Haunted Jersey Shore Restaurants

The Jersey Shore is home to quite a few historical events. George Washington battled on the lush landscape of Monmouth County, while the rich and the famous hosted lavish parties on the great lawns and seaside retreats that they called home. Turns out, all that history comes with a paranormal price tag; a large collection of haunted Jersey Shore restaurants.

“There are two types of hauntings,” said Kathy Kelly, owner of Paranormal Books and Curiosities on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park and our go to person for finding out about all of the haunted spots along the Jersey Shore. “Residual hauntings are like a place memory, a fingerprint that was left behind, while an intelligent haunting is capable of communicating.” Our list has a little bit of both!

Haunted Jersey Shore Restaurants

Interested in getting up close and personal with some paranormal activity during the spookiest time of year? We are! So we teamed up with Kelly and found some places where you can not only enjoy a delicious meal and a tasty cocktail, but maybe make a new friend that love Halloween way more than you do.

One of the best things about these Jersey Shore haunted hot spots is that whether you believe in ghosts or not, you’ll find rich history and even richer food. Maybe the undead are on to something. They just like to hang out where there’s good food, drinks, laughter, and music – if that’s the case, we should probably just follow their lead.

We’re focused on Monmouth County today. Do you know of any other haunted Jersey Shore restaurants elsewhere at the shore? Let us know in the comments below

On a list of one to ten, Taka in Asbury Park is at the top of Kelly’s list for being one of the most haunted places at the Jersey Shore. (Yea, who knew a spirit would not only be in your cocktail during Taka’s Happy Hour, but also downstairs in their basement.) While you’re enjoying your Ju-San Roll, Taka’s resident “frisky” elderly woman will be watching you from off-limit areas. Known to get a little cranky when things don’t go her way, it may be in your best interest to not do anything that would offend her. While some at Taka may not be 100% believers, the fact that police officers went into Taka after having seen a little girl after hours only to find no living souls in the restaurant may have lead some to a change of heart.

For those looking for a haunting that is centuries old, Our House Restaurant and Banquet Hall in Farmingdale. A local tavern since the 1740s, Our House Restaurant is packed with historical references and those spirits that witnessed them.

“There’s been a ton of activity over the last 19 years,” said Kelly who shared that many patrons have seen a woman dressed in black staring back at them in the mirror of the ladies’ bathroom (heads up females, apparently this is a thing, so bringing your friend and getting in and out quickly are essential when taking that restroom break.) “Every season, at least three people have an experience, mostly workers.” Over the past few months, Kelly performed additional research on this particular haunting that she’ll present on October 21st at the Monmouth Museum – the perfect lead up to Halloween.

Not to be out done, MJ’s Pizza, Bar and Grill in Neptune, a converted old farmhouse from the 1700s, is the home to a spirit that keeps everyone in check. Compelling video has been filmed in yet again, the bathroom, which according to Kelly attracts spirits because of the water. However, if you go to MJ’s, don’t expect anyone to want to really want to speak about this particular spirit. While the haunting is very real, the staff “remains respectful” said Kelly.

A haunted Jersey Shore restaurant that’s known and loved by locals for being packed with history and maybe some Caspers is The Dublin House in Red Bank. Again ladies, most of the activity is in our bathroom. Known for their lively music and jam-packed bar, the traits that we love about The Dublin House are exactly the reasons why spirits tend to reside there. Turns out, the spirits love music and beer just as much as the living do.

Back in Asbury Park, it turns out the city’s revival might be reviving the local paranormal scene as well. Kelly shared that more and more hauntings are being sited, possibly because of the increased activity (music, people, laughing), but also because buildings that had long ago been abandoned are now bustling with activity. Two of those buildings are the former Asbury Park Press building and the Post building. Sharing a wall, there’s been no historical record of an event, however, residents and diners at popular restaurants like Cibo e Vino and Fish have heard strange noises including what sounds like the “presses running.” There’s even been a 3lb bag of flour that was mysteriously moved in the kitchen, however no one that was breathing admitted to the act.

Last, but certainly not least, may be our favorite (and one of Kelly’s favorite) Jersey Shore haunted hot spots – Asbury Lanes. When we say the 100-year old building that houses Asbury Lanes is packed full of activity, we mean it – both living and dead. Enjoy a beer with the spirit who demands a strong drink or do your best to spot “Sweet William,” the spirit dog that makes Asbury Lanes his own playground. There’s also Lane 3, which has been the home to three deaths in the past 50 years. A woman who used to fix the lane said she never got away without some blood drawn. Yea, good luck getting a strike there! It’s no surprise that Asbury Lanes helped convince Kelly to open up Paranormal Books & Curiosities.

To stay on the pulse of the Jersey Shore’s undead, be sure to hang out with Kelly at Paranormal Books & Curiosities. Not only does Kelly have plenty of reading materials about all your paler friends, but her extensive knowledge on the history of the Jersey Shore is truly impressive. Spend a night out on the town with Kelly during The Ghosts and Legends Downtown Tour for a history tour that won’t bore you to death. This lantern-led walk through the heart of Asbury Park starts at 8pm every Friday in October. Bring comfortable shoes and maybe a friend’s arm to squeeze. For those a little more interested in getting up close and personal with the paranormal, check out The Ghost Hunter’s Tour on Saturday, October 17th. It’s your opportunity to be a part of an investigation at two haunted locations. Just be sure to tell those spirits that we sent you!