Memorial Day weekend kicks off w/ Tea Dance at The Asbury
Guest DJs, movie screenings, yoga, and live music on the roster
The Asbury, the city’s first new hotel, opened Thursday just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
Aside from its 110 oceanfront-inspired rooms that sleep 260 people comfortably, The Asbury launched with entertainment venues and amenities that are open to all.
The ground floor outdoor Beer Garden [at right] to the right of the main entrance, and accessible from the in ground pool, offers a laid back atmosphere lined with picnic table seating. Its VW bus-like beer truck features seven local brews, canned wine and soft drinks. At the food truck hot dogs are served the way you like.
“We try not to take ourselves too seriously,” hotelier David Bowd said.
While the pool is reserved for hotel guests only and the event space is expected to open by July, there are three other entertainment venues within the hotel that are open to the public.
The ground floor South Booth opened Thursday night with an open mic night hosted by Provincetown’s own Alex Michelini and local favorites Quincy Mumford and John Gilman.
Bar and collection of vinyl records in lobby
Located to the right of the main lobby entrance, the casual lobby bar features a play it yourself library of
LPs and CDs, adjacent to its bleacher seating space that is accented by a pool table and four-player pinball machine.
Across the lobby, a communal dining table offsets the oversized sofas in the lounge space that neighbors The Counter, the hotel’s grab and go cafeteria. Everything from breakfast sandwiches, Paninis, salads, and parfaits are available. Hotel guests can order their meals via text, Bowd said.
Before heading up to the 6th-floor Baronet, where movies are screened on a 20-foot movie wall, stop by the photo booth and hang your snapshots on community board, just inside box office lobby.
The rooftop Baronet features the historic movie theater’s original sign.
View from roof-top Salvation Lounge
It offers panoramic views of the waterfront and the city. Casual seating in the ilk of Central Park’s Great Lawn is the concept behind the 4,300 square foot space, where beer, wine and popcorn are available at the concession stand. The space double as the hotel’s 8 a.m. Sunrise Yoga sessions.
The Salvation, the pièce de résistance outdoor space at the very top, with its black and white décor offers a back lounge for less casual outings.
This is where a roster of in-demand DJs will spin during the weekly 4-8 p.m. Tea Dance.
Kicking off the weekly event that runs through September, will be DJ Lena from Fire Island.
At 8 p.m. Friday join local roots duo Lindsey and Keith McCarthy for An Evening with The Sunday Blues.
On Saturday: Enjoy the waterfront and panoramic city views for Sunrise Yoga with Christian Valeriani, 8 a.m. at the Baronet
At 6 p.m. DJ Shawn Francis and Atom Worth hit the stage.
The 1983 coming age film The Outsiders will be screened 8 p.m. at the Baronet while All Saints Brass Band hits the stage at 10 p.m.
On Sunday: Sunrise Yoga returns 8 a.m. with Lisa Brodrick at the Baronet.
At 6 p.m. the Wright Trio Jazz Night performs prior to the Memorial Day Fireworks viewing party.
On Monday: 8 a.m. Sunrise Yoga is with Christian Valeriani
And, at 6 p.m. Highland’s crooner Justin Franco takes the stage.
The Asbury is the first new hotel to open in the city in 50 years. It is located at 210 Fifth Avenue, one block away from the Asbury Park boardwalk and beaches. Of the hotel’s 112 employees, 60 of them were trained through Bowd’s Salt School, a tailored workforce development program to hire local residents.
“We just want people to come on it and enjoy,” Bowd said.
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