Diablo's Cantina Opens 15 September 2007

After work, I saw that Diablo's Cantina had put their sexy she-devil on the top of the restaurant. I stopped and took photos. Then when I got home, I found that I had received a press release and photo from the Light Group.

This blog is normally (always!) me and my camera. But I am going to make an exception in this case because I like what I have seen and read of Diablo's, and am looking forward to going there.

So the photo which accompanies this post was not taken by me. It is courtesy of the Light Group. Also, I am uploading it in larger than normal size, so if this works out, you will be able to click on it to get the larger shot.

Information which I have seen indicates that once Diablo's Cantina opens at The Monte Carlo, reservations will be recommended and proper attire will be required. Please keep that in mind when planning your visit.

Later today, probably tomorrow, I may post more on Diablo's. I've got other stuff too; I am backlogged and getting burned on time.

The press release which is well worth reading follows, (thank you Alex).

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Diablo’s Cantina Adds a Sinful New Landmark on Las Vegas Strip

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20’ She-Devil Erected Atop Two-Story Restaurant

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Las Vegas – After a ride down Las Vegas Boulevard on the back of a flatbed trailer, the Diablo’s Cantina She-Devil – the symbol of the restaurant’s sinful atmosphere – was hoisted via crane to the top of the two-story restaurant. Sin City’s newest landmark, a 20-foot devilish vixen clad in thigh-high black patent leather boots, a Brazilian-cut bikini bottom and demi-bra, and holding the devil’s trademark pitchfork, now towers over the famed Las Vegas Strip. The full figured three-dimensional she-devil is set amidst a one-of-a-kind 63-foot long “Diablo’s Cantina” animated LED uplighting system which will simulate roaring flames. The sizzling hot statue will be a symbol of Diablo’s festive party spirit where “sinners are welcome.” Diablo’s is the Light Group’s newest restaurant venture opening September 15.

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About Diablo’s Cantina:

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Centrally located on Las Vegas Boulevard at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, Diablo’s Cantina is a 13,000-square-foot multi-level entertainment complex serving “cross-the-border” Mexican, Southwest and American cuisine. Its open-air design provides an inviting and high-energy environment to help set a festive tone, combining all the fanfare and charm of a Mexican coastal cantina with the excitement and vibe of a lively “people-watching” hot spot. Mixing “Old World” style with modern technology, Diablo’s décor features vibrant colors with rustic tile and furniture as well as 10 large plasma screens throughout for sports and entertainment viewing.

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An extensive menu of luscious libations, including specialty margaritas, mojitos, sangrias and a variety of rare and exotic tequilas served by a staff of sultry señoritas adds a touch of spice and excitement while roaming tequila vixens will get the party started.

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# # #
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Photo: Diablo’s Cantina She-Devil hoisted across LV Boulevard right before she is mounted -
Courtesy of the Light Group

Diablos Cantina - Lights On But Nobodys Home...Yet

Diablos Cantina is almost open. Some neon signs are up and turned on. The main Diablos sign has not yet been installed. Here is a quick look at the state of Diablos Cantina from Wednesday night 29 August 2007. More to come later today or early tomorrow.

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Diablos Cantina will open soon, at the south end of The Monte Carlo, where the south steps used to be, on Las Vegas Boulevard. And yes, the north steps still exist!

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Sultry senoritas. Roaming tequilla vixens. -- Two lines from one of the greatest press releases ever.

Frontier - Fire

Television news reported that there was a fire at The Frontier on Wednesday during daylight hours. Information was brief, but apparently debris outside the building caught fire and the building was on fire as well. The sprinkler system apparently still works; I wonder if that was the first time it has been activated in a fire.

I do not have pictures, but no doubt some will surface as the news had video.

Frontier Las Vegas - Mattresses And Windows

It is as if The Frontier was turned into an internment camp, and a riot ensued. Fenced in. Some windows out, others broken. Mattresses piled high around the perimeter. Chairs and other vaguely discernable pieces of furniture scattered about. Carpeting ripped up and piled with other trash on the ground of what was the vicinity of the main entrance valet area.

Frontier - Demolition By Clauss Construction

The demolition signs are up at The Frontier. I don't know the actual date for the implosion. My guess is that Clauss does not know it yet either.

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This is a different company than was used for The Stardust; (Controlled Demolition Of Baltimore was used for The Stardust).

