E-456: Lake Taco

Random Vegas

By 1980, the states five dominate gaming entities were publicly traded companies.  They were Harrah’s, MGM, Del Webb, Caesars World and Hilton (Neon Metropolis)

Twitpic of the week

 

The concept was unique and interesting to begin with.  City Center, a city within a city.  So big it has its own fire department onsite.  Unfortunately, what we got was essentially a very expensive office park on the strip. While not pictured, Aria is a sexy bitch, but it was designed to usurp Bellagio as the premier property in the portfolio and to date, it has done no such thing.  While Veer towers have always captured our imagination the remaining resorts on property, include Vdara and Waldorf Astoria, don’t have casinos in them so there is no reason to even visit either of these properties, in our opinion.  It is amusing that the most popular resort in the City Center portfolio is arguably Cosmopolitan, a property they had to acquire and fold into the complex.  Thanks to @TheCrybabyvegas for sharing the view from his room during VV12.

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• Cyber Attacks
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• Pawn Stars DUI
• Big Rig Jig
• Caesars fountains
• Darren Aronofsky film

E-455: Big Mouth and a Mime

 Random Vegas

There are over 130 unique employee uniform styles at the Aria.  Each uniform is equipped with a radio frequency ID chip (sincitytalk.com)

Twitpic of the week

Welcome to the new strip landscape, one populated by a mesmerizing giant cylindrical object proving that even LED can be done in an interesting way and not just as a giant rectangular TV.  It will come as no surprise that @maverickhelishared this new view.  Here we see the entire strip showcased with the Strat in the foreground all the way down to Mandalay Bay.  The Sphere, of course, stands out because of its uniqueness, not just to the market but in the world as the largest spherical object.  As with everything, someone will probably build one larger, probably in the middle east, unless it’s a huge flop but I don’t think Venetian owners will allow that to happen.  What the hell else are you gonna use that thing for if not its intended purpose.  Is the Sphere too big to fail or will it fail because its too big.  Time will tell.  We are hoping it doesn’t fail either way and instead became as iconic as the Fountians of Bellagio or the Mirage volcano.

News

• Comps for Debts
• Twitpic of the Week
• The Paddock Building
• Like An Onion: The Vegas Skim
• Stray Pirate Tiki Bar
• Video Poker Tournament
• Money Laundering for Dummies
• Severed Negotiations
• Tesla’s Cybertruck

E-454: Social Contract

 Random Vegas

The myth is that casino carpet is busy to keep guests looking at the slots.  The fact is its to conceal stains as well as wear. (@VitalVegas)

Twitpic of the week

A breathtaking photo of @Caesars Palace from @maverickHeli.  An arial view of the property showing just how diverse and sprawling the property is.  This photo has it all, well, almost all.  It has the 6 different hotel towers, the Roman, Centurion, Fantasy (known today as the Nobu tower), Palace, Augustus, and Octavius towers.  It has the porte cochere and the famous fountains capped off by the Absinthe circus tent.  While I’ve been assured this tent is a permanent structure, I can’t help but wonder why Caesars didn’t build them something more on brand.  Perhaps the juxtaposition better suits the show’s theme.  Whatever the reason it’s a marvelous photo and one I’m happy to add to the Twitpic of the week collection.

News

• Adele Disruption
• Fan Girl Opportunity
• Ticket in-Bonus Out in Testing
• 360 Vegas Vacation Naming
• SkyVue Removal
• Zoo Station: A U2/UV Experience
• Durango Wax Rabbit

E-453: Microcosm of Existence

 Random Vegas

Silver Sevens deals live roulette again. That makes 67 casinos in the Las Vegas market that offer the game. There are 71 with table games. Of the four that don't deal roulette, three are small locals that only have blackjack. The other is Main Street Station. (@John_Mehaffey)

Twitpic of the week

Whenever we start talking about “locations” for 360 Vegas Vacations, think of this picture from @JustWonOne when we refer to center strip.  From the Horseshoe to Aria.  Just disregard that MGM marquee as it doesn’t serve our narrative and as we all know, it’s all about the narrative.  Or maybe you don’t know that but just go with it.  For the record, we consider South Strip to be Mandalay to Park MGM and north is Cromwell to Palazzo.  We expanded it beyond Mirage thanks to Flight Club Social Darts Experience, as I’m calling it.  All seriousness, this is a great photo of center strip.

• News
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• 360 Vegas Vacation 2024
• More F1 Details
• road closures
• 360 Vegas Vacation and the Pinball Hall of Fame
• Bats in Gotham
• Delano Forgery Lab
• Stripwalking.com
• Wynn Resorts Future
• Bellagio’s exterior lighting off

E-452: Retracted Retraction

 Random Vegas

Casino staff often use police code as shorthand when dealing with guests.  For example, a “408” means a drunk guest (@vitalvegas)

Twitpic of the week

It’s a hell of a view of west Fremont St, although not the view it used to be.  But that’s okay.  Business is business and the only constant is change.  Especially in this town.  So we’ll enjoy what we have and be grateful for it.  Or so help me I will turn this car around right now.  Anyway, thank you @cinamongirl for sharing your view from Oscar’s.  At least this view has been classed up by the giant LED showing the various former views down Fremont St.  Or was that a final shot at Plaza, showing them what they used to have, now reduced to a tv on the back of a concert stage.

