User:Theornamentalist/Sandbox5#References

D'Jais Bar & Grill is located at 1801-1805 Ocean Avenue,{{cite web|title=Welcome to D'Jais|url=http://www.djais.com/|work=D'Jais|accessdate=8 February 2011}} Africano; Africano, p. 72. a street which runs north and south along the Belmar coastline. It is on on the west side of the street, and the front entrance faces the beach and boardwalk. According to Frank Semanta, who has been the owner since 1979, the name "D'Jais" comes from the childhood nickname of the first owner of the club Dominick Joseph Desalvo's, who was called "DJ".{{cite web|title=Home movie of Belmar from the Summer of '59 Surfaces on YouTube|url=http://belmar.com/tourism-news/2009/05/home-movie-of-belmar-from-the-summer-of-59-surfaces-on-youtube/|work=Belmar|publisher=The Borough of Belmar New Jersey|accessdate=7 February 2011|date=21 May 2009}}

Image:djafter sm.jpg

D'Jais was established in 1959,{{cite web|title=Angelina from Jersey Shore Spotted at D'Jais|url=http://www.bigmoeproductions.com/news/2010/07/07/angelina-from-jersey-shore-spotted-at-djais-belmar-nj/|work=Big Moe Productions|accessdate=7 February 2011}} and was noted early on as being busy, and a "Jersey shore institution for young people".{{cite news|last=DeMasters|first=Karen|title=Quick Bite/Belmar; By the Beach, a Club and a Club Sandwich|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/18/nyregion/quick-bite-belmar-by-the-beach-a-club-and-a-club-sandwich.html?scp=1&sq=D%27jais+belmar&st=nyt|accessdate=7 February 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=18 August 2002}} During the 1970's, D'Jais was also regular spot for Bruce Springsteen, who also took part in softball and picnics hosted by the establishment,Sandford, p. 214. as well as singer and guitarist Bobby Bandiera.Douglass College, p. 44. During that era, it was considered "the most celebrated of the bars across from the boardwalk", and was popularized for offering five six-ounce cups of beer for a dollar.Blum, p.36. Local bands also played at the venue during this decade, as the current owner Frank Semanta played their during the 1970's.Sandford, p. 215. It was purchased by him in 1979.

In 1984, Monmouth County officials adopted a uniform 2 AM closing time to discourage patrons from driving to other towns to find bars open later; however in 1986, D'Jais began closing at 12 AM.{{cite news|title=Jersey Town Shut Bars Early- and stirs debate|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/22/nyregion/jersey-town-shuts-bars-early-and-stirs-debate.html?scp=4&sq=D%27jais+belmar&st=nyt|accessdate=7 February 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 June 1986}} Around 1990, Semanta added the restaurant to the site,Newspaper publication date 2002, stated "12 years ago": 2002 - 12 = 1990 per routine calculations. In 2005, a study was conducted at the request of neighboring residents by the the ABC board to analyze the bars operations and occupancy levels. The residents believed patrons of D'Jais had violated Quality of Life conditions.Lott, p. 1. Residents were cited as spotting multiple fights, as well as other disruptive behavior.Lott, p. 34. As late as 2008, it has been the subject of early closing times.

The outdoor portion of the restaurant is covered by rooftop, and provides patrons with oceanview seating. The interior features four full-sized bars, as well as one that sits upon the outside deck. Hosting a variety of music, D'Jais features live bands ranging from rock and roll to reggae, and DJ's spinning dance & club music, most of which has been noted for being played too loud and causing distress in the surrounding neighborhood. There are theme nights regularly and contests, and has attracted celebrities.{{cite web|title=D'Jais Oceanview Bar and Cafe|url=http://starnewsgroup.com/guide_detail.html?ID=G73308179905258|work=The Coast Star & The Ocean Star|publisher=Star News Group|accessdate=7 February 2011}}

D'Jais is considered a landmark dance club and restaurant,{{cite web|title=D'Jais Oceanview Bar & Cafe|url=http://jerseyshore.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/dance_club/djais-oceanview-bar-and-belmar-lake-como/493896/content|work=Metromix|accessdate=7 February 2011}} and has been called many things; "infamous" and a "guido-central",{{cite news|last=Corvino|first=Taylor|title=The D'Jais way The low down on this reputed Belmar club|url=http://jerseyshore.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/article/the-djais-way/1985188/content|accessdate=7 February 2011|newspaper=Metromix|date=3 June 2010}} and is highly associated with the seasonal visitors Belmar encounters, namely from Staten Island and the surrounding areas.{{cite web|title=S.I. Girl Behaving Badly|url=http://www.redbankgreen.com/files/july_4_2008_summer_rental_news.pdf|work=Belmar Summer Rental News|publisher=Borough of Belmar|accessdate=7 February 2011|date=4 July 2008}} Locally, it has been called the most popular bar in town,Cariello; Cariello, p. 89. and a local hot spot.{{cite news|last=Gould|first=Joe|title=Crowds smaller at Belmar nightspot after uproar over mayor's comments|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/07/19/2008-07-19_crowds_smaller_at_belmar_nightspot_after-1.html|accessdate=7 February 2011|newspaper=NY Daily News|date=19 July 2008|author=McShane, Larry}} It has also been said to be "one of the most famous and popular restaurant and bars of the Jersey shore," and a veteran of the Belmar scene.

It was named the best overall party spot and ranked 4th out of 100 in the 100 Best Bars at the Shore by Fun New Jersey.{{cite web|title=Top 100 Bars Down the NJ Shore|url=http://www.funnewjersey.com/upload_user/Best_New_Jersey_bars_and_Clubs/TOP_100_SHORE_BARS_NJ.HTM|work=Fun New Jersey|accessdate=7 February 2011}}

In what some consider the biggest sandcastle contest in the country,Genovese, p. 250. the owner of D'Jais, Semanta, hosts a contest that includes approximately 1500 contestants in building sandcastles,Genovese, p. 251. across the road from D'Jais.

{{reflist|2}}

• {{cite book|last=Africano|first=Lillian|title=Insiders' Guide to the Jersey Shore|year=2004|publisher=Globe Pequot|isbn=9780762730032|edition=2|coauthors=Africano, Nina|page=72}}
• {{cite book|last=Blum|first=Bette|title=Bradley Beach Treasures: Reflections of the Jersey Shore|year=2007|publisher=The History Press|isbn=978-1596292994|pages=36}}
• {{cite book|last=Cariello|first=Joseph|title=The Wingy Chronicles: Grandpa's Guide to Life|year=2006|publisher=BookPros, LLC|isbn=9781933538501|coauthors=Cariello, Christopher|page=89}}
• {{cite journal|last=Douglass College|title=New Jersey folklife|year=1988|volume=13|page=44|publisher=American Studies Dept., Rutgers University}}
• {{cite book|last=Genovese|first=Peter|title=New Jersey Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff|year=2007|publisher=Globe Pequot|isbn=9780762741120|pages=250–251}}
• {{cite news|last=Lott|first=Kara|title=D'Jais bar put on notice by Belmar|url=http://starnewsgroup.com/weekly/2005/05.05.05/pdf/05.05.05.pdf|accessdate=7 February 2011|newspaper=The Coast Star|date=5 May 2005}}
• {{cite book|last=Sandford|first=Christopher|title=Springsteen: point blank|year=1999|publisher=Da Capo Press|isbn=9780306809217|pages=214–215}}

• Official [http://www.djais.com/ D'Jais] website
• [http://www.njsandcastle.com New Jersey Sandcastle Competition]