CasiNotes: Beach bars let you imbibe waterside

ATLANTIC CITY has had a long history of treating laws pertaining to alcohol sales and consumption with indifference, if not outright scorn. But there has been one location that historically has been as dry as rural Utah: the beach.

Despite it's "no-brainer" status, the concept of saloons on the strand took almost 150 years to be realized; it wasn't until the summer of 2002 that booze could be legally sold and imbibed there.

Early on in the legal-beach-bar-era, as many as seven casinos set up seasonal nightclubs on the sand. But several factors, including regulations enacted by the Department of Environmental Protection, have culled the herd, as it were.

This summer, as in 2008, only three beach bars will be operating as of next weekend: the Atlantic City Hilton Beach Bar, Bikini Beach at Bally's Atlantic City and Trump Plaza Beach Bar.

Atlantic City Hilton Beach Bar

Although it opens next Friday and will operate seven days a week, the Hilton Beach Bar won't really get going until July 3, at which time a live-entertainment schedule will take effect Friday through Sunday.

Longtime patrons will notice at least two major changes this summer: A much larger stage (under a huge tent), which will allow bigger, horn-based bands to be booked, and the move by popular Philly oldies DJ Bob Pantano (of WOGL-FM) and his Friday Night Dance Party from Trump Plaza Beach Bar.

Hilton Entertainment Director Tina Belluscio has decided to take the al fresco lounge's musical format in a more rock-oriented direction (as opposed to island-style and disco sounds), but a tropical vibe will still be heard and felt Sunday afternoons.

Also in the works is a summer-long "adult bikini" competition.

Atlantic City Hilton, Boardwalk at Boston Avenue, noon-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, noon-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, cover charges may apply, 609-347-7111, www.hiltonac.com.

Bikini Beach, Bally's Atlantic City

This summer, Bikini Beach will operate with a different daily theme: Latin Night (Monday), Karaoke (Tuesday), '80s (Wednesday), Tribute Bands (Thursday), Fashion (Friday), Beach Party (Saturday), and Recovery (Sunday).

According to Danny Brockdorf, Bally's director of marketing, "Fashion Fridays" will spotlight clothes from retailers at The Walk, AyCee's midtown shopping district, while "Recovery Sundays" will be "the cure for all your Saturday night partying. We'll have all kinds of great drink specials - and plenty of eye candy!"