About me: THE WONDER BAR IS BACK!!! Thank you all for your continued support!
[The following notice was posted for the closing of The Wonder Bar last spring. The Wonder Bar has now reopened under new ownership! But don't worry - Debbie and Lance are still here! Stop by and say "Hi"!!!]
WONDER BAR CLOSING......
Regrettably, The Wonder Bar will officially be closing on the weekend of September 28, 29, and 30. As you may or may not know, the building was taken by the developers over the winter, and they were "kind" enough to give us a 6-month leaseback so that we could stay open for our last summer. Well, now it is over, officially, and the historic Wonder Bar, which has sat on the corner of Ocean and Fifth Avenues since 1949, will be boarded up, and eventually torn down for future "development."
I have been trying to think of an honorable way to go out, and Debbie and I have decided that the best thing to do is to have a fund-raiser for Debbie's favorite charity, The SPCA. Over the years, Debbie has been a strong and devoted supporter of that organization, and has donated thousands of dollars to them through our various events at the bar.
So, on Sunday, September 30th, I have sent an invite to all of the amazing bands and musicians who have played The Wonder Bar, to grace our stage for one final time in celebration of this tragic but historic event, the forced closing of yet another Asbury Park Landmark, The Wonder Bar. After surviving some 58 years, it is finally over. The response from the musical community has been overwhelming, and frankly, I am without words to describe all of the emotions that I am feeling right now. All I can say is, "What great people we have had the opportunity to meet and become friends with, and what a shame that it has to end."
It will be a very sad day for all of us, especially Debbie, who has worked so hard, through such adverse circumstances over the years, always with a smile, and always with a kind and open heart. I feel so sad for her especially, because she has managed all these years to keep the doors open through a period in Asbury's history that wasn't the greatest, and now when things seem to be turning around, she will be forced to go.... It just doesn't seem fair to me.
Please show your support and come together to join us that Sunday, for a great day of music, and to pay homage to an Asbury Park Landmark, and to contribute to such a worthy cause, The SPCA.
Thank you all again, and pray for peace,
Patrick.
Who I'd like to meet: The people!
Welcome Back, Wonder Bar!!!'s Friend Space (Top 40)
DEAR AUNT DEBBIE & UNCLE LANCE, FOR SAVING MY KITTY FRIENDS AND KEEPING THEM SAFE. I CAN'T COME TO THE WONDER BAR BECAUSE MOMMY & DADDY WON'T LET ME GO OUTSIDE BUT I HOPE LOTS OF PEOPLE COME TO THE BENEFIT AND YOU CAN HELP MORE ANIMALS. Pets & Purrs, Miss Kitti
YEAH THE WONDER BAR IS OPEN ALL SUMMER!!!! Way to go Debbie & Lance! Saving the kitties... IS ALSO AWESOME! CATS ARE PEOPLE TOO! Meow & PURRRRRRRRR!!!! Cya soon, Kat
Ain't NOTHING BETTER than THE WONDER BAR's DOORS being OPEN & MUSIC coming from the stage... OK the mac & Cheese bites also ROCK! HUGS2 Debbie & Lance... Happy feet indeed... Kat
MILITARY BENEFIT CONCERT (to benefit deployed New Jersey military personnel and their families) featuring MIKE KUHL & THE SATURDAY NIGHT RIDE, WOODFISH, JON CASPI BAND, DRIVE and more Doors at 4 pm Suggested donation: $15 ALL AGES ADMITTED 21 TO DRINK (IN BAR AREA)
Support our troops through American Recreational Military Services, a volunteer group that provides and ships items of need to our troops including medicine, food, clothing, toiletries and just about anything a soldier may need. ARMS also provides support to the families of deployed troops with food, child care, toys, outstanding bills, home maintenance and repair, and other family services. To date, ARMS has shipped more than 20,000 boxes.
ARMS currently has more than 150 boxes ready to be sent with no funds to ship them. As of June 14, there will be more than 3,200 military personnel deployed from New Jersey. This is the largest deployment since World War II. We are asking everyone to help us support our fellow New Jerseyans who have stepped up for our country. ARMS needs everyone's help in bringing some comforts from home to our deployed military. Join us at The Stone Pony as we salute New Jersey's troops, family and friends with this special benefit event.
Stay tuned for the full musical lineup. For more information and to send donations directly to ARMS go to: www. supportarms. org
Debbie and Lance, you were the first ones to reach out to Randy and I and make us feel welcome in Asbury Park! We both have "WONDER"ful memories of a great place and great people! Oh yea, and the song -- well, you can't go wrong with anything that's written from the heart! GREAT SONG!
Definitely like "Lucky Day". Good tune. The Wonder Bar was one of a kind. It had no equal. It was one of the few clubs that you can't say "well, it's like this club or that club" when asked what the Wonder Bar is like. It was the complete package. Great room, great food, great stage, great sound, great backroom accomodations for the bands.......the place was just special. I do hope you guys try to start another club. The job you guys did on The Wonder Bar tells me that where ever you go and decide to start over...it will be a huge success.
driving through asbury park today, i seen debbie standing in the driveway ... the chairs up on the bars inside, i waved to debbie ... the gutwrenched feeling in my stomach was overwhelming, as she must be feeling now along with lance & pat. my hearts go out to you three and all of those involved in restoring the wonderbar. i truly hope you can find a building in asbury park and possibly relocate!!! long live the wonderbar <3
Thanks for all the great memories and incredible support, to all us traveling minstrals. You were our home, our place..we will never forget. xoxox Christine
