Inside: Tiki Stadium in Keansburg

Although the summer is pretty much over and most beachgoers have packed up and left the Jersey Shore until next year, Keansburg's Tiki Stadium has no intention of closing its doors anytime soon.

The bar, which changed its name and assumed new ownership last year, plans on preserving its tropical paradise setting throughout the upcoming months as a means of providing locals as well as out-of-towners with a vaccine for the winter blues.

"It's summer all year-round here," says owner and Keansburg native Bill Slover. "Our whole idea with this place was to take the Tiki vibe on the outside and bring it to the outside."

Décor: Staying to true to its Tiki roots, the Stadium maintains a rugged exterior with a thatch-covered entranceway and bright neon signs. Visitors can either walk right up to the outdoor bar or have a seat at one of several tables located along the sidewalk for a more shaded view of the beach and boardwalk.

Another thing about the exterior: The rectangular sign above the entrance still says TJK Stadium, but don't be fooled, the place is now called Tiki Stadium. (There are no immediate plans to change the sign.)
 

The inside is home to two additional bars, each against a wide backdrop of various liquors. There also are about a dozen small tables for dining as well as pool tables, dart boards and a stage with a bamboo DJ booth. Near the Stadium's rear is an exit leading to an additional area with lounge chairs, fire pits and fine white sand.

Drinks: Slover sums up his bar's drink selection with one word. "Everything," he says. "We have absolutely everything." A look behind just one of the Stadium's three full bars will prove that he is certainly true to his word.

Crowd: The bar regularly sees a mix of locals as well as others from surrounding towns along the trail up to Sandy Hook, such as Hazlet, Middletown and Atlantic Highlands. The summer saw an influx of visitors from the northern part of New Jersey making a pit stop on their way to other Jersey Shore destinations as well as stragglers from the infamous Keansburg Amusement Park, located directly across the street.

Entertainment: Tiki Stadium hosts a variety of events nearly every night, with acts ranging from Jersey Shore regulars Dog Voices and The Nerds to King Norris, featuring none other than Fred Norris of Howard Stern's radio show, and Kiss Alive, a band that may just be the area's finest Kiss tribute act.

"People can come out to Keansburg to see all the top shore bands without having to go all the way down to Belmar or Seaside Heights," Slover added.

When there's not a band rocking the stage, the Stadium is equipped with an in-house DJ to mix things up through other events like ladies night on Thursdays, which boasts $2 drinks and no cover charge for female visitors, and regular Saturday night dance parties. Sports fans will also enjoy a row of flat-screen televisions along the back wall to watch their favorite teams in action.

Food: Free wings every Sunday during football season. Enough said.

Aside from that, the Stadium's menu is short but sweet. Whether you're craving pizza, a rib-eye or shredded beef cheesesteak, clams on the half shell or even just a classic cheeseburger, the chances of patrons leaving with anything less than a full stomach are slim to none.
 
Bottom line: Tiki Stadium wears many masks. Whether you're looking for a wild night of loud music and dancing, an afternoon of guzzling beer and shooting pool with a group of close buddies, or even just a place to bring the family for dinner, the Stadium seems to deliver it all. The menu's generous pricing also indicates that you;ll most likely get that full stomach for around or less than $10.

Photo by Scott Shanley

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