360 Vegas

Random Vegas The iconic Barbary Coast signage designed by Buzz Leming featured Tiffany-style glass, a burgundy and gold color scheme and a 19th century-style lettering that is known as "Barbary Coast Block" (Neon Museum)   Twitpic of the week The Mirage Volcano.  It’s time to enjoy it while we still have it.  As sad as it can be, change is the only constant in Las Vegas.  We’ve lost some legends along the way.  The Sands, the Stardust, the Dunes were all lost in favor of progress, some better than others.  The most concerning point is that those that were creative enough to evolve Vegas into the place we know it as don’t appear to be around anymore, except Derek Stevens.  That guy gets it.  But this monologue is not about that, its about the signature attraction that kicked off a revolution in Vegas, The Mirage Volcano.  She will forever have a special place in my heart.  Thank you @vegasjaydubs for an epic picture of a game changer in the Vegas market.  Cheers to you Mirage Volcano.  Thanks for the

Random Vegas In 1999, the Stardust signed a 10-year deal with Wayne Newton for a reported $25 m per year, the largest entertainment contract in Vegas history at the time.  But after 5 ½ years Newton ended his run and was replaced by George Carlin in April 2005   Twitpic of the week  I’ll admit it, this is the first Twitpic of the week that I’m not 100% sure where this is located.  My educated guess is the Stardust but my experiences with her were so limited.  Still, she seems to have the same level of elegance and tackiness as the legend.  Thanks to @VitalVegas, we got to thoroughly reflect on the strips past and present.   News Fremont Expansion Diva-Adele NFL Draft Transportation Options Arts District Beer Crawl

Random Vegas In France, the movie “the Hangover” was given the title “Very Bad Trip”.  In Spanish-speaking countries, it was called “What Happened Yesterday” (@VitalVegas) Twitpic of the week A moment in time capture by @_GrandPaD’s father in 1964 featuring the Stardust, a legend in her prime.  Still sporting the original road marquee as well as the properties original frontage.  Adding to the glamor is a parking lot full of vintage vehicles.  We’ll, back then they weren't vintage but you know what we mean.  It’s a great photo of a great place in the sun. News 360VV11 Pay to Play

Random Vegas Private dances at Vegas strip clubs require the dancer to always keep one foot on the floor, preventing straddling, dry humping, and other erotic positions. (@kinziroze)   Twitpic of the week Its about to happen again.  An icon of Las Vegas signage will be going away, making the strip a sadder place.  Of course we are talking about the Mirage volcano, expected to be destroyed to make way for the Hard Rock Brand. In order to bring something even more iconic, the Dunes had to go.  Most lamented of which is the beautiful turret signage.  Without a doubt, the #1 sign I wish I’d seen, shared here by @Las_when. Supplementing that view was the ability to enjoy some drinks at the Top o the Dunes complete with a unique perspective of that marquee.    But Vegas can’t and won’t allow nostalgia to prevent progress.  In the Dunes case, we lost the property to an even bigger marquee attraction, the Fountains of Bellagio.  Rumor is Hard Rock has plans to build a guitar hotel as they have at other locat

Random Vegas The Mirage hotel’s gold windows get their color from actual gold dust used in the tinting process. Twitpic of the week An easy way to get my attention is to share a picture of one of Las Vegas’ legendary resorts under construction, like the one shared by @las_when of NYNY in the early stages of construction.  I’ve no handyman skills so construction or renovation of any kind is magical to me.  Watching Vegas resorts evolve and develop their footprint always makes me smile as well as showcases how far we’ve come and how uncreative properties like Resorts World and Virgin are, little more than simply buildings with casinos inside, devoid of any personality.  Thankfully we have photography to document Vegas’ evolution into the number 1 tourist destination in America. News F1 Vegas  

