Indulge in a Dragtastic Weekend in Atlantic City
Shantay your stay in Atlantic City with the pick of accommodation, drag, drinking and dining. Here’s what’s coming up.
We folks in the Northeast sometimes overlook Atlantic City as a great destination for the LGBTQ+ community, when it has so much going for it. Recognized for its commitment to diversity and welcoming atmosphere, with a specific focus on the Westside as a hub for gay nightlife and alternative venues, the coastal city in New Jersey offers a wide array of activities, including enviable digs, dining, drinking, gaming and entertainment that will occupy even the most discerning vacationer.
Now, Atlantic City is splashing out the sequins to tempt you with an LGBTQ getaway. From dazzling drag pageants to comedy icons and Pride-powered events, the city is serving entertainment that shines as bright as the lights of Steel Pier. Whether coming for the Miss’d America crown, destination dining, a spa treatment, drag brunch or iconic performer, Atlantic City delivers a scene that’s both fabulous and welcoming.
What’s Coming Up in Atlantic City
Celebrating its 34th year of dazzling performances and community pride, the Miss’d America Pageant returns to Caesars Circus Maximus Theater on September 6 with its Disco Down theme, filling the stage with 70s-inspired glamour, glittering sets and high-energy performances by Melanie Rice Orchestra and the Miss’d America dancers. Hosted by the iconic emcee Carson Kressley and led by reigning queen Aria B. Cassadine, the pageant lights up the city with extravagant costumes, glamorous evening gowns and fierce talent showcases.
Drag and Performance Extravaganzas
Year-round, Atlantic City’s drag scene delivers sparkle and spectacle, from Illusions The Drag Queen Show at Showboat Hotel, where queens channel celebrity icons with campy glamour over drinks, to Tropicana Atlantic City’s Drag Bingo and Diva Royale, a high-energy drag dinner and brunch series that brings celebrity impersonations and over-the-top performances to the stage.
At Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino, the spotlight shines on at Spiegelworld’s The Hook, a show that mixes jaw-dropping acrobatics, sultry burlesque numbers and chaotic comedy.
Where to Party
Keep the party atmosphere going at the fun, vibrant, club-like Superfrico’s late-night happy hour where Downtown vibes will make you feel entered a a secret NYC spot in Little Italy! This is where to grab a dirty martini, or some Italian-American nosh for supper. And also at Caesar’s, stumble into the casual, Western-themed Horse Dive Bar for a boutique beer.
For late-late-night options, the city’s energy peaks at ByrdCage, Atlantic City’s only “official” gay bar, where inclusive vibes, bold bites, juicy steaks, and spicy wings and glitter-topped cocktails create a high-energy hub for the LGBTQ community and allies alike. ByrdCage proudly flies the progressive Pride flag on their welcoming, declaring that “Everybody Is Welcome Here.”
For a more intimate close to the night, especially if this is a fun date, Angeloni’s Club Madrid pours playful cocktails like the “Girl Dinner,” a dirty martini with a side of gummy worms, giving a cheeky twist to a classic sip.
Where to Stay
Ocean Casino Resort offers sweeping oceanfront views while Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa pairs sleek redesigned rooms with on-site dining and nightlife.
Travelers can also experience Caesars Atlantic City’s Nobu Hotel, pairing waterfront stays with the East Coast’s only Nobu restaurant, or check into The Seahaus Hotel, a new Boardwalk boutique offering modern coastal design, elevated rooms and Italian seafood at Cucina Del Mare.
Visit Atlantic City can help you plan your getaway. There are some great deals and specials on, see them here.
