It’s happening at Atlantic City Hotels and Casinos

When you are headed to Atlantic City, you will find that you are in a great place for some fun in the sun, and when you are ready to start a party or to join one, you cannot beat the beach bars. The beach bars in Atlantic City are known for their lively environments and the great times that they offer to tourists and locals like, and when you are interested in having a great time, there are definitely a few that you need to check out.

For instance, when you don’t want to do anything fancy, why not consider the Atlantic City Hilton Beach Bar? This bar has a terrifically kitschy feel, and it is definitely stripped down. It might make you think of a bare shack on the beach, but there are some great things to check out. You can get some great wings, sausage and tacos here and you’ll find that if you are interested in a slightly older crowd, this is the way to go.

On the other hand, if you are in the mood for a place where you definitely won’t feel cramped, consider the beach bar at Trump Plaza. This place regularly has live bands in to perform and the crowd is pretty diverse and fun. You can get some great sandwiches and tacos, and when you are in the mood for something different, there’s the raw bar. You can take advantage of the luxury service that you can get from your own private cabana, and you can enjoy the luxury of being in one of the Sexiest Beach Bars, as decided by the Travel Channel.

If you are in the mood to be really close to the beach, you can’t get much closer than the Bikini Beach Bar at Bally’s. This bar is known for its live band and for its proximity to the water and you will find that though the food here is your basic bar food, it is plentiful and pretty tasty. Look for the Old Bay fries and the shrimp, and make sure that you stay long enough for the cocktails. There are many different theme nights that you can take advantage of when you are looking at the Bikini Beach Bar at Bally’s, so keep a look out for things like Latin Mondays and ’80s Wednesdays. There’s even a fun in the sun fashion show on Friday, so bring your best!

Take a moment to think about everything that you have heard about Atlantic City. The bar scene is among the most amazing in the world and when you are ready to have a good time, this is definitely the beach that you want to hit. Check out more local attractions and figure out which water holes are going to entertain you!

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Atlantic City offers some of the best shopping in the region. Before you lose all of your money at the luxurious Tropicana resort be sure to head on over to The Quarter at the Tropicana, The Pier Shops at Caesars, and what locals refer to as “The Walk.”

The Quarter is an elegant indoor shopping mall that is in the Tropicana Casino. Its garden courtyard resembles something you would see in Mexico. The Quarter has something for everyone - including your animals. Jake’s Dog House is a down to earth pet store that has everything you and your pet could want. Aside from the basis stores such as Banana Republic the Quarter features local favorites such as “The Trop” and the “Farmer’s Almanac.” While waiting for your gambling friends to finish up donate pass by “Steel’s Fudge.” Don’t forget to check out the restaurants as well, they offer tasty cuisine at a reasonable price.

The Pier Shops at Caesars is an upscale indoor shopping center that caters to everyone. Even if you cannot afford a $500 purse, items worth checking out. It is connected via a sky bridge from the main casino and offers something for everyone. They have water and light shows that run on the hour and offer a multitude of entertainment for the whole family. They feature the typical stores such as Brookstone and The Body Shop. For those who made it big at the casinos the mall has designer stores including Gucci and Luis Vuitton. The Pier features a wide variety of upscale dining facilities for eating in or to-go. Do not miss the third floor of the Pier as it offers a unique beach view.

Atlantic City’s Outlets offers a mix between upscale and casual shopping. There are a plethora of stores to browse and shop at. You’ll find everything at The Walk including suitcases, diamonds, vitamins, and cell phones. The Walk features fashion and accessories by Ashley Stewart, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Eddie Bauer, Kenneth Cole, Lane Bryant, Perry Ellis, and Ralph Lauren. You will find many factory outlet stores including Guess, PacSun, Old Navy, H&M, Bass, GAP, Ecko, and DKNY. Among the dining facilities include Cavo Crepe Café, Longhorn Steakhouse, The Melting Pot, and Ruth Chris Steakhouse. The guys can watch the game and drink a few beers at the 40/40 Club while their loved ones shop.

Atlantic City is full of great shops and attractions. There is something for the entire family no matter where you are staying. Be sure to check out the Atlantic City Boardwalk for exciting entertainment and nightlife.

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With the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop, just about everything you do is somehow better, but even more so if it’s free. If, like many people, you’re worried you won’t be able to vacation somewhere as exciting as Atlantic City (AC) this year, relax and start packing your suitcase because here are five completely free and totally fun things to do in one of the greatest spots in all of the U.S.

