Ultra Lounge

Ok, I get it.  It took me 2 days to write a review on Revel in general, and most enthusiastically: Ultra Lounge.  Let me start by saying I may not be the best judge of a Casino, Atlantic City, or a Lounge.  I intrinsically hate flashy trendy places, as my Yelp reviews would reinforce.  That said, I absolutely see where the developers of this resort (that's a compliment guys, I am actually putting "Resort", "Casino" and AC" in one sentence, and it's short "Revel".  Period.

I want to start by portraying my "Tale of 2 Cities"  yesterday . Arrive AC, check into Marriott Courtyard (because of ease and predictability of everything Marriott).  

Walk thru Resorts to get to Boardwalk.  Get panhandled in the interior reception/registration area by a rough looking dude, who was hitting everyone up. Point:  god-awful opinion of AC.  No security, no filtering.

Walk to Revel.  Inside, visual filtering by security guys.

Upstairs to casino area.  Lots of security, no riff-raff, smoke-free. Fresh, clean, new. Better looking staff and patrons.  Hmm.

Grab drink, open iPad.  Google "Revel Bankruptcy".  So, the developers overreached budget wise.  But, they did articulate a niche of avoiding buffets, tourist busses, smoking...and it's more expensive.  Frankly, it's obviously a more pleasant clientele.

Now, UL.

My only comparison is the Hard Rock in Vegas - which for 15 years I've described as a great club that happens to have gaming.  It is not a casino first.  

Ultra Lounge is it's more intimate, petite east coast sibling.  

This is why this place works:  it's a "personal" casino, bar and lounge - with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Ocean.  1 Roulette wheel, a few blackjack tables.  High minimums.  Easy to come with a few friends for an intimate experience, chat up some others.  It may loose some intimacy on busy weekends, especially in-season, but so do great spots in Aspen and Nantucket.  

I wish the owners well on their well-targeted quest to build something different.  The timing of the opening (financial chaos) was not of their doing.  Let's help show the markets that they have a good niche by patronizing the place.

Sorta lame with old men, that seem to have it in their head that they're made of money. However the decor, and service are great. They lounge itself has a very lush, exclusive vibe to it, and i found it to be a really good time. Only regret were the old dudes... I mean "high rollers"

The worst place for good service. The concept is appealing as far as environment but I got passed by a bar tender 10x at least. I would never go back.