Thursday, March 14, 2013

Martell's Tikibar


A visit to Point Pleasant Beach would not be complete without going to Martell’s Tiki Bar. The Tiki, as it is known to locals, has been around longer than most people can remember, offering food and drink in an oceanfront tropical atmosphere. Amenities include a full service restaurant, eight bars both inside and outside, and a private beach with a pier that extends to the ocean. During the day visitors can enjoy a cocktail on the beach while listening to live bands such as Dr. Cheeko and at night enjoy fine dining and more live music as the pier turns into an outdoor nightclub. Check the calendar for featured musicians such as Southside Johnny and others.
Rebuilding the pier. Courtesy of Martell's.
During Hurricane Sandy, most of the outdoor pier was ripped away by the violence of the waves but the oceanfront restaurant remained intact. Click here to view a video of Martell's during Hurricane Sandy from SharkeyImages.

The main building was not damaged so Martell’s was able to reopen as soon as the power was restored. During this time the Martell’s staff provided warm meals to the Bayhead Fire Department, National Guard, and local residents. For Thanksgiving, they provided over 500 dinners to those in need. They have hosted several charity events to raise funds including ‘Shore Up our Schools” in conjunction with the Restore the Shore organization. The establishment continues to work with fundraising organizations. 

The full pier is expected to reopen Friday, March 29, and will be exactly like the old pier. You can keep track of progress by checking out Martell's live webcam. Up to the minute information on what is happening at the Tikibar can be found on Martell's Facebook page or via Twitter (@MartellsTikiBar). Be sure to check the website calendar for the upcoming “Beer on the Boards.”
 

The only problem with dining at Martell's is choosing what to have! Start your day early with some fresh shrimp, clams, or oysters at the raw bar, accompanied by fresh squeezed orange juice and your choice of premium vodka. Enjoy your snack at the raw bar or bring it back to your spot on the beach! For the brave of heart, the Raw Bar Shooters are a must have–a freshly shucked cold water oyster, clam, or shrimp served in a shooter with cocktail sauce and Absolut Peppar vodka. Absolut-ly delicious!

And what could make a day on Martell's Beach even better? Food and beverage service on the beach! Enjoy a delightfully frosty Pina Colada or a Tiki Tea (Sweet Carolina iced tea flavored vodka served with pink lemonade) brought directly to your beach chair! Buckets of your favorite beers are also available! For a quick snack, try the pretzel sticks– Bavarian pretzels quickly fried then tossed in salt, and served with either Martell’s specialty mustard sauce and their creamy craft beer-cheese dipping sauce. It’s the perfect size for a quick bite to eat.

Martell's in summer.
© Debbie Miks
The beach level bar is also a full service restaurant; day or night you can enjoy everything from a light appetizer to a full dinner. Prices are reasonable and there is a ‘little skippers’ menu for children. Lunch offerings include creative Tiki Salads, and a wide variety of wraps and grilled selections. The Chipotle Turkey Wrap (Boar’s Head Turkey, pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomato combined in a fresh chipotle tortilla wrap, and served with chips) is sure to delight. Freshly made with Blueclaw crab meat, sealegs, breadcrumbs and parsley, Martell’s homemade crab cakes are an iconic favorite.
Outdoor dining can be found at the beach bar or on the main pier dining tables. Inside, there are four full service bars and a full indoor dining room. You can also fill your craving for shrimp, shrimp, and more shrimp at the ‘Shrimp Bar.’ The sushi bar offers a wide variety of favorite sushi selections.

For a more romantic indoor setting, dining is available in the main dining room overlooking the ocean. From there you can enjoy views of the pier and the beach bar, so you won’t miss a thing. The menu features steaks, seafood, chicken, and some vegetarian entries–there is something for the whole family.
During the year, the main dining room and the beach bar are available to rent for private parties, special events, or that dream wedding on the beach. The staff at Martells can cater both small and large crowds.

If you go: Reservations are not required, however in the summer be prepared to wait as service is first come, first served. The beach rents chairs and does require a seasonal beach badge or a daily fee. Swimming is permitted while lifeguards are on duty, and the beach is closed after dusk. The dress code is casual, shirts and cover ups are required for going from the beach to the pier or restaurant dining areas. In keeping with the family atmosphere, no thongs are allowed. There are no changing facilities, however there are public changing rooms on the boardwalk.

Parking is found on the side streets or the main parking lot. Machines accept any form of payment. Be sure to park within the white painted box or the police will surely ticket you. - Debbie Miks


Martells Tikibar
Boardwalk - Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Tel: 732-892-0131

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