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Clauss has a website:

http://www.claussconstruction.com/

Las Vegas Fix Shot 1 - LVB At Sahara

Introducing a new feature for this blog. Las Vegas Fix Shot

Very brief posts, that will provide a FIX for those who are in between trips to Las Vegas.

This shot is of the northwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara; (Bonanza Gift Shop area). It was taken 5:04 pm (1704 hours pacific) Monday 27 August 2007.

It is an imperfect shot of an imperfect corner. But if you miss Las Vegas, I think that you might appreciate it in some sense, especially with knowing precisely when it was taken.

Palazzo Las Vegas - Opens 2008

Palazzo, the Las Vegas hotel casino which is going up right next to The Venetian, has just been reported by channel 3 news as opening in 2008.

Previously I heard an opening date of 20 December 2007 for Palazzo. On a recent podcast FiveHundyByMidnight.com expressed doubt that The Venetian would open this year.

Shortly after noon today, Las Vegas news on channel 3, did a short piece on the opening of the largest casino in the world, a version of The Venetian located in Macau. That was followed by text on the screen that Palazzo (Las Vegas) opens in 2008.

Here is a view of The Palazzo in Las Vegas, as it looked yesterday Monday 27 August 2007.

The Frontier - Haunted Appearance

At night, the north side of The Frontier has a haunted appearance. I know people who will say that The Frontier always had a haunted appearance. But now, the fence, and the lights all off on the north side, the garbage and the empty parking lot, makes it appear haunted even more.

The rest of The Frontier is being treated as a garbage building. Again, I know people who...

Mattresses and carpets are being thrown in heaping piles on the front and south sides.

Photos and more details to come in another post.

Las Vegas - Question And Answer - Frontier And Western

Answer:

The Frontier and The Western.

Question:

What two Las Vegas hotel casinos have made an odd declaration on their signs, that their self parking is free?

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Note - The Frontier, up to a few years ago had Free Parking written on their giant arrow sign. Then for some reason, they blacked out the words Free Parking. They just blacked it out.

The only other place where I am aware of such blacking out on signs is the now defunct Golden Palm hotel at Industrial and Tropicana. When they switched from being a casino hotel, to simply a hotel, they sent someone out with a magic marker to black out the word Casino.

Screw The Lunar Eclipse From Las Vegas

I am unsatisfied with the photos I took of the lunar eclipse, so I'm not posting any. It's not like you haven't seen the moon yourself anyway.

Now if one day I happen to get some photos of Las Vegas taken from the moon, then I will definitely post those, even if the quality is a little off.

Back to the streets of Las Vegas.

Lunar Eclipse In Las Vegas

Complete and clear visibility from Las Vegas of a total lunar eclipse is underway right now. RoyVegas will return with photos of an eclipse of the moon as seen from Las Vegas.

Wynn Las Vegas - Blush NightClub

Blush Boutique NightClub

Opening Labor Day Weekend at Wynn, Las Vegas.

Luxor Las Vegas - Ad On Building

The Luxor is getting a giant ad for Absolut installed on the Las Vegas Boulevard side of the pyramid. When looking at the building in person, it is very easy to not see the workers who are on the face of the pyramid, doing the installation.

I think that this is the first giant ad The Luxor has had since the NBA All Star game week, which everyone has spoken of so highly. There was some telephone related ad on The Luxor at that time.

If taken to an extreme, I suppose that this ad could help you forget the last one.

(Maybe this blog post could help you forget the last one.)

The Spinning Red Shoe Of Las Vegas

The official name is Ruby Slipper. How many slippers have high heels and over the ankle straps?

The red shoe which is located between the El Cortez and Mamacita's Cuban Mexican Restaurant on Fremont Street spins. Quickly. Ten seconds for a revolution might not seem too fast, but as I stood in the street clocking the revolutions of the red shoe, the speed seemed overly quick for the "feel" of the environment.

Maybe the designers of the Fremont East District are psychologically trying to influence people to hurry up as they cross the street, as the shoe is also at a midstreet pedestrian crosswalk.

Lights On At Fremont East District - Las Vegas

The lights have been turned on at Fremont East District, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On Friday night 24 August 2007 Fremont Street east of Las Vegas Boulevard was closed off to vehicular traffic, to allow a street celebration.

More complete coverage, including a couple of smart remarks I have in mind, and photos (of course) are forthcoming. But first, I think, I will sleep.

