|
LAS VEGAS - RAT
PACK AND OTHER QUIRKY, HIP, HISTORIC OR FUNKY BARS,
RESTAURANTS, HOTELS & BUILDINGS
For an expanded and more updated version of this page see
my other website
Rat Pack Era Vegas -www.unrealvegas.com
Alas, time
machines, as I define them, can be counted on one
hand in Las Vegas (although small town Nevada in
general has an incredible collection of old Western
Saloons). Las Vegas, even more so than Los
Angeles, seems hell-bent on erasing its own
history. An historic tour of Vegas (at least the
history of casinos and restaurants) is
generally one of those
look at that parking lot or mirrored box building - it used to be there type
of tours. Sure, the names of many historic casinos
remain, but they are modern shells of what once was.
There are a few exceptions.

The Huntridge Movie Palace
- interesting exterior but essentially nothing left
of the original interior. No movie palace interiors
remain intact in Las Vegas.
The exterior of the El Cortez Casino, downtown in
a challenging area, is still in almost perfect
original shape, although the interior is remodeled.
The Golden Gate at the Fremont Experience still has
some original feel about it, especially the coffee
shop. The most pristine remnant of 1950s Las Vegas
(at least in a decent area) is the South Part of the
Stardust, in the pool area (which was once the Royal
Nevada Casino - I take that back - it's been
imploded!). The entrance to Caesar's Palace
(whoops - just remodeled) and
the table gaming area when you first walk in
Caesar's are
also fairly original, although everything else has
recently been completely remodeled. While I assume
the pool at the Stardust is safe from the wrecking
ball (wrong - it's now gone), there are rumors the Algiers may not always
be with us (update - it just closed and was torn
down - it's Vegas Baby!) There are many
fascinating Motels in downtown and along Boulder
Highway (but see my warnings page)I would like to
start a preservation effort for their neon signs, if
nothing else. While many neon signs have been
saved as museum pieces, I think it would be
nice to preserve them and re-light them in their
original location. It would surely spruce up
downtown and Boulder Highway. See the Vegas Motels
page under the Miscellaneous Topics tab. Have
you noticed I'm the kind of parenthetical remarks!
The El Cortez Casino,
downtown Las Vegas (best preserved exterior)
The chart below, then,
lists a few time machines and the rest are just
quirky, fun or historic places. Las Vegas of
course, despite the destruction of its pop history,
is still a great place to visit, but only if you do not gamble. Gambling
converts a very inexpensive and entertaining visit
into an expensive and unpleasant experience for many
people. News flash! - they didn't build the many
Billion dollar casinos by giving out free money to
scores of people. Take my advice, enjoy the shows,
the incredible pop architecture, the luscious food,
thrilling shopping, breathtaking nature, and don't gamble
or imbibe.

The somewhat recently destroyed
Algiers Motel - a classic 50's Vegas spot - now a
dirt lot.
See the bottom of the page for a few gratuitous
tourist tips having nothing to do with the theme of
this website.

Soon, this may be the only remnant of the Strip
in the '50s. This is the pool area of the Stardust
on the South side, once the "Royal Nevada"
[Update - it's gone!!! The Stardust is now dust].
LAS VEGAS:
| NAME |
COMMENTS |
| The Hard
Rock Hotel and AJ’s Steakhouse
(inside), 4455 Paradise
Rd., 693-5500


