These casino hotels also are places to see and be seen, where superb nightspots add to the mix. Harrah's (777 Harrah's Blvd.) lures patrons to the circular X Bar and The Pool After Dark, complete with cabanas and bikini-clad waitresses. The Bar at Harry's at Bally's (1900 Pacific Ave.) is a comfortable spot with nine flat-screen TVs and a courtyard that overlooks the Boardwalk. Those looking for a watering hole with 24-hour access can amble up to the Western-themed Mountain Bar at Bally's Wild West Casino, featuring nightly acts during summer.
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa (1 Borgata Way) cultivates a lively, upscale DJ scene Friday through Monday night at its new Premier Nightclub. (Plan to dress up, as shorts, athletic wear, baggy clothing, hats and shoes like flip-flops, sandals, sneakers and work boots, are all prohibited.) Anyone who favors tequila will enjoy ordering a flight at the Gypsy Bar, but be forewarned—the rock music is loud. And the kind of audience you'll encounter at the Music Box, Borgata's venue for comedians and musicians, depends on who's performing.
Clubs at The Quarter (2801 Pacific Ave.) is the Tropicana's answer to entertaining the masses—visitors can suit their fancy by choosing from a dozen or so thriving nightspots. At Cuba Libre, salsa dancers mesmerize all walks of life at the weekend Late Night Latin Floorshow, and the rum bar makes a mean mojito. Karaoke aficionados have tons of fun at Planet Rose, a smallish lounge with flashy décor and a medley of nightly drink specials.
There are worthy venues removed from the hubbub of casino gambling. The Chelsea Hotel (111 S. Chelsea Ave.) and its fifth floor thrives with a range of nighttime opportunities sure to satisfy a variety of tastes. A DJ spins tunes amid lush greenery and poolside seating at the Chelsea's open-air, summer-only Cabana Club.