As we look to the future of Las Vegas with optimism (incredible growth, industry diversity, studio production facilities, and more), we should consider what we have already lost. Let’s take one last look at some of the things that used to define Las Vegas before they totally slip away.
The Tropicana, which opened in 1959, has closed and was imploded yesterday morning. The resort (which was my working life from 1986-97) has a storied history — full of glamor, some mob intrigue, and the enduring “Folies Bergere.” Its theme changed over the years (during my time, it was “The Island of Las Vegas”), but it always retained a part of traditional Las Vegas, including its classic stained-glass ceiling. Too bad we can’t move the ceiling to another casino like the Mirage…never mind, that’s gone too.
And speaking of the Mirage, the resort that transformed Las Vegas when it opened in 1989, is no more. The building remains, but will become a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in 2027. Also gone is the Mirage volcano, which will be replaced by a guitar-shaped hotel tower. No word on whether the guitar will play “Volcano” by Jimmy Buffett every hour.
The Picasso restaurant at the Bellagio shut down in August as Chef Julian Serrano retired. Stay classy, Bellagio: Don’t fill that space with a White Castle.
Pirate battles at Treasure Island (TI) have long ceased. “The Sirens of TI” was a free nightly show there. Temptresses engaged with a band of renegade pirates. Was it political correctness
that doomed the sirens or the cost of production that led to its closing in 2013? Or simply the need for more retail shops? Either way, that ship has sailed.
Free parking, with some exceptions, is gone along with the old Vegas. Nothing makes you feel real progress in the 21st century than paying for the opportunity to lose in a casino.
The classic 99¢ shrimp cocktail is long gone, but deserves one more nod of recognition. As my recent podcast guest, Anthony Curtis pointed out, you can still get a shrimp cocktail, but not at the “good old days” price. These days you have to hunt for them.
The Fright Dome at Circus Circus was the go-to place for Halloween. It closed in 2018. Now, if you want to be scared, you have to check out some of the “performers” on Fremont Street.
Decks of used casino playing cards. They used to be given out free on request. But now they’re sold in casino gift shops or through vending machines. Here was a freebie that didn’t cost the casinos any money (depreciated asset), but could have been a nice “thank you” to customers who wanted a memory. Now the memory is credit card receipts they keep from their Vegas trip.
Finally, the most important thing lost in the new Vegas is the non-resort fee. That’s right, a “nothing” that was there for decades (or actually wasn’t there for decades). Then the non-resort fee became the resort fee. It wasn’t needed, it wasn’t wanted, but it came into being for pure profit. It would almost be tolerable if it included free parking (and maybe a shrimp cocktail), but no such luck. Add your room rate (which may be reasonable), tax and the resort fee and not only say goodbye to old Vegas, but goodbye to your wallet.