This picture doesn't
do AJ's justice because it was taken with
all the lights on. It's normally darker and
trust me it's true Rat Pack.
Chandelier made of
out Saxophones inside the Hard Rock Hotel
(what's next - a sofa in the likeness of
Archie Shepp!):
 |
AJ's Steakhouse
inside the Hard Rock Hotel represents one of a handful of
places that can qualify as a "time machine"
in Las Vegas. Even though it’s new, they did
a beautiful job of recreating a swanky
1950’s Las Vegas atmosphere. If you can't
afford the food prices here, at least buy a
Perrier at the bar. A relaxing piano only
adds to the ambiance. Really good food in my
opinion, although on my budget - it's a once
a year thing. I saw Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme here - talk about Vegas Nirvana.
The quality and value
of everything at the Hard Rock Casino is so
good, you get the impression it is sort of
an idealistic (and hedonistic) Corporation
(though in the last year it seems they have
gotten a little less generous in their offers
and specials - probably because the place is
so popular they don't need them to bring
people in anymore). The interior design in
the Hard Rock Casino is impeccable. It's hard
not to have a good time here. Kudos!!! |
| THE ATTIC, 1018
S. Main St. Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 (702)
388-4088
 |
This place
specializes in vintage clothes and pop
culture "antiques". It's like a museum of
the mid-century in itself, but make sure to
purchase something! We need to support the
few cool places we have in town.
 |
| Art Vargas -
singer, recording artist, swankster -
various locations. If you can catch him in
Vegas, your in for a real treat! This is the
only true lounge music in Vegas!
More
Information |
Vargas is a
recording artist - if you are into jazz or
true lounge music, this guy is sensational.
He's so unique I'm sure he is destined to
really take off. One problem in Las Vegas
however (perhaps everywhere) is that one's
popularity is often inversely proportional
to how cutting edge creative you are. Hard
to describe his style - he's sort of a
cross between
Sinatra/Elvis/Jazz/Lounge/Latin/R&B and at
times almost reaching the outer limits of
Frank Zappa, while at the same time having
the modernist pop elegance of the Rat Pack
and Liberace. Well that's not accurate but
I tried. His back up band are excellent jazz
musicians who would be worth seeing even on
their own. Check out his website to the
left for his schedule. Ironically, his show
is much better than the high ticket price
shows in the mega-hotels, yet you can
usually see Vargas for free in a club. |
|
Atomic Liquor/Cocktails - 917 Fremont
Street, Las Vegas, NV, 89101 702-384-7371
T T

|
This bar dates
back to the days when nuclear mushroom
clouds from the nearby testing site were
actually a tourist attraction in Las Vegas.
This must be one of the oldest bars in Vegas
and in an area not for the weak at heart.
You have to be "buzzed" in the front door
after the bartender checks you out. Friendly
place still with an old time feel, but only
for the more adventurous type of explorer.
See my warnings page. |
| Battista’s Hole
in the Wall, 4041 Audrie St. near back of
Flamingo Casino – a couple blocks off the
strip off of Flamingo 732-1424 (since
1970)
 |
Founded by
Battista Locatelli.
Fun, quirky
atmosphere (a ton of knick knacks including
thousands of small liquor bottles), and fun accordion player
whose a real Vegas institution in himself. The menu is a
sign on the wall. If you're on the
strip it's definitely worth a visit given the
generic nature of other restaurants on the
strip. ($15-25 each - complete meals-salad, dessert,
all you can drink house wine for those of
you not driving, soup, etc.). Their mascot
is a moose head named
Mooosolini.
Reservations at certain times of year are a
must. |
| Bob Taylor's
Original Ranch House, 6250 Rio Vista Street
Las Vegas, NV 89130, 702-645-1399
T T T
since 1955

 |
I finally got
the time to drive to this part of town and
eat here. Way up in the Northwest of
town, this place was probably once out in
the middle of no where, but Las Vegas is
rapidly growing right up to it. This
is one of the oldest restaurants in Las
Vegas. The food is rather tasty and reasonably
priced for what you receive. Wonderful
steaks. The interior has sort of an old feel
(somewhat remodeled). Fairly dark and very
relaxing. It is surrounded by its own
five acres of land, which should keep the
encroaching houses away. This places often
wins "Best Steakhouse" in the local paper
reader's poll. If you want to re-live the
Western themed days of early Vegas, this is
the place to do it. If your looking for more
of a Rat Pack ambiance, go to the Golden
Steer.
|
| Bootlegger
Bistro, 7700 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 736-4939
(open 24 hours).