1. Learn about Atlantic City’s History: Located on Garden Pier on Boardwalk at New Jersey Avenue, the Atlantic City Historical Museum showcases the widely diverse history of AC offering both free admission and parking to visitors. Before heading to the beach you can learn about Atlantic City’s culture through the permanent exhibit titled “Atlantic City, Playground of the Nation” which features vintage postcards and photographs, artifacts from the area, and also memorabilia from the famed Miss America pageants held in the city.

2. See a Free Outdoor Concert: Throughout the summer months concerts are held at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk courtesy of the AC Free Public Library. Also free are summer concerts at Bally’s Casino in the Dennis Courtyard as well as multiple entertainers located all along the Boardwalk.

3. Experience Korean War History in Atlantic City: See the New Jersey Korean War Memorial on Brighton Park which is free to the public and offers a definite feeling of the area’s deep rooted history. The war memorial is open daily and gives visitors a chance to experience the important legacy left by our veterans.

4. More Free Culture and History in Atlantic City: Visit the tranquil Civil Rights Garden, located on Pacific Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, and see its gorgeous flowers, the meandering pathways, and the awe inspiring eleven granite columns with inscriptions detailing the events that occurred during that time.

5. Enjoy the Wonders of the Beach and the Atlantic Ocean: There are no pricey beach badges or any type of fees needed to enjoy the beauty of Atlantic City’s beaches and any number of fun activities taking place there all year round.

Besides the usual swimming, sunbathing, and volleyball games, surfing is also permitted at three different beaches, either New Hampshire Avenue’s Crystal Beach, the Delaware Avenue Beach, or the Downtown Beach at Raleigh Avenue. None of the surfing beaches are staffed with lifeguards, and if you want to kayak or windsurf over at Jackson Avenue Beach, also without a lifeguard, be sure to bring your own equipment as there are no rentals.

As if all of that isn’t enough, fishing is permitted along the jetties near the Oriental and Main Avenue Boardwalks and you won’t even need to buy a license for salt-water fishing here. Just remember that no fishing is allowed near bathing beaches during the hours of 10am to 6pm when the lifeguards are on duty.

With all of the free things to do in Atlantic City you’re sure to need more than just one day to see and do everything the area has to offer. But luckily, since none of these fun activities require any money, maybe you’ll be able to stay an extra few days and really experience the city in all its glory.

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When the big Tropicana Casino and Resort was put on the selling block at the beginning of 2008, most people expected it to fetch a cool $1 billion. But with the faltering economy a group of investors that includes Carl Icahn made an offer to trade $200 million of debt they are previously purchased in a trade for the ownership of the casino giant. And it worked.

Jon Weinert, a Spectrum Gaming Group casino analyst said that this super low price for one of Atlantic City’s big hitters in the casino arena is a sure sign of very troubling times in the United States. He stated that the Tropicana is a very attractive asset and will be in good standing to continue to thrive when the nation’s economy makes a recovery.

The Icahn group was the single bidder for the Tropicana, which is one of the largest casinos in Atlantic City. The attorney overseeing the conservator who has been monitoring the process of the sale said that the group of investors could expect to be given the green light as the new owners very soon by a judge specializing in bankruptcy.

The group would next need to seek temporary approval from the casino regulators in New Jersey and apply for a license to run the casino resort. This process could take a full year to complete. The new owners of the Tropicana would apply for interim authorization, a process that lasts nine months. This process could be extended for three additional months beyond that, according to a spokesman for the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.

These investors, which include Icahn, have a mortgage of $1.4 on the casino resort, which helped them to make a bid that no one could match. The group has agreed to lay down a minimum offer in bankruptcy court and if no one goes over it they get the casino.

The group of investors entered an offer of two hundred million of debt that they owed for the Tropicana. This made it a requirement for other interested people to offer more than that amount in either cash or as securities. This was something that no one was interested in or willing to do. An attorney for the investors group did not want to make a comment regarding this.

The Tropicana lost their license to operate the casino in late 2007, making this sale an absolute necessity. A retired New Jersey state Supreme Court Justice by the name of Gary Stein was appointed to oversee the Tropicana until a suitable buyer was found.

Regulators around the country and various casino executives had initially expected the big casino resort to bring a price in $1 billion range. Some offers were close as one group of investors from New York offered $950 million and Colony Capital LLC who owns two Atlantic City casinos, offered $850 million.
Stein said no to both of those offers, stating that they were not high enough and he questioned the financing that backed up the offers, so the process started over. A few months later $700 million in notes and cash or a flat $575 million was offered by a Baltimore company. This offer was withdrawn due to the worsening economy. This is when the investor group with Icahn included, stepped in.

