So Long, Snookie: Karma Nightclub Demolished in Seaside Heights

Karma’s last dance came on a foggy, winter morning, as the infamous nightclub – for years prominently featured on the MTV show “Jersey Shore” – met its demise at the business end of an excavator, with the building being demolished in favor of a modern, mixed-use complex that will feature residential and retail space.

The Karma nightclub in Seaside Heights is demolished, Dec. 27, 2023. (Photo: Mike Loundy)

The nightclub has not operated since 2018, when the borough council refused to renew its liquor license after alleged raucous behavior, underage drinking and medical calls emanated from the club during a Memorial Day party. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back after years of trouble, officials said at the time. In 2020, both Karma and its sister-club, Bamboo Bar, were sold at auction after going out of business. A third club roughly across the street, Merge, once owned by the same operator was also previously demolished.

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On Wednesday morning, trouble began turning into opportunity at the former party spot, located at 419 Boulevard, with a cleared-lot primed for a 36-unit luxury condominium complex situated above retail space facing the Boulevard business district.

The Karma nightclub in Seaside Heights is demolished, Dec. 27, 2023. (Photo: Mike Loundy)

The Karma nightclub in Seaside Heights is demolished, Dec. 27, 2023. (Photo: Mike Loundy)

Karma nightclub, Seaside Heights, Sept. 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)

“Aside from the beautiful rooftop terrace with ocean and sunset views, there will also be a gym and a pool along with each unit having their own private terrace,” said real estate broker Mike Loundy of Seaside Realty, who gave Shorebeat an update on what the new building’s developers have been planning. “The main ground-to-rooftop elevator renders the entire building handicap-accessible and is all designed to be cutting edge, state of the art new construction. We are beginning to take names to add to our list once we are able to roll out unit pricing.”

The multi-use complex was approved by the borough’s planning board in November.

Loundy also provided Shorebeat with renderings of the planned complex to replace the nightclub:

Renderings of the mixed-use complex proposed to replace the Karma nightclub in Seaside Heights. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy/MODE Architects)

Renderings of the mixed-use complex proposed to replace the Karma nightclub in Seaside Heights. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy/MODE Architects)

Renderings of the mixed-use complex proposed to replace the Karma nightclub in Seaside Heights. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy/MODE Architects)

Renderings of the mixed-use complex proposed to replace the Karma nightclub in Seaside Heights. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy/MODE Architects)

Renderings of the mixed-use complex proposed to replace the Karma nightclub in Seaside Heights. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy/MODE Architects)