We have been coming to enjoy weekend evening dancing at Paradise for over 10 years. The crowd is diverse, and the smaller room next to the pool starts dancing by 10pm with hits from the 70s and 80s with videos on the large screens. The larger room with laser lighting, mirrors and small stage has trance/techno music. Again, diverse crowd and often there is a very buff young man dancing on an elevated platform. read more

I used to love this place but after such a bad experience this summer, don't waste your money or time. The dancing can be fun (once it finally gets going) but I could not believe how rude and flat out discriminatory some of the bartenders are. We got there on the early side and sat down at the tiki bar, which was half empty. Immediately, the bartender treated us like crap. He was aggressive and rude. Even though he only had a handful of other customers, he wouldn't come over so we could order a second drink. When we finally got his attention, he got pissed at my girlfriend for asking if she could have salt on her margarita (is that unreasonable?) and threw a salt shaker down in front of her. When we looked shocked at how rude he was being, he said "well are you going to pay or not?" - even though she had her wallet out and was pulling out cash. Then after taking our money, he said he would not serve us another drink at his bar. Mind you, this was our second drink of the entire night so we weren't drunk and never copped an attitude with him (even though it was warranted). He was super friendly to the other people at the bar so my best guess is that he thought we were two straight women (which we aren't) and didn't like that we were taking up two seats at his bar. I was completely shocked by how shitty he was towards us. Way to be LGBT friendly, dude. read more

Sunday, September 16th 2018 is a day that I, as a gay man, will never forget. I have been out of the closet since I've been 17 years old (54 yo now) and never received the sort of treatment that I received today. My husband and I stopped in for a drink with a straight girlfriend from Boston. They just happened to be showing a football game with the Patriots playing. When my girlfriend got excited over a game play and got a little too loud, the rude bartender reprimanded her stating"calm down. This is not a sports bar." From that point forward he acted very icy towards us as if we were unworthy to be in his presence. This prompted us to discuss how distasteful his actions were. Instead of apologizing to us, the customer, for treating us so poorly, he brought in another rude employee (most likely a bouncer) who not only threw us out, but called us profane names and threatened us with police. Was this really necessary? A friend displayed some enthusiasms over a football game. The gay community is supposed to be a haven for all and accepting of everyone regardless. I will neither set foot in this bar again nor will any of my friends. I've come way too far in my life to be cut down by a bartender with a superiority complex. read more

Ill agree with all the complaints about the security staff. They could tone it down a bit. I just went there after not having been there in awhile ( I live in Asbury Park) and....NO on the unisex bathrooms. Just...no. Sorry, when Im peeing I dont need to have women 3 feet from me having an animated conversation, checking themselves in the mirror, etc etc. This is taking the whole unisex thing too far. Keep men's rooms men's rooms and women's rooms women's room. read more

A lot of fun can be had here, but the truth is the crowds are there because it's the only game in town. Other than one small-ish bar near the train tracks, Paradise is the only gay club in the whole area. Certainly the only one on the Jersey Shore. Sprawling place... several bars... six if I'm counting correctly, one small and one large dance floor. Nice pool area, if you enjoy breathing huge quantities of second hand smoke (yeah, it's outside, but it's an absolute sea of smokers... it would be nice if at least an area of the pool were designated non-smoking). Only portions of the place are open depending on the time of day, day of the week, and particular week of the summer or year. Not much has changed over the years as far as the layout, but it's a fairly nice facility physically. A different DJ practically every night. Very hit or miss with the music. Often horrendous. Sometimes passable or good. Interesting local flavor on weeknights. A lot of people on Saturday nights especially. Big events such as holidays or pride can draw huge crowds. Unfortunately with the rising popularity of Asbury Park in general, a very negative and scary New York element has been joining during such events. If you think Jersey trash is scary at the shore... well... Fortunately there are security personnel EVERYWHERE, making sure that you don't carry out a bottle of water or touch the strippers anywhere below the waist, and that you have proper footwear while dancing. This apparently leaves them no time to prevent patrons from assaulting each other, to curtail people from smoking pot out in the open (seriously people... do that at home... not everyone wants to smell that), nor asking completely trashed straight girls flailing about on the dance floor to leave. But rest assured no one will be leaving the club with a bottle of water. Be careful out there, people. read more

