4.5 Stars. Want to have a huge drink in a fun bar with cool locals and decent food? Damn right you do, so get the hell away from the casinos and boardwalk and head over to the Back Bay Ale House!
Okay, so public approved marketing is probably not in the cards for me, but so what. You need to stop by here anyway. If you can find it near the bay, park in the gravel lot and walk right in the side door. Granted, this place is far from huge, with only about eight seats at the bar and a couple of small tables, but there's also an upstairs dining area as well.
I was lucky to get a seat in the middle of the bar to enjoy some lunch. Most of the food is standard bar fare, but I heard the jerk wings were good, so I ordered those with a Dogfish Head 60 IPA. The taste was good, but the wings weren't quite crispy enough for my liking. As I ate one after another, I noticed the Mason jars. Yeah, THE Mason jars. I'm not talking about the little jars your grandma used to can jam and jelly either. These suckers are huge, holding 32 oz. of alcohol infused cocktails, shaken up just to your liking.
Well, I don't know how it happened, but somehow the margarita one ended up in front of me from one of the best bartenders I've ever had. Lisa was friendly, funny and super efficient, serving various drinks left and right without interrupting the flow of her conversations and ribbing with all the patrons. I was impressed.
Oh, and by the way, the oversized margarita was awesome! It's no wonder there's a two drink max per customer. Nobody would ever leave.
Came upon this place after my other plans were closed. Â Good plan B!
The waitress insisted on trying the jerk wings with the JuJu slatter sauce. Â The wings were nice and juicy and that dry rub they put on them had just enough spice. But that JuJu sauce......OH MY!!! I saved the rest of it to put on my Crab Cake Po'Boy.
The crab cakes was nice and crispy on the outside and tender inside. They also have these 32oz mason jar cocktails....gotta get those the next time I'm out here.
The view from off the patio seating area looks right across the bay! A great view especially at sunset. There is no doubt that I'll be seeing this place again!
Rolled in to Atlantic city with my brother after 8pm on a monday and so glad we found this haven by the bay. If you go by GPS, as would most anyone who would be able to find it, you will notice that on the map it looks as if its in a park, well, it kind of is. Through a marina area nestled amongst antique nautical structures along the shore of the bay is the Back Bay ale house, but to be fair, it's plainly indicated by its name that its off the beaten path.
And I'm so glad it was; another fine example of how yelp finds places only insider knowledge is aware of.
An old wooden building from early 1800's, the Back Bay ale house's lovely, seemingly all female staff served us New Jersey's own Flying Fish 60min IPA Â (India Pale Ale), that continued to prove how adept NJ's own hometown brewery is at making world class beer from NJ waters. The ale was rich, full bodied, Â hoppy deliciousness that finished strong but not overtly bitter, served ice cold in a pint glass.
Next, we ordered the mussels in a red sauce, went superb with the ales. A rich yet delicately textured tomato sauce loaded with garlic surrounded the ample serving for two of delectable local musels and served with fresh garlic bread.
I ordered the seafood combo basket, my brother had the clams, both were fantastic. Sure, its fried seafood, but oh how well fried it is; firm yet tender shrimp, cod, mini crab cakes in abundance, Â as well as the huge serving of local clams in my bros basket. We also tried the Bob Marley inspired drink served in a mini mason jar (the small size), and after a few sips we was feelin ireee mon, tru tru.
Like craft beer? Like awesome seafood that doesn't look like you will need to do better in the casino to afford the bill? Turn on the gps and find this awesome little bar restaurant, Â the outer area decks, surrounded by the bay and its awesome views, great food, service, and libations make this my go to spot in A.C. for dinner.
This place gets 5 stars for the view and the drinks. Â It is the best spot to chill and drink in the summer and Angie is hands down the best bartender. Â The food is good, everything is a bit pricey, but totally worth it. Â I've ordered a few things from here and have not been disappointed. Â The only downside is how small the bar is, so on a really hot day you kind of burn up unless you sit inside. Â I can't wait till summer rolls back around!
Review Source:While working in Atlantic City, I stumlbed off the beaten path, upon the Back Bay Ale House at the historic Gardner's Basin Marina. While "beach bars" aren't my thing, after people leaving all highly recommended it, I took a chance and was extremely pleased, so much so, that I would travel to Atlantic City just to go there. Pity they are only open Feb. - Dec.
The food was like a step back in time to yesteryear. The days before businesses had their eye on the bottom line over quality. While I was swooning over my cream of crab bisque, I watched a thick rib eye steak being thrown onto the grill that looked incredible. I had a seafood cob salad experience! Everyone was enjoying their mixed grill,seafood sampler, jumbo lump Chesapeake crab, and petite "Delmonico". I watched Bob Marleys: lemonade, mint, and sweet tea vodka, in Mason jars, flying off the bar. You feel like you're in a cozy fisherman's shack. All in all, we had a great time.
