Belmar Council Allows BYOB at Taylor Pavilion

Residents of Belmar and visitors alike will now be able to bring wine and beer to reserved events at John A. Taylor Pavilion on 5^th and Ocean avenues with the unanimous consent of the Borough Council.

The mayor and council voted to approve the ordinance with conditions, after it was first introducted at the June 15 council meeting in .

Taylor Pavilion, a staple of the borough’s boardwalk, has already permitted events to be held at the location, yet alcohol has never been allowed until now.

The rules adopted in the ordinance state that all events booked at Taylor Pavilion must end by 10 p.m., whereas the venue must be vacated and cleaned no later than 11 p.m.

The ordinance states that events also must be catered to family-oriented gatherings, and is specifically not intended for sweet sixteen’s, high school graduation parties, high school or college reunion parties, bachelor or bachelorette parties, or similar events.

For an event with 75 people or less, the fee is $60 for the first two hours of an event and $10 per hour for each individual hour without alcohol. If residents decide to bring alcohol, they must pay $75 for the first hour and an additional $20 for each individual hour after.

Non-residents who choose to not bring alcohol must pay $100 for the first two hours, and an additional $10 for each additional hour. With alcohol, visitors will pay $125 for the first two hours, and $20 for each additional hour preceding.

Discounts or waivers may be offered for nonprofit organizations by the borough council or special events committee. Currently those groups seeking to host events at Taylor Pavilion must pay the same fees as Belmar residents regardless of residency.

A security deposit of $100 is required without BYOB, and $500 with BYOB.

The security deposit will not be returned if guests fail to return the pavilion to the same condition as it was left before the event; the party loses the key to the pavilion; or “failure to abide by any conditions or a special event permit.”

BYOB will not be permitted for parties or public events with more than 75 people in attendance.

The mayor and council voted unanimously to pass the ordinance of allowing Taylor Pavilion to exist as a BYOB location for special events.

While all voted in favor, Councilman Richard Wright and Council President Claire Deicke expressed some hesitations to the public.

“I’m voting yes, but I want to remind everyone that I view this as a one-year trial to see how it works out,” Wright said. “I’m concerned about adding alcohol to a beach location but I do think it is worth it on a trial period.”

“I also had some reservations about allowing alcohol at the pavilion, but I think we worked through it very well with all the restrictions involved,” Deicke said. “We want to cater to family-oriented type of activities. I feel very comfortable with it now and in the beginning I did not, so I am happy with that.”

Guests will now be able to consume beer, wine, champagne and sparkling wines under the confines of Taylor Pavilion.

The ordinance forbids the consumption of these alcoholic beverages on the beachfront, in the water, or any areas adjacent to the pavilions owned by Belmar.

Anyone who wishes to host a BYOB event at Taylor Pavilion with 75 people or less must apply for and receive a special events permit from the special events committee.

For more information and a complete list of rules under the ordinance, visit the borough's website.