Today I wanted to look back at O’Shea’s Casino. Yes, there were two apostrophes. It was a place where a non-luxurious, non-bougie person as myself felt at home. Granted the place had a smell when you first walked in, but as soon as you went passed the tables in the front, things got better. At least that’s how I remember it.

There was a joyful crowd in an atmosphere of beer pong, poker tables, cheap eats, fortune telling, tattoo watching and shots. Some of the most interesting shot service I have seen to date was by Lucky the Leprechaun.

O’Shea’s Casino, which opened on July 1, 1989, on the Las Vegas Strip, was known for its Irish theme and standalone structure. It was a unique feature compared to other casinos integrated into larger resorts. I read somewhere once that it was built on what was originally a parking lot for Imperial Palace. That makes sense considering it stood between the Flamingo and the Imperial Palace.

O’Shea’s Casino catered to those looking for budget-friendly gaming options, offering low minimum bets and $1 blackjack tables. Its atmosphere was casual and accessible, attracting a diverse group of visitors.

Entertainment was a big part of O’Sheas’ appeal. Over the years, it hosted various shows, including performances by the band Imagine Dragons during their early days. The casino also featured a range of unusual acts like hypnotists, magicians, and even a topless dance show named Viper Vixens. A notable addition was a tattoo parlor opened by Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe in 2006, where visitors could watch tattoos being inked right from the Strip.

O’Shea’s was also one of the scenes where Rusty Griswald won a free car in Vegas Vacation.

A beloved mascot, Lucky the Leprechaun, played by Brian Thomas, added to the casino’s charm, interacting with guests and becoming a well-known figure at the casino. Lucky was awesome, always fun to interact with, gave you a fist bump and sometimes a free shot. He was the essence of O’Shea’s, the face of it.

Before becoming Caesars Entertainment, Harrah’s Entertainment spent billions acquiring a large stretch of prime Las Vegas Strip property. They bought several older casinos including O’Shea’s, which was alongside its namesake property, and Imperial Palace in 2005. A year later, Harrah’s expanded their holdings by acquiring the Flamingo through the purchase of Caesars Entertainment. Their expansion concluded in 2007 with a strategic land swap with Boyd Gaming, gaining the Barbary Coast, which they later renamed Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall (now Cromwell).

This series of acquisitions gave Harrah’s a significant block of land on the Strip, opposite its flagship property, Caesars Palace. These properties, averaging nearly 34 years old, were surrounded by newer developments, prompting speculation that Harrah’s might replace them with a modern, expansive complex to rival MGM’s CityCenter.

Despite its popularity, O’Shea’s Casino was closed on April 30, 2012, to make way for The Linq, a modern shopping, dining, and entertainment district. The closure was marked by a massive party, underscoring its status as a favorite spot for affordable gambling and entertainment on the Strip. However, the spirit of O’Shea’s lived on when it reopened within The Linq Promenade in December 2013, albeit in a more modernized form, and shaving off an apostrophe. This new version of O’Sheas continues to offer gaming and entertainment but lacks some of the original charm and uniqueness of the first venue. It lost more of the charm when Lucky hung up the hat in 2020.

The impact of O’Sheas on Las Vegas nightlife and its legacy as a beloved low-roller destination is still remembered by many, as noted in various accounts and reminiscences by patrons and observers alike.

What are your memories of the original O’Shea’s location? let us know in the comments.