Throw all the cliche “40 is the new 30,” “life begins at 40,” “I’m aging like a fine wine,” nonsense right in the trash. Yes, 40 is absolutely a milestone worth celebrating, but it’s doubtful you can or want to ring in this new decade in quite the same way as you did at 21. You deserve a little commotion for making it to middle age, but it’s not cute to wobble through the casino in your bare feet, carrying your shoes, before promptly vomiting vodka club, splash of cran directly into your own handbag. If you’re feeling uneasy about entering your forties and are unsure of what to do to appropriately mark the occasion, we have the perfect itinerary for your 40th birthday celebration in Atlantic City. Spend one night living it up, indulging almost like a twenty-something. Then, recover and refresh for the rest of the weekend. Pack the Pepcid, change your Dr. Scholl’s insoles, and prepare for an unforgettable experience.
Day 1: Arriving in Atlantic City
We recommend checking in as early as possible to avoid wasting valuable party time waiting in line. Even if a room isn’t available yet, you can leave your bag with bell services and pick up your key later. It’s time for your luxury Atlantic City 40th birthday experience to begin.
Pre-Dinner Drinks
Around 5pm, toast yourself with a pre-dinner drink at Little Water Distillery and/or The Seed: A Living Beer Project, Atlantic City’s own distillery and brewery. These neighboring venues make for an effortless mini DIY bar crawl. Little Water has a seasonally rotating cocktail menu that highlights the spirits distilled on site. The fall menu focuses on traditional autumn flavors like cranberry, apple, maple, and cinnamon.
The only thing more masterfully crafted than the drinks are their punny monikers like She Dragged Me Apple Picking (Whitecap whiskey, apple cider, lemon, maple, aromatic bitters) and Sweater Weather (Prosperity aged rum, apple butter, cinnamon, ginger beer).
Next door at The Seed, the tap list changes frequently, but you can always count on at least one saison among their locally sourced, thoughtfully crafted beers. At the time of publication, they’re serving a nitro oatmeal stout, For Warmth, can pour, which is perfect for a chilly coastal autumn evening. It’s not your typical brewery. There isn’t a flat screen or any sports memorabilia in the whole place. It feels more like a spa retreat than a taproom, a brewery for the distinguished, mature appreciator of beer, a brewery for real grown ups, such as yourself.
Dinner at Dock’s Oyster House
We have long celebrated special occasions at Dock’s Oyster House, as you are well aware, if you’ve been following us for even a short time. You can revisit our prior blogs about Dock’s here and here, but tonight is all about giving you the best birthday dinner in Atlantic City. We recommend dining at about 7pm. It’s the peak dinner rush, but the bar and dining room will be full of ambient laughter and lively conversation amidst the bright voiced piano. Get started with a glass of Prosecco paired with a chilled seafood tower for two. The quantity, quality, and variety of seafood represented in the tower is a steal at just $41. The fried (plain, marinara, buffalo, or wasabi) and broiled (Rockefeller or champagne leek) oysters are another must-try. In the colder months, we round out the appetizer course with steamed clams in a mildly spicy tomato broth (save your bread for sopping up the extra), and share the bubbling and gooey crab meat au gratin for our entree. Keep your eye out for pumpkin cheese pie on special, or stick with the classic Joe’s cheese pie, otherwise.
Night Out at Angeloni’s Club Madrid
After dinner, walk a block down Georgia Avenue to 2400 Arctic, home of Atlantic City’s newest hot spot: Angeloni’s Club Madrid.
The attention to detail is mind-blowing: a horseshoe shaped bar ensconced in red neon, “eye in the sky” casino surveillance cameras repurposed as a decorative ceiling fixture, trippy bathrooms with landline telephones and wall tiles that surely cause auditory and visual hallucinations… and that’s just the cocktail lounge.
The space could easily be a museum of 1980s and Atlantic City history, but cooler. The service is top tier. The cocktail program is elaborate and flawlessly executed. The bar is always high energy, but between 9 and 10pm, as dinner service slows, the cocktail lounge becomes the place to see and be seen. And that’s why you’re here: for a couple of post dinner cocktails. Here’s your order: The innovative Girl Dinner, a dirty Alibi gin martini with blue cheese stuffed olives and a side of sour gummy worms, is a showstopper. As a newly minted quadragenarian, we’re sure you’ll not only appreciate a drink that comes with a snack, but also the kind that includes caffeine.
Enter The Cavalieri, Club Madrid’s espresso martini sprinkled with maldon for a unique spin on a familiar favorite. While the wild cocktails get all the attention here, don’t sleep on the beer. The Seed brewed IPA cans exclusively for Angeloni’s, called Carry on Tradition, and the “bubbles” menu includes the “champagne of beers,” Miller High Life, served in 40 oz quantities in a vintage ice bucket and poured in a festive coupe. We’ll dedicate a future blog post to the dinner menu, but don’t hesitate to try it for yourself before then.
Casino Fun & Rest
Try your luck in the casino before you head to your room. Feel free to get to bed early, sleep late, or both. After imbibing like you’re 15 or so years younger, you’ll need a little refresh. The rest of your trip will be lowkey and effortless, while still feeling special and celebratory.