[How long will it be before someone complains that Las Vegas has a neon martini glass in the middle of a road?]

[When is the last time that you saw someone walking down Fremont Street with a martini glass instead of a 40 ounce bottle? Did anyone consider a neon forty?]

Fremont East District Opens Tonight - Las Vegas

This evening, a renovated section of Fremont Street will have a ceremony and music to celebrate the opening of Fremont East District. (Other sections of Fremont Street will simply have music to celebrate people getting drunk as usual.)

At 7:00 pm tonight Friday 24 August 2007 there will be a ceremony at Fremont East District.

At 7:45 pm (I believe) the power will be turned on to the few bits of neon and signs in this particular segment of Fremont Street.

At 8:00 pm the regular hourly Fremont Street Experience shows begin; a block or two away of course.

It remains to be seen what will really develop of this small area. I suppose that in time it will do well as there are residential buildings going up in the area.

The Western Hotel and Casino, (which I think is now only a casino) is a little beyond the east end of Fremont East District. The tourists I have seen venturing on this block tend to turn around using the El Cortez as their safety limit.

A lot of stores on this block are closed but not yet redeveloped. It is actually a fine time to check out the block and photograph the remains of old Las Vegas stores.

On the west end of Fremont East District, one can still see the 7 from what was a neon 7-11. Big deal I know.

There are also old closed discount and souvenir stores. Their signs remain, and are interesting to see. In a way it is unfortunate that these stores did not remain open to be a part of tonight's festivities.

Have fun in Las Vegas and turn your flash off.

[Also see my earlier post about Fremont East District at http://royvegas.blogspot.com/2007/08/fremont-east-district-las-vegas.html

which was posted on Tuesday 21 August 2007.]

Las Vegas - Answer To What Is This #1

Congratulations to Mike P, winner of the first, and possibly only RoyVegas What Is This Las Vegas photo trivia question. Mike won with his succinct and correct answer "Lady Luck!"

The place has a classic name, and the street level neon was nice. Lady Luck used to run ads in Las Vegas Style magazine which I do not think is around anymore. The ads boasted of their personal service, and how they would even place a newspaper in front of your door (I think they offered USA Today, and maybe the NY Times).

Perhaps those ads did not generate the expected revenue.

In theory though, I do like the idea of a higher level of personal service.

Las Vegas - What Is This #1?

Okay Las Vegas buffs. I know the answer. Maybe you do as well. Take a look at the photo. What is this?

Las Vegas - White Cross Drugs - Fountain Grill

When the street looks good enough to go there, the drug store with a counter and grill may no longer exist.

White Cross Drugs is on Las Vegas Boulevard, a little north of The Stratosphere. It is an old place, and some of the neighboring streets are desolate; either industrial or defunct. (Go in the daytime.)

One thing, maybe the only thing, that makes White Cross Drugs special, is that it is a drug store with a 5 and 10 style counter and grill at which to eat.

The store itself has a somewhat colder, emptier, feel than one might expect from the outside. It sort of looks as if it might be the type of independent store which carries everything. Let me clue you in -- it's not.

Right next to White Cross, is Myers Market, which has been closed for some time. Nearby, some businesses have been closed and razed, I believe via eminent domain. As well, some old motels have closed in the area.

Lana Fuchs fashion, (not shown in these photos) is on the very next block from White Cross, on Las Vegas Boulevard.

The area is changing, and White Cross is the type of place which smiling faced crackpots in the main stream media tend to report as a human interest story the day after it closes.

The point is that when this place eventually closes, or just closes it's soda fountain with counter, the odds that you will receive satisfactory advance notice so that you can go check it out, are too small. It's not a beautiful place, but it is vinatage, and a 5 minute visit, can satisfy a lifetime of wondering.

I suggest that this is your advance notice. Better a year too early than a day too late.

Fremont East District - Las Vegas

Fremont East District is a section of Fremont Street in the vicinity of The El Cortez Hotel and Casino. It is about a block away from the east end (Fitzgerald's, Walgreens, Neonopolis, etc.) of The Fremont Street Experience.

The area has been run down for a long time, but is being cleaned up and brightened. Old time stores have closed. The road and sidewalks have been redone. Street signs are new, unique, and blue.

Las Vegas retro style signs have been placed on poles in the center of Fremont Street. Ground level pedestrian crossings have been added.