Random Vegas In the late 40s, ownership of the Flamingo saved 30 cats marked for euthanization and gave them a home and a job Not only did they kill the mice and rats at the Flamingo but overachieved by taking care of them in the surrounding area as well. Eager to show off what a good job they were doing, the cats would often bring the remains of their prey to Flamingo staff who would then have to quickly hide the remains, so guests didn't see. So valued were their services that they learned they would receive leftovers from elaborate meals at the property if they simply visited the back door to the kitchen Twitpic of the week It’s a dream like image of a property that lives up to the Hype.  Circa fully light up and reflecting off a puddle, symbolizing the Stevens group domination of the Downtown market.  Not to be forgot is the reflection of the Golden Gate, the oldest property on Fremont St.  It’s hard to come up with the proper way to say this is beautiful but it is and so much more.  You’ve got to see @

Random Vegas MSG Sphere @Venetian will be the largest spherical structure in the world at 366-feet tall and 516 feet wide.  The project is expected to be complete in 2023 (edmtunes.com) Twitpic of the week Elegant in black and white, legendary at all accounts.  Caesars Palace, unlike Flamingo, is a property that has weathered many storms and still managed to keep attracting high rollers.  Captured by @las_when, this photo from 1971 shows the property after its first expansion tower.  Today, not only does that tower look different, the entire property has gone through a much more appropriate Grecco roman esthetic. Thankfully we have photography to capture this time in history News 360VV11 RSVP Now Available Exclusively to Patreon Subscribers 

*Premium Content Preview Patreon.com/360Vegas While many architecture academics have criticized Las Vegas for its lack of substance, there may be no better example of this elitism than the scorn directed towards the Stardust.  For better or worse, history points to the Stardust as the defining moment when Las Vegas no longer required a jacket and tie to gain entrance to.  Instead of celebrating the brilliance in the Stardust’s minimalism, it was trashed for focusing more on the exterior signage and façade, wrapped around a building that was little more than a massive, non-descript warehouse.  Whether inadvertent or by intention, it seems each time Vegas has successfully evolved to appeal to more diverse tastes, that success is met with opposition; Slut Shaming those who dare to find things appealing like neon signage, themed resorts or anything deemed inferior to "intellectual" tastes.  But the glory that is Las Vegas is knowing that judging people for what appeals to them has never made converts, it aliena

Random Vegas Before Paris/Caesars could do anything to the Eiffel Tower replica, such as the addition of the light show, changes have to be approved by France (@VitalVegas)   Twitpic of the week   It’s a rare occurrence in Vegas but when it happens it's as magical as a neon.  Snow in Las Vegas, the clean and beautiful white dressing everything you know into a winter wonderland.  Contending for even better than the view is the fact that snow doesn’t typically stick around any longer than an afternoon.  So only morning traffic has to deal with it.  Potentially the best looking property in the snow is Luxor, shared by @LasVegasLocally with its juxtaposed onyx glass playing off the pristine white covering the pyramid, sphinx and palm trees.  Thankfully we have photography to capture this unicorn when it magically appears. News 360VV11  Top of Binion's  collections@neonmuseum.org  Restaurant Week 

Random Vegas Del Webb was a private person, egoless.  He wouldn't even allow himself to be paged in any of his properties.  In fact, he remained so anonymous that one former employee tells a story about a time Webb tried to get on a service elevator at the Sahara to go to the offices in the penthouse.  An employee stopped Del, asked who he was and when he claimed he was Del Webb, the employee told him, unless he could prove that, he wasn't allowed to use the service elevator and turned him away.  Later, it was confirmed Del was who he claimed to be, and rather than fire the employee, he was very please that he stopped him since he didn't know who he was because he could have been anyone wanting to burn the place down.   Twitpic of the week   It’s common knowledge that rain doesn’t happen often in Las Vegas.  When it does, neon reflections in puddles are commonly captured.  This time, @RemkoRinkema shared the view from a rain soaked windshield in traffic and it was fabulous.  Noticeable are both Bally’

