12 Best Nightlife in Atlantic City

Boogie Nights is an old-school, '70/'80s-style disco in Tropicana Atlantic City that comes packed full of cool period décor and plays the biggest hits of the era. It’s an oldie but a goodie, and prompts a horde of groovy revellers to get down and funky each weekend. Rock up on a Thursday, and you'll sample an offering of tasty '90s hits (wear your favourite ripped jeans).

In-between busting shapes under the oversized disco ball, there's a pop-art inspired chill-out lounge that serves delicious American snacks. Bottle service is available, though the club is affordable and unpretentious on the whole.

Head to HQ2 Nightclub for a high-end night out in Atlantic City – you'll need to dress to impress and bring cash to splash at this ritzy locale. Located within the glamorous Ocean Casino Resort, the upmarket club brings Vegas-style partying to the city. A rotating list of internationally renowned DJs and sweeping views of the Atlantic make this one of the most exclusive places to spend a Saturday night.

Bottle service in the VIP booths is superb, albeit a little pricey. The light show illuminating the club's suspended stage will wow even the most seasoned clubber. And if you happen to party during the summer, check out the pumping pool and beach club downstairs.

The Pool After Dark is Atlantic City's premier playground for a soaking wet fiesta. Centred around a heated indoor pool in Harrah's Resort, the aquatic-themed club sees punters party the night away, both in and out of the water.

Legendary Jersey Shore resident DJs do a bang-on job, dishing out contemporary electro beats to whip their feverish fans into a frenzy. If you're looking to glam up your night, book a VIP table or a private cabana with a hot tub. Each comes with a bikini-clad waitress providing a premium bottle service.

A Dam Good Sports Bar is the best place in town to catch up on all the latest sporting action from the US and abroad. This lively American-style sports bar has plenty of flat screens throughout the venue, so you're guaranteed to find even the most obscure match. Live DJs take the stage on busier nights, though tunes remain mellow enough for you to wax lyrical and focus on the game at hand.

Surfboards line the wall of this laidback watering hole, where bargain-basement drink specials see pre-gamers rubbing shoulders with die-hard sports fans. A wide selection of tasty American classics adorns the menu, all reasonably priced, making this one of the most popular spots in Tropicana Atlantic City. 

You can’t visit Atlantic City without trying your luck in one of the many casinos. One of the best is The Borgata, the ritzy heart of the hotel of the same name. Here you’ll find 161,000 sq ft of grown-up games, with thousands of slot machines and hundreds of roulette and blackjack tables.

Adorned with grand pillars, glossy marble floors and decorative carpets, jackpots come in suitably luxe surroundings. Even if you’d rather hold onto your chips, the atmosphere and a martini will have you feeling like 007 or a Bond girl in no time. Other great spots among the many include Hard Rock Hotel Casino Atlantic City, Tropicana Atlantic City, and Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino.

The Irish Pub in Atlantic City is a blast from the past – think quaint old-world décor and a cosy ambience that brings back the nostalgia of yesteryear. The traditional Irish pub has been pouring pints of Guinness since the '70s, but you'll also find plenty of heady whiskeys and room-temperature lagers on tap. Warm low-lighting, rich wooden furnishings, and charming old artworks complete the scene.

Another huge draw of The Irish Pub is the food – the adjoined sit-down restaurant serves up a delicious version of all your favourite pub classics (try the bangers and mash). Take a moment before your meal arrives to appreciate the antiques on display, especially the gorgeous old graphophone.

Hard Rock Café, an ode to American culture, is a favourite stop for tourists during a family-friendly night out. The Atlantic City rendition of this famed international chain pumps out the usual ensemble of tasty American classics – give the juicy beef burgers and zingy buffalo wings a shot – accompanied by oversized beers and good old fashioned American tunes.

Live bands take the stage later in the evening to put on an energetic rock n' roll show, and there are plenty of slots and table games to keep mom and dad amused. In addition to the delicious comfort food, the kids will love gawking at all the celebrity memorabilia on display.

The Atlantic City Comedy Club brings you up close and personal to the town's most hilarious acts. The small and cosy locale hosts a limited number of patrons, which gives it a more personalised and intimate feel. The highlight here is its performers, whose outrageous hour-long acts have been known to leave the crowd in stitches.

A selection of reasonably priced drinks is available to accompany the show. There's no dinner service, so you might want to grab a bite first at one of the nearby restaurants. The club is located by the Radisson, a few blocks from the beach, and there's plenty of parking available onsite.

The Music Box at Borgata Hotel & Casino is a go-to venue in Atlantic City for a variety of great live shows, ranging from jazz concerts to hilarious stand-up comedy. The large auditorium with great acoustics has 3 seating sections, with the stage complemented by advanced lighting systems.

Besides regular music concerts, for the laughs, you can try Sunday nights for their comedy club, and you can even grab cocktails inside, served at the bar. Or, check out the burlesque show schedules for something dazzling as they combine funny, sexy and acrobatic rolled into a single spectacular gig.

An Atlantic City sunset cruise is a great way to take in the world-famous skyline with a margarita in hand. Atlantic City Cruises is one of the top companies in town, offering an unforgettable Happy Hour cruise with a fully-stocked in-house bar. Unlimited drinks packages are available for the heavy drinkers but you can purchase drinks a la carte if you only fancy a few.

The 3-hour cruise starts at 6 pm, taking revellers around the backwaters of Atlantic City to the soundtrack of the latest rock and electro tunes. Older punters, of which there are many, will find ample space to escape the noise if need be.