The power has not yet been turned on, so the signs remain dark. I have read, but not confirmed that the power will be turned on this Friday, the 24th of August 2007, after a ceremony.

If there is such a ceremony I do not expect to attend.

But I was there recently photographing the area in it's pre-official opened state.

The El Cortez is in the right place at the right time. Residential buildings are going up in the area. The street is losing it's vintageness but the money will flow.

Even once the area is officially turned on, there will still not be too much going on for a while. If you are there in the near future, you will be able to see some of the remainders of how the street used to be - some of the old storefronts and such. It is going away quickly though.

Planet Hollywood - Las Vegas - Sign Is Up

Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas has finally put up it's sign on the two popscicle sticks. (I think the sign was put up 3 days ago.) It is not lit yet.

It is now more easy to see what the finished look of PH will be. I suppose that the many round things will light or reflect light.

The difference between the appearance of the new metallic front, and the stonish building above it is particularly odd. If kept like that, (the old and the new) I will always see the front as an odd misfit on The Strip.

By my own unprofessional judgement, I will guess that Planet Hollywood will be completed in 6 weeks (by 1 October 2007).

By the way, where have I seen that sign before?

http://royvegas.blogspot.com/2007/08/las-vegas-top-secret-exclusive-planet.html

Las Vegas - Luxor - High Expectations

The non-Egyptian Luxor is hip and cool.

Right now they are advertising:

1. Pharaoh's Pheast Buffet - Children 3 and younger eat free.


2. Ronn Lucas - a ventriloquist.


3. Britney Spears opening LAX nightclub.

LAX nightclub at The Luxor may well become a hot spot. And Britney Spears seems to be a good choice to open such a club.

The other two items strike me as being incongruous with the Luxor's plans to become an upper level adult place, without a theme.

Maybe I am expecting too much too soon.

Or maybe I am just expecting too much.

Las Vegas - Congratulations

A classic thing to do in Las Vegas. Get married and get your picture taken at the sign.

It is worth mentioning that since the "Welcome" sign is going to get a small parking lot, and perhaps other changes, it might be worth a visit, or passing photograph, to capture the spot in it's present state.

Or for the less adventurous, you can just visit this blog.

Las Vegas - Frontier Snack Bar

The snack bar in The Frontier as seen on closing night. I get a kick that the tip jar was actually a pail. Still though, they wrote Tip Jar on it, instead of simply Tips.

This snack bar, like the one at The Stardust was next to the sports book. However The Stardust snack bar closed at 8:30 PM, and the one at The Frontier was open 24 hours.

Las Vegas - Latin Grammy Awards - Commercial

The 8th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be held at Mandalay Bay, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 8 November 2007. A commercial for McDonalds which was filmed at Fremont Street will air during that broadcast.

From what I saw, I expect that this will be a more sophisticated commercial than is usually seen from McDonalds. As well, because it will air during the Latin Grammy Awards, everyone involved in the production seemed to be much more excited than I have seen at other television projects.

It is good to see people excited about what they are doing. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product, when it airs in November.

This is my second post on this item. If you missed the first one, check out my post from two days ago.

Here is a link to a press release about the Latin Grammy Awards; it will be the first time that this event is being held in Las Vegas.

http://www.mandalaybay.com/footer/EventPressReleaseTemplate.aspx?ID=236

Las Vegas - Gold Spike

Conveniently located one block from the dark, empty, and closed Lady Luck, is The Gold Spike!

Originally I was going to just let this be a Gold Spike photo essay. Then I thought, no that is too lazy. I ought to at least see if there is a Gold Spike website, and if so, include a link to it.

Well there is a Gold Spike website, and it may just count as the thinnest hotel/casino website I have seen. Fewer photos than this blog post. Perhaps less text than this post. So I am not that lazy after all. Go see for yourself.

http://www.goldspikehotelcasino.com/

The street was sort of desolate and creepy when I photographed it. Attractive in a...desolate and creepy way. Then I went inside The Gold Spike for a few minutes. The place had a good number of people in it, but something spooked me. I felt cold and uncomfortable, and I am not sure why.

I felt better once out in the dark streets of downtown Las Vegas.

Las Vegas - Commercial Filmed On Fremont Street

Monday night 13 August 2007, (and into the early hours of Tuesday) a commercial for McDonalds was filmed on Fremont Street. It was largely being filmed in the common area between The Fremont and The 4 Queens.

