FAQ.html

If you have 30 or less people, you can reserve a section on our deck and order from our regular DECK MENU. This is called "Off The Menu", because you are ordering "off of our regular deck menu". We can even create a limited menu from our regular deck menu and your wait staff can hand out the printed menu to your guests. For example, we can call it "Bob's Birthday Beach Bash" and list some select starters and entrees (without prices) for your guests to choose from. Keep in mind that an "Off The Menu" party is basically reserving a section of the deck and having waiter service. It is NOT like the catered buffet party in which you have a private section of the deck for 4 hours with a bar, DJ, dancing, etc. To reserve an “Off The Menu” party, we require a $100 deposit.

Another alternative is to have what we call a "burger n' dog " party on our deck. This is best suited for parties with young people, such as a Sweet 16. A 'burger n' dog' party is in our private deck area, for 4 hours, for about $25 a person. The menu for this type of party is hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, nachos, caesar salad, make your own ice cream sundaes, watermelon, soda and water. That's it! No other menu options are available for this type of party (which is why it is best for a party with young people.) PLEASE NOTE: Burger n' Dog parties are NOT available on Saturday nights, and during the height of our season, we usually limit the Burger N' Dog party to Mondays thru Thursdays. Please inquire.

What is the difference between a daytime and an evening party?

A DAYTIME PARTY is a “day at the beach" (and on our party deck). Your guests can arrive as early as 9am (10 am on weekdays) and enjoy a continental breakfast on the deck (extra charge per person) then head off to the beach and get their FREE beach umbrellas and chairs. Soda and water are also provided in coolers that are brought to the beach. The actual buffet luncheon and alcohol (if you have an alcohol package) spans 4 hours (typically Noon to 4 pm). After the official party is over, your guests can still enjoy the beach and free rentals until 5pm (that is the time our rentals unit closes - if you want to stay longer, that can be arranged.)

AN EVENING PARTY spans 4 hours and usually begins between 5pm and 6pm. (You can add an extra hour for an additional charge.) Typically, evening parties are used for Graduation parties, Birthday parties, Weddings, and other similar events. When thinking about what time you'd like to begin your party, take into consideration the time of day the sun sets and plan how much of your party you want in daylight and how much at night. (For Sunset information, go to the website www.sunrisesunset.com)

If we have aa weekend daytime beach party, what do we do about parking on a busy weekend?

The Sea Gulls’ Nest Parking lot (Area D) often closes by 9:30 - 10am on busy weekends in the summer. Party guests should arrive early to get a spot. If, however, a guest arrives after Lot D is closed off, they can park in the next lot, Beach Lot E, and just take a 5-minute walk back to Area D. Since the entire park will often be full by 10:30 - 11am on busy weekends, all guests need to arrive early (by 9:30 am). The National Park Service does NOT allow us to reserve spots for any beach visitor and will NOT allow anyone into the park after it is full.

How does the rain date work?

Rain dates are only offered for daytime beach parties. We only offer a rain date with the understanding that the rain date you choose will need to be changed if another party books your rain date as their primary party date.
As we get closer to the date of your event, we make a determination if a rain date might be used. Due to the unpredictable nature of weather forecasting, it is best to have a system in place to inform all your guests that the rain date will be used. Please note: A rainy day is NOT a day where there is a threat of thundershowers at some point (typical summer weather).

What about parking and parking fees?

There is a parking fee ($10 per car) charged by the National Park Service between Memorial Day and Labor Day. However, after 4 pm parking is free, so evening parties need not be concerned.

For daytime parties, you have three choices with regard to paying the National Park Service parking fees:

a) You can have each of your guests pay their own parking fee as they enter the park. It costs $10 per car, regardless of how many people are in the car.

b) We can provide you with a parking pass template that you copy and distribute to all your guests via mail/fax/email. Your guests will hand in 1/2 of the pass to the toll collectors as they enter the park and put the other 1/2 on their dashboard. The National Park Service bills us (Sea Gulls' Nest) $10 for each pass handed in, and we then add the charges to your final invoice.

c) You can bring your guests to Sandy Hook on a bus. The parking fee is $75 per bus. If the bus just drops off and picks up, there is no charge for parking.

What about decorations/tables/plates & utensils, etc.?

For daytime beach parties, decorations are unnecessary. Besides the beauty of the ocean, bay, and surrounding landscape, we have green and off-white tables with matching green chairs. We also have green ferns hanging from our pitched 18 foot high tent.