|
Last remnants
of the original 1950s Vegas entertainers
– shows most nights but the "Off the Cuff"
show is an absolute must see - this is Vegas
as it was in the 1950's - definitely not
politically correct - so if your easily
offended - you're warned. The show, starring
Sonny King, the last of the Vegas "Rat Pack"
(a great singer and comedian - a close
associate of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and
Jimmy Durante) and Lorraine Hunt, the
Lieutenant Governor of Nevada and owner of
the Bootlegger (who is also a wonderful
singer with a great history in Vegas). Also
includes other singers and comedians who
were once big names on the strip (and a few
current big names may stop in and
participate). Reserve days earlier as this
is very popular. Incredibly - the
festivities tend to go on for three hours or
more.
While the restaurant moved several years ago and I
miss the interior of the old one, this is
true living history. I believe the great
circular booths where brought in from the
old location. Food's great too! Worth the
trip to this quiet end of the strip in the
South. UPDATE: Sadly, one of
Las Vegas's greatest entertainers, Sonny
King, who performed here regularly, died in
February 2006 at age 83. Jimmy Durante's
long time sidekick and virtual rat pack
member, Sonny made me laugh more than any
other entertainer I've seen in Las Vegas -
and boy - the man could sing! This is
an incalculable loss for Las Vegas, although
I'm sure he lived as full a life as anyone
ever has! |
| The Dam
Restaurant (inside Hooter's Casino),
115 E. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89109
866-584-6687

 |
Some people
seem to think Hooter's is a really adult
type of place. The reality is that it's
pretty close to a "G" rating (especially by
Las Vegas standards - hey- they have a
children's menu!). This recreation of a 50's
California Googie Coffee Shop is pretty
amazing in the new Hooter's Casino/Hotel.
They really set out to make an authentic
place and succeeded! Just about perfect
(other than the ubiquitous TV screens that I
guess are an essential to survival in our
Attention Deficit Culture). Hidden in the
back is a very nice Vegas style buffet at a
very reasonable price. I wish more
corporations would make such nice
recreations! This is a real 50's looking
restaurant - not one of those "Happy Day's"
places that are found everywhere - yuk!. |
| Decatur Drug,
546 S. Decatur next to Decatur Package
Liquor& Cocktails – 870-2525 (since
1962 or 1965 depending on source)

T T T T |
Sister to
Huntridge Drugs - but in a little better shape and
better part of town – straight out of the
60s – cheap lunch counter food. There were
rumors
that Huntridge Drugs and Decatur Drugs (at
least the lunch counters) were in danger of
disappearing but it seems those problems
have been solved. At my last visit
recently, the place looks like it's going
strong (with some unfortunate remodeling of
it's vinyl seats). This will be a giant
loss for Las Vegas if they ever do close.
These are exactly like the places I remember
going to in the 1960s before McDonald's took
over the fast, cheap food business. These
are the kind of places that make milkshakes
from scratch in those great aluminum
containers. Somehow, the simple hamburgers
here are more satisfying than any $10
version in trendy restaurants. Decatur Package liquor, next
door, is a amiable dive bar as well. |
| El Sombrero
Cafe, 807 S. Main St. 382-9234
(since 1950). T T
T

 |
Nice old neon
sign out front. I don't know why, but I
don't believe I've ever seen a Mexican
restaurant, no matter how old, that gives me
the "time machine" feel. Maybe that's
because the decorations are so cheaply
replaced. But this is an historic restaurant and
worth a visit. I believe with the 1950
establishment date, it makes it the oldest
restaurant in town (but of course there are
all sorts of criteria used like, oldest in
same location, oldest with same owner, etc). This
is a "power" lunch place where you may
occasionally see the mayor. Well, it's hard
to spend a week in Las Vegas and not see the
beloved Mayor somewhere (I've never met
anyone who didn't like him, despite his
controversial past - a very likeable guy). |
| Fong's Garden
Chinese Restaurant, 2021 E. Charleston
Blvd., Las Vegas 702-382-1644 (since 1955)
T T
 |
I have not been
here in a few years. It still had somewhat
of an old feel when I last went. One
of the oldest restaurants in Las Vegas.
Founded by Wing Fong, who died in May of
2005. Wing Fong first came to Las Vegas in
1939 and worked with relatives who owned the
former Silver Cafe. He was such an astute
business man, he eventually helped found the
Nevada State Bank. He was known as a
great philanthropist and champion of
minority rights. |
| Golden Steer
Steak House, 308 W. Sahara just West of the
Strip, 384-4470 (since 1958) T T T
T T (except the bar)