News

• Durango Las Vegas
• Crocodile Dumbass 
• The Sphere
• Hard Rock Guitar Hotel
• Fontainebleau Restaurant Details
• Paris Cherry Bombing
• More Paid Parking
• Flight Club Survey
• Legacy Club @Circa Special Events
• New Exterior Illumination at Mandalay Bay 
• Vegas Eyecandy in Usher’s new music video
• Vegas history art
• Interlock Social Craps 

E-451: 360VV12 Trip Report

 Random Vegas

The MSG Sphere uses 150 Tera watt-hours of electricity every year. Also known as a 150 trillion watts. (@KTNV)

Twitpic of the week

She’s the newest and one of the sexiest neon signs in the history of Fremont St.  Carousel Bar Ginger @Plazalasvegas’s outdoor Porte cashre bar is a lovely addition to the history of neon sex downtown.  Vicki is the original neon beauty and thanks to the Steven’s group and Circa, we still have her in almost all her glory.  That kicking leg has turned out to be a money pit pain in the ass, I don’t blame them for cutting the preverbal cord.  Lady Luck and Sassy Sally all gave us imaginary additions to the conversation.  Now another physical representation is here and deserves her place in the zeitgeist of neon women in Las Vegas.  Congratulations to friend of the show @cinamongirl as she was the first person to suggest the name Ginger, inspired, in part, by the character Ginger from the movie Casino, a character who had a scene in the famous old Plaza Porte cashre.

E-450: Shit-Your-Pants Hot

 Random Vegas

Drummer for the Killers Ronnie Vannucci worked at the Little Chapel as a photographer while the band recorded their first album Hot Fuss (@tmobilearena)

Twitpic of the week

Some call her the dirty castle but I call her part of the unique landscape that is the strip.  Excalibur is an example of an “only in vegas” experience you can have if theming remains.  I’m not saying you have to have people dressed up in character but you need to keep the castle…and the wall decorations to help sell the theme. Leave it to @maverickhelifor capturing a picture of her all lit up and looking pretty.  Say what you will about her, she’s got a hell of an ass on her.

News

·  Waldorf Astoria changes

E-449: Forsetful

 Random Vegas

Caesars Palace legendary casino dome has a crystal chandelier that weighs approx 3,200 pounds and is comprised of 12,000 individual crystals (@VegasTravelNews)

Twitpic of the week

I may not like the city center complex on the strip but that isn’t saying they are sexy as hell buildings.  Especially Aria.  It’s a Vegas conundrum.  I never have any luck playing at the property and yet I still enjoy visiting it.  Did they crack the code on this one?  Is that the ultimate goal is to make it clear to people you are going to lose but you’re going to enjoy your stay.  @maverickheli really provides a fun perspective of the property that anchors an office park.  Thanks Murren.

News

• 360VV12 Clarifications
• Caesars Meth Party
• More Fontainebleau Details
• Ole Red Pedestrian Bridge 
• Barbie Stadium Swim
• new rooms at Rio

E-448: Journalism

 Random Vegas

The pool complex at Fontainebleau is six acres and will have seven pool experiences as well as gaming. The casino floor is 150k square feet with a sportsbook a little larger than 13k square feet. (@Meltzvegas)

Twitpic of the week

Look Familiar?  For most of you, it does not.  At least not in this incarnation.  This week @_GrandPaD shared a photo of the Sundance under construction circa 1979-80.  This was the last property Moe Dalitz opened in Las Vegas and before Circa was built, it was the newest property on Fremont St, opening in 1980.  Still stumped?  For a while it was known as Fitzgerald’s.  Today it’s known as the D Las Vegas

News

• 360VV12 
• NBA In-Season Tournament
• Gaming Revenue Down
• The Sphere Dets
• Vegas Arena and Entertainment District
• Hostage Situation

E-447: Knocked...the...Fuck...Out

 Random Vegas

The 2023 WSOP main event at Horseshoe Vegas is officially the largest of all time with 8,846 total entries (CardPlayer.com)

Twitpic of the week

So often people share pictures with us that we have to encourage them to share the photo via Twitter so it can be a candidate for Twitpic of the week.  This week’s winner by @TheCrybabyVegas is an example of that situation.  Here we get to see the view from his room at NYNY during his most recent trip and it’s a beauty dominated primarily by the property's roller coaster with a nice shot of MGM and Tropicana in the background.  Much like arial photographs, pictures of things like the behind the scenes needed to make the magic real of Las Vegas happen will always catch my attention.  The trick is to collect both something we’ve all seen with something most people don’t in the same photo.  You now have your mission.  Go out and impress us.

