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D'Jais Bar & Grill is a popular dance club and restaurant in Belmar, New Jersey. It has been called a landmark, "infamous", and one of the most famous bars along the Jersey Shore.

Location and Name
D'Jais Bar & Grill is located at 1801-1805 Ocean Avenue, 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".

History
D'Jais was established in 1959, and was noted early on as being busy, and a "Jersey shore institution for young people". 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, as well as singer and guitarist Bobby Bandiera. 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. Local bands also played at the venue during this decade, as the current owner Frank Semanta played their during the 1970's. 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. Around 1990, Semanta added the restaurant to the site, 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. Residents were cited as spotting multiple fights, as well as other disruptive behavior. As late as 2008, it has been the subject of early closing times.

Restaurant and dance club
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.

Notoriety
D'Jais is considered a landmark dance club and restaurant, and has been called many things; "infamous" and a "guido-central", and is highly associated with the seasonal visitors Belmar encounters, namely from Staten Island and the surrounding areas. Locally, it has been called the most popular bar in town, and a local hot spot. 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.

New Jersey Sand Castle Contest
In what some consider the biggest sandcastle contest in the country, the owner of D'Jais, Semanta, hosts a contest that includes approximately 1500 contestants in building sandcastles, across the road from D'Jais.