Nehal A.

This is an iconic building in the area, clearly visible from the beach. It is an old architectural building with lots of windows and open spaces; It does show signs of aging as the window frames have rusts and some walls have paint falling off. But there are lots of shops, restaurants and local artisan stores inside. Lots of guests walk in for food, shopping or just to take a break from the heat. Anyone visiting Asbury Park beach should by this landmark.

Bill M.

Convention Hall is a 3,600 seat arena in Asbury Park and in the Fall of 2010  I Ran Away to Join the BERZERKUS!! and never looked back. Zakk Wylde had returned home to Jersey and brought his band Black Label Society with him. Clutch was also on the lineup that night to provide support and they most certainly did that and then some. Also in appearance were 2 cents, and Children of Bodom but we arrived late just in time to see Clutch. You could tell they immediately meant business and their shearing one-of-a kind sound was totally on point. Every song was masterful in every possible way and their sound was excellent with one of the smallest sets of musical gear I think I've ever seen anybody Rock Out that hard with. Incredible. Just Incredible.    Behind Clutch's small but super powerful presentation sat 12 double stacks of Marshall Amplifiers and were a clear reminder of what the rest of this magical night would have in store for us. The Hall was already exploding with the unmistakably unique sound that Clutch brought with literally "50,000 Unstoppable Watts"!!     As soon as intermission ended we rushed down to the pit in front of the stage. We were all loaded with extreme anticipation and prolly some other stuff. Lol. The crowd was charged up man, you could feel it. Freakin Electrified. Then Black Label Society hit the stage with such punishing volume and force that it actually went right through us and left our bones rattling and our teeth chattering. Lol. The percussion was incredibly thunderous, the bass bins were pounding and concussive. With our heads banging up and down we moshed and stomped as if our lives depended on it. Wild and uncontrolled sheer energy pulsed through each and every one of us like a pack of rabid Mad Dogs. "Hold on Son cause this is gonna be one hell of a ride"  I barked.     Always thought Zakk to be one of the best living Metal Guitar Gods, I mean he was Ozzy's Guitarist for over thirty years so ah yeah. And that night he proved his legendary status again and again and again to everyone lucky enough to witness that show with every sustained screeching, shredding, powerful note. Welcome Home Brother. Convention Hall will never be the same. Thanks for the memories from this "Blessed Hellride". [ My ears are still ringing from that one, Lol ] Come And Get Your Mosh On!!

Lydia B.

This building has definitely evolved and changed over the years in terms of shops, but I love walking through it. There's really nothing like it on the Jersey Shore. If you're looking for a scenic, fun beach walk, start here!

Chip R.

Bottom line: Asbury Park's historic Convention Hall is a great landmark, adding more than just the current shops, bars, and restaurants on your boardwalk stroll. It's a weathered piece of AP's past that makes it that much more special. I am a fan! The Deets: I am going to start out 2021 with a review of one of the landmarks I've visited many times in my trips to Asbury Park, the Convention Hall. Straddling the boardwalk along the northern part of Asbury Park, it's a structure hard to miss if you are near the beach there. This building was constructed in the late 1920's in the Beaux-Arts style to attract the conventions of the time as a convention center as well as shows using the Paramount Theatre inside. Heat back then was provided by steam pipes coming from the still visible remains of the steam plant on the other side of the boardwalk near the remnants of the old casino. I love that Asbury Park has so much of its history still visible today and the Convention Hall is definitely part of that history. It's even near the site of the beaching of the SS Morro Castle ocean liner after its disaster off the Jersey Shore in 1934 (look that one up if you don't know that story). The Grand Arcade walkway today may not be filled with the same type of shops as it was a century ago but still a great destination to check out the current stores, shops, restaurants, and bars. I've loved the coffees I've enjoyed sitting there watching the surf in the morning, the beverages I've gotten on the side bars, the nice meals at the seafood restaurants, and of course the shopping in the stores set up along the way. Summer around that area of the boardwalk is not the same until hearing the "thumpa thumpa" of the music coming from the bar on the south end of the hall. That's just summer in AP. Sure, the bathrooms need a little work and the structure itself is showing signs of age, wear-n-tear, but I love this building and what it brings to Asbury Park. It would not be the same without it.

