Timing is Everything: Newly Opened Lazy Bass is the Perfect Venue for 2020
Every now and then, the right thing comes along at exactly the right time. This summer, the Lazy Bass Bayside Bar & Grill is that thing. Not only is the new establishment Middle Township’s first and only bar and restaurant on the water, it also happens to be an ideal destination for this socially distant summer.
“It’s a very strange summer for everyone. Fortunately, we’re lucky enough that we are outside,” says owner-operator Terri Hand, who runs the business with her husband Tom.
A laid-back space, Lazy Bass offers casual fare, cold beverages, and a fun place to watch the sunset over the bay while live music drifts over the water. It is fully open-air and situated on a huge swath of bayfront beach off the causeway between Stone Harbor and North Wildwood.
For the Hand family, which also co-runs Fred’s Tavern in Stone Harbor, Lazy Bass began with a Facebook ad.
“The building had been there at the Grassy Sounds Marina since 2004. And we saw an ad on Facebook,” Terri says. “The owners had a party there and they were advertising it as a waterfront rental. So, my husband and I rode over and spoke with the owners and that’s how it came to be. We started working on it during the winter months. It all kind of tied together.”
A first glance at Lazy Bass’ main building might give the impression of a small venue. But in this case, looks are definitely deceiving.
“If you come down the street and see the building, you have no idea how big the back is,” Terri says. “It just looks like a little, old cedar shack, and then you walk around the back, and even we were like, ‘Wow, this is huge!’ We started with an island feel, and I kept looking at that building and thinking it’s not going to work, we need to make it rustic. So, that’s the vibe we went with … a little rustic. I think it turned out pretty cute.”
The focal point and what ties it all together is the new outdoor bar. With a nautical vibe, the bar features a rowboat in the center that’s been retro-fitted with beer taps and an open ice chest.
“It’s an old rowboat,” Terri says. “The company started in 1793, so it’s really an old, old rowboat, and it actually was the exact size we needed. We didn’t have to do anything to it, except for add fiberglass to the insides because we store beer on ice in two compartments. And we have lobster traps hanging over top, and we made them into light fixtures over the bar. It was fun to create.”
The area surrounding Lazy Bass has a notable backstory itself. “Grassy Sounds is its own little place with its own history that’s kind of interesting,” Terri notes. “In the 1900s, there used to be an old railroad station there and trains would stop there on the way to Wildwood.”
In more recent times, the Hands had to quickly come up with a name for their new venture. It quite literally came to them over night. Terri recalls, “The name thing was driving everyone crazy! Then one night my husband woke up in the middle of the night and said ‘I got a name!’ He said, ‘The Lazy Bass,’ and everyone liked it, so that’s how it came about.”
For a family that runs businesses devoted to good times, they fittingly have a lot of fun with the name. For example, you can stop by “The Basshole” shop to purchase your very own Lazy Bass T-shirt or sweatshirt. (Let’s see if these colorful shirts can give the world-famous Fred’s Tavern T-shirts some competition for the most ubiquitous shirt at the beach.)
Signature drink specials add to the light-hearted vibe. Customers can order one of four “Bass Favorites” that include drinks such as “Freddy’s Fat Bass” (freshly muddled mint, watermelon, Bacardi rum, simple syrup, club soda, and lime juice) or a “Shipfaced” (light and dark rum, banana liqueur, blackberry brandy, pineapple juice, orange juice and grenadine). A large variety of beers are also on tap including Cape May IPA, Landshark, Belgium Waffle, Shock Top, Bud Light, Kona Big Wave, Mango Cart, and Stella.
When it comes to food, the Hands have adapted to the circumstances.
“There is a kitchen there, but we opted not to invest in it and hire a chef this summer. Especially, not knowing if we were even going to be able to open,” Terri says. “So, we have a rotation of food trucks that will be servicing customers throughout the summer.”
The great advantage of the food trucks is the interesting variety of food choices they provide from day to day. Shrimp tacos, pulled pork, gyros, Italian, Greek and even salads and quinoa have all been on the menu. Recently, they’ve secured the very popular Nick’s Roast Beef Food Truck (known as “Philly’s Favorite Roast Beef”) every Wednesday for the remainder of the summer, and added ice cream sandwiches from Peace Pie in Cape May to their daily offerings.
“The ice cream sandwiches come in different flavors and are delicious,” Terri says. “We’re advertising them as the Catch of the Day.”
While many customers will get to Lazy Bass by car or bike, as a true waterfront destination, it is also accessible from the bay.
“You can come by boat or Jet Ski. We have an excellent dockhand. He’s really good at what he does,” Terri says. “We have eight slips and he’s really good at making it work and fitting people in there.”
While Lazy Bass doesn’t take reservations, it does take walk-up parties of up to eight. Customers can sit on the beach and enjoy the fire pits, hang at the picnic tables, or enjoy bar-side seating. The restaurant has been careful to comply by all current rules and regulations for safety and social distancing.
Luckily, those rules don’t preclude customers from enjoying the live music that plays every night from 5-9pm. Again, variety is the key here. “It’s a little bit of everything,” Terri says. “We have acoustic duos, reggae, light rock, all geared for outside.”
When it comes to the no-shirt, no-shoes, no-service rule, they offer their own opinion.
“Shirts and shoes are recommended, but if someone doesn’t have them, we’re not going to kick them out,” Terri laughs.
With so much to offer, Lazy Bass uses Facebook and Instagram daily to update its customers on what to expect.
“We post the food truck of the day as well as the entertainer for the night,” Terri says. “We can’t do any large events yet, but next year we’ll go full throttle. We’ll do more Happy Hours and events, the kitchen will definitely be open, and the indoor dining will be available. We can even put out our cornhole sets on the beach. We’ll have a little more flexibility than this year.”
But even with current restrictions, Lazy Bass has already become a popular spot.
“The Lazy Bass is our new favorite place this summer,” says Stone Harbor summer resident Patty DeHaven. “We have been there four times in the last two weeks. We feel very safe there, with all outdoor seating and tables positioned 6 feet apart. All the servers and bartenders wear masks and are so friendly. We love it there and recommend making the short drive from Stone Harbor!”
Of course, Terri Hand concurs. “It’s fun, it’s even fun going to work. The water is surrounding you … It’s just a fun place. Come see us!”
Bass Facts
Lazy Bass Bayside Bar & Grill4001 Old North Wildwood Blvd.
Grassy Sound, NJ
609-827-5299
Hours: 11am – 10pm
Live Music: 5-9 pm
No reservations required
Come by bike, car, or boat!
Instagram: @lazybassbaysidegrill
Facebook: Lazy Bass Bayside Bar & Grill