A good place to go if you're looking to dance. Large dance floor, pool and hotel. The staff aren't as social as some places but it is a dance club and I still enjoy going here. read more

The Paradise is huge. It's also the Empress Hotel in Asbury Park. There's a bar with dance floor, a smaller bar in the restaurant area with TVs, and yet another smaller quieter bar on the far end past the pool. In the summer when the pool is open, there's also an outdoor tiki bar. You can swim during the day, and dance or drink in the evening. The restaurant is very uninspired, and not quite adequate. They have burgers, sandwiches, and some bar fare, and I don't think there's a chef as much as there are people who know how to fry and assemble. That's my only complaint. A hotel (Paradise is a club at the Empress Hotel) should have acceptable dining. Here, it's just something to put in your belly. After dinner on weekends, they sometimes have drag shows or other shows there. It's very much the premier predominantly gay club in the area. We go there for early drinks when we're there for the weekend, and occasionally have dinner there. Dinner there is mainly because it's convenient and because being a gay establishment, we don't feel worried if we hold hands or show affection. The crowd is mixed, by the way. While mainly gay, straight couples show up, even families with kids during the summer when the hotel is booked because it's on the shore. All are welcome, and that makes for a nice atmosphere. read more

Hey peeps, I have been coming here for close to 15 years. I lived in Asbury for eight years. Dance club is pretty solid. Nice tea dance on the weekend (Sunday). Friendly to the Bears, twinks and the straights. read more

What happens when a bunch of open minded hetro "punk rockers" crash in a hotel above one of NJ's most famous gay discos and are not ready for the festivites to end well you go and see what all the fun is about and that we did. Look I can't dance but these folks did not care they just wanted us, like everybody else to have a good time and if you were not having a good time you could be cramping theres. The music is what you might expect and the lights are flashing hard. Very welcoming crowd and a very nice staff. read more

It was the most horrible place terrible. Mainly because of the security. They asked me to finsh my drink and as I was finishing it they tackled me and tired to hurt me lol I've never been to a place as awful as this. They tried to tackle me but couldn't lol and I thought it was ridiculous. And for what? I never would come back to this place it's horrible for gay African Men. read more

I love it here so much. I've moved away but make it a point to come back when I visit. I love the variety of rooms and the hotel option. The pool bar is fabulous. When it's open I am usually out there. I would say maybe the music out there could be a little louder but it's still dance-able. The diff rooms with diff music is great. There are better bartenders than others, but that's like that anywhere you go. I would say maybe the only thing that could be improved is the bathrooms, but it's a dance club bar at the beach; they all need work. See you soon paradise!! read more

DON'T GO IN THE WINTER... geez, it's trashy as hell! Great for summer though

C'mon, if you're staying anywhere else on the boardwalk, please don't make that mistake again. Oh, and don't miss the line dancing either.

Max is the best bartender I have ever experienced! Not only is he absolutely adorable but he is super personable! He deserves a raise or promotion! read more

This should maybe be a 4.5 stars. I've only been here one time, but I had a great time. Plus I LOVE THAT IT IS NON-SMOKING (are you listening ATL Bars? No, of course you aren't.) The Paradise place has something for everyone. It has a good dance club, an interesting bar for other stuff (the night I was there they had a local rock band playing but I understand they also have drag queens sometimes), as well as an outdoor bar near the pool so you can get away from it all and let your ear drums recouperate. An added plus is, that if you are staying at the Empress Hotel, you can get hammered and simply stumble back to the elevator and find your room. I'm planning on going back! read more

