Bally's AC - how is it now?

It's been a while since I've been to AC and we usually stay at Claridge. It'll just be myself and C in December, so we're booked at Bally's. I like that section of hotels with three connected together and not too far from Resorts and Hard Rock. And I've stayed at Bally's once many moons ago. How is it now w/the new owner? It seems to have way more going on than it used to.

 

Last I heard they revamped the tower rooms but haven't done much to the casino floor. I haven't been there much to be able to contribute more than that

 

They remodeled some of the rooms. Put a rotating bar in the lobby area. I haven’t seen much changes after that.

 

Some of the rooms are remodelled and it was done pretty well from what I saw. The Casino is about the same, there is a new players lounge for superstar(second highest level. Like Diamond Elite) and up. The total touch system and kiosks are new Ballys versions and really crappy compared to the CET versions. No more ordering drinks from the menu on the slot like before. No app also. Otherwise, its about the same. There FP, Gifts, and Gift Cards are a bit more generous than CET though(at least at the $500/day level).

 

The new owners announced $100 million in renovations to the property last winter. It looks like they refurbished the Bally’s Tower rooms, but there is no mention of Dennis Tower or Garden Tower.

Here is a link to a piece done by a local Philly TV station showing some of the rooms: https://phl17.com/weekend-philler/an-inside-look-at-the-multi-million-dollar-renovations-at-ballys-hotel-and-casino-in-atlantic-city-nj/

Another: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/business/crucial-summer-for-atlantic-city-starts-with-new-investments/3252923/

Wild Wild West is now part of Caesars and is still connected to Bally's. But the WWW slot area near the boardwalk with the escalator that went up to Caesars AC is closed. I believe this is due to the deal struck with Spiegelworld to build a new venue using the historic Warner Theater façade.

There is a couple new-ish restaurants, Jerry Longo's Meatballs and Martini's and Casino Cafe & Grill; both are on the 6th floor near Guy Fieri's. Red Bowl 88 is about a year old and it's near the Fanduel Sportsbook. The Yard is located where Harry's Oyster Bar used to be. This summer they built the equivalent of a greenhouse in the courtyard of the Dennis Tower. Service had been lacking at the Yard, hopefully that has improved from Summer's seasonal labor shortage.

Alas, no bartop video poker, but the new Carousel Bar has live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Plus Happy Hour 3-5 pm Daily with half off drinks. (Excludes specialty cocktails, bottles of wine and super premium liquor). I wonder if a Martini is a specialty drink?

 

They seem to be in the early stages of really improving it. For me, I don't need many thrills, so I didn't mind the old Bally's. But they are making some renovations and adding new restaurants and bars.

I was a fan of Harry's Oyster Bar and then discovered Water Dog last winter which was great ... both are gone now. But apparently the Yard is a great time as is the Carousel Bar.

While it still has a long ways to go for the public to fall back in love with the resort, the areas with new coats of paint and what have you are a start.

 

check out Dougherty's Raw Bar at Resorts. Same owners, happy hour 7 days a week, $1.25 oysters along with food and drink specials.

 

Super helpful insight. We're booked into one of the renovated rooms so we'll probably give this a try.

 

Forgot to mention, Dougherty's Raw Bar has a late night Happy Hour on Friday and Saturday nights. No mention of oyster specials. Just when you need it.

 

How are the following new joints?

Carousel Lobby Bar, The Yard and the breakfast/lunch place that took over for Water Dog?

Thanks.

 

We ended up doing breakfast at the Casino Grill that's where Waterdog was. It's a basic breakfast menu and the food was fine. Coffee was great. If you want a mimosa or Bloody Mary you're out of luck because they don't have a liquor license yet. They close at 2.
We also went to the Carousel Bar which both of us really liked. The bartenders are friendly and the drinks were good. They have a happy hour with half price drinks, but we were there at a regular time.