What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. Sometimes popular Las Vegas attractions are now either gone, cancelled, or leaving soon. So this week in gambling, we’re saying goodbye to some concerts and clubs, shows and services, restaurants, and maybe even a resort on the strip.
In the ever evolving high stakes gambling landscape, Las Vegas attractions come and go. So we kick off this program with the Strip property that many think should have gone a long time ago. Circus Circus. The often maligned resort has officially been listed for sale with an asking price of $5 billion. Not too bad considering the owner purchased the property for only 825 million just five years ago. Despite its overall negative reputation, circus Circus does occupy over 100 acres of prime real estate, and 2000 feet of that is right on the strip. If sold, it could be refurbished or demolished to make room for another resort, and my money’s on demolished.
Meanwhile, a story we covered last July reported on a Bellagio expansion that was going to add 400,000 square feet of new restaurants, retail and entertainment space along their amazing water feature and fountain show. But that’s not happening either. Project Mojave, as it was called, has been shelved indefinitely while owners MGM resorts focus on their plans in New York and Japan. MGM also fired valets dormant baggage handlers, and more at their Excalibur Resort in Vegas, just to save some cash, and that’s not all.
The company just closed one of their Las Vegas attractions, the Penthouse Lounge at Mandalay Bay, to help boost margins and while cutting expenses across the board. MGM has also raised their resort fees twice in the past year, while also raising fees for parking and ATM transactions. Read into that what you will. Also leaving Las Vegas soon will be the Eagles residency at the Las Vegas Sphere. The original plan for eight shows blossomed into 44 concert dates, the last of which is now set for Saturday, November 8th. So see them while you can.
In addition to the Eagles, several shows at the Orleans are now leaving Las Vegas as well, including the somewhat popular marriage can be murder all so that the theater where they’re performing now can be converted into a high stakes poker room. Also the Popular Gentleman’s Club Centerfolds closed its doors just last week. This after more than a decade in operation. But if strip clubs are your thing, have no fear. It’s already been reopened as a new club called Players. That new venue has a sports theme, but yes, it’s still a strip club, so all you have to worry about now is how to explain to your wife or girlfriend where all that glitter came from.
Finally this week, if you’d like to skydive while you’re in Las Vegas, your only option now is to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. That’s because Vegas Indoor Skydiving has officially shut its doors due to operational costs and a lack of interest. Meanwhile, the popular Vegas based Pawn Stars television show has come to an end. So while the shop remains open, the only place you can see Rick Chumley and the boys will be in reruns. I would say you could see them if you visited the shop yourself, but hey. We’re all adults here, and we know that’s not gonna happen.
