Event Dates
From: Friday, August 15, 2025
To: Monday, August 18, 2025
Here come the bears, cubs, lovers, admirers and everyone between for the annual Bear Invasion of Asbury Park.
Here come the bears, cubs, lovers, admirers and everyone between for the annual Bear Invasion of Asbury Park.
- Visiting Asbury Park? Stay at The Asbury, a charming 4 star hotel with a great location, beautifully decorated rooms, a stunning rooftop pool and steps from the beach.
The Bear Invasion
- Next Edition: Friday August 15th – Monday August 18th 2025.
- Are you ready for some bear loving fun at Asbury Park beach? Besides the beach and bars (Club Paradise, Georgie’s and Biergarten just to name a few). Daddy Ersin will present two signature parties, RAM and Plunge Pool Party.
- So travel on down to the Jersey Shore for a good ole bear loving time.
- There will be muscle bears on the beach, polar Bears in the pool, cubs on Cookman Ave. otters from out of town, chasers, admirers, friends and even the occasional Goldilocks or two.
The Parties
- Full schedule for 2025 to be confirmed. Expect more of the following:
- Friday – Events kick off with the Welcome Tea Dance at the Empress hotel from 5 pm to 9 pm followed by a special edition of Furball at Paradise Club from 10 pm.
- Saturday – Highlights include the annual Plunge Pool party at the Paradise Beach Club, from 12pm to 6pm followed by the RAM Party at Paradise Club from 10pm until closing.
- Sunday – Bears on the beach at the Ashbury Park Beach bar, from 12 pm to 5 pm, Bear Market Day from 12 to 8pm, at Cooper bar and the closing Tea Dance from 5 pm to 9 pm at Empress hotel.
The Venue
- Paradise Asbury Park is located in the famous Empress hotel and is at the heart of the Asbury Gay Scene.
- It is New Jersey’s Ultimate Club complex with 2 dance rooms, martini lounge, hotel, heated pool, 2 tiki bars and a state of the art sound & visual system.
Asbury Park
- Asbury Park NJ is known for being a top tourist destination for LGBT tourists and for its tight-knit supportive gay community. This beautiful town located on New Jersey’s central coast only has a population of 16,116 but the numbers swell to thousands in the summer.
- The area boasts a beautiful old boardwalk and an orchestra pavilion that dates back to the 1870s. Many of the older hotels, amusement parks and attractions from the 1800s and 1900s have been restored, replicated or integrated into newer sturdier architecture which gives this entire are a unique Victorian charm all of its own.
- When a town is located on the shore, you have to go the beaches. Asbury Park has you covered for a nice dip in the ocean, unless, that is, you prefer your dips uncovered. In that case, Asbury Park has Gunnison Beach (New Jersey’s Only clothing optional beach) for those that are truly uninhibited.
- In addition to these attractions, there are over 60 restaurants, bars, live venues, and facilities to enjoy in Asbury Park, not to mention surfing and other outdoor activities.
Where to stay in Asbury Park
For more on gay Asbury Park, including the best gay bars, clubs and places to stay check our insider guide.
The following hotels are popular with our readers. All are close to the Bear Weekend parties:
Asbury Ocean Club, Majestic Hotel, Saltwater Inn, The Ocean Plaza Hotel
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Asbury Ocean Club is our editors
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Asbury Ocean Club features a restaurant, seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and bar in Asbury Park. With a garden, the 5-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom.
19 Main Avenue, Neptune, New Jersey 07756
Situated in Ocean Grove in the New Jersey region, with Asbury Park Beach nearby, Majestic Hotel features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.
1000 N Ocean Ave, Belmar, NJ 07719
Mayfair Hotel is situated on the beachfront in Belmar, a few steps from Belmar Beach. The property features sea views, an outdoor pool, a 24-hour front desk, and free WiFi
18 Ocean Pathway, Neptune, New Jersey 07756
Each room will provide you with air conditioning, a refrigerator and a flat-screen TV. The private bathroom comes with a bath or shower and a hairdryer.
Ocean Grove, New Jersey
The Historic Victorian Designed holiday home features 1 bedroom, a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine and 1 bathroom with a hairdryer. A TV with cable channels and a DVD player are offered. guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi.
206 West Concourse, Neptune, New Jersey 07753
Bayfront house w/ heated private pool and private boat dock, 3 BR, 2.5 BA, panoramic water views, private boat dock area adjacent to the property. 200MB internet, enterprise grade wifi, theater room, wet bar. Great for entertaining. walking distance to free bayfront beach park
Ocean Grove, New Jersey
The holiday home is equipped with 4 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with a dishwasher, a microwave, a washing machine, a fridge and an oven. offers accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning and a garden
Ocean Grove, New Jersey
Elegance & Comfort 4 5 blocks to Asbury Park Beach offers accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning, free bikes & a garden. The holiday home features 7 bedrooms, a TV with cable channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher & a washing machine, & 4 bathrooms with a shower.
Contemporary Middle Eastern shareable plates plus wine, beer & cocktails.
Vibrant Cuban fusion restaurant offering high end dining.
Divine fish tacos and ceviche with a great cocktail menu.
812 5th Ave Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Popular gay bar with locals and visitors. Fun drag shows.
Georgies has been serving Asbury Park & the LGBTQ Community since November 1, 1999! Ca$h ONLY Bar!
101 Asbury Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712, United States
Over-21 nightclub & gay bar with entertainment such as karaoke nights & drag shows.
101 Asbury Ave, Asbury Park, NJ, United States, New Jersey
Paradise is the nightclub attached to The Empress Hotel. It is New Jersey's ultimate club complex with a state of the art sound and visual system.
Home to great pool parties and the Paradise dance club.
The “gay” section of the beach is just steps away from the 5th Avenue boardwalk entrance, just south of Convention Hall.
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We have chosen hotels in Asbury that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
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