Down the Shore

This Sunday, we pre-gamed Mother’s Day at The Monmouth Moms Spring Festival at Bell Works in Holmdel. Bell Works is already one of our favorite family- (and dog-) friendly spots to spend a day, especially when the weather isn’t cooperating, and goodness knows we’ve had plenty of those lately.

A few highlights: enjoying a delicious brunch at Mabel, snagging an adorable toy pots-and-pans set from one of our favorite children’s stores, Milan’s, catching a magic show, and discovering Sippi Kids—a boxed water company out of Tinton Falls. It’s like a juice box, but just water…think Liquid Death for the pre-K set.

Do you have an event or happening you think we should cover? Let us know!

Roundup: Sunday Brunch Spots

If we just jogged your memory that it’s Mother’s Day this weekend, never fear. We did a quick scan of OpenTable to see which spots still have reservations..and are actually worth it. Whether you’re celebrating a mom in your life or can’t miss your Sunday brunch routine, here are a few picks. Act fast:

Upper Monmouth County
Victory Park Tavern (Rumson) — elevated pub vibes and excellent burgers
Red Rock Tap & Grill (Red Bank) — we haven’t been yet, but we’ve heard the riverside views and live music can’t be beat

Mid-Monmouth County
Palmetto (Asbury Park) — Southern-inspired fare right on the boardwalk
R Bar (Asbury Park) — New Orleans-style cuisine and jazz; get the blue crab beignets

Lower Monmouth County
Blend on Main (Manasquan) — a favorite of our own mom’s
Scarborough Fair (Manasquan) — a whimsical interior that’s not to be missed

And if you’re still striking out, a late lunch or early-bird dinner might be your best bet.

Local History Lesson: Laird & Company

As part of the Monmouth 250 celebrations this year, we thought it would be fun to do our own spin with a bit of local history. This week’s feature is Laird’s, which is known to be the oldest operating distillery in the country.

The company was founded in 1678 by William Laird, a Scottish distiller who settled in Monmouth County surrounded by apple orchards. Instead of grain, Laird began fermenting and distilling spirits from his abundant apple supply.

Laird & Company is best known for Applejack (not to be confused with the beloved Kellogg’s cereal of our childhoods). It’s an apple brandy that George Washington reportedly requested the recipe for after his troops were stationed in Monmouth County. Robert Laird served in the Revolutionary War under Washington, and the family supplied troops with Applejack—something Washington allegedly grew quite fond of, even referencing the “cyder” in his diary.

Today, Laird & Company is headquartered in the Scobeyville section of Colts Neck. While the distillery isn’t open for tours, you can find their spirits in most local liquor stores. We’ve even spotted them on the menu at our favorite Maker Hotel bar in Hudson, New York.

Shore Points

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, a new taquería is coming to Fair Haven! Tomatillos will be opening on River Road on 5/5!

Two New Jersey beaches made a list of America’s cleanest beaches including Point Pleasant Beach and Stone Harbor Beach.

Weekly Forecast

Thankful to be back on the upswing this week, with weather in the 60s and 70s!

Monday 5/4 - 69°/51° Sunny

Tuesday 5/5- 75°/58° Cloudy

Wednesday 5/6 - 66°/53° Light Rain

Thursday 4/7 - 58°/48° Light Rain

Friday 5/8 - 63°/49° Partly Sunny

Saturday 5/9 - 65°/51° Partly Sunny

Sunday 5/10 - 68°/53° Light Rain

And for the surfers out there, here are the weekly surf conditions in Belmar courtesy of Surf Captain:

Farmers Market Roundup

We’re excited that the number of farmers markets has doubled this week, with the first markets of the year in Fair Haven and Red Bank:

• Holmdel, 5/6: Bell Works FRESH Wednesday Farmers and Makers Market

• Fair Haven, 5/9: Fair Haven Farmer’s Market

• Asbury Park, 5/10: Asbury FRESH Farmers & Makers Market

• Red Bank, 5/10: The Galleria Red Bank Farmer’s Market

And if there are any markets we should definitely feature this season, let us know!

