This year started off with a bang for Atlantic City, New Jersey. From January 1 through the end of March, conferences and conventions held in the city generated 39,843 room nights and resulted in a total economic impact of more than $77 million. For planners and groups joining in on the Atlantic City action this year, several updates are worth noting.
Following a five-year closure and full overhaul, the Atlantic City Aquarium officially reopened its doors on March 24. Updates include new roofing, windows, decks, doors, ceilings, lighting, and flooring, among others. It is also introducing additional sharks to its collection of wildlife, as well as six hands-on touch tanks surrounding the current Cow Nose Ray Touch Tank. The aquarium offers its Harborview Room for private events of up to 100, and full buyouts also are available. acnj.gov/pages/acaquarium
The B Bar at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is undergoing a redesign and is slated to reopen in May. The reimagined bar will feature Italian-style craftsmanship while retaining its iconic features like the round bar, offering handcrafted cocktails and video poker games. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa offers a 30,000-square-foot ballroom and a two-level Central Conference Center ideal for trade shows, expos, and other events. borgata.mgmresorts.com
At Resorts Casino Hotel, the LandShark Bar & Grill is opening a new outdoor stage this summer, designed to bring in additional entertainment to the restaurant. Its newly expanded oceanfront tiki bar and deck is equipped with private cabanas, Adirondack chairs, fire pits, hammocks, and lawn games for attendees to enjoy. LandShark serves as a venue for a variety of events, including holiday parties, client appreciation dinners, team-building retreats, and more. resortsac.com
Tennessee Ave Beer Hall owner Salvatore Spena will open Jennifer’s Oyster Bar within the hall’s outdoor beer garden in May. The new bar will feature regionally sourced oysters from the Barnegat Oyster Collective, chilled shrimp, clams on the half shell, and more. Tennessee Ave Beer Hall provides indoor and outdoor space for year-round event-hosting capabilities, as well as several food and beverage packages for planners to choose from. Spena also plans to open Isabella’s Italian Pizza Kitchen and Paulie’s Steak Italiano nearby along Tennessee Avenue to replace the former Cuzzie’s Pizzeria & Kitchen and Rhythm & Spirits. tennesseeavenuebeerhall.com
