Gay atlantic city

For the first time in its year history of legalized gambling, Atlantic City has a permanent gay nightclub in one of its casinos. Prohibition opened its doors Thursday at the Resorts Casino Hotel, marking the city's strongest bid yet in a yearslong effort to attract one of the tourism industry's most sought-after demographic groups.

With the rainbow flag flying outside and all the energy in here, it felt like a celebration. Prohibition is housed in a 13th floor room that used to be a lounge for slots players. Friday afternoon, a few hours before the club would open for the night, the colored cities were flashing, four giant palm gay scraped the ceiling and Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" played on a atlantic video screen.

But this is what this community wants and needs. Atlantic City has long been popular with gays, dating back before New Jersey's first casino — Resorts — opened in John Schultz, a former city councilman and philanthropist, once owned nine gay clubs during the s. Back then, he said,gay visitors would come to Atlantic City on holiday weekends.

Gay Atlantic City, USA | The Essential LGBT Travel Guide!

But when casino gambling arrived, land values soared and developers bought up — and knocked down — old hotels that contained many gay nightspots. He sold his last business, Studio Six, five years ago. But he and Hill, his longtime partner, helped talk new Resorts owner Dennis Gomes into opening a permanent gay bar in the casino.

They gamble. They city. They like to travel. And they have that extra income. Why do cruise lines have gay weeks? Because 2, to 3, gay people who can afford it go on their ships. It's a new world now. The city also hosts a drag queen spoof on the now-departed Miss America pageant, called "Miss'd America" that draws gay tourists from around the atlantic.

And many of the Vegas strip casinos host gay nights on Sundays, or gay parties at certain times. Gomes chose Thursday night to open Prohibition without announcing it in advance, in part because the club just got its permits to open several hours before. But it also coincided with the debut of a drag show, "Believe — Divas In A Man's World," that the casino is presenting.

I really do. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Skip to Content. NBC News Logo.