Casino Atlantic City Covid
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Two popular and highly regarded restaurants in Atlantic City will remain closed permanently, victims of the coronavirus and the restrictions that came with it. What measures has Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City taken to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to guests and Team Members? We have implemented and will continue: Disinfecting common surfaces more frequently, specifically lobbies, front desks, slot machines, tabletops, table game surfaces, restrooms, hotel rooms, door knobs, elevators.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Two popular and highly regarded restaurants in Atlantic City will remain closed permanently, victims of the coronavirus and the restrictions that came with it.
Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Buddakan and The Continental, which have been closed since mid-March, will not reopen.
Both were located inside the former Playground Pier, which Caesars Entertainment recently repurchased from developer Bart Blatstein. The pier has had extremely low levels of foot traffic and a majority of its stores have been empty for more than a year.
The two eateries combined employed more than 100 people. Employees were notified late Monday that the businesses would not reopen.
“It was a nice run, but we had to say goodbye,” said Starr, who operates high-profile restaurants in Philadelphia, New York, Washington and Paris that remain in business.
“We couldn’t continue in this environment with the coronavirus and the current state of the pier,” he said. “There was barely anyone left there except us.”
Hilton Casino Atlantic City
Regardless of who owned it, the pier has struggled for years, due in part to its location jutting out over the ocean across the Boardwalk from Caesars casino. Guests either had to find a parking space in a parking garage the casino also shares with a hospital, or find a space in a lot blocks away and walk to the pier.
Nonetheless, Starr’s two restaurants there consistently won rave reviews from customers and were regarded as among Atlantic City’s top eateries. Diners went online Tuesday afternoon to lament the absence of The Continental’s Brussels sprouts and wasabi mashed potatoes, and the oversized martinis that often accompanied them.
Kris Neff, executive chef at The Continental, said the months-long closure because of the virus, and the lack of foot traffic made it difficult to survive.
“The occupancy in Atlantic City, for sure, would not have been there, not being able to host the large conferences and concerts that enable us to be profitable,” he said. “As far as destination restaurants in Atlantic City go, this is definitely a big loss.”
He plans to launch a private chef business shortly.
In a statement, Caesars Entertainment said the businesses were “certainly two of Atlantic City’s premier restaurants.”
“We will certainly miss the great food, exceptional service, and most importantly, the great team of people who worked there, the statement read. ”We wish them much success.”
Starr said he opted not to reopen a month ago when New Jersey allowed indoor dining to resume, but only at 25% of capacity.
“We would have lost tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars,” he said.
He made the decision to close a Continental restaurant in Philadelphia a week ago, but said it will eventually reopen with a new concept.
“We are still very open as a company,” he said. “We are surviving in many other places. But to open just before winter, during the virus on an empty pier in Atlantic City would have been a disaster.”
(Copyright 2020 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
To learn more about our Health and Sanitization plan, visit theoceanac.com/hsp
Please note that New Jersey strongly discourages all non-essential interstate travel at this time. CLICK HERE to learn more about New Jersey’s COVID-19 travel restrictions. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to your travel plans, and look forward to seeing you soon.
Indoor dining is available at a limited capacity until 10PM, beverage consumption will be permitted from 5AM – 10PM per the New Jersey executive order. Please be aware of the below protocols to ensure your experience is safe and enjoyable:
Beverage Consumption
- Drinks can only be served to patrons who are seated at a table game or slot machine.
- Drinks can only be consumed by patrons who are seated at a table game or slot machine.
- Guests may briefly lower their mask to consume their beverage.
- Masks can be lowered/removed to take a sip, but they must replace the mask after each sip.
- Customers who are standing cannot eat or drink. This includes patrons who are standing to watch somebody else play.
- Customers are allowed to carry their drink across the floor to a new section, but they cannot consume it while walking – mask must remain on until they are seated and begin drinking again.
Indoor Dining
- Indoor dining will be available at a limited capacity until 10PM at the following outlets: Amada, American Cut, Dolce Mare, Cafe 500, Harper’s, Wahlburgers, Zhen Bang, The District, Distrito, and Villain & Saint. Reservations are highly recommended for social distancing.
- Masks can only be removed while actively eating or drinking. Masks must be worn while waiting for food and beverage order and must be worn while sitting at the table.
- Guests can carry food and beverage across the floor but cannot consume them while walking (with the exception of water).
- Many outdoor dining options are still offered. Learn more. https://www.theoceanac.com/restaurants/outdoor-dining/
Smoking
- Smoking permitted within designated smoking areas outside.
Valet
- Valet parking is now available. For your safety, air conditioning/heating must be turned off and windows must be up when you arrive in your vehicle. Masks must be worn by the driver and passengers. View rates here.
With an emphasis on the prevention of virus transmission, Ocean has devised these guidelines and procedures to promote high health and sanitization standards. In conjunction with local health officials, guidelines from the CDC and state authorities we’ve added these initiatives throughout the property:
Showboat Casino Atlantic City
Face coverings are required for all guests + team members.
GUESTS CAN HELP STOP THE SPREAD BY FOLLOWING THESE ADDITIONAL HEALTH + SANITIZATION PRECAUTIONS
Atlantic City Casino Covid Rules
Wear a face mask when on property. Face mask can only be removed briefly when eating or drinking. Masks must remain on when walking on the casino floor.
Do not touch your face at any time.
Do not enter the property if you are not feeling well.
*Protocols pending approval from the State of New Jersey.