East Coast’s first recreational weed lounges are now open in South Jersey
New Jersey just made East Coast cannabis history. The state’s first licensed recreational marijuana consumption lounges — located at dispensaries in Merchantville and Atlantic City — are now officially open to the public, becoming the first of their kind on the East Coast.
Last month, they were preparing to open. Now, they’re lighting up.
The owners of Merchantville’s Gynsyng Dispensary and Atlantic City’s High Rollers and SunnyTien dispensaries envision their spaces as more than just places to get high. They want them to become social hubs for locals and tourists alike. Think comedy nights, Eagles and Phillies watch parties, and weekend hangouts — with cannabis consumed responsibly.
Meanwhile, in Atlantic City, which is swiftly becoming a coastal hub for cannabis, two premium lounges await with even more upscale offerings, bougie booths, and walking distance from headlining concerts and beach sunsets.
High Rollers and SunnyTien dispensaries are two of A.C.’s prominent dispensaries, whose lounges are now the bookends to a Boardwalk dispensary tour.
“We have to find that balance in creating something consistent for our local community, where SunnyTien becomes the new hangout spot like your local Cheers bar. But at the same time, we have to have the entertainment value and engagement for the tourists, where this lounge will be the cherry on top for their visit,” said SunnyTien’s Spencer Belz.
Where are NJ’s weed lounges?
Gynsyng Dispensary, 14 S. Center St., Merchantville, gynsyng.com, 908-275-0385
High Rollers Dispensary, 120 S. Indiana Ave., Atlantic City, highrollersdispensary.com, 609-246-6823
SunnyTien Dispensary & Lounge, 3004 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City, sunnytien.com, 609-428-6235
URB’N Dispensary, 378 South St., Newark, urbndispensary.com, 973-200-0618
What to know before visiting a NJ cannabis lounge
While each consumption lounge sets its own vibe and pricing, there are statewide rules all must follow:
No food or drinks are served. However, you can bring your own food or have it delivered. Many lounges are partnering with nearby restaurants for quick bites.
No alcohol or tobacco. Alcohol is not allowed, and lounges may deny entry to guests who appear intoxicated. Tobacco products, including blunts and cigars, are also banned.
No outside cannabis. You must purchase cannabis products from the on-site dispensary — unless you have a New Jersey medical marijuana card with properly labeled products.
