Las Vegas Casino Spruces Up

Posted on February 11, 2009 by admin

 

 

No one believed it would happen, but the formerly dilapidated Gold Spike casino downtown has a whole new look. Cleaned up and featuring a new bar and restaurant, TVs throughout, and a pit area that brings live gaming back with two blackjack games and a roulette table, the Gold Spike is now downright respectable. And the improvements are ongoing. A new pizzeria is about to open and work has begun on renovations in the 110-room hotel.

 

Classic Closes: After 23-plus years on the Strip, the Riviera’s La Cage female-impersonator show closed suddenly, the victim of falling attendance and the poor economy. Emcee and Las Vegas cult icon Frank Marino intends to seek out a headliner gig elsewhere on the Strip.

 

Joint Replacement: Another entertainment staple closed last week, but this one’s coming back. The Joint, Hard Rock’s rock ‘n’ roll venue that’s hosted some of the world’s most famous artists, closed after a performance by Mötley Crüe. The Joint will be expanded, renovated, and reopened in April with an inaugural concert by Paul McCartney.

 

New Cat: It’s a boy. A leopard cub named Java, who was actually born back in November, is the latest inhabitant of Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden at the Mirage. Java made his public debut last week. Visiting hours at the Garden are 11 a.m.. to 5:30 p.m. and admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-12.

 

Prime Rib Poll: South Point? California? Gold Coast? Who serves Las Vegas’ best prime rib dinner? Vote for your favorite among these and more at LasVegasAdvisor.com. The winner will be announced in this column.

Question: What is the “Ono”?
 Answer: The club XS at the just-opened Encore features a drink that blends Dom Perignon Enotheque Champagne and Louis XIII de Remy Martin Black Pearl cognac and comes with a choice of a men’s or women’s jewelry piece. It’s called the Ono, possibly describing what you say when you get the $10,000 tab.
 
Anthony Curtis’ weekly column is syndicated to all the above media outlets.
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