We visited Ocean city in 2003 and hated it. It was Yonkers with a Boardwalk and Ocean. Rowdy drunk kids on Boardwalk. I would never go back. I think some parts of NJ are very nice.
I can assure you that wasn’t Ocean City. Ocean City is dry and very family oriented. (And boring from my perspective)
You probably were in Sleazide (sorry, Seaside) Heights. One of my favs!