8 ways to ring in the New Year in Atlantic
County
By DANIELLE DAVIES
While some of you are still thinking about what you want for Christmas, others have moved on to a truly
essential question … what will we do to ring in the New Year? Whether you want to party like a rock star or
indulge in a decadent meal, there’s something for everyone this year.
When you want to go big.
If your idea of ringing in the New Year includes a dance party, you might want to head to Borgata for a
massive entertainment lineup including Fedde LeGrand and a hosted bar from 9 to 11 p.m. at Premier
Nightclub, The Red Hotts as well as Gypsy Wisdom at Gypsy Bar, or a special showing of the Burlesque Show
at 10 p.m. While you’re there, grab dinner at any one of Borgata’s restaurants, including Bobby Flay Steak
House, Fornelletto, Old Homestead, Izakaya or Wolfgang Puck American Grille. The scene at Golden
Nugget should also be amazing, with free parties at Lillie’s, Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse, Chart House and
Grotto, as well as live music in the Main Atrium by Bobby & Kit at 6 p.m. While you’re there, head to Haven
Nightclub for NYE with DJ Turbulence and a hosted bar, or to Rush Lounge to hear Seven Stone at 10 p.m. As
usual, things should be epic over at Tropicana. In addition to a New Year’s Eve concert with The Gap Band at
9:30 p.m., prix-fixe menus and dinner specials at Golden Dynasty, Il Verdi and Fiesta Buffet will keep you
energized for the night. And you’ll need that energy before heading to any one of Trop’s 18 places to party,
including Anthem for a 1920s-inspired speakeasy complete with sexy flappers, gangsters and ‘20s-style party
favors; Boogie Nights for a dance party like no other, complete with favorite hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s;
Tango’s Lounge for food, drinks and music 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with a $10 cover; Cuba Libre for their New Year’s
in Havana 2017 party featuring a special Midnight Madness Countdown and music by Latin Connection; bottle
service specials, Kiss Kiss party favors and a champagne toast at Ivan’s Kane’s Kiss Kiss A Go Go Nightclub;
and music from DJ So Dope and DJ Sammy Needlz, plus a live broadcast from Times Square at Providence.
There will also be the drink specials and celebrations happening at A Dam Good Sports Bar, Firewaters and
Wet Willie’s. And we would be remiss if we didn’t mention Bally’s, where you’re invited to go wild in the Wild
Wild West with an open bar and live music all night by 3AM Tokyo, Stellar Mojo and DJ Aiden Scott. The party
starts at $39 (with add-on options like a three-course prix-fixe menu from Guy Fieri’s Chophouse, Gordon
Ramsay Pub & Grill or Buca di Beppo for $99, or the Hell’s Kitchen takeover package which includes VIP
bottle service for $175) and includes free mechanical bull rides, swag bags and a Go Wild Toast at midnight. Or
take it easy and head to Harry’s Oyster Bar for a full menu with NYE additions, plus a complimentary glass of
prosecco.
When you want to kill multiple birds with one stone.
What’s better than a party on New Year’s Eve? Multiple parties under one roof. At Resorts, plan on dinner first
— Capriccio, Gallagher’s, Breadsticks and Eastwind all have prix-fixe menus that you’ll swoon over —
before kicking things up a notch at a party. Starting at 7 p.m., Margaritaville will have drink specials, a
margarita toast at midnight and live music with Modern Mojo, while across the Boardwalk, DJ Stanup will be
spinning at Landshark. At Bar One, drink specials, DJ Vito G and DJ Gary will help you ring in the New Year in
style. Make sure you get a room so you can take part in the 26th Annual Polar Bear Plunge at noon on Jan. 1 …
it takes place in front of Resorts! Over at Playground Pier, prepare for six parties under one roof, with
partygoers able to bounce back and forth between T Street’s clubs and the Playground’s 20,000-square-foot
nightclub. A five-hour open bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., champagne toast at midnight, DJs, live music, karaoke
and dueling pianos make this venue a sure bet. Tickets start at $60. While you’re there, head to The
Continental for some swanky fun with DJ Chris Roberts spinning from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., hats, noisemakers,
complimentary champagne toast at midnight and a view of the fireworks. At Dusk in Caesars, kill three birds
with one stone, or one cover charge. A $50 (pre-sale price) ticket gets you entry into all three venues at The
Dusk Complex: Dusk Nightclub, Retro’s and The Backyard Bar, includes a five-hour top-shelf open bar,
complimentary buffet and admission into A.C.’s Official NYE After-Party starting at 2 a.m. inside of Dusk
Nightclub. And at Harrah’s Resort, head to Eden Lounge for a NYE Nerd Takeover with The Nerds,
Martorano’s for Jason E & The Sensational Soul Cruisers and The Pool After Dark for a NYE party with a two
hour premium open bar from 9 to 11 p.m. (available to early ticketholders) and music by Eddie Edge and
Austin Smooth.
When you want to go long ... like into the next day.
There’s no reason to stop celebrating in the wee hours of Jan. 1, especially not with so many options available.
At St. George’s Pub in Brigantine there’s a NYE party, of course, but there’s also breakfast at 8 a.m. on New
Year’s Day with all the requisite breakfast cocktails — screwdrivers, Bloody Marys and mimosas find a similar
breakfast at Blue Water Grille at Flagship FantaSea Resorts. In addition to a NYE dinner and party with a
midnight fireworks display, there’s a New Year’s brunch for $18 that includes unlimited brunch cocktails
(mimosas, bellinis and Bloody Marys) for $6. The Smithville Inn is also hosting a New Year’s Day Champagne
Brunch starting at 11 a.m. for $28.95. If you can’t make it out of bed for breakfast — and trust us, we hear you
— after heading to Charlie’s in Somers Point for a free NYE party with a DJ, dancing and party favors, head
back for New Year’s Day dinner … a traditional pork roast dinner with Bloody Marys. For something different,
hit The Iron Room’s “Pajama Party” at 10 p.m. with apps, drinks and complimentary champagne for $40 —
proper PJ attire a must!