Random Vegas 49% of Las Vegas workers are at a high risk of being replaced by robots and other forms of automation technology, according to a new study.  Casino dealers have a “probability of automation” of 96% - highest among all professions in the us. (@LasVegasLocally) Twitpic of the week The tweet that brought this picture to our attention, originally shared by @Las_when, came from @Vital Vegas.  It said “Caesars Palace kindergarten picture”.  Not only did it make me laugh but it is a pretty accurate statement.  The photo, taken in 1971, shows both the original Roman Tower, built in 1966, as well as the 1 year old Centurion tower.  Other than the parking lot surrounding, you see a lot of desert surrounding the property.  No matter what your feelings are about Caesars Palace, it’s a fact that its an attractive property, past and present versions.   News Tropicana Parking Delayed Gratification Vegas and Sports giant smiley face

Random Vegas Louie Anderson once lost $80K in an LA card room. That same night he rented a car, drove to Vegas, took out a $2K marker at Bally's, won $110K playing blackjack, tipped the dealer $20K, and flew back to LA to film a TV commercial at 7 am. (@lasvegaslocally) Twitpic of the week Debatably the best the Golden Nugget ever looked.  It’s true that its most recent incarnation suits the target market they look to attract but it lost its personality.  It exchanged a vibrant display full of animated neon for a stagnate, poshier exterior.  Today, the only way we can enjoy this exterior is in movies like “Diamonds are Forever” and “Viva Las Vegas”.  Thankfully we have @summacorp's twitter feed to remind us of yesteryear and rejoice. News Atomic City Industries Bally’s rebranding

Random Vegas Another story about Benny’s Binion’s bravado.  Benny used to drive from Vegas to Texas alone semi regular.  One time he picked up a hitchhiker.  At first the two didn’t say much to each other until the hitchhiker ask Benny “What would you say if I told you I got a gun on me?”.  Benny replied “I’d say we’re even”.  Benny then pulled the car over and the hitchhiker got out Twitpic of the week This week, @pixvegas777 shared a reflection that inspires one to reflect on life, neon and chance.  An escape from the norm in exchange for the unforgettable, even if it's hard to remember the next morning.  Quiet contemplation makes one wonder how askew existence would be through the Vegas looking glass.  Perhaps it would have single zero roulette and 3:2 Blackjack. A place where parking would be complimentary and the drink services is prompt and poured from the bottle. What a world we used to live in. News Adele Residency Resorts World LED Show

Random Vegas The slots on a roulette wheel where the balls land are called “pockets” (@VitalVegas)   Twitpic of the week   Contemplation.  A mind set many who listen to this show have no doubt had on multiple occasions while casting a gaze at all the majesty Vegas offers.  @TastyOldMan captured one of those moments, enjoying the view of the strip from in front of Bellagio and her fountains.  There are moments in life when one must stop and smell the roses, or the scent of a casino, and soak in all the glory for recall at a later date, which then turns on the craving to return.  And why shouldn’t you?  You work hard, you deserve a little pageantry in.  Since I can’t state it any better, I’ll quote from @TastyOldMan.  The September of our years will come too soon.  Till then, in neon we play. News Beware the Hookers Premium Restaurant Seats Mirage Fireworks Show

Random Vegas The pirate skull signage at Treasure Island was only on display for a decade, from 1993-2003 and is identified as the signature symbol of the Family Friendly marketing concept. (Neon Museum) Twitpic of the week This week’s winner is another look behind the curtain.  This time, it’s the Flamingo, the oldest property on the Las Vegas strip.  Although none of the original structure remains, she still sits as an icon.  The views shared by @MaverickHeli continue to show the majesty of Vegas as an adult playground with larger than life landmarks to stimulate the senses.  I seriously need to get off my ass and enjoy the sensory overload one no doubt gets from a helicopter ride.  While that reeks of effort, I’m sure its little more than going to a website and booking.  One day, my friends.  One day. News Martha Stewart’s Vegas restaurant MGM Rewards Details Another Raiders Player Can’t Handle Vegas