The club at the empress hotel is a quant little gay club with a welcoming bartender and small dance fool they also have a pool area where you can sit smoke and drink in a chilled environment a place to hang out and kick back and relax I love it here though I've only been here once this place is a must while at the shore read more

I didn't even make it into the bar. The bouncers are horrible people and do not care about anyone who enters all they care about is money. I was trying to find my friend and it was past 2am and the bouncers even told me they weren't selling alcohol anymore but still expected me to pay $15 to enter even though I just wanted to go in for two minutes to find my friend because we were all leaving asbury and she would have been stranded. I asked if they could escort me or something but all they cared about was their money, they didn't care that a drunk girl was all alone and even said "guess your friend is on her own". They got very unprofessional and aggressive about it and could have handled the situation much better but instead they left a horrible impression on the whole gay community. read more

2 straight girls + 1 gay guy friend on a Saturday night at this place = best time I've had at a Jersey club! The place itself is huge & pretty nicely decorated. I liked how there were different rooms - sports bar, club, outdoor patio/pool - so everyone is happy regardless of what kind of scene you liked. The crowd was a mix? but we chatted it up with a few fun people. The music is okay & the drinks weren't too bad (I think it was $3 for coors light?). I really liked the outdoor pool that they had - it just looked pretty. I definitely would come here again! read more

no way, first to review?! i usually don't like people announcing that they're first, but i would never have suspected Paradise to not be rated yet... i mean it's many times packed! i frequented this club more than any other before i moved (and of course before i learned of yelp), however not enough to get the VIP card. get it though, it's worth it if you go a lot. i came back for new year's eve. happy mofo'ing 2008!!! the cover charge wasn't bad at all- $40 a head and it included a champagne toast, breakfast (buffet style), and raffled prizes. fun dj's, bartenders, and entertainers! Paradise loves the community. they hold events/shows that give it a great flavor. the main room is super super loud though and you'll get dripped on when they turn on the fog, but you should want to be dripped on from being so hot from dancing. the copper room is my fave- it's more loung-y- a perfect balance. and then there's the back room which i think is actually the hotel lobby- it's where the lesbians hang out. not as happening but a good place to actually have a conversation. the pool area = very nice, especially in the summer when the pool bars are open. no drunk swimming!... or no swimming really anyway, but no one says you can't "fall in" or get pushed in! anyway, come on a weekend or when there's something going on. otherwise it's just like going to your typical non memorable bar. but i always get a taste of paradise every time i come home. read more

This is really a great venue during the summer. The music could be a bunch better but there aren't many places to dance around here. Fun place to go with friends or take dates (female) to. read more

I haven't been in a few years but prior to that I've been there, I don't know, at least 100 times. I started going there in like 2005 when there was NOTHING there. People didn't even go on the beach. Anyhow what prompted me to write this review is all the hate I was reading towards this place regarding the staff in particular. First like I said I've been there at least 100 times and I've never seen anyone mistreated. Ever. The only people that get thrown out are the ones who feel the need to jump in the pool at 1 AM or who are causing trouble. I'm no wallflower and I've never been thrown out of Paradise or even had a run-in with the security there. We all know what happens to some people when they get drunk, let's be honest. And Paradise wants a safe club experience so sorry if you get thrown out. I know many of the staff. I also know the manager and the owner and they take pride in their establishment. Paradise has been a special place for so many people for so long and I've had nothing but great experiences there for over a decade. read more

What happened to the DJs? They used to be so good! It's Sat night and the place is empty. Please bring back DJs that know how to fill a venue. read more

This establishment is by far the worst managed and staffed place in Asbury. Had a terrible time because of a manager and a "bouncer" who has yet to graduate high school. If there was a way to give negative stars I'd say this place is a solid -5, I'm being generous. P.s there would be ZERO stars checked if this app would let me. read more

I went to Paradise for Bitchy Bingo on August 12th. The host, Whendy Whaxwood, was so engaging to all of the patrons, and made even the more obvious newbies welcome to participate and have a great time. Whendy's guest host (I forget her name at the moment) was absolutely gorgeous and added to an all around great show. I wish I lived closer so I could attend this show weekly - definitely recommend to anyone living near or visiting the area! Who knew bingo could be so fun! read more

Staff was very unprofessional, they could really care less about the customers needs and refused to offer any kind of help.

