Great Restaurants, Taverns & Bars Now Closed In Atlantic City, N.J.

We had a wonderful hour of open forum (on-air) recently.

Our great listeners called-in and shared their favorite restaurants, taverns and bars from yesteryear in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The history is just incredible and it runs so deep.

Over the many years, Atlantic City has featured phenomenal dining establishments, taverns and bars that have now since closed.

THE 500 CLUB

This iconic nightclub and supper club was founded by the late Paul “Skinny” D’Amato.

It was an iconic establishment that operated from the 1930’s until it burned down in 1973.

D’Amato is the man who paired the legendary team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis together at The 500 Club in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and countless celebrities would be seen regularly.

The advertisement below is a typical evening at The 500 Club.

Below is “The Yankee Clipper,” Joe DiMaggio at the 500 Club.

THE CLUB HARLEM

Founded in 1935 by Leroy “Pop” Williams.

It was Atlantic City’s premier club for African-American performers.

The supreme talent that poured through these doors was exemplary.

The photo above is simply amazing.

This is The Chorus Line Dancers in the late 1950’s after segregation ended.

CAPTAIN STARN’S

Opened in 1940 by Clarence Starn.

The restaurant, boats and entertainment closed forever in 1979.

Location, location, location. Look at this amazing photo (below) of Captain Starn’s.

We have so many amazing memories visiting Captain Starn’s. From dining, to feeding the sea lions.

See below, just some of the many things that were available at Captain Starn’s for almost 40 years.

CARSON’S TRIANGLE CAFE

Opened in 1934 at New Hampshire and Grammercy Avenues.

Famous for their Shrimp and French Fried Lobster Tail.

HACKNEY’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Hackney’s opened in 1912.

Harry Hackney was famous for saying:

”You could open up a newspaper in the Midwest and see a Hackney's ad.”

Here are other Harry Hackney catch phrases:

“Eat Where They Are Caught."

"Home of the Purified Lobster."

"Famous Garden of Seafood."

"Fishing Out the Window.”

THANK YOU to the Real Brigantine Facebook page for these Harry Hackney quotes.

By 1929, Hackney’s had a whopping 3,200 seats and covered a full block of the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

See more photos below:

Here is a rundown of many more amazing restaurants, taverns and bars from yesteryear in Atlantic City.

Note: They are listed in the order that our listeners shared them on-air.

McGEE’S

ALFRED’S VILLA

THE LIDO

B & B LOUNGE

LUIGI’S

TAYLOR PORK ROLL (Boardwalk)

CHILD’S

THE HARVEY HOUSE

NEPTUNE INN

ORSATTI’S

THE VENICE INN

APPLEGATE LOUNGE … that later became LE BISTRO

BELLA NAPOLI

ROCKY CASTELLANI RESTAURANT

MELODY LOUNGE

MAMA MOTT’S

GUISHARD’S STEAKHOUSE

ABE’S OYSTER HOUSE

McGETTIGAN’S SALOON

KENT’S

FLYING CLOUD

CALLAHAN’S BAR

FRANK’S EXTRA DRY

CULMONE’S

TOWN TAVERN.

All of these amazing restaurants of yesteryear were put together by our listeners, who called in and shared their favorite restaurants, taverns, and bars located in Atlantic City over the years.

While this list is voluminous, it is not nearly complete. No doubt, we have missed incredible establishments that have since closed in Atlantic City.

This was so much fun to put together and it should serve notice that long before there was approved casino gaming in Atlantic City… The World’s Playground was the home of many great restaurants over the years.