Happenings Down the Shore

This week, break out your inner King or Queen of Cups at Beach Haus Rooftop’s tarot + tequila night; keep the Kentucky Derby energy going at Monmouth Park’s Opening Day; shop ’til you drop at Grove Gals Night hosted by @megthings_; or celebrate Founding Mother Abigail Adams at an author event with Thunder Road Books.

Lastly, if there’s an upcoming event you’d like us to cover, feel free to pass it along!

Monday 5/4

Holmdel - Complimentary Intro to Pickleball Clinic with Jersey Pickleball Club at Bell Works (9:30 am)

Loch Arbor - Star Wars Trivia Night at Deal Lake Bar + Co (7:30 pm)

Oceanport - Weekly Trivia at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6:30 pm)

Red Bank - Jazz Arts Jam Sessions at Triumph Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Tuesday 5/5

Red Bank - AI Workshop - Claude + Asana at The Residency at Anderson Market (9 am)

Red Bank - Trivia with Jenn at Jamians (7:30 pm)

Wednesday 5/6

Belmar - Tarot and Tequila on the Rooftop at Beach Haus (6 pm - get tix)

Long Branch - Bingo Night at Beach Bee Meadery (6:30 pm)

Red Bank - Floral Arranging Workshop by Fleur de Mer at The Anderson Market (6:30 pm)

Red Bank - Karaoke at Jamians (8 pm)

Tinton Falls - Bingo & Brews at Twin Lights Brewing (6 pm)

Thursday 5/7

Holmdel - Sundown Sessions with DJ CFAZ at Bar Bella in Bell Works (5 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Gab Cinque Trio at Jamian’s (8 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Barbara King at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Moses Patrou at Triumph Brewing (8 pm - live music)

Shrewsbury - Grove Gals w/ @megthings_ at The Grove (5:30 pm)

Spring Lake - Author Event: A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams w/ Authors Stephanie Dray + Laura Kamoie at Thunder Road Books (6 pm)

Tinton Falls - Trivia on Tap at Twin Lights Brewing (6 pm)

Friday 5/8

Asbury Park - Emo Night at Asbury Lanes (9 pm - live music - get tix)

Belmar - Cherry Heart Duo at Beach Haus (7 pm - live music)

Holmdel - Sundown Sessions with DJ Aton Worth at Bar Bella in Bell Works (5 pm - live music)*

Holmdel - Tom Vincent at Fox Hollow Vineyard (6 pm - live music)

Loch Arbor - West End Duo at Deal Lake Bar + Co (5 pm - live music)

Oceanport - Sean Collichio at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Sugar Dragon at Jamian’s (9 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Conor Quigley at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Jeff Kazee at Triumph Brewery (9 pm - live music)

Saturday 5/9

Holmdel - Shayne DeSana at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Loch Arbor - Zimmer + Galeen at Deal Lake Bar + Co (8 pm - live music)

Oceanport - Monmouth Park Opening Day (12 pm)

Oceanport - Meg Cannon at Skinny Flowers Brewing (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Frank Rainey at The Molly Pitcher Inn (6 pm - live music)

Red Bank - Random Test Reggae Band at Jamians (9 pm - live music)

Sandy Hook - Lighthouse Tour at Sandy Hook State Park (1 pm)

Spring Lake - Author Event: After John Jumped: The True Story of a Family's Rise From the Ashes with author Eileen Bellew at Thunder Road Books (11 am)

Sunday 5/10

Holmdel - Decades of Divas at Fox Hollow Vineyard (2 pm - live music)

Red Bank - A Real Human Jazz Band at Triumph Brewing (1 pm - live music)

On Deck

May 13th: Long Branch - Meet the Meadmaker at Beach Bee Meadery (6 pm)

May 14th: Asbury Park - Agave Spirits Club Tasting Event at Barrio Costero (5 pm)

May 21st: Red Bank - Anderson Bar Happy Hour (4 pm)

May 31st: Manasquan: David Sedaris Book Signing at BookTowne (5 pm)

Did we miss an event? Let us know.

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