I usually go into the weekend with one or two pages of notes with the Las Vegas news. There are three pages of fun today. There’s a lot of information this week, so buckle up! I’ll try to keep everything short, sweet and easy to read.
Fontainbleau Finally Getting A Wrap
The biggest eyesore on the Vegas Strip is the unfinished and withering casino resort once known as Fontainebleau. The massive 68 story tall blue glass building on the north end of the Vegas Strip won’t be finished but may be sold…someday. In the meantime, the building will be partially covered so it’s less ugly. NBC Las Vegas has more details.
New Gordon Ramsay Restaurant Announced For Caesars Palace
The Vegas rumor mill comes through with a winner. You may remember that Vegas Seven had news about a new Gordon Ramsay restaurant opening at the end of last year. Rumor confirmed. Caesars Entertainment officially announced that Gordon Ramsay will be taking over operations at the Sidewalk Cafe outside of Caesars Palace. You may remember this as Serendipity 3. My experience with Ole Gordo has been very bad so I won’t dive into this. You can read about the restaurant announcement here. You can find some insider type info on how much money he’ll make here.
Wynn Paradise Park Approved
Plans for Wynn Paradise Park have been approved and construction is scheduled to begin later this year or in the beginning of 2018. As expected plans have been scaled back from the original ideas being thrown around. However, the plans may have been scaled way back and not include a new hotel tower.
Las Vegas casino operators had a great quarter. I’ll have more on Wynn Paradise Park, Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts, and Las Vegas Sands earnings during the week.
New In Las Vegas Fires: Trump
This hotel doesn’t have a casino so it barely exists in my periphery. Someone set two small fires in the hotel last week. Nobody was harmed and the hotel is fine. Read about it here.
Disney Fine Art Gallery Coming To Caesars Palace
I think I’d lose my mind about this if I were a Disney fan. I’m not a fan and it sounds really cool. Magical Memories featuring Disney Fine Art will open in May at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Magical Memories will have audio and visual special effects that, over time, will include hourly firework shows, custom projections, and a fiber-optic pixie dust-trail entrance. There’s lots of art too. I know plenty of Disney fans that will love this. I posted the long press release on my Facebook page here.
Palace Station Bingo Room Open
The fanciest Bingo Hall I’ve ever seen opened over the weekend at Palace Station. The 10,000 square foot room is the major piece of their first batch of renovations to the casino. The old space will become a restaurant in the future. You can see pictures and find more information here.
Castlevania Slot Machine Coming Soon
Another 1980’s video game has been made into a slot machine. Castlevania will join Pac-Man, Frogger, and Tetris in casinos in the next few months. Here’s a preview from G2E last year.
Hooters At Palms Is Closing
This has been a rumor since Station Casinos purchased Palms last year. Removing Hooters isn’t a surprise. Here’s the statement I received from the Palms:
“Hooters will be closing in the coming weeks to make way for exciting new enhancements we are planning for The Palms. We thank the entire Hooters team for being a great addition to the property’s food & beverage offerings the past few years.”
Station Casinos could operate a similar concept themselves. I think it’s more likely that they’ll license the space to an outside operator. The poolside location is prime space for a nightclub/restaurant operator to take over.
Journey Residency Returns To Hard Rock
The 2017 Journey residency at Hard Rock begins this week with shows May 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17, 19 and 20. A new Journey exhibit will open at the Hard Rock on May 3 at 1 p.m. You can read more here. Remember, Steve Perry isn’t singing for the band. Arnel sounds great but it’s a cover band in my eyes. Check it out.
Did You Know Linq Has A Theater?
I’ve probably stayed at The Linq more than any hotel on the Vegas Strip in the past two years. I had no idea there was a theater at the massive property. Well, it’s being renamed for Mat Franco. In case you didn’t know he’s a magician. Here’s more information.
Primrose Is First Up For Park MGM
By now you should know that Monte Carlo is being renovated to become a new property named Park MGM. The first restaurant to be announced is named Primrose. It will be off the lobby and presumably, occupy the indoor and outdoor space that used to be The Pub. Eater has some more information. Expect to hear a lot more about the renovations throughout the year.
Vegas Golden Knights Confirm Preseason Schedule
The first time the Vegas Golden Knights will play a game at the T-Mobile Arena will be September 26 versus the Los Angeles Kings. Tickets aren’t on sale yet. The schedule is below and you can read more here. Expect the regular season schedule to be announced after the NHL Draft ends on June 24.
Sept. 17 at Vancouver
Sept. 19 at Colorado
Sept. 21 at San Jose
Sept. 24 at Anaheim
Sept. 26 (home) Los Angeles
Sept. 28 (home) Colorado
Oct. 1 (home) San Jose
50% Off Restaurants At SLS Las Vegas In May
This offer is good for Military Appreciation Month. All military personnel will get a 50% discount at Cleo, Katsuya, Umami Burger, 800 Degrees Pizzeria, and Northside Café. Sadly, Bazaar Meat will not be a part of the discount. There’s also a 20% discount on hotel rooms for active and retired members of the military and first responders.
I highly recommend eating at Cleo if you’re eligible to use this discount. The food is great at any price and even better at half price.
McCarran Airport Has Busiest March EVERRRRRRRRRR
This March, passenger traffic at McCarran Airport (LAS) increased by 3.2% from 2016. The majority of the traffic increase came from domestic travel. International travel dipped 0.1% from March 2016. Traffic at LAS for the quarter was up 2.2% from the first quarter of 2016. The Las Vegas Review-Journal has a lot more information including traffic for specific airlines and countries.
Related: Get Your Slots On At Nevada’s Two Commercial Airports
Quick Hits
Unikrn acquires LEET. Who the what? This could be a big deal for esports and casinos. Read the press release here.
March Madness was YUGE for Nevada casino revenue! Read more at the Las Vegas Sun.
The Commissary at Downtown Grand is all esports now. Read more at Vital Vegas.
Fear The Walking Dead experience coming to Fremont Street Experience. Read more here.
The Life Is Beautiful festival announces their 2017 music lineup. Muse is playing. Muse is great. Watch the video for more info.
Rumor of the Week: Resorts World is dead.
The Leach is rumoring that Resorts World is dead and that Alon’s dirt is on the market. Neither would surprise me. I never see anything happening when I drive by Resorts World. However, Vegas Bright has pictures showing that people are working at Resorts World. They’re supposedly underground now. I hope to see Resorts World actually open someday. Time will tell.
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