 |
This qualifies
as the last truly pristine, swanky old Vegas
restaurant. While the bar is a bit remodeled
in feel, the restaurant is perfect (although
there have been some changes since it opened
way back when).
Semicircular booths with plaques mentioning
whose favorite tables they once were
- including all of the Rat Pack. It's dark
and relaxing. Definitely not cheap but worth
it (check the menu first if you're on a
tight budget). I hope they don't ever change this
place, because it's the last one for Vegas.
Don't let the mundane exterior fool you,
this place is 1000% authentic Vegas. If you
only have time to eat in one place in Las
Vegas - eat here! Did I mention the food was
mouthwatering as well.
This place has been a repeated winner of
"Best Steakhouse" polls in Las Vegas. Joe
Kludjian owned the restaurant from 1960 to
2001. He died in April of 2006 at age 81.
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis
Jr. were regulars, with many visits by Joe
DiMaggio, Betty Grable and Harry James as
well. Being one of the top places in
town made it a hangout for big name wiseguy
figures as well.
By the way,
when in Las Vegas, don't say "Nevahdah"
(even though that's the proper Spanish
pronunciation). Nevada natives (if you can
find one) seem offended unless you pronounce
it Nevada with the first "a" as in "fat".
And long time Las Vegas residents are wild
about people calling the place "Vegas"
either! |
| Hilltop House
Supper Club, 3500 N. Rancho Rd. 645-9904
5-9:30 PM Wed.
through Sat. and 5-8:30 PM Sunday (since 1961) T T T
T
 |
The house this
restaurant occupies was built in 1954. It
became a restaurant in 1961. One of the last
authentic places with an old feel. A true
roadhouse restaurant. Not California Nouveau
Cuisine but
good old fashioned American food. If I'm not
mistaken, the buffet had "pickled pigs
knuckles"
as a selection the night I was there.
Apparently that's the most popular item in
the salad bar. They
also sell frogs legs. The first owner was
Clark County
Sheriff Glen Jones. Stan and
Valerie Wojtowicze had been the proprietors since 1972.
Sadly, Stanley died
on April 28, 2006 at age 72. Not really Rat Pack Vegas, so
much as true Americana. UPDATE:
According to Mark C. this wonderful place
closed on March 31, 2007. Another rare Las
Vegas historic restaurants bites the dust! |
| Huntridge Drug
"Restaurant", 112 E. Charleston 384-3737 T T T


|
Challenging
part of town, authentic American Chop Suey, very cheap and
historic and quite definitely fun - but not for the weak at heart. Movies
have been filmed here (Indecent Proposal) - check out the Huntridge Theater next door - once a Vegas
movie palace and now principally a music
venue. The bar next door is also a good dive
bar if you are more courageous than I.
UPDATE: The couple that have run the
lunch counter for decades are retiring and
the lunch counter has been sold. Let's pray
that the new owners appreciate what is there
and don't change a thing! Las Vegas is
very lucky to still have three drug store
lunch counters (are there any in Los
Angeles? - I guess the Fair Oaks Pharmacy,
but it's not quite the same thing). I'm
hearing new owners (possibly related to the
old ones) have taken over. |
| The La Concha
(2955 S Las Vegas Blvd) and The Morocco
Motels

The La Concha lobby above.

|
The La Concha
has slowly disappeared over the last few
years. However one of the most interesting
parts - the exterior of the lobby in the
shape of a shell still remains as a real
estate office (sans its great neon sign and
historic interior). I guess that's better
than nothing (sort of preservation in the
Wilshire Brown Derby mode). I guess it's
ironic that La Concha is now literally a
shell of what it was. There are people
working very hard to save it and move it to
another location.
UPDATE: It has been
saved and moved. The nearby Morocco Motel,
I believe, is now a souvenir shop and Korean
Restaurant. I don't know if there was
a connection between the two, but they seem
to have a similar shape. Beside these
remnants, what remains of the 1950's strip
is discussed at the top of the page (very
little). There are some 1950's motels north
of Sahara, but they remain for the braver at
heart to explore. |
| Modify, 8 E.
Charleston Blvd. Suite 8-a (at Main St.),
Las Vegas, NV 89104 702-384-6555
 |
If you are
looking for mid-century modern antique
furniture, this is definitely the place to
go. TV's with clickers that really click!
Chairs and couches right out of "2001 a
Space Odyssey". Just walking in will fill
you with nostalgia for the 60s. In a city
born and raised on the Modern style,
ironically this is one of the very few
places in town that carry on that
tradition. We all need to support stores
like this through our patronage.
 |
| Peppermill Inn
Restaurant, 2985 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
735-41777 since 1972