Once there, you can take a boat tour or cruise, go fishing, visit the quaint craft shops homemade ice cream shop, and aquarium. A nice afternoon. :)
Stopped in here for lunch with Heidi and her mother, This place has a great view of the bay. Wait staff was very attentive and helpful. We each had a soup and the  Mixed Grill
Skewer of shrimp, 4 oz. Mahi filet topped with shrimp & jumbo lump crab, garlic, butter and wine and a 3 oz. petite filet mignon served with old bay fries.Food was very good but slow to appear. All in all very nice experience.
or Maybe it just seemed that way after the 32oz. margarita......no, everyone agreed good place and I will stop in again.
After walking around on a hot and humid day stopping at the Back Bay Ale House and Ice Cream is like finding an oasis in the desert. Â Not only is the atmosphere 'cool' and inviting, it's also warm and cozy. The wait staff is attentive and friendly, and the selection for libations and delicacies are vast and mouth watering. This establishment is definitely a local hidden gem and has quickly made its way to a favorite AC destination for me.
Review Source:I'm reviewing this place based on what they serve, and that is bar food.
Drinks did look great but I wasn't drinking this particular day.
We had a whole group of people and everyone was underwhelmed with what they ordered. Someone on here said the food reminded them of heated up frozen food from Sam's club, they were right on. Fries were crisp but over salted to the point of no return and the chicken fingers were over fried (too dark) and the meat inside had all that gross gristle. Shrimp tacos, were, eh, at best, I didn't like how you had to detail them yourself. My friend commented she was still hungry and felt it was more an appetizer than a dinner.
It is however a very busy place. I think people really like the drinks more than the food. The staff works very hard and that's what I gave the extra star for.
I'm over my crush on Back Bay. We're settling into that phase now where, like all committed relationships, I'm slowly starting to find some things I don't like, but I'm choosing to accept them because I really want this to work.
Boyfriend and I came back for a mason and decided to try the jerk chicken wings. They were good. Crispy yet juicy...but they weren't jerk. I've had the fortunate experience of eating jerk chicken and pork at a food stand in Jamaica, and this wasn't even in the same ballpark. I didnt expect it to transport me back to my Jamaican vacation, but I did expect to taste some jerk seasoning. The menu should just label them "chicken wings."
We still had a blast, the drinks were still delicious, and service was still friendly and quick. My favorite place for an afternoon/early evening drink.
This place is awesome! Â About a 5 minute drive from the board walk. Come as you are, even if you are in your bathing suit. Â Ask to sit outside upstairs if available for the best view. Â Drinks are cold and served out of mason jars. Â They also have a great beer selection which includes my personal favorite Dogfish Head 60! Â You will find classic beach fare and seafood on the menu. Â Burgers, chicken, salads, fish and chips, shrimp etc. Â I had a cup of the cream of crab soup and it was amazing also had a burger which was cooked just the way I asked. Â
RUN dont walk to this Gem!
This place was pretty bad. We were seated instantly outside, and that part was nice. But, when we gets to the food, this is where we have a very big problem.
I ordered a Shrimp Cocktail as my appetizer, and the shrimp were so small, and they did not taste good at all. It's as if they just took frozen shrimp and heard them up. Really bad shrimp cocktail. Really bad. Person #2 ordered a Cobb Salad and, not just the fact that it tasted horrible, they forgot the bacon and the eggs and the salad was extremely small.
Overall, I do not recommend going here, not worth the time or money due to the quality of food. Go to another place like Gilchrist instead (they a open Fridays and Saturdays for dinner).
This place is in perfect place. The drinks come in mason jars! The food is awesome and there are large portions. I loved everything about it. Across the way is another bar called scales it is owned by the same people and they have live music and a great view of the city! I love this place!!
Review Source:Im surprised at the bashing of the food here. Â I believe for a burger/seafood joint it's pretty good. Â I've never gotten something that I didn't like here. Â As far as beer selection goes, it's one of the best in all of AC. Â The bartenders are always friendly and for a little spot it's pretty good. Â I don't know what people were expecting but for what they offer it get the job done. Â This place is a favorite of locals who come to sit by the water and try their masons. Â Be careful tho, before you know if you're wasted!
Review Source:My spouse and I visited BBAH after a long walk on the Boardwalk late Sunday afternoon.  It was an unseasonably hot day in May.  You have to drive to Gardner's Basin which only takes about 10 minutes, but there was ample free parking.  We sat inside since  it had started to get a little windy, but we have sat outside and on the porch in visits past- both fun. The atmosphere reminds me of Key West (which we have visited).  If you are looking for a fancy-shmancy restaurant, you are at the wrong place!  GOOD FOOD, REASONABLE PRICING, attentive service, and great signature drinks - that's what we found.  We tried the CRAB SOUP, which was some of the best I have ever eaten, and the JERK CHICKEN (which was so good that we had to place another order).  We also tried the GARLIC SHRIMP, which although a little small was quite tasty.  In the past, I have had the COBB SALAD (Huge!), and the Delmonico Steak.  We observed the bartender making so many BOB MARLEY SWEET TEAS in Mason Jars, that we each tried one and were NOT disappointed!  I think I found my new summer drink (DELICIOUS!) Afterward, we walked along the back bay area and it was very pleasant and safe.  Great time!
