Long Branch, New Jersey, known for its beachy charm and thriving culinary scene, is home to MIX—a martini lounge & restaurant that has been a community staple for over two decades. Behind its success is a story of resilience, passion, and an undying love for food, driven by Michael Bienz and his partner, Sam Nativo, who founded MIX in 2001.
From the start, Michael and Sam had a mission to create an inclusive, welcoming space where everyone, regardless of background, could feel at home. "We wanted a place where people could come in and have a good time, whether they were from the area or just visiting," Michael recalls. The diverse menu, which ranges from pizzas, burgers and salads to champagne broth roasted clams and classic chicken parmesan, coupled with a lively atmosphere, made MIX a popular spot for patrons from all walks of life.
MIX’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. Just weeks after opening, the devastating events of 9/11 shook the nation. Michael remembers, “I realized that closing the restaurant wasn’t an option. People needed a place to gather.” And so, MIX stayed open, offering a safe haven for the community during an incredibly difficult time. This wouldn’t be the last time MIX became a pillar of support. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the restaurant opened its doors within 24 hours to provide food, drinks, and a place to charge phones. Later that year, after a fire devastated half of the block in West End, MIX again became a gathering spot for locals.
But MIX’s story also involves personal struggles. Sam, a key figure in MIX’s success, has battled cancer multiple times since 2007. Despite these challenges, his passion for food and hospitality never faded. In fact, it was during his fight with stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2011 that the vision for MIX’s upstairs dining space began to take shape. “Midway through my treatments, I wanted to quit,” Sam admits, “but Michael kept me going, focusing on the design for the restaurant.”
That vision turned into reality. The upstairs space, once their former apartment, became an intimate finer dining restaurant called 2nd Floor, born out of Sam’s cancer recovery process. “Michael said, ‘If you beat this, I’ll build you a restaurant upstairs,’ and he did,” Sam says. Together, they sketched out design details during chemo sessions, turning focus into healing.
After several difficult battles with oral cancer, the latest in 2023, Sam faced the challenge of losing his ability to eat solid food. Yet his commitment to MIX, 2nd Floor and its patrons remained unwavering. “I’m a chef who can’t eat my own food,” he said, “but we still find joy in creating the drinks and recipes that keep MIX and the upstairs going.” Sam continues to craft new and trending recipes, drawing on decades of experience and creativity. Meanwhile, Michael—who is now 10 years sober—handles the front-of-house with the same dedication he had when they opened.
“I always joke that we’re the chef who can’t taste and the bartender who can’t drink,” Michael says with a smile. “There’s probably a coffee table book in there somewhere.”
What began as just a bustling bar and lounge on one floor has now evolved, with a “special reservation-only” supper club that operates just two weekends a month on the 2nd Floor. Initially re-opened as a pop-up during the pandemic recovery, the format quickly grew in popularity. With a loyal client list built over two decades—and zero online presence—reservations are handled the old-fashioned way: by phone. “Michael calls or texts every guest personally,” Sam says. “It’s about connection.”
That personal touch is what keeps people coming back—and bringing friends. “Now we have guests who ask to be added to the list, and that list keeps growing,” Michael says. “It’s flattering, and it reminds us why we do this.”
Beyond the original location and upstairs supper club, Mix’s seasonal spinoff, The Pit, adds another layer to the brand. Open from May through September, it offers lobster rolls and a tiki bar with summer drinks and live music in a casual beachside setting. Sam calls it his “board shorts and flip-flops” season, where he trades the kitchen for the shoreline vibe.
But at its core, Mix has always been more than a restaurant. It's a place where milestones are celebrated, struggles are shared, and generations connect. “We’ve seen families come in with babies, and now those babies are working for us,” Michael says. One of their longtime regulars once brought her infant daughter in a carrier. That daughter, now grown, bartends at The Pit.
With their lease renewal approaching, the duo is already looking ahead to the next chapter—one they hope will span at least 15 more years. Plans include renovations, new technology, and passing the torch to a new generation of staff and patrons. “The 25-year mark feels like a reset,” Michael shares. “Long Branch is growing again, and we’re ready to grow with it.”
Through every challenge—be it natural disaster, illness or pandemic—Mix has stood as a symbol of resilience. Michael and Sam have not only weathered storms, they’ve turned adversity into innovation, and their restaurant into a refuge.
In the end, the success of Mix isn’t just about the food or the drinks. It’s about the people who walk through its doors and the memories made once they do. “We’re not just serving meals,” Michael explains. “We’re creating a place where people belong.”
And after 25 years, Mix is just getting started.
Mix Lounge & Food Bar
Address: 71 Brighton Ave, Long Branch
Phone: (732) 923-9100
Menu + Website: mixloungefoodbar.com; lobsterpitnj.com