Belmar's '9th Ave. Pier' Bar Opens Tuesday

Belmar's newest — and only — tiki bar at the marina is scheduled to open up shop at 4 p.m. today. 

The 9th Ave. Pier, owned and operated by Chefs International, Inc., will be similar to the Patio Bar in Point Pleasant Beach, which the company also owns, offering "festival style" food, brick oven pizza and a raw bar, according to Robert Cooper, the company's president and CEO. 

The Point Pleasant Beach-based company, which also owns Jack Baker's Lobster Shanty and Wharfside in that town, after a $10 million major fell through between Belmar and international developer Hibernian that would have seen the construction of a tiki bar, golf course and two-story twin commercial structures at the marina.

Chefs International also plans to construct the miniature golf course just south of the marina — officials have said they expect it to be running by the end of summer — but the major commercial project at the site of Fishermen's Den was scrapped after Hibernian left the picture. 

Cooper said in April he estimated the entire project would cost $3.5 million. 

The borough stands to make $3.4 million in rent from Chefs International over the next 25 years, Mayor Matt Doherty has said. 

According to the lease agreement, the company will pay Belmar $95,000 per year, compounded by 3 percent each year for 25 years, Doherty has said. 

Cooper has said the bar would operate seasonally — typically between April and October — and be open daily at 11:30 a.m., weather permitting. 

And the bar will never charge a cover, Cooper said during a presentation to the governing body last spring. 

To alleviate concerns from residents regarding noise, Doherty has said music at the bar will end at 11 p.m., and alcohol will stop being served at midnight from Sunday to Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. 

Cooper has said the new business will employ at least 60 people.