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Asbury Park Boardwalk 2019 summer season kicks off next month with the opening of new eateries, the beloved weekly bonfires on the beach and popular Stone Pony Summer Stage concert series. Bookending the lineup is Saturday’s Yappy Hour at the Wonder Bar seasonal grand opening and Augusts weekly movies on the beach.

New to the mile-long boardwalk will be the opening of The Iron Whale, Maruca’s of Asbury Park and Tower Dogs, boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette has announced.

Due to open in May inside the newly reinvented Fifth Avenue Pavilion, Iron Whale is McLoone’s Restaurant Group’s eleventh venture. A departure from their previous ventures, the Iron Whale [shown in feature photo and below] will feature a rustic, yet still contemporary design in the spirit of seafarers with prominent elements like reclaimed wood, ropes, and lanterns, a spokeswoman said. The centrally located boardwalk restaurant boasts outdoor oceanview dining equally matched by an indoor decor that houses an open kitchen, oversized fireplace, and private meeting and party room. Executive Chef Michael Dolan’s menu will feature inventive takes on seafood as well as a wide selection of meat presentations and other protein-rich ingredients. Iron Whale will be a  year-round restaurant; serving lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

Expanding on the popularity of Maruca’s Tomato Pies on the Seaside Heights, local entrepreneur Sammy Boyd partners with Domenic Maruca in launching Maruca’s of Asbury Park, also due to open May. At Maruca’s, their famous 24-inch pies are topped with trademark cheese and a signature swirl of sauce that starts in the middle and works its way to the crust.

Tower Dogs is a new gourmet hot dog concept opening later this month inside the First Avenue Pavilion. Tower Dogs’ 100 percent beef recipe yields a skinless, minimally seasoned and cured dog that contains no fillers. Tower Dogs’ menu also features vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free non-dog options. The 800 Ocean Ave venue will offer in-house and boardwalk dining, takeout and local delivery.

Bonfires on the Beach will return 7 pm May 3 at the Beach Bar on Fifth Avenue. The popular community event will be held 7 pm Fridays throughout May and June, shifting to 8 pm Wednesdays through July and August, and 7 pm Fridays in September at varying beach locations. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs and stay tuned to day-of weather updates via the Asbury Park Boardwalk’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages.

And of course, it wouldn’t be summer in Asbury Park without The Stone Pony Summer Stage. Asbury Park’s legendary music venue will kick off its outdoor concert series on May 11. The lineup includes performances by Greta Van Fleet, Mastodon show with Coheed and Cambria,

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Ben Folds & the Violent Femmes, and Papa Roach, to name a few. Located at 913 Ocean Ave, the Stone Pony partnered with Blackbird Presents to bring a new customized experience to the infamous Asbury Park music scene, a spokeswoman said. Blackbird Presents’ flagship boutique in downtown Asbury Park [651 Cookman Ave] will host a downtown satellite box office location, selling merchandise and tickets to Stone Pony and Stone Pony Summer Stage concerts.

The summer lineup also features Movies on the Beach, returning in August. The Wednesday evening weekly event is presented by the Asbury Park Film Initiative, a nonprofit, film-based organization working to bring its local community film and art-related activities that promote culture, education and diversity. Screenings start at dusk in front of Langosta Lounge.

Lastly, we can’t forget our four-legged friends. Yappy Hour at the Wonder Bar will be back in the swing of things Saturday. Located at 1213 Ocean Ave, there’s a full season of pet-friendly fundraising events on their roster; click here for more details.

For more about the Asbury Park Boardwalk dining, retail, and music venues, visit APBoardwalk.com.

[Photos courtesy of AP Boardwalk & Asbury Park Film Initiative]

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