Atlantic City locals and our beloved bars—we’re a match like salt and the sea breeze, boardwalk fries and vinegar, and the casinos and neon lights. Whether it’s our craving for coastal conviviality or our determination to savor every Jersey Shore evening, here’s where to find the perfect blend of cocktails, cuisine, and camaraderie.
Morton’s The Steakhouse
$$$$ | (609) 449-1044 | WEBSITE
While Morton’s can get pretty classy inside, sometimes you need a celebratory steak moment. The Atlantic City steakhouse’s beautiful dining room lets you be a little more special without sacrificing any flavor. And the chocolate lava cake tastes just as good after dinner, especially when the occasion calls for something memorable. So grab a booth, a few friends, and work through an excellent cocktail in style.
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar – Atlantic City
$$ | (609) 348-6700 | WEBSITE
This Cuban-inspired rum bar and restaurant from the team behind some of Atlantic City’s most popular spots may be the most vibrant destination on the boardwalk, and that includes the main dining room. The interior, with its centerpiece rum bar and tropical murals, makes Cuba Libre feel less like it’s in AC and more like a lively Havana nightclub.
This indoor space is a great spot to savor the perfectly salted tostones or split the crab guacamole topped with delicious limp crab while the distant sounds of live Latin music serenade you.
Moments at Scannicchio’s
$$ | (609) 344-5338 | WEBSITE
Designed to host an endless stream of celebration-seekers, Moments at Scannicchio’s is essentially a vibrant entertainment venue disguised as a restaurant. Yes, there’s a dining area where you enjoy your meal, but the space filled with live music from performers like Toni Mayro and Mickey Spoon is where you truly want to be.
You can easily arrive here with as many or as few companions as you like, and quickly settle into any available seating cluster, like some kind of celebration-level chess move. Food and drinks reach your intimate table-enclave almost remarkably fast, and everything comes with exceptional service, even the atmosphere.
The Beach Bar at Hard Rock
$ | (609) 449-1000 | WEBSITE
Ocean gazing at The Beach Bar at Hard Rock could be a full-time hobby, especially from a seat by the 27th-floor windows. The popular dining spot in Atlantic City has a constant stream of casino-goers and vacationers flowing between the bright, lively gaming floor, through the spacious, well-appointed rooms, and back again.
Enjoy the beautiful views and superb service as you watch hotel guests head to the pool or spa, witness someone order their third Starbucks coffee, or observe the friendly staff greet yet another group of excited visitors.
B Bar
$$ | (609) 317-1000 | WEBSITE
One of the most happening spots in Atlantic City—other than the nonstop slot machines at the casino floor—might be the renovated lounge. Lit with elegant fixtures and multi-colored LED accents, B Bar’s space is a great place to enjoy a drink from the new cocktail menu at happy hour, video gaming at each bar stool, live music from the small stage, and upscale bar snacks along with an ever-rotating selection of craft cocktails.
Go there for a late-night hang with friends or post-concert drinks, and be grateful you aren’t stuck in the crowded hotel lobby just outside.
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood
$$$$ | (609) 449-1000 | WEBSITE
The heart of the experience at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood is the elegant bar area. It’s where you’ll find couples celebrating anniversaries and business groups closing deals, all usually with a perfectly crafted cocktail on display in front of their table. Even during the busiest weekends, you’ll still see people filling every bar stool, reservations in hand.
And with a $200 minimum for a prime time bar seating, you’d better bring your most discerning dining companions who’ll help turn the evening into your personal celebration.
Wet Willie’s
$ | (609) 449-8401 | WEBSITE
While Wet Willie’s is a small, somewhat outdated space, the drinks and atmosphere feel special. This Atlantic City bar’s potent slushies provide plenty of flavor to soak up the fun and live what temporarily feels like a carefree vacation. You can have a great drink inside, but a large Willie Dazed tastes better outside, while strolling around with a reusable cup.
Knife and Fork Inn
$$$ | (609) 344-1133 | WEBSITE
When it’s time to dine with a touch of history and, more importantly, savor exceptional cuisine, the destination is Knife and Fork Inn, a landmark restaurant and culinary gem in Atlantic City. On any given evening, guests will be inside the historic dining room enjoying expertly crafted dishes, with glasses of red wine in hand.
Knife and Fork Inn occupies the entire landmarked building from 1912, but there’s still an intimate atmosphere, so you can appreciate the elegant ambiance at a cozy booth, relax in the classic dining chairs, or indulge in braised short ribs at the white-cloth tables. On the weekends—especially for dinner—the restaurant is full of discerning diners at every turn, so either make a reservation, or plan ahead to secure your seat at Atlantic City’s most storied table.
Phil’s Carousel Bar
$ | (609) 340-2634 | WEBSITE
Phil’s Carousel Bar in Atlantic City isn’t just the place you take that one friend who insists she can taste the difference between every rotating bar concept. It also has a very lively atmosphere. The 360-degree space of this carousel-themed bar may feel like it was designed to make you slightly dizzy after a few drinks, and that’s because it was.
But the bartenders are friendly enough for a Merry-Go-Round with cotton candy or a first date that lingers over a couple of Espresso Funnel Cake Martinis.
the green bar
$ | WEBSITE
The boardwalk location at The Green Bar, a healthy eatery in the Tropicana marketplace, offers a clean and quiet retreat from the casino bustle. The serene, tucked-away spot provides calm for everyone, from the joggers stopping by for a post-run refuel, to the tourists taking a break from the slot machines. There’s enough space to leisurely enjoy an acai bowl while people-watching without disturbing the peaceful atmosphere that permeates the area.
And if you’re feeling ambitious and order the green juice with kale and spinach, you’ll appreciate the fresh ingredients for the inevitable energy boost that will follow.
South Beach Beer Garden
$ | WEBSITE
Sitting at the outdoor beer garden at South Beach Beer Garden may either make you forget you’re in Atlantic City, or serve as a reminder that simple pleasures do in fact exist here. That’s because the boardwalk restaurant is built for sunny days with its casual seating and laid-back atmosphere. Getting to enjoy a chili cheese dog and a cold beer while taking in the boardwalk scenery feels all the more relaxed, and satisfying.
Stop here if you like sports on television, friendly bartenders, and thin-crust pizza with good ingredients.
