Atlantic City is starting to see a resurgence behind new venue's push for top talent and programming
Before Las Vegas became the mecca for blockbuster DJ residencies at posh mega clubs, Atlantic City reigned supreme. The East Coast entertainment and tourism hub’s rich history began well before it became the first city outside of Nevada to offer legal gambling. Though over time, Atlantic City’s booming commercial appeal faltered, and at point of the city’s steepest decline, Vegas caught on to the global EDM boom, and the world’s top rap and dance talents all started vying for valuable residency slots at some of the hottest club properties in the country.
Atlantic City, once the home Caesar’s Palace, Bally’s, and more, may have fallen on hard times, but that doesn’t mean that the enduring entertainment hotspot has not hung on. Now, it seems the little engine that could may be picking up some steam once again. The city has remained an East Coast entertainment center point behind clubs like Hard Rock’s emerging DAER concept. The new indoor/outdoor hybrid, championed by the Hard Rock brand’s deep musical legacy, has been drawing in top-tier talent since it opened in June 2018, programming a state of the art venue that manages to capture big room energy and an intimate feel all at once.
DAER, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, has staked its claim on the national club circuit with major bookings including Drake, Tiësto, Alesso, Travis Scott, Above & Beyond, and more in its first months in business. The secret ingredient to DAER’s success though comes from venerated industry talent that has quietly migrated away from current social hotspots to head back to the East Coast and ignite Atlantic City’s resurgence. Former Hakkasan figures have brought their know-how to New Jersey and Atlantic City’s restoration seems to be underway. If DAER is the comparative barometer for what the boardwalk could eventually go back to, things are going to start looking up for the East Coast club scene. DAER hasn’t even had a full trip around the sun yet, but a recap of the club’s first six months in operation shows Atlantic City’s exciting comeback starting to materialize, largely behind what could likely become one of the most in-demand clubs in the country.