While I did not see any hamburgers, there were many beautiful girls dressed very well, as the theme of the commercial was The Latin Grammy's.

One of the scenes showed an old station wagon parked in front of limousines, presumably at the red carpet area of The Latin Grammy's. A man pounds on the station wagon demanding that the driver get the vehicle out of there.

It appears that the production was being done by Letca Films.

Very short scenes were filmed many times in a row. Makeup artists who had an incredible amount of cosmetics on utility belts were constantly attending to the actresses.

At one point, an employee of the McDonalds located nearby in Fitzgeralds came over to observe the filming. He was the only person there who looked out of place.

Las Vegas - Caesars Palace Brahma Shrine

I thought that it would be nice to begin the week with prosperity and good fortune. Here then, is the Brahma Shrine, located at Caesars Palace. (Specifically located on the north end of the Roman Plaza, not far from the fountains).

Las Vegas - Top Secret Exclusive - Planet Hollywood Sign

The outside of Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, has been under construction for quite a while, and is still rather unfinished. Although the PH name is on top of the building, the main sign is not yet up. (Only the poles for the sign are up.)

Here we have a RoyVegas exclusive. A glimpse of the Planet Hollywood sign which is still under construction a few miles from the hotel where it will be erected.

[I'm awarding myself and this blog a Pulitzer.]

Diablo's Cantina - Opens Next Month

Here is a brief look at the very recent state of Diablo's Cantina.

The south end of The Monte Carlo has been changed from a picturesque staircase into Diablo's Cantina which opens September 2007.

Diablo's Cantina will have sultry senoritas and roaming tequilla vixens.

They were running a website which had some info, but now that website refers to the parent company of Diablo's, so I am not presenting that link.

Here is a link to the Diablo's page at The Monte Carlo's site:

http://www.montecarlo.com/restaurants/restaurants_diablos.aspx

From what I have read and seen of this place, it looks like it will be rather cool (hot).

The Monte Carlo - Diablo's Cantina in the front, McDonalds in the back, no self parking garage at the present moment.

Perhaps Diablo's will be the beginning of a good turn of decisions for The Monte Carlo.

Las Vegas - Bourbon Street and Key Largo (flashback)

My last post shows the old Bourbon Street sign, and the vacant Key Largo, as they are being used today (George Wallace and Ron Paul for President).

This post shows both of those locations in better days. The Bourbon Street sign without the George Wallace sign slapped over it; and Key Largo when it was still open for business.

Las Vegas - George Wallace For President

A sign on Flamingo near the monorail asserts funnyman George Wallace for President.

A few blocks east, still on Flamingo, is the long defunct and vacant Key Largo hotel and casino, which touts another Presidential hopeful, Ron Paul.

Las Vegas - Stage Door Casino - Odd Sign

A comment was left yesterday which linked to an article about The Stage Door Casino, and it's odd sign.

The article is actually very good, and I would like to offer the link here, in the event that you missed it in the comments.

http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/2007/01/19/feature3.html

Something else I would like to point out. When visiting Las Vegas, pay at least a little attention to the oddities, as they are vanishing.

Maybe you have 23 years left to check this small place out, and take a picture.

Maybe.

We Have 23 Years Left On Our Lease

Located where the Las Vegas Monorail crosses Flamingo, the Stage Door Casino has 23 years left on it's lease, and is here to serve you!

As far as a tourist perception of Las Vegas goes, the Stage Door would probably be considered an enhanced bar. There are a few machines, and an attached convenience store.

I have wondered if their sign about the lease is meant to attract business, or to motivate the right person.

Will we have to wait until 2030 to find out?

Henderson, Nevada - Simpsons Kwik E Mart NO MORE

The 7-11 in Henderson, Nevada, which was converted into a Kwik E Mart to promote The Simpsons (movie) has been returned to an ordinary 7-11. It is no longer a Kwik E Mart.

I am not sure precisely when it went back to being a mere 7-11, though I believe it was at least a week ago.