Random Vegas Vegas casinos won $1.3 billion in November, one of the highest figures ever.  It’s the 9th straight month of casino winning exceeding $1 billion, another all time record.  The previous record was 8 consecutive months between Oct 2006 and May 2007, right before the great recession hit (@lasvegaslocally) Twitpic of the week Oh Stardust, how we miss thee.  Frontier can go fuck itself.  No, I’m just kidding about the Frontier.  Here we see former properties on a densely populated north strip, shared by @Las_When.  Today, they are home to large plots of land waiting for the next visionary to come along and reincarnate the space into another hotel/casino. Resorts World took the first steps by building a somewhat forgettable Vegas incarnation on the Stardust site.  Hopefully the projects that pop up in the Frontier and Riviera spaces are somewhat more inspired.  Hope rings again as the Fontainebleau project may actually have ownership that will complete the long dormant eye sore of the strip.  Only

Random Vegas 58% of restaurant and hotel employees intend to quit their jobs by the end of 2021 (@VitalVegas) Twitpic of the week A beautiful picture of a beautiful property.  Balconies and roof top pools were both things you couldn’t do successfully in Vegas.  Cosmopolitan proved that wrong.  At 4.4 acres, it’s the best use of available space in Vegas history and offers one of the best views of strip for people to enjoy via your balcony.  Again, @MaverickHeli gives us a unique perspective as only they can.  It makes one wonder if the person taking all the pictures is a brilliant photographer or if the views are just that great.  Don’t know, super care. News Mirage Sold Las Vegas Superbowl Homeless Attack

Random Vegas Dancing dealers at one popular Fremont street casino bring home upwards of $1800 in tips a week, twice what regular dealers make. (@LasVegasLocally) Twitpic of the week If you can’t be on the strip at least you get a great view of it.  @MaverickHeli gives us a gods view of the Stratosphere tower.  Well, maybe not a gods view considering you can get a view like this via apple maps.  Either way, it’s a great pic because it showcases all the stuff properties make a concerted effort to hide from guest’s view.  Personally, I’m attracted to said views because its like stepping behind the scenes.  I really enjoy seeing behind the magic. News Adele Residency ABBA Voyage Bally’s Shooting I-15 expansion Miracle Mile Renovation Emmitt’s Las Vegas new field bet options

Random Vegas In Bulgaria, if your palms itch, it's considered bad luck and gambling should be avoided. In Serbia, it's the opposite. Itchy hands means luck is on your side, expect a win. (Vital Vegas) Twitpic of the week It’s a shame that the Neon Museum didn’t rescue this part of Vegas history and repurpose it like it did the La Concha main lobby, now the main lobby to the Neon Boneyard.  It was right up there with the Flamingo marquee as the best neon sign on the strip.  The only thing that would have made it better was if it was animated.  It’s hard to moan about the lost of this theming when you consider the Cromwell is a vast improvement.  Today, its been replaced by a beautiful view of the strip while dining at Giada’s.  Thank you @VitalVegas for the blast from the not so distant past. News Jonas Brothers Restaurant Red Rock Robbed Future of Resort Fees New Pins at BattleBorn Reclining Connected Forms  

Random Vegas Giant tall slot machines generate 23% more revenue than the regular kind, per gaming professional (Vital Vegas)   Twitpic of the week  Never has the metaphor “through the looking glass” been more appropriately applied to Vegas than it is in this week’s winner, brought to us by @Fox5vegas.  In addition to the massive amounts of “only in Vegas” experiences, it also has many things you can find elsewhere. But here, they are slightly askew with some special Vegas magic.  Case and point, Mon Ami Gabi and their outdoor dining overlooking the strip and featuring an epic spot to view the fountains of Bellagio.  Whatever it is, it's more special in Vegas including the reflection of a neon sign in a puddle.   News New Wynn Leadership Best Places to live More Pedestrian Bridges