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Anyone with even a passing interest in the music of the 1970’s will surely know the name of the band The Doobie Brothers. Without a doubt, The Doobie Brothers were among the most influential bands of the entire Me Decade. Part of the reason for this was their unique sound that was far from derivative of the other bands of the era. It is this uniqueness of their sound that has allowed The Doobie Brothers to still draw an audience decades after their original formation. And, yes, they are still on the road touring and they will be soon arriving in Atlantic City to appear live, on stage at the world famous Tropicana Hotel and Casino.

To say The Doobie Brothers were a popular act in the 1970’s would be a dramatic understatement. The band has sold upwards of 22 millions albums making them one of the most successful acts in rock history. What is most interesting about the band is that its original sound was far removed from the type of music the band would later become known for. Initially, in the late 1960’s, the band was popular amidst the biker crowd and played a much harder version of rock. However, when the debut album of the band first appeared in the very early 1970’s, the sound was much lighter and even maintained a somewhat country sounding beat. However, this sound was not met with a rabid response among fans and The Doobie Brothers would modify their sound in subsequent album releases.

By 1973, the band released a number of huge hit singles and this would elevate The Doobie Brothers to superband status. They would maintain this status for the bulk of the 1970’s. Unfortunately, various line up changes led to the band’s dissolution in the early 1980’s. Thankfully, a number of original members have reformed the band and The Doobie Brothers have once again returned to touring. Those in the Atlantic City area will now have a chance to see the band in all their glory. And, yes, there is a lot of fun and amazement to be had watching a Doobie Brothers’ concert.

While the albums produced by The Doobie Brothers are certainly excellent, this band’s music can be much better appreciated in a live venue. This is true of many bands of the 1970’s since the concept of “live in the studio” was popularized during the era. This is why there is such an enormous difference between listening to The Doobie Brothers’ studio albums and their live albums. Really, there is no comparison between the two and anyone that has listened to the live sound will surely want to see the band in a live concert appearance. The Tropicana in Atlantic City, NJ is offering such an opportunity and it should definitely be taken advantage of. The Doobies will be performing their top hits and this event will be a great adventure for both those that have seen the band in the past and those fans that may be experiencing their sounds for the first time.

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Fearing a “fire sale” price would leave nothing left for it after debts are paid, the former owner of the Tropicana Casino and Resort says it will sue to block the proposed sale of the casino to Corsish Co., the Baltimore Developer that was a leading bidder for the casino.

Tropicana Entertainment said that the proposed $700 million sale to The Cordish Company is less than the property is worth. A state-appointed trustee tapped Cordish on Tuesday as a potential purchaser of the Tropicana in a bankruptcy court auction. Other parties can still submit higher bids for the property, which was stripped of its casino license last December after problems with cleanliness, service, and compliance with state gambling rules, a decision which necessitated the sale.

Current economic conditions, coupled with a continuing downturn in the casino industry in New Jersey, and a mid-October deadline for selling the Tropicana, are producing “unreasonably low” offers for the property, said Scott Butera, the CEO of Tropicana Entertainment, which also seeks to reacquire the hotel casino.
Butera appealed the sale of the property in Indiana for $200 million on the same grounds, and the courts sided in his favor, and the sale was rebid. Add to the mix that values up to $1 billion are being bandied about for the Tropicana’s value. Butera said the company still intends to press on with its effort to regain control of the Atlantic City casino, and noted a slew of management changes Tropicana Entertainment has made so far this year, including barring Yung from having any control over it.

The trouble is the process drags on for too long, the longer it takes the more problems in operating stability.Tropicana has been a landmark in Atlantic City and continues to be profitable and attracts thousands of visitors every day. We hope that the bidding ends soon and that the casino stablizes quickly.

Related Links:

• Tropicana Entertainment Releases Priliminary Business Plan
• Tropicana Entertainment raises red flags about cordish offer to buy AC Casino

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Ever since the casino regulators refused to renew the license of the original Tropicana owner, Columbia Sussex Corp, the Tropicana casino has been in the news, though not for the right reasons. The first news to hit the streets regarding Tropicana was the suspension of the license of the Columbia Sussex Corp. Their license was suspended on account of ‘shoddy’ service and of being ‘dirty’, though not in the way that you would normally equate with a casino. Having suspended the original owners, the New Jersey casino control commission decided to appoint a retired Supreme Court Judge to oversee the sales and the running of the Tropicana casino until the new owners can take over. Bids were invited from interested parties and a decision was expected sometime by April. Judge Gary Stein, however, decided to reject all the bids received so far since he does not believe that any of them warrant any serious consideration. So it is back to square one and with a long road ahead, can one expect more news from the Tropicana front in the near future?

Related Links:

• Tropicana is field of Competing

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