Here I present some links to my coverage of the Henderson Kwik E Mart.

http://royvegas.blogspot.com/2007/07/las-vegas-henderson-simpsons-kwik-e.html


http://royvegas.blogspot.com/2007/07/henderson-nevada-simpsons-7-11.html


http://royvegas.blogspot.com/2007/07/henderson-nevada-simpsons-7-11-products.html


http://royvegas.blogspot.com/2007/07/las-vegas-thank-you-mark-and-mercedes.html

Las Vegas - Excalibur - Dick's Last Resort

Excalibur has a new restaurant - Dick's Last Resort.

In order to promote the restaurant, the Merlin character which has been been visible for many years, has been removed or covered up with a character representing the restaurant.

Dick's Last Resort has:

• Cheap Food


• Cold Booze


• Live Music

Dick's Last Resort does not have:

• Mud Wrestling

More information can be found at:

http://www.excalibur.com/restaurants/dicks_last_resort.aspx

Las Vegas - Frontier Dark

The famous sign of The New Frontier has gone dark. All of the lettering which was on the lower half of the sign has been removed.

COLD BEER....DIRTY GIRLS - perhaps the greatest marketing line of all time is now just a blank space on a dark sign which is awaiting the ax.

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On a different topic; for the best editor's note I have read, check out:

http://www.whilelasvegassleeps.com/2007/08/01/guest-column-summer-the-stripper-genius-bathroom-designers/

Las Vegas - NYNY Orange Moon

NYNY Orange Moon

Las Vegas - Crosswalk Challenged

On Tuesday 5 June 2007 I did a post [Las Vegas - Don't Do This] which showed a group who decided to use the closed ground level crosswalk, instead of the bridge, between Treasure Island and The Fashion Show Mall.

http://royvegas.blogspot.com/2007/06/las-vegas-dont-do-this.html

A week later, on the 12th I was at the same intersection when the same decision had to be made. Use the escalator and pedestrian bridge, or hop a wall and dodge traffic.

These two went over the wall and ventured out a little before deciding that the idea was not that good after all. So they turned around, climbed back over the wall, and used the pedestrian bridge.

Although it is good that I got to use some photos from my archives, it is ridiculous that anyone would consider doing such a dingbatted action as being a target for traffic which does not expect a pedestrian to be in the gutter.

Las Vegas - Palazzo And Sirens Of TI

Across Las Vegas Boulevard from Treasure Island, the construction of Palazzo continues at an alarming rate. I am not saying fast or slow, just alarming.

This is how Palazzo looked during the middle of last week (end of July 2007).

I do remember that a few years ago the location had a sign proclaiming it to be the future site of a Walgreens. If Palazzo does not work out, I suppose that we may one day see a Walgreens hotel and casino on that site. It would be the only hotel on The Strip with reasonably priced scope.

Since The Sirens Of TI show occurs across the street from Palazzo, I am including some shots of that with this post.

After a rare one week absence, The Original Las Vegas Podcast - Five Hundy by Midnight has just posted show #129 Here Comes Palazzo. http://www.fivehundybymidnight.com/

Have a great day.

Las Vegas Frontier Best Speed Bump

From 10 July 2007, I present, the best unintentional speed bump, on The Las Vegas Strip.

The warning sign merely says:

CAUTION DIP

Yeah, no kidding.

The north driveway of The Frontier, which led onto Stardust Road, was an excellent way of avoiding pedestrian traffic at the Las Vegas Boulevard exit. The dip/rise however was so significant that careless drivers entering too quickly did hit the ground instead of driving over it.

Entertainment like that just can't be planned.

Las Vegas - Frontier Closing Series - Double Rainbow Ice Cream

How is it possible that this series is not yet done?

Closing night at The Frontier all the small shops near the snack bar were closed. [Snack bar was open.]

Here is Double Rainbow Ice Cream shop, already closed and largely vacated, on the final night of The Frontier.

It appeared that the only unsold items which remained were a few bags of potato chips on a clip rack.

A few empty cans of Red Bull sat on a counter which was pushed to the side. The store had a late-night-worked look to it, as one might see when a new store is preparing to open. However, these photos were taken several hours before The Frontier closed.

Las Vegas - Luxor Again - Haunted House Analogy

On Thursday 12 July 2007 I wrote a post about the Luxor attempting to become a resort without any identifiable theme.

http://royvegas.blogspot.com/2007/07/las-vegas-luxor-and-servile-media.html

A few more thoughts
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Instead of trying to remove any identifiable theme, The Luxor ought to have tried to install an identifiable theme.

