Atlantic City has long been a weekend destination for East-Coast travellers, seen as a little slice of Vegas that was easily accessible through Amtrak. However, unlike Vegas, there’s something completely unpretentious about Atlantic City. Yes, there’s the clubs and casinos, but just a few blocks away from there, there exists a working-class city, and it’s not ashamed of that fact. That’s why when given the chance to spend a day there, I set out to discover the real side of AC, determined to studyST0-075
Atlantic City nightlife AWAY from the famous boardwalk.
Okay, I wasn’t off the boardwalk the whole time; I did allow myself a few concessions. First, the deal I got on my room at Caesar’s Palace from TravelPony was way too good to possibly pass by, as was the 24-hour Happy Hour at Bally’s next door. ($2 shots are a welcome sight to any traveller on a budget), but other than that, my Atlantic City nightlife explorations were going to be held further inland…. Even if it was just a block away.
For people looking to start their off-boardwalk Atlantic City Nightlife with some dinner, there are great spots all around the city which won’t overcharge you like the casinos and tourist chains. Those simply aren’t worth it, no matter how good Jimmy Buffet’s margaritas may be. Instead, you can find a000-998 place like AC staple The Irish Pub. This long-standing institution is one of the best values in AC, with all the dinner platters coming in at under $11. Which is good, because you’ll want more cash for beer.
I grabbed the succulent golden scallops, which come in generous portions and still left me needing more. Or you can stand the line (it’s worth it), a filling sub from White House subs will do the trick, although you
might have to go back to your hotel to take a nap before hitting the rest of the city. For high-class dining, Atlantic Avenue features outings like Café 2825 and Dock’s Oyster house, which prove that you can get fine dining experiences in AC without having to wander through clouds of cigarette smoke and mazes of slot machines.
But once I had eaten, it was time to take in some of the Atlantic City nightlife I came here for! First, I broke my “no boardwalk” rule one more time and took in the 3D laser light show, which is free- the only price you should pay for anything on the Boardwalk. Next, there was plenty of dancing to be done! For AC dancing, you’ll have to enter a casino – unless you want to check out The Rainbow Room, AC’s only gay bar, with plenty of dancing and delicious cocktails. The Rainbow Room is great for a relaxed, no-pressure dance experience, but for those craving a more outrageous Atlantic City nightlife experience can don the dress code and make their way to Mixx nightclub at The Borgata. On any given night at Mixx, you’re likely to see go-go dancers, trapeze artists, world famous DJs, rock stars, and more. For the EDM crowd, this is Atlantic City’s best.
The next morning, after looking out onto the beach from my room, I decided to take a little walk down the boardwalk itself. Off-season, without crowds, it’s really a nice experience, with plenty to look at and explore. I found a park with a giant pirate ship sandbox, and discovered that there are multiple stores where you can just walk home with an iguana for about $30. I have nothing against the boardwalk, but I still prefer my Atlantic City nightlife a little off the beaten path… or the planked wooden path, as the case may be.
