Atlantic City’s cannabis landscape is entering a new era with the opening of the Sunny Tien cannabis consumption lounge, a long-anticipated addition to the city’s expanding recreational market. Located at 3004 Atlantic Avenue, the lounge builds on Sunny Tien’s existing dispensary and introduces a dedicated, fully legal space where adults can purchase and enjoy cannabis products on-site. For locals, tourists, and the city’s steady stream of convention visitors, the lounge marks a significant step in blending regulated cannabis with Atlantic City’s established hospitality scene.
The lounge arrives at a time when New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission has formally approved consumption lounges after several years of discussion and delays. These regulatory updates finally allowed operators like Sunny Tien—who had been preparing their space as early as 2022—to move forward. The dispensary had already completed most interior work and waited nearly a year and a half for state authorization before receiving the green light in 2025. With the NJCRC now issuing the first operational lounge licenses, Sunny Tien is part of the state’s earliest wave of officially sanctioned cannabis consumption venues.
Inside, the experience is designed to feel familiar yet distinct from bars or nightlife venues. The lounge features cushioned seating, televisions, mellow lighting, and a laid-back ambiance that encourages conversation and socializing. Guests will find everything needed for consumption on-site, including rolling papers, glassware, vaporizers, and other accessories, along with the option to purchase flower, pre-rolls, oils, and edibles directly from the dispensary. What sets the lounge apart is its strict adherence to cannabis-only use: alcohol and nicotine products are prohibited, maintaining compliance with state rules and creating a cleaner, more focused environment for cannabis consumers.
Visitors must be 21 or older and must consume cannabis purchased on-site, unless they are registered medical patients carrying properly labeled products. Sunny Tien, however, adopts a welcoming approach by allowing customers to bring their own food or order delivery, a feature that resonates well with both locals and tourists seeking a casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere. The facility is ADA-compliant, offering accessible seating, bathrooms, and designated areas to ensure all guests can participate comfortably.
Admission to the lounge operates on a simple system, with 90-minute sessions priced at approximately $5 per guest, and additional membership options may become available as the lounge grows. This affordability aims to appeal not only to tourists but also to Atlantic City residents who want a safe, legal, and social place to consume cannabis without resorting to public spaces where consumption remains illegal.
The opening of Sunny Tien holds broader significance for Atlantic City’s tourism economy. As one of the first fully approved recreational lounges on the East Coast, it positions the city as a pioneering destination for regulated cannabis experiences. For travelers staying in hotels or casino properties where smoking cannabis is strictly banned, the lounge provides a long-needed alternative. The city’s hospitality sector may also see increased foot traffic from consumers who now have a dedicated space to gather before heading to restaurants, entertainment venues, or the beach.
With strong ventilation standards, on-site safety protocols, and formal regulatory oversight, Sunny Tien represents the modern model of cannabis hospitality in New Jersey. Its launch signals the beginning of a more inclusive, visitor-friendly era for cannabis in Atlantic City—one that blends responsible consumption with the city’s signature energy and appeal.
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