Previously I have made the point, perhaps too gently, that The Luxor, unlike New York New York, never fully implemented the Egyptian theme from which they claim that they now must rid themselves.

The Luxor's Egyptian theme, has been run in a sort of one dimensional manner; not unlike a haunted house attraction at a small amusement park.

Remember those haunted house rides, where you sit in a cart on a track, and travel through a dark 7-11 sized haunted house? The cart would go slowly in darkness until it neared "an exhibit" and then suddenly the exhibit lightbulbs would go on and illuminate a scary looking dummy that was protected by a fence of chicken wire. Then the lightbulbs would turn off and the cart would travel to the next terrifying exhibit.

It was fun, and if you were young enough it might have been scary, but it wasn't a haunted house. It was a house of scary themed exhibits presented in a hopefully suspenseful and startling manner.

That, in a way, is how The Luxor implemented the Egyptian theme. To be clear, I am not trashing The Luxor, and I do remember the excitement I felt the first time I saw and went inside The Luxor. I loved it from the outside, but they did not follow through on the inside.

The Luxor was decorated Egyptian, but I never felt that I was anywhere Egyptian. That distinction is important because THE PLACE IS A PYRAMID.

The expectation raised by seeing it from the outside, was not continued on the inside. I know they had (still have ?) their Egyptian attraction area, King Tut or whatever it was, and some other stuff, but that was not enough.

NYNY looks incredible on the outside, and it continues on the inside. The theme of New York City is saturated in the very design and details.

Luxor was decorated Egyptian, but saturated nothing. It never got deep enough.

The Luxor seeks to become a number one hot spot. A real adult place. I suppose they may well succeed, but it did not have to occur at the loss of Egyptian potential. As far as adult intrigue, the concept of a pyramid, and ancient Egypt, is loaded with potential.

Imagine how incredible The Luxor could have been.

You will have to imagine it, because the people who have managed the place did not.

Las Vegas - The State Of The Strip

Except for The Frontier the state of The Strip hasn't changed much recently.

Palazzo continues its sluggish giant construction. The interior of the main entrance (center steps) on the Las Vegas Boulevard side is taking on an increasingly finished appearance.

The front of Planet Hollywood is still being renovated. Still!

Project City Center is getting bigger and denser at the same impressively quick rate of construction which has been observed.

Echelon Place (former Stardust) is having dirt trucked out constantly. And I do mean constantly. Rig after rig of dirt is removed. I expect that the Echelon Place project will be run very competently, and am looking forward to seeing the development once the construction is fully underway.

There is a construction project across Las Vegas Boulevard from Circus Circus. Some of that land used to be The Algiers. The corner had a small wedding church. Construction there is getting very visible and quick. I have it photographed at different stages, including when it was The Algiers. I think that it is a condo project, but I am not sure.

The McDonalds which is located on The Strip just north of what was The Stardust sports book has not made any move to become a two story McDonalds. They have had a sign out front for a while explaining that they will become a two floor structure. I wonder if Boyd will buy it.

At night, when going south on The Strip, there have been lane closures south of Flamingo. Traffic appeared to get real thick at that point so I have bailed out on Flamingo. I don't know what is going on there.

I have pictures and other stuff. A back log of stuff. Time. I need time. -- As time goes on and I put off posting something, it winds up in the RoyVegas archives, perhaps never to be seen again. Or at least not easily found on demand.

I just remembered something. This won't mean anything to you unless you have been to Las Vegas. What is that ridiculous music they keep playing at the front of The Fashion Show Mall? It's like a reggae carnival thing being played on a battery operated organ or something. Then they break out of the clip and go back to the more upbeat IPOD music while the IPOD characters dance on the screens above.

Las Vegas - LAX Billboard

LAX NightClub at The Luxor will open Labor Day Weekend 2007.

In the event that you need to view a countdown clock for this super incredible event, one is counting down the seconds right now at:

http://www.laxthenightclub.com/

Right now, as I make this post, there is something like 30 days, 17 hours, 3 minutes, 5 seconds, until the velvet ropes are parted.

How many fatburgers will I eat between now and then?

How many times will I press my RoyVegas shutter button?

How many more posts will I make about The Frontier?

How many times will I visit The Riviera? (probably zero, no use waiting 30 days for that answer)

For the answers to these vital questions, and much more, be sure to visit this blog over the next 30 days, 16 hours, 59 minutes, 12 seconds.