The Best Swanky Hotel Bars in Atlantic City
Sometimes, your favorite dive just doesn’t cut it. Especially in Atlantic City, where the memories of legends like Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra just make you want to throw on a tie and toss back a swanky drink or two.
So where do you go when out for a high-class night in A.C.? For inspiration look no further than your hotel bar. These days, the area’s resorts have undergone some seriously upscale upgrades and are pouring drinks to match. Check out these ritzy bars the next time you’re looking to take your evening to the next level.
Revel Resorts
American Cut Steakhouse: Chef-owner Marc Forgione and LDV Hospitality, which also owns Azure, brought his classic steakhouse style to Revel, with an old-school bar menu to match. Drinks like Manhattans, Old Fashioneds and Moscow Mules get a modern twist with top-shelf liquors, fresh fruit and herbs, and house-made mixers. (500 Boardwalk; 609-225-9860)
Azure by Allegretti: The bar here may be small but it’s certainly worth checking out. The sprawling wine list controlled by the restaurant’s expert sommelier is almost as impressive as the bar’s view, which backs right up to the ocean. And if you’re feeling particularly swanky you can treat yourself to easily one of the most expensive drinks in AC, the Sidecar Sesquicentennial, the $55 cocktail that uses Grand Marnier 150, topped with a splash of lemon juice juice and orange curacao. (500 Boardwalk; 609-225-9870)
Amada: Jose Garces does fine dining and drinking darn well with his Spanish-inspired wine and cocktail list. You’ll find Spanish wines by the glass and the bottle, along with specialty white, red and rose sangrias, and a lengthy sherry selection. And then there’s the specialty cocktails which were created just for Amada. Take the simple-but-stunning Volver for example, which blends brandy, Campari and Carpano Antica vermouth to create a sweet and earthy masterpiece. (500 Boardwalk; 609-225-9900)
Tropicana
The Bar at Fin: The well-developed balancing act at Fin means that each drink and wine that hits the bar comes with a hard-to-resist bite to match. The bartenders are serving up tons of Jersey wines from wineries right down the road, alongside sushi and sashimi from the neighboring shores, and the homage to local ingredients pays off with fresh and inspiring pairings. (2831 Boardwalk; 609-340-4202)
Cuba Libre Rum Bar: Start with any of the Rum Bar’s 70-plus rum varieties, then make your way over to their list of mojitos, cocktails, and caipirinhas, the national cocktail of Brazil. At this bar, the classic lime drink gets blended with a variety of sweets and sugars to create something totally original. Then there’s a selection of Brandy-based pisco sours, plenty of South American brews and seasonal sangrias that change with the weather. (2801 Pacific Ave.; 609-348-6700)
Caesars
Mia at Caesars: It may be located in the heart of Caesars, but Mia is a retreat in itself. This beautiful restaurant, tucked inside tall pillars and hidden from the bustling AC crowds, has an equally-intimate bar, featuring an impressive list of wine by the glass. And the cocktail list- particularly their collection of martinis- feature top-shelf liquors mixed to perfection. (2100 Pacific Ave.; 609-441-2345)
The Borgata
Bobby Flay Steak: If you don’t know what to pick, just ask Sommelier Sabrina Schatz to help pinpoint the perfect wine by the glass, half bottle or full bottle. But don’t pass by the cocktail menu, an homage to Bobby Flay’s classic steakhouse style. Take your pick from familiar favorites like the Sidecar and Manhattan, and mix your drink with their lobster bar menu. There’s even lobster and oyster shooters, if you’re looking to combine the best of both worlds. (1 Borgata Way; 609-317-1000)
Wolfgang Puck American Grille: American Grille’s bar is a whole other animal from the restaurant. In fact, it features its own food and drink menu, with lots of smaller bites like the absolutely addicting truffled potato chips, wood-fired pizzas- a Wolfgang specialty, along with burgers, salads and more. The drink menu includes bottled and draft beers from around the globe and lots of fruity, funky cocktails to add some fun to your night. (1 Borgata Way; 609-317-1000)
Izakaya Sake Bar: Sake is the star at this small-but-mighty bar. Almost all of the cocktails on the bar menu include the Japanese drink, like the Sake Sangria, which includes Gruener Veltliner white wine, Japanese Shochu, lemongrass, ginger and lots of fresh fruit. The drinks are designed to pair with the Japanese “pub fare”, and the late night menu feeds your night cravings with class. (1 Borgata Way; 609-317-1000)
The Sunroom: Geoffrey Zakarian’s elevated style gets freshened up with dozens of drinks and small bites that make hotel snacking better than ever. The beer list includes Sierra Nevada, Anchor Steam and seasonal favorites, all of which pair with any of the bar’s sandwiches, charcuterie or sweet selections. It’s a menu that aims to please, with an endless list of drink options for everyone. (1 Borgata Way; 609-317-1000)
The Chelsea
Teplitzky’s: This upscale-casual spot plays off The Chelsea’s vintage vibe to create a bar and drinks fit for Don Draper. Settle in at the counter and take your pick from any of the fun blends of frozen and fruity concoctions. There’s even breakfast and dessert drinks for those choosing to settle in for the long haul. (111 S. Chelsea Ave.; 609-428-4550)
Golden Nugget
Rush Lounge: Open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, Rush Lounge is a quick and easy escape. Stop by for happy hour deals as low as $3, or grab a group and enjoy private seating and bottle service all night and into the morning. Plus, live music and DJ’s keep the music and the party going every night in the summer. (Huron & Brigantine Blvd.; 800-777-8477)
Trump Plaza
Evo Restaurant & Bar: Martinis, margaritas and sangrias make up a creative menu that goes from strong and sturdy to sweet and sugary. Then there’s wines from around the world, with plenty of bottles from California and Tuscany to sample. And an upscale night out doesn’t mean you have to spend big. In fact, Evo has a never-ending happy hour featuring $6 cocktails that are affordable enough to let you try a few before dinner. (2225 Boardwalk; 609-441-0400)
Photo via Caesars
Tags: Beer, Cocktails, Dinner, Food, Wine