|
1960’s "Love
American Style" so tacky it's great – fire
and water fountain, lots of neon. This is a
mini version of the Peppermill in Reno which
also warrants a visit. The Reno Peppermill
must be the most colorful place on earth
(the light/water show at the Parasol Down at
the Wynn gives them some strong competition
on mind blowing colors).
You will never see so much neon and glowing
colors anywhere else in the world. It sort
of reminds me of the Felini Movie "Fred and
Ginger" in the colorful scene at the end.
Sort of Ultra Posh working class elegance.
Very unique place and very good food for the
price. Unfortunately, the Las Vegas branch
took down it's original neon sign and
modernized it. Let's hope they leave the
rest of this great place alone. |
| Pogo's Tavern,
2103 N. Decatur Blvd. Las Vegas, NV
702-646-9735 (since 1968) |
This bar
definitely has a nicely worn old feel, but
the real star here is the music on Friday
nights when former big band musicians get
together to jam. There was a time in the
50s when each major casino had its own big
band (including Esquivel in the Stardust and
Luis Prima at the Sahara). With the advent
of modern music technology, the big casino
bands were replaced by this technology, but
many of these great musicians stayed on in
Las Vegas in other jobs. That's why Vegas
has a great local music scene (although it
takes a bit of looking around to find it). |
| Rainbow Bar &
Grill, 4480 Paradise Rd 702-898-3525 Open
24 hours.

 |
No you're not
on the wrong page! Las Vegas now has a
branch of the Los Angeles Rainbow Bar &
Grill. They have done an ok job of
recreating the old restaurant ambiance in
the restaurant section. The original could
never be completely replicated - it's one of
my favorites in Los Angeles. Maybe this is the
answer to the question "Where did you go Joe DiMaggio?" Now if they could only
transplant the Musso and Frank Grill ! And
of course - Vegas has lost its one time
Brown Derby recreation. The bar section is
modern in design, similar to the Hard Rock
Hotel. |
| Tiffany's Café,
1700 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Hard to find – in Rexal Drug store 383-0196
T T T T

|
Cheap, good
food, 60’s throwback- still very popular. In
a "challenging" part of the strip that has
seen better days, but that doesn't stop a
loyal clientele. This is one of three great
Drug Store lunch counters still surviving in
Las Vegas. |
| Trader Vic’s
Bar & Restaurant (inside the Planet
Hollywood Casino - former Aladdin Casino),
3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV
89109 702-405-4700


|
At last,
true Tiki has returned to Las Vegas! I
went to the "soft" opening of Trader Vic's
on 10-12-07. Trader Vic's these days faces a
difficult challenge of appealing to a
"normal" upscale crowd looking for an
elegant experience and to the Tiki purists
who desire a place as close as possible to
the old school original Trader Vic's. I
think they have arrived at a good
compromise. While it may be possible that
Tiki purists can keep a place going in Los
Angeles (although recent massacres there
make that a dubious proposition), the
experience of the "Venus Bar" makes it clear
that Trader Vic's needs the tourist crowd to
survive and flourish in Las Vegas. Thus,
this Trader Vic's is sort of an
ultra-modern, upscale, understated (by my
standards) design that will appeal to a wide
range of clientele (don't expect the
"transported to a tropical island effect").
But for the Tiki purist there are two
massive Tiki sculptures (rivaling the Aku
Aku's of Easter Island and Sunset Park!).
There are also available the classic Tiki
drinks in a variety of Tiki mugs (though not
for sale as of yet). I think everyone will
be happy. And they must have had me in mind
when they did the blue glow backlit bar! My
favorite color and design technique. There
is a nice range of prices for food ranging
from the very upscale to more affordable
sandwiches. For cheapo ambiance lovers like
me, at a minimum buy a virgin Pina Colada
and soak in all in. It also has a great
outdoor patio to overlook the intriguing
show of tourists below (almost a Parisian
experience). I ate at the bar with a very
hard working, professional and attractive
bartender making the experience even better.
You are hereby ordered to patronize this
place!!! |
| Venus Bar,
inside the Venetian Resort Hotel |
Newsflash:
This place is no more. Another great
tribute to Vegas's thirst for all things
intellectual. We will not let Tiki Culture
die in Vegas however. Tiki will return!
Las Vegas was once the site of two very
authentic Tiki Restaurants - The Aku Aku
(at the Stardust) and a branch of Don the
Beachcomber (in the Sahara Hotel). All
traces of these places are gone with one
notable exception. The massive Tiki from
the Aku Aku now sits on an island in the
middle of the lake at Sunset Park. |
| Victory Hotel,
Main Street, Downtown Las Vegas, NV (since
1910)