Day 2: A Relaxed Start: Gilchrist Breakfast
Today will be a more laidback and affordable Atlantic City 40th birthday option. Roll out of bed and up to Gilchrist Restaurant for brunch. The Hungry Man #2 combo never fails to bring us back to life with 2 eggs, 2 hotcakes (pro tip: opt for blueberry), choice of meat and home fries or grits. We also find that a good, old fashioned BLT will do the trick.
Watch the boats sail through the marina and feel the sun on your face as you fuel up for a day of unique 40th birthday activities in Atlantic City.
Hair of the Dog at Back Bay Ale House
Across the parking lot, you’ll be transported 1,400 miles away to the carefree vibes of Key West, at Back Bay Ale House. At your age, you’re probably familiar with the concept of “hair of the dog,” and Back Bay has you covered. They are know for their Bason Masons, 16 or 32 oz mason jar cocktails. Enjoy their traditional Bloody Mary or get it spicy with St George’s green chili vodka. If savory drinks aren’t your thing, they have mimosa and aperol spritzes, in addition to more than 2 dozen other crafted concoctions.
Afternoon Activities: Fun for All Tastes
Your agenda for the day will depend on your interests. There is no shortage of fun to be had at any of these multitude of Atlantic City birthday party venues. From a round at North Beach Mini Golf (or their bike and surrey rentals) to a movie at the IMAX theater at Tropicana to an afternoon at one of the city’s many spas to live music or a DJ set at Anchor Rock Club, there is something for every taste and budget. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the latest events and happenings in Atlantic City. There is a seemingly neverending schedule of festivals, including the AC Beer and Music Festival (March 29, 2025), North 2 Shore (June), Downbeach Seafood Festival (September), Witchcraft (October), and the AC Tattoo Expo (November), to name a few. Atlantic City is an underrated Christmas town, with the Irish Pub decked out from floor to ceiling in vintage decor, annual ugly sweater bar crawl, art markets, gingerbread village, holiday cocktail trails, and so much more. You’re sure to find the Atlantic City birthday activities that are just your style.
Lunch at Pho Sydney
When you’re feeling hungry again, it’s time to go to Pho Sydney for beef pho, particularly #14 pho tai nam, gan. This is the richest, most velvety broth in this city, and probably all the other cities, too. Complete your meal with a #1 goi cuon (rice paper filled with pork, shrimp, and vermicelli) served cold with peanut sauce for dipping and a Thai iced tea with milk. Foods with high water content, sodium, and carbs are the perfect antidote for a hangover. You can thank us later.
Cigar Lounge at Tennessee Avenue Tobacco Company
Continue your relaxing evening with a stop at Tennessee Avenue Tobacco Company. The cigar lounge features countless options for all palates and experience levels, from the novice smoker to full blown aficionado. Enjoy coffee or espresso with your cigar and sink into the plush leather arm chairs.
Watch a game on one of the flat screens or strike up a conversation with a new friend. The tobacconists at Tennessee Avenue are as knowledgeable as they are personable and will guide you through the best possible personalized experience. Some people compare cigar smoking to mediation, as it commands you to be present in the moment and savor the experience. We’d say take a deep breath and relax, but you’re not supposed to inhale.
Late-Night Snack at Tony’s Baltimore Grill
Most of our nights in Atlantic City end the same way: with a late night stop at the legendary Tony’s Baltimore Grill. An Atlantic City institution since 1927, Tony’s is about as nostalgic as it gets. Wood paneling, red naughahide booths, neon signs, dim lighting, and tabletop jukeboxes set the scene for a step back in time. You’ll find all the usual suspects: Coors, Miller, Bud, Michelob, Heineken, and some surprising items on the drink menu like the Atlantic City Wide (a shot of Fernet and a draft beer from The Seed). The food here is as solid as the ambiance. When you eat here as often as we do, you get ordering down to a science: fried shrimp platter with fries and slaw, meatball and onion pizza, and a roast beef sandwich.
Your 40th birthday party in Atlantic City is a marathon, not a sprint. There are plenty of activities that don’t involve alcohol, while still feeling fun and festive. As you adjust to your new decade, you’ll find you enjoy and appreciate some scheduled rest and relaxation after you let loose.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for more Atlantic City tips and tricks, info on upcoming events, and a lot of fun. Feel free to send us an email or a DM if you need help planning your Atlantic City getaway. Don’t forget to visit on online merch shop or catch us vending our hand screen printed Atlantic City tshirts, hoodies, beanies, tote bags, and more! Our holiday vending schedule is below:
Saturday, November 30
Tenn Ave Tinseltown Market
12pm-4pm outside Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
AND
Small Biz Saturday Noetrope Night Market
6pm-10pm at Anchor Rock Club
Saturday, December 14
Noyes Holiday Market and Gingerbread Village
12pm-5pm at Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University
Sunday, December 15
Tenn Ave Tinseltown Market
12pm-4pm outside Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
Thank you for your support! We couldn’t do what we do without our wonderful community!
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