Firewaters (Atlantic City)

2/5/2008 1:53:03 PM, tuesday, february 05, 2008
I had a better experience here than I did at the other location. If you are in AC there is not much as far as beer bars so this place is even better. Not much as far as ambiance, along the walk in the casino. The staff was friendly but didn’t really know the beers they are serving. I had a few pints and shared with family and it was a good time. I guess its hit or miss bc I hear some of the bartenders are pretty knowledgable and the owner tries hard to put up good taps. They also have a pretty good bottle selection.

1/28/2008 10:36:10 AM, monday, january 28, 2008
(Visited 05/2007): Firewaters is a not-so-hidden gem in the Quarter section of the Tropicana. It is in stumbling distance to casinos, Jitney stops and cabs so that is a plus. The exterior is par for the course for what you would expect in a Casino bar/restaurant. On the plus side the large # of draft handles is viewable to passers-by. Inside it looks like a typical sports bar. The bar boasts the previously-mention taps, along with their available bottles lining the walls. The establishment is dark with spartan furnishings. The beer selection is phenomenal, especially when you consider you’re technically in a casino. They have 50 drafts with surprisingly few macros. Selections include Smuttynose, DFH, Yuengling, Kona, Brooklyn, De Dolle, Sly Fox and many others. As for bottles they claim 101 from the likes of Heavyweight, Tröegs, Rogue, Victory etc. Glassware is varied and the prices are very reasonable. Samplers of 4 drafts are about $7-8. Included with the sampler is a notes paper which scores extra points in my book. The service here is good. The bartenders know the beers and know how to serve them. No complaints at all in this department. We did not have any food on this visit, but the deli with whom they share an entrance looked worthwhile. Overall this is a place I would definitely make a point to visit any time in Atlantic City.

11/25/2007 1:52:54 PM, sunday, november 25, 2007
This place is off the beat and track in Atlantic City.The place itself is not that attractive,that really does not bother me that much.The Tap and bottle list were very impressive,with Stone Oaked Aged and Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot some of the many drafts available this day.A nice place to go and get some really good beers in A.C.

10/14/2007 8:06:13 PM, sunday, october 14, 2007
Checked out this place this past weekend. A very college bar type atmosphere with loud music but probably the only place you are going to find with much of a quality selection in Atlantic City. I had a couple of Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin ales on draft and they had a pretty decent selection of bottles and drafts. Well worth a visit if you are in AC just so you can get a decent brew.

10/9/2007 7:27:34 PM, tuesday, october 09, 2007 [ Updated tuesday, october 09, 2007 ]
Incredibly lousy bar where the beer list does not fit at all. I can only presume that the owner happens to be a beer lover, but you could not help, but stare at any customer that does not order a cocktail with all the superficiality in the air. Ok, it was a friday around midnight and I guess they bend to whatever the demand is, but the music was very loud, obnoxious hip-hop. The draught selection sure is interesting and the prices reasonable for Atlantic City, but my Sly Fox Royal Weisse did not seem as fresh as I imagined it would be and I can only suspect that this must happen frequently despite the large number of patrons. I can’t understand how people give it a 4 for ambiance as the place is in a casino complex basement, crowded with fake people, girls that can barely walk so high are their heels and guys who can barely walk two steps without swinging their shoulders down like a rap star in a videoclip. No windows ornate the place and by looking outside, what you see is nothing but what could be a shopping mall, with dull boutiques left and right. Still, the place remains your best option for good beer in Atlantic City, but it does not mean it’s worth any ravings and I doubt you will want to stay more than an hour.

6/23/2007 4:19:57 AM, saturday, june 23, 2007 [ Updated saturday, june 23, 2007 ]
"50 Drafts & 101 Bottles". What more needs to be said? If you need a beer while walking the Boardwalk, this is your only oasis, as you can expect to pay higher prices for cheaper beer anywhere else. Hell, split a bottle of Unibroue Quelque Chose with a friend for 14 bucks. I’ve seen that brew selling at retailers in the Chicago area for nearly twice the amount. Read fbennett below for further details... Frank tells it like it is. And check Firewaters weblink above. RateBeer scores and a reciprocal link back to the site. How cool is that?

5/22/2007 10:57:11 AM, tuesday, may 22, 2007 [ Updated wednesday, august 15, 2007 ]
One of the best bars in AC in my opinion, but kind of tricky to find if you’ve never been there. The dynamic has somewhat changed from a one time drinking hole to a mid range club with lots of diversity due to the population that goes to the Tropicana. Food is not really applicable as they have a small menu and most of the food comes from the deli with a pick up windo in the bar. The bar’s beer selection is excellent with well over 70+ beers on tap and the martini’s are supposedly excellent ( i didn’t have any but some females we were in did) It is a non-smoking establishment.

4/19/2007 12:48:12 PM, thursday, april 19, 2007 [ Updated thursday, april 19, 2007 ]
I knew I was making my way to Atlantic City so I decided that I needed to not only bring beer for my room but try to find a place that has good offerings for my stay. My search led me to Firewaters, at first glance not a great looking place on the casino side of the Tropicana Hotel. As you walk in you notice that whole amtosphere thing leaves you quick because the beer selection is very good and I’m pretty sure the best in Atlantic City. I was in there on a early sat night about 7-8. The bar tender seemed knowledgeable but with all the taps in front of me there wasn’t any need for many questions. Most of the taps I’ve seen before, Firewaters had about 50 taps with only Miller Lite and one other offering that was kicked. The beers to be had were DFH (90/60), Sly Fox-Saison, Allagash, Kona Brewing-Pale Ale, Chimay Blue, Brooklyn, Stone, etc. All reasonably priced with a load of bottles in the fridge as well. They have a 4 beer sampler/for the price of the pint of the most expensive sample you order. I wish I could have spent more time in this place, with all the beers I did not get to try but if I ever come back to AC this place will be a nightly hang out.

3/14/2007 6:30:43 AM, wednesday, march 14, 2007
Établissement visité le dimanche 11 mars vers 16h. Ambiance: Petit bar situé à l’intérieur du complexe Tropicana à deux pas du boardwalk. Endroit assez sombre, musique rock en sourdine et décoration relié à la bière sur les murs. Service: Une seule serveuse malgré le nombre élevé de client. Elle connaît très bien les bières offertes. Selection: 50 bières en fut et plus de 100 bouteilles sont disponible. Possibilité de choisir une palette (4x 4 oz) pour les bières en fut au coût de 8$. Les deux tiers sont des micros américaines, l’autre tier venant d’Europe. Nourriture: Rien de disponible mais si je me fis à ce que j’ai vu, il est possible d’apporter la bouffe des restaurants voisins du bar. (39e rating d’établissement)

3/6/2007 1:53:08 PM, tuesday, march 06, 2007 [ Updated tuesday, march 13, 2007 ]
A little tough to find at first since this isn’t in "The Quarter" with all the new bars but well worth looking for. Went there on a Monday afternoon and not only was the bartender attentive and friendly she actually knew a ton about beer, she told me about the Belgium style that Brooklyn came out with before anyone else even mentioned it. They offer a "sled" of beers which is 4 4 ounce tasters for the price of a pint of the most expensive beer you picked. Next time I go I’m getting a room and staying until I’ve tried all 51 beers they have on tap, well maybe not the Macros.