By Chuck Darrow
Once upon a time in Atlantic City, the folks who ran the casinos were dedicated to keeping customers inside — and gambling — as long as possible. The way industry suits of generations past saw it, every second someone spent away from the slot machines and gaming tables cost them money. As such the beach and other outdoor spaces weren’t seen as amenities, but as the competition.
The Age of Enlightenment finally arrived around the turn of the 21st century, when the first generation of beach bars (constructed by several properties including the long-closed Atlantic City Hilton and Trump Plaza Hotel-Casino) debuted. Today, al fresco lounges and special events remain a key part of AyCee’s warm-weather game plan.
Below is a look at what’s in store for the Summer of ’24:
Bally’s Atlantic City
Bally’s Beach Bar serves food and beverages, as does The Yard, the indoor/outdoor party pit located in the courtyard of the Dennis Hotel part of the complex.
The Yard features bands and DJs every Friday and Saturday night and drink specials including $3 beers, $4 shots and $5 cocktails from 7 to 9 p.m.
Borgata
The bayside pleasure dome has expanded its outdoor pool area to accommodate more cabanas and a larger stage, as well as a cover to keep dry special events like weddings and convention receptions.
While The Big B has always emphasized events and amenities for younger folks who like to party hearty, this summer, it is also focusing on being “family-friendly.”
A highlight of the season will be “Savor Borgata’s Summer Social: A Taste of Paradise.” Set for the Outdoor Pool on June 28, the Polynesian-themed ticketed bash is headlined by James Beard Award-winner Michael Symon, whose Borgata eatery is the Italian salon, Angeline.
Caesars Atlantic City
Beachside Bar offers beverages (adult and otherwise) Thursday through Monday (Happy Hour is 3 to 5 p.m.).
Cheval de Plongée (a nod to the town’s history; it’s French for “diving horse”) is a walk-up operation located on the Boardwalk steps from The Hook. Offerings include a full selection of wine, beer and spirits and noshes from the grab-and-go menu. All can be enjoyed at outdoor tables.
And beginning June 7, the Pool At Caesars (on the 7400 level of the casino’s Ocean Tower) will host a daily 5-to-7 p.m. Happy Hour.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
As it always is when the weather heats up, the action will be at The Deck Bayfront Bar & Restaurant, the outdoor venue situated between the casino/hotel tower and the Frank S. Farley State Marina.
The next couple of weeks, The Deck will operate on a weekend-only basis, and then welcome guests seven days a week starting June 13. Each night has a different musical motif (e.g. “Springsteen Thursdays” with the B Street Band and Sundays with local lounge titan Dane Anthony).
Special events include the annual Fake Fest tribute-band week (June 24-30) featuring units performing the music of such artists as Van Halen, Elton John, The Police and Fleetwood Mac, a daylong salute to the “British Invasion” of the mid-1960s (July 20) and “Deckstock,” a celebration of the Woodstock Music & Arts Festival (Aug. 10).
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Hard Rock has two fun-in-the-sun (and under-the-stars) spaces this summer.
The “Hard Rock Beach Experience” is open to hotel guests and Unity Card holders, and features lounge chairs, umbrellas and beverage service.
And perched on the Rock’s second level, you’ll find The Terrace, which overlooks the beach, Boardwalk and ocean, and which offers live
music, a seasonal menu and specialty drinks.
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
What is arguably the most unusual casino event of the summer is the June 7 “Yappy Hour” (4 to 7 p.m.) on The Baywalk, which is located outside the part of the property that houses The Concert Venue and poker room.
“Yappy Hour” is a canine-focused event that includes demonstrations, vendors, police K-9 demonstrations and even a dog show whose categories include Best Trick, Best Rescue, Best Costume, Best Tail Wagger, and Happiest Dog. Winners in each category will be entered into Best of Show competition for a chance to win the grand prize.
In addition, the Humane Society of Atlantic County and Atlantic County Canines will have pets available for adoption.
Ocean Casino-Resort
Ocean was dealt a bad hand by Ma Nature: Erosion was so severe this past fall and winter that there isn’t enough sand left on the property’s beach to accommodate a ping-pong table, much less any kind of entertainment venue. But Ocean hasn’t let that stop it from offering outdoor fun.
HQ2 Beachclub, which sits above the Boardwalk and is part of the HQ2 disco complex, will be in full party mode all summer. Revelers can rave in the main pool area or reserve one of six bungalows with private pools, 12 day beds and more than 30 VIP sections on the lower and upper decks. Top DJs will keep the party going, and, of course, there will be plenty to drink, with munchies provided by the Ocean Food Truck.
Resorts Casino-Hotel
Food, drink and live music can be had at Landshark Café, the only outpost of the beach-themed Margaritaville hospitality empire that actually sits on a beach.
Tropicana Atlantic City
One of Atlantic City’s best summertime traditions is the Trop-sponsored fireworks extravaganzas that can be best viewed from the casino’s Boardwalk frontage. The next one is set for July 4 (a Thursday this year), followed by a display every Saturday night between July 6 and Aug. 31.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
