Porta, located at 911 Kingsley St. in the vivacious and lively town of Asbury Park is one of the best bars to visit on a Friday night.
Opened seven days a week, Porta specializes in happy hour delights and delicious cocktails. But, at 10 p.m. every Friday, the calming environment of this cozy restaurant is transformed into a spunky and exciting night club.
In a comment on Tripadvisor, a user who calls themselves “NYC_Geezer” pretty much summed it up, “Day or night, weekday or weekend, this place is awesome. It is the best pizza down the Jersey shore. The bartenders are great, and they make terrific cocktails. I cannot even describe how awesome the pizzas are.”
Thanks NYC_Geezer, but let’s hear what some students have to say. “I love Porta because it allows me to see all my friends in a social setting, listen to music, and have fun,” said Isabella Jandoli, senior social work student.
Porta always has a live DJ set on Friday nights featuring popular local artists like DJ Hicks and DJ Za. The music never fails to get everyone pumped, both figuratively and literally; as soon as you walk through the door the base has your body shaking.
Emily Schatzel, senior education student, agrees, “I like Porta because there are two different rooms and different DJ’s each week, so you have the opportunity to hear all kinds of music.” Porta truly is for the music lovers – and isn’t that pretty much everyone?
As Schatzel pointed out, Porta has two distinct sides: the Abbot Room and the Pizza Room, both alive and flourishing every Friday. The Pizza Room has plenty of specialty nights for those of us who love a theme. This past January they had a 2010’s night (what college-aged student doesn’t love that?) and a Latin Night. Some upcoming February events include: Valentine’s Day Pink Pony Club (for all the Chappell Roan fans) on Feb. 14 and Country Night on Feb. 21. The Abbot Room stays consistent each week with classic club tunes and a huge dancefloor for all. Like both sides? No worries, the $10 cover allows you unlimited access to both rooms.
Mike Gruseke, our opinions editor, loves Porta, “Porta is awesome. I enjoy the music there as I like more of a club vibe. I’ve also had a much easier time ordering drinks at porta compared to some of the other popular bars in the area.” You’re so right Mike, customer service is key.
Ultimately, most students put it simply, “I like to dance” and Porta provides a judgment free zone allowing everyone to let loose after a long week. From champagne cannons to the abundance of disco balls hanging from the ceiling, Porta is a total vibe. One student, who preferred to stay anonymous, said, “I love the atmosphere of Porta. Once you step foot into the doors it feels like you have transformed into a totally different world. The lighting, music, decor, and people make this bar like no other.”
The unmatched ambience of Porta keeps bar-goers coming back every week. “Porta is the one bar my friends and I consistently go to each weekend. We always have no doubt that we will have fun there,” explained Justin Arp, senior business management student.
Thomas Viru, senior marketing student, couldn’t agree more, “I like Porta because it gives me an opportunity to blow off some steam after a very long week. I like going there because I get to see all the people that I know, have fun with my friends, and enjoy a great night out. To put it simply, Porta is fun.”
So, have I convinced you to spend your next Friday night at Porta? It is guaranteed to be a spectacular time.
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