Jeff Pirrami and Jersey Shore Band • Sunday morning services and breakfast at the Manasquan Elks- late morning departure with box lunch) to WWTU’s
Your support is needed to help defray the costs associated with Warrior transportation, food & supplies. All donations should be sent to: Troopers Assisting Troops16 Jason Drive, Spring Lake, NJ 07762Attention: Joe Sarnecky, Treasurer
When: Sunday, Sept. 13th -15th, 2013Where: NJ National Guard & State Troopers Training Facility, Sea Girt, NJ
Contact: Gary McWhorter, President TAT (732) 580-2555 About TAT: Troopers Assisting Troops (TAT) is a grass roots non- profit group of retired and active New Jersey State Troopers and friends providing support to returning Wounded Warriors from the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) theaters with local recreational and rehabilitative programs. TAT works closely with, and utilizes the expertise, knowledge and assistance of the Wounded Warrior Project.Org (WWP) of Jacksonville, Florida.
We are a registered 501c (3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New Brunswick, NJ. Our federal ID# for donations is 80-0586838 and our NJ Charities registration number is CH3394400.30 To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.Venues-NJ.com December 2012
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj Cares
As a community service, Venues NJ wishes to make our readers aware of upcoming Fundraisers, Benefits & Charity events being conducted in the region. These activities are noteworthy and we are pleased to bring them to your attention.
The devastation brought on by Hurricane Sandy is widespread and has had an effect on virtually everyone in the region. Most individual municipalities have set up
their own relief centers, benefit organizations & fundraising programs. However, there is a
Central Call Center set up to get information & assistance for emergency services, housing assistance, food &
medical services, family services, etc.
Call 211 or go online to www.nj211.orgYou can also contact this Central Call Center to volunteer or make a donation to the Hurricane Recovery.
Hurricane Sandy Notifications & Recovery Resources
RESTORE… REBUILD !
HELP WANTEDExperienced Sales People
N E E D E D• Account Executive /
Ad Sales
• Immediate Openings
• PT / FT
• Commission Based
• Excellent $$$ Potential
• Exclusive Territories
• Previous Hospitality Industry Sales a PLUS
For more information call: 732-995-1714ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
30 To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.Venues-NJ.com December 2012
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj Cares
As a community service, Venues NJ wishes to make our readers aware of upcoming Fundraisers, Benefits & Charity events being conducted in the region. These activities are noteworthy and we are pleased to bring them to your attention.
The devastation brought on by Hurricane Sandy is widespread and has had an effect on virtually everyone in the region. Most individual municipalities have set up
their own relief centers, benefit organizations & fundraising programs. However, there is a
Central Call Center set up to get information & assistance for emergency services, housing assistance, food &
medical services, family services, etc.
Call 211 or go online to www.nj211.orgYou can also contact this Central Call Center to volunteer or make a donation to the Hurricane Recovery.
Hurricane Sandy Notifications & Recovery Resources
RESTORE… REBUILD !
HELP WANTEDExperienced Sales People
N E E D E D• Account Executive /
Ad Sales
• Immediate Openings
• PT / FT
• Commission Based
• Excellent $$$ Potential
• Exclusive Territories
• Previous Hospitality Industry Sales a PLUS
For more information call: 732-995-1714ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
ENUESnj
34 September 2013
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.comSeptember 2013 35To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
Kick Off The Season With A Bang!@ CM’s Newly
Renovated Sports BarStarting Sunday,
Sept. 5th
Great AtmosphereOver 70 HDTV’s(2) 3D VIP Viewing Rooms – Drink Specials – Beer Specials – Great Bar Menu – Giveaways Every Sunday
To Advertise Call 732.995.1714 • www.venues-nj.com
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