360 Vegas

Random Vegas

The MSG Sphere uses 150 Tera watt-hours of electricity every year. Also known as a 150 trillion watts. (@KTNV)

Twitpic of the week

She’s the newest and one of the sexiest neon signs in the history of Fremont St.  Carousel Bar Ginger @Plazalasvegas’s outdoor Porte cashre bar is a lovely addition to the history of neon sex downtown.  Vicki is the original neon beauty and thanks to the Steven’s group and Circa, we still have her in almost all her glory.  That kicking leg has turned out to be a money pit pain in the ass, I don’t blame them for cutting the preverbal cord.  Lady Luck and Sassy Sally all gave us imaginary additions to the conversation.  Now another physical representation is here and deserves her place in the zeitgeist of neon women in Las Vegas.  Congratulations to friend of the show @cinamongirl as she was the first person to suggest the name Ginger, inspired, in part, by the character Ginger from the movie Casino, a character who had a scene in the famous old Plaza Porte cashre.

Random Vegas

Drummer for the Killers Ronnie Vannucci worked at the Little Chapel as a photographer while the band recorded their first album Hot Fuss (@tmobilearena)

Twitpic of the week

Some call her the dirty castle but I call her part of the unique landscape that is the strip.  Excalibur is an example of an “only in vegas” experience you can have if theming remains.  I’m not saying you have to have people dressed up in character but you need to keep the castle…and the wall decorations to help sell the theme. Leave it to @maverickhelifor capturing a picture of her all lit up and looking pretty.  Say what you will about her, she’s got a hell of an ass on her.

News

·  Waldorf Astoria changes

I think there’s been more talk about this show since it opened than any other Vegas show in memory.

Random Vegas

Caesars Palace legendary casino dome has a crystal chandelier that weighs approx 3,200 pounds and is comprised of 12,000 individual crystals (@VegasTravelNews)

Twitpic of the week

I may not like the city center complex on the strip but that isn’t saying they are sexy as hell buildings.  Especially Aria.  It’s a Vegas conundrum.  I never have any luck playing at the property and yet I still enjoy visiting it.  Did they crack the code on this one?  Is that the ultimate goal is to make it clear to people you are going to lose but you’re going to enjoy your stay.  @maverickheli really provides a fun perspective of the property that anchors an office park.  Thanks Murren.

News

• 360VV12 Clarifications

Random Vegas

The pool complex at Fontainebleau is six acres and will have seven pool experiences as well as gaming. The casino floor is 150k square feet with a sportsbook a little larger than 13k square feet. (@Meltzvegas)

Twitpic of the week

Look Familiar?  For most of you, it does not.  At least not in this incarnation.  This week @_GrandPaD shared a photo of the Sundance under construction circa 1979-80.  This was the last property Moe Dalitz opened in Las Vegas and before Circa was built, it was the newest property on Fremont St, opening in 1980.  Still stumped?  For a while it was known as Fitzgerald’s.  Today it’s known as the D Las Vegas

News

• 360VV12 

Random Vegas

The 2023 WSOP main event at Horseshoe Vegas is officially the largest of all time with 8,846 total entries (CardPlayer.com)

Twitpic of the week

So often people share pictures with us that we have to encourage them to share the photo via Twitter so it can be a candidate for Twitpic of the week.  This week’s winner by @TheCrybabyVegas is an example of that situation.  Here we get to see the view from his room at NYNY during his most recent trip and it’s a beauty dominated primarily by the property's roller coaster with a nice shot of MGM and Tropicana in the background.  Much like arial photographs, pictures of things like the behind the scenes needed to make the magic real of Las Vegas happen will always catch my attention.  The trick is to collect both something we’ve all seen with something most people don’t in the same photo.  You now have your mission.  Go out and impress us.

News

• Death Defying Cirque

Random Vegas

While preparing the Landmark for implosion, two men were accused and convicted in April 1998 of violating the Clean Air Act by improperly removing asbestos from the hotel before its 1995 demolition. The jury found a third defendant innocent. In March of 2001, he 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reversed the convictions. (Vintage Research)

Twitpic of the week

In a city where you are mathematically certain to lose, perspective is critical.  It’s beating the odds that still attracts people to the tables over and over again.  That sort of perspective is prevalent in this week’s winner.  Despite nightly baths, Fremont St is largely considered dirty.  Maybe its because of all the buskers, maybe its because it’s a pedestrian mall.  Whatever the reason, this week @LuckyTraveling shows us that perspective can also showcase just how beautiful Fremont is, showcasing some of the oldest properties on the famed road with the Viva Vision screen shading all.  We typically lament the loss of a canopy less skyline downtown but this picture shows just how well they complement each other

News

• Sky Dipshittery

Random Vegas

The million dollar display at Binion’s has returned.  The display case holds $42,000 in $1 dollar bills, $688,000 in $20 dollar bills and $270,000 in $100 dollar bills. (Vital Vegas)

Twitpic of the week

Yup, this is a picture of Caesars Palace in the 1970s, after their first expansion tower, the Centurion tower, was built.  The place looks almost unrecognizable except for the famous fountains.  While they have been Re themed to look more like Roman architecture, both of these hotel towers are still in use to this day.  This picture, shared by @las_when, makes one wonder if people bitched about parking back in the day.  You’ll have to see this picture to understand what I’m talking about.  You should see a link in the show notes of your podcast player.

News

• Pinky Ring

Random Vegas

There is enough concrete in the CityCenter complex to build a 4 foot sidewalk from Las Vegas to New York and back (sincitytalk.com)

Twitpic of the week

Say what you will about Stratosphere but its undeniably a landmark in the Vegas skyline, captured in stunning fashion by @MaverickHeli.  Even just as a silhouette its instantly recognizable.  Anytime I lose my bearings I just look to the Stratosphere to reorient myself.  Some say the property broke Bob Stupak but Bob would tell you it was his dream to build it and that goal was accomplished, even if it did cost him his stake in the company.  While its debated if Stratosphere is located on or off strip what isn’t challenged is its status as an icon.

News

• Las Vegas studios

Random Vegas

All the rooms at the Golden Nugget are now non-smoking.  It’s believed the practice was put into place after the last room fire they had on the 11th floor of the Gold Tower in 2021.  That fire damaged about 200 rooms, mostly water damage from the sprinklers. (Vital Vegas and Vintage Research)

Twitpic of the week

Seems no one remembers that Stardust was a run down, low-roller joint at the time of its closure.  Similar to my love for Dunes, when we lose something we only had limited or no exposure to we romanticize it.  Like this week’s winner from @Summacorp.  It is not disputed that the Stardust marquee is one of the most iconic in Vegas history. Fortunately that sign was donated to the Neon Museum.  The bad news is the sign is so large odds are it will never be refurbished and relit at the Neon Boneyard but one can hope.

News

• Downtown Shooting