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D'Jais
250px
Location1801-1805 Ocean Ave, Belmar, New Jersey
OwnerFrank Sementa, Bill Luddecke, and Kipp Connor
TypeRestaurant, Dance club, Music venue
Genre(s)Electronic dance music, electronic, rock, trance
Construction
Opened1959
Renovated1979
Website
www.djais.com

D'Jais Bar & Grill is a popular[1] dance club and restaurant in Belmar, New Jersey. It has been called a landmark, "infamous", and one of the most famous bars along the Jersey Shore.

Location and Name

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D'Jais Bar & Grill is located at 1801-1805 Ocean Avenue,[2] [3] a street which runs north and south along the Belmar coastline. It is on on the west side of the street, and the front entrance faces the beach and boardwalk. According to Frank Semanta, who has been the owner since 1979, the name "D'Jais" comes from the childhood nickname of the first owner of the club Dominick Joseph Desalvo's, who was called "DJ".[4]

History

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Southern view from the ocean side.

D'Jais was established in 1959,[5] and was noted early on as being busy,[4] and a "Jersey shore institution for young people".[6] During the 1970's, D'Jais was also regular spot for Bruce Springsteen, who also took part in softball and picnics hosted by the establishment,[7] as well as singer and guitarist Bobby Bandiera.[8] During that era, it was considered "the most celebrated of the bars across from the boardwalk", and was popularized for offering five six-ounce cups of beer for a dollar.[9] Local bands also played at the venue during this decade, as the current owner Frank Semanta played their during the 1970's.[10] It was purchased by him in 1979.[6]

In 1984, Monmouth County officials adopted a uniform 2 AM closing time to discourage patrons from driving to other towns to find bars open later; however in 1986, D'Jais began closing at 12 AM.[1] Around 1990, Semanta added the restaurant to the site,[11] In 2005, a study was conducted at the request of neighboring residents by the the ABC board to analyze the bars operations and occupancy levels. The residents believed patrons of D'Jais had violated Quality of Life conditions.[12] Residents were cited as spotting multiple fights, as well as other disruptive behavior.[13] As late as 2008, it has been the subject of early closing times.[14]

Restaurant and dance club

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The outdoor portion of the restaurant is covered by rooftop, and provides patrons with oceanview seating.[6] The interior features four full-sized bars, as well as one that sits upon the outside deck.[15] Hosting a variety of music, D'Jais features live bands ranging from rock and roll to reggae, and DJ's spinning dance & club music,[16] most of which has been noted for being played too loud and causing distress in the surrounding neighborhood. There are theme nights regularly and contests,[15] and has attracted celebrities.[5][16]

Notoriety

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D'Jais is considered a landmark dance club and restaurant,[17] and has been called many things; "infamous" and a "guido-central",[15] and is highly associated with the seasonal visitors Belmar encounters, namely from Staten Island and the surrounding areas.[18] Locally, it has been called the most popular bar in town,[19] and a local hot spot.[14] It has also been said to be "one of the most famous and popular restaurant and bars of the Jersey shore,"[5] and a veteran of the Belmar scene.[3]

It was named the best overall party spot and ranked 4th out of 100 in the 100 Best Bars at the Shore by Fun New Jersey.[20]

New Jersey Sand Castle Contest

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In what some consider the biggest sandcastle contest in the country,[21] the owner of D'Jais, Semanta, hosts a contest that includes approximately 1500 contestants in building sandcastles,[22] across the road from D'Jais.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Jersey Town Shut Bars Early- and stirs debate". The New York Times. 22 June 1986. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  2. ^ "Welcome to D'Jais". D'Jais. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
  3. ^ a b Africano; Africano, p. 72.
  4. ^ a b "Home movie of Belmar from the Summer of '59 Surfaces on YouTube". Belmar. The Borough of Belmar New Jersey. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  5. ^ a b c "Angelina from Jersey Shore Spotted at D'Jais". Big Moe Productions. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  6. ^ a b c DeMasters, Karen (18 August 2002). "Quick Bite/Belmar; By the Beach, a Club and a Club Sandwich". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  7. ^ Sandford, p. 214.
  8. ^ Douglass College, p. 44.
  9. ^ Blum, p.36.
  10. ^ Sandford, p. 215.
  11. ^ Newspaper publication date 2002, stated "12 years ago": 2002 - 12 = 1990 per routine calculations.
  12. ^ Lott, p. 1.
  13. ^ Lott, p. 34.
  14. ^ a b Gould, Joe (19 July 2008). "Crowds smaller at Belmar nightspot after uproar over mayor's comments". NY Daily News. Retrieved 7 February 2011. {{cite news}}: More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
  15. ^ a b c Corvino, Taylor (3 June 2010). "The D'Jais way The low down on this reputed Belmar club". Metromix. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  16. ^ a b "D'Jais Oceanview Bar and Cafe". The Coast Star & The Ocean Star. Star News Group. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  17. ^ "D'Jais Oceanview Bar & Cafe". Metromix. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  18. ^ "S.I. Girl Behaving Badly" (PDF). Belmar Summer Rental News. Borough of Belmar. 4 July 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  19. ^ Cariello; Cariello, p. 89.
  20. ^ "Top 100 Bars Down the NJ Shore". Fun New Jersey. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  21. ^ Genovese, p. 250.
  22. ^ Genovese, p. 251.

Sources

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  • Africano, Lillian (2004). Insiders' Guide to the Jersey Shore (2 ed.). Globe Pequot. p. 72. ISBN 9780762730032. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Blum, Bette (2007). Bradley Beach Treasures: Reflections of the Jersey Shore. The History Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-1596292994.
  • Cariello, Joseph (2006). The Wingy Chronicles: Grandpa's Guide to Life. BookPros, LLC. p. 89. ISBN 9781933538501. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Douglass College (1988). "New Jersey folklife". 13. American Studies Dept., Rutgers University: 44. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Genovese, Peter (2007). New Jersey Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Globe Pequot. pp. 250–251. ISBN 9780762741120.
  • Lott, Kara (5 May 2005). "D'Jais bar put on notice by Belmar" (PDF). The Coast Star. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  • Sandford, Christopher (1999). Springsteen: point blank. Da Capo Press. pp. 214–215. ISBN 9780306809217.
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