|
Originally the
Lincoln Hotel. I include this
photo only for it's historic value - one of
the oldest Hotels in Las Vegas. Just enjoy
the view of the exterior and stay at the
Hard Rock! |
|
BOULDER CITY |
|
| Boulder City,
NV (near the Hoover Dam)

Boulder Dam Hotel, 1305 Arizona St.,
Boulder City, Nevada 89005, built in
1933.
|
Boulder City,
only minutes from Las Vegas, has the feel of
a classic American small town from the
40's. One nice touch is that it's the only
place in Nevada where gambling is illegal.
It's history is completely tied to the
building of the Hoover (Boulder) Dam. This
is the city that the Federal government
built to house the Dam workers (such a
wealth of possibilities for puns). The
government ran the city up until around
1960. Great place to take a quiet afternoon
stroll and eat in an old coffee shop. |
| The Coffee Cup
Cafe, Boulder City, NV

|
Nice little
coffee shop - typical of the coffee shops
found everywhere in the U.S. in the 1950's.
Good old fashioned milk shakes. Very popular
and known for their omelets. |
| Boulder Theatre
(since 1930)
 |
I don't believe
they show movies on a regular basis anymore,
although it's rented out for special shows.
If I recall correctly, the last time I did
see a movie there, there was not much left
of the original interior, but the outside is
very nostalgic. |
|
GOODSPRINGS,
NEVADA |
|
| The Pioneer
Saloon, Goodsprings, Nevada (since
1913) T T T T
T

See my other website,
www.unrealvegas.com for many more
pictures. |
You sometimes
hear people refer to Goodsprings as a ghost
town. It isn't. It's just a very small out
of the way town near Jean, Nevada. The
Pioneer Saloon is a fantastic old western
saloon, perfectly preserved (mostly pressed
tin), with a back
bar fabricated in the 1860s from Brunswick,
Maine.. Well worth the short trip off of 15
on the way to Las Vegas. Get directions in
any of the casinos in Jean (you may well find an
employee who lives there). Basically,
it's the only road leading away from the
casinos - plenty of signs. This is rumored
to be where Clark Gable waited to hear news
of Carole Lombard's plane crash nearby. |
CASINOS -LAS VEGAS
| Frontier Hotel,
Las Vegas strip, just past the Fashion Show
Mall

|
This was the
second hotel built on the strip. Lot's of
Vegas history here. I cannot divine any
original elements of the interior however.
The sign is the oldest one on the strip.
UPDATE: This historic hotel has
closed. I'm not sure what will become
of the extremely historic sign! Better take
pictures while you can. |
| Golden Gate,
Downtown at the Fremont Experience, 385-9601
(phone number when the hotel opened long age
was #1)


|
Only downtown
hotel with some historic feel in the
interior - $1 shrimp cocktail is best in
town, with superb piano players to entertain
you most hours (if you are on a budget
- a few $1 shrimp cocktails makes for a fun
meal, although they are not allowing kids in
that area of the Hotel anymore for some
reason - probably losing too much money on
the shrimp!). The food at the lunch
counter is cheap and filling. The coffee shop
has an old feel and original booths.
Interesting
old pictures in the casino. I liked it even
more before they remodeled the bar, but it's
still the best thing going downtown.
Originally the Sal Sagev Hotel (Las Vegas
backwards) This is the oldest Hotel in Las
Vegas. The phone number here was once simply
the number 1.
 |
| Skyline Casino,
1741 N. Boulder Highway near Sunset,
565-9116