Review Source:Terrible...not sure if we just hit an off night or what, but I'll keep it short to get to the point.
Food: So we order the Crab Chips and Cheese, out come potato chips with old bay seasoning and semi warm queso that tasted like supermarket brand. Â Fish Taco? Plate of 2 small fish fillets with some taco fillings and terrible...terrible...rice pilaf, and 3 microwave warmed up tortillas. My wife liked her crab cake balls. Â Point: everything tasted like it came from Sam's club. Â For the price, I expect much much better.
Ale House with 2 beers on tap?! There needs to be a law against that. OBTW...your sunset ale is old, and needs to be changed out and tastes like an Extract Home brew.
Service was actually okay, one of the reasons for 2 stars instead of one.
So why didn't I bring any of this up to the wait staff, well sometimes you go into a place and know its not that something is wrong, it's just the standard, that's this place. Maybe it's better in the summer, if so save yourself some money and close down in the winter
BBAH is an adorable place in Gardner's Basin. My girlfriends and I ate here for lunch after the beach. The cocktails come in 32 oz mason jars. Try the bob marley sweet tea - it's delish! For food the jerk chicken is outta this world! Would have given more stars but the waitress was not very good and on top of that she charged the credit card more than what was on the check.
Review Source:This place could be better than the 2 stars I am giving it (would give 2.5 if it was available), and maybe the staff was a bit weary from the intense heat and humidity at noon on this Tuesday . . . but they were off today.
First, nobody knows if there is seating inside and they seem intent on wanting you to sit outside . . . yea I'm from Florida, I love A/C, I don't need to feel any breezes on the deck . . . "oh you want me to check upstairs for seating" Â wtf? Â I'll just sit out here. Â It does seem like a nice spot on a cooler day, but that wasn't today.
So it is hot, I have been walking A/C, I know I want something with free refills, I'll take a sweet tea, 10 minutes later it comes back unsweetened . . . of course lol, she did bring the right tea and refilled us before we took off from the restaurant and allowed us to take the plastic cups so that was nice of her.
Ordered a burger, but the upcharge for fries is 2 bucks . . . "old bay fries" Â what is that? Â Ok I'll try it. Â Love em . . . don't see them much in South Florida, but with my love for old bay and crabs, the old bay fries were hittin. Â As was the burger, though I asked for lettuce and tomato, and I didn't get that either. Â She brings them on the side after I asked again.
Other tables had similar problems with serving as well. Â Maybe because it is 100 degrees outside and our waitress has to serve the "deck tables" as well as walk down the steps on the deck, bend the corner and serve people on the side as well . . . while the "bus boy" sits back and watches everything . . . I mean I know it isn't your job but give these girls some help with the drinks instead of watching everybody eat.
I dunno, it is probably a better spot than I am rating it, but it deserved this rating on this day. Â The food is good though, so don't let that sway you, I would avoid on a hot day at noon though.
Nice place for end of the day brew & easy dinner. Great views from the deck of sunset. Mixed grill my son had was very tasty, as was the wife's maryland chicken. Had a lump crab appetizer that wile expensive($12.95) was pure decadence. Full lumps of crabmeat cooked just right in garlic & butter. Salads at other tables looked very fresh. Would return!
Review Source:If your looking for a gourmet restaurant - this is not it.
If your looking for Good Food at reasonable prices - this is the place.
The Jumbo Lump Crab is very good and the Seafood Cobb Salad is big enough to feed 2 easily. They also have a nice Draft selection.
Our waitress was perfectly friendly and attentive, and it was on her recommendation we try the seafood cobb salad. Good Job.
The Cream of Crab Soup was good as was the Jersey Chowder.
I went here for the first time this weekend, and it was a nice place to sit outside and enjoy the sunset. Â
We only had apps, but the menu included all the standard seafood options you'd expect. Â I really liked my creamy crab soup. Â The shrimp cocktail was just ok. Â I'm curious to try the entrees next time I come here.
Outside of the food and outdoor seating, the best reason to come here is for the enormous cocktails served in gigantic mason jars. Â Now this is a bar that could benefit from a local shuttle service like JD's!
Love this restaurant especially once the outdoor seating opens. They welcome our dog, have live music on the weekends and the service is always with a smile. Their food in consistent and always terrific.
Don't forget to try them off season as well, the food and service is always good:)
Back Bay Ale House is located off the beaten path in Atlantic City, by the Absecon and Gardiner Inlet. It has great sunset views and you can watch the sightseeing and fishing boats pull out of the docks. There are multiple businesses at this same address - look for the Atlantic City Aquarium and the BBAH is tucked right behind.
There is an upper deck with great views, you can sit on the porch or on the side lawn and listen to live music. Back Bay Ale House has standard pub-type food, and you will not be disappointed in any of the seafood dishes. The specials are constantly changing and always a good choice.
If you have nowhere to go for a while, try a Basin Mason Margarita in their trademark 32-oz mason jar.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
