East Coast’s first recreational weed lounges are now open in South Jersey
Camden County’s cannabis consumption lounge is in Merchantville, minutes from Philadelphia.
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.
When Jana and Tom Murzenski, the husband-and-wife team behind Gynsyng, received their license, they immediately spread the word to friends and industry colleagues.
“We threw an industry event because these people have been working toward this moment for so long,” Jana Murzenski said. “It was incredible to see budtenders from other dispensaries, industry people, and vendors come together on literally four hours’ notice and just hang out.”
Gynsyng, located about 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is now open Friday and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The dispensary plans to expand to seven days a week after its grand opening celebration on Aug. 15.
“We have a different approach than other lounges, where I describe ours as ‘your best friend’s finished basement,’” Gynsyng lounge manager Sam Quinlan said.
With couches, four-top tables, and a cozy TV area for movies and gaming, Gynsyng offers a relaxed, low-key experience and plans to host regular events.
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.
At both lounges, you’ll find everything from entry-level joints and water pipes to top-shelf gear like the $500 Volcano vaporizer. Belz and Jon Cohn of High Rollers hope the lounges become staples of Atlantic City tourism, alongside casinos, boardwalks, and the shore.
Where are New Jersey’s weed lounges?
Gynsyng Dispensary,📍14 S. Center Street, Merchantville, N.J. 08109, 🌐 gynsyng.com, 📞 908-275-0385
Hours: Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m., Sunday: noon-5 p.m. (Soon to expand to seven days a week)
High Rollers Dispensary,📍120 S. Indiana Ave., Atlantic City, N.J. 08401, 🌐 highrollersdispensary.com, 📞 609-246-6823
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-midnight, Sunday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
SunnyTien Dispensary & Lounge,📍3004 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City, N.J. 08401, 🌐 sunnytien.com, 📞 609-428-6235
Hours: Daily, 3 p.m.-10 p.m. (Soon to expand to 10 a.m.-10 p.m., daily)
URB’N Dispensary,📍378 South St, Newark, NJ 07105, 🌐 urbndispensary.com, 📞973-200-0618
This lounge is not open yet*
What to know before visiting a New Jersey 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.
Those are the main rules to abide by, but owners will tell you that there are some best practices to follow, too:
Don’t drive. Take public transportation, rideshare, or get dropped off. The effects of cannabis can last one to three hours, and driving under the influence is illegal. Gynsyng even has a “last spark” policy one hour before closing to discourage driving high. (Need a refresher on what happens if you’re pulled over after using cannabis? Here’s The Inquirer’s guide.)
Check for events. Expect regular programming like live music, stand-up comedy, and game-day watch parties.
Ask questions. Whether you’re a seasoned smoker or a curious first-timer, lounge staff are there to help you navigate new products and safe consumption.