In the not so distant past, nearly every Boardwalk casino had a beach bar.
But, for various reasons ranging from finances to people not partying like they once did to the ever-changing physical landscape of the Atlantic City beach, those days are over.
And, while there are some small casino beach bars to satisfy customers wanting to lounge on the beach, the city is left with two good options: Bally’s Beach Bar and LandShark Bar & Grill at Resorts Casino Hotel.
While Bally’s does offer some great amenities, you really can’t compare the two.
The Jimmy Buffett-themed LandShark is a year-round dynamo with a huge permanent structure that houses a restaurant, several bars, giant gift shop and the most stunning views of the beach and ocean, whether it’s prime time in mid-August or frigid February.
Now, the best beach bar in Atlantic City just got bigger and better with a major expansion that recently wowed locals and visitors seeking an oceanside paradise at the Jersey Shore.
With the help of its third-party operators, Resorts — the first casino to open in the city in 1978 — is really stealing the thunder this summer from the rest of its competition when it comes to new outdoor offerings.
In conjunction with the LandShark expansion, Resorts and Momentum Hospitality debuted MAYA, a modern, upscale restaurant and cocktail experience infused with the energy of Tulum and the Atlantic coastline.
Resorts may be one of the smallest casinos in town, but they still pack a wallop when it comes to offering visitors amazing experiences.
Here’s what to expect at LandShark, MAYA and the rest of Resorts this summer.
LandShark Expands
LandShark and its sister property across the Boardwalk, Margaritaville, have helped define Resorts over the last decade or so, adding fun and excitement in that Jimmy Buffett way. They are owned and operated by IMCMV Holdings, which reached in its pocket for this major expansion.
LandShark, located right on the beach, has taken full advantage of this winter’s beach replenishment project with two new bars — a tiki bar and a beach bar — private cabanas, a stage and dance floor, and more.
“We are ecstatic about the results of this investment in creating the city’s best beach bar experience,” said Resorts President and CEO Mark Giannantonio. “The amenities at the newly expanded LandShark truly take advantage of the already beautiful beach, ocean and boardwalk that set Atlantic City apart from all other gaming destinations. We’ve dubbed Resorts ‘Destination Summer’ for 2025, and the amazing attractions at LandShark are a big reason why we’re living up to that claim.”
New attractions at LandShark Bar & Grill include:
Oceanfront Tiki Bar & Deck: LandShark has expanded its footprint on the beach with a massive new Margaritaville Tiki Bar & Deck, where the drinks are cold and the views unbeatable. Visitors can enjoy handcrafted cocktails and ocean breezes with bar seating, tables, umbrellas and chaise lounge chairs right on the beach.
Beach Bar and Deck: Located right on the beach and attached to the main LandShark restaurant area, guests can enjoy a Landshark Burger (and more) while sipping on a margarita with the Steel Pier’s Wheel beautifully hovering in the distance.
Beach Stage and Dance Floor: The Beach Stage is back! Located between LandShark and the new oceanfront Tiki Bar & Deck, the stage hosts headliners, local bands and top Atlantic City DJs. Guests can also dance barefoot in the sand under the summer stars on the brand-new dance floor.
LandShark is also offering beachside lounge chairs with full food and beverage service delivered to each seat, private cabanas with VIP bottle service for those looking to take the experience to the next level with their own personal, shaded oasis, and firepit lounges surrounded by Adirondack chairs setting the mood day and night.
“We’ve taken the LandShark experience to the next level with this expansion,” said IMCMV Holdings CEO David Crabtree. “This sprawling new beach bar destination has more space, more ocean views, and more ways to soak up that laid-back island vibe Atlantic City deserves.”
Hola, MAYA!
I often say the casinos don’t utilize their Boardwalk frontage enough, but Resorts is not one of those places!
Its latest new addition, MAYA, offers a year-round, Riviera-inspired cocktail lounge and modern, upscale dining experience “infused with the energy of Tulum and the Atlantic coastline,” according to Lee Sanchez, consultant and operations manager with Momentum Hospitality, an amazing company that owns MAYA, its sister operation Chicken Guy!, and Quick Bites, the food court at Resorts that boasts concept including Ruby’s Dinette, Bubbakoo’s Burritos, Dunkin’ Donuts, Famiglia Pizza and Haagen-Dazs.
Featuring a stunning bar with tropical décor inside along with plenty of outdoor seating right on the boards, MAYA brings together coastal cocktails, elevated small plates and a vibrant atmosphere appealing to trendsetters, cocktail connoisseurs and locals seeking a stylish escape.
“Think chic tropical aesthetic meets modern nightlife, perfect for golden hour sips or late-night escapes,” Sanchez said.
MAYA is the perfect place to get a light bite to break up the day or pre-game for dinner or grab a drink later at night thanks to its modern Mexican tapas menu. The small but tantalizing menu offers Mayan Nachos with layers of crispy, hand-cut tortilla chips with queso, pico, smashed avocado, fire-roasted jalapenos, pickled red onion, chipotle ranch, cilantro and choice of adding lime-marinated pulled chicken or ancho-braised beef; homemade cheese or street corn empanadas, made daily; Mayan tacos with chicken or beef; and sweet treats ranging from churros to a gorgeous tropical fruit salad.
For those who know Sanchez, you know you are in for some creative cocktails. A slew of margarita options — on the rocks or frozen — are available, with my favorite being the La Pina with triple lime, Illegal Mezcal and charred pineapple jam. Signature cocktails — some that will be found on the upcoming Rhythm & Spirits Philadelphia menu — include the Pura Vida with coconut water, watermelon, basil and Sauza Blue Blanco, and the Endless Summer with Cruzan rums, coconut water, pineapple juice, fractured caramel and Sanchez’ signature hand-shaken vanilla cream served in a golden pineapple for the ultimate coastal escape.
There are also more traditional summer cocktails like a mojito, a paloma, a mule, a Michelada and an espresso martini to round out the creative cocktail menu.
Of course, there are plenty of beer options, tequila flights and a frozen Pina Colada to die for.
“MAYA is more than just a beach bar — it’s a temporary escape that transports you through bold flavors, vibrant design and the spirit of the modern Riviera,” said Momentum CEO Bill White. “We’re beyond excited to offer both locals and visitors a destination where every bite and every sip feels like a celebration. We look forward to fantastic summers here at the Jersey Shore.”
If you’re looking for new places to explore this summer, start at Resorts Casino Hotel. Along with other offerings such as the AC Comedy Club, the Let’s Glow Pop-Up Bar and entertainment including the Woodstock Boardwalk Bash and Back the Garden 1969 concerts on Saturday, Aug. 16, the Jimmy Buffett-themed Fins Up Tailgate Celebration noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 30, followed by the Changes in Latitudes concert in the Superstar Theater later that night, it’s the place to be this summer!
For more information, go to ResortsAC.com, and MAYAAtlanticCity.com
Scott Cronick is an award-winning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – “Off The Press with Scott Cronick” – 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.
