One of the great things about living in South Jersey is that Atlantic City is always in our back yard offering something to do for every occasion. Perhaps there is no better example of that than New Year’s Eve, which has always been a special night for the city.
At one point, my dear friend and legendary broadcaster, the late David Spatz, used to host a nationally televised New Year’s Eve countdown on the roof of Resorts with Merv Griffin.
It used to be the night that high rollers — and low rollers — came out in droves to the point that you had to know someone to get a room or a reservation at a restaurant. Major headliners would fill every showroom and ballroom, and every private space was filled with private parties.
So, while those glory years are long gone, Atlantic City casinos still pack a wallop when it comes to offering a great variety of things to do to ring in 2026.
Here are my suggestions whether you want to have a nice quiet dinner and head home to watch the ball drop on TV, welcome in the New Year with a headliner counting down 2026 or if you want to stay out late and crash in a suite or catch an Uber ride home.
These are my recommendations for every kind of New Year’s plan — from a low-key dinner and watching the ball drop on the TV to celebrating 2026 with a headliner, staying out late and getting home by Uber or a hotel stay.
Happy New Year everyone!
The bashes
Showboat Hotel is bragging that they are throwing Atlantic City’s “biggest New Year’s Eve party,” and the truth is that there’s nothing else close. Showboat’s party is actually six parties stretched across five venues offering different experiences in every room.
Starting at under $70 — $40 if you want to come after midnight — Showboat’s bash includes 5-hour premium open bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with an upgrade available for six hours!
There are multiple DJs and bands, dueling pianos, light shows, a live ball drop on huge screens, plenty of bars so you can always get a drink easily, light snacks and an upgraded VIP experience available that includes a buffet.
Tickets available at ShowboatNYE.com.
While many of the casinos offer private parties for their high rollers in ballrooms, the bars and lounges in all of the casinos generally have some cool things going on.
At the top of my list is the NYE bash at Nola’s Bar & Lounge at Ocean Casino Resort. Nola is always a great spot to catch live music every weekend, and that will certainly be the case on NYE as Yani, a fantastic cover band known for playing everything from Nicki Minaj to Sabrina Carpenter to Celine Dion, will take the stage to rock the joint with DJ Sajen behind the turntables adding to the experience.
Not only is Nola a great spot, it’s also a super deal. For $75, you will get a premium open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight and a complimentary glass of champagne for the big toast at midnight.
This will sell out, and pricing may go up as the night draws closer, so get your tickets early at TheOceanAC.com.
The club scene in Atlantic City will be strong.
Ocean steps it up with 4B and DJ Klutch headlining from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. at HQ2 Nightclub. General admission tickets start at around $70 with open bar available for about $100. Go to HQ2AC.com.
My good friend and awesome DJ Chris Devine will offer a fantastic NYE night out at The Pool After Dark inside Harrah’s Resort from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Escape the winter chill and immerse yourself in a tropical poolside oasis with high-energy nightclub vibes, premium drinks and unforgettable music. You can choose your own experience with a premium open bar starting at just $50. Go to CaesarsAC.com
The Candy Cane Lounge, the amazingly festive-themed bar at Resorts Casino Hotel offers a no-cover option from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. with DJ Chazz and DJ Gary, drink specials and a special appearance from Robots. Grab a Candy Cane Cosmo and North Pole Nightcap before they are gone for the season when the lounge transforms back to Bar One on Jan. 5. Across the casino floor at the Boardwalk entrance, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville also offers a no-cover option from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with a more family vibe, great food and DJ Actinup. Go to ResortsAC.com.
Golden Nugget always offers a fun and affordable NYE tradition with their Free Party in the Main Atrium featuring live music by Bar None, Run Down Romeo and various DJs. Go to GoldenNuggetAC.com.
