9th Ave Pier, Belmar, NJ

9th Ave Pier - Restaurant Review: A must try spot in Belmar, NJ

9th Ave Pier
905 Route 35,
South Belmar, NJ

Perched directly on the Belmar Marina, 9th Ave Pier is an outdoor waterfront restaurant and bar known for casual coastal seafood, rum buckets, and live music against sunset views over the Shark River Inlet.

It’s a laid back, summer forward spot where you come more for the atmosphere and drinks, but still find plenty of crowd pleasing comfort fare—from raw bar and tacos to burgers and baskets.

Fare and pricing

Cuisine: Casual coastal American

Price: Moderate

The Kitchen

The culinary team works under the Chefs International umbrella, which operates multiple Jersey Shore venues and emphasizes consistency, high volume service, and approachable coastal fare.

Style of cooking:

  • Coastal comfort: Fried baskets, tacos, burgers, and raw bar items built for casual, outdoor dining.
  • Global touches: Dishes like ahi tuna poke bowls, coconut lemongrass mussels, and mango jalapeño accents add light Asian and tropical notes.

Ingredients & preparation:

  • Seafood forward: Local clams, fresh oysters, shrimp, cod, mahi mahi, and lobster feature prominently.
  • Preparation style: Mostly grilled, blackened, or fried, with bold sauces (jalapeño aioli, pepper jack cheese dip, sriracha mayo, chili lime glazes).

Menu highlights

  • Raw bar: Shrimp cocktail, fresh oysters, local clams.
  • Starters: Volcano shrimp, Bavarian pretzels, spicy crab dip, coconut shrimp, tuna nachos.
  • Bowls & salads: Summer salad, chicken Caesar, ahi/sesame tuna bowls.
  • Handhelds: Blackened mahi mahi sandwich, pier burger, Oklahoma onion burger, mahi mahi or shrimp tacos, lobster roll.
  • Baskets: Fish & chips, fried shrimp, chicken tenders, coconut shrimp baskets.

Ambiance

Décor & vibe:

  • 9th Ave Pier is fully outdoor, built right on the marina pier, with casual furniture, umbrellas, and a relaxed boardwalk meets beach bar feel.
  • Expect a lively, beach town crowd, especially on warm weekends and during live music sets.

Striking features & scenic views:

  • Direct sightlines over the Belmar Marina and Shark River, with sunset views that are a major draw.
  • Elevated, open air feel with boats, docks, and shoreline as your backdrop.

Table spacing & noise level:

  • Tables are arranged to maximize capacity on the pier; spacing is comfortable but not intimate—this is more communal and social than secluded.
  • Noise levels can be high when bands are playing or the pier is packed—expect conversation over music rather than hushed dining.

Background music & live entertainment:

  • Frequent live music with rotating Jersey Shore acts; many evenings feature full sets.
  • When bands aren’t playing, expect upbeat, bar style playlists that match the beach bar vibe.

The restaurant is essentially an outdoor bar and dining deck; weather conditions directly affect hours and comfort.

Service

  • Service is friendly and efficient, geared toward handling busy summer crowds, large groups, and walk ins rather than formal, course paced dining.
  • Staff are used to families, kids, and groups coming for music and marina views.

Unusual factors:

  • Weather dependent hours: Operations are explicitly weather dependent; windy, rainy, or cold days can affect opening times.
  • Seasonal focus: Strongest experience is in peak warm weather months; off season availability limited.

Alcohol / bar service:

  • Full bar: Rum buckets, cocktails, draft and bottled beer, and wine by the glass.
  • Signature buckets: The rum buckets are a defining feature and a big part of the social vibe.

Child friendly:

  • Kids’ menu: Dedicated kids’ items (tenders, cheeseburger, pizza, fried shrimp) with fries and soda.
  • Family appeal: Outdoor setting, casual food, and live music make it attractive for families, though noise and crowds may be intense for very young children at peak times.

Best for / not ideal for:

  • Best for:

    • Sunset drinks and casual bites with friends or family.
    • Pre or post beach hangouts and marina strolls.
    • Live music evenings where the atmosphere matters more than fine dining precision.

  • Not ideal for:

    • Quiet, romantic, or formal dinners.
    • Guests seeking refined, chef driven tasting menus or strict organic/farm to table sourcing.

Parking:

  • Marina area parking: Located at 905 Route 35 South by the Belmar Marina; expect marina lots and nearby street parking, which can be busy in peak season.

 

What I like about this restaurant

  • Waterfront immersion: You’re not just near the water—you’re on the pier, with boats, sunsets, and shoreline all around you. It feels like a mini vacation without leaving Belmar.
  • Menu that matches the setting: Seafood baskets, tacos, burgers, and rum buckets are exactly what you want in a breezy, outdoor marina bar—unpretentious, satisfying, and shareable.
  • Live music energy: The regular band lineup turns a simple meal into an evening out, especially if you time your visit with sunset and a favorite local act.

What sets them apart from the competition

  • Pier location vs. “nearby waterfront”: Plenty of Jersey Shore spots are “by the water,” but 9th Ave Pier is literally on the pier, giving it a more immersive marina feel than many neighboring restaurants.
  • Rum bucket culture: The extensive rum bucket list and cocktail program are a signature draw—this is as much a drinks and music destination as a restaurant, which differentiates it from more traditional seafood houses.
  • Integrated entertainment: With a robust live music calendar, the venue functions as a casual concert space plus restaurant, making it a go to for social nights out rather than just a place to eat.

Managing expectations: a balanced look at your visit

To really enjoy 9th Ave Pier, it helps to align your expectations with what the restaurant is designed to be:

Where expectations matter most:

  • Food quality vs. culinary ambition: The food is solid, crowd pleasing bar and coastal fare—fried seafood, tacos, burgers, salads, and bowls. If you arrive expecting elevated, chef driven cuisine or intricate plating, you may feel underwhelmed; if you come for casual bites with drinks and views, it hits the mark.
  • Atmosphere vs. comfort: The outdoor pier setting is gorgeous, but it comes with trade offs: weather, wind, sun, and noise from bands and crowds. On a perfect evening, it’s magical; on a cold, rainy, or extremely busy night, it can feel chaotic or less comfortable.
  • Service pace: During peak summer hours, service is geared toward volume. Expect friendly staff, but also possible waits for tables, food, and drinks when the pier is packed. This is normal for a high traffic shore bar, not a flaw in a fine dining sense.
  • Bottom line: If you frame 9th Ave Pier as a lively, outdoor marina bar with good casual food, strong drinks, and sunset plus music vibes, you’re likely to have a fun, memorable visit. If you’re seeking quiet conversation, refined cuisine, or guaranteed comfort regardless of weather and crowds, you may want to choose a more traditional indoor restaurant nearby.

Updated June 11, 2026