Fans of Old Las Vegas

Old Las Vegas is our choice------No drugs deals out in the open in fact hardly any drugs were present----people dress codes were a lot better----service was a priority casinos wanted your business-----gambling was much more fun back then-----people in general were more friendly towards others-----Hardly any shooting---Las Vegas was a lot safer back then-------it was just a different place to have fun..............

I hate to even admit this to myself, but...

Even walking through Bellagio in the evening feels like Walmart on black Friday (which I have never done...just imagine what it would be like). Hoards and hoards of people, running over you, especially in the Conservatory. Used to be a pleasant experience. Now an experience in dodging strollers and "Europeans" who walk on the left side back home, apparently.

We've only been going since 2002 and have a tremendous difference. The douchebaggery level on the Strip is beyond bad, the panhandlers and time share folks (I don't differentiate between the 2) practically assault you, and the overall vibe of the place is different. Seems like the douchebag "club" crowd is who they cater to now.

We stay on the Strip in summer because of the pools, and we like the restaurants and many of the shows, so we know the downside of Strip life. When gambling, we go off Strip to places like Fremont, Sam's Town, and a few of the Station casinos. My wife finally played 3-card on our last trip and the dealers off the Strip (as well as the other folks at the table) couldn't be nicer. She hit a straight flush and everybody cheered. Never had any such experience on the Strip...

Anyway, I'm complaining about a place we love to go, and we still do love it for the most part... Like I said, just a different feel now than 11 years ago for sure.

Bushman

Whether it is 11 years or 11 hours, everything changes in Vegas.
The biggest thing I notice, especially flying in, is the suburban sprawl that has spread. There used to be a lot of desert in that valley. Now its developed from foothills to foothills.

I don't remember how long ago, but there was once an ATV (three wheelers back then) tour that started right on the strip. And who remembers the helicopter tours that took off and landed right on the strip too.

I remember driving around in a rental car with friends looking for Dan Tanna's house/garage. It was practically on the strip but seemed remote and dislocated from the city.

Going to Vegas next week and plan to hit up The Barrymore and Capo's Italian Steakhouse. Need to mingle with the faux consigliere.

Did you see the show called "Mystery Diners". The owner of Capos called them in because he was getting too many complaints about his brother who was the manager. They filmed the show secretly. The brother was very touchy feely with the female customers and made very inappropriate comments. As it turns out they caught one of the most trusted waiters stealing food from him and stealing money by printing up VIP vouchers and substituting them to the cashier when he was to bring up the customer's cash payment.

I guess they took their theme to heart.

I was gonna mention it also when I saw Capo's. Actually I had that on the list of possible "give it a try" places to eat last trip, of course never made it. I did check out the menu online, a bit pricey for off strip Italian IMO but looked really good and would like to try it sometime.

How about letting us snuffy's know how it is if you make it out there.

J

I have been to both of those restaurants. They are great! The berrymore is a hidden gem.

We've been going since 2000. Obviously a lot of changes in just 13 years. I learned to play craps at the $1 tables at the Sahara & loved the "old school" feel to the place. While the dealers there could be surly, they knew how to deal the games - and surly only lasted until you bantered back and forth with them. GREAT TIMES! I miss "Mumbles" working the table - he was an excellent dealer at craps but obviously not real entertaining with the stick - you see, "Mumbles" never said too much.

Ho Dog at the Westard Ho was only attempted once. I got about 3/4 done with it then it hit me what I was eating. Yikes!

By 2000 Stardust had more of a locals feel to it than a Strip property in my opinion. But still, it was kinda cool inside.

Miss the small stores along the west side of the strip where City Center is now. $1 for a bottle of MGD at a very convenient spot.

Maybe it's just because I'm getting older, but there sure seem to be a lot more "young punks" than there use to be. Seems as though some of the class has gone overall.

However, I will say that in my opinion the food quality has significantly increase over the last 13 years - you've just got to pay a lot to get it. But in a drunken stupor there was nothing like the steak & eggs upstairs at the coffe shop in Binions.

Would have loved to have known the place in the 50's - and really wish I would have started going in my early 20's...that would have been wild!