Atlantic City Casinos Blog

   As the summer tourists go home and locals settle into their back-to-school routines, Atlantic City’s hotels and casinos are looking for ways to lure people in, especially on weekdays.

   Bally’s will offer triple comps for play Sunday through Thursday for the month of October. Not a great multiplier, but it helps.

   Teplitzky’s in the Chelsea Hotel starts a happy hour on October 1. From 4-7 p.m., 7 nights a week, you can get half-price appetizers and drink specials. These include a $4 mixed-drink special each night, $3 imported beers and $2 domestic beers. It’s not quite as good as comped, but the Chelsea is a pretty classy place, so you get some great ambience for the price of the drinks at your local watering hole.

   Tropicana is advertizing $69 room specials for week nights in October. And that’s for people who don’t gamble. Anyone who plays there can get it cheaper, if not for free.

   Here’s something to do tomorrow (Tuesday) at Caesars if you don’t have to be at a job. They’re holding their first annual life-skills fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Palladium ballroom. There will be health screenings, workshops on things like financial planning, and lots of exhibitors. Admission is free.

   If you’re in to doo-wop, you’ll want to come to Gardner’s Basin on Saturday afternoon. For those unfamiliar with the city, Gardner’s basin is at the end of New Hampshire Avenue, away from the beach, and one of Atlantic City’s nicer non-gaming spots.

   Several local organizations are teaming up to host the Doo Wop Dance party from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The best part, admission is free. Performers include Phyllies Intruders, Justine “Baby” Washington and The Jewels.

   Dance contests and other activities are promised. No word as to whether vendors will be selling food, but you can get refreshment - or a nice meal after the show - at one of several eateries in the area.

   Bring your own chair or blanket if you want to sit down. Otherwise, you’ll have to stand.

   In other news, both Harrah’s and Showboat have extended their free buffet promotions at least through the end of September. On Mondays and Thursdays at Harrah’s and Mondays and Wednesdays at Showboat, earn 50 base reward credits and you can go to the kiosk to print out a free pass to the smorgasbord. I went to the Showboat yesterday with a couple of buddies, and it wasn’t crowded at all. The food at both places is above average for AC all-you-can -eat spreads.

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Trump One Members also earn comps when they play their favorite slots or tables. Comp Dollars are just like cash! Shop at the Trump Exchange Store where you can find the latest top-quality merchandise, including electronics, house wares, designer clothing and luggage, and a whole lot more. We make shopping even easier with our Trump One Rewards Catalog. Pick up a Catalog at Trump One Services or Trump Exchange and see everything that’s in the store.

All that shopping might work up an appetite and our gourmet restaurants, Roberto’s Ristorante and Max’s Steakhouse can delight the taste buds with a variety of tasty menu offerings amidst a welcoming ambiance and excellent customer service!

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   Harrah’s Entertainment is taking notice of something travel industry professionals have known for years: that gay people have more disposable income than straight people. The money that “family values” folks spend on childrearing, soccer camp, cheerleading and music lessons is available to gay people to come to places like Atlantic City.

   To help lure the gay and lesbian market, Harrah’s properties are holding an “out in Atlantic City” weekend from Sept. 25 to 27. A bunch of gay-oriented activities are planned, and some of them are sure to be fun for open-minded heteros who love to party.

   Scheduled events include:

   - A Friday night party at Club Worship at the Showboat, with rapper Cazwell and hosted by Amanda Lepore. It runs 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and tickets are $30.

   - A Saturday afternoon party at the Harrah’s Pool with DJs, pool toys and drinks. Cost is $10 or free to guests of the hotel. Cabana rentals are extra.

   - A mixer with cast members of “The L Word” (seen on Showtime) Saturday night at the House of Blues Foundation Room at Showboat. It runs 5-7 p.m. and costs $50.

   - At 9 p.m. Saturday, several members of “The L Word” cast will take the stage at the House of Blues arena for a “pillow talk” session with the audience. Tickets are $25. It will be followed by a 10 p.m. to 4 a.m party at Club Worship, where tickets are $30.

   - For the guys, there will be a party in the Palladium Ballroom at Caesars, hosted by Lance Bass and DJ Jai Rodriguez from “Queer Eye,” as well as guest DJs. Tickets are $30.

   - A brunch and bingo will be held in the Harrah’s ballroom at 11 a.m. Sunday, with unlimited champagne and bloody Marys.

   You can also get a pass admitting you to all weekend events for $160 or to all the women’s events for $80.

   Some of the proceeds from the event will benefit the South Jersey AIDS Alliance.

    So if it’s your bag, come out and have a gay old time in Atlantic City. If you’re coming with children or don’t want to participate in this kind of atmosphere, you’ll want to avoid the Harrah’s properties that weekend.

   Actually, this move is a trip back to Atlantic City’s past. Some old-timers have told me that AC was a gay mecca back in the 1960s. New York Avenue was filled with clubs that catered to gays and “straight people who love to party,” as one older gentleman put it. It all disappeared with the casino era, but it looks like Harrah’s wants to bring the parties back to town. The Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority is on board with the plan to make the city more gay-friendly, especially in light of declining revenues in tough economic times.

   A great Atlantic City tradition is scheduled to come to an end this weekend. The Bacchanal restaurant at Caesars will serve its last feast on Saturday night, the local paper reports.

   Caesars says the restaurant didn’t get enough business, but others told the paper they tried to make reservations and were told the place is full.

   For those unfamiliar with Bacchanal, it was a dining experience. You got an appetizer of cheeze, meats, shrimp and other goodies; choice of soup; salad; choice of entree; and dessert and coffee for a $65 fixed price. But there were also strolling minstrels who played diners’ requests, a god and goddess who gave neck and shoulder massages and all the wine you wanted.

   I’ve enjoyed several repasts at the Bacchanal, and I for one, will miss it.

   But there may still be hope. If past customers and wannabe customers deluge Caesars with e-mails and phone calls, the management might relent. But unless they do, it’s “ciao” to one of Atlantic City’s best dining experiences.

   Labor Day weekend is almost here, so now is the perfect time to clue you in to the best-kept secret in Atlantic City. OK, not quite a secret, but so few people take advantage of it, the information may as well require a top security clearance.

   Here it is: September is the best time to visit the Atlantic City beach.

   Yes, just because Labor Day has passed is no excuse not to take a dip into the ocean. The water is still warm, 73 degrees according to this morning’s paper. The waves are good. And the crowds are G-O-N-E.

   Atlantic City lifeguards stay on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days a week, through September 30. Not all beaches are staffed, so look for the blue and white lifeguard shacks on the boardwalk, and the beaches directly behind them are the guarded ones. You’ll see them every 5 or 6 blocks.

   Please don’t go swimming without a lifeguard present, unless you are a competent surfer and out with several buddies. Every year, the local paper writes about a dozen stories of people who drown while swimming on an unguarded beach.

   But if you’re reluctant to see summer end, the beach is the place to be in September. And you’ll almost have it to yourself.