It’s great to see Bally’s Atlantic City open The Yard to ring in 2026 with its “One Big Party” from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The celebration features a New Year’s Eve package that includes an open bar and a hors d’oeuvres buffet for $75 per person, live music by The New Normal and a DJ. Guests can also enjoy live $15 blackjack tables all night long. Go to BallysAC.com
My favorite club in the city — Boogie Nights at Tropicana — goes retro with a $75 party that includes open bar from 9 to 11 p.m., a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight, continuous entertainment from the Boogie Nights crew and exciting surprise performances throughout the night. Go to BoogieNights.com.
The Wild West lights up at Caesars with drink specials and nonstop entertainment from Lost In Paris, The Benderz and DJ Aiden Scott. Go to CaesarsAC.com.
Taking the stage
It’s pretty amazing how casinos have gotten away from offering headliners on New Year’s Eve. But you can always count on the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City to keep Atlantic City rocking with live, big-name entertainment year round. On New Year’s Eve, the Goo Goo Dolls will take the stage late — 10 p.m. — so you can ring in 2026 with smashes like “Slide” and “Iris” and a greatest hits set that will have you singing along like it’s 1995. Tickets at HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com
Dinner options
There are so many great Atlantic City restaurants to choose from for New Year’s Eve but there are a few doing some special things to make the night extra special.
Again, Ocean Casino tops the list with two great special options: Chez Frites and Amada.
Chez Frites, my favorite new restaurant of 2025, shows off Philadelphia-based restaurateur Stephen Starr’s brilliance with a Parisian-style, prix-fixe concept that is perfect for New Year’s since it centers around surf and turf. Get yourself a stunning New York strip — or filet if you must — accompanied by a buttery, tender lobster tail and the best fries in the city. Doors open at 5 p.m., and you will receive a complimentary glass of champagne whenever you dine there that evening. Just save some room for some of the best desserts in Atlantic City, including the profiteroles.
Iron Chef Jose Garces is really upping the ante for New Year’s Eve with a vibrant NYE prix-fixe dinner inspired by Latin culture, of course. At $99 it’s a bargain, especially for the amount of food that you will receive over three courses plus an amuse and complimentary glass of Cava. Garces and Restaurant Chef Alex Kopp’s menu features plenty of choices that include ceviche with scallops, shrimp, squid, red snapper and avocado crema; Spanish spot prawns with lemon, caper and dill; spinach, artichoke and Manchego dip; surf and turf with filet and crab cake; prime rib with buttermilk biscuits and horseradish crème; crispy Cornish game hen with blackberry Bordelaise and duck fat potatoes; Skuna Bay salmon with butternut squash risotto; Stuffed Bell Pepper Garbanzos y Espinacas with roasted pepper puree, spinach and crispy garbanzo beans; and desserts that include a chocolate ganache tart and Arroz con Leche with cinnamon, Tahitian vanilla and rum raisin. There will also be some live holiday music to set the perfect ambiance.
Make reservations for both restaurants at TheOceanAC.com.
One of the best Italian restaurants in the city, Capriccio at Resorts, offers a stunning, romantic option for those looking for an upscale experience. The award-winning, fine dining icon offers a four-course, $135 per person prix-fixe menu with items that include truffled gnocchi, surf and turf, seafood zupetta and caramel apple cheesecake.
For a more approachable experience, the always delicious Breadsticks features a three-course option for $45 that includes appetizer, choice of entrée and dessert. Both places offer stunning ocean views. Reservations can be made at ResortsAC.com.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city — the stunning Il Verdi at Tropicana with its ocean view — will offer a four-course Italian feast ranging from $115 to $135 per person that includes favorites like jumbo shrimp cocktail, rigatoni bolognese, lobster ravioli and gnocchi con ricotta. Go to CaesarsAC.com
Chill out
Don’t forget Atlantic City’s Polar Bear Plunge at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, right in front of Resorts Casino Hotel. The event benefits the Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club. Head to the beach in front of Landshark Bar & Grill and jump in the ocean for a chilly way to start the New Year. There will be a party right on the beach to help you keep warm. Go to ResortsAC.com.
