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Old School Hotel Casinos

Discussion in 'Arizona & New Mexico' started by wax, Mar 14, 2006.

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  1. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #1 wax, Mar 14, 2006
    Haven't been to Vegas in years, suddenly, time is of the essence as we're soon to be on a spur-of-the-moment flight to create some memories before they're gone.

    Sahara isn't going anywhere, but Tropicana is - and soon, don't-cha-know - both are on our radar today - what other landmark old-school casino hotels should we check out before they're gone?
     
  2. bobleb

    bobleb Formula 3

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    #2 bobleb, Mar 14, 2006
    Tropicana appears to have a reprieve for a couple of years. Pinnacle Entertainment just made a bid to buy Aztar (Trop's owner) and said it would remain open at least two more years.
     
  3. bobleb

    bobleb Formula 3

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    #3 bobleb, Mar 14, 2006
    Other old-timers (30+ years): Riviera, Circus Circus, Frontier (a real rat-hole), Bally's (the original MGM Grand). Flamingo opened in 1946, but it's barely recognizable compared to how it was then.

    Also, many of the downtown places are that old.
     
  4. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 wax, Mar 14, 2006
  5. bobleb

    bobleb Formula 3

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    #5 bobleb, Mar 14, 2006
    And I forgot two others: the Las Vegas Hilton ... opened in 1969 as the International. Not technically on the Strip (Paradise road); Barbra Steisand was opening night performer, home to Elvis for his years here.

    And how could I forget the Stardust, which actually will likely be the first to go ... scheduled for demolition at the end of the year.
     
  6. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 wax, Mar 14, 2006
    We're off to create some Stardust Memories - many thanks!
     
  7. vmanaktala

    vmanaktala Karting

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    #7 vmanaktala, Mar 14, 2006
    Freemont Street still had some of the old Vegas feel last time I was there. The new mega casinos are amazing, but I would only go there for the clubs
     
  8. J.P.Sarti

    J.P.Sarti Guest

    May 23, 2005
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    #8 J.P.Sarti, Mar 14, 2006
    Fremont street, Binions Horseshoe, Golden Nugget, Plaza Hotel


    Las Vegas blvd, Frontier, a few beat up old dives across from Mandalay Bay.

    If you want authentic old school go to Ely Nevada, they have a few of the oldest Casinos in Nevada which are almost the same now as then plus great food and prices, I also liked Wendovers Casinos, back to the old days of cheap nice suites, cheap great food and service, you can't find it in vegas anymore.
     
  9. frefan

    frefan F1 Veteran

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    #9 frefan, Mar 14, 2006
    Bellagio. Its a few years old now. Probably be gone by 2010.
     
  10. bobleb

    bobleb Formula 3

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    #10 bobleb, Mar 15, 2006
    Whichever hotel you stay at, if you want another kind of "old Las Vegas", visit the Bootlegger Bistro on a Fri or Sat evening for their lounge show.

    http://www.bootleggerlasvegas.com/entertainment.html

    The web site is not up to date ... Sonny King passed away, and Freddie Bell, an equally old-timer is now the host. But it's true that you never know who may show up to perform.
     
  11. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 wax, Mar 15, 2006
    Back in the saddle again...
    Got off on Tropicana - moseyed down to L V Blvd. & hit:

    Tropicana - way, way dug their brass tables - busiest pit by far - loosest Video Poker on this trip, as she hit 4 of a kind 3 times in an hour... on the same machine, mind you. Slowed down long enough to check out some old pics... man. Took half an hour to go four blocks after we left there. Try as I might, didn't see Frank, Sammy or Dean, so, I don't know what the holdup was. Smooth sailing the rest of the drive down, though.

    Riviera - Lot's of "R" here and "R" there - brass rails, light fixtures, "stained glass" & smart floor traffic backed up by Granny's kitschy mirror, cream and avocado theme - dug the ties in crystal balls in front of one nightclub, or was that the Stardust? I can't remember - she hit four aces there just around the corner from where Elvis was prepping to perform. Oh, noticed a watch on one guy - asked him if he'd had it a while... he asked me to guess how long - I said about 35 years. "My God." he said - "how did you know?" Turns out he is still wearing the same type of watch a mentor of mine got some 35 years ago in Japan before these became available in US - gold, with red bezel & LED numerals that still display perfectly at the press of a button on upper right. Nice chat we had.

    Stardust - walked over while she soldiered on at Riviera - just checked the low ceilinged joint out - table games are blindingly psychedeliic, chips aren't - they're the nicest of the bunch. Got back to Riviera an hour later & Elvis was still prepping. Did I mention they have the nicest chips?

    Sahara - way, way dug the Morocco theme, though Bride said they had tightest Video Poker games by far, I had a decent run & this was the only joint that had proper Craps dice for sale - snagged only pair on hand, in fact, so Sahara was a nice finish for the Strip.

    For our own old time's sake, we looped down Sahara to Valley View (pronounced Ma-li-bu by senoritas), zipped past Rio (where we'd stayed some 4-5 years ago) & went to The Orleans, where the locals (used to) play. Of all joints listed, if you want to T & A ready to pop out on your waitress, this is the place.

    It was a good way and day to blow 12 hours and a few bucks for some keepsakes.

    bobleb - Thanks for making sure I hit the places I really wanted to see.
     

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