When you want to take a plunge.
New Year’s is all about making resolutions. So you’ll want to head to the Atlantic City Polar Bear Plunge
outside of Resorts to test yourself and your resolve. Afterwards, head to Wonder Bar in Atlantic City or
Maynard’s in Margate for Polar Bear Plunge after-parties (both places are also having NYE parties, so don’t
forget about them the night before the plunge either). If the ocean is just too intense, consider heading to H20
Pool + Bar for a 2 p.m. plunge with complimentary cocktails to warm you up afterwards.
When you want to go home — after a killer dinner.
Big parties are great, but if your speed is more delicious-dinner-then-home-by-1 a.m., we’ve got you covered.
After all, what better way to say good-bye to 2016 then with a final, amazing meal? There are a ton of options
available: Steve and Cookie’s By the Bay in Margate, where it’s business as usual on NYE with a champagne
toast at midnight; The JJ McDermott Lounge at the Atlantic City Country Club will be featuring a festive a la
carte menu; Tavern on the Bay in Somers Point is celebrating New Year’s Eve starting at 3 p.m. with live music
and a champagne toast at midnight; Sofia Restaurant in Margate has special New Year’s Eve dinners; The
Ram’s Head Inn has a NYE menu from 5 to 10 p.m., so you can get home and watch the countdown from your
couch; Brigantine’s The Cove is offering a five-course dinner, champagne, party favors, DJ and dancing for $65
per person; at The Iron Room, you can celebrate with a six-course menu with multiple wine pairing options
available and a complimentary champagne toast for $85; A Touch of Italy has dinner as usual with live music
from Kenny Jeremiah and Patty D until midnight; McCullough’s Pub & Restaurant is featuring a special $40
menu with live music from Big Daddy Duo; the NYE celebration at Johnny’s Café features a four-course meal
with a DJ, party favors and a champagne toast for $100 per person; Girasole Ristorante and Lounge is
ringing in 2017 with a NYE dinner celebration menu; The Crab Trap is taking reservations for NYE dinner ($70
per person) that includes a champagne toast and music from That 70’s Band after 9 p.m.; and if your NYE
wouldn’t be complete without a Buddha, Buddakan is featuring three prix-fixe menu options ($60, $70 or $80)
and a midnight champagne toast.
When you want to go see your friends.
Sometimes it’s not what’s at the party as much as who’s at the party. Neighborhood bars are perfect for
running into friends on New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re celebrating NYE in Somers Point at The Anchorage
Tavern with a special NYE dinner menu, DJ and drink specials, at Clancy’s By the Bay with DJ Nick Teti, or at
Gregory’s Restaurant, where you can indulge in one of two prix-fixe dinner menus ($32 and $37) before
heading into the bar side of the restaurant for a party with a DJ, noisemakers and champagne at midnight,
there’s no shortage of places to find your buddies. In Atlantic City, head to Tun Tavern for a four-course
dinner, complimentary bottle of champagne, DJ and dancing; to Vagabond Kitchen & Taphouse for a NYE
bash with a live DJ and champagne toast; to Rainbow Room for a NYE Drag Show hosted by Jenna Tall with
special guest Mary D’Knight; Hard Rock Café for a midnight toast; or to The Irish Pub for music by DJ
Lockwood and Jim Crane and a live broadcast from The Marc Berman show. Elsewhere in Atlantic County,
Tomatoe’s in Margate is offering a special menu and music for their NYE party, while Bulldogs Bar & Grill in
Egg Harbor City has happy hour and dinner specials as well as complimentary champagne.
When you need live music.
Everyone has their priorities, and if live music is yours, pay attention. Kelsey’s is celebrating New Year’s Eve
with a Ciroc open bar and buffet dinner with live entertainment by Tia McNeal and DJ Sterl. Tickets are $75.
The Boneyard’s NYE party features music with Gutter Drunk, while Leatherhead Pub’s celebration includes
music from Overworked & Unemployed and a champagne toast at midnight. The Jabber Jaws are playing at
Pitney Pub, while The Rollers play the NYE party at The Black Cat Bar & Grill and Vickie Austin plays at Fred
& Ethel’s Lantern Light Restarant & Tavern for their “Wing in the New Year’ event with a free chicken wing
buffet and drink specials.
At Chickie’s and Pete’s check out their Anti-NYE party (no cover and casual dress), with live local music and
drink specials.
When you want to go away.
There’s no place like home. Unless, of course, there is. Why not ring in 2017 with a weekend away? Head to
Renault Winery for dinner reservations starting at 5 p.m., a celebration that includes an open bar of selected
beer, Renault wines and liquor, a DJ, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight starting at 8 p.m, and then
get yourself a room? Hotel packages start at only $429. At The Claridge Hotel, the NYE celebration takes place
at VUE, 23 stories above Atlantic City’s world famous Boardwalk. The party starts at 9 p.m. with a two-hour
open bar, party favors, hor d’oeuvres, live DJ and complimentary champagne toast for $59 plus and tax and
gratuity. Better yet, NYE celebration room packages include admission to the party and start at $600.