Red Bank

Red Bank is a hip city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, in the United States of America. It is the Garden State's answer to Greenwich Village. Red Bank is famous for being the home of legendary big band leader Count Basie and the stomping grounds of celebrities Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and raunchy filmmaker Kevin Smith. Several of Kevin Smith's movies are set or filmed in Red Bank, most notably Chasing Amy and the TV series Comic Book Men. In 2012, Smithsonian Magazine listed Red Bank as the 3rd best small town in America, citing its numerous theaters, galleries, and art festivals. It is home to about 13,000 people (2022).

Get in

 * By bus (New Jersey Transit)
 * Train (Red Bank Station on the New Jersey Transit Coast Line)
 * Taxi/Limo service (Red Bank Yellow Car Co. +1 732 747-0747, Rumson Yellow Cab +1 732 671-4600, Arrow Limousine Nationwide +1-800-882-776, Red Bank -  Middletown Yellow Cab Red Bank area +1 732-671-4600
 * Airports: Newark International Airport, Newark, NJ; La Guardia New York, New York; J.F. Kennedy Airport, Queens, NY

Get around
Walking is also an option. The downtown section of Red Bank is perfect for walking.

There is a large municipal parking lot located in the block bounded by Monmouth Street, Broad Street, White Street and Maple Avenue, as well as at the Red Bank Train Station.

There are seven municipal lots in downtown Red Bank providing 4-hour metered parking Monday to Friday from 9AM to 6PM, and free parking is available on Sundays.

Central Parking System provide paid parking in their 330-space parking garage of the Red Bank Corporate Plaza, 2 blocks from the Count Basie Theatre at the intersection of West Front Street and Pearl Street (Route 35).

You may enter the garage after 5PM and exit before 1AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and midnight Sunday through Thursday. Garage parking is not available for matinee performances at this time.

There is permit parking spaces on Monday-Friday from 9AM-2PM on Gold St, Great Swamp, Mechanic St, Union St, Wallace St, White St. After 2PM these spaces become metered parking and after 6PM on weekdays and Sundays they are free parking.

See




Also, if you're looking for a great park Count Basie Field is a large recreational park consisting of two basketball courts, a football field with running/walking track, baseball and soccer field, a playground, and a small pond with a picnic area. Also, Count Basie is home to the Bobcats pop warner football team and to other intramural sport teams. A lot of locals come to this part so visiting Count Basie is a great way to get a feel for the local population.

Also if you are looking to see a great attraction, check out Red Bank Catholic High School. This school is very old but still remains perfectly maintained to this day and holds a lot of tradition. It is now a private Catholic school.

Eat
Red Bank has a lot of choice in restaurants.



Coffee

 * There is a Starbucks on the corner of Broad Street and White Street. On the opposite side of Broad Street almost across the street is
 * No Ordinary Joe's cafe. Its menu is smaller than Starbucks, but is an independent place. This is a good place for those sick of the taste of or disillusioned with Starbucks. Also serving good java is Zebu, on Broad Street. There is a Dunkin Donuts on Water Street by the river.

Bars and nightlife
The Globe, 20 E. Front St, at the corner of Globe St. and West Front St., is an old, very popular bar. Drink prices are average.

The Fix, 26 W. Front St, was known as Chubby's up until 2009. It's more greasy than swanky, but still a cool place to go. A great place to meet young people.

Ashes, 33 Broad St., a cigar bar/restaurant on the lower level and a dance club on top. Look for the lower level to be populated with successful, middle-aged men while the upper level may have more young people. Not a place to go if you don't want to spend a lot of money.

The Downtown, at 8 W Front St., is a popular spot. It is swanky by nature of its nonchalant brick walls and black painting, and is small and noisy. If you enjoy a happening scene, go here. Drinks can be expensive.

The Dublin House, on 30 Monmouth St., is a popular place, especially in the summer. It has a large outdoor table area, which usually fills up quick on most summer weekends. Drinks here a reasonable, and expect the place to be crowded and full of good looking locals.

Sleep
Red Bank banned hospitality exchanges in 2023.


 * The Blue Bay Inn is a boutique hotel in Atlantic Highlands (a 10-minute drive). It is very upscale and is also close to the Sandy Hook beaches.

Stay safe
Red Bank is generally considered a safe town. Known for having an active police force accessible by dialing 911. Certain residential areas may seem unsafe, and locals will warn you of parts to avoid but most attractions are in the downtown area, well light and clean, there is no need to go to residential neighborhoods unless visiting people there. Even if you do wonder into questionable residential areas, nothing bad is likely to happen to you. Use caution as you would in any major city: stay in groups, stay in well lit areas, do not flash expensive accessories or cash, and ask for help from local business owners if you get lost or feel unsafe, they are mostly friendly and willing to help.

Downtown area has Riverview Hospital, a major medical center that serves much of northern Monmouth County. The Red Bank Police Station is across from the Count Basie Theatre.

Go next
Red Bank is in central New Jersey, although it does not border the ocean, it is considered a popular point on the Jersey Shore and has several public beaches within a few minute's drive. Closest and most popular beaches are
 * Sandy Hook: a barrier split part of Gateway National Recreational Area, great for views of New York City
 * Seven Presidents Park: A park in nearby Long Branch named for being a popular resort spot for many US presidents in the late 19th century
 * Sea Bright: a nearby town with numerous public beaches and private beach clubs.

Red Bank has its own historical sights on a local level, but nearby are more significant national historic sights.