It has been quite some time before casino resorts marquees boasted advents of live shows in Atlantic City. But that should all change soon. As casinos perfect the art of complying with government-mandated restrictions, AC’s casinos are gradually bringing back live entertainment.
Live entertainment has been a critical aspect of the Atlantic City experience that makes visits so much meaningful and enjoyable for visitors. It is partly the reason why visitors keep coming back over and over again so it will be great to have that aspect of entertainment back in the city after a long absence.
But guests shouldn’t be too quick to expect the A-List celebrities that they have come to expect. Instead, the casinos in Atlantic City will start offering smaller shows featuring lesser-known performance acts in rooms capable of maintaining the recommended 6-foot distance. The showrooms in which the events are being held should also be spacious and capable of offering enhanced air circulation to limit the spread.
Already, the Hard Rock is preparing a series of Motown themed Christmas shows scheduled to last between December 11th and 30th. Casinos are still operating at 25% reduced capacity so the road to recovery is still very long. The good news is that reintroducing these shows to the public is an important and great fast step.
What we cover
What has been happening in Atlantic City?
When Governor Phil Murphy instituted new restrictions to control the increasing cases of infections in Atlantic City, bars and restaurants had already gotten used to operating at 25% limited capacity. But things are stricter now as dine-in service is now prohibited during certain hours while bar seating is forbidden period.
Before the new restrictions, Atlantic City was slowly getting into the groove of things. Case in point, Harrah’s has been presenting Bayside ROCK Live that features DJ sets and performances from tribute bands of the ’70s and ’80s. during the performances, attendees are barred from smoking and must have their face coverings on at all times except when eating or drinking.
The Chairman’s Club at Golden Nugget has remained shut off temporarily but the outside patio of the Wave has been giving 24K Select Club Chairman and Elite cardholders access to various entertainment options.
Harrah’s on the other hand has been operating the Elite Lounge for Caesars Rewards Diamond Elite and Seven Stars cardholders. Here, guests can sit as they enjoy a cocktail or a light meal prepared by Harrah’s capable food and beverage staff. Unfortunately, Harrah’s had had to hold off the weekend Seven Stars Starlight Cocktail Hour, which was typically held at the Pool deck until things calm down.
The Society Club at The Water Club at Borgata has been open for a while now but only for M Life Rewards NOIR cardholders. The Water Club serves a buffet and there is also a seated service poolside that guests can enjoy. With indoor dining still mostly discouraged, guests at Caesars AC have been having their takeout and beverages at the Colosseum Garage.
Stringent precautions being maintained all over the state
Restaurants and bars in Atlantic City have had to adhere to stringent precautions and policies designed to keep guests safe. For instance, all eating and dining establishments including holders of liquor licenses must now close indoor premises by 10 pm, each day only to resume business until 5 am the next day. During closing hours, no food or beverage can be offered.
Even where indoor dining is permitted, the seating has been limited to a maximum of 8 customers for each table. Customers are also encouraged to make reservations before showing up to control the traffic. This also makes it a lot easier for the authorities to carry out contact tracing.
State officials have been unyielding that the state is currently in the throes of the second wave of infections. As such, Gov. Phil Murphy has been asking residents and operators, in general, to double down on the virus control measures that have been instituted so far such as social distancing and wearing face coverings.
Aside from limiting indoor dining and youth sports in a bid to curb the rising cases, the Governor is also urging NJ residents to skip large family gatherings as the holidays’ fast approach. In the meantime, counties and towns in the state are addressing the spikes as they see fit by restricting events with large crowds and closing down businesses early.
Live Entertainment has been back in Vegas
Meanwhile, Live Entertainment has been back in Vegas for some time now. Caesars Entertainment, unsurprisingly, was the first to bring live entertainment back to the Vegas Strip. Caesars has been following all the established health safety protocols and recommendations by doing things such as having guests screened and enforcing the mandatory mask rule.
So far, Live Entertainment has taken place at Harrah’s (X Country and Tape Face ), Caesars Palace (ABSINTHE), and Flamingo (Piff the Magic Dragon). Additionally, guests have been enjoying live musicians across all the lounges and bar offerings. Vegas hadn’t been able to provide guests any live entertainment since the state was shut down earlier on in the year in March.
Final Thoughts
The pandemic’s effect on society as we knew it has been unparalleled, to say the least. Even as cases across New Jersey continue to mount, nobody, not even Dr. Fauci can accurately state when the world will be able to return to normal day to day life. So far, the outbreak has cost the entertainment industry in the country an estimated US$12 billion and the industry will continue hurting as long as the endemic persists.
Are you a New Jersey resident interested in playing online in our state and taking advantage of the best offers? Check out our curated list of NJ casinos, NJ sportsbooks, and online bonuses. And if you are a poker player, please check our list of Best Poker Sites in New Jersey.