LVA in the Media

It’s been a turbulent couple of weeks in clubland. Along with the shutdown of the Sapphire topless pool at the Rio, Planet Hollywood’s Privé and the Living Room have been stripped of their liquor licenses, forcing the closing of both. Also closing last week was Poetry at the Forum Shops at Caesars. With the exception of Poetry, whose demise was tied to the departure of the restaurant with which it shared space (Chinois), all others were linked to allegations of underage patrons, drug use, nudity, and irresponsible behavior by club security. As a result, it’s expected that several other clubs will likely come under investigation in the near future.

 

 

Monster Dining Deal: Station Casinos is offering 2-for-1 entrées in all Station and Fiesta restaurants, excluding buffets and coffee shops (and Hachi at Red Rock), Sundays-Thursdays until September 3. There’s been little press about this, so call ahead to confirm, but it’s a great opportunity to try some excellent restaurants on the cheap. Must show a Boarding Pass or Amigo Card.

 

 

Lobster Lunacy: The non-casino Coachman’s Inn (3240 Eastern Ave.) is running a "Lobster Extravaganza" in August. Offerings range from a 20-ounce live-Maine lobster with baked potato and garlic bread for $25.95 to lobster quesadillas for $12.95. Many offers are 24/7.

 

 

Donny & Marie Extend: The Osmond siblings have just had their contract at the Flamingo extended for another two years, on top of a previous two-year add-on, so you’ll now be able to catch the popular Donny & Marie show through Oct. 2012.

 

 

Question: Last time I was in Las Vegas, it looked like they were tearing down the Lady Luck. Say it ain’t so.

 

Answer: It ain’t. At least not yet. An old structure that was part of the Lady Luck and stood dilapidated for several years is finally being demolished. Plans for a renovation of the Lady Luck reportedly remain intact, but no immediate work (besides this demolition) is expected.

 

 July 30, 2009

 

Two more big casino companies have taken negative turns that are related to Las Vegas’ economic slowdown. Two weeks ago Fontainebleau, the unfinished megaresort on the north Strip, disclosed that it needs another $1.5 billion to open. While rumors fly about takeover possibilities, F’bleau’s prospects for opening any time in the near future are grim. And last week the locals giant Station Casinos filed Chapter 11 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to restructure $5.7 billion in debt, most of which stems from financing the company’s buyout nearly 21 months ago. Station has announced that it remains business as usual for its 18 casino properties and that the bankruptcy will not affect the Boarding Pass reward-points system.

 

Topless Pool Closes: The great experiment of merging a strip club and a casino pool may be over. Sapphire Topless Pool, the collaboration between the Rio and Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club, has been closed amid allegations of various improprieties. What a shock.

 

HR Tower Opens: The Hard Rock quietly opened its new 490-room Paradise Tower last week, one week ahead of schedule. A second, the 375-suite Harmon Tower, is due to open in December.

 

Poker on TV: Coverage of the 2009 World Series of Poker is now running on Tuesdays on ESPN. This year’s coverage is limited to three events: the $40,000-buy-in anniversary tournament, Annie Duke’s “Ante Up for Africa” charity, and the Main Event. The Main Event coverage will be comprehensive, culminating with the airing of the final on November 10.

 

Question: What’s the status of the Cosmopolitan Casino on the Strip?

Answer: The 2,998-room megaresort that was the first big project to run into financial trouble remains on pace for what has now been pegged as a September 2010 opening. The cost of Cosmo is now quoted at $3.9 billion, which is interesting, given that the original estimated cost was $1.5 billion (with an original opening date of late 2007).

 

November Nine: The final-table players in the World Series of Poker’s Main Event have been determined. The nine players who are about to become household names in poker circles are led Maryland logger Darvin Moon, with almost 59 million in chips, 25 million more than the second-biggest stack. Last in the field is James Akenhead with 7 million. Perhaps the world’s top player, Phil Ivey, sits in 7^th with 10 million. The players will reconvene for the final table on November 7.

 

 

Super Coupons: If you’re not already a member of the Silverton’s players club, head over and join to get Las Vegas’ current best funbook. It’s filled with restaurant twofers and powerful gambling coupons good for both table games and the machines.

 

 

Question: Is the Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay still open to the public on Monday nights? What’s the admission fee?

Answer: The swanky semi-private club located atop Mandalay Bay is experimenting with an open-every-night policy. The public is admitted after 11 p.m. for a $20 cover.

Last year’s casino-building boom climaxed just as the economy went into a tailspin. The result? Hotel occupancy is down and touted hotel expansions are on hold. It’s a good time to cash in.

 

Coupon Clippers:  “People are spending less, and a lot of casinos are going back to discounting,” says Anthony Curtis, publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter, which offers good members-only discounts. Of myriad free handout publications, Today in Las Vegas “is the most coupon-rich,” says Bob Sehlinger, author of The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas 2008. But many individual operators are posting excellent deals on their own websites.

How low can they go?

 

Hotel rates in Las Vegas — as elsewhere — have been on a losing streak. But summer deals in Sin City couldn’t be more sizzling.

 

The Las Vegas Advisor‘s annual July survey of room rates at 84 Vegas-area casino hotels found 65 with rates below $50, vs. 47 last July before the economic meltdown…

 

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