For a more "upscale" look, we can rent for you (additional charge) tablecloths, buffet skirting, 'real' utensils/plates, linen napkins, etc. We do not allow the use of real glassware for beverages. (However, 'real' champagne glasses can be rented for a champagne toast.) We also have custom made chair covers in an off-white linen.

For table centerpieces and decorations, keep in mind that we have sea breezes that may blow out candles, and knock over tall and/or fragile items. Balloons are not allowed in Sandy Hook due to the potential hazard to wildlife. We do not "decorate" for you. Yes, we set up tables, put on the chair covers, put on the table cloths, and put your centerpieces on the tables, but for more elaborate/time consuming decorations, is your responsibility to either decorate yourself, or hire someone to decorate the tables and deck on the day of your party. (We allow set up to begin 2 hours before the start of your event.)

How does payment work?

After a party proposal is generated, in order to secure your party we require a deposit.
For company parties, we can bill the final invoice on 30-day terms. For private parties, we require final payment the day of your event (usually at the end of the party). We accept cash, checks and major credit cards.

Can we have our wedding ceremony on the beach?

Yes, you can be married on the beach. The National Park Service may allow private ceremonies on the beach with a permit. If you cannot obtain a permit, or you prefer to be married on our deck, most couples simply stand in the middle of the dance area surrounded by their guests.

How much are the outside services, such as DJs, etc.?

DJ’s cost approximately $125 per hour. A magician costs approximately $225 for a 1/2-hour show. Caricaturist costs approximately $125 per hour with a 2-hour minimum. Live musicians vary but approximately $250-$500 for 4 hours. For a list of DJs and other forms of entertainment, click here.

Can we make food substitutions?

In some instances, we can substitute certain foods for others. We do NOT substitute seafood for any non-seafood item on our menus. Please inquire for a specific substitution. Also, keep in mind the casual nature of our restaurant and atmosphere. We have found that the menus we offer, plus any additional seafood items, works best for our parties.

Do you offer any less expensive parties?

We have a minimum charge of $5000 on Saturday nights. For any other day of the week, our minimums depend on the type of party you want. (Please inquire) If you have less than 40 people, you may want to inquire about an "Off The Menu" party rather than a full buffet party. (This is explained in more detail in the first question above.) We also offer a 'Burger n' Dog' type of menu, which is about $25 per person all inclusive, limited menu, and not offered on Saturday nights.

Can I get a party with ONLY alcohol and NO food?

Possibly. The price will depend on the number of guests and liquor package that you select. Saturday nights carry a $5000 minimum, regardless of the type of party.

Can we use the beach if we are having an evening party?

Yes. As per the Park Rules, the public is allowed to use the beach until 10pm. The amount of time you can spend on the beach depends upon the time of your evening party. Some evening parties enjoy being on the beach prior to the actual start time of the party. After 10PM, no one is allowed on the beach by regulation of the National Park Service.

Can we bring beverages to the beach during our daytime party?

For your beach party, we provide you with coolers filled with water & soda to bring to the beach.

Can we bring our own cake?

Yes! You can certainly bring a special cake to celebrate your event. Our Dessert Table (which comes with the Buffet) offers a wide variety of cakes, pies and cookies.

Can we bring our own alcohol to the party?

No. Due to the restrictions we have on our liquor liability insurance, we cannot allow anyone to bring their own alcoholic beverages.

Can we rent the deck and bring in an outside caterer?

No, you cannot. If there is a particular party food theme you want, or a menu item you'd like we do not have on our menus - just ask us and we will work with you on your menu. Please keep in mind the casual/beachy nature of our restaurant and location when considering food items not on our list.

Do you have any food for vegetarians?

We'd be happy to prepare some vegetarian burgers for those guests who do not eat meat. Many of our salads are vegetarian, as well as our pasta dish. We can have our chef make more elaborate vegetarian dishes for the Nest Plus menu- please inquire (most likely an additional charge)

Your parties are 4 hours long. Can we go longer?

Yes! Depending on the menu and alcohol package, we will let you know how much it will cost for additional time. If you want a 5 hour party, the party will need to begin between 5 or 5:30pm.

What is the maximum number of guests I can have?

For weddings and parties when everyone will be sitting and eating at the same time, the maximum number of guests is 200. Most of the weddings we have catered are between 100 and 150.

For parties where there is more mingling, and a seat for every guest at the same time is not important, the guest list can go as high as 250.