I Copied the following from another Vegas Forum. From the follow up replies I'd read, I think this poster is serious.
“ A Sad Sad Day ” Nov 24, 2011, 4:23 PM Yes it is official The Western will be closing at exactly 12:01 AM PST on January 16, 2012.
I for one will miss the old joint. Dollar drafts and dollar shots are what made the place great. Sure it did not appeal to the masses yet it had a quaint charm and style of its own.
Over the years I have made several friends hanging out there. Many of which I still have contact with some I no longer have contact with and wish i did. I know I will have some lifelong friends thanks to the Western.
I recently spoke to the ChiTown Gambler and he and I agree that now with the closing of the Western and the prior closing of the Atomic there is little reason to travel to Vegas. Chi and I consider ourselves "semi locals" in so much that thed glitz and glamour of the Strip does not appeal to us. We could much rather go belly up to the Western bar and chat with the locals there.
Ah yes, the Western, when sleaze was in style. Back in the 70's, 80's, and into the early 90's this was often my home on Las Vegas trips. Was much poorer then, far younger and more foolish. Those $16 a night rates, 7 days a week, even on weekends and holidays kept bringing me back. Would usually leave the car parked and walk all over downtown. Thought nothing of walking back to the Western at 3 AM or so from the Union Plaza or Las Vegas Club. Never a problem, although found out later that I was nuts for doing so. Did have a colorful (?) neighbor or two on a few stays. Like The-Hooker-Next-Door and other stuff. Older and more sedate now, but like many others, do often look back and miss the passing parade of Old Las Vegas.