|
24 hr best of
ultra cheap Vegas food, homemade rolls,
great specials. For some reason, I really
like the ambiance in this
humble restaurant, although it varies
depending on where you're seated. Try to sit
in a dark area. Working class crowd (and
proud of it) and plenty of people smoking in
the casino - it may be too much for some
non-smokers to tolerate . Expect a wait
during peak hours but it's well worth it. |
|
TOURIST TIPS AND TOP TENS |
|
| This is
expanded and updated on
unrealvegas.com Don't gamble - but since you won't listen to
me, at least set some reasonable limits.
One of the Las Vegas area's best kept
"secrets" is Lake Las Vegas, which contains
the Loew's and the Ritz Carlton hotels. Beautiful
man-made lake and fake European village and
it's rarely crowded. Highly recommended if
you have a car available. The cafe
there in the Montelago Casino has good food and very
reasonable prices. It's way out of town near Lake
Mead. If you're an adult without kids, I'd
say you should either stay at the Hard Rock,
the Wynn
or one of the hotels at Lake Las Vegas
(there are plenty of other places but these
are the best) Unless you are rich and can afford some of Vegas's very expensive restaurants, the food
is pretty generic out here. There are some
exceptions. The best place for breakfast is
the Original Pancake House, with various
locations in Vegas (and California). The
food here is all made from scratch and the
highest possible quality. Some of the dishes
are so large - you'll burst out laughing! For lunch I
recommend the subs at Capriotti's - various
locations in town. Coming from the
east coast I long believed that you could
not get a real sub on the west coast. Capriotti's is not only a great sub, but it
would rival any east coast subs (since it
was founded in Delaware). For fast Mexican
food, those who do not want to brave North
Las Vegas should seek out Fausto's (one
branch on Stephanie and one on Horizon Ridge
in the South East). Fausto's gives you an
absurd amount of food for next to nothing.
I don't know how they stay in business (and
it's really good - with homemade tortillas).
For dinner - good luck, few places really
excite me (other than those listed above). The Chinatown on Spring
Mountain Road has authentic Chinese food, as
well as Thai, Korean, Japanese and Malaysian.
Check out
www.unrealvegas.com for some ethnic food
recommendations. You can have a very inexpensive meal just
eating the $1 shrimp cocktails at the Golden
Gate downtown. Mr. Lucky's at the Hard Rock
has a $7.77 steak and shrimp
special that you have to specifically
request (it's not on the menu). The Hofbrau
House is a lot of fun if you get there after
6:00pm and the full German band is playing.
It can get a little expensive if you don't
watch what you order, but it's generally
reasonable. Reserve early, this place gets
packed. Other than that, try to eat at one
of the original places listed above. If you
want a minor splurge, get a drink at the
Parasol Down bar in the Wynn casino. It's
perhaps the most spot in Las Vegas with
a very serene waterfall-like sculpture (hard
to describe). While the music they play
there is in good taste, I wish they would
play classical music, because the present
music interferes
with the beautiful sound of the waterfall. At
night, the waterfall area at the Parasol
Down turns into a mind blowing light and
media show (you've got to see it!).
Say what you like about Steve Wynn, I think
the man's a genius and he has a tremendous
sense and appreciation of color. The two best deals in Vegas (at
least if you are a resident) are the year
pass at the Belagio Art Gallery and the
admission price to the Wynn Gallery (update
- Wynn Gallery is gone - probably the victim
of mindless tourists and a dull local
population)For a
few dollars, you can enjoy these mega
million dollar paintings just as much as the
owners! Another must see is the Voo Doo
Lounge at the Rio Casino. Go there around
5:00PM to see the incredible view at the top
of the Casino before the sun goes down and
then watch the lights of Las Vegas slowly
come on. For the price of a drink (there's
no cover at that time of day), it's one of
Las Vegas's best deals (and stick around for
the dancing later on). For great dancing to
true Salsa music (and no smoke!) check out
the Havana Grill on Eastern near Green
Valley.