Paradise is a friendly care free place. Great friendly staff and always a good time. Been going for 6 years, never had a bad time.

I went on a Friday night to celebrate my best friend's birthday. It's was fine when I walked in. The music was great, the drag show was awesome, the drink prices were not bad, and some of the staff members were friendly except one. The manager was working the bar, I tipped him for my first drink and then after my next one, he flipped out at me because I apparently didn't tip him. He was even cursing at me and told me he's was going kick me out and that I will never come back again. That was very unprofessional to flip out and curse a customer over at tip. Definitely don't want to come back after that experience I had. read more

Disco ball over the pool. Amazing music. And the bartenders always make me smile. Kyle is my fave.

the staff are so so so so not friendly, they are actually a bunch of RUDE people. most of the bartenders are rude and just doing their job, no paper towels in the bathroom, DJ won't take request, they play %90 of the time HARDCORE house music. not a lot of diversity. overall its not a good representation of a gay club for the shore read more

Great place, social bartenders, and a very different crowd each night. I love the Leather events and nothing says a warm environment than Johnny, the sexiest bartender in the world! read more

Fun bar, especially in nice weather to hang out at the pool. 4 bars altogether- 2 at opposite ends of the pool, 1 huge bar near the dance floor and another in the restaurant area. My only gripe is that the food at the restaurant is terrible. Menu sounded so promising, but ended up with a burger that tasted microwaved and chicken parm that was so tough and dry it was nasty. read more

My friend is gay and I'm straight and we had the best times at Paradise last summer. I love checking out the guys, even though I'm not their type. lol oh & what about the hot bar tenders who refuse to give a definite answer regarding their sexual orientation? haha...that's always fun. Anyway, I love this place and I'll be back in the summer. I can't wait to hear "Born This Way" and the rest of GaGa's new songs pumping out of those speakers. Hot! read more

went with a group of fun-loving, dance-crazy straight girls and had a good time. the dance floor is awesome, there's a disco ball and they made "snow" fall. the only problem was that i went in december, and the place was sooooo empty. we ended up staying about an hour before moving on to another bar in the area. it was really disappointing that no one was there because the atmosphere was so much fun. obviously do not come here if you are close-minded, but i think the diversity of the crowd (however small the crowd was the time i went) is what made it so fun. just be yourself and dance, that's what i say. hope to get back in the summer and i hope it's more crowded this time, it's a shame to waste such a great dance floor! read more

I was at Paradise last night. They have now instituted a policy of no taking photographs in the club. I traveled almost 60 miles to get there. I am not going back. read more

We were here last night to celebrate my best friend's birthday as we have done for a few years now. We never had a problem at this place but last night it all went down the drain. Around 1:45am or so my friend and I went to walk his brother and sister to their car and when we returned to the club we were denied re entry by the most rude security guard named Michael and the club's Lesbian manager Cynthia, who was even ruder than Michael. Mind you we weren't causing any trouble and spent a lot of money at this hole in the wall then it was decided that my friend was walking wobbly and seemed tipsy. For the record he wasn't. We weren't even given a chance to explain ourselves or our stand. After this awful incident which by the way ruined my friend's birthday night, we've decided never to come back to a business that don't appreciate our business. I hope Shep Pettiebone has a chance to read this review and remove these rude staff members from the club before they give the place bad publicity. There are plenty of businesses out there that will truly appreciate our gay business, just not this one. Stay far away from this place and go to Watermark instead. read more