News

• Death Defying Cirque
• VegasNearMe

E-446: Stank

 Random Vegas

While preparing the Landmark for implosion, two men were accused and convicted in April 1998 of violating the Clean Air Act by improperly removing asbestos from the hotel before its 1995 demolition. The jury found a third defendant innocent. In March of 2001, he 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reversed the convictions. (Vintage Research)

Twitpic of the week

In a city where you are mathematically certain to lose, perspective is critical.  It’s beating the odds that still attracts people to the tables over and over again.  That sort of perspective is prevalent in this week’s winner.  Despite nightly baths, Fremont St is largely considered dirty.  Maybe its because of all the buskers, maybe its because it’s a pedestrian mall.  Whatever the reason, this week @LuckyTraveling shows us that perspective can also showcase just how beautiful Fremont is, showcasing some of the oldest properties on the famed road with the Viva Vision screen shading all.  We typically lament the loss of a canopy less skyline downtown but this picture shows just how well they complement each other

News

• Sky Dipshittery
• Rio Renovations
• Oceans 14

E-445: We Have Nice Stuff

 Random Vegas

The million dollar display at Binion’s has returned.  The display case holds $42,000 in $1 dollar bills, $688,000 in $20 dollar bills and $270,000 in $100 dollar bills. (Vital Vegas)

Twitpic of the week

Yup, this is a picture of Caesars Palace in the 1970s, after their first expansion tower, the Centurion tower, was built.  The place looks almost unrecognizable except for the famous fountains.  While they have been Re themed to look more like Roman architecture, both of these hotel towers are still in use to this day.  This picture, shared by @las_when, makes one wonder if people bitched about parking back in the day.  You’ll have to see this picture to understand what I’m talking about.  You should see a link in the show notes of your podcast player.

News

• Pinky Ring
• Plaza Carousel bar
• Lupo Bye Bye

E-444: Apropos

 Random Vegas

There is enough concrete in the CityCenter complex to build a 4 foot sidewalk from Las Vegas to New York and back (sincitytalk.com)

Twitpic of the week

Say what you will about Stratosphere but its undeniably a landmark in the Vegas skyline, captured in stunning fashion by @MaverickHeli.  Even just as a silhouette its instantly recognizable.  Anytime I lose my bearings I just look to the Stratosphere to reorient myself.  Some say the property broke Bob Stupak but Bob would tell you it was his dream to build it and that goal was accomplished, even if it did cost him his stake in the company.  While its debated if Stratosphere is located on or off strip what isn’t challenged is its status as an icon.

News

• Las Vegas studios
• Special Session

E-443: "Am I Not in Vegas?!"

 Random Vegas

All the rooms at the Golden Nugget are now non-smoking.  It’s believed the practice was put into place after the last room fire they had on the 11th floor of the Gold Tower in 2021.  That fire damaged about 200 rooms, mostly water damage from the sprinklers. (Vital Vegas and Vintage Research)

Twitpic of the week

Seems no one remembers that Stardust was a run down, low-roller joint at the time of its closure.  Similar to my love for Dunes, when we lose something we only had limited or no exposure to we romanticize it.  Like this week’s winner from @Summacorp.  It is not disputed that the Stardust marquee is one of the most iconic in Vegas history. Fortunately that sign was donated to the Neon Museum.  The bad news is the sign is so large odds are it will never be refurbished and relit at the Neon Boneyard but one can hope.

News

• Downtown Shooting
• Slide to win
• A’s Update
• Todd English exodus part 2

E-442: He Won't Remember

 Random Vegas

The original MGM Grand, now Bally’s, had the first movie theaters ever built into a hotel (@vitalvegas)

Twitpic of the week

One of the challenges new residents of Vegas that love the city like we do have to learn how to drive, is paying attention while you’re driving and not gawkin.  This week’s pic by @_GrandPaD illustrates that better than any I’ve seen before.  It’s just fuckin miles of eye candy and I have to try and ignore all of it.  While I am a giant fan of the FSE and Turing all that space into a pedestrian mall, at night, it must have been impossible to drive down Fremont St.

E-441: Carousel Comping

 Random Vegas

The lead singer of Devo did the cool/creepy art in the men’s room at Park on Fremont restaurant. (@VitalVegas)

Twitpic of the week

In what can be agreed is the sexiest Golden Nugget exterior signage ever looked as in the late 60s.  A time when Gold didn’t look like yellow.  The glow of the signage somehow embodies the phrase “feel all warm and fuzzy inside.” But Golden Nugget’s story is longer than that and even the signage couldn’t keep up with the demand caused its evolution into the property it is today.  Thanks to @las_when for sharing it

News

• El Cortez expansion
• New Sphere, Same Problems
• The Match @Wynn

E-440: Personal Space

 Random Vegas

40% of MGM Resorts guests decline daily housekeeping (VitalVegas)

Twitpic of the week

Simply Elegant and somehow sexy, like the leg lamp in a Christmas Story.  Milton Prell’s Aladdin’s original marquee was a looker, shared this week by @summacorp.  It’s not a marquee often featured in the great marquees of Las Vegas but it should be.  I can’t describe it without doing a huge disservice.  It’s like a neon ice cream cone but with an ad for Nudes On Ice on it.

News

• Tropicana Stadium
• Play Playground Las Vegas
• BLVD complex