Cupid's arrow has struck a myriad of folks in Asbury Park. Three local couples share their favorite love stories and their favorite date night on a Monday night at the rustic-chic Lola’s European Cafe, the gelato bar was packed to the brim. Shannon O’Hara and Matthew Gomes, who have been together for two years, are hanging out. After growing up in North Jersey, but having family in Monmouth County, O'Hara knew of the renowned area on the shore.
“I came down here a lot,” O'Hara said. “My parents always took us to concerts at The [Stone] Pony, but [moving to Asbury Park] was never an option until Covid.” Following her time living in Switzerland, O'Hara’s job went remote. That was her opportunity to move to Travel and Leisure’s 2025 Best Small Beach Town in the U.S., Asbury Park.
“It was more of the quality of life,” O'Hara emphasized on her reasoning behind her move. “I still wanted a town that was very urban and had lots of culture, walkability, great art, and proximity to the beach. I also had a dog, so needing a yard was huge."
So, O'Hara and her bernadoodle, who loves the dog beach and the boardwalk, met Gomes. He grew up in Ocean Township and easily transitioned to Asbury Park from the parallel town of music and culture, Red Bank, NJ.
“I moved here because of her, so I was moving back to the area where I grew up,” Gomes said. The couple met on the dating app, Hinge, and had their first date at the charming and jazz-filled Homesick.
“I had you pick,” Gomes said. “We were going to go to Black Swan, but Black Swan had trivia night or something going on and we were like it’s too crowded, it’s too loud.”
“It was a good first date,” O'Hara recalled
“It was a great first date,” Gomes said. “We talked until we were basically the last ones in the restaurant. [I] walked her home. [We] had our first kiss in front of her house.”
Two years later, O'Hara and Gomes have their home. They spend their days biking around town and frequenting their neighborhood bar, R Bar. Valerie and Chris, enjoy hanging out at the groovy and romantic Lovesick on a chilly Friday night. The passionate pair chilled at the cozy wine bar. Chris and Valarie moved to Asbury Park from Morristown, NJ.
“I am all about the vibe,” Valerie said. “The disco balls and the lights, I love the Bee’s Mead. Every time, it’s my favorite. It’s delightful.” Chris sipped a classic Moscow mule and shared his reason for moving to our intimate seaside city.
“The beach.” Chris said and Valerie added, “I don’t live here, but I’m here because of him. I’m here almost all summer and every weekend.”
Chris explained music is why he stayed in Asbury Park. Their go-to date nights are Lovesick, Flavia’s, Kim Marie’s Eat n Drink Away, and anywhere they can go to see live music. “Going to Asbury Park Brewery and then ideally after we have had a couple beers, wandering into Rebel Supply [Co.],” Valerie shared her go-to day time date, in addition to the holiday bazaars. “It’s my favorite. So, that's a big... I just always need to go. Always.” Last, but certainly not least, a visit to The Basement of Bond Street Bar on a Friday night featured such as bands Mischief Night, Dana Why, Sports on The Radio, and Lost Romance and a pair of musicians, Zachary Anzalone from Mischief Night and Kiersten Blue.
Born and raised in Freehold, Anzalone, and Blue, from Wall, both now live in Asbury Park and have been dating for two years. “Well, we met at The Asbury Hotel, I was playing a show, “ Anzalone detailed. “It was great, she books [shows as an artist] there and I guess she had a great relationship with the venue. So, she popped up and played one song. She called it a ‘celebrity shot’ and she played a song in the middle of everything.”
For more than a year after their first meeting, the two became really close friends in the same circle. Then, in a classic friends-to-lovers, their relationship evolved into something more. Now, their favorite date night spot in town is Rice, the BYOB Asian cuisine restaurant. Their secret to maintaining a relationship is understanding each other. “Communication is important," Anzalone explained. “And keeping it fun too, like definitely keeping it fun and playful,” added Blue. As lovesick feelings fill the air, these couples can attest that Asbury Park is a unique place where you can fall in love with the city just as much as the people.
“It was a good first date,,, It was a great first date. We talked until we were basically the last ones in the restaurant. [I] walked her home. [We] had our first kiss in front of her house.”