My grandparent’s home was located only one block away from Nardi’s Tavern, a popular bar open all year-round on LBI. When we bought our new house, my parents, aunts, and uncles continued to go there very often but not so much now. My cousins and I were left under the watch of my older cousins who are all in their mid and late twenties now. 
It was just another Thursday spent all day on the beach except nobody wanted to cook dinner afterwards. Thankfully, it was Pasta with Sinatra night at our favorite bar — Nardi’s. When my whole family arrived, my cousins and I ran to the buffet where there was an assortment of pastas, pizzas, chickens, breads, and so much more. In the background sang a Frank Sinatra impersonator, and even though I was young, I knew the music and knew this guy (Dave Sodano) was amazing! Others did too, for the place was packed; thankfully we got there early enough to get seating for my big family. As the night progressed, my parents, aunts, and uncles were becoming more and more intoxicated, but we did not mind we were not given as much attention because we were having such a great time eating, dancing, and observing others in the bar. However, we were also getting pretty tired and antsy and wanted to leave soon.
One of the amazing things Nardi’s has is a free pink party bus that will pick you up where you call and tell it to and drive you home after you drink. There is no excuse to drink and drive. I think all bars, especially on a busy vacation island like LBI, should have this.
My cousins and I always wanted to go on this bus but thought we would have to wait until we were 21. That Pasta and Sinatra night, though, was one of the most memorable experiences because the driver offered to drive us kids home, so our parents could stay. We boarded it so proudly, and of course our parents took so many pictures of this moment because they, too, were so shocked. (I sadly cannot find any.) We were the first kids who got driven home on this pink party bus (probably because our parents were such great customers haha and even knew the owner). When we got home, we were filled with excitement and couldn’t wait to tell others like our grandparents.
Nardi’s has had such a prominent role in how I remember LBI to be growing up because it adds that fun, rebellious, late-night vibe to a lot of the days. It is so weird that I am able to go there in 3 summers, but I cannot wait!
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