Some nice commercial signage downtown Las
Vegas. |
TOP TEN BEST
THINGS IN LAS VEGAS IN GENERAL (excluding places
mentioned above and parks): 1. The view from the
patio of the Loews' Resort in Lake Las Vegas;
2. The water/light show at the Parasol
Down Bar at the Wynn Casino and the
waterfall next to the Wynn;
3. MonteLago Village in Lake Las Vegas
(and Lake Las Vegas in general);
4. The Hard Rock Hotel (especially AJ's
Steakhouse and the hotel pool)
5. The Forum Shops in Caesar's
Casino and the Canal Shops in the Venetian
Casino (for my purposes just to walk and
people watch);
6. The fountains of the Bellagio (outside
in front) and the Conservatory & Botanical
Gardens at the Bellagio Casino (near the
lobby), and don't miss the art gallery;
7. Chinatown on Spring Mountain Road;
8. VooDoo Lounge at the Rio early
on before they charge a cover;
9. One dollar shrimp cocktails at the
Golden Gate Casino downtown;
10. The Hofbrau House in the room where
the band plays at night.
Obviously, everyone has different tastes
and opinions. These are only my highly
subjective and biased choices.
TOP TEN HOTELS IN VEGAS (purely
subjective!)
1. The Wynn, The Hard Rock, and Hyatt
Lake Las Vegas - tied - (depending on
whether you are with kids - the Hyatt wins,
whether you want to be near the strip - the
Wynn and Hard Rock win, and whether you are
big on peace and quiet - but then why be in
Vegas - the Hard Rock is fun but hardly
peaceful!);
2. The Bellagio - for its
fountains, conservatory/Gardens and art
museum;
3. Mandalay Bay - principally for
excellent restaurants, dancing and exotic
pool;
4. Flamingo - Just based on value.
For people on a budget who don't mind what
is sometimes quite a wait to check in - the
pool gives you a big bang for your buck and
it's right in the center of the strip (don't
look for elegance here however);
5. Caesar's - mostly for the Forum
Shops, decent clubs and restaurants;
6. Venetian - once again for the
Canal Shops - which will wow first time
visitors and central location. The rooms are
not for people on a budget, but luxurious by
almost any standards;
7. Paris - I haven't heard raves
about the rooms, but it's a fun place to
walk around and some good food deals (a
baguette and coffee make for a cheap meal
for people on a budget). Mon Ami Gabi has a
nice ambiance (particularly outside) and
heavenly food if you want to splurge;
8. Planet Hollywood - The shopping area
was once very nice with exotic background
music and wonderful free shows and belly
dancers. Much of this has changed and I
don't know how it will end up. I did get the
nicest hotel room I ever had here when they
bumped me up to a suite for lack of space.
It was enormous! Of important note is the
recent opening of Trader Vic's here. The
casino here also has a nice mid-century
modern design.
9. New York, New York - kind of
fun for the food court and the fake art
deco;
10. Excalibur/Circus Circus - I
avoid these places but if you insist on
bringing kids to Las Vegas (I'm kind of torn
on that issue) - these are probably the best
places to stay. Lots of arcade games and
such. The upside of bringing kids is that if
you are good parents and spend the whole
time with them, they will probably love the
lights, fountains, kid shows and sights. If
you are going to gamble - forget it!
The downside is the exposure to very questionable
pictures and photos strewn all over the side
walks and second hand smoke everywhere.
Vegas has backed off big time in making the
place kid friendly (almost entirely). I've got to say
that as a kid, however, I really did enjoy a
day in old Vegas at least.
11. Golden Gate - I mention it for
the food deals, history and older ambiance - I
haven't seen the rooms but I doubt they
provide any competition for the strip or
even any other hotel on Fremont Street. If
you're an off beat Bohemian like me - who
knows, you may like them. Probably best to
just hang out here and stay somewhere else.
NUMBER ONE WORST THING ABOUT LAS
VEGAS:
Second hand smoke almost anywhere you
go!!!! (Check the Las Vegas American Lung
Association site for non-smoking
restaurants and coupons). Las Vegas should pass a
law limiting each resident to only one
addiction! UPDATE: Vegas now
has a no-smoking law but there are lot's of
exceptions - including an exclusion for most
casinos. Still, it looks like it may make
the town more livable eventually. It's still
hard to escape the smoke, however.

The El Cortez at Night
- the oldest, best preserved exterior of any
casino in Las Vegas. |
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