Gerald S.

At the turn of the 20th Century, ocean side convention centers were a very big thing. Atlantic City had one, and Asbury Park as its main Jersey Shore competition (along with Cape May) wanted one, too. After all, New York was already operating its third Madison Square Garden. They were economic engines that brought people into town and spread dollars in every direction. Still, Asbury Park got a very late start on its building due to city politics and property ownership. It wasn't until 1925 that a second design for a convention hall attached to the large Paramount Theater via a Grand Arcade which enclosed the boardwalk that ran between the two entities was opened. What remains today is not as grandiose as it was back in the day. Then, the Hall booked conventions all year long, and the Theater was a Vaudeville and off-Broadway destination. The Arcade was full of shops, vendors and pickpockets that families kept their kids away from. It even played its part in making history. In 1934 a cruise ship returning from Cuba caught fire off the coast and was attempted to be towed to a birth in Sea Girt to the north. The cable broke and the still burning SS Morro Castle almost crashed into Convention Hall, but was stopped by a sandbar in the nick of time. More recently, Bruce Springsteen used the Hall for rehearsals before going out on tour. Walking in through the southern doors on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, the deep shadows within make it easy to imagine what it was like. There isn't as much going on now as seventy years ago, but given that in the late 20th Century it was in near ruin due to neglect, it has come a long way. Gratitude to the city fathers, and some entrepreneurs for saving this historic building and bringing it back to life. Today, you can get a break from the sun, go to a concert, grab a cup of locally roasted coffee, and sit at bars overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and beaches that Jimmy Buffet would like to call his own. It's laid back timeless ethos is just a great place to hang out. A lot of Asbury Park is gone either from fire, flood, urban renewal, or just disinterest. All those parking lots off Ocean Avenue used to be arcades and honkytonks. Bright lights, loud music and games by day, prostitution and drunks in the street by night. We can debate whether the city and New Jersey are better for these changes. But, that they had the insight and resources to save Convention Hall and put it to good use again, is beyond dispute.

Jonathan R.

Great location for local events including concerts, conventions, community events, shopping etc. The convention center has a storied history and I don't know the half of it. There is a theater there and from what I understand many famous acts have performed there, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, The Who,Van Halen and most famously Led Zeppelin....as a matter of fact Led Zeppelin turned down Woodstock to play Asbury Park. The Asbury Park theater was NJ's version of Madison Square Garden. Today it has a restaurant and bar, serves as a concert venue for smaller acts. I attended the holiday bazaar this past Saturday night which included local vendors selling their wares and the annual Christmas tree lighting. A beach boys cover band played a set, Santa Claus made an appearance which kicked off the holiday season. There is a ton of metered parking available and on a nice night a walk down the adjacent boardwalk will bring you to a handful of shops, restaurants and bars. Full disclosure, the stores are closed during the Beach off season but during the summer you will find many boutiques, food vendors etc. If you have not checked out Asbury Park recently, this gritty beach town is quickly changing. Hotels are being constructed, homes renovated and restaurants opening. It may be worth a day trip during the summer at the very least if not a long weekend. Asbury Park is a quick ride to several beach towns along the Atlantic Ocean.

Maria V.

Located right on the Asbury Park boardwalk and Ocean. I like to stroll thru here. There are murals outside on one side. Inside - there are several small vendors and stores that sell cute things. The oyster bar is in there that is great for drinks and snacks . Anchors bend is also located in there as well but as much as it looks cute and busy- I am not fond of the drinks or food there.

Brenda C.

Lots of fun shops and it's a historical landmark. They put up the tree but haven't decorated it as if yet. It's a fun place to spend an